Liang Xianzhang held Zhou Yi so tightly that it felt like he was being strangled in his arms. The air around them was thick with the scent of orange blossoms—Liang Xianzhang’s pheromones. The fragrance enveloped Zhou Yi, making him dizzy as his body grew warmer. He unconsciously released his own pheromones, unaware that they were like kerosene, igniting the already charged atmosphere.

Over the past few days, Liang Xianzhang had been struggling with his emotions. His pheromones had been pouring out uncontrollably, despite taking medication to suppress them. He didn’t want to call Liang Shaowen for help; he didn’t want to hear the inevitable lecture. Instead, he lay on his bed, wearing the pajamas Zhou Yi had once worn. Though they were too small for him, he didn’t mind.

Then, Zhou Yi appeared at his door. He had come to return the watch, but Liang Xianzhang knew what that meant—Zhou Yi wanted to sever their ties. It confirmed his worst fear, one that had been haunting him in dreams, where he always saw Zhou Yi walking away, hand in hand with someone else.

This feeling of impending loss only made him more upset, and he couldn’t sleep that night. Now, with Zhou Yi in his arms, his heart ached. The situation was the last thing Liang Xianzhang wanted, but unexpectedly, Shang Yichen’s return had given him a chance to hold on.

Closing the door behind them, Liang Xianzhang embraced Zhou Yi, his heart swelling with an emotion he couldn’t fully define. As Zhou Yi stood there, the scent of his own pheromones mingled with Liang Xianzhang’s minty fragrance, making the tension between them unbearable.

Zhou Yi’s body trembled slightly, affected by the pheromones, his heat building as Liang Xianzhang’s breath brushed against his neck. The proximity was making him dizzy. He lifted his gaze to meet Liang Xianzhang’s eyes, dark with something Zhou Yi couldn’t name. He turned his face away, trying to escape, but Liang Xianzhang caught his hand before he could move it.

Panic set in as Zhou Yi struggled to pull his hand free, but Liang Xianzhang held it tightly, unyielding. Before Zhou Yi could speak, Liang Xianzhang lowered his head, kissed the back of his hand, and sent a shiver through his entire body.

Zhou Yi froze, unable to form words. He didn’t dare meet Liang Xianzhang’s gaze, too overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through him. His mind screamed to escape, but the conversation outside the door, though faint, reminded him that there was nowhere to run.

The pheromones in the room thickened, and Zhou Yi’s body, pressed so closely against Liang Xianzhang’s, reacted in ways he couldn’t control. He clenched his teeth, trying to fight it, but Liang Xianzhang noticed immediately. His touch became more insistent as he traced Zhou Yi’s face, then his ears, finally lingering on his lips, his fingers stroking gently but firmly.

Zhou Yi’s eyelashes fluttered as he fought the pull to surrender. He tried to break free again, but Liang Xianzhang’s hands were everywhere, finding purchase at his waist. Zhou Yi’s body betrayed him, responding in ways he didn’t want it to. He looked into Liang Xianzhang’s eyes, full of dark intensity, and shook his head. “No… No… Let me go…”

But those words seemed to push Liang Xianzhang further, and with a sudden movement, he grabbed the back of Zhou Yi’s head, slamming it gently against the door. The loud noise silenced the conversation outside for a brief moment before it resumed, muffled by the walls.

Zhou Yi couldn’t decide if Liang Xianzhang had done it on purpose, but before he could think too much, his head was tilted back, and Liang Xianzhang kissed him passionately. The kiss was unrelenting, and though reason screamed at him to pull away, his body responded in ways he couldn’t deny. His hands reached for Liang Xianzhang’s chest, unsure whether he was trying to push him away or give in.

The pheromones in the room mixed until the air was thick, nearly suffocating, and Zhou Yi’s body trembled violently. If Liang Xianzhang hadn’t supported him, he would have collapsed. His thoughts were scattered, his mind a haze as his body became more attuned to the touch, more desperate for it.

Under Liang Xianzhang’s intense kiss, Zhou Yi felt himself losing control, but strangely, he didn’t feel resistance. His mind was fractured, torn between confusion and a hidden desire that frightened him. He wanted to escape, but a part of him craved more, even if he couldn’t understand why.

The kiss grew fiercer, pushing Zhou Yi to the edge, and he felt his breath shallow as his vision blurred. Just as he thought he might pass out, Liang Xianzhang stopped, his grip loosening slightly. Zhou Yi slumped against him, gasping for air, his body exhausted.

Leaning against Liang Xianzhang’s shoulder, Zhou Yi’s thoughts were fragmented, and though he should have felt repelled by the situation, there was an undeniable sense of comfort in his touch. A quiet voice inside him longed for Liang Xianzhang to hold him tighter and never let go.