Chapter 94

Shen Yu woke up when class had already ended. After catching up on his sleep, he immediately felt much clearer-headed, without that sticky heaviness anymore.

The classroom was empty, and Lu Yuguang was gone too. Judging from how happily he’d been chatting with Gu Yang earlier, he had probably been dragged off by Gu Yang.

Shen Yu had slept comfortably. He habitually reached to touch the back of his neck but suddenly paused, sensing a lingering warmth on his leg.

The temperature was low that day. Shen Yu was dressed all in black, with only a thin layer of pants, so his legs had been chilled the whole time. He was especially sensitive to any unusual warmth.

Shen Yu looked down. His legs were long, but length alone couldn’t provide any insulation—and there was nothing on them. So where had the warmth come from?

Shen Yu pursed his lips. He ran his fingers over his leg and brought them to his nose. He quickly caught a familiar whiff of alpha pheromones. Realizing what it was, his face instantly darkened.

Pei Ji again?

How annoying.

Speak of the devil—right as Shen Yu thought of Pei Ji, that familiar alpha pheromones scent suddenly drew close. Pei Ji had fetched a cup of hot water and set it down beside Shen Yu.

“Awake?”

His voice was low and gentle.

Shen Yu half-lowered his lashes and licked his dry lips. His gaze swept over the glass cup in front of him. Faint sunlight refracted off the glass surface in misty, iridescent patterns, while steam from the warm water rose slowly in the slightly cool air.

What was this about?

As if reading his confusion, Pei Ji smiled and said, “Don’t people always want a sip of hot water after waking up?”

Shen Yu pursed his lips. Pei Ji was right. On a damp, chilly rainy day, after going without water for so long, his first thought upon waking had indeed been to drink some hot water.

Some people really could understand others so effortlessly, winning their favor without even trying.

The dark thoughts Shen Yu had suppressed started bubbling up again like boiling water. He felt a jealous serpent slithering through his heart, its venom steadily corroding it.

Shen Yu’s eyes instantly turned gloomy and icy. He exhaled and chose to ignore Pei Ji’s concern entirely, rejecting him curtly. “No need.”

Shen Yu turned off the touch-control terminal screen that had still been on to block the teacher’s view. He stood from his seat, slender fingers yanking the black strap of his backpack tight over both shoulders, and headed out with the bag in hand.

The two brushed past each other.

Pei Ji lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.

The sky hung overhead like a vast gray curtain. Layer upon layer of dark clouds churned, rain weaving a transparent net that shrouded the towering buildings above in a hazy mist.

The rain carried a chill, even dampening his fingertips with moisture. By the time Shen Yu reached the bottom of the building, he realized he hadn’t brought any rain gear.

So how had he gotten to class?

Shen Yu narrowed his eyes in thought and remembered the answer.

He’d bummed a ride under Lu Yuguang’s umbrella.

Shen Yu sighed inwardly. He hated rainy days. Once the rainwater accumulated too much, it would pour through the windows into the basement he’d lived in from childhood.

The furniture would float on the surface. Shen Yu would reach out for it but always grab nothing.

Everything was damp, filthy, chaotic in smell—even his memories seemed wrapped in steamy bubbles, bobbing up and down, sinking and floating.

That was one reason he hated rainy days.

One of many. There were so many that the others could wait until he remembered them later.

“Shen Yu.”

Bean-sized raindrops splattered on the ground, forming small puddles. Shen Yu heard someone calling his name—the voice he’d grown most familiar with lately.

That magnetic, warm timbre.

It was Pei Ji.

Pei Ji again.

Why was it always Pei Ji?

Shen Yu pursed his lips and looked up.

Pei Ji had clearly run over. Fine beads of sweat dotted his forehead. As the alpha drew near, he brought a wave of heat that pressed toward Shen Yu.

The moment Pei Ji approached, it was almost magical—Shen Yu felt the chill around him scatter.

The alpha before him had no idea that simply standing there made him radiate light and warmth like a sun encircled by stars.

Pei Ji pursed his lips and asked, “Forgot your umbrella?”

Shen Yu grumbled inwardly. Wasn’t that obvious?

The tall, slender omega stood there lazily, long lashes half-lowered, exuding a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.

Just standing there, he drew eyes.

If Pei Ji hadn’t stepped up, who knew how many alphas would notice he had no umbrella and rush over with gallant offers.

Pei Ji’s dark eyes flicked over his lips. He subtly enveloped Shen Yu in his own scent and asked, “I have an extra button raincoat. Want one?”

Pei Ji’s personal charm was undeniable. Anyone spending time with him would find nothing to complain about.

Shen Yu couldn’t help frowning.

Pei Ji shifted his gaze imperceptibly, waiting for his response.

Shen Yu wrapped the black backpack strap around his arm. The motion hiked up his black hoodie sleeve, revealing a pale arm with smooth lines—like a menacing black python coiled around it.

The bag’s weight pulled downward, tightening the “python” around his arm. Faint blue veins bulged beneath his skin.

His arm had beautiful lines. His fingers were beautiful too.

Perfect for dancing over black-and-white piano keys or gripping a pitch-black gun handle.

All in all, the hand suited anything.

The rain grew heavier around them, showing no signs of letting up. Shen Yu wavered between trudging back to the dorm soaked or accepting Pei Ji’s kindness—then remembered he had a night shift that evening.

Getting sick from the rain would mean kissing his double pay goodbye.

So, with a furrowed brow, Shen Yu still extended his hand to Pei Ji.

Pei Ji’s lips curved. He handed over the rain gear folded into a button shape. The button raincoat was tiny, so their fingers inevitably brushed in a light, warm friction.

Shen Yu pursed his lips, feeling the faint texture of Pei Ji’s fingertip like a slight burn. Something felt off, but he quickly took the button raincoat, withdrew his hand, stepped back, slipped on the raincoat, and prepared to leave.

“Thanks.”

Pei Ji lowered his eyes.

That warm, ambiguous touch parted as quickly as it met, in the moisture-laden air.

He withdrew his hand too, rubbing his thumb and forefinger together lightly. He raised his gaze to watch Shen Yu turn and dash into the rain curtain, quickly blurring into a dark spot before vanishing at the edge of sight.

When Shen Yu got back to the dorm, Lu Yuguang wasn’t there. Military Theory Class had been their last one that day; with nothing scheduled for afternoon or evening, he’d probably gone out to have fun.

Shen Yu had slept until afternoon. He heard the soft creak of the door and knew Lu Yuguang was back.

Lu Yuguang knew Shen Yu worked odd jobs outside, messing up his sleep schedule—he was either catching up on sleep or on his way to do so—so he always entered quietly.

Lu Yuguang sometimes even suspected that Shen Yu messed up his hair to cover his eyes so he could sleepwalk.

The dorm lights were off. With the rainy gloom, even though the clock hands pointed to the lower right, little light filtered in. Instead, thick water molecules seeped into the air everywhere, bringing a chill.

The air carried a heavy scent of soil and fresh grass mixed with water.

Shen Yu wrinkled his nose and sat up from the bed. His bare skin met the damp cold. His thick lashes lifted, and he spotted a slender figure sneaking in through the darkness.

Shen Yu stretched out an arm to ruffle his messy hair. Remembering how Lu Yuguang had scared him last time, he narrowed his eyes and deliberately lowered his voice to spook him. “Lu Yuguang—”

The low, hoarse voice dropped abruptly into the quiet air.

The slightly husky tone drifted through the chill darkness, stirring a eerie, ghostly vibe—like a scene straight out of the horror movies Lu Yuguang used to watch.

Lu Yuguang froze instantly. A chill crawled up his spine on instinct, but he quickly realized it was Shen Yu.

His face changed. He patted his startled heart and flicked on the dorm’s floating light with a “click,” grumbling, “You’re awake—why didn’t you turn on the light? Shen Yu, were you trying to scare me? I’m telling you, Shen Yu, your young master isn’t that easy to frighten—”

Lu Yuguang muttered on until his gaze swept toward Shen Yu. His pupils shook.

“…Holy shit, Shen Yu, why aren’t you wearing clothes properly again!”

The floating light cast a soft, eerie glow, illuminating the slightly stuffy space like drifting white phantoms. Silken beams wandered over the exposed shoulders and neck.

If not for the blanket draped over him, Lu Yuguang would have seen everything he should and shouldn’t.

Shen Yu yawned and lifted his arms to pull his hoodie back on. Looking listless, he said, “Can’t sleep with clothes on.”

Shen Yu stood. The blanket that had been covering his waist and abdomen slid off instantly.

Lu Yuguang’s face flushed red. He whipped around immediately.

Shen Yu raised his eyes, gaze sweeping over the tense lines of Lu Yuguang’s shoulders. Lu Yuguang had very fair skin and big, bright eyes. His mouth could be sharp and snarky at times, but he always had a smile on his face, with a sparkle in his eyes—like a little sun that never dimmed.

He was exactly the type of omega Shen Yu used to like most.

The gloom hidden in Shen Yu’s brows deepened. He reached out to touch the gland at the back of his neck, his fingers rubbing restlessly at the edge of the gland patch.

He lowered his eyes, bent slightly at the waist, and pulled on his pants.

For ease of movement, Shen Yu lifted the hem of his hoodie and bit it in his mouth. The shadow of his lashes fell over his eyes from above. His long, pale fingers threaded through the black belt loops, yanking the belt free. His index and thumb pinched the belt tip, aligning it neatly with the hole and pressing it in.

The darker leather belt hugged his waist. The blue veins bulging on his side abs tucked into the deep shadows along his sleek mermaid lines, making his waist look even narrower.

Shen Yu’s pale lips parted slightly. His teeth released the black fabric hem, and he smoothed the hoodie flat at his waist.

He yawned again and rubbed his eyes. “All dressed.”

The rustling of fabric behind him finally stopped. Lu Yuguang rubbed his slightly reddened ears and turned around.

Shen Yu sat on the sofa, one long leg propped up. He leaned to the side, head tilted, listlessly applying a gland patch to his neck.

If this were a ghost, it’d be a seductive one. Luckily, he had someone in his heart, and they were both omegas—no risk of pheromone trouble.

After all, pheromone fusion brought alphas and omegas not just dual physical pleasure, but a profound mental exchange, like becoming one. No one could resist it.

People lied, but pheromones didn’t.

Pheromones were all-knowing and all-powerful.

A/A and O/O pairings were rare. B/B ones were common, but Lu Yuguang figured that if betas could sense pheromones, they’d probably pair with omegas and alphas too.

Lu Yuguang pulled his thoughts back to the matter at hand. He stepped forward, sat beside Shen Yu, and invited, “Shen Yu, you free this weekend?”

Shen Yu didn’t even think about it before replying coldly and heartlessly, “No.”

Lu Yuguang: “…”

Lu Yuguang gritted his teeth, itching to bite Shen Yu viciously, but he held back.

Ever since Shen Yu told him to take the initiative with Pei Ji last time, plus recent events, Lu Yuguang had changed tactics and planned to launch an offensive at Pei Ji.

But when he actually tried, he found it easier said than done. Pei Ji’s schedule was packed; finding time to ask him out and build rapport was impossible.

Everything had a turning point, though. After Gu Yang learned of his worries, he suggested bringing Shen Yu along would guarantee Pei Ji showed up.

Lu Yuguang wasn’t dumb. He hesitated slightly. “What if those two end up together?”

Gu Yang glanced at him. “That’s what I’m here for. I’ll drag Shen Yu off then, leaving you two plenty of alone time.”

Lu Yuguang’s heart settled at Gu Yang’s words. He humbly consulted his love wingman again. “So where to?”

Gu Yang glanced at his terminal screen. The terminal display was private; no one else could see the content.

Gu Yang withdrew his gaze and curled his lips. “Soak in the hot springs, obviously.”

Hot springs… Thinking of that, Lu Yuguang’s face flushed slightly. As his heart pounded, he grew more convinced it was a great idea, so he quickly put together a travel plan. He just needed Shen Yu to agree.

Lu Yuguang had originally felt a bit uneasy about using Shen Yu as a wingman, but then he thought about it—Shen Yu didn’t like Pei Ji anyway. Wasn’t this killing two birds with one stone?

To show his thanks, when he and Brother Pei Ji got married, he’d definitely invite Shen Yu to the main table.

With that in mind, Lu Yuguang no longer felt annoyed about Shen Yu’s blunt rejection. He clenched his fist and continued, “I booked the Golden Wedding Hot Spring at Deer Mountain. It’s a super natural hot spring—feels incredibly comfortable, leaves your whole body warm and fuzzy.”

He wasn’t sure which word struck a chord with Shen Yu, but Shen Yu paused. His eyelids lifted slightly as he glanced over at Lu Yuguang.

Seeing an opening, Lu Yuguang pressed on temptingly. “Check the weather forecast. It’ll be cloudy and rainy for a while—no surprises there. Damp and cold. Soaking in a hot spring would be perfect.”

Shen Yu didn’t reply.

Lu Yuguang watched him with sparkling eyes.

Shen Yu smoothed down the edge of the gland patch on his neck, withdrew his hand, and stood up from the sofa. “Sure. No one else coming, right?”

Lu Yuguang froze for a moment but shook his head calmly. “Nope.”

Shen Yu gave him a suspicious look, but he’d only asked casually anyway. He didn’t think Lu Yuguang had any reason to lie to him. He started to leave, but halfway there, he turned back.

The person who’d left returned. His shadow fell across Lu Yuguang, carrying a thick wave of fragrance. Lu Yuguang’s heart raced—he thought his scheme had been found out. He blinked innocently and asked in confusion, “W-what’s wrong?”

Shen Yu pursed his lips, his voice very low. “Do you have the strengthened gland patch?”

He found it strange. Every time Pei Ji got close to him, his gland would inexplicably heat up.

At first, it only happened when Pei Ji appeared, so he’d especially hated having Pei Ji near him. But perhaps because Pei Ji had sat beside him for the entire class today, his gland was still faintly burning even now.

So annoying.

Shen Yu ruffled his hair to cover his eyes. With half-lowered eyelids, he let out a soft breath. Beneath his lashes lurked a neurotic gloom.

He really wanted Pei Ji to just disappear.

“I think I’ve got one in my cabinet.”

Lu Yuguang thought for a moment, then stood up from the sofa and rummaged through his cabinet. He quickly found a well-packaged gland patch and handed it to Shen Yu, puzzled. “Why do you need this today?”

Shen Yu thanked him, pocketed it, and explained casually, “Gonna dance tonight.”

The voice in Lu Yuguang’s ears carried a lazy, gloomy tone—like the damp, sticky patter of rain outside.

Lu Yuguang’s reddened ears perked up warily. This was the first time he’d heard Shen Yu mention his part-time job.

Shen Yu licked his pale lips, bringing out a sheen of wetness.

Amid that damp rain sound came a sexy, alluring timbre.

“Maybe striptease?”