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“What is it?”

[He actually called again, and his voice sounds so good. Just listening to it makes me want to go crazy.]

I choked on my ginger tea and almost spat it out. Wife? Did he just call me his wife? Could it be that in the A circle, it’s now trendy to call every lover ‘wife’? I couldn’t help it. I reached out, tugged on Qiao Yunshen’s sleeve, and seriously asked, “Qiao Yunshen, how many wives do you have?”

As soon as I asked that, the Maserati swerved in a large S-shape on the road, and the sound of numerous blaring car horns erupted around us. People from the nearby cars stuck their heads out. “What the hell, which alpha is leaking such a strong love pheromone? It’s suffocating!”

Qiao Yunshen glanced at him. Without a word, the man quickly covered his nose and retreated back into his car.

Qiao Yunshen turned his head to look at me, his eyes unusually dark. Through clenched teeth, he said, “One, Li Que. How many do you think I have?”

If I had known the answer, I wouldn’t have asked you. I silently followed behind Qiao Yunshen as we walked up the stairs of the villa. One sarcastic comment after another echoed in my ears.

[Who can relate? My wife actually suspects me of being unfaithful!]

[I was thinking at the time, why not just strip him on the highway?]

[But a rough alpha like me doesn’t deserve happiness, so I held it in.]

[And what happened? This beta still hasn’t tried to comfort me!]

[Forget it. Little Que never comforts me, but at least today, he didn’t leave me behind like usual. He’s walking up the stairs with me, hehe.]

I fiddled with my fingers. Betas can’t sense the emotional fluctuations in pheromones. If I couldn’t hear Qiao Yunshen’s inner thoughts, I wouldn’t even know he needed comforting.

[The more I think about it, the more annoyed I get. I, Qiao Yunshen, a towering, mighty alpha, am I not allowed to have a temper?!]

Qiao Yunshen suddenly turned around. I was too absorbed in my thoughts and didn’t notice, ending up bumping right into his chest. He caught me and gave me a cold look. “Watch where you’re going. Why are you throwing yourself at me?”

[Mama mia! My wife’s throwing himself into my arms! I’m no longer mad.]

[No, I should stay mad. At least until he hugs me first, hmph!]

I stayed silent for two seconds. Then, keeping the same posture, I wrapped my arms around Qiao Yunshen’s waist.

[Damn! He hugged me! Now he needs to kiss me. Yes, one kiss should do!]

I frowned. This guy is so awkward and hard to please. I’m his kept lover, right? If he wants a kiss, just ask for it. I stood on my tiptoes, about to kiss Qiao Yunshen. His brows twitched, and he quickly pressed his hand over my mouth.

I saw his Adam’s apple bob twice. Then he bent down, stretched out his long arms, picked me up by my legs, and slung me over his shoulder.

He carried me to the bedroom and pinned me against the door. His eyes darkened, and just when I thought he was about to make a move, I suddenly heard his inner voice, puzzled.

[Kiss me. Why isn’t he kissing me? Isn’t the atmosphere here much better than on the stairs?]

[Or does my wife prefer stairway play? Should I carry him back?]

No, no. I quickly cupped his face and kissed the corner of his mouth. Qiao Yunshen’s expression remained cold, but his mind was playing a tune of celebration.

[It’s New Year’s Day, I got kissed first today! Whatever happens, my wife is my life, my everything~]

[Ah, my destined wife. It’s you, it must be you. I’m super calm even after being kissed…]

The out-of-tune song reverberated in my mind, and I suddenly realized—this was the first time I had initiated a kiss with him.

In my understanding, the one being kept is supposed to be obedient, especially a beta with nothing to offer. I thought I was supposed to accept whatever he gave, without causing him any trouble.

But now, hearing his inner thoughts, could it be that Qiao Yunshen actually likes me a little?

I tentatively reached out, wrapped my arms around his waist, and rested my cheek against his chest, nuzzling lightly.

Qiao Yunshen’s body stiffened. A series of exclamations rang out in my ears.

[Wife hugged me again? What’s today, a lucky day? I should go and make an offering later!]

“Qiao Yunshen, I want to sleep for a bit. Will you stay with me?” The doctor said I really liked my partner’s pheromones. Qiao Yunshen’s eyes filled with surprise.

[What? My wife’s inviting me to… score a home run? Did I hear that right?]

Me: …You really dare to think that. “No, I…”

He pressed a finger to my lips. Qiao Yunshen muttered, “Don’t say it.”

[Don’t say anything, let me enjoy this moment of excitement!]

[I can’t believe this! My wife actually invited me!]

[First, I’ll kiss, then I’ll do this, then that, and finally… this…]

Listening to his unfiltered inner thoughts, I felt embarrassed. I always thought Qiao Yunshen had great self-control, but who knew he had so many wild thoughts about me!

Suddenly, the noisy thoughts stopped. Qiao Yunshen let go of me and took a long, deep breath. [No, I need to calm down. I just got over my sensitivity period.]

[Betas can get pregnant too, and he’s already not in great health. All these years and he hasn’t fully recovered.]

[Oh right, I need to call the hospital later to check on how his appointment went.]

[Besides, both people have to want a baby. And I don’t want one—not a baby with Li Que.]

What? I looked up sharply at Qiao Yunshen. His black eyes gleamed, showing a hint of guilt. As we locked eyes, he released me and hurriedly fled to the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the room. I held my stomach, slowly sinking to the floor.

Of course. A baby from a beta? Qiao Yunshen wouldn’t want that. Even if he likes me a little, it won’t change the fact that our child would most likely be a beta.

I calmly took out my phone. “Hello, Doctor. Yes, we’ve made up our minds. Can you arrange the procedure as soon as possible?”

Half an hour later, I was back at the hospital. A considerate lover should handle everything on their own. After signing the consent form, I was wheeled into the operating room. The cold machines parted my legs, and I swallowed nervously.

Beta bodies are known for their endurance. Maybe that’s why Qiao Yunshen chose me as his lover in the first place.