Taunting

'No, I... you, that...!'

Jiang Yan was stuck for words, and seeing Shang Sui's patience about to run out, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from inside the apartment.

Shi Qi walked out of the innermost room, wearing a loose hoodie set.

His clothes were a light cream color, matching his hair perfectly. Seeing the hesitant Alpha, Shi Qi finally realized who had been ringing the doorbell: 'Jiang Yan?'

Seeing them blocking the doorway, Shi Qi asked, 'Aren't you coming in?'

Jiang Yan thought to himself, It's not that I don't want to come in, it's that your partner won't let me.

But the next second, Shang Sui hospitably said, 'Yeah, don't stand at the door. Come in and talk if you have something to say.'

Jiang Yan: '?'

Before he could marvel at Shang Sui's ability to change his face, Shi Qi noticed a patch on the back of his neck: 'What happened to your neck?'

Whether Omega or Alpha, this area is extremely important. Not to mention injury, they wouldn't even let anyone touch it normally.

Jiang Yan stammered, 'Uh, this...'

Shang Sui hadn't noticed his neck earlier, but now he raised an eyebrow slightly: 'You didn't actually get...?'

Shang Sui sniffed lightly. Although Jiang Yan had used a lot of Isolation Agent, he could still smell a faint, cold scent of guaiac wood.

It was Shen Qianyu's Pheromone.

Shang Sui actually felt a bit of sympathy for him now. Entering the living room, he poured Jiang Yan a glass of water.

'Spit it out,' Shang Sui said, uncharacteristically considerate. 'If necessary, I'll help you call the police.'

'I...'

Jiang Yan really didn't know where to start. Shi Qi thought it might be because he was there, so he took the initiative to stand up: 'I'll go play some games. You two talk.'

'No need, no need!' Jiang Yan waved his hand. 'It's actually not a big deal. I just got bitten by Shen Qianyu.'

'A marking, more like it,' Shang Sui added coldly.

Shi Qi's eyes widened as he finally understood where the injury on Jiang Yan's neck came from.

He tried to imagine the scene, comparing it to Jiang Yan's current disheveled state, and actually wanted to see it in person.

Jiang Yan said self-deprecatingly, 'I went home today, and as soon as I opened the door, I saw Shen Qianyu inside. I didn't realize he was in his Sensitivity Period, and then... that's what happened.'

Saying this, Jiang Yan felt a burning heat at the marked spot on the back of his neck.

Shi Qi was a bit surprised: 'He can just open your door?'

'Huh? What's wrong?'

Seeing that Jiang Yan didn't find it strange, Shi Qi guessed that maybe this was normal among close Alpha friends.

Shi Qi nodded: 'Nothing. Shang Sui and I are the same.'

Shang Sui laughed beside him, thinking Shi Qi really knew how to give an example—Jiang Yan's unlucky face had turned red.

Jiang Yan calmed down a bit and continued, 'I found a chance to tie Shen Qianyu up and then left the house. But he looked really off, he... he even cried in front of me.'

'I'm afraid something might happen to him, and I don't know how to face him, so I came to ask.'

The more Shi Qi listened, the more something felt off: 'He's in his Sensitivity Period, and you left your own house?'

'...'

Jiang Yan was suddenly struck by the realization. He thought, Yeah! That's my house! It should be Shen Qianyu who leaves!

Before he could sort out the logic, Shi Qi said sympathetically, 'You're really pitiful.'

Jiang Yan's mind went blank, and he almost heard 'You're super in love.'

Seeing that Shi Qi had unintentionally hit a sore spot and made Jiang Yan blush with just a few words, Shang Sui smiled and rubbed Shi Qi's head: 'You really know how to talk.'

Noticing Jiang Yan staring at him, Shang Sui dropped his amused expression and his smile faded: 'If you want, just leak the news that the vice director of Ningshan went crazy and bit an Alpha. After that, who would dare give important work to a mentally unstable doctor?'

'If you cause him enough trouble, he won't be able to bother you.'

Jiang Yan was stunned by his suggestion, and only after a long moment said, 'We've been friends for so many years...'

'You're not willing to cut ties with him, and you can't bear to cause him trouble. You're completely wrapped around his finger,' Shang Sui said leisurely. 'Since you can't stand seeing Shen Qianyu cry in front of you, I suggest you just sacrifice yourself for him.'

Jiang Yan opened his mouth, about to say something.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Jiang Yan had a feeling. He walked to the door in a few steps.

On the screen was the very Alpha he had described as 'crying and whining.'

The other party was well-dressed, wearing rimless glasses, and looked polite—if you ignored the sturdy Bite Inhibitor on his face, he didn't seem at all like he was in his Sensitivity Period.

Jiang Yan stared at the screen as if seeing a ghost, his voice trembling: 'Didn't I tie him up? I even wrapped three loops! ...No, I need to go hide!'

Shang Sui said simply, 'The walk-in closet.'

Thinking it might be easier for Shang Sui to talk to Shen Qianyu alone, Shi Qi stood up: 'Then I'll go with Jiang Yan.'

Once inside the walk-in closet, Jiang Yan held his head and didn't speak, like a golden retriever that had caused trouble, radiating a dejected aura.

Shi Qi couldn't help asking, 'Do you really not like Shen Qianyu?'

If he didn't care, why would he be so distressed?

'I don't know.'

Jiang Yan met Shi Qi's clear eyes, as if looking into a mirror, and murmured involuntarily, 'I used to think Shen Qianyu liked Shang Sui. The day he confessed to me, I was shocked for a long time.'

'?'

Shi Qi was equally shocked: 'Why?'

'I always thought they had a better relationship. Maybe because Shen Qianyu is Shang Sui's personal doctor? They seem to share a secret.'

Jiang Yan recalled, 'In high school, there was a Thunderstorm Day night when Shen Qianyu had a nightmare. I heard him call Shang Sui's name in his dream... He's always hated Thunderstorm Days.'

Huh?

Shi Qi was taken aback.

What a coincidence—both Shang Sui and Shen Qianyu hate Thunderstorm Days.

Jiang Yan snapped back to reality, realizing he had been talking nonsense in front of Shi Qi, and quickly tried to cover up: 'Don't tell Shang Sui, okay? Last time he scolded me and told me to get my brain checked to see if it stopped developing when I was ten.'

'If he finds out I've been babbling in front of you, he'll definitely kick me out.'

Shi Qi couldn't help laughing. Under Jiang Yan's nervous gaze, he nodded in agreement, then asked, 'Isn't Shang Sui pretty good-tempered? Why do you all think he's hard to get along with?'

'Good-tempered? He's just pretending to be good in front of you.'

At this, Jiang Yan clicked his tongue: 'You don't know—when you weren't here just now, he was talking so rudely. And he didn't even want to let me in.'

'Really?'

'Really.' Seeing Shi Qi's interest, Jiang Yan got animated. 'Let me tell you, Shang Sui used to be super aloof. He's like a different person now.'

'Now, except when he's in front of you, he sometimes still doesn't like to talk to people. Not replying to messages is routine...'

Jiang Yan rattled off many things. In his description, Shang Sui's image was somewhat similar to the person Shi Qi knew, yet completely different.

It was like seeing another side of Shang Sui, and Shi Qi listened with great interest.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

The person's voice came from outside: 'Jiang Yan? Shen Qianyu wants to talk to you. If you don't want to, I'll send him back—'

Shang Sui opened the door as he spoke. The two inside had been chatting animatedly, but the moment they saw him, they fell silent in perfect unison.

Noticing the smile still lingering at the corner of Shi Qi's lips, Shang Sui's gaze paused: 'What were you talking about, so happily?'

Shi Qi couldn't very well say they had been gossiping behind his back. He exchanged a glance with Jiang Yan and decisively shook his head.

Shang Sui's expression instantly cooled. He turned to the other person and said, 'Hey, take Jiang Yan away.'

Jiang Yan: '?'

Before Jiang Yan could protest having his choice taken away, Shen Qianyu came in, grabbed his wrist, and pulled him out.

The Sensitivity Period had left Shen Qianyu with little rationality left; he was barely holding on. Seeing Jiang Yan laughing and chatting with Shi Qi, a scene from a few days ago suddenly flashed through his mind—Jiang Yan, under family arrangements, going on a blind date with a strange Omega. At that time, Jiang Yan had also talked endlessly with that Omega, seeming like a perfect match.

That was the day he couldn't help confessing to Jiang Yan.

He tightly gripped Jiang Yan's wrist, ignoring the other's protests, and said to Shang Sui, 'Sorry for the intrusion today.'

Shang Sui smiled without warmth: 'No intrusion. Just keep him in line.'

Seeing Shen Qianyu dragging Jiang Yan out as if forcing him, Shi Qi couldn't help asking, 'Is Jiang Yan going to be okay?'

'You still have the leisure to worry about him?'

Shang Sui said softly, then his fingers climbed up the skin on Shi Qi's neck, forcing him to look at him: 'Baby, how could you keep a secret from me with someone else?'

He gave a not-too-gentle squeeze to the back of the Omega's neck, like a warning.

With his fragile, sensitive gland held in someone's hand, Shi Qi couldn't move. He involuntarily recalled Jiang Yan's complaints about Shang Sui's unpredictable temper, how he could be especially scary sometimes.

The next moment, Shang Sui leaned in again, acting spoiled: 'Finally, they're gone. They were so annoying. Let me hug you.'

Shi Qi had just heard Jiang Yan say a bunch of bad things about him, so he knew he was in the wrong and stayed still, feeling guilty.

Shang Sui's hand circled his slender waist, kneading at the side, and was rewarded with Shi Qi's breath hitching.

He lifted the hem of the hoodie, touched the silk pajamas underneath, and couldn't help laughing: 'Why are you wearing another layer?'

As if finding it fun to undress Shi Qi himself, Shang Sui was in high spirits. He bent one leg, pressing his knee onto the sofa, and his tall, sturdy frame covered Shi Qi.

The walk-in closet had a U-shaped layout with a sofa set in the center, and a full-length mirror was placed right in front of them.

Shi Qi was pressed into the sofa. From the mirror, he inadvertently saw Shang Sui pecking at his cheek, then slowly moving down to his neck.

The Alpha's sharp canine teeth pressed against him, the force increasing until the fair skin indented, then he gently sucked.

Not only did Shi Qi's neck gradually become marked with ambiguous red traces, but Shang Sui's lips also turned red from the friction, making one's heart race.

'Let's continue what we were interrupted from before.'

Hearing the voice full of desire by his ear, Jiang Yan's words suddenly flashed through Shi Qi's mind: Shang Sui pretends to be good in front of him.

Once he realized this possibility, Shi Qi felt an itch to test it. He couldn't help saying, 'It's too late now. How about we do it tomorrow?'

The Alpha paused in his actions and stared at him steadily.

Shi Qi deliberately said, 'I'm so tired. I've been reviewing every day lately. My brain is about to explode.'

As he spoke, he gently patted Shang Sui's shoulder, feigning sleepiness: 'Can we talk about it tomorrow? Okay?'

It was almost midnight, so it wasn't early indeed.

Shang Sui mentally cursed Jiang Yan and Shen Qianyu in turn. If it weren't for their interruption, he would have at least gotten his fingers inside by now, and then Shi Qi wouldn't have had a chance to feel sleepy.

But Shi Qi obediently let him hold him, softly saying he hadn't rested well lately, that he wanted to sleep with him, wanted his Pheromone company—this dependent look made Shang Sui reluctant to force him.

'Okay,' Shang Sui suppressed his irritation and answered gently. 'Then let's sleep.'

He gave Shi Qi one last kiss, still wanting more, and said, 'I'll go take a shower. You go to bed first.'

Seeing him actually leave, Shi Qi couldn't help curling his lips, thinking Shang Sui was quite obedient.

With that, his urge to tease him became completely unstoppable.

On the night they confirmed their relationship, he had been unconscious and hadn't seen what Shang Sui looked like naked, but the other had seen all of him. He had to get even, right?

With that thought, Shi Qi waited in the walk-in closet for a while. Estimating the time, he slipped on his slippers and headed toward the bathroom.

He pushed the door open directly, ignoring the reaction of the person inside, and announced bluntly, 'I left something in the bathroom. I'm coming in to look for it.'

As he spoke, he sneaked a glance at Shang Sui.

The bathroom was filled with mist, making everything look hazy and soft. The person inside looked up at him, water droplets wetting the hair on his forehead, and those slightly upturned eyes exuded a strong sense of aggression.

The more Shi Qi looked, the hotter his face became. The prank he had planned earlier turned into a mess in his mind, and he instinctively wanted to run away.

Shang Sui's eyes flickered. Seeing Shi Qi like this, he quickly realized that the other had been playing with him all along.

He softened his voice, like a spider weaving its web: 'Xiao Qi isn't tired now?'

Shi Qi fell for it without thinking: 'Not tired. I'm full of energy.'

Shang Sui didn't hold back this time: 'Then come here.'

Shi Qi's whole body trembled, and his limbs became unresponsive.

It took him a beat to realize that Shang Sui had used Mind Manipulation on him.

Like a little robot receiving a command, Shi Qi walked step by step deeper into the bathroom. His hoodie set had been taken off by Shang Sui earlier, leaving only the thin nightgown that reached his thighs, which quickly got splashed with water.

His body wouldn't obey him, leaving only his eyes free to wander.

Shi Qi's gaze swept over the Alpha's powerful physique, from his broad, straight shoulders, solid chest, to his firm, defined abdomen, and then downward...

Shi Qi stared blankly for a long time, making sure he wasn't seeing things.

An image he had only ever seen in textbooks suddenly crashed into his view, far exceeding the average he remembered.

Although he had been somewhat prepared, nothing compared to the impact of seeing it directly.

While he was still dazed, Shang Sui stepped away from the showerhead and walked up to Shi Qi.

His wet fingers pushed back the hair covering his eyes, making his sharp features even clearer, and then he reached out to lift Shi Qi's chin.

Shi Qi smelled the scent of water lilies on his fingers. It was clearly the fragrance of a very elegant body wash, but it made Shi Qi dizzy.

Shang Sui suddenly asked, 'What are you looking for? I'll help you.'

The misty sound of water in the bathroom hadn't stopped, and Shi Qi's heartbeat was getting faster and faster.

'Looking for something...? Oh, right... I'm looking for...'

He only then remembered the excuse he had casually made, but his brain was like a machine rusted by the mist. He stammered for a long time and couldn't even make up a simple excuse.

Shi Qi felt dizzy and looked up at Shang Sui's face.

Kiss him. Kiss him.

It was as if a seductive voice was whispering in his ear.

Shi Qi could no longer control himself. He threw the excuse he couldn't come up with to the back of his mind, stood on tiptoe, and tilted his head to touch the Alpha's lips.

The moment their lips met, the sweetness of honey enveloped his senses. Shi Qi couldn't help tentatively licking, but Shang Sui didn't respond for a long time.

It was Shang Sui who used Mind Manipulation first, so why was he the only one putting in the effort?

Shi Qi was a bit dissatisfied and bit his lip, not understanding why he wasn't responding.

Shang Sui didn't move at all. After a moment, he suddenly said, 'I think you're just asking to be fucked.'

Shi Qi didn't expect him to be so crude. For a moment, he was dumbfounded, his face turning red as he couldn't get a word out.

How could Shang Sui... how could he suddenly say that! He hadn't done anything, had he?

Seeing his pitiful expression, Shang Sui instead curved his eyes. The cold and domineering look from before disappeared from his face, and he laughed especially happily.

Shi Qi came back to his senses and felt very wronged: 'Wasn't it you who used Mind Manipulation on me? It's not like I wanted to kiss you.'

As if hearing something amusing, the smile in Shang Sui's eyes deepened: 'You think I used Mind Manipulation on you?'

'Otherwise?'

'No, I didn't. I didn't do anything just now.'

Shi Qi stood frozen.

He looked again and again, meeting Shang Sui's frank face. His intuition told him the other wasn't lying.

Then that whole series of actions he just did...?

Shi Qi felt deeply embarrassed and turned to leave, but Shang Sui grabbed his arm.

Settling old and new scores together, Shang Sui pulled him back, patted the Omega's flushed face, and exposed Shi Qi's supposedly hidden move: 'And where were you looking the moment you came in?'

'...'

'Pervert.'

Teased repeatedly by Shang Sui, Shi Qi was humiliated into anger and gave up all pretense: 'Yes, I wanted to kiss you. Can't I?'

'What's wrong with me taking a look? Every part of your body is mine. I can do whatever I want—'

Before he could finish his unilateral declaration, Shang Sui reached around his lower back and lifted him up directly.

Through the thin nightgown, he could clearly feel the other person's warmth. Shi Qi heard Shang Sui's half-coerced questioning:

'What exactly do you want to do?'

The person who had been so aggressive just now seemed to hit a pause button. Shi Qi fell silent again.

Shang Sui patted him in encouragement.

Shi Qi stiffened his legs and finally forced himself to be honest: '...I want to do what we were doing before.'