“Don’t get caught. Contact me at 10086 if anything happens.” Shi Yuxing spoke rapidly, delivering the whole sentence in one breath, leaving the store clerk who had witnessed everything stunned. “How did you get in here? This area is for staff only.”
The two Gu Lingzhous were cut off from view by the back door. Shi Yuxing smiled and nodded politely. “Sorry, just borrowing the back door for a moment.”
His smile was so dazzling that the clerk’s slightly parted lips forgot to close. The words stuck in her throat eventually made it out: “It’s fine. Please, go ahead.” Before she could snap out of the mesmerizing beauty of his face, the bell at the door rang.
“Welcome—”
A tall, imposing alpha in military uniform swept his gaze across the room, like a hound surveying its territory. His eyes finally landed on the beauty in the corner. Then, like a hunting dog locking onto its prey, his gaze fixed on the exposed nape of the other’s neck, and he strode over.
The curtain by the window was pulled open again, sunlight streaming in, casting a soft glow on Shi Yuxing’s hair, turning the strands into a golden-brown that looked soft to the touch.
Shi Yuxing put on a surprised face. “Ah! What are you doing here?” Gu Lingzhou looked down, his expression faint. His slightly parted lips pressed together. He walked to the seat across from him and sat down. Those tea-colored eyes kept watching him—wondering if the man before him had seen anything.
Gu Lingzhou didn’t say a word. He pushed the leftover drink Xiao Zhou had left aside, tapping his well-defined fingers lightly on the table. “Where’s the person who was here?”
Shi Yuxing’s heart jolted at the question. The sip of fruit tea in his mouth suddenly turned cloyingly sweet, almost making him cough. “You mean the other guest who was here? They left.”
The alpha across from him frowned. “I saw you two sitting close. A friend?”
Shi Yuxing widened his bright eyes, set down his cup, folded his hands like an elementary school student, and tilted his head at him. “No. I came alone today.”
Those eyes continued to scrutinize him, as if judging whether his wife was faithful. Shi Yuxing hated that look, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he leaned closer, his eyes wide open, those clear black-and-white pupils reflecting his own face.
Shi Yuxing’s glossy lips pressed together, then curved upward. His beautiful eyes lowered, lashes thick and long. “Guess not staring at a phone really does improve your eyesight—I didn’t see you, but you spotted me, General.”
Gu Lingzhou remained silent, his eyes too, simply watching him. A faint, buried flicker lay deep within his gaze. Shi Yuxing took a breath, leaned back, and lifted his cup. The curve of his lips carried a hint of mockery. “Aren’t you busy? Were you lying to me? Or did you come with someone else?”
The sunlight was just right, as if on cue, falling upon Shi Yuxing. Now it was his turn to interrogate his husband.
From a glass corner in the distance, a mysterious alpha in a mask and cap crouched down, forming a circle with his hands like binoculars against the glass. The other pulled down his mask, stood, and lit a cigarette. The crimson glow of the ember steadied, then brightened, then dimmed. A trail of smoke drifted away with the breeze, and eyes creased with faint wrinkles gazed into the distance.
“Old man, how much longer do we have to wait? Why isn’t he leaving yet?”
Who “he” was went without saying.
Gu Lingzhou exhaled a plume of smoke, squinting at the familiar figures of his former subordinates running about in the distance, and flicked off some ash. “Don’t cause trouble for Yuxing. We’re not from this world.”
The 18-year-old looked up from the glass, stood up on his numb legs, and matched the older man in height. “Hey, what do you mean by that?”
“I mean, don’t disturb the order of this world. The Yuxing here belongs with him,” Gu Lingzhou took another drag of his cigarette, indulging his craving before dropping the butt to the ground and grinding it out with his boot, leaving only ash. “You and I—we’re here to protect Yuxing.” He spoke slowly, turning to look at Shi Yuxing through the gaps in the glass.
His gaze was unwaveringly resolute—the look a devotee gives to Jesus. He was looking at his faith.
“We’re both Gu Lingzhou. He treats him badly—why should we let him have him?” It was true that youth was stubborn, and the young Gu Lingzhou was no exception to that curse.
“Hah. Try it then. On your own, they’d shoot you full of holes… If you can go back, you’ll meet Yuxing too. At least you’ll still have a chance.” The older alpha’s expression was one of endurance and despair. He instinctively raised his hand, only to realize his cigarette was already crushed.
If he went back, he’d have nothing left.
“General!!!” A rapid patter of footsteps, growing closer, heading straight for them.
Xiao Zhou immediately tightened his mask and bolted, desperate not to be seen. The other, however, took his time, picking up the cigarette butt from the ground, standing upright, and meeting the approaching man head-on. “What is it?”
“General, it really is you! Why the change of clothes? I almost didn’t find you.” The reporting soldier snapped to attention and handed over the latest report with a black-gloved hand. “We’ve confirmed the locations showing signs of Zerg damage. Please have a look.”
Gu Lingzhou didn’t flinch. He glanced at the insignia on the other man’s uniform. “Mm. Good work.”
The soldier was momentarily taken aback by the praise, standing even straighter, his jawline taut. “Serving the Empire—no trouble at all.” He bowed even lower.
Drawing on his seasoned experience and the research findings from the Academy after that great war, Gu Lingzhou studied the report carefully, narrowing his eyes as his fingertips traced the paper. “Here, and here, and here—come take a closer look.”
“Yes, sir.”
Xiao Zhou hid around the corner, phone clenched in his hand.
“Buzz, buzz—” Two notifications. A chilling sound.
10086—something hadn’t gone wrong, had it?
Shi Yuxing quickly silenced it, terrified Gu Lingzhou might see something he shouldn’t. Gu Lingzhou noticed his movement. “A message.”
Shi Yuxing glanced at his nearly empty cup, debating whether to order another or use the excuse of going to the restroom to regroup with the other two.
“If it’s urgent, you can go ahead.” Gu Lingzhou broke the silence, giving Shi Yuxing the chance to check his phone.
-10086: Da Ling’s being questioned by the military. They mistook him for the one across from you. Wife, save us!
Shi Yuxing furrowed his brow. Good thing he’d turned the screen off quickly—if that sharp-eyed guy had seen it, there’d be no explaining it away.
He feigned concern and sent a voice message: “Admit them to the ICU for observation. I’ll be there later.” All business, the picture of a stern doctor. Then he quickly typed.
· How long until I heal a star: How much longer? Did they spot you?
A reply came swiftly.
· 10086: No, Da Ling handled it well. He’s pretending to be—but I don’t know what they’re going to do next. Might need to stall that one, or it’ll be awkward if they run into each other.
The next second, the two messages from the other side were all recalled.
Damn it.
Shi Yuxing pressed his lips together. He’d been planning to just bolt, but now he had no choice but to stay here with Gu Lingzhou.
“I didn’t expect today’s inspection site to be the aquarium,” he said, his mind racing—he’d rushed over without thinking, whether because he’d seen Shi Yuxing or because he’d seen Shi Yuxing with someone else, he’d forgotten all about his work. “I’ll pay for you. I have to go.”
Alarm bells went off in Shi Yuxing’s head. Seeing Gu Lingzhou about to leave, he panicked and grabbed his retreating hand. “Don’t go.”
When he looked up again, there was a glimmer in his eyes. “Don’t go. Just pretend we’re at the aquarium together. Stay a little longer.”
“Alpha and omega pheromones have a certain effect on the Zerg—different grades of pheromones from different alphas and omegas have varying impacts. Applying Grade A pheromone concentrate to these three pipe openings will better protect the aquarium’s entire water circulation system. But if the invasion is commanded by the Zerg Queen, we’ll likely need a higher-grade pheromone concentrate.” Gu Lingzhou rattled off a long string of instructions, leaving his subordinates exchanging confused glances. But with the General’s stern demeanor, they could only swallow their questions. What was he on about?
Gu Lingzhou looked at the lead soldier. “Didn’t understand?”
“Yes, sir! …I mean, sorry General, I don’t follow your orders.”
Gu Lingzhou’s expression remained blank as he surveyed each of them. Their confusion was understandable—it was only after that great war that they’d learned SSS-grade pheromones could counteract the guidance substances released by the Zerg Queen.
“General, are you feeling down?” The sudden question made Gu Lingzhou’s chest rise and fall, his breath catching. “Do as I said—place the Grade A alpha pheromone concentrate around these three pipe openings. Execute immediately.”
“Yes, sir!” The soldiers saluted under Gu Lingzhou’s sharp gaze, then dispersed upon receiving the order.
A stone had been dropped into the calm surface of Gu Lingzhou’s eyes. Under Shi Yuxing’s pleading gaze, he slowly sat back down. Seeing that his pitiful act had worked, Shi Yuxing waved over the server while asking Gu Lingzhou what he’d like to drink.
“This one, no sugar, please.”
“Coffee… that’s too bitter. No sugar and it’s not good. Let me recommend this one—I think the sweetness is just right, and the milk foam is delicious.” Shi Yuxing held down the menu that was about to be taken away, his slender, fair fingers wrapping around Gu Lingzhou’s calloused fingertips, guiding them down to the beverage section and stopping over a line of small text.
The server swallowed, his eyes darting between the two stunning faces. Was he seeing the General and his wife? He hadn’t expected the General’s wife to be so breathtakingly beautiful. But then who were those two earlier? They seemed about the General’s height and looked pretty handsome too.
“Bring what he ordered.” Gu Lingzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his thumb stroking the smooth back of Shi Yuxing’s hand.
Shi Yuxing bit his lower lip with his upper teeth, resisting the urge to pull his hand back, and kept smiling. “Your deputy came along too, didn’t he?”
The tingling sensation vanished. Gu Lingzhou released his hand, wariness creeping into his brow. “Are you two close?”
“Of course not. Didn’t you tell me to stay away from him?” Shi Yuxing’s smile was stiff, a faint ember of anger still in the kindling stage, wisps of smoke rising silently.
After a long silence, the coffee arrived topped with milk foam. Gu Lingzhou offered an out and slid the cup across to Shi Yuxing. “Try it.” Shi Yuxing didn’t hold back—after all, it was his pick, and it wasn’t too hot.
A bit of foam clung to the corner of his mouth. Gu Lingzhou was about to reach out when Shi Yuxing’s tongue swept half the foam away.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Shi Yuxing smiled and pushed the coffee back. Gu Lingzhou’s eyes stayed fixed on him, making no move to take the cup.
Shi Yuxing looked at him, unyielding. “Don’t like it?”
Gu Lingzhou’s gaze dropped to Shi Yuxing’s hands—hands that healed and saved lives. At their last meal, Shi Yuxing had picked up a knife and fork, and Gu Lingzhou could imagine him holding a scalpel instead: calm, composed, as if meticulously carving a work of art.
“Do you like this, or that drink you had earlier?”
“The fruit tea is good. Even better if it’s peach oolong. If I can’t get that, I’ll order this. There’s a place near the hospital I really like. Still, I should cut down on sugar—hot tea is better for the stomach.”
“Mm.”
Gu Lingzhou’s rather direct gaze made Shi Yuxing’s cheeks warm. But now, he had to go pick up those two little dogs.
He stood and brushed off nonexistent dust from his clothes, his tone light.
“I should go. See you next time, honey.”
Watching Shi Yuxing walk out accompanied by the crisp jingle of the doorbell, disappearing around the corner, Gu Lingzhou picked up the coffee cup. The rim still held traces of milk foam.
He drank the remaining coffee right over that half-circle lip print.
Sweetness and cream cut through the bitterness of the coffee, lingering on his lips and tongue—not just the crafted coffee flavor, but also a faint trace of Shi Yuxing’s scent, mingling with his own fir pheromones.
·
The young general frowned as he listened to his subordinate’s report. “When did I ever tell you to put the concentrate in those places?”
The soldiers exchanged glances, their voices trembling. “But you said, sir…”
Gu Lingzhou’s brows furrowed deeper. In his hand, a plastic bag held the coffee cup he’d bought from the café. He spent the next half hour dressing down his men.
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