Chapter 58: Home

Qiu Sui’s attention lingered on Shen Zhixiao’s words, somewhat ignoring the touch at his neck. He had thought Shen Zhixiao and his younger brother just had some minor conflicts, but he hadn’t expected the issues stemming from that to weigh heavier than he’d imagined.

As he listened to Shen Zhixiao speak, a sour feeling churned in Qiu Sui’s heart.

The events before returning to the country—that must refer to Shen Zhixiao’s middle school days.

He could hardly imagine Shen Zhixiao as a teenager, driven out and forbidden from returning home, alone and heartbroken.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t seem as cold, hard, or fierce as he appeared. Qiu Sui knew he was actually quite prone to vulnerability.

So, that explained why Shen Zhixiao cried easily during his Susceptible Period—trauma played a role.

Qiu Sui couldn’t help overthinking it. His fingers gradually brushed Shen Zhixiao’s jawline.

He hadn’t figured out how to comfort him yet when Shen Zhixiao took his hand, looked up with a relieved smile, and turned the tables to console him instead. “These things are in the past for me. It’s not that they don’t like me—they just prefer the obedient little brother. I’ve long stopped caring…”

Shen Zhixiao spoke softly, lowering his head to gaze at Qiu Sui as he slowly leaned closer. A faint light flickered in his eyes, drawing them nearer until their noses touched. Gently, he said, “I’m really happy now, Qiu Sui. Being together with you… I feel truly blessed…”

Qiu Sui felt Shen Zhixiao’s breath, and an indescribable bitterness welled up as he listened.

He blinked slowly. When Shen Zhixiao’s gaze drifted downward, Qiu Sui tilted his head slightly and kissed the corner of his lips.

He wasn’t good at offering comfort. After a light peck, he awkwardly licked his lips and said softly, “As long as you’re happy now, that’s what matters. Forget the past—it’s all behind us…”

Shen Zhixiao’s throat bobbed as he watched Qiu Sui speak, his lips twitching slowly into a smile. After Qiu Sui finished, he tilted his head and kissed back.

Qiu Sui’s nerves jolted. The hand that had been holding his phone instinctively wrapped around Shen Zhixiao’s neck. He felt the kiss deepen along the seam of his lips, tilting his chin up submissively, responding clumsily.

They sat immersed at the desk, kissing for a while. When they parted, over ten minutes had passed.

Shen Zhixiao loved to kiss for a long time. Qiu Sui struggled to keep up with breathing and felt oxygen-deprived. He braced against the desk, panting, his wet, hot lips parted uncontrollably, the base of his tongue aching with numbness.

Beside him, Shen Zhixiao ruffled his hair, his lips still lingering reluctantly on Qiu Sui’s cheek with more kisses. Only after a few minutes did he glance at the time, bid farewell, and head out.

Qiu Sui lingered in place for a bit, unable to resist touching his lightly kissed cheek. It was as if Shen Zhixiao’s warmth still lingered there.

He grabbed his phone and quickly added the jiu-jitsu club owner that Shen Zhixiao had recommended as a friend, signing up for a six-month membership right away.

This way, they could train together outside school from now on.

…

Shen Zhixiao had thought he could enter Qiu Sui’s dorm and stay the night to sleep together, but after their evening kiss, Qiu Sui pushed him out the door anyway.

Looking at the Alpha clinging desperately to the doorframe, Qiu Sui licked his lips—reddened from the other’s nibbling—and gently pried his hands away, sticking to his principles. “We agreed—no sleeping together tonight.”

If Shen Zhixiao had a tail, it would be drooping right now. He didn’t, but Qiu Sui could see the same disappointment in his pitiful expression.

A person couldn’t abandon their principles, or they’d be taken advantage of inch by inch. So in the end, he relented. “Next weekend. We can sleep together next weekend, okay?”

Shen Zhixiao finally let go at that, but greedily added, “Then can we sleep at home? The bed there is bigger.”

Qiu Sui didn’t catch the meaning of “home” at first, then realized belatedly, “Your place?”

We’re together now, so it’s our shared home, Shen Zhixiao corrected earnestly.

Qiu Sui’s neck flushed slightly. That doesn’t add up—we’re just dating, not married… Wait, even if we were married, that still feels off somehow.

This version of Shen Zhixiao was far better than the pitiful one from moments ago. An inexplicable flutter stirred in Qiu Sui’s chest. Unable to resist, he ruffled Shen Zhixiao’s hair just like he often did to him, thinking, No wonder he likes messing with my hair sometimes—this really makes you want to do it.

Or perhaps it was the emotions from liking someone that made such impulses irresistible.

A glance would spark the urge to kiss; brushing hands while walking would make you want to hold on; sitting together would lead to leaning in for a hug. These were just feelings flowing from heart to body. You could restrain yourself in public, but alone, those undercurrents amplified, turning into uncontrollable actions.

During the day in class, they at most held hands on walks or bumped shoulders while skipping class or eating. But back in the dorm, just the two of them, the air seemed tangled with their breaths. Hugs and kisses became inevitable.

Kissing more had made Qiu Sui better at breathing through it, but the downside was that Shen Zhixiao kissed even longer now. Sometimes they’d start hazily at the desk and end up on the bed, snapping back only to find the pillow nearly knocked off the headboard.

Qiu Sui didn’t know if all relationships were like this. Compared to before they got together, nearly all his free time now went to Shen Zhixiao—except when meeting Qiu Shun and Qiao Keren or training at the club.

Even then, Shen Zhixiao would walk him partway, waiting until he entered before leaving, as if afraid a tiger might snatch him on the road.

Qiu Sui thought that, yet he loved being with Shen Zhixiao. Teasing his boyfriend on the way was more relaxing than scrolling his phone.

Lately, he’d even quit comics, and he didn’t play Doudizhu as often. Being with Shen Zhixiao felt magical—what didn’t even need to do anything; just chatting warded off boredom.

After Friday night’s last late class, Qiu Sui returned to the dorm to pack weekend clothes and his laptop for homework, then headed downstairs.

Shen Zhixiao was already waiting with the car. He smoothly placed Qiu Sui’s laptop bag and backpack in the back seat, asking considerately, “Want some late-night snacks? We can grab some on the way.”

Qiu Sui buckled his seatbelt deftly before Shen Zhixiao could help, mumbling a delayed, “Nah, I’m not hungry.”

Shen Zhixiao’s half-raised hand ruffled his hair instead, replying naturally, “Okay,” before releasing the parking brake and starting the car.

It had been half a month since they’d been back to the apartment. Everything was as they’d left it, including the thermometer Qiu Sui had forgotten on the table—he hadn’t even remembered it.

Back then, he’d been focused on taking Shen Zhixiao to the doctor, then lost in the daze of their new relationship upon returning to the dorm. Even packing his bag had been absentminded.

Shen Zhixiao had a part-time cleaner; the place was even tidier than before, and the balcony plants looked vibrant.

Qiu Sui hadn’t paid much attention to the apartment’s setup before, only noting how pretty the river-view floor-to-ceiling windows were at night.

Carrying his pajamas to shower in the master bath, he passed the study and tea room. The door he’d once mistaken for a guest room was open, revealing a full gym inside.

Qiu Sui couldn’t help thinking of Shen Zhixiao’s solid, powerful chest and arms. How intense must his workouts have been to build that body? He’d originally thought it was just an S-Rank Alpha’s natural gift…

With that in mind, Qiu Sui realized he’d never actually seen Shen Zhixiao work out.

He swallowed subtly, sneaking a glance at the Alpha trailing behind him before shaking off the thought and hurrying to shower.

It was late by the time they returned to the apartment. After showers, it was nearly eleven.

Qiu Sui, in pajamas and nestled under the covers, chatted absentmindedly with Qiu Shun and Qiao Keren. His peripheral vision caught Shen Zhixiao emerging from the bathroom; he pursed his lips slightly and ducked his head a bit.

The faint friction of slippers on the floor stopped as they hit the carpet—meaning Shen Zhixiao was approaching.

Qiu Sui’s grip tightened on his phone. He stopped typing, tracking Shen Zhixiao’s movements with his peripheral vision, his throat bobbing with unexplained tension.

As Shen Zhixiao climbed into bed, Qiu Sui slowly set his phone on the nightstand. Before he could turn, strong arms wrapped around him from behind. The Alpha’s hard chest pressed firmly against his back through the smooth pajama fabric.

Qiu Sui kept his composure and turned for a kiss. Kissing on the apartment bed felt different from the dorm—somehow laced with an erotic undertone.

Maybe because Shen Zhixiao’s hand at his pajama hem was sliding up his stomach. He never did this in the dorm beyond ruffling hair or stroking his neck.

Qiu Sui flinched sensitively, feeling those wandering fingertips. Distracted, the kiss grew strenuous. Shen Zhixiao hooked his tongue, thrusting and swirling past his sharp teeth, drawing a sudden low moan from him.

Startled by his own sound, Qiu Sui’s back tingled. His fingers frantically grabbed Shen Zhixiao’s hand pushing up his pajama top, words muffled and labored. “N-No… pinch…”

Shen Zhixiao cradled his head with one hand, massaging his scalp affectionately. Between panting kisses, he pleaded, “Then can I touch…? Baby, I want to touch…”

Qiu Sui’s body ignited at the words. He opened his mouth to speak but was sealed by a deep kiss, his tongue tip quivering pitifully. He grew dizzy, disoriented.

He didn’t respond, so Shen Zhixiao took it as consent—rubbing his head with tender kisses while his other hand roamed freely. The dual sensations made Qiu Sui’s breathing erratic, his lowered lashes trembling violently.

His hands clutched Shen Zhixiao’s pajama shirt tightly, popping buttons without noticing. He was kissed senseless, body burning hot.

Qiu Sui knew full well they wouldn’t just peacefully sleep under the covers together.

Oxygen-starved, he arched back in the sheets, gasping for air.

Shen Zhixiao trailed kisses down his cheek, along his neck, to his collarbone—something he’d clearly wanted for ages. But at school, it was impossible; he’d always get sent back after kisses since classes loomed the next day.

Tomorrow was free, though. Shen Zhixiao continued downward, half-unbuttoning Qiu Sui’s pajamas to match his own disheveled state.

Qiu Sui had removed Shen Zhixiao’s Pheromone Suppression Ring upon arriving. Now the room brimmed with Green Tea Pheromone. Every breath Qiu Sui took drew Shen Zhixiao’s scent into his chest—and Shen was kissing right there.

Snapping back, Qiu Sui arched up, fingers tangling in Shen Zhixiao’s hair. “You…”

His voice was weak, head too heavy to lift, seeing only the back of Shen Zhixiao’s.

Shen Zhixiao released him, pulling him into a face-to-face embrace against the headboard. He kissed Qiu Sui’s fluttering eyelids, hot breaths fanning his cheek. This position left their reactions utterly exposed.

It had been a week since the last over-stimulation. Qiu Sui’s eyelids burned red with embarrassment as he tugged Shen Zhixiao’s descending head, words slurring. “I-It’s… fine… I…”

But Shen Zhixiao nipped his lower lip, silencing him.

Sea City’s nights had turned chilly, yet Qiu Sui felt scorching. In the end, he changed into fresh pajamas and crawled back under the covers. Shen Zhixiao, brimming with energy, showered again.

Qiu Sui recovered on the bed before checking the time—it was nearly one a.m. after all that. Good thing there’s no early rise tomorrow, he thought, burrowing into the warm sheets with his heated head.

When Shen Zhixiao emerged from the shower, Qiu Sui was already drowsily drifting off. He turned off the light, slipped into bed quietly, and waited for his body heat to build before slowly drawing him into his arms.

Hearing Qiu Sui mumble something indistinctly, Shen Zhixiao wasn’t sure if he was talking in his sleep or addressing him. In the end, he responded softly, kissed the top of his head, and murmured, “Good night.”

By the time Qiu Sui finished mumbling, he had already drifted off to sleep, unable to respond.