Apex Predator - Chapter 10

“What are you saying?” said You Baiyue, his tone icy.

“You wouldn’t be posting a photo if he had permanently marked you.” After all, it’s to pledge ownership,” Shen Dai observed of You Baiyue. “This man never hesitates to show off his outstanding life.” It’s not just about his character, but also about the image he wants to project. Getting the mark of a top-tier alpha is worth more than anything else, so how could he keep quiet?

“We’re still young and unsure of our plans for the future.” Of sure, we should use greater caution.”

“So you’re not pregnant, and I haven’t heard anything about you guys getting engaged or married,” Shen Dai said, shaking his head, “which means you have nothing other than a mark.” How can anyone dispute the mark’s authenticity? President Qu can think of everything I can think of.”

“So what if people doubt?” you snorted and smirked. It is our concern.”

“Many people don’t regard this as solely your business, but at least it has nothing to do with me,” Shen Dai observed on You Baiyue’s lovely face. He may finally get revenge on Qu Chengchen for insulting him that day, believing that the other will undoubtedly inform Qu Chengchen about this chat.

Shen Dai understands You Baiyue’s attachment to the mark. As he stated, it symbolizes the enormous money and position that would be offered to him in the future. He also gets to monopolize a top-tier alpha’s reproductive resources to create top-tier living circumstances for his kids. After all, people cannot escape their animal nature. As a result, when he realized that Qu Moyu couldn’t deliver it to him, he went to Qu Chengchen, who was truly quite clear-headed and intelligent.

Unfortunately, which S-level alpha could be altered so easily? He suspects that You Baiyue and Qu Chengchen are playing some kind of game.

These raw calculations concealed beneath marriage and love made Shen Dai uneasy. He is not an idealist who prioritizes romance; on the contrary, he is quite mature and pragmatic. He just believes that individuals should have sentiments and that trade-offs should remain just that. Two individuals should not only have similar values but also have certain soul ties. After all, these two requirements do not have to be mutually exclusive; why should they be so materialistic?

Of course, he may not have seen much money and hence cannot think at the cognitive level of the truly wealthy.

You Baiyue soothed his fury by saying, “This is what Yu-ge told you, right?” He thinks there’s merely a momentary mark between us?”

“No, I’m just chatting along about topics you’re interested in.”

“You’re quite worried, aren’t you?” you chuckled. Yu-ge, after all, wanted to marry me. Why would he marry you if I didn’t have a mark?”

“Anyway, I got the money,” Shen Dai remarked blankly. You people are free to do anything you want.”

You Baiyue scrutinized Shen Dai, attempting to pick out defects in his expression, but Shen Dai pretended as if he didn’t care. He was cool and unfazed from start to finish, which made You Baiyue hesitant to give in.

Qu Chengchen came just as things were getting unpleasant.

Shen Dai recalled being restrained by pheromones and his inherent dread of top-tier alphas. When Qu Chengchen approached, he felt nervous.

You Baiyue made two large strides toward Qu Chengchen, wrapped his arms around his waist, and coquettishly said, “Why are you so late?”

“There with…”

“I mean,” Qu Chengchen joked, “he can still leave you here alone.”

“Is there any danger here?” Shen Dai said calmly.”

Qu Chengchen stated solemnly, “There shouldn’t be.”

Qu Moyu also walked up at this moment and very naturally gripped Shen Dai’s waist, saying softly, “Are you hungry?”

The woody aroma enveloped his senses and veiled his mind. “I’m fine,” Shen Dai said, his voice shaking.

“Since everyone’s here,” Qu Moyu said to Qu Chengchen and You Baiyue, “let’s eat.”

Shen Dai murmured as they proceeded into the dining room, “From his reaction, you probably guessed right.”

Qu Moyu made an “mn” sound.

Shen Dai truly wanted to know if Qu Moyu had any intentions or activities after learning this. It is up to Qu Moyu to decide when they will divorce. But he understands this isn’t the right question to ask because it has nothing to do with him.

You Xinghai lifted his glass and grinned as the audience took their seats, saying, “Today is a great day.” I won’t say anything pompous because we’re at home and in front of so many relatives. This first class is to toast A-Dai’s return to the family.”

Shen Dai respected You Xinghai’s shamelessness and drive without blinking. This is the psychological attribute that people who do great things must possess.

He remembered that when You Xinghai came to him to discuss their “cooperation,” he had no other choice than to put on airs. He remembers his omega father taking him to the You household 20 years ago but being chased away by You Xinghai. He was only seven years old at the time, but he understood what it meant to feel ashamed and disgraced. At the very least, youngsters are more sensitive to disgusting feelings than adults. That day was chilly, and it may have rained. His father held him as he grieved in the night, continuously telling him how much he regretted having given birth to him.

He will never forget his sense of powerlessness at that time in his life.

He’s not disputing that his father’s destiny was entirely his responsibility, but it was still because he met You Xinghai, the scoundrel who dumped him after using him.

Now that You Xinghai’s side is on a roll, he says he “welcomes” him back to the family. Of course, You Xinghai are happy. He went up this enormous tree, the Qu family, just as the You family structure was ready to fall. He has You Baiyue and him in his grasp. He will not lose no matter which one he bets on. If he could rely on marital relationships to survive, let alone welcome him, Even his father may be politely invited in.

He returned his gaze to You Baiyue, who was likewise raising his glass and smiled gently. Is he unconcerned about the devastation he has caused his mother? They established themselves to be blood-related fathers and sons with their tranquility of wanting just riches.

He was appalled, but all he could do was grin and take a gulp of wine.

He seldom drinks and has a limited tolerance for alcohol. At the moment, he could only put it into his stomach mouthful by mouthful to leave the social field that made him uncomfortable and the flood of unpleasant memories.

Shen Dai felt a little woozy after supper.

“It’s time to go back,” a fascinating masculine voice said next to his ear, followed by the aroma of pheromones that made him more inebriated than booze.

He raised his head, only to be confronted by a pair of deep dark eyes. Then his arm was dragged up.

“Sorry,” Shen Dai stated flatly, “I’m a little… I’m not drunk, just a little dizzy.”

“Mn, let’s go.”

Qu Moyu wrapped his muscular arm behind Shen Dai’s waist and held his wavering body. Shen Dai was aware of his instability, but it was more because he didn’t want to be steady. He’d rather give up the equilibrium he’d learned since he was a child to be closer to Qu Moyu.

They exited the You residence. Shen Dai hesitated and didn’t dare to enter when the driver opened the door. He was scared of the scent of alcohol on his body and the possibility of vomiting in the automobile.

Qu Moyu shoved him into the vehicle.

“I’m sorry, President Qu,” Shen Dai muttered gently, his eyes closed, his mind feverish and bewildered, “I lost my manners.”

“As long as you know,” Qu Moyu grumbled.

The automobile was filled with a mild epiphyllum aroma mingled with the perfume of wine as soon as the door was closed. Qu Moyu smirked. This smell does not appeal to him. He didn’t enjoy the aroma of wine combined with Shen Dai’s pheromone. He stared at Shen Dai, who had his head tilted back. He could see his Adam’s apple rolling up and down gently under the skin. Under the dim light, his fully pink skin had a smooth and wet glaze-like gloss that lacked his customary calm and reserve.

“I’m sorry…” Shen Dai was still apologizing. His brows were furrowed, and the ends of his lashes were damp.

Qu Moyu became aware of the obvious agony on Shen Dai’s face.

Shen Dai did indeed “lose his manners” today, and the cause for his loss of manners and excessive drinking is self-evident. Qu Moyu discovered this man’s past from a few pages while researching his background. The background data lacked adjectives, but Qu Moyu could feel the sorrow behind those sentences right now.

Shen Dai was given a bottle of mineral water by Qu Moyu. Shen Dai accepted it and drank half of it. He opened a window gap and let the breeze blow on his brow. He was desperate to keep the wine down since he didn’t want to embarrass Qu Moyu.

“Shut the window. It’s too loud.”

Shen Dai could only shut the window and say, “President Qu…”

“Stop apologizing.”

“Yes,” Shen Dai said, drawing power from the drink, “President Qu, do we need to divorce?”

“What?”

“Are you going to marry him if he’s only temporarily marked?”

“I’m not that carefree.”

“Then you told me to inquire about this…” Shen Dai exhaled a sigh of relief.

“This information will be useful to me.”

“Oh.”

There was a brief quiet.

“President Qu.” Shen Dai had the impression that two sets of individuals were cutting away at a two-sided saw in his skull. He wanted to speak about the things that followed, but he also knew he shouldn’t. “I know You Baiyue’s is a temporary mark because I used to have a temporary mark,” he remarked. Do you recall giving it to me?”

Qu Moyu remained silent. He merely glanced out the window, his face expressionless. The interior of the automobile was small enough that he couldn’t have missed it, yet he seemed to have ignored it.

“Temporary marks are similar to permanent marks, but they are not…” Shen Dai said slowly.

Another extended pause.

Shen Dai finally murmured gently, “Thank you.”