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 beside the dining table.

Chi Li froze for a moment, but Si Jinyan had already turned his gaze toward 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 aloof, yet when those eyes lingered on someone, they somehow seemed deeply 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 the Neural Computer, seemingly reading the news. Chi Li did not dare interrupt him and covertly 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?"

"No, nothing." After meeting Si Jinyan's eyes, Chi Li immediately lowered his head. Then, perhaps feeling that it was impolite, he looked back up at him.

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 reddened slightly, as if 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 mentally 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, seemingly waiting for Chi Li to continue.

As though afraid Si Jinyan would not believe him, the young man repeated, "Really. I'll help you properly from now on, if there's anywhere you need me."

A moment later, an almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Si Jinyan's lips. "I understand. If I need you, I'll definitely let you know."

Everyone knew what kind of need that referred to. With the butler and servants standing nearby, Chi Li felt a little uncomfortable despite having expected that he would have to flirt and sweet-talk with Si Jinyan.

Si Jinyan suddenly held out a hand to him. Chi Li froze, but did not dodge.

Si Jinyan wiped the milk stain 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, merely twitched an eyelid in silence. He had followed the Marshal for many years and had never seen him bring any omega home. When had he ever seen the Marshal teasing another omega with such a gentle expression?

As though he had finally seen signs of flowering from the iron tree he had tended for years, the butler gave Chi Li another look.

Si Jinyan noticed the blush spreading across Chi Li's face and chuckled, changing 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 prepared for all of it beforehand and did not reveal the slightest flaw.

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

Looking at the closed door, Chi Li belatedly realized that Si Jinyan had seemingly been waiting for him earlier.

Thinking Si Jinyan would not return that night, Chi Li lay in bed and was just about to drift off when there came a soft knock on the door.

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

Only after Chi Li repeatedly requested it 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 comforting air of a kind elder. "Sir wants you to go to him. He's in the bedroom."

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

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

After Chi Li went in, he consciously closed the bedroom door.

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

The bedroom was lit with soft orange light, making the atmosphere feel somewhat ambiguous.

Chi Li naturally knew what he meant. In a quiet voice, he said, "A little better."

"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, yet it only made it feel broader and stronger.

Chi Li knelt on the bed, his entire body stiff with discomfort. Of course he was nervous. As an alpha, his body was not as suited to that sort of thing as an omega's, let alone since 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 gave a quiet "Mm" and slowly let out a breath.

The moment their lips touched, Chi Li smelled a faint scent of sandalwood, like perfume.

Chi Li nervously closed his eyes. A moment later, when he realized what he was doing, his eyes flew open and met those pitch-black eyes.

Si Jinyan looked at him, his gaze seemingly carrying 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 been in love and knew even less about this sort of thing. At that moment, he could only let Si Jinyan take the lead.

He wanted to break free, but Si Jinyan held him firmly in place.

"Breathe."

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

Chi Li looked at Si Jinyan with wet eyes, his gaze somewhat dazed, 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 uncertainly, "Marshal."

Si Jinyan said, "Hm?"

Chi Li softly asked, "Are you going to sleep?" His voice was still slightly hoarse, making the atmosphere that had just calmed down feel ambiguous again.

"Not yet." As Si Jinyan spoke, his warm breath brushed against Chi Li's skin. Chi Li could not help shifting, only for Si Jinyan to hold him tighter and force him to stop.

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

Chi Li immediately stiffened and obediently stopped moving.

A moment later, Chi Li said, "Marshal, good night."

Si Jinyan said, "Good night."