Chapter 23: Caught Wearing His Shirt

Ning Jiu was awakened by a damp sensation licking at his cheek.

He opened his eyes to find a small black fluffy kitten in front of him, carefully licking his face with the smooth tip of its tongue.

“Ma…” (Kitten.)

“Wau, au?” (Boss, are you feeling better?)

His head still felt dizzy.

The aftereffects of the suppressant injection throbbed painfully behind his temples.

Fortunately, the overwhelming heat had been forced back down.

Aside from the intense swelling pain at his gland, the rest of his body felt eerily calm.

He rolled out of Mu Jingyi’s wardrobe and collapsed onto the floor.

The cold tiles shocked him more awake.

Panic flooded in afterward, and he scrambled upright.

The room still carried a rich, creamy scent.

It was thicker than any bakery.

Such a heavy concentration of omega pheromones would overwhelm any alpha.

Dragging his weak body around, Ning Jiu sprayed air freshener everywhere and opened the windows.

Dawn had already arrived.

He had slept through the entire night.

Even though the suppressant had worked, his body still felt hollow and instinctively lingered in front of Mu Jingyi’s wardrobe.

After hesitating for a long while, he finally pulled out one of Mu Jingyi’s shirts.

Sir wouldn’t be back so early.

The oversized shirt swallowed his frame.

The hem fell like a short dress, barely covering his thighs.

His pale legs, almost reflective under his white fur genes, were completely bare.

He wandered freely through the house, unconcerned that each step made the hem lift just enough to reveal more than intended.

He soaked himself in hot water, drowning his scent beneath heavy soap.

Then he remembered the shirt he had stained.

He filled the sink with warm water and detergent, following an online guide.

The moment the expensive fabric hit the soapy water, it softened and lost its structure, dissolving into limp threads.

The finer the material, the less it endured rough treatment.

Ning Jiu froze.

He hurriedly fished it out.

All that remained was a ruined mass of fabric and foam.

His mind felt just as blank.

It’s over…

He stared at the soggy mess, tail drooping lifelessly behind him.

Surely Sir wouldn’t notice if one shirt went missing among so many.

Just as he thought that, the bathroom door burst open.

His tail shot straight up.

“Ning Jiu! Why are you—”

They stared at each other.

Mu Jingyi had rushed home and searched the entire house.

The empty bed had sent his heart into his throat.

Seeing the bathroom light on, he had hurried in.

Now he found Ning Jiu leaning over the sink, clutching a ruined white bundle.

Wearing his shirt.

The sleeves were rolled up carelessly.

His raised tail lifted the hem at the back, exposing a small curve of skin.

Bare feet on tile.

Wide blue eyes reflecting bathroom light.

“S-Sir… I…”

He was caught red-handed.

Before he could hide the evidence, strong arms wrapped around him from behind.

The fluffy tail was pressed between them, compressed flat against Mu Jingyi’s chest.

“I got your call and came back immediately. Are you sick?”

Ning Jiu shook his head weakly.

“I’m fine…”

Being held by an alpha stirred faint tremors he thought had faded.

His legs softened.

He leaned back into Mu Jingyi for support.

“I heard you crying. Don’t hide it. What happened?”

“I just… missed you too much…”

The arms around his waist tightened.

“I missed you too. Very, very much.”

Mu Jingyi hadn’t even changed clothes.

His hair was messy.

His eyes bloodshot.

He had taken the earliest flight back overnight.

“What is this?”

He finally noticed the ruined shirt.

“…Your shirt.”

Mu Jingyi stirred the limp bundle and chuckled.

“Why were you playing with my shirt?”

“I wasn’t playing. I accidentally stained it.”

His face burned.

“I wasn’t on purpose. I just… missed you too much.”

The answer worked far too well.

Mu Jingyi kissed his ear lightly, brushing soft fur.

The ears flattened shyly.

“Sir… don’t…”

His voice softened completely.

He sagged in Mu Jingyi’s arms.

The suppressant had only just forced the heat down hours ago.

He couldn’t withstand much stimulation.

Mu Jingyi tilted his chin up.

Their eyes met.

He leaned closer.

Ning Jiu quickly covered his own mouth with his hand, blocking the kiss.

The touch of lips against his palm made his thoughts spiral.

If Sir kissed him properly—

No.

A sudden ache at the back of his neck snapped him back.

He caught the faint trace of his own creamy scent.

“I don’t want to go back into heat…”

“Sir… wake up…”

The plea sounded more like a soft invitation than resistance.

Mu Jingyi finally steadied himself.

He inhaled the lingering sweetness.

His instincts surged forward, but discipline dragged them back.

“Forcing an omega with pheromones is disrespect.”

He would never.

“I’m sorry.”

He loosened his hold and stepped back slightly.

The sudden loss left Ning Jiu trembling.

He needed comfort.

Maybe even marking.

But he didn’t dare ask.

He dropped the ruined shirt and grabbed Mu Jingyi’s coat sleeve instead.

“Don’t go… You can kiss me. Don’t be angry.”

His chest flushed pink beneath the loose shirt.

A tear slid down his cheek.

He looked innocent and soft, yet faintly alluring without meaning to be.

“Sir, can you hold me?”

Mu Jingyi could no longer restrain himself.

He lifted Ning Jiu up.

Those bare legs wrapped instinctively around his waist.

He held him high, nearly eye level.

“Xiao Jiu, I was impulsive just now. Did I scare you?”

The kitten shook his head.

“Everything I want to do comes from sincerity. I don’t mean to disrespect you.”

“I know…”

His voice was barely a whisper.

Mu Jingyi’s heart melted.

“May I kiss you now?”