Work Text:
Lian Can did little to hide his interest in the new captain of the Fourth Police Division.
The moment he laid eyes on him, the moment his gaze settled on the man, the moment he caught that enticing scent... Yuan Hong lingered in his thoughts for hours afterward. It didn't help that provoking him was such an irresistibly fascinating pastime.
Lian Can had even begun to envy young Master Zhao for having the privilege of Yuan Hong's company every single day. Given the chance, he would gladly become a police consultant himself—provided his salary came in hours spent with Officer Yuan.
Lian Can had never considered himself a good man.
He dealt in shady business, lied, cheated, and cared only for his own profit.
People often mistook the courtesy he extended to nearly everyone in public for kindness. They confused his gentlemanly manners with gentleness. His ability to smile through negotiations with honesty.
He had never made that mistake himself.
He knew exactly what kind of man he was.
He knew he could be ruthless whenever the situation demanded it. He could buy people with money, influence, promises of promotion. And when that wasn't enough, there was always fear—a tool just as effective for obtaining the results he wanted.
That was the world they had built.
Not the world from novels and fairy tales, the one passionate young people liked to believe in, but the real one. Brutal. Stripped of elegance. Reeking of decay and desire, forever bowing before power.
In that world, people who clung to lofty ideals died young.
Those willing to stain their hands lived long enough to grow old.
That was why, from the very beginning, Lian Can knew Yuan Hong was... a problem.
Not because he was an Omega.
Lian Can knew dozens of Omegas.
He knew every kind and every class, as intimately as someone choosing the right wine for dinner.
He knew the gentle, obedient ones, raised from childhood to lower their eyes before an Alpha.
He knew those who practiced calligraphy for hours until their hands remained perfectly steady—not only when holding a brush, but also a knife.
He knew Omegas who worked as hard as any Beta, whose bodies were no weaker than anyone else's, yet who still wouldn't dare raise their voice against their own husband once they returned home.
But Yuan Hong resembled none of them.
He hadn't yielded even when Lian Can threatened young Master Zhao's life.
He hadn't lowered his gaze.
He hadn't stepped aside.
He hadn't shown even the slightest submission before an Alpha.
Nor had he sought anyone's approval.
He behaved almost as though he existed outside every social division.
An Omega serving as captain of the police?
Who had ever heard of such a thing?
Alpha.
Beta.
Omega.
Lian Can often had the impression that Yuan Hong himself had forgotten which of those three groups he belonged to.
Above all else, he acted like a police officer.
Like a man responsible for those under his command.
Like someone who would sooner break every bone in his own body than allow anyone to take away his honor.
That was the worst thing about him...
and the most beautiful.
Lian Can had recognized it the very first time he looked at him.
Far too quickly for it to be dismissed as mere curiosity.
He was captivated.
Enthralled.
Fascinated by Yuan Hong.
Yuan Hong stood firmly on his own feet, clinging to life with nothing but his own strength and honor.
He needed no one's mercy.
He wanted no one's mercy.
Lian Can respected people like him—people who refused to bow before those who demanded obedience not through earned respect, but through the pressure of pheromones or the weight of wealth.
The problem was that he could respect people like that...
and find it dangerously easy to become enamored with them at the same time.
+++
He could have him.
The thought returned to Lian Can every day whenever, by pure chance, something reminded him of Yuan Hong.
He could make him his.
Not because Yuan Hong returned his interest.
Quite the opposite.
The captain remained polite, but distant. The space between them was as unmistakable as a chalk line drawn across a stone floor.
But Lian Can was a man of influence.
A man with connections.
It would take only a handful of conversations.
A few carefully planted suggestions.
A few signatures.
A few contracts.
The right people would whisper the right words into the right ears.
Marshal Da Shuai had long been searching for a way to strengthen his own position. There was never enough money to finance a private army, and Lian Can could offer a bride price generous enough to solve many of his problems.
Selling his son to a wealthy Alpha would cost him very little.
The world was full of stories like that.
An Omega did not possess full rights.
He could be sold.
Given away.
Drugged.
Forced into marriage.
An Omega did not ask questions.
An Omega obeyed.
And if he protested...
Well.
Most protests faded away after the wedding.
Lian Can tightened his grip around the teacup.
The tea he had intended to drink hours ago had long since gone cold, yet the Alpha barely noticed.
His thoughts were elsewhere.
He imagined Yuan Hong lying in his bed.
Would he furrow his brow?
Would he threaten him with a pistol?
Would Lian Can have to drug him on their wedding night?
No.
Not Yuan Hong.
Lian Can could picture the look Yuan Hong would give him after the marriage contract had been signed, after his hand had been placed into Lian Can's own.
He would not cry.
He would not beg.
There would only be coldness.
He would look at him with that calm, icy gaze that spoke more clearly than words ever could.
Lian Can could easily imagine that Yuan Hong would never grant him even the smallest fragment of his respect. He would never smile at him. His eyes would never shine with the open, unguarded joy Lian Can found himself longing for so desperately.
It would be a victory in name alone.
He could possess his body.
Never his trust.
Never his smile.
Never become the recipient of that gentle, almost magical softness that only appeared in Yuan Hong's eyes when he looked at someone he truly cherished.
Lian Can did not want to become another prison in Yuan Hong's life.
He let out a quiet sigh, weary of his own thoughts.
He knew fate had a cruel sense of humor.
If only he had been a few years younger.
If only he hadn't already had a wife.
If only there hadn't already been a son growing up beneath his roof.
Perhaps then he would have allowed himself to be selfish.
Perhaps he would have let his heart convince his mind that it was worth pursuing.
He could have given Yuan Hong everything he desired.
He could have surrounded him with wealth and beauty, offered him a family and the home Lian Can knew the officer longed for so desperately.
But he was not younger.
He was not unmarried.
He was not childless.
And that was precisely why he had to let him go.
What kind of future could he offer him now?
Only a side residence.
The empty title of a concubine—one that meant little in society except to remind everyone of his place.
A life confined within Lian Can's estate.
He couldn't even promise Yuan Hong his undivided attention or all of his love, because for years neither had belonged to him alone.
Lian Can could not force that fate upon him.
He knew Yuan Hong was never meant to be anyone's concubine.
So he had to surrender.
No matter how fiercely his heart longed to claim him, to make him his own...
He simply couldn't.
+++
It was only afterward that he began paying attention to young Master Zhao.
At first, he noticed him only because he was watching Yuan Hong, and the younger Alpha always seemed to be somewhere within the captain's orbit.
Once Lian Can had resolved to stop chasing after Yuan Hong, his gaze naturally drifted toward Zhao Shaoshang.
At first, it was nothing more than curiosity.
The young master seemed far too carefree, too impulsive, too honest to survive in a world ruled by politics, influence, and backroom dealings.
Lian Can assumed it was only a matter of time before the novelty of investigations and assisting the police wore off, and Zhao would return to the comfortable life he had always known.
But he never did.
Instead, Lian Can noticed that, day after day, Zhao Shaoshang continued to appear at Yuan Hong's side.
At first, they bickered over the smallest, most inconsequential things, arguments so unexpectedly fierce that Lian Can found them genuinely amusing.
Young Master Zhao was an intense person.
He never hid his intentions.
And he was an utterly terrible liar.
In the beginning, he stood beside Yuan Hong merely as a consultant.
But with each investigation they solved together, the distance between them quietly, almost imperceptibly, grew shorter.
Lian Can was hardly the only witness to their transformation from strangers into partners.
It was, in truth, a fascinating journey to watch.
Later...
He couldn't say exactly when he began noticing all the little things.
The tiny, seemingly insignificant moments that unfolded in their everyday lives.
He noticed that Zhao Shaoshang would instinctively pull out a chair before Yuan Hong even had the chance to reach for it himself.
That he always waited for Yuan Hong to get into the car first.
The way he would deliberately start talking whenever Yuan Hong's hand drifted toward his pocket, effortlessly drawing the Omega's attention elsewhere.
He saw the concern in Zhao Shaoshang's eyes, the faint crease between his brows whenever Yuan Hong reached for yet another piece of candy, as though he genuinely worried the Omega would ruin his health with nothing more than sweets.
He noticed that Zhao Shaoshang almost always arrived at the police station carrying food.
Yet he never ate any of it himself.
Instead, he quietly left everything on Yuan Hong's desk—or tucked neatly into one of its drawers.
It was... almost adorable.
He had remembered that Yuan Hong routinely forgot to eat whenever an investigation consumed him, so absorbed in chasing the truth that he ignored the needs of his own body.
Everything Zhao Shaoshang did around Yuan Hong...
None of it resembled the behavior of an Alpha trying to assert his dominance.
It looked much more like...
Quiet devotion.
Silent admiration.
It ran so deep, so sincerely, that it was almost impossible to notice unless one already knew what to look for.
Lian Can found himself smiling.
Perhaps fate had denied him the chance to stand beside Yuan Hong as his husband.
But at the same time, it seemed the universe had chosen to watch over the man instead, placing at his side someone who looked at him as though Yuan Hong himself had hung every star across the heavens.
As though a single smile from him could fill the entire day with sunlight.
As though a single furrow between his brows foretold centuries of misfortune.
Lian Can saw that young Master Zhao looked at Yuan Hong exactly the way someone as precious as he deserved to be seen.
Not as a valuable Omega.
Not as a trophy.
Not as a political asset.
He looked at him as Yuan Hong.
As a man who bowed his head only to hide a smile.
And Zhao Shaoshang, it seemed, was an absolute master at coaxing those smiles onto Yuan Hong's lips.
And if Liang Can himself could not give Yuan Hong the happy and peaceful future he deserved...
Then he would do everything in his power to make sure Zhao Shaoshang did not waste the opportunity that had fallen into his hands.
Oh, Liang Can loved the way Yuan Hong's gaze softened whenever he looked at Zhao Shaoshang.
Almost vulnerable.
+++
Liang Can was not a man who made decisions on impulse.
Every move had to be considered first, examined from every possible angle like a precious artifact displayed upon a shelf. He had to determine its cost and whether it would bring the expected profit.
Even seemingly selfless gestures rarely remained entirely without purpose.
That was simply how the world of people like him worked.
Favors were a currency more valuable than silver, and the gratitude of a properly guided person could return years later with interest.
This time, however, for the first time in a very long while...
he expected nothing in return.
It was...
a strange feeling.
“Zhao-gongzi.”
He spoke calmly as he stopped beside Zhao Shaoshang.
Shaoshang turned his head toward him almost immediately.
The courtyard of the police station was, as usual, filled with noise.
Several officers were carrying crates of case files. Somewhere in the distance, someone was complaining about the weather. Two younger policemen were nearly getting into an argument over who had lost money gambling with dice the previous day.
Amid all that chaos, Liang Can looked as though he had accidentally wandered into the wrong world.
Elegant.
Composed.
Wearing the same polite smile he always carried.
“Liang-xiansheng?”
Shaoshang blinked in surprise, but his posture remained open and easy to read.
“I didn't expect to see you here. Did something happen? Do you need to report something? I can call an officer to take your statement...” he offered.
Liang Can merely waved his hand, his smile restrained.
“I was hoping to borrow a little of your time, young Master Zhao. I hope I am not disturbing you.”
“Of course not.”
Zhao Shaoshang answered immediately.
It was a sincere response.
Liang Can was almost able to understand how Zhao Shaoshang's mind worked.
He saw people who had helped him in the past as people worthy of his attention and time.
Liang Can had assisted him during the investigation.
Even if he had been somewhat malicious and sharp-tongued while doing so—because at the time he had been so desperate over the fact that he could not have Yuan Hong for himself that he had briefly allowed himself to become almost petty—it seemed that had not destroyed the image Zhao Shaoshang held of him.
However, before they could step aside to speak privately, Liang Can noticed something far more interesting.
Before Zhao could even take a single step away, he first turned over his shoulder.
He looked toward the building.
As though making sure everything was alright.
Or...
that no one would need him.
The corner of Liang Can's lips lifted slightly.
“Captain Yuan is busy?”
Liang Can asked, allowing Zhao Shaoshang to lead him toward the smaller building.
“Yuan Hong was summoned by the chief. He probably has to listen to another hour-long lecture about how he should be more restrained and stop acting based on his instincts instead of evidence.”
Shaoshang sighed.
“It'll probably take a while.”
Liang Can hid his smile behind his hand.
Not Captain Yuan.
Not Commander of the Fourth Division.
Simply...
Yuan Hong.
The name sounded so natural coming from Zhao Shaoshang's lips.
Almost as if...
They sat at a small table placed beneath the shade of an old tree.
Shaoshang poured tea for Liang Can first, only filling his own cup afterward. He encouraged him to drink as they sat facing each other.
“Zhao-gongzi...”
Liang Can began after a while, once the first cup had been emptied.
“Yes?”
“Have you ever thought about the future?”
He asked calmly.
Shaoshang raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised.
“In what sense?”
He asked after a moment, obviously needing a little more guidance in the direction Liang Can intended.
“I mean marriage.”
Liang Can clarified.
Silence settled between them.
Only the distant sounds of life interrupted it.
It lasted barely a few breaths, but Liang Can noticed everything.
First came surprise.
Then confusion.
And right after that…
One single glance.
Barely a fraction of a second, but Zhao Shaoshang looked back in the direction they had come from, his eyes briefly falling toward the police commander's office where Yuan Hong was being held.
A glance so quick that most people would never have noticed it.
Liang Can did.
And suddenly, he felt something remarkably close to relief.
He had hoped that Zhao Shaoshang was captivated by Yuan Hong, that he was in love with him. He could imagine them together as a pair.
But he had worried that perhaps the feeling was one-sided.
Seeing his reaction now, Liang Can was reassured.
Shaoshang cleared his throat.
“I haven't really thought about it yet... I'm still young. I have plenty of time. Even my father hasn't started pressuring me.”
Liang Can recognized it immediately.
A lie.
An inexperienced one.
Almost adorable.
“I see.”
Liang Can said calmly, setting down his teacup.
“Then allow me to offer you one piece of advice.”
Shaoshang looked at him attentively, clearly curious, though he tried not to show how much that single question had affected him.
Liang Can could understand.
After all, they were not friends.
“There are people in this world who are easy to win over.”
He spoke, and the young Alpha nodded.
“There are also those who can be bought.”
Another statement from Liang Can earned another focused nod from Zhao Shaoshang.
“But there is also a third kind.”
For a moment, Liang Can simply turned the teacup between his fingers.
Eventually, he filled both of their cups with more tea.
“People who will willingly give you everything they have...”
He paused.
“...as long as you never try to take anything from them.”
Zhao Shaoshang frowned slightly.
He didn't understand.
Liang Can could understand why.
After all, young Master Zhao was still young and inexperienced.
As the older man, it was his responsibility to teach him.
“I don't know if—”
Zhao Shaoshang began, but Liang Can interrupted him.
“Yuan Hong is exactly that kind of person.”
This time, the silence lasted much longer.
Zhao Shaoshang's gaze remained fixed on Liang Can.
He didn't move.
Not even for a second did he look away.
He showed no weakness.
He didn't allow himself even a glance in Yuan Hong's direction.
His back remained straight, his jaw slightly too tense.
Liang Can could respect that.
He looked as though he was one more wrong word away from lunging across the table and tearing Liang Can's throat out if he said anything Zhao Shaoshang disliked about the man sitting before him.
Liang Can respected that.
That protective instinct was exactly what Zhao Shaoshang needed.
Winning over an Omega like Yuan Hong would not be easy.
But keeping him safe, protecting him from a world that might try to tear him away from Zhao Shaoshang's side...
That would be even harder.
“Where does your confidence come from, that you have the right to draw any conclusions about Yuan Hong?”
Zhao Shaoshang asked, his voice dangerously low.
“I see the way you look at him, Young Master Zhao.”
Shaoshang's heart beat so violently that for a moment he was certain Liang Can must have heard it.
Liang Can knew that the young Alpha had tried to be careful.
Tried to remain discreet.
Tried not to let anyone notice his feelings.
And yet...
Liang Can had seen everything.
The accidental touches to Yuan Hong's shoulder.
The way he handed him his coat.
The cups of tea prepared specifically for Yuan Hong.
The late visits to his home, disguised behind the simple excuse of sharing dinner together.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
Liang Can's voice remained calm.
“Quite the opposite.”
He encouraged him with a faint smile.
“Do you know what I admire most about your behavior?”
Liang Can asked.
Shaoshang slowly shook his head.
“You never look at him as an Omega.”
Liang Can smiled.
“You look at him as Yuan Hong.”
“You have never treated him as something lesser than yourself. You do not see him through the lens of his secondary gender.”
“You look at him and treat him as an equal. As a person standing beside you, not beneath you.”
Liang Can's smile became proud.
“Please never change that.”
Because the world changed far too easily.
Sooner or later, someone would remind Yuan Hong that according to law and tradition, he was supposed to be an Omega first and foremost.
That he should not carry a weapon.
That he should speak more softly.
That he should stand one step behind his Alpha, not one step ahead.
That he should not protect anyone, but instead allow himself to be protected.
That his purpose was to give birth to children.
To forget his official title, his uniform, and everything he had learned at the military academy.
Liang Can knew that day would come.
He only hoped that when it finally arrived...
Zhao Shaoshang would stand between Yuan Hong and the entire world.
Not because he was his Alpha.
But because he was the first person who had seen something more in him.
Someone more.
More than just his secondary gender.
And if there was anyone Liang Can could entrust Yuan Hong's future to without regret...
It was the person sitting right in front of him.
The person staring back with such confusion, as though he still couldn't understand how someone could possibly notice his feelings for that beautiful, stubborn police officer.
Liang Can almost couldn't stop himself from patting Zhao Shaoshang on the head.
Oh.
That boy was far too adorable for his own good.
He understood Yuan Hong's weakness for him.
But he also understood Zhao Shaoshang's devotion toward Yuan Hong.
He had done his part.
He said his goodbyes and returned to his usual place of observation.
If the lives of Yuan Hong and Zhao Shaoshang were to become a film or a stage play, Liang Can would have purchased a seat in the very front row.
He had absolutely no intention of wasting the opportunity to admire this story.
Even if he was not fortunate enough to become a part of it...
He could still support his favorite people.