ACBAM 50: Warm Water

Skillfully shifting the blame for his moment of weakness onto the matching rate, Su Shijin picked up a change of clothes and went into the bathroom.

If the matching rate could talk, it would probably cry out its innocence and grievance.

After his shower, Su Shijin dried his hair, changed into a loose and soft set of loungewear, and stepped out first.

As he passed the guest bathroom by the hallway, Su Shijin heard the sound of running water inside and guessed that Gu Weiyang must be showering, so he went downstairs to the kitchen to wash some fruit.

To make it easier to eat while watching a movie later, he cut the apples, pears, and dragon fruit into bite-sized pieces.

Then he washed a large bowl of strawberries and cherry tomatoes.

While rinsing them, Su Shijin paused at the sight of the bright red, sweet-smelling strawberries, and quietly popped one into his mouth.

As he washed, he puffed out his cheeks and snacked on a few more.

By the time he finished, Gu Weiyang had also just come downstairs after his shower.

Fresh from bathing, Gu Weiyang carried the clean fragrance of body wash. Since they were only watching a movie that night and didn’t need to undergo desensitization treatment, he had sensibly put on his suppression ring.

With both the wristband and the collar on, any accidents that might happen during the movie were perfectly prevented.

So when Su Shijin turned around with two plates of fruit, his eyes immediately caught on the collar around Gu Weiyang’s neck.

The black collar bore no decoration, fastened snugly against his gland, and for some reason it gave off the impression of a wild predator restrained by a leash.

The beastly aura around Gu Weiyang barely lasted two seconds before, upon meeting Su Shijin’s gaze, it dissolved into nothing but pink bubbles.

“Drinks and snacks are already in the theater room, there’s no need to bring any,” Gu Weiyang said naturally, taking one of the fruit plates from his hands. As they walked downstairs together, he asked, “Dr. Su, is there a movie you would like to watch?”

Su Shijin felt anything was fine, and let Gu Weiyang pick what he liked. After all, it wouldn’t do for him to have his way every single time.

But in truth, Gu Weiyang didn’t have any particular favorites. After thinking it over, he finally chose a comedy with decent reviews online.

At the very least, that would make the atmosphere between them more relaxed and not overly awkward.

The theater room downstairs was spacious, with an entire wall serving as the projection screen. Opposite the screen sat a huge sofa large enough for several people to lie down on. To the left of the sofa was a snack cabinet. It was something Gu Weiyang had arranged a few days ago, all the items still within their best-before dates. On the other side of the sofa was a small bathroom.

To make it easier to eat during the movie, Gu Weiyang pushed a foldable table between himself and Su Shijin, filling it with fruit plates, drinks, and snacks.

At the same time, it created a bit of distance between the two of them.

This, too, was part of Gu Weiyang’s careful thoughtfulness.

Though he longed to use the movie as an excuse to snuggle up to Su Shijin, even if it was just their arms brushing together, something that could keep Gu Weiyang happy for months—

He knew that an omega and an alpha shut in a room with the doors and windows closed would hardly feel secure. Gu Weiyang worried that being too close might make him uncomfortable, and then he might never agree to watch a movie with him again.

So he could only suppress the urge to get closer and instead focus on giving Dr. Su a relaxed and comfortable environment.

Once again, Su Shijin felt Gu Weiyang’s thoughtfulness, and for a moment he couldn’t quite put into words what he was feeling.

He truly did feel at ease—so much so that, while watching the movie, he nearly forgot there was someone sitting beside him.

By the time the film ended, not even the slightest trace of romance had sparked between them.

Su Shijin had eaten so many snacks and fruits that he felt a bit bloated. After returning to his room, he didn’t lie down right away but paced around for a while before finally washing up and going to bed.

Gu Weiyang stood on the balcony of his own room, letting the night breeze wash over him, and only when the light next door went out did he reluctantly head back inside.

Even though there hadn’t been the slightest progress with Dr. Su tonight, Gu Weiyang was still in high spirits, feeling that he had at least made up a little for the bad impression of his loss of control during his susceptible period that had left on him.

Right now, Gu Weiyang’s approach was to gently simmer things with Dr. Su. Easing down his guard first, then moving forward step by step.

Tonight’s small step was already enough to have Gu Weiyang daydreaming about what names their future children might bear.

Of course, if Dr. Su didn’t like children, then they wouldn’t have any.

A world with just the two of them would be even more wonderful.

Gu Weiyang closed his eyes in bliss, already mulling over whether he should invite Dr. Su out for a little trip the next day.

Unfortunately, the plan never had a chance to take shape. It was smothered in the cradle.

The next morning at breakfast, before Gu Weiyang could even extend the invitation, Su Shijin received a phone call.

 Gu Weiyang had no idea who the call was from.

All he heard was Su Shijin responding with a few quiet “mm-hm”s, then saying, “I’ll drive over to pick you up later,” before hanging up.

Hearing that, Gu Weiyang’s chewing slowed noticeably.

Only after Su Shijin ended the call did he finally swallow his food, take a sip of water, and ask, “Are you going out later?”

Su Shijin nodded. “I’m going out with a friend today. I probably won’t be back for lunch or dinner.”

Gu Weiyang took another sip of water, as though swallowing down his own tears, and nodded. “Be careful on the road, have a good time.”

“Mm.” Su Shijin gave a brief reply, then slowly finished his breakfast, went upstairs to change clothes, and headed out.

After lying on the sofa for half an hour, weighed down by both physical and emotional emptiness, Gu Weiyang decided to go to the office and work overtime.

There weren’t many employees at the company on Sundays. After all, President Gu advocated finishing tasks during regular hours, not putting them off until overtime.

Those who did come in on Sundays were usually people with urgent documents that had to be completed before Monday.

There were also people like Vice President Tan, who had no home to return to and didn’t want to stay in a hotel, so they simply lived at the company.

Not long after Gu Weiyang arrived at his office, Tan Zhao showed up, dark circles under his eyes, knocking on the door like a wandering ghost.

“President Gu, this is rare. Not spending the weekend with your omega, and instead coming to work overtime?” Tan Zhao said as he came in, collapsing onto the sofa in a half-dead state.

Gu Weiyang paused mid-motion while taking off his jacket, frowning at him. “You stayed at the company again last night? You look like you didn’t sleep at all.”

“Headache from drinking. Didn’t sleep well,” Tan Zhao replied, leaning back against the sofa with his head tilted up, watching him out of the corner of his eye. “And you? What made you come in to work overtime?”

“Dr. Su has plans with a friend today. I had nothing to do at home,” Gu Weiyang said.

With his hangover-dulled brain, it took Tan Zhao a while to register that “Dr. Su” was Gu Weiyang’s other half.

“Perfect then. How about grabbing dinner together tonight? It’s been ages since the two of us last ate out,” Tan Zhao drawled lazily.

Gu Weiyang naturally had no objections. He still hadn’t had the chance to properly thank Tan Zhao for rushing him to the hospital during his loss of control in the susceptible period, so he said he would be the one treating tonight.

Tan Zhao seized the opportunity and added that he also wanted to check out a newly opened lounge bar.

Gu Weiyang shot him a look and said, “Only if you’re not afraid of dropping dead.”

Naturally, Tan Zhao wasn’t worried. After all, Gu Weiyang wasn’t the type to force drinks on him. Being out with him was far more comfortable than drinking with anyone else.

After getting Gu Weiyang’s agreement, Tan Zhao dragged himself up from the sofa like a wandering spirit and shuffled off to the vice president’s office next door to sleep.

Inside that office was a small rest area with a bed, clear evidence that Tan Zhao often slept there.

By noon, he still hadn’t come downstairs for lunch.

It wasn’t until around five in the evening that Tan Zhao finally caught up on his sleep and woke. Once Gu Weiyang finished handling his paperwork, they left together in Gu Weiyang’s car to get dinner.

As soon as he settled into the passenger seat, Tan Zhao glanced left and right.

Curious, Gu Weiyang gave him a look and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Buckle clicked into place, and in a deliberately coy voice Tan Zhao said, “Gege Gu~ am I even allowed to sit in this passenger seat?”

Gu Weiyang: “?”

“Cut the crap and talk like a human being!”

He nearly got goosebumps all over from how nauseating that was.

Still in that fake, squeaky tone, Tan Zhao said, “If I sit in your passenger seat, Dr. Su won’t get mad, riiiiight~~~~”

The drawn-out “right” dripped with a bizarre, mocking lilt.

Gu Weiyang: …

He was going to be sick from sheer disgust.