inferior pheromones

ch 1-10

Chapter 1

Anniversary.

Today is Xia Qingtang and Huo Zeshang's fifth wedding anniversary.

After putting away the completed design sketches, Xia Qingtang tidied up his office and went home early.

The house was large, but there were few people in it. Besides the aunt who cooked and cleaned, Xia Qingtang was usually alone at home. But today, the other owner was coming back.

Xia Qingtang let the aunt leave early and personally made a cake and a table full of delicious dishes, waiting for his husband to come home.

Huo Zeshang, as a commander, was always busy. He faced various unexpected events and had to supervise border security at all times. Under the ruler, Huo Zeshang was the backbone of the country.

So not seeing each other for days or even weeks had become a habit.

Xia Qingtang always understood his work and never complained about it. He wanted to be a supportive and understanding partner.

As the partner of a commander, all Xia Qingtang could do was minimize his own presence, not allowing those who constantly observed him to find any weaknesses to criticize in his husband.

In this aspect, Xia Qingtang had done quite well. In the five years of their marriage, they hardly ever quarreled. Even if there were occasional differences, it was only Xia Qingtang's one-sided silent treatment, and Huo Zeshang never took the small matters of life to heart.

But he would remember Xia Qingtang's birthday and prepare gifts for him. In previous years, when Xia Qingtang reminded him that their wedding anniversary was approaching, he would proactively leave work and come home, even if it was just to have a simple meal together.

However, tonight, Xia Qingtang sent him many messages without receiving a reply.

Actually, Xia Qingtang had reminded him yesterday about today's significance. Huo Zeshang was always busy, and Xia Qingtang was used to him coming home late. But until today, he hadn't received any response, which was unusual.

But perhaps there was an unexpected event that couldn't be avoided.

Xia Qingtang was already accustomed to waiting.

However, he didn't expect that his hopeful anticipation would be in vain until midnight.

Not only did he not see the return of his alpha, but he didn't even receive a message from him.

He anticipated that Huo Zeshang wouldn't come back tonight, even if he did, it would be after this special day, and the table full of food lost its original meaning.

Disheartened, Xia Qingtang put away the food, turned off the lights in the living room, and dejectedly went to his room.

After washing up and lying in bed, he closed his eyes for a while but couldn't help but open them again. He hadn't done anything, just stared at the ceiling in a daze, but sleep eluded him.

The silent night sky, the vast villa—soundproofing was excellent here, and once inside the room, he couldn't hear anything. The night seemed so quiet that it could swallow him whole.

Huo Zeshang didn't like light, so when the blackout curtains in the room were closed, he couldn't see anything.

But Huo Zeshang didn't know that Xia Qingtang was a little afraid of the dark, so when his husband wasn't home, Xia Qingtang would take out the night light from the drawer and plug it in by the bedside.

Tonight, Xia Qingtang couldn't sleep due to the dim light. Afraid of the dark, he kept the small lamp on, the only source of light.

The silence of the night made him feel sad, and he couldn't help but think more and more. His nose felt sore, unable to meet his expectations.