Chapter 13: Why Are You Bullying Me?

Chapter 13 Why Are You Bullying Me?

The meal was quiet and awkward; no one spoke another word.

After dinner, the two sat in the living room to digest. Qin Yan was scrolling through his phone, and upon seeing a message on the screen, broke the silence:

"The pilot's out. That was quick."

Probably to keep up with the upcoming live streams.

Su Zhiyu sat there like a statue, and just nodded with a soft "Mm."

Yeah, it was.

"Wanna watch it?"

"Sure."

"Alright, let's watch."

Qin Yan turned on the projector and watched the show they'd recorded a few days ago—his very first project ever.

The show started with everyone introducing themselves. Most of the contestants were industry people, or at least trainees, but when it was Qin Yan's turn, his intro read: "Civilian Alpha."

The excited comments died down a bit but quickly picked back up.

—'A civilian? This show lets civilians in? I would've signed up if I knew.'

—'Open your eyes, people. With a face like that, he could debut anytime. Way hotter than those no-name guys from earlier.'

—'Brother is so hot, ahh! I'm an Omega, new husband, Yan Yan kiss me! Take me! I'm yours, ahhh!'

—'Sorry, Brother Liang, I've fallen for someone else. The mistake I made is named Qin Yan.'

—'Assistant, one minute, I need everything on this civilian Alpha! Go dig it up now!'

—'Mom gets me. I knew a hotter Alpha was out there waiting for me.'

—'I'm so curious what his pheromones smell like, wahh. I wanna sniff him, make out with him, and bang in the car!'

That one comment was big, bold, and red, drifting right across Qin Yan's face.

Su Zhiyu's breath hitched.

In the car...

Qin Yan's pheromones smelled mainly of rum, with a hint of fruit—really nice.

"Cough..."

A soft cough came from beside him, and Su Zhiyu froze, his face stiffening as every hair on his body stood up again.

Qin Yan couldn't help but snicker, casually handing him a bottle of fruit wine. "Drink up."

"..."

Su Zhiyu glanced at the bottle—peach-flavored fruit wine.

"Take it. Drinking alone's boring. Keep me company. It's super low in alcohol."

Su Zhiyu reluctantly took it. "Fine."

Qin Yan opened another bottle—also peach—seemingly oblivious, and clinked it against Su Zhiyu's. "Cheers."

Then he took a big swig.

Su Zhiyu's ears felt warm, and he quietly took a sip too. The rich peach and wine flavors hit his taste buds, making him a little dizzy and lightheaded.

He took another sip.

The show kept playing, showing each person's recording in order, and Su Zhiyu's segment was a Chinese-style dance.

On camera, Su Zhiyu took off his jacket and walked onto the stage barefoot.

It was just a simple white outfit, but on his slender, light frame, it made him look breathtakingly beautiful. As he danced gracefully, he looked like a celestial being who'd fallen to earth.

Absolutely stunning.

The comments went absolutely wild, flooding the screen and completely covering the young man, forcing Qin Yan to turn them off just to see that pure white figure.

After the performance, Qin Yan felt a strange, hollow sense of loss.

"Su Zhiyu..."

He wanted to ask Su Zhiyu what other dances he knew, but when he turned, the guy was already curled up on the couch, fast asleep.

His cheeks were flushed, his rosy lips slightly pursed, and even his half-exposed collarbone was pink.

Qin Yan leaned in and poked his cheek. "Su Zhiyu?"

"Mm..."

Su Zhiyu mumbled a sleepy response, reached out, grabbed the hand messing with his face, and tucked it against his chest.

"!"

Qin Yan's heart went haywire in that instant, and everything around him faded into background noise.

How could a guy be this adorable?

Omega...

Omegas and Alphas are a match made in heaven. They'll eventually find the pheromone that fits them best, then permanently mark and bond, becoming inseparable lovers.

Qin Yan's Adam's apple bobbed, and amid the peach wine's scent, a faint trace of rum slipped out.

Their pheromones... seemed to fit pretty well.

"Young Master."

The butler suddenly walked in, and Qin Yan snapped his head back, yanking his hand away and sitting up straight.

The butler blinked, confused. "Young Master, why's your face so red? Did you drink too much? Are you drunk?"

Qin Yan held back the urge to punch him and gritted his teeth. "Get out!"

"?"

What's up with the Young Master?

"Get out."

"Alright, alright." The butler still remembered to set down the fruit in his hands. "Young master, don't forget to eat some fruit. I'll head out now."

The butler turned and left, a look of lingering fear on his face that he didn't voice—he had just... seemed to catch the young master trying to sneak a kiss from Mr. Su?

Sure enough, the young master couldn't resist again.

Qin Yan rubbed his forehead in frustration. What the hell was he thinking? His fate was to die at Su Zhiyu's hands as revenge, and here he was, entertaining such thoughts. He really had a death wish.

"So dizzy..."

The young man whimpered uncomfortably, half-drunk and half-awake, patting his own face.

Qin Yan's heart, which had just settled, started racing again.

Damn it.

What a heartbreaker.

Qin Yan bent down, gently pulled his hand away, and smoothly scooped him up in his arms, clicking his tongue: "Terrible tolerance for alcohol. You get drunk off a bit of fruit wine."

After laying him on the bed, he was about to leave, but a hand grabbed his clothes.

Su Zhiyu looked up at him with misty, tear-filled eyes, his turquoise pupils clear and pure, making Qin Yan inexplicably nervous: "Wh-what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

The young man seemed not to hear him, the corners of his mouth drooping as he complained, sounding a bit hurt: "Why do you bully me?"

"Huh?"

Qin Yan was dumbfounded.

Had he bullied this guy today? Not that he could remember.

Su Zhiyu's thick, long lashes fluttered up and down, casting a small shadow that made his captivating eyes even more beautiful and alluring.

Qin Yan barely dared to breathe, afraid of ruining the moment.

He wanted... to snap a photo.

The drunk young man had lost some of his usual aloofness. He gently tugged at Qin Yan's sleeve, his voice soft and meek as he muttered to himself: "You always bully me. Why do you hate me so much?"

Qin Yan went still.

"Don't treat me like this, Qin Yan. I'm sorry, I—please don't treat me like this..."

"Qin Yan, you've seemed nicer lately. You haven't bullied me."

"I miss you so much, Mom and Dad."

"Don't leave me. Don't abandon me, Mom and Dad. Don't leave me by myself..."

The young man rambled on, not even aware of who was beside him.

If he were sober, he'd never say any of this.

Qin Yan swallowed the bitter ache rising in his chest. He leaned down, hesitated for a moment, then gently kissed Su Zhiyu's furrowed brow.

"Don't be afraid. I won't leave you."

Su Zhiyu.

I'll be here for you.

The crisp aroma of wine mingled with the cool fragrance of white peach. Su Zhiyu's tightly knitted brows slowly relaxed, and he hummed softly, curling up once more.

Someone with such long limbs looked a bit comical curled up like that.

Qin Yan gently pressed his hand down, moved his lips a little away, and slowly trailed them to the young man's nose, smiling: "A grown man like you, curled up like a baby."

"Mmm..."

Su Zhiyu's movement was blocked by a leg, and he frowned uncomfortably again, trying to curl away.