Title: 顶级掠食者 (Alpha Predator)

Author：水千丞 (ShuiQianCheng)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists ：沈岱 (Shen Dai -MC), 瞿末予 (Qu Moyu -ML)

???

Shen Dai went to the hospital the next day to get the essential oil made of Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone. The fragrance of elm is very strong and the retention time is very long. As long as he uses it more in Qiuqiu’s daily necessities and activity space, he can simulate an environment where an alpha accompanies him.

The doctor also suggested that Shen Dai use the essential oil of elm to make some perfumes, which he could usually spray on himself. In essence, it is to simulate the family atmosphere of a normal Alpha-Omega couple, which will have a better effect on Qiuqiu’s emotional comfort. Although this suggestion is good, Shen Dai doesn’t intend to do it. The perfume using Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone to be used on him would be so embarrassing for the two of them.

But when he got home, Shen Dai realised that his worries were unnecessary. It was not because he suddenly figured it out, but after he used Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone essential oil for Qiuqiu, he found that he couldn’t avoid having the scent on himself at all.

When Xiao Die came home from work, she also smelled the scent of white elm. Beta was originally unable to smell pheromone, but there are other formulas in the essential oil to reconcile and stabilise the scent, which will make the smell of the pheromone stand out.

Xiao Die sniffed hard against Qiuqiu, and said in surprise, “Wow, this is Teacher Bai’s pheromone? It smells good. It’s a kind of steady and gentle feeling, exactly like Teacher Bai.”

“Well, it’s no wonder Qiuqiu likes it very much.” As expected, Qiuqiu was as well-behaved and quiet as if Bai Xiangwan was by his side.

“Although Teacher Bai is a bit serious, he takes special care of us and is very good to you. They always say that Mr. Bai’s pheromone smells good. This is the first time I smell it.” Xiao Die took Qiuqiu’s little hand and exaggeratedly said, “Your Highness, you now have the Alpha-Omega pheromone you like and you can be less noisy in the future. Please spare the slaves’ life.”

Shen Dai smiled and said, “Xiao Die, I went to the hospital today and went to the housekeeping company. I interviewed a few aunties. I want to find a night shift nanny as soon as possible, otherwise it will delay your work. It will be settled in the next few days.”

“That’s great. We may get very busy soon. The institute is going to enter new projects.”

“What new project?” Shen Dai became interested. The new project means there will be more funds and more on site practice. That means he can learn a lot. Although the research institute in Jingcheng represents the highest technical level of Xingzhou, it only does scientific research there. Meanwhile, Lancheng really has mines. The research institute here has to participate in the process of prospecting, mining, preliminary screening, pretreatment, and preprocessing. In layman’s terms, although the Lancheng Research Institute also studies the extraction and refining technology of rare earths, it pays more attention to the prospecting, mining and processing in the early stage. There is a difference in the knowledge that he can access between these two places.

“New production line!” Xiao Die’s eyes lit up, “Headquarters has decided to cooperate with Longke Heavy Industry to upgrade our production line.”

Shen Dai was a little surprised: “But isn’t the new production line going to be placed in a new mining area?”

In order to achieve carbon emission reduction targets, the state urges mining companies to upgrade, improve mining technology and production lines to adapt to new environmental protection standards. After all, mining will cause a heavily polluted area. But such upgrades cost a lot and few companies can afford the high cost. The production and the cost has to be properly weighed when deciding whether to reduce or stop production completely. This is also the main reason for the downturn in the industry in recent years.

After Xingzhou’s acquisition of Chuanghai was completed, Chuanghai’s most promising Tarikam mining area will be included in the bag. This mine is a virgin mine with low trial and error costs and is most suitable for implementing new equipment and technologies. Shen Dai recalled that he and Qu Moyu had talked about this topic at the beginning and the two had basically the same idea. Qu Moyu also proposed to let him lead the formation of a team and promised him the position.

Thinking of what kind of intimate atmosphere the two had for them to have had such a conversation at that time, Shen Dai’s heart still clenched unconsciously. During the year, although he also complained about hard work and fatigue, sometimes he was glad that the hard work and fatigue filled his life and spirit. It left him with little free time to think about that unbearable relationship. Even in the night, when he couldn’t help thinking of Qu Moyu, he would look forward to the cry of Qiuqiu, so that he could transfer his turbulent emotions.

Xiao Die said: “There is such a rumor. But according to my Senior Sister, the above has changed their mind. It may be that the implementation of the new production line is too slow, so the two ends are parallel and our side is already upgraded in place.”

Shen Dai nodded and said indifferently: “That’s reasonable.” After Qu Moyu got engaged to Zhou Xiaochu, he soon negotiated a huge amount of financing from the bank through the Zhou family’s relationship and took the lead in upgrading the production line. In front of other competing companies, it is conceivable that once the news is announced, the stock price will usher in a wave of rise.

“There will be an inspection from the headquarters in two days. Who do you think will come?” Xiao Die suddenly jumped up.

Shen Dai’s heart trembled slightly: “..Who?”

“Yan Mingxiu!” Xiao Die said expectantly, “I liked him when I was in school and I still like him now. I wonder if there is a chance to get an autograph.”

Shen Dai secretly let out a sigh of relief.

“Then, our crown prince and Professor Liu will also come.” Compared with Yan Mingxiu, Xiao Die was obviously calmer when he mentioned these two people, “I haven’t met them before.”

Shen Dai froze immediately. He came back to his senses, took out his mobile phone from his coat pocket, opened it, and sure enough, there was a message sent to him by Liu Xi. He has been busy since the afternoon and has not had time to look at his mobile phone.

This Thursday. That is the day after tomorrow..

“Mr. Shen, what’s wrong with you?” Xiao Die saw that Shen Dai’s face was off.

“..It’s nothing.” Shen Dai handed Qiuqiu to Xiao Die, “You look after him for a while, I’ll go to the bathroom.”

Shen Dai hid in the bathroom and called Liu Xi. He learned from Liu Xi that the project group attaches great importance to this project. The members of the inspection team are very important. The preliminary negotiation has basically been completed and the on-site inspection is more of just a formality. Coupled with the media momentum, it will definitely inject a stimulant into the entire industry.

The master and apprentice hadn’t seen each other for a long time so they made an appointment to meet on Saturday. Liu Xi wanted to see Qiuqiu very much. For Shen Dai, it was like taking Qiuqiu to see the elders at home. He was also very emotional.

The news that a delegation composed of Xingzhou Group and Longke Heavy Industry came to Lancheng has become a hot topic in the local area. This production line upgrade will definitely bring more income and employment to the local area. And Yan Mingxiu himself is already the talk of town.

Shen Dai didn’t want to pay attention to the news, but this was an information age, and many contents were forcibly fed into his ears and eyes. He was forced to see Qu Moyu in the media feed.

After a quick glance, Qu Moyu seems to have lost some weight. But his momentum has not diminished. He and Yan Mingxiu appear in the same frame. Unlike a commercial inspection, it looked more like an opening ceremony of a film festival. The two S-class alphas will inevitably become the focus of the camera.

Shen Dai quickly closed the page. Although he was very interested in this project, he didn’t plan to watch any news content. He might as well wait for Bai Xiangwan to finish his work and ask the general manager of the project himself in person.

When he heard the knock on the door, Shen Dai jumped up from the sofa and strode to the door. In front of him was Professor Liu Xi, whom he hadn’t seen for almost two years. With a smile on his face, when he looked at Shen Dai, his eyes gradually turned from joy to a bit of sadness.

Shen Dai’s eyes were red too: “Teacher.” This ‘Teacher’ sounded respectful and nostalgic. It sounded like some children were aggrieved and depended on their parents the moment they saw them.

Liu Xi sighed and spread his arms. The master and apprentice hugged heavily.

For Shen Dai, this is like a year after wandering abroad and reuniting with his family. The grief in his heart is beyond words but in the end, he can only smile with restraint.

Shen Dai let Liu Xi into the house. Liu Xi looked left and right: “Where’s the little guy?”

“He’s sleeping in the room. I’ll show you inside.”

The two crept into the room. Qiuqiu was sleeping soundly in the crib. Liu Xi stood aside, even his breathing became consciously shallow. He smiled and looked at Qiuqiu without saying a word for a long time. Finally, he reached out his hand and touched Qiuqiu’s little face lightly.

After exiting the room, Shen Dai closed the door, and only then did Liu Xi dare to speak: “This child is so beautiful. So good. He looked even better than in the video call.”

Shen Dai smiled and said, “He is not full-grown yet. He was ugly when he was born. He was weak and small. Now he has grown a little.”

Liu Xi sighed, “You must have suffered.”

“Fortunately, it’s not all bad.” Shen Dai looked calm, “If everyone wants children to be like this, they must suffer a little.”

Liu Xi looked at Shen Dai distressedly: “You are still different from everyone else.”

Shen Dai was startled but then smiled.

“It hasn’t been long since you gave birth. You haven’t gotten fat at all. Instead, you seem to be thinner than before.”

“Haha, I will recover quickly.” Shen Dai took all the hardships with little words.

“Is it alright here? Xiangwan took good care of you.”

“Thanks to Senior Brother Bai, he took special care of me. The house is also his. The rent is only half of my local average price. He also sent his student to help me. Thank you teacher for connecting me with him.”

“It’s as it should be.” Liu Xi said, “I’ve been thinking about your future for a while now, whether to transfer or leave, and how to transfer your files and social security. This time with Mr. Qu, I came out to investigate and look for opportunities. I want to find out what he said.”

“..” Shen Dai said hesitantly, “Teacher, let me just quit.”

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to go through him and he may not even know about it. Even if he knows, he might not interfere. It’s been a year and he doesn’t know that you gave birth to a child. You two are now.. It doesn’t matter. I just pretended to know nothing and transferred you from Beijing to Lancheng. It is just in time to help Xiangwan complete this project.”

Shen Dai thought about it for a while. Maybe what the teacher said made sense. For Qu Moyu, he was just a former bed partner, he consciously washed off the ‘mark’ and knocked out the child. He had disappeared since then. Qu Moyu will only feel less of a hassle.

???

Next update: 2022.06.23

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*Translator’s note: Prepare for some uncalled-for jealousy in the next chapter. I really wanna strangle QMY though. -K