After Marrying My Silly Childhood Friend - Chapter 9

He wasn’t this lively when they had just gotten married.

He would always stand timidly in a corner, watching Duan Baisui when he came home from work.

The housekeeper said that when Duan Baisui wasn’t home, Zuo Nian would always rush to do chores, whether it was wiping the floors or bustling around in the kitchen.

He would ask the housekeeper about Duan Baisui’s preferences and even seek advice on how to be a good partner.

The housekeeper had told Duan Baisui, “Mr. Zuo genuinely cares about you. Perhaps you could say something to put him at ease.”

“This is your home, you don’t need to be so reserved.” Duan Baisui told him that night.

“Thank you.” Zuo Nian said, his eyes red.

He seemed deeply afraid that Duan Baisui would regret this marriage and throw him out.

Zuo Nian had gone from having no home to finally having one. His time at the orphanage had made him cautious wherever he went, always fearing rejection.

He lacked a sense of belonging, so he learned to read people’s expressions and prove his worth through hard work, trying to tell everyone he was valuable.

Until today, Duan Baisui had been slowly guiding him, helping him feel accepted. That’s why he could now see a more lively and unrestrained Zuo Nian.

This is how it should be between two people.

With tolerance, compassion, and mutual understanding, you can uncover the deepest and most endearing side of your partner.

It was midnight.

The villa was silent.

The blackout curtains in the room were heavy, letting not even a sliver of moonlight inside.

Half-asleep, Duan Baisui sensed the person beside him tossing and turning, muttering to himself.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked.

Startled, the other person asked softly, “Did I wake you up?”

“No,” Duan Baisui replied. “I wasn’t asleep either. What’s wrong?”

After a long silence, Zuo Nian finally said, “I washed my Abeibei today and hung it on the balcony. I’m not used to being without it.”

“Don’t you still have Xiaosui?” Duan Baisui chatted with him.

“Xiaosui and I aren’t familiar yet. It’s too new.” Zuo Nian murmured. “The bedroom is so dark. I counted so many little sheep, but I still couldn’t fall asleep…”

“Gege…”

He hesitated to continue.

“Hm?” Duan Baisui encouraged him to go on.

“Can Xiaosui and I sleep in your bed?” If not for the pin-drop silence in the room, Duan Baisui would have almost missed his words.

Duan Baisui turned his head slightly. He couldn’t see Zuo Nian’s face but knew he was beside him because he caught the familiar grape scent of Zuo Nian’s shower gel.

When he didn’t reply, Zuo Nian quickly stammered to cover up, “Ah, well, I think I’m a bit sleepy now. Good night, Gege.”

The room fell silent again.

Duan Baisui thought for a moment and finally lifted the blanket, saying, “Come here.”

“Ah?”

“Don’t you want to sleep in my bed?”

“I do~”

The next moment, a warm body pressed against him.

There weren’t any overly intimate actions.

They both lay stiffly, shoulder to shoulder, leg to leg.

Duan Baisui’s silk pajamas were light and thin, while Zuo Nian wore a cotton T-shirt and knee-length shorts. At this moment, his warmth seeped through the thin fabric and climbed onto Duan Baisui’s body.

It made Duan Baisui suddenly feel that squeezing together like this was a bit warm.

“Can you sleep like this?” Duan Baisui broke the awkward silence.

“Even harder to fall asleep now…” Zuo Nian replied honestly.

“Why?” Duan Baisui asked curiously.

“My heart’s beating so fast, and my body feels so warm. I want to hug you…” Zuo Nian said.

Duan Baisui chuckled softly. “Aren’t you being a bit too ‘pushy’?”

“Gege, can I have tomorrow morning’s hug now? Just for a little while…” Zuo Nian pleaded.

Could he? He could, right?

It was just a hug. He should give it to him.

Besides, staying in this current position was too exhausting for both of them.

He could quietly let go once Zuo Nian fell asleep.

Just like when they were kids, coaxing him to sleep.

Who could blame him for being timid?

After convincing himself, Duan Baisui turned to him and said, “Just one hug.”

Hearing this, Zuo Nian immediately burrowed into his arms, burying his face in Duan Baisui’s neck like a docile little animal seeking security.

Duan Baisui held him, and the two of them pressed closely together.

His thunderous heartbeat felt like it was about to burst out.

“Gege, your pheromones smell so good.” Zuo Nian murmured.

Duan Baisui wasn’t losing control of his pheromones; it was just that being so close, the lingering scent on his collar was inevitable.

“Mm,” Duan Baisui responded. “Yours smells good too.”

“I thought you didn’t like my pheromones.” Zuo Nian said.

“No.” Duan Baisui replied.

Feeling it was too perfunctory, Duan Baisui added, “You smell very nice too.”

“So happy, like a dream…” Zuo Nian’s voice grew softer and softer.

Although it was supposed to be just one hug, Zuo Nian never let go, and Duan Baisui didn’t push him away.

This level of intimacy still felt within controllable bounds for him.

Besides, it was perfectly normal to sleep while embracing one’s legal partner. What was there to resist?

The sound of the Omega’s even breathing reached his ears.

Only then did Duan Baisui realize he was serving as his Abeibei.

He felt both exasperated and amused.

Yet his heart was filled with a delicate warmth, making him feel cozy.

That night, Duan Baisui had a dream filled with romance.

In the dream, Zuo Nian was wearing the gartered stockings from yesterday, slowly crawling over from the other end of the bed.

The Omega’s warm and moist lips pressed against him bit by bit, urgently and seductively saying, “Gege, mark me completely, okay?”

Duan Baisui woke up from the dream and reached out to turn on the bedside lamp.

He glanced at the time. It was exactly seven o’clock.

It was about time for him to get up.

Turning his head, he saw that Zuo Nian was also awake.

The Omega stretched lazily, rubbed his eyes, and looked a bit dazed.

Upon looking at him, he suddenly sat up. “Ah! Nian Nian overslept and hasn’t made breakfast for Gege yet!”

“No need. Let’s go out to eat together.” Duan Baisui said.

“Sleeping with Gege last night was so comfortable, that’s why Nian Nian didn’t get up. It really wasn’t intentional laziness.” Zuo Nian explained.

“Mm.”

Zuo Nian climbed out of the blanket, his shorts prominently tented.

He tugged at his shorts and pointed, saying, “Gege, I know this is called a morning…”

“Ahem,” Duan Baisui interrupted him with a light cough. “It’ll go away after you use the bathroom.”

“Oh” Zuo Nian nodded. “Gege, don’t you have it too?”

Duan Baisui: …

“Go freshen up. Let’s head out early.” he said.

“Okay~”

Watching the Omega run into the bathroom, he lifted the blanket and took a look.

How could he not? It was standing tall.

He didn’t know if this was an Alpha’s instinct or if he was starting to feel desire for Zuo Nian.

After getting themselves ready, Duan Baisui headed to the garage to drive.

He hadn’t called the driver today, allowing him to spend more time alone with Zuo Nian.

The Omega hugged a down jacket, holding two boxes of yogurt as he ran toward him.

The car door opened and then closed.

Zuo Nian exhaled, saying, “It’s so cold outside.”

Duan Baisui adjusted the car’s temperature a bit higher.

“I brought yogurt. Gege, you can have some first.” Zuo Nian said, handing him one of the boxes.

“Mm, just set it aside for now.” Duan Baisui said as he started the car.

“Okay~”

As the car drove out of the villa, Duan Baisui instructed, “In the afternoon, a driver named Wu will pick you up. He’ll take you to a stylist for makeup and outfit selection.”

“What about Gege?” Zuo Nian tilted his head and asked.

“I have a meeting in the afternoon, so I might not be able to join you for styling. But if you come, I’ll wait for you at the venue entrance.” Duan Baisui said.

“Mm-hmm.” Zuo Nian inserted the straw and began drinking the yogurt. “I’ll listen to Gege.”

After breakfast, Duan Baisui dropped Zuo Nian off at New Era Square.

It wasn’t until he saw Zuo Nian’s figure disappear around the corner that Duan Baisui restarted the car.

That entire morning, Duan Baisui was a bit absent-minded.

As soon as he opened a document, his mind was filled with images of Zuo Nian’s face.

He felt like he was starting to miss him.

But they had just parted not long ago. This was ridiculous.

…

At around 2:40 in the afternoon, Duan Baisui arrived early at the venue.

He hadn’t waited long at the entrance when a stretch Lincoln pulled up.

The driver got out first and opened the rear door.

The person inside the car didn’t get out immediately, as if they were asking something.

Duan Baisui descended the steps and bypassed the driver to ask, “Why aren’t you getting out?”

The Omega looked up in surprise. “Gege!”

The meticulously dressed Omega was so stunning that one couldn’t look away.

The makeup artist hadn’t added much color to his face, only styled his hair, trimmed his eyebrows, and applied a touch of clear lip gloss, making his already rosy and full lips look even more kissable.

Seeing the person who gave him peace of mind, Zuo Nian quickly climbed out of the car.

He was wearing a suit identical to Duan Baisui’s, except Duan Baisui wore a tie while he had a black bowtie.

Standing side by side, anyone could tell they were a couple.

“I didn’t see you just now. There are so many people here I don’t know. I asked the driver if I could wait until you arrived before getting out.” Zuo Nian explained softly.

Duan Baisui extended his arm toward him, saying, “If you’re scared, hold onto me.”

The transition from surprise to joy took only a moment.

Zuo Nian pursed his lips in a sweet smile and raised his hand to hold onto Duan Baisui.

“Still scared?” Duan Baisui asked.

Zuo Nian shook his head. “As long as Gege is here, I’m not afraid of anything.”

He really knew how to act cute.

The doors to the venue opened.

One by one, people approached to greet them.

Zuo Nian obediently stayed close to Duan Baisui, his palms faintly sweating.

As was customary, Duan Baisui, as the president, had to go on stage to say a few words and summarize the year.

He seated Zuo Nian in the VIP section and said, “Don’t wander off.”

Zuo Nian nodded. “Nian Nian knows.”

It was his first time appearing at the company, and no one knew his identity.

All they knew was that the usually aloof and ascetic Young Chairman Duan treated him very differently.

Inevitably, there were strange glances and hushed whispers from those around.

Some speculated whether he was a new artist Young Chairman Duan was planning to sign.

Zuo Nian paid no attention to these people. In his eyes, th

ere was only the confident and charismatic Alpha on stage.

It turned out that his Gege, no matter where or what age, was always this outstanding.

Zuo Nian took out his phone and secretly snapped a picture of that handsome face.

The man on stage looked over, and their eyes met from afar.

Zuo Nian’s admiration and love overflowed from his eyes. Touching the frozen image on his screen, he murmured, “Nian Nian likes Gege the most.”