Near the north gate of Guanghua University, there was a pleasant restaurant. Yun Xi’s car was parked at the main gate, and since circling back was inconvenient, he took a seat in Su Yanqing’s car instead.
“I did not expect you to be a professor at such a young age,” Yun Xi remarked from the passenger seat, looking at Su Yanqing.
“I am only a specially appointed associate professor. It is not much.”
“That is still very impressive.” Yun Xi’s gaze wandered and landed on a few pieces of chocolate in the car. His eyes lit up. He picked one up, inspected it closely, and asked, “May I try one?”
Su Yanqing gave him a quiet look and said, “You may.”
Yun Xi tore open the wrapper, caught the scent first, and then popped the chocolate into his mouth. After finishing one, his hand reached out to snag another. “Where did you buy these?”
“I bought them at a handmade chocolate shop abroad. Why? Do you like them?”
“I loved this chocolate so much when I was a child. Every time my father went to Country G for business, I made him bring some back for me. Unfortunately, that shop closed down a few years ago, and I have not had them for a long time.”
Yun Xi’s hand reached out to steal another piece. “I did not expect the ones you bought to be exactly like the ones I used to eat. The packaging and the taste are identical! It is amazing. I even flew to Country G back then to find the owner, and he said he would not be making chocolate anymore.”
Su Yanqing tapped his index finger on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He said warmly, “Is that so? What a coincidence.”
Yun Xi studied the chocolate intently and said with certainty, “I believe these are the same chocolates I used to eat. Could you please give me the address of that shop later? I have been craving this taste for ages.”
“I can, but the shop is in a very remote location. If you go looking for it, it might be quite difficult to find.”
“Oh?” Yun Xi sounded a bit anxious. “Then what should I do?”
Rarely finding a childhood memory like this, Yun Xi did not want to let it go. He stared at the Alpha beside him with watery, pleading eyes.
They arrived at the restaurant, and Su Yanqing parked the car. He glanced at Yun Xi’s anxious expression and curled his lips into a slight smile. “If you want to go, I can take you when I have time.”
Yun Xi could not help but smile. “You are such a good person.”
“After all, I am troubling you to pretend to be my partner. If there is anything I can help with, please do not hesitate to tell me.”
Su Yanqing stepped out of the car, walked around to the passenger door, and opened it for Yun Xi. Yun Xi held his hand as he stepped out, feeling a sense of novelty.
In the past, there was no shortage of Alphas who would try to pursue him with all sorts of gallantry. They would open doors or pull out chairs, treating him like a fragile ornament, which he found incredibly annoying. However, when Su Yanqing performed similar gestures, it did not make him feel unpleasant.
Yun Xi walked side by side with Su Yanqing into the restaurant, discreetly observing the Alpha’s profile. His nose was straight, and his features were sharp and clean. He had a naturally aggressive look, but the gentle smile always lingering at the corners of his lips neutralized that sharpness, creating a unique sense of refined handsomeness.
In all fairness, Alphas rarely lacked good looks, but most of them possessed an innate arrogance that made Yun Xi want to trample them under his feet.
“What is it?” Su Yanqing suddenly turned his head, catching Yun Xi’s gaze before he could look away.
Yun Xi did not avert his eyes. He crinkled them and said, “I realized that you are very handsome.”
“Is that so?” Su Yanqing looked away, saying somewhat unnaturally, “Thank you.”
Was he shy?
Yun Xi found this highly entertaining. It was as if he had discovered a new toy. He kept staring at Su Yanqing with fascination.
Su Yanqing handed the menu to the waiter, and after a moment of restraint, he whispered, “Why do you keep staring at me?”
Yun Xi rested his chin on his hand. The Alpha across from him showed no outward sign of distress, yet his earlobes were quietly turning red. He was so different from the Alphas Yun Xi had known before that his mischievous side suddenly flared up.
“Your eyes are gray. That is so special. Are you wearing colored contacts?” He stared into the Alpha’s eyes and watched as the Alpha’s gaze dropped immediately upon hearing the question. Yun Xi’s smile grew even brighter.
After a long while, the Alpha replied, “No. I am one quarter Country G by blood. My eye color is natural.”
“So you are multiracial. No wonder people say multiracial people are good looking.”
Su Yanqing seemed to be at a loss for words. Fortunately, a phone call came in at that moment, providing a timely rescue for his awkwardness. He looked at his phone, apologized to Yun Xi, and answered the call.
“Hello, Father.”
The person on the other end spoke for a bit. Su Yanqing looked up at Yun Xi and said in a low voice, “No, there is no need. I am seeing someone now. Yes, it is Yun Xi.”
Hearing his own name, Yun Xi raised an eyebrow.
“We are eating. Bringing him home now? Is that not too fast? Yes, alright.”
Su Yanqing hung up the phone. Yun Xi asked, “Was that your father arranging another blind date for you?”
Su Yanqing nodded helplessly. “I told him we are seeing each other. He wants me to bring you home as soon as possible to meet the family and discuss marriage.”
“So soon? You just returned to the country. Why is your father in such a hurry for you to get married?” Yun Xi was curious.
“The situation is a bit complicated.” Su Yanqing sounded as if it were difficult to speak. He lowered his voice and said, “It is for a joyous union to ward off bad luck.”
To what?
Having heard a term that seemed like it did not belong in modern society, Yun Xi could not help but ask, “For what?”
Su Yanqing rubbed his forehead and repeated, “To ward off bad luck through a joyous event.”
As the dishes were served one by one, their colors inviting and their aromas mouth watering, Yun Xi could not spare a moment to focus on them.
“So, your father has late stage cancer but refuses to go to the hospital. He stays at home and relies on a Master’s pills to stay alive, and this Master also said that a direct blood relative needs to get married to bring a joyous event to cure his illness?” Yun Xi repeated Su Yanqing’s words slowly, word for word.
Su Yanqing nodded helplessly. Yun Xi was profoundly shocked.
The final dish, Wensi Tofu, was served steaming hot. Yun Xi stared at the rising steam for a long time before he finally snapped out of it. He hesitated, looking at the Alpha across from him several times. Finally, unable to resist his strong urge to complain, he asked somewhat impolitely, “Your father, does he not have a problem with this part of him?”
Yun Xi pointed to his head.
Su Yanqing let out a small laugh and shook his head. “Let us eat first.”
Seeing that Su Yanqing did not wish to discuss it further, Yun Xi tactfully dropped the subject and picked up his chopsticks.
However, Yun Xi took a bite of food and chewed slowly. Faced with such an absurd request, Su Yanqing did not even resist and had obediently gone on three blind dates. Should he say he was filial or just too weak?
Yun Xi glanced at the Alpha’s refined eating habits and secretly curled his lips. Regardless, a personality like Su Yanqing’s was easier to handle. After using him up and casting him aside, he probably would not persist or cause a scene, right?
After dinner, Yun Xi suggested a walk to help with digestion, so Su Yanqing took him for a stroll near the university. The night air was as cool as water, and a light breeze blew through the branches, making a rustling sound. Yun Xi was only wearing a thin long sleeved shirt and immediately shivered from the cold.
Su Yanqing noticed this, took off his trench coat, and draped it over Yun Xi’s shoulders. “Be careful not to catch a cold.”
The warmth of the Alpha’s clothing wrapped around his body, dispelling the chill. For an Omega who had not known him for long, such a gesture was slightly over the line. Yun Xi froze for a moment and could not respond immediately.
This was because he had caught a faint, familiar scent of pheromones. It was a crisp, woody scent, the smell of fir trees. Over a month ago, Yun Xi had smelled this exact scent on a snowy mountain.
Because the Omega had been dazing for so long, Su Yanqing seemed to realize his behavior was inappropriate. He said apologetically, “I am sorry. I saw that you looked cold, so I, perhaps we should get in the car?”
Yun Xi snapped back to reality and clutched the lapels of the coat. “No, it is fine. Let us walk a bit more.”
He walked forward while sniffing for that faint scent. When Su Yanqing was with him, he controlled his pheromones very well. Yun Xi had not smelled Su Yanqing’s pheromones until now.
Could it be such a coincidence? Do Gu Xun’s and Su Yanqing’s pheromones have the same scent? Yun Xi then thought about their compatibility with him, 98 percent and 100 percent. Could it be that when compatibility is similar, the pheromone scents are also similar?
His mind was a jumble of thoughts. Yun Xi was walking quickly and did not notice a beggar lying on the ground. Just as he was about to kick away the beggar’s iron bowl, Su Yanqing grabbed him.
Yun Xi was pulled to a sudden stop, feeling a bit dazed. He looked at Su Yanqing and then at the beggar, finally realizing the situation. The beggar was lying on a board with his two lower legs nowhere to be seen. He was currently squinting at Yun Xi, clearly dissatisfied that Yun Xi had almost kicked over his rice bowl.
Yun Xi frowned at the beggar. The beggar jerked his chin toward the iron bowl and said, “Have a heart, you two. Spare some change?”
Su Yanqing stood in front of Yun Xi, took out his wallet, counted out several large bills, and prepared to place them in the iron bowl.
“Wait.” Yun Xi suddenly grabbed Su Yanqing’s hand.
Su Yanqing paused and looked down at the hand holding his own. It was fair, slender, and clearly well cared for. His gaze slowly moved from that hand to the Omega’s face. Su Yanqing asked in a low voice, “What is it?”
The Omega met his gaze, his beautiful eyes bright and sparkling with a mischievous light. Yun Xi pulled the bills one by one out of Su Yanqing’s hand and then gave the beggar a brilliant smile. “I am so sorry. I did not see you just now.”
The beggar snorted through his nose.
Yun Xi leaned down as if to put the money into the iron bowl. The beggar’s eyes followed the hand as it lowered. Seeing Yun Xi loosen his fingers, the beggar could not help but want to smile. However, before he could, Yun Xi suddenly grabbed the edge of the iron bowl and snatched it away.
The beggar shouted, “What are you doing?!”
Holding the clattering iron bowl in one hand, Yun Xi grabbed Su Yanqing’s hand with the other and quickly pulled him several meters away. This sudden action not only shocked the beggar, but Su Yanqing was also greatly surprised. A flash of surprise and an undetectable hint of interest passed through his usually gentle eyes.
Watching his money being snatched away, the beggar was absolutely furious. He used his palms to scramble on the ground to give chase, but he was far too slow. Seeing that Yun Xi was about to leave with the money, the beggar gritted his teeth in desperation and loosened the cloth wrapped around his two legs.
The commotion drew the attention of passersby. People who had initially felt disdain for Yun Xi’s act of robbing a beggar watched as the man tore away the cloth, revealing two perfectly intact legs.
“Stop!!”
Because his legs had been tied up for too long, they were numb, and the beggar stumbled. However, he persisted in chasing after Yun Xi.
“Hahaha! Come and catch us! There is quite a lot of money in this bowl!”
Yun Xi laughed at the beggar, pulling Su Yanqing through the crowd. The wind tousled his vibrant orange hair, and his beautiful face seemed to glow. Su Yanqing stared at him, unable to look away.
When he grew tired of running and saw the fake beggar was still in hot pursuit, Yun Xi let go of Su Yanqing’s hand. He took Su Yanqing’s large bills out of the iron bowl, placed the bowl on the ground, and pushed it toward the fake beggar like a frisbee.
The iron bowl bumped past the shoes of several passersby and was about to fly into the road when the fake beggar lunged and caught it just in time. He nervously checked the money in the bowl. Seeing that the large bills were missing, he glared fiercely at Yun Xi.
Yun Xi made a face at the fake beggar, hid behind Su Yanqing, and acted like a bully with a powerful backer. “Boyfriend, come on, show him how scary you are.”
Su Yanqing looked helplessly at the Omega behind him. When he turned around to face the beggar, the Alpha’s gentleness vanished instantly, replaced by extreme indifference and displeasure.
Catching the chill in the Alpha’s eyes, the fake beggar froze. Immediately after, the coldness made him shiver all over, and he scrambled away in the opposite direction.