63
Since Qi Zhao was tired from work that week, they didn’t go anywhere during the weekend, just stayed home.
Qi Wei, of course, had no objections. Although he wanted to go on dates with Qi Zhao, he also wanted to spend quality time with him. Since Qi Zhao had decided to stay home, it saved him the trouble of making plans.
And they didn’t watch a movie on Saturday. Qi Zhao, nestled in Qi Wei’s arms, read a new book by his favorite author.
—A pre-release manuscript, not yet available online or in stores.
Qi Zhao commented, “I didn’t expect there to be a VIP fast track even for reading books.”
Qi Wei chuckled softly. “She happens to be signed with Qi Corp’s entertainment company. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have access to this.”
Qi Zhao paused slightly, turning a page, his gaze sweeping across Qi Wei’s arm around his waist, and didn’t reply.
Qi Wei knew best whether it was truly a “coincidence” or not.
Qi Zhao wasn’t bothered by Qi Wei’s manipulative tactics; he just found them a little overwhelming.
Qi Wei’s feelings for him were like a tightly woven net, trapping him unknowingly.
The book was quite long, and Qi Zhao was a slow reader. Even though he could speed-read, he still preferred to savor each word, so after a whole day, he had only finished a third of it.
Qi Wei went to prepare dinner, and Qi Zhao closed the book, placing the manuscript without a cover on the living room cabinet, then went to the island counter to accompany Qi Wei, staying within his line of sight.
Qi Wei said, “Ah Zhao, it’s okay, you can continue reading.”
Qi Zhao, watching him lower his head and tie his apron, his voice softening, “If we don’t maintain the same pace, we can’t read together next time.”
Qi Wei paused. “…Okay.”
He knew Qi Zhao was still worried about his gland and was staying there to keep him within his line of sight, to make him feel better.
Qi Wei had to admit, Qi Zhao’s actions sweetened his heart and brought a joyful lightness to his eyes.
He liked Qi Zhao caring about him, worrying about him.
Because from these actions, he could glimpse Qi Zhao’s feelings for him.
Qi Wei was a quick and efficient cook, clearly skilled in the kitchen, able to multitask. In less than an hour, he had the dishes ready and served on the table.
Qi Zhao got up to help serve the food and set the table, then paused for a moment as he watched Qi Wei take off his apron.
Qi Wei, noticing his hesitation, asked, “What’s wrong?”
“…Nothing,” Qi Zhao put down the dishes and said, “I just suddenly felt… like this is home.”
When he was at the Qi family home, there were maids and cooks, and dinner was just dinner. The staff would take care of everything, even placing the chopsticks neatly on the table. Now, at Qi Wei’s place, although he had to do some things himself, it felt warm and cozy.
Simple, everyday… it was the kind of home he wanted.
Qi Wei chuckled softly. “Ah Zhao, this is our home.”
Qi Zhao smiled. “You’re right.”
They had a simple dinner, nothing extravagant, but Qi Zhao ate his fill.
After Qi Wei finished cleaning up, he asked if Qi Wei wanted to go for a walk.
“Sure,” Qi Wei wiped his hands, “just around the neighborhood?”
Qi Zhao nodded. “Not too far.”
***
The weather was beautiful today, not too hot, the evening glow painting the sky in vibrant colors.
Qi Zhao and Qi Wei walked side by side at first, but after a few steps, Qi Wei reached out and gently hooked Qi Zhao’s fingers.
Qi Zhao paused, not pulling away, and Qi Wei interlaced their fingers, holding his hand tightly.
“The party next month,” Qi Wei said, taking the initiative, “it’s a rather large event. All the S-rank alphas and omegas in the country will be there. Yang Shou will be there too.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He realized something. “The pre-parliamentary banquet?”
Qi Wei nodded. “Yes.”
Qi Zhao’s lips moved. He instinctively wanted to ask if Qi Wei was sure about bringing him, but then he realized that Qi Wei didn’t care about these things. Not only would he bring him, but he would probably even make him the center of attention if he wanted to.
Qi Zhao said helplessly, “…You’re making me feel a little pressured.”
Qi Wei turned his head and smiled. “Ah Zhao, are you truly feeling pressured?”
Qi Zhao thought about it. “Okay, fine.”
He wasn’t.
Although he had never attended before, he knew most of the S-rank alphas and omegas in the country. And this wasn’t the parliament itself, just a pre-parliamentary banquet.
It wasn’t that important, but it wasn’t meaningless either.
Because all S-rank alphas and omegas who were citizens of Z Country had to attend this banquet.
It was a mandatory social event, a way for them to exchange information and signals.
Besides S-ranks, A-rank alphas and omegas would also try their best to attend, so it was jokingly called the “noble banquet” by netizens.
Because the minimum entry requirement was A-rank; anyone below that wasn’t qualified. It wasn’t about family background or wealth, but simply a gathering of alphas and omegas.
The subsequent parliamentary meeting, however, wasn’t restricted by secondary gender, but by status.
An S-rank omega?
Qi Zhao said casually, “Then Yun Yi will also be there.”
Qi Wei paused slightly. “Yes, he’s the omega you’re closest to, right?”
He couldn’t help himself, his tone slightly cool. “Ah Zhao, you know he’s an S-rank omega now, right?”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He didn’t dare move his hand, which was being held tightly, lest he provoke the alpha. “We haven’t been in contact for years.”
“Indeed,” Qi Wei turned his head, “Ah Zhao, are you… disappointed?”
Qi Zhao: “.”
Qi Wei was truly pushing his buttons today.
Qi Zhao looked at him helplessly. “If there was anything between us, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.”
He paused, then added, “I just remembered hearing a long time ago that you two had a private engagement, so I mentioned it.”
Qi Wei blinked slowly, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips. “Ah Zhao, are you jealous?”
Qi Zhao wanted to say no, but before he could speak, Qi Wei chuckled. “You know more than just Yun Yi among the S-rank omegas, but you only mentioned him.”
Qi Zhao froze.
He realized a moment later that he had indeed thought of Yun Yi when he heard “S-rank omega,” a strange feeling in his chest… “…”
Qi Wei, seeing his expression, lowered his head, restraining himself, just moving closer to Qi Zhao without kissing him.
Because Qi Zhao had said no public displays of affection.
But Qi Wei couldn’t help but tighten his grip on Qi Zhao’s hand, his voice unconsciously rising slightly, yet also carrying a hint of uncertainty. “Ah Zhao, you still trust me, right?”
—Qi Zhao had said before that he wasn’t jealous or suspicious because he trusted Qi Wei. If he was jealous now, then Qi Wei was in trouble.
This kind of question again.
Qi Zhao looked at Qi Wei, not speaking immediately.
Did he no longer trust Qi Wei?
Actually, he did.
He believed in Qi Wei, even though Qi Wei hadn’t yet explained those rumors. He trusted him without a shred of doubt.
But he just… felt different from before, when Qi Wei had given him the bandage, or when he had suggested that Qi Wei could find another companion for the party.
Qi Zhao didn’t understand why he felt this way, but analyzing it now… it was a slightly bitter feeling.
Qi Wei was a super S-rank alpha. Before he started rejecting omegas, before he gained control of the Qi family, it was normal for his family to consider arranging a marriage for him.
He knew this.
Qi Zhao exhaled silently, thinking that this feeling was truly unfamiliar.
He said softly to Qi Wei, “I do trust you.”
He just… seemed to like Qi Wei even more now.
Qi Wei smiled, his eyes curving into crescents.
His face, when he wasn’t smiling or frowning, was handsome, exuding a violent, oppressive aura, the perfect image of a super S-rank alpha. But when he smiled, it was incredibly captivating, almost enchanting, making Qi Zhao wonder if he could also sense pheromones now, if Qi Wei was subtly releasing courting pheromones, making him feel dizzy and wanting to kiss him.
Qi Wei said, “Ah Zhao.”
He called his name, the lightness in his voice like a cheerful sparrow, hopping on the soft flesh of Qi Zhao’s heart, making it tremble. “There was no engagement between us. I just met him once because of you, and we happened to be photographed by the media. Although I tried to suppress the news, it still leaked out, and that’s how the rumors started.”
Qi Wei held Qi Zhao’s hand and said sincerely, “I didn’t expect you to hear about it.”
Qi Zhao didn’t speak immediately.
Under Qi Wei’s gaze, he asked, a little puzzled, “…Because I went to meet him?”
Qi Wei hummed in agreement and said frankly, “I went to see him because I wanted to know more about you.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He finally asked the question, “So, did you have Xu Chenzhou work for you because of me?”
Qi Zhao hadn’t thought much of it before.
Even though Qi Wei’s current friends were all his old friends, he had just thought it was because of their overlapping social circles.
But as he got to know Qi Wei better, and discovered that Qi Wei knew so much about him, he couldn’t help but wonder how Qi Wei had obtained this information.
Those overlapping friends… And Qi Zhao had noticed, during their dinners together, and that one encounter in the parking lot, that Qi Wei’s relationship with Tang Huaiyuan wasn’t as close as it appeared in the news. At the time, he had thought it was perhaps because of the difference in their ranks, and because they were both alphas.
But now it seemed…
Was it because Tang Huaiyuan knew Qi Wei’s intentions, so he was a little awkward with him?
And Qi Wei… he clearly knew, but he didn’t mind.
Now, hearing Qi Zhao’s question, he didn’t nod directly. “Not entirely.”
He told Qi Zhao, “He’s also capable and efficient.”
“Also.”
“Not entirely.”
Qi Zhao sighed inwardly.
The web Qi Wei had spun was even more intricate and vast than he had imagined.
Seeing him fall silent, Qi Wei lowered his head and asked softly, “Ah Zhao, do you… dislike it?”
“…How should I put it,” Qi Zhao looked up at Qi Wei helplessly, “it’s not that I dislike it, but I don’t exactly like it either.”
Would anyone like it?
Qi Zhao said, “I can only say I don’t mind.”
And for Qi Wei, that was enough.
His tense nerves relaxed, and his eyes curved into a smile. “Okay.”
Qi Zhao was wary. “I’m not praising you for this.”
Having interacted with him for so long, he knew that Qi Wei was good at pushing boundaries, so he couldn’t indulge him too much.
Qi Wei said obediently, “I won’t do it again.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He had already done almost everything; what else could he do?
Qi Zhao was speechless, but he didn’t say anything more, just walking with Qi Wei towards the setting sun, towards home.
