Shi You pushed open the door to the Social Sciences Building No. 3.
Yesterday, he had received the interview location from Professor Sui for the project group he had recommended him to. With his portfolio carefully prepared, Shi You arrived at the appointed place.
He hadn’t really been to this building before. The Social Sciences Building was enormous, with long corridors and countless identical rooms. He had wandered around for quite some time, still unable to find the designated classroom.
It was the weekend, so the building was nearly empty except for a few experimental classes. Most of the teachers on duty were gone.
As he walked, Shi You replied to Lu Yicheng’s messages.
Miracle Youyou: Sure!
Miracle Youyou: How about tomorrow? It’s Sunday, are you free then, Yicheng?
After sending the message, he glanced at the time. The interview was about to start, so he decided to focus on finding the room first. He noticed that one of the offices nearby had its door open, so he went over and knocked politely.
“Excuse me, sorry to bother you,” he said, poking his head inside. “Could you tell me how to get to D-5A3?”
A male Alpha looked up from his desk. “D-5A3? Hmm… not sure, wait a sec, I’ll ask around.”
He turned and shouted toward the room. “Hey, Han Xiao, some Omega’s asking where D-5A3 is!”
The moment Shi You heard that name, his heart skipped a beat. He didn’t even care that the guy had called him Omega by mistake.
Instinctively, he began to pull the door shut. “Ah, never mind, I think I’ll find it myself, ”
Before he could finish, a hand reached out and stopped the door from closing. Han Xiao’s face appeared right in front of him.
Seeing that face, one that could make him sick without even speaking, Shi You immediately released the doorknob and turned on his heel to leave.
Unfortunately, Han Xiao moved faster. He grabbed Shi You’s arm. “Hey.”
Shi You trembled, yanked his arm free, and tried to run, but Han Xiao blocked him in the corner.
“Well, if it isn’t You’er,” Han Xiao said with a smile that was completely devoid of sincerity. “Long time no see. You’ve gotten even prettier.”
Shi You said nothing.
“Blocked me on everything, moved out, cut off contact, impressive,” Han Xiao drawled, his expression shifting from falsely sweet to something darker. His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Omega?”
Shi You’s body went rigid. A strange scent began to fill the air, sharp and invasive, and his head started pounding.
A suffocating pressure pressed down on him, and it felt like his strength was being drained away.
“But you were clearly a Beta, weren’t you?” Han Xiao leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Then again, now that I smell you properly, there’s a trace of Alpha scent on you.”
“Did you sleep with an Alpha?”
Shi You’s headache exploded. He clenched his jaw, fighting the nausea. “What?”
Han Xiao didn’t back off, his gaze glued to him. “Or maybe not. If you had, the scent would be stronger.”
Shi You’s mind was spinning, his vision blurring. The dizziness was unbearable.
“You’re insane…” he hissed through clenched teeth. “You really have no sense of decency, do you?”
Han Xiao’s eyes narrowed. He was about to say something more when he caught sight of something on Shi You’s neck, something that wasn’t skin.
Soft, smooth Beta skin curved down the side of his neck.
Han Xiao reached out, tugging at the collar of Shi You’s shirt, exposing a patch of pale white.
A suppression patch.
Han Xiao froze. “A suppression patch…”
The next moment, pain exploded in his abdomen. Shi You had slammed his fist straight into him. He shoved his collar back down, glaring fiercely.
“If I don’t treat you like a human being, you really stop acting like one, huh?” Shi You snapped, his face pale with a faint flush that made him look almost feverish. He stomped on Han Xiao’s foot hard. “Touch me again, and I’ll scream.”
Han Xiao bared his teeth in pain. “Scream for wha… ”
“Help! Somebody help! There’s a pervert here! A perverted Alpha touching people!”
Han Xiao froze.
He hadn’t expected Shi You to actually yell. Panicking, he immediately let go.
Shi You’s eyes were wet and red at the corners. He kicked Han Xiao’s knee with all his strength and bolted down the hall toward the stairs, gasping for air as he ran.
His heart pounded wildly. If Han Xiao had really decided to force him… he was just a Beta. He wouldn’t have stood a chance.
The corridors all looked the same, but by some miracle, Shi You found the door marked D-5A3.
He heard footsteps behind him, Han Xiao was really chasing after him. Without thinking, Shi You pushed the door open and darted inside.
The door slammed shut behind him with a loud bang.
Shi You leaned against it, breathless, grateful for a moment of safety. But when he turned around, his relief froze in his throat.
Inside the classroom, Lu Yicheng was sitting in the front row, wearing glasses, listening to a student’s presentation.
Every head in the room turned toward him at once. The air went still.
Shi You: “…”
Lu Yicheng: “…”
Zhang Beihan: “…”
The presenting student: “…”
Someone, please end me.
Zhang Beihan was the first to react, breaking the suffocating silence. “Oh wow, isn’t this Shi You? Long time no see! What brings you here?”
Shi You stammered, “I… I’m here for an interview.”
“Oh! You’re the design student Professor Sui recommended!” Zhang Beihan exclaimed. “What a coincidence.”
He turned to the nervous student at the front. “Alright, give us one minute. Once you finish, it’ll be his turn.”
Shi You stood with both hands folded in front of him, nodding obediently.
He sneaked a glance at Lu Yicheng, who sat beside Zhang Beihan.
In his crisp shirt and calm demeanor, the Alpha radiated quiet authority. His gaze was cool, unreadable, and somehow… distant.
Shi You’s breath caught when their eyes met. That look, deep, detached, and composed, was unmistakable.
This was Lu Yicheng’s project.
Lu Yicheng’s gaze lingered for a moment before he turned back to the student. “That’s enough for now. You can refine the remaining parts and resubmit them.”
The student nodded gratefully and rushed out the door.
Now only silence remained.
Lu Yicheng looked at Shi You, who still stood by the door, and their eyes met again. For some reason, that moment felt oddly still, like time had slowed.
Shi You’s fingers curled, his lips pressing together.
“Shi You,” Lu Yicheng said at last, his tone even. “Come to the front.”
Shi You quickly stepped forward, offering his resume and portfolio.
As he bent down, the faint scent lingering on him reached Lu Yicheng’s nose. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, his jaw tightening.
Something dark flickered in his eyes.
Top Alphas were sensitive, especially when it came to the scent of someone they had once comforted with their pheromones.
And the person who had lain in his arms the night before, bathed in his pheromones, now carried the scent of another Alpha.
Lu Yicheng’s throat worked. His lashes trembled slightly as he stared at Shi You.
Betas couldn’t be marked. They couldn’t be claimed. They could carry anyone’s scent.
Anyone’s.
A faint irritation stirred in his chest.
He raised his head and said hoarsely, “Begin.”
Zhang Beihan smiled. “Don’t be nervous, take your time. Start with a self-introduction.”
“Alright.” Shi You took a deep breath.
“My name is Shi You. I’m currently studying environmental design, focusing on sustainable architectural creativity. Based on the details of the project, I’ve created a design integrating smart plant monitoring systems, including vertical greening and rooftop garden structures. They’re all in my portfolio.”
Lu Yicheng flipped through the pages, his brows easing as he read. The level of thought and structure surprised him.
He had expected the soft, clingy Beta he knew, but this was someone capable, meticulous, and creative.
“Forestry carbon sinks,” Shi You continued, “are one of the most practical and cost-effective solutions to climate change. In my opinion, they’re also the best nature-based strategy available. Forests are the largest carbon reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems, with immense potential. Of course, I also find microbial immersion projects worth exploring, and I hope to design around that if I get the chance.”
He answered every question they asked. Some hesitations, yes, but his reasoning was solid and his insight sharp.
Zhang Beihan nudged Lu Yicheng, whispering, “This Beta’s incredible. Smart, confident, and talented. I’m impressed.”
Shi You noticed them murmuring below the podium and asked softly, “Do you have any more questions?”
“I don’t,” Zhang Beihan said with a grin. “Ask your Lu ge. Lu ge, any questions?”
Shi You looked over, and found Lu Yicheng watching him again, the folder closed on the desk.
Those dark eyes met his, calm and searching, carrying a weight that made Shi You’s breath catch.
Neither of them had expected the other to be here.
Shi You’s hands trembled slightly. After what had happened earlier, he was exhausted, but he still tried to stay composed. He couldn’t afford to mess this up.
Finally, Lu Yicheng spoke slowly. “Where did you just come from?”
The question hung in the air. His tone wasn’t harsh, but the words seemed to echo.
Shi You froze. There were too many ways to interpret that.
After the last time Han Xiao had caused trouble, he hesitated before replying. “I… went to turn in a project.”
A pause.
“Where?” Lu Yicheng asked.
“The No. 4 building,” Shi You said.
“Having lunch with a friend later?”
“Yes.”
Silence stretched.
Zhang Beihan shifted uncomfortably, unsure if he was witnessing an interview or something else entirely.
Lu Yicheng studied him. The flush on Shi You’s face was too pale, his lips bitten red. Something was clearly off.
His irritation faded, replaced by quiet concern.
“Alright,” he said at last. “You can go back and rest. We’ll contact you once we’ve made a decision.”
Shi You exhaled in relief and bowed slightly.
He reached for the door, and froze again.
Right outside, just beyond the wall, Han Xiao was standing there.
What the hell? That idiot was still here?
Shi You slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
“…”
Lu Yicheng frowned. “What is it?”
Shi You hesitated, his hand unconsciously brushing the back of his neck where the suppression patch was. “I… I have a question. But maybe I can ask later?”
Lu Yicheng had just managed to calm himself, only for the little Beta to come back again. His mood dipped sharply.
He really wanted to drag the kid over and bite him just once, to erase that faint scent of another Alpha. But reason prevailed. His tone, however, was curt. “Ask now.”
“Here?” Shi You blinked.
“Here.”
“Um… it’s a little awkward…”
“Say it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Shi You clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and blurted out, “Did we sleep together last night?”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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The translator has battled grammar, context, and questionable sentences. Please send coffee.
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← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · MushroomChapter 2 · Blocking The RoadChapter 3 · Pectoral MuscleChapter 4 · Delivering MealChapter 5 · CoatChapter 6 · NeighbourChapter 7 · CookiesChapter 8 · BalconyChapter 9 · MyceliumChapter 10 · Don’t PinchChapter 11 · Warmth and NourishmentChapter 12 · Speak without RestraintChapter 13 · On the bedChapter 14 · InterviewChapter 15 · InjuredChapter 16 · So WetChapter 17 · Drink WineChapter 18 · Play AgainChapter 19 · HostChapter 20 · RomanceChapter 21 · KissChapter 22 · What should Daddy do?Chapter 23 · Washing FeetsChapter 24 · MoodChapter 25 · No kissing allowedChapter 26 · Broken BridgeChapter 27 · Blind DateChapter 28 · Dinner PartyChapter 29 · FamilyChapter 30 · Heat Sensitivity PeriodChapter 31 · LickChapter 32 · AgainChapter 33 · BabyChapter 34 · SeminarChapter 35 · Matcha TroubleChapter 36 · SpankingChapter 37 · EroticChapter 38 · JealousyChapter 39 · Little Male ServantChapter 40 · I want…Chapter 41 · Deep ConnectionChapter 42 · ToothpasteChapter 43 · DifferentiationChapter 44 · A KissChapter 45 · The Taoist TempleChapter 46 · Chasing SomeoneChapter 47 · Feeding the MedicineChapter 48 · The MessageChapter 49 · Get DownChapter 50 · Soft WaistChapter 51 · HeatChapter 52 · Deep Within the ForestChapter 53 · SensitivityChapter 54 · The Little Perverted MushroomChapter 55 · Turn AroundChapter 56 · DisappearanceChapter 57 · Don’t NurtureChapter 58 · MadnessChapter 59 · The ReasonChapter 60 · Declaring OwnershipChapter 61 · I Love YouChapter 62 · KitchenChapter 63 · Sneaking into BedChapter 64 · AdulteryChapter 65 · The Muscle Show!Chapter 66 · Was It Fun?Chapter 67 · In Front of the MirrorChapter 68 · The LondonChapter 69 · Don’t Be SadChapter 70 · End of Main StoryChapter 71 · Extra 1Chapter 72 · Extra 2Chapter 73 · Extra 3Chapter 74 · Extra 4Chapter 75 · Extra 5