Maybe it was because the past few days had been so hectic, but Shi Qi couldn’t fall asleep that night no matter how hard he tried.
He usually stayed awake until around two, but recently it had stretched to three or even four in the morning, reminding him of the sleepless high school nights spent doing practice problems.
His grades hadn’t been great at first. With nothing else to do in the dead of night, Shi Qi had discovered the most sleep-inducing method: getting up to solve problems.
Doing math, physics, and chemistry was more effective than lying in bed staring into space. What he hadn’t expected was that this habit would somehow land him a spot at A University. Even his high school homeroom teacher had found it unbelievable.
And just like that, as his thoughts wandered aimlessly through the past, Shi Qi finally fell asleep.
–
Shi Qi had thought he could catch up on sleep over the weekend, but on Sunday evening, he got a call from Jiang Youning.
“Xiao Qi, big problem.”
“The annual family check-up got moved up to next week. I have a feeling they’re targeting you.”
“Papa Xiao An was on the phone with Fu Siyue’s family for over an hour yesterday. I eavesdropped a little, and it sounds like they want you two to spend more time together. And Fu Siyue agreed.”
“Come on, who still does arranged marriages these days? Even if your glands are messed up, you shouldn’t have to be with someone you don’t like! I swear, Papa Xiao An’s brain just stops working sometimes… Anyway, that’s all. Don’t say your jiejie[mfn]jiejie/jie = big sister[/mfn] didn’t warn you.”
The older generation in Shi Qi’s family were all men. He shared the surname Shi with Shi An, who was an Omega, while Jiang Youning took the surname Jiang from Jiang Li, an Alpha.[mfn]This Jiang (姜) is a different surname from the Jiang (江) in Jiang Yan (Shang Sui’s friend), so they aren’t related. Also, Shi Qi’s Omega dad, Shi An, is referred to as “Papa Xiao An”, the “Xiao” here meaning “little”[/mfn]
Shi Qi had just woken up, and after being bombarded by Jiang Youning’s call, he opened WeChat with a headache and saw a new message in the family group chat from Shi An.
Shi An: [Family check-up next Saturday, remember to fast.]
Attached was a checklist of exam guidelines and a list of specific health tests.
The other two family members had already replied with “Got it,” but Shi Qi hadn’t responded.
Shi An: [Xiao Qi?]
Shi An: [Baby, reply when you see this.]
…
Shi An became increasingly annoyed: [Shi Qi, don’t think you can pretend not to see this. If you don’t reply, I’ll come grab you from campus next week!]
Shi Qi: “…”
For a second, he seriously considered crawling back into bed and pretending none of this had ever happened.
–
Shi An had booked all the exams in advance at a private hospital he was familiar with. On Saturday morning, the hospital cleared its schedule exclusively for their family, and the test results came back quickly.
When Shi An saw Shi Qi’s pheromone report, his hands trembled, and he nearly fainted.
Shi Qi’s pheromone levels were dropping even faster than the doctors had predicted. At this rate, he would fully transition into a Beta in less than a year.
The most terrifying part was that, based on existing data, nearly all Omegas who had lost their glands and become Betas didn’t live past fifty.
The doctor asked, “Has your insomnia gotten worse lately?”
Shi Qi pursed his lips and nodded.
“The situation isn’t good,” the doctor said. “You need to act quickly. If the transition to Beta becomes permanent, even bonding with an Alpha won’t help.”
After the doctor left, the room fell silent. A heavy tension settled over the entire family.
“You heard what the doctor said, baby.” Shi An spoke first. “This illness can only be cured by bonding with an Alpha who has over 70% compatibility. We’ve checked the database before, and there aren’t many registered Alphas with a high match for you.”
“Fu Siyue has a 78% match with you, and our two families are well-acquainted. Do you want to consider it?” Fearing Shi Qi might resist, Shi An added, “And Aunt Fu said Fu Siyue really likes you. He’s been making a fuss at home every day, saying he wants to marry you.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Shi Qi thought to himself that Fu Siyue didn’t exactly seem fond of him. But more importantly, he said, “I don’t think Fu Siyue’s that great.”
Shi An: “Why not?”
Shi Qi: “He’s ugly, dumb, and doesn’t speak nicely.”
His rapid-fire rejection made Jiang Youning snort a laugh, only to be silenced by a sharp look from Shi An. She quickly pretended to be serious and said, “You can’t judge people by appearances, Xiao Qi.”
Shi An continued to persuade him. “Actually, I think Siyue is quite handsome, and he’s not bad at all. Even though he’s a bit clumsy with words, he has a good heart. There are so many unreliable Alphas these days…”
Jiang Li gave an awkward cough from the side.
Jiang Youning, also an Alpha, crossed her legs and pretended not to hear.
Shi Qi: “I don’t like dumb ones. I like sweet talkers.”
Shi An: “…The sweet-talking ones are all bad men.”
Shi Qi gave an “Oh,” then gestured toward Jiang Li with his eyes. “Doesn’t Dad sweet-talk you all the time? You clearly like sweet talkers too.”
“…” Shi An was both embarrassed and angry. “Show some respect! What are you saying!”
Sensing a fight was about to break out, Jiang Li slowly stood up. “I just remembered I have a meeting. I’ll get going first.”
Shi Qi: “Dad?”
Jiang Li, not wanting to take sides, said, “Be good. This illness needs treatment. Listen to your Papa Xiao An.”
Shi Qi hadn’t expected Jiang Li to help anyway. Ever since he was a kid, whatever Shi An said was what went in their household.
As Jiang Li left, Jiang Youning also sensed danger. “I just remembered, I forgot to finish my design draft—”
But Shi Qi moved fast, grabbing her coat. “Jiejie, don’t go.”
Jiang Youning had originally planned to escape, but it was rare for this kid to ask her for help. Under the lights, Shi Qi’s dark gray eyes looked especially moist.
She steeled herself and, with a stomp of her heel, sat back down.
“Aiya, don’t pressure Xiao Qi like this!”
“All those complications might not even happen. He’s always been healthy; maybe he’ll be the exception.”
Shi Qi chimed in, “I think so too. Maybe I am the chosen one.”
Shi An: “…”
Shi An didn’t dare gamble on that slim possibility. Realizing that logic wasn’t working on Shi Qi, he switched tactics and started playing the victim.
He lifted a hand to half-cover his face and choked up, “Just thinking about your condition keeps me up at night. If you only live into your forties, what am I supposed to do?…”
While pouring his heart out, Shi An subtly watched Shi Qi’s face for a reaction.
Jiang Youning quickly came over and handed him a tissue. “Oh no, don’t panic. Don’t cry.”
At the same time, she shot Shi Qi a look, silently urging him to say something comforting.
Shi Qi remained unmoved. “Stop pretending. You haven’t even shed a tear.”
Seeing Shi An still fake-sobbing like he hadn’t heard a thing, Shi Qi couldn’t help but say, “If you really can’t sleep, maybe consider getting a night job.”
Jiang Youning: “Xiao Qi!”
Shi An: “Shi Qi!”
Shi An threw the tissue aside, his temper flaring. “Fine, so you’re not even the least bit concerned about this illness, huh?”
Noticing that Shi An was actually a little angry, Shi Qi tried to make up for it. “It’s not that I’m not concerned, but worrying won’t help either…”
“Starting today, your allowance is completely cut off.” Not feeling that was enough, Shi An added, “Aside from essential living expenses, your card will be frozen too.”
“?”
Huh?
Shi Qi instinctively looked up.
He had been planning to visit Huijian to see Shang Sui.
Shi An found his strong reaction strange.
He hadn’t thought that cutting off the allowance would pose any real threat to Shi Qi. After all, even though Shi Qi spent money lavishly, he wasn’t very materialistic. Most of the time, he was content just playing games in the dorm.
Whatever the reason, as long as the method worked, that was good enough.
Shi An announced, “Once you find a partner, we’ll talk again.”
“You bring him home, and on that day, I’ll definitely prepare a big red envelope for you.”
–
Shi An meant what he said. Not only did he swiftly freeze Shi Qi’s card, he also instructed Jiang Youning and Jiang Li not to help him out.
Back near campus, Shi Qi walked aimlessly, lost in thought about what to do next.
He understood Shi An’s personality—gentle on the surface, but once he made a decision, nothing could change his mind.
Besides, this issue had been hanging over everyone’s heads like the sword of Damocles ever since he came of age. The family had pushed him again and again. If this kept up, Shi An might actually tie him up and drag him to get married one day.
Jiang Youning and Shi Qi shared the same outlook. The siblings both believed that, since life was short, the most important thing was to live each day happily.
Shi Qi might have seemed carefree on the surface, but on many sleepless nights, he had turned the situation over in his mind again and again.
Was he afraid?
Of course he was.
When he was younger and first realized he was different from others, he had felt that fear keenly.
It was as if he’d been born with a faster-ticking clock than everyone else, counting down mercilessly in his ear.
But gradually, Shi Qi had learned to ignore the ticking.
Tasting a delicious dessert, learning a dance he was interested in, winning a game with friends, seeing clear skies after days of rain… He believed life should be lived for those moments so full of joy that they made you forget all your troubles, not spent passively heading toward a life he didn’t want.
Compared to losing his freedom, having a shorter life than others didn’t seem so unbearable.
Besides, there were still many years left before the final deadline. Rather than worrying about an uncertain future, it was better to seize the happiness of the present.
But Shi An’s thinking was rather traditional. No matter what Shi Qi or Jiang Youning said, he wouldn’t listen. Shi An always believed that, compared to losing one’s life, an unsatisfying marriage was something one could simply grit their teeth and endure.
As for Jiang Li, he had no real stance and simply played the peacemaker.
Because of this, the tug-of-war had been ongoing ever since Shi Qi came of age. In the past, everyone had managed to maintain a fragile balance, but recently, due to Shi Qi’s rapidly declining pheromone levels, Shi An had begun pressuring him to make a decision.
Changing the minds of the older generation was nearly impossible, so he could only look for another way out himself.
Shi Qi had originally thought about unblocking Fu Siyue and dragging him into the fight too. After all, having one more person on his side meant more support.
But on second thought, that mama’s boy had no opinions of his own and would definitely just say, “I’ll do whatever my mom says.” Shi Qi quickly gave up on that idea.
It was at that moment someone called his name. “Shi Qi?”
He stopped in his tracks at the sound.
Qin Shuhe was standing under a camphor tree not far away, with someone beside him.
The upper half of the person’s face was hidden in the shadow cast by the branches. Sensing Shi Qi’s gaze, Shang Sui stepped forward two paces, fully revealing himself in Shi Qi’s line of sight.
He wore a shirt that exposed part of his collarbone, layered with a printed jacket in a matching tone. He looked radiant. Beside him, Qin Shuhe, who stayed up late every day and kept dropping game ranks, looked like a withered weed by comparison.
“What are you doing?” the withered weed asked.
“I…” Shi Qi paused, then turned the question around. “What are you doing?”
As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily fell on Shang Sui.
Not wearing anything torn today, but still flashy as ever.
What was that tattoo near his collarbone…? Hard to see clearly. Was it a flower?
Qin Shuhe answered, “I was showing the new teacher around campus.”
The new teacher in question took the initiative to greet him. “Hi.”
Shi Qi snapped back to his senses and replied, though he was filled with confusion.
When had Shang Sui become a teacher at the art academy? Wasn’t he a server at Huijian?
He was just about to ask, but then remembered how Qin Shuhe, with his big mouth, had a way of twisting the truth. If he went blabbing around, it might not be good for Shang Sui’s reputation.
Qin Shuhe looked at him, then at Shang Sui. “You two know each other?”
Shi Qi quickly answered, “Just met.”
Shang Sui looked like he was about to say something, but went quiet at that response.
“That’s rare,” Qin Shuhe said with interest. “You usually don’t bother with people.”
“I don’t bother with idiots.”
“?” Qin Shuhe turned to Shang Sui. “Ge, let me introduce you. This is the famously rude player from the neighboring A University. Don’t let the face fool you, he’s actually highly aggressive. Best to take a detour if you run into him.”
Seeing Qin Shuhe smear his reputation in front of Shang Sui, Shi Qi replied flatly, “You talk too much.”
“Doesn’t seem like it.” Shang Sui smiled. “But I’ll remember it.”
“Oh, perfect timing—we’ve just about finished touring the campus.” Qin Shuhe suggested, “How about grabbing a meal together? There’s a department dinner tonight. Ge, you should come too.”
He then asked, “Shi Qi, are you going? You know quite a few people there, including the ones who asked you to model for them before…”
Shi Qi wasn’t paying attention to anything Qin Shuhe was saying. He was looking at Shang Sui, and a bold idea gradually took shape in his mind.
Since his family was so insistent on him finding a partner, he might as well find someone to deal with Shi An’s endless urging.
And right in front of him stood a suitable candidate.
Shi An was suspicious by nature and would likely find the situation strange, but Shang Sui seemed reliable in both words and actions. As long as he agreed, he could definitely help pull this off.
With that, the endless nagging that had gone on since Shi Qi came of age could finally come to an end. He could live the life he wanted, avoid enduring the mutual resentment between him and Fu Siyue, and Shi An wouldn’t have to get a night job. Everyone would be freed.
“He’s not going,” Shi Qi answered for Shang Sui. “We have plans.”
Most importantly, he genuinely enjoyed being around Shang Sui.
It was rare for him to be interested in an Alpha, and Shang Sui’s pheromones smelled really good. Under normal circumstances, if an Omega could get used to an Alpha’s pheromones, the two would usually have a high compatibility rate. Even if Shi An came to investigate, he wouldn’t be able to find fault.
The more Shi Qi thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. He thought to himself: I really am a genius.
The only thing left was to get Shang Sui on board.
Qin Shuhe was thoroughly confused. “Didn’t you just meet? How do you already have plans?”
Shi Qi was entirely focused on his grand plan and didn’t want to waste time. He simply raised his head and looked at the key to the whole issue.
“Are you coming with me, or with him?”
After asking, he shamelessly stuck out one leg, openly blocking Shang Sui’s path.
Shang Sui saw him tilt his chin slightly, clearly with the attitude that if he didn’t cooperate, he’d trip him right then and there.
Shang Sui obediently played along. “I’ll go with you.”
Completely satisfied, Shi Qi turned back to Qin Shuhe and announced, “Okay, you can leave now.”
“?” Qin Shuhe was dumbfounded. “Shi Qi, are you a bandit? Are you seriously snatching a man in broad daylight?”
Qin Shuhe was so noisy that Shi Qi simply grabbed Shang Sui’s arm and reminded him, “Bye. Don’t follow us.”
Qin Shuhe: “……”
He watched Shi Qi walk away with Shang Sui in tow like he was carrying off a trophy. For a moment, he couldn’t even process what had just happened.
This kid was way too domineering. Even if it was love at first sight, the next step shouldn’t be kidnapping!
Should I step in and rescue him? I’m still counting on the new assistant teacher to go easy on me during finals!
While Qin Shuhe was caught in his internal struggle, Shi Qi led Shang Sui out of the campus, planning to find a secluded place to talk.
The art academy had recently set up a small origami-themed exhibition by the lake. Hundreds of colorful folded paper fish hung above the lakeside street, drawing many visitors who came to take photos.
They moved through the crowd and arrived at a quieter corner.
Shi Qi figured it was quiet enough and stopped walking, letting go of Shang Sui’s arm.
“When did you become Qin Shuhe’s teacher?”
“Got myself a proper job,” Shang Sui joked. “So it wouldn’t be inconvenient for someone to be seen with me.”
Shi Qi couldn’t tell whether he was referring to Lin Yan’s comment that night about him looking improper, or to the way he himself had pretended not to know Shang Sui in front of Qin Shuhe just now. He could only mutter, “…You really hold a grudge.”
“I said I didn’t know you just now because Qin Shuhe can’t keep his mouth shut. I was afraid he’d say something that might cause trouble for you.” Shi Qi met his eyes and, for once, seriously explained himself to someone.
“Thank you. So that’s how it was.”
Shang Sui’s eyes curved slightly, his expression softening into the gentle, easygoing look Shi Qi was familiar with. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“My family… wants me to spend more time with Fu Siyue. Ideally, they want me to get married soon.”
At that point, Shi Qi began to stumble over his words.
He sighed deeply to himself.
An arranged marriage was already ridiculous enough, but the fact that it was with Fu Siyue made it even harder to say out loud.
“My family is very determined. Because of certain reasons, they insist I find a partner.”
Even though he hoped Shang Sui would help, Shi Qi didn’t want to bring up his illness and risk sounding like he was trying to gain sympathy.
Seeing his hesitation, Shang Sui filled in the blanks himself.
…So that’s how it was.
Because he was about to start a close relationship with another Alpha, it would be better to cut things off with him now?
Compared to the other two genders, Alphas were naturally possessive and territorial. They couldn’t accept their Omega being ambiguous with someone else.
Fu Siyue had seen him before. Shang Sui himself was an Alpha, and he knew all too well that a real, tangible rival was far more maddening than a made-up one. Not to mention, he’d deliberately provoked Fu Siyue back then.
So what was Shi Qi trying to say?
Let’s stop seeing each other? Pretend not to know each other? Don’t bother me anymore?
As the thought formed, Shang Sui’s heart slowly sank, and his expression dimmed.
Seeing Shang Sui’s unreadable face, Shi Qi found it even harder to continue.
It had all seemed so easy in his head, but now that he had to say it out loud, it felt inevitably embarrassing.
“So…”
So…
Shi Qi hesitantly said, “Can you be my boyfriend?”
At the same time, Shang Sui quietly asked, “You can’t see me anymore?”
The next second.
Shang Sui froze, suddenly looked up, and stared directly at him. “What did you say?”
Author’s note:
Sui one second ago: overflowing with grievance
Sui the next second: Huh?
WOAHHHHHH lmao this misunderstanding