After the college entrance exam, Xu Jiu attended an ordinary university with Gu Ji as arranged by his family. He would always rush back home during summer breaks.
Over the years, the seats he and Chen Songyan once occupied had been taken by countless others. Sitting in his old spot, Xu Jiu gazed at Chen Songyan’s empty drawer.
Those few months of interaction with Chen Songyan felt like a bizarre dream. Before it, he had always thought Chen Songyan was cold, arrogant, and conceited. But after hearing his thoughts, Xu Jiu gradually sensed his gentleness and persistence.
Even someone as dense as Xu Jiu was moved by that decade-long love.
Cicadas chirped outside as the tree shadows scattered the burning sunlight onto Xu Jiu. He lay on his desk, not knowing how long he would have to wait for Chen Songyan.
But Chen Songyan had waited for him for ten years, so Xu Jiu figured it wouldn’t hurt to stop and wait for Chen Songyan too.
Lost in thought, Xu Jiu pulled out their photo from the aquarium from his pocket.
Against the blue background, the tall Alpha beside him had strong, handsome features. Honestly, Xu Jiu thought the photo wasn’t taken very well.
Why did Chen Songyan look so composed while his own eyes sparkled like a puppy’s? Chen Songyan fell in love first but appeared so at ease, while Xu Jiu, who realized his feelings late, looked so nervous and unsettled.
Xu Jiu waited and waited until he graduated from college. He hadn’t figured out his future yet, so his parents arranged for him to learn at their company.
He quit after two days. The strange atmosphere at the company made him extremely uncomfortable. He had always been straightforward, neither smooth-talking nor flattering, which meant his career path wouldn’t be easy.
It was the fifth year since Chen Songyan’s voice disappeared.
Xu Jiu eventually returned to the company. His parents arranged for him to start from the bottom, and he tucked away his frank personality.
He followed his team leader to sites and social events, achieving some results. But it wasn’t enough for his parents, who introduced him to more people.
Not just business partners, but also Omegas from prestigious families. Xu Jiu grew tired of dealing with social relationships.
So before his birthday, he specifically told them not to invite outsiders for his celebration. Just the three of them having dinner and cake would be fine.
On Xu Jiu’s birthday, it was a beautiful clear day. The evening sky looked like spilled orange wine, with dark purple clouds gently licking at it. Soon the orange faded, replaced by a grayish-blue color spreading across the horizon.
They went to a rooftop restaurant. His parents prepared a six-inch cake with two candles. They lit them and asked Xu Jiu to make a wish. He slowly closed his eyes, and the world turned black except for the faint orange candlelight.
“I wish for mom and dad’s good health.”
“I wish Chen Songyan is safe and well.”
“I wish I can meet Chen Songyan again soon.”
After making his wishes, Xu Jiu opened his eyes and blew out the candles, hearing his family’s birthday wishes.
“Happy birthday, Xiao Jiu.”
“Happy birthday, Xiao Jiu.”
“Happy birthday, Xiao Jiu.”
Xu Jiu suddenly felt dazed. Wait? Why were there three birthday wishes? Besides his parents, who else would say happy birthday?
Like a thirsty pilgrim in the desert stunned at the sight of a spring, Xu Jiu, who hadn’t heard Chen Songyan’s voice for five years, knew he must be nearby!
He jumped to his feet and darted around the restaurant, scanning every corner for Chen Songyan’s figure.
But his search was fruitless. He carefully checked every diner to see if any of them was Chen Songyan.
Through a glass door, Xu Jiu spotted a tall figure paying at the front desk.
He wore a wide-brimmed hat with a gold band about half a finger wide around its crown, and a fitted gray air force uniform that was tailored at the waist, styled more like a modified trench coat with the texture of a wool coat.
The squared shoulders made him look powerful and commanding. A gleaming black belt accentuated the Alpha’s perfect shoulder-to-waist ratio, the broad shoulders and narrow waist making the uniform look exceptionally distinguished.
His back was straight, his presence incomparably dominating with a top-down pressure. The insignia on his shoulders indicated he was an Air Force Colonel.
Omegas kept approaching the Alpha for his contact information, but he politely declined them all.
When the Alpha turned, the white eagle emblem at the center of his wide-brimmed hat gleamed brilliantly. His profile was sharp and elegant, his features stern, his jawline distinct. Xu Jiu recognized him instantly. It was Chen Songyan.
Chen Songyan’s hair was shorter now, his features even more strikingly handsome, his figure still as tall and imposing as ever, still dazzling in the crowd.
After five years of experience, the youthful awkwardness had long left Chen Songyan, replaced by an adult’s steadiness. He adjusted his military cap and strode out of the restaurant.
Xu Jiu ran after him, caught up and grabbed his wrist tightly.
Xu Jiu called out, “Chen Songyan!”
Chen Songyan’s body stiffened. As he turned, the sharp aura around him forced Xu Jiu to let go. Chen Songyan took the chance to caress Xu Jiu’s cheek, the ferocity and killing intent in his eyes softening as he sighed indulgently without smiling.
“You always find me.”
Just like now, and like five years ago when Xu Jiu found him at the hospital when he’d only meant to take one look and leave.
Compared to Chen Songyan, Xu Jiu barely changed. His star-like beautiful eyes were still full of life and energy, his face as delicate as in high school.
Chen Songyan merely glanced down and found himself rooted to the spot. He didn’t stop missing Xu Jiu for a single moment these five years. Since his pickup hadn’t arrived yet, he could talk with Xu Jiu for a while.
“Chen Songyan, where have you been all this time?”
Chen Songyan answered truthfully, “I’ve been serving at the Dragon Island Military Academy.”
Xu Jiu punched Chen Songyan’s chest, saying angrily, “Damn it, no wonder I couldn’t find any trace of you for five years.”
Remembering how Chen Songyan left without a word, Xu Jiu trembled with anger. He had searched blindly for five years, like an abandoned puppy. It was heartbreaking. With wet eyelashes, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Chen Songyan bent down and gently wiped away the “little pearls” under Xu Jiu’s eyes with his thumb. “If I told you, could I have left?”
Chen Songyan seemed to laugh. Xu Jiu heard a faint, almost inaudible sound. He suppressed his smile and said, “So you’ve been looking for me.”
Unexpectedly, Gu Ji had kept his word. Chen Songyan was on a mission in the north, and after completing it, his promotion from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel earned him a chance to go out. Gu Ji had also told him about Xu Jiu’s birthday celebration here.
Later, when he married Xu Jiu, Gu Ji would definitely sit at the main table.
Xu Jiu belatedly realized his slip. Seeing Chen Songyan’s half-suppressed smile, he was clearly pleased. Determined to gain the upper hand, Xu Jiu proudly declared like a schoolboy who’d caught his opponent’s weakness.
“Chen Songyan, I saw the letter you wrote me.”
Sure enough, Chen Songyan froze, his gaze becoming evasive. He’d never expected the butler to give that letter to Xu Jiu.
He’d written all his true feelings in it, which was why Chen Songyan now felt so awkward, like having a love letter read aloud during class.
As Chen Songyan tried to hide behind silence, Xu Jiu delivered another blow. “Chen Songyan, I know you like me, and have for many years. The little Alpha I saved when I was eight was you, right?”
Chen Songyan: “Mm, and?”
Since his secret was exposed, Chen Songyan had nothing left to fear. If Xu Jiu rejected him, he’d accept it. If Xu Jiu called him a pervert for being an Alpha liking another Alpha, he’d accept that too.
Chen Songyan’s gaze turned incredibly determined as he looked at Xu Jiu, his eyes carrying an infectious warmth like gentle light surrounding Xu Jiu, calming all his emotions until only sincerity remained.
Their gazes intertwined as Xu Jiu said, “Then, Chen Songyan, I won’t blame you for leaving without a word, nor for choosing ten years at military school, but I want to wait for you during those ten years.”
“I want to experience all the frustration, bitterness, and anticipation of your ten years of secret love. Would that be fairer to you?”
Xu Jiu felt Chen Songyan’s unrequited love only counted as ten years, not fifteen, because from the moment Xu Jiu could hear Chen Songyan’s thoughts five years ago, from the moment he unknowingly fell in love with Chen Songyan, it could no longer be called unrequited.
Chen Songyan fought back the ache in his nose, his throat bobbing. The cold worry spreading through his organs was transformed by the warmth rising from his bones. His fingertips trembled, worried that Xu Jiu might confuse sympathy with love, friendship with romance, so he asked, “Xu Jiu, what do you mean?”
Xu Jiu thought the military had really made Chen Songyan slow. He punched Chen Songyan’s chest hard again. “Chen Songyan, are you stupid? I’m saying I like you too.”
“Why else would I take photos with you, look for you, and run out here to say all this?”
Chen Songyan felt incredibly lucky, even luckier than spending twenty yuan on a scratch card and winning ten million, to be loved by the person who had saved him in his youth.
A decade of unrequited love suddenly became reality.
Chen Songyan bent down and hugged Xu Jiu tightly. Xu Jiu secretly stood on tiptoe to hug him back. Remembering his parents were still in the restaurant, Xu Jiu said, “Let’s go.”
Chen Songyan was confused. His pickup hadn’t arrived yet, why was Xu Jiu in such a hurry to make him leave? “Where to?”
Without hesitation, Xu Jiu replied, “To meet my parents. They’re both here today, and we can have birthday cake together. The Dragon Island Military Academy must be tough. Have something sweet.”
Chen Songyan said sheepishly, “It’s a bit too fast, I’m not ready yet.”
“What’s so fast about it?” Xu Jiu’s eyes flickered as he thought of a good strategy. He directly shared his recent situation, his expression suddenly darkening with worry, “My parents have been arranging meetings with many Omegas lately. I don’t know what they’re thinking.”
Sure enough, Chen Songyan took the bait. He held Xu Jiu’s head in his hands righteously and said, “Then I’ll talk to them so you won’t have to worry anymore.”
Xu Jiu led Chen Songyan back to the rooftop restaurant. They sat together across from Xu Jiu’s parents, who looked puzzled seeing their son return with a tall, handsome stranger. Was he just a friend? But Xu Jiu had always been good about telling them about his friends.
Chen Songyan’s palms were sweating from nervousness, his heart pounding like a drum. He’d never been this nervous flying planes or running missions. Pretending to be calm, he said, “Hello Uncle and Auntie, I’m Chen Songyan, ‘Song’ as in praise, ‘Yan’ as in strict1Song from 歌颂 (gē sòng) – to sing the praises of / to extol / to eulogize, and Yan from 严厉 (yán lì) – severe / strict. I’m Xu Jiu’s…”
When it came to defining their relationship, Chen Songyan hesitated. Xu Jiu hadn’t officially stated what they were. They were just two people who liked each other. Chen Songyan wasn’t sure how to put it. As Chen Songyan struggled, Xu Jiu quickly jumped in.
“Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend Chen Songyan. I’m sorry I kept it from you, but I want to be with him and marry him in the future.”
Hearing this, Xu Jiu’s father’s blood pressure shot up. His face turned red with anger. He had arranged so many Omegas for his son, and not only had Xu Jiu rejected them all, but now he’d brought home an Alpha talking about being together and marriage? He needed to test Chen Songyan.
“So you’re Chen Songyan? I see you’re wearing an Air Force uniform. How old are you and what’s your position?”
Sensing the hostility, Chen Songyan could only respond with honesty. “I’m 23, currently serving at Dragon Island Military Academy on a ten-year term. I’ll graduate in five years. I’m an Air Force Colonel.”
“Colonel? You’re too young to be a Colonel. I have friends in the military who can check everything. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you’re lying, you’ll regret it.”
Seeing his father’s aggressive tone, Xu Jiu immediately defended Chen Songyan, hugging his arm and retorting, “Go ahead and check. Chen Songyan was our class monitor in high school. He’s so outstanding. How could he not be a colonel? There’s no one else like him in the world. You should be happy I found such a good son-in-law.”
Xu Jiu’s father didn’t expect them to have been classmates in high school. His mind raced with assumptions, and his eyes turned red with anger.
“If he were really such a good person, why would he seduce you into dating in high school?”
The father’s question left both Xu Jiu and Chen Songyan speechless, since they had actually seduced each other.
Xu Jiu could only appeal to his usually doting mother. “Mom, listen to what Dad’s saying!”
Xu Jiu’s mother was more lenient. Chen Songyan was indeed one of the few high-quality Alphas she had seen, and his looks had won her over.
She suddenly punched her husband’s chest. “Lao Xu, I don’t agree with what you’re saying. Chen Songyan doesn’t seem like that kind of person…”
Before she could finish, several people entered the restaurant. They wore the same color uniforms as Chen Songyan, but theirs were shorter, and they wore the same wide-brimmed hats. They bowed to Chen Songyan in unison, startling Xu Jiu’s father.
“Colonel, our outing is over. We need to leave.”
Chen Songyan nodded to them. Only then did Xu Jiu notice a black jeep had parked outside. He reluctantly let go of Chen Songyan’s hand. After adjusting his uniform, Chen Songyan stood and solemnly addressed Xu Jiu’s father.
“Uncle, I, Chen Songyan, do not lie. Please feel free to check. My feelings for Xu Jiu weren’t developed in days or years, but over more than a decade. I’m lucky that Xu Jiu likes me back. Please don’t make things difficult for him. I’ll take my leave now.”
Xu Jiu stood to see Chen Songyan off, but Chen Songyan patted his hand to make him stay, whispering in his ear: “Xiao Jiu, stay here. Today was too much of a shock for your uncle.”
Xu Jiu could only watch Chen Songyan leave. As Chen Songyan passed the glass door at the front desk, he looked back once more. Xu Jiu seized the chance to mouth “I’ll wait for you”. Chen Songyan’s lips curved into a smile as he mouthed back something Xu Jiu recognized: “Fiancée.”
Surrounded by his men, Chen Songyan left in the car.
As soon as Chen Songyan left, Xu Jiu’s father started rambling, “Let’s be practical. By the time he gets out of military school, you’ll be 28. What about children? Your mother and I are waiting to hold grandchildren, and it’s especially difficult for two Alphas to have children.”
Xu Jiu remained unfazed, his eyes still fixed on where Chen Songyan had disappeared. “Then let Chen Songyan work hard at it. It’s not like we must have one.”
“Our Xu family has never been beneath others. Why can’t you be the one to work hard?”
“I’m almost 1.8 meters tall, and Chen Songyan is 1.9 meters. Tell me how I’m supposed to work hard at that?”
Xu Jiu’s father was speechless with frustration. He immediately contacted someone to investigate Chen Songyan’s background and military position.
A few minutes later, Chen Songyan’s information came through. To Xu Jiu’s father’s surprise, Chen Songyan was Chen Jianyin’s son.
Seeing his expression darken, Xu Jiu and his mother thought bad news had been found about Chen Songyan, and they both leaned in to look.
Xu Jiu’s parents weren’t ungrateful people. They remembered clearly everyone who had helped them in difficult times, believing small kindnesses should be repaid generously. Chen Jianyin had appeared when Xu Jiu was set up and their business was declining. Chen Jianyin signed several long-term projects with them, immediately reversing the Xu family’s decline.
Moreover, after hearing about Xu Jiu’s situation, Chen Jianyin had recommended his lawyer friend who was exceptionally skilled and charged less than other lawyers, helping them resolve many issues.
Xu Jiu didn’t know about this. Seeing his parents staring at Chen Jianyin’s name, he quickly asked, “What’s wrong? What is it?”
“Xiao Jiu, do you know? When our business was struggling, it was Mr. Chen Jianyin who signed long-term contracts with us. The lawyer who dealt with those Alphas was also recommended by Mr. Chen Jianyin. We never imagined Chen Jianyin was Chen Songyan’s father, and that Chen Songyan would fall in love with you.”
As they finished speaking, Xu Jiu and his parents realized something was odd. How could there be such coincidences in the world?
Xu Jiu’s father scrolled down the screen and saw hundreds of missions Chen Songyan had participated in over the past five years, including some undisclosed important and secret missions. He had just been promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel yesterday.
With five years still to go, wouldn’t Chen Songyan become a General or Lieutenant General? If Xu Jiu married Chen Songyan, their whole family would be secure. Chen Songyan was truly a good kid.
Compared to Chen Songyan, their own Alpha child seemed rather lacking. Xu Jiu’s father looked at him suspiciously, “How did someone like him fall for a troublemaker like you?”
Ignoring his father’s nonsense, Xu Jiu called Gu Ji after finishing the cake.
Gu Ji’s bold voice came through the phone. “Happy birthday, Xu Jiu.”
Wanting to confirm some past events, Xu Jiu’s voice was calm as he asked, “Gu Ji, remember when He Ranran set me up five years ago? I want to ask how you handled it. Chen Songyan told me you handled everything at school.”
“Oh, he said that?”
But Chen Songyan had only asked him to keep quiet about going to military school. He really hated keeping things from Xu Jiu, so he told the truth.
“Most of it was handled by Chen Songyan, I only did a small part. It’s not that I didn’t care about you, brother, but Chen Songyan was so thorough. I was too rash back then and worried I’d make things worse. Chen Songyan handled most of it.”
“From finding the camera that caught He Ranran drugging you, to organizing evidence for the police, and finally giving those Alphas who hurt you a taste of their own medicine by beating them up in alleyways. His hands were all injured then. I could guess what happened. Later, he got his father involved, who introduced a powerful lawyer to deal with those persistent Alphas.”
“That’s all I know.”
Xu Jiu murmured in a daze, tears falling one by one. So Chen Jianyin helping their family wasn’t a coincidence. If this was all Gu Ji knew, how much more was there that he didn’t know? Chen Songyan, don’t love me too much.
Xu Jiu became determined to go to Chen Songyan. That night, he brought home a huge stack of books and told his parents he wouldn’t go to the company anymore. He would take the civil service exam for the military. He not only wanted to wait for Chen Songyan but also wanted to get closer to him.
TL Notes
- 1Song from 歌颂 (gē sòng) – to sing the praises of / to extol / to eulogize, and Yan from 严厉 (yán lì) – severe / strict
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