Out of Control Overnight: The Irritable Top Alpha Goes Mad Searching for His Wife - Chapter 27

After applying the scent-blocking patch, Shen Qing readjusted his clothes.

The placement was clever as it was perfectly concealed by his shirt collar. With the addition of a tie, it served as a second layer of protection. The scent of tequila pheromones that usually clung to him finally began to fade. Shen Qing took a deep breath, feeling fortunate that he had brought a patch with him just in case before leaving this morning.

Lu Shijun sat in his chair, but he had not processed a single word of the document in front of him. His deep, dark eyes were fixed intently on his wristwatch.

Ten minutes had passed since Shen Qing opened the car door. As the seconds ticked away, Lu Shijun’s patience finally evaporated. He knew Shen Qing always wished he were not so clingy, but he usually practiced selective deafness. Being able to endure ten minutes this time was already a rare feat.

Now, he was going to catch the man himself.

As Lu Shijun stepped out of his office, he heard the sound of the elevator from a distance. The gloom on his face vanished instantly, replaced by his usual nonchalant and playful demeanor as he spoke to Shen Qing.

“Assistant Shen, you are a minute late. What do you think we should do about this?”

Shen Qing had already pulled himself together. He was smart and knew that a fierce Alpha like Lu Shijun needed to be stroked the right way.

“Then I will beg President Lu to be merciful and overlook this one minute?” Shen Qing asked.

These words, as expected, made the corners of Lu Shijun’s mouth curl upward. “Assistant Shen, is this how you beg someone? Do not dismiss it as just one minute; it involves your perfect attendance bonus and late fines.”

Shen Qing gave a soft hum and nodded. He knew the company regulations: being one minute late resulted in a one-hour pay deduction. He pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket and, a second later, looked at the guy blocking the elevator entrance.

“Open your mouth,” he said.

Lu Shijun had no idea what was happening, but he obediently opened his mouth anyway. A moment later, the mellow flavor of chocolate exploded in his mouth. He did not particularly like sweets, but since it was a gift from his friend, it was different. He smiled, completely unwilling to spit it out, though he still felt the need to be difficult.

“You think you can bribe me with a single piece of candy?”

Shen Qing raised an eyebrow. He was not one to give in completely, otherwise the other man would surely take an inch and ask for a mile next time.

“Since I am already late, I will come back in fifty minutes. I am going out for a stroll,” Shen Qing countered.

Realizing he had not gained any advantage and had nearly overplayed his hand, Lu Shijun abandoned his act and grabbed the other man’s wrist.

“You are not allowed!”

Shen Qing laughed. When he did, his cool, distant eyes crinkled slightly, creating beautiful ripples. “Then are you still going to dock my pay?”

It was not that he wanted special treatment; rather, to handle Lu Shijun, one could not just be submissive. Occasionally, you had to push back and act a bit spoiled for him to feel satisfied. Sure enough, Lu Shijun looked content. He draped his large hand over Shen Qing’s shoulder, pulling him in forcefully with a chuckle.

“I am not that easy to fool. After work today, I am not driving you home. It is your turn to drive me.”

They were essentially driving each other back and forth in Lu Shijun’s car anyway, and they were neighbors to begin with. Shen Qing did not argue and simply nodded in agreement.

He did not want to tell Lu that after work, he intended to visit Lin Zhixue. The injuries Lin sustained were caused because of him, and Shen Qing could not remain indifferent. However, he could not let Lu Shijun find out, or there would be another scene.

So, was there a way to keep Lu staying home quietly while he slipped away unnoticed? Shen Qing thought about it all day and finally came up with a plan. He wondered if it would work if he just coaxed him to sleep.

Consequently, when evening arrived and work ended, he opened a delivery app and ordered hotpot ingredients along with some alcoholic drinks. He then dragged Lu Shijun to Lu’s own apartment for dinner.

Lu Shijun’s apartment was so brand new it looked like no one lived there. This guy usually went to Shen Qing’s place to eat and shower, and sometimes he would shamelessly refuse to leave. Even though his own home was just a few steps away, he insisted on staying over. The number of times Shen Qing had been to this apartment could be counted on one hand because Lu Shijun simply never gave him the chance.

In the mornings, Lu would already have breakfast ready before Shen Qing even woke up. After work, Lu would slide into Shen Qing’s home as naturally as if it were his own. Initially, Shen Qing tried to reason with him, but he soon realized that logic was useless. Lu Shijun would just play the victim and remain completely stubborn. Shen Qing eventually ran out of options.

“Xiao Qing, what made you think of coming to my place today?”

Lu Shijun never really felt like this was his home. Even though he had paid for it in full, it was nothing more than a temporary lodging.

Shen Qing replied matter-of-factly, “Hotpot has a strong smell. If we eat at your place, it is different. I will not have to clean up the battlefield.”

Despite the selfish words, Lu Shijun was delighted.

“Fine, I will have someone come clean up afterward. And what is the alcohol for? Is there something happy Xiao Qing wants to celebrate today?”

Shen Qing replied, “We are adults; can we not just have a drink? Besides, do you not think beer and hotpot are a perfect match?”

“Of course,” Lu replied.

Shen Qing then commanded, “Take the ingredients to the kitchen; they need to be washed.”

Lu Shijun obediently carried the groceries to the kitchen. Then, he watched as Shen Qing took off his suit jacket. Wearing a crisp white shirt, the simple lines perfectly traced his silhouette. Lu Shijun did not know how to describe it; it was a scene he had never witnessed before. Shen Qing, in a white shirt, stood in the kitchen preparing dinner for the two of them.

“Lu Shijun, pour the hotpot base in first,” Shen Qing called out, poking his head from the kitchen. “Once the water boils, you can throw some meat in. I will be there as soon as I finish washing these vegetables.”

By the end of the meal, almost nothing was left. Lu Shijun was stuffed, but if you asked him what he ate, he would not be able to tell you. His mind was filled with the image of Shen Qing after finishing a few beers, with his cheeks flushed red and his eyes misty. It was too beautiful. It was so beautiful he could not find the words.

Shen Qing was not much of a drinker. A few cans of beer had left him slightly tipsy, but it was not a major issue as he was still quite lucid.

“Lu Shijun, after eating hotpot, you smell. Go take a shower.”

A dark glint flashed in Lu Shijun’s eyes, but he kept his expression neutral. “What about you? Are you not going to wash, Xiao Qing?”

Shen Qing lied through his teeth. “Me? I ate too much; I need to rest for a bit. You go first.”

Lu Shijun gave him a deep, lingering look but did not say more. Instead, he obediently stood up. In the dining room, Shen Qing watched him take clean clothes into the bathroom and let out a long sigh of relief. He checked his phone and messaged Lin Zhixue to ask if he was resting or if he was free. Upon learning he was available, Shen Qing put his phone down.

Visiting a patient at night was not the best timing, but he had no other time. What he did not know was that upon entering the bathroom, Lu Shijun did not immediately start his shower. Like Shen Qing, he opened his phone and sent a message.

“Commence the operation.”