59
“…Qi Wei.” As they approached Guanyue Tower, Qi Zhao, catching his breath, pleaded with Qi Wei, “Do you remember saying you’d be gentler?”
It took him a while to be able to speak.
Qi Wei paused, a little guilty.
He couldn’t tell Qi Zhao he had forgotten; that would be too insincere. An alpha’s memory was exceptional; Qi Zhao would definitely know.
So Qi Wei could only apologize. “I’m sorry.”
But he knew exactly what Qi Zhao responded to. Qi Wei lowered his head, nuzzling Qi Zhao’s neck, and whispered, “I couldn’t help myself. I’ll definitely control myself next time. Ah Zhao, don’t be angry, it’s my gland’s fault…”
The perfectly timed pause disarmed Qi Zhao completely. “I’m not angry.”
He raised his hand and touched Qi Wei’s head helplessly. “I just think… you’re always too rough.”
Qi Zhao added, “But it’s okay if you can’t control yourself. It’s not a big deal; there’s no need to force yourself.”
Qi Wei’s face was hidden in his embrace, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Okay.”
He murmured, unable to help himself, “Ah Zhao, you’re so good.”
Qi Zhao was intelligent; he could have easily seen through Qi Wei’s words if he thought about it, but he didn’t. He trusted Qi Wei completely, a trust as bright and dazzling as the midday sun, making one feel unworthy even with their head lowered.
Especially since Qi Wei knew his methods were never clean or honorable.
Qi Zhao didn’t say anything, just stroked Qi Wei’s head again.
When they arrived at Guanyue Tower and got out of the car, Yan Shuang and Tang Huaiyuan’s cars also pulled into the parking lot, one after the other.
Yan Shuang gestured with his phone. “Yang Shou said he’ll be a little late. Let’s eat first.”
Qi Wei glanced at his watch. “The government offices are probably closed by now. Is he going home first?”
“Yes,” Yan Shuang said, “to see his family. It’s not the first time.”
Qi Zhao turned his head slightly, and Qi Wei immediately bent down, blocking his view of Yan Shuang and the others. “I’ll tell you when we get home.”
Qi Zhao didn’t realize Qi Wei’s possessiveness, or perhaps he didn’t mind. Qi Wei’s domineering behavior wasn’t new. “Okay.”
They went to their private room first. Since Qi Wei’s presence was like the boss coming for dinner, the waiters were naturally more attentive.
It was only after Qi Wei told them not to disturb them and that there was no need to rush the dishes that they didn’t prioritize their order, just serving some appetizers and snacks first.
Qi Wei picked up a peanut-filled mochi ball with his chopsticks and placed it in front of Qi Zhao, whispering, “The filling is peanut butter, not crushed peanuts.”
He knew Qi Zhao preferred it this way.
Qi Zhao felt a little embarrassed being treated like a child in front of others, so he nudged Qi Wei lightly, his voice soft, almost whispering into Qi Wei’s ear, “There are other people here.”
Qi Wei liked him considering Yan Shuang and the others as outsiders, but he didn’t like not being able to take care of Qi Zhao.
So he lowered his head and whispered, “Not even this?”
Qi Wei was truly skilled at manipulating his posture. He not only lowered his head but also slightly hunched his back, appearing somewhat vulnerable, yet his eyes were wide open, wider than usual, making him seem inexplicably pitiful, even without any deliberate expression.
Qi Zhao knew that Qi Wei wasn’t so harmless, of course he did.
But he still…
“…It’s not that I mind.”
Qi Zhao relented. “Fine, do as you please.”
Qi Wei smiled, not asking for confirmation again, lest Qi Zhao change his mind.
He then placed a piece of fried milk in Qi Zhao’s bowl, right after Qi Zhao finished the mochi ball. “And this, freshly fried milk, only honey added for sweetness, nothing else.”
Also Qi Zhao’s favorite.
Qi Zhao paused. “…It didn’t taste like this when I came to Guanyue Tower before.”
Qi Wei hummed in agreement, practically admitting it without reservation. “I had them change it according to your preferences.”
Each restaurant had its own specialties, and if Guanyue Tower’s specialty happened to be Qi Zhao’s favorite, it wasn’t a big deal.
Qi Zhao sighed silently.
Fine, it was something Qi Wei would do. That explained why the appetizers, snacks, and even the slightly sweet flower tea were all to his liking.
Yan Shuang and Tang Huaiyuan were playing pool not far away, seemingly having made another bet, both of them very focused.
The sound of the game inevitably reached them, so Qi Zhao glanced over occasionally.
Qi Wei also looked over. “I remember you’re also very good at this, Ah Zhao.”
Qi Zhao smiled. “Snooker, it’s different from pool. And I’m not that good. I just won a few school competitions.”
“But it was a national competition.”
“…It was still a school competition.”
Qi Zhao was a little embarrassed by his praise. “There are many more skilled players out there.”
Qi Wei blinked slowly. “But in my eyes, Ah Zhao, you’re the best.”
He said to Qi Zhao, “I don’t even know how to play snooker.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He felt that all of this was just Qi Wei’s setup. But it shouldn’t be, right? This could easily be exposed. “Then, should I teach you?”
Qi Wei’s lips curved into a smile. “Okay.”
He squeezed Qi Zhao’s hand. “We can play when we get home.”
Qi Wei did have a pool table at home.
Qi Zhao didn’t question why Qi Wei didn’t know how to play snooker despite having a pool table. After all, there were many types of billiard games, and he only knew snooker.
He just couldn’t help but say to Qi Wei, “Qi Wei, you can just ask directly.”
This had happened several times already. It wasn’t a big deal; he wouldn’t refuse Qi Wei, so there was no need for him to be so roundabout.
Qi Wei paused, as if wanting to say something, then just said, “Okay.”
Seeing his hesitant look, Qi Zhao asked, “What do you want to say?”
He didn’t want Qi Wei to misunderstand.
Qi Wei thought for a moment, then asked carefully, “Ah Zhao, do you… dislike me being like this?”
“No.” Qi Zhao tilted his head slightly. “Didn’t I tell you? If I disliked it, I would tell you directly.”
“…Aren’t you telling me directly now?”
“…”
Qi Zhao froze, then realized that he was indeed telling him directly. He could only sigh helplessly. “By ‘directly,’ I mean telling you directly that I dislike it… If I truly disliked it, I wouldn’t be so subtle, okay?”
Qi Wei smiled faintly. “Okay.”
Qi Zhao: “Then you should also tell me directly if you have anything to say, okay?”
Qi Wei nodded again. “Okay.”
Qi Zhao was reassured.
Qi Wei always kept his promises, unless it was something truly exceptional.
They waited for a while, and Yang Shou arrived before the dishes were served.
Yang Shou inevitably brought four bodyguards with him, but he could leave them at the door.
“Wow, you guys are so nice, waiting for me to eat?”
“It’s dinner time, the kitchen is busy, the dishes aren’t ready yet.”
Yan Shuang chuckled. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
Yang Shou was an S-rank alpha. Although he was in his thirties, he looked like he was in his twenties, just with a more mature and composed demeanor, his smile exuding both kindness and authority.
Qi Zhao thought that he looked similar to how he appeared on TV, but in person…
Yang Shou clicked his tongue softly. “I was wondering why you two are suddenly so well-behaved today…”
He then looked at Qi Zhao and greeted him with a smile. “Qi Zhao, nice to meet you. No need to be polite, just call me by my name.”
“Okay.” Qi Zhao nodded, not extending his hand in a formal greeting. “Nice to meet you too.”
Qi Wei just shifted slightly, and Yang Shou said, “Okay, okay, I’m just saying hello, not staring. Qi Wei, you’re really going too far, not even letting me look?”
Qi Wei chuckled softly, giving him a warning look.
Yang Shou, being the President, wasn’t afraid at all. “Your partner definitely knows what kind of person you are. Qi Zhao is so smart, how could he not see through you? Stop pretending.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He tried to suppress his laughter, but couldn’t help it.
“…Ah Zhao.”
Qi Wei turned to look at him, his dark eyes fixed on him, his tone cool. “He’s bullying me, and you’re not only not helping me, you’re even laughing.”
Yan Shuang gasped and rubbed his arms. Before he could say anything, Yang Shou started pointing at Qi Wei. “Hey, Qi Wei, are you even an alpha? Why are you complaining to your partner like that?”
Yan Shuang: “? Pot calling the kettle black. Yang Shou, aren’t you the same in front of Teacher?”
Qi Zhao paused slightly.
Teacher?
Tang Huaiyuan spoke at this moment. “Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?”
He was genuinely puzzled. “How many times have you complained about me to my sister??? Do you want me to count???”
Right.
These alphas were all the same; none of them could judge the others.
Yan Shuang just wanted to appease his future brother-in-law, since Tang Su had told him sweetly—
“I listen to my brother.”
Yang Shou smiled at Yan Shuang, who was practically fawning over Tang Huaiyuan, and pulled out a chair, sitting diagonally opposite Qi Wei and Qi Zhao. “How’s your condition? I heard you’re using a new drug. Any side effects? How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
Qi Wei said concisely, “The medicine is just a supplement.”
Yang Shou realized that Qi Zhao wasn’t aware of some things, so he continued, “Indeed, the most important thing is that Qi Zhao is by your side now. I understand, I’ve been there.”
Qi Wei smiled faintly, his expression polite yet dismissive.
Yang Shou added carefully, “Okay, my problem wasn’t as serious as yours.”
Qi Wei turned to Qi Zhao. “Don’t listen to him, it’s not that serious.”
He lowered his voice. “Yang Shou just had a minor issue back then. Mine is a little more complicated, but it’s not a big deal.”
Yang Shou scoffed inwardly.
A few years left to live isn’t a big deal. Only he can lie so shamelessly.
He had seen Qi Wei’s medical reports after his last rut; his condition was still dire. Although his rut this time had been unusually calm, there were no signs of improvement. It could only be said that he could control his pheromones now, which was indeed a slight improvement.
But compared to his grim prognosis, this improvement was negligible.
He didn’t know if their research theory was correct, if emotions could truly replace pheromones, but he knew Qi Wei would find a way.
Having finally obtained the person he had longed for, he wouldn’t allow himself to lose him so soon.
So they could only trust Qi Wei.
As for whether Qi Zhao had guessed his condition…
Yang Shou discreetly observed them, watching Qi Zhao smile at Qi Wei, his expression impeccable. “Hmm.”
