President Huo’s breath caught sharply as he instinctively wrapped his arms around Liang Xiao’s shoulders.
Liang Xiao’s body was burning hot, his heartbeat abnormally fast.
Cool rain enveloped them as Liang Xiao trembled slightly, sweat soaking his handsome brows and lashes, his skin tinged with a light pink different from usual, his breathing shallow.
He still remembered to bring President Huo out and wouldn’t relax. His closed eyelashes trembled several times as he struggled to open them: “Don’t be afraid, I-”
President Huo raised his hand and completely wrapped him in his embrace.
Liang Xiao was caught off guard and let out a muffled groan, trembling slightly against his chest.
President Huo’s shoulders, back, and chest were all trembling slightly, but his strength was as steady as a rock as he held Liang Xiao, stood up, and walked to the bed.
Liang Xiao, pressed against his chest, listening to President Huo’s equally intense heartbeat, tugged at the corner of his mouth: “If I had known, I shouldn’t have hit you with the dictionary back then…”
This was his first time actively using an inducer. His gradually recovering gland erupting with pheromones was finally no longer purely painful; an unbearable heat scorched and burned, making his heart and lungs ache in waves.
Liang Xiao coughed softly twice, smoothing out the burning air in his chest, and fumbled to hold President Huo’s hand: “It’s not your fault for not finding out; it’s mine.”
“It’s my fault… for being too vigilant.”
Liang Xiao smiled: “If I hadn’t knocked you unconscious then, you would have recognized my pheromones long ago.”
Once an omega’s pheromones stabilize in secretion, they exhibit unique scent properties that alphas can identify. If President Huo had encountered them, he would likely have recognized them.
When they were still in a purely contractual transaction, Liang Xiao had once been unable to hold back due to President Huo’s coaxing, but his response was too decisive, immediately exchanging heavy medical knowledge with their President Huo.
Later, when he helped Chi Che out of a difficult situation, to ensure safety, he had diligently given advance notice. During his first heat hospitalization, President Huo happened to be away.
A series of coincidences.
“You feel indebted to me,” Liang Xiao’s vision was blurred by sweat; he blinked and tilted his head slightly. “You think my life has been hard.”
“Without meeting you, indeed, it wouldn’t have been hard.”
Liang Xiao caught his breath slightly, his throat slightly hoarse from the burning inside: “It’s hard to move upward, to strive to be a better person.”
President Huo’s chest heaved, his internal organs aching, as he kissed his eyes: “Let’s not talk anymore.”
Liang Xiao liked this touch, the corner of his mouth lifting as he tilted his head to nuzzle against him: “Let’s make it clear… otherwise it seems like I’m forcibly taking an alpha.”
Liang Xiao was particularly rigorous and thought for a moment: “Luxury A.”
President Huo couldn’t hold back and was amused by him, the corners of his lips pressing together slightly.
Seeing him smile, Liang Xiao was completely reassured, his eyes also curving as he looked up to kiss him: “If I hadn’t met you, I might have grown from a small con artist into a big con artist, and eventually into an old con artist…”
President Huo held his hand and shook his head: “You wouldn’t have.”
“It’s hard to say,” Liang Xiao exhaled softly. “Before meeting you, I actually had ambitious plans to rob the rich to help the poor.”
Later, he found that the rich were simply too easy to rob, and somehow it turned into providing warmth.
And as he kept providing, he ended up giving himself away too.
…
Looking back now, Liang Xiao realized the truth of the whole matter: “Am I actually the fat sheep?”
President Huo was taken aback: “What?”
“Never mind,” Liang Xiao was very open-minded. “As long as I don’t analyze it in retrospect, I’m definitely not the one at a disadvantage.”
President Huo couldn’t quite follow his train of thought but instinctively nodded slightly, stroking Liang Xiao’s hair and carefully wiping away the streaming sweat from his brows and lashes.
Liang Xiao took a breath and concluded with an elevated summary: “Huo Lan.”
President Huo looked up in a daze.
“I like you,” Liang Xiao said. “More than life itself.”
President Huo’s chest suddenly tightened, and he hurriedly closed his eyes.
Liang Xiao truly couldn’t hold on anymore. As his strength completely gave way, his consciousness was buffeted by waves of arousal, and he unconsciously nestled into his arms: “Wait… wait a moment to be moved.”
Liang Xiao was quite embarrassed to disturb him at this moment, but the light touches and embraces had already reached a point of no return, and the situation couldn’t be delayed any further.
Liang Xiao, his voice hoarse, gently tugged at him: “I’m uncomfortable, please help me first-”
Salty, hot tears dropped onto his lips. Liang Xiao’s heart ached, and he couldn’t bear to speak. Just as he was about to look up, President Huo suddenly kissed him deeply.
President Huo kissed him almost fiercely, mixed with tears, yet his strength was so controlled that his entire body was almost trembling.
Liang Xiao stroked his hair, closed his eyes, and raised his head, meeting countless intense, profound feelings that couldn’t be conveyed through language.
When the kiss ended, both of their breaths were completely rapid and chaotic.
Their breaths intertwined messily, tangled with their disorderly heartbeats.
“It doesn’t hurt…”
Liang Xiao’s chest ached from President Huo’s extremely restrained force. He carefully stroked President Huo’s back, not knowing whether he was comforting him or himself, softly muttering: “Doesn’t hurt, doesn’t hurt, doesn’t hurt…”
Liang Xiao was a bit afraid: “It doesn’t hurt, right?”
President Huo’s chest heaved as one arm embraced him, his eyes as dark as an abyss or a deep pool.
Liang Xiao: “QA…”
President Huo gently kissed his forehead: “It doesn’t hurt.”
Liang Xiao had a strong sense of safety and tremblingly tried to intimidate him: “I-I-I tied your hands.”
President Huo’s expression was deeply gentle as he held Liang Xiao’s hand and nodded slightly: “You prepared very thoroughly.”
President Huo was worried that Liang Xiao might hurt himself if he struggled, so he felt around for the gap in the tie, took some gauze from the bedside, and carefully wrapped Liang Xiao’s wrists.
Liang Xiao looked up, found the familiar deep indulgence in his eyes, closed his eyes heroically, and completely exposed the gland at the back of his neck.
President Huo focused on protecting him, his palm covering Liang Xiao’s gland.
Liang Xiao couldn’t help but shudder.
Discomfort and pleasure surged together. Liang Xiao’s chest vaguely ached as he instinctively gripped President Huo’s hand, with particularly uncomfortable muffled groans escaping his throat.
President Huo paused briefly, waiting for him to adjust slightly, and held Liang Xiao against his shoulder.
President Huo lowered his head, gently kissed him, and said hoarsely: “If it hurts, bite me.”
Liang Xiao couldn’t bear to bite him. He panted urgently, gave a muffled response, shook his head vigorously, and hugged him tightly, leaving no gap.
President Huo embraced him in return, holding his breath as he lowered his gaze.
Liang Xiao’s breathing was unsteady, his heartbeat pounding against President Huo’s skin without rhythm.
His brows and lashes were soaked with sweat, making them appear deeper, the corners of his eyes tinged with red.
The pain of the gland being bitten was particularly mild amid the overwhelming arousal. Each of President Huo’s movements was extremely gentle and controlled. Although his pheromones were clearly as intense as ice and snow, his touch remained exquisitely tender.
As the cool sensation slowly entered the gland at the back of his neck, Liang Xiao trembled slightly, his body tensing unbearably, with black mist vaguely rising before his eyes.
…
Half an hour later, President Huo finally gently released him.
Liang Xiao was completely drained, his consciousness unclear, relaxing into a small bundle in a daze, softly sliding toward the edge of the bed.
President Huo caught him in time, carefully holding him steady, letting him lean in the crook of his arm.
The tied hands were really inconvenient. President Huo tried several times but couldn’t successfully untie the knot that Liang Xiao had improvised. With his right hand protecting Liang Xiao’s wrist, he tensed his shoulder and arm muscles and pulled, directly tearing the tie apart.
The small bundle that was Liang Xiao: “…”
Their President Huo’s words were true.
President Huo held him, stroked his hair, and lowered his head to kiss his eyes: “Sleep for a while.”
Liang Xiao was still lamenting the heroic sacrifice of the tie: “It was yours…”
President Huo was taken aback: “What?”
“Your tie,” Liang Xiao was extremely distressed. “I secretly kept it. I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to bring anything else.”
Liang Xiao swayed as he leaned against him. With the omega instinct-driven impulse suppressed, his frugal household management instinct surfaced: “Was it expensive?”
President Huo was quiet for a moment, understanding his meaning, and laughed softly, shaking his head.
Liang Xiao met his gaze, looking at the particularly deep, raging fire in his eyes, and his heart skipped a beat.
President Huo… had just been too gentle.
Alphas were not only physically robust, but the fierce desire to possess and conquer was deeply embedded in their instincts, not to mention that before he arrived, President Huo was already trending toward a pheromone eruption.
But during the marking just now, President Huo had been more than just “not hurting” him.
Liang Xiao vaguely regained some of his senses and, still concerned, reached out to take his hand when his heart suddenly sank.
President Huo hadn’t expected him to move around, held him steady as he sat down, and said softly: “Rest a bit, don’t move…”
Liang Xiao looked down and saw the blood on his palm.
The key around his neck had been removed at some point, and President Huo had been holding it tightly in his palm.
Despite an alpha’s body being sufficiently robust, the teeth of the key had mercilessly cut into his flesh. He had been gripping it for who knows how long, with blood soaking his entire palm.
Liang Xiao’s hand trembled slightly. He wouldn’t let President Huo shield his eyes, his throat tightening: “I was just joking, I-”
Liang Xiao couldn’t continue. He closed his eyes forcefully, unable to help but severely scold himself.
What was there to be afraid of or hurt by?
No pain could be worse than a pheromone eruption… he had endured it more than once, so why was he being so delicate now?!
Liang Xiao was filled with regret. The pain in his heart and lungs belatedly surfaced as he struggled to get gauze to treat him, but President Huo raised his arm to stop him.
For the first time, Liang Xiao was truly angry with him: “How reckless!”
Liang Xiao’s chest heaved, his anger making his vision go dark in waves: “Don’t you know whether I’m afraid of pain or not?! How can you be so careless with your own body? Is there no one who cares about you, is that it?!”
His voice wasn’t lowered at all. The people outside heard and grew nervous, about to knock on the door to inquire, but he fiercely sent them away: “Don’t come in!”
There were a few knocking sounds outside the door before it returned to silence.
Liang Xiao had been anxious for so many days, hadn’t been able to sleep all night with his heart in suspense, had tried his best to stay calm and rush back today, and had finally managed to coax and guide him out bit by bit. He hadn’t expected a mishap at this stage.
Liang Xiao was so angry he was trembling: “Is there no one who cares about you, is that it? Huh?!”
President Huo trembled slightly and turned his head to avoid his gaze.
Liang Xiao felt he needed to scold him severely to teach him a lesson, showing no softness as he pulled him back without argument.
Hot tears fell on the back of his hand, and Liang Xiao scolded him harshly: “Crying won’t help, don’t cry!”
President Huo raised his arm, embraced him, and gently kissed the tears flowing down his face.
Liang Xiao glared at President Huo for a long time, furrowed his brows, and wiped his own face: “…”
Liang Xiao: “…”
“Don’t cry,” President Huo’s voice was also hoarse as he said softly, “I know I was wrong.”
Liang Xiao was completely embarrassed, sniffled hard, and argued forcefully: “I’m not crying.”
President Huo agreed with whatever he said, gradually hiding Liang Xiao in his embrace, his palm repeatedly stroking his back, nodding gently: “Mm.”
Liang Xiao choked as he scolded him: “Is there someone who cares about you?”
President Huo said softly: “Yes.”
Liang Xiao sniffled as he scolded: “Who?!”
President Huo was quiet for a moment, closed his eyes briefly: “…Mr. Liang.”
Liang Xiao’s tears fell in drops, impossible to hold back. Angry at himself, he swayed as he jumped down to go to the bathroom.
His strength had long been completely depleted. After swaying a couple of steps as if walking on cotton, President Huo caught up and firmly brought him back into his arms.
Liang Xiao had originally thought this matter could be gradually resolved through explanation and mutual healing without anger, but now he couldn’t control himself at all.
Liang Xiao’s body trembled. The pressure and concern that had been accumulating and suppressed these days suddenly attacked him violently, mixed with countless feelings of unwillingness, resentment, and regret that could no longer be contained, pouring out chaotically: “Why…”
President Huo’s body was cold, his chest tight with emotion.
He didn’t dare speak or make any more movements, carefully supporting Liang Xiao to lean steadily.
Liang Xiao completely lost control: “Why did they bully you like this?!”
President Huo was taken aback and looked up at Liang Xiao.
“What did you do wrong? Why didn’t they like you? Why did they abandon you alone and not care, why didn’t they treat you well?”
Liang Xiao’s voice was so hoarse it was almost bleeding: “You didn’t have to be like this originally, you could have had whatever you wanted, could have pinned me against the door and kissed me…”
If he hadn’t consistently been uncared for by family, President Huo wouldn’t have developed his current temperament.
He wouldn’t always force himself to do things he didn’t want to do, wouldn’t refuse to tell him even when in pain, wouldn’t just want to hide away when reaching his limit.
He wouldn’t torture himself with no regard for his own well-being just to avoid hurting him.
Liang Xiao had told himself countless times that everything was for the best, but every time he thought of the young Huo Lan, he still couldn’t suppress his regret.
President Huo hadn’t expected this to be the source of his anger. His body gradually warmed as he tentatively reached out and slowly embraced Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao was so heartbroken he couldn’t straighten his back. He grabbed the gauze, took President Huo’s arm into his embrace, and wrapped it round and round with red eyes.
His strength wasn’t enough, and his hands were trembling, so after several attempts, he still couldn’t wrap it tightly.
Liang Xiao was embarrassed and angry, lowering his head to bite it with his teeth, but President Huo gently encircled his shoulders.
Liang Xiao’s anger had subsided, and he couldn’t muster any more fire now, but he didn’t want to be so easily appeased. Sitting back on his lap, he still maintained a cold expression as he continued to struggle with the gauze.
President Huo lowered his gaze, quietly watching Liang Xiao’s movements.
His mind was also in a daze. In the quiet light, the little con artist from Jiangnan emerged from the depths of his memory.
With red-rimmed eyes and sniffling, exasperatedly scolding him while carefully treating the injuries inflicted by those privileged young masters who had targeted him.
President Huo closed his eyes, pulled Liang Xiao into his embrace, and held him tightly without a sound.
Liang Xiao’s anger had long subsided, and his heart softened at the warmth of his body: “Alright, I’m not angry anymore… don’t move.”
Liang Xiao lowered his head and kissed the wound through the gauze: “It’s not bandaged properly yet, wait a moment-”
President Huo’s palm trembled at his breath. After a slight hesitation, he still gently moved Liang Xiao’s hand away and slowly unwrapped the few layers of gauze.
“What are you doing?”
Liang Xiao frowned: “Still haven’t learned your lesson? Stop the bleeding first and then treat it, I’m fine here…”
Liang Xiao: “…”
Liang Xiao rubbed his eyes and looked down carefully.
President Huo kissed his hair and said softly: “It’s not bleeding anymore.”
Liang Xiao vaguely realized he might indeed have some misconceptions about alpha physiology, opened his mouth, and looked up in disbelief.
…
Liang Xiao looked down at his own wound from a week ago, caused by the wire harness, which still hadn’t healed properly.
“After an alpha differentiates, their physique naturally undergoes an explosive improvement.”
President Huo explained softly: “After you helped me complete differentiation… my physical condition became much stronger than before.”
Liang Xiao took a breath, dazed: “Oh.”
President Huo didn’t want him to worry and, after hesitating, continued to explain: “In another two days, it will scab over and close.”
Liang Xiao weakly: “…I see.”
President Huo had noticed the injury on his ribs early on and had been carefully protecting it to avoid breaking it open. Previously, he hadn’t had time to ask in detail, but now he finally had the opportunity: “Your injury-”
Liang Xiao was embarrassed and angry, coldly covering his mouth: “Don’t ask.”
His palm still carried the cold sweat that had just broken out. President Huo’s chest ached at the touch, and he closed his eyes, saying softly: “Mm.”
Liang Xiao felt somewhat regretful, his ears turning red as he admitted his mistake: “I shouldn’t have scolded you.”
Liang Xiao certainly understood that President Huo would never want to hurt him again, but he couldn’t bear to see President Huo so careless with himself. His concern could no longer be suppressed, and he couldn’t hold back the anger that had built up over these days.
He wasn’t angry at President Huo; he just couldn’t control his anger toward those who had made President Huo become like this.
Liang Xiao wanted to comfort him properly, withdrew his hand, and said softly: “It’s my fault, I had planned not to get angry…”
President Huo shook his head, closed his eyes, and embraced him: “Thank you.”
Liang Xiao was taken aback: “Thank me for what?”
President Huo suppressed the emotion in his eyes and completely embraced Liang Xiao, tightening his arms to protect him firmly.
He was such a dull person, so slow, so unromantic, so easily irritating to others-President Huo knew this better than anyone.
President Huo had provoked his father’s anger, received punishment from his parents and elders, faced the cold stares of the branch family, and heard plenty of angry rebukes from competitors.
No one had ever gotten angry at him… because they were angry that no one in this world treated him well.
President Huo had never harbored resentment for this and never felt there was anything wrong, but when Liang Xiao was furiously tugging at him and losing his temper, something deep in his heart suddenly melted completely.
Like a gentle breeze, like ice and snow melting.
“I won’t scare you anymore.” Seeing that he remained silent for a while, Liang Xiao wasn’t reassured and tugged at President Huo. “In the future, don’t be afraid when you see me angry. I’ll just be angry for a bit, I won’t run away, and I’ll come back after I’m done being angry.”
President Huo buried his face in his neck and said softly: “Alright.”
“If it’s been more than five minutes and I’m still angry, then comfort me.”
Liang Xiao poked him: “Do something I want to do, and I’ll feel better right away.”
President Huo was quiet for a moment, earnestly remembering: “Alright.”
Liang Xiao looked at the wound on his palm, still not entirely reassured, and said softly: “Go treat it first, I’ll wait for you.”
Liang Xiao didn’t have much strength. He kissed him once and nuzzled against him: “I’m fine, I’ll be alright after resting a bit.”
President Huo nodded slightly, then looked up and softly asked about his mood: “Are you still angry?”
Liang Xiao had originally wanted to shake his head, but as he opened his mouth, his ears suddenly reddened.
Everything that needed to be said had been said, and Liang Xiao suddenly couldn’t help but want to know what President Huo would choose to do that he would like if he were to comfort him.
Liang Xiao felt a bit embarrassed, coughed, and pressed his lips together: “I’m… still angry.”
Liang Xiao looked at the clock and specifically reminded him: “It’s been five minutes.”
President Huo, being earnestly watched by him, unusually understood, picked him up, and walked to the bathroom door.
Liang Xiao: “!!”
Their President Huo was indeed gifted.
Liang Xiao’s heart raced, his face flushed, as he happily waited for President Huo to invite him to bathe together, when suddenly President Huo gently put him down.
Liang Xiao was taken aback and looked up in confusion.
President Huo embraced Liang Xiao, carefully gauged his weight, found the center of gravity, and rigorously pressed him against the door by his waist.
And kissed him once.
##
(advanced chapters available on kofi)
