Zhuang Yi, still uncertain, decided to take Zhong Lin for a detour to the hospital for a head scan. The doctor, holding Zhuang Yi’s cold hand reassuringly, said, “Mr. Zhuang, there’s no need to worry so much. Your spouse will soon regain his memory, very soon.”
Zhuang Yi swallowed hard, repeating, “Very soon?”
“Yes, remembering a little now is a good sign. He might gradually recall more memories, or he could wake up one day with all memories restored.”
Zhuang Yi’s palms sweated as he clutched Zhong Lin’s hand tightly, feeling as though he was holding a Pandora’s box. Long after leaving the hospital, he remained in a daze.
After a quick lunch, Zhuang Yi finally began to recover from the initial panic, and they set off to the mountain hot springs. Although not experienced in leisure activities, Zhuang Yi did his homework and had advice from Hao You, a friend known for enjoying life. He instructed his assistant to bring a variety of snacks and entertainment.
Zhong Lin, sitting in the passenger seat holding a soft goose plushie and snacking, was also given a tablet by Zhuang Yi to play some games.
“Play a few rounds when you’re bored, but not too long as it might make you dizzy. You can also talk to me or listen to some music,” Zhuang Yi advised as he leaned over to fasten Zhong Lin’s seatbelt, but he was interrupted by a cheeky kiss from his affectionate wife. “Got it, thanks for preparing all this,” Zhong Lin chirped, high-spirited and cooperative.
Throughout the drive, Zhuang Yi was occasionally fed snacks or affectionately called ‘husband,’ making him feel blissfully adrift.
After an afternoon’s drive, they finally reached the mountain, covered with a cap of snow due to its elevation. Before getting out of the car, Zhuang Yi made sure Zhong Lin was wrapped up warmly, his tiny face barely visible in the fluffy scarf. As soon as they got out, Zhong Lin scampered off, and Zhuang Yi, after parking the car and making arrangements for their stay, grabbed a hand warmer to find him.
Zhong Lin was making footprints in the snow when he saw Zhuang Yi approaching, his figure tall and face obscured by the wind tossing his hair back, his prominent brow vaguely visible. Zhong Lin closed his eyes; the afterimage of snow stayed on his lenses. A memory suddenly surfaced.
That year, he had secretly gone to watch Zhuang Yi at TK University’s sports day after receiving a letter. Six months had passed since he was saved, he was now in college with many new friends, yet he still couldn’t forget the alpha who had saved him and then formally rejected him. He watched Zhuang Yi run and jump, the muscles under his skin exuding a frightening power. The radiant youth attracted everyone’s gaze wherever he went.
“Wife, there’s an outdoor hot spring behind the villa. Let’s soak there first, then have dinner,” said Zhuang Yi, the star of those days, now gentler and more serious.
“Okay,” Zhong Lin placed his hand in Zhuang Yi’s palm, fingers interlocking as they walked to the villa. Zhong Lin wondered how many past relationships it took for Zhuang Yi to become so adept at making people happy. He recalled seeing numerous beautiful omegas boldly expressing their affection for Zhuang Yi at the sports event, the bitterness bubbling up inside him.
Zhong Lin stripped down for a rinse, his mind still dwelling on those thoughts.
The outdoor hot spring was actually covered with an elegant wooden shelter, open only at a vent where snow drifted in. The water was scalding, and steam fogged the entire area.
Zhuang Yi, lying back at the edge of the pool on the other side, stretched out his arms along the edge, lost in thought. He worried whether his preparations would please his wife. He had heard that soaking in hot springs could help with blood circulation and possibly aid memory recovery, so he brought Zhong Lin here. He wanted Zhong Lin to be healthy and was afraid that once he regained his memories, he might retract his kindness.
That dear husband, less and less.
Caught up in his thoughts, Zhuang Yi was startled by the sound of water; a warm, slippery body pressed against him, tensing him instantly. He opened his eyes to see Zhong Lin’s flushed face through the misty steam. Not just his face but his entire delicate body blushed, his arms wrapped around Zhuang Yi’s neck, his long legs entwined around his waist.
“Wife.” Zhuang Yi’s blood surged, his recently ended susceptible period seemed to roar back to life, his rationality overwhelmed by rampant desire. The blurring vision made the sensations especially vivid.
“You left me alone next door, I don’t want to be by myself,” Zhong Lin murmured, biting Zhuang Yi’s shoulder while complaining and playfully pinching his muscles. His husband was incredibly sexy, and Zhong Lin was determined to have him today, no letting anyone else take him away.
As Zhuang Yi pressed him against the pool wall, Zhong Lin hadn’t realized the danger. He looked up, silenced by Zhuang Yi’s kisses. Suddenly feeling light, he was lifted effortlessly from the water, gasping for air, his head buried in Zhuang Yi’s chest, overwhelmed by desire.
Zhuang Yi barely uttered a word afterward, worried about Zhong Lin suffering from oxygen deprivation in the hot spring, and restrained further impulses, carrying him out of the misty pool. Once inside, Zhuang Yi pulled off the towel, wrapping his wife securely. The contact was no longer against smooth skin but rough towel, yet he felt the slippery touch linger.
After drying Zhong Lin’s hair a bit, Zhuang Yi turned behind a screen, laying him in bed. He dared not look too long, his temples throbbing, struggling to contain himself.
“The suspension bridge effect. This isn’t love, it’s your illusion,” Zhuang Yi’s cold voice echoed clearly in his mind. Zhong Lin didn’t understand why Zhuang Yi was restraining himself, feeling bitter and sad. He turned his head away, his voice soft but cold, “Is this so-called suspension bridge effect also your illusion? Being in the hot spring, your heartbeat quickening, you think you like me, is it your illusion too?”
His voice trembled towards the end, becoming tearful, “If you don’t sleep with me now, you’re never allowed to touch me again!”
Zhuang Yi panicked, hearing Zhong Lin cry, his heart aching with regret, hurriedly trying to soothe him. He too crawled into the bed, pulling the turned-away Zhong Lin onto himself, their heartbeats close, the atmosphere intensely intimate.
The scent of cream cookies spread, Zhuang Yi’s adam’s apple bobbed as he nibbled on Zhong Lin’s flushed cheeks, mumbling nonsensically, “Wife, I won’t let you go.”
“If you’re mad at me, hit me, make me kneel on the keyboard, but don’t cry by yourself, and don’t you dare divorce me.”
“I wouldn’t divorce you,” Zhong Lin murmured softly, suddenly flipped over, enveloped in warmth, all senses filled with the person in front of him. It felt as if the echoing void of his longing had finally found a response, his eyes reddening, his body aflame.
“Wife, I haven’t started yet, why are you crying?” Zhuang Yi’s voice was husky.
The gentleness under the bed was all pretense; the Zhuang Yi on the bed didn’t listen to his wife’s pleas. Seeing Zhong Lin cry and say no at the start, he paused only to be pulled back by the neck not to leave. Knowing his mistakes, Zhuang Yi earnestly learned.
Outside, the heater was strong, Zhuang Yi moved from the bed to the adjoining room, the scalding shower repeating several times. In the silent night, only the whistling snow and Zhong Lin’s crying and pleading filled the air. He cried for a long time, unable to deter the focused Zhuang Yi.
Resultingly, Zhong Lin, hungry from not eating, had his stomach rumble, and the man above immediately ceased his actions.
Zhong Lin sat at the dining table eating slowly, perched atop Zhuang Yi’s solid thighs. He was weak all over, yet Zhuang Yi’s pheromones acted as a stimulant, making every sensation painfully sharp.
“Wife, keep eating if you’re not full, don’t mind me,” Zhuang Yi said, kissing and nibbling on Zhong Lin’s hot glands, hands busy.
“Wife, you smell so good, I want to devour you, is that okay?” Zhuang Yi’s eyes were deep, seemingly asking for permission. Zhong Lin, legs spread wide on him, his pale tender skin marked all over, trembled slightly at each touch, utterly enticing.
“Ah—” Overwhelmed by the multiple stimuli, Zhong Lin couldn’t help but cry out, barely comprehending Zhuang Yi’s words.
Zhuang Yi bit into the tempting gland before him, slowly infusing his pheromones, restraining his wild desires with just a temporary mark. His actions below continued, both tender and commanding.
“You’re not allowed to divorce me, I’ll be good,” Zhuang Yi whispered again in his ear.
