CAADTB Chapter 66

Click—

The sound of the lock made Shi Qi instinctively feel a sense of danger, and a wave of heat spread from the mark on the back of his neck.

Before he could react, the scene before his eyes spun around.

Shi Qi was pressed down onto the bed, the sweet scent enveloping him, trapping him within the confined space.

Shang Sui’s eyes were a lighter shade than his, and under the light, they shimmered brilliantly, reminiscent of a colorful serpent.

“Lin Yan and the others were upstairs just now.”

Shi Qi’s body stiffened.

“It’s fine. They didn’t see much.”

As Shang Sui spoke, he reached out, gently caressing his cheek.

Thinking that he had only kissed his face, Shi Qi let out a low response of acknowledgment. Seeing him relax, Shang Sui used his fingertips to toy with his small earlobe.

The first time he had slept with Shang Sui had been during his heat, and Shi Qi had especially enjoyed entangling with him. Back then, he thought it was simply the effect of instinct.

But even after his heat ended, he still found himself addicted to physical contact. Only then did Shi Qi realize that his whole body had become unusually sensitive.

The slightly cool fingertips brushed lightly across his neck, intentionally or unintentionally, and just like before, Shi Qi’s breathing involuntarily grew erratic.

“This house isn’t well soundproofed.”

Shi Qi was being touched comfortably, his eyes half-lidded in a daze.

Shang Sui hinted with meaning, “If we get too noisy, they might hear us.”

It was either to go all out or not do it at all.

Shi Qi thought for a moment. If they really made a commotion, Lin Yan would probably record it for him.

Shi Qi settled for a compromise.

“A kiss?”

“Open your mouth, baby.”

They spoke almost simultaneously.

Shi Qi cooperatively parted his lips, revealing a small sliver of bright red tongue. His dark grey eyes were wet and glistening, like rippling water.

Shang Sui stared at him intently.

After a long moment with no movement, Shi Qi grew impatient and was just about to ask if he was going to kiss him or not.

His wrists were suddenly grabbed. Shang Sui tightened his grip, pulling both his hands above his head and pressing them firmly against the pillow.

“What the hell…!”

He hadn’t yet understood why the other had suddenly turned rough when the Alpha lowered his head and kissed him fiercely.

Between kisses, Shang Sui’s hands roamed over his body.

Shi Qi’s back unconsciously rubbed against the bed, the stimulation overwhelming, making him instinctively want to escape.

Shang Sui chased after him, kissing him again, gripping his slender waist, his hand sliding downward to even more intimate territory.

As he gradually adapted, Shi Qi’s legs hooked tightly around Shang Sui’s waist, wrapping around him like vines, wishing the Alpha could completely press against him without leaving a gap.

Sensing Shang Sui lightly licking his lips as if about to leave, Shi Qi drowsily pleaded, “Kiss me more… a bit harder.”

The other paused briefly, then fulfilled his wish.

It was unclear how much time passed as their pheromones intertwined. Shi Qi became hotter and hotter, a fine sheen of glittering sweat covering his skin.

By the time the kissing ended, both of them were somewhat dazed and lost in desire.

Shang Sui was the first to recover, his voice sticky as he asked, “Want to take a shower?”

Shi Qi nodded but didn’t move.

He lazily curled up on the bed, his fair calves resting on the messy thin blanket, reminiscent of a cat flicking its tail from time to time.

It was obvious that he was the type who liked being served.

Shang Sui chuckled, wrapped his arm around the back of his knees, and carried him toward the bathroom.

Shi Qi suddenly called him, “Shang Sui.”

“Hm?”

“You have to keep liking me this much.” Shi Qi demanded to himself, “It can increase, but it can’t decrease.”

The Alpha’s alluring brows and eyes curved under the light. “Are you acting spoiled with me?”

Shi Qi leaned against his shoulder, neither admitting nor denying it.

I’ll propose tomorrow.

They thought the same thing simultaneously.

–

The next morning, the two of them, with tacit understanding, brought up the idea of going to stay at Yishan.

Shi Qi had originally planned to propose at the place where they first met. When Shang Sui casually mentioned that there were too many people at the villa and it was inconvenient to stay there, he immediately agreed.

He went home to change his clothes, deliberately choosing a pair of cargo pants with large pockets, and tucked the prepared diary into them.

As he headed out, Shi Qi saw an unfamiliar boy standing by Shang Sui’s car, seemingly trying to strike up a conversation.

Before Shang Sui could refuse, Shi Qi suddenly said, “What are you doing?”

The boy was startled and immediately turned his head.

Shi Qi’s platinum blonde hair glowed with a soft halo under the winter sunlight, making it impossible to look away.

“I…”

Guessing that Shi Qi might have misunderstood something, the boy quickly explained, “I saw that your friend has great physical features and wanted to ask if he’s interested in being a model or influencer.”

To prove he wasn’t lying, the boy took out his phone and showed Shi Qi his account.

“Oh.” Upon hearing it was just work-related, Shi Qi’s expression eased. “He’s not interested.”

After saying that, he got into the car without noticing that the boy’s eyes had remained fixed on him.

In a good mood, Shang Sui’s tone lifted slightly. “Xiao Qi, are you jealous?”

Shi Qi shot him a sideways glance.

The long, shimmering earrings swayed lightly, his wolf-cut hair softly scattered at the nape of his neck. The neckline of Shang Sui’s knit sweater was low, fully exposing the semi-melted butterfly tattoo on his collarbone.

Shi Qi’s gaze landed on the choker around his neck, itching to touch it. He simply hooked his index finger around the slender leather strap and pulled him toward himself.

“Why are you—” Dressed up so flamboyantly?

Although Shang Sui could walk the runway any day, today he was particularly over the top.

Before Shi Qi could finish, someone cautiously knocked on the passenger side window from outside.

Shi Qi lowered the window. The boy gave him a smile and lifted his phone, saying, “I think you look great too!”

“Would you be interested in this kind of work?” His eyes moved slowly across Shi Qi’s face, more like a hunter sizing up prey than someone talking business.

He said with an unmistakable undertone, “Add me as a friend! Even if you’re not interested now, you might change your mind later.”

Shang Sui quickly stepped in: “No. Goodbye.”

“Hold on—!”

The boy tried to say more, but Shang Sui shut the window for Shi Qi.

Feeling the other person’s gaze fixed on him, Shang Sui remained calm. “You might not have noticed, but the way he looked at you was strange.”

“Oh, alright then.”

After the car had driven a short distance, Shi Qi smiled and added cheerfully, “If you’re jealous, you can just say so.”

After saying that, he lowered his head to look at his phone.

Last night, he had sent a message in the group chat, reminding everyone to head to the small villa early. Even though Lin Yan had been grumbling that ever since the holidays started, he hadn’t gotten up before noon, he had still taken the early bus up the mountain at around eight, even more impatient than Shi Qi himself.

Qin Shuhe had sent a photo of Endless Summer hydrangeas, indicating that they had already secured a spot: [Your humble servants are in position, Your Majesty, rest assured.]

A moment later, Qin Shuhe added: [Apologies, my form of address was outdated. God Qi, rest assured.]

After sending the message, Qin Shuhe unconsciously glanced across from him.

Two Alphas had arrived on the other side just now.

This entire area was private property. Shi Qi had given Lin Yan the garden key in advance so they could get in smoothly. Qin Shuhe thought they were friendly strangers and casually asked, “Hey there, are you here for the proposal too?”

Jiang Yan didn’t think much of it and replied, “Yeah, yeah, you guys too?”

He muttered, “Didn’t know there were others. Why didn’t Shang Sui say anything?”

Jiang Yan and Qin Shuhe talked at cross purposes for quite a while before Lin Yan suddenly realized, “Shang Sui’s proposing today too?”

Shi Qi had mentioned to him that Shang Sui’s closest friends were a couple, both Alphas.

Shen Qianyu caught the key word, “Too?”

Everyone quickly understood what was going on, and they said in unison:

“Don’t tell Shi Qi!”

“Don’t tell Shang Sui!”

“So they both planned to propose on the same day.” Qin Shuhe sighed, “Well, I guess when two people are that close, they really do think alike. Unbelievable chemistry.”

Jiang Yan looked over at Chu Tao, noticed she was carrying a giant camera, and asked in shock, “Sis, how come you’ve got professional gear too?”

Chu Tao didn’t find it strange at all to be called “sis” by a male Alpha, and cheerfully replied, “I used to be Shi Qi’s fansite master. I thought I’d follow him into the entertainment industry, so I bought a bunch of telephoto lenses back then. Figured I’d bring them along this time.”

“Understandable. If Shi Qi debuted, he’d argue with anyone who dared to dream of stepping on him,” Qin Shuhe joked, then couldn’t help asking, “Is there anyone in the world he hasn’t argued with?”

“No one. He even talks back to Uncle Xiao An.” Lin Yan suddenly thought of something, “Wait, no, I don’t think he’s ever talked back to Shang Sui.”

“So God Qi walks the path of double standards.” Qin Shuhe changed the topic, “But considering how gentle my ge acts around Shi Qi, I guess that’s understandable too.”

Jiang Yan had been listening with great interest, but upon hearing that, his expression turned as if he had seen a ghost. “Gentle personality?? Shang Sui? Isn’t he more like a top Alpha, artist, completely nuts?”

“For now, Shang Sui behaves really well in front of Shi Qi.” Shen Qianyu offered the highest level of praise, “Most of the time, he looks like a normal person.”

–

They got off at the central station on Line 2, Shi Qi trailing behind Shang Sui.

Larkspurs and hollyhocks bloomed on both sides of the road. From a distance, Shi Qi saw two people standing amidst the colorful flowers, looking intimate, seemingly fiddling with a camera together.

Shi Qi thought it was Lin Yan and the others, wondering why they had come this way.

One of them seemed to sense his gaze and looked over.

Shi Qi froze for a moment. “Senior?”

“Shi Qi?” Seeing someone he recognized, Duan Jiayan showed a surprised expression, his amber eyes particularly clear under the sunlight. “You’re here too.”

The Alpha beside Duan Jiayan first glanced at his changing expression, then looked over as well.

Noticing the man’s gaze land on Shang Sui, Shi Qi guessed, “Do you know each other?”

Shang Sui nodded. “His mother bought one of my paintings.”

There were a few other connections, but they were all family-related.

“How’s Ms. Jiang doing lately?”

Lu Xingci politely replied, “She’s well, thanks for asking.”

Duan Jiayan suddenly let out a laugh.

Lu Xingci looked over at him.

Duan Jiayan drawled, “Nothing, it’s just rare to hear you being so proper. It’s kinda funny.”

With his interruption, the atmosphere lightened considerably.

Duan Jiayan looked at Shi Qi. “By the way, when you added me as a friend before, I thought you wanted to play games with me.”

They were in the same club; Shi Qi was one year below him. During a photography club event, they had happened to be assigned to the same group, and afterward, everyone had gone to an internet café together.

That night, he and Shi Qi carried the useless Chen Yue to victory all the way. Even though it was their first time teaming up, they had great chemistry, leaving him with a good impression of this junior.

Shi Qi looked cold and distant, but after the event, he had proactively asked for his contact information. He still remembered Shi Qi hesitating for a moment, then also adding Chen Yue.

Shang Sui realized something and glanced at the silent Shi Qi.

Apparently unsure how to respond, Shi Qi’s eyelashes trembled slightly. Confirming it was as he thought, Shang Sui spoke with a cold edge, “Wow, Xiao Qi.”

Lu Xingci hadn’t sensed anything odd at first, but upon hearing that, he raised his eyebrows slightly.

The only person present who hadn’t noticed the unusual atmosphere continued, “Later, I saw you online twice and invited you, but you didn’t join.”

Duan Jiayan remembered that he had totally crushed it that night, so he could only think of one explanation. “Did you mistake me for Chen Yue? He’s really bad. I’m the mid-laner. He’s the one who kept dragging you down as support.”

Shi Qi really couldn’t say the real reason, so he came up with something on the spot. “No, I just don’t like playing with people who are too good at games.”

Duan Jiayan: “?”

Shi Qi: “I like carrying the team.”

Shang Sui smiled. “Maybe because after adding you, he saw your wedding photos.”

Shi Qi: “…”

Shi Qi felt Shang Sui was like a ghost.

In his panic, he grabbed Shang Sui and said, “Senior, bye-bye! We’ll head off first, you guys have fun.”

After they left, Duan Jiayan said blankly, “What was that about? Are married people not allowed to join esports?”

Lu Xingci made no comment, imitating Shi Qi’s tone as he called him, “Senior.”

“?”

“You’re truly popular.”

Duan Jiayan returned the courtesy, “Thanks, you too.”

He tossed this little episode to the back of his mind and motioned for Lu Xingci to look at the camera in his hand. Clusters of larkspurs bloomed on the screen, and the photographer happened to capture a fleeting moment of changing light and shadow. The already gorgeous colors looked like multicolored fireworks.

“Look at the flowers I shot, aren’t they impressive?”

When he didn’t get a compliment for a long time, Duan Jiayan became a little dissatisfied.

What’s going on? Why was Lu Xingci so uncooperative today?

He turned his head, only to realize the other had been staring at him the whole time.

“I told you to look at the flowers, not me—”

The moment their eyes met, Lu Xingci suddenly leaned in and stamped a kiss on his cheek.

Duan Jiayan fell silent for a moment, then couldn’t help laughing as he said, “What are you doing?”

–

Shi Qi dragged Shang Sui along the whole way. The latter obediently followed him for a while. After confirming they were out of sight of the other two, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He twisted Shi Qi’s wrist behind his back, giving it a light squeeze.

Shi Qi knew he was in the wrong and explained of his own accord, “It was something from a year ago.”

Shang Sui made a vague sound of agreement.

“Because I had forgotten you, but would subconsciously be attracted to types somewhat similar to you, that’s why I was curious about that senior.”

After finding out the other already had a partner, Shi Qi completely gave up the idea and put the matter behind him.

If they hadn’t run into him today, he probably wouldn’t have remembered at all.

“What type?”

Lin Yan’s words flashed through his mind, and Shi Qi blurted out, “The type that looks like a scumbag.”

When there was no response for a long time, Shi Qi started wondering if calling him a scumbag was a bit too much—

“I thought it was the type that’s bad at games.” Seeing him explain so seriously, Shang Sui’s displeasure vanished without a trace. “Our baby doesn’t like playing with people who are too good at games, right? Then you must really like me?”

He spoke like he was rattling off a tongue twister. Shi Qi barely managed to understand what he meant. He was about to explain further when he suddenly noticed the hint of mischief in Shang Sui’s eyes.

Shi Qi instantly realized the other was teasing him, so he fired back without hesitation, “No way. Too bad is also no good.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Shang Sui’s fingers slid downward, suggestively hooking along the way. “As long as I’m good at other things.”

A tingling itch spread through his sensitive palm. Realizing the other was actually making a dirty joke at him, Shi Qi yanked his hand back as if electrocuted.

Shang Sui wasn’t the least bit ashamed. Instead, he smiled at him.

From a distance, Qin Shuhe, who had been waiting around bored, saw the shadows of Shi Qi and Shang Sui appear and jumped up in excitement, “Finally! Shi Qi, don’t let me down, you have to be the one to make the first move!”

Jiang Yan refused to be outdone, “Xiao Sui-gege, go for it! How can you let someone else steal the proposal!”

At noon, the sea of Endless Summer hydrangeas bloomed as brilliantly as a rainbow after the rain.

Thinking about how Lin Yan and the others were hiding somewhere nearby, Shi Qi reached into his pocket, feeling the heavy weight of the diary, and silently cheered himself on.

Just as he was about to speak, Shang Sui asked first, “Do you still remember the last time we came to Qijiang?”

Shi Qi’s attention was entirely focused on what he was about to do, so he only nodded.

“During the Flower Festival, we exchanged bracelets, but it withered quickly.” Shang Sui saw him gradually looking his way, and, just like back then, said, “Xiao Qi, give me your hand.”

Shi Qi thought Shang Sui was going to give him a new lily of the valley bracelet, so he immediately cooperated and stretched out his hand.

He liked the meaning behind the Flower Festival, not to mention that the bracelet Shang Sui had made was beautiful.

Shang Sui moved quickly. Shi Qi didn’t even get a clear look at what was in his hand. But unlike the soft touch of flower stems he had expected, cold, hard gemstones brushed across his skin.

The moment Shang Sui released his hand, dazzling firelight entered his vision.

“This bracelet isn’t made of real flowers, but it will never wither.”

A bracelet shaped like a lily of the valley bloomed around Shi Qi’s wrist. The inlaid diamond petals and leaves shimmered with light, the flower’s center embellished with a yellow diamond. The complex craftsmanship allowed the dangling stamens to tremble naturally with the wearer’s movements, while the slender gold-woven stem had been treated with a matte brushed finish, complementing the glittering petals and leaves perfectly.

The entire bracelet had rich layers and a lively floral design, perfectly capturing the lightness and delicacy of lilies of the valley.

“It’s so beautiful.” Shi Qi’s gaze was completely drawn in as he unconsciously twisted his wrist. “Did you design this yourself?”

Such a delicate bracelet didn’t look like anything available on the market, but resembled a custom-made piece.

Not only was it expensive, but the production process would also require considerable time.

“I drew it myself, and I also revised some details with the designer. Do you like it?”

A long time ago, he had discovered that Shi Qi liked shiny things.

Whenever he wore eye-catching earrings or necklaces, Shi Qi’s gaze would unconsciously follow them, like the hunting instinct of a cat.

“I like it.” Imagining Shang Sui carefully sketching the bracelet design stroke by stroke, then confirming every detail step by step based on the existing craftsmanship, Shi Qi emphasized, “I like it very much.”

“I like everything you give me, but I know you must’ve poured a lot of effort into this bracelet to make it so beautiful. I’ll cherish it properly.”

From the last Flower Festival to now, Shang Sui must have been preparing for a long time, and chose today to give him such a time-consuming, painstaking gift…

Shi Qi vaguely sensed something, and his heart skipped a beat. “You—”

“I’ve imagined so many times what you’d look like when you grew up. As I got older, the you in my imagination grew up day by day too, as if you were still by my side.”

When Shang Sui said this, he showed a helpless expression. “I told Shen Qianyu about this. He listened quietly the whole time, then told me to hurry up and get a psychological evaluation. He was worried that if I kept going, I’d end up in an institution.”

Imagining that scene, Shi Qi couldn’t help but laugh.

But soon, thinking about what Shang Sui having to take a psychological evaluation implied, Shi Qi couldn’t quite laugh anymore.

Shang Sui continued recalling, “The second summer after we were separated, I came back to Qijiang once, and released a lantern during the Lantern Festival.”

The grand and splendid celebration was just as it had been in the past. He walked alone through the crowd filled with laughter and joy, the fireworks over the water blurring the boundary between heaven and earth. Amidst the deafening cheers, he suddenly felt extremely lonely.

As if continuing some old ritual, he went to release that lantern.

“I don’t really believe there’s such a thing as good luck that comes for no reason, so what I wrote on the lantern was that I wanted to see you again. In exchange, I was willing to lose the memories of that summer.”

As Shang Sui described it, the corresponding scene gradually appeared before Shi Qi’s eyes.

In the legends of Qijiang, if the lantern carrying a wish floated far along the current, one day the gods would hear it.

“Thinking about it now, my wish really did reach the gods’ ears.” Shang Sui spoke softly, “And it happened to be a very kind god. I didn’t pay any price, yet I was lucky enough to meet you again.”

“But even without the memories from six years ago, I would still like you.”

“No matter how many times I start over, I’ll always be drawn to you.”

“Shi Qi,” Shang Sui solemnly called his name, “will you—”

“Wait a second.” At the final moment, Shi Qi interrupted him.

If he didn’t act now, Shang Sui would finish everything.

Ignoring his expression, Shi Qi took out the diary he had prepared and handed it to him, saying, “Turn to the last page.”

In the shade of the distant trees, Qin Shuhe’s expression froze. “What’s happening? Is God Qi pulling out a proposal instruction manual??”

Lin Yan also didn’t know what Shi Qi was planning and could only guess, “Did he hollow out the diary and hide a ring inside?”

“So who technically proposed first?”

“From the order of things, it’s Shang Sui, but he got interrupted before he finished speaking.” Jiang Yan sniffled. “No way, even though I can’t hear a thing, this atmosphere is making me so emotional—”

Qin Shuhe complained, “What, you can cry watching a silent movie?”

“Come on, Qin Shuhe, stop secretly wiping your tears.” Chu Tao struggled to hold back her emotions. “Ahhh, I can’t cry anymore! My false eyelashes are about to fall into my eyes!”

The diary in his hand had a blue leather cover, decorated with bright yellow embroidered kittens.

Following Shi Qi’s instruction, Shang Sui turned to the last page, and slightly immature yet elegant handwriting came into view.

[When I grow up, I want to…]

The diary stopped abruptly there, as if the owner had been interrupted and only managed to write the beginning.

But on the next line, the wish of his younger self had been completed in smoother, more graceful handwriting.

[This was my childhood wish. I never really understood what exactly I had decided on. For a long time, I just thought it was an unfinished sentence in my diary.

It took me six years to understand, because I had forgotten you.

That day, you told me I had saved you, that I made you like summer again, and I found it completely unbelievable.

It felt a little heavy, but even more so, it made me happy.

If you ever need someone to shoulder half the weight of your life, to lead you through the dark, rainy nights, I will always reach out my hand to you.

Once you hold it tight, whether it’s standing firmly by your side or sprinting toward an uncertain future, I can do it.

Don’t you always say I’m brave?

I will share it with you without reservation, whether it’s freedom, courage, or favoritism.

I’ve grown up, so marry me.]