51
On the way out, in the car, a strange silence fell.
Qi Zhao glanced at Qi Wei, and the perceptive alpha immediately caught his eye, turning his head with a questioning look.
After confirming that Qi Wei wasn’t feeling emotional, Qi Zhao shook his head. “Nothing.”
Qi Wei squeezed his fingertips—he had been holding Qi Zhao’s hand since they got in the car.
He said casually, “There’s a party next month.”
Qi Zhao asked, “Do you want me to go with you?”
Qi Wei did have that in mind. “If you’re free.”
“What’s the date?”
“The 21st.”
Qi Wei said, “Saturday.”
Qi Zhao thought for a moment. “I usually don’t work overtime on weekends, but the 21st is still quite far away. Let’s talk about it closer to the date?”
Qi Wei nodded. “Okay.”
He mentioned it in advance just so Qi Zhao could plan accordingly.
But Qi Zhao asked, “When will I know for sure that I won’t be preventing you from finding other male or female companions?”
Qi Wei froze. “—”
He couldn’t describe his feelings at that moment. After suppressing his emotions, he let out a dark chuckle. “…Ah Zhao.”
Qi Zhao realized he had said something wrong the moment Qi Wei made that sound.
But before he could salvage the situation, Qi Wei tightened his grip on his hand, leaned closer, mindful of not wrinkling Qi Zhao’s suit, and held his face in one hand, his other hand still gripping Qi Zhao’s, pressing it against the seat. He lowered his head and bit Qi Zhao’s lip lightly, as if in punishment.
Qi Zhao wasn’t afraid of pain, but this spot was too sensitive, and he couldn’t help but wince slightly.
Especially since Qi Wei was so close, his hand holding Qi Zhao’s head in place, not forcefully, but clearly not allowing him to avoid the contact.
…After officially becoming a couple, Qi Wei had become noticeably more assertive and dominant.
Qi Zhao didn’t find it unpleasant; it was just… this Qi Wei was a bit too intense, making his heart pound like he hadn’t slept well.
He wanted to avoid it, yet he was also strangely drawn to this Qi Wei, his gaze fixed on him, holding his breath unconsciously.
Qi Zhao had never truly realized how captivating his own eyes were.
At first glance, they were gentle and calm, but upon closer inspection, one could sense the vibrant, multifaceted depths within, like the ocean, yet a handful of water scooped from it was crystal clear.
This was Qi Zhao.
His soul was rich, vibrant, and pure.
Looking at this Qi Zhao, Qi Wei’s anger dissipated instantly.
He sighed softly, a helpless expression on his face, and finally loosened his grip on Qi Zhao, who remained unperturbed despite being treated like this.
“…Ah Zhao.”
This time, Qi Wei didn’t say it was fine, but his tone was slightly dark. “Do you never read the news? I’ve never had anyone by my side; I never bring companions.”
He was afraid that Qi Zhao, while abroad, might see him with someone, even if it was just for business or out of courtesy, and misunderstand, leading to gossip… He was truly afraid that Qi Zhao would think he had someone else.
Qi Zhao finally understood Qi Wei’s reaction and the meaning behind his words.
The bandage incident was because Qi Wei was frustrated that he hadn’t shown any jealousy or suspicion. Now, Qi Wei was upset because he not only hadn’t been jealous, but he had also naturally assumed that if he wasn’t available, Qi Wei would find someone else to accompany him to the party.
“…”
Qi Zhao lowered his eyes, feeling a little guilty.
He didn’t know what to say, but he truly…
“Think of it this way,” Qi Zhao said softly, trying to salvage the situation, “I trust you.”
Qi Wei: “…”
That was indeed what he had thought, but Qi Zhao pointing it out made it seem like he was trying to deceive himself.
But looking at this Qi Zhao, Qi Wei chuckled softly, finally composing himself. Although the slight bitterness remained, his mood had lightened.
Qi Zhao looked at him. “You don’t believe me?”
Qi Wei’s tone was cool. “That’s the only way I can comfort myself.”
“No…”
Qi Zhao said seriously, “I truly trust you.”
Qi Wei had already rejected a 99% compatible omega for him; he should give Qi Wei some trust in return.
Qi Zhao, without realizing it, easily revealed a painful part of his past while trying to appease Qi Wei. “Qi Mu also loved my mother very much back then, and because of her poor health, he would endure his ruts alone…”
Similar to Qi Wei’s current situation with him.
If asked whether he felt differently about Qi Wei now, Qi Zhao couldn’t answer.
Because Qi Mu had truly loved An Xinzhi.
He had almost been disowned for being with her, and he still refused to break up with her.
An Xinzhi’s family was just as wealthy as the Qi family; Qi Mu gained nothing from being with her, even risking his inheritance.
If it weren’t for Qi Mu’s father, Qi Zhao’s grandfather, finally relenting after much persuasion, because of his failing health, it wouldn’t have been so easy for Qi Mu to rise to power.
But Qi Zhao was willing to trust Qi Wei this once.
He couldn’t judge Qi Wei based on Qi Mu’s past mistakes.
Qi Zhao looked into Qi Wei’s eyes and said softly, “So if I didn’t trust you, no matter how much I liked you, I wouldn’t have agreed to be with you.”
Qi Wei’s eyes flickered, the last bit of conflict and mixed emotions within him dissipating. “…Sorry.”
Qi Zhao was stunned as Qi Wei took his hand, kissed the back of it, and said softly, “I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
His lips still touched Qi Zhao’s hand as he spoke, his words slightly muffled, but his sincere eyes and gentle expression made the atmosphere intimate.
Qi Zhao’s heart was touched again. He moved his hand, his palm caressing Qi Wei’s face.
Unlike Qi Wei’s pheromone-induced high body temperature, he was a beta, an ordinary person, his body temperature normal.
Qi Zhao leaned in, as if bewitched, holding his breath and kissing Qi Wei lightly on the lips.
He liked Qi Wei; there was no doubt about that.
As for why he wasn’t jealous, why he didn’t question him… it was his nature.
Qi Zhao whispered, “Qi Wei, I’m a little different from you.”
He smiled. “You should be glad I don’t get jealous or suspicious.”
He wouldn’t have Qi Wei’s twisted “obsession,” because his heart, in a way, was like a stone.
If Qi Wei carved his name on it, it would stay there.
But if one day, Qi Wei did something that erased that name, it would never be carved again.
So Qi Wei should be glad he hadn’t questioned him.
Qi Wei’s eyelashes fluttered; he understood what Qi Zhao meant. “Ah Zhao.”
He leaned closer to Qi Zhao and returned a light kiss. “Don’t worry.”
Qi Wei said seriously, “I won’t disappoint you.”
Qi Zhao smiled.
He wasn’t someone who believed in promises; he had received countless broken promises throughout his life. But he was willing to believe Qi Wei.
Not believing in his promises, but willing to give him a chance to prove himself with his actions.
“Speaking of which,” now that they had cleared the air, he changed to a lighter topic, “Hua Tang said he wants to have dinner with me when he returns to Z Country.”
Hua Tang’s family wasn’t in Kyoto, but they were very close.
Hua Tang had sensed that Qi Zhao’s partner wasn’t ordinary and hadn’t asked about his relationship, just confirming that Qi Zhao wasn’t being forced.
Qi Wei paused.
He definitely didn’t want to let Qi Zhao go, but as he had said, he wasn’t a teenager anymore.
“Okay.”
Qi Wei lowered his voice. “Let me know when he’s back.”
This time, there were no polite additions like “okay?” or “is that alright?”
Qi Zhao couldn’t help but smile. “Okay.”
He found Qi Wei’s behavior very obvious.
Whether it was his dominance, his jealousy, or his possessiveness… it was as if he had initially tried to hide it, afraid of scaring him, but his true nature always showed.
Qi Wei couldn’t help it; it was his nature.
And Qi Zhao didn’t mind.
Every time Qi Wei spoke, he would silently analyze the hidden meaning behind his words, finding it quite amusing.
A new kind of homework, exercising his psychology and alpha behavioral studies knowledge.
And Qi Wei wasn’t the type to get angry if he was refused; he played the humble card perfectly.
Whatever Qi Zhao said was law.
Qi Zhao knew this himself.
He could refuse Qi Wei most of the time.
Qi Zhao suppressed his laughter for a moment, then couldn’t help but chuckle, leaning against Qi Wei’s shoulder.
Seeing him like this, Qi Wei felt like he was seeing the Qi Zhao from his youth again.
Qi Zhao was a good person, there was no doubt about that.
But in his youth, he had a playful, mischievous side, liking to play pranks on his close friends.
Otherwise, how could he have been so popular among a group of alphas, making so many people believe he would differentiate into an S-rank?
Qi Wei knew that Qi Zhao must be teasing him about something, something he could easily figure out if he thought about it, but he didn’t want to think about it now, because—
“Ah Zhao, what are you laughing at?”
Qi Zhao raised his head, his beautiful eyes bright and sparkling, like resin eyes filled with glitter, so captivating that even the curve of his smiling eyes seemed like gemstones.
It truly made his heart skip a beat, then race uncontrollably.
Qi Zhao said, “He wants to meet you, to have dinner with you, not just me alone.”
He chuckled softly. “Qi Wei, I think I finally understand why you call me cute.”
Because Qi Wei, reluctant to let him have dinner with someone else, especially not for a non-work-related matter, but rationally knowing he had to let go, agreed with a grudging, slightly sullen tone, was truly…
Very cute.
