Those who could keep their cool always reaped unexpected rewards.
Even after being grabbed by the collar and scolded, Tan Jing remained completely unfazed.
“Your Heat Period is coming in the next couple of days,” he said innocently. “It’ll come whether we kiss or not.”
“…”
“Now is the perfect time—heaven, earth, and man all align, and Uncle and Aunt won’t notice.” He even sounded a bit smug, like he deserved credit.
“…………”
He Siheng was speechless, so angry he nearly ground his molars to dust.
The logic was sound, but this guy’s righteous attitude made him deserve a beating.
He released Tan Jing’s collar and stood up from his embrace, bracing himself against the nearby door. He grumpily issued an order: “Hurry up and give me a Temporary Mark.”
But Tan Jing didn’t move to obey. Instead, he calmly straightened his wrinkled collar, crossed his arms, and leaned against the door, drawling lazily: “You’re asking for my help, but barking orders like that?”
Whether it was their growing rapport or He Siheng’s deep understanding of this guy’s rotten core, he instantly grasped the implication.
He Siheng’s face darkened as he whipped his head around to glare at him. “You want me to beg you?”
“How could that be?” Tan Jing’s eyes curved in amusement, his voice soft and coaxing, like a patient teacher. “Just call me Brother A-Jing like you did when we were kids.”
He Siheng: “…”
What was the difference between that and begging?
He had only used that mortifying nickname in the year they first met—and only when he needed something from Tan Jing.
Heaven and earth could crumble, but his pride came first. He Siheng clamped his lips shut, stewing in silence for a long while, refusing to say it.
As he waged an intense internal battle, a hand suddenly settled on the back of his neck. Cool fingertips brushed teasingly over the skin above his gland.
His already sensitive gland during this period couldn’t withstand the stimulation. He Siheng shuddered uncontrollably, his legs going weak as he collapsed into Tan Jing’s arms.
This time, Tan Jing didn’t catch him. He just stood by the door, letting He Siheng lean in on his own to steady his wobbly stance.
His body heat continued to rise, the floral scent in the air growing thicker. He Siheng clutched Tan Jing’s clothes, burying his head in the Alpha’s chest without thinking, greedily inhaling his scent to quell the surging desire.
His craving for this Alpha was an irresistible genetic instinct.
And this bastard knew it full well.
In a fit of self-abandonment, He Siheng squeezed his eyes shut and mumbled into Tan Jing’s chest: “A… Brother A-Jing…”
The moment the words left his mouth, his pale earlobes flushed pink.
Tan Jing’s lips curved up. His hand slid upward from He Siheng’s neck, gently ruffling his hair, his voice as tender as the gesture: “Do you like Brother?”
He Siheng’s ears burned even hotter, as if his whole body was aflame. “I like…”
Tan Jing watched every shy reaction, his smile deepening as he pressed on relentlessly: “How much do you like me?”
As expected, this question went unanswered. A cornered cat always lashed out.
He Siheng jerked his head up from Tan Jing’s chest, grinding his teeth: “Tan! Jing!”
Tan Jing laughed cheerfully, finally relenting: “Go sit on the bed.”
“Bed” was a loaded word—at least for tonight.
Before Tan Jing moved into this room, He Siheng had refused to go anywhere near that bed all evening.
He coughed awkwardly. “Just do the mark here.”
“You sure you can stand steady?”
“Shut up…”
Halfway through his bark, He Siheng lost his nerve. During a Temporary Mark, his mind went hazy half the time. If he couldn’t stand afterward, Tan Jing would just scoop him up and toss him on the bed anyway—the risk was the same, but this way was more humiliating.
Reluctantly, He Siheng shuffled to the bed with Tan Jing and sat down facing away, issuing a stern preemptive warning: “You’re only allowed to do the mark. Nothing else.”
Tan Jing chuckled, feigning ignorance: “What else do you want me to do?”
He played dumb, but deliberately emphasized a certain word, laden with meaning.
Infuriated, He Siheng spun around to punch him. His fist was caught mid-swing by Tan Jing’s wrist grab.
Before he could react further, Tan Jing’s other hand shoved his shoulder. He Siheng’s balance tipped, and he fell onto the bed.
He instinctively tried to prop himself up, but the guy behind him pinned him down first, sinking his teeth into the slender, pale nape of his neck.
Like a beast that had lain in wait seizing its prey, the hard tips of his teeth pressed into delicate skin. He Siheng instantly felt the Alpha’s aggression and dominance, his hands clenching the sheets beneath him.
The Alpha’s pheromones slowly seeped in, spreading a soothing warmth like soaking in a hot bath on a frigid winter night. He Siheng’s tense body gradually relaxed, his fingers loosening their grip on the sheets.
Was it his imagination? This mark felt more comfortable than any before.
His consciousness blurred uncontrollably, comfort mingling with a thirst for more.
“Mm…” As the mark ended, he let out an unwitting moan.
The eyes of the guy pinning him darkened abruptly. He gripped He Siheng’s shoulders and flipped him over.
Before He Siheng could process it, hot breath crashed down without mercy.
Touching, sucking, licking, nibbling—their saliva overflowed from the corners of his mouth only to be licked away. Their entwined breaths grew ragged and scorching.
They made out on the bed for a good while until He Siheng could barely breathe. Only then did Tan Jing finally pull away.
He Siheng’s chest heaved, slick with sweat.
Tan Jing gazed down at him.
The boy’s features were sharp and lean, his chin delicate and pale. Chestnut hair splayed messily across the soft sheets. Amber eyes glazed with mist, the corners tinged with an unnatural flush. His swollen thin lips parted slightly, revealing a glimpse of pink tongue between his teeth.
In that instant, the Alpha’s primal instincts flared up.
Tan Jing’s throat bobbed heavily. He forced his gaze away, voice hoarse: “Don’t seduce me. I might not hold back.”
“…?”
He Siheng didn’t even have the energy to curse him out, managing only a glare.
