Sheng Changyu initially thought Sheng Li had changed because of his threats.
He had warned Sheng Li before that if he only pursued pleasure, he would eventually cut off his funds. Sheng Li never took it seriously and as Sheng Changyu only had one Alpha son, he couldn’t bear to let Sheng Li suffer.
He thought Sheng Li’s change was temporary, but Assistant Liu informed him that Sheng Li had been working diligently, asking him many questions, and actively engaging in social activities, even securing a business deal.
Pleased, he asked Assistant Liu, “Is he still hanging out with Zhang Xiaoyun and those idle friends?”
Assistant Liu replied, “As far as I know, no. Young Master Sheng is either at the company or meeting people for projects.”
This was what Sheng Changyu had always hoped for, and it felt almost unreal, “Is there a new Omega in his life?”
Assistant Liu hesitated, “No, but…”
Sheng Changyu’s heart tightened, “Yes?”
After a moment of hesitation, he continued, “Young Master Sheng often goes to see Mr. Zuo.”
“…”
Sheng Changyu had also heard about the engagement between the Zuo and Qin families, which had angered him greatly. The Sheng family was initially aligned with the Zuo family, but Zuo Yi, seeing greater benefits, turned to the Qin family, leaving Sheng Changyu out. How could he save face? No wonder he wasn’t invited to Qin Yanren’s birthday banquet.
Although Zuo Yi proposed a plan to compensate the Sheng family, Sheng Changyu still harbored resentment over the lost engagement. However, he understood why Zuo Chi chose this path given Sheng Li’s past behavior.
Among Sheng Li’s friends, Zuo Chi was the most outstanding and well-behaved. Not only was he excellent himself, but he also managed to keep Sheng Li in line. Sheng Changyu’s words meant nothing to Sheng Li, but Zuo Chi’s had a completely different effect. Thus, Sheng Changyu had always supported their close relationship.
When he learned that Zuo Chi had differentiated into an Omega, he had the idea of matchmaking them. Childhood friends, an Alpha and an Omega—it seemed perfect. He had subtly suggested the idea of marriage to Zuo Yi multiple times, but Zuo Yi always evaded it until the latter half of last year when he finally agreed.
He never expected Sheng Li to be so resistant to the engagement with Zuo Chi. Instead of settling down, Sheng Li went to bars every day. Even Li Mingchuan quietly expressed sympathy for Zuo Chi’s plight.
Since Sheng Li didn’t want to get married and had finally freed himself from the engagement, why was he still clinging to Zuo Chi?
Sheng Changyu asked, “Why is he looking for Zuo Chi?”
Assistant Liu replied, “He’s delivering dinner to Mr. Zuo.”
“…Is he crazy?” Sheng Changyu couldn’t help but curse.
Assistant Liu wanted to agree but didn’t dare to say anything.
Sheng Changyu continued, “Zuo Chi’s company has a cafeteria! There’s no need for him to worry!”
Assistant Liu said, “That’s what I told Young Master Sheng, but he said that Mr. Zuo has a bad stomach and often forgets to eat when he’s busy.”
Sheng Changyu roared, “It’s not his place to worry about that! When he should have cared, he didn’t! What’s he doing now? Embarrassing our family!”
Assistant Liu said awkwardly, “Sir, I can’t stop him.”
Sheng Changyu knew Sheng Li’s temperament; if he wanted to do something, no one could persuade him otherwise. That afternoon, Sheng Changyu went to Sheng Li’s office just as Sheng Li was coming out with a thermos.
He stopped him, “Where are you going?”
Sheng Li didn’t intend to hide it, “To deliver food to Zuo Chi.”
Sheng Changyu scrutinized him, “Will Zuo Chi accept it?”
Sheng Li didn’t answer, which was answer enough. He had specially asked a nanny to prepare a nutritious dinner, but Zuo Chi never accepted the food he brought. Initially, Zuo Chi’s assistant returned it intact, and now they just avoided him altogether.
“He didn’t accept it,” Sheng Zhangyu stated firmly. “So what are you doing?”
Sheng Li looked back at him, “I can’t just do nothing.”
“You had plenty of opportunities to do many things, but you didn’t seize them. Everyone has to take responsibility for their mistakes,” Sheng Changyu said earnestly. “Sheng Li, stop being foolish.”
Sheng Li lowered his eyes, gripping the thermos tightly. He walked to the elevator and encountered two bodyguards dressed in black.
“Sheng Changyu, what are you doing?”
Sheng Changyu said, “I want you to face reality.”
Sheng Li gritted his teeth, “I admit I’ve made many mistakes before. But liking Zuo Chi and you making me marry him are two different things.”
He had figured out his feelings and wanted to be with Zuo Chi. But not through a marriage alliance, which would mean they were always controlled by their families, living under their arrangement and surveillance.
He knew Zuo Chi might be used to living under the control of elders, but that didn’t mean Zuo Chi would be happy. He regretted that he made Zuo Chi call off their engagement for an alliance with the Qin family. But he regretted even more not waking up sooner and taking control.
Zuo Chi was right; as long as he couldn’t leave the Sheng family, he had no right to rebel. Only by making the Sheng family depend on him could he fully take charge and pursue his so-called freedom.
He couldn’t do it yet, but one day he would.
Sheng Li looked up, grabbed one of the bodyguards’ arms, and punched him in the waist. Then he quickly pinned the other bodyguard against the wall, kicking him twice.
The bodyguards tried to stop him but didn’t dare to hurt him. After exchanging a few moves, Sheng Li escaped through the emergency exit.
The bodyguards hesitated, “Boss Sheng…”
Sheng Changyu waved his hand and sighed, “Don’t chase him. Let him go. He’s blocked his own path and can’t blame his father for it.”
The nutritious meal in Sheng Li’s lunch box was a bit messy from the fight. He peeked inside and thought it shouldn’t affect the taste.
He stood at the reception of the Zuo Group’s branch office, waiting for Zuo Chi’s assistant to come down.
Instead, it was Zuo Chi who came down. Zuo Chi, in a well-fitted suit, with dress pants that made his legs look exceptionally long and straight, and a pen in his pocket, was talking and laughing with another man in a suit.
Sheng Li used to think Zuo Chi wasted his good looks, always wearing suits, serious and boring. Now he realized he looked great in a suit, exuding a charming elite aura.
The man next to Zuo Chi noticed Sheng Li first, “Oh, isn’t this the young master of the Sheng family?”
Zuo Chi turned to see him and frowned slightly, his eyes saying, “Why are you still haunting me?”
“Mr. Wu,” Sheng Li greeted with a smile. “What a coincidence.”
Mr. Wu’s gaze fell on the lunch bag Sheng Li was holding, “What’s that?”
Sheng Li began to answer, “I…”
Zuo Chi interrupted, “It’s time to get off work. It’s crowded here. Let’s go somewhere else to talk.”
Mr. Wu readily agreed, “Sure, let’s go to that restaurant you mentioned. Does young master Sheng have any plans? If not, join us.”
“No plans,” Sheng Li quickly said. He glanced at Zuo Chi, “Is it convenient? Will I interrupt your work?”
Zuo Chi wanted to refuse, but Mr. Wu was quicker.
“No way, I’m just here for a meeting and having dinner with Manager Zuo,” Mr. Wu said. “I enjoy interacting with you young folks. Sometimes listening to your ideas brings unexpected insights.”
The three of them went to a restaurant next to the company. Although Sheng Li kept chatting with Mr. Wu, his eyes were glued to Zuo Chi.
He hadn’t seen Zuo Chi for ten days. He wanted to meet Zuo Chi every day but was afraid of being too pushy. He cautiously kept his distance but couldn’t let go.
He worried that Zuo Chi might develop a further relationship with Qin Xu when he wasn’t looking. That kiss on the cheek bothered him a lot.
Zuo Chi tried to ignore Sheng Li, but it was impossible. Being under such a heated gaze made him uncomfortable.
He didn’t understand why Sheng Li was so persistently delivering dinner to the company, which seemed pointless to him.
Because he likes me?
Sheng Li wasn’t unaware that he occasionally had stomach aches and would forget to eat when engrossed in work. Why had he never shown such concern before?
Did he see him as just another Omega to pursue?
Zuo Chi still felt that Sheng Li’s affection was too unreal, fleeting, and lacking substance.
Or rather, it wasn’t that he didn’t believe it; he just didn’t want to believe it. After finally deciding to give up, Sheng Li saying he liked him felt like a cruel joke from the heavens. Wasn’t his suffering enough?
To Zuo Chi’s surprise, when they talked about business matters, Sheng Li was able to join in, speaking clearly and logically.
Sheng Li, who usually acted nonchalant, became a completely different person when serious. Zuo Chi couldn’t help but look at him a few more times, feeling a bit stifled.
If Sheng Li one day grew into a mature, reliable, and experienced Alpha, who would be by his side then, and what would their relationship be like?
Mr. Wu appreciated the two younger men and, in his joy, wanted to drink with them.
When the waiter filled their glasses, Sheng Li downed his own drink in one go and then picked up Zuo Chi’s glass. “Mr. Wu, Ah Chi has a bad stomach. I’ll drink for him.”
Zuo Chi tried to take back his glass, but when his fingers brushed Sheng Li’s, he recoiled as if shocked. “No need.”
Mr. Wu didn’t mind. “When we eat together informally, there’s no need for drinking etiquette. Drink if you can, if not, tea will do.”
Sheng Li diligently poured tea for Zuo Chi, and in his carelessness, the tea overflowed the delicate cup.
Tea spilled onto Zuo Chi’s sleeve, and Sheng Li leaned in to help wipe it off.
With Sheng Li’s chin nearly touching his forehead, Zuo Chi could feel the Alpha’s breath, panicked, and suddenly pushed him away. “I’ll do it myself!”
Sheng Li steadied himself, but his heart felt as if it had been doused with cold water.
