PE Ch19: My son is lying

“Who told you I like this?” Huai Yu sat in the governor’s chair, looking up at the person in front of him.

“Now… that’s what everyone outside is saying.” The governor said stiffly.

This governor of St. An State was quite a character. He was ahead of others, who at most were preparing a few Betas. He, afraid of missing something, prepared both Alphas and Omegas, all in white shirts and black trousers, thinking that surely one would catch Huai Yu’s eye.

But Huai Yu looked over them, almost unable to distinguish between the men and women who looked nearly identical.

He had no s*xual desire at all.

It felt like they were made from a template, so densely packed it almost felt like his eyes were being assaulted.

“No need.” Huai Yu’s tone was cold.

The governor’s heart sank deeper. Not a single one was useful, was it all for nothing?

“Then, for tonight…”

“What? Are you volunteering yourself?”

The governor forced an awkward smile, “I wouldn’t dare.”

Assistant Zhang timely interrupted from outside, “Excuse me, Mr. Huai is tired from his journey and should rest.”

The governor could only regretfully withdraw.

After stepping out, he asked his secretary, “Did the media capture everything?”

The secretary said, “They did, it was broadcast live on the TV news channel.”

“That’s good, that’s good. As long as the news is out, people will know the central city is paying attention here. It’s a big boost for us… Did Mr. Huai’s people say anything?”

“No.”

The governor paused, “So… Mr. Huai is condoning our actions. There’s no need to send any lovers!”

The secretary was also stunned, then said, “Mr. Huai is quite kind.”

The governor instantly walked with a spring in his step, touching his old face, “I wonder what about us Mr. Huai has come to favor!”

The secretary thought, it certainly couldn’t be your “charm,” right?

Huai Yu didn’t leave anyone behind, which made the two from Otis relieved.

In the evening, Huai Yu stayed at the only local five-star hotel. Otis, gathering courage, came to visit.

“Mr. Huai.” Otis walked in, his tall shadow stretching across the carpet.

Huai Yu pressed his temples, “Go back and change your clothes.”

Otis, not expecting to fail before starting, could only leave dejectedly.

Another Beta was waiting for him, asking as he returned, “Failed?”

Otis sighed as he took off his white shirt, “Mr. Huai is indeed very fond of Pan Yinchuan, only allowing him to wear such clothes.”

Is that so? The Beta thought skeptically.

As night fell, Huai Yu reviewed the information on St. An State, with a particular focus on Jiuhe City.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly picked up his phone and called Jian Yan.

At the Pan house.

Lao Yu had left, the news had long since ended, and Wang Xiu had appropriately switched to a drama. She listened to the background sound while chatting with Pan Yinchuan about his experiences in Nanta City.

The phone rang at this time.

A trace of surprise flashed across Jian Yan’s face as he answered the call, “Hello, sir.”

“Have you arrived?”

“Yes, for a while now.”

“Encounter any anomalies?”

“No, sir.”

The other end of the phone fell silent, but did not hang up.

Jian Yan certainly wouldn’t be vain enough to think Mr. Huai couldn’t bear to part with him.

After a few more seconds, Huai Yu suddenly said, “Give the phone to Pan Yinchuan.”

As expected. Jian Yan smiled wryly, handed the phone to Pan Yinchuan, and said vaguely, “Um, someone wants to talk to you.”

Who could be looking for him? Pan Yinchuan took the phone, immediately stood up from his parents’ embrace, walked into the bedroom, closed the door, acting like a thief.

After ensuring no one could hear outside, Pan Yinchuan called softly, “Mr. Huai.”

The faint agitation in Huai Yu’s heart was immediately soothed.

He relaxed, leaning against the sofa, and asked in a low voice, “What are you doing?”

He was indeed here to “check in.”

Pan Yinchuan replied, “Watching TV and chatting with my parents.”

“And Jian Yan?” Huai Yu asked.

Pan Yinchuan thought, didn’t you just ask Assistant Jian on the phone? He was puzzled but still answered, “Watching TV together.”

Pan Yinchuan meant that Assistant Jian was keeping a close eye on him, not leaving his side, so Huai Yu could rest assured.

But Huai Yu fell silent.

In his mind, Zhang Xing’s words echoed—”So it’s just Jian Yan going back with him to meet the parents?”

Huai Yu raised his hand and pressed his temples again, asking, “How did you introduce Jian Yan?”

Pan Yinchuan thought, he’s really afraid I’ll mention him.

Indeed. With Mr. Huai’s power and status, he naturally wouldn’t want anyone to casually associate with him.

Pan Yinchuan understood and said, “I said he’s my friend and that he brought me back from Nanta City.”

Huai Yu’s brow twitched.

“Nobody will associate Assistant Jian with you, right?”

“……”

Indeed, no one would.

It seemed like Huai Yu had nothing to do with Pan Yinchuan.

This was Huai Yu’s own requirement, but he felt a bit unhappy at the moment.

Who was Huai Yu? Having reached his current position, how could he let himself endure even a bit of displeasure?

He pressed his lips together and said in a low voice, “Take off your shirt.”

Pan Yinchuan’s breath hitched, …huh?

Huai Yu’s voice was calm and smooth, the rich tone slowly gliding into Pan Yinchuan’s ears through the electromagnetic waves.

The Alpha said, “Take a photo and send it to me.”

Pan Yinchuan’s heartbeat quickened.

That feeling was akin to secretly staying up all night in middle school, just to secretly flip through a classmate’s borrowed martial arts book.

No, it was much stronger than that.

A sense of shame quietly spread throughout his body.

He nervously curled his fingers and heard the Alpha on the other end call his name, “Pan Yinchuan.”

“Okay.” He responded softly, then hurriedly started unbuttoning his shirt.

It was strange.

Even though he could only hear the other person’s voice, Pan Yinchuan felt as if Huai Yu was watching him.

He quickly took off his shirt and stiffly took a photo.

“I sent it.” He said tensely.

Does it look good? Mr. Huai’s tastes are really peculiar.

Huai Yu didn’t immediately open the photo to check, but said in a low voice, “Delete the photo.”

Pan Yinchuan then remembered it was Jian Yan’s phone.

Now he truly felt the peak of shame.

He hurriedly deleted the photo, just as Wang Xiu knocked on the door, “Yinchuan, I washed some grapes. Should I bring them in for you?”

Pan Yinchuan became even more flustered and quickly put his shirt back on, losing a button in the process.

Huai Yu faintly heard the female voice in the background and asked, “Who’s calling you?”

Pan Yinchuan lowered his voice further, like a lover’s whisper, “My mom is asking me to eat some grapes.”

“Go ahead.” Huai Yu paused, “I’ll have someone send you a new phone.”

Pan Yinchuan murmured a thanks, “Thank you, Mr. Huai.” Then he straightforwardly hung up the phone.

Listening to the lingering sound from the other end, the agitation in Huai Yu’s heart resurfaced.

Only then did Huai Yu look at the photo Pan Yinchuan had sent.

He hadn’t touched Pan Yinchuan in a few days, and the marks on the Beta’s body had almost faded, leaving only a few ambiguous shadows.

Pan Yinchuan wasn’t very good at taking photos; only his chin was visible, with his neck stretching forward. The collar was removed, revealing the outline of his Adam’s apple, and further down were his collarbones… most of his chest was hidden in the dim light.

Bullying Pan Yinchuan now didn’t really feel rewarding.

He was too cooperative.

But the faint hint of desire in the photo, as if offering his soft neck to him… satisfied a bit of the Alpha’s controlling urge.

Just a bit.

Staring at the photo, Huai Yu’s desire wasn’t fulfilled but seemed to grow.

At this moment, the governor’s call came through.

Huai Yu exited the photo album and answered the call.

“Mr. Huai, we would like to host a welcome party for you. Would you be available to attend?” The governor’s voice was full of anticipation.

As long as Huai Yu agreed, it would confirm that he was indeed here to deal with the chaos in St. An State!

While the governor nervously waited, Huai Yu spoke, “Give me an extra invitation.”

The governor’s face lit up with an unstoppable smile, “Of course, no problem, we’ll give you several extra invitations.”

The governor hung up, feeling elated, and turned to say, “Everything’s going smoothly! Send several extra invitations to Mr. Huai.”

The invitations were eventually delivered to Huai Yu’s desk by Assistant Zhang.

Huai Yu took out a pen and filled in a name: Pan Yinchuan.

Then he tossed it to Assistant Zhang, “Send a bodyguard to deliver it, and buy a new phone on the way, install the SIM card for Pan Yinchuan.”

Assistant Zhang nodded and turned to leave.

After the door closed, he wondered, should it be delivered now or tomorrow morning? The stores might be closed now.

Assistant Zhang raised an eyebrow, since it wasn’t specified, better to deliver it now.

Meanwhile, Pan Yinchuan returned to the sofa and handed the phone back to Jian Yan.

Jian Yan, being observant, immediately noticed that Pan Yinchuan’s shirt was missing a button.

For a moment, Jian Yan almost suspected he had a secret lover hiding in the bedroom.

Thinking about taking the photo with Jian Yan’s phone, Pan Yinchuan felt a bit guilty and peeled two grapes for him, “Want some?”

Jian Yan licked his lips, smiling, “I’m a little surprised by all this favor.” Then he reached out and took the grapes.

The grapes were sweet and sour, strangely fitting Jian Yan’s current mood.

Wang Xiu sat aside, quietly observing the two of them, feeling that the atmosphere was strange but unable to figure out why.

“It’s getting late, time to rest. Let’s continue our chat tomorrow,” Wang Xiu clapped the melon seed husks off her hands.

The Pan family had very good habits when it came to their routines.

Pan Yinchuan’s biological clock was only disrupted when he was in Huai Yu’s bed.

He glanced at the clock; it was half-past nine in the evening, so he got up and went to make the bed with Wang Xiu.

Jian Yan turned on his phone screen and saw that call record.

Mr. Huai rarely contacted him directly; it was usually Assistant Zhang who conveyed messages.

Now, the words “Mr.” lay in the call list, particularly striking.

Jian Yan couldn’t quite explain the feeling in his heart. Just as he was about to exit the program, he noticed recent uses included taking photos and accessing the album.

Almost as if driven by an unseen force, he tapped into the album.

There was nothing…

Wait.

His phone’s photo album was sorted by recent usage.

Now, “Recently Deleted” was pushed to the front.

Jian Yan held his breath slightly and instinctively tapped to open it, revealing a blurred image.

Just one.

He quickly selected the photo and clicked “Restore Photo.”

Finally, he could see the original appearance of that photo.

The inexplicable sourness and restlessness that had echoed in his chest just moments ago were instantly swept away.

Jian Yan took two quick breaths.

At this moment, Pan Yinchuan walked out of the bedroom, “The bed is made. Do you want to shower? Did you forget to bring a change of clothes?”

Jian Yan hastily hid his phone, and when he met Pan Yinchuan’s gaze, the muscles in his face twitched slightly.

Wang Xiu followed them out and suggested, “Why don’t you two sleep in the same bed tonight instead of making up the floor?”

“No!”

“No… No!”

Both spoke almost simultaneously, but Pan Yinchuan’s voice was more urgent and firm, while Jian Yan’s was softer.

Wang Xiu was perplexed, “Okay, okay. I remember you used to sleep with your classmates and the neighbor’s kids…”

Jian Yan clenched his fingers tightly, feeling a ridiculous hint of sourness in his heart.

At this moment, Wang Xiu showed her helpfulness again, “Xiao Jian, Yinchuan said you didn’t bring a change of clothes? Should I get his for you?”

Jian Yan weakly refused, “No, that’s not necessary.”

He could almost imagine Zhang Xing’s expression, wanting to strangle him.

Jian Yan let out a breath, feeling embarrassed as he smiled, “I’ll go buy some clothes tomorrow.”

“Oh, okay. Then, get washed up and rest early,” Wang Xiu turned and went into her bedroom. Their bedroom also had a small bathroom, so this would avoid any conflict over facilities.

Pan Yinchuan finished washing up first and laid out the bedding.

Jian Yan took a moment longer before getting into bed. The sheets and covers were freshly changed, but Jian Yan felt as if Pan Yinchuan’s presence permeated every corner. The encompassing feeling from all sides was simply irresistible.

Jian Yan’s mind stopped racing.

Until he was startled awake by the doorbell.

Jian Yan hurriedly got up.

Pan Yueshan and his wife were also alarmed, nervously asking, “It’s not those troublesome thieves again, is it?”

Jian Yan went to open the door. Outside stood the familiar bodyguard, who whispered, “Mr. sent me to deliver this.”

Jian Yan reached out and took it. “For Mr. Pan?”

“Yes.”

Jian Yan closed the door firmly and turned back with a smile. “Uncle, Auntie, it’s nothing. Just a friend sending something over.”

Pan Yueshan and his wife breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn’t thieves, it was fine.

Back in their bedroom, Pan Yueshan pulled up the covers halfway and suddenly said, “Don’t you think our son has been acting strange since he came back this time?”

“What’s strange about him?”

“Just everything, and his friend too. Someone coming to deliver things in the middle of the night is also strange.”

This sense of strangeness peaked the next day.

After getting up, Pan Yinchuan told them, “I have something to take care of and won’t be back until later.”

Wang Xiu asked, “Where are you going?”

Pan Yinchuan was never good at lying since he was young. He hesitated for a moment before managing to say, “I’m going to see my old classmates and friends. They must be worried about my disappearance in Nanta City.”

“Go ahead. Is Xiao Jian going with you?”

“Mm.”

Jian Yan accompanied Pan Yinchuan out.

Wang Xiu stated firmly from inside the door, “Your son is lying.”

Pan Yueshan was shocked. “What should we do? Should we follow him?”

Wang Xiu hesitated for a moment but quickly dismissed the idea, “Let’s wait for him to come back and ask. Following him isn’t a good idea.”

The couple sat despondently on the sofa, looking worried.

Before long, Lao Yu came knocking again, holding a bottle of wine, saying he came to comfort Pan Yinchuan who had been frightened in Nanta City.

“Yinchuan has gone out to see friends,” Pan Yueshan said, taking the wine.

“He’s gone out?” Lao Yu became more suspicious.

“Why don’t we take you out to dinner today? You’ve been a great help these days,” Pan Yueshan suggested.

Lao Yu didn’t refuse, and the three of them went out together. Not far from home, they noticed something was off in the streets.

Pan Yueshan asked nervously, “Are there armed groups causing trouble again?”

Lao Yu looked surprised. “Don’t you know? Today, all the streets are under martial law. Mr. Huai, who came from the central city, is attending a welcome party at the hotel.”

“Oh,” Pan Yueshan sighed. “I hope the unrest settles down soon.”

After all, what happened in the central city was too far removed from their daily lives, so there was nothing more to say.

In the midst of martial law, Pan Yinchuan’s taxi navigated smoothly and arrived outside the hotel, drawing stares from passersby.

The driver exclaimed, “I thought we couldn’t get through! Aren’t they saying that guest from the central city is here today and no one can approach?”

Jian Yan casually replied, “I reported the license plate number when we got in.”

This remark seemed more like an explanation to Pan Yinchuan.

Pan Yinchuan got out of the car, and only then did the driver turn his head to give them another look, still puzzled by what might be special about them.

“Mr. Pan, this way,” Jian Yan led Pan Yinchuan towards another discreet entrance, slowly entering the hotel.

Hosting a morning banquet was quite uncommon.

It compelled the influential figures in San An State, big and small, to rise early and dress impeccably for the occasion.

Pan Yinchuan wasn’t familiar with the central city, but he recognized many of the local influential figures. As he walked up the stairs beside them, he glanced towards the banquet hall and once again deeply felt Huai Yu’s high status.

Pan Yinchuan was escorted upstairs and into Huai Yu’s room.

Someone beside Huai Yu was adjusting his tie.

“Mr. Huai,” Pan Yinchuan greeted obediently.

He couldn’t fathom why he was called here. Surely it wasn’t to accompany him to the event? That wouldn’t be appropriate.

Huai Yu glanced indifferently at Jian Yan before turning to Pan Yinchuan. “Is the shock absorber in place?”

Pan Yinchuan nodded.

When meeting Huai Yu, he had to wear it.

Huai Yu waved his hand, beckoning him into the nearby bathroom.

Pan Yinchuan was utterly bewildered.

He hadn’t expected Huai Yu to be in such a mood early in the morning.

But as soon as he stepped inside, Huai Yu pressed him against the tiled wall.

The cold temperature seeped through his thin clothes, chilling his skin, and Pan Yinchuan couldn’t help but shiver involuntarily.

Huai Yu raised his hand, adjusted the shock absorber around Pan Yinchuan’s neck, then lowered his head and bit down on his throat.

This was something Huai Yu had wanted to do since seeing the photo yesterday.

At this moment, he finally tasted it for real.

Outside the bathroom door,

The governor strode over, his face beaming. “Mr. Huai, almost everyone is here. Where is Mr. Huai?”

Huai Yu gently released Pan Yinchuan inside the bathroom, gazing at his attire for the day, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Pan Yinchuan hadn’t brought spare clothes for changing, so he could only wear what he came in— a loose black T-shirt and work pants.

This made him look even more like a high school graduate.

Knowing Huai Yu preferred white shirts and black trousers, Pan Yinchuan asked tentatively, “Do you want me to change clothes?”

Huai Yu replied, “…No need.”

His throat moved slightly, and suddenly a thought occurred to him. “Next time, don’t wear pants.”

Pan Yinchuan blinked in confusion.

Huai Yu was feeling much more relaxed in body and mind, so he didn’t detain Pan Yinchuan any longer.

He opened the door and walked out.

The governor looked up. “Mr. Huai, why is your tie crooked?”

____________

Author’s note:

Having Xiao Pan take pictures, Huai Yu feels like he’s being teased.

Xiao Pan feels it’s as thrilling as secretly staying up late to read martial arts novels behind his parents’ backs.