Can Alpha Also Be A Wife? - Chapter 16
Chapter 16 — Numbness and Something More
In the end, Lu Shihuai didn’t go as far as kissing Lin Fansheng. Instead, he simply cupped his face with a gentle touch, using tenderness to ease the longing surging in his chest.
It’s in an Alpha’s nature to claim and conquer, but some instincts—especially those involving someone cherished—must be reined in. Lu Shihuai was fighting his own urges. He just wanted to be near Lin Ling. As long as Lin Ling didn’t remember or return his feelings, he would never cross the line.
Quietly, he whispered into the dim room: “When will you think of me again…”
The sun had already started to rise, but Lu Shihuai had no plans to leave. The unease from earlier kept him rooted. He pulled up a chair and dozed off at Lin Fansheng’s bedside, never letting go of his hand.
By the time Lin Fansheng woke, his head throbbed with the dull ache of sleep deprivation. He groggily reached to rub his temples—only to find one hand pinned.
He turned and saw someone sleeping beside his bed, head down, still holding his hand.
His heart skipped slightly. This wasn’t like Lu Shihuai, who rarely crossed boundaries. Had something happened last night?
With no way to ask—since the man beside him was still fast asleep—Lin Fansheng remained still. He studied the quiet, almost serene figure before him, backlit by the soft light filtering through thick curtains.
Lu Shihuai’s lashes cast delicate shadows on his cheeks. He looked… exhausted.
Lin Fansheng wondered—was this what it looked like when a person bore the weight of everything, even in their sleep? He didn’t know what he’d meant to Lu Shihuai before, but clearly, Lu had never stopped protecting him.
And what had he done in return?
He tried to piece together what kind of person this “Lin Ling” was—the one people only dared refer to cryptically as “L”—but even the galactic net was full of contradictions.
He didn’t know how long he’d been lost in thought when a voice stirred him.
“What are you thinking about?” Lu Shihuai had woken up, blinking blearily, still half in dream.
Startled, Lin Fansheng quickly composed himself. “What happened last night?”
Lu Shihuai yawned and walked to the window, drawing the curtains back to let in the daylight. The sunlight washed over him, throwing parts of his face into shadow.
“You were sleepwalking,” he said evenly. “I didn’t want to wake you, so I followed you back to bed and stayed nearby.”
Lin Fansheng frowned. “I didn’t do anything dangerous, right?”
Lu Shihuai shook his head. “No.”
Relieved, Lin Fansheng tried to sit up.
Tried.
He couldn’t move one arm.
“…My hand is numb,” he said, staring accusingly at Lu Shihuai.
Lu’s gaze dropped awkwardly to the arm he’d unknowingly pinned all night. “…Wait here.”
Moments later, he returned with a bowl of warm water and a towel. Lin Fansheng flinched at the first touch—his arm still tingled uncomfortably—but Lu Shihuai took his hand firmly and began gently massaging his fingers.
His movements were careful, methodical, and full of focus. Lin Fansheng found it unexpectedly captivating. Somehow, this version of Lu Shihuai—quiet, deliberate, soft—was the most dangerous of all.
He didn’t even notice when the gardenia-sweet scent of his own pheromones began to fill the space.
Lu Shihuai, on the other hand, definitely noticed.
He looked up, stunned. “…You…”
“What?” Lin Fansheng blinked innocently.
Lu’s face flushed a little, ears going red. He quickly looked away and continued massaging as if nothing had happened, but inside he was far from calm.
Lin Fansheng, confused by his reaction, pressed, “Why’d you stop mid-sentence?”
“I think your hand’s fine now. I’ll be going.” Lu Shihuai bolted like the room was on fire.
Lin Fansheng stared after him, dumbfounded. Did… did Lu Shihuai just blush?
No way. That had to be a trick of the light.
Downstairs, Lin Fansheng bumped into Fu Mingxi near the bathroom. They realized Lu Shihuai was still inside—showering. Oddly enough, Fu remarked, “That’s not his usual morning routine…”
They brushed it off and went to eat, where Jiang Shuran explained that the robot had handled breakfast. Nobody had the energy to cook after last night’s events.
When Lu Shihuai finally emerged, his hair still damp, Lin Fansheng noticed something unusual. “Did you take… a cold shower?”
Lu said nothing. He avoided eye contact and sat down to eat like it was a competition.
Fu Mingxi and Jiang Shuran exchanged a look, instantly suspecting something had happened. To test the waters, Fu asked innocently, “Sleep okay last night?”
“Pretty well, actually. Lu Shihuai said I sleepwalked,” Lin Fansheng replied, frowning at the memory. “My hand was numb this morning though.”
Fu Mingxi raised a brow. “Still numb?”
“No, he fixed it. His massage was amazing.”
The words were said innocently, but the effect on the table was immediate. Lu Shihuai’s ears turned red again. Fu Mingxi choked on his drink. Jiang Shuran stared at her plate like it might explain everything.
Lu finally broke the silence. “You released your pheromones this morning.”
The table went dead quiet.
Turning to Fu and Jiang, he added coldly, “Any other questions?”
Fu Mingxi raised his hands in surrender, muttering, “Nope. Totally just concerned friends…”
“Yeah,” Jiang Shuran added dryly. “Totally.”
Lin Fansheng watched them bicker and couldn’t help commenting, “They really have great teamwork.”
Later, Lu Shihuai took Lin Fansheng outside and summoned a high-end aircraft. Its sleek dark blue frame shimmered under the sun. Lin Fansheng’s eyes lit up like a child’s.
“This looks incredible.”
“If you like it, it’s yours,” Lu said casually.
Lin Fansheng turned, eyes bright, and hugged him. “No need. Just drive me. I bet you look amazing behind the wheel.”
Lu opened the door with exaggerated grace. “Mr. Lin, your carriage awaits.”
As Lin Fansheng stepped inside with a grin, he asked, “So where are we going?”
“The Northern Icefields,” Lu Shihuai replied.