Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Zhang Shixu tidied himself up. The brooch on his chest had somehow fallen off during the earlier commotion, and he didn’t know which corner it had ended up in.
He bent down slowly, using his phone’s light to search the ground.
His vision was blurred with tears; he couldn’t see clearly at all.
His mind was filled with memories of the past six years—alone overseas, suppressing his longing, trying not to think about Qi Junhe. He thought he had already moved on. He thought the breakup had been a great relief for Qi Junhe.
The brooch had fallen near the wall. Zhang Shixu sniffled and wiped his tears away.
On the surface, his expression was calm—except for his slightly reddened eyes, he looked like nothing had happened—but his hands were shaking so much he couldn’t even pin the brooch back on.
Xiao Lin didn’t find Zhang Shixu in the banquet hall. Following a server’s instructions, he found him standing in a corner, gazing out the window.
Just like the first time he’d met Zhang Shixu—alone, lit only by moonlight.
Xiao Lin walked over and stood beside Zhang Shixu, following his gaze out the window. Outside, there was only the lake.
“What are you looking at so intently?” Xiao Lin’s low voice sounded by Zhang Shixu’s ear.
Zhang Shixu didn’t dare look into Xiao Lin’s eyes. He turned and made to head back to the hall. “Nothing. Let’s go back.”
Xiao Lin took one last glance outside. Realizing there really wasn’t anything of note, he followed Zhang Shixu back in.
Zhang Shixu had already composed himself again, smiling politely and engaging in conversation with Xiao Lin as if nothing had happened.
The banquet didn’t last much longer.
Afterward, a driver from the Xiao family drove Zhang Shixu back to his hotel. Xiao Lin had a house in B City.
Originally, Xiao Lin had invited Zhang Shixu to stay with him, but Zhang Shixu had refused. Left with no choice, Xiao Lin booked him a hotel instead.
They walked to the parking lot one after the other.
As they passed a pile of cigarette butts, Xiao Lin complained, “Who’s so uncivilized to smoke this much in an underground garage?”
Zhang Shixu glanced at it but said nothing.
Xiao Lin was already used to Zhang Shixu’s hot-and-cold attitude. In fact, he liked that kind of push-and-pull dynamic.
Suddenly, Zhang Shixu stopped in his tracks and bent down to pick something up.
Xiao Lin, confused, looked down at what Zhang Shixu was holding. “What is that? A ring?”
What Zhang Shixu had picked up was the plain ring Qi Junhe had casually tossed away. It was the one Zhang had personally made—with his initials engraved inside.
“You picked up just a plain ring like that?” Xiao Lin was surprised. “The company isn’t withholding your salary, right?”
Zhang Shixu looked at him emotionlessly, like he was looking at an idiot. “I dropped it earlier when I came.” With that, he pocketed the ring.
Xiao Lin: “…………”
Once in the car, both men sat in silence. Zhang Shixu leaned against the seat, watching the scenery of B City fly past the window.
“Who did you go see earlier?” Xiao Lin asked casually.
“No one.”
Xiao Lin turned Zhang Shixu’s face toward him, his fingers brushing Zhang Shixu’s lips.
“What are you doing?” Zhang Shixu frowned in displeasure, trying to pull away.
But Xiao Lin held him firmly, his thumb pressing right on the spot where Qi Junhe had bitten Zhang Shixu.
“Hiss…” Zhang Shixu flinched in pain.
“So what, a cat scratched you?”
Zhang Shixu met his gaze directly, showing no hesitation.
“Yes.”
Xiao Lin chuckled and let go.
“You went to university here, at B University, right?”
“Mm.”
“I heard you dated the young master of the Yiyang Group in college?”
At this, Zhang Shixu immediately turned his head like a bristling cat. “You investigated me?”
“No!” Xiao Lin was offended. “If I was the kind to investigate people, I’d have found out six years ago whether you wore boxers or briefs!”
“Yiyang Group is my next major project partner. I just happened to come across your name while checking out little Qi’s background,” he explained softly.
Qi Qiming had already handed over most of Yiyang Group’s power to Qi Junhe. Though the group still appeared to be under Qi Qiming’s control, in truth, the one in charge now was the 26-year-old Qi Junhe.
Zhang Shixu didn’t reply, closing his eyes and resting his head back.
“We’ve been friends for years. You really won’t tell me anything?” Xiao Lin asked.
Zhang Shixu didn’t open his eyes. “It ended long ago. Nothing to say.”
Xiao Lin shrugged. “Alright then, I just hope it won’t affect our cooperation.”
The car arrived at Zhang Shixu’s hotel.
He had chosen this hotel himself—it was close to B University.
Before getting out, Zhang Shixu tossed the brooch into Xiao Lin’s hand. “Here. Too expensive—I can’t accept it.” Then he turned and walked into the hotel.
Xiao Lin looked down at the brooch he’d custom-made for Zhang Shixu, unsure whether Zhang Shixu meant he couldn’t accept the gift—or couldn’t accept his heart.
“Let’s go,” he said, closing his eyes and instructing the driver.
…
After showering, Zhang Shixu dried his hair while replying to a few messages.
He wasn’t sleepy at all, so he changed clothes and went out for a walk.
Before he knew it, he’d wandered to the neighborhood where he and Qi Junhe had lived one summer during his part-time job.
The night market was still there—only now it was even more lively.
He easily found the entrance to their old rental.
He didn’t know if anyone had rented it since.
The hallway hadn’t changed—it looked exactly like it did six years ago.
Zhang Shixu turned to leave, but unexpectedly bumped into someone.
“Sorry, sorry,” Zhang Shixu quickly apologized. “Are you alright?”
It was just a bump on the shoulder, so of course there was no harm.
The person seemed to recognize him. “Weren’t you the neighbor? What are you doing out so late?”
Zhang Shixu looked up and recognized the Alpha neighbor.
His gaze dodged. “N-No, I moved out long ago.”
“No way,” the Alpha firmly denied, “Your boyfriend still lives here!”
Wait.
That sentence sent both of them into an awkward silence.
The Alpha was regretting it—what if they’d broken up?
Zhang Shixu, meanwhile, was in shock. Was that Alpha saying… Qi Junhe still lived here?!
Zhang Shixu didn’t dare think too deeply. He turned and ran.
He had no idea what kind of expression to wear if he saw Qi Junhe now.
The Alpha didn’t dare stop him—he’d already said too much. He sulked and went back inside.
Once Zhang Shixu reached the street, he remembered—based on Qi Junhe’s family background, there was no reason he’d still be living in such a run-down place.
That thought brought a fresh wave of sorrow. Quietly, he made his way back to the hotel.
After working up a sweat, he took another hot shower and lay in bed.
He thought he wasn’t sleepy. But once his eyes closed, he was out.
His consciousness drifted—he seemed to return to that summer.
Qi Junhe lay curled in his arms again, the blanket pulled over his head, only half of his fluffy hair showing.
Zhang Shixu gently pulled him out from under the blanket, afraid he’d suffocate.
At that moment, Qi Junhe would mischievously open one eye, pretending to be sleepwalking as he leaned in for a kiss.
“Stop it.” Zhang Shixu blocked his face, laughing and dodging.
They lay on their tiny rental bed, whispering sweet nothings.
Then the scene shifted.
It was Qi Junhe during his heat, his forehead bleeding, half his handsome face stained red.
Zhang Shixu stood there, covering his mouth, speechless as he watched Qi Junhe weakened and curled against the wall.
He felt powerless. It was the first time he truly hated being just a Beta.
Just then, Qi Junhe seemed to notice him.
Qi Junhe propped himself up against the wall, limping toward him.
Tears mixed with bl00d on his face. Zhang Shixu reached out, trembling, to wipe it away.
But unexpectedly, Qi Junhe grabbed his hand and leaned his face against it, whispering with trembling lips: “Don’t leave me.”
Zhang Shixu sobbed silently.
When he opened his eyes, all he saw was the hotel ceiling.
It had been a dream.
Zhang Shixu sat on the bed for a long while before getting up to wash.
He had a packed schedule in B City. That afternoon, he had to speak at a bidding conference.
He hadn’t slept well, and dark circles showed faintly beneath his eyes—but otherwise, he was fine.
By the time Xiao Lin’s car came to pick him up, he’d already memorized most of his speech.
He opened the car door and got in himself. Xiao Lin sat beside him in glasses, reading documents.
“Ready?” Xiao Lin asked without looking up.
He knew Zhang Shixu was very capable—but still couldn’t help asking again.
“Ready. I even got you coffee.”
Zhang Shixu handed it over. Only then did Xiao Lin look up and take it.
“Didn’t sleep well?”
Zhang Shixu only drank coffee when he didn’t sleep well.
“Mm.”
“No need to be nervous.”
This conference had gathered top IT companies, all vying for a chance to collaborate with Yiyang Group.
Zhang Shixu didn’t know if Xiao Lin was nervous—but he definitely was.
He answered softly with an “Mm.”
Sure enough, the conference was full of elite talent.
Qi Junhe sat dead center in the front row, listening to the presentations, surrounded by staff typing on laptops.
For those who clearly lacked competitiveness, Qi Junhe didn’t even need to speak—the assistants would cut them off.
Xiao Lin brought Zhang Shixu and another secretary sent by Xiao Jingshan to their seats.
Those on stage spoke confidently, while the audience didn’t dare make a sound.
“Enough.”
Qi Junhe’s coarse voice rang out, cutting off the speaker.
Though some privately thought his voice didn’t sound great, no one dared show it.
The person on stage, hearing they were being cut off, bowed and stepped down.
Next up was Zhang Shixu.
An exceptional Omega was currently presenting—great company, good looks.
“What, trying to seduce Qi Junhe?” Xiao Lin whispered to Zhang Shixu.
Zhang Shixu glanced at him. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
After the Omega’s perfect Q&A session, everyone thought their company had it in the bag.
Then it was Zhang Shixu’s turn.
He stepped up with his materials. “I’m Zhang Shixu, Technical Deputy Director of SL Corp. It’s an honor to participate in today’s bid…”
His presentation went smoothly, but he didn’t dare look at Qi Junhe. He focused on Xiao Lin in the distance instead.
“Excuse me…” an assistant tried to interrupt.
But Qi Junhe raised his hand to stop them.
Zhang Shixu never looked at Qi Junhe directly, and when his speech ended, he only looked at the secretary.
“Why did you come back to China?” Qi Junhe suddenly asked—a seemingly irrelevant question.
The assistant was dumbfounded.
Zhang Shixu hesitated, then smiled and replied, “The opportunities abroad aren’t necessarily better than here.”
Qi Junhe said nothing in response. After that, he looked away and never looked at Zhang Shixu again.
Not even once.
Zhang Shixu returned to his seat, utterly drained.
Xiao Lin handed him a bottle of water. “Looks like your ex still cares.”
Zhang Shixu nearly choked. “What are you talking about?”
He didn’t feel great about his speech. He told Xiao Lin they probably had no chance.
Xiao Lin just smiled and said nothing. “I don’t think so.”
The bidding ended around 5 p.m. Qi Junhe didn’t even take a break—that’s professionalism.
And shockingly… Zhang Shixu’s team won.
He shared a silent, knowing smile with Xiao Lin—six years of working side by side created that kind of connection.
After leaving the conference hall—
Xiao Lin slung an arm around him, grinning. “Told you we could do it.”
For once, Zhang Shixu didn’t push him away. “Come on, dinner’s on me.”
“Mr. Zhang—”
Just then, Qi Junhe’s secretary stopped them.
Zhang Shixu quickly shook off Xiao Lin’s arm. “Yes? What is it?”
“President Qi has a few more questions. Please stay.”
Zhang Shixu and Xiao Lin exchanged a look. Xiao Lin recovered first. “Go on. I’ll pick you up later for a midnight snack.”
Zhang Shixu nodded and followed the secretary back inside.
Most people had already left. Only the lights in the front were still on—it felt dim and somber.
The secretary left after bringing him in, leaving only the two of them.
“President Qi, what can I help you with?” Zhang Shixu couldn’t bear the silence.
Qi Junhe stared at him and asked hoarsely, “You won’t even call my name anymore?”
“It’s not that,” Zhang Shixu bit his tongue. In truth, he wasn’t used to calling him “President Qi.”
Qi Junhe gestured to the seat next to him. “Sit.”
Zhang Shixu sat down.
“That guy… your boyfriend?”
“No.”
“He seems good to you.” Qi Junhe ignored the answer. “Have you been doing well these six years?”
Zhang Shixu didn’t know how to answer. Was he supposed to tell him he hadn’t been? That he relied on work to numb himself?
Qi Junhe lit a cigarette, then asked belatedly, “You don’t mind, do you?”
Zhang Shixu, still soft-hearted, took the cigarette from his mouth, put it out on the floor.
“Smoking’s bad for you,” he said, voice trembling.
Qi Junhe leaned in and blew smoke in his face. “And what are you now, to care about me?”
Zhang Shixu frowned uncomfortably.
“Xiao Lin’s boyfriend… or Qi Junhe’s?”