Chapter 57 The Watch Is Broken (Don’t Skip This Chapter)

Chapter 57: The Watch Broke (Seriously, Don’t Skip This Chapter)

When the two swam up to the yacht, Uncle Wen lowered the rescue line, pulled them up, and handed over a jacket—Zhao Jinzong’s. Chen Su’s jacket had been left on the deck when he jumped into the river, and with the heavy rain, it was already soaked.

Uncle Wen warned them, “Chief, it’s cold. Take care of yourselves. I already ordered ginger tea.”

“Mm.” Zhao Jinzong wrapped the jacket around Chen Su’s shoulders. “Shower first. You’ll catch a cold.”

The wet, icy river water clung to their skin, making them extremely uncomfortable. Fortunately, the yacht had a bathroom. Chen Su went in, showered, and changed into clean clothes. As soon as he came out, he saw Enigma sitting on the sofa, in a loosely tied bathrobe.

On the table sat two cups of steaming ginger tea and a watch with a dim screen.

Zhao Jinzong reached out and pulled Chen Su into his embrace, his large hand gripping Chen Su’s waist. The way he pressed against Chen Su felt like he wanted to melt through the thin fabric. But Chen Su was wearing trousers, so that wasn’t happening.

Zhao Jinzong picked up the ginger tea, blew on it, and took a sip to check the temp. It was just right, so he held it to Chen Su’s lips. Chen Su took two sips, then pushed Zhao Jinzong’s hand away, signaling he was done. His movements were practiced and completely at ease.

This was a habit Zhao Jinzong had cultivated.

Zhao Jinzong set the tea down with a smile. “Not gonna feed you anymore.”

“Mm.” Chen Su glanced at the watch, picked it up, and examined it. The screen no longer lit up. “It’s broken?”

Zhao Jinzong said casually, “Mm. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

He pulled Chen Su closer and asked, “What requests do you have?”

Chen Su had set three conditions: “Don’t look at the back of my left hand, don’t use your dominance ability on me, and don’t mark me.”

Zhao Jinzong’s gaze darkened as he confirmed, “That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

Zhao Jinzong’s long, lean fingers tapped lightly on Chen Su’s knee, radiating tension. He let out a hearty laugh, his hand moving inward with a hint of threat. “Can I make requests?”

“You can…” Chen Su’s voice was a little shaky.

“No staying out all night. Eat your meals on time.”

Zhao Jinzong said, “If you don’t, I won’t go easy on you.”

“Mm…” Chen Su agreed. Not only did he agree, but he unbuttoned his shirt, cupped Enigma’s face, and pulled him into his chest, letting Zhao Jinzong have his way.

Just by kissing, Zhao Jinzong could make Chen Su lose control completely.

When the yacht docked, Chen Su’s neck was covered in hickeys—thick, unmistakable marks of Enigma’s territory.

Back at the hotel, Enigma, once he got a taste, came for more a couple more times. In the middle of the night, Chen Su warned Zhao Jinzong, his tone stern, “From now on, don’t just jump into the water.”

“Mm?”

“Zhao Jinzong, are you not going to listen to me?”

Zhao Jinzong chuckled. “Look at that rare temper. I’ll listen to you.”

“Mm.”

Chen Su’s fingertip trailed down Zhao Jinzong’s neck to his gland—a spot so private Zhao Jinzong only let him touch it after they became partners.

Zhao Jinzong’s gland was hot, the air thick with the scent of incense pheromones. Chen Su leaned in and kissed the spot.

Zhao Jinzong laughed softly. “What’s with the random kiss?”

Chen Su turned his head and kissed Zhao Jinzong’s cheek, as if coaxing him. Then he kissed the back of Zhao Jinzong’s neck—a spot Chen Su considered the most intimate.

Zhao Jinzong didn’t stop him. He held Chen Su until he went soft and pliant, incapable of causing any more trouble.

Chen Su leaned into Zhao Jinzong and fell asleep. Even though Zhao Jinzong never left him, he didn’t try to move away, letting Enigma’s possessive side enjoy itself.

The next morning, Chen Su truly couldn’t take it anymore. He pressed against Zhao Jinzong’s shoulder to push him away, meaning, “Enough. I really can’t.”

There was clear anger in Chen Su’s voice.

Enigma said nothing, didn’t push it, and got up. He followed Chen Su into the bathroom to clean up. One hand propped on the marble counter, he caged Chen Su in his arms. Chen Su had gotten up in a hurry and hadn’t bothered to dress well. With them this close, it was bound to start something.

Once that started, he would take the lead.

Zhao Jinzong, crafty and calculated, got exactly what he wanted.

Chen Su silently paid the price. After breakfast, as they were about to leave, Uncle Wen was already waiting downstairs. Zhao Jinzong handed him the tracker watch. Uncle Wen examined it carefully—it really was broken.

Zhao Jinzong’s watch was special. If it broke, that was a problem.

“I’ve already called the repair company. Later…”

Zhao Jinzong cut him off with a “Mm.”

Chen Su looked back and saw Uncle Wen putting the watch away carefully. They got into the car, and Chen Su gave one destination—a remote village.

When they passed a flower shop, Zhao Jinzong had the car stop and sent Uncle Wen to buy two bouquets of lilies.

Chen Su asked, “Is that watch really important?”

“Not really.”

“I’ll get you a new one.”

Zhao Jinzong didn’t say no. “Sure.”

Uncle Wen came back, and the car drove on.

Chen Su brought Zhao Jinzong to his parents’ graves. Zhao Jinzong set the flowers down and silently cleaned the gravestones.

Chen Su stood nearby in silence. “My dad jumped into the river and killed himself when I was in high school.”

Chen Su added, “The Huai River.”

Zhao Jinzong’s hand stopped.

Chen Su hadn’t thrown anything into the Huai River that day.

That day, he lost his home.

Zhao Jinzong finished cleaning, wiped the dirt off his hands, and took Chen Su’s hand. Chen Su’s fingertips trembled faintly.

Zhao Jinzong said, “I’ll wait for you by the gate.”

Zhao Jinzong kissed the corner of Chen Su’s mouth and left him alone to grieve.

Chen Su looked at his parents' gravestones, praised Zhao Jinzong profusely, and asked them to bless Zhao Jinzong and keep him safe.

After leaving the cemetery and getting into the car, Zhao Jinzong stroked Chen Su's cheek, guided Chen Su's head onto his own lap, and released pheromones to coax him to rest.

...

At noon, Chen Su and Zhao Jinzong had lunch together. Chen Su said he needed to return to the hotel to pack up his belongings, and they would head back to the capital tomorrow.

Zhao Jinzong nodded. "Have Uncle Wen take you. Move in with me."

"Okay."

When Chen Su came downstairs, Uncle Wen was already waiting.

The car drove to Chen Su's hotel. Chen Su thought of Zhao Jinzong's watch again and asked Uncle Wen, "What brand is Zhao Jinzong's watch?"

"…?" Uncle Wen was taken aback. "The Director General's watch is a bit special—not from any major brand. If you're planning to give him a gift, a normal mechanical watch would be fine, but the Director General probably won't wear anything else."

Zhao Jinzong's watch was used to monitor his pheromones.

Zhao Jinzong cannot smell pheromones.

Zhao Jinzong is the only Enigma unaffected by pheromones.