After dinner, Milton elegantly wiped his mouth, his tone icy and detached: “I’m going to the study to handle some paperwork.”
As he turned into the study, he locked the door behind him. He had no intention of letting that alpha sneak in under the pretense of “pouring tea” or “looking for documents.” His waist had already suffered enough these past few days; tonight, he would finally take a breather.
Inside the study, only the scratching of pen on screen broke the silence. Milton focused on military documents but couldn’t help glancing at the door from time to time. Half an hour passed with no knock; an hour later, still nothing.
Milton’s pen paused, brow furrowing—why was Gu Qing suddenly so quiet?
He unlocked the door and stepped out. The house was unusually silent. The living room was empty, the kitchen spotless, and the bedroom door ajar with the bed perfectly made, not a single wrinkle in sight. This abnormal calm stirred a subtle unease in his chest.
Finally, he made his way to the courtyard.
The night wind was cool, carrying a faint aroma of tea. Gu Qing wore a light jacket, fingers idly tracing the rim of a now-cold teacup, eyes gazing into the starry distance. Moonlight washed over him, and his usually smiling, assertive black eyes now carried an indescribable loneliness.
Milton stepped closer, voice calm: “Why are you out here alone?”
Gu Qing lifted his head, a faint smile curving his lips, tone so clear it tugged at the heart: “Because… my alpha consort is busy.” He took a quiet sip of tea, voice soft as if it could be swallowed by the night: “I didn’t want to disturb your work.”
Milton froze.
At that moment, he almost forgot the scheming, teasing, bed-wrangling Gu Qing he knew, feeling only that tender spot inside him being sharply poked. Seeing Gu Qing waiting alone, restraining his usual boldness, Milton felt a sudden, inexplicable panic and guilt.
Gu Qing gently swirled his teacup, voice soft yet tinged with a quiet, undeniable grievance: “I behaved well today, didn’t I? You said to rest, and I listened. I didn’t run around, didn’t bother you, and even finished the housework… but you didn’t say a single word of praise.”
Looking up at Milton, eyes slightly reddened, voice hoarse yet sticky with emotion: “I also know… I’ve been too clingy lately. You work so hard at headquarters during the day, and at night you still have to deal with my demands.”
“That’s why I held back all day.” Gu Qing lowered his lashes, a self-deprecating smile tugging at his lips, humble and obedient: “I stayed by the communicator, didn’t send a single message, just to avoid disturbing your military affairs. Do you… think I’m annoying? That you don’t like me being clingy?”
Milton’s Adam’s apple moved. ‘A little,’ hovered on his tongue, but no words came out.
Seeing his silence, Gu Qing added with feigned magnanimity and a touch of wistfulness: “It’s okay, I can get used to it. After all, we’re married. If you want to see me, you can come. If you don’t… I can stay alone. Just knowing you’re in this house is enough for me.”
Hearing this, Milton’s guilt nearly spilled over. He was about to apologize, even reach out to comfort Gu Qing—but then he noticed something: although Gu Qing’s gaze was downcast, his fingers traced the rim of the teacup with deliberate ease. This wasn’t loneliness—it was a hunter waiting for prey to fall into a trap.
The extreme dissonance in that “obedience” set off all of Milton’s inner alarms.
The scene had played out like this several times over the past few days.
Veins twitched on Milton’s temple. The softness in his heart instantly stiffened again. He took a deep breath, forcing down the rising embarrassment and anger, and ground out through clenched teeth: “Gu Qing, you’ve set this all up… what exactly are you trying to say?”
Gu Qing blinked those big eyes, looking like a small, wronged puppy, voice soft enough to melt: “I’m not trying to say anything… I just want you to know I missed you so much it hurts.”
He slowly rose, eyes full of careful longing: “I behaved all day today, didn’t hug you even once… can you make it up to me now?”
Milton realized then—Gu Qing hadn’t become obedient; he’d only intensified his tactics. He turned away, cold-faced, but before taking a step, strong arms wrapped around him from behind.
Gu Qing, like a snake sensing prey, pressed in, burying his face in Milton’s neck, breath burning hot: “You’re angry, but don’t ignore me…”
“I’ve held back all day, I’m going crazy.” His voice lowered, hoarse with a hint of danger: “I just want to hug you. Really, just a hug.”
Milton’s ears burned as he felt the pounding heartbeat behind him, teeth gritted: “You’re not helpless at all—you’re doing this on purpose!”
“Then kiss me, and I’ll admit I did it on purpose.” Gu Qing nuzzled against his neck, voice sticky as melted sugar: “Just one kiss, and I’ll let go.”
Milton huffed, chest heaving, but under that pair of love-filled black eyes, he finally gave in. He turned and lightly pressed his lips to Gu Qing’s, then immediately turned away, muttering: “Annoying.”
Gu Qing’s eyes sparkled triumphantly. Not only did he not let go, he grabbed the back of Milton’s head and seized the initiative, deepening the kiss. Milton’s legs weakened, breath shallow, until Gu Qing finally hovered near his lips, whispering heatedly: “So tonight… can I go into the room now?”
Milton shoved him away, alert: “No! You said just a hug!”
But Gu Qing, like a stubborn sticker, clung again, eyes innocent yet cunning: “I said a hug… how long it lasts, where it happens, and in what position… that’s another matter. Alpha consort, shall we go inside and choose one?”
The night wind remained cool, but the ensnared General’s expression twisted. Milton mentally cursed himself for stepping outside earlier. This wasn’t a lonely puppy—it was a wolf, patiently and strategically hunting its prey!
Gu Qing lifted him horizontally, swift and merciless. Milton gasped, instinctively wrapping his arms around him.
“Put me down… Gu Qing! Ace is still in his room!”
“He’s long asleep. Even if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t hear us.” Gu Qing strode down the corridor, each step steady and dominant. He leaned down, pressing another fierce kiss on the protesting lips, voice low and dangerous:
“Don’t move. Tonight, this ‘just a little’ is only just beginning.”
With a click, Gu Qing’s heel locked the door behind them, plunging the corridor into darkness and completely drowning out the last flicker of the General’s weak protests.