Chapter 38

The full-month celebration was scheduled for the evening.

As a small family dinner, attendees were limited to important members of the Li and Han families and their spouses.

Additionally, heads and heirs of Li family’s longstanding allied families, a few core LI Group board members, and key business partners were present.

This was the first time Ying Zhiyu had met the Omega married into Li Lü’s family.

Previously, for Li Xi and Ying Zhiyu’s wedding, Li Lü’s Omega had claimed to be abroad and sick, missing the ceremony.

This time, she attended with her family.

Besides Li Lü’s Omega, Ying Zhiyu saw a few people he had known in his past life, but were new to him this life.

For example, the heir of another established Li family ally, Meng Lancheng—an Alpha, eldest grandson of the Meng family, 25, recently returned from studying abroad, beginning to take part in the family business, and the recognized next-generation successor.

The Mengs were, alongside the Lis, one of the two major financial dynasties in the capital. In his past life, Ying Zhiyu had some interactions with Meng Lancheng, who was one of the few Alphas in high society he genuinely respected.

Meng Lancheng had also quietly admired Li Xi in the previous life.

Ying Zhiyu had noticed this early on. As he had been forced into the Li family in his past life, he didn’t dwell on Meng Lancheng’s quiet affection for Li Xi—only occasionally feeling a twinge of pity.

Clear-eyed, he knew that even without him, Li Xi and Meng Lancheng would never end up together.

First, regardless of Meng Lancheng’s personal excellence or pure feelings, as long as the Meng family existed, Li Xi, vying for the LI inheritance, could not accept an Alpha of Meng’s status.

Second, even ignoring family issues, Meng Lancheng’s overly polite and refined personality couldn’t handle Li Xi’s temperament.

Ying Zhiyu wasn’t sure whether Li Xi knew about Meng Lancheng’s feelings in the past life, but he knew Meng Lancheng was incapable of acting without emotion.

Later, the Mengs’ major project ran into a funding crisis and sought Li family cooperation. Li Xi, then vice president of LI Group, firmly opposed involvement, even seeming to intend to take advantage of the Mengs.

Besides Meng Lancheng, there was another familiar face at the celebration.

Ying Zhiyu and Li Xi stood by the dessert table, spotting a tall figure at the sign-in area, who completed the greetings and walked with a slightly older Omega to the photo display area.

Ying Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. “He actually came?”

Li Xi followed his gaze. The handsome Alpha seemed to notice and looked directly at them, nodding politely in greeting.

Li Xi nodded back, though neither moved closer for a personal exchange.

Ying Zhiyu teased, “Tomorrow’s headline won’t read ‘Rivals flare at a luxury full-month feast: son-in-law faces off against mistress AA showdown,’ right?”

Li Xi: “….”

Ignoring the joking, he explained seriously: “He’s unrelated to me. Any rumors twisting facts are wrong. The photos are from daytime; I haven’t visited his place at night.”

The companion, besides Li Xi, was the only female Omega board member of LI Group attending the celebration, known in high society as a notorious Alpha socialite—Li Xi’s former rumored romantic interest.

Li Xi had strategically married during that period to put an end to lingering scandal.

He hadn’t explained much to the young Alpha Ying Zhiyu, but he trusted Ying Zhiyu’s intelligence would prevent misunderstandings.

After all… Li Xi thought he had already made it very clear whom he liked.

Ying Zhiyu, of course, didn’t misunderstand. He hadn’t misunderstood in his past life, and there was no way he would this time.

But when the full-month celebration began, after Li Qin and Han Qiyu held the baby and cut the cake,

the so-called “inducer” Alpha—an Alpha reputed to match with any Omega at over 60%—proactively carried a glass of wine toward Ying Zhiyu and Li Xi’s table.

This was the first time Ying Zhiyu had met him in this life.

He feigned not knowing him, maintaining only a polite smile.

Yet when he assumed the Alpha had come specifically to greet Li Xi, the Alpha instead leaned forward, offering the glass to Ying Zhiyu.

“I’ve heard so much about you. Seeing is believing. I’m Yan Jue—friends?”

Well, isn’t this awkward? The capital’s “number one son-in-law” and “number one socialite,” the two disgraces of the A-world, hardly the ideal combination for friendship.

Ying Zhiyu turned to lift his glass, but Li Xi beat him to it, taking his cup.

Ying Zhiyu: ?

Li Xi held Ying Zhiyu’s champagne glass. “He can’t drink today. I’ll drink it for him.”

Ying Zhiyu: “……”

Yan Jue: “……”

Normally, only Omegas are unable to drink—he’d never heard of a young, healthy Alpha being unable.

And he was to be substituted by an Omega.

Under the table, Ying Zhiyu tugged slightly at Li Xi’s sleeve. Li Xi ignored him.

Yan Jue recovered, cleared his throat, and tactfully defused the awkwardness: “No need for little Li to always step in. If it’s inconvenient today, we’ll wait. I’ll drink this one, Ying Xiong can save his. Perfect excuse for me to come ‘collect’ later.”

Yan Jue’s success in high society was not just his devastatingly handsome face and pheromonal advantage—his EQ was undeniable.

Ying Zhiyu nodded cheerfully, tacitly agreeing to the “wine debt.”

After Yan Jue left, Ying Zhiyu looked at Li Xi curiously. “Inconvenient today?”

He didn’t even know he was inconvenient?

Li Xi poured the wine from Ying Zhiyu’s glass into his own, speaking coolly: “Seeing a psychologist is still a doctor. If medication is involved, today you’re inconvenient.”

Having been married for several months, Li Xi knew very well that Alphas didn’t fuss over minor things.

Since Ying Zhiyu had secretly seen a doctor and gone to such lengths to give him a heads-up,

this “little problem” with his arm wasn’t really so little.

At the table, Li Xi carefully monitored his Alpha.

Whenever a toast was raised, he intercepted it.

Inevitably, several other guests noticed.

Even Li Songqian was drawn over.

As the celebration neared its end, Li Songqian, accompanied by Steward Zhou, walked to his son and son-in-law’s table.

Li Xi and Ying Zhiyu immediately stood. Li Songqian looked at Ying Zhiyu’s left hand, showing no issues.

“What’s wrong with your hand?”

Earlier, when the servants brought soup, Ying Zhiyu wanted to move a bowl slightly, and Li Xi had practically snatched it from him, as if afraid he might burn himself.

Li Songqian had noticed this and came over to ask.

Ying Zhiyu quickly explained, “Dad, I’m fine. Just busy moving recently. I helped carry luggage yesterday and may have strained a little.”

It was a spur-of-the-moment excuse—reasonable enough, but it instantly changed Li Songqian’s gaze.

Looking from Ying Zhiyu’s arm to his face, he felt as if he were witnessing a delicate disaster.

An Alpha, so fragile!

After moving into their new home near the University of Biomedical Sciences,

Ying Zhiyu dressed Li Xi in his own clothes, giving him a college-student look, added a mask, and took him out.

Along the way, Li Xi kept glancing down at his clothes.

Having left campus long ago, suddenly wearing casual student attire felt slightly unfamiliar.

Ying Zhiyu said, “It’s just a little big—college students like oversize clothes. It looks good.”

Because of his height and rare male Omega traits, Li Xi had often been mistaken for an Alpha.

With the mask and Ying Zhiyu holding his hand, they looked like a pair of same-sex Alphas walking together.

Subtle glances followed them.

Li Xi slightly resisted.

Ying Zhiyu turned to him. “What’s wrong?”

Since they had moved near the university district, they naturally wanted to explore the local food scene.

The Eastern Capital University District, home to the Capital University, University of Biomedical Sciences, Capital University of Political Science and Law, National Defense University, and Aerospace University, had an endless variety of food streets.

Ying Zhiyu guessed why Li Xi felt awkward and reassured him: “Even if people think we’re a pair of Alphas, it’s fine. College students are open-minded. AA relationships aren’t stigmatized.”

Li Xi paused. “What if you run into students who know you?”

Though not universally famous, Ying Zhiyu was well-known at the University of Biomedical Sciences.

In ABO society, because of pheromonal matching, AA and OO relationships were still frowned upon.

Li Xi didn’t want rumors making students see them differently.

Ying Zhiyu didn’t care: “If it happens, it happens. It’s my relationship, not theirs. Whether AA, AO, AB, or BA—they have no say.”

Li Xi slowed, looking up. “…Are we dating?”

Ying Zhiyu nodded and, spotting a food stall, pulled him along. “Hmm? Don’t we seem like we’re dating?”

No rule said marriage stops you from dating.

Li Xi said nothing.

Ying Zhiyu waited, hearing no reply, and looked back.

Li Xi, half-hidden behind his mask, lowered his eyelashes, hiding his expression.

When Ying Zhiyu glanced at him, Li Xi turned away, subtly avoiding eye contact.

Ying Zhiyu involuntarily paused.

Though he saw nothing unusual, he inexplicably felt that in that instant, he had touched something called “heartbeat.”

Even though they had finished their lifetime marking, even discussed when to have children,

from Li Xi’s evasive movement, Ying Zhiyu felt “heartbeat and flutter.”

For a moment, he couldn’t tell if it was Li Xi’s heart transmitting feelings, or his own heart racing.

Ying Zhiyu, familiar with the university district’s food streets after six years, guided Li Xi from stall to stall:

Takoyaki, teppanyaki squid, roasted pig trotters, fried chicken cutlets, spiced potatoes, sugared glutinous cakes…

Sweet, spicy, meaty, vegetarian—he let Li Xi try everything.

Li Xi had a rare trait for someone often in high positions:

In unfamiliar areas, he quietly listened, watched, and learned, never pretending to know more than he did.

For people long used to flattery, maintaining humility was difficult.

Ying Zhiyu led him through the food streets. Whatever he bought, Li Xi tried.

He removed one side of his mask while keeping the other on.

Li Xi ate politely, choosing a nearby spot to taste slowly, never rushing.

Every time, Ying Zhiyu got the mistaken impression that Li Xi was obedient—very obedient.

And every time he thought that, he wanted to mischievously tease him.

Pointing to a barbecue stall, Ying Zhiyu asked, “Want some roasted ‘See You Tomorrow’?”

Li Xi paused. “See You Tomorrow?”

Seeing Li Xi didn’t know, Ying Zhiyu squinted and explained: “Enoki mushrooms—they’re called ‘See You Tomorrow’ because whatever you eat today, comes out the same tomorrow.”

Li Xi didn’t need to know the nickname to understand the implied meaning.

He looked at the stall, thought for a moment, then explained:

“Though the exterior seems unchanged, nutritionally, the body absorbs the enoki’s nutrients during digestion.”

Li Xi said seriously, “Otherwise, if it really ‘came out tomorrow,’ fat people could snack on it without needing diet pills.”

Ying Zhiyu didn’t respond—just watched him and smiled.

Li Xi, realizing the awkwardness of his over-explanation, felt embarrassed.

A biology student like Ying Zhiyu clearly understood the principle—he was probably just adding humor.

Li Xi, serious and pedantic, had unintentionally spoiled it.

As he pursed his lips, growing more self-conscious,

Ying Zhiyu continued, “Yeah, enoki’s good stuff—let’s buy more and get the nutrients.”

Previously, whether riding shared bikes, taking the subway, or buying breakfast near an elementary school, Ying Zhiyu had always made the choices.

Now that they had moved to the university district, Ying Zhiyu also wanted Li Xi to experience some everyday life.

In front of a barbecue stall, two students were waiting, and Ying Zhiyu encouraged Li Xi to join the line.

“Yu Yu wants to see big brother every day. Xi Xi, get me some ‘See You Tomorrow~’”

“……”

After they had eaten their fill, it was time to find some evening activity to digest.

When it came to bedroom matters, Li Xi was never prudish.

With his stubborn streak, once on the “battlefield,” he was a rare kind of Omega: relaxed, uninhibited, and bold.

He generally went with the flow and, if aroused, didn’t mind taking care of himself.

If Ying Zhiyu spontaneously wanted to try a new position, unlock a new “room map,” or call him “brother,” Li Xi almost never refused.

Tonight, after washing up, Ying Zhiyu stood by the nightstand, tearing open a condom.

In the soft glow of the bedroom lights, even the simple act of an Alpha opening a package carried an unusual focus and tenderness.

Li Xi stood by the bathroom door, recalling how Ying Zhiyu had carefully chosen a longevity lock for Li Qin and Han Qiyu’s youngest son.

He knew the child’s parents wouldn’t care about such a small trinket.

As descendants of the Li and Han families, the child lacked nothing, and he certainly wouldn’t wear the lock Li Xi and Ying Zhiyu picked.

Yet, when selecting the full-month celebration gift, Ying Zhiyu had not only chosen it personally but also researched countless details and taboos before deciding.

“If you like kids, we could have one now.”

Li Xi said this from the bathroom doorway.

Previously, the Alpha’s argument that they shouldn’t have children yet had been that Li Xi had his own plan.

As for Ying Zhiyu’s reasoning—that he was still studying and, with his abilities, would only be busier after graduation—there was no such thing as “now no time, later there will be time.”

Ying Zhiyu lifted his head at the words.

Li Xi walked past the bathroom doorway. “Plans are meant to be broken. Early or late doesn’t matter to me.”

He would need a child anyway—maybe more than one.

If the Alpha liked kids, their first child arriving before he turned thirty would be a good choice.

Ying Zhiyu didn’t immediately reply, instead studying him carefully.

Recently, since Ying Zhiyu had mentioned his hand “had a little problem,”

Li Xi had stopped him from doing almost anything: no cooking, no heavy lifting, and even nighttime activities no longer required his exertion. Not even supporting him with a hand.

Ying Zhiyu, a light sleeper, sometimes woke at night and carefully checked his left hand—consciously aware of it.

Back when he had first been reborn, he had wanted to ask Li Xi a question:

If one day he were to die, what would Li Xi say?

It had been his last question before death in his previous life. Now, he didn’t ask.

Li Xi was so sensitive that even mentioning his hand problem was enough for him to link it to phantom pain, checking for spasms or twitches.

Asking outright about death would surely cause trouble.

Ying Zhiyu continued tearing the packaging with a smile, shaking his head: “No rush.”

“Our time alone isn’t over yet.”

Author’s note:

Note: The “socialite” Yan Jue who appeared at the full-month celebration will be the unlucky one dressed as a pitiable test subject in the next serialized story, After Being Redeemed by a Wealthy O, and is also a clever, truly “disastrous” Alpha.