Fabrication

Entering the bathroom, Shang Sui slowly helped Shi Qi wash his face.

Shi Qi's cheeks had been flushed since a moment ago, his expression dazed, like a cat that had inhaled too much catnip.

Shang Sui poked his lips with a finger from time to time, the gemstone-adorned bracelet jingling in rhythm. The chain on Shi Qi's ankle was tugged, brushing finely against his protruding ankle bone.

In his haze, he instinctively took Shang Sui's finger into his mouth, as if the long time spent together earlier had formed a habit.

Shang Sui laughed unconsciously, remembering something: 'Did you spit it all out just now?'

'I did.'

'Let me check.'

Shi Qi didn't speak; Shang Sui pressed against his lips and tongue, his fingertips touching the sharp canine teeth.

After being rubbed for so long, Shi Qi's lips were a rich, vibrant red. Shang Sui observed carefully; it was indeed clean.

But he teased him with bad intentions: 'Why is there still a little left? Did you do that on purpose?'

'...?'

'Xiao Qi is such a glutton, just like before.'

Shi Qi blinked, wanting to deny it, but felt his behavior really did count as 'gluttonous'.

A faint taste of honey lingered in his mouth; compared to that clear, rich sweetness, every dessert he had ever eaten paled in comparison.

The high-Compatibility Index Pheromone made him completely unable to resist Shang Sui's scent, his mouth burning hot as if melting.

Shi Qi was already not quite clear-headed, and with Shang Sui's ambiguous description, it felt as though something really did remain in his mouth.

In Shang Sui's surprised gaze, Shi Qi's Adam's apple rolled slightly, and he actually performed a swallowing motion.

Shang Sui watched him for a long time, then suddenly asked: 'Is it that good?'

'It's good.' Shi Qi hesitated for a moment. 'Like candy.'

Shang Sui's breathing hitched, meeting his oblivious face: 'You really are...'

Offering to help, doing whatever he was told, and now saying things like this.

Yet the person in question had no intention of deliberate seduction; in Shi Qi's eyes, certain acts that could be called wanton seemed merely expressions of closeness and affection.

Shi Qi was stared at directly, not knowing where he had offended him, when he suddenly heard Shang Sui say: 'Baby, you are really quite wanton.'

'?' Shi Qi retorted with dissatisfaction, 'You're the one who's wanton. You were making all sorts of sounds earlier, louder than me.'

Shang Sui couldn't hold back anymore; laughing, he cupped his face and lowered his head to bite down hard on his lips.

-

Although they had never reached the final step, with Shang Sui's help, Shi Qi slept very soundly every night.

Not only because the one-hundred-percent Compatibility Index pheromones could alleviate his insomnia, but also because he was usually exhausted, often falling asleep the moment they finished, with no energy left to even open his eyes.

Shi Qi had been worn out last night and hadn't woken up even when the sun was high in the sky.

Shang Sui stepped out of bed quietly, washed up, and went to the living room for water when his phone suddenly lit up, displaying a new message.

Yu Wan: [Happened to be passing by your place. Are you awake? If it is convenient, I would like to come see you.]

Shi Qi was woken up by a call from Shi An.

'Hello, Dad Xiao An...?' His voice was lazy, revealing a hint of satisfied weariness.

Shi An was silent for three seconds, deciding not to dwell on what he had experienced last night: 'We are going to Qi Jiang in a few days. When are you planning to come home?'

'I'll come back this afternoon then.'

'Good,' Shi An hesitated for a moment, 'Before you leave, shall we go to Ningshan Hospital for a check-up?'

Shi Qi had just woken up and didn't react: 'What check-up?'

'A gland check-up. I heard the deputy director at Ningshan Hospital is very skilled in this area. I want to see if he can provide a more specific timeline.'

Previously, at another hospital, doctors could not provide a specific deadline for Shi Qi's Gland Atrophy Syndrome, only saying that if he wanted a Lifelong Mark, the sooner the better, and no later than one year.

This matter had always weighed on Shi An's mind. He had assumed that since Shi Qi had found a boyfriend, he would take the initiative to consider uniting with him to cure the Gland Atrophy Syndrome, but he had been waiting in vain for Shi Qi to take action.

Could it be that he was just dating for fun and hadn't considered marriage at all?

Given Shi Qi's personality, it wasn't impossible. Moreover, whenever marriage had been mentioned before, Shi Qi had been noncommittal.

The more Shi An thought about it, the more worried he became, yet he dared not push him too hard, ultimately resorting to this circuitous approach.

'To see when the Lifelong Mark should be done at the latest,' Shi An paused slightly. 'Knowing the date will help us arrange things later.'

In the past, whenever this was mentioned, Shi Qi would show resistance.

Shi An was nervous, worrying about whether he would agree, when he heard Shi Qi reply: 'Mm, okay.'

Shi An let out a sigh of relief, thanking heaven and earth in his heart, and even felt a bit more favorably toward the Alpha he had never met who had whisked Shi Qi away.

After hanging up, Shi Qi got out of bed.

He tentatively called out Shang Sui's name, hearing a response from the living room.

Shi Qi didn't think much of it, joking as he walked: 'Why didn't you serve me when I woke up?'

His whole body was sore; he had been tied with ribbons last night, and faint red marks still lingered on his legs.

The red ribbons had bound his legs separately, then tied them together; unable to break free, he was like a fish left to be slaughtered.

Thinking of how Shang Sui had tormented him, Shi Qi said vindictively: 'I'm going to beat you up.'

As he said this, he suddenly noticed another person sitting next to Shang Sui.

Yu Wan's features were somewhat similar to Shang Sui's, clearly indicating a blood relation. Her back was thin and held straight; she wore a white coat over a matching cashmere shawl, evoking the image of a beautiful, elegant swan.

Shi Qi: '...'

Crap, what had he just said.

Shang Sui introduced: 'Xiao Qi, this is my—'

Shi Qi put on the most well-behaved smile of his life, trying to bluff his way through: 'Hello, big sister.'

After he finished speaking, the expressions of the two people opposite him were a bit strange.

Shi Qi felt nervous, just wanting to say that he wasn't actually that spoiled and wouldn't resort to violence at the drop of a hat, when Yu Wan smiled at him.

'Hello, I am his mother.'

'...'

Seeing Shi Qi standing awkwardly in place, Yu Wan said with a smile: 'It has been many years since I was mistaken for Xiao Sui's sister. I was so happy just now that I didn't know how to react.'

'Is it Xiao Qi? Come sit over here.'

Shi Qi seemed to receive an order and sat down next to her as instructed.

'I bought some cake on the way. Haven't you eaten yet? Have a little something first.' Yu Wan unwrapped the paper box placed on the coffee table.

Seeing that Shi Qi was silent, Shang Sui pinched his wrist: 'You wanted to eat that honey fig cake from the corner shop yesterday. Since my mother happened to be passing by, I had her pick it up.'

He paused slightly and added in a low voice in Shi Qi's ear: 'It is fine, don't be nervous.'

Shi Qi thanked her and took the cake from Yu Wan's hand.

The honey and milky fig spread across his tongue, the sweet taste allowing Shi Qi to relax a little.

He listened to Yu Wan and Shang Sui talking while he ate, unable to resist sneaking a glance at her midway, wanting to look at her again.

Unexpectedly, Yu Wan was very sharp to gazes and smiled at him immediately.

Caught peeking, Shi Qi remained calm, but the cake in his hand dropped onto the coffee table with a splat.

'...'

First wanting to hit someone, then getting the generation wrong, and now acting clumsy—Shi Qi didn't dare imagine how terrible his image must be.

'Meeting you for the first time, it was too abrupt of me to come without giving you a heads-up,' Yu Wan said, seeing he was nervous. 'I was just passing by to take a look, so I will...'

'Wait, please don't go,' Shi Qi reacted, 'My family wants me to go back, I should be leaving.'

Yu Wan opened her mouth, somewhat worried that it was because of her that he wanted to leave.

Shi Qi met Yu Wan and Shang Sui's similar eyes, hesitated for a moment, and chose to be direct: 'I was joking at first; I didn't really want to lay a hand on Shang Sui.'

'I got your generation wrong, I am sorry. And... thank you for buying me the cake.'

'Oh my,' Yu Wan was stunned, then happy once she realized: 'What does that matter? I thought you didn't like me staying here. As long as that is not the case!'

'You like sweets, right? We have a housekeeper at home with a good touch; she makes those traditional little snacks. I will bring some for you to try next time.'

She patted Shang Sui as she spoke, ignoring the latter's bewildered expression: 'You can just hit him. If you are too embarrassed to do it yourself, I can help you.'

This time, it was Shi Qi who was stunned: '...Thank you?'

The more Yu Wan looked at him, the more she liked him: 'May I have your contact information? His father and I only knew he had someone he liked, but we didn't know you were dating. He doesn't tell us anything.'

Shi Qi nodded, then thought of something: 'But you were pressuring him to marry...?'

Pressuring him to marry?

Seeing Shang Sui signal to him, Yu Wan went along with it: 'Oh, yes, after all, Xiao Sui doesn't usually come into contact with many people; he stays in the Art Studio every day. We were all worried he would end up alone.'

'If you are willing, you can consider that aspect sooner.'

She said it so naturally that Shi Qi didn't notice anything wrong.

Yu Wan had originally wanted Shang Sui to drop him off, but Shi Qi insisted it wasn't necessary, telling them to spend more time together.

After simply packing his luggage, Shi Qi said goodbye to Yu Wan, and Shang Sui accompanied him to the door.

He had previously mentioned that his family was preparing to vacation in Qi Jiang, and Shang Sui would be going there too. Since they would see each other again soon, Shi Qi wasn't reluctant to part, his mind full of another matter:

'Remember to explain to your mother; I'm not usually this strange.'

'Not strange at all,' Shang Sui said indifferently, 'Especially cute.'

Shi Qi was choked, feeling his filter was simply too thick: 'Cute? Ridiculous is more like it.'

Without waiting for Shang Sui to speak, Shi Qi added: 'Anyway, explain it. I want to leave a good impression on your mother.'

'Fine,' Shang Sui cupped his face, 'Let me have a kiss, and I will explain it for you.'

Shi Qi wanted him to be serious, but Shang Sui lowered his head, pressing against Shi Qi's lips.

Amidst sweet breaths, Shang Sui whispered: 'Don't worry, she is grateful to you.'

'If she knew... she would want to worship you.'

Shi Qi didn't hear what Shang Sui said midway.

Hindered by Yu Wan being in the living room, they didn't deep kiss, only pressed their lips together and rubbed against each other.

Perhaps it was because they had been too indulgent lately; by the end of the kiss, Shi Qi was craving more and his legs felt weak.

Last night, being held by Shang Sui and having his legs tied, there was a moment he almost asked him to come inside.

Although his legs were still sore and weak now, being tangled with Shang Sui was very comfortable. If they really went all the way, would it be even more comfortable?

Seeing Shi Qi's dazed expression, Shang Sui's breathing hitched, and he asked in a low voice: 'What is Xiao Qi thinking about?'

'...'

Just kissing and having his head full of lewd thoughts—it was a bit wanton.

Shi Qi remained silent, and Shang Sui's palm clamped onto his slender waist, giving it a pinching squeeze. Shi Qi was forced to let out a slight hum.

Meeting Shang Sui's amused gaze, Shi Qi suddenly got angry—

'I was thinking, since you are so capable.'

Halfway through the sentence, Shi Qi paused deliberately, his large, bright cat eyes revealing a provocative look:

'Why didn't you fuck me last night?'

'...'

After saying that, he ignored Shang Sui's reaction and ran off: 'Bye! See you in Qi Jiang!'

Shang Sui stood rooted to the spot, and after a long time, his knuckles made a crisp sound.

His fingers curled slowly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, as if trying to grab something.

He had thought Shi Qi wasn't ready yet and didn't want him to go all the way.

Having finally gotten his treasure back after six years, he was afraid of making any mistakes, and afraid of accidentally breaking Shi Qi, treating him as carefully as a beautiful, fragile flower.

After all, the Omega was small all over, not looking like someone who could truly adapt.

Now it seemed his concerns weren't really necessary?

Shang Sui laughed to himself and sent a message to Shi Qi.

Ss: [You just wait ^^]

He calmed his emotions and returned to the living room.

Remembering Shi Qi's instructions, Shang Sui said to Yu Wan: 'You met him, what is your impression?'

'Very beautiful, and...'

Yu Wan thought about how to describe it. Thinking of Shi Qi peeking at her while eating cake, his eyes revealing curiosity, she finally found an appropriate description: 'Like a little kitten, and his personality is very frank.'

She changed the subject: 'But when did I ever pressure you to marry?'

Shang Sui said naturally: 'You can start pressuring from today.'

Yu Wan was speechless for a moment, quickly understanding what he was up to, and couldn't help but tease him: 'I see Xiao Qi is still young; he might not have considered these things at all. Are you in such a hurry to marry into his family?'

'Yes,' Shang Sui also laughed, 'I never told you, he is that person from back then.'

He added softly: 'That special friend.'

Yu Wan didn't understand what he meant at first, but when she did, her eyes widened in disbelief: 'You mean...?'

After that incident eight years ago, Yu Wan thought Shang Sui had been too traumatized to adjust, and by the time she noticed something was wrong, it was too late.

She took him to see a psychologist. Waiting outside the consultation room that afternoon, she sat outside covering her face and crying, feeling like a failure as a mother once again. Shang Yao, beside her, patted her shoulder gently, equally guilt-ridden and uneasy.

Like a self-protective mechanism to cope with trauma, Shang Sui had developed a mild mental illness and became taciturn.

His symptoms weren't severe; as long as he was willing to speak, communicating with people was no problem, but he was extremely resistant to making connections with the outside world.

Shang Sui's personality as a child was similar to how it was now, but for those two years, he was abnormally quiet, as if living in his own world.

Yu Wan had seen his paintings; most were brilliant landscapes, but occasionally his emotions would show a corner in his work, and those scenes made her heart jump.

Because of his exceptional talent, he depicted bloody and violent scenes with vividness; some were so realistic they were frightening, while others were like whimsical cult art.

Thinking about it now, his personality was naturally sensitive, so he could naturally perceive her emotions. Her worry only made him feel more pressure.

Because of this, when Yu Wan finally woke up from the nightmare, she felt very guilty toward Shang Sui and only hoped to do everything in her power to make it up to him, but no matter how hard she tried, it was to no avail.

The doctor told her not to be too anxious and to relax.

Having experienced those things, the fact that he was alive and well, only left with some psychological shadows, was already a very good result.

Later...

As he grew older, Shang Sui gradually emerged from the gloom, his mild psychological obstacles healed, but he remained taciturn.

Until that summer in Qi Jiang, when he met a special friend.

She didn't know exactly what had happened between them, only that it wasn't a perfect ending.

Yu Wan asked: 'Then have you asked Xiao Qi? What was the reason he...?'

Shang Sui shook his head: 'He forgot.'

Yu Wan hadn't expected this situation, and for a moment, didn't know whether to say it was good or bad.

'Since that is the case, you must behave well and not let him leave again,' Yu Wan encouraged after thinking it over. 'You have controlled your Sensitivity Period very well these past few years. Shen Doctor also said you are not much different from an average Alpha, so you don't need to lock yourself away anymore.'

'Everything is different from before; you won't scare him again.'

Shang Sui didn't respond.

Seeing this, Yu Wan wanted to ask if he was worried about Shi Qi finding out about the past.

Shang Sui said in a low voice: 'It seems like no matter whether I can control myself or not, he is not afraid.'

After such a long time of contact, if he kept worrying about whether Shi Qi could fully accept his abnormalities, that would truly be ungrateful.

He could feel that Shi Qi was exceptionally indulgent toward him, from the small daily interactions after they started dating to the big things like his Sensitivity Period and Mind Manipulation; the other person didn't seem to mind anything and always treated him in the most natural way.

'Maybe he grew up and stopped caring about these things. Or maybe I have improved compared to before and am not so crazy... or maybe he likes me now and is willing to accept my differences.'

Speaking of this, Shang Sui laughed himself.

'I want to tell him about the past slowly.'

Compared to six years ago, he could control himself well and had the confidence not to repeat the same mistakes.

He was finally able to admit that he had always been unwilling to let go.

It seemed that desire was always difficult to satisfy. At first, he thought it would be fine just to be happily together, but after truly becoming lovers, he craved more, unwilling to let everything stop at memories.

Even if it was a past not worth remembering for someone else, he still wanted Shi Qi to know.

There was even a tiny voice in his heart harboring a fluke, speaking cautiously for the first time: What if there were other hidden circumstances, and perhaps Shi Qi didn't want to forget him either?

No matter what the future held, since he had chosen to confess, he had to think of a way to try to guide Shi Qi to remember.

Qi Jiang was like spring all year round, with layers of Endless Summer blooming outside the window.

Shang Sui's gaze swept over the walnut wood bed in the room, the overflowing linen pillows scattered from the head of the bed to the carpet, and the storage racks in the corner filled with his paints. Sunlight shone into the room diagonally from the windowsill, making everything feel as if it had returned to the midsummer of six years ago.

After leaving, he had always sent people to maintain it regularly, and the appearance of the house and the flower field downstairs were just as they had been.

He had come early, not only to have the interior decoration restored to what it once was, but also to specifically place three scarecrows of different shapes and sizes in the sea of flowers.

One held a cigarette, one was dozing off, and the last one was looking down at the ground.

During those years, Yu Wan treated him like fragile porcelain, fearing he would encounter another accident, and would even arrange bodyguards for him when vacationing in the mountains.

Even though these bodyguards combined probably couldn't handle him alone, Shang Sui didn't refuse, just to put her at ease.

Later, he thanked Yu Wan for her arrangements countless times in his heart, because of them, Shi Qi had initially mistaken him for being locked in that house.

He still remembered Shi Qi counting on his fingers, telling him as if he had discovered a secret:

'I have memorized the guards' activity routes, and I can secretly help you escape.'

'The fat one hides in the corner to smoke, the tall thin one dozes off in the afternoon, and the one who is neither fat nor thin is the most responsible, but he doesn't look up carefully. As long as you put the easel on the balcony, he will think you are still in the same place and won't notice.'

Shi Qi looked at him after he finished speaking, as if waiting for praise.

Shang Sui didn't speak, but he felt like laughing inside.

The night before, he had called the three bodyguards together and given them each their own requirements:

'You go to the corner to smoke.'

'In the afternoon, you pretend to doze off.'

'As for you,' Shang Sui's gaze rested on the last bodyguard, 'Do not look up.'

'If you see a boy with gray eyes, pretend you didn't notice and let him in.' He thought of something else after he finished, and said faintly, 'Don't tell the Madam about this.'

They all followed Shang Sui's requests directly; even though they were keeping it from Yu Wan, no one had any objections.

Besides, it was just a child.

'Okay,' the bodyguard asked hesitantly, 'But why would you do this?'

'Why...'

[——What are you doing all by yourself?]

That was the first sentence Shi Qi had said to him.

The other person had landed on his windowsill silently, looking at him with curiosity.

Fluorescent spores floating slowly in sci-fi works, crystal-clear bubbles, lights, half-melted crystals, fleeting flowers... these things that made him feel beautiful all seemed to come flooding into his mind the moment he met Shi Qi's eyes.

He even thought he had seen an angel.

Even late at night, the image of their first encounter during the day never faded.

Because the little angel seemed to think this was very interesting.

Compared to a young master vacationing with nothing to do, a poor ghost locked in a high tower who couldn't escape was probably more attractive.

'Because I wanted to keep him.'

He didn't explain to Shi Qi, but instead made up a beautiful fairy tale.

His heart pounded, waiting for the angel to visit again.