Why Did the Top Alpha Suddenly Stop Acting Out? - Chapter 36

Ye Shuyi’s head bumped against the remote control for the floor-to-ceiling curtains, accidentally pressing the switch. The curtains automatically drew apart, revealing a snow-filled sky outside as if nature had painted an exquisite landscape just for them.

The atmosphere inside grew increasingly intimate, as if the warmth from Yi Qian’s earlier actions had transformed into the very air swirling around them, the temperature gradually rising.

Ye Shuyi’s thick, soft hair spilled across the sofa, her eyes still flickering with unprocessed emotions, her lashes fluttering.

Yi Qian reached out to brush away the strands of hair clinging to her cheek. Her fingertips trailed from the corner of Ye Shuyi’s eye, down her cheek slowly, deliberately as though admiring a rare treasure, touching with the utmost care.

Finally, her fingers came to rest beside those plump, rosy lips.

The lips beneath her fingertips were full and ripe, like two cherries ready to be plucked, tempting her closer, closer, and closer still.

Ye Shuyi snapped out of her daze and pressed a finger against Yi Qian’s lips, while her other hand hooked around her neck. Narrowing her eyes, she murmured, “So,  last night, were you really acting?”

Her fingers traced the back of Yi Qian’s neck, almost like a warning.

Unfazed, Yi Qian stroked her arm instead, meeting her gaze with sincerity. “I wasn’t pretending to sleep, and I wasn’t acting. I… was woken up by your kiss.”

The last sentence was whispered directly into Ye Shuyi’s ear.

Ye Shuyi: “……”

When she didn’t respond, Yi Qian chuckled softly, taking the hand pressed against her lips and placing a light kiss on its back. “Wondering why I didn’t catch you in the act like the night before?”

Caught in her thoughts, Ye Shuyi’s expression turned slightly awkward, and she averted her eyes.

“I was planning to,” Yi Qian admitted, “but right before I moved, I heard the last thing you said.”

I’m sorry too.

Ye Shuyi slowly turned her gaze back, their eyes locking once more, yet neither spoke.

The brightness in their eyes dimmed ever so slightly.

Silence stretched between them, each lost in their own thoughts.

Ye Shuyi: How do I steer the conversation away from this?

Yi Qian: How do I guide this naturally toward where I want it to go?

Though mere inches apart, an invisible, fragile barrier seemed to stand between them one that, if mishandled, could shatter into pieces and wound them both.

“I’ll let you return the favor,” Ye Shuyi finally broke the silence. “But the kiss has to be exactly the same as mine.”

Yi Qian twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers, her voice dripping with playful ambiguity. “Then,  how am I supposed to know what else you did to me before I woke up?”

Ye Shuyi stared at her for a moment before replying pointedly, “I’m not like you.”

“Oh?” Yi Qian lifted the strand of hair to her nose, inhaling deeply with an expression of pure infatuation, as if genuinely clueless. “How am I? And how are you?”

“……”

Ye Shuyi studied her for a beat before coolly stating, “If you don’t want to, then get, mmph!”

Before she could finish, her lips were sealed.

But this time, Yi Qian was oddly well-behaved just a brief, chaste press before pulling away so quickly that Ye Shuyi barely registered it.

Yi Qian got off her and sat on the sofa, reaching out to grasp Ye Shuyi’s arm to pull her up. Unintentionally, the distance between them became extremely close again.

Their breaths intertwined.

Yi Qian curled her lips, brushing her nose against Ye Shuyi’s, then raised her hand to gently tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, her voice tender: “If you still don’t want to talk about it now, it’s fine. I’ve already waited three years.”

“At worst,” she paused, her tone doting, “I’ll spend another three years with you, then another three, and another. You just need to know one thing, I’ll cling to you for the rest of my life.”

“And don’t even think about escaping me.”

As she spoke, Yi Qian lightly wrapped her arms around her, her words trailing off near her ear, her chin resting gently on her shoulder. The warmth of her breath against Ye Shuyi’s neck was impossibly tender.

Ye Shuyi awkwardly tapped her index finger against Yi Qian’s back. Yi Qian continued holding her, humming a soft, questioning “Hmm?”

Another tap. Yi Qian released her and straightened up, looking directly at her with a questioning gaze.

Ye Shuyi avoided her eyes, flustered as she swung her legs off the sofa and stood up, abruptly changing the subject: “Do you want some fruit? I’ll go wash some. I just bought them today on my way back.”

Yi Qian watched her, the brightness in her eyes dimming slightly. She crossed her arms and leaned back against the sofa, giving only a slight nod.

Ye Shuyi immediately turned toward the kitchen, her steps slightly hurried. But before she could take two steps, she stopped abruptly.

Yi Qian looked at her back and chuckled softly.

Earlier on the phone, Fang Xin had repeatedly emphasized that Ye Shuyi was home alone, terrified so terrified she didn’t dare go to the bathroom or the kitchen and urged Yi Qian to come over immediately.

After the series of unexpected events just now, since Ye Shuyi had volunteered to go wash fruit in the kitchen, Yi Qian had assumed she’d already forgotten about the haunted house incident. That would mean Yi Qian had no excuse to stay the night, after eating the fruit, she’d surely be sent home. The moment she nodded, Yi Qian had already started brainstorming new excuses to stay.

But now, it seemed the other woman remembered quite clearly.

She raised her head, feigning ignorance, and asked deliberately, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Shuyi’s back stiffened slightly, as if wrestling with herself before turning around. Her hands, hanging at her sides, clutched the hem of her clothes, one thumb curling into her palm. Her doe-like dark eyes grew even deeper, her face unconsciously betraying a pitiful, helpless expression.

Yi Qian knew, when Ye Shuyi didn’t deliberately hide her emotions, this was how she looked when nervous or scared.

Her voice, already unconsciously softer and quieter, asked tentatively, “You,  really want fruit that badly?”

Yi Qian leisurely stretched her arms along the back of the sofa, showing no mercy. “Yes. Absolutely must have it.”

Silence fell between them.

Ye Shuyi lifted her gaze, seemingly deep in thought, when she suddenly caught sight of her own reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window. She froze for a second before quickly composing herself, blinking away her fear and adopting a calm demeanor. “How about this, I bought several kinds of fruit. Since I don’t know what you want, why don’t you come pick for yourself?”

Yi Qian raised an eyebrow, refusing to acknowledge the plea in her words, and replied breezily, “You don’t know what I want, but you do know what I like.”

Ye Shuyi: “I didn’t buy what you like to eat.”

“Eating what you like is fine too.”

“……”

An atmosphere of silent confrontation spread.

After a moment, Yi Qian let out a light laugh. As she lowered her gaze, she caught a glimpse of Ye Shuyi’s phone on the table and raised an eyebrow slightly.

When she looked up again, her expression shifted slightly, her tone cooling: “How about this you answer one of my questions seriously, and later I’ll go wash the fruit in the kitchen myself.”

Ye Shuyi didn’t notice her mood, thinking the other was just teasing her. She crossed her arms and said calmly, “Ask first.”

“Why did you ignore my calls?”

Ye Shuyi’s phone had clearly been turned on since this afternoon, yet in all that time, she hadn’t sent a single message not even a return call.

Yi Qian had called her ten times this afternoon alone.

The thought didn’t make her angry, just a little hurt.

It reminded her of the period right after their breakup, when her number hadn’t yet been blocked by Ye Shuyi. But every call would ring until it ended on its own, and then nothing.

At some point, whenever she called after that, all she’d hear was the cold, automated voice.

But now hadn’t their relationship improved a lot?

“What calls?” Ye Shuyi frowned slightly, as if genuinely unaware, but quickly realized. “You mean you called me?”

A silent nod.

“Mm… I have it set so that calls from non-work contacts don’t show missed call notifications.” Ye Shuyi paused. “Family is the exception, of course.”

“I’m your artist,” Yi Qian emphasized, her voice steady.

Just based on that relationship alone, she was far more important than any so-called work contact.

After all, as her manager, Ye Shuyi’s entire job revolved around her.

Yet in Ye Shuyi’s eyes, she ranked even lower than those work contacts.

“Before I became your manager, I took you off the blacklist.” Ye Shuyi explained, a little guiltily.

She hadn’t categorized Yi Qian under work contacts or given her any label at all.

Yi Qian froze for a second, then couldn’t help but smile. She stood up, taking off her coat and rolling up her sleeves as she said, “Stay here. I’ll go wash the fruit.”

“So, sudden?”

Ye Shuyi hesitated, swallowing back the words “so easy to please” just in time. She’d said it too often before and nearly let it slip.

But Yi Qian still caught the implication. She walked over, bending down to lean in close. “I’ve told you before whether someone is easy to please depends entirely on who’s doing the pleasing.”

Without waiting for a response, she walked past her into the kitchen.

When Yi Qian returned with the fruit, Ye Shuyi was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, holding a tablet, her gaze fixed on the screen as if absorbed in work. But the moment Yi Qian stepped out, she immediately looked up.

“Nothing strange in there, right?” Ye Shuyi asked, feigning nonchalance.

“No, just a bowl on the floor and two slices of bread in the toaster completely charred black.” Yi Qian walked over, teasing to divert her attention. “You didn’t forget to turn it off the day you left, did you?”

Ye Shuyi: “……”

If that were really the case, the house would have been burned to ashes by now after so many days.

Yi Qian held out the grapes in her hand, her peach-blossom eyes curving into gentle crescents as she asked, “Want some? I’ve tried them, they’re very sweet.”

Ye Shuyi shook her head. “You have them.”

Yi Qian nodded and turned to leave with the fruit.

As expected, Ye Shuyi immediately grabbed her hand.

A faint smile tugged at Yi Qian’s lips, it seemed she wouldn’t be sent away tonight.

Quickly suppressing her grin, she turned back with feigned nonchalance. “What’s wrong?”

Their eyes met. Ye Shuyi blinked her deer-like eyes before realizing her action, awkwardly releasing Yi Qian’s hand and lowering her gaze as if deep in thought.

Yi Qian watched her with an amused smile, not rushing her. She was curious what excuse the other would come up with.

After a moment, Ye Shuyi looked up and expressionlessly snatched the grape plate from Yi Qian’s hands, her tone slightly stiff: “Just wanted to ask where you’re taking my grapes.”

Yi Qian glanced at her suddenly empty hands, pausing briefly before offering a reasonable explanation: “Well,  you were busy with work, so I didn’t want to disturb you. Thought I’d eat them in the dining room.”

“How much noise could eating grapes possibly make?”

“I wanted to watch a movie while eating.”

Ye Shuyi pointed at the wall-sized television ahead. “There’s a TV right here.”

“I want to play the movie out loud.”

“You can connect to the Bluetooth speakers.”

“……”

Ye Shuyi glanced at her, placed the grape plate on the table, and declared in a no-nonsense tone: “In any case, the grapes can’t leave my line of sight beyond one meter. Do as you please.”

Having said that, she turned her attention to the tablet in her hands though the fidgeting fingers hidden behind the screen betrayed her unsettled emotions.

Yi Qian noted this movement, pressing a fist to her lips to conceal her smile.

Clearing her throat, she composed herself and sat down on the sofa.

Picking up the remote, she turned on the TV to browse movies, unaware that Ye Shuyi, head still bowed, had also curved her lips slightly upward.

Yi Qian selected a romantic comedy. Before hitting play, she glanced at Ye Shuyi for confirmation: “I’m starting it, really won’t disturb you?”

Without looking up, Ye Shuyi simply shook her head.

Truthfully, Yi Qian knew perfectly well that when Ye Shuyi focused on something, external factors wouldn’t affect her. If they did, it could only mean her mind was completely unsettled.

Asking before playing the movie was just her way of saying: I’ll be right here.

As the film began, the living room fell into peaceful quiet save for the movie’s audio, both women absorbed in their own activities.

Time flowed gently, the moment serene and content.

While watching the film, Yi Qian would occasionally glance at Ye Shuyi whenever she popped a grape into her mouth, each time catching herself with a helpless smile.

After three years apart, she hadn’t expected this habit to remain.

Back in university, they’d often spent time like this.

Most days, Ye Shuyi’s coursework kept her busier. Unable to help, Yi Qian would simply keep her company.

One would work on assignments, the other would watch movies.

She sat on the sofa, while she sat below it.

Although Ye Shuyi repeatedly emphasized that the movie sounds wouldn’t disturb her and advised against always wearing headphones since it wasn’t good for her ears, Yi Qian still put them on every time, leaving one ear free just in case Ye Shuyi needed her.

If there was food, she would occasionally feed her, and Ye Shuyi would open her mouth without hesitation to eat it.

Yi Qian looked at the grape in her hand, wondering what to do now.

As she thought this, her hand reached out: “Here, open up.”

The one being fed didn’t even glance away, obediently opening her mouth to eat, not even noticing that her lips had brushed against the hand feeding her.

Yi Qian stared at her finger in slight surprise, a smile gradually spreading across her lips. She then slid down to sit below the sofa, pressing the touched finger lightly against her own lips, her expression one of quiet delight.

Meanwhile, the person absorbed in her work remained completely unaware of these little actions.

A while later, Yi Qian offered another bite to the busy woman: “Open up.”

Ye Shuyi obediently opened her mouth again, but as soon as her lips touched the grape, she seemed to realize something. Glancing down at the hand lingering near her mouth, her eyes met Yi Qian’s and in shock, she instantly clamped her mouth shut.

“Ouch!”

Yi Qian couldn’t help but hiss in pain, her delicate brows knitting together.

Ye Shuyi’s pupils dilated slightly, and she immediately opened her mouth, letting the grape roll into the sofa cushions.

Looking at the clear teeth marks on her finger, Yi Qian sighed helplessly, “Was that bite a little too harsh?”

Ye Shuyi glanced at her finger, guilt flickering in her heart, but her words remained sharp: “Serves you right. Who asked you to go out of your way?”

Yi Qian arched a brow, amused rather than annoyed. “Weren’t you enjoying it just fine earlier?”

“……”

Ye Shuyi lowered her head to her tablet screen, pretending not to hear.

Yi Qian watched her, the corners of her lips curving into a smile. Casually, she remarked, “You seem really busy with work. Even on set, you’re always glued to your tablet.”

Without looking up, Ye Shuyi replied, “Managing two.” She suddenly caught herself, cutting off mid-sentence before lifting her gaze to Yi Qian and smoothly continuing, “Managing an artist with two hundred million fans naturally means more work.”

Yi Qian didn’t question it, though she frowned slightly. Then, as if struck by an idea, she picked up her phone. “I’ll call Manager Zhang and have him assign you no, three assistants.”

Ye Shuyi leaned over to stop her hand. “No need. I can handle it for now. We’ll see later.”

“In that case, why not watch the movie with me now?” Yi Qian checked the time on her phone, it was almost ten. If she let Ye Shuyi keep working, she’d definitely end up staying up all night.

Ye Shuyi stayed silent.

“Guess you’re still too busy, then.” Yi Qian made as if to dial the number again.

“Fine.”

Ye Shuyi saved the files on her screen, turned off the tablet, and set it aside. Sitting up properly, she stretched her legs out beneath the sofa, leaning back against the cushions as her gaze settled on the TV screen, now in full movie-watching mode.

Yi Qian climbed onto the sofa and handed her the plate of grapes. “Hold these and eat. Aren’t they your favorite?”

Ye Shuyi eyed the still mostly full plate, then plucked a grape and popped it into her mouth. “Don’t feel like holding it. Just leave it on the table, I can reach it.”

Yi Qian nodded slightly and placed the grape platter within her closest reach.

The movie screen flickered on as time slipped by unnoticed.

Before long, the film neared its end. Yi Qian glanced at the screen and asked, “Do you think they’ll end up together?”

No response came.

She turned her head to look and saw Ye Shuyi already asleep against the back of the sofa, her head tilted slightly toward her. Yi Qian waved a hand in front of her face no reaction. She must have been deep in slumber.

Leaning back against the sofa, Yi Qian decided to wait until the movie ended before carrying her to bed.

Soon enough, as expected, a head came to rest on her shoulder. Yi Qian turned to look and found Ye Shuyi slowly blinking her eyes open, her deer-like bright gaze veiled in drowsy confusion.

Their eyes met, and Yi Qian unconsciously held her breath.

She expected Ye Shuyi to jolt awake, but instead, the other woman merely glanced at her before closing her eyes again and settling back into sleep. The head on her shoulder seemed dissatisfied with the hardness of the perch, shifting restlessly as if searching for a more comfortable position. After a few adjustments, it finally slid down, coming to rest like a lazy cat in her lap, where it finally stilled.

Yi Qian stroked her hair affectionately, then bent down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.

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