STIDM 22

They had three days off, and the two of them spent it going at each other non-stop, tearing through an entire box of condoms. Every flavor was used.

When they checked out of the hotel, Yan Lu’s face was still red. His waist ached, his legs felt like jelly, and to top it off, he had to endure the front desk lady’s knowing, teasing gaze.

Yan Lu planned to return to school, but Zhong Zong wouldn’t let him. The scent of sex still clung to him, and his expression was filled with lazy satisfaction. Anyone with half a brain would know exactly what he’d been doing over the break.

And more importantly, Yan Lu hadn’t taken his suppressants for days. The best solution now was to go to the hospital and get an IV drip.

He checked the time. There wasn’t much left before Zhong Zong’s train would depart. He told him to head back first.

Zhong Zong shook his head.

“I’ll go with you to the hospital.”

“You’re going to miss your train if you don’t leave now. Go already.”

“No. You’re careless. What if you go to the wrong place?”

“I’m not that dumb.”

Still, Zhong Zong didn’t answer. He just held on tightly to Yan Lu’s arm and refused to let go.

Left with no choice, Yan Lu gave in and let him come along.

On the way to the hospital, they held hands while crossing the street. Whenever they walked along the sidewalk, Zhong Zong subtly steered him toward the inside lane, closest to the buildings.

He didn’t need to say anything. Yan Lu already knew those protective little habits came from the trauma of that bloody rescue last time.

Zhong Zong hadn’t brought it up. Yan Lu hadn’t mentioned it either.

Even though neither of them spoke about it, and that day was never brought up again, Yan Lu understood. The way Zhong Zong insisted on taking him to the hospital and the way he snapped that night over a single sentence all stemmed from the same source.

Zhong Zong’s mother had died in a car accident.

Since that day, Zhong Zong’s emotional state had been off. Conflicted and tangled.

It wasn’t like before. Back then, even if their bodies were close, he could never quite feel where Zhong Zong’s heart really was.

Now it was different, but Yan Lu couldn’t tell whether it was a good thing or not. He couldn’t tell if Zhong Zong liked him or didn’t.

Maybe it was just old trauma resurfacing. A fear of loss that made him extra cautious. Or maybe it was emotional displacement, clinging to him as a substitute. Whatever it was, it didn’t feel like something good.

Yan Lu understood what that movie scene meant. It was a warning. A way to tell him to stay away.

Even Zhong Zong himself knew he was the kind of man who would drag someone into a pit. And if you jumped, you’d either die in it or walk away with the best prize life could offer.

Yan Lu simply pretended not to get it. Played dumb on purpose. He wasn’t stupid, not when it came to Zhong Zong.

At the hospital, he sat hooked up to an IV, surrounded by a row of Omegas.

Omegas were rare. The place you were most likely to see them was at the hospital. After all, even though most Omegas weren’t exactly weak, those who hadn’t been marked yet still needed a certain level of protection. They were frequent visitors to medical facilities.

Omega suppressants, medications, and pheromone regulation were all part of the routine. Every Omega had to come for regular checkups.

But someone like Yan Lu, walking in so openly, carrying the unmistakable scent of being thoroughly ravaged by a powerful Alpha, was a different story. That kind of presence was rare, and honestly, a little embarrassing.

He sat there waiting to collect his medication and IV drip. Before long, the boy next to him, whose scent carried a faint lemony sweetness, leaned over. His round eyes were full of curiosity.

“Did your Alpha come with you?”

Yan Lu got a little nervous. He kept his lips pressed shut and nodded.

Maybe because they were both Omegas, the lemon-scented one didn’t seem afraid at all. Instead, he leaned even closer.

“That’s so nice. You already found your Alpha.”

“I really want one too, but my family’s too scared. They think something awful will happen if I go out alone.”

“I think taking your suppressants properly is enough.”

“You’re really amazing. I’ve never met an Omega as cool as you.”

“If I hadn’t caught your scent, I wouldn’t have even known you’re an Omega.”

“Your Alpha must be amazing.”

“You have to be happy, okay?”

The lemon-scented boy was quite the little chatterbox, though his voice was soft and pleasant. Listening to him ramble on in that sweet tone was oddly endearing.

It didn’t take long before Yan Lu’s face turned red. He glanced over at the boy, then gave a small cough.

“Don’t be like me. You’re fine just as you are. You’re… really cute.”

The lemon boy blinked in surprise. His cheeks instantly turned pink.

“Ah. Tha… thank you.”

Zhong Zong returned just then, receipt in hand, only to see that flustered look on Yan Lu’s face.

He rolled his eyes.

He was probably the only Alpha in the world who worried his Omega might be stolen by another Omega.

Zhong Zong quietly sat beside Yan Lu and his little admirer. He didn’t interrupt their conversation. He simply handed Yan Lu a bottle of water, letting him drink, then turned his eyes to the screen to check when Yan Lu’s number would be called.

That single string of thoughtful gestures made the lemon-scented Omega melt with envy. He leaned toward Yan Lu and whispered in awe.

“Your Alpha is so good. So sweet. And so handsome.”

Yan Lu winked at him and whispered back.

“Of course. That’s my wife. Of course he’s handsome.”

The lemon’s eyes widened slightly. He clearly didn’t understand what Yan Lu meant.

Grinning smugly, Yan Lu pointed toward Zhong Zong with his thumb.

“Look at his neck.”

The little lemon leaned over sneakily, craned his neck, and then returned with sparkling eyes.

“Oh my god, amazing. But wait… how is that possible? I’ve never read in any book that an Omega can do that.”

Yan Lu clearly had a gift for leading innocent kids astray. He murmured a bunch of nonsense with a serious face, successfully filling the boy’s head with questionable ideas.

When he saw the admiration shining openly in those eyes, Yan Lu had to fight not to burst into laughter.

Just then, a hand rubbed against the small of his back, right on the sore spot. The jolt of soreness nearly made Yan Lu collapse on the spot. He turned around with a glare, only to find Zhong Zong smiling faintly.

“Your turn… husband.”

For a second, Yan Lu’s brain overheated. His face flushed redder than ever, and he was too embarrassed to even speak. His cheeks turned scarlet. Shame flooded him, and for a long moment he couldn’t react.

Alphas had heightened senses. How could he have forgotten that what he thought were quiet whispers could be heard loud and clear? Now that Zhong Zong had teasingly called him “husband,” Yan Lu had no idea how to respond.

Besides, being called that in such a way was something he’d only dreamed about. He could only think happiness really did come out of nowhere. Could he get one more moment like that, just so he could be mentally prepared for it next time?

Still dazed, Yan Lu stood up as Zhong Zong held his hand. He turned to say goodbye to the lemon boy, but before he could, Zhong Zong pinched his chin and turned his face back around.

Zhong Zong was clearly still enjoying the roleplay. His tone was laced with jealousy, but his eyes were warm and bright, smiling as he teased.

“When you’re out with me, keep those eyes in check.”

Then he softened his voice into something that almost sounded like a spoiled plea.

“You’re only allowed to look at me.”

Yan Lu’s whole body melted from the possessive tenderness in those words. He nodded again and again, like every hopelessly obedient, soft-spined man under his wife’s control. Yes, yes, alright, whatever you say.

The lemon boy beside them had just witnessed an entire public display of affection. Wide-eyed and speechless, he couldn’t help but marvel at how little he truly knew about the world.

After Yan Lu finished his IV drip, Zhong Zong took him to the supermarket and wandered a few aisles with him.

Yan Lu tried to shoo him off, but he just shrugged.

“I already missed my train. A little later won’t kill me.”

They picked out fruit and vegetables. Back at Yan Lu’s single dorm room, Zhong Zong used a little electric cooker to make a homey meal. He reminded Yan Lu to take his meds, then pulled out his phone and booked a new train ticket online.

He tidied everything up, put his shoes on, and turned to say goodbye.

But then he noticed Yan Lu leaning against the wall, staring at him with a strange look in his eyes. Calmly, he asked, “What, want a goodbye kiss?”

“I was just thinking… you’re really starting to act like my wife. Sleeping with me, playing with me, even cooking… so when are you going to show up at my doorstep with a marriage proposal?”

Zhong Zong said nothing. He simply opened his arms with a calm look.

Yan Lu rushed over to hug him tight. Just as he was about to turn his head to kiss him, Zhong Zong pressed a finger to his lips.

“Shh. Classmate Yan, if you want me to propose for real, you’d better work a little harder and keep up the effort.”