10
Qi Wei led Qi Zhao on a tour of the entire villa, meticulously introducing everything down to the types of coffee beans.
Qi Zhao didn’t find it tedious; he listened to Qi Wei speak slowly. Objectively, Qi Wei’s voice was truly pleasant. An alpha’s voice, upon differentiation, would be distinctly different from that of a beta or omega. As a top-ranking alpha, Qi Wei’s voice was naturally “top-tier” as well.
His deep, husky voice, with a hint of magnetism, was like a high-quality record, exuding a sense of luxury without any deliberate effort, like a voice actor you couldn’t afford.
So Qi Zhao always felt that listening to him speak was a pleasure, regardless of his tone or manner.
Qi Wei frequently appeared on television and at press conferences. Qi Zhao, needing to keep up with business news, inevitably saw his videos.
Therefore, Qi Zhao couldn’t help but joke inwardly that he was actually quite “familiar” with Qi Wei.
As familiar as everyone else in the financial world.
The last place Qi Wei introduced was the kitchen. After the introduction, he naturally asked Qi Zhao, “What do you want to eat for lunch?”
Qi Zhao was a little surprised. “You can cook?”
“Alphas have cooking classes.”
Qi Wei tilted his head and smiled. “Although a perfect score isn’t required, successive Presidents have believed that a good alpha should also be able to put on an apron at home and cook for their loved ones.”
The original words were probably “cook for their omegas.”
Qi Zhao guessed that Qi Wei had changed it casually.
His heart felt even warmer. “I’ll help you out.”
Qi Wei sighed softly. “Ah Zhao.”
He was still holding his hand. Even though his body temperature was so high that Qi Zhao’s hand was sweating slightly from the heat, he still couldn’t bear to let go.
Qi Wei deliberately rubbed his thumb against the back of Qi Zhao’s hand, as if he was playing with a precious and valuable jewel. He curled his lips slightly, his deep eyes filled with endless tenderness and many other indescribable emotions as he looked at Qi Zhao. “You have to give me a chance to show off, right?”
Qi Zhao’s heart skipped a beat at his expression, his gaze, and his words.
In his memory, only his mother had looked at him like that.
But within Qi Wei’s gaze, which resembled his mother’s, there were other emotions hidden, or perhaps not hidden, just that Qi Zhao didn’t understand what they were.
But even so, it was enough to make Qi Zhao…
“Okay.”
Qi Zhao nodded, going along with Qi Wei. “Anything but Western food is fine.”
He was truly tired of it.
Qi Wei smiled. “Alright, then I’ll see what I can make.”
The timing was just right; it was time to start preparing lunch.
Qi Wei rubbed the back of Qi Zhao’s hand again and finally let go slowly. “Go sit at the island and wait for me, okay?”
Qi Zhao had no objections.
So he sat down at the island and watched Qi Wei take out ingredients from the refrigerator. Qi Zhao had cooked before, although the results weren’t quite to his liking, he wasn’t a young master who didn’t know the difference between grains. He recognized the meat and vegetables; they were all his favorites.
…To be honest, Qi Zhao was a bit of a picky eater.
It was only because he had been abroad for seven years, his taste buds dulled to the point of madness, that he had corrected this habit. But if he had a choice, he would still choose what he liked and wouldn’t touch anything he disliked.
Qi Zhao couldn’t quite describe his feelings. If he had to say something, there was certainly a sense of wonder and gratitude.
Qi Wei… Qi Wei’s actions had unknowingly given him back a lot of confidence, making him realize that even if he was just a beta, it didn’t matter.
He could still be seen.
Qi Zhao lowered his head and glanced at his phone, which had buzzed earlier.
It was a message from Hua Tang. He replied with congratulations, saying that when he returned to Z Country, Qi Zhao would have to treat him to a celebratory meal. Qi Zhao’s eyes curved slightly. Because he was in a good mood, he replied with a few more sentences, which prompted a seemingly casual question from Qi Wei not far away, “Are you messaging a friend?”
Qi Zhao paused. The theoretical knowledge of how strong an alpha’s possessiveness could be instantly surfaced in his mind. Qi Zhao replied calmly, “Yes.”
He told Qi Wei, “A beta friend I met in Country A. His name is Hua Tang, and he’s attracted to women who are betas.” In Country A, he had helped me a lot.
Because Hua Tang had lived in Country A since he was young, he was more familiar with the country than Qi Zhao. It was thanks to Hua Tang that Qi Zhao was able to gain a foothold in Country A.
Of course, Qi Wei knew about Hua Tang.
Hua Tang wasn’t someone he had arranged, so he had considered finding a way to get him away from Qi Zhao. After all, he wasn’t one of his people, and his interactions with Qi Zhao might lack some boundaries. Even though Qi Wei wasn’t sure if Qi Zhao was attracted to men, he still didn’t want any unexpected complications.
But… Qi Zhao still needed friends.
So Qi Wei kept Hua Tang around. Besides, some things could be done through Hua Tang to help Qi Zhao, which would make it less likely for his involvement to be exposed.
Now, hearing Qi Zhao say this, Qi Wei curled his lips slightly, suppressing his jealousy, and asked Qi Zhao with a light smile, “Ah Zhao, are you afraid I’ll misunderstand?”
Qi Zhao looked at Qi Wei, who was standing not far away, looking at him, and thought, was this the advantage of being an alpha? Even wearing an apron and standing in the kitchen, he still looked like he belonged in a magazine. He answered honestly, “I’m worried you’ll be unhappy.”
This wasn’t a lie; Qi Zhao was indeed worried that Qi Wei would be unhappy.
Alphas were greatly affected by pheromones. An alpha like Qi Wei, without an omega, could be described as a moody tyrant. So Qi Zhao found Qi Wei’s current state somewhat miraculous.
Qi Wei was already much more stable than he had expected.
Qi Wei knew exactly what Qi Zhao was worried about, but he was willing to deceive himself, his smile deepening. “As long as you tell me, I won’t misunderstand, and I won’t be jealous.”
Qi Zhao paused, feeling that Qi Wei was hinting at something, but telling Qi Wei about his friends didn’t seem like a big deal. After all, his life was destined to be tied to Qi Wei’s. Qi Wei would eventually find out, and Qi Wei wasn’t forbidding him from interacting with his friends. “Okay.”
Seeing Qi Zhao nod, Qi Wei’s heart couldn’t help but race.
He had felt for a long time that Qi Zhao was very “obedient.”
Back then, before he differentiated into an alpha, he felt that Qi Zhao wasn’t quite like an alpha, because Qi Zhao was very obedient to his family’s arrangements. He didn’t have the “vices” of an alpha. But he wasn’t as delicate as an omega, and he was also different from most other mediocre betas…
In Qi Wei’s eyes, Qi Zhao was the most special one.
Whether it was his appearance or his personality… his entire being, whenever he appeared, would always capture Qi Wei’s attention.
Like a moth to a flame.
But even though he knew that if he asked, Qi Zhao would most likely agree, he still felt a sense of unreality.
As if the Qi Zhao sitting at the island was a figment of his imagination, like a bubble that would burst with a single touch.
So Qi Wei moved, taking two steps towards Qi Zhao.
He was tall, and with a few steps, he was very close to Qi Zhao. Because of the lighting, his long shadow stretched out, partially covering Qi Zhao.
Qi Zhao looked up, puzzled. “?”
Qi Wei’s fingertips curled slightly, but ultimately, he didn’t do anything. “It’s nothing.”
He turned his head slightly, hiding his expression, and continued cooking. “It’s fine.”
He said it again, not knowing whether he was talking to himself or to Qi Zhao.
An illusion, then let it be an illusion.
It was better than only being able to look at photos. If it burst, it would disappear, so it was better to remain immersed in it.
If it was an abyssal swamp with Qi Zhao in it, he was willing to drown.
His words made it difficult for Qi Zhao to ask further.
After replying to Hua Tang with a few more messages, Hua Tang had to go to work, so Qi Zhao put down his phone.
He wasn’t addicted to his phone; he preferred old things to new technology.
So he especially loved physical books and manuscripts. He also liked playing records. In his free time, he would go to antique warehouses and wander through old streets and alleys… Qi Zhao liked that feeling; it calmed his heart.
With nothing else to do, Qi Zhao could only watch Qi Wei cook.
Honestly, it was quite interesting. Mainly because the person was good-looking, and Qi Wei wasn’t clumsy in the kitchen. On the contrary, he seemed at ease, making Qi Zhao sigh inwardly.
Was there anything an alpha couldn’t do well?
Qi Wei could naturally feel Qi Zhao’s gaze on him. He curled his lips slightly, not feeling nervous, but rather pleased, his movements becoming even more elegant.
Like a peacock about to display its feathers, trying to attract the attention of its mate.
The dishes Qi Wei made were all Qi Zhao’s favorites: spicy chicken, winter melon and pork rib soup, stir-fried kelp, sweet and sour pork ribs, steamed fish, and a plate of shredded carrots.
There wasn’t any elaborate plating, but just looking at them made one’s mouth water.
Qi Zhao took the chopsticks Qi Wei handed him, unaware that the wicked alpha had discreetly coated them with his pheromones. He thanked him and, under Qi Wei’s expectant gaze, took a bite of the sweet and sour pork ribs.
“Mmm.”
Qi Zhao said sincerely, “It’s delicious.”
Perhaps because Qi Wei had joked with him a few times, Qi Zhao unconsciously relaxed and even teased Qi Wei back, “Er-ge, I think you cook better than the chefs at five-star hotels.”
Seeing that he genuinely liked it, Qi Wei’s smile deepened. He held his chopsticks, watching Qi Zhao lower his head and continue eating. Even though he hadn’t eaten anything himself, he felt as if his empty stomach, which felt like a bottomless pit, was finally filled.
Of course, Qi Zhao would find it more delicious than food made by five-star chefs.
After all, chefs had their own techniques, but his cooking was entirely tailored to Qi Zhao’s preferences.
Which dishes should be saltier, which dishes should be spicier, how certain dishes should be prepared, what seasonings should be added to which soups… all according to Qi Zhao’s taste.
Qi Zhao was particular about his food; he knew that.
So… if he got used to his cooking, would he become inseparable from him?
