The weight on his head was clear as day, but Qiu Sui’s eyelashes fluttered as if he felt nothing, pretending to be perfectly natural as he stepped into the elevator.
The basketball court Shen Zhixiao had booked was right near the school, and since they’d reserved the whole place, the venue felt a bit empty.
Qiu Sui picked out a well-inflated basketball and dribbled it a few times in place, feeling like his touch was on fire right now.
Sure, Shen Zhixiao had the height advantage, but Qiu Sui figured good skills could make up for that unfair edge.
They weren’t just standing around taking dry shots—this was playful one-on-one, where whoever grabbed the ball and sank it scored a point.
Qiu Sui was pretty solid at shooting with his friends back home; he almost always made it if he got the ball. The trick was actually grabbing it.
Shen Zhixiao was nearly ten centimeters taller, after all. The ball had barely gone up before he snatched it, leaving Qiu Sui circling him to steal it back and block his shots.
Shen Zhixiao dribbled without rushing a shot, weaving around the court amid Qiu Sui’s brushing touches, then suddenly powered into a toss just as Qiu Sui lunged head-on.
Qiu Sui misjudged, nearly slamming into the other’s chest without braking.
His loose shirt had already flipped up from the momentum, pressing against Shen Zhixiao’s clothes, but he stopped dead just three centimeters short.
His eyes tracked the ball’s path nimbly, and he whipped around in an instant—like a launched arrow, darting crisply toward the hoop.
Shen Zhixiao’s shot hadn’t been aimed true; the ball rimmed out and dropped right into the pursuing Qiu Sui’s hands.
He flashed a “you’re done for” grin back at the still-reacting Shen Zhixiao, then swiftly slammed the ball home.
Wary of Shen Zhixiao swiping it, Qiu Sui didn’t let up after the make, hustling after the rebound.
Shen Zhixiao froze for a few seconds before catching up, but Qiu Sui snagged it again. As he blew past, he tossed back a puzzled, “Your reactions are a bit slow. You weren’t holding back, were you?”
Spotting the hint of underestimation in Qiu Sui’s vibe, Shen Zhixiao took a few deep breaths, licked his dry lips, and chased after the Beta in a husky voice: “No.”
Qiu Sui was nimble, but he couldn’t quite match an Alpha’s innate sharpness. The ball slipped from his hands several times, firing up his competitive fire until his whole body burned. He shadowed Shen Zhixiao relentlessly, their shoulders and sides brushing repeatedly as the score seesawed between tied and overtaken.
With the perimeter timer beeping a countdown warning, Qiu Sui panted, eyes locked on the basketball in Shen Zhixiao’s grip, itching to snatch it. Cautiously, he fanned himself with his shirt hem while closing in.
The Alpha’s sharp gaze snagged on that sliver of exposed waist and abs, pausing. The heat radiating from him intensified subtly.
He switched hands with the ball, and Qiu Sui’s eyes followed like a cat chasing yarn, his expression grave and focused as he drew nearer.
Spotting a flicker of an opening, Qiu Sui darted in for the steal, flicking the ball to his other ready hand the instant his fingers grazed it.
The momentum swung his shoulder into Shen Zhixiao’s solid pecs, but he spun away fast, eyeing the hoop and leaping without hesitation—sinking it clean and hard.
It was one fluid motion: the ball arced perfectly between his landing feet, ticking into the net with four seconds left, tying up Shen Zhixiao’s lead.
Qiu Sui stumbled back two excited steps, colliding unexpectedly with the person behind him.
The other didn’t dodge; his hard chest and abs pressed flush against Qiu Sui’s slightly arched back. Their post-exertion body heat tugged at each other through thin fabric, like electric currents racing across nerves, making Qiu Sui’s already racing heart pound wildly—as if it might burst straight from his thin chest.
Qiu Sui froze without pulling away, eyes fixed on the hoop ahead, ears filled with the Alpha’s heavy post-game breaths. Uncontrollably, he matched that rhythm, panting in sync.
Thump-thump. His brain pulsed with his heartbeat. Then he sensed a faint shift behind him—a slow arm circling tentatively, like testing waters or giving in to craving.
Qiu Sui’s dangling fingers twitched sensitively, but his body stayed put, letting the embrace close in bit by bit. His shoulders and back sealed perfectly against Shen Zhixiao.
His whole body burned—adrenaline crash or contagious heat, he couldn’t tell. His heart scorched too, leaving his head fuzzy.
Shen Zhixiao held him without further moves, like he was just tired and borrowing support. They clung quietly for minutes.
Their other heats faded, but the pressed spots stayed scorching.
Only when Shen Zhixiao released did Qiu Sui snap back, fingers clenched tight for seconds before daring a look. Then a brief voice from behind:
“Qiu…”
Qiu Sui stepped forward instinctively, forcing calm as he turned, cutting him off like nothing happened: “This game’s a tie.”
He met Shen Zhixiao’s gaze, pulse hammering beneath, and mustered a shallow smile. “Wanna keep going, or take a breather?”
Shen Zhixiao’s tender eyes paused; he drew a rough, hot breath, glanced at the Beta’s uneasy face, and chuckled softly. Casually: “Let’s rest. Too intense isn’t good.”
Qiu Sui exhaled relief that the hug went unmentioned. His cheeks stayed flushed as he sat in the rest area, wiping sweat with a towel, eyes down.
Shen Zhixiao returned with two bottles of purified water, sitting beside him. He twisted the cap off as Qiu Sui reached, handing it over.
Qiu Sui’s fingertips trembled faintly, a subtle tug in his chest. This coddling feels weird. It’s not like I can’t open it myself…
He thought that, then tipped it back awkwardly for a gulp.
They lounged chatting idly, like nothing happened, tacitly skipping the hazy embrace. After rest, they picked up the ball again.
Qiu Sui hadn’t played this freely since arriving in Sea City. Shen Zhixiao’s skills were solid, reactions sharp; their back-and-forth sparked fun, laced with light jabs.
After several games, Qiu Sui’s stamina flagged. He slumped in the rest area, eyes closed, panting, hand sweeping sweaty strands back to bare his smooth forehead.
Shen Zhixiao stood by, blatantly scanning him top-down. His gaze slithered from closed lashes and flushed cheeks, down the tilted neck, lingering at the wide collar.
Qiu Sui was flushed everywhere—neck, collarbones, even chest and abs peeking under the collar.
Shen Zhixiao had glimpsed them through the billowing sleeves during play.
Just like during that Susceptible Period fuck last time.
His eyes darkened as he bit his canine, flashing an innocent smile when Qiu Sui opened his eyes. Softly: “Wanna play tomorrow too?”
Head tilted back, Qiu Sui blurted no without thinking. Seeing the Alpha’s expression freeze, he grinned slyly: “Next week. Gotta grind homework tomorrow.”
Shen Zhixiao relaxed, playfully bumping the half-empty bottle against Qiu Sui’s upturned cheek like mock revenge, making him dodge and laugh till he shook.
They chilled in the venue a bit before heading to the locker room showers. Though close to school, they skipped campus food for Snack Street at the East Gate.
Qiu Sui suggested the barbecue stall from last time with Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun, packing extras for them on the way back.
He’d planned to send Shen Zhixiao straight to his dorm, but the guy insisted on walking him to the Omega Dormitory Area. Qiu Sui cringed at the thought of Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun spotting him but didn’t refuse.
When Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun came down for the food, they both glanced at the pair in the pavilion. Qiao Keren couldn’t hide his grin, nudging Qiu Sui’s shoulder with the bag: “You two on dates all day?”
Qiu Sui’s head exploded red, neck stiffening in a low denial: “We just planned to hoop this afternoon. Hoop!”
Qiao Keren arched a brow faintly, whispering to Qiu Shun: “Means they got up close and personal.”
If Shen Zhixiao weren’t right there, Qiu Sui would’ve pinned Qiao Keren to sort him out. Instead, he bid them goodbye with a thin blush.
The weekend passed, plunging Sea City into late October. The first couple days held steady, but by Thursday, Qiu Sui felt the chill drop and layered up.
He stuck close to Shen Zhixiao often—same classes, same dismissals—splitting only if schedules clashed or something came up.
His phone stayed dead silent. Qiu Sui wondered if the guy had chickened out like Shen Zhixiao said, or backed off from the Campus Wall posts.
He didn’t bait a message or push Shen Zhixiao on ditching the daily pickups.
That hazy hug faded into the background. They hung out naturally as ever, but Qiu Sui kept bracing for another sudden move like it.
It never came—no more boundary pushes.
Qiu Sui couldn’t name the restless itch inside. He lost track of time amid their vibe, jolted when he realized the month was nearly done.
After Sunday hoops with Shen Zhixiao, Qiu Sui dragged out of the elevator, every step sluggish.
Shen Zhixiao trailed half a beat, not splitting in the hall like usual—he walked him to the dorm.
Qiu Sui fiddled endlessly with his backpack strap, slowing absentmindedly till they matched pace. He snuck a sidelong peek.
Two more days to Wednesday—Shen Zhixiao’s Susceptible Period. But no word on their deal…
Qiu Sui swallowed thickly, mind a mess. Should I bring it up? But I’m not ready with an answer…
Lost in thought, he nearly passed his door. Shen Zhixiao chuckled low, steering his shoulder back: “What’re you thinking? Didn’t even notice you overshot.”
Qiu Sui halted awkwardly at his door, fumbling the keycard under the touch, lips pursed: “Just… mind wandered.”
Whether Shen Zhixiao bought it or not, he waved goodbye with a smile after seeing him in. Qiu Sui watched his back vanish into the lobby, then shut the door. Silent seconds later, he peered from the window—Shen Zhixiao’s tall, sturdy frame crossing the hall opposite.
That night, Qiu Sui dreamed restlessly of how to reply to Shen Zhixiao, worries and flutters tangling him. He’d never felt this before.
Being with Shen Zhixiao started making him tense, but Monday passed without a peep, so Tuesday he turned hyper-alert—every glance yanking his emotions.
Walking back to the dorm that afternoon, Shen Zhixiao’s soft call of his name sent his heart into overdrive. Here it comes.
![After Backstabbing the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/quick.jpg?resize=151,215 "After Backstabbing the Protagonist [Quick Transmigration]")
