Liang Yan’s response startled Ji Qiu.
“…Huh?”
Was that… wrong?
Ji Qiu watched as Liang Yan’s expression changed several times, finally settling into resignation. He lowered his head.
“Forget it. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”
Ji Qiu’s expression instantly changed from a flustered husky to a wide-eyed, terrified corgi.
Dear God.
Oh crap.
Oh crap oh crap.
Wasn’t that supposed to be sarcasm?
Liang Yan had blurted that sentence out on impulse.
But after saying it, his first thoughts weren’t regret—they were confusion and frustration.
Was it because of how he usually acted? Did Ji Qiu really not understand what he meant by that?
Liang Yan reflected a bit, wondering if he’d been too harsh with Ji Qiu in the past.
But no—what did he actually mean by that?
It was the first time he’d ever said something like that to an Alpha.
So straightforward it surprised even himself.
In fact, he’d also wanted to say that he didn’t dislike Ji Qiu’s pheromones, and that he had already forgiven him for that reckless marking, done out of worry for his older brother—and even that other thing…
Liang Yan forced himself to stop overthinking. This wasn’t the right time for those thoughts anyway.
Ji Qiu noticed his silence, feeling a bit uneasy, but didn’t dare push further. He carefully relaxed his hunched shoulders and snuck a glance at Liang Yan.
Still… okay.
Didn’t seem too mad.
“Then let’s talk about this,” Liang Yan said after a pause, his tone turning serious. “What do you plan to do about KB? Right now, you may be a researcher, but you don’t have access to the core data.”
This time, Ji Qiu didn’t hesitate. He blinked.
“If I don’t have access, then I’ll become a core researcher.”
Liang Yan was startled by his tone. “How are you going to do that?”
Then, realizing he sounded a bit too sharp, he softened his voice.
“You’re in a dangerous position right now…”
“I’ve figured out the fundamental pharmacology of both inhibitors,” Ji Qiu said calmly. “KB never explicitly stated that the mechanisms of the two inhibitors are completely different—2.0 acts on C4 receptors, while 3.0 directly replaces the target organ. That’s why when you used the new 3.0 version, it turned from an inhibitor into…” Ji Qiu paused, swallowing the word aphrodisiac, before continuing. “It’s because of how the target organ works. I went into heat myself because I didn’t have C4 receptors in my body—so the plan backfired.”
Liang Yan’s gaze darkened.
“I brought a pheromone sampler before because of this,” Ji Qiu sighed. “I thought you didn’t know about it, so I planned to use your pheromones as my own and confront KB. That way, no matter how they investigate, it wouldn’t trace back to you. I really didn’t expect… that you’d go and make contact on your own.”
“What about now?” Liang Yan asked. “You don’t need to stand up for me. You’re still a researcher—you can’t afford any mistakes. As for me, at least I still have my father’s connections. They probably won’t be able to touch me…”
Ji Qiu looked at him deeply.
“Yan Yan, you really don’t want to know what those people are truly thinking.”
Just an Omega—whoever he was, in their eyes, he’d never amount to anything threatening.
That was what Ji Qiu had seen in a man’s eyes when he accepted the compensation.
“Leave it to me. Trust me, okay?” Ji Qiu’s tone was firm. “This time… I won’t hide anything from you again.”
It was already late. They talked for a long time before finally turning off the lights and leaving the lab building.
Under the streetlights, they walked side by side. Liang Yan glanced at Ji Qiu, whose face still bore traces of restlessness from his heat, and asked with concern,
“You’re really… feeling okay now?”
Ji Qiu knew he should just obediently say yes.
But resting his head on Liang Yan earlier had felt so good—he couldn’t help but want more.
Especially after stealing a kiss during his heat…
He swallowed silently, eyes glinting.
“…A little bit.”
Liang Yan looked worried.
“What?”
“I still feel a little uncomfortable,” Ji Qiu mumbled, lowering his head and avoiding Liang Yan’s gaze.
He felt a little evil in that moment.
But if he didn’t seize this opportunity to get closer… he might not get another chance.
“How can I help?” Liang Yan asked.
Embracing a “live for the moment” kind of courage, Ji Qiu glanced up at Liang Yan carefully, inching closer and spreading his arms with great hesitation:
“…A hug?”
Liang Yan’s eyebrow twitched. He stared at Ji Qiu, puzzled. “…”
As expected—nope.
Ji Qiu could tell from his expression that this was pushing it.
Well, guess that was a one-time privilege…
Ah, he was so miserable.
He decided he’d just go home and savor the memory tonight.
You really shouldn’t be so greedy in life—eh??
Suddenly, Ji Qiu’s eyes flew wide open.
A faint scent of mint brushed past his nose.
Liang Yan stepped forward and pulled him into a hug.
He even released a bit of pheromone, gently surrounding Ji Qiu, as if afraid he still felt uncomfortable.
Liang Yan was only a little shorter than him. He wrapped Ji Qiu in his arms, one hand patting his back, guiding him to rest on his shoulder.
“Feeling better?”
The Omega’s voice was clear and cool, tinged with a little helplessness, but his arms around Ji Qiu were firm and sure.
Being held like that, Ji Qiu’s discomfort vanished entirely. Surrounded by the soothing scent of mint, held by the one he loved—he felt like he was floating on clouds, his heart tingling with joy.
He was so happy! Died on the spot! Ascended instantly!
He loved Yan Yan so much!!
In just a few minutes, Ji Qiu felt like he had lived through three lifetimes.
Eventually, guilt over the little deception crept in. He reluctantly pulled away.
“Yan Yan, I’m good now.”
Liang Yan nodded and stepped back.
“Let’s go.”
Having tasted sweetness, Ji Qiu didn’t dare push his luck. He followed Liang Yan toward the dorms, grinning to himself.
He was glad the campus was so big—it meant he could walk with Liang Yan a little longer under the moonlight.
But all good things come to an end. They eventually reached the dorm entrance, and Ji Qiu reluctantly said,
“I’m heading up, Yan Yan.”
“Okay.”
Ji Qiu glanced back at him once more, just about to go inside, when Liang Yan called out from behind.
“About the KB thing…” Liang Yan pressed his lips together. “If anything happens, you have to contact me. Don’t act alone.”
Ji Qiu nodded.
“Don’t ignore my calls,” Liang Yan said, looking at Ji Qiu. “When I go home, I’ll try to subtly ask my father about other related issues. If I get any new leads, I’ll let you know.”
He paused, then changed what he originally intended to say, and instead added, “After all, it’s my physiological data they’re using. We’re in this together. Stop keeping things from me.”
“Okay,” Ji Qiu responded.
A moment later, he smiled softly. That one line—we’re in this together—kept him secretly delighted for a long time.
Standing there, he took a deep breath, as if he had made some kind of decision, and said to the person in front of him, “Then Yan Yan, are you free this weekend?”
“I am. Why?”
“Come with me somewhere.”
Ji Qiu didn’t say where, and Liang Yan didn’t ask. He just answered simply, “Okay.”
The weekend hadn’t arrived yet when the next day, Yin Tongguang came bursting into the bathroom while Liang Yan was brushing his teeth, yelling,
“YANYAN!!! YANYAN!!!” His voice was panicked, and his face flustered.
Liang Yan frowned. That kind of expression usually meant some big gossip. Calmly, he put down his electric toothbrush. “What is it?”
“You! You…” Yin Tongguang’s expression was complicated. “You came back with Xiao Qiu last night?”
“Yeah.” Liang Yan turned on the faucet.
“You… you hugged him?”
Liang Yan’s hands froze for a second. Thinking of Ji Qiu’s unusual susceptible period last night, his mind went a little chaotic. Still, when he spoke, his tone was calm: “Yeah, so?”
Yin Tongguang seemed relieved at his reaction. “I knew I was overthinking it. What’s wrong with a hug between Omegas? The people on the forum are at it again, spreading nonsense.”
Liang Yan’s eyelashes moved subtly. “Hmm?”
Yin Tongguang handed him his phone. “Just take a look. If it really bothers you, I’ll contact the mods to take the post down. No big deal.”
Liang Yan took the phone. The post Yin mentioned was front and center on the forum homepage:
“AAAAAHHHH!! OO love is real!! THEY HUGGED!! HUGGED!!”
“I swear I really saw it while jogging at night!! They hugged for a bit. I didn’t get a photo but everything I’m saying is TRUE!!”
“It was around 11 PM last night, almost curfew. I saw them on the way back to Building 6. It was a bit far, but I’m sure it was Liang Yan and Ji Qiu!! THEY HUGGED!!”
“Absolutely real! If not, I’ll fail all my finals!!”
“I had to scream somewhere—any fellow YanQiu shippers out there?!”
The replies kept pouring in, everyone throwing in their two cents:
“Ugh, what’s the big deal.”
“Disperse. No solid proof. Even if they did hug, it doesn’t mean anything.”
“WHAT!! If this is true, I’m losing it!! I KNEW YanQiu was real!!”
“Wake up—it’s almost finals, and you all really have this much free time?”
“Two Omegas hugging proves what? That they can mark each other or something?”
“No way this is real. I won’t allow such harm to the Alpha community on campus.”
“Yeah, didn’t Ji Qiu say before that Liang Yan was just a good sister-friend?”
“Y’all are overreacting, seriously.”
Liang Yan handed the phone back to Yin Tongguang, expressionless.
The whole “good sister-friend” label had now made it onto the forums.
Wonderful. Perfect.
Yin Tongguang kept trying to reassure him: “Don’t worry, they just love to talk nonsense. I know you and Xiao Qiu are just close Omega friends.”
Liang Yan’s expression shifted slightly, but in the end, he held back what he really wanted to say.
He had the sudden urge to tell Yin Tongguang the truth. But then he stopped himself.
Because… he and Ji Qiu weren’t anything yet.
On Saturday afternoon, Liang Yan left on time to meet Ji Qiu.
As soon as he arrived at the agreed-upon bus stop, he was a bit taken aback.
Ji Qiu usually dressed casually, in lighter tones. But today, he was in a rare all-black formal outfit, and it made him look completely different from usual.
Ji Qiu spotted him immediately and waved, his smile a little more subdued than usual. “Yan Yan, over here.”
It wasn’t until they got off at the final bus stop that Liang Yan realized where Ji Qiu was taking him.
Ji Qiu pulled his coat tighter and gave a slightly apologetic smile. “Today’s my brother’s death anniversary. I… I wanted to bring you to see him. I know this might be awkward for you, but after that day, I developed a selfish wish. Do you mind?”
Liang Yan slowly shook his head.
More than awkward, he was surprised.
That Ji Qiu would bring him here—to stand before the person who had once treated him best.
“Let’s go.”
The weather had turned cold, and the cemetery was quiet.
In front of Ji Yang’s tombstone sat a bouquet of lilies, still wet with fresh dew.
“Sister Qiutong came this morning,” Ji Qiu explained. “It’s been this way for years. She doesn’t want to come together, so we agreed: she comes in the morning, I in the afternoon.”
As for why Lai Qiutong always came alone, Ji Qiu never asked.
She probably had something she wanted to say to him privately.
“My brother’s scent—his pheromones—smelled like lilies,” he said. “She always brings a bouquet.”
Liang Yan stood there silently.
He saw the photo on the tombstone—a young Omega, smiling a bit shyly. His features bore a strong resemblance to Ji Qiu’s, but the way he smiled felt entirely different.
Ji Qiu placed the flowers he had brought next to the lilies and grinned at Ji Yang’s photo: “Ge, I’m here again.”
“This time I brought someone with me. Bet you didn’t expect that.”
“His name is Liang Yan. I call him Yanyan.”
“He’s a very, very good person. So I had to bring him here for you to meet.”
Liang Yan looked at the warmly smiling Omega, and something stirred deeply in his heart.
In the end, he straightened his back and then slowly bent down, giving a deep bow to the Omega who had once shared the same fate as him.
Late autumn nights always fell quickly. They had only come in the afternoon, and with the cemetery so far away, by the time Ji Qiu had finished talking with his brother and the two of them took the bus back into the city, night had completely fallen.
They got off two stops before school and headed into a shopping center for dinner.
Ji Qiu had mentioned wanting to try a restaurant there, but by the time they arrived, there was already a queue. Since neither of them was in a rush, Liang Yan took a number and waited with Ji Qiu.
The shopping center was large, and seeing that the estimated wait was at least thirty minutes, they decided to take a walk and headed to the rooftop terrace on the third floor.
Though the center was bustling, it was getting colder, and there was an artificial waterfall nearby—beautiful, but with a chill that came from walking past it.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Liang Yan watched Ji Qiu walk toward the waterfall and instinctively followed, wanting to ask if he was cold and whether they should go back inside.
The further they went, the fewer people there were. Low greenery lined the spacious terrace, quietly standing beneath the not-so-noisy night.
Tonight, the sky felt particularly high. The moon hung above, half-lit. Off in the distance beyond the terrace, a brightly lit Ferris wheel spun slowly in an amusement park, colorful and beautiful.
Liang Yan took out his phone to check their queue number—only two tables ahead now. Just as he turned around to call Ji Qiu back, he felt a tug on his sleeve.
The person behind him had grabbed his sleeve and softly called his name.
Unlike last time during his heat when he had just rushed in for a hug, Ji Qiu’s movements now were cautious, as if afraid of being rejected.
“Yanyan,” Ji Qiu said, like he had been preparing this for a long time. The earlier silence had all been build-up. His voice trembled slightly. “I like you.”
Liang Yan froze and silently turned to look at him.
“I like you,” Ji Qiu repeated.
He looked panicked, almost desperate. “I brought you to meet my brother because I wanted to tell you the truth. I lied to you. Meeting you was an accident, but approaching you… that was instinct.
“I kept hypnotizing myself, saying what I felt for you was just guilt, that it was tied to memories of my brother—but that wasn’t it.
“I can’t help but get closer to you. I’m pathetic, driven by my miserable pheromones. That Alpha came to see me and I realized then—I was horribly jealous.
“From the first time I smelled your pheromones, I couldn’t stop myself from wanting to be near you… I didn’t know it then, but even after all this time, I still have to tell you—I like you.”
Ji Qiu bit his lip and, putting every ounce of sincerity into his words, said:
“If possible—
I want to be your Alpha.”
Liang Yan closed his eyes, and all his senses sharpened in that moment.
He could smell the intoxicating floral scent in the night air, feel the cool breeze brushing his face.
He saw Ji Qiu standing still, clenching his hands.
In his eyes shone a hesitant yet unquenchable starlight.
Liang Yan could even hear the Alpha’s heartbeat, so close it was almost in sync with his own—beating together, again and again, like knocking on a door where light finally breaks through.
As their eyes met, the endless night sky fell into a hush—only the blazing love in Ji Qiu’s eyes remained, burning through the long darkness.
But the thing was…
Liang Yan looked at the Alpha whose face screamed hopeless despair, as if he’d die the next second from rejection—and couldn’t help laughing.
Why was this guy both stupid and timid?
Ji Qiu had never seen Liang Yan smile like that before. Usually, it was mocking at best. But now—this was pure, radiant joy. It spilled from his eyes, slipping into the dimples at the corners of his mouth.
After finishing that confession, Ji Qiu had just stood there like an idiot, waiting for a verdict. Seeing this smile now, he froze. “…Yanyan?”
Liang Yan’s smile didn’t fade; his eyes sparkled.
“Whether or not you can be an Alpha…” he said, voice soft as the wind, brushing past Ji Qiu’s ear, “You’ve said all that—do you really want me to take the initiative again?”
Pheromones are strange things.
We can’t resist the instinct to draw closer, nor suppress the urge to connect.
So, if it’s now—
Then I’ll fall with you.
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