MVCFO CH69

When Lu Cong kissed Lin Xiangqi this time, Lin Xiangqi had a slightly stronger reaction than before.

He was trembling badly, so Lu Cong loosened his grip a bit and asked what was wrong.

Lin Xiangqi shook his head, unable to speak for a long time.

Lu Cong didn’t press him further but still refused to let go. He kissed Lin Xiangqi’s ears, his cheeks, and all the places that were flushed beyond reason. Then, he pressed the back of his hand against Lin Xiangqi’s neck and said, “You’re so hot, is your gland uncomfortable?”

Whether the gland was uncomfortable was actually visible.

Lin Xiangqi’s current state clearly showed it wasn’t gland discomfort. Lu Cong knew this but deliberately asked.

Lin Xiangqi cleared his throat and said, very unconvincingly, “…It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

“Let me see.” Lu Cong hooked his chin, examining him closely, watching for a long time until Lin Xiangqi was almost on the verge of tears, before faintly saying, “Perhaps it’s too hot, right?”

“Mmm, mmm, it’s too hot.” Lin Xiangqi seized the opportunity, slipped out from under Lu Cong’s arm, stood up stiffly, and said, “I’m going to take a bath.”

Lu Cong looked at him and said, “Perfect, I need one too. Together?”

Lin Xiangqi took three large steps back, forcing a dry laugh: “No, no, no, let’s go our separate ways, haha—”

With that, he ran towards his own room.

Lu Cong didn’t chase him. Instead, he stood with his arms crossed, watching him escape with a composed expression.

There was no need to question, no need for deep analysis. Lu Cong only needed one glance to see through Lin Xiangqi’s transparent little thoughts.

No one understood Lin Xiangqi better than him.

It was true ten years ago, and it was still true ten years later.

The mistakes the eighteen-year-old Lu Cong made, he would never make again.

Lin Xiangqi submerged himself in the bathtub, holding his breath for a full two minutes before splashing his head out of the water.

He realized he liked Lu Cong.

Although this wasn’t too difficult for him to accept.

But he was very surprised.

He had known Lu Cong for many years, and only now did he realize he liked him.

Before today, Lin Xiangqi had never even considered the possibility of anything beyond friendship between him and Lu Cong.

Of course, this was related to many factors.

Lin Xiangqi had always been quite careless when it came to emotions.

To put it nicely, he was accustomed to being carefree. To put it bluntly, he lacked the ability to endure pressure and unexpected situations.

Anything that made him feel uneasy, he was unwilling to think about how to choose, always instinctively avoiding it. It was as if as long as he didn’t think about it, the problem itself didn’t exist.

Perhaps there were moments when Lin Xiangqi vaguely realized he was falling for someone, but he quickly dealt with it through self-deception.

It was actually very easy to like Lu Cong.

But as long as he didn’t think about it, he could pretend not to like him.

So, it wasn’t necessarily that he hadn’t realized it before. He probably just dared not admit it.

Lin Xiangqi used to consider himself a Beta, while Lu Cong was the most outstanding, powerful, and highest-ranking Alpha he knew. He naturally assumed Lu Cong would be with another excellent, powerful, high-ranking Omega, and that he, a Beta, could only be good friends or brothers with him.

Furthermore, their family backgrounds didn’t match. Lin Xiangqi was the only one left in his family, while Lu Cong’s parents were both alive and well, and highly influential figures. Lu Cong’s parents would certainly not allow him to be with a Beta.

Thinking this way, it made perfect sense that Lin Xiangqi hadn’t dared to like Lu Cong before. Because once he liked him, he would face a situation where they couldn’t even be friends.

But…

Lin Xiangqi, very suddenly today, tore off the veil he had pulled over himself.

Perhaps it was because he was now an Omega, and he had some confidence to be with Lu Cong. Or perhaps it was because he had already lost him once, making it difficult to deceive himself again.

After kissing someone so many times, how could he not feel his own heartbeat?

He could no longer deceive himself.

He simply liked Lu Cong.

“Lu Cong, I have something to tell you.”

Lin Xiangqi burrowed into Lu Cong’s covers, swimming like a little fish to lie on top of Lu Cong. He rested his chin on Lu Cong’s chest, his eyes shining with a feigned boldness as he looked at him.

“Hmm?” Lu Cong raised his hand and pressed against his waist.

Lu Cong’s fingertips were a bit cool, and when they touched Lin Xiangqi’s skin, it made him shiver all over. This was rare, as Lu Cong’s body temperature was usually high.

Lin Xiangqi’s thoughts scattered, wandering off-topic: Lu Cong is like he just took a bath with ice water.

“What is it?” Lu Cong prompted him in a very ordinary tone, “Tell me.”

Lin Xiangqi pursed his lips. After a very difficult moment of deep thought, he suddenly hugged Lu Cong’s waist and rubbed against him like a spoiled child.

Lu Cong’s body tensed slightly, his throat “…Yan Yan?”

“It’s just—”

He said, “I want to go back for a visit.”

Lu Cong, then slowly put it down, resting on Lin Xiangqi’s lower back, his fingertips gently caressing: “Go back?”

He said, “I know you said you were busy last time and didn’t have time. So I was wondering, can I go by myself?”

Lu Cong was silent for a moment, then suddenly sat up.

Lin Xiangqi sat up with him.

“Your physical condition has been unstable recently,” Lu Cong pulled him into his arms and rubbed the back of Lin Xiangqi’s neck, “I’m not at ease with you going out alone.”

“But it’s not convenient for you to make time to accompany me either,” Lin Xiangqi wasn’t trying to rush Lu Cong to take him back, he just said, “Don’t worry, I’ll go and come back the same day.”

Lu Cong looked into Lin Xiangqi’s eyes and found no signs of him trying to escape, so he asked, “Why do you suddenly want to go back so much?”

“I miss Mom and Dad,” Lin Xiangqi said frankly; he hadn’t intended to hide it. “I’ll just go see them and come right back, it’ll be quick.”

Lin Xiangqi’s parents were buried in the city where they used to live. Although it was a bit far, a round trip by plane would only take less than three hours.

He didn’t know if it was Lin Xiangqi’s misconception, but after he stated his purpose, Lu Cong’s body seemed to relax a little, and his eyes remained gentle: “So that’s it. Then let’s go tomorrow, I’ll go with you. How about it?”

Lin Xiangqi felt that Lu Cong was too kind to him. Despite having so many things to do, upon hearing that he wanted to go back and visit, Lu Cong was still worried and insisted on taking time to accompany him.

He immediately hugged Lu Cong’s neck, rubbing against him with great affection: “You’re so good, Lu Cong, you’re too good, too good.”

Lu Cong tightened his arms, embracing Lin Xiangqi’s body, forcefully reciprocating his dependence. But he didn’t respond to Lin Xiangqi’s praise.

He wasn’t good.

At least not as good as Lin Xiangqi thought.

But if this was the only way to be embraced by Lin Xiangqi, he could continue to pretend.

Lin Xiangqi had sorted out his own affairs and was ready for bed.

But Lu Cong kept looking at him with a hesitant expression.

Lin Xiangqi felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lu Cong pondered for a moment before slowly speaking: “You don’t have anything else you want to tell me?”

Lin Xiangqi: “No, I don’t.”

Lu Cong: “Okay.”

Lu Cong: “Then let’s sleep.”

Lu Cong: “Goodnight.”

Lin Xiangqi: “Good…”

Lu Cong: “Anything at all, don’t you have anything more to say?”

Lin Xiangqi was baffled: “No, I don’t think so… Am I supposed to say something?”

“It’s nothing.” Lu Cong expressionlessly tucked him back into bed and said, “Goodnight.”

Lin Xiangqi, this little turtle, always retracted his head quickly. 

If he couldn’t come out of his shell himself, and you insisted on prying it open, you might end up hurting him.

Lu Cong didn’t know if Lin Xiangqi was going to retreat into his shell this time too.

He had many ways to prevent Lin Xiangqi from retracting back, but he didn’t think it was necessary to go that far yet.

If possible, he hoped Lin Xiangqi could come out on his own.

He couldn’t bear for Lin Xiangqi to hate him.

Lu Cong stayed awake all night.

This was Lin Xiangqi’s first time going out since arriving in the world ten years later.

For various reasons, Lin Xiangqi couldn’t temporarily take ordinary flights, but with Lu Cong there, that wasn’t an issue.

Lin Xiangqi casually picked one from Lu Cong’s numerous private jets, helicopters, fighter jets, and high-tech aircraft, and in less than two hours, they reached their destination.

To be honest, Lin Xiangqi was quite nervous when they landed.

He was a little afraid of seeing everything from his past greatly changed.

But it was actually fine.

The city where Lin Xiangqi had lived for eighteen years hadn’t changed much compared to ten years ago.

It wasn’t like he had imagined yesterday, turning into a cyberpunk scene. Although everything here was new, and the people coming and going on the streets were strangers to him, thankfully, many landmark buildings and public transportation still retained the appearance from Lin Xiangqi’s memories, and the city cemetery had only been renovated a few times, remaining largely unchanged overall.

Lin Xiangqi was surrounded by familiar surroundings and almost teared up.

“Good, good,” Lin Xiangqi stretched in the sunlight, smiling. “I was worried when I left today that everything would have changed beyond recognition.”

Lu Cong looked at him, seemingly saying, yet not: “Ten years isn’t enough to change anything.”

“There have been some changes,” Lin Xiangqi smiled mysteriously at him, not specifying what had changed, only saying, “Don’t follow me later, I want to have a private chat with Mom and Dad.”

Before Lu Cong could answer, Lin Xiangqi had already happily run off.

He watched Lin Xiangqi’s retreating figure, silent for a long time. After a while, he still raised his foot and followed.

Actually, the last time Lin Xiangqi visited the grave was on the day his college entrance exam results came out.

At that time, Lu Cong was no longer by his side. Any words he wanted to say, he would come here and tell Mom and Dad.

The more he spoke aloud, the less heavy his heart felt.

Otherwise, once he returned home, he would just be left to stare blankly.

For him, it had only been less than a month since the last grave visit, but now he had a new pile of things he wanted to say.

Things he dared not tell Lu Cong.

Strictly speaking, it had already been ten years later. So, if Mom and Dad had spirits in heaven, they hadn’t seen him in ten years.

It was okay to talk to them again.

So Lin Xiangqi chattered on and on in front of the tombstone for a long time.

He said that the feeling of coming back to life was very strange. When he first woke up, he was scared, but after seeing Lu Cong, he felt that nothing else mattered anymore.

He also said that Lu Cong hadn’t had a relationship for ten years, wondering if he was too busy, or if it was for another reason. He hoped it was for him, but then thought that might be too narcissistic.

Who would remain alone for a person who had passed away?

But if Mom and Dad could help him find out, they should send him a dream tonight and tell him. Please.

He also said that Lu Cong was now an Alliance Major General, too impressive, too powerful.

But he was just a high school graduate who might not even get into college.

Lu Cong had money, power, and a healthy body, while his home had been demolished, his property likely confiscated, and he had a strange illness that was currently undergoing treatment.

If Mom and Dad were still alive, would they support him being with Lu Cong?

If they supported it, they should tell him tonight too. Otherwise, he might not have the courage to tell Lu Cong how he felt.

Lin Xiangqi spoke for a long time in front of the tombstone, almost all the content was related to Lu Cong.

He genuinely lacked courage and didn’t dare to try and change the current situation without confidence. So he placed his hope on his deceased parents. He felt that since he himself could be resurrected, such an unscientific thing had happened, perhaps Mom and Dad could also have some superpowers and send him a good dream tonight.

Unknowingly, he had been talking for half an hour before realizing that Lu Cong was still waiting for him.

So he said goodbye to Mom and Dad, promising to visit them again next time.

Lu Cong was still waiting in the same spot.

Lin Xiangqi saw him and immediately quickened his pace, running over.

He saw Lu Cong open his arms, so he also extended his hands, and in a gentle summer breeze, he fell into an embrace warmer than the entire summer.

Because he didn’t dare to delay Lu Cong’s official business, even though he had arrived in this city, Lin Xiangqi didn’t specifically ask to go home and visit.

Lu Cong didn’t mention it either; he was probably very busy. Lin Xiangqi believed there would always be time later, so he didn’t mind and returned with Lu Cong.

As soon as they landed, Lu Cong received an urgent message. It looked like he had to leave immediately.

Lin Xiangqi said, “You go ahead. I’ll just go home by myself.”

Lu Cong lowered his gaze for a moment, then said, “No rush, I’ll see you home first before I leave.”

“It’s not good for you to delay important matters for me. What if there’s something urgent…”

Lin Xiangqi said this, but when Lu Cong reached out for his hand, he very naturally offered his own.

“The Alliance has plenty of talent. Any sudden situation has departments that can handle it,” Lu Cong said. “For me, you are more important.”

Lin Xiangqi’s heart thumped.

That feeling of about to break through almost couldn’t be suppressed.

See, he knew it.

Liking Lu Cong was the easiest thing in the world.

He could pretend for a day or two, but he couldn’t pretend for a lifetime.

Lin Xiangqi decided to tell Lu Cong about this.

But when to say it?

How to say it?

What if Lu Cong only had brotherly feelings for him and not that kind of emotion?

Lin Xiangqi had pretended to be foolish for so many years; suddenly having to proactively express his feelings was harder than sending him to the battlefield with a gun right now.

He couldn’t help but start imagining the worst outcomes, and the more he thought, the more he recoiled.

Just then, Lu Cong suddenly called him, and Lin Xiangqi quickly answered.

“What’s wrong?” He deliberately spoke in a very relaxed tone, pretending he hadn’t been anxious about anything at all just moments before.

Lu Cong said, “I forgot to bring a file. Can you help me find it in the office? It’s probably in the second locked drawer on the right side. I’ve already opened the access.”

“Okay!”

As soon as he heard there was something to do, Lin Xiangqi perked up.

After the call ended, he pattered to Lu Cong’s office, found the drawer Lu Cong mentioned, and it was indeed unlocked. He pulled it open.

But…

There was no file inside the drawer.

Only a small metal box.

Lin Xiangqi curiously took it out and opened it to look inside.

It was a black stud earring.

The symbol of widowhood.

Lin Xiangqi’s hand trembled unconsciously, almost dropping the box. The earring tumbled once or twice, finally falling into his palm.

Lin Xiangqi remembered Lu Cong saying that he wore this earring to opt out of the AO pheromone matching mechanism.

This earring didn’t represent anyone; it was an application for a non-existent “spouse” that Lu Cong had fabricated.

At the time, Lin Xiangqi felt this explanation was a bit flimsy.

But back then, just knowing that Lu Cong wasn’t married made him very happy, and he didn’t pursue it further.

Now, as Lin Xiangqi recalled, it seemed that this earring had been removed ever since he and Lu Cong reunited.

He didn’t know what this meant.

Until he picked up the earring and saw the tiny inscription on its back, the name of the so-called deceased person…

It was him.

It was Lin Xiangqi.