UNCLTRD chapter 31

Leaving the hospital, Chen Qiusu wandered aimlessly. He felt conflicted—he needed a partner, but he didn’t want to randomly find an omega just to relieve his desires.

Should he tell Yang Shao? But for what purpose? Just to inform him? Or because he had other intentions?

Chen Qiusu couldn’t make up his mind. His emotions were a mess. He recalled the promise they’d made—after a year, he’d find a suitable omega, and they would get a divorce. But what exactly made an omega “suitable”?

Was it mutual compatibility in personality, a matching social status, or perfectly compatible pheromones? Or… was it simply someone he liked?

What did he even want?

A taxi happened to stop nearby, pulling him out of his thoughts. Realizing it was getting late, he got in and headed home, unaware that someone was watching from afar.

…..

Lately, He Yudong had been evading debt collectors. After failing to get money from his uncle and grandmother, he’d made a desperate bet and lost not only everything he had but ended up owing even more. With the year-end approaching, collectors were growing increasingly aggressive.

Ever since Chen Qiusu returned from abroad and took over the family business, He Yudong felt his life had taken a downturn, particularly because his funding sources weren’t as easily accessible anymore.

Looking back, he regretted moving out of the Chen family home. At least there, he wouldn’t have to worry about meals, and debt collectors wouldn’t dare show up. His uncle and aunt wouldn’t just stand by and let it happen.

Back then, he had panicked. Overwhelmed by guilt, he’d hastily left the house. It wasn’t like he’d done anything unforgivable—just spiked Chen Qiusu’s drink with some pills. There were plenty of omegas at the bar. Why was the alpha so insistent on making a scene?

“Damn it, it’s all Chen Qiusu’s fault,” He Yudong muttered, kicking an empty can. “Always so self-righteous. We’re family, aren’t we? He can’t even lend me some money without making a fuss.”

As he glanced up, he saw none other than Chen Qiusu leaving the hospital.

….

Yang Tao’s birthday was approaching, and the Chen family wanted to take the opportunity to formally introduce Yang Shao and his son to friends and extended family. Since the wedding was scheduled for the end of the year, they also planned to use the birthday party as a chance to send out invitations.

Yang Tao was thrilled about the party—not just because it was lively, but because he could invite his kindergarten friends. With only half a semester left before graduating from kindergarten, opportunities to gather with his friends were rare.

His excitement brought joy to the Chen family, who catered to his wishes. The only one unenthusiastic about the gathering was Yang Shao. He hated being the center of attention in a room full of strangers.

As an adult, he understood the awkwardness of such situations. He knew most of the Chen family weren’t like He Yudong, but just dealing with one He Yudong was taxing enough. He didn’t want to expend energy interacting with Chen Qiusu’s other relatives.

He didn’t belong in their world. He was at the bottom of the social ladder, and mingling with them only left him exhausted. Yet, he couldn’t refuse.

“If you don’t want to go, I can tell my parents,” Chen Qiusu offered with a cough.

Yang Shao glanced at him. “Don’t. It’s just a quick appearance. Yang Tao can handle the socializing.”

He didn’t want to come across as a buzzkill. He wasn’t so inept that he needed to hide away.

Noticing Chen Qiusu still coughing, Yang Shao asked, “Why are you still coughing? Is the medicine the doctor gave you working?”

When Chen Qiusu came back from the hospital, Yang Shao had asked once, but he’d given a vague answer, saying he had been prescribed medication but avoiding any mention of his heat.

Not wanting to pry, Yang Shao assumed the issue had been resolved and left it alone.

“The weather’s cold. Recovery takes time,” replied Chen Qiusu.

….

Yet, on the day of the birthday party, Yang Shao found himself inexplicably nervous. So many people would be there, and he didn’t want to embarrass himself, Chen Qiusu, or the Chen family.

Laid out on the bed was a custom-made suit for the occasion. Yang Shao had never worn a suit in his life, and even looking at it made him feel awkward.

“Yang Shao? Are you ready?” came Chen Qiusu’s voice from outside the door.

Feeling impatient, Yang Shao muttered under his breath and hurriedly put on his shirt.

“Daddy, do you need Uncle Chen to help you?” Yang Tao called out from outside. It was likely Chen Qiusu who taught him that line.

Yang Shao was still struggling with his tie, getting increasingly frustrated. He gave up and flung the door open, appearing before Chen Qiusu with his shirt barely put together.

Chen Qiusu gently placed Yang Tao on the ground. “Go downstairs and find your grandparents,” he said.

Once Yang Tao was gone, he stepped inside the room with Yang Shao. It wasn’t just the tie—Yang Shao’s shirt buttons were completely mismatched.

Without saying a word, Chen Qiusu calmly fixed the buttons and straightened out the shirt. Then he picked up the tie from the bed. Their suits were custom-made, identical in design—an obvious couple’s outfit.

As Chen Qiusu worked on the tie, his delicate hands occasionally brushed against Yang Shao’s neck, tickling him. Yang Shao, a little sensitive, took deep breaths to mask his reaction, but all he could smell was the scent of Chen Qiusu’s pheromones.

“Tsk,” Yang Shao muttered, his throat slightly scratchy from the cedarwood scent. He frowned and made an idle comment, “Your family sure has a lot of relatives.”

Chen Qiusu, eyes still focused on the tie, responded lightly, “Just stick with me. There’s no need to feel nervous.”

Nervous? Which of his eyes saw Yang Shao nervous? Yang Shao scoffed, “I’m not nervous. What’s there to be nervous about?”

Not pushing the matter, Chen Qiusu shifted topics. “Did you get Yang Tao’s gift ready?”

At the mention of Yang Tao’s birthday gift, Yang Shao’s irritation resurfaced. Yang Tao’s grandparents had gone all out, gifting the child a ranch. At first, Yang Shao found it baffling—what’s the point of giving a kid a ranch? Then he learned Chen Qiusu had added two ponies to the mix.

Yang Tao had mentioned wanting a pet, and Yang Shao assumed that meant a cat or dog. Never had he imagined Chen Qiusu would give the boy two ponies.

Yang Shao wasn’t upset about the extravagance; he was frustrated by how it made his gift look pathetic in comparison. He had bought Yang Tao a toy gun he’d promised him back when they saw it in a store window. It wasn’t much, but a promise was a promise, no matter how many toy guns the great-grandmother had already given Yang Tao—or that she’d even bought out the toy store itself.

But the toy gun wasn’t in stock. Yang Shao had searched multiple stores until one owner promised to restock it in time for the birthday party.

“Do I even dare to give it now?”

Chen Qiusu chuckled softly. “For Yang Tao, anything you give will be his favorite.”

True. Yang Tao wasn’t materialistic—he was a kid Yang Shao had raised himself.

“The store owner hasn’t called yet. It might take a little longer,” Yang Shao said.

“I’ll have someone pick it up,” Chen Qiusu offered while smoothing Yang Shao’s shirt.

“No, I’ll go myself,” Yang Shao insisted. The chance to escape the party was too good to pass up.

“All right, let’s head downstairs.”

Chen Qiusu raised his arm, signaling for Yang Shao to take it. Despite feeling awkward, Yang Shao looped his arm through Chen Qiusu’s, finding the gesture unexpectedly comforting. With Chen Qiusu beside him, the looming stares felt less overwhelming.

The party was lively, with many guests. As soon as Chen Qiusu and Yang Shao appeared at the top of the stairs, every gaze turned to them. This birthday party was also, in part, an engagement announcement. Naturally, everyone was curious about Chen Qiusu’s beta partner.

At that moment, Yang Shao felt an urge to back out. He clung to Chen Qiusu’s sleeve, crumpling the fabric.

Chen Qiusu gave him a reassuring pat on the back of his hand, gently pried his grip loose, and firmly held his hand instead, silently encouraging him to proceed.

Apart from a brief introduction during the head of the Chen family’s speech, Yang Shao spent most of his time freely wandering with Chen Qiusu by his side. Though guests were curious about his relationship with Chen Qiusu, the family’s sense of propriety kept them from asking invasive questions.

Meanwhile, Yang Tao was in his element, confidently greeting people with his grandfather. The boy was exceptionally sociable, living up to his status as the eldest grandson of the Chen family.

Chen Qiusu, however, was quite busy, all while holding onto Yang Shao. Seeing this, Yang Shao quietly slipped away to grab some food. Parched, he drank several cups of something sweet, unaware if it was juice or alcohol.

“Hey, Yang Shao.”

Out of nowhere, He Yudong appeared. Yang Shao’s mood soured instantly. He Yudong grinned obnoxiously and struck up a conversation. “I saw Chen Qiusu at the hospital the other day. Is everything okay between you two?”

Yang Shao froze for a moment. The hospital visit was supposed to be a secret, but now He Yudong, of all people, knew about it.

“What’s it to you? Why don’t you ask Chen Qiusu yourself?” Yang Shao shot back, deliberately pushing He Yudong towards someone he feared.

He Yudong pouted, his curiosity unsatisfied.

“Cousin?” Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Chen Qiusu had been looking for Yang Shao, only to find him at the dining table with He Yudong. Seeing Yang Shao’s less-than-friendly expression, he guessed the conversation wasn’t pleasant.

Yang Shao, feigning innocence, tilted his head toward He Yudong, silently daring him to say whatever he’d been asking about.

Flustered, He Yudong left.

“Did he say something strange?” Chen Qiusu asked, his concern evident.

Before Yang Shao could respond, his phone rang.

After hanging up, Yang Shao said, “It’s the toy store owner. I need to step out.”

Noticing the glasses Yang Shao had been drinking from, Chen Qiusu stopped him. “You’ve been drinking. I’ll go with you.”

Yang Shao licked his lips, realizing it was indeed alcohol. He hadn’t noticed.

In the car, Yang Shao turned to Chen Qiusu. “Shouldn’t you be hosting the guests?”

“My parents can handle it. Besides, today’s about Yang Tao.”

Truthfully, Chen Qiusu wasn’t fond of such events either. If not for the formalities, he’d have preferred a quiet family celebration for Yang Tao’s birthday.

Behind them, the grand mansion buzzed with activity. No one noticed that Chen Qiusu and Yang Shao had quietly slipped away.