Fu Xu’s breath stopped in an instant. His fingertips turned icy cold and a chill of sweat soaked through the fabric on his back. He could feel Shen Louchen’s gaze curling around him like a coiled serpent, its tongue flicking against the skin of his neck, right where Shao Xuan’s predatory eyes had lingered again and again only moments ago.
“N.. no… no…” His voice trembled so badly it nearly collapsed on itself, the tail end swallowed by the tightness in his throat. “I was only with Dr. Gu today. On the way… I ran into a strange alpha who tried to pick trouble. Dr. Gu already chased him off.”
It was a half truth, half lie. He didn’t dare mention Shao Xuan’s name at all, holding that name felt like clutching a live explosive that could detonate at any moment.
If it slipped from the tip of his tongue, it would shatter this fragile, momentary calm and surely provoke Mr. Shen’s displeasure. Fu Xu lowered his gaze, long eyelashes casting broken, trembling shadows on his cheeks, hiding the chaos churning behind them. He braced himself, ready to endure Shen Louchen’s imminent anger.
A warm droplet slid down his cheek before he even realized he had begun to cry. Only when Shen Louchen’s thumb brushed the corner of his eye, its calloused skin slightly scraping him with a faint sting, did Fu Xu register what was happening.
“Why are you crying?” Shen Louchen’s voice carried no hint of anger. Instead, it had deepened, becoming low and warm, like a piece of jade left to soak in gentle water. “I was only asking.”
Fu Xu’s head snapped up, his gaze crashing straight into Shen Louchen’s fathomless eyes. Those eyes, always carrying a trace of distant coldness, were at this moment reflecting the soft amber glow of the living room lights.
They looked like melted honeyed amber and in their depths, Fu Xu saw a clear reflection of his own disheveled, pitiful self. His lips parted, wanting to speak but the knot in his throat refused to loosen, only shaky, broken breaths escaped him.
He knew Shen Louchen had already noticed everything. He simply wasn’t exposing it.
Why?
Shen Louchen suddenly leaned closer, his fingers gently stroking along Fu Xu’s tear stained cheek. The gesture held an unfamiliar patience Fu Xu had never felt from him before. “Did it scare you?” he asked, a faint trace of frustration buried in his tone, frustration not at Fu Xu but seemingly at himself.
Fu Xu stared at him in a daze, mind blank. This reaction was nothing like what he had expected, no reprimand, no sharp questioning, not even a spark of furious anger. Shen Louchen’s fingertips were still resting against his face, their warmth seeping through his chilled skin, calming the frantic coldness in his blood.
“Baby?”
That single word cracked across Fu Xu’s mind like a bolt of thunder. His entire body jerked, every nerve jumping in shock. For a split second, he nearly thought he’d misheard.
He stumbled back half a step, bumping into the console table behind him with a muffled thud. “M.. Mr. Shen… y.. you…” His face flushed red in an instant, the heat climbing all the way to the tips of his ears.
His gaze darted helplessly, panicked like a rabbit whose tail had just been stepped on. “You… you can’t call me that…”
But Shen Louchen acted as though he hadn’t heard the protest at all. His gaze lowered, lingering on Fu Xu’s slightly trembling lips and a faint, unreadable emotion flickered beneath his eyes. Something tugged at his memory, Lin Yunzou’s words from earlier that afternoon.
He had just finished dealing with an urgent document, reclining on the sofa in the study with his eyes closed for a moment’s rest, when Lin Yunzou walked in with his medical kit. With practiced familiarity, the doctor had begun a routine check up.
The cool surface of the stethoscope touched Shen Louchen’s chest and Lin Yunzou let out a quiet sigh.
“Have you been using strong suppressants again lately?”
Shen Louchen took a deep breath. “No.”
Lin Yunzou frowned in confusion. “But you clearly have suppressant residue in your bloodstream.”
Shen Louchen opened his eyes slowly, his gaze tightening. “I haven’t used any.”
“A’Chen, this won’t do.” Lin Yunzou sighed, convinced Shen Louchen was hiding something. His voice carried the sternness unique to a doctor. “High grade suppressants have side effects for you, serious ones.”
Judging from the needle marks, it was obviously one of those potent black market versions. This type of suppressant damaged the memory center of the brain and for someone like Shen Louchen, who already had pheromone instability, every injection created a blank, a crack in the continuity of his memories.
Shen Louchen watched the doctor jot down notes in the medical record. “I’ll get to the bottom of it.”
He’d already sensed something was wrong. Before his memory loss, he’d made only one trip back to the ancestral home. Whatever happened, it had to be related to Liao Jiazhi.
But the memories from his past self were too deeply ingrained; the person he was now couldn’t easily distinguish truth from distortion.
“I’ve studied these suppressants in detail,” Lin Yunzou continued, putting down his pen and pushing up his glasses. “The side effects are definitely not that simple. The human body has its own defense mechanisms. When memories are damaged, the brain automatically softens them, beautifies them, removes anything that might cause pain. What forms is a kind of… well, a belief. An internal conviction that feels true, even if it isn’t logical. Just like that week when you locked yourself in the lab, you were cold to everything around you, your voice changed, you acted like a completely different person. That was your brain shielding you, cutting off anything that might trigger emotional instability.”
“I don’t remember” Shen Louchen replied flatly.
Lin Yunzou stared at him in disbelief. “I even mailed you that batch of suppressants. You told me yourself that you received it. What, now you don’t remember any of that?”
Shen Louchen tried to think, tried to gather the scattered fragments in his mind but nothing came. The lab…
Images flashed like lantern slides, quick and indistinct, leaving only the pounding ache behind his temples.
Even Lin Yunzou was taken aback. Under normal circumstances, even with such side effects, Shen Louchen shouldn’t be forgetting something as straightforward as that. Was it possible that his memories after waking and memories after the injections, had become completely severed?
Shen Louchen rubbed his temples, irritation rising. “…Bring the suppressant again tomorrow.”
“All right.” Lin Yunzou hesitated, then added, “And the matter about that omega I mentioned, the one whose pheromones won’t cure you but whose scent still contains trace elements… very faint but still something. I told you before. Think it over yourself.”
“Mm.”
Shen Louchen’s thoughts drifted back to the present.
Now, facing the omega standing before him, eyes still rimmed with red, he suddenly understood what Lin Yunzou meant. They had barely known each other for long. With Fu Xu’s background, he should have been cautious, restrained.
Yet right now, he simply wasn’t.
And that reminded him sharply of his perpetually stern father, the man who carried sorrow in his reddened eyes, whose very presence draped the entire mansion in a suffocating, perpetual gloom. Since childhood, Shen Louchen had sworn that he would never become that kind of alpha.
Perhaps now, he thought bitterly, it was time to stop repeating that fate.
More importantly, something in him, deep and instinctive, whispered that he ought to listen to Fu Xu. The feeling was absurd, illogical… but fiercely clear.
Shen Louchen withdrew his hand from Fu Xu’s cheek only to gently clasp his cold fingers, warming them bit by bit. “We’re married,” he said quietly. “Isn’t it natural for me to call you that?”
Fu Xu’s fingers burned in his palm like they’d been placed over an open flame. He tried to pull away but Shen Louchen held him even more tightly. “B.. but…” He tried desperately to find some reason but his mind had devolved into hopeless disarray. All he could feel was the warmth of Shen Louchen’s hand and the lingering echo of that word, “baby”, still ringing in his ears.
It was… the first time anyone had ever called him that in his entire life.
“No buts.” Shen Louchen cut him off gently. He lowered his head just slightly, touching his forehead to Fu Xu’s. His warm breath brushed against Fu Xu’s nose and the fine, cool sweat on Fu Xu’s skin carried a faint, almost delicate scent. Shen Louchen’s voice dropped to a low, husky murmur. “Fu Xu, tell me you like me best.”
Fu Xu’s eyes flew wide, startled like a deer caught off guard. “I, I…” His cheeks were so hot he felt he could fry an egg on them and his heart pounded wildly, almost threatening to break his ribs. “Mr. Shen, I…”
“No?” Shen Louchen arched an eyebrow, his tone carrying an almost childish stubbornness. “If you don’t say it, then I won’t eat dinner tonight.”
Fu Xu froze.
He never expected Shen Louchen to speak in such a way. Looking at the man’s flawless face so close to his own, seeing that hint of childish obstinacy in those deep eyes, he suddenly felt… that Shen Louchen wasn’t terrifying at all.
The knots of fear and tension in his chest slowly melted like frost meeting warm sunlight, leaving behind only a flustered, unfamiliar warmth. Fu Xu sniffed softly, looked at Shen Louchen’s sharply defined jawline and whispered, “I… I like Mr. Shen the most.”
His voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s hum but it fell perfectly into Shen Louchen’s ears. A smile bloomed in Shen Louchen’s eyes, soft, warm, like ice thawing into spring water. He reached out to ruffle Fu Xu’s hair. “Good boy. Let’s eat.”
Fu Xu’s face grew even redder but he quietly exhaled a small breath of relief.
Shen Louchen led him into the dining room. On the table, several small dishes and a bowl of warm soup were already set out, no doubt delivered by Butler Chen earlier.
Shen Louchen didn’t release Fu Xu’s hand; instead, he gently tugged him closer and pulled him directly onto his lap. His arm circled Fu Xu’s waist, his chin resting lightly in the hollow of Fu Xu’s neck.
“Eat.” He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of soup and held it to Fu Xu’s lips.
Fu Xu stiffened, too overwhelmed to move. Sitting on Mr. Shen’s lap while eating… this was far beyond anything he could imagine. But Shen Louchen’s arm held him firmly, leaving him no room to escape. Blushing fiercely, he opened his mouth obediently, letting the warm soup slide down his throat.
The taste was lightly sweet, snow fungus and lotus seed soup. With no way to resist, Fu Xu could only drink it in small, shy sips. Shen Louchen fed him patiently, even wiping the corners of his mouth from time to time, his movements intimate and natural.
Gradually, Fu Xu relaxed. He even whispered a soft “Thank you, Mr. Shen” when Shen Louchen fed him a piece of braised rib. Shen Louchen only chuckled lowly, rubbing his cheek against Fu Xu’s neck. The soft fur at his ears brushed lightly against Fu Xu’s skin.
The meal stretched long and unhurried. Only when the soup bowl was emptied did Shen Louchen finally stand, lifting Fu Xu in his arms and carrying him back to the bedroom.
The next morning, Fu Xu was awakened by a faint rustling. He blinked groggily and saw Shen Louchen sitting at the edge of the bed, frowning as he fiddled with his ear.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains in thin ribbons, casting a gentle glow on Shen Louchen’s profile. It traced the line of his straight nose, the tight set of his lips, he looked distinctly irritated. Only then did Fu Xu notice the light tuft of pale brown fur on the tip of his ear.
Usually it wasn’t noticeable but under the sunlight it shimmered faintly, revealing that the originally white fur had been tinted by something.
And… it seemed a bit tangled.
Unable to help himself, Fu Xu leaned forward slightly. “Mr. Shen… what’s wrong?”
Shen Louchen turned his head, brows drawing even tighter. “It’s itchy.” He lifted a hand to scratch it but Fu Xu quickly held his wrist down.
“Don’t scratch, it’ll get worse.” Fu Xu leaned in to inspect the small knots where dust and oil had clumped the fur together. He remembered going through similar discomfort back in the Fu household, how agonizing it could be, especially for feline traits that tangled easily.
He softened his voice. “You should wash it. If you clean it properly, the itch will go away.”
Shen Louchen instantly recoiled, like a cat who’d just had its tail stepped on. “No washing.”
Fu Xu stared at him, baffled. Shen Louchen was usually clean to the point of severity, always crisp, always fresh. How could he refuse to bathe now?
“But…” Fu Xu pointed at the tangled fur. “It’s already knotted. If you don’t wash it, it’ll feel worse.”
Shen Louchen turned his face away, refusing to look at him, like a sulking child. “I’m not washing.”
Fu Xu didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. He thought for a moment, then softened his tone even further. “Then… then I’ll help Mr. Shen wash it? Is that okay?”
Shen Louchen remained unmoved.
Fu Xu exhaled softly. Looking at his stubborn profile, he suddenly remembered Shen Louchen’s behavior from last night, especially the way he demanded to hear that Fu Xu liked him. Fu Xu hesitated, gathered all the courage he had and whispered, “Then… I like Mr. Shen. If I say that, can I help wash it?”
“…Not enough.” Shen Louchen’s eyes fixed on Fu Xu’s lips and a new idea sparked in them. “If you kiss me, I’ll go.”
Fu Xu’s hand twitched and he stammered, “A.. all right…”
Shen Louchen turned immediately, his eyes brightening as he leaned closer.
Fu Xu’s face burned so hot he wished he could disappear into the blankets.
How could he have agreed to that? But taking back his words now felt even more impossible.
Shen Louchen leaned closer again.
Fu Xu’s heart hammered like a drum. He closed his eyes, gathered every ounce of bravery he possessed and quickly pressed a small kiss to Shen Louchen’s cheek. The skin was warm, soft beneath his lips.
He had barely begun to retreat when a strong hand caught the back of his neck.
“Not enough.” Shen Louchen’s voice dropped, low and rough, carrying a domineering edge that allowed no refusal. He tilted his head slightly, his thumb brushing lightly across his own lips. “Here. Kiss me here.”
Fu Xu’s entire face turned scarlet, color blooming even across his ears. He struggled weakly but Shen Louchen’s grip only tightened. Those deep eyes held him firmly, curling around him like hooks, anchoring his gaze, locking him in place, giving him nowhere to escape.
“Faster” Shen Louchen urged, his tone carrying a faint trace of impatience that was almost impossible to detect.
Fu Xu closed his eyes for a moment as if summoning tremendous courage. He tilted his head upward slightly, lips trembling as he leaned in. Just when their mouths were about to touch, Shen Louchen suddenly lowered his head, capturing his lips with perfect accuracy.
Unlike the feather light kiss from earlier, this one was filled with a fierce sense of possession. It was gentle yet irresistibly dominant, prying open his teeth with a quiet authority.
The tip of his tongue slid in, curling around Fu Xu’s own, overwhelming him with a force that allowed no refusal. Fu Xu’s mind went blank. His entire body turned boneless, softening helplessly as he melted into Shen Louchen’s arms, unable to support himself without him.
He had no idea how long the kiss lasted before Shen Louchen finally loosened his hold. Their foreheads pressed together, both of their breaths short and unsteady. Fu Xu’s lips were reddened and swollen from the kiss, bright as ripe cherries and he stared at Shen Louchen with dazed, unfocused eyes.
“…Can we… go take a shower now?” he asked in a small, hoarse voice.
Shen Louchen glanced at the reddened corners of his eyes and suddenly let out a low laugh. “We can.”
He intertwined their fingers and led him into the bathroom. While Shen Louchen turned on the water, Fu Xu stood to the side and caught sight of himself in the mirror, his flushed face, trembling lashes and a heart thudding wildly against his ribs.
That kiss… it had caught him completely off guard.
Just then, Shen Louchen suddenly let out a muffled groan. His body swayed, nearly hitting the edge of the bathtub.
“Mr. Shen!” Fu Xu rushed forward to support him. Shen Louchen’s face had gone ghost pale and beads of cold sweat seeped across his forehead. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
Shen Louchen clenched his jaw so tightly the veins in his temples stood out. His fingers pressed hard against the gland on the back of his neck, knuckles turning white.
A sharp, piercing pain pulsed beneath his hand, like countless needles stabbing into the same spot at once. “I’m fine…” he forced out but his voice trembled with unmistakable agony.
Fu Xu’s heart lurched. He suddenly remembered what Dr. Lin had mentioned, the Alpha gland was extremely fragile and someone like Shen Louchen, already suffering from pheromone instability, could easily experience sudden episodes.
“I.. I’ll call Butler Chen!” Fu Xu turned to run out but Shen Louchen grabbed his wrist in a tight grip.
“Don’t…” Shen Louchen’s breathing grew more ragged by the second and a faint crimson haze crept into his eyes, the warning sign that his pheromones were slipping out of control. “Hold me…”
Fu Xu froze for a heartbeat before instinctively wrapping his arms around him. Shen Louchen’s body burned with feverish heat, like he had been set aflame. Fu Xu could feel the Alpha’s pheromones surging wildly beneath his skin, dense and aggressive, saturated with a potent wine like scent that enveloped him completely.
Shen Louchen buried his face in Fu Xu’s neck, inhaling deeply again and again, as if trying to draw something vital from him. His lips trailed downward, urgent and unrestrained. Soft, fevered kisses fell along Fu Xu’s neck, leaving behind faint red marks. When his fangs grazed the delicate skin and broke it, the taste of blood slipped across his tongue.
Fu Xu’s body tingled under the relentless kisses. He didn’t dare struggle; he simply held him tightly, one hand gently patting Shen Louchen’s back as though soothing a wild, frantic creature. “Mr. Shen… calm down…”
But it was as though Shen Louchen couldn’t hear a word. His kisses grew increasingly desperate, bordering on biting. When he began to worry at the skin of Fu Xu’s neck, the pain made Fu Xu’s brows draw together yet he still endured it in silence.
Not enough… The thought echoed violently in Shen Louchen’s mind. The Omega’s scent, there was too little. If he tore this person apart, would the pheromones finally spill out in full?
“Mr. Shen…” Unable to endure the sharp sting, Fu Xu lightly scratched Shen Louchen’s back.
Unexpectedly, Shen Louchen stilled. His nose brushed along Fu Xu’s neck, inhaling softly.
At some point, a faint floral fragrance had risen from Fu Xu’s body, a gentle spring scent, subtly sweet. It was light, almost delicate yet it washed through Shen Louchen like cool spring water poured onto a raging flame. The violent restlessness in him was extinguished in an instant.
The stabbing pain in his gland eased. Shen Louchen licked the small wound he had left on Fu Xu’s neck and the chaotic torrent of pheromones gradually subsided, flowing back into a calm steadiness. His gaze slowly cleared, the red fading from his eyes.
“I’m sorry…” he murmured hoarsely, fingers brushing the spot he had bitten moments ago. “That must have hurt.”
Fu Xu shook his head. Seeing that Shen Louchen had returned to normal, he finally relaxed. “It doesn’t hurt, Mr. Shen.”
But Shen Louchen didn’t respond. He simply lowered his head again, pressing his nose to Fu Xu’s neck as if trying to memorize the faint floral scent. The aroma was familiar, strangely familiar but he couldn’t place where he had smelled it before. Still, he knew one thing for certain: that scent was what had brought him back from the edge.
Shen Louchen straightened up, still holding him. “Shower.”
His voice was once again calm and steady, as if the person who had lost control earlier was someone entirely different. Fu Xu still felt a bit unsettled but seeing that Shen Louchen was all right, he let the worry fade.
This time, Shen Louchen behaved very obediently in the shower, none of the earlier resistance returning. Fu Xu stood beside him and carefully cleaned the soft fur around his ears. The strands that had been tangled were now soaked in warm water, loosening easily beneath his fingers. Golden sunlight streamed through the bathroom window, bathing the two of them in a quiet, gentle warmth.
Watching Shen Louchen sit so obediently while letting him groom him, Fu Xu suddenly felt that perhaps Mr. Shen wasn’t so frightening after all. He was even… a little cute.
Aside from the fact that he seemed to truly enjoy biting him…
The thought sprang up so suddenly that Fu Xu quickly pushed it down, shaking his head to chase it away. Mr. Shen was a high and lofty Alpha. He himself was merely a sheltered, dependent Omega. How could he think such things?
After the shower, Shen Louchen stepped out wrapped in a bath towel, droplets falling from his damp hair. Fu Xu picked up a towel to help dry him but Shen Louchen snatched his wrist, pressing him down on the sofa.
“Your turn.” Shen Louchen grabbed another towel, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll wash you.”
Fu Xu’s face turned scarlet in an instant. “N.. no, it’s fine, I can do it myself.”
But Shen Louchen pulled him to his feet, unyieldingly steering him toward the bathroom. “No.”
Fu Xu had no strength to resist. With his face burning, he let Shen Louchen guide him. Shen Louchen washed him with surprising seriousness, though his movements were clumsy. When he accidentally brushed against a sensitive spot, Fu Xu shivered, which drew a low, amused laugh from Shen Louchen.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, voice full of teasing warmth, though his fingers gentled afterward, no longer playing tricks.
Fu Xu buried his face in the water, unable to meet his eyes, feeling as if his cheeks were hot enough to boil an egg.
The wound on his neck wasn’t large. Strangely, after Shen Louchen had licked it, it seemed to heal faster; within minutes, a thin scab had formed and it barely hurt anymore.
When they finished, Fu Xu was wrapped like a little dumpling and Shen Louchen carried him to the bed. Holding a blow dryer, he gently dried Fu Xu’s hair.
The warm breeze brushed through the strands, soothing and soft and as Fu Xu leaned against the heat of Shen Louchen’s chest, breathing in his clean scent, his eyelids slowly drooped with sleepiness.
Shen Louchen’s body was so warm. At the Fu household, except during summer, he had never felt such comforting warmth.
“Mr. Shen…” he murmured drowsily.
“Hm?” Shen Louchen replied.
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator has entered their coffee-deprived final form. (╥﹏╥)
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · Substitute MarriageChapter 2 · PleaseChapter 3 · Thank you, Mr. ShenChapter 4 · Mr. Shen, are you going to throw me away?Chapter 5 · You don’t have to please me in everythingChapter 6 · Is This For Him?Chapter 7 · Do you know you don’t have long to live?Chapter 8 · But what about you? What will you be then?Chapter 9 · That’s a vehicle from the logistics department.Chapter 10 · What do you take my Shen family for?Chapter 11 · Can I bite your gland?Chapter 12 · He is not my “medicine catalyst”Chapter 13 · Who is that Alpha?Chapter 14 · Perfectly matched omegaChapter 15 · Perhaps you could call him, baby?Chapter 16 · That’s… Fu Xu’s scent?Chapter 17 · It was made by the masterChapter 18 · Abusing a pregnant omega is a serious crime.Chapter 19 · Mr. Shen is the best alpha.Chapter 20 · Family elderChapter 21 · Shen Louchen’s berserk periodChapter 22 Part 1 · You are my wifeChapter 22 Part 2 · You are my wifeChapter 23 · Aren’t we mutually in love?Chapter 24 · Which alpha did you go to see?Chapter 25 · Fu Xu, tell me you like meChapter 26 · Could Mr. Shen possibly have a little crush on him?Chapter 27 · Get out!Chapter 28 · Stay close to meChapter 29 · Mr. Shen and I are a legally married coupleChapter 30 · Spit it outChapter 31 · He’s been acting increasingly strangely latelyChapter 32 · Do you listen to everyone except me?Chapter 33 · Monthly ExamChapter 34 · Parent Teacher MeetingChapter 35 · The classroom was cold at nightChapter 36 · Court deathChapter 37 · Wife, Kiss meChapter 38 · This omega trying to steal a kiss from him?Chapter 39 · His omega turned out to be a little cunning.Chapter 40 · Is this little omega taking advantage of him?Chapter 41 · “Madam Shen” is your trump card, understand?Chapter 42 · Mr. Shen, I don’t know how to wear it…Chapter 43 · HusbandChapter 44 · Why is Shen Louchen acting like a peacockChapter 45 · I won’t abandon you, and I never willChapter 46 · Omega with a 92% match rateChapter 47 · Are you waiting for him?Chapter 48 · How can someone magically transformChapter 49 · Now it’s all good, two kids.Chapter 50 · Mr. Shen, will you regret it then?Chapter 51 · What is regret?Chapter 52 · If you’ve got the guts, say it again!Chapter 53 · That’s my milk teaChapter 54 · What he wanted to replace was the alphaChapter 55 · How do you know I’m not part of Mr. Shen’s plan?Chapter 56 · Why don’t you just kill me?Chapter 57 · Are we sending him away?Chapter 58 · Are you angry?Chapter 59 · Inhibitor or marker?Chapter 60 · Let Fu Xu mark himChapter 61 · There should be limits to joking, right?Chapter 62 · Do you really not like Young Master Lian?Chapter 63 · Will you still love me after I go to school?Chapter 64 · You are the best husband in the worldChapter 65 · Extra 1Chapter 66 · Extra 2