### The Quiet Storm: Lanz's Struggle and Fanzi's Schemes
Lanz sat alone in his office, trying to regain his composure after Dou's departure. The only thing that truly scared him was the thought of going into rut while Dou was close by. The possibility of his primal instincts taking over around Dou, who now hated and resented him, was a terrifying prospect. And to make matters worse, Dou wasn't just any omega now—he was second in command of a Yakuza gang. The alpha sighed deeply and opened a drawer, revealing a framed picture from their high school days. It was taken during a summer camp, a moment frozen in time when things were simpler, and they were just two teenagers enjoying their friendship.
Lanz's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar, playful voice. "How long have you been like this? Since when did you start liking…?"
Startled, Lanz looked up to see Fanzi standing in the doorway, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
"Hello...!" Fanzi waved a hand in front of Lanz's face, snapping him out of his reverie. The alpha's earlier expression of longing and loss quickly morphed back into his usual stoic demeanor.
Fanzi, clearly amused, continued, "Come on, your indifferent attitude towards me is not cool, you know. How can you smile at him with those eyes full of affection and then look at me like I'm invisible? It makes me feel sad, you know…?" He pouted dramatically, his sad puppy eyes failing to elicit any reaction from Lanz, who simply ignored him.
Fanzi's antics were usually a source of irritation, but this time, they prompted a deeper reflection. Lanz couldn't help but ponder, "Since when have I been like this? Since when did I start liking Dou?"
### Flashback: Young Love and Missed Opportunities
Maybe it was from the first time they met, or perhaps when Dou changed schools just to be closer to him. Lanz remembered how Dou had even wanted to share a room during high school, but Lanz, hiding his feelings, had made up excuses to avoid it. He feared that revealing his true emotions would jeopardize their friendship, and he couldn't bear the thought of things becoming awkward between them.
Dou had always been cheerful, making friends easily and attracting the admiration of many girls, even after they learned he was a beta. Despite dating a few girls, Dou's relationships often ended with him heartbroken, and Lanz was always there to comfort him. Lanz's feelings for Dou remained steadfast, even though he thought Dou might manifest as an omega. He dreamed of marrying Dou someday, children or not.
But now, reflecting on their past, Lanz realized he had always harbored feelings for Dou, from the very first day they met. The thought of Dou hating him now was unbearable. Even if they had married that day, Dou would have eventually discovered their bond and hated him. Lanz, selfish as he was, couldn't bear the thought of Dou rejecting him. He remembered the pain in Dou's eyes on their wedding day and how Dou had gone into heat as soon as Lanz refused to marry him. Lanz had asked a friend to protect Dou from himself, unable to imagine causing him any harm.
### The Pain of Change
Now, Dou was back in his life, not as a friend but as an enemy. The sweet, cheerful Dou had vanished, replaced by someone hardened and unrecognizable. Lanz's heart ached knowing that Dou no longer liked sweets and had even developed a taste for bitter coffee, a drink he once detested. What had happened to him in the five years since they parted? How did he end up as a Yakuza?
Despite the turmoil raging inside him, Lanz's face remained an impassive mask. Fanzi, growing bored of being ignored, finally decided to get to the point of his visit. "Okay, fine. Since you want to ignore me all day, I need your help with something. In return, I have something I know will be useful to you."
### Fanzi's Proposal
Fanzi pulled out a brown envelope and placed it on Lanz's desk. "I have some information about the gang your sister-in-law is involved with, and I also have details on what she's been up to this year. In return, I want two favors. First, I need a part in the new box office series that Director Han is shooting next summer. The second favor… I'll tell you about that later. So, what do you think?"
Lanz glanced at the envelope, contemplating the offer. His blank expression gave nothing away as he picked up the file and said, "Okay."
Fanzi's smirk widened, knowing he had just secured his goals. "Great! I knew you'd see it my way. Now, let's talk about the first favor…"
### The Aftermath
As Fanzi rattled on about his plans, Lanz's mind wandered back to Dou. The image of the omega, transformed from the boy he once knew into a formidable Yakuza figure, haunted him. The office felt colder than usual, and the weight of his past decisions pressed heavily on his shoulders. He knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, both in business and in his personal life. Yet, despite the uncertainty, he couldn't shake the hope that somewhere beneath Dou's hardened exterior, the friend he once knew still existed, waiting to be reached.