Chapter 128

Chapter 128

When Meng Shijiu regained consciousness, the first thing he felt was a lingering, prickling pain on his arm.

The wound had already healed, but remnants of the drug still lingered in his bloodstream, making his thoughts sluggish and heavy. He maintained an even breathing pattern, not opening his eyes immediately.

The black cloth over his eyes seemed to have been removed.

The air carried a faint scent of disinfectant. Beneath him was a hard, cold metallic surface.

In the distance was the tell-tale hum of electronic equipment running, steady and rhythmic. Closer, the sound of shoes on a smooth floor approached, unhurried.

The person walking towards him stopped very close. Meng Shijiu could even feel a faint breath brush against his cheek.

Soon, he felt a hand wearing a thin glove gently come to rest on his forehead. The movement was almost tender. Fingertips traced slowly along his brow bone, then slid down the line of his cheek to his jaw.

The touch was cold and slippery, like the belly scales of a cold-blooded creature grazing his skin.

"You're awake. Why aren't your eyes open?" Qian Zhangli whispered intimately by his ear.

Meng Shijiu remained silent, dropping the pretense, and slowly opened his eyes.

An uncomfortable gaze was fixed upon him.

Qian Zhangli's eyes, mere inches away, showed a glint of pleasure as the silver-haired Alpha opened his.

Meng Shijiu averted his gaze impassively, taking in his surroundings.

He was propped up on an operating table, restrained at the arms and waist. The room had no other people. This room still had no windows. A large light shone directly on his face, searingly bright. He blinked, uncomfortable from the glare.

Qian Zhangli paid no mind to being ignored. His eyes fixed on Meng Shijiu's face, he suddenly said, "He's quite taken with you."

Qian Zhangli had already checked once. Besides the knockout drug from the room, there was nothing else in Meng Shijiu's system.

It was obvious; it must have been Qian Chunyan's doing.

Meng Shijiu didn't respond, nor did he look at him.

Qian Zhangli reached out and pinched his chin, gently but firmly, turning his face back toward him.

The silver-haired Alpha's cold, pale skin under the light looked as if covered in a thin frost, yet felt pitifully warm to the touch, making his features seem even more striking.

Those cool jade-green irises contracted from the light stimulation, a look that was actually somewhat fragile and poignant. Yet their owner regarded him with utter impassivity.

This expression, falling into Qian Zhangli's eyes, instead stirred a perverse interest that went beyond control. It made him want to personally toy with him, to see the silver-haired Alpha beg for mercy in tears.

The Beta's thumb ghosted over the edge of his lower lip, his gaze as if appraising a collectible. "Originally, you didn't need to be awake."

"But I really wanted to see your eyes with my own."

His voice was low and slow, setting off faint echoes in the empty room. "So beautiful..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Meng Shijiu, without a second thought, closed his eyes.

Qian Zhangli: "..."

He gave a soft chuckle, unperturbed. "But before I begin, there's a little prelude."

"It'll be quick... don't be afraid."

Qian Zhangli's thumb still rested on the edge of his lower lip, while his other hand discreetly pressed a hidden touch key on the control panel.

Two extremely thin electrodes silently slid out from the sides of the table. The moment they touched the skin at his temples, Meng Shijiu's body jerked taut.

An icy, razor-sharp agony exploded in the deepest part of his nerves. Cold sweat instantly drenched the silver hair at his forehead, strands clinging to his pallid skin.

The silver-haired Alpha's entire body began to tremble. His wrist, hanging off the table, dragged a long mark, his fingers curling and twitching in the air.

His pupils glazed over for an instant before refocusing. Tears of pure physiological reaction welled up in his eyes, and the corners rapidly reddened.

Qian Zhangli watched his silent tremors appreciatively. Only when the silver-haired Alpha's breathing became ragged and pained did he reluctantly turn off the shock.

He raised his hand, touched those tear-drenched eyes, thumbed the still-trembling corner of Meng Shijiu's eye, and repeated in a low voice, "So beautiful..."

Suddenly, the silver-haired Alpha, still trembling and only able to half-open his eyes, turned his face and spoke, his voice so faint it was almost inaudible. "...You guessed I would come."

Qian Zhangli fell silent for a moment.

He felt as if he had been led by the nose. Meng Shijiu had remained silent until now, so the moment he spoke, Qian Zhangli's entire being was pulled taut by this sentence.

"So clever. I'm almost reluctant now," Qian Zhangli sighed. "Unfortunately, I've already promised Paul."

He paused briefly, his smile fading. The gaze he fixed on Meng Shijiu made the silver-haired Alpha frown uncomfortably.

The air grew so quiet it was almost suffocating, like a damp, cold thick cloth wrapping tightly around them.

Suddenly.

"...But it's not like I can't go back on my word," Qian Zhangli said softly. "Giving you to him would be a waste of a treasure."

His fingertip hooked the corner of Meng Shijiu's mouth, lifting it slowly, dark undercurrents swirling in his eyes. "How about it... staying with me is much better than being one of Paul's dogs."

So he really was connected to Paul. Paul had been under tight surveillance by Shen Huaixu and Lucas since the competition, every move watched. Who would have thought he'd finally connect with Qian Zhangli? And Qian Zhangli had been quiet for two weeks, only finding the chance to act today.

Meng Shijiu's vision was still struggling to focus. His fingers ached. He slowly turned onto his side, curling his whole body up, like a weak little animal seeking a comfortable place to rest.

He didn't look at Qian Zhangli. Parting his lips again, his voice somewhat ethereal, he softly repeated, "...You want to give me to him?"

As he spoke, his eyes lightly swept towards Qian Zhangli.

Qian Zhangli stared at him darkly. "...No."

The word escaped his lips almost without thought.

The moment it was spoken, he fell silent again.

But soon, he regained his composure, like someone bewitched who had a moment of clarity but immediately convinced himself again.

He had changed his mind.

Meng Shijiu was his.

Meng Shijiu didn't pay much attention to his decision. He was trying to struggle against the restraint on his wrist. The rough force ground his wrist until it bled.

But it was useless.

Because he was using too much force, his vision began to darken intermittently.

The silver-haired Alpha unconsciously mumbled something under his breath, paused, then struggled again. Qian Zhangli didn't catch what he said.

Qian Zhangli inclined his ear. "Hmm?"

But Meng Shijiu refused to speak.

Qian Zhangli abruptly leaned in, his fingers suddenly clamping down on the other's jaw, forcing that pale face to turn toward him. Yet his tone remained deliberately gentle. "What did you say just now? Say it again."

Meng Shijiu gazed at him blankly, then lowered his eyes to the restraints on his wrists. After a long pause, he said, "...It hurts."

Qian Zhangli's gaze fell upon those bloody marks, his eyes darkening slightly.

He stared at Meng Shijiu, his eyes narrowing slowly.

The beta's thumb stroked over the messy red marks he had left on the other's chin, his voice carrying a dangerous sweetness. "Sweetheart, I'm afraid not. I can't untie you."

He released his grip, his tone suddenly taking on a warning edge. "Don't try to tempt me."

Meng Shijiu didn't answer, instead curling up again, trying to press his cheek against the back of his hand.

He struggled for a while, and Qian Zhangli simply watched from the side, like observing prey whose tail has been pinned down, struggling in vain.

Finally settling into position, Meng Shijiu stopped moving. He just parted his lips, breathing in small, shallow gasps.

He was drenched in sweat, exhausted, his eyes half-closed as if he no longer had the strength to care about his surroundings, including Qian Zhangli.

"Alright," Qian Zhangli finally spoke.

He reached out, his movements unusually hesitant.

"Just this once."

The restraints on his hands were undone.

The next second, Qian Zhangli leaned forward onto the operating table. He extended his arms, gathering the limp, sweat-drenched silver-haired Alpha into his embrace.

He enveloped Meng Shijiu entirely within the circle of his arms and chest, his chin resting against the damp silver hair, his arms encircling the trembling shoulders and back of the person in his arms, tightening.

"Speaking of which, with Qian Chunyan around," Qian Zhangli's fingertips began tracing along Meng Shijiu's finger bones, stroking upward inch by inch, "Xue Li would have a hard time searching you too."

Meng Shijiu closed his eyes, his voice still weak. "Then why... did you still let him come?"

Qian Zhangli's hand moved to his wrist, laughing softly at the question. "Don't you find it interesting... All these years, though he's hated me to the bone... Your waist is so soft... he's never dared to truly resist, turning a blind eye to everything I've done like a blind man... But after meeting you, look, he immediately became restless..."

His hand slid from the silver-haired Alpha's elbow to his arm. Seeming to touch something, he let out a soft "Eh?" But before he could press down to investigate, he heard the silver-haired Alpha speak—

Meng Shijiu had opened his eyes at some point, looking at him quietly. "Paul told you to capture me, yet you brought me here. Aren't you afraid of being exposed?"

Qian Zhangli's movements halted.

Meng Shijiu also gave a faint smile.

He didn't need to probe further; Qian Zhangli's reaction was enough to explain everything.

But before either of them could act, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open.

Meng Shijiu couldn't see who it was, but Qian Zhangli remained calm, still holding him as if cradling an infant, only slightly turning his upper body.

The aftereffects of the electric shock were far more severe than the time with See. It wasn't until the newcomer walked up to the operating table that Meng Shijiu, through his trembling, blurred vision, could finally make out who it was.

It was Zong Geman.

Zong Geman seemed to completely ignore the bizarrely intimate scene before him. He walked directly to Qian Zhangli's side and whispered in a volume only the two of them could hear, "We're surrounded outside."

Hearing this, Qian Zhangli showed no surprise. He didn't even move to shield Meng Shijiu in his arms, merely stating calmly, "Prepare to evacuate."

Meng Shijiu's heart stirred, realizing that people had likely arrived outside—though he didn't know if it was his brother or Lucas.

But he had no mind to dwell on that now. His gaze fixed on the suddenly appearing Zong Geman.

He had been wondering... why no issues could be found with Zong Geman, why Zong Geman, as an experimental subject, was so obedient to Qian Zhangli... and those strange behaviors... the cafeteria... the inhibitor...

Just as Zong Geman was about to leave the room, suddenly, Meng Shijiu spoke softly, "He's an android."

Zong Geman's steps faltered, stopping by the door, and he turned around.

But at that moment, Qian Zhangli abruptly tightened his arms.

The force made Meng Shijiu's neck snap backward violently, a short, pained gasp forced from his throat. Yet Qian Zhangli didn't relent in the slightest, his eyes blazing with a terrifying, scorching obsession.

Meng Shijiu's vision darkened in waves, nearly causing him to faint.

Qian Zhangli's trembling fingertips stroked his sweat-dampened eyelids, his voice carrying a sigh of deep satisfaction, his hot breath spraying against Meng Shijiu's ear:

"So clever..."

The violent struggle in his arms went ignored by him. He was like an immovable boulder, pinning down a wounded butterfly.

Zong Geman lowered his eyes, preparing to leave.

Just as he turned, a voice so faint it seemed it might shatter at any moment, yet clear enough to make one's heart palpitate, sounded behind him.

"...What's the hurry."

Zong Geman turned back to see the disheveled silver-haired Alpha still firmly held by Qian Zhangli. Yet his trembling hand had already reached for the long hair at the nape of his neck.

Meng Shijiu: "Since you're here, you might as well stay."

*Thud.*

Something he had retrieved from behind his hair fell onto the operating table, rolled to the floor, and lit up.

A faint, deep blue glow, pulsing like a breath.

Zong Geman froze—

It was a mecha key.

Meng Shijiu tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Next time you search someone—remember to check their hair first."

Qian Zhangli hadn't expected this, a trace of rare astonishment flashing across his face, but it was quickly replaced by even stronger interest. "Just a single mecha—"

Meng Shijiu softly interrupted him. "Didn't Paul tell you..."

At the same time, as he spoke, a massive shadow tore through the space above. A gigantic mecha descended with a roar before the operating table, one foot crushing the restraint around Meng Shijiu's waist.

The entire operating table instantly collapsed.

It wasn't Silver Cocoon. It was Tide King.

By the time Qian Zhangli dodged and looked up again, he saw Tide King catching Meng Shijiu steadily and placing him into the cockpit.

Beneath the disheveled silver hair, the expression on that pale face remained cold and detached.

Meng Shijiu continued, "I am currently the temporary holder of Tide King."

Did you really think Shen Huaixu would let him walk alone, knowing full well that Paul was plotting something?