After Entering a Contract Marriage with a Disabled Alpha - Chapter 18

Pei Yu didn’t dare to think too deeply about the meaning behind Qin Shen’s message.

Was he… disappointed that he couldn’t measure him personally?

Pei Yu lowered his head and played dumb. He scanned the fitting room to ensure there were no cameras; although this was a high-end boutique, checking his surroundings was a subconscious habit.

By the time he finished taking his clothes off and accurately measuring his detailed body data, more than ten minutes had passed. Since the suit required minor tailoring, Pei Yu didn’t put it back on, choosing instead to change back into his own clothes.

When he walked out carrying the garments, Qin Shen had already purchased a large pile of items based on the staff’s recommendations. There was a pair of pearl cufflinks, diamond cufflinks, a royal blue diamond-shaped brooch, a tassel-style crown diamond brooch, several simple ties, and two pairs of plain-toe Oxford shoes.

In the past, Qin Shen could never understand the joy Jiang Yibai found in accompanying his boyfriends shopping; he had always viewed such time-wasting behavior as utterly dull. But buying things for Pei Yu was completely different. If Pei Yu wore the accessories he had chosen, it gave Qin Shen a very subtle sense of satisfaction.

His left wrist was already occupied by Grandpa Qin’s jade bracelet, but the other spots were fair game.

Seeing the shop owner efficiently packing up various accessories and hearing that they were all bought for him by Qin Shen, Pei Yu felt his head spinning. He leaned in and whispered, “Why are you buying me so many things? Can they still be returned?”

“Too late.” Qin Shen flicked the card in his hand. “The bill is already settled.”

Pei Yu blinked. “Just because the bill is settled doesn’t mean you can’t return them, right? Are all these things very expensive?”

The diamond brooch sparkled under the lights; one look told him it cost a fortune.

Qin Shen let out a soft laugh and leaned in close to Pei Yu’s ear to whisper, “No, they aren’t expensive.”

“You’re just a fool with too much money,” Pei Yu muttered a small complaint.

“Is it foolish to buy things for your partner?” Qin Shen said, his voice natural and smooth, as if they were truly a couple who had been together for a long time. Noticing that Pei Yu’s ears weren’t quite as red anymore, he teased, “Not pinching your own ears this time?”

Pei Yu was first startled by the word “partner.” Before his heart could race or his face could flush, he was stifled by the second half of the sentence.

“…”

After a moment of silence, Pei Yu’s long, dark lashes fluttered. “My ear was itchy just now, that’s why I pinched it. It’s not itchy or red now, so why would I pinch it?”

As soon as he said it, Qin Shen blew a very light breath against the tip of Pei Yu’s ear. “Then let me help you.”

The warm breath tightly enveloped the boy’s snowy-white earlobe. Right under Qin Shen’s eyes, Pei Yu’s ear faced the crisis of turning beet-red once again.

“Look… it seems to be red again.” The narrow corners of Qin Shen’s eyes curved up, and he reached out to give it a gentle squeeze.

The boy’s earlobe was as soft as cotton—white, turning red the moment it was touched, and trembling.

Pei Yu hadn’t expected Qin Shen to actually touch him this time. The warm pad of a finger, slightly calloused, rubbed against his ear. It was itchy, like being lightly scratched by a feather, and very hot. Completely stunned, Pei Yu immediately straightened his back, a soft peach-colored blush blooming across his cheeks.

Qin Shen watched Pei Yu standing there in a daze, his hands at a loss. Like adding fuel to a roaring fire, he said very seriously, “Your body seems to be very sensitive; it turns red with just a touch. Will it be a lot of trouble for you when you treat me later?”

Pei Yu’s eyes widened. He didn’t quite understand how Qin Shen could say something like that with such a straight face. Although… what he said was the truth. His body was indeed very sensitive. When he was little and his parents tickled him, other kids would just roll around the bed laughing, but he would itch so much he’d cry.

“I’m not sure…” Pei Yu said vaguely. “About the treatment… let’s take it slow. Maybe once I get used to the contact, I won’t have such a strong reaction.”

“In that case, I should probably hurry up a bit. It’s best to let you get used to it sooner.”

Pei Yu was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Qin Shen looked at him steadily. “I thought you knew. After an Alpha contracts Pheromone Disorder, the rutting period can become more frequent and irregular.”

Pei Yu paused. “…”

That did seem to be the case. Relying on the “voluntary” principle in the agreement, he had completely forgotten about this. Some things couldn’t be controlled just because Qin Shen promised him.

“When my rut comes, if you’re still this sensitive…” Qin Shen said rationally, “you’ll definitely cry.”

Pei Yu’s face burned. In a mix of shame and annoyance, he said, “I won’t cry! And you promised me you’d ask for my consent first.”

Qin Shen’s eyes darkened for a split second. He said in a deep voice, “That is true. But you don’t seem to understand yourself very well.”

Pei Yu blinked his confused eyes.

Qin Shen whispered, “When the time comes, you will definitely help me.”

Meeting Qin Shen’s deep gaze, Pei Yu’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked away. What was going on? Did Qin Shen understand him better than he understood himself? That look was so certain.

The shop owner finished packing several shopping bags; the suit had to stay there for tailoring. He said politely, “The modification time is within 72 hours. Once the tailoring is complete, we will have someone deliver it to your door.”

Pei Yu took a look at the receipt in the shopping bag—hundreds of thousands of yuan were just gone like that. It felt a bit impolite to just go home carrying all these bags himself.

Pei Yu scanned the store to see if there was anything suitable for Qin Shen, and his eyes lit up when he saw a row of sharp-looking, pure black leather shoes. If an ordinary person wore these glossy black leather shoes, it would likely look awkward, but they would suit Qin Shen perfectly. He had a tall build, long legs, and a strong aura; he would look great in them.

Pei Yu placed his shopping bags on the counter and ran back to tell Qin Shen, “I want to buy a gift for you too.”

“Hmm?” Qin Shen was a bit surprised. “For me?”

Pei Yu nodded and pointed to the row of black shoes. “I want to pick a pair myself.”

Although the shoes were all black and the styles were similar, if you looked closely, you could see subtle differences in the shoe lasts.

Qin Shen smiled. “Of course, you can. It would be my honor.”

He was just about to accompany Pei Yu over when his phone rang. It was a call from the Vice President of Zhongcheng Finance; it must be something important.

“I’ll take this call first. You go ahead and pick,” Qin Shen said.

Pei Yu agreed readily. “Okay!”

He watched Qin Shen walk into the VIP room of the shop until his back disappeared, then he withdrew his gaze. The shop owner was busy registering the suit style and Pei Yu’s body measurements.

Another clerk led Pei Yu to choose the shoes, chatting as they walked: “You and President Qin have such a wonderful relationship, Young Master.” Pei Yu smiled: “Really? It’s alright, I suppose.”

Among the various pairs of pure black patent leather shoes, Pei Yu spent several minutes deliberating based on feel and visual appeal before finally selecting a pair. Just as he was about to have the clerk wrap them up, a reckless, drawling voice interrupted him.

“Hi there, beauty. You all alone?”

“Can I give you a suggestion? You’re not really suited for these pointed-toe patent leather shoes.”

Pei Yu looked up, sweeping a cold glance over the newcomer. The man was tall and somewhat handsome, with a very “non-mainstream” silver-gray hairstyle. His expression was full of interest, and he exuded a distinctly aggressive scent of red wine pheromones. His appraising gaze made Pei Yu feel quite uncomfortable.

In this world, pheromones were not just a bond between an intimate Alpha and Omega; they were also a means of seeking a partner commonly known as flirting. Some Alphas, upon meeting an Omega they liked, would release a small amount of the pheromones they were proud of to test the waters.

Pei Yu had no desire to pay him any mind. He gave the man a sidelong glance, then turned back to instruct the clerk to pack the shoes.

The Alpha, a somewhat handsome rich heir, was unaccustomed to such a slight. Being rejected caused his expression and tone to shift instantly; the speed of his “about-face” left Pei Yu speechless.

“I told you, your physique isn’t suited for shoes specifically designed for Alphas.”

“You Omegas are so stubborn. You never listen when told.”

Pei Yu found it laughable but felt that speaking to someone like this was a waste of time. Seeing Qin Shen emerge from the VIP room, Pei Yu ignored the man entirely and walked straight toward Qin Shen.

Having been ignored once again after a failed pick-up attempt, the Alpha grew incensed and strode after him. He saw the Omega, who had treated him with such cold indifference, stop beside a man in a wheelchair, with a middle-aged bodyguard standing nearby.

As he drew closer, he heard their intimate conversation.

“Picked out the shoes?” Qin Shen asked. “Can I see which ones you chose for me?”

Pei Yu: “I’ve already had the clerk pack them up. Let’s look at them when we get back.”

Qin Shen nodded: “That works.”

The rejected Alpha finally snapped. He actually couldn’t compare to a cripple?!

“So you were buying shoes for your boyfriend. No wonder.”

“But you’ve really got something special, buying shoes for a cripple. Can he even take two steps in them? You people are hilarious.”

Hearing the mockery, Qin Shen’s brows knit tightly, and a cold, sharp gaze shot toward the man.

Pei Yu finally gave the man the attention he wanted, though it was a sharp rebuke: “What does it matter to you who I buy shoes for?”

“Also, watch your mouth.”

“Show some basic decency.”

“Oh? Getting defensive over your boyfriend after one comment?” The Alpha continued his sarcasm. “I’m just stating facts. He is a cripple. I don’t know what you’re looking for with someone like him.”

“Heh, I get it. You’re after his money, right? You Omegas are so materialistic.”

“So young and already this vain—you’re absolutely hopeless.”

The commotion disturbed the staff and other customers. Several onlookers gathered around to watch the drama. Sensing trouble, the clerk rushed to find the manager to handle the situation.

The manager hurried over and saw the two parties: one was a senior client, President Qin, and the other appeared to be a rich heir from a family with modest assets. Startled, the manager quickly moved to intervene.

Pei Yu was fuming, his anger finally boiling over—”Are you sick in the head? Does it concern you at all that I’m buying shoes for my boyfriend?”

“He looks much more handsome in a suit and these shoes than you ever could.”

“I don’t know where you get the nerve. You look like an insurance salesman in a suit; what are you acting so high and mighty for?”

“Use your eyes, will you? My boyfriend is this handsome; exactly how blind do you think I am to choose you instead?”

“After having a feast of delicacies, why would I want to eat scraps? Where do you get the confidence to hit on me?!”

“Lashing out with personal attacks just because you failed—what a foul habit.”

The customers watching silently found the rebuttal satisfying and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. A beautiful, fair-skinned young lady even chimed in: “Exactly! Your boyfriend is way handsomer than him. Anyone who isn’t blind knows who to pick!”

Finding support, Pei Yu turned and smiled: “Right? You think so too!”

Humiliated, the Alpha’s entire face turned beet red. In a fit of rage, he grabbed a fire extinguisher from the corner and prepared to strike. Leveraging the physical prowess of an Alpha, he moved with great strength and speed, lunging in front of Pei Yu in a single second.

Faced with the sudden, towering figure, Pei Yu hadn’t yet reacted when his waist was caught by a pair of powerful arms and he was pulled backward.

The next second, he landed right on Qin Shen’s lap…?

Pei Yu turned his head to look at him.

Qin Shen’s gaze was terrifyingly cold; to put it bluntly, he was looking at that Alpha as if he were an inanimate object.

A crisp, powerful scent of cedar pheromones instantly swept through the room, wrapping tightly around Pei Yu. From his ankles to the tips of his hair, not a single inch was left unprotected.

The surrounding air felt as if a blizzard had suddenly erupted; invisible frost fell thick and fast, ruthlessly suppressing the Alpha who dared to raise a hand against Pei Yu.

The Alpha, whose eyes had been bloodshot with rage a moment ago, now looked as if he were being buried under heavy snow. He couldn’t even stand, forced to his knees, crawling forward. As the concentration of pheromones deepened, he finally reached his limit. His eyes bulged, and he clutched his head as if it were being pierced by needles, smashing his head against the floor in agony.

Not until a pool of blood formed on his forehead and the faint scent of iron permeated the air did Qin Shen indifferently withdraw his pheromones.

Gaining a moment of respite, the Alpha struggled to crawl up, cursing loudly: “You damn well dared to use pheromones to suppress me?!”

Sitting on Qin Shen’s lap, this was the first time Pei Yu had witnessed the primal struggle and suppression between Alphas.

“And why shouldn’t I?”

Qin Shen’s eyes were frost-cold, his tone devoid of any warmth, sounding like a final judgment. As soon as his deep, intimidating voice fell, the Alpha, who was standing unsteadily, was once again crushed by pheromones. He desperately released his own pheromones to resist, but it was like striking a stone with an egg.

There was an insurmountable chasm between the two Alphas; there was nothing he could do.

The intense, dominant pheromones blotted out everything, the chill of cedar and the coolness of mint, carrying the breath of natural forest and wood. They seeped into his fair skin bit by bit, melting into Pei Yu’s blood.

With 100% compatibility, the Alpha pheromones surged like a tide, easily igniting the deepest, hidden feelings within the boy in Qin Shen’s arms.

Pei Yu was a completely blank slate when it came to romance, but being a teenager, he was full of curiosity and a desire to explore. What were sharp, blade-like pheromones to the enemy acted as the most potent catalyst for Pei Yu.

Held tightly, Pei Yu’s cheeks were flushed, and his arms felt weak. The man’s powerful, lean arm remained firmly clamped around the boy’s slender waist, locking him in place completely.

Through the thin layers of fabric, Pei Yu felt that the temperature of Qin Shen’s chest and thighs was abnormally high bone-meltingly hot, making his spine tingle.

“Because you laid a hand on my Omega,” Qin Shen said coldly, looking down at the loser.

Pei Yu’s head was completely spinning. He reached up to pull at Qin Shen’s rock-hard arm, saying softly, “Let go of me, you’re so hot.”

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