Chapter 24
After that day, their relationship eased considerably.
Yan Weiqiu’s request for some time became his excuse to avoid Jiang Yuebai.
He only had a few pills left, and his pheromone disorder hadn’t been resolved. Even with pheromone blockers, he didn’t dare to see Jiang Yuebai while smelling like an Omega.
He hadn’t figured out how to tell Jiang Yuebai that he was an Omega.
Although they hadn’t seen each other, they chatted online every day.
His roommates occasionally teased them about having an online relationship instead of a proper one.
Jiang Yuebai: I have a game this afternoon. Want to come watch me play?
Yan Weiqiu: No, I just took some medicine and plan to take a nap in the dorm this afternoon.
Jiang Yuebai’s call immediately followed.
As soon as Yan Weiqiu answered, Jiang Yuebai’s anxious voice came through the phone. “Why did you take medicine? Are you sick?”
“Just a common cold, don’t worry.” The cold was real, but so was his reluctance to go to the gymnasium. Yan Weiqiu said apologetically, “Sorry, I can’t go watch your game.”
“It’s okay, just rest well and don’t catch another cold.” Jiang Yuebai said caringly.
Not long after hanging up, Jiang Yuebai called him again.
“Come downstairs? I bought you something.”
When Yan Weiqiu went downstairs, he saw Jiang Yuebai standing at the entrance, holding a bunch of things: heat packs, a hot water bottle, a pile of medicine, and a container of ginger tea.
Jiang Yuebai touched his face, his expression serious. “Tell me immediately if you’re not feeling well. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Then he added, “Anytime, even if I’m sleeping, don’t worry about disturbing me, or if I’m busy with something else.”
Yan Weiqiu looked at him helplessly.
It wasn’t that serious.
“Do you understand?” Jiang Yuebai adjusted his hat, but as he leaned closer, he frowned, his expression stiffening.
Yan Weiqiu’s Omega pheromones were too strong.
Was it because the Beta and Omega dorms were mixed, and he had picked up the scent from his roommates?
Yan Weiqiu naturally noticed his reaction, as he had deliberately not worn a pheromone blocker, wanting Jiang Yuebai to sense his Omega pheromones.
He just wanted to test Jiang Yuebai, to give him a hint.
…
…
Seeing Yan Weiqiu return to the dorm with a bag full of things, his roommates gathered around him.
“You just have a cold, right?”
“When I have a cold, I just drink more hot water. Why are Alphas so different?”
“Seriously, did your childhood friend take some kind of special training course? I can send my boyfriend to learn.”
Yan Weiqiu thought it was a bit much, but it also seemed perfectly normal for Jiang Yuebai.
He felt warm all over after drinking the ginger tea.
Yan Weiqiu: It was delicious.
Jiang Yuebai: Rest well.
In the evening, Jiang Yuebai messaged him, asking him to dinner.
Yan Weiqiu made up an excuse: I promised my roommates I’d have dinner with them yesterday.
Jiang Yuebai: Mm, if you like it, we can go together next time.
Jiang Yuebai didn’t insist. He had promised to give Yan Weiqiu time to think.
He also knew Yan Weiqiu was still avoiding him.
But he had plenty of patience.
While Jiang Yuebai was waiting for Yan Weiqiu’s reply, the club president returned from dinner and patted his shoulder.
“Guess who I just saw?”
Jiang Yuebai replied perfunctorily, “Who?”
President: “Your childhood friend. I saw him with an Omega.”
Jiang Yuebai nodded indifferently. Yan Weiqiu had told him he was having dinner with his roommates, so it wasn’t surprising.
While he appeared calm, the president was anxious. “Why aren’t you nervous at all?”
Jiang Yuebai refreshed his WeChat messages and glanced at him. “Why should I be nervous?”
During the time they hadn’t been eating together, Yan Weiqiu had become closer to an Omega in his dorm. He knew about it.
He cared, but he wouldn’t show it.
He didn’t want Yan Weiqiu to think he was too possessive, which might worsen their relationship.
President: “I heard that Omega is only interested in Betas. Aren’t you worried your childhood friend will run off with them?”
Jiang Yuebai suddenly remembered the pheromones he had smelled on Yan Weiqiu that afternoon, and his expression darkened.
What kind of close contact would leave such a strong Omega scent on a Beta?
Jiang Yuebai scrolled through their chat history, wanting to say something. He typed a few words in the chat window, deleted them, and then said nothing.
…
…
The weather was getting colder, the wind howling outside, dark clouds gathering, as if a storm was brewing.
Yan Weiqiu was huddled under his covers, not even having the courage to leave the dorm.
Haicheng usually had mild winters, no snow, and not as cold as A City.
It had started snowing heavily last night and hadn’t stopped until this morning. By then, everything was covered in a blanket of white.
The snow was deep, and the university staff were busy clearing the roads.
Jiang Yuebai took a few pictures of the snowy scenery and sent them to him.
Yan Weiqiu: Is it cold outside?
Jiang Yuebai: Mm, it’s windy. You’re not feeling well, so you shouldn’t come out.
Yan Weiqiu: But it’s Christmas. I want hot pot.
Yan Weiqiu: I want chestnuts, hot milk tea.
Yan Weiqiu: And an apple.
Jiang Yuebai: Then I’ll buy you instant hot pot, chestnuts, milk tea, and an apple.
Yan Weiqiu: …
In the end, Yan Weiqiu, bundled up in a down jacket, thermal underwear, and snow boots, sat in the passenger seat of Jiang Yuebai’s car.
The good thing about winter was that he could wear pheromone blockers without anyone noticing, as his high-necked sweater perfectly concealed them.
“Didn’t you say you wanted chestnuts?” Jiang Yuebai peeled a chestnut and fed it to him.
“I don’t want to peel them; it makes my hands sticky.” Yan Weiqiu shamelessly enjoyed Jiang Yuebai’s service.
Jiang Yuebai chuckled softly and continued peeling the chestnuts for him.
It had been a long time since they had been this close.
His fingers occasionally brushed against Yan Weiqiu’s soft lips, the warm, moist touch captivating him.
Yan Weiqiu was watching short videos on his phone while being fed by Jiang Yuebai, naturally not noticing the intensity of Jiang Yuebai’s gaze.
“Ah.” Yan Weiqiu missed the chestnut, and it rolled down his shirt. He blinked and looked at Jiang Yuebai innocently. “I can’t find it.”
“It’s okay.” Jiang Yuebai looked away, at the remaining half-bag of chestnuts. “Do you want more? You won’t be able to eat dinner later.”
Yan Weiqiu: “No, thanks.”
He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but the temperature in the car seemed to have risen suddenly, and the scent of lime had become stronger.
The back seat of the car was piled with gift boxes and a bouquet of roses, all from Jiang Yuebai.
He had originally thought Jiang Yuebai would confess with the flowers, but he hadn’t, just wishing him a Merry Christmas.
Yan Weiqiu pointed to the gift boxes and asked curiously, “What are those? Are they for me?”
“Mm, they’re all for you.” Jiang Yuebai randomly picked a box and opened it. Inside was a box of candy. He said with a hint of regret, “I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find the brand you like.”
Yan Weiqiu froze, his breath catching in his throat. It was like a boulder had been thrown into the calm sea of his heart, creating waves and ripples.
He quickly lowered his head to hide his reaction.
“It’s okay.”
“I’ve quit.”
