70
This banquet wasn’t really anything special, truly just a gathering where any topic was fair game. Business, gossip, state affairs—there were no taboos.
Then came the introductions of the newly differentiated A-rank and above alphas and omegas of the year, exchanging facial recognition and names.
After all, each high-ranking alpha and omega was genetically superior to most others. With a little effort, they were destined to be among the elite at the top of the pyramid.
This was their circle.
Then, the S-rank alphas and omegas would hold a separate, small meeting.
The others didn’t know what it was about, but Qi Wei, being above S-rank, naturally had to attend.
He squeezed Qi Zhao’s hand. “I’ll be back in about half an hour.”
Qi Zhao sighed. “I’m an adult… you don’t have to worry.”
He wouldn’t be affected by any alpha or omega’s seductive pheromones, and besides, in this kind of setting, no one would act foolishly like some cannon fodder character in a novel.
Qi Wei knew this, but he still couldn’t bear to let Qi Zhao out of his sight, so he stared at him for a moment longer, then lowered his voice. “Find a place to wait for me, okay?”
Qi Zhao paused slightly, vaguely guessing that Qi Wei wanted to leave some pheromones on him as a warning to others.
He felt a headache coming on. “Qi Wei.”
“It’s fine,” Qi Wei’s tone softened as he tried to coax him, “Yang Shou and the others know about my situation, they won’t mind.”
At most, they would laugh at him behind closed doors later, but Qi Wei wasn’t new to being teased by them; he didn’t care.
Qi Zhao thought that wasn’t the only problem.
He looked at Qi Wei, who was waiting for his answer, knowing that even if he refused, Qi Wei wouldn’t be upset, but…
“I’ll go to the terrace.”
Qi Zhao sighed inwardly, not understanding why he agreed to such a ridiculous request. “It’s a little stuffy in here.”
Qi Wei smiled, restraining himself and just touching Qi Zhao’s forehead with his own. “Okay.”
Qi Wei escorted Qi Zhao to the terrace, carefully selecting some new desserts for him to try and ordering a glass of warm milk with honey. “Don’t drink any alcohol.”
After all these arrangements, he still had to say a few more words before he could leave with peace of mind. “Have some snacks first, and think about what you want for a late-night snack later.”
Qi Zhao looked at him helplessly, his heart warming, no longer caring about the occasional glances from others. “Okay.”
Qi Wei left his pheromones behind, creating a barrier around Qi Zhao, preventing any other alpha or omega from approaching the terrace, before finally leaving.
Qi Zhao took a sip of the warm milk, the temperature perfect, and sighed inwardly.
He took out his vibrating phone and, as expected, received a message from Tang Huaiyuan.
Qi Wei could stop people from approaching, but he couldn’t stop cell phones.
Tang Huaiyuan sent him an emoji that said, “[Your Majesty, blinded by love!],” and Qi Zhao smiled faintly, unable to find a suitable emoji in return, so he typed, “[It can’t be helped, my concubine is stunningly beautiful, the only one in the world.]”
Tang Huaiyuan: “…”
He shouldn’t have bothered.
He knew his friend wouldn’t let Qi Wei do such a ridiculous thing if he truly disliked it.
They were truly a match made in heaven.
Tang Huaiyuan looked at Yang Shou, who was helping Ming Jingsong up, and thought the same about them.
Ming Jingsong could only tolerate Yang Shou’s pheromones.
Qi Wei had said half an hour, and it was indeed half an hour.
When he returned, the banquet was almost over.
Qi Wei usually stayed until the end, chatting with Yang Shou and the others before leaving.
But this time, he immediately came looking for Qi Zhao after leaving the meeting room.
Qi Wei took Qi Zhao’s hand, making sure he wasn’t cold, then squatted down slightly and asked softly, “Shall we go?”
Qi Zhao nodded. “Okay.”
So Qi Wei stood up and led Qi Zhao out of the venue, hand in hand.
Qi Zhao didn’t ask what they had discussed, but Qi Wei briefly explained, “We hold a small meeting every year, firstly to discuss black market issues, which is why Ming Jingsong also attends; and secondly, to discuss the movements of those foreign S-ranks.”
Qi Zhao understood.
Although it was a time of peace, it wasn’t a utopia.
There were still criminals, and the world wasn’t entirely peaceful.
The black market Qi Wei referred to specifically targeted those who trafficked alphas and omegas for experimentation. He had heard that Yang Shou had served in a special unit for a while, specifically targeting these criminals, and had made significant contributions in cracking down on them.
Because of the age difference, Qi Zhao’s memories of these news reports were somewhat vague. He only remembered his mother commenting that even that troublemaker Yang Shou had grown up.
And the movements of foreign S-rank alphas and omegas were also important to them domestically.
After all, there was a saying about being prepared for danger in times of peace.
The suppression of lower-ranking alphas and omegas by S-ranks was absolute, undeniable.
Qi Wei only offered a brief explanation, and Qi Zhao didn’t pry further.
If Qi Wei didn’t say anything, it meant he couldn’t. Qi Zhao didn’t feel displeased that there were secrets between them; he was an adult and understood boundaries.
But after the banquet, because Qi Wei didn’t try to suppress the news, reports of their relationship spread like wildfire, even reaching abroad.
On their way to get late-night snacks, Qi Zhao received an international call.
It was from Hua Tang.
Hua Tang was incredibly excited. “Holy shit! Qi Zhao! You’re amazing!”
Qi Zhao pulled the phone away from his ear slightly. “Keep your voice down.”
This casual remark made Qi Wei’s heart itch. “My alpha is right beside me.”
He could hear.
He knew.
Qi Wei’s already smiling eyes lit up even more at Qi Zhao’s words, his hand caressing the back of Qi Zhao’s, his fingertips tapping lightly.
He wanted to kiss the mouth that had just uttered such sweet words.
But he knew he couldn’t; he had to restrain himself.
Otherwise, Qi Zhao would be unhappy.
Hua Tang clicked his tongue on the other end of the line. “‘My alpha’? Brother, seriously, I don’t even recognize you anymore. Are you possessed?”
Qi Zhao, unlike Qi Wei, wasn’t fazed by his friend’s teasing, but his ears felt a little warm, and he couldn’t respond for a moment. “…”
Hua Tang didn’t mind that Qi Zhao hadn’t told him about their relationship, just saying, “No wonder you always went quiet whenever we talked about Qi Wei before. So you two have history? Don’t tell me this is a reunion after a breakup?”
“No…”
Qi Zhao found it strange to talk about Qi Wei with his friend while Qi Wei was right beside him, so he said concisely, “Let’s talk about it when we meet.”
Hua Tang dramatically tapped his phone loudly. “I’m buying a ticket right now, I’ll be in Kyoto tomorrow morning.”
“…I have work tomorrow.”
Qi Zhao smiled. “There won’t even be anyone to pick you up.”
Hua Tang said angrily, “Have your alpha arrange a driver for me!!!”
Qi Wei smiled, and because he was in a good mood, he leaned closer to Qi Zhao, resting his head on his shoulder, and whispered, “I can arrange for someone to pick him up.”
Qi Zhao thought, You’re only not jealous at times like these. “Both of you, stop it.”
They both had to work tomorrow; what were they acting for?
Hua Tang, knowing he couldn’t possibly return tomorrow, chatted with Qi Zhao for a few more minutes, then tactfully ended the call, not wanting to disturb the couple. After he hung up, Qi Wei reached out and wrapped his arm around Qi Zhao’s waist.
He practically leaned his entire weight on him, and Qi Zhao paused, turning his head to look at him. “Qi Wei, you’re heavy.”
Qi Wei wasn’t sympathetic at all. “Ah Zhao, just consider it exercise.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
Fine.
It wasn’t unbearable; he just wanted to say it.
An alpha’s genetic advantage gave Qi Wei a larger frame than his, and with his disciplined workouts…
“Speaking of special units,” Qi Zhao suddenly remembered something, “I heard that all alphas and omegas ranked S or above have to undergo special training. Is that true?”
Qi Wei hummed in agreement. “It’s a precaution.”
Qi Zhao said, impressed, “No wonder you can always subdue me so easily.”
Qi Wei chuckled, then a thought occurred to him. “Ah Zhao, do you want to learn?”
Qi Zhao instinctively felt a sense of danger, for himself. “…Why do I feel like you have ulterior motives?”
Qi Wei looked innocent. “No, I sincerely want to teach you.”
He touched the bite mark on his neck. “It’s also good that you can protect yourself.”
Qi Zhao knew that Qi Wei had always treated him like someone who needed to be protected, and he had always hoped that Qi Zhao would rely on him, act spoiled, and be more demanding.
It was an alpha’s instinct, to want their partner to be dependent on them, to show their vulnerable side. This would satisfy their protective instincts.
But Qi Wei could say such things to him…
Qi Zhao’s breath hitched, his lips moving, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
He didn’t say anything, just leaning closer to Qi Wei and kissing him lightly on the lips.
Then Qi Wei took control, turning the tables and kissing him deeply, plundering his mouth.
“…Tastes like honey,” Qi Wei murmured softly, “very sweet.”
Qi Zhao’s eyelashes fluttered, his body flushing at his words. “You,” he paused, his voice strained, “Qi Wei, why do you always say such things?”
Qi Wei blinked, thinking, Okay then.
Qi Zhao couldn’t even handle such simple words.
His Ah Zhao.
Qi Wei leaned in and kissed the corner of Qi Zhao’s mouth, his eyes darkening, sighing inwardly.
So innocent.
It truly made him want to tease him relentlessly.
—But he had to restrain himself.
Qi Zhao was easily flustered and prone to getting angry.
However,
The alpha licked his canines, a restless feeling stirring within him.
Because Qi Zhao was also incredibly cute when he was angry.
He loved seeing him like that.
Fortunately, Qi Zhao couldn’t read minds and didn’t know what he was thinking. Otherwise, he would definitely call him crazy.
