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## Chapter 11
The second day was New Year’s Day.
Xu Yi and Duan Yan were back.
They were supposed to arrive in City A at ten in the morning, but due to weather, their flight was delayed until two in the afternoon.
Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian went to the airport to pick them up.
Having not seen them for over a month, both Xu Yi and Duan Yan were noticeably thinner.
Zuo Nian held two bouquets of flowers and, upon seeing them, happily ran over, calling out, “Papa Xu, Papa Duan.”
“Niannian came too?” Xu Yi affectionately stroked his head.
“Uh-huh, Niannian hasn’t seen you in a long time, I miss you,” Zuo Nian was very sweet, and everything he said came from the heart.
Duan Baisui followed behind Zuo Nian, calling, “Dad, Little Papa.”
“You should have just let the driver come, you didn’t need to make the trip yourselves,” Duan Yan said.
Duan Baisui took the luggage, saying, “It’s right to come. Zuo Nian woke up early to order flowers, wanting to see you quickly, and so did I.”
Xu Yi smiled, raised a hand to pat Duan Baisui’s shoulder, and said, “Your dad is just being stubborn, he’s thrilled that you and Niannian came.”
Duan Yan awkwardly coughed and asked, “Are we going or not?”
Duan Baisui also chuckled, “I know.”
The family hadn't been together for a long time, so they had a lot to catch up on.
Duan Baisui put the luggage in the trunk and went around to the driver's seat.
Zuo Nian sat in the back with Xu Yi, and Duan Yan took the passenger seat.
As the car began to move smoothly, Duan Baisui asked, “Little Papa, are you feeling better? What did the doctor say?”
Xu Yi: “It’s nothing major, just take the medicine on time and accept the pheromone soothing from your father, and it will slowly get better. It’s just that for this period, I probably won't be able to go to the company, so any documents that need my signature can be brought back for me to look at.”
Duan Yan: “What company? We have me and our son, it’s not going to collapse, is it? I told you, nothing is more important than you. I’ve been reminding you to rest, but you insist on being a workaholic. You’re a little Omega, why worry so much?”
Xu Yi: “...Not so little?”
Duan Yan was usually stable and composed in public, but only when it came to Xu Yi would he become flustered and disorganized.
The affection between the two of them was something that time could not diminish.
“Little Papa, the company isn't that busy lately. Please rest well. If there is truly a major decision, I will come back and discuss it with you two.”
“Uh-huh, Papa Xu, don’t worry and rest at home. Niannian can close the shop early every day to come and keep you company, so you won’t be bored,” Zuo Nian said obediently.
Xu Yi smiled, “Wouldn't that interfere with your business?”
Zuo Nian wrinkled his nose, “Anyway, business hasn't been great recently, and besides, you can’t earn all the money in the world; you should spend more time with family.”
“See, Niannian is more sensible than you,” Duan Yan turned to Xu Yi.
Xu Yi: “Alright, I get it. Say less and give me some face in front of the kids.”
“Okay, okay, okay,” Duan Yan readily agreed.
Duan Yan and Xu Yi preferred quiet, so the manor was located in a relatively remote area.
It took more than forty minutes to drive from the airport.
Considering that Xu Yi was not yet suitable for crowded places, Duan Baisui instructed the aunties at the manor to prepare food at home.
Zuo Jun and Ason had also been invited earlier and were planning to come over after work.
Since it was New Year's Day, the two families could have a complete reunion dinner.
Zuo Nian stayed in the living room chatting with Xu Yi, while Duan Yan called Duan Baisui to the study.
He first inquired about the follow-up handling of the Ju Xiao incident and then asked about some company matters.
Duan Baisui had done everything very well, which put him at ease.
The father and son hadn't had a heart-to-heart talk in a long time, so having the opportunity now, Duan Yan had a lot to advise him on.
In fact, the relationship between Duan Baisui and Duan Yan was very good.
Duan Baisui had always admired Duan Yan since childhood, thinking he was the strongest Alpha in the world, capable of defeating even Ultraman.
As he grew up, he continued to regard Duan Yan as his benchmark.
He wished he could be like his father—able to navigate the company with ease, dealing with those old foxes, and taking good care of his Omega at home.
He even often compared himself to Duan Yan, ultimately concluding that he was not a qualified husband.
“I see your relationship with Niannian has become much closer lately.”
After discussing work, Duan Yan couldn't help but inquire about his son’s personal life.
“Yes.”
“That’s good. Your Little Papa always worries about you two, but I trust you can handle it.” Duan Yan looked at him intently, “Alex, a marriage can have pity, but it cannot have condescension.”
“Niannian seems carefree, but he is actually very sensitive. Your Little Papa was right when he said, don’t break an Omega’s heart.”
Duan Yan was a seasoned person, and he had even saved his own fractured marriage with Old Duan because of a strange experience.
Duan Baisui was his son, and he could see his thoughts.
But when it came to feelings, outsiders couldn't intervene much. As a father, he could only offer subtle reminders.
“I know, Dad.”
---
Zuo Jun and Ason arrived around six o'clock.
They were carrying large bags of gifts and were ushered in by the housekeeper.
Duan Yan said, “We’re family, you didn’t need to bring so many things when you came.”
Zuo Jun joked, “They’re all for Yi Ge, none for you.”
Duan Yan pointed to the beautifully packaged box, “Is that Alpha Bone-Strengthening Powder for my wife too?”
Zuo Jun: “That’s for our Suisui.”
Duan Yan sneered, “My son is only twenty-six, why would he drink bone-strengthening powder?”
“Then save it. Wait until you reach your age to drink it...”
“Hey, I don’t like the sound of that. What’s wrong with my age?”
“It's old.”
“Hilarious, I’m old?” Duan Yan was unconvinced, “Wife, am I old?”
Xu Yi was often asked this question and answered immediately, “Not old, not old.”
Zuo Nian, standing nearby, chimed in, “Papas, you are all very young, not old at all, like celebrities.”
“See, my daughter-in-law knows how to talk,” Duan Yan said triumphantly.
Zuo Jun: “My son just knows how to coax people. Come here, to Papa. Oh my, you've put on weight...”
Zuo Nian was deeply struck, “What?”
He was still trying to lose weight, you know.
He looked worriedly at Duan Baisui, who firmly shook his head, indicating that he was not fat.
But Zuo Nian still decided he could no longer secretly eat cookies at night.
---
The dinner was warm and happy. Duan Baisui stayed at the table, having a drink with Zuo Jun and Duan Yan.
The other three, for various reasons, couldn't drink alcohol and had already gone downstairs to watch TV.
The two elders loved to reminisce about the past. Duan Yan often brought up his youthful experience of time-traveling.
Duan Baisui knew the story by heart.
But his father was in high spirits, and Duan Baisui never interrupted their conversation.
He just listened quietly, and when their glasses were empty, he refilled them.
“I told you, you were like a different person after you woke up that time. You used to be so annoying, always making Yi Ge angry, and then suddenly you wised up, calling him ‘baby’ all the time and even sold a game account to buy a ring.”
No matter how bizarre the story was coming from Duan Yan, Zuo Jun would believe it—that was the depth of their friendship.
“Sigh, I dare not imagine how much grievance Xu Yi would have suffered if I hadn't had that foresight,” Duan Yan sighed, “Those were all the stupid things I was capable of doing. I really would have hurt him.”
“Fortunately, you two have been well all the way from high school until now,” Zuo Jun sighed, then felt a little down, “Unlike Ason and me...”
“Aren’t you two doing well too?” Duan Yan asked.
“No, no,” Zuo Jun waved his hand, “I owe him. Truly. Why wasn't I an Alpha? I don’t have pheromones and can't give him a child. He loves children so much...”
“Oh, why talk about that? Don’t you have Niannian? Niannian is so good,” Duan Yan clinked his glass against his.
Zuo Jun drank it all in one go, “Yes, Niannian is really good. I owe Niannian too. My father, that man, gave Niannian a lot of grief before. Why was I so useless, unable to protect them both? The thought of what he did to Niannian makes me feel terrible.”
“It’s all in the past now. Niannian has Alex now, and Alex will take good care of him,” Duan Yan comforted him.
Whether it was the alcohol or the intense emotion, Zuo Jun’s eyes reddened. He raised his glass toward Duan Baisui, “Suisui, I know that at that time you had no intention of marrying Niannian, and you felt obliged.”
Duan Baisui: “Dad, there was no obligation, it was my original promise. Please rest assured, no matter what, I will treat Zuo Nian well.”
Zuo Jun choked up, his many words condensed into one sentence: “Thank you for your trouble.”
The dinner finished at nine o'clock.
Duan Yan and Zuo Jun were both quite drunk.
The housekeeper helped Duan Yan upstairs to rest, and Ason prepared to take Zuo Jun home.
“Dad, it’s late, don’t leave. We have plenty of rooms here, stay the night,” Duan Baisui persuaded them.
“Yes, Handsome Papa, it’s late, and driving isn’t safe,” Zuo Nian added.
Ason shook his head, “Jun’s father is coming early tomorrow morning. As you know, he’s an unreasonable old man. If we don’t rush back, he'll get angry with Jun again.”
Xu Yi: “We can wake you up early tomorrow, you’ll make it.”
Ason: “No, my pheromones have been a little unstable late at night recently. It wouldn't be good if I affected you.”
Duan Baisui: “Then I’ll drive you.”
Ason smiled, “If you go back and forth, it will be even later. Don’t worry, I drive very safely.”
Unable to talk him out of it, Duan Baisui helped him settle Zuo Jun into the car.
After fastening Zuo Jun’s seatbelt, Ason said to Duan Baisui, “By the way, Suisui, I need to discuss something with you.”
“What is it?”
“I want to take Niannian back to America in a couple of days. We might be away for four or five days, is that alright?”
Duan Baisui: “Of course, you can.”
Zuo Nian, who had followed them out, reluctantly held onto Ason, “Handsome Papa, are you really not staying?”
Ason gently pinched his nose, “Be good, hurry inside, it’s cold out, and your chubby papa and I need to go.”
“Oh~”
Xu Yi, wrapped in a thick shawl, said with hesitation, “Then we’ll contact each other later.”
Ason smiled brightly, “Okay.”
After seeing off Ason and Zuo Jun, the housekeeper came over to Xu Yi, “Mr. Duan won’t sleep, he keeps demanding to see you.”
Xu Yi nodded, “I know.”
He turned to Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian and said, “You two should rest early too. I’m going up to see your dad.”
Duan Baisui: “Understood.”
Zuo Nian: “Goodnight, Papa Xu.”
“Goodnight.”
Knowing that Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian were coming back, the housekeeper had already instructed the servants to clean their bedroom.
The room’s arrangement was virtually untouched. It still looked the way Duan Baisui left it, with familiar traces everywhere.
When Duan Baisui came out of the bathroom, Zuo Nian was playing on his phone, lying on the bed with his back to him, his pale feet dangling.
The housekeeper hadn't anticipated them sleeping separately, so only one quilt had been prepared.
Duan Baisui lay down on the bed. Seeing that Zuo Nian showed no sign of getting into the covers, he asked, “Aren’t you going to sleep?”
Zuo Nian looked troubled, “Brother, I’m a little worried about Snow White.”
“Snow White is...?”
“My kitten.”
Wait a minute, Duan Baisui processed that.
“It’s an orange cat, named Snow White?”
Zuo Nian said seriously, “Yes, because I found it on a snowy day, so I named it Snow White.”
Duan Baisui: “...”
A naming genius.
“The house has an automatic feeder, and you prepared enough water. It’s just one night, it will be fine.”
Zuo Nian looked at the video he took that morning of Snow White eating wet food, muttering, “But there’s no one home. Will a little cat like it be scared?”
“No, the cat world has no ghosts,” Duan Baisui said.
Hearing the word “ghost,” Zuo Nian put away his phone and burrowed into the quilt.
“What about the human world?” Zuo Nian asked timidly.
Duan Baisui said emphatically, “Yes.”
Zuo Nian shivered with fear.
The night in the manor was eerily quiet. The curtain, not fully drawn, left a narrow gap, through which a pair of eyes seemed to be quietly watching everything in the room.
“Clack,” the light suddenly went out.
Zuo Nian gasped in shock, then stammered, “Br-Brother, Brother, can I hug you? Brother?”
Duan Baisui’s tone was flat, “Am I your Abeibei now?”
“N-No, I’m not,” Zuo Nian denied quickly, “You and Abeibei are different. You are Niannian’s Alpha, a very important person. Can Niannian hug you? Niannian is really scared.”
Duan Baisui said “reluctantly,” “Come here.”
Zuo Nian shifted closer. Feeling the warmth of Duan Baisui’s body, he tightly wrapped his arms around Duan Baisui’s waist, “Thank you, Brother.”
“Sleep.”
In the pitch-black room, the Alpha's lips curled up in a barely perceptible curve.
## Chapter 12
The night was long.
Duan Baisui dreamed again.
He was usually a light sleeper and didn’t often dream.
But every time he held Zuo Nian, his dreams became jumbled and bizarre.
This time, he dreamed about his childhood.
Like a headless movie, scenes flashed before his eyes, finally stopping on the moment he put a ring on Zuo Nian’s finger.
“A brave boy doesn't cry. Don’t cry, you wear the ring I gave you, you are my Omega, and no one can take you away.” Little him made the promise very seriously, “When I grow up, I’ll replace it with one with a diamond, like the one my Daddy has.”
“No diamond... Niannian likes this one,” the child whispered with a cry.
“That won’t do, you have to wear a diamond for marriage,” he said arrogantly, “Don’t worry, I have money. I have a lot, and my Daddy has a big company. When I grow up, I’ll sell Daddy’s company, buy a small tank, and take you out to play in it.”
“But, but, Brother, if you sell the company, Godfather Duan will be angry.”
“You’re right. Then when I grow up, I’ll earn my own money and buy a tank!”
“Niannian will also earn money, and buy it with Brother.”
“Promise,” the cocky kid extended his pinky finger.
Zuo Nian hooked his, and said seriously, “Promise~”
“Duan Baisui, your child bride is here, hahaha,” a young man with a loose tongue teased, winking and squinting.
They were in junior high school by then.
Duan Baisui had lost the innocence of childhood, his eyes full of cold arrogance.
“Why are you here?” He looked down at the person in front of him.
“Niannian brought you a lunch box... Niannian made it this morning,” the young boy explained with difficulty.
“Shh~” People in the classroom peeked out, booing and whistling, “Duan Baisui, you’re so lucky, your child bride even makes you food.”
Thirteen or fourteen was the age of rebellious adolescence.
Duan Baisui was mocked by his classmates every day and was incredibly annoyed.
He wasn't annoyed at Zuo Nian, but at the noisy voices and rumors.
He didn't take Zuo Nian’s lunch box and said coldly, “No need. I’m meeting classmates to eat out. Don’t bring it again.”
“Ah... I see.” Zuo Nian withdrew his hand, looking disappointed, “Then after school...”
“I have etiquette class this afternoon, don’t wait for me.”
“Oh, okay...”
The little Omega left dejectedly, his slender, weak back looking lonely.
The Duan Baisui in the dream was merely an observer. Watching all the past events, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache.
He followed behind Zuo Nian for a long time.
Amidst the shifting light and shadow, Zuo Nian grew taller. The blue and white striped school uniform turned into a casual suit, but he was still alone.
Duan Baisui couldn't help but call out, “Zuo Nian.”
The person who turned around was his high school self.
His face was bruised, and his black blazer school uniform was covered in dirt from rolling on the ground.
He grinned at him and called, “Brother.”
Duan Baisui stepped forward to grab him, but Zuo Nian dissolved like foam with a light touch.
Duan Baisui woke up from the dream with a cold sweat.
The Omega next to him was still curled up in his arms, a tiny ball, yet his presence was extremely strong.
He suddenly wanted to know how Zuo Nian had fared in the years he was gone.
Was he still bullied? Was there still no one to stand up for him?
In fact, when he was little, Duan Baisui really liked Zuo Nian.
Because he was pretty, quiet, and obedient.
Like a conscious doll, he kept him company.
But as he grew up, he got used to his own pace of life.
His time was fully booked.
Studying, competing, playing sports.
He had new friends and new plans; he no longer needed a "doll."
But... did he truly not need him?
The person in his arms moved, rubbing his fuzzy head against Duan Baisui’s jawline twice, then stretching his limbs and groaning softly.
He was waking up.
“Brother, good morning.” Zuo Nian lifted his face, smiling at him.
“Mm, morning.”
“Brother, I had a dream last night.”
The newly awakened Zuo Nian was so soft, his voice husky with sleepiness. Every word sounded like he was pouting.
Duan Baisui even forgot to let go of him, his eyes lowered, their breaths intermingling, “What kind of dream?”
Zuo Nian’s long eyelashes fluttered. He seemed to recall the scene, his face then flushing red, and he shyly waved his hand, “Can’t say, can’t say.”
Seeing his embarrassed look, Duan Baisui could roughly guess what the dream was about.
Zuo Nian crawled out of the covers and shuffled into the bathroom in his slippers, “Niannian is going to the toilet. Once I go, the swelling will go down.”
Duan Baisui: “...”
He really would say anything.
When Zuo Nian finished washing up and came out, Duan Baisui slowly got out of bed.
Halfway through brushing his teeth, Zuo Nian happily ran over, holding up a small plush toy, and said, “Brother, you still kept it.”
It was a pink pig plush toy with rabbit ears on its head and a small yellow scepter in its hand.
Zuo Nian had made it and given it to him when he was leaving the country.
Zuo Nian had said he was afraid Duan Baisui would be lonely alone overseas, so he should take it to hug at night.
But Duan Baisui hadn't packed it when he organized his luggage.
He was proud and arrogant from a young age. At that age, he desperately wanted to prove himself and start a new journey alone.
The plush toy Zuo Nian gave him felt childish and unnecessary.
He felt he didn't need it at all, after all, he wasn't the type to cry from homesickness.
He was going abroad for school, not to make friends. He enjoyed loneliness and liked solitude.
Besides, he was past the age of playing with dolls.
He had casually tossed the pink pig into the transparent display cabinet next to his closet, where all his childhood action figures and race cars were kept.
The little pink pig had been placed in the corner of the bottom shelf, forgotten for many years.
“Mm,” Duan Baisui answered vaguely, his mouth still full of foam.
“I thought you threw it away,” Zuo Nian, wearing an oversized hoodie with his bare legs shining white, leaned against the bathroom door.
He squeezed the little pig and continued, “When Niannian was at the orphanage, I always had nightmares at night, so the headmistress made me a cloth doll. She said it was my friend and would protect me and told me not to be afraid.”
“Later, Niannian really stopped having nightmares. So when Brother left, Niannian also wanted to make a doll to protect you...”
Zuo Nian flipped the pig's hat, “Brother, did it protect you then?”
Spitting out the toothpaste foam mixed with water, Duan Baisui grabbed a towel and wiped his jaw.
In this brief moment, he chose between lying and being honest.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t take it with me back then.”
Zuo Nian’s hand, flipping the pig’s hat, stopped. After a long moment, he quietly said, “Ah... I see...”
He disappointedly squeezed the little pig’s face but quickly smiled again, “Actually, I guessed it. How could a great Brother like you be afraid of sleeping alone?”
Duan Baisui stared at him quietly.
Zuo Nian bit his lip, turning the doll over and over, saying, “It wasn’t made very well anyway. It’s right that Brother didn't take it. The pig's nose is crooked. Hmph, Niannian's craftsmanship was terrible back then.”
“No, you made it very well,” Duan Baisui explained earnestly, “It was my problem.”
“Brother didn’t do anything wrong, what problem could you have?” Zuo Nian tugged at the hem of his hoodie, “There’s no rule that says people must accept something that is given to them; that’s an unreasonable expectation. Niannian is just seeing a very old toy that Brother still kept, and it made me suddenly remember a lot of things. Brother didn’t throw it away and even put it with the small tank, that’s already a sign of respect for Niannian. Niannian is already very happy, truly.”
He was always so easily placated and satisfied, and Duan Baisui’s heart softened completely.
His throat bobbed, and he asked, “Does it still belong to me now?”
“Of course,” Zuo Nian’s eyes curved.
He offered the little pig to Duan Baisui, saying, “It’s a little pig with magic. It can eat up all of Brother’s bad luck and unhappiness and will make Brother have a smooth and happy day, every day.”
Duan Baisui reached out and held the wrist he offered.
This time, Zuo Nian didn’t disappear like he did in the dream.
He was genuinely standing in front of him.
Looking at him with admiration and love.
“Brother, please accept the pig.”
The thing he didn’t cherish when he was sixteen, had somehow found its way back into his hands.
It felt like fate.