Chapter 50 Zhao Jinzong Is Sad

Chapter 50 Zhao Jinzong's Sorrow

Chen Su took the self-criticism letter written by Meng Suizhi and delivered it to the office of the General Bureau. Zhao Jinzong was sitting upright, reviewing documents.

Chen Su placed the self-criticism letter on Zhao Jinzong's desk.

Zhao Jinzong said gently, "Sit down."

Chen Su replied, "No, I still have work to do."

Zhao Jinzong lifted his gaze from his busy work and looked toward the sofa, "Have something to eat."

Chen Su followed his gaze and saw a tea table with snacks and milk, which had been delivered by Uncle Wen half an hour ago.

Zhao Jinzong had called him to deliver the self-criticism letter, knowing he hadn't eaten breakfast, so he had prepared breakfast for him.

Even though after parting at the hotel over the weekend, Chen Su deliberately didn't reply to Zhao Jinzong's messages...

During those two days, he was sober, and Zhao Jinzong was sober too.

Chen Su couldn't find any excuse to gloss over his emotions and dependence. He only knew he shouldn't do this, that it was too unfathomable... He feared that once the lies were exposed, Zhao Jinzong would hate him, so he once again chose to distance himself in silence.

It wasn't that he didn't see the messages; he just didn't want to reply to Zhao Jinzong.

Chen Su had said too many cold words and ruthless phrases.

But it seemed no matter what, Zhao Jinzong couldn't be driven away...

Even though Zhao Jinzong could also feel sad and angry, he never lost his temper at Chen Su, never questioned him, never kept his distance.

Chen Su thought that ignoring him would be enough, but Zhao Jinzong always neglected his own health... Chen Su couldn't help but worry. So he tried hard to pretend not to care, not to worry, not to respond. Yet facing Zhao Jinzong, it felt like a fish bone was stuck in his throat, and saying cruel words would make his throat bleed.

Chen Su's nose stung.

"I've already eaten," Chen Su lied.

"Then have a little more," Zhao Jinzong's gaze was firm. "You know what I'll do."

If Chen Su didn't obey, Zhao Jinzong had ways to make him obey.

Chen Su choked up, walked over, sat down, and began to eat.

Zhao Jinzong poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Chen Su. His phone rang, and he stepped out to take a call.

Chen Su was alone in the vast office, the surroundings quiet, the sound of chewing particularly clear. Chen Su only chewed but didn't swallow; he couldn't swallow. His eyes were moist, tears hanging on his lashes, unclear whether they were physiological or from distress.

No one had ever been so good to Chen Su.

Was a person full of lies really worth it?

Chen Su didn't know. His chewing movements became stiff, and he swallowed in a reckless, self-destructive manner.

Chen Su was lost in thought. He didn't notice when Zhao Jinzong returned or when he walked up to him, until the Enigma bent down, took a tissue, and handed it to him, snapping him back to reality.

He looked up, his reddened eyes glistening with tears.

Zhao Jinzong frowned and wiped his eyes.

"Why are you crying?"

"Choked," Chen Su said, picking up the water and taking a sip, swallowing hard.

"Slow down," Zhao Jinzong gently ruffled Chen Su's hair with his big hand. The imposing demeanor of a superior completely vanished, replaced by pure affection—affection for his beloved.

"I never insisted that you had to reply to messages."

"...Mm."

"You have an alpha's pheromones on you." Not just Meng Suizhi's.

"..."

Chen Su's body was thick with the scent of rosemary pheromones.

Chen Su had always liked alphas—how could Zhao Jinzong remain unmoved?

After a long pause, Zhao Jinzong asked, "A friend?"

"Mm."

"Very close?"

"This is my private matter," Chen Su didn't answer.

Zhao Jinzong poured another glass of water for Chen Su, then placed two candies in front of him before returning to his desk to work.

Chen Su watched the tall, dejected figure of the Enigma, his brow slightly furrowed, as if the warmth of that weekend over two days had all been fake—a bitter medicine coated with sugar. After tasting the sweet sugar coating, if he didn't swallow, only bitterness remained in his mouth.

Chen Su ate very slowly.

Behind the desk, the Enigma worked with a cold face, occasionally taking calls in an equally icy tone, like a beautiful, emotionless, frigid sculpture.

This was the first time Chen Su saw Zhao Jinzong sad.

He felt even more distressed than Zhao Jinzong.

After finishing, Chen Su stood up and looked at Zhao Jinzong. After a long moment, he spoke, "I'll go now."

Zhao Jinzong looked at him warmly, "Okay."

Chen Su walked to the door, his hand pulling the office door open, but he froze at the threshold.

Wen Yan wore the work badge of the Detection Bureau around his neck, holding a document in his hand.

Wen Yan glanced at Chen Su, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He remembered Chen Su was from the Drug Supervision Bureau. The director of the Drug Supervision Bureau, Director Tan, was acquainted with Zhao Jinzong, and usually Director Tan himself came to deliver documents. Wen Yan had only been to the General Bureau twice, and both times he had seen Chen Su...

How could it be such a coincidence?

Wen Yan knocked on the door, "General Director Zhao, delivering documents."

Chen Su's steps faltered for a second, then he smiled politely and stepped aside, walking away.

Zhao Jinzong said coldly, "Mm."

Wen Yan brought the documents in. Before he could set them down, Zhao Jinzong said, "In the future, just give them to the special assistant."

"..." Wen Yan hesitated, then said, "Okay."

Wen Yan placed the documents down and added, "The old gentleman requests you return home this evening."

"Mm."

Wen Yan hadn't left yet. He took a deep breath and reminded, "Director Zhao, if you have any discomfort in your gland, just call me anytime."

Zhao Jinzong let out a short laugh, anger on his face, icy contempt in his eyes. "Get out."

Wen Yan was kicked out of the director's office.

Wen Yan knew that half a month ago, Zhao Jinzong apparently got accidentally marked by an alpha, washed out the mark, refused surgery, and took three inhibitor shots.

Old Man Zhao was furious when he learned about it, as this could damage the gland. He took Wen Yan and Tanzhou to the Zhao private residence overnight, but Zhao Jinzong refused Wen Yan's pheromone comfort, his attitude very tough.

The furious Enigma even disrespected his elders and released pheromones.

Old Man Zhao went downstairs, drenched in cold sweat.

He comforted Wen Yan, then asked Tanzhou if he'd known about the marking.

Tanzhou said he didn't know.

Old Master Zhao had trouble getting the truth from Tanzhou. Tanzhou and Zhao Jinzong were close. Even though Old Master Zhao knew Tanzhou was hiding something, he had to look the other way. Although Old Master Zhao didn't say it, he knew it well, and so of course did Wen Yan.

...

Chen Su returned to the experimental base. Meng Suizhi brought him breakfast. "Have some."

"No need, I've eaten."

Chen Su was in his office crunching data.

Chen Su had been like this ever since he got back from delivering the file: pale, frowning, writing a few words, then stopping, lost in thought, but no one knew what he was thinking about.

Meng Suizhi asked while eating breakfast, "You ate at Director Zhao's place?"

"Mm."

"Are you feeling unwell? You look pale... not good."

"No, I just didn't rest well."

"Chen Su, you should take experiments one step at a time."

"Okay." Chen Su shook himself out of it, and he started writing much faster.

At noon, Meng Suizhi called Chen Su to go to the cafeteria for lunch. Meng Suizhi answered a phone call, picked up his untouched lunch, apologized to Chen Su, said there was an urgent matter at home, and left in a hurry.

Chen Su ate alone.

Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed over him. "Got a minute?" It was Wen Yan's voice, his tone not particularly friendly.