Shen Yan’s shoes screeched sharply against the smooth floor as he lost his balance, tilting backward before landing with a dull thud. The force of Wen Xiuran’s shove left him momentarily dazed, and the words of his senior echoed in his mind: “I heard someone confessed to him before and even gave him gifts, but ended up getting beaten up pretty badly.”
Rich kids these days really had violent ways of rejecting people.
Since coming of age, Wen Xiuran had rarely lost his temper over anything. This was the first time his emotions had flared up so intensely, and even he was a little surprised. By the time he regained his composure, Shen Yan was already half-sitting on the ground.
Reason told him he should help Shen Yan up and take him to the school infirmary, but Wen Xiuran remained rooted in place, unmoving.
The scent of peaches grew heavier, almost suffocating as it rushed toward Shen Yan.
Though it was past mealtime, the cafeteria was still crowded. A few passing omegas wanted to step in and help, but Wen Xiuran’s pheromones forced them back.
Several alphas sat expressionlessly eating their meals while spraying suppressants around them like water.
The peach scent was really overpowering. Shen Yan covered his nose slightly and looked up at Wen Xiuran, whose gaze swept over him as if searching for something.
An idea struck him. Biting his lip, he leaned weakly against a nearby chair, as if he lacked the strength to support himself. His eyes reddened as he rubbed his leg. “My leg hurts so much. I don’t think I can stand up.”
Murmurs of sympathy rose around them.
Wen Xiuran’s expression darkened as he slowly walked over. “I didn’t use much force.”
Of course, he hadn’t—Shen Yan almost burst out laughing. He had slipped and fallen on his own.
But today, he was determined to milk this for all it was worth.
“Alphas are naturally strong,” Shen Yan said weakly, his eyes red as he looked at Wen Xiuran, his voice soft with accusation. “I’m just a beta. What did I do wrong to make you so angry?”
“Did I upset you?”
“Or is it because I haven’t eaten with you lately?”
Could it be that Xu Chu’s pheromones were still lingering on him?
“My classmate was sick. I took him to the hospital and stayed overnight to take care of him. I came to see you happily, and this is how you treat me.”
Pitifully, Shen Yan grabbed Wen Xiuran’s arm to explain, subtly sliding his hand upward.
“Your classmate is an alpha?” Wen Xiuran asked coldly, his tone as indifferent as if he were asking when a lab report would be finished.
Shen Yan’s eyes lit up as if he had discovered something new. His voice turned urgent. “Are you jealous? There’s nothing between me and my classmate. Don’t be angry.”
No matter how pitiful Shen Yan had seemed earlier, Wen Xiuran now suspected it was all an act. The shift from tearful sorrow to animated excitement had taken less than three minutes.
Ignoring Shen Yan’s words, Wen Xiuran asked flatly, “Where does it hurt?”
Shen Yan took his hand and guided it toward his lower back. Wen Xiuran recoiled as if burned.
“My back hurts,” Shen Yan said innocently.
Kneeling beside him, Wen Xiuran glanced at the onlookers and lowered his voice. “I’ll take you to the infirmary. Can you stand now?”
Shen Yan shook his head decisively. “No.”
“Then should I carry you on my back or over my shoulder, or should I call an ambulance?” Wen Xiuran didn’t take the bait and pulled out his phone as if to make the call.
“Carry me on your back, or maybe just support me?”
Wen Xiuran adjusted his posture, kneeling halfway with his back turned. “Get on.”
It was a fortunate coincidence that neither of them had classes that afternoon, and it was already well past school hours, leaving the campus nearly deserted.
This was Shen Yan’s first time being carried by someone. If he could rewind to when they first met, he would never have believed that the same cold-faced alpha would now be carrying him to the infirmary. Staring at the gland on the back of Wen Xiuran’s neck, he felt a faint surprise. He’d never had the chance to look this closely before. So an alpha’s gland really did protrude slightly.
He lowered his head, intending to get a closer look, when Wen Xiuran’s warning voice reached his ears: “Stay away from my gland.”
Shen Yan tightened his arms around him and joked, “Do you have eyes on the back of your head? How did you even see that?”
Wen Xiuran merely hoisted him up a little higher without answering.
Resting his head against Wen Xiuran’s neck, Shen Yan’s voice took on a coaxing tone. “I’ve really never been in a relationship before. This is the first time I’ve actively pursued someone. I might not do everything right, but I really, really like you.”
“You’ve really never been in a relationship?” Wen Xiuran’s skeptical voice drifted back.
“Of course,” Shen Yan lied without hesitation.
Wen Xiuran chuckled softly, his body shaking slightly with the motion. Shen Yan thought about throwing a tantrum to make him hold him properly. That way, he could see Wen Xiuran’s smiling face.
“How many relationships have you been in?”
“Two.”
“Were you the one being pursued both times?”
“Yeah, this is my first time chasing someone. The first relationship, I invested too much; the second, I was too arrogant. Neither went well. I think the third one should turn out better.”
The alpha pressed further, “Do you say that every time you start a new relationship?”
“No, just you.” Shen Yan faltered slightly before smoothly changing the subject. “Oh, did you know? I can smell your pheromones. But betas aren’t supposed to detect scent, right?”
“Your pheromones are sweet, like fragrant peaches.” Shen Yan lightly tapped Wen Xiuran’s gland with a fingertip. “Does the scent come from here?”
“Shen Yan.” Wen Xiuran’s voice was low, his tone icy with restraint. “If you touch my gland again, your leg won’t be the only thing hurting today.”
Shen Yan sheepishly withdrew his hand.
Wen Xiuran didn’t believe for a second that Shen Yan, a beta, could actually sense pheromones. He figured Shen Yan had probably read his medical report somewhere and was just fishing for confirmation.
It was still midsummer, and though carrying Shen Yan wasn’t physically taxing for an alpha like Wen Xiuran, the heat was unavoidable. The places where their skin touched had grown sticky with sweat, and beads of perspiration dotted Wen Xiuran’s forehead, his breathing growing heavier. A faint flush spread across his pale complexion.
If not for the fear of being dumped into the roadside bushes, Shen Yan would have seized the moment to kiss him.
He’s just too good-looking.
The school infirmary wasn’t particularly busy at the moment. Shen Yan watched Wen Xiuran go to register and pay the fees, then quietly lifted his shirt to inspect his injury. There was only a patch of redness on his waist. Though the fall had been painful, the pain had faded after a while.
Steeling himself, Shen Yan gritted his teeth and pinched his waist hard through his clothes.
When Wen Xiuran returned, he found Shen Yan slumped weakly in his chair, his face pale. He was puzzled. Shen Yan had seemed fine earlier, so why did he look worse now?
“Our turn now, let’s go.” Wen Xiuran pulled Shen Yan up, his expression indifferent. “After this, I still have experiments to do.”
Shen Yan’s long lashes fluttered delicately like cicada wings, a few strands of hair clinging messily to his forehead, making him look utterly fragile.
Wen Xiuran softened his movements slightly as he helped Shen Yan into the examination room.
The sharp scent of disinfectant in the hospital stung Shen Yan’s nose. He sniffed, noticing the lingering peach fragrance slowly dissipating. Wen Xiuran hadn’t denied the scent earlier—was his pheromone level so high that even a Beta like him could smell it?
The doctor lifted Shen Yan’s shirt and pressed lightly on the injured area, making Shen Yan suck in a sharp breath. Suspicious, the doctor glanced at Wen Xiuran leaning against the door before looking down at the form, then fixed Shen Yan with a doubtful, distrustful gaze. “You said you fell, right?”
“Yes.” Shen Yan’s delicate face was unnaturally pale. He coughed lightly, the corners of his eyes reddening from the irritation.
The doctor wisely dropped the subject and scribbled out a prescription. “No bone damage, but the bruising is severe. Besides applying the ointment, come in for a massage every three days.”
“I’ll transfer the medical fees to you. You can come by yourself later,” Wen Xiuran said, pulling out his phone.
The doctor added sternly, “It’s better if two people come. The massage requires a machine, and someone needs to help apply the medicine.”
“You’re really going to make him come alone in this state?”
Wen Xiuran remained silent, his face stony.
Shen Yan’s WeChat had already been freed from Wen Xiuran’s blocklist—that alone was an unexpected win for the day. Feeling it best not to push his luck, Shen Yan smiled placatingly. “He’s really busy with experiments. It’s enough that he came with me this time.”
The doctor pursed his lips and shook his head but said nothing more.
The moment they stepped out of the infirmary, Shen Yan started whining about being hungry.
Wen Xiuran’s expression turned cold again as he shot him an icy glare.
“My phone’s dead, I don’t have cash, and the cafeteria’s closed. I’m starving,” Shen Yan declared shamelessly. “Last time I invited you to hot pot, you refused. This time, you treat me.”
He tugged at Wen Xiuran’s sleeve, swaying it slightly like a spoiled child. “I’m really hungry, and I have to take medicine. How can I take it on an empty stomach?”
Wen Xiuran’s expression softened slightly, and he gave a small nod. “Congee.”
“You care about me that much?” Shen Yan teased, his tone smug. “Fine, we’ll have congee, just for you.”
“Once you’re better, we won’t need to stay in touch.” Wen Xiuran frowned, as if afraid Shen Yan would misunderstand his intentions.
“I still don’t know what you like to eat.” Shen Yan completely ignored Wen Xiuran’s words, cheerfully clinging to the alpha’s arm as he said, “Let’s also check out what good food is nearby. I haven’t explored around the school yet.”
Wen Xiuran pulled his arm out of Shen Yan’s grasp, lips pressed tightly together. “Don’t touch me.”
Shen Yan immediately raised both hands obediently, his gaze innocent, mimicking Wen Xiuran’s tone: “Fine, no touching then.”
But as soon as Wen Xiuran walked ahead, Shen Yan’s expression shifted to one of playful defiance. He’d already touched and even carried him—wasn’t it a bit late to say no now?
His eyes fixed on Wen Xiuran’s scent gland. It had been nearly two months, yet the other remained so guarded. Clearly, he needed to turn up the heat.