Dou Changxiao moved with remarkable efficiency, returning shortly with two staff members.

He found the previously tidy space now littered with toys, while Ning Zhu crouched nearby, wielding a pink bubble machine in a lively exchange with the boy.

Dou Changxiao: “…”

Ning Zhu heard the commotion and turned his head, swiveling the bubble machine along with it. A cascade of rainbow-colored bubbles drifted onto Dou Changxiao’s knees, popping with a soft puff.

The bubbles were light and airy; through the fabric of his pants, he shouldn’t have felt a thing. Yet, strangely, Dou Changxiao felt a tickling sensation.

Ning Zhu turned off the bubble machine and stood up, saying, “So fast?”

A flicker of disappointment crossed his face, caught by Dou Changxiao. He suspected this guy wasn’t quite done playing yet.

The child, seeing the two uniformed adults, visibly relaxed his guard. When asked by the latter, he obediently gave his parents’ phone number.

After contacting the parents, the two staff members turned to Ning Zhu and Dou Changxiao. “The child’s parents are searching for him on Anjiang Bridge and said they’ll be here soon. Thank you both for your help. If you have other matters, feel free to leave. We’ll stay here and wait for the parents.”

The two staff members were dependable; there was really no need for them to stay.

“If you’re not in a rush, maybe we should wait a bit longer?” Ning Zhu asked Dou Changxiao in a questioning tone.

Dou Changxiao offered no opinion, so Ning Zhu took that as tacit agreement.

A few minutes later, the child’s parents came running from the direction of Anjiang Bridge. Their anxious expressions eased when they saw their son, and they repeatedly thanked the two staff members.

Ning Zhu glanced at them twice. Before the staff could explain to the boy’s parents that he and Dou Changxiao had helped, he left first to have dinner.

At this hour, most restaurants were packed with tourists and families queuing for meals. Ning Zhu didn’t feel like waiting, so he picked a less crowded eatery near the square and casually ordered a light soup noodle dish.

Dou Changxiao sat across from him, watching.

After scanning the QR code to place his order, Ning Zhu asked, “Aren’t you going to eat something?”

Dou Changxiao: “No, thanks. “

Worried he might miss Ning Zhu’s workday end, Dou Changxiao had rushed straight over after class today without eating. Yet sitting face-to-face with Ning Zhu at the same table felt unnaturally harmonious to him.

Their current dynamic was one of blackmailer and blackmailed—a setting ill-suited for such cordiality.

When the noodles arrived, Ning Zhu took a sip of the broth—it was rather ordinary.

No wonder the place was empty.

It wasn’t a big deal; he’d chosen this restaurant himself and had expected the food to be mediocre from the start. Yet for some reason, a sudden pang of unease gripped his heart.

Ning Zhu didn’t show his feelings, slowly picking at the noodles with his chopsticks.

He was a picky eater; half the vegetables on the menu were things he disliked, and several of the side dishes in this dinner fell into that category. Still, mindful of table manners, he didn’t pick at his food in front of Dou Changxiao. In the end, he swallowed it all without complaint.

He grew quieter as he ate, not even speaking to Dou Changxiao when he took a sip of water midway through.

Dou Changxiao rested one hand on his knee. When silence lingered across the table, his fingers curled slightly.

“Doesn’t it taste good?”

“Hm?” Ning Zhu lifted his head. “…It’s okay.”

Then he lowered his head again.

Dou Changxiao’s expression remained calm, but his fingers dug into his knee with force.

Yet after two seconds, Ning Zhu lifted his eyes again, studying Dou Changxiao with a look of mild surprise.

Dou Changxiao: “…What is it?”

Ning Zhu asked curiously, “I’m a bit surprised. I didn’t expect you to make small talk with me.”

In his eyes, Dou Changxiao was the type who’d never use two words when one would suffice.

“…”

“Want a bowl?” Ning Zhu asked him.

He assumed Dou Changxiao was teasing because watching him eat had made him hungry.

Seeing his hesitation, he teased, “It’s actually really good. I’ve tasted the best noodles ever. Want to try some?”

“…” Dou Changxiao should have said no, but for some reason, he pulled out his phone and ordered.

Soon, the waiter brought over another bowl of soup noodles.

Ning Zhu looked at the one across from him, then at his own, noticing they were identical.

Dou Changxiao took a bite. Ning Zhu fought to suppress a smile, deliberately asking, “So? Is it good?”

Dou Changxiao glanced up at him, a flicker of conflict flickering in his dark pupils.

Seeing Ning Zhu’s expectant expression, he moved his lips, trying to keep his voice from sounding forced: “…Mm.”

Having successfully sold his recommendation, Ning Zhu beamed with delight. He propped his chin on his hand and watched Dou Changxiao amusedly for a while before lowering his head to continue eating.

The bland bowl of soup noodles on the table seemed to have genuinely tasted a bit better.

After settling the bill and leaving the shop, Ning Zhu’s mood shifted from gloomy to bright, his steps quickening. It wasn’t until he reached Anjiang Plaza that he suddenly remembered the main reason for his visit.

He glanced back at Dou Changxiao, who was absentmindedly lowering his eyelashes, not even mentioning the video call.

Ning Zhu blinked, choosing not to remind him. He simply walked deeper into Anjiang Plaza.

He wasn’t in a rush to return to the company now. He just wanted to see how long it would take Dou Changxiao to snap out of it.

He walked to the riverside railing of the plaza, strolling around for several hundred meters. Only when he neared the entrance to Anjiang Bridge did the person behind him speak up: “What are you doing here?”

Ning Zhu turned back, smiling. “Weren’t I just waiting for you to speak? I thought you’d forgotten about the important matter.”

Dou Changxiao froze, then abruptly regained his earlier solemn, cold expression. “Of course I haven’t forgotten. I kept my promise to have dinner with you. You promised to delete that video.”

Ning Zhu’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “I never said that. I only said I wanted you to ‘first’ accompany me for a meal.”

“…”

That was indeed what she had said, leaving Dou Changxiao with no rebuttal.

“What exactly do you want?”

A couple taking photos squeezed past behind them. The Omega’s hand accidentally brushed against Dou Changxiao’s back, yet offered no apology. Dou Changxiao glanced at the pair before shifting closer to Ning Zhu, distancing himself from the Omega.

Immediately after, his sleeve tugged again.

Dou Changxiao looked down to find Ning Zhu loosely pinching his jacket sleeve with his fingers.

Then he heard the other’s shameless voice: “Um, could I smell your pheromones?”

Dou Changxiao: “…”

Despite taking suppressants, an Omega instinctively craved an Alpha’s reassurance during heat. Whenever Ning Zhu found a moment of quiet during the day, Dou Changxiao’s coconut-scented pheromones would flood his mind.

That scent seemed addictive—one whiff was enough to hook you. On ordinary days, Ning Zhu could resist with reason, but during the heat, both reason and willpower crumbled like sand… even a lousy dinner could breach his defenses.

After speaking, Ning Zhu suddenly felt his tone should be harsher, more threatening. He lowered his voice. “Let me smell your pheromones, and I’ll agree to delete the video.”

Dou Changxiao pulled his sleeve free from Ning Zhu’s fingers.

Ning Zhu chuckled. “It’s just smelling the scent. I’m not asking you to do anything else. Is it really necessary to be so bothered?”

He forgot to keep his voice low again, and it instantly sounded a bit frivolous. Dou Changxiao didn’t speak. The already sparse emotion in his dark pupils grew even fainter, his gaze offering Ning Zhu a condescending “get lost.”

Ning Zhu didn’t get angry. He pulled his phone from his trouser pocket.

Dou Changxiao’s gaze shifted to his hand.

Ning Zhu: “Seriously, just this once. I promise I’ll let you go and make this video disappear from the world. I won’t bother you again.”

“I refuse.”

Ning Zhu frowned. “You won’t give me the mark, and now you won’t even let me smell your pheromones? That’s not how deals are made…”

“Fine.” He didn’t sound disappointed. “Then I’ll just review your drunken videos every night.”

Dou Changxiao: “…”

Every night, review it once.

After saying that, Ning Zhuo actually opened his album to flip through the videos, making a show of starting today’s review session.

Dou Changxiao froze, instinctively reaching out to stop him. Thinking the other was trying to grab it, Ning Zhuo immediately took half a step back against the railing, hiding the hand holding his phone behind his back. He chuckled, ” Oh my, planning to destroy the evidence? Breaking the rules won’t do, Changxiao.“

Dou Changxiao snapped, ”I’m not.”

Ning Zhu smirked smugly, oblivious to the couple beside them who’d started positioning themselves mid-video.

The Omega in the frame faced the Alpha’s camera, flashed a peace sign, and struck a playful pose. Then, without warning, he bounced backward a few steps, colliding with Ning Zhu’s shoulder—the one where his arm was tucked behind his back.

All day, Ning Zhu had felt as if he’d ingested Ten Fragrance Muscle-Relaxing Powder. This unexpected contact made his arm go limp, and the “evidence” slipped smoothly from his palm.

Immediately after, a “plop” echoed.

Judging by the sound, it likely splashed a considerable wave across the river.

Ning Zhu: “……………”

Fuck.

Me.

Ning Zhu’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.

The Omega who’d bumped into him turned back, looking puzzled. “Sorry, big bro~” he said, completely oblivious.

Ning Zhu’s face tightened. He turned away, clenching his jaw as he slowly replied, “It’s fine… little brother.”

The Omega bounced cheerfully past him and walked away.

“…” For the first time in his life, Ning Zhu felt an overwhelming urge to fire someone.

Too bad the other wasn’t his employee.

He stood motionless, hands clasped behind his back, his heart colder than the waters of the Anjiang River. He remained frozen like that for nearly half a minute.

Once the chill had thawed, he turned his gaze back to Dou Changxiao, curling his lips into a faint smile to maintain his outward composure.

“…Releasing a bit of pheromones won’t cost you an arm and a leg,” Ning Zhu finished the act without flinching. “This deal is a steal for you.”

Maybe, Ning Zhu thought. Maybe this kid didn’t see that scene just now, or perhaps he didn’t hear that voice?

Dou Changxiao remained silent.

Ning Zhuo shifted slightly, moving out of Dou Changxiao’s line of sight, and withdrew the hand he’d kept behind his back.

Then, under the cover of night, he solemnly stuffed a handful of air into his trouser pocket.

Ning Zhuo patted his pocket and met Dou Changxiao’s gaze. “Well? What do you say? Made up your mind?”

His expression appeared unchanged from usual—eyes dark and cold, lips straight—seeming devoid of emotion… yet not entirely calm.

Ning Zhu: “…”

The wind stung his eyes, but he dared not blink.

Dou Changxiao suddenly averted his gaze.

“…Mm.”

Ning Zhu almost thought he’d misheard. In disbelief, he stammered, “You said ‘mm’… You agree? Huh? Seriously? Are you sure?”

Dou Changxiao paused for two seconds before saying, “Don’t try any more tricks.”

The kid really hadn’t seen it! A sudden turn of events, a bright new path. Ning Zhu set off a mental firecracker, beaming with joy: “I’m the most trustworthy person around.”

He glanced at Dou Changxiao’s face again, struck by an inexplicable intuition: the other seemed unusually agreeable right now.

Having just declared himself “most trustworthy,” Ning Zhu immediately grew bolder, leaning in with a smirk to add, “How about letting me smell it twice?”

“…”

Dou Changxiao: “Why?”

Because getting an extra dose of the special medicine was a steal.

Unable to come up with a reasonable justification, Ning Zhu countered, “Does one sniff versus two really make much difference to you?”

“A huge difference. I’d get to see you one more time.”

“…”

Ning Zhu choked slightly, then raised his eyebrows, silently fumbling his pocket.

Dou Changxiao: “…Alright.”

Ning Zhu: “Actually, I was going to say three…”

“Get lost.”

Ning Zhu knew when to quit and happily shut up.

Taking the medicine required a more private setting. Ning Zhu hesitated, “How about my office?”

Dou Changxiao wasn’t keen on entering Ning Zhu’s territory. He frowned and declined.

Truthfully, Ning Zhu also felt bringing someone to his office for a “quickie” was somewhat inappropriate.

Even if the purpose of this “indiscretion” was to take medicine for treatment, it still looked too out of line on the surface.

The company was a place of work. As the boss, it was better not to set such an example.

Ning Zhuo pinched the collar around his neck and scanned the surroundings.

Dou Changxiao said coldly, “…Are you looking for a hotel?”

Ning Zhu nodded. “Yes.”

Dou Changxiao: “.”

Ning Zhu inexplicably detected a profound sense of regret in the other’s eyes.

Such an intense emotional reaction appearing on this cold, mechanical face surprised Ning Zhu immensely. His tone softened cautiously. “Is that not possible?”

Dou Changxiao pressed his lips together uncomfortably. “I drove here.”

“Oh, the car works too.”

Dou Changxiao: “…”

Whatever came out of Ning Zhu’s mouth sounded utterly abnormal.

Dou Changxiao led the way ahead.

The banks of the Anjiang River bustled with activity. The two walked one behind the other, silent for a while.

Dou Changxiao walked with his head down for a stretch before hearing Ning Zhu call from a short distance behind: “Slow down.”

He deliberately slowed his pace, waiting for the other to catch up.

Moving at a deliberate, unhurried pace, he spotted a small pebble ahead and gave it a light kick, sending it rolling away.

Dou Changxiao watched the pebble tumble into the small grassy patch of the square. His eyelashes lowered as he thought: …What the hell is wrong with me?