HOYSE CHAPTER 79

Chapter 79 — You’re Drunk

When Rong Jing was young, he acted in an idol drama. The plot is a blur now, but some of the cringey lines stayed with him.

Seeing Gu Xi lying among the broken glass, helpless and dazed, those three words slipped out of his mouth.

What he really wanted was to pull the man in his arms fully under his wing. For him, those three words were more a spoken promise than anything else. What he truly felt was something only Rong Jing knew.

Gu Xi felt as if he were stepping on clouds. A fawn inside his chest bolted around without sense, ramming him until his head spun.

After carefully studying Rong Jing’s micro-expressions, the giddy joy lost a little of its shine. Why did it feel like he was reciting a line?

Even so, the words had already fallen into his heart. Even if Rong Jing later denied them, he could not take them back.

Guan Hongyi recovered from his shock. Tonight was different.

He could not control himself and mentally spammed a wall of bullet comments.

The alpha he had just started to crush on was not even lukewarm yet, and he had already turned around and declared sovereignty in front of his best friend.

What do you mean “his man.” Shouldn’t you say “his alpha”? That is a grammatical error. Unless this person only divides the world into men and women, which would make him straight to the horizon. The chance of turning that around is basically zero.

As for his best friend, Guan Hongyi could hardly look.

Who is this fragile willow swaying in the wind?

And what fair competition. How about giving me a fair chance first?

He suddenly remembered being turned away at the front desk of Xielier when he had asked for a certain person’s information. Half joking, he had told Gu Xi, if you liked him, you would not be able to hold back either.

Later he thought Gu Xi would never be interested in anyone. Not even a little.

Compare that to now.

His face hurt.

The howling in the room went on. The Mediterranean’s shrieks grew more piteous. It hurt when he was first kicked. As time went on, it hurt even more.

And through the pain he had to listen to this young alpha spouting nonsense.

“Impossible. What bullsh**. You?” A green kid wanted to claim Gu Xi’s man?

He had deliberately demeaned Gu Xi earlier, but the Mediterranean knew better. He was not the only one who got turned down. No matter how rich or powerful, this omega would not spare them a glance.

Gu Xi was the untouchable in their hearts. The title High Ridge Flower was not for nothing.

When the club manager arrived, the Mediterranean immediately cried out, “I am calling the police. I am reporting this brat for intentional ass… ault.”

The last two words dribbled away.

The omega leaning bonelessly in Rong Jing’s arms gave him a light look. The killing intent in that one glance stuck in his throat. The wild streak in Gu Xi’s bones grew rampant in the unseen damp corners.

The manager ignored the Mediterranean and looked to Rong Jing with difficulty.

Rong Jing signaled to call an ambulance first. He had confidence in his kick. A fracture was likely.

The manager understood. He moved to the Mediterranean’s side and whispered a few words. After hearing them, the Mediterranean stared at Rong Jing in disbelief.

He had assumed there was no such person in the upper circle and had dared to behave with impunity.

By coincidence, among the many companies Rong Jing had acquired, the Mediterranean happened to be a deputy general manager at one of them. He was there through connections and survived on connections. He had just managed to become a member of this club and to connect with the Ji family. He was in his most inflated phase. One puff too many and here they were.

When he said Gu Xi could not afford to offend the people in the private room, he meant the Ji family and the Wu family.

But given Rong Jing’s identity and the Wu and Xie families’ rapport, who would be helping whom was far from certain.

These second-generation heirs were foxes. They would not offend someone in the circle over a small fry. This time, the Mediterranean had kicked a hornets’ nest.

Rong Jing rarely threw his weight around. That did not mean he could not.

This was a good time to do exactly that. Better to use momentum and save breath. Especially after seeing the cuts on Gu Xi’s hand and the nick on his cheek, where coral-bead drops of blood glistened, red and stinging to the eye.

That kick had been too light.

Rong Jing scooped Gu Xi up in a bridal carry. Gu Xi let out a soft sound and naturally looped his arms around Rong Jing’s neck.

Even an ordinary touch spilled silent heat.

In stark contrast to the chaos on the other side calling for an ambulance, these two formed a world of their own and vanished from sight.

Guan Hongyi had watched the whole thing. He returned to the table, looked at the wine in the goblet, and tossed it back.

The sting slid down his dry throat. The burn gave him a kind of psychological high.

“F***,” he muttered.

An alpha that decisive hit him right in the weak spot. And the way he shielded… the omega in his arms had to be stupidly happy. Where did this guy come from, falling from the sky?

They had not actually done anything outrageous, and yet every move they made had even a bystander like him blushing and heart-pounding.

They reached the club restroom. Rong Jing set Gu Xi on the counter. The moment he let go, the man on the slab got restless, his soft head rubbing around in Rong Jing’s arms, little disgruntled hums slipping out.

Rong Jing got flustered by the unconscious squirming and let his tone go hard. “Do not move.”

He pressed the omega’s nape and warned quietly, “Move again and I will kiss you.”

The omega stopped, eyes wide, reflecting a blurry him.

Rong Jing found the dazed look a little cute. Why was he so obedient?

Gu Xi sat straight on the counter, feet swinging, gaze following the alpha’s every movement.

Rong Jing rummaged in his pocket and took out a sterilized handkerchief. He was like a utility pouch, always carrying things he considered necessary.

He pinched Gu Xi’s chin and leaned in to examine the cut on his cheek. It had already scabbed.

He cleaned the wound gently and asked, “Does it hurt?”

Gu Xi pouted as if to say a kiss would make it better.

Sweet and soft, with that coyness that made every alpha’s heart tremble.

On his pale face, cherry-petal lips parted. A faint breath of alcohol unfurled. Rong Jing glanced at those tempting red lips. Other than acting and that accident, they had not kissed again.

A stone plopped into his heart-lake, ripples widening.

As if to cover something up, he pulled out a stack of band-aids. He tore one open and pressed it over the cut.

He lifted Gu Xi’s hand and found it grimy.

“Wash?”

“No.”

“Be good. Work with me.”

Gu Xi hummed, a little sulky, clearly still holding a grudge over the alpha’s earlier refusal.

Bang.

An impact sounded without warning, like someone was shoved hard against a door.

High, drawn-out moans came from a nearby stall.

They had come in quietly and had not realized someone else was inside.

Rong Jing noticed that the stall in question was not a pheromone room, just an ordinary cubicle. Whoever was at it wanted to be heard. Disgusting.

The last rush ended. The stall door opened within seconds.

Gu Xi looked over. Rong Jing immediately spread his coat and wrapped the omega in his arms. Gu Xi’s face was too recognizable, and the pests were too many. Better to cover him and stop trouble before it started.

Gu Xi wriggled in protest and was held in place.

The space to breathe shrank. Rong Jing’s scent grew thicker. Gu Xi glared at the hard muscle in front of his nose.

“Tss.”

Rong Jing sucked in a breath. He felt his chest pinched by a small animal’s teeth.

That nimble softness even worried in circles, refusing to let go.

His eyes went red at the edges. He wanted to flip this mischievous omega over his knee.

The one leaving the stall was Ji Jiongjie, face empty and impatient, freshly finished.

The other party in the stall had been ridden so hard he could not even stand. He bumped around inside, calling to the man outside. Ji Jiongjie ignored him, discarding him like a cheap counterfeit, full of disdain and boredom.

Near the end, they had heard someone come in, which excited him further.

The club was members-only. On ordinary days the clientele was select. A wild scene with no audience lacked flavor.

Seeing Rong Jing, Ji Jiongjie was surprised. “Did not expect to run into you here. Last time was the airport terminal, right? Uncle just mentioned your recent acquisitions. Said I should learn from you. Got time to grab a drink sometime?”

His gaze was full of provocation and chill. In the underground lot of the film city, he had flown back thrilled to see Gu Xi, ready to reveal the mystery of the anonymous gifts and confess. Then he saw that omega, who was cold to everyone else, be all tenderness to another alpha.

“Polite words. We both have something to learn, I’m sure.”

Rong Jing had no interest in catching up. If he had heard right, the omega in the stall was deliberately imitating Gu Xi’s voice.

He did not understand the kind who, lacking the real thing, found a substitute to trample. He only gathered the rigid omega tighter inside his coat.

In the dark, Gu Xi’s vision was limited.

He heard the voice from his nightmare. He breathed as if for dear life, drawing in his alpha’s scent.

Ji Jiongjie was like a snake steeped in venom. When he looked at Rong Jing, his pupils seemed to slit.

“Looking forward to next time.” He glanced meaningfully at the omega bundled up in Rong Jing’s coat, upper body completely hidden.

Seeing the omega’s arms locked around Rong Jing’s waist, Ji Jiongjie mocked in silence. What a flirt.

Even so, the omega’s build was fine-boned. His nails were tender pink, like little shells, flushed from gripping too hard. The skin he did show gleamed, pretty enough to make one want to lick him head to toe. Another top-shelf specimen. Rong Jing did not lack for luck.

The Xie family’s young master had clearly fooled Gu Xi into softening, yet here he was, drowned in indulgence behind Gu Xi’s back.

So they were the same kind.

“The pavilion next door has my private suite. If you need a room, I can lend you one for the night.” And I will invite Gu Xi over. Let you see what your so-called true love really is.

What alpha does not sneak around? They all think with their d***s. Who is nobler than whom?

I want to see that omega who looks down on the world with clean eyes wither from despair.

Like a rose ground into mud, decadent and beautiful.

Rong Jing said mildly, “Thanks for your kind offer. The Xie family lacks nothing, least of all rooms.”

Asking to borrow a room was an insult.

He kept his manners, yet Ji Jiongjie still felt an ice-sealed indifference off him.

“The one in your arms, when you get bored, sell him to me. Name your price.”

“I am afraid you cannot afford it.”

“If you dare name it, I dare pay.”

“No. You do not.”

Their eyes, sharp with the challenge of alphas, locked.

Ji Jiongjie took in Rong Jing’s calm while cheating look and decided this one was deep water. He did not push. He withdrew his gaze first and left with meaning on his face.

From start to finish, he had never believed that was Gu Xi.

Long pursuit and meticulous study had taught him that Gu Xi’s revulsion for alphas was bone-deep. Otherwise why would he sneak every gift, insisting on a slow siege of the heart.

Gu Xi might have some good feeling toward Rong Jing, an alpha who looked gentle. That was all.

Gu Xi was too proud. To cuddle like an ordinary omega and let someone take what they wanted would be harder for him than death.

So Ji Jiongjie, though full of spite, planned to take his time. He would split them for good, make Gu Xi regret his poor taste, and soothe his own hatred.

Rong Jing released Gu Xi from the coat. The brazen little beast had taken advantage of the cover and was still latched on.

It hurt and tickled. He glanced at the damp mark on his shirt and rasped, “You broke the skin.”

The drunken omega’s misted eyes blinked as if he understood. He ran a soft red tongue over the spot, as if in apology.

Two licks and Rong Jing pushed him away.

He clenched his fists and held himself to the edge. “Enough. You are drunk.”

It took real effort to coax the omega back to the car. Then Rong Jing remembered he had forgotten something.

Ah, a whole living person. He told Zhou You to go back to the private room and bring out Guan Hongyi.

Just then the omega, who had been quiet, tilted his head and leaned against Rong Jing’s chest.

Rong Jing turned, about to pry the snowy bundle off, when a soft hand slid between their fingers. A current shot up from every point of contact.

He wanted to throw the siren out of the car. The moment they touched, his body moved on its own.

“What scent is your blocker spray?”

Gu Xi seemed not to notice anything. A draft from the garage cooled his cheeks. He looked more like usual.

“Neroli.”

It was a seasonal new release from Xie. Just launched. Rong Jing had ordered a full custom set. He and his brother always tested their own products first.

Gu Xi’s gaze was cool between the brows. He did not look fully drunk. Then again, some people did not change much drunk. The alcohol in the air did not lie.

“Oh,” Gu Xi said.

“If you want one, I will get you a bottle.”

“Can I have the one you used,” Gu Xi said, a drawn-out lilt at the end. “Will you give it to me?”

“…”

“Mm?”

The tail note curled like smoke.

Rong Jing sat on pins and needles. A drunk omega was a moral trial for an alpha.

He suddenly remembered he had smoked earlier. He might still have the smell on him.

“Wait. I will take my coat off.”

In the original story, Gu Xi hated the smell of smoke. It reminded him of his uncle when he was a child. Those black memories were locked in a box. Rong Jing did not want to touch that landmine.

“It is cold at night. Keep it on.” Gu Xi closed his eyes, as if asleep.

“It smells like smoke.” Rong Jing wanted to use the chance to undo their clasped hands and put a little space between them.

Gu Xi’s nose twitched.

“Mmm. Smells nice.”

Soft as cotton.

Their interlaced fingers had gone a little damp.

Rong Jing tried to pull away. Every time he began to withdraw, Gu Xi’s finger hooked his.

After a few rounds, Rong Jing felt the tide of pheromones roll inside him. He could only let the other hold on while their ten fingers moved, shallow and slow.

Snowfield Club, VIP room.

Wu Fuyu wore only a towel, enjoying an omega masseur’s light hands, humming.

He often came to Snowfield to relax. He used to bring a crowd. Lately he had reined it in and had not mixed with his old friends for a while.

To keep up with Rong Jing, after getting crushed by him in every field, he had gritted his teeth and gone to work. He managed the company while shadowing the manager his father assigned, doing field studies, running between school and office, and going to set to show his face only when free.

Today he was beat and came here to unwind.

The door opened. The club manager slipped in as if afraid to disturb him.

He leaned to Wu Fuyu’s ear and whispered, “Young master?”

Wu Feiyu did not open his eyes. He lay lazily on his arm and after a long moment said, “Mm?”

Seeing he was not asleep, the manager reported softly. Everyone knew the Wu family had only this one heir and he was spoiled to the heavens. Whenever he came to Snowfield, he was half the boss here.

“The Mediterranean who flattered me earlier?” Wu Feiyu sneered. “Now any cat or dog claims to know my father?”

He still sounded cocky. The manager knew he only looked unserious. When this young master got mean, he feared nothing.

“Who did he offend?”

“The Xie family’s young master, Rong Jing.”

Wu Feiyu shot up, startling the masseur behind him.

“Who the hell did you say?”

“Young Master Xie.”

“Where is he?”

“He should be heading to the garage.”

“Why are you not taking me there? Forget it, I will go myself.”

He had not seen Rong Jing for days. Knowing he was on his turf, he had to say hello and keep him.

He did not want to waste time. He dashed out.

The manager did not know who the Xie family’s young master was, but seeing Wu Fuyu practically gallop, he shouted, grabbed a coat, and chased after him.

As Wu Fuyu stepped into the elevator, he ran into Ji Jiongjie, who was heading to the underground garage.

They had never gotten along. They were the bickering-since-childhood sort.

“Cousin, when did you get here?”

“Not long.” Ji Jiongjie took him in as if watching a freak show. “This is… performance art?”

The doors opened and the basement chill swept in. Wu Feiyu shivered.

Cold cold cold. Hah, hah. I am freezing to death.

He finally remembered he was wearing only a towel.

But Rong Jing might leave any moment. If he went back for clothes he would miss him.

Catching Ji Jiongjie’s mocking look, his temper flared.

“What is an alpha afraid of? I like it like this. Jealous or envious?”

Even when he was wrong, Wu Fuyu never admitted it. He insisted he was setting the world right.

They traded barbs as they stepped out of the elevator. At that exact moment a sedan rolled past, exhaust puffing into their faces.

Through the slowly rising window, an all too familiar omega twined around the man beside him, whispering, as if kissing his cheek.

Ji Jiongjie’s eyes went wide. He could not believe it.

It had only been a glance, but how could he be wrong?

That omega was Gu Xi. How shameless was he? Did he have no sense of propriety? Gu Xi had sullied the purest rose in his heart. That rose belonged in the deepest mud, never to rise.

Wu Fuyu was not much better. He lunged after the car and with his stride too big, his towel fell.

Just then a group of omega ladies happened to pass the garage. They screamed “ah” in unison and peeked through their fingers at the impressive pride of this handsome alpha.

“Sh***, what are you looking at?! Eyes down!”

No one was afraid of getting sty now. Why were omegas these days so immodest? Could they not inherit some of our ancient gentle virtues?

Alphas were the best. Rong Jing for example. Cold and hard, with unconquerable written everywhere. That was the flavor.

He roared at the distant group, grabbed up his towel in a panic, and looked with deep unwillingness at the direction the car had gone.

That old fox Gu Xi was glued to Rong Jing every second. Shame on him.

So what if you are an omega? So what if it is cross-sex love. You are just a b***h exploiting your gender advantage.

The elevator doors opened again. The manager finally arrived with a robe. He threw it over Wu Feiyu’s shoulders.

Clothed at last, Wu Feiyu slipped into it, tied the belt with flair, and turned to see Ji Jiongjie’s face gone stormy.

“What is with your face?” Creepy.

“Fish, I cannot hold back. I was going to take it slow, take it slow,” Ji Jiongjie’s features twitched with a nervous edge that made Wu Fuyu’s heart jump, “but you really pissed me off. I want him to pay the price immediately. Right now.”

Wu Feiyu: “…”

I understand every word you said and together it sounds like a curse.

Honestly, are you looking to cry behind bars?

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