Zhou Yi curled up in bed, feeling dizzy. He had originally just wanted to take a nap on the sofa, but when he opened his eyes, it was already evening.

What bothered him most, however, was that he wasn’t covered by anything. It was still early spring, and the weather wasn’t warm. On top of that, he had exerted so much physical energy the night before that his weakened body caught a cold.

I just forced myself to take a shower, and the bite marks from Liang Xianzhang are still aching. Thank goodness Shang Yichen’s business trip has been extended. Otherwise, in my current state, I don’t know how I would manage to pretend everything is fine.

Zhou Yi collapsed back into the bed, too tired to even apply medicine to his own body. He had always thought of the term “rag doll” as just a noun, but now it perfectly described his current state.

Even after sleeping most of the day, Zhou Yi was still exhausted. He wrapped himself in the quilt, sniffed, and hoped that a good night’s sleep would help. Not bothering to take any medicine, he curled up and slowly drifted into a deep, drowsy sleep.

---

On the other side of the world, Shang Yichen was preparing for his walk with Gu Shuning.

“Yi Chen, are you okay?” Gu Shuning called out as she finished putting on her shoes.

Shang Yichen walked out of the room holding an umbrella, with a coat draped over his arm. “It’s ready,” he replied.

“Do you really need to bring so many things just for a walk?” Gu Shuning asked with a smile.

“The weather’s been unpredictable lately,” Shang Yichen answered. “Better to be prepared.”

Gu Shuning nodded in agreement, and the two of them left together.

---

Meanwhile, nightfall found Liang Xianzhang tossing and turning in bed, wide awake. In his arms, he held the pajamas Zhou Yi had worn the previous night. The pajamas, already stained with his pheromones, had the faint minty scent of Zhou Yi lingering on them.

The scent had faded somewhat, but Liang Xianzhang couldn’t bring himself to let go. Every trace of Zhou Yi brought back vivid memories of the Omega in his arms.

Liang Xianzhang couldn’t help but feel that his brother’s words weren’t exaggerated. His mind was consumed with thoughts of Zhou Yi, his desire growing to the point where it scared even him.

He opened his eyes, staring at the dark ceiling, and sighed deeply.

Since the day I met Zhou Yi, everything started to unravel. My control, my pride in my self-discipline, they all began to crack. What was once a carefully crafted mask has shattered.

Liang Xianzhang didn’t know how to handle his feelings toward Zhou Yi. After their intimate encounter, his usual sense of responsibility made him think he should propose to Zhou Yi, marry him, and take care of him. But seeing how Zhou Yi was avoiding him and his words indicating that he had someone else in his life, Liang Xianzhang couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Liang Xianzhang, a man who adhered to a strong moral code, could never destroy another person’s relationship. Despite his overwhelming desire, he had managed to hold himself back multiple times in front of Zhou Yi.

With a frustrated sigh, he buried his face in the pajamas, the soft fabric still carrying Zhou Yi’s scent.

Since he couldn’t sleep, Liang Xianzhang got up and headed to the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge and took slow sips, hoping the alcohol would calm his racing thoughts.

He thought about the closed door across the hall. Only a day had passed, but it felt like much longer. He recalled the intense, uncontrollable moments from the previous night, and wondered if Zhou Yi was feeling better now, and whether someone was looking after him.

This sense of helplessness, not knowing what Zhou Yi was up to and only having fragments of information to go by, made Liang Xianzhang take another long sip of beer. He half-leaned against the refrigerator, pressing his temples. He hadn’t been this anxious in a long time.

He had briefly considered asking his secretary to look into Zhou Yi, but then decided against it. It’s better to get to know him myself, little by little.

But now, Liang Xianzhang found himself wanting to know everything about Zhou Yi. He took out his phone, scrolled through the address book, and hovered over Zhou Yi’s number, debating whether to call.

Just as he was about to dial, the sudden ring of the doorbell interrupted his thoughts. He frowned, not expecting anyone this late.

When he opened the door, he found a delivery man standing outside, holding a bag of medicine.

“Hello, this is Meituan Delivery,” the man said, handing over the bag. “Please leave a good review. Thank you.”

Before Liang Xianzhang could respond, the delivery man quickly turned and ran off.

Still holding the bag of medicine, Liang Xianzhang stood frozen for a moment, unsure what had just happened. He looked at the phone number on the delivery receipt—it was neither his nor his brother’s.

The delivery man must have made a mistake.

He glanced at the address. The delivery was meant for someone on the same floor, and when his eyes landed on the room number, they stopped short. “Mr. Zhou” was clearly written on the order.

Liang Xianzhang’s heart skipped a beat as he realized the package was meant for Zhou Yi.