Divorcing and Returning Home with My Child to Inherit a Billion-Dollar Fortune - Chapter 5

Qi Ji closed his book, his expression frosty. “No need. You can leave now.”

Lu Ming did not simply walk away. Instead, he urged, “No matter what, you shouldn’t play jokes with your health. I know you don’t want much to do with me, but our agreement has just begun. We have to try to adapt.”

Qi Ji felt it was a miracle he could still face him calmly. To avoid being told by a guy six years younger that he was psychologically immature, Qi Ji tried his best to appear composed.

“How exactly do you want me to adapt?”

The subtext of this sentence was a compromise; he was willing to cooperate.

Lu Ming looked somewhat uneasy. “Just… you know, like that.”

“Like what?” Qi Ji raised his voice impatiently.

“Let me hold you. I’ll give you my pheromones, and you… don’t resist.”

Qi Ji drew in a sharp breath and gritted his teeth. “Don’t do anything extra.”

Lu Ming was speechless. He didn’t want to do anything extra either. “Where should I hold you?”

Qi Ji couldn’t believe he was asking such an infuriating question. “Where do you want to hold me?”

Lu Ming furrowed his brows. “Then I’m getting on the bed!”

“I never said you couldn’t!”

“Fine. You said it.” Lu Ming kicked off his slippers and climbed onto Qi Ji’s bed, lying down flat and steady.

Qi Ji ate two pieces of pomelo, trying his best to ignore the large presence on the bed. He went to the bathroom to rinse his mouth, walked back, and—acting extremely calm—left only a single orange wall lamp on. He lay down on the very edge of the bed, hugging his quilt. The distance between them was wide enough for two more Qi Jis to fit.

Lu Ming turned his head to look at Qi Ji, who was lying motionless with his eyes closed. He calculated the probability of getting hit if he proactively reached out to pull him closer.

The probability was likely high, right?

But if they kept wasting time like this, they probably wouldn’t sleep all night. It was better to finish this quickly.

“Are you asleep?” Lu Ming whispered.

“Yes.”

“Should we just get on with it? Once it’s done, I can go back to my room to sleep.”

Qi Ji’s fists tightened. “What exactly do you want to do?”

“Pheromone soothing. What else did you think I wanted to do?”

Qi Ji couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed a pillow and slammed it into Lu Ming’s face. “Get out! Get back to your room! We’re not doing it!”

“Fine, if we’re not doing it, we’re not doing it. Why have such a big temper?” Lu Ming sat up, feeling aggrieved.

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Doing what on purpose?”

“Are you making dirty jokes?”

“I am not!”

“You are! You deliberately say things to make me misunderstand and overthink. When I call you out, you play innocent. You’re such a ‘green tea’ act.”

Lu Ming felt like spitting blood from those words. “Then we’re not doing it.”

“Why aren’t we doing it?”

Lu Ming was baffled. “???”

“Do you have a guilty conscience?”

“I haven’t done anything wrong. Why would my conscience be guilty?”

“Then do it!”

“I won’t!”

“Are you going against me on purpose?”

“Clearly, you’re the one not cooperating!”

“Am I not cooperating right now? Don’t flip the facts. I’ve already let you on the bed; what else do you want?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to do it! But in this state, can I even hold you? Are you sure you won’t hit me?”

The last time he was sulking in his room, he had dented the table. What kind of Omega had fists that hard?!

Qi Ji raised his two iron fists and slowly unclenched them in front of him. Only then did Lu Ming slowly approach, pulling him into his arms to release his pheromones for the soothing process.

It was a refreshing, woody fragrance, clean and transparent without any impurities. Qi Ji’s breathing gradually steadied as he leaned into Lu Ming’s chest with half-closed eyes. “What scent is your pheromone?”

Lu Ming’s expression was unreadable as he muttered, “White tea.”

Qi Ji let out an ambiguous laugh. “The scent of tea is everywhere. Not bad; it suits you well.”

Lu Ming was startled. Was he… laughing? This was the first time he had heard him laugh since they met.

The two stopped talking, and the atmosphere became peaceful. Holding him, Lu Ming began to feel drowsy. Though he tried to stay awake, his eyelids felt as heavy as lead. He couldn’t get up; he might as well just sleep while holding him. Better wake up earlier than him tomorrow, he thought, otherwise I can’t guarantee I won’t be kicked out of bed.

Lu Ming slept very deeply. When he woke up, Qi Ji was gone. He hurried to the first-floor lobby and saw only the helper busy in the kitchen.

“Oh, Young Master is awake. Breakfast now?”

“Where is Mr. Qi?”

“He left very early today.”

“Oh…” He didn’t kick me out of bed. Wuhu! A good start!

After breakfast, Lu Ming went to the flower and bird market, bought several pots of flowers, and transplanted them into the barren yard. The villa belonged to Qi Ji; no one had lived there before, and they had moved in hurriedly for the marriage. After living there for a month, Lu Ming had gradually bought many things, giving the place a sense of life.

Even if it was a contract marriage, the marriage certificate was real, and the child was real. This home, for now, was a home. After planting the flowers, he spent the afternoon installing a hanging swing chair in the yard, decorating it with colorful small lights. It would look quite atmospheric at night.

At 5:00 PM, Qi Ji did the unthinkable and called him. Sleeping in the same bed last night hadn’t made the Omega’s tone any gentler.

“Come to Mingsen Restaurant, Private Room 10.”

“Now?”

“Now.”

“Then I need to prepare…” Before Lu Ming could finish, the line went dead.

He opened his GPS and arrived at Mingsen Restaurant twenty minutes later on his motorcycle. He immediately put on a mask after taking off his helmet. He was somewhat of a public figure, a travel streamer and hotel reviewer with millions of fans; being recognized now would be a headache. He hung his helmet on the bike and entered the five-star hotel.

A waiter led him to Room 10. When the door opened and he saw the Alpha sitting next to Qi Ji, Lu Ming drew a sharp breath. Here it was: today’s “Crematorium” scene.

The waiter poured Lu Ming tea and asked Qi Ji, “Sir, shall we serve the food now?”

“Yes, serve it.”

Once the waiter left, the atmosphere among the three became subtle and awkward. Seeing him standing there like an idiot, Qi Ji said coldly, “Sit down. Don’t just stand there; you’re so tall you’re blocking the light.”

Lu Ming nodded slightly and sat opposite them, feeling isolated.

He Zhaolin studied the young Alpha before him. He looked naive and “cheap,” not the type Qi Ji would usually like.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” He Zhaolin, dressed in an expensive custom suit and looking mature and steady, made no attempt to hide the contempt in his eyes.

“His name is Lu Ming,” Qi Ji paused, “and this is He Zhaolin.”

The two Alphas stared at each other, full of provocation. Neither was willing to say hello. Seeing the heavy silence, Qi Ji’s cold voice rang out. “Aren’t you going to greet each other?”

Lu Ming felt he was somewhat in the wrong, so he spoke first. “Hello, Mr. He. I’m the child’s father.”

He Zhaolin smirked. Under Lu Ming’s gaze, he firmly clasped Qi Ji’s hand on the table. “I’m Qi Ji’s boyfriend. How old is Xiao Lu this year? You look very young.”

“Certainly not as old as you, Mr. He.” The thorns in the response were obvious.

He Zhaolin kept a refined, gentle smile on his face—the kind that manipulated people easily. “Children really should get out more, right, Qi Ji? Otherwise, they never learn the art of conversation.”

“The art of conversation is for people of higher status. I don’t need to learn that.”

“Higher status… how interesting. One has to wonder about these internet celebrities lately; they think earning a bit of money makes them superior.”

“It’s better than being a poseur who wears designer suits and watches but can’t find a single copper coin in his pocket.”

The smile finally vanished from He Zhaolin’s face. Lu Ming knew he had hit a sore spot. Qi Ji frowned and gave Lu Ming a warning look. That look sent a surge of bitterness through Lu Ming’s heart.

The food was served. He Zhaolin acted generous again. “Xiao Lu probably hasn’t tasted the craft of a five-star chef much. Eat up today; Qi Ji and I are treating you.”

Lu Ming felt bitter and stifled. His spite was clear as he replied, “Right, I haven’t. I grew up eating grass roots; when I was too hungry to stand it, I lived off the clouds.”

He Zhaolin felt a smug satisfaction. Kid, what rank do you think you are to go head-to-head with me? I’ll annoy you to death!

Lu Ming took two bites and got angrier the more he thought about it. He stopped eating and opened a private WeChat group.

Lu Ming: What projects does the He family in Gangcheng have in hand right now? Xie Yuting: Which little nobody is this? Fang Chenggyi: Young Master Lu, did you really lose your virtue? Su He: My managed groups have some brothers from Gangcheng. I’ll get back to you in half an hour. Lu Ming: @Su He No rush. Fang Chenggyi: @Lu Ming I want to know about the second half of the stream. For old times’ sake, can you? Su He: Sure, I’ll give you all the info before 10 PM. Fang Chenggyi: Hello? Can you see my messages? Reply to me? [System: Fang Chenggyi has been kicked from the group by the owner, Lu Ming.] Xie Yuting: This idiot got kicked again. Su He: [Evil Smile.jpg]

…

Qi Ji couldn’t stand seeing him play with his phone halfway through the meal. “Lu Ming, are you finished?”

Lu Ming gave him a fake smile. “I’m full.”

He Zhaolin’s smile was incredibly petty, unaware that a disaster was about to befall the He family. “Xiao Lu is just like my cousin’s five-year-old son—heavy internet addiction. Playing with the phone halfway through a meal and then quitting; habits like these should be trained from childhood. It just proves the saying ‘like father, like son.’ His father must be the same.”

How could Qi Ji not hear the mockery in He Zhaolin’s words? He felt he had gone too far. “Since when did you talk so much while eating?”

He Zhaolin choked on his words, appearing embarrassed. Was Qi Ji crazy? He was actually defending a low-class internet celebrity!

“Have some soup.” He Zhaolin continued to act as a gentle, attentive boyfriend.

“Thanks.” Just as Qi Ji’s hand touched the spoon, Lu Ming stopped him, looking tense.

“You can’t have wood ear soup while pregnant.” Lu Ming stood up. Taking advantage of his height and long reach, he reached across the table, grabbed the bowl, and set it in front of He Zhaolin. “Drink it yourself.”

He Zhaolin frowned. “Where are your manners?”

“I’m being very polite. I didn’t pour the soup on your face, did I?”

As Qi Ji was about to speak, Lu Ming became uncharacteristically forceful. “I’m going out for some air.”

When Qi Ji came out to pay the bill, he found Lu Ming smoking at the corner of the hotel wall. He stepped forward and asked, “Since when do you smoke?”

Seeing him approach, Lu Ming immediately stubbed out the cigarette. “I don’t. Uh… I occasionally have one, but usually, I don’t.”

“Do you remember why I asked you to come here today?”

“I don’t remember.”

Support Divorcing and Returning Home with My Child to Inherit a Billion-Dollar Fortune