13
Qi Zhao’s rationality was still intact.
He knew very well why Qi Wei wanted him to use this perfume. He also knew that Qi Wei could completely use the contract to pressure him, to force him to obey, but Qi Wei always asked him if it was okay, always respecting his wishes.
Especially now, when he looked up slightly, he could see the expectation and endless tenderness in those dark eyes.
It was just a perfume; it wouldn’t affect him much. Especially since Qi Wei would arrange a driver for him, so he didn’t need to worry about the risk of drunk driving from smelling like alcohol.
“…Okay.”
Qi Zhao agreed.
He knew a lot about alphas, such as how agreeing like this was also a way to satisfy an alpha’s possessiveness and desire for control. But Qi Zhao wasn’t an alpha, and he hadn’t yet realized why alphas were often compared to wolves or dogs.
When training wolves or dogs, one thing was paramount—no spoiling.
A balance of leash and reward was necessary for future harmonious coexistence.
Constantly giving rewards would only lead to them pushing boundaries, becoming insatiable and spoiled beyond control, their appetite growing, becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy.
This time, Qi Wei couldn’t help himself. He lifted the hand that had put down the perfume bottle and reached out to Qi Zhao, gently pulling him closer.
He didn’t use much force, but Qi Zhao still took half a step forward, getting closer to Qi Wei, faintly smelling the scent that had accompanied him all afternoon.
His nerves instinctively tensed. Before he could react, the alpha cupped his face in his hands.
Qi Wei’s palms were truly hot. His hands were used to his body temperature, but his face wasn’t.
The air conditioning in the room was set quite low, so Qi Zhao had changed into long sleeves after waking up, but his face was still inevitably a little cold.
The contrasting temperature sent shivers down Qi Zhao’s spine. A subtle electric current surged through him, making his scalp tingle.
Moreover, alphas and betas had different body types and bone structures. Especially Qi Wei, a super S-rank alpha. His hands were large, his fingers threading through Qi Zhao’s hair and cupping the back of his head, his palm pressing against his ear, holding his face, lifting his head, the pad of his thumb resting on his cheekbone.
It was Qi Zhao’s left cheek that was being held, so his left eye twitched almost imperceptibly, without him even realizing it.
A sign of resistance.
Qi Wei knew.
Qi Zhao was a beta, not a highly compatible omega. He wouldn’t instinctively be drawn to him by the laws of pheromone attraction, so he would resist such actions.
Qi Wei also knew he should stop, but he couldn’t control himself.
The person he had longed for seven years was finally standing before him, within reach, not only that, but held in his hands, always with an air of acquiescence…
Qi Wei’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. The scent of liquor, undetectable to betas, brewed a dangerous aura, like a manifestation of the alpha’s desire, whispering in Qi Wei’s ear, a distorted growl urging him to quickly mark the person in front of him completely, inside and out, to possess him entirely, to lock him away, using the simplest method to bind him, so he would forever be like a dodder flower, dependent on him for survival—
“…Sorry.”
Qi Wei lowered his eyes, slowly releasing his hands, letting go of Qi Zhao’s wrist as well.
But the moment his hands left Qi Zhao, they clenched into fists, his neatly trimmed nails digging into his flesh. Qi Wei’s voice was even hoarser, as if it had been scraped by sandpaper, tinged with a bloody rasp.
“Ah Zhao… don’t be afraid.”
He lowered his head, his eyes downcast, his back slightly hunched.
Qi Wei didn’t look at Qi Zhao, but stared at his hand, saying nothing more after those words.
Qi Zhao wasn’t actually very afraid; he just didn’t want to… and he felt a little lost.
But looking at Qi Wei… Qi Wei was so large, his face not one of gentle features. Even when he smiled, if he didn’t deliberately soften his expression, he exuded aggression and pressure, even a hint of mockery.
Qi Zhao had seen netizens’ comments about Qi Wei, and they were accurate—”Even when he’s smiling, I feel like he’s going to shoot me in the next second.”
But after their “reunion,” Qi Wei rarely gave him that feeling. Even when he was dangerous, it was tinged with ambiguity. And more than that, it was “patience.” He always felt that Qi Wei was very patient, both in his gaze and his attitude, exuding complete patience.
It sounded strange, but it was true.
However, at this moment, even though he wasn’t smiling, his expression neutral, just standing there, which should have been cold and eerie, Qi Zhao sensed an unsettling silence.
Even though Qi Wei was so large, seemingly holding absolute dominance in their contract, he still felt that…
He seemed so vulnerable.
So Qi Zhao’s eyelashes fluttered, and he proactively reached out to Qi Wei. “I’m not afraid.”
He said softly, “Er-ge, I’ve said it before, if you need to, holding hands and hugging are fine, but… I might not be able to…”
Qi Wei was a good person.
That was Qi Zhao’s thought. But for now, it was only limited to “good person.” He could be friends with Qi Wei, but it was difficult for him to accept kissing.
Qi Wei didn’t ask Qi Zhao about “what about later.” He just moved his fingers, not immediately taking Qi Zhao’s hand, but asking in a low voice, “Can I hug you now?”
Qi Zhao paused, then raised his other hand, changing his outstretched hand into open arms. He nodded, and before he could say anything, he felt a gust of wind, and then he was pulled into Qi Wei’s embrace, his waist encircled by Qi Wei’s arms.
Even his arms were trapped within Qi Wei’s embrace.
Qi Wei’s body temperature was truly high. Even through his clothes, Qi Zhao could feel the burning heat, like a fire engulfing him, determined to burn him to ashes before letting go.
And the way he held him couldn’t even be called a hug; it was complete confinement.
Qi Zhao wasn’t a stranger to hugs. He had hugged people many times out of courtesy, and even more so with friends in celebration. But a hug like Qi Wei’s was definitely a first. His body was completely encircled by Qi Wei, the arm around his waist, the other arm diagonally across his shoulder blades, and the hand on his shoulder…
He couldn’t move at all.
Qi Wei’s arms tightened slightly, as if subtly testing Qi Zhao’s limits—the extent to which he could tolerate being confined.
Qi Zhao, however, didn’t realize this. He just thought the alpha was losing control. So when he felt pain, he frowned slightly, his voice strained from the pressure. “Er-ge…”
He couldn’t struggle free, and he was worried that Qi Wei would misunderstand again, so he joked, “If you squeeze any tighter, I’ll break a bone.”
Qi Wei loosened his grip slightly, his voice still low and hoarse, and if it weren’t for the dryness, one would think he was about to cry. “Sorry.”
He closed his eyes, lowered his head, and buried his face in Qi Zhao’s hair, stealing a kiss as he inhaled deeply.
Qi Zhao’s scent could calm his raging pheromones.
Especially since this time, his scent was mixed with the familiar smell of his shampoo, making it feel like their relationship was even closer, more comfortable.
Qi Zhao froze instantly. “…”
He could certainly feel it!
Qi Wei was burying his face in his hair and breathing!
Goosebumps rose on Qi Zhao’s skin. He wanted Qi Wei to let go of him. He knew Qi Wei would listen to him. But at this very moment, Qi Wei murmured in a trance-like voice, “I wish suppressants smelled like you.”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He fell silent again.
Qi Zhao remained silent, letting Qi Wei hold him and inhale his scent a couple more times before asking, “Er-ge, are suppressants ineffective for you?”
“Don’t worry.”
Qi Wei said casually, “They work. Otherwise, how would I have gotten through these past six years? When I really can’t control myself, I just inject a dozen or so. It’s just that their effectiveness has been decreasing over the years… If you don’t like me smelling you like this, I’ll inject some suppressants every morning from now on.”
It wasn’t “one injection” anymore, but “some.”
Qi Zhao closed his eyes.
Qi Wei was certainly more aware of the side effects of suppressants than he was. He didn’t need to ask if Qi Wei knew the consequences of injecting too many suppressants.
Mild side effects included pheromone disorders and becoming mentally unstable; severe side effects could be fatal. After all, they were called “suppressants”; they used drugs to forcibly suppress a person’s bodily functions.
“…I don’t dislike it.”
Qi Zhao couldn’t bear to see Qi Wei injecting himself with a dozen suppressants every day. “Er-ge, if you need to, just come to me.”
After saying that, he suddenly understood the nature of his relationship with Qi Wei.
He just needed to think of himself as Qi Wei’s medicine. Qi Wei probably didn’t have a compatible omega, and coupled with his feelings for him, he could use his natural scent to soothe himself. And in return, Qi Wei would give him anything he wanted.
How perfect.
With this thought, the last bit of awkwardness and discomfort in Qi Zhao’s heart dissipated.
So he said to Qi Wei, “Suppressants… have too many side effects. It’s better to use them less.”
He didn’t need to ask to know that Qi Wei probably already had some pheromone or gland problems.
He had relied on suppressants since his differentiation six years ago…
Qi Zhao was held in Qi Wei’s arms, his chin resting on Qi Wei’s shoulder, so he naturally couldn’t see the alpha above him curl his lips slightly, a triumphant glint in his eyes, but his voice was still the same. “Okay.”
“Ah Zhao.”
Qi Wei said softly and gently, “You’re so good.”
