Chapter 33

Shang Sui was smiling so happily that Shi Qi had the feeling those words were not as simple as he had imagined.

On the way back, he asked Lin Yan.

'What does it mean when someone says they want to be your dog?' Shi Qi guessed. 'Does it mean being a pet?'

'...' Lin Yan had been mindlessly scrolling videos. His phone smacked down onto him. 'You ran into another pervert?!'

They had only just sent off Yu Zhiling, and now there was another one?!

'No, I was just asking.'

'If someone says that to you, tell him to get lost.'

'Oh.' Shi Qi was honest. 'But I do not want to tell him to get lost.'

Lin Yan looked at him in shock. After a moment, a knowing smile slowly spread across his face.

'Well, well, baby. So you've been hiding such wild tastes deep down.'

'But Shang Sui does not look like the type who'd let himself be kept in line. If you play that hard with him and he turns it around on you...' Lin Yan sized up the angelically innocent little face in front of him and spoke from the heart. 'That would not be bad either. Kind of sexy.'

'?'

Shi Qi was baffled and pressed him on what exactly he meant.

But Lin Yan refused to say a word more, only telling him to experience it for himself later.

Compared with the trip there, everyone was dead tired on the way back. Going from the flower fields of Qi Jiang to the Dormitory at A University felt no different from winter arriving overnight. Even Shi Qi, who had always adjusted well, found the contrast too much.

'Send me back to Qi Jiang. That is my true hometown.' While rushing his social practice report, Lin Yan spoke in misery. 'I've had enough. I wasn't paying attention downstairs just now and nearly slipped on the ice.'

A three-day New Year's Day break was coming up, and the department had required them to hand in their reports before the holiday.

Shi Qi knew next to nothing about this social practice activity, so he could only invent things when writing the report. Lin Yan was no better. Slacking off as he worked, he asked, 'Are you going home for New Year's Day?'

Shi An had called him specially before this, saying he had not been home in nearly half a year, and that no matter what, he had to make a trip back this time.

Shi Qi had not wanted to go home before because he did not want to listen to Shi An urging him to marry. Now he had a 'boyfriend,' and he could also take the chance to mention Yu Zhiling's matter to Jiang Yoning, so he agreed.

'Then I'll go back too. It is no fun staying alone in the Dormitory.' After asking about New Year's Day plans, Lin Yan added, 'What about Christmas Day on Friday? Want to come play mahjong with us?'

Mahjong on Christmas Day?

Shi Qi complained, 'You people celebrate in a very original way.'

Lin Yan gave a sly grin. 'East meets West. We'll fight till dawn.'

Shi Qi had other plans in mind. He shook his head and offered Lin Yan his sincerest blessing. 'Hope you win money.'

After hurrying and dragging it out in equal measure, Shi Qi finally finished the report on Christmas Day and brought the torment to an end.

After coming back from Qi Jiang, he and Shang Sui had not seen each other again. Shi Qi opened their chat, just about to ask whether he wanted to spend the holiday together, when Shang Sui's message arrived first.

Ss: [Merry Christmas, want to come out for dinner ><]

Shi Qi's fingers paused. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

17: [Sure. Where are we meeting?]

Night was about to fall, and fine snow drifted down from the sky.

Shi Qi did not see the familiar figure at A University's gate. While he was glancing around, the window of a dark Cullinan rolled down.

'Xiao Qi, over here.'

Shang Sui was sitting in the back seat, his eyes curved as he waved to him.

After getting into the car, Shi Qi had the sense Shang Sui had just come back from somewhere else. He was about to ask, then thought there was no need for Shang Sui to report his itinerary to him.

Seeing what he was thinking, Shang Sui volunteered, 'I went to my parents' place this afternoon.'

A few days ago he had asked his family to look into the matter of the banned drug, and Yu Wan had taken the opportunity to call him home.

Yu Wan had always been very worried about his Sensitivity Period. It happened that Shang Sui had gotten the results of his Psychological Assessment, so bringing them back would also put her mind at ease.

After reading the report, Yu Wan did indeed relax a great deal. Off to the side, Shang Yao remembered something and asked one more question. 'Has your third Sensitivity Period this year still not come yet?'

Most Alphas went through a Sensitivity Period three or four times a year, but Shang Sui had only had two this year.

'Shen Qianyu said it may be because I've recently been in contact with an Omega with a high Compatibility Index. Things have been relatively stable across the board, so the Sensitivity Period was pushed back accordingly.'

But in exchange, he would soon have two Sensitivity Periods one after another within a short span of time. Shen Qianyu had told him to prepare himself.

He said it lightly, but the effect of that sentence was like thunder breaking out of a clear sky.

Yu Wan turned to look at him at once. Shang Yao was taken aback too. 'What does that mean?'

For families like theirs, marriage and children mattered enormously, and Shang Sui was the only son in both families.

But after those dark years, the only thing the couple wanted was for their child to live happily.

As long as Shang Sui liked the person, forget Omega, even a Beta or an Alpha would do. But over the years he had never shown interest in anyone. They did not want to pressure him, so they never spoke of it aloud, though in private they had prepared themselves for the possibility that Shang Sui might remain alone forever.

So hearing this all of a sudden, both of them were delighted.

Yu Wan in particular looked openly pleased as she chased after him with question after question. How had they met? Had they confirmed the relationship yet?

'No, we're still...' Calling it 'pursuing' was not quite right, since he had never shown Shi Qi his feelings. But saying they were friends sounded too affected. In the end Shang Sui settled on, 'We're still seeing how things go.'

Shang Yao thought of something. 'Is the matter you asked me to investigate connected to the person you like?'

Yu Wan caught on too and teased him with a smile. 'No wonder. I was wondering why you were in such a hurry.'

After hesitating for a moment, she could not help asking, 'Does he know you have...?'

'The Special Sensitivity Period? He knows.'

Hearing Shang Sui's answer, Yu Wan unconsciously softened her breathing.

As though she had never expected something this good could happen, she carefully confirmed, 'He truly does not mind the Special Sensitivity Period?'

Shang Sui nodded, then hesitated again as he thought of what had happened before.

It was not that he did not trust Shi Qi, only...

He could not control himself well. He was not like other people.

'But I do not know what he'll think when he really sees it.'

Yu Wan said she understood. 'After all, seeing it with your own eyes is different. As long as he does not mind in ordinary times, that is already a good thing. During your Sensitivity Period, you can stay apart.'

That was what she said, but a trace of sadness still showed in her eyes.

If they had a choice, what Alpha would not want an Omega with him during his Sensitivity Period? All the more so when Shang Sui's was far harder to endure than most people's.

'Hasn't Xiao Sui's Sensitivity Period been quite stable these past few years?' Shang Yao gently patted her arm, then smiled at Shang Sui. 'It's fine. Maybe in time it will only get better and better, until it stops being a problem.'

Compared with six years ago, his condition had already improved by a great deal. Even during his Sensitivity Period, most of the time he could keep himself under control.

But rather than let Shi Qi see that side of him, he would rather endure it.

Only three or four times a year. As long as Shi Qi never saw it, he would not be frightened away.

He could get through it by himself.

With that thought, Shang Sui put away his tangled thoughts.

He handed the bag at his side to Shi Qi. 'Christmas present.'

Shi Qi froze for a moment, a little embarrassed. 'I did not prepare a gift for you.'

Shang Sui smiled and shook his head, telling him not to mind it. 'I just thought it was beautiful and would suit you, so I bought it. Want to open it and see?'

Shi Qi undid the red ribbon tied into a bow around the gift box. Against the black velvet lining, the jewelry inside shone brilliantly.

One long golden chain and one short one were looped together, each link set with luminous rubies. The pendant at the very center was also studded with colored gems. Its lace-like gold setting looked like melted starlight, lifting the red main stone the way stars crowd around the moon.

Just as Shang Sui had said, it really was beautiful.

Only...

Shi Qi judged it by eye. 'This necklace is very long.'

Shang Sui laughed. 'It's a Waist Chain. It goes around the waist.'

Shi Qi parted his lips, hesitation on his face. Shang Sui lowered his eyes. 'You don't like it?'

Hearing the faint disappointment in his voice, Shi Qi said at once, 'I like it.'

As long as it was something Shang Sui had given him, he would like it no matter what it was.

'But it's too ornate.' Shi Qi told the truth. 'I do not usually wear this kind of jewelry. I would not know how to match it.'

Shang Sui looked him over. Shi Qi was wearing a thick black down jacket today, with only a white shirt underneath. Going by his temperament, the shirt was probably a loose-fitting style.

'What you're wearing today would work with it.'

Seeing that Shi Qi said nothing, Shang Sui did not want to make things hard for him.

'It's all right. Just treat it as a decorative piece you received—'

'Then I'll put it on in a bit.'

They spoke almost at the same time. Shi Qi rushed to say first, 'I'm not humoring you. It really is beautiful. It's just that the last time I wore something like this was for a performance, so I'm a little out of practice.'

Afraid Shang Sui would not believe him, Shi Qi put the Waist Chain away as he spoke, then hugged the whole box to his chest. 'Thank you for the gift. The color goes very well with Christmas Day.'

Shang Sui watched his earnest expression and, while finding him unbearably adorable, could not help feeling a little defeated.

Aside from the too-obvious Ring, he had deliberately chosen the Waist Chain from among necklaces, bracelets, bangles, and a whole range of accessories. No matter who looked at it, the implication was far from ordinary, yet Shi Qi had not noticed a thing.

A kitten, after all.

He only knew how to cling to people and could not read an ambiguous hint to save his life.

Shi Qi suddenly thought of something and said, 'I have a feeling we are not going to get this meal after all.'

'Why?'

'Haven't you noticed? Every time we go out to eat, something unexpected happens. Last time Shen Qianyu called you away for a checkup, the time before that it was Dance Club rehearsal, and this time...'

As if in answer to his words, Shang Sui's phone suddenly lit up.

Seeing the caller ID, Shang Sui fell silent for a moment, then pressed decline as though nothing were the matter. 'I can leave it unanswered.'

'...All right.'

The moment the call was cut off, it came again. As though he had not expected Jiang Yan to be this persistent, Shang Sui frowned slightly.

'He seems really anxious,' Shi Qi said hesitantly. 'Maybe you should answer it after all?'

The instant the call connected, Jiang Yan's miserable howl came through from the other end. 'Why did you only answer now, dear brother?!'

'What is it?'

'Utter emergency! Can we meet? Or let's just do Huijian Restaurant??'

Shang Sui hinted, 'I'm with Shi Qi.'

He had assumed Jiang Yan would have the sense to understand, but instead the voice on the other end followed right up with, 'Perfect, then come together! The more people, the more strength. My head is about to explode!'

'I know interrupting other people's romance should get me struck by lightning, but this is hard to explain...' Halfway through, Jiang Yan suddenly realized who he ought to be begging. 'Um, Shi Qi, are you there? Please, please, bring Shang Sui over quickly!'

Shi Qi had always been soft to pleading and hard to force, and besides, Jiang Yan really did sound a little pitiful.

'Then hold on,' Shi Qi said. 'We're coming.'

As if he had not expected him to agree so readily, Jiang Yan sounded on the verge of tears. 'Really? Wuwuwu!'

He let the truth slip without meaning to. 'You're such a good person! Completely unlike Shang Sui, who'd watch me die and not help at all... oh, oh, oh, what I mean is, come quickly, I'll have good food ready for you two!'

'...'

After listening to that whole unhinged outpouring, Shi Qi thought, no wonder Shang Sui wanted to hang up on you.

If it were really a ten-thousand-fire emergency, who would still have the mind to prepare food?

Stepping through the doors of Huijian Restaurant again, Shi Qi could not help smiling. To the person beside him, he said, 'The place you used to work.'

Before Shang Sui could answer, a brisk figure charged over. 'You finally made it!'

Jiang Yan looked at the two of them the way one looked at saviors and led them straight into a private room. He had just sat down and was about to say something when his gaze accidentally swept over the strawberry parfait on the table.

Remembering he had just specially asked the dessert chef to prepare it, he said to Shi Qi with the air of claiming credit,

'I heard from Shang Sui that you like sweets, right? Try it. It's our Christmas Day limited edition.'

By any fair count, today was only the third time he had met Jiang Yan, but the other man was acting as if they had known each other for years.

In his heart, Shi Qi put Jiang Yan in the same category as Qin Shuhe. As he picked up a small spoon, he asked, 'What happened to you?'

Jiang Yan stalled, as though he had only just remembered that part.

'His brain is single-threaded,' Shang Sui explained softly. 'It can only process one thing at a time. Add more and it crashes.'

Shi Qi: '...'

You could tell. He had already crashed.

As though he had finally finished rebooting, Jiang Yan covered his face with a pained expression. '...Shen Qianyu confessed to me.'

Shang Sui said, 'Congratulations.'

Shi Qi was stunned for a moment, then echoed, 'Congratulations?'

'?' Facing the two of them, Jiang Yan pointed at himself in despair. 'No, that is not it! I'm an Alpha, and he's an Alpha too!'

'Then I told him it was impossible. We're the same sex. Do you know what he said? He said he could cut out his gland and get an artificial Omega gland implanted instead. Their hospital recently performed a similar surgery, and he has already confirmed the whole procedure.'

'Fuck, is he insane? Does he know replacing a gland means you only live to forty or fifty?!'

Shi Qi showed the same shocked expression. He had not expected the gentle, refined-looking Shen Qianyu to act with such wild force. Just as he was thinking this really was a difficult problem, Shang Sui, beside him, laughed.

'Seems reasonable enough.'

'?'

'You cannot cut out your own gland, and you cannot accept an Alpha. Then the only option left is for him to make a small adjustment to himself.'

'...' This counted as a small adjustment??

'Isn't that great?' Shang Sui sounded as though he found the whole scene very interesting. 'He can even have children for you.'

'You're crazy too.' Jiang Yan was dumbstruck. 'Turning an Alpha into an Omega and having kids, you should go head-to-head with Shen Qianyu for the crown of king of perverts.'

Shang Sui slanted him a smiling look. 'Watch how you talk. Careful now.'

That glance sent a chill through Jiang Yan's heart, and only then did he realize there was another person in the room.

The previous two times he had met Shi Qi, he had more or less accidentally stepped on a land mine with him, so he felt guilty and was especially warm toward Shi Qi.

And because of those two meetings, Shi Qi had always remained a cold, distant figure in Jiang Yan's mind.

But looking at the Omega eating while listening to them talk, he was nothing like that hard-to-approach image Jiang Yan remembered. Instead he seemed obedient and lovely, like a little doll behind glass that needed careful tending.

'Please do not break up with him just because he's crazy,' Jiang Yan begged. 'Otherwise the first unlucky person will definitely be me.'

'...'

It seemed all of Shang Sui's friends thought he was not entirely normal.

Thinking Shang Sui was more familiar with Jiang Yan, Shi Qi finished the parfait and left space for the two of them. 'I'll go put this on. You two talk.'

As he spoke, he picked up the gift Shang Sui had given him and went into the private bathroom in the room.

The structure of the Waist Chain was even more complicated than he had imagined. Shi Qi fiddled with it for quite a while before he understood that the ruby pendant was meant to fasten at the side of the waist, while the two chains, one long and one short, closed above the pendant. Once fastened, they formed something like butterfly wings.

The shorter chain drew tight around his waist, while the longer one draped down toward his hipbone. The gems, bright and beautiful as blood, swayed with his body and flashed with dazzling light.

Just as Shang Sui had said, the Waist Chain looked unexpectedly harmonious with the loose, simple white shirt on his body.

Since he stopped working as a model, Shi Qi had rarely worn jewelry of such extravagant complexity. The effect was not bad, but he still felt overdressed, as if he were about to go out on stage for a runway show.

After looking himself over from side to side and still not feeling used to it, he took a faceless photo and sent it to Lin Yan.

17: [Does it look good?]

No reply came for a long while. Only then did Shi Qi remember that Lin Yan was currently fighting for his life at the mahjong table.

After hesitating for a moment, Shi Qi logged into his social account and posted the photo.

@1717177: [Shared image]

[Oh my god! Thank you to 17 for this Christmas gift. This is basically a work of art.]

[Baby, why did you not say a single word? Were you asking us if it looks good? It looks good, it looks good, you look gorgeous enough to kill!]

[A siren? A succubus? How can someone's waist be this narrow??]

[A design this elaborate does not look like something Xiao Qi would buy. If someone else gave it to you, then giving this on Christmas Day means dangerous intentions. Be careful, be careful!]

[Can you show me the full-body look? I'm begging you, begging you.]

Lin Yan's reply popped up at that moment as well.

Yanyan: [Holy shit! That hits hard! The gangshanghua I just won is not even as hot as you.]

Yanyan: [It is pure with the white shirt, which makes the contrast even better, but it'd look even better if you wore it with nothing else on.]

17: [?]

With everyone's affirmation and praise, Shi Qi no longer felt that dressing this way was strange.

He walked out of the bathroom. Shang Sui was absorbed in his phone. Across from him, Jiang Yan had been drinking to drown his sorrows halfway through talking. He had not had much, but he was already sprawled face-down on the table, apparently unconscious.

Shang Sui had specially turned on notifications for Shi Qi's account. He had only just liked the post when the person in the photo appeared in front of him.

Compared with that image, which showed only a small section, the real person had far more impact. Shang Sui straightened slightly in his seat. Before Shi Qi could speak, he said first, 'Xiao Qi is so beautiful. Like an angel.'

'What does this have to do with an angel?'

Under his almost tangible gaze, Shi Qi tugged at the Waist Chain a little uncomfortably, his mood turning subtle.

Of course he was happy to be praised, but according to Lin Yan, he had thought he looked at least somewhat... hot?

So why did Shang Sui seem to have no such thought at all when he looked at him?

A thing like an angel, all sexless and vague, did not sound especially charming. He had worn this gaudy Chain for so long. Shang Sui was not just humoring him, was he?

'How should I put it...' Shang Sui paused briefly, then praised him with great seriousness. 'You look as radiant as an angel. Whatever you wear suits you.'

'If I can, I'd also like to see you wearing more kinds of jewelry.'

He could hardly tell Shi Qi that the moment he walked out, his head had filled with all sorts of indecent thoughts.

If he said that aloud, he really would become a pervert.

Shi Qi was coaxed right back into a better mood by that single sentence and decided an angel was not so bad either.

Before leaving, Shang Sui spoke to the manager at Huijian Restaurant and asked them to look after the drunken Jiang Yan.

Shi Qi had not expected him to be planning to leave already. 'Is it really fine to go just like this?'

Jiang Yan looked deeply troubled, and after getting drunk he still did not look like someone whose problem had been solved.

'Those two are always like this.' Shang Sui was used to it. 'Shen Qianyu is two years above us. Ever since high school, one moment the two of them have been so close they can hardly bear to be apart, and the next they act like enemies.'

Fairly speaking, when things are bad between them, it is usually more Jiang Yan sulking on his own.

'Besides, even between friends, getting overly involved in someone else's feelings is not very appropriate.'

'I've given my advice. The rest can take its natural course.'

Shi Qi nodded, feeling that what he said made sense.

They walked out of Huijian Restaurant, and cold air rushed straight at them. Shang Sui held the sleeve of his down jacket while waiting for Shi Qi to finish putting it on.

Because of that small gesture, Shi Qi suddenly realized that Shang Sui had always taken very good care of him.

It came so naturally that at times he did not even notice it.

Shi Qi suddenly said, 'Actually, Shen Qianyu did not have to confess.'

'They've known each other for so many years. If they stayed good friends, couldn't they remain together forever?'

Whether he meant Shen Qianyu or something else, Shi Qi let it slip out all at once. 'If they cannot even remain friends, that is such a pity.'

Shang Sui said nothing for a long while.

Realizing he had been taking too much for granted, Shi Qi added, 'I do not know them that well either. Maybe what I said is wrong—'

'Because he is unwilling to settle for that,' Shang Sui said softly.

Something in Shi Qi stirred, and he looked up at him.

'Friends can hug too. But only lovers can touch private places and leave traces on each other.'

'Leave the scent of Pheromone on each other, use that scent to openly declare to everyone else that this person belongs to me... none of that falls within what friends can do.'

'So of course it is not enough.'

With every sentence Shang Sui spoke, Shi Qi's heart sank a little lower, as if he were being lured downward without end, until he lost himself in it.

Only then did Shi Qi realize that compared with a special friend, a lover could be far more intimate.

Touching each other's bodies...

His gaze drifted unconsciously to Shang Sui's neck. He remembered that during his last Heat Phase, when he had not been fully aware of himself, he had bitten Shang Sui's gland. A little lower than that was the Alpha's broad, solid chest, and his lean, powerful waist.

'And Alpha desire is always intense.'

'Xiao Qi is an Omega, so maybe you do not understand. If I could, I'd want to pen up the person I like and stay tangled with him every day.'

'Having him at my side where I can see him but not touch him really can drive a person mad.'

Shi Qi's gland grew hot in waves, and his waist and lower abdomen turned weak and sore. The other man's lingering, lush description was like spider silk, binding him inside it in only a few phrases.

His senses sharpened without his noticing, as though he were the one being driven to the point where he could no longer keep hold of himself.

Shi Qi almost wanted to step back.

'...I see.' He forced himself to speak calmly.

Ah. His Pheromone was leaking.

Foolish Xiao Qi. You only remembered to keep your face composed, but your Pheromone is not calm at all.

'And lingering kisses, sticking together to have sex, using all sorts of methods to possess each other's bodies and hearts...'

'For example,' Shang Sui said, his tone turning, like a brilliantly colored snake finally baring its venomous fangs and fixing straight on the prey it desired, 'you and I cannot do that, can we?'