Autumn brought constant rain. The air was damp and cool, the temperature dropping so quickly that soon everyone would have to start wearing thick coats.
Shi You hurried to Building Three. After folding his umbrella and shaking off the raindrops, he slipped it into its case and entered the classroom.
The sudden autumn shower had caught many people off guard. When Bai Yuanshan came in, he was completely drenched.
“Ugh, what kind of rain starts without warning? I got soaked halfway here. So annoying!”
He plopped down beside Shi You, glaring at the boy who looked perfectly dry and fresh.
“You actually brought an umbrella?”
“I didn’t.” Shi You lifted the umbrella in his hand and grinned proudly. “But Lu Yicheng gave me one~”
Bai Yuanshan almost choked.
Honestly, there wasn’t a single Omega at Jing University who didn’t know Lu Yicheng. A top-tier Alpha! Wealthy, handsome, brilliant but far too intimidating.
His cold attitude toward everyone made him the kind of man you admired from afar but didn’t dare approach.
Omegas adored him, yet none dared to make a move. After all, most of them preferred their Alphas gentle and caring, not frostbitten and stoic.
So for Shi You, a Beta, to go after him? That was bold.
Fearless, even.
Bai Yuanshan sighed inwardly as he took out his textbook and then noticed the heart-shaped cookie box Shi You had happily taken to deliver earlier that afternoon.
“Wait, you didn’t give him the cookies?”
“Oh, Yicheng doesn’t like sweet things,” Shi You said matter-of-factly. “I think I’ll practice again and use less sugar next time.”
Bai Yuanshan was speechless. He didn’t even have the heart to say that this was basically a polite rejection.
All he could do was silently marvel, Shi You really was in love.
Shi You, however, didn’t seem bothered at all, smiling as brightly as ever.
Then his phone rang.
He was still looking up recipes for cookies and didn’t even check the caller ID before answering.
“Shi You.”
The voice made him freeze.
He pulled the phone away, glanced at the number, and immediately felt his good mood vanish.
The voice continued, “Why haven’t you been answering my calls? And you even blocked me.”
“If I hadn’t borrowed someone else’s phone, I wouldn’t even be able to reach you.”
“Han Xiao…” Shi You hadn’t expected him to keep pestering like this. He was already exasperated. “What do you want?”
When Bai Yuanshan heard that name, his head immediately popped over, eyes gleaming with gossip.
“Shi You, let’s talk,” said Han Xiao.
Though Shi You sat in the back row, the classroom was full and noisy, with students huddled outside avoiding the rain, so he lowered his voice, “There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Was my confession too sudden? Maybe you weren’t ready. Or did I do something wrong? I can change. Just… give me another chance.”
Shi You listened to the slightly pleading tone and grew irritated.
This wasn’t his fault at all! Han Xiao had been dumped by his own partner, yet turned around and spread rumors that he liked Shi You, as if that explained everything. How ridiculous.
“Han Xiao, I already told you! I like someone else. And I never gave you any reason to think otherwise.”
Silence.
Shi You were ready to hang up suddenly…
“Is it Lu Yicheng?” Han Xiao’s voice sharpened.
“Shi You, you and Lu Yicheng barely even know each other. How could you like him? Is it because you’re a Beta? embarrassed to accept an Alpha’s confession, so you’re just using Lu Yicheng as an excuse?”
Shi You: “?”
“You actually like me, don’t you… ”
*Beep. Beep. Beep*
Shi You hung up immediately.
What the hell. Was that guy insane?
“What? What happened?” Bai Yuanshan practically glued himself to Shi You’s shoulder, face alight with curiosity.
Shi You puffed out his cheeks, two faint red patches coloring them. He hadn’t felt this speechless in ages. “He’s crazy.”
“Oh, come on, tell me what happened,” Bai Yuanshan urged eagerly.
Shi You opened his mouth but didn’t know where to start, there were too many things to complain about. After a while, he just bit his lip again until it turned soft and red, then buried his head in his book and muttered,
“Yuanshan… how can a Beta get along better with an Alpha?”
Bai Yuanshan froze, “You’re seriously going to chase Lu Yicheng?”
Shi You peeked out from behind his book. “Mmm, not really chasing him… just, you know, I’d like us to get along better.”
As his best friend, Bai Yuanshan immediately declared full support, “Don’t worry, Shi You! The logic for Betas and Omegas chasing Alphas is the same. I’ll find you a guide.”
A second later, a link popped up on Shi You’s phone…
“How to Capture an Alpha’s Heart: Essential Flirting Tactics (Beta Edition)!”
Shi You glanced at the clickbait-style title. “Are you sure this is reliable?”
Bai Yuanshan shrugged. “It’s trending online, might work!”
Shi You hesitated, then tapped open the link.
> [How to Make an Alpha Fall for You]
As a Beta, you might be at a slight disadvantage in terms of pheromonal attraction but don’t worry, Beta babies! You can still win the Alpha of your dreams with your own unique charm!
Step 1: Spark their curiosity! ✨
Since your pheromones can’t create an instant romantic pull, create your own! Drop hints about your unique traits. Make them curious about you. Interest is the first step to attraction!~ (≧▽≦)/~
Step 2: Physical contact! 🤗
Whether you’re an Omega or a Beta, touch is key! Alphas are naturally tactile creatures. So go ahead and get close! Lean in, bump shoulders, maybe even tease a little! Be bold. Let him feel your interest. (And hey, if it goes further… you might even win him over in bed first!)
Step 3: Compliment him~ 🥰
Alphas, especially the cold, stoic ones, love to be praised! So go all in! Tell him he’s handsome! Tall! Built like a dream! Compliment everything! Even mentioning how good his pheromones smell, he’ll never know whether you can really sense it or not.
Step 4: Show your charm! 😏
Adult relationships thrive on appeal, and yes! that means physical appeal! Show off your collarbones, your ankles, casually brush your hair aside to reveal your neck… seduce him! Alphas are visual creatures, too!
P.S. Without pheromone chemistry, Betas should keep things interesting in bed, try accessories, toys, or other little tricks. Drain that Alpha dry!
Good luck, babies~ (˘³˘)♡
Shi You’s face flushed red instantly. He turned to Bai Yuanshan, mortified, “What is this… this filth!?”
This was way too indecent!
He was a champion of pure love, thank you very much!
Bai Yuanshan chuckled. “Still, you really don’t seem like a Beta. Are you sure you haven’t fully differentiated yet? I’ve heard of late differentiation, those ones sometimes end up being really high-level Omegas.”
Shi You lowered his head as he listened. He actually wished he were an Omega then he wouldn’t be so insensitive to pheromones like a Beta, wouldn’t have to go through such trouble to find someone whose scent could comfort him.
It was rare to come across pheromones he could actually sense and feel so good around… yet the owner of that scent was as cold as late autumn.
And he’d heard that AOs were naturally drawn to each other, if he were one, it’d be easier to get close to Lu Yicheng. But for now, he could only continue being an ordinary Beta.
Two classes passed quickly in a blur.
When the bell rang, Shi You packed his things and was about to head out with Bai Yuanshan for dinner.
It wasn’t unusual for the hallways to be crowded after class, especially with the rain outside but today the blockage was downright ridiculous.
A crowd had gathered right in front of the classroom door. No one was moving forward; everyone seemed to be staring at something.
Then someone suddenly shouted
“Shi You’s here! Shi You!”
With just that one call, every head in the hallway turned at once, eyes locking on Shi You and Bai Yuanshan like a flock of owls in the dark.
Shi You: “!”
It would be impossible not to be startled and what worried him most wasn’t even that.
Sure enough, as soon as his name was called, a tall Alpha stepped out from the crowd and stopped right in front of him.
Han Xiao said, “*You’Er…. ”
Shi You: “…” Ugh, spare me.
He hadn’t expected Han Xiao to actually fly back from abroad and to come block his classroom door, of all places.
Han Xiao, to be fair, looked decent: short tousled bangs half-covered his eyebrows, his features were gentle, even warm but there was something vaguely green tea about him, a soft-spoken manipulative charm.
A walking, talking “gentle Alpha” act. Serves him right for being dumped.
Han Xiao smiled lightly. “It’s raining outside. Let me give you a ride back.”
“No.” Shi You refused flatly.
The crowd around them buzzed with curiosity, but Han Xiao pretended not to see them. Deliberately, he said loud enough for everyone to hear, “It’s fine, You’er. Don’t be shy.”
Shi You tugged at his sleeve and replied, “I’m not shy.”
His voice was naturally soft, light and delicate, even when he tried to lower it in anger, it carried a gentle tone.
Han Xiao smiled, because he knew Shi You was mild-tempered, considerate, especially when people were watching. He figured he could coax him now and talk about things later.
But then, his gaze landed on the umbrella Shi You was holding.
A Pasotti black-and-gold lion umbrella, limited edition, globally exclusive. And there was only one person Han Xiao could think of who owned that model: Lu Yicheng.
A flicker of emotion passed through his eyes, but he quickly smoothed it over, his voice still soft. “It’s my fault. Confessing to you online wasn’t formal enough, so I came back in person.”
Then his tone shifted slightly, “But You’Er, you clearly don’t like Lu Yicheng. You just made him up to spite me, didn’t you?”
The air froze.
Even Bai Yuanshan couldn’t stand listening anymore. What the hell is wrong with this Alpha?
Someone rejects your confession and you accuse them of lying?
He worried Shi You would get flustered, he was always so kind, so easy to lead around.
Bai Yuanshan swallowed, ready to pull him away before things escalated..
But unexpectedly, the person beside him suddenly stepped forward, pointed straight at Han Xiao’s nose, and snapped:
“Are you sick or something?! You narcissistic maniac!”
Bai Yuanshan: “?”
Onlookers: “??”
Han Xiao: “???”
Shi You’s brows were furrowed tight, his pale face flushed with anger, pink spreading like a smudged rouge, he looked like a startled kitten, bristling fur and all.
“Who would ever like you! Don’t go blaming me just because you got dumped! Maybe shake your brain a little before you talk, huh?!”
The pretty Beta was genuinely furious; if he had been an Omega, his pheromone spike would’ve knocked everyone flat.
Han Xiao was completely dumbfounded.
“Can’t you understand human language?! I do like Lu Yicheng! Yes, I like him, like him, like him! What’s it to you?!”
Shi You shouted until he was out of breath, his fair cheeks flushed an even deeper red. His lips pressed together tightly as if still angry, he didn’t want to stay here another second.
Under the heavy, stunned silence of the hallway, he turned to leave and promptly crashed straight into someone’s chest.
He’d turned too quickly, head down, not watching where he was going.
He braced for pain but instead, he was met with something warm, solid… comforting. It felt like the kind of warmth mushrooms would grow toward, soft, safe, like the perfect temperature for a rainy day.
It took him a second to realize he’d just buried himself in someone’s chest muscles.
He caught a faint, familiar scent, cool pine, crisp and grounding, a smell that matched the rainy weather perfectly.
Startled, Shi You lifted his head.
And found himself staring straight at Lu Yicheng’s cold, handsome face.
______________
* You’Er : Er is endearment term used in Chinese, and You is from Shi You’s name. It’s not typing mistake
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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