Lu Shangjin had never given flowers to any other omega.
He wasn’t a romantic person. The ones he used to satisfy his physical needs didn’t deserve that kind of thoughtfulness.
Nor was he someone who explained himself, so he simply gave a low “Mm.”
He couldn’t get used to Nanqi cuisine, so he had his assistant book a hotel outside the city.
When the car came to a stop, there was no movement in the back seat.
Lu Shangjin glanced back. Yan Yi was curled up halfway on the seat, asleep with his head resting against the flower box.
He walked around to the back, grabbed Yan Yi’s arm and draped it over his shoulder, then lifted the little rabbit into his arms.
Even in his sleep, the little rabbit clung tightly to the flower box. Holding him with one arm, Lu Shangjin used the other to gently pry those slender fingers away from the edge of the box.
“…Jin-ge…” Yan Yi murmured groggily, wrapping his arms around Lu Shangjin’s neck. His cheek pressed against the collarbone beneath Lu Shangjin’s shirt, soft lashes brushing faintly against his skin.
The night air was still a little cold. Unconsciously, Yan Yi tightened his hold, turning slightly so his small belly pressed against Lu Shangjin, seeking warmth.
An unmarked omega always lacked a sense of security. They instinctively drew close to the alpha they loved. As long as they could stay near that familiar pheromone scent, their body would naturally relax, and they would unconsciously show dependence.
Instinct guided Yan Yi to lower his head obediently, exposing the gland at the back of his neck to Lu Shangjin’s lips. At the same time, a soft, gentle courting pheromone seeped out, trying to please him.
The lop-eared rabbit’s pheromones were like tiny milk-soft paws, lightly scratching at Lu Shangjin’s gland—pitifully weak, doing nothing but waiting obediently for a strong alpha to accept him, like something with no home.
No alpha could easily refuse such an adorable invitation to mark.
Lu Shangjin licked his sharp canine teeth… but in the end, he didn’t bite.
He steadied Yan Yi’s back, the protruding bones pressing against his palm.
When did he get this thin?
Only then did Lu Shangjin realize—this once soft, warm little rabbit now felt as light as a feather in his arms. The muscle tone that used to mark his limbs from training had nearly disappeared over the years.
His complexion carried an unhealthy pallor.
It had been a long, long time since he’d paid close attention to Yan Yi. Without him noticing, the little rabbit had grown so frail.
I should take him to the hospital when there’s time.
Yan Yi shrank slightly, drowsily resting on Lu Shangjin’s shoulder. He had overused his gland energy today and was exhausted, badly needing rest.
After a moment’s thought, Lu Shangjin put him back into the rear seat, took a portable pillow and blanket from the trunk, and tried to drive more steadily.
Before night fully fell, they got onto the Changnan Expressway and returned to Changhui City.
The garden in front of the villa was well maintained, the entire trellis covered in lush star jasmine.
By the time Lu Shangjin arrived, it was already noon the next day. He drove straight into the underground garage.
A few of the cars he occasionally used were parked on the outer ring. Inside that were over a dozen limited-edition vehicles arranged to block the view. At the very center, behind an iris-locked partition, were two heavily modified pickup trucks with triple-layer bulletproof windshields, equipped with Browning machine guns and fixed ammunition boxes. On the far left, an elevator led directly to the rooftop helipad.
Lu Shangjin braced a hand on the car door, about to carry Yan Yi out, only to find him already awake, sitting there blankly, rubbing his crumpled little rabbit ears.
“Awake? Perfect timing—we’re home.” Lu Shangjin held the door for him. “Get out and stretch.”
Yan Yi froze for a moment, then suddenly woke up fully. Just last night, they had still been in Nanqi.
“You brought me back… I didn’t even pack my things… you should’ve woken me.”
“I had my assistant handle it.”
“…Okay… I’ll tell my boss.” Yan Yi pulled out his phone to call Gu Wei. A WeChat notification popped up—a voice message from Xia Jingtian.
Lu Shangjin narrowed his eyes. “Who’s that?”
Yan Yi handed the phone over calmly. “Probably Xiao Xia, that kid.”
Lu Shangjin frowned slightly. “That brat cares about you a lot. The other day when I was talking to Xia Pingtian, he shouted so loud I almost went deaf.”
“Be happy. Your omega is almost thirty and still has such a young admirer.” Yan Yi nudged the phone toward him. “Here, you listen. I won’t.”
“….” Lu Shangjin looked displeased, took the phone, and stuffed it back into Yan Yi’s pocket. “Keep your distance.”
Watching Lu Shangjin walk away, Yan Yi felt a little down.
If he would just mark him, other alphas would naturally stay away. It was only a bite—was it really that inconvenient?
With a mark came a bond. No matter where Lu Shangjin went, he would be tied to him by that faint connection.
Yan Yi bit his lip, quietly denying himself.
People shouldn’t want too much.
He hugged the flower box, closed the car door, and hurried after Lu Shangjin—only to find that he hadn’t gone upstairs yet, but was waiting by the elevator.
Yan Yi stood beside him, a little comforted, quietly watching their reflections in the elevator doors.
“Why are you still holding that box?” Lu Shangjin lit a cigarette, glancing at the slightly dented corner with mild disdain. He exhaled. “Throw it away when we get upstairs. I’ll have someone send a new one tomorrow.”
“You really don’t have to.” Yan Yi tightened his hold on the box. “This one… is already very good. Thank you.”
“I’ll tolerate it until it grows bugs.” Lu Shangjin stubbed out the cigarette and stepped into the elevator. “Get in, delivery boy.”
Yan Yi blinked, then stepped in lightly, ears bouncing in quiet excitement.
Every so often, those soft ears brushed against Lu Shangjin’s shoulder. His usually stern expression softened a little as he reached out, grabbed one, and gave it a rub.
“Behave.”
—
The moment they entered the first floor, Yan Yi’s expression froze.
Takeout boxes were scattered across the table. The ashtray lay shattered near the sofa—someone had clearly thrown a fit here.
He looked at Lu Shangjin, who only then remembered, his expression turning awkward before he quickly composed himself.
While Lu Shangjin checked his phone and returned messages, Yan Yi didn’t rush to clean up the mess. Instead, he went to the storage room, brought out an open ceramic vase, filled it with water, and carefully arranged the roses one by one.
They were no longer fresh buds. Gently, Yan Yi plucked the wilted petals and tucked them into an old book.
He had left his notebook at the bar’s second floor—he needed to get it back soon. Today’s points for Lu Shangjin could go up a little. For now, he’d jot it down on paper.
After arranging the flowers, he carried them to the balcony to mist them lightly—
—and noticed dozens of large boxes stacked there.
He crouched down, picked one up, and examined it closely.
“Rabbit feed…?”