03
With the deal discussed, they could finally enjoy their meal.
Qi Zhao had been worried that the club would serve Western food, which he wasn’t used to, or rather, he was simply tired of it.
During his years abroad, what he missed most was the variety of food back home. It had even driven him to learn how to cook, though he was only average. He had no talent in culinary arts and could only occasionally freeload a meal at a friend’s house. This made him miss the food back home even more.
And the dishes served for this dinner were all his favorites.
Qi Zhao liked spicy food but not too much oil or salt. Capturing his taste buds required some effort. But today’s dishes—spicy chicken with just the right amount of oil and salt, black fish fillets with Sichuan pepper and pickled vegetables, prawns with chopped chili and minced garlic, and half a roast goose—made his mouth water before he even picked up his chopsticks.
As for why all the dishes were his favorites, perfectly suited to his taste, Qi Zhao didn’t need to think to know.
Qi Wei… why was he so attentive to him?
For a moment, Qi Zhao’s mind conjured up those “overpowered protagonist” novels he’d read in his youth, wondering if he had some hidden identity that made him so appealing to a big shot.
The main thing was Qi Wei… Qi Zhao sighed inwardly.
Qi Wei sat opposite him, resting his chin on his hand, picking at his food, his gaze fixed on Qi Zhao, watching him eat.
After leaving Z Country, Qi Zhao began to survive on his own in Country A and gradually became sensitive to people’s gazes. So he knew very well that Qi Wei was indeed staring at him.
Qi Zhao knew that alphas had many personality flaws: obsessive, emotionally unstable, strong possessiveness and control, and the higher the rank, the more severe these traits became.
And the higher the rank of the alpha, the more “indifferent” they were.
They were naturally like those at the top of the world’s pyramid, looking down on the lower classes.
It was also difficult for them to empathize with others.
That’s why Qi Zhao disliked alphas, yet tragically, caught in the tide of the times, he only wanted to become one.
No one didn’t desire power, especially those born and raised in the “upper class.”
The distinction between secondary genders wasn’t as strong for ordinary people, but in their circles, a beta child was a sin.
Qi Zhao had been trapped in this sin for seven years. Now, seeing Qi Wei extend a hand, offering to help him “escape punishment” and rescue his cousin, it was truly hard for him not to…
Even if the price was his body, he was still tempted.
If this body of his could be exchanged for the life he desired, it didn’t seem so bad.
Especially since Qi Wei had also said he wouldn’t mess around outside.
And Qi Wei was so handsome… he didn’t seem to be losing out on anything.
Stop thinking about it.
Qi Zhao exhaled softly in his heart.
He hadn’t had such a delicious meal in ages. Focus on eating.
And in any case, his cousin’s matter was finally resolved.
Qi Zhao began to concentrate on his food.
His eating wasn’t exactly elegant, but it wasn’t unsightly either. He always ate with large bites. Qi Zhao’s friends often said that watching him eat made them hungry.
Qi Wei, however, found Qi Zhao’s eating habits adorable.
Still the same as before, like a little hamster.
It was a pity he wasn’t one. If he were, he could have pocketed him and locked him in his room long ago.
But now… he could.
When Qi Zhao was almost finished eating and started to slow down, Qi Wei said slowly, “You don’t have much luggage, do you?”
Qi Zhao immediately understood what he meant. “…Am I moving in with you today?”
“Do you have other things to do?”
“…I was thinking of waiting until the information is changed, then going back to the Qi family to move my things.”
He might as well take some of his belongings with him.
Hopefully, they hadn’t been thrown away… Qi Mu better not have thrown them away.
Qi Wei thought for a moment.
Qi Zhao waited for him to speak, and while waiting, he drank a glass of freshly squeezed watermelon juice.
This was also one of his favorites, with a bit of crushed ice in it, sweet and delicious.
Qi Zhao took two sips and heard Qi Wei say, “Okay.”
He slowly stirred the prawns in his bowl. “I’ll arrange a driver and a car for you.”
Although Qi Zhao was a beta, he was a normal person who could read between the lines. He knew that if he refused again, Qi Wei would become upset. So Qi Zhao obediently said, “Okay, thank you.”
Qi Wei paused, then smiled faintly at him.
Qi Zhao: “…?”
There was clearly something wrong with that smile, but Qi Wei didn’t say anything.
After dinner, the man who had been with Qi Wei earlier returned.
The man tried hard not to look at Qi Zhao, but… Qi Zhao was enveloped in a strong scent of liquor. It wasn’t the smell of alcohol from being drunk, nor was it any specific type of liquor, but Qi Wei’s pheromones.
The moment you smelled it, you would think of strong liquor, as if the air itself was intoxicating. And within it, there was a hint of musk, full of oppression and aggression.
The man felt his glands involuntarily trembling, wanting to submit to Qi Wei. He didn’t dare look at Qi Zhao again.
Because…
The mark that the alpha’s pheromones, belonging to the superior, left on Qi Zhao was “mate.”
For Qiu Ji and the others, their choice to follow Qi Wei was like a low-ranking alpha submitting to the dominance of a high-ranking alpha, just like how subordinates followed their “king” in the past—this was how the social hierarchy worked. Not to mention Qiu Ji and the others, even S-rank alphas would unconsciously avert their gaze when faced with the overwhelming scent of Qi Wei’s pheromones on Qi Zhao.
Qi Wei introduced him to Qi Zhao. “Qiu Ji, he’s my life assistant, and he’ll be yours too. His rank isn’t high, just a D-rank alpha. You can ask him to do anything.”
Qi Zhao nodded at Qiu Ji, and Qiu Ji said in a low voice, “Boss.”
He was addressing Qi Zhao, so Qi Zhao paused.
Looking at Qi Wei again… it was most likely Qi Wei’s instruction, so Qi Zhao didn’t say anything.
Qiu Ji brought the contract with him. Before he opened it and handed it to Qi Zhao, Qi Wei said, “This is the contract between us. Read it carefully before signing… You should know that signing this with me, whether or not national law allows the union of alphas and betas, is valid.”
Because Qi Wei was a super S-rank alpha, he had too many privileges.
Qi Zhao hummed in agreement. But as he took the contract, Qi Wei seemed to remember something and said softly, “Oh,” looking at Qiu Ji. “Add another clause.”
Qiu Ji lowered his head. Qi Wei smiled at Qi Zhao, still with that casual posture, but clearly targeting someone. “‘Qi Zhao is not allowed to say polite words like ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ to Qi Wei.'”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He sighed softly, but for some reason, the heavy atmosphere lightened a little. “I understand.”
He understood, but this clause was still added to the contract. However, Qi Wei added, “If he does say them… there should be some kind of punishment, right?”
Qi Zhao didn’t mind. “What do you want to add?”
Qi Wei thought for a moment, tapping his finger lightly on the back of his hand. “For every time he says them… he has to grant me one request.”
Qi Zhao: “?”
He didn’t really understand why this clause needed to be added, because he felt his understanding of their transaction was already very clear. He gave himself to Qi Wei, and Qi Wei gave him the status and identity he needed, helping him rescue his cousin… He was already giving himself to Qi Wei, so what else wouldn’t he agree to?
Qi Wei didn’t look like he was going to sell him off, nor did he look like he would humiliate him.
But Qi Wei was the boss, and the boss had the final say, so he didn’t say anything.
After the new content was added, they moved from the open-air balcony to the indoors.
Qi Zhao carefully reviewed the contract.
The terms of the contract were almost entirely beneficial to him.
Qi Wei had written it very clearly: as long as Qi Zhao wanted it, apart from dissolving their relationship, Qi Wei would give him anything, even the Qi family.
When Qi Zhao saw this, he inhaled silently, wanting to curse Qi Wei on behalf of Qi Wei’s grandfather for being hopelessly lovestruck.
But then he thought, before differentiation, Qi Wei’s status in the family was incredibly awkward… The Qi family was probably just a tool to him.
Putting himself in Qi Wei’s shoes, although he didn’t understand why Qi Wei liked him so much, he could understand Qi Wei’s willingness to trade everything he had for what he loved.
It’s just…
Qi Zhao scanned down, mentally reciting the clauses that applied to him.
[1. During the contract period, Qi Zhao shall not have unnecessary physical contact with any other person, regardless of their primary or secondary gender;
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During the contract period, Qi Zhao shall not commit emotional or physical infidelity;
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During the contract period, Qi Zhao shall not use polite words such as “thank you” and “sorry.”]
That was it.
Qi Zhao was slightly stunned.
There was nothing about “not being able to refuse intimate contact”?
He looked at Qi Wei, who was still sitting opposite him, across the small coffee table, leaning back on the sofa in a relaxed posture, seemingly casual, yet focused on him.
Qi Zhao lowered his head. Further down was [Contract duration: Until the end of both parties’ lives].
Bound for a lifetime… he didn’t mind. For so many years, he hadn’t had any romantic feelings for any man or woman, alpha, beta, or omega. So Qi Zhao didn’t care who he spent his life with, only what he needed now.
Whether he would regret it in the future, Qi Zhao didn’t know. He only knew—
He was fed up with this life.
His father’s countless pronouncements on the nature of betas were vivid in his mind, as well as being mocked and looked down upon for being a beta, and even being eliminated by alphas who were less capable than him… Qi Zhao picked up the pen and signed the contract without hesitation.
Three copies, with one going to a lawyer.
After Qi Zhao finished signing, Qiu Ji took the contract and brought over a vacuum blood collection tube.
Qi Wei didn’t ask Qi Zhao to come over, but stood up himself. Qiu Ji immediately moved a chair next to Qi Zhao, also behind Qi Wei.
Qi Wei sat down and gestured to Qi Zhao. “Changing your information requires a blood sample.”
Qi Zhao didn’t quite understand why, but he didn’t bother to ask, simply extending his arm and rolling up his sleeve.
The temperature difference was significant in Kyoto, so Qi Zhao had worn long sleeves that evening.
With his sleeve rolled up, his slightly toned forearm was visible, the muscles firm and smooth, and his skin fair, making it look particularly attractive.
Qi Wei paused noticeably.
Qi Zhao was still thinking, “…Are you drawing my blood?”
“Don’t worry.” Qi Wei held the syringe, staring intently at the patch of white skin, his voice almost drifting off.
Qiu Ji sensed the uncontrolled agitation in his pheromones and silently took a few steps back.
Over the years, Qi Wei had relied on suppressants, injection after injection. His rank was too high; sometimes, even a dozen injections couldn’t suppress it. So his ruts were always torturous, and he was prone to losing control even on ordinary days.
Those around him were already used to it.
The times he lost control most frequently were when he heard news about Qi Zhao, or saw photos or videos of him… So no one around him didn’t know Qi Zhao.
Because they all knew one thing—whether the boss’s mood was sunny or stormy depended entirely on the state of Qi Zhao in the photos they received that day.
Qi Wei skillfully tied the tourniquet, wiping with a cotton swab as he said slowly, “My second major in university was medicine, and I also pursued related research.”
Qi Zhao knew this; it had been in the news.
But by then, Qi Wei had already differentiated. There were rumors that he studied medicine because there was something wrong with his super S-rank. Some said it was because his rank was too high and affected his life, others said it was because he had originally used drugs to become a super S-rank alpha, so it was unstable… In any case, there were various theories.
Qi Zhao was also curious, but he didn’t ask Qi Wei why he studied it.
Qi Wei held the needle and slowly circled Qi Zhao’s wrist.
The moment he touched Qi Zhao, his heart skipped a beat.
Truly, without exaggeration.
It felt like the person he had longed for, for seven years or even more, had finally fallen into his hands. How could he not tremble?
He steadied himself before inserting the needle precisely into the vein.
Qi Zhao wasn’t afraid of pain, so he watched his blood flow into the tube, thinking that alpha and beta blood were the same color, so why was there a distinction between alphas and betas?
After drawing the blood, Qi Wei pressed the cotton swab against the puncture site.
Qi Zhao moved his hand, and seeing that Qi Wei had no intention of giving him the cotton swab, he put his hand back down.
Even though Qi Wei knew Qi Zhao wasn’t afraid of pain, he couldn’t help but ask, “Does it hurt?”
Qi Zhao paused. “…I’m not afraid of pain.”
He knew that alpha physiology classes taught how to care for and comfort omegas, so he told Qi Wei, “I’m a beta.”
Not an omega.
Qi Wei tightened his grip on Qi Zhao’s wrist and sighed softly. “Ah Zhao, you’re a person.”
He lifted his eyelids and looked directly at Qi Zhao. “Omegas are people, betas are people too. Anyone can be afraid of pain, and anyone can be cared for.”
