I Have To Love【Abo】 Chapter 8
byPink Face Takes the Stage
The next day in the examination hall, Xie Qiao quickly finished the paper and submitted it early.
He turned on his phone and called Su Tai, “Brother, I finished my exam.”
“I’ve sent the driver to pick you up. See you at the restaurant soon.”
“Can’t you come pick me up?”
“I’m in a business meeting, I can’t leave.”
Xie Qiao’s voice was aggrieved, “Alright then, you go ahead and talk. I won’t bother you.”
After hanging up, he received a message from Cheng Yong: [We have found the doctor’s whereabouts. He is out of town.]
[Go confirm it and keep a close watch.]
[Understood.]
After replying, Xie Qiao looked up at the roof of the teaching building. A crow perched on the eaves, circled twice, and flew away.
He closed his eyes, mentally reviewing the time surrounding Xie Renqing’s death. At that time, he was abroad for a research trip. On the third day, he received the news that Xie Renqing had committed suicide. By the time he bought a ticket and flew back, the mourning hall was already set up. The Su family had dismissed all the servants except for Aunt Wang, who had been visiting family and knew nothing.
Afterward, he found some heart medication bottles among Xie Renqing’s belongings. Su Tai’s father had produced a hospital examination report at the time, confirming a heart problem, so it wasn’t a useful clue.
Xie Qiao opened his eyes and messaged Cheng Yong, “Check his medical records, including various small clinics, for three months before and after the incident.”
[Understood.]
Just after he sent the message, the driver arrived and opened the car door for him.
Xie Qiao got in and closed his eyes to rest, “Uncle Wang, what is my brother busy with today?”
Uncle Wang replied, “Sir attended a banquet this morning, but other than that, he has been in the office.”
“With whom?”
“I’m not sure about that, but it seemed to be people from the Biological Research Institute.”
The Biological Research Institute. Su Tai had mentioned going there to ask about his pheromone situation. He was moving quite fast.
He took the elevator up to the floor and arrived at the location Su Tai had reserved, but Su Tai hadn’t arrived yet.
“Brother, I’m here,” he messaged.
“Be right there.”
Su Tai had just finished lunch with some researchers and doctors and was rushing over.
Xie Qiao was sharp-eyed and spotted Su Tai immediately: “Brother.”
Su Tai walked over, followed by a waiter.
The waiter presented two menus. Su Tai said, “See what you want to eat today.”
While flipping through the menu, Xie Qiao asked, “Why didn’t you call me when you went to meet the biological researchers today?”
“You were taking an exam. I’ll take you next time.”
Xie Qiao nodded and said okay. After ordering a few dishes, he remembered something and looked up at Su Tai, “Is there no birthday cake today?”
Su Tai teased him, “I think I was too busy and forgot. A birthday without a cake seems wrong.” He looked at the waiter, “Can we order one now?”
The waiter paused, “Sir, our cakes require a day’s advance notice.”
Xie Qiao was unhappy, “You never forgot before.”
Su Tai asked, “Should I go downstairs and buy you one?”
Xie Qiao didn’t want Su Tai to run an errand, “No need, it’s just a cake.”
Su Tai smiled, “I was kidding. It’s already reserved.”
Sure enough, a waiter approached, pushing a cake, “Mr. Su, this is the birthday cake you reserved yesterday.” Seeing that Xie Qiao was a beautiful omega, the waiter added, “Happy birthday to your partner.”
Xie Qiao blushed and lowered his head.
Su Tai was in a good mood today and allowed the small awkwardness, “Thank you.”
“Why didn’t you refute him just now?” Xie Qiao asked softly.
Su Tai inserted the birthday candles and lit them with a lighter, the flames leaping up. “Refuting him would make the person who wished you well feel awkward. Hurry up and make a wish.”
Xie Qiao obediently clasped his hands to make a wish and blew out the candles.
“What did you wish for?”
His eyes were sparkling, “That all my wishes come true.”
In a sense, Xie Qiao was innocent. Despite enduring so much pain, he still retained his innocence.
“A’Qiao, Brother needs to ask you something.”
“Ask away.”
“Do you absolutely have to investigate your father’s matter?” Su Tai asked, “Can you accept whatever the result of the investigation is?”
Xie Qiao paused while cutting the cake, then steadily placed the first slice in front of Su Tai, sat up straight, and answered the question.
“Brother, I must investigate Father’s matter. Actually, I hope most of all that Father committed suicide, because he died right here at home. If it was someone else…” Xie Qiao paused, looking at Su Tai, unsure how to continue, “…I hope someone pays the price. I will accept any result.”
“Good.”
After eating, Xie Qiao pulled him out for a walk on the busy, bustling Central Street.
Omegas are naturally physically weaker and are objects of protection. Su Tai took off his jacket and draped it over Xie Qiao, “Be careful not to catch a cold. The temperature has dropped again. You should wear more when you go out.”
The expensive cashmere clothing was thin but warm enough. Su Tai always made a fuss over small things.
Xie Qiao looked up and asked him, “Aren’t you cold?”
Alphas are naturally robust. This level of coldness certainly wouldn’t bother him.
“Not cold. Bundle yourself up tightly.” Su Tai frowned, staring at Xie Qiao’s small, palm-sized face, “Why can’t I get you to gain weight?”
“Then you’ll just have to keep trying to feed me more.” Xie Qiao buried his face in Su Tai’s jacket, smelling the faint scent of licorice.
“I’ve spoiled you so much. You’ll need to find an alpha who is completely devoted to taking care of you later.” Su Tai asked, “What kind of person do you like?”
Xie Qiao looked at his serious eyes, “Do you want me to leave you that badly? Are you tired of me?”
“No, how could I ever be tired of you? Even if you get married, I will still be your brother.”
Su Tai felt that Xie Qiao’s feelings for him—or rather, their relationship—were somewhat abnormal. Su Tai was a smart man. Xie Qiao had been by his side since he was a teenager; he had practically raised him.
After Xie Qiao left last night, he kept thinking about his relationship with Xie Qiao. Xie Qiao was a good kid. The most difficult time he had seen Xie Qiao go through was when he suffered from depression after Xie Renqing’s death and cut his own Gland with a knife. The only other time was the heat period that Su Tai had induced that day, when Xie Qiao clung to him, begging him not to leave.
He was even afraid to make assumptions about Xie Qiao. He didn’t know what he was afraid of, only that he wanted to prevent that possibility.
“Brother.” Xie Qiao held his hand, “Then hold my hand like you did when I was little.”
Unlike a child’s delicate hand, a fully adult hand occupied more space in his palm. Their palms rubbed together, and Xie Qiao’s innocent, peach blossom eyes curved up, the corners lifting. He had never held hands like this even with his lovers.
But this was his younger brother.
“Brother, I want to learn boxing,” Xie Qiao said, holding his hand and walking on the brick pavement.
“Why do you suddenly want to learn boxing?”
“I want to protect you.”
An omega wanting to protect an alpha. Su Tai smiled internally, yet a trace of warmth inexplicably bloomed in his heart.
“I don’t need you to protect me.” Su Tai released his hand and ruffled his hair.
Xie Qiao’s hand felt empty. When he tried to reach for it again, Su Tai had already put his hand into his pants pocket. Xie Qiao had no choice but to tuck his hand into Su Tai’s jacket. “Then how about I learn it as a hobby?”
“You want to learn it that much?”
Xie Qiao nodded, “Yes, I do. I don’t want to always be protected by you. Besides, bodyguards are so expensive.”
The excuse that bodyguards were expensive was something only Xie Qiao would say. Which other young master from a wealthy family would care about that kind of money?
“Trying to save me money? Your brother isn’t that poor yet.”
Xie Qiao’s fair, delicate face tilted up, “Will you agree or not?”
Su Tai chuckled, “I’ll have my secretary find you a teacher tomorrow. I remember we have a boxing room at home, but it hasn’t been used in a long time. It needs to be renovated and cleaned.”
“No need, I’ll find a teacher myself,” Xie Qiao said. “Your secretary is so busy, don’t give him extra work. We can fix up the boxing room at home once I’ve learned enough.”
“As you wish.” Su Tai glanced at his watch, “We can’t walk anymore. We need to go home.”
“Alright.”