Joke

Spreading rumors behind someone's back is one thing; being overheard by the person himself is another.

Lin Yan covered his eyes, unable to bear the sight, then peeked through his fingers. Shang Sui wore a faint, ambiguous smile, acting as if nothing had happened.

Lin Yan admired him immensely in that moment, thinking to himself that this guy really knew how to keep his cool.

Shang Sui spoke: 'Xiao Qi.'

Shi Qi responded immediately: 'Here!'

Shang Sui paused slightly, not expecting such a robotic reaction. Looking at Shi Qi, whose face was red enough to drip blood, he guessed she had completely lost the ability to think.

'I will take him away first.'

Shang Sui smiled politely at everyone. For a moment, the others nodded one after another—partly hoping this awkward and stimulating scene would end quickly, and partly unable to stop watching the drama.

Shi Qi felt as if she had received a new command. Hearing Shang Sui say they were leaving, she tried to take off her ski boots, but her fingers lacked strength; she tried several times without successfully undoing the buckles.

'Let me help you take them off.'

'...' Shi Qi could only nod. 'Okay.'

The tall Alpha crouched down in front of the Omega, his nimble fingers undoing the straps and buckles one by one.

There was a significant size difference between Shang Sui and Shi Qi, naturally carrying a sense of oppression. Even in a service-like action, it looked like a wild, untamable wolf pressing its paws onto a fluffy little animal.

Everyone was struck silent, holding their breath.

Shi Qi reached out to grab the ski boot herself, but Shang Sui gripped the back of her knee with one hand, pulling the boot off for her first.

Shi Qi's calf muscles were taut; a tingling sensation spread from the spot he had pinched.

'All done,' Shang Sui said, standing up. 'Let's go.'

Shi Qi pulled her sneakers out from under the bench, put them on, and followed him step for step.

After they left, Su Zhuo sighed naively: 'Xiao Qi and her boyfriend have such a great relationship.'

Someone nearby said excitedly: 'My face got hot just watching them. No wonder they are so intense! One look and you know they go at it from the head of the bed to the foot.'

Lin Yan: '...'

Lin Yan: 'Haha, yes, you are right.'

Seeing that everyone was deeply convinced by the lewd rumors about Shi Qi, Lin Yan thought with a sense of sorrow that blocking one bullet for Shang Sui might not be enough anymore.

She would have to block at least two.

Reaching the vending machine, Shang Sui stopped: 'Want something to drink?'

Lin Yan had handed her water earlier, but Shi Qi hadn't had a chance to drink it before setting it aside to defend Shang Sui's reputation. She was indeed very thirsty now.

Shi Qi hummed an acknowledgment, watching Shang Sui turn to operate the vending machine, her heart in her throat.

Was this matter just going to be brushed aside so naturally?

That was fine, too; after all, every extra second spent on it added to the awkwardness.

Shang Sui bought the peach soda Shi Qi liked, and for the sake of replenishing energy, he also bought a bottle of flavorless electrolyte water.

As he handed both bottles to Shi Qi, he said without warning: 'Open your mouth, let me see.'

Shi Qi was about to reach out to take them: 'See what?'

'Whether your throat is really hoarse from screaming.'

'...'

Shi Qi hadn't expected him to buy water just to ambush her. Her hand slipped, and the soda can flew out.

Shang Sui caught the can accurately, his tone quite frivolous: 'If your legs are weak, why are your hands weak too?'

Shi Qi was so angry she stomped on his foot: 'You clearly know—' that nothing happened!

Her stomp was entirely out of awkwardness and a touch of shyness. After stepping on him, she looked at the dark footprint on his snow-white sneaker, went silent for three seconds, and wondered if she had been too presumptuous.

Shang Sui, however, laughed: 'Mm, I know.'

Neither of them had gone to the hot springs last night, so they would naturally be asked what they were doing. Even for a couple in a state of bickering, it would be strange to only perform a simple Temporary Mark during a Heat Phase; to get past it, they really had to sound ambiguous.

She just hadn't expected to describe it so... dissolutely.

'If I didn't make it sound intense, they would think something was wrong with you. I was just maintaining your image.' The more Shi Qi spoke, the more she felt she had the high ground. She immediately gained confidence and took the offensive: 'Hurry up and thank me.'

'Thank you.'

Thinking of how thin-skinned Shi Qi usually was, she must have done a lot of mental preparation to say such things. Shang Sui added with tenderness: 'What a good baby.'

'...'

Shi Qi was now convinced that his calling her 'baby' was malicious; she only felt he was being foul-mouthed again.

'But, is this considered intense?'

Thinking of the things Shi Qi had said, Shang Sui felt his heart flutter. He suddenly struck back: 'You might as well say I tied you up and wouldn't let you out of bed until the marking was finished—'

Shi Qi felt a heat rush through her body, an image appearing in her mind. She quickly stopped him: 'Shut up! You are so lewd.'

Shang Sui hit his funny bone, laughing uncontrollably beside her.

After skiing, everyone had free time.

Most people had muscle aches and went to the hot springs to relax, while a few energetic ones went to climb the snow mountain. Shi Qi was exhausted; she declined all entertainment, went back, showered, and fell straight to sleep.

When she woke up again, the sky outside was completely dark; night had fallen.

Shi Qi checked her phone: 7:30. A notification popped up warning of a rare winter thunderstorm tonight.

Thinking about how she had slept all day, she would probably suffer from insomnia tonight. Shi Qi sighed, then habitually rolled out of bed.

The hotel had central heating, so she only needed to wear thin spring clothes. She hesitated for a moment, then, as if by some strange impulse, picked up the pink printed hoodie Shang Sui had given her last night and put her own jacket over it.

When she arrived at the restaurant, Lin Yan and the others happened to be there too. Upon learning there was an esports room on the top floor, Qin Shuhe couldn't wait: 'Want to play games later, Your Majesty? I really miss your Aphelios.'

Shi Qi leaned lazily against her chair: 'I'll consider it.'

Qin Shuhe said 'oh' and looked around: 'Where is my brother? Isn't he with you?'

Shi Qi retorted: 'What, does being in a relationship mean we have to be glued together?'

Chu Tao giggled: 'I think you two are quite clingy.'

Shi Qi: '...'

The boy next to Qin Shuhe said to Shi Qi: 'We were just discussing how Shang Sui goes to work every day like he is walking a runway, causing people to confess to him every few days.'

'So it turns out it is because he is in love, trying to show off like a peacock in front of his beloved.'

Chu Tao defended her: 'Hey! How can you talk about our Empress like that? These are just little tricks to attract the Emperor.'

Qin Shuhe exclaimed in admiration: 'So my brother has already been canonized as Empress; he is truly favored.'

Amidst everyone's laughter, only Shi Qi curled her lip, thinking they were all overthinking it.

Shang Sui was always like that; it wasn't because of her.

As they were chatting, the center of the topic walked into the restaurant.

'Brother! You haven't eaten yet?' Qin Shuhe waved enthusiastically. 'Over here, over here!'

Shi Qi watched as Shang Sui pulled out the chair next to her and sat down: 'Did you go back to catch up on sleep too?'

Shang Sui shook his head: 'I did some drawing for a while.'

For some reason, Shang Sui acted no differently than usual, yet Shi Qi felt he was in a bad mood.

Shi Qi asked tentatively: 'After eating, are you coming to play games with us?'

As she spoke, she gripped her chopsticks, the sleeve of her black jacket sliding down to reveal the vibrant hoodie underneath.

Because the clothes were too big, Shi Qi's hands were mostly covered by the pink cuffs, making her fingertips look exceptionally delicate.

'Sure.' Shang Sui smiled at her. 'Wearing my clothes?'

'...Yeah.' Shi Qi added, 'Too lazy to find clothes, so I just put them on.'

The restaurant heating was set very high; by the end of the meal, Shi Qi simply took off her jacket.

'Xiao Qi, this hoodie isn't yours, is it?'

Chu Tao's gaze was drawn to Shi Qi involuntarily. Even though the size was wrong, she looked surprisingly good in pink, appearing both cool and cute.

She couldn't help but suggest to Shang Sui: 'Can you stuff more colorful clothes into his wardrobe? He looks especially pleasing to the eye.'

'I agree,' Lin Yan chimed in immediately. 'I am tired of his black-and-white combos; we need a little Miracle Shi Qi.'

What Shi An and Jiang Yoning hadn't managed to do after years of effort, Shang Sui had achieved with ease. If Shi Qi's family knew this, they might have carried Shang Sui back in a sedan chair.

'I want to, too, but I don't know if he is willing.'

Facing Shang Sui's smiling gaze and hearing the people around them egging them on, for a moment, it felt as if they really were an intimate couple who exchanged clothes.

Having to save face for her fake boyfriend in front of others, Shi Qi finally said in a low voice: 'Up to you.'

-

Because Shang Sui said he didn't play games often, Shi Qi ended up not playing LOL.

Ignoring Qin Shuhe's wailing, she sat in front of the game console with Shang Sui, intending to find a casual two-player game.

After picking and choosing, Shi Qi selected the classic 'Double Trouble'. This game wasn't too difficult to operate and had beautiful visuals. It was easy for beginners to pick up.

She was teaching Shang Sui how to use the controller, while Qin Shuhe and Lin Yan set up a table next to them, also choosing 'Double Trouble'.

Shi Qi looked up and asked: 'Are you two copycats?'

Lin Yan had suddenly found the joy of teasing Shi Qi tonight, thinking to himself that it was no wonder Shang Sui liked to tease her: 'What's wrong? Only you are allowed to play with your boyfriend, and we aren't allowed to sit next to you?'

Qin Shuhe still remembered being heartlessly abandoned by Shi Qi: 'Exactly! You forget your friends when you have a lover.'

Shang Sui laughed from the side, as if he found the scene very interesting.

Shi Qi couldn't be bothered with them, only dropping a 'fine'.

Not long after the game started, Shi Qi saw that Shang Sui indeed had no experience.

He was unfamiliar with various game scenarios, but he learned quickly and remained very calm in crisis situations, clearly using his brain. This already surpassed Qin Shuhe, who only knew how to scream when being chased.

Shi Qi taught him how to play along the way, and she actually felt a sense of accomplishment.

Seeing Shang Sui didn't know what to do next, Shi Qi reminded him: 'Hit the target inside, the door will open.'

'Okay, husband.' Shang Sui controlled the character on the screen, aiming at the bullseye. 'I'll listen to you.'

Shi Qi almost threw the controller: 'Who is your husband?!'

Shang Sui innocently pointed at the two small figures on the screen: 'Aren't you?'

These two game characters were indeed a married couple—a couple who had been married for many years, had a daughter, but whose marriage was about to end due to various trivial matters.

Shang Sui played the female character, and Shi Qi played the male character. Strictly speaking, Shi Qi did count as the 'husband'.

'Then let's switch,' Shang Sui said, taking advantage of the verbal opening before Shi Qi could react. 'Wife?'

Shi Qi's face grew hot, her train of thought successfully derailed: '...We are almost divorced! Don't call me that!'

Qin Shuhe and Lin Yan, hearing this exchange from the side, felt their ears were about to go deaf.

Driven by some masochistic urge, they paused their own game and ran over to watch.

Qin Shuhe watched for a long time and couldn't help but say: 'Not to be rude, brother, but Shi Qi playing games with you is like carrying a newbie. He is doing all the dirty and tiring work.'

Lin Yan added in a tone of relief: 'Is this what it's like to play games with a boyfriend? Our Xiao Qi knows how to be considerate now.'

Just as Shi Qi was about to tell them to keep their mouths shut, Shang Sui naturally accepted that he was the one being carried, turning to Shi Qi and saying: 'Gege is so amazing, you are so good to me.'

'...'

Shi Qi had been busy trying to dodge the wasps chasing her. Hearing this, her fingers stiffened, and her character was killed unexpectedly, the screen turning black and white.

This game required at least one person to survive to clear the level. Since Shang Sui was already dead, they had to restart from the save point.

Shi Qi clicked her tongue in her heart and asked awkwardly: 'Why are you calling me that?'

Shang Sui was clearly three years older than her.

What kind of coquetry was this? It was inappropriate. Did he really think he was very young?

...

But she hadn't heard it clearly just now; could Shang Sui call her that again?

'Can't I call you that?' Shang Sui gestured to the distance with his eyes, indicating he was properly pretending to be a couple. 'I see everyone else calling each other that.'

Shi Qi looked over. Su Zhuo was playing a duo with his boyfriend, calling him 'Gege' with every sentence, vividly illustrating Shang Sui's point.

Shi Qi: 'Su Zhuo is actually younger than his boyfriend, so he should call him Gege.'

Shang Sui: 'Then I...'

Shi Qi said reluctantly: 'But if you really want to call me that, it's not impossible.'

Shang Sui followed suit: 'Okay, Gege.'

This time, Shi Qi remembered to grip the controller tightly, and no more accidents happened.

It was unclear what had stimulated Shi Qi, but for the rest of the operation, she went all out, playing 'Double Trouble' as 'Single Trouble' all by herself. Except when it was absolutely necessary, Shang Sui basically just lay back and relaxed.

Qin Shuhe and Lin Yan were dumbfounded, not expecting Shi Qi to be so receptive to a single 'Gege'. The more they watched, the more they felt Shang Sui was a fox spirit reincarnated, chanting a soul-bewitching spell in Shi Qi's ear.

Lin Yan blinked his eyes and suddenly said to Qin Shuhe: 'Gege~ can you fight the boss later while I lie down on the side? I promise not to die.'

Qin Shuhe played along: 'You can even promise not to die? Our baby is much better than the baby at Xiao Qi Gege's house~'

Shi Qi turned back and swept them with a gaze from head to toe, smiling coldly:

'Are you two done yet?'

Seeing that Shi Qi was truly annoyed, Lin Yan and Qin Shuhe quickly slipped away.

When she turned back, Shang Sui was stifling a laugh beside her.

Shi Qi: '...And you! You're revived, hurry up and get to work!'

Shang Sui said while laughing: 'Okay, don't be angry.'

Shi Qi: '...'

Shi Qi: 'Forget it, just revive and find a place to hide, try not to die.'

Shi Qi lost herself in the 'Gege's, leading Shang Sui through all the levels. Before they logged off, Shang Sui had an excellent experience and said, half-truthfully: 'I want to play games with Gege for a lifetime.'

Shi Qi had originally wanted to say that with his child-level skills, playing for a lifetime would be terrifying. But she changed her mind, appearing as if she were reluctantly agreeing: 'Mm, fine.'

Shang Sui wanted to say something else, but his phone vibrated at that moment.

He didn't like various notification sounds and usually kept it on silent. Seeing the note on the caller ID, Shang Sui stood up and said to Shi Qi: 'I'm going to take a call.'

Almost as soon as he pressed answer, Yu Wan's worried voice came from the other end:

'Xiao Sui, I just saw the weather forecast. There is a thunderstorm tonight.'

'Do you want to come back to spend the night? Your father and I aren't there, but at least there is still the auntie at home.'

'Or I can find someone to send Shi Er over to keep you company.'

Shi Er was the Samoyed they kept at home; it had a lively personality and was very intuitive.

Because of that past, Shang Sui didn't like thunderstorm days. To be precise... he detested them.

'I am at Xiaozhongshan.'

Yu Wan was stunned: 'Xiaozhongshan? Is it raining there?'

'It is,' Shang Sui said, having also checked the weather forecast. 'It's fine, please don't worry.'

'Are you alone? Or with Xiao Yan and the others?'

Sensitivity Period, thunderstorm day... every time such a situation arose, Yu Wan would become incredibly nervous, fearing that the outside world would harm him again.

Occasionally, Shang Sui felt that compared to him, Yu Wan was the one who couldn't move on from the past.

Even though she was vacationing abroad with his father, she still had to worry about his affairs at all times.

'With other friends,' Shang Sui said naturally. 'Have you forgotten? Many years have passed, and I have spent many thunderstorm days alone.'

'...'

His intention was to let Yu Wan not worry too much, but unexpectedly, she felt even more guilty, not even knowing what to say to him.

'I'm fine,' he repeated. Thinking of something, he looked in the direction he had come from. 'Besides, I might not be alone tonight.'

Shi Qi, having nothing to do, was browsing other games on the platform, her dark gray cat-like eyes large and bright, as if filled with shattered stars.

Whenever she encountered something she was interested in, she would have this expression.

'What?' Yu Wan asked hesitantly.

'There is a very cute little cat next to me,' Shang Sui said, lowering his eyes. 'If I am lucky, I can find the cat to keep me company.'

While Shang Sui was on the phone, Shi Qi flipped through the game rankings.

The most popular one currently was a horror game with a school setting, produced with great quality, where sound and visuals complemented each other perfectly.

Shi Qi was reading the synopsis when Qin Shuhe suddenly leaned in.

'I've played this ghost game.' Remembering the blood, sweat, and tears of that time, Qin Shuhe reflexively made a pained expression. 'The game background was changed to a school for censorship, but it is said the prototype is a serial murder case from ten years ago.'

Because of the accident at the amusement park last time, Shi Qi had been educated on quite a bit of knowledge about Special Sensitivity Periods and had naturally seen this famous case: 'The one where a Special Sensitivity Period Alpha disguised himself as a Beta to commit murders?'

'Exactly,' Qin Shuhe said. 'The BOSS is the murderer; he can use Mind Manipulation on players. I was stunned the first time he controlled me to commit suicide.'

'Even if there is a prototype, I haven't heard of any Special Sensitivity Period Alpha in reality who can use Mind Manipulation on others; it's not a fantasy novel. I guess this part was just the production team's own invention.'

Qin Shuhe said rapidly, 'The BOSS's Mind Manipulation ability is related to Pheromone. After dying countless times and searching for guides, I found out that if you want to clear the level, the player must choose Beta as their gender at the start. Only then can the influence be minimized... Ah, Ge, you're back.'

Shi Qi looked up; Shang Sui had finished his call at some point and was standing silently beside them.

It was nearing midnight, and everyone was logging off one after another. Chu Tao stretched in the distance.

Shi Qi asked: 'Shall we go back?'

Shang Sui glanced at the screen and agreed.

Qin Shuhe's room was right next to Shi Qi's. In the elevator, Qin Shuhe suddenly thought of something: 'Are you two reconciled now? If I had known, you could have just booked one room for tonight.'

Unexpectedly, neither Shi Qi nor Shang Sui responded.

Qin Shuhe looked at them strangely, thinking that these two had been laughing and joking all day—were they really going to separate at night?

Shi Qi broke the silence first: 'We are reconciled.'

Shang Sui, as if receiving a cue, responded cooperatively: 'Mm, staying together tonight.'

Qin Shuhe breathed a sigh of relief: 'I was just saying, I thought I had said the wrong thing.'

With that, the two had to enter Shi Qi's room together.

It felt strange to be acting like this with Shang Sui, making it seem like they had something to hide. Shi Qi shook her head, shaking off the thought, and estimated the time: 'This should be enough.'

She added uncomfortably: 'Be careful going back, don't let anyone see you.'

Yet unexpectedly, Shang Sui suddenly leaned his head on her shoulder: 'I don't want to go.'

'The weather forecast says there will be a thunderstorm; I'm scared to sleep alone.' Shang Sui rubbed against her shoulder, acting spoiled. 'I want to sleep with Gege.'

Because he was too tall, he had to hunch his back to do this. Instead of being leaned on by Shang Sui, Shi Qi felt more like she was being pressed into his embrace.

Shi Qi was caught off guard: '?'

What was this about now?

Shang Sui quickly looked up and smiled at her, his gaze exceptionally hazy.

His eyes reminded Shi Qi of a scene in the game they had just finished, where a group of jellyfish floated in the night sea, their fluorescent light flickering on and off.

In such an indescribable expression, the joke took on a touch of reality. Shang Sui asked softly: 'Can I?'

Shi Qi's heart felt as if it had been gripped.

Her intuition told her that Shang Sui wasn't lying.

Hidden beneath seemingly frivolous words was sincerity. Shang Sui really didn't like thunderstorm days.

No wonder...

Shi Qi suddenly realized.

No wonder Shang Sui looked in a bad mood when he first arrived at the restaurant.

Shi Qi didn't doubt for a second that if she refused, he would brush the topic aside as if nothing had happened and walk out of her room like it was nothing.

Shang Sui would definitely be able to act flawlessly, making people believe it was all just a joke, like when they were playing games.

Because she hadn't noticed, he wouldn't be awkward or embarrassed from start to finish.

Then what about Shang Sui himself?

Why be so cautious, considering it over and over?

He clearly didn't have a timid personality; the character he sometimes displayed was even quite strong. But Shang Sui always seemed to have reservations, afraid to cross boundaries easily.

It was as if... Shang Sui had been rejected by her before, to the point where he habitually placed himself in a position to be abandoned.

Seeing Shi Qi didn't speak, Shang Sui withdrew his pitiful expression. As Shi Qi had expected, he acted as if nothing had happened: 'Just kidding, then I'll go back.'

He hadn't actually held much hope; after all, being afraid of thunderstorm days sounded like nonsense.

He was already in his twenties, not a child.

Besides, they were an Alpha and an Omega; if not for a special reason, it really wasn't appropriate to sleep together.

If it weren't for that call from Yu Wan, he wouldn't have intended to open his mouth at all.

He understood the logic, but in his heart, a trace of uncontrollable, inappropriate disappointment surged.

Clearly, in the past... Shi Qi would have kept him company.

Shi Qi said at this moment: 'You stay.'

Compared to a reply, Shi Qi's tone was very direct, as if she were the one making the request.

Shang Sui was stunned: '...Really?'

Shi Qi hummed: 'You'd better not have bad sleeping habits.'

'I have very good sleeping habits,' he answered quickly, the corners of his lips lifting involuntarily. 'Then I'll go back and get my pajamas.'

Shi Qi suddenly grabbed his hand: 'Wait a second.'

Shang Sui stopped with his back to her, hoping in his heart that Shi Qi hadn't suddenly changed her mind.

'If you don't like sleeping alone on thunderstorm days, you can just say so; you don't need to be so considerate for my sake.'

Seeing him turn around abruptly, Shi Qi applied a little more force, holding his hand tightly.

She was seeing Shang Sui like this for the first time.

It seemed he hadn't expected his reservations to be seen through; Shang Sui widened his eyes slightly, and compared to his usual capable self, he looked almost dazed.

Shi Qi inexplicably felt he was a bit cute now, a smile appearing in her eyes as she said seriously: 'I won't be troubled by things like this.'

'When you need me, I won't refuse you.'