You Taste Better

Chi Li noticed a news story about Si Jinyan while browsing the Neural Computer Si Jinyan had given him.

He did not even need to search for it deliberately. In an extremely prominent spot on a semi-official news site were several eye-catching words: Shocking! Imperial Marshal to Marry a Royal Family Princess

Clicking into it revealed a photo of the two together, accompanied by the words a match made in heaven.

A strange, unpleasant feeling rose from the depths of Chi Li's heart, only to vanish in an instant.

Chi Li read the report from beginning to end.

Marriages between nobles were mostly tied to politics. With one party being Si Jinyan, Chi Li looked into the other person's identity and found that she was indeed closely related to the Emperor.

For some reason, Chi Li felt relieved.

When Si Jinyan returned that afternoon, he found that Chi Li was not in the living room.

At this time in the past, Chi Li would always wait for him there. The moment he heard the door open, he would run over and give Si Jinyan a hug.

Si Jinyan did not think much of it and went to the bedroom to look for Chi Li. Sure enough, he found Chi Li sitting in a lounge chair facing the balcony, reading a book. Even when he heard footsteps, he did not turn around.

Si Jinyan wrapped his arms around Chi Li from behind. "Reading that seriously?"

Si Jinyan was tall and powerfully built. Chi Li was not short either, but Si Jinyan still enveloped him with ease. Chi Li paused, then turned to the next page and gave a muffled hum.

No matter how dull Si Jinyan was, he could tell that something was wrong with Chi Li.

He sat down beside Chi Li and pulled him into his arms. Chi Li always carried a faint scent of cream, mixed with subtle notes of milk and sunshine. It was fragrant and sweet.

"What's wrong?" Si Jinyan asked.

Perhaps it was the influence of pheromones, but Chi Li actually liked leaning against Si Jinyan's chest like this.

Unlike usual, Chi Li did not cling to Si Jinyan and act spoiled. He only said sullenly, "Nothing."

Si Jinyan squeezed Chi Li's lean waist. He still thought Chi Li was too thin, so he lifted him up. "Let's eat first."

Chi Li said nothing. He simply raised his arms around Si Jinyan's neck and let Si Jinyan carry him downstairs.

The servants and butler had long since grown used to the sight.

At first, Chi Li had felt awkward about it. Later, he realized that his discomfort did not affect Si Jinyan in the slightest. Si Jinyan still did whatever he pleased.

It was only when Chi Li picked up his spoon to drink some soup that Si Jinyan noticed the red mark on the back of his right hand. It was nearly half the size of his palm.

Si Jinyan frowned. "How did you get that?"

Chi Li remained silent.

Si Jinyan became certain that Chi Li was having a spat with him today.

This was the first time Chi Li had displayed his little emotions so clearly in front of Si Jinyan.

Rather than getting angry, Si Jinyan called over the butler and asked what had happened today.

Only then did Chi Li look up at Si Jinyan, then at the butler. In a low voice, he said, "Uncle Yuan..."

Si Jinyan smiled. "You're not even allowing Yuan Ru to tell me?"

Yuan Ru gave Chi Li an apologetic smile and told Si Jinyan everything that had happened today, including how Chi Li had wanted to make him a cream cake but had clumsily burned himself; including how Chi Li had asked Yuan Ru who the princess marrying Si Jinyan was, and whether the Marshal really was going to marry.

At Si Jinyan's command, Yuan Ru also brought out the little cake Chi Li had not wanted to show anyone.

The small cake, neither neat nor pretty in shape, was placed on the dining table. Although Chi Li had initially been unwilling to bring it out, when Si Jinyan picked up his dessert fork, anticipation and nervousness still appeared in his eyes.

Si Jinyan actually did not like sweets at all. He disliked things as cloyingly sweet as cream, yet the research institute had determined that he had a higher chance of compatibility with cream-scented pheromones.

However, when Si Jinyan first came into contact with Chi Li's pheromones, an intense desire he had never felt before surged through his mind. He had wanted to swallow this little omega, who radiated such an intoxicating cream scent, in a single bite.

Later, Si Jinyan came to feel that the cream scent on Chi Li was the most special of all. There could never be another cream-scented pheromone as special as his.

Si Jinyan took two bites before finally commenting under Chi Li's faintly expectant gaze, "It tastes good."

Chi Li's eyes brightened.

After a pause, Si Jinyan added, "But not as good as you." Naturally, Si Jinyan knew why Chi Li had chosen to make a cream-flavored cake.

A faint blush rose over Chi Li's ears. Si Jinyan had teased him again, and he shot him an annoyed sideways glance.

Even later that night, as Chi Li lay in Si Jinyan's bed and was held in his arms, he remained silent.

Ointment had been applied to Chi Li's right hand by Si Jinyan himself. Si Jinyan had also held him while bathing him, carefully avoiding the injury.

Yet he never mentioned the marriage alliance again.

A small warm yellow lamp was lit in the room, creating a quiet, intimate atmosphere. Si Jinyan checked Chi Li's burn once more and asked, "Why did you buy so much medicine for heart disease?"

Si Jinyan actually knew that Chi Li had a grandmother with heart disease.

Si Jinyan pulled Chi Li's hand out from beneath the covers to inspect it. The instant he finished, Chi Li quickly tucked it back in, carrying the air of a child throwing a tantrum and trying to draw a clear line between them.

Chi Li said softly, "It's for Grandma."

Si Jinyan actually found Chi Li rather cute like this. Chi Li rarely showed emotions other than happiness in front of him, but from Si Jinyan's perspective, Chi Li was still a child. In an unfamiliar place, he should have had many other emotions, yet he had hidden and concealed them all.

Si Jinyan rubbed Chi Li's head. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone send over more medicine. When there's time, we can take Grandma in for a checkup."

Chi Li's eyes lit up. He looked at Si Jinyan as though he could not believe it. "Really?"

Si Jinyan smiled. "When have I ever lied to you? When the time comes, I'll have someone pick Grandma up."

As if recalling something, Chi Li lowered his head again and said dejectedly, "Maybe not. Grandma wouldn't like it. And if she found out what I'm doing, she definitely wouldn't be happy..." In the old woman's view, an omega doing this was frivolous.

After saying that, Chi Li suddenly thought of something. He sharply turned to Si Jinyan, flustered. "Marshal, I didn't mean anything else. I'm not saying you're bad, or that this is bad. It's Grandma... no, that's not what I mean..."

Chi Li tried to explain himself incoherently, looking terribly afraid that Si Jinyan would get angry over it.

"Now you know to be afraid?" Si Jinyan's expression was gentle.

Chi Li lowered his head, turned around, and burrowed closer to Si Jinyan. He buried his face in Si Jinyan's chest, looking like he knew he had done something wrong but did not want to be scolded, instead pleading and acting spoiled.

Chi Li said sullenly, "No..."

Si Jinyan gently patted Chi Li's back as though soothing a child to sleep, showing no intention of getting angry.

After a while, sensing Si Jinyan's calm attitude, Chi Li maintained the same position and suddenly said, "Marshal, I want to go home and see Grandma."

Afraid that Si Jinyan would refuse, he added, "Just for one day. I'll come back very soon."

Curled up in Si Jinyan's arms, Chi Li's voice was somewhat muffled and hoarse. His breath brushed against Si Jinyan's chest as he spoke, making it itch.

Si Jinyan's hand paused slightly on Chi Li's back. Thinking that Chi Li really had not gone back for a long time, and that a trip home might improve the child's mood, he said, "Go ahead. Do you need me to send someone to take you there?"

"No need. Thank you, Marshal."

A few days later, Chi Li finally let out a sigh of relief after successfully leaving the residence and arriving in the West City slums.

Half a month ago, Chi Li had begun to occasionally suffer heart palpitations, weakness in his limbs, and swelling and pain at the back of his neck. These were signs that he needed an injection. Based on how often he used his body to soothe Si Jinyan, the injections that should have been administered once every six months had been moved up by a full two months.

Chi Li had expected Si Jinyan to ask why he was buying medicine. He could use visiting Grandma as an excuse to go home and get the injection. It just so happened that the marriage alliance came up, so Chi Li put on another little act.

But Si Jinyan only asked him once why he had bought the medicine and did not pursue the matter. He had probably investigated Chi Li's family situation long ago.

Chi Li looked at the three bodyguards escorting him. "My home is right beside the entrance to the alley. It's not far. The house is too cramped, so could you wait here? I'll come back down very quickly. Sorry to trouble you."

After giving them his instructions, Chi Li hurried into the alley.

Chi Li first settled the old woman. She had lost a grandson long ago, and after her mind became muddled, she had continued to believe that her grandson was still alive. Although Chi Li had been a candidate selected by the authorities, he had still taken great care of her during the time they lived together.

Then Chi Li dug an old piece of equipment out from a corner of the dilapidated house. It was a sophisticated communication device disguised to look worn-out. It was only palm-sized, but had excellent communication and anti-eavesdropping capabilities.

Chi Li activated the real-time communication system. A blue holographic screen as tall as a person appeared before him. He then removed his clothes and scanned in his physical condition. By the time he got dressed again, the connection on the other end had gone through.

Chi Li's attending doctor, Wen Jie, guided him through administering the injection. At the end, seeing the mottled marks on Chi Li's body, he did not forget to make a teasing remark.

Chi Li glared at him. "Shut up."

Then Chi Li began reporting the relevant details.

A sudden commotion came from outside. Chi Li quickly shut down and concealed the communication device. The next second, the door was kicked open, and a tall man pointed a gun at him. "Hands up, then get out."