Mushroom rubbed his hands together nervously. He turned his head and accidentally met Lu Yicheng’s gaze.
Lu Yicheng’s eyelids drooped slightly, his dark eyes gleaming like polished obsidian. There was something languid and detached in his expression, a kind of careless indifference, as he stared straight at Shi You.
Shi You froze for a moment. He really didn’t want to answer, but still nodded, muttering softly, “Yeah… that’s me.”
He just hoped this man wouldn’t refuse to hand over his package now.
Lu Yicheng turned away, entered the password on the door panel, and pushed it open, “Come in.”
Shi You stood there, stunned. Lu Yicheng stepped inside, then, noticing that the other hadn’t moved, frowned slightly and gestured toward him.
Shi You’s eyes immediately brightened. He hurried forward, quick little steps in his socks as he followed Lu Yicheng in.
Lu Yicheng’s apartment had the same layout as Shi You’s, three bedrooms, one living room, about two hundred square meters.
The furnishings were minimalist and neat, dominated by cool tones. The wooden floor was dark and smooth, and the light gray sofa sat quietly at the center of the space.
The moment Shi You entered, he felt a subtle sense of comfort, a kind of serene calm that told him this place belonged to someone who lived alone. The entire house carried the clean, faint scent of Lu Yicheng’s cedar-wood pheromones.
By the entrance stood lush green plants, birds of paradise, turtleback leaves, vivid against the white walls. A few antique-style picture frames displayed pressed flowers, delicate and elegant.
Near the balcony, a metal stand held glass beakers and experimental instruments of various sizes. The curtains were thin gauze, and a soft breeze stirred them into gentle ripples of white.
Sunlight filtered through the fabric, scattering faintly over the floor while the greenery by the window swayed lightly.
From an aesthetic perspective, this place could easily be used as a perfect case study for one of Shi You’s design classes.
The air here felt a touch more humid than outside, something only a mushroom could appreciate. Shi You’s skin practically tingled with delight at the perfect level of moisture.
He changed into the house slippers by the door, then padded into the living room, his sock feet making soft thudding sounds.
Spotting a humidifier in the corner, he exclaimed excitedly, “Hey, Yicheng, where did you buy this humidifier? It feels amazing here!”
Lu Yicheng paused. He hadn’t expected his guest to be this comfortable in his home so quickly. He had only wanted him to come over to check whether all his packages had arrived, but the guy was acting like he’d come home.
Shi You, meanwhile, was practically falling in love with the place. It was just like a little forest.
As he admired a feathery green plant by the wall, about to ask what it was called, a thermometer suddenly slipped into his mouth.
The cool glass pressed against his tongue, and a low, calm voice spoke by his ear. Lu Yicheng said, “Five minutes.”
Shi You blinked up at him, remembering how he’d overheated earlier at the gym due to his unstable temperature.
Lu Yicheng had already changed out of his sports clothes, now wearing a soft home sweater. His gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, muting his sharp, aggressive aura and lending him an air of quiet composure.
His voice was smooth and steady, like a breeze in late autumn, light, unhurried, emotionless.
“That’s a dense leaf monkey ear plant,” he said.
Shi You mumbled around the thermometer, turning his head to look again. The plant’s leaves were lush and layered, its roots shallow but its shape charming.
Lu Yicheng pointed to the boxes stacked near the door, “Check if all your packages are there.”
Shi You nodded and made a muffled sound of agreement through the thermometer. Just as he was about to stand, Lu Yicheng caught him by the arm.
“Don’t move while taking your temperature.”
Shi You obediently sat back down on the sofa, thermometer still between his lips, waiting patiently.
Lu Yicheng rolled up his sleeves, revealing firm forearms marked by faint veins. Putting on gloves, he picked up his clipboard and pen from the rack and began recording the environmental data, temperature, light levels, plant growth trends.
His fingers were long and clean, his handwriting precise and neat. The sound of the pen scratching over paper was calm and focused.
Shi You watched him from the sofa, thermometer still in his mouth.
He thought to himself, this place was perfect.
The temperature, the humidity, the aesthetics, the faint scent of pheromones in the air… and the handsome, serious man standing a few feet away.
He loved it.
When the thermometer beeped a few times, indicating the test was done, Lu Yicheng came over, removed it gently from his mouth, and checked the reading.
No fever.
Still, he frowned slightly. Shi You’s earlier reaction didn’t look normal.
Shi You noticed his expression and quickly explained, “I’m fine now. I just have… a bit of a condition.”
It wasn’t every day someone declared they had a “condition” so casually.
Lu Yicheng took off his glasses, his tone calm, “What condition?”
Shi You blinked and asked instead, “Can I ask first… do you believe I’m a mushroom?”
Lu Yicheng’s hand paused. “Are you joking?”
Just as he thought.
Shi You sighed in understanding. It wasn’t easy to believe something so unnatural. Still, since Lu Yicheng was a botanist who studied genetic modification, he might be more open-minded than most.
He told himself not to rush things. Slow and steady.
He stood up, smiling faintly, “I’ll check the packages first.”
He had fifteen in total, everything from little gadgets for living alone to items specifically chosen for mushroom comfort.
Squatting down, Shi You began counting them one by one, ignoring the embarrassing label written on each parcel, “‘Slim Waisted , Round-Butted Little Princess”
Lu Yicheng walked over, carrying a large bag. “This one got wet in the rain,” he said. “I took it out for you.”
Shi You looked up with a bright grin, “Thanks!”
Watching him crouched on the floor, cheerfully counting boxes, Lu Yicheng hesitated before asking, “Why did you buy so many waterproof plastic sheets?”
“Huh?” Shi You peeked into the bag and laughed, “Oh! Those aren’t plastic sheets, they’re blackout curtains.”
Lu Yicheng stared at him silently. If he wasn’t mistaken, that looked like the kind of tarpaulin farmers used to cover livestock pens.
“I don’t like sunlight,” Shi You said earnestly.
“Mushrooms don’t like sunlight, you know? But the apartment has that big window, so I thought I’d block it out.”
He rummaged through another package, taking out a small wooden recliner. “And this is a wooden lounge chair! Mushrooms love wood. Even though I’m human now, I still feel comfortable around it.”
Then he pulled out another parcel, holding up a mushroom shaped pillow with sparkling eyes, “Isn’t this cute? Looks just like me, doesn’t it?”
Lu Yicheng was silent for a long time.
He exhaled slowly, lids lowering over his sharp eyes, “And the humidifier?”
“Oh right! I almost forgot, I love it so much. Could you send me the link later?”
Lu Yicheng leaned back against the wall, voice calm, “Because mushrooms like humid environments?”
Shi You lit up immediately. “Exactly! You really do understand mushrooms!”
Lu Yicheng said nothing.
Shi You stood up, facing him seriously, “I know it sounds unbelievable. But really, I’m not lying. Maybe you should take some time to think it over.”
Lu Yicheng didn’t answer. Instead, he crouched down again, checking the remaining packages. “And the industrial sized hand cream?”
“Oh, that!” Shi You pointed cheerfully, “I mentioned it before I have feelers. The air’s been dry lately, so I bought that to keep them moisturized.”
His voice dropped to a gentle murmur, and as he spoke, the collar of his shirt shifted slightly, revealing a glimpse of pale skin at his neck and faint bluish veins beneath.
Lu Yicheng paused, expression unreadable.
Shi You’s tone softened, his words slow and melodic, carrying a subtle lilt that made them sound like they were hooking into the air. His bright eyes lifted toward Lu Yicheng, “Do you believe me… even just a little?”
He always spoke like that, nothing intentionally teasing, just naturally soft and warm, like the sound of sugar dissolving in tea.
After a moment of silence, Lu Yicheng said, “Then explain that… condition of yours.”
Shi You obediently replied, “It’s because my body’s a bit special. I’m a mushroom type Beta, and my pheromones aren’t stable. I need regular heat and moisture regulation. If I don’t get enough, my temperature spikes like I’m sick. That’s what happened earlier.”
Lu Yicheng absorbed his explanation, then asked simply, “And what does that have to do with me?”
Shi You tilted his head, tone light and casual, as if he were commenting on the weather, “Because I like you.”
The words slipped out softly, brushing past Lu Yicheng’s ear like a whisper. His pupils darkened slightly.
“I really like you,” Shi You said again, eyes bright and lips curving, two small dimples deepening on his cheeks. “And I really like your pheromones.”
Later, Shi You carried his packages back home. Lu Yicheng helped him move some of them, and the mushroom thanked him profusely, then solemnly handed him a “Good Person” card as a reward.
Moving was exhausting.
This apartment belonged to his older sister, Yu Jingyue.
Shi You had been adopted when he was young. Jingyue was much older, already married, with a son about Shi You’s age, so the family had always doted on him.
She was also one of the few who knew his real identity and as a doctor, she often helped him manage his unstable pheromones.
The place was mostly ready; furniture arranged, everything clean. He could move in that very night.
After unpacking and putting everything away, Shi You carried the empty boxes out for disposal.
Then he paused, something felt missing.
Oh right! He’d forgotten to add Lu Yicheng on WeChat for the humidifier link!
But before he could dwell on it, his phone rang.
“Hello, You’Er, have you settled into your new place?” Jingyue’s warm voice came through the receiver.
“Jingyue Jie!” Shi You replied happily. “Yeah, I just finished setting up, moving in tonight.”
“That’s good. The apartment’s been empty for a while, so the furnishings are simple. Decorate however you like, and let me know if you need anything.”
She paused before adding, “Oh, and Song’s boy just got into college in Beijing too. He’s staying in the dorms, but you two should meet sometime.”
“Wow, Yize’s in university now?” Shi You chuckled, sounding almost like an elder reminiscing.
“You’re only a year older than him,” Jingyue teased, “Don’t act like you raised him.”
“Oh, right… almost forgot,” she said suddenly. “Is there someone living next door?”
“Yeah,” Shi You said without thinking.
“Then that’s good. But that apartment layout has open balconies close together. For safety, you should install a security grille.”
Shi You walked toward the balcony, peering out. The distance between his and his neighbor’s balcony was barely half a meter, someone could step over with a single jump.
Across the gap, a cascade of green hung over the railing, plants thriving in layered pots, their leaves spilling downward in tangled vines. Even in mid autumn, that balcony still held the memory of summer.
Sunlight glanced off glass containers, reflecting tiny flecks of light into his eyes.
Shi You smiled to himself. The one living across from him was Lu Yicheng. Surely, there was no need for security then.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
⚠️ TRANSLATOR COFFEE LEVELS CRITICALLY LOW ⚠️
☕ 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