Lu Yicheng was silent for a long moment.
Zhang Beihan, who had been munching on melon seeds while watching the show, froze completely. The documents in his hands slipped to the floor.
Shi You blinked, suddenly realizing how ambiguous his words had sounded. A flush spread quickly across his cheeks.
“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant! I meant we really slept together, literally slept!” he stammered, waving his hands in panic as his face turned redder and redder.
“I saw the inhibitor patch on the back of my neck, so I thought maybe we… you know, shared a bed. But not that kind of sleep! Just actual sleep, under the blanket!”
The blush on his round face spread like smudged rouge, turning his cheeks a soft, glowing pink.
“I just wanted to confirm,” he added in a small, uncertain voice. “Did we really sleep together?”
Lu Yicheng rubbed his temples. His ears were burning so badly it felt as though they might bleed.
“…Let’s talk about it later,” he said at last.
Shi You clung to the door, cracked it open, and peeked outside. Han Xiao seemed to have already left.
Lu Yicheng looked as if he had a headache. Shi You thought that if he mentioned the word sleep again, the man might actually walk over and silence him by force. And if that happened, he would probably ruin his interview performance completely.
Even though he trusted that Lu Yicheng was fair and wouldn’t let personal feelings affect work, he still didn’t want to take chances.
So before leaving, he turned back and called out earnestly, “Please consider me seriously! I’m diligent, hardworking, and a fast learner! I really want to join your project team!”
Lu Yicheng was still recovering from what had just happened. The Beta standing before him smelled faintly of another person, and that alone was enough to unsettle him.
Then that same Beta had come in asking, “Did we sleep together?”, and had, in fact, clung to him all night the day before. His chest felt tight and strangely sour.
“I understand,” he said finally, his voice steady and professional.
Taking that as a promise, Shi You bowed in thanks, opened the door again, and slipped away as quietly as he could.
The atmosphere in room D-5A3 solidified once more. Zhang Beihan felt like an unnecessary bystander and was genuinely afraid that Lu Yicheng might turn his irritation on him next.
Lu Yicheng ran a hand through his hair, removed his glasses, and glanced toward Zhang Beihan, whose shoulders stiffened instantly.
Zhang Beihan zipped his lips dramatically and mimed locking them shut, signaling that he had seen and heard absolutely nothing.
“Still, Lu ge,” he muttered, curiosity winning over caution, “That little Beta seems troubled. Feels like he’s avoiding someone. He’s not being harassed again, is he?”
Lu Yicheng’s expression darkened slightly.
He flexed his wrist, the bones shifting as he pressed the stapler on his desk with a sharp click.
Outside the door, Shi You hesitated only a moment before deciding to take the opposite stairway, away from where he’d seen Han Xiao earlier.
It wasn’t that he was afraid, but that man was unpredictable. You never knew what kind of petty revenge he might think up.
Shi You quickened his pace, his footsteps light against the corridor floor. Just when he thought he was safe, he looked up and saw Han Xiao standing right in front of him, hand already reaching out to grab him.
“Shi You!” Han Xiao’s voice was low and sharp as his fingers closed around Shi You’s arm. “You really don’t care about my dignity, do you? You, ”
“Ahhh!”
Startled, Shi You swung the folder in his hands and smacked it squarely across Han Xiao’s face.
Han Xiao froze, speechless.
Shi You dropped the folder and bolted in the opposite direction without looking back.
“Shi You! Stop right there!” Han Xiao shouted, completely losing his usual calm composure as he chased after him furiously.
Unbelievable. This guy just wouldn’t give up.
“Help! Someone help me!” Shi You yelled as he ran. He couldn’t fight, but he could definitely run.
When he glanced back, the persistent Alpha was still chasing him. In his panic, Shi You didn’t notice a student coming from the other end carrying a large box. He crashed straight into them.
There was a loud thud.
Shi You tumbled to the floor with a pained grunt.
“Are you okay?” the student asked, alarmed, quickly setting the box down.
Shi You winced and rubbed his hip. “I’m fine, totally fine. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
The collision slowed him down just enough for Han Xiao to catch up. Seeing another person there, Han Xiao immediately slipped back into his polite facade. He smiled at the student and said, “Sorry, he’s just upset with me and accidentally bumped into you. My apologies.”
Shi You was speechless. “Who’s upset with you, you fake saint!”
He tried to get up but hissed in pain as a sharp sting shot up from his ankle.
“Ah…” He tried moving it and realized he had twisted it.
Han Xiao noticed his expression and crouched beside him with feigned concern. “Did you twist it? Let me take a look.”
“Don’t touch me.” Shi You’s face had gone pale. He bit his lip, the soft flesh turning red as he tried to endure the pain. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You’re as white as paper,” Han Xiao said smoothly. “You’re hurt, You’Er. Don’t make a scene. Let’s go to the infirmary together.”
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the back of Shi You’s neck. The inhibitor patch peeked faintly from beneath his collar, a flash of white against his skin. Why did he have that on? Did that mean Shi You was actually an Omega?
He frowned slightly. But there was no trace of Omega pheromones on him, only a lingering Alpha scent that clung to his skin, the kind that carried the warmth of intimacy.
Han Xiao’s lips curved faintly.
He glanced at the Beta student beside them, who was nervously gathering up the scattered boxes, then leaned closer to Shi You’s ear, releasing a thin, invasive thread of pheromones.
His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You’Er, don’t make this harder. If you keep this up, we’ll both be late. Why not behave and come with me?”
The student blinked in confusion. “Uh… it’s fine, really.”
Shi You wanted to curse but before he could, the moment Han Xiao’s hand settled on his shoulder, his body went rigid.
A foreign wave of pheromones crashed over him. His chest constricted painfully, heat rising uncontrollably beneath his skin. His legs trembled.
What was happening to him?
Han Xiao noticed his reaction and surprise flickered through his eyes before turning into satisfaction.
The Beta he’d bumped into earlier hadn’t reacted at all, yet Shi You’s body was trembling like this.
Shi You’s mind went blank. He clutched at his chest, gasping softly. His whole body ached, hormones surging out of control. Heat flooded his cheeks as a desperate thirst burned through him. He needed pheromones, he needed that scent from the deep woods in late autumn.
Han Xiao smiled faintly and leaned closer. “Come on, let’s go.”
Shi You’s entire body shook. He tried to push him away, but his limbs were too weak. Just as panic began to consume him,
He was suddenly lifted off the ground.
Han Xiao was yanked backward, his collar caught in a firm grip and slammed against the wall.
Shi You fell into a strong, cold embrace that carried the crisp scent of pine and winter air.
Han Xiao hadn’t even reacted when the pressure hit him like a wall. The man before him exuded an aura sharp enough to cut bone. One arm circled Shi You protectively, eyes dark and cold as steel.
“Lu… Lu Shixiong?” the Beta student stammered, stunned. Even Han Xiao froze.
Shi You trembled, overwhelmed by the heat still coursing through his veins. His body felt weak, his eyes rimmed red. Buried against Lu Yicheng’s shoulder, he whispered softly, “Yicheng…”
“Mm.”
Lu Yicheng inhaled the thick, chaotic pheromones surrounding him, his gaze deepening. Turning to the student, he said calmly, “Luo Hao, go ahead. I’ll take care of this.”
“Ah, yes, of course,” Luo Hao said quickly, bowing his head.
Only then did he realize who these people were, the infamous “two Alphas and one Beta” trio everyone had been gossiping about lately.
So this Beta was that rumored boyfriend of Lu Shixiong’s.
It was front-row scandal material, but the atmosphere was too terrifying to linger. Luo Hao didn’t dare stay another second and fled after muttering, “Please take care of him, Shixiong. If there are any medical expenses, I’ll cover them.”
Han Xiao, still reeling, tried to speak but his knees buckled and he dropped to the floor.
The sharp, commanding scent of pine and snow blanketed the corridor. The dominance of an Alpha like Lu Yicheng was absolute. Han Xiao’s own pheromones were crushed into nothing.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to lift his head, but the pressure was suffocating. This was the natural order among Alphas, the strong devoured the weak.
“Lu Yicheng, you don’t understand,” he forced out with a strained smile. “You’Er twisted his ankle. I was only trying to help.”
Lu Yicheng’s expression didn’t change. His voice was quiet but sharp as a blade. “A good Samaritan doesn’t leave inducive pheromones on someone else.”
Han Xiao froze.
His mind reeled as he remembered the faint scent lingering on Shi You. That gentle warmth, the pheromones clinging to the inhibitor patch, it wasn’t his own.
It was Lu Yicheng’s cold, clean scent of evergreen and snow.
The realization struck hard. So Shi You really had caught Lu Yicheng’s attention.
“You… you two… did you…?” The question escaped him, bitter and ugly.
The air turned frigid. Han Xiao no longer cared about keeping up appearances. Pride wounded, he grasped at the last scraps of dignity.
Lu Yicheng’s answer was calm, cutting, and final. “And if we did?”
In the dim corridor light, his expression was lazy yet dangerous. The veins in his hand stood out as he covered the patch on Shi You’s neck, fingers brushing over the faintly flushed skin beneath the fabric.
His eyes swept over Han Xiao, cold and indifferent. “What does it have to do with you?”
Han Xiao’s last shred of pride crumbled completely.
“Don’t think coercing a Beta comes without consequences,” Lu Yicheng said, his voice low as ice. “If I wanted to send you to the police, it wouldn’t take much effort. Be smart and stay away from Shi You.”
The Beta in his arms trembled, clearly frightened by the clash of pheromones.
Lu Yicheng shifted his hold, pressing Shi You’s head gently against his shoulder. His palm rested on the back of Shi You’s head, fingers moving in slow, soothing circles through his hair.
Without another glance at Han Xiao, he turned and carried Shi You away from the suffocating air.
Shi You clung weakly to his shirt, fingers curling into the fabric. His ankle throbbed and the fading rush of heat left him exhausted. Tears welled faintly at the corners of his eyes.
“It hurts, Yicheng,” he murmured, voice trembling.
Instinctively, he nuzzled closer, seeking comfort from the steady pulse of pheromones around him. Lu Yicheng didn’t hold back this time; his scent flowed gently, wrapping Shi You in quiet warmth.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” he said softly.
And maybe it didn’t. Maybe it was just that, with this as an excuse, Lu Yicheng finally had a reason to let their pheromones intertwine again.
The little Beta relaxed gradually in his arms, breathing slowly. His lashes fluttered, still damp. When his small hand slid down and brushed against Lu Yicheng’s palm, the touch startled him. Without thinking, he caught Shi You’s hand, cool fingers closing around the smaller, trembling ones.
“Always getting bullied and never saying a word,” Lu Yicheng sighed quietly, coaxing like he would a child. “If I hadn’t shown up, who knows where you’d be now.”
Shi You pouted. “How was I supposed to know he’d be so shameless? Who could’ve predicted I’d run into him?”
“Still got plenty to say,” Lu Yicheng said with faint amusement. “Does your foot still hurt?”
Shi You’s eyes shimmered. “It’s okay now.”
“You sure it doesn’t hurt?”
“…Maybe a little.”
“The infirmary’s closed on weekends. I’ll take you home and treat it there,” Lu Yicheng said, frowning slightly at the lingering trace of Han Xiao’s pheromones on him. “You should take a shower too.”
Shi You nodded obediently, though embarrassment flickered across his face. “Um, Yicheng…”
Lu Yicheng glanced down at him.
“Sorry about yesterday,” Shi You said softly. “I had a heat episode and wasn’t thinking straight. I troubled you for so long and even took your bed. And now you’re helping me again. If you’re busy, I can ask a friend to pick me up instead.”
Lu Yicheng frowned. “That Omega friend of yours, can he even carry you?”
Shi You rubbed his hands awkwardly. “I have Alpha friends too…”
Lu Yicheng almost laughed from frustration. He remembered all too well the sight of Shi You being held in another Alpha’s arms, covered in someone else’s scent. The memory burned with jealousy he didn’t dare admit.
Shi You noticed his silence and thought he was annoyed. “Actually, I could also… ”
“Quiet,” Lu Yicheng interrupted sharply. “If you call another Alpha to pick you up, forget about joining the project team.”
Shi You’s eyes widened. That was a very effective threat. “Okay, okay! Sir! Responsible and honorable Sir Lu! Please take me home! And don’t forget to consider me for the project. I’ll work hard, I promise!”
Lu Yicheng finally looked a little satisfied. He helped him up, but when he met those bright, pleading eyes again, he couldn’t resist asking, “Anything else you want to say?”
Shi You blinked innocently. “Well, yes. You said earlier that we… did it.”
He tilted his head slightly. “So… what exactly did we do?”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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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