Chapter 65: Premonition

Near the Lunar New Year, Qi Jiang was strung with lanterns and bunting—lamps and flowers visible everywhere in the city.

After days of overcast rain, the sun came out. Outside the window, wisteria cascaded like a waterfall; layer upon layer of petals cast shadows that fell across an equally striking face.

"I have a premonition."

Shang Sui propped his chin on one hand, lost in fantasy: "Xiao Qi is going to propose to me soon."

Jiang Yan's eyes went wide. "Really?"

Shen Qianyu's annual leave only lasted until year's end. Realizing they hadn't all gathered since arriving in Qi Jiang, Jiang Yan had made a group chat last night, confirmed with Shang Sui and Shi Qi that everyone was free, and arranged a meal for today.

It was called a gathering, but the only one who could cook was Shen Qianyu. The other two were young masters who'd never lifted a finger in a kitchen.

Shang Sui had politely offered to bring his family's chef. Once refused, he showed up to freeload with a clear conscience.

Shen Qianyu went to the kitchen alone, leaving Shang Sui and Jiang Yan chatting in the living room.

Jiang Yan: "Maybe you're the one being sneaky, so you assume Shi Qi is preparing something too."

Not long after arriving, Shang Sui had casually asked: Are you free this weekend? I'm going to propose to Shi Qi.

After roughly confirming the details with them, Shang Sui sat alone, staring out the window.

Jiang Yan knew that look well—Shang Sui was probably running a drama in his head again. Sure enough, he'd already scripted a whole mutual-confession scene.

"What's that word again?" Jiang Yan racked his brain. "Oh, right! Self-flattery!"

"Hm?" Shang Sui smiled. "Two Alphas getting married requires a special application, right?"

Jiang Yan, not yet sensing the trap: "What about it?"

"I heard it costs a lot. Are you paying, or is Shen Qianyu?" Shang Sui said. "I can cover it for you both—no need to thank me."

"...No! What are you doing! It's way too early for that!"

Jiang Yan's face went red, his words tripping over each other.

"Find a good hiding spot beforehand." Shang Sui pulled the topic back after bullying Jiang Yan. "If Xiao Qi cries from being touched, make sure to record it for me."

"I have a premonition too—the one sobbing their heart out on proposal day will be you." Jiang Yan, forgetting his sore spot, said enthusiastically, "I'll record the whole thing for you!"

Shang Sui's smile widened. "You're really good with words today."

A chill ran down Jiang Yan's spine. Someone was ringing the doorbell.

He sprang up at once: "Coming, coming!"

When the door opened, Jiang Yan saw Shi Qi standing outside.

Unlike Shang Sui, who was freeloading, Shi Qi had much better manners. Knowing he was a guest in someone else's home, he'd brought a bouquet of lush double-petaled tulips. The Omega's face looked like a flower in full bloom.

No wonder Shang Sui was utterly smitten.

Jiang Yan greeted him cheerfully: "You didn't have to be so polite just coming over."

"Shi Qi's here?" Shen Qianyu happened to pass by, untying his Apron. "Lunch is ready."

The domestic scene made Shi Qi raise an eyebrow slightly. Her gaze swept across both their faces.

Shen Qianyu had prepared a lavish lunch, blending Chinese and Western dishes. Noticing Shen Qianyu picking food onto Jiang Yan's plate, Shi Qi asked at the right moment: "Are you two together?"

Jiang Yan hesitated: "Sort of."

Shen Qianyu set down his chopsticks and looked over coolly.

Jiang Yan corrected himself immediately: "Yes, yes, yes! Before... we went through this and that and that and this—anyway, we're together!"

Compared to Jiang Yan's incoherent rambling, Shen Qianyu turned to Shang Sui: "I told him about what happened eight years ago."

Jiang Yan said anxiously: "Um, I'll definitely keep it confidential! It wasn't that Shen Qianyu wanted to tell me—I kept pressing him."

Afraid Shang Sui might be angry, Jiang Yan quickly added: "Do you have something more unusual? He didn't say a single word about that."

Mind Manipulation was an even more closely guarded secret than the Special Period. Shen Qianyu skipped that part, only telling Jiang Yan to ask Shang Sui privately later.

Jiang Yan figured it didn't really matter whether he knew or not. No matter how many secrets Shang Sui had, he was still a friend he'd chosen.

"It's fine," Shang Sui said calmly. "Shi Qi already knew."

Seeing everyone looking at her, Shi Qi simply set down her chopsticks and summarized the recent events, ending with Shang Sui agreeing to Li Zhao's interview request.

"If they want to overturn the original reporting and redo it, they need police approval. Little Sister Li went to Haicheng yesterday." Thinking of Jiang Yoning's tearful send-off before Li Zhao's departure, Shi Qi mourned for her in her heart for three seconds. "She's handled many similar cases. It should be fine."

Li Zhao had also taken that photo back. She would crop out Shang Sui's face and conceal his personal information to complete the report.

Shen Qianyu was stunned, as if he hadn't expected this outcome: "Like that? That's great."

After a long pause, he said quietly to Shang Sui: "I've always felt I stole your credit."

Back then, someone had to step forward and bear that praise. Shang Sui seemed not to care, but Shen Qianyu had always carried the guilt.

"Cut it out, Director Shen." Shang Sui cut him off. "If you hadn't spoken up for me, I don't know how much trouble I'd have been in back then."

"It's not the same," Shen Qianyu shook his head. "Without you, my mom and I would have died eight years ago."

Jiang Yan's nose twitched, his eyes stinging: "...What are you guys doing, suddenly getting so sentimental."

Seeing Jiang Yan wipe his eyes with the back of his hand, Shi Qi grabbed the tissue box from beside her.

"Thanks—" Jiang Yan reached out to take it.

Shi Qi could no longer contain her curiosity and blurted out: "So which one of you tops?"

Jiang Yan, caught off guard, dropped the tissue box with a clatter.

Shi Qi's looks were too innocent, and the sudden crude topic made Jiang Yan's first reaction that he was hearing things.

Coming back to himself, Jiang Yan shouted: "Of course I top him!"

Shen Qianyu played along: "Mm, that's right."

Shi Qi's clear eyes glinted—she was clearly observing their reactions.

Jiang Yan's face heated under her gaze: "You—you don't believe me?"

Shi Qi said slowly: "About as believable as me topping Shang Sui."

"…………"

Shen Qianyu was the first to crack, laughing. Shang Sui laughed beside him too.

Jiang Yan's face cycled through red and white, before he finally laughed too: "You're brutal, Shi Qi."

After lunch, Shang Sui had something to discuss with Shen Qianyu. Shi Qi left first.

Shang Sui walked her to the car. Before parting, he suddenly looped his arm around Shi Qi's with tender affection: "Isn't it you who tops me? Hubby."

"?" What scene was this now?

"I serve you with my body every night." Shang Sui said, pressing closer as if unaware of his own size.

The Alpha was a full size larger than her. Shi Qi felt like she was about to be crushed.

She held back, not pushing Shang Sui away: "Can you have some shame?"

"Don't you like me being shameless? When I was moaning last night, you were clearly excited—"

Shi Qi flushed with anger and embarrassment, clapping a hand over his mouth: "None of your business! Aren't you excited when you're in bed? Shut up."

When she pulled her hand back, Shang Sui couldn't stop laughing.

Shi Qi was baffled, not knowing what she'd found so funny.

Shang Sui poked the Omega's fair, plump cheek, noticed the faint pink at the base of Shi Qi's ear, and said with a smile: "You're so cute."

After saying goodbye to Shang Sui, Shi Qi went home.

Passing the bed, Shi Qi's steps paused. Some images flashed unbidden through her mind.

Realizing what she was thinking, she cursed softly under her breath.

Had Shang Sui infected her? Her head was full of nothing but filth.

After calming down, Shi Qi checked her personal savings on her phone.

She'd worked part-time as a model in high school and saved quite a bit. After starting university, her social media account had high traffic—the platform gave her a share of the ad revenue, plus her end-of-semester scholarships.

She kept that money on a separate card, apart from the allowance her family gave her. Over time, it had grown to a substantial sum.

Confirming she could afford any proposal plan, Shi Qi searched keywords like "proposal planning" and "proposal ideas" on her phone.

Lin Yan's message popped up suddenly:

Yanyan: [What is our dear one doing.]

Yanyan: [You haven't contacted me lately. New Year is almost here, and I miss you so much in the freezing Capital City.]

Shi Qi's life had been a rollercoaster lately, so she really hadn't been in touch with others.

But she'd skimmed the group chat when she had time. After break started, Lin Yan couldn't find anyone to play mahjong with, so he spent every day in the group with Qin Shuhe and Chu Tao, pulling in random friends for online mahjong battles that lasted deep into the night.

Shi Qi replied casually: [You only think of me when you're losing money?]

Yanyan: [……]

Yanyan: [You're really so cold.]

Yanyan: [But your cold, heartless look is also charming.]

17: [I'm preparing a proposal.]

Lin Yan thought he was joking: [To me?]

17: [Guess.]

Yanyan: [...Wait, are you serious?]

The next second, Lin Yan's call came in. Shi Qi answered and immediately held the phone away.

Even so, she still heard Lin Yan's deafening scream: "Shi Qi, what are you doing——!!"

"A proposal?! You're the one asking??!! You've known him less than four months! What kind of love potion did Shang Sui give you! Do you remember how you used to cold-shoulder Alphas?!"

"It's actually been six years."

"Six years?"

Growing up, she and Lin Yan rarely kept secrets from each other.

Shi Qi omitted the parts about the Special Period and Mind Manipulation, and told him everything else.

Lin Yan exclaimed "holy shit" and "oh my god" repeatedly, then said with lingering excitement: "After hearing this amazing story, I approve of your proposal to Shang Sui."

He said eagerly: "Then I want to come!"

Shi Qi did want to see him, but the New Year was approaching and Lin Yan had a mountain of family matters: "It's almost New Year. Can you get away?"

"Normally no, but you're proposing! I have to come!" Lin Yan said, then thought of something. "Let me ask Qin Shuhe and Little Peach Sister? They'd definitely want to come too."

Shi Qi agreed.

She and Lin Yan chatted for a while, from daily stuff to the still-unformed proposal plan. Midway through, Shi Qi casually flipped open the diary Jiang Yoning had given her.

As she read, Shi Qi's gaze suddenly stopped.

"I looked it up online. Seems like most people set up a scene with flowers and balloons, and pick a location like a garden villa or a yacht?" Lin Yan shifted topics. "But even if you just woke up and said you wanted to get married, Shang Sui would agree, right?"

Shi Qi stared unblinking at the slightly immature handwriting in the diary.

After a moment, Shi Qi tightened her grip on the phone: "I know what to do."

-

Not one to miss a good show, Lin Yan was astonishingly efficient—he contacted Qin Shuhe and Chu Tao that day, and they landed in Qi Jiang that evening.

Seeing the location Lin Yan sent, Shi Qi thought he was joking.

After confirming, she called Shang Sui to pick them up at the airport together.

The airport was about half an hour's drive from the villa they were renting. Chu Tao's pink hair was eye-catching—Shi Qi spotted her the moment she entered the arrivals level of the terminal.

Chu Tao also noticed Shi Qi's platinum-blond head and waved enthusiastically: "Xiao Qi, Bro Sui! Over here, over here!"

As they got closer, Lin Yan threw an arm around Shi Qi's shoulders: "Did you miss me, bestie?"

Shi Qi: "Sort of."

Lin Yan said indulgently: "Stubborn."

Shi Qi: "..."

Shi Qi was briefly stunned by him, considering for a moment whether to throw Lin Yan off.

Seeing them roughhousing, Chu Tao took out her phone to film.

Lin Yan whispered: "We're planning to film a vlog for you—from the proposal prep all the way to proposal day. After editing, you can post it on your social media, or even play it at the Wedding."

Shi Qi hadn't expected them to think this through. She guessed the idea was Chu Tao's. While Shang Sui was talking to Qin Shuhe, Shi Qi looked at the camera and said softly: "Thank you."

Chu Tao laughed behind the camera: "No need, baby! Being able to see you two... anyway, I'm so happy, and super excited!"

On the other side, Qin Shuhe said enthusiastically: "Bro, long time no see!"

Shang Sui smiled, asking casually: "What made you want to come visit all of a sudden?"

"Oh, because I'm here to attend—" Qin Shuhe's mouth moved faster than his brain. Just before committing the crime, he suddenly felt an oppressive gaze and realized with a jolt that Shi Qi was staring at him from behind.

In the nick of time, he remembered Lin Yan mentioning on the plane that Qi Jiang had a festival coming up. With the fastest reaction speed of his life, he said: "—attend the Qi Jiang Fireworks Festival!"

"Right, right!" Lin Yan added beside him. "Doesn't Qi Jiang set off fireworks early every year? The most famous ones are the water fireworks at Mirror Lake. We're here to have fun for a few days, then head back before New Year's Eve."

Shang Sui nodded, seemingly convinced by their excuse.

After getting in the car, Qin Shuhe frantically messaged the four-person group chat:

Qin Shuhe: [What do I do! I can't control my mouth the moment I see my bro.]

Qin Shuhe: [Shit, you don't know how intense that was. My recovery speed was the peak of my career.]

17: [Your peak is as low as a valley.]

Qin Shuhe: [……]

17: [Watch your mouth. This is the oracle of the Qi God.]

Lin Yan and Chu Tao sent a string of hahahahahahaha. Qin Shuhe couldn't help asking: [Your Majesty, when did you ascend to godhood?]

17: [Not long ago.]

The villa Shang Sui rented had three floors. Since Lin Yan and the others were only staying until the weekend, they simply moved into Shang Sui's place.

Chu Tao took the third floor alone. The others stayed downstairs.

It was nearly midnight. Everyone was more or less tired and headed to their rooms to rest.

Chu Tao realized she'd forgotten a makeup bag. Coming downstairs, she happened to see Lin Yan on the second floor: "Yanyan, lend me your face wash."

"You forgot it?" Lin Yan said. "I have face masks too, want one?"

Chu Tao nodded, then suddenly went wide-eyed. Before she could scream, she covered her mouth with both hands and stared motionlessly downstairs.

Seeing her eyes light up, Lin Yan hurried over and noticed two figures in the corner of the first floor.

It was Shi Qi and Shang Sui.

They were pressed very close, as if stuck together. Shang Sui stood with his back to them, his tall Alpha frame nearly completely hiding the other person.

Shi Qi sat on a small wooden cabinet, her slender fair legs swinging slightly as she looked up to talk to him.

The first floor lights were off. Only the light from the second floor spilled down the staircase, making the already sensual scene even more hazy and suggestive.

"Damn, it's different when you're about to propose." Lin Yan whispered excitedly. "Wouldn't it be a waste not to do something here?"

The moment the words fell, Shang Sui lowered his head, his long-jointed fingers tilting Shi Qi's chin up.

He pressed kisses along Shi Qi's profile, moving slowly downward. The fingers that had been tilting her chin had unconsciously slipped around to the back of her neck.

Unlike the gentle kisses, Shang Sui's other hand gripped Shi Qi's slender neck, occasionally squeezing lightly—a gesture full of possessiveness.

Apparently feeling good from the kissing, Shi Qi tilted her head back slightly. Lin Yan could finally see a small part of her face.

Shi Qi's eyes were half-closed, her long lashes trembling faintly in the dim amber light—reminiscent of a flower quivering on a branch.

"Oh my god, so intense! How does them kissing faces look like something out of an adult film!"

Chu Tao said excitedly, then remembered something: "Minors can't watch this!"

She reached out to cover Lin Yan's eyes as she spoke. The latter protested: "What are you doing, Little Peach Sister, you're covering the wrong person!"

Shi Qi had no idea two people upstairs were watching with great interest.

Shang Sui's grip wasn't heavy—just right—but Shi Qi gradually found it hard to breathe, her body growing weak as if savoring the taste.

She finally reached out and hooked her arms around Shang Sui's neck.

Shi Qi lowered her voice: "Go to the room."

By the time Lin Yan finally pried Chu Tao's hand away, Shi Qi was already being carried.

Shang Sui supported her legs with one hand, carrying her like a kitten.

Shi Qi was nestled in the Alpha's arms, her features blurred. Only her fair arms could be seen gradually tightening, her whole body seemingly wrapped around Shang Sui.

Chu Tao and Lin Yan both craned their necks at the same time.

Shang Sui glanced upstairs.

He kicked open the bedroom door, carried Shi Qi inside, and locked it decisively behind them.