“Ji… Senior?”
Soothing someone wasn’t something Yan Chi did often. The last time he’d done it was to comfort a crying child at the orphanage. Whichever child cried the loudest, Yan Chi would pick them up, rock them gently, pat their back, and wipe away the streaks of tears on their faces. Within minutes, the child would always calm down, then look up at him with wide, teary eyes, still sniffling a pitiful sight indeed.
But Ji Yueting was clearly different from those little ones.
The old method didn’t work, so Yan Chi had to think of something else. To untie the bell, one must first tie it. After a moment of contemplation, he tentatively spoke under Ji Yueting’s intense gaze:
“Ji… Senior?”
Ji Yueting’s gaze faltered slightly.
Yan Chi continued, lowering his head: “Senior, don’t be upset. Smile again, okay?”
Yan Chi called him “senior” twice, his head bowed.
Back and forth, they were even, and Ji Yueting, as Yan Chi wished, didn’t hold back his smile.
“Does this count as being soothed?” Yan Chi wasn’t entirely sure.
Ji Yueting said, “Probably not yet.”
Where was the ease in soothing? He was already smiling, yet he claimed he wasn’t soothed. How difficult.
Yan Chi found it quite tricky. After racking his brains to no avail, he poked Ji Yueting’s arm: “Ji Yueting, I can’t think of anything else. You tell me what to do.”
“Then let’s keep it on hold for now.”
“Keep what on hold?”
“Keep a request,” Ji Yueting smoothly replied. “It won’t be difficult for you, just a small request.”
“Hmm… If that’s what you want, then go ahead.” Yan Chi’s impression of Ji Yueting was still a string of complimentary adjectives, and he didn’t think the other would do anything unreasonable.
As if receiving a gift, Ji Yueting’s expression softened. “Then I’m soothed now,” he said, giving Yan Chi’s bare back a gentle push with his broad palm. “Go ahead and shoot. They’re still waiting for you.”
Skin touched skin, a fleeting contact. If anyone else had touched him so intimately, Yan Chi would have felt uncomfortable, but Ji Yueting didn’t evoke such thoughts in him.
Yan Chi lifted the curtain and instinctively glanced back. Behind him, Ji Yueting was still standing there, gently rubbing his knuckles.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Yueting noticed his gaze and looked over.
In that instant, Yan Chi was suddenly struck by many illusions.
It was as if no matter what, Ji Yueting would always be behind him, just a step away, always within reach.
The new product advertisement shoot went smoothly, with Yan Chi overseeing the entire process and pointing out any minor issues. While everyone agreed perfectly on other aspects, only the final part of the shoot fell short in Yan Chi’s opinion. To achieve a more perfect presentation, it would be best to film on location in Grasse. Although they missed the rose season, it still had its own unique charm.
Funding for an overseas trip was a minor issue Liang Yingwen was never short of money. He casually approved another budget, booking the best flights and hotels for Yan Chi and his team. With that, the business trip for the following week was also added to Yan Chi’s schedule.
That evening, Yan Chi was on a video call with Ji Yueting. On the phone screen, Chi Chi was leaping around, chasing Ji Yueting’s cat teaser, when Chu Yiming’s call came through. Thinking Chu Yiming had something important to discuss, Yan Chi told Ji Yueting to wait a moment and answered the call.
“What do you need?”
“Calling so late, I hope I’m not disturbing you?”
“It’s still early, I just got off work not long ago.”
“That’s good,” Chu Yiming laughed. “Actually, it’s nothing major. I ran into you at the shoot last time, and these past couple of days, I heard from some photographer friends over there that you’re heading to Grasse next week for filming. Is that true?”
“There is such a plan. The studio effects didn’t meet expectations, so we’re planning to shoot some scenes on location,” Yan Chi replied briefly.
“Then would it be convenient for me to go with you? I haven’t been back much since graduation, and hearing you’re flying there suddenly made me itch to go too,” Chu Yiming said straightforwardly. “But don’t worry, junior, I won’t disturb your filming. I just want more company it livens things up.”
Yan Chi wasn’t particularly keen on the idea, but he couldn’t outright refuse either, so he tactfully replied, “We’re leaving quite early, and it might be quite tiring.”
Chu Yiming was usually sharp, but this time he acted as if he didn’t catch the hint. “It’s fine, I don’t mind. I’ll cover all my own expenses for flights and hotels. I just want to find some inspiration from your shoot and revisit the old place.”
With things put so plainly, Yan Chi couldn’t really decline. If Chu Yiming really wanted to buy a ticket, he couldn’t stop him after all, the plane wasn’t his.
After exchanging a few more casual words, Yan Chi hung up the phone with little enthusiasm and called Ji Yueting back.
Ji Yueting answered quickly, with Chi Chi still bouncing around, thumping against the floor.
He asked casually, “What happened earlier? Something come up?”
Yan Chi buried his face in the pillow, his voice muffled. “I have to go on a business trip to Grasse next week for filming. And my senior uh, that Alpha from the shoot last time said he wants to come along to gather inspiration.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the video feed instantly switched. Ji Yueting’s face replaced the white cat, appearing before Yan Chi.
“!” Yan Chi was stunned. “What’s wrong?”
The cat was gone, replaced by its owner.
Ji Yueting’s expression was calm. “Yan Chi, if I remember correctly, I still have one request left to use, don’t I?”
“You do have one left, What do you want to do?” Yan Chi asked, already sensing what was coming.
Sure enough, Ji Yueting said, “What time is the flight next week?”
A request once given couldn’t be taken back, and adding one more person to an already crowded schedule wouldn’t make much difference, especially since it was Ji Yueting. But even Yan Chi, as oblivious as he was to Ji Yueting, realized he might be special to Ji Yueting, but wasn’t Ji Yueting just as special to him?
During their two years in high school, when had he ever seen a young master like Ji Yueting following someone else around? No matter when, it was always others crowding around him. Yan Chi never fought for attention, so he was pushed to the outermost edge of the crowd. But now… was this really how friends interacted, like him and Ji Yueting?
Details he hadn’t paid attention to before, the things Liu Muqing had said, Ji Yueting’s smiles Yan Chi accepted the request and buried himself under the covers, not caring about anything else.
After a few chaotic, dream-filled nights, he barely had time to react before the day of the business trip arrived.
Haijing Airport was enormous, and traveling as a team meant they didn’t have to crowd together. Everything was arranged for them by dedicated staff.
Just before departure, an omega girl in the photography team suddenly went into heat. As a beta unaffected by pheromones, Yan Chi asked for an inhibitor and helped the girl into the restroom. Liang Yingwen said he would send someone to pick her up, but Yan Chi was still worried. He stood by the window, making call after call.
Meanwhile, in the VIP lounge, aside from Yan Chi’s subordinates and staff, there were two alphas sitting opposite each other.
Both were handsome, with high-level pheromones. When they sat in silence, the air around them seemed to freeze in an odd tension.
“May I ask your name, sir?” Chu Yiming finally broke the silence, smiling as he spoke.
He had seen clearly that morning this alpha arrived in the same car as Yan Chi. Over the past few days, he had asked around and received consistent information: Yan Chi was currently single. Since Yan Chi had no partner, who knew where this guy had come from?
“Ji,” Ji Yueting replied unhurriedly, taking a sip of coffee. “Ji, as in Changying.”
Hearing the name “Changying,” Chu Yiming’s heart skipped a beat, and his gaze toward Ji Yueting grew serious. After graduating, he had stayed in the United States and had come into contact with numerous large corporations and influential families. Naturally, he had heard of the formidable Ji family.
“So it’s Mr. Ji. My apologies for the oversight,” Chu Yiming maintained his smile. “I’m Chu Yiming, Yan Chi’s senior from his studies in France one year above him. I believe he might have mentioned me to you. We were quite close during university, often dining together and participating in activities. Oh, and there was perfumery too.”
Ji Yueting didn’t respond, merely setting down his cup.
Like a stone dropped into a lake, the other party showed no reaction. Chu Yiming grew restless. “May I ask what your relationship with Xiao Chi is? If it’s not too personal.”
“Coincidentally, I was his senior in high school. We were also quite close,” Ji Yueting replied calmly. “But he isn’t one to share personal matters with outsiders, so it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know.”
With that one sentence, Chu Yiming’s smile nearly faltered.
“So Mr. Ji has known Xiao Chi since such an early age. That’s truly wonderful. After meeting him, I’ve often regretted not getting to know him sooner.” Chu Yiming didn’t bother hiding his feelings. “Since you and Xiao Chi are so close, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Does Xiao Chi currently have someone he’s dating or someone he likes?” Chu Yiming asked bluntly.
The tension was palpable. Everyone from RH nearby pricked up their ears, unable to hide their excitement. No one could resist gossip about their boss, nor could they resist such a classic yet explosive scene unfolding before them.
As he spoke, Chu Yiming slid an unopened packet of sugar across the table toward Ji Yueting. “I noticed you drink your coffee without milk or sugar. That must be quite bitter.”
Ji Yueting lowered his gaze and chuckled softly. “Mr. Chu, please show some restraint. I don’t enjoy discussing others’ private matters behind their backs, especially when it comes to Yan Chi. I don’t think he’d appreciate it.”
Chu Yiming’s brow furrowed slightly.
“Besides, my tastes have always been consistent. The one who needs sugar. might be someone else,” Ji Yueting deftly turned the question back, leaving no room for rebuttal.
Back and forth, Chu Yiming remained at a disadvantage.
Having been in society for years, he prided himself on being smooth and tactful. Yet, in front of Ji Yueting, he couldn’t gain even a slight upper hand.
“It was presumptuous of me. Mr. Ji is right if I truly wish to pursue Xiao Chi, it would be better to ask him directly.” Chu Yiming smiled, shifting his approach. “When we graduated from university, I thought with his talent, he would surely stay abroad. I never expected him to return to China. At the time, I felt I had completely lost my chance. After all, someone like Xiao Chi never lacks suitors around him.”
“But upon returning this time, by sheer coincidence, I ran into him on the very first day and unexpectedly learned that he is still single.” Chu Yiming changed the subject. “Mr. Ji, don’t you think Xiao Chi and I are fated?”
Among the vast sea of people, not everyone gets to reunite after years apart.
Everything Chu Yiming had said earlier, Ji Yueting hadn’t taken to heart. Only this last remark made him chuckle involuntarily a laugh tinged with a hint of mockery.
“Fate?” Ji Yueting dismissed it lightly. “Mr. Chu, are you really that naive? Even fate isn’t something the heavens decide.”
Only people do.
After finishing his phone call, Yan Chi returned from a distance and saw the two chatting happily. He looked at Ji Yueting in confusion. “What were you talking about?” Weren’t you just saying you didn’t like other alphas around me?
The subordinates exchanged glances, thinking to themselves: The fire is practically blazing through the walls, and Teacher Yan is still completely unaware.
“What are you all looking at?” Yan Chi asked, noticing their strange expressions.
“The ceiling in the VIP lounge is so bright.”
“Wow, these desserts are really sweet.”
“Um, Teacher Yan, do you take sugar in your coffee?”
As soon as the last person spoke, they were elbowed hard by a colleague beside them, eliciting a pained cry.
Yan Chi, still clueless, replied blankly, “Perfumers shouldn’t consume too much sugar. If you want to add some, keep it moderate, or it might affect your sense of smell.”
As for Yan Chi himself, he had a sweet tooth but could restrain himself. Adding sugar or not was fine either way.
“I was only gone for a moment, and you’ve all become so strange,” Yan Chi muttered softly. “We’re about to board. Check if anything’s been left behind, and let’s head to the boarding gate.”
With that, Yan Chi reached for his bag, but Ji Yueting picked it up first, his movements natural, as if it were only right.
“Let’s go,” Ji Yueting said from behind Yan Chi.
Chu Yiming’s expression turned complicated, his gaze shifting between the two. Before he could observe further, Yan Chi was completely blocked from view by Ji Yueting.
If anyone said it was unintentional, Chu Yiming wouldn’t believe it.
For a moment, Yan Chi stood empty-handed, the most relaxed person in the room. All he had to carry was a stack of boarding passes.
The group settled into their seats one after another. The plane’s engines roared, piercing through the clouds as it soared upward.
Ji Yueting and Yan Chi’s seats were close, one in front of the other.
As the altitude increased, the dazzling light outside the window flooded their vision. Yan Chi pulled down the window shade and closed his eyes for a light nap, his thoughts drifting to everything about Ji Yueting. All the doubts and uncertainties surrounding him were magnified infinitely in that moment.
The fitting room that day was small, and they were close.
Reaching out, he could touch Ji Yueting’s forearm. Lowering his head, he could feel Ji Yueting’s breath against the back of his neck.
Fate was something elusive and mysterious, Yan Chi thought. Perhaps there hadn’t been much of it between him and Ji Yueting before, or perhaps it was just his own wishful thinking, so everything had ended without resolution.
But now their fate must have grown stronger.
Emotionally, Yan Chi was just a bit slow on the uptake, not stupid, especially since the person in question didn’t seem to be trying to hide anything.
So, when the plane was about to land and a faint camera shutter sound came from above, Yan Chi didn’t open his eyes.
But after two seconds, he suddenly felt a twinge of regret.
Should he tell Ji Yueting that if the window shade were open, the photo would turn out better?