Realizing that this form of address was something she had shamelessly suggested herself, Lin Xu wanted nothing more than to burrow into the ground like a groundhog.
“Your face is so hot…” Shu Qingyou’s fingertips were scalded by her cheek, and she pulled her hand back.
Lin Xu quietly turned her face away, trying to quibble, “Maybe I caught a chill.”
To ensure the physical and mental health of their distinguished client, the ward was arranged to be refreshingly pleasant, with the heating turned up full blast, so Lin Xu’s excuse fell flat.
Based on past experience, Lin Xu was always clumsy and careless. Although she didn’t know the root cause of Lin Xu catching a cold, her first instinct was to press the call button for medical staff.
“No need to trouble them. My face isn’t hot anymore. Here, feel it if you don’t believe me.” Lin Xu blocked her and lifted her face up.
Over these past few days, Shu Qingyou had personally handled everything for Lin Xu and trusted her completely, going along with her habitual thinking.
She cupped Lin Xu’s face.
What was she going to do? Lin Xu’s lips parted slightly as the words slipped out, her forehead pressed against Shu Qingyou’s.
It was as if she had been frozen by magic. In that brief moment of contact, Lin Xu’s gaze began to scatter.
From past encounters, their pheromones didn’t need testing—they matched perfectly. Once released, it was like dry tinder meeting a blazing fire.
Back then, it had only been a verbal discussion about the sugar baby arrangement, but she’d used the excuse of “giving it a try,” and that very day, she’d claimed her.
It was her first time too, and she had no idea what lovemaking felt like. She just couldn’t resist with that warm softness in her arms, burying herself deep in the place rich with intoxicating pheromones.
Now, that scent uncontrollably drew her in. Lin Xu blurted out, “Are you okay?”
Shu Qingyou hummed in response and straightened up, but her hand was caught by Lin Xu.
“Not sleeping?”
She had no mind left for sleep, and besides, she wasn’t tired. Lin Xu lowered her gaze and hemmed and hawed for a moment before Shu Qingyou asked again.
Lin Xu’s lips parted and closed as she gripped Shu Qingyou’s hand and pulled it toward herself.
Shu Qingyou let herself be led to sit on the edge of the bed, thinking Lin Xu needed a sense of security. She went along with it.
“Sleeping is fine, but you have to kiss me here first.”
Lin Xu’s gaze slowly wandered upward, climbing from the flat stomach beneath the fitted sweater to the lofty softness above.
Finally, it settled on those glossy lips.
Shu Qingyou paused for a second, but without the slightest hesitation—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She was willing, but she still smiled brightly and refused, “Rongrong’s here.”
If Shu Qingyou hadn’t reminded her, Lin Xu would have completely forgotten about the child, floating off to the ninth heaven. But it wasn’t a problem.
“Rongrong,” Lin Xu called out to Shu Rong. The little girl was engrossed in her phone—kids these days were so easily controlled by screens.
Shu Rong blinked innocently at Lin Xu, showing no intention of putting down her phone. Perfect—that way, she wouldn’t interrupt the adults’ game.
Lin Xu crooked a finger in the air. “Turn around and play facing the window. I’ll buy you a little cake later.”
Little cake. Without a second thought, Shu Rong shuffled her little bottom around to face away from them.
Seeing her daughter so easily swayed, Shu Qingyou felt like her parenting rights had been usurped. “Don’t spoil her too much. Sugar’s bad for her health, and it leads to cavities.”
Lin Xu lowered her voice. “It’s fine. She’ll be losing her baby teeth in a couple of years anyway.”
She wasn’t wrong, but Lin Xu never knew moderation when buying cakes for her. Shu Rong didn’t understand limits and would stuff herself like a bottomless pit with sweets.
If she didn’t put a stop to it, the child wouldn’t even eat her meals.
Seeing Shu Qingyou’s brows furrow, the mole at the corner of her eye tightening along with her skin, Lin Xu’s breathing grew heavier. “Alright then. This time, I’ll buy it for her. Next time she wants one, I’ll tell her it’s not Big Sis’s fault—it’s Mommy who won’t let her have it.”
Shu Qingyou ignored her nonsense. “You’re making me the bad cop. What ulterior motives do you have?”
“Then I’ll be the bad mommy.” Lin Xu chuckled softly, leaning forward. Her pale, sickly lips pressed against the ones she’d been craving for so long.
Her tongue skillfully entwined with every part of Shu Qingyou’s.
Afraid of hurting Lin Xu’s wound, Shu Qingyou kept her upper body at a careful distance.
The room didn’t have the windows open, but the curtains were drawn back. The south-facing layout let beams of light stream in, fragmented by the furniture into various shapes, half-scattered between the two of them.
Lin Xu convinced herself that since she was currently playing the role of her amnesiac self, satisfying her… desires was perfectly reasonable. It was only human nature.
Her hand slipped familiarly under the hem of the sweater, venturing into familiar territory, sliding upward.
Kneading.
The sensation was truly addictive.
The sudden stimulation sent electric currents rippling through Shu Qingyou’s lower abdomen.
Lin Xu’s kissing skills were as good as ever, and Shu Qingyou was starting to fear she’d be taken right there on the spot.
It wasn’t until a knock sounded at the door that Shu Qingyou snapped out of her daze. She pulled her flushed face away from the haze, and after a few seconds, she realized why Lin Xu’s face had been so hot.
The mood ruined, Lin Xu’s expression went blank, even shooting a cold glance at the nurse as she came in to take her temperature and blood pressure.
Lin Xu wanted to continue afterward, but Shu Qingyou refused. She tucked Lin Xu in properly, making it clear she should get some sleep.
It was as if only that could justify the kiss from earlier.
And true to her word, Lin Xu placed an order for a big cake for Shu Rong.
As Shu Qingyou expected, Shu Rong abandoned dinner entirely. Her little spoon never left the cake, and Lin Xu teased that her cheeks made her look like a dazed little hamster.
No cakes for Shu Rong for the next month, Shu Qingyou thought. She was going to be the “bad mommy.”
Discharge day arrived quickly. Most of the visitors were acquaintances—Shu Qingyou’s friends, previously marked as romantic rivals by Lin Xu but now crossed off the list.
The wind was bitterly cold that day. Shu Qingyou bundled Lin Xu up in her coat like a little rice dumpling before feeling at ease.
Originally, a car from the Lin family Old Mansion was set to pick her up, with the housekeeper and maids ready to attend to her.
But Lin Xu said she preferred recuperating at her little lover’s place. She’d handle any issues herself later.
Of course, she didn’t say that outright in front of Shu Qingyou.
While Lin Xu quietly arranged her own affairs,
Shu Qingyou was pulled aside by Shu Wan Ning. She’d almost forgotten Gu Huaiyuan’s words, but by a stroke of coincidence, at a campus job fair organized by her school,
she hadn’t given up investigating the car accident from back then.
She spotted a subordinate who had worked at her company years ago.
According to the employee, back then, President Shu had drunk quite a bit while entertaining clients, and the administrative manager had been there too. Yet President Shu had driven off alone.
The employee bluntly said it didn’t match the administrative manager’s character—she wouldn’t have let her own boss drive drunk without intervening.
That administrative manager had long since climbed high in another company, and Shu Wan Ning was now trying to stake out that firm.
Over these days, Shu Qingyou’s dark circles had worsened. Shu Wan Ning saw it all—her sister was treating the Lin family miss like a precious daughter.
Heartbroken, she decided to give her lovestruck sister a wake-up call. “Sis, Mom’s death anniversary is coming up soon. Don’t get lost in your romantic fantasies and forget the important stuff.”
Shu Qingyou could never forget. She shot her sister a reproachful look. “What do you take me for? Of course I remember Mom’s anniversary crystal clear.”
“Don’t keep badmouthing Lin Xu. She’s really changed. She nearly died for me—you should let go of your grudges… Even if you still have some resentment, she’s a patient now and can’t handle stress.”
No hope for her. Shu Wan Ning felt powerless. She offered that one piece of advice, but her sister nearly launched into a monologue, every line revolving around that scumbag woman.
People had their own fates. Exhausted, Shu Wan Ning waved her hand. “Whatever. Just don’t end up covered in wounds again.”
Shu Wan Ning’s worries weren’t lost on Shu Qingyou. She’d thought more than once that once Lin Xu recovered her memories, she’d abandon her and leave.
Hearts were made of flesh, after all. Shu Qingyou didn’t believe Lin Xu risking her life for her was just a momentary impulse. Deep down, at least, she wouldn’t harm her anymore.
Though that guess contradicted Lin Xu’s actions from that year, there must have been some reason that twisted her personality.
Maybe Lin Xu was cured now and, out of nostalgia, had come back to rekindle their bond?
Meanwhile, Shu Wan Ning didn’t want to sleep in the same place as Lin Xu. She shouldered her backpack and strode off, only to be called back by Lin Xu after a few steps.
She turned back irritably. “What? Spit it out quick, or I’ll miss the bus.”
Lin Xu’s lips curved slightly, her hoarse voice tinged with fatigue. “Ningning, let my car give you a ride. It’s on the way.”
She’d been about to refuse outright, but then thought better of it. Sometimes pride couldn’t fill your stomach. Her sister had taken care of her for so long—now Lin Xu owed their family a debt.
Lin Xu harbored no real malice toward this sister-in-law. College kids were hot-blooded and stubborn; Lin Xu figured there might be some fun to watch later.
She continued playing the fragile Alpha at home. The doctor had said it’d be about a month before she could walk independently.
Most of the time, Lin Xu hobbled around on crutches, served by Shu Qingyou like a master. She really didn’t want to leave.
Life was comfortable. Shu Qingyou granted her every wish, turning down a pile of client meetings. And in bed, she was diligent too.
Exposing her gland for Lin Xu to bite—at first, Lin Xu felt a twinge of guilt, afraid Shu Qingyou would notice something off, so she didn’t bite hard.
“Baby, sit on my face.”
Over half a month passed, and Lin Xu’s minor fracture had mostly healed. With Shu Rong out of the room, she boldly made her demand.
If she could, she’d take her roughly, but her body wouldn’t allow it, so she wheedled sweetly.
Shu Qingyou had just been marked once that day by Lin Xu. Facesitting nearly scared her into fleeing.
Her thin eyelids flushed hotter, and Shu Qingyou stammered, avoiding Lin Xu’s direct gaze. “It’ll… it’ll break. I’m heavy…”
Lin Xu denied it vehemently. “No way. Baby’s so skinny. I want to eat you. Pretty please?”
A position they’d never tried before. Shu Qingyou stared at the rumpled white sheets, unable to form words.
Lin Xu’s eyes darkened. She’d seen it all—she got wet so easily, was clearly so slutty and eager. What was there to pretend…?
Besides, her life belonged to Lin Xu. She could be refused, but do it too often, and she’d grow bored.
As expected, with Omegas, force worked best…
Suddenly, the phone on the bedside table buzzed. Lin Xu looked away, stretched out her arm, and opened the message.
It was from her assistant: several files.
[President Lin, as instructed, here are the company’s project progress reports and financial statements for the past two months, plus next month’s one-on-one meeting schedule…]
Lin Xu lowered her eyelids, replied briefly, and locked the screen. Suppressing her low mood, she mustered rare patience to ask,
“Shu-jie, can we?”
“You’re refusing because… you hate me now?”
