Shi You hadn’t known that Lu Yicheng was teaching the freshmen’s lab class today. He thought he was just here to work with Zhang Beihan’s research group. Who would have guessed there would be so many people?
The group of college students were openly curious, staring at him with bright, inquisitive eyes, as if wondering who this stranger was, and whether they could have the flowers he was holding too.
There were so many people…
Shi You hugged the bouquet tightly, his other hand tugging lightly at the hem of Lu Yicheng’s coat. His translucent eyes glimmered with unease as he whispered softly, “Can we talk somewhere else?”
How could they talk about mushrooms here, of all places?
His voice was soft and sweet, carrying a faint, pleading lilt that to Lu Yicheng’s ears sounded suspiciously like he was acting cute. The pink flush on Shi You’s cheeks and his darting glances only deepened that impression.
Lu Yicheng stared at him for a long moment, his gaze growing darker and heavier, until Shi You began to tremble under it.
What a strange little thing, so bold and so timid at the same time.
But Lu Yicheng didn’t want to scare him off. If he ran away again, then what?
After a pause, Lu Yicheng turned and swept his gaze across the noisy lab. The students, who had been whispering excitedly and sneaking glances at the unexpected scene, fell silent at once.
The calm, commanding presence of an Alpha was enough to make the entire room go still.
Finally, there was peace.
Shi You couldn’t see any of this, Lu Yicheng stood in front of him, shielding him completely. When the world went quiet around him, he finally remembered why he’d come in the first place.
He tugged lightly at Lu Yicheng’s hand, and under that man’s deep, unreadable gaze, pulled him away.
Of course, Shi You had no idea where they were going.
He led Lu Yicheng down the hallway for a while, and when the sound of voices faded behind them, he stopped and turned around.
The Beta was dressed simply but neatly today, a school-style hoodie with sky-blue stripes, the hood drooping softly against his shoulders.
His legs were long and straight, his skin fair, lips red, teeth white. The stray lock of hair that fell over his forehead swayed lightly when he moved, making him look almost unbearably fresh and charming.
Shi You’s nose twitched slightly, and his eyes sparkled. In a small, aggrieved tone, he said, “Isn’t today the weekend? You science students still have classes?”
Lu Yicheng looked down at him. Today, Shi You looked especially beautiful, especially those two lips, plump and soft, gleaming faintly as if they’d been brushed with honey.
“You dressed up on purpose today?” Lu Yicheng asked quietly.
“I did,” Shi You replied with a bright smile. “Do I look good?”
Lu Yicheng’s eyes lingered on those lips. His expression softened, and after a brief pause, his voice dropped low and warm. “You do.”
Shi You’s eyes lit up even more, round and gleaming like a little hamster’s.
It seemed Lu Yicheng was in a good mood today, he actually complimented him.
Seizing the opportunity, Shi You decided to press his luck while the moment was right. Maybe, if he pushed just a little, he could win over his future host completely and save himself a lot of time later.
He took a deep breath, straightened his back, clenched his fists for courage, and when he looked up, he met Lu Yicheng’s dark, fathomless gaze head-on.
His brain blanked instantly.
All the touching lines he had prepared twisted in his throat and tangled up into a nervous mess.
For some reason, he suddenly felt shy. The invitation, something that shouldn’t have been difficult for a mushroom, now seemed laced with warmth and tension.
Shi You’s tongue darted out nervously to wet his lips.
“Yicheng,” he said softly, “I came to ask you again… would you like to raise a mushroom?”
His voice was gentle and tender, like a warm spring breeze.
The pretty Beta held out the flowers in his hands, the blush on his cheeks deepening as he whispered, “Would you be willing to be my host?”
Lu Yicheng’s expression shifted completely.
The roses in Shi You’s hands were vivid and bright, their delicate petals a sharp contrast to the soft pink flush on his face. The light spilling in through the hallway windows gilded his features in a warm, golden glow.
This was, without a doubt, the most unusual confession Lu Yicheng had ever received.
Not “Do you want to date me?”
Not “Can you be my boyfriend?”
But “Would you be my host?”
What kind of confession was that?
And the person making it was standing there looking both pure and shy, so nervous that his ears were red. His voice trembled as he urged, “Why aren’t you saying anything? You’ve been thinking for a while now, can you answer faster? I’m nervous.”
Lu Yicheng blinked. Every single word, every small movement of this little mushroom, was tugging straight at his heartstrings.
Shi You was indeed anxious. What should have been a simple two-sentence confirmation had turned into a fumbling, nerve-racking ordeal. His hands were trembling slightly around the bouquet. What if Lu Yicheng found him annoying?
Lu Yicheng’s gaze stayed locked on him, eyes burning so intensely that Shi You almost felt scorched. The little mushroom tilted his face upward, his round eyes glistening, his flushed ears and exposed collarbone turning an even deeper shade of red as he tried his best to hold the Alpha’s gaze.
Lu Yicheng couldn’t help it, he found the sight both funny and irresistibly endearing. He finally reached out and took the flowers from Shi You’s hands, his voice softer than it had ever been before. “Alright.”
If it was Shi You, then there was no problem with being together.
Shi You froze on the spot, blinking blankly for a few seconds.
His host was so handsome.
His host’s voice was so gentle.
His host’s smile was breathtaking.
The mushroom was over the moon.
Overcome with joy, Shi You threw himself into Lu Yicheng’s arms, rubbing his soft face against the Alpha’s neck, his tone sticky and sweet as he murmured, “Hehe, I’m so happy.”
Lu Yicheng’s nerves tingled from the contact, his heartbeat stumbling as the little mushroom’s affection melted him into a puddle. Just as he was about to return the embrace and wrap the clinging boy in his arms, Shi You suddenly let go.
Lu Yicheng blinked in confusion.
The mushroom was still grinning brightly as he stepped back and said, “Then I’ll head back now.”
Lu Yicheng wondered if he had heard wrong.
Shi You really looked like he was about to leave. Alarmed, Lu Yicheng reached out and caught his wrist. “Where are you going?”
“Back to do my homework,” Shi You said seriously.
Lu Yicheng was speechless.
Homework?
He had just confessed, they were officially together, and now he wanted to go home and do homework?
What was this little creature thinking?
Shi You blinked innocently, completely unaware of anything strange. Now that Lu Yicheng had agreed to be his host, everything was settled, right?
He didn’t have any urgent need for warmth at the moment, so there was no reason to hang around.
Besides, he’d only be disturbing his host’s class.
Lu Yicheng still hadn’t let go, his fingers tight around Shi You’s wrist.
Shi You blushed immediately, the warmth of that grip spreading up his arm. “It… it hurts a little…”
Lu Yicheng paused, then sighed softly. He loosened his hold and rubbed Shi You’s cold palm gently with his thumb.
Shi You’s skin was ticklish. The touch made him flinch, his voice soft and weak. “That tickles…”
Lu Yicheng instantly lost all ability to be stern.
His face remained composed, his jawline sharp, but his gaze softened until it was almost molten, quietly studying Shi You as if he wanted to see straight through him.
He looked a bit like a big, droopy-eyed dog.
Wait, was the host being clingy too?
Shi You’s long lashes fluttered. He patted the back of Lu Yicheng’s hand in a coaxing manner and said sweetly, “I’ll keep you company, okay?”
“You go to class, and I’ll wait for you to finish. Then we can have lunch together, how about that?”
Lu Yicheng’s mood lifted instantly. He was still a little exasperated, but overall, the little mushroom was too adorable to stay upset with. Maybe he was just shy since they had only just started dating.
Understandable.
And honestly, when it came to Shi You, Lu Yicheng could accept anything.
So the obedient little mushroom ended up in Lu Yicheng’s office, using his laptop to write his assignments. While Lu Yicheng was away, he heard cheers and applause from the nearby lab.
Shi You didn’t think much of it. That must mean Lu Yicheng’s lecture went really well. His students must like him a lot.
He quickly went back to typing up his paper, already daydreaming about where they might go for lunch later.
When Lu Yicheng finished his class, he dismissed the noisy group of students and returned to the office to find Shi You.
The mushroom had finished his paper and was now scrolling through restaurant options, so focused that he didn’t even notice Lu Yicheng coming in.
Lu Yicheng walked up behind him, and his fingers brushed lightly against Shi You’s cheek as he called softly, “Shi You.”
Shi You felt the faint pulse of pheromones at his cheek, the gentle, cool scent of fir trees winding softly through the air.
He lifted his head, bright and cheerful like a little hamster, and looked up at the man standing behind him. “Host, you’re done with work already?”
“Mm,” Lu Yicheng replied quietly, though his brow twitched slightly at that title.
Host.
The first time he’d ever heard that word was when Shi You had been drunk. The little Beta had mumbled then that he wanted to meet someone he could rely on, a “host” who would care for him.
Now, as Lu Yicheng looked down at the smiling boy in front of him, he couldn’t help reaching out to pinch his soft chin between his fingers. “Is ‘host’ some special word that mushrooms use?” he asked.
Special word?
Shi You blinked and thought about it. Humans didn’t really use that term. They didn’t need a fixed person to provide warmth and energy, after all.
But finding a replacement word that made sense was hard. After a moment, he nodded honestly. “Mm, yes.”
Lu Yicheng nodded, as if that explained everything.
It made sense. This was his first relationship too, and his partner wasn’t even human. The least he could do was respect the other’s way of expressing affection. If “host” was the word Shi You liked to use, he could understand that.
Shi You leaned back against the sofa, tilting his head and opening his mouth to speak again. “Host…”
He didn’t get to finish before a large hand gently covered his lips.
Lu Yicheng’s dark eyes deepened, his Adam’s apple shifting slightly as he swallowed down his own restraint. After a moment of silence, his voice came out low and rough. “Just call me like you used to.”
That word, host, it sounded dangerously suggestive. Too much like… something out of a certain kind of fantasy he shouldn’t be having.
Shi You blinked and nodded obediently.
He would, of course, do whatever Lu Yicheng liked.
When Lu Yicheng finally let go, he found his mind drifting for a moment, thinking about how soft those lips had been against his palm. Then, suppressing the thought, he said in a calm, deep voice, “Let’s go have lunch.”
After lunch, Lu Yicheng drove them home.
Shi You had wanted to walk, but Lu Yicheng still worried about his injured foot. No matter how Shi You protested, the Alpha simply lifted him up and carried him to the car without a word.
“Walking a little won’t hurt. I think my foot’s fine now,” Shi You muttered under his breath.
“If it starts hurting later, don’t complain,” Lu Yicheng said as he fastened Shi You’s seatbelt for him. “Did you eat enough?”
“Not really,” Shi You said, smiling a little. “But walking home would mean I could spend more time with you.”
Lu Yicheng didn’t reply. His gaze dropped instead to the folds of fabric around Shi You’s seatbelt. The hoodie he wore was soft and loose, but the belt pressed it close against his body, outlining a delicate curve.
The sight of him sitting there so naturally, saying sweet and ambiguous things without even realizing it, made something twist deep in Lu Yicheng’s chest.
His eyes lingered on him. The mushroom’s expression was pure and open, his movements unguarded.
But if one leaned in a little closer, if one pressed forward, that soft skin would blush immediately, his breath would tremble, and he’d make those faint, breathy noises that drove Lu Yicheng half mad, all while still having the nerve to whisper for him to keep his eyes on the road.
Lu Yicheng’s gaze roamed slowly from Shi You’s forehead down to his mouth. Those lips were slightly parted, plump and rosy.
They looked very kissable.
He could imagine it perfectly, though his expression stayed completely calm. It was fine to think about it, Shi You was his boyfriend now. Wanting to kiss him wasn’t a crime.
After a long pause, Lu Yicheng reached out and ran his hand through Shi You’s hair. “Let’s go home,” he said evenly.
While the car rolled through the quiet streets, Shi You was having his own internal struggle.
He wasn’t feeling well again. Not because of his foot, though that probably played a part, but because his body felt slightly off.
Injuries weakened a mushroom’s natural immunity, and even though he’d spent some time with Lu Yicheng recently, it seemed he still hadn’t absorbed enough warmth.
Pheromones were something Betas couldn’t usually sense well, and even with his mushroom physiology, Shi You wasn’t always sensitive to it. He could feel Lu Yicheng’s presence nearby, but it wasn’t quite enough. His body itched for more contact.
How could he get closer to him later?
Technically, they were already bonded. But asking for warmth still felt a little embarrassing.
By the time they reached the underground parking garage, Shi You’s foot was steady enough that he could walk on his own, so Lu Yicheng didn’t carry him this time. They strolled side by side toward the elevator.
Shi You stayed close, shoulder brushing his arm but never fully leaning in. The difference in their heights was still striking, Lu Yicheng was nearly fifteen centimeters taller, his shoulders broad and his legs long, while Shi You’s smaller frame looked soft and delicate beside him, his build fine-boned and graceful.
No wonder Lu Yicheng could lift him so easily with one hand.
Shi You’s warmth was reaching a tricky threshold, neither painful nor comfortable, just restless enough to make him crave contact. A little intimacy would fix it.
What could he do?
He peeked up at Lu Yicheng, head tilting once, twice, as if gauging his reaction. Then, almost shyly, he began inching closer until his shoulder brushed against the Alpha’s arm. When he felt close enough, he let his fingertips lightly graze the back of Lu Yicheng’s hand.
Those hands were beautiful. The same hands that had once handled his tentacles so carefully.
Lu Yicheng glanced down, instantly aware of the subtle movements. The little mushroom’s every thought was written all over his face, it was impossible not to notice.
He wants to hold hands, huh?
Is he trying to act cute?
It’s… actually kind of adorable.
Sure enough, once they were in the elevator, Shi You finally gathered his courage. “Yicheng,” he asked softly, “can I hold your hand?”
Such a polite little question. There was no way Lu Yicheng could refuse.
He turned his hand and interlaced their fingers without hesitation.
The Alpha’s palm was warm, hot even, and it enveloped Shi You’s smaller hand completely. There wasn’t a single gap between them. The fir-scented pheromones flowed quietly across their skin, wrapping Shi You in a comforting warmth.
Shi You’s whole body relaxed at once. Finally, he could breathe again.
He beamed and, in his excitement, brought up his other hand to clasp Lu Yicheng’s as well.
The pose was a little awkward. Both his hands clutching Lu Yicheng’s like a handshake that had gone on too long. But Lu Yicheng didn’t mind. He just thought Shi You was happy.
And if holding hands made him this happy, then he was an easy little thing to please.
Lu Yicheng thought this with a small smile, touching his own lips thoughtfully. For a moment, his expression flickered, half restrained, half indulgent.
The elevator chimed. Eighth floor.
Shi You still hadn’t let go. “Do you want to come over to my place for a bit, Yicheng?”
Lu Yicheng met his gaze. “Come to mine,” he said. “I already have the humidifier running.”
At the mention of a humidifier, Shi You’s eyes brightened. “Okay! Then let’s go to your place.”
Once they stepped inside, it felt natural to finally release each other’s hands.
Lu Yicheng gestured for Shi You to sit on the sofa. He went around turning on the air conditioner and adjusting the humidifier, carefully setting both temperature and humidity to the ideal range for mushroom well-being.
Then he crouched to check Shi You’s foot. The swelling had mostly gone down, nothing serious anymore.
The air in the apartment was rich with Lu Yicheng’s scent, a subtle mix of wood and cold fir, soothing and steady. Shi You felt instantly better here than he ever did outside. The room was saturated with warmth that was uniquely his host’s.
Lu Yicheng went to log some data for the plants he was cultivating at home, then poured Shi You a cup of hot tea before leaving him to rest for a while.
Shi You felt wonderfully spoiled, his mood soaring.
Then, without warning, his phone buzzed.
[ Bai Yuanshan: You’er?!!! ]
[ Bai Yuanshan: You really went to find Lu Yicheng with a bouquet of roses???!!! ]
The string of exclamation marks nearly filled the screen. Shi You blinked, confused how his friend even knew about it, and typed back:
[ Miracle Youyou: Yeah ]
[ Miracle Youyou: It went really well! Super smooth! ]
[ Bai Yuanshan: Oh my god, you’re amazing, sweetheart! ]
[ Bai Yuanshan: My little Beta actually managed to win over the top Alpha of Jing University! ]
[ Bai Yuanshan: Congratulations!! ]
Shi You frowned a little at the phrasing. But Bai Yuanshan was always dramatic like that. He didn’t mind what people said, and besides, he was in too good a mood to care.
[ Miracle Youyou: Thank you, Shanshan~ ]
More messages poured in immediately, every word buzzing with excitement.
[ Bai Yuanshan: Tell me, yesterday when you hurt your foot, was it Lu Yicheng who treated you? ]
Shi You replied honestly:
[ Miracle Youyou: Yes! ]
[ Miracle Youyou: I got cornered by Han Xiao after the interview, and Yicheng saved me. He brought me back. ]
[ Bai Yuanshan: Oh my god! ]
[ Bai Yuanshan: He’s saved you twice now, hasn’t he? You two are totally destined!! ]
Shi You laughed softly.
He couldn’t tell Bai Yuanshan the full story, some things about mushrooms were better kept secret. Besides, even if he did say it, his friend might not believe him.
But still, it did feel like fate. Meeting Lu Yicheng had changed everything.
[ Bai Yuanshan: I was actually planning to introduce you to a few Alphas soon. ]
Shi You’s eyes widened and he quickly replied:
[ Miracle Youyou: No no no, no need! ]
[ Miracle Youyou: I’m really happy right now! ]
Bai Yuanshan’s contacts were probably interested in dating, but Shi You had no such plans. Not when he already had such a perfect host.
After a while, Bai Yuanshan sent back a quick “Got it,” and their chat drifted to other things. Somehow, word of Shi You’s rose confession had already spread.
Someone must have posted it on the university forum, rumors that the pretty Beta had confessed to Professor Lu. Whether the confession had been accepted, though, no one seemed sure.
Lu Yicheng finished logging his plant data and finally put away his reports.
It struck him then that he’d come home and gone straight to work, leaving his brand-new boyfriend alone in the living room. That didn’t seem very considerate.
So he set the files aside and went out to join him.
Shi You was leaning over the coffee table, scribbling something down, completely absorbed.
“What are you doing?” Lu Yicheng asked as he sat down beside him.
“You came at just the right time,” Shi You said, his tone light and cheerful. “I was just thinking, since we’ve just confirmed our relationship, there are a few little agreements I’d like to make. They’re just small ones. Take a look and see if they’re okay with you, Yicheng.”
Some couples liked to set a few ground rules right after getting together. Lu Yicheng had heard of that kind of thing before, though he had never really thought he would experience it himself.
He accepted the piece of paper that Shi You handed over.
There were five items written on it in neat, round handwriting.
1. I want to spend at least four hours together every day. Hope my nutrient and pheromone balance can stay stable.
2. If the mushroom feels uncomfortable and wants to hold hands or snuggle, the host shouldn’t refuse.
3. No sudden disappearances. There must always be trust between a person and a mushroom. The mushroom will always be here.
4. Any problems must be talked about directly.
5. The host will always be my most important host.
There was even a little heart doodled at the end.
They were sincere, even affectionate, to the point of being almost syrupy. To anyone else, the list might have seemed a little childish, a little strange, but somehow it fit Shi You perfectly.
Lu Yicheng’s brows twitched slightly, a brief crease that vanished almost as soon as it appeared.
Did he really look that much like a strict or unapproachable boyfriend?
Did Shi You think he would actually refuse to hold hands or let him lean close? And spending time together every day, wasn’t that something any boyfriend would naturally want to do?
Of course, Shi You wasn’t thinking along those lines. What he had written down was mostly about his own biological needs.
He didn’t even really know all the ways he could absorb or maintain the nutrients and pheromones he needed.
As a Beta, he had never taken any physiology classes specific to Alpha-Omega systems, and information about pheromone interaction sites usually required AO authentication to access.
From what he understood, it could happen through holding hands, hugging, wearing clothing that carried the Alpha’s pheromone scent, or simply through direct pheromone release from the host. Those were the only methods he knew.
And they were harmless, even gentle. They wouldn’t inconvenience Lu Yicheng at all.
It felt like enough.
“What do you think, Yicheng?” Shi You leaned a little closer, his eyes bright and full of expectation. “Is it okay? Does it make you feel uncomfortable or troubled in any way?”
Lu Yicheng slowly shook his head.
If anything, he was starting to question himself. Why would Shi You even think he might refuse such simple requests?
Shi You, on the other hand, looked delighted by his response. He smiled, that easy, radiant smile that could melt snow. “That’s great! I’m so glad you don’t mind. Do you want to add anything? Anything’s fine. You can tell me.”
Lu Yicheng’s gaze lingered on him for a few seconds. His eyes darkened slightly, the depths of them unreadable.
Then he said quietly, “Yes.”
Shi You blinked, surprised. “You do? What is it?”
Lu Yicheng’s tone remained calm, but there was a faint edge beneath it, something steady and unmistakable.
“The mushroom can’t get too close to any Alpha other than its host,” he said slowly. “If it happens, if you end up carrying another Alpha’s scent…”
He paused, letting the air grow still between them, then finished the sentence, his voice lower.
“You’ll have to accept punishment.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
A tiny coffee can be a surprisingly nice “thank you.” ☕
☕ 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