Chà Chà Novel

Perhaps out of guilt over what had happened when he was drunk, Fu Baiqi had been less icy toward Fang Fengzhi lately. His manner had softened considerably.

Tonight, he had come home for dinner after work as well. Although he still barely spoke to him, Fang Fengzhi was already more than content. Before, his husband would only frown in irritation at the sight of him. Perhaps this meant they were growing a little closer.

Affection between two people could be nurtured slowly.

He knew Fu Baiqi did not like him. How could anyone become interested in someone they had met only a handful of times? Besides, back in his school days, Fu Baiqi had cherished and loved that Omega so deeply, just as the man had described. Fang Fengzhi did not blame him for still being attached to the Omega, nor did he blame him for being cold toward him.

During their meal that day, he had paid attention to the Omega’s scent gland. Although it was hidden by his collar, Fang Fengzhi had not detected Fu Baiqi’s pheromones on him—not the kind of scent that came from their pheromones mingling together.

Fu Baiqi had not marked him.

It was like being given a glimmer of hope, one final reason to remain by Fu Baiqi’s side.

To Fu Baiqi, he was an intruder who had abruptly entered his life, an unwelcome presence in every way. But that was all right. They could take their time.

For now, Fang Fengzhi felt that he and his husband still had a long road ahead of them. So he treasured the slightest, most insignificant changes in his husband, placing them where they were easiest to see and drawing comfort from them. As for the wounds inflicted again and again by his husband and his parents, he buried them deep inside.

If he had a choice, perhaps he would willingly keep them hidden for the rest of his life.

Fang Fengzhi brought the dishes to the table, then sat beside Fu Baiqi with what he hoped was an air of casual ease. Fu Baiqi did not even look up, as though he hardly cared.

Fang Fengzhi relaxed a little and quietly began eating. From time to time, he glanced at Fu Baiqi. Seeing no food in his bowl, he hesitated for a long while before picking up a piece of his favorite dish and placing it inside. As he withdrew his chopsticks, his whole body was tense. Even his movements as he ate were stiff.

When they had first married, he had often sat close beside Fu Baiqi and served him food. Fu Baiqi never said anything, but over time, Fang Fengzhi realized he never ate anything Fang Fengzhi put in his bowl.

Gradually, Fu Baiqi stopped coming home for dinner as often. On the rare occasions he did, they sat farther and farther apart, and Fang Fengzhi no longer served him food.

This time, however, Fu Baiqi merely paused. Just as Fang Fengzhi thought he would ignore it, he picked up the piece of meat Fang Fengzhi had given him and ate it with little hesitation.

Fang Fengzhi blinked. Joy fluttered in his chest, and he could not keep a smile from rising to his lips.

While Fang Fengzhi’s head was lowered, Fu Baiqi glanced at him. The Omega did not know how to conceal those furtive looks at all. Sitting beside him made him happy. Having Fu Baiqi eat the food he had offered made him happy too.

They had little emotional foundation between them, yet it never occurred to Fu Baiqi that Fang Fengzhi might actually like him.

After dinner, Fang Fengzhi gathered the bowls and chopsticks as usual and took them to the sink. Fu Baiqi was about to return to the study when the sound of running water from the kitchen made him pause.

When Fang Fengzhi had served him food earlier, the first thing he had noticed was his hand. Compared with Bai Zhen’s, it was far too rough. Fu Baiqi was not some villain entirely devoid of empathy. Fang Fengzhi had a job of his own, yet still had to do all this after coming home. Thinking of it that way, Fu Baiqi occasionally felt he was behaving rather badly.

They ought to buy a dishwasher.

With that thought, he walked into the kitchen and picked up the apron beside the sink.

“I’ll wash them.”

Fang Fengzhi froze, looking almost overwhelmed by the unexpected kindness.

“N-no, you don’t have to…”

“I can do it myself.”

But Fu Baiqi had already stepped beside him without another word. He nudged Fang Fengzhi with his elbow, signaling for him to leave.

Fang Fengzhi did not dare look at him. His heart beat faster and faster.

“I can manage on my own…”

Even his voice lacked conviction. The spot where Fu Baiqi had touched him felt faintly warm.

Yet when he saw Fu Baiqi roll up his sleeves, he hurriedly caught his arm.

They remained at an impasse until Fang Fengzhi suddenly laughed. Fu Baiqi came back to himself, realizing that he was actually standing there arguing with Fang Fengzhi over something so trivial. Feeling awkward, he looked at the Omega, about to say something, only to find Fang Fengzhi watching him with smiling eyes.

Something stirred inside him.

Through his momentary daze, he heard Fang Fengzhi still laughing, as though he were very happy. Then Fang Fengzhi reached out and gave the sleeve that had slipped down his forearm another fold. Once he had done it, he seemed to feel the gesture was too familiar. He avoided Fu Baiqi’s eyes in embarrassment, murmured, “Then I’ll leave it to you,” and hurried out.

Fu Baiqi stood still for a few seconds. Then he looked down at his sleeve. The fold was snug. It probably would not slip again.

Min Zhi’s brother had fallen on the stairs and injured his leg. It was not too serious. He had gone to the hospital that morning to have a cast put on and returned home that afternoon. Ordinarily, he was either immersed in work in the university laboratory or taking his students here and there. He could never stand lying idle in a hospital.

Min Zhi made time to visit his apartment. He had only just arrived downstairs when his brother called, saying it was difficult to get around with his leg and asking him to pick up a few things from the supermarket.

Min Zhi had not been to a supermarket in a long time. He was usually too busy to shop. Whenever he needed something, he only had to tell the housekeeper. Besides, he disliked supermarkets. There were all kinds of people inside, and his nose was sensitive. The mixture of pheromones left him dizzy. Being sent into one so suddenly felt unfamiliar.

His brother had asked for some instant meals. Min Zhi looked around and tossed anything that seemed suitable into his cart. Then he thought he should buy some fruit, though he knew even less about choosing it. He had no idea which pieces would taste good and which would not. He picked a few at random and put them in the cart. His hand was still moving when a pheromone scent caught his nose and sent a jolt through his mind.

It was very close. He felt an uncontrollable urge to turn, then heard someone speak beside him.

“That one’s gone bad.”

He lowered his head. First he saw the small tip of the man’s nose, then his moving lips.

“It’s already spoiled inside. You can’t eat it.”

The man tilted his head up slightly to look at him.

“Are you looking for black plums?”

Seeing his face, Min Zhi came back to himself and put down the plum in his hand.

“Yes.”

He had not expected to encounter that Omega here. The impact of his scent was still so powerful that it left Min Zhi briefly dazed.

Something was suddenly placed in his empty hand. He looked over.

The Omega was still selecting plums and setting them in his palm.

“You probably don’t come to the supermarket very often, do you? It’s late now. All the good ones have been picked.”

He placed another plum in Min Zhi’s hand.

“These aren’t very good. You should try looking at something else.”

Cool skin brushed Min Zhi’s hand, and his fingers moved involuntarily.

He glanced at the Omega.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

The Omega passed him with a modest shopping basket, carrying that warm chamomile scent.

Why were his hands so cold?

After paying, Min Zhi went outside with several large bags. He was not entirely sure what he had bought.

A few steps later, he caught that familiar fragrance again. The Omega must be somewhere nearby.

Even when he reached the apartment building, he could still smell it. He began to wonder if he was imagining things. He liked those pheromones, but surely he was not so obsessed that he would hallucinate them.

Frowning, he strode toward the elevators.

The scent grew stronger, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Unable to resist, Min Zhi turned and saw the Omega jogging toward him.

He stopped beside Min Zhi, bending slightly at the waist as he caught his breath. When he lifted his head and saw him, he paused in surprise, apparently not expecting such a coincidence. It was also his first time encountering this man in the apartment building.

Fang Fengzhi smiled at him.

“Do you live here too?”

The man shook his head.

“No. I’m here to see someone.”

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside.

In the enclosed space, Fang Fengzhi’s pheromones filled the air. He had apparently worked up a sweat from running, and the fragrance poured into Min Zhi’s nose, heating his whole body and sending his blood surging. Min Zhi lowered his eyes and silently reminded himself.

He is an Omega.

Fang Fengzhi was not faring much better. This man was probably an S-class Alpha. His pheromones were far too invasive. Still panting when he entered the elevator, Fang Fengzhi had taken one deep breath, and now his legs were already weak and his head was spinning. He gripped his basket of vegetables tightly and kept his breathing shallow.

Just a little longer. Almost there.