Chapter 78
The soft autumn sunlight filtered through the glass, casting its slanted rays onto the plush carpet of the bedroom.
The carpeted bedroom was something Gu Yang had insisted on. He’d noticed Lin Xiaoran’s habit of walking around barefoot—whether it was after a shower or when he got out of bed to grab something.
Particularly after an intimate night together, Gu Yang would help him clean up and slip him into one of his own oversized shirts. When Lin Xiaoran got out of bed barefoot, his long, slender legs gleamed pale against the soft light, with traces of last night’s passion still faintly visible beneath the hem of the shirt. The sight was irresistible.
But Lin Xiaoran’s constitution was peculiar. Though not physically frail, standing barefoot on cold floors for even a short while in winter would invariably leave him with a cold the next day.
This was why Gu Yang had insisted on carpeting the bedroom.
However, even with the carpet, the beautiful Omega couldn’t stand barefoot on it now—his leg was injured.
And after last night’s exertions, Lin Xiaoran lay sprawled on the bed, sound asleep.
Gu Yang slipped an arm around his waist from behind, pressing a kiss to the gland at the back of Lin Xiaoran’s neck. A sweet warmth filled his heart.
The delicate gland, marked with faint hues of pink, now exuded Gu Yang’s scent in subtle, lingering traces. Unlike temporary marks created during fleeting moments of passion, this was a permanent mark, indelibly etched into Lin Xiaoran’s very being. From now on, his gland would carry Gu Yang’s scent—a declaration to everyone, and especially to any other Alphas who dared covet him, that he was claimed.
Gu Yang couldn’t suppress his joy. His arms tightened instinctively, pulling his Omega closer as he buried his face in Lin Xiaoran’s smooth shoulder. His lips curled into a helpless smile.
It wasn’t just joy; there was also a deep sense of gratitude.
Lin Xiaoran had chosen to give himself to Gu Yang, to accept his permanent mark willingly. The thought moved Gu Yang profoundly.
In truth, being permanently marked as an Omega carried inherent risks. Despite modern advancements and efforts toward gender equality, certain biological truths remained immutable.
An Omega could only be marked by one Alpha, whereas an Alpha could mark multiple Omegas. This fundamental disparity meant that if an Alpha-Omega bond faltered, the Omega would bear the brunt of the consequences.
To sever the bond, the Omega would need surgery to remove the mark completely—a painful and risky process.
Gu Yang didn’t believe they’d ever need to separate. But the fact that Lin Xiaoran, as an Omega, was willing to trust him so completely, to bind their lives together so irrevocably, left him deeply touched.
“Mm…”
The Omega stirred, his sleepy hum breaking the quiet. His thick lashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes, their hazy gaze betraying his drowsiness.
Still half-asleep, Lin Xiaoran blinked, adjusting to the weight pressing down on him—Gu Yang’s body draped over his own.
He turned his head, intending to ask Gu Yang to move, only to meet his Alpha’s deep, tender gaze.
At that moment, last night’s memories flooded back.
He remembered his heat surging, his pheromones filling the room as his body craved Gu Yang’s comfort. And Gu Yang—if anything—was even more intense than him.
During an Omega’s heat, their internal reproductive cavity opens, allowing for a complete mark. They had both lost control, desperate for each other. And Gu Yang, who had waited so long for this moment, finally had the chance to make it permanent.
Yet, just as everything aligned perfectly, Gu Yang had paused. His fingers had brushed Lin Xiaoran’s face gently, his beautiful almond-shaped eyes a mix of longing and tenderness. In a husky voice, he’d asked, “Lin Xiaoran, will you let me be your Alpha? Will you?”
So serious—so adorably foolish.
Even in the throes of his heat, Lin Xiaoran had found clarity. He knew Gu Yang wasn’t just asking for the night—he was asking for forever.
Charmed by his earnestness, Lin Xiaoran had looped his arms around Gu Yang’s neck, pulling him closer. In a voice tinged with soft vulnerability, he whispered, “Gu Yang, make me your Omega. Mark me completely.”
The process of marking had taken longer than Lin Xiaoran had anticipated. It was far more intense than anything they had done before. By the end, he had simply followed his instincts, his mind floating in a haze, only vaguely aware of the mark being completed.
Gu Yang had whispered into his ear, “Baby, I love you.”
And then, Lin Xiaoran had drifted into a deep sleep.
Now, as he slowly came to, he realized: Gu Yang had marked him.
But something felt… different.
“Hmm…”
Before Lin Xiaoran could make sense of his emotions, his Alpha, who had marked him completely, leaned in and kissed him softly.
This touch immediately made Lin Xiaoran realize what was different. He didn’t just like the contact—he craved it.
It wasn’t just about wanting to take things further; he simply wanted to stay close to his Alpha, to cling to him as if physical proximity was the only thing keeping him steady.
He remembered something from the health class he took in middle school: the process of an Omega being fully marked wasn’t just about the Alpha leaving a physical mark. Depending on the individual, the Omega could develop varying degrees of dependency symptoms on their Alpha. During this period, Alphas were advised to stay with their Omegas until the symptoms naturally faded.
Back then, he had quietly mocked the idea, thinking Omegas were unnecessarily troublesome, almost like they were born to be overly cherished and protected.
But now, marked completely and utterly reliant on Gu Yang, Lin Xiaoran found himself savoring every bit of attention, every soft kiss and soothing touch. A part of him thought that Gu Yang wouldn’t find him troublesome at all. In fact, Gu Yang would probably be overjoyed.
Sometimes, Gu Yang would jokingly act pitiful, looking at Lin Xiaoran with wide, innocent eyes. “Ranran, can’t you lean on me a little more? Otherwise, it’s like I’m not even here.”
Well, Gu Yang was certainly getting his wish now.
Lin Xiaoran wasn’t sure how long this dependency phase would last.
The two of them lingered in bed for a while longer, all cuddles and warmth, until Lin Xiaoran finally pushed Gu Yang away. His lips were red and soft from all the kissing, and his voice was sweet and delicate. “I’m hungry.”
It wasn’t an exaggeration. They had been tangled up together since last night, and it was nearly afternoon.
Gu Yang reluctantly planted another kiss on his cheek before he sat up, stretching. “Alright, I’ll make some food. Can you manage on your own for a bit?”
As Gu Yang started to leave, Lin Xiaoran instinctively grabbed his arm, his heart inexplicably uneasy. He shook his head honestly, “No. I’ll go watch you cook.”
Before marking Lin Xiaoran, Gu Yang had done his research on dependency symptoms in Omegas, but nothing could have prepared him for how much joy it brought him to have his Omega cling to him like this.
Unable to resist, Gu Yang wrapped Lin Xiaoran in another embrace, burying his face in the curve of Lin Xiaoran’s neck. “It feels so good to be needed by you, Ranran. I wish you’d stay like this forever.”
Lin Xiaoran couldn’t help but laugh at Gu Yang’s childishness. “If I stay like this, you won’t get anything done. You’d have to take care of me 24/7.”
“I’m willing!”
“Well, I’m not. Now, go make food—I’m starving.”
They dawdled for a bit longer before finally dressing. Gu Yang carried Lin Xiaoran out of the bedroom, the latter draped comfortably in his arms.
Lin Xiaoran leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Gu Yang bustle about. Despite being just a few steps away, Lin Xiaoran still felt an urge to be closer.
This dependency was… inconvenient, he thought.
To distract himself, he averted his gaze from Gu Yang and picked up his phone.
His eyes drifted down past the counter, catching a glimpse of his bare feet.
Right—he wasn’t wearing shoes.
Ever since his leg injury, Gu Yang had been carrying him everywhere, not letting him touch the ground.
Honestly, Gu Yang’s protectiveness could be a bit much sometimes. It had always been like this whenever Lin Xiaoran got hurt.
He thought back to that time in high school when he twisted his ankle during a hiking trip with Gu Yang. Gu Yang had carried him all the way down the mountain, even learning massage techniques from an old expert to help with his recovery. Later, when Lin Xiaoran moved back home, Gu Yang would wake up half an hour early every day to come pick him up, all because he was worried about the injury.
As these memories surfaced, a small smile crept onto Lin Xiaoran’s lips.
“What’s making you so happy?” Gu Yang, stealing a moment between his tasks, leaned over to pinch Lin Xiaoran’s cheek affectionately.
Lin Xiaoran instinctively rubbed against Gu Yang’s hand, his dependency as natural as breathing. Gu Yang was practically glowing with happiness, tempted to abandon cooking altogether.
Instead, Lin Xiaoran looked up at him curiously. “Back at Xiyan Mountain, what wish did you make?”
The mention of that old hiking trip, when he’d injured his ankle, stirred Lin Xiaoran’s curiosity about Gu Yang’s wish from that day.
Gu Yang froze for a moment, caught off guard. Then he clasped Lin Xiaoran’s hand, his gaze soft and sincere. “I wished that the person I’d come back to fulfill the wish with would be you.”
Lin Xiaoran’s eyes widened slightly as his mind flashed back to that day. He remembered a tall, confident Gu Yang standing under the wishing tree, its branches draped in ribbons. Gu Yang had looked at him through the autumn breeze, lips moving as if speaking, but Lin Xiaoran hadn’t heard a word.
So, that’s what he had said?
A smile played on Lin Xiaoran’s lips. He nodded. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”
“Great! Once your leg’s healed, we’ll make the trip. Honestly, that place is pretty magical. This time, let’s make a new wish. Maybe…” Gu Yang trailed off, his grin turning mischievous. “Maybe next time we’ll come back with three people?”
Lin Xiaoran rolled his eyes. “Quit joking and hurry up. I’m hungry!”
Reluctantly, Gu Yang let go of Lin Xiaoran’s hand and shuffled back to the stove.
Though Lin Xiaoran’s leg healed quickly, his dependency symptoms dragged on much longer than expected.
Books suggested that these symptoms typically lasted three days to a week, but Lin Xiaoran’s had stretched well beyond ten days.
During this time, he couldn’t bear to be apart from Gu Yang. Sometimes, he just wanted physical contact—cuddling on the couch, watching movies together. Other times, he craved deeper intimacy: kisses, closeness, and more.
If Gu Yang wasn’t within his sight, Lin Xiaoran would feel a vague panic, an unshakable unease.
This surprised him.
He had never been particularly reliant on others. Even as an Omega, he hadn’t developed the habit of depending on an Alpha for everything, even after starting his relationship with Gu Yang.
So he’d assumed his dependency phase would pass quickly. But reality had proven otherwise.
“Ranran, look at this.”
The two of them were lounging on the sofa, ostensibly watching a movie, though neither was paying attention. Lin Xiaoran was preoccupied with his symptoms, while Gu Yang scrolled through his phone.
Suddenly, Gu Yang’s face lit up with excitement, and he thrust his phone toward Lin Xiaoran.
Curious, Lin Xiaoran glanced at the screen—and immediately spotted the words “dependency symptoms.”
Snatching the phone, he read the article intently.
It explained that the duration of dependency symptoms varied by individual. While most lasted three to seven days, prolonged cases often occurred when the Alpha provided overwhelming security and happiness, causing the Omega to become deeply attached. The article suggested Alphas rein in their affection slightly to help their Omegas recover faster.
Lin Xiaoran: “…”
He reread the section several times, his cheeks growing warmer with each pass.
The clear eyes darted back and forth over the screen several times before Lin Xiaoran’s ears suddenly flushed red.
Gu Yang hugged him from behind, leaned down, and playfully nibbled on the soft pink tip of his ear, grinning like a cat that had just stolen a treat.
Lin Xiaoran turned around and glared at him. “What are you laughing at? This is all your fault!”
Unfortunately, his dependency on Gu Yang was still in full effect. His glare lacked its usual sharpness, replaced with a hint of pouty affection that Gu Yang had never seen before. This rare display melted Gu Yang, making his heart race and stirring a certain heat deep within him. He couldn’t resist leaning in to kiss Lin Xiaoran’s lips, soft and sticky as he murmured, “Baby, I can’t help myself. Maybe I’ve got a post-marking syndrome too.”
Nonsense!
Lin Xiaoran had never heard of an Alpha suffering from post-marking symptoms.
Unfortunately, while Lin Xiaoran’s mind was sharp, his body didn’t quite cooperate.
During this period, his physical need for Gu Yang was overwhelming. Held tightly in Gu Yang’s arms, kissed until he was dazed, and teased mercilessly, Lin Xiaoran could do little but melt. His body went limp as Gu Yang pressed him into the couch and devoured him completely.
Afterward, a satisfied Gu Yang carried him into the bathroom, his heart brimming with joy.
He hadn’t anticipated that Lin Xiaoran’s inability to overcome his dependency would be entirely his own doing. Even more, he hadn’t realized just how deeply he had instilled a sense of security and happiness in Lin Xiaoran.
The thought that he had spoiled his Omega so thoroughly filled him with boundless contentment.
“Xiaoran, let’s get married.”
After settling him back in bed, Gu Yang knelt by the bedside, holding Lin Xiaoran’s hand with solemn sincerity.
Lin Xiaoran reclined against the pillows, his thick lashes fluttering slightly, caught off guard by the question.
Lin Xiaoran was a stubborn person—once he made up his mind about something, it rarely changed. When he agreed to be with Gu Yang, breaking up was never an option he considered.
He was sure Gu Yang felt the same.
But marriage? They’d never really discussed it. It always seemed too soon to bring up.
Then again, was it really too soon?
Early or late, it was going to be this person.
The confusion in Lin Xiaoran’s clear eyes faded, replaced by a soft smile. He nodded. “Okay.”
Even though Gu Yang had been certain of his answer, seeing Lin Xiaoran nod made his heart soar. Overwhelmed with joy, Gu Yang lunged forward to embrace him tightly, exclaiming, “It’s settled then! Tomorrow, we’ll get our marriage license!”
