After Entering a Contract Marriage with a Disabled Alpha - Chapter 29

It was a bit too fast…

Pei Yu pursed his lips tightly and punched his own leg with a clenched fist, deeply regretting that he hadn’t held out a little longer.

But then again, that was the hand of the CEO of the Qin Group!

Seeing Pei Yu’s adorable expression of annoyance and regret, Qin Shen let out a husky laugh.

“It was quite good. My baby is amazing.”

Qin Shen calmly and elegantly smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt and trousers where Pei Yu had been sitting.

“…” Pei Yu wanted to cry but had no tears left. “Don’t talk about that anymore.”

Qin Shen smiled faintly. “Alright, whatever you say.”

Pei Yu’s heart had only relaxed for a second when Qin Shen asked in a low voice, “So, when will it be baby’s turn to help me?”

“I’ve held back several times now…”

Qin Shen’s voice was low and raspy, thick with desire. “I want to try it, too.”

Pei Yu’s reflex was to refuse, but the words died in his throat. He felt that a flat refusal would indeed be out of line. Otherwise, he really would become the “scumbag” Qin Shen had teased him about being.

Helping Qin Shen…

Just thinking about it made Pei Yu’s palms and ears burn uncontrollably.

“Next time,” Pei Yu said, blinking rapidly.

Qin Shen’s eyes darkened instantly, his pitch-black pupils filled with a surging, burning intimacy.

“Alright, next time it is,” Qin Shen said, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

The intensity of that burning gaze made Pei Yu’s spine tingle. He scurried to the other side of the seat and turned his head to look at the night scenery outside the window.

For the remaining few minutes of the drive, Pei Yu was as quiet as a quail.

Even after two “releases,” Pei Yu still felt a bit uncomfortable. The fire racing through his body was under control, and though the residual heat was still bone-searing, it was within his limit of endurance.

Shrinking into the corner, Pei Yu spent the time picking at the leather seat and glancing out the window. The glass clearly reflected his flushed cheeks… and Qin Shen’s face as he watched him.

The man had a sharp, deep-set profile; every feature of his face seemed meticulously crafted. His sharp eyes softened with a faint smile whenever he looked at him. This contrast was captivating.

Pei Yu’s heart felt numb and sweet; he really liked the way Qin Shen looked at him. I must have fallen for him a little bit, he thought, his face turning an even deeper shade of red.

Qin Shen had been observing Pei Yu. Noticing his ears were red again, he thought the fever had returned. “Are you uncomfortable again?”

“N-no,” Pei Yu replied awkwardly.

Seeing they were two minutes away from their destination, Pei Yu picked up the smoke-grey suit jacket to button it up. He happened to touch a patch of damp fabric.

Pei Yu: “…” I want to die.

“Mm,” Qin Shen said. “Your ears are so red, I thought you were having another flare-up.”

“I’m not.” Pei Yu licked his dry lips. “It’s still a bit hot, but it doesn’t hurt as much as it did at the start.”

“Thank you,” Pei Yu thanked him solemnly.

Qin Shen found it amusing. “No need for thanks. It was just a small ‘hand’ of help.”

Hearing that specific word, Pei Yu’s heart tightened, and he self-consciously squeezed his palms.

The car stopped outside the hospital’s emergency building. It was late and quiet with few patients around; the hospital’s red LED sign stood out sharply against the thick darkness of the night.

Before getting out, Pei Yu asked worriedly, “Will they… smell it?”

“They won’t. Uncle Yang is a Beta,” Qin Shen said, knowing his concerns. “As for Qin Yiyang, you’re covered in so much of my pheromones that he’ll just find it irritating if he smells it.”

Pei Yu nodded. “That’s good then.”

As the trunk opened, Pei Yu tried to take over Uncle Yang’s job of getting the wheelchair out. But he had overestimated his strength. The electric wheelchair was custom-made with high-quality metal and was very heavy.

As Pei Yu struggled, Uncle Yang quickly stepped in. Being tall and sturdy, Uncle Yang lifted the wheelchair out with ease.

“Young Master Pei, leave this kind of physical labor to me.”

Pei Yu felt a bit sheepish. He told himself that once they got back, he had to find time to exercise with Qin Shen. It would be even better if he could develop some abs while he was at it.

“You don’t need to get the wheelchair for me next time,” Qin Shen said from inside the car, having felt anxious watching Pei Yu struggle.

Pei Yu shook his head. “It’s okay. I’ll be able to lift it once I exercise more.”

Qin Shen was about to say that he didn’t need to do such things.

Pei Yu added: “Since we’re going to be together forever anyway, it’ll be more convenient if I can handle the wheelchair.”

The youth’s words melted into the night air. His tone was casual and natural, like an offhand remark made without thinking. Yet it was exactly these kinds of casual comments that always warmed Qin Shen’s heart.

…

“Brother, what’s wrong with your health? Why the sudden hospital visit?” Qin Yiyang walked over, assuming Qin Shen was unwell.

Pei Yu said embarrassedly, “It’s not him, it’s me.”

Qin Yiyang: “?”

He looked at Pei Yu and didn’t see anything wrong. But as he stepped closer, he caught the scent of heavy Alpha pheromones and exclaimed, “Holy crap, why do you smell entirely like my brother…?”

Pei Yu’s ears turned red instantly. However, he also felt relieved; seeing Qin Yiyang’s disgusted and repelled expression, he figured the boy hadn’t realized what had actually happened.

Alphas were naturally repelled by the pheromones of other Alphas. Not wanting to get closer, Qin Yiyang stood a couple of meters away. Then, he noticed a ring of teeth marks on the back of Pei Yu’s neck. Combined with the scent, a flash of surprise crossed Qin Yiyang’s eyes.

As Uncle Yang drove off to park the car, Qin Yiyang asked curiously, “Did you and my brother do a temporary marking?”

Pei Yu nodded, feeling both shy and awkward.

“No wonder the smell on you is so strong.” Qin Yiyang covered his nose.

“I think it smells quite nice.” Pei Yu lifted his arm and sniffed his shirt. It was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of nature and greenery.

“Of course you think it’s good.” Qin Yiyang looked at Pei Yu as if he were a fool.

“Let’s go inside and find a doctor,” Qin Shen said, turning his wheelchair.

The accessibility facilities in the large hospital weren’t as convenient as Qin’s private sanatorium, but they were well-maintained. Qin Shen went up the ramp and into the hall.

After registering for the emergency room, Qin Shen accompanied Pei Yu to the department specializing in Omega pheromones. Sensing the subtle ambiguity between his cousin and Pei Yu, and glancing again at the temporary mark on Pei Yu’s slender neck, Qin Yiyang tactfully suggested he wait out in the hall.

Qin Shen raised an eyebrow, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his eyes. He nodded slightly. “Then you wait outside for now.”

Once Qin Yiyang turned to leave, Pei Yu followed closely by Qin Shen’s side.

There were very few people in the ER at night. They were lucky; just as they reached the office, the previous patient walked out. After scanning the barcode at the terminal, it was Pei Yu’s turn.

When describing his symptoms, Pei Yu felt intensely ashamed, but the doctor was gentle and patient. Gradually, Pei Yu’s nerves settled.

“So, your heat started two days earlier than expected, and regular suppressants were ineffective.”

“It only subsided after your husband gave you a temporary mark, correct?” The doctor looked warmly at the patient and the husband who had accompanied him.

Pei Yu: “…” Qin Shen: “…”

Pei Yu opened his mouth, his palms sweating. Qin Shen was also momentarily stunned; he hadn’t expected to hear that title from the doctor. Qin Shen glanced at the blushing Pei Yu, intending to explain they weren’t married yet.

“Um… yes, after he gave me the temporary mark, I didn’t feel as bad,” Pei Yu replied obediently, lowering his eyelashes.

Qin Shen’s Adam’s apple rolled; his heart felt a strange itch.

“While the temporary mark relieved the effects of the heat, your body is still…” The doctor frowned slightly, looking at Pei Yu with professional concern.

Because he couldn’t hide his condition, Pei Yu had to mention that he only felt better after Qin Shen helped him “relieve” the tension twice. But such a thing was incredibly difficult to say out loud.

“Yes, before coming here, I helped him relieve it twice,” Qin Shen spoke up calmly, resting his hands on his lap. “However, his physical reactions haven’t fully recovered; it’s just easier than it was at the beginning.”

Pei Yu: “…” He looked at Qin Shen with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude.

The doctor nodded understandingly. Based on Pei Yu’s account, the doctor asked a probing question: “Mr. Pei, did you consume any food or drink of unknown origin tonight?”

Pei Yu and Qin Shen were both stunned.

Pei Yu reacted quickly: “I attended a banquet tonight. I ate a lot of things and had many drinks and some wine.”

“That’s likely it, then.”

“You probably accidentally ingested a drug used to induce heat in Alphas or Omegas. It seems your compatibility with your husband must be very high; otherwise, a temporary mark wouldn’t have been enough to suppress your heat effectively.”

“For any other Omega, if they didn’t come to the hospital for treatment, they would usually have to go all the way to a complete permanent marking.”

Qin Shen’s brow furrowed deeply. Someone had actually drugged Pei Yu at the banquet. It was outrageous. His fingers tightened on the wheelchair armrest, the joints of his pale hand turning white.

Qin Shen nodded. “Our compatibility is indeed very high. 99.99%.”

Surprise flashed in the doctor’s eyes. “You are soulmates. No wonder.”

Pei Yu, who had known his body felt wrong, was dumbfounded. He had thought of many possibilities, but he never expected it to be because of a drug.

The doctor continued, “As for what specific drug it was, I’ll order a blood test, and we’ll have the results soon.”

“As for your ‘condition,’ you and your husband can handle that privately.”

“Of course, drinking plenty of water along with the medication I prescribed will also help.”

As the doctor’s meaning sank in, Pei Yu’s face turned so red it looked like it was about to smoke.

 

Qin Shen took the prescription slips. “We understand. Since we’re already at the hospital, we’ll wait for the results and pick up the medicine before leaving.”

 

The doctor nodded. “That works. If Mr. Pei can still endure it, the medication will help relieve the symptoms. As for the specific ‘solution,’ that will depend on your own preferences.”

 

The doctor left it at that.

 

Neither Qin Shen nor Pei Yu needed further explanation. They took the forms and headed out.

 

Before leaving, Qin Shen suddenly thought of something and turned back to ask, “What if an Alpha accidentally ingests this kind of drug?”

 

“The reaction would be similar to Mr. Pei’s,” the doctor replied. “If there is a highly compatible Omega nearby, a temporary marking would suffice. If the compatibility isn’t high enough, it would likely require a permanent marking.”

 

Qin Shen paused. “And what if the Alpha suffers from Pheromone Disorder?”

 

The doctor’s brow furrowed. “An Alpha with Pheromone Disorder is naturally more irritable, aggressive, and possessive than a healthy one. If they aren’t careful, such a drug could trigger their Rut period.”

 

Pei Yu didn’t quite understand why Qin Shen was suddenly asking this.

 

Qin Shen looked up. “Thank you, doctor. My husband and I will go to have the blood drawn now.”

 

On the way to the blood-draw station, Pei Yu asked about it.

 

“I suspect you were drugged,” Qin Shen said, “but it’s very likely you were ‘collateral damage’.”

 

“What do you mean?” Pei Yu asked.

 

Qin Shen flexed his knuckles. “Everyone at the banquet knows your relationship with me. Even if an Alpha had designs on you, they would fear your status. When I finished talking to Lin Yifeng and went to find you and Qin Yiyang, I ran into Lin Shuxing.”

 

“Lin Shuxing said he wanted to apologize to me and was holding two glasses of orange juice.”

 

“Orange juice…?” Pei Yu remembered. Just before leaving, he had indeed drunk another glass. A waiter had passed by with two glasses, and Qin Yiyang had casually grabbed one and handed it to him.

 

“You mean there was something wrong with the juice I drank?” Pei Yu asked.

 

Qin Shen lowered his gaze. “It’s just a suspicion for now.” He wasn’t sure if it was a coincidence or a calculated plan.

 

While waiting for the results, Pei Yu followed the doctor’s orders and drank a large amount of water. The heat in his body subsided significantly.

 

Asking Qin Shen to help him “resolve” it again—or doing that privately—was out of the question. Pei Yu had been shy enough to faint just from Qin Shen using his hand; given their current relationship, they weren’t ready for the bedroom yet.

 

Qin Shen understood this as well, silently agreeing that Pei Yu’s treatment would consist of water and medication.

 

When they found Qin Yiyang, the younger man was shocked to hear that Pei Yu might have been drugged. He instinctively glanced at the jacket Pei Yu was using to hide himself.

 

So that’s why my cousin gave him a temporary mark?

 

“?” Pei Yu looked at him. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

Qin Shen gave a cold warning. “Don’t be so curious.”

 

“…” Qin Yiyang shrank his neck and muttered a sheepish “Oh.”

 

“Was it really the orange juice?” Qin Yiyang reflected. “I really just grabbed one at random. But hearing you say it, it makes sense. Aside from that last glass of wine and the juice, I tasted almost everything Pei Yu ate tonight, and I’m fine.”

 

Pei Yu said miserably, “Now I’m not only traumatized by red wine, but by orange juice too.”

 

Qin Yiyang wagged a finger. “No, no, no. There’s nothing wrong with wine or juice; the problem is Lin Shuxing. Brother, are you going to investigate this now?”

 

“Of course,” Qin Shen said. “If this has anything to do with Lin Shuxing…”

 

Qin Yiyang’s eyes lit up. “Is it time for the ‘The weather is getting cold, let the Lin family go bankrupt’ plotline?”

 

Qin Shen: “…”

 

Pei Yu couldn’t help but laugh, but the laughter caused a twinge of pain. It was pure torture.

 

Fortunately, the blood test results came back quickly. The doctor prescribed a specific relief medication based on the drug found in Pei Yu’s system. After taking it, the heat throughout his body finally began to fade.

 

He was still covered in Qin Shen’s heavy pheromones, as if he had been completely soaked in the man’s scent.

 

As they left the hospital with the results and medicine, Uncle Yang was waiting by the car.

 

When getting in, afraid of “triggering memories” of what happened earlier, Pei Yu didn’t dare sit in the back row. Instead, he opened the door to the middle seats.

 

Seeing this, Qin Shen followed him into the middle. The middle section of the stretched Lincoln featured a square seating arrangement with seats on all sides.

 

Seeing an empty spot, Qin Yiyang instinctively tried to hop in to continue discussing whether Lin Shuxing had drugged them.

 

“Aren’t you sitting in the front?” Qin Shen raised an eyebrow. The way he looked at Qin Yiyang was like looking at a thousand-watt third wheel.

 

Pei Yu sat obediently, watching the conflicted Qin Yiyang.

 

Feeling a pang in his heart, Qin Yiyang slammed the door shut. He stomped toward the passenger seat, shouting, “Fine! I won’t get in the way of your romance!!!”

 

“I’m not jealous at all! Not even a bit!”

 

“It’s just an Omega, right? It’s not like I can’t find one. Just watch, I’ll find a cute little Omega in a few days!”

 

Pei Yu’s face turned bright red from the teasing.

 

“Ignore him,” Qin Shen said. “He just has a big mouth.”

 

Pei Yu shook his head. “It’s fine. He’s actually quite fun.”

 

“Is that so?” Qin Shen’s voice was slightly husky. “You think he has a good personality?”

 

Sensing the change in his tone, Pei Yu was speechless. “He’s your cousin.”

 

Qin Shen’s gaze darkened slightly. “I didn’t say anything.”

 

Pei Yu coughed twice. Fine, he wouldn’t argue with an Alpha who had just marked him. He had heard that Alphas at this stage were basically giant jars of jealousy.

 

“Big Vinegar Jar (Jealousy Pot), there’s something…” Pei Yu realized what he had said the moment it left his mouth. He swallowed hard, meeting Qin Shen’s half-smiling gaze.

 

“No, no!” Pei Yu shook his head quickly. He glanced at Qin Yiyang and the driver in the front, then slowly scooted closer to Qin Shen. Leaning into the man’s ear, he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Mr. Qin, can I discuss something with you?”

 

Qin Shen raised an eyebrow. “Go ahead.”

 

Pei Yu’s face heated up. “About what happened in the car just now…” He watched Qin Shen’s expression after every few words. Seeing Qin Shen signal him to continue, Pei Yu licked his lips.

 

“That… ‘few minutes’ thing…” Pei Yu stammered. Finally, he closed his eyes and blurted out his ultimate goal: “That was only because of the drug. Normally, I can last a long time!”

 

A low laugh rippled in Qin Shen’s throat, his eyes flashing with amusement. “Oh? How long? Tell me about it.”

 

Pei Yu’s face turned beet red instantly.

 

Qin Shen deliberately lowered his voice, maintaining a serious tone. “If you don’t tell me, how will I know?”

 

After a long silence, Pei Yu squeezed out, “Ten minutes or so.”

 

Qin Shen laughed softly. “Ten minutes?”

 

Pei Yu secretly added five more minutes. “Maybe seventeen or eighteen minutes… roughly.”

 

“Didn’t secretly add a few minutes there, did you?” Qin Shen asked leisurely.

 

Pei Yu’s eyes widened as he looked at Qin Shen with a face flushed with heat. He regretted even bringing up such a scandalous topic. But leaving Qin Shen with the impression that he couldn’t even last five minutes was too humiliating.

 

“I didn’t add anything!” Pei Yu glared at him fiercely.

 

Qin Shen let out a soft “hiss” and nodded slowly. He leaned in and whispered, “Call me something nice, and I’ll forget about what happened tonight.”

 

Pei Yu clenched his fists. “What counts as ‘nice’?”

 

Qin Shen thought for a moment. “At least call me ‘Gege’ (Big Brother).” He looked at Pei Yu’s red ears and teased, “If you call me ‘Husband,’ I’ll believe you can last twenty minutes.”

 

Pei Yu bit his lip, his eyes trembling. “Who wants to compete over something like that?!”

 

Qin Shen crossed his hands, his tone casual and lazy. “Oh, it’s up to you.”

 

Qin Shen’s dark eyes remained fixed on Pei Yu. Pei Yu felt stifled for a long moment.

 

“If I call you ‘Gege,’ you’ll forget about that, right?”

 

Qin Shen affirmed, “Of course. A businessman values his word above all else.”

 

Pei Yu: “…” Is that phrase really meant for this situation?

 

Pei Yu leaned in closer, his lips hovering for several seconds. He didn’t speak, caught in a deep struggle. Qin Shen felt the boy’s hot, vivid breath brush against his earlobe, sending a wave of tingling numbness through him.

 

“Husband,” Pei Yu said at lightning speed.

 

Before Qin Shen could even react, Pei Yu had scurried to the opposite seat like a rabbit.

 

Qin Shen blinked slowly, his mind momentarily blank. Did Pei Yu just call him husband? Just like that?

 

Qin Shen’s heart burned, his intense gaze pinned on Pei Yu. His eyes were dark and bright, his stare incredibly heavy.

 

Embarrassed by the attention, Pei Yu stammered, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

 

“It sounded good. I like that title very much,” Qin Shen said, a smile curling his lips.

 

“Hmph.” Pei Yu gave a light snort. Since he had achieved his goal, there was no way Qin Shen would ever hear that title again!

 

Qin Shen’s eyes shifted; he wanted to hear Pei Yu call him that again. He hadn’t even been prepared!

 

“Why don’t you call me that again?”

 

“Call me ‘Husband’ one more time, and I’ll believe you can last 40 minutes.”

 

Pei Yu’s eyes widened and he shouted in frustration, “40 minutes?! You’d have to be sick to last that long! Do you think I have no common sense?!”

 

“What 40 minutes?” Qin Yiyang asked, turning around from the front.

 

Seeing Qin Yiyang’s extremely interested expression, Pei Yu was too embarrassed to say a word.

 

Qin Shen smiled. “Nothing. We were just discussing the ideal duration for an afternoon nap.”

 

“Huh?” Qin Yiyang was confused. He rolled his eyes and looked at Pei Yu. “Why is 40 minutes impossible? I can go for an hour!”

 

Qin Shen nearly lost it.

 

Pei Yu: “…” You’re a literal dummy, aren’t you?