Shen Huaizhi’s words were downright unfair.
Even though the two of them were already deeply close, Jiang Heng couldn’t help but feel his heart falter. The faint trace of jealousy that had surfaced earlier disappeared without a trace in an instant.
On the way to the dormitory, Shen Huaizhi kept Jiang Heng’s hand in his, playing with it absentmindedly.
Shen Huaizhi was already quite famous at Z University. People would often take candid photos of him when he walked around campus. Now, he was openly holding another boy’s hand, showing no intention of hiding it. In fact, there was a faint air of pride, as if he were deliberately showing off. It was hard to associate this version of him with the aloof and detached Shen Huaizhi that everyone usually knew. If it weren’t for seeing it with their own eyes, it would’ve been hard to believe.
The forums at Z University were already in an uproar.
Even though Jiang Heng was used to being the center of attention, he still couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious under all the stares.
“Stop scratching,” Jiang Heng said with a deadpan expression, shaking his arm slightly.
Shen Huaizhi had just lightly scratched his palm.
Hearing this, Shen Huaizhi chuckled softly. “Alright, I won’t.”
But just as he said this, Jiang Heng retaliated by scratching his palm instead. The smile in Shen Huaizhi’s eyes deepened.
“Ahhh, that smile is way too gentle!”
“Is this really the same junior we know?!”
“His boyfriend is so handsome too! But to think such a good-looking guy is an omega…”
A few girls passing by stopped to gossip, their voices filled with excitement.
Jiang Heng’s lips twitched, but he couldn’t suppress the smile that crept onto his face.
After all, Shen Huaizhi was his.
Now and always.
At this thought, Jiang Heng lowered his gaze, a faint sigh escaping his lips. Still no sign of a heat period.
After greeting the dormitory supervisor, Shen Huaizhi led Jiang Heng back to his dorm room.
The dorm conditions at Z University were similar to those at B University. Shen Huaizhi’s dorm was a four-person room, but his roommates had tactfully left to give them some space.
The dormitory was tidy, and Jiang Heng had a feeling it was largely thanks to Shen Huaizhi. After all, when they were together, Shen Huaizhi couldn’t stand a messy room. Jiang Heng was too lazy to clean, so Shen Huaizhi often took it upon himself to tidy up, insisting on keeping everything neat and organized.
Of course, every time he finished cleaning, he’d make Jiang Heng “pay interest” in some way.
It only took a glance for Jiang Heng to spot which bed was Shen Huaizhi’s.
The bedspread and quilt were a matching couple’s set, identical to the ones Shen Huaizhi used at their shared dorm. Aside from their clothes, nearly all their belongings—whether in the dorm or elsewhere—were either matching or the exact same.
“I’m going to take a quick shower. Wait here for me?” Shen Huaizhi said.
Jiang Heng, who had been glancing around the room, gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. When he looked up, he saw Shen Huaizhi already reaching for the zipper of his uniform with one hand, while the other hand was on the buckle of his belt, ready to undress.
As he watched Shen Huaizhi’s long, slender fingers skillfully undo the buckle, Jiang Heng couldn’t help but feel a little flustered. What should have been a normal action seemed to carry an entirely different implication in his eyes.
His mind heated up, and before he realized it, he blurted out, “Wait.”
Shen Huaizhi paused mid-movement. “What’s wrong?”
Realizing what he’d just said, Jiang Heng’s eyelids fluttered slightly. He took a step back and sat down on the chair, his gaze fixed on Shen Huaizhi. The military training uniform wasn’t particularly flattering, but on Shen Huaizhi, it looked so good that Jiang Heng couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“Let me look at you for a bit longer?” Jiang Heng hesitated, his ears tinged red. This was the first time he’d made such a strange request. “It’s the first time I’ve seen you in this outfit. You look… really handsome.”
Hearing this, Shen Huaizhi moved his hands away from the buckle and zipper, laughing softly. “Alright, how long do you want to look?”
Naturally, Shen Huaizhi was more than happy to fulfill any request Jiang Heng made.
As he spoke, he deliberately stood directly in front of Jiang Heng, his face carrying a teasing smile, which only made Jiang Heng feel even more self-conscious.
No matter how long they’d been together, Jiang Heng felt like he could never handle Shen Huaizhi’s gaze when he smiled like that. This man knew exactly which expressions affected him the most, and he seemed to enjoy using them.
Shen Huaizhi’s eyes gradually darkened, but the smile on his lips didn’t fade. If anything, it became even gentler, his gaze filled with an irresistible warmth and focus that left Jiang Heng defenseless.
Jiang Heng kept his expression stoic, but he instinctively glanced toward the dormitory door.
Although the room was empty, people were still bustling outside.
Military training had just ended, and with the National Day holiday approaching, the freshmen were busy preparing to head home, making the campus livelier than usual.
But.
Jiang Heng pressed his lips together.
The next second, he closed his eyes, grabbed Shen Huaizhi by the collar, and pulled him down slightly, bending him closer. Sitting in the chair, Jiang Heng tilted his head up to kiss him.
During military training, the two of them hadn’t seen each other for quite a while. The faint scent of Shen Huaizhi on Jiang Heng had completely faded.
Now, with this sudden intimacy, the alpha’s pheromones seemed to have a fatal allure to Jiang Heng, drawing him in and making him unconsciously want to get closer, to demand more.
Shen Huaizhi was momentarily stunned by Jiang Heng’s uncharacteristic initiative. Then, a soft, delighted chuckle escaped his throat. The surge of desire was instantaneous. He placed a hand on the back of Jiang Heng’s head.
Jiang Heng’s hair had grown a little longer and softer than before.
Shen Huaizhi’s fingers pressed lightly, rhythmically against Jiang Heng’s hair, gently pulling him closer to deepen the kiss.
Perhaps because it had been a long time since they’d been this close, Shen Huaizhi’s kiss, though tender, carried an undeniable dominance and possessiveness.
Even though Jiang Heng was seated, he couldn’t help but feel his legs weaken. The faint scent of pheromones began to spread. One of his hands rested on Shen Huaizhi’s half-undone belt, while the other gripped the back of the chair, his knuckles turning white.
“Be good,” Shen Huaizhi murmured against his lips, his voice coaxing, “Don’t let your pheromones leak out.”
Jiang Heng lifted his eyelids slightly. “I—damn it…”
Before he could finish, Shen Huaizhi bit his lip lightly, cutting him off.
Blocked from speaking, Jiang Heng couldn’t resist kicking him through the chair. His voice came out in broken fragments. “Don’t… damn it, don’t be so—so rough.”
Shen Huaizhi hummed in acknowledgment. “Alright, I’ll be gentle.”
Though he said this, all he did was slow down, teasing lightly but never fully committing.
This kind of torturous kissing only made Jiang Heng feel worse.
Just from kissing, his entire body felt like it was on fire.
Jiang Heng’s eyelids trembled uncontrollably. In the end, he could only grip Shen Huaizhi’s belt tightly, his ears filled with the lingering, intimate sounds between them.
Who knew how much time had passed before Shen Huaizhi finally pulled him into his arms, gently stroking his back and murmuring soothing words.
“Next time, I won’t do this.”
Jiang Heng: “…”
He let out a cold laugh. “You say that every time.” Though his tone was fierce, his voice lacked any real threat at the moment.
Shen Huaizhi hummed in agreement. “I’ll dare again next time.”
Jiang Heng: “…You’re seriously messed up.”
Shen Huaizhi chuckled softly, not responding. He kissed Jiang Heng’s forehead in a comforting gesture. “Help me take off my clothes?”
Jiang Heng froze for a moment.
It wasn’t like he hadn’t done this before.
He lifted his gaze to meet Shen Huaizhi’s smiling eyes. The latter seemed to think he was reluctant and laughed again. “Then I’ll go shower.”
Jiang Heng: “…Wait.”
Lowering his gaze, he reached out his hand and slowly rested it on Shen Huaizhi’s belt.
During the National Day holiday, Jiang Heng had originally planned for the two of them to complete one of the most significant milestones in an omega’s life.
But that plan fell apart on the first night of the holiday.
Shen Huaizhi received a call from his father, summoning him back to the company. During military training, Shen Huaizhi had no time, and now that the holiday had begun, he naturally had to resume his studies.
Their well-planned time together was interrupted. Although Jiang Heng felt a little annoyed, he didn’t say anything. He wasn’t the type to hinder Shen Huaizhi’s career and understood that Shen Huaizhi had it much harder than he did.
With nothing to do, Jiang Heng idly scrolled through his phone.
It had been a while since he logged into WeChat. His contacts list had dozens of friend requests, which he raised an eyebrow at and ignored.
As he debated whether to play a couple of games, a message from He Ci popped up.
[He Ci: Are you guys on break?]
[Waterworks Wang Xing: Yeah.]
[He Ci: Oh, are you planning a romantic getaway?]
[Waterworks Wang Xing: Nope.]
[He Ci: Didn’t you say you wanted a part-time job before? My aunt found a position at a western restaurant. It’s only for the five days of the National Day holiday. The pay’s great, and there’s one spot left. Want it?]
[He Ci: The restaurant’s super picky about appearances. They only hire good-looking people.]
Jiang Heng had confidence in his looks. The high pay and the fact that he had nothing else to do made the offer tempting.
After getting more details from He Ci, Jiang Heng decided to go with him and give it a try.
The western restaurant was quite upscale. Its high standards for hiring part-time staff during the holiday—good looks, great physiques, and high pay—spoke to its class.
When the boss learned that Jiang Heng was an omega, there was a moment of hesitation.
Although the law provided strict protections for omegas, placing them in a highly regarded position, the reality was that omegas still weren’t seen as equal to alphas or even betas. Many jobs were off-limits to them because everyone prioritized their safety and avoided putting them at risk.
Fortunately, the security checks at the Western restaurant were quite strict. According to He Ci, it was because celebrities and influential figures frequently visited, making it a relatively safe workplace for omegas. After some hesitation, the owner ultimately couldn’t resist Jiang Heng’s striking looks and great physique. It was rare to see an omega with a build comparable to an alpha, paired with a face that rivaled popular celebrities.
The part-time staff weren’t responsible for serving high-end clients. Jiang Heng and He Ci only handled the simplest tasks, such as serving dishes, and didn’t even take orders. The job was fairly easy, and the customers were generally pleasant to deal with.
After informing Shen Huaizhi about his part-time job, Jiang Heng felt at ease staying on. Shen Huaizhi typically came home later than Jiang Heng, who worked day shifts. By the time Shen Huaizhi returned, Jiang Heng was usually already fast asleep.
Although the work wasn’t too demanding, it was still a job, and Jiang Heng, who had never worked before, found it somewhat tiring. Standing from morning until afternoon with only brief breaks, he couldn’t sit down even when there were no customers. Despite his good physical condition, Jiang Heng would collapse into bed the moment he got home.
As a result, two days into the National Day holiday, the couple had hardly exchanged a word face-to-face.
After taking a shower, Shen Huaizhi emerged from the bathroom. The person lying in bed seemed to sense his presence, instinctively rolling over and curling up with the blanket to leave some space for him.
A smile appeared on Shen Huaizhi’s face. Once he lay down, Jiang Heng naturally burrowed into his arms. Comforted by the familiar scent, the omega let out a contented sigh, still half-asleep. In a slightly coquettish tone, he murmured, “Class monitor, my legs hurt.”
Standing all day at work was different from exercising. Although his legs only felt slightly sore, Jiang Heng, groggy from sleep, couldn’t help but nuzzle closer to Shen Huaizhi.
Pulling him closer, Shen Huaizhi kissed Jiang Heng’s forehead. “Then don’t go.”
“That’s not an option,” Jiang Heng replied, his voice sticky and muffled.
Shen Huaizhi chuckled helplessly. He wouldn’t stop Jiang Heng from working part-time—it was his choice, after all. Massaging Jiang Heng’s leg resting on him, Shen Huaizhi said softly, “Then just hang in there?”
It was unclear if Jiang Heng heard him, but he murmured a couple of “mm”s before falling silent. Shen Huaizhi gazed at him for a while before holding him even tighter.
Four days into the National Day holiday, Shen Huaizhi had been quite busy, even needing to join his father for a lunch meeting with an investor. During work hours, he rarely used his phone, but Jiang Heng, likely feeling a bit overwhelmed, had started messaging him during his shifts. Even if it was just a few emojis, Shen Huaizhi could sense his boredom and slight frustration.
At that moment, his phone vibrated again. Lowering his gaze, Shen Huaizhi smiled helplessly.
“Ahhh, he smiled!”
“So handsome! Total tall, rich, and handsome vibes!”
“Keep your voices down! The boss’s son has a partner.”
“Having a partner doesn’t stop us from admiring him! Look at that expression—he must have gotten a message from his partner. How else could he smile so sweetly?”
Shen Huaizhi worked in the general office area, surrounded by many colleagues without any special treatment. As he was still learning the ropes of the company’s operations, his father’s intention was for him to gain experience.
Hearing the hushed chatter from nearby colleagues, Shen Huaizhi glanced up briefly. It was unclear if he heard them, but the whispers immediately ceased. Despite his gentle expression while checking messages, his usual commanding aura made it clear he was not to be trifled with.
Looking back at his phone, he saw a message:
[Mine: Cat dozing off.jpg]
Shen Huaizhi chuckled softly and replied:
[Shen Huaizhi: Just two more days, and it’ll be over.]
Jiang Heng had determination but was used to a leisurely lifestyle. After being spoiled by Shen Huaizhi for so long, it was hard to say if he’d persevere without encouragement. A while later, Shen Huaizhi received another message:
[Mine: qaq]
He couldn’t help but smile wryly. Jiang Heng must’ve picked up that emoji from somewhere.
At the Western restaurant, He Ci watched as Jiang Heng put away his phone expressionlessly, yawning lazily. “Complaining again?”
Jiang Heng smirked. “What do you know?” He paused before adding, “Then again, someone like you wouldn’t understand.”
He Ci: “…”
He felt like he’d just been insulted.
Having enrolled in the same university as Chen Xingchi, He Ci initially hoped to meet a suitable omega in college. However, the omega population at their school could be counted on one hand, and most were already taken.
Two hapless singles ended up eating together almost every day.
He Ci sighed, and Jiang Heng, noticing his expression, sneered teasingly. “Anything else to say?”
Before He Ci could respond, his phone buzzed. Jiang Heng glanced at it. “Chen Xingchi again?”
He Ci checked to make sure the manager wasn’t around before murmuring, “Want to grab dinner tonight?”
“Nope,” Jiang Heng replied. After a pause, he chuckled with a hint of ambiguity, “You two are practically inseparable, huh?”
He Ci didn’t seem to catch Jiang Heng’s implication and shook his head. “Isn’t it because I don’t have a partner? Without one, I can only hang out with my little bro.”
Jiang Heng let out an “oh.”
He Ci glanced at him. “What do you mean by that?”
Jiang Heng chuckled. “Nothing, just asking.” He glanced toward the kitchen and saw dishes being prepared. “Enough chatting, time to work.”
It was already lunchtime, and the restaurant was bustling.
Although He Ci felt Jiang Heng’s attitude was a bit odd, he didn’t dwell on it and followed Jiang Heng to serve the dishes.
“Table 26,” Jiang Heng said, glancing at the order slip.
At Table 26 sat a man and a woman. When Jiang Heng approached, the woman was looking at the man with a shy expression. Judging by their demeanor, they were either on a blind date or had just recently met.
Jiang Heng placed the dishes on the table and put on a professional smile, his voice soft and courteous. “Enjoy your meal.”
He paused for a few seconds. Typically, customers didn’t have many requests, and if they didn’t say anything, Jiang Heng could leave. However, just as he was about to walk away, the man spoke up.
“Wait.”
Jiang Heng paused mid-step, inwardly cursing, though his professional smile remained intact.
These past few days, he felt like he had smiled more than in the previous nineteen years combined.
“Is there something I can help you with, sir?”
The man chuckled. “Jiang Heng?”
Jiang Heng froze for a moment. He hadn’t bothered to look at the man earlier and was surprised to find that he knew him. He raised his gaze slightly.
The man was dressed in a well-fitted suit, with healthy, sun-kissed skin and decent looks.
There was something vaguely familiar about him.
But he couldn’t quite place it.
Noticing Jiang Heng’s reaction, the man’s smile deepened. “I was your class’s drill instructor.”
Jiang Heng: “…?”
Meanwhile, at another table, the conversation shifted.
“The boss’s son is really young and capable,” the investor remarked with a smile.
Father Shen responded sternly, “He still has much to learn.”
The investor chuckled and glanced at the silent Shen Huaizhi. If he hadn’t known that Shen Huaizhi was already engaged, he might have considered introducing an omega from his family to this outstanding alpha.
“This restaurant has a good reputation,” the investor commented.
At this, Shen Huaizhi glanced at the restaurant’s name and realized it was where Jiang Heng worked part-time.
Moments later, his gaze landed on Jiang Heng, who was standing by a table. He chuckled softly, a trace of helplessness in his expression.
But soon, his expression turned neutral again.
Jiang Heng stood by the table for quite a while. The customers appeared to be chatting with him, and while Jiang Heng initially tilted his head to listen, a hint of impatience gradually appeared on his face.
Shen Huaizhi narrowed his eyes, shifting his gaze to the man speaking to Jiang Heng.
The man, dressed in a sharp suit, wore a bright smile. His good looks and alpha aura were apparent.
Shen Huaizhi quickly recalled who he was—the drill instructor for Jiang Heng’s class.
He remembered seeing the instructor’s photo on B University’s campus forum, where students dubbed him the “most handsome drill instructor of the year.” There were even rumors that he had been particularly attentive to a certain freshman omega.
Recalling this, Shen Huaizhi’s gaze turned sharper.
At the time, he hadn’t paid much attention since no names were mentioned, and he had been busy with military training. But his memory was excellent.
Noticing his son’s distraction, Father Shen cleared his throat softly.
Shen Huaizhi smiled politely at the investor and refocused his thoughts.
Jiang Heng, however, was indeed growing impatient. If he weren’t working and bound by customer service protocols, he might have snapped already.
The instructor seemed familiar with him, though he hadn’t said much—just asked why Jiang Heng hadn’t accepted his friend request.
Jiang Heng maintained his professional smile and politely declined to discuss personal matters during work hours.
In truth, he couldn’t even remember and had no interest in engaging further.
The instructor didn’t seem bothered by Jiang Heng’s attitude. “Then could you accept it after work?”
Jiang Heng’s professional smile persisted, though a trace of impatience crept into it.
Back in the staff area, He Ci pulled Jiang Heng aside. “You know that guy?”
Jiang Heng paused for a moment and replied without even glancing at the instructor. “Not really. Just annoying.” To him, the instructor barely counted as an acquaintance. After all, he could hardly remember what the man looked like.
He Ci chuckled. “I think I saw someone who looks a lot like Father Shen just now. Not sure if I was seeing things.”
Jiang Heng didn’t think much of it.
When Shen Huaizhi’s group finished their meal and left, the two didn’t get a chance to cross paths.
The restaurant was large, and Shen Huaizhi’s table was in the VIP section, far from where part-time staff like Jiang Heng worked.
That evening, Jiang Heng was surprised when he got home.
Normally, the house was dark when he returned, but today, the living room lights were on.
Shen Huaizhi was half-reclined on the sofa, typing on his laptop.
Jiang Heng paused mid-step as he changed his shoes, pleasantly surprised. Without bothering to put his slippers on, he dashed straight toward the alpha.
“Why are you home so early today?”
Shen Huai subconsciously looked up and reached out to stop the person lunging toward him. Tilting his head, he kissed Jiang Heng’s cheek lightly. “Mm, not much work today.”
Jiang Heng, who had been standing all day, felt a wave of comfort wash over him as soon as he approached his alpha and caught the familiar scent. He couldn’t resist nuzzling Shen Huai’s shoulder, closing his eyes with a contented sigh, and staying quiet.
Seeing him like this, Shen Huai’s lips curled into a small smile. He put the laptop down on the coffee table, adjusted Jiang Heng’s position, and let him sit on his lap. He began gently stroking Jiang Heng’s back absentmindedly.
“Are you planning to get a part-time job over the winter break?”
Jiang Heng blinked in surprise at the sudden question and glanced at him.
Before Jiang Heng could respond, Shen Huai continued lazily, “My company takes on interns during the winter break.”
“The work is easy—just sitting in the office.”
After Shen Huai finished speaking, Jiang Heng paused for a moment. He adjusted his position slightly, moving back a little. “Wait a minute, Shen Huai, are you planning some kind of office play or something?”
After just a few sentences, how was he already… aroused?
Hearing that, Shen Huai raised an eyebrow, seemingly pondering it for a moment. “I hadn’t thought about it before.”
Jiang Heng: “?”
“But now that you mention it, it doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”
Jiang Heng: “…”
“You’re such a damn pervert.”
Shen Huai chuckled softly, not denying it. Instead, he pulled Jiang Heng closer, burying his face into Jiang Heng’s neck. He bit through Jiang Heng’s scent-blocking patch. Feeling Jiang Heng stiffen slightly in his arms, Shen Huai laughed quietly, inhaling deeply and greedily. The scent from Jiang Heng’s gland area was stronger than it had been a few days ago.
Shen Huai’s gaze darkened as he stroked the back of Jiang Heng’s head, one hand after another. “Jiang Heng, is your heat coming soon?”
[mfn]If you enjoy my translations, feel free to support me by leaving a comment below or sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you, and happy reading! -TL: Ysiad ❤️
⚠️Do not copy or repost my translations without permission. Please read exclusively on knoxt.space.[/mfn]
