Heartbeat

The glass containment chamber had been destroyed, and the only iron chains capable of restraining Si Jinyan had snapped as well. No one else could get close to Si Jinyan, so Lu Jiu suggested that Chi Li look after him for the time being.

At least for now, Si Jinyan was at his most stable when he was by Chi Li's side.

Si Jinyan readily agreed to that arrangement. He stayed within three steps of Chi Li, his gaze fixed tightly on him at all times.

Chi Li brought Si Jinyan back to Si Jinyan's own room at the base.

After entering and closing the door, Chi Li poured himself a glass of water and stood by the windowsill.

Si Jinyan still followed close behind him, the tip of his tail loosely coiled around Chi Li's ankle like a chain.

The bottom of the glass in Chi Li's hand lightly tapped against the windowsill now and then, producing intermittent soft clinks.

After a while, Chi Li set the glass down, began removing his robe, then turned toward the bedroom.

Without needing to be called, Si Jinyan followed.

Chi Li stood beside the bed and looked back at Si Jinyan.

Just as Lu Jiu had said in his office, this truly was the fastest way to help Si Jinyan recover.

Yet Si Jinyan would not cooperate.

Chi Li released his pheromones, and Si Jinyan's pheromones eagerly wound around them. His fish tail curled around Chi Li's ankle.

Inch by inch, it slid and wandered, slick scales pressing against ever more warm skin.

Si Jinyan held Chi Li, kissed his lips, his cheeks, his earlobes...

But that was as far as it went.

Chi Li's eyes had lost some of their clarity as he stopped Si Jinyan's endless caresses. "That's enough. You