30: Agreement Marking
In the bathroom, Shen Jin stood before the mirror. The person inside still had lingering blush that had not faded from both cheeks.
He cupped water in his hands and splashed his face several times before finally pulling himself out of the awkward shock of what he’d just walked in on.
Even without deliberately paying attention, he’d always heard plenty of rumors about Qian Kun.
In Shen Jin’s impression, Qian Kun belonged to the type who had very little to do with desire.
He stood at the bathroom door and gently opened it. Qian Kun had already shut down his laptop and was sending a voice message on his phone, his tone dark and dangerous. “Are you looking to die or what? Who told you to send this kind of garbage?”
What he needed was marking, not this sort of thing where two men posed and flirted in front of a camera.
What was there to touch about other people’s skin anyway? Wasn’t it unhygienic? Qian Kun couldn’t feel the slightest appeal in these videos.
Hearing movement behind him, he immediately put his phone down. Shen Jin paused, then quietly climbed back onto his bed, rustling under the covers. After this unexpected interruption, the tension he had been holding onto actually eased a little.
Qian Kun broke the silence first. “Liu Qimai sent it by mistake. I didn’t pay attention and clicked it.”
He was the type who, even when doing something wrong, remained relaxed and carefree.
Even more so disdained explaining his actions to anyone, but now his tone involuntarily carried a bit of forced, concealing composure.
“Mm.” Shen Jin responded. He already heard the content of Qian Kun’s call.
This kind of mix-up really did sound like something Liu Qimai would do, so it made perfect sense.
Shen Jin had heard other students say that roommates watching this kind of thing together was pretty normal, calling it a “joint study seminar.”
Had he overreacted earlier?
Since Shen Jin wasn’t good at handling situations like this, he tried a few times to smooth things over and finally blurted out, “Do I need to leave?”
Give Qian Kun some buffer time.
Qian Kun’s voice was icy. “No need.”
Someone like Qian Kun who normally paid little attention to others’ words was now listening carefully to every sound behind him.
Shen Jin believed that Qian Kun really wasn’t interested in this.
When Qian Kun had turned around earlier, there was still undisguised disgust in his eyes, as if the men in the video had dirtied his vision.
“That wasn’t aimed at you.”
Qian Kun felt his earlier attitude had been off.
“I know.”
Even with the misunderstanding cleared up, the atmosphere remained stiff.
Both of them went to bed with a shared sense of seeing through things without saying them out loud, mixed with faint embarrassment. Neither spared the other a glance.
After lights-out, bathed in hazy moonlight, neither of them moved.
Qian Kun soon got a reply.
Mai: [That isn’t exactly what you wanted? Or are you dissatisfied with the leads? This is already the best-looking one. Stuff at your level might be hard to find.]
CAT: [Are you a pervert? I wanted marking.]
Mai: [Huh? With the way you asked, it’s normal for me to misunderstand.]
CAT: [Your mind is filthy.]
Mai: [This is normal demand, okay? You can’t deny its existence just because you don’t have it.]
Mai: [Wait, you’re a Beta. What do you need this for, studying biodiversity?]
CAT: [Is that not allowed?]
Mai: [That’s you being ignorant. Alpha marking doesn’t need to be learned. It’s instinct.]
Mai: [You won’t get it anyway.]
CAT: [……]
Qian Kun pressed his temple, at a loss for words, pale eyes suppressing irritation.
Where did Liu Qimai get the confidence from? Plenty of Omegas ended up rejecting marking altogether because of bad first experiences.
Relying on others was worse than relying on himself. Qian Kun decided to figure it out on his own.
When he switched to his burner account, he saw the message Shen Jin had sent. He glanced in surprise toward the opposite bed and saw Shen Jin with the blanket pulled over his head, like there was some kind of monster outside, hiding under the covers while texting.
Xueqiu: [Before marking, I have a few requirements. If you want to back out after reading them, I’ll understand.]
Hate Rabbits: [Go ahead.]
The other side hesitated for a long time before finally sending them, as if steeling himself.
First, once my differentiation period ends successfully, I will remove the mark. I hope we can agree on this.
Second, without my permission, please do not investigate my occupation, name, or other personal details.
Third, during marking, please restrain your behavior. If anything makes me uncomfortable, stop immediately, or I will call the police.
Fourth, if my differentiation still hasn’t ended after five times, the agreement ends there.
.
.
.
Shen Jin’s requirements weren’t many. All told, there were fifteen.
The fourth one especially was well known. Temporary marking beyond five times would cause uncontrollable possessiveness on both sides.
These terms could’ve been passed through a middleman before tomorrow’s marking, but Shen Jin felt a certain appreciation for Hate Rabbits, so he sent them early to give the other party another chance to choose.
He knew this was excessive from a normal standpoint and treated Alpha dignity lightly.
Given the other person’s level, they didn’t lack marks, and with someone as troublesome as him, it would be easy to find a more obedient partner.
This whole thing could easily fall apart at the very last step.
Even if it didn’t work out, Shen Jin didn’t regret proposing an agreement.
They were strangers after all. Without contractual constraints, he lost one layer of self-protection.
Shen Jin lifted the blanket like a hamster poking out for grain and breathed in the outside air.
He stared at the chat box. The status read “typing,” yet no reply came for a long time.
A bitter smile crept onto his lips.
As expected, this was hard to accept.
……
[I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.]
Ding.
There was a reply.
Shen Jin closed his eyes in sudden fatigue, then snapped them open.
He stared at the screen in a daze.
The next day, Shen Jin was distracted all day.
From time to time, he took out his phone to check if Hate Rabbits had replied, but even by the time he reached the matching center, there was still nothing.
There were more people today, and Shen Jin had changed into casual clothes.
Previously, wearing a school uniform had drawn constant attention. He deliberately changed this time, yet still attracted plenty of looks.
He took a baseball cap from his bag and put it on. Only then did the stares lessen.
After taking a number, he waited over ten minutes. During that time, he couldn’t help scanning the area, wondering if Hate Rabbits might be among these Alphas.
He had no access to any of Hate Rabbits’ information, only that they were about his age.
Had reading the agreement scared him off after all?
Shen Jin more or less guessed he’d come for nothing today. His expression remained cool, as if he’d already been prepared.
Since there was an appointment, he still planned to wait a little longer.
At the counter, he registered.
Shen Jin asked, “Has the Alpha matched with me not arrived?”
The staff flipped through the records. “That’s right. Someone will take you to the matching room shortly. Please wait inside for a moment.”
The staff remembered this pair well. For things to turn around at the last moment was rare enough to be recorded among this year’s oddities. They were especially curious what a person with 3S mental power looked like in reality.
Still, with the agreed time approaching, could it be a last-minute change?
A few hours earlier, Qian Kun had appeared at the airport arrival gate. He’d only received his mother’s flight details at noon.
[Son, I sent you the flight schedule. Remember to pick Mom up. I brought you gifts.]
[How is it that something important just happens to come up? What could be more important than Mom?]
[Seven thirty? My flight lands at four thirty. I’ll just take you over then. It’s been months. Could it be my son has a sweetheart now? That would be perfect timing. Mom can meet them.]
[You’re so sure there isn’t one? Fine, if you say so.]
There weren’t many people who could leave Qian Kun helpless, but his mother definitely counted.
He lost after only a few exchanges and agreed to wait personally at the gate.
Shen Jin hadn’t told even his family about looking for a temporary mark. Qian Kun naturally wouldn’t overstep.
He’d skipped a few afternoon classes, accompanied his mother, then rushed to the matching center.
From the back seat, Qian Kun sent Shen Jin a message saying he’d agreed, but would arrive late.
Amber streetlights cut through the darkness as the car passed, briefly outlining a tall, elegant figure sitting inside.
Qian Kun supported Shen Jin’s caution. He even reminded himself that this was the right way to treat strangers. Even in extreme need, Shen Jin maintained calm and reason, which was rare.
How many adults could resist instinct and desire?
He hadn’t replied immediately yesterday since he couldn’t agree too quickly.
That wouldn’t be normal, nor would it fit an Alpha’s pride.
Shen Jin was too smart.
With only a few clues, he could detect something off and retreat immediately.
Qian Kun didn’t want to give him that chance.
At that moment, the car braked suddenly. A collision had happened ahead, nearly involving them.
After stopping, surrounding cars detoured away. It was rush hour, traffic heavy, and going around the accident would take time.
The driver checked the traffic map and saw everything marked red. “Young Master, we may need to detour. It’ll take longer.”
“Detour, then. As fast as possible.”
Qian Kun frowned slightly and pulled up Shen Jin’s number. His thumb hovered over the call button, rubbing lightly.
Thinking of his current identity, he withdrew.
Bang.
A knock on the window cut through the air.
Qian Kun turned to see a clean-cut boy in a high school uniform, blood running down his forehead, pleading through the glass.
The boy’s lips formed the words “help me.” Qian Kun tapped the button, lowering the window.
When the boy saw Qian Kun’s unmistakably handsome face in the dim car interior, he froze for several seconds.
Once he met Qian Kun’s unfamiliar gaze, he snapped back to himself.
The boy took a breath and spoke more fluently. “I’m a victim from the accident ahead. Debt collectors are chasing me. They rammed me on purpose to stop me. Can you take me to the hospital? I’m afraid they’ll use illegal methods…”
Qian Kun felt the boy’s face seemed oddly familiar. Stranger still, once he looked away, it felt like something interfered with his thoughts.
What kind of mess was this? How did debt chases still end in crashes these days?
Why not use legal channels?
This had nothing to do with him. Qian Kun didn’t plan to get involved.
At most, he could call emergency services. Anything else wasn’t his responsibility.
If he arrived late, the little friend might not wait.
As he was about to tell the driver to leave, a stabbing pain pierced his head, his gaze sharpening instantly.
He hadn’t had headaches in a long time since transferring schools.
Why now, at this exact moment?
Seeing several fierce-looking men approaching in the distance, likely intending to take the boy before police arrived, Qian Kun finally opened the door and shifted inward.
Shen Jin sat alone in the empty matching room.
His fingers twisted together, palms damp with sweat, eyes lifting to the clock overhead.
The light in his eyes dimmed bit by bit.
So he wasn’t coming after all.
Shen Jin reached into his bag, intending to check for messages, only to realize his phone had died at some point.
He decided to wait ten more minutes. If no one came, then he already had his answer.
*
After the boy got in, he tried to strike up conversation several times, but Qian Kun didn’t even offer perfunctory replies, only checking his watch.
Qian Kun’s silence was oppressive. Without his usual lazy smile, the boy didn’t dare speak again.
The nearest hospital was over half an hour away, and with traffic, arrival time was uncertain.
Qian Kun wasn’t going to spend that long. They went to the nearest police station instead. After explaining the situation, professionals could take over.
Whether it was hospital care or debt issues, it should be handled by authorities.
The boy hadn’t even finished thanking him before Qian Kun was already gone.
Qian Kun ordered the driver to push the car to its fastest pace and rushed toward the matching center.
Ten minutes were almost up. Shen Jin stood calmly, stepped out the door, and ran into a burly Alpha.
That Alpha had been staring at Shen Jin in the waiting hall earlier, smitten.
Now, seeing Shen Jin’s match hadn’t arrived, a dark thought rose. He approached. “Hey, pretty one, why not consider me? My mental power is A-rank. If it’s you, I won’t even charge for marking.”
He reached out. Shen Jin grabbed his wrist, flipped him, and slammed him against the wall.
Shen Jin sneered. “You think you’re worthy?”
The man’s wrist nearly snapped. His howls brought staff running, who separated them.
They dragged the swearing brute away, apologized profusely to Shen Jin, then said, “Your matched Alpha has arrived and is signing the agreement you sent yesterday. Please wait a moment longer.”
Shen Jin froze.
Withered tree meeting spring.
Hate Rabbits, someone who seemed so arrogant, had actually agreed?
He thought he could take a no-show calmly, yet once the other party truly arrived, he realized he wasn’t as composed as he believed.
Surprise flooded him, his heart pounding fiercely again.
He told himself this was because the other person’s choice was unexpected. Signing such an unequal agreement at least meant respect.
That Alpha really must be poor to the bone.
Otherwise, how could he accept such harsh terms?
Once signed, it had to be strictly enforced. The matching center, as an official body, had supervisory duty.
Maybe the marking fee should be raised again later. As a patron, he shouldn’t be stingy with such a cooperative partner.
There really were more good people in this world.
As Shen Jin thought this, nervousness returned.
He didn’t wait long before footsteps sounded outside. A door opened on the opposite side.
The marking room was a single space, but divided by a barrier, with only a small window for the marking itself.
Shen Jin couldn’t see the other person, only hear a low, pleasant voice thanking the staff.
Just like in their chats, the person sounded distant yet courteous.
Both unfamiliar and familiar.
The unfamiliar part was the voice itself. The familiar part was the intonation.
Before Shen Jin could think further, the voice came through the wall.
“Good thing I made it. I thought you already left.”
Shen Jin heard slightly hurried breathing, as if having run over.
His ears warmed. Why did the sense of familiarity feel even stronger?
Is something wrong with me?
Author’s Note:
Time to mark. Hand-rubbing excitement in progress.
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