The next morning, the school’s social practice activity included a visit to the largest biochemical factory in Qijiang.
Shi Qi trailed at the back of the group, and before long, he was drowsy. Lin Yan, worried he’d walk into a wall, held his hand with one hand while occasionally taking notes with the other to prepare for the report they’d need to write later.
The factory was part of the Huanyun Group. The commonly seen blockers and suppressants on the market were all produced by Huanyun, whose subsidiaries focused on the fashion industry and owned several well-known pheromone perfume brands.
As they passed through the pheromone perfume section, Lin Yan suddenly remembered Qin Shuhe and Yu Zhiling’s long discussion about the endorsement and said, “Speaking of which, I think Yu Zhiling is kind of fascinating.”
“?” Shi Qi barely managed to open his eyes.
“For example, you obviously look like an Omega, while Shang Sui looks like…” When Shi Qi glanced up at him, Lin Yan swallowed the word “scumbag” that had nearly slipped out. “Anyway, he definitely looks like an Alpha.”
“But with Yu Zhiling, sometimes I really can’t tell what gender he is. Maybe that’s just how models are.” Lin Yan asked curiously, “Do you think he actually likes Alphas? Or maybe he’s into Betas or Omegas?”
“No idea. But probably not Alphas.”
Back then, aside from asking Jiang Youning for help to clean up the situation, Shi Qi hadn’t told anyone what happened with Yu Zhiling, so Lin Yan didn’t know that Yu Zhiling had a strong aversion to Alphas.
Shi Qi yawned, remembering that Yu Zhiling had said he wanted to make him a bracelet, and that he still hadn’t replied.
Technically, if someone gave you a gift, you were supposed to give something in return.
But he couldn’t be bothered to make a bracelet to give back. Shi Qi thought about it for three seconds and decided to pretend he hadn’t seen the message.
After the tour, the teacher dismissed the group and let everyone enjoy the rest of the day on their own.
Most students eagerly headed to the old town to enjoy the Flower Festival. Shi Qi had originally planned to return to the hotel and catch up on sleep, but Lin Yan yanked him back. “Can’t you just sleep when we get back to the dorms in a couple of days? The freezing cold in the capital is perfect for hibernating. Look at this bright sun—is this really the time for sleeping?”
Shi Qi was persuaded and got in the car with him.
With the annual celebration underway, the entire old town seemed to be in bloom.
Lush peonies were woven into arches, yellow bells cascaded like waterfalls on both sides of the waterway, and translucent skeleton flowers floated and sank in the fountains.
Everything felt cheerful and uplifting, the air seemingly filled with colorful bubbles.
There was a constant stream of people all around. Shi Qi got separated from Lin Yan after a moment of inattention. Just as he was about to message him, a vendor wearing an orange marigold hat smiled at him. “Hey there, want to make a bracelet?”
Seeing the familiar face beneath the hat, Shi Qi fell silent. “Did you change careers?”
Qin Shuhe replied solemnly, “What are you saying, sir? I was born to do this.”
“…”
Sitting next to him was a little girl who whispered an explanation, “This gege saw I was too busy on my own and offered to help.”
“I see.” Shi Qi smiled at her, thinking Qin Shuhe really could strike up a conversation with anyone. “Where are your parents?”
The girl pointed to another booth not far away. “Over there.”
“Hey, Shi Qi, the way you treat the little girl compared to how you treat me is seriously—”
The ridiculous colorful hat on Qin Shuhe’s head bobbed as he spoke. Shi Qi suddenly said, “You look like a macaw.”
Qin Shuhe: “Hmm? Was that you calling me cute?”
Shi Qi: “I was calling you too noisy.”
Qin Shuhe: “…”
Qin Shuhe adapted quickly and switched to business mode. “So, do you want to make a bracelet? Look at the five racks behind me. You can pick any of the flowers!”
Although he didn’t want to do any crafting, under the expectant gaze of both the girl and Qin Shuhe, Shi Qi finally sat down.
He was terrible with his hands, but he also didn’t want to just decorate a pre-made rattan bracelet with some flowers and call it a day. So he had to start from scratch, clumsily fumbling through the process. His awkward efforts made Qin Shuhe burst into laughter.
“Boss, how much for a bracelet?”
Shi Qi was busy wrestling with the rattan in his hands and didn’t have time to look up. He answered smoothly, “The flowers in the first three rows are ten yuan each for making bracelets; the pre-made ones from the last two rows are thirty; if you make it yourself, it’s twenty-five.”
“What about the one in your hand?”
“Not for sale.”
Shi Qi thought, I’m making this myself, so it’s a priceless treasure.
The voice sounded very familiar. And sure enough, when he looked up, he saw a face more dazzling than all the flowers around.
Shang Sui was wearing a sheer knit cover-up layered over an undershirt, with a long bronze necklace hanging down and a choker around his neck made of matching materials.
He carried a black crossbody bag filled with sketching supplies and notebooks. The colorful graffiti on the bag looked hand-drawn. At least, Shi Qi had never seen a brand release anything like that.
Only then did Shi Qi realize how much the capital’s winter had limited Shang Sui’s flair. Looking at his flamboyant outfit, he suspected he might transform into a butterfly at any moment and fly straight into the flower bushes behind him.
Lin Yan stood next to Shang Sui, trying to stifle his laughter.
“You really won’t consider it? I’m very rich.” Shang Sui stared at the lopsided bracelet in Shi Qi’s hands as though it were some priceless artifact. “I really want this one.”
“What are you showing off for?” Shi Qi assumed he was just messing with him. “If you’re so rich, then sit down and make one yourself.”
Shang Sui let out an “Oh” and found a spot beside him to set down his bag.
Noticing that Qin Shuhe also had a sketch bag next to him, Shi Qi asked, “Why are you both carrying art supplies?” They can’t have it that rough, can they?
“Congratulations, you guessed right.” Qin Shuhe gave a miserable expression. “We’re doing outdoor sketching tonight.”
Shang Sui carefully picked through the five racks of flowers. Whether on purpose or not, he chose the exact same type Shi Qi had used for his bracelet.
Shi Qi glanced over several times before finally asking, “Why are you picking that flower?”
“Because it’s pretty.”
“So just because it’s pretty, you can pick it?” Shi Qi was quite domineering. “That’s my pheromone scent. Did you ask me for permission?”
Shang Sui smiled and replied good-naturedly, “Should I write an imperial request? Whenever you have time to grace it with your approval.”
“……”
Compared to Shi Qi, who fumbled clumsily, Shang Sui was much faster and better at weaving. The two of them sitting there looked like two dazzling, living advertisements.
The small stall attracted a steady stream of visitors. Most people opted to buy the pre-made bracelets. Qin Shuhe’s hands were practically on fire from weaving nonstop, and he couldn’t help but say, “I suggest you two put on some masks—”
“Hi, could you accept this?”
An Omega stopped in front of Shang Sui, holding out a bracelet. Judging by appearance, she was probably a university student as well.
Shi Qi’s fingers paused on the rattan, and he tried to reassure himself.
It was the Flower Festival; receiving a bracelet was completely normal.
After Shang Sui accepted it, the Omega gestured toward the elegant bracelet in his hand. Shi Qi vaguely overheard her asking if they could trade.
Shang Sui smiled and politely declined. But before Shi Qi could let out a sigh of relief, someone else came over to strike up a conversation.
Seeing the situation wasn’t looking good, Qin Shuhe quickly coughed and changed the subject. “You can only give the bracelet to one person, right? So, who are you giving yours to?”
“Mine is for my baby.”
Lin Yan had read before that giving someone a bracelet during the Flower Festival was also a way of praying to the Flower God for blessings for the recipient.
He inserted the final pansy into his bracelet and secured it. Even though he knew such a small bracelet couldn’t cure Shi Qi’s illness, he still said earnestly,
“I hope our Xiao Qi stays healthy, safe, and happy.”
“Thank you. You too.” Shi Qi accepted the bracelet a little shyly and replied with equal sincerity, “Stay safe and happy. Don’t get sick, and don’t have too many troubles.”
He thought for a moment and then extended his hand to Lin Yan. “Help me put it on.”
Qin Shuhe didn’t know about Shi Qi’s glandular deterioration, but seeing how solemn Lin Yan had been, he joined in too. “Then I’ll give mine to Shi Qi as well. Good luck on your performance tonight.”
“What?”
“You guys didn’t know? The person who receives the most bracelets gets invited on stage by the organizers to perform. Last year, the guy invited did a comedy routine.”
Qin Shuhe slipped his bracelet onto Shi Qi’s wrist and patted his shoulder like sending a soldier off to war. “Tonight, you go up there and sing and dance for the folks in Qijiang. Dance and act your heart out.”
“…”
“Oh right, who are you giving your bracelet to?”
Lin Yan reminded, “Why don’t you take a closer look at what he wove into it?”
“Ohhh~” Qin Shuhe’s voice stretched out as he noticed the soft clusters of pure white flowers on the bracelet. “He even braided in his own pheromones. I know who it’s for.”
“…” Shi Qi’s ears flushed when he saw Shang Sui glance over. He quickly made a move to shove the bracelet into Qin Shuhe’s hands. “I just made it casually. Here, you take it.”
“You mustn’t! Your Majesty, if you want to kill or punish me, just give the order. Don’t frame a loyal subject like this—”
Feeling the weight of that intense stare behind him, Qin Shuhe panicked. “I swear I’m innocent, ge! I didn’t even dare touch it. Please don’t give me a bad grade in tonight’s sketching session!”
Before Shang Sui could speak, someone stepped in front of Shi Qi and bent down to meet his eyes.
It was a refined-looking Alpha woman who offered a bracelet made of bright sweet peas. “Hello there, would you mind accepting this?”
An Alpha-jiejie, huh? That was rare.
…Hold on—it was broad daylight, so why did it suddenly feel like the temperature had dropped?
Qin Shuhe instinctively glanced at the other person.
Shang Sui was resting his chin in his hand. Though he was still smiling, a barely concealed air of resentment radiated from his whole body.
When the Alpha tried to give Shi Qi the bracelet, he shook his head.
She looked a little disappointed but quickly smiled again and said, “No problem! I hope you’re happy every day and have a wonderful Flower Festival.”
“And I hope you’re happy every day, too.”
That moment seemed to mark the beginning. After that, Shi Qi received many more bracelets in succession. Everyone wore a smile, and even when they were rejected, they didn’t mind and instead offered their blessings.
By evening, Shi Qi finally finished weaving his bracelet. It had taken a good deal of effort, and the final product was especially intricate.
The girl running the stall firmly refused to take their money. While Qin Shuhe was chatting with her, Lin Yan secretly scanned the payment code and gave an “OK” gesture.
Just as they were about to leave, she ran over and called them back.
Thinking she had discovered they’d paid, Lin Yan and Shi Qi exchanged a glance. But instead, the girl stuffed a basket of flowers into Shi Qi’s hands. “Gege, this is for you.”
Then she handed another to Shang Sui. “This gege gets one too.”
The two of them had received so many bracelets that they could barely carry them. Shi Qi put the ones he’d gotten into the basket and thanked her.
“Wait up, you two in front!”
A lively voice suddenly broke in, “Would you be interested in joining our event? I was walking by and noticed you two had the most bracelets—WAHHHH! Xiao Qi! It’s really you!!”
The young lady had a badge from the event organizers hanging from her neck. When Shi Qi turned around, she got so excited she could hardly speak.
How could he look even better in person than in photos?
No wonder people said cameras couldn’t capture his beauty. He looked like a life-sized doll who could smile and talk.
“I’ve been a fan for so long. It feels like I’m dreaming!”
Shi Qi didn’t know what to say. She thought he didn’t believe her and reached for her phone. “Wait, I’ll show you my following list.”
Shang Sui cut in at just the right moment. “What following list?”
People still brought up that time Shang Sui carried him offstage at the dance competition. Thinking of the vulgar comments lurking in the comment section, Shi Qi acted fast and stopped her. “No need. How do we sign up for the event?”
“Just register with me! Come to the central fountain in the plaza at six o’clock. There’ll be a band performance. We’ll do a final count of the bracelets there. And if you perform, you’ll get a prize! You’ll receive a huge bouquet of flowers from Qijiang every month for a whole year.” She emphasized, “A huge one! They’re really beautiful.”
Then she turned to Shang Sui. “Hey, handsome, do you want to sign up too? The person who received the most bracelets this year is probably between you and Xiao Qi. Are you two friends?”
Shang Sui answered with a smile, “We’re a couple.”
The girl looked from one to the other, practically swooning with joy. “Oh my god, Cat Baby, you really know how to pick a husband! You two are perfect together!”
After she left, Shang Sui said sweetly, “Husband, she said we’re perfect together.”
Shi Qi’s face flushed. Without thinking, he corrected, “You must’ve misheard. She said you’re my husband.”
It was rare to meet someone so gullible. Shang Sui beamed with delight. “Ah, so that’s how it is.”
“…” Shi Qi couldn’t shake the feeling he had been taken advantage of, but he had nothing to back it up.
Less than half an hour before six o’clock, they strolled leisurely toward the plaza, crossing an arched bridge woven with flowers.
Almost like an occupational disease, Shi Qi noticed that both Qin Shuhe and Shang Sui loved taking photos, frequently using their cameras to capture the beautiful scenes around them.
Along the way, several art students came up to give Shang Sui bracelets. Shi Qi stayed in place, and at that moment, someone called his name.
He turned around to see Yu Zhiling smiling as he handed over a red iris bracelet.
“Happy festival! I made this one myself.” He glanced at the nearly full flower basket. “You’ve received so many, as expected of you.”
“Thank you.”
Shi Qi placed the bracelet into the basket. Yu Zhiling’s gaze fell on the delicate white flowers around Shi Qi’s wrist, and his expression shifted slightly. “Is that your own bracelet?”
Shi Qi didn’t reply to his hint. Yu Zhiling felt a flicker of disappointment but soon shrugged it off.
Given Shi Qi’s personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had little interest in festival activities.
But he hadn’t expected him to not only prepare a bracelet, but even to weave in flowers matching his own pheromones.
Seeing Shi Qi nod, Yu Zhiling probed jokingly, “You’re not going to give it to me? I gave you mine.”
Shang Sui was still busy on the other side. Shi Qi absentmindedly replied, “This one’s for someone else.”
Come to think of it, why hadn’t Shang Sui given him the bracelet yet?
Shi Qi kicked at the ground unhappily, pressing his lips together.
Could he be thinking of giving it to some random person? On what grounds? That was his pheromones, after all.
“…”
Yu Zhiling’s eyes showed a flash of unwillingness, and he suddenly reached out, trying to touch the flower bracelet on Shi Qi’s wrist.
Shi Qi reacted quickly and pulled away before he could.
He frowned. “What are you doing? I already said it’s for someone else.”
“I’ve never seen this style before. I just wanted a closer look.”
When Shi Qi’s expression turned icy, his presence was intense. Yu Zhiling quickly changed the subject. “Did you make it yourself? I’m jealous. I wish I had such a beautiful bracelet.”
“—Always so touchy, aren’t you? That’s a pretty unique way of showing jealousy.”
The memory from the previous night was still vivid. Caught off guard by Shang Sui’s voice, Yu Zhiling shivered reflexively.
Facing the Alpha’s mildly mocking gaze, he quietly stepped back. Once he snapped out of it, he silently cursed himself for being so jumpy.
With so many people around, what could Shang Sui even do?
Yu Zhiling suppressed his surprise and turned to Shi Qi. “Xiao Qi, that was my bad. I shouldn’t have touched your bracelet without asking.”
“But I really didn’t mean anything by it. Your boyfriend’s words were a bit too much… I’m sorry, okay?”
Knowing Shi Qi responded better to kindness than to confrontation, he deliberately sounded pitiful toward the end, hoping to win some sympathy.
Give me a break.
Shang Sui scoffed inwardly.
Starting trouble and then playing the victim? Never seen anyone so spineless.
After Yu Zhiling finished speaking and saw that Shi Qi was still ignoring him, he tried to hook his arm like usual and act cute to smooth things over.
But Shi Qi reached out first and took Shang Sui’s hand, his expression calm. “That’s just how my boyfriend is. Cut him some slack.”
“…”
Yu Zhiling’s arm froze mid-air. He hadn’t expected Shi Qi to dodge him, let alone stand in front of Shang Sui.
Shang Sui froze for a second, then quickly clasped Shi Qi’s hand in return. “It’s almost six. Let’s head to the plaza, okay?”
Shi Qi nodded.
Though he was slow to catch on, even he could tell from the earlier scene that Yu Zhiling and Shang Sui didn’t get along.
Even if he didn’t like Alphas, there was no need to go that far.
Lin Yan had walked ahead, but noticing something was off, he came back to ease the tension. “You’re here too? Let’s go together. I heard there’s a performance at the plaza.”
Yu Zhiling gritted his teeth but quickly adjusted his expression and agreed with a nod.
Bathed in the setting sun, the fountain at the center of the plaza sparkled like diamonds.
Nearby, a band was performing a melodious English song, and many tourists had stopped to listen.
“You’re here!” The girl holding the registration book greeted them excitedly. “Come this way, and we’ll count how many bracelets you’ve got.”
Shi Qi handed over the flower baskets from both himself and Shang Sui. Several other staff members were nearby. None of them had seen anything like this before. After a moment of surprise, they quickly gathered around to count.
Once the bracelet totals were verified, the girl ran off to speak to an older staff member. The person gave a nod after a moment of thought.
“I have some bad news. You two have exactly the same number of bracelets. A perfect tie.” The girl returned with a smile and suggested, “But there’s good news too. How about both of you go on stage? We’ve just confirmed we can make an exception and award two prizes.”
“Wait a second, I haven’t given mine yet.”
Shang Sui removed the bracelet from his wrist. Shi Qi, sensing something, moved his fingers slightly.
“Happy festival. Wishing you happiness.”
The moment Shang Sui held out his hand, Shi Qi immediately placed his own over it, as if he had been waiting all along.
He really was like a kitten—reach out, and he came running.
A smile bloomed in Shang Sui’s eyes without him realizing it. “The first time I smelled your pheromones, I thought that if I had to imagine it, there couldn’t be a flower more fitting for you.”
These flowers, blooming in clusters like tiny lanterns or dewdrops, symbolized pure love, reunion after separation, and the joy of regaining something once lost.
Shi Qi’s pheromone was lily of the valley, whose flower language meant the return of happiness.
It sounded like the kind of perfect ending you’d only find in a fairy tale. Once, it had felt like an unattainable luxury to him.
He had met and parted with Shi Qi at seventeen. Honestly speaking, life hadn’t treated him badly in the years since. He had told himself many times that living wasn’t limited only to that midsummer at seventeen.
But he always lacked enthusiasm for everything. At times, waking up in the early morning, an unshakable emptiness and weariness would wash over him.
With selfish intent in his heart, Shang Sui gently slipped the lily of the valley bracelet onto Shi Qi’s wrist and said ambiguously, “If possible, I hope fate follows the flower language.”
A little more perfect—to bring back not just happiness, but everything once lost.
The girl had been watching the whole time. She covered her mouth, on the verge of squealing, but didn’t want to disturb the beautiful moment.
Oh my god, this feels like a proposal…!
Under Shang Sui’s gentle gaze, Shi Qi curled his fingers. With his other hand, he carefully touched the soft petals. As he came back to his senses, he reached to take off his own bracelet to give to Shang Sui. “Then mine—”
“No need to give it to me.” Shang Sui spoke first. “Keep the blessing for yourself, Xiao Qi.”
Bracelets woven during the Flower Festival could also be kept, symbolizing self-love and blessings for oneself.
Although he had initially wanted to exchange bracelets with Shi Qi, in the end, he hoped Shi Qi would love himself more.
Shi Qi had the same thought and responded without hesitation, “Then don’t give me yours either, keep it for yourself.”
Author’s note: Now the question is, who’s going on stage to perform?
–
When picking pheromones at the start, the moment I saw lily of the valley, I immediately thought it was perfect for Xiao Qi. Its flower language was fitting, and its appearance matched too.
Also, 2s is honey, 17 is flowers—like a cat and a butterfly. The combination of flowers and honey just felt really interesting.
