41
Guangtang City was large and sparsely populated, situated in the northwest.
The temperature difference between day and night was significant. When Qi Zhao and Qi Wei landed, it was near dusk, and the air was already turning cold.
Qi Wei took out a jacket he had prepared and draped it over Qi Zhao’s shoulders.
They were both dressed in casual short-sleeved shirts, suitable for the still-warm Huating City.
Qi Zhao felt the chill as he disembarked, but the jacket solved the problem.
He couldn’t help but look at Qi Wei.
Qi Wei raised an eyebrow, his eyes questioning.
Qi Zhao: “Nothing.”
He put on the jacket, and Qi Wei helped him adjust the sleeves. Qi Zhao said, “You’re so thoughtful.”
Qi Wei’s eyes curved into a smile as he straightened Qi Zhao’s collar. “Did I earn any points?”
Qi Zhao: “…”
Did he?
He sighed and answered honestly, “Yes.”
But Qi Wei truly was… like a student asking the teacher if his answer was correct after having peeked at the answer key.
Cheating.
Qi Wei had arranged for a car from the hotel to pick them up, so they only needed to walk to the parking lot; even their luggage was taken care of by the hotel staff.
Qi Zhao hadn’t been able to sleep on the plane, but now, in the car, he felt sleepy.
So Qi Wei, his arm around Qi Zhao’s waist, asked softly, “Do you want to sleep for a while? It’ll take an hour or two to reach the hotel.”
Qi Zhao’s eyelashes fluttered, then he closed his tired, heavy eyelids and leaned against Qi Wei’s chest. “Yes.”
Qi Wei’s posture was a little different this time, so Qi Zhao was half-leaning against his chest, his head resting in the crook of his neck.
This position was much more comfortable than leaning against his shoulder, and Qi Wei’s body was warm, his scent like a hypnotic aromatherapy.
But Qi Zhao’s last thought before drifting off to sleep was—
Qi Wei seemed to know about this habit of his.
He knew that Qi Wei knew a lot about him; after all, many things could be found out with a little effort.
But this habit, it wasn’t something you could just find out, right?
…Perhaps he was being overly sensitive.
Qi Zhao thought.
After all, Qi Wei had asked him on the plane if he wanted to sleep.
When they arrived at the hotel’s underground parking lot, Qi Zhao was still asleep, so Qi Wei carefully carried him out of the car.
The movement was a bit jarring, and Qi Zhao opened his eyes slightly, realizing they had arrived, but still sleepy, he nuzzled closer to Qi Wei’s chest and mumbled, “I can walk myself.”
Qi Wei held him tighter, pressing him against his chest. “Go back to sleep. It’s not far.”
Qi Zhao always felt tired after a flight. Usually, he had to force himself to get into the car and go home.
Sometimes, he even had to force himself to work.
Now, with Qi Wei, Qi Zhao was truly relaxed.
The rational part of his mind struggled for a moment before falling into the trap woven by the alpha, influenced by the pheromones he couldn’t smell, giving up and continuing to sleep.
The hotel staff member, eyes fixed straight ahead, didn’t dare look, just helped press the elevator button and followed them inside.
She was also a beta, so she couldn’t smell Qi Wei’s pheromones. Besides, an alpha of Qi Wei’s rank could completely control the range of his pheromones, even targeting specific individuals, unless he lost control.
Only high-ranking alphas would sense something amiss.
If there were any alphas ranked A+ or above here, they would definitely know the underhanded methods Qi Wei was using to make the beta in his arms so docile and compliant.
And the person who had done such a despicable thing didn’t think anything of it, carrying Qi Zhao out of the elevator with light steps, waiting for the staff member to swipe the room key.
The staff member silently placed the key card on the counter, bowed, and left quietly.
Qi Wei walked straight into the bedroom, placed Qi Zhao on the bed, and then gently took off his shoes, socks, and jacket.
Under the influence of the alpha’s pheromones, Qi Zhao was sleeping soundly, so he didn’t wake up during all of this.
Qi Wei smiled, leaning against the bed with one hand, looking at Qi Zhao’s peaceful sleeping face. He couldn’t resist lowering his head and kissing his hair softly before finally getting up to make a phone call.
He was happy to be with Qi Zhao all the time.
But some things still needed to be dealt with.
Qi Wei stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his pheromones still being released, clinging to Qi Zhao like a sleeping spell.
The phone was answered after one ring. Qi Wei didn’t bother with greetings, just saying casually, “Close the net.”
He lowered his voice, and the person on the other end, knowing that Qi Zhao was probably nearby, also lowered their voice. “Yes, sir.”
But… Nan Yangsha hesitated. “Boss, what about Qi Wense?”
After all, he was an A-rank alpha, a rare rank. If they deliberately suppressed him… he wasn’t sure if the President would have any objections.
Qi Wei: “As planned.”
He said concisely, “Send him abroad, as far away as possible.”
Preferably never to let him see Qi Zhao again.
After all, Qi Wense was different from Qi Zhao’s other admirers. That blood relation was irritating to Qi Wei.
That connection was different.
Nan Yangsha understood that Qi Wei would deal with the President himself. “Yes, Boss.”
He paused. “Boss, there’s one more thing. Qi Yuanyu seems to have caught on to something.”
Qi Wei didn’t speak immediately, just raised his eyes.
He leaned against the window, his gaze fixed on the sleeping Qi Zhao.
The silence made Nan Yangsha break out in a cold sweat, his voice tense as he quickly explained the situation in detail. “…While you were away, Qi Yuanyu entered the secretary’s office without notice and happened to see the report submitted by Liu Feng.”
Very few people knew about Qi Wei and Liu Feng’s connection.
Even among his secretaries and assistants, only a handful knew. Because no matter how you traced it, Liu Feng’s background couldn’t be linked to Qi Wei. Their cooperation was secretive, and Qi Wei’s investment was also hidden. No one knew that the true owner of Xinfeng Technology, a rising star rivaling the Qi family, was Qi Wei.
Qi Yuanyu had only seen the beginning of the report, which wasn’t confidential, just a simple quarterly summary. It didn’t even mention the company name or Qi Wei’s name, to avoid being discovered.
But the problem was, the person who saw it was Qi Yuanyu, not some ordinary employee. And how much he had seen, whether he had recognized it as Xinfeng Technology’s report…
And most importantly.
Everyone in their circle knew that the Qi family’s investment had failed, that Xinfeng Technology had seized the opportunity, and that the Qi family’s problems had been exposed. Because of this, the Qi family had considered collaborating with Xinfeng Technology.
Liu Feng had hinted that he needed an omega mother to care for his son, and Qi Mu had wanted to offer Qi Yi Liu as a marriage candidate…
Qi Zhao had returned because of this.
These were things that people in their circle knew to varying degrees.
Qi Yuanyu wasn’t stupid. If he realized that was Xinfeng Technology’s report, he could easily piece everything together…
Nan Yangsha wanted to kneel before Qi Wei and beg for forgiveness.
He was the “person in charge” of these matters; it was his fault for not handling it properly.
Qi Wei said coldly, “First, find out who let him onto the 31st floor.”
Nan Yangsha immediately understood. “Yes, sir.”
“I’ll give you further instructions later.”
“Yes, sir!”
After hanging up, Qi Wei rubbed his phone, his eyes lowered, his gaze still on Qi Zhao, but the joy and lightness in his eyes had vanished, replaced by layers of dark clouds churning within, unreadable, oppressive.
Qi Yuanyu not calling him meant that either he hadn’t noticed anything, or he was waiting for Qi Wei to contact him.
Having fought with Qi Yuanyu for so many years, he naturally understood his personality. Qi Yuanyu wasn’t necessarily any better than his half-brother. Once he gained the upper hand, he would immediately try to seize control…
Qi Wei didn’t believe that Qi Yuanyu had become so obtuse that he didn’t recognize it as Xinfeng Technology’s report.
So he tugged at the corner of his mouth slightly, a cold mockery in his eyes.
What should he say?
That it was karma, or that he was simply unlucky?
After all his careful planning, he hadn’t been able to stop Qi Wense, and now there was a leak on the Xinfeng side.
No wonder the old saying went, “You can’t wrap fire in paper.”
Qi Wei put away his phone, not calling Qi Yuanyu yet, but choosing to withdraw his pheromones.
He was currently influenced by his emotions, feeling somewhat suppressed, and his pheromones were also a little unstable, so it was better not to use them.
Qi Wei walked to the bed and knelt on one knee beside it, reaching out to pull Qi Zhao closer, burying his face in his embrace, and inhaling deeply.
No one could take Qi Zhao away from him.
No one.
Without the influence of the pheromones, Qi Zhao woke up about thirty or forty minutes later, his mind preoccupied.
He looked at the unlit ceiling light in the dimly lit hotel room, then realized that Qi Wei had carried him all the way here.
…Was he that tired?
Qi Zhao wondered, then looked down at Qi Wei, who was holding him tightly in a strange position, and paused. “…Qi Wei?”
“Hmm.”
Qi Wei wasn’t asleep; he had been waiting for Qi Zhao to wake up. But he didn’t raise his head, his voice muffled. “Do you want to get up and wash up?”
Qi Zhao: “Yes…”
He sensed a hint of dejection in the alpha’s tone and, after a moment of hesitation, asked, “Did something happen?”
He didn’t sleepwalk or talk in his sleep; he shouldn’t have hurt Qi Wei’s feelings unintentionally, right?
“…Nothing.” Qi Wei’s tone was light, as if it truly wasn’t a big deal, but he didn’t let go, offering a convenient excuse. “My gland is a little uncomfortable. I’ll be fine after holding you for a while.”
It was precisely because of this that Qi Zhao felt something was wrong. “What happened?”
Qi Zhao’s voice became serious. “Can’t you tell me?”
Qi Wei tightened his embrace, not speaking immediately.
Qi Zhao waited patiently, and amidst his hesitation, he placed his hand on Qi Wei’s head, gently stroking his hair.
“…Ah Zhao.”
Qi Wei waited for this gesture before whispering, “I really don’t want to be too ruthless, but those people in the Qi family keep pushing me.”
Qi Zhao was stunned. “What happened with your family?”
Qi Wei’s voice was muffled, sounding slightly sad. “Qi Yuanyu… he can’t stand the sight of an illegitimate child like me rising to power, reaching this position. It can’t be helped. It’s a time of peace. Even a super S-rank alpha, no matter how strong, isn’t as highly regarded as during wartime.”
Qi Zhao frowned. “What is Qi Yuanyu planning to do?”
“I don’t know.” Qi Wei lowered his voice. “But my people said he’s making some moves… I thought I had taken care of everything before daring to confess my feelings to you, before daring to appear in public with you, to let them know that I’m pursuing you, that I like you. But now…”
He finally raised his head, his gaze traveling upwards, that captivating face giving him an advantage, especially coupled with his words and a hint of hesitation. Even without deliberately acting vulnerable, it was enough to turn Qi Zhao’s heart into putty, ready to be molded by him.
“Ah Zhao, if I said I regretted not dealing with them completely before you returned, eliminating all threats, would you think I’m too cruel?”
Qi Zhao understood Qi Wei’s fear.
He shook his head gently. “No. Isn’t that how the business world works? It’s best if both sides can reach a peaceful agreement, but if the competition continues, it’s a fight to the death.”
He had grown up in this environment; how could he think Qi Wei was being excessive?
Just…
“You think Qi Yuanyu will approach me.”
“Yes.”
Qi Wei buried his face in Qi Zhao’s embrace again. “Everyone knows now that you’re my only weakness. Even a cornered rabbit will bite. What if he truly tries to harm you?”
Qi Zhao stared at the crown of Qi Wei’s head. He had just noticed today that Qi Wei had three swirls in his hair… “…”
After a few seconds of silence, Qi Zhao didn’t even know what his own voice and tone sounded like, but he thought it must have been relatively natural. Otherwise, how could Qi Wei continue speaking?
Qi Zhao: “Then what do you want to do?”
Qi Wei said softly, “I’ll give you a gift when we get back to Kyoto, a waterproof one. Keep it on you at all times, okay?”
“Okay?” again.
Qi Zhao had studied psychology; he knew that Qi Wei’s tone and this question carried a sense of dominance, a pressure for him to agree.
And this “gift,” although it sounded nice, any intelligent person would know what it was.
Qi Zhao didn’t speak immediately.
He had realized something today.
The cage Qi Wei had built was even smaller than he had imagined.
He had only shown a slight acceptance of Qi Wei’s emotions, a hint of special treatment towards him, his rejections and apologies becoming less firm, and Qi Wei had already pushed his boundaries this far. If they were truly together, not bound by a contract, then Qi Wei…
Would he become better after feeling secure, or would he become even more possessive and controlling?
Qi Zhao couldn’t find the answer.
How could he know the answer to something that hadn’t happened yet?
But he knew one thing…
“Sorry.”
Qi Zhao said slowly, “Qi Wei, I can’t accept this gift.”
“Okay.” Qi Wei looked up at him. “Then I’ll arrange for people to protect you. They won’t disturb your life, okay?”
Qi Zhao couldn’t find the answer to that question, but he knew that if he rejected Qi Wei, Qi Wei would respect his decision.
So he sighed inwardly, not knowing whether he was truly accepting it, or simply compromising because of Qi Wei—
“Okay.”
Surveillance, then let it be surveillance.
He couldn’t fly away anyway.
