Chapter 81: Long-Distance Relationship

Qiu Sui struggled a little at first when his lip was caught, but once he got into it, he surrendered completely. His only plea was not to go too hard—if it showed, it’d be mortifying.

Shen Zhixiao seemed to agree. He gripped Qiu Sui’s thigh tightly and peppered rough kisses across his face, though his movements weren’t much gentler than usual. His other hand roamed over Qiu Sui’s slightly bulging belly.

Qiu Sui’s breaths came in ragged gasps he could barely handle, his fingers clawing at Shen Zhixiao’s back, trembling uncontrollably.

He had plans to play ball with friends tomorrow, but at this rate, forget stepping out tomorrow—he wouldn’t have the guts to bounce around on the court for the next few days, let alone then.

Even if he had the energy, though, Qiu Sui had no intention of going.

For one thing, Shen Zhixiao was petty and got jealous easily. For another, Shen Zhixiao was only staying in Stream City for eight days before heading back to Sea City, leaving them to do long-distance over video calls.

These few days, they should savor their precious alone time.

Qiu Sui didn’t have spare clothes at Shen Zhixiao’s place. After they finished, when he went to shower, Shen Zhixiao brought in pajamas he’d already worn.

Compared to before, Shen Zhixiao really hadn’t gone as hard this time—Qiu Sui still had the strength to wash up under the hot water.

But as he sat in the bathtub without much movement, the water turned murky, thick with a chaotic, heavy scent.

Dazed and feverish, Qiu Sui drained and refilled the tub. As the warm water flowed away, it revealed his skin covered in marks—purple-red blotches across his chest and back.

The alpha who entered tossed the pajamas onto the shelf. As Qiu Sui bowed his head to wash, he approached slowly, caught him off guard, and scooped up his Adam’s apple, tilting his head back for a kiss.

Qiu Sui’s fingers scrambled to grip the tub’s edge, his legs instinctively clamping shut.

After the kiss, Shen Zhixiao slipped into the double bathtub too, pulling Qiu Sui into his arms. Sated, he pecked at the side of Qiu Sui’s neck.

Sensing the other’s reaction, Qiu Sui jabbed an elbow back uncertainly, his voice hoarse and faint: “Y-You… you’re going again?!”

Shen Zhixiao pressed flush against his back, arms wrapping around to knead Qiu Sui’s waist—full of fingerprints—and his swollen belly. He chuckled lowly: “Can I?”

“Get lost…”

Qiu Sui shoved him weakly again, still spooked by that twitching sensation.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t push it, focusing instead on washing Qiu Sui.

Qiu Sui usually wasn’t clear-headed during these moments and didn’t mind, but now, watching those hands slide over him, he felt a belated embarrassment. He turned his head to rest on Shen Zhixiao’s shoulder, eyes closed, pretending to sleep.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t call him out, occasionally teasing with a firm touch, watching Qiu Sui’s lashes quiver sensitively.

There were no underwear for Qiu Sui at home, so Shen Zhixiao only dressed him in his own pajamas and pants.

The empty feeling wasn’t comfortable—Qiu Sui fidgeted restlessly under the covers.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t get into bed with him. Wearing a bathrobe, he went back to the bathroom, clutching Qiu Sui’s clothes and nuzzling them for an hour before emerging.

Qiu Sui was half-asleep, eyelids fluttering groggily. Sensing Shen Zhixiao climb in, he pawed at the blanket haphazardly.

Shen Zhixiao caught his hand, switched off the nightlight, and pulled him close, only relaxing once he felt Qiu Sui’s steady breaths.

After hours of ball yesterday afternoon and overexertion last night, Qiu Sui woke with legs aching terribly. That afternoon, when he took Shen Zhixiao home for tea with Lady Zhuang, he walked extra carefully. It wasn’t until the next day that the soreness eased.

Qiu Sui pushed back all his friends’ invites, spending every moment with Shen Zhixiao.

They hit Stream City’s hot spots, tasty restaurants, the landmark amusement park, and zoo. Before they knew it, days had slipped by.

Seeing Shen Zhixiao pack his suitcase soured Qiu Sui’s mood.

Shen Zhixiao had arrived with four suitcases; now he only packed one. Besides clothes and souvenirs from Qiu Sui for him and his family, it held couple’s keychains Qiu Sui picked, game prizes from the attractions, and Polaroids.

Qiu Sui suddenly understood Shen Zhixiao’s separation anxiety—he felt glum too, staring at Shen Zhixiao’s back before slumping listlessly onto it.

Shen Zhixiao zipped the case, reached back to ruffle the head on his shoulder, then stood and hoisted him up piggyback-style.

Qiu Sui clung tight around Shen Zhixiao’s neck, face buried, directing him in a muffled voice to the living room to put on a movie.

They didn’t go out that afternoon, cuddling on the couch from afternoon into evening before heading to Qiu Sui’s house for dinner.

With Shen Zhixiao heading back to Sea City, Qiu Sui couldn’t muster any cheer. At dinner, he was absentminded even as his parents spoke, uncharacteristically not snapping back at their teasing.

Shen Zhixiao didn’t want to part either. After dinner, in Qiu Sui’s room, he nuzzled against his cheek, eyes brimming with reluctance.

Just over ten or twenty days apart—like they were parting forever.

“Baby.”

Shen Zhixiao bumped noses with him, speaking first.

Qiu Sui hummed glumly, waiting.

“Do you still have your high school uniform?”

?

The sentimental mood shattered. Qiu Sui blinked in confusion. “Yeah… why?”

Shen Zhixiao licked his lips uncomfortably, murmuring: “I want to take it home… for nesting during my Susceptible Period…”

Qiu Sui pictured it, eyes darting away from Shen Zhixiao’s face, ears heating. “Oh… is one set enough…?”

Of course not.

Shen Zhixiao swallowed hard, breaths quickening.

Their eyes met, igniting a spark that heated the air. They couldn’t hold back, kissing a while longer before heading to the closet.

Qiu Sui packed his commonly worn high school clothes and casuals into a carry-on for Shen Zhixiao, even tossing in the stuffed animals from his bed—ones he’d had since childhood.

Shen Zhixiao’s flight was the next afternoon. Lady Zhuang drove them to the airport. Qiu Sui was too shy to kiss him in front of his mom, so he just clung on for a hug, whispering: “Text me when you land safe.”

Shen Zhixiao chuckled softly, stealing a kiss on his cheek where Zhuang Ni couldn’t see: “Okay.”

After seeing him through security, Lady Zhuang—who’d doubled as chauffeur—ruffled her eldest son’s hair. “Looking all lovesick. Why didn’t you steal a kiss just now? You young people are so reserved these days.”

Qiu Sui jutted his chin out stubbornly, the skin below his collarbone already covered in kissmarks.

Shen Zhixiao had kissed him all morning, licking and nuzzling him like a dog marking territory.

But there was no way Qiu Sui was telling his mom that. He bantered back shamelessly, face straight: “That’s how we young people like it.”

Once Shen Zhixiao returned to Sea City, they dove into short-term long-distance. Videos every day across screens, all-nighters at night, even first thing in the morning.

Qiu Sui’s phone and tablet took turns nonstop until New Year’s Eve.

The Qiu family didn’t stay in downtown Stream City—they headed back to the countryside to spend a few days with the elders.

Mid-video with Shen Zhixiao, Qiu Sui dashed downstairs, shoving the phone at his grandma to say hi, catching Shen Zhixiao off guard and making him stammer.

Qiu Sui scampered back upstairs laughing his head off. But then Shen Zhixiao suddenly angled his phone toward a refined omega.

“…”

Qiu Sui had subconsciously pictured Shen Zhixiao’s family as stern and aloof from his stories. Seeing this gentle face threw him—he sat up straight a beat late, face and neck flushing: “U-Uncle? Hello?”

The man smiled warmly at the camera, voice soft: “Hello. Little Sui, right? Happy New Year.”

Qiu Sui tied his tongue too. After a few kind words and a laugh, Shen Zhixiao took the phone back.

Mindful of Shen Zhixiao’s family nearby, Qiu Sui waited till he was alone in his room before pouncing verbally, mortified.

Shen Zhixiao gazed at the flailing figure on screen, amused: “You pranked me first, baby.”

So what!

Doesn’t matter! Qiu Sui thought unreasonably, hair a messy tangle over his cheeks as he glared at the screen.

“Your mom… seems nice.”

Shen Zhixiao hummed softly, explaining warmly: “My relationship with my dad is worse.”

Seeing him lower his eyes, Qiu Sui worried about dredging up pain and changed the subject: “I’ll show you fireworks tonight. I lit them myself.”

Qiu Sui’s hometown allowed fireworks—he set them off right in the villa backyard.

Dad Qiu had bought a truckload for his sons, but Qiu Shun just liked watching from the sidelines.

Qiu Sui loved doing it himself—felt like igniting bombs in an action flick.

Shen Zhixiao beamed at his words: “Sounds great, baby.”

After dinner, Qiu Sui hauled half the storeroom’s fireworks out, circled them by the backyard pond, and went live on video for Shen Zhixiao.

Qiu Shun knew his brother was lighting them; he grabbed a hot drink and claimed prime viewing spot.

Qiu Sui lit the fuses, bolted back to Qiu Shun, and aimed the shaky camera at the exploding sky.

So close to the blasts, voices got drowned out—but neither minded, ringing in the new year together under the fireworks.

…

Qiu Sui only stayed a week at the old house before returning to Stream City with the family.

Shen Zhixiao’s Susceptible Period hit those days too.

Now Qiu Sui videoed nonstop—not just nights, but days too.

Shen Zhixiao spent his in the apartment, naked. Qiu Sui couldn’t even take the phone out of his room, had to lock the door against interruptions.

Shen Zhixiao was used to spending Susceptible Periods with Qiu Sui—even without him, he’d clutch the phone and cry from missing him.

Qiu Sui’s clothes were piled into a nest on the bed, some stained from Shen Zhixiao’s releases.

Watching him clutch them and whimper, Qiu Sui felt dazed despite no Susceptible Period of his own.

“Baby… mm… call my name…” The alpha on screen panted heavily.

Qiu Sui flushed and called out twice; the breaths on the other end grew rougher.

But it wasn’t enough for Shen Zhixiao—he started making other requests.

Qiu Sui found it mortifying, resisting for seconds before crumbling under the alpha’s tears.

Shen Zhixiao watched Qiu Sui’s fluttering lashes, nerves fraying more, desperate to crawl through the screen. His voice turned gravelly: “Phone… move it down for me, baby…”

Qiu Sui arched on his side, panting softly, shifting the phone inexpertly—a strange thrill buzzing through him.

The alpha buried his face close; at the sight, he froze a moment, then surged harder, growling Qiu Sui’s name, breaths frantic.

Afterward, grabbing tissues, Qiu Sui wanted to bang his head against the wall.

He kept Shen Zhixiao company in his room for three days. Once Shen Zhixiao normalized, Qiu Sui hung up fast.

Shen Zhixiao called right back, brows still shadowed with lingering heat, voice husky: “I miss you so much, honey.”

Qiu Sui’s back tingled at the deep tone—he knew the guy wanted more than just seeing him—but with those pleading eyes, he cooed instinctively: “Next week we’ll meet.”

Shen Zhixiao’s lids drooped: “Can’t it be a little sooner?”

They’d planned to visit his family a week before school, earlier than opening. Qiu Sui shook a finger firmly: No.

He’d set the date with his family too—couldn’t mess it up.

The alpha had no choice, counting days silently until Qiu Sui arrived.

Shen Zhixiao rose early, groomed himself, wrapped on the scarf from Qiu Sui, and drove to the airport ahead of time to pick him up.