BDBE 61

Chapter 61 Arrogance

After dinner, around 8 PM, everyone said goodbye and prepared to head home. 

Shen Wanchao stood on the riverbank outside the bar. He faced the cool Qiong River, and like those around him, stretched out his hand high towards the birds flying in the air. 

A moment later, a red-billed gull flew to Shen Wanchao’s hand, and its brightly colored beak gently touched his hand. 

Shen Wanchao opened his hand, revealing an empty palm. The red-billed gull, which had thought it could have a good meal, immigrated changed its attitude. It pecked at Shen Wanchao, this big liar, before flying away. 

Shen Wanchao let out a “Ha,” thinking, “I really can’t deceive other people’s or other birds’ feelings.” 

While he was teasing the bird and got pecked in return, Zhou Hui also came over from the bar and whispered, 

“I have something to talk to Lu Yingtang about. Have Qi Xiao take you home.”

What could Zhou Hui and Lu Yingtang possibly have to talk about?

Shen Wanchao frowned subconsciously. But he didn’t want to pry, so he simply said, “Go ahead.” 

He then turned towards Qi Xiao, but unexpectedly met Lu Yingtang’s gaze. 

Shen Wanchao was slightly taken aback; for some reason, he felt a wary, probing look in Lu Yingtang’s eyes. 

Without thinking too much, Shen Wanchao said to Qi Xiao, “You don’t need to see me off. I’m going back with Tao Yan.” 

Qi Xiao was confused, “Why?” 

Shen Wanchao explained softly, “This afternoon I told Lu Yingtang I came with Tao Yan, so of course I should go back with him now.” 

“Is that necessary?” Qi Xiao hadn’t expected Shen Wanchao to go all the way. “Fine then, I really won’t bother with you anymore.”

“Yeah, see you next time. ” Shen Wanchao waved to him and walked towards Tao Yan. 

Tao Yan and Ji Yang had arrived in the same car that afternoon, and now that they were leaving, they stood together. 

Tao Yan was overjoyed to hear Shen Wanchao say he would be taking his car back.

Shen Wanchao glanced at Ji Yang, unable to discern the young man’s thoughts, and tentatively asked, “Will this disturb you two?” 

“How could it disturb me?” Tao Yan replied, “Let’s go, my car is parked over there.”

Ji Yang remained silent as he followed behind Shen Wanchao and Tao Yan. 

Tao Yan’s car was a new energy vehicle, recently purchased during a subsidy period. It was economical, had decent features, and a more stylish appearance than a gasoline car. Its deep purple body shimmered like starlight in the night. 

Tao Yan had Shen Wanchao sit in the back, while Ji Yang silently took the driver’s seat, expertly started the car, and routinely asked Tao Yan where they were going. After receiving an answer, he set the navigation and drove out of the parking space. Upon reflection, Shen Wanchao realized Ji Yang hadn’t even been drinking. 

It was as if he were just a designated driver hired by Tao Yan. 

Shen Wanchao couldn’t understand the two of them. He wanted to ask about their relationship, but didn’t know how. Judging from Tao Yan’s expression, he didn’t seem inclined to say much. 

Oh well, Tao Yan would tell him when he was ready. 

The car stopped at a red light. 

Shen Wanchao and Tao Yan were discussing their next meeting time and arrangements. Since Tao Yan had resigned and had some free time before returning to his hometown, they wanted to use the opportunity to see each other as many times as possible. 

As they chatted, Shen Wanchao felt a little tired, so he leaned his head on Tao Yan’s shoulder. 

Suddenly, Ji Yang in the front seat looked up, glanced at the back seat through the rearview mirror, and said, “It’s getting late. I’ll stay at your place tonight.” 

Shen Wanchao looked at Tao Yan. 

Tao Yan’s lips were pursed into a thin line, his eyes displayed his resistance, but what he said was, “Whatever.”

After saying this, Tao Yan’s mood became somber, and he sullenly stopped talking to Shen Wanchao. 

These two… there’s definitely something wrong with them. 

Soon, Shen Wanchao was dropped off at his residential area. Before getting out of the car, he glanced at Ji Yang, who was fiddling with a lighter in the driver’s seat, and finally decided to say to Tao Yan: 

“Remember to contact me if anything happens.” 

Tao Yan didn’t understand.

Shen Wanchao glanced at Ji Yang and said again, “Did you hear that? Be sure to contact me.” 

This time Tao Yan understood his meaning, gave a wry smile, and said, “Don’t overthink it, I’m fine, go home.”

The car door closed, and Shen Wanchao walked into the residential area. He occasionally turned around and made a phone call sign with his hand to Tao Yan. 

Tao Yan watched Shen Wanchao’s figure gradually shrink until it disappeared behind the lush green shade of a camphor tree around the corner. 

He watched Shen Wanchao go, while Ji Yang looked at him in the rearview mirror. After Tao Yan finally looked away, Ji Yang said, “He’s not your relative’s child at all, right? You said you have no relatives in Qiongying City.” 

“Whether he is or not, what does it have to do with you?” Tao Yan leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. 

Ji Yang asked again, “You prefer Omegas?” 

Tao Yan kept his eyes closed and ignored him. 

Ji Yang’s gaze darkened, he stopped talking, and silently started the car. 

A dozen minutes later, the car stopped next to the supermarket at the entrance of the residential area. 

Tao Yan opened his eyes, looked at Ji Yang who was about to get out of the car, and asked, “Where are you going?” 

“To buy condoms and cigarettes.” “Ji Yang turned his head. “Aren’t you planning to do it tonight?” 

Even through the privacy-protected car window, Ji Yang’s eyes were still cold. Tao Yan turned his head away to avoid his gaze. 

“Buy it.” 

…

On the bank of the Qiong River.

Zhou Hui and Lu Yingtang didn’t have the leisure to find a special place to talk, so they simply chose a quiet corner by the river. 

However, even though they were supposed to be talking, they stood two meters apart. 

They both knew they disliked each other. When others were present, they could maintain a semblance of decorum, but when they were alone, neither of them could continue to pretend to be charming. 

Zhou Hui’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. He glanced at Lu Yingtang and said, “Just say what you want to say. I’m a married man with curfews.” 

Lu Yingtang was too lazy to respond to his veiled boast. He put one hand in his pocket, looked at the river, and said, “Zhou Hui, after all these years, do you still dare to say with the same certainty that Shen Wanchao loves you?” 

Upon hearing this, even the fake smile vanished from Zhou Hui’s face. “Lu Yingtang, all these years have passed, and you still haven’t given up on ruining other people’s relationships?” 

“If your relationship was really good, how could I possibly ruin it?” Lu Yingtang faced Zhou Hui with a smile. “I heard that President Zhou has a new person by his side recently?” 

Zhou Hui looked at him, his eyes turned menacing as he said in a low but firm voice, “That photo was taken by someone you hired.” 

Lu Yingtang shrugged. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about. There’s no smoke without fire. Instead of trying to find out who exposed the truth, Read on you should reflect on your own actions.”

Zhou Hui sneered; he suddenly decided he didn’t want to say another word to this despicable man. 

Lu Yingtang continued, “You’re just luckier than me, only born as an Alpha. Shen Wanchao chose you not because he loves you, but simply because he needs an Alpha as his partner. If you didn’t have the Alpha identity, you would have been excluded from his choices, just like me.” 

Zhou Hui still didn’t respond. He stared at the last two red-billed gulls preparing to return to their nests a hundred meters away, as if he were some kind of bird expert. 

Lu Yingtang ignored his silence and continued, “Back then, I lost to you. And now, your situation isn’t necessarily better than mine back then.” 

“I understand Shen Wanchao; he’s a very goal-oriented person. If he wants to achieve something, he’ll definitely succeed. He chose you back then because one of his life plans was to marry an Alpha. I didn’t meet his selection criteria, so I was unfortunately eliminated.” 

At this point, Lu Yingtang glanced at Zhou Hui’s expression, chuckled, and said, “You look a little angry. He definitely never said something like that to you, right? But during the time before our relationship broke down, and before you were by his side, he did say it himself.” 

“What exactly did he say? Let me think… Ah, I remember now. He said, ‘If I were to get married, I would still prefer an Alpha. There’s no particular deeper meaning; it’s just how I plan my life.’” 

Lu Yingtang chuckled twice. “Now, he has already achieved his goal of ‘marrying an Alpha and having a child,’ so you are meaningless to him. His goal at this stage is to become a successful person, so he can let go of everyone and everything around him and focus solely on pursuing career success… I’m sure you understand.” 

The last two red-billed gulls had disappeared into the distance. 

Zhou Hui’s deep black eyes were tinged with the darkness of night, growing even more intense. 

“Who knows what his next target will be?” Lu Yingtang said. “If you’re on that target, he’ll choose you again. But if achieving that goal doesn’t require you, he’ll probably abandon you without hesitation, right?” 

“Like last autumn, when you broke your leg and were in the hospital, he was still on set and didn’t even show his face once.” 

Zhou Hui’s breath hitched, and he finally turned his gaze back to Lu Yingtang. 

His reaction seemed to encourage Lu Yingtang, who continued, “Shen Wanchao has always been surrounded by people who admire him, which makes him not know how to love someone. Can you accept the real him?” 

As he spoke, Lu Yingtang took two steps forward. 

He whispered in Zhou Hui’s ear, “What I want to tell you is that I can accept it.” 

“I don’t expect him to give me equal love. I’m just a loyal believer. He doesn’t need to love me, nor does he need to love anyone else. I’m content as long as I can prostrate myself before him and worship him.” 

“So,” Lu Yingtang paused; he carefully studied the turbulent emotions in Zhou Hui’s eyes, “I Read on won’t ruin your relationship. All I have to do is wait, wait for the day he abandons you.” 

“And I can feel that day isn’t far off.” 

Once he said what he needed to say, Lu Yingtang took a few steps back in order to enjoy Zhou Hui’s angry expression. 

However, the scene he expected didn’t appear. Zhou Hui didn’t seem annoyed; instead… he smiled. 

Zhou Hui scratched the back of his head and said apologetically, “You talked too much. I started to lose focus in the middle. Sorry.” 

Lu Yingtang: “…” 

Zhou Hui reached out and placed his hand on Lu Yingtang’s shoulder; his smile never left his face, “From what you’re saying, it seems you think you understand Shen Xiao Wan better than I do?” 

The hand on his shoulder felt like an iron clamp. Lu Yingtang gritted his teeth inwardly. He cursed Zhou Hui for pretending to be nonchalant while using no less force. 

Zhou Hui leaned close to Lu Yingtang’s ear, his voice low and menacing: “You’re funny. I’ve known him since we were toddlers, we grew up sleeping in the same bed. How could you know him better than me? Ah… you said something about being born surrounded by the love of those who admire him, is that right?” 

Zhou Hui’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. The darkness of the night and the distorted reflections of the streetlights [unauthorized copy]on the river obscured his expression, but Lu Yingtang was still stunned speechless by the arrogance and pride gleaming in his eyes. 

“That’s true, because that love that makes him so proud and somewhat arrogant is what I gave him.” 

Lu Yingtang’s lips twitched.

“If you want to steal someone else’s partner, just admit it honestly.” Zhou Hui patted his shoulder. “Stop talking so high and mighty.” 

Zhou Hui turned and walked away without looking back. 

Lu Yingtang rubbed his numb shoulder, and cursed Zhou Hui, that vindictive guy, a thousand times over in his mind. 

Five minutes later, Zhou Hui opened the car door, sat in the driver’s seat, leaned back, and let out a long sigh. 

Lu Yingtang was saying nonsense; Zhou Hui had no doubt about that, and he had indeed stopped listening from the middle onward. 

But language had a magical power. Even knowing it was all rubbish, once words entered the ear, they inevitably left a mark on the heart. 

These marks might be light or heavy; light marks might disappear quickly. 

But if the listener already had some cracks in their heart, even the slightest external force was enough to deepen, prolong, or even shatter those cracks completely. 

Rationally, Zhou Hui knew he shouldn’t doubt Shen Wanchao’s love for him. 

Although he had personally questioned Shen Wanchao, Zhou Hui attributed it to a moment of impulsive anger. 

Yes, anger. 

But… but Shen Wanchao had spent far too little time by his side these past few years, so little that he couldn’t help but feel resentment. 

Shen Wanchao wanted to pursue his career, so he made way for his career. 

Shen Wanchao wanted to repair his relationship with their child, so he also gave his time to their child. 

And what about himself? When would his name appear on Shen Wanchao’s to-do list? 

Or was it his duty as his partner to be tolerant and generous, and give up Shen Wanchao for ​visit our site​this or that other people and things? 

Zhou Hui knew this was the inherent weakness of an Alpha acting up. Countless times he had wanted to simply tie Shen Wanchao to his side, to make him unable to go anywhere, to only see him. 

He had been fighting against his instincts. 

And he was already showing signs of defeat. 

Perhaps one day, he would abandon reason and succumb to instinct. 

At that time, he would definitely hurt Shen Wanchao. 

Zhou Hui shook his head to get rid of these annoying thoughts. Then he sent a message to his driver to come and take him home.