Chapter 116
Life together was more peaceful than imagined.
Perhaps it should be said that what she had imagined was too “fraught with danger,” and only after it officially began did she realize it wasn’t so scary. Even though they were living under the same roof, they each had their own room. Plus, Zhuang Chi and Gu Ximian had different class schedules, so the time they spent together at home was at most only a few hours each day.
Even so, it was still more opportunity to see each other than before. Correspondingly, the sense of distance between them had become slightly delicate—at least, that’s how Zhuang Chi felt. She was always a bit unsure, worried about both overstepping boundaries and appearing distant. This was the first time in her two lifetimes that she had lived with a lover, so she was somewhat clumsy and felt she needed to get used to it. Just like now, she had seen Gu Ximian sitting across from her in a nightgown eating breakfast several times, but it still gave Zhuang Chi a faint, surreal feeling of unreality.
...Alright, how they usually got along was one thing, and matters like getting used to it could be taken slowly, but there were some things that really needed to be discussed with Gu Ximian first. Zhuang Chi thought to herself, looking at Gu Ximian who was leisurely eating her congee, and brought up the topic that had been on her mind for the past few days: “...Gu Ximian, shouldn’t we discuss how to handle our susceptible periods...?”
It was unclear whether she had long anticipated that Zhuang Chi would ask this at some point or what, but Gu Ximian’s face showed no sign of wavering or surprise. In fact, her reaction was excessively calm. She only symbolically raised her eyes, her soft black hair draped lazily over her shoulders and neck, and asked nonchalantly, “Whose susceptible period?”
...Of course, both of ours need to be considered. Zhuang Chi suspected the other was playing dumb, so she pressed on, explaining in detail, “Your susceptible period—is actually fine. At least the inhibitors are effective. At most, you can just send me a message when you realize it’s starting, and I’ll make a detour and stay away from your room to avoid smelling anything. But my susceptible period is...”
It was more troublesome. Zhuang Chi had already considered this problem by herself many times before, but she had never come up with a perfect solution. After all, she couldn’t use inhibitors to avoid her susceptible period, and no matter how she thought about it, she would need Gu Ximian’s help. But in comparison, borrowing Gu Ximian’s clothes seemed slightly safer. So, swallowing her embarrassment, Zhuang Chi said in a small voice, “...Can I borrow a couple of your clothes first? Otherwise, what if I suddenly enter my susceptible period while I’m sleeping at night...”
Just like that time at the hotel, her pheromones had filled the entire bathroom while she was just taking a bath, without any warning at all. Zhuang Chi grew worried just thinking about it, but Gu Ximian remained as cool as a cucumber upon hearing this, showing no sign of unease. She casually stirred the congee in her bowl with her fair hand and continued where Zhuang Chi left off, “Then just knock on my door.”
Zhuang Chi froze. Gu Ximian seemed to think she didn’t understand, so she looked up to meet her gaze and explained in a faint voice, “If you suddenly feel like you’re entering your susceptible period while sleeping at night, then just go knock on my door. I’ll wake up. Even if I don’t wake up right away, my door has never been locked anyway.”
What was she saying! Zhuang Chi’s eyes widened in shock, but her mind couldn’t help but wander to the thought that Gu Ximian didn’t lock her bedroom door at night. She didn’t know whether to call it great trust in her or something else—but Zhuang Chi felt this was not okay. She said tremblingly, “...I think maybe you should lock it?”
“Why, do you lock yours?” Gu Ximian asked in return instead of answering, tilting her head slightly, a faint smile condensing in her dark eyes. “Afraid I’ll raid you in the night?”
Zhuang Chi was choked by this sentence and couldn’t speak for a long time. Finally, she lowered her head in defeat, her face red, and shoveled a large spoonful of congee into her mouth—and burned her tongue.
...Things really weren’t going smoothly. Even as they were preparing to leave for St. Blaisedon after breakfast, Zhuang Chi was still brooding, rolling the ice cube Gu Ximian had given her over her tongue. It melted in just a few rolls, and then she crunched it. Gu Ximian, at the doorway, heard the sound and turned her head helplessly to look at her. “...Didn’t I tell you to hold it on the burn for a while longer? Why did you chew it again? Do you want to eat ice that badly?”
Seeing Zhuang Chi silently turn her head away, Gu Ximian sighed softly, moved closer, and said in a gentle voice, “Let me see? Did you apply the cold compress properly to the burned spot?”
As she spoke, she raised her hand to touch Zhuang Chi’s lips. Zhuang Chi, a bit shy, pressed her lips together more tightly. She simply reached out, pulled the approaching Gu Ximian into her arms, and protested softly in her ear, “You won’t even cooperate with me to discuss the susceptible period properly.”
“Did I not cooperate?” The person being held disagreed with her statement, her voice deliberately tinged with a hint of confusion. “I even proposed a solution, so how can you say I’m not cooperating?”
...Even if that could be called a solution, it was, simply put, encouraging Zhuang Chi to launch a night raid. How could Zhuang Chi dare to do that? She lowered her head slightly. “You know very well... that’s very dangerous. Since you lending me your clothes would allow me to get through my susceptible period more safely, why must we do it this way?”
“...”
Gu Ximian was quiet for a long moment. When she spoke again, her voice seemed to float slightly, her tone surprisingly serious. “So you’re saying, for the next few decades of our lives, for who knows how many susceptible periods, you’re just going to rely on my clothes to get through them? And during that time, I can only wait outside the door, not even allowed to get close to you?”
“I don’t want that,” Gu Ximian said, gently pushing Zhuang Chi away. She reached up to pinch her cheek, looked into her somewhat stunned eyes, and said slowly, as if aggrieved, “You created this world yourself, so you should know that when Alpha and Omega couples live together, they help each other through their susceptible periods. Why is it different when it comes to me?”
...Is that so? Is there such an unwritten rule? Even as the author, she was completely unaware of this. Zhuang Chi listened in a daze, now feeling that Gu Ximian seemed to have the more reasonable argument, and that she was the one making unreasonable demands. She suddenly felt a pang of guilt. But Gu Ximian glanced at her a few times, then changed the subject again. “...But I also know that if you don’t plan to permanently mark me, getting close to me during every susceptible period will probably be very hard for you to endure.”
“So... if you can’t hold back, that’s okay too. You can just tell me directly.”
Gu Ximian lowered her eyes as she spoke, and the hands cupping Zhuang Chi’s face also dropped as if in discomfort. She said softly, “...I won’t blame you.”
She had actually heard similar words once before, but this time was still somewhat different from the last. If the last time was an unthinking surrender of the choice to her out of love, then this time, judging from Gu Ximian’s condition, it was more like...
Zhuang Chi looked at Gu Ximian’s tense shoulders, then at her seemingly unconsciously clenched fists. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed there were some unspoken thoughts.
...It was as if she wanted her to admit first that she wouldn’t be able to hold back. Zhuang Chi thought.
But why? What good would it do Gu Ximian for her to admit such a thing—it couldn’t possibly be to mock her, right? Zhuang Chi was a little confused. She couldn’t say she didn’t have her suspicions, but she ultimately felt they couldn’t be true. In the end, she decided not to guess wildly for now. After some deliberation, she made a painful decision. “...I understand. I can’t just think about hiding. From now on, during my susceptible periods, I’ll endure it properly like last time.”
“...”
Gu Ximian was quiet for a moment, then turned around and tossed a cool, detached sentence over her shoulder, “Then remember to return the clothes I gave you before the holiday.”
...Ugh, not even leaving her one piece. This was truly Spartan education. Zhuang Chi dejectedly agreed in a small voice and followed Gu Ximian towards the door. But after just two steps, the person in front stopped again, turned her head, and asked, “...I almost forgot, how’s your tongue? Do you still need ice?”
“No need.” It was just a little burn from the congee, how bad could it be? It was only because Gu Ximian was so attentive to her. Zhuang Chi shook her head. “I feel like it’ll be mostly better in a little while...”
Gu Ximian glanced at her, then suddenly leaned in again, pointed at her lips matter-of-factly, and gestured for her to open her mouth like a dentist, “Ah.”
To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing, and she also had a faint inkling of what would happen next, but Zhuang Chi still obediently said “ah” and opened her mouth. As expected, she saw Gu Ximian glance casually inside before leaning closer. Then she received a kiss, her soft, wet tongue hooked and gently sucked. It was rare for Zhuang Chi to see Gu Ximian be so proactive. After getting over her initial bewilderment, she couldn’t help but want to deepen the kiss—
“Hiss...”
...And then she was bitten.
She was bitten, not too hard and not too soft. It didn’t hurt much, but it was enough to make one flinch in surprise. Zhuang Chi opened her eyes, uncomprehending, and watched as Gu Ximian retreated half a step with a placid expression, nodding with composure. “Looks like there’s really no problem. No need for ice.”
After saying that, she went to the doorway to change her shoes on her own, leaving Zhuang Chi standing there alone in a daze, hesitantly wondering if she had just been retaliated against.
In the following days, Zhuang Chi still couldn’t help but worry about her susceptible period in her free time. Of course, she planned to endure it, but not knowing when it would come left her feeling unsettled, unsure of how long she needed to keep her guard up.
She even tried to find the Notebook once, asking it: ‘Is there any way for you to know when my next susceptible period will be...?’
The Notebook was silent for a long moment before responding in large, bold letters: 【I am a notebook. Not a vital signs monitor, nor a crystal ball for divination.】
...She had angered it. Zhuang Chi apologized to it and continued to ponder what to do when the time came. For several days, she diligently ran through several scenarios in her mind—which to others probably looked like she was just spacing out. Lou Che waved his hand directly in front of her eyes several times. “Hey, your eyes are glazed over. Are you awake?”
Who sleeps with their eyes open? Zhuang Chi looked over at him helplessly. They were currently in the Student Council Presidium office waiting for the regular meeting to start. She had just arrived early today and was waiting with Lou Che for the others to arrive. Lou Che seemed to have something to discuss with her. Seeing that he had regained her attention, he lowered his hand and said directly, “Didn’t you beat Gu Ximian before? I’ve prepared a prize for you. It should be delivered today.”
It was truly rare to see him be so polite. Zhuang Chi blinked, and just as she was about to say he didn’t need to go to such trouble, Lou Che cut her off, saying in a very certain tone, “Trust me, you’ll definitely like it. You said you wanted it before.”
...Hmm? Had she told Lou Che she wanted something before? Zhuang Chi’s mind was a complete blank; she couldn’t recall anything even after careful thought. Lou Che, however, tilted his head back with particular smugness and instructed, “I had it sent directly to Gu Ximian’s place. You don’t have class tonight, right? Then remember to go back early and get it.”
How should she put it? His words seemed to carry a hint of “don’t let Gu Ximian get it first.”
She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but no matter how she asked, Lou Che refused to reveal the contents of the gift beforehand, which made Zhuang Chi even more certain of her guess—it probably wasn’t anything proper. Gu Ximian had an evening class today, so Zhuang Chi rushed home right after her afternoon class ended. Sure enough, there was a delivery box at the door. It didn’t look very big. Like a thief, she snatched the box and entered the house, looking at the shipping label on the box as if facing a great enemy—
【Bite Guard*1】
“...”
Zhuang Chi understood everything in an instant.
...It had to be said, the bite guard Lou Che sent looked to be of very high quality.
Zhuang Chi opened the delivery box and curiously took it out to size it up. From the leather to the metal, everything looked very exquisite. The size was appropriate, and it wasn’t too heavy. It felt like it was custom-made.
She did remember saying she wanted this thing to the Alphas when she was in her susceptible period and went to the door to get something... Zhuang Chi recalled that not-so-clear memory and felt deeply that it was a wonder Lou Che could remember it to this day and even had one custom-made for her. It was truly—
—truly a huge help! Zhuang Chi looked at the bite guard, feeling as if it were sparkling. It was the perfect magic treasure to solve the troubles that had been plaguing her these past few days!
Couldn’t she just wear this during her next susceptible period! It was an excellent safeguard! It would definitely be a powerful obstacle if she were to lose her senses!
Zhuang Chi felt it was very reliable and happily decided to try it on first. This bite guard had all sorts of leather straps and hidden buckles that were quite complicated. It even came with an instruction manual. She studied it for a long time before figuring out how to put it on. She carefully completed the final step, ran to the mirror to take a look, and felt a bit shy seeing her current appearance. But since she was the only one home, she quickly adjusted her mentality and began to test how sturdy it was.
The results were very gratifying. Zhuang Chi tried several times to forcibly take it off but only managed to choke herself with an “urggh.” It seemed to her that even if she went crazy during her susceptible period, it wouldn’t be that easy to remove. Thus, she was very satisfied and returned to the delivery box, preparing to learn how to take it off.
Zhuang Chi turned the page of the instruction manual, but before she could learn how to take it off, she first saw the words Lou Che had written in a blank space.
【Customized this one considering your needs. As the manual says, you need to press three spots simultaneously to unlock it, and they are all far apart.】
【In other words, it requires two people to cooperate.】
【So if you don’t have anyone else around, don’t try it on yet.】
“...”
Zhuang Chi stared wordlessly at the instruction manual, falling into a long silence.
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