Chapter 128 I Don’t Want to Hear It

Chapter 128: I Don't Want to Hear It

When Chen Su landed, the sky was darkening, and a blizzard warning (yellow alert) popped up on his phone.

Chen Su hailed a taxi, planning to check into a hotel first—any later, and the blizzard would make driving impossible and leave him stranded. With luck, he might stumble upon a bar or a café; without it, things would get rough.

Just as he got into the car, Zhao Jinzong’s call came through.

Chen Su took off his lambskin gloves before answering.

Zhao Jinzong’s voice was cold. “Where are you?”

Chen Su: “…”

“Chen Su.”

“In the car.”

“Send me your location.”

Chen Su shared his location with Zhao Jinzong, who then gave him an address. Chen Su told the driver to change the destination.

Upon arrival, Chen Su stepped out of the car. On the snow-blanketed street, a biting wind swept through. The enigma stood by the SUV, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a lit cigarette. His knuckles were red from the cold, and white smoke rose from his lips, obscuring his straight nose.

As soon as Chen Su got out, Zhao Jinzong’s driver went to collect the suitcase.

Zhao Jinzong, wearing a trench coat, walked over to Chen Su on long legs and extended his hand.

Chen Su froze for a second before the enigma grasped his hand and led him to the car.

The car headed toward the Federal Office. They sat in silence in the backseat, but Zhao Jinzong didn’t let go of Chen Su’s hand.

When they arrived, the driver unloaded two suitcases.

One was Chen Su’s; the other was Zhao Jinzong’s.

Chen Su looked up at the enigma.

The enigma took the suitcases and entered the elevator with Chen Su. Inside the confined space, Chen Su caught a strong scent of tobacco.

On the 31st floor, Zhao Jinzong raised his hand to hold the elevator door and glanced sideways at Chen Su. Chen Su stepped out first, and Zhao Jinzong followed with the suitcases. He unlocked the door, set the luggage in the entryway, and bent down to change his shoes.

The living room was thick with cigarette smoke, and the ashtray on the table was overflowing.

Zhao Jinzong pulled out a pair of white cotton slippers and placed them by Chen Su’s feet. When he reached out to put them on, Chen Su hesitated. “No need.”

Chen Su said no, but when the enigma’s large hand closed around his ankle, he couldn’t pull free. So he complied, lifting his leg so Zhao Jinzong could change his shoes.

He looked down as the powerful, distinguished Zhao Jinzong knelt in front of him, doing something so humbling, yet so mundane… and a warmth spread through his chest.

Chen Su asked, “Were you heading out on a business trip?”

“No.” Zhao Jinzong reached for his other leg. “Lift it.”

Chen Su lifted his foot. “Then where were you going?”

“Back to the capital city.”

“Did something happen?”

“Yes.”

“Then you…” Chen Su realized he might have inadvertently caused trouble for Zhao Jinzong.

Zhao Jinzong interrupted him. “It’s fine now.”

“I’m sorry… I acted on impulse this time. Next time I come, I'll let you know a week ahead.”

The moment Chen Su finished speaking, Zhao Jinzong stood up and took Chen Su's chin in his hand. Chen Su tilted his head back slightly, but the harsh overhead light hid Zhao Jinzong’s face. He couldn’t make out the enigma’s face, only felt his thumb rubbing his chin with some force.

Zhao Jinzong looked at Chen Su’s tired face, then released his grip. “Go take a shower.”

“…Okay.”

Chen Su first hugged the enigma, then went to shower.

After his shower, Chen Su felt chilly. He went to the bedroom to look for Zhao Jinzong but he wasn't there—just a brand-new wool blanket on the bed. Chen Su picked it up and went to the study.

Zhao Jinzong was working at his desk.

Chen Su pushed the door open and saw the enigma busy. He was about to go back to bed and wait for him, but Zhao Jinzong said in a low voice, “Come here.”

Chen Su walked over and stood by the desk.

Zhao Jinzong freed one hand. Chen Su sat down on his lap, and Zhao Jinzong let out a soft laugh, his large hand gripping Chen Su’s waist. Chen Su was still damp from the shower, his shirt clinging to his skin, outlining his silhouette.

Zhao Jinzong opened a drawer, pulled out a gift box, and handed it to Chen Su.

Chen Su opened it and saw a fountain pen inside.

Zhao Jinzong: “Your birthday present.”

“…Thank you.”

“And?”

“…”

Zhao Jinzong slapped Chen Su’s hip. “Get off.”

Chen Su looked bewildered. “Did I do something wrong?”

Zhao Jinzong was dismissing him—he was angry. Chen Su had done something wrong.

He had just hugged him, and now he was angry.

Chen Su had no idea what he had done wrong.

“Yes.”

Chen Su thought a moment, put down the pen, kissed Zhao Jinzong, and said thank you once more.

Zhao Jinzong said, “That’s not it.”

Chen Su didn’t get it.

He never really understood why Zhao Jinzong was angry.

Chen Su guessed, “Is it because I showed up uninvited?”

Zhao Jinzong frowned: "No."

Chen Su stood there, thinking for a long time, while the enigma did nothing but waited for him to finish thinking. Finally, Chen Su said solemnly, "From our last meeting until now, I haven't done anything wrong."

Chen Su hadn't upset Zhao Jinzong, hadn't thrown a tantrum, hadn't argued, hadn't questioned him. He had rested on time. Aside from smashing a vase, he hadn't done anything else—and that vase was one he had bought himself, so it couldn't even count as a mistake.

Zhao Jinzong took a deep breath, greatly irritated by Chen Su's earnestness and self-assurance.

Zhao Jinzong coaxed: "You smelled another alpha's pheromones on me?"

Chen Su nodded, "Yes, last time."

Zhao Jinzong prompted, "So?"

Chen Su fell silent, thought, then said, "It's like this often. You're busy with Federation affairs and don't have time to clean them off."

Zhao Jinzong denied it, "No."

For an enigma, removing pheromones from himself was far too easy. He only needed to release his own pheromones. An enigma's overwhelming pheromones could override any level of pheromones from other alphas.

Chen Su's heart tightened. "I don't want to hear it… I don't want to know!"

When Chen Su spoke, his voice grew much heavier.

Lu Xun had returned to the capital, and today Zhao Jinzong was also going back…

He didn't want to hear why Zhao Jinzong didn't cover the pheromones on his own body, why he always allowed other alphas to leave their scents on his body—from an alpha's perspective, this was tacit permission.

Chen Su felt that Zhao Jinzong's answer would not be something he wanted to hear.

This past month, Chen Su had thought of an absolutely terrifying possibility.

—Zhao Jinzong letting him stay at the Zhao residence, allowing him to come to the Federal Office, and having other alphas' pheromones on himself—it was all revenge against him.

Zhao Jinzong's love for him had long since vanished, or perhaps it had turned into hate.

Chen Su's previous actions had indeed hurt Zhao Jinzong. Now that Zhao Jinzong was clear-headed, he wanted Chen Su to pay him back, by giving him a little love, then using the very ways Chen Su had treated him to project it back, bit by bit, recouping the debt with interest.

Chen Su didn't want to hear anything.

Whether Zhao Jinzong was taking revenge or just treating him however he pleased, it didn't matter.

Chen Su was afraid Zhao Jinzong would expose the true nature of their relationship.

If that happened, he wouldn't even have a place in this "game."