Divorcing and Returning Home with My Child to Inherit a Billion-Dollar Fortune - Chapter 8
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- Chapter 8 - Isn't He Just a Bit Better Looking Than the Average Alpha?
Lu Ming soothed him with his pheromones while asking softly, “Is it because of the permanent mark?”
Qi Ji did not deny it.
So, it was the direct impact of the permanent mark that had caused his anxiety. “I take the spirit of our contract very seriously. I won’t use pheromones to control you or make things difficult for you; you don’t need to worry.”
Qi Ji gradually relaxed his mind and body. Because he was so exhausted, he soon fell into a deep sleep.
Afterward, it was as if both of them had developed amnesia; they tacitly avoided mentioning the argument altogether. Lu Ming had given Qi Ji a sense of reassurance. Although Qi Ji didn’t fully trust him yet, his emotions were far more stable now compared to before, when he felt like he was sitting on a ticking time bomb.
On Tuesday morning, Lu Ming took Qi Ji to the hospital for his second prenatal check-up. The child was doing well; everything was going smoothly, and the development was perfect.
It wasn’t until Qi Ji saw the outline of the child on the 4D ultrasound that it felt real. There was truly a small life preparing to be born inside him.
Lu Ming listened intently to the doctor’s instructions while Qi Ji looked out the window somewhat impatiently. By 11:00 AM, the consultation ended, and Qi Ji hurried into the elevator without saying a word.
“Do you still have work?”
“Yes,” Qi Ji replied, glancing at his watch. “Can you take a taxi back on your own?”
“I’ll drive you to the company and then take a taxi back. You can rest in the car for a bit, okay?”
Qi Ji thought about it and found no reason to refuse.
Lu Ming drove Qi Ji to the company. Before getting out, Qi Ji suddenly remembered something. “By the way, we’re attending an elder’s birthday banquet this Saturday. Prepare a decent suit for yourself. There’s money in the card; don’t be stingy.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Regarding Qi Ji’s family and relatives, Lu Ming had only met his stepmother and his Omega younger brother. That had been on the day they got their marriage certificate, when Qi Ji took him back for a meal, and once more at the wedding.
However, that wedding had been a mere formality. He didn’t know anyone there, and the entire event felt like an act, lacking any sense of reality. As a result, he currently had no impression of any of those relatives.
In the nearly two months they had lived together since the wedding, he had never seen Qi Ji contact his family, nor had any family members visited their new home. Their familial bonds seemed very distant.
Lu Ming felt this was consistent with the impression Qi Ji gave him: someone always deep in thought, immersed in his own world, spending all his time making money and finding new partners. Friends, relatives, and lovers seemed to be nothing more than distractions on his path forward.
He was an Omega whose logic far outweighed his emotions—someone emotionally detached.
From a bystander’s perspective, Lu Ming didn’t think Qi Ji liked He Zhaolin all that much. The reason he was reluctant to break up was likely that he was too lazy to change; a new person would mean another period of adaptation.
Furthermore, they had known each other for so many years and knew everything about one another. If they married, they would have already adapted to each other’s presence and reached a silent understanding in their daily lives, requiring no wasted time on the trivial troubles of marriage.
As for his own appearance in Qi Ji’s life, Lu Ming figured God couldn’t stand the sight and had arranged a prank for Qi Ji.
Thinking of this, Lu Ming couldn’t help but let out a helpless laugh. It was only natural that Qi Ji didn’t treat him well; who would like their own retribution?
Lu Ming didn’t bother going out to pick a suit. He sent a message to his family butler, asking him to send over a formal outfit. Just as he was about to put his phone down, Fang Chenggyi bombarded him with messages.
Fang: Boss, I was wrong! Quickly, add me back! Fang: Please don’t leave me alone without a home! The world outside is stormy, and I am so lonely! Fang: I really know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have gossiped about you and that Omega hitting the sheets. Don’t wait until I’m dead to remember me; you’ll regret it for a lifetime!
System: You have been added to the group chat by Lu Ming.
Once he was back in the group, Fang Chenggyi didn’t dare say anything reckless; the chat remained quiet.
Lu Ming: @SuHe Your family is based in G City. Do you know of any important figures holding a birthday banquet this Saturday? Su He: No. Why the sudden question? Lu Ming: Oh, it’s nothing. Just asking. Su He: By the way, the task you gave me is done. Those collaborating with the He family will be withdrawing their investments one after another over the next few days. It remains to be seen if the He family has a powerful backer to pull them through; otherwise, they’ll have to declare bankruptcy.
A powerful backer? Lu Ming immediately thought of Qi Ji.
Lu: Does the Qi family count as a powerful backer? Su: The Qi family? Oh, I remember. The one that makes pastries and canned snacks? Lu: I think so? (In truth, he wasn’t sure; Qi Ji would never tell him these things.) Su: Ten years ago, the Qi family’s assets were considerable, but sales have dropped significantly in recent years. The competition in the food, beverage, and canned goods industry is immense; the market has been carved up until there’s almost nothing left. The Qi family barely holds a place. However… Lu: However what? Su: They recently terminated their contract with Jiale Supermarket. Their market share has shrunk severely. Lu: Why the termination? Su: The owner of Jiale raised prices on the spot. It was basically a failure to agree on commission splits. Too many people want a piece of the pie; other small brands can provide the commission ratios the Qi family can’t, and the taste isn’t bad either. Lu: Do you have time to return to G City this Saturday?
Su He immediately understood his meaning. Since Lu Ming was asking so many questions, the Omega he had entered into a temporary marriage with was likely from the Qi family.
Su: If Young Master Lu needs me there, I naturally have time. Lu: I want you to come and lend some support.
Since they were married, and Qi Ji was the Omega father of his child, he ought to provide some benefits.
Xie Yuting: What did I miss? [Crying face.jpg] Su He: ? Lu Ming: Why are you crying? Xie Yuting: I’m in Las Vegas looking at a new venue. I won’t get to see what your Omega looks like.
The Xie family had influence in both legal and illegal circles, having started in the casino business. The largest legal casino in the country was on the Lu family’s resort island; the rest were abroad.
Lu Ming: Don’t gossip. Fang Chenggyi: Let the little ones play too, brothers! Lu Ming: [Head-patting GIF]
Fang Chenggyi looked at the bloody GIF of a puppy’s head falling off and shuddered as he closed the chat.
On Saturday, Qi Ji worked overtime but returned home early. Lu Ming received his call at 4:30 PM, his tone as icy as ever. “I’m downstairs. Come down when you’re ready.”
“Right away.”
Once Lu Ming was dressed, he quickly headed downstairs.
Qi Ji was staring out the window, leaning his face on his hand out of boredom. When he saw the man appearing at the door, his gaze suddenly became deep and entranced.
The Alpha stood tall and upright, wearing a handmade wool suit with ruby buttons that complemented his red-and-white striped tie. His aura was steady and noble, completely devoid of his usual laziness and casualness. It was as if he had become a different person instantly.
It wasn’t until Lu Ming tapped on the car window that Qi Ji snapped back to reality; he had actually been mesmerized.
How could that be? Wasn’t he just a bit better looking than the average Alpha?
Qi Ji lowered the window. Seeing his handsome face and appropriate attire, his tone softened considerably. “You got here quite fast.”
“I’ll drive. You take the opportunity to rest; don’t get too tired.”
Qi Ji could not resist his thoughtfulness and gentleness. He gave a soft response, got out of the car, and walked around to the passenger seat.
Lu Ming drove steadily, his expression focused. Qi Ji couldn’t help but glance sideways at him. Previously, he had intentionally ignored him and never looked at him directly; even if he closed his eyes and tried to remember, he couldn’t recall his face.
Until today, Qi Ji suddenly felt his eyes brighten. Lu Ming was radiant, lighting up his entire grey world. Humans are visual creatures, and Qi Ji was no exception. If an Alpha were gentle and interesting in addition to being handsome, they would be the perfect marriage partner for any Omega.
Lu Ming noticed his gaze and gave him an open smile. “Do you think I’m very handsome today?”
Qi Ji drew a sharp breath. How could he easily admit that? “I just think the suit is nice.”
“It was made by an old tailor. If you like it, I can have another one made just like it.”
The “old tailor” he spoke of was another old man in his family, Dewes—who also happened to be the head of an international top-tier luxury clothing brand.
Qi Ji replied casually, “Sure. It probably isn’t cheap, right? Tell me how much, and I’ll transfer it to you.”
“Isn’t there money in the card? No need for a transfer. Just send me your measurements later.”
Qi Ji thought about how expensive those mechanical models Lu Ming bought were; they must be quite a drain on funds. The supplementary card had three million on it; he estimated it would run out soon. He took out his phone and instructed his secretary to transfer another three million.
The car stopped outside an old villa. Qi Ji was surprised to see cars parked everywhere, both inside and out.
“What’s going on?”
“What is it?” Lu Ming asked as he looked for a parking spot.
“It’s been a long time since so many people came to a Qi family event. We can’t even find a parking spot; it’s a bit exaggerated.” Qi Ji knit his brows.
The one holding the birthday banquet was Qi Ji’s uncle, Qi Xiancai. The Qi family’s current status in G City was awkward—neither high nor low. He had only seen such a grand occasion a few times when he was a child. Once the period of high profit ended and the business reached his hands, it had been on a downward slope.
Lu Ming finally found a parking spot. Qi Ji glanced at it, his lip twitching. “Can you guess why this spot was left for you?”
Because the angle was incredibly awkward, making it extremely difficult to reverse into.
Lu Ming lowered the window and looked at the spot. Without even trying, a set of calculation formulas naturally appeared in his mind. He was confident. “I can reverse into it.”
Qi Ji was skeptical. “Give it a try. I’ll get out and look for other spots nearby.”
“Okay. Don’t go far, and watch out for traffic.”
“Okay,” Qi Ji replied somewhat awkwardly, a wave of warmth flowing through his heart. Could this Alpha be this gentle and thoughtful toward everyone? In all his years, no one had ever given him such careful instructions or concern.
Qi Ji had only walked ten steps when he heard a gasp from behind him. He looked back in surprise to see several car owners sticking their heads out to watch Lu Ming smoothly reverse the car into the spot in one fluid motion.
Qi Ji stood dazed for a moment before letting out a laugh. “He actually did it!”
In truth, this was not difficult for Lu Ming. It involved his old profession; he was an expert in calculations, especially regarding machine operation formulas, which were usually precise to the tenth of a millimeter.
The moment Lu Ming pushed the car door open, Qi Ji held his breath, and his heart skipped a beat. Why did he find this guy exceptionally charming today?
This was not Qi Ji’s imagination. The scent of Omegas’ testing pheromones was already beginning to spread in the air. However, Lu Ming seemed completely unaffected. He walked straight up to Qi Ji, twirling the car keys with a smile. “So? I told you I could do it.”
Qi Ji steadied his mind. He didn’t know if the guy was smiling so brilliantly on purpose, but it made him feel flustered. “Let’s go in. Don’t stand here blocking the way.”
As he spoke, he proactively took Lu Ming’s hand and walked quickly toward the villa.
Lu Ming was surprised. This was the first time Qi Ji had proactively taken his hand.