Shen Zhixiao took a few seconds to react amid Qiu Sui’s words, belatedly twitching his brows.
He kept his expression relatively steady, a flicker of guilt shimmering in his dark pupils, but he continued to chime in with concern: “And then? What happens after you catch him?”
The distance between them gradually shortened as Shen Zhixiao deliberately leaned closer, but Qiu Sui didn’t notice right away.
His shoulders pressed tightly against the seatback, feeling the other’s breath brushing lightly against his cheek. His heart skipped half a beat, and he let out a short hic, his words stumbling a bit: “C-Catch him and give him a solid beating first, then hand him over to the police…”
Feeling that wasn’t enough, a spark of resentment lit his eyes as he added in a low voice: “And post him on the Campus Wall.”
Just imagining the satisfaction of landing those meaty punches on the guy after catching him filled Qiu Sui with energy. The disappointment of a wasted night slipped away, replaced by eager anticipation. His slightly widened eyes gleamed brightly even in the dim car interior.
Shen Zhixiao’s throat bobbed gently, his expression turning unnatural for a split second before he recovered, nodding slightly along with Qiu Sui’s words: “I see…”
Qiu Sui belatedly noticed how heavy the breathing sounded right by his ear—and how close he was to Shen Zhixiao.
He pursed his lips awkwardly, loosening his grip on the seatbelt. He raised one finger to poke Shen Zhixiao’s shoulder, but the next second, he felt the other man’s body shift.
Qiu Sui’s finger reflexively curled back, and then he heard Shen Zhixiao’s grave voice.
“But that’s not safe, Qiu Sui.”
Shen Zhixiao suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder, his face stern as he said: “You don’t know who he is or when he might show up out of nowhere. What if the two guys you hired can’t protect you in time?”
The weight on his shoulder pinned Qiu Sui in place, stiffening him like he’d been immobilized.
Under the Alpha’s gaze, he swallowed and explained slowly: “That’s why I said it’s just in case. I wanted you to be ready to call the cops for me, but I don’t think we’ll need your help… The bodyguards I hired will stay no farther than fifty meters away. If the guy shows, they’ll react immediately—just like, uh, when they grabbed you earlier…”
As he spoke, the awkward memory made his tone falter for a few seconds, but he quickly grew serious again: “Plus, while they’re watching the surroundings, they’ll snap photos of every suspicious person nearby for review later.”
Qiu Sui wouldn’t put himself in total danger. He raised his brows at Shen Zhixiao with a sly glint: “I’m not ruling out the chance the guy gives up if he can’t find an opening. But if he’s ever been nearby, we’ll have his photo. Back at school, the next time he shows up, I can spot the suspect right away.”
If Qiu Sui had cat whiskers, they’d be perked up smugly right now. He didn’t, but his raised brows gave much the same impression.
Shen Zhixiao’s hand on Qiu Sui’s shoulder rubbed slightly, and he let out a soft chuckle, as if moved by the words.
If I weren’t prepared for Qiu Sui’s plan, it’d be easy to slip up.
Seeing the slight curve at Shen Zhixiao’s lips, Qiu Sui took it as approval of his thorough scheme.
His retracted finger straightened again, poking Shen Zhixiao’s shoulder to nudge him back a bit, but Shen Zhixiao’s voice came first.
“But I’m still not reassured, Qiu Sui.” Shen Zhixiao stared at him intently, his expression utterly solemn: “I can’t let you do this alone.”
Qiu Sui was momentarily stunned by the sudden shift to dead seriousness. He paused for a few seconds, about to retort that he wasn’t alone, but Shen Zhixiao leaned in closer. His voice rang right in Qiu Sui’s ear, scattering his thoughts.
“How about I stick with you?” The Alpha lowered his head earnestly, his palm hovering lightly over Qiu Sui’s hair: “If anything goes wrong, I can react right away and protect you…”
Qiu Sui’s resolve wavered as he gazed at Shen Zhixiao’s perfectly sculpted brow bone. His mind blanked for a moment.
His eyes slowly drifted downward, from those flawless brows past the straight nose bridge, landing dazedly on the thin lips that were still speaking.
After the words trailed off, he lowered his gaze awkwardly, barely registering what Shen Zhixiao had said. He mumbled a delayed mm, as if pondering.
Shen Zhixiao watched him without moving, waiting for a response. Qiu Sui felt their proximity was too much—it was messing with his ability to think. His body stayed rigid for several seconds before his finger on Shen Zhixiao’s shoulder finally twitched.
Shen Zhixiao’s shoulder was rock-hard; pressing down barely dimpled the skin—a sign of regular workouts.
Sensing it, Shen Zhixiao pulled his shoulder back slightly, withdrawing the hand hovering over Qiu Sui’s hair and creating some space.
The car’s ambient fragrance wove relentlessly into Qiu Sui’s breaths. He sat there rigidly, a thin sheen of sweat building along his back. He leaned forward a bit, shoulders tense under that gaze, and finally managed with difficulty: “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble…?”
“I want to stay with you, Qiu Sui.” Shen Zhixiao gazed at him with evident emotion, pleading again: “Can you give me that chance?”
Qiu Sui’s fingers fidgeted indecisively, his thoughts swirling in the car filled only with their breathing.
More people means more help.
If that perverted Alpha is stronger than expected, he and the other two might not be able to pin him down.
Qiu Sui had felt the guy’s strength before—and sensed he’d been holding back.
A person’s limits were hard to gauge, especially that pervert’s. With Shen Zhixiao added, they might just hit the right balance…
Qiu Sui zoned out in thought for half a minute before finally tugging his lips into a low agreement.
Once out of the car, the cold wind hit him, snapping Qiu Sui back to reality belatedly.
To catch that Alpha, he’d booked two rooms at the hotel: one for himself, one for the bodyguards.
Now with Shen Zhixiao extra, he’d need to book another.
Shen Zhixiao pressed him gently but helplessly, saying seriously: “I’m the one who wants to stay with you—I should be the one booking.”
Seeing him head straight for the front desk, Qiu Sui instinctively grabbed his sleeve.
Shen Zhixiao paused, turning back with a puzzled, questioning look.
Qiu Sui already felt bad enough for troubling him; he didn’t want the guy covering costs too. Hesitating, he finally mumbled awkwardly: “How about… we share a room?”
The words left him mortified, and he nearly changed it to Let me pay half, but before he could, the Alpha across from him agreed crisply, cutting him off.
“…”
After a quick combat shower, Qiu Sui lay on his side of the bed, staring at his phone screen while his attention uncontrollably drifted to the harsh sound of water from the bathroom.
This hotel’s bathroom had solid walls, better insulated than glass ones, but he could still hear every start and stop of the water inside.
It was normal, really—dorm bathrooms back at school were similar; any washing sounds carried between roommates. But Qiu Sui had no roommate, so this felt awkward and weird.
Every drop seemed to splatter on him, making his nerves fray. He despaired, wondering if it had sounded this loud from outside when he’d showered…
The more he thought, the more withdrawn he got—until the water finally stopped, easing the feeling.
Qiu Sui checked the time: past midnight.
Shen Zhixiao had been in there over half an hour.
Qiu Sui blinked in surprise. Germaphobe?
He couldn’t help but sigh aloud. The next second, the bathroom door opened. Qiu Sui tensed up like a salted fish fried stiff, frozen in his fake phone-staring pose.
The click of hotel slippers on the floor grew closer, tugging at his nerves until Shen Zhixiao called his name softly.
Qiu Sui ahed dazedly, turning stiffly. His eyelids twitched as he caught sight of the bathrobe and jerked his gaze away.
The Alpha asked softly with concern: “Tired? Should I turn off the lights?”
The low voice hit Qiu Sui’s nerves like a stone, short-circuiting his brain. He stammered dryly after a beat: “N-No, I’m fine.”
Hearing Shen Zhixiao head back to blow-dry his hair, Qiu Sui dropped his phone, yanked the blanket over his head, and squeezed his eyes shut. His mind unhelpfully replayed the glimpse he’d caught.
The hotel’s largest gray bathrobe didn’t look loose on Shen Zhixiao at all—especially not over those shoulders and pecs that stretched the fabric taut.
Classic broad shoulders, narrow waist—the tied belt highlighted it perfectly.
How long would it take me to build a body like that?
Qiu Sui clenched his fist. His gym membership plan couldn’t wait—lounging in the dorm was tanking his stamina and muscle…
Lost in wild thoughts, the hairdryer shut off. He froze, slamming his eyes shut to fake sleep.
Shen Zhixiao emerged to find the other side asleep and lightened his steps, soon switching off the lights.
Feeling the right side of the mattress dip slightly, Qiu Sui lay ramrod straight, not daring to tug the blanket.
A breath ghosted near his ear, sending his heart pounding to his throat. He rolled his eyes under lids in startled confusion.
Before he could peek, the blanket tugged, covering his left shoulder fully. Thinking him asleep, Shen Zhixiao tucked the edge away from Qiu Sui’s face down to his neck.
Qiu Sui kept his fists clenched, feigning sleep—even holding his breath.
Watching the Beta’s quivering lashes, Shen Zhixiao fought the urge to touch, lips curving up.
His fingers brushed innocently over Qiu Sui’s feverish cheek before he shut off his phone’s screen.
The room plunged into total darkness.
Qiu Sui exhaled shakily, face flushed from holding it.
The memory of sharing a bed last time was too vivid; sensing the nearby breaths left him burning up.
No way I’ll sleep tonight. He lay stock-still, hyper-aware of every tiny shift beside him—like thunder in his ears.
But eyelids drooping, he yawned instinctively.
The room was so quiet their breathing rhythms were audible—let alone a yawn. Qiu Sui jolted awake, mortified, cringing as he strained to listen next door.
Shen Zhixiao’s breaths were steady and even—he seemed asleep.
Qiu Sui relaxed, finally daring to shift position. He flipped the blanket to cool his heated body, drowsiness creeping back in the comfy temp until his mind fogged.
The bedside clock glowed faintly in the dark. The side-sleeper cracked his eyes, glancing at the time.
02:28
The man on the other side was deep asleep, staying neatly on his half, breaths slow and steady.
Suddenly, a thick, bittersweet green tea scent enveloped Qiu Sui, warping his dreamscape.
“Baby…”
The Alpha’s lips brushed his ear in a whisper. No response after seconds—he slowly encircled the man with both arms, drawing him into his space bit by bit.
Skin-to-skin contact sent an excited shiver through Shen Zhixiao. He didn’t dare press hard, just ghosted kisses from Qiu Sui’s eyelids to nose tip and lip corner before burying into his neck-shoulder with a blissful sigh.
The pheromone-based air freshener had near-zero side effects, but weaker potency.
Hearing Qiu Sui’s soft mm, the Alpha froze until the breaths evened again, familiar with the closeness. Then he nuzzled deeper into the crook of Qiu Sui’s neck for a heavy inhale.
I really want to hold you like this every night, baby…
He murmured faintly against Qiu Sui’s skin, yearning.
The sleeping man felt an itch and mumbled instinctively, elbow nudging not-too-lightly that way.
The Alpha caught his arm smoothly, nuzzling it happily before carefully interlacing their fingers. A thought sparked a low chuckle.
You’ve caught me now, baby. Happy?
…
Qiu Sui had forgotten to set an alarm and woke past nine.
He sprawled alone across the center of the bed, blankly processing for several seconds before remembering there was supposed to be someone else here too. He nervously rolled back to his own side.
But soon enough, he belatedly realized Shen Zhixiao wasn’t on the bed. He turned his head sluggishly and startled at the sight of the man sitting at the desk, chin propped in his hand, staring at him without blinking.
Shen Zhixiao must have gotten up at some point—had his movements drawn the other’s attention, keeping those eyes fixed on him all along? Qiu Sui shrank awkwardly under the covers, then heard the concerned greeting.
“Breakfast is here. Want to get up and eat?”
Qiu Sui buried half his face in the blanket, his bleary eyes locking with the neatly dressed man’s for two seconds. He mumbled a sluggish “mm,” his voice hoarse from not drinking any water all night.
With his messy hair still tousled, he stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom, slamming the door shut. Staring at his disheveled reflection in the mirror, he felt a flush of embarrassment and clutched his head, howling silently a few times before frantically combing down the exploded strands.
He had no idea when Shen Zhixiao had bought the breakfast; when Qiu Sui opened it, the porridge inside was still piping hot.
As he ate, the other man sat across from him, chin propped, watching with keen interest—which made Qiu Sui’s movements feel unnaturally stiff.
Shen Zhixiao eyed the Beta’s lips, wet with porridge, and broke into a brilliant smile. Softly, he asked, “Can I know the plan for catching that person today?”
![No Redemption for Dark Protagonists [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/quickkk.jpg?resize=151,215 "No Redemption for Dark Protagonists [Quick Transmigration]")
