Chapter 27 Gotta Hold Onto My Wife

Chapter 27: Hold Onto Your Wife

Lin Yunshu slept soundly.

He had many strange and vivid dreams, but they didn’t bother him; he still slept well.

When he opened his eyes, he was momentarily disoriented, unable to tell if he had returned to reality.

Beep… beep…

The workday alarm rang.

It was Monday.

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His body still felt a bit sore. Lin Yunshu stretched, feeling the urge to stay in bed.

The next second, he was startled by that thought.

Comfort really does breed desire.

If you overindulge in desire, you’ll waste away.

He hurriedly got up, giving himself no chance to be lazy, and rushed into the bathroom to brush his teeth, shower, and style his hair.

Then, dressed neatly, he walked out of the bedroom.

·

Zhou Yu was cooking.

Lin Yunshu closed his eyes, then opened them again. Zhou Yu was indeed cooking.

This was the second time in his life he had seen Zhou Yu wearing an apron.

"Awake?"

Zhou Yu glanced at him out of the corner of his eye before quickly turning his attention back to the spatula.

"Sit down for a minute. I fixed you some dumplings."

But Lin Yunshu didn’t sit. Instead, he walked straight into the kitchen and found several types of dumplings on the table—steamed, boiled, and pan-fried.

"Alright, done." Zhou Yu plated the last fried dumpling and carried it to the dining table. "Come on, let’s have breakfast."

Lin Yunshu helped carry the rest.

"Did you… make these dumplings?" Lin Yunshu asked hesitantly.

Zhou Yu sat down casually. "What, does it not look like I did?"

It wasn’t about whether it looked like it or not. Lin Yunshu tilted his head.

Based on his understanding of Zhou Yu, this man wasn’t capable of such delicate tasks, nor did he have the time to learn.

Besides, these dumplings were really expertly made, clearly the work of someone skilled, more like they were made by an elder in the family who was very good at cooking.

"Not that I doubt your skills, boss," Lin Yunshu said carefully, "but I don’t think it was you."

Zhou Yu laughed. "You really do know me well."

He took Lin Yunshu’s wrist and pulled him closer. "Lao Zhang’s mother made them. She sends me some from time to time. And let me tell you, that old lady’s dumplings are something else."

Lao Zhang was Zhou Yu’s driver, who usually handled personal rather than company errands. They were close.

"Really?" Lin Yunshu became interested.

"Try them and you’ll see."

Zhou Yu tried to pull him to sit, but Lin Yunshu pushed his hand away, seeming uncomfortable.

This time, Zhou Yu caught on immediately, his smile widening. "Should I get you a cushion? Or do you want to sit on my lap?"

As soon as he said it, his brain automatically deleted the first option.

He patted his thigh. "Come on, just sit here. It’s more convenient."

Lin Yunshu: "…"

"That’s alright," he said with a polite smile. "I’m too heavy. I wouldn’t want to crush you."

Dare he sit on Zhou Yu’s lap?

Nine times out of ten, if he sat there, he’d end up back in bed.

Besides, the muscles in this man’s thighs were so tense, it was hardly different from sitting on a hard stool.

Lin Yunshu would rather sit on a hard stool—at least a stool wouldn’t press against him.

"I’ll sit by myself." He pulled out a chair and slowly, carefully lowered himself onto it.

Although Zhou Yu had been much gentler last night compared to the previous times, Lin Yunshu couldn’t deny that he had enjoyed himself in the moment.

But that didn’t change the fact that he was still somewhat stiff the next day.

He felt weak all over, his arms and legs limp. Standing was fine, but the moment he sat down, the discomfort became especially intense.

He gripped his chopsticks, let out a soft breath, and tried his best to adjust.

"Don’t push yourself if you’re uncomfortable," Zhou Yu said.

"It’s fine." Lin Yunshu supported his lower back and adjusted to a more comfortable sitting position.

Zhou Yu pushed the plate of food toward him while watching his expression.

Not too bad, all things considered.

For couples with high pheromone compatibility, being intimate was actually beneficial for their bodies, helping both parties maintain stable pheromone levels.

Lin Yunshu had always suffered from pheromone instability, which was why he often looked pale, exhausted, and lifeless.

Lately, he seemed a bit better.

Zhou Yu, who spent every day with him, could clearly sense that his pheromones had become much more stable compared to the beginning.

A sense of satisfaction welled up inside him.

The knowledge that he was useful to Lin Yunshu made him happier than owning the whole world.

Zhou Yu felt all warm inside.

Lin Yunshu didn't notice the look on his face, too busy eating breakfast. He picked up a translucent steamed dumpling and took a bite.

“Why did you make so much?” he asked casually.

“Well, I thought dumplings are delicious no matter how they’re cooked,” Zhou Yu said. “But don’t eat the pan-fried ones—your stomach can’t handle greasy food in the morning.”

Lin Yunshu's lips curled into a faint smile. “It’s fine, really.”

Zhou Yu couldn't help staring.

Even the way Lin Yunshu chewed and swallowed was graceful and captivating. He ate without making a single sound, his etiquette flawless.

Zhou Yu could hardly imagine what it must have been like for a child growing up in a family like Chen Hongming’s—how clever and early-maturing, and how strong-willed he must have been to turn out so well without being tainted by them.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

Lin Yunshu gently nudged the bowl in front of him. “Hurry up, or it’ll get cold.”

He had already eaten five dumplings and was starting to feel a bit too full, so he stopped, not daring to take another bite.

Zhou Yu snapped back to reality and instinctively picked up his chopsticks. “I’m eating, I was just about to… Are you okay? Do you feel unwell?”

He noticed Lin Yunshu holding his stomach, his pale fingertips gently pressing his upper abdomen.

“No,” Lin Yunshu said. “I’m just a little too full.”

“You’ve barely eaten anything, and you’re already full?” Zhou Yu frowned.

He set his chopsticks down and got up with purpose, with a “what am I gonna do with you” look as he sat down next to Lin Yunshu.

“Let me rub your stomach for you,” he said, pulling Lin Yunshu close.

Lin Yunshu: “…?”

“It doesn’t really hurt, I just feel a bit bloated,” Lin Yunshu explained.

“If you don’t rub it now, it’ll start hurting later,” Zhou Yu said authoritatively. “The doctor said not to take it lightly.”

“…But what about your breakfast? Don’t you have to go to work?” Lin Yunshu asked.

“Oh right.” Zhou Yu seemed to have just remembered.

Lin Yunshu: “So you—”

“So feed me,” Zhou Yu said, his eyes lighting up as he gently massaged Lin Yunshu’s upper abdomen in circles. “That way, we can take care of both things.”

He thought it was a great idea.

Lin Yunshu: “O.O…”

“I—wait, that’s…” Lin Yunshu’s ears turned red instantly. “This isn’t really appropriate…”

“Why not?” Zhou Yu coaxed in a low voice, his voice persuasive. “Helping each other—isn’t that a good thing?”

Lin Yunshu: “…Are you treating me like a child, or are you acting like a kindergarten teacher?”

His eyes went wide, unable to believe Zhou Yu could speak in that tone without skipping a beat.

Even more shocking—Zhou Yu actually seemed to be seriously considering it!

“Probably the former,” Zhou Yu said definitively.

Lin Yunshu: “…………”

He sighed in resignation, picked up a pan-fried dumpling, and held it to Zhou Yu’s mouth. “Here, eat.”

Zhou Yu looked at him, a warm smile spreading across his face, smile lines creasing at the corners of his eyes.

He ate the dumpling in one bite, murmuring, “It’s delicious.”

Lin Yunshu’s ears turned even redder. Too embarrassed to look at him, he continued feeding him one dumpling after another.

He lost count of how many he’d fed him until Zhou Yu suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“That’s enough,” Zhou Yu said with a strained smile. “Do you think my stomach is like Doraemon’s pocket? It can’t hold everything you give me.”

Lin Yunshu stopped short, only then realizing he’d nearly fed Zhou Yu all three plates of dumplings.

He quickly pulled his hand back, said guiltily, “Why didn’t you stop me earlier?”

“I didn’t want to,” Zhou Yu said. “It’s so hard to get you to feed me.”

Lin Yunshu sighed. “It’s not like I’m that petty…”

He passed Zhou Yu a few tissues.

Zhou Yu took them and wiped his mouth. Even after finishing breakfast, he didn’t let go of Lin Yunshu, still holding onto him.

Lin Yunshu squirmed a little, bracing himself against Zhou Yu’s shoulder and accidentally tugging his shirt collar crooked.

Accidentally, he noticed a red mark on Zhou Yu’s right collarbone—a scratch left by fingernails.

Memories of the previous night came flooding back.

There was a moment when he’d been half-awake, his mind and body felt disconnected as he was being gently lifted.

He’d thought it was a dream.

In that dream, he’d clung to Zhou Yu, sobbing, his fingers clawing as he scratched a long, bloody mark into Zhou Yu’s right collarbone.

Back then, Zhou Yu had also grabbed his wrist like this and whispered something in his ear.

What was it?

Lin Yunshu frowned, closing his eyes as he tried to remember.

“I love you.”

Lin Yunshu’s heart jolted.

Last night, Zhou Yu had whispered those three words into his ear.

That deep voice, thick with desire, had made his skin burn, each word spoken with raw sincerity.

So… had it not been a dream after all?

Lin Yunshu wasn't sure, but his heart started pounding.

He jerked his hand back as if electrocuted, shuddered reflexively as he tried to escape from Zhou Yu's embrace.

Zhou Yu held him tighter.

“Why aren’t you asking anymore?” Zhou Yu looked down at him intently.

Zhou Yu tugged open his collar and placed Lin Yunshu’s hand on his own collarbone.

“Ask me how this got here.”

With his palm pressed against the other’s warm skin, Lin Yunshu’s fingers stiffened and curled inward, as if afraid to touch.

“I…” His breathing grew unsteady. “I might have had a dream last night…”

“It wasn’t a dream.”

Zhou Yu cut off all doubt bluntly.

“Everything was real,” he said, he stared intently at Lin Yunshu. “What I said—I love you—I waited all morning, and you finally remembered.”

That was too blunt.

Lin Yunshu clearly panicked. Trapped in Zhou Yu’s arms, his back stiffened, and his eyelashes fluttered uncontrollably.

“You…” He struggled to steady himself, managed a faint smile. “Stop teasing me.”

“You think I’m teasing you?” Zhou Yu laughed.

“Don’t…”

Lin Yunshu couldn’t process the situation quickly.

He instinctively wanted to escape, but Zhou Yu, anticipating this, held him firmly, not letting him break free.

“Maybe…” Lin Yunshu held his breath and closed his eyes. “Maybe it was because I was drunk last night, or maybe it was influenced by the pheromones.”

He tried to find a reasonable explanation for Zhou Yu: “Anyway, let’s not rush to conclusions. Let’s calm down for a few days and—”

“No.” Zhou Yu said.

He lifted Lin Yunshu’s chin, making him meet his gaze.

“It wasn’t some sudden impulse—I didn't just realize I like you out of nowhere. And it has nothing to do with pheromones.”

“Pheromones are, at most, like a pleasant perfume to me. If it weren’t you, no matter how compatible, it wouldn't matter.”

Lin Yunshu’s eyes were filled with obvious panic, his face slightly pale.

Zhou Yu gently stroked his trembling eyelashes, his expression softening.

“I’m not joking, and it’s not some horny rambling.” He said solemnly, “I’ve long wanted to tell you this. I was selfish to wait until after we were married to confess.”

After speaking, he waited quietly for Lin Yunshu’s reaction.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t nervous.

Even though he had rehearsed this moment countless times in his mind during late nights, filled with fantasy, the actual tension, panic, and surging aching sweetness were still indescribable.

Lin Yunshu remained silent for a long time.

He lowered his gaze, his gaze darting nervously. Several times he opened his mouth to speak but failed to form words.

Zhou Yu waited patiently for him, so long that his arms began to ache from holding him. His work alarm kept ringing, yet he couldn’t bring himself to let go of Lin Yunshu.

Until he was sure he wouldn’t get a response today.

“Forget it,” Zhou Yu released him and let Lin Yunshu go. “If you don’t know what to say, then don’t say anything. I’m not asking for an immediate response.”

He smiled. “Just getting to tell you how I feel makes today a success for me.”

The more understanding and accepting Zhou Yu was, the worse Lin Yunshu felt, berating himself for his indecision—why couldn’t he just say yes or no?

“I’m sorry, I…”

“Why are you apologizing to me?” Zhou Yu smiled and touched between his brows. “Don’t frown. Just know that I’m serious, that’s enough.”

“It has nothing to do with anything else,” he said, watching Lin Yunshu’s expression. “And don’t think it’s because I went to my aunt’s house and saw something—whether it’s pity or sympathy, it’s not that.”

He thought for two seconds and corrected himself, “Sorry, the heartache is real. I can’t help that.”

Even now, he still managed to joke. Lin Yunshu couldn’t help but smile slightly.

The next second, Zhou Yu cupped his face.

“That’s it, just smile like that. So beautiful.” Zhou Yu cherished it endlessly.

Lin Yunshu smiled but then sighed. “Let me think about it, okay?”

“Think about it all you want,” Zhou Yu said generously. “Think for a lifetime, for all I care. We’re already married—a few days or years don't matter.”

Lin Yunshu’s heart ached, and he pursed his lips, lowering his gaze.

“Of course, the decision is still yours,” Zhou Yu said seriously. “I’m not pressuring you. The contract is for two years. If by then you still can’t love me, we’ll fulfill the contract and end the marriage.”

Lin Yunshu looked up abruptly.

Zhou Yu said with a bitter smile.

“Don’t worry. If your pheromones are still unstable by then, I’ll have surgery to extract them for you. You won't need to worry about that.”

Lin Yunshu’s brow furrowed, his heart heavy and unsettled. “Zhou Yu, I…”

“Enough, don’t think about it anymore.” Zhou Yu cut him off.

Lin Yunshu wasn’t doing well—his face had already turned pale—and Zhou Yu couldn’t bear to see him agitated further.

“If you’re not feeling well, go rest for a while. I’ll give you the day off.”

He smiled, back to his usual self, speaking in his boss voice: “Just this once. Come back to work as usual tomorrow.”

With that, he picked up his coat and headed out. Lin Yunshu instinctively watched his back.

Zhou Yu paused at the door. It was already open, but as if remembering something, he hesitated for half a second before turning back.

Lin Yunshu looked up as he approached. “What’s wro—mph!”

Zhou Yu pinched his chin and, like a punishment, bit his mouth hard.

“I’m really leaving now.”

He patted his cheek lingeringly.

Author's Note: Zhou the Alpha: Actually, there’s some strategy here—able to attack when advancing, defend when retreating.