Chapter 49

Chapter 49

049

He wanted to stay here.

When Chu Li had come to this house to spend his rut, he hadn't expected Jing Baiyuan to return. The supplies he'd prepared were ample, but they were all tailored to his own measurements.

Back when the two of them had been fooling around, it didn't matter. But now that they were both lucid, Jing Baiyuan discovered after washing up that he had no pajamas left.

There was only one set, and it was in the wash, so he couldn't wear it.

He could only make do with Chu Li's.

However, Chu Li's size was too small, and it felt constricting when he put it on. So he simply tied the sleeves of the bathrobe around his waist like straps, securing the garment at his hips to cover the essentials.

This way, his upper body was exposed.

Jing Baiyuan spent most of his time traveling and, when wearing combat gear, often carried loads weighing over a hundred pounds. Without deliberate exercise, his physique was still exceptional. His body fat percentage was less than six percent; not only did he have a six-pack, but also a well-defined V-line, and even the elusive shark muscle that was difficult for many ordinary people to develop.

Yet the contours were not overly prominent, revealing a glimpse of his abdominal muscles as he walked... Chu Li couldn't help but swallow at just a glance.

Indeed, it was said that the pursuit of food and beauty was innate to human nature.

Especially for men.

Jing Baiyuan quickly approached the bed and leaned down, casting a shadow over Chu Li.

His voice was low and slightly hoarse, "Why aren't you resting yet?"

These days, Chu Li had grown accustomed to sharing the same sleeping and waking routines with Jing Baiyuan. He instinctively replied, "I was waiting for you."

Upon hearing this, Jing Baiyuan's gaze deepened, and he seized Chu Li's wrist, pulling him closer. "Hm?"

Chu Li: "..."

Chu Li sensed some danger. Was it too late to run now?

It was already too late. He was pulled into Jing Baiyuan's embrace, their waists entwined as their skin pressed tightly against each other.

---

In the depths of night, after a tiring day, Chu Li nestled into Jing Baiyuan's embrace and fell into a deep sleep.

In his dreams, he must have encountered something delightful, for the corners of his lips curled into a sweet smile. He shifted closer to Jing Baiyuan, pressing his fluffy head against the other's chest, turning the man's heart into a pool of tender affection.

Gently stroking Chu Li's hair, Jing Baiyuan had never felt so reluctant to fulfill his responsibilities.

He truly didn't want to leave.

He wished to stay here, forever by his side.

A land of enchantment, a grave for heroes.

This description was not an exaggeration, yet he willingly succumbed to its allure.

---

Jing Baiyuan was aware that Chu Li had just passed his rutting phase and needed time to recover. He had no intention of behaving like an animal.

First, he couldn't resist. Second, with the impending separation, he found it even more unbearable.

Not to mention, Chu Li was very eager and cooperative... one could even say proactive.

Before, when they were together, it was during Chu Li's rut, and although he had been cooperative, there was always a hint of being dominated by his pheromones.

But now, it was different. He willingly and happily chose to be with Jing Baiyuan.

At this thought, Jing Baiyuan's heart burned with warmth that he couldn't suppress.

---

When the sky began to lighten, Jing Baiyuan got up.

This time, Chu Li slept soundly and didn't open his eyes. Jing Baiyuan didn't wake him either. Quietly getting dressed, he headed downstairs.

Before leaving, he recalled that the last time he parted ways with Chu Li was also around this hour, except then Chu Li hadn't slept well and had woken up when Jing Baiyuan disturbed him, insisting on seeing him off.

As Jing Baiyuan stepped out the door, he couldn't help but smile, wondering if Chu Li would throw a tantrum when he woke up and found out he hadn't been sent off this time.

By then, he'd just have to soothe Chu Li in the game space.

He truly couldn't bear to part from Chu Li. If Chu Li were awake and spoke a single word to him or embraced him, he wouldn't be able to leave.

There was no other option but to sneak away quietly.

Jing Baiyuan shook his head helplessly and walked out of the room, making sure to lock the door securely before hastening on his way.

The security measures in this residence were stringent; no one would know he had been here.

It was nearly noon when Chu Li stirred from his sleep. He had slept so soundly that all discomfort had vanished, leaving him feeling refreshed and invigorated enough to run several laps around the house right then.

But as he rolled over, instinctively reaching for the person beside him, he found the bed empty, the warmth of the bedding already cooled.

Chu Li froze for a moment, opening his eyes to see that the space beside him was indeed vacant.

He switched on his personal terminal and saw a message from Jing Baiyuan, sent at around five in the morning.

"-Vast Mountains and Distant Rivers: I'm already on my way. I've arranged for movers. When you wake up, give them a call and ask them to go to campus to move your belongings."

Chu Li huffed softly. This damned man had sneaked out early in the morning and was still thinking about getting him to move.

He wasn't even in this house! Why rush back to the nest with such eagerness?

Although Chu Li thought this, his typed response was obedient: "Understood."

Closing his personal terminal, he couldn't help but wear a smile.

Jing Baiyuan's return had truly caught him off guard. Their relationship had progressed significantly, reaching a comfortable spot for him.

Picking up a man at random on the street turned out to be quite agreeable for a romantic involvement.

Chu Li got up to tidy himself up, following Jing Baiyuan's instructions to call the moving company.

When he went to school in the afternoon to pack up, he attracted quite an audience, including his long-lost desk mate.

Upon seeing Chu Li puffing and panting as he ran over, his desk mate's initial concern turned into astonishment.

The reason was simple. After not seeing each other for over a week, Chu Li didn't appear as exhausted or weary as he had imagined. Instead, he seemed radiant and rejuvenated, like a completely different person.

As an medical student, Yuan Tan was well aware of the intricacies between Alphas and Omegas.

His concern for Chu Li stemmed from the knowledge that his Alpha was absent, imagining how challenging these past few days must have been for him.

Looking at Chu Li now, Yuan Tan couldn't help but ask, "Has the hospital upgraded its medications?"

Unaware of Chu Li's condition of hormonal imbalance, where inhibitors were ineffective, Yuan Tan assumed it was due to improved medication with fewer side effects.

Chu Li smiled, not bothering to explain the matter.

Yuan Tan inquired further, "Are you moving out of the school?"

It wasn't unusual for a medical student to be a day scholar, but Chu Li was exceptional, exceptional in his gender.

Chu Li nodded. "I've already informed the school."

"Ahh..." Yuan Tan seemed slightly disappointed but then realized that Chu Li had his own Alpha. It was only natural for him to move out.

Hence, he tugged at Chu Li's shirt and whispered, "So, when are you two getting married?"

Chu Li paused.

Indeed, they were living together. Given the unique bond between Alphas and Omegas in this era, marriage wasn't far off.

However, he hadn't given marriage much thought yet. Moreover, considering their current social statuses, Jing Baiyuan would be at a disadvantage if they were to wed.

There was no need to elaborate on these matters with his deskmate. Smiling, Chu Li shook his head and replied, "For now, my focus is still on my studies. As for marriage, let's talk about it after graduation."

Yuan Tan glanced at Chu Li but didn't comment further.

An Omega's condition often reflected the depth of their relationship. Judging from Chu Li's appearance, it was evident that he was content and blissful in his love life.

Given this, there was no rush to get married.

After moving in, he sent Jing Baiyuan a photo, but received no response. Presumably, Jing Baiyuan was in an environment where communication was inconvenient.

Life continued as usual, except that instead of returning to the dormitory after school, Chu Li went back home.

Another week passed, and once Chu Li had fully recovered, he took advantage of the weekend to fetch the little key from the pet store and bring it home.

The kitten was at that age when it was both disliked by people and a nuisance to its mother, who had just weaned it. Currently, it would fiercely hiss at anything that approached it.

Seeing Chu Li come to collect the cat, the owner also breathed a sigh of relief. "You're finally here. If you hadn't come, I would've had to put it in a cage."

Chu Li held the approaching small key in his arms and smiled apologetically at the owner. "Sorry for making you worry."

"No worries," the owner replied with a cheerful smile. After completing all the necessary contracts, he asked Chu Li before leaving, "Do you want a cage?"

Chu Li thought about it and agreed.

He didn't have his own vehicle, so it would be more appropriate to take a taxi with the kitten in a cage.

Though Little Key was usually aloof, it was very sensible at this moment. It didn't fuss when placed in the cage and obediently allowed Chu Li to carry it into the car.

The journey was long, and Chu Li couldn't resist poking at Little Key's bottom through the narrow gap in the cage.

At first, whenever he poked, Little Key would scoot further into the cage. But the cage was too small, and it couldn't escape. Eventually, it got annoyed and swiped at Chu Li with its claws.

This wasn't Little Li Hua Cat, which always retracted its claws out of concern for hurting Chu Li. Instead, it used the sharp tips of its claws to hook Chu Li's finger. However, the kitten's claws were still tender and couldn't harm anyone; they merely tickled instead.

Chu Li couldn't help but laugh at its antics, drawing the driver's attention from the front seat.

Most hovercars nowadays had autonomous driving systems, so the driver was merely there as a precaution and had plenty of idle time.

Afraid that the driver might strike up a conversation, Chu Li quickly fell silent.

Approximately twenty minutes later, they arrived home.

Compared to his initial unfamiliarity, Chu Li now felt a sense of belonging whenever he saw this house. Upon entering, he lowered his head to tell the little key in the cage, "This will be your new home from now on."

Closing the door, he unlocked the cage.

One reason for moving was that this house had better security measures in place; the windowsills were sealed and equipped with screens. Even if he opened the windows for ventilation, the little key wouldn't be able to escape.

Unlike the little Li Hua Cat, whom Chu Li had found already grown and capable of surviving on its own outdoors, the little key was just a kitten, and its mother was also a domesticated cat.

Such a young feline, once it wandered out of the house, would likely get lost and unable to find its way back.

Extra caution was needed.

Opening the cage door, Little Key didn't emerge immediately but instead hid inside to observe its surroundings for a while, making sure there was no danger before cautiously sticking its head out.

The kitten's movements were incredibly slow; after much effort, it finally managed to poke its head out.

Chu Li found its actions adorable and reached out to stroke its head, only to frighten the little creature. The kitten hissed at him, its fur standing on end, before scurrying back into the cage.

Chu Li: "..."

His hand remained suspended in mid-air.

Little Key had a tendency to puff up its fur, and its eyesight wasn't the best. Sometimes, from a distance, it couldn't clearly see that Chu Li was approaching and would react defensively.

Forget it.

He wouldn't force it.

Chu Li retracted his hand and whispered to the kitten in the cage, "Take your time to get used to it."

Then he stood up and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

After a while, a rustling sound came from the entrance. Chu Li turned around and saw Little Key had escaped from its cage.

It was chasing an imaginary entity, leaping, diving, and then rolling on the floor, pushing against the air with its hind legs.

Seeing how delighted it was, Chu Li smiled and didn't disturb it.

He boiled an egg and placed it on a small plate, carrying it to the corner of the living room. "Little Key, come and eat."

He broke the egg whites and yolks in half, mixing them together before presenting them to Little Key. The kitten, who had been playing earnestly with the invisible toy, stared at the plate for a moment before abandoning its game and dashing over to Chu Li with rapid footsteps.

The kitten's eating sounds were incredibly satisfying. After a bout of intense munching, the plate was empty.

Tears welled up in Chu Li's eyes from the emotional experience, finally understanding the joy of feeding a pet. Although Little Li Hua Cat was sensible, it never overate! It followed him for three meals a day, always finishing first and watching him eat.

A real cat made all the difference.

Chu Li happily washed the plate and cuddled with Little Key on the sofa to play. Satiated, the kitten was amenable to conversation and simply fell asleep on Chu Li's lap.

Feeling a bit bored, Chu Li casually turned on his personal terminal, intending to catch up on some news.

During Jing Baiyuan's absence, he had developed the habit of occasionally checking the news for any signs of him.

Unexpectedly, this small action caught the attention of the little key. The cat, who was just about to doze off, suddenly sat up straight and playfully swatted at Chu Li's personal terminal with its tiny paws.

Chu Li: ?

Author's Note:

I absolutely adore it when kittens puff up their fur. I miss the times when my own little kitten couldn't see me clearly and would puff up at me; it was so adorable (such an odd preference). Sobs, I think their tails look so cute and thick when they puff up.

But now, it no longer puffs up; instead, it has become a clingy creature...

For those precious ones eager for more, what are you thinking?! Where do you think you are? This is Jinjiang we're talking about!!