Shu Qingyu sat on the leather sofa chair, lightly tapping the folder in front of her with her index finger. She was wearing a light purple dress, elegant and graceful, with a silk scarf tied around her neck.
Zuo Chi couldn’t believe his ears, “Did you just say that you want me to marry someone?”
Shu Qingyu casually mentioned a name, “Sheng Li.”
Zuo Chi’s heart shook as he took the folder and quickly flipped through a couple of pages, confirming that the contents were an evaluation and analysis of the Sheng Group.
Shu Qingyu’s gaze fell on his face, devoid of warmth, “If it weren’t for Qin Rui’s accident, leaving him in a vegetative state in the hospital, I wouldn’t even consider the Sheng family. Even though the Sheng family has been doing well these past two years, they are nowhere near as established as the Qin family. Luckily, Sheng Group is now under Sheng Changyu’s leadership, and he only has one child, Sheng Li, so you won’t suffer any injustice marrying into that family.”
Qin Rui had an accident over a month ago, with preliminary investigations suggesting it was an accident. However, the timing of the accident, just after Qin Rui’s father fell seriously ill, inevitably raised suspicions. The Qin family was vast and influential, with Qin Rui’s father having three Alpha sons, one Alpha daughter, two Beta sons, and two Omega daughters. With such a prolific family, the struggle for inheritance had already begun before Qin Rui’s father passed away.
At thirty-four, Qin Rui, as the eldest Alpha of the Qin family, naturally found himself in the center of this struggle. To bolster his position in the inheritance battle, he planned to form an alliance with the Zuo family by marrying the only unmarried Omega in the Zuo family—Zuo Chi.
However, before the terms of the alliance could be finalized and rumors could spread, Qin Rui met with an accident.
“You’re quite lucky. If Qin Rui had the accident after marrying you, our Zuo family would be in a very awkward position,” Shu Qingyu lifted her teacup, taking a sip, “You’re almost twenty-five, you can’t delay marriage any longer. Marrying Sheng Li is your best option.”
At first listen, it sounded like Shu Qingyu was considering his welfare. But Zuo Chi wasn’t that naive; he knew this marriage was a business negotiation between Shu Qingyu, Zuo Yi, and himself—an announcement, a command.
Approaching twenty-five, Zuo Chi had passed the prime age for Omega marriage. In a couple of years, he’d only depreciate as a commodity. Shu Qingyu and Zuo Yi, both essentially businessmen, wouldn’t engage in a deal that wasn’t profitable. So, after Qin Rui’s accident, they immediately shifted their focus and found a new candidate for alliance.
Sheng Li became the chosen Alpha. As Shu Qingyu mentioned, Sheng Group was now under Sheng Changyu’s control, and barring any surprises, Sheng Li would be the future heir. This meant that the cooperation between the Sheng and Zuo families was stable and reliable.
Zuo Chi lowered his gaze, unable to argue. He remained silent for a moment before speaking, “What does Sheng Li think about this?”
Shu Qingyu was straightforward, “Sheng Changyu is eager to establish relations with the Zuo family, even if Sheng Li is unwilling, this marriage will happen.”
Indeed, their thoughts didn’t matter, neither did Sheng Li’s. The interests of the Sheng and Zuo families were paramount. Having lived in the Zuo family for over twenty years, Zuo Chi understood well what he couldn’t hope for.
He was already a fish on the chopping block, and Shu Qingyu wanted him to accept willingly, “You grew up with Sheng Li, childhood friends. Aren’t you happy to marry him?”
Zuo Chi’s lips twitched, “We’re friends…”
Shu Qingyu scoffed, “I don’t believe in friendship between Alpha and Omega. If there is any, it’s fragile and can’t withstand heats and pheromones. Once you’re married and he marks you, you won’t think like this anymore.”
Zuo Chi tightened his grip on the folder, exerting pressure with his five fingers. He struggled to control his emotions, forcing a faint smile as he replied, “Alright, I agree.”
As he opened the study door, Zuo Chi caught sight of Zuo Lie leaning against the railing between the first and second floors, unsure of how much he had overheard.
He adjusted his tie while descending the stairs. Passing by Zuo Lie, he asked, “Ge, where are you going?”
Zuo Chi ignored him, and Zuo Lie blocked his path, “Are you going to talk business?”
Only then did Zuo Chi glance at him directly, “What’s it to you?”
Zuo Lie smirked, lowering his voice provocatively, “Ge, as an Omega about to be married off, why bother focusing so much on work? No matter how outstanding you are in the Zuo family, in the end, it will all belong to me.”
Zuo Chi retorted, “I heard your new investment project lost tens of millions again? As an Alpha, your business acumen is inferior to mine, an Omega. I wonder if Father will trust handing over the Zuo family to you.”
Zuo Lie glared, “If not me, would Father hand it over to you?”
Zuo Chi raised his hand, affectionately patting Zuo Lie’s cheek, “Little brother, do you remember your original status? You’re the illegitimate child father had with another woman. How can you be sure that Father’s illegitimate children outside won’t outnumber you?”
He didn’t wear a shielding patch, only a leather anti-bite collar around his neck. The scent of blackcurrant emanating from him momentarily distracted Zuo Lie. After a moment of daze, Zuo Lie couldn’t conceal his anger. He detested his own background and couldn’t understand how Zuo Chi, as a pawn that could be abandoned at any time, could maintain composure.
After finishing speaking, Zuo Chi lifted his leg and walked away, unwilling to waste any more time. He had an appointment with Mr. Ding at the Qingyue City Grand Hotel to discuss investment and was about to be late.
In this verbal dispute, he seemed to have the upper hand. But Zuo Chi’s mood was not good at this moment because he knew Zuo Lie was right. No one understood better than him that the heir to the Zuo family could not be an Omega.
Before he differentiated into an Omega, Zuo Yi had high hopes for him and was committed to grooming him into a strong successor. After he differentiated into an Omega, Zuo Yi unthinkingly let his illegitimate son, an Alpha—Zuo Lie, enter the Zuo family.
“Why are you an Omega?”
Zuo Chi recalled Shu Qingyu’s disappointed expression. That was the first thing she said to him after he differentiated into an Omega.
At that time, Zuo Chi was very confused. Although he hadn’t differentiated for a long time, he always thought he was an Alpha, and differentiating into an Omega was beyond his expectations.
Perhaps Shu Qingyu was not asking him but fate. She was indeed the legitimate wife of Zuo Yi, but Zuo Yi’s extramarital affairs were not a secret. If she wanted a foothold in the Zuo family, she had to give birth to an Alpha descendant for the Zuo family. Unfortunately, Zuo Chi was an Omega.
The day he walked out of the isolation room, Shu Qingyu and Zuo Yi had a big quarrel. Their marital relationship was not deep, but in Zuo Chi’s memory, it was the most serious argument. Later, Zuo Chi learned that Shu Qingyu’s claim that he would differentiate into an Alpha was a lie, not a mistake made by the doctor who tested his secondary sex, nor was it a genetic mutation halfway through. It was all a fabrication from beginning to end about his secondary sex.
As early as when Shu Qingyu was pregnant with him, she had hired a private doctor to diagnose his true secondary sex characteristics. She silenced the doctor with money, paid someone to create a flawless fake test report, and deceived everyone into believing he was an Alpha.
But what was the use of that? It was a fact predetermined before his birth that he was an Omega. The differentiation of secondary sex characteristics was a matter of sooner or later. Regardless of the timing, this deception would be exposed, and the later it was exposed, the harder he would fall. For a long time, Zuo Chi wanted to ask Shu Qingyu why she didn’t abort him and chose to deceive herself and others.
Maybe because Shu Qingyu was physically weak, it was not easy for her to conceive him. Maybe it was because Shu Qingyu was worried that she wouldn’t be able to conceive again after aborting him. Maybe… in any case, none of the possibilities were about maternal love. It was something that Zuo Chi would only yearn for when he was a teenager. Now he had long recognized reality.
He got into the car, fastened his seatbelt, and instructed the driver to take the Second Ring Road. The sunlight outside the car window was a bit dazzling, so he pulled the sunshade and closed his eyes, leaning back in his seat. However, his brain was still restless, working quickly.
Was he really going to marry Sheng Li?
Sheng Li?
The Sheng Li he had known for over twenty years, the one he was so familiar with?
Zuo Chi covered his heart, sometimes feeling like there was a stone pressing on it, sometimes feeling like his heart was being pulled into the air. Negative emotions like annoyance, anxiety, and restlessness made his mind chaotic, but he couldn’t ignore the voice that had been buried in his heart for so many years.
He sighed softly.
The Qingyue City Grand Hotel stood by the sea, luxurious in decoration, exquisite in design, with unique flavors in its dishes, and providing comprehensive services for eating, drinking, lodging, and entertainment. It was a place for wealthy children to enjoy themselves and a good place for businessmen to discuss work.
After getting off the car, Zuo Chi went straight to the reserved private room. Mr. Ding had indeed arrived, and upon seeing him, he quickly instructed his secretary to pour wine: “Master Zuo, according to the rules, you must drink three cups for being late!”
Zuo Chi glanced at the clock on the wall. The timing was just right, but he still took the wine briskly and downed a cup. Because he drank too hastily, the wine overflowed from his lips and dripped down his jawline.
Mr. Ding applauded, “I like Master Zuo’s straightforwardness!”
He gestured to the young man beside him, and the young man immediately stood up, changed seats, and attentively pulled out a chair for Zuo Chi, sitting beside Zuo Chi to serve him food and pour wine.
Zuo Chi could smell the Omega pheromones on the young man, and he thought that Mr. Ding probably heard rumors about his preference for Omega.
But it was better to have an Omega than an Alpha. Zuo Chi didn’t object and just smiled, “Mr. Ding, you’re considerate. Regardless of the outcome of this cooperation, let me toast to you first.”
Mr. Ding laughed heartily, “Then we must have a good time today!”
While chatting about stocks and the economic situation with Mr. Ding, Zuo Chi drank and enjoyed himself. However, just as they were engrossed in their conversation, there was a knock on the door of the private room.
Mr. Ding’s secretary went to open the door. As soon as it opened, a man walked in leisurely. He had impeccable features and a well-built body. The black T-shirt outlined his smooth muscles, and his peach blossom eyes glanced around the room with a smile.
Mr. Ding exclaimed, “Ah, isn’t this Young Master Sheng?”
Sheng Li nodded at him and then turned to look at Zuo Chi, “Ah Chi, I saw your car in the parking lot and guessed you were here.”
The crystal chandelier in the private room was dazzling, casting perfect divisions of light and shadow on Sheng Li’s face, making Zuo Chi’s heart skip a beat.
Perhaps feeling guilty, he dared not meet Sheng Li’s eyes directly. Zuo Chi suddenly remembered what he had said to Shu Qingyu two hours ago.
“We’re friends…”
They were indeed longtime friends, but that didn’t mean he was willing to just be friends with Sheng Li.
