CHAPTER 27: HMPH QAQ

Nie Zihang drove and brought Jiang Ming to the busiest hot pot restaurant in the city centre. Without making a reservation in advance, it was impossible to get a seat and enjoy the food.

The lawyer, who had just transitioned from work mode, was still wearing a blue and white striped shirt. In order to appear more casual, he intentionally left one button of his collar undone, no longer maintaining a formal demeanour and resembling a carefree young master.

Upon entering the restaurant, the staff warmly approached and greeted them: “How many guests are in your party? Do you have a reservation?”

Nie Zihang gestured towards Jiang Ming: “Ask him.”

Jiang Ming immediately responded, “We have a friend surnamed Cheng who made the reservation, and he should have arrived by now.”

The waiter immediately understood: “Oh, Mr. Cheng, I happen to be the one who will be receiving you. Please follow me, both of you.”

The restaurant played the latest popular music, and the strong aroma of Sichuan cuisine filled the air. Just the scent alone was mouthwatering.

The waiter led them inside while chattering away: “Turn right here; please be careful not to bump into the table corners. Your table is set for four; if you need additional seats due to more people, just let us know.”

The three of them meandered through a corridor, and halfway there, Jiang Ming had already spotted the table where Cheng Qiang was seated.

Two tall and handsome Omegas, looking both elegant and delicate.

Especially the one sitting at the innermost seat, with an elegantly straight back and a slightly tucked chin, perfectly outlining a swan-like neck.

Quite eye-catching.

Jiang Ming snapped his fingers towards the two individuals and then stopped the waiter who was still leading them further, saying, “I see them already; no need to take us any further. Handsome, you can go about your business.”

The waiter quickly bowed with a smile: “Sure, sure. I will go to the entrance to receive other guests. My colleague, Xiao Yin, will be in charge of your table. She is the Omega girl standing by the counter over there. Feel free to call her if you need anything. Enjoy your meal.”

After saying that, the waiter stepped back and exited.

However, there was a momentary look of confusion on the waiter’s face when he saw Nie Zihang and the others seated at the table by the window.

“Strange… Did I remember it wrong? The table diagonally across, is that not the surnamed Cheng?”

Speaking of Nie Zihang and his group.

Jiang Ming, entering ahead of Nie Zihang, took the opportunity and sat next to Cheng Qiang once they reached the table.

As a result, only the seat next to the Omega remained empty at the square table.

Nie Zihang sat down with a cold expression and gave Jiang Ming a sharp glare, lifting his eyelids slightly.

Upon seeing Nie Zihang’s reaction, Cheng Qiang came to the realisation that he had been somewhat mischievous. He chuckled and attempted to dispel the silence: “I had actually made a reservation for the table, but it turns out that there was another group with the surname Cheng who also had a reservation for four people. They mistakenly assumed we were part of the same party. When the waiter escorted Yun Han and me to the table, we were quite taken aback.”

After uttering those words, Cheng Qiang gestured with a nod towards the table diagonally across: “There, that is the table. Haha, what a coincidence. We just chose a table right next to them.”

Nie Zihang followed the direction in which he pointed.

Coincidentally, the people at that table also heard and looked over at their table.

Nie Zihang caught sight of his little fish, who was supposed to be “occupied with police duties and unable to respond to messages,” sitting at that very table.

Upon seeing Nie Zihang, the other person also displayed a brief expression of astonishment in his captivating eyes.

Nie Zihang’s lips curled up at the corner, indicating his intention to greet the person. However, the Alpha quickly averted his gaze.

Similar to a timid ostrich, the Alpha lowered his head deeply.

Nie Zihang’s gaze fell to the person’s fingers, which were incessantly fidgeting with the rim of the cup. Instantaneously, his mood brightened.

His Alpha once again became bashful.

Indeed, adorable.

It was possible that he was indeed too shy to respond to his messages in front of his friends.

Nie Zihang calmly withdrew his gaze and shifted his attention to the drink menu placed in front of him.

Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.

Wait until they return home in the evening to properly punish him.

“I ordered a tomato and butter yin-yang hot pot with Yun Han,” Cheng Qiang said. “I know both of you usually prefer spicy hot pot, but Yun Han has a fondness for tomatoes, so I decided to order this for him.”

The Omega, named Yun Han, smiled: “You guys have to accommodate me this time; is that okay?”

While Yun Han’s words were addressed to everyone, his gaze was fixed on Nie Zihang.

Nie Zihang subtly shifted his gaze beyond the drink menu, stealing a glance at the table where Yu Jingxuan was seated.

He found out that they had ordered a large copper pot filled with pure butter.

And now, the bright red pot was already boiling, bubbling, and simmering.

Everyone at the table, except for Yu Jingxuan, eagerly began preparing and cooking their dishes.

Nie Zihang glanced at the restless and fidgety Alpha and shook his head meaningfully towards Cheng Qiang. “I do not mind. Tomato hot pot sounds good.”

Yun Han was unaware of Nie Zihang’s thoughts as he continued to steal glances at the neighbouring table. Assuming that Nie Zihang was curious, Yun Han patiently explained, “That table consists of a group of pure Alphas, just like us.”

Jiang Ming immediately exaggeratedly moved to the side: “Hey, hey, do not include me in that; I am a Beta.”

Yun Han chuckled and playfully glanced at Jiang Ming with his watery peach blossom eyes. He teasingly scolded: “Did I include you? Stop projecting yourself onto the situation. I was not even talking to you.”

After saying that, Yun Han turned his head towards Nie Zihang and said: “I heard that Lawyer Nie has started his own law firm. Achieving such success at such a young age without relying on family, Lawyer Nie truly lives up to the title of elite that Cheng Qiang has always praised.”

This statement had already been quite straightforward.

Nie Zihang tapped his fingers rhythmically on the edge of his glass and raised an eyebrow at Yun Han. “Yun Han, let me warn you not to have any illusions about me. I can be ruthless and cunning. I have had three boyfriends in total, and none of those relationships ended well. The most recent one even ended up in jail because of me.”

The Omega simply smiled elegantly: “Isn’t it because they all cheated on an Alpha that Lawyer Nie took action?”

Nie Zihang clicked his tongue: “So, what?”

Yun Han: “I have heard that Lawyer Nie has a strong aversion to Alphas, and coincidentally, so do I. I can assure you that I will never cheat on an Alpha, and I will never be attracted to Alpha pheromones. I am straightforward in my speech and I say what I want directly. Lawyer Nie meets my criteria in terms of physique, education, and career. It is not easy for me to genuinely like someone. Moreover, we have similarities in our personalities. I want to take the initiative and see if Lawyer Nie is willing to get to know me.”

The Omega’s voice was not low, and everyone present could hear him clearly.

Nie Zihang saw Jiang Ming secretly give him a thumbs up and mouth the word: Impressive.

Nie Zihang chuckled and was about to retort when suddenly, from the next table, there was a crisp sound of something falling.

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Opposite Yu Jingxuan, an Alpha suddenly stood up from his seat, leaned forward, and asked, “Yuyu, what’s wrong?”

The little fish stared blankly at the bubbling pot for a moment before suddenly snapping out of it, saying: “I am sorry, I accidentally dropped the chopsticks just now.”

The Alpha sitting next to him waved and called the waiter over: “Excuse me, could you please bring us another pair of chopsticks?”

After speaking, he used the ladle to scoop several pieces of cooked meat from the bubbling pot and placed them in Yu Jingxuan’s bowl. He then placed the communal chopsticks on his plate as well.

“Xiao Yu, use these chopsticks and dig in. Do not wait too long, or the meat will be overcooked. By the way, where did you get a mahjong plate? This kind of plate is not suitable for hot pot. Give me a moment, and I will get you a proper one. I promise, once you try it, you will be hooked and want to have it again!”

After saying that, without waiting for Yu Jingxuan’s response, he went straight to the condiment station.

As Nie Zihang looked at the bowl of beef with chilli sauce in front of his Alpha, his eyes could not help but darken.

He set his cup aside and said, “I will go to the condiment station.”

Halfway there, he turned back and signalled to Cheng Qiang: “When the dishes arrive, put them down first. Remember to put more beef in the tomato pot.”

Cheng Qiang quickly responded: “Go ahead, do not worry. I will put a whole plate for him; he definitely will not go hungry.”

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Yu Jingxuan could hear very clearly what was happening at Nie Zihang’s table.

The Alpha lowered his head, trying hard to blink away the moisture in his eyes. He forced himself to keep a straight face, not letting himself lose control.

He realised that, just like him, Nie Zihang was also here for a blind date.

The Omega sitting next to him was the person he was going on a blind date with this time.

The blind date partner seemed to be quite satisfied with Nie Zihang…

Nie Zihang…

Nie Zihang suggested adding more beef to the tomato pot for that Omega.

Yu Jingxuan silently sniffed and pulled the bowl and plate filled with chilli sauce towards himself. He carefully picked up a piece of meat and brought it to his mouth.

The Omega that someone liked was being taken care of and could enjoy the tomato pot.

The Alpha, who did not have anyone to dote on him, could only endure the discomfort and eat the chilli.

He blinks his watery eyes, feeling a sour sensation.

It was no big deal. He could take some anti-inflammatory medicine when he got home.

It would not kill him after all.

On the other side, Lu Feifei noticed that he started eating without even using any condiments and joked: “Yuyu, you are too greedy! Hahaha! At least wait for someone to help you prepare the dipping sauce before you start eating.”

After saying that, he reached over the large copper pot and picked up a big piece of baby bok choy for him.

Yu Jingxuan swallowed the meat in his mouth and, almost masochistically, picked up a leafy vegetable covered in spicy red oil.

This time, as soon as the vegetable touched his lips, someone slapped it away with their chopsticks, making a loud “pop” sound.

Then, with a familiar fragrance, someone quickly sat down next to him. In front of him, there was a plate of steaming hot beef.

“So greedy. You love spicy food so much, hmm?”

Yu Jingxuan managed to hold back when he heard the Omega named Yun Han pouring out his heart just now.

Yu Jingxuan also managed to hold back when Nie Zihang suggested adding more meat to the tomato pot for that Omega.

He also held back when he swallowed the extra-spicy meat slices just now.

But when he heard Nie Zihang say that, his eyes blinked, and a small tear dropped into the bowl filled with chilli.

Nie Zihang immediately panicked.

He knew that the Alpha was shy and had never openly talked about his relationship in front of his friends, so Nie Zihang did not dare to openly coax him.

Instead, he simply grabbed Yu Jingxuan’s wrist and stood up: “Sorry, I am Officer Yu’s lawyer. There are some work-related matters that I need to discuss with him.”

┈

He held onto the Alpha’s hand tightly as they walked through the deserted emergency corridor, and his little fish obediently followed along the way.

When the door of the emergency exit closed with a creak, he lifted the Alpha’s chin with his fingers, and only then did he notice that those beautiful eyes and long eyelashes were filled with tears.

“What’s wrong? Are you so weak that you cry over not being able to eat a chilli? Yu Xiaoxuan, tell me, do you have a valid reason for this, hmm?”

The Alpha lowered his head without saying a word.

And then… He took a small step closer to him…

And then… He took another step closer.

He embraced him at his waist.

Nie Zihang looked at the head buried in his neck, feeling both amused and exasperated.

“I am scolding you; are you trying to act cute with me? Do you not like the taste of tomatoes? I arrived late, and they have already placed their orders. Just have a little bit for now. Later, you can pretend your stomach is upset, and we will head home to make you something you can eat. Today, you really should not eat spicy food. Be obedient.”

The person resting on his shoulder gently rubbed against him and said in a soft, nasal voice: “I did not want to eat something spicy…”

Nie Zihang: “Alright, you did not want to eat spicy.”

“You are the one who came out for a blind date…”

Nie Zihang: …

He just said that he would not come!

He quickly explained: “I did not come out for a blind date. It is just that this Omega does not know how to behave. I came here to reject him face-to-face.”

This time, the Alpha did not cry anymore. Instead, he whispered in a complaining tone: “You boiled beef for him.”

Nie Zihang playfully pinched his waist as a punishment: “Yu Xiaoxuan, be reasonable. Did I treat him to hot pot beef? Did I not serve it to you? If you do not eat it and cry to me, who should I reason with?”

Finally, he managed to calm him down this time.

Nie Zihang wiped away the tears from his eyes and gently touched his reddened nose. “No more crying.”

The Alpha obediently nodded his head: “Hmm.”

The Alpha sniffled and belatedly felt a bit embarrassed.

Nie Zihang changed his tone and pulled him closer, embracing his waist. He lowered his head and asked, “So, should I also ask about the next thing? Yu Xiaoxuan, that Alpha sitting next to you is interested in you, right?”

The fish in his arms had indeed stiffened.

The author has something to say:

I have nothing left, not a single drop. Sob, sob, sob… QAQ

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ienij: Previously, I mentioned that both Nie Zihang and Yu Jingxuan had friends with the same name. I apologise for the mistake. Yu Jingxuan’s friend is actually named Cheng Zi, which means Orange.