WMAW Chapter 2

That night, Zhuang Yi didn’t realize that his omega hadn’t returned home all night. It was only when he got up in the morning and saw the empty dining table that he felt puzzled, wondering why the housekeeper hadn’t made him breakfast today. As he went to the entryway to change his shoes, he noticed Zhong Lin’s fluffy slippers still in front of him, with the pink bunny ears standing tall.

Zhuang Yi felt a pang in his heart and, suffocating with emotion, slammed the door as he left.

They had each agreed to their own lives long ago, and he should have known, a beautiful and charming omega like that wouldn’t fall for a dullard like him; there was no way he’d be lacking company.

For a whole week, Zhuang Yi didn’t receive the lunches Zhong Lin used to bring him, nor did he see the flashy Ferrari in the garage—the one he had given Zhong Lin a supplementary credit card to choose as a wedding gift when they first got married. Since then, Zhong Lin had been driving that car every day, and he hadn’t seen any spending on that card ever again.

He thought they would continue to live together with mutual respect, occasionally nodding at each other as a greeting. Wasn’t that what he wanted? To have nothing to do with each other. Zhuang Yi sat through meetings absentmindedly, unsure what had gotten into him lately.

After messing up another document that needed his signature, Zhuang Yi capped his pen, stood up helplessly, and looked out the window again. The familiar parking space was occupied by an unfamiliar car; the conspicuous red that had long been absent was missing. Perhaps Zhong Lin was on a business trip, Zhuang Yi straightened his tie and took the elevator downstairs.

Zhong Lin’s studio was on the ninth floor of the neighboring building. He decided to just go for a stroll before lunch, especially since the food his assistant bought was hardly palatable, even a dog wouldn’t eat it.

He wasn’t a picky person; it was just that the housekeeper’s cooking really suited his taste.

As the elevator numbers climbed, Zhuang Yi felt there was something off with his mind, hesitating as the murmur of a conversation from behind grew louder.

“Boss Zhong is just too, too handsome, so, so beautiful. Oh my gosh, I went to submit my work to him today, and he said I’ve improved—gah! Listening to him, I feel like my ears are getting pregnant! Yikes, it’s a pity I’m an omega, I dream of becoming strong like him—” An omega in the elevator was whispering to a beta companion, “Boss Zhong is pretty strict, but he’s so talented. Every piece of advice he gives me, it’s like a light bulb moment! So enlightening!”

The beta laughed, sounding somewhat envious, “Boss doesn’t talk much, and he’s kinda scary when he’s quiet, I hardly dare to speak to him.”

Zhuang Yi eavesdropped for a bit. Boss Zhong, not Zhong Lin, right? The always cheerful Zhong Lin, who was easy to talk to, seemed to have no temper and was carefree.

“Hey, did you see that person who came to see the boss these past few days, the one with the light blue hair? So good-looking too.”

The elevator doors opened at the ninth floor; the two behind him left the elevator, still chatting in low voices. Light blue-haired person? Zhuang Yi frowned, hesitated for a moment, then stepped out of the elevator.

Zhong Lin’s studio was beautifully decorated, as aesthetic as the man himself. There wasn’t a rigid reception desk nor any ostentatious decor. The atmosphere was pleasant, very different from Zhuang Yi’s neatly organized investment firm.

As he walked, looking down at documents, Zhong Lin suddenly appeared in front of him. Zhuang Yi’s eyes widened. His omega was wearing a black hat, his aura aloof and sharp, he walked up without lifting his head and reached out his hand.

No one had brought him food for days, and Zhong Lin looked up bewildered. The tall, handsome alpha in front of him wasn’t there to deliver takeout. He withdrew his hand and tilted his head, carefully recalling from the recently clarified personal relationships this face.

A few days ago, Zhong Lin had been in a car accident, not too serious, but he had hit his head. When he woke up, his memory was jumbled, thinking he was back in high school. The doctor said once the blood clot in his brain cleared, his memory should return. Fortunately, his childhood friend Pei Jue helped him sort out what had happened in the past few years; he even had his own studio now, realizing his dream. Reinvigorated, Zhong Lin had rushed to the studio after a call from his assistant, shedding his hospital gown to tackle a new project.

“Mr. Zhuang?” Zhong Lin tentatively called out. This cold-faced alpha must be his nominal husband. Apparently, Zhuang Yi and he had agreed to lead separate lives. He had indeed found their marriage certificate and prenuptial agreement at home yesterday. Suddenly realizing he was married so young, Zhong Lin wasn’t quite ready to accept it.

Zhuang Yi nodded at him, unsure of what else to say. After a long silence, under Zhong Lin’s puzzled gaze, he finally spoke, “Why… why don’t you, come home to stay?”

“Home? Oh, you mean that apartment downtown? I’ve been a bit busy these past few days; I did go back there yesterday.” Zhong Lin raised an eyebrow nonchalantly, unsure what this stranger of an alpha wanted.

Zhuang Yi was a bit at a loss, “Why haven’t you brought me lunch anymore?” His tone unwittingly revealed a touch of hurt, “Just to keep up appearances for our parents.”

“Lunch? There’s no need to bother so much just to please the elders.” Saying this, Zhong Lin leaned in close to Zhuang Yi, took a selfie together, then quickly stood up and dropped his smile, “Just post this photo in the family group chat.”

His phone chimed, probably the photo being sent. The side of his body that Zhong Lin had leaned against tingled. Zhuang Yi touched his left shoulder, standing there dazed.

“Mr. Zhuang, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get back to work.” Zhong Lin didn’t look at him again, picking up his project file and removing a marker from behind his ear, ready to head back.

Before, every time Zhong Lin saw him, he would look at him with those big, beautiful eyes, warm and friendly, though he was like that with everyone, not just him.

“You used to be different.” Zhuang Yi caught the departing figure, everything felt wrong, how could it be like this.

“Are we just married by alliance? Do I need to do something special?” Zhong Lin scratched his head, confused by the implication. Just an alliance marriage, why all the fuss? Daily lunches, so much work.