75: A Sky Full of Stars (End of Main Story)
The ambiguous warmth spread through the tiny stall, and Shen Jin could no longer tell how much time had passed.
Slanting sunlight poured in through the high window, like a dusting of gold powder falling over them. Shen Jin’s eyes were closed. He felt a slightly hot hand trace slowly from his cheek past the corner of his lips, then, unhurried and patient, soothe along the line of his neck.
A bead of sweat slid down from near his ear and was gently caught by the Alpha behind him, making Shen Jin shiver lightly.
The marking was already over, but Shen Jin didn’t have much strength left. If Qian Kun weren’t holding him up, he might’ve slid straight to the floor.
He’d underestimated what the pheromones of a high mental-strength Alpha could do.
“How many times did you even mark me…” Shen Jin panted softly.
“Couldn’t help it. It ran a bit long,” the Alpha said, nuzzling his shoulder, his voice faintly apologetic.
So you don’t even remember how many times yourself, huh?
This wasn’t like the previous times, where they stopped after a taste. Qian Kun was like he wanted to swallow him whole. So much pheromone flooded into him all at once, like wave after wave crashing through his limbs and bones.
Shen Jin’s thoughts kept drifting up and down, and the fact that the protagonist shou had been right outside earlier made his whole body tense and uneasy.
Once Shen Jin regained a little strength, Qian Kun shifted aside, giving him space.
“Next time, I’ll be more careful.”
Shen Jin glared at him weakly, as if to say: You really think you will?
That glare made Qian Kun boil over again. Shen Jin did not want a repeat performance. He still planned to attend evening self-study today.
Seeing the fear on Shen Jin’s face, Qian Kun chuckled. “Relax. I’m not marking you again today.”
Qian Kun wasn’t sure how many days he’d be gone. With Shen Jin’s deadline for an answer drawing closer by the hour, it only worsened his anxiety.
Breathing in the scent Shen Jin carried, saturated with his own, steadied him slightly.
You Jia wandered around the perimeter without purpose. He couldn’t find Shen Jin. After waiting near the edge of the field for almost half an hour, he returned, dejected.
When he entered the teaching building, something made him look back.
From far away, he saw the person he’d been searching for walking out from the gym entrance.
Standing beside Shen Jin was that Qian Kun who made him shiver from the bottom of his heart.
Qian Kun flicked his gaze over in You Jia’s direction, then took out a tissue and dabbed at Shen Jin’s hair, speaking gently. “It got damp just now.” As he spoke, he stepped to the side, casually blocking You Jia’s view.
Shen Jin snatched the tissue to wipe his own hair and answered in a low voice, “Oh.”
Shen Jin simmered for a bit, but then thought that an Alpha couldn’t control himself during marking, and Qian Kun had been holding back for a while. It wasn’t fair to blame him entirely.
Shen Jin jolted. Wait, am I making excuses for Qian Kun?
Shen Jin, have you been blinded by lust?
Qian Kun watched him with his head lowered in thought. One moment he looked like he was meditating, the next like he was trying to relax. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Back when they first met, Shen Jin was an ice sculpture all day long. He’d been beautiful then too, but Qian Kun cherished this livelier Shen Jin even more.
He understood better than anyone how rare it was for Shen Jin to open his heart like this.
They strolled along the corridor.
Qian Kun glanced at You Jia, who was fleeing in the distance. This kind of “claiming territory to scare off a rival” move wasn’t new, but the results were immediate.
Shen Jin walked his deskmate to the school gate. Qian Kun sent another phone number to him.
Shen Jin stared at the string of digits. “A phone number?”
“Yeah. Sometimes the personal pods in the Alpha Control Center block signal. If you can’t reach me, call this.”
“Whose number is it?”
“My mom’s.”
“……” Why would I call your mom?!
“If there’s an emergency and you can’t find me, you can contact her.” Qian Kun was still worried about that occasionally tempting scent that leaked from Shen Jin’s body. Shen Jin had been using blocker, so it wasn’t obvious.
Shen Jin sent him off with a complicated mood. The car started moving. Before it drove away, the front passenger window lowered.
A handsome face, resembling Qian Kun by three parts, appeared. Shen Jin’s heart jumped as he immediately guessed who it was.
The middle-aged man gave him a small nod, and the window slid back up.
Seeing Shen Jin standing at the gate like a stunned wooden chicken, Qian Kun accused his father. “You scared him.”
Qian Kun’s father said, “I just wanted to see my future daughter-in-law. You’re the one hiding him too well. Already feeling protective?”
Qian Kun answered, “Whoever my wife is, of course I’d be protective.”
“Ha. You talk like you’ve already won.”
“……”
Liu Manning always said her son had a sharp tongue and would scare his wife away someday. She had never known who he took after.
Now, the source was found.
At first, Qian Kun’s leave didn’t draw much attention. Everyone thought the big shot was just skipping class for fun.
But by the third day, even they started to feel something was off. Shen Jin occasionally heard the girls discussing it during breaks.
“Mai-zi, is Kun-ge sick?”
“What kind of illness? Which hospital? Can we visit him?”
Liu Qimai shook his head. “I don’t know either. I asked Auntie. She said it’s nothing serious. If it were something big, Auntie would’ve been worried already.”
He also thought it was strange. He even made a trip to the Qian house but only saw the household staff.
“Don’t tell me Kun-ge is actually an Alpha and he’s entered a pheromone eruption period! Hahaha!”
“Honestly, that guess feels weirdly real.”
“I think he has some serious disease, the kind you can’t cure.”
Rumors took off. By the end of it, Qian Kun supposedly had some terminal illness.
After years of friendship, even Liu Qimai, dense as he was, sensed something fishy. He dragged Zhou You into a corner and asked in a low voice, “Tell me the truth. Is Kun-ge…”
Zhou You felt a bit gratified. Qian Kun had never mentioned it, not because he didn’t trust them, but because the fewer people who knew, the better. Zhou You had only figured it out himself, and only recently confirmed it. He guessed Qian Kun’s rank was very high, high enough that the state would protect him.
Liu Qimai looked like he was about to cry. “Is it… that he doesn’t have much time left?”
Zhou You: “……”
Just go die of stupidity.
You Jia’s situation was special. He was one of the few who knew Qian Kun’s true gender.
However, he didn’t dare say much. After everything that had happened, hearing the name “Qian Kun” made him shiver. That old flutter of attraction and secret crush had long vanished under repeated reality checks.
Still, lately, the forums had been buzzing. No one knew who started it, but someone had confidently declared that Qian Kun might be an Alpha.
They even listed “evidence,” and the discussion grew hotter and hotter. You Jia was worried that if Qian Kun returned to school and saw it, he might take it out on him.
Shen Jin saw the post too: “On the Possibility That Kun-ge Is an Alpha.”
The post skipped the background, since everyone knew Qian Kun had been on leave for three days and countless theories were flying. The author proposed that Qian Kun had likely entered a pheromone tide.
First, the most obvious: Qian Kun’s body, looks, and aura. The moment you see him, what gender do you think he is?
Second: people said that before he left, he smelled of blocker. Everyone knows Betas don’t need blocker.
Third: remember that peak showdown at the sports meet? Who did Qian Kun face? Ke Minghuai, the senior known as a king. No introduction needed. Pheromone rank S, a once-in-ten-years type.
Fourth: the author claimed to have checked major hospitals. Qian Kun wasn’t hospitalized, so illness was ruled out. If he wasn’t sick, where could he be?
Fifth: the author said they’d followed Qian Kun since he was abroad. Many people didn’t know Qian Kun used to compete internationally. Beyond Olympiad math, he was also outstanding athletically, having won youth championships in Y-country in skiing, fencing, and equestrian events.
Those fields were traditionally Alpha-dominated.
In other words, even if he really was an Alpha and suppressed his pheromones to zero to appear as a Beta, that alone proved his physical ability surpassed most Alphas.
The author even suspected Qian Kun hid his gender on purpose to reduce the number of admirers.
The post went on with plenty more examples, all structured and persuasive.
Shen Jin felt that no matter what was going on, Qian Kun should be the one to speak for himself. He wanted to reply, but the moment he refreshed, the post was gone.
The school decided it was inappropriate and had the post deleted by network monitoring.
Once it was deleted, it only felt like confirmation, and the private gossip grew even fiercer.
If anyone had been the calmest these past few days, it was Shen Jin.
Jiang Yifan saw that Shen Jin wasn’t affected by the restless atmosphere at all. Physics after chemistry, sheet after sheet, problem after problem. As expected of their Ice God, untouched by worldly dust.
Jiang Yifan asked, “Jin-ge, what if Kun-ge really is an Alpha?”
Shen Jin lifted his eyes and said flatly, “So what? Whatever gender he is, it won’t affect the next in-class math test.”
S-so reasonable!
Look at Shen Jin. Even after differentiating, he was still the same as before.
Life goes on. The new test dungeon still isn’t cleared. Who has time for gossip?
Even if Qian Kun really was an Alpha, he still wouldn’t lower himself to date them.
Maybe it was Shen Jin’s influence, but Class Nine became the quietest class of all.
The grade director passing by nodded repeatedly. Choosing Shen Jin as the school’s “no dating” representative really had been the wisest decision.
During this period, Shen Jin sent a few messages. Replies came slowly, but Qian Kun always answered with voice messages. From his tone, he seemed stable.
These past two days, when Shen Jin returned to the dorm and woke up in the morning while still foggy, he would glance at the bed beside him and wonder why no one was calling him for morning runs. In the washroom, he would realize there wasn’t any weirdly shaped toothpaste on his toothbrush. When he got to class, the warm water that was never late no longer sat on his desk…
In the afternoon, Shen Jin received a message from Xie Ling telling him to come home. He packed up and rushed back. At least he wouldn’t have to face his roommate’s empty bed.
Shen Jin bought groceries and cooked a full spread to wait for Xie Ling. Xie Ling came back early today. He’d only planned to spend time with his little cousin, but what greeted him was a table of steaming hot dishes.
Xie Ling stood there for a long while. Only after Shen Jin came out of the kitchen, joking with the butler, did he finally move.
Xie Ling took off his coat. “Why did you make so much?”
He realized they were all dishes he liked.
Xie Ling was the first heir of the Xie family. He’d grown up in a harsh environment. He wasn’t allowed to be picky. Even things he disliked, he had to eat.
But no one is without preferences.
Xie Ling had them too, but he couldn’t say them aloud, and no one cared. All anyone saw was what achievement he’d produced next.
Many of Shen Jin’s habits came from being influenced by the person he admired most. He had long since learned Xie Ling’s likes by heart.
“Ge, you told me to come home today, wasn’t it because today is the day I came to the Xie family, when I was five?”
Xie Ling had thought only he remembered.
Xie Ling sat down. Remembering something he’d once seen in a video, he awkwardly picked up a bite of stir-fried three delicacies and placed it into Shen Jin’s bowl. “What Xie family? This is your home.”
“Mm.” Shen Jin nodded like a pecking chick. He looked at the food atop the white rice, froze for a moment, then scooped a small bowl of beef-and-egg-drop soup for Xie Ling.
The butler returned from the kitchen with a few more dishes. Seeing the brothers, words few but atmosphere warm, he couldn’t help smiling in relief.
This house, once cold and devoid of warmth for the young master, finally had the temperature it should have had.
After dinner, the two went out together to walk it off.
The area around the Xie residence was lush and beautiful. There was even an artificial lake, with people boating on it. By the time they returned, the streetlights were on. At the gate stood a motorcycle, and a tall boy was waiting there, quietly staring in.
Shen Jin’s eyes widened. Joy surged through him as he stared at that figure.
Qian Kun had just left the control center. After confirming all values were stable, he’d undergone two more rounds of expert consultations. It was now confirmed he had safely passed the most dangerous phase of the 3S pheromone eruption.
After greeting his family, he’d gone to the dorm first, only to find it empty.
Walking around campus, he ran into students of all grades. Their attention toward him was unusually intense.
Qian Kun had long been used to being watched. He remained as he always was, doing what he pleased.
Once he left the school gate, he came straight to the Xie residence.
Xie Ling saw that his little cousin was practically shining with happiness. He already guessed things were doomed, that his cabbage had been carried off by an outside wolf, but seeing it with his own eyes still made his chest ache.
When Shen Jin came closer, he felt Qian Kun’s presence sharpen, carrying the restrained dominance of someone who had come into adulthood.
Qian Kun’s eyes were darker too. When they settled over Shen Jin, it felt like he might be pulled into an embrace in the next second.
Qian Kun met the icy, laser-like scrutiny of his “future brother-in-law.”
Xie Ling had been tempered in the business world. His presence wasn’t something an ordinary Alpha could withstand. However Qian Kun didn’t retreat. Instead, he kept his distance just right. “Xie-ge, last time at Xielier, I was discourteous. I’ve been wanting to come apologize in person.”
Xie Ling withdrew his gaze. “No need.”
Seeing his cabbage blinking up at him, Xie Ling didn’t say more. “Curfew is 10 PM.” Shen Jin hadn’t known the Xie household had a curfew.
Xie Ling thought: it didn’t before.
Now it does.
After Xie Ling went inside, Shen Jin looked back at the person whose aura had changed. “You’re better?”
“Yeah. No problems. After a while, the school will receive official paperwork from above, and then they’ll announce my differentiation.”
“Differentiation?” When did you ever differentiate?
“That phrasing is easier for people to accept.”
Shen Jin nodded in understanding.
Qian Kun glanced at his watch, estimated the time, and said, “Actually, I came today not just to see you. There’s somewhere I want to take you.”
To see you.
Those three words tapped lightly on Shen Jin’s heart.
Shen Jin took the helmet and, familiar as ever, climbed onto the back seat.
Qian Kun’s delight was obvious. He looked back. “You’re not going to ask where I’m taking you?”
Shen Jin said, “Are we going or not?”
Knowing this person was thin-skinned, Qian Kun didn’t tease further. They sped off and arrived at a place Shen Jin wasn’t completely unfamiliar with.
This was where the climate oddity had happened before. It was near here that he’d last seen You Jia.
This time, the protagonist changed.
It was Yang Junbi, the young man who had been on leave from school at home. He was being forced into a police car by several uniformed officers while onlookers pointed and whispered.
Yang Junbi was another one of the perverts from Shen Jin’s nightmares. A few days ago, Qian Kun had said he’d have an answer soon. Shen Jin hadn’t expected it to be this fast.
Shen Jin heard passersby say that someone had reported him, that during his leave he’d been gathering to use drugs. A lot of evidence had been found inside that room. Caught red-handed.
Yang Junbi had been extremely cautious, changing locations every so often. Qian Kun had no warrant and couldn’t just search a house. That would be trespassing.
Without solid evidence, he couldn’t call the police either, or it would only alert the target.
To gather the crucial proof, Qian Kun had set up a plan that let someone infiltrate Yang Junbi’s circle, enter that room, and photograph the evidence. Only then could they bring the entire thing down in one strike.
In the original novel, “Shen Jin” had been injected several times by Yang Junbi when he refused to be confined, forced into obedience. It had become a deep, persistent nightmare.
It was also the source of Shen Jin’s unease after he remembered the plot. Not fearing a pervert didn’t mean enjoying an existence of unknown terror.
Now, a beam of sunlight had finally broken through.
Warm, gentle, it drove away layers of shadow.
The police car left. Then the crowd scattered.
They got back on the motorcycle. Shen Jin, sitting behind him, asked softly, “A report from the public? You were the ‘public’?”
Qian Kun said, “Yeah. Helpful citizen Xiao Kun.”
Laughter came from behind him. Shen Jin rarely laughed, and even more rarely laughed out loud. Qian Kun wanted to look back, but then he felt soft pressure around his waist.
It was Shen Jin’s arms.
Before, Qian Kun always had to pull him closer. This time, Shen Jin did it on his own.
How could anyone withstand that?
Qian Kun snapped down the visor on his helmet. In the floating night, two boys’ heartbeats drew closer and closer.
At morning assembly, plenty of people noticed Qian Kun was back at school.
The grade director on stage paused several times, hearing whispers below.
Qian Kun was long used to attention. Zhou You had already told him why this time.
Class Nine was fairly calm. They were immersed in studying now. Do not disturb. Do not summon.
During breaks, Omegas occasionally peeked in through the back door, and Class Nine students blocked them.
After chasing off curious onlookers from other classes, Jiang Yifan and the others returned and found Qian Kun watching them.
Qian Kun said, “If you want to know, I can tell you.”
Jiang Yifan and the others exchanged looks. “Kun-ge, if you do that, you won’t be mysterious anymore. Please keep it up.”
Not long after, Shen Jin noticed the chat log in Class Group 2 constantly refreshing.
[Judging from Kun Kun’s attitude, this wave is confirmed!]
[Does Kun-ge know that once he announces it, love letters will come in waves? No, he does not!]
[Yesterday Class Eight even started a bet. Winners get a milk tea each, losers pay. I feel like I can freeload a cup this time!]
[What, you all guessed already and didn’t include me? The boat of friendship capsizes so easily. I’ll never love again.]
Shen Jin couldn’t hold back a smile. Qian Kun saw his screen. What a bunch of clowns.
Qian Kun had thought they truly weren’t curious. Turns out they were betting on him behind his back. He casually told Jiang Yifan, who was collecting homework, “Save me a cup of milk tea later.”
Jiang Yifan: “!”
How did the main character find out!
Qian Kun turned his head and noticed You Jia staring at him.
You Jia said quietly, “The rumor wasn’t me.”
Qian Kun said, “I know.”
You Jia let out a breath. The thing he’d been worried about didn’t happen. He didn’t have to get expelled. He ran out happily.
Shen Jin had noticed You Jia seemed gloomy these days. Seeing him suddenly brighten like this, Shen Jin couldn’t help glancing at him a few more times. It was like You Jia treated Qian Kun as a savage beast.
Shen Jin asked, “How can you be sure?”
Qian Kun said, “His Chinese isn’t passing. He couldn’t write a post that organized.”
Shen Jin: “……” For a moment, he had no idea what to say.
Qian Kun glanced at Qiao Yishan walking past the back door.
Qiao Yishan met his gaze and hurried away.
Liu Qimai hesitated several times, wanting to speak.
Qian Kun felt a bit guilty toward Liu Qimai, so he found a chance at noon and told him.
After Zhou You’s hints, Liu Qimai had already guessed a little.
After one dramatic burst of screaming, he accepted it quickly.
Then he looked at Shen Jin with faint sympathy.
Shen Jin asked, “What’s with you?”
Liu Qimai sighed heavily. “Ice God, you’ve had it rough.”
An Alpha like Kun-ge, you could tell his rank wouldn’t be low, and he had been pent up for ages. You’re not having an easy time.
Shen Jin asked his deskmate, “What’s wrong with him?”
“Ignore him.” Qian Kun patted Liu Qimai back into place, then poured a cup of warm water from the dispenser and handed it to Shen Jin. “Have you been drinking water on time these past few days?”
Shen Jin was disciplined in most things, except for little matters like eating and drinking.
Qian Kun had even upgraded the backend for Shen Jin’s necklace, adding a reminder function. When it was time to drink water, it would warm slightly.
Shen Jin felt guilty and drank half the cup at once.
Seeing that, Qian Kun’s brows knit but didn’t say anything.
But before his irritation could fully gather, he felt his shirt hem tugged, and then gently shaken in a very cute way.
It was a peace-making signal.
And it came from Shen Jin.
When the scene from his past dreams finally appeared in reality, Qian Kun’s heart rate climbed nonstop.
Hold it together. He couldn’t give in the moment Shen Jin tried to reconcile.
Otherwise, with Shen Jin’s personality, he might keep ignoring it. That stomach problem of his had come from exactly this kind of daily accumulation.
The bell rang for class change. The Alpha who was about to lay down the law fled the classroom instead.
He was afraid that if he stayed, he’d let Shen Jin take whatever he wanted.
This time, Shen Jin needed to understand how serious it was.
Homeroom teacher Hu Shengqiang walked in. Last time, because an Omega had gone into heat, the physical exam had been paused. The school had rescheduled, and it was now.
Last time, the exam focused mainly on Alphas and Omegas. Their items were more complicated and took longer, and most of them had already been checked.
Shen Jin was in the Beta line. When it was his turn, he lifted the curtain. After a series of routine checks, the doctor noticed his suppressant patch. Natural Betas don’t have glands.
The doctor looked at his file and told him to remove the patch.
“Your gland is very healthy.” It looked even healthier than an Omega’s, almost as if constantly nourished by a dedicated Alpha. “All other results are normal too. If you don’t have other discomfort, you can try not using blocker.”
Shen Jin was cautious. The original novel mentioned that after his differentiation, his scent could be very tempting. Even after differentiating successfully, he still kept using blocker.
The doctor brought him a bottle of solution meant to remove blocker. Shen Jin didn’t want to spray it.
The doctor assumed he was shy and smiled. “It’s fine. You’re a Beta. You can’t affect other genders.”
As he spoke, he peeled off Shen Jin’s suppressant patch and sprayed him.
Shen Jin couldn’t stop him in time. In the next instant, his scent spread outward.
Outside the curtain stood a group of Betas waiting for their turn. The person at the front sniffed the air.
“Do you guys smell something really fragrant?”
“Yeah. I thought I was imagining it. Who just went in?”
“Was it… Ice God?”
“But we’re Betas. We can’t smell pheromones!”
“This isn’t pheromone!”
“It smells amazing, better than anything I’ve ever smelled!”
“Something’s not right. I suddenly want to kiss whoever smells like this!”
“I finally understand why Alphas can’t control themselves when they smell pheromones…”
The Betas only felt the scent was intoxicating. They still had reason.
But in the room next door, some Alphas were still being examined. The Omegas were farther away.
At first, the Alphas could hold themselves back. But as the scent spread, their breathing quickened. They desperately wanted to possess its owner.
And Shen Jin, the source of the scent, began to feel unwell too.
Dizziness hit him. He thought he heard Alphas outside trying to force their way in. The doctor who’d examined him regretted his earlier conclusion. Shen Jin’s case was clearly an unexpected anomaly beyond common sense.
The doctor fought the urge rising under that scent and tried to shut the door, but an Alpha rushed in and braced against it. The door wouldn’t close.
Shen Jin clutched his head in pain. Outside, the Alphas lost control and released pressure. The Omegas in the distance were frightened. Medical staff quickly ushered them indoors, sealing off the outside scents.
A voice like clear spring water cut through everything. “Move.”
Then an overwhelming pressure crashed down on every Alpha. To Shen Jin, it was flowing water wrapping him. To them, it was a slab of ice.
Their minds stuttered. The redness in their eyes faded back into clarity. Several Alphas went weak and dropped to one knee.
Alpha ranks were absolute. Even a small leak of 3S mental strength was a disaster for ordinary Alphas. In that instant, they felt the suffocating pain of near-asphyxiation. No one dared chase that tempting scent anymore.
The Betas watched the boy who had been the center of rumors, whose gender hadn’t been publicly announced, now openly release the pheromones he’d hidden for more than ten years.
They unconsciously parted to make way.
The boy looked calmly at the doctor. His eyes held reproach and displeasure. The doctor, who’d been blocking the gap, released the handle as if possessed.
Feeling that familiar “flowing water” wrap around him, Shen Jin finally let out a breath.
The next second, his vision went black. Something warm covered him. Under his nose, the only scent left was the Alpha’s steady, streaming pheromone.
Qian Kun took off his coat and wrapped it around the trembling Shen Jin.
He said softly, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Under the coat, Shen Jin didn’t speak.
Qian Kun tore open a suppressant patch and stuck it to his own gland, sealing his scent completely.
When he led Shen Jin out, he’d already pulled back his pressure, but every Alpha avoided his cold gaze.
They went to the rooftop. Qian Kun had come here to smoke before and knew it well. He reached to lift the coat, only to find it clutched tightly in Shen Jin’s hands.
From inside the coat came Shen Jin’s muffled voice.
“Are you still mad?”
Qian Kun felt both amused and exasperated. He rubbed the top of the coat-covered head. “How could I still be mad right now?”
When he rushed over and saw those Alphas crowding the door, and smelled that scent that almost drove him insane, Qian Kun had nearly lost it.
The “coat” nodded.
Qian Kun forgot to lock the door. Shen Jin thought he was leaving and grabbed the hem of his shirt.
“Don’t go.”
So quiet that if Qian Kun hadn’t been focusing entirely on him, he wouldn’t have heard it.
Maybe the image was too cute. Qian Kun sighed and gently pulled him into his arms. “I’m not going. I’m here.”
The news spread quickly. Several forum posts went red-hot:
[I’m so excited I can’t even type straight. Kun-ge really is an Alpha!!!]
[He released his pheromones just now. Completely unstoppable. It felt like wildfire and like icy steel, with a hint of gentleness too. When he walked past, I almost dropped to my knees!]
[It looked like he released it to get Ice God out. Ice God had a sudden episode, and no one expected his scent to be that good!]
[Kun-ge is killing me. I want to become that coat!]
Qian Kun directly asked Hu Shengqiang for leave for both of them. Because so many teachers had rushed over due to the physical exam incident, the leave was approved easily. In truth, Shen Jin had already gone for a checkup after differentiating, but because nothing was wrong, he’d simply carried blocker on him ever since.
They went back to the pheromone department. After a series of examinations, the doctor frowned at Shen Jin’s results and called in an even more senior specialist.
After discussion, they reached the most reliable conclusion they could. The older doctor walked over and glanced at Qian Kun standing beside Shen Jin.
“When you were an Omega, your pheromone level was very high. Your body also wasn’t suited to differentiating. During the process, a kind of mutation occurred. Your body now automatically secretes this scent.”
What Shen Jin wanted to know was, “Can it be cured?”
The doctor wanted to give him hope, but it was too rare. He said with regret, “Cases like yours are extremely uncommon worldwide. It isn’t pheromone itself, so it won’t affect your daily life too much, but you’ll need to spray blocker regularly.”
What gave Shen Jin a headache was that this scent seemed to attract every gender.
In the original story, [Shen Jin] after differentiation would have a new scent, but that had calming effects, not making them increasingly desirous. Was this a deviation from becoming reality?
After hearing it couldn’t be cured, Shen Jin told Qian Kun about what he’d dreamed, then slumped into the car, listless.
In the back seat, Qian Kun spoke suddenly. “It does have an effect. Every time after I mark you, I can feel myself being soothed.”
Shen Jin turned to him and stammered. “Th-then… does it feel good?”
Qian Kun’s mouth curved. “It feels good. Completely, from head to toe.”
Something in Shen Jin’s heart stirred slightly.
Qian Kun drew a conclusion. “Your scent can soothe Alphas, but there’s a condition. It has to be after marking.”
What Alpha could resist you?
Qian Kun had long noticed how tempting Shen Jin’s scent was. Now he’d built an entire theory around it.
No matter how tempting, once blocker was applied, the danger level dropped sharply. With that assurance, Shen Jin worried less.
After a day of emotional whiplash, Shen Jin fell asleep in the quiet car.
He leaned toward the door. As he drifted off, he felt a gentle force guiding his head onto something firm, like Qian Kun’s shoulder.
Shen Jin couldn’t be bothered to open his eyes. He moved his head, finding a more comfortable angle.
After a long time, Shen Jin’s breathing evened out. Qian Kun lightly stroked his hair.
“Don’t let anyone touch you.”
Or you won’t want to see me lose control.
In the dim back seat, a hidden fragrance floated between them.
Shen Jin’s eyes stayed closed, but his lashes trembled slightly.
*
The time Qian Kun and Shen Jin had agreed upon was drawing closer.
Until the countdown finally hit zero.
Qian Kun didn’t remind Shen Jin.
Shen Jin didn’t say when he would give an answer either.
Qian Kun’s birthday party invited their classmates. Even Shen Xie’an received an invitation.
Xie Ling received one as well, but the busy man had to fly overseas these next few days. Since Qian Kun was someone his little cousin cared about, Xie Ling, cold-faced, picked out a gift and told Shen Jin to deliver it for him.
Because it was a coming-of-age celebration, the party was particularly grand.
When they arrived, the parking area was full of luxury cars. Shen Xie’an looked so excited he nearly screamed, but as his brother’s “protector” for the day, he quickly forced himself to calm down.
Even the Qian family’s seldom-seen old master appeared. Qian Man supported him into the banquet hall.
The old master leaned on his cane, squinting at the stream of guests.
“Didn’t you say that brat’s sweetheart would be here too? Where is he?”
“Don’t rush, Grandpa. He probably hasn’t arrived yet.”
The old master snorted. “That little bastard keeps everything hidden. He finally agreed to bring him out!”
Qian Man had only seen photos from her cousin’s phone. Now she spotted someone at the entrance, stunningly beautiful, with a cool, striking presence.
“Grandpa, he’s here.”
The old master craned his neck, looking left and right. “Which one? Which one?”
Shen Jin entered with his younger brother. Along the way, he saw rock gardens and flowing water, a gorgeous light show. Inside the hall stood a huge screen. He remembered Qian Kun’s main WeChat account, Cat, had a profile picture that looked like the painting on that screen. The signature on it belonged to Qian Kun’s mother.
From far away, Shen Xie’an spotted a familiar figure.
“Ge, that looks like Actress Liu!”
Liu Manning had been a famously natural beauty in her youth. She acted with total immersion yet lived very quietly. Most people only knew she’d married into wealth, not who the wealthy man was.
Even now, in her forties, she still looked like a girl. Shen Xie’an became her fan as a child after watching a suspense drama in which Liu Manning played a mother who endured humiliation to avenge her child.
Shen Jin patted him, telling him to calm down.
Shen Xie’an clutched Shen Jin’s arm and whispered, “Sh-she’s coming over! She looks even better in real life than on TV… wait, look closer, she kind of resembles someone…”
Of course she does.
They’re mother and son.
When Shen Jin had brought a drunk Qian Kun home before, he met Liu Manning once.
Today, Liu Manning had her hair pinned up and wore a simple black jumpsuit, elegant and appropriate.
When she saw Shen Jin, she smiled. “Welcome. Our Xiao Kun usually causes you trouble. Thank you for looking after him.”
Shen Jin replied immediately, “He’s the one who often has to look after me.”
The more Liu Manning looked at Shen Jin, the more she liked him.
Good temperament, beautiful face, polite, excellent grades, and rumored to be the next student council president. As a board member of Nanhu High, she knew the president had to be approved unanimously. That alone meant this child had very good relationships.
She’d even heard the Ke family had been trying to rekindle an engagement. Someone this good, paired with her own troublesome son, almost felt like a loss.
Under Liu Manning’s gaze, Shen Jin grew a little stiff.
Liu Manning smiled. “Even if you didn’t say it, I’d know. This kid isn’t easy to get along with. When you first met him, you probably suffered a lot, right? He’s like this. The more he wants someone’s attention, the more childish he becomes.”
Shen Jin thought of how, at the start, that person really had been a bit sharp-tongued.
Back then, he truly had disliked that arrogant, self-centered guy.
“Mom…” came Qian Kun’s helpless voice from behind. Who knows when he’d arrived.
Are you really saying this in front of Shen Jin, listing my flaws? Are you trying to make him answer me slower?
Liu Manning winked at Shen Jin and stopped, turning instead to the pretty child hiding beside Shen Jin. He resembled Shen Jin a bit. Clearly a younger brother.
Liu Man’ning had no airs at all. She asked warmly, “Little one, what’s your name?”
Asked by his idol, Shen Xie’an’s voice shrank. “I-I’m Shen Xie’an.”
Shen Jin found Liu Manning adorable, but the moment he faced Qian Kun, he unconsciously tensed again.
Qian Kun looked at Shen Jin in his formal outfit today. His heart sped up at the sight of those long legs under dress pants, straight and clean. “You came?”
Shen Jin looked back. “Not late, am I?”
Their gazes collided briefly, sparking, then both looked away.
Qian Kun said, “It hasn’t started yet. I’ll take you to Liu Qimai and the others.” Worried Shen Jin would be uncomfortable, Qian Kun had deliberately invited Class Nine classmates Shen Jin knew well.
He led Shen Jin to the lawn behind the hall. It opened into a huge green expanse. Three rows of thin lines stretched overhead, holding eighteen closed flower-balls. On long tables sat all kinds of pastries and drinks.
Qian Kun greeted people as they passed, casual and practiced, yet all his attention stayed on the person at his side. The closer it got to their agreed time, the more tongue-tied he became. He had to force conversation. “Your brother is my mom’s fan?”
These five days, every second had been torture.
He even thought that why did he have to give Shen Jin time to think? At the fountain, he’d felt Shen Jin had already been close to answering on impulse.
But after calming down, he still didn’t regret it.
He wanted Shen Jin to truly be moved by him, not bound by any outside force. He couldn’t bear it. He didn’t want it.
If Shen Jin didn’t speak by midnight, then the answer would be clear.
Qian Kun, in a suit today, looked like an elite. His presence was overwhelming. Shen Jin’s ears reddened slightly as he looked away. “Mm.”
Shen Jin checked his watch. Five and a half hours left.
Any time before then, he could give his answer.
Shen Jin’s whole body stayed tense, searching for a chance to speak alone.
Seeing the old master striding toward them, Qian Kun immediately signaled his cousin with his eyes. Shen Jin had already been walking stiffly just talking to his mother. If the whole family came at once, Shen Jin would bolt.
Qian Man received the signal and helplessly persuaded the old master. “Grandpa, you’re so respected. Of course the junior should come greet you. How could you go over personally?”
The old master paused, realizing the thought made sense.
When would he ever get that greeting, though? That brat was still chasing after him.
The pretty boy, on the other hand, looked cold as ice. At this rate, would he ever hear it at all?
Shen Jin noticed a fountain in the center of the lawn. It was playing music, a melody he recognized, the same one he’d heard by the lakeside.
When the rhythm rose, the memory of that heartbeat unfurled in his mind.
Shen Jin said meaningfully, “There’s a music fountain here too.”
He thought he understood why, in late autumn, the birthday party wasn’t only in the hall, but extended onto the lawn.
Qian Kun said, “I had an underwater music system installed.”
He added it within these five days, because Shen Jin seemed to like the lake’s musical fountain.
As the host, Qian Kun couldn’t stay by Shen Jin’s side. Soon he was called away by an elder.
When Shen Jin walked closer to the classmates, he heard them examining the delicate tableware.
Jiang Yifan said, “I had nothing to do, so I looked up the brand, and then I realized…”
Hou Ruixing said, “Stop teasing. Tell me the price so I can die in peace!”
Jiang Yifan held up a number mysteriously.
“For one plate, does my family have to work a whole year?”
“Have I fallen to the point of stealing plates now?”
“Does Kun-ge’s family need servants? The kind who went to a key high school.”
“Have some ambition, okay? It’s just a plate. Watch me worship it properly.”
“Whoa, Jin-ge, you finally came!”
“Jin-ge, you’re so handsome today I can’t close my legs. This suit fits your body like it was custom-made.”
“Let me remind you, Jin-ge is wearing Xie. See the tiny logo at his wrist? That terrifyingly expensive brand.”
“Now I’m torn between these two golden thighs. Which one should I cling to?”
“Shouldn’t the two thighs just… handle this internally?”
“That suggestion is kind of tempting. Dad approves this marriage!”
“What good is your approval? Did you ask Jin-ge if he agrees?”
Shen Jin almost laughed himself to death. His eyes curved. “Ah, I agree.”
Everyone froze, then burst into laughter again, assuming he was joking.
After saying goodbye to his idol, Shen Xie’an wandered onto the lawn like a lost lamb.
Shen Jin waved him over. The moment everyone saw such a pretty child trotting toward them, they swarmed him, pinching cheeks here, hugging there.
Shen Xie’an looked like he was about to cry. He had none of an Alpha’s supposed dominance. What were these strange older brothers and sisters?
The lights dimmed. The birthday party officially began.
After a series of programs, Shen Jin chatted with Liu Qimai and the others for a while.
He glanced at the host, surrounded nonstop, and then at the eager, admiring looks from some of the Omegas nearby. He looked away again.
Qian Kun seemed perfectly at ease, but he was distracted the entire time.
For the first time in his life, someone so proud and fearless felt truly uneasy.
Every few minutes, he would look toward Shen Jin. This time, when he looked, Shen Jin was gone.
Only two or three minutes.
He wouldn’t have left, right?
Qian Kun’s heart dropped.
He immediately excused himself from an elder mid-conversation and grabbed Liu Qimai, who was tricking Luo Ying into eating a wasabi cake. “Where is he?”
Liu Qimai was stunned by Qian Kun’s aura.
It was Luo Ying, eyes sparkling, who pointed in a direction.
Liu Manning was chatting with her circle. Seeing her son hurry away, she signaled a servant in the distance.
After asking where the restroom was, Shen Jin went to the second floor. When he came out, he saw the terrace lined with flowerpots arranged at different heights, wrapped in colored lights. Under the lights’ contrast, it was dreamlike and fantastical.
Just as Shen Jin was about to leave, he heard hurried footsteps. With a bang, the terrace door flew open.
Only when Qian Kun saw Shen Jin standing among the flowers did his expression relax.
“You didn’t go back.” Thank goodness.
“Huh?” Shen Jin didn’t follow his train of thought. Then, seeing how urgent he looked, Shen Jin suddenly understood. “I haven’t given you my answer yet. Why would I go back?”
Qian Kun had just survived a fright. Hearing that, his gaze sharpened instantly.
He clenched his fist without thinking. A bead of sweat slipped from his temple.
The music fountain in the center of the garden lit up again, water columns shooting higher and higher.
The song was Por Una Cabeza. Its Chinese title was “Only One Step Away.” Guests were already dancing around the fountain.
As the music surged, the fountain climbed with it, lights changing beneath the water in waves of color, amid cheers.
Shen Jin exhaled softly and walked closer.
“I like you too.”
When Qian Kun didn’t react, Shen Jin rose on his toes and pressed a light kiss to his cheek.
Qian Kun lowered his head. His heartbeat was so violent it drowned out everything.
Shen Jin looked down, somewhat bashful. “I wouldn’t do this to someone I only feel grateful toward. Don’t overthink anymore.”
After saying it, Shen Jin wanted to flee.
The answer was given. Now he only felt hot all over, like he’d come down with a fever.
But Qian Kun finally reacted. He grabbed Shen Jin’s hand and pulled him back into his arms without warning.
Every previous embrace had kept a careful distance. Qian Kun had practically hugged him in the air, afraid of being too forward. This time was real, solid, fully hugging him. In that instant, countless sour, aching emotions surged in his chest, forcing down the wetness in his eyes.
He didn’t speak. He took Shen Jin’s hand and pressed it to his own heart.
Shen Jin felt the frantic pounding under his palm.
A dry hand caught his chin. Their eyes met. Qian Kun stared at the lips he’d dreamed about and wanted for so long. “Can I?”
Shen Jin trembled slightly and closed his eyes slowly.
He wanted to tell Qian Kun that at a time like this, he didn’t have to keep asking, but it felt like it would ruin the mood.
He waited.
Nothing touched his lips.
He waited again.
Finally, Shen Jin opened his eyes and found Qian Kun still staring fixedly at his mouth. He hadn’t even noticed Shen Jin opening his eyes, as if he were debating how to kiss him.
Qian Kun had read plenty of material. His theory was rich.
But when it came to the person he’d longed for, face to face, he worried his lack of experience would give Shen Jin a bad experience.
Ten minutes passed.
Shen Jin shut his eyes again, steeled himself, and suddenly pressed a quick kiss to Qian Kun’s thin lips.
Bang.
A series of loud booms exploded overhead, and the two hearts that had just barely touched separated like they’d been shocked.
Bang, bang, bang!
They looked up.
The eighteen flower-balls hanging in the air opened at the same time. Brilliant golden confetti showered down, reflecting colorful light as it fell.
It wasn’t during the elders’ speeches, and it wasn’t when the birthday cake arrived. It was a strange timing, so some guests looked confused. However, the scene of confetti falling like that was too beautiful, and no one bothered questioning the timing for long.
Qian Kun didn’t even have to think. It was probably his mother, who had sensed something and released it on purpose.
Qian Kun relaxed his grip to see Shen Jin escaping like a rabbit.
“Wait. Can we do it again—” Kiss once more. He’d only felt how soft Shen Jin’s lips were. It hadn’t even lasted a second.
Shen Jin glanced back with a smile. “That performance was terrible. Minus one point.”
Then Shen Jin vanished in a flash.
Qian Kun stared at the direction he’d gone, absentmindedly touching his own lips.
So this was what Shen Jin was like when he liked someone.
As if his eyes held a sky full of stars, dazzlingly beautiful.
The person who had made Qian Kun’s heart seize from the very first glance.
At last, he had fallen into his arms.
From far away, Shen Jin’s voice drifted over.
“Hurry up. They’re still waiting for us!”
“Okay!”
Author’s Note:
Qianjin Mama loves you all so much! Finally finished!! Confetti, spinning!
There are still a few extra chapters after this~~~
Son, you’re not it. You can’t even kiss! You got Jin Jin to dislike you, huh!
Kisses for everyone, mwah mwah mwah~~~
IsitRo: Who would’ve thought? I swear I didn’t plan this, but I somehow finished the main story on February 14th!! Woohoo! Happy Valentine’s Day, cattos~ 🐱💕
I had a lot of fun working on this story. Since I’ve worked on the author’s other works before, I already kind of knew what I was getting into, so anything I liked or didn’t like didn’t really come as a surprise. At some point I was just like, ahhhhh yesh! This is definitely their style.
And just like the author said, extras are coming! One is already available right after this chapter!
See you there~
P.S. Yeshh it’s Saturday, yeshh, I'm supposed to be chillin butttt who says I can’t release a chapter on 14th, right on time for Valentine’s Day? Isn’t it today the day of spreading love? ;')
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