DPT chapter 30

Sheng Li’s birthday was in mid-April. He started school early, about three months younger than Zuo Chi, and was a passionate Aries.

In the past, Zuo Chi would think long in advance about what to give him. It couldn’t be too perfunctory, or Sheng Li would be unhappy, and it couldn’t be too expensive, or he’d think too much. Now he didn’t have so many concerns, just fearing that Sheng Li wouldn’t accept his gift.

After some thought, he bought a professional-grade record player to place in the living room and, based on Sheng Li’s music preferences, he bought dozens of vinyl records. Some of the classic old songs were hard to find, and he had to ask around a lot before buying them at a high price.

Without the process of giving it away, he didn’t have to worry about rejection. He still looked forward to Sheng Li’s expression when he discovered the gift, but Sheng Li had been spending little time at home recently, coming back late every day, and they hadn’t crossed paths.

Two days before Sheng Li’s birthday, Zuo Chi entered his monthly heat. The initial treatment had begun to show results. After injecting suppressants and other medications prescribed by the doctor, his glands weren’t as painful as usual, and he managed to control his desire and pheromone levels. Besides feeling a bit weak physically, he had no other symptoms and could work from home normally.

Sheng Li’s birthday fell on a workday and also marked the last day of Zuo Chi’s heat. After finishing a video conference, he took a nap in bed, but was awakened by the sound of the door opening, footsteps in disarray, indicating more than one person entering.

“Where’s the alcohol?”

“Why the rush? The bartender is moving it.”

“I called the manager, the cake delivery is already on the way.”

“Is Zuo Chi home?”

Sheng Li’s voice: “I don’t know.”

“Hahaha, isn’t Zuo Chi a workaholic? He should be working late at this time.”

“Isn’t it the birthday of his fiancé? Why isn’t he back early?”

“Tsk, I told you not to mention anything about fiancé, you’ll make Young Master Sheng unhappy.”

Zuo Chi gripped the door handle, intending to go out and say hello, but hearing them discussing him made the move seem inappropriate.

Someone noticed the record player, “Hey, Sheng Li, you bought this thing too? Where are the records? Let me test the sound.”

Zuo Chi didn’t hear Sheng Li’s reply. After a while, he heard music playing, a rock song that suited the atmosphere.

Downstairs, the party was in full swing, with laughter from both men and women, making it lively. The liquor shelf was full, and there were desserts and fruits on multi-layered trays. Sheng Li even hired a chef from a five-star hotel to cook Western food.

In comparison, the bedroom where Zuo Chi was looked particularly empty. Sheng Li hadn’t told him there would be a party at home; otherwise, he would have found another place to spend his heat.

Hiding in the room all the time wasn’t a solution. He changed his clothes, injected another suppressant, and stuck three more shielding patches on the back of his neck to avoid being affected by the fluctuations of Alpha and Omega pheromones. Only then did he push open the door.

“Zuo Chi, you’re here.” A girl with red hair greeted him, raising her glass.

“Louise.” Zuo Chi picked up a clean glass from a nearby table and poured himself a glass of grape juice.

“Why aren’t you drinking alcohol? Not fun enough,” Louise chuckled.

The people at the party were all familiar faces. As Zuo Chi entered, many people came over to talk to him. He smiled and exchanged pleasantries with them. Finally, he managed to excuse himself and went to the nearby dining area to get a portion of black pepper beef pasta.

The heat period was taxing on him, not only causing physical reactions but also tormenting him mentally. Zuo Chi felt exhausted but strangely hungry.

As he sat down, someone else sat down beside him. The distance between them was close, and Zuo Chi could smell the Alpha pheromones emanating from the person.

“Zuo Chi!”

Zuo Chi turned his head and paused before recognizing the person as Han Qice, his junior high school classmate and a former Alpha who had pursued him.

Han Qice had grown taller since high school, and his features had matured. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Zuo Chi.

In their senior year of high school, Han Qice’s parents divorced, and he followed his mother to another city for studies. He had just graduated from graduate school at the beginning of the year and returned to help his father manage the company.

In their senior year, he heard that Zuo Chi had differentiated into an Omega, causing him to panic. He wanted to transfer back to their school immediately, fearing that someone else would snatch away the person he had his eyes on. However, his mother stopped him in time, saying that Zuo Chi wouldn’t like such impulsive behavior. So, he gave up.

As time passed, he felt that his feelings for Zuo Chi had faded. But every time they met again, ripples would still arise in his heart.

The teenage emotions were stirring.

Zuo Chi greeted politely, “Long time no see.”

Han Qice leaned towards him, “Long time no see. They said Sheng Li is hosting a birthday party today, so I guessed I might see you here and decided to come.”

Zuo Chi wasn’t vain enough to think that after all these years, Han Qice still had feelings for him. He treated him as an old classmate and chatted about some school-related topics. They had a pleasant conversation due to their shared memories.

Han Qice mentioned that his father had recently invested in a hot spring resort and asked if Zuo Chi was interested in going together.

Zuo Chi politely declined, “I’m a bit busy with work.”

“Being busy with work means you need to relax even more. Hot springs can improve blood circulation through thermal effects and relax muscles and joints, which is beneficial for eliminating fatigue. The resort hasn’t officially received guests yet, only friends are going, and it’s very clean. If you mind soaking with others, we have a private hot spring pool for one person.” Han Qice enthusiastically introduced the resort.

Zuo Chi relaxed a bit, “When?”

Han Qice eagerly replied, “You decide! Anytime!”

Zuo Chi frowned lightly, “No need to accommodate me. You can check with others about their availability.”

“Others?” Han Qice said, “There are no others, just the two of us.”

Zuo Chi’s Omega instincts kicked in, “It’s not appropriate for just the two of us to go alone. I’m already engaged to Sheng Li.”

“I’ve heard about it. Your engagement with Sheng Li was arranged by your families.” Han Qice whispered, “If only I had returned to S City earlier.”

Zuo Chi couldn’t pretend to be ignorant after hearing that last sentence. He sighed, “Regardless of the reason, my engagement with Sheng Li is a fact. I can’t go to the hot spring resort alone with you.”

“Why?” Han Qice complained, “Sheng Li can flaunt around with other Omegas in front of everyone, what’s wrong with you having a date with me? He can play with fire, but ordinary people can’t even light a lamp?”

Zuo Chi was about to ask him to clarify when a commotion broke out behind them.

Cutlery clattered against plates, creating an ear-piercing scraping sound. Zuo Chi turned his head and stared, dazed, at the two people surrounded by the crowd.

Sheng Li held the hand of a young model, bending down to kiss the back of his hand, starting the first dance of the party. The model was slender with long legs, moving gracefully, a perfect match for Sheng Li.

Han Qice remarked, “See? Sheng Li is dancing with some random Omega in front of everyone. You don’t have to consider his feelings.”

Zuo Chi’s ears buzzed, feeling like he was submerged in cold water. He couldn’t make out what Han Qice was saying anymore. He felt someone scrutinizing him, curious about the behavior of this rumored fiancé.

He felt like he was back on Sheng Li’s 18th birthday, watching Sheng Li hold hands with someone else in front of everyone.

What did he not see? Sheng Li had been coming home so late these days, who was he spending time with?

Something completely collapsed in front of him, his heart hurting terribly. Zuo Chi realized that people could be greedy. At first, he wanted a kiss, then a mark, and eventually, he wanted to be the only one.

Knowing it was impossible, he still hoped. He had built himself up mentally, but he was still brought down by the scene in front of him.

When he was eighteen, Sheng Li didn’t know he was in love with him, and the hurt was unintentional. But now, at twenty-five, Sheng Li knew Zuo Chi had feelings for him, yet he still held someone else’s hand in front of him.

Sheng Li didn’t care about his feelings at all.

Sheng Li didn’t like him at all.

Zuo Chi remembered the discarded bracelet and the smashed cake, recalling his brokenhearted self at eighteen, truly understanding the feeling of heartbreak.

He felt foolish, not making any progress in seven years. No, perhaps he had. At least he had slept with Sheng Li.

But in the eyes of others, he was Sheng Li’s friend of many years, an engagement partner based on cooperation, and no one would guess they had slept together.

What did he like about Sheng Li?

He had asked himself this question. Sheng Li was fickle and unambitious, seemingly just a shell of a person. But everything Sheng Li had given him was something no one else had.

But now, Sheng Li had taken back all his special treatment of him. Was this what he wanted? He should have realized long ago that love was mutual, not something to be forced.

Han Qice saw Zuo Chi’s pale face and asked concernedly, “What’s wrong?”

Zuo Chi’s back was already soaked with cold sweat, and he had no strength to pretend. “I’m feeling a bit unwell. I’ll go rest in the bedroom.”

He hurriedly headed upstairs, wanting to escape this place, to hide. But after closing the door and hearing the noisy voices outside, he couldn’t help but wonder, what were Sheng Li and that Omega doing now?

Han Qice followed him, worried, and knocked on the door. “Are you okay?”

Tears fell uncontrollably like a broken dam, Zuo Chi leaned against the door, biting his hand to suppress his cries. “I’m fine.”

Han Qice said, “Zuo Chi, you’re not…”

Zuo Chi interrupted him, “I told you, I just feel a bit unwell.”

“If you need anything, you can call me. My number is…”

Zuo Chi didn’t remember, he didn’t have the mood to care about Han Qice’s number.

His heart was pounding, feeling it was difficult to breathe. He curled up his legs, closed his eyes, his nose and eyes turning red, but he didn’t dare to cry out loud.

This time, he was truly heartbroken.