Luo Yun had no idea how he survived the rest of evening self-study. For the first time in his life, he desperately wished Feng Ye would skip class and leave. But now that Feng Ye had already gotten himself worked up, he could hardly wander around like that. He could only sit in his seat and wait for it to subside.
The first evening self-study period was chemistry. Luo Yun marked the correct answers to the multiple-choice questions while silently cursing Feng Ye.
Such a sacred hall of knowledge!
Defiled by an Alpha whose brain was full of dirty thoughts.
Luo Yun observed a moment of silence for the classroom.
The chemistry teacher asked Luo Yun to come to the front and work through a problem on the board. Luo Yun quickly gathered his work and practically fled up to the lectern.
Once he was no longer surrounded by the faint perfume scent, Luo Yun could not help breathing a sigh of relief.
Feng Ye also slowly began to realize that something was not right.
Luo Yun had only smelled the back of his neck, and Feng Ye had reacted like that?
……That was pathetic!
He opened an organic chemistry problem that looked like an incomprehensible sacred text and used it to effectively suppress the inappropriate reaction he should not have been having.
Feng Ye spread his legs slightly beneath the desk and kept spinning his pen with one hand. Fortunately, his trousers were loose. If Luo Yun saw anything, Feng Ye would die of embarrassment on the spot.
Both of them were lost in chaotic thoughts and happened to lift their heads at exactly the same moment. Their eyes met.
……The awkwardness shot straight to its maximum. They both immediately turned their heads away and pretended they had seen nothing.
It had to be said that studying was wonderful. Luo Yun immersed himself in solving problems and, before long, had pushed the earlier incident completely out of his mind.
On the way home after school, Luo Yun booked a medical appointment through his phone for the weekend. The doctor he chose was his younger sister’s attending physician.
His sister’s illness meant she could not attend a school where Alphas, Betas, and Omegas studied together. Combined with her weak constitution, the family had simply decided that she would study at home this semester. Luo Yun also made time to tutor her whenever he could.
“Do you understand now?” Luo Yun drew the crucial auxiliary line on the geometric figure. “First calculate the area of the triangle, then subtract it from the area of the rhombus, and finally add the area of the sector.”
“Mm-mm.” His younger sister blankly shook her head.
Luo Yun explained it again. The little girl stared at him with large, watery eyes.
He started over and explained it sentence by sentence. His sister pouted miserably, her lips sticking out far enough to hang two pounds of noodles from them.
“……” Luo Yun took a deep breath and patiently explained it step by step yet again. When he looked at her, she finally nodded in half-understanding.
She picked up her pen to solve the problem, then suddenly burst into tears without warning. Luo Yun froze and quickly pulled the little girl into his arms to comfort her.
“Don’t cry. If you don’t understand, Big Brother will explain it again.”
She sobbed while wiping her tears and wailed, “Big Brother, am I so stupid that Mom picked me up from a trash can?”
Luo Yun could not stop himself from laughing. The little girl cried even harder.
It took quite a while before he finally soothed his sister. Then he picked up a bath towel and went to shower.
Water dripped from the damp ends of his hair. Droplets followed the clean line of his spine and disappeared beneath his waistband. Luo Yun dried his hair, opened his schoolbag, and found an unfamiliar shopping bag inside.
He had no idea when Feng Ye had secretly put it there.
No wonder his bag had felt slightly heavier than usual.
A note was stuck to the shopping bag: [It doesn’t smell as good as my pheromones, but I already bought it, so just spray it for fun or whatever.]
Luo Yun took a photograph and sent it to Feng Ye: [I’ll bring it back to school tomorrow and return it to you.]
His phone vibrated. A message arrived from the other side: [I went through a lot of trouble to buy it. Just keep it and use it. It wasn’t expensive anyway.]
Luo Yun: [More than ten thousand yuan a bottle counts as “not expensive”?]
Feng Ye: [That’s playing dirty. You actually checked the price.]
Luo Yun: [Can it be returned?]
Feng Ye: [No!!! If you won’t take it, throw it in the trash!]
Luo Yun: [……]
***
Early the next morning, Luo Yun was walking along the road when an arm suddenly dropped around his shoulders. He assumed it was Su Nong, but when he turned his head, he found Feng Ye instead.
Black hair, black eyes, and a face so handsome it was bold and untamed.
The other students stared at the two boys walking with their arms around each other’s shoulders: ?
Had they missed part of the story?
Feng Ye was tall. He lowered his head and sniffed hard around Luo Yun’s neck. When he did not smell what he had expected, his thin lips pressed together. “You didn’t spray it?”
Luo Yun slapped his hand away, his tone neither warm nor cold. “Are we that close?”
Feng Ye did not get angry. A hint of amusement crossed his eyes as he placed his arm over Luo Yun’s shoulders again. “Of course. Your deskmate is the closest relationship you have during your school years.”
The two jostled and teased each other at the school gate, completely failing to notice Lin Ke’s bewildered stare behind them.
***
During the break between classes, a student in the front row called out, “Class Monitor, someone’s looking for you!”
Luo Yun looked toward the doorway. The person standing there was tall and broad: Luo Xiangyu, the sports-track student who had been beaten last time. The bruises on his face had already faded.
It was Luo Xiangyu’s first time doing something like this. He held a cup of milk tea and a small cake, looking distinctly awkward.
Luo Yun had always been popular throughout the grade. When the students of Class Three saw the scene, they immediately began teasing—
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Another Alpha who’s interested in the class monitor.”
“Here to bring him milk tea?”
“Popular with Alphas, Betas, and Omegas alike. As expected of the class monitor!”
Shangguan Yi poked Feng Ye and whispered, “That’s the Alpha you saved last time. Is he here to confess? You fucking saved your own romantic rival.”
The corners of Feng Ye’s mouth dropped in displeasure. His gaze turned cold and sharp as he watched the two people at the doorway from a distance without speaking.
“This is for you. Thank you for stepping in and saving me.” Luo Xiangyu held the things out to Luo Yun.
Luo Yun did not take them. Lowering his eyes, he said, “Feng Ye was the one who saved you. Why are you giving them to me?”
Luo Xiangyu scratched his head in embarrassment. “I-I just wanted to give them to you. You seemed like a really nice person.”
The students in Class Three kept glancing toward the door. Luo Yun accepted what Luo Xiangyu was holding and heard him ask, “Are you free this weekend? Didn’t a new amusement park just open in the city…”
He really was interested in him?
Luo Yun was surprised. After all, they had only exchanged a few words.
The teasing around them grew louder. Luo Yun tried to hand the things back, but Luo Xiangyu hurriedly said, “It’s fine if you don’t want to go, but at least keep this. I already bought it. It’d be a waste not to eat it.”
Luo Yun pressed his lips together and finally accepted it. Once Luo Xiangyu had delivered the gift, he left.
Carrying the things in his hand, Luo Yun had barely returned to his seat when he heard Feng Ye ranting internally—
【He actually took it? He took it? I seriously went and found myself a damn love rival?】
【Just you wait. I’m going to beat the hell out of you.】
Feng Ye swung himself over and jumped out with practiced ease. Before Luo Yun could even react, a gust swept past his ear, and all he saw was Feng Ye’s rapidly retreating back.
He wasn’t really going to start a fight, was he……
Luo Yun’s eyelid twitched, and he got up to follow.
He had just reached the corner of the floor when Feng Ye and Luo Xiangyu’s voices drifted over.
Feng Ye bounded up the stairs in two or three strides, braced one long leg against the railing, and blocked Luo Xiangyu’s path.
A chill ran down Luo Xiangyu’s spine. “?”
Feng Ye raised a brow. “I saved you last time, right?”
Luo Xiangyu hesitated. “……Yeah.”
Feng Ye spoke lazily. “Then your lifesaver wants to ask you for a favor. I hope you can do it.”
Luo Xiangyu: “If it’s something I can help with.”
Feng Ye gave a derisive laugh. “Oh, you can definitely help with this.”
Luo Xiangyu: “Then say it.”
Feng Ye patted his shoulder and pressed him down hard. “Do me a favor and stay away from Luo Yun from now on. Get as far away from him as you possibly can. If you come near him again, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Luo Xiangyu protested, “Why? Do you like him too?”
“Too?” Feng Ye narrowed his eyes. In that instant, a bitter winter seemed to sweep through the corridor without warning. It was the most primitive rivalry buried in an alpha’s bones, like an avalanche capable of taking a life, crushing down on Luo Xiangyu until he could barely breathe.
His face gradually flushed red, his expression turning painfully strained. Feng Ye did not even need to exert himself. Merely releasing his pheromones made him seem like an emperor seated above his subjects; a single glance carried overwhelming pressure that swept over everything in its path.
“G-Got it.” Luo Xiangyu’s head throbbed painfully. His survival instinct forced him to yield for the moment.
Feng Ye smiled carelessly and released him, clearly pleased that Luo Xiangyu knew when to back down. Looking rather smug, he hopped down the steps.
Luo Xiangyu parted his lips. “You’re warning me behind his back like this. Aren’t you afraid Luo Yun will find out?”
“So what if he does?” Feng Ye tilted his head, his expression turning somewhat cold.
Luo Xiangyu said, “You’re making decisions for him without asking. With Luo Yun’s independent personality, he’ll definitely hate you for doing this.”
Feng Ye stopped smiling. A sharp glint flashed through his dark eyes as he said in a low voice, “Then do me another favor and sew your mouth shut. Don’t let him find out—”
He turned the corner and came face-to-face with Luo Yun. Feng Ye froze, his thin lips parting. “Class monitor?”
***
Neither of them spoke on the way back. Feng Ye kept his lips pressed tightly together, both hands shoved into his pockets as he walked beside Luo Yun.
When they passed the honor wall posted along the corridor, he unconsciously glanced over. The boy ranked first in the display wore only the faintest smile, sunlight falling across the photograph and making Luo Yun look clean and fresh.
Feng Ye had no idea when Luo Yun had arrived. Just as Luo Xiangyu had said, he was worried that what he had done would make Luo Yun dislike him.
Before they entered the classroom, Feng Ye hesitated. “Wasn’t that guy interested in you?”
Luo Yun gave a faint hum. “And? So you decided to reject him for me behind my back?”
“We’re in high school…… Studying should come first.” Feng Ye scrambled for an excuse.
“Hah.” Luo Yun laughed and cast him a meaningful glance. “I never realized you were such a hypocrite.”
Feng Ye paused, not quite understanding what he meant.
Was Luo Yun saying that he knew studying should come first even though his own grades were terrible?
Or did Luo Yun already know what he was really thinking?
Feng Ye spent the entire day turning the question over in his mind, but he could not exactly ask directly.
During class, he lay sprawled over his desk and turned his head to watch Luo Yun taking notes.
The boy’s fingertips were pale as he held a black gel pen, his clean knuckles like the ribs of a jade fan.
“Why are you staring at me?” Luo Yun yawned and continued writing without turning his head.
Caught in the act, Feng Ye flushed and said haughtily, “Who was staring at you?!”
After awkwardly stewing over it all day, Feng Ye decided to apologize to Luo Yun. An alpha ought to cherish his wife, after all.
He took a sip of water to moisten his throat and carefully organized his apology in his head.
“Class monitor……” Feng Ye began in an unusually subdued voice.
Luo Yun was lying over his desk with a coat draped around him. For some reason, he had been especially sleepy today. If Feng Ye had not occasionally muttered beside his ear, he nearly would have fallen asleep in class again.
He understood perfectly well what Feng Ye was about to say. He was not actually angry. He had never been interested in Luo Xiangyu to begin with. It was simply a little too much for Feng Ye to go straight to the other person and settle the matter without asking him.
If this kept going like a frog slowly being boiled in warm water, he had the distinct feeling that one day he might actually get eaten.
Luo Yun’s eyes were heavy with sleep as he mumbled, “What is it?”
“Well, about what happened during the day, I did stick my nose where it didn’t belong, but I still think that since we’re in high school, studying should come first. Besides, you’re Class Three’s living signboard, the school’s star of tomorrow. How could you let romance drag you down……”
Feng Ye rambled on for ages. When Luo Yun gave no response at all, shock rose in his heart.
Could that jinx Luo Xiangyu actually have been right?
Had he really made Luo Yun dislike him?
“Hey—” Feng Ye lightly poked Luo Yun. There was still no reaction. He looked closer and realized Luo Yun had fallen asleep.
“…….” Feng Ye felt his heart clog with frustration and muttered under his breath, “How can you do this? I’m still apologizing to you.”
Friday evening self-study was very relaxed. Students could arrange all three periods however they liked. The students in Class Three were disciplined enough that the teachers rarely bothered coming over to supervise them.
Su Nong finished organizing his mistakes. Seeing that Luo Yun was still asleep over his desk, he lifted a hand to wake him, only for Feng Ye to slap it away before it could reach him.
“What are you doing? Can’t you see he’s sleeping peacefully?” Feng Ye raised a brow.
Su Nong stared at him in surprise. “I-I was only going to wake him up.”
“No need. Let him sleep for a while.”
Su Nong paused, then nodded.
The night was quiet. For a time, the only sound in the room was the soft scratching of pen tips across paper.
Luo Yun slept in a daze. His head felt dizzy and his body strangely weightless. It was as though a ball of fire had lodged in his throat, scorching him until he could barely breathe. Like a traveler lost in a desert, he felt the burning sensation deep inside him grow steadily stronger, inch by inch consuming every limb and bone. He wanted to open his mouth and call for help, but not a sound would come out.
The air conditioner was running and every classroom window was tightly shut. Suddenly, a rich floral fragrance flooded the sealed room.
The sweet scent of gardenias carried a gentle, mellow milkiness, intertwined with a thread of fresh white jasmine. The cloyingly sweet pheromones rushed into the alphas’ noses.
The alphas in Class Three froze. As though they had been lured in, they unconsciously set down their pens.
The faint, delicate fragrance stirred the possessiveness and urge for control buried inside them. Their rushing blood roared wildly, desperate to merge with that sweet scent at once.
Every alpha grew restless, looking around in agitation—
“What the fuck, who forgot to spray scent blocker?”
“Which omega went into heat? Didn’t they use a suppressant?”
“Fuck, it’s so sweet.”
Su Nong and Shangguan Yi widened their eyes at the same time, staring toward the source of the fragrance.
Feng Ye understood instantly. The sweet pheromones mercilessly stirred the most primitive agitation within an alpha. His voice turned urgent and irritable as he snapped at the two people behind him, “You two, hurry up and turn off the lights!”
No omega wanted to go into heat in public.
This was their most private side.
Su Nong and Shangguan Yi quickly understood. The switch was on the wall not far away.
With a click, the classroom plunged into darkness. The shouting and commotion only grew louder, making the room as chaotic as a crowded marketplace.
Luo Yun saw nothing but darkness. Then a strong arm wrapped around his waist. Feng Ye pulled the chair away and shoved it under the desk, took off his coat and spread it on the floor, then supported Luo Yun as he lowered him to sit on it.
Under the flawless white moonlight, Feng Ye finally saw Luo Yun’s face clearly and could not help freezing.
The boy’s refined features were flushed a beautiful peach-blossom red. His eyes were wet and hazy, misted with bewilderment, while the corners were tinged with an ambiguous crimson. His pale cheeks and collarbones were flushed as though from an allergic reaction. Pearly teeth bit hard into his lower lip, denting the soft flesh.
“Mmnh……”
Luo Yun’s mind felt as though it had been set on fire, leaving not a shred of reason behind. He kept seeking out the alpha’s pheromones, reaching for Feng Ye as though he wanted to cling to him.
Feng Ye was tugged forward by him. Clenching his back teeth, he released an appropriate amount of pheromones. Cool mint leaves wrapped in fir swept through Luo Yun’s raging restlessness and slowly scattered it.
The bitter winter wind seemed to form an invisible wall, firmly trapping the pheromones pouring from Luo Yun inside it.
“Feng Ye.”
“Feng Ye.”
“Feng Ye……”
Luo Yun’s thoughts were a complete tangle, like a web woven without order. He did not even know why he kept calling that name.
His entire face was damp, bright and glistening. His lashes looked as though they had been soaked by rain, and his voice had turned soft and sticky from his heat, like a tiny kitten mewling for attention.
As though tainted by those sweet pheromones, even the way he called Feng Ye’s name seemed coated in sugar.
He had undergone secondary differentiation without warning in a classroom full of alphas and, for some unknown reason, had immediately entered heat. The subconscious fear made Luo Yun tremble all over.
His shaking fingertips were enclosed in a warm, powerful hand. Luo Yun met Feng Ye’s dark eyes and breathed in the clean scent of snow on the boy. His unease and fear slowly eased.
He clearly heard Feng Ye’s unwavering inner voice—
“Be good. Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
“You’ll be fine after you sleep for a while.”
Author’s Note: