Why Is This Omega Stalking Me…?

Chapter 66

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When Shen Yu and Jiang Li finally broke the kiss, they were both left breathless, their chests rising and falling unevenly as though they had just run a great distance without stopping. The world around them seemed to fall away for a moment, leaving only the quiet sound of their breathing and the faint closeness that lingered between them.

Jiang Li stared up at Shen Yu, his honey-brown eyes wide and slightly unfocused, as if he had not yet fully processed what had just happened. His fingers tightened slowly around the fabric of Shen Yu’s shirt, clutching it with quiet urgency, as though letting go would cause the moment to vanish like something fragile and unreal.

For a while, neither of them spoke. The silence was not uncomfortable, but it carried a softness, something unspoken and uncertain, as if both of them were afraid that breaking it would also break whatever had just formed between them.

"Didn’t I promise you ice cream...?" Shen Yu finally said, his voice quieter than usual, almost careful as he looked down at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li’s eyes had drifted closed at some point, his long black lashes resting against his pale cheeks, casting faint shadows under the soft light. His blond hair fell gently across his forehead, framing his face in a way that made him look even more delicate than before. At the sound of Shen Yu’s voice, he slowly opened his eyes again and looked up, as if grounding himself back into reality.

"You did...?" Jiang Li asked softly, his tone uncertain, like he needed reassurance that this calm, this warmth, and even Shen Yu himself were all still real.

"Mn... I did," Shen Yu replied, his voice steady now.

A small smile gradually formed on Jiang Li’s face. Though his eyes were still slightly red from earlier, the way they curved faintly made him seem lighter, as though some of the heaviness he had been carrying had eased, even if only for a brief moment.

"Then I would like blue bubblegum ice cream," Jiang Li said, a faint hint of excitement slipping into his voice despite everything.

Shen Yu let out a quiet sigh, though there was a trace of amusement hidden in his expression as he glanced away. "You know there are many different flavors... not just that sugar rush."

Jiang Li’s lips pressed together into an unconscious pout, his brows knitting slightly as he turned his head to the side. "I like that sugar rush," he muttered, his tone carrying a quiet defensiveness.

Shen Yu raised a brow, clearly unconvinced, but instead of arguing, he shifted the conversation. "You know, there’s someone I know who likes ice cream like you do. What do you think is their favorite flavor?"

As he spoke, he stepped out of the car and waited. Jiang Li followed after a brief pause, only then realizing they had already arrived at a dessert shop. Warm light spilled out through the large glass windows, cutting through the cold night air and creating a sharp contrast between inside and out.

Jiang Li stepped out and followed him in, his thoughts already turning over the question. Most people preferred something simple—something safe and familiar.

"Vanilla?" Jiang Li guessed as they entered.

The shop felt warm and inviting, the soft yellow lighting wrapping around the space in a way that felt almost comforting. Even with the cold glow from outside filtering through the tall windows, the interior felt like a completely separate world, one untouched by the chill beyond the glass.

Shen Yu glanced at him and gave a quiet sigh. "I knew you’d say that."

Jiang Li blinked, surprised. "Does that mean I’m wrong?"

Shen Yu nodded before gesturing toward a seat. "Sit first."

Jiang Li obeyed, lowering himself into the chair slowly. His heartbeat had yet to fully settle, and everything still felt slightly unreal. Without thinking, he lifted a hand to his lips, lightly touching the place where Shen Yu had kissed him earlier. There was still a faint sting from where Shen Yu had bitten him, a subtle reminder that it had truly happened.

This time, it hadn’t been because of pheromones.

It hadn’t been because of rut.

Shen Yu had kissed him simply because he wanted to.

That realization alone made Jiang Li’s thoughts blur, his gaze drifting toward Shen Yu, who stood in line not too far away. He stood out easily among the others—taller, broader, dressed in black as always. His posture was relaxed, one hand tucked into his pocket, his head slightly lowered as he waited.

He looked undeniably handsome.

Jiang Li felt his chest tighten faintly at the sight.

But then his attention shifted.

Not far from him, at a nearby table, sat two omegas—a man and a woman, both older than him. They were glancing toward Shen Yu, whispering behind their hands as soft giggles slipped through their attempts to stay quiet.

They were obviously talking about him.

Jiang Li’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His fingers tightened around the plastic spoon he had picked up absentmindedly, the pressure increasing without him realizing it. A bitter taste settled at the back of his tongue as he listened to the soft whispers and barely concealed excitement in their voices.

It wasn’t as if this was new.

Even when Shen Yu had still been a beta, people had noticed him.

But now, things were different.

Now they weren’t just looking.

They were talking about his pheromones.

About how strong they must be.

About how attractive he was.

About the alpha who—

Jiang Li’s jaw tightened.

His alpha.

The father of his child.

The thought came so naturally that it startled him, yet it didn’t feel wrong. If anything, it felt instinctive, as though it had always been there, waiting for him to acknowledge it.

And with that realization, the jealousy only grew stronger.

He lowered his gaze, staring at the table as his grip tightened further. The feeling was sharp and unfamiliar, coiling in his chest in a way that made him uncomfortable. He didn’t like it, yet he couldn’t ignore it either.

Then, without warning, two cups were placed in front of him.

Jiang Li looked up.

Shen Yu had returned and was now seated across from him.

Almost instantly, the whispers from the other table stopped.

The suffocating pressure in Jiang Li’s chest eased.

His attention shifted to the ice cream in front of him. One was exactly what he had asked for—bright blue bubblegum. The other was different.

Pink and black swirled together.

Strawberry and cookies and cream.

"The person you know likes this one?" Jiang Li asked, his curiosity piqued.

Shen Yu nodded.

Jiang Li leaned forward slightly, studying it with interest. His eyes widened just a little, and with the oversized coat draped around him, he looked small and soft, almost fragile.

"How old is he?" Jiang Li asked.

Shen Yu paused briefly, thinking. If Lin Yushen were here, he would probably complain about him forgetting again.

"Twenty-eight," Shen Yu answered.

Jiang Li nodded slowly, filing the information away.

So it was a man.

He didn’t say it out loud.

Instead, he reached for his own ice cream, only for Shen Yu to stop him, taking the blue bubblegum cup away and setting it aside.

"Try this," Shen Yu said, gesturing toward the other one.

Jiang Li blinked in surprise but didn’t argue. He hesitated for a moment before scooping a small bite and bringing it to his lips.

His eyes widened almost immediately.

The flavor was smooth and rich, the sweetness of the strawberry blending seamlessly with the slight bitterness of the cookies and cream. It wasn’t overwhelming like bubblegum—it was balanced, layered in a way that felt deeper and more satisfying.

He took another bite, slower this time.

"It’s so good," Jiang Li murmured, genuine disbelief in his voice.

A faint smile appeared on Shen Yu’s lips.

"You see?" he said calmly. "Just because you like something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try other things."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently rested his hand on Jiang Li’s soft hair, his touch light and unhurried.

Jiang Li froze.

His gaze lifted slowly, meeting Shen Yu’s eyes.

The gesture was simple, almost casual, yet to Jiang Li, it felt like something far more significant. His heartbeat quickened again, though this time it wasn’t from confusion.

"After today," Shen Yu continued, his tone steady, "next time we go out for ice cream, I want you to stop eating the same flavor all the time, okay?"

Jiang Li nodded without thinking.

Then, a second later, his eyes widened slightly as the words settled in.

"Next... time?" he asked quietly.

Shen Yu hummed in response, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Mn... next time."

Something inside Jiang Li shifted at those words.

It was small and subtle, something that might have gone unnoticed if he wasn’t paying attention.

But it was there.

Because of the alpha sitting in front of him, Jiang Li realized something he had never considered before.

His favorite ice cream was no longer just blue bubblegum.

Somewhere along the way, without him realizing it, it had changed.

Just like everything else.

And now, when he looked down at the cup in front of him, the answer felt clear.

It was strawberry and cookies and cream.