Shi You’s Chinese grades had never been very good.
Memorizing things was fine, anything that could be recited, he could brute force his way through. What he was worst at were reading comprehension questions and classical Chinese translations.
Those questions that asked you to analyze the “implied meaning” of a phrase or explain “the benefit of placing this sentence here,” as well as the nine point classical Chinese translation section, he could practically get every single one wrong.
He liked to think of himself as a reasonably clever little mushroom. He excelled at the sciences; it was just Chinese that dragged him down.
And this time, too, it had clearly dragged him down.
Shi You had always trusted his host one hundred percent. In his eyes, anything the host asked him to do, anything the host decided, could never be wrong.
So after listening to Bai Yuanshan’s words, he made up his mind: once Lu Yicheng came home, he must properly repay him for taking such good care of him.
After searching around online, Shi You clicked directly into the first post that popped up.
It listed six suggestions.
1. Take a walk together
2. Help take out the trash
3. Pour him a glass of water
4. Give him a back massage
5. Wash his feet
6. Give him a hug
…Hm?
That’s it?
It all sounded ridiculously simple.
Were things like this really enough to make someone feel happy?
Shi You frowned slightly as he read, then scrolled down to the explanation below.
It said that if you want to show gratitude, you should start with small details, the smaller the gesture, the more it reflects your care; the more subtle the action, the clearer your feelings will come across.
Walking and hugging could deepen emotional connection, while massaging someone’s back or washing their feet conveyed genuine concern.
The most important thing was letting the person understand your heart.
Shi You stared silently. Somehow… it sounded surprisingly reasonable.
He was the kind of mushroom who didn’t easily believe what he saw yet would still end up doing it anyway.
He also wanted to buy his host a gift. They hadn’t seen each other for several days now.
These past days, lunch, dinner, the milk and fruit before and after meals, the cakes Shi You loved so much, Lu Yicheng had prepared all of it.
Lu Yicheng treated him well, so he should treat Lu Yicheng well, too.
Checking the time, he guessed that Bai Yuanshan had probably already been coaxed back into a good mood, so Shi You sent him a message.
Miracle YouYou: Shanshan, if I want to buy Yicheng a gift, what do you think I should give him?
The reply came almost instantly.
Bai YuanshanShan: You’ve never given Lu Yicheng a gift??
Bai YuanshanShan: Every piece of clothing on you is practically from him.
Bai YuanshanShan: If you want to give him something, buy a maid outfit and wear it for him. He’ll definitely love it.
Shi You: “…”
What on earth went on in Bai Yuanshan’s mind every day? Absolutely filthy.
Shi You decided not to ask him anymore.
Instead, he began thinking seriously about what Lu Yicheng might actually need.
But all day today, the host still hadn’t contacted him. Shi You checked the time again, tomorrow night, Lu Yicheng would finally be back.
Shi You silently worked up his courage. Tomorrow, no matter what, he had to do well. He had to make sure that his host, who had worked so hard these past few days, could truly feel his care and consideration.
He sent Lu Yicheng a message:
Miracle YouYou: Yicheng ah, are you coming back tomorrow?
Miracle YouYou: [mushroom peeking.JPG]
Miracle YouYou: I’ll come pick you up at the airport～
Lu Yicheng had just finished an experiment and returned to his office to grab his phone. When he saw the messages from Shi You, a small smile tugged at his lips.
–: You want to pick me up?
Miracle YouYou: Mm!
Miracle YouYou: I missed you.
After so many days, Lu Yicheng finally heard those four words. The tension that had quietly coiled inside him loosened at once.
–: Mn.
–: I did too.
Shi You hugged his phone with a grin. Host missed him too, host was really the best.
Miracle YouYou: Send me your flight number and time! I’ll meet you at the airport!
With the flight information in hand, Shi You went to the airport the next day to pick him up.
Several flights were landing around the same time, so the baggage claim wait stretched long. Shi You took a taxi to the airport; the rain had stopped, the night air was fresh and he had wrapped a knitted scarf around his neck. He sent Lu Yicheng a text to say he’d arrived.
Lu Yicheng replied while waiting for his luggage.
After a while, a new group of passengers emerged from the exit.
Shi You immediately spotted the tall, striking Alpha among the crowd, broad shoulders, long legs, black overcoat worn open to reveal a brown sweater beneath, features sharp and austere, his aura steady and self contained as he strode forward.
A top tier Alpha was magnetic no matter where he went. Several Omega trailing behind had been following him for a while, hoping to ask for his contact information.
But with that cold expression and overwhelming presence, he was far too hard to approach.
“Yicheng!”
The moment that voice rang out, the Alpha’s stern brows softened.
A beautiful Beta wrapped in a knitted scarf came running toward him. He couldn’t stop in time and was immediately caught by Lu Yicheng, who pulled him into his arms.
“Welcome back, Yicheng.”
Shi You hadn’t expected they’d start off with a hug the very second they met. Breathing in that familiar scent he hadn’t smelled in days, he nuzzled against Lu Yicheng’s chest like a small, affectionate creature.
Host was home.
And this time, it wasn’t the artificial pheromone blend, this was the real thing, fresh and warm and uniquely him.
Behind them, members of Lu Yicheng’s research team watched the sugary display and started making a fuss,
“Yooooo!”
“Aiyaaah, look at that!”
“A little reunion is better than a wedding night!”
Shi You didn’t hear any of it. He stepped out of Lu Yicheng’s arms and took the handle of the luggage.
“I’ll push it, I’ll push it! You must be tired.”
Watching him bounce around so eagerly, Lu Yicheng found it endearing. A few days apart and somehow the little mushroom had grown even cuter and just as clingy. Clearly, he had worried too much.
“Let’s go home.” Lu Yicheng glanced at the bag he was holding and said, “Wait here for a moment. I’ll go throw out this trash, ”
“Wait!”
Lu Yicheng paused.
Shi You hurried over and took the bag from his hand. “Don’t move, I’ll throw it out.”
Lu Yicheng: “?”
Shi You just beamed at him, happily trotted off to toss the trash, then returned to push the luggage again. “All done! Let’s go!”
Lu Yicheng followed behind him. Shi You’s ride was already waiting outside, so Lu Yicheng didn’t leave with his teammates.
Once they were in the car, Shi You said, “You definitely haven’t eaten dinner, right? I already cooked at home! We just need to heat everything up when we get back.”
Lu Yicheng raised a brow. “So enthusiastic?”
“Of course!” Shi You laughed. When he reached for his bag, his fingers brushed Lu Yicheng’s hand. “Your hand is freezing, Yicheng.”
“Cold?” Lu Yicheng looked at him and lifted his hand, intending to hold Shi You’s. “Come here, I’ll warm it.”
But before he could touch him,
A handwarmer suddenly appeared in his palm.
Lu Yicheng stared for three full seconds at the mushroom shaped handwarmer. “…”
Beside him, Shi You said helpfully, “Hold it tight! Isn’t that better? Not cold anymore.”
Lu Yicheng: “.”
Well… it wasn’t cold anymore.
But something felt… very strange.
And so, holding a mushroom shaped handwarmer like some kind of bewildered uncle, Lu Yicheng endured the entire ride home.
They dropped off his luggage at his place first and then Shi You pulled him over to his own apartment.
Shi You really had cooked food, three dishes and a soup. It looked like he’d spent quite a bit of time on it, doing his very best.
He served Lu Yicheng a bowl of rice. “Try it?”
Lu Yicheng nodded and took a bite of the meatball.
“Is it good?” Shi You asked, eyes shining.
“Mm. Not bad.”
“Really?” Shi You broke into a wide smile.
Then he said very earnestly, “You make so many meals for me all the time. You really work hard, Yicheng. So since you came home today, I had to make you a good meal, to repay you.”
Lu Yicheng almost choked on his rice.
Repay? Repay what?
Shi You’s eyes sparkled. “Try this one too.”
Though uncertain, Lu Yicheng still finished everything Shi You had cooked.
After dinner, he reached for the tableware to wash the dishes, only for Shi You to stop him immediately.
“I’ll do it! I’ll do it!” Shi You grabbed the cloth. “You go rest on the sofa!”
Lu Yicheng paused, expression unreadable. “…Then I’ll go throw out the trash.”
“I’ll do the trash too!” Shi You called out. Then, as if remembering something, he perked up. “Oh, Yicheng, do you want to take a walk? Want to go on a walk with me?”
“…”
Lu Yicheng exhaled deeply. He had no idea what on earth was going on in this mushroom’s head but he could only play along. He sat down on the sofa.
Immediately, a teapot appeared before him.
“?” Lu Yicheng blinked. “When did you buy tea leaves?”
“You were coming home, so I bought some Pu’er! It warms the stomach in autumn and helps with digestion.” Shi You brought over a teacup, filtering the tea with great seriousness. “Here, I’ll pour you a cup. Taste it!”
“…”
With the tea steaming at his side, Lu Yicheng suddenly felt like his seniority had been forcibly increased.
A faint, unreadable emotion flickered through his eyes. With a helpless sigh, he tilted his head, trying to make sense of things.
Shi You saw this and thought, perfect timing.
He hurried behind the sofa, placed his hands on Lu Yicheng’s shoulders and said, “I’ll give you a shoulder massage!”
Before Lu Yicheng could protest, the little mushroom had already started kneading.
Lu Yicheng had a well trained back, broad shoulders, straight spine, muscles defined and firm. From behind, his neck was long and powerful, casting subtle shadows under the lamplight.
But Shi You’s hands were small and soft. Even with Lu Yicheng fully relaxed, kneading those muscles was a challenge.
After a while, his hands grew sore. His punches to Lu Yicheng’s back were weak and uneven. The man’s back didn’t loosen at all; instead, Shi You’s hands hurt.
He even muttered under his breath, “Why are you so hard…”
Lu Yicheng: “…”
His ears heated instantly. Every press of those tiny fingers felt like a spark burning down his nerves.
He closed his eyes.
“Do you feel better?” Shi You asked softly when he saw him lower his gaze.
A warm breath brushed past Lu Yicheng’s ear, sending another jolt through him.
He didn’t know whether this massage was meant to relax him or torture him. His voice came out low and strained. “Stop.”
Since the host said so, Shi You obediently stopped.
Then,
He ran to the bathroom.
Before Lu Yicheng could guess what he was up to, the little mushroom came out with a steaming basin.
Lu Yicheng was completely thrown. “You’re…?”
Shi You: “I’m going to wash your feet.”
Lu Yicheng: “?”
Wash his feet???
Suddenly, Lu Yicheng felt a headache coming on.
He mentally rewound the entire evening from the moment they met.
Tea. Massage. Foot bath…
Was Shi You… playing “father and son day” with him?
This routine felt exactly like those primary school assignments during Father’s Day, serve tea, massage, wash feet to show filial piety…
Rubbing his brow, he looked down.
Shi You had already set the basin down and was kneeling in front of him, small, delicate, head lowered, long lashes casting shadows. The loose collar of his shirt dipped slightly, revealing a sliver of pale skin. His wrists and ankles were thin enough to hold in one hand.
And this tiny creature was reaching for his ankle.
Lu Yicheng flinched. “What are you doing?”
“Taking off your socks,” Shi You said earnestly.
Lu Yicheng: “…”
He didn’t dare let Shi You do it but seeing him genuinely determined, after a long internal war, he took them off himself and surrendered. “Fine. Do whatever you want.”
Shi You brightened. “That’s more like it!”
He gently guided Lu Yicheng’s foot into the warm water.
His hands were still small and cool yet when they brushed against skin, the sensation was enough to make a man shudder.
Lu Yicheng turned his head away and shut his eyes.
If this continued, he was going to get hard.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Did you enjoy that? Excellent. Coffee. Now. ☕
☕ 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