Chapter 41: Appointment

Perhaps because Shen Zhixiao had always kept things relaxed and measured, treating him truly like a friend, Qiu Sui hadn’t felt any particularly straightforward or intense emotions toward him. That was why, at this moment, facing Shen Zhixiao openly baring his affection, Qiu Sui felt utterly flustered and out of control.

Under that gaze, he hurried into the room almost in a panic, set down the wontons, and fumbled to drag both suitcases inside. He opened the largest one by himself.

In the quiet space, only the sound of Qiu Sui pulling the suitcase broke the silence. An ambiguous atmosphere silently surged toward him in the quiet, like a tide swallowing him whole.

Qiu Sui tried his best to ignore the overwhelming presence at the door. He cleared his throat uncomfortably and mumbled proactively, head down, “You went to Stream City the day before yesterday—didn’t have time to shop anywhere else, right?”

Shen Zhixiao stood obediently at the doorway, not stepping inside even half a pace, but his gaze roamed over Qiu Sui invasively. Watching the Beta’s exposed nape where sharp teeth had once grazed it lightly, he let out a low, subtle hum.

Qiu Sui hadn’t fully opened the suitcase, propping it half-open with one hand to hide the messy contents from Shen Zhixiao.

Hearing the response, he pulled a separately packaged paper bag from a pile of boxes. His voice a bit unnatural, he continued, “Then you probably haven’t tried this…”

Under the Alpha’s scorching gaze, Qiu Sui forced himself to stay calm as he walked to the door. He held out the bag, tilting it to show the various packaged treats inside, and introduced them awkwardly, “Stream City’s specialty pastries. Every kind tastes pretty good…”

Shen Zhixiao’s gaze finally shifted from him to the generously filled bag. Qiu Sui tensed up instinctively.

His fingers tightened on the handle, but before he could finish speaking, Shen Zhixiao took the bag with evident delight.

Qiu Sui’s words caught in his throat. He watched Shen Zhixiao grin from ear to ear, clutching the bag tightly with both hands, his lips curving upward uncontrollably.

He tried to keep his expression steady, but undisguised excitement leaked through, his voice thicker than usual. “You brought this just for me?”

Qiu Sui jolted in stunned realization. Before he could react, Shen Zhixiao composed himself again, reining in his restless nerves. He stared straight at Qiu Sui, his tone still brimming with joy, and added solemnly in a warm voice, “This is the first gift I’ve ever gotten from you. I love it…”

Qiu Sui let out a short “ah” upon hearing this, snapping back to his senses belatedly. He hadn’t expected such an enthusiastic reaction.

Embarrassed, he averted his gaze from Shen Zhixiao, cheeks heating as he tugged at his lips. “Uh, I cough—I don’t know if it’ll suit your taste. You should try it first before deciding.”

Shen Zhixiao blocked most of the hallway light with his frame. His lips still curved upward as he hummed lowly, holding the bag while standing right in front of Qiu Sui, eyes fixed downward.

Qiu Sui thought he had more to say. His dangling fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of his shirt, waiting for Shen Zhixiao to speak. But Shen Zhixiao just gazed at him quietly and docilely. Several seconds passed with no further movement.

The atmosphere turned ambiguous again. Qiu Sui’s breathing grew erratic, his chest tight with an indescribable stuffiness.

He backed up two stiff steps in the silent space, his gaze shifting slightly from Shen Zhixiao’s face. He forced out a sound with difficulty, “…Do you have anything else…?”

Shen Zhixiao shook his head and chuckled lowly, the laugh almost inaudible—just a faint breath of warm air that wafted to Qiu Sui’s forehead like a stuffy autumn breeze. It made his heart thump wildly. He tensed his waist and back instinctively, then heard Shen Zhixiao say warmly, “No…”

He watched Shen Zhixiao shift his body slightly. Qiu Sui’s taut nerves eased a fraction, but the next second, he heard Shen Zhixiao call softly, “Qiu Sui.”

Qiu Sui’s lashes fluttered instantly. His just-relaxed heart tightened again as he stared at the other and let out a stilted “ah.”

Shen Zhixiao had only taken two steps when he seemed to remember something. He turned his head apologetically and added, “I almost forgot—there’s actually one more thing.”

Qiu Sui felt like his nerves were completely at the other’s mercy, overwhelmed. He urged, “You, say it…”

Shen Zhixiao’s eyes held expectation as he asked, “Can we grab breakfast together tomorrow?”

Hearing this, Qiu Sui’s tight nerves finally loosened. The heavy atmosphere between them seemed to dissipate lightly, everything returning to normal calm.

He reacted a beat late, then shifted his eyes unnaturally and responded with an “oh.”

The answer wasn’t clear, but Shen Zhixiao didn’t press for confirmation. He just smiled and said, “Then tomorrow morning, I’ll come wait for you.”

Qiu Sui didn’t catch the meaning of “wait” at first. By the time he realized it meant at his dorm door, Shen Zhixiao had already left.

He closed the door, pulled out his phone, and quickly typed out his usual early-morning schedule—8 AM wake-up and departure time—sending it to Shen Zhixiao so he could time it right and not actually wait at the dorm door.

Once he got Shen Zhixiao’s reply, Qiu Sui relaxed and returned to his desk. The bowl of wontons was still steaming with fragrance.

Telling Shen Zhixiao he wasn’t hungry had just been politeness. In truth, he devoured every last bit.

While rubbing his full belly and pondering the possibility of treating Shen Zhixiao to breakfast tomorrow, Qiu Sui unpacked and gathered the snacks for Qiao Keren into the small carry-on suitcase. It fit perfectly, packed full.

He snapped a photo and sent it over, earning a flood of emojis in response.

Qiu Sui mindlessly saved a few of the cuter ones, then grabbed his pajamas to wash up and sleep.

Mid-October was approaching. Sea City’s mornings and evenings had turned chilly.

The next morning, Qiu Sui sneezed twice while brushing his teeth on the balcony in his short-sleeved pajamas. He finally ducked back inside and threw on a thin jacket.

It was Friday morning, and he only had one class. He headed out with just a book and pen.

When he reached the elevator waiting area, Shen Zhixiao was standing at the entrance. Seeing him approach, the Alpha’s cool face softened into a smile. He leaned in slightly and asked, “Waiting for the elevator?”

Qiu Sui, still groggy from just waking up, glanced sluggishly at the crowded elevator doors and shook his head faintly.

Shen Zhixiao walked beside Qiu Sui, half a step behind. Taking advantage of the position, he extended his arm behind the Beta, hovering protectively near his shoulder.

Qiu Sui stared ahead, lost in thought, completely oblivious.

Shen Zhixiao fixated on the slightly curly tuft of hair sticking up from the Beta’s crown. Just as he reached to touch it, Qiu Sui turned his head abruptly, snapping back to reality. He asked puzzled, “Wen Heng didn’t come with you?”

Hearing another Alpha’s name from Qiu Sui’s mouth—even if it was his good bro—stirred an uncontrollable jealousy in Shen Zhixiao.

The hand he’d raised clenched tightly out of Qiu Sui’s sight, his smile turning a bit stiff. “He already left.”

Then he added lightly, “To have breakfast with his boyfriend.”

Qiu Sui responded with a dull “oh” and turned back to stare ahead, his mind slowly recalling that yeah, Wen Heng did have an Omega boyfriend—shoulder-length hair, really pretty…

Lost in thought, he suddenly felt a light pressure on his head, like a hand gently ruffling from above. It sent a tingle down his spine.

Before he could react, the Alpha’s voice came from above, apologetic. “This bit of hair was sticking up. I fixed it for you.”

Out of sight, Shen Zhixiao’s fingers hooked the curly strands, stroking lightly. Like a caring question, “That okay?”

Qiu Sui responded with a delayed “oh,” suppressing the urge to touch his head. Staring at the stairs, he licked his lips and murmured after a few seconds, “It’s fine.”

The strand slipped from Shen Zhixiao’s fingers as Qiu Sui descended. His fingers trembled slightly, and he couldn’t help recalling that night when he’d held the other completely beneath him. A shiver of longing ran through his nerves. Restlessly, he stared at the Beta’s nape under the thin jacket.

It had healed completely now, even the kiss marks gone. An intense sense of crisis gripped Shen Zhixiao.

When would be the next time he melted the other into his body?

End of this month?

Qiu Sui was oblivious to the thoughts churning behind him. Only when they reached the first-floor lobby did he remember the treat. Clutching his book, he turned back. “I’ll treat later. Where do you wanna—”

He collided unexpectedly with a pair of pitch-black, profound eyes. He froze. His nape prickled reflexively, but in an instant, those eyes curved softly, the gaze turning gentle—as if that split-second intensity had been his imagination.

Shen Zhixiao’s brow lifted lightly at his words. He didn’t refuse, smiling. “Anywhere’s fine. You pick.”

Qiu Sui hesitated, glancing at the other’s perfectly normal face. He murmured lowly, without further delay, “Then South 2 Canteen.”

It was close to the Science Building where they’d have class anyway.

Shen Zhixiao followed without objection, smiling as he asked if Qiu Sui wanted to play ball over the weekend.

Qiu Sui remembered promising Shen Zhixiao they’d hit the basketball court after the holiday, but he hadn’t expected the invite so soon. He pondered, only to recall that the appointment with that perverted Alpha was this Sunday.

His briefly relaxed nerves tensed again. His brows furrowed slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Zhixiao noticed the change and asked caringly.

Dark emotions surged inside him as he guessed at the possibilities. Lowering his eyes, he said considerately, “Got plans with other friends already? No worries… We can do next week…”