PE Ch12: Same Outfit

Pan Yinchuan’s vision became increasingly blurry. When Huai Yu invaded, it felt a million times clearer and deeper than when he wore a buffer.

He felt like he couldn’t bear it anymore, only able to make increasingly urgent sounds.

Just when he thought he would die here, Huai Yu suddenly picked him up and buttoned his shirt.

The armored vehicle door opened.

The wind roared in, startling Pan Yinchuan into instinctively clenching his legs, waking him somewhat from his daze.

Fortunately, Huai Yu didn’t intend to take him down for a spin. Huai Yu only extended his hand outside and took something.

Then Pan Yinchuan felt a cool sensation around his neck, a “click,” and the thing automatically fit. Moments later, the immense pressure on Pan Yinchuan’s body disappeared.

His erratic heartbeat slowly returned to normal, blood flowed back to his limbs, and his vision gradually cleared…

In the glaring light, he finally saw Mr. Huai’s current appearance.

Blood smeared on his nose and lips, his deep-set eyes softened by the light, even giving a fleeting illusion of tenderness and affection.

The only certainty was the intensely real desire and dominance in his eyes.

“Can you still hold on?” he heard Huai Yu ask.

Pan Yinchuan spoke faster than he thought, “…I can’t.” His voice was weak and broken, carrying a hint of unconscious pleading.

Huai Yu raised his hand to wipe the blood that had flowed out before and said in a low voice, “You could endure it without the buffer before, why can’t you endure it now?”

As he spoke, he pulled Pan Yinchuan closer into his embrace.

Isn’t this… redundant to ask?

Clearly, he had no intention of letting him go.

Pan Yinchuan was forced to lean on his shoulder. As he turned his gaze, he first noticed the bloodstains on the back of Huai Yu’s neck, extending diagonally to his shoulder blade.

Huai Yu always dressed impeccably, rarely taking off his clothes.

Once he did, Pan Yinchuan ended up leaving blood marks on him.

Pan Yinchuan’s fingertips curled slightly in guilt.

But within less than three minutes, he couldn’t help but grip Huai Yu’s shoulder and back tightly again.

The subsequent memories became fragmented.

When Pan Yinchuan woke up, he sat up and saw his current state reflected in the large mirror opposite him—

His eyes were swollen and red, the corners drooping, his body covered in marks, especially the familiar collar-like buffer around his neck, which was particularly eye-catching!

Pan Yinchuan instinctively raised his hand to touch the collar.

“Don’t move. That’s a new buffer, the same model Xiu Liang gave you, but without the bomb inside.” Huai Yu’s voice sounded unhurriedly.

Pan Yinchuan turned his head and found that, unusually, Huai Yu hadn’t left right after they were done.

In front of Huai Yu was a laptop, and it seemed he had just finished a video conference while Pan Yinchuan was asleep.

Pan Yinchuan watched as Huai Yu closed the laptop and then walked towards him with large strides. Pan Yinchuan’s instinctive reaction was a sharp pain in his buttocks, causing him to lean back a bit.

Huai Yu paused, “Afraid?”

Pan Yinchuan made a sound, but quickly explained, “I think I scratched you… will you punish me?”

Huai Yu’s expression softened slightly, “No. I don’t mind if you scratch harder.”

Then next time, you’ll go even harder, right?

Pan Yinchuan sighed inwardly.

“I’m taking a few days off,” Huai Yu said abruptly.

“Huh?” Pan Yinchuan looked up at him, not understanding what this had to do with him. Does this mean he’ll be forced to stay in bed during these days off?

“I’m taking you to get familiar with other types of firearms,” Huai Yu said.

This left Pan Yinchuan genuinely stunned.

This… doesn’t seem to be part of the contract.

By this time, Huai Yu had completely walked up to him.

The Alpha bent slightly, raising his hand to gently brush over Pan Yinchuan’s shoulder. Pan Yinchuan reflexively felt his waist go weak.

“You’re hurt,” Huai Yu said.

How could he be hurt there? Pan Yinchuan was confused and turned to look, then finally realized—

Injured by the recoil from firing a gun.

Actually, if he hadn’t mentioned it, Pan Yinchuan wouldn’t have felt the pain. Now that he said it, Pan Yinchuan indeed felt the pain.

“I applied medicine while you were asleep,” Huai Yu’s fingers twitched, “Does it still hurt?”

Pan Yinchuan blushed, “It’s, it’s okay.” Being touched like this, it’s more ticklish than painful.

He really feared Mr. Huai would press him onto the bed again while playing around.

“Still have strength?” Huai Yu asked him again.

Pan Yinchuan didn’t know how to answer for a moment.

If he said yes, would they go for another round?

Pan Yinchuan squeezed out two words, “No strength.”

Huai Yu didn’t doubt why he still had no strength after sleeping, nodded, and sat by the bed, then called someone on the intercom to bring clothes up.

When the clothes arrived, Huai Yu supported his waist with one hand and personally dressed him with the other.

But since he had said “no strength,” Pan Yinchuan couldn’t refuse, so he had to hang on Huai Yu like a koala.

“Alright, let’s go downstairs to eat.” Huai Yu patted his waist.

Pan Yinchuan instinctively flinched, staggered, and ended up bumping back into Huai Yu’s arms.

Huai Yu glanced at him, misinterpreting his actions as “clinginess.” Huai Yu said nothing, wrapped his arm around Pan Yinchuan’s shoulders, and led him downstairs.

A respectful young man stood downstairs. Hearing footsteps, he immediately looked up, “Mr. Huai.”

The young man wore a white shirt, black trousers, and silver-rimmed glasses, looking gentle and refined. His head was slightly tilted, appearing somewhat nervous.

However, after seeing the way Pan Yinchuan and Huai Yu were positioned, the nervousness in the young man vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of astonishment and curiosity.

Pan Yinchuan was also stunned.

Ah.

It’s like wearing the same outfit.

“Sir, I’m here to take over Assistant Zhang’s work,” the young man said softly.

Huai Yu nodded, first seating Pan Yinchuan at the dining table before asking the young man, “What’s your name?”

“Jian Yan,” the young man paused, “I’m honored to have been chosen to be your assistant.”

Pan Yinchuan couldn’t help but ask, “Where is Assistant Zhang going?”

After all, he was used to dealing with Assistant Zhang. With Zhang gone, he’d have to deal with someone else for these awkward matters again.

Huai Yu answered his question, “Secretary Wu is dead. Assistant Zhang is temporarily taking over his job.”

“Oh.”

“Reluctant?”

“?”

Pan Yinchuan bit into a Western-style fork and said softly, “Just used to it.”

Huai Yu pointed to the young man named Jian Yan, “You’ll get used to him too. He’s a Beta. You should have more in common.”

Jian Yan immediately smiled politely at Pan Yinchuan, “Mr. Pan, Assistant Zhang mentioned you before I came. We will certainly get along well.”

Pan Yinchuan didn’t know what to say, so he awkwardly said, “Okay.”

Jian Yan stood aside, quietly waiting for Pan Yinchuan to finish his breakfast. Then they all headed to the backyard.

In the backyard, a temporary shooting range was set up, with racks filled with various firearms.

“Come here,” Huai Yu casually picked one up and handed it to Pan Yinchuan, “Try it.”

Huai Yu patiently stayed with him, playing with the guns all afternoon.

After all, Pan Yinchuan didn’t have the physique of an Alpha, and soon his arms were too sore from the recoil to lift.

Was Mr. Huai here to accompany him on purpose?

…Apparently not. Pan Yinchuan figured it was because Xiu Liang hadn’t been caught yet. Once everything settled, with a perfect excuse to the outside world, Mr. Huai would naturally resume his normal work.

“Mr. Pan, you shoot really well, not at all like a Beta,” Jian Yan’s voice complimented.

This person had a bit of Assistant Zhang’s temperament, but Assistant Zhang was an Alpha, so his inherent arrogance couldn’t be hidden. Jian Yan, in contrast, seemed much more harmless, and his compliments sounded genuinely sincere.

Huai Yu glanced at him, “Zhang Xing said your shooting skills are pretty good too.”

Jian Yan lowered his head in shame, “Yes, as your assistant, I should know a bit. But I’m far from Assistant Zhang’s level.”

“Coming out of Haigu Military Academy, marksmanship is a required course, right?”

“Yes.”

Pan Yinchuan was a bit surprised, “Betas can go to military academies?”

Resources in this area were completely monopolized by Alphas, and it was the first time he had heard of a Beta coming out of a military academy.

Jian Yan nodded, smiling, “Mr. Pan, didn’t you know? This is a project Mr. Huai initiated five years ago, piloted in three military academies: Haigu, Longbao, and Aiweiya. They selected five thousand Betas in total for secret training. I’m one of those who benefited.”

“Mr. Huai believes that Alphas and Omegas are controlled by pheromones, while Betas are not influenced. Their fear of Alphas can be eliminated through specialized training and wearing buffers. In some ways, ordinary Betas should be the strongest. When some tasks cannot be completed by Alphas, Betas are the most suitable warriors.”

As Jian Yan spoke, his eyes showed uncontrollable admiration and reverence.

Such a concept from Mr. Huai was indeed rare at the time.

Although there were Beta leaders who held similar views before, they didn’t make much of an impact. Beta’s position in society was awkward; having one leader was already remarkable, but it didn’t empower them to change the plight of all Betas.

An Alpha taking the lead in supporting Betas was a first.

Pan Yinchuan was a bit shocked and couldn’t help but glance at Huai Yu.

Huai Yu’s face still showed no expression, as if what Jian Yan described was the most ordinary thing.

Pan Yinchuan understood that Huai Yu’s actions weren’t aimed at changing the plight of Betas. He simply rationally judged that some Alphas were fools and some tasks required Betas. Completely excluding Betas was extremely foolish.

Of course, there was another possibility… raising so many Betas to pick beauties in the future?

Too weird. Pan Yinchuan suppressed this thought.

“Sorry, I talked a lot, but I indeed benefited greatly from Mr. Huai. Many of my companions received scholarships funded by Mr. Huai, entered top universities, and took on elite positions.” The light in Jian Yan’s eyes grew even brighter.

“You all are impressive,” Pan Yinchuan sighed.

Jian Yan was surprised, “I thought Mr. Pan was like us… sorry.”

Pan Yinchuan looked up and smiled, “Why apologize? I should be considered… someone Mr. Huai picked up from the roadside.”

Huai Yu let out a low “hmm,” with a slight smile on his lips. He placed his hand on Pan Yinchuan’s shoulder, acknowledging his words.

Soon after, a phone call came for Huai Yu, and he got up to leave. Before leaving, he tightened Pan Yinchuan’s collar to completely cover the collar-like buffer on his neck.

Pan Yinchuan thought he still preferred the old one; this new one felt strange.

“Mr. Pan, where are you from?” Jian Yan stayed behind to chat with Pan Yinchuan.

“Nine Rivers.”

“Oh, Nine Rivers City, the local specialties there are famous.”

Pan Yinchuan thought for a moment but couldn’t recall any famous specialties from his hometown.

His hometown was too ordinary.

So ordinary that many people didn’t even know such a place existed.

Jian Yan wasn’t afraid of awkwardness; even if Pan Yinchuan couldn’t continue the conversation, he could keep talking.

Because they couldn’t release pheromones, Pan Yinchuan found it comfortable to be with him. They quickly became familiar with each other.

Over the next few days, Pan Yinchuan tried almost all the guns Huai Yu brought, and Huai Yu also played with him completely.

Jian Yan sat across from him, making tea, saying, “This replenishes energy and blood. Your lips are too pale.”

Pan Yinchuan touched his lips without saying anything.

It was because that day in the armored vehicle, without a buffer, he was so overwhelmed that he hadn’t fully recovered yet.

Jian Yan pushed the filled tea cup in front of Pan Yinchuan, who immediately reached out to take it. His sleeve naturally slipped back, revealing a section of his wrist with a clear red mark.

Jian Yan was stunned and asked, “Where did you bump it?”

Pan Yinchuan felt a bit embarrassed, drinking water while replying, “Uh.”

Jian Yan suddenly grabbed his wrist, examining it closely, and asked, “Do you need some ointment?”

A servant heard and immediately went to get some medicine without waiting for Pan Yinchuan’s reply.

Jian Yan flicked the lid off, scooped out some ointment, and applied it to Pan Yinchuan’s wrist.

This felt a bit strange.

But since both were Betas, and Pan Yinchuan himself was straight, he thought Jian Yan seemed pretty straight too…

“Drink your tea, I’ll apply the medicine for you,” Jian Yan said with a smile, “After all, as a life assistant, these little things are what we do.”

The mark claimed to be from a bump was actually from Huai Yu’s grip.

Jian Yan applied the ointment, and as he did, the fingerprint gradually became clearer.

Pan Yinchuan felt awkward, withdrawing his hand, but somehow unable to fully retract it. He quickly said, “Is it done?”

“What are you doing?” Assistant Zhang’s voice suddenly sounded, with a hint of darkness.

“Brother Zhang,” Jian Yan called out.

Assistant Zhang snorted, “Why are you holding someone’s hand?”

Jian Yan replied candidly, “I’m applying medicine for Mr. Pan.”

Assistant Zhang handed him a file, “Take this to Mr. Huai.”

Only then did Jian Yan let go of Pan Yinchuan’s hand and went over with the file.

Once Jian Yan left, Assistant Zhang pulled out a chair and sat down where Jian Yan had been sitting earlier, asking, “Was it caused by Mr. Huai?”

Pan Yinchuan dryly responded, “Uh.”

“Next time, let the doctor…” Assistant Zhang’s voice trailed off, recalling that the family doctor living in the villa was also quite young, around thirty years old, looking quite respectable in a white coat.

Assistant Zhang felt a bit tongue-tied and couldn’t help staring at Pan Yinchuan, asking, “Why does everyone…”

Pan Yinchuan: ?

“I should get an eighty-year-old Beta doctor to replace him tomorrow,” Assistant Zhang thought.

Meanwhile, Jian Yan headed upstairs with the file.

Huai Yu had just finished a phone call, with only a wall lamp lit inside, casting a dim light that faintly outlined his tall Alpha figure.

Jian Yan’s footsteps couldn’t escape his ears, and without turning his head, Huai Yu asked, “Finished your tea?”

Jian Yan softly replied, “Yes.”

“Still hurting?” Huai Yu asked absentmindedly, reaching out to grab him by reflex.

But just before he could grab him, Huai Yu paused, turned around, his brows and eyes cold.

The person in front of him was similar in stature to Pan Yinchuan, dressed in identical white shirt and black trousers. The gentle light softened his features, and without glasses, his face indeed bore a resemblance to Pan Yinchuan.

At first glance, it was easy to mistake them.

“Jian Yan,” Huai Yu uttered his name.

“Yes, sir, it’s me. I’m here to deliver a file for Assistant Zhang,” Jian Yan replied.

“Go out, knock on the door, and come back in,” Huai Yu ordered.

“Yes.” Jian Yan’s shoulders trembled slightly, as if he was somewhat afraid.

He then walked out, knocked on the door, and re-entered, this time reaching up to turn on the light on the wall.

The room filled with light, making Jian Yan look quite different from Pan Yinchuan. Pan Yinchuan still exuded too much youthful vigor, akin to a classic high school romantic film’s male lead.

Jian Yan nervously handed over the file and asked, “Could your pheromones be a bit gentler, sir?”

Huai Yu took the file, glancing at him sideways with a cold gaze, “Not wearing a buffer?”

Jian Yan nervously managed a smile, “I am, but my salary only covers a thirty-thousand-yuan buffer. It’s a bit inadequate in front of you.”

The buffer on Pan Yinchuan’s body was barely enough to last a few days before being completely shredded. To prevent him from experiencing nosebleeds again, several backups were now kept in the villa.

In a nearby drawer.

And it was Jian Yan who had personally purchased and placed them there.