Chapter 48

Chapter 48

"yes……"

This is sheer torture.

With vital points pressed by fingertips, the Omega's thoughts couldn't form a coherent stream. He vaguely heard Xie Yilin's words, understanding each word individually, but when they came together, they became hazy and indistinct, as if they were slowly transmitted from a distant place, and by the time they reached his ears, they had turned into an ocean of vastness.

And he sank in the sea, barely maintaining his sanity.

“Yes…I…”

"I... myself..."

He was trembling and shaking, his legs were almost unfeeling, his whole body collapsed in Xie Yilin's arms. One minute felt like an hour. The Omega finished describing the symptoms of skin hunger with difficulty and stammering, and immediately turned his head away, not daring to look the Alpha in the eye.

Bai Chen felt that the current situation was too embarrassing.

So...so why?How did it become like this?

At the beginning, he merely craved a hug.

After listening to his disjointed but essentially coherent explanation, Xie Yilin fell into silence.

He had not anticipated that the truth of the matter would be like this.

Bai Chen doesn’t... like him.

He simply adores his hugs.

In that moment, Xie Yilin found himself unable to discern which complex emotion first flooded his mind.

Like tangled vines, they suddenly took over his entire being, piling up like a mountain of chaos, pressing down on his heart.

Heavy, almost suffocating.

Dark clouds loomed, and a snowstorm was about to break. He heard himself calmly press the question, “Have you hugged anyone else besides me?”

“I...”

Bai Chen hesitated, weighing his words. But then, Xie Yilin's fingertips kneaded the small patch of skin at the back of his neck once more.

Soft, vulnerable glands.

One of the most sensitive areas for an Omega.

A tingling sensation struck him like lightning, and Bai Chen whimpered, tears welling in his eyes, “Don’t... don’t be so... gentle...”

His tearful plea sounded more like a coquettish whine, “I... I didn’t mean to...”

“It’s... just you, really!”

He had never been in a relationship before; aside from hugging his mother, playing with childhood friends, and following script directions during filming, he hadn’t embraced anyone else.

Bai Chen wasn’t indiscriminate—anyone couldn’t just hug him.

The flame in Xie Yilin's heart dimmed slightly, but it still burned fiercely.

Unconsciously, he applied more force with his hands.

"…Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Bai Chen almost melted into a pool of spring water.

He had never known that the glands at the nape of his neck, when merely touched, could evoke such sensations.

The insatiable craving that coursed through him, deep in his bones, was like a hibernating beast awakened by the arrival of spring, famished and unable to endure.

He had no idea his body harbored such potential.

Just a few touches with fingers.

If this were a real marking…

Recalling the deep bite marks he had seen on the napes of other married Omegas, Bai Chen felt deeply that Alphas were beasts.

Beasts whose nature is to possess and plunder.

Especially when it comes to Omegas, Alphas never hide this fact.

Just like now.

Xie Yilin seemed to have become addicted to touching his nape.

His brows remained cold, an icy chill radiating from him, as if for a moment, Bai Chen thought the old Xie Yilin had returned.

Perhaps, he shouldn't have mentioned his skin hunger.

But clearly, if he wanted to continue… deepen his relationship with Xie Yilin, he had to be honest.

Moreover, Xie Yilin had indeed noticed.

Bai Chen pursed his lips, repeating with a slight grievance, "I really didn't mean to..."

Considering his willingness to confess, could you not be so harsh?

Xie Yilin loosened his grip slightly.

His gray eyes refocused on the Omega before him.

He was beautiful, with dimples that seemed filled with honey when he smiled, and he always found ways to protect him, standing by his side without hesitation, speaking well of him to others.

He said Bai Chen was his idol, looking at him with bright eyes like twinkling stars, as radiant as the warm sunshine of spring.

He appeared obedient and sweet, and no one could dislike him.

Moreover, Bai Chen seemed to keenly sense his current emotional shift. His entire posture conveyed weakness. His tone softened, slightly pleading, as he wrapped his arms around the Alpha's waist, just as he had done countless times before.

The golden-haired head rubbed against his chest, softly begging, "Don't be mad..."

"I've only ever hugged you."

The fire in Xie Yilin's heart suddenly diminished a little.

Reason told him that Bai Chen hadn't done anything wrong.

It was he who had approached the Omega, proposing the fake marriage agreement.

And it was Bai Chen who had performed exceptionally well, completing the tasks outlined in the agreement with dedication and excellence.

He should... thank him instead?

For a moment, Xie Yilin was at a loss for words.

The rough saw blade cut back and forth across Alpha's heart.

He didn't even have the right to be angry.

Because he and Bai Chen had no substantial relationship.

Yet it was clear that Xie Yilin was not content with this.

Alpha's gray eyes grew dark. Bai Chen was still nestled against his chest, oblivious to this subtle change. In the next second, the beast momentarily broke free from its restraints, and Xie Yilin suddenly lowered his head, gently pressing a kiss to his forehead.

Bai Chen froze.

The man's actions did not stop there.

After the first kiss came a second, a third, a fourth... from the forehead, to the brows, to the tip of the nose, Xie Yilin kissed each spot tenderly and thoroughly, as if determined to soothe all unease and calm all anxieties.

He kissed once, then again, and again, until he reached the lips.

Omega's lips were full and pink, like petals, carrying a sweet orange scent unique to him. Xie Yilin freed one hand, gently grasping Bai Chen's chin, and kissed him as his wide, surprised eyes met his.

He vaguely remembered that during their first meeting, Xie Yilin had noticed how beautifully shaped Omega's lips were.

...Now he knew they were also very sweet.

Bai Chen was completely stunned.

Cool lips traced down his face, lingering and caressing with each kiss, leaving a trail of burning heat on his skin. The temperature rose, and the air was filled with an inexplicable sweetness. Unaware that it was his own pheromones, he found himself inevitably sinking into the patchouli scent of the Alpha.

Surprisingly, this time the patchouli did not invigorate him; instead, it left him dazed and slightly intoxicated.

Then, Xie Yilin kissed his lips.

Without words, without needing to understand, Bai Chen knew what Xie Yilin meant.

He was kissing him.

This was a kiss only a lover, a partner, someone with deep affection, could give.

Though he had long recognized Xie Yilin's feelings for him, emotions that surpassed their agreement, Bai Chen still couldn't help but feel a mix of shyness and excitement welling up in his heart.

...But Xie Yilin wasn't done yet.

Not done yet.

After a tentative kiss, they parted briefly. Bai Chen thought it was over and was about to speak, but in the next moment, the man cupped the back of his head and kissed him again, decisively and without hesitation.

It was a real kiss now.

Breaking through his defenses, Bai Chen didn't even have time to resist before he was utterly overwhelmed. The storm that had been brewing on the surface finally unleashed itself, just in a different form. Rain poured down, and the wind howled... Omega felt nearly suffocated, his mind blank.

The tightly closed shell of the clam couldn't protect the tender flesh within, forced to dance repeatedly with the intruder. But gradually, he seemed to find some pleasure in it, his will weakening, unable to resist, and before he knew it, he was lost in it.

He struggled in the vortex for a while before giving up—reason quickly fled, leaving only the surrender of his senses.

Xie Yilin's scent immediately enveloped him, wrapping around him tightly, hiding even the faintest hint of sweet orange, not allowing a single trace to escape.

This was instinct, and also Xie Yinlin's selfish desire.

...He didn't want Bai Chen to embrace anyone else.

He wanted to declare to the world, to everyone, that this Omega was his.

More importantly, he wanted to tell Bai Chen that he wanted him.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Xie Yinlin pressed his forehead against Bai Chen's, his large hand still not releasing the back of Bai Chen's head. He gazed into Bai Chen's eyes, reining in most of his emotions, all his possessiveness, and the overwhelming urge to claim. His gray eyes returned to calmness, yet they couldn't hide the many feelings within.

The Alpha whispered, "Do you really like it when I hold you?"

"…Mm."

Bai Chen's face flushed red, and he responded with a soft, almost inaudible "mm."

He really liked it, very much.

He had always admired Xie Yinlin. When the other stood before him, proposing a marriage of convenience, Bai Chen's feelings were somewhat complicated.

It was hard to say if a significant part of his agreement was due to Xie Yinlin. But it had to be Xie Yinlin for Bai Chen to make such a request for a hug.

He trusted him.

To his delight, Xie Yinlin's embrace was just as he had imagined, even better.

Xie Yinlin tightened his hold on Bai Chen's body.

He lifted his head slightly and kissed Bai Chen's forehead again, asking once more, "Do you like it when I kiss you here?"

Bai Chen: ... Again?

His voice was barely audible, his face as red as a boiled shrimp.

Sure enough, Alpha repeated the action.

He kissed his forehead, eyes, nose tip, and lips again. With each kiss, he asked the same question.

"Do you like it?"

Y-Yes, I do!

Bai Chen felt like a rabbit was hopping around in his heart—didn't he dislike it? Why didn't he push him away?

But Xie Yilin wanted Bai Chen to say it out loud.

So in the quiet resting room, where only the two of them were, Omega had to repeatedly, and with great shame, give his affirmative answer.

"Yes."

"… Yes."

"… Mm, y-yes."

In the end, the man paused at his lips.

Xie Yilin seemed to be thinking.

Pondering how to turn affection into the sole focus.

The intense kiss had dissipated some of his agitation; Alpha's fingers hadn't left the gland area. For a fraction of a second, Xie Yilin was tempted to act on impulse and mark him without a second thought.

The Omega before him had grown quite close, cradled in his arms as if possessed, yet not entirely. He yearned to follow ancient traditions, to make him cry, penetrate him, and mark him—leaving his teeth marks as proof of their bond.

This was a rule passed down through millennia.

But when he met Bai Chen's eyes, he paused, unable to proceed.

In the Omega’s beautiful eyes, there was nothing but trust for him.

Even now, at this perilous moment, Bai Chen showed no resistance, no struggle, no evasion.

It meant that he believed Xie Yilin would not harm him.

Though, in that instant, a thousand thoughts raced through the Alpha’s mind.

He was the strongest warrior, the most brilliant tactician and strategist, the pilot of the mightiest mech... but in this moment, he was just an Alpha.

An Alpha experiencing his first love.

He had imagined this scene many times, but never expected it to come so quickly.

The man had thought it would be later, more controlled, after he was fully prepared—at least with the gift ready—before taking this step.

He admitted it was somewhat out of control.

...Yet, emotions cannot be controlled.

Bai Chen instinctively swallowed.

He was no fool; he knew that his feelings for Xie Yilin had reached a certain point.

Like the silent spring rain that nourishes all things, and like the gentle and mild spring breeze, at some unknown moment, the Alpha had quietly taken up residence in his heart, leaving behind something.

Something beautiful.

The Omega's breathing involuntarily slowed down significantly. He held his breath, waiting for that moment.

Xie Yilin slightly pulled away, his gray eyes fixed on Bai Chen.

Then, for the second time, he parted the Omega's lips.

The second kiss did not make Bai Chen any more adept.

Perhaps because it was too brief, too sudden, the Omega gained little experience.

He was dazed, his mind completely muddled, losing all sense of who he was, where he was, and what he was doing.

And Xie Yilin got to reaffirm the sweetness of the little tangerine once again.

Indeed, it was quite good.

The taste was sweet, very pleasant.

Also full, easily... dripping with juice, trembling, almost to the point of tears.

Bai Chen could only use his watery gaze to accuse him.

"Say something, don't kiss anymore!"

Another kiss, and he would lose control!

Mm...

He unconsciously tightened his grip on Xie Yilin's collar, wrinkling it. The Alpha naturally didn't care about such details; he just moved closer, then suddenly slid his right hand down to Bai Chen's firm little bottom.

Bai Chen immediately shivered, coming to his senses.

Without a word, he instinctively tried to escape.

... Of course, he couldn't.

Xie Yilin exerted a little strength and lifted him up into the air.

Losing his balance, the Omega couldn't even stand steady, let alone escape. He could only hurriedly cling to the Alpha's body, softly leaning against his chest, entrusting himself completely.

His heart was pounding, thudding wildly: No, no way? So soon?

Xie Yilin caught sight of his expression.

A noticeable smile flashed in his eyes. Soon, Xie Yilin sat back on the sofa, placing him on his lap.

Bai Chen let out a sigh of relief but hadn't spoken when the man once again restrained him, looking directly into his eyes.

The Alpha's eyes were like a gray sea.

Finally, he asked the question, his voice deep and serious.

"Chen Chen."

"Do you like me?"

***

Song Lei and the director had agreed on the script revisions.

They made slight adjustments to the character, adding some flirtatious scenes, lighting, and atmosphere, along with a few lines that sounded quite authentic—out of respect for Bai Chen's acting skills, the director repeatedly mentioned with regret that if Bai Chen were willing to continue playing the role, he could turn the elf prince into a regular character.

Ha, as if!

Song Lei hurriedly laughed it off, this was an adaptation based on the original work; changing the trio into a quartet was too big a change, and the director was just trying to capitalize on Bai Chen's popularity. He couldn't let his head get turned at this moment.

Bidding farewell to the reluctant and unsatisfied director, Song Lei returned to the lounge to check on the results.

Out of caution, he waited near the lounge for a while, estimating it was about time before he walked to the door and knocked.

...The door, predictably, didn't open immediately.

Song Lei suppressed his curiosity and waited silently by the door for a minute.

But after a minute, the door still didn't open.

Song Lei: ...

He understood, he understood, though he was single, he really... what! You lovebirds, can't you consider those around you!

The agent held his temper and waited another two minutes.

Fortunately, after two more minutes, the door finally opened.

An Omega with an exceptionally bright smile, as if radiating light, stood before him. The dimples on his cheeks were sweet like they held honey, or perhaps it was the glow of a filter illusion... In short, Bai Chen, in excellent condition, stood before him and greeted him: "Hi!"

Song Lei: ...Hi?

No, no, this isn't right.

He was startled, taking two steps back, "Bai, Bai Chen?"

"You, you have..."

The Omega's body was filled with the scent of another powerful Alpha.

It was so strong that even Song Lei, a Beta, could sense it.

This indicated that they had just undergone some kind of marking. It was hard to be certain, given that Song Lei was a Beta.

But...

Song Lei vaguely remembered that they had marked each other before, but never this intensely. He didn't even want to get close to Bai Chen now.

He couldn't detect the pheromones of Alphas and Omegas, but Betas still had some perception. To Song Lei, Bai Chen now seemed to have emerged from a dragon's lair, with "taken" written all over him.

Oh... Bai Chen's lips seemed a bit swollen—no, not seemed, they were.

They were swollen.

Noticing his puzzled gaze, the Omega belatedly tried to compose himself, but couldn't quite suppress the curve at the corners of his mouth.

"...Ahem, let's go to the set. We can start filming. But I need to look at the script first."

Song Lei said nothing more, as he caught out of the corner of his eye a faint glance from Alpha through the slightly ajar door.

It was like a predator at rest, not threatening, yet its overwhelming presence and formidable aura remained. Though the person at the door was out of range, they still felt the residual pressure. With just one look, Song Lei hastily lowered his head, deliberately shifting his attention away, no longer dwelling on Bai Chen's peculiar behavior today.

That was not something he could interfere with.

The two of them entered the filming location, everything was set, and Bai Chen took his seat by the virtual lake.

In front of him was the male lead, the one he was supposed to be "intimate" with.

Looking into the other's eyes, Bai Chen slowly immersed himself in the scene. In the previous battle, the male lead had sustained minor injuries, which were tended to by the young prince.

Afterward, noticing his low spirits, the young prince invited him to the lakeside to enjoy the scenery and perhaps open up, broaden his horizons.

The male lead couldn't help but confide in him about his parents' past.

Bai Chen looked into his eyes.

...But he couldn't help thinking of another pair of gray eyes.

The lines were on the tip of his tongue, memorized perfectly; Bai Chen never forgot his lines. He took a few deep breaths, reminding himself that this was acting, this was work. Then he delivered the lines.

"In our tradition, distant honored guests can also become one of us."

"I am willing to accept you, acknowledge you, my friend."

"From now on, when you see the stars, the green leaves, the streams, perhaps you will think of me."

"This is a bond."

Reciting the lines, Bai Chen was suddenly struck by some thoughts.

Now, he and Xie Yilin were bound together.

Not by contract or status, but by a deeper connection.

...An hour later, the added scenes were also filmed.

The work was done.

But the day wasn’t over yet.

Bai Chen, having removed his makeup and changed into his own clothes, walked out of the set with a light step, heading straight for a black hover car.

In the car, the Alpha had been waiting patiently for most of the day.

Or perhaps even longer.

The moment the car door opened, the Omega, carrying a fresh scent of sweet oranges, like a ray of bright sunshine, fell directly into Xie Yilin’s arms. The Alpha naturally embraced him, holding him close, lowering his head to exchange an affectionate kiss.

A lover's kiss.

At the same time, Xie Yilin recalled a recent memory.

The Omega’s face turned completely red, whispering softly in his ear.

He said, "I love hugging you the most."

The most.

Xie Yilin thought, then it must be that he likes him.

The man, holding the Omega in his arms, couldn't help but stroke the back of his neck again.

Bai Chen immediately softened.

The Omega struggled to support himself, turning his head in anger just to lodge a complaint, only to meet the Alpha's dark gaze, like that of a big bad wolf ready to devour him.

To really devour him.

...Xie Yilin felt he might not be able to wait any longer.

Author's note: Author: Every time I type the four words 'drenched in sweat,' I can't help but imagine... "I'm a pervert, I admit..."

Xie Yilin: ...

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