Chapter 63
“If I don’t come, how can I catch a little rabbit staying up all night?” Pei Tingyu shook his head and let out a low chuckle.
He stood up from his desk, turned on the overhead light in the small study, and said in a gentle tone, “You don’t even turn on the lights after your experiment is over. What if you hurt your eyes?”
The man was as gentle and tolerant as ever. Compared to a direct scolding, this made Bai Yan feel even more ashamed and sad.
“Xian sheng, I was wrong.” The young man bit his lower lip and hung his head, his eyes suddenly turning red.
Seeing Pei Tingyu stride toward him, he reflexively threw himself into the man’s arms and apologized in a muffled voice, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you.”
The Alpha sighed softly, his thin lips rubbing against the red mole on his precious’s forehead, his hot breath covering it.
“My precious, I’m not angry with you. I’m just worried about you.”
“If you were my employee, I would be very happy to give you a raise.”
“But you are my lover,” he smiled and tucked a stray strand of hair behind the young man’s ear. “When you’re like this, I just feel heartbroken for you.”
“I know my precious is very serious about this experiment. But no matter what, you shouldn’t joke with your health. If Professor Lin knew, she wouldn’t approve either.”
Bai Yan buried his face in his chest obediently. Hearing the man’s gentle words, his nose stung, and his snow-white lashes fluttered like a butterfly’s wings.
He suddenly hugged the Alpha’s waist tightly and stammered, “Actually… it’s not just because of the experiment.”
“Xian sheng, you are so outstanding. How can I hold you back?”
Bai Yan nuzzled his chest and said in a soft, cottony voice, “I just want to work hard to get a little closer to you.”
The book says that when you love someone, you shouldn’t be a clinging trumpet vine, but an oak tree that can stand shoulder to shoulder with him, weathering the wind and rain together.
He knew that the gap between him and his husband was more than just a little, but he also wanted to try his best.
Bathed in the light, even if he couldn’t become the sun, Bai Yan hoped that he could borrow the sun’s brilliance and try to emit a little light of his own.
At least in the future, when people mention Mr. Pei’s partner, they won’t say he’s just a soft vase anymore.
The warm orange blossom pheromones were like a thin veil, gently enveloping Bai Yan.
A fine, stinging pain spread from his heart throughout his body. Pei Tingyu took a slight step back and bent down, cherishly cupping Bai Yan’s face, his fingertips carefully wiping away the crystal-clear teardrops at the corners of his eyes.
He looked at the young man’s eyes with cherish and pity and said softly, “But my precious, you are already outstanding enough.”
“Our precious respects his elders, is sincere to others, is meticulous in his work, and has outstanding achievements… his virtues are countless. In my heart, you are more precious than the whole world combined.”
“My precious, you have to work hard for yourself. Even I am not worth you exhausting your body like this, understand?”
He half-joked, tapping the young man’s forehead with his bent finger.
“Right now, it’s just one competition. If there are projects every month in the future, what will our botanist do? Hmm? Will you have to stay up until two or three in the morning every night?”
Bai Yan was coaxed into a tearful smile. His heart was both sour and sweet. He sullenly said okay, blinked, and forced the tears back into his heart.
“Alright, alright.” Pei Tingyu pulled his precious back into his arms, his large hand patting his back to soothe him.
“I know my precious has been working hard recently. After this busy period is over, shall we go out and play?”
“Mm.”
The man picked up a strand of Bai Yan’s white hair and played with it. “I’ve had Song Jian move the work from later to these two weeks. No one will disturb us then.”
“Mm.”
“Does my precious want to go camping? I know a place where the stars and the sunrise are very beautiful.”
Only the sound of light, even breathing answered him.
Pei Tingyu looked down and saw that Bai Yan had closed his eyes at some point, a shallow breath escaping his lips. He was so tired he had fallen asleep.
The man was both amused and exasperated. He kissed the young man’s lips, lifted him up, turned off the light, and went out.
The light from the corridor stretched his shadow, like a giant black dragon, carefully holding his most precious treasure, walking step by step back to its nest.
In May, after several soul-searching questions from Professor Lin, Bai Yan finally prepared all his data and successfully submitted his competition materials.
After enjoying a celebratory feast with his friends and at Yǎyuán, the Omega announced that he would first have a good few nights’ sleep before considering anything else.
Oz, who had been neglected for a long time, immediately expressed his support, his tail wagging like a propeller. He followed the young man upstairs on the spot and took a sweet nap with him.
In the end, he was pulled out from the depths of the quilt by Pei Tingyu and, facing the remains of the few pots of orchids he had dug up last night, was made to face the wall and reflect.
When the weekend came, the well-rested Bai Yan was full of energy. He packed his things with Pei Tingyu, got into the passenger seat of the off-road vehicle, and set off for camping.
Yunshan was a famous camping spot in Haicheng. It was far from the noise and light pollution of the city, and the natural scenery was first-rate. It was also carefully maintained, dedicated to providing guests with a convenient, home-like experience.
It was dusk when the two of them arrived. The trees on Yunshan were bathed in the orange light and the evening breeze. The vast expanse of green waves rippled beautifully, lush and vibrant. The leaves rustled as they brushed against each other, the sound carrying far, far away.
The black off-road vehicle drove along the winding mountain road, becoming a small black dot.
The young man’s eyes were fixed on the lush elm and scholar trees on either side of the road. He took a deep breath, letting the fresh scent of the mountain forest completely fill his heart.
The camping area emphasized privacy. Each guest’s area was far from the others, so they would not be disturbed.
Of course, if you wanted to socialize, you could also participate in the evening party held by the organizers.
Pei Tingyu knew that Bai Yan didn’t like it and had specially chosen an area far from the center.
The two of them set up their tent and enjoyed a delicious outdoor dinner.
After a casual stroll, they sat down with a thin blanket draped over them, leaning against each other, and watched the last rays of the setting sun shine through the gaps in the trees, fall into each other’s eyes, and then completely sink into a sea of clouds.
The evening stars appeared one by one, weaving a magnificent pattern in the deep blue night sky, and then forming a brilliant, dazzling ribbon of color.
The young man’s pupils suddenly widened, stunned by the magnificent and magical sight of nature. But his mind couldn’t help but flash back to their first kiss, born under the starlight.
He turned his head as if he had a feeling and, unexpectedly, met the man’s dark eyes. The light of the stars completely illuminated him in the man’s eyes.
Bai Yan’s heart trembled, and he instantly lost the ability to breathe.
No matter when he turned his head, his husband, his lover, was always looking at him.
He didn’t know who started it. Their gazes met and then separated, but their bodies were no longer at a distance.
The evening activities at the campsite began, and the host was very professional. The unfamiliar travelers quickly blended into the game atmosphere, laughing and joking. Even the evening stars in the sky were startled and trembled.
Under the same deep blue dome, Bai Yan and Pei Tingyu hid under a thin blanket, away from the laughing crowd, and secretly kissed.
Orange blossom and jasmine clung to their lips and teeth, blending inseparably, as if it were meant to be.
The scent of scent-blocker filled the campsite. The bitter orange blossom forcefully carved out a territory, with a strong possessiveness, locking the sweet jasmine firmly in its embrace, not allowing any other pheromones to covet or contaminate it.
At the end, Bai Yan’s eyes were hazy. He lay in Pei Tingyu’s arms, panting heavily. The man’s breathing was steady as he repeatedly pecked at the young man’s head, his fingertips rubbing his palm, unable to control himself.
In order for Bai Yan’s experiment to be completed smoothly, they had only been sleeping together simply every night and had not been intimate for a long time.
The moist kiss just now had aroused them both.
After a long time, the man’s heartbeat still couldn’t calm down. Bai Yan belatedly scratched his palm and looked up, asking, “Xian sheng, is your rut coming soon?”
“Mm.” The man’s low, magnetic voice was tinged with a nonchalant air as he said, unconcerned, “Probably next week.”
Bai Yan immediately sat up from his embrace, his brow furrowed, his expression a little annoyed. “Then let’s go back early. There are too many pheromones outside. You’ll be uncomfortable. I’ll ask for leave when we get back.”
Pei Tingyu let out a low chuckle, took the young man’s hand, and pulled him back into his embrace.
He then wrapped his arms around the Omega’s neck, their foreheads touching. The man’s gaze darkened, and he said in a low, magnetic, and sexy voice, “My precious forgot? My pheromone disorder has already been cured. Be good, baby. Let me kiss you a little longer…”
The young man frowned, wanting to say something else, but his reason gradually disappeared in the man’s hot, moist kiss, and he couldn’t remember anything anymore.
The next day, Bai Yan woke up with a few bright red bite marks on the back of his neck, his eyes bleary with sleep. He watched the sunrise over the sea of clouds and then, unable to hold on, fell back asleep.
He thought dazedly, with my husband’s stamina, the one who should be worried is me, right?
But Pei Tingyu was full of energy. He held his precious lovingly and took a nap with him, occasionally taking his precious’s fingers to kiss.
By the time Bai Yan was fully awake, it was almost noon. The two of them packed their things and left.
On the way down the mountain, Bai Yan looked out the window and suddenly said, “Xian sheng, Qingshan isn’t far from Yunshan. Can we go take a look?”
The man’s hand on the steering wheel paused. He was stunned for two seconds, then smiled nonchalantly. “Of course.”
Qingshan was also a famous scenic spot in Haicheng. Unlike Yunshan, it was not famous for its camping sites, but for the thousand-year-old ancient temple on the mountaintop.
Everyone in Huaguo knew that the Jiang’an Temple on Qingshan in Haicheng was the most effective for praying for peace.
On the way up the mountain, it began to rain without them realizing it. Even so, the road was still filled with an endless stream of pilgrims.
Qingshan was not high. The two of them held hands under one umbrella and walked up the stone-paved path to the mountaintop.
The moment they stepped into the temple, the fine rain suddenly stopped. But Bai Yan’s heart was still heavy. It was his first time here, and also the first time he had seen the steps behind the main hall.
The ninety-nine steps formed a narrow and rugged path. It was difficult even to walk, but even though it had just rained, there were still people silently kneeling and bowing their way up the mountain.
Climb one step, kneel, kowtow, stand up, climb another step, kneel again…
The person’s knees were soon scraped and red, but they continued silently and without hesitation. The blood and rainwater mixed together, dripping down the stone steps, and quickly disappeared into the transparent rainwater.
The young man’s hand clenched into a fist, his heart aching.
In his blurry, tear-filled eyes, the person’s figure soon turned into Pei Tingyu’s broad back.
At that time, was my husband like this too, silently kowtowing with every step, all the way to the mountaintop?
It must have hurt so much. For him, was it really worth it?
Why was he so stupid, not to have discovered it sooner?
Tears welled up in his eyes. Several times, he couldn’t hold them back and had to hastily wipe them away with his hand.
When he turned to face Pei Tingyu, who was coming out of the main hall, only the corners of his eyes and the tip of his nose were still a little red.
Bai Yan forced a nonchalant smile, went forward, and took the man’s hand, but his wrist trembled uncontrollably.
Pei Tingyu sighed to himself, held the young man’s hand tightly, and didn’t ask anything. He handed him the red wishing ribbon.
He told Bai Yan in a soft voice that there was a famous wishing tree at Jiang’an Temple, almost as old as the temple itself, and that wishes made there were very effective. Since they were here, they might as well make a wish.
Bai Yan’s voice trembled as he said softly, “Okay.”
The two of them came to the wishing tree. Bai Yan carefully chose a branch facing east and, on his tiptoes, carefully tied the red ribbon he had prayed for onto it.
Amidst the flying red ribbons, Bai Yan closed his eyes, his hands clasped together at his lips, with an unprecedented sincerity.
He silently prayed in his heart, Cruel and merciful god of fate, please favor me one more time.
I hope my lover, Pei Tingyu, lives a long life. I hope I can be by his side forever.
And the person beside him tied his red ribbon next to his. The two red ribbons fluttered in the wind, their ends soon intertwining, and were thrown to the highest point, never to be separated again.
The man clasped his hands together, a smile on his lips as he watched Bai Yan with a gentle gaze.
May the gods bless him. He wants to grant all of his precious’s wishes.
