Wednesday
The Academy of Fine Arts launched a department wide event, filling the entire south plaza and an adjacent street with a beginner friendly interactive exhibition.
Shi You had spent quite a bit of time preparing for this event. He was the person in charge of venue layout.
He originally didn’t want to take the job but once he heard that participating in the main staff earned three whole credits, he and Bai Yuanshan signed up without a second thought.
After supervising the placement of the final basket of paintings, Shi You asked, “That should be everything, right? There’s nothing else left for us?”
Bai Yuanshan fixed the last easel upright, clapped the dust from her hands and said, “All done. Anyway, cleanup is for the other volunteers. Since we won’t get credit for those hours, I’m not working a second more than necessary.”
“Haha, same!” Shi You laughed.
The school required a total of 100 hours of volunteer work to graduate.
Shi You had joined plenty of environmental volunteer events since starting college but 100 hours was still… a lot. Each event only gave four or five hours, who knew how long it would take to reach 100?
Shi You sighed.
Bai Yuanshan asked, “Got any plans later? Want to go get cake? I saw a newly opened dessert shop nearby. Their new grapefruit tart is supposed to be amazing.”
Shi You checked the time. “No, Shanshan. I’m waiting for Yicheng. I told him I’d walk the exhibition with him.”
“Oooh~” Bai Yuanshan dragged out the sound. Another friend lost to romance, well, understandable.
“Alright, go be with your man but I’ve been meaning to ask, ” He pointed at his own mouth teasingly “, did you and Lu Yicheng kiss?”
Shi You’s face burst into a blush and he immediately slapped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t say that outside!”
“Your lips are all swollen,” he laughed. “Not bad at all.”
Being found out, teased and exposed like this, if Shi You wasn’t embarrassed, who would be?
Flustered, he pushed Bai Yuanshan away and even helped arrange for Ran Huainan to take him for that grapefruit tart instead.
Just then, Lu Yicheng arrived.
He approached from behind, called Shi You’s name and when Shi You turned around, his face was still flushed pink.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Yicheng asked.
Shi You looked at the Alpha with mild indignation. “From now on, you’re not allowed to kiss me.”
Lu Yicheng: “?”
What had he done now?
Luckily, Shi You’s expression softened almost immediately. He said he was only joking.
A top tier Alpha and a beautiful Beta walking together through a crowded exhibition quickly drew attention.
Both of them were relatively well known on campus, especially Lu Yicheng. The line of little Omegas who worshipped him could stretch out the school gates.
Soon, photos of the two of them together were posted on the campus forum.
Mom omg the two guys from that crackship edit actually appeared TOGETHER in public again???
lyc and sy? Is that the same Beta who chased after by those two top Alphas before?? Did he get lyc??
Aaaa this height difference! Body proportion difference! They look so good together!
Are they dating?? Are they still in the pursuit stage?? I must know!!
I heard the Beta went to find Lu with flowers before. Was that a confession? Did he say yes??
NOOO I don’t support this couple because Shi You baby belongs to ME!!
What about my dream Alpha??? If he’s dating a Beta, I’ll never get to smell that intoxicating pheromone again…
Where are they?? At the art academy event?? If I rush over now will I catch them?? CP crumbs live at the scene??!!
Shi You felt like the stares around them were getting a little too intense. He whispered, “Yicheng, let’s go to the front. There are too many people here.”
Lu Yicheng nodded.
Today, the little Beta looked especially stunning in the simple academy uniform, clean lines, perfect proportions, eyes bright like peach blossoms.
Lu Yicheng stepped forward, intending to take his hand, when,
“Shi You!”
A female Beta came running over breathlessly.
“One of the fashion design models didn’t show up. We’re missing someone. I think your build is really similar to hers, can you help us?”
She pressed her palms together in a pleading gesture. “Please, seriously, I’m begging you…”
Shi You wasn’t good at refusing people but he and the design department weren’t connected and he had promised to spend the afternoon with Lu Yicheng. He really didn’t have time. He was just about to gently suggest she find someone else when,
“I can offer you the same volunteer hours the other models get, ten hours!”
“You only need to put on the outfit and walk for ten minutes!”
Shi You: !
What?!
Ten hours?!
That was a goldmine!
“Well, well, I guess I could help… Helping others is a good thing,” Shi You scratched his cheek, clearly tempted. “What does the outfit look like?”
“I have a photo,” the girl said, pulling out her phone.
Shi You leaned closer and froze. “I-it’s a dress?!”
A light white dress, fitted at the waist, paired with a cropped jacket.
The jacket design was unusual, an extremely low neckline, embroidered with pink flowers, with a thin horizontal strap across the collarbones like a choker.
Shi You’s ears heated. “A dress… I’ve never worn a dress before.”
And this one was pretty revealing.
“It’s fine! You’re so pretty, of course you’d look amazing in a skirt. I can even put a wig on you. Let’s go try it on!”
Shi You panicked a little, not knowing how to respond.
“No.”
The word dropped coldly from behind him.
Lu Yicheng’s voice, low, flat, carrying a faint edge of displeasure.
He stood there, expression calm yet sharp as ice, brows faintly drawn. His tone didn’t rise but the quiet authority in it left absolutely no room for argument.
“I said no.”
Lu Yicheng had always been a little intimidating, cold, stern, strong presence. Compared to the more approachable Alphas, most people hesitated to even talk to him.
The Beta girl clearly felt the pressure. She stole several nervous glances at him but couldn’t muster the courage to greet him properly. In the end she simply pretended she hadn’t seen him at all.
And then the big, intimidating man actually spoke to her.
She nearly jumped out of her skin.
Lu Yicheng lowered his gaze, quickly realizing that his reaction had been too sharp. He forced his expression back to calm neutrality and said in a more controlled tone:
“Sorry. It’s just that Shi You and I have prior plans, so he may not be able to help. Please find another suitable girl.”
The female Beta was so overwhelmed by Lu Yicheng’s imposing aura that she didn’t even know how to respond.
Her mind stalled for a moment, completely blank, until a fluffy head suddenly appeared in her field of vision. Shi You’s soft, gentle face filled her sight and the moment he spoke, his voice light, warm, almost coaxing, she finally snapped back to herself.
Shi You let out a quiet breath. “Sorry, classmate… I really can’t wear a skirt. If you truly need a model, I can help you contact some girls who might be free but I don’t think I can handle this particular favor.”
He added earnestly, “But if there’s ever a deal this good again, please keep me in mind. Thank you~”
The girl hurriedly waved her hands. “It’s okay, it’s really okay!” And right then, one of the event organizers called out to her from the distance.
“Xiao Zhao! The model came, the model came! We finally got a hold of her, no need to look anymore!”
The girl quickly responded, then bowed repeatedly to Shi You and Lu Yicheng. “Sorry, sorry! I won’t bother you anymore!”
Shi You smiled, said it was fine and was promptly tugged away by Lu Yicheng.
The girl watched the two of them walk off and let out a long breath of relief.
Somehow… seeing Lu Yicheng with Shi You made him seem far less frightening. His brows didn’t look as severe, his expression didn’t seem as cold; the chill around him felt softened and the little Beta hopping beside him, bouncy, bright, cute, actually made the whole picture oddly harmonious.
Was this… the power of a cute accessory?
A moment later, the girl pulled out her phone, opened her close friends gossip group and typed with trembling excitement,
[I’m zz: Sisters, is there a CP discussion group or fan chat for Shi You x Lu Yicheng??]
[I’m zz: OMG I think I suddenly GET this micro subtle spark between them. Please drag me in immediately. I need to ship them till the end of time. Thank you!!!!]
The Academy of Fine Arts had promoted the event aggressively and many students came either out of interest or to earn extra credits through the hands on activities. The plaza was livelier than usual.
Lu Yicheng rarely participated in school events, aside from academic seminars and occasional project fieldwork, he stayed far away from crowds. This time, he only came because Shi You invited him.
Shi You had said softly, “If I get to walk around with Yicheng, I’ll definitely be happier~”
And just like that, Lu Yicheng cancelled his afternoon seminar and went to the south plaza to accompany him.
The two of them now saw each other almost daily. What used to be a scheduled four hours a day slowly turned into meeting whenever they thought of each other. If they didn’t have evening classes, they would have dinner together at home.
Shi You’s post treatment warmth was never something to worry about, just holding Lu Yicheng’s hand, breathing in his scent, was enough to brighten his entire day.
But… Lu Yicheng had seemed a bit fierce just now.
Shi You glanced at the expressionless Alpha beside him and asked quietly, “Yicheng… what’s wrong?”
Lu Yicheng lowered his eyes, silent for quite a while, before he finally lifted his gaze, those calm, slightly sour eyes and said in a low voice, “I don’t want you wearing a skirt for other people to see.”
He rarely voiced his jealousy so plainly. After speaking, he even turned his head slightly, the tips of his ears faintly red.
Shi You blinked. “Even if you didn’t say it, I wouldn’t wear a skirt…”
“…”
Lu Yicheng said nothing, simply looked at him again.
The autumn sun was rare and bright, casting a warm glow across Shi You’s cheekbones. It highlighted the sweet, delicate shape of his profile. His skin was pale; his slightly ash tinted hair framed his slender, lightly built figure. Even the simple institute uniform looked breathtaking on him.
Then, in the corner of Lu Yicheng’s vision, something pale flashed.
A vein twitched at his temple.
He lifted a hand and pressed his fingertips lightly between his brows.
His gaze deepened, then paused. He asked, “Why did you say earlier that I’m not allowed to kiss you?”
Shi You froze for a beat before remembering.
“Oh… that… it’s because you sucked my lips so hard they got swollen and Sangsang laughed at me…”
Completely honest.
Lu Yicheng leaned forward, bending down slightly as he reached out to cup Shi You’s chin.
Shi You’s lips were rosy and soft, visibly swollen, plumper and even more kissable than usual. His round amber eyes widened helplessly.
With a touch so light it was almost teasing, Lu Yicheng’s fingers brushed across the reddened lips, the warmth of his fingertips crisp against the tender skin.
His other hand slid to Shi You’s cheek, holding him still, making him tilt his head up slightly. The Alpha’s expression looked proper and composed yet his thumb quietly stroked the soft skin, gentle, deliberate.
With just two fingers, he squeezed slightly and Shi You’s lips were pushed into a tiny pout.
Lu Yicheng didn’t smile. He watched Shi You intently, eyes unreadable and spoke in an unhurried voice: “What if I refuse?”
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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