Reservoir Dogs chapter 2
Come Over
Xiao Zhou turned his head to look out of the car window. In just four short years, the entire city seemed to have undergone tremendous changes, as skyscrapers sprang up from the ground, and elevated highways wound between buildings like soaring birds spreading their wings. The scenery flew past and receded as the vehicle advanced, everything looking novel and particularly fascinating to him.
But after looking at it for a long time, it was also a bit heartbreaking. This was clearly the place where he was born, but now it felt very unfamiliar, as if he had been excluded.
His gaze fixed on the scenery along the way, greedily absorbing everything, wishing he could imprint it all in his mind.
As the speed of the car gradually slowed down, there was suddenly a voice from the driver’s seat, “What’s your name?”
Xiao Zhou turned his head in response to the voice. The man’s voice was magnetic, rich and elegant, clear in pronunciation, with a bit of the rounded tone of a broadcaster.
He answered, “Xiao Zhou.”
The man said, “I’m Jiang Chengyuan.”
Xiao Zhou nodded. He felt that this conversation was a bit unnecessary; their details had already been exchanged long ago. Before today, he had almost memorized Jiang Chengyuan’s information—birthdays, blood type, parents’ situation, education, work experience—even that bit about murmuring in his sleep at night, all of it.
But perhaps exchanging names had a ceremonial meaning, that was when they could be considered formally acquainted.
“Where are we going now?” Xiao Zhou remembered the main purpose.
“To my place,” Jiang Chengyuan replied, “You haven’t been officially marked yet, so you can’t leave my sight for the time being.”
The car entered an upscale neighborhood, Jialin Jingyuan. Upon entering, there was a huge fountain and a royal garden-like landscape design in sight, with separate lanes for people and cars. Xiao Zhou hurriedly glanced around before the car entered the underground parking lot.
He followed Jiang Chengyuan inside the villa. The space was spacious, with shiny floor tiles that were almost reflective. The interior decoration was primarily in black and gray, with abstract geometric patterns on the walls, stable and dignified yet meticulously crafted in the details, with only a few pieces of furniture both high-end and tactile.
Xiao Zhou stood at the entrance with a double-shouldered travel bag, wearing a T-shirt and casual pants bought from a street stall.
Jiang Chengyuan handed him a pair of slippers, “I have a guest room here. I’ve bought new personal items for you. Check if there’s anything missing, and I’ll buy it for you.”
Xiao Zhou awkwardly changed his shoes, placing his cheap new sneakers in the shoe cabinet alongside a row of high-end leather shoes, which seemed out of place.
His movements were somewhat hesitant. He took a deep breath and looked up. He knew very well where that sudden feeling of deflation and apprehension came from. He felt shabby and poor compared to Jiang Chengyuan’s refined luxury, a contrast that made him feel ashamed. But he shouldn’t think like that; he didn’t seek to climb high, Jiang Chengyuan was just a piece of driftwood helping him out of the water.
Jiang Chengyuan turned to see Xiao Zhou still hesitating at the door, his eyes deepening slightly. Suddenly, he said, “Your name is Xiao Zhou, right?”
Xiao Zhou looked up, suddenly realizing that in the car, Jiang Chengyuan wasn’t just asking to break the awkward silence; he really didn’t know his name. “Um?”
Jiang Chengyuan had taken off his coat, leaving only a slim-fit white shirt, tucked into black trousers along his tight waistline. Although he didn’t look muscular on the surface, he had a considerable presence. Smooth muscle lines flowed subtly beneath the shirt, giving him a tall and strong posture.
He raised his hand, unbuttoned the cufflinks, and rolled up his sleeves to just above the elbow. Then he unbuttoned the top button of his collar, twisted his neck, undid the restraint patch on the back of his neck, and looked at Xiao Zhou, saying, “Take off your clothes and come over.”
Xiao Zhou froze, almost instantly, a strong pheromone exploded in the room, a robust and dominant scent that was initially somewhat spicy, like fermented tequila.
Xiao Zhou was completely unprepared for the alpha pheromones’ attack, feeling as if he had been punched in the face. He felt his vision darken, his body suddenly devoid of bones, his knees trembling, almost falling to his knees.
He gritted his teeth, one hand against the wall, barely supporting his weak legs. His whole body started to heat up, sweat flowing from every pore.
“You…” he hoarsely spoke, with each breath, the strong scent began to penetrate his body.
Swallowing saliva, he blinked away the sweat hanging on his eyelashes, and managed to force out a sentence, “I’m not ready yet.”
Jiang Chengyuan looked at him coldly, still standing in the center of the living room, and repeated his earlier words with a cold and firm attitude, “Take off your clothes and come over.”
Xiao Zhou looked embarrassed, lowering his head, lips trembling, fingertips clenched white.
The sense of shame crawled up his spine like a swarm of ants.
He dared not refuse; he had anticipated this step, just not so soon. Jiang Chengyuan had stopped short in the detention center, saving him some dignity.
With head bowed, Xiao Zhou’s trembling fingers began to undo his clothes. It took several tries to pull his head out of his T-shirt collar. Covered in cold sweat, his face alternated between pale and flushed, his body completely controlled by instinct, shouting submission and begging like a dog.
Clothes piled on the ground, Xiao Zhou took a shaky step forward, legs so weak he could barely stand, almost gasping for air as if held over a furnace.
Every move rubbed his thighs together, releasing inappropriate low pants from his throat.
He wasn’t wearing the slippers Jiang Chengyuan had prepared for him. Barefoot on the cold tiles, the brief relief from the coolness on the soles of his feet was soon replaced by a new wave of heat.
The polished black tiles reflected his current state: flushed cheeks, hunched back, utterly disheveled. A drop of sweat rolled off his nose and landed with a splat on the floor.
Completely unfamiliar.
Xiao Zhou’s eyes were filled with moisture, almost breaking down his defenses. Even if he wanted to be resolute and decisive, with no regrets, he had never experienced it firsthand.
It’s only when things come to a head that one realizes fear.
The closer he got, the stronger the pheromones became. A normal person shouldn’t have such a powerful scent unless Jiang Chengyuan was in his sensitive period. However, his face remained calm, showing none of the madness and impulsiveness one would expect during such a time.
Xiao Zhou looked at Jiang Chengyuan, his consciousness lingering, trying to pull himself out of his own dire situation.
Like all Alphas, this man, beneath his refined exterior, was equally domineering. Cruel and vile, he enjoyed seeing Omegas controlled by pheromones.
Stopping three steps away from Jiang Chengyuan, Xiao Zhou’s feet transitioned from cold tiles to soft wool carpets. His toes tangled in the fluffy fibers, which offered a sense of security. But soon, sweat dampened the wool, making it sticky and uncomfortable, like stepping into a swamp.
As he approached, Xiao Zhou adjusted to the intense scent of alcohol, noticing a hint of orange blossom mixed in Jiang Chengyuan’s pheromones, faintly sweet.
Jiang Chengyuan’s sharp gaze scanned Xiao Zhou’s body like a scalpel.
Under his intense scrutiny, Xiao Zhou felt uneasy.
Yet, Jiang Chengyuan’s eyes flashed with a hint of approval.
Before him stood a figure with a narrow waist and broad shoulders, lean muscles subtly defined across his chest and abdomen. Despite the paleness from lack of sunlight and the rough prison food over the past four years, his muscles hadn’t vanished completely. Though slightly thinner than ideal, he still looked better than expected.
Jiang Chengyuan relaxed, satisfied, and his demeanor softened. He reached out, slender fingers cool against Xiao Zhou’s jawline, wiping away a bead of sweat. “Don’t be afraid.”
Xiao Zhou almost wanted to laugh bitterly, unsure whether he was glad to have satisfied Jiang Chengyuan or disgusted at being treated like a child.
Before he could exhale in relief,
Jiang Chengyuan suddenly acted, closing the distance, hand gripping the nape of Xiao Zhou’s neck and pulling him close.
Xiao Zhou stumbled forward, half-kneeling, elbow crashing onto the coffee table, a dull pain shooting up his arm like lightning.
Bending down, Jiang Chengyuan sniffed at his glands like a hunting dog, then said, “You haven’t entered your heat.”
Xiao Zhou swallowed, his gaze unfocused. Pinned tightly against Jiang Chengyuan’s chest, his cheek brushed against the cotton fibers of his shirt, feeling the warmth of his body. Pheromones enveloped him like an impenetrable wall.
His throat felt like it had swallowed hot coals, eyes moist with sweat, thoughts muddled.
Realizing Xiao Zhou wasn’t himself, Jiang Chengyuan released his grip, giving him space to breathe.
Xiao Zhou lowered his head, wiping his face with his hand. “Maybe it’s because I just underwent the modification. My body hasn’t fully adjusted.”
There was no point in hiding it.
Jiang Chengyuan nodded, then asked, “How long does your heat period usually last, and how often does it occur?”
Xiao Zhou felt awkward. “I’m not sure. I haven’t experienced it yet.”
Jiang Chengyuan frowned but said nothing more. He simply reached out to touch the back of Xiao Zhou’s head, running his fingers over the stubble, then pressed down firmly. “Forget it. We’ll talk about it when the time comes. Keep your hair longer; you look less intimidating that way.”
He retrieved a fresh suppressor patch from the table and reapplied it to his gland.
The lingering pheromones still hung in the air, but their concentration had diluted significantly, making Xiao Zhou feel much better than before.
He sighed in relief, sitting back on the soft white wool carpet.
Jiang Chengyuan glanced at him. “Go change your clothes. They’re in the guest room, first door on the left. I’ll get rid of the old ones for you.”
Only then did Xiao Zhou feel the embarrassment of being naked, his face flushing instantly.
Hurriedly, he got up and went to change in the guest room.
Even underwear was provided, and it fit perfectly.
Sitting on the edge of the soft bed in his new clothes, Xiao Zhou suddenly remembered how close he had been to Jiang Chengyuan earlier and how Jiang Chengyuan had shown no response. The pheromones surged like a wildfire, but their owner remained unmoved.
He couldn’t help but think maliciously, was Jiang Chengyuan impotent? Was that why he didn’t intend to mark him yet still played such a perverse game, intentionally humiliating him?