DL Chapter5

Perhaps because he felt a little guilty about what happened when he was drunk last time, Fu Baiqi has been less cold and more friendly towards him recently.

 

He also went home for dinner after getting off work tonight. Although he didn’t talk to him much, Fang Fengzhi was already very satisfied. After all, his husband would only frown in annoyance when he saw him before, but now perhaps their relationship is closer.

 

A bond between two people can be nurtured over time.

 

He knew Fu Baiqi didn’t have feelings for him—how could someone develop interest in a person they’d only met a few times? Especially when, back in his school days, Fu Baiqi had that Omega who had adored him so deeply. So Fang Fengzhi didn’t hold it against him for still being attached to the past, nor did he resent the indifference Fu Baiqi showed him now.

 

That day, during dinner with the Omega, he discreetly observed the Omega’s gland. Though it was concealed beneath the collar, he couldn’t detect even the faintest trace of Fu Baiqi’s scent on him—the unique pheromone blend that only comes from a true bond between two people.

 

Fu Baiqi hadn’t marked him.

 

It felt like a sliver of hope for Fang Fengzhi—a final reason for him to stay by Fu Baiqi’s side.

 

To Fu Baiqi, he was probably like an intruder who had suddenly barged into his life—unwelcome in every way. But that was okay. They could take things slow.

 

Right now, Fang Fengzhi felt that he and his husband still had a long road ahead of them. So he took every small, barely noticeable change in his husband as a source of comfort, placing it where he could see it most clearly. As for all the hurt—again and again—from his husband and his husband’s parents, he buried it deep in his heart.

 

If he had a choice, he might be willing to keep it buried in his heart for a lifetime.

 

Fang Fengzhi brought the food to the table, then casually took the seat next to Fu Baiqi, pretending it was the natural thing to do. Fu Baiqi didn’t even lift his head, as if he didn’t care much at all.

 

Fang Fengzhi felt a bit relieved and quietly started eating. From time to time, he glanced over at Fu Baiqi. Seeing that his bowl was empty, he hesitated for a long while before picking out Fu Baiqi’s favorite dish and placing it into his bowl. When he pulled his hand back, his whole body was tense, and even his eating movements became stiff and awkward.

 

Back when he had just married Fu Baiqi, he often sat close to him and would always pick out food for him. Fu Baiqi never said anything—but over time, Fang Fengzhi realized that Fu Baiqi never once ate the food he gave him.

 

Over time, Fu Baiqi came home for meals less and less. And even when he did, the distance between their seats grew. Fang Fengzhi no longer reached out to pick food for him either.

 

But this time, Fu Baiqi only paused for a moment. Just when Fang Fengzhi thought he would ignore it, he saw Fu Baiqi pick up the meat he had placed in his bowl with his chopsticks and, without hesitation, put it into his mouth.

 

Fang Fengzhi blinked, his heart leaping with joy, and a smile threatened to break out on his face.

 

Fu Baiqi took the opportunity to glance at him while he was looking down. Fang Fengzhi’s furtive glances weren’t subtle in the slightest—he made no effort to hide them. He looked genuinely happy just sitting beside him, and even happier when Fu Baiqi accepted the food he offered.

 

They didn’t have much of an emotional foundation, but Fu Baiqi never once thought that Fang Fengzhi liked him.

 

After the meal, Fang Fengzhi naturally gathered the dishes and placed them in the sink. Fu Baiqi was on his way back to the study when he paused, catching the sound of water running in the kitchen. Earlier, when Fang Fengzhi had picked out food for him, Fu Baiqi had noticed his hands for the first time—rougher than Bai Zhen’s, a bit too much so. He wasn’t a heartless person, and he knew that Fang Fengzhi also had his own work to do. After coming home, he still had to take care of these things. Thinking about it this way, Fu Baiqi occasionally felt like he wasn’t being very considerate.

 

He thought to himself that he should buy a dishwasher. Walking into the kitchen, Fu Baiqi picked up an apron. “I’ll do the dishes.”

 

Seeing him like this, Fang Fengzhi was taken aback, his expression filled with surprise, as if he had been unexpectedly favored. “N-No need…” he stammered, his voice soft, almost disbelieving.

 

“I can do it myself.”

 

But Fu Baiqi didn’t say another word. He walked over to his side, nudging him with his elbow, signaling for him to step aside.

 

Fang Fengzhi couldn’t bring himself to look at him, his heart racing faster and faster. “I can do it by myself…” His voice lacked confidence, and the spot where Fu Baiqi had touched him was faintly warm.

 

But when he saw Fu Baiqi rolling up his sleeves, he quickly reached out and grabbed him.

 

The two of them stood there, locked in a standoff, when suddenly Fang Fengzhi let out a soft laugh. Fu Baiqi snapped back to reality, realizing that he was actually arguing with Fang Fengzhi over something so trivial. He felt a bit awkward, about to say something when he noticed the Omega’s eyes, curved with a smile, looking back at him.

 

A flicker of something stirred in his heart.

 

Faintly, Fu Baiqi heard Fang Fengzhi still laughing, a sound that seemed genuinely happy. Suddenly, Fang Fengzhi reached out and rolled up the sleeve on his forearm a little higher. After doing so, he seemed to realize how unnatural it looked, his gaze awkwardly avoiding Fu Baiqi’s. He quickly muttered, “Then I’ll leave it to you,” before hastily turning and walking out.

 

Fu Baiqi stood still for a moment, just a few seconds. He glanced down at his sleeve, noticing it was rolled up tightly and it probably wouldn’t fall off.

 

Min Zhi’s older brother injured his leg from a fall down the stairs, but it wasn’t severe. He visited the hospital in the morning for a cast and was back home by the afternoon. Usually, he would be busy working in the school’s lab or socializing with students, so he found it unbearable to remain idle in the hospital.

 

Min Zhi had some free time and decided to visit his brother at his apartment. However, just as he arrived downstairs, he got a call from his brother. His brother mentioned that his leg was making it hard to move and asked Min Zhi to pick up a few things for him from the supermarket.

 

It had been a while since Min Zhi last visited the supermarket. He was usually too busy to shop, and whenever he needed something, he’d just ask the housekeeper to get it. Moreover, he wasn’t fond of supermarkets—too many people, and his sensitive nose couldn’t handle the blend of pheromones. The overwhelming scents always made his head spin. Now, going to the supermarket felt a bit unfamiliar to him.

 

His brother had asked for some instant food, so Min Zhi casually scanned the shelves and added a few suitable items to his cart. He considered picking some fruit as well, but unsure of which ones were good, he grabbed a few at random. As his hands kept moving, his attention was suddenly caught by a distinct scent—an unfamiliar pheromone that sharply piqued his senses and made his mind snap to attention.

 

The scent was very close, and he felt an uncontrollable urge to turn around. Just then, he heard someone speak beside him.

 

“This one is already spoiled.”

 

He lowered his head and first noticed the person’s small nose beside him, then their moving lips. “This one is already spoiled in the inside; you can’t eat it.”

 

The person slightly raised his head to look at him. “Are you trying to buy black plums?”

 

When he saw the person’s face, Min Zhi snapped back to his senses and put the plum he was holding down. “Yes.” He hadn’t expected to run into that Omega here. The impact of the scent was still too strong, leaving him momentarily dazed.

 

Something was suddenly placed in his empty hand, and he looked over.

 

The Omega continued picking plums and then placed one in Min Zhi’s palm. “You probably don’t come to the supermarket often. It’s too late now, and all the good ones have been taken.” He added another plum into his hand. “These aren’t great. You should go check out the others.”

 

The cool touch of the Omega’s skin brushed against Min Zhi’s hand, and his fingers instinctively moved.

 

He glanced at the Omega. “Thank you.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

The Omega walked past him, carrying a not-so-large basket, the warm, soothing scent of chamomile filling the air.

 

Why were his hands so cold, though?

 

After checking out, he stepped outside, holding several large bags, though he wasn’t sure what exactly he had bought.

 

He walked a few steps before catching that familiar scent again. That Omega was probably nearby.

 

As he walked to the apartment building downstairs, the scent still lingered in the air, making him question if he was imagining things. While he did enjoy the pheromone, it wasn’t strong enough to make him obsess over it this much.

 

He furrowed his brow and quickened his pace toward the elevator.

 

The scent of the pheromone grew stronger, and then he heard footsteps approaching.

 

Min Zhi couldn’t help but turn his head, and there he saw the Omega jogging toward him.

 

Breathing heavily, the Omega stood beside Min Zhi, slightly hunched over. When he looked up and saw Min Zhi, he froze for a moment, clearly surprised by the coincidence. It was the first time he had run into this man in the apartment building.

 

Fang Fengzhi smiled at the man and said, “Do you live here too?”

 

The man shook his head. “No, I’m here to look for someone.”

 

The elevator door opened, and the two walked in.

 

Once they entered the enclosed space, Fang Fengzhi’s pheromones filled the air. Especially after he seemed to have broken a sweat, the scent hit Min Zhi’s nostrils all at once. His body grew warm, and his pulse quickened. Min Zhi lowered his gaze, silently processing the feeling.

 

He is an Omega.

 

Fang Fengzhi wasn’t feeling great either. This man was probably an S-class Alpha—his pheromones were overwhelmingly aggressive. When they entered the elevator, he had taken a deep breath while panting heavily, and now his legs were already weak, his head spinning. He clutched the vegetable basket tightly, his breathing shallow.

 

Wait a little longer, it’s almost here.