The atmosphere suddenly froze.
Shi You’s question was like a hammer dropping straight onto Lu Yicheng’s head, abruptly halting the lips that had been just about to press together.
The person pinned beneath him was still stunned, lips slightly parted and shining from the kiss, dazed eyes lifted to look up at his host.
Why did he kiss him?
Why was he asking that? Weren’t they in a relationship? Couples were allowed to kiss. Wasn’t that normal?
Lu Yicheng pinched Shi You’s cheeks, and the squeezed flesh made Shi You’s mouth puff into a little pout. His dark eyes lowered, voice sinking as he asked, slow and low, “And why exactly shouldn’t I kiss you?”
Seeing the Beta’s face flushed a soft pink, Lu Yicheng’s heart softened again; the tension between his brows eased, and before he could stop himself, he leaned down to press another kiss onto Shi You’s pouting lips. His voice gentled as he murmured, “Does it feel bad?”
Shi You, who had been kissed again, grew even more bewildered.
His host kissed him and even used his tongue.
The cold-fir scent of Lu Yicheng’s pheromones slipped into his body through the kiss, soothing the discomfort swirling in him. After a moment, Shi You’s mind began running in frantic circles.
Did Lu Yicheng ask whether he felt unwell just now? Could it be that Lu Yicheng noticed his insufficient warmth-nurturing and was purposefully giving him pheromone care?
Kissing was indeed a quick, effective way to provide warmth-nourishment. But since it was intimate, like something only lovers did, he hadn’t had the guts to mention it to Lu Yicheng.
But now it seemed the host didn’t mind at all.
He even took the initiative to provide nurturing kisses.
Host really was good. Thoughtful. Gentle. Someone who deserved to be liked.
And so, the little mushroom simply and completely used his own logic to draw a conclusion about the host he respected.
“Okay.” He even escalated the situation, arms looping around Lu Yicheng’s neck as he whimpered softly, “Then kiss me again.”
Lu Yicheng: “…”
Something was off.
Shi You clung to him, brows drooping softly, his arms tightening around Lu Yicheng’s neck as he tugged him closer, whispering in a small, breathy voice, “Is… is it finished?”
Lu Yicheng kissed him again, directly blocking Shi You’s mouth.
Warm breaths drifted lazily over ears and the curve of his neck. The soft sofa cushions sank lower under the weight pressing down, and the entire room seemed to shrink until only the dense, continuous sound of their kisses existed.
Lu Yicheng’s hand, resting along the side of Shi You’s face, slid upward again. His fingers threaded through the short hair, palm cupping his nape as he tilted Shi You’s head back.
A sweet, creamy scent brushed past his nose, temptingly sweet, almost maddening. Lu Yicheng kissed deeper and deeper, as though he truly meant to devour Shi You whole.
The usually cool, wooden fragrance of his pheromones now carried a faint undercurrent of desire. Shi You felt his entire body heating up, burning, as if he were going to be kissed to death.
He gave a muffled sound, trying clumsily to push Lu Yicheng’s tongue out with his own, but the awkward, inexperienced movement only came across like shy, helpless acquiescence.
“Y-Yicheng…” In one rare moment where Lu Yicheng let him breathe, Shi You weakly patted his chest with limp hands, eyes rimmed red as he whispered, “You’re… you’re too strong…”
Upon hearing that, Lu Yicheng lifted him, head turning to plant a gentle kiss on Shi You’s flushed cheek. His fingertips rubbed lightly over the soft rim of Shi You’s ear, then he tilted Shi You’s face again and captured his lips once more.
It felt like they kissed for a very, very long time.
He had no idea how long it lasted, only that by the time it finally ended, Shi You felt as if Lu Yicheng was about to bite off his lips and eat them.
His pheromones were replenished thoroughly, the nourishment effect immediate; even the kissing itself had felt strangely pleasant. But… why was he this exhausted?
The moment the kissing stopped, Shi You collapsed onto the sofa like a puddle, not wanting to move a single finger.
Lu Yicheng tidied the room, cooked a meal, then came back to tap awake the child who had nearly fallen asleep on the sofa, calling him to the dining table.
Lu Yicheng’s cooking was unexpectedly excellent. He took the few vegetables left in Shi You’s fridge and turned them into colorful, fragrant dishes, even preparing a plate of pasta.
While cooking, he dug through Shi You’s storage cabinet, pulling out all the expired seasonings and tossing them into a trash bag.
Shi You, half-asleep, smelled the food and jolted awake. Barefoot, he ran over.
“Wow.” Shi You leaned close to peer at the dishes. “It smells amazing.”
“Wash your hands. Eat.” Lu Yicheng said.
Shi You obediently washed his hands, then sat at the table and immediately entered compliment mode: “Yicheng, you’re incredible. This is way better than anything I can do. Is there anything you can’t do?”
Even kissing, he’s amazing at that too!
The little mushroom’s smile blossomed like a flower, his eyes sparkling as if filled with crystal lights. “You’re so good to me~”
Lu Yicheng’s brows quivered ever so slightly, his gaze lingering on the boy for a long while.
He did still have a trace of concern about what Shiyou had asked earlier. But since the little guy hadn’t rejected the kiss, had even somewhat enjoyed it, and was still praising him…
Seeing Shiyou so genuinely happy, Lu Yicheng’s expression gradually eased into warmth.
…Maybe he was just overthinking it.
Lu Yicheng had been extremely busy lately. During the middle of the semester, he needed to work at the research institute. The commute was quite long, so they arranged lodging for him there, essentially a short business trip.
They had only been together for a few days, yet he was already going long-distance with his new boyfriend.
When Shi You learned that his landlord would be away for four entire days, he couldn’t help pouting.
Four days away… What about his daily nurturing?
Thankfully, after all the recent intimacy, Shi You’s condition was excellent, his body full of energy and well-maintained.
It shouldn’t cause any major problem. Still, just to be safe, he borrowed a few pieces of Lu Yicheng’s clothing… so he could smell his pheromones whenever he needed.
“I just…. I just want to wear your clothes…” When he made this request, Shi You felt even his ears turning red. What kind of pervert did that make him look like?
But Lu Yicheng thought he was simply reluctant to be apart.
And imagining Shi You in his clothes… even though his face remained expressionless as he said, “Go get them yourself,” his heart was already a chaotic mess of soft, melting emotions, entirely overwhelmed by how adorable his boyfriend was.
However, Shi You was not particularly enthusiastic about kissing.
Ever since that kiss last time, while hugs and cuddles were frequent, they hadn’t kissed again.
Lu Yicheng had tried a morning kiss once. Yet when he leaned down toward him, Shi You didn’t respond at all, he just obediently wrapped a scarf around Lu Yicheng’s neck instead.
Lu Yicheng: “…”
He instantly plunged into deep self-reflection.
He must have pushed things too fast.
After all, his partner was literally a little mushroom, maybe he hadn’t expected they would kiss so soon. Maybe he preferred to take things one gentle step at a time.
Last time, Lu Yicheng hadn’t been able to hold himself back and had even sucked Shi You’s lips until they were swollen. What if he had scared the poor thing?
After careful consideration, Lu Yicheng decided he would follow the mushroom’s pace, slow and steady.
The research institute kept a strict schedule: work at 8 a.m., and then overtime every night. The whole research team would crowd around the DNA imagery for meetings, then stay up through the night monitoring the color changes in insect chromosomes.
Extremely regular. So regular that there was no space for an actual off-duty life.
Whenever he had the tiniest break, he would message Shi You. Yet Shi You wasn’t clingy at all, none of the “I miss you so much” or “Yicheng, can’t you come home sooner?” he had secretly expected ever showed up.
Instead, Shi You told him cheerfully, “You’re so busy. If you really don’t have time, don’t call me.”
Lu Yicheng paused, voice suddenly stiff. “Fine, then I’ll hang up now.”
“Okay~” Shi You replied immediately.
Lu Yicheng: “…”
Silence stretched on his side of the call before he finally surrendered.
“It’s been raining these days. Bring an umbrella when you go out. I left milk on the cabinet, take one with you every morning. I’ll check when I’m back. I marinated some chicken breast in the fridge, try not to order takeout too often.”
The boy on the other end hummed happily. “Got it~” They chatted a bit longer before ending the call.
Beside him, Zhang Beihan had been munching on bread the whole time, listening to their conversation with an expression full of meaning.
“You’re literally acting like his dad,” he commented.
Lu Yicheng turned slightly, his dark gaze cutting coldly toward Zhang Beihan.
“I mean it as praise!” Zhang Beihan immediately stuffed more bread into his mouth. “You’re like a totally fatherly boyfriend. A boyfriend slash dad type.”
Lu Yicheng leaned back in his chair, posture relaxed, looking casually indifferent.
He knew he hovered and fussed a lot.
“Shi You is pretty considerate though,” Zhang Beihan continued. “He doesn’t bother you at work, gives you space, and he’s sweet-spoken. So much better than that Omega I dated before, clingy every minute of the day. If I didn’t reply instantly, she’d blow up my phone and start picking fights and accusing me of not loving her.”
Lu Yicheng didn’t respond.
“Hey, Lu ge, they’re calling us. Put on your lab coat, let’s go.” Zhang Beihan stood and the two headed back into the lab.
Meanwhile, Shi You was enjoying ice cream with Bai Yuanshan at a dessert shop, secretly sneaking bites like two mischievous kids.
He had just finished talking with Lu Yicheng when Bai Yuanshan stared at him in shock, eyes as wide as saucers.
“My god. So that’s the real Lu Yicheng?” Bai Yuanshan exclaimed.
“What’s wrong with him?” Shi You blinked innocently.
Bai Yuanshan shook his head dramatically. “He’s so Daddy. A compliment! He’s literally raising you.”
Shi You blinked again, confused by this peculiar word. But at this point, he was used to Bai Yuanshan’s strange vocabulary.
“So why did you suddenly come see me today?” Shi You asked. “Where’s Huainian ge? Aren’t you usually glued to him? And you’re eating ice cream? Huainian ge would scold you if he saw.”
“Don’t bring him up.” Bai Yuanshan huffed.
“You guys fought?” Shi You asked carefully.
“We really did! I’m so mad.” Bai Yuanshan stabbed his spoon into the ice cream. “I worry about his health, so I’ve been making healthy meals for him forever. And what does he do? He tells me not to bother anymore because it’s too tiring. Did I ask for him to say ‘you’re working hard’? That’s not the point at all!”
Couple arguments were such complicated things. Shi You hardly ever understood why or how they started, he could only listen quietly.
Bai Yuanshan and Ran Huainian getting together had been such a long and tangled journey. Their feelings were deeper than simple words could explain.
“That’s why, Shi You, look how good Lu Yicheng is to you. You should also respond to him, make him feel happy too. That’s what a healthy relationship is like.” Bai Yuanshan lectured earnestly. “Even raising a puppy gives emotional value. You’re a person, give some back!”
Shi You nodded seriously. That made sense.
Lu Yicheng treated him so well, so carefully nurturing his mushroom self, ensuring his pheromone stability while taking care of all his day-to-day needs.
Of course he should repay him properly.
“Then… what should I do?” Shi You asked humbly.
“Look it up online.” Bai Yuanshan waved his hand. “I don’t want to talk about Ran Huainian right now. I’ll get angry again.”
Shi You laughed.
He never tried to persuade them. Because soon enough, Ran Huainian would show up, apologize, coax Yuanshan back into his arms, and everything would be fine again.
Sure enough, Ran Huainian walked in not long after, soothing and teasing Bai Yuanshan away from the table. Shi You could only watch, smiling like a little fox.
But once he stopped laughing, he suddenly remembered the serious matter at hand. He took out his phone, time to search how to properly repay Lu Yicheng for all this attentive nurturing.
Hmm…
What should he type?
“How to repay someone’s care?” That sounded way too vague. “How to make someone happy?” Too broad… and not exactly tailored to his landlord’s situation.
He thought for a while, recalling Bai Yuanshan’s earlier comment,
“Daddy.”
Daddy? …Dad?
Was Yuanshan saying Lu Yicheng was like his father?
Mushrooms don’t have fathers. So if he had to judge whether something felt fatherly… he really didn’t know.
But perhaps it was a feeling.
And thinking that way, yes, Lu Yicheng did feel rather… Daddy-like.
If he asked Bai Yuanshan again now, that guy probably wouldn’t pick up, he was definitely busy fighting and making up with Ran Huainian again.
So Shi You deleted and retyped his search over and over, hesitating long before finally settling on something that looked even less reliable than the previous ideas,
[How to repay the grace of being raised?]
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The coffee spirits are watching. 👁️☕
☕ 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