Captured By The Cold Detective (BL)-Chapter 455: I’d Rather Not
Marius’ gaze was fixed on the ants crawling along the curb as he spoke, his words tumbling out in a hurried manner as if he wanted to convey everything in a single breath. "I know it’s not normal for two Alphas to be together, but... I like her. I sincerely like her. Her strength, her resilience and even her weakness... everything. That’s why I want to cherish her. I can understand if you think it’s weird but—"
"...Pfft."
Marius’ words came to an abrupt halt, then he slowly raised his head, incredulous. "Did you just... laugh?"
Indeed, He Juan did. He had been holding back his laughter since Marius uttered the first word, but oh God, he could not hold it in any longer. In his eyes, Marius had always been the perfect mentor, senior, friend and a brother whom he respected from the bottom of his heart. Who could have guessed that he would have this naïve and endearing side to him? Whenever he recalled the man’s shy yet apprehensive look, He Juan felt like he would have a good laugh for the next five years.
"Hahaha!" He threw his head back and laughed unabashedly. He laughed so hard that his shoulders shook, that his stomach ached in cramps. Even then, he still could not stop. "Goodness, M. You should have seen your own face. How can you be so..."
It took Marius a second to regain his composure, and then he scoffed, soft laughter spilling forth his lips. What little apprehension he harbored inside his heart, that He Juan might frown upon his choice and express his disapproval, vanished along with the man’s carefree laughter.
"Do you think I’m ridiculous like this?" In a playful mood, he locked He Juan’s neck with his arm and pretended to get angry. "Do you? Speak honestly and you will be given lenience."
"Pfft, my bad... my bad!" He Juan patted the man’s arm in a gesture of surrender, though his silver eyes continued to shimmer with lingering mirth.
The two superior Alphas, who were used to maintaining a perfect and impenetrable front and were feared by many, unexpectedly tussled and wrestled around like a pair of school boys without a worry in the world.
Behind the curtain on the second floor, Ye Qiu, who thought that the two might have been caught in some kind of trouble, was relieved upon seeing this heartwarming scene. With a hint of amusement in her eyes, she released the curtain and walked away.
Outside, the two men ceased playing around and leaned against the car, chuckling occasionally.
"Oh my God," He Juan gasped for breath to alleviate the cramps in his stomach. He shook his head helplessly and asked, "Do you honestly think I would not notice, with how you two have been dancing around each other?"
"Have we?" Marius rubbed his nose with a sheepish look. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
He Juan truly wished to take a picture right now. Who knew when he would see such a shy and awkward Marius again? It might be his only chance in a lifetime! He chuckled playfully and nudged the man with his elbow, "With how bright Little Miss Ye’s eyes shine every time she looks at you, I thought you two had already been on a couple of dates."
"Nonsense," Marius scoffed and nudged He Juan back with his own elbow. "The most I’ve done is hold her hand, but that was purely accidental."
"Wow..." He Juan narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the man with an astonished look. "With how you carry yourself, people would think you’re very experienced. Who could have guessed that deep down, you are actually quite innocent?"
No Alpha liked to be challenged and questioned like that, and Marius was no exception. Coupled with their close relationship, he retorted without thinking, "At least, I have someone to pursue. What about you? You don’t even have anyone in mind."
He Juan nearly choked on his breath when he heard that. He really had not considered anyone before, at least until last night. ’I do now,’ he almost blurted out. ’Not only that, he is also a mate my Alpha acknowledges. And I found him not last night, but three years ago. You know him too; we have had meals a few times together.’ Alas, all the words were stuck on his throat, unable to be uttered. Once again, the possessive part of him reared its head, compelling him to hide the boy from sight, to tuck him into the corner of his heart where he would be safe and sound...
"XIU?" His minute pause immediately roused Marius’ suspicion. "Don’t tell me, have you been seeing someone behind my back?"
The way he worded his question was so absurd that He Juan couldn’t help but laugh. He teased, "Jealous much? Don’t worry, if I ever end up with someone, you will be the first one to know. But..." a sliver of hesitation flashed through his eyes. "Have you ever thought of what would happen if you find your... mate?"
"Mate?" Marius had a strange expression on his face when he echoed that word. "I never took you for a romantic. In this day and age, you’re still hoping to find your mate?"
He Juan was stumped by that question, speechless.
Marius tilted his head up and stared at the sky, sighing, "How many Alphas actually find their mates in a lifetime? Rather than waiting for someone who may never come, isn’t it better to follow our heart and pursue what we want? Moreover, if I really find my mate, I... I don’t know," he sighed. "If they are an ordinary person, I’d rather not meet them in this lifetime. I can’t afford to drag an innocent person to my world. It’s already enough to know that they are alive and well somewhere on Earth. Don’t you agree?" He offered He Juan a wry smile.
Those words of his lingered in He Juan’s mind until he drove away from that place. He tapped his fingers on the wheel, his eyes focused on the road in front as he murmured to himself, "If they’re an ordinary person, it’s better not to meet in this lifetime, huh..."
It was only when the car came to a stop at a red light that He Juan recalled he was supposed to contact Mu Yuze earlier. Grabbing his phone, he saw that the boy had sent him a photo. A soft smile hung on the corner of He Juan’s lips as he tapped the image. It displayed a bowl of warm rice, accompanied by a plate of sautéed chicken and mushroom. Very simple and homely. Just looking at it was enough to rouse his appetite.
He chuckled and dialed Mu Yuze’s nunber. "Did you leave some for me?" He asked as soon as the call was connected.
Mu Yuze sounded shocked, "Y–You’re coming back for lunch?!"
It was indeed rare for He Juan to return home so early. For fear that he would disturb Mu Yuze’s rest, he quickly reassured, "No, no, don’t worry. Gege is only joking. I have already eaten. How about you, have you finished your lunch?"
Mu Yuze let out a soft ’hmm’ in response.
He Juan had never realized it before, but Mu Yuze’s voice was very pleasant to the ears. As he was still in the voice-changing period, his voice had a slight husky tone to it, but the timbre was not deep. Instead, it gave off a melodious air, and that little hum was akin to a hook that scratched He Juan’s heart, making him want to hear it again and again.
Not wanting the call to end too soon, He Juan continued to ask, "How are you?"
"Good," Mu Yuze replied. "My gland feels a little hot just now, but I put on a cooling patch. It’s better now."
He Juan became worried upon hearing that, "Are you sure you’re okay? Should we go to the hospital later?"
"No need," came Mu Yuze’s curt reply. He was not really a fan of hospitals, and he would always choose to rest at home if he was sick rather than to make a trip to see the doctor. Even He Juan was unable to change that habit of his. Helpless, he could only advise the boy to rest, drink more water and call him if anything happened.
Just then, his gaze inadvertently brushed across a patisserie shop across the street, and an idea formed in his mind. Without thinking twice, he flicked on the car signal and pulled over on the side of the road. "Are you in the mood for some cake? Matcha, cheese or tiramisu, perhaps?"
"...Matcha is okay."
"Alright," He Juan chuckled as he got down from the car. He continued chatting on and off with Mu Yuze as he purchased the cakes and made his way back to the car. However, in that moment, he caught sight of an ordinary white sedan parked on the adjacent road a few meters behind him.
Was it only his imagination, or had he seen this car before?
"Gege?"
"Ah, yes." He Juan slipped into the car and turned on the engine, putting the phone in speaker. "Sorry, what did you say just now?"
"I asked if you’re buying cakes. Are you coming back now?"
He Juan responded with a noncommittal hum as he started the car. As he reached the intersection, he deliberately floored the accelerator and made a sharp turn to the right. He had done it in such an abrupt manner that angry honks issued ceaselessly behind him.
Through the rearview mirror, He Juan noticed that the white car also made the same turn!
Damn it, someone was tailing him!
