SMS CHAPTER 35

Yan Chengfeng, for a moment, even doubted whether he had misheard. He stared blankly at Zhen Ning’s face.

“Of course, the term ‘partner’ here doesn’t refer to a romantic couple with emotional ties.”

Zhen Ning paused before continuing, “It’s more like… a companion limited to the heat period—a partner for appropriate temporary marks and pheromone soothing in daily life. This relationship doesn’t have to involve any extra emotions.”

Only then did Yan Chengfeng finally react.

So… this was what Zhen Ning had meant.

However, Yan Chengfeng’s heart was still racing absurdly fast, because for a fleeting moment, he had completely misunderstood Zhen Ning’s words to mean something else entirely.

For some reason, when he heard Zhen Ning calmly explain that feelings wouldn’t be involved, an inexplicable, subtle emptiness welled up in his chest.

“So, I want to ask for your opinion.”

Zhen Ning’s eyelashes trembled. “Because, as you said, we currently have a common goal, and we’re living under the same roof every day. You’re also… the only person, aside from Dr. Zheng, who knows about my condition.”

“You’re the most suitable candidate right now,” he said.

Yan Chengfeng’s pupils suddenly contracted.

“Due to the instability of the heat cycle, this partner relationship… would have to be long-term. But we wouldn’t need to go as far as the final step of marking.”

Zhen Ning continued, “And I can guarantee that I’ll keep this relationship confidential, so in the eyes of others, we’ll still be normal teammates.”

His words were well-organized, and his expression appeared calm.

Yet, Yan Chengfeng was completely stunned.

So much so that he didn’t notice how, throughout the conversation, Zhen Ning never once met his eyes.

“Of course, you can completely refuse me,” Zhen Ning said softly. “Not everyone can accept such a relationship, and it’s never the only solution. I’ll find other ways, so you don’t need to feel any pressure.”

“You don’t have to answer me right away. Take your time to think about whether you’re willing or not, and then give me a definite answer,” he said.

Yan Chengfeng parted his lips slightly.

He looked at Zhen Ning’s face, but in the end, he couldn’t even form a complete sentence. “I, I—”

Should he agree?

How could he possibly agree to this?

Such an absurd arrangement. And he and Zhen Ning… they used to be best friends, didn’t they? Even though the situation was different now, even though they had, by some twist of fate, made a temporary mark just a few hours ago… a relationship this intimate… how could it be possible?

Then… should he refuse?

He should feel that it was unacceptable, but in his confusion, Yan Chengfeng found himself unable to utter the word “no.”

Zhen Ning quietly observed the expression on Yan Chengfeng’s face before eventually looking away.

Lowering his gaze, he barely managed to support himself as he got out of bed and stood barefoot on the floor.

“For now, I might have to trouble you to step out for a bit.”

Yan Chengfeng heard Zhen Ning say softly, “I’d like to take a shower before the next heat wave comes. Is that okay?”

In a daze, Yan Chengfeng found himself stumbling out of his own dormitory.

He stood by the window in the hallway, letting the cold wind blow against him as his mind spun in chaos.

When he first heard Zhen Ning say he was willing to rely on others more, Yan Chengfeng had been delighted, thinking Zhen Ning had finally come to his senses.

But now… it seemed Zhen Ning had thought things through a little too much.

Not only did Zhen Ning show no aversion to the mark, but he even suggested that Yan Chengfeng act as his temporary partner in the future.

Of course, a partner wasn’t a lover. Zhen Ning had made it clear that they wouldn’t cross the final line, focusing only on pheromonal support and comfort.

So… should he agree?

Yan Chengfeng took a deep breath, his thoughts in turmoil.

Just then, Tao Luo and Xu Minghe emerged from the nearby training room.

The moment Tao Luo spotted Yan Chengfeng, her eyes widened, and she charged forward aggressively.

“I heard from Li Feng that Zhen Ning is sick?” Tao Luo asked anxiously. “What happened? Is he okay now? How did he get sick so suddenly?”

“And why didn’t you two show up for hot pot? It’s one thing if Zhen Ning was sick, but how could you, the birthday boy, not attend your own celebration? Does that make any sense?” she grumbled. “So much food went to waste. Do you know how regrettable that is…”

Yan Chengfeng absentmindedly glanced at her. “Waste? If even a single piece of meat was left over, I’ll admit defeat.”

“We couldn’t just waste the set meal since it was already ordered, but we did end up with some leftover greens,” Tao Luo chuckled before quickly returning to the main topic. “But how is Zhen Ning now?”

Yan Chengfeng’s body stiffened.

He definitely couldn’t reveal the real reason, so he vaguely made up an excuse. “He caught a cold and has a slight fever… nothing serious.”

Tao Luo’s eyes widened even more. “Oh no!” she exclaimed. “This winter has been freezing, with snow every day lately. It’s easy to catch a cold.”

“Lao Xu, let’s go check on Zhen Ning in the dorm.” She eagerly grabbed Xu Minghe’s arm. “Come on—”

Yan Chengfeng’s expression suddenly changed.

He reached out and grabbed Tao Luo almost instantly.

The force he used was so great that Tao Luo, a tall and sturdy young female alpha almost as big as he was, stumbled as he pulled her back.

Tao Luo heard Yan Chengfeng speak in a low voice, “You can’t go.”

Caught off guard by his sudden reaction, her expression soured. Confused, she asked, “Why not? Zhen Ning is my teammate too. It’s only right to check on him if he’s sick.”

Yan Chengfeng: “…You just can’t.”

Yan Chengfeng was on the verge of exploding with frustration because of this girl.

Let a carefree alpha like Tao Luo visit Zhen Ning, an omega in heat? Absolutely not.

Especially since Zhen Ning had just said he was going to take a shower when Yan Chengfeng left.

Yan Chengfeng couldn’t help but recall that night when he gave the temporary mark—Zhen Ning lying in the bathtub, his damp hair clinging to him, his eyes moist.

…There was no way he could let Tao Luo see even a glimpse of that.

Tao Luo was a simple-minded and enthusiastic, naive kid. Since both Yan Chengfeng and Li Feng had used “illness” as an excuse, she genuinely believed that Zhen Ning was actually sick and didn’t suspect anything else.

She glared at Yan Chengfeng in anger, wanting to argue further. “On what basis? Yan Kitchen, you—”

Xu Minghe, standing next to her, observed Yan Chengfeng’s face for a moment and seemed to realize something.

He grabbed Tao Luo’s arm.

“We shouldn’t disturb Zhen Ning right now,” Xu Minghe said gently. “Sick people need peace and quiet to rest. Plus, colds can be contagious. Knowing Zhen Ning, he wouldn’t want to burden us. Let’s visit him in a couple of days.”

Tao Luo paused, hesitated for a moment, and seemed to think it made some sense.

“Alright.” She scratched her head and shot an annoyed glance at Yan Chengfeng before suddenly sniffing suspiciously. “Wait, is it just me, or does Yan Kitchen smell like—”

Before she could finish, Xu Minghe pulled her away.

Yan Chengfeng exhaled deeply.

He rubbed his temples, feeling utterly exhausted.

Staring blankly at the scenery outside the window for a while, he unconsciously started replaying Zhen Ning’s words in his mind—

“Of course, you can completely refuse me.”

“Not everyone can accept such a relationship, and it’s never the only solution. I’ll find other ways.”

“…”

These words echoed over and over in his head. The more he thought about them, the more something felt off.

Other ways? What did that mean?

What other options did Zhen Ning have?

If Yan Chengfeng refused him, would Zhen Ning really consider someone else?

Suddenly, Yan Chengfeng’s head snapped up.

–

Zhen Ning pushed open the bathroom door, tilting his body slightly as he wiped his damp hair with one hand.

The moment he lifted his head, he saw Yan Chengfeng standing stiffly in the doorway.

Zhen Ning froze.

He had figured that what he’d just said would take Yan Chengfeng an entire day and night to digest. But to his surprise, in just the short time it took to take a shower, Yan Chengfeng was already back in the room.

The alpha’s gaze was complicated, and Zhen Ning couldn’t shake the feeling—was it his imagination, or did Yan Chengfeng seem… displeased?

When Yan Chengfeng left earlier, he had seemed utterly dazed, and Zhen Ning couldn’t understand how his emotions had shifted so drastically in such a short time.

Then, he heard the alpha speak firmly. “I’ve made up my mind.”

Zhen Ning: “…What?”

Yan Chengfeng glanced at Zhen Ning before quickly averting his gaze.

His voice was hoarse as he said, “I’ve thought it over. No matter how I look at it, the kind of relationship you proposed is absolutely absurd. The more I think about it, the weirder it feels, and besides—”

Zhen Ning blinked slightly, then murmured, “I understand.”

“—But,” Yan Chengfeng interrupted stiffly, continuing on his own, “I really am the person in this base who understands your situation the best. So, when you really think about it, it seems I am your best option right now.”

He emphasized the words “best option.”

“And I thought about it. If I help you, you’ll perform more steadily in training and competitions, which won’t be bad for my own career either.”

“—So.” He paused awkwardly before finally looking into Zhen Ning’s eyes. “I’ve decided to agree.”

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Author’s note:
I’m agreeing reluctantly! It’s just to help you out and for the sake of our shared career—nothing more!