Alpha
The board transition went exceptionally smoothly. Si Qi's return was a strong signal in itself. While Si Qi hadn't experienced any turmoil during his absence, growth had clearly slowed, and several veterans were secretly eager for the return of this exceptionally capable successor.
The clear support from Si's father and the solid resources of the Shao family behind Committee Member Shao cleared the last obstacle.
Si Qi sat back in the chair in President Si's office, but his mood was completely different from before.
Once, this was the battlefield where he proved himself and seized power, a cold and stressful place. Now, a minimalist hourglass given by Shao Wei sits in a corner of his huge desk, reminding him of the passage of time and the balance of life.
On the bookshelf behind him, in addition to business classics, there are also several poetry collections and architectural picture albums that Shao Wei likes.
He no longer does everything himself, but is better at delegating and making decisions, which makes him more efficient. He finishes work on time at 5 pm every day, without fail.
If he had an unavoidable social engagement, he would report it in advance and be home by nine o'clock. The entire business community was amazed at Siqi's transformation: the once workaholic had become a "model husband" who left work on time. Some teased him, others were puzzled, but Siqi didn't care.
Only he himself knows how precious it is to be able to return home every day, see the light that is on for him, and smell the familiar, fresh scent of cedar and rain in the air.
Shao Wei's life also entered a new track.
He completely took over the Shao family's core business in the country. His methods were as calm and precise as ever, but he no longer overdrawn himself like in the past.
He built a highly efficient team, dedicating more time to strategic decision-making and family. In the afternoons, he would often find himself in his sunny study, after finishing work, brewing a pot of tea, reading a book, or simply gazing out the window, enjoying the tranquility of surviving the disaster.
Their home truly became a warm haven. Auntie prepared all three meals daily, but Siqi insisted on cooking on weekends. With encouragement from Shao Wei, such as "OK" and "Improving," his cooking skills steadily improved, and he even managed to create a few decent home-cooked dishes that would suit Shao Wei's taste. At the dinner table, they would chat about work, the news, a recent movie, or simply eat in silence, their eyes occasionally meeting, a tad indisputable.
At night, they still slept in separate rooms, which was not alienation, but a tacit understanding.
They all needed some independent physical space to process the turmoil deep within their hearts. Si Qi would occasionally wake up in the middle of the night and subconsciously go to the door of the guest room to listen, but most of the time, there was a peaceful tranquility that comforted him.
Sometimes, if he pushed open the door, he would find Shao Wei also awake, leaning against the head of the bed reading a book, and would say to him lightly, "Did I disturb you?" Si Qi would then walk over, sit by the bed, chat with him for a few irrelevant words, or just hold his hand, and leave when he fell asleep again.
This kind of respectful and intimate relationship is like a slowly flowing deep river, calm on the surface but full of profound power within.
One day, Si Qi returned home from a meeting early and found Shao Wei neither in the study nor in the living room. He went to the balcony and saw Shao Wei with his back to him, leaning on the railing, looking at the setting sun in the distance.
The sunset cast a golden edge on his figure, and the evening breeze ruffled the strands of hair on his forehead. At that moment, Si Qi's heart skipped a beat.
It was not because he was good-looking, but because a great sense of relief at having lost and regained something gripped him again.
He could almost recall the overwhelming despair he felt when he saw Shao Wei's vital signs were weak outside the isolation window of the hospital.
He walked over gently, put his arms around Shao Wei's waist from behind, buried his face in his neck, and took a deep breath. The steady and peaceful scent of cedar instantly calmed his restless heart.
Shao Wei didn't look back, but just leaned back slightly and relaxed in his arms.
"Are you back?"
"Hmm." Si Qi's voice was a little muffled. "What are you looking at?"
"Nothing. I just think it's nice to be able to watch the sunset like this."
Si Qi tightened his grip. Yes, that was good. An ordinary sunset, ordinary companionship, was a gift earned after crossing life and death for them.
As Shao Wei's body completely recovered and his career stabilized, some subtle changes began to occur. Shao Wei was no longer just accepting Si Qi's care and arrangements, he began to take a more active role in and even take the lead in their lives.
For example, he would suddenly book a restaurant and inform Siqi of a date in the evening; on Siqi's birthday, he would give him a carefully selected gift that suits Siqi's preferences, which is not expensive but very thoughtful; when Siqi is upset about work, he would not accompany him in silence, but would calmly help him analyze the pros and cons and offer incisive suggestions.
Si Qi was happy to see this change. His Shao Wei was finally emerging from the shadow of his oppressive marriage and serious illness, becoming whole and strong again, and... revealing himself more authentically.
Once, as Siqi's susceptibility period approached, he felt a bit irritable. That night, he accidentally said something harsh to Shao Wei about a trivial matter. He regretted it the moment he said it and quickly tried to apologize.
Shao Wei simply glanced up at him indifferently, then put down his book, stood up, and walked over to Si Qi. Without saying a word, he reached out and gently pinched the back of Si Qi's neck, his calloused fingertips pressing the skin around the glands with a gentle yet firm pressure, while releasing a gentle yet firm cedar pheromone.
It was an action that had a clear soothing meaning, yet also implied a hint of unquestionable dominance.
Si Qi's entire body stiffened, and then a strange, tingling feeling of submission surged from his tailbone, instantly soothing all his anxiety and restlessness. He even unconsciously let out a soft hum of comfort, and like a large dog being stroked, he obediently lowered his head and rubbed Shao Wei's palm.
Shao Wei's mouth curved slightly, and he released his hand, saying calmly, "Go take a shower and get some rest."
Si Qi did as he was told in a daze.
It wasn't until he was soaking in the tub that he realized what had just happened—he had been "suppressed" and soothed by his Alpha partner through pheromones and actions. This feeling was strange and novel, but it didn't disgust him. Instead, it gave him an indescribable sense of... security.
It seems to be declaring that in this relationship, they are equal to each other, can rely on each other, and can also restrict each other.
After this incident, the interaction pattern between them became richer and more natural.
Si Qi remains assertive, but in front of Shao Wei, he's learned to be restrained and respectful. Shao Wei remains composed, but when needed, he displays the undeniable control of an Alpha. This dynamic balance makes their relationship more stable and full of tension.
In the blink of an eye, it was their fourth wedding anniversary.
Si Qi set aside the whole day early and carefully planned a surprise.
He booked a rooftop restaurant and prepared flowers, music, and a tie clip inlaid with a rare blue diamond that he had been looking for for a long time - blue was the color of Shao Wei's eyes.
However, that afternoon, Shao Wei sent him a message saying that there was an important cross-border video conference and he might be late, so he asked him to go to the restaurant by himself first.
Si Qi looked at the message, feeling a little disappointed, but still replied: "Okay, work is important, I'll wait for you."
He sat alone in the romantically decorated restaurant, looking at the dazzling city night view outside the window. Time passed by, but Shao Wei did not show up.
When the waiter came to ask for the third time if the food was ready, Si Qi's disappointment was gradually replaced by a hint of unease. Shao Wei was not the kind of person who would break an appointment without a good reason, especially on a day like today.
He couldn't help but call Shao Wei, but no one answered. A familiar sense of panic began to spread. Although his mind told him it was impossible, fragments of memories of the hospital and the danger still flooded back uncontrollably. He stood up suddenly, grabbed his car keys, and rushed out.
Just as he rushed to the restaurant door, his cell phone rang. It was Shao Wei.
"Siqi," Shao Wei's voice sounded a little hurried, with the whistling wind in the background, "Come to the observation deck in the west of the city."
"Observation deck? What are you doing there? Are you okay?" Si Qi's heart was in his throat.
"I'm fine, come quickly." Shao Wei said and hung up the phone.
Si Qi was confused, but more worried. He immediately drove to the West City Observation Deck. It was a small hill on the edge of the city, offering a panoramic view of the entire city at night, but it was relatively remote and rarely visited at night.
He parked the car at the foot of the mountain and practically ran to the top. The observation deck was deserted, with only the rustling of the night wind. Si Qi's heart sank. Just as he was about to call again, he heard a noise coming from the nearby woods.
He looked over warily and saw Shao Wei walking out of the woods. He was wearing the same suit he wore on their first official date and seemed to be holding something in his hand.
"Shao Wei? You..." Si Qi's words stopped abruptly.
Because behind Shao Wei, at the edge of the dark woods, a warm yellow light suddenly lit up, winding into a path. Shao Wei stood at the starting point of the light, looking at him, his face wearing a complex expression that Si Qi had never seen before, a mixture of tension and tenderness.
"Follow me." Shao Wei stretched out his hand to him.
Si Qi walked over to him naively and held his hand. Shao Wei took his hand and walked along the lighted path deep into the woods.
At the end of the path is a carefully arranged open space.
A soft blanket was spread on the ground, surrounded by star lights, a picnic basket and a bottle of chilled champagne were placed in the middle. The most eye-catching thing was that their wedding date was spelled out with flower petals in the middle of the open space.
"This is..." Si Qi looked at everything in front of him in surprise.
Shao Wei let go of his hand, walked to the center of the open space, turned around, and faced him. The starlight and lights fell on him, making him look soft and dazzling.
"Siqi," Shao Wei began, his voice clear and steady in the night wind, "Four years ago today, we got married because of a contract. Back then, I never imagined this day would come."
He paused, his eyes fixed on Si Qi calmly. "In the past four years, we've experienced misunderstandings, separations, life-and-death trials, and finally found our true selves. Today, I don't just want to celebrate an anniversary."
Shao Wei took out a small velvet box from his pocket and knelt down on one knee in front of Si Qi's shocked gaze.
This action, performed by Shao Wei, who is always cold and reserved, is full of indescribable impact.
"I know we're already married." Shao Wei looked up at him, his eyes sincere and burning, "But I want to propose to you again. Not out of responsibility, not out of a contract, but because I love you, Siqi. As Shao Wei, I want to ask you to let me stay by your side every day of the future as your true and only partner."
He opened the box and found not a ring but two identical cufflinks inlaid with obsidian. The inner rings were engraved with each other's initials and the date of "rebirth." Obsidian symbolizes protection and rebirth.
"Are you willing?" Shao Wei asked softly, and a barely perceptible ripple appeared in his usually calm eyes.
Si Qi stood there, his mind blank. He'd prepared flowers, music, and expensive gifts, but he'd never imagined Shao Wei would "turn the tables" in this way. The overwhelming surprise and emotion washed over him like a tsunami, and his eyes instantly filled with tears.
He took a step forward, not to take the cufflinks, but to pull up Shao Wei, who was kneeling on one knee, and hugged him tightly in his arms, his voice choked with sobs and incoherent: "...Asshole...I should be the one saying this...You're stealing my lines..."
Shao Wei laughed softly in his arms, hugged him back, and rested his chin on his shoulder: "So, are you willing?"
"Yes! Of course I do! A hundred times yes!" Si Qi almost shouted, he let go of Shao Wei, held his face, and kissed him fiercely. This kiss was full of excitement, love and ecstasy of regaining what he had lost.
Under the night sky, stars and lights intertwined, two Alphas who had once struggled on the brink of life and death hugged each other tightly, used this kiss to confirm each other's feelings, and made a new vow that transcended life and death.
After a long while, Si Qi finally let go of Shao Wei, rested his forehead against his, and asked breathlessly, "So... that meeting was a lie to me?"
Shao Wei raised his eyebrows slightly, a sly glint in his eyes: "Well. I have to let you experience the feeling of waiting."
Si Qi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his laughter echoing far across the silent mountaintop. He picked up the pair of cufflinks and carefully put them on the cuffs of his and Shao Wei's shirts. The obsidian gleamed deeply in the light.
"Shao Wei," Si Qi looked at the cufflinks, then looked into Shao Wei's eyes, and said very seriously, "This time, it's my turn to promise you. Every anniversary and every day from now on, I will make you feel that marrying me, Si Qi, is the best decision you have ever made in your life."
Shao Wei looked at him, the smile in his eyes deepened, he took the initiative to move forward and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"Okay, I'll wait."
The night breeze blew by, bringing with it the coolness of late summer and the fragrance of grass and trees. From the observation deck, the city lights stretched beneath their feet like a dazzling galaxy. Their new life had just begun. The future was long, but filled with a certain warmth and light.
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