Chapter 73 Agreed to Divorce

Chapter 73: Agreed to Divorce

Meng Suizhi disposed of the hydrochloric acid. After much hesitation, he called Tanzhou. In the Fourth Bureau, bypassing one's immediate superior to report was a serious taboo. Almost no one in the Fourth Bureau had Zhao Jinzong's contact information—Meng Suizhi included. He only had Zhao Jinzong's work email.

After explaining the situation to Tanzhou, Meng Suizhi signed a leave request form, telling Chen Su to go home and think things over, and to lie low for a while.

The signed leave form was placed before Chen Su. Chen Su looked at the rest period written on it and frowned. That's way too long.

Meng Suizhi explained, "You're not fit to be in the experimental base in your current state."

"Mm."

Chen Su put on his leather gloves, took the leave request, and left the experimental base. For the past few days, Uncle Lin had been driving him, so he hadn't brought his car. He walked to the entrance of the Drug Supervision Bureau to hail a cab when Uncle Wen arrived. Uncle Wen got out and opened the car door. "The Director asked me to pick you up."

Chen Su got into the car and went home.

Uncle Wen followed him inside. Chen Su turned around, and Uncle Wen said with a smile, "The Director instructed me to stay and look after you first."

When he said "look after," he meant keep an eye on Chen Su.

Chen Su nodded, tossed the leave request aside, and lay down on the sofa, numb all over. Uncle Wen poured a glass of hot water, sat on the other sofa, and quietly kept him company.

After about two hours, Chen Su's phone rang. He rolled over and ignored it. A moment later, Uncle Wen's phone rang. He answered quietly.

"Mr. Chen is asleep..."

"Mm, okay." Uncle Wen glanced at Chen Su and hung up.

At 5 PM, Uncle Wen left. The moment his footsteps faded, another heavy, urgent set of footsteps came from the stairs—Zhao Jinzong was back.

Zhao Jinzong slowed down as he neared the sofa.

He bent down, lifted the curled-up sleeping form in his arms, and carried him into the bedroom.

Chen Su was placed on the bed. Zhao Jinzong began to remove his white lab coat. Chen Su suddenly raised his arms and hugged Zhao Jinzong tightly, resting his chin on the Enigma's shoulder, nuzzling against him.

Zhao Jinzong asked, "Still faking sleep?"

"..."

Chen Su's voice was thick, nasal. "Zhao Jinzong, don't be angry."

"Mm." Zhao Jinzong held him, his big hand stroking the back of Chen Su's head. "Chen Su, you don't need to remove the tattoo."

"..." Chen Su's lips parted, but he couldn't force a single word out.

"You can have a past, you can have secrets, but you cannot hurt yourself." Zhao Jinzong warned him. "This is the last time."

Chen Su vowed, "I promise."

The tattoo thing was glossed over. Zhao Jinzong wasn't angry—if anything, he was mad that Chen Su had tried to burn himself with acid.

Chen Su turned and kissed the Enigma's neck, moving up from his jaw to his lips. Restless and anxious, he tugged at Zhao Jinzong's collar, wanting to do more, but Zhao Jinzong bit his tongue mid-kiss. "Punishment."

It wasn't hard; no blood.

Chen Su took the punishment but didn't feel pain, kissing the Enigma harder.

Zhao Jinzong pinched Chen Su's chin. "Show me your tongue."

"It doesn't hurt."

"Chen Su." Zhao Jinzong's voice was deep, always commanding respect.

Chen Su did as told. Zhao Jinzong checked it carefully, then let go of his chin. "There's still work at the Fourth Bureau. The chef's cooking downstairs. Make sure you eat."

"Mm."

"Remember to answer messages."

"Okay."

"Even if you're in a bad mood, you have to reply. I'll make you feel better."

Zhao Jinzong had figured out his lover had a bad habit: he'd go silent when upset and never ask for help when in trouble. He'd hide, make decisions alone, do reckless things, and stubbornly think he was right.

Chen Su was a handful to deal with.

"...You don't have time to cheer me up."

There was a hint of grievance in Chen Su's voice.

Zhao Jinzong laughed softly.

Chen Su caught himself. "I understand. Go ahead and work."

The always-busy Director Zhao shouldn't get hung up on little romantic things. Being busy was the norm. Chen Su had no right to complain. He understood that Zhao Jinzong already gave him every spare moment.

Zhao Jinzong didn't even have time for himself, but he gave it all to Chen Su.

Zhao Jinzong kissed Chen Su and left.

Half hour later, Uncle Wen came to get Chen Su for dinner. Chen Su was surprised—he thought Uncle Wen was gone, and the chef would call him.

Seeing his confusion, Uncle Wen reminded him, "The Director sent the chef away and cooked dinner for you himself."

Zhao Jinzong was making it up to him.

Chen Su froze for a long moment. When he went down and saw the three dishes and a soup, he snapped a photo and sent it to Zhao Jinzong.

"Thank you."

Zhao Jinzong quickly replied: "If it's just this, don't bother replying next time."

Chen Su: "No."

Chen Su: "I won't do this anymore."

Zhao Jinzong: "Chen Su, don't always bear everything alone. Don't always say thank you. These are things I should do."

Zhao Jinzong: "I'm too busy to always tend to your feelings, but that doesn't mean you deal with things alone. I'll do better, and you need to too. Eat properly."

Chen Su's eyes stung. He couldn't believe there was someone this good—someone who had his back, cared for him, spoiled him, taught him so much.

Such a good person happened to like him, asking for nothing in return... and was also the person he liked.

Chen Su had never felt so lucky.

-

That evening, Chen Su waited a long time; Zhao Jinzong didn't get home until eleven. After returning, he showered and then held Chen Su as they rested. Enigma's embrace was warm.

Zhao Jinzong said, "I've been really busy lately."

"Mm, I know."

"Chen Su." Zhao Jinzong's tone was strangely heavy.

"Mm?"

"Have you thought about remarrying?"

"Mm, let's talk about it after you're done with work." Chen Su's words came across as a promise.

"Okay."

Zhao Jinzong leaned on Chen Su's shoulder and soon fell asleep. When he woke up the next morning, there was an extra platinum ring on Chen Su's right hand.

The platinum ring fit perfectly.

This was the first ring Chen Su had ever worn, and also the last.

Chen Su stared at the platinum ring for a long time, unable to snap out of it.

So last night... Zhao Jinzong had already prepared the ring before asking him that?

Chen Su stayed at home for many days. He had mentioned returning to the Drug Supervision Bureau, but Meng Suizhi refused and told him to rest up first. Chen Su asked about Jiang An's condition, and Meng Suizhi said he was fine. Chen Su hung up the phone and didn't push the matter.

Around the fourth day, Chen Su received a text message from Sheng Beiqing.

"Chen Su, I agree to the divorce. See you at the Fucheng District Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow morning."