Chapter 7:Your Expression Doesn’t Look Very Good
The car Xie Chenzhou stopped near the mall was a high-end business vehicle. Zhao Jian was the driver. It was clear that they had come in a hurry. Half the car was parked outside the lines. It was uncertain whether this would draw a ticket. Zhao Jian got into the driver’s seat, adjusted the car’s position, and then raised the divider between the front and back seats.
Shen Shuyi sat inside, feeling a little awkward. A faint fragrance drifted in the air, emanating from Xie Chenzhou.
But Shen Shuyi knew that the actual scent inside the car would not be as light as he perceived. Xie Chenzhou’s expression really did not look good. Had he been affected by the Alpha from earlier?
The Alpha’s pheromone level had likely been high, possibly even SSS+ like Xie Chenzhou. Otherwise, Xie Chenzhou would not have shown such an expression after suppressing him.
Shen Shuyi waited for Xie Chenzhou to take out a pheromone suppressant, but instead, he pulled a small bottle from a storage compartment beside his seat. It looked like cough syrup. He opened it and drank a sip.
Shen Shuyi frowned. He had never seen this before. “Mr. Xie, what is that?”
Xie Chenzhou lowered his gaze, paused, and slowly said, “Vitamins.”
“Vitamins?” Shen Shuyi did not understand. “You are not taking a suppressant?”
“I am fine,” Xie Chenzhou replied. “The man’s pheromones just now did not affect me.”
“But your expression does not look very good,” Shen Shuyi said with concern. “Maybe you should take a shot anyway?”
“Maybe I did not sleep well last night,” Xie Chenzhou said.
As if to confirm his words, Shen Shuyi heard a light tap on the divider. Zhao Jian in the front seat lowered the divider slightly. “President Xie, Mr. Chen from Mingyu wants to arrange a phone conference with you.”
“Postpone it,” Xie Chenzhou said tersely.
“Understood.” Zhao Jian raised the divider back up.
“Do you often have insomnia?” Shen Shuyi’s professional instincts triggered. “When was your last susceptible period?”
“I do not often have susceptible periods,” Xie Chenzhou said. Perhaps, in reality, he was always in one, “I am fine. Do not worry.”
It was rare for him to reassure Shen Shuyi.
Not often, and relying only on self-control? That must require terrifying discipline.
Shen Shuyi did not fully believe him. He suspected Xie Chenzhou was saving face and not telling the whole truth.
Shen Shuyi observed Xie Chenzhou’s expression again. It was no longer as bad as before. He relaxed and considerate, he let the topic drop.
“Oh right,” Shen Shuyi said, taking the suit off his shoulders. “Thank you, here, I will return this.”
Xie Chenzhou had draped the jacket over him to block pheromones. Now that they were away from the Alpha, it was no longer necessary.
Xie Chenzhou took it, sensing that his own pheromones had completely covered Shen Shuyi’s body. The scent of the previous Alpha was gone. Only then did his brows relax slightly.
Afterward, Shen Shuyi, Xie Chenzhou, and Zhao Jian went to the police station. They finished the report and left.
Xie Chenzhou must have had many things to attend to, but he did not seem in a hurry to return to the company. He invited Shen Shuyi to get into his business car again.
“Mr. Shen, are you not in class today? What brings you here? Do you need a ride back?” Zhao Jian in the front asked.
“I am out for an internship. I applied to a gender psychology clinic. The result… was not very good,” Shen Shuyi said. “They probably will not hire me.”
Through the rearview mirror, Zhao Jian glanced at Xie Chenzhou and asked on his behalf, “A gender psychology clinic?”
“Yes,” Shen Shuyi said openly. “My major is Social Research and Gender Psychology.”
“Oh,” Zhao Jian responded. “In that case, you handled the situation very well. You remained calm under pressure. If it were President Xie, he would definitely like to hire someone like you.”
Zhao Jian was making a joke.
Shen Shuyi did not know how to explain. “Society misunderstands our field. Gender psychology clinics are generally only open to wealthy clients. Ordinary people think psychological issues from pheromones cannot be resolved. Medication only stabilizes pheromones, and they think we are frauds. A consultation is expensive. Health insurance does not cover it. Ordinary hospital gender psychology departments are empty, and interns usually only do trivial tasks, which does little for credit or training. That is why I tried to apply to a private clinic, but…”
Shen Shuyi hesitated.
“Rich people often have family or personal doctors. Seeking a private clinic is mostly for psychological comfort. You are correct. Those private clinic doctors often have flashy degrees and are best suited as family doctors for the wealthy,” Xie Chenzhou said suddenly. “I know that Rong Sheng. A few years ago, his Omega partner passed away. He remarried a Beta wife. With his pheromones unreleased, he often visited entertainment clubs for Omegas. Outwardly, he claimed to love his wife and hired a private gender psychology doctor to prevent psychological issues from prolonged unreleased pheromones.”
Xie Chenzhou rarely spoke so much. Shen Shuyi was momentarily stunned. “He often goes to outside Omegas? Then why did his pheromones go out of control?”
“I do not know,” Xie Chenzhou’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm. “Desire may be endless.”
Shen Shuyi was surprised that Xie Chenzhou could say such a thing. He looked at him unexpectedly. “Excessive indulgence in that could indeed trigger pheromone instability. Yes…”
Shen Shuyi fell silent. Perhaps he was thinking of his own upcoming marriage with Xie Chenzhou.
“I will raise the topic of divorce at an appropriate time,” Shen Shuyi said. “After you overcome the difficulties with the Shen family’s help.”
Zhao Jian in the front seat hesitated. He slightly regretted not raising the divider at that moment.
Xie Chenzhou’s hand, resting at the side of his seat, tensed imperceptibly.
“I think I should go back,” Shen Shuyi realized that Xie Chenzhou might not think highly of his profession. He decided not to continue the conversation. He was only a Beta, not as capable as his siblings or younger brother. “If you do not mind, Mr. Xie, Mr. Zhao can drive me back to school, or I can take a taxi myself.”
“What kind of internship do you need?” Xie Chenzhou asked suddenly.
“Huh?” Shen Shuyi was momentarily stunned.
“I mean, what kind of experience do you need from your internship?”
“…Social services, clinical experience, research assistant work. Anything is fine, but the good positions are rare… I will think of a way.” Shen Shuyi’s greatest strength was his mindset. He did not take others’ opinions too seriously. Even if Xie Chenzhou had a bias, it did not bother him. Learning was his own responsibility.
“The affiliated psychiatric hospital of Hua University, would that work?”
Shen Shuyi was stunned. “Ah?”
“I have connections there. If you need an internship, I can refer you, but success depends on your own effort.”
The hospital was one of the best in H City and even nationwide. Its gender psychology department had top professionals. But Shen Shuyi was just an undergraduate at a third-tier Beta university.
“Just tell me if you need it. Also, our company needs an assistant for the gender psychology counselor. If you do not mind, you can apply.”
“Ah?” Shen Shuyi was overwhelmed with happiness. “Really? I can have both?”
Internships could never be too many. Nearing senior year, practical experience took precedence over classes.
“Yes,” Xie Chenzhou said, his expression relaxing slightly. “As long as you do not mind hard work.”
“I do not mind. Thank you. But when can I apply at your company?” Shen Shuyi asked. “By the way, why does your company need an assistant for a gender psychology counselor?”
Xie Chenzhou did not answer. Zhao Jian jumped in. “It is employee welfare. Our company has a dedicated counselor to ensure the mental health of employees.”
“Ah, your company’s benefits are really good,” Shen Shuyi said with admiration.
Zhao Jian wiped sweat from his brow. Their company did not have such a benefit. He would need to call HR to urgently hire a professional psychologist.
Xie Chenzhou looked at his watch. “Shall we eat?”
Shen Shuyi also glanced at the time. “It is already this late.”
At this point, it seemed appropriate to stay and have a meal with Xie Chenzhou. Last time, when Xie Chenzhou visited his school, he had treated him to the cafeteria. This time, Xie Chenzhou had helped him greatly. It would be impolite not to offer a proper meal.
“Then I will treat you,” Shen Shuyi decided. “Mr. Xie, you can choose anywhere.”
Xie Chenzhou glanced at him. “Drive.”
“Understood, President Xie.” Zhao Jian started the car immediately.
Wait. They had not decided where to eat. Where did Xie Chenzhou usually go? It could not be one of those places with thousands spent per person. That would be a heavy hit to his wallet.
Shen Shuyi swallowed the question, “Where are we going?” and decided not to ask.
Fine. Anywhere was acceptable. He would silently bear this bitter consequence.
Zhao Jian wondered, where would President Xie want to go? He had no special taste, usually ate at the company cafeteria, and ordered simple takeout. The choice might not suit Shen Shuyi. Or perhaps take him to Xie’s residence? They had not held the wedding yet. Would it be too hasty?
Zhao Jian looked through the rearview mirror to read Xie Chenzhou’s eyes for a hint. In the moment of their eye contact, he suddenly realized.
Xie Chenzhou did not care about the destination. The point was to be “with Shen Shuyi.”
Zhao Jian understood and pressed the accelerator, heading the car toward Xie’s residence.
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Translator note: 📌
Thank you for reading 💖 see you again in the next chapter, my lovely cherries 😘
lol, his residence was the obvious response. I want them to go out eat out of a stall market, idk something much simpler than cafe food.
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