Delicate, Yet Shamelessly Freeloading [Quick Transmigration] Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Alpha with Pheromone Disorder (27)

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“Brother, I’m going out with a friend,” Shui Que said as he changed his shoes in the entryway. Snow had fallen last night, and the cold outside was bone-chilling, with the accumulated snow still untouched.

 

Inside, the heating was on full blast, making it as warm as spring.

 

Dressed in only a loose sweater, he felt perfectly comfortable.

 

That night at the banquet, he had narrowly avoided disaster—only to run into Xie Xiangxun.

 

Fortunately, he hadn’t asked why he had been hiding in a wardrobe.

 

That would’ve been beyond embarrassing.

 

Instead, he had thoughtfully brought Shui Que back to Song Qin, saying he had gotten lost.

 

Though why he thought anyone could get lost inside a wardrobe remained a mystery…

 

Shui Que hadn’t seen Qu Jiuchao for the rest of the banquet. He had no idea if the man had gone looking for him and missed him entirely.

 

Song Qin pulled open a thick down jacket and helped Shui Que put it on. It was one he had bought for him a few days ago—warm white, making Shui Que look like a little snowball from a distance.

 

He liked seeing him in white.

 

Because it made him look obedient.

 

For some reason, Song Qin suddenly recalled a photo Shui Que had mistakenly sent him.

 

Pale skin, bound thighs.

 

It had been nearly a month ago.

 

Frowning, Song Qin forcibly erased the image from his mind. His expression remained unchanged, as if the Alpha who had stared at his younger brother’s exposed legs for far too long had nothing to do with him at all.

 

The zipper in his hand was pulled up from bottom to top until it reached the end. He wrapped the mustard-yellow and olive-green scarf around once and secured it, ensuring that the cold wind wouldn’t penetrate Shui Que’s body.

 

Song Qin asked in a calm voice, “When will you be back?”

 

“Hmm… probably by evening,” Shui Que replied.

 

Song Qin glanced at the clock. It wasn’t even 8 a.m. yet.

If he were to return by 4 p.m., that would be eight hours.

 

Today was New Year’s Eve.

 

Song Qin had originally planned to go grocery shopping with Shui Que to buy ingredients for the New Year’s Eve dinner.

 

Although he could have asked Aunt Wu to do the shopping, and even though he knew exactly what dishes Shui Que liked and disliked.

 

He occasionally wanted to push a shopping cart and enjoy some time with just the two of them.

 

“Alright.” In the end, he didn’t ask Shui Que where he was going.

 

The streets were busy with traffic, but the destination wasn’t particularly crowded. Even the trees around were adorned with festive decorations, likely due to New Year’s Eve. More people had chosen to stay home and prepare for dinner, leaving the streets rather empty.

 

Shui Que arrived at the meeting place he had arranged with Xie Xiangxun.

 

“I’m here,” he typed as he softly murmured the words. The breath from his lips instantly turned into white mist in the cold air, and the exposed tips of his fingers were turning red. “Is York really coming?”

 

York reminded him of the black-and-yellow stuffed puppy his mother had given him when he was a child.

 

Xiang Xun replied, “Wait for me a bit.”

 

Xiang Xun: “York doesn’t like humans very much. Other than morning runs, he doesn’t usually go out for walks.”

 

Perhaps worried that Shui Que would overthink, he quickly sent another message.

 

Xiang Xun: “Don’t worry, he’ll like you.”

 

Xiang Xun: “It’s cold out. Go wait at the nearest café. I’ve placed an order for you through the app—one caramel macchiato and one cappuccino. You can drink either. I’ll send you the order number.”

 

Shui Que walked along the road for a while longer.

 

Through the glass windows, he could see the café’s elegant interior decor. In the corner against the wall, a Christmas tree from the holiday event hadn’t been taken down yet, adorned and piled with greeting cards and small gifts.

 

It was still early, and the staff were busy handling takeout and app orders.

 

As he pushed the door open, the wind triggered a jingling chime from the doorbell.

 

The café was situated by the park’s riverside, offering a great view. If he sat by the full-length glass wall, he could see the riverbank clearly…?

 

A pair of shoes lay abandoned, alone, on the muddy and snowy riverbank.

 

Shui Que’s eyes widened.

 

“Order number 93 is ready.” One of the café employees rang the service bell. Following the direction of a previously seated customer’s table, they only saw a phone left behind on the table.

 

The phone was on silent mode, vibrating noiselessly on the placemat.

 

“Where did they go…? In such a rush, they even left their phone behind?” The employee wiped their hands on their apron.

 

The winter river wasn’t turbulent, but the water was bone-chillingly cold. Once submerged for a while, the numbness would set in, stripping away any sense of temperature. A person wouldn’t know if they were warm or freezing.

 

The depths in the distance seemed endless, like a silent mother waiting for her lost child to drift back into her embrace.

 

The riverbed was lined with sharp stones. Shui Que didn’t dare to take off his shoes.

 

He pushed through the heavy river water, moving forward quickly step by step, his hands trembling as he grabbed onto the edge of the person’s clothing.

 

Here, the water reached his waist.

 

Not wanting to startle her, Shui Que spoke softly, “Miss, are you alright?”

 

“Did you… lose something?”

 

The Beta, caught off guard by his sudden appearance, stopped in her tracks. She turned to face him—delicate features, black hair in a disheveled mess over her shoulders, the tip of her nose red, dark circles under her eyes, and an exhausted, weary expression.

 

“…No.” She had likely gone a long time without drinking water, and even that single word seemed to scrape her throat painfully.

 

But the moment she turned around, Shui Que froze.

 

He had seen her before.

 

At the research institute. She was the kind volunteer who would bring him snacks and storybooks from the outside world.

 

She was always smiling, even when she told him that her parents, like his, had died unexpectedly while on a mission.

 

She had also said that the experiments at the research institute were cruel, inhumane.

 

“They’re all lying to you. The institute and the black market are working together. They draw your blood and sell it at outrageous prices to wealthy businessmen and politicians.”

 

“It’s nothing like they claim—about treating espers.”

 

“08, don’t worry. The volunteers here are good people. We’ll help you escape.”

 

On the night of the escape, the institute was suddenly ablaze with light, and sirens echoed through the night sky.

 

Hiding in the stairwell of the dormitory, he realized someone among the volunteers had betrayed them.

 

That person later became a researcher at the lab.

 

“I…” Shui Que’s throat tightened. It was difficult to form words, but he still asked urgently, “Do you remember me? I’m 08.”

 

08—his designation.

 

At the institute, experimental subjects had no names, only cold, numerical labels.

 

The Beta looked at him, confused. Speaking felt overwhelmingly exhausting. “Sorry, I don’t think we’ve met.”

 

“But… but…” Shui Que didn’t know what to say.

 

In this vast river, a crushing sense of desolation surrounded him.

 

System 77 suddenly emerged in a panic. 【Host, I’m here!】

 

It hurriedly rubbed against Shui Que’s cheek. 【Purr, purr, fluffy fur, purr, purr, fluffy fur…】

 

The Beta couldn’t understand it either. In her twenty-plus years of life, if she had ever met such a beautiful young boy, he should have left an unforgettable impression on her.

 

But truly, she had no memory of him.

 

Besides, what kind of random name was ‘08’?

 

She had been the one who lost hope and chose to end things, yet the boy before her looked as if he had suffered a terrible grievance.

 

His eyes reddened instantly. His pale skin, already flushed pink from the cold, made him look even more pitiful.

 

“Let’s go back, Miss,” he pleaded softly. “Please, let’s go back. It’s too cold. You’ll catch a cold.”

 

In the distance, rapid footsteps charged forward like a storm, one of the approaching sounds distinctly non-human.

 

“Woof!”

 

“Woof, woof!”

 

A strong German Shepherd leaped into the water, using its powerful limbs to swim rapidly toward them. Its sharp teeth clamped onto his clothing and began pulling him toward the shore.

 

With a loud splash, a pair of strong arms reached under Shui Que’s armpits, lifting him up and carrying him out of the water.

 

His chest pressed against a firm shoulder. The buffer of the down jacket made it less uncomfortable, and when he looked over, he saw the German Shepherd had shifted its focus, now firmly dragging Beta back as well.

 

The tightness in his chest eased, suddenly clearing away. Shui Que shoved his ice-cold hands into Xie Xiangxun’s collar.

 

The Alpha’s neck shrank from the cold but clamped down on his hands, not pulling them out.

 

His face, however, darkened ominously, looking downright terrifying.

 

Shui Que thought his prank had made him angry and tried to withdraw his hands silently.

 

Instead, he got bitten.

 

Right on his pinky finger—a deep bite mark.

 

He pouted.

 

So petty. Like owner, like dog—they both bite.　

 

As soon as they reached the shore, Xie Xiangxun stripped off his down jacket, which was soaked at the hem. He wrung it out, and water dripped down in a steady stream—it was completely unwearable.

 

Without hesitation, he took off his own down coat and casually draped it over Shui Que’s head.

 

His movements were broad and forceful, his actions carrying a hint of anger toward Shui Que for recklessly jumping into the water.

 

Due to their height difference, and the fact that Xie Xiangxun preferred shorter jackets for ease of movement, his coat had barely been submerged and remained clean and dry.

 

Shui Que, with Xie Xiangxun’s jacket over his head, cautiously lifted his gaze to peek at him. Only then did he slowly adjust the coat and put it on properly.

 

“Do you need me to call an ambulance?” Xie Xiangxun asked the woman who had been pulled ashore by the German Shepherd.

 

The Beta shook her head. “No need, thank you.”

 

She gave Shui Que a deep, searching look.

 

“What is your relationship?”

 

She asked, still concerned about Shui Que’s safety.

 

Even though this man walking his dog seemed kind-hearted and didn’t look like a bad person, she couldn’t help but worry.

 

Xie Xiangxun answered immediately, “Fiancé. A childhood betrothal.”

 

Shui Que: ?

 

Huh?

 

Beta: “Oh… oh, I see. Thank you both.”

 

Realizing her earlier actions might have been unnecessary, she lowered her head apologetically and gave a polite bow. “I’m sorry for the trouble.”

 

Before leaving, she solemnly turned to Shui Que and said, “I hope you two will be happy together.”

 

Shui Que: Should I say thank you…?

 

*

 

After everything that had happened, their original plans—though only considered a date in Xie Xiangxun’s mind—had to be rearranged.

 

Shui Que dried his hair, blinked as if just realizing something, and asked, “What nonsense were you spouting about a childhood betrothal?”

 

Xie Xiangxun saw him stepping out of the room.

 

Every piece of clothing he was wearing had come from Xie Xiangxun’s wardrobe. From the inside out, he was practically marked.

 

Xie Xiangxun suddenly found himself jealous of his own clothes.

 

They were undoubtedly infused with Shui Que’s scent now—soft and fragrant.

 

Addressing Shui Que’s question, he explained, “The Song family and the Xie family had an agreement—whichever family had an Omega would marry into the other.”

 

Xie Xiangxun circled around him, his slanted phoenix eyes curving mischievously. “But I know you’re an Alpha.”

 

Shui Que’s entire body tensed at those words, stepping back warily.

 

If he had known, he wouldn’t have come here! His scam of pretending to be an Omega to swindle money had been exposed—was he going to get beaten up?

 

His eyes darted around.

 

What now? He was already inside this man’s house. There was no escaping!

 

“W-when did you find out?”

 

He had essentially admitted it with that response.

 

Perhaps because of his nervousness, his pale pink lips were pressed together so tightly they looked even more plump and flushed.

 

Xie Xiangxun’s gaze darkened.

 

Logically, this was the part where the plot should shift to the classic trope: the Omega wife suddenly revealing himself as an Alpha, leaving the top-ranking dream man utterly shattered and demanding an explanation.

 

But Shui Que was wearing his sweater, the hem barely covering his upper thighs. His knees were smooth and well-proportioned, with a slight pinkish hue, unblemished by pigmentation.

 

There were no carpets in the house, only Nordic-style hardwood floors. Even with the heating on, standing barefoot for too long would still be cold.

 

Xie Xiangxun stared as Shui Que lifted one bare foot and placed it atop the other for warmth.

 

The dryer hummed in the background, filled with Shui Que’s coat, pants, and undergarments.

 

Xie Xiangxun was supposed to interrogate him—after all, he had invested not only significant emotions but also a considerable, albeit negligible, amount of money.

 

He had even sent the little streamer multiple photos of himself, nearly naked. If others found out, they might think he was some kind of unrestrained Alpha.

 

In reality, Xie Xiangxun had never even held anyone’s hand before.

 

A 100% premium-grade virgin.

 

That number was just to emphasize: he was worth at least a hundred times more than others—a highly cost-effective choice.

 

Right now, he should be threatening Shui Que, demanding he delete any compromising evidence.

 

But the floor was so cold…

 

What was he supposed to do?

 

Xie Xiangxun’s mind blanked.

 

All he could think about was picking up this beautiful little liar who had deceived his feelings and checking if he was wearing the underwear Xie Xiangxun had bought for him.

 

By the time he snapped out of it—

 

A large hand, separated only by a thin sweater, had slipped under the small streamer’s backside, forcing those slender legs to wrap around his waist.

 

His other hand had already reached the base of his thigh.

 

A crisp “smack” broke the silence.

 

His left cheek stung with heat and tingled with numbness.

 

The little boy who knew exactly how to slap someone had lashes trembling, his face flushed pink with anger.

 

Xie Xiangxun remained silent for a moment.

 

His broad fingers slowly withdrew from between those smooth, delicate thighs.

 

His palm was rough, yet it still carried the intoxicatingly sweet scent that seeped from the fair skin in front of him.

 

That same hand then grasped Shui Que’s trembling fingers.

 

Outside, the weather was freezing, yet Xie Xiangxun’s palm was damp with sweat, wetting Shui Que’s hand.

 

“Don’t hit me,” Xie Xiangxun murmured, his expression tense. “It felt kind of nice.”

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Huge shoutout to @candycorns2 on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.

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