DPT chapter 44

Zuo Chi casually wiped his sleeve with a tissue, masking his inner turmoil. “It’s just a small matter, no need to trouble you, young master Sheng.”

Sheng Li stared at him, heartbroken. The more politely and distantly Zuo Chi spoke, the more it hurt.

Even Mr. Wu, no matter how slow, noticed the tension between them. He had heard stories about the Sheng, Zuo, and Qin families but believed Sheng Li and Zuo Chi were just friends after their broken engagement. That’s why he had invited Sheng Li to dinner.

Feeling awkward but compelled to maintain a good atmosphere, Mr. Wu ensured they finished their meal without further incident.

After the meal, Mr. Wu paid the bill and left first. Zuo Chi’s driver had taken the day off, so he headed to the company parking lot to get his car, with Sheng Li following behind.

They walked one after the other; when Zuo Chi sped up, Sheng Li sped up; when Zuo Chi slowed down, Sheng Li slowed down too.

Sheng Li still carried the thermos bag and asked if Zuo Chi had been eating on time these days.

Zuo Chi suddenly stopped, almost causing Sheng Li to bump into him.

“Don’t bring me food anymore. It only bothers me. You never did this before, and there’s no need to start now,” Zuo Chi said. “I’m an adult, not a child. I know when to eat and when to sleep.”

Sheng Li felt wronged. “I’m just concerned about you. I didn’t do well before, but I’m trying to learn. I’ve been working hard recently and haven’t gone out for fun.”

“I don’t need you to change anything, and I don’t care anymore. You working hard is for yourself, not for me.” Zuo Chi couldn’t stand Sheng Li’s pitiful look, as if he were the one at fault.

Sheng Li was left speechless. He silently followed Zuo Chi, feeling a sourness in his heart.

At the parking lot, Zuo Chi opened the driver’s door but didn’t start the car immediately. He turned and pulled out a pack of cigarettes from between the seats.

Zuo Chi rarely smoked anymore; he had only smoked one cigarette from the pack he bought half a month ago.

Feeling irritated, he skillfully lit a cigarette and squinted through the curling smoke.

Sheng Li stood outside the window. “Weren’t you quitting?”

Zuo Chi exhaled and glanced at him nonchalantly. “Oh, you don’t like Omegas smoking.”

Sheng Li was taken aback, remembering the offhand comment he had made. “No, I don’t dislike it.”

“Then why did you say you didn’t like it?” Zuo Chi turned his head. “Let me guess, just to make me uncomfortable.”

Sheng Li’s shoulders slumped. “…Sorry.”

Zuo Chi stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, ignoring his apology. “Move aside.”

Sheng Li wanted to say more, but Zuo Chi had already driven off.

Returning home, Zuo Chi felt exhausted. Every encounter with Sheng Li left him drained.

They seemed to be on different wavelengths. When he pursued Sheng Li, Sheng Li talked about brotherhood. When he decided to remain friends, Sheng Li said, “I like you too.” When he wanted Sheng Li’s attention, Sheng Li pushed him away. When he gave up, Sheng Li would appear, expressing concern.

He remained tense, fearing he’d fall into Sheng Li’s trap again.

After taking a relaxing shower, he received a call from Qin Xu.

Qin Xu asked if he was free for lunch the next day, and Zuo Chi agreed.

Qin Xu had a keen interest in Chinese cuisine and would explore various eateries in S City, sharing his findings with Zuo Chi.

Having grown up with all kinds of delicacies, Zuo Chi didn’t care much about food, but Qin Xu’s enthusiasm was contagious. Every time Qin Xu shared photos and raved about sweet and sour ribs or steamed carp, Zuo Chi felt a simple joy.

The next day, they met at a Chinese restaurant. Qin Xu considerately placed the menu in front of Zuo Chi, letting him order first. Each dish that came, he would use serving chopsticks to place some in Zuo Chi’s bowl for him to taste first.

The waiter, seeing that Zuo Chi was wearing white clothes, brought him an apron and handed it to him. Zuo Chi put on the apron incorrectly, sticking his head out from the sleeve, which caused Qin Xu to burst into laughter.

“Chi, you’re so amusing,” Qin Xu leaned forward, helping him adjust the apron and tie the straps.

Zuo Chi subconsciously wanted to dodge, but thinking that this person was his fiancé, he stiffened and didn’t move. “Thank you.”

During the meal, Zuo Chi received a call from the staff at the jewelry store, saying that the engagement ring had arrived and he could pick it up or have it shipped when he had time.

The Chinese restaurant was not far from the jewelry store. Zuo Chi said he would go pick it up later.

After dinner, they took a walk to the jewelry store. After getting the engagement ring, Qin Xu couldn’t wait to put it on Zuo Chi’s finger.

The mark of the engagement ring on the ring finger hadn’t disappeared yet, and now there was a new ring on top of it.

As they left the jewelry store, Qin Xu received a call from Qin Yanren saying that he needed to talk to him about something. So Zuo Chi drove home by himself.

At ten o’clock in the evening, he received a message from Qin Xu: “Chi, are you asleep?”

Zuo Chi: “Not yet.”

Qin Xu: I forgot my keys and ID when I went out today, so I can’t get back home. I want to find a hotel to stay in for the night and get someone to unlock the door tomorrow morning. Can you use your ID to help me book a room?

Upon seeing the first sentence, Zuo Chi was a bit worried that Qin Xu would ask to stay at his place. But the second sentence that followed made him relax a bit.

Zuo Chi: Okay, where are you? Send me your location.

The location Qin Xu sent was on a bustling commercial street, where there were many large hotels.

Zuo Chi changed clothes, put on his bite-proof collar, and followed the navigation to the location Qin Xu sent.

Qin Xu was standing on the roadside. When he saw Zuo Chi, he smiled, “Sorry for bothering you so late.”

“It’s okay, I sleep late,” Zuo Chi got out of the car. “Don’t you live with your father?”

“My father? Oh, you mean Qin Yanren,” Qin Xu said, “My stepfather has a vacant house in S City, so I moved in. I’m used to using a password lock, almost forgot my keys several times before. I only realized it when I got to the door tonight.”

Zuo Chi nodded. “I see.”

Qin Xu lowered his voice. “Besides, it would be awkward if I lived with Qin Yanren. His wife doesn’t really like me.”

Zuo Chi thought it was normal. Qin Xu was born to Qin Yanren and another woman, and no matter how generous Qin Yanren’s wife was, she couldn’t completely accept him.

As they climbed the steps to the hotel entrance, a gust of evening wind blew, carrying the fragrant aroma of coffee mixed with a faint charcoal scent. Zuo Chi found the smell pleasant and looked around to see if there was a coffee shop still open at this late hour.

Qin Xu asked, “What are you looking at?”

“I smell coffee,” Zuo Chi said.

Qin Xu sniffed. “It should be my pheromones. I came out early today, and the pheromone barrier should be wearing off by now.”

“Pheromones? Coffee scent?” Zuo Chi was surprised.

“Yeah,” Qin Xu chuckled, “Don’t worry, a whiff of pheromones won’t keep you up at night.”

It really smelled good. Zuo Chi couldn’t help but take a few more breaths.

Qin Xu casually asked, “Do you usually drink coffee?”

Zuo Chi had a cup of coffee every morning. It wasn’t that he liked it, but it had become a habit over the years. “Yes.”

“That’s great, we can go have coffee together next time. I’ve been to two coffee shops in S City, and they’re both pretty good,” Qin Xu said.

“Okay.”

At the hotel reception, Zuo Chi used his ID to book a double room and handed the room key to Qin Xu.

Qin Xu thanked him and asked Zuo Chi to drive safely on his way back, and send him a message when he got home.

Zuo Chi reported back home that he was safe, lay down on the bed, and soon fell asleep, entering a comfortable dream. He dreamed that he was sitting in a rocking chair, drinking coffee while basking in the sun. The sun was warm, the coffee aroma was strong, but not cloying.

A gentle breeze brushed against his face, and all he could see were green plants. He felt relaxed and content.

This dream was interrupted by a harsh ringing.

Half asleep, half awake, Zuo Chi thought it was his phone ringing. When he opened his phone and found nothing, he realized it was the doorbell.

He had moved houses for a while now, and he could count on one hand the number of people who knew his address. At this time, who would come looking for him? He speculated who the person outside the door was and didn’t want to open the door at all.

Sheng Li rang the doorbell while knocking on the door, “Zuo Chi!”

Zuo Chi sat by the bed for a while, still worried that Sheng Li would disturb the neighbors. He opened the door with a cold expression, only to be pushed back a few steps by the force of an Alpha.

Sheng Li pulled open the collar of Zuo Chi’s pajamas, bringing his nose to his neck to sniff.

Zuo Chi raised his hand and punched him in the bridge of his nose. He struck quickly and accurately. Sheng Li didn’t have time to dodge, emitting a muffled groan as two lines of blood flowed out.

Sheng Li’s expression turned gloomy. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, staring at the bright blood, his hand trembling. “This is the second time you’ve hit me.”

Zuo Chi threw him a tissue. “That’s because you kept barging in without a word. Your behavior is harassment.”

Sheng Li didn’t take it, letting the tissue fall to the ground. “Did you go to the hotel with Qin Xu?”

Zuo Chi, annoyed, retorted, “Are you tracking me?”

Sheng Li’s eyes were red. “He went to a hotel room. Why did he call you over?”

Zuo Chi glared at him, his face turning red with anger. “Answer me, did you send someone to follow me?!”

“I’ve been too busy with work. After dinner with you yesterday, I didn’t sleep all night, and this afternoon, I have a golf appointment with President Chen to discuss business. How would I know if Qin Xu would take advantage of the situation!” Sheng Li didn’t think he had done anything wrong at all. He glared back fiercely. “You had lunch together, went to the jewelry store together at noon, and then Qin Xu went to the hotel at night, and soon after, you went too! What am I supposed to think?!”

The two locked eyes, sparks seemingly flying in the air, their breathing becoming more and more rapid.

“You can think whatever you want!” Zuo Chi lifted his left hand, twirling the engagement ring on his middle finger in front of Sheng Li. “Sheng Li, don’t you understand? There’s no possibility between us anymore.”