Chapter 13: What Is That Scent on You?

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 After that, nothing more of note happened. Even though few guests at the wedding pressed them to drink, both Shen Shuyi and Xie Chenzhou ended up consuming quite a bit.

At first, Shen Shuyi had barely touched his glass. Xie Chenzhou shielded him, and Zhao Jian stayed by his side.

Just because no one urged Xie Chenzhou to drink didn’t mean he couldn’t. By the latter half of the evening, he had taken his share.

Once Xie Chenzhou started drinking, Shen Shuyi couldn’t avoid it either. He matched Xie Chenzhou, glass for glass.

By the time the last guests left, Shen Shuyi’s head was spinning, the world a haze of warmth and dizziness.

Only Shen Shuhan noticed that his younger brother was clearly drunk. He had to rush to set the crew tomorrow and couldn’t stay to care for him. Before leaving, he reminded the slightly more sober Xie Chenzhou, “Don’t leave Shuyi alone in the room. At least let him sober up a bit first.”

Whether Xie Chenzhou listened was anyone’s guess.

Shen Shuhan didn’t like this brother-in-law, but he was powerful, capable, and untouchable. Stopping the marriage was impossible, and his father would never agree. There was nothing Shen Shuhan could do.

If Xie Chenzhou wanted him, he would have no choice.

Fortunately, he wanted Shuyi.

It was not entirely fortunate, though. Shen Shuhan had no idea if his brother truly wanted this marriage.

But then, what difference did it make, knowing or not knowing?

Shen Shuhan left last, helping see off the final guests. It was past eleven when the last car pulled away.

Shen Shuyi returned to the hotel with Xie Chenzhou.

With Xie Chenzhou’s status, no one dared to trouble them. Guests who lingered late were only hoping to connect or do business. By the time they walked back to the hotel room, only Xie Chenzhou and Zhao Jian were left by Shen Shuyi’s side.

After confirming tomorrow’s schedule, Zhao Jian had to leave. He was a hardworking employee, reliant on a taxi for the ride home. Working for Xie Chenzhou paid the most, but it still demanded effort.

Once Zhao Jian left, only Xie Chenzhou remained beside Shen Shuyi.

The elevator had been pressed in advance by the staff. Zhao Jian had slipped away so quickly that Shen Shuyi only caught faint snippets of his voice.

“Why didn’t Secretary Zhao get a room?” Shen Shuyi muttered, half-dazed. “He seems so tired…”

He barely knew what he was saying.

Xie Chenzhou looked down. “The room was his. I left him plenty of budget.”

If Zhao Jian wanted, he could have booked a room for himself. Clearly, he didn’t want to. Perhaps he knew staying would only make things awkward.

Shen Shuyi didn’t need to know that.

“Oh…” he murmured, dazed. “You’re not dizzy at all? I feel a little drunk. You drank so much. How are you fine?”

“Do Alphas have some kind of natural alcohol enzyme?” he added with a curious tilt of his head.

He stumbled slightly, brushing against Xie Chenzhou. “Sorry… I think I stepped on you…”

Actually, he hadn’t. He was just off balance.

Xie Chenzhou steadied him.

When drunk, Shen Shuyi talked more freely. Xie Chenzhou found himself learning more about him, quietly, piece by piece.

Leaning against him, Shen Shuyi caught a faint, alluring scent on Xie Chenzhou.

“I’ve always wanted to ask… what is that scent on you?” Shen Shuyi asked. “My third brother says your pheromones smell like magnolia, but you smell different. Are you wearing something?”

“Perfume,” Xie Chenzhou said.

A personal blend, gentler than magnolia. The top notes were woody, the base smelled like a forest after rain.

Xie Chenzhou had always found his own pheromones too aggressive. High-level Alpha pheromones were often harsher, smoky or sharp. He disliked the intensity of his own. Even gentle scents could be weaponized.

He would never forget his mother using her pheromones like a blade, aiming it at his glands. At that moment, he had almost believed she would kill him.

He was the same kind of person, just like her.

He couldn’t imagine the fear on Shen Shuyi’s face if he revealed his true nature.

Still, he refused to let go. He wove the web, determined to keep Shen Shuyi close.

“Perfume?” Shen Shuyi leaned closer, intrigued. “It smells so good.”

The elevator arrived.

The doors opened slowly, reflecting them on the mirrored wall.

Shen Shuyi was dangerously close. Hours ago, there had been half a person’s distance between them in the same elevator. Now, he was pressing almost against Xie Chenzhou.

Xie Chenzhou held him steady, guiding him inside.

Their room was on the twentieth floor. The elevator ride was smooth, yet filled with the powerful, irresistible scent of Xie Chenzhou.

Anyone entering would have smelled it immediately.

Xie Chenzhou could not control his pheromones. The elevator felt like a storm contained in glass.

Shen Shuyi, at the center, was completely unaware. He pressed closer, feeling Xie Chenzhou solid and reliable.

He pressed his nose to Xie Chenzhou’s neck and even placed his hand there.

“It smells so good…” he whispered, brushing his nose along the skin.

Xie Chenzhou’s breathing grew heavier. He held Shen Shuyi by the waist to keep him from falling.

So small.

His palm was hot, pressing gently against the delicate curve of Shen Shuyi’s waist. The skin was soft, smooth. As Xie Chenzhou supported him, Shen Shuyi had to tiptoe, and his shirt hem had escaped from his pants.

Xie Chenzhou’s palm brushed against soft skin, and the sensation was exquisite torture.

It is said that when someone unconsciously allows themselves to get close, it is because of biological attraction and genuine desire.

Shen Shuyi had no defenses against him.

Xie Chenzhou’s pulse quickened. Sweat beaded on his forehead, veins standing out.

What should he do?

He imagined consuming Shen Shuyi entirely. Removing him layer by layer, devouring him completely.

His teeth itched as he traced his fingers along Shen Shuyi’s neck, instinctively seeking glands.

Shen Shuyi was Beta. No glands.

Then he would simply… consume him.

The thought consumed Xie Chenzhou, and he imagined each step in vivid detail. His head spun, his body ached.

But he could not act.

Why not? He did not know. Some part of him said it was forbidden.

Finally, the elevator stopped. Eyes bloodshot, he helped Shen Shuyi out.

A Beta staff member was waiting. Xie Chenzhou remembered pressing the service button in a daze.

“Spray a little,” he said, referring to the pheromone dispersal spray. The staff member understood immediately and began clearing the lingering scent.

Shen Shuyi’s room was just steps away. Xie Chenzhou could not summon the energy to take him all the way, so he led him into his own room.

He pushed open the suite bedroom door and helped Shen Shuyi onto the bed.

Shen Shuyi, thinking he might fall, clung instinctively. Xie Chenzhou carefully pried his hands from his neck.

“You… smell so good…” Shen Shuyi whispered.

He wanted to keep smelling him.

The perfume. It should not have been used today.

Xie Chenzhou’s mind raced, torn between desire and reason.

A small mole on Shen Shuyi’s nose brushed against Xie Chenzhou’s collar, swaying with every movement.

He could no longer resist. He bent down, kissing Shen Shuyi fiercely.

He bit his lips, tongue roaming possessively, sucking until Shen Shuyi whimpered in pain, forcing him to pull back.

Shen Shuyi’s lips were swollen, cut in places, bright and slightly alarming.

He murmured in pain, tears brimming.

Xie Chenzhou could not bear to look at him. Trembling, he grabbed a thin blanket, covering him halfway, and fled the room.

He locked the door, pressing his forehead, unable to go back.

Yet Shen Shuhan had said he could not leave Shen Shuyi alone. He should at least let him sober up.

Xie Chenzhou felt like he was on the edge of collapse.

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Translator note: 📌

I will be posting 2 chapters everyday at 9:30 PM ~ Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) zone.

Thank you for reading 💖 see you again in the next chapter~ cherries 😘