Qiu Sui’s attention was drawn away by the other’s soft, upturned voice. The eyes staring back at him from the washbasin mirror widened in near shock, and he let out a tense “ah.”
He lowered his head to look at the loose sleep shirt on his body, instinctively pacing two panicked steps in place. From the phone came the man’s soft inquiring hum, “?” His heart raced a little faster as he desperately blurted out, “I, uh, I’m still washing up.”
Shen Zhixiao listened to the quiet surroundings on the other end and chuckled lowly. He didn’t expose Qiu Sui’s clumsy excuse and even said considerately, “Then keep washing up. No rush—I can wait a bit longer.”
Hearing this, Qiu Sui couldn’t come up with a better response.
At least I’ve bought a little time to prepare, he thought, spine rigid as he gave a short “mm.” When the other end fell quiet, he added dryly on his own initiative, “Th-then I’ll hang up first.”
On the other end of the phone, the Alpha’s steady breathing grew slightly heavier, laced with a faint laugh as he warmly said bye-bye.
Qiu Sui couldn’t help but stutter in response with his own bye-bye before fumbling to end the call in a flurry.
Clutching his phone, he stood frozen in place for several seconds before making another move. He turned on the faucet and, while filling his rinse cup, dashed back inside to rummage out a polo shirt and long pants, quickly changing out of the poorly concealing sleep shirt.
While washing his face, Qiu Sui made a point to check the marks on his neck, buttoning his collar all the way to the top.
He pressed a damp towel over his face, using it to calm himself down for a moment before slowly shuffling back inside.
Even with mental preparation, he still felt himself tense up involuntarily as he approached that door.
Qiu Sui pressed his ear to the door to listen for movement outside, unable to picture Shen Zhixiao standing there. He hesitated on the spot for a few seconds before tentatively twisting the doorknob, announcing to the person outside that he was opening up.
Qiu Sui pushed the handle all the way down and inched the door open a crack, revealing half of a tall, lean figure.
He tried to keep his gaze casual as he looked toward the doorway, his eyes traveling slowly upward from the Alpha’s arm holding the bags. They skimmed over the rise and fall of his chest and the faintly shifting Pheromone Suppression Ring, finally landing on the man’s gentle face—pausing slightly at the metal Bite Guard perfectly fitted over it.
Shen Zhixiao followed his gaze and touched the Bite Guard, offering him a gentle smile. He explained earnestly, “The Susceptible Period’s effects are gone now, but I think keeping the Bite Guard on will make you feel safer, so I left it.”
The now-normal Alpha showed no trace of the sensitive fragility from his Susceptible Period. He stood tall, exuding mature steadiness.
Qiu Sui’s fingers tightened slightly on the doorknob. He shifted his gaze from the sturdy metal device to meet Shen Zhixiao’s sharp brows and eyes, lightly pressing his lips together.
Those fragmented memories still made it hard for him to fully relax around the man. He could only manage an awkward “oh.”
Shen Zhixiao didn’t press him to open the door fully or try to enter the dorm. His eyes curved with tender light as he looked down at Qiu Sui and handed over the takeout bag, saying softly, “I ordered a classic set from a private kitchen. The yellow croaker soup and the threadfin are pretty good—not sure if you’ll like them, though.”
Seeing Qiu Sui stare at the bag at a loss for what to do, Shen Zhixiao smiled and hooked his fingers, placing the strap into his palm. “Might be a bit heavy,” he said with concern.
Feeling the other’s body heat, Qiu Sui’s fingertips trembled involuntarily. He clutched the bag hastily as Shen Zhixiao withdrew his hand.
Sensing the weight inside, Qiu Sui steadied himself and said as naturally as he could, “I’ll transfer you the money later…”
The man, about to hand over the other bag, paused. He looked into Qiu Sui’s dark, bright eyes, his brow arching faintly as he teased in a light, even tone, “Looks like I’ve turned into a delivery guy. Weren’t we supposed to try getting along for a month?”
Qiu Sui choked at that, heat rising under his collar. Dodging the man’s direct stare, he denied, “That’s not what I meant…”
Shen Zhixiao watched the Beta’s cheeks puff slightly as he spoke, his own lowered fingers brushing the air idly. He guided slowly, “Then next time, can you not say that? It’s easy for me to misunderstand. You could treat me to a meal instead—wouldn’t that feel better than a string of cold numbers?”
Qiu Sui absorbed the suggestion, his mind latching onto this entirely new angle. He nodded in agreement.
Shen Zhixiao watched the head bob before him, the curve of his lips lifting slightly as he placed the other plastic bag into Qiu Sui’s palm.
This bag was light with few items. Qiu Sui glanced toward the opening but hadn’t made anything out before Shen Zhixiao started explaining in a serious tone, “These are some anti-inflammatory and healing ointments. My family doctor says they’re way more effective than similar ones…”
Before he could finish, Qiu Sui realized what the ointments were for. His head heated up as he gripped the bag tight, cutting him off rapidly, “Got it, I know!”
He took a deep breath to ease the awkwardness, flashed a smile at the tall man before him, and slowly breathed out two words: “Thank you.”
Seeing Shen Zhixiao glance concernedly at his collar—as if about to ask more—Qiu Sui’s heart clenched. The hand on the doorknob shot up to block him, interrupting whatever was coming.
Under the man’s puzzled gaze, Qiu Sui coughed unnaturally, kept a straight face, and asked seriously in return, “You said if there’s anything I don’t like, I can express it clearly, right?”
Shen Zhixiao nodded sincerely. Qiu Sui’s hand fidgeted to scratch his chin, and after a long pause, he forced out quickly and reluctantly, “Then from now on, you can’t mention anything about the night before last.”
With that, he couldn’t hide his shame—his ears flushed visibly under his messy bangs—but his expression held firm, feigning total composure.
Shen Zhixiao’s gaze lingered there before shifting to the Beta’s awkward face.
Unlike Qiu Sui’s bashfulness, he took the mention of that night in calm stride. He nodded obediently with an “okay,” then switched to warm concern, “You haven’t eaten since morning. Go have lunch. I’m heading back to the dorm across the way. Message me if you need anything.”
“Anything at all,” he added, gazing earnestly at Qiu Sui.
Shen Zhixiao advanced and retreated with perfect ease, giving Qiu Sui no chance to feel uncomfortable. That faint awkwardness in Qiu Sui’s heart eased considerably.
He murmured a low “oh,” watching the Alpha’s tall, sturdy back recede into the distance before slowly retreating and shutting the door. Suddenly, he glanced down at himself.
His build and height were in no way inferior to an average Alpha’s, yet in front of that man, he somehow seemed a bit short and slight.
Whatever, he thought distractedly. After setting the items on the desk, he couldn’t resist lifting his shirt again to eye his six-pack abs—now faintly softening from lack of recent workouts. Should hit the gym more when I get home.
The meal Shen Zhixiao brought was far more luxurious than a cafeteria to-go box of four dishes. Each one came in its own insulated container, packed extra in a thermal box.
Qiu Sui popped the lids while eyeing the dishes, thinking this spread was nowhere near something like an extra-large pork knuckle rice bowl from the cafeteria could match—probably several times the price.
What should I treat Shen Zhixiao to next time?
Musing on that, Qiu Sui absentmindedly dug into a spoonful of the fragrant yellow croaker soup. His wandering attention snapped into focus as the rich broth melted in his mouth.
He swallowed, tongue curling around it, and couldn’t resist scooping up several more spoonfuls. Chewing the tender fish, he lost himself in the flavor, polishing off the soup in just a few bites. Still craving more, he licked his lips, wondering which restaurant Shen Zhixiao had gotten it from.
He had just opened WeChat when he saw messages from the little group pinned at the top.
Qiu Sui’s focus had been entirely on Shen Zhixiao since waking, so he hadn’t checked his phone much. Now he tapped in.
Qiao Keren: Aaaah Qiu Sui you big liar!
Qiao Keren: And here I trusted you so much.
Qiao Keren: Just you wait.
Qiao Keren: Tomorrow when I send you to the airport, Qiu Shun and I are judging you together!
Qiu Shun: Yeah.
Caught off guard by this barrage of accusations, Qiu Sui was bewildered at first. But as he mulled over the word “liar,” a surge of guilty panic bubbled up.
Liar? What lie?
Did they find out I lied about the friend’s birthday?
No way!
Qiu Sui quickly dismissed the thought, but nothing else fit what they could be messaging about in the group. His typing was unsteady, but he forced composure into his replies.
Qiu Sui: What are you talking about?
Qiu Sui: I didn’t lie.
The messages had barely sent when Qiao Keren fired back instantly, making Qiu Sui’s eyelids twitch.
Qiao Keren: Heh heh heh, no more excuses.
Qiao Keren: I’m super super mad right now.
Qiao Keren: You better come apologize sincerely tomorrow.
Even Qiu Shun chimed in with his own “mad.” Qiu Sui stared at their messages, unease churning.
It couldn’t be about lying that I was going to someone’s birthday, right?
But how would they know? I’ve been in the dorm all day…
Qiu Sui rejected it again in disbelief, but his brain spun uncontrollably: What if they did find out? What then?
How do I explain suddenly bailing on hanging out? Can’t let them know it was because of Shen Zhixiao…
At the thought, Qiu Sui inwardly wailed in embarrassment. That would be game over—totally screwed in every sense.
He abandoned his threadfin, jumping up from the chair to pace frantically. Finally, he typed cautiously:
Don’t be mad yet.
Is there some misunderstanding?
![The Tower Will Fall [Apocalypse]](https://i2.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/93.jpg?resize=151,215 "The Tower Will Fall [Apocalypse]")
