Hug

Chi Li thought that perhaps he had not slept well, which was why he had not even noticed when Si Jinyan left that morning.

When he went downstairs, he unexpectedly saw Si Jinyan by the dining table.

Chi Li froze for a moment, but Si Jinyan had already looked over at him.

The young man stood somewhat stiffly on the stairs. "Marshal."

"You're awake." Si Jinyan had beautiful eyes, thick lashes, and a deep gaze. His face looked cold and detached, yet when those eyes lingered on someone for too long, they inexplicably seemed affectionate.

Chi Li gave a quiet "Mm."

Si Jinyan said, "Come eat breakfast."

Chi Li hurriedly nodded, jogged over, and sat across from Si Jinyan. The butler brought over his breakfast.

Si Jinyan silently looked at his optical computer, seemingly reading the news. Chi Li did not dare disturb him and discreetly studied Si Jinyan instead.

"What is it?" Si Jinyan had already finished breakfast but had not left the table. Holding a cup of coffee, he suddenly paused and looked at Chi Li. "Is something wrong?"

"N-No." After meeting Si Jinyan's eyes, Chi Li immediately lowered his head. Then, perhaps feeling that it was rude, he raised his head to look at Si Jinyan again.

Just as Si Jinyan was about to look away and continue reading the news, Chi Li suddenly said, "I admire you very much, Marshal."

Chi Li's face was a little red, as though he had gathered all his courage to say something like a confession.

Chi Li needed to get close to Si Jinyan, not only physically, but emotionally as well. He needed to play this role properly in order to earn Si Jinyan's trust.

To most ordinary citizens, Si Jinyan was a hero.

Si Jinyan raised one brow slightly, seeming to wait for Chi Li to continue.

As if afraid Si Jinyan would not believe him, the young man repeated himself. "Really. I'll help you properly in the future, if there's ever anything you need me for."

After a moment, an almost imperceptible smile touched Si Jinyan's lips. "I understand. If I need you, I'll definitely let you know."

Everyone knew what kind of need he meant. With the butler and servants nearby, although Chi Li had expected that he would inevitably have to flirt and exchange sweet words with Si Jinyan, he still felt a little awkward.

Si Jinyan suddenly reached out to him. Chi Li froze but did not dodge.

Si Jinyan wiped a smear of milk from the corner of his mouth and said, "Why are you like a child?"

This time, Chi Li's face truly reddened from the bottom of his heart.

The butler, who had seen everything, silently twitched an eyelid. He had served the Marshal for many years and had never seen him bring any omega home. When had he ever seen the Marshal tease another omega so gently?

As though he had finally seen signs that the iron tree he had tended for years was about to bloom, the butler gave Chi Li another look.

Si Jinyan noticed the blush spreading across Chi Li's face. With a soft laugh, he changed the subject. "Did you sleep well?"

After that, Si Jinyan asked a question and Chi Li answered one. Si Jinyan asked about Chi Li's family, but Chi Li had long prepared for that and did not reveal the slightest flaw.

Only after Chi Li finished breakfast did Si Jinyan leave the house.

Chi Li stared at the closed door and only then belatedly realized that Si Jinyan seemed to have been waiting for him earlier.

Thinking Si Jinyan would not return that night, Chi Li lay in bed. Just as he was drifting off, there came a soft knock at the door.

It was nearly ten when the butler's voice came from outside. "Is Mr. Chi asleep?"

Only after Chi Li repeatedly asked had the butler, Yuan Ru, begun calling him that.

"Not yet, Uncle Yuan. What is it?" Chi Li opened the door.

Yuan Ru was in his forties or fifties and wore black-rimmed glasses. He was refined and gentle, with the warm, comforting air of a kind elder. "Sir asked you to go to him. He's in the bedroom."

Chi Li's back stiffened, but he obediently nodded afterward. "All right. I'll go now."

Yuan Ru led him to the bedroom door and then left. The door was half-open, seemingly waiting for him to enter.

After Chi Li went in, he consciously shut the door behind him.

Si Jinyan sat against the headboard reading. When he saw Chi Li enter, he closed his book. Only after Chi Li slowly walked to the bed did he ask, "Are you feeling better?"

The bedroom was lit by a gentle orange glow, making the atmosphere somewhat ambiguous.

Chi Li naturally knew what he meant. He said softly, "A little better."

"Very nervous?" Si Jinyan chuckled. "Come here."

Si Jinyan took Chi Li's hand. Perhaps because he exercised year-round, Si Jinyan's palm was somewhat rough, but it felt all the more broad and powerful.

Chi Li knelt stiffly, uncomfortable all over. Of course he was nervous. As an alpha, his body was not as suited to that sort of thing as an omega's, not to mention that it was his first time experiencing it.

The pain from last time was still vivid in his memory.

Si Jinyan squeezed his arm. "Don't be nervous."

Chi Li murmured, "Mm," and slowly let out a breath.

The instant their lips touched, Chi Li caught a faint scent of sandalwood, like perfume.

Chi Li nervously shut his eyes. A moment later, when he realized what he was doing, he abruptly opened them and met those dark eyes.

Si Jinyan looked at him, his eyes seeming to hold a faint smile.

Chi Li looked embarrassed and flustered. Like an elder guiding a child, Si Jinyan taught Chi Li what to do.

Chi Li had never dated before and knew nothing at all about this. At that moment, he could only let Si Jinyan take the lead.

He wanted to pull away, but Si Jinyan held him firmly in place.

"Breathe."

After an unknown amount of time, Chi Li was finally released, his heart pounding.

Chi Li looked at Si Jinyan with damp eyes, his expression dazed and innocent, like a lost fawn that had wandered into a forest.

Si Jinyan pulled him into his arms.

Chi Li felt that place...

The room darkened, but after waiting for a long time, Chi Li still did not feel any further movement.

He shifted slightly. Chi Li knew all too well what was pressed against him, so he called out in confusion, "Marshal."

Si Jinyan said, "Mm?"

Chi Li softly asked, "Are you going to sleep?" His voice was still a little hoarse, making the atmosphere, which had only just calmed down, seem ambiguous again.

"Not yet." As Si Jinyan spoke, his warm breath brushed across Chi Li's skin. Chi Li could not help moving, but Si Jinyan held him even tighter, forcibly stopping him.

"If you still want to continue, you can keep moving."

Chi Li instantly went rigid and obediently stayed still.

After a moment, Chi Li said, "Marshal, good night."

Si Jinyan said, "Good night."