Out of Control Overnight: The Irritable Top Alpha Goes Mad Searching for His Wife - Chapter 31

Lu Shijun spoke with such conviction and logic, framing everything strictly from Shen Qing’s perspective, that it would have seemed ungrateful for Shen Qing to argue further.

Shen Qing opened his mouth, but the words remained trapped in his throat. Instead of feeling relieved, his heart felt even more constricted. Lu Shijun had stated that he had no right to interfere with Shen Qing’s choice of a partner. He had also insisted that Lin Zhixue was not a suitable match.

Does this mean that if I find a “suitable match” in the future, Lu Shijun will simply offer his blessings then as well?

It turned out the answer had been there from the very beginning. It was the version of himself in the dream who had been stubbornly obsessed, the one who had made mistake after mistake.

A layer of mist covered his eyes, blurring his vision. Shen Qing did not want anyone to see his vulnerability. He lowered his head, cast his eyes down, and said in a soft, hoarse voice, “I am tired. I want to go to sleep.”

Lu Shijun still had a great deal more to say, and he knew exactly how to make his friend’s heart soften. However, Shen Qing’s simple admission of exhaustion blocked any further argument.

“I will stay,” Lu Shijun said hurriedly.

Shen Qing replied, “Whatever you like.”

The atmosphere between them became subtle and strained. Lu Shijun noticed the change, but he did not take it seriously. He believed this incident was merely difficult for his friend to process, and he was willing to give him time to digest it.

Consequently, he took a sensible step back. For once, he did not insist on sleeping in the same bed. Instead, he said considerately and cheerfully, “I will sleep in the guest room. Xiao Qing, remember to call me anytime if you need something.”

The weather grew colder.

Lin Zhixue seemed to have vanished from their lives; neither of them mentioned him again. On the surface, it appeared that Shen Qing and Lu Shijun had returned to their old routine. They ate together, commuted together, and went shopping together. In reality, however, an invisible rift was growing deeper.

Shen Qing’s naturally reserved personality became even more detached and distant. Lu Shijun, who had initially felt composed and viewed Lin Zhixue as nothing more than a clown, gradually began to feel a sense of panic.

One day at the office, Shen Qing had just brought him a cup of coffee and was preparing to leave when Lu Shijun called out to him.

“Xiao Qing.”

Shen Qing stopped and turned around. His beautiful, cold face showed no emotion as he addressed him with professional formality.

“President Lu, do you have any instructions?”

Hearing “President Lu” over and over again made Lu Shijun incredibly frustrated, but he did not dare lose his temper. He stood up and walked over, attempting to pull Shen Qing toward the sofa for a proper talk. However, as soon as he approached, Shen Qing dodged him.

“President Lu, it is currently working hours. Do you have any instructions?”

Twice in a row, he had used that title, and now he had even added the formal “You.” Lu Shijun’s face turned ashen. Ignoring Shen Qing’s attempt to move away, he forcibly grabbed him.

“Shen Qing!”

He was angry.

Shen Qing looked at him, but there was no emotional ripple in his eyes. He simply said in a flat tone, “President Lu, what is this about?”

Lu Shijun had never been a man of good temper. He was irritable and hot-headed. All of his patience and tenderness had been reserved for Shen Qing, but now the person did not appreciate it and wanted to draw a clear line between them.

“How long are you going to keep acting like this with me?”

Shen Qing looked perplexed. “President Lu, I do not understand what you are talking about.” After saying this, he provided a reasonable explanation for his current behavior. “We agreed before that during work hours, we maintain a professional status.”

“To hell with professional status!” Lu Shijun was so angry that he yanked at his tie. Under the violent movement, several shirt buttons popped open.

Exposing his solid chest, he looked like a leopard about to attack, dangerous and terrifying.

“Are you trying to cut ties with me over someone like Lin Zhixue? Shen Qing, do you have a conscience? Am I worth less to you than Lin Zhixue, who treated you as a substitute?”

The more Lu Shijun thought about it, the angrier he became. Yet, he could not bring himself to harm Shen Qing, so he could only pace back and forth in a rage. He regretted his restraint; he felt he should have dealt with Lin Zhixue permanently back then.

The sudden outburst made Shen Qing feel overwhelmed. He rarely argued with people, and for a moment, he did not know where to start. He could only speak softly, trying to reason with the man.

“President Lu, this has nothing to do with Lin Zhixue. I have no relationship with him anymore. I just feel,” he hesitated for a few seconds, “that as friends, our relationship has become too much.”

“How is it too much!” Lu Shijun suddenly lunged forward. The distance between them vanished instantly, to the point where they could feel each other’s breath.

Shen Qing was startled. He was not used to such intimacy. The sensation of Lu Shijun’s breath on his skin felt itchy, making him want to escape. He tried to pull away, but as soon as he moved, Lu Shijun pressed down on his shoulders, pinning him in place.

“Talk to me. How is it too much?”

Shen Qing took a deep breath. He did not dare look into Lu Shijun’s eyes. Keeping his gaze lowered, he said firmly, “There are boundaries between friends. No friends stay stuck together twenty-four hours a day. Also, regarding buying clothes, no pair of friends acts like conjoined twins, buying the exact same style for everything. And…”

Lu Shijun did not want to hear any more. Just hearing the word “boundaries” filled him with a rage he had nowhere to vent.

“Who made the rule that there must be boundaries in how friends interact? And who made the rule that friends cannot buy the same things?” Gritting his teeth, he sharply interrupted Shen Qing. “Xiao Qing, based on what you are saying, I have seen friends go to the bathhouse together, travel together, and share a single room and a single bed while traveling. Weren’t you going to talk to me about how friends interact? Fine. If I agree to your terms, then you must agree to these as well.”

Shen Qing was stunned by Lu Shijun’s words. He tried to explain, but those activities were indeed things that friends might do. The only reason he was unwilling was because of his own guilty conscience.

With a cold face, Lu Shijun took out his phone and, right in front of Shen Qing, searched for things friends can do together. As he looked at the results, Shen Qing felt his world go dark.

Eating together. Traveling together. Renting an apartment together. Watching movies, shopping, and so on.

Eventually, Lu Shijun even scrolled to a photo of people holding hands and blowing kisses. Lu Shijun’s eyes lit up. “Look at them! When they take photos, they even put their faces together! We have never even done that!”

Shen Qing was speechless and could only struggle to explain, “No, they are girls.”

Lu Shijun’s face darkened. “Xiao Qing, are you discriminating against girls?”

“I am not!” Shen Qing’s head throbbed. This guy, Lu Shijun, had an emotional blockage; he did not understand that friendships between men and women are different. He could only say, “There are some things that girls can do with each other, but it is different between men.”

Lu Shijun looked at him expressionlessly. “Heh.”

Shen Qing was at a loss. A moment ago, Lu Shijun had been aggressive; now, he suddenly looked aggrieved.

“You just do not want me anymore. All of these words are just excuses! I get it. You like Lin Zhixue. You are mad at me for breaking you two up! What friendship boundaries? It is all lies! All fake!”

Shen Qing could not take it anymore. Usually gentle, he could not help but snap at this moment.

“Lu Shijun, you do not know shit!”