Chapter 24

Shi Qi clearly didn’t want to hear his excuses right now. Shang Sui opened his mouth, then closed it, and in the end kept silent.

After a moment, Shi Qi spoke first. 'Go do your check-up. We’ll talk after.'

'Alright.' Shang Sui asked, 'Will you still wait for me?'

'……'

When no answer came, Shang Sui stared straight at her, his tone pleading. 'Please don’t go.'

Shi Qi stood beneath a waterfall of jacaranda blossoms. The cool-toned night lights filtered through the branches, fracturing into scattered shadows in her eyes.

Her skin, too, held a cold, porcelain-white pallor, beautiful and unapproachable.

Shi Qi finally said, faintly, 'That depends on my mood.'

Seeing Shang Sui return, Shen Qianyu frowned slightly.

Normally, Shang Sui didn’t show much emotional fluctuation; when displeased, he’d even wear a smile. But now his face was blank, clearly in a foul mood.

'Jiang Yan said you had a disagreement with Shi Qi,' Shen Qianyu began. 'Why didn’t you give him a heads-up? He doesn’t know what not to say.'

Jiang Yan had just frantically sent a long string of messages, practically spelling out 'help me' on his face.

Shen Qianyu added, almost imperceptibly, 'Jiang Yan has a loose tongue, but if you’d mentioned it, he definitely wouldn’t have blabbed.'

'I wasn’t trying to hide it on purpose.'

Thinking of Shi Qi’s icy expression moments ago, Shang Sui said irritably, 'She’d have found out sooner or later. I just didn’t expect it to be this fast.'

Shen Qianyu sighed, understanding Shang Sui’s reasoning.

From Jiang Yan’s description, their acquaintance had been a case of letting a mistake ride.

If they’d coordinated with Jiang Yan and fabricated corresponding employee records, Shi Qi might never have learned the truth. But that would have been deliberate concealment.

Letting a mistake ride and deliberately hiding the truth were fundamentally different.

Even in a bad mood, Shang Sui disliked imposing his emotions on others.

He calmed down a little and said to Shen Qianyu, 'Let’s start the assessment.'

Shen Qianyu countered, 'Are you sure you can do it now?'

The scent of honey hung in the air, its usual cloying sweetness inexplicably oppressive now, like dark, heavy storm clouds.

For Shang Sui, losing control of his pheromones was exceedingly rare.

The Psychological Assessment for a Special Sensitivity Period largely relied on judging pheromone stability. Taking the test in this state could make a healthy person seem ill.

'I can.'

If Shang Sui said he could, he could. Despite his misgivings, Shen Qianyu nodded. 'Fine.'

They entered a sealed room. Shang Sui smoothly swallowed the prepared medication, then, with Shen Qianyu’s help, laid out his hands. Sensor patches were attached to his right arm and gland, then connected to the pheromone-monitoring equipment.

After taking the medication, pheromones were induced to their maximum extent. The equipment would then detect the subject’s emotional state in real time based on pheromone fluctuations. It was similar to a lie detector, but far more precise and complex.

Apart from other reasons, the loss of control over pheromones after taking the medication was a major source of aversion to the Psychological Assessment—it felt like regressing to an animal driven by instinct.

Feeling his pheromones being forced into instability, Shang Sui voiced his thoughts. 'No matter how many times I do this, it feels awful.'

Even through his half-face isolation mask, Shen Qianyu could faintly smell the restless scent in the air.

He mercilessly called him out. 'I think you’re upset about something else.'

Shang Sui didn’t deny it. Shen Qianyu confirmed, 'Starting?'

'Since you now have a partner, the assessment content will be adjusted accordingly.'

Remembering he’d just argued with Shi Qi, Shen Qianyu couldn’t help a small smile, then quickly resumed a serious tone. 'But you’re still in the getting-to-know-you stage, not officially partners yet, so this section won’t be too strict.'

'……' Really hitting where it hurts.

Shang Sui resigned himself. 'Start.'

Normally, the Psychological Assessment was best conducted in a casual, conversational atmosphere.

Excessive tension could cause pheromone leakage, affecting the equipment’s readings. The subject needed to relax moderately and establish a degree of trust with the doctor.

From this perspective, since Alphas were naturally mutually repellent and Omegas struggled to withstand Pheromone pressure, most licensed doctors responsible for Special Sensitivity Period Psychological Assessments were Beta, to ensure the results would not be influenced by outside factors.

But Shen Qianyu was familiar with Shang Sui, so relaxed conversation like this wasn’t difficult.

Shang Sui handled the routine questions with ease. The waveform on the screen remained stable until the assessment reached its final phase.

'Next are questions related to your partner.'

Shang Sui had answered even the slightly trickier questions well, and his pheromones had remained steady throughout. Shen Qianyu didn’t expect these new, minor questions to cause any surprises.

'Facing your partner during your Sensitivity Period, do you experience uncontrollable impulses?'

As soon as he asked, Shen Qianyu realized his mistake. 'You’ve only been together a month; you haven’t had a Sensitivity Period yet. Skip this.'

Just as he was about to move on, a voice spoke up.

'I do.'

Shen Qianyu paused. 'To what degree?'

The options on the form all sounded unpleasant. He picked the mildest one. 'Something like complete possession, even confinement?'

Shang Sui didn’t speak, but the previously steady waveform on the monitor suddenly jumped.

Shen Qianyu clicked his tongue. 'You’re not serious.'

They both knew each other’s true colors. Shang Sui wasn’t ashamed. He countered, 'Haven’t you ever thought about it?'

'……'

Confirming his readings were still within normal range, Shen Qianyu looked away and said lightly, 'Having such thoughts during a Sensitivity Period is normal. Compared to a regular Alpha, a Special Sensitivity Period further amplifies aggression and territoriality, producing more intense desires.'

'As long as you can control it in daily life, there’s no need for excessive psychological burden.'

Shen Qianyu asked the next question. 'Would you hurt her?'

Shang Sui answered quickly. 'No.'

Shen Qianyu tapped the desk lightly, finding the contradiction between the two answers intriguing.

Uncontrollable impulses, yet no intention to harm?

But the equipment’s results indicated Shang Sui was telling the truth.

Moving on, the final question made Shen Qianyu’s gaze linger.

He didn’t actually want to step on Shang Sui’s sore spot, but the words were printed in black and white at the end, bearing an uncanny resemblance to the current situation.

Feeling a bit of schadenfreude, his narrow eyes behind his glasses took on a probing look.

'If your partner chose to leave, what would you do?'

Shang Sui had answered the previous questions quickly. Now, the sealed room fell uncharacteristically quiet.

The equipment hummed softly. As if sitting too long, Shang Sui shifted his left arm—the one not connected to sensors—slightly, his long fingers clenching and unclenching.

'If she didn’t like me, didn’t want to see me again, I wouldn’t disturb her.'

The waveform on the screen showed no significant fluctuation. The detected pheromones confirmed his emotional stability; he wasn’t lying.

'……For many years, that’s what I always thought.'

'But now… I don’t think I can do that anymore.'

The clear, slow words were an undeniable declaration. As they fell, the previously steady waveform on the screen suddenly began to spike wildly!

The pheromone concentration in the room skyrocketed. Shen Qianyu instantly felt a pressure that chilled his spine, like plunging into icy, bone-deep seawater. The equipment sounded its first alarm. Several devices on the wall for detecting pheromone concentration lit up with red lights in sequence.

Amid the glaring lights, Shen Qianyu raised his voice. 'Hey! You’d better calm down—!'

'Alright.'

With that, Shang Sui leaned back. The readings, just one step from breaking the red line, plummeted in an instant.

The violently jumping waveform quickly stabilized again. The red lights stopped flashing one after another. The invisible, terrifying pressure vanished abruptly. If not for the cold sweat on his temples, one might have thought it all an illusion.

Coming back to himself, Shen Qianyu’s eyes flashed with shock.

He knew Shang Sui was different from ordinary people, even among Alphas with Special Sensitivity Periods. But under medication-induced conditions, he’d never seen anyone suppress a near-rampant pheromone surge in the blink of an eye.

If he could control it so well… what was that outburst just now?

Finally couldn’t hold it in anymore? Needed to vent?

……

Fuck, he’s insane!

It’s just an argument. Does it need to affect him this much?

Alphas naturally repelled each other. Shen Qianyu felt thoroughly unsettled by Shang Sui’s outburst, but the other man asked as if nothing had happened, 'Is the assessment over?'

Seeing him nod, Shang Sui began removing the equipment attached to his body, like a long-imprisoned demon eagerly breaking its seals.

Watching him stand up, Shen Qianyu almost wanted to message Shi Qi right then, telling her to run, to at least avoid Shang Sui today.

His fingers slid into his coat pocket, but in the end, he didn’t touch his phone.

To some extent, Jiang Yan’s outrageous guess had accidentally hit upon part of the truth.

Shang Sui had done him a great favor. Whatever Shang Sui wanted to do, he would help.

Shen Qianyu suppressed his conscience and asked, forcing himself, 'What are you going to do?'

'What else.'

Shang Sui tilted his head, impatiently pulling off the last set of sensors from his gland.

He’d thought doing the assessment would calm him down, but instead he felt increasingly uncertain.

'Of course, apologize to my partner and make it up to her.'

-

Affected by the medication, pheromones couldn’t stabilize completely immediately after the assessment, leading to varying degrees of leakage depending on the person.

The Isolation Agent provided by the hospital carried a chlorine-like disinfectant smell. Shang Sui frowned slightly, disliking the scent, but it finally suppressed his leaking pheromones.

Before leaving, he’d told Shi Qi he’d meet her at the original spot. Shang Sui descended to the garden and headed toward the central glass greenhouse.

As he walked, he thought about how to explain. The closer he got to his destination, the faster his heart beat.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this anxious. He worried Shi Qi wouldn’t listen to his explanation, or that it would be useless even if she did. He worried even more that she’d already left.

As if the more you fear something, the more likely it is to happen—the place was empty.

He stopped walking, his expression darkening bit by bit.

'Who are you looking for?' A light voice suddenly came from behind and to the side.

Shi Qi had been hiding somewhere in the greenhouse and now popped her head out, like a little forest creature secretly observing a human.

Seeing Shang Sui turn to look at her instantly, Shi Qi originally wanted to ask about his check-up results, but in the end simply said, 'Explain.'

It was as if a transparent spell had been cast. His previously agitated heart gradually grew calm.

As Shi Qi stepped closer, he said softly, his voice slightly hoarse.

'I’m sorry, Xiao Qi. I let you believe I was a server at Huijian all this time.'

'Since we met, several times you asked about related things, and I dodged them with various excuses.'

Recalling his own words, Shang Sui felt speechless too, and finally confessed his long-standing concern. 'Because we met under that identity. If I suddenly revealed the truth, I was afraid I’d seem… strange.'

Not that it’s much better now.

Shang Sui added silently in his heart.

Shi Qi moved her lips, about to say something, then looked at him with unexpected surprise.

'The first time we met at Huijian, you asked if I could keep you company. I was willing. I didn’t want to miss the chance to get to know you, so I didn’t tell the truth.'

'But no matter how you put it, I deceived you. I was wrong.'

After speaking, he lowered his eyes slightly, quietly awaiting the other’s response.

Shi Qi met his gaze for a moment, and a smile gradually surfaced in her eyes.

As if she’d discovered something interesting, Shi Qi could no longer hold back. The icy expression on her face melted into one of curiosity.

'Why are you leaking pheromones again?' Feeling a tangible weight on her shoulders, she said with feigned displeasure, 'It’s pressing down on me.'

'Sorry.' Shang Sui immediately tried to rein it in. He knew how overbearing his pheromones were. 'I just took medication. I can’t control it completely.'

Shi Qi didn’t feel offended. On the contrary, she found it amusing that he’d been so agitated he couldn’t even control his pheromones.

'So this is what you’re like when you’re unsure. I thought you could always stay calm.'

Shang Sui stood frozen, not understanding what she meant.

Good. This dumbfounded expression was also a first.

After her critique, Shi Qi finally told the truth. 'When I said it depended on my mood earlier, I wasn’t actually as angry as I seemed.'

At first, after hearing Jiang Yan’s words, she did feel bewildered.

But her temper always flared up and faded quickly. The moment she saw Shang Sui, she quickly realized the key point: Jiang Yan could say it so casually, which meant Shang Sui hadn’t intended to deliberately hide it.

Shang Sui had met her twice in the role of a paid companion. The first time was letting the mistake ride; the second time, she had specifically requested him as compensation. She couldn’t push all the blame onto one person.

If anything, the fact that Shang Sui, who wasn’t actually a companion, was willing to see her showed he was already being considerate of her feelings.

'Did I scare you?'

Recalling his flustered appearance, Shi Qi thought her act had been quite convincing. 'They all say I’m terrifying when I lose my temper.'

'……You really were terrifying.'

'Don’t think I’m being magnanimous now. When I first found out, I was really upset,' Shi Qi admitted honestly. 'Felt like you were leading me around by the nose.'

Shang Sui seemed about to say something. Shi Qi shook her head with a smile. 'I know you didn’t mean it that way.'

Since they’d met, whether pretending to be a couple or the Temporary Mark… it had always been Shang Sui helping her, never asking for anything in return.

Even if there was some concealment at the start, if that counted as 'deceit,' every swindler in the world would be out of a job.

'But maybe… I’m not that generous. I can’t completely not care.'

Shi Qi disliked keeping things bottled up, including her own shortcomings.

'I didn’t want to hold onto this, so I thought, fine, I’ll mess with you once too.'

'Pretend to be really angry, make you guess what I’m thinking too. That way we’re even.'

From a distance, Shen Qianyu saw them standing together and stopped outside the glass greenhouse.

After much thought, he’d felt Shang Sui’s demeanor before leaving wasn’t quite right. Worried something might happen if Shi Qi had a falling-out with him, he’d silently followed.

Shang Sui was a bit slow to catch up. He asked belatedly, 'So… are you still angry?'

Shi Qi shook her head. 'Not at all.'

'Am I very childish?' Seeing him fall silent, Shi Qi felt a little embarrassed too. 'I’ll try to control it better in the future.'

Shi An had always thought this habit of hers was bad. Someone who couldn’t control her temper and had to make a scene was just an immature child.

Fine with family, but isn’t it embarrassing to act like that outside?

'No, it’s good that you say what you think,' Shang Sui said. 'Really.'

Actually, I’ve been hiding some things from you too.

Shi Qi thought secretly to herself.

Although Shang Sui got along well with everyone, sometimes she felt he was detached from the crowd, as if he held many secrets.

She knew everyone had privacy. She hadn’t even told him the real reason her family was pushing her to marry; Shang Sui still didn’t know she had Gland Atrophy Syndrome. Yet she was intensely curious about everything concerning him.

She shouldn’t be, but she couldn’t help caring.

Because she cared too much, she couldn’t help losing her temper.

She’d originally planned to keep up the act a little longer, but when Shang Sui said he’d been willing to keep her company from their very first meeting, Shi Qi couldn’t hold back. She’d laughed as soon as she heard it.

Shang Sui reached out to Shi Qi, placing his palm flat before her—a gesture of waiting.

'Let’s make up?'

Shi Qi took his hand. 'Of course.'

Shang Sui applied a little force, pulling her into his embrace.

Seeing them hug, Shen Qianyu finally relaxed and turned to leave.

Compared to Jiang Yan, who only knew about the Special Sensitivity Period, he had personally witnessed those brutal past events. He knew how difficult it was to overcome all those psychological barriers, and thus deeply admired Shang Sui for having come through.

He hoped Shang Sui could find happiness. Both as repayment for a debt and as a friend.

Of course, preferably without breaking any laws.

Judging by Shang Sui’s demeanor today, if Shi Qi ever dumped him, he’d probably go insane. He might end up having to bail him out of prison someday.

You two really need to make it work, Shen Qianyu thought with genuine feeling.

He wasn’t ready to change careers just yet.

'I was so scared,' Shang Sui murmured, finally relaxing completely as he felt the familiar warmth and scent in his arms. He leaned bonelessly against Shi Qi’s shoulder. 'When you sent me off to do the check-up alone, I really thought you weren’t going to talk to me anymore.'

Shi Qi stayed still, letting him lean against her limply. 'Aren’t we good friends?'

She’d known she’d cool off completely by the time Shang Sui returned from his check-up, which was why she’d wanted some temporary distance.

'I wouldn’t ignore you over something like this, and I wouldn’t stay angry with you for long.'

But a voice inside her said being just friends wasn’t enough. Not even very, very good friends.

At least, she’d never blushed or her heart raced around Lin Yan.

But Shang Sui had said they were friends. Until a more suitable identity was found, they’d just be good friends.

Hmm… the kind of closer friends who could eventually share all their secrets?

'But you really kept it hidden well. All this time, I never noticed anything off.' Shi Qi couldn’t help teasing. 'If your family goes bankrupt, you should really become a paid companion.'

'You’d definitely surpass Huijian Restaurant’s current star attraction. People would be fighting to buy you champagne every day.'

'No thanks,' Shang Sui said, seeming not yet recovered from the emotional rollercoaster. 'Once in a lifetime is enough.'

They looked at each other, remembering their serendipitous meeting at Huijian Restaurant, and both couldn’t help laughing.

'No one’s ever been able to mess with me for this long,' Shi Qi said, poking his shoulder with some force. 'You’re the first.'

To him, the pressure wasn’t heavy at all—more like a cat’s playful scratch.

Shang Sui obediently curved his eyes, his expression softening. 'Sor—'

Shi Qi swiftly covered his mouth. 'Didn’t we just say we’re even? You have nothing to apologize for.'

'You’ve been very, very good to me. Don’t apologize.'

'Xiao Qi…'

Shang Sui gazed at her with shining eyes, then couldn’t help burying his face against her neck, nuzzling gently.

He nuzzled while calling her nickname, his voice dripping with honey. 'Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi—'

I like you so much.

If fate truly existed, then being able to meet you again was the kind of fortune where, stumbling along a path littered with shards of glass, not knowing where the future led, simply reaching out and grasping it was enough to be called lucky.

Shi Qi tilted her head slightly, her face flushing hot from his calling.

They’d just argued. Why was Shang Sui acting even clingier now?

Flustered, Shi Qi sniffed and hastily changed the subject. 'I’ve been meaning to ask—you smell strange. Why is there a disinfectant scent mixed with your pheromones?'

Shi Qi couldn’t help asking with concern, 'How were your check-up results? Your pheromones aren’t… abnormal, are they?'

'……'

Shang Sui fell silent for a moment, unable to tell whether Shi Qi was more concerned about his pheromones or about him personally.

'The results were fine. The smell is from the hospital’s Isolation Agent.'

Shi Qi noticed a patch of redness on the back of Shang Sui’s neck, likely from contact with medical equipment.

She instinctively wanted to reach out and touch it, then thought it inappropriate and held back.

What kind of test was it, that it touched his gland? Such a sensitive spot—didn’t it hurt?

The fresh, sweet pheromones were tainted by a lingering chlorine smell. Shi Qi wrinkled her nose, suddenly understanding why Shang Sui had shown such aversion to the wormwood-scented perfume before.

She was the same. She didn’t like other scents clinging to Shang Sui either.

Seeing Shang Sui seemed very amenable now, Shi Qi pushed her luck.

'Can you take a proper shower tonight? Then be my body pillow and sleep with me.'