Yu Zhiwan rarely brought up her past with A-Organization. While the mention of her "parents" wasn't a taboo, it was hardly a topic of conversation between them.
Pei Yujang, on the other hand, had no idea where her parents were. When she was old enough to be aware, she had already been brought to the training ground, living with other children as fellow apprentices. There was a master, but she never experienced the warmth of a family.
It was there she met Pei Jinhuai. Although Pei Jinhuai's remarried wife, Fan Zhaozhao, always seemed a bit distant and formal, Pei Yujang didn't mind. For her, having Pei Jinhuai as a mother figure was enough to make up for the little regrets of her past. Pei Yujang was easily satisfied.
But looking at Yu Zhiwan's calm expression as she asked her opinion, a wave of indescribable sadness washed over Pei Yujang.
She had never asked Yu Zhiwan about her parents, but considering A-Organization's ruthless methods—even someone as seemingly insignificant as Chen Shuyang was "disposed of"—it was unlikely that Yu Zhiwan's parents had fared any better.
Perhaps, when they let her go, her parents were drained of their last bit of value and then discarded completely.
Yu Zhiwan must have considered this possibility. Having spent time in that dark and hopeless place, she understood far more of the inner workings than she ever let on.
Pei Yujang lowered her gaze, trying to keep her emotions in check. She gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Yu Zhiwan's face and tucked it behind her ear.
"Let's go see them. After all, I am their daughter-in-law."
During their recovery, the two had shared the same room. They would hold each other at night, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies, though neither had the energy for anything more. But tonight, after their bath, Yu Zhiwan took the initiative to grasp Pei Yujang's wrist, slowly guiding her hand up her slender, yet strong arm. Her calm, almond-shaped eyes locked onto Pei Yujang's, silently conveying her need.
Pei Yujang felt the unspoken plea and responded with tender care.
The moon was hidden behind clouds like a block of ice concealed in soft mochi, casting a gentle, filtered light through the window. The scent of Yu Zhiwan's pheromones was intoxicating, making Pei Yujang feel lightheaded. She held back her own desires, enveloping Yu Zhiwan in warmth and comfort.
They had spent so much time apart recently, even brushing against life and death without telling each other. Yet, as Yu Zhiwan traced the faint scars on Pei Yujang's back, she couldn't help but think of the torrential rain that had nearly swallowed Yicheng in darkness.
Driven by the need for reassurance, Yu Zhiwan kissed Pei Yujang with increasing urgency, as if only their closeness could quell the anxiety that had simmered beneath the surface. Her heat cycle arrived belatedly, dissatisfied with the status quo, and as their lips met, the taste of blood lingered.
The scent of fragrant roses and raspberries filled the room, heightening Pei Yujang's already keen senses. As she gently nuzzled Yu Zhiwan's gland, the atmosphere grew more intense. Pei Yujang's breath quickened, and she instinctively bit down, only to remember that she couldn't mark her without pheromones. Reluctantly, she contented herself with a gentle nibble.
Unable to explore the rose garden, she instead delighted in the greenery. The rain-soaked landscape was soon visited again, its warmth and moisture inviting her to lose herself in its embrace.
Pei Yujang had heard that an Omega's heat cycle shouldn't be postponed, as delaying it could lead to a backlash. She had once thought it was just a joke, but after experiencing it firsthand, she understood its truth.
For three days, they didn't leave the house. Although satisfying an Omega during their heat cycle was a challenge for a Beta, Pei Yujang's stamina and energy were more than up to the task.
During a break, Pei Yujang received a same-day delivery at the door—a package containing a box of rubber products and special toys designed for Omega heat cycles.
She had once thought using such things was a sign of inadequacy, but soon discovered how useful they could be.
Especially the "lipstick" syringe.
Having little experience in relationships, Pei Yujang had taken it upon herself to learn as much as she could to please her girlfriend. Most Omegas preferred to be pampered and rarely took the initiative. As a Beta, Pei Yujang didn't have an Omega's gland, but she was still a woman, and their bodies worked in much the same way.
She hadn't told Yu Zhiwan that she had practiced with these toys several times, trying to perfect her technique before introducing them to her girlfriend. Some of the more creative toys required both partners to be involved, and though Pei Yujang was nervous the first time, it turned out to be a resounding success.
As the scent of Yu Zhiwan's pheromones filled the air, the two of them were soon lost in the waves of pleasure.
Pei Yujang had been taken in by Yu Zhiwan's teasing games before, but now that they knew each other so well, she no longer fell for them. Not until she had brought Yu Zhiwan to tears of release did she finally relent.
Three days later, Pei Yujang left the house feeling refreshed. The rain had stopped, and she went out to buy some food for Yu Zhiwan. An Omega recovering from such exertion needed something light and easy on the stomach. Pei Yujang hummed a tune as she picked up a bowl of scallion chicken congee and some chocolate.
The chocolate was laced with alcohol, and Pei Yujang had checked the alcohol content just to be sure it was safe for Yu Zhiwan. But before she could say anything, Yu Zhiwan had already unwrapped and eaten several pieces. Pei Yujang was about to speak when Yu Zhiwan shot her a glance, pulling the blanket around her shoulders and revealing the marks Pei Yujang had left on her pale skin.
Yu Zhiwan didn't leave her a single piece of chocolate, claiming:
"I'm tired. I need to replenish my energy."
Pei Yujang: "?" It seemed like she had done most of the work!
But what could she do when her girlfriend acted spoiled and domineering? She could only indulge her.
There were other snacks in the kitchen, so Pei Yujang found a couple of yogurts in the fridge and drank them. Yu Zhiwan, not one to be left out, quickly ran to the kitchen to share, and when Pei Yujang playfully pinched her waist, she immediately surrendered.
Realizing that she had stumbled upon Yu Zhiwan's weakness, Pei Yujang couldn't help but feel smug. If she had animal ears, they would have perked up in pride. She made no effort to hide her mischief:
"Look at you, full of energy again, huh?"
But Yu Zhiwan said nothing, her gaze fixed on Pei Yujang's lips.
Pei Yujang's lips, stained with a ring of white from the yogurt, looked irresistibly kissable. But just as Yu Zhiwan leaned in to kiss her, she hesitated.
The lingering effects of her heat cycle still coursed through her veins, and she knew that if they started, they wouldn't be able to stop. Knowing her body couldn't handle another round, Yu Zhiwan decided to pull back, only for Pei Yujang to bend down in front of her, understanding her hesitation.
"Why not kiss me?" Pei Yujang asked with a smile.
Yu Zhiwan, never one to shy away from her desires, couldn't resist any longer. She wrapped her arms around Pei Yujang's neck and nuzzled her lips, licking away the remnants of yogurt like a little rabbit nibbling at its food.
Yu Zhiwan wasn't short, but compared to Pei Yujang's statuesque frame, she had to stand on tiptoe to kiss her. Pei Yujang, who had once been an Alpha, was taller than most women, and the difference in their heights was always noticeable when they were close. Pei Yujang had to bend down to kiss her.
After another round of affection, Pei Yujang suggested they go out to see a movie. It had been a while since they went out, and lately, they'd only ventured as far as the neighborhood, taking brief strolls before returning home. Pei Yujang hadn't exercised much recently, and their previous night's activities had been the most strenuous exercise she'd done in a while.
Yu Zhiwan happily agreed.
The two booked movie tickets online and specifically chose a midnight showing. After the recent incident, they were more well-known in China than any celebrity, and since the media attention hadn't died down yet, it was better to avoid being recognized.
Even though Pei Yujang knew she was good-looking, she never considered making a public debut. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of putting her life on display under the flash of cameras and the big screen. She even resigned from her position as Banyan Tree's marketing director, planning to work behind the scenes instead.
Yu Zhiwan felt the same way. Neither of them liked being in the spotlight, so they didn't choose a blockbuster for their midnight movie. Instead, they opted for a highly-rated film that had been out for a while and was about to leave theaters—perfect for avoiding crowds.
That night, they ordered takeout, and after eating, they headed to the cinema. As expected, there was hardly anyone there at that hour, except for a couple in the lovers' hall and a few people in the horror movie screening.
The movie was excellent, but there was one distraction: the Omega sitting beside Pei Yujang wasn't exactly well-behaved. With only the two of them in the theater, and the film being a romantic lesbian drama, the atmosphere soon became intimate, especially during a particularly emotional love scene.
When the two female leads held hands, Yu Zhiwan intertwined her fingers with Pei Yujang's, gently tickling her palm with her little finger. As the scene intensified, Yu Zhiwan leaned closer and playfully blew in Pei Yujang's ear.
After the movie ended, it was late, so Yu Zhiwan suggested they check into a hotel for the night. Pei Yujang agreed without hesitation. Once they were in their room, showered, and ready for bed, Pei Yujang, dressed in a loose bathrobe that exposed one of her shoulders, leaned against the glass door and looked at Yu Zhiwan, her voice soft and inviting:
"Zhiwan, are you sleepy?"
Despite having seemed full of energy earlier, Yu Zhiwan had already fallen asleep. The only response Pei Yujang received was the sound of her Omega's steady breathing.