The Corporate Slave Beta Is Surrounded by Alphas - Chapter 13

#NoCatToday.

【Can anyone tell me what time the Kitten came to work today? I showed up ten minutes early and still missed him. I waited a while, but no sign. Looking at the clock, there’s no way he shouldn’t be here by now. Starting the morning without seeing the Cat… I’m going to feel like death all day.】

【Reporting in: I was early too. No Cat.】

【So the Cat didn’t come? Where’s Tech Support? Calling Tech Support.】

【Impossible! Someone like the Kitten would never skip work.】

【Tech Support here: The Cat is in his office.】

【No way, so he was already here? How early is “early” exactly?】

【Damn Changyun for exploiting my Kitten every single day! I’m starting a revolution!】

【Every time there’s a new project, the Kitten is the first one in and the last one out. What’s the point of this job?】

【Because of the Cat!】

【Forget it, with the new project, the Cat probably won’t even step out of his office. Where can I find a Cat?】

【The Cat hasn’t come out almost all day. President L has paced past the Tech Department entrance several times.】

【If the Kitten’s office wasn’t at the very back, President L would definitely be pressed against the door peeking at him!】

【Just admit it, President L, you’re obsessed with the Kitten too.】

【Intel from the front lines! The Cat is out!】

Cheng An rubbed his aching eyes. As he looked up and slid his glasses back on, he noticed the breakroom was crowded again. It seemed like every time he came for water, it was packed.

His eyes were really bothering him; he needed some steam to soothe them. As his gaze drifted, it met the eyes of an Alpha who immediately looked guilty. “H-hello, Team Leader Cheng,” the man stammered.

He looked like a thief caught in the act. Cheng An didn’t understand why, but he replied with his usual calm: “Hello.” It was a standard, indifferent response, no different from any other day.

Hearing the beep of the water dispenser, he turned back to his cup.

As a Beta, he stood out among the tall, broad-shouldered Alphas. Amidst them, he looked noticeably slender. When he walked past, all the Alphas could see was the crown of his head his hair looked incredibly soft, featuring a cowlick that seemed at odds with his flat, stoic expression.

Because the Alphas were so tall, Cheng An had to tilt his face up to make eye contact. From their perspective, his face looked small and exquisite. His thick lashes cast soft shadows, and his collar occasionally shifted to reveal the elegant lines of his neck and collarbone.

When this Beta first joined Changyun a company almost entirely populated by Alphas he had instantly become the center of attention. If getting into Changyun required being an “Elite Alpha,” a Beta making the cut was nothing short of a miracle.

Gradually, they became more and more fascinated, noting the distinct differences: the slighter frame, the softer features, the gentle temperament. To them, he was like a kitten that had accidentally wandered into a world of wolves.

Of course, to this day, Cheng An had no idea how they viewed him. He simply thought his coworkers were easy to get along with and enjoyed being at the company.

No sooner had Cheng An sat back down in his office than a new round of discussion exploded on the internal forum.

【President L spotted at 3 o’clock! He’s lingering again.】

【Just admit it, President L, you’re obsessed with the Kitten.】

【President L is definitely going to summon the Kitten to his office today.】

【That old flirt is always like this. He keeps him in there so long we start wondering what they’re actually doing.】

【Just another day of President L being addicted to the Cat.】

【Alphas who don’t understand the Cat are doomed.】

As the sunset glow hit Cheng An’s monitor, he realized it was nearly time to clock out. He checked his messages but didn’t see anything from Lu Xunzhou.

Usually, Lu Xunzhou would call him in to report on things at least once every three days. He hadn’t gone in for the last two days, and Lu Xunzhou hadn’t asked.

Even with no message, Cheng An decided to stay at his desk a bit longer. Though his work was finished, he wanted to double-check everything. Just then, a message arrived from Lu Xunzhou: Come to my office.

Cheng An had a habit of logging and organizing his work as he went, so he was always prepared for Lu Xunzhou’s “surprise inspections.” Unsure of how long he’d be stuck there, he packed his things, planning to head straight home afterward.

Lu Xunzhou sat with his head down, seriously reviewing Cheng An’s report. He asked a few minor questions, all of which Cheng An answered smoothly.

Lu Xunzhou was quieter than usual today. Although he was naturally a man of few words, Cheng An’s sharp intuition told him the boss was in a bit of a mood. Is something wrong? Cheng An wondered, watching him closely.

Finally, Lu Xunzhou pivoted. “Has a coffee shop employee been delivering coffee to you lately? An Alpha, it seems.”

Cheng An blinked. The tension he’d been feeling snapped, replaced by a momentary blankness. He didn’t understand why Lu Xunzhou was asking about this.

But seeing the gravity on the President’s face, Cheng An figured it might be a security or policy issue. “I’ve been very busy lately and haven’t had time to wait in line. He usually prepares it for me, and when I have a break, I ask him to bring it down to the lobby.”

Noticing that Lu Xunzhou seemed particularly bothered by the fact that the person was an Alpha, Cheng An added, “In this district, Alphas are the majority.”

He was just explaining the demographics, but the comment made Lu Xunzhou change the subject instantly. “What are your plans after work?” For a second, he feared Cheng An had seen right through his intent.

Setting his files aside, Lu Xunzhou continued, “You’ve been very busy lately, and I haven’t called you in much. Since it’s the weekend, leave early. Don’t work overtime. The weather is nice want to grab dinner?”

Worried Cheng An would be too stiff about the boss-employee dynamic, he added, “Just like before. As friends. We’ll just grab something you like.” He waited for the reply with a heart full of anticipation.

But Cheng An said, “I’m sorry, President Lu, I already have plans.”

“Plans again?” Lu Xunzhou couldn’t hide his frown. He remembered the last time he’d asked on a weekend, it was the same excuse—and likely the same person. “Is it that doctor again?”

Cheng An nodded. “Yes.” Sensing the heavy atmosphere surrounding Lu Xunzhou, he added, “We can do it next time.”

“Next time has to be me,” Lu Xunzhou said. He realized he sounded a bit overbearing. He looked up, but Cheng An’s expression hadn’t changed at all.

It was that very lack of change that persistent indifference that was most discouraging. It was as if all his emotions and grand gestures were trivial to the Beta.

“Understood, President Lu,” Cheng An replied in his professional “employee” voice.

Lu Xunzhou rubbed the bridge of his nose but said nothing more.

Cheng An checked the time. “President Lu, I need to head out now, or I might be late.”

Cheng An was a stickler for punctuality. Lu Xunzhou knew this well, so he simply nodded. As soon as Cheng An left the room, silence reclaimed the office.

Lu Xunzhou rarely showed emotion to anyone besides his family… and Cheng An. With Cheng An gone, he returned to his usual stoic state.

He stood and walked to the window. If he waited a moment, he would see Cheng An exit the building. He could at least catch a glimpse of his silhouette.

However, when Lu Xunzhou looked down today, he saw a strange Alpha standing outside. As the boss, Lu Xunzhou knew almost everyone who worked in the building, but this Alpha was a complete stranger.

Lu Xunzhou watched as Cheng An exited the lobby and walked straight toward the man. A soft, warm smile immediately broke across the stranger’s face.

Upstairs, the President’s eyes narrowed.

“I didn’t expect you to be right here,” Cheng An said.

“I was passing by and thought I’d just wait for you here instead,” Song Boyan replied.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all. I timed it to arrive right as you were getting off work.”

“That’s good.” Cheng An hated being a burden; Song Boyan’s answer put him at ease.

As they walked toward the parking lot, Song Boyan asked, “What do you want to eat today?”

“Barbecue,” Cheng An answered without a second thought. Then, realizing he was supposed to be treating Song Boyan today, he paused. “Wait, I should be asking you what you want.”

Song Boyan laughed. “What a coincidence. I was craving barbecue today too.”

Believing him, Cheng An’s face lit up with a faint smile. He turned to Song Boyan. “That really is a coincidence.”

“Maybe we’re just on the same wavelength,” Song Boyan teased. Cheng An felt comfortable with him; the man had a way of making everything feel easy.

Every bit of this including that rare, genuine smile—was seen clearly by the President upstairs, whose vision was as sharp as a telescope. Seeing one Alpha after another swarming around Cheng An, he finally felt a true sense of crisis.

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