The Omega Pretending to Be an Alpha Was Accidentally Marked by His Boss - Chapter 11

Jinyan Pavilion was the largest restaurant in Nandong City. Spanning five floors, everything from its lavish decor to its culinary creations was top-tier. Naturally, the prices were top-tier as well.

No government department had ever dared to host a team-building event here. Today, the hotel manager was truly seeing something new.

Hearing that the group throwing this victory banquet was a local historical research department, the hotel staff lining the entrance whispered among themselves in envy. “Damn, those archaeology folks must be swimming in funding!”

Qiu Nan wanted to explain that the “Historical Archives” wasn’t exactly the same as archaeology, but he decided to let it go. After all, even the existence of the Historical Archives was a complete cover story. What was the point in split hairs?

He and Mi Zhu had waited until a kind-hearted administrative colleague arrived to cover their shift before leaving the Bureau. By the time they arrived at the restaurant, the banquet was already about to begin.

Led by a staff member into the first-floor banquet hall, Qiu Nan’s eyes instinctively scanned the bustling room. He quickly spotted Xie Yunnian sitting at the table directly facing the stage, chatting and laughing with Lan Mingliang.

Xie Yunnian looked completely at ease, as if he hadn’t taken a single thing from that afternoon to heart.

Even if he did care, he wouldn’t say anything in a setting like this!

At that thought, the little burst of energy Qiu Nan had managed to muster completely deflated.

Director Xie really is a stickler for rules. It was just a change of duty stations, wasn’t it? Was it really worth getting that angry?

Deliberately avoiding Xie Yunnian’s line of sight, Qiu Nan used the seating chart Sang Yongyi had texted him to find Squad Four’s table.

“Captain!” a team member waved enthusiastically, calling out, “Over here!”

The voice was entirely too loud, cutting clearly through the noisy banquet hall.

Qiu Nan fell silent.

Suffocation.

Countless heads turned toward him, and even Xie Yunnian looked over.

Meeting Xie Yunnian’s gaze, Qiu Nan offered an awkward yet polite smile. He gave a distant wave to signal he had arrived.

Then, the second everyone looked away, he grabbed the team member who had just shouted, shoved him into the empty seat meant for himself, and took the guy’s original spot—leaving the back of his head squarely facing Xie Yunnian.

“Captain, what’s wrong?” Sang Yongyi asked with sisterly concern.

“Nothing.” Qiu Nan poured himself a cup of tea to parch his throat.

Mi Zhu glanced at him, a sly grin spreading across his face. “He got blasted by the Director this afternoon. He’s in a bad mood and doesn’t want to look at that handsome, cold face.”

“Huh?” Sang Yongyi skewered a piece of sliced mango and handed it over, fork and all. “Here, it’s fine. The Director doesn’t hold grudges. Eat some mango!”

Qiu Nan practically rolled his eyes.

He doesn’t hold grudges? If anyone’s holding a grudge, it’s me! I’m just playing nice because he caught me red-handed and I don’t dare act up!

As if the banquet had been deliberately waiting for Qiu Nan’s arrival, the event officially began the moment he sat down.

Lan Mingliang, representing the field operations department, delivered a lengthy speech. After that, Xie Yunnian took the stage.

His deep, sharp eyes swept across the room, and he smiled.

“You must all be starving. I wish you all a wonderful evening.” Xie Yunnian’s brief address caught everyone off guard.

This gesture instantly won over the younger field agents. The room erupted in cheers as bottles were uncorked, dishes were served, and the atmosphere grew lively once more.

As expected of top-tier dishes made by top-tier chefs in a top-tier restaurant, the food tasted incredible.

Qiu Nan was happily eating when Sang Yongyi raised her glass from across the table. “Captain, thank you for saving my life yesterday. A toast to you!”

Sang Yongyi had a wonderfully bright and straightforward personality. An outstanding female Alpha, she was fierce, efficient, and one of Qiu Nan’s most capable officers.

“Of course, of course!” Qiu Nan didn’t even look up, focusing entirely on wrestling with a crab shell on his plate. He didn’t take the matter to heart at all. “Besides, I don’t drink!”

Sang Yongyi knew he didn’t drink alcohol, so she opened a carton of orange juice for him. “Then drink juice!”

Qiu Nan waved his hand carelessly and took a swig straight from the carton. “Alright, we’re all family here. Cut the thanks. Let’s put this behind us!”

The moment he finished speaking, Huo Honghai nudged him.

Qiu Nan looked up right into Huo Honghai’s “you disappointed me” stare.

“What?”

“Captain, why haven’t you gone over to toast the Director? The other teams have already gone!”

Qiu Nan glanced over. He saw Wu Jiada, face flushed with alcohol, talking animatedly with Xie Yunnian. Xie Yunnian was listening with a smile, looking as though they were having a great conversation.

Completely oblivious to traditional drinking etiquette, Qiu Nan swallowed a piece of shrimp and asked hesitantly, “Is that really necessary?”

Sang Yongyi chimed in, backing up Huo Honghai. “Just go! He’s the new Director, you need to leave a good impression. Be good and go!”

“But I don’t drink!” Qiu Nan immediately thought of a workaround and gestured to Mi Zhu. “Xiao Mi, go in my place!”

Huo Honghai looked at him with utter disdain. “Sending a proxy for a toast? How embarrassing is that?”

Mi Zhu hesitated for a few seconds before making it clear he wouldn’t participate in something that would make Squad Four lose face. Instead, Mi Zhu leaned in and whispered a promise: “Don’t worry, a single glass of beer won’t kill you.

I’ve got your back.”

Mi Zhu knew Qiu Nan wasn’t actually incapable of drinking. Qiu Nan was just terrified that getting drunk would cause him to lose control over his body, leading to a pheromone leak. That was why he had always maintained the facade of being a non-drinker.

Under the expectant stares of his entire team, Qiu Nan had no choice but to take the glass Sang Yongyi handed him and walk toward Xie Yunnian.

Xie Yunnian and Wu Jiada stopped talking and looked over simultaneously.

Wu Jiada stared at Qiu Nan like he was seeing a ghost. “Captain Qiu, what’s in your glass? Alcohol? Talk about double standards! How come I’ve never seen you drink before?”

Several people nearby noticed the commotion and began to chime in.

“Look at that, we have to admit Director Xie has some serious pull!”

“Exactly! Captain Qiu’s allergy was so severe. If Director Xie hadn’t rushed him to the hospital in time, he might not even be here!”

“Captain Qiu, turns out you can drink! That’s not fair to the rest of us! You’ll have to drink a few penalty shots later!”

Qiu Nan nearly ground his teeth to dust. Why did I never notice how annoying these guys’ mouths are? They really knew how to stir up trouble.

Forcing a relaxed smile, Qiu Nan said to the instigator, Wu Jiada, “Captain Wu, mind if I borrow Director Xie for a moment so Squad Four can offer him a toast?”

The corner of Xie Yunnian’s mouth twitched.

Wu Jiada quickly backpedaled. “Whoa, don’t say it like that! You make it sound like I’m hogging Director Xie. Although my admiration for him flows like the Yellow River in flood season, still—”

Xie Yunnian interrupted him calmly, turning his eyes to Qiu Nan. “Captain Qiu, Captain Wu and I are discussing something. Could you please wait a moment?”

Qiu Nan’s breath hitched for a couple of seconds. His eyelashes fluttered. Nodding as he backed away, he turned around and walked straight back the way he came.