Please wait for me until the day I confess.
Shi Qi’s tone had been especially firm. He locked eyes with Shang Sui, his words as sincere as a vow.
Shang Sui didn’t speak for a long time.
Shi Qi had no idea that the “waiting” he spoke of had stretched over six years.
And yet, even so…
“Okay,” Shang Sui said softly. “I’m willing to wait.”
Because in that moment, all the long, lonely time seemed to gain meaning.
The corners of Shi Qi’s lips lifted slightly. His eyes were full of pure, burning affection, and he couldn’t help but ask for confirmation, “Then we’re officially a couple now?”
Tentatively, he reached out and touched the Alpha’s jade-like neck, as if he were familiarizing himself with a newly acquired life-sized toy.
“Of course.”
Shang Sui smiled at him, as if encouraging him.
Shi Qi became bolder. He lifted his hand to touch the face he had longed for day and night. Shang Sui leaned into his palm cooperatively, rubbing against it like he was acting spoiled.
The touch of their skin sent tingles through Shi Qi, softening his heart like a feather brushing against it.
But just then, Shang Sui lifted his eyelids and looked straight at him.
He stuck out the tip of his tongue and, under Shi Qi’s suddenly frozen gaze, licked the Omega’s pale palm.
As if peeling away the mask of innocence from just moments ago, a voice thick with desire brushed against Shi Qi’s ear.
“But I waited so long. It was so hard. And finally, you’ve come to me.”
Shi Qi’s ears flushed red. “Then…”
“I want a reward for waiting.”
Before Shi Qi could react, Shang Sui gave him a push.
Caught off guard, Shi Qi stumbled and crashed into the wall behind him along with the painting. Shang Sui reached out in time to cradle the back of his head with one hand, shielding him while also trapping him fully in his arms.
Shi Qi was pinned against the painting, feeling the other man lower his head. He panicked a little. “Wait, your painting—!”
“During my rut, I thought to myself, if you chose to uncover that painting, I’d press you against it…”
The final word came out as a whisper, almost inaudible.
Shi Qi didn’t catch it. “Press me against it and do what?”
When Shang Sui didn’t answer, he guessed the one thing he wanted most right now, “Kiss?”
Shang Sui froze for a moment, and when he met those utterly transparent eyes, it immediately became clear why Shi Qi was looking at him with such eager anticipation.
He burst into laughter and nodded. “Mm. A kiss.”
Shi Qi blinked.
He wanted to kiss. Shang Sui wanted to kiss.
Perfect.
Shi Qi leaned forward accordingly. “Then I’ll give you a reward.”
As soon as he said that, he took the initiative and pecked Shang Sui’s lips.
His lips were exceptionally soft and carried a faint trace of pheromones. Shi Qi reflexively swallowed, already imagining the sweet taste in his mouth.
But when Shang Sui didn’t respond for a while, Shi Qi licked his lips and softly urged, “Open your mouth.”
Shang Sui deliberately leaned back a bit. “Is this a reward for me, or for you?”
“…”
Shi Qi fell silent, caught off guard that his thoughts had been exposed.
When Shang Sui looked over with a bright smile, Shi Qi quickly realized he was being teased. His face burned, and in a mix of embarrassment and frustration, he retorted, “Don’t you want to kiss me?”
Shang Sui met his eyes. Shi Qi didn’t say the second half of the sentence, but those large, bright cat-like eyes were full of threat: If you dare say no, you’re dead.
Catching the underlying meaning, the amusement in Shang Sui’s eyes deepened.
How could anyone be this cute?
He didn’t reply, but lowered his head and bit Shi Qi’s lips.
Shi Qi instinctively parted his lips. Unlike the master’s playful teasing, the soft and nimble tongue slipped inside with eager intent, tangling with his and refusing to let go.
The feeling of kissing Shang Sui was just as wonderful as he remembered. A jolt like electricity raced from his lips and tongue down his spine, flooding his brain.
Shi Qi was a beat slow to realize that from now on, this person would belong to him.
The thought made his head spin with sheer happiness, and a sweet sound slipped unconsciously from his throat, like a kitten softly purring.
The Alpha kissing him grew more aroused by his reactions. Shang Sui’s movements became rougher, one hand moving up to grip his neck.
Shi Qi’s breathing turned ragged in moments, almost unable to catch his breath.
“Mm… ah…!”
The sensation of near-suffocation only heightened his sensitivity. He could clearly feel how meticulously Shang Sui sucked at his lips and tongue, again and again, until he felt like he might melt.
While still kissing him, the Alpha’s hot fingertips grazed over his glands, lightly scraping it.
Shi Qi shuddered all over. Shang Sui paused, then placed his entire palm over the vulnerable area, increasing the pressure as he kneaded it.
The sensitive glands couldn’t withstand such stimulation. Shi Qi’s cheeks flushed, and even his neck bloomed with color.
“D-Don’t rub there like that.”
His breathing was a mess as he turned his head away, but Shang Sui ignored the protest, chasing after him with a hunger for more.
Shi Qi’s back was pressed tightly against the vividly colored painting. He still remembered he couldn’t damage it, so he forced himself to stay upright.
His eyes brimmed with tears, the corners tinged red. He looked like a delicate lily of the valley, waiting to be picked.
Shang Sui finally gave one last suck on his lips, then lifted his hand from the back of his neck to cup his cheek, his fingers stroking him with affectionate care.
Shi Qi trembled uncontrollably, not from fear, but from some deep instinct embedded into his Omega genes.
And yet the culprit asked, “Why are you shaking like this? Are you uncomfortable?”
“…No.”
Shi Qi didn’t want to admit that his legs had gone weak. Seeing Shang Sui looking at him, he forced himself to speak calmly. “You kissing me was already intense enough, then you rubbed my glands, and now you’re using your leg too.”
Shang Sui studied him for a moment, then deliberately nudged him with his knee.
Shi Qi’s ears turned scarlet. He struggled to escape his grasp, but Shang Sui easily held him in place. “Do you like it, or not?”
“Don’t ask that…!”
“No lying.”
Shi Qi went quiet for a moment. “I like it.”
“And when I rub your glands?”
Shi Qi opened his mouth, feeling both shame and conflicted.
He had just told Shang Sui not to rub his glands. If he told the truth now, then he…
Shang Sui kissed his flushed cheek. Though it was an affectionate gesture, it somehow carried a hint of threat. “Baby, I really don’t want to use mental manipulation on you right now. Just tell me.”
Shi Qi was startled for a moment; he hadn’t expected Shang Sui to resort to something like that.
His gaze fell on the Alpha’s well-defined hands—long and fair, with a subtle pink at the joints, both powerful and beautiful.
Shi Qi swallowed subtly. Just imagining being touched by those hands made him feel an indescribable hunger.
There was no escape anyway. In resignation, he burst out, “I like it! I like whatever you do, okay!”
“I like you too.” Shang Sui smiled as he pecked at his earlobe like he was soothing a bristling little animal.
“…”
“Then I’ll try somewhere else.” He coaxed, “If you’re uncomfortable, just tell me to stop. Let’s try?”
Before Shi Qi could fully process what that meant, Shang Sui’s fingers moved lower.
Shi Qi’s eyes flew wide open, and his face turned so red it looked like it might start dripping blood.
His legs tensed up. He could no longer worry about whether the painting behind him was getting crushed.
…
“G-gentler… I can’t stay standing…!”
“Then don’t stand,” Shang Sui replied. “Sit on my hand.”
…
Just like the angel imprisoned in the painting, he had nowhere to run. Shi Qi could only collapse limply in Shang Sui’s arms.
Tears slipped down his cheeks, trailing past the tip of his chin.
His whole body radiated a tender pink, like a doll that evoked pity and affection.
He didn’t know how much time had passed.
Shi Qi’s eyes slowly rolled back, no longer able to hold on.
With the lingering effects of alcohol, the hangover medicine, and the emotional highs and lows after his confession, Shi Qi finally fainted.
The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was the tiny red mole on the angel’s thigh.
–
When Shi Qi opened his eyes again, he was still half-asleep, unsure of where he was.
A dull ache pulsed deep in his body. He moved his legs slightly and slowly realized the cause.
Shi Qi turned his head slightly and, in the morning light, saw the face of the person beside him. One scene after another from the previous night flashed through his mind.
A snowy night, the party, their mutual confession, and then being pressed against the painting.
They had just confirmed their relationship, and yet he and Shang Sui had already…
Due to his glandular degeneration, he was different from most Omegas. Usually, only the simplest things were necessary.
Though last night had only involved hands, Shi Qi had never experienced pleasure that way before.
No wonder Lin Yan used to obsess over Alphas’ hands, calling the best ones “lethal at first glance.”
He had nearly died at the hands of Shang Sui.
Shi Qi’s face flushed deeply, especially when he accidentally glanced at Shang Sui’s hand on the pillow.
The Alpha’s fingers curled slightly in a relaxed state. Even so, they were clearly long, with pronounced, strong joints.
Was it the left hand or the right?
It seemed to be this one…?
Realizing that he was staring first thing in the morning, his mind full of explicit thoughts, Shi Qi quickly averted his gaze and tried to get out of bed.
He’d only taken a couple of steps when something gripped his waist, pulling him back into an embrace.
“Where are you going?”
Shang Sui leaned in from behind, speaking into his neck. His voice carried the lazy raspiness of someone just waking up.
When Shi Qi didn’t move, Shang Sui reached up and rubbed his small earlobe. Compared to him, the Alpha’s physique was much larger, like a beast that would never be satisfied.
Shang Sui asked again, “Where are you going, baby?”
Shi Qi opened his mouth, unsure how to face him. He simply stayed turned away and replied softly, “To wash up.”
“I’ll carry you.”
Before Shi Qi could react, Shang Sui got out of bed, came around to his side, and scooped him up with one arm.
To keep him steady, Shang Sui placed his other hand under Shi Qi’s butt. It felt like his entire backside had caught fire. If Shang Sui weren’t holding him so securely, he would have fallen straight down.
In a panic, he frantically wrapped his arms around Shang Sui’s neck.
“What are you shy about?” Shang Sui chuckled, tightening his arms and lifting him slightly. “It’s not like I didn’t touch you last night.”
That’s when Shi Qi realized he was only wearing a robe.
A dark red silk robe with shimmering threads that caught the light as Shang Sui moved. The neckline was half-open, revealing a butterfly tattoo near his collarbone and a broad expanse of muscular chest.
Shi Qi stared at him for a while, then discreetly licked his lips.
He suddenly remembered something. “Did you bathe me?”
“I did,” Shang Sui replied affectionately. “Took me quite a bit of effort to get you clean.”
He hadn’t expected Shi Qi to be so sensitive and faint so quickly. In the end, Shang Sui had no choice but to hold him and finish things on his own.
Judging by it, Shi Qi didn’t seem to remember any of it?
A bit of a shame, but perhaps that was for the best.
Shang Sui thought with zero remorse.
If Shi Qi had known what had been done to him while he was unconscious, he probably would’ve leapt out of Shang Sui’s arms on the spot.
He unintentionally or intentionally glanced at Shi Qi’s straight and slender legs. “Don’t your legs feel sore?”
Shi Qi replied in a daze, “They kind of are.”
Were they supposed to be sore?
Before Shi Qi could figure it out, he suddenly realized what it meant for someone to help bathe him.
In other words, Shang Sui had seen everything.
But he hadn’t seen anything at all.
Shi Qi felt it was unfair and wanted to say, “Then take yours off and let me see too,” but when the words reached his lips, he didn’t have the nerve to say it out loud.
Shang Sui set him down on the wide bathroom counter and picked up his toothbrush and cup.
“Open your mouth.”
Shi Qi felt awkward. “I can do it myself.”
“I want to help you.”
Seeing him dazed for a moment but then obediently opening his mouth, Shang Sui carefully brushed his teeth, then washed his face.
A warm towel was pressed to his cheeks, gently wiping. Shi Qi’s long lashes trembled slightly; he couldn’t shake the feeling that Shang Sui was treating him like some kind of doll.
He had been carried all the way here and wasn’t wearing slippers, so he had no choice but to sit on the cold counter and wait.
After finishing with Shi Qi, Shang Sui lazily turned to clean himself up.
Shi Qi watched him brush his teeth and wash his face. It was such an ordinary sight, but because of the shift in their relationship, everything now felt fresh and fascinating.
Not just a friend.
A boyfriend.
That thought alone made him happy, but also gave rise to a mischievous impulse. Deliberately, he brought up the topic, “I drank yesterday.”
“Mm. Still feeling it now?”
“I wasn’t fully sober.” Shi Qi watched his expression, feigning calm. “I don’t remember. What happened between us last night?”
Shang Sui finished washing up and flicked the water off his hands.
He turned his head and said softly, “Xiao Qi, are you messing with me?”
Thinking of being pinned against the painting last night, begging again and again but still not being let go, Shi Qi felt like getting a bit of payback. He furrowed his brows and pretended to be surprised. “I’m not joking.”
“If I said or did anything to you, I didn’t mean it.”
Seeing the smile on Shang Sui’s face gradually fade, replaced by those seductive eyes staring at him, Shi Qi began to feel immense pressure.
Don’t be afraid.
Shang Sui had bullied him last night. This was just him bullying back a little. It wouldn’t go too far.
After giving himself a silent pep talk, Shi Qi gathered his courage and said, “I mean, with how compatible we are, I might’ve just… lost control.”
“Just forget it.”
“Forget it?” Shang Sui repeated to himself. “Why don’t you try remembering again?”
Shi Qi shook his head. “I really can’t. I blackout when I drink.”
But Shang Sui ignored the distancing in his words and moved closer instead.
He pressed one hand on Shi Qi’s knee, stood between his legs, and used the other to hook his chin, gently caressing it.
Shang Sui’s body temperature was slightly lower than his, making Shi Qi feel as if he were being entangled by a snake. “Come on, think carefully—what happened between us?”
The beautiful snake hissed in his ear, “Don’t forget. Remember everything, completely. Or I’ll get angry.”
Shi Qi felt a chill run down his spine under that gaze. He knew he was playing with fire, but still couldn’t help himself and lightly kicked him with his bare foot.
Sensing the resistance, Shang Sui pursed his lips, his expression falling.
Shi Qi found his aggrieved reaction unexpectedly cute and was just about to say, “Okay, I remember.”
But Shang Sui looked at him like he was a heartless scoundrel turning his back on a lover. His voice was full of grievance. “You already had me. You have to take responsibility.”
“I had you??”
Shi Qi nearly choked. I haven’t even seen your body, he thought, utterly bewildered. “Had what? I only took two of your fingers!”
“…”
“…”
Shang Sui let out a chuckle.
“Wait.” Shi Qi started sweating. “No, I mean. Let me explain. I wasn’t trying to mess with you! It was just a little joke to spice up our first day dating…”
“Three.”
“What?”
“Xiao Qi, you’re so forgetful. It was three fingers.” Shang Sui curved his lips into a smile and asked coldly, “Want me to help you remember?”
“You cried so hard last night.”
Author’s note: Such a little dummy
