Liang Yan saw the Alpha in front of him freeze, clearly stunned by his words. But in the next second, that stunned expression was completely replaced by pure joy.
A heartbeat later, he was swept into a tight, trembling embrace.
Ji Qiu held him close, arms firmly but respectfully wrapped around his waist, leaning forward on purpose so his face could rest near Liang Yan’s ear.
His face was cold from the night breeze—cold enough that Liang Yan almost flinched.
Ji Qiu seemed at a loss for words and could only repeat his name again and again.
Liang Yan didn’t resist the hug, letting Ji Qiu hold him just like during the heat period a few days ago.
He found it a bit funny. Who confesses like this, all flustered and frantic?
No careful choice of time or place—just grabbed his sleeve and said, “I like you.”
But…
It wasn’t bad at all.
He raised his arms and hugged him back.
The moment wasn’t romantic per se, but it was warm and comforting.
Unfortunately, they hadn’t hugged for more than a few minutes when Liang Yan’s phone buzzed, reminding them it was time to head back.
Liang Yan patted Ji Qiu’s back. “Let’s go.”
Ji Qiu didn’t move.
Liang Yan raised an eyebrow and added a bit more force. “You don’t want dinner?”
Still no response.
Getting more puzzled, Liang Yan reached up to ruffle his hair. “Ji Qiu?”
Still no reaction.
…But the eyelashes resting near his cheek fluttered slightly.
“…”
Expressionless, Liang Yan pinched him hard on the waist.
A yelp of pain immediately followed.
Ji Qiu finally, reluctantly, let go, grumbling, “Yanyan, that hurt.”
He mumbled to himself, annoyed that the queue moved so fast. He hadn’t hugged enough yet!
Who cares about dinner! Every second counts!
Liang Yan shot him a glare. “If it doesn’t hurt, you won’t learn.”
Though he suspected that even if it did hurt, Ji Qiu still wouldn’t learn his lesson.
So the Alpha, who had been flying high just moments ago, now drooped like a scolded puppy, nearly needing to be dragged by the collar as Liang Yan led the way back.
With a cold expression, Liang Yan handed the queue number to the server to be seated.
The server, skilled in reading the room, took one look at the two of them—despite the odd tension—and immediately pegged them as a couple.
And a very attractive couple at that.
Usually, when people looked this good, they were either Alphas or Omegas. Judging by their aura, the server quickly made his assumptions about their secondary genders.
He greeted them with great enthusiasm, leading them inside while sneaking glances their way.
The cool, reserved boy walked ahead, face unreadable, while behind him trailed a bright-eyed, delicate-looking boy whose gaze kept sticking to him—so full of love it practically leaked out.
The server, who dealt with all kinds of interesting folks on the job, quickly recognized a certain dynamic.
This… this is dominance—and submission!
When he looked at Liang Yan again, his eyes were filled with admiration and envy.
So beautiful, and such a powerful Alpha too, managing to dominate such a stunning Omega!
In his mind, a steamy romance scenario had already begun writing itself.
His smile grew more genuine as he pulled out a chair for Liang Yan, handed over the menu, and started introducing the restaurant’s specialties.
Ji Qiu had planned this well. He’d been here several times and could’ve recommended a bunch of dishes. But as soon as they sat down, the server—assuming Liang Yan was the dominant one—began enthusiastically rattling off suggestions without letting Ji Qiu get a word in.
Seeing how energetic the server was, Ji Qiu didn’t say anything, but his mind was still replaying what had just happened.
Honestly, he didn’t even feel hungry anymore.
He was full—on happiness.
Neither of them was particularly talkative during the meal, and the restaurant Ji Qiu recommended turned out to suit Liang Yan’s tastes perfectly. The food was delicious, and before long, dinner was done.
By coincidence, the server who had seated them earlier was also at the register. When he saw them coming up to pay, the gossipy smile on his face was absolutely unstoppable.
He originally thought it would, of course, be the dominant Alpha who paid the bill. But to his surprise, the one who pulled out his phone first was the adorable-looking “Omega.” His admiration for Liang Yan went up another notch.
Ji Qiu bent his eyes into crescents as he scanned the payment code. The two of them stood at the cashier counter, and the server handed them the receipt with both hands: “Thank you for visiting, and I wish you both a sweet love and lasting happiness.”
Liang Yan’s face froze for a second.
Ji Qiu, on the other hand, lit up with excitement: “Ah! You’re amazing! How did you tell?!”
Liang Yan: “…”
He wanted to leave Ji Qiu behind and walk home alone right now.
The smile on the server’s face grew even more sincere: “It’s quite obvious. Especially with someone like you—your husband must love you very much.”
Liang Yan raised a brow at suddenly being called “husband”: “?”
Ji Qiu chuckled: “Yes, that’s right…”
He was a master at saying what people wanted to hear and was naturally charming. In just a few short lines, he’d raised the server’s fondness for them a few more points. As the two were finishing up and about to leave, the server risked death by adding one more line to Liang Yan: “Your partner is truly an exceptional Omega. I sincerely wish you both happiness.”
Then he tacked on a final note: “Alpha sir.”
When Liang Yan was called an Alpha, Ji Qiu suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Still, Liang Yan didn’t bother correcting their actual secondary genders. He simply ignored Ji Qiu all the way back to campus.
This wasn’t the first time Ji Qiu had encountered this kind of cold shoulder—but since it was their first dinner after the confession, he knew he had to smooth things over no matter what.
The shopping center wasn’t far from school, so the two walked back instead of taking transportation. Ji Qiu followed a few steps behind, occasionally calling out Liang Yan’s name.
“Yanyan!”
No response.
“Yanyan?”
Still walking.
Ji Qiu gathered his courage: “…Alpha sir?”
Alpha Mr. Liang stopped walking and looked back, curious to see what Ji Qiu would do next: “?”
Omega Mr. Ji just poked him on the arm: “I’m cold.”
Proud Mr. Liang instantly lost his temper: “…”
Ji Qiu, ever observant, caught the shift in Liang Yan’s expression and pressed his advantage: “Can I put my hand in your pocket?”
Liang Yan turned his head back forward. “Do what you want.”
Grinning, Ji Qiu walked up beside him and slipped his hand into Liang Yan’s coat pocket.
Liang Yan, freshly confessed to, had a slight headache. What do you do when an Alpha starts acting clingy? Asking for a friend. Not urgent.
They walked under the moonlight in silence for the most part, but the atmosphere was quite nice.
Inside the school, there was a slightly longer path between the gates and the dorms, shaded by trees and dimly lit—a typical “lover’s lane” of sorts.
Normally, Liang Yan would’ve taken the main road, but today Ji Qiu clearly wanted to detour that way, so he went along.
The mood was perfect for sweet talk, but when Liang Yan glanced at Ji Qiu, he still looked a bit out of it—as if he hadn’t fully recovered from everything that had happened today. The usually chatty guy was now quiet and dazed.
“Ji Qiu?” Liang Yan called.
Ji Qiu snapped out of his blissful daze and nodded.
“You’re unusually quiet today.”
“Not really,” Ji Qiu replied truthfully. “It just doesn’t feel real. Let me savor it a little longer, Yanyan.”
“…”
What’s there to savor?
“And also,” Liang Yan glanced at him, remembering how he’d pretended to pass out just to prolong the hug earlier. “If you want a hug, just say so. Don’t play games. Got it?”
It’s not like I won’t let you hug me.
Ji Qiu nodded enthusiastically.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it. Don’t bottle it up.”
He nodded again.
“What are you being shy for? Where’s that fake Omega confidence you used to have?” Liang Yan said, recalling how timid he’d been during the confession—barely able to lift his head.
“I—I only acted like that because…” Ji Qiu’s voice got quieter and quieter, head lowering as he spoke.
“Hm?”
Liang Yan didn’t smile, but it was hard to keep his lips from curling upward.
He was starting to find it amusing to tease this cowardly Alpha.
Ji Qiu was struggling to come up with something to say and hoping to change the subject, when he suddenly heard Liang Yan speak again.
“That thing you said earlier on the mall rooftop—did you forget?” he prompted.
Ji Qiu blinked. “What thing?”
He only remembered nervously babbling a ton of stuff.
“You don’t remember? Then forget it,” Liang Yan’s lips curved slightly as he dragged out the words. “Then I guess you should just keep—”
Liang Yan had just started to say “keep being a coward then,” when Ji Qiu suddenly stepped in close, cupped the back of his head, and pressed their lips together.
It wasn’t their first kiss, but in Liang Yan’s memory, it was the first time they kissed while fully sober—and after their feelings were out in the open.
Ji Qiu might’ve been shy before, but now that he was kissing him, it was a whole different story. It started as a gentle touch, but gradually deepened, tracing his features. The Alpha’s possessiveness seemed to awaken in that moment—their breaths mingling, until Liang Yan couldn’t help but open his mouth and respond to the desire and exploration.
Eyes fluttered shut, Liang Yan could feel the greedy intensity in Ji Qiu’s arms and mouth, and a quiet voice echoed in his heart.
Yes, just like this.
Hug me. Kiss me.
Or maybe—mark me. Claim me.
“I remember now.” When the kiss ended, Ji Qiu still had his arms around Liang Yan’s waist, his gaze burning. He nudged the corner of Liang Yan’s slightly damp lips with his nose and whispered breathlessly.
Liang Yan, feeling a little weak in the knees, let him peck his lips again and again. “So, tell me?”
“I said,” Ji Qiu looked straight at him this time, no more dodging, voice firm and resolute as he repeated the words he’d said on the rooftop,
“I want to be your Alpha.”
[mfn]If you enjoy my translations, you can show your support by leaving a comment or donating to my Ko-fi. It will be much appreciated. Thank you! [/mfn]
