"Calm down now, Yibo," Zhan murmured softly, continuing to soothe the still-crying Wang Yibo with a gentle tone.
The younger one had just caused quite a scene, drawing far too much attention with his cries that echoed through the hall.
With everyone whispering and glancing their way, Zhan had no choice but to leave. He politely asked their parents to let him take his younger brother away from the swarm of curious onlookers.
After all, it was clear to anyone watching that the Xiao heir was far from pleased; his usually composed expression had darkened the moment Mr. Yang tried to continue lecturing Yibo, completely ignoring the boy's tears.
Zhan's patience had reached its limit then.
He hadn't said much, but his chilling glare alone had been enough to silence the older man.
Without waiting for anyone's reaction, he had taken Yibo by the hand and walked him out of the suffocating event hall.
Now, the two of them sat in the backseat of their car.
The driver, aware of the change in the atmosphere, had wordlessly stepped out and stationed himself near the door, giving the brothers privacy while keeping guard at a respectful distance.
"Gege…" came Yibo's muffled whimper, his voice still trembling as he clung tightly to his older brother.
He buried his tear-streaked face even deeper into Zhan's shoulder, seeking comfort and warmth.
His little frame trembled with every hiccupped breath, still overwhelmed from the scolding and the crowd.
Zhan let out a quiet sigh, not of frustration, but of concern.
Right now, he held Yibo securely in his arms, letting the boy sob out every last drop of his distress. Yibo's small arms were wrapped tightly around his gege's neck, just like a baby koala refusing to let go. His legs dangled off the seat, and his nose was red from crying, his soft hair sticking slightly to his damp forehead.
Seeing how cramped and uncomfortable the position was becoming, Zhan adjusted their posture gently, pulling the boy into his lap completely.
Yibo didn't protest.
Instead, he curled up closer.
Despite the bratty outbursts and dramatic tears, Yibo was still just a little one in Zhan's eyes. He was still young enough that Zhan, older and significantly stronger, could lift and carry him without effort.
Soon, Yibo fell asleep, exhausted from crying.
And over the years, many more incidents like that unfolded—so many, in fact, that no one really paid them any serious attention anymore.
To those around him, Yibo was simply going through a typical childhood phase, one filled with sensitivity and impulsive emotions.
After all, despite the Young Master's dramatic tendencies, anyone who knew him even a little would understand that beneath all the sulking and whining was just a tender-hearted, sweet little boy who was surprisingly easy to befriend.
Many prominent businessmen would even chuckle good-naturedly whenever the heir of the Wang Corporation started throwing a tantrum, knowing full well how it would end with Yibo eventually realizing his misstep, going quiet, and ending up obediently clinging to either President Wang or Madam Wang for comfort.
Though most of the time, if he were to be soothed by anyone, it would always be his older brother.
Yibo was, without question, spoiled—but never to the point of being insufferable or entitled.
He was still soft, still warm at heart, a boy who wore his emotions on his sleeve.
However, all of that seemed to shift the moment Xiao Zhan presented his secondary gender, three years later.
The announcement that Xiao Zhan was an alpha changed everything.
Practically overnight, he became the focus of relentless attention, receiving an endless stream of marriage offers from ambitious businessmen eager to pair their omega heirs with the most anticipated heir of a huge business empire.
Amidst the dazzling attention and sudden elevation of Xiao Zhan's social value, a subtle shift began to surface, and it was Madam Wang who first noticed it.
While Xiao Zhan was surrounded by eager omegas vying for his attention, he failed to act fast when his little brother's hand slipped from his grasp.
Yibo, already upset from the moment they left home—aware, perhaps instinctively, that he would once again be expected to share his gege with countless others—didn't even muster the will to complain.
Quietly, he stepped aside, eyes downcast, and made his way to the nearest empty table, sitting alone without a word.
It was such a small act that no one paid it much mind, yet to Madam Wang, it was painfully clear: the once radiant little boy who used to brighten every room was beginning to dim.
And though the world saw only a sulky child, what they missed was the ache of being quietly left by the one person he had always clung to.
Unfortunately, even though Zhan very clearly wished to escape the overwhelming crowd of omegas gathered around him, their sheer number made it difficult to break away without causing a scene.
He hesitated, uncertain whether pulling himself free or raising his voice to demand space would be considered impolite or even scandalous in such a formal setting. The thought of appearing rude or disrespectful in front of so many important guests left him momentarily frozen, despite the obvious discomfort written all over his face.
Instead, he shifted his gaze across the room in search of a familiar presence and met the eyes of Madam Wang.
She was quick to recognize the silent plea in her son's expression.
With the calm authority only a mother could possess, she gracefully made her way through the crowd toward him.
When she reached the group, she gently cleared her throat, drawing attention away from Zhan.
"Everyone," she began with a polite but firm tone, "I hate to interrupt, but I need a moment with my son."
Without waiting for a response, she placed a protective hand on his arm and smoothly pulled him away from the increasingly clingy group of admirers.
She didn't spare a glance at the mild protests or the disappointed sighs that followed her intervention.
To her, it was clear that some of these young omegas were crossing the line. Subtly leaning in too close, fluttering their lashes too deliberately, and in some cases, releasing faint traces of their omega pheromones in the hopes of tempting the young alpha.
Yet Zhan remained unfazed by it all.
His expression was cool and clearly uninterested.
Not once did he acknowledge their attempts to charm him, nor did he respond to the subtle cues that others might have fallen prey to.
He held himself with dignity, as if above such manipulative tactics, unwilling to allow even a trace of their pheromones to influence him.
He believed deeply that his future bond should be rooted in genuine affection, not shallow seduction or business convenience.
His mother shared that belief.
Both Zhan and Madam Wang agreed that no amount of wealth, influence, or family pressure could justify forcing him into a loveless match.
His mate should be someone he chose with both his heart and mind. Someone he cherished for who they were, not someone strategically placed by corporate alliances or social ambitions.
Just like that, they left behind the murmuring crowd and the overly eager suitors still caught up in their own ambitions.