75
Fortunately, Tang Sheng Real Estate didn’t require suits every day. As long as one dressed formally, a turtleneck under a suit jacket was also acceptable.
Now that autumn had arrived in Kyoto, and the weather was turning colder, Qi Zhao could dress like this. As long as he was careful, the marks on his neck wouldn’t be visible.
And because of his fair skin and slender frame, this style of dress gave him an indescribable air of elegance, which Qi Wei found incredibly alluring.
It made his heart itch.
Especially when Qi Zhao was just wearing the turtleneck.
The slightly tight-fitting fabric perfectly outlined his figure, including the subtle muscles of his abdomen, incredibly beautiful.
So Qi Wei couldn’t resist nuzzling and kissing him for a while before letting him have breakfast and then going to work together.
The Yancheng project was finally completed in mid-November.
Qi Zhao wrote his resignation letter and submitted it in advance, setting his departure date for the beginning of December. He hadn’t told his team yet, to avoid unnecessary discussions and questions.
Before his departure, Aunt Chu, the alpha elder who had taken a liking to him during the Huating City bidding, came to Kyoto.
She invited Qi Zhao to dinner, which coincided with Qi Wei having an unavoidable business dinner—so he wouldn’t be able to have dinner with Qi Zhao tonight.
Qi Zhao told him he was going out with Aunt Chu, and Qi Wei said okay, so Qi Zhao agreed to the dinner invitation.
So that evening, the driver Qi Wei arranged for him took him to the private restaurant. Qi Wei’s car was allowed to enter the premises.
When Qi Zhao entered the private room, Aunt Chu was already there, reading a book.
It was an ancient novel that Qi Zhao had also read, quite interesting.
“Aunt Chu.”
Qi Zhao greeted her politely, this time not extending his hand for a handshake.
Aunt Chu did the same, just closing her book and smiling. “It’s good that I came early; otherwise, you would have had to wait for me.”
Qi Zhao had indeed arrived earlier than their agreed time. “It’s only right.”
He said, “After all, I’m the host.”
They sat down, and there was no need for Qi Zhao to order. Qi Wei’s secretaries had already contacted the restaurant, most of the dishes catered to Qi Zhao’s preferences, with a few local specialties and the restaurant’s signature dishes for Aunt Chu to try.
—When inviting someone to dinner, of course, you should offer them the local cuisine. What was the point of offering them dishes from their hometown? They weren’t here to reminisce about home.
Qi Zhao and Aunt Chu sat three chairs apart, first chatting about random topics, then discussing some business matters.
After a while, Aunt Chu said slowly, “Last time I saw you, Qi Wei said he was pursuing you. Not long after, I heard that you two were together.”
Qi Zhao was a little embarrassed to discuss his relationship, especially with an elder. So after a pause, he just said, “I didn’t expect to agree so quickly either, but… it wasn’t entirely unexpected.”
Aunt Chu was slightly surprised. “Why?”
Qi Zhao coughed lightly and lowered his head, a smile playing on his lips. “Qi Wei… he’s very good to me.”
Hearing this, Aunt Chu knew there was no need to warn him about the dangers of an alpha like Qi Wei.
This child probably already knew.
Aunt Chu said, a hint of wistfulness in her voice, “I used to think you would find someone similar to you, gentle, polite, and straightforward. Without all the schemes and manipulations.”
More importantly, Qi Wei wasn’t a good person.
They all knew this.
Alphas were powerful, especially with their genetic advantages.
But alphas also had a fatal flaw: the higher their rank, the less empathy they had. Although those S-rank alphas all seemed lively, humorous, and charming, they knew very well what kind of monsters lurked beneath their human skin.
What they presented to the world was a carefully constructed facade, honed by years of social conditioning and education, not their true nature.
Qi Zhao thought about it.
He truly considered Aunt Chu’s words, then said with a smile, “I don’t think I would like someone like that, but I could be friends with them, just friends.”
Aunt Chu teased him playfully. “A preference for bad boys?”
Qi Zhao smiled. “No.”
He was just… captivated by Qi Wei’s intense, almost reckless love, which had pried open his tightly closed shell.
Qi Zhao didn’t elaborate, and Aunt Chu didn’t press him further.
They talked about the real estate market, and as they finished their meal, Aunt Chu suddenly said, “Qi Mao is about to be liquidated.”
Qi Zhao froze.
He had heard bits and pieces of news about the Qi family, after all, he was working for Tang Sheng, their former rival.
Seeing him speechless, Aunt Chu said softly, “Qi Wei probably doesn’t want you to know about the Qi family’s affairs, does he?”
They all knew that Qi Mao’s rapid decline was likely orchestrated by someone.
Qi Zhao was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. “Aunt Chu, I’m sorry.”
He confessed, “Actually, I don’t want to know about Qi Mao’s affairs either.”
Aunt Chu was stunned.
She understood why Qi Zhao apologized; he was apologizing for not being as good as she thought.
A silence fell between them. Qi Zhao calmly asked the waiter to pack a box of fried milk, thinking of taking it home for Qi Wei, and the waiter, as he handed him the insulated box, said softly, “Mr. Qi, Second Young Master is waiting for you outside.”
Qi Zhao was stunned, and Aunt Chu sighed and shook her head, clearly not minding his earlier apology. “Alphas.”
She was an alpha; she naturally understood Qi Wei’s intentions.
But seeing Qi Zhao stand up immediately, the eagerness in his eyes as he said goodbye to her and practically rushed towards Qi Wei, Aunt Chu couldn’t help but smile, finally relieved.
She had been worried that Qi Zhao was being forced.
As they parted ways, Aunt Chu, walking slowly towards the exit, saw Qi Zhao quicken his pace and reach the door, then descend the steps and walk towards Qi Wei. As soon as he reached him, he asked, “Did you drink a lot?”
Qi Wei took the insulated box from him, his arm circling Qi Zhao’s waist, and lowered his head slightly, letting him confirm, “Not much, just half a bottle.”
Qi Zhao was relieved. Qi Wei then glanced at Aunt Chu and nodded slightly. Aunt Chu nodded back, and although she was his elder, the oppressive aura of a super S-rank alpha still made her slightly apprehensive, her bow a little deeper.
—It couldn’t be helped; it was the inherent hierarchy among alphas.
Aunt Chu didn’t say anything more and left quietly.
Qi Wei opened the car door for Qi Zhao.
As Qi Zhao got in, he asked, “Why didn’t you come in? Aren’t you cold?”
“I’m not afraid of the cold. And I’m not close to her. Plus, alphas repel each other.”
Qi Wei’s voice lowered. “I’m also afraid of hearing something I shouldn’t.”
Qi Zhao glanced at him.
Here it comes.
It had been a while since he had last witnessed Qi Wei’s manipulative tactics…
After the car door closed, Qi Zhao sighed inwardly and said to Qi Wei, “There’s nothing you shouldn’t know.”
He briefly recounted his conversation with Aunt Chu, including her mentioning Qi Wei and Qi Mao’s situation.
“I’ve told you everything,” Qi Zhao said, making his stance clear, “don’t do anything.”
Qi Wei feigned ignorance. “Do what?”
He wrapped his arm around Qi Zhao, whose hand, held in his, had gone from slightly cool to warm, even a little hot.
Qi Zhao knew that this meant Qi Wei agreed, so he didn’t bother arguing with him.
There was no point arguing with a manipulative alpha.
He just couldn’t help but comment, “You might as well just install a surveillance camera on me.”
Qi Wei’s eyelashes fluttered, and he asked in a low voice, “Ah Zhao, do you agree?”
Qi Zhao thought of the “gift” Qi Wei had mentioned in Guangtang City, his scalp tingling, but he still lowered his voice and scolded him, lest others hear, “Qi Wei! Can you not be so creepy!?”
Then Qi Zhao recalled the incident a few days ago, when Qi Wei had a pseudo-rut, holding him close, pulling open his jacket to wrap around him, making strange movements, even murmuring about wanting to hide him inside his body…
Just thinking about that scene, which had made his limbs stiff, sent shivers down his spine.
Qi Wei patted his back reassuringly. “I was just saying.”
He coaxed him gently, “I didn’t mean anything by it. Ah Zhao, if you don’t like it, I won’t say it again.”
Qi Zhao didn’t believe him for a second. He was certain that Qi Wei had already prepared something, just waiting for the right moment to trap him.
“Don’t hold me so tightly…”
“But it’s warm,” Qi Wei lowered his head, burying his face in Qi Zhao’s embrace, having learned how to act coquettishly.
Indeed, he was a super S-rank alpha, but there was no shame in acting spoiled with your partner.
Being able to soften your partner’s heart with such tactics was a true skill.
“Ah Zhao, let me warm you up,” Qi Wei whispered, “the temperature dropped again today, and you’re not wearing enough.”
Qi Zhao couldn’t argue with that.
He hadn’t felt cold when he left the house, or even in the car, but after getting out of the car, he had felt a slight chill. It had been fine inside the private room, but after coming out…
Qi Zhao stopped moving and said, “I packed some fried milk for you. Eat it while it’s still warm.”
Qi Wei smiled. “Okay.”
He sighed contentedly. “Ah Zhao, you like me even more now than before, don’t you?”
Qi Zhao now thought of him when he ate something delicious.
A bakery had recently opened near Tang Sheng, with a unique matcha lava bun. Qi Zhao had found it delicious and asked Qi Wei to wait for him after work so he could buy one for him to try.
Qi Wei didn’t particularly like sweets, but after spending so much time with Qi Zhao, he was gradually developing a taste for them.
He didn’t know if he truly liked them, or if it was because Qi Zhao liked them.
Qi Zhao still wasn’t used to expressing his feelings with words, so his ears felt warm, a blush creeping up his neck.
But in Qi Wei’s embrace, he still hummed in agreement.
Qi Wei felt even more content, his gland, which had been slightly uncomfortable today because he hadn’t seen Qi Zhao much due to work, finally calmed down.
He kissed Qi Zhao and murmured, “That’s good.”
He was doing things right, making Qi Zhao like him more and more, and that was good.
Inexplicably, Qi Zhao understood what he meant, sighing inwardly, his heart melting.
Qi Zhao tilted his head up and gently touched Qi Wei’s tongue with his own. Before he could say anything, he paid the price for his bold move—
His lips were bitten, drawing blood.
