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)

???

There is indeed a meeting on the next day and it will be held at the headquarters. Professor Liu Xi will report about the project and discuss the budget with the senior management. This is an internal meeting before the public meeting for investors. Shen Dai and Cheng Zimei must also attend the meeting.

Since his return to Xingzhou, this is the first time Shen Dai has come to the headquarters. The last time was when he was resigning. Although it only takes five minutes to walk from the research institute to the headquarters building, he has never even visited the cafeteria there.

There are thousands of people working in this building at the same time. He has finally adapted to the public opinion field of the research institute and his colleagues in the institute have lost their desire to explore his side of things. But this is a brand new scene. Out of the corner of his eye, he felt the veiled attention. He didn’t feel more relaxed until he got into the elevator.

They arrived at the conference room first. After waiting for ten minutes, the people who were involved in the meeting arrived one after another.

Cheng Ruoze took Qu Moyu into the last seat and he sneezed twice as soon as he sat down.

The executive on the side asked with concern: “Mr. Qu, what’s the matter? Have you caught a cold?”

“Well, the air conditioner is turned on.” Qu Moyu said. He glanced at Shen Dai across the long table.

Shen Dai lowered his eyes slightly and only made the gesture of a listener.

The meeting started. Because of the substantial breakthrough in rare earth extraction technology this year, Professor Liu Xi spoke with much more confidence and the senior management also praised him.

A senior executive was talking eloquently when suddenly the conversation changed. He said to Shen Dai with a smile: “Does Shen Gong think what I said is right? Shen Gong is young and promising. He is also Professor Liu’s right-hand student. Let’s listen to his professional opinions.”

There were echoes one after another in the conference room.

Shen Dai’s hand that was taking notes stopped its movements.

As a professional, Shen Dai is no stranger to this kind of compliments like offering flowers to the Buddha. His discomfort is not important. What is important is that these people feel that they have successfully flattered Qu Moyu.

Qu Moyu put his chin in one hand and stared at Shen Dai. He said softly, “Then let’s hear some words from Shen Gong.”

Shen Dai put down his pen. He nodded respectfully and paraphrased what Professor Liu Xi had said just now.

The executive made an expression like he had benefited a lot from what Shen Dai had said: “Shen Gong’s statement is too reasonable. This year, the institute will definitely achieve better results.”

After the meeting, it was lunch time. Qu Moyu invited the participants to the cafeteria together to have a meal.

When everyone walked out of the conference room one after another, Cheng Ruoze stopped Shen Dai: “Shen Gong, wait a moment. There is something I want to ask you.”

Everyone knows that this is Qu Moyu wanting to keep him. The rest left quickly. Shen Dai whispered to Cheng Zimei, “Wait for me outside the door.”

In the end, only Qu Moyu and Shen Dai were left in the conference room.

Shen Dai waited quietly for a while. Seeing that Qu Moyu didn’t speak, he glanced at the time: “Mr. Qu, is there anything you want to say?”

Qu Moyu whispered, “I really have a cold. But fortunately, I don’t have a fever.”

“..”

“I just want to be alone with you for a while.” Qu Moyu stared at Shen Dai with deep affection in his eyes, “Just for a few minutes.”

Shen Dai lowered his head, feeling extremely awkward.

“It won’t be for long. If I’m left alone with you for a long time, I can’t help but want to hug you, kiss you, smell your pheromones, and do more things to you.” Qu Moyu licked his lips gently, “So it’ll be fine if only for a while.”

In the midsummer season, the air-conditioning’s temperature in the conference room was very low, but Shen Dai felt that his face was starting to heat. He unconsciously took a step back. He was afraid that Qu Moyu would deliberately release some pheromones to affect him. The charm of an S-class alpha is like a weapon. Whether the lethality comes from pheromone or from himself, it is difficult to say clearly. Shen Dai must be armed with a strong mental force to resist him.

“Although you didn’t even give me a towel, I can’t bear to blame you for that.” Qu Moyu stood up and approached him step by step.

Shen Dai’s hand in the big pocket of his lab coat was tightly clenched.

Qu Moyu walked in front of Shen Dai. He suddenly lowered his head and kissed his forehead. He then said softly, “You go to eat. I’ll come after I make a call.”

Shen Dai immediately opened the door and left.

Cheng Zimei looked curiously at Shen Dai’s tense and cramped expression but she did not dare to ask.

When Shen Dai thought of seeing Qu Moyu again later, he really didn’t want to go to the dining hall for a meal. But he also couldn’t leave.

The dining hall at Xingzhou headquarters used to be his first choice for lunch. A long time ago, before he and Qu Moyu were involved in a dramatic marriage, that dining hall was the most likely place for him to meet Qu Moyu. During the few days of the year that could be counted on one hand, he could look at Qu Moyu from a distance and he would feel light and happy.

Those days are simply unimaginable now. Just like his original self. It is also unimaginable that he and Qu Moyu will become what they are today.

Sometimes, the closer people are, the farther they become.

The conference room was on the second floor while the dining hall was on the ground floor. There were too many people waiting for the elevator at noon so they walked down the stairs. When they passed through the lobby, Shen Dai saw a familiar figure at the front desk.

Shen Dai immediately slowed down and hid behind a tall alpha. Unfortunately, it was too late. From a distance, he saw the delicate and beautiful omega in a famous brand stretched his neck and looked at him. He raised his eyebrows and stared at him.

“Damn it. Isn’t that You Baiyue?” Cheng Zimei whispered.

You Baiyue smiled and walked to Shen Dai’s side: “What a coincidence, brother.”

Shen Dai nodded: “Hello.”

“I’m here to find brother Yu. But I didn’t expect to meet you. I’ll treat you to a meal at noon. Let’s have a meal.” You Baiyue smiled, “Or you can invite me. You must be familiar with the neighbourhood.”

“We are going to the cafeteria to have a meal prepared for work. And we have to discuss work. It is inconvenient for us to go together.” Shen Dai said calmly. “I’m sorry.” After he said that, he pulled Cheng Zimei and left.

“Hey.” You Baiyue stopped in front of Shen Dai, “Then I’ll eat with you in the cafeteria. I heard that Xingzhou’s cafeteria is very good.”

“We have a meal prepared for work, not a private meal.” It was during the lunch break. People were coming and going in the lobby and someone had recognized You Baiyue. The two of them stood together so didn’t they provide another wave of gossip material for his colleagues?

“I won’t disturb you.” You Baiyue suddenly approached Shen Dai and whispered, “Brother Yu doesn’t want to see me. Can you help me?”

Shen Dai frowned: “I can’t help you.” He bypassed You Baiyue again.

You Baiyue grabbed Shen Dai’s arm and said coquettishly, “Brother, please..”

Shen Dai’s scalp was numb. He inexplicably remembered what Qu Moyu said a long time ago, “I like it if you act like a spoiled child“. This ability is really hard to resist, whether it is because of it being useful or because of embarrassment.

Cheng Zimei’s expression was also very subtle.

“Will you let me go?” Shen Dai said in a low voice, “This is the company. Why are you looking for Qu Moyu and why are you looking for me?” Did You Baiyue come to Qu Moyu again because he broke up with Qu Chengchen?? You Baiyue is well aware of his own charm and Qu Moyu also admitted that he liked this type. They are indeed a good match.

Shen Dai couldn’t tell what he felt in his heart but he only hoped that You Baiyue would disappear immediately.

“Brother Yu won’t see me.” You Baiyue held on to Shen Dai’s arm and didn’t let go. Although he was half a head shorter than Shen Dai, he was still very energetic, “I’m your only brother. Don’t be indifferent.”

Shen Dai said with a sullen face: “Let me go first.” In the public, he really didn’t know how to get out of this trouble.

“Brother, does my little nephew have a high pheromone level?” You Baiyue blinked, “You are quite capable and I underestimated you before.”

Shen Dai said coldly, “You Baiyue, I am not a part of your family. I will not be accustomed to you. You let me go or I will call the security guard.”

You Baiyue was stunned. He stared at Shen Dai and his eyes suddenly became wet. He choked and said, “Even you have to bully me, eh?”

“..”

Cheng Zimei suddenly looked behind the two of them and exaggeratedly called “Mr. Qu”.

You Baiyue turned around.

Qu Moyu was walking over. And when he saw You Baiyue, he frowned slightly. He glanced at Shen Dai nervously.

You Baiyue let go of Shen Dai, walked towards Qu Moyu, and shouted “Brother Yu” with some grievances.

“What are you doing here in the company?” Qu Moyu didn’t show obvious displeasure, but he was cold.

“I’m looking for you.” You Baiyue stood in front of Qu Moyu. The two were very close. Most people would not dare to invade the intimate distance with an S-class alpha, but he had no scruples and said softly, “Brother Yu, can we talk?”

Qu Moyu frowned. Instead of looking at You Baiyue, he turned his attention to Shen Dai. But seeing that Shen Dai had no expression, he didn’t know whether to relax or get nervous.

Shen Dai hurriedly glanced at the two of them. The S-class alpha and omega standing together, it was simply made in heaven and dazzling. Other people are not suitable to appear in this frame. He said to Cheng Zimei: “Let’s go.”

“Don’t leave.” You Baiyue said, “Brother, let’s have a meal together. I haven’t seen you for more than a year.”

Shen Dai turned around and left. Cheng Zimei glared at You Bai Yue, looking very upset and followed Shen Dai.

***

The working meal was almost finished by the time Qu Moyu arrived. He replaced the wine with tea and had a cup of tea with everyone. He hurriedly took a few bites of food and then left again.

Shen Dai didn’t look at Qu Moyu the whole time.

On the way back to the institute, Shen Dai realised that Qu Moyu had sent him a WeChat message: He came to me to talk about Chuanghai. There is nothing else.

“What’s wrong with that You Baiyue? He broke up with Qu Chengchen and then came to curry favour with the crown prince? Also, he actually called you ‘brother’ so casually. He didn’t even think about how his scumbag dad treated you. He was so cheeky and shameless.” Cheng Zimei complained all the way.

“Let him be.” Shen Dai whispered.

“You can’t let him be. What kind of a person is he? Now that the wealth is over, even if the You family has some money left, it will not be enough to repay the debt. He still thinks he is a little princess.” Cheng Zimei sneered, “Now he knows that the best way out is to find an alpha who can afford his luxurious life to marry with. It’s really shrewd and scary.”

Shen Dai took another look at the message from Qu Moyu and threw the phone into his pocket.

Cheng Zimei was right. Even an outsider knew about You Baiyue’s purpose. But Qu Moyu said ‘there is nothing else’. If there is ‘anything else’, why should he care?

???

Next update: 2022.08.24

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*Translator’s note: I wish I had a friend like Cheng Zimei. -K