Secret

Hearing his answer, a stunned look surfaced in Shang Sui's eyes.

The expression on his face could only be called bewildered, as if he had never considered this possibility.

Shi Qi looked one last time at the lily of the valley blooming on her wrist. Though reluctant, she reached out, preparing to take off the bracelet she had just put on.

"—Come, come, listen to me for a second." Qin Shuhe suddenly appeared.

"Shi Qi's, ge, you take it." As he spoke, he placed Shi Qi's hand holding the bracelet into Shang Sui's hand, while stopping Shi Qi from trying to remove the other bracelet. "As for ge's, Shi Qi, you keep it safe—once given, how can there be any reason to take it back?"

Shi Qi instinctively looked toward Shang Sui. The latter also seemed not to have reacted, and actually followed Qin Shuhe's direction and took the bracelet.

"Alright, now they've finished exchanging, the number's still the same." Qin Shuhe, acting like a wedding MC, said, "Then this little ring-exchange ceremony is over, time to go on stage!"

Several staff members were amused and clapped at his words.

Lin Yan gave him a thumbs-up. When he turned back, he said casually to Yu Zhiling beside him: "Qin Shuhe really knows how to stir things up, making it seem like a wedding."

Having watched from beginning to end, Yu Zhiling was already feeling aggrieved, and seeing Shi Qi give the bracelet he had dreamed of to Shang Sui made it even worse.

But watched by Lin Yan, he had to force a couple of laughs: "Mm, yeah... your friend here is really something."

"So what are you planning to perform?" the girl asked enthusiastically. "Dancing?"

Inspired by Qin Shuhe, she suggested: "Could the band play a wedding march for you, or a romantic jazz piece?"

"Yes, yes! A duet dance." A staff member beside them held up a camera, seemingly already envisioning viral fame. "You two are so good-looking, everyone will love watching!"

"..."

Shang Sui tried to imagine that scene and fell silent.

He smiled helplessly at Shi Qi: "What do we do, I can't dance."

Basic ballroom dancing he could manage, but performing it would be too ridiculous.

Even so, he didn't say to return the bracelet and let Shi Qi go on stage alone.

Shi Qi caught his pleading look: "Can you sing?"

Meiyan Academy's assembly time was set at 6:30, and it was already 6:10.

Qin Shuhe glanced over. Shang Sui and Shi Qi were still discussing the song with the band, and from the Square to the meeting point would take at least twenty minutes.

Qin Shuhe found another lead teacher on his phone, tapped out a string of messages, then sidled up to Shang Sui seeking credit: "Ge! I already talked to He Teacher for you, she'll keep an eye on things first, no need to rush."

"He Teacher also asked me to record a video, she wants to watch you and your wife perform too."

"..." Shi Qi glared at him. "Macaw parrot, can you watch how you talk?"

"Thanks." Shang Sui smiled at him, mentally crediting Qin Shuhe.

Qin Shuhe only picked up the nice parts, automatically ignoring Shi Qi's glare: "Hehe, you're welcome!"

He asked curiously: "Oh right, which song did you end up choosing?"

Seeing the song title, Qin Shuhe was startled.

Not that the song was bad—he actually really liked it, but...

"Why are you two singing such a sad song?" Qin Shuhe said, then rationalized: "That's fine, fine, compared to last year's grinning crosstalk act, we should be the gloomy crawlers."

Every year at the Flower Day Festival, the performers who received the most bracelets were usually outstanding in appearance or had special personal charm. Tourists gathered early at the Square, eagerly awaiting the performance.

After the staff announced that this year a couple had received an equal number of bracelets and would perform together, a small cheer rose from the crowd.

"I've been coming to Qi Jiang for the Flower Day Festival for three years, and this is the first time I've seen this."

"Hey, over there, they're coming out!"

"Oh my god, top-tier! If a second ago I was still suspecting foul play, this second I can only say it's well-deserved."

"Handsome guy next to another handsome guy, what a matching pair of faces!"

The sky darkened, lanterns bright as day, the night wind carrying the fragrance of flowers.

Just as Qin Shuhe said, what they had finally chosen was a bittersweet love song.

The protagonist of the song had a secret crush, watching the other from the shadows, recording every one of their preferences, meeting for the first time yet seeming like old friends in perfect sync. Afraid of being seen through, of having the long-planned love exposed, carefully concealing the truth.

"Why this song?" Shi Qi was also a bit surprised when she first saw the song Shang Sui had chosen.

"Because..."

The old me once imagined that if one day I could reunite with you, it would probably be just like the "I" in the song.

He answered a different question: "Heard it a lot, naturally learned it."

The prelude's electric guitar chords and light drumbeats created a weightless sound effect, like passing through an undersea tunnel lit with orange-yellow lights.

Shi Qi had always liked Shang Sui's voice. The first time she heard him sing, the grainy timbre combined with the somber chords didn't come across as low or heavy, but instead highlighted the texture of his voice, making it exceptionally clear.

"A face more pretentious than anyone's, stealing the show to say 'nice to meet you' first."

Shang Sui held the microphone, his heart stirred, and turned his head.

Shi Qi was staring at him, her usually lively cat-eyes showing a dazed expression, seemingly lost in the music.

"Secretly caring for so long, only on stage does it match a kindred friend."

Shi Qi came back to herself and mouthed at him: Nice.

Dummy.

Shang Sui couldn't help but smile.

Do you know what I really want to say?

What's so funny, can't I compliment you?

Go ask around if you don't believe me, I rarely compliment anyone's singing.

Shi Qi grumbled inwardly, then after a moment, started laughing too.

When Shi Qi's part came, she counted the beats in her head.

Singing came easily to her, and performing on stage was routine.

But on this night, something different from all before seemed to linger beside her, her heart like a spore swaying freely in the wind, drifting slowly up into the sky.

In the verse, Shi Qi deliberately held back her voice, the sound flowing into the microphone clear and moving, like ice cubes clinking together. Only in the chorus did she truly let her voice go:

"Fearing to brush away the snow and leave traces, using flowers as evidence."

"My whispering heart and tongue are the most treacherous, concealing the rust yet striving for beauty."

Qin Shuhe in the front row listened, swaying his head: "Hey, you have to admit, they sing really well, their timbres match too! If you hadn't told me, I'd have thought they were lead singers from some band."

Remembering Shi Qi calling him a macaw parrot, Qin Shuhe repaid kindness with kindness: "Like two little larks, absolutely wonderful!"

Lin Yan, who had been focused on recording, finally couldn't take it anymore: "Can you shut up? Your screeching is drowning out the larks' song."

The originally melancholy song inexplicably turned sweet, slowly ending in the last dreamy, ethereal accompaniment.

The audience wasn't ready for it to end. Suddenly someone boldly screamed: "Can you kiss—!"

Qin Shuhe joined in howling: "Kiss, smooch, KissKiss! Pick one, babies!"

Shi Qi had never experienced such an uninhibited curtain call. Her hand slipped and the microphone nearly fell.

Shang Sui caught the microphone with quick reflexes and teased in a volume only the two could hear: "So excited, does Xiao Qi really want to kiss me?"

Shi Qi's gaze involuntarily fell on his lips.

The moist red lips curved slightly upward, and with each breath as he spoke, seemed to exude a bewitching fragrance.

Shi Qi's eyes glazed for a moment, then she came to her senses, embarrassed and angry: "In your dreams, I don't want to!"

Though no one could hear what they were saying, it was obvious the young couple was playfully bickering.

Laughter erupted around them, followed by sustained applause.

Shang Sui put away his teasing manner and gently praised: "Xiao Qi sings beautifully."

The gaze falling on her was like ripples spreading outward. Under his gaze, her heartbeat raced faster than when she was singing.

She looked away, feigning composure: "You're not bad yourself."

After the performance, Qin Shuhe came up first, asking with mock seriousness: "Are you two interested in debuting? We can offer a five-year management contract here, with a corresponding team..."

"Enough, cut the act." Shi Qi cut him off. "Aren't you in a hurry? Let's go."

It wasn't great to keep having another teacher help out. Shang Sui nodded: "Then I'll head off first, see you later."

After they left, Lin Yan suddenly said with a worried face: "Oh no, I feel a bit nauseous."

He had been feeling unwell during the performance, but had been holding it in without saying anything.

"Did you eat too much shaved ice?"

While weaving bracelets in the afternoon, there was a shaved ice shop nearby.

Lin Yan had eaten three portions of peanut milk shaved ice alone, so this wasn't unexpected. Unfortunately, the nearest restroom was still some distance away. Shi Qi went with the pale-faced Lin Yan, and Yu Zhiling silently followed behind.

After Lin Yan finished in the restroom, Shi Qi waited outside.

Yan Yan: [You guys go ahead.]

Yan Yan: [I can't throw up yet, need to let it build a bit longer.]

17: [...okay, hang in there.]

Yu Zhiling watched Shi Qi facing away, replying to messages, and slowly dug his fingers into his palms.

Since the conflict with Shang Sui, Shi Qi had never spoken to him first. Even when he spoke and Shi Qi responded, it was cold.

He had originally planned to wait until Shi Qi returned to the hotel to find a way to be alone... but the opportunity came faster than expected.

There was no one around. Yu Zhiling took a deep breath. While Shi Qi's attention was on her phone, he pulled a pill case from his bag, poured a handful of pills into his palm, and swallowed them.

This kind of drug could regulate an Omega's Heat Phase. Once taken, the Heat Phase could arrive early. Because the drug acted directly on the gland, the Pheromone would overflow first, while the rest of the body would show corresponding reactions later.

Simply put, after taking the drug, the Pheromone entered Heat Phase state first, but he himself wouldn't be greatly affected for the moment.

At first he took the drug because of his busy work, but later when he got involved with other Omegas, he would always use drugs to adjust his Heat Phase timing, keeping himself in a more awake and dominant state. The side effects were Pheromone disorder and mental instability.

Shi Qi's nose twitched, and suddenly she smelled a strong iris fragrance, a slightly powdery scent enveloping her.

"You..."

"Xiao Qi," Yu Zhiling seemingly helplessly grabbed her hand, "I think I'm in Heat."

This time Shi Qi didn't avoid him, a tense expression showing in her eyes: "What about Inhibitors?"

Yu Zhiling shook his head with red eyes.

Shi Qi's own Heat Phase had just passed not long ago, and she had no Inhibitors on her. She quickly sent Lin Yan a message.

17: [Do you have Inhibitors?]

Yan Yan: [Huh? I didn't bring any today.]

Yan Yan: [Is it Yu Zhiling?]

Lin Yan quickly sent a screenshot.

Yan Yan: [I searched, there's a Safe House just over a kilometer away, hurry over!]

The Safe House was an emergency shelter set up for Omegas, able to isolate Pheromones to the greatest extent, and equipped with sufficient Inhibitors. In recent years, they had been set up in densely populated places like scenic areas and shopping malls.

Omegas in Heat could influence each other. But Shang Sui's mark on Shi Qi hadn't faded yet, so in the short term, she wouldn't be induced into Heat by Yu Zhiling's Pheromone.

Letting Yu Zhiling go alone wasn't safe. Shi Qi made a quick decision: "Let's go, I'll accompany you to the Safe House."

Fortunately, everyone seemed to have rushed off to the festival, and this small path to the Safe House was very secluded. They encountered no incidents along the way.

Yu Zhiling seemed to be in very bad shape. Shi Qi saw he could barely stand and reached out to support him.

Hot breath pressed against the back of her neck. Shi Qi's gland was already sensitive, and thinking of Yu Zhiling's current state, she held back and said nothing.

At the Safe House door, Yu Zhiling scanned the code with his phone. Shi Qi turned away upon seeing this.

"You set the password, I won't look."

The Safe House password was set by the user themselves, and by default matched the password of the Inhibitor storage cabinet inside.

Shi Qi played with her phone with her back to Yu Zhiling for a while, never hearing the door open, and asked hesitantly: "Are you done setting it?"

The sound of the door opening came then. An Omega in Heat should have been weak in their limbs, but from the sound, Yu Zhiling had kicked the door open.

A pair of hands wrapped around Shi Qi's shoulders from behind, a sticky voice winding around her—

"Stay with me a little longer."

With a clatter, Shi Qi's phone fell to the ground.

Yu Zhiling reached out and pulled the unsuspecting Shi Qi into the room.

If Shi Qi hadn't accompanied him to the Safe House, that would have been it.

But knowing full well that Omegas in Heat influenced each other, Shi Qi still chose to accompany him.

You can't let go of me either, can you?

"What are you doing?"

Shi Qi saw him actually lock the door behind them, trapping her inside as well, and finally realized something was wrong.

He instinctively tried to push Yu Zhiling away, but the other's strength was astonishingly powerful, nothing like an Omega in Heat Phase.

Yu Zhiling's gaze burned: "I like you... Xiao Qi, I've always liked you."

Shi Qi's movements froze, almost doubting she'd heard wrong.

"From the day you saved me, I could never forget that image," Yu Zhiling murmured. "You were like you were glowing in my eyes."

"I know you don't like Omegas. If I said it, you'd definitely stay far away from me."

"But I can't help it." Yu Zhiling grabbed her arm, looking at her piteously. "You like me too, right?"

The shock Shi Qi received was too great; for a moment she couldn't react.

"I have a boyfriend." She forced herself to stay calm. "I only think of you as a friend. There can't be any other relationship between us."

Rejected by her, Yu Zhiling lowered his head and didn't speak for a long time.

The suppressed voice was like pus flowing from a festering wound, hoarse and almost strange: "Didn't you promise me? That you'd be with me."

Looking up again, Yu Zhiling's eyes were tinged with threads of resentment and venom: "Why did you have to date someone? And an Alpha... you know I hate Alphas the most!"

Shi Qi said in disbelief: "What are you thinking? That was just a joke!"

"Yeah, it was a joke."

"After all, you're like a little person living in a glass ball, you don't understand anything."

"If you never liked anyone, I would have hidden my feelings perfectly."

Shi Qi couldn't listen anymore: "Enough, stop talking."

Her resistance seemed to please the other person. Shi Qi heard laughter by her ear, followed by explicit, murmuring whispers:

"Don't be in a hurry, let me finish."

"I know you have a boyfriend. I hate Alphas, but if it's you, I can manage not to mind." Yu Zhiling went on to himself. "I'll just pretend he doesn't exist."

He could no longer tell whether it was a side effect of the drug or his original thoughts. Just feeling Shi Qi within his reach, wrapped in his Pheromone, Yu Zhiling's spirit was especially stimulated, cheeks flushed red, eagerly proposing:

"Let's be together behind Shang Sui's back?"

Shi Qi hadn't expected him to have such an absurd, wretched idea. Like countless wet insects crawling over her skin, Shi Qi was disgusted enough, and pushed hard with both hands—

Yu Zhiling hadn't expected her sudden outburst, stumbled back unexpectedly, barely keeping his footing.

Shi Qi took the chance to turn around, and the moment her fingers touched the keypad lock, she couldn't help cursing.

The Safe House had a double lock; without the password, it couldn't be opened from inside either.

Yu Zhiling seemed to want to approach again. Shi Qi, without looking back, gave him one and warned viciously: "Get lost!"

Her elbow happened to slam heavily into Yu Zhiling's abdomen. The latter groaned, bending over in pain.

Omega heats could influence each other. Shi Qi currently showed no abnormality; she must have an Alpha's mark on her.

Even so, relying on just one mark couldn't hold out for too long.

Yu Zhiling clutched his abdomen, hissing in pain: "Okay, I won't come over."

That hit was really vicious, truly not holding back at all.

Shi Qi couldn't be bothered to waste words with him, looking toward the storage cabinet containing the Inhibitor.

Because of the argument just now, Yu Zhiling's Pheromone grew even stronger. The indoor detection device began to alarm, the lights changing from green representing safety to yellow, then orange-red, reminding the Omega in Heat Phase to inject Inhibitor as soon as possible.

Damn it.

The storage cabinet's password was the same as the door lock. She couldn't force an Inhibitor on Yu Zhiling, at least to make him stop the heat first, to cut off the source of the Pheromone.

Thinking of this, Shi Qi withdrew her gaze and tentatively moved her fingers.

A long time had already passed, but her body showed none of the soreness and heat that should come before Heat Phase. As if there was no difference from ordinary days, surprise gradually rose in Shi Qi's heart.

Strange.

Even though she had Shang Sui's mark on her, Yu Zhiling's Pheromone was this concentrated, and in such a narrow space, logically she should have been affected to some degree.

But she even felt her spirit detached, watching the other Omega in heat with unusual coldness, like observing something entirely unrelated to her.

Is it because of gland degradation? But before, when Lin Yan was in heat, she was indeed affected.

Could her illness have gotten worse, to the point where she couldn't sense Yu Zhiling's Pheromone at all?

Regardless, this rotten illness had actually done her a huge favor for once.

Shi Qi retreated a step without expression, shrinking into a corner.

Yu Zhiling's delay in taking Inhibitor was likely because he was waiting for Shi Qi to enter Heat Phase too. Rashly making contact could lead to accidents.

With no other option for now, Shi Qi could only stay as far from him as possible.

-

After great difficulty finally throwing up everything, Lin Yan felt completely relaxed.

Coming out of the bathroom, he used mouthwash for a quick clean. Seeing no one around, Lin Yan sent Shi Qi a message.

Yanyan: [Have you two both gone? How is it now? Did you take Inhibitor?]

Yanyan: [Hello hello?]

......

Yanyan: [Shi Qi, answer the phone!]

Getting no reply for a long time, Lin Yan called Yu Zhiling directly, also getting no response.

He realized something and quickly contacted Qin Shuhe.

"Hello?"

"Is Shang Sui next to you? Give him the phone!"

Lin Yan's tone revealed undisguised anxiety. Qin Shuhe didn't ask more, immediately complying.

Shang Sui's voice came from the other end: "What happened?"

"Shi Qi and Yu Zhiling are missing!"

"There's something I've been reluctant to say. I always felt Yu Zhiling might like her. Just now Yu Zhiling entered Heat Phase, they should have gone to the Safe House, but now I can't reach them. I'm afraid Shi Qi being with him will be affected."

Lin Yan quickly explained the situation, then asked: "Shi Qi has your mark on her, can you roughly sense her location?"

-

Seeing Shi Qi silent in the corner, Yu Zhiling suddenly stepped forward, once again coming before her.

Wariness surfaced in Shi Qi's eyes, her body tensing.

Just when she thought Yu Zhiling would make a move, the other knelt down before her.

Yu Zhiling reached out both hands like a plea, trying to touch Shi Qi's arm. After being avoided, he even tried to nuzzle her leg.

"Please, I really like you so much, just take pity on me."

"......"

"Shang Sui is an Alpha, I'm an Omega. He won't notice."

"And many Alphas don't mind Omegas being together. Trust me, I've seen this kind of thing too many times. Maybe he'd even find it exciting, he'd love you even more—"

Shi Qi really couldn't listen anymore, kicking Yu Zhiling in the chest.

She was so angry her temples throbbed. This kick used full force, and Yu Zhiling was kicked flying. The small Safe House didn't have much space to begin with, and Yu Zhiling's body slammed heavily against the wall.

He couldn't suppress a violent coughing fit, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth soon after.

"...Hit me, if it makes you feel better, I'm willing to do anything." Yu Zhiling wiped the blood with the back of his hand, coughing as he spoke. "Anyway, you can't get out either. Try it with me once, okay?"

"I'm very skilled, and I'm the one on top. Unlike Alphas, Omegas understand Omegas. I'll definitely make you feel good."

Shi Qi finally spoke, undisguised disgust in her eyes: "Why have you become like this?"

Yu Zhiling stared at her blankly.

Compared to being hit and cursed, such a cold response was more stinging. Every time before, it had been he who abandoned others; he had deluded himself into thinking he was irresistibly charming, that even inserting himself into someone else's relationship would be accepted.

What was harder for him to understand was that Shi Qi had never been affected by his Pheromone, showing no signs of being induced into Heat Phase.

Why was this? Did Shi Qi hate him so much that she could resist physiological instinct?

After a long while, Yu Zhiling whispered: "Maybe I was always like this."

Shi Qi didn't want to deal with him, but Yu Zhiling seemed stimulated, talking to himself:

"So no matter what, you won't consider me, right?"

"You like that Alpha that much?"

The colder she was, the more Yu Zhiling collapsed. Eventually unable to hold on, his voice trembling, he asked the question buried in his heart: "Do you regret saving me back then?"

Shi Qi didn't answer his question, but said coldly: "Tell me the password now, and I'll pretend this never happened."

Like passing a sentence, she looked at Yu Zhiling kneeling on the ground: "We don't need to see each other again. I won't make trouble for you."

She didn't regret saving Yu Zhiling.

No matter who it was, she would have helped that day.

Although encountering this kind of thing was disgusting, she hadn't been induced into Heat Phase, nor had she been harmed.

No matter what Yu Zhiling originally intended to do, now it was the other person who had taken a beating from her, kicked until he bled.

For the sake of knowing each other so many years... if it ended here, then forget it.

A sudden thud came from outside the door. The Safe House was too well soundproofed; under normal circumstances, it was almost impossible to hear outside sounds. Correspondingly, the outside couldn't hear inside either.

To make such a big commotion, the situation outside was unknown.

But Yu Zhiling had no time to care about anything now. Looking at Shi Qi's ice-cold face, he felt a strong reluctance welling up inside.

Whether it was confession, seduction, kneeling and begging... everything he could do, he had done.

He still remembered what happened to that investor back then. At most he dared to trap Shi Qi here; he didn't dare truly force her.

He had originally planned to use Pheromone to induce Shi Qi into Heat Phase, and have things happen half-reluctant, half-willing. But Shi Qi wasn't affected at all. His greatest reliance had lost its effect without warning.

Shi Qi was willing to offer a way out; taking it would be the best move.

Yu Zhiling forced down his reluctance and answered quietly: "The password is the day we first met."

Shi Qi was sick of these games, saying expressionlessly: "Give me the numbers. I don't remember which day."

"......"

Yu Zhiling laughed self-deprecatingly, reporting a string of numbers.

Shi Qi was about to enter the password when the door suddenly trembled violently.

To ensure user safety, the Safe House's door and keypad lock were both made of special composite metal materials. Logically, it was almost impossible for someone to break through from outside with bare hands.

Shi Qi realized something was wrong and immediately stepped back.

Once, twice—

The commotion outside grew louder, making it feel as if the entire building was shaking. The next instant, the door lock was kicked open, and the alarms inside and outside simultaneously burst into sharp shrieks!

Seeing clearly the appearance of the intruder, Shi Qi's mind went blank for a moment:

"How did you..."

An unfamiliar Pheromone came flooding in, carrying thick desire. Shang Sui quickly realized what had happened here.

Confirming Shi Qi was fine, his gaze slowly turned, landing on Yu Zhiling.

The Alpha's light brown pupils constricted like a snake's vertical pupils for a moment, revealing a primitive, almost bloodthirsty calm.

Shang Sui said word by word: "You really want to die."

Yu Zhiling trembled all over under the immense pressure, his body convulsing. The chest kicked by Shi Qi sent a violent pain through him, and he vomited a large pool of fresh blood with a wet sound.

He coughed while crying, his throat uncontrollably rasping, like a broken bellows.

Shi Qi hadn't expected him to have such a big reaction, looking almost like he was about to die, and froze on the spot for a moment.

Yu Zhiling finally recovered from that terrifying pressure, suddenly realizing something was wrong.

Logically, the Pheromone concentration in the room had reached its limit. Any ordinary Alpha would lose their mind the moment they opened the door. Even if they didn't pounce, their first reaction absolutely couldn't be to attack.

"I know...!"

Yu Zhiling stared at Shang Sui, as if seeing something extremely rare and terrifying: "You're an Alpha in Special Sensitivity Period, aren't you?"

Only Alphas in Special Sensitivity Period could remain unaffected when an Omega was in heat. Apart from more powerful members of their own kind, Pheromone had no effect on them.

Everything connected. Yu Zhiling turned to look at Shi Qi: "You have his mark on you, that's why you were unaffected by me from start to finish—because Alphas in Special Sensitivity Period... what's that word? Superior! Ha? How ridiculous! ...They're clearly a bunch of monsters who can't control themselves!"

Seeing Shi Qi equally at a loss, Yu Zhiling seemed to have discovered something extremely absurd and suddenly burst into laughter.

The reluctance he was about to lose earlier all turned into strong malice. He looked at Shi Qi almost pityingly:

"What should we do, Xiao Qi?"

"Such a terrifying thing, and you look like you don't know at all."