Apex Predator - Chap 43

The next day, they had breakfast together. Just as they were about to leave, Qu Moyu spoke up and asked, “Your grandmother’s medical checkup is today isn’t it?”

“Oh yes. Was it Assistant Cheng who told you?” asked Shen Dai, secretly delighted. Each time that Qu Moyu showed his concern for his affairs, it meant that they were drawing closer to each other yet again.

“Yeah. Her indicators must be all normal by now?”

Shen Dai smiled. “Yup, she’s recovering really well. Her appetite’s been good, too. Recently she’s gained almost five kilograms.”

”That’s great to hear,” replied Qu Moyu, nodding with satisfaction. “Let’s head to work.”

Shen Dai took two steps forward and unexpectedly moved closer to Qu Moyu. Taking advantage of the fact that they were alone, he reached up on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “It’s all thanks to you. My grandmother wouldn’t have been able to receive such good medical care otherwise. Thank you.”

Qu Moyu looked at him with a smile, the corners of his eyes turning upward in a curve that was both charming and beautiful. His gaze, too, was quite pleasant. Running his fingers gently through Shen Dai’s hair, he replied, “You’re welcome.”

That afternoon, Shen Dai had a lunch appointment with Cheng Ruoze at a Cantonese restaurant near the company. After lunch, they would go pick up his grandmother in the company car that Cheng Ruoze had borrowed and they would all head over to the hospital together.

Cheng Ruoze had arranged a car to pick her up and drop her off for her last few checkups. Although this was a task which had been assigned to him by Qu Moyu, Shen Dai still felt deeply grateful towards him.

Work was busy for the assistant. During lunch, he had to step away to take two calls in a row. By the time he returned, the dishes had already turned cold.

“I’m so sorry, Engineer Shen,” apologised Cheng Ruoze with a forced smile. “There have been a lot of matters to handle recently. I guess you already know that things are pretty chaotic within the company right now?”

Shen Dai felt apologetic as well. “Why not Grandma and I just go by ourselves since it’s easy to call a taxi? If you come it’ll be a whole afternoon. This is taking up way too much of your time.”

“That won’t do. There’s nothing that’s more important than this,” replied Cheng Ruoze, looking over at his watch. “Let’s not waste any more time and finish eating.”

“Alright then.”

Over their conversation at lunch, Shen Dai learned that Cheng Ruoze’s father had been a former long-serving subordinate under Qu Shen. Cheng Ruoze himself had entered Xingzhou after reaching adulthood and was currently being groomed for a high position. As Moyu’s executive assistant, he naturally had a bright future ahead of him.

Cheng Ruoze’s personality was also unlike most well-born A-class alphas. Lacking an obvious air of superiority, he was charming with an easygoing demeanour.

The two of them chatted about various trends and developments within the company, both major and minor, and even discussed Qu Moyu himself. Just from listening, one could clearly tell the deep and profound respect that Cheng Ruoze had for him.

Moreover, he was very shrewd, recognising that his words of praise would likely reach Qu Moyu through Shen Dai, which demonstrated not only his professional wisdom, but also his wisdom in terms of life.

Shen Dai was happy to listen, eager to understand more about this side of Qu Moyu that he knew little about. For example, the differences between how he was like in school compared to after entering the working world; how he navigated being a relatively inexperienced decision-maker in front of all kinds of people, his employees, executives, and his seniors; how he dealt with pressure and setbacks, and the stories behind some of his more fascinating achievements.

As the conversation went on, Cheng Ruoze grew more apprehensive. “There’s a lot going on at the company at the moment, but President Qu’s rut is due to happen any day now. Even with medication, he can only shorten it by two or three days. I’m worried that Qu Chengchen will take advantage of this period to cause trouble again.”

Shen Dai frowned. “But rut-inhibiting medications are extremely harmful to the body.”

Though an Alpha’s rut only occurred once a year, it would hit with tremendous force. The degree of hormonal dysregulation experienced would far surpass that of an Omega’s heat. Ideally, one would get through this period with the omega that they had marked. Those without a marked omega would typically resort to isolating themselves with the aid of medication. Attempts to delay or suppress rut with hormone-based drugs were not always guaranteed to be successful, with the risk of significant harm to the body, making it an option of last resort.

But the present situation within the company was indeed not very optimistic. Suffice to say, Qu Moyu was not going to be able to absent himself for an entire week.

“Yes, we’ll have to decide based on the situation when the time comes. We’re all trying to persuade President Qu,” Cheng Ruoze sighed. “When you have the chance, please try talking to him as well. He’ll definitely listen to you more than us.”

Though Shen Dai knew that there was little chance that Qu Moyu would listen to him, he still needed to try. He asked again, “He told me that he would go to his own safe house during his heat?”

“Right,” confirmed Cheng Ruoze, as he continued eating, “The rut of a top alpha is no trivial matter and requires air defence grade isolation measures.”

“Then, is it …secure?” Shen Dai knew that many places had quarantine facilities for alphas to spend their rut, particularly those who were single and alone without anyone to care for them.

Alphas were at once dangerous and vulnerable during rut. The danger lay in their heightened aggressiveness compared to normal times, as their brains, fueled by hormones and reproductive desires, would cause them to behave like their animal ancestors. Their capacity for rational thinking would dull significantly, as primal instincts drove language and behaviour. Any stranger at this time that approached them was very likely to face violent expulsion.

Conversely, their vulnerability lay in the loss of their cognitive abilities. Whatever exceptional intelligence and keen insight they possessed would completely dissipate. Those whom they allowed into their territory would then be able to deceive, exploit, or harm them without much difficulty.

Alphas with family members would usually choose to spend their rut at home. As long as they were not subjected to external stimuli, locking themselves in a room and supplementing with sedatives and appropriate calming measures would generally prevent most issues.

However, the rut of a top Alpha made everyone – themselves included, be on their guard. For a period of up to seven days, they would regress, becoming like uncontrolled biological weapons, unleashing potentially lethal attacks against any strangers who dared to enter their territory. Even those close to them would have to exercise caution. As a result, many powerful top Alphas had their own exclusive and secret safe houses.

Cheng Ruoze seemed not the least bit concerned, “Don’t worry. There have never been any issues before.”

Shen Dai had a nagging sense of unease, recalling the smug expression on Qu Chengchen’s face as if victory were already in his hands. As a top alpha himself, how could Qu Chengchen be unaware of the extensive security measures in place at the safe house? Why did he still appear to be so confident? Was it possible that he knew of its location?

Not necessarily. If that really were the case, Qu Chengchen wouldn’t have needed to ask for his cooperation. While Qu Moyu was in the midst of his rut, Qu Chengchen would have more ways of snatching more things.

Chances were that Qu Chengchen was only bluffing, or using the mark as a lure. If ever he became too greedy and agreed to cooperate, he would find himself eventually betraying Qu Moyu, one step at a time.

At that thought, Shen Dai broke out in a cold sweat.

He should have more confidence in Qu Moyu. And he should be cautious of Qu Chengchen using him to achieve his own dishonourable objectives.

After finishing their meal, they took the car together to pick up his grandmother and Shen Qin.

As they had used the same company car for the previous few follow-up appointments, Shen Qin had been puzzled about why this friend of Shen Dai’s was so devoted, even thinking that Cheng Ruoze might be one of Shen Dai’s suitors. Now, after connecting the dots between the past and present and realising that this had been arranged by Qu Moyu all along, he started to treat him cordially, chatting with him non-stop during the car journey and eagerly trying to make conversation.

Being as shrewd as he was, Cheng Ruoze simply laughed and humoured him.

Once the appointment was over, they sent his grandmother and Shen Qin back home.

Smiling, Cheng Ruoze turned to Shen Dai and said, “Well actually, President Qu gave me another task to handle today.”

“What was it?” asked Shen Dai, out of curiosity.

Raising his hand, Cheng Ruoze pointed towards the third floor where Shen Dai’s apartment was located. “The loan of that apartment. President Qu already paid it off for you.”

Shen Dai looked at Cheng Ruoze, stunned.

“Bank X is our cooperative bank. They have all the formalities prepared on their end. Do you have your ID with you? I’ll just take you over to sign the paperwork and it’ll be done.”

Shen Dai finally came back to his senses, yet he wasn’t sure of how to react. He grabbed his mobile phone, wanting very much to give Qu Moyu a call at once.

Qu Moyu’s acts of generosity towards him were piling up higher and higher. Starting from the time he had saved him four years ago, this man had been like a ray of light in his life, constantly illuminating the path ahead.

He was utterly moved. But would he be able to accept all of these with a clear conscience? Already with the matter of his grandmother’s treatment, he owed Qu Moyu a very large favour.

“I’ll take credit for this. President Qu wasn’t aware that you had taken a mortgage out for the house. After you mentioned it offhandedly to me the other day, I mentioned it offhandedly to him as well. He then instructed me to handle it.”

Cheng Ruoze gave him a wink: “President Qu treats you so well!”

“Assistant Cheng. Thank you. You’ve helped me so much,” replied Shen Dai, cordially, “But I need to discuss this matter with President Qu first.”

“What’s there to discuss?” Cheng Ruoze asked. Seeing Shen Dai’s apprehension, he offered his advice with a smile, “The money has already been paid, and the bank won’t refund it. Engineer Shen, regardless of why, you both are already husband and wife. It’s only right that President Qu treats you well. Taking care of one’s Omega is an Alpha’s duty. You don’t need to think anymore about it”

Shen Dai felt an indescribable feeling of being blessed. Whether or not he dared to openly consider Qu Moyu as his alpha at this moment in time, the latter’s kindness towards him was undeniably genuine.

He was even so daring as to think that maybe, just maybe, Qu Moyu liked him too. Which was why he treated him so gently, needed him, let him into his master bedroom, helped him with his grandmother’s medical treatment, and paid off his mortgage.

After all, to like someone meant being unable to help treating them well.