Qiu Sui’s voice was soft, his breath brushing over the Alpha’s cheek like a warm current, instantly heating the dim space to a fever pitch with the atmosphere of desire.
The man propped above him seemed caught off guard by his words. His heavy breathing paused briefly as the words landed, but soon it surged back even stronger, as if a powerful blower roared inside his chest.
Immense joy mixed with excitement flooded Shen Zhixiao’s entire body, along with a restless agitation from his nerves firing wildly.
He stared into those bright, watery eyes ahead, his movements urgent as he caressed Qiu Sui’s face. His words tumbled out uncharacteristically jumbled. “I-I didn’t… Qiu Sui, I didn’t.”
Shen Zhixiao’s thumb pressed against Qiu Sui’s cheek. Somewhat impatiently, he leaned down, enveloping him in scorching body heat until their breaths mingled and their noses touched. His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously.
His voice trembled faintly from unsteady breaths, dry and solemn as he said, “I want to take responsibility.”
Watching Qiu Sui’s fluttering lashes, he slowly drew closer to his lips, stopping just one centimeter away—so close that even a slight movement would bring them together.
His thumb on Qiu Sui’s cheek caressed intimately. In his downcast eyes, emotions swelled as if about to overflow, laced with anticipation and anxiety. In a sincere whisper, he confessed, “I like you, Qiu Sui. I like you so much. I want to take responsibility for you. Can you give me that chance?”
“…”
Qiu Sui’s fingers cradling Shen Zhixiao’s face trembled slightly. His response was to tilt his chin up just a bit, erasing that tiny distance between them.
He was inexperienced with kissing, with no natural talent for it. He simply pressed his lips gently to Shen Zhixiao’s, letting their warm, wet mouths touch innocently—a stark contrast to Shen Zhixiao’s fierce urgency.
But this gentle touch excited Shen Zhixiao more than any demanding claim. Hot blood surged through him, his veins pulsing with fierce beats.
If an Omega had been in this room, they would have lost their mind to passive heat from the overwhelming Alpha pheromones. But Qiu Sui was a Beta; he only felt Shen Zhixiao’s blazing body heat and ragged breaths.
The Alpha, face held in his hands, froze rigidly in place, savoring the soft press of lips. The hand gripping the pillow clenched into a tight fist.
Sensing Shen Zhixiao’s breath, Qiu Sui refused to back down. He tried to mimic him, probing at his lips.
His tongue tip extended clumsily, brushing Shen Zhixiao’s lip lightly, but he had no idea what to do next.
He froze awkwardly for a few seconds, then shamefully pulled back. He squeezed his eyes shut in embarrassment, his ears burning hot against the pillow.
Qiu Sui kissed Shen Zhixiao haphazardly for a while until his lips went numb. Only then did he slowly pull away, instinctively licking his wet lips as he gradually came back to his senses from the intense kiss.
His senses sharpened amid their heavy breathing. He met Shen Zhixiao’s gaze and belatedly noticed the insistent pressure against his thigh.
Qiu Sui’s heart clenched sensitively, a tingle shooting up his tailbone—a lingering effect from that previous accident.
His fingers on Shen Zhixiao’s face twitched unnaturally. His expression turned shy and bashful in an instant. He swallowed, his voice unsteady. “L-Let’s sleep. It’s… probably late.”
He awkwardly tried to change the subject.
Shen Zhixiao, still pinning him down, blinked slowly. Heat roiled through his body with no outlet, making his breaths heavy and veins bulge at his temple.
But after hearing Qiu Sui, he simply nodded and murmured agreement, then slowly withdrew from atop him.
Qiu Sui’s heart still raced. Feeling the weight lift, his chest rose and fell more steadily, but Shen Zhixiao didn’t return to his original spot.
Instead, he lay on his side next to Qiu Sui, reaching out to wrap an arm directly around his waist. The sudden movement made Qiu Sui’s midsection twitch sensitively, and he felt Shen Zhixiao’s hand slide across his side to rest on his stomach.
Qiu Sui’s lower body heated uncontrollably from the motion, his sleeping posture stiffening.
Shen Zhixiao shifted into position, curling slightly with his head near Qiu Sui’s shoulder. As if just remembering, he leaned close to his ear, breath hot as he murmured, “Is it okay to sleep like this? Baby.”
The endearment sent a shiver down Qiu Sui’s spine, his head fuzzy and lashes fluttering. He let out an overwhelmed “ah,” his heart swelling hot like it was clogged with warm water.
Shen Zhixiao slipped into romance mode effortlessly. He nuzzled against him naturally, chuckling softly, then murmured “baby” again.
“I always wanted to call you that. Finally, I can today.” He spoke softly against Qiu Sui’s shoulder, tightening his embrace to tuck him close. His lips brushed the fabric over Qiu Sui’s shoulder, blissfully calling him “baby” once more.
Each word made Qiu Sui feel sappy and embarrassed, but he didn’t stop him. Instead, his fingers slid down slightly, brushing Shen Zhixiao’s fingertips. The nuzzling head against his shoulder immediately stilled.
Qiu Sui gently pried his hand open, threading their fingers together and holding on amid the feverish warmth.
With that done, he shyly turned his head away and whispered, “Good night.”
The Alpha half-draped over him seemed to lose his energy, going still and quiet for several seconds before responding. He pulled him closer affectionately, joyfully saying good night.
Qiu Sui felt the man’s high feverish warmth, lips curving up slightly. Though unused to such intimate sleeping, he loved it deep down. As his nerves settled, he drifted off to the sound of Shen Zhixiao’s breathing.
Qiu Sui had no idea what time they finally fell asleep amid the cuddling. When he woke the next morning, past ten o’clock, it was to Shen Zhixiao calling him.
Last night’s memories lingered vividly. His daytime mind was clearer, less emotional than at night. Recalling what they’d done, shame nearly overwhelmed him.
Amid Shen Zhixiao’s calls, he clutched the blanket tightly, half his face buried beneath it, too embarrassed to look up. Only after a long moment did he mumble a vague, “I’m awake…”
Shen Zhixiao knelt by the bed’s edge, patiently waiting with hands braced on the mattress. His gaze was openly intense, impossible to ignore.
Qiu Sui glanced at him, then quickly looked away. After steadying himself, he threw off the blanket and got up, face burning.
Shen Zhixiao followed close behind. “Baby…”
Qiu Sui’s eyelid twitched. Unable to resist, he whipped around to cover his mouth. The man’s temperature still ran high, but his face wasn’t as flushed as yesterday—likely the Pheromone Disorder improving.
The Alpha’s eyes looked innocent and bewildered down at him, standing obediently without moving. It instantly melted Qiu Sui’s heart.
His lips parted slightly, voice softening unconsciously, a bit awkwardly negotiating. “Can you not call me that all the time? It feels weird…”
Shen Zhixiao’s eyelids drooped in disappointment. His lips brushed Qiu Sui’s palm as he mumbled a muffled “Okay.”
Qiu Sui’s expression turned awkward. “It’s not that you can’t… Just call it less.”
He released him. Hearing that, Shen Zhixiao brightened, suddenly calling out, “Xiao Sui.”
The Alpha gazed at him questioningly, voice warm. “Is this okay for usual?”
Just yesterday, when they’d added each other on WeChat and he’d messaged it, Qiu Sui hadn’t minded. Now, with their relationship changed, the name from Shen Zhixiao’s lips suddenly felt intimate and sappy.
But compared to the other one, it was better. Qiu Sui curled his fingers and headed to the bathroom, mumbling vaguely, “Whatever… Just not around other people.”
Sounds so spineless…
Shen Zhixiao chuckled lowly, following him right into the bathroom.
Qiu Sui glanced back oddly. “You haven’t washed up either?”
Shen Zhixiao paused, then hummed nonchalantly.
Qiu Sui didn’t suspect anything, shifting aside to make room. He eyed the two tooth cups on the counter, hesitating—then noticed the toothbrush in one was wet.
“…”
The Alpha beside him showed no guilt, casually taking that set away.
Qiu Sui found Shen Zhixiao’s behavior amusing but didn’t call him out. He grabbed his cup, filled it with water, and brushed his teeth.
He tended to zone out while washing up. Even with company, old habits died hard.
His gaze wandered, landing on Shen Zhixiao in the mirror.
Foam clung to the man’s lips, looking comical. Qiu Sui nearly laughed, but his own mouth full of foam stopped him. He hurriedly rinsed.
Shen Zhixiao mirrored his every move—washing his face towel when Qiu Sui did. But when Qiu Sui needed the toilet, he couldn’t let him follow, so he shoved him out of the bathroom.
In that moment, Qiu Sui vaguely sensed Shen Zhixiao’s clinginess. When he emerged, the man stood right at the door, not having left.
Qiu Sui thought he needed the bathroom too, but Shen Zhixiao just waited. One step forward, and he followed one step.
His shadowing reminded Qiu Sui of Shen Zhixiao during his last Susceptible Period. So that’s his real self during it.
Qiu Sui strongly suspected Shen Zhixiao had only acted mature and composed before to maintain his image. Now that they were official, the true colors showed.
As he thought that, his dangling hand was lightly hooked. Before he could react, Shen Zhixiao threaded their fingers together.
Qiu Sui didn’t pull away, his lips quirking faintly. He tugged Shen Zhixiao closer, tilting his head to check on him concernedly. “Feeling better now?”
Shen Zhixiao shook his head lightly. His condition had improved; speaking came easier. In a warm voice, “Much better after waking up. The pheromone concentration’s still high—can’t fully control it even with the Pheromone Suppression Ring.”
Only then did Qiu Sui notice the all-black Pheromone Suppression Ring around Shen Zhixiao’s neck—a slim band hugging his Adam’s apple, moving as he spoke.
Curious if it choked, he reached up without thinking to touch it.
Sensing the motion, Shen Zhixiao stilled, cooperatively lowering his head in anticipation. His Adam’s apple bobbed instinctively.
The next second, Qiu Sui hooked the ring with his finger and tugged lightly.
No real force, but the unprepared Alpha instinctively leaned forward with the pull—like a big dog yanked by its collar.
