At eight in the morning, the alarm rang. Qiao Qiao rolled over with his eyes still closed, reaching out only to find an empty spot beside him. As expected, A Peng Peng had already left for work. Qiao Qiao mumbled and complained under his breath.
Although he really wanted to sleep in, he reluctantly forced himself to get up since he had to go to work.
Yawning and still half-asleep, he rubbed his face into the sheets that still carried Zhang Peng’s scent. Like a little zombie, he wandered into the bathroom, brushing his teeth and washing his face in a daze.
Thanks to his naturally good skin, a quick spritz of toner was enough before he grabbed his laptop bag and headed out the door.
As soon as he opened the door, he bumped into Zhang Peng, who was holding bags filled with soy milk, fried dough sticks, and Chinese pancakes.
Qiao Qiao blinked, a question mark slowly forming over his head.
Zhang Peng glanced at his watch; it was 8:15. “I remember you start work at 9:10, right? You’re not in a rush, are you?” He gestured towards the breakfast table, “I just went downstairs to buy you breakfast. Let’s eat at home before you go.”
Qiao Qiao reached out to take the bags, but Zhang Peng motioned towards the dining table, signaling for him to sit and wait instead.
Qiao Qiao couldn’t help but chuckle, allowing Zhang Peng to set the table while he went to fetch bowls and chopsticks from the kitchen. “Did I wake up wrong today, or did the sun rise in the west? Zhang Zong, you’re actually eating breakfast at home?”
Zhang Peng responded seriously, “Last night, I had a talk with Wei Ning about our upcoming collaboration.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that.” Qiao Qiao took a bite of his pancake. “You got back so late that I was already asleep. I almost jumped when I saw you beside me in the middle of the night. I even heard you talking in your sleep, begging for a day off to get our marriage license. I didn’t record it, so I bet you’ll deny it now.”
Zhang Peng swallowed his fried dough stick, the taste lost on him. “No, I’ll admit it. Qiao Qiao, I was wrong. After talking with Wei Ning last night, I felt a bit anxious.
He runs his company so well and used to say he had a perfect family. The media always portrayed him as someone who spoils his wife, never spending a night away from home, balancing both family and career perfectly.
But after talking to him yesterday, I found out that going home for him now feels like entering a cold palace. His wife doesn’t even spare him a glance.”
Qiao Qiao sipped his soy milk and nibbled on his pancake, thoroughly engrossed in the story. “He must have done something to upset his wife, right? Why are you worried? His wife doesn’t like him; you should be fine. I still adore you. It’s just that you haven’t had time to show me some love lately.”
Zhang Peng suspected that the “love” Qiao Qiao was talking about was a continuous, action-based verb, but he had no evidence.
Feeling more troubled, Zhang Peng explained, “It’s my fault. I remember we used to go for walks, shopping, listening to music, and playing games together. But in the past six months, I can’t recall us really talking. I leave early, come home late, often at one or two in the morning, and by then, you’re already asleep. I just lie down and pass out.
And we haven’t done your favorite activity in a long time.
You know, Wei Ning and his wife had this same routine—barely any communication. You’ve seen him on the news, right? Young, successful, envied by many. But last night, when he talked about his wife, he seemed completely disheartened.”
Qiao Qiao didn’t quite understand this worry. “From what you’re saying, doesn’t he know what the problem is? Can’t he just fix it?”
“The issue is that he doesn’t want to change.” Zhang Peng said. “Other people’s issues aren’t really my business, but I learned something important from Wei Ning’s marriage—how crucial it is to spend time together. He might not change, but I have to.
I’ve decided that from now on, I’ll push away all those dinner meetings, drinking sessions, and whatever else. I need to make time for us, so when I go to your place to propose, I can be confident.”
Qiao Qiao was startled. “Propose?! Won’t Su Yi chase you out with a broom? Aren’t you afraid?!”
Zhang Peng replied, “Su Yi is your mother, and she raised such an excellent and adorable child. How could I be afraid of such a mother?”
Qiao Qiao always thought he was pretty cute, but hearing Zhang Peng praise him to his face still made him a bit shy. Zhang Zong confessing his love first thing in the morning made his blood sugar spike.
He tried to persuade Zhang Peng, “Isn’t it just getting the marriage license? When you have a free day, we can just go to the civil affairs bureau.” Zhang Peng had already given him an engagement gift, a seven-carat diamond ring locked away in a drawer.
Many people joked about Zhang Peng, saying that diamond rings are just a scam by merchants, essentially just carbon elements.
But Zhang Peng felt that since Qiao Qiao liked it and he could afford it, why not? The purchase wasn’t about value, just a token of his affection.
After finishing breakfast, Qiao Qiao pursed his oily lips and rubbed a greasy kiss on Zhang Peng’s face, grinning mischievously.
Zhang Peng grabbed a wet wipe, cleaning Qiao Qiao’s face first, then folded it and used the clean side to wipe his own.
Qiao Qiao nestled into Zhang Peng’s lap, looking like a bird snuggling into its nest. “Peng Peng, I like you the most. I know how good you are to me. We don’t need to go challenging hell mode, okay?”
But Zhang Peng was resolute. “I have to win your mom’s approval!”
Qiao Qiao clicked his tongue in amazement. Zhang Zong’s confidence had definitely surged along with his net worth. “You’re already calling her ‘mom’? If you’ve got the guts for it, maybe it’ll work.”
Zhang Peng modestly replied, “Mainly, it’s the power of money.”
Qiao Qiao mischievously reached out his hand. “Let’s see if the money’s really there.”
Zhang Peng stiffened and glanced at the clock. “It’s getting late.”
Ugh!
The misery of a corporate slave!
They couldn’t even have a morning round!
Qiao Qiao pouted and pulled his hand back. “Alright, alright, we’ll visit Su Yi when we get the chance.”
And so, the plan to win Su Yi’s approval and then get married was officially set in motion.
After breakfast, Zhang Peng offered to drive Qiao Qiao to work, surprising him once again.
Zhang Peng really was trying hard to make time for him.
But Qiao Qiao didn’t refuse.
He wouldn’t tell Zhang Peng to hurry back to work. He believed that if Zhang Peng could make time for him, it meant he had already managed his work schedule, and Qiao Qiao trusted Zhang Peng’s abilities.
If he worried that Zhang Peng might neglect his work because of him, it would not only waste Zhang Peng’s effort but also make him feel wronged.
He really did want Zhang Peng’s company.
In front of the person he loved, he didn’t need to suppress this need.
He smoothly got into the Audi A8, which Zhang Peng had recently bought, reportedly to maintain appearances.
On the way, they chatted here and there, mostly about industry-related topics. Zhang Peng worked in software, and Qiao Qiao in hardware, but they both had broad interests and a good grasp of fields they weren’t experts in, making the conversation flow effortlessly.
After chatting for a bit, Qiao Qiao felt his perspective broaden, thinking that Zhang Peng had really gained a lot of experience recently.
Just as he was starting to feel a bit more admiration, he scrolled through Weibo and saw a trending news article.
“Why Can’t Even the Founder of Yi Qiao Technology Resist the Charm of Jianbing Guozi?”
Qiao Qiao clicked on the article, reading a detailed description of the pancake stall’s long history and craftsmanship, with a featured picture of Zhang Peng standing in line at the stall.
The push notification was so precise it was almost eerie, as if Weibo was watching him through a camera.
Zhang Peng was now a public figure, so it wasn’t surprising that someone had snapped a photo of him.
Qiao Qiao seriously thought back to the taste of breakfast and found nothing particularly special. He turned to Zhang Peng and asked, “Where did you get the pancake today?”
“Lao He’s.” Zhang Peng replied while parking. They had arrived at Qiao Qiao’s company.
“Why that one?”
“Well, all the other stalls have raised their prices to ten yuan, but Lao He’s still sells for eight.”
Qiao Qiao looked Zhang Peng up and down.
Zhang Peng felt a bit uncomfortable. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
They’d been together for years; there was no need for such lovey-dovey stares.
Qiao Qiao teased, “I’m just checking why a CEO of a billion-dollar company is so fixated on saving two yuan on pancakes.”
“Just a habit.” Zhang Peng said. “Next time, I’ll get you the ten-yuan one, so you can see how much better it tastes!”
“No need, stick with Lao He’s. They’re about to become a famous brand, with a long history and craftsmanship, you know?”
Zhang Peng’s brain couldn’t keep up. “Tell me, how can a trending online shop have a long history and craftsmanship?”
Qiao Qiao shared the Weibo post with Zhang Peng. “See for yourself.” Then he gathered his things and prepared to get out of the car.
Zhang Peng skimmed through the Weibo post and then straightened his tie, pretending to clear his throat.
Qiao Qiao turned back.
Zhang Peng leaned over and kissed Qiao Qiao on the cheek.
“Just for the ceremony.” Zhang Peng said. “How was that?”
Qiao Qiao licked his lips. “Pretty sweet.”
His lips were naturally red, and the gesture looked incredibly seductive.
Zhang Peng’s ears turned bright red, and he waved for Qiao Qiao to hurry up and get out of the car.
Before getting out, Qiao Qiao couldn’t resist saying, “I was just talking about your pheromones, don’t get any ideas.”
Zhang Peng wasn’t having it. “How am I any less than a cola? How?!”
Qiao Qiao, not wanting to be late for work, didn’t argue and quickly scampered off.
Zhang Peng huffed proudly and sped away in his Audi, leaving a trail of dust.
Qiao Qiao watched the car zoom off, unable to stop himself from smiling.
This morning was the happiest time he’d had in the past six months.
Just then, someone called out to him from behind.
“Qiao Gong!”
Qiao Qiao turned to see a colleague from his company, Chuang Wei Microchip.
Qiao Qiao smiled back. “Xiao Fang, good morning.”
“Morning, morning.” Xiao Fang replied. “Was that just now…?”
As they walked, Xiao Fang continued, “Your boyfriend? He’s so considerate, driving you to work.”
Qiao Qiao nodded, smiling. “Yep, that was my boyfriend. He had the day off, so he decided to drop me off.”
Xiao Fang was impressed. “No wonder, Qiao Gong’s boyfriend is really thoughtful.” Driving an Audi A8, not bad at all. Then again, Qiao Gong’s salary was over 30,000 yuan a month.
It seemed that great people attract great partners too.
Xiao Fang quietly swallowed his envy and looked around to make sure no one was nearby before leaning in to gossip with Qiao Qiao. “Qiao Gong, I heard our company just landed two big projects. Can you guess which two companies we signed with?”
Qiao Qiao replied, “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
Xiao Fang grinned. “Well, it’s not really a secret. One of the projects is one you’re leading, so I won’t keep you in suspense. The two clients we just signed with are Wei Shi Group’s Zhu Yu Electric and the recently booming Yi Qiao Technology!”
Qiao Qiao let out a surprised “Huh?”
Xiao Fang excitedly tugged at Qiao Qiao’s arm. “You didn’t expect that, did you? Our company has a good reputation in the industry, but it’s relatively small. Signing deals with both Zhu Yu Electric and Yi Qiao Technology is a big deal for us—we’re practically set to take off!”
Qiao Qiao asked, “Where did you hear this?”
“The omega in the business department are the best at getting intel!” Xiao Fang said. “It’s like this, most of them are eager to marry and keep an eye on high-quality single alphas. Wei Shi Group’s CEO Wei Ning and Yi Qiao Technology’s founder Zhang Peng are their top targets. I heard some of their key people were spotted at our company, and the omega sniffed them out!”
Qiao Qiao asked, “So this is still confidential?”
Xiao Fang chuckled. “Those omega are something else, aren’t they?”
Qiao Qiao thought for a moment. “But I heard Zhang Peng from Yi Qiao Technology isn’t single.”
“Oh, come on!” Xiao Fang replied. “Everyone knows about President Zhang’s story. He didn’t even differentiate until he was 27! I heard he had a long-term beta boyfriend when he was still a beta. But all the omega say there’s no way an alpha can resist their instincts, so he probably broke up with that beta and found his destined omega by now!”
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