IAAA Chapter 5

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I am an Alpha, with a secondary job as the Planning Director of Quanta Group, but my main job is babysitting the president’s kids.

I have become a frequent guest at Shen Junshan’s house, so much so that even I’m surprised by how often I come by these days. My relationship with Shen Junshan was never this close before—in fact, due to certain reasons, it used to be a little awkward. But well, who told these two little young masters to love me so deeply? I guess that’s just my charm.

“Papa, my tummy is singing.”

Shen Wenxin touched his stomach, looking at me pitifully. I set down Shen Wenshu’s workbook and checked the time on my watch—it was well past the time Shen Junshan usually came home.

But he hadn’t stayed late at Quanta for work. I remembered seeing him drive off this afternoon after dropping Nian Nian back home, yet now, I had no idea where he had gone.

I looked at them and casually asked, “Did your dad say where he was going today?”

Two little heads shook in unison. I sighed helplessly.

“Alright, I’ll cook. You two can eat first.”

I rinsed the rice and set it to cook, washed the vegetables, sliced them into thin strips, and prepared the scallions, ginger, and garlic before heating the oil.

As the oil warmed and the garlic sizzled, my heart felt just as unsettled as the splattering oil droplets. An unexplainable anxiety crept up on me, making my hand tremble as I held the spatula.

Over and over, I kept thinking—where did Shen Junshan go? Why wasn’t he coming home? What exactly had he found out?

Only when I saw the two of them eating with such enthusiasm did my fear subside a little. I forced a smile. “Slow down, no one’s going to steal your food.”

“Little bunny!” Shen Wenxin’s eyes sparkled with delight when he saw the bunny-shaped red bean buns, his words coming out in a jumble.

“Eat properly, don’t choke.” I patted his little hand.

Shen Wenshu also picked up a bunny bun, but suddenly, he spoke. “Uncle Du, I think you’re a lot like my dad.”

“Really?” I was momentarily stunned before replying, “But I’m an Alpha. How could I be like your dad?”

Shen Wenshu stared cautiously at the bunny bun in his bowl. “I miss him.”

Shen Wenxin patted his brother’s arm with his chubby hand, looking serious. “Papa is here!”

“Yes, Baba is here…” I started to speak but faltered, my voice trembling. “Your Baba will always be here, staying by your side, watching you both grow up.”

That night, Shen Junshan came home in the middle of the night, reeking of alcohol. I was honestly impressed he even managed to find his way back. But before I could say anything, he threw up all over me.

The great President Shen—utterly lacking in dignity.

Thank goodness I’m an Alpha; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to support this useless drunk at all.

“Your wife is dead, and this is how you act as a father?!” I scolded while stripping him of his clothes and tossing him into the bathtub.

I knew well enough how composed and steady this man usually was. Ever since the accident, I had never seen him lose control—whether at work or at home, he always appeared calm and rational. The last time I saw him this despondent was probably ten years ago.

Underneath that exterior, he had lost a significant amount of weight. I turned on the shower and rinsed him down, but he just lay there like a lifeless fish.

The alcohol had dulled his eyes, and I heard him murmur faintly under his breath.

“Tang Tang.”

“Hm.” I tried responding, even though I knew he wasn’t calling for me. “Junshan?”

“Tang Tang.” His voice was nearly swallowed by the sound of running water. “Don’t…”

“I won’t leave.” I held his hand, pretending to be his lover.

“Junshan, I won’t leave.”

For the entire night, Shen Junshan clung stubbornly to my hand, refusing to let go. There was no fighting this drunk man, so I sat beside the bed until morning.

His brows remained furrowed in his sleep, restless and uneasy. Time had only enhanced his charm and presence, but it had also softened the sharp lines of his youth.

I liked watching him like this, quietly, just as I had for so many years. Back then, he had been all sharp edges and fierce ambition, and I had hidden in the shadows, watching greedily from the sidelines.

And now, he was right in front of me—vulnerable and stubbornly calling out the name of the person he loved. And I didn’t even have the right to answer.

A long, long time ago, a mermaid princess confessed her love to a prince. But the prince told her—

“You are a mermaid.”

Just like me. I am an Alpha.

My eyes burned red, my throat felt raw, but no sound of crying came out.

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