ABO: A Debt to Repay - Chapter 15
He Lin felt as if someone had doused his excitement with a bucket of cold water. His previously lighthearted mood dimmed instantly.
He tossed the small cake in his hand onto the table and turned to Aunt Wang. “You can head home for the day.”
After removing his suit jacket, he sank into the sofa. Only when Aunt Wang had left did he glance at Xu Xi and say, “Go ahead. What is it?”
Xu Xi could feel the shift in He Lin’s mood and, for reasons she couldn’t explain, felt a twinge of guilt. Still, she spoke up. “It’s about Zhao Yuran. She—”
“You want to plead for her?”
“I… yes.”
Xu Xi had intended to explain more, but He Lin cut straight to the heart of the matter, exposing his purpose with a single sentence.
“What do you want me to do?”
“I…”
What could he do to help Zhao Yuran?
In today’s hyper-connected world, wherever Zhao Yuran went, her scandal would follow. The best solution would be to send her abroad for a fresh start. But Zhao Yuran’s family clearly couldn’t afford that. And what—was she supposed to ask He Lin to foot the bill?
She still owed He Lin money. What right did she have to ask for such a favor?
The words caught in her throat. He Lin, seeing Xu Xi hesitate, beckoned her over and motioned for her to sit on his lap.
Xu Xi resisted in her heart, but He Lin’s intense, commanding gaze left her no choice. She obediently sat down, only to be wrapped in He Lin’s embrace.
Staring down at his delicate-faced Omega, He Lin’s voice dropped low.
“I can send her overseas and give her a new start. But what are you willing to offer in return?”
Overreaching. Ungrateful. Those words might as well have been stamped on Xu Xi’s forehead. And yet, no matter how guilty she felt, she couldn’t turn a blind eye to Zhao Yuran’s situation—not when she bore some responsibility.
But what did she have left to give?
He Lin pinched Xu Xi’s chin and made her look directly into his eyes.
“I already had Aunt Wang leave. You still don’t know what I want?”
Xu Xi saw the storm of desire swirling in He Lin’s dark eyes.
“This is the first time you’ve ever come to me on your own. So, let’s see if you can learn to please me on your own too.”
Then Xu Xi understood what He Lin meant.
The first thing that came to her mind was, It’s the weekend tomorrow—at least I don’t have to worry about getting up for school.
Her heart twisted with conflict. But right now, she had no choice but to lower her head.
She stared at He Lin’s tightly pressed lips, then slowly leaned in and kissed them. Her face flushed with heat. Not knowing how to continue, she recalled how He Lin had kissed her before. Tentatively, she poked her tongue out and lightly licked He Lin’s lips.
It was too soft, too light—just enough to tickle but not satisfy. He Lin’s patience wore thin. With a low growl, he gripped the back of Xu Xi’s head and deepened the kiss forcefully, plundering her mouth without giving her a chance to breathe.
Like a starved wolf, He Lin didn’t let up. No matter how Xu Xi slapped at his arms, he carried her straight to the bedroom.
By the time He Lin finally let her go, Xu Xi’s eyes were red, tears clinging to the corners, and her lips were swollen. He looked utterly pitiful.
He Lin leaned down, sniffing the scent at the back of Xu Xi’s neck.
“It’s faded. Time for a top-up.”
With that, he bit down, sinking his sharp teeth into Xu Xi’s gland. The scent of pine mingled with the fragrance of sophora flowers. He Lin deliberately prolonged the marking process, driving Xu Xi to the brink—clutching the sheets, quietly sobbing.
Once it was over, He Lin leaned back against the headboard, panting heavily.
“Get up. Do it yourself.”
________________________________________
Xu Xi’s entire weekend was a struggle.
Her clumsy attempt to initiate things only served to inflame He Lin further. Already aggressive, He Lin became even more relentless. Afterward, just the sight of He Lin approaching made Xu Xi instinctively want to hide.
Once sated, He Lin pulled Xu Xi into his arms to cuddle. One hand caressed Xu Xi’s smooth back while the other held a cigarette.
“I’ll send her abroad, but she’ll work for me while she’s there. As for you, don’t worry about the rest.”
“Got it… cough cough.”
“What? The smoke bothering you?”
Of course it was. But Xu Xi didn’t dare complain. She buried half her face in the covers. He Lin, deliberately mischievous, pulled the blanket away and blew a puff of smoke directly at her.
Tears sprang to Xu Xi’s eyes again as she choked. He Lin finally stubbed out the cigarette and pulled her back onto his chest.
“Want to visit your mom this afternoon?”
Xu Xi’s eyes lit up instantly. She nodded eagerly. “Yes!”
Then she suddenly remembered—her whole body reeked of pine. Her mom would surely smell it…
“She’s in isolation right now. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. You can visit from outside her room.”
Xu Xi’s excitement returned. Perfect timing!
Watching the unfiltered joy on Xu Xi’s face, He Lin coaxed gently, “Chaochao, tell me—am I good to you?”
Xu Xi nodded. “Yes.”
“Then shouldn’t you think more about how to treat me better too?”
Xu Xi nodded again. “I will!”
He Lin smiled, satisfied. He patted Xu Xi’s head and planted a kiss on her forehead.
“Good girl.”
Looking at the obedient Omega nestled in his arms, He Lin felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. The more time he spent with Xu Xi, the more he felt like Xu Xi was a perfect match for him.
In fact, even if he eventually married some well-connected Omega for appearances, keeping Xu Xi by his side wouldn’t be so bad.
He’d make sure Xu Xi never went without.