Art Show

When Shang Sui woke, Shi Qi was still asleep.

A thin sliver of light filtered through the curtains and fell onto Shi Qi’s face. Sensing the light in his dream, Shi Qi tucked himself into Shang Sui’s embrace as if to hide.

The Omega radiated a faint scent of Lily of the Valley, as clean and gentle as its sleeping owner. His fluffy, platinum-blonde hair was haloed in light, and even his long, curled eyelashes seemed dusted with gold.

Waking to find Shi Qi clinging to his neck in dependency, Shang Sui felt his lips curve upward before he even realized it.

He watched Shi Qi without moving for a long time. His heart grew soft with every steady, shallow breath the other took, eventually melting into a pool of water, filled with an indescribable sense of happiness.

Such intimacy was a scene he had never dared to covet in the past, not even in his dreams.

If he didn’t have work scheduled, he could have sat there watching Shi Qi until he woke up.

When he first joined the Meiyan Academy as a teaching assistant, he hadn’t known how long he would stay in the Capital City, so he had only signed a temporary contract. Recently, Xie Professor had asked if he intended to take a long-term position in the new year.

Having Shang Sui as a teaching assistant was really overqualified. Xie Professor tentatively asked if he had any intention of formally joining the School as faculty, but knew in his heart that Meiyan Academy couldn't keep him — Shang Sui would most likely leave.

As expected, Shang Sui had not agreed.

But thinking that Shi Qi still had two years before graduating from A University, he had declined the offer while asking if he could remain a teaching assistant for two more years. Xie Professor was overjoyed and told him to come in this morning to handle the paperwork.

Seemingly afraid he might change his mind, Xie Professor had been sending messages to urge him on, even though it wasn’t yet the agreed-upon time:

[Xiao Sui, have you left yet? Where are you?]

Xie Professor and Yu Wan had been close friends for years, and he had always been very kind to Shang Sui in private.

Shang Sui replied that he would be there shortly, then gently cradled Shi Qi’s face as he shifted away, inch by inch.

Shi Qi muttered discontentedly in his sleep: 'Don’t go...'

Shang Sui froze for a moment, only then confirming what he had said. He had been on the verge of leaving, but that single sentence nailed him to the spot.

He began to seriously consider the feasibility of blowing off his appointment. The excuse could be that his cat at home was too clingy and he couldn’t bear to go to work...?

Thinking of this, Shang Sui chuckled to himself.

He climbed out of bed on tiptoe and tucked a pillow against Shi Qi. Knowing the other couldn’t hear him, he still softened his voice to coax him: 'Be good, sleep a little longer.'

Entering the bathroom, he couldn’t help but think of what had happened there last night.

Toward the end, Shi Qi had seemed a bit frightened, crying out for him to stop, yet he had stared at him with such obsession, his large, bright eyes clouded with mist.

Being looked at that way made Shang Sui feel as if he were being electrocuted; it was almost as if he had entered his own Sensitivity Period.

Unsure if Shi Qi truly wanted him to go all the way, he could only choose to hold back, doing much the same as before.

It was said that when a high Compatibility Index Alpha and Omega engaged in intimacy, their bodies would naturally remember the sensation. Even with edge play, one would eventually become addicted over time.

Logically speaking, his Sensitivity Period made him immune to Pheromone influence, and he hadn't gone too far with Shi Qi either.

But his body seemed to have developed a taste for it; at the slightest reaction from Shi Qi, he would become so excited he lost his bearings.

Shang Sui thought distractedly, his mind involuntarily conjuring the image of Shi Qi lying in his arms, legs trembling and taut.

The Omega’s pheromones had overflowed like a tide, his sounds of pleasure fragmented and uncontrollable.

If it were truly addictive...

He would wait until Shi Qi grew to like this feeling and had fully adapted to it.

The sun was high when Shi Qi finally opened his eyes, slow and languid.

He was exhausted, having slept exceptionally well. Half-awake, he reached out instinctively, but the space beside him was empty; he touched only a pillow.

He remembered, a beat too late, that Shang Sui had said he had things to do.

Once fully awake, Shi Qi got out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Water trickled into the basin. Halfway through washing his face, his cheeks grew increasingly hot.

Last night, he had been too stimulated to think clearly, crying out 'yes' and 'no' indiscriminately. Shang Sui seemed to have misunderstood his intent and hadn’t continued.

By the time Shi Qi realized, he was too embarrassed to bring it up himself.

But if they were to go all the way...

That wouldn’t be impossible.

He liked the kissing and the touching. He had thought that was the most pleasurable it could get, but deeper contact brought an entirely different experience. It was equally addictive.

After washing up, Shi Qi saw a message from Jiang Yoning.

Jiang Yoning: [Hello, hello! Your package has been at the house for a long time.]

Jiang Yoning: [Do you want me to mail it to you?]

Only then did Shi Qi remember the Couple's Chain he had bought. He had intended it as a confession gift for Shang Sui, but a series of events had made him forget about it.

Just as Shi Qi was about to provide his address, Jiang Yoning added: [By the way, I saw the post Qin Shuhe forwarded. Is he volunteering for the Art Exhibition next week?]

Shi Qi thought about it; that did seem to be the case.

[Your sister-in-law is going too. Several of the works on display are by a painter she likes, that S-something.]

Jiang Yoning rambled on: [She was so surprised when she saw it. She said the artist only does solo exhibitions, and this is the first time they’ve participated in such a comprehensive International Art Festival. She’s been in low spirits since her mentor passed away, so it’s rare to find something she’s interested in. I’ll be accompanying her.]

[Do you want to come over? If you do, I’ll just bring your package with me.]

Shi Qi remembered that Shang Sui was also participating; he had previously seen him remotely confirming lighting arrangements on his phone.

He wanted to see Shang Sui’s paintings, so he agreed quickly.

17: [Okay, thank you, sister.]

-

The exhibition was located at the Ningshan Lake Art Center. The two pavilions represented 'Polar Day' and 'Polar Night,' with an Underwater Corridor in between acting as a link, symbolizing the transition of day and night.

The event was initiated by a well-known International Art Festival and carried out in conjunction with the Meiyan Academy. On the first day, the crowds were surging, and visitors drawn by its reputation were endless.

The exhibition hall was well-heated. Shi Qi tugged at the Pearl Ornament Chain hidden under his shirt, feeling somewhat unaccustomed to it.

He was wearing a ruffled shirt with a ribbon tie at the nape of his neck, exposing a small patch of porcelain-delicate skin on his back. The back chain hung down from his neck, and a string of pearls of varying sizes was visible through the cutout in his back.

Paired with his light-colored hair, he looked like an elf who had stepped out of a painting.

Along the way, several Photographers had already mistaken Shi Qi for a model or blogger there to take photos and asked if they could take his picture; Shi Qi refused them one by one.

Yet the person who had dressed him this way was uncharacteristically low-key today, wearing only a simple white shirt and wide-leg trousers.

Before leaving, Shang Sui had suddenly said he wanted to change Shi Qi’s clothes. Shi Qi hadn’t thought much of it, assuming he would just pick a brightly colored hoodie. It was only when the other pulled the Pearl Back Chain from the jewelry cabinet that he felt something was slightly off.

Shang Sui had fastened the complex, butterfly-wing-like back chain on him and slowly adjusted it to the perfect position.

Throughout the process, Shang Sui kept telling him he looked beautiful. Shi Qi had been coaxed into a daze, losing himself in the 'pretty' and 'baby' compliments.

Seeing that the shirt Shang Sui picked for him was also white, Shi Qi hadn’t thought much of it, but after putting it on, he realized the back was designed with a clever cutout, perfectly revealing the back chain.

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried more exaggerated outfits when working as a part-time model, but he rarely wore anything like this in private; he felt as if he could go straight to a photoshoot.

Fortunately, many people at the Art Show had dressed elaborately, so he wasn't considered over-the-top among them.

Refusing a Photographer for the umpteenth time, Shi Qi finally couldn’t help but ask: 'Why aren’t you dressed like you usually are? You did this on purpose, didn’t you?'

'Mm, on purpose.' Shang Sui held his hand and answered with a smile. 'We’re meeting your sister today, aren’t we? I thought about it, and this looks more like a serious person, so I can leave a reliable impression on her.'

Shi Qi thought to himself that with that face of his, he would never be associated with being honest and upright in this lifetime; he might as well have just been himself.

On second thought, the fact that Shang Sui had abandoned his usual pile of gaudy junk was clearly his way of showing the utmost sincerity for the meeting. Shi Qi thought it through and came up with a note of caution:

'Just a heads-up, you’re the same age as her. Calling her "sister" makes you seem very unserious.'

Unexpectedly, Shang Sui studied him for a moment, his attention entirely on something else.

'Now that you mention it,' Shang Sui said with great interest, 'Xiao Qi, call me gege.'

'...'

Shi Qi pretended not to hear him and pulled him forward: 'Where are your paintings?'

Shang Sui had no intention of letting him go and deliberately stood his ground, unmoving.

Seeing Shang Sui playing deaf and dumb, Shi Qi was just about to roll up his sleeves and drag him forward when a voice suddenly cut in: 'Xiao Sui?'

Shi Qi looked up and saw a gentleman with a kind face and proper attire.

Xie Professor saw the intimate behavior between Shang Sui and Shi Qi: 'Who is this beside you...?'

Shang Sui dropped his playful demeanor and introduced him to Xie Professor: 'This is my boyfriend, I’ve mentioned him to you before.'

Shi Qi quickly stood straight, thinking to himself that it was a good thing he hadn’t started dragging him yet.

He smiled politely: 'Hello, I’m Shi Qi.'

'Hello, hello. Xiao Shi, right? I’ve heard him mention you many times.' Seeing how exceptionally well-behaved he looked, Xie Professor added with a smile, 'I know you’re good friends with Qin Shuhe as well.'

Xie Professor was kind-faced and immediately complimented Shi Qi’s outfit, saying it particularly suited his temperament. It made Shi Qi feel quite shy.

Finally, Xie Professor said to Shang Sui: 'Since you’re here, let me introduce you to a few people.'

He asked for Shi Qi’s opinion with a cheerful expression: 'I’m going to borrow him for a little while, you don’t mind, do you?'

Shi Qi shook his head: 'I don’t mind. Go ahead.'

Before leaving, Shang Sui whispered to Shi Qi: 'You go look around on your own first. I’ll come find you when I’m done.'

After they left, Shi Qi followed the corridor forward.

The Polar Day Gallery where he stood featured mainly installation art and paintings. Walking along, he was surrounded by tourists there specifically for photos, Photographers, and professionals in the industry.

Except for necessary social occasions, Shi Qi rarely went to art museums or galleries.

Lin Yan’s family owned an art museum, and Qin Shuhe studied oil painting, so his friends were all more or less involved in the field, but Shi Qi had never had any interest in it.

It wasn’t until Shang Sui appeared that he felt for the first time that painting was brilliant and colorful, as if he could see another world through the artist’s brushstrokes.

He didn’t know if it was because Shang Sui was just that good, or if he was simply biased.

He browsed casually, not stopping until he reached the end of the gallery.

At the end of this corridor stood three paintings, clearly from the same artist. His work occupied a separate space in the gallery. The spotlights on the pure white dome were cleverly connected into a curtain of light, which, combined with the light strips hidden within the deep blue walls, made it seem as if one were seeing daylight pouring down from the depths of the ocean.

Most artists used their real names, but this one’s signature was quite unique: a simple 'Ss,' the side-by-side English letters looking like the wings of a butterfly.

How was it exactly the same as Shang Sui’s WeChat name?

For a work to be exhibited individually at an event of this caliber, the artist had to be quite famous.

It wasn’t that he didn’t think Shang Sui was worthy of fame, but if it really was Shang Sui, why would he be willing to be a plain old teaching assistant at the Meiyan Academy? And he had never mentioned it before, either.

On second thought, he didn’t seem to have asked.

With doubts in his heart, Shi Qi’s gaze swept over the paintings on the wall. The first two depicted a person teetering in the rain and a sunrise in a valley. The scenes were as lonely as the apocalypse, yet they exuded a strong vitality, like a cluster of flames that had suddenly burst forth.

This style...

The more he looked, the more it resembled Shang Sui.

Shi Qi’s gaze fell, without him realizing it, on the final painting.

Compared to the other two, the use of color here was less bold, and the lines were slightly more tentative, as if it were an early work, yet it was still filled with a unique contrast of light and shadow and a dramatic atmosphere.

An angel landed on a windowsill, while a monster hid in the corner of the room, peeking.

The angel was bathed in a holy halo, while the 'monster' was an irregular geometric shape. Fluorescent-colored filth flowed from its body, and even through the canvas, it felt as if one could hear its shrill scream.

Beauty and ugliness were presented in the same scene, forming two extremes.

'The outside world generally believes the monster is waiting for an opportunity to devour the angel,' a familiar voice came from behind. 'What do you think, Xiao Qi? How is this painting?'

Shi Qi turned his head and saw Shang Sui appearing behind him.

He often walked without a sound. Shi Qi had been startled by him several times at home and was already getting used to his stealthy appearances.

Shi Qi turned his gaze back to the painting.

Even though he knew very little about art, a sour, indescribable emotion began to well up in his heart.

His thoughts were completely different from others. Shi Qi hesitated for a moment before speaking his most honest feelings:

'I think... he is looking up at the angel with great care, as if he has met someone he truly cherishes.'

Shang Sui was silent for a long time before saying softly: 'I rarely hear such an evaluation.'

Before Shi Qi could figure out the meaning of those words, Shang Sui asked again: 'Then do you hate this painting?'

'No,' Shi Qi said. 'I like it very much.'

How strange.

For a moment, he felt, for no reason at all, that this painting should belong to him.

Hearing his answer, Shang Sui’s eyes flickered; he couldn’t describe the taste in his heart.

He had clearly been so certain when talking to Shen Qianyu earlier—that being together was enough and that clinging to the past was meaningless—but when the right opportunity presented itself, he couldn’t help but test the waters quietly.

He had been prepared, so seeing that Shi Qi had no recollection of this painting, he couldn’t say he was too disappointed.

Moreover, the fact that Shi Qi could accurately guess his thoughts even after forgetting the past gave him a wonderful feeling, as if they shared a tacit understanding. But this meager joy was quickly replaced by other emotions.

Various thoughts raced through his mind. Realizing he had been distracted for too long and that Shi Qi had already started staring at him, Shang Sui suddenly changed the subject: 'Are you really not going to call me that? Even Jiang Yan calls me that often.'

'What?'

'Gege.'

Shi Qi was stunned, wondering if he could be considered to have taken advantage of Shang Sui.

Seeing Shi Qi’s unnatural expression, Shang Sui was intrigued, thinking that they had clearly done more intimate things, yet Shi Qi was still embarrassed by a mere term of address.

He pushed his luck: 'I dream of hearing you call me gege. How about I say it once, and you say it once? That’s fair, right?'

Before Shi Qi could react, Shang Sui took the lead and called out sweetly: 'Gege—'

Another couple walked in at that moment.

Jiang Yoning and Li Zhao were walking together when they caught someone acting spoiled, and it looked like an Alpha at that; they couldn’t help but frown.

They always said art galleries were good places for dating, but along the way, they had seen several overly clingy couples, and some even hugging and kissing for no reason in public—they didn’t know how to exercise any restraint.

Thinking that the works of the artist Li Zhao had been longing for were here, Jiang Yoning hadn’t even seen the person clearly yet when she couldn’t help but be sarcastic: 'Do you even know what the artist meant? Can you not just have "gege" and "didi" on your mind?'

This aggressive female voice made Shi Qi freeze for a moment before he turned his head.

Shang Sui was a bit confused, thinking, *Aren’t these my paintings?* But he maintained his smile.

Jiang Yoning had never imagined that Shi Qi would be dressed like this. Even though she felt this person’s back looked very similar to her younger brother’s, seeing him turn around, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

Shi Qi greeted her first: 'Sister.'

'...'

Thinking of how he had been flirting with Shi Qi right in front of her, Shang Sui was quiet for a moment, feeling that his white shirt today had likely been worn in vain.

He put on a smile, pretending nothing had happened: 'Hello, sister.'