Apex Predator - Chap 33
Cheng Zimei also came to help the day that his grandmother was discharged from hospital. Not having many friends, it was just as well that he had asked her over. This way they could all celebrate both his grandmother’s return from hospital and have a small housewarming together.
Over the past two months, he had squeezed out whatever spare time he could to put things in order in the new house. Everything from the larger items such as the sofa and refrigerator, down to items as small as a tissue box holder, had been selected by him with the utmost care. Following the colour scheme and style of his former house, he had made a home that was both comfortable and beautiful.
His grandmother had only been to the house once during the renovation, so she could hardly contain her surprise and excitement when she stepped inside. Over and over she walked around each room. At the sight of the silk bedding in her room, she sat herself down on it carefully, running her hand over its smooth and cool surface.
This set of bed sheets had been purchased before that whole incident occurred in their family. Shen Dai always had the impression that they were expensive, possibly costing several thousand yuan. Since he was young, his grandparents had ingrained in him the value of investing in items of good quality. It didn’t necessarily have to be from a well-known brand or expensive, rather, it had to be safe and user-friendly, something that improved one’s quality of life and provided comfort. Which was why, despite never spending on expensive cars or luxury items, they would splurge on towels costing three hundred yuan or rosewood chopsticks that were priced at over a thousand.
What Shen Dai had trouble understanding though, was that despite having been raised in the same way and taught similar views on money, Shen Qin had turned into someone who seemed to know nothing about the hardships of life, spending money without any plan or any thought to consequences. By contrast, Shen Dai had always been very rational. Perhaps deep down, he had resisted becoming someone like Shen Qin from an early age, using all of his father’s words and actions as a negative example. Back then, he had rejected Shen Qin’s suggestion to pursue a major in art to “increase his chances of marrying someone wealthy”, and had instead chosen to study materials engineering – a decision that even his grandparents found perplexing.
“A-Dai, you’re so thoughtful,” sighed his grandmother. “These bed sheets are made of pure silk. The quality of the material is really wonderful. Ever since we moved to the apartment complex, I hadn’t had the heart to use it even once.”
“I knew that you didn’t want to use it back at the rental apartment. But this is our own place now. We can finally make use of all the good things that we saved from the past.”
“I’m just so happy. Finally it feels as though life is starting to get better,” said his grandmother, looking at Shen Dai, her eyes glistening with tears. “The debt has been paid off, my surgery is over, you have a good job, we have a house now, and on top of that your father even came back and apologised. Everything is getting better and better, don’t you think?”
If not for Shen Qin’s sudden return, Shen Dai might have shared his grandmother’s point of view. Only, he was filled with caution and mistrust towards Shen Qin, fearing that this chance at a fresh start that had been so hard to come by would once again be shattered. But how could he bear to dampen his grandmother’s spirits at this moment? Of course, he too, hoped that everything would get better and better.
Just then, Shen Qin called out to him from the living room.
Shen Dai walked over to him
“A-Dai. Does this place only have two bedrooms? Where am I going to sleep?’ asked Shen Qin, his brows furrowed.
“It’s a small house,” said Shen Dai, pointing to the sofa in the living room. “There’s a sofa bed over there. You can sleep here at night and fold it up during the day.”
Shen Qin’s expression immediately changed. “You’re going to make your own father sleep on the sofa?”
“I didn’t consider that there would be a third person in the family when I rented it,” replied Shen Dai, without even a twitch in his eyebrows. “Just put up with it for now, alright?”
“Can’t we switch to a bigger house? Sleeping here in the living room…,” complained Shen Qin. “How can anyone sleep in the living room? There’s not even a bit of privacy. It’s not like I’m an outsider. How am I supposed to sleep on the living room sofa?”
“This house was very worth it for the price. We already have several months’ worth of rent paid up, so we won’t be able to switch to another one in the short term.”
Shen Qin moaned, “But I’m almost fifty. My back is bad. And I’m in bad physical shape too. Sleeping on the sofa is bound to make it worse!”
Cheng Zimei, who had been preparing food in the kitchen, stuck her head out. “Uncle, you do know that the sofa bed actually functions as a bed right? There are a lot of people that manage to sleep on one. It’s not as extreme as you’re making it out to be,” she said with a smile which concealed a hint of sarcasm. “Who doesn’t want to live in a big house? A-Dai used to live in a big house too, but isn’t that big house gone now?”
The expression on Shen Qin’s face became even uglier. He pursed his lips, unable to say a word after being called out.
Though there was a slight sense of satisfaction in seeing Shen Qin’s deflated expression, what Shen Dai felt even more was sadness. He also missed the house where he grew up, yet it was the very person before him, complaining about the small size of their current house, who had sold their house away.
“Just go and keep Grandmother company,” said Shen Dai, not wanting to continue with the subject, and wanting even less to see Shen Qin showing his anger but not daring to speak. “Zimei, let’s go and prepare dinner together.”
Back in the kitchen, Cheng Zimei rolled her eyes dramatically, saying in a hushed voice, “Even with free food and a roof over his head he’s still not satisfied.”
Shen Dai shook his head quietly. It had been a great day, and he didn’t feel like stirring up any trouble. He could see that Shen Qin was running low on money, and without money, all of his spoiled tendencies would fix themselves.
The two of them busied themselves in the kitchen for a while before Shen Qin came over, appearing somewhat moody. “A-Dai, Grandma is calling for you. She said that she’s looking for a piece of clothing. Let me take care of things here.”
After Shen Dai went out, Cheng Zimei continued chopping vegetables calmly, showing no signs of being bothered by any awkwardness.
Shen Qin glanced at Cheng Zimei several times, appearing hesitant to speak. It was clear that he had something to say, but Cheng Zimei pretended not to notice. She had a lot to say to belittle this irresponsible and unworthy bastard of a father, so long as he dared to provoke her first.
After a moment of silence, Shen Qin spoke up, “Xiao Cheng, you’re A-Dai’s best friend, right? Can Uncle ask you something?”
Cheng Zimei was secretly delighted, her combat instincts had already begun to kick in. With a pleasant smile, she replied, “Uncle, just go ahead and ask.”
“A-Dai’s boyfriend. What’s he like? What does he do for work?”
She froze in surprise. She had assumed that Shen Qin would start off by at least asking about Shen Dai’s monthly salary, not expecting that the first words out of his mouth would leave her dumbfounded.
“You mean that you don’t know about it yet?” said Shen Qin, also a little surprised. “You don’t know about A-Dai’s alpha?”
Cheng Zimei blinked her eyes: “A-Dai has an Alpha? I..I really didn’t know anything about this. How…How did you find out?” Immediately she started to panic. Then again, logically speaking, if Shen Dai was truly hiding something, it was unlikely that he would have told Shen Qin. But why would Shen Qin know about something like this while she didn’t?
“The other day at the hospital, I saw him and an Alpha holding hands and walking out. And after that they both got into a Rolls Royce.”
“Fuck!” she exclaimed, before hastily covering her mouth, recalling her manners, yet her wide open eyes kept glancing around incessantly.
“Do you know who that Alpha was?” asked Shen Qin, who had already pieced everything together from her reaction. He added, “It was already too dark. And I was too far away so I couldn’t see his face clearly. But he was tall and wore a suit. He must been pretty young, too.”
“What colour was the car?”
“Black.”
In her heart, Cheng Zimei already knew the answer. Based solely on his numerous connections with Shen Dai and the luxury car he drove, it could be concluded with a hundred percent certainty that the individual in question was indeed their crown prince of Xingzhou. She had simply been taken too much by surprise.
That other day, when Qu Moyu had come over to the Research Institute, he kept deliberately finding fault with Shen Dai during his presentation. And after it was over, he had even paid a visit to Shen Dai’s office by himself. Then there was that whole scandal from the surveillance video, and on top of that, that accident from three years ago that only a few people knew about. Given that the fates of this young and single alpha-omega pair had already been pushed to this point, it was only logical that something would happen next.
But this was the Crown Prince after all! Here was an S-class alpha who held himself above others and was devoted to his work, someone free from any scandals, who had ruthlessly gone as far as to fire top omegas who pursued him to avoid compromising his work.
When she had playfully encouraged Shen Dai to pursue him, she had only been joking. From the perspective of ordinary people like themselves, that person appeared to exist on a different plane, above the fray and far beyond reach.
If it hadn’t come straight from Shen Qin’s mouth, she wouldn’t even have dared to believe it. Right now she was so excited that she wanted to just grab Shen Dai and demand a clear explanation.
“Hmm…who on earth could that Alpha be!” asked Shen Qin, his eyes shining brightly, clearly excited as well.
“It’s…,” Cheng Zimei began, but then a wave of clarity washed over her. “Uncle, I’m so sorry. If Shen Dai chose not to disclose it to us, he must have had his reasons. As best friends, it’s important for me to respect his decision. So, I’m afraid I’m not in a position to say.”
Shen Qin hurriedly clarified, “Uncle is worried about him. A-Dai is very innocent, he has always focused on his studies since he was young. Now that he has a boyfriend, as his dad, I also hope I can keep watch over him.”
“I think A-Dai is doing just fine. He’s even about to start his doctorate soon. He’s not like your average Omega who would be fooled so easily,” replied Cheng Zimei, sneering to herself. Someone so clueless about choosing Alphas wanting to watch over others? What a joke.
Shen Qin naturally had picked up on her backhanded comment, but instead of being angry, he laughed, a slight sparkle in his eyes. “You’re right. I think A-Dai can take care of himself.“
“Whatever it is, that Alpha seemed like someone young and promising. I just hope that he’s a good person and will treat my son well.”
Cheng Zimei had no interest in listening to what he had to say. Her mind was still reeling, contemplating how she was going to get Shen Dai to tell her the truth.
That evening, the four of them shared their first meal together after moving into the new house. They cut a cake and drank some white wine. For once, the atmosphere was warm and joyful. Even Shen Dai’s gaze towards Shen Qin had lost some of its cold indifference.
He hoped that Shen Qin had truly repented for his past mistakes and turned over a new leaf. That way, following the notion that “it was only right and proper to provide for and support one’s ageing parents”, he could put up with all his minor shortcomings, such as spending money recklessly and being unreasonable and selfish.
One way or another, they had to strive to live their out lives in the best way possible.
He took a photo of all the dishes laid out on the table, before sending it to Qu Moyu:
Grandmother got back from the hospital today. Also, we just moved into the new house, so we’re having a little celebration. Aside from the Crucian carp and tofu soup, the other dishes were made by me.
After a short while, Qu Moyu replied: Congratulations.
Shen Dai quietly smiled to himself. To not only be able to share such mundane joys in life with the person he liked, but also to receive a reply in return, was undoubtedly a kind of happiness in itself.
1…rosewood chopsticks…| Rosewood 红木, a type of wood commonly used in Chinese-style furniture. (Source)
2. Crucian carp and tofu soup | 鲫鱼豆腐汤 Didn’t really need a footnote for this, but this guy is a legend.
3. Given that the fates … | 缘分 yuánfèn A very common word. Can be fate, chance, affinity, serendipity. Let’s say, me, the fan translator, translating these words at this moment in time in the past, and you, the reader, reading this right now, and having this connection between us, is already a kind of Yuanfen 🙂
