37
Having successfully secured permission to enter Qi Zhao’s room that evening, Qi Wei truly came to give him a massage.
He even bought essential oils. Perhaps because of his “special” status, when he asked Qi Zhao to lie face down, Qi Zhao’s scalp tingled, and his body stiffened involuntarily.
And at this very moment, he heard Qi Wei ask, “Should I use essential oils?”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He looked at the unopened bottle of essential oil in Qi Wei’s hand and paused.
Perhaps because of the subtle changes in their relationship over the past few days, Qi Zhao didn’t keep his thoughts to himself but spoke directly. “Second Young Master Qi, you’re truly a remarkable capitalist.”
Qi Wei paused slightly, understanding what Qi Zhao meant, and chuckled. “Ah Zhao, you have a way with words, even when insulting someone.”
Qi Zhao: “?”
He felt a little wronged. “I wasn’t insulting you.”
Qi Wei put down the essential oil. He was intelligent and naturally understood that Qi Zhao’s words were a rejection, a hint that he had seen through his scheme. “Yes, you were just saying I’m unscrupulous.”
Qi Zhao said sincerely, “Glad you understand.”
Qi Wei approached him, sat on the edge of the bed, placed his hand on Qi Zhao’s shoulder, and said slowly, “But Ah Zhao, can’t I ask for a small reward?”
Qi Zhao thought about it.
If it were anyone else, he would have said, “You were the one who offered to give me a massage,” or “If you can do it, do it; if not, get lost.”
—He was truly that casual with his friends.
But with Qi Wei… Qi Zhao couldn’t say he was being cautious; it was just different.
And he didn’t know why. Perhaps it was because the alpha, after a long day at work, was still willing to give him a massage to soothe his sore and stiff muscles; perhaps it was because Qi Wei had done many things today that softened his heart; or perhaps there was no specific reason.
In any case, Qi Zhao asked, “Do you have another international conference call tonight?”
Qi Wei paused, his hand on Qi Zhao’s shoulder tightening slightly, his body leaning closer involuntarily.
His shadow covered most of Qi Zhao, blocking the dazzling light above.
A halo of light emanated from his outline, making the already eye-catching alpha even more mesmerizing.
Qi Zhao realized that his words could easily be misinterpreted, so he quickly added, “I mean, like before, at home.”
Only hugging, nothing else.
But he didn’t know that this was already enough for Qi Wei.
Especially Qi Zhao saying “at home.”
Qi Wei’s lips curved upwards. He lowered his head and touched Qi Zhao’s shoulder with his forehead, as if replacing a kiss, and said softly, “Okay.”
He sat up, placing both hands on Qi Zhao’s shoulders, and said with a smile, “Masseur number 001 at your service. Mr. Qi, where do you usually feel discomfort?”
Qi Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, amused by his words. “My shoulders and neck.”
His workload had been heavy these past few days, his shoulders sore from typing, his neck stiff from looking down at documents. He didn’t feel any particular discomfort elsewhere, probably because he exercised regularly.
Qi Zhao was quite satisfied with his physique.
Of course, if he could switch bodies with Qi Wei, he would be even happier.
An alpha’s genes were superior. Qi Wei’s muscle density far surpassed that of ordinary people. That truly steel-like body, that strength…
Qi Zhao had the privilege of experiencing Qi Wei effortlessly lifting him with one hand.
He weighed over 130 pounds!
Qi Wei carefully massaged Qi Zhao’s shoulders. He held back his strength until Qi Zhao told him he could use more force.
Qi Wei’s technique was truly excellent. Qi Zhao felt his sleepiness creeping in and couldn’t help but murmur, “Did you learn this?”
“Yes.”
Qi Wei never hid anything in this regard, his tone casual, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I learned it for you.”
Qi Zhao was stunned. “…What?”
Qi Wei said matter-of-factly, “You used to love getting massages, once a week. After I started university, I specifically learned it, thinking that if I had the chance, I could give you a massage.”
At the time, Qi Wei hadn’t differentiated yet, his mind filled with thoughts of becoming Qi Zhao’s assistant.
If he became Qi Zhao’s assistant, when Qi Zhao was busy with work and his body ached, he would ask him for a massage, right?
He would be able to work by Qi Zhao’s side because of this, right?
And…
He could also have physical contact with Qi Zhao because of this.
If he could massage Qi Zhao’s waist, or even his legs…
Just thinking about it made Qi Wei’s arousal stir, his pheromones restlessly clinging to Qi Zhao.
Fortunately, and unfortunately, Qi Zhao was a beta.
Qi Zhao’s mind was a little muddled, the burning heat from Qi Wei’s palms seeping through the thin fabric, as if a fire was being lit inside his head, threatening to turn his brain into mush.
He took a moment to process it before asking, “…You learned this before you differentiated?”
Qi Wei hummed in agreement, but knowing what Qi Zhao meant, he explained in more detail, “I learned it before differentiating, but I only ‘mastered’ it after.”
And without needing Qi Zhao to say or ask anything more, Qi Wei added, “Ah Zhao, if you want, I can draft a contract right now, transferring all my assets to you, and announce you as the new CEO at the board meeting tomorrow.”
He said softly, “I’ve told you, I don’t care about these things.”
He wasn’t surprised that Qi Zhao seemed to “forget” even after hearing him say those words.
People who grew up in their environment didn’t dare to fully trust even written contracts; only actions could prove…
Thinking of this, Qi Wei said thoughtfully, “Or I can draft a contract now and inform them to hold the board meeting tonight.”
He was truly about to do it, startling Qi Zhao, who was already in shock. He sat up abruptly and, afraid of being too late, hugged Qi Wei’s waist. “Don’t!”
Qi Wei paused and looked down at Qi Zhao’s stunned expression.
He was being completely serious. “Ah Zhao, I truly don’t care.”
Whether it was public opinion, criticism, or wealth and status… he didn’t care.
Qi Wei raised his hand, wrapped his arm around Qi Zhao’s shoulders, and pulled him up, their eyes meeting. “I only want you.”
He could say it as many times as Qi Zhao needed to hear it; he was even happy to say it.
He only wanted Qi Zhao, because to him, Qi Zhao was his whole world.
“Ah Zhao.”
Qi Wei lowered his head, wrapped his arms around Qi Zhao’s waist, rested his head on his shoulder, and asked softly, “What do you think of me?”
Did he still think he was crazy, like seven years ago?
Or did he think he was a lying capitalist now?
Or did he think he was just obsessively pursuing him, not genuinely liking him?
Qi Zhao’s eyelashes fluttered, unsure what to say.
Qi Wei murmured, “Ah Zhao, tell me, okay?”
Let him know what he should do to appear “normal” in Qi Zhao’s eyes.
Qi Zhao sighed softly. “…I…”
He started to speak, but the words caught in his throat.
In the end, it became just a simple, “Sorry.”
Qi Wei wasn’t surprised. He smiled faintly, his lips curving up, and gently patted Qi Zhao’s back, his tone soft and gentle. “It’s okay, Ah Zhao, it’s okay.”
He repeated it twice, not knowing whether he was saying it to Qi Zhao, to himself, or both. “I was too hasty. It’s okay, we’ll take it slow.”
The alpha suppressed the raging, violent impulses within him, the urge to flip Qi Zhao over and pin him down, to use the most extreme methods to break him open. But his voice was still hoarse and rough. “We have plenty of time, right?”
Hearing this, Qi Zhao knew that his avoidance was making Qi Wei feel insecure again, needing reassurance.
So he pursed his lips slightly, the guilt deepening.
He shouldn’t treat Qi Wei like this. Qi Wei was so sincere, yet he was wavering because of his own past experiences.
He was such a mess.
“…Yes.”
Qi Zhao tried to hug Qi Wei back, taking the initiative to say, “We still have a lot of time.”
Perhaps because the alpha was overly perceptive and sensed his emotions, Qi Wei said, “Ah Zhao, you’ve already done a lot. It’s enough for me, but I’m just too greedy.”
He continued slowly, “Look, you’re already starting to believe that I truly like you, and you’re hugging me back, you’re even willing to sleep with me. You don’t react strongly when I hold your hand or hug you, and you don’t reject me anymore.”
As he spoke, he also comforted himself. “It’s only been this long, and I can already do so much with you.”
He smiled. “Maybe I can kiss you next week.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
The slightly stiff and awkward atmosphere was instantly shattered by his words.
Qi Zhao’s fingertips curled involuntarily, amused yet also embarrassed. “Why are you always thinking about…”
…kissing him.
“Because I like you.”
Qi Wei said matter-of-factly, “I like you, so I want to hug you, kiss you, and even…”
When he said “kiss you,” Qi Zhao quickly covered Qi Wei’s mouth with his hand, effectively silencing him.
He gritted his teeth slightly. “Did you spend seven years abroad or did I?”
How could Qi Wei say these things so casually?
Qi Wei chuckled softly, using this opportunity to kiss his palm, and said, “Ah Zhao, I truly like you. I can give you anything you want, so tell me what you want.”
Whether it was material or emotional, he was willing to give Qi Zhao anything.
Qi Zhao’s eyelashes fluttered. He didn’t say what he wanted, but something seemed to have occurred to him, his voice slightly hoarse. “What about you? What do you want?”
Qi Wei’s lips moved. “…You.”
He lowered his eyelids, gazing at Qi Zhao’s shoulder blades, and said slowly, each word distinct, “I only want you, as long as you don’t leave me.”
Qi Zhao was stunned. “…I thought you would want me to like you too.”
Qi Wei smiled and placed his hands on Qi Zhao’s shoulder blades, pressing against the protruding bones, his movements seemingly gentle yet carrying an undeniable possessiveness. “You have no idea how wonderful you are.”
He didn’t dare hope for Qi Zhao’s love.
Or rather… he didn’t dare hope that Qi Zhao would love him as much as he loved Qi Zhao.
Because this love, Qi Wei knew very well, was twisted and unhealthy.
Qi Zhao wouldn’t love someone like this; he wouldn’t manipulate the person he loved.
So more than love, he wanted Qi Zhao to never leave him, even in death, their ashes mingled and buried in the same box.
Because ordinary love could be let go of, leaving at most a scar on the heart.
But he didn’t want to be a scar on Qi Zhao’s heart; he wanted to be Qi Zhao’s shadow.
So what if it was dark?
They would never be apart.
