But I’m Just a Beta 43

43 

As Qi Zhao picked up the helmet, he thought, Qi Wei is truly devoted.

He handed one of the helmets to Qi Wei, who tilted his head slightly. “Ah Zhao, I don’t wear these.”

Qi Zhao looked at him, thinking that he also had the potential to be an actor.

But what could he do?

Qi Zhao sighed inwardly. “Lower your head.”

Qi Wei bent down, letting Qi Zhao put the helmet on him, then reached inside to adjust the straps, fastening it securely.

His fingertips inevitably brushed against Qi Wei’s jaw. His fingers weren’t those of a pampered young master; they were calloused, the touch making Qi Wei’s heart itch.

He wanted to grab Qi Zhao’s hand, bring it to his lips, and… bite it.

He wanted to leave his teeth marks on Qi Zhao’s fingers and put a ring engraved with his name on them.

Qi Zhao didn’t know what the alpha was thinking, nor did he realize that Qi Wei’s thoughts had already affected his pheromones, making them cling to Qi Zhao’s hand.

If pheromones were visible, one could see them forming a ring around Qi Zhao’s ring finger, then emitting a smoky mist, enveloping his hand.

Like a monster’s tongue, licking and savoring a delicious treat.

And a beta, unable to smell or sense pheromones, had no idea what the alpha was doing. After fastening the helmet for Qi Wei, he even asked patiently, “Is it loose? Or too tight?”

Qi Wei stared intently at Qi Zhao’s hand, which hadn’t been fully withdrawn yet, his gaze following his pheromones as they traced Qi Zhao’s fingers, bones, and protruding wrist bone, his voice low and hoarse. “It’s fine.”

Qi Zhao raised his hand and lowered the visor. “There’s a headset inside the helmet. I’ve turned it on for you, so we can communicate. Otherwise, we won’t be able to hear each other.”

“Okay.”

Qi Wei watched as Qi Zhao turned and put on his own helmet, his heart itching unbearably.

His Ah Zhao.

Like a hawk on the grasslands, a blazing sun in the sky, or a whale in the sea.

After getting on the motorcycle, Qi Wei naturally wrapped his arms around Qi Zhao’s waist.

Qi Zhao was already used to his embrace. “Ready?”

Qi Wei responded, and Qi Zhao revved the engine.

Motorcycles weren’t banned in Guangtang City; you could ride them anywhere.

But riding in the city wasn’t as exhilarating, so Qi Zhao turned on the navigation and headed towards the famous highway.

This motorcycle was modified by him personally. The roar of the engine was like an old friend greeting him, the familiarity bringing an indescribable sense of exhilaration.

Like standing on a deserted mountaintop, wanting to shout at the top of his lungs.

He didn’t say anything, just accelerated within the speed limit, the rush of wind like breaking through something, carrying a hint of recklessness.

Anyone else on Qi Zhao’s back seat would be terrified, afraid he was riding towards death.

But Qi Wei was happy.

He liked this side of Qi Zhao.

And they even encountered a motorcycle group on the way.

Men and women, alphas and betas, and even two omegas.

They honked and waved at Qi Zhao, and Qi Zhao honked back. They gestured, and then everyone parked their motorcycles in a designated area with a beautiful view.

Since they were all wearing full-face helmets, which were inconvenient to take off, they just lifted their visors.

They asked Qi Zhao enthusiastically, “Brother, where are you riding from?”

“Just from Guangtang City,” Qi Zhao smiled. “Are you guys from far away?”

“We’re on a motorcycle tour.”

“Quezi is the furthest, riding from a city down south. We met up on the way. There are other friends joining us further up ahead.”

Someone invited them, “Want to join us?”

“No,” Qi Zhao sighed. “I have to work. Back to being a wage slave in two days.”

“Hahaha! Quezi is the only one who’s free; he runs his own business.”

The person who said this called out to the man who was checking the other motorcycles. “Quezi!”

The man raised his hand, indicating he had heard.

The person continued, “The rest of us are either on leave or using our annual vacation. That, Xiao Huo,” he gestured towards a woman walking over, “she’s the most hardcore, just handed in her resignation.”

“Life is short,” the woman called Xiao Huo walked over, lifted her visor, and said with a carefree smile, “my happiness comes first.”

Several people applauded. “Well said!”

“As expected of Sister Huo! So cool!”

“Screw those capitalists!”

The two capitalists present: “.”

Qi Zhao didn’t mind, and Qi Wei even less so.

Because neither of them had gotten off the motorcycle, Qi Wei’s hand was still on Qi Zhao’s waist, his head resting on his shoulder.

He looked into Qi Zhao’s eyes, watching him smile, watching the light in his eyes flicker, watching him chat and joke with his friends like he did seven years ago, a carefree air about him.

Buying this motorcycle was truly worth it.

Qi Wei thought.

Even being teased by Yang Shou for so long was worth it.

As they were talking, the person called “Quezi” came over. He wasn’t actually lame; he walked normally.

They chatted, and naturally, the topic turned to motorcycles. Quezi immediately recognized that Qi Zhao’s motorcycle wasn’t ordinary.

“Want to take a look?”

Qi Zhao gestured to Qi Wei, and Qi Wei obediently let go of him and got off the motorcycle.

Qi Zhao followed suit. “I modified it myself.”

Quezi exclaimed and looked at Qi Zhao again, probably realizing that he was different from them, who rode motorcycles as a hobby, and different from the stereotypical rich second-generation. He was a true young master.

So he didn’t say much, just looked over the motorcycle, touching it here and there.

Although Qi Zhao loved motorcycles, he wasn’t possessive to the point of not letting others touch his.

He even handed the key to Quezi. “You can try it out if you want.”

Quezi was truly tempted. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.”

As Quezi went for a test ride, someone couldn’t help but ask, “Are you two a couple?”

He was mainly curious about Qi Wei. “He seems like an alpha, so what are you?”

“…”

Qi Zhao paused, then smiled. “I’m a beta.”

They hadn’t taken off their helmets, so no one recognized them. Even if they saw them in the news later, it wouldn’t be like a cliché novel where they would be recognized by their eyes alone. So Qi Zhao said openly, “He is indeed an alpha.”

“Wow.”

An omega’s eyes widened. “So cool!”

Because he was an omega, he understood the influence of pheromones best. “Judging by your partner’s height and the pressure he exudes, his rank must be quite high. You guys are actually together, despite the pheromone difference? That’s so cool!!!”

Qi Zhao glanced at Qi Wei.

Qi Wei hadn’t spoken since they met the group. Whether they were talking about motorcycles or their journeys, Qi Wei was like a silent accessory, attached to him.

And now too.

Qi Wei didn’t say whether they were a couple or not, didn’t explain their relationship.

As if whatever Qi Zhao said was the truth.

Qi Zhao felt a strange sensation.

It reminded him of the day they ran into Aunt Chu and the others, when Qi Wei had released his hand in advance and only said he was pursuing him.

According to the terms of their contract, Qi Wei could have said they were together.

Qi Zhao didn’t speak for a moment, but the atmosphere didn’t become awkward.

This was the advantage of being in a large group; sometimes, even those who wanted to speak couldn’t get a word in.

Qi Zhao was also playful by nature; he had often snuck out of school in his youth.

Even before today, he had missed those carefree school days. He felt that although there were also worries back then, it wasn’t like now, walking on a tightrope, or in a fog.

But today, after indulging in this reckless abandon, he met Qi Wei’s gentle, focused gaze amidst the noise.

There was no jealousy.

No displeasure.

No hint of the usual danger that always lingered around Qi Wei.

Those eyes were just eyes, eyes that always watched him.

Watching him through his ups and downs, unwavering.

Qi Zhao’s heart suddenly settled.

As if after drifting for so long, even after returning to Z Country, after seemingly gaining so much and resolving so many inner conflicts, he still felt like he was floating in the clouds.

…Sometimes, it wasn’t indifference, but simply not knowing what to do, so he didn’t care.

But now, things seemed different.

After they set off again, Qi Wei adjusted Qi Zhao’s navigation. “Ah Zhao.”

He said, “Let’s go here.”

Qi Zhao glanced at the screen. It was a small town by the highway, a tourist spot where many travelers stopped for the night.

“Okay.”

Qi Zhao got on the motorcycle.

As they rode off, Qi Zhao heard Qi Wei say softly, “I thought you wouldn’t let them touch your motorcycle.”

Qi Zhao chuckled. “If it were me before, when I was a teenager, I would have hated it. To be honest, Qi Wense always liked to touch my motorcycle back then, and I wanted to slap him, but I couldn’t.”

Because he knew, even then, that Qi Wense, Qi Mu, and Jiang Qingyue were the real family.

Even though he hadn’t been confirmed as a beta yet, he was still an outsider.

How could a guest slap the host’s child?

Qi Wei rarely heard Qi Zhao speak with such unrestrained annoyance and temper, so he tightened his grip around Qi Zhao’s waist.

He knew Qi Zhao had let go of the past; that’s why he could talk about it so casually now. There was no need for him to feel bad for Qi Zhao anymore; that would only make Qi Zhao feel awkward.

So Qi Wei’s chuckle came through the headset, muffled, like a phone vibrating against Qi Zhao’s eardrum, tickling slightly.

Qi Wei: “Ah Zhao, you’ve already slapped him twice.”

Qi Wense thought he had caught up to Qi Zhao.

But Qi Zhao had proven with his actions that even as an A-rank alpha, the advantages of his secondary gender weren’t enough for him to even touch Qi Zhao’s brilliance.

Qi Zhao understood what Qi Wei was referring to and chuckled. “Indeed, these two slaps were much more satisfying.”