Xiao Ming had clearly had too much to drink. His fair face was flushed, and his eyes seemed to glisten with tears as he gazed at Lu Lianning’s calm, expressionless face.
After dinner, Xiao Ming didn’t stay long. He was obviously in a bad mood, and Lu Lianning’s sudden decision to end their relationship had caught him off guard. He was lost in thought, replaying in his mind what he might have said or done to upset Lu Lianning. But then he wondered if perhaps he hadn’t done anything wrong at all—maybe Lu Lianning had simply grown tired of him.
The more he thought about it, the harder it hit him.
He had constantly reminded himself to stay clear-headed, but now, he found himself feeling both weighed down and stifled.
After all, setting aside the money, just being able to look at Lu Lianning’s face for so long made him wonder who had really benefited more from all the time they’d spent together in bed.
When Xiao Ming stood up after dinner, he staggered, clearly showing signs of drunkenness.
He walked to the door, forcing a smile as he said goodbye to Lu Lianning. He was about to leave, his car keys in hand.
Lu Lianning only gave a slight nod, saying nothing more.
It was Chen Miao who suddenly snapped back to reality after hearing the door close.
He moved the mop aside. The spot by his feet he’d been cleaning for nearly ten minutes was so spotless it almost shone.
Hesitantly, he spoke up, “Mr. Xiao has had too much to drink. He shouldn’t be driving… If something were to happen…”
Lu Lianning glanced at him, his eyes showing a hint of impatience. It was unclear whether he was annoyed by Chen Miao’s interference or by Xiao Ming for being a bother.
Avoiding direct eye contact, Chen Miao continued, “If something happens, it won’t be good to be photographed.”
“Go get his phone and call his assistant,” Lu Lianning finally said, his expression indifferent and his tone icy.
Just an hour ago, they had been all over each other. Standing outside in the cold wind, Chen Miao hadn’t dared to imagine the scene of intimacy that had unfolded inside. But now, after just one meal, there wasn’t a trace of warmth left in how Lu Lianning dealt with his now-discarded lover.
Chen Miao hurriedly opened the door and rushed out, just in time to see Xiao Ming about to start the car.
He quickly tapped on the window, signaling Xiao Ming to stop.
Hearing the sound, Xiao Ming lowered the window and looked at Chen Miao with a hint of confusion, his eyes holding a glimmer of hope.
“What’s wrong? Does Lu-ge need something?”
Chen Miao opened the car door and replied, “Mr. Lu said you’ve had too much to drink. He asked me to drive you home.”
For a brief moment, Xiao Ming’s eyes lit up, but they quickly dimmed again.
As Chen Miao watched Xiao Ming slowly step out of the driver’s seat, a bit unsteady on his feet, he reached out to support him.
Xiao Ming settled into the passenger seat, staring blankly out the window.
After asking for the destination, Chen Miao drove out of Lu Lianning’s apartment complex. His speed was overly slow, but Xiao Ming didn’t seem to notice.
After about twenty minutes, Chen Miao finally gathered the courage to ask, “How much money do you get…”
Xiao Ming turned to look at Chen Miao’s sun-tanned face, which appeared somewhat simple and naive.
“What do you mean, how much money?”
Chen Miao looked like a student unable to answer a teacher’s question.
He answered with some embarrassment and shyness, “I mean, for being with Mr. Lu. Doesn’t he pay you…”
Xiao Ming was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, laughing so hard that tears welled up as he gasped for breath.
Chen Miao’s face showed shame in response to his laughter.
It took a while for Xiao Ming to stop and calm down. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about doing the same?”
Under Xiao Ming’s gaze, Chen Miao actually nodded, gritting his teeth as he said, “Can you teach me, Mr. Xiao?”
Xiao Ming, clearly not a good teacher and genuinely drunk, felt his mind swirling with complex feelings. Otherwise, he would have certainly mocked and ridiculed Chen Miao until he gave up on the idea.
His tone was indescribably strange. “Oh, you want to be with Lu Lianning? You won’t succeed like this.”
“Then how can I succeed?” Chen Miao looked genuinely eager to learn.
Xiao Ming almost burst into laughter again. “If you want him to get close to you, you need to make him like you first.” He raised an eyebrow. “He’s not going to touch someone he dislikes.”
But what could Chen Miao possibly have that would make Lu Lianning like him?
His appearance was average, he was a Beta, and he couldn’t emit any alluring pheromones to attract an Alpha.
Xiao Ming had good looks, was well-behaved and sensible, and knew how to flatter and when to advance or retreat. But when Lu Lianning grew tired of him, didn’t he just toss him aside without hesitation?
Unaware of the conversation between the two, Lu Lianning finished his shower and emerged to find that Chen Miao hadn’t returned yet, and the dining table in the living room was still uncleared.
About forty minutes later, Chen Miao finally came back.
Dressed in a bathrobe, Lu Lianning glanced at him, frowning as he asked, “Have you been in a fight?”
Chen Miao had been working at his house all evening, and it seemed that only now did Lu Lianning notice the injuries on his face.
Chen Miao shook his head. “No, I accidentally fell a few days ago.”
Lu Lianning wasn’t genuinely concerned; it was more of a casual question. He crossed his legs and instructed, “Pack my things. We’re leaving tomorrow night.”
So, Chen Miao began packing his luggage. Knowing they were headed to a mountainous region, he assumed it might be cold, so he packed a few thick clothes.
As Lu Lianning entered the room and watched him pack, he gave occasional instructions, “Not that one, take it out.”
“Grab the third one from the back in the closet.”
“Don’t take those shoes.”
“…”
In the end, Chen Miao packed two large suitcases.
The next day, he carried a bag on his back and pushed the two suitcases. He had only his worn-out backpack, the one he used for shoe polish, with just a few items inside.
Late at night, Lu Lianning hurried him to the airport while wearing sunglasses and a mask.
Recently, Lu Lianning had noticed that Chen Miao had become even better at taking care of him. He was more attentive, understanding what was needed without being told—just a single glance from Lu Lianning was enough for Chen Miao to know what to do.
It wasn’t that Chen Miao hadn’t been diligent before, but lately, he had become even more thoughtful.
Chen Miao was spending more and more time within Lu Lianning’s line of sight, though Lu Lianning hadn’t noticed it at first.
It wasn’t until Chen Miao stopped calling him “Mr. Lu” so formally that he fully realized the change.
Chen Miao had started calling him “Lu-ge,” just as Xiao Ming used to.
Translator’s note:
This novel finally has a discord role, so if you want to get notifications you can get the role now
