39
“…I’ll transfer the hundred million to your account in installments. The note will say ‘alimony’.”
Qi Zhao said indifferently, “There’s a bank transfer limit. I can’t receive a hundred million all at once.”
Qi Wei had also transferred the money in installments. Initially, the note said “gift,” but Qi Zhao asked him to change it to “debt,” and Qi Wei complied.
Debt it was, then. Qi Wei wouldn’t ask him to repay it anyway.
He wasn’t entirely protecting Qi Zhao’s pride, just as Qi Zhao didn’t mind borrowing money from him.
But he was adding more shackles to their bond, as Qi Zhao wished… Qi Wei had to admit, this did make him feel a little more at ease.
Because he knew Qi Zhao wouldn’t be indebted to anyone.
It wasn’t the debt itself that reassured Qi Wei, but the fact that Qi Zhao would rather owe him than his own father.
This made him incredibly pleased.
So pleased that he wanted to do something childish, unbefitting of his age and status—
Like bragging to Qi Wense.
Qi Wei leaned against the doorframe, brushing his teeth, and watched Qi Zhao, who was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, making a phone call.
Qi Zhao was still in his pajamas, a simple white T-shirt and light gray capri pants, his forearms and calves exposed.
Qi Zhao’s skin was fair, but his physique wasn’t thin or frail. Standing straight by the window, the muscles in his calves and forearms were subtly defined, and if he flexed, they would become even more prominent.
Incredibly beautiful.
Like a model, or a perfect sculpture.
—Qi Zhao had the kind of physique most people admired.
Not like Qi Wei’s, which some found exaggerated or intimidating.
Qi Zhao was the type that could easily make people blush just by looking at him.
Qi Wei stared for a long time, reaching his limit, before spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing his mouth. Qi Zhao was still on the phone with Qi Mu.
He didn’t know what Qi Mu was saying, but he heard every word Qi Zhao said.
So he could roughly guess.
The same old questions.
Finally realizing that beta and alpha were just secondary genders, which might offer some advantages, but those advantages couldn’t compensate for absolute differences in ability, so he wanted Qi Zhao to return and save the Qi family.
And… asking about his relationship with Qi Wei.
Qi Wei walked behind Qi Zhao, silently wrapping his arms around his waist, lowering his head to rest it on Qi Zhao’s shoulder, his ear against the back of Qi Zhao’s phone.
Qi Zhao paused slightly.
Qi Wei’s movements were careful, so Qi Mu wouldn’t hear.
But this action… was incredibly intrusive, full of possessiveness and control.
Qi Zhao lowered his eyes, staring at Qi Wei’s arm across his waist, the alpha’s bulging muscles making his own waist seem slender in comparison.
But… Qi Zhao felt that he was also acting strangely.
He should be repulsed, yet he wasn’t displeased, just helpless.
Realizing this, Qi Zhao understood something.
“Qi Zhao, are you listening?”
Qi Zhao snapped back to his senses.
He had been distracted by Qi Wei and hadn’t heard what Qi Mu just said, but it didn’t matter anymore.
“Mr. Qi Mu.”
Qi Zhao said calmly, “Didn’t we agree? We’re going our separate ways. Surely you’re not going to play the ‘we’re family, we can’t take harsh words to heart’ or ‘we’re blood relatives, we shouldn’t be so calculative’ card, are you?”
Qi Zhao: “I’m quite disappointed in you. I thought you were more resolute… This makes me look ridiculous.”
He had actually admired and obeyed such a person for so many years.
Qi Mu still wanted to say something. “Qi Zhao…”
“Mr. Qi Mu.” Qi Zhao interrupted him. “Talking to me is useless. I’m an employee of Tang Sheng. Contacting me could easily get me suspected of being a corporate spy. You should ask your son for help. After all, he’s also an A-rank alpha. He’ll find a way.”
Qi Zhao said, “This is our last conversation.”
He hung up without waiting for Qi Mu to reply.
But as he pulled the phone away from his ear, Qi Wei, as if caught off guard, brushed his ear against Qi Zhao’s.
The alpha’s burning temperature instantly made Qi Zhao stiffen.
This action was too intimate.
Qi Zhao pursed his lips, the frustration caused by Qi Mu dissipating slightly amidst this tension.
Especially… the alpha was pretending nothing had happened, just leaning against him.
Qi Zhao truly admired Qi Wei.
In every aspect.
“…I don’t want to go back.”
“I know.”
Qi Wei raised his other arm, trapping Qi Zhao’s arms within his embrace. “I just want to hold you.”
Qi Zhao paused, the previously calm emotions starting to churn again.
He lowered his head, his throat tightening slightly, yet inexplicably, he also wanted to laugh.
How strange.
Qi Zhao felt Qi Wei’s weight against his back, a solid, reassuring presence, like a stone weighing down a kite, preventing it from being blown away by the wind.
After a long silence, Qi Zhao whispered, “A hundred million isn’t enough to help the Qi family overcome their current difficulties, is it?”
Although phrased as a question, there was no doubt in his voice.
After joining Tang Sheng, Qi Zhao had regained contact with the domestic real estate industry and was even more aware of the Qi family’s current situation.
They were struggling, and the failed bid had dealt them a heavy blow. Their capital chain was like a spider’s thread in the wind, about to break at any moment. Once it broke, they would be burdened with billions in debt, destined for bankruptcy and foreclosure.
Qi Wei didn’t answer directly, just asking Qi Zhao, “Do you want Qi Mao to overcome this?”
As long as Qi Zhao wanted it, it could be done.
Whether Qi Zhao returned to Qi Mao or asked Qi Wei for help.
For them, saving Qi Mao was actually very simple.
But Qi Zhao didn’t know this.
He looked at the building opposite the hotel, unable to raise his hand, only able to look.
But this distance, this inability to reach, seemed to bring him a sense of relief.
Even stranger, despite being held captive by Qi Wei, unable to fly elsewhere, he felt relaxed.
“…That building.”
Qi Zhao looked at the building and said slowly, “Was built by Qi Mao.”
Qi Wei looked up, his gaze shifting from Qi Zhao to the building. “I know.”
Qi Zhao smiled slightly. “That was a project my mother and Qi Mu worked on together.”
“Actually, Qi Mu was right about one thing. Qi Mao was truly built with his and my mother’s hard work.”
Although An Xinzhi had passed away early, she had left many traces in Qi Mao.
Qi Wei remained silent, listening quietly as Qi Zhao continued, “But I don’t like Qi Mu using ‘you wouldn’t want to see so many people lose their jobs’ to guilt-trip me.”
At this moment, his Ah Zhao, who had hidden his sharp edges for so many years, revealed a glimpse of them, so bright that even the sun paled in comparison. “He knows me too well and has used that against me for so many years.”
Telling him that if he and Qi Wense fought for power, the Qi family would be in turmoil, and Qi Mao would be severely damaged.
Indeed, Qi Mu wasn’t lying.
Qi Zhao knew this. That’s why he had ultimately left Z Country, forced yet also willingly.
Qi Zhao: “But I rejected him not just because of this, but more importantly, even if it contained my mother’s hard work, it was a testament to her love for him, not for me.”
He turned to look at Qi Wei, his lips pursed slightly, his voice lowering. “…Do you still think I’m a good person?”
He wasn’t a good person at all; his methods and thoughts weren’t exactly noble.
But Qi Wei chuckled softly, tilting his head slightly, his forehead touching Qi Zhao’s temple, his voice gentle. “Ah Zhao, do you know?”
He said casually, “After graduating and joining Qi Corp, the first thing I did to secure my position was to collude with outsiders and set a trap for Qi Yuanyu, making him fall into a big pit, and all the people under him were either demoted or fired. Then I stepped in and solved the problem… You’re asking me if I think you’re a good person?”
He smiled. “This question… makes me want to kiss you.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
Qi Zhao: “???”
He instinctively bristled, trying to break free from Qi Wei’s embrace.
But Qi Wei held him even tighter, practically pressing him against his chest, while offering half-hearted reassurance, “Don’t worry, I won’t kiss you now.”
Now, he wouldn’t.
Qi Zhao was exasperated yet amused by his words, but he didn’t dare move.
It was early in the morning; he was afraid of triggering Qi Wei again.
Seeing that he had stopped moving, Qi Wei continued, “If I were you, I wouldn’t even give Qi Mu that hundred million, nor would I answer his or Qi Wense’s calls. I would block them directly.”
Qi Zhao: “.”
He glanced at Qi Wei. “…Don’t think I didn’t hear your suggestion.”
“It’s not a suggestion.”
Qi Wei rested his head on Qi Zhao’s shoulder and looked up at him. The alpha’s eyes were incredibly beautiful, and for Qi Zhao, they were like a spell, entwining around his legs, pulling him into an abyss.
Qi Wei said softly, “Ah Zhao, block them, okay?”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He felt that sometimes, Qi Wei’s possessiveness and desire for control couldn’t be described with simple words. That danger was beyond words.
But he also knew that he had the right to refuse Qi Wei’s request. The alpha would at most be unhappy or sulk for a while, then nuzzle him a couple of times, and it would be over.
Qi Wei… actually had a rather cute personality.
Qi Zhao thought.
He looked at Qi Wei and asked, “Is this a request?”
He still owed Qi Wei a request.
Qi Wei’s eyelashes fluttered. “…Yes.”
He said, “It’s a request.”
So Qi Zhao took out his phone, selected Qi Mu and Qi Wense in his contacts, along with Jiang Qingyue, and added them to his blacklist.
He then went to his social media accounts and blocked them one by one.
Qi Wei even reminded him, “And your email and Weibo.”
Qi Zhao: “.”
Fine, fine, fine.
He helplessly blocked them under Qi Wei’s watchful gaze, muttering, “Fortunately, there’s probably no need for any future collaboration.”
Qi Wei smiled, unable to help himself. “Ah Zhao, I really want to kiss you.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He felt a little embarrassed, especially being held like this by Qi Wei. “No.”
Qi Wei: “Oh.”
He said with a smile, “It’s okay.”
He was already very content.
After all, they both knew that even if it was a request, if Qi Zhao refused, Qi Wei could only let it go.
