61: Testing the Waters
How could he like me?
Shen Jin felt he was being pretty bold. After being denied once, he still dared to think it a second time.
He was ninety percent sure, yet there was still that remaining ten percent of uncertainty.
That ten percent was exactly why he hesitated.
The uncertainty mainly came from Qian Kun’s slyness.
Every time Shen Jin felt he’d brushed against the truth, the other party would slip away effortlessly, sounding righteous enough to leave Shen Jin feeling ashamed.
Shen Jin didn’t want to be treated like a narcissist again.
That meant he had to test and verify it more than once.
As for what came after verification, rejection or something else, he didn’t want to think that far yet.
……
Qian Kun watched Shen Jin’s retreating figure, never once looking back. Lately, there really had been many times when Shen Jin tried to speak openly.
Qian Kun’s evasive skills were honed to perfection. Shen Jin hadn’t found a single opening.
Based on what Qian Kun believed was his above-average intelligence, he estimated that Shen Jin wanted to continue the breakup talk. Once breakup was on the table, how far could ending the agreement really be.
Shen Jin, you were the one who started this. How can you blame me for clinging on to the bitter end?
It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered other possibilities. He just cared too much, cared so much he didn’t dare gamble.
Seeing Shen Jin walk farther and farther away, Qian Kun immediately chased after him and grabbed that porcelain-like wrist. He didn’t notice that the instant he touched him, Shen Jin stiffened.
Worried he might hurt him, Qian Kun loosened his grip once Shen Jin stopped.
Qian Kun spoke first, his gaze heavy. “I admit it. I was avoiding you.”
Shen Jin seemed distracted. He hummed softly. “Reason?”
“We signed the agreement because you said you weren’t sure whether that pervert was still around. During this time, I’ve had people keeping an eye on what happened to Yang Junbi, and I’ve also had my people follow up on everyone connected to you over the past few years. We’ve made some progress. You suddenly bringing up a breakup affects my side of things. Besides, I’m not someone who likes leaving things unfinished.”
Shen Jin had noticed long ago that when Qian Kun focused on someone, his gaze carried a misleading sense of deep affection. Almost no one could keep their composure under that look.
That ninety percent certainty wavered under such an explanation.
Seeing Shen Jin appear persuaded, Qian Kun slowly added more weight. “Also, even if you break up with me, can you really be sure the people around you are safe? Out of consideration for our bond, I can’t just watch you take risks. I can’t agree to breaking up right now.”
From logical analysis to personal sentiment, a few short sentences were enough to pull someone’s thinking along with him.
What Qian Kun said reflected his genuine thoughts. There were barely any flaws.
Shen Jin almost got talked back into it and felt he’d been making a mountain out of a molehill.
With Qian Kun’s explanation, the avoidance seemed more like a matter of personality.
Still, Shen Jin trusted his instincts. There were too many indirect clues. Some of Qian Kun’s behavior toward him simply didn’t hold up under scrutiny.
Shen Jin bit the tip of his tongue lightly. The faint pain sharpened his thoughts.
To make a fox reveal its tail, patience was necessary, along with casual, seemingly unintentional probing.
The priority right now was to act angry.
Anyone would be angry after being forcibly marked.
That was behaviorally logical.
“By your logic,” Shen Jin said, “I should be thanking you.”
“That’s not necessary,” Qian Kun replied. “There’s no need for such politeness between us.”
Shen Jin shot him a cold glance, then turned and strode ahead, clearly unwilling to engage.
Qian Kun thought this bout of impulsiveness had really angered him. His mood felt like walking a tightrope in midair as he followed uneasily.
As he drew closer, Qian Kun suddenly noticed the scent of his mark on Shen Jin had weakened slightly. A deep mark should last at least a week.
A worse guess surfaced. Shen Jin might have already completed his full differentiation. Only after that would a mark linger for such a short time.
That meant his role as a tool person was hanging by a thread.
Before Qian Kun could take another breath, Shen Jin sprayed inhibitor again, sealing his scent away completely.
On their way back, they spotted Ke Minghuai in the distance.
Worried about Shen Jin’s earlier condition, Ke Minghuai had handed his tasks to others and come looking again. Halfway there, he ran into You Jia, who had gone out to buy water.
You Jia hadn’t signed up for any events. As a newly transferred Omega, he’d been given the lightest duty out of consideration.
They happened to run into each other like this. You Jia wanted to thank him for the earlier generosity, yet Ke Minghuai looked as though he’d seen a flood beast and stepped back several paces.
You Jia hadn’t finished speaking when, in his haste, he slipped on the steps and fell.
He fell straight toward Ke Minghuai. If Ke Minghuai dodged, You Jia would definitely be hurt. After a few seconds of hesitation, You Jia crashed into his arms.
Shen Jin had been watching the scene unfold, marveling at how their fate stretched from outside campus to within.
Before he could see what happened next, at the instant You Jia fell, a large hand pulled Shen Jin’s face into a broad chest, trapping his view within a narrow space.
The moment Qian Kun noticed You Jia, he’d gone on alert.
He knew the quickest way to seize an opening was to make Shen Jin fully realize that Ke Minghuai wasn’t a good choice.
It would hurt, though.
Qian Kun didn’t know how much lingering affection Shen Jin still had for his former fiancé. Even if there was only a trace, he didn’t want Shen Jin to suffer.
Shen Jin suddenly collided with a scorching embrace. The familiar scent of flowing water and wood, mixed with a hint of tobacco, seeped deep into his bones.
After three marks, Shen Jin had memorized this scent completely.
His freshly marked body was unusually sensitive. The moment he caught that familiar pheromone, his legs went weak.
He had no mind to keep watching. Almost the instant he was touched, his whole body tingled. He shoved the hard chest away and darted back.
Just thinking about that ninety percent certainty made Shen Jin uneasy all over.
Qian Kun sighed inwardly. Acting on impulse and marking him had only driven him further away.
Shen Jin was usually gentle. It was rare for him to be angry.
Now that he was angry, how should he coax him back?
Qian Kun made a call and gave a few brief instructions, then turned and shot a cold glance behind him.
Seeing the two who had nearly fallen together, he felt relieved. At least Shen Jin hadn’t seen that scene.
They returned to the stadium interior. The broadcast was playing music for the mid-session break. The next event was the 400 meters, and several Alphas were heading to the assembly area.
They were from the track team. Spotting Qian Kun, they greeted him. “Brother Kun, we heard you signed up for the hell double combo. A real warrior!”
Anyone who wasn’t a sports specialist would avoid that event. After speaking, they went to gather.
Qian Kun curved his lips faintly, all his attention focused on the person beside him.
Shen Jin recalled that in previous years, Ke Minghuai always signed up for those two events.
As if casually, Shen Jin said, “Number ten looks pretty good.”
Number ten was the Alpha who’d just spoken, wearing a badge with the number ten on his back.
Shen Jin rarely commented on others’ appearances. Even said in passing, it carried weight.
Qian Kun’s gaze sharpened as he reassessed the speaker. In his memory, that was the ace of the specialty class.
The body proportions were average at best. Too much muscle ruined the aesthetic, leaning more toward a robust European American type.
He wasn’t tall either. Being class heartthrob in a specialty class probably meant tallest among the short. That long face wasn’t even as handsome as Liu Qimai’s.
Qian Kun critiqued mercilessly, his tone icy. “He’s average. You like that type?”
Shen Jin’s eyes flicked to Qian Kun’s slightly pursed lips. As he stepped up to the stands, he added, “I meant his clothes.”
When they returned, they were met with enthusiastic welcomes from classmates.
Jiang Yifan said, “Where did you two go? The homeroom teacher came by and praised us like crazy!”
Zheng Zhepeng said, “We were always bottom of the rankings before. Now we got a first-day opening win. Xiao Qiang’s practically over the moon!”
Jiang Yifan asked, “What events do you still have left, Jin-ge?”
“Just one,” Shen Jin replied. “After that, it’s on you guys.”
Jiang Yifan wailed, “Don’t do this, Ice God. You can’t abandon your children!”
“What, I just got carried and now we’re crashing?”
“The joy of being carried~~, gone so soon?”
The noise drew collective disdain from other classes.
Liu Qimai raised his brows and said with a grin, “No worries. We still have Kun-ge!”
Having lost my idol, I no longer have any joy.
Qian Kun shot him a look and didn’t refute it.
Shen Jin handed the cheering script he’d prepared in advance to Jiang Yifan, while Qian Kun went to get ready for other events. Liu Qimai latched onto him, insisting Qian Kun show off some contemporary Beta flair.
Shen Jin noticed several Omegas from other classes heading over to watch as well. Their classmates went together to cheer.
Shen Jin stayed behind, lazily spacing out. He gazed at the clear blue sky above the stadium, letting the earlier heat in his chest slowly subside.
After a while, his gaze fixed below.
Qian Kun had finished competing and changed into sportswear from who knew where.
A black T-shirt and black pants, with a simple blue logo, accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs.
Shen Jin’s barely settled heart was stirred again.
It was the same new sportswear number ten wore. Number ten’s was white. Same style, different color.
The same clothes looked striking on Qian Kun.
Luo Ying gasped. “Kun-ge, you changed outfits!”
Qian Kun smiled faintly, climbed the steps, and sat beside Shen Jin.
“I happened to have this set,” Qian Kun explained. “I got sweaty earlier, so I changed. Does it look good?”
Isn’t it way better than number ten’s?
It was obviously something you had someone buy on the spot.
Shen Jin seemed to hear the unspoken line and turned his head away.
He hummed softly, the tail end trembling.
The two sat on the stands, the breeze blowing toward them, cheers rising and falling in their ears.
“What was the last event?” Shen Jin asked.
“Javelin.”
“He can do that?” Shen Jin knew those were all events Liu Qimai signed up for.
“No,” Qian Kun said through gritted teeth. “He was just there to participate.”
Shen Jin almost laughed.
“What place did you get?”
A hint of smugness crept into Qian Kun’s eyes. “What do you think?”
Shen Jin’s eyelid twitched. He looked away in a panic.
In the afternoon, the sun made people drowsy. After finishing his high jump, Shen Jin returned to his seat to write more cheering notes.
A paper bag brushed lightly against his cheek. At some point, Ke Minghuai had climbed up the steps.
Shen Jin saw several seniors from the third year waiting below. It seemed Ke Minghuai was just passing by.
The logo on the bag was distinctive. Shen Jin recognized it instantly. It was mango candy from a certain country, made with pure mango pulp. Because production was extremely limited and never exported, you could only buy it locally.
Ke Minghuai smiled. “I had someone bring it back for me. You haven’t had it in a long time, right?”
Ke Minghuai used to bring it back as souvenirs.
He remembered how much Shen Jin liked it as a kid. He’d specially contacted locals to have it flown in.
Ke Minghuai knew exactly how to hit soft spots.
It was just a bag of candy. Given their childhood friendship, there was no reason not to accept it.
Someone who had just returned intercepted it.
Qian Kun pushed the bag back and glanced at it coldly. “Don’t you know he’s allergic to mangoes?”
The single sentence stunned Ke Minghuai on the spot. Even Shen Jin was surprised. He stared straight at Qian Kun and couldn’t help asking, “How do you know?”
Shen Jin never talked about his preferences. When it came to things he couldn’t eat, he simply avoided them.
Qian Kun didn’t think this was anything special to bring up, but he never brushed off Shen Jin’s questions. “Observation.”
It had been recently. Luo Ying had handed out mango to the class. Shen Jin’s first reaction was to scratch his arm and refuse.
Another day, Shen Jin had been on duty late. The cafeteria only had mango chicken and a few other dishes left. Shen Jin scratched his arm again and told him they’d eat outside.
Those unconscious actions were conditioned reflexes.
They likely stemmed from past experiences that left a deep impression.
As Ke Minghuai felt guilty, he increasingly sensed that what Shen Xie’an had said was true. Why return to adjust to someone he never needed to adjust to in the first place.
“Xiao Jin, why did you never tell me?”
“I did. You probably didn’t remember.”
Shen Jin recalled the delight of receiving those gifts back then. Feeling cared for mattered more than realizing he was allergic.
Later, when Ke Minghuai asked, Shen Jin had actually mentioned it once. At the time, Ke Minghuai’s mind was entirely on competitions, on beating a younger rival.
When Shen Jin received it again the following year, he didn’t want to bring it up anymore. He pretended he really liked it.
After that conversation, Ke Minghuai became distracted, making several careless mistakes he normally wouldn’t. For someone who demanded perfection of himself, that was rare.
By the end of the first day, rumors spread that Ke Minghuai and Shen Jin were childhood friends. Many people had seen Ke Minghuai go looking for Shen Jin.
Everyone thought the two of them had hidden it too well. No one could tell at all.
That also meant Shen Jin must know who Ke Minghuai’s fiancée was.
When the class dispersed, those returning to the dorms looked for companions heading the same way.
After saying goodbye to classmates, Shen Jin spotted a tall figure leaning against a motorcycle not far away.
Normally, if the forced marking hadn’t happened, Qian Kun could have sent him back without issue.
Today though, Shen Jin had been noticeably colder to him.
That afternoon, after Shen Jin finished competing, Qian Kun waited with a towel. His fingers had barely brushed Shen Jin’s hand, unintentionally, and Shen Jin almost dropped it.
Qian Kun sent a message. [Going back together?]
The words carried barely concealed caution.
Shen Jin felt the vibration and glanced down at his phone.
He’d never really done a cold war before. He didn’t know if a few hours was enough. It had been over five hours. That should be enough time for Qian Kun to reflect, right?
A third-year senior hesitated, then ran over and asked, “Ice God, do you know who Brother Huai’s fiancée is?”
Ever since learning there was a fiancée, they’d been curious what kind of person had captured Ke Minghuai.
Qian Kun’s hearing was sharp. He looked up abruptly, his cold eyes narrowing like a cold-blooded creature.
Shen Jin noticed the storm clouds gathering over someone in the distance.
He blinked and cut straight to the point. “I only know their engagement was already called off.”
The senior gasped.
That explosive?!
Shen Jin walked over to the motorcycle, took the helmet, and didn’t put it on right away.
Lowering his gaze, he asked, “Qian Kun, do you have someone you like?”
Hearing Shen Jin personally deny the engagement had already unsettled Qian Kun.
Shen Jin was like a piece of toffee. Every layer held a different sweetness, warming straight to the heart.
He barely had time to feel happy before that question sent a shiver up his spine.
Why did this tone feel so familiar?
Author’s Note:
Everyone: Of course it’s familiar. It’s the same tone from when he exposed you as the one who hates rabbits!
Jin Jin’s certainty is steadily closing in. Qian Qian is in danger!!
【Saying something, hehe】
Since this story started, the results haven’t been ideal, and I’ve often felt discouraged.
But!!!!!
Have you seen what you all leave in the comments? I’ve never seen such adorable messages!!
Every time I see your praise, I almost believe I’ve written something amazing (not really)!!
To avoid letting you down, I rack my brains every day, afraid I won’t live up to the heights you’ve talked me up to!!!
Ahh!!
This story is nearing its end, so before that, I wanted to take a chapter to thank all the babies who’ve stayed with me until now. Every time I see you in the comments, I’m truly grateful. You’ve given me the motivation to keep going.
Thank you to every single one of you, you are all so cute!!
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