Lu Shangjin refused to let him come closer.
The dignified CEO of Feiying Group had just shattered a flower vase in a moment of rage, and now had to crouch on the floor picking up glass fragments piece by piece. It wasn’t the vase he cared about—it was the fear that the sharp shards might hurt his heart and soul if they stepped on them.
He didn’t want to think about that bouquet at all. He didn’t want another man’s name to exist in this house. He was supposed to be the only alpha Yan Yi cared about, the only one allowed to occupy that territory in Yan Yi’s heart, circling it tightly like claiming land.
In the past, the report card Lu Shangjin had once been casually discarded by Lu Lin on a desk was picked up by Yan Yi. The little rabbit had bounced over to him like it was a sacred relic, carefully smoothing it out and holding it up with admiration and surprise.
Yan Yi said his brother was a top student. He secretly pasted the report card inside his wardrobe where he slept, and even drew three small red flowers beside the “parent signature” line.
Back then, Lu Shangjin still had that cold, proud expression—but his gaze had already softened, regressing to a childishness he had never been allowed to show. He took Yan Yi out for an expensive ice cream, watching the smaller rabbit squint in satisfaction, wiping cream from his lips before absentmindedly licking it off himself.
At that age, he already understood flattery versus sincerity. Among all his achievements, there was only ever one person applauding him. He only needed one audience.
Yan Yi stood a few steps away, supporting his lower abdomen, trying to figure out what had triggered Lu Shangjin’s anger over a harmless bouquet.
A realization suddenly flickered through his mind, and he glanced toward the two pots of water lilies.
“Seriously,” Yan Yi said, half-amused and half-exasperated, “your jealousy is absurd.”
He went to the bathroom, fetched antiseptic and gauze, and noticed the used vial of strong suppressants in the trash bin.
The same type he used to rely on.
He didn’t ask questions. Some things already had answers he didn’t want to hear.
He cleaned Lu Shangjin’s hand, bandaged it carefully, and was about to finish when the man suddenly grabbed his wrist.
Lu Shangjin pinned him against the wall.
His voice cracked with panic. “After the baby is born, are you going to leave me? Are you taking my son too? You and him are going to abandon me, aren’t you?”
Yan Yi struggled, but the grip only tightened. The alpha’s emotions were unstable, strength miscontrolled, and his pheromones surged uncontrollably.
Then suddenly, Yan Yi went still.
He leaned forward and rested his forehead against Lu Shangjin’s chest.
In an instant, the violent alpha quieted.
The claws retracted. The wings folded.
Lu Shangjin froze, then instinctively held him close, as if something precious had finally returned to his arms.
Yan Yi buried his face in his chest and said nothing.
Only pointed toward the water lilies on the balcony.
“They’re still alive,” he said quietly. “Who do you think took care of them?”
Lu Shangjin went still.
That night, after coaxing Yan Yi to sleep, Lu Shangjin finally allowed himself to calm down.
He sat in the dim room, listening to the steady breathing of the person he loved, confirming again and again that he was still there.
Only then did his heart loosen its grip.
Yan Yi woke up briefly later that night.
Lu Shangjin had come back from changing his dressing. He sat down, quietly sliding a book from Yan Yi’s arms and placing it on the bedside table.
He gently took Yan Yi’s hand.
Yan Yi, half-asleep, tightened his grip instinctively.
Lu Shangjin’s expression softened immediately, like a man rewarded with something long denied.
He kissed the back of Yan Yi’s hand, then his eyelashes, and finally rested a hand on the belly, whispering goodnight to the unborn child.
When the lights went out, they ended up sharing a narrow hospital bed, foreheads touching, fingers interlaced.
They fell asleep without remembering when it happened.
Lu Shangjin murmured “I love you” over and over in a low voice until his breath finally evened out.
Yan Yi woke because of pain.
Cold sweat soaked his body. Something warm and wet was flowing down his legs.
Lu Shangjin was already moving.
“Don’t move,” he said sharply, pressing him flat, voice controlled—but his eyes were already shaking with panic.
He reached for the call button.
And this time, there was no more pretending he was calm.