64
The next day, a rest day, Qi Zhao and Qi Wei stayed home. In the afternoon, Qi Wei, unusually, said he wanted to take a nap.
Qi Zhao had just seen him take his medicine, which looked different from before.
So Qi Zhao frowned slightly, worried. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Alphas had abundant energy, especially a super S-rank alpha like Qi Wei. It was unusual for him to want a nap after sleeping with him every night.
“…A little.”
Qi Wei didn’t hide it completely. He gently massaged his temples. “The medicine I just took is a new batch… I feel a little sleepy.”
Qi Zhao put down his book and stood up, concerned. “Should we go to the hospital?”
“It’s fine.” Qi Wei took his hand. “It’s a possible side effect. I’ll sleep for a while and see how I feel.”
Qi Zhao’s lips pursed with worry.
Qi Wei smiled and, forcing himself to stay awake, kissed him lightly on the lips, the action seeming to revive him slightly. “Ah Zhao, don’t worry, I won’t push myself.”
He held Qi Zhao’s hand in one hand and placed the other on the back of his head, gently caressing his nape, the gesture devoid of any sexual undertones. “I still want to grow old with you.”
Qi Zhao froze, his heart clenching as if a string tied to it had been pulled taut by Qi Wei, the indescribable sensation spreading to his left arm, his left hand, even his head, making him feel slightly breathless.
Was Qi Wei even taking his medicine and trying to stay healthy because of him?
Qi Zhao reached out and hugged Qi Wei’s waist. “I’ll take a nap with you.”
Qi Wei paused. He wouldn’t normally hesitate, so Qi Zhao pulled back slightly, his hands on Qi Wei’s back, and looked at him intently. “Qi Wei, you’re not hiding anything else from me, are you?”
“…No.”
Qi Wei lowered his voice. “It’s just that the medicine might have other side effects, like triggering a false rut, but it won’t last long, just an hour or two at most. But if you’re here…”
He didn’t need to say more. Qi Zhao had experienced Qi Wei’s rut; he knew what kind of chaos it would bring.
So Qi Zhao fell silent for a moment.
Qi Wei gently caressed the back of his head, his voice soft and soothing, tinged with a smile, seeming more like a gentle, caring omega than an alpha, let alone a super S-rank.
“It’s okay if I nap alone, Ah Zhao. Because of my gland, I’m prone to losing control even during a false rut. It’s better if you’re not around, in case I can’t control myself and do something you don’t like.”
“…”
Qi Wei’s words were strange.
They were officially a couple now, even if Qi Zhao had only agreed to “try.” And “try” didn’t just mean kissing and hugging; Qi Zhao knew that.
He just hadn’t been able to accept anything more. Even after the neck biting incident, if Qi Wei wanted to bite him now, he still had to ask first, and Qi Zhao still needed to consider it.
So Qi Zhao, amidst Qi Wei’s subtle manipulations, remained silent for a while before saying softly, “We’re partners, aren’t we?”
Even if it was just a false rut, Qi Wei would still feel much better if Qi Zhao was by his side.
Qi Wei should agree now, take his hand, and lead him upstairs to the bedroom.
That’s what Qi Zhao thought.
But he had misjudged Qi Wei. Qi Wei genuinely respected his wishes and didn’t want him to endure the side effects with him.
Qi Wei lowered his eyes slightly, his energy noticeably waning, but his speech was still clear and coherent. “Ah Zhao, we are indeed partners, but that doesn’t mean we have to do everything together. Even married couples have something called marital rape, let alone us. You have the right to refuse at any time, regardless of our relationship. Just because we’re together doesn’t mean you have to do anything you don’t want to.”
Qi Wei lowered his head, unable to resist the urge to lean against Qi Zhao, to nuzzle against him. “Ah Zhao…”
He pressed his forehead against Qi Zhao’s, their noses touching, their breaths mingling, his voice becoming even lower and hoarser. “I only want you to be comfortable… You just have to take care of yourself.”
He wanted to keep Qi Zhao by his side, not to turn him into a lifeless doll.
Although he admitted that he sometimes felt a perverse pleasure when Qi Zhao, wanting to push him away yet afraid of hurting him, remained still and compliant, he still hoped that Qi Zhao would prioritize his own comfort.
His Ah Zhao was always too kind.
Qi Zhao closed his eyes instinctively as Qi Wei leaned closer.
He wasn’t used to this gesture—even after all this time, all these instances, he still wasn’t used to it.
But he wasn’t repulsed by it either.
He just couldn’t think clearly when Qi Wei was so close, but because of this, his words were less guarded, less rational.
Under Qi Wei’s constant consideration, Qi Zhao replied almost without thinking, “I’m not unwilling… I’m just worried about you if I don’t stay.”
Qi Wei paused and smiled. “Okay.”
After responding, he suddenly released Qi Zhao.
Before Qi Zhao could react, Qi Wei bent down and lifted him into his arms.
Qi Zhao was startled and instinctively wrapped his arms around Qi Wei’s neck, seeking a sense of security. “Qi Wei…”
“Don’t move,” Qi Wei lowered his voice. “I just took my medicine; I’m not as strong as usual. I’m afraid I’ll drop you.”
Qi Zhao: “…You’re strong enough.”
He could still hold him steadily like this.
Qi Wei chuckled. “It’s not just genetics.”
Perhaps because his mind was a little fuzzy, Qi Wei revealed his true feelings. “I’ve been working out, just so I could one day carry you home secretly.”
Qi Zhao: “?”
Where was the polite and reasonable person from just now?
Qi Zhao said sincerely, “Qi Wei, do you have multiple personalities?”
Qi Wei looked innocent. “No, I don’t.”
Then he couldn’t resist asking, “Ah Zhao, if I did, which personality would you prefer?”
Okay.
Qi Zhao thought, This man is definitely entering a false rut.
Qi Zhao remained silent. They reached the bedroom, and Qi Wei placed him on the bed, not getting up, his arm resting between Qi Zhao’s back and the mattress, slightly supporting his weight. He wasn’t pressing down on Qi Zhao, but the close proximity left Qi Zhao with no room to escape.
Still that possessive, confining embrace.
Qi Zhao felt tense, trapped like a squid on a hot grill. “Qi Wei.”
He wanted to ask if Qi Wei was entering a false rut, but after he called his name, Qi Wei just asked persistently, “Ah Zhao, which personality would you prefer?”
That’s not the point.
Qi Zhao thought, You don’t have multiple personalities, which one could I possibly prefer?!
Unable to hold back, Qi Zhao voiced this thought under Qi Wei’s intense gaze.
But Qi Zhao didn’t have much experience with Qi Wei’s rut. This was only the second time he had been held like this, treated like a partner by the alpha.
So he forgot that reasoning with Qi Wei at this time was useless; he could only try to appease him.
Qi Wei, hearing Qi Zhao’s question, asked persistently, “Hypothetically, I mean, hypothetically. Ah Zhao, would you prefer the gentle me, or the me during my rut? Or perhaps another version of me?”
Qi Zhao: “…”
He was truly speechless.
Qi Zhao felt a wave of exhaustion, his tense nerves relaxing as he lay in Qi Wei’s arms, sighing. “I like them all.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“…I’m not.”
Qi Zhao raised his head with some effort, his elbows supporting his weight, and kissed Qi Wei lightly on the lips, saying seriously, “Even if you did have multiple personalities, you’re still you, and I like you.”
Qi Wei blinked slowly, his long eyelashes fluttering, a breathtakingly beautiful sight that made Qi Zhao’s breath hitch.
And then, he felt Qi Wei’s weight pressing down on him, literally taking his breath away.
Qi Wei buried his face in Qi Zhao’s embrace, his voice a hoarse murmur. “Ah Zhao, you’re so good.”
He said, “You shouldn’t be so good to me.”
Qi Zhao paused, not understanding why, but he still raised his hand with some effort, his palm gently stroking Qi Wei’s back, trying to soothe him. “Why?”
Qi Wei whispered, “I’m not a good person. I’ll only become greedier and take advantage of your kindness.”
Qi Zhao hummed in agreement. “I can sense that.”
Qi Wei choked. “.”
Qi Zhao smiled. “But I told you, Qi Wei, you can rest assured. If I can’t accept it, I’ll tell you.”
Qi Wei sighed inwardly.
Having his appetite whetted, how could he easily be rejected?
But he didn’t say anything more, just hugged Qi Zhao tighter, humming in response.
Qi Zhao could vaguely sense his discomfort, so he hesitated, unsure what to do. “Are you feeling very unwell?”
Qi Wei’s head not only felt heavy but also had a slight, throbbing pain. His gland was burning hot. If Qi Zhao could sense it, he would definitely notice that Qi Wei’s pheromones were several times stronger than usual, the intense scent of liquor overwhelming, carrying the unique oppressive aura of a super S-rank alpha.
And Qi Zhao was trapped within these pheromones, enveloped like a cocoon.
Qi Wei hummed softly, then asked, his voice slightly slurred, “Ah Zhao, can you… touch my gland?”
He had already turned his head, trying to rub his neck against Qi Zhao’s arm, seeking relief. “It’s very uncomfortable…”
Qi Wei frowned, as if struggling to endure it. “It feels like it’s about to explode.”
Qi Zhao was startled and, forgetting about the rule against touching an alpha’s neck, and Qi Wei’s other obvious reactions, he raised his hand. “Don’t move.”
Qi Wei obediently straightened up, lowering his head like a large dog waiting for a treat.
As Qi Zhao hesitantly touched the side of his neck with his fingertips, he was startled by the abnormally high temperature, his calloused fingers brushing against Qi Wei’s skin, making his muscles tense, the veins bulging, his arousal even more pronounced.
Qi Zhao noticed it, but he was more worried about Qi Wei’s condition. “Your gland… are you sure you’re okay?”
Qi Wei took one of Qi Zhao’s hands and pressed it against his neck, the sensitive spot incredibly responsive to the touch, sending shivers through his body. But Qi Wei didn’t want to let go, pressing Qi Zhao’s hand firmly against him, not allowing him to pull away.
Qi Zhao didn’t dare move, only calling out in a slightly stronger tone, “Qi Wei!”
Qi Wei snapped back to his senses slightly, licking his lips unconsciously, his gaze on Qi Zhao changing.
Like a wild beast, filled with danger and aggression, as if he would devour Qi Zhao in the next second. “…I’m fine.”
But his voice was still soft and hoarse, a strange hesitancy in it, like a monster restraining its wild instincts, maintaining its last shred of rationality. “This is good.”
Despite his words, the alpha couldn’t help but move his hips, making Qi Zhao freeze and his eyes widen, his voice laced with panic and embarrassment. “Qi Wei!!!”
He felt Qi Wei’s arousal against him…!
There had been some distance before, but now, with Qi Wei aroused, it was pressed right against…
He was truly terrifying.
In every sense of the word.
