19
While Qi Wei cooked, Qi Zhao ate the small dessert he had bought for him and reviewed the first draft of the new proposal on his tablet.
He circled a few areas to remember and revise the next day.
Qi Wei glanced at Qi Zhao several times, his heart itching as he watched him sit at the island, working within his line of sight.
—Having Qi Zhao work there was the result of Qi Wei using one of his “requests,” although he had respectfully asked Qi Zhao if it was okay.
Qi Zhao had nodded and even said, “Er-ge, since it’s a request, there’s no need to ask, right?”
Qi Wei chuckled softly. “A request isn’t a command. Of course, I have to respect your wishes.”
Qi Zhao didn’t understand. Then what was the point of the “request” clause in the contract?
Qi Wei could ask him anytime if something was okay.
Qi Zhao didn’t understand, but he respected it, so he didn’t say anything more.
While eating dinner, Qi Zhao was thinking about asking Qi Wei why he liked him when he heard Qi Wei call him softly, “Ah Zhao.”
Qi Zhao looked up. “Hmm?”
Qi Wei lowered his head slightly, his carefully controlled posture softening his sharp edges. Although he wasn’t being particularly cautious, his words carried a hint of vulnerability. “My rut is approaching.”
Qi Zhao froze, the words shocking him so much that he instantly forgot what he wanted to ask.
He unconsciously pursed his lips, his grip on his chopsticks tightening. The spicy cold chicken he had just eaten, which he had thought was perfectly seasoned, now suddenly felt pungent and overwhelming.
Qi Wei originally wanted to say more, but seeing Qi Zhao’s reaction, he held back, waiting for Qi Zhao to take a bite of rice and swallow before asking, “You… you need me during your rut, right?”
Qi Wei chuckled softly. “If you’re available. It’s okay if you’re not. After all, I’ve been through my ruts alone all these years.”
He wasn’t deliberately trying to gain sympathy; he was being sincere. If Qi Zhao couldn’t be there for him, he would do as he always did, lock himself in his room, inject himself with more suppressants, or simply lock himself in the lab. He had always managed this way.
“…I…” Qi Zhao’s mind was a little muddled. He took a deep breath to calm himself before finding his train of thought.
He looked at Qi Wei seriously. “Don’t alphas need temporary markings from omegas to get through their ruts? But I’m not an omega, or even an alpha.”
Some alphas had gland problems and rejected omegas, preferring alphas, even wanting to mark alphas. Such conditions did exist.
But they all had glands and pheromones. The state didn’t recognize relationships between alphas and betas; such marriages were invalid. This was because alphas, like omegas, needed pheromones. Especially alphas. Without the regulation of other pheromones, it was like a sick person refusing medicine, their condition worsening, potentially fatal, no different from suicide.
Moreover, pheromone compatibility could cause alphas or omegas to lose control. Marriages between alphas and betas, or betas and omegas, often resulted in infidelity.
“But you’re the person I like.” Qi Wei was also serious. “Ah Zhao, you should have sensed it too. My pheromones are unstable, and my gland does have some minor issues due to the prolonged use of suppressants. But every time I’m feeling unwell, physical contact with you, or smelling your scent, makes me feel much better.”
His dark eyes stared intently at Qi Zhao. Just looking into his eyes was frightening, making one’s hair stand on end, like being targeted by a monster, a bizarre feeling of entanglement at the soul level.
But his overall demeanor was gentle, his tone soft and refined, as if he was merely discussing an ordinary academic topic. “If you’re interested, you can take a look at the research project I did in university. We believe that although alphas and omegas are attracted to each other by pheromones, emotions can influence pheromones, similar to how hormonal imbalances are related to mood.”
Qi Zhao was actually a little interested.
But the current focus wasn’t the research project, but…
“When is your rut likely to start?”
Qi Wei sighed softly. “…I can’t say for sure. My gland has some minor issues, so the timing isn’t very accurate. That’s why I usually start working from home a while in advance. You don’t have to be there for me. Qiu Ji and the others might call you, but you can ignore them if you’re busy.”
He said casually, “It’s not a big deal. But if you’re busy during that time, it’s best to stay away from home for a while. Qiu Ji and the others will arrange accommodation for you.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
But with their contract… Qi Wei truly didn’t act like a “client” or a “sugar daddy” at all.
Qi Zhao sighed inwardly and said, “We’ll talk about it then.”
Qi Wei’s eyes curved into a smile. “Okay.”
He brought this up now, not because he wanted Qi Zhao to agree immediately. Of course, it would be better if he did, but Qi Wei knew that Qi Zhao wouldn’t say, “Then I’ll be there for you.”
At least not now.
Qi Wei said casually, “Then I’ll start working from home tomorrow. I’ll be relatively free, so you can contact me anytime if you need anything.”
Qi Zhao said okay and glanced at Qi Wei again.
Qi Wei had sensed that he had something to say all day, so he asked directly, “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Qi Zhao hummed in agreement and carefully chose his words. “I just wanted to ask… why do you like me?”
Qi Wei paused, slightly surprised.
It was said that people didn’t care why someone they didn’t care about liked them. Could it be that Qi Zhao… cared about him a little?
Qi Wei’s lips curved upwards, his smile deepening, his tone light. “Ah Zhao, from your perspective, our first meeting was probably when you were seventeen.”
Qi Zhao keenly caught the information. “So, we really did meet before that?”
It couldn’t be a cliché plot where he had helped Qi Wei before he was recognized by the Qi family, right?
Qi Zhao had indeed helped a few dirty street children during that time, and he still remembered them.
“Yes.” Qi Wei nodded, but said, “Consider it a one-sided meeting. You didn’t see me.”
He used the most casual tone to describe the light that had entered his heart and that he had been chasing ever since, a light that hadn’t dimmed even a little. “It was a banquet. Qi Yuanyu and the others wanted me to experience the world, so I wouldn’t embarrass them, but they didn’t let me appear openly. I was in the car.”
Then he saw many children of similar age playing in the courtyard, Qi Zhao among them.
At the time, Qi Zhao hadn’t caught Qi Wei’s attention. Qi Wei had only felt a little envious.
He wanted to go out and play too, but he couldn’t.
He had to be obedient.
But among the group of playing children, someone started laughing and gossiping about the laughingstock of the Qi family.
At that time, Qi Wei’s alpha father was already in prison, awaiting sentencing. Qi Wei was eleven years old. Eleven-year-olds seemed grown up, but in this upper-class circle, he seemed particularly out of place. Most children his age could speak several languages, to varying degrees, and the words they used were completely foreign to him.
He was like a dull gray stone thrown into a dazzling jewelry exhibition, naturally subject to the scrutiny and comments of the jewels, mocking his drifting, pitiful life.
And Qi Zhao was the one who pulled him out of the pile of jewels.
Qi Wei was talking about something Qi Zhao remembered.
He was only nine years old at the time, but because the Qi family had made their fortune in real estate, although some people enviously called them “nouveau riche,” there were also many who eagerly sought connections with them. Especially since it was the peak of the real estate boom in Z Country.
The Qi family’s affairs were widely publicized, practically known to everyone. They, as youngsters, had naturally heard the whole story, so they inevitably talked about it.
Someone started it, but Qi Zhao didn’t participate. He didn’t even want to hear them gossip, especially since the sense of superiority in their words made him very uncomfortable.
He and a few close friends were about to leave when he suddenly heard a sentence—
“That little bastard is really lucky. He soared to the top, a pheasant turned phoenix. I heard he doesn’t even know how to use a knife and fork.”
Qi Zhao stopped abruptly, unable to pretend he hadn’t heard.
His friends saw him stop and tried to hold him back. “Brother, Brother, Brother, don’t…”
But Qi Zhao had already turned around and retorted, “What’s so great about knowing how to use a knife and fork? Using chopsticks is a symbol of our Z Country’s culinary culture. If you like foreign things so much, why don’t you ask the President to change your nationality and never set foot on Z Country’s soil again?”
The boy who had called Qi Wei a bastard opened his mouth. “You…!”
He was extremely embarrassed but couldn’t find the words to retort.
Although Qi Zhao was only nine years old at the time, his sharp tongue was unmatched among children of the same age.
But for children of this age, if they couldn’t win with words, they would resort to fists.
However, most children of this age hadn’t differentiated yet, so there wasn’t any particular advantage in a fight, which made it easier for Qi Zhao to show off his skills.
He was unbeatable among his peers, and in the end, although he was slightly injured, he managed to take down over a dozen children. The adults were shocked when they rushed over after hearing the commotion.
Fortunately, because they were all children, no one was seriously injured. It was treated as a children’s squabble, especially since Qi Zhao had complained first, saying that they were badmouthing the Qi family.
No matter how turbulent the Qi family was, as long as the giant hadn’t fallen, its deterrent effect remained. Naturally, no one dared to say that Qi Zhao was wrong for defending the Qi family’s reputation. They all apologized to Qi Yuanyu and the others first.
Qi Zhao dusted off his clothes and left nonchalantly, not even taking the matter to heart. If Qi Wei hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have even remembered it.
So he naturally didn’t know that his fight had struck a chord in Qi Wei’s heart.
Qi Wei, hiding in the car, watched Qi Zhao’s every swift and precise move, cried one last time, and then stood up.
He started eating heartily, exercising diligently, studying hard, squeezing every bit of time he had. His only form of leisure was paying attention to Qi Zhao.
At the time, because he couldn’t keep up with the academic progress, he was even a grade lower than Qi Zhao, but they were in the same school.
He often watched Qi Zhao play ball with his classmates and friends, watched him receive awards on stage, secretly watched him eat in the cafeteria…
He wanted to get to know Qi Zhao, but to him, Qi Zhao was the most precious and dazzling jewel in the pile, and even those other jewels were unworthy to be placed beside him. He, even if he were a crow who loved shiny things, wouldn’t dare to steal him away, not even dare to approach, only able to watch from afar.
He continued watching until he skipped a grade and could no longer be in the same school as Qi Zhao. He would return during holidays to see him.
When he saw Qi Zhao being confirmed as a beta, sent abroad, and then after his own differentiation, he quickly started developing his own power, he sent people to be his eyes and ears, allowing him to keep an eye on Qi Zhao, while ruthlessly purging the Qi family.
He knew the Qi family was in chaos, and he couldn’t let Qi Zhao return at this time. He had to make Qi Yuanyu and the others completely subservient to him, make everyone else in the Qi family fear him, so they wouldn’t dare to betray him, before he dared to bind Qi Zhao to his side.
He didn’t want his jewel to be scratched by anyone.
But this was something Qi Wei wouldn’t tell Qi Zhao.
Because he wanted to offer Qi Zhao a pure heart, not a dark, calculating, blood-soaked monster’s heart that reeked of decay.
“…You still remember.”
Qi Wei’s eyes curved into a smile as he ladled a bowl of bone broth for Qi Zhao. “I’m very happy.”
Of course, he was happy, because that was their first encounter, and it turned out he wasn’t the only one who remembered.
Qi Zhao hadn’t expected that just one fight, one act of defense, would create such a strong feeling that lasted until now, making Qi Wei remember it for so long.
So he coughed slightly, a little embarrassed. “I didn’t do anything much.”
He truly felt that he hadn’t done anything special. If the person being gossiped about that day wasn’t Qi Wei, but some other Wang Wei, Li Wei, or Liu Wei, he would have spoken up or even fought back just the same.
Qi Zhao knew himself very well. He was the kind of chuunibyou kid who always talked about being a hero of justice. He had even wanted to be a police officer.
Qi Wei had guessed that he would say this, so he chuckled softly. “Ah Zhao, it’s precisely because of this that, to me, it was especially…”
He paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing, carefully choosing his words, not revealing too much of his obsession and madness lest Qi Zhao notice anything unusual. “Special.”
He could sense whether Qi Zhao had ulterior motives or not. Just like how he had always known that Qi Yuanyu and the others were using him, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
It was precisely because it wasn’t a big deal to Qi Zhao, that he wouldn’t even think about this when he thought of “Qi Wei,” that he was so unique.
To Qi Wei, Qi Zhao was the person who gave him another life, the person who truly made him feel alive.
Everything he had now was because of Qi Zhao. So whatever Qi Zhao wanted, he could give him.
Qi Wei knew that Qi Zhao would be a little at a loss with this kind of thing. He wasn’t good at accepting others’ gratitude; the more sincere it was, the more he didn’t know what to do. So Qi Wei casually changed the subject. “What do you want to eat for breakfast tomorrow?”
With this question, Qi Zhao started to genuinely feel that spending his life with Qi Wei like this seemed quite good, perhaps because Qi Wei’s cooking was truly too good.
“I want to eat wontons… is that too much trouble? We can just buy some.”
“I can make them.”
Qi Wei smiled. “It’s not a problem. I’ll let you taste my wontons and see if they suit your taste.”
The way he said it, as if he would adjust his recipe if Qi Zhao wasn’t satisfied…
Qi Zhao felt it was strange, but he thought he was probably overthinking it. It was hard for him to imagine someone going to such lengths just because they liked someone. “Then okay… do you need my help?”
Qi Wei shook his head. “No.”
He said casually, “I’m also finding something to do for myself. When alphas are busy, they can ignore the effects of their glands and pheromones to a certain extent. It’s also a form of therapy.”
Qi Zhao understood somewhat. “Similar to how intervening with OCD patients involves inserting a command when they have an episode, making them perform that action to alleviate their behavior?”
Alpha behavioral studies didn’t teach this. Perhaps it varied from alpha to alpha?
Qi Zhao felt that although Qi Wei was a super S-rank, he wasn’t like the stereotypical description of higher-ranking alphas being more prone to losing control. He felt that Qi Wei’s self-control was truly… incredible.
“Something like that.” Qi Wei smiled. “So you don’t have to feel like you’re troubling me. I’m happy to have something to do, and I’m even happier to do it for you.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
Qi Wei truly seized every opportunity.
But Qi Zhao had to admit that besides making him feel a little awkward, Qi Wei’s words also gave him an indescribable sense of… pleasure? Joy? He didn’t know how to describe it, but he felt as if he had been amused, his eyes curving into a smile tinged with helplessness.
The next day, Qi Zhao indeed had wontons for breakfast, and in two different styles.
Pork wontons in soup, paired with the standard seaweed and egg drop soup, seasoned with chicken bouillon; shrimp wontons were served dry, with chili oil, which effectively masked the fishy smell of seafood… But most importantly, this was how Qi Zhao liked to eat them.
Whether it was a coincidence, or Qi Wei truly knew him that well, Qi Zhao took a small sip of the steaming seaweed and egg drop soup and glanced at Qi Wei, who was sitting opposite him.
Qi Wei still ate slowly. Qi Zhao had eaten with him so many times and had never seen him with much of an appetite, but he did eat quite a bit. At least, every time, they finished all the food on the table.
Although Qi Zhao considered himself to eat quite a bit, finishing such a large spread was still a challenge, but he estimated that Qi Wei’s appetite was similar to his.
This wasn’t normal, because generally, an alpha’s appetite was much larger than that of a beta or omega, as they needed more “energy.”
So Qi Zhao asked Qi Wei, “Er-ge, does it not suit your taste?”
Qi Wei finally received Qi Zhao’s concern. He smiled, and this time, his smile wasn’t forced or fake, but genuinely warm and heartfelt. “It’s not a big deal.”
But, ever the master of subtle manipulation, he added with a gentle smile, “Didn’t I say my gland has some minor problems? So my pheromones are always a little unstable, and because of this, I often lose my appetite.”
He stirred the wontons in his bowl. These words weren’t entirely false; he truly had a reduced appetite due to this, even…
“I eat more when I’m with you.”
Qi Wei spoke casually and gently, as if he hadn’t said anything significant. “Seeing you makes my gland and pheromones feel much more comfortable.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
Qi Wei’s words were true…
Qi Zhao’s ears instantly turned red, his grip on the porcelain spoon tightening. He felt as if he had been teased, but looking at Qi Wei’s serious expression, it seemed like his own misinterpretation…?
He must be overthinking it; Qi Wei was just stating a fact.
That’s what he thought, but he still fell silent.
Qi Wei wasn’t surprised by his silence. He lowered his head and tugged at the corner of his mouth with an indescribable expression.
It was like this again. Qi Zhao had sensed it, but he was avoiding it again.
It didn’t matter.
He had already bound him to his side; he had plenty of time to slowly pry open his shell and claim the dazzling pearl within.
After silently finishing breakfast, Qi Zhao took a sip of water to rinse his mouth and said slowly, “Then Er-ge, is there a way to solve this problem of yours?”
Qi Wei, who was about to stand up and clear the table, paused, slightly surprised. He raised an eyebrow and then tapped the gland on the side of his neck.
An alpha’s gland was located on the side of their neck, some on the left, some on the right; there was no difference, just the location. Qi Wei’s was on the right.
His casual gesture of tapping his neck was like a character animation in a dating sim, the pose and action perfectly executed.
Qi Wei lowered his hand after tapping it. “If this is fine, then everything is fine.”
So, was it because his gland wasn’t being soothed by an omega’s pheromones?
Qi Zhao paused. Before he could say anything, he heard Qi Wei chuckle softly. “But there’s no rush. It’s not a big deal, just a chronic illness. Since we’ll be seeing each other every day from now on, I can slowly regulate it and it’ll get better.”
Qi Zhao looked up.
He recalled Qi Wei’s theory about emotional therapy. He believed it to some extent, but he didn’t think it was entirely effective. Because if emotions could alleviate the problem, then alphas wouldn’t necessarily need omegas, right? But the reality was, as proven by their ancestors, alphas needed omegas, and the higher the rank, the more they needed them.
But Qi Zhao didn’t say anything more. After all, Qi Wei seemed to dislike discussing omegas with him. So he nodded. “Okay.”
Qi Wei would definitely have his annual checkup, and he would definitely go with him then and ask the doctor.
Qi Zhao stood up. “Er-ge, I’ll go change my clothes.”
“Okay.” Qi Wei cleared the table. “Go ahead. I’ll drive you to work.”
Qi Zhao didn’t refuse. “Okay.”
He went upstairs, still thinking about Qi Wei’s condition, wondering if he should ask the alpha doctor he knew abroad.
Meanwhile, a certain alpha, having cleared the table, was pleased that Qi Zhao hadn’t watched him put the dishes in the dishwasher this time.
He put his own dishes in the dishwasher and left Qi Zhao’s.
He still clearly remembered how Qi Zhao had held the small bowl and sipped the soup earlier.
Because the soup was a little hot, it had reddened his light-colored lips. His slightly parted lips revealed his teeth and a hint of pink tongue…
Qi Wei’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. His itching canine teeth bit the spoon that Qi Zhao had used.
It still carried a faint trace of Qi Zhao’s scent—
To an alpha, the taste of their beloved’s bodily fluids was unique.
This made him even more thirsty, his pheromones raging uncontrollably, like invisible knives scraping against his bones, pleading with him to possess Qi Zhao quickly.
He needed him so much. If he didn’t have him soon, he would truly die.
Qi Wei exhaled silently, his breath hot and heavy.
He slowly put the spoon and chopsticks away, then looked down at the overly obvious bulge in his pants and sighed softly.
Fortunately, there was ice in the freezer. Qi Wei leaned against the kitchen counter and crunched on half a box of ice, barely managing to suppress the heat surging through his body.
His rut… Qi Wei really wanted to use his rut, to take advantage of Qi Zhao’s soft heart, to touch him all over, but he was also afraid of losing control.
His self-control wasn’t that strong.
If it were, he wouldn’t have silently visited Qi Zhao’s bedroom balcony so many times, just to gaze at his sleeping face.
After a few more days of busy work, after the public relations department finalized the plan with them, Qi Zhao sent it to Tang Huaiyuan’s email for confirmation, which prompted Tang Huaiyuan to appear in Project Group One.
After everyone greeted him, Tang Huaiyuan gestured to Qi Zhao. “…I’ve seen your PR plan.”
Everyone else tensed up, but Qi Zhao remained calm. “Do you have any revisions?”
Tang Huaiyuan: “…Although we’re at work, don’t use honorifics with me. It feels weird.”
Qi Zhao smiled. Tang Huaiyuan continued, “Nothing else, it’s just that you…”
He sighed helplessly. “You’re still as ruthless as ever.”
Because Qi Zhao planned to release news that the land would be used to build a cemetery, not a resort.
He even planned to skip negotiating with the holdout directly. If they were building a cemetery, they could just build it around the holdout’s house. He had even drawn a simple blueprint for the PR department to publicize.
Qi Zhao said casually, “As long as it works.”
Tang Huaiyuan: “True. Then I’ll wait for him to come to us to discuss the demolition.”
He looked around and then gestured for Qi Zhao to step outside to talk.
Qi Zhao followed him to the pantry. Tang Huaiyuan lowered his voice. “Second Young Master Qi’s rut is coming soon, right?”
Qi Zhao was stunned. “…You know when his rut is?”
“His rut used to be quite regular, once every six months. I knew because he would always stop coming to the company beforehand. But now that his rut is irregular, he’ll ‘rest’ for a while in advance. I saw that he didn’t come to the company today.”
Tang Huaiyuan said with certainty, “With you here, he won’t go on any business trips.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
Even Tang Huaiyuan knew how much Qi Wei liked him?
“You’ll have to be there for him during his rut, right?”
“He told me it depends on whether I’m busy or not.”
Tang Huaiyuan: “…?”
He couldn’t help but make a complicated, indescribable expression.
Qi Zhao’s heart skipped a beat. “Is there a problem?”
Tang Huaiyuan moved his lips, unsure whether he should speak.
Qi Zhao looked at him, his brows furrowing slightly, his usually gentle expression hardening. “Tang Huaiyuan, although you have a better relationship with Qi Wei now, we were also friends once.”
“No, I…” Tang Huaiyuan hesitated for a long time. Despite vowing not to say anything, he finally sighed under Qi Zhao’s gaze. “Then don’t tell him I told you this.”
Qi Zhao: “Okay, don’t worry. I’m very discreet.”
Tang Huaiyuan carefully chose his words. “…You should know that alphas can easily get into trouble without an omega’s pheromones to regulate them, and the higher the rank, the more so.”
That’s why, although Tang Huaiyuan didn’t have a partner, he had a regular omega with a compatibility rate of over 80% to exchange temporary markings with during their ruts and heats, to “treat” each other.
“Qi Wei is a super S-rank alpha. An existence like him needs even more omega pheromones, but he hasn’t accepted any omega since his differentiation six years ago. In fact, he even rejects them now.”
Tang Huaiyuan looked at Qi Zhao with a complicated expression. “Three years ago, due to long-term injection of large amounts of strong suppressants, his pheromones became disordered and erupted, putting his life on the line. To save a super S-rank alpha, the Qi family spared no effort to find an omega with a 99% compatibility rate with him.”
“But the moment that omega released their pheromones, he smashed through the lab’s blast door. If it weren’t for the security system, he would have almost killed someone in his uncontrolled state… Not out of desire, but out of rejection. The higher the omega’s compatibility with him, the more he rejects them, to the point that they can’t even be within his line of sight, or he’ll want to kill them.”
“And during his rut, he only looked for you, only called out your name. During his most uncontrolled moments, he trashed the entire room, looking for you.”
Tang Huaiyuan knew this because his rank was relatively high, and he had a lot of dealings with the Qi family. Over the years, he had indeed been one of Qi Wei’s close friends.
Qi Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief as he listened to Tang Huaiyuan. “Later, when he finally calmed down a bit, the doctor examined him.”
Qi Zhao already understood, without needing Tang Huaiyuan to explain.
He murmured, “Psychological nesting behavior…”
Qi Wei had imprinted on him as his “nest,” only willing to return to his embrace, only willing to see him as home.
Even the impulsiveness and irritability exhibited by alphas during their ruts were because they became vulnerable during that time, not as strong as usual, and felt they were in danger.
Logically, an alpha should be able to find a sense of security with any omega, even with a compatibility rate of just 1%. The higher the compatibility, the greater the sense of security.
But Qi Wei… only felt safe with Qi Zhao.
