Chapter 41: I Protect You
The next morning, Ruan Zhimian woke up in Shi He’s arms. He blinked, looking around in a daze, only to find himself still wrapped in a quilt and held tightly.
This wasn’t right.
The curtains were halfway closed, but the room was bright. The entire space was filled with the scent of amber pheromones, which was exceptionally thick.
Ruan Zhimian could only process the surface level first: he recognized the place—this was Shi He’s apartment. Then he slowly recalled the events of last night. He had been drinking.
So, Shi He had brought him back.
Right, that made sense.
Once he had sorted his thoughts, he tried to break free, first backing toward the corner of the bed and then trying to slide down to crawl out of the quilt.
However, he was trapped in a double-layered “lock,” and neither layer would budge.
“Shi…”
The Alpha before him, who had been pretending to sleep, directly pulled him closer, lifting Ruan Zhimian onto his own body. His narrow, cold black eyes slowly opened. He ran a hand through the messy black hair at his temples, pushing it back to reveal his deep, handsome features.
He sat up, leaning against the waist pillow on the headboard, and accurately caught the little kitten who was trying to flee.
“Finished sleeping?”
Shi He had woken up very early. He hadn’t taken off his hearing aid all night, not wanting to miss a single word from Ruan Zhimian, not even a mumble in his sleep.
Ruan Zhimian wasn’t used to such movements; they were too intimate.
The tips of his ears quickly flushed a pale pink. He looked left and right, presumably trying to find an opportunity to escape.
“I… I’ve slept enough. Why are we sleeping together?”
Shi He’s expression remained unchanged, showing no sign of deception as he helped him reminisce. “Don’t you remember? After I carried you in yesterday, you wouldn’t let go of my hand, so we slept together.”
Those beautiful eyes froze. His arms instantly braced against either side of him. His memory had cut out the moment they entered the house. “I’m sorry, I disturbed your rest.”
“I’ll get up first. You should rest a bit more.”
Shi He lifted his eyelids. His large, slender palm pressed unhurriedly against the other’s back, easily compressing the distance that had been so difficult to open and thoroughly imprisoning him in his arms. “Are you in such a hurry to leave because you’re afraid of me?”
His palm was burning hot, and so was his breath.
Ruan Zhimian closed his eyes and proactively leaned toward Shi He, giving him a soft, tiny kiss on the lips, as if to answer him with this action: I’m not afraid of you at all.
“I am not.”
In the morning after the rain, the air was moist and carried the fresh scent of green grass.
It was currently eight o’clock in the morning. Ruan Zhimian had just put on one slipper when an arm suddenly reached over. “That didn’t count.”
In an instant, the Alpha pinched that snowy-white chin with moderate force. His dark eyes were murky and cold, like a beast that had been coveting its prey for a long time. His gaze was dark and brooding, yet he spoke with refined politeness. “Mianmian, can you kiss me again properly?”
This lasted until the electronic doorbell outside let out a ding-dong sound.
Shi He released Ruan Zhimian. “Breakfast is here. Wash up and come out to eat.”
Shi He went to get the breakfast. The little cat lowered his head, taking several deep breaths before standing up and walking to the bathroom to wash up with unsteady steps.
He turned on the tap, feeling a bit short of oxygen.
Shi He’s clothes were oversized on him. Ruan Zhimian lowered his head to roll up the sleeves and pant legs, revealing his slender ankles, and checked himself in the mirror.
He used his hand to gesture the height difference and mumbled irritably, “What does Shi He eat to grow so tall?”
Ten minutes later, the obedient little cat padded into the dining room in his rabbit slippers.
Today they were having Cantonese-style morning tea. The timing was perfect; it had been delivered from a nearby hotel and was delicious.
Ruan Zhimian buried his head and ate. He had drunk too much last night, and his stomach was still a bit uncomfortable.
The chicken congee was warming.
Halfway through the meal, Ruan Zhimian put down his spoon, remembering the last thing he did before sleeping last night. “Are you still feeling unwell?”
The Alpha didn’t even look at the average pheromone level displayed on his custom-made watch. He lowered his dark eyes and nonchalantly snatched away the black snake that was trying to coil around him.
“I’m alright for now, but I might need a supplement this afternoon. Can you accompany me to the mall today?”
Ruan Zhimian had to go home this morning, and he would be leaving after the banquet tomorrow afternoon. He wanted to leave some gifts for the family members he had spent this brief time with.
“If you don’t have time, it’s okay.”
Ruan Zhimian looked over, happening to meet the Alpha’s black, flat-haired appearance, which couldn’t hide his lonely expression. His small head nodded without the slightest hesitation.
Accompanying him to the mall wasn’t asking too much.
He could agree to that.
At 9:30 AM, Ruan Zhimian finished his breakfast and prepared to leave.
Just as Ruan Zhimian reached the door, an uninvited guest appeared at Shi He’s doorstep. He subconsciously retreated.
It was a fierce-looking elderly man leaning on a cane.
It was Shi He’s grandfather.
“Shi He, your grandfather is here.”
Shi He frowned and told Ruan Zhimian to stay in the bedroom. He walked to the door, opened it, and looked coldly at the elderly man.
“What brings you here so suddenly?”
“The mess you’ve caused!”
A barrage of scolding followed. “Let me ask you, is that Beta from the Ruan family here with you? Photos of you drinking with him in a bar last night are all over the place. He’s still engaged to the Han boy. Shi He, have you gone mad?”
“Can you bring some dignity to the Shi family for once? Give us some peace and show some upbringing.”
Shi He said nothing, merely looking at him coldly with no emotional fluctuation. “It has nothing to do with him. I’m the one who likes him and pestered him. Han He’an is trash; he’s not good enough for him.”
“If you only came here to say these things, you can leave now. I don’t want to see you.”
“You’ve never cared whether I lived or died, and now you suddenly come here to say I have no upbringing. Don’t you find that disgusting? Five years ago, you received the contract I signed before entering the jungle.”
“And besides, do you think mine is the only scandal in the Shi family?”
Old Master Shi was completely outmatched by Shi He. Furious, he reached out his hand.
“I’ll hit—”
Just then, a snowy-white, soft hand reached out and pulled Shi He away.
Despite being half a head shorter, he bravely shielded him, extending his arm to block the blow.
“You’re not allowed to hit him.”
He lifted his beautiful, reddened eyes, his soft voice filled with determination. “What kind of elder acts like this? My family isn’t like this at all. If you can’t stand him, then don’t bother with him. Also, I was the one who tricked Shi He first. I’m the bad one.”
“He likes me because I deceived him.”
“And you’re not allowed to say bad things about him either.”
The fierce little cat let out a huff and pushed Shi He back, covering Shi He’s ears with his two soft, white hands. “Your ears should only listen to pleasant things. Don’t listen to any of the nasty stuff.”
“Where did this child come from? No upbringing at all.”
“I am Ruan Zhimian, the Beta you were talking about!”
Old Master Shi said, “If I can’t control Shi He, I’ll find your parents to control you.”
Ruan Zhimian turned back to glare at him. “Go ahead. When my parents hear it, they’ll only say you’re a disrespectful elder. You bad person!”
Though he didn’t know how to curse, his output was quite strong.
If only he could take Shi He away and keep him at his own house, ignoring all these annoying people.
Unfortunately, he was leaving.
Ruan Zhimian closed the door and lowered his small head, hugging Shi He dejectedly. He pressed Shi He against the wall. “I’m sorry. If I hadn’t asked you to come over yesterday, your grandfather wouldn’t have found out.”
Those beautiful, watery eyes gradually grew misty. Ruan Zhimian stood on his tiptoes and gave Shi He a gentle kiss on his cold cheek. “Shi He, you will be very happy.”
“These people and these things aren’t important.”
Including me. I’m not important either.
Even if your happiness comes a little late.
Even if it’s not me.
The sound of a rainstorm seemed to ring in his ears again—piercing and painful. Shi He extended his arms and lowered his dark eyes, pulling him closer bit by bit.
He spoke in a low voice, “Baby, I’m very happy right now.”
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