After Entering a Contract Marriage with a Disabled Alpha - Chapter 22.3

If there was anything that had sustained Pei Yu through his hardest days, it was the memory of Jiang He’s gentle smile, her warm embrace, and the faint scent of sun-drenched lavender on her clothes, the scent of her pheromones.

“But she doesn’t want me anymore.” Pei Yu choked out, sobbing uncontrollably.

Qin Shen felt as if his heart had been struck; it physically ached. He desperately wanted to pull the slender boy into his arms, but sitting in a wheelchair, he couldn’t reach properly. He placed the flowers on his lap and used his warm, dry hands to clasp Pei Yu’s other hand.

“It’s okay. If she doesn’t want you, I want you.”

Pei Yu felt embarrassed while crying. He wiped away his tears and looked into Qin Shen’s eyes, which were as dark as ink.

“Okay,” he nodded piteously.

As they left the hospital, the sky was darkening. Pei Yu got into the car and didn’t look back at the hospital once.

In the hospital, after Lin Shuxing left, a nurse came in to check on Jiang He. She had cared for Jiang He for a long time and knew Pei Yu well.

“Your health is much better than before. Both children came to see you today. Once the Qin Corporation develops the drug for pheromone disorder, you won’t have to stay hospitalized all the time.”

Jiang He paused. “Xiao Yu came to see me today too?”

“Eh? You didn’t know?” The nurse recalled, “He came with a gentleman in a wheelchair. He even bought those white roses you like.”

“We didn’t meet…” Jiang He said blankly, a faint sense of dread rising in her heart.

“Oh, then maybe Xiao Yu was accompanying that gentleman to see someone else.” The nurse found it a bit strange. Even if he were with someone else, stopping by to see Jiang He shouldn’t have been a trouble. She thought of the kind, strong boy. “Xiao Yu is such a good kid; I’m sure he’ll come to see you in a couple of days.”

Jiang He frowned, her lips parting as she touched her chest. After a few seconds, she closed her mouth again.

Back at the estate, the living room was silent. Qin Yiyang and Grandpa Qin had likely retired to their rooms.

Pei Yu had originally planned to show Grandpa Qin his apple-peeling skills. Instead, he left the fruit and roses on the living room table and went upstairs with Qin Shen. In the hallway, Qin Shen was still worried about Pei Yu’s mood; the way he had cried at the hospital was truly heartbreaking.

“Go back to your room, take a hot bath, and get a good night’s sleep.”

Pei Yu blinked. “But I haven’t finished my homework yet.”

Qin Shen paused. “Write it tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, alright. But I still have to write a self-reflection.”

“What reflection?” Qin Shen asked curiously. “Are you writing one too?”

“Yeah, for letting Qin Yiyang copy my test. I decided to turn myself in to the teacher.”

“…”

“In that case,” Qin Shen swallowed, “I’ll help you write it.”

Seeing how serious he was, Pei Yu wanted to laugh. “Alright, I’m done teasing you.”

Qin Shen: “.”

Pei Yu revealed his true intent. “Actually…” He glanced at Qin Shen and said shyly, “Can I sleep with you tonight?”

A look of stunned surprise flashed in Qin Shen’s eyes.

Pei Yu licked his lips. “Is that not okay?”

Qin Shen shook his head, his throat feeling dry. “It’s okay. Will you come over after you’ve bathed and changed?”

Pei Yu nodded. “Okay!”

Back in his bedroom, Pei Yu bathed, changed into soft cotton pajamas, dried his hair quickly, and knocked on Qin Shen’s door.

Qin Shen had also just showered. He was wearing a black silk bathrobe, and water droplets from his neck were seeping into his chest. His hair was half-dry, with black bangs hanging loosely. He looked profound and stern.

“Do you shower by yourself?” Pei Yu asked curiously.

Qin Shen shook his head. “A caregiver helps me.”

Pei Yu stepped inside and looked around. “Where is he?”

“He’s already left. The caregivers live in the guest rooms on the first floor. Whenever I need them, I contact them by phone.”

“Oh, I see.”

Pei Yu walked further into the bedroom, looking at the large bed that could easily fit several people. The last time he slept here was during the nap, when he was deathly shy. But now, he was the one who had asked.

If you were to ask him why…

“Why did you think of sleeping with me tonight?” Qin Shen asked.

Pei Yu climbed onto the bed, pulled back the duvet, and lay down obediently. He tilted his face up, his light brown eyes looking beautiful in the dim light.

“Because the scent on you smells good.” It made him feel secure. “And thank you for earlier at the hospital. Let me give you some extra ‘treatment’.”

Pei Yu patted the empty space beside him, inviting Qin Shen.

Qin Shen pursed his lips, realizing tonight might be an ordeal. The boy in his bed had just showered; his cheeks and neck were steamed pink, making him look breathtakingly lovely. Qin Shen got into bed and turned off the bedside lamp.

The room was instantly plunged into darkness. He thought Pei Yu would act like he did during the nap—letting him hold him gently, being shy and constrained.

Just as Qin Shen was hesitating whether to reach out and pull Pei Yu closer, a warm, soft, and fragrant body dove into his arms. The next second, Pei Yu’s arms were wrapped around Qin Shen’s waist. Qin Shen’s body went rigid; he didn’t dare move.

Pei Yu rested his leg over the man’s, sprawling completely over Qin Shen. He rested his chin on the man’s firm chest and looked up at him. Without the lights, but with the faint moonlight, Qin Shen could see the boy’s beautiful silhouette.

Those eyes were bright in the night. The sweet scent of roses filled the room, and Qin Shen felt himself heating up uncontrollably. Especially since Pei Yu was leaning in so close, like a cute and clingy kitten, rubbing his fluffy head against him.

“It’s a bit itchy,” Qin Shen’s voice was incredibly husky. The skin where the hair brushed against him felt hot.

“Mr. Qin.” Since he had just showered, Pei Yu’s voice was soft.

Qin Shen raised his hand and placed it on the small of the boy’s back. “Hm?”

“In the hospital, you said… you wanted me.”

“Yes. If Jiang He doesn’t want you, I do.”

“Oh…” Pei Yu was shy. He turned his head and pressed his cheek against the man’s warm chest, listening to Qin Shen’s rapid heartbeat. “Your heart is beating so fast,” Pei Yu giggled, lightly brushing his calf against Qin Shen.

Qin Shen: “…” More torture.

But this soft warmth was something he couldn’t bear to let go of. Enjoyment and agony were just two sides of the same coin—it all came down to endurance. However, he was afraid his physical reaction might scare Pei Yu, so he began reciting poetry to himself in his head.

“Do you like me a lot?” Pei Yu asked, looking up.

The rhythm of Qin Shen’s internal recitation was instantly broken. He curled his fingers and, under that burning gaze, nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“Then what do you like about me?” Pei Yu asked curiously. “My face? Or is it just because of the pheromones? We haven’t known each other for long. Could your feelings be an illusion? Like the influence of 100% compatibility?”

Qin Shen frowned slightly. He wanted to tell Pei Yu that sometimes, you know you like someone with just one look. Many Omegas had pursued him before, but his heart had never been moved. He had never studied love. But when his heart actually fluttered, he understood. The person he wanted had appeared.

Yet, as for whether the 100% compatibility had no influence, Qin Shen didn’t dare be so certain. That was a long-debated topic in the medical world.

He parted his lips, his voice raspy. “It’s not an illusion. But I’m not entirely sure if there’s no influence from the pheromones.”

“Oh…” Pei Yu didn’t dwell on it. After all, they were destined AOs; that was a fact.

Pei Yu shifted against Qin Shen again, nearly setting the man on fire.

“Be good. Don’t move around,” Qin Shen said, squeezing Pei Yu’s waist.

Pei Yu’s waist and legs suddenly went weak. Blushing, he still held Qin Shen tightly.

“Um… I want to tell you something.”

Through the thin fabric of the pajamas, Qin Shen’s long fingers gently and slowly stroked Pei Yu’s lower back. “Tell me. I’m listening.”

Pei Yu’s eyes were bright, like stars in the dark night.

“I’ve decided.  I’m going to try my best to fall in love with you. Give me some time.”

Qin Shen paused. It felt as if the softest part of his heart had collapsed, and a boy named Pei Yu had secretly hidden inside.

The man’s voice was raspy with joy. “Alright. I look forward to it.”

“I look forward to the day you love me.”

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