Too Cute for Words

The man who arrived was Huo Jin.

In the second their eyes met, Ji Chi sensed an almost imperceptible flicker of avoidance in Huo Jin's expression.

"Huo Jin..." Perhaps because he had been waiting so long, Ji Chi found a hint of warmth entering Huo Jin's cool eyes.

His lips curved slightly, and his eyes briefly lit up with them.

Huo Jin's expression stalled, then smoothed over almost instantly. His long, thick lashes fluttered, betraying nothing.

He took Ji Chi's phone and walked ahead, saying coolly, "Let's go. It's time."

Ji Chi glanced helplessly at the Omegas before him, pressed his palms together, and smiled, his eyes curving. "Sorry, sorry."

The Omegas were charmed by Ji Chi's slightly flirtatious politeness. Blushing, they waved their hands repeatedly. "It's fine, it's fine, handsome."

Ji Chi followed with a smile, without a single thorn left on him. He had stripped them all away before coming. He was here to ask a favor, not throw a spoiled young master's tantrum.

Ji Chi stepped forward and dutifully opened the passenger door for Huo Jin, then went around to the driver's side to chauffeur him.

Once in the car, Ji Chi glanced at Huo Jin, feeling awkward. He fiddled with the hair over his forehead. The atmosphere inside the car was strange, hot.

Hot enough to melt him.

"I'll turn on the AC." Ji Chi pressed the controls several times before getting the air conditioning on, then fell silent. In the enclosed space, even a shift of his elbow seemed to stir up a storm. He was terribly uncomfortable.

His gaze darted about, unsure where to settle.

"Um... my phone." Ji Chi gestured. "For navigation."

"I'd advise against letting strangers scan your QR code so casually." Suddenly, Huo Jin turned to look at him.

Ji Chi looked away, a little annoyed.

"I was just being polite. I wouldn't flirt with an Omega I didn't like."

Huo Jin did not answer.

He handed Ji Chi his phone. Feeling his gaze, Ji Chi gave a light cough.

He had known it. Dressing like this was bound to make Huo Jin laugh at him.

He felt as though he could already hear Huo Jin mocking him.

Ji Chi tightened his grip on the steering wheel as a defensive measure. "Don't laugh."

Then he heard Huo Jin chuckle, the low, husky, languid sound sexily enticing. "I don't think it's funny."

Ji Chi clenched his back teeth. The instant he glanced sideways, he happened to meet those deep, gentle eyes.

Huo Jin said softly, "You're very cute."

His thoughts whipped into a sudden storm. That gaze burned his eyes, and Ji Chi felt certain he must have switched on the heat instead of the AC.

He turned to look out the window. If he hadn't needed a favor from Huo Jin today...

Calling him cute would have earned Huo Jin a beating!

He gripped the steering wheel and snapped, "I'm not cute at all!"

He had expected Huo Jin to keep laughing at him, but Huo Jin merely murmured in agreement, his indifferent tone carrying a measure of indulgence. "Mm. Not cute at all."

Ji Chi froze. Those words sounded blatantly insincere.

He had no idea how Huo Jin's voice could sound so good, like a professional voice actor's. Every word from his mouth sounded different from anyone else's. Somehow, just listening to him could lift Ji Chi's mood.

Remembering that he was asking a favor, Ji Chi decided not to keep arguing over it.

He started the car, muttering, "I'm not cute anyway."

Huo Jin's lips shifted slightly. Outside the window, neon lights flickered quietly, their rich colors passing through his eyes as pink swept across his world.

Honestly, he's too cute for words.

I want to take a photo to keep.

A breeze brushed past the car window. Alongside it, a fervent heartbeat sounded in silence. A lifeless tree had taken root; whether his gaze lingered was no longer up to him, but to when their encounter would end, when he would die.

Ji Chi had chosen a foreign light-cuisine restaurant two kilometers from the CE Laboratory.

But no one had told him.

It was a restaurant for couples.

Private rooms with luxurious night views, crystal dining tables, complimentary roses and gifts, lighting dimmed to just the right degree, intimate and sensual. Pearly light swayed in the breeze, a solo melody drifted through the air, and curling wisps of incense teased the senses.

Ji Chi looked at the dishes that had been served half a minute before, then at everything in the private room bathed in warm, intimate light. Roses covered even the floor. He grabbed Huo Jin and headed for the door.

Ji Chi's hand trembled. "Let's pick somewhere else..."

Ji Chi said, "The Western restaurant next door looks good."

Huo Jin did not move. His deep eyes lowered slightly. "We're staying here."