Chapter 31

Chapter 31

"This is so boring."

Bai Qi lay listlessly on the bed, his gaze fixed on a movie.

Unable to go out, the two were confined to watching TV. Bai Qi had never really watched it before, only catching glimpses at his mother’s house. Most of it was melodramatic nonsense that, as an omega, he simply couldn’t stomach.

Like pregnant omegas running away with their unborn child—horrifying.

The movie they’d chosen today was a horror film. Bai Qi had been somewhat interested at first, but it quickly became tedious. Qi Heyan, on the other hand, had shown no interest from the start.

Suddenly, the omega sat up and leaned against Qi Heyan. "It’s already evening. Can’t we go out yet?"

"He’s a bad person."

"Of course I know he’s a bad person." Bai Qi closed his eyes, a wave of irritation washing over him. He was surrounded by people watching his every move, and omegas detested nothing more than being controlled.

He was free.

Qi Heyan was about to say something to soothe Bai Qi, but before he could, the door opened. Wen Si had finally returned.

"You, come with me." Wen Si pointed at Qi Heyan, his expression grim, his tone laced with impatience. The alpha and omega exchanged a glance but said nothing.

"Alright."

Qi Heyan stood up and followed Wen Si out. As the door closed, the alpha cast a look back at Bai Qi. The omega’s expression had grown noticeably colder; he was no longer lying down but sitting upright.

No one knew what would happen after Qi Heyan left.

Bai Qi felt a tremor of nervousness. This place was an entirely new world to him. He clenched his fists, eyes glued to the screen. By the movie’s end, all the villains were dead, the ghost remained uncaught, and the protagonists—one died, the other went insane. Bai Qi pursed his lips, finding the ending utterly tragic.

Unsure when Qi Heyan would return, he put on a romance film instead. To Bai Qi’s surprise, the protagonists started kissing almost immediately. It wasn’t romantic at all; in fact, it made him uncomfortable.

Qi Heyan had never kissed him like that. Since his last heat, they hadn’t made love. The alpha would only peck him occasionally, but Bai Qi wasn’t used to it, so their kisses were rare.

Still, Bai Qi didn’t mind.

Qi Heyan seemed to have seamlessly integrated into his life. Last time, they had even gone together to pick out a bed. The omega hadn’t considered buying two separate beds, nor had the alpha suggested it, as if their previous argument had quietly faded with time.

Bai Qi curled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them and burying his face in the crook of his elbow, only his eyes visible. The New Year was fast approaching, and he would soon turn twenty.

He still didn’t know how old Qi Heyan was. Probably a little older than him.

Should he call him "brother"?

Bai Qi’s thoughts were a jumble. He had to divide his attention between listening for sounds outside and letting his mind wander, but no matter where his thoughts strayed, they always circled back to him and Qi Heyan.

Bai Qi couldn’t get into the romance film, but he didn’t turn it off either, letting it play as background noise. It wasn’t until it was almost over that he finally decided to switch it off.

"When will he be back…"

Bai Qi turned off the movie with the remote. At first, he hadn’t known how to use it—Qi Heyan had been the one to figure it out.

The omega mumbled to himself, and just as he set the remote down, the door was pushed open. Bai Qi immediately lifted his head, eyes sharp with alertness.

Who was it?

"Qi Heyan!" Bai Qi’s expression shifted instantly, and he let out a silent sigh of relief. "You’re back."

The omega had been wearing a mask, muffling his voice, but Qi Heyan could still discern the change in Bai Qi’s tone. The alpha locked the door behind him and smiled. "You waited for me a long time, didn’t you?"

"Yeah."

Bai Qi nodded, tilting his head to look up at Qi Heyan, his eyes brimming with curiosity. He lowered his voice. "Did he bully you?"

"No."

Qi Heyan was tired. He briefly explained that Wen Si had told him what they needed to do tomorrow, taken them through some formalities, and then the beta had launched into a lengthy monologue. He wasn’t a high-ranking official, but his addiction to power was certainly significant.

"I’m going to take a shower."

Qi Heyan ran his fingers through Bai Qi’s hair, his eyes curving into a smile that couldn’t be hidden. "Were you worried about me?"

Bai Qi frowned slightly. "Of course. That’s a strange question."

"Your worrying about me proves I’m in your heart." Qi Heyan’s tone was certain, as if he’d uncovered a profound truth. "You must be slowly falling for me."

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what if I don’t fall for you?"

The alpha let out a soft hiss. He took off his outer clothes and crouched in front of Bai Qi. "Then I’ll haunt you even as a ghost."

The omega gave a silent chuckle but didn’t answer Qi Heyan’s question. The alpha didn’t press him, turning to take a hot shower.

By the time Qi Heyan emerged, Bai Qi was almost asleep. The alpha had already removed his mask. Seeing the omega curled up on the bed, his heart softened. He walked over and gently roused him. "Go take a shower. I’ll show you how to use it."

Bai Qi grumbled. "Can I not?"

"Then you’ll turn into a dirty omega."

Qi Heyan didn’t give Bai Qi a chance to refuse. He picked him up and carried him straight into the bathroom. The alpha had no intention of doing anything to Bai Qi; though he’d countless times imagined pinning the omega to the bed and making him lose control, it wouldn’t happen if Bai Qi wasn’t willing.

"Just press this button."

Qi Heyan cupped Bai Qi’s face and lowered his voice. "There are no cameras in here—I checked. You can shower without worry. I’ll wait right outside. If anything happens, just call for me, okay?"

"Mm."

Bai Qi leaned into Qi Heyan’s touch before gently pushing the alpha away. "Go on, I’ll try it myself."

"Alright."

Qi Heyan obediently stepped out, leaning against the door as he waited for Bai Qi to finish. Fortunately, the omega was clever and didn’t encounter any insurmountable problems.

"I’m so sleepy…"

Bai Qi pushed the door open and walked out, his hair already dried in the bathroom. The omega changed into clean clothes and collapsed onto the bed. Just as he was about to burrow under the covers, half-asleep, he suddenly remembered something. "Qi Heyan!"

The alpha, who had been tidying their clothes, looked over. "What’s wrong?"

"Can I… not wear the mask?"

Bai Qi was genuinely asking, his voice tense. "I’m afraid…"

"You can."

Qi Heyan interrupted Bai Qi. He dropped everything and climbed onto the bed, pulling the omega close. "It’s fine. Nobody’s going to hurt you."

That’s when the alpha realized just how nervous Bai Qi was. Though the omega hadn’t shown it on his face, his words and actions revealed his unease.

He held Bai Qi in his arms and said softly, "Go to sleep, I’m right here."

Bai Qi also sensed his own unusual behavior. He didn’t resist Qi Heyan’s closeness; instead, he pressed closer, whispering, "I think I’m just… really scared."

"Mm, I know."

"This bed is so soft." Bai Qi closed his eyes. He hadn’t done anything today, yet he felt more exhausted than usual. "I’ve never slept in such a comfortable bed before."

Qi Heyan’s nose stung with emotion. He nuzzled Bai Qi’s hair with his cheek and murmured, "You’ll have even more comfortable ones later."

"There are so many things here I don’t know how to use." Bai Qi didn’t think he was stupid; he just felt isolated from this world. The slums and the city were worlds apart.

The omega clutched Qi Heyan’s collar, lowering his voice. "If… if you ever regain your memories and, I mean, if you really bring me here, will you teach me how to use all these things?"

Bai Qi had spent a long time in the bathroom earlier, wanting to touch everything but afraid he might break something.

"I will." Qi Heyan wished he could melt Bai Qi into his very bones. His voice was tender and earnest. "I’ll teach you anything you want to learn."

Bai Qi opened his eyes. At first, he said nothing, but after a long pause, he reached out and clasped Qi Heyan’s hand. In that moment, the omega responded to the alpha: "I believe you."

"Just… don’t lie to me."

.

The next morning, Qi Heyan and Bai Qi were woken up early. They quickly washed up and followed Wen Si out.

Today, Wen Si seemed noticeably more subdued—or perhaps a better word would be somber.

Wen Si had driven over to pick them up. It was Bai Qi’s first time in a hovercar, and they felt no swaying at all once inside. The omega’s eyes sparkled, though he didn’t dare move recklessly.

"Do you like it?"

Qi Heyan mouthed silently to Bai Qi. The omega glanced over, nodded, then immediately shook his head.

There were too many things he liked—houses, money—but for now, he just wanted to finish building the house first.

Qi Heyan was amused by Bai Qi’s reaction. He took the omega’s hand and gave it a small, playful squeeze.

Compared to the two of them, the others were like a funeral procession, especially Wen Si. When he caught sight of Bai Qi and Qi Heyan secretly holding hands, his temper flared, and he couldn’t help but sneer, "So much for ‘we’re not together,’ huh?"

Bai Qi looked up at him and replied good-naturedly, "Didn’t you just say that was ‘last time’?"

Wen Si: "..."

The omega ignored him again. Wen Si bit down on his rage. Wen Si gritted his teeth. Once Qi Heyan was dead, he’d see how Bai Qi planned to escape—see if the omega would still dare speak to him like that.

Compared to Wen Si’s words, Qi Heyan was more focused on Bai Qi acknowledging their relationship. The alpha’s eyes widened, and he squeezed Bai Qi’s hand with a surge of excitement.

Did Bai Qi… like him too?

The omega was momentarily bewildered by the alpha’s small gesture but quickly understood. Bai Qi thought about it but didn’t pull his hand away, just ducking his head slightly.

Okay, fine. Maybe Qi Heyan was one of the things he liked.

Probably. Maybe.