Won't your wife get jealous?

"..."

A string of cold words filled the lit phone screen. Xie Yanci stared at them for a long time before putting it down again.

His thin lips pressed tightly together as he looked at his hand full of winning tiles, the displeasure in his dark eyes deepening.

He didn't want to win.

He discarded a red dragon.

The Alpha across from him suddenly said, "Let me treat everyone to dinner this weekend. I'm going to be a dad."

At that, Shen Che followed with another red dragon. "Congratulations! That's wonderful news. You're the only one among us with a happy marriage. I'm so jealous."

Xie Yanci: "..."

Song Zhixing said, "I have to be the kid's godfather. The great director Song's name carries plenty of weight. Let the kid brag about it."

Shen Che said, "Then Yanci should be the godfather. President Xie's name carries even more weight."

The Alpha smiled. "What are you saying? President Xie is married too. He'll have his own children someday."

Xie Yanci: "..."

Xu Shi was a Beta.

Shen Che knew that, and so did the other man. The moment those words slipped out, both of them looked at Xie Yanci.

There was little emotion on the Alpha's face. His expression was as indifferent as ever, betraying nothing.

Only after a few seconds did Xie Yanci discard a tile, his voice unhurried. "Congratulations."

Shen Che let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Good, he wasn't angry.

"Speaking of which, Yanci, your marriage alliance should be ending soon, right?" Shen Che changed the subject with a casual question.

Xie Yanci had never deliberately concealed this marriage alliance. All his close friends knew about Xu Shi, except Song Zhixing, who had gone abroad early on.

Of course, they also knew he didn't love Xu Shi.

Xie Yanci faced the light, his features shadowed and indistinct. One hand rested on the mahjong table, a lit cigarette held between his long fingers.

A single syllable escaped his thin lips. "Mm."

Three more months.

The divorce agreement had already been signed.

There was nothing to hold on to. Xu Shi didn't care, and he cared even less.

"A divorce would be good," Shen Che said. "The wife of the Xie Corporation's sole heir being a Beta? That makes no sense."

"Your wife is a Beta?" Song Zhixing was shocked.

Xu Shi was a Beta too. Did Xie Yanci have a particular fondness for Betas?

Were Betas more fun than Omegas?

"Once you're divorced, I'll introduce you to a few Omegas. I guarantee they'll be sweet-talking and obedient." Shen Che was also a notorious womanizer, with a reputation in their circle on par with Song Zhixing's.

Xie Yanci had no interest in this topic and even found it somewhat distasteful. "No need."

He reached out to tap the ash off his cigarette, then slowly lifted his eyes, his gaze settling on the door straight ahead.

At some point, the private room's door had been pushed open. A figure leaned languidly against the frame.

The Beat was tall, but standing against the light, he wasn't particularly conspicuous. His entire face was hidden in shadow, making his expression difficult to see.

Only Secretary Zhou's tense face beside him was visible.

Xie Yanci lowered his eyes and stubbed out his cigarette, the corners of his lips unconsciously lifting.

He'd come looking for him after all.

He'd known his wife couldn't possibly be completely indifferent to him going to a nightclub.

Propping his temple on his long fingers, Xie Yanci tilted his head and let out a few low chuckles.

Beside him, Shen Che was still going on. "You can still laugh? You have no idea how awful your wife is!"

Xie Yanci looked up at Xu Shi standing in the doorway. "What did he do to you?"

"He's an absolute menace!" Just thinking about it made Shen Che angry.

"Back in school, he put caterpillars in my bag. He even tricked me into going to the restroom, saying he wanted to confess to me, only to lock me inside alone and set off an explosion in there!"

That certainly sounded like Xu Shi.

A hint of amusement colored Xie Yanci's voice. "And you just let him bully you?"

His drawn-out ending sounded as though he were deliberately probing for something.

Shen Che caught it. "Don't worry, I never got back at your wife. He was your fiancé back then. I wouldn't have dared!"

He had been the one to tease Xu Shi first, and he felt very guilty.

But Shen Che was still indignant. "Hurry up and divorce him. Every Omega in the world is better than him. He's seriously..."

Before he could finish complaining, footsteps suddenly sounded in the room.

Puzzled, everyone looked toward the door.

Xu Shi had just come off the red carpet and was still wearing that light gray haute couture suit. His makeup was noticeable, and the faintest cold smile curved his lips.

He walked in openly.

Shen Che: "..."

I'm done for.

Song Zhixing: "???"

The side piece could actually stroll into such a private gathering of close friends?

He looked at Shen Che's ashen face, then at Xie Yanci's entirely unsurprised expression, which even held a faint smile. He was especially shocked.

Wasn't President Xie spoiling this little lover a bit too much?

Xu Shi swept an indifferent glance over the four of them. As he walked, he took the bracelet off his wrist and threw it straight at Xie Yanci's face.

The bracelet still held his warmth. Xie Yanci caught it without missing.

Song Zhixing: "..."

That brazen?

And Xie Yanci still indulged him?

The room was exceptionally quiet. Shen Che met Xu Shi's eyes, then silently lowered his head.

Xu Shi ignored him and walked straight up to Xie Yanci, sitting directly on the Alpha's lap in front of everyone.

He wound his arms around Xie Yanci's neck, his alluring eyes curving. "Daddy, are you coming home tonight?"

As he spoke, his slender, pale fingertips lightly wandered over the Alpha's slightly prominent Adam's apple.

"!"

Song Zhixing and Shen Che exchanged a look, both too shocked to utter a word.

When an abstinent big shot married a little temptress...

They were used to seeing President Xie as a dignified, reserved man whose word was law in the business world. This was their first time seeing him flirt with a Beta.

And he was letting someone sit on his lap in public and toy with his Adam's apple.

Song Zhixing: "..."

No wonder the little lover could be so brazen. President Xie really did spoil him.

Tsk, tsk.

Xie Yanci reached out and caught Xu Shi's restless little hand. He knew his wife's urge to perform had struck again.

He didn't stop him, merely saying in a low voice, "I'm coming home."

Right now.

But Xu Shi wasn't satisfied with that. He deliberately said in a coy voice, "If you come home with me, won't your wife get jealous?"

Shen Che raised an eyebrow.

What act was this now?

Song Zhixing: "..."

That damned homewrecker!

Xie Yanci himself showed little reaction, though the amusement in his eyes deepened. "Then do you think my wife cares about me?"

Xu Shi froze.

He'd clearly made the first move. How had Xie Yanci ended up fishing for an answer from him?

Unwilling to concede, he let out a soft huff, his eyes shifting. "Do you want your wife to care about you, President Xie?"

Xie Yanci didn't answer.

His unreadable gaze fell on the Beta's captivating eyes. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as his fingers gently squeezed the Beta's cool little hand.

A hint of amusement entered the depths of his dark eyes.