When Shi Qi woke up, the sky was nearing dusk.
Shang Sui was sitting beside him with his phone, seemingly chatting with someone.
“Are you awake?”
Shang Sui keenly noticed the gaze beside him and turned his head to see Shi Qi looking at him with a trace of curiosity in his eyes.
Shang Sui willingly handed him the phone. “Shen Qianyu asked me to thank you.”
Shi Qi glanced at it and saw the brilliant chat record between the two.
Ss: [Is Jiang Yan still alive?]
Ss: [Don’t go too far, bullying a fool is illegal.]
Shen Qianyu: [Sleeping next to me.]
Shen Qianyu: [Did you send him over?]
Ss: [No, it was the kindest, cutest, most beautiful, and considerate baby in the whole world.]
After typing that long string of descriptors, Shang Sui especially emphasized.
Ss: [Mine.]
Shen Qianyu: [Thank Shi Qi for me.]
Shi Qi: “…”
Shi Qi, seeing this, threw the phone back at him. “You better talk about me like this when we’re out in public.”
Shang Sui couldn’t help but laugh. Shi Qi got up to wash up, and Shang Sui followed closely behind.
Like a tail.
Shi Qi thought.
After a moment, the tail couldn’t resist speaking. “Can I pick out clothes for you?”
Shi Qi was only wearing pajamas, walking around with bare legs. Upon hearing this, he looked up at him. “That half-closet of women’s clothes of yours?”
“I also have a full closet of men’s clothes.”
As Shang Sui spoke, he opened the wardrobe in the second bedroom. Shi Qi glanced over and paused.
Considering the climate in Qijiang, the wardrobe mostly contained spring and summer clothes.
On the left side were shirts and T-shirts of various colors and materials, semi-transparent cover-ups, printed hoodies, and hollow-knit sweaters.
The other side held bottoms, mostly ripped jeans and wide-legged pants, carefully paired with different metal chains and belts.
The colors and styles of the clothing clearly had Shang Sui written all over them, but…
“They’re my size?”
Shang Sui nodded.
It was obvious that such a large collection of clothes couldn’t have been bought all at once, and Shi Qi couldn’t help but ask, “How long have you been buying them? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’d pick up a nice piece whenever I saw one, thinking I’d find the right reason to give it to you. After we started dating, I just kept buying more and more.”
At first, he didn’t mention it because Shi Qi only liked wearing black and white, and what he picked were all colorful. Later, buying clothes for Shi Qi became a habit, and he almost forgot about it himself.
This time, coming to Qijiang for vacation, he thought of bringing some over from home.
“Do you want to wear them?”
“Why are you being so careful?” Shi Qi, seeing how cautiously he asked, answered directly, “I’ll wear whatever you pick. Go ahead, I’ll go wash my face.”
Before leaving, Shi Qi seemed to remember something and turned around.
He rose slightly on tiptoe and kissed the Alpha’s cheek. Shang Sui caught a whiff of the clear and pure scent of lily of the valley, and heard Shi Qi softly say.
“Thank you for buying me clothes.”
Seeing Shang Sui frozen in place, Shi Qi couldn’t help but laugh.
Shi Qi thought about how Yu Wan had also given him a whole bunch of gifts when they first met, and he guessed that this trait of Shang Sui’s must have been inherited from his mother.
If he liked someone, he would buy them things.
Shang Sui suddenly called out to him, “Xiao Qi, wait a second.”
“Hmm?”
“When you were sleeping, I asked Shen Qianyu about your glandular degeneration.”
After speaking those words, Shang Sui looked at his bright eyes, his fingertips unknowingly digging into his palm. “He told me that you don’t have much time left.”
After asking Shen Qianyu, Shang Sui realized that the condition Shi Qi had casually mentioned was far more alarming than he had imagined. He couldn’t bear to think about how Shi Qi had been enduring such immense pressure all along, feeling both heartbroken and sad.
Shen Qianyu told him that glandular degeneration was often accompanied by various complications, with insomnia being the most common.
Upon hearing this, Shang Sui immediately thought of how Shi Qi liked to fall asleep with him by his side, always pressing close to him each time.
It turned out that, in addition to wanting to be close to him, it was also because his pheromones could alleviate Shi Qi’s insomnia.
But before they had reunited, how many sleepless nights had Shi Qi spent alone?
Since he was fourteen or fifteen, when he first learned that his lifespan was only half of a normal person’s, during the sleepless nights when he watched the dawn come bit by bit, yet couldn’t escape the shadow of his illness, what had Shi Qi been thinking at those moments when despair made him want to do nothing?
And even because of differing positions, even his closest family had different opinions about him.
“He also said that you need a high-compatibility Alpha to mark you for life in order to cure the disease.”
Shi Qi hummed. “So?”
Seeing Shi Qi remain unfazed, Shang Sui’s heart started to race faster.
He was afraid that talking about it would upset Shi Qi, but he also worried that dragging it out would make him miss the final deadline.
Amid these complex emotions, there was also his own selfishness that he couldn’t clearly explain.
If he were just a bit braver, if he stayed by Shi Qi’s side as he grew up…
But upon thinking about it, this idea seemed too presumptuous. Even if they had never separated, Shi Qi didn’t necessarily have to choose him.
“Could you consider me?”
Shi Qi didn’t answer immediately.
His clear eyes were like a mirror, perfectly matching Shang Sui’s gaze. “Are you doing this because you want to help me treat the illness, or do you have selfish motives, wanting to mark me permanently?”
His question was sharp, and under Shi Qi’s stare, Shang Sui moved his lips. “I…”
He couldn’t lie.
He felt heartbroken over everything Shi Qi had gone through, and if possible, he would have gladly borne the pain for him.
But if he said he didn’t have any selfish motives, that he didn’t want to leave a permanent mark on Shi Qi, that would be a lofty, false claim.
“Do you remember? When I first asked you to pretend to be my boyfriend, my reason was that my family was forcing me into a relationship,” Shi Qi spoke up on his own, “but that wasn’t the real reason.”
“If I hadn’t wanted it, no matter what they said, I wouldn’t have agreed.”
“I didn’t quite understand back then. I just had a gut feeling to do it. Now that I think about it, it’s because I had selfish feelings for you.”
“Rather than pitying me or wanting to help me with the illness, I would rather you feel the same way about me.”
Because love was something closely tied to desire.
Shi Qi stepped forward, as if to touch his face. “If I find someone else, or simply choose not to treat the illness, you’d go crazy, wouldn’t you?”
Before he could touch him, Shang Sui grabbed his hand.
“Don’t,” the Alpha’s light brown eyes contracted for a moment, his pheromones overflowing, and he muttered unconsciously, “Don’t find anyone else, and don’t leave me.”
“Then say it.” Shi Qi let him grip his hand tightly. “It doesn’t matter if you’re not considerate enough, it doesn’t matter if it sounds greedy, because I like you like this.”
Just like how you want to possess me.
I also like the look on your face filled with desire.
“I want…” Shang Sui looked at him as if enchanted, uncontrollably saying, “I want to mark you permanently.”
Not only that, he wanted to marry him, wanted to be with him forever.
“Got it.” Shi Qi’s eyes curved into a smile, and the aggressive aura he had earlier disappeared, like snow melting away. “When the time is right, I’ll consider it.”
After saying that, he pulled his hand away and turned around without caring about Shang Sui’s reaction.
After a long while, Shi Qi realized he had been smiling the whole time.
They always said that Alpha during the special rut was dangerous, but this one was clearly so obedient, wasn’t he?
…
Speaking of which.
What does one need to prepare to propose to an Alpha?
–
Jiang Youning saw Shi Qi again, almost a week later.
During that time, Shi An had contacted Shi Qi once because he was worried. Shang Sui had answered the phone and briefly mentioned that Shi Qi had entered his heat period and couldn’t return home for the time being.
Jiang Youning saw that Shi An looked pale after the call and thought something serious had happened. After asking, he learned that Shi An was worried that Shi Qi might be permanently marked.
Without thinking, Jiang Youning said, “That’s fine, isn’t it? Isn’t their marking just a matter of time?”
Remembering that just a moment ago, Shi Qi had called out Shang Sui’s name and seemed to want him to hold him, Shi An choked up for a moment. “No matter what, it has to be after marriage.”
“Strictly speaking, if someone has ulterior motives, marriage doesn’t have any real constraints.”
Jiang Youning rarely spoke seriously, but after finishing, she quickly changed her tone. “So, when looking for an Alpha, you need to be extra cautious, find one who is long-term and responsible.”
She tossed her hair and winked at Shi An. “Like me.”
Shi An: “…”
Jiang Youning casually added, “But if it’s a special rut, marriage does have a binding effect.”
Unlike regular Alphas, an Alpha with a special rut must have a guarantor. When unmarried, the guarantor can be a family member, a friend, or a doctor with a special license. When married, the spouse automatically becomes the guarantor.
If, after marriage, the spouse notices any unusual behavior during the special rut, the relevant regulatory agencies will intervene and investigate. In severe cases, the individual will be sent to a specialized containment facility, which is equivalent to a prison.
When Shi Qi entered, Jiang Youning and Li Zhao were curled up on the sofa, chatting idly.
After handling her mentor’s funeral, Li Zhao had flown straight to Qijiang, her expression tired, half leaning against Jiang Youning as she listened to her talk.
Upon hearing the sound of the door opening, Jiang Youning gasped, “Oh my God, baby—!”
Li Zhao lifted her head, and her eyes instantly brightened.
Shi Qi wore a pale purple and light yellow lace cover-up. The milky colors suited him particularly well.
A wide leather belt cinched his waist, while another rose gold tie hung loosely with star-and-moon decorations, both delicate and effortless.
“Are you going to walk the runway? So beautiful, so handsome, so eye-catching!”
Jiang Youning glanced back and saw Shang Sui wearing a similarly colored shirt. The loose style highlighted the broad shoulders and slender back of the Alpha. It was clearly matching outfits.
She instantly understood who had picked out Shi Qi’s clothes.
Though the colors were soft, the shirt Shi Qi was wearing had a rather wild design. Without the inner layer, his upper body would have been fully exposed.
Through the holes, Jiang Youning could see countless hickeys on his neck and shoulders.
Noticing the blatant mark on the back of Shi Qi’s neck, Jiang Youning clicked her tongue.
It was deep, pretty intense.
Jiang Youning looked at Shang Sui, her words laced with meaning. “You’re quite capable.”
Shang Sui smiled, accepting the ambiguous comment.
Li Zhao, who had been sleepy, perked up when she saw Shi Qi. Jiang Youning became more and more pleased the longer she looked at him. In the end, she pretended to wipe away tears with a sense of relief. “Wuwuwu! The last time I saw you wear anything colorful was back in high school. Although you’ve always denied it, I’ve always thought I left a psychological scar on you back then.”
Shi Qi was about to tell her to stop.
Jiang Youning half-regretted and half-reminisced, “When you were a kid, I shouldn’t have tricked you into wearing skirts, and I even took a whole album of photos.”
Before Shi Qi could say anything, Shang Sui naturally asked, “Do you still have the album?”
Shi Qi: “?”
Is this even human language?
Li Zhao seized the opportunity and raised her hand. “I want to see too.”
“It’s here! It’s here! I brought it with me specially. Papa Xiao An developed several albums back then, and this one is my personal collection. It has cat-ear princess dresses, various headbands and hair accessories, so cute!”
Jiang Youning said as she reached for her suitcase, but Shi Qi immediately stopped her. “No!”
He then told Shang Sui, “You’re not allowed to look.”
Just the thought of Shang Sui possibly seeing those photos made Shi Qi’s sense of shame rise at an unprecedented speed.
Li Zhao quickly asked, “What about me?”
Meeting her expectant gaze, Shi Qi hesitated for a moment. “You can look, Xiao Li-jiejie.”
Jiang Youning showed a look of regret. “If Xiao Qi doesn’t agree, then only I and Li Zhao can look.”
She had just finished speaking.
Shang Sui leaned close to Shi Qi and whispered something. Jiang Youning saw Shi Qi freeze for a moment, his pale cheeks visibly flushing red at a speed the naked eye could catch.
Shi Qi finally muttered softly, “Forget it, do whatever you want.”
Jiang Youning watched in astonishment, feeling as though Shang Sui was casting some kind of spell on him.
Unable to hold back, she asked, “What did he say to you?”
“Nothing.”
Although his expression was calm, Shi Qi’s mind kept replaying Shang Sui’s voice.
The Alpha had lowered his voice, as though pleading, his soft tone inadvertently carrying an undertone of temptation. “I really want to see.”
“Please, hubby.”
Hubby? They weren’t even married yet. Could he call him that?
Shang Sui was really shameless.
Shi Qi cursed him inwardly, but his ears kept getting hotter.
Li Zhao suddenly said, “Xiao Qi, I need to talk to you about something.”
Jiang Youning, who had been about to go upstairs to fetch the album, turned back upon hearing this. “What! What’s this? Is there something I don’t know?”
Li Zhao shook her head, signaling that it wasn’t convenient to tell her.
“Should we go outside and talk?”
Shi Qi agreed and stood up, following Li Zhao.
–
It had rained a few days ago, and after the sunset, the temperature dropped. Shi Qi felt a slight chill in the cold wind.
He and Li Zhao stood in the garden of the small villa, the streetlights beside the path spilling light like flowing water.
“I heard from Youning that you and Shang Sui are very close.” Li Zhao smiled at him, remembering the scene from earlier. “Although we haven’t had much time together, I also feel the same way after spending time with you.”
Shi Qi nodded, feeling a little confused.
He had known Li Zhao for many years, but they hadn’t had much personal interaction, nor had they ever had a conversation alone.
Li Zhao’s voice was like a seemingly calm surface of water, with turbulence hidden beneath it. “When I saw you two at the art gallery the other day, I thought about it a lot after I got back.”
It was like some cold, sudden premonition.
The last time he had seen Li Zhao, she had mentioned that she was doing a report on special ruts.
As if confirming his suspicions, Li Zhao got straight to the point. “You know Shang Sui has a special rut, right?”
Shi Qi’s expression changed. “How do you…!”
“I found out by accident, and I haven’t told anyone else.”
Seeing his unsettled expression, Li Zhao quickly reassured him, “At first, I was worried that you didn’t know about his special condition, so I subtly asked you about your views on the special rut. After hearing what you said, I guessed you must understand.”
Shi Qi relaxed a little upon hearing this.
When it came to secrets about Shang Sui, Shi Qi’s expression became serious. “Xiao Li-jiejie, what exactly do you want to say?”
When the Haicheng serial murder case was brought up, Shi Qi hadn’t reacted particularly. Li Zhao hesitated for a moment. “He has a very heavy past, and you might not be aware of it.”
Li Zhao took a thin envelope from her shoulder bag. Shi Qi glanced at it, and it seemed to contain papers or photographs.
“I don’t know how to handle it. I originally wanted to give it directly to Shang Sui, but I felt it would be too abrupt, and it might cause him secondary harm. If I just dispose of it, it doesn’t feel like something I should do.”
“I thought about it for a long time, and I believe you’re the most suitable person to handle it.”
Li Zhao gestured for him to open the envelope, and Shi Qi took out a photograph. It was clear that the photo had some years on it, but it had been well-preserved.
As he clearly saw the scene in the photo, Shi Qi’s pupils suddenly contracted.
“What, what is this…?”
He heard his own voice trembling.
“This photo was taken eight years ago. It’s a keepsake from my mentor.”
Shi Qi remembered that Jiang Youning had indeed mentioned some time ago that Li Zhao’s mentor had passed away. The person had been quite well-known in the field of journalism, having written many widely recognized investigative reports.
“My mentor was following the Haicheng serial murder case back then. On the night the murderer was captured, apart from the police and the special rut regulatory authorities, some media were also at the scene.”
Shi Qi murmured, “Serial murder case?”
His fingers, gripping the photo, began to tremble uncontrollably.
Li Zhao had always treated Shi Qi like a younger brother. Seeing him look so shocked, she felt reluctant to continue.
But now that it had come to this, she quickly composed herself. “Back then, Shang Sui’s family used various methods to suppress all information related to him, including all the media materials taken that night.”
“Only this one was kept by my mentor in secret. His actions were not ethical. I read his will, and he believed this photo contained an extraordinary story, almost like a drama, and had significant journalistic value.”
“I can’t agree with his point of view, and even though I find this photo equally unbelievable, behind this story is a real person’s life.”
“I was planning to dispose of it, but then I met you two.”
“To be honest, the first time I saw Shang Sui, I was extremely, extremely shocked. He seemed to sense that something was wrong, but didn’t bring it up.”
Seeing that Shi Qi was frozen in place, Li Zhao felt guilty and hesitant to continue. “The two people in the photo, one is a fifteen-year-old Shang Sui, and the other is Zeng Yu, the murderer from the Haicheng serial killings.”
A heavy downpour fell from the pitch-black sky, with police cars flashing red and blue lights that alternated, their colors reflected by the distant snow-colored lightning.
The surrounding crowd was a blur of faces; some people were screaming, others were shouting, and everything looked like a scene from a nightmare.
Zeng Yu was arrested by the police, his hands cuffed behind his back, but as he was being put into the police car, he made a startling gesture, almost like some strange and sinister revelation.
He laughed loudly and knelt before the blood-soaked boy.
“In front of everyone, Zeng Yu knelt before Shang Sui and said some misleading things.”
“During the interrogation, Zeng Yu kept firmly accusing Shang Sui, and for all other questions, he gave nonsense answers. He committed suicide in his holding cell that same night.”
“The police found evidence linking Shang Sui to the first two crime scenes: his hair and a button from a school uniform.”
“Along with the fact that Shang Sui also has a special rut, after that…”
Li Zhao saw Shi Qi’s face turn pale and finally said the most cruel part of the story.
“Shang Sui was suspected of being an accomplice. It’s even possible that he was the mastermind behind the serial murders.”
Author’s note: I should let Baby 17 wear women’s clothes once
