Eloping

Shi Qi opens her eyes and stares at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Six in the morning. Thin daylight outside the window, the faint sound of someone shoveling snow drifting in.

The moment she closes her eyes, the dream comes flooding back—two similar faces looking at her at once, one smiling, one cold and detached.

Shen Qianyu had warned her she might dream scenes that defied reality, memory tangled up with imagination, but...

This was so absurd it couldn't possibly be memory-related. So why dream it? Did some part of her secretly wish Shang Sui came in twos??

The more she thought about it, the stranger it got. Shi Qi gave up on sleep entirely and tossed and turned until dawn.

Even on the plane to Qi Jiang, the bizarre scenes kept drifting back.

The Capital City was freezing, but Qi Jiang was bright with sunshine, warm as the cusp of spring and summer.

After landing, her mood lifted without her noticing.

Shi Qi snapped a photo and sent it to Lin Yan, who had been pining for Qi Jiang.

17: [Back in your hometown.]

Yanyan: [!!! So jealous!]

Yanyan: [Are you spending New Year in Qi Jiang? Then you'll be apart from Shang Sui for ages.]

17: [He's in Qi Jiang too. Got here a few days before me.]

Yanyan: [Whoa! So you're living together? Aren't you provoking Uncle Xiao An's authority?]

Since they'd be staying a while, Shi An had rented a villa in advance.

Shi Qi had been diagnosed with Gland Atrophy Syndrome in Qi Jiang. Shi An deliberately picked a location far from the Yishan area they'd rented back then, to avoid stirring up bad memories.

The house they settled on sat beside a lake, the scenery beautiful and quiet.

Shang Sui had asked on purpose; once he heard where they were staying, he simply rented a place nearby.

Lin Yan commented: [He really does follow you to the ends of the earth.]

Shi Qi couldn't help smiling.

'Xiao Qi, over here.'

As if answering Lin Yan's words, a familiar voice called from not far away.

Shi Qi looked up and saw Shang Sui a few steps away.

The pickup crowd had gathered in one spot, and Shang Sui stood out among them. The tall Alpha wore a garishly patterned shirt over a white tee, a simple silver chain hanging down.

Shi An and the others walked behind Shi Qi. Confirming there was no sign of Jiang Yoning or any elder who resembled Shi Qi nearby, Shang Sui said, 'Come here.'

Shi Qi didn't move, asking with great dignity: 'You call me over and I just come?'

'Hurry up,' Shang Sui urged, 'you can even get a hug.'

Shi Qi stood unmoved until Shang Sui was about to give up—then Shi Qi bounded into his arms in two or three steps.

Shang Sui opened his arms and caught her. The Omega let a trace of Pheromone slip out as she threw herself at him.

From the clean sweetness of the scent, Shi Qi was in a good mood.

Shang Sui laughed too, poking her head: 'Do you have to keep me on edge like this?'

Shi Qi said nothing.

After four or five days apart, she couldn't help pressing close to Shang Sui's neck, catching threads of alluring honey scent.

So fragrant.

Shi Qi nuzzled against him by habit, a look of contentment in her eyes.

'Ahem—'

Jiang Yoning's voice came from not far away. She'd landed only a few minutes after Shi Qi and had seen the whole thing.

Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.

She reminded them with a smile: 'You two, hurry up—the dads are coming soon.'

When Shi An and Jiang Li arrived, Shi Qi had just pulled away from Shang Sui.

Seeing the Alpha standing beside Shi Qi, Shi An's gaze stalled.

Jiang Yoning had met Shang Sui once before and had a good impression. Add to that Li Zhao's appreciation of him, and in Jiang Yoning's mind the score kept climbing.

But for Shi An, Shi Qi's Lifelong Mark couldn't be washed away—she was bound to this person for life. He didn't distrust Shang Sui, but objectively speaking, Alphas did have more options.

On top of that... Shi Qi simply liked Shang Sui too much.

Even though Jiang Yoning said Shang Sui was no less devoted—a true Love Sage—he still wasn't at ease.

Could there really be a more hopeless romantic than Shi Qi? Didn't look like it.

All these feelings tangled together, and he'd long hoped to meet Shang Sui in person, to get a proper sense of him.

'Hello,' Shang Sui said first, 'nice to meet you.'

'Hello,' Shi An said, 'I've heard about you many times.'

Sensing the implication in Shi An's words, Jiang Li, afraid Shang Sui would overthink it, added from the side: 'Hello, hello, Xiao Shang, right? Xiao Qi has mentioned you many times—we've all been looking forward to meeting you.'

Shang Sui had arranged a car in advance; the driver helped everyone with their luggage.

Even though Shi An had a mountain of questions, with strangers present he held his tongue for the moment.

At the door of the rented villa, remembering that Shi Qi had just arrived with family, Shang Sui—reluctant to part—still said considerately to Shi An:

'That was a long flight—you must be tired. Let me know if you need someone to clean regularly or prepare meals, I can help arrange it.'

'If there's nothing else, I'll head off first.'

Shi Qi instinctively tried to keep him: 'Wait—'

Why leave right after arriving?

Shi An pretended not to notice Shi Qi's spineless behavior: 'Where are you staying?'

After a brief pause, Shang Sui gestured next door: 'That one over there.'

He probably felt he was being a bit much, and added, which only made it more obvious: 'Quite the coincidence.'

After a moment of silence, Shi An smiled: 'Since you're so close, no need to rush off. Join us for dinner tonight?'

Seeing Shang Sui nod, Shi An dropped the pretense: 'Then let's have a little chat first—'

'I didn't sleep well last night, I want to nap.' Shi Qi, quick as anything, grabbed Shang Sui. 'He's with me—I sleep better with him around.'

Shi An's gentle smile began to slip: 'Xiao Qi, Dad isn't going to say anything improper, I just want to get to know your boyfriend.'

'After all, this is my first time meeting Shang Sui. I'm curious about a lot of things.'

Shi Qi opened her big eyes wide: 'What are you saying, I don't understand, I'm so sleepy.'

'...'

Remembering Shi Qi had been yawning the whole way, Shi An relented for now: 'Fine, go rest.'

Shi Qi tugged Shang Sui, signaling him to follow quickly.

The villa had no elevator; Shang Sui offered to carry her luggage.

Watching their backs disappear around the corner, Jiang Yoning spoke up: 'Don't worry. What you're most worried about is Xiao Qi liking him too much while he doesn't like her as much, right? From what I see, they're equally gone for each other.'

She complained: 'The last time I pretended it was a coincidence to live next to someone was when I was simping for Li Zhao.'

Jiang Li added in support: 'I also think Xiao Shang is decent.'

Shi An looked at the two Alphas in the family and asked noncommittally: 'You've just met him and you already think he's good?'

Jiang Yoning thought, this isn't my first time meeting him, I've even drunk with him, but she didn't dare argue with Shi An and slipped away on some pretext.

Shi Qi pulled Shang Sui all the way upstairs. Once the door closed, she turned and said: 'Xiao An Dad is definitely going to ask all sorts of things—he's been waiting for this day forever. You can't handle him alone.'

'But I'm so sleepy, I can't handle it either. Let me wake up first before going head-to-head with him.'

Toward the end, Shi Qi couldn't help yawning.

Shang Sui's eyes curved: 'Xiao Qi wants to protect me?'

'Yes, so you have to pay me.'

Before Shang Sui could answer, Shi Qi softly demanded: 'Kiss me.'

Shang Sui's gaze darkened slightly as he lowered his head toward her.

Shi Qi stood pressed against the door, the other person's breath tangling with hers. The Alpha's loose long hair brushed her cheek, carrying a scent she'd been dreaming of, and her heartbeat quickened without her noticing.

The air between them was thick enough to stretch like taffy, but Shang Sui still hadn't touched her lips.

What are you dawdling for?

Shi Qi couldn't help grabbing the collar of Shang Sui's T-shirt and kissing him first.

Shi Qi had never been great at kissing—usually Shang Sui took the lead. After pulling him in, Shi Qi gave his lips an urging little lick.

It felt like being licked by a kitten. Less like flirtation, more like a simple show of affection.

Smiles rippled through Shang Sui's eyes, his expression pleased: 'Xiao Qi is so rough.'

Before Shi Qi could protest, he pried her lips apart and licked and ground against her mouth—truly demonstrating what rough meant.

Shi Qi's body temperature was always higher than his, and her mouth was no exception.

The Omega's warm, wet mouth carried the scent of Lily of the Valley, her tongue soft and yielding—kissing Shi Qi felt like drawing nectar from a flower.

After so many days apart, Shang Sui wanted to press her into himself. As they kissed, his hands grew restless—he slipped them under the hem of Shi Qi's thin sweatshirt, revealing a stretch of skin so pale it was almost blinding.

Shi Qi's waist and abdomen were especially sensitive—even Lin Yan poking her there playfully would make her flinch. Shang Sui's fingertips traced her taut mermaid line, then slid inward.

There lay the Omega's most delicate reproductive cavity—like the gland, a switch for Pheromone.

The slightest touch sent a current through her whole body.

Shi Qi's breathing grew heavier, her lips and tongue held in a tight suck.

Under the dual assault, even though Shi Qi had asked for the kiss first, she soon let out a helpless whimper, her breathing falling apart.

Between kisses, Shi Qi panted: 'Slower...'

She was probably dizzy from the kissing—when begging for mercy, her arms unconsciously wound around Shang Sui's shoulders, as if encouraging the Alpha to do something even more excessive.

Shang Sui, riled up by her teasing, slid his palm down and gave her bottom a smack—not light, not heavy.

Heat rushed to Shi Qi's ears; an urge she'd once found unspeakable surfaced again.

The smacked spot tingled and numbed. Shi Qi involuntarily tensed her legs and whispered: 'Do it again.'

Shang Sui was briefly surprised, then asked: 'Are you really a cat? You like being patted at the base of your tail.'

Shi Qi's arms silently tightened around Shang Sui's shoulders.

She said nothing, but her body was unbearably clingy. Shang Sui was silent at first, then began to laugh—until Shi Qi grew a little annoyed.

Shang Sui pressed a kiss to her reddened lips and said in an especially tender voice: 'Darling, how are you this lovable?'

Shang Sui usually called her baby or baobei—the last time she'd heard this address was during his Sensitivity Period.

Like some kind of conditioned reflex to intimacy, Shi Qi's ears began to burn.

Shang Sui's palm slid down, about to comply and pat her 'tail base.'

A sudden sound came from outside the door—

'Shi Qi,' Shi An knocked lightly, asking through the door, 'are you asleep? I brought fruit.'

Shang Sui, who had been holding her waist, froze at the words.

Hearing Shi An's voice without warning, Shi Qi felt the panic of a child caught doing something naughty by an elder—and in her flustering, her arm accidentally bumped the door.

Both of them froze.

Now they couldn't even pretend to be asleep. Shi Qi shot Shang Sui a look, signaling him to let go quickly.

Hearing the commotion inside, Shi An raised an eyebrow.

When the door opened, Shi Qi's lips were slightly swollen. She looked at him with feigned composure.

Shi Qi glanced at the fruit platter in Shi An's hands—strawberries, blueberries, sliced oranges and pineapple. All her favorites.

Apparently afraid they'd be thirsty, Shi An had also brought two cups of ice water.

'Thanks, Xiao An Dad, just hand me the plate.'

Whenever she was guilty, Shi Qi wore exactly this expression of studied nonchalance.

Shi An glanced inside—the other person had hidden themselves completely out of sight.

Shi An asked out of nowhere: 'You don't look that sleepy to me?'

'...'

Seeing Shi Qi's clothes disheveled, unable to tell where she'd been touched, Shi An reminded them: 'Don't go on too long, we're going out later.'

Shi Qi agreed softly.

After the door closed, Shi An gave a small huff, thinking: I knew you two wouldn't just be sleeping.

But... the two of them really did seem to get along well?

Sticky and sweet.

Shang Sui, who had been hiding behind the door, drifted soundlessly to Shi Qi's side after Shi An left: 'What do I do, can I still come to your house?'

'You can,' Shi Qi said—Shi An was reasonable about this sort of thing. 'I dragged you up here, he won't hold it against you.'

Shang Sui stared at her for a long moment, then pulled the topic back: 'So, do you still want me to pat your butt?'

Shi Qi came back to herself from that dazed, heady impulse and began to feel a bit of shame about what she'd asked: 'No.'

She added specifically: 'I don't really like it either, I was just saying it for fun.'

Seeing Shang Sui laugh again, Shi Qi clicked her tongue, refusing to think about what was going on in his head.

She set the fruit platter aside and ordered: 'Stop laughing, come keep me company while I sleep.'

After that whole interruption, Shi Qi yawned once she got into bed, feeling tired again.

She hadn't slept well last night, only dozed briefly on the plane today. Lying next to Shang Sui, Shi Qi caught a faint whiff of Pheromone and her body quickly relaxed.

Shi Qi habitually burrowed into his arms. Shang Sui took the initiative to wrap his waist, as if knowing what Shi Qi liked, slowly stroking her back.

So comfortable.

After being apart a while, why did Shang Sui's touch feel even better?

……

Under the gentle stroking, Shi Qi unknowingly closed her eyes, her breathing growing even and long.

She rarely dreamed in daily life. Whether because of Shen Qianyu's medicine, Shi Qi once again fell into a kaleidoscopic dream.

This time it wasn't the house surrounded by Endless Summer. Through the haze, she vaguely heard Shi An and Jiang Li talking.

The her in the dream seemed restless, waiting for something. Shi Qi opened the bedroom door and tiptoed to look downstairs.

Qi Jiang had two major traditional festivals a year—the Flower Day Festival in winter, and the Thousand Lantern Festival on summer nights. Since last weekend, every household had hung lanterns of various shapes outside their doors.

Shi An loved all kinds of festivals. Even though they were just visitors, they'd hung a colorful koi lantern at the villa's entrance.

Jiang Li and Shi An were dawdling, not leaving. They'd originally asked Shi Qi if she wanted to celebrate with them, but she'd refused on the grounds of going to bed early.

Jiang Yoning had arranged to meet Li Zhao at the Thousand Lantern Festival. Before leaving, she announced excitedly: 'After tonight, Li Zhao will officially be your sister-in-law.'

'So you two aren't even together yet,' Shi Qi caught the point, 'then why do you call Xiao Li jiejie your girlfriend?'

'Afraid you wouldn't adjust, I did a rehearsal in advance.'

Jiang Yoning said it matter-of-factly, then asked: 'Why are you going to bed so early tonight? It's a holiday, don't you want to join in at all?'

Shi Qi didn't answer, and Jiang Yoning didn't press further.

She was in too good a mood, rubbing her brother's head: 'I heard the Festival Fair has lots of stalls, I'll bring you back something good.'

Shi Qi thought, I can buy it myself.

Because she also had someone to meet.

Unlike Shi Qi, who hadn't undergone Differentiation yet, Jiang Yoning was almost an adult, and Shi An turned a blind eye to her dating.

But if Shi Qi said she wanted to go out alone with an Alpha, Shi An would definitely grill her with questions, and it would end up with everyone going together.

After half a day of waiting for Shi An and Jiang Li to leave, the two seemed to have even gone to the kitchen to kiss. Shi Qi was speechless for a moment, then began to feel anxious.

Her phone flashed—a new message.

[Have you left?]

Shi Qi replied: [I can't get out, the dads won't leave.]

The other side didn't send any more messages.

Thinking about how the other person must have had a hard time sneaking out past three watchers, Shi Qi was pondering how to slip out when her phone lit up again.

[Go back to your room.]

[Come to the window, look down.]

Shi Qi did as told.

Vast stretches of roses bloomed in the summer night. Shi An had chosen this house precisely because of these lush Dragon Sand Gem roses.

The Alpha stood in the flower-filled Courtyard, looking up at her.

Shi Qi's eyes widened in surprise.

She didn't know what method the other person had used, climbing over walls all the way in without a sound—even the border collie next door, sensitive to the slightest disturbance, hadn't caught his movement.

Another message popped up:

[Jump down, I'll catch you.]

Shi Qi pushed open the window. The flower-scented night wind brushed her face. The Alpha opened his arms first, signaling her to jump into them.

She didn't doubt the Alpha could do it, made a 'wait a moment!' gesture, then turned off the bedroom light, pretending to be asleep.

After all that, Shi Qi nimbly stepped onto the bay window.

Moonlight slanted down from the window. Her heart pounded, as if about to embark on an adventure, almost impatient.

Her knees pressed against the bay window, about to stand and jump down.

A long-boned hand reached silently out of the darkness—like seizing prey attempting to escape—and clamped onto Shi Qi's shoulder!

Before Shi Qi could react, the other person, maintaining that grip, pulled her straight into his arms.

Shi Qi, thinking her secret outing had been discovered, panicked and didn't look back: 'Dad! I just wanted to look at the flowers downstairs...!'

'Dad?'

That person laughed softly: 'I prefer hearing you call me something else.'

Shang Sui looked down at the Alpha below. The other had changed expression the instant he grabbed Shi Qi, watching him with a dark, sullen stare.

Moonlight fell on two similar faces. Shang Sui withdrew his gaze and looked at the stunned Shi Qi.

'Where's our baby rushing off to?' Shang Sui leaned close to Shi Qi's ear. 'Running away with that gloomy fellow downstairs?'