When there were no missions on the radar, the world-saving heroes who fought against monsters transformed into ordinary staff members at the Historical Archives Office, clocking in from eight to five like clockwork.
To tell the truth, Qiu Nan was actually feeling pretty happy today, mostly because it was his nominal birthday.
His exact birthday was definitely a guess. Twenty-three years ago today, he had been discovered abandoned on the doorstep of the orphanage. His “birthday” had simply been determined by that date—marking a new lease on life.
It might not sound like a milestone particularly worth celebrating, but everyone needed a starting point in life.
According to the director of the orphanage, it had been a cool summer evening, very much like this one.
The Historical Archives Office boasted a massive courtyard. Neatly lined rows of shade trees swayed gently in the breeze, and the manicured flowerbeds exuded a rich, fragrant aroma. Qiu Nan took a deep breath of the fresh air and stretched his arms out wide.
Retiring in a place like this would be absolute bliss!
He hoped that once everything was finally over, he would get to enjoy a peaceful retirement like this one day.
Curving his lips into a smile, Qiu Nan walked toward the courtyard exit with a light, brisk stride, only for Xie Yunnian’s black luxury car—polished so bright it could double as a mirror—to suddenly veer sharply and pull up right in front of him.
The window rolled down. Xie Yunnian leaned slightly toward the window, reaching across the interior to push open the passenger door for him. “Captain Qiu, hop in. Let’s discuss some business.”
Qiu Nan fell silent.
Why do we always have to discuss business in the car? Are the habits of you rich people always this completely incomprehensible?
With the car door already wide open, it would look incredibly rude not to get in. He had no choice but to shelf his good mood and climb into the passenger seat, looking about as cheerful as if he were attending a funeral.
“Director, what’s the matter?”
The words had barely left his mouth when he noticed Xie Yunnian start the ignition and slam on the gas pedal, rocketing them right out of the courtyard.
Qiu Nan: “?”
Xie Yunnian turned his head to glance at him, offering a smooth smile. “Does Captain Qiu have any plans for this evening?”
Words failed Qiu Nan.
“Oh, you don’t? That’s perfect then.” Xie Yunnian gave him absolutely zero time to react. “I originally made plans to have dinner with a friend. I booked a double-course meal at the Jiangxin Wave-Calming Tower, but something came up on his end and he couldn’t make it at the last minute. The restaurant doesn’t allow cancellations or refunds, so why don’t we go and make use of it together?”
Qiu Nan blurted out, “I’d rather not—”
Xie Yunnian smoothly cut him off: “The scenery at Jiangxin is spectacular, and reservations are incredibly hard to come by. Why don’t we go up and catch the breeze?”
Qiu Nan felt a distinct sensation that he had just boarded a pirate ship. By the time the words were out of the director’s mouth, Xie Yunnian had already parked the car right at the ferry terminal leading to the Jiangxin Wave-Calming Tower.
Did he give anyone a chance to object?
None whatsoever!
The Wave-Calming Tower sat right in the center of the Mei River. It had originally been a functional water tower, but as society developed over the years, the antiquated facility gradually retired from the stage of history.
That was until an enterprising businessman got a brilliant idea.
The body of the old tower was demolished, and a uniquely striking new tower was erected on its original foundation. Towering over a dozen stories high, it featured a sleek steel-frame and glass structure, serving as a luxury private club, a Riverview hotel, and—perched right on the circular crown at the very top—a revolving restaurant.
As a high-end destination that doubled as a local landmark, the consumption level here was astronomical. The clientele consisted entirely of elite society. An ordinary citizen like Qiu Nan probably wouldn’t get a chance to board the exclusive shuttle ferry to the Wave-Calming Tower in his entire lifetime.
The brilliantly lit shuttle ferry glided smoothly across the river surface. Because the journey took only a few minutes, no one bothered to sit inside the cabin; instead, people drifted across the deck in small groups, chatting comfortably.
The wind sweeping over the river was cool and crisp, carrying a touch of moisture that felt refreshing against the skin.
Leaning against the railing, Qiu Nan watched the blurred reflections of the boats rippling across the water, feeling as though he were standing on top of a giant, glowing lightbulb.
Xie Yunnian leaned against the railing right beside him, looking down into the water. Turning his head slightly, his gaze fell upon Qiu Nan’s smiling profile.
It was undeniably striking.
He asked in a soft, gentle voice, “Captain Qiu, have you never been on a boat before?”
Qiu Nan turned to look at him, his smile widening into a bright, open grin as he shook his head. “Never.”
Xie Yunnian let out a chuckle, shaking his head slightly. “A man who has flown in military helicopters, yet he’s never ridden a boat.”
Qiu Nan shrugged self-deprecatingly. “That’s completely different, Director. If it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t have had the chance to ride a boat in this lifetime, haha!”
Xie Yunnian straightened up, smoothing down his hair which had been slightly tousled by the river breeze. “We’re off the clock. You don’t have to call me Director.”
Qiu Nan mumbled something under his breath that Xie Yunnian didn’t quite catch. Before he could probe further, the ferry bumped gently against the wooden pier.
Small, amber nightlights lined both sides of the boardwalk, their delicate points of light reflecting in their eyes like shattered fragments of tender starlight.
Qiu Nan looked up at the towering structure looming short distance away. It looked as exquisite as a finely crafted piece of art. Under the illumination of countless interior and exterior lights, the translucent tower resembled a priceless jewel. He had only ever seen this breathtaking night view from an aerial drone perspective on television; seeing it from this close offered an entirely different kind of beauty.
Qiu Nan followed closely behind Xie Yunnian, bringing up the very rear of the crowd. Just as they stepped off the boat, Qiu Nan suddenly lost his footing and stumbled to the side. Xie Yunnian, quick as lightning, reached out and caught him firmly by the wrist.
It turned out that two soft floating mats had been placed between the boat and the pier to serve as a buffer, but because the contrast in light was so stark, they were incredibly difficult to see clearly.
Xie Yunnian kept his firm grip on Qiu Nan’s wrist all the way onto the wooden boardwalk before reluctantly letting go.
Unlike an Alpha, Qiu Nan’s wrist was noticeably slender, which instantly triggered a deep, primitive urge to protect him inside Xie Yunnian’s chest.
“Thank you, Director.” Because he was surrounded by such an unfamiliar, dazzling environment, Qiu Nan was entirely occupied with taking in the sights, leaving his usual high guard completely lowered.
“Don’t mention it. Watch your step.” Xie Yunnian wasn’t surprised in the least by Qiu Nan’s stubborn refusal to change how he addressed him; the boy was fiercely stubborn.
The two of them walked side-by-side along the boardwalk and entered the Wave-Calming Tower, immediately greeted by a lavishly decorated lobby.
Qiu Nan’s eyes darted left and right, barely able to take everything in. Honestly, just that massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling probably cost more than what he could earn in three to five years on the field team.
Accommodating his pace, Xie Yunnian smiled and slowed his steps, introducing the layout of the luxury building as they walked. Before they knew it, they arrived at the VIP sightseeing elevator that led straight to the revolving restaurant.
The elevator ascended slowly, causing the structures beneath their feet to shrink away into miniature versions of themselves while the distant city landscape grew clearer and more expansive.
“Wow!” As they stepped out of the elevator, Qiu Nan—who had an absolute weakness for beautiful scenery—pressed himself against the glass of the observation deck, unable to hold back an exclamation of awe.
“Do you like it?” Xie Yunnian slipped his hands into his trouser pockets, his gaze dropping tenderly onto the long, elegant curve of the captain’s neck from behind.
Beneath the smooth skin of that beautiful neck lay a lovely, hidden gland that faintly exuded the scent of mangoes—a gland that currently bore his, Xie Yunnian’s, exclusive mark.
Just the thought of it brought an irrepressible wave of satisfaction to his chest.
Xie Yunnian realized it himself: he possessed a rare, bottomless store of patience when it came to his little Omega.
“Yeah, I love it!” Qiu Nan blurted out. But a split second later, he caught the reflection of Xie Yunnian’s tender, smiling face in the glass window, and his heart gave a sudden, violent thud.
Through the reflection on the glass, he saw Xie Yunnian step up right behind him. The man raised a hand, and before Qiu Nan could react, a large, warm palm cupped the back of his neck, gently massaging his nape twice.
Xie Yunnian looked exactly like someone petting his own pampered cat.
It was a completely simple gesture, yet it felt as though a sharp jolt of electricity had shot straight down Qiu Nan’s spine. His entire body froze rigid, and a hot blush rushed into his face.
If Mi Zhu had ever dared to do something like this, Qiu Nan would have thrown a punch into his gut without hesitation. But this was his director, so.
Just endure it!
To make matters worse, Xie Yunnian’s amused voice drifted into his ear from mere inches away: “Let’s head inside. The view from our table is exactly the same.”
The way he phrased it made it sound like Qiu Nan was some country bumpkin who had never seen the world before!
The revolving restaurant was completely devoid of other guests. The moment the manager spotted Xie Yunnian, a bright smile broke across his face as he stepped forward to greet them, personally escorting them to their reserved table.
The table happened to be the absolute best seat in the entire establishment, facing right toward the brilliant blanket of shimmering lights woven along the bustling riverbank. Looking out, half of Nandong City unfolded beautifully beneath them.
Qiu Nan finally realized that when Xie Yunnian said “the view from our table is exactly the same,” he hadn’t been exaggerating. The vantage point here was actually far superior to the observation deck!
He turned his head to stare out the window, partly because the view was genuinely magnificent, and partly to alleviate the mounting awkwardness. He truly had no idea what he was supposed to talk about with Director Xie.
Suddenly, every single light in the restaurant went completely dark.
Qiu Nan instinctively looked up. “A blackout?”
At the same time, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a flicker of flame dancing in the corner. A waiter was approaching their table, carrying a candelabra.
Qiu Nan’s eyelids gave a sharp twitch, and he shot an inquiring look across the table at Xie Yunnian.
“I booked a candlelight dinner for tonight, Captain Qiu. You’ll just have to make do,” Xie Yunnian said in a thoroughly casual, matter-of-fact tone.
Qiu Nan: “!!!”
His eyes lit up instantly, his inner gossip soul suddenly flaring three stories high.
Director Xie booked a romantic candlelight dinner, only to get stood up by his date?
Who was it? Who on earth was it?
What an absolute legend!
But.
He leaned forward across the table, whispering conspiratorially, “Director, um, can’t we just eat normally? Can we have them take the candles away?”
Xie Yunnian adjusted his napkin, looking back at him with an expression of genuine bewilderment. “Why?”
Qiu Nan stammered, “It’s just, the atmosphere feels a little weird.”
Xie Yunnian offered a smooth explanation: “We can’t. This is part of the set course.”
Qiu Nan fell silent.
Fine then!