Chapter 19 Mint Candy
That day, Zhong Qi took Jiang Zhige to a local specialty restaurant for a celebratory meal, and Mr. Yan was also going.
Gu Qinglan knew this restaurant, one of the top two in the city. Since Mr. Yan asked him to come along, as the bodyguard Gu Qinglan didn't hesitate at all.
His resolve was high - life is short, as long as he could mooch off Mr. Yan, that's fine.
It was an unassuming Chinese restaurant. Upon entering, there were one-meter tall champagne glass-shaped containers on both sides, filled with countless candies, probably for the children.
Gu Qinglan glanced at them, seeing his beloved mint candies, but resisted the urge to take any, not wanting to embarrass Mr. Yan.
Mr. Yan wasn't in formal attire, rolling up his sleeves and casually reaching into the glass containers, grabbing a big handful in one smooth motion, his relaxed manner surprising Gu Qinglan.
"Here." Mr. Yan handed the candies to Gu Qinglan, who received them with both hands, feeling a bit honored. Mr. Yan's hand was really big, the amount of candies he grabbed with one hand was more than Gu Qinglan could hold with two.
The astute server immediately brought an adorable box, and Gu Qinglan placed the candies in the box, which had an elephant design, the server handing the elephant-shaped box to Gu Qinglan.
Gu Qinglan's attention was fully captured by the elephant box. When they reached the corner at the top of the stairs, he bumped into Mr. Yan's shoulder.
"Children's stuff," Mr. Yan said.
Gu Qinglan smiled sweetly, "So I felt a bit embarrassed. Next time, please help me grab them, your hands are so big, you can get a lot."
He was certain he was being favored, so he dared to openly make this request. Gu Qinglan tore open a mint candy with his mouth to give to Mr. Yan, but Mr. Yan gently pushed his hand away.
Gu Qinglan tilted his head back and popped the candy into his own mouth, crunching it with a snap, the refreshing mint flavor filling his mouth.
As they approached the private room, Mr. Yan deliberately said, "You know the Omega pheromones in the company also smell of mint, right?"
"*Cough cough*!" Gu Qinglan choked.
Mr. Yan seemed to quite enjoy teasing him.
Gu Qinglan forced a smile, "Mr. Yan, I'm a Beta, how could I smell others' pheromones?" Inwardly anxious, he still didn't forget to hold the door open for Mr. Yan.
Jiang Zhige was lounging there, propping his head on one hand, playing with his phone. Seeing Gu Qinglan come in, he broke into a bright smile: "The handsome young man is here too, come sit next to me."
Gu Qinglan quickly waved his hands, standing behind Mr. Yan.
Jiang Zhige sighed self-deprecatingly, "Don't be in such a hurry to find your Mr. Yan." He then sighed towards Mr. Yan, "Am I that unpleasant?"
Mr. Yan didn't respond. It wasn't a real question, more like a playful complaint.
Several dishes were already on the round table, the plating delicate and the colors gentle, but without any flashy or ostentatious displays.
Zhong Qi ordered a sweet white wine and a light dry red Seivre, not calling for a sommelier, and also a fruit juice specifically for Gu Qinglan.
Jiang Zhige could tell that Gu Qinglan had a special status.
As they discussed their college days, clinking glasses and drinking, Gu Qinglan was just focused on eating. Jiang Zhige said with a smile, "Back then, you two were inseparable. If Zhong Qi hadn't had a girlfriend at the time, I would have thought you two were a couple..."
Zhong Qi gave a faint smile, but it was unclear whether it was from seeing through the world or just calmly accepting the past - was it because of his former girlfriend?
Two-thirds of the dishes on the table had ended up in Gu Qinglan's stomach. Jiang Zhige's cheeks were flushed from drinking, suddenly looking at Gu Qinglan, "As a bodyguard, you must have great skills, but you're just stuck watching that stubborn rock William all day. How about letting me keep you?"
"Keep me?" Gu Qinglan was at a loss. Jiang Zhige suddenly stood up, circling in front of Gu Qinglan, "Letting me keep you won't make you regret it."
The introverted Gu Qinglan naturally didn't know how to respond to this proposition. Jiang Zhige was indeed a beautiful Omega, although his fashion sense was quite eccentric - wearing a floral shirt, black pants of a shiny, soft material that clung to his long legs, and exaggerated hoop earrings, his light golden curls emitting the fragrance of styling product. However, as an Omega himself, Gu Qinglan was basically incapable of having feelings for the same sex.
Zhong Qi said, "Ge, you should find an Alpha."
Jiang Zhige laughed exaggeratedly, but his hazel eyes were darkened, "What's wrong with a Beta? Alphas are too possessive, easy to get marked, so they're only good for playing around... I almost died in that bastard's hands back then."
Hearing this, both Zhong Qi and Mr. Yan's expressions grew heavily cold.
Gu Qinglan also sensed the solemn atmosphere, not daring to speak.
What surprised him was that the usually taciturn Mr. Yan was the first to comfort Jiang Zhige, or rather, state a fact, "As long as you're willing, no one can hurt you again."
Zhong Qi also said, "It's been so many years, just forget about him."
Jiang Zhige snorted, "I've forgotten him long ago, it's just that I'm easily self-destructive, sometimes I still think of that bastard. I wish he'd die in prison!"
It seemed Jiang Ge had experienced many unpleasant past events.
Jiang Zhige was a bit drunk, "You know... That scumbag is going to be released from prison soon, I have no choice but to flee back to the country shamefully..."
Zhong Qi said, "If you need help from me and Yan Lin..."
"No need, no one can help me... Unless I get marked." Jiang Zhige laughed without a care.
After three rounds of alcohol, the mood became dreary. Jiang Zhige then shouted that he wanted to go to a bar to meet an online friend, and left early.
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