CHAPTER 3

The Heir and the Home

CEO Office — After the Meeting

The door of the CEO’s office closed quietly behind them.

For a few seconds, neither Li Tingxiao nor Li Yi Chen spoke.

Two alphas.

Two generations.

Same blood. Same aura.

Tingxiao walked to the window, his back to the room.

“You did well today.”

Simple words.

But from him — they meant everything.

Yi Chen lowered his head slightly.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Tingxiao turned, his gaze sharp yet warm — the way it had only ever been for his family.

“When you were a child,” he said slowly, “you never chose the wrong things. Not wrong friends. Not wrong paths.”

A pause.

“And I want that to remain the same.”

Yi Chen listened silently.

“In the future,” Tingxiao continued, voice softer, “when you like someone… choose carefully. Choose someone who will love you the way your Paa loves me.”

For the first time in this room — Yi Chen’s cold expression cracked.

Images flashed in his mind:

Song Yuxin waiting at the door every night.

The way Tingxiao’s hand instinctively reached for Yuxin’s.

The quiet comfort between them.

“Dad,” Yi Chen said, his voice low but steady,

“I know. I’ve seen what real love looks like. You and Paa… you are my standard.”

Tingxiao didn’t interrupt.

“In the future,” Yi Chen continued,

“I want to be like you — in business… and in life.”

Something proud and deeply emotional passed through Tingxiao’s eyes.

A Father’s Teaching

“Since school,” Tingxiao said, “I told you — if you want good friends, you must learn to judge people.”

Yi Chen nodded.

“And if you ever love someone — judge with your heart, not your position.”

Yi Chen gave a faint smile.

“In school, people approached me because I was your son.”

“In college, because I was rich.”

“Many liked my face. Many liked my name.”

His voice remained calm.

“But I felt nothing.”

“Some were sincere,” he admitted, “so I remained friends.”

“And the jealous ones,” Tingxiao said.

“I defeated them in exams.”

A ghost of a smirk appeared on Tingxiao’s lips.

“And Yan Kai?” he asked.

“My best choice,” Yi Chen replied without hesitation.

“Not because he stayed. Because he earned his place.”

Silence again.

Not empty.

Full.

Father and son.

Successor and king.

“You have proven yourself,” Tingxiao said finally.

“Not as my son. As Li Yi Chen.”They walked out together.

CEO and future CEO.

The entire company watching.

Not just with respect.

With certainty.

The Li Mansion — Evening

The moment the main doors opened—

laughter exploded through the house.

Bright. Loud. Chaotic.

Home.

Yi Chen’s cold expression vanished instantly.

“Chen Chen!!!”

Before he could even react, Zhou Lusi stood up dramatically from the sofa.

“Aunty Lusi,” Yi Chen smiled — a REAL smile — and walked straight into her hug.

“I missed you.”

Su Zai Zai pulled him into another hug.

“You forgot us after becoming MD, didn’t you?”

“How can I,” he laughed softly,

“when you abandoned us and went to Japan for a whole month?”

On the sofa—

Li Xiao Xin and Zhou Lu Rang sat side by side with snacks and melting ice cream.

Yi Chen walked toward them.

First — Xiao Xin.

A quick flick on his forehead.

“You got this ".

“Both,” Xiao Xin grinned.

Then —

his hand moved to Lu Rang’s head and ruffled his hair gently.

“You grew a little.”

Lu Rang froze.

The spoon in his hand stopped mid-air.

“I… I’m not small anymore, Chen gege…”

His voice was soft.

Shy.

Exactly the same as when they were younger — just older and more beautiful.

Xiao Xin burst out laughing.

“Chen gege, Lu Rang became even shyer. And look! They brought us gifts from Japan!”

He pointed at the pile of beautifully wrapped boxes.

Yi Chen smiled — warm, indulgent.

Then he looked back at Lu Rang.

“Your ice cream is melting.”

Lu Rang panicked and started eating quickly.

Everyone laughed.

His ears turned red.Lusi: “Tingxiao! Control your son, he only hugs us and ignores me now!”

Yuxin from the dining area: “Dinner is ready! Wash your hands first!”

Xiao Xin: “Paa, Chen gege bullied Lu Rang again!”

Lu Rang: “I–I’m fine…”

Yi Chen (softly): “Still this shy…”

And for a moment—

the Devil MD

the future CEO

the heir of Li empire

was just

Chen Chen.

Son.

Brother.

Nephew.

Family.

Zhou Lusi

Li Tingxiao’s cousin.

A powerful alpha.

Bold, dramatic, fiercely protective of her family.

Owner of a successful fashion brand and still the loudest presence in every room.

Su Zai Zai

Her omega wife.

Warm, artistic, emotionally intelligent.

Co-owner of the art gallery with Song Yuxin.

The heart that balances Lusi’s fire.

Zhou Lu Rang

Their 21-year-old son.

Male omega with a naturally strong, sweet pheromone scent.

Introverted. Shy. Soft-hearted.

Does silly things when nervous.

Studies in the same university as Li Xiao Xin — his best friend.

Treats Xiao Xin like a real brother.

But with Li Yi Chen—

he cannot even meet his eyes for more than three seconds.

Because hidden in his quiet heart—

is a love he has never dared to confess.

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