CH extra 2

Just as the evening’s meal was a sudden affair, so was its conclusion. Only half of the dishes on the round table had been eaten before the alphas and omegas in attendance were forced to vacate the premises.

When Ming Luchuan stood up, he was still quite steady on his feet. In fact, his face remained expressionless, as if the omega-in-heat pheromones had had no effect on him. He simply rose to his feet, unbuttoned his suit jacket, and tugged his tie down before exiting the private room.

Xia Wennan trailed after him. As they passed through the brightly-lit restaurant corridor, Xia Wennan noticed the shiny sheen of sweat across Ming Luchuan’s nape.

Upon arriving at the restaurant entrance, Xia Wennan inquired, “Did you drive your car here, sir?”

Ming Luchuan shook his head. “Get a taxi.”

Xia Wennan, who was about to shoot off, “Don’t you have a driver?” caught himself right before the words left his mouth. He’d heard a few rumours about Ming Luchuan back at the company, and now he suspected that those rumours were true.

After hailing a taxi, Xia Wennan opened the back door for Ming Luchuan and stood aside holding the door open for him as he watched him get into the car.

Xia Wennan had hoped that Ming Luchuan would tell him that he didn’t need to see him off after he got into the car, but Ming Luchuan didn’t say anything in the end, leaving Xia Wennan with no choice but to close the back door and climb into the front passenger seat.

After getting in, Ming Luchuan simply rattled off his address to the driver and then remained silent for the rest of the journey.

Xia Wennan occasionally glanced back and found that Ming Luchuan’s eyes were closed. His head was tilted back, and if it weren’t for the taut line of his pursed lips, it would seem as though he was asleep.

When they reached their destination, the driver pulled over on the side of the road.

Xia Wennan looked over his shoulder to see that Ming Luchuan was still motionless, his head tipped backwards, so he could only get out of the car, open the back door, lean inside, and ask, “Manager Ming, are you all right?”

Only then did Ming Luchuan lower his head and let out a deep breath, which felt scorching hot to Xia Wennan—if he wasn’t imagining things. He then stepped back to let Ming Luchuan get out of the car.

The interior of the vehicle had been too dark to see anything clearly, but now that the light from the roadside lamps was streaming in, Xia Wennan noticed that Ming Luchuan’s shirt was soaked through with sweat.

Ming Luchuan walked ahead, sidestepping Xia Wennan. When he slightly stumbled, Xia Wennan reached out in reflex to support him. He then looked over his shoulder and sent away the taxi driver with some regret; he’d assumed that he would only have to accompany Ming Luchuan up to here and then take the taxi back home.

Xia Wennan wrapped one hand around Ming Luchuan’s arm and the other around his wrist. Fortunately, the man’s arm was clothed, but Xia Wennan’s grip on Ming Luchuan’s wrist met skin. It was already damp, and Xia Wennan’s fingers slid over the prominent jut of his wrist bone from time to time.

Ming Luchuan’s steps were unsteady, and with every step he took, a low gasp escaped his mouth.

Xia Wennan was slightly embarrassed. Even though he was a beta, he was well aware of what ruts meant to an alpha. Every breath Ming Luchuan took now presented a completely different meaning in Xia Wennan’s ears.

After all, the other man was his boss, and they weren’t particularly close. As a regular male beta, Xia Wennan didn’t want to interact with his boss in any way that wasn’t normal.

Nonetheless, Ming Luchuan’s back was ramrod straight as he walked. He didn’t put his full body weight on Xia Wennan, instead relying on his long, strong legs as he walked forwards.

The streetlights in the area didn’t provide the best illumination. They brushed past other people now and then, and Ming Luchuan did his best to hold his breath each time. As they passed under a streetlight, Xia Wennan happened to look up at him and notice that his brow was contorted into a frown, and his lips were tightly pursed as he stared straight ahead.

When they entered the elevator and the doors closed behind them, Ming Luchuan leaned back against the metal wall. His movements were rather pronounced, and Xia Wennan felt the elevator shake.

Xia Wennan let go of his hand. He studied the man and wanted to ask him if he was okay, but thought it was inappropriate and simply kept his mouth shut.

They were thrown from the darkness and into the bright light; there was barely any space between them. Xia Wennan could only shuffle back a step, lifting his head to look at the posters stuck inside the elevator, trying not to pay Ming Luchuan any mind.

When the elevator doors opened at Ming Luchuan’s floor, the man didn’t wait for Xia Wennan’s assistance and stepped out on his own, his body staggering to and fro.

After a brief pause, Xia Wennan trailed after him. He’d already sent Ming Luchuan home anyway, and there was no reason to leave without first saying goodbye.

In front of him, Ming Luchuan opened the security door on the left side of the corridor and strode inside without even closing the door, as if he couldn’t bring himself to care.

Xia Wennan followed him to the door but did not enter, instead remaining at the doorway and peering inside to take stock of Ming Luchuan’s apartment.

None of the lights inside the apartment were on, and Ming Luchuan may not have had the extra energy to go and turn them on, but it wasn’t completely dark in front of his eyes. Thanks to the light coming in through the windows, Xia Wennan could narrowly make out the outline of the room, and it also allowed him to see Ming Luchuan’s silhouette in one corner of the living room.

When Ming Luchuan opened the fridge, he was immediately bathed in its warm yellow light. His complexion was dull and pale. He hurriedly rummaged for the refrigerated syringe, then shucked off his jacket and shirt in one fell swoop, a trace of ire visible in his actions. Left arm exposed, he plunged the needle into his flesh.

As Ming Luchuan injected himself, Xia Wennan abruptly realised that he was using suppressants to quell his rut.

Sure enough, as soon as the syringe was empty, Ming Luchuan’s expression began to progressively improve. He carefully tilted his head back while closing his eyes, drawing attention to the line of his Adam’s apple.

Xia Wennan watched as he exhaled deeply and his tense muscles relaxed.

Since now might be the best time for it, Xia Wennan promptly piped up, “Manager Ming, I’ll be taking my leave now.”

Ming Luchuan remained silent.

Xia Wennan extended a hand to close the door for him, but before the door fell shut, he heard Ming Luchuan say, “Thank you.”

“Ah—you’re welcome!” Xia Wennan hastily responded through the narrow gap, and had choice but to push the door open again.

He then heard Ming Luchuan say, “Xia Wennan.”

Xia Wennan looked towards Ming Luchuan, somewhat caught by surprise as he’d assumed that Ming Luchuan hadn’t remembered his name. After all, he was no one but an unremarkable small fry in the company.

Unfortunately, Ming Luchuan had already shut the refrigerator door at this time. Only his tall build was vaguely discernible, as he’d entirely disappeared into the shadowy nook. Xia Wennan wasn’t able to see his facial expression either, and all he could hear was Ming Luchuan’s usual icy tone, so he could only say, “Rest well, Manager Ming. I’d better get going.”

After that, Xia Wennan closed the door without waiting for Ming Luchuan’s response.

The day after, Xia Wennan got to work on time.

His labmates weren’t in the best of shape; it was clear that they were still feeling the effects of Zhan Xiaoxiao’s heat pheromones from the previous night.

The one worst off was Xu Zong. Zhan Xiaoxiao’s sudden heat yesterday evening had ruined a rare dinner and even offended Ming Luchuan, and since the omega had requested a day off, Xu Zong had nowhere to direct his ire. Therefore, as soon as Xia Wennan arrived at the company, he started giving him trouble.

“Go deliver these documents to the headquarters and hand them over to the marketing department.” Xu Zong tossed a stack of papers in front of Xia Wennan.

Xia Wennan gave them a quick look. “Can’t they be sent via email instead?”

“Both electronic and paper documents are required,” Xu Zong said icily before leaving the lab and returning to his separate office.

Xia Wennan stretched at the waist, then picked up the documents and rose to his feet.

The coworker next to him gave him a sympathetic look before sighing, then bowed his head to resume work.