61
On Sunday, the moment he opened his eyes, someone sighed. “Tomorrow’s a workday.”
Qi Zhao’s still hazy mind instantly cleared. “…Don’t tell ghost stories on weekends,” he told Qi Wei.
Qi Wei chuckled softly. “Ah Zhao, I thought you were a workaholic.”
Qi Zhao hissed softly, knowing Qi Wei was teasing him, so he replied playfully, “Work is unavoidable. Who doesn’t want to be a slacker?”
Qi Wei tightened his embrace, burying his face in the crook of Qi Zhao’s neck, and whispered, “You don’t.”
If Qi Zhao did, the contract he proposed wouldn’t have been like that.
And Qi Zhao wouldn’t have held onto that grudge for so many years… He hadn’t returned to Z Country because he was worried about the Qi family falling apart, but because he was resentful and wanted to watch from afar as the Qi family, without him, crumbled.
His Qi Zhao was like this; he knew it very well.
Because Qi Wei had countless times seen the cold glint in Qi Zhao’s eyes, sensed the schemes hidden beneath his simple words, so he knew that playing mind games with Qi Zhao… was difficult.
Qi Zhao probably already knew everything.
And it was precisely because he knew this that he was so afraid.
He had exposed all his cards, all his thoughts, to Qi Zhao from the very beginning. Qi Zhao must have seen through him completely.
Like a novice at the gambling table, revealing his hand from the moment he placed his bet, leaving himself at the mercy of the dealer.
Qi Wei often regretted his impulsiveness late at night when he replayed their interactions in his mind.
He should have been more careful.
Qi Zhao paused slightly. “…Fine.”
He sighed. “I can’t be a slacker.”
He added with a smile, “But I find it strange. Sometimes I wish I could be a pampered slacker, with someone to help me even turn over in bed, and sometimes I’m full of energy, wanting to conquer the world.”
“Because you also get tired.”
Qi Wei inhaled Qi Zhao’s scent, his gland strangely quiet. “…Ah Zhao.”
He said to Qi Zhao, “Lean on me when you’re tired.”
He wanted Qi Zhao to act spoiled, to tell him he didn’t want to do something, and then let him take care of it.
He wanted to be Qi Zhao’s support.
Qi Zhao said okay, then asked softly, “Qi Wei, is your gland uncomfortable again?”
Qi Wei’s words were a bit strange.
“…”
Qi Wei’s fingertips curled slightly, his voice a little hoarse. “It seems so.”
“Didn’t you say the medicine made you feel much better?”
“Alphas easily develop drug resistance, especially higher-ranking ones, due to their genes… I’m going to the lab on Monday to get a new prescription.”
Qi Zhao pursed his lips.
He wanted Qi Wei to tell him how serious his condition truly was. But since Qi Wei avoided the topic, he couldn’t press him. After all, he knew that Qi Wei didn’t want their relationship to be burdened by other emotions.
Qi Wei wanted his affection.
If before, he had been content with just having Qi Zhao by his side, no matter what,
Now, his greed had made him possessive.
He wanted his love, pure and simple.
Qi Zhao didn’t know what to do.
After all, he had never imagined being entangled with someone like this.
They could only take it slow.
“Should I go with you?”
“No need.”
Qi Wei raised his head and kissed Qi Zhao lightly on the lips, restraining himself. “You have work. It’s just a new prescription, not a big deal.”
His voice slowed and softened. “Ah Zhao, if you truly care about me, come work with me sooner.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He suddenly felt that all the previous conversation had been a setup for this moment.
Qi Zhao and Qi Wei didn’t go out today.
After having beef brisket noodles for breakfast, they tidied up the house together. After lunch, Qi Zhao suggested watching a movie.
There was a domestic film Qi Zhao hadn’t had time to see in theaters, and it was already available online.
Qi Zhao wasn’t picky about movies, as long as he was interested; he didn’t care much about the quality.
To him, movies were for relaxation, there was no need to be too critical.
Since Qi Zhao suggested it, Qi Wei naturally agreed.
So they spent the afternoon watching a movie together.
They were initially just sitting side by side, but as they watched, Qi Wei naturally took Qi Zhao’s hand, playing with his fingers, making Qi Zhao glance at him.
Qi Wei, sensing his gaze, turned to look at him, a puzzled look in his eyes.
Qi Zhao gestured that it was nothing, his fingertips curling involuntarily.
Qi Wei was truly clingy.
So clingy that just a third of the way through the movie, he had his left hand holding Qi Zhao’s right, his right arm reaching around Qi Zhao’s back, his hand resting on his waist.
Qi Zhao: “.”
He felt it, but he didn’t say anything.
He wanted to see what Qi Wei would do next.
Then, about halfway through the movie, as the characters on screen were delivering their punchlines, Qi Zhao felt Qi Wei’s chin resting on his shoulder.
He turned his head slightly, almost brushing against Qi Wei’s eyes.
Qi Zhao paused and asked softly, “Are you bored?”
The movie was supposed to be a comedy, but so far, Qi Zhao hadn’t laughed much, just smiled faintly a couple of times. He didn’t know if his sense of humor was just different, or if there was a reason why this movie was pulled from theaters early.
Qi Wei shook his head gently. “No.”
He never felt bored with Qi Zhao, even if they were just sitting on the sofa doing nothing.
Deep down, Qi Wei had the typical alpha traits, loving danger and excitement, the adrenaline rush.
But with Qi Zhao, he preferred this peaceful, quiet intimacy. It made his gland feel comfortable, and even the pheromones that Qi Zhao couldn’t sense, no longer felt like thorny ropes, trying to pierce his flesh and burrow into his bones.
They were gentle now, like a soft breeze caressing Qi Zhao, like Qi Wei’s soul embracing him.
So Qi Wei just said, “I just want to hold you.”
Qi Zhao didn’t understand at first. “Aren’t you holding me right now?”
Qi Wei blinked slowly, his long eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a beautiful black butterfly, also like deadly blades, effortlessly capturing one’s soul.
Qi Wei: “Not like this.”
Before Qi Zhao could speak, Qi Wei released his hand and tightened his grip on his waist.
In the next second, Qi Zhao felt something lift him from behind his knees, and he was placed on Qi Wei’s lap.
Literally placed.
He was shifted horizontally, his back against Qi Wei’s chest, Qi Wei’s arms wrapping around him, holding his arms and body captive.
Even though Qi Wei wasn’t using much force, the subtle possessiveness still sent shivers down Qi Zhao’s spine.
Qi Zhao didn’t move or speak at first, just instinctively tensing up.
Qi Wei naturally sensed it and lowered his eyes slightly, his dark gaze deep and unreadable.
As he lowered his head, his nose brushing against the back of Qi Zhao’s neck, Qi Zhao’s hair stood on end. “Qi Wei…”
That spot was where an omega’s gland was located.
Alphas instinctively wanted to mark that spot.
Qi Wei gently interrupted him. “Ah Zhao.”
His breath was hot against Qi Zhao’s skin, like steam from boiling water, making him instinctively want to recoil. But Qi Zhao didn’t dare move, afraid of further provoking the alpha.
“Don’t worry, I know.”
Qi Wei’s voice was slightly hoarse. “I won’t touch you, and I won’t treat you like an omega… I’ve told you, you’re not defined by those things.”
Qi Wei’s voice was soft, like a gentle breeze against Qi Zhao’s ear. “You’re my lover.”
But his words were heavy, each one like a sharp-edged stone, piercing Qi Zhao’s heart, a destructive kind of possession. “So you can push me away anytime you want.”
Qi Zhao’s breath hitched.
The awkward laughter from the movie faded from his perception; he felt completely enveloped by Qi Wei.
It was a strange feeling.
He was a beta, unable to sense pheromones.
An alpha’s courting pheromones were ineffective against betas, like an impenetrable wall… Yet at this moment, he felt like he had stepped into Qi Wei’s pheromone territory.
Trapped within.
The owner of the territory told him he could leave anytime.
But he couldn’t bring himself to struggle.
“…Yes.”
Qi Zhao replied, his heart pounding so loudly that it distracted him from the movie. He couldn’t help but say to Qi Wei, “Qi Wei, you’re playing dirty.”
Tempting him, then telling him he could refuse.
Like making him hungry, then telling him he didn’t have to eat if he didn’t want to.
How could he not want to?
Qi Zhao raised his hand slightly, and as soon as he touched the back of Qi Wei’s hand, Qi Wei captured both his hands in his, holding them captive.
Pure possessiveness.
But Qi Zhao had known this all along, so he just felt a little helpless.
Especially when Qi Wei murmured, almost in a trance, “Ah Zhao… I truly love you.”
He could give Qi Zhao anything he wanted.
So… please like him more, love him a little.
Qi Zhao paused, flustered by his words, his lips moving, but he couldn’t speak.
Love and like were different.
He liked Qi Wei, but not to the same extent, not to the point of saying “I love you.”
He didn’t want to lie to Qi Wei, didn’t want to give him an unequal response.
So in the end, Qi Zhao remained silent, just leaning closer into Qi Wei’s embrace.
Qi Wei’s arms tightened around him, as if to comfort himself. “It’s okay, we have plenty of time.”
Qi Zhao’s eyes flickered.
He turned to look at Qi Wei, realizing that he was truly different from the Qi Wei of seven years ago.
The alpha who hadn’t fully differentiated back then had matured considerably.
Qi Zhao murmured unconsciously, “I suddenly really want to kiss you.”
Qi Wei paused, then raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile playing on his lips. “Go ahead.”
He leaned closer to Qi Zhao, their lips almost touching as he spoke. “As long as you want, no charge.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He chuckled, then leaned in and kissed Qi Wei lightly on the lips. “Wouldn’t that mean I’m taking advantage of you?”
Qi Wei smiled. “Yes, so Ah Zhao, you should kiss me more, before I change my mind and decide it’s a loss.”
Qi Zhao: “.”
You’re so smooth.
He sighed, but still kissed Qi Wei twice more, then asked with a smile, “Do you want to change your mind now?”
Qi Wei’s heart itched from his kisses. “Yes.”
He unconsciously licked his lips, unaware of how alluring he looked. “Not only will I charge you, but I’ll also collect some interest.”
As he finished speaking, he captured Qi Zhao’s lips in a deep kiss, taking advantage of his momentary daze.
