Married the Abandoned Puppy Alpha - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: Kite String

“Did you know?” Xinglou shook the popsicle in his hand and looked at the youth beside him.

“Maybe parallel worlds really do exist.”

The summer night was sweltering. The two of them were sitting on the rooftop of their residence to enjoy the cool air.

He broke the popsicle in half and gave one part to Shi Qingze, then tugged at his school uniform shirt, trying to shake out the scorching body heat.

The youth’s gaze fell upon his pulled-up collar, where a sliver of collarbone was visible.

At that time, Shi Qingze had already recovered his memories. He had encountered private detectives looking for him in the streets and alleys a few times, but he had managed to dodge them. Heaven only knew if those people wanted to take him home or pull him up by the roots and eliminate him.

“If it’s too hot, why not undo a few buttons?” he suggested.

He Xinglou’s hand paused, hesitating for a rare moment: “But Song Xiao scolded me before, telling me to have some self-awareness as an Omega and not just take off my clothes whenever I want.”

The youth’s voice tightened: “Did Brother take off his clothes in front of her?”

“Not exactly, she is, after all…” He Xinglou felt it was hard to explain.

He wouldn’t take his clothes off in front of Song Xiao because he felt she was a girl, and he couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing. Yet, when Song Xiao saw him about to unbutton, she panicked as if he were about to take advantage of her, quickly covering her eyes with her hands.

So confusing, this dazzling ABO setting.

He Xinglou was filled with emotion and couldn’t help but say: “Maybe in some parallel world, humans only have two genders?”

He laughed, pointing his finger back and forth between Shi Qingze and himself: “And based on physical characteristics, we would be considered the same gender.”

Shi Qingze lowered his eyes: “Then according to the setting Brother imagined, in 그 world, can people of the same gender be together?”

“Together?” He Xinglou recalled his life before the transmigration and nodded, “Of course. As long as they love each other, any gender is fine.”

“What about an Omega and an Omega?”

He Xinglou was pulled back to reality by this question. Looking at the barren craters in the outskirts, his face fell slightly: “Why do you ask?”

Shi Qingze carefully observed his expression: “Just asking. Doesn’t Brother always say he hopes I differentiate into an Omega?”

If I really did differentiate into an Omega, would you be willing to be with me?

He Xinglou thought for a moment: “I suppose that would be okay too. It’s just that we wouldn’t be able to mark each other, but the concept of marking itself feels quite troublesome to me.”

“But being unable to mark means the partner could also be with others,” Shi Qingze’s tone deepened. “When it comes to a partner, wouldn’t there be a sense of possessiveness?”

He Xinglou was stumped. He hadn’t been in a relationship before or after transmigrating; how would he know his attitude toward a non-existent partner?

Seeing his conflicted face, Shi Qingze smiled lightly and proactively changed the subject: “However, I didn’t expect Brother to actually believe in the parallel world theory.”

“This theory seems to have been passed down from very ancient history, but now that technology has developed to this stage and we still haven’t found any trace of parallel worlds, it is most likely an unfounded illusion.”

He Xinglou felt a bit embarrassed. He felt that in Shi Qingze’s eyes, his talk of “parallel worlds” was probably as ridiculous as hearing someone mention “the Earth is flat” back in his old world.

But if not for a parallel world, how could he explain his transmigration?

“It’s not that I believe it, I’m just a bit curious. For example, a world with only two genders, or a world where humans still live on Ancient Earth,” he explained with a dry laugh.

“It would be nice if I could go to a world like 그. After all, I really don’t like it here.” This sentence carried a few grains of sincere truth.

He Xinglou looked at the distant celestial bodies in the night sky, beginning to imagine one was a bright moon.

Although he no longer remembered exactly how he had transmigrated, he still occasionally dreamed of his life before. He always felt there must be a way to go back. If he were given two buttons one for “Stay Here” and one for “Return to Earth” he would press the “Earth” option without the slightest hesitation.

But Shi Qingze beside him grew tense: “Then if Brother goes to a world like that… what will happen to me?”

And so, like a kite that had already taken flight, He Xinglou was pulled back by him.

After asking, Shi Qingze remained very quiet, his hands resting obediently on his knees. His gaze was like that of a small stray who wanted to get close but was afraid of being rejected.

He Xinglou couldn’t bear the sight. He leaned his shoulder in to brush against him and asked softly: “Then do you want to come with me?”

Shi Qingze nodded, but still had doubts: “What if I can’t go? What should I do then?”

“You’re so greedy.” He Xinglou caught the meaning in his words and laughed, “You just want a hundred percent certain answer, don’t you? Are you that insecure?”

Shi Qingze was embarrassed by his words, but he still summoned his courage and persisted in asking: “If I am just that greedy, how will Brother choose?”

Will you choose me?

He Xinglou didn’t speak for a long time, looking vacantly at the distant grayish-white horizon.

A nocturnal moth suddenly flew over their heads, its fluttering wings resembling a kite flying in the wind. But the vast canopy of heaven was unreachable, so the kite fell to the ground, perching on a wild flower beneath a streetlamp.

“I will stay by your side,” He Xinglou gave his answer seriously.

He could hear the youth beside him hold his breath for a moment, followed by an excited hand reaching over to grasp his.

“Brother! Brother!” The youth was as joyful as a child who had received candy, simply throwing his whole body forward to embrace him.

“I like Brother the most!”

He Xinglou never expected this guy to be quite heavy. He was nearly knocked over onto the roof and hurriedly patted Shi Qingze’s back, trying to get him to sit up.

“Don’t get carried away! Besides, things in the future are uncertain. I’m only saying this because you only have me by your side right now. If I left, you would be too pitiful.”

“But if you have your own path to walk in the future, other ties, or your own family… then I can choose to live the life I want, right?”

But after saying it, he laughed at himself.

“No, why are we even discussing this? It’s all just a hypothesis; it’s not even possible. Let’s not think so much.”

Shi Qingze was still draped over him, burying his face in the crook of He Xinglou’s shoulder, nuzzling side to side.

“Does Brother stay by my side only because he thinks I’m pitiful?”

“It’s because I think you’re cute,” He Xinglou said the mushy words with a straight face, then urged him again by patting his shoulder.

“It’s late. Let’s go down and sleep.”

He Xinglou not only had to go to school but also worked a part-time job, so he fell into a deep sleep the moment his head hit the pillow. After he fell asleep, Shi Qingze slowly sat up, looking at him by the light of the streetlamp outside the window.

“Brother?” Shi Qingze called out softly.

Naturally, there was no answer. Xinglou’s breathing was even and slow; he didn’t even budge.

Consequently, the gaze from beside him became unrestrained, falling upon his cheeks, the bridge of his nose, and his lips. His hair was dyed amber by the streetlamp; if he opened his eyes, one would likely see eyes as soft as honey.

Shi Qingze’s heart quickened. He leaned down cautiously, bringing himself close to He Xinglou’s lips. Sharing a corner of breath, he could only smell the scent of citrus.

Shi Qingze didn’t move closer. Gritting his teeth, he only restrainedly used his finger to stroke the other’s rounded earlobe.

The texture was incredibly soft. If he were to take it into his mouth, it would probably taste like a berry.

It was just a pity that He Xinglou’s whole body was full of ticklish spots, and his ears were especially sensitive. Even in his sleep, his ear rim turned red; after uttering a few mumbles, he turned onto his side.

Shi Qingze breathed deeply in pain, placing the finger that had touched the earlobe against his own lips.

If he were taken back by the Shi family, would Brother leave him? Then he would rather hide it for a lifetime.

Other ties? A family? None of those were possible. His family would only have He Xinglou. The relationship of relatives was far from enough. It had to be… they had to become the most intimate lovers to be together forever and ever.

Therefore, differentiating into an Omega wouldn’t do, nor would a Beta. He had to differentiate into an Alpha.

He had to mark Brother. He absolutely could not let him leave his side.

Otherwise… Brother would definitely abandon him.

…

In his dream, it was as if he were lying face down on a lawn. The tips of the lush green grass moved with the wind, constantly brushing against He Xinglou’s cheeks and earlobes.

Tickled, he furrowed his brows, trying to shake his head to escape the teasing of the grass tips, but then he felt an even softer sensation land on the back of his neck, as if a butterfly had perched there.

He Xinglou woke up.

The first thing he saw was the hospital ceiling. It took him a moment to realize he was lying on a bed, and he quickly sat up.

Now it was even worse he was actually sleeping in Shi Qingze’s hospital bed, and there was no sign of Shi Qingze in the room.

Oh no, he lost him!

He Xinglou was about to scramble out of bed to search, but at that moment, he heard the door open. Shi Qingze entered, maneuvering his wheelchair himself.

Colliding with He Xinglou’s panicked gaze, Shi Qingze raised his wrist: “I’m fine. I just went out to make a phone call.”

He Xinglou’s heart was pounding from the fright. He straightened his expression and instructed with feigned gravity: “Don’t leave my line of sight. It’s been a week, and the person who tried to harm you hasn’t been caught yet.”

Upon hearing the first half of the sentence, the corners of Shi Qingze’s mouth already curled up: “Mm, I know I was wrong. In the future… I will absolutely never leave Brother’s line of sight.”

Xinglou had grown used to him saying these weird things since he woke up, so he just pretended not to hear.

Instead, he asked: “Are you settling company matters?”

As someone who never cared about finance, he had recently started reading financial news. It was filled with reports of the Shi family’s upheaval, with even rumors saying Shi Qingze was to be removed from the list of heirs.

Shi Qingze’s expression showed nothing unusual. He just took a plate of fruit and handed it to him: “Yes. During the time I was away, a pile of matters accumulated in the company. I still have to handle the urgent ones.”

He Xinglou nodded thoughtfully: “Your plans must be quite affected, given that such a big thing happened.”

Shi Qingze turned his head and saw that the electronic screen of the cleaning robot was still stuck on the financial news section.

“The impact isn’t that large. Rather, it just moved some arrangements forward. Brother doesn’t need to worry.”

Xinglou assumed he was only reporting the good news and hiding the bad. Worried, he sent a document to him via his communicator.

“The assistant already sent me the wedding process. I’ve modified the details; you should take a look too.”

Shi Qingze looked dazed: “Brother, are you planning our wedding?”

Embarrassed, He Xinglou quickly explained: “Aren’t they threatening to remove you from the heir candidates? It’s better to finish the wedding before they actually take action, so your grandfather will acknowledge you.”

Shi Qingze laughed, looking genuinely happy: “As expected, being able to marry a Brother is truly wonderful.”

“It’s just a contract marriage” He Xinglou corrected with a stiff face.

But Shi Qingze interrupted him directly: “Before that, Brother should answer my question first.”

“What?”

Shi Qingze lowered his brow, appearing to hesitate on how to speak. Only after a long while did he ask slowly: “The medicine Brother has been taking recently, what is it?”

Xinglou instinctively reached for his pocket, but it was empty. Looking up again, he saw the bottle of medicine Lin Shuyan had given him sitting neatly on the nightstand, clearly discovered by Shi Qingze.

“It’s just some vitamins.” He Xinglou lied instinctively.

“How is that possible?” Shi Qingze looked at him seriously. “Brother, don’t lie to me. I already went to ask the doctor who diagnosed you then.”

He Xinglou pursed his lips, not very happy: “Since you already asked the doctor, why bother asking me?”

“Besides, it’s not a big problem. It rarely happened before.”

“Since when did these symptoms start appearing frequently?” Shi Qingze asked softly.

He Xinglou was about to answer, but suddenly he realized the first instance of emotional dissociation after a long hiatus was actually on the night he reunited with Shi Qingze.

Seeing his expression, Shi Qingze already understood. He simply unfastened the communicator that kept sending messages and placed it directly on the bedstand.

“Although Brother is planning our wedding, which makes me very happy… let’s check your physical condition first.”

His voice trembled slightly: “Apart from this, nothing else is important.”

“How can it be treated?” He Xinglou shrugged with feigned ease. “I don’t think it’s a psychological issue. Shuyan and the others took me to see specialists before, and they couldn’t find a cause. Maybe once our agreement is settled, the symptoms will go away naturally.”

“Settle the agreement, and then we owe each other nothing?” Shi Qingze asked back softly.

He Xinglou gave a dry laugh and didn’t answer.

The doctors couldn’t see the problem, but He Xinglou had a suspicion in his heart that the symptoms of emotional dissociation might be related to his transmigration.

He hadn’t transmigrated into this world with his physical body; rather, he had woken up in this body that looked remarkably like him. Whenever the emotional dissociation occurred, he felt as if his spirit were detaching from the flesh. Sometimes when he woke up, he even dreamed of Earth.

What if this was the way for him to return to Earth?

He still remembered the scene when he mentioned the parallel world to Shi Qingze. At that time, he didn’t know Shi Qingze’s true identity and felt that the two of them supporting each other through life would be fine.

But clearly, Shi Qingze was now fully capable of standing on his own and no longer needed to rely on him. This was also why He Xinglou insisted on setting the validity of the agreement within one year.

If there really were a chance to return to his original world, he would likely never see Shi Qingze again.

“Will you choose me?”

Xinglou suddenly snapped back to his senses. He saw Shi Qingze quietly holding his wrist, his eyes like those of an abandoned dog.

He spoke hesitantly: “Were you… just speaking?”

Shi Qingze lowered his eyes for a split second, then looked at him again with a faint smile.

“Yes, I was asking Brother to go for another checkup at least once, just to set my mind at ease.”

Was that really the sentence? Maybe it was a hallucination just now.

He Xinglou didn’t think further on it and said helplessly: “Fine, I’ll listen to you for now.”