Beautiful Ghost

Not long after returning home, Shi Qi learned of Shang Sui's family circumstances from Jiang Yoning.

Shi An's reaction exceeded Jiang Yoning's; she grilled Shi Qi with questions, quickly realizing her child knew nothing, and said seriously: "You'll need to find a time to talk to him about this."

"He has to tell you all of this in detail. After marriage his salary should be handed over. Most importantly, make sure he listens to you from now on."

Shi Qi didn't even think: "Why should he?"

Shi An: "?"

"He should listen to himself." Shi Qi said. "And why are we already talking about marriage?"

"You two dating must have marriage as the goal!"

"The doctor last time said your illness has less than a year. After New Year's, basically only nine months left. Are you going to break up with him and find someone else?"

According to Shi An's plan, best after New Year's first meet Shang Sui, then both sets of parents meet, latest May or June engagement.

Jiang Yoning, rarely aligned with Shi An: "Xiao Qi, if you're really going to be with him, because of Gland Atrophy Syndrome, once you do the Lifelong Mark it can't be washed off. You need to think all this through."

Shi Qi overwhelmed, finally unable to withstand the firepower, hid in her room.

Before closing the door, she vaguely heard Jiang Li's persuasion: "Wasn't everything fine before? Why so worked up today? The most important thing in marriage is mutual respect, understanding each other. You two shouldn't always think about having the upper hand over him..."

Shi An retorted: "With Shi Qi's personality, if she's wronged won't she be furious? I can't bear to see her cry. One cry and my heart aches."

Jiang Yoning: "Exactly! I'd want to hit someone! All these years I've held back and never bullied my brother to tears. Why should another Alpha get the bargain?"

She added: "Except in bed, that one can give way."

Shi An horrified: "No way—!"

Shi Qi: "..."

Shi Qi really didn't know whether to be touched or to roast them.

Jiang Yoning's words were shocking, the situation outside grew more chaotic. Shi Qi quickly shut the door to cut off all sound.

Why think so much.

Setting aside her actual relationship with Shang Sui, whether dating or marrying, isn't the most important thing mutual liking?

Perhaps because the other person kept being mentioned, she couldn't help sending him a message.

17: [What are you doing?]

Neither of them were the type to chat on phones. They had plenty to say when meeting, but apart from necessary contact, Shang Sui basically wouldn't seek her out for casual chat.

Lin Yan said this kind of behavior was called... push-pull?

Creating appropriate distance actually makes people keep thinking of you, a common social technique.

Strangely, even after a day and night, she still hadn't received a reply.

Even push-pull shouldn't mean completely ignoring someone.

Shi Qi started getting a little unhappy.

This time returning home, Shi Qi only brought the painting Shang Sui gave her and the Waist Chain received on Christmas Day.

Learning who gave these two gifts, Jiang Yoning curiously asked: "Can I take a look?"

Shi Qi nodded. Jiang Yoning carefully unwrapped the painting. She was struck by it for a moment, looked at it carefully for a long time: "I feel like your boyfriend's painting looks a bit familiar..."

Bold clashing colors, carnival-like atmosphere, very like a painter who became famous young.

But that one lives abroad year-round, probably just a coincidental style similarity.

Shi Qi casually said: "You know about this stuff too?"

"Your sister-in-law likes paintings."

Jiang Yoning's girlfriend is a reporter, they've been together many years, stable relationship.

She opened the box containing the Waist Chain, muttering discontentedly: "And I'm studying art after all, knowing this isn't exactly... oh my god—! Shi Qi! He gave you this too!"

Jiang Yoning was immediately drawn in: "Really pretty! He has good taste!"

Shi Qi's attention wasn't on this. She looked at the gloomy weather outside the window, suddenly asked: "Will it rain today?"

"The weather forecast said it's been sunny lately." Jiang Yoning said while swiping open her phone, the forecast had unknowingly changed. "Huh? Really! ... It's actually a thunderstorm."

Shi Qi messaged Shang Sui again.

17: [Where are you?]

17: [The weather changed, tonight seems to have a thunderstorm. Should I come keep you company?]

Shang Sui hadn't replied for a long time. She finally realized something might be wrong.

Last time at Huijian Restaurant she exchanged contact info with Jiang Yan. Shi Qi sent a message, Jiang Yan said he'd ask around for her.

After a while, Jiang Yan pushed her an account.

Jiang Yan: [Shang Sui's Sensitivity Period, alone at home, probably hasn't looked at his phone.]

Jiang Yan: [For specifics ask this person. He knows more.]

The newly added account accepted quickly, the other side politely said: [Hello, is this Shi Qi?]

Based on the speaking tone, Shi Qi quickly guessed the other party's identity.

17: [Shen Qianyu?]

Getting an affirmative reply, Shi Qi couldn't help thinking of Jiang Yan's "this person" from earlier.

Such a distant form of address, probably Jiang Yan and Shen Qianyu hadn't made up.

It was hard on Jiang Yan to ask for her...

Shen Qianyu: [Shang Sui's Sensitivity Period is different from a normal Alpha's. He uses some special methods to make sure he won't have accidents. About five days, his Sensitivity Period will end.]

17: [Special methods?]

Shen Qianyu: [Chain.]

Shi Qi stared at those two words in shock.

17: [You mean, he locks himself up...?]

17: [Why?! Shang Sui is just in a Special Sensitivity Period, not a criminal!]

The screen showed Shen Qianyu typing, but no message came for a long time.

After deliberating a long time, Shen Qianyu finally said: [Because of some experiences, and his own physical constitution, even among Alphas in Special Sensitivity Periods he's different.]

[In recent years his Sensitivity Period has been relatively stable, but he still struggles to keep his rationality, especially facing you. He may well be driven by desire, left with only the instinct to possess. I don't recommend you meet him.]

[He didn't tell you, probably doesn't want you to see him like this.]

Shi Qi had seen Jiang Li and Jiang Yoning during their Sensitivity Periods.

The usually mild-mannered Jiang Li became irritable and angry contrary to his usual self, would quickly disappear with Shi An; while Jiang Yoning during every adolescent Sensitivity Period wanted to tear the house apart.

The first Sensitivity Period after her differentiation, the elders weren't around. Shi Qi was only ten then, was scared to tears by her once, crying while pressing close saying sister don't be sad.

Jiang Yoning just pulled her over, hugged her crying buckets.

Until she got her current girlfriend, every Sensitivity Period Jiang Yoning was full of vigor, glowing, no longer the pitiful mess from before.

In Shi Qi's impression, an Alpha in Sensitivity Period without a partner was like a trapped beast.

Dangerous, but also pitiful, very hard.

17: [Is his Sensitivity Period as hard to endure as a normal Alpha's?]

Shen Qianyu: [No.]

Before Shi Qi could relax, Shen Qianyu said: [It will be more painful.]

Shi Qi grabbed her phone and headed for the door.

"You're going out?" Jiang Yoning looked up to remind her, "Xiao An's dad booked a New Year's dinner, remember to come back early."

"I'm going to find Shang Sui, not coming home tonight." Shi Qi added, "He's in his Sensitivity Period."

Her Compatibility Index with Shang Sui was one hundred percent, she could use Omega Pheromone to soothe, help relieve the Sensitivity Period discomfort.

And tonight there would be a thunderstorm, Shang Sui should be feeling worse.

She'd promised to spend Thunderstorm Day with him, couldn't go back on her word.

"Oh I see, then go... ah?!" Jiang Yoning reacted, "Wait wait wait, you're going empty-handed like this?"

Seeing Shi Qi look over in confusion, Jiang Yoning stamped her foot, rushed into the room to dig something out, put it in a bag and handed it to her.

"Take a Bite Inhibitor."

After wearing a Bite Inhibitor, it can prevent the Alpha from biting the Omega's gland, injecting Pheromone to mark.

Because of Gland Atrophy Syndrome, Shi An was overprotective of Shi Qi, but Jiang Yoning felt sleeping together was fine, just no Lifelong Mark.

"It's newly bought by me, never used." Jiang Yoning explained, "I bought several colors of the same style, this one's gunmetal black. Good quality, I can't get it off during my Sensitivity Period anyway."

"The Bite Inhibitor has a built-in lock, the key's in the bag. You must make him put it on before any contact."

The heavy weight in her hand made Shi Qi belatedly realize she was about to face an Alpha in Sensitivity Period, Shang Sui even more special than ordinary people.

Shen Qianyu's reminder had some effect. Thinking wearing the Bite Inhibitor was indeed safer, Shi Qi agreed.

Jiang Yoning muttered quietly: "Oh right, pregnancy is also not okay."

Not knowing if Shi Qi's boyfriend had condoms at home, bring some just in case.

She familiarly snuck into Jiang Li's study, found a brand new box of condoms from a drawer: "All for male Alphas, size should be about the same."

Shi Qi: "?"

Jiang Yoning saw her expression wasn't quite right: "You don't like vanilla flavor? Then I'll go with you to buy—"

Shi Qi really didn't want to think too carefully along her words, quickly stopped her: "No, this is fine!"

Jiang Yoning drove her there, on the way she couldn't rest easy, repeatedly urged Shi Qi to be careful.

Afraid she had no concept, she gave many examples: Alphas in Sensitivity Period are moody, some usually tough ones might nest and cry; usually mild ones might become especially violent, even break their partner's legs and keep going... if things look bad, remember to run.

Last time coming to Shang Sui's home, Shi Qi had registered her fingerprint and face.

Jiang Yoning's examples were too vivid. When unlocking, her fingers trembled slightly without her noticing.

The moment the door opened, sweet Pheromone rushed at her.

No lights were on in the whole house, the interior was abnormally quiet.

"Shang Sui...?"

She called a name, no response in the darkness.

Shi Qi didn't know where the lights were, used her phone flashlight, illuminating while tentatively feeling along the wall.

Never finding the light switch, Shi Qi hesitated a moment, raised her phone and walked toward the source of the Pheromone.

Shen Qianyu said Shang Sui had locked himself in the Art Studio. Shang Sui's house was too big, Shi Qi didn't remember the Art Studio's exact location, but could judge by the Pheromone.

The further in she walked, the thicker the honey scent, as if even the air had stopped flowing, leaving only a sweetness dizzying enough to make one faint.

Outside the window a muffled thunder sounded distantly, the downpour suddenly fell.

The house was too well soundproofed, all sounds became muffled. Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows silver lightning tore the night, the interior flashed like an overexposed film for an instant, then quickly sank into deeper darkness.

She was actually afraid of ghosts, and afraid of the dark.

Shi Qi rubbed her face, psyching herself up inside.

It's fine it's fine, this is Shang Sui's house, not a haunted house.

The owner of the house might just be sleeping.

But she always felt she was being stared at by a deep gaze, as if when she couldn't see, even through the wall, another person could accurately sense her position.

Even in a separate space, that person was following her at the same speed, slowly moving, unable to wait to meet her.

"Shang Sui, Shang Sui?" Shi Qi called while walking in, finally stopping at a door.

Confirming the Pheromone was strongest in this room, she hesitated a moment, pushed the door and walked in: "Are you awake?"

This time Shi Qi clearly heard faint metallic sounds, something dragging a Chain while walking.

As if... someone was originally standing in a corner, now following step for step behind her.

This association made Shi Qi's hair stand on end. A pair of hands reached out from behind, covering her mouth and nose!

Mm—!

Before Shi Qi could struggle, a slightly low, hoarse, sensually decadent voice laughed close to her:

"Darling, did you run out of my painting?"

Shi Qi's face was too small, almost completely covered by the Alpha's long-jointed large hand.

She opened her eyes wide when her mouth was covered, realizing who was behind her. Shi Qi's taut nerves suddenly went limp, almost a post-disaster exhaustion.

How is Shang Sui like a ghost!

In her panic Shi Qi accidentally threw out her phone and the bag with the Bite Inhibitor. She didn't notice that ambiguous address, only vaguely hearing the person behind mention painting, still shaken she said: "N-no..."

Her lips pressed tightly against Shang Sui's palm, the tip of her tongue accidentally licked the fine skin at the base of the finger.

This action seemed to stimulate the Alpha behind. Shang Sui paused a moment, slightly exerted force, firmly but not too hard pinching her cheek.

Shi Qi's eyes went hazy for a moment, quickly not daring to speak again.

Even knowing Shang Sui was the most dangerous presence in the whole house, her body betrayed her will, weakly gradually relaxing.

Smells so good.

Shang Sui smells so good.

"I thought I was dreaming." Shang Sui didn't mind at all being licked on the fingers, his tone slightly rising as he spoke, full of interest, revealing a heart-fluttering eeriness:

"To actually see you, I'm so happy."

The Pheromone concentration in the room was too high, Shi Qi quickly went weak in the legs.

The Alpha behind became her support, released the hands covering her face, instead locking her waist. Shi Qi's feet barely touched the ground, forced to move forward with him.

Shang Sui held her while turning on the light.

Caught off guard by the light, Shi Qi was stimulated to wet eyes, a tear slid down her cheek.

Shang Sui looked down at her, unblinking.

Shi Qi simultaneously raised her eyes, her heart suddenly missed a beat.

The Alpha's eye corners were tinged with rich pink, like blooming peach blossoms.

Shen Qianyu and Jiang Yoning said a pile of warnings, but no one told her Shang Sui was this beautiful during Sensitivity Period.

Even if he were a ghost, he'd be a gorgeous ghost.

Being stared at unblinkingly by Shang Sui, that obsessed gaze made Shi Qi have the illusion that the other would come lick the tear on her face.

What is she thinking?

Shang Sui isn't a dog.

Shi Qi shook her head, throwing out this strange thought.

After the light came on, Shi Qi finally roughly saw the surroundings.

The Art Studio was very spacious, with a sleeping rest area and independent bathroom. Not far from them was a covered painting. A stand held up the white canvas covering it, seemingly just completed.

Noticing Shi Qi's gaze, Shang Sui suddenly said: "It's my new painting. Do you want to see?"

Lifting the canvas, Shi Qi would see an angel imprisoned in flowers and a cage.

He tried to imagine what reaction Shi Qi might have, felt she probably wouldn't like the content of the painting. That would be surprise, fear, running out the door... whatever it was, as long as Shi Qi did it, it felt anticipatory.

If she chose to look.

He would press Shi Qi onto the painting and fuck her.

The paint wasn't dry yet, pressed on it, the fair body would more or less be stained with pigment,

Just thinking of Shi Qi crying, screaming for mercy, finally trembling all over showing a dazed expression, he couldn't suppress his excitement.

"Want to see?" He asked again, saying affectionately, "Very pretty, just like you."