To be honest, Liang Yan wasn’t particularly interested in the spider lilies.
But perhaps it was Ji Qiu’s tone, filled with subtle anticipation, that made him reluctant to refuse and eventually led him downstairs.
… Though not to stand there and watch these two awkwardly chat.
Liang Yan watched as the conversation showed no signs of stopping. Frowning slightly, he thought to himself that if they were going to keep this up, he might as well head back.
He hesitated briefly before speaking, “Alright, you two talk. I—”
The Alpha, seeing Liang Yan about to turn and leave, seized the opportunity to cut in, “Then, Ji Qiu, how about we—”
Their voices overlapped, making it unclear whom to listen to.
The atmosphere grew suddenly awkward.
At that moment, Ji Qiu decisively took two steps forward, clearly worried that Liang Yan might actually leave. He grabbed Liang Yan’s hand and said, “Yan Yan, let’s go eat!”
“…” Liang Yan instinctively tried to shake him off, but for some reason, Ji Qiu’s hand was dry and warm, causing him to freeze for a moment.
Sensing this, Ji Qiu tactfully let go within seconds, his eyes full of expectation as he looked at Liang Yan. “And after that, let’s go see the spider lilies, okay?”
Faced with the sparkling anticipation in Ji Qiu’s eyes, Liang Yan barely nodded, ultimately unable to voice his rejection.
The Alpha left standing awkwardly to the side was clearly disappointed by the scene but had no intention of backing down now. Summoning his resolve, he said, “Since you’re close friends with Ji Qiu, the timing’s perfect! I’ll join you both at the cafeteria—I need dinner too.”
Liang Yan: “…”
Forget dinner. He was clearly dreaming.
Of course, such words wouldn’t leave Liang Yan’s mouth. Instead, his expression darkened further.
Blissfully unaware of the storm brewing, Ji Qiu cheerfully chimed in, “But we’re going to the North Campus cafeteria. It’s kind of far. Maybe you should…”
“Then I’ll head to the North Campus too!” the Alpha declared loudly, his voice unwavering. “There’s always the shuttle bus!”
Right on cue, the campus shuttle arrived outside the dorm. The Alpha waved it down, boarded, and swiped three cards. “Three people, thanks.”
He then enthusiastically waved to Ji Qiu and Liang Yan, still standing outside. “Come on up!”
Tonight, he was determined to have dinner with his dream Omega.
Liang Yan: “…”
Ji Qiu: “…”
Ji Qiu suddenly realized that his life might be in jeopardy. He cautiously glanced at Liang Yan, who seemed to radiate icy hostility from head to toe. “Yan Yan, are you still…”
… Still going?
The shuttle driver, gripping the steering wheel, leaned out and noticed the two attractive Omegas. His tone, originally impatient, softened a bit. “Hey, are you two getting on or not? Your friend already swiped for you.”
“Whatever the problem is, sort it out on the bus!”
“Exactly,” Liang Yan said abruptly. He brushed past Ji Qiu without looking at him, boarding the shuttle with a cold, flat tone. “Sort it out on the bus.”
As Liang Yan passed, Ji Qiu felt an icy chill in the breeze he stirred.
Seeing the two board, the Alpha called out eagerly, “Ji Qiu! Hurry up!”
He even patted the seat beside him. “I saved you a spot!”
Ji Qiu sighed inwardly. Bro, you have no idea how I’m about to die.
Summoning the resolve of a martyr, Ji Qiu boarded with a bittersweet yet resigned smile under everyone’s gaze. “Alright, I’m coming.”
In this moment of despair, he felt like a tragic hero from a forlorn poem.
The shuttle made quick work of the journey to the North Campus cafeteria.
Liang Yan sat upright, looking straight ahead. He ignored everyone around him, including the whispered conversations of the other passengers. Ji Qiu, observing his straight nose, felt a deep sense of unease.
Once at the cafeteria, Liang Yan walked briskly ahead without a word, pretending not to hear the Alpha’s constant attempts to impress Ji Qiu. He picked a random food stall, grabbed some dishes, and sat down.
Ji Qiu, annoyed by the Alpha’s relentless chatter, nearly broke character. “I’ll just have whatever Liang Yan’s having. You can go get your own food.”
Taking advantage of the Alpha being preoccupied with getting food, Ji Qiu hurriedly sat across from Liang Yan.
“Yan Yan! Yan Yan!” His expression was filled with a dramatic intensity, as though he were a bard who had endured countless hardships.
Liang Yan didn’t even look up, using his spoon to poke at the meat on his plate.
The North Campus cafeteria’s food wasn’t bad—it made the trip somewhat worthwhile.
He thought so, at least.
“Yan Yan! I really didn’t know who that guy was! I didn’t think he’d actually follow us! Yan Yan, please don’t ignore me!”
Liang Yan poked at a nearby braised egg.
“Yan Yan!” The bard was at his wit’s end.
Just as Ji Qiu was about to say more, the Alpha rushed over, carrying two overly generous trays of food. “Ji Qiu! I’m here!”
He placed the bountiful dishes in front of Ji Qiu with a triumphant grin. “Mission accomplished!”
Ji Qiu coughed awkwardly, twice.
The Alpha, mistaking the gesture, grew anxious. “Ji Qiu, are you catching a cold? The weather’s been getting colder lately—you must keep warm! And don’t underestimate the advice to drink more hot water; it’s not just empty talk, it’s actually very effective. You’re an Omega, so you have to take extra care of your health…”
Liang Yan’s hand froze mid-motion, his spoon halting. His brow furrowed slightly.
He thought this Alpha might need an appointment with an eye doctor.
Never mind that Ji Qiu wasn’t a real Omega—was this really the type of Omega the school’s Alphas preferred?
And more importantly, who here was the real Omega?
For a fleeting moment, Liang Yan even allowed his imagination to run wild: What kind of expression would this Alpha wear when he finally realized the “Omega” he was showering with attention was, in fact, a fellow male?
The situation was even more awkward for Ji Qiu, though he continued to perform his act as a universally adored Omega with gusto. While keeping a careful distance from the Alpha, he still managed to exude an air of playful flirtation as he said, “Thank you so much! Oh, by the way, your name is…?”
“I’m Li Han!” The Alpha jumped at the opportunity, eagerly and nervously introducing himself.
“Ah, thank you, Li Han!” Ji Qiu said sweetly, beaming. “It’s not just Omegas who need to take care of themselves. Alphas should also watch their health—don’t take advantage of your stronger constitution to overdo it~”
“Yes, yes! I’ll make sure to be careful!” Li Han’s face turned a deep shade of red, almost dripping with embarrassment.
“…”
Liang Yan stared at the braised pork on his plate. Somehow, it no longer seemed appetizing.
He reminded himself that Ji Qiu had his reasons for pretending to be an Omega. There was no need to get hung up on it.
But Li Han, utterly oblivious, continued rambling on. “Are you still cold, Ji Qiu? If you’re feeling unwell, I can go buy you some medicine.”
Ji Qiu replied in a tone of polite rejection tinged with coyness, “Oh, no need. I’m really fine, honestly…”
Clang!
The sudden noise made both of them freeze and look toward its source.
Liang Yan had thrown his spoon onto his plate, the sound crisp and clear. Without sparing a glance at either of them, he said, “Go buy it, then.”
Li Han, mistakenly thinking Liang Yan was showing concern for his Omega friend, leaned in attentively. “Alright, what kind of medicine? Would cefalexin work?”
“Sure,” Liang Yan replied coldly. “Buy plenty.”
“Got it! Ji Qiu, do you need anything else?”
Ji Qiu looked utterly defeated. “Maybe get some alcohol too.”
“Eh?”
Liang Yan gave a deadpan nod, confirming the suggestion.
Ji Qiu’s tone was desolate, as if delivering his own eulogy. “Cefalexin and alcohol—a pairing worth having.”
And with that, he silently closed the lid on his metaphorical coffin.
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