Chapter 72: Extra

As a top-tier domestic entertainment company, the headquarters of Echo Entertainment is located in the neon-lit business district of the Capital City. It is nearly midnight, yet the practice room is brightly lit, the mirrored walls reflecting figures drenched in sweat.

At the front, the choreographer says as the music ends, 'He Zhun, your power isn't landing right, and your neck is leaning forward.'

'Han Jiale, you’re rushing the chorus.'

'Chi Lin and Cheng Zhoushuo, you two interfered with each other’s movement lines halfway through. Watch out for that next time.'

The choreographer points out everyone’s shortcomings with precision, sparing no minor flaw. The artists who were called out nod in succession.

'That is all for today. Good work, everyone.'

Shi Qi finishes speaking and begins to pack up. Several artists exchange glances, and one of them steps forward.

Their group is one of the most popular boy bands under Echo. Cheng Zhoushuo, who walks toward Shi Qi, is the group’s Ace and its most popular member.

'Teacher Shi, sorry for making you spend so much time in the practice room with us lately,' the young Alpha says, extending an invitation. 'We’re going out for a meal. Would you like to join?'

'No,' Shi Qi says. 'Have fun.'

After he leaves, a teammate beside Cheng Zhoushuo notices his dejected expression: 'I told you the teacher wouldn’t agree. He rarely attends late-night gatherings.'

Cheng Zhoushuo says nothing. Someone nearby picks up the thread: 'Come to think of it, when I first saw Teacher Shi, I thought he was a trainee. His looks are definitely good enough to debut.'

'He was already a very famous blogger to begin with. I heard the company approached him several times, and it was only after Ying Yuran helped introduce him that he agreed to be a choreographer.'

Everyone chimes in, all showing interest in this choreographer. Cheng Zhoushuo, thinking of the rejection from just a moment ago, heads to the restroom alone.

He does not expect to run into Shi Qi again.

Shi Qi’s eyes are filled with warmth as he chats with someone, looking completely different from his usual cold demeanor.

Cheng Zhoushuo pauses, intending to greet him, but Shi Qi’s attention is entirely on his phone. He doesn’t notice anyone nearby and walks straight past Cheng Zhoushuo.

In the chat box, Shang Sui has sent a crying emoji.

Ss: [TT]

17: [What’s wrong?]

Every year, Shang Sui travels the world to gather inspiration. For the past two years, he specifically chose winter and summer breaks to wander through various countries with Shi Qi.

This year, Shi Qi graduated and started working at Echo, so he had no time to accompany him. Shang Sui traveled alone, and it has been nearly half a month since the two last saw each other.

A photo pops up, vibrant with blooming yellow and green.

Ss: [Passed by a valley full of daffodils during the day. Saw a couple having a picnic with their puppy; they looked so happy.]

Though he doesn’t say it outright, the subtext of 'I miss you' permeates every line of Shang Sui’s message.

Shi Qi smiles, and another new message pops up.

Ss: [I’m sleeping a bit late today. Can we call?]

Ss: [It should be around seven or eight in the morning for you.]

17: [Mm, okay.]

Ever since he got together with Shang Sui, insomnia feels like a thing of the past.

Shi Qi carries the other’s mark on his body; the faint, lingering scent of honey is always by his side. Even when they are briefly apart, he can drift into sweet dreams all on his own.

To wake up early for Shang Sui’s call, Shi Qi goes home, washes up, and turns off the lights immediately, not even touching his phone.

Before bed, he habitually grabs a Sleeping Robe from the side. The cuffs and neckline feature dark purple embroidery—as flashy as its owner.

If Shang Sui knew he slept holding his clothes every night, he would definitely tease him.

With various thoughts drifting through his mind, Shi Qi gradually falls into a deep sleep, until a specially set ringtone wakes him up.

'Xiao Qi—'

The voice on the other end of the line pours into his ears like honey, calling his name like a spoiled child.

Shi Qi rubs his eyes and glances at the time in the thin morning light. It is nearly two in the morning in Paris.

'Did you just get back to the hotel?'

'Met up with some friends from my school days here,' Shang Sui says, naturally accounting for his itinerary. 'Had a bit to drink. Had a dream on the way back.'

The influence of the dream makes Shang Sui sound a bit resentful: 'Dreamt that someone was hitting on you while I was away. So annoying.'

Shi Qi finds it amusing: 'It’s just a dream. In reality, not that many people like me.'

'They do. Our baby is so beautiful and capable; everyone would like you.'

Shang Sui’s voice gradually takes on a floaty quality, as if he is lost in fantasy: 'I want to hide you away, put you in a room filled with jewelry and accessories. I would dress you up meticulously every day.'

Shi Qi is accustomed to the neurosis Shang Sui shows from time to time: 'Are you drunk?'

'Don’t know. Maybe a little.' Shang Sui shifts the topic: 'Say you miss me too.'

'I miss you.'

'Miss what about me?'

Shi Qi answers truthfully: 'Miss kissing.'

'Just that?'

Shi Qi says nothing.

The Alpha lowers his voice: 'Want to do it with me?'

Without waiting for Shi Qi to answer, Shang Sui continues on his own: 'My room right now has a one-way mirror, and below it is the Hotel Pool. I want to pick you up, press you against the glass, and face-to-face…'

The two words that follow are too crude, making the listener’s ears feel as if they have been pricked.

'Shang Sui,' Shi Qi interrupts his explicit narration, 'is this the inspiration you found?'

'I bought a syrup that can stimulate Pheromone, peach-colored. Wherever it’s applied, it will heat up.' Perhaps he has been driven crazy by the long separation, as the Alpha describes it vividly: 'If you taste it, it’s like eating a freshly baked cake.'

'Are you using it or am I?'

'Use it? You’ll die of lewdness,' Shi Qi says bluntly. 'Are you out there gathering inspiration or out there being a pervert?'

Shang Sui begins to act shamelessly: 'Let me use it! I’ve been looking forward to it for so long… Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi?'

Even over the phone, Shi Qi can imagine what he looks like while talking.

After a long while.

'Whatever you want.'

Shi Qi says, appearing cold.

Shang Sui can’t help but laugh.

It is exactly these moments, every time Shi Qi indulges his ideas, that make him feel he is being favored.

'Love you so much. Want a kiss.'

Shi Qi is coaxed into a daze; his lips part, and he blows a kiss across the air into the phone.

After hanging up, Shang Sui’s voice still lingers in Shi Qi’s mind.

He hesitates for a moment, pulls the Sleeping Robe and pillow toward him, and presses his legs together.

He begins to imagine Shang Sui right by the bed, the peach-colored syrup flowing down the Alpha’s long, slender knuckles, then dripping onto his own face.

Shi Qi opens his mouth slightly, as if the magical syrup really has made his lips and tongue burn, finally melting inside him.

Unable to hold back, Shi Qi whispers the other man’s name.

Shang Sui, Shang Sui…

…

The Omega’s slender back trembles slightly, and finally, he kicks the pillow away in frustration.

No, it won’t work.

After the Lifelong Mark, if Shang Sui isn’t by his side, he cannot reach climax alone.

'So annoying,' Shi Qi stares at the ceiling. 'Hurry up and come back.'

-

On the day Shang Sui returns to the country, Shen Qianyu happens to be finishing an academic conference abroad and returning to the Capital City.

Their flight times are close. Jiang Yan comes to pick up Shen Qianyu and brings Shang Sui along for the ride.

On the way, Shen Qianyu turns back to remind the passenger in the back seat: 'You haven’t done your Psychological Assessment once this year.'

With Shi Qi around, Shang Sui is no longer as resistant to the Psychological Assessment as he was in the past; not doing it is purely due to procrastination.

'I’ll go over with Shi Qi,' Shang Sui says, chatting with Shi Qi on his phone to confirm he is still working at Echo, planning to go over and give him a surprise. 'Find a time when he’s free.'

Jiang Yan asks while driving: 'Does the Psychological Assessment have to be done with a family member after marriage?'

'Only for Shang Sui,' Shen Qianyu says calmly. 'He’s a delicate wife who can’t walk independently when he leaves Shi Qi.'

Jiang Yan is about to say he must be mistaken, as Shang Sui is clearly an Alpha.

The passenger in the back seat provides a personal testimony: 'Please drop me off at Echo. My husband works there, thanks.'

'…' Jiang Yan concedes, 'Fine.'

Shi Qi has spent the whole day in the company’s practice room. He is also responsible for Cheng Zhoushuo’s solo choreography, accompanying him to refine details and make constant adjustments. It is already late at night when work ends.

'Teacher Shi,' Cheng Zhoushuo says suddenly, 'I’m only a year younger than you, and you’re already a choreographer for the company. That’s amazing.'

Shi Qi has never seen an artist admire a choreographer, so he assumes it’s just professional flattery: 'You’re not bad yourself.'

'Some people work behind the scenes because they aren’t good at being in the spotlight; no matter how well they dance, they can’t show their charm. But you’re different. Even when you’re just demonstrating for us, you can capture everyone’s gaze,' Cheng Zhoushuo asks earnestly. 'You could totally debut. Are you not interested?'

Shi Qi has been asked this question countless times. Compared to being in the spotlight, he currently prefers freedom.

'If you become an artist, there are indeed more rules to follow.' Seeing what he is thinking, Cheng Zhoushuo proactively changes the subject: 'Sorry for making you practice with me for so long. Can I treat you to a late-night snack?'

Shi Qi looks up at him, and Cheng Zhoushuo’s heart races, almost thinking his intentions have been seen through.

'No need to be so polite. This is my job.'

Seeing Shi Qi push open the practice room door to leave, Cheng Zhoushuo wants to say for a split second that he isn’t being polite, he just wants to spend more time with Shi Qi.

He knows Shi Qi is married; the Proposal video is still pinned to the top of his social media page.

But he hasn’t seen that Alpha in such a long time. It’s been three years since the Wedding—maybe things aren’t as good as they look?

'It’s too late, let me take you back,' Cheng Zhoushuo follows behind Shi Qi. 'I’ll call the driver—'

'Xiao Qi.'

Shi Qi pauses, almost thinking he is hallucinating.

Subtle changes appear on his face; even if his expression remains unchanged, his gaze is instantly glued to the person who arrived.

Cheng Zhoushuo follows Shi Qi’s line of sight. It is a tall, lean Alpha standing outside the practice room, seemingly having waited for a while.

He has seen this face countless times on Shi Qi’s social media account, but in person, it has even more impact than in the videos.

While he observes the other person, Shang Sui casts a glance at him.

Cheng Zhoushuo’s eyelids twitch, his body subconsciously tensing up.

'Did you do this on purpose?' Shi Qi asks out of the blue. 'Coming back early without telling me.'

'On purpose,' Shang Sui retracts his gaze and admits obediently, 'wanted to see the look of surprise on your face.'

Shi Qi says nothing. If it were someone unfamiliar, they would easily think he is unapproachable right now.

A moment later, a faint, fragmented smile appears in Shi Qi’s eyes: 'How did you get up here?'

'The staff downstairs seemed to misunderstand something and helped me press the elevator.'

Shi Qi looks him up and down. Shang Sui seems to have lost some weight, wearing a casual hoodie set. The only decoration is the shimmering watch on his wrist.

So it turns out some people really can just use their faces to get into an entertainment company.

'Is work over?' Seeing Shi Qi nod, Shang Sui smiles too: 'Let’s go home.'

Before leaving, Shi Qi remembers something and turns back to say to Cheng Zhoushuo: 'You practiced all day today. If you’re not feeling well, remember to have your assistant help with a hot compress when you get back.'

'Okay,' Cheng Zhoushuo meets his eyes for a moment, then says in a low voice, 'Goodbye, Teacher.'

Back home, Shi Qi and Shang Sui take showers one after the other.

He doesn’t know what Shang Sui is doing in the bathroom, as he takes a long time to come out. Shi Qi grows impatient, wanting to get out of bed and ask if he fainted inside, but the door opens from within before he can.

The Alpha is wearing a black bathrobe with the collar open very low. A crisscrossing silver Necklace clings to his full, firm chest, casting shimmering, damp shadows on his fair skin.

Shi Qi’s breath hitches; he finally knows what good deed the other was doing in the bathroom.

Shang Sui walks to the bedside. The lustrous pearls and sparkling diamonds on the Necklace sway, along with the undried water droplets that vanish downward into his waist and abdomen.

'Do you want me to kneel?'

Shang Sui’s tone is gentle; both his adornments and his expression are a posture meant to please Shi Qi.

Meeting those fox-like eyes, Shi Qi’s mind explodes with a bang.

He actually had a reaction just from one look from Shang Sui.

'No need,' Shi Qi pretends to be calm, 'come up.'

Shang Sui swings his long legs onto the bed, his broad palm cupping the back of Shi Qi’s head. His agile tongue forces open his lips and drives straight in, kissing him so deeply and heavily that it almost gives Shi Qi the illusion of having his throat licked.

He lets out a whimper involuntarily, which is soon noticed by the other.

'So fast.'

'…'

Shi Qi gives him a retaliatory scratch on the back, and Shang Sui lets out a soft hum.

Shi Qi pauses: 'Haven’t seen you for a while, how did you get so lewd?'

He speaks harshly, but his hands are clean and efficient as he pulls away the loose bathrobe sash, almost unable to wait.

Shang Sui suddenly grabs his mischievous hand: 'Who is that person who calls you Teacher?'

'An artist I’m training lately,' Shi Qi says, somewhat displeased. 'Why bring up others at a time like this?'

Shang Sui smiles, gently rubbing his left ring finger: 'Why aren’t you wearing your wedding Ring?'

'I often need to do demonstrations for them; I’m afraid of losing it when I dance. You aren’t wearing yours either, are you?'

'I’m afraid of losing it too,' Shang Sui pauses for a moment, adding as if unintentionally, 'but it seems because I don’t have a ring, people have been hitting on me a lot these past two months.'

Shi Qi frowns slightly: 'Put it on. If you lose it, I’ll buy you a new one.'

'Okay,' Shang Sui rubs against Shi Qi, 'then you have to wear yours too.'

Shi Qi agrees, completely unaware of his ulterior motives.

He is fixated on the Necklace on Shang Sui, grabbing it a few more times; he really likes this look on him, and finally just hooks his arms around Shang Sui’s neck: 'I can buy you a new Necklace, too.'

Shang Sui is tangled up by Shi Qi’s limbs and finds him even more adorable, pulling out the glass bottle he had hidden under the pillow. The peach-colored liquid is crystal clear, glowing with a seductive luster under the light.

'The syrup I mentioned earlier, it can stimulate Pheromone.' Meeting Shi Qi’s gaze, Shang Sui holds his slender ankle with one hand and pops the cork with the other.

Because he dances often, Shi Qi’s body is like a flexible vine, his calves and thighs easily folded.

Seeing Shang Sui about to pour the syrup, Shi Qi stops him: 'Wait a second.'

Shang Sui thinks he is uncomfortable, but after a brief hesitation, Shi Qi says with a flushed face: 'Use your mouth.'

Shang Sui freezes for a moment, then quickly complies.

Holding the syrup in his mouth, he lifts Shi Qi’s calf onto his shoulder, lowering his eyes to kiss his ankle.

…

The scent of damp Lily of the Valley drifts through the room. Shi Qi is burning all over, as if entering a Heat Phase, yet he isn’t as dizzy; it feels more like sinking while fully conscious.

'My dear.'

'…Mm?'

'One of my pajamas is missing. Do you know where it went?'

Shi Qi subconsciously denies it: 'I, I don’t know…!'

Shang Sui chuckles, and Shi Qi has a bad feeling.

'You didn’t hang up the phone last time.'

Realizing that Shang Sui had been silent the whole time, spying on his behavior from the other end of the phone, Shi Qi’s mind goes blank for a second.

He has no time to feel ashamed before he starts shaking uncontrollably, his voice in his throat shattered.

…

Shi Qi lies limp on the bed, his pupils unfocused, his flushed little face revealing a dazed, delirious state.

In a daze, he hears some movement, blinks, and barely manages to see what the other is doing.

Shang Sui unscrews the glass bottle again. Shi Qi thinks he is going to apply the syrup to his own body, but Shang Sui flips the bottle upside down.

The remaining half bottle of liquid drips down the Alpha’s firm chest, the peach color soaking the shimmering silver Necklace, then flowing all the way down his abdomen.

Shi Qi’s eyes widen in an instant.

'Are you crazy? Isn’t it uncomfortable?'

Shang Sui only used a little bit on him, and he felt like he was burning; with all this stuff that stimulates Pheromone used on his body—

As if responding to Shi Qi’s thoughts, the scent of honey becomes heavy in a very short time, no different from entering a Sensitivity Period.

Shang Sui licks his lips, staring straight at him.

'Xiao Qi will help me feel better, right?'

While speaking, Shang Sui gently presses against his lips, feeding the syrup from his fingertips to Shi Qi.

'Pervert, lunatic, sex maniac…' Shi Qi bites him incoherently, his sharp canine teeth grazing the finger pad, though he doesn’t use any real force, 'who would help you.'

He speaks harshly, but slowly turns from biting to licking, finally taking Shang Sui’s fingertip into his mouth.

Shang Sui curls his eyes: 'Thank you, husband.'

-

After two months apart, Shang Sui keeps clinging to Shi Qi, wanting to be glued to him every single moment, and Shi Qi is equally lost in the passion.

He doesn’t hold back, leaving quite a few scratch marks on Shang Sui, who seems to relish it, even asking him to be harder next time.

After everything is over, Shi Qi sleeps for most of the day at home. Fortunately, his working hours are not fixed.

The next day, Shang Sui drives him to work, pulling into Echo’s internal road. A nanny van happens to be parked nearby, and people are getting off one after another.

'Baby, come here for a second.'

Shi Qi has already gotten out of the car and turns back at the sound.

Shang Sui reaches out to hook his long tie and gives it a gentle tug.

Shi Qi bends down following Shang Sui’s force, and before he can react, Shang Sui pecks him quickly on the cheek.

'…What are you doing? In broad daylight.'

Shang Sui glances to the side and says with a smile: 'A goodbye kiss. I’ll come pick you up after work today.'

After Shang Sui leaves, Shi Qi can’t help but reach out and touch the spot where he was kissed.

He curls his lips slightly, thinking to himself: Shang Sui is really clingy.

When he goes upstairs, a lively voice calls out to Shi Qi:

'Teacher Shi!'

He turns back to see Han Jiale, followed by a head-bowed Cheng Zhoushuo and several other members of the group.

'I saw it just now, you were secretly kissing someone.'

'It was a kiss on the cheek,' Shi Qi corrects him.

Han Jiale makes an 'oh' sound and says excitedly: 'Teacher, you look so different today!'

Shi Qi is wearing a shirt and vest jacket in the same color scheme, and the lace tie used for coordination is particularly intricate, tied loosely at his neck like a mark left behind by someone in plain sight.

'Yeah, yeah, you have some color now. Usually, it’s just black or white.'

'It looks so good. I’ll ask the stylist to coordinate like that later.'

'Did someone help you pick out your clothes? Teacher looks like he’s written someone else’s name on him today!'

Everyone likes Shi Qi and crowds around him, chattering away.

'Mm,' Shi Qi says coolly, 'it’s my wife.'