MVCFO CH49

Chapter 49: This Night Was Endlessly Long

Unlike the solemn, sacred ceremony Lin Xiangqi had imagined, getting a marriage license was just a formality, with no complex procedures.

But Lin Xiangqi regretted not bringing pre-taken photos.

He was so nervous, worried that photos taken outside might not meet regulations and get rejected, that he insisted on taking them on-site.

When they arrived, they found several other couples queuing up.

Lin Xiangqi clutched Lu Cong’s hand, his palm sweaty, constantly checking his phone and muttering, “What if we don’t make it in time? What if we can’t get it today? I overheard a girl complaining that the photos here aren’t great—will we end up with an ugly marriage photo? If we go out to take one now, will it be too late? It’s all my fault. I researched so much, but every Civil Affairs Bureau’s photography quality varies, I…”

Lu Cong tilted his chin up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, silencing his anxious ramblings. “You’re beautiful. You’ll look great in any photo. There’s no rush; they’re moving quickly.”

Just then, the next AO couple was called in. Lu Cong added, “See? It’s almost our turn.”

Lin Xiangqi bit his lip, nodding, trying to stay calm.

For some reason, this couple took a long time, and Lin Xiangqi’s briefly eased nerves tensed again. He glanced at his phone, about to speak, when Lu Cong gave him another fleeting kiss. “Be good, don’t worry so much.”

“Mhm.” Lin Xiangqi pressed his lips together, knowing he was overthinking.

At that moment, an Omega waiting nearby to take photos chuckled and said to Lin Xiangqi, “Don’t worry, once you get the photos, the rest of the process is quick. You’ll have your license in minutes. No need to fear you won’t get married today.”

After reassuring him, the Omega leaned closer, teasing in a low voice, “Your husband is so gentle.”

…H-husband!?

Lin Xiangqi jolted, stammering, “Uh, um… th-thank you!”

Before he could say more, their number flashed on the screen.

Lin Xiangqi shot up, startling the Omega. He nodded at them, grabbed Lu Cong, and bolted.

His face was unnaturally flushed, the blush spreading to his neck.

Lu Cong watched him for a moment, concerned, touching his forehead and neck. His temperature seemed normal. “Why’s your face so red suddenly?”

Lin Xiangqi blinked rapidly. “It’s hot.”

Lu Cong, unsure if he bought it, just smiled faintly, pulling Lin Xiangqi into the photo booth.

The shoot went smoothly.

As Lu Cong had said, Lin Xiangqi’s face couldn’t possibly photograph poorly. When he smiled, the photographer couldn’t stop snapping, clearly capturing stunning shots.

The rest of the process was swift. In less than half an hour, they completed all formalities and left the marriage registry.

Outside, the sun was dazzling, nearly blinding Lin Xiangqi, but he insisted on examining their marriage license closely under the light.

“We’re really married,” Lin Xiangqi marveled. “It’s so surreal. A year ago, I never would’ve imagined this.”

Lu Cong looked at him, confessing, “I’ve been thinking about this day for ten years.”

Lin Xiangqi shot him a playful glance. “Ten years ago, you were barely nine.”

Lu Cong: “I was precocious.”

Lin Xiangqi laughed, poking his cheek. “Oh yeah? How precocious were you? Tell me.”

In a calm but earnest tone, Lu Cong said, “The moment I understood what liking someone meant, I knew I liked you.”

Lin Xiangqi paused, struck by the simple yet tender words.

He refused to lose.

At least not in a battle of romantic lines!

So, Lin Xiangqi lifted his chin proudly, hands on hips, declaring boldly, “I liked you before I even knew what liking was! I win!”

Lu Cong’s gaze softened, lingering on him. After a long moment, he chuckled, “Yes, you win.”

Truthfully, Lin Xiangqi knew much of their relationship had unfolded naturally.

Including getting married.

When they confessed their feelings, to Lin Xiangqi, it was already a successful proposal. But Lu Cong, ever serious, bought rings shortly before the license date, planning a proper proposal.

That night, Lin Xiangqi found out before Lu Cong could kneel. He stopped him urgently.

He told Lu Cong, “You know I’m bad with this stuff. No need for that. I don’t need a proposal—I’m already willing.”

Lin Xiangqi didn’t care for elaborate ceremonies. He cherished the “natural” feeling of being with Lu Cong.

Every grand gesture to mark a relationship milestone made him anxious, as if it negated their past closeness.

Lu Cong, of course, understood Lin Xiangqi’s nature.

Lin Xiangqi craved a stable, constant state. Romance and surprises required too much buildup, but he just wanted solid security.

“Mhm, no other plans,” Lu Cong said, showing him the ring with a smile. “I just want to put this on you. Is that okay?”

“Of course it is!”

Lin Xiangqi obediently extended his hand, letting Lu Cong slip a simple band onto his finger. Then he put one on Lu Cong.

As the people who knew each other best, they didn’t need extravagant gestures.

A seemingly ordinary decision could be a lifelong commitment for them.

“Holy… crap…”

“AHHHH!! My shipped CP is real!!”

“Let me see! I’ve never seen a marriage license before—”

“Wait, am I crazy, or is the world crazy? Brother Qi-zi just married the class rep looking all fresh and cute?”

“Hold on, bro, is that the point? The real issue is, Lin Xiangqi, how did you go from Beta to Omega?! What about our past, our Beta brotherhood?!”

Chen Qiutian was admiring his favorite CP’s beautiful marriage photo, muttering wistfully, “You’re punching above your weight.”

“Wait, am I the only one freaking out about their marriage?” someone shouted.

The crowd fell silent for a moment before someone said, “Well, honestly… this is the least surprising thing.”

Lin Xiangqi and Lu Cong were surrounded by classmates, layer upon layer, everyone chattering excitedly. Clearly, their marriage had become an even bigger sensation than sharing college aspirations.

Initially, Lin Xiangqi hadn’t planned to announce it to everyone. Getting married right after graduation was juicy gossip, and he wasn’t keen on becoming a “legend” in others’ stories.

The reason for their high-profile reveal was thanks to their homeroom teacher, Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao genuinely felt sorry for Lu Cong. Missing a perfect exam score by just one point, with additional competition bonuses, yet unable to apply to regular universities due to his pheromones.

These past few days, Qin Xiao had been upset about it, so he pulled every connection he had and finally found an extreme workaround—

If Lu Cong could find a highly compatible Omega to attend the same university, the school could reassess his pheromone risk level.

For an Alpha with unstable pheromone control, having an Omega by their side was the strongest safeguard.

Qin Xiao told Lu Cong, “I’ve checked with Capital University. They said if you can find an Omega with over 90% compatibility, who’s either a current student or admitted this year, they can relax their admission criteria for you.”

Qin Xiao didn’t mean Lu Cong should rush to marry an Omega—just that finding such a match could ensure that if Lu Cong’s pheromones went haywire at Capital University, a compatible Omega could step in to defuse the situation.

His idea made sense.

In fact, Lin Xiangqi had considered this plan early on.

But since they’d decided on the military academy, they no longer needed this to gain university admission.

Unaware of their situation, Qin Xiao thought this was the best solution.

So, when he saw Lu Cong that day, he urged him to apply for pheromone matching immediately. “If you can find a suitable Omega, you don’t have to rush into dating or marriage. Just negotiate—”

“Teacher, we’re already married,” Lin Xiangqi said, raising their marriage certificate and presenting it to Qin Xiao.

Qin Xiao, preoccupied with getting Lu Cong into university, absently praised him, “Good, good, you’re amazing. Great exam results too, well done.”

Then he continued to Lu Cong, “But it’s a shame about you. With your scores, if you can’t attend university, I won’t sleep well for the rest of my life. Now, if there’s a way, I suggest you try—wait.”

Qin Xiao froze, turning to glance at the certificate in Lin Xiangqi’s hand.

Two minutes later, his earth-shattering roar echoed from the upstairs office, audible in the classroom.

—“What?! You’re married?”

—“What?! You’re an Omega?”

—“What?! So at the sports festival, it wasn’t Lu Cong’s pheromones going wild—it was you differentiating?”

—“What?! You’re going to the military academy? And you’ve already got early admission notices?”

Lin Xiangqi pinched Qin Xiao’s philtrum to revive him, while Lu Cong handed him a cup of tea.

It took Qin Xiao ages to recover, sighing repeatedly, unable to speak.

He had every right to be upset for being kept in the dark, but the outcome was so good he couldn’t stay mad.

This was the Alliance Military Academy, not just enlisting as a regular soldier. Getting in meant one foot in the military’s upper echelons.

Even laypeople knew that ordinary soldiers had to risk life and limb to climb ranks, while military academy graduates started at the top.

That’s why admission required excellence in every aspect.

With both boys getting in, their school shared in the glory. What could Qin Xiao complain about?

He could only laugh and scold, pointing at them. “You little rascals, you’d better not leave me out of the wedding banquet!”

“No way we would!”

Lin Xiangqi was a master at charming people, saying sweetly, “We’ll send you the first invitation and personally invite you.”

Later, as Lin Xiangqi and Lu Cong left the office, they found a row of classmates eavesdropping outside.

Everyone exchanged looks, then grinned mischievously at them.

And so, on graduation day, Lin Xiangqi and Lu Cong’s marriage was unintentionally announced to the world.

That night, the party went late.

Several times, Lu Cong tried to take Lin Xiangqi home.

But Lin Xiangqi was too thrilled, unable to stop reveling. Whether people toasted to his bright future or happy marriage, he cheerfully downed glass after glass.

Few dared toast Lu Cong.

Though everyone knew he wasn’t an Alpha prone to losing control, and his Omega was right there, those who’d sensed his pheromones couldn’t help but feel an instinctive awe.

At first, Lu Cong blocked drinks for Lin Xiangqi, but for every glass he took, Lin Xiangqi pouted and poured himself two, refusing to let Lu Cong substitute.

With no choice, Lu Cong let him party with friends for a while.

By the time they got home, it was midnight.

Lin Xiangqi, tipsy, clung to Lu Cong’s back after getting out of the car, mumbling, “The wine… all for me… none for Lu Cong… Lu Cong’s such a lightweight…”

Without a word, Lu Cong carried him to the bedroom, setting him down gently. He was about to head to the bathroom to run water to wash off Lin Xiangqi’s alcohol scent.

But Lin Xiangqi grabbed him, refusing to let go.

“My head hurts…”

Lin Xiangqi pitifully rubbed against Lu Cong’s arm.

Lu Cong glanced at him, slowly pulling his hand back. “I’ll get you some hangover medicine.”

Lin Xiangqi stared at the neck ring Lu Cong never removed. “No pheromones?”

Lu Cong seemed to sigh. “Not tonight.”

Lin Xiangqi’s voice turned aggrieved. “You don’t care about me anymore?”

Lu Cong was silent for a long moment, then leaned down, pressing a kiss to the nape of Lin Xiangqi’s neck. “I’m not ignoring you. If it really hurts, I’ll give you some. But Yanyan, try not to smell my pheromones tonight.”

Lin Xiangqi didn’t understand.

Lu Cong had said pheromones were the best “medicine,” soothing emotions and easing pain.

He felt awful now—why wouldn’t Lu Cong give him any?

For the first time drunk, Lin Xiangqi inexplicably sank into baseless sorrow.

He began to melodramatically recite sentimental lines he’d seen online: “As expected… once a man gets what he wants, he stops cherishing it… love comes and goes, doesn’t it always end like that…”

Lu Cong: “?”

Lu Cong couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. He sat down, pulling Lin Xiangqi into his arms, kissing his cheek comfortingly while explaining, “I drank tonight too. I might not control my pheromones well.”

Though drunk, Lin Xiangqi retained a shred of sharpness, catching a flaw in his words. “Liar, last time you drank, you still kissed me.”

Lu Cong’s gaze darkened as he recalled something, staring at him for a long moment. “That time, I almost lost control too.”

Lin Xiangqi’s tipsy brain was slow to process, unable to follow the logic. “It was fine then, so why not now?”

Lu Cong knew he was too drunk to think clearly. Pinching Lin Xiangqi’s cheek, he said, “I’m… not very calm today.”

Lin Xiangqi blinked hazily at him. “Why?”

Lu Cong felt Lin Xiangqi was doing something cruel—getting himself drunk and leaving Lu Cong in a whirlwind of emotions.

“Because it’s our first day married. I’m too excited,” Lu Cong said, stroking his face, each word deliberate. “I’m afraid I won’t control myself and hurt you.”

Lin Xiangqi understood this, wrapping his arms around Lu Cong’s neck. “But I want you to kiss me.”

Lu Cong lowered his head, his bangs falling forward, unable to hide the storm of emotions in his eyes.

Lin Xiangqi couldn’t read the conflict there—a struggle between indulging his desires and fearing their intensity.

All he knew was that Lu Cong’s kiss was taking too long to arrive, so, dissatisfied, he lifted his chin and licked Lu Cong’s lips. “Kiss me, okay?”

“Yanyan…” Lu Cong could resist his own cravings but not Lin Xiangqi’s casual teasing.

The haze of restraint was instantly consumed by a blaze of desire. Unable to hold back, he gripped the back of Lin Xiangqi’s head and kissed him deeply.

At the same time, the neck ring’s pheromone overflow alarm blared wildly.

Lin Xiangqi felt something ignite in his core, searing through his organs and limbs.

His body was limp, yet his blood boiled, as if he were pinned to a rack, pierced repeatedly by some instrument. Protected by the dense, smoky aura around him, he felt no pain despite the intensity.

But he was so tired. In his suffocation, he reached out, grasping at the one “executing” him, pleading incoherently. He thought he said, “Please stop,” but nothing came out. He just gasped, mouth open, letting out soft whimpers, words failing him, utterly pitiful.

“Baby, why are you crying?”

That familiar, gentle voice should have reassured Lin Xiangqi, but its undertone of unsatisfied desire made him shrink back. “All the pheromones you want, I’ll give them to you, okay?”

No… not okay at all…

Lin Xiangqi’s lips were pried open, his tongue aching from being sucked. He couldn’t speak.

Lu Cong kissed him until he was breathless, then released him, pinning his slender waist to keep him in place. No matter how Lin Xiangqi squirmed, he could only let Lu Cong continue.

“Cough…!” Lin Xiangqi finally seized a chance to make a sound, but his cry shattered into fragments, each word broken. “Enough… Lu…”

So pitiful.

Too pitiful.

Lu Cong lifted him, pulling him into his embrace, tenderly stroking his back. “You’re crying so hard you can’t even speak. Is this position tiring? Shall I hold you up?”

The moment Lu Cong stood, holding him, Lin Xiangqi trembled violently, his lower back tensing, a sharp, hoarse cry escaping his throat.

This night was endlessly long.

Lin Xiangqi vaguely felt he’d died and come back to life several times. When dawn broke, he woke again, realizing it wasn’t over, despair mixing with a desperate search for a way to save himself.

Lu Cong’s fingers traced the bite marks he’d left on Lin Xiangqi’s collarbone, his eyes full of heartache and pity, yet his actions showed no trace of gentleness.

Suddenly, the half-conscious Lin Xiangqi opened his eyes again. Lu Cong’s lips curved into a smile as he leaned down, kissing him. “Good morning, baby. We have the whole day ahead. Let’s take it slow.”

At that moment, Lin Xiangqi called out softly, “I don’t want it anymore…”

Lu Cong froze, as if he’d misheard, staring at Lin Xiangqi’s lips. He leaned closer, asking, “Baby, what did you just call me?”

Lin Xiangqi’s voice was hoarse, each word a struggle.

It was clear he wasn’t used to the term, having just picked it up from someone else. His soft, weak call hit Lu Cong like a bolt, snapping him awake. “Husband, I really don’t want it anymore…”