"I have to head out," Yichen announced, his expression shifting from a protective Alpha back to a focused professional.
"This suddenly?" Haoran asked, blinking in surprise.
"My father called me into the office earlier, and I'm already late as it is," Yichen explained, checking his watch. "Besides, the night is getting on."
"Oh, right. It is late," Sihan added, his voice dropping into a disappointed, heavy tone. He clearly wasn't ready for the night to end. "I suppose I should get going, too."
"Well, in that case, thank you—truly—for all your help today," Haoran said, his voice thick with genuine gratitude.
"Yeah. Thanks for… you know. Earlier," Qixian muttered. It was a half-hearted, begrudging thanks, his gaze drifting toward the floor.
Haoran didn't let it slide. He reached out and gave Qixian a sharp, disciplined pinch on the arm.
"Ow!" Qixian hissed.
"You should be polite," Haoran scolded, his eyes narrowed in a playful yet firm warning.
"Why would I?" Qixian began, his voice dropping into a low, defensive growl as he turned his gaze on his brother. "I heard something about a 'little test' for my pheromones earlier."
"Oh, that?" Sihan interrupted, giving a casual wave of his hand. "No need for that anymore."
"Yeah," Yichen added, a mocking smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "We already saw all we needed to see. You got completely knocked out by a run-of-the-mill A-tier Alpha. It was almost impressive."
"I did not!" Qixian protested, his face flushing with indignation.
"Oh, you definitely did," Haoran chimed in, nodding in mock solemnity as he backed Yichen up.
"I'm afraid Haoran's right," Sihan said, his expression the picture of feigned innocence as he offered a small, sympathetic smile. "You went down like a house of cards."
"What did you just say?" Qixian glared.
"He said you're weak," Haoran replied with an infuriatingly casual shrug, as if he weren't currently standing in a room with a ticking time bomb.
"Weak?!" Qixian repeated, his gaze sharpening into literal daggers. If looks could kill, Haoran would have been buried ten feet under on the spot.
Sensing the imminent explosion, Haoran didn't wait for a rebuttal. He began a strategic, slow retreat toward the door, grabbing the two Alphas by their elbows. "I'll see you two off!" he chirped, hustling them toward the exit. He dragged them along as if Qixian weren't currently burning a hole through his back with a murderous glare.
"You know he's probably going to hate you for that," Sihan remarked with a playful nudge, glancing back toward the clinic where Qixian was still fuming.
"Nah, don't worry about it," Haoran replied, his voice brimming with easy confidence. He knew exactly how much Qixian could handle—and exactly how to push his buttons.
"Well then, I'm off," Yichen announced, his tone returning to its usual clipped, professional edge. With a final nod to the two of them, he turned and disappeared into the night.
As soon as Yichen climbed into his car, he fired up the engine and dialed a familiar number before the seatbelt had even clicked into place.
"Sir?" a voice answered on the first ring, crisp and professional.
"I need a full background check on someone," Yichen said, his eyes fixed on the dark road ahead.
"Of course. Who is it?"
"Song Qixian," Yichen replied, the name tasting heavy on his tongue.
"Song Qixian?... Understood. I'll have a complete file on your desk within three days, sir," the voice assured him. Without a word of acknowledgment, Yichen snapped the call shut.
As he sped toward the company, his mind spun with questions. 'Why did he have that nightmare? Why was he so desperate for me not to go? He gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles white. Who was he talking to in his sleep? And does any of this... involve Haoran?'
____________
The next morning, the clinic was quiet until Haoran spotted Qixian.
"Where are you headed?" Haoran asked, his eyes widening as he took in Qixian's sharp, formal attire.
"I'm borrowing these for now," Qixian replied, adjusting the collar of the borrowed suit. "I'm going to find a job and finally pick up some clothes of my own." He turned to step out into the morning air.
"Wait—hold on!" Haoran scrambled after him, nearly tripping over his own feet. "You don't even have a cent on you! Here—take this." He thrust a roll of cash into Qixian's palm.
"Haoran, I can't—" Qixian began, his brow furrowing in protest.
"Save it. You can pay me back once you're a big-shot professional again," Haoran joked, cutting him off with a cheerful wave. "Now go! Good luck with the interviews!"
Before Qixian could get another word in, Haoran had already retreated back into the clinic and clicked the door shut. Left with no choice, Qixian tucked the money away, his expression darkening with purpose.
He didn't head toward the business district. Instead, his feet carried him toward the heavy stone facade of the local police station.
"Time to pay a visit to the person who gave me such a nightmare." he muttered to himself, his voice cold and resolute as he climbed the steps
_________
"Excuse me? Hello?" A voice called out from the doorway.
"Can I help you?" Haoran asked, his voice trailing off as he stepped forward to meet the newcomer. He scanned the man from head to toe. "Are you looking for a consultation? Or did you—"
"No, actually," the man interrupted, his tone carefully polite. "I was under the impression that Qixian might be here?"
Haoran's expression shifted instantly. He bristled, his eyes narrowing with a sharp, protective edge. "He just stepped out. But why exactly do you need him? And who are you?"
"I'm a friend of his—Wu Chengli," the man explained, his shoulders sagging with visible relief. "I lost contact with him over thirty-six hours ago. I've been… deeply concerned."
Haoran's suspicion softened slightly at the mention of the man's worry. "Well, you can wait for him in here if you'd like," he offered, gesturing toward a chair in the corner.
"No, no, that's quite alright," Chengli replied, already backing toward the door. "I'll wait in my car just outside. If he sees it parked there, he'll recognize it immediately. It might be less of a shock."
With a final, courteous nod, he turned and left, leaving Haoran standing in the middle of his quiet clinic with a puzzled frown.