This rehearsal was just to get familiar with positions. Ji Qiu still felt embarrassed and didn’t wear the ears and tail back; instead, he handed them over to Liang Yan for safekeeping.
The organizing students hadn’t expected Ji Qiu to give all the props to his partner. They had been really excited to see what Ji Qiu would look like in the full costume, but it seemed they’d have to wait for the official performance.
Their school only prepared one filler cosplay and a few talent shows, which didn’t really involve Ji Qiu much. After learning his position on stage, he was planning to leave.
But since it was a joint event among several schools, a bit of rivalry naturally crept in.
They couldn’t afford to look worse than the other schools.
Ji Qiu had always given off the image of a friendly, approachable campus heartthrob. So, the organizer thought for a moment and called out to him:
“Ji Qiu? Do you have time in the next couple of days?”
Ji Qiu stopped in his tracks.
“Since this is a big event, even though we know you’re just here to help out, still…” The person looked at him with hopeful eyes. “You’re the pride of our Medical University! I heard the Political and Law University has gone all out this year! We absolutely can’t lose to them!”
“…Ah.” Ji Qiu gave two dry laughs.
The reason he agreed to participate in this in the first place was actually pretty simple.
It was because of that cosplay costume.
He just thought it’d be really nice to give the ears and tail to Yan Yan…
But he didn’t even have the courage to use them yet, and now…
“Qiuqiu!” The person was clearly a mom-fan of Ji Qiu. “Can you please come and rehearse with us more in the next few days? Please! There’s not much time left!”
“…Alright.”
“Then I have one request.”
“Hm?”
“About this cosplay costume… after the performance, could you sell it to me?”
The person hadn’t expected Ji Qiu to actually be interested in cosplay, and nodded repeatedly: “Sure!”
Only then did Ji Qiu agree.
So, because of his own selfish desire for a fox-spirit cosplay costume, little Ji Qiu ended up paying the price of joining daily rehearsals.
Since it was the end of the semester, everyone’s time was tight. What’s more, Ji Qiu was from the S-class, with a different curriculum, and he often had to follow doctors on hospital rounds. More than once, he rushed straight back from the affiliated hospital, still peeling off his white coat, to join rehearsals.
Lab courses had already ended for the semester. Liang Yan had too many exams to prepare for, and with Ji Qiu being busy these days, he needed to study too, leaving him no time to watch rehearsals.
Still, he was somewhat looking forward to seeing the final version of sweet little Ji Qiu’s performance.
Because of that, the two who were usually inseparable hadn’t seen each other in several days.
The Medical University’s exam month was extremely long: first came the assessments, then exams scheduled one every two weeks.
After finishing his first exam, Liang Yan finally had time to attend the Christmas gala Ji Qiu mentioned in the University City.
…He honestly had no idea why the student councils were so ambitious, still hosting events at this time.
After all, not many people would gather during Christmas. In the end, the student councils scheduled it on Christmas Eve.
Since joint events only happened once every year or two, the Finance University’s auditorium was packed full when the official performance began.
Liang Yan didn’t mind much. He had just finished one exam and felt confident about the next one, so he came along.
As for Yin Tongguang—he was the type who nearly collapsed every finals season. As an A-class student, his learning ability was good, but he was the typical last-minute crammer.
Liang Yan hadn’t called him, and came by himself.
It had been days since he last saw Ji Qiu.
Ji Qiu had saved him a seat, but before the show started he was too busy; by the time Liang Yan arrived, Ji Qiu had already gone to change costumes. They could only chat briefly on their phones.
[Ji Qiu: Yanyanyanyan!! Did you find your seat?!]
[Liang Yan: Mm.]
[Liang Yan: Yin Tongguang didn’t come.]
[Ji Qiu: Ah… Tong-jie didn’t come either, said it was too far.]
[Liang Yan: Then why did you even agree to this event?]
[Ji Qiu: Nothing much! Just wanted to try wearing the legendary cosplay costume!]
Holding his phone backstage, Ji Qiu thought: Nonsense, as if I’d ever let you know the real reason.
Thankfully, Liang Yan didn’t pry. Ji Qiu said he had to go do his makeup and logged off.
Liang Yan stared at the darkened phone screen, for some reason feeling a little unhappy.
Since it was a joint event, each school showed off its best, each with its own style. The main point was to showcase their top talents, as if to say: Look, envy us.
Finance and Teachers’ Universities had more Omegas, Political and Law was half-and-half, while Medical University was almost entirely Alphas.
Amusingly, the audience was mostly Alpha.
Liang Yan sat idly, remembering the time during his own school’s performance when he had first learned Ji Qiu was an Omega, and only vaguely knew about Ji Yang’s situation.
That Alpha on stage had been dazzling—wearing a military uniform one moment, strutting on a runway the next.
At the time, he thought: How is he such a person? It was amazing, and refreshing.
He never would have thought… they would end up like this.
Lost in thought, Liang Yan suddenly heard the crowd erupt in excitement.
He knew this feeling well. At school, it usually meant Ji Qiu was doing his green-tea “acting as an Omega” routine again.
“Ahhhhh what is this!!”
“It’s a filler cosplay, a little surprise from the Medical University.”
“Holy crap! I see my favorite Chengcheng!!”
“Chengcheng” was the character Ji Qiu was cosplaying. Liang Yan had only recently heard of the name.
Hearing Ji Qiu mentioned, he finally looked up, scanning the crowd for him.
The costume suited Ji Qiu perfectly. Clad in pure white, with a touch of light makeup—nothing feminine, but carrying a deadly allure.
On his head were two sharp fox ears. He walked confidently toward the crowd, a long fox tail trailing behind him.
Though it was only a filler cosplay, he walked half a circle, then stopped, striking a pose.
“Ahhhhh Orange! My Orange!!!”
“In three minutes, I need all the information on this person!”
“Who is this Orange exactly!!! Is it an Omega?!!”
“You don’t know? It’s Ji Qiu! Little Sweet Qiu!”
“Huh?”
“He’s one half of that double-O couple from their school…”
“Ah, so he’s already taken. An Omega with an Alpha. Sorry for disturbing, wuwuwu.”
Liang Yan had always thought he didn’t care about this kind of chatter, but today, hearing it made him feel uneasy.
Maybe it was just because he stayed up too late reading last night and caught a chill from the night wind, leaving his head a little uncomfortable.
He lifted his eyes again to look at Ji Qiu.
The economics university’s auditorium was huge. Even though Ji Qiu had saved him a seat, he still couldn’t spot Liang Yan in the crowd.
And since the little fox couldn’t keep walking around, Liang Yan watched him stand still at his assigned spot.
People all around were talking about him nonstop.
Liang Yan thought: no matter where Ji Qiu went, even though their “OO relationship” had already become a school-wide story, he was always the brightest one in the crowd—his shine had nothing to do with gender.
It was like he was just born that way.
At that moment, Liang Yan suddenly felt his headache worsen. After Ji Qiu exited the stage, Liang Yan didn’t wait for him to take off his makeup. He simply texted him, “Going back to the dorm to study,” then left Finance University—left the noisy, bustling Christmas Eve behind.
It wasn’t until nearly the end of the event that Ji Qiu finally had time to check his phone, only to realize Liang Yan had already gone.
He rushed back to the dorms too, skipping even a shower, and started sending Liang Yan messages.
His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he sat at his desk, covered in books. The screen was filled with dense knowledge points—everything neat and orderly, but at that moment impossible to take in.
It was late into the night.
Ji Qiu opened the chat with Liang Yan and, before he even realized it, sent a message:
[Ji Qiu: Yan Yan? Are you there? Have you gone to sleep?]
[Ji Qiu: Tomorrow’s the weekend, Yan Yan—any plans? Are you going home?]
[Liang Yan: Library.]
[Ji Qiu: Just studying at the library? Nothing else?]
[Liang Yan: What else?]
[Ji Qiu: Then I’ll come find you tomorrow. Let me know once you’ve got a seat.]
[Liang Yan: Okay.]
[Ji Qiu: Yan Yan, don’t you have anything else you want to say to me?]
[Liang Yan: No.]
[Ji Qiu: Think again, okay!]
[Liang Yan: Oh, I do. You talked a lot today.]
[Ji Qiu: I was nervous, so I kept hiding behind words.]
[Ji Qiu: …Then, good night, Yan Yan.]
[Liang Yan: Night.]
[Ji Qiu: Then I’ll turn off my phone now.]
[Liang Yan: Go ahead.]
[Ji Qiu: How dare you curse me!!!]
[Liang Yan: …]
After putting down his phone, Ji Qiu lay back on his bed.
He realized his palms were sweaty, clenched them tight, then opened them under the pale moonlight spilling through the window.
Yan Yan must be angry, right?
And he—he didn’t even dare bring it up.
He thought it was strange.
They had only gone a few days without meeting, yet talking through a screen felt like something important was missing.
On the other side, Liang Yan, who had just closed his eyes but was jolted awake by the notification, replied—and his sleepiness instantly faded. Maybe because his rest was interrupted, his temples throbbed faintly with pain.
He locked his phone and tossed it aside.
The small sound was swallowed by the stillness of the night, yet somehow magnified.
Meanwhile, Yin Tongguang—still furiously spamming exclamation marks in an online argument about whether the pairing name should be YanQiu or QiuYan, yelling “You guys don’t know squat!!!”—was startled by Liang Yan’s movement.
He turned on his bedside lamp, poked his head out, and peeked toward Liang Yan’s bed—though he couldn’t really see his expression clearly. Cautiously, he asked:
“What happened? Something wrong?”
“Ji Qiu told me good night.”
Not exactly a lie—Ji Qiu had just said good night.
“Then why so mad?”
Getting told good night—was that worth tossing your phone?
“I’m not mad.”
He really wasn’t. It was just the headache making everything feel irritating.
“…Then I won’t bother you. Sleep well. Good night.” Yin Tongguang figured it must be some couple’s spat and didn’t dare pry further.
“Mm. Night.”
Liang Yan pulled the blanket tighter around himself, sighed deeply, and tried to fall asleep again.
It really was getting colder at night.
His mind wandered back to that fluffy dinosaur pajama set.
Wasn’t his heat period already over? What was he thinking about?
It was just—his Omega was too dazzling, and he hadn’t had the space to notice himself. He was being ridiculous.
The next morning, as soon as Liang Yan stepped out of his dorm building, he spotted Ji Qiu waiting under a tree across the way, arms full of books.
Standing tall and straight, he looked almost like that very tree itself.
…What kind of stupid comparison was that?
Keeping his usual slow pace, Liang Yan walked up to him. His eyelids twitched slightly as he asked:
“Why so early?”
Didn’t they agree Ji Qiu would only come once he’d found a seat at the library?
“I missed you too much. I couldn’t help getting up early to wait under your dorm, just so I could see you more.”
Ji Qiu’s tone, when they were alone, was getting more and more honey-sweet—like he’d been practicing flattery somewhere.
Liang Yan felt his scalp tingle, crossing his arms tight—probably to hide the goosebumps.
Ji Qiu saw his only reaction was a faint “morning,” and suddenly, as if struck by a thought, said mysteriously to the turning-away Liang Yan:
“Spread your arms.”
Liang Yan blinked, confused, but obeyed, stretching them open.
“Okay… now what?”
“Now, measure out about seventeen centimeters.”
“…?”
Seventeen centimeters? The number made Liang Yan freeze. His brain immediately—and unwillingly—jumped to that.
Was Ji Qiu seriously trying to mess with him this early in the morning under the dorm?
“Can you, like, be serious for once?” Liang Yan clenched his fist.
He swore, if Ji Qiu said something improper next, he’d bury him in a coffin right now.
“I’m super serious! Trust me!” Ji Qiu raised three fingers to the sky as if swearing an oath.
Liang Yan glanced at him suspiciously, then gestured a length of about seventeen centimeters. He looked up at Ji Qiu. “And then? What’s the point?”
“Open it wider! About… half a meter long!”
Liang Yan measured out about half a meter, looked back at him, and asked, “Enough?”
“Mm… let’s make it a meter.”
“Alright.”
Liang Yan cluelessly stretched his hands to indicate a meter’s length. “Is that good?”
What came back was a big hug from Ji Qiu. Ji Qiu pressed tightly against him, hair brushing against Liang Yan’s cheek, warm breath fanning at his ear, carrying a faint trace of Alpha scent. “So early in the morning, and Yan Yan is already asking me for a hug…”
“……”
Liang Yan punched him in the stomach. Watching Ji Qiu crouch down and groan exaggeratedly while clutching his belly, Liang Yan rolled his eyes, turned on his heel, and walked off coolly.
Seeing how overdramatic Ji Qiu was being, despite the punch barely having any force, Liang Yan couldn’t help but curl the corner of his lips. That earlier heaviness in his mood had already been dispelled by that hug.
Ji Qiu jogged to catch up, took Liang Yan’s backpack and slung it over his own shoulder, and without asking where Liang Yan was headed, started chatting about what they should eat later.
Meanwhile, on the school forum—
【RT, about Yan-Qiu. They’re already spreading dog food early this weekend morning! Did anyone else see them? Let’s discuss!】
The post even came with a few photos secretly taken from above. If the OP hadn’t added their names, it would’ve been hard to recognize the two of them.
Since it was still pretty early, some of the “cultivator” types were just going to bed or hadn’t woken up yet, so traffic was lower than usual. Discussions weren’t as heated as other times.
But the “Yan-Qiu double O” topic never dies!
【Early in the morning, together again! Don’t waste a good weekend—I bet they’re going on a date!】
【Date my ass! One’s holding books, the other’s carrying a backpack. Clearly they’re headed to the library to study!】
【Library?! I’m getting up right now! If I rush, I can still make it in time to watch from up close!】
【Me me me me!!! I’m getting up too! Library, here I come!】
【Who said backpacks can only hold books? Maybe there’s… fun stuff inside…】
【Ahhh! Don’t stop at the ellipses! Continue! I can handle it! Be bold and say it!】
【I have a friend who’s moving to another city next month. We might never meet again in this lifetime. Before leaving, his last wish was… to hear you continue your story.】
【I also have a friend…】
【That friend you’re talking about, is it actually you.jpg】
Of course, Liang Yan’s backpack was stuffed full of books.
After breakfast, they went to the library. To their surprise, the number of people inside seemed unusually high for this early in the morning.
Still, there were seats available. They headed to a quieter upper floor—both knowing there’d been a lot of forum chatter about them lately, so the more they could avoid attention, the better.
After finding a spot, Ji Qiu handed Liang Yan the backpack, and on top of that, shoved over the pile of books and workbooks he’d been carrying in his arms.
Meeting Liang Yan’s questioning gaze, Ji Qiu explained hoarsely, “Aren’t you taking microbiology soon? I heard this exam’s tough. I found a few books I think could be useful, and I’ve even made notes in some places. Thought I’d bring them for you to look at.”
“Alright.” Hearing Ji Qiu’s scratchy voice, Liang Yan felt something was off, though he couldn’t place what. Then he realized another problem: “If you gave me all your books, what are you going to do?”
Ji Qiu’s eyes shifted toward the rows of shelves nearby. He pointed. “I’ll go find something else.”
“…Fine.”
With that, Ji Qiu headed to the stacks. Liang Yan’s gaze followed him until he disappeared, then he returned to his own tasks.
He set Ji Qiu’s books aside for now—important as the exam was, he still had unfinished coursework to do first. Once that was done, he could look through Ji Qiu’s notes and materials.
When Ji Qiu came back, Liang Yan was already immersed in reading and scribbling notes.
Not wanting to disturb the quiet, Ji Qiu simply pulled out a chair opposite him, opened his borrowed book, and began reading intently.
Later, Liang Yan went to the restroom. On the way back, he happened to glance at Ji Qiu’s book—and noticed the page full of dense words. He could recognize every character, but not one of them had anything to do with the upcoming exam.
He could understand Ji Qiu not worrying about the test—after all, his foundation was solid.
But this text… didn’t look like anything academic.
Placing a hand firmly over Ji Qiu’s book, Liang Yan lowered his voice: “What are you reading?”
Ji Qiu slid the book out from under Liang Yan’s palm, turned it to show the cover, and held it up: “The Actor’s Self-Cultivation.”
“…Are you serious? Why are you reading this?”
“Learning how to be an outstanding Omega!”
“……”
“After all, everyone in school knows about us now. If I let something slip again, it’ll be over for me! I have to refine myself, keep improving!”
“……”
Fine.
Nothing more to say.
Around noon, Yin Tongguang sent Liang Yan a message. Liang Yan unlocked his phone to check—
[Yin Tongguang: Are you and Ji Qiu studying at the library?]
[Liang Yan: Mm. Why?]
[Yin Tongguang: Nothing, just asking. What about this afternoon? Still studying at the library?]
[Liang Yan: Not sure yet, I’m a bit hungry.]
[Yin Tongguang: Ordering takeout? Or going out with Ji Qiu?]
[Liang Yan: I’ll decide later.]
[Yin Tongguang: Will you come back to the dorm tonight?]
[Liang Yan: Uh… I’ll let you know. If I don’t, I’ll tell you in advance, don’t worry about me.]
[Yin Tongguang: Okay!]
Putting his phone away, Liang Yan lifted his eyes to look at Ji Qiu, who was still absorbed in his book. It seemed… he really was a bit hungry.
Under the table, Liang Yan nudged Ji Qiu’s leg. When Ji Qiu raised his head with a questioning look—what do you want to do?—Liang Yan mouthed the words:
“I’m hungry, want to go out to eat?”
In the end, neither of them left their backpacks in the library, almost as if they already knew they wouldn’t be coming back.
They walked side by side, holding hands openly without concern.
But still, eyes followed them.
“Yan Yan,” Ji Qiu called, “were you a little upset last night?”
Liang Yan paused. “No.”
Just a bit of a headache.
But upset? Not exactly.
Let’s just call it the aftereffects of being in heat.
Liang Yan stiffly explained to himself in his heart.
“Yan Yan.” Ji Qiu stopped walking, called his name again, and bent his eyes into a smile.
“Hm?” Liang Yan answered, while Ji Qiu’s fingers tightened around his, the subtle itch slipping into the gaps between them, then scratching softly at his heart.
The two looked at each other, suddenly realizing that whatever emotions they’d had the night before now felt unreasonably pointless.
After all, they had just been acting like proper classmates for a few days.
Ji Qiu leaned closer, habitually resting his head on Liang Yan’s shoulder before slipping an arm around his waist.
“Yan Yan.”
“Let’s… let’s move out and live together, okay?”
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