Love Sage

The words were out before Shang Sui realized.

No, he shouldn't have followed along and called her that.

Sure enough, Jiang Yoning let out a cold laugh. 'Who's your sister?'

Shi Qi tried to salvage the situation. 'Sister—'

Turning to him, Jiang Yoning's tone softened. 'Xiao Qi, don't worry about it. This is between me and your boyfriend.'

After saying that, she turned her face back and looked Shang Sui up and down.

Unlike in the photo Shi Qi had sent last time, today he looked slightly less flamboyant. But combined with his earlier behavior, the first impression he gave was still frivolous.

The more Jiang Yoning looked, the more dissatisfied she became. 'How old are you?'

Shang Sui hesitated over whether to give his nominal or actual age, finally opting for the younger one. 'Twenty-three.'

'What month?'

'...March.'

'So you'll be twenty-four soon?' Jiang Yoning was merciless. 'You're older than me.'

Shang Sui figured if he called her 'little sister' now, he'd probably never set foot in Shi Qi's house for the rest of his life.

He could only let that slide and said politely, 'My apologies, I spoke without thinking just now.'

'You're three years older than our Xiao Qi,' Jiang Yoning had no intention of letting him off. 'Yet you pestered him to call you "gege." Aren't you ashamed?'

'...'

Seeing Shang Sui at a loss for words, Shi Qi stepped forward, shielding him behind herself. 'We were just fooling around.'

A flash of inspiration struck her, and she took all the blame. 'Actually, I forced him. It's my... quirk.'

Shang Sui was moved. 'Xiao Qi...'

Shi Qi quickly got into character. 'No respect for your elders. What should you call me?'

Even Shang Sui was speechless for a moment. '...Gege.'

Jiang Yoning: '?'

Shi Qi gave a stiff nod, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be contained.

The chance to openly take advantage of Shang Sui like this didn't come often.

Even though Shi Qi returned to her usual expressionless state the next second, Jiang Yoning had already keenly caught the change.

She knew her too well, saw that this kid was secretly delighted, and guessed that the earlier explanation was probably just to fool her.

'You picked out Xiao Qi's clothes?' Jiang Yoning looked at Shang Sui, her tone ambiguous. 'Dressing up my brother like this...'

Afraid of making another mistake, Shang Sui only nodded cautiously.

But Jiang Yoning abruptly changed tack. 'You have pretty good taste.'

Her eyes lit up as she looked at Shi Qi, praising sincerely, 'Baby, you look so pretty today, like a little figurine!'

This Alpha was a bit frivolous, but Shi Qi's liking him was what mattered most.

It had been years since she'd seen Shi Qi dressed up so exquisitely. The simple, sharp black-and-white styles in her closet weren't unsuitable; they suited her temperament well. But Jiang Yoning still wished Shi Qi could change styles occasionally, wear some color, look pretty.

She and Shi An couldn't persuade Shi Qi, but Shang Sui could.

Plus, the other party's aesthetic sense was quite good. For that alone, she found Shang Sui much more agreeable.

The more Jiang Yoning looked, the happier she got. She couldn't help but ruffle Shi Qi's hair, remembering the happy days of tricking her into wearing dresses as a child. 'Have your sister-in-law take a few photos of you later. Xiao An's dad will definitely be happy to see them.'

Li Zhao, who hadn't spoken until now, smiled. 'I think so too. Xiao Qi looks especially good like this.'

As she spoke, she looked at them. 'Are you also here to see S's works?'

'Sort of,' Shang Sui said. 'Xiao Qi wanted to see my paintings.'

Shi Qi had already mostly guessed, so hearing him say it out loud wasn't too surprising.

But Jiang Yoning froze on the spot. 'Huh? Who are you??'

Wait.

So her opening line about whether they knew what the artist was thinking... she'd been teaching the artist himself how to interpret his own work?

Rarely embarrassed, Jiang Yoning nudged Shi Qi secretly. 'Hey, how could you hide something this big from your sister.'

Shi Qi nudged her back just as secretly. 'I just found out too.'

Jiang Yoning: '...'

Jiang Yoning: 'Is your boyfriend an onion? How many secrets does he have.'

The metaphor was particularly vivid. It seemed like every so often, Shang Sui would reveal another secret.

But Shi Qi's acceptance level was high. She said indifferently, 'It's not a big deal.'

Jiang Yoning was exasperated. 'Family background isn't a big deal, career isn't a big deal. Then tell me, what *is* a big deal?'

Shi Qi: 'Face.'

Jiang Yoning: '...'

Completely unable to refute that.

While the siblings were whispering, Li Zhao took the initiative to speak to Shang Sui. 'This might sound presumptuous, but ever since I saw that painting 'Night Rain' three years ago, your work has deeply moved me.'

Out of professional habit, she always carried recording tools. Li Zhao took out a pen and specifically flipped to a handmade journal. 'Could I ask for your signature?'

She turned to a page with a printed 4-inch photo pasted on it, decorated with stamps and commemorative badges.

'When I was covering news in Europe, I heard several art galleries there had collected your works. I made a special trip to take photos.'

As she spoke, Shang Sui met her gaze.

His senses were sharper than most. He'd vaguely felt someone observing him earlier, back when she didn't know who he was. Logically, Li Zhao had no reason to keep staring at him.

Talking up close, the sense of incongruity grew stronger.

Beyond the admiration Li Zhao spoke of, there seemed to be... an unconcealable shock?

Feeling slightly strange, Shang Sui still smiled politely. 'You're too kind. No need for formal titles.'

Seeing him choose the most suitable spot to sign, Li Zhao treasured the journal as she put it away. 'Alright, thank you.'

After they finished speaking, Jiang Yoning stepped forward.

Shi Qi had always kept Shang Sui hidden from them. Now that she'd finally caught the opportunity, she wanted to test him further, see what he was really like.

Jiang Yoning said at the right moment, 'Since we've run into each other, why don't we all have a meal together?'

-

Before leaving the exhibition hall, Shi Qi's gaze swept over the painting of the angel and monster one last time, feeling unexpectedly reluctant.

Noticing her line of sight, Shang Sui asked, 'You like this painting a lot?'

Shi Qi made an affirmative sound. 'Will it stay here forever?'

That way, she could come see it again later.

'After the exhibition ends, the organizers will send it back.'

Shang Sui withdrew his gaze from the painting and looked at her quietly. After a moment, he said, 'If you like it, I can give it to you.'

'Really?' Shi Qi's eyes lit up with delight. 'For me?'

'Don't lose it.'

'I won't. I'll keep it safe.' Shi Qi added, 'And I can keep it at your place. Then it definitely won't get lost.'

A moment later, Shang Sui gave a soft agreement.

Considering Shi Qi didn't like spicy food, they finally chose a nearby Huaiyang cuisine restaurant.

Qin Shuhe had been volunteering at the exhibition today and happened to be off work. Shi Qi called him to join them for the meal.

The moment he saw her, Qin Shuhe covered his eyes. 'Oh, my heavens! Which piece of art from our exhibition hall escaped without being properly secured?'

Shi Qi: '?'

Shi Qi: 'No translated-dub speech patterns with me.'

Qin Shuhe was momentarily choked, then laughed again. 'I heard from my colleagues there was an Omega in the Daylight Pavilion who was beautiful as a celestial being, platinum hair. I guessed it might be you.'

'So why is Your Majesty dressed like this today? An incognito inspection?' Qin Shuhe was very amused. 'Wasn't your life motto "coolness"?'

Shi Qi lifted her chin, gesturing to the person beside her. 'Shang Sui picked it.'

Qin Shuhe gave a thumbs up. 'The Empress has excellent taste.'

At this point, he looked at Shang Sui, complaining half-jokingly. 'Bro, you're way too low-key!'

'I always thought your WeChat name was because you also liked S, but it turns out you *are* S! I'm not responsible for the painting section, only heard about it from colleagues chatting today. My jaw nearly hit the floor! Too distant, bro! Keeping it from ordinary people is one thing, but we've known each other for so long...'

With Qin Shuhe around, there was no need to worry about awkward silences.

He rattled on a bunch, and everyone laughed. Jiang Yoning seized the chance. 'Exactly! Why be so low-key!'

She still remembered the earlier incident and cleared her throat. 'About that... sorry about before. I really didn't expect someone so young to be so accomplished.'

Shang Sui's motto for the day was that every mistake was his own. 'It's fine. I was the one who spoke too presumptuously.'

Seeing this, Jiang Yoning nodded inwardly, silently raising her impression score of him.

After everyone ordered, Shi Qi went to the restroom and happened to run into Li Zhao at the sink on her way out.

Li Zhao and Jiang Yoning had been together for three years. Due to the nature of her work, they spent little time together, but their relationship was very stable.

Li Zhao had been to many places, deep into war-torn countries, interviewed tribes in primitive jungles. During Carnival in Brazil, a shooting occurred just a few hundred meters from her. Jiang Yoning was so scared she couldn't sleep for a day and a night. Her first words upon contacting Li Zhao were 'Thank heavens, you're lucky to be alive.'

In Shi Qi's impression, she was a gentle yet very resolute person.

Li Zhao smiled at her and suddenly said, 'By the way, Xiao Qi, I'm working on a special feature recently. Can I ask you some questions? Just for material collection.'

Shi Qi made an affirmative sound. 'What's the feature about?'

'Special Sensitivity Period.'

A flicker of surprise passed through Shi Qi's eyes. Li Zhao continued, 'I wanted to ask your opinion on Special Sensitivity Periods. Most people avoid them, always considering them unstable factors in society. A small minority think Special Sensitivity Periods are superior, having truly transcended ABO gender. They themselves aren't affected by pheromones, but can influence others in turn.'

Because of Shang Sui, compared to the average person, she understood much more about Special Sensitivity Periods.

'No particular opinion,' Shi Qi said honestly. 'I see the person first, then the Special Sensitivity Period.'

'People are independent individuals. I don't like labeling people or overgeneralizing.'

Shi Qi thought about how to describe it best and finally chose an example. 'If it's a friend, even after learning about their Special Sensitivity Period, they're still my friend. The same goes for other relationships.'

'I see...' Li Zhao seemed thoughtful. 'In my impression, very few people think that way.'

Shi Qi's heart skipped a beat, her thoughts thrown off for half a second.

She wasn't sure if her performance was natural enough. At this stage, she hadn't planned to let her family know about Shang Sui's difference. Even if she might confess later, it would have to be under Shang Sui's own volition.

Li Zhao was smart. Afraid she'd notice something off, Shi Qi took the initiative to ask, 'What about you, Xiao Li sister?'

She was taken aback, then thought seriously for a long time.

'My thoughts are similar to yours. I also think you can't define an entire group based on the behavior of some individuals. Even statistically speaking, 70% of Special Sensitivity Periods are innocent victims caught up in it.'

'But if I encountered a Special Sensitivity Period, I don't know if I could truly treat them with a normal heart.' Li Zhao, knowing Shi Qi was always sincere, looked at her with admiration. 'For Xiao Qi to say this without hesitation is, in my view, very brave.'

Hearing this, Shi Qi breathed a sigh of relief.

Her earlier performance was probably fine?

Li Zhao paused briefly, then added, 'Do you know about the serial murder case that happened in Haicheng ten years ago? A Special Sensitivity Period Alpha disguised as a Beta. The killer had a fetish for torture, would cut off the victim's ten fingers while they were still alive.'

'The case lasted two years, with a total of seven victims. It wasn't officially closed until eight years ago.'

Shi Qi nodded. 'I've heard of that case.'

Most of her knowledge about it came from a horror game Qin Shuhe had recommended. The game itself changed the setting to a school background; all characters and plots were unrelated to reality. Only one element came from rumors about the Haicheng Serial Killings:

Back then, there were vague, unsubstantiated rumors that the killer could use mind manipulation on the victims, which was how he managed to torture and kill so many people.

Because it was too fantastical and was never confirmed later, not many people believed it.

The game development team borrowed this point but also specifically noted that it was purely fictional and unrelated to reality.

'This case caused a huge sensation at the time and is still brought up from time to time. You could say that because of that serial killer back then, the situation for Special Sensitivity Period Alphas became even more difficult.'

After saying this, Li Zhao explained, 'The special feature I'm doing is related to that case.'

Shi Qi understood. 'So that's it.'

When they returned to the private room, it was already a scene of lively commotion.

Jiang Yoning and Shang Sui sat facing each other across the round table, with Qin Shuhe in the middle. There were two bottles of red wine on the table and a case of beer on the floor.

Seeing Li Zhao sit down beside her, Jiang Yoning leaned over, nuzzling against her. 'What took so long? Touching up your makeup?'

'Ran into Xiao Qi, chatted for a bit.'

Jiang Yoning made an 'oh' sound, her cheeks slightly flushed, eyes bright.

Shi Qi was very familiar with this look of hers. Whenever she drank a bit too much, she'd get this enthusiastic expression.

'I just asked him...' Jiang Yoning gestured toward Shang Sui. 'You knew each other before, but all these years no one ever mentioned it, like you never had any contact.'

'He said it's fine not to be in contact. It's okay if you forgot. He remembers.'

Shi Qi froze for a moment.

When they first pretended to be a couple, to make the family believe it, she and Shang Sui had indeed fabricated a backstory.

She'd almost forgotten about that. Good thing Shang Sui hadn't slipped up.

The moment Shi Qi entered, Shang Sui's gaze landed on her alone. His eyes shimmered as he smiled at her. 'Come here.'

'Buddy, you're a real Love Sage.'

As she spoke, Jiang Yoning pinned up her long silver hair, then picked up her glass again. 'I'm almost impressed by you—come on, drink!'

Shang Sui and Jiang Yoning clinked glasses across the table.

Shi Qi saw him prop his cheek with one hand after drinking, looking not quite sober, and couldn't help asking, 'Why are you drinking so much?'

Not only a lot, but mixing drinks too. As if aiming to get drunk.

'...Hmm?'

Shang Sui responded belatedly. 'It's fine. Not much.'

Qin Shuhe leaned close to Shi Qi's ear and whispered, 'Yoning sister said she wants to get my brother drunk. Character shows when drunk. She plans to get him to spill his bank card password tonight.'

'With it put that way, my brother had no choice but to oblige.'

Shi Qi: '...'

It had to be said, it was very much Jiang Yoning's style.

In stark contrast to Shi Qi, Jiang Yoning never got drunk.

The more she drank, the clearer-headed she became. She suddenly remembered something. 'About that Yu Zhiling matter, I never got the chance to thank you.'

'It was only right,' Shang Sui said. 'Not a big deal.'

Both being Alphas, hearing him say that, Jiang Yoning snorted a laugh.

He answered naturally. The more he did so, the more it showed he considered Shi Qi part of his territory. Such efforts naturally only counted as trivial matters.

Even though her, his own blood sister, was right here...

She suddenly thought of something. 'You know, I always used to tell Xiao Qi that she must find an Alpha from a poorer family than ours. That way she could bully him however she wanted. If he made her unhappy, she could just lock him up at home.'

'I know, Shi Qi needs to find a punching bag,' Qin Shuhe joked. 'So, brother, can you handle the job?'

Shi Qi had been picking out tofu. Hearing this, her hand jerked, and the stuffed tofu plopped back into the dish.

Bringing this up in front of Shang Sui embarrassed her. She could only shoot looks at Jiang Yoning and Qin Shuhe in turn, signaling them to shut up.

But Jiang Yoning exposed her directly. 'What's wrong, Shi Qi? You used to agree with that very much. Can't bear it now?'

As she spoke, she looked at Shang Sui challengingly. She brought this up on purpose, wanting him to know Shi Qi had a temper, hoping he'd be prepared to indulge her for a lifetime.

Unexpectedly, the Alpha opposite her eyes flickered, and he actually smiled.

'Really?' Shang Sui said from the heart. 'There's such a good thing?'

'...?'

Jiang Yoning rubbed her temples, starting to suspect she was the one drunk.

Shang Sui asked, as if negotiating. 'After being locked up, could Xiao Qi come see me once a day?'

Qin Shuhe burst out laughing. 'Damn, brother! You're willing to go that far! I gotta call you Love Sage too.'

Shang Sui didn't flush when drinking; he still seemed to barely retain his senses.

But his voice was stickier than usual, as if with a soul-hooking magic. Shi Qi, not paying full attention, got led astray, unconsciously imagining the corresponding scene in her mind.

Seeing Shi Qi silent, Shang Sui leaned even closer.

The tip of her nose caught a whiff of the Alpha's accidentally leaked pheromones. The sweet, silky scent made Shi Qi unconsciously lick her lips.

Shang Sui said, in a volume only the two of them could hear, half-joking, half-serious, 'In that case, even if I have to serve you with my body, I'd be willing.'

Shi Qi fell into a suspicious silence for a moment, her ears rapidly burning. 'What nonsense. You're really lewd.'

Saying that, Shi Qi snatched the glass from his hand and said to Jiang Yoning, 'No more drinking. He's starting to talk drunk nonsense.'

'I don't believe it.' Jiang Yoning lifted her chin at Shang Sui. 'Tell me, who's sitting next to you?'

Shang Sui sat at the farthest seat. There was only one person beside him.

He met Shi Qi's gaze. Those eyes, damp from intoxication, held a lingering smile, like a sea shimmering under moonlight.

'Like.'

He said gently, infatuated. 'Like Xiao Qi the most in the whole world.'

Seeing Shang Sui start answering questions with non-answers, Jiang Yoning finally believed he wasn't sober.

She muttered, 'What the hell. Keep this up and I might actually start shipping you two.'

Hearing Shang Sui's confession so abruptly, Shi Qi thought drunks really dared say anything. Yet the corner of her lips lifted slightly, and she couldn't help but secretly grasp Shang Sui's hand under the table.

That wasn't enough. To express her feelings, Shi Qi pulled his hand and shook it up and down.

'I've been feeling so happy lately,' Shang Sui said, holding Shi Qi's hand in return.

He was indeed quite drunk, his words jumbled. 'Every day feels like a dream. Can I really have this? So afraid you'll disappear. Don't disappear... Can we be together forever?'

After confirming their relationship, this was the first time Shi Qi knew he had such a fragile, sensitive side.

Though unsure if it was the alcohol's influence, Shi Qi found it interesting. She was about to nod when she suddenly remembered something.

She still felt a bit embarrassed, but soon, curiosity replaced it.

Thinking of how Jiang Yan usually addressed him, Shi Qi deliberately drew out her words, observing his reaction.

'Of course, Xiao Sui gege.'

Shang Sui's eyes flashed. The previously faint, sweet aura took a sharp turn, as if shifting from warm syrup to sticky spider silk.

After a long moment, Shang Sui said, 'Were you calling me? Didn't hear clearly. Say it again.'

The aura surrounding him blatantly declared the Alpha's predatory desire. Even if he pretended on the surface, his own pheromones betrayed him completely.

Shi Qi suddenly laughed.

Drunk like this, and still hung up on a form of address? Did he like it that much?

'No,' Shi Qi added leisurely. 'I was calling the drunk idiot.'