DPT chapter 71

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Sheng Li visited his grandparents’ old house after sweeping the graves. He specially brought two large packs of nutritional supplements for the elders to express his sincerity.

Upon hearing that Sheng Li had come, the servant helped Grandma downstairs. Grandma moved slowly, rummaging in her bag for a long time before pulling out a big red envelope and stuffing it into Sheng Li’s arms.

“Thank you, Grandma.” Sheng Li took the red envelope. “Wishing her a long and healthy life, and all the best.”

Sheng Li was the kind of child who knew how to make his elders happy when he was young, sweet-talking and eager to perform, so his grandparents always doted on him.

Grandma hesitated and said slowly, “There’s… there’s actually another one, for my son-in-law.”

“He… why didn’t he… come with you? Did you… did you two have a fight?”

Grandma’s health was not good, and her memory had deteriorated after an illness. Sheng Li didn’t know if Sheng Changyu and the others hadn’t told Grandma that he and Zuo Chi had already divorced, or if Grandma’s memory was confused.

He didn’t explain: “No fight, I’ll bring him with me next year.”

He chatted with Grandma for a while and asked the servant beside him, “Is Grandpa not at home?”

The servant said, “He’s here, in the study upstairs.”

Sheng Li understood. Grandpa was still upset about his sudden departure on New Year’s Eve.

He went upstairs and knocked on the study door, received permission to enter, and smiled as he served tea and massaged his grandfather’s back.

At first, Grandpa’s face was stern, but gradually relaxed: “Young people are busy, I can understand that. Whatever you were doing on New Year’s Eve, you should have explained it to us before leaving. It’s rare for the whole family to get together, and you rushed away, leaving your uncles to wonder what to say?”

Sheng Li admitted his mistake: “I didn’t think it through. I’ll definitely correct it in the future.”

Grandpa sighed, “I know you find us annoying, always nagging you to find a partner, but you’re almost twenty-six now, and marriage should indeed be considered. Didn’t your father introduce you to the Omega from the Luo family before? Wasn’t he suitable?”

Sheng Li pursed his lips, “Not suitable, because I have someone I like.”

Although Grandpa had retired, he still had some knowledge of the outside world: “Zuo Chi?”

Sheng Li nodded, “Yes.”

Grandpa squinted, “You like him, does he like you? If he’s interested in you, would he still leave you?”

“I wasn’t good to him before, and the separation was also my request,” Sheng Li said firmly, “Now I will win him back.”

Grandpa lowered his head, pondered for a long time, waved his hand to let Sheng Li go out, “Alright, then take responsibility for your actions this time.”

This Spring Festival was significant for Sheng Li. For the first time, he felt a “rebirth” in the new year.

He despaired that he might have to pay for his actions from a year ago for a lifetime, but unexpectedly, there was a turning point. Zuo Chi not only broke up with Qin Xu but also gave him a six-month probation period.

Since Zuo Chi gave him the opportunity he had been pursuing, he thought about meeting him every day. Yet he was afraid that Zuo Chi would find him too clingy or immature, so he often restrained himself, resorting to phone calls or messages instead.

Both of them were busy with work, so sometimes messages wouldn’t receive timely replies. But as long as he knew Zuo Chi would eventually see them and respond, his heart wouldn’t feel empty anymore.

He liked to call Zuo Chi around nine o’clock in the evening, and their conversations would often last for an hour or two. They talked about everyday life, things that happened each day, never seeming to run out of topics.

Sometimes he would seek advice from Zuo Chi about work during these calls. Zuo Chi would joke, “Should Sheng Group start paying me a salary too?”

Sheng Li replied, “Sure. How much does the boss want?”

Zuo Chi teased back, “That depends on how much you think I’m worth.”

“If you ask me…” Sheng Li said, “Even bankrupting the entire group wouldn’t be enough to afford you.”

Zuo Chi chuckled, “You’re the only one who would say that.”

Zuo Chi and Sheng Li used to banter with each other in the past, but now their relationship had evolved into something resembling friends, yet with added sweetness, tenderness, and mutual visions for the future.

Sheng Li cared not only about getting permanent status six months later but also about each day that Zuo Chi acknowledged him. In fact, Zuo Chi had been part of his life plan before, but now it was clearer. The transition from friends to lovers wasn’t as complicated as he had imagined.

Zuo Chi, on the other hand, felt that with his personality, getting to know someone again, understanding them thoroughly, and falling in love were all too difficult. If Sheng Li could accompany him this time… they wouldn’t need testing each other, they wouldn’t need to adapt. He could imagine every detail of their future life together.

….

After Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day arrived quickly. It was supposed to be a Saturday, but due to schedule adjustments, work still had to be done.

Zuo Chi had prepared imported chocolates for each of his employees as gifts. While distributing them, he overheard his subordinates discussing their Valentine’s Day plans.

“I tried to book a dinner at the downtown skyscraper restaurant yesterday, only to find out it was fully booked a month in advance. Why is it so crazy during the holidays?”

“Yeah, my girlfriend wanted a limited edition bag. I ordered it through a personal shopper three months ago, and it just arrived a few days ago. If it hadn’t arrived, I don’t know how I would explain it.”

“Oh come on, why do I feel like you two are showing off? Have you considered how it feels for us singles?”

“Boss.” One of his subordinates noticed him and quickly straightened up. “What are you holding?”

Zuo Chi replied calmly, “Chocolates for you all. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

“Wow, thank you, boss.”

Taking the chocolates, the subordinate asked casually, “Boss, how are you spending today?”

Others joined in teasing, “Boss, do you have a special someone?”

Zuo Chi replied calmly, “Not yet.”

The world was never short of matchmakers. “Boss, are you too busy with work? Do you want me to introduce someone to you?”

Zuo Chi coughed twice, “No need.”

“We know our CEO doesn’t have that intention. If he did, he would be off the market in no time.”

“Yeah, you don’t need to worry about him.”

Zuo Chi smiled, “Focus on your work. Remember to leave on time today, don’t keep your partners waiting.”

Just as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the door. His assistant approached, “Boss, your flowers need to be signed for.”

Zuo Chi’s expression froze momentarily.

His subordinates started gossiping, “Who sent them? Boss, are you hiding something from us? Are you secretly in love?”

Zuo Chi signed for the flowers, his cheeks involuntarily tinged with a hint of red.

His assistant added fuel to the fire, “Who sent them, boss? You’re teasing us. Is it a secret admirer? Alpha or Beta? Or maybe Omega?”

“I told you, Boss Zuo will be off the market in no time.”

The bouquet was a large bunch of pink roses, enough to cover his upper body. Under the gaze of his subordinates, he accepted the flowers, cheeks blushing slightly.

He quickly entered his office and snapped a photo of the flowers to send to Sheng Li: “Received.”

After a moment’s thought, he added another sentence: “Beautiful.”

Sheng Li replied with confusion: “?”

Zuo Chi responded, “Hmm?”

Sheng Li immediately called.

Zuo Chi answered and heard Sheng Li’s urgent voice, “I didn’t send those flowers!”

Zuo Chi remained silent.

Sheng Li continued, “Who sent them? Who sent you flowers?”

“… Let me check if they were delivered to the wrong person.” Zuo Chi searched through the flowers but found no card. “It might have been a mistake.”

Sheng Li wasn’t easily fooled, “Was it Han Qice?”

Zuo Chi thought it unlikely. Aside from the last time Han Qice visited him in the hospital, he hadn’t shown any other signs of interest.

“Not him? Then who could it be?” Sheng Li sighed, “Why do I have so many rivals?”

Zuo Chi chuckled, “You’re asking me? I have no idea.”

As they talked, there was another knock on the door. His assistant informed him, “Boss, more flowers need to be signed for.”

Sheng Li heard this from his end, “This time it’s from me.”

Zuo Chi opened the door and took the flowers, stunned by their appearance. In a transparent box was a small dog made of preserved flowers, its body crafted from white roses, eyes and nose made of black beads, a pink floral wreath on its head, and a lucky charm necklace around its neck. At the bottom of the box was a simulated rose garden, incredibly beautiful.

Sheng Li asked, “Do you like it?”

“Yes.” Zuo Chi thanked his assistant and hugged the box, turning around. “Is this little dog representing you?”

Sheng Li replied, “Am I a dog? Shouldn’t I be a wolf!”

Zuo Chi burst into laughter, “Ah yes, of course.”

Sheng Li continued, “… Put on the lucky charm. My dad had a monk bless it at the temple.”

Zuo Chi whispered softly, “Okay.”

Though it was Valentine’s Day, Sheng Li was in another city for a project follow-up, so they couldn’t meet.

Zuo Chi asked, “Is the project going smoothly?”

“Encountered some trouble, so I’ll need to stay here a few more days,” Sheng Li said. “I can handle it.”

No one does business smoothly without any waves. Sheng Li had the means of a businessman and had grown rapidly. Zuo Chi wasn’t worried.

Sheng Li: “Let’s postpone today’s meetup until I get back.”

Zuo Chi scoffed, “Who agreed to have a meetup with you?”

Sheng Li: “….”

Sheng Li then eagerly asked, “Ah Chi, do I have a Valentine’s Day gift?”

“…,” Zuo Chi felt Sheng Li was a bit pitiful for a moment, “I have one box of chocolates left that I gave to the staff. Should I leave some for you?”