Chapter 63: Magic

The experience, which seemed to carry the weight of another person's life, unfolded with a light, transparent grace:

They had only known each other for one summer, yet they were each other's most special friend. That first stir of heart in their youth brought a naive and pure affection, one that healed everything before they even realized it.

It was like a perfectly idealized fairy tale.

At first, Shi Qi could not believe it; she even doubted herself: Could she really change someone else and help them walk out of the shadows?

Given Shang Sui's personality, he might just be trying to comfort her.

Seeing the complex expression on Shi Qi's face, Shang Sui started to say something else—

'Xiao Qi?'

Shi An entered the room and, seeing Shi Qi's familiar yet somehow strange back, raised his voice in surprise.

Seen from behind, the fluffy white-gold head was definitely their child, but...

Shi An's gaze swept over the gaudy blouse Shi Qi wore, then down to the rose-gold decorative chain hanging at her waist.

Such complex colors on Shi Qi were more shocking to Shi An than the mark itself; it was as if someone else's name had been written all over her from head to toe.

He asked subconsciously, 'Why are you dressed like this?'

Shi Qi heard the commotion and turned back: 'Doesn't it look good?'

'It looks good! But...'

He and Jiang Yoning had tried every way to make Shi Qi wear colors, but Shi Qi had grown annoyed with it and eventually stopped paying them any mind.

Shi An's thoughts churned, and he almost wanted to roar: You treat your father and sister's words like a breeze in your ears, so why are you willing to listen to your boyfriend's?

Jiang Li didn't notice the subtlety at all, only saying happily, 'Xiao Qi looks so bright today, dressed very beautifully.'

He looked at Shang Sui and realized with a start, 'Xiao Shang is the same; the two of you are wearing a couple's outfit, aren't you?'

Shi Qi replied faintly, 'Shang Sui picked the clothes.'

Inexplicably, Shi An read a hint of showing off in her tone.

The clothes on Shi Qi were full of cutouts and exposed half of her shoulder; anyone with a brain knew that dressing like this would inevitably reveal the hickey.

Shi An glanced at the deep mark on the back of Shi Qi's neck and finally resigned himself: 'You two are truly sweet.'

Shi Qi feigned modesty: 'It's alright, I suppose.'

Shi An: '...'

Seeing that she was in a better mood, Shang Sui smiled and rubbed her head.

Shi Qi looked at him again, her eyes flickering slightly:

'The medicine Shen Qianyu gave me, I finished it a long time ago.'

'Hm?' Shang Sui hadn't expected Shi Qi to bring this up suddenly.

'I've already remembered most things. The story you told me, I'll remember it soon, too. So, when that time comes...'

Shi Qi's fingers unconsciously grabbed his hem, giving it a light tug: 'Tell me everything about you.'

It felt as if a cat's paw had scratched his heart, and Shang Sui's expression softened involuntarily.

He hooked his arm around Shi Qi's shoulder, his fingers brushing the Omega's marked nape. Shi Qi stiffened for a moment, then quickly relaxed under his hand.

While Shi An and the others weren't looking, Shang Sui quickly pecked Shi Qi's cheek: 'Of course, baby.'

-

Considering that since arriving in Qi Jiang, Shi Qi's time had been occupied mostly by him, leaving little chance for her to spend time with her family, Shang Sui took the initiative to say goodbye to the others after dinner and returned alone to the rented villa.

Strictly speaking, he and Shi Qi were only separated by a wall.

Relying on the mark, he could roughly determine the direction of his own Pheromone, knowing that Shi Qi was bathing and resting in the house next door. He felt a strange sense of peace.

Before going to sleep, Shang Sui sent a message:

Ss: [Remember to apply your medicine.]

The reply came quickly.

17: [1.]

Seeing Shi Qi's cool reply, Shang Sui couldn't help but smile.

They had been too rough earlier, and Shi Qi was still a bit swollen.

Thinking of Shi Qi, covered in his scent, carefully applying medicine to herself in bed—perhaps sitting on a soft pillow, or kneeling...

His breathing hitched.

Thinking further made him feel like a pervert, so Shang Sui stopped himself in time.

He scrolled through his phone idly and suddenly remembered a package he had sent to Shi Qi's current address a few days ago. They had been too busy rolling in the sheets to sign for it, and he had almost forgotten.

Shang Sui checked; the logistics showed it had been signed for by a family member.

Jiang Yoning would likely give it to Shi Qi, so Shang Sui set his mind at ease and prepared to sleep.

17: [Forgot to say earlier.]

17: [Goodnight, sweet dreams.]

Shang Sui sent a voice message to Shi Qi: 'Have sweet dreams, Xiao Qi.'

He closed his eyes after speaking.

He didn't know how much time passed, but his consciousness gradually blurred, his body feeling as if it were falling from a great height, then suddenly becoming weightless.

Light like thin mist and smoke drifted before his eyes, guiding him like a dream.

The surroundings became clearer, and Shang Sui blinked, finally seeing that the misty light came from a uniquely shaped glass and brass lamp on the nightstand.

Beside the lamp, a black-haired, gray-eyed boy sat with his arms around his knees, wearing oversized pajamas that didn't fit. Compared to now, his delicate features were even more youthful.

The fourteen or fifteen-year-old Shi Qi sat facing him on the bed, perhaps feeling the atmosphere was perfect for a heart-to-heart, and asked a question she had been curious about for a long time: 'Why do you hate Thunderstorm Day?'

Shi Qi hadn't officially undergone Differentiation yet and had little gender awareness, but she could smell the pheromones and was involuntarily drawn to him.

She not only liked physical contact with him, but sometimes even took the initiative to lean in, thinking she was being subtle as she approached the back of his neck.

Seeing Shang Sui remain silent, Shi Qi simply stretched out her foot and gave him a playful, urging kick.

Her movement was light; the moment their skin touched, it felt as if she had been brushed by a fluffy, soft tail.

Shang Sui heard himself say: 'On Thunderstorm Day, he follows me.'

'He?' Shi Qi asked, puzzled. 'Who is he?'

'Let me tell you a story.'

Shi Qi was interested: 'A fairy tale?'

'No, it's not a very good story.' Shang Sui added hesitantly, 'It might be a bit scary for a bedtime story. Do you want to hear it?'

Shi Qi was silent for three seconds; curiosity eventually overcame her fear.

She moved a little closer to Shang Sui without a word: 'Go ahead, I'm not afraid.'

Except for his therapist, this was the first time Shang Sui had voluntarily brought up that past to someone else.

After a long silence, he tried to speak: 'When I was fifteen, a new butler came to the house, responsible for taking care of my daily life.'

'His name was Zeng Yu, a Beta who was skilled at cooking and tending to the garden, keeping everything in perfect order.'

'He could leave a good impression on anyone; he radiated a strange sense of affinity that made it easy to gain people's trust.'

Shang Sui paused for a moment, his eyes gradually showing disgust: 'I don't know why, but the first time I saw him, I had an instinctive resistance.'

He had mentioned to Yu Wan that he didn't like Zeng Yu.

But he couldn't explain the specific reason, and since Yu Wan and Shang Yao were busy with work during that time and often away from home, worried he couldn't take care of himself, Yu Wan told him to try and get along with the other person first and they would replace him after a while.

This decision was one Yu Wan would regret for the rest of her life. But he understood it wasn't Yu Wan's fault.

Zeng Yu had come to their door specifically for him from the start; the other man had made inquiries to find out about him, guessing that he was in a Special Sensitivity Period.

Yu Wan's friend had praised Zeng Yu highly and introduced him; now that he thought about it, that person had probably also been subjected to Mind Manipulation by Zeng Yu.

'Until one day, I found a trapped mother and son in my basement,' Shang Sui said. 'That was the day I realized he was actually an Alpha, deliberately disguising his gender to appear harmless.'

This eerie story made Shi Qi's back go cold, and she asked instinctively: 'And then?'

'He made me...'

Shang Sui looked into Shi Qi's clear eyes, worried that what followed would be too bloody for her.

Whenever things like this happened, Shi Qi was always very perceptive.

She wedged her legs between Shang Sui's, the two of them overlapping. The warm yellow light acted like a small barrier, and they huddled together for warmth.

Shi Qi grabbed his hand: 'Tell me.'

Shang Sui couldn't help but clasp Shi Qi's hand back:

'He gave me a choice: cut off one of their fingers. For ten fingers, the mother and son could live ten more days. If I didn't do it, he would kill them directly.'

Even with mental preparation, Shi Qi was horrified for a second: 'Is he crazy!'

At first, Shang Sui noticed something was wrong and wanted to call the police, but Zeng Yu discovered his movements first. He was dragged into the dark, damp basement and kicked against the wall by Zeng Yu.

The adult Alpha had terrifying strength, and he was a serial killer, to boot. Shang Sui felt a sweetness in his throat and realized he had vomited blood; his bones felt as if they were dislocated.

He had loved painting since he was a child, and Yu Wan had told him to protect his hands.

But when Zeng Yu forced him to choose, Shang Sui broke down: 'Don't touch them, cut off my hands instead!'

Zeng Yu ignored him, turning instead to let Shen Qianyu choose, who forced down his fear: 'Then cut off mine.'

Hearing Shen Qianyu's answer, Zeng Yu sneered.

He looked back at Shang Sui: 'Your aptitude is excellent, one in ten thousand even among those in a Special Sensitivity Period. Once you try it, you will never forget the taste.'

Zeng Yu coaxed him: 'You will find everything becomes incredibly easy. The moment skin tears is like slicing through cream, the sound of bones breaking is pleasant, and there is the pleasure of dominating another's life and death. All of this is addictive.'

No matter what he said, Shang Sui kept shaking his head in refusal.

Zeng Yu finally grew impatient and grabbed the dagger nearby.

Seeing Zeng Yu approach, Shen Qianyu's face turned pale: 'Hey! Just do it! It's just a finger!! Just think of it as doing me a favor!!'

'Didn't I tell you?' Zeng Yu laughed upon seeing this. 'They will be grateful to you.'

'I won't blame you, just do it!!'

'...No, no, I can't do it!' Shang Sui knelt on the ground, trembling all over. 'Cut off my hands, cut off all my fingers! Let them go, please! Please!!'

Shen Qianyu's mother woke up at this moment, caught a glimpse of the cold light flickering in Zeng Yu's hand, and let out a scream.

Shang Sui raised his voice to stop him: 'Fine, I'll do it! Don't kill anyone!'

Zeng Yu sighed: 'Too late.'

As he spoke, he raised the dagger high.

The woman's desperate pleas, the boy's terrified screams—everything compressed to the limit and exploded before Shang Sui's eyes.

A power buried deep in his brain emitted a dull hum, and in the next instant, it broke through the valve and opened suddenly.

Shang Sui's head throbbed with pain, his pheromones surged uncontrollably, and he shouted regardless: 'Stop... stop!!'

Just a centimeter away, the knife tip would have pierced Shen Qianyu's heart, but Zeng Yu stopped moving without warning.

An invisible force like hundreds of steel nails, each one jammed into his joints, pinned Zeng Yu to the spot, unable to move a fraction.

Shang Sui had been injured earlier; when he hit the wall, he scraped against a sharp metal rack, his arms and back covered in wounds, his body drenched in blood.

As if he couldn't feel the pain, he stared at the immobile Zeng Yu and slowly stood up from the ground.

Once he realized the power buried within him, he instinctively knew how to control it.

Shang Sui gave a second command: 'Drop the knife.'

Zeng Yu opened his hands uncontrollably, and the dagger fell to the ground with a harsh clang.

'So you could do it too...'

After a brief shock, joy appeared in Zeng Yu's eyes: 'I was right, I always felt you were more outstanding than the others. So you really are like me! Those in a Special Sensitivity Period are all incomplete trash; only you and I can be considered superior!!'

Seeing him ecstatic, the boy who had just been kneeling and begging him seemed like a different person, repeating slowly: 'Superior?'

'That's right!! In this world, only we—'

'Shut your mouth, you piece of trash.'

The fanatical shouting stopped abruptly at the cold command. Blood spilled from the corner of Shang Sui's mouth. He couldn't fully adapt to the newborn power yet, and his temples were throbbing.

He tried his best to control Zeng Yu, barely supporting his body, and used his last bit of strength to help Shen Qianyu cut the ropes.

When he turned his back to Zeng Yu, the power of the restraint weakened. Before Shen Qianyu could warn him to be careful, Shang Sui muttered without looking back: '...You still dare to move?'

Zeng Yu curled up like a crushed stalk of straw, letting out a wail—

At the same time, blinding lights smashed through the basement entrance from outside! Accompanied by the continuous wail of sirens, the police surrounded the entire house.

Everything that happened afterward was a blur. After confirming safety, Shang Sui exhausted his strength, barely able to stand, remembering only the roar of the thunderstorm and the snow-white lightning that tore through the sky.

He was covered in blood; his parents rushed over, Yu Wan crying as she hugged him, while Shang Yao anxiously contacted a doctor while asking the police about the situation.

In the chaos, Zeng Yu suddenly knelt before him.

'You defeated me.'

In the incredulous gaze of everyone, Zeng Yu stared straight at Shang Sui: 'You should have been my child, just crawled out of someone else's belly.'

Yu Wan screamed and cursed, wishing she could tear Zeng Yu to pieces; it was the first time he had seen her so uncomposed.

Even though she covered his ears immediately, Shang Sui still heard those words:

'You are different from everyone else! Except for me, no one is your kind. They say they aren't afraid, but they will still see you as a monster and reveal your secrets to others.'

'One day, you will find,' the murderer's eyes fell on him through the pouring rain, like a lingering curse, 'no one can truly accept you. You will be an alien who doesn't fit in until you die.'

...

...

When Shi Qi heard this, her blood felt like it was running backward.

It took her a full half-minute to detach from the intense emotions, only to realize belatedly that tears were dripping onto the sheets.

Shang Sui hadn't expected the story to make her so upset, and he comforted her helplessly: 'Don't cry.'

He shouldn't have said anything; as soon as he did, Shi Qi couldn't control her emotions, and tears streamed down in large drops.

Because of her uncontrollable crying, her eyes were red, and the tip of her nose was flushed, making her look particularly pitiful.

Shang Sui didn't know what to do; he wanted to wipe her tears but was afraid it would make Shi Qi sadder. In his panic, a hint of inappropriate satisfaction even grew in his heart.

Being willing to cry for him—did that mean he was very important to Shi Qi?

His fingers moved slightly; for a moment, he wanted to reach out and pull Shi Qi into his arms.

Shi Qi cried while raising her arm, wiping her eyes hard to clear away the excess tears.

After the overwhelming sadness, an uncontrollable anger surged in her heart. Shi Qi's eyes were brilliantly bright as she said bitterly: 'Who does he think he is, why does he think you're the same as him?!'

'Because...' Shang Sui hesitated for a moment, 'Both he and I can perform Mind Manipulation on others.'

Shi Qi encountered this term for the first time and repeated it blankly: 'Mind Manipulation?'

It sounded like a plot that would only appear in games or movies; it felt incredible just to say it.

While recounting the past, Shang Sui had blurred the process of subduing Zeng Yu. Shi Qi realized: 'You used this ability to restrain him?'

Zeng Yu kneeling to Shang Sui at the end, besides intentionally disgusting him, actually contained an acknowledgment of him.

Shang Sui nodded.

After a long while, he said in a low voice: 'Zeng Yu committed suicide that night, but...'

Shi Qi understood his unfinished words.

The dead soul lingered by his side; whenever a thunderstorm came, Shang Sui would see Zeng Yu's shadow.

The blood-stained murderer would giggle and lean in, like a maggot attached to bone, constantly telling him how he was different from others.

He was destined to be unaccepted, an alien who didn't fit in until he died.

Shi Qi gripped his hand tightly: 'The last thunderstorm, did you see him too?'

She had slept with Shang Sui that night, but hadn't noticed anything unusual.

Shi Qi felt annoyed, thinking she was too slow, only caring about smelling Shang Sui's pheromones and not checking on his condition.

'No,' Shang Sui was equally incredulous. 'That was the first time in two years that I didn't see him during a thunderstorm.'

'!'

Shi Qi's heart skipped a beat.

'I want to try,' Shi Qi said suddenly. 'Perform Mind Manipulation on me.'

Shang Sui was stunned.

Shi Qi looked straight into his eyes: 'I want to see how different you really are, and what right he has to conclude that no one would dare accept you.'

Shang Sui refused instinctively: 'You might find it disgusting.'

Mind Manipulation was too rare; the only known examples in the country were him and Zeng Yu.

When his ability first awakened, his condition was very unstable, and he would lose control of himself from time to time. After he accidentally manipulated Shang Yao, Shang Sui saw the unconcealable shock in his and Yu Wan's eyes.

During the month of waiting for the results, he and his parents lived under high pressure. The Special Sensitivity Period Regulatory Authority treated him like a criminal; as long as he went out, someone would monitor him twenty-four hours a day.

Yu Wan and Shang Yao tried every means to suppress the news from the media; if it were known that a serial killer had knelt to a teenager upon arrest, the consequences would be unimaginable.

When they came to their senses, Yu Wan and Shang Yao kept apologizing to him, saying they shouldn't have overreacted.

He understood that his parents didn't distrust him, but at that time, everyone happened to be too tired, like an overstretched string.

But he still couldn't help but think over and over, why did he have to be different from others?

Those in a Special Sensitivity Period were aliens among Alphas, and among them, he was a one-of-a-kind monster.

He couldn't accept it, and the self-loathing expanded like a sponge absorbing water. Every time a dark, damp thunderstorm came, he felt like a mistake that couldn't be fixed.

The first change happened on the last thunderstorm night.

The night he slept with Shi Qi, he didn't see Zeng Yu. Beside his pillow came the light, steady breathing of Shi Qi, who had unconsciously snuggled up to him, her slender arm wrapped around his shoulder.

For the first time, he felt that if the world stopped at this moment, it wouldn't be too bad.

'You have to try to know; maybe I'll find it magical.'

The clean voice pulled Shang Sui from his memories. He saw the warm light merge into Shi Qi's deep gray pupils, like a small, shimmering lake.

'If it were him, I would find it disgusting, but with you, this ability is like magic.'

In truth, that sentence was the magic.

As if returning to that last rainy night, Shang Sui could no longer suppress the longing he had always felt, and carefully leaned toward Shi Qi.

'I want...'

His voice trembled, and he used his ability according to Shi Qi's request: 'I want a hug.'

It was more like a plea than an order given through Mind Manipulation.

'Hug me, Shi Qi.'