Jiang She didn’t rush upstairs. Instead, he set his bag down and sat beside Pei Jiang.

“What are you doing in a place like this?” he asked while picking up a sweet bun and casually playing with it between his fingers.

Pei Jiang frowned slightly. Though his face still bore the immaturity of youth, it carried a depth that rivaled that of an adult.

“Of course, I’m here for a vacation.”

Jiang She raised an eyebrow. “Came with classmates?”

“Who else?” Pei Jiang countered.

Jiang She wasn’t particularly interested in Pei Jiang. He was just curious about why Pei Jiang was here. After all, they were somewhat related.

“In public hot springs like these, wouldn’t you find it gross with so many people soaking together?”

Pei Jiang averted his gaze to the hillside visible through the glass windows of the lobby and replied indifferently, “I’m not soaking. Can’t I just be here to look around?”

Jiang She scrutinized him for a moment before saying, “Then behave yourself. Don’t cause trouble or make anyone clean up after you.”

He knew Pei Jiang’s personality all too well. From childhood to now, it was rare for Pei Jiang to go a day without causing some kind of trouble.

But unlike himself, who would clean up his own messes and avoid affecting those around him, Pei Jiang seemed to delight in creating chaos for his family to deal with.

Tilting his head, Pei Jiang feigned innocence and said, “You’re painting me in too negative a light. I’m still just a kid.”

Jiang She curled his lips into a faint smirk, though his eyes held no warmth. “This resort is big. Hopefully, I won’t run into you again.”

Pei Jiang returned the smile. “I feel the same way.”

Picking up his bag, Jiang She turned and walked away without sparing Pei Jiang another glance.

Pei Jiang really didn’t seem like one of their family members.

Despite the friction between him and Shen Qing, Jiang She knew that Shen Qing was an excellent police officer and bureau chief. She devoted all her energy to her work, fulfilling her duties to her leaders and the people who trusted her.

As Shen Qing’s child, Jiang She inherited her empathy and broad-mindedness. Their family might squabble amongst themselves, but they never troubled outsiders.

Pei Jiang, however, was different. He made Jiang She believe that some people truly embodied an inherent selfishness.

From a young age, Pei Jiang enjoyed tormenting others, whether it was family, classmates, or even the nanny who cared for him. All of them suffered his tricks to varying degrees.

While others fumed with frustration, Pei Jiang would laugh gleefully at their expense.

As he grew older, his antics seemed to decrease, and he appeared to have matured. But Jiang She saw through him. Pei Jiang had simply become more adept at hiding his true nature—manipulating others to give everything to him willingly, even helping him count the spoils.

Jiang She despised such duplicity and therefore kept his interactions with Pei Jiang to a minimum.

However, his aunt Shen Lan was blinded by her own perspective, treating Pei Jiang like a treasure, spoiling him endlessly.

—

Jiang She entered the elevator and pulled out his phone to send a message to Chu Tao on WeChat.

**[I’m here and just checked in. When should we meet?]**

The signal in the elevator was poor. After sending the message, the signal indicator flickered on and off. Only when the elevator reached the top floor did he receive Chu Tao’s reply.

**[We’re in the garden. We’ll probably head back after it gets dark.]**

Jiang She had booked a couple’s suite, the most expensive room type at the resort.

When he opened the door, the room greeted him with fresh rose petals scattered across the bed and a soft, romantic color palette on the walls.

He tossed his backpack onto the sofa and headed straight for the balcony.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he could see the lush garden below and the faint steam rising from the distant hot springs.

The sky was growing darker, the familiar inky blue spreading overhead, though a faint white glow lingered on the horizon.

With the sun no longer warming the mountains, mist began to rise, and the room felt slightly chilly.

Jiang She turned on the air conditioner, letting a humid warmth fill the space.

Hopefully, Chu Tao wouldn’t feel cold when he arrived.

—

Chu Tao had spent the entire afternoon accompanying Song Mian through the garden, which was beautifully designed but lacked any deeper cultural significance. It was just a vacation spot, nice to look at but easy to forget.

Finally, Song Mian grew tired and decided to return to change clothes for the hot springs.

Chu Tao’s interest perked up at last.

“Then my brother and I will head back first to change. You two take your time.”

The resort had plenty of free amenities like gym equipment and arcade games. Boys, no matter their age, always had a soft spot for arcade games.

Knowing the boys were eager to go play and didn’t enjoy sticking around with her, Song Mian reminded them, “Make sure to put your phones in waterproof cases. Don’t be unreachable later!”

“Got it!” they replied in unison.

Chu Tao responded.

As he ran back to the lobby, he was pondering how to tell his brother they should split up and do their own thing. To his surprise, it was Chu Xingning who spoke up first:

“Chu Tao, why don’t you go soak in the hot springs first? I’ll stay in the room and play PSP for a while.”

Chu Tao was stunned for a moment but quickly replied, “Alright.”

Back in his room, Chu Tao swiftly changed into swim trunks, throwing on a white bathrobe provided by the hotel.

A glass corridor connected the main building to the outdoor hot spring area, so there was no need to spend much time walking in the open air.

After leaving his room, Chu Tao didn’t head straight to the hot spring. Instead, he made his way to the room number Jiang She had told him about.

Wearing slippers, he reached the door and knocked lightly. Before his knock even finished, the door opened from inside.

Chu Tao’s eyes curved into a smile at Jiang She, but before he could finish smiling, Jiang She grabbed him, pulled him inside, and, with one motion, lifted him up and threw him onto the bed.

Chu Tao’s slippers were flung off at the door. The soft mattress bounced under him, and the loosely tied belt of his bathrobe slipped undone, leaving the robe draped haphazardly over his body.

“Jiang She!”

Chu Tao was about to get up, but Jiang She pinned him down before he could.

Chu Tao froze and looked up, focusing on Jiang She intently.

The bed beneath him was scattered with fresh rose petals, their fragrance filling the air around them.

Jiang She’s voice was hoarse as he said, “Coming over dressed like this, aren’t you afraid I won’t be able to hold back?”

As he spoke, he propped himself up with one hand while his other hand reached out to tug at Chu Tao’s collar.

The untied collar, with no resistance, gave way instantly, falling open. Thankfully, the room was warm enough that Chu Tao didn’t feel cold at all.

Jiang She’s gaze roamed freely, growing darker with each passing second.

Chu Tao raised his knee, pressing it against Jiang She’s sensitive spot, and said with a sly smile, “I want to soak in the hot spring first.”

Jiang She paused, Chu Tao’s move halting any further action.

“Can we stop now?” Jiang She asked, his tone laced with a mix of frustration and amusement.

Chu Tao arched a brow. “I’ve never soaked in a hot spring before. If we’re both covered in marks later, how are we supposed to go out?”

Jiang She thought for a moment and realized Chu Tao had a point.

Both of them were Alphas. If things got heated and they lost control, neither would emerge unscathed—there would be bite marks, red imprints, or bruises. Moreover, the hotel’s buffet was connected to the hot spring area, so most people went straight from soaking to dining, still wearing their bathrobes.

Since Chu Tao would have to join his family for dinner, having visible marks on his neck wouldn’t be easy to explain.

Jiang She sighed and reluctantly let go of him, using his core strength to roll off and lie beside Chu Tao.

Chu Tao flexed his wrist, then reached out to pinch Jiang She’s nose. “Go change. Come soak in the hot spring with me.”

Jiang She tilted his head slightly and opened his mouth, catching Chu Tao’s pinky finger between his teeth. Chu Tao didn’t pull his hand back.

Jiang She bit down lightly for a while, then licked the fingertip with his tongue before letting go. A faint red imprint was left on Chu Tao’s finger.

Jiang She sat up and began undressing.

The room’s lights were off, and the world outside had grown dim. The resort’s path lights had come on, casting soft yellow beams over the cobblestone paths.

In the dim light, Chu Tao couldn’t make out the details of Jiang She’s muscles, but the clean, crisp scent of his pheromones teased at his senses, making his heart race.

Chu Tao swallowed and said in a low voice, “You haven’t taken a suppressant yet?”

Before using the hot springs, everyone was required to take an oral suppressant—a small white capsule with a 24-hour effect. After taking it, there was no need for spray suppressants, and the body would emit no trace of suppressant scent.

Jiang She, unabashed, finished changing into swim trunks in front of Chu Tao and replied, “I’ll take it before we leave.”

Chu Tao slid off the bed and went to fetch a bottle of mineral water for Jiang She.

“You’re going to have to eat dinner alone tonight.”

After all, dinner with the family was part of the birthday celebration, and Song Mian wouldn’t tolerate anyone skipping it.

Jiang She replied, “Just eat less, and before midnight, join me in the lobby for another round.”

After the buffet closed, the lobby’s café, bakery, and small bar would remain open, offering a limited selection of late-night snacks.

“Alright.” Barefoot, Chu Tao padded across the carpet and turned on the lights.

When the lights came on, the curtains automatically closed.

Jiang She took out a suppressant from his bag, and Chu Tao handed him the bottle of mineral water.

Jiang She swallowed the capsule, drank a few more sips, and then said to Chu Tao, “I ran into my cousin downstairs just now.”

Chu Tao paused for a moment. “You have a cousin? I’ve never heard you mention him before.”

Jiang She sneered, “I’m not really close with him. I usually forget he even exists. It’s weird running into him here, though. He’s really pretentious—he would never come to a public hot spring.”

Chu Tao remarked, “You seem to care about him.”

Jiang She shook his head. “Not really. His mom asked our family to take care of him, and she keeps calling me.”

Chu Tao raised an eyebrow. “His mom isn’t in Huai City?”

Jiang She explained, “She’s always working out of town. Oh, his mom is Shen Lan, you’ve probably heard of her. She’s the one who starred in *The Sting*.”

Chu Tao exclaimed in surprise, “The Best Actress?! Isn’t Shen Lan still unmarried at thirty?”

Jiang She shrugged casually. “She probably lied about her age. It’s true she’s unmarried, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a kid.”

Chu Tao was momentarily silent. “I didn’t expect you to have relatives in the entertainment industry.”

The entertainment world can seem distant yet oddly close to ordinary people. Nowadays, everyone follows celebrities, but very few people actually become famous. However, Chu Tao wasn’t interested in the entertainment industry; he’d never been a fan. He had only seen *The Sting* because it had been nominated for an Oscar that year.

Jiang She mentioned it casually and didn’t want to continue discussing things about Pei Jiang’s family, so he changed the subject. “Let’s go, babe.”

They put on their clothes, and Chu Tao found his slippers by the coffee table. After grabbing the room card and his phone, they left the room.

There were fewer people staying on the top floor, given the higher costs.

Jiang She explained, “You can experience everything here—haircuts, tea, anything. Just use my card. My dad’s already taken care of it.”

Chu Tao tilted his head. “I think there’s a massage on the fourth floor. Let’s go there for a massage when we have time?”

After sitting on hard school benches for so long, Chu Tao’s neck and shoulders were sore from studying. This would be a good opportunity to get a massage.

Jiang She wrapped his arm around Chu Tao’s waist and whispered in his ear, “I’ll give you the massage. I don’t want anyone else touching you.”

Chu Tao couldn’t help but laugh. “Stop messing around.”

Jiang She blinked innocently. “I’m serious. Only I get to touch you, from head to toe.”

Chu Tao pushed Jiang She’s head away and shook his head helplessly.

The building had six elevators, and even though the elevator cabins were spacious, they were still slow. But since they were on the top floor, they couldn’t just run down, so they had to be patient.

After a while, one elevator finally arrived. The people inside got off, and Jiang She led Chu Tao in.

Chu Tao pressed for the first floor and casually chatted with Jiang She. “I heard from my mom that Yu Wei passed his interview.”

Jiang She responded dismissively, “Who’s Yu Wei?”

The elevator stopped on the fifteenth floor, and more people got on. Chu Tao shifted to make room.

“Ever since he met you, he’s been worried, afraid you’d say something in front of Uncle Jiang.”

Jiang She snorted. “Such a schemer.”

On the tenth floor, more people entered, making the space even tighter. Jiang She and Chu Tao naturally moved to the back.

Chu Tao commented, “There must be a lot of people studying at school right now. We’re living it up here.”

Jiang She replied, “It’s just one weekend. It won’t change anything.”

The elevator stopped on the eighth floor. More people got on, and now Chu Tao and Jiang She had moved to the corner.

There were twelve people inside the elevator now, and there wasn’t much space left.

Chu Tao leaned against the wall and tightened the belt of his bathrobe. “The signal here is terrible. I’m down to 3G.”

Jiang She chuckled softly, “3G will do. We probably won’t have time for the internet today.”

Just as they were talking, the elevator stopped on the fourth floor.

Chu Tao’s heart inexplicably tightened, and he stopped talking to Jiang She. They lived on the fourth floor, so he was particularly sensitive to that number right now.

It was as though to confirm his bad feeling, as soon as the elevator doors opened, the faces of Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin appeared.

Chu Tao froze, his fingers instantly turning cold, and his arms went numb for a moment.

Jiang She muttered, “Damn, Murphy’s Law.”

Although there were a lot of people in the elevator, Chu Tao and Jiang She were tall, and even if they stood in the farthest corner, they still stood out.

Jiang She, however, was much calmer than Chu Tao. He quickly turned around, pressing Chu Tao against the wall, using his body to shield him.

But from the outside, it looked as if the two were kissing openly in public.

Though it wasn’t illegal, it was definitely intimate.

When the elevator doors opened, Song Mian was looking down at her phone strap, muttering complaints. “I told you to hurry up, stop fussing over your clothes.”

She didn’t pay much attention to the people inside. Chu Jiangmin, who was being nagged by her, had his attention distracted by her words.

It was only when they entered the elevator that they suddenly noticed the young couple awkwardly hugging in the corner.

Chu Tao was in Jiang She’s arms, looking up at him with his heart pounding.

Jiang She lifted his hand and placed it over Chu Tao’s head, trying to cover his face as much as possible.

But from the perspective of the others, it looked like two people were passionately kissing, lost in each other.

Song Mian frowned in disgust, tugging on Chu Jiangmin’s sleeve and tilting her chin in the direction of the corner, speaking in a hushed tone, “Oh my god, this is so promiscuous.”

Chu Jiangmin turned her around, facing the door. “Don’t worry about other people.”

After all, it was a hot spring resort, and many couples came. It was normal for some people to get carried away. Not everyone was so concerned about decorum.

Chu Tao heard his father’s words and felt a wave of embarrassment. He broke out in a cold sweat, his eyelashes trembling uncontrollably, and his face turned red from his ears down to his collarbone.

Jiang She, however, smiled mischievously, rubbing his nose against Chu Tao’s and, taking advantage of the situation, kissed him in front of Song Mian and Chu Jiangmin.

——————————————————-

Author’s note: Tao Tao: Mom and Dad, please stop, we’re family—
Murphy’s Law: If something can go wrong, it will, no matter how small the chance.