Lu Yicheng was never the kind of man to argue with someone who was drunk.
For example, whenever he drank with his friends, there was always Jiang Yanbai, the one who seemed to fall in and out of love every other week.
The moment he got drunk, he would start sobbing miserably, clutching whoever was nearest while crying out, “Darling, please don’t leave me.”
And when that “darling” happened to be Lu Yicheng, he would simply give him two quick slaps, knock him out cold, and send him home.
He didn’t take the drunken nonsense of others seriously.
But this time was different.
His pulse lost its rhythm for a moment, and he felt an unfamiliar rush of confusion. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and that unclear, soft voice hit him squarely in the chest, brushing against a place he had thought was long hardened.
Shi You’s delicate tendrils hovered in the air for a second. Seeing that Lu Yicheng hadn’t reacted, the soft filaments brushed lightly against him again.
“What are you thinking about?”
He probably didn’t even realize how soft his voice sounded. “Do you… want to keep me?”
It was raining, and on rainy days the mycelium always seemed more energetic. Every single thread wanted to wriggle closer to Lu Yicheng, seeking warmth and presence.
Lu Yicheng was momentarily thrown off balance. His breath grew heavy, rough around the edges, and he stood completely still, allowing those tentative touches to test the limits of his self-control.
But he couldn’t hold out for long.
The warmth around him kept rising. His mind began to haze as though steam had blurred the edges of his thoughts.
Outwardly, he looked calm and unmoved, but inside, he had already lost count of how many times his composure shattered and rebuilt itself.
Before him, the little mushroom still looked guileless, head slightly tilted, eyes filled with quiet curiosity and a trace of innocent pleading. He was far too well-behaved.
“Hold my hand.”
Those were the first words Lu Yicheng spoke. His tone was low and restrained, yet the faint invitation in it tugged softly at the air. He crooked a finger at Shi You.
The Alpha’s hand was large and beautifully shaped, with long, clean fingers and a distinct bone structure.
The mushroom blinked, his thoughts drifting. He probably thought Lu Yicheng wanted to play with his tendrils again.
What was so interesting about that?
Still, Shi You obediently extended a few filaments and placed them in the center of Lu Yicheng’s palm.
The touch was soft and strange all at once, slick and warm, but with a faint coolness at the tips, like the chill of fingertips after touching glass. The pale pink shimmer of the mycelium reminded him of a piece of delicate crystal cake, translucent and tender.
Each time his skin brushed it, a shiver trembled through the fine threads.
But gradually, the trembling lessened. It was as if the touch itself was learning, adjusting, growing accustomed.
Now, even when he pressed, kneaded, or intertwined their fingers, the tendrils no longer flinched but wrapped around his hand with a shy curiosity.
Lu Yicheng found himself oddly entertained.
Although, truthfully speaking, those tendrils were Shi You’s most sensitive parts.
The man’s rough fingertips brushed and traced over them, pressing gently, exploring with a teasing precision that made Shi You’s mind go blank.
He dared not make a sound, yet the sensation left him flushed and frustrated, caught between shame and something else entirely.
He snapped, voice soft yet trembling, “You keep touching me. Then I want to touch you too!”
Lu Yicheng looked at him with calm indifference, still holding the tendrils. He didn’t stop the others that had already wound around his arm, shoulder, and waist. “Go ahead,” he said quietly.
Shi You froze for a moment.
Then his tendrils began to move, slithering over Lu Yicheng in small, searching motions, circling his arms and brushing against the curve of his abdomen.
Lu Yicheng remained perfectly composed, as if nothing about this was out of the ordinary, in fact, he almost seemed to be enjoying it.
The Alpha patiently observed the cluster of filaments that had coiled themselves around his arm like a living bracelet. Shi You caught a faint whiff of pheromones, the scent of quiet satisfaction.
And Lu Yicheng’s gaze… it was dangerous. It felt as though, at any moment, he might lean forward and bite down.
“Yicheng…” Shi You’s lips parted slightly. The words rolled around his tongue before he finally asked, “Do you… like tentacle play?”
Lu Yicheng froze.
The air thickened immediately, and the scent in the room grew stronger. Holding the soft, slippery tendrils in his hand, he caught a trace of sweetness drifting into the air, light, creamy, and familiar.
It was that faint aroma of cream. But lunch and the chestnut cake from earlier had already been cleared away.
Lu Yicheng’s eyes darkened. He patted the space beside him. “Come here.”
Shi You hesitated, but in the end, he walked over and sat down.
Lu Yicheng studied him for a few seconds, then leaned in slightly. His hand reached out, pressing gently on the back of Shi You’s neck, and he bent down until his nose brushed the curve of his throat.
He inhaled lightly.
The faint sweetness bloomed immediately, creamy, smooth, intoxicating.
It was the scent of an Omega.
Could it be that Shi You was an Omega?
It wasn’t impossible. Late differentiation wasn’t rare, especially since Shi You had such a unique, fungal constitution, coupled with what he called his “nurturing effect.”
There was every chance that a delayed secondary differentiation might occur.
“Shi You,” Lu Yicheng said softly, “I think you should go to the hospital and get checked.”
The living room fell silent.
A long moment passed before Shi You’s eyes reddened. His voice came out small and awkward. “You’re scolding me…”
Lu Yicheng blinked. “I didn’t scold you.”
Shi You’s eyes turned redder, as if on the verge of tears. Lu Yicheng hurried to explain, “I really didn’t.”
“You did,” Shi You muttered stubbornly. “You told me to go to the hospital. You must have thought I was sick all along.”
That logic left Lu Yicheng momentarily speechless. He rubbed his temples, exhaling slowly.
“No. I didn’t think that,” he said patiently. “I’m saying this because I noticed some Omega characteristics in you. It would be best to have it checked out, just in case it’s a secondary differentiation.”
“Omega?” Shi You blinked in confusion.
“Yes,” Lu Yicheng said. “But maybe I’m wrong. You…”
Before he could finish, Shi You suddenly caught his hand. His eyes were bright, reflecting both uncertainty and the haze of alcohol.
“Then… if I’m really a mushroom,” he said slowly, “and I also turn out to be an Omega… would you want to keep me?”
Lu Yicheng was silent.
He was starting to think this mushroom had a personal vendetta against him, or perhaps he simply refused to give up on the idea of being “raised.” Either way, it was clear that Shi You really wanted to be with him.
The tendrils curled closer, brushing softly against his skin. The air filled with a sweet fragrance tinged faintly with alcohol, light and dizzying, wrapping around Lu Yicheng’s senses like a soft, teasing hand.
“Shi You, listen to me.”
Lu Yicheng steadied him by the shoulders, looking at his flushed face, his voice gentle and low. “You’re drunk right now. You’re not thinking clearly.”
“And if I agree to something you say while you’re drunk,” he continued, “that would be irresponsible of me.”
He spoke slowly, carefully, each word heavy with restraint. “If you still remember this tomorrow, then come find me again. I’ll give you a serious answer then. All right?”
Shi You stared at him, eyes wide.
The Alpha’s voice was deep, his tone calm and solid, and his gaze carried that quiet, unwavering warmth that could melt resistance. Looking into those eyes, Shi You felt something inside him soften completely.
Even if he didn’t understand what the word “dependence” truly meant, he knew he felt safe with him.
After a moment of silence, Shi You nodded. “Okay.”
Lu Yicheng finally exhaled, relief flickering in his eyes. He was about to guide the tipsy mushroom back to bed when a series of loud knocks suddenly rattled the front door.
*Bang* *Bang*
“YouEr! YouEr, are you all right?”
It was Bai Yuanshan’s voice.
“What do you mean you ran into some idiot, sprained your ankle, and now can’t even come out to eat? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did you hand in your assignment?”
Shi You jolted like he had been electrocuted. All his tendrils immediately shrank back in panic.
He slapped Lu Yicheng’s shoulder in alarm. “It’s Shanshan! Shanshan’s here! You have to hide!”
Lu Yicheng frowned, confused. “Why should I hide?”
“I don’t know how to explain it!” Shi You’s mind was a complete mess. He wasn’t even sure what he was saying. “You haven’t even agreed to be my host yet, how am I supposed to explain if she sees you?”
“Where exactly am I supposed to hide?” Lu Yicheng asked, half amused, half exasperated. The little mushroom tugged weakly at his sleeve, but there was no real strength behind it; Lu Yicheng only let himself be pulled for show.
Teasing lightly, he said, “Should I climb back through the balcony?”
Shi You shook his head instantly. “No! It’s raining outside. That’s too dangerous. I can’t let you do that.”
Even though he said that his hands betrayed him, he still pushed Lu Yicheng toward the balcony, eyes filled with worry as he added softly, “But if you really must, please be careful when you climb down.”
Lu Yicheng could only laugh, helpless.
Outside, Bai Yuanshan was still pounding furiously on the door. “Shi You! Are you in there? Are you still alive? Don’t scare me! Open up, quick!”
“Careful,” Shi You whispered, watching as Lu Yicheng vaulted smoothly across the balcony railing and disappeared toward his own apartment in 802.
For some reason, maybe panic, maybe the rush of adrenaline, his heart was hammering wildly, so loud he thought it might burst out of his chest.
Lu Yicheng hadn’t imagined that there would come a day when he’d have to climb balconies just to avoid someone.
The rain has nearly stopped now. Only a few drops clung to the leaves of the evergreens outside, sliding down with a soft patter.
In the distance, a heavy violet cloud stretched across the sky, its edges sliced into uneven shapes by the dimming light.
He suddenly found the once-annoying rain rather endearing. It had, after all, given him this ridiculous, strangely memorable moment.
After he landed safely, he turned back for one last glance.
Shi You was still standing there, framed by the gray-blue glow of the sky. The soft light blurred his usual liveliness, leaving a faint, distant beauty in its place.
Yet those eyes, still bright, still smiling, burned against Lu Yicheng’s gaze, as if nothing between them had changed at all.
“Lu Yicheng,” Shi You called, his smile gentle, “….see you tomorrow.”
……..
Bai Yuanshan had nearly died of fright.
When Shi You finally opened the door after an eternity of shuffling and hesitation, Bai Yuanshan was ready to kick it down. The moment he saw him, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Good heavens! The Beta was drunk!
He had seen Shi You drink before, one glass and he’d be gone. Sometimes not even a full glass.
Once he started drinking, he’d turn completely dazed, cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple, an easy target for Alpha attention. Bai Yuanshan had sworn never to let him drink again.
“What happened? You’re drinking alone now?”
“Did you get dumped? No way, right? Did someone bully you? And your ankle, does it still hurt? Wait, don’t tell me it was Han Xiao! That bastard tried to get you drunk and take advantage of you, didn’t he?!”
Bai Yuanshan’s imagination could give a novelist a run for their money, but Shi You didn’t hear a word. He waved weakly, greeted him with a dazed little smile, and promptly collapsed face-first onto his pillow, fast asleep.
Bai Yuanshan sighed and stayed to watch over him. Later that afternoon, their friend Ran Huainian showed up, bringing a doctor to look at Shi You’s ankle.
The little mushroom didn’t stir once during all the commotion, completely dead to the world.
The doctor examined him and nodded. “The ankle’s fine. It’s been treated promptly and quite well, actually. Whoever took care of him knows what they’re doing, good basic medical skills.”
Bai Yuanshan and Ran Huainian exchanged bewildered looks.
That definitely hadn’t been Shi You.
“Then who?” Bai Yuanshan muttered. “No way it was Han Xiao. If that guy shows up again, I swear I’ll peel his skin off.”
“Maybe he went to the clinic downstairs?” Ran Huainian offered. “There’s one right by the building.”
“Then what about the alcohol? Why did he even drink?”
“…”
The couple gave up trying to figure it out. Whatever it was, it could wait. They tucked Shi You in, left a note on the table, and quietly slipped out.
When Shi You finally woke up, it was already the next morning.
The sky had cleared; crisp autumn sunlight poured through the windows, warm and golden.
He sat in bed for three whole minutes, staring blankly before his foggy mind began piecing together fragments of last night. Then, like a lightning bolt, everything came rushing back.
Hadn’t Lu Yicheng told him to come find him again when he was sober?
Did that mean… that Lu Yicheng might actually be willing to be his host?
Would he really agree to let him stay, to let him “nurture” with him?
The thought made Shi You’s heart race. He snatched up his phone immediately and saw two unread messages.
[Lu Yicheng: Morning experiment class.]
[Lu Yicheng: Rest well.]
Oh no. He couldn’t wait a second longer.
Shi You jumped out of bed, discovering with delight that his ankle felt much better, walking didn’t even hurt anymore. He had to go now. He had to ask Lu Yicheng properly.
It was his first time ever asking someone to become his host, and he was so nervous his hands were trembling.
He spent ages in front of his closet, trying on outfit after outfit, until he finally chose a fresh, soft-looking ensemble that made him look like a dewdrop come to life. He even wore the necklace that Yu Jingyue had given him.
Shi You was naturally good-looking, and after dressing up, he turned heads the moment he stepped outside.
As he walked, he started worrying, was it rude to show up empty-handed? After all, Lu Yicheng was going to be his future host, his most important one.
Bringing food didn’t seem appropriate, and he wanted to personally take Lu Yicheng shopping for clothes someday. So he thought for a moment, then turned into a flower shop by the corner.
“Hello,” he said politely. “I’d like to buy a bouquet of flowers.”
The florist looked up from arranging chrysanthemums and smiled warmly. “Of course! Who’s the lucky person?”
Shi You hesitated for a moment before answering honestly, “Someone very important. I want to tell them something very important.”
“Ohhh…” The shop owner gave him a knowing look, taking in his shy, well-dressed appearance. A beautiful young Beta, clearly on his way to confess his feelings.
How adorable, she thought, and how pure.
“Got it,” she said, already reaching for the freshest blooms. “I’ll make you the most beautiful bouquet of roses.”
“Roses?” Shi You blinked. Wouldn’t that be a bit too much?
But then he imagined Lu Yicheng’s calm, handsome face, and decided it wasn’t too much at all. Roses suited him perfectly.
He paid, thanked the florist, and left with the bouquet cradled carefully in his arms, heading straight for the biology building where Lu Yicheng usually taught his experiments.
Pretty things always drew attention, and Shi You was dazzling today.
During a break in the plant biology lab, a few students gazing out the window spotted him at once.
“Hey hey hey!” someone gasped. “Isn’t that the gorgeous Beta from the art department?”
Within seconds, half the class had crowded around the windows.
“Wait, that’s the one from the rumors, right? Lu Laoshi’s rumored boyfriend?”
“Yeah! It’s really him! He’s so beautiful! He and Lu Laoshi are a perfect match!”
“Oh my god, look at him! So cute! And he’s holding roses! Dressed so nicely too!”
“Ahhhh! He’s carrying flowers! Don’t tell me he’s here to confess!”
The chatter filled the lab like wildfire. Just then, the door opened, and Lu Yicheng walked in. The tall Alpha stopped short when he saw everyone pressed against the windows.
“What’s going on?” he asked coolly, rapping his knuckles against the frame.
“Lu Laoshi!” one brave soul shouted, grinning, “Your little boyfriend’s here to confess to you!”
Lu Yicheng froze.
Outside, Shi You couldn’t understand why so many people were staring at him as he walked past. Their expressions ranged from curious to mischievous, but all were oddly knowing.
He reached the lab door and poked his head in, voice small and cautious. “Excuse me… is Lu Yicheng here?”
“He’s here, he’s here!” a student answered immediately, turning back to yell inside, “Teacher Lu, Shi You’s here!”
A wave of cheers erupted. “Yoooooo!!!”
The room exploded into laughter and teasing.
Someone shouted, “He brought flowers!”
“Real flowers! Look at those roses!”
“Ahhhh, they’re roses! Oh my god this is too cute!”
Shi You blinked in confusion.
Why was everyone so excited? Wasn’t it just a bouquet of flowers?
He frowned slightly, puzzled. These people studied plants, surely they’d seen flowers before?
By then, Lu Yicheng had been half-pushed, half-dragged to the front. The tall Alpha stood before him, calm and composed as ever, his glasses glinting faintly under the fluorescent light.
His posture was straight, his face expressionless, but the faint helplessness in his eyes betrayed him.
He lowered his gaze to look at the Beta standing there, arms full of roses, cheeks tinged pink. And despite himself, he found it endearing.
“Awake now?” His voice was clear and cool, yet soft as it reached Shi You’s ears through the hum of laughter around them. “Is your ankle better? Why aren’t you resting at home?”
*Thump*
The moment hung still in the air, charged with something that made Shi You’s heart beat violently against his ribs. His grip on the bouquet tightened. For a second, he nearly forgot why he’d even come.
The teasing voices around them quieted down a little, but whispers still buzzed. Some students nudged each other, whispering excitedly, “Say it! Say it already!”
Shi You’s face turned crimson. He pressed his lips together, hesitating, then finally looked up, meeting Lu Yicheng’s eyes with trembling determination.
“I… I couldn’t wait any longer…” he said softly, voice quivering like a spark about to catch flame.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
This translator has been caught working for free again. Scandalous.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← 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