PE Ch18: That’s called meeting the parents

“Mr. Huai.” The two Betas greeted without arrogance or inferiority.

On this side, Pan Yinchuan turned his gaze to Jian Yan and said, “Aren’t they nesting dolls?”

Jian Yan followed his gaze and looked down at himself. He then realized he was dressed the same way.

…Jian Yan’s face twitched, suddenly feeling a wave of shame, wishing he could take his clothes off immediately.

Huai Yu remained silent, and the courtyard was extremely quiet. The servants couldn’t help but sneak glances at Pan Yinchuan’s expression.

But Pan Yinchuan showed no expression, only whispering to Assistant Jian.

Finally, Yan Xue couldn’t stand the silence any longer. He took a few steps closer and asked, “Are you not satisfied?”

Yan Xue straightforwardly said, “I took Xiao Pan as a reference and found two even better-looking ones… They also graduated from prestigious universities and have indirectly benefited from you, almost coming to work for you as assistants. But they admire you so much that they’re willing to be your lovers instead.”

Jian Yan’s face twitched again, feeling this was a full-scale attack on him.

Pan Yinchuan, who was the “reference,” didn’t care about himself at all. He even turned to look at Jian Yan again.

Jian Yan felt a lump in his throat.

“Let’s go.” Huai Yu uttered two words, breaking the stalemate.

He made no comment on Yan Xue’s speech.

But Yan Xue, hearing his voice, finally breathed a sigh of relief. At least it meant the people were accepted.

After giving the gifts, Yan Xue did not leave immediately but accompanied Huai Yu into the car.

Pan Yinchuan followed Jian Yan, along with the two new Betas, into the same car.

“Hello, I’ve heard your name before.” The mixed-race Beta with striking features first extended his hand to Pan Yinchuan.

Jian Yan smiled and blocked it: “It’s common courtesy to introduce yourself first, right?”

The mixed-race Beta paused and said, “Otis, my name is Otis, I’m 22, I studied foreign languages in college, and I speak 23 languages…”

Pan Yinchuan blurted out: “Impressive.”

Jian Yan: “…”

Otis was momentarily at a loss and finally squeezed out four words: “Thank you for the compliment.”

“Which university did you attend?” The serene Beta suddenly spoke.

“Me?” Pan Yinchuan met his gaze. To be honest, this purely Eastern face was more pleasing. Pan Yinchuan paused for a moment, then distanced himself a bit and said, “I studied in Jiuhe City, my hometown.”

“Jiuhe City? Never heard of it.” The other’s tone had an unmistakable hint of disdain.

Jian Yan couldn’t stand it anymore.

When he first talked to Pan Yinchuan, he at least knew to start with something nice.

His eyes turned cold, thinking, “Who do you think you are?”

“Hey…”

“You’ve never heard of Jiuhe City? Then you don’t even know where we’re going next?” Pan Yinchuan exclaimed in surprise, interrupting Jian Yan’s “helpful” response.

“Where are we going?” The other’s expression finally changed.

“To Jiuhe City.” Pan Yinchuan said.

“…” The other’s expression cracked, and he finally squeezed out sourly, “Mr. Huai really likes you a lot.” Even taking you back home.

His mouth twitched, feeling like he was humiliating himself.

“Like?” Pan Yinchuan tried to recall, but couldn’t come up with anything. He said to the Beta in front of him, “You look good; you’ll be liked more.”

After saying that, Pan Yinchuan didn’t forget Otis: “You’ll be liked too.”

He was being very fair.

Otis: “…”

The serene Beta: “…” Is he mocking us?

Jian Yan exhaled and turned away.

Fine.

Pan Yinchuan could be annoying.

The car fell into complete silence.

Since he was about to reach home, Pan Yinchuan was inevitably excited, unable to sleep, and had no phone to play with.

“Assistant Jian, want to play cards?” Pan Yinchuan warmly invited.

Jian Yan rarely felt his warmth, hesitated for a moment, but agreed.

But there was a problem: playing cards required three people.

Pan Yinchuan kindly asked the two Betas beside him, “Who wants to play cards?”

The two exchanged a glance. Although they couldn’t figure out Pan Yinchuan’s intentions, neither wanted to be left out at this moment.

“I will.”

“I will.”

Both spoke in unison.

Jian Yan immediately looked at Pan Yinchuan, wanting to know who Pan Yinchuan would choose to kick out.

Pan Yinchuan smoothly said, “Then let’s not play ‘Fight the Landlord’ (a popular Chinese card game), let’s play ‘Bluff’ instead.”

He had learned it back in high school. Back then, the school was strict, and Pan Yinchuan was always a good student, so he never played again after that.

Until now.

The enthusiasm returned to Pan Yinchuan.

Thinking about it carefully, apart from losing his personal freedom, he had gained a lot of other freedoms with Mr. Huai. In just a short time, Pan Yinchuan couldn’t even count how many times he had “rebelled.”

When the car arrived at the airport, Assistant Zhang came over first.

He thought that if the sir’s harem caught fire, he would have to come and help extinguish it first, right?

As soon as the car door opened—

“Are you guys… playing cards?” Assistant Zhang’s mouth twitched, but that wasn’t the main point. He frowned, “Why are you two crowding Mr. Pan in the middle?”

The two Betas were sitting on either side of Pan Yinchuan.

Pan Yinchuan was gentle and reserved, not aggressive at all. As a result, both of them appeared more Alpha than him.

“Get out.” Assistant Zhang said with a dark face.

Otis and the other Beta opened the car doors and quickly got out, still not understanding why Assistant Zhang was angry.

Assistant Zhang quietly approached Pan Yinchuan and asked, “No one touched you, right?”

Pan Yinchuan: ?

What kind of question is that?

Assistant Zhang observed his expression: “Alright, so no one did.”

Once bitten, twice shy.

Only then did Assistant Zhang relax.

Assistant Zhang led them onto the plane first, with Otis and the other Beta following behind.

“Why does Zhang Xing not like us? Offending him is not a good sign.” The serene Beta briefly frowned.

Otis speculated, “Could it be that he also likes Mr. Huai?”

Huai Yu was known in high society as an Alpha captor.

Not only did he capture people’s minds, but sometimes their hearts as well.

Most people in this world are attracted to strength, especially the Alpha group, who almost have “survival of the fittest” etched into their bones. The higher Huai Yu stood, the more he despised other Alphas, the more arrogant he was towards everything around him, the more Alphas would flock to him.

Thinking about it this way, it wouldn’t be strange for Assistant Zhang, who was around him day and night, to fall in love with Mr. Huai.

Governor’s office of St. An State.

An Alpha nearing fifty scratched his head and looked at the line of Betas in front of him, saying with a headache, “Next batch.”

His secretary said, “Mr. Huai should be arriving soon.”

The governor sighed, “Maybe we should give up. I’ve never done anything like this before. Sending people up, what kind of thing is that?”

The secretary calmly reminded him, “Now everyone knows what kind of people Mr. Huai likes. If you don’t send someone, others will. Are you sure you don’t want to take this great opportunity to achieve your political goals?”

The governor instantly perked up, “Alright, keep choosing.”

“By the way, it was strange that Major Yan personally came to suppress the situation before. I once called Mr. Huai for help but was rejected… I don’t know what caused the change.” The governor shook his head.

“Related to Jiuhe City?” The secretary speculated.

“Jiuhe City?”

“Yes, a few days ago, there was a secret operation in Jiuhe City, reportedly following Major Yan’s orders.”

“Mm, have the person in charge write a report for me.”

The governor and secretary ended their brief conversation.

On the other side, the plane had already landed.

Otis and the other Beta both wanted to speak to Huai Yu, but Huai Yu didn’t look at them.

“Jian Yan will accompany you home.” Huai Yu directly said to Pan Yinchuan.

“Sir isn’t coming with me?” Pan Yinchuan was surprised.

This sounded a bit like he didn’t know his own worth.

But Pan Yinchuan’s eyes were too clear.

Huai Yu looked at him and asked, “Do you know what it’s called if I go back with you?”

Pan Yinchuan: “? What’s it called?”

Huai Yu: “It’s called meeting the parents.”

Pan Yinchuan suddenly realized: “Ah, right. Then the sir shouldn’t come with me.” He paused, “So I’ll… be going now?”

“Mm, don’t mention me, don’t use my name to your advantage.”

“Okay, okay, I remember.” Pan Yinchuan couldn’t wait any longer. He quickly called out to Jian Yan, “Assistant Jian, let’s go.”

Jian Yan felt a bit dazed, his blood rushing. He walked closely beside Pan Yinchuan, feeling his heart was about to jump out of his throat.

Otis and the other Beta sighed in relief.

Since Mr. Huai wasn’t accompanying him, it meant he liked him but not to that extent.

However, Assistant Zhang’s expression was especially complicated. He managed to squeeze out, “So… isn’t it just Jian Yan going back with him to meet the parents?”

Huai Yu: “…”

Assistant Zhang looked at Huai Yu’s face, wanting to slap himself.

It would have been better if Assistant Zhang hadn’t said that. Once he did, Huai Yu couldn’t stop thinking about it.

But the person had already left, and calling him back would seem inexplicable.

Pan Yinchuan didn’t think that much. He was very happy. After getting into the car with Jian Yan, he turned and started introducing every street and shop they passed by.

“The buns here are really good.”

“There used to be a place selling fried skewers here. I always craved them but couldn’t eat them.”

“There’s a basketball court over there where I used to play…”

As Pan Yinchuan spoke, he showed his nostalgia.

He wasn’t introducing Jian Yan to the place; he was reminiscing about his past.

But Jian Yan didn’t see it that way.

He felt himself being irresistibly drawn into Pan Yinchuan’s world bit by bit.

“Your parents…” Jian Yan started.

“My parents are both very nice. Mr. Huai had you follow me to monitor me, right? Then you’ll have to stay at my house, but it’s a bit small…”

Jian Yan’s throat tightened, and he slowly squeezed out a sound, “Shall we sleep together?”

Pan Yinchuan paused, thinking better of it.

What if he touched him again?

But Jian Yan was the guest, and he was the host.

Pan Yinchuan thought of a compromise and said, “You can sleep in my bed, and I’ll sleep on the floor. We always did this when relatives visited.”

Jian Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he said, “Oh, okay.”

Soon, the car arrived downstairs.

Pan Yinchuan eagerly pushed the door open and got out. He looked up at his floor and his eyes filled with tears.

He was so close, so close to never seeing his parents again.

Jian Yan, still composed, got out of the car and said, “I’ll go buy some fruit and gifts.”

When he came out of the nearby supermarket, Jian Yan’s hands were full of bags.

He walked beside Pan Yinchuan, climbing the stairs step by step… it really felt like he was coming back to meet Pan Yinchuan’s parents.

“We’re here, unit 601, my home.” Pan Yinchuan said softly, raising his hand to knock on the door.

Inside were Pan Yueshan and his wife, Lao Yu, and Brother Jiu.

A few days had passed, and Lao Yu noticed that no one had called Pan Yueshan and his wife again. It seemed like everything before was just a dream.

So Brother Jiu came to visit again.

“Have you thought it over?” Brother Jiu said impatiently, “We’re leaving for Nanta City early tomorrow.”

Pan Yueshan, looking downcast, was about to speak when there was a knock on the door.

Brother Jiu jolted, developing a bit of a psychological shadow.

He kicked Pan Yueshan’s chair, urging, “Go open the door, see who’s here this time?”

There wasn’t even a siren this time, it couldn’t be the same people, right?

Pan Yueshan nodded repeatedly, walked over, and opened the door—

“Son… son?!” Pan Yueshan’s voice suddenly rose, changing pitch.

Wang Xiu heard the commotion and stood up quickly, knocking the tablecloth off.

The couple crowded at the door, dumbfounded.

Brother Jiu was also stunned.

Even Lao Yu, usually shrewd, looked bewildered, unable to speak.

“Dad, Mom, sorry to worry you.” Pan Yinchuan’s eyes reddened as he glanced inside, “We have guests?”

Brother Jiu awkwardly stood up, “You’re back, well, I guess you don’t need me.”

Old Yu gave him a subtle look.

Brother Jiu realized he shouldn’t have said that, instantly changing his tone, sneering, “Playing me for a fool?”

Pan Yueshan waved his hands, “No, no, Brother Jiu, it’s just… Son, how did you get back?” He asked Pan Yinchuan.

Pan Yinchuan, remembering not to mention Huai Yu, pointed to Jian Yan, “He brought me back, his name is Jian Yan.”

Jian Yan’s breath caught, and he forced a smile, “Hello, uncle and auntie.”

Old Yu stood up, scrutinizing Pan Yinchuan. After some time, he looked healthy and vibrant. He didn’t seem like someone who had been tortured in Nanta City…

Old Yu then looked at “Jian Yan.”

Fortunately, he was just a Beta.

A Beta who posed no threat at all.

Old Yu grabbed Brother Jiu, pretending to mediate, “Alright, Brother Jiu, I’m the intermediary, I didn’t handle this well. We’ll still give you some money. How about ten thousand as a running fee?”

Brother Jiu sneered, “A beggar’s wage? Ten thousand? If I’d known it was for this, I wouldn’t have come.”

“Uncle Yu, what’s this about…” Pan Yinchuan interjected, feeling conflicted.

It was Uncle Yu who had introduced him to Nanta City.

“Xiao Chuan, your parents were worried about your safety in Nanta City, so I begged Brother Jiu to take people to rescue you. We were just negotiating when you returned…” Lao Yu looked troubled.

Jian Yan entered, setting down the fruits and gifts, “Now that it’s unnecessary, you can leave.”

Old Yu’s expression twisted. This Beta sure spoke boldly!

Brother Jiu, initially acting, felt real anger, snorted, “Leave? Not without eighteen thousand.”

“Brother Jiu, don’t be like this. The family reunion, let them…” Lao Yu continued to persuade.

“So what? Now that he’s back, I can take him away again.” Brother Jiu said coldly.

Jian Yan drew a gun from his waist and loaded it.

Pan Yueshan and his wife widened their eyes.

Jian Yan turned to Pan Yinchuan, “At military school, I had the best shooting score. Want to see what a brain looks like when it explodes?”

Brother Jiu’s expression froze, “Alright. For Lao Yu’s sake.”

A gunfight, you never know who’s better.

But the Beta revealed a crucial piece of information—he was from military school.

A Beta from military school carried more weight than an Alpha from military school.

This meant the other party wasn’t ordinary.

Brother Jiu wanted to help Lao Yu but, as a lowlife, he had a knack for adapting, or he wouldn’t have survived this long.

In plain terms, he knew when to leave.

Brother Jiu brushed past Pan Yinchuan and left quickly.

Pan Yueshan and his wife slowly came to their senses, “…It’s really okay?”

Pan Yinchuan patted the gun in his pocket and nodded, “It’s okay.”

It was still Shuling’s gun, which later became his. Huai Yu even had someone prepare a lot of bullets for him.

Pan Yinchuan followed inside and asked, “Do we have dumplings? I feel like eating dumplings.”

“…Yes! Yes! Just wait!” Pan Yueshan grabbed an apron and rushed to the kitchen.

“Old Yu, look at this…” Wang Xiu looked at Lao Yu with a troubled expression.

“Good, it’s good that he’s back. I also wanted to ask Xiao Chuan about his experiences in Nanta City.” Lao Yu said, not showing any intention of leaving.

He even took a few more looks at Jian Yan.

Not a familiar face.

And indeed a Beta.

But from a military school…

Old Yu frowned.

Could he be the one who made the call?

Wang Xiu, thinking of entertaining guests, took out all the sunflower seeds and candies bought for the New Year that hadn’t been eaten yet and turned on the TV for them.

“Xiao Jian, what do you like to eat? I’ll go downstairs and buy some.” Wang Xiu said.

At this moment, the TV screen popped up with a news picture.

It was the governor of St. An State receiving distinguished guests from the central city.

Wang Xiu turned around and saw this scene too, mumbling, “Why are people from the central city here? Are they here to clean up the bandits?”

Pan Yinchuan took a closer look—

The governor of St. An State was accompanying an Alpha into the government building.

And that Alpha, surrounded by attention, who else could it be but Mr. Huai?

This was still fine.

Pan Yinchuan, sharp-eyed, saw many people in white shirts and black trousers in the crowd.

So St. An State had also prepared “gifts,” not just one or two.

Pan Yinchuan said to Jian Yan, “See, I told you it was a matryoshka doll situation?”

Jian Yan: .

He would never, ever wear that again.

“What matryoshka doll?” Wang Xiu curiously interjected.

Pan Yinchuan shook his head, “Nothing.”

Old Yu narrowed his eyes, feeling that Pan Yinchuan’s return was full of confusion.

Did they know the person from the central city in the news?

Or was this Beta himself from the central city?

Meanwhile, Huai Yu entered the governor’s office.

The governor asked, “Mr. Huai, would you like someone to stay with you tonight?”