PM Chapter 87

最佳契合 (Perfect Match) – 十九瑶

Extra 4: Fathers Back in the Day (Part 2)

　　Gardenia West Street wasn’t quite the same back then as it is now. It still felt artistic, but in a much more retro way—simple, relaxed, and almost country. No coffeehouses or milk tea shops, just a peaceful teahouse surrounded by plants. The place has a subtle, secluded vibe thanks to a couple large wooden birdcages hanging in the branches.

Zheng Hongming knew the owner. Shortly after they came in, he raised a hand to greet before yanking Yan Ning into a chaotic tour of the main room, the stairs, and lastly, the little rooftop terrace.

There was not a soul in sight up there. Glancing down from the railing, they could make out every building, road, lake, and lawn on the vast campus. Open and wide, perfect for chatting.

After setting their belongings down, they sat down on the floor next to each other.

“So…” Zheng Hongming turned to him and calmly waited for him to answer.

Suddenly, a leave request form hit him square in the chest.

He took it, “Heat cycle?”

Then he saw the words “first heat.” He just stared for a moment, as if someone had hit him so hard that he was dizzy with shock and joy, “Wait, you mean you’ve never… is this your first?”

“Yeah. Why? Is that weird?”

Yan Ning felt humiliated, and his mood dipped.

“No, no, not weird.” Zheng Hongming quickly corrected. “I’m just… shocked. You always seemed more mature than most omegas, based on the way you carry yourself, so I thought…”

“Well, I guess I’ll be even more mature soon.”

Yan Ning faked a smile, turned his head away, and said, “The first heat is meant to be special for omegas.” He said it in a way that was too bright to be convincing, even to himself, “Better spiritual growth, more awareness, and a broader mind…who knows? Maybe when I look back at you later, you’ll seem like such a naive child.”

“But…” Hongming Zheng paused. “Is it not… painful to go through it alone?”

He had read about that in books.

The fact that he had only looked up the book recently made him feel embarrassed.

He had never paid attention during sex-ed classes. He had sold the textbooks as scrap because he figured it would be a very long time—maybe ten thousand years—before he would have to deal with an omega in heat. But as he was looking for references in the library a few weeks ago, Yan Ning’s face popped into his head for some reason. By the time he regained his awareness, he had already checked out a book called “A Health Guide for Heat Cycles.”

He used to find those chapters boring, but when he pictured Yan Ning in them, they became painfully real, especially the parts that talked about how lonely omegas suffered physically and mentally. His palms began to sweat, and his heart pounded.

What kind of alpha would let him go through that, even just once?

Yan Ning, on the other hand, didn’t seem at all upset.

“How can it be a rite of passage if it doesn’t hurt?”

Yan Ning raised the corner of his mouth, displaying a casual and decisive attitude.

“Do you think you can handle it?”

Yan Ning smiled and stretched like it wasn’t a big deal, “Of course I can get through it if everyone else did. I’m not weak.”

“It’s not about strength.” Zheng Hongming replied softly, “It’s about… you no longer have to. You’re already amazing, Yan Ning. You already have a good reputation. Why endure meaningless pain?”

Yan Ning tensed up—very slightly.

Then he lowered his head, whispering, “It’s none of your business.”

“How is it not my business?” Anxiety gripped Zheng Hongming as he spoke, “How can I not feel bad if you’re hurting?”

“You just want to hinder my growth.”

“Your growth?”

Zheng Hongming cupped his chin and turned his face toward him slowly. As he met Yan Ning’s glossy, black eyes, he couldn’t help but chuckle, almost out of control, “Take a good look at yourself. Can you see how furious you are? That fake cheery mask is about to fall off and hit the ground. I’m not blind. How could I miss something so obvious?”

Yan Ning clenched his jaw.

An angry and frustrated feeling shot through him, and he almost snapped, “What would an alpha like you know?”

He felt weak and exhausted as the explosion quickly died out.

Like a lonely, timid tiny goldfish trapped in a bubble of freezing water, it hit a wall no matter which way it swam. So it stopped swimming all together and stayed in the middle, floating there helplessly and blocking out all the voices of comfort that came from outside its bubble.

It was obvious the alpha was trying to be sympathetic when he offered him a large, cozy aquarium to hide in.

So why did he take it out on him?

Yan Ning turned his head to look down, leaned forward, and pursed his lips. His forehead lightly tapped Zheng Hongming’s shoulder.

“What should I do?” he mumbled. “I always thought I wasn’t like other omegas before this. I thought I was smarter and would never give up when I struck a wall. It turns out I can’t get through it after all now that I’m here… I’m exactly like everyone else. I’m comforting myself with the same stupid beliefs.”

“How could you not get through it?” A delicate laugh escaped Zheng Hongming’s lips, “You have me.”

Yan Ning’s face turned red, “You’re taking advantage of me.”

“No,” Zheng Hongming said in response, “I’m here to help you when you need it.”

“…..”

They locked eyes in a stare that was electric, tangled, and passionate.

Yan Ning asked, “If I go through with it this time, what about next time?”

“Next time,” Zheng Hongming assured, “I’ll still be here.”

“And what about after that?”

“I’ll be here, too.”

Yan Ning reached up and tugged at his earlobe. “Can you really say that you’ll be here every time?”

Zheng Hongming let out a laugh, “You won’t believe it, Yan Ning, but you’re not like other omegas. For instance, you might never experience the loneliness of heat cycle on your own. They can “ascend” or “grow” or whatever they want. Just let them go numb. You don’t need to. Not with me around.”

“Do things at your own pace. One step at a time. Slowly.”

Yan Ning froze.

As if someone had popped that icy, stifling bubble, the little goldfish whipped its tail in the air before diving straight down…

…into a large, inviting lake.

⋮

　　All the sadness that had been hanging on him vanished all at once.

Yan Ning felt the air become crisp and clean as he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, and he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

He playfully threw an arm over Zheng Hongming’s neck and said, “You know, I’m not so old-fashioned. Allowing you to behave like a gentleman is not difficult… unless my family finds out. Then we’re both toast.”

“They won’t.” Zheng Hongming declared.

“Are you so confident?”

“Of course.” He casually shrugged. “Don’t worry—people as great as me don’t come around very often. Future sons-in-law like these are in short supply.”

Yan Ning couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “You should know that my dad is really strict.”

“Still not scared.”

It looked like Zheng Hongming was very sure of himself.

Yan Ning tilted his head and raised his hand like a student asking a question, “Senior, you don’t have a leave slip. What are you going to do?”

Zheng Hongming quickly grabbed his hand and, without waiting for Yan Ning to react, leaned in for a brief, delicate kiss on the back, “What am I going to do? Skip class, of course. I’d be happy to break the rules at school for you.”

It made Yan Ning laugh out loud.

A cloud passed through his eyes, making them glow like stars.

⋮

　　Two young men sat side by side on the railing at the fishing pavilion in Yuanjiang’s southeast corner that night.

Before them spanned a lake, its parts reflecting the moonlight in a kaleidoscope of sparkle.

The celebratory dinner had been quite a task for Zheng Hongming. He swayed from side to side, clearly intoxicated. The possibility of toppling over and plunging into the lake made Yan Ning clutch his jacket’s back with all his might.

“You know, Yan Ning,” Zheng Hongming suddenly sounded extremely serious, “People are truly… very adaptable.”

“How so?” Yan Ning just went along with it.

“For example, this morning I really believed that Jiusheng was the key to my life,” he said. “I was considering ways to expand it and make it the most well-known hotel chain in Yuanjiang. I used to think that, but now I don’t—I changed my mind.”

“Hmm. Changed to what?” Yan Ning kept playing along, not expecting much.

It was completely unexpected for Zheng Hongming to face him, flash him that intoxicated, sincere smile and declare, “Changed to you.”

“…..”

Frantically, Yan Ning blinked in shock. To be more precise—his eyes “fluttered” with that nervous, defenseless vulnerability.

Zheng Hongming went on, “See, a corporation follows rules. Models and systems are located inside, whereas economic laws are located outside. There are certain factors, sure, but they’re not overwhelming. But you… you’re different.”

He put his hand on Yan Ning’s warm face and stroked it.
“There is no one like you. There is no other “you” that I can refer to. As a result, you exceed evaluation and expectation. As much as I love poems and romance, your short temper gives me a terrible headache sometimes. But when you’re sweet, you’re just… unbelievably sweet. And the question that keeps popping into my head is, “How can I guarantee your lifelong happiness?” Then it hit me: that’s more challenging than all of my other exams put together.”

“I…”

Yan Ning blinked again, the spot where he’d been touched warming in the dark.

Was it the alcohol?

Maybe only when he’s drunk, disoriented, and all his wires are twisted can this alpha—who normally has little flair for romance—say such enticing things with a straight face.

Yan Ning whispered, “I… I get really happy really quickly. A little effort… from you is already enough.”

⋮

　　Out of nowhere, a beam of light from a nearby flashlight sliced through the night, gliding along the path along the lake as it approached them.

The security guard at night.

“We’re screwed!”

Holding onto Zheng Hongming, Yan Ning pushed him into the bushes next to the pavilion.

Holding their breath, the two of them ducked behind the shrubs until the flashlight ray swept by and disappeared down the trail.

The guard patrolled only once.

Which meant—from now until sunrise—the lake was theirs alone.

Complete silence. A few stars. The two of them sat beside the quiet lake, with an infinite night sky above their heads. It felt as if time had stopped turning; daylight wouldn’t break, birds wouldn’t chirp, and nothing that existed in this moment would disappear.

“I’m tired,” Yan Ning yawned.

“The dorms are locked. Just sleep here,” Zheng Hongming said.

“It’s freezing.”

With a violent shudder, Yan Ning embraced himself, and a jacket—still warm and scented with alpha—landed on top of him.

“Is it still cold?”

“Not anymore.”

He gave a happy nod, laid down with the jacket over him, put his head on Zheng Hongming’s leg, and poked his hands in secret.

Zheng Hongming understood and softly held his hand.

A cool breeze blew across the lake and made the small waves move.

On that fateful night, Yan Ning had a dream in which time seemed to fly by.

On Gardenia West Street, a house was built. The setting sun, a rocking chair, and red maple trees grace the garden with their lengthy silhouettes.

They’d spent most of their lives together, growing older and wrinkled—crow’s feet were slowly creeping across their eyes—but still loving each other as much as they had when they were younger.

No… perhaps much more so.

✕✕✕

Thank you for reading Perfect Match until the end! 🙇🏻‍♀️🤎

Let’s help other people who might be interested in this story by posting a review and giving this a rating on Novel Updates~! 🙂‍↕️

Translated and edited by janemoyu (12/07/25)