The weight pressing down on him went still, like a faulty old TV short-circuiting, unable to process Shi Yuxing’s words in time. He asked, dazed: “What… do you mean?” Shi Yuxing couldn’t be bothered with more words. Under Gu Lingzhou’s watchful gaze, he easily loosened the tie and cast a slightly regretful glance at the obviously expensive fabric. “I said, I won’t do it with you. Get out.”
This time Gu Lingzhou heard him clearly. The shock hadn’t faded from his face when the blow hit him, making his head spin. He had actually been easily shrugged off by Shi Yuxing. He got off the bed and tugged at his pants twice. His silk pajama collar hung wide open, dotted with bright, glistening kiss marks—anyone would think they’d done something unspeakable.
The next second, his wrist ached as Gu Lingzhou dragged him back onto the bed. Anger flared in his misty eyes. Just as Shi Yuxing was about to lash out, warmth pressed against his neck—Gu Lingzhou was scenting him.
“Get off, Gu Lingzhou. I said I won’t do it with—ah!”
A sharp, vicious bite.
Shi Yuxing cried out in pain. Urgent banging immediately came from outside the door: “Yuxing! Yuxing, what happened?”
Shi Yuxing tried to answer, but rough gauze covered his lips—red seeping through, making him freeze. Gu Lingzhou was pressed against his shoulder, licking the teeth marks on his pale neck over the knocking sounds. “If you don’t want me, who do you want? Them?”
“Mm! Mm-mn!!” You’re covering my mouth—how am I supposed to answer!
Wet softness invaded the skin again. Gu Lingzhou’s eyes were red-rimmed as he spoke madly: “Why are you forcing me? Why are you leaving me? You’re my wife—my wife. What are they? You can only be mine. Do you hear me?”
Shi Yuxing’s eyes widened in terror. Gu Lingzhou must be insane—he shouldn’t have provoked him.
“Do you hear me?” Gu Lingzhou’s wet, bloodshot eyes moved to him, as if tears might fall. “Shi Yuxing… Shi Yuxing…”
Holy shit! He’s crying!
The hand covering his mouth slowly lowered. Shi Yuxing’s swollen lips parted to say something, then froze. “The 24-year-old me loves you.” Da Ling’s words played in his head like a broken record. Shi Yuxing propped himself up and reached out to wipe the corner of Gu Lingzhou’s eye.
The voice outside grew frantic: “Gu Lingzhou, open the door! If you don’t, I’m breaking it down!”
Shi Yuxing jolted, his vision clearing. The door shuddered—it looked like it might really be smashed in any second. Gu Lingzhou turned his head back: “Don’t look at them.” With that, he covered Shi Yuxing’s lips again, pressing gently—unlike the devouring kisses before, this one was like a cub suckling.
The alpha wrapped his arms around him, tight. Gu Lingzhou’s strong, steady heartbeat pounded against him, again and again. The knocking in the background blended with the racing of Shi Yuxing’s own heart. He closed his eyes—fine, let them break the door down.
The kiss didn’t last long. Gu Lingzhou lost interest, disturbed by the relentless banging. He lifted Shi Yuxing by the backs of his knees, barely catching his breath, and walked to the door, pressing him against it again. The faint vibrations traveled through the door to the other side. The knocking stopped, and Shi Yuxing’s heart nearly stopped with it. Realizing what Gu Lingzhou intended, his face flushed crimson. The voice by his ear was like a demon’s whisper: “Tell them you only want me. Tell them all to get out.”
Startled, Shi Yuxing nearly tore his shirt. “W-wait! What are you doing?”
“Baby,” he called him that, sending goosebumps across Shi Yuxing’s skin. Trembling, he slowly looked up at Gu Lingzhou—his extraordinarily sharp features now hidden in shadow, making him look like a death god. “Refuse me, and I’ll fuck you to death right here against this door.”
“Gu Lingzhou, let Yuxing go. We didn’t do anything to him.”
“Knock, knock, knock—!!!”
Gu Lingzhou, having heard it all, pulled his trembling, frightened wife closer and took a deep breath. “Good wife—they didn’t do anything, did they?” Shi Yuxing swallowed hard and nodded. Gu Lingzhou knew he looked terrifying; the person in his arms was scared. He looked down and said to the door: “Tonight, I’m staying here.”
“You shameless—”
He cut off whoever was speaking: “I’m his husband. What are you?”
The door went quiet. Shi Yuxing hadn’t expected them to be so obedient—he’d thought he’d have to replace another door. He was gently laid back on the bed. Gu Lingzhou gave him a tender glance and went into the bathroom.
Only when the water started running did Shi Yuxing get up, find the full-length mirror, and pull down his collar. The bloody bite mark looked vicious. “Tch—bit hard enough to draw blood. If this were an omega’s gland, he’d have marked me for sure.”
His skin, already pale from years in the lab, made the vivid purple-red teeth marks stand out even more. He also traced the mess of hickeys on his neck and his swollen lips. “People are going to think I’ve been abused.”
His gaze drifted lower. Actually, there had been a little excitement earlier, but after the scare it had receded. Given Gu Lingzhou’s state, he’d be lucky to come out without a scratch. Still… Shi Yuxing touched the clear bite mark. Gu Lingzhou probably did like him—but whether it was just possessiveness, he’d have to figure out. “Damn, biting that hard hurts. I’ll make him kneel and let me kick him for this someday. Ow—”
Soft, loose pajamas wrapped around him as a pair of strong arms circled his waist. Gu Lingzhou had come in without him noticing. Shi Yuxing quickly tore his gaze from the bite mark. Gu Lingzhou, a bandage on his forehead, stood in a bathrobe with his neck bare, wearing a ring on a chain around his neck—just as Da Ling had said.
Gu Lingzhou looked down at the bite mark he’d left. “Does it hurt?”
Shi Yuxing looked away, turning his gaze back to his reflection in the mirror. “Bitten like this—what do you think?” Gu Lingzhou’s slightly parted lips moved as if to speak, but Shi Yuxing twisted free from his arms. “I’m going to sleep.”
It was the first time he had shared a bed with the 24-year-old General Gu. Gu Lingzhou locked him in his arms, chest against his back, and at the same time, Shi Yuxing could feel something pressing against his rear. Realizing what it was, he squirmed upward to escape. “Didn’t you take care of that in there? Are you trying to kill me with a weapon?”
Gu Lingzhou laughed softly at his words, the faint breath carrying a hint of amusement against the back of his ear. He had just wanted to get out quickly.
“Gu Lingzhou, I need to sleep.”
“I know.”
Shi Yuxing fussed a little, only to be wrapped tighter. “Sorry. I was impulsive earlier.”
Shi Yuxing shifted a couple of times. The air was quiet, with only the faint sound of breathing. He swallowed. “So do you know why I said no?” He turned his head—moonlight filtered through the screen, faintly outlining Gu Lingzhou’s silhouette.
Gu Lingzhou’s breath quickened, then condensed into a slow “Mm.” “You resent me. You hate me. Three years ago, I abandoned you and left you to endure the gossip alone. I’m sorry…” He held Shi Yuxing even tighter, as if confirming he was still there. “If you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. I just don’t want you to leave—so I can protect you. I’m sorry.”
“Tch…” Shi Yuxing suppressed the fire in his chest. “If you’re apologizing, just apologize—why do you keep poking me with that thing!”
Gu Lingzhou loosened his hold slightly and apologized again.
Shi Yuxing processed the information he’d given. “So you do know you were wrong? I thought you were heartless—having to marry someone you don’t like must have been such a hardship for you.”
“I do like you.”
The air fell completely silent, save for the beating of two hearts. Shi Yuxing hadn’t expected Gu Lingzhou to admit it so plainly. Not that it was surprising—someone like him, a stunning beta, even omegas had confessed to him. Anyone who didn’t like him was just aesthetically challenged.
The arms around him slowly withdrew; the mattress rebounded slightly. Gu Lingzhou moved quietly, barefoot, and then came the click of the door lock.
Shi Yuxing heard him speaking at the door: “What are you two doing squatting here?”
“Is my wife asleep?”
“Say that again—he’s my wife.”
“Is Yuxing alright?”
“Perfectly fine. Where’s the medicine kit?”
“You hurt him? You beast…”
Muttered exchanges faded into the distance, footsteps retreating.
After a long while, someone returned.
The door locked again. Gu Lingzhou crept back in like a thief. The bedside lamp flicked on; Shi Yuxing could feel the light through his eyelids. He let himself go limp, allowing Gu Lingzhou to move him as he pleased. His collar was tugged aside, and for a moment, a chill mixed with pain exploded across his scalp. He couldn’t help but frown and let out a soft groan.
Gu Lingzhou stopped immediately and gently blew on the wound. What a rare sight.
After applying the ointment, Gu Lingzhou turned off the light and slipped back under the covers, holding him face-to-face.
The bite mark gradually stopped hurting. Gu Lingzhou’s breathing steadied, yet he still held on tightly. Shi Yuxing opened his eyes and looked at Gu Lingzhou’s chest, where a silver ring lay quietly.
·
The red velvet lid opened, revealing a single, lonely diamond ring shimmering in the light.
The ring was taken out. Tea-colored eyes quietly examined it—worn for less than a day. No scratches. A gleaming diamond set in the center. Compared to the priceless emeralds that Grandmother Gu wore from head to toe, this ring was very modest.
Shi Yuxing didn’t put it back on his finger. He just looked at it for a moment, then silently tucked the diamond ring back inside. Whether Gu Lingzhou wore it on his hand or around his neck was his own business.
The box closed, and he put it back in the depths of the drawer.
A knock came at the study door. The next second, the handle turned, and he met a pair of eyes.
“Time to eat.” The words carried a hint of dissatisfaction, yet didn’t dare to flare up—only a cautious probe: “Do they cook for you every day?”
Shi Yuxing answered: “Da Ling’s a good cook. Almost every day, unless…” he’s in rut and can’t come out.
Gu Lingzhou’s expression dimmed; he lowered his gaze. “I’ll learn to cook.”
Shi Yuxing could see he was vying for favor and decided to give him a chance. “I’m a bit tired today—don’t really feel like driving to the hospital myself.”
“I’ll take you.” Unsurprisingly, Gu Lingzhou jumped at the offer.
Shi Yuxing glanced at him, squeezed past, and with his back to him, curled his lips. “We’ll see. I’m hungry.”
Gu Lingzhou followed behind him, hands clenched into fists, watching the two downstairs pull out chairs and present breakfast. The younger alpha grinned cheekily, vying to feed his wife, while the older, steadier alpha, wearing an apron, gently offered a glass of milk.
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