Chapter 26 Temper

Chapter 26: Temper

"I don't want to eat anymore..." Qiao Zhimian sat on Lian Yi's lap, turning his head away from the spoon, his clear, almond-shaped eyes glistening with unshed tears.

His cheeks were slightly puffed, the food still in his mouth, his lips barely moving in a weak chew.

"Let's eat a little slower, okay?" Lian Yi pressed a feather-light kiss to his smooth forehead, coaxing him gently. "Just finish this small bowl. Otherwise, you won't have the energy for your leg-raising practice this afternoon, right?"

He hadn't eaten much yesterday, and today he'd skipped breakfast entirely.

The little weight he'd managed to gain had all melted away again during this period of leg pain.

Feeling unwell, the omega had no patience left; the slightest frustration made him want to cry.

"I don't want to eat, I said no."

Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes again. He sniffled, straightened his back, his slender chest pressed tightly against the man's firm one. He wrapped his arms around Lian Yi's neck, leaning against his shoulder in a petulant display.

Lian Yi raised a hand to embrace him, his broad palm soothingly stroking Qiao Zhimian's lean back. His handsome brows furrowed with worry, utterly helpless.

"Alright, alright, no more eating." He sighed inwardly, set down the bowl, and stood up, holding the person in his arms. "Does it hurt again?"

Only then did Qiao Zhimian feel a bit better. Even if the pain wasn't severe, he pouted and nodded petulantly.

His main problem was his mood—lately, when he tried to practice lifting his legs, he just couldn't do it.

After finally gaining a bit of hope and progress, he was stuck again.

Lian Yi carefully soothed his emotions, his gaze falling with concern on the gland at the back of the omega's neck.

The fragile, tender gland bore several bite marks, both old and new.

He had given the omega a supplemental mark just that morning.

Recently, he had been biting more frequently.

Only by continuously providing him with pheromones could he slightly alleviate the pain and discomfort.

The mouthful of food Qiao Zhimian had been holding ultimately wasn't swallowed; he spat it all into the trash can.

After the meal, he took a nap and around three in the afternoon began practicing movement and leg lifts.

On the mat in the gym.

Qiao Zhimian wore knee braces, with rehabilitation straps gently assisting his calves.

Lian Yi knelt on one knee in front of him, his fingertips gently pressing on his thigh. "Apply force slowly, no need to lift too high; just feel the muscles tighten."

Qiao Zhimian pursed his lips and nodded, his delicate brows furrowed as he took a deep breath, his gaze fixed intently on his own legs.

He tried to summon strength, tensing the muscles on the inside of his thighs.

His pale, slender legs moved slowly, and after a while, they began to lift with effort.

A sudden, sharp pulling sensation behind his knees triggered memories of the car accident.

The intense impact and the deformed car door flashed through his mind.

His whole body trembled violently, and the leg that had been slightly raised shook uncontrollably before dropping heavily back onto the mat with a dull thud.

"Hiss..." Qiao Zhimian gasped sharply, the pain instantly reddening his eyes.

This was already the fifth failure today. From the start until now, he had long lost count of how many times it had happened.

All the pent-up negative emotions surged out at once.

"I'm not practicing anymore! Don't touch me!" He slapped away the alpha's hand, which had moved to protect his leg again, his voice trembling with tears as he ripped off the rehabilitation strap and threw it on the ground. "It's just not working! It's never going to get better!"

The omega threw a small tantrum, then immediately felt he had gone too far and began to regret it, turning his head away, not daring to look at the alpha, his eyes reddening silently with sorrow.

There was not a trace of anger in Lian Yi's eyes. Watching the boy's slightly trembling shoulders, he only felt heartache for his discouragement and frustration.

He leaned down and picked the boy up from the mat. "Alright, then we won't practice." His fingers wiped away the dampness at the corners of the omega's eyes. "It's okay to let it out when you're upset."

Qiao Zhimian's troubled thoughts were tangled in a messy knot as he looked at the alpha with tearful eyes.

"...I'm sorry," he suddenly muttered apologetically. "I shouldn't have taken my negative emotions out on you."

Lian Yi's heart melted into a puddle. He tightened his embrace. "No need to apologize, baby. I'd rather you hit me or yelled at me. If you keep holding it in, I’ll feel especially, especially heartbroken."

Qiao Zhimian was stunned for a moment, gazing deeply into the man's eyes, filled with tenderness and infinite care.

So beautiful and intense, it made him feel safe and secure.

For a moment, he felt as if he were being drawn into that overwhelming emotion, losing his head.

He abruptly stopped himself, regained his rationality, and tried to pull away and clear his mind.

Qiao Zhimian lowered his eyes, shook his head, and murmured, "This isn't fair to you. You have no obligation to bear all this."

He wasn't sure if he was referring to the time and effort Lian Yi spent patiently accompanying him through rehab, or something else entirely.

Lian Yi didn't catch the omega's hidden meaning. Carrying him toward the bedroom, he continued to soothe his emotions. "We're in no hurry, Mian Mian. I told you from the start that we can take it slow. Rehabilitation isn't easy to begin with, and the doctor said you're already progressing much faster than he expected."

The alpha's pheromones were released softly, enveloping him like warm water.

Lian Yi placed him on the bed, took a thin blanket nearby, and covered his abdomen, then stood up to fetch something.

"Where are you going?" Seeing the alpha about to leave, the omega instinctively grabbed his fingers.

Lian Yi turned back, his eyes filled with adoration as he ruffled the boy's hair, coaxing him gently. "Stay sitting here, don't move. I'm going to get the pain relief ointment for you."

A moment later, the omega hugged a pillow, resting his chin listlessly on it.

Lian Yi held a warm towel, knelt by the bed, and gently wiped his skin.

Then, with utmost care, he used his fingers to spread the ointment evenly, his touch incredibly soft.

"Does that feel better?" He looked up at the omega while applying the dressing.

This routine was necessary after every practice or rehab session; otherwise, his legs would hurt badly later.

The soreness in his legs faded, warmth spreading through his muscles, and even the knot in his heart loosened considerably, leaving him feeling relaxed all over.

Qiao Zhimian looked at the alpha with watery, dependent eyes, pursed his lips, and nodded.

Once finished, he stretched out his arms, wanting to be held, just wanting to be glued to him.

.

The sun was setting, casting an orange-red glow as dusk quietly arrived.

Lian Yi returned from court, parked the car neatly, and quickly stepped out, heading indoors.

He paused at the entrance to change his shoes, slipping off his suit jacket and hanging it on the nearby coat rack.

"Where's Mr. Qiao?" the man asked, loosening his tie and rolling up his sleeves to reveal his well-defined forearms, as he addressed the housekeeper cleaning the counter.

At this hour, Qiao Zhimian would usually be curled up on the living room sofa, reading or sketching designs.

But today, he was nowhere to be seen.

"Sir should be sunbathing on the rooftop patio," the auntie replied after a moment's thought.

Lian Yi frowned. The sun had already set—why was he still up there? If he’d fallen asleep, he’d definitely catch a cold.

He strode swiftly upstairs, skipping the elevator and taking the steps two at a time.

As he reached the terrace door, he saw the omega curled up on the lounger, sleeping soundly.

Lian Yi let out a soft sigh and approached, catching an abnormally intense fragrance of white roses.

"Mian Mian?" He knelt beside him. "Wake up, Mian Mian."

Qiao Zhimian opened his eyes drowsily. His fair face was flushed with an unusual redness, his breath hot, and an unfamiliar tingling sensation spread through his lower abdomen.

"Why did it take you so long to get back...?" he murmured, lips pursed in a slight pout.

Lian Yi met his dazed gaze and immediately recognized the problem.

"You silly thing," he said, his tone affectionately exasperated. "Did you not realize your heat was starting?"

"Huh...?" The omega reacted slowly, licking his moist, red lips as he tried to sit up, looking cutely bewildered. "I thought... I was just overheated from the sun."

They were outdoors, in the open air, and his scent had dispersed unnoticed—he hadn’t felt a thing.

Lian Yi’s eyes softened with affection. He wrapped an arm around Qiao Zhimian’s waist and scooped him up. "Don’t blame yourself. I thought we had a few more days too—it must have come early."

Perhaps the recent physical and mental exhaustion had disrupted his cycle.

"Mmm..." Qiao Zhimian instinctively rubbed against the alpha’s chest, his head fuzzy as he breathed in the comforting scent.

A breeze swept by, cooling the dampness on his pants and awakening the emptiness and fever within him.

"Kiss me... I don’t feel good," he pleaded, his voice nasal and craving.

Lian Yi cupped the nuzzling head against his neck and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "I’ll get you some inhibitors. You’ll feel better soon."

The omega pouted, unsatisfied. Sitting up in the man’s arms, he lazily grabbed Lian Yi’s tie and brought his soft lips up for another kiss.

He kissed, licked, and sucked in earnest.

Lian Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he stilled, holding the restless boy firmly, allowing the playful antics.

After a moment, Qiao Zhimian pulled back slightly and looked over the alpha’s outfit.

His clear eyes, clouded with desire, shimmered with a captivating allure.

For some reason, he found Lian Yi especially handsome today.

It had been a while since he’d seen him in such a crisp, professional suit.

His hair was impeccably styled.

Fresh from dominating in court, he’d rushed home, still wearing his rimless glasses.

Qiao Zhimian released one hand from the tie and traced the man’s defined features with feather-light, provocative touches.

Each brush of his fingers carried a hint of provocation.

Finally, his soft fingertip rested on Lian Yi’s well-shaped lips, and an innocent, enticing dimple appeared as he smiled.

Lian Yi’s breath grew heavier. After a moment’s resistance, he grasped the mischievous hand firmly.

Then he captured those sweet, moist lips in a deep kiss.

“Mmph…” Qiao Zhimian gasped softly, caught off guard.

The alpha expertly parted his lips, his tongue delving inside to entwine with the omega’s in a deep entanglement.

Lian Yi drank deeply from his mouth, fully immersed, his glasses tilting unnoticed.

Qiao Zhimian’s eyes fluttered shut in pleasure, a light shiver running through him.

His slender body arched against the man’s, hips grinding weakly.

His hands pressed feebly against Lian Yi’s chest, then slid down over firm muscles, past his abdomen, coming to rest at his belt—trying to unbuckle it.

Realizing what was happening, Lian Yi’s dark eyes snapped open. He caught the omega’s restless hands, holding him steady with one arm.

Breaking the kiss, he showered desperate, scattered kisses along Qiao Zhimian’s lips and jaw, pleading gently, “Baby, not this—your leg still hurts. We can’t be reckless.”

But the omega, lost in the throes of heat, wasn’t listening. He whimpered in protest.

“I want…” He leaned in for another kiss. “It doesn’t hurt anymore,” he insisted, guiding Lian Yi’s hand to his flat lower abdomen. His eyes, blurred with longing, pleaded. “Come inside me… I need you inside…”

Lian Yi’s gaze darkened with desire, his Adam’s apple bobbing repeatedly. The boy's seductiveness was driving him wild.

Before he could resolve his internal struggle, Qiao Zhimian began rubbing against his hand, pleasuring himself with restless urgency.

“Behave, baby,” Lian Yi gritted out, withdrawing his now-moist fingers. He clutched the omega tighter and sighed deeply.

Overwhelmed by heat, Qiao Zhimian slumped against the alpha’s shoulder, consciousness blurred and drifting.

“Baby…?” he murmured back vaguely, shaking his head in confusion. “There’s no baby yet… You need to be inside me...for us to have a baby…” He kissed Lian Yi’s lips again, mumbling earnestly, “We don’t have a baby…”

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Author's note: Mian Mian, if you keep this up, you'll turn into a creamy molten custard puff! [Sparkling eyes]