Chapter 32
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Thinking about it in the heart is one thing, seeing it with your own eyes is another.
Now seeing Rong Qiu’s intimate interaction with an unknown man, for an alpha, it’s undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.
Very sour.
Very astonished.
More of it was resentment.
The alpha almost stared blankly at the intimate scene between the two outside the car window, his hand, originally placed flat on the leather cushion, clenched tightly. Two deep indentations were pressed into the smooth seat.
But he continued to watch.
The young man not far away half embraced and half carried Rong Qiu to the co-driver’s seat.
Is this Rong Qiu’s significant other?
Although the face was not clear, the man seemed exceptionally young, wearing a black top with a silver skull on the back, torn jeans extending above the ankles, and a pair of black short boots with rivets. He dressed like a playful college student. Qin Muye had seen too many people like him during his time at A University.
Most of them are too immature, and their words and deeds were frivolous.
Even if he tried not to judge by appearance, Qin Muye can’t help but think of the worst.
Inappropriate.
This man standing next to Rong Qiu was not at all suitable.
Qin Muye’s thoughts were all over the place.
When the red light came on, Rong Qiu’s car has already turned right towards the row of trees, disappearing in a few breaths.
But the man’s gaze still followed the direction where the car disappeared.
The beta officer looked on silently. Seeing no sign of reaction from the alpha, he quietly asked, “Should we ask the driver to follow them?”
Follow what?
Follow Rong Qiu in front and watch their sweet interaction?
Qin Muye wearily lowered his head and gradually released the hand that almost squeezed out blood.
“No need, let’s go back.”
No need to see again, no need to investigate.
Since Rong Qiu has his own bright future, his pride does not allow him to intervene, causing trouble.
***
Rong Qiu really vomited a lot last night.
He overestimated himself, thinking that he could gradually improve his alcohol tolerance by coming to the bar a few times. Who would have expected that after just three cups of plum wine, the drunkenness hit him hard, his stomach felt like it was twisting, and he casually found a trash bin on the roadside to vomit until everything was a blur.
He got drunk so badly for the first time, almost vomiting bile.
Clearly, it felt so good when he had a light drink, but getting drunk had such a strong reaction.
Rong Qiu didn’t want to recall this uncomfortable feeling.
He got up gloomily, washed his face, and brushed his teeth.
When he finally walked out of the room with his unruly hair, it was already past ten.
His head was still heavy.
He irritably rubbed his throbbing temples, taking each step downstairs with an indifferent expression.
Coincidentally, Zhao Nanchen was also there, not going to work for some reason. He wore casual home clothes, and upon seeing Rong Qiu, he immediately greeted, “Little Qiu! You’re finally awake. Are you hungry? I saved you some breakfast.”
Rong Qiu responded with a grunt, then found a spot on the sofa and slouched down. Zhao Nanchen hugged a pillow and approached him. With eyes half-open, Rong Qiu appeared lazy, showing a hint of fatigue.
Indeed, he was tired.
Both mentally and physically, yesterday had taken a toll on him.
Now he was quite hungry. He had emptied his stomach last night after vomiting, and now, even a few steps caused a rumbling noise. Rong Qiu pressed the pillow against his stomach, attempting to alleviate the feeling of the tight belt and the sensation brought by the pillow.
“Breakfast is ready!”
“It’s ready.”
Zhao Nanchen’s breakfast had some variations – three dumplings, one boiled egg, and a packet of milk for Rong Qiu.
Rong Qiu didn’t drink the milk.
In fact, he didn’t even look at it.
He only ate two out of the three dumplings.
He thought he was very hungry, but when faced with the breakfast, his appetite disappeared after a few bites.
While eating, he noticed Zhao Nanchen seemed to have something to say, but he couldn’t speak with his mouth full, so he never had the chance to ask.
Now that he had finished eating, Rong Qiu wiped the breakfast crumbs off his mouth with a tissue, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “What… do you want to say?”
Zhao Nanchen nodded heavily, “I booked a table at Xin Gang Restaurant. I want to invite Little Qiu for food.”
Because Zhao Nanchen received his salary, he strongly insisted on treating Rong Qiu to a meal. Of course, there was another intention – he hoped Rong Qiu could say some good things when his brother came over, preventing him from getting beaten up.
Hearing the reason, Rong Qiu smiled and, with a hint of mischief in his eyes, said, “Your brother will beat you sooner or later.”
“Huh?” Zhao Nanchen raised his head in confusion, seemingly not understanding.
“Nothing, just sighing that the relationship between you brothers is really harmonious.”
So good and considerate.
So considerate that Zhao Nanchen bought a double grave for his lonely brother.
So considerate that he even considered burying the two brothers together in the same grave.
Brother Rong Qin and him also got along like real brothers. However, he couldn’t bring himself to do something like buying a grave for his brother. He had always wished for the people who cared about him to live a long and healthy life, and he never wanted to think about graves.
The purchase of a grave for himself was unexpected.
His lover had already passed away.
This double grave would eventually be bought, so why not choose a good one in advance? If it weren’t for the recent busyness, Rong Qiu would have wanted to finalize his will in advance.
***
After breakfast at half-past ten, one Alpha and one Beta rested at home for a couple of hours and then it was noon.
Alpha Zhao Nanchen officially changed into a suit. Seeing the younger brother with anticipation, Rong Qiu shook his head and went to the dressing room to find a relatively formal outfit.
Rong Qiu rarely spent much effort on clothing and decorations. For him, most of his time should be spent on completing military tasks or designing mechs. Going shopping takes too much time, and now that he was alone, there was no need to dress himself up so beautifully when his lover can’t see him.
As a result, Rong Qiu casually picked out a light-colored casual suit and randomly selected a silver-edged wristwatch.
This watch was a gift from Director Qian when he first arrived at the research institute.
Not expensive, but it was a thoughtful gesture.
Even so, Rong Qiu looked stunning.
Some people can’t restrain their clothes; others make clothes look good on them.
Rong Qiu is the latter.
This simple-designed light-colored suit on him looks like a high-end custom-made outfit. The cuffs, collar, and hem all perfectly accentuate the beta’s good figure.
Zhao Nanchen instantly felt that his three-piece suit looked foolish.
It made him look both strong and fat, like a black bear.
Rong Qiu didn’t notice Zhao Nanchen’s fluctuating emotions.
He just casually adjusted his cuffs and then, satisfied, picked up his keys, summoning him to leave.
***
Xin Gang Restaurant was quite expensive.
This expense was not only reflected in the prices of the dishes but also in the entire restaurant’s atmosphere. People who enter must wear relatively formal attire, and ordinary clothes will be stopped at the door. However, there won’t be anyone wearing ordinary clothes coming here because the guests here are so wealthy that it’s unimaginable.
For example, the cars parked outside the restaurant are all worth six figures or more.
Rong Qiu’s car, which costs around two hundred thousand, looked somewhat out of place.
But the beta was confident, taking confident strides.
Guided to their seats by the waiter, Rong Qiu also felt that this place was extraordinary.
Very quiet, occasional conversations, and the voices were not loud, maintaining a very close whispering distance.
Next was expensive.
Or you can say, very expensive.
He had accumulated some expensive private restaurants during his time at A University because his lover had a picky taste and couldn’t eat regular cafeteria food.
He booked private restaurants for his lover.
But the prices of those dishes were nowhere near comparable to here, making Rong Qiu raise his eyebrows. He hoped that this meal wouldn’t empty Zhao Nanchen’s account.
Forget it, he has money in his account.
So, when Rong Qiu ordered, he was also quite generous.
The restaurant’s signature dishes arrived, and the portion was maintained within the range suitable for two to three people.
**
Qin Muye was also having a meal with the deputy commander. The deputy commander had been wanting to invite him for a meal, and finally, on this holiday, he managed to get him to come. Inviting the commander for a meal required booking the best restaurant.
They arrived a bit late.
By the time they arrived, the restaurant was mostly full.
Nevertheless, the restaurant could still be described as quiet.
This slightly eased the stern expression on Qin Muye’s face.
“Mr. Qin, we’re here.”
When away from military duties, they didn’t address each other by ranks.
The deputy commander who invited him for a meal was an alpha in his sixties. He had assisted the previous overall commander in communicating between the Federation and the Mech Research Institute.
The reason Qin Muye agreed to the dinner invitation was also related to Rong Qiu.
Actually, the last time he invited Rong Qiu, he not only wanted to see Rong Qiu but also had matters concerning the institute to discuss. Unfortunately, that meeting ended inconclusively.
They wouldn’t meet again in the future.
Even if they were to meet, it wouldn’t be alone.
He had been doing this mental preparation.
Even deliberately ignoring the gradually widening hole in his heart, the sound of the wind whistling louder and louder from an unknown source.
Forget it, why think about these things?
The two alphas had taken their seats, and the dishes were already pre-ordered.
This meal was unremarkable, and the only thing that interested Qin Muye was whether funding for the institute would continue.
The deputy commander’s suggestion was that since the new mechs had already been developed, there was no need for additional funds. The Thirteenth Military District was tight on funds, and this money should be used in more effective areas.
Listening to him, Qin Muye remained indifferent.
It was unclear whether he was supportive or opposed.
Seeing this, the deputy commander became more and more uneasy as he spoke.
Even so, he still had to speak and even pleaded his case with reason, explaining in detail how using this money for education or medical purposes would be more effective than mech design.
Military personnel were like this.
Give them a topic, and they could talk endlessly for hours.
During this process, Qin Muye didn’t say a word, nor did he interrupt.
He just ate quietly with knife and fork.
The deputy commander spoke for a long time, feeling dry and hoarse. Carefully, he looked up to see Qin Muye’s reaction.
He sincerely wished well for the Thirteenth Military District, so he wouldn’t continue working in the military at his age.
Qin Muye put down his knife and fork, his clear eyes showing no ripples. “Uncle Wang, finished talking?”
The elderly alpha nodded, “Finished.”
Finally, Qin Muye took a sip of wine. “I agree.”
The phrase “I agree” did not carry any personal color.
He was just discussing the overall development of the Thirteenth Military District. The funds for the institute had been approved by the military district for over twenty years. With remarkable results now, once the mechs designed by Rong Qiu were sold to other military districts, the institute would also receive a share. Although not as much as Rong Qiu, it would still be enough for the research hospital to continue its essential projects.
And the military district’s funds should be used where they were most needed, such as in the urgent reconstruction of education and healthcare on planets ravaged by war.
Listening to his words, the elderly alpha was grateful.
Qin Muye remained noncommittal.
After getting up to use the restroom, as he came out, he suddenly saw a familiar figure leaving the sink.
Three steps ahead of him, exceptionally carefree.
Qin Muye’s gaze followed.
Even if he didn’t want to admit it, he recognized that it was Rong Qiu.
Did Rong Qiu also come to this restaurant for a meal?
Was it himself…
Or with someone else?
Thinking of this person, the alpha washing his hands almost scrubbed off his skin.
Perhaps out of “curiosity,” when he returned to his table, he deliberately took a detour. Glancing at the adjacent table, he saw Rong Qiu, who hadn’t noticed him. Rong Qiu was quietly eating, and whether it was just his perception, he looked gentle and amiable.
Even though he didn’t smile or show any particular expression.
In Qin Muye’s eyes, it was gentleness.
Because Rong Qiu wouldn’t bother having a meal with someone unimportant.
But the gentleness that Rong Qiu had once given him had all been given to someone else.
Back at his seat, he continued to watch for a while.
Rong Qiu went to the restroom again midway, seemingly because some alcohol had spilled on his clothes. The bright red wine stain on the plain suit was particularly eye-catching.
When Rong Qiu left, Qin Muye finally took action.
He apologized to the alpha deputy commander and then stopped at Zhao Nanchen’s table.
He felt that this behavior was unlike him, but he still did it.
Qin Muye stood firmly in front of Zhao Nanchen, and at the same time, his gaze shifted to Zhao Nanchen’s neck. The sunlight was good today, and the room was well-lit, so he could clearly see the pheromone suppression collar on Zhao Nanchen’s neck.
It was a pheromone suppression collar.
Not a pheromone suppression patch.
Only A-level alphas would use this.
So, the man in front of him was an A-level alpha…
Qin Muye frowned, his expression not simple.
What’s going on?
Rong Qiu actually became partners with an A-level alpha!
How could this be? Rong Qiu’s partner should be a beta, shouldn’t it?
Just as a certain S-level alpha’s mind surged with waves, Zhao Nanchen was still immersed in eating. Well, this meal overdrew three months’ worth of his salary, and he had to make up for it. He had to recover both the principal and the interest.
But suddenly, a tall figure blocked the light in front of him and didn’t leave for a long time.
Zhao Nanchen’s fork skewed, irritated, and he lifted his head.
He saw his idol!
What’s the point of still eating?
Zhao Nanchen wished he could immediately stand up and salute.
Qin Muye looked but pretended not to see.
He scrutinized Zhao Nanchen from top to bottom.
This man was not much different, except for being younger; he had no other advantages. He appeared tall and imposing but seemed rather clumsy and impatient. When he saluted him, the metallic utensils in front of him fell off the plate.
Clattering sounds echoed.
Zhao Nanchen immediately bent down to pick them up.
This scene was witnessed by Rong Qiu when he returned.
Two men confronted each other. Zhao Nanchen, the roommate and tenant, cautiously picked up the chopsticks in front of him, while the S-rank alpha in front of him remained exceptionally calm, almost expressionless and cold.
Instinctively, Rong Qiu thought that Dr. Zhao’s younger brother was being bullied.
Because Zhao Nanchen’s expression seemed too embarrassed.
After picking up the chopsticks, he still clenched his fist, seemingly trying to explain something, but his language system completely malfunctioned, leaving him in silence.
Rong Qiu furrowed his brow and took a step forward.
Despite being more than half a head shorter than the imposing S-rank alpha in front of him, he still stood tall, shielding Zhao Nanchen behind him.
“Commander, what brings you here?”
Rong Qiu’s words carried a sharp edge.
Qin Muye easily sensed it.
Was Rong Qiu angry because he was protecting someone else?
At the moment, it seemed so.
Seeing him protect this young man like this, Qin Muye’s heart rippled slightly.
But he remained indifferent on the surface: “Passing by.”
Rong Qiu didn’t believe him. He assessed the alpha commander who had clashed with him just yesterday and deliberately tossed the car keys to the already blushing Zhao Nanchen behind him.
Clearly, he was trying to dismiss the person.
“Go and start the car. I’ll be there in a moment.”
Zhao Nanchen relaxed and waved his hands, “But I haven’t paid yet!”
Rong Qiu turned to look at him, a hint of impatience in his expression, “I’ve already paid. Go quickly.”
Zhao Nanchen glanced at Rong Qiu, then at Qin Muye across from him, gritted his teeth, and finally ran outside with the keys, “I’ll wait for Brother Little Qiu outside. Brother Little Qiu, come quickly.”
After they left, Qin Muye furrowed his brows, pondering for a long time before saying, “Is he your lover?”
Rong Qiu crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at him.
He originally thought he would provide a reasonable explanation, but what he heard was quite unexpected.
Rong Qiu seemed to hear some absurdity, “What a joke.”
Qin Muye paused, but his gaze lingered on the ring on Rong Qiu’s hand.
This kind of look made Rong Qiu uncomfortable.
Knowing that the other party had seen his ring, Rong Qiu didn’t have the usual flaunting attitude.
He curled his fingers, and the silver ring, which had long been in harmony with his fingers, now felt a strange coolness at the base. Rong Qiu simply put his hand in his pocket, but before he could sort out his thoughts, the man unexpectedly uttered a shocking statement.
“Then, is he your extramarital bed companion.”
—Extramarital bed companion.
Not knowing which words struck a nerve, Rong Qiu’s sapphire-like pupils suddenly contracted, and he presented a dangerous state as if he were about to explode.
While squinting his eyes, his shoulder line tightened.
“Head Commander Qin, please maintain your proper position. Whether I am married or not, or who I eat with and meet privately, these are my private matters. Head Commander has no right to inquire, and I have no obligation to report.”
Such an explanation, in Qin Muye’s eyes, was an irritated admission.
Admitting to being married.
And admitting to having such an extramarital affair.
After clarifying his thoughts, Qin Muye looked at the resolute and righteous young man in front of him, his dark eyes revealing an unmistakable surprise.
He had never thought…
That Rong Qiu would turn out like this five years later.
Actually maintaining an extramarital relationship while being married.
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Thank you for the double update~