Chapter 50

"Good evening Mr. Yetao."

Hu Yetao smiled, pushing aside his foul mood to enjoy the night. "Hello Mrs. Wang," he greeted the regal woman reservedly, wondering if the warm tone of her letters was any indication of how she would now act with him in person.

She stepped back to let him pass into the entrance foyer of Wang Manor. She didn't smile but her pale blue eyes sparkled with a warm greeting as she kissed him on the cheek and pulled back to look him over properly.

"You look very dashing Mr. Yetao, if somewhat out of breath," she observed with a raised brow, very reminiscent of her son. "Where is Oscar?" she asked, as though reading his thoughts.

"Er, he's not coming."

"Really?" Shui Xian replied in surprise, glancing up as Xiaocheng joined them. He took his wife's hand, gaze sliding over Hu Yetao without a smile or even a hello. "Oscar isn't coming darling."

Xiaocheng turned to look suspiciously down at Hu Yetao. "Oh? And why is that Mr. Yetao?"

Hu Yetao lifted his chin and decided to go with the truth. "He didn't think I should be anywhere near Zhou Keyu because he offered himself to me as a secondary Alpha. I told Keyu I wasn't interested but Oscar still argued against coming, so he stayed behind and I came on my own."

"He let you attend unaccompanied with an interesting Alpha present?" Xiaocheng asked, eyes narrowing doubtfully.

"No," Hu Yetao replied directly. "He doesn't know I'm here."

There was a brief pause in which Xiaocheng's mouth turned down into a disapproving frown whilst a tiny smirk twitched at the corner of Shui Xian's lips. She stepped forward in her beautiful pale blue and silver dress robes and slipped an arm through Hu Yetao's before leading him away towards the ballroom.

Hu Yetao felt his anxiety ease as Xiaocheng fell into step behind them without another word.

"You are a treasure Mr. Yetao," Shui Xian drawled, quietly amused, as they ascended the stairs together. "Oscar is in good hands."

Hu Yetao blinked at her, startled. He had thought that Oscar's parents would disapprove of his headstrong and nonconformist behavior. "Really?"

Shui Xian emitted a tinkly little laugh of delight, one hand going to her chest. "Yes Mr. Yetao, you are just what Oscar needs."

Hu Yetao smiled, catching her eye and feeling an odd sort of intimate camaraderie with Oscar's mum. He was instantly glad that he'd come despite his intransigent mate.

Hu Yetao could hear voices down the hall and realized that it must be later than he'd thought, they had planned on arriving before any of the guests, but he was not the first to arrive.

"A few people were quite eager to meet you," Shui Xian whispered aside in explanation. She squeezed his arm and led him through the doorway into the gleaming golden ballroom, the same room from his first Board meeting, but this time the atmosphere was decidedly less hostile.

Hu Yetao squinted a little at the sudden influx of flickering candlelight after the dimly lit corridors. His eyes quickly adjusted and he took in the meandering house-elves holding trays of food and drink, as well as about a dozen witches and wizards informal clothing.

He nearly started when a small girl suddenly squealed and ran over, black party shoes click-clacking on the shiny flooring and red dress robes streaming out behind her.

Hu Yetao instantly relaxed as he recognized the young Nundu clan member. He just couldn't remember her name…

"Hu Yetao!" she exclaimed with a huge grin. "You're here! Remember me?"

Hu Yetao couldn't help but smile. "Of course I do."

"He Min, you mustn't run."

Hu Yetao glanced up to see the same friendly grandfather hobbling to keep up.

"Please forgive her Mr. Yetao, she's a little star-struck around you," he apologized. He reached out with one gnarled hand and shook Hu Yetao's, his grip surprisingly strong for his age. "Xuan Ye, pleased to see you again Mr. Yetao."

"I'm glad you're here," Hu Yetao said with a smile, turning to He Min to include her in the sentiment as well. "It's good to see some friendly faces. You'll have to save me a dance later," he said to her with a conspiratorial wink.

He Min blushed as she nodded her head, glossy curls bouncing.

"But be warned, I'll probably step on your toes," Hu Yetao added in a faux whisper, causing her to giggle.

"You should dance with my mother too," He Min said, smiling. "My father isn't here tonight, he had to work."

"He Min dear, I don't think your mother is in a fit state to be dancing," Xuan Ye said gently, smiling down at her with obvious fondness.

"Oh… I guess not," she conceded with a bemused frown.

"Which one is your mother?" Hu Yetao asked curiously.

He Min instantly turned and scanned the room of about a dozen people. "There!" she screamed, pointing at the short, pretty witch speaking with Silong.

Hu Yetao swallowed. "Your mum is… is Su Miake?" he asked, remembering quite vividly the pregnant Board member who was not the friendliest of women.

He Min turned back and nodded her head proudly.

"Come Mr. Yetao, we must move on," Shui Xian politely interrupted. He'd almost forgotten she was even there. It appeared that Xiaocheng had already left him to his own devices and wandered off amongst the guests.

Hu Yetao smiled at his two new acquaintances before slipping away with Shui Xian.

"You seem to have a way with children Mr. Yetao," Shui Xian commented quietly.

Hu Yetao smiled, taking the words as a compliment. "I'm just practicing for later," he quipped.

Shui Xian's gaze was warm as she turned to him, hand tightening on his forearm for a moment. "I would be lying if I said that I was not looking forward to being a grandmother Mr. Yetao, as well as seeing my son, my only child, become a father." She paused and looked away, gently steering him towards a long table laden with food. "I am sorry if Oscar is behaving poorly at the moment, having a mate is still new to him. I hope whatever foolishness he may have done or said, that you will not hold it against him."

Hu Yetao smiled and shook his head. "Of course not, we're both still adjusting, and I know I'm not the easiest person to live with either."

"I would say that I am sure he will be calm and collected when you return home, but I have a feeling he will not be appreciative of your little disappearing act tonight."

Hu Yetao couldn't help but chuckle. "Technically he doesn't even know that I'm outside the school, I told him that I would be staying the night in Gryffindor Tower."

Shui Xian smirked as they stopped near the food and she delicately selected what looked like a smoked salmon canape. "Then he needn't know you were even here."

Hu Yetao grinned and began to fill a plate with a selection of delicious-smelling food. It was all rather fancy but looked edible enough, and he was famished.

"Hu Yetao, good to see you again."

Hu Yetao looked up and smiled at Xiu Silong who was extending a hand towards him. Hu Yetao shifted his plate to his left hand and shook the Board Chair's hand in greeting. "You too Mr. Xiu."

"Please call me Silong," he replied jovially. "I'm still so pleased that everything worked out for you and young Wang." He paused to glance around, puzzled. "Where is Oscar this evening? I haven't seen him yet."

Shui Xian politely excused herself as a group of guests entered the room.

"He isn't feeling well," Hu Yetao replied carefully, avoiding Silong's gaze as he reached for some more food to load onto his already crowded plate.

"Oh, that's a shame," he replied sympathetically. "Well pass on my good wishes to him - to the both of you. I believe you two will be a wonderful match and a credit to us all."

Hu Yetao knew he was speaking of the Nundu clan as he said this and Hu Yetao nodded in acknowledgment, touched. "Thank you."

"Hu Yetao! You made it old chap."

Hu Yetao felt his stomach clench as Zhou Keyu sauntered up to them with a grin. He was dressed in a black and white suit that Hu Yetao begrudgingly had to admit looked quite fetching on the tall, Alpha.

"Hello Keyu," Hu Yetao replied wanly before stuffing some food into his mouth to avoid further conversation with the prat.

"Well, I'll leave you, gentlemen, to it," Silong said with a departing smile, plucking a glass of champagne off the table before turning away.

Hu Yetao's eyes widened in alarm but his mouth was too full to protest the Board Chair's departure. He didn't want to be alone with Zhou Keyu. Despite everything that he and Oscar had argued about, it still felt like a betrayal to his mate to be speaking with him.

"Where's Oscar?" Keyu asked nonchalantly before taking a sip of his drink, dark eyes watching Hu Yetao intently.

Hu Yetao swallowed, gaze skittering around the room a moment before reluctantly returning to rest on Zhou Keyu's face. "He isn't here," he finally answered, unwillingly.

"Oh?" Keyu asked with interest. "Why not?"

"He wasn't feeling well," Hu Yetao said with a little more conviction, not wanting Keyu to get any ideas.

Zhou Keyu stepped up to the table and leaned in to reach for some food, at the same time leaning in towards Hu Yetao to quietly whisper, "now why don't I believe you Yetao?"

Hu Yetao bristled and took a step back, frowning at him.

Zhou Keyu chuckled and held up a hand in defeat. He selected another cracker laden with something green and turned back to Hu Yetao. "Is it safe for you to be here on your own though?" he asked, sounding legitimately concerned, but Hu Yetao was fed up. He couldn't help but blame Zhou Keyu for his fight with Oscar, however unfair that may be. And so what if he was the only male Omega around, it didn't mean he was fair game forever.

"The only danger here is you Keyu," Hu Yetao retorted.

Zhou Keyu seemed to find that amusing and grinned back at him impudently.

"Mr. Yetao, your presence is required."

Hu Yetao looked up and was never so relieved to see Wang Xiaocheng in his life. "Of course. Excuse me Keyu."

Zhou Keyu looked as though he was about to say something but Hu Yetao quickly set his plate down and followed Oscar's father into the crowd.

Xiaocheng led him to the opposite side of the large room before suddenly stopping and turning to him, causing Hu Yetao to nearly stumble right into him, unprepared.

Xiaocheng gazed at him dispassionately. "You looked uncomfortable Mr. Yetao."

Hu Yetao frowned in confusion, and then his expression suddenly cleared. "You… you took me away from him on purpose?"

Xiaocheng swallowed, clearly ill at ease. "Yes, my son is not here to safeguard you so, I feel it is my… duty," he responded stiffly, not quite making eye contact.

Hu Yetao's brows nearly rose into his hairline in amazement. "I… thank you I guess. I mean, thank you." He paused and felt he should say more, something to ingratiate himself with his aloof father-in-law. "Just so you know, I have no intention of accepting Zhou Keyu's offer, or any other Alpha's. I don't know if it would bother you if I was to accept another Alpha or not, as I'm not used to Alpha family dynamics, but I thought that you should know that you needn't worry. Just in case you were. Worried, that is," he trailed off clumsily, hoping that at least the sincerity of his words shone through.

Xiaocheng finally met his gaze and gave a short nod of acknowledgment before stalking off without another word.

Hu Yetao rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips; he was going to make Xiaocheng like him or die trying.

He glanced back towards the table to see if his plate of food was still there, and to see if Blaise was gone so that he could safely return to his abandoned meal. It appeared the Alpha had moved on so he swiftly made for the table once more.

"Hu Yetao!"

Hu Yetao darted his gaze away from the delicious cuisine with a sigh, quickly brightening though when he spotted He Min standing next to him, arms behind her back, smiling shyly up at him.

"It must be time for our dance," Hu Yetao concluded, deciphering her bashfully expectant expression.

The small girl nodded and took his hand when he held it out to her.

Hu Yetao spent the next hour dancing with He Min, laughing and tripping over his own feet as she stood on top of them and tried to guide him through proper dance steps. It was messy and uncoordinated, and He was almost glad that Oscar wasn't there to see it because the pretentious Pureblood side of him would have been mortified.

When he was too tired to dance anymore, he stopped and spoke to some of the other guests, quickly growing more comfortable. Most of the guests were friendly enough, and even Su Miake, He Min's mum, thanked him for humoring her daughter and dancing with her. She even smiled at him and called him 'kind.'

Hu Yetao refused to dance with anyone else though, it just didn't feel right and no one pushed him. Even Keyu kept his distance the remainder of the evening, though he seemed to be constantly watching him from afar. Hu Yetao pointedly ignored him.

He purposefully didn't drink anything with alcohol in it the entire evening to keep his wits about him, as well as to not make a fool of himself. He was eventually able to eat his fill and stood by the table conversing with Purebloods and clan members alike. Now that he was here, it was startlingly easy to keep the secret that he'd always irrationally feared would just slip out.

He noted that all of the guests were aristocratic Purebloods yet seemed easier to get along with than his father-in-law; the only one sporting a stern expression all night.

It was nearly midnight by the time Hu Yetao felt like he'd had enough and was too tired to remain a minute longer.

He found Shui Xian standing next to her husband with her head resting lightly on his shoulder, a faintly pleased smile on her face as she surveyed the crowd of guests in her home.

"Thank you, for everything," he enthused with a grateful smile after telling them that he was leaving. "I had a really good time."

"Imagine that," Shui Xian replied with a tiny smirk as she lifted her head, eyes dancing. She had enjoyed acting the hostess; it seemed to lift her spirits and added a vivacious sparkle to her that Hu Yetao had never seen before. It was probably how she was before the war, the effervescent woman that Oscar had grown up with; hosting glittering parties with posh guest lists and lively music filling his family home.

While Hu Yetao was still not that keen on sophisticated parties, he was sure he would have preferred that to his childhood with the Weinong's.

"I shall accompany you back to Hogwarts Mr. Yetao," Xiaocheng interjected formally.

Hu Yetao could see that Xiaocheng was exhausted and he didn't want to trouble him with something so unnecessary.

Not that he would ever admit it out loud, but he also didn't want to be alone with the intimidating man. He wasn't quite ready for that.

"I'm okay, my friend Zhang Xinyao is meeting me at the gates," Hu Yetao lied smoothly. "I'll be fine," he insisted at Xiaocheng's dubious expression.

"Thank you for coming, despite Oscar's absence," Shui Xian said, slipping an arm around her husband's waist.

Hu Yetao smiled. "Yeah, I missed him," he admitted. "Might not spend the night in Gryffindor Tower after all," he added.

Shui Xian smiled knowingly at him while Xiaocheng frowned in bewilderment.

"Goodnight," Hu Yetao said, glancing between them. "And thanks again."

"Goodnight Mr. Yetao."

Hu Yetao turned and made his way through the remaining guests, waving at a few of them and bidding them goodnight. All in all, the night had been a smashing success, he thought proudly, suddenly floating on a high of relief that it had gone so well - and also that it was now over.

He walked down the stairs and thanked the house-elves who held open the front doors for him. He shivered as the icy air suddenly swept right through him.

"Mr. Yetao."

Hu Yetao turned to see Xiaocheng striding towards him, a winter cloak folded carefully over one arm.

"Please use this, my wife noticed that you did not have the proper attire upon your arrival and she does not wish you to get cold on your journey home."

Hu Yetao smiled, feeling a warm glow fill him as he carefully took the garment. "Thank you," he accepted gratefully. He slipped into the warm cloak and inhaled deeply. "It's Oscar's, isn't it?" he asked, recognizing the scent.

Xiaocheng nodded and Hu Yetao could've sworn he saw a flash of warm pride in his pale eyes. Xiaocheng turned and strode back towards the stairs; back straight and blond hair a smooth curtain over his shoulder-blades.

Hu Yetao smiled after him a moment, suspecting that maybe he was growing on the man. Maybe.

He grinned to himself and walked out into the night, wrapped up in the warm woolen cloak and surrounded by the scent of his mate. He was missing him. Hopefully, Oscar would be a little more receptive when he saw him and a little less controlled by his illogical Alpha emotions.

The night was clear and he could see millions of stars above the sky as he slowly walked to the end of the gravel drive and past the large Manor gates.

He took a moment to inhale the night air into his lungs, relishing the fresh crispness of the outdoors after the warm ballroom. He exhaled on a smile and then promptly Disapparated with a loud crack.

Two large men walked out from the shadows on the outskirts of the gates and followed right behind him with two violent cracks of Disapparation.