MTY chapter 27

The team-building event lasted all day. In the evening, Xiao Cai booked a Hunan-style restaurant, reserving all the private rooms. Each table seated people from two to three different departments.

Lin Yu sat in a private room with the department directors.

Lu Ziqing’s department was seated with the advertising and marketing teams.

Most of the employees in those departments were women, and they quickly started chatting about nail art and a trending palace drama.

About ten minutes after they sat down, only cold dishes had been served—no hot dishes yet.

Lu Ziqing checked the time on his phone, then got up. “I’ll go check on the food.”

Turning right outside the room, he found a waiter and spoke briefly. Then, looking up, he saw Lin Yu coming downstairs.

After a full day of hiking, even after an hour of rest, Lin Yu’s face still had a faint pink flush from the exercise. His black bangs were damp with sweat, making his skin appear even paler.

Lu Ziqing hesitated briefly before saying, “Director Lin, do you need something?”

Lin Yu replied, “Nothing much. It’s a bit stuffy in the room—I’m stepping out for a smoke.”

Lu Ziqing slightly bowed and stepped aside to clear a path so that his superior could descend without having to sidestep.

The young male waiter standing beside them was equally perceptive, immediately bowing and stepping aside.

As they brushed past each other, their roles as superior and subordinate were clear. Both maintained a distant, formal demeanor.

Once Lin Yu had disappeared from sight, the waiter tugged on Lu Ziqing’s sleeve and whispered, “That’s your boss? He looks so young! Like a fresh graduate.”

Lu Ziqing replied, “Yeah, he’s got the highest rank in our company. You’d never guess, right?”

The waiter was startled. “Wow, that impressive? Must have a huge salary.”

Lu Ziqing flicked his forehead. “Quit yapping and go check on the food.”

The waiter quickly shut his mouth and ran off, clutching the order sheet.

As Lu Ziqing walked downstairs, he caught a glimpse of a figure on the upper floor.

It seemed like someone had been about to come down but, upon spotting him, immediately retreated.

Lu Ziqing remained expressionless, as if he hadn’t seen anything, and continued walking downstairs.

As he walked, his eyes roamed around, seemingly checking if anyone had noticed him.

When he exited the restaurant, he immediately turned right and headed toward a small grove beside the restaurant.

This Hunan restaurant had a rural, farmhouse-style vibe, located in a remote area surrounded by mountains and forests. Nearby, a dense, shadowy grove with lush foliage provided ample cover.

Walking several dozen meters into the grove, Lu Ziqing stopped under a pine tree.

Lin Yu was leaning against the tree, holding a cigarette, his brows furrowed—a rare display of anxiety that he’d never shown at the company.

Thin white smoke curled around his lips.

Lu Ziqing paused slightly.

A barely perceptible sound of leaves being crushed came from behind him—soft, but he caught it immediately.

Lu Ziqing exchanged a glance with Lin Yu.

The next moment, Lu Ziqing strode forward, snatching the cigarette from his hand. “How many times have I told you not to smoke anymore!”

Lin Yu allowed him to take the cigarette and watched as he stomped it out underfoot.

His face was pale, and he said softly, “I can’t calm down without smoking. You know that. I haven’t slept for two nights.”

Lu Ziqing’s voice was filled with concern. “I told you, I’ll face it with you. No matter what happens, you don’t need to be afraid.”

“How can I not be afraid?!” Lin Yu’s eyes were red. “I’ve been dreaming of your father these past few days—dreaming of him finding out about us, furious, wanting to kill me.”

“You’re overthinking it,” Lu Ziqing gently wrapped his arms around Lin Yu’s shoulders. “My dad isn’t some mafia boss. How could he kill you? This is modern society—people are free to love, and I’m an adult.”

“How long are you going to lie to me?” Lin Yu’s voice was tinged with a sob. “You’ve had an engagement with the eldest daughter of the Zhao family for ages, yet you still came to seduce me, coaxing me into a relationship with you—even… even marking my gland. What am I supposed to do?”

A faint sound of bark scraping against something came from not far away, but the two pretended not to hear it.

Lu Ziqing muttered softly, “Well, I wouldn’t say I seduced you. You were the one who invited me to dinner as soon as you joined the company and often showed concern about my work progress.”

Lin Yu trembled with anger. “Are you saying I seduced you?!”

Lu Ziqing quickly soothed him. “Baby, how could I think that? Besides, I only told you about my real identity long after we started dating. I know you only got with me because you couldn’t help yourself. I feel the same.”

Lin Yu sniffled, looking aggrieved. “At least you have a bit of conscience.”

Lu Ziqing tentatively put his arm around Lin Yu’s waist. When Lin Yu didn’t resist, he held him close, affectionate and warm.

He whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to my dad when he’s in a good mood. That eldest daughter of the Zhao family is seven years older than me— too old. How could I be interested in her?”

Lin Yu still looked worried. “But your father is so stubborn… When he gets angry, he really can ruin people. There were a few cases in the past—you might not know…”

Lin Yu hesitated, stopping himself mid-sentence.

Lu Ziqing was indifferent. “No matter what, I’m still the only son of the Lu family. If I can’t even protect my lover, what good am I? Trust me, my parents love me too much to let me be unhappy.”

Lin Yu seemed reassured by this.

He looked at Lu Ziqing, and a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips. “Yeah… Besides, you’ve already marked me. You have to take responsibility for me.”

Lu Ziqing had finally coaxed him into a good mood, holding him close and mischievously slipping his hand under Lin Yu’s sleeve, pinching his fair, delicate arm.

Lin Yu playfully slapped him. “You’re so annoying.”

Lu Ziqing grinned. “Annoying? You say that, but you were the one stealing kisses in the office.”

The two snuggled up together, arms entwined, faces pressed close—completely like a couple in the throes of love.

…

After sharing sweet nothings for a while, Lin Yu reluctantly said, “Okay, let’s go back. Otherwise, the others will get suspicious.”

Lu Ziqing held onto him. “Just a little longer. I missed you so much.”

They stood face-to-face.

Since Lu Ziqing was a head taller than Lin Yu, his body blocked the view from behind, completely concealing Lin Yu.

In Lu Ziqing’s shadow, Lin Yu looked up at him, whispering just for them to hear, “…Is that enough?”

Lu Ziqing pretended not to hear, continuing to hold him, lowering his head to breathe in the scent of his hair.

A faint oolong tea fragrance—elegant and soothing.

Lu Ziqing thought of the gray, droplet-shaped perfume bottle on the bathroom counter. It was one of Lin Yu’s favorites lately. Every morning, as he washed up, the subtle oolong tea aroma would calm him instantly.

He held him for a long time, still not letting go.

He even pinched his cheek, rubbing his chin against Lin Yu’s hair like an affectionate large dog.

Lin Yu looked a bit puzzled, blinking.

According to their prior plan, the scripted scene between them should be over.

The scheming omega had long known the alpha’s wealthy family background but pretended to be unaware, deliberately seducing him. After successfully being marked, he aimed to become the future young ‘mistress’ of the Lu family.

But what was going on now?

They had finished their act, so why was Lu Ziqing still adding scenes for himself?
“It’s not convincing enough,” Lu Ziqing said in a low voice. “Hey, have you never been in a relationship before?”
Lin Yu was silent for a moment.

Indeed, he hadn’t.

He was nearly thirty and still a virgin.

But admitting this to a younger guy was a bit embarrassing.

Lin Yu muttered, “What do you want to do?”

Lu Ziqing chuckled softly. “With feelings this intense, not even a kiss? That doesn’t seem right.”

Lin Yu’s heart trembled. Before he could react, he felt the shadow above his head press down heavily.

Darkness enveloped him, and soon he could see nothing.

Their breaths intertwined, mere inches apart.

The fine, soft hairs on Lu Ziqing’s cheek gently brushed against the tip of Lin Yu’s nose, bringing an indescribable shiver.

Lin Yu looked up in a panic, meeting Lu Ziqing’s dark, ink-like eyes.

His lips stopped just 0.000001 cm away from Lin Yu’s.

“Just kidding, silly.”