Special Effects Pheromone - Chap 34
While Yu Zhao was working on a report in the office, he received a call from Yu Hai, asking him to come up to his office. Yu Zhao composed himself and calmly went up to Yu Hai’s office. Upon pushing open the door, he saw Xia Tao lounging on the sofa, exuding a charming demeanor that could make many Alphas itch. Unfortunately, Yu Zhao was an Omega and couldn’t appreciate Xia Tao’s allure. At this moment, he just felt awkward.
Xia Tao, however, was not the least bit embarrassed and said cheerfully, “You came up to see President Hai, right? He’s in the lounge taking a shower. Have a seat.”
Yu Zhao settled onto another sofa — he didn’t want to sit on Xia Tao’s side, as he had a pretty good idea of what might have happened on that sofa just now.
Xia Tao smiled, “I heard you’re getting married, congratulations!”
Yu Zhao politely smiled back, “Thank you.”
Xia Tao continued, “Ah, you’re really lucky. Once you’re married, you won’t have to work anymore.”
“Who told you I won’t work after getting married?” Yu Zhao frowned. “Did President Hai say that too?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t know.” Xia Tao giggled, “I think you’re doing well. Since you’ve married into a good family, why bother working? Just enjoy your life as a wealthy house husband happily and comfortably.”
Yu Zhao countered, “Who says being a wealthy housewife or husband is all happiness and comfort?”
Saying this, Yu Zhao couldn’t help but think of Duan Keyi and other wives of friends and relatives. None of them seemed happy and comfortable.
Listening to Yu Zhao’s complaint, Xia Tao laughed, “Rich people are so picky! No need to work, spending money freely with legal status. Why wouldn’t you be happy and comfortable? How can people like us live?”
When Yu Zhao heard the phrase “people like us,” his brows furrowed slightly, but he didn’t comment. He calmly said, “I will still work.”
“I can see that! You’re someone with ambition,” Xia Tao remarked.
Yu Zhao, however, was puzzled. He didn’t even know if he had ambition. He did this job, much like studying in his childhood. Just like most kids didn’t study because they loved learning, he didn’t work because of ambition.
Xia Tao added, “But I think even if you continue working after marriage, it shouldn’t be at Yu group. You’re still the biological son now, and you haven’t gained many benefits from your hard work. Once you become an ‘outsider,’ you’ll lose your position. What’s the point?”
Yu Zhao was taken aback; he didn’t expect Xia Tao to be so straightforward. Xia Tao seemed to realize he had been too frank and shook his head with a smile, “Pretend I didn’t say that! It’s not my place to say such things!”
Yu Zhao remained silent.
After a while, Yu Hai, who had finished showering, returned. Buttoning up his shirt, he smiled and said, “Zhao, you’re here?”
Yu Zhao nodded, “Yes.”
Xia Tao, on the other hand, said, “I’ll head down first.”
“No need,” Yu Hai waved his hand, “let’s talk together.”
Xia Tao nodded with a faint smile.
Yu Zhao frowned, noticing Xia Tao’s experience wasn’t shallow. Just a few days ago, he was about to be abandoned by Yu Hai, and now he had become Yu Hai’s sweetheart.
Yu Hai then said, “I heard rumors in the company that you might be leaving?”
Yu Zhao was surprised; he didn’t expect even his father to know about this — and he certainly didn’t expect him to inquire personally.
At the moment, Yu Zhao hadn’t decided whether he would leave, so the safest thing to do was to express loyalty to the company. Thus, he sincerely said, “It seems to have originated from Yong’s side.”
“Oh?” Yu Hai frowned, “So, you don’t have such intentions?”
“No.” Internally, Yu Zhao was still undecided, but outwardly, he appeared resolute — a skill honed over many years in the workplace. “I’m currently working on a project with Director Gao. If I planned to leave, why would I bother with this?”
“Right, right.” Yu Hai nodded, just saying, “Ah! But if you do decide to leave, I can understand. After all, you’re getting married, right?”
Yu Zhao, however, stated, “That’s a separate matter.”
Yu Hai continued, “Rumors like this in the company are not good for morale. I think you should make a statement quickly. Let everyone feel reassured.”
Yu Zhao thought: How should I make a statement? Should I hold a meeting, grab a microphone, and declare my loyalty to Yu group?
Yu Zhao didn’t want to make such a commitment. After all, he wasn’t entirely unwilling to leave. If he did leave later on, wouldn’t it be embarrassing?
But now, Yu Hai had pressured him, he couldn’t just brush it off. After all, whether it was about marriage or a new job, nothing was settled yet. Yu group was still his most secure harbor at the moment. He couldn’t afford to offend the boss.
Yu Zhao calmly said, “Words are pale; actions speak louder. I’ll be able to secure Director Gao’s project in the next couple of days. By then, I won’t need to say anything; everyone will understand.”
Yu Hai seemed satisfied or a bit resentful, saying, “Will this project be significant?”
“It will be,” Yu Zhao had to make a commitment now, “it will be the biggest project of this quarter.”
Yu Hai’s eyes lit up, “Great! I’ll be counting on you then!”
With that, Yu Hai patted Yu Zhao on the shoulder, “Don’t let me down!”
Since he had made a commitment, Yu Zhao had to grit his teeth and call Gao Bohua again, inviting him for dinner. Gao Bohua agreed quickly.
After setting the time, Gao Bohua asked, “By the way, where’s my brother recently?”
“On a business trip, I suppose,” Yu Zhao answered.
Gao Bohua exclaimed, “He’s going on a business trip right before the wedding?”
“It’s work-related, no other way,” Yu Zhao replied.
Before leaving, Qu Jing explained to Yu Zhao again, saying the situation was urgent, and he had to go.
Yu Zhao didn’t quite understand why Qu Jing was explaining this so urgently. Yu Zhao thought for a moment and believed Qu Jing was so anxious because the situation was indeed urgent. He comforted him, “Don’t worry, your company is so successful and influential; this problem will be solved quickly.”
“I know this issue can be resolved.” Qu Jing replied, “I’m worried that you might be upset.”
Yu Zhao was a bit confused, “I’d be upset?”
Qu Jing sighed, “I was supposed to go a few days ago, but I kept thinking I should settle the marriage first.”
Yu Zhao didn’t expect that Qu Jing had delayed his work for the sake of marriage. He said, “It’s okay.”
“Is it really okay?” Qu Jing asked carefully, “Will you say it’s okay, but later on, you’ll be upset? My mom often does that. My dad has suffered a lot.”
Yu Zhao couldn’t help but laugh at this and said, “It’s really okay.”
Qu Jing continued to scrutinize Yu Zhao’s face, as if afraid to miss any signal of “not okay.” He had witnessed such a serious incident from his parents, where the wife said “it’s okay” but was actually angry, and the husband didn’t realize it, resulting in a serious accident.
Looking at Qu Jing’s intense gaze, Yu Zhao reached out and patted his head.
Qu Jing’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of warmth and affection.
Unable to resist, Yu Zhao held his face and kissed him.
