Chapter 36 - The Art of Jealousy
The three of them arrived at the restaurant and took their seats. Zhou Shu, ever the gentleman, slid the menu toward Jiang Rong. Perhaps it was a lingering habit from years of pampering Zhou Duo, but Zhou Shu always found himself naturally inclined to look after sweet, likable Omegas.
Jiang Rong glanced at the menu, his head bobbing in a playful refusal as he pushed it back. "You choose, Senior Brother. I’m not picky."
"Alright, I’ll take the lead then." Zhou Shu turned his gaze toward Jin Yan, who still wore that lingering, enigmatic smile. Under the table, Zhou Shu reached out and gave Jin Yan’s leg a firm squeeze. "And what about you, *Doctor Jin*? Beef or lamb?"
*Doctor Jin?*
Jin Yan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Hearing his lover use such a formal title usually meant Zhou Shu was attempting a "bait and switch"—trying to distance their relationship in public to avoid further teasing.
Jin Yan wasn't about to let him succeed.
"Let’s have this," Jin Yan said, his finger tapping a specific entry on the menu. "The 'Double Lovers' Steak Set." He paused, his voice dropping an octave as he emphasized the next part. "It’s the *CP* Special."
The emphasis on "CP" was a direct jab at the fan encounter from earlier. Zhou Shu was so exasperated he nearly laughed.
Jiang Rong, sitting across from them, sucked in a sharp breath. It seemed his boss was still hung up on that fan shipping the Movie King with Duan Xingyi. But being petty was one thing—ordering a "Lovers' Set" while a third wheel was present was quite another.
Feeling that a warrior could be killed but not insulted, Jiang Rong cleared his throat and whispered tentatively, "Um... should I just leave?"
"You can have this." Jin Yan pushed the menu back toward him with a heavy thud. Jiang Rong craned his neck to look.
It was the Children’s Meal.
"Holy crap! You two are just bullying me now!"
Zhou Shu was a notoriously picky diner, but he had a rare fondness for this establishment’s red wine sauce steak. The sauce was reduced to a thick, rich glaze; the alcohol had long since evaporated during the slow simmering process, leaving only the deep aroma of the grapes fused with savory juices and a hint of smoky oak.
Jiang Rong was clearly won over by the Movie King’s taste. He ate with gusto, his head swaying in satisfaction, eventually polishing off his entire portion before adding a tiramisu and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Watching him eat so contentedly, Zhou Shu’s expression softened. He found himself thinking of Jin Yan when he was younger—he had been just like this, easy to please and seemingly nourished by the mere act of being fed by Zhou Shu.
"Brother, are you thinking that Jiang Rong is just like I was as a kid? Easy to raise?" Jin Yan suddenly leaned in, his voice a low vibration against Zhou Shu’s ear that only the two of them could hear.
Zhou Shu’s eyes widened slightly. He blinked, his profile betraying the fact that his inner thoughts had been read with surgical precision.
Sensing his victory, Jin Yan pushed further, his words turning scandalous. "Brother, I’m still easy to raise. As long as it’s you feeding me, I’ll eat *anything*."
The breathy quality of his voice, combined with the deliberate weight he placed on certain syllables, made the statement sound anything but innocent. Zhou Shu caught the underlying meaning instantly. He pressed his lips together, trying to stifle his rising emotions, but his ears betrayed him by turning a vivid shade of crimson.
What was more infuriating was that the culprit remained the picture of cool, ascetic detachment, his gold-rimmed glasses catching the restaurant’s light with a scholarly glint.
Zhou Shu gritted his teeth. No matter how high the waves of his indignation rose, they couldn't quite breach the heavens. In this round, the "Tea Master" had won again, his gentle, misty provocations proving irresistible.
After the meal, a satiated Jiang Rong patted his stomach, vowing to eat two portions of the signature dish next time. As he closed the menu, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Right, Boss, I’ve had a question for a while." Jiang Rong looked at Jin Yan, who nodded for him to continue. "Your secondary differentiation ability allows you to hear the voices of all things... but does that include *every* animal?" He tapped the menu, specifically the meat dishes. "Like... these?"
Jin Yan understood. He was asking if he could hear the thoughts of cows, sheep, pigs, or poultry.
He shook his head. "Not all. Only most. As it stands, I can only truly understand the hearts of domesticated pets." He paused, reflecting. "Zoo animals work too, but only if I make physical contact. I have to touch them a few times to establish a connection."
"Oh... I see! What about farms?" Jiang Rong asked. "If you went to a ranch or a slaughterhouse, could you hear them?"
"No. I’ve tried before, and even with physical contact, I perceive nothing," Jin Yan concluded.
Perhaps it was a mercy of natural law—a way to ensure that a carnivore like Jin Yan wouldn't be burdened by an impossible moral weight. His Enigma awakening was perfectly tailored for a veterinarian, not a martyr.
"Phew, that’s a relief!" Jiang Rong sighed, propping his chin on his hand. "Otherwise, life would be too painful. I honestly couldn't survive a single day as a vegetarian."
Jin Yan smiled. "I’m not cut out to be a herbivore either. True vegetarians usually have their own deep-seated faith. Most people are just ordinary, and Enigmas are no different."
Zhou Shu’s expression shifted at those words, a flicker of genuine appreciation crossing his face.
"I admire those with true faith as well," Zhou Shu added. "Animals have feelings; sometimes, they are far more worthy of trust than humans." The two men locked eyes, sharing a quiet, knowing smile.
Having stuffed himself to the point of discomfort and then being force-fed a second helping of "dog food" PDA, Jiang Rong insisted on taking a taxi home alone. The couple laughed and saw the waddling Omega off.
As the car door closed, a few stray gusts of Haicheng’s unique wind slipped into the cabin. The salty humidity of the air was tinged with the chill of late autumn. Suddenly, Jin Yan found himself craving a different scent.
"Brother..." Jin Yan’s voice was raspy as he gripped the steering wheel.
"Hmm? What is it?" Zhou Shu looked at him with concern. "Are you tired? Do you want me to drive?"
"No." Jin Yan’s throat tightened. He coughed twice before saying, "Brother, can you... release a bit of your pheromones?"
Zhou Shu was stunned. His lips parted, but he didn't know how to respond. Was this some kind of "do not attempt while driving" request? He looked at Jin Yan helplessly, reaching out to pinch his leg. "Can you behave? I’ve noticed you’re becoming more and more like a walking..."
He swallowed the last two letters—*A.O.*—but the implication was clear.
"A walking what?" Jin Yan’s lips curled into a smirk, the cold, otherworldly image he maintained in front of others vanishing completely. When they were alone, Zhou Shu always felt that Jin Yan, with those glasses, looked less like a doctor and more like a "refined scum" pretending to be celibate.
"Do you have any idea how much it irritates me when you wear those glasses?" Zhou Shu finally snapped, unable to hold back. "You look so 'ascetic' it makes my blood boil."
Jin Yan caught the opening instantly. "Don't worry, Brother. I will never be 'ascetic' when it comes to you. I’ll be especially... well..."
Before he could finish the sentence, Zhou Shu gave him a sharp pinch, silencing him. Jin Yan didn't dare open the windows, so he cranked the air conditioning to its coldest setting.
After a moment of silence, Jin Yan could only mutter, "We’ll settle this when we get home."
***
Later that night, having "settled the accounts," Zhou Shu lay in Jin Yan’s arms, his limbs too heavy to lift. The entire room was thick with the intertwined scents of rain and sea salt, a lingering mist that refused to dissipate.
As they basked in the afterglow, Zhou Shu’s phone began to chime. He glanced at the screen and groaned, burrowing deeper into Jin Yan’s chest.
"Not going to answer?" Jin Yan asked softly.
"It’s my manager. Nothing good ever happens when she calls at this hour," Zhou Shu rasped, his voice thick with exhaustion as he wrapped an arm around Jin Yan’s waist.
Jin Yan leaned down to kiss Zhou Shu’s forehead. "Answer it. It might be an emergency."
Zhou Shu clicked his tongue in annoyance but put the phone on speaker, keeping his eyes closed. "Hello?"
"Oh, my dear Movie King! You finally picked up! I’ve called a dozen times! And I tried Julia, but her phone is off. Are you two trying to disappear together? I almost called the police!"
"You’re exaggerating," Zhou Shu muttered. His low, gravelly voice startled the manager.
"What’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick? Or have you been smoking too much lately?" Her tone turned frantic. "Listen, don't go spiraling just because you’re on a forced hiatus! Every top star in the industry goes through storms like this..."
As the manager continued her frantic comforting, Jin Yan began to chuckle silently beside him. *Spiraling...* that was one way to describe their evening.
Zhou Shu shot him a warning glare and gave the manager a series of mechanical, half-hearted responses. After ten minutes of venting and rambling, the manager’s tone suddenly shifted.
"Actually, the main reason I called is that I have some good news."
Zhou Shu sighed. Finally, the point.
"You know how several of your endorsements were pulled recently? We looked into it. A few companies and studios were definitely working together to trip you up. You know how it is—when a wall starts to crumble, everyone gives it a push to steal the contracts."
"Yes, and?" Zhou Shu asked tonelessly.
"Ugh, you... forget it, you’ve always been like this, only caring about the acting." She took a breath, her voice rising with excitement. "But a brand reached out today. Their backer specifically wants *you* as their spokesperson. They said your image and temperament are a perfect fit. They don't care about the rumors; they only trust their own eyes."
Zhou Shu paused, a spark of curiosity finally igniting. "What brand?"
"A high-end jewelry brand. They’ve been developing overseas but are looking to break into the domestic market."
"Jewelry?" Zhou Shu was puzzled. "Wouldn't an Omega be more appropriate?"
"Hey, that’s gender discrimination! Who says an Alpha can't endorse jewelry? Besides, they definitely saw your performance as Chu Xun. They even mentioned *Rouge Drunk*!"
At the mention of *Rouge Drunk*, Zhou Shu glanced at Jin Yan and saw the man’s smirk widen. Zhou Shu tried to shift away uncomfortably, but Jin Yan’s arm tightened around him like a vice. With the phone on speaker, Zhou Shu couldn't make a scene, so he had to endure it.
"Zhou Shu? You still there? This is a great opportunity. It’s rare to find a brand with this much vision, specifically choosing you for who you are." The manager was clearly eager for him to accept.
Jin Yan didn't move, but as soon as the manager finished her sentence, he leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the scent gland at the back of Zhou Shu’s neck.
"Fine. I’ll consider it," Zhou Shu said, his heart softening. It was as good as a 'yes.'
After hanging up, Zhou Shu squeezed the hand that was currently massaging his arm. "So, you’re just going to let me go back to work?"
"It’s fine, Brother. The Movie King belongs to the public." Jin Yan tilted his head, a playful whine entering his voice. "Even if so many people are trying to cling to my brother... and even if people are shipping him with others."
The storm had passed, but it had left behind a distinct scent of "green tea" manipulation.
Zhou Shu didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused. He turned around and cupped Jin Yan’s face, which still bore the traces of their earlier passion. "But if I go to work, what will Doctor Jin do? What if some cat-spirit or dog-spirit or rabbit-spirit tries to crawl into your lap?"
He clicked his tongue in mock frustration. "And all those people leaving comments saying 'I love you'... tell me, what exactly do they love about you?"
The sweet sea salt of his pheromones was now laced with a sharp, vinegary tang of jealousy, making Jin Yan’s skin burn with desire all over again.
"Brother, your jealousy is so intense I can't even be mad," Jin Yan laughed helplessly. He was supposed to be the one settling accounts, yet he had lost to his brother again.
"You wanted to be mad? I—"
In the next second, Jin Yan silenced the rambling mouth with a deep kiss. The Movie King truly lived up to the manager’s description of "spiraling."
To spare his brother further embarrassment, Jin Yan eventually let him go. He got out of bed to get a glass of ice water, and when he returned, he was suspiciously clutching something to his chest.
Zhou Shu raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to hand it over. When he saw the object, Zhou Shu fell into a long silence before burying his face in his hands, laughing uncontrollably.
The brat had actually brought their marriage certificates to bed.
The "doll-faced" Enigma spoke up, his voice dripping with mock innocence. "It’s okay, Brother. You go to work. I won't be jealous. I can take care of myself." As he spoke, he flipped open the certificate to the photo page and pointed repeatedly at the word "Spouse."
Zhou Shu poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue. He rolled over, fished out his own copy of the certificate, and placed it right between their pillows.
"I have to get up early to discuss the contract with my manager. I’m going to sleep." Zhou Shu suppressed a smile and reached out to kill the lights. "Goodnight, Doctor Jin."
Doctor Jin let out a low chuckle and tucked his certificate into the sleeve of Zhou Shu’s. The two documents lay nestled together on the pillow in a mysterious, intimate embrace, illuminated by the faint moonlight filtering through the window.
Jin Yan climbed back into bed, pulled the covers over Zhou Shu, and kissed the gland on the back of his neck one last time.
"Goodnight," he whispered. "My Movie King."
***
