Chapter 66

[Wu Zhiqi: Beep beep~]

[Wu Zhiqi: Anyone there~]

The chat app page suddenly popped up with a three-person small group.

A small group chat created by Wu Zhiqi.

[Yu Xi: Here.]

[Yi Chen: 1111]

[Wu Zhiqi: Tomorrow I’m going home to steal my passport…]

[Wu Zhiqi: Entrusting you two teachers for tomorrow night!]

[Yu Xi: No problem, leave it to us!]

[Yi Chen: Got it!]

The next morning, Wu Zhiqi’s parents arrived right on time to block her at the hotel entrance.

The middle-aged woman and middle-aged man looked to be in excellent spirits, chatting endlessly with the hotel staff.

“Finally, someone has taken a liking to my daughter. She can finally get married, and as her mother, my biggest wish is fulfilled!”

“The bride price… come here, come here, I’ll whisper it to you. It’s this amount! Not bad, right!”

“That guy is so handsome and talented. So what if he’s a bit older? In the end, won’t the family rely on the man? What does she know? We’re doing this for her own good! The family can count on her younger brother. A girl is like water splashed out after marriage.”

“I’ve already taken half of the bride price! Just waiting for her to come back this afternoon so I can take the other half. The bride price was borrowed by them? We’ll pay it back together then. That’s not my problem to worry about.”

“Mom, Dad!” Wu Zhiqi waved to the middle-aged couple and affectionately linked arms with them. “You’re here! I just overheard something. Why did you only take half of the bride price? Come on, this afternoon we’ll go demand the other half from them. As for me, I plan to use the bride price to buy my brother a house. If it’s not enough, I’ll chip in more to cover the down payment, and then work hard to help him pay off the loan.”

Wu Zhiqi’s words delighted her parents, who grinned until their faces creased with wrinkles, and they pulled her away.

Yu Xi and Yi Chen watched the whole scene unfold.

To be honest, Wu Zhiqi’s family of origin was suffocatingly oppressive, but fortunately, she had always stayed clear-headed, and she was incredibly lucky.

“Teacher Yu Xi, Teacher Yi Chen, I’d like to ask you for a favor…” That day in the café, Wu Zhiqi had told them her situation and earnestly requested, “My passport was taken by my parents. Applying for a replacement now would require a letter of consent from my household registration place, which would take time, and I’d miss my flight. The only way now is for me to go back with them and sneak the passport out.”

“If they discover I’ve run away, they’ll definitely chase after me. Teacher Yu Xi, Teacher Yi Chen, could you… help block them for me…”

“Of course,” Yu Xi agreed immediately after studying the route to her parents’ place and the airport road. “Here, I have a way to cause a little congestion here, but it can’t be too long or it’d disrupt order. Missing one or two green lights is doable. You take another route then, and don’t let them know your destination.”

“Mm-hmm!” Wu Zhiqi smiled. Morning sunlight fell from the window, just like the sunny, relaxed, and finally liberated smile she flashed at them while waving.

“Resting for the day—where do you plan to wander?” Yi Chen’s hand rested on Yu Xi’s shoulder.

His arm brushed past the back of Yu Xi’s neck, where the bite wound on his gland hadn’t fully healed, sending a tingling itch.

Yu Xi shuddered lightly.

Yi Chen seemed deliberate, with no intention of moving his hand. He even boldly poked at Yu Xi’s gland with his finger, his slightly warm fingertip pressing against it.

During the gradual differentiation into an Omega, Yu Xi noticed his body had become noticeably more sensitive. Marks lingered longer on his neck, arms, waist, and legs, and skin contact left deeper impressions.

The sensation from where Yi Chen had gripped his waist hard yesterday still lingered, and now the hand that had gripped it was poking his gland, sending a faint electric current surging up his spine.

Faced with Yi Chen, Yu Xi’s stubbornness and refusal to lose always surged to the forefront at moments like this.

“Nowhere.” Yu Xi grabbed Yi Chen’s collar and yanked him down, their noses almost touching. The pheromones spilling out in the morning wrapped around their breaths.

The clear, sweet peppermint pomelo scent wafted delicately into his nostrils—very comforting.

Yu Xi released his hand, in a great mood. “Lie in bed all morning first. We’ll decide where to go this afternoon.”

Wu Zhiqi had already walked far away. Yu Xi turned and headed back to his room, and Yi Chen followed right in.

Yu Xi: “?”

Yi Chen: “?”

Yu Xi eyed him suspiciously. “What are you doing?”

Yi Chen looked equally puzzled. “You yanked me—wasn’t that a signal to come in with you?”

Yu Xi: “Does everything I do count as a hint? What goes on in that head of yours?”

Even as he said it, Yu Xi didn’t stop him.

The room’s curtains were tightly drawn, the AC blew cold air, and the lingering pheromones from the night before still filled the space.

Yu Xi flipped onto the bed.

Yi Chen flipped over too, lying beside him. They shared the same blanket.

The air was utterly still, the room’s dimness amplifying the quiet. Yu Xi lay there for a long time, but strangely, though there was no sound anywhere, he just couldn’t settle down.

“Can’t sleep.” Yu Xi gave up and opened his eyes.

“Me neither.” Yi Chen looked serene.

“Find something to do?” Yu Xi asked. “Any suggestions?”

Yi Chen: “Morning run.”

Yu Xi: “Day off today. Don’t want to move.”

“Then study.” Yi Chen suggested again.

“Study what?” Yu Xi perked up a bit.

“‘On How to Calmly Go Crazy When Someone Annoys You.'”

“Get lost,” Yu Xi said calmly.

Another stretch of quiet filled only with breathing sounds, followed by faint rustling.

Yi Chen had quietly pillowed his head on Yu Xi’s pillow.

Their gazes met at point-blank range.

This was a gaze that crossed social boundaries. In the current dimness and position, as two adults, everyone knew what would happen next.

Perhaps due to the Temporary Mark’s effect, or the intertwining pheromones causing brief daze—regardless, Yu Xi didn’t pull away. He simply watched quietly as Yi Chen drew closer bit by bit, just like every time before.

They exchanged goodnight kisses before bed, morning greetings with lips brushing upon waking, spent boring weekends doing nothing but lying in for an entire morning. They could kiss anytime—while typing, while playing mobile games—communicating ambiguously and silently through kisses.

This morning was equally boring.

No work, no messages to reply to. The surroundings were quiet, no cameras, no one to see, no need to mind anyone’s gaze.

Every look, every action wasn’t for show, wasn’t fanservice, wasn’t deliberate sugar.

It was just them.

Perhaps now they could be a little more uninhibited.

That was what Yu Xi thought.

So he closed his eyes.

He felt the breathing draw nearer, his heartbeat mingling with Yi Chen’s and quickening, body temperature seemingly rising bit by bit, the clear sweet peppermint pomelo scent enveloping him. Though only seconds passed, time stretched infinitely.

Just as their lips were about to touch, a “beep” sounded—the room door was card-swiped open, and Xiao Chen burst in with cheerful steps. “Brother Yu, I just saw you downstairs. Figured you haven’t gotten your extra sleep yet! Good news! Guan Ge said—holy shit?”

Yu Xi: “…”

Yi Chen: “…”

Xiao Chen hurriedly covered his eyes. “Sorry, sorry, I was too abrupt! You were rehearsing fanservice, right? Must be it. I’m out!”

“Bang”—the door slammed shut.

Xiao Chen had swiftly withdrawn himself.

Atmosphere needed nurturing.

Fortunately, Xiao Chen retreated fast. Once the hot air from opening the door dissipated, that heart-racing air permeated between them again.

Yi Chen leaned in once more.

He stroked Yu Xi’s hair and gently kissed…

“Boss, boss!” Xiao Liu’s voice came from outside.

Yi Chen’s room was next door to Yu Xi’s, so Xiao Liu’s voice came through clearly. “You won’t pick up, so I had to come find you. Yun Jie just called—there’s an event tonight, need to leave early. She told me to pack for you first. I saw you awake in the lobby earlier, so I dared to come up. Boss, if you don’t reply, I’m keying in?”

Yu Xi: “…”

Yi Chen: “…”

The mood was gone again.

Yi Chen irritably grabbed the edge of the pillow.

If he didn’t kiss now, Yu Xi’s tsundere side would wake up fully from the disruptions and he’d dodge again—no kiss then!!

This time, Yi Chen didn’t wait for the atmosphere to rebuild. He leaned straight in and captured—

The phone under the pillow buzzed wildly.

It was Yu Xi’s phone.

He answered, and Luo Qin’s voice blared from the speaker. “Yu Xi, Yu Xi, Yu Xi, how’ve you been lately? Time for a check-up.”

Yi Chen: “…”

Yi Chen snapped, at the end of his patience. “Are you sick, calling so early?”

Luo Qin: “Oh, Yi Chen’s there too?”

Luo Qin: “I’ve been at work an hour already. Taking time to check on my patient—I’m dedicated. Unlike some people mouthing off while the doctor’s doing his duty. What, did I interrupt your morning bliss?”

Yi Chen: “…”

Luo Qin: “No way, for real?”

Luo Qin: “Fine, congrats, early heirs, but don’t mark too deeply. Yu Xi’s condition can’t handle a full mark right now. Come in for another check soon. Carry on, carry on.”

Luo Qin hung up decisively.

Yi Chen laughed.

People really laughed when speechless.

“Can’t you control your doctor?” he asked Yu Xi.

“My doctor? Is Luo Qin your brother or mine?” Yu Xi turned away, staring at the ceiling.

Clearly, after three interruptions, Yu Xi was awake, no longer sleepy, and no longer in the mood.

Yi Chen silently punched the bed. After a long moment, he accepted reality.

“Change the subject?” he asked Yu Xi.

“You start.”

“Your birthday’s coming up.”

“Mm.” Yu Xi said, “What are you planning to give me?”

“I never said I’d give you a gift.”

Yu Xi: “?”

He turned to Yi Chen. “Then why bring it up?”

Yi Chen’s eyes curved slightly. Before Yu Xi could react, he darted in, pressed a kiss to his lips, nipped lightly, then retreated fast. He raised a hand, precisely blocking Yu Xi’s kicking foot.

Yi Chen arched a brow. “That’s called anticipation.”

“Heh.” Yu Xi sneered coldly. He bent his knee; as Yi Chen blocked again, Yu Xi palmed his chest and shoved, sending Yi Chen tumbling off the bed.

“Thud”—Yi Chen landed dazed.

The two lay in bed the entire morning, napped some more, and boredly played a few mobile games until the noon alarm at twelve rang. Only then did they lazily get up.

It was an indulgence day—no need to watch their diet.

Yi Chen took Yu Xi to check in at several famous spots in B City.

As public figures, they bundled up thoroughly all day, only removing masks, sunglasses, and hats inside private rooms.

Fortunately, the weather was scorching, and many people on the street sported sun protection too, so their heavy layering didn’t stand out.

They wandered until evening and entered a piano store, borrowing a guitar, speakers, and microphone.

Time was about right. Yu Xi set up the camera and asked in the group chat.

[Yu Xi: @Wu Zhiqi, puff puff.]

[Wu Zhiqi: Report—passport stolen successfully, on the run!]

[Wu Zhiqi: They’re chasing! Almost there!]

[Yu Xi: Got it.]

Yu Xi turned to Yi Chen, exchanging glances. Yi Chen nodded. Yu Xi leaned into the camera, hit the start button, and a livestream room—unpromoted, unannounced—lit up, displaying Yu Xi and Yi Chen’s faces.

“Anyone watching?” Yu Xi smiled at the camera. “Secret livestream. If no one shows, Guan Ge’s sending people after me.”

Behind him, Yi Chen shouldered the guitar and waved at the camera. “Sugar time today, everyone.”

The viewer count skyrocketed from zero.

[Holy shit?]

[Good thing I play on my phone daily! Wouldn’t miss it!]

[Sudden stream, no heads-up?]

[Why would Guan Ge stop you? No! I won’t allow it!]

[Aaaah business! Sugar! Yu Xi and Yi Chen dating!!!]

Onlookers gradually gathered around.

“Whoa, those two look just like Yu Xi and Yi Chen.”

“They are!”

“What’s this? Flash livestream!!]

“Oh my god, this is the first time I’ve seen a live stream in person!”

“They’re both so handsome in real life too aaaaaah!!!!!”

How do you stop a pair of parents who were trying to drag their daughter to the airport and force her to marry a middle-aged balding old man?

Simple: block them for a dozen or so minutes.

Ten or so minutes was enough time for one car to shake off another.

So, the next question was?

How do you block them for ten minutes without causing chaos?

The solution was also simple: hold a flash mob live stream.

Yu Xi and Yi Chen chose a pedestrian street that was a must-pass route to the airport. The sides were walkways, with a single-lane road in the middle limited to 15 km/h.

Young people often held street performances here anyway. After all, pedestrian streets occasionally needed some artistic vibe. There were no residential areas nearby, so it was legal and regulated, without disturbing the peace—an ideal spot for a flash mob live stream.

Their live stream could attract passersby to stop in a short time. Cars would get curious about what was happening on the walkway but couldn’t park, so they could only slow down and glance out the window. One car slowing down forced the ones behind to follow suit, extending the time it took for Wu Zhiqi’s parents to pass through this road. They couldn’t turn around and switch routes either, so they were stuck crawling along the single lane.

Of course, this slow crawl couldn’t last too long—around fifteen minutes was best.

“We only have time for three songs!” Yu Xi said. “Welcome everyone to request songs!”

[Holy crap, isn’t this right by my house??]

[Live at a concert scene!!!]

[The first time seeing them perform together and it’s on the street! Mom, I’m fulfilled!!!]

[Can you sing a love song, love song!! Aaaaaah I really want to see them duet a love song!!]

In the back seat of the taxi, Wu Zhiqi saw Yi Chen and Yu Xi in the live stream amid the lively barrage of comments. The two waved at the camera.

The song they sang had a light, upbeat rhythm—a melody that broke through gloom in pursuit of freedom.

“There are too many people around!” Yu Xi raised the camera and panned it over the crowd. “How’s it going on your end?”

He was interacting with the audience—and with Wu Zhiqi.

Wu Zhiqi’s lips curved up, her eyes bending into crescents.

[I’m good, almost there!]

Meanwhile, in another car, the middle-aged woman grabbed the driver and yelled furiously.

“Drive faster, drive faster! Can’t you drive? It’s taking forever on this short stretch!!”

The driver wasn’t one to take it lying down either. Traffic jams were normal; this woman was acting like a lunatic, who knew what her problem was. “If you can drive better, then you do it! Can I control the traffic?”

The middle-aged man finally couldn’t hold back and exploded with curses. “She’s gonna get away aaaaaah! My bride price, my bride price!! You little brat! Once I catch you, I’ll lock you in the basement back home!!”

On the other side, Guan Zifan, who had just finished a meeting and scrolled to the live stream: “???”

He watched the skyrocketing data and the backend flooded with private messages, took a deep breath, and made a call. “The moment I’m gone, you guys stir up trouble! Xiao Chen! Get Xiao Liu!”

After the third song ended, Yu Xi spotted Xiao Chen and Xiao Liu charging toward them through the crowd.

“They’re here, they’re here!!” Yu Xi grabbed Yi Chen’s wrist and bolted forward. They had already planned their escape route perfectly. They’d even coordinated with the music store boss earlier and paid in advance. The moment they ran, the boss would handle packing up the equipment themselves—no delay to their getaway even a second.

“Boss, we’re out—thanks for handling the gear!!” Yu Xi shouted into the music store as he and Yi Chen vanished into the alley in an instant.

The live stream audience, faced with the sudden end: “??”

The crowd on site: “??”

Xiao Liu and Xiao Chen: “!!!!”

This truly was a thrilling evening.

The wind was still hot, but it didn’t feel stifling as it rushed into their noses. Yu Xi and Yi Chen darted through the alleys, their pocket phones exploding with notifications, the ringtones chiming nonstop the whole way.

For the first time in ages, there was that exhilarating thrill of mischief in their hearts. The touch of their palms and wrists, the intertwining pheromones—that pleasure, that excitement, that passion dulled by work—all amplified endlessly by the dopamine from their rapid sprint.

“A-Yu.” Yi Chen’s voice sounded by his ear. “Are we eloping?”