Chapter 23
Translator: Aafkee
Proofreader: Superclubs2
Lu Chuiqing holds his handphone which is vibrating non-stop, he didn’t make a move for a long moment.
Perhaps, it was once too familiar. Lu Chuiqing can remember Chen Yuan’s number even today. At this very moment, just for a split second, Lu Chuiqing’s heart tightens.
The handphone, which is slightly warm, feels like a hot potato in his hand. Lu Chuiqing can not hold it, but he has to face it, even if it makes him struggle and suffer. However, he can not let this thorn stab deeper into his heart, to become harder to get rid of the longer he leaves it there.
Finally, Lu Chuiqing stands up and walks into the pantry.
He takes a deep breath before answering the call, “Hello? May I know who is speaking?”
Chen Yuan has never given him his number, Lu Chuiqing has no intention of greeting him directly.
“Hello, Mr Lu.” Chen Yuan’s voice on the other side of the line has a natural gentleness and light smile in it, “I am Chen Yuan.”
Given their job positions, there is absolutely no need for Chen Yuan to address Lu Chuiqing as if they are on an equal level. After a slight pause, Lu Chuiqing replies politely with a smile, “Ah, Manager Chen. Good day to you, please call me Xiao-Lu. May I know what the matter is?”
“I will be going to City S to settle something. I heard from my friend that there is a pretty good restaurant called Small Town and Alley at Sanhuan. I have been to City S a couple of times, but unfortunately, I always didn’t have the time to stop by that restaurant. I finally got some free time this time.” There is no hint of him acting like his superior, as if he is an easygoing friend, “Are you free at night this Saturday? Are you willing to have dinner with me?”
Lu Chuiqing looks at the wall clock in the pantry, a wave of grievance splashing onto his heart. He looks down, lowers his voice and replies slowly, “Manager Chen, thank you for your invitation, but I may have to work overtime this Saturday.”
“It is no problem, as long as it’s convenient for you.” Chen Yuan pauses, a hint of sincerity and anticipation filling his voice, “I hope you can come.”
Time turns back to the day when Lu Chuiqing only just met Chen Yuan not long ago. Similar to today, Lu Chuiqing received an invitation from Chen Yuan to have dinner with him.
A year and a half of dating, five years of marriage, and almost four years of a new start of a new life. Unconsciously, Chen Yuan has already established his presence in Lu Chuiqing’s heart for ten years.
How many tens of years does one have in a lifetime?
Lu Chuiqing is fortunate. He has a chance to start over his life. Even if he meets Chen Yuan again this life, this is a completely different path to his previous life.
Lu Chuiqing is grateful to Chen Yuan all along, he did feel his love and the warmth of a family. Chen Yuan truly did love him, took good care of him, and had once made him feel that Chen Yuan was his home.
Looking back at these several years, Lu Chuiqing has asked himself if it is still possible between Chen Yuan and him if they are to meet again? The him right now is no longer the same, if they are to get together again, shouldn’t it be different from their previous life this time?
Only, when Lu Chuiqing meets Chen Yuan again, he realises that he already has an answer to that question.
Four years is enough to change a person. He can live well without Chen Yuan, his life does not necessarily need Chen Yuan in it. Adoration and love are, admittedly, the key to a relationship, but more importantly, Chen Yuan may not be the most suitable for him.
It is impossible between him and Chen Yuan anymore.
Even if that’s the case, Lu Chuiqing still has something he wants to say to Chen Yuan. Although Lu Chuiqing may be a stranger who Chen Yuan only met not long ago, Lu Chuiqing must get over this and let go of his past completely.
Lu Chuiqing takes a deep breath and answers, “I understand, Manager Chen. I will be there.”
Chen Yuan smiles, “I shall look forward to Saturday, then. Do you know where the restaurant is? Should I get someone to fetch you?”
“I know where it is, there is no need to trouble you.” Lu Chuiqing answers quietly, “I will try my best to finish my work before half-past seven. You don’t have to go too early, or you may have to wait for me.”
After hanging up the phone, Lu Chuiqing stares at the call log with the phone number which he has not saved on his phone. Even till the end, Lu Chuiqing did not save the number in his contact list.
On Saturday afternoon, Lu Chuiqing tried to finish up his work quickly but it is still almost seven when he is off work. Fortunately, Chen Yuan told him that the restaurant isn’t that far from his office, half an hour is enough.
Lu Chuiqing takes a taxi and arrives at Sanhuan’s Small Town and Alley. This restaurant has been in business in this expensive area for over ten years. Many non-locals would even especially come to this restaurant given its reputation.
It is still considered peak hours at this time. The open-air car park on the top of the four-storey high restaurant is completely filled.
Lu Chuiqing alights the taxi and quickly walks past the car park. Coincidentally, he sees a black car parked at one of the most convenient and widest car spaces right next to the entrance of the restaurant.
For a restaurant that often hosts high-class business banquets, such car spaces are mostly left open for important guests.
The reason why Lu Chuiqing noticed that car is, firstly, that car space is indeed good and eye-catching. Secondly, that car’s model and car plate look too familiar.
Lu Chuiqing pauses his steps, is that CEO Xiao’s car?
It is not because Lu Chuiqing has intentionally remembered Xiao Zhan’s car plate. After all, such a car plate with one ‘6’ and two ‘8’s in it, with repeating alphabets no less, is too easy to remember. Even if you pay, you may not get such a nice number for your licence plate.
Is CEO Xiao here for dinner as well? Such a coincidence?
Lu Chuiqing did not think much about it. He merely glances for an extra second before entering the restaurant.
The waiter leads Lu Chuiqing to a two-man booths area on the second floor. The second floor is decorated simply yet elegantly, the seats are spacious and give enough privacy to their customers.
Chen Yuan is sitting at a seat near the window, his eyes staring out the window quietly. When he sees Lu Chuiqing arrive, he smiles and waves at him.
Since there was no time for him to go back home to change, Lu Chuiqing is still wearing his usual office wear. In contrast, although Chen Yuan is also wearing a proper suit, everything including the tie’s pattern or the shirt’s cuff links, it is obvious that Chen Yuan has put in extra effort for his appearance.
Lu Chuiqing, “Good evening, Manager Chen. Sorry for the long wait.”
“Have a seat, no need to be so modest.” Chen Yuan asks, “Has work been busy lately?”
“It’s not too bad.” Lu Chuiqing answers, “It has always been such a pace so I have already gotten used to it. On the contrary, your work must be a lot busier than mine.”
In his previous life, business meals and trips every few days were considered common occurrences, his busy work life was evident on his tired face when he returned home from work. Lu Chuiqing did not have the chance to work hard alongside him, nor did he have the chance to share the burden and pressure Chen Yuan had during work. All Lu Chuiqing could do was to try his best to be an understanding, good wife.
Chen Yuan told him before that he liked it that way.
Chen Yuan passed the menu to Lu Chuiqing, “Have a look and see if you have anything else you’d like to eat. I have never eaten here before so I’ve only simply ordered some signature dishes, I’m not sure if it’ll be to your liking.”
Lu Chuiqing listens to the waiter reciting the dishes Chen Yuan has ordered and replies sheepishly, “I feel sorry for having you spend so much money. The signature dishes here are pretty good and I am not picky with food either so there is no need to order more.”
When the food is being served, Lu Chuiqing suddenly feels a dull discomfort in his lower abdomen. He endures it for a little bit and that feeling of discomfort quickly disappears so he doesn’t pay much attention to it.
During the meal, Chen Yuan initiates idle conversations from time to time. Their conversation topics are easygoing and non-abrupt, just like a normal gathering between two close friends. Although the atmosphere is not particularly ardent, it is rather relaxing.
Lu Chuiqing feels a bit anxious. Although Chen Yuan did not specify, his intentions are clear as day.
Chen Yuan is an alpha while he is an omega. He did not hide his gender intentionally in front of Chen Yuan either, the collar on his neck is visible to everyone after all. Besides, thanks to that gossipy manager, Chen Yuan happens to know that he’s single too.
Chen Yuan isn’t a careless person who does not bother with trifles. So, who wouldn’t understand his intentions through his actions thus far?
Just like that, they maintained their ordinary yet warm conversations until the end of the dinner. Chen Yuan did not mention his intentions for inviting Lu Chuiqing out for dinner from the start so based on etiquette, it is hard for Lu Chuiqing to breach the topic.
Lu Chuiqing hesitates for a while before finally making the decision to talk it out regarding the topic. Just as he is about to say something, the sense of discomfort from just now suddenly bubbles up all of a sudden.
Soon, Lu Chuiqing can feel his abdomen turning warm, his body becoming engulfed by a warm feeling. Lu Chuiqing’s heart turns cold. This warmth, the gradual yet delicate feeling of discomfort that he is definitely familiar with--
No way! Is his heat early?!
He is four days away from his usual stable heat cycle. Although his heat cycle is in a bit of a disorder due to his long-term use of suppressants, his cycle is mostly quite stable. Lu Chuiqing never thought that it would come early this time!
An early heat cycle does not have any prior symptoms like he usually has with his heats. It usually comes abruptly, catching people unprepared. Lu Chuiqing is, indeed, completely unprepared.
Lu Chuiqing is extremely anxious, he can only inform Chen Yuan apologetically that he needs the toilet. He rummages through his bag hastily for his backup suppressants and scent-blocking medicine.
Sweaty palms, thirst, numbness and legs lacking strength, all these symptoms are slowly becoming evident. Even Lu Chuiqing’s fingers, which are working to look for the things in his bag, are beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
His scent will become more intense after a while. Although his collar can block his scent, he did not have time to charge it up. The higher the intensity of his scent, the faster the collar’s battery will drain. The collar will not last long.
Lu Chuiqing can only find his only backup suppressant in his bag, the box of scent-blocking medicine is already empty. Lu Chuiqing feels vexed yet worried. He quickly sprays the suppressant spray on the back of his neck, praying that his collar has enough battery to last.
After spraying the suppressant, the feeling of numbness is temporarily gone, he can at least walk and converse normally now. Lu Chuiqing sprinkles some cold water on his neck and lets out a warm breath.
While he feels sorry for Chen Yuan, but given this unforeseeable circumstance, Lu Chuiqing has to return home as soon as possible. He has to breach the topic and tell Chen Yuan clearly what he thought before his condition gets worse.
Lu Chuiqing opens the door to the toilet and buttons up his collar.
After walking out of the toilet, Lu Chuiqing can see Chen Yuan having a call on his phone next to the window from afar. Chen Yuan is kneading his temple as he is speaking, a hint of exhaustion on his face.
Is he facing some trouble at work?
Lu Chuiqing walks over quietly. He waits for Chen Yuan to finish his call before asking, “Manager Chen, is there some trouble at your company?”
Chen Yuan turns to him, all signs of exhaustion replaced by regret and apology, “Yes, I’m sorry. I have to go back and settle it. I think we’ll have to end our meeting today.”
Lu Chuiqing, “It is no problem at all, we are basically done with our food anyway. I am really happy that you can treat me to this meal. Your work is more important, so please go ahead.”
Although that is what he says, Lu Chuiqing actually feels relief. Thank god Chen Yuan needs to leave early too or it’ll be extremely embarrassing and awkward to tell Chen Yuan his excuse for leaving early.
Chen Yuan stares at him for a second before reaching out suddenly to smoothen the crease on Lu Chuiqing’s shirt collar. He says unhurriedly, “Mr Lu, although you did not ask me for my reason for inviting you out for dinner, I think you should understand.”
Chen Yuan’s finger glides past Lu Chuiqing’s collar, it feels as if the friction started a line of tiny yet blazing flame. It just happens that Lu Chuiqing is extra sensitive now, he subconsciously wants to retreat. Instead, he forces himself to remain in his spot.
“I was thinking of asking if you’re willing to have a walk with me after dinner, but I guess today’s not a good opportunity for that.” Chen Yuan smiles, “But it’s fine as long as you know of my intentions. I do… indeed have a favourable impression of you. When I heard that you’re still single that day, I thought that I’m lucky. I’ll regret it if I miss out on this chance.”
The scene before him seems to have overlapped with his past. Even now, even when things have changed with the passage of time, Chen Yuan still fell in love with him.
Lu Chuiqing’s heart tightens painfully. He is very grateful for Chen Yuan’s dedication to him but at this very moment, only bitter memories fill his heart.
Feelings and emotions should not be constants, and yet, mysteriously and inexorably, they took a long detour and went back to the same starting point.
“It’s almost time, I need to go.” Chen Yuan smiles, “I hope you can consider it properly.”
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