The two of them dawdled a bit at the dorm entrance, arriving at the South 2 Canteen nearly ten minutes later than usual.
Qiu Sui felt a little awkward from the earlier interruption. While lining up, he silently pursed his lips, his thoughts a jumbled mess. Suddenly, he heard the person behind him call out to him softly.
Qiu Sui snapped back sensitively and let out a soft hum, turning slightly to look at Shen Zhixiao with a questioning gaze. If not for his fingers unconsciously fiddling with his pen cap out of agitation, he would have seemed perfectly normal.
Shen Zhixiao observed Qiu Sui’s expression impassively, his brows and eyes drooping slightly with guilt. His face was full of apology and self-reproach as he apologized in a low voice, “Earlier, I sensed you were in a tough spot. I just wanted to find an excuse to help you turn him down, but I ended up backfiring and causing a conflict between you two…”
Qiu Sui’s finger paused on the pen cap at the sound of the Alpha’s apologetic voice. He blinked slowly, then watched as Shen Zhixiao’s expression suddenly turned earnest and straightforward.
He stared at Qiu Sui, a fervent light flickering in his eyes, and declared firmly, “But I won’t fall for someone else because of Pheromones, Qiu Sui.”
With that, the Alpha’s fingers lightly brushed the Pheromone Suppression Ring on his neck—a sturdy material that hugged his skin tightly. He gave Qiu Sui a faint smile and continued slowly, “Saying that doesn’t really hold much weight, so I think from now on, you can set a password on my Pheromone Suppression Ring. No one but you can unlock it. You could even monitor my Susceptible Period and location through the app, remotely control the ring’s protective functions, and access many other features too…”
The Alpha’s serious words weren’t even finished, but they exploded in Qiu Sui’s mind like a bomb. As he processed the implication, his brain involuntarily spun wild associations, and in the noisy surroundings, he bristled all over.
Unable to hold back, Qiu Sui quickly raised his hand to cover Shen Zhixiao’s mouth. His expression was one of utter shock, incredulous that the other could discuss such things so openly in public.
Mindful of the people in front and behind them, he could only grit his teeth and whisper urgently to the Alpha, “Y-You—stop talking first!”
Shen Zhixiao’s breath wandered through Qiu Sui’s fingers, the scent of Qiu Sui filling his lungs completely. The corners of his lips curved up ever so slightly. As he spoke, his lips brushed ambiguously against the skin of Qiu Sui’s palm, murmuring a hazy explanation: “I just want to prove…”
The sensation of that touch made Qiu Sui’s scalp tingle. He instinctively pulled his hand away, but even then, the soft, lingering feeling seemed etched into his palm, making him clench his fist unconsciously.
Qiu Sui seriously suspected it was on purpose, but Shen Zhixiao looked utterly earnest—even parting his lips as if to continue. Qiu Sui couldn’t help but shuffle two steps forward in line, hurriedly raising a finger to shush him first.
The Alpha obediently pressed his lips together, gazing at him innocently and waiting for a response.
Qiu Sui’s thoughts, already scattered by Xiao Mu, were now a total mess from Shen Zhixiao’s words. His head still felt feverish.
Feeling Shen Zhixiao’s gaze on him, the hand that had touched the other trembled unconsciously. I just want to vanish into the ground right here and escape from Shen Zhixiao.
But in reality, he still had to treat the guy to breakfast, so he forced himself to calm down on the spot.
Though Xiao Mu had indeed reacted so strongly due to Shen Zhixiao’s words causing a misunderstanding, Qiu Sui figured that even without Shen Zhixiao’s interruption this time, if he got together with someone else in the future, Xiao Mu’s outburst would replay all the same.
His relationship with Xiao Mu was bound to fracture eventually—Shen Zhixiao’s words had merely hastened the scene.
Qiu Sui lowered his eyes slightly in thought, then shook his head at the Alpha’s intense gaze to show he didn’t mind.
Only then did the guilt on Shen Zhixiao’s face ease a bit, though regret for his well-intentioned blunder lingered between his brows. It wasn’t until they parted in the elevator, watching Qiu Sui’s back disappear from view, that his brows finally relaxed.
Had he really not meant to backfire like that?
As the elevator doors closed, Shen Zhixiao’s lips quirked up faintly.
…
After the first morning class, Qiu Sui hugged his books and descended the stairs cautiously, his eyes scanning the surroundings now and then for any suspicious figures. But there were none.
Still, Qiu Sui didn’t let his guard down. He suspected the other might make a move today—especially tonight.
At noon, when he brought snacks for Qiao Keren and went to eat lunch with him, Qiu Sui had already found two temporary bodyguards online. He planned to head off-campus after class, hole up somewhere, and lie in wait for that Alpha to show up.
But after afternoon classes, even after wandering the city for a few hours, there was no sign of anything. Instead, Shen Zhixiao messaged him, asking if he wanted some late-night snacks—class would be out soon, and he could bring some back to the dorm.
Qiu Sui wasn’t in the dorm at the moment; he’d just settled by the riverbank, pondering life while baiting the trap, and typed back: No need, I’m off-campus right now.
The other side paused for a few seconds, with typing indicators flickering repeatedly. Qiu Sui waited a while, but only a short message came through.
Shen Zhixiao: Hanging out with friends?
Qiu Sui glanced silently at the two temporary bodyguards sitting on a bench fifty meters away and vaguely replied: Something like that.
Seeing Shen Zhixiao caringly ask when he’d return to school, Qiu Sui was more honest this time: I’m not going back.
He thought for a moment and, to be safe, typed seriously: If I don’t show up for classes on Monday, could you do me a favor…
Before Qiu Sui could finish typing what he’d rehearsed in his mind, a new message from Shen Zhixiao popped up.
Shen Zhixiao: Where are you right now?
He could only delete his draft and reply truthfully: By the river.
Shen Zhixiao wanted a specific landmark. Qiu Sui got it and instinctively looked around.
He’d just picked a dimly lit spot by the river to wait for that Alpha to take the bait, without knowing the exact location. Without overthinking, he sent his location pin.
Shen Zhixiao checked it and thoughtfully recommended a nearby restaurant with good food, suggesting he and his friends could grab late-night snacks there.
Qiu Sui wasn’t hungry, but he thanked him with an emoji anyway. Then Shen Zhixiao asked caringly how long he planned to stay by the river.
Qiu Sui checked the time—nearly 9:30. Shen Zhixiao’s class was almost over. He’d been wandering all evening and had only just sat down; he needed at least half an hour before leaving.
Shen Zhixiao replied with an “Okay” and recommended the restaurant’s late-night menu again.
It tempted Qiu Sui a bit, but he had to catch his target first—maybe check if it was still open on the way back to the hotel.
Distracted by Shen Zhixiao, Qiu Sui forgot what he’d meant to send originally. He played two rounds of Doudizhu before remembering, re-edited the message, and sent it to Shen Zhixiao, waiting for a reply. But the guy who usually responded instantly didn’t this time.
Qiu Sui checked the time—past 9:30. Figuring he’d probably just gotten out of class and was biking back to the dorm, he exited the chat.
He sat by the river for over twenty minutes with no luck and started to doubt.
Glancing back at his surroundings, there weren’t many pedestrians on this path. Qiu Sui could scan the area at a glance—no sign of anyone matching the description.
That Alpha probably hadn’t followed.
A sense of futility washed over Qiu Sui for the wasted effort. He sent two messages in the new group chat, gave up, and started walking back along the river.
The serene autumn night air felt nice. Qiu Sui enjoyed the chill wind when his phone suddenly rang, startling him.
Seeing Shen Zhixiao’s name on the screen, he felt puzzled. Why’s he calling all of a sudden?
But then he remembered the unanswered message and guessed, picking up the call.
Shen Zhixiao’s voice came through the receiver amid heavy breathing, sounding faintly cold and hard at first: “Where are you right now, Qiu Sui?”
Qiu Sui blinked in confusion, gazing at the shimmering water. He sniffed and asked uncomprehendingly, “Still by the river. What’s up?”
The other paused, then his initially forceful tone softened: “With your friends?”
Car headlights slowly approached from behind. Qiu Sui turned instinctively, listening to Shen Zhixiao’s question. He faltered, not entirely confident as he said, “Yeah.”
The next second, the car that should have passed by stopped right there. Qiu Sui halted mid-step and glanced sideways, just as the window rolled down, revealing the driver’s stern face.
The man held his phone in one hand, looking at him and asking word by word with concern: “So where’s your friend, Qiu Sui?”
Shen Zhixiao’s voice echoed delayed from the earpiece. Seeing him appear suddenly, Qiu Sui froze for a beat, then backed up two steps in surprise.
The two people who’d been trailing far behind him sensed something off and rushed forward, wordlessly yanking open the car door to grab him.
Qiu Sui didn’t react at first, but his eyelids twitched as he hurriedly pulled them back and called them off.
Shen Zhixiao eyed the two unfamiliar faces being yanked away, his gaze sharpening slightly as he narrowed his eyes. Turning to the embarrassed Qiu Sui, his voice was full of doubt: “…Who are they?”
Qiu Sui stared at the man in the driver’s seat—safety belt unbuckled, collar rumpled—and felt a despairing urge to jump into the river and vanish.
He released the two bodyguards, met Shen Zhixiao’s gaze stiffly, and after holding it in for ages, said slowly, “If I said they’re friends… would you believe me?”
Shen Zhixiao looked into those crumbling eyes and tugged his lips faintly, as if wanting to laugh but holding back. Somewhat seriously, he said, “What do you think?”
“…”
Qiu Sui felt utterly broken, embarrassed to his core. He had no idea how to explain—only an impulse to flee.
But Shen Zhixiao didn’t press further. He glanced at Qiu Sui’s thin jacket and said warmly, “Get in the car first, okay? We can talk slowly.”
Qiu Sui felt even more awkward at that. He hesitated and struggled inwardly, but seeing Shen Zhixiao waiting patiently, he finally gave in and climbed into the passenger seat.
The other two hesitated. Shen Zhixiao just gestured dismissively toward the back, then raised the window again.
Qiu Sui’s fingers, exposed beyond his thin jacket, had grown cold from the wind. Back in the warm car, they burned hot.
He sat awkwardly in the passenger seat, fumbling busily with the seatbelt. Once buckled, he felt the other’s gaze and swallowed uncomfortably, pretending to look at the scenery.
“Qiu Sui.”
The sudden call made his lashes flutter. He let out an “Ah?” like he’d just come back to himself.
“You… where are you and your friends staying tonight?”
Hearing the brief pause in Shen Zhixiao’s words, Qiu Sui’s heart skipped along with it. Realizing what he meant, he relaxed and gave the hotel name, relieved Shen Zhixiao wasn’t bringing up the earlier mess.
The car pulled out of the dim road and onto the main avenue. Qiu Sui sneaked a glance at the focused driver, noting how adeptly Shen Zhixiao handled the wheel—probably drove often.
He and Qiu Shun had gotten their licenses too, but neither drove much and weren’t proficient.
Inappropriate thought, Qiu Sui chided himself. Listening to the classic Cantonese song playing in the car, his taut nerves eased a bit. Then it hit him belatedly—Why did Shen Zhixiao show up like that?
Qiu Sui stewed the whole way. Upon reaching the hotel entrance, unlike the two bodyguards in the back who hurried out, he cleared his throat awkwardly. Eyeing the Alpha unbuckling his seatbelt, he asked softly, “Did you come find me for something specific?”
Shen Zhixiao finished unbuckling and looked up at him, quirking a brow faintly. He explained warmly, “I was planning to head straight home, but I saw your message on the way and got worried, so I detoured to the river. Ended up seeing you walking alone.”
His expression grew serious as he recited Qiu Sui’s message to him: “What did ‘If I don’t show up for classes on Monday, could you do me a favor’ mean? I racked my brain but couldn’t figure out how I could help, so I got uneasy and came straight to find you. Good thing you hadn’t… left with your friends yet.”
He glanced at the two outside the car, emphasizing “friends” slightly.
Qiu Sui inexplicably felt like he’d been rescued from a scam in the nick of time. He was a bit speechless, fingers twitching on the seatbelt, when he heard Shen Zhixiao ask earnestly, “They’re not your friends, are they?”
Qiu Sui met Shen Zhixiao’s deep, intense gaze, his shoulders stiffening slightly. After a long moment, he gave an honest hum of agreement.
Shen Zhixiao gazed at the somewhat tense Beta in front of him and softened his tone, patiently pressing on. “So, the person you made plans with for the weekend… that was them too?”
Qiu Sui felt the heat of Shen Zhixiao’s eager attention, his breathing quickening. He hesitated, lips parting slightly before he murmured slowly, “Sort of.”
Shen Zhixiao leaned in a fraction closer, his voice gentle with concern. “What do you mean, sort of? Besides them, who else is there?”
Qiu Sui stared at the handsome face now magnified before him, his eyelashes fluttering faintly. It took him a good while before he licked his lips and whispered, “I don’t know. Anyway, I only called those two to help me catch him.”
Shen Zhixiao’s expression froze for a beat. He repeated, “Catch him?”
Unaware of the shift, Qiu Sui nodded seriously. He offered no further explanation, merely clenching his fists as his voice turned fierce. “I messaged you just in case something went wrong. But the two I hired react fast—as soon as that guy shows up, we’ll grab him.”
