Chapter 42 Reward

Chapter 42: Reward

Zhao Jinzong's tone was icy, but Wen Yan didn't take it to heart. He knew that Director Zhao always separated public from private matters; he was probably in the middle of work talk with the alpha sitting there and got annoyed at the interruption.

"Old Master sent me. This is a letter of recommendation." Wen Yan handed over the letter and introduced himself: "My name is Wen Yan, an S3 alpha, 23 years old. My parents work in the Information Department of the Federal General Administration."

Since there was an outsider there, Wen Yan didn't bring up his compatibility with Zhao Jinzong.

His pheromone compatibility with Zhao Jinzong was as high as 92%; Old Master Zhao had picked him as Zhao Jinzong's marriage match.

Wen Yan's letter of recommendation was extended to Zhao Jinzong's waist.

But Zhao Jinzong still kept one hand in his pocket, his long legs resting against the desk, while his other hand pressed on Chen Su's shoulder. He tapped lightly with his fingertip, then withdrew his hand, showing no intention of accepting the letter. His eyes turned colder as he picked up the glass of water on the table and took a sip.

"Recruitment for the General Bureau is over this year," Zhao Jinzong said flatly.

Wen Yan didn't know what Zhao Jinzong meant. As an S3 alpha, he had strong pride. Looking at the seated, expressionless Chen Su, he felt inexplicably humiliated. His hand holding the letter of recommendation remained suspended out of unwillingness. By nature, he wanted to question it, but he didn't dare to question the powerful Zhao Jinzong.

Wen Yan reminded softly, "Director, this is Old Master's intention."

Zhao Jinzong put down the teacup and said in a deep voice, "He cannot make decisions for me."

The Enigma had spoken, basically kicking him out.

Wen Yan looked up at the handsome Enigma before him, fury burning in his heart, but he couldn't lower himself—in front of the Drug Supervision Bureau alpha—to actively release pheromones and let Zhao Jinzong know how valuable and pleasant the compatibility was. He could only choke down his rage, glanced at Chen Su's badge, memorized the name, and left with a smile, saving face.

"I'll come find you later."

Wen Yan closed the door and left.

Chen Su stood up. No sooner had he stepped away from the chair than he bumped into a solid chest, his lips pressing against the silver tassel on Zhao Jinzong's shoulder.

"...Mm."

Chen Su touched his lips. The glove felt coarse against his soft lips.

The next second, Zhao Jinzong raised his hand and rubbed his fingertip over Chen Su's lips. Although this hand was covered in thin calluses, just like a leather glove—only with rougher skin texture, Chen Su found it really comfortable—super comfortable.

"Hurt?" Zhao Jinzong asked.

The soft silver tassel couldn't hurt anyone.

"No."

Chen Su grabbed Zhao Jinzong's wrist, a silent warning that he was crossing a line.

But Zhao Jinzong didn't let go. He wrapped an arm around Chen Su's waist and pulled him in until their chests nearly met. Chen Su's legs were pinned against the chair, nowhere to go—one more step and he'd be sitting.

Chen Su braced his legs against the chair, his hand reaching back to the armrest to keep from falling, while his other hand tightly gripped Zhao Jinzong's wrist. His Adam's apple bobbed as he looked up at the Enigma before him, his heart racing.

Chen Su was scared—scared Zhao Jinzong would "interrogate" him with his domination power again.

Under the Enigma's domination ability, Chen Su couldn't lie.

He was jealous.

In just one month, a new alpha with sky-high compatibility had shown up around Zhao Jinzong. This guy was forward, knew how to read the room and when to push or pull back, had a clean family background, and was Zhao Jinzong's equal in status.

Zhao Jinzong tightened his arm around Chen Su's waist. "What's got you panicking?"

"I'm not panicking," Chen Su denied.

"Liar."

Zhao Jinzong smiled and planted a light kiss on Chen Su's forehead. "Chen Su, this is my answer."

Zhao Jinzong was telling Chen Su that he had nothing to do with Wen Yan.

And the Zhao family couldn't tell him what to do either.

Chen Su's brows were still tightly furrowed.

Zhao Jinzong gently smoothed them away and told him, "Don't worry. I won't just casually use my domination on you."

For a moment, Chen Su's lips parted, wanting to say everything, but that scary thought only lasted a second before Chen Su completely erased it.

Zhao Jinzong watched the guy in his arms wrestle with himself.

Zhao Jinzong smiled and said, "You've been real good this past month."

"Mm."

Zhao Jinzong opened a drawer, took out a few green apple candies, and put them into Chen Su's pocket. "Reward."

Tears instantly welled in Chen Su's eyes.

Zhao Jinzong knew damn well—knew damn well that his coming home on time and eating on schedule was just to keep his distance and avoid being disturbed...

How could a guy like that still get candy?

Zhao Jinzong really seemed like he couldn't be sad.

But Zhao Jinzong had said he gets angry and sad.

Chen Su kept his voice from cracking. "Zhao Jinzong, what do you do when you're sad?"

Zhao Jinzong replied, "Smoke and drink."

The tobacco smell on the Enigma's body seemed to fill Chen Su's whole nose.

Zhao Jinzong's stomach was weak; smoking and drinking...

Chen Su wanted to say something, but he was afraid that getting too close would only make the hurt worse when Zhao Jinzong learned the truth.

He lowered his head and said nothing.

"Stand still," Zhao Jinzong reminded.

Chen Su stood steady. Zhao Jinzong withdrew his arm from around Chen Su's waist, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, held it between his fingers unlit. "New Year's almost here."

Chen Su was dazed for a moment. "Mm."

"I'm spending New Year's with you this year."

"..." Chen Su said, "We're not really at a place where we can..."

"I'm asking you out. You can say no."

Chen Su's throat went tight. "I already have plans. Sorry."

Chen Su hurried off, practically running away.

Chen Su didn't get it—didn't get why Zhao Jinzong was so stubborn when he could find an alpha with way higher compatibility. He didn't understand how to kill Zhao Jinzong's enthusiasm. He didn't understand why Zhao Jinzong just wouldn't go away and was always so nice to him.

They'd only known each other a few months.