THE SCENT

"MILLIONS OF POWER AND A SLIGHT FOND OF TRUST,"

For a brief moment, Hei Bao considered this individual to be the most beautiful and precious human being he had ever seen. This person, who was smiling at him, appeared frail, as if he would break with the slightest touch. That made Hei Bao want to protect him on a daily basis.

The scent, the exposed soft and pale neck, and the person alone are making him dizzy. He just wants to hop over to him, hug him, and claim him as "his." However, he does not want to frighten the person in front of him.

He becomes absorbed in his thoughts. Inside Hei Bao's head, Hei Bao's inner self and Hei Bao himself are arguing. While his eyes were fixed on the person, the word "mine" kept ringing in his ears. Until he unconsciously said it aloud a little too loudly.

"Mate"

"Pardon?" the small brunette inquired, perplexed.

Hei Bao abruptly awoke from his reverie. He scanned his eyes and noticed that they were all staring at him. He then returned his gaze to the person in front of him. Cheung Qi, on the other hand, was looking at Hei Bao.

"Bruh, you look stupid," Cheung Qi.

"What-I mean, my hands are filthy!" exclaimed Hei Bao Lie. He didn't refuse to shake hands because he didn't want to. He wanted to shake hands, but he may not have let it go. He was resisting the urge to remain calm. Bai Lianhua retracted his hand and scratched his nape awkwardly.

"Are we filming a movie?" Cheung Qi finally broke the ice, laughing awkwardly. They'd been standing there for an hour without saying anything, and he could feel his legs going numb.

Chu Yan approaches Hei Bao and Bai Lianhua, secretly nudges Lianhua, and relieves Lianhua's awkward feelings. She then turned to look at Hei Bao.

"Are you done eating, director?" Chu Yan

"Yes, I need to get back to the company because I have a meeting," Hei Bao replied, looking at his watch. He noticed it was already 1:58 p.m. If he doesn't get back to the company now, Secretary Wen will surely nag at him nonstop.

"That's too bad; I baked a cake earlier and thought you'd be able to have a bite today, especially since you always order a black coffee when you come to the cafe, "Hao Mingyu.

"I'm sorry; I'll come back next time." Hei Bao is reluctant to leave. He had finally found his mate, but he was at a loss for words. Should he be content? He has no idea. Hei Bao then cast a glance at Cheung Qi. Cheung Qi nodded his head without hesitation, indicating that he understood.

"I need to go. Take care of yourself, okay?" Cheung Qi said to Chu Yan, his eyes filled with love.

"I'll will," Chu Yan said, nodding. She then gave Cheung Qi a smile. They completely forgot that they were supposed to keep their relationship a secret.

Cheung Qi, for one, does not want to leave. Chu Yan was by himself with two men. Despite the fact that they were her friends, they were still men.

Cheung Qi can't deny that Hao Mingyu, in particular, is attractive. He does not want to abandon Chu Yan.

"Are you going to walk back on that muddy path?" Hao Mingyu inquired.

Everyone turned to face him. Bai Lianhua was still standing near Hei Bao, and Cheung Qi was standing near the dining room's exit with Chu Yan. Chu Yan lowered his gaze. She was embarrassed because she had just let her boss walk barefoot down such a road. She felt as if she had embarrassed her boss.

She just wanted the ground to open and swallow her whole. She was so humiliated that she thought she might die. Her mind was filled with nonsense, such as

'I should have told them about it first.'

'I'm going to get fired now.'

'God is merciful, but my boss isn't,' he says.

'He's not going to let me breathe again,' she says.

'He'll scold me and slit my throat.'

"It just started raining, are you going to walk to your car?" Hao Mingyu asked.

'Please, Hyung, don't say it again.' Isn't it obvious that I'm dying in here? Chu Yan screamed in her head.

"You know what, just drive them there, and A'Lian and I will meet you there," Chu Yan suggested.

"Right, Hyung, you've got a car parked in the back," Bai Lianhua says.

Hei Bao turned to face him. Now that he'd met his mate, he was full of deep thoughts. He wants to be happy but doesn't know how to express or demonstrate it. He wants to leave quickly, but he feels as if there is some invisible string tying him to his mate

He doesn't want to leave, but he has to because his friend's odor is making him dizzy. He was terrified that he would lose control right there, right now.

"Then just wait here for a minute while I go get my car," Hao Mingyu said as he walked into the room.

Cheung Qi responded with a nod. Hei Bao just stood there, motionless. After a few moments, Hao Mingyu returned with what appeared to be car keys in his hand.

"Wait, can I change into my suit earlier? I assumed it was already dry and clean," Cheung Qi asked.

"All right," Hao Mingyu.

"I parked the car outside, so are we ready to go?" Hao Mingyu.

"Yes, it's nearly 2 p.m.; we should get going," Cheung Qi replied.

Cheung Qi cast a glance at Hei Bao, who nodded. Hei Bao looked at Bai Lianhua, and Lianhua smiled back, but his eyes were disappointed. Hei Bao opened his mouth to speak, but his phone rang loudly from his pocket.

He took it out and excused himself before leaving the room and walking silently to the living room. The familiar voice rang in his ears as he pressed the answer button. It was Wen, Secretary of State.

"The meeting is about to begin; where are you, my dear Director?" Secretary Wen inquired on the other end of the line.

They then waited for Cheung Qi, who dashed to the bathroom to change because the dryer was there. Cheung Qi reappeared a few moments later, dressed in his suit.

"I'm on my way," Hei Bao said flatly.

"Then please arrive as soon as possible; the other directors are waiting for you in the conference room," Secretary Wen added.

"Mn," Hei Bao replied before hanging up the phone.

He reinserted his phone into his pocket. He turned around when he heard footsteps approaching him and saw Cheung Qi and Hao Mingyu.

"The cloud is graying again; we should get moving," Cheung Qi says.

"Let's go," Hei Bao suggested.

They then turned around and walked to the exit. They put on their shoes, which had been sitting on the shoe rack. They noticed Hao Mingyu's car was parked near the door to keep them from getting wet from the rain as soon as they opened the door.

In the driver's seat, Hao Mingyu opened and closed the door. Cheung Qi opened the shotgun seat door, and Hei Bao followed suit by opening the back seat door.

They were about to leave when Hei Bao, who was sitting near the window, turned his head to the left at just the right moment. He noticed Bai Lianhua carrying something like a box wrapped in a pink cloth and walking quickly, looking very anxious.

Lianhua got closer and closer until he reached the car. The box was wrapped in a pink cloth in a haphazard manner, as if the person who prepared it was in a hurry. He even forgot to use a different shade of the cloth he used to cover the box.

"Are you joining us?" Hao Mingyu inquired as he rolled down the window.

Hei Bao's heart thumped like crazy when he heard that. He became unsettled.

If he comes with us, he'll sit next to me. Hei Bao paused.

"No," Lianhua replied. Hei Bao became depressed and disappointed all of a sudden. The truth is that he hoped, just a little bit, that Lianhua's answer would be yes. But he wasn't prepared for what Lianhua said next.

"I'm here to support Mr. Bao," Bai Lianhua added. Hei Bao's heart seemed to beat even faster. He was taken aback, but he maintained his composed demeanor. He then rolled down the window without saying anything. He turned to face the beautiful man outside the window, who was holding a bento box.

"Ahm- I'm sorry if I bothered you again, Mr. Bao. I just wanted to give you this. There are macarons and cake inside. Please accept my gift," Bai Lianhua said awkwardly, his forced smile on his face. Lianhua was worried that Hei Bao would reject it.

"Thank you," Hei Bao said, extending his hand to accept the bento box. He inadvertently touched Lianhua's hand, causing Lianhua to flinch and raise his head to look Hei Bao in the eyes. Hei Bao noticed Lianhua flinching slightly, so he looked at him and saw that he was already staring at him.

Lianhua blushed and slowly drew back his hand, lightly brushing Hei Bao's hand. Hei Bao swallowed a lump, his heart pounding like a drum.

"Because you've already given it to Mr. Bao, go inside before you get sick," Hao Mingyu advised.

"Mn," Bai Lianhua nodded, smiling at Hei Bao before turning around and leaving.

Hei Bao looked behind him and noticed how red Lianhua's ears were. That sight made him secretly smile. He rolled up the window again, and Hao Mingyu began driving. Hei Bao held the bento box in his hand rather than placing it on the seat.

He could still smell the scent of the person who had given it to him. He was thirsty to the point of dehydration, and they needed to get back in their car.

To be continued.