DREB CHAPTER 66

When Lu Lianning was driving back, the car’s headlights lit up the road ahead, revealing a small figure wrapped in a black coat, walking through the desolate early winter wind.

As the car drew closer, he could see that the figure was indeed Song Ruan.

Lu Lianning frowned. He couldn’t understand why he was seeing Song Ruan here at this hour. The street led directly to his house—had Song Ruan just left? But how could he have even known where he lived?

The car stopped, and Lu Lianning got out to meet him.

Song Ruan still hadn’t fully recovered from his sadness. Though his tears had stopped, his body continued to tremble.

Lu Lianning stood tall next to him, but in the dim light, his expression was hard to read.

Song Ruan looked up at him, his lashes filled with tears. “Mr. Lu…”

The tears on his face hadn’t dried yet. This delicate Omega looked pitiful walking alone in the cold wind—and, in truth, a bit vulnerable.

Lu Lianning’s gaze fell on the coat Song Ruan was wearing, and he asked, “Who told you where I live?”

Song Ruan bit his lip, looking stubborn. “I found it myself.”

There was no way he could have found it on his own.

A flicker of disdain crossed Lu Lianning’s mind, though he didn’t show it. He neither liked nor disliked Song Ruan. After all, Song Ruan was an Omega, and in this situation, he was innocent.

It seemed like when it wasn’t about Li Yan, Lu Lianning could always be reasonable.

“You’re keeping a Beta at your house, aren’t you!?” Upon seeing Lu Lianning, Song Ruan felt deeply wronged and couldn’t hold back any longer.

Lu Lianning felt a flash of impatience but managed to restrain himself. With as much patience as he could muster, he explained, “This really has nothing to do with you. Your father may not have explained things clearly…” He spoke for a moment, but when he saw the confusion still in Song Ruan’s eyes, he realized that no matter how much he explained, Song Ruan wouldn’t understand.

So, he simplified, “In short, in the business deal between the Lu Group and the Song family, the Lu Group will give up three percent.”

What did that mean? Only after hearing this did Song Ruan begin to grasp what was happening—was this supposed to be some kind of compensation?

The tears he’d been holding back nearly spilled out again. Anger started to rise within him, his pale face flushing red with frustration. He told Lu Lianning, “That Beta is so ordinary! He doesn’t even have any pheromones! Why do you like him? Isn’t it common knowledge that Alphas and Omegas are the best match?”

Lu Lianning’s irritation flared. He felt like Song Ruan’s words were dismissing all his efforts. He retorted, “Didn’t you notice? His pheromones smell like mine.”

That single sentence turned Song Ruan’s face green with embarrassment and he couldn’t hold back his tears any longer; they streamed down his face. He and Lu Lianning had gone on so many dates, and yet Lu Lianning hadn’t even wanted to hold his hand. Now, here he was, hiding a Beta at home, marked with his pheromones and sharing countless intimate moments.

Seeing him cry only added to Lu Lianning’s frustration. He still didn’t know what had happened between Song Ruan and Li Yan today or how Song Ruan had even found his way to his house.

It was already late, and Lu Lianning didn’t want to waste any more time here.

He reached out his hand toward Song Ruan.

Song Ruan stared at him in confusion, his eyes widening as he watched Lu Lianning’s movements. He thought Lu Lianning, softened by his tears, was about to comfort him with a touch.

But instead, Lu Lianning simply pulled the coat off his shoulders. “Li Yan’s coat.” His tone was strange, almost as if he were blaming Song Ruan for casually wearing someone else’s clothing.

Song Ruan looked at him in disbelief, but Lu Lianning really did take the coat off and drape it over his arm. He then said to Song Ruan, “Get in the car. The driver will take you home.”

Song Ruan didn’t want to get in, but Lu Lianning’s expression was so bad it scared him. Plus, it was late at night, and the chilly wind bit sharply after Lu Lianning took off the coat.

After giving the driver instructions to turn up the heat, Lu Lianning watched as Song Ruan obediently got into the car. Only then did he turn and head back toward his house.

Not long after Lu Lianning lay down, Li Yan, who had been sleeping with his eyes closed, suddenly spoke. “Song Ruan came by today.”

Lu Lianning didn’t respond, unsure why Li Yan was bringing it up. He felt a bit anxious, but there was also an inexplicable, secret hope stirring inside him.

“Is he going to move in here?” Li Yan turned to face Lu Lianning, lifting his eyes to ask, “Is he going to sleep here?” He studied Lu Lianning’s silent expression. “Where will I sleep then? Can I move out? He doesn’t seem to like me much…”

Lu Lianning let out a snort, his eyes sweeping over Li Yan’s face. “Move out? Where exactly do you think you’re going?” He grabbed Li Yan and pulled him closer, his voice dropping into a hiss. “You’ll sleep right here. If he doesn’t like you, then you can sleep under the bed.”

Li Yan blinked up at him several times before lowering his eyelashes, as if suddenly frightened.

“But it might be dark under the bed.”

Lu Lianning nearly laughed in frustration. Sometimes he really wanted to crack open Li Yan’s head to see if there was a machine inside labeled “Make Lu Lianning Angry” tirelessly running day and night.

Translator’s note:

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 🎄🎉