“I want to marry Zhou Shu.”
The moment Jin Yan spoke those words, the air within a two-meter radius seemed to be placed under a seal. Even the expressions of the two elders across from him froze.
The situation was exactly as he had anticipated. Jin Yan sighed inwardly.
A few fallen leaves drifted down from the courtyard trees, landing on Jin Yan’s shoulder. He glanced down at them but didn't brush them off.
After another moment of silence, Jin Yan straightened his posture. “Uncle Zhou, Aunt Liang, I’m serious.” As he spoke, he looked directly into Zhou Shu’s mother’s eyes. For a fleeting second, she felt as if she were looking at the Jin Yan of his childhood.
Though he had always been a well-behaved and gentle child, he was stubborn to the bone and very much his own person. The boy who had been praised since youth for being steady and destined for great things had now actually differentiated into the legendary fourth gender.
Amidst her shock, Zhou Shu’s mother couldn't help but marvel at the hand of fate. She remained silent, her expression a complex tapestry of emotions, but it was Zhou Shu’s father who unexpectedly spoke first.
“Yan-yan, tell me the truth. You want to marry Xiao Shu... is it because...” He paused, then gritted his teeth and continued, “Because you differentiated into an Enigma?”
An Enigma could mark an Alpha, turning them into their exclusive Omega.
Though Zhou Shu’s father had no way to verify this, he had heard many rumors. He understood his son’s pride all too well. He could never agree to his son becoming someone else’s Omega.
As Zhou Shu’s father finished speaking, his wife tugged at his sleeve several times, but Jin Yan responded with poise.
As if he had long expected this question, he explained earnestly, “Of course not. My feelings for my brother have been this way since before I differentiated. It was the same when I was an Alpha, and it’s the same now that I’m an Enigma.” He paused, a softer expression crossing his face as a memory surfaced. “I’m only saying this now because I’ve finally seen things clearly, and my brother feels the same way I do.”
Zhou Shu’s father opened his mouth to speak but found no words, his response ultimately dissolving into a helpless sigh.
“But...” Zhou Shu’s mother’s voice trembled slightly. “Yan-yan, I don’t doubt your feelings for Xiao Shu, but he...” She wiped the corner of her eye. “Xiao Shu might not necessarily agree once he knows about this. Not to mention, he has that second personality...”
“Sigh, alright, alright. Don’t cry, dear.” Zhou Shu’s father pulled his wife into his arms, comforting her gently. It was only at this moment that Jin Yan truly realized the profound impact Zhou Shu’s changes and Zhou Duo’s existence had exerted on this family.
He felt a deep ache in his heart, accompanied by a sense of self-reproach.
He gently took Zhou Shu’s mother’s hand in a silent apology.
After a long while, he finally broke the silence again. “I don’t care about any of that. Whether Zhou Shu marks me or I mark him, it wouldn't matter even if we were both Alphas or Betas.” At worst, they would just be an ordinary couple without a pheromone bond. As for Zhou Duo... Jin Yan paused before saying, “Whether Zhou Duo is there or not, my feelings for Zhou Shu are the same. They will never change.”
Hearing this, Zhou Shu’s mother wept even harder.
Over the years, her son seemed to have isolated himself in a cold, indifferent world—a world that contained only him and Zhou Duo. Zhou Shu was unwilling to get close to anyone, and naturally, no one dared to get close to someone with a second personality.
She had originally thought Zhu Lili might be the one to rescue Zhou Shu from his plight, but to her surprise, the two had ended up as "sisters." Moreover, Zhou Shu had never intended to make the second personality disappear, so his parents had carried a heavy burden of silent pain all these years.
It wasn't until they heard Jin Yan’s sincere confession today that they finally felt a bittersweet sense of relief.
After speaking his mind, Jin Yan stayed to keep them company for a long time. He told them that as for whether Zhou Shu would agree, they could leave that to him to handle. His first priority was to obtain the parents' consent, and on this point, Zhou Shu’s parents gave their silent approval.
The two boys had been through so much over the years; it was best to just let them be.
Stepping out of the Zhou residence, Jin Yan’s mood brightened considerably. Since he had taken the first step, he might as well go all the way and prepare the dowry and betrothal gifts before the man returned.
But before the formal rites of marriage, there was another major hurdle he had almost forgotten to clear.
With a heart full of sincerity and a touch of calculated charm, Jin Yan pulled his mother onto the sofa after dinner. His father was currently reading in the study, making it the perfect time for a private chat.
His mother looked at him with a questioning gaze, a half-smile playing on her lips as she accepted the tea he poured for her.
“Being so attentive for no reason?”
“I have no ulterior motives,” Jin Yan replied, and both mother and son laughed.
“Out with it. How big is the matter?” His mother got straight to the point. Jin Yan couldn't help but marvel that his own dislike for beating around the bush was clearly an inherited trait.
A smile hung on his lips as he decided not to dawdle. “Mom, I like my brother.”
His mother’s hand paused for a fraction of a second before returning to normal. Jin Yan had instinctively held his breath, but the response that followed was one he never expected. His mother let out a soft chuckle and said languidly, “I’m not blind.”
“...Right.” Everything was going so smoothly that Jin Yan actually felt a bit awkward.
“Do you think I don’t know what you two were like growing up? I was testing the waters during dinner the other day. Xiao Shu immediately clarified his relationship with Julia and kept stealing glances at you.”
“Really?” Jin Yan’s eyes lit up at this. Seeing her son’s undignified excitement, his mother sighed and gave him a two-word critique: “Typical you.”
Jin Yan was amused by his mother’s wit. Since his parents were so reasonable, he decided to be direct about the marriage proposal.
“Mom, I want to marry my brother.”
“Uh...” This time, his mother’s reaction was somewhat unexpected, making Jin Yan’s heart race with nerves. Fortunately, after a moment of silence, her voice returned to its calm state. “Why so sudden? Have you talked to Xiao Shu?”
Jin Yan shook his head. “Actually, he doesn't know I’m an Enigma yet.”
His mother’s pupils flickered slightly. She knew her son was a man of conviction, but she hadn't expected his decisiveness to have grown so sharp. Thinking of something, she shook her head gently. “Setting everything else aside, Xiao Shu is so proud. How could he possibly become your exclusive Omega?”
“It’s fine. It doesn't matter if he’s unwilling. I’m not marrying him just so I can mark him.” Jin Yan’s voice was laced with unwavering determination.
“You...” His mother’s lips moved, but she eventually gave up. “Fine, whatever you want. I knew long ago I couldn't count on you bringing home some sweet, delicate Omega.” She paused. “What about Xiao Shu and his parents?”
“I’ve already stated my position to Uncle Zhou and Aunt Liang. As for my brother...” He frowned slightly, then immediately smoothed his brow. “It’s fine. I’ll take it slow.”
His mother arched an eyebrow. “So you went across the street to clear the path first? Not a bad move, acting first and reporting later.”
Jin Yan smiled. “I inherited that talent well.”
“You brat!” His mother gave him a light swat, glancing toward the study. “I’ll talk to your father. Don’t go provoking him yourself.”
“...Alright.”
“Mhm. You’re dismissed.”
Jin Yan shook his head helplessly and smiled. “Okay. Goodnight, Mom.”
The night breeze in Haicheng finally carried the scent of the ocean. Jin Yan opened the window, and the taste of longing rushed in. He lay on the bed, embraced by the sea breeze, thinking about his selfish little plan and counting down the days until his veterinary clinic’s grand opening.
The elders of both families were settled; all that was missing was the groom.
*But when will my groom come back?*
Jin Yan scrolled through his phone, watching the topics and messages popping up on social media with mixed emotions. Looking at the photos of Zhou Shu attending the gala tonight, the man in the pictures was radiant and dazzling, yet Jin Yan had no way to hide him away at home.
Acting was what Zhou Shu loved, and he was truly suited to be an actor. But appearing in the spotlight meant inevitably sharing everything about Zhou Shu with others—something Jin Yan had to learn to accept.
And then there was this Duan Xingyi...
There was one Duan Xingyi now, and there might be many more in the future. At this thought, Jin Yan’s heart was filled with a mix of conflict and bitterness.
He lay in bed dazing for a long time. The lights outside the window went out one by one, yet he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The phone screen dimmed and brightened again. Finally, he quietly sent a message.
[Brother, when are you coming back?]
He knew no one would reply tonight.
Jin Yan locked his phone, adjusted his sleeping position, and only after everything outside the window had fallen silent did he drift off to sleep, lulled by the sea breeze.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
三媒六聘 | Three Matchmakers and Six Proofs | Traditional Chinese marriage customs/formal betrothal rites.
先斩后奏 | Act first and report later | To take action before getting permission.
高堂 | Parents / Elders | A formal way to refer to one's parents.
段星移 | Duan Xingyi | A character name (likely a celebrity or colleague of Zhou Shu).
海城 | Haicheng | Sea City; the setting of the story.
