Xiao Zong remembered asking his assistant to schedule the blind date but it wasn’t because he was swayed by the elders constant nagging about marriage. No, it was for another reason altogether.

A few days ago—

“Hello, Mr. Xiao. Please allow me to introduce Mr. Ye Yumeng,” said the head of the marketing department.

“Mr. Ye is the chief designer for the CVR brand. The Madam has plans to explore new business areas next year, and Mr. Ye is our specially invited expert.”

“Nice to meet you.”

The two shook hands briefly before immediately letting go. Both kept neutral expressions, showing no emotions.

The design circle isn’t huge but it’s not small either. CVR is known for its unique designs while still appealing to mainstream tastes. In just a few years, it had defeated several well-established luxury brands. Quickly becoming a hit among the upper class of the Federation.

Over the years, Ye Yumeng had been interviewed many times and frequently appeared on the covers of design magazines. He was known to the public as a gentle and refined person, so it wasn’t as though he had disappeared entirely.

Xiao Zong had no intention of reconnecting with an old flame. Seeing him in a business setting was enough, and he silently let out a small breath of relief.

But in the very next moment, that relief vanished.

Because Ye Yumeng said, “Mr. Xiao and I are old acquaintances.”

Crap.

“Is that so?” The subordinate’s eyes lit up as if discovering something new. “What a coincidence!”

“Is that right?” Xiao Zong’s half-smile didn’t reach his eyes. His deep gaze hid a layer of sarcasm.

In most situations it’s best not to offer too much of an out or else you won’t know if the other person intends to step down or take advantage and climb even higher.

Sure enough, Ye Yumeng smiled awkwardly and found his own way out. “We only met once briefly. Second Young Master has many important things on his mind, so it’s normal if he doesn’t remember.”

Xiao Zong responded with a noncommittal smile.

Eight years had changed not only Xiao Zong but also Ye Yumeng.

Design is an expensive field and in this industry mentors often introduce juniors. Back then, Ye Yumeng had been an intern on his senior’s team.

That senior seemed more like a businessman than an artist, despite being so young, and already had a strong mercenary streak.

Growing up under Old Master Xiao, Xiao Zong had learned to read people at an early age. His instincts told him that this senior was not reliable.

But the naive Ye Yumeng didn’t think so.

“Oh, you’re just too aloof. Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with being a little more adaptable. In any circle, you need connections to survive,” Ye Yumeng had said with a laugh.

“Don’t stay cooped up in the lab all the time. You should get out more, meet new people.”

Xiao Zong had nothing more to say.

And sure enough, trouble came later—a building project was completed only to reveal a design flaw. As an intern, Ye Yumeng was scapegoated and faced jail time.

With the court date looming, Xiao Zong finally made a call to his grandfather’s secretary.

“Young Master,” the secretary’s voice was rushed as though busy with something else and he didn’t even wait for Xiao Zong to finish speaking.

“I really shouldn’t be saying this, but you should learn more about the family’s situation.”

“Only when things go wrong do you think of asking for help. You’re an adult now. Some issues are best discussed directly with Director Xiao.”

The background noise was too loud to hear clearly, and after saying this, the secretary quickly hung up.

Xiao Zong opened his computer and entered some keywords. The news that popped up was the same as always—gossip, lawsuits, and sensational headlines. The Xiao family’s PR team was exceptional; truly important information was always quickly erased.

Just as Xiao Zong was considering whether to bow to his grandfather, the lawsuit took a sudden turn—the plaintiff unexpectedly dropped the case.

Ye Yumeng who had a heart condition, had grown visibly thinner during his days in detention as though he might blow away in the wind.

Xiao Zong had originally planned to visit home, but seeing him in such a frail state, he decided to take him on a short trip for a couple of days to help him unwind.

And then a series of incidents unfolded, including a kidnapping.

Three times is too many for coincidence.

The Xiao family was known for its strong personalities, and Xiao Zong was no exception. But compared to his more volatile grandfather, older brother, and the increasingly Xiao-like Fang Runjin, he often gave people the impression that, for an Alpha, his temper was rather mild.

What finally ignited this long-buried powder keg was a message from Ye Yumeng.

[I’ve worked hard to stand in front of you again. Ah Zong, will you give me, give us, another chance?]

When Xiao Zong received the text, he was sitting on the villa balcony. Warm yellow light poured from the bedroom, not too bright but not dim either—perfect for peacefully reading.

He didn’t pick up his phone right away.

To be precise, his hand paused in mid-air for a second then withdrew as he lit a cigarette instead.

The cigarette’s glow flickered, and the smoke curled through the night, blurring his mature and handsome face.

After finishing his cigarette, Xiao Zong picked up his phone.

Deleted the message and without hesitation blocked the number.

No contact means no contact. Eight years of effort? It was worth no more than the time it took him to smoke a cigarette.

**

A CEO has no time to waste guessing what the other person is thinking. Xiao Zong thought he had ended things cleanly, but clearly, the other party had a different idea.

Because starting the next day, gifts kept arriving at the general manager’s office.

Xiao Zong frequently received deliveries, and as long as they weren’t dangerous, the reception desk would accept them. CVR’s black and gold packaging was quite striking no matter where it was placed.

The gifts came in all sorts—luxury items. Love-filled lunches—and soon, rumours started circulating in the office.

Second Young Master Xiao finally started reflecting on whether being single for too long had given the wrong impression.

Which brought him to where he was now.

The blind date was held at a high-end restaurant owned by the Xiao family. The gentleman across from him looked incredibly tense. Sitting so stiffly that if there were an earthquake he might shoot right out of the private room.

Xiao Zong’s expression was as cold as ever.

He had encountered many women, most of them proactive and flirtatious, with their own unique ways of seducing. He had also met those who were pure and proud, most of them aiming for the position of Second Young Madam.

But this was his first time meeting someone who seemed so serious, like they were attending an annual board meeting.

The guy even brought a notebook.

In the spacious and luxurious restaurant, the two sat at opposite ends of the table, with fresh flowers and a delicate candelabrum arranged in the centre.

In front of Gu Yin sat a neatly placed leather-bound notebook and a pen.

He sat with his back perfectly straight as if there was an invisible ruler behind him. His hands were clenched into fists on his lap and judging by his expression his back teeth were probably clenched as well.

“…” Xiao Zong opened his mouth but for someone used to facing all kinds of situations, he wasn’t sure how to start this conversation.

Gu Yin’s palms were sweaty.

Ahhhhhh, he looks even more handsome than last time!!!

Gu Yin’s inner turmoil was intense.

To show respect, Xiao Zong had made an effort today before going out—

A custom-made suit perfectly accentuated his shoulder-to-waist ratio. His tie was neatly knotted and the colour complemented his skin. The silver cufflinks were elegant and understated.

The deep black suit created a visual impact against the opulent restaurant decor, making it hard for anyone to look away. It even stirred a slight curiosity, a desire to glimpse the hidden desires beneath such refined poise.

If Xiao Zong knew that Gu Yin’s mind was filled with thoughts of him as a “cool CEO” who knows what he’d think.

Gu Yin’s brain short-circuited for a few seconds but his friend’s advice ran through his mind again:

“An Omega should be gentle and graceful. Just look at Fang Runjin—elegant, dignified, kind, and able to hold her own.”

These people had no idea that Fang Runjin had long since lost her image of kindness in the eyes of her sons when she commanded the guards to beat them up for misbehaving at home.

“Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Not at all. This is maintaining your image. Think about it—before you meet your commanding officer, don’t you also straighten yourself up, even if you’re actually half asleep?”

“True.”

His friends, all hopelessly single, had wracked their brains to come up with this advice, and Gu Yin found it both touching and amusing.

“Mr. Xiao, hello. My name is Gu Yin.”

A plain and ordinary opening, but at least the initiative helped Xiao Zong feel a bit more at ease. He snapped out of it and responded coolly, “Mm, what are your hobbies, Mr. Gu?”

Shooting, combat, off-road excursions, stealth missions.

“Reading, exercising, tea ceremonies, and flower arranging.”

“…” Xiao Zong pictured a stiff robot arranging flowers and asked casually, “Any special skills?”

Skydiving, rappelling, flying planes.

“Cleaning, cooking, doing housework.”

Friends: You can develop hobbies! Isn’t it beautiful to cultivate interests for the person you like?

Gu Yin: Absolutely!

Faced with these standard answers, Xiao Zong smiled faintly but said nothing.

Self-packaging wasn’t a big deal. After all, Omega’s hobbies generally revolved around the same things.

Standing to the side, Assistant Wei let out a silent sigh.

To be honest, even if Mr. Gu had said “partying, karaoke, and spa treatments” the boss wouldn’t have batted an eye. He was just here to appease Old Master Xiao.

But Mr. Gu seemed too nervous and even Wei Mian couldn’t help but feel a little anxious alongside him.

Seeing him in person today, he looked even more pleasing than in the photos.

Gu Yin was slender, with large round eyes. When he focused intently, he resembled an alert little deer—quite adorable actually.

The meal was eaten in a very formal and orderly fashion. Xiao Zong asked, Gu Yin answered. Not saying a word more than necessary. It was like a job interview.

After the meal, Xiao Zong out of politeness, asked, “Would you like me to take you home?”

The last time they had met was at a casino and Gu Yin had gone straight into his Omega phase afterward. Now, when Xiao Zong suddenly lowered his head to ask this, Gu Yin was following closely behind him nearly bumping into him.

The closer he got the more he could smell that cold faint scent of spruce, which made Gu Yin take a quick step back. His voice involuntarily rising, “N-no need to trouble you, thank you, Mr. Xiao!”

His intense reaction startled Xiao Zong and then it annoyed him.

Too much is too much. Xiao Zong snorted inwardly, playing hard to get, huh?

Wei Mian hadn’t returned from paying the bill yet and Xiao Zong was considering whether to let Gu Yin go on his own when an all-too-familiar voice rang out.

“Cousin! I finally found you!”

It was Fang Chi, Fang Runjin’s nephew and Xiao Zong’s cousin.

Recently he had been getting squeezed out by Leng Entertainment Company and several promising newcomers had jumped ship. So he often sought Xiao Zong out to vent. On top of that, he was a chatterbox. Once he started complaining it would go on for a long time.

As Fang Chi got closer, he noticed someone standing awkwardly with a notebook beside Xiao Zong. He smiled and said, “When did you get a new assistant? Pretty good-looking! Where’s Old Wei?”