The setting sun slanted downward as the final group of performers stepped onto the stage.
As the closing act, the group naturally carried the audience’s expectations. They were all strikingly attractive men and women, and many people around them pulled out their phones to record.
While they stood on standby, the president was jokingly gesturing at Shi Qi. The next second, Shi Qi’s face suddenly appeared on the giant screen. The LED’s vivid enhancement effects made the colors brilliant, prompting a wave of screams from the crowd below.
Lin Yan and Shang Sui arrived at their reserved seats. The front rows were bustling with noise. Lin Yan suddenly realized something. “You haven’t seen him dance before, have you?”
When Shang Sui answered, Lin Yan grinned. “Then you’re in for a show.”
As if to echo his words, a girl nearby raised a camera with a massive zoom lens and shouted toward the stage, “Xiao Qi—! Look over here! Over here!!”
Someone on the side couldn’t help but ask, “Why’d someone bring such a bazooka lens?”
“It’s probably for the guy in the center. He’s pretty famous. I overheard them chatting earlier, and everyone in that group on the left came just for him.”
The host smiled and began the introduction, “We’ve finally arrived at sunset. Personally, I think it’s one of the most beautiful moments of the day. Under the glow of the setting sun, we welcome the final dance! The performers come from our own university…”
Shi Qi lightly pinched his palm to force himself to focus.
The side effects of the strong suppressant made the host’s voice sound muffled, like it was coming through a layer of fog. But the physical discomfort didn’t make Shi Qi hesitate; instead, it stirred a sense of exhilaration, as if he were about to break through everything.
“It’s starting!” the president whispered.
The bass kicked in, bright and lively, as the intro began. After the first eight beats, a muted alarm-like sound suddenly blared—
Shi Qi lifted his head, body jolting into motion, locking into the rhythm right on the beat.
They were performing a rhythm-heavy English song. The choreography came from a dance studio known for its distinctive style, demanding a high level of power control from the dancers.
Originally, the president had simplified part of the routine to make it easier. But after Shi Qi joined, she felt it would be a waste of his talent to have him perform a watered-down version. That section was eventually restored, and the group made corresponding adjustments, rehearsing late into the night several times.
During the chorus, Shi Qi’s movements were deliberately the exact opposite of everyone else’s.
When the rest of the group crouched down in unison, Shi Qi moved through them, raising both arms sharply in time with the dark, heavy drumbeats—his crisp motions like those of someone in total control. When the others rose, Shi Qi alone dropped low. Two boys from the back row leapt forward to join him, mirroring his movements exactly.
But Shi Qi purposely hit the beat a fraction late as a subtle show of flair. Compared to the other two, he moved with relaxed nonchalance, yet still landed every move with razor-sharp precision. The contrast dazzled the audience.
The crowd erupted with applause and cheers at the stunning sequence!
“Fuck! So cool!” Lin Yan was thoroughly impressed, unable to stop himself from exclaiming, “This kid’s definitely a high-pressure performer. The more stress, the better he gets.”
Shang Sui watched intently, eyes fixed on Shi Qi’s quick movements across the stage.
Unlike his flawless performance, Shi Qi was feeling wave after wave of dizziness. He could barely hear the music anymore, relying entirely on muscle memory honed through countless rehearsals to keep dancing.
In contrast, he could distinctly feel the necklace around his neck swaying with each movement, like a tiny external heart.
It gave off a faint, almost imperceptible sweetness—a scent that belonged to someone else’s pheromones.
At certain angles, the two relatively loose belts on Shi Qi’s outfit would pull tight, making his waist appear even more slender. The thin metal chains attached to them jingled as they flew with his motion.
The crowd stirred again.
“Holy crap, I’m getting hot just watching this!”
“Who picked that outfit for him? He’s basically a walking thirst trap!”
Lin Yan turned around and said humbly, “Apologies, that would be me.”
“Good choice,” Shang Sui offered a brief compliment, his gaze never leaving Shi Qi.
In Lin Yan’s mind, Shang Sui was someone with a great sense of style, and receiving praise from him made Lin Yan giggle.
As the sun dipped low, the world was bathed in golden light.
Shang Sui’s gaze slowly traced over Shi Qi’s face, his slender neck, narrow waist, and long legs. The heavy electronic drumbeats became deafening heartbeats in his ears, and a wave of heat surged through him, followed by an uncontrollable thirst.
He flexed his fingers slightly. The predatory instinct carved into every Alpha’s bones was stirring, itching incessantly at his sharp canine teeth.
Realizing he was showing signs of slight loss of control, Shang Sui was momentarily stunned. When was the last time he’d felt something like this outside of his rut?
And all of this just from watching Shi Qi dance…
Pathetic.
Thinking that, he couldn’t help but let out a silent laugh.
The lyrics abruptly cut off, leaving only the instrumental behind. The others exited the stage for the time being, leaving only Shi Qi and the president in the center.
The girl wore a radiant smile, her long pink hair swaying in the wind. In contrast, Shi Qi’s expression and aura remained cool and aloof. Yet every broad movement he made was fluid and powerful, like a burst of cold fireworks. It gave the audience the sense that he was truly enjoying the dance.
After the dance break, the group returned to the stage, pushing the performance toward its climax. The song reached its final lines.
If translated directly, it was a passionate confession:
—My heart will burn for you forever, until the day you say stop.
Shi Qi pressed one hand downward, and the final pose matched the lyrics perfectly.
It was over.
Shi Qi thought.
Just as he had promised before going on stage: no fainting, no mistakes.
He had shown little expression the entire time, but now he smiled as if a heavy burden had lifted, like winter snow finally melting away.
The dazzling smile was infectious. The audience erupted in screams, some shouting his name in excitement.
But soon, Shi Qi couldn’t hear any of it.
The intense choreography caught up with him, and the dizziness he had been suppressing surged back. His vision went dark, and he could barely stay upright, managing only to kneel on stage without collapsing entirely.
The president, who had just been bowing happily to the crowd, turned in panic. “Xiao Qi! Xiao Qi, what’s wrong?? Are you okay?!”
Shi Qi wanted to say he was fine, just a bit dizzy, but didn’t have the strength to get a word out.
No one knew what had happened. The audience buzzed with anxious voices, and amid the confusion, someone dashed onto the stage.
Shi Qi was unconsciously drawn to that person’s pheromones. The moment the figure reached out a hand, he instinctively leaned forward, collapsing into his arms.
The president frantically called out, “Does anyone have candy! Or chocolate?!”
Someone in the audience quickly handed over candy. The president rushed it to Shang Sui. “He probably has a bit of hypoglycemia. Get him to eat something sweet first!”
“Xiao Qi, open your mouth.” Shang Sui held him with one arm, and with the other, unwrapped a milk candy and brought it to Shi Qi’s lips.
Shi Qi lay motionless in Shang Sui’s arms, unable to hear anything. Shang Sui had no choice but to pinch the back of his neck to prompt him. When Shi Qi reflexively opened his mouth, Shang Sui quickly slipped the candy inside.
A highly compatible Alpha and Omega’s pheromones could ease each other’s discomfort. Shang Sui gently cupped Shi Qi’s face, releasing a small amount of his pheromones.
The Omega’s flushed, palm-sized face was completely covered by the Alpha’s large hand.
Smells so good…
His favorite smell.
Unconsciously, Shi Qi nuzzled Shang Sui’s hand once, then again as if unsatisfied. Though still trembling in Shang Sui’s arms, he seemed addicted to chasing the Alpha’s scent.
The sight was so intimate it made hearts race and cheeks burn. The worry that had filled the audience slowly gave way to hushed whispers.
Shang Sui had no interest in being watched like a spectacle. Seeing that Shi Qi looked a bit better, he simply scooped him up in his arms.
He carried Shi Qi effortlessly, like lifting an oversized doll. Because of the cradled position, Shi Qi’s head nestled into the curve of Shang Sui’s neck, bringing him very close to the glands where the Alpha’s pheromones lingered.
In his dazed state, Shi Qi caught the rich aroma once again.
So sweet…
He wanted more.
Shang Sui paused mid-step. Veins appeared faintly on the back of his hand, but he forced himself not to use any strength, careful not to make Shi Qi uncomfortable.
For the first time, he felt like Shi Qi was here just to torment him.
Relying on his hazy mind, the Omega in his arms suddenly stuck out his tongue and licked the side of Shang Sui’s neck.
–
Due to the sudden incident, half of the dance club stayed behind to wait for the competition results, while the others accompanied Shang Sui and Shi Qi to the infirmary.
Along the way, Shi Qi clung to him the entire time, squirming restlessly in his arms. It wasn’t until they neared the infirmary doors that he finally settled down.
Shang Sui looked down and noticed Shi Qi had already closed his eyes from exhaustion.
He quickened his pace, while Lin Yan rushed ahead to get the school doctor. Fortunately, after examining him, the doctor said Shi Qi was simply overly fatigued and would be fine after some rest.
However, upon learning that Shi Qi had taken a special suppressant before going on stage, the doctor’s expression changed drastically. “Ridiculous! You can’t engage in intense physical activity after taking a special suppressant. Don’t any of you know that much?”
The other club members lowered their heads, silently accepting the scolding. Since Shang Sui had carried Shi Qi in, the doctor turned to him and asked, “Are you his Alpha?”
Shang Sui nodded. The doctor’s frown deepened. “Then why weren’t you watching him properly? He starts acting out, and you just let him? Who gave him the suppressant? Why didn’t you go after that person?!”
Shang Sui: “I did.”
The doctor nearly ran out of breath. “You look so capable—how could you be so reckless!”
Lin Yan stood silently to the side, thinking Shang Sui was remarkably dependable, even as he took the blame.
The doctor firmly warned them not to let Shi Qi take another special suppressant anytime soon. Once he woke up, he might still feel unwell and would need extra care.
Additionally, because the suppressant was so strong, standard ones might not be effective during his next heat cycle, so they needed to be prepared.
Shang Sui took in every word. After the doctor left, he asked Lin Yan to stay and watch over Shi Qi while he stepped out to use the restroom.
As he pushed open the stall door to leave, he happened to hear someone talking on the phone in the next stall over.
“Yeah, he looks even better in person than online. Like a damn doll…”
“There were so many moments on stage where I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I’ve never seen an Omega that beautiful, though he’s got a bit of an attitude.”
Gu Cheng chuckled. “Hell yeah I wanna kiss him… Don’t even get me started. He’s still lying in the infirmary, and just thinking about it’s got me fucking excited.”
“Just wait till I’ve caught him. At the end of the day, he’s still an Omega. Once you get them in bed, they’re all the same—always obedient.”
Gu Cheng hung up and opened the stall door, only to find someone standing right outside.
Shang Sui, half a head taller, stood there with his eyes lowered, expression unreadable.
Gu Cheng froze, realizing the other might have overheard everything, but then shrugged it off.
Shang Sui was an Alpha too. He’d get it. Talking about raunchy stuff like that wasn’t unusual between Alphas.
He greeted him first. “Hey, man.”
Still riding the post-dance high, Gu Cheng had completely forgotten the dangerous aura Shang Sui had given off earlier.
Remembering how Shang Sui had carried Shi Qi off the stage, his Alpha instincts kicked in, and a sense of competition flared. Gu Cheng asked provocatively, “You like Shi Qi too?”
“He’s kind of slow, but that makes him cute, right?”
“Omegas are rare, after all—especially ones that beautiful.” Gu Cheng extended a hand, aiming to give Shang Sui a friendly pat on the shoulder. “So let’s compete fair and square. May the best man win.”
Before he could touch him, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. The pressure was so intense, it felt like his bones might crack.
Gu Cheng instinctively reached out to steady himself, his fingers clawing against the stall door. One of his nails split, and blood oozed out.
Shang Sui ignored it all and began dragging him toward the corner.
“Fuck! What are you doing—!”
Shang Sui hauled him to the wall and suddenly flung him against it.
Gu Cheng slammed into the surface hard, stars bursting behind his eyes.
“…You fucking crazy?!” Pain shot through his fingers and shoulder as he snapped back to reality, cursing loudly. “Are you insane?! Fuck your mother!!”
Before he could spew anything else, Shang Sui clamped a hand around his neck, fingers tightening.
Gu Cheng was over 1.8 meters tall and considered solidly built even among Alphas, but Shang Sui lifted him effortlessly with one hand.
Impossible…!
Was this guy a monster?!
As his toes slowly left the ground, Gu Cheng’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“How does it feel?”
Shang Sui hoisted him to eye level and stared directly into his face.
With his neck crushed in that grip, Gu Cheng could only make rough gasps. His nostrils flared in terror.
The eyes in front of him reminded him of a brightly colored serpent. But this time, there was no Shi Qi nearby and the Alpha before him had shed all restraint, revealing his true nature.
Shang Sui smiled, not hiding his malice in the slightest. “Oh, right. You can’t talk right now.”
To Gu Cheng, liking Shi Qi was just about his pretty face. He’d laugh about it with friends, make vulgar comments like it was no big deal.
But to Shang Sui, Shi Qi’s existence held a special meaning. Even during the years they’d been apart, with no contact, that significance had never faded.
Shi Qi was a treasure, something too precious to speak of lightly or flaunt without care.
And Shang Sui knew he wasn’t exactly mild-tempered to begin with. Alphas with special ruts were all mentally unstable lunatics.
The last trace of a smile vanished from his face. Expression blank, he tightened his grip.
The growing suffocation made Gu Cheng’s ears ring, his face turning red as blood rushed up.
Driven by instinct, he clawed desperately at Shang Sui’s hand with both of his own. In his struggle, the already broken nail split further, fresh blood dripping onto Shang Sui’s skin.
But the other man remained completely unfazed, his five fingers locked in place with an iron grip that didn’t waver.
“Hard to breathe? Angry? Or just scared?”
“Listening to your load of nonsense pissed me off more than whatever you’re feeling right now.”
Gu Cheng managed a breathy sound, choking out a plea. “…Sor-ry… I was wr-wrong… I’m sorry…!”
For a moment, he truly thought he was going to die.
Just as he was about to lose consciousness, Shang Sui suddenly released him.
The abrupt loss of support sent him crashing to the floor, where he erupted into a violent coughing fit.
Whether from the physical trauma or sheer fear, he clutched at his throat, coughing uncontrollably as tears welled up in his eyes.
At some point, Shang Sui had stopped suppressing his pheromones. Between Alphas, suppression was always raw and forceful. The presence bearing down on Gu Cheng now felt like a heavy shadow, forcing him to his knees, unable to lift his head.
He had never experienced anything like it. It felt like encountering a superior species, and every cell in his body screamed at him to run.
Shang Sui gave him a final kick. “If you’re that eager to die, go ahead and try getting close to Shi Qi again.”
Author’s note:
Half-conscious, 17 rubbing against 2s: Yum-yum, time for a buffet.
I think everyone can tell that Sui is a bit crazy, but he’s very gentle with Xiao Qi and even pretends to be well-behaved. But when he drops the act… 
