Chapter 58

Qi Ying’s outfit was indeed seductive—skimpy, thin, and incredibly easy to pull apart.

He had also prepared an aphrodisiac pill. As long as Rong Jing let him in, he had ways to make him submit.

His intentions were crystal clear, and he was going to seize every opportunity.

To avoid being caught on the elevator’s security cameras, Qi Ying deliberately took the emergency stairwell.

Gu Xi followed behind him, watching as Qi Ying’s fair, jade-like legs moved with an enticing sway. From the stair railing, Gu Xi glanced downward and vaguely spotted someone lurking on a lower landing, along with a camera.

Even though the production team had booked two full floors, there was no real way to keep out relentless paparazzi.

They could simply book rooms on different floors as ordinary guests and still find ways to sneak up.

By the time Qi Ying knocked on Rong Jing’s door and was about to flash his most charming smile, he realized, much to his shock, that the person who answered wasn’t Rong Jing. He didn’t even have time to hide the dismay on his expression.

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Qi Ying was even more persistent than he had imagined. It seemed like he needed to come up with a new way to deal with this nuisance.

“I already made things clear to you before,” Rong Jing said, his expression turning cold. He was essentially telling Qi Ying to leave.

“I didn’t come to pester you, really. The faucet in my bathroom broke, and I was hoping to borrow yours. You know how dangerous it is for an Omega like me to ask just anyone. Out of everyone here, you’re the only one I trust.”

His words were sincere and logical.

Rong Jing asked, “Aren’t there still available rooms?”

This hotel was massive, with so many rooms on each floor that it was easy to get lost without following the signs. It was an ideal place for actors who valued privacy. Even if paparazzi managed to sneak in, they wouldn’t know the exact room numbers of the celebrities—getting any scoop was purely a matter of luck.

Zhou You replied, “There are. Would you like me to arrange one?”

Rong Jing didn’t expose Qi Ying’s lie. Instead, he smiled and looked at his stiff expression. “Whatever he needs.”

Surely, not every single available room had a broken bathroom. If he was going to make up an excuse, he could at least come up with a better one.

Qi Ying had prepared a backup plan and quickly added, “Alright, I’ll go later. But there’s something else—I recently sorted through all the things you gave me over the years. When can I return them? Among them is a watch that your biological father left for your mother. You used to treat it like a treasure before giving it to me. Don’t you want it back?”

If Qi Ying hadn’t mentioned it, Rong Jing would have completely forgotten.

This body’s original soul had never met his biological father. Rather than missing him, he actually resented the man for being an irresponsible parent.

“I think you should look into a simple service—courier delivery.” If he really wanted to return something, was it that difficult? Did he really have to hand it over in person?

Their conversation turned into a back-and-forth exchange, with Qi Ying trying to set a trap and Rong Jing effortlessly dismantling it.

Zhou You, playing the role of an invisible spectator, watched with growing amusement. For the first time, he was seeing one of these arrogant, high-status Omegas getting completely shut down. He could barely hold back his urge to applaud.

Young master, you are truly an inspiration!

“Let me in first, and we can talk inside, okay?” Qi Ying, seeing Rong Jing’s cold demeanor, felt both hurt and humiliated. This was someone who used to give him whatever he wanted—why had he changed so much? He even started to question whether his persistence had any meaning at all.

Qi Ying had never lowered himself like this before. He appeared especially delicate now, the kind that could easily trigger an Alpha’s protective instincts.

Rong Jing remained unmoved. “There’s no need. Aside from our professional collaboration, there’s nothing for us to discuss.”

Standing at the emergency exit, Gu Xi was too far away to hear their conversation, but he could tell that Qi Ying was getting repeatedly rejected. It made him a little happy.

No—very happy. Though even Gu Xi himself didn’t know why.

Just then, he noticed two paparazzi making their way upstairs. Gu Xi had excellent vocal training. In addition to mastering special effects makeup, he could mimic a variety of voices—a necessary skill for any professional actor needing to deliver diverse lines.

He immediately created a fake conversation between imaginary passersby:

“I think I just saw Gu Xi!”

“Isn’t he over there?”

“Where? Where?”

Sure enough, the two paparazzi immediately stopped in their tracks, ears perked up.

Meanwhile, Rong Jing’s door shut firmly. Qi Ying, having been completely rejected, had no choice but to turn back, heading straight toward Gu Xi’s location.

Gu Xi, finishing his little act, stepped lightly and sprinted up to the thirteenth floor in a few quick strides, making his way to the elevator.

While he waited for the elevator, Qi Ying opened the ventilation door only to be met with two camera lenses pointed directly at him. Click, click, click—a rapid series of shutter sounds followed.

“Gu Xi, can I ask—wait, you’re not Gu Xi!”

“Ah!!! A peeping pervert!” Qi Ying shrieked and immediately pulled out his phone to call the hotel front desk.

Two voices rang out at the same time.

“Wait, don’t call!” The two paparazzi panicked.

A situation like this was bound to turn into a chaotic dispute, effectively taking out two troublesome groups in one go.

By the time all of this unfolded, Gu Xi had already taken the elevator back down to the twelfth floor. He quickly made his way to Rong Jing’s door and knocked urgently.

Rong Jing had just taken off his bathrobe, wearing only a pair of jeans. His shirt remained unbuttoned.

Thinking Qi Ying had returned, he swung the door open sharply. “What else do you—”

But instead of Qi Ying, he was met with Gu Xi’s misty, cool eyes.

Those usually indifferent eyes faltered for a moment, involuntarily trailing downward, past the Adam’s apple, to Rong Jing’s slightly open shirt.

Beneath the fabric, smooth yet defined muscles peeked through. The light scent of sweet orange body wash, mingled with an Alpha’s natural pheromones, drifted into Gu Xi’s nose.

Gu Xi’s ears turned slightly red.

Rong Jing never saw anything improper about a man exposing his upper body, but when Gu Xi trembled slightly, his lashes fluttering like butterfly wings, as if he didn’t know where to rest his gaze, Rong Jing suddenly felt a little uneasy too.

From outside, Qi Ying’s frantic screams mixed with other voices, growing louder.

Worried that things would escalate into a full-blown hallway spectacle, Rong Jing grabbed Gu Xi by the wrist and pulled him inside before shutting the door.

The noises outside grew even more chaotic. Qi Ying had apparently called for hotel staff.

Inside, however, was an unusual silence. Rong Jing, now with his back to Gu Xi, buttoned up his shirt. He waited for a while, but the noise outside didn’t subside. Turning around, he asked, “Did you come to me because you ran into some trouble?”

Gu Xi was stunned. What difficulties could he possibly have? He was simply worried that Qi Ying might come back again, so he decided to stay here and stand guard, ready to protect Rong Jing’s chastity at any moment. He hadn’t thought much beyond that.

Caught off guard and unable to come up with a good excuse, Gu Xi blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Oh, the bathroom faucet is broken. I was wondering if I could take a shower here?”

Rong Jing:, “Sure, I just used it.”

Zhou You, standing to the side, opened his mouth slightly in disbelief. Young Master, do you remember what you said just a few minutes ago?

Of course, Rong Jing wouldn’t let Gu Xi go to a stranger’s room. Considering how fate always seemed to have time for mischief, coupled with Gu Xi’s natural charm, it was safest to keep him right under his nose.

“You didn’t bring a change of clothes?” Rong Jing asked, noticing Gu Xi was empty-handed.

“I came in a hurry and didn’t bring any. Can you lend me something?” Gu Xi forced himself to keep up the lie.

One lie always leads to another.

Rong Jing, remembering that he had brought plenty of new clothes since he’d be with the crew for a while, said, “If you don’t mind them being a bit big, of course. The people outside will probably keep making a fuss for a while. You should go in and shower first.”

“…Oh, okay.” Gu Xi responded.

Gu Xi stood there blankly, resembling an unresponsive penguin. Rong Jing found it a little cute.

After a long pause, Zhou You finally spoke. “Young Master, when an Alpha invites an Omega into their bathroom, it’s usually misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?” Rong Jing hadn’t even considered that. Six genders are really such a hassle.

“As spending the night together.”

“…” I always feel so out of place in this world.

At this point, calling Gu Xi back wouldn’t be appropriate either.

Why didn’t Gu Xi scold me just now? This little cabbage was way too obedient. He should’ve knocked some sense into him, woken him up from this reckless invitation because he’s an Alpha.

Rong Jing was practically worrying over Gu Xi like an old father.

“Young Master, don’t you think you two…”

The way you talk to each other doesn’t feel like an A and an O at all… It’s more like…

“Hm? What were you going to say?” Rong Jing asked while rummaging through his bedroom for clothes.

“Nothing.”

Rong Jing’s confidence was so unshakable that he completely killed any possibility of misunderstanding.

Maybe it really is just pure friendship. Maybe I’m the one reading too much into it, Zhou You thought.

Gu Xi entered the bathroom. The air was still faintly humid, lingering with traces of Rong Jing’s sweet orange scent.

Gu Xi started to regret it. The Alpha’s scent was too overwhelming, wrapping around him entirely. It felt both suffocating and… strangely stimulating.

Thinking back on his impulsive decision, Gu Xi leaned against the door and slowly slid to the floor.

His heart was still pounding uncontrollably. Irritated, he scolded himself, “Thump, thump, thump—do you ever do anything else besides beating all day?”

There was another knock at the bathroom door. It was Rong Jing outside.

Gu Xi cracked the door open and took the clothes Rong Jing handed him.

“They’re new, never worn.”

“Thanks.”

Their fingers brushed against each other accidentally.

A faint, almost imperceptible current ran through them, and they quickly pulled away.

Gu Xi shut the door again, feeling the heat creeping up the back of his neck. He reached up and peeled off his suppressant patch, touching the skin underneath.

The warmth faded just as quickly as it had appeared. It hadn’t been long since his last heat. There was no way it was coming again so soon.

Gu Xi let out a short, bitter laugh. Impossible.

He didn’t dwell on it. Taking off his clothes, he somehow felt even safer knowing Rong Jing was right outside.

His gaze flickered to the untouched bathtub, then to the still-damp shower stall. Something crossed his mind—something he refused to acknowledge—before he decisively stepped into the shower.

At that moment, Gu Feng’s voice echoed in his mind: Your friend just showered here. Are you sure you want to use it?

Gu Xi ignored him and reached for the shower gel.

The scent was the same as the one lingering on Rong Jing’s skin.

On impulse, Gu Xi squeezed a little into his palm. He turned on the shower, letting the warm water cascade down, masking the nervous tension coursing through his body.

When he finally stepped out, dressed in Rong Jing’s clothes, his face was tinged with a rosy hue—like a ripe, delicate peach.

Rong Jing saw the fresh, fragrant Omega and instantly forgot what he was about to say.

Gu Xi looked around the room, noticing that Zhou You was gone. “Where’s your assistant?”

“I sent him back.”

Zhou You wasn’t just a personal assistant—he handled company affairs too. He was always running back and forth, practically superhuman.

But more than that, Rong Jing had been worried that Gu Xi might feel uncomfortable with someone else around.

His gaze swept over Gu Xi, who was now wearing his slightly oversized T-shirt and casual pants. The loose fabric draped over him, making him look even more refined. His long legs and slender waist were subtly outlined by the soft material, his porcelain-white skin glowing under the warm lights.

And his ankles—delicate, almost sculptural—were bare against the plush carpet.

Rong Jing pressed his lips together and looked away, pulling out a pair of slippers instead. He crouched down in front of Gu Xi, holding them out.

Gu Xi flinched in surprise, instinctively pulling his feet back.

“I, I can do it myself. You… don’t have to.”

He felt like a fragile princess being treated with utmost care. But in all his life—at least in all the years he could remember—no one had ever treated him this way before.

To most Alphas, he had always been a prize to be won, an object to be possessed. His thoughts, his feelings, his autonomy never seemed to matter.

He had never been respected by those who admired him. Let alone cherished like this.

Something stirred violently inside him, breaking through the surface like an unstoppable tide.

Even Gu Feng, who was always quick with his sharp tongue, had fallen completely silent in his mind.

“This is normal, isn’t it?” Rong Jing said matter-of-factly. “An Alpha should take care of an Omega.” With that, he gently took hold of Gu Xi’s ankle, carefully slipping his feet into the slippers, one by one.

Gu Xi felt as if his feet were wrapped in clouds, and his nose tingled with sourness.

Just as the warmth between them settled into a quiet moment, a knock on the door shattered the moment.

Why are so many people knocking on the door today?

Gu Xi instinctively tensed, his first thought being that Qi Ying had come back again. Worried, he asked, “Do you need me to hide?”

“Hide? The ones who should be hiding are those with ulterior motives, not us.” Rong Jing stood up. “You don’t have to hide. I’ll go see who it is.”

Rong Jing opened the door once more, and the moment he saw the person standing outside, his mind went completely blank.

After a brief hesitation, he murmured, “Ge…”

The intense aura he had just moments ago dissipated in an instant.

Xie Ling sensed that his younger brother’s attitude was a bit off. Why did he look as if he wasn’t welcome?

Impossible. It must be my imagination.

If he kept doubting his little brother’s devotion to family, this kid would probably start making a fuss again.

Xie Ling spoke coldly, “Why did it take you so long to open the door?”

As he spoke, he directly pushed past Rong Jing and strode inside.

Rong Jing immediately turned around, only to find that the living room was already empty. The door to his bedroom was now shut.

He unconsciously let out a breath of relief—Gu Xi was quick-witted as always. Rong Jing, on the other hand, could only nervously accompany his brother into the room.

Xie Ling had some work nearby, so he decided to stop by and check on this year’s major film investment project.

Most importantly, the two brothers hadn’t seen each other for a few days. They had only been keeping in touch via phone calls, and no matter how advanced technology became, it could never replace the feeling of meeting in person.

They had plenty to talk about—Xie Zhanhong’s recovery, the company’s development plans—topics that could keep them chatting for hours. But today, Rong Jing was clearly distracted, trying to figure out a way to subtly send Xie Ling off to rest early.

It wasn’t just about hiding an Omega. Seeing the exhaustion on Xie Ling’s face, Rong Jing couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache. “Ge, how much sleep did you get last night? Work will never end. Just go back and rest for a bit.”

Sensing his little brother’s concern, Xie Ling’s expression softened slightly. He glanced around the room and, as if granting some rare favor, said, “I won’t bother going back today. I’ll just sleep here.”

Rong Jing was staying in a business suite. Since he was the lead actor, the director wanted to ensure he had a good rest and, without fussing over his level of fame, had arranged for him to stay in a suite.

The suite had a living room and two bedrooms, making it convenient for guests to stay over.

Rong Jing was momentarily stunned. “Ah?”

Wait, Ge!

**

T/N: I will use Ge for 哥 instead of big bro, older bro or bro because I like it more that way. What do you guys think?