Chapter 35: The Damn Fine Instructor

Lin Jianxi casually stuffed the photo into Xu Song’an’s pants pocket.

“A gift from your roommate. Take it.”

“…” Xu Song’an’s gaze flickered unnaturally. He slipped his hand into his pocket to feel the photo, and his cheeks flushed faintly. “Oh… oh, thanks, Instructor.”

“You lot.” Lin Jianxi turned to the group of trainees huddled on the balcony. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

The ringleader dropped to his knees first. “I was wrong, Instructor. Last time you whipped my ass so swollen I still have to stand up to eat, and I can only sleep flat on my back.”

Lin Jianxi didn’t respond.

Seeing a chance, the others quickly knelt too.

They all wore simple tank tops and long pants for training, and with their lean, muscled builds crammed into that tiny space, there wasn’t room for everyone. Arms pressed against arms, and one guy who knelt late was still hovering on his knees in midair.

“Instructor, we won’t do it again.”

“Instructor, you can search our lockers and beds.”

Someone gritted his teeth. “Damn it, shut your mouth.”

“Instructor, forget I said anything about the beds.”

“…………”

“…”

Lin Jianxi ignored them. He pulled a pen from his pocket and bent down to write the usage times on the medicine boxes.

He stood by the table, his tousled bangs framing deep, intense eyes. From the side, his refined profile was striking, especially his lips—still overly red from that heated kiss with Shen Yuxiu moments ago.

Lin Jianxi’s lips were usually pale, so the flush stood out. He never tried to hide it, and as the only omega in the room, in this setting, it was hard not to spark fantasies—

If not for his position as instructor, Lin Jianxi surely would’ve hooked up with some of them.

Lin Jianxi glanced at the group, and they immediately dropped their eyes, shrinking like quails. Suddenly, a hand reached out, fingertips deftly fastening the top button of his shirt.

Then Xu Song’an circled to his right, blocking the trainees’ view, and asked softly, “Instructor, how long should these two meds be spaced apart?”

Xu Song’an watched him intently, his gaze lingering deliberately on those lips.

Lin Jianxi didn’t look up, still scribbling times on the boxes. “Ten minutes. It’s all written there.”

His handwriting was beautiful. Xu Song’an caught a glimpse and was about to comment when his peripheral vision snagged on Lin Jianxi’s reddened fingertips. He changed tack. “Instructor, your… handwriting is gorgeous.”

“Mm.”

Lin Jianxi set the medicine boxes on the table and turned to check on the trainees—only to find himself staring at Xu Song’an’s chin.

He looked up. “What?”

Xu Song’an rubbed his eyes. “It’s backlit over there. Better light here, easier to see. My eyes… you know…”

Lin Jianxi brushed his hand away and peered up, noting the redness in Xu Song’an’s eyes.

“Go put in some eye drops.”

Xu Song’an said, “Instructor, could you do it for me? Training was brutal today—first day and all. My hands are shaking.”

“Then what about tomorrow? It’ll take half a month to adjust to this intensity.”

Xu Song’an gazed at him pitifully. “That’s why… could you help me out a few more times? Everyone here is a big burly alpha. I’m scared they’ll poke my eyes out.”

Grumbles and snickers rose from nearby, but Xu Song’an pressed on as if he hadn’t heard. “Can you?”

“No.” Lin Jianxi sidestepped him. “Your classmates aren’t that malicious.”

“…”

Lin Jianxi approached the trainees and lightly tapped one of their cheeks with the punishment cane. “How much have you hidden? Do I need to find it myself?”

The group began rummaging through lockers and sheets in a panic.

Lin Jianxi pulled Xu Song’an to the corner. “Why haven’t you put in your eye drops yet?”

Xu Song’an replied, “Instructor, they’re all busy.”

“…” Lin Jianxi saw that they were. He waved a hand. “Lie on the bed for now. I’ll do it in a bit.”

He strolled over to one trainee who’d practically buried himself in his locker. “What’s the treasure you’re hiding in there? So precious?”

The trainee: “…” We’re screwed.

Xu Song’an watched the scene, then covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly, the corners of his lips twitching upward almost imperceptibly.

A moment later, he slipped his fingers into his pocket, touching the photo Lin Jianxi had given him personally. He tilted his head against the wall and quietly curved his eyes in a smile.

He felt utterly favored.

Xu Song’an suppressed his grin and leaned against the wall, looking “uncomfortable,” though his gaze drifted back to Lin Jianxi’s cool features.

Xu Song’an frowned.

In a bad mood?

~~~

Lin Jianxi felt like he’d failed as an instructor.

From this one dorm alone, he’d collected a whole bag of photos—no contraband, but every trainee’s locker was stuffed with junk without exception.

Empty mineral water bottles, someone else’s old clothes, broken wrist bracers, even socks that didn’t make a full pair.

Though between two guys’ lockers, you could scrape together a matching set.

Lin Jianxi couldn’t fathom how one person’s sock ended up in two different lockers, and those clothes were clearly too big for any trainee…

Were they that broke?

Scavenging trash everywhere.

It made him a little sad.

His husband gave generous internship pay, plus room and board. These trainees spent money like water, even though he knew their families were poor. He’d brought it up more than once, but no one listened.

Their grades were decent enough, but they still disrespected him or racked up infractions without fail.

Why was that?

Lin Jianxi said nothing more. In low spirits, he had no energy left for their games. He went to Xu Song’an’s bed, intending to administer the eye drops.

Xu Song’an lay down obediently.

Lin Jianxi tore open the eye drop packaging—the sound of ripping cardboard filling his ears amid the late-night chaos—when suddenly someone gripped his wrist. By the time he snapped back, he was already sitting on the bed.

Xu Song’an shifted, pillowing his head on Lin Jianxi’s thigh. Lin Jianxi blinked in surprise.

Xu Song’an looked up at him. “Instructor, if my eyelids clamp down like an alligator’s bite later, please don’t yell at me. I’ve never had anyone else do this for me. I’m kinda scared.”

“…”

Xu Song’an added, “Could you stroke my hair? I’m really nervous.”

Lin Jianxi brushed aside the other’s bangs. “Open your eyes. Don’t move.”

Xu Song’an struggled to pry his eyes open, but his eyelashes trembled violently. Several drops of eyedrops missed entirely.

Helpless, Lin Jianxi gently used his fingers to widen the other’s eyes as he brought the bottle closer—

“Don’t.” Xu Song’an buried his face in Lin Jianxi’s crotch and took a deep breath. “Let me catch my breath.”

Lin Jianxi could feel the hot puffs of air against him and felt a twinge of exasperation.

“Turn around. Be good.”

“No.”

“Xu Song’an.”

Xu Song’an peeked out pitifully. The moment Lin Jianxi reached out, he ducked back in.

“…”

“…………”

Lin Jianxi couldn’t help but chuckle.

He rarely laughed genuinely in front of the trainees—most of his smiles carried an edge of threat. This one brought the entire dorm to a dead silence for a second. The guys rummaging through cabinets and flipping bedsheets all froze and turned to stare.

“Xu Song’an, if you hide again, you’re running ten laps outside.”

The amusement in his voice drew Xu Song’an’s gaze. Seizing the moment, Lin Jianxi squeezed in the eyedrops and shoved the other’s head aside. He rose and addressed the other trainees. “Stop digging around. It’s all empty in there.”

~~~

Lin Jianxi thoughtfully checked the cabinets in the other dorms. They weren’t as cluttered as Xu Song’an’s room, but there were still a few things.

Why were they all so obsessed with hoarding empty water bottles, shirts, and socks?

He couldn’t figure it out.

As he reached the last dorm, it hit him—Shen Yuxiu’s other brother lived here.

The guy most likely to be the Protagonist.

Lin Jianxi hesitated, not keen on going in.

But had those wounds been properly treated? The kid’s personality seemed off; he probably wouldn’t ask for help on his own.

After mulling it over, Lin Jianxi went back to find Xu Song’an and had him deliver some medicine to the boy.

~~~

Xu Song’an’s dorm.

“Who the hell are you, anyway? How come he’s so nice to you?” one roommate asked in shock. “Out of a harem of three thousand, he favors only you!”

“He’s just pitying the guy,” someone else chimed in.

“…Does the Instructor like pitiful types?”

“I’d bet on it. Take the Boss—he looks all cold and aloof, but around the Instructor, he’s all attentive and plays up the pitiful act. Remember that big meeting after practical training? The Instructor was pissed at the Boss for some reason. Sat there stone-faced, not saying a word. When the Boss was wrapping up the results, I could tell something was off with the Instructor’s expression.”

“Like… he looked like he wanted to laugh but was annoyed too?” the guy recalled. “I was wondering what was up with that face. Guess what happened?”

“What could happen with everyone watching?”

“…I thought of something, but I probably shouldn’t say.”

“Uh, was he wearing some kinda toy?”

Everyone: “…”

The guy huffed in exasperation. “What the hell’s in your heads? I mean the Boss was putting on the pitiful act and sucking up.”

“So what was it?”

“Yeah, spill.”

“The Boss hooked the Instructor’s leg with his foot under the table,” he whispered.

“Fuck, that’s bold.”

“Nah, the Boss doesn’t seem like the type.”

“You act one way around us and another around your wife.”

“Fair… If I had a wife like the Instructor, my legs would be jelly by now.”

“…”

“Doesn’t matter. You might not have the Instructor, but you’ve got his clothes.”

“Speaking of which, pisses me off—they took everything! I only managed to stash a sock in my pocket.”

Xu Song’an, who’d been listening quietly, finally spoke up. “A sock?”

“You wouldn’t know. There’s this underground racket here—stealing the Instructor’s stuff.” The guy on the bunk across from him scooted closer. “His pheromones linger on the clothes, socks, or even the empty water bottles.”

“You’ll end up buying some eventually. With all these Alphas around, you can only hold out so long.”

Xu Song’an paused for a second, masking the flicker in his eyes with a grin. “You have to buy this crap? Does he have enough clothes for you all to steal?”

“Tch. The Boss dresses the Instructor up like it’s a dress-up game. Off-duty, he’s even flashier. Sure, it’s shirts every day now, but check ’em close—every one’s different.”

“Whatever. Don’t dodge the question. How’d you get so tight with him? Just the eyes?”

Xu Song’an crossed his arms over his chest. “Because I’m hot.”

Everyone: “…”

Xu Song’an flopped onto his bed and tucked today’s jacket—still carrying Lin Jianxi’s scent—beside his pillow. He fired off a message to his friend.

【Xu Song’an】: How can someone be like an aphrodisiac? Every inch of him feels so damn good.

【P】: …

【P】: Cool it. Don’t do anything stupid to him. He’s hot, sure, but his personality’s trash. Don’t forget—if he hadn’t married Shen Yuxiu, your eyes…

Xu Song’an let out a mocking huff.

【Xu Song’an】: Oh, I haven’t forgotten. Doesn’t mean I can’t have my fun with him. Paying him back the same way? Nah, I’ve got something better in mind for him.

【Xu Song’an】: Like, make something happen to Shen Yuxiu. No husband left, and he’ll come crawling to me desperate. I won’t mistreat him—hell, I’ll treat him great. But sharing a room? Accidents happen. A slip and slide in? Not my fault. His scent’s so thick now; heat’s probably next month. Few slips and he’ll be hooked. Then call Shen Yuxiu over to watch. Tsk.

【P】: …?

【P】: What the hell are you talking about?

【P】: You fucking perv.

“Xu Song’an.” The voice from outside—music to Xu Song’an’s ears—called out. “Come here. Need to talk.”

【Xu Song’an】: Later. Gonna enjoy myself first. Logging off.

【P】: ????

~~~

Lin Jianxi stood outside the door, cigarette dangling from his lips and half-smoked. When Xu Song’an emerged, he crooked a finger. “That trainee you came with today—he’s hurt. Take this medicine to him.”

A chill clung to him; he’d been waiting out there a while.

Xu Song’an took the medicine and nodded obediently.

Lin Jianxi gave him a look, his tone even. “You’ve got some self-awareness.”

Xu Song’an blinked. “Huh?”

Lin Jianxi stubbed out the cigarette on the balcony railing. “You know you’re hot.”

~~~