But I’m Just a Beta 33

T/N: Fixed the previous chapter, which was mistakenly a repeat of Chapter 29. Thank you to the reader who pointed out the error in the comments! 🙂

33

The private kitchen Qi Wei mentioned wasn’t just any private kitchen.

It was members-only, and not just anyone could become a member.

Since it had only opened two years ago, Qi Zhao hadn’t tried it before.

The restaurant was designed in an antique style. Although it wasn’t very large, the pavilions, waterside corridors, and rock gardens were all tastefully arranged. Even the lights were antique stone lanterns, although they used light bulbs that mimicked candlelight instead of actual oil lamps or candles. If you didn’t look closely, they seemed quite real.

“…The renovations alone must have cost a fortune.”

If someone else had said this, it might have sounded a bit tacky, focusing on the cost rather than the beautiful scenery. But Qi Wei and Qi Zhao had common ground in this regard. “Yes, how else could they attract those ‘upper-class’ people who like to show off their refined taste with money?”

Qi Zhao thought about it and agreed. “After all, limited editions are specifically designed to stimulate the spending of the wealthy.”

Many capitalists knew this, as they were the ones who invented it, but to flaunt their status, they were willing to be trapped in this vicious cycle.

“But the chef here, although his other dishes are average, his seafood hot pot is truly exceptional. You’ll like it.”

Otherwise, Qi Wei wouldn’t have brought Qi Zhao here for a showy, but ultimately superficial, meal… He knew Qi Zhao wouldn’t like that.

As they entered the private room, Qi Zhao glanced at the screen, and Qi Wei asked, “Do you like it?”

Qi Zhao looked away and smiled. “The way you said that, it sounds like you’ll buy it for me if I say yes.”

“I could.”

Qi Wei casually touched the screen, his fingers brushing against the small ink painting of a boat, his eyes unreadable for a moment, but the smile on his lips remained unchanged. “If you want to take it home.”

Qi Wei’s home decor was also antique-style. This screen wouldn’t look out of place in his study or elsewhere. It was mainly black and white, with red accents, creating a unique atmosphere.

The painting depicted a landscape, with two riverbanks and a river. A small boat sailed on the river, but there was no one on board, as if it were drifting with the wind and waves, yet judging by the current, it was sailing upstream.

Although there was no inscription, Qi Zhao found the painting beautiful.

“Forget it,” Qi Zhao smiled. “I’m not a child. I don’t have to possess everything I like. It’s better for it to stay here, so we can admire it whenever we come to eat at this restaurant.”

Qi Wei considered it and didn’t insist, but he planned to tell Qiu Ji to buy it anyway and ask the restaurant to keep it, ensuring Qi Zhao could see it whenever he came.

Because they had made reservations in advance, a large pot of seafood hot pot was served shortly after they sat down.

It was spicy, and even before tasting it, Qi Zhao could smell the tantalizing aroma.

The presentation was also beautiful, so Qi Zhao took a picture. He didn’t notice that he had captured a bit of Qi Wei, sitting opposite him, in the photo, just his hand and a bit of his clothing.

Qi Wei was also dressed casually today, in an outfit similar to Qi Zhao’s. The watch on his wrist was also the same brand as Qi Zhao’s.

Qi Zhao’s watch wasn’t expensive, and it was a women’s watch, An Xinzhi’s.

He had found it while sorting through his grandparents’ belongings. Because it was quite old, the style was a bit outdated. Those who didn’t know wouldn’t realize it was a women’s watch, as it looked quite elegant.

As for its value… it was now discontinued, so it would be quite valuable to collectors, but compared to new watches, it lacked some “luster.”

It was one of An Xinzhi’s relics, but Qi Zhao didn’t intend to keep it locked away in a safe. An Xinzhi had often told him not to be extravagant.

A watch wouldn’t work if it wasn’t worn, and leaving it unused would require maintenance, so it was better to wear it.

He wasn’t going to spend tens of thousands on a new watch just to elevate his status.

But Qi Wei’s watch…

When Qi Zhao posted the photo, he noticed that Qi Wei’s watch was very similar to his. When it was first released, the official website described it as an upgraded version of his model. The two watches were very alike.

…They looked like couple watches.

It must be a coincidence… right?

Qi Zhao silently put away his phone. Qi Wei had already peeled a shrimp for him and placed it on a small plate, pushing it towards him. “See if it suits your taste. You can ask them to adjust the sauce if you want.”

Qi Zhao picked up his chopsticks without being polite. “Okay.”

He took a bite. The tenderness of the shrimp and the spicy sauce were perfect, so delicious that his mouth watered.

He chewed on the shrimp and gave Qi Wei a thumbs-up. Qi Wei smiled and continued peeling shrimp and crab for him, even scooping out the meat from shellfish.

Before Qi Zhao could tell him to eat something himself, Qi Wei peeled a shrimp for himself, so Qi Zhao didn’t say anything.

During this meal, Qi Zhao enjoyed the royal treatment. His hands remained clean. Qi Wei was considerate, peeling a few things for him, then eating some himself. With squid and other dishes, Qi Zhao’s mouth didn’t stop moving, but he didn’t eat too quickly.

The after-dinner fruit was iced watermelon, chilled with ice for a refreshing taste.

Qi Zhao and Qi Wei opened the door to the balcony, took out small chairs, sat with their backs against the air conditioning unit, and ate watermelon while enjoying the scenery and listening to the cicadas.

Qi Wei held Qi Zhao’s hand, then lowered his head and sniffed the back of his hand.

Qi Zhao paused slightly.

He had thought Qi Wei was going to kiss it.

But that wasn’t the point. The point was that his first reaction wasn’t to pull his hand away, but… no reaction at all.

How strange.

Whether it was the atmosphere or the mood, Qi Zhao felt as if he was truly in a relationship with Qi Wei, as if he had agreed to be with him a long time ago. So they were having a casual dinner together after work, and since it wasn’t too late, they found a place to enjoy the scenery and have some after-dinner fruit.

It was simple and peaceful, but… Qi Zhao’s heart felt at ease.

He liked this feeling.

It reminded him of the afternoons when An Xinzhi was still alive, when he would sit in the courtyard with her, and she would push him on the swing or teach him foreign languages.

—An Xinzhi had majored in languages and could speak six fluently. She could also converse in two other languages, although not fluently.

Qi Zhao’s ability to speak eight languages fluently was thanks to his mother.

So when Qi Wei sniffed the back of his hand, Qi Zhao just paused, not stiffening, but instead, remembering those blurred childhood memories, his eyes softened with an unconscious gentleness. “What do you smell?”

“…No perfume.”

Qi Wei looked up, his Adam’s apple bobbing, his voice unconsciously hoarse. “Ah Zhao’s scent is very pleasant.”

Qi Zhao couldn’t remain relaxed now. His ears felt slightly hot, and he coughed lightly. Before he could say anything, Qi Wei leaned closer.

He interlaced his fingers with Qi Zhao’s, the watch straps clinking together.

Qi Wei placed his other hand on the back of Qi Zhao’s chair, half-encircling him without actually hugging him, just lowering his head, burying his face in the crook of his neck, and inhaling deeply. “But you smell of seafood hot pot.”

Qi Zhao stiffened slightly, then was amused by his words, unconsciously asking a rather suggestive question, “Don’t you like it anymore?”

“No.” But Qi Wei immediately noticed this “progress.” He smiled slightly and closed his eyes, wishing time would stop at this moment.

This was enough. Even without further intimate contact, at this moment, he and Qi Zhao truly seemed like a couple.

Qi Wei murmured, “It makes me want to bite you.”

Qi Zhao: “…”

He raised his hand, placed his palm on Qi Wei’s shoulder, and pushed him slightly. Qi Wei didn’t resist, so he was easily pushed back. “Are you a vampire?”

Qi Wei’s pheromones were relatively stable now, so he wouldn’t be triggered by Qi Zhao’s actions. He smiled. “What if I were?”

Qi Zhao had only said it casually to alleviate the suggestive undertone of Qi Wei’s previous words, but he hadn’t expected Qi Wei to seriously discuss it with him.

So after two seconds of silence, he replied without hesitation, “Then, of course, I would hand you over to the state.”

Qi Wei hissed softly, then leaned against Qi Zhao, using his words as an excuse. “Ah Zhao, you’re so heartless.”

Qi Zhao looked at Qi Wei, who was leaning against him, and said helplessly, “You’re a vampire who wants to eat me. Shouldn’t I hand you over to the state instead of letting you eat me?”

Qi Wei seemed to consider it for a moment, his hand sliding down from the back of the chair to Qi Zhao’s waist. “You’re right.”

Qi Zhao noticed Qi Wei’s actions, but he didn’t understand.

Qi Wei could hug him if he wanted to; why make it so… strange?

Qi Zhao couldn’t understand, but he didn’t ask. His hand, which he didn’t know where to put, unconsciously landed on Qi Wei’s back, and he took the opportunity to discuss “business” while the alpha was in a good mood. “I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

Qi Wei paused. He knew Qi Zhao didn’t realize the suggestive undertone of his words, so he smiled but didn’t point it out. “I know, you have work tomorrow.”

He closed his eyes and said softly, “I’ve booked the room next to yours. You can find me if you need anything.”

“Aren’t you sleeping tonight?”

“No, I have some important matters to attend to.”

Although he knew that alphas could go without sleep for days without any problems, Qi Zhao still felt a pang of sympathy. “Qi Wei, you’re not postponing your work until tonight just because you want to be with me, are you?”

It wasn’t that Qi Zhao was being narcissistic; he genuinely thought Qi Wei would do that.

Qi Wei didn’t even blink. “I know you don’t like that. No, I’m not.”

He hugged Qi Zhao tighter, suppressing the urge to pull him onto his lap, and lowered his voice. “It’s something from abroad. Because of the time difference, I won’t receive the emails until late. I have to inspect the company tomorrow and might not have time to read them.”

“Ah Zhao,” he said softly, reassuring him, “I’ve been sleeping these past few nights. It’s okay if I don’t sleep tonight.”

If he dared to say it, Qi Zhao dared to believe it.

Qi Zhao nodded. “That’s good.”

Qi Wei’s lips curved upwards, and he nuzzled Qi Zhao’s neck again, his coarse hair tickling Qi Zhao, making him tense up. Qi Wei murmured, “I’m so happy.”

“…What?”

Qi Zhao didn’t understand at first.

Qi Wei smiled and said, “Ah Zhao, you’re concerned about me, you’re worried about me, right?”

Before Qi Zhao could say anything, Qi Wei tightened his grip on his waist. “I’m really happy.”

Because only Qi Zhao would genuinely care about his well-being, without any ulterior motives.