“What did you buy me?”
Shi Qi took the dessert bag from Shang Sui and asked curiously.
The lake-blue bag was printed with a hand-drawn red wreath. The packaging looked familiar. Shi Qi untied the ribbon at the top and, upon seeing the familiar cake box inside, his expression gradually shifted to one of surprise.
“How did you know… I wanted this?”
Just before he voiced the question aloud, Shi Qi stopped himself.
Shang Sui shouldn’t know his social media account. Was it just a coincidence?
Last night, Shi Qi had posted a new update on social media. It was a mirror selfie taken during a break in the dance studio. He’d taken it from a distance, holding the phone in one hand. Because of his small face, most of it was hidden by the phone; only a sliver of fair cheek was visible.
Behind him stood the smiling president of the dance club, flashing a peace sign above Shi Qi’s head like rabbit ears.
@1717177: [Practice.]
[Dang, still grinding in the studio at 2:30 AM? You guys are so hardworking.]
[Sweetheart, you finally posted a photo and still didn’t show your face. I’m starting to forget your beautiful face…]
[Waaaah I’m so excited! Xiao Qi is finally choreographing again! What style is it this time? Are you representing A University in a competition?]
[The girl behind has such pretty hair! Love that pink!]
After dropping the photo, Shi Qi quickly logged off, but not before liking a seasonal dessert post from a bakery and leaving a tongue-out emoji in the comments.
Probably his way of bookmarking it for later?
Thanks to the algorithm, Shang Sui happened to see the post. Other fans had noticed it too.
[Caught you, 17!]
[You were just acting all cool, ghosting us after the post, and now you’re out here starry-eyed over cake?]
[Poor kid was probably starving during late-night practice. Just fantasizing about dessert to keep going.]
The sudden burst of attention prompted the bakery owner to pin Shi Qi’s comment. Shang Sui saw the tagged location, and it happened to be near his place.
Since Professor Xie had already asked him to stop by the art academy, Shang Sui swung by the bakery and picked up the osmanthus chestnut cake Shi Qi had liked, along with a few other seasonal chestnut-flavored items.
He figured it’d be best to buy extra so Shi Qi could share. When the owner mentioned that the desserts were on the sweeter side, Shang Sui also picked out a few more standard options. By the end, he walked out with three or four bags.
No wonder Jiang Yan had mistaken him for a delivery guy.
“This shop’s right downstairs from my building,” Shang Sui said naturally. “I figured you’d like this flavor, so I bought a bit of everything.”
He found Shi Qi’s unfiltered way of sharing online rather interesting. Not wanting to intrude, he didn’t mention that he had followed Shi Qi’s account.
So it really was a coincidence. Shang Sui had just happened to bring exactly what Shi Qi had been craving. Hugging the bag, Shi Qi said softly, “Mm. I like it.”
He and Shang Sui really seemed to be in sync.
Thinking that, Shi Qi felt even better and smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Shi Qi looked especially well-behaved right now. Shang Sui resisted the urge to reach out and pat his head, instead nodding at the other two bags. “Not sure if Lin Yan likes sweets, so I bought some strawberry-flavored ones too.”
“Lin Yan eats everything.”
Shi Qi took the remaining dessert bags, then, after a brief pause, asked tentatively, “Do you want to go back with me?”
He kind of wanted Shang Sui to come along and see him dance.
He had never felt the need to show himself off to anyone before, but now, for some reason, he was looking forward to it.
“Professor Xie needs to see me about something, so I have to go.”
Shi Qi gave a hum in response, brushing aside the small pang of disappointment. “Then go take care of that.”
“I’ll come watch the performance on the day of the competition. It’s this Friday, right?”
Thinking of Shi Qi still practicing at 2 AM, Shang Sui had initially wanted to tell him not to push himself too hard, but then again, doing what one loved, even if tiring, probably came with its own joy.
He gave Shi Qi a smile, his alluring, fox-like eyes filled with gentle warmth. “Good luck, Xiao Qi.”
Shi Qi nodded almost involuntarily.
Even after returning to the studio, that scene stayed vividly in his mind.
He absentmindedly touched his slightly hot glands with the back of his hand.
Why have I been feeling so hot lately? Could my heat be approaching?
“You’re back? What took you so long?” Lin Yan’s voice broke his train of thought.
“We just chatted for a bit.” Shi Qi handed him one of the bags. “Shang Sui bought this for you.”
Lin Yan froze. “He got one for me too? That’s thoughtful of him.”
Three bags remained. Shi Qi turned to the others. “Anyone want dessert? There’s plenty—let’s share.”
“Thanks, Xiao Qi! You’re the best—!”
The president cheered and ran over first. The others gradually gathered as well.
Lin Yan, increasingly pleased with Shang Sui, leaned over to whisper to Shi Qi, “Can he be your actual boyfriend?”
“Just one cake was enough to win you over?”
“I didn’t fall for the cake, okay? I saw the emotional intelligence behind it,” Lin Yan said sincerely. “I repent. If I’d known he was this decent, I wouldn’t have said… ahem, you know.”
Seeing Shi Qi pause mid-bite to look at him with an indescribable expression, Lin Yan defended himself, “But you can’t fully blame me either! First, Fu Siyue gave false info. Second, in my experience, Alphas who dress well outside of work are almost always players. The kind who’ve slept with more people than you can count.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen someone like Shang Sui.”
“Give me a break.” Shi Qi stabbed a pistachio cream puff with his fork and stuffed it into Lin Yan’s mouth. “He kindly gave you free dessert and you still won’t shut up.”
“…Mmmph!”
Lin Yan struggled for a couple of seconds, then gave up and just chewed and swallowed.
–
To boost interaction across the university town, the organizers of the dance competition went all out. They not only promoted it at every university but also gave everyone a half-day off on Friday.
With a break from classes, students were naturally excited to join in. As the host school, A University was packed. Students from various campuses gathered in droves. Staff members moved through the crowd, handing out glow sticks.
The prizes were generous, too. First place came with a full 10,000-yuan cash prize, second place got half of that, and even third place received 2,000.
In honor of the prize money, all the participating students were very motivated. Every team had rehearsed thoroughly, dressed neatly, and some had even hired professional makeup artists. The crowd buzzed with energy, and it almost felt like the set of a talent show.
The first group had already taken the stage, and the cheers and music echoed nonstop. The excitement from the audience made the students backstage instinctively pick up the pace as they got ready.
Shi Qi’s group had drawn the last slot in the lineup, meaning they wouldn’t be performing until nearly sunset.
The president and two other girls were in charge of everyone’s makeup. When it was Shi Qi’s turn, the president waved her hand dramatically. “You don’t need makeup. You’re naturally flawless. Just wash your face and go on stage.”
After saying that, her eyes lit up as she looked him up and down.
Shi Qi was wearing a black-and-white tie-dye, distressed knit sweater, with two wide belts adorned with metal chains loosely strapped around his waist, showing off his slim figure.
Because of his long legs, the layers didn’t make him look bulky. Instead, they emphasized his tall, slender frame, making him look like an idol straight out of a manga.
“Looking good, Xiao Qi! Who picked out those belts for you? That’s the finishing touch. Beautiful, handsome, and sexy!”
She had specifically reminded them beforehand that, since Shi Qi was the center, he should dress a bit flashier.
Even though he was still wearing his usual black and white, the accessories completely transformed the vibe.
Shi Qi paused for a moment. “…Lin Yan.”
He remembered how Lin Yan once said Shang Sui dressed too provocatively—now the tables had turned.
The outfit was Shi Qi’s own, but the metal-chain belts were generously provided by Lin Yan. They were supposedly his secret weapon for clubbing, though they’d never actually been worn out. Still, Lin Yan firmly believed no Alpha could resist them.
On top of that, Lin Yan had also given him a cool headband to create a bold contrast.
The president noticed the item in Shi Qi’s hand. “You haven’t put the headband on yet?”
Lin Yan had gone to the bathroom. Shi Qi had tried several times but couldn’t get it right on his own. “I don’t really know how to wear it.”
The president was about to help but got called away at the last minute. Standing nearby, Gu Cheng noticed and offered, “Want me to help you with it, Xiao Qi?”
As he spoke, Gu Cheng stepped forward to close the distance.
The backstage area was heated and buzzing with noise. Shi Qi felt a bit overheated, his sense of smell unusually sharp. Gu Cheng’s pheromones hit him instantly.
It smelled like grapes—not the fresh, fruity kind, but something already rotting and fermented, carrying a sharp sourness.
Shi Qi felt a rush of unexplained irritation, like an intruder had stepped into his territory. When he didn’t respond, Gu Cheng reached out, acting as if he was going to grab the headband.
Shi Qi didn’t like physical contact with people he wasn’t close to. Instinctively, he backed away and bumped right into someone else’s arms.
A sweet honey scent spread around him, like clear amber, wrapping him up completely.
“What’s wrong?” Shang Sui asked.
As he spoke, he looked up at Gu Cheng from behind Shi Qi.
Despite the sweetness of his pheromones, the overhead light narrowed into a fine line in Shang Sui’s eyes, making his light brown irises resemble the cold, slit pupils of a serpent.
Under that gaze, Gu Cheng’s scalp tingled, and cold sweat broke out on his back before he even realized it.
When he came to his senses, all he could register was how unnerving this person was. He instinctively took a step back.
Hearing the familiar voice, Shi Qi breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s nothing.”
The scent from Shang Sui eased the sudden unease. Shi Qi calmed down and turned to Gu Cheng. “We’re not that close, are we?”
“What?” Gu Cheng hadn’t yet recovered from the suffocating feeling and froze when he heard that.
Shi Qi’s expression remained blank. “I mean, you’d better use my full name when you speak to me.”
“…” Gu Cheng stayed silent for a moment before forcing a smile. “Got it. Sorry. Don’t be mad.”
Perhaps realizing he shouldn’t stay any longer, Gu Cheng quickly walked away. Shang Sui withdrew his gaze and turned to Shi Qi. “Xiao Qi?”
“Hm?” Shi Qi responded quickly.
Shang Sui gestured at the headband in Shi Qi’s hand. “Want me to put it on for you?”
“Okay.”
The performance had reached the seventh group, and they had about twenty minutes before it was their turn.
The president rushed back after finishing her tasks and saw Shang Sui helping Shi Qi with the headband. She raised the hairspray in her hand. “Should I set the hair!”
“No need.” Shang Sui slowly adjusted the headband, revealing the prettier part of the pattern. “The headband will hold it. Even if it comes loose while he’s dancing, it’ll still look good.”
The president hadn’t expected someone here to actually know what they were doing. The other boys who were about to go on stage had small eyes and had made a fuss while she did their eyeliner, nearly driving her crazy.
“Alright, alright, I’ll trust you!” She looked at Shang Sui with the gaze of someone who’d found a kindred spirit, then hurried off again.
Shang Sui carefully combed out Shi Qi’s platinum bangs, and in the process, his fingers inevitably brushed against Shi Qi’s skin.
As if afraid of hurting him, Shang Sui’s touch was extremely gentle. Shi Qi could hear the soft rustle of his fingers as they moved, and the enticing scent of Alpha pheromones filled his nose. The sweetness made him instinctively thirsty, and he subtly swallowed.
Shang Sui paused and suddenly asked, “Are you in heat?”
“What…??”
Shi Qi was stunned for a moment, his face instantly turning red.
The question was too blunt and offensive. If it had come from anyone else, Shi Qi might’ve knocked them down on the spot. Shang Sui realized his wording had been inappropriate as well. “Sorry, I meant… you don’t seem quite like yourself.”
He pressed the back of his hand to Shi Qi’s burning cheek and said with concern, “Your face is really hot.”
Only then did Shi Qi realize Shang Sui was simply stating a fact.
Because of his degenerated glands, Shi Qi’s heat cycles were irregular and far less frequent than a typical Omega’s. He often forgot he even had them.
Thanks to Shang Sui’s reminder, he finally understood the reason behind his earlier strange behavior.
“What’s going on?” Lin Yan had finally returned from the bathroom. Familiar with Shi Qi’s pheromone scent, he noticed the bright, crisp floral aroma as soon as he got close.
It smelled like spring dew on flower petals, unmistakably Shi Qi’s unique scent.
Lin Yan’s expression changed instantly. He pulled a blocker spray from his bag and gave Shi Qi a generous dose, temporarily blocking the Omega pheromones that were starting to spill over.
Their commotion caught the attention of others. The president, having just finished her tasks, looked over like it was the end of the world. “What happened?”
“Shi Qi’s not feeling well, he…” Lin Yan paused, then lowered his voice. “He’s in heat.”
“Huh?? How could this happen!!”
The president looked at Shi Qi in alarm. Going into heat was already difficult for Omegas to endure, but then she realized the bigger issue. “Can Xiao Qi still go on stage?”
Even with a suppressant, it would take at least half an hour or more for him to recover. By then, let alone participating in the competition, the entire event would already be over. And since they were the last group to perform, there was no chance of swapping slots to buy time.
Members of the dance club began to gather, all wearing worried expressions. The noise and swirl of mixed pheromones in the air were overwhelming. Shi Qi felt dizzy, his body burning from within.
In a daze, a thought struck him. He tugged at Lin Yan’s sleeve. “…Do you still have the special suppressant?”
He’d seen Lin Yan use it before. It took effect within two or three minutes and completely suppressed heat symptoms.
“I do.” Lin Yan patted his pocket. “But the side effects are really strong.”
“Last time I took it, I felt like I was drunk—dizzy, disoriented, and couldn’t stop rambling nonsense. There’s no way you could dance after taking it.”
“Give it to me.” Shi Qi’s grip on his sleeve tightened.
“Are you sure?” Lin Yan hesitated.
Special suppressants were developed purely for emergencies. Unlike regular ones, they didn’t prioritize comfort. Lin Yan’s dizziness had been considered mild—some Omegas experienced nausea, vomiting, or even allergic reactions after using them.
If Shi Qi couldn’t perform after taking it, wouldn’t that just mean he had suffered for nothing?
In contrast to Shi Qi’s decisiveness, Lin Yan couldn’t help but consider the worst-case scenario. “What if you have an allergic reaction? Even if it’s rare, what if you pass out…”
“I’m not usually allergic,” Shi Qi replied. “If I don’t try, how will I know?”
“Give it to him.” Shang Sui spoke up at this time.
His and Shi Qi’s reactions to the crisis were opposite: one heated, the other cool, but both radiated a confidence that steadied those around them. Under their firm gazes, Lin Yan finally gritted his teeth, pulled out the special suppressant, and handed it over.
Shang Sui took it without hesitation and asked Shi Qi, “Want me to inject it for you?”
Shi Qi responded with a hum of agreement.
Omegas in heat often lacked strength, their hands prone to shaking, so it was normal for someone else to administer the suppressant. Yet aside from Shang Sui, everyone else hesitated, unsure whether they should intervene.
Someone stared at the syringe filled with blood-red liquid and asked uneasily, “Is this suppressant really safe? Why does it look so scary?”
“Just forget it, Shi Qi.” Seeing that Shang Sui had already aimed the needle at Shi Qi’s arm, the president called him by his full name for the first time. “You were already stepping in last-minute to cover for someone else. I feel terrible letting you take such a risk.”
Someone else chimed in, “Yeah… maybe you shouldn’t do this.”
“Didn’t you say we had to at least get third place?” Shi Qi cut them off. “We’ve practiced so long. There’s no reason to back out now.”
Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, Shang Sui acted without even flinching. Before anyone could react, the suppressant was already injected.
Lin Yan, who stood closest, sucked in a sharp breath.
How was Shang Sui so ruthless? He hadn’t hesitated at all. Then again, he and the fearless Shi Qi really did seem like a perfect match.
As the crimson liquid disappeared into Shi Qi’s arm, the room fell silent.
Someone finally muttered, “Damn, that’s badass. I’m fired up now.”
“Today, no one’s calling him Xiao Qi. It’s Qi-ge now!”
“Qi-ge’s moves are like how I used to get motion sick from 3D games but still took pills just to keep playing.”
“You had such a glorious past? Then why do you still suck at sniping?”
“Man, seriously…”
Their chatter gradually lightened the once-tense atmosphere. Even so, the president still gave a cautious reminder. “Try to get used to it first. If it’s really not working, don’t force yourself onstage. What if you faint?”
The special suppressant took effect quickly. Within two minutes, the heat in Shi Qi’s body had mostly faded, and his oversensitivity to pheromones had greatly diminished.
Shi Qi stood up. He pressed a hand to his arm, then rotated his head to the left until it reached its limit, and then to the right. He was testing his body.
There was a bit of dizziness, but it was within manageable limits.
He could do this.
He could dance.
“I won’t faint, and I won’t mess up,” Shi Qi said. “Don’t worry.”
“Xiao Qi.” Shang Sui looked into his bright eyes and asked half-seriously, “Can I marry you?”
“—Holy shit, Shi Qi, you looked so damn cool just now! My heart fluttered too. Are you gonna take responsibility?”
Shi Qi assumed they were all just joking, so he played along. “You can,” he said, pointing at Shang Sui. Then he tilted his chin toward the guy shouting in the back. “You can’t.”
“Shi Qi is so biased!”
Sensing something subtle between the two, the president raised her voice. “You can talk when you look as good as Shang Sui!”
“It’s time to go on stage! Come on, gather up!” she called, grabbing the nearest club member.
Everyone stacked their hands in the center, one by one. Shi Qi’s hand ended up on top. When he noticed Shang Sui standing alone off to the side, he pulled him in without thinking, grabbing his hand and including him in the circle.
“Three, two, one—”
Everyone shouted together, “Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!”
The previous group’s performance wrapped up, and after a brief cleanup, the host prepared to announce the next act.
Just as Shi Qi was about to step on stage, he heard a faint snapping sound near his ear.
Before he could react, the necklace he was wearing as part of his outfit had broken and fallen to the floor, the pieces rolling away.
Shi Qi cursed silently.
Shit.
When it rains, it pours.
It wasn’t anything major, but the back-to-back mishaps right before going on stage inevitably affected his mood. He quietly picked up the broken necklace and placed it on the makeup table.
At that moment, something sparkled in the corner of his vision. Someone had taken off their own accessory.
“Want to wear mine?”
Shi Qi looked over and saw Shang Sui holding out a necklace.
It was a pair of gold cross pendants, one large and one small, covered in diamonds and layered together, glittering brightly under the lights.
Normally, Shi Qi wasn’t into flashy jewelry, but knowing it belonged to Shang Sui made it feel like it could bring him luck and strength.
“Mm.”
Shi Qi hadn’t expected that after he nodded, Shang Sui wouldn’t hand him the necklace but would put it on for him personally.
Thinking about it, time was tight, so this was indeed faster. Shi Qi slightly lowered his head, exposing his snow-white nape unguardedly beneath Shang Sui’s gaze.
At the same time, he asked in a low voice, “Why didn’t you come cheer me on earlier?”
At first, it sounded like a complaint, but Shi Qi’s tone carried the spoiled confidence of someone who knew he’d be indulged.
Shang Sui paused, then smiled. “I didn’t say it earlier, but you know, don’t you? You’ve always been amazing.”
Shi Qi hadn’t expected him to say it so seriously. Hearing genuine praise from Shang Sui made his face feel warm.
“It’s not that big of a deal, really. Just a suppressant shot. Not as impressive as you make it sound—”
Maybe even Shi Qi hadn’t realized that because of his decision, the atmosphere backstage had shifted dramatically. Everyone had become energized again, even more fired up than before.
Looking at his bashful expression, something in Shang Sui’s heart softened.
Six years have passed.
You’re still as brave as I remember. Of course that’s amazing. You’ll always be amazing.
Shang Sui fastened the necklace. To others, it looked as if he were gently wrapping his arms around Shi Qi’s neck. The Omega in his embrace had no intention of pulling away.
Shang Sui whispered, “You’ll do great.”
Author’s note:
Look forward to Xiao Qi’s performance and Xiao Sui losing it thanks to a rotten grape
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