Xu Tangzhou: [I’m sorry.]
This message sent to Ling Che was like a stone dropped into the sea. The whole night passed, and Ling Che did not reply.
Last night, after he said those words, Ling Che countered, “Xu Tangzhou, what do you think I’m doing tonight?”
He was at a loss for words, suddenly getting it—today Ling Che questioned why he hadn’t been in touch, accompanied him to dinner, and even took him home. This seemed a bit like…?
Ling Che then coldly added, “I don’t have friends who I just casually bite on the neck.”
He stood there, stunned, not daring to believe it. Were they in a relationship?!
Then he watched, wide-eyed, as Ling Che’s face quickly darkened like the bottom of a pot, and just like that, he opened the door and left.
Xu Tangzhou felt dizzy, light as air.
It took him a while to digest the fact that he was “once again with his ex-first love,” and then he began to reflect on where things might have gone wrong.
The first thing that came to mind was the temporary mark. At that time, he thought Ling Che was just like many responsible alphas, who would take the initiative to fulfill their duty and help out by licking and biting the mark to aid in its healing.
No, Ling Che’s attitude had already changed by then.
He analyzed further back… was it when Ling Che asked him if he had amnesia and when he had met him? If it was that time, then Ling Che must have confirmed that he had lost his memory and didn’t remember anything, and that was why he reluctantly started dating him.
Xu Tangzhou felt a wave of relief, thankful that he hadn’t told Ling Che about what he already knew!
Right, at that time Ling Che had said, “I agree,” and had made three demands.
Xu Tangzhou recalled them, leaving aside the last one about the massage, the first two were:
One, no regrets allowed.
Two, no getting cozy with other people.
He covered his face.
So, what was wrong with his thought process that made him think those two demands were about the temporary mark?
No wonder Ling Che was so angry! From Ling Che’s perspective, they had been dating for two weeks already!
But then again, it wasn’t entirely his fault.
“Dating Ling Che” was a wish countless people have, yet probably no one would dare to take it seriously!
Having learned his lesson the hard way, Xu Tangzhou didn’t want to make such a basic mistake again.
When he didn’t receive a reply in the morning, he sent another message to Ling Che.
Xu Tangzhou: [Are you… busy? It’s okay, dating is all about participation, as long as the heart is in it, that’s enough. I won’t disturb your work.]
He added another line: [I’ll wait for you.]
Cringing to the max.
The sun was shining brightly that day, and the seasons were about to change.
Xu Tangzhou crawled out from under the covers and, after washing up, saw the coat that belonged to Ling Che. He picked it up from the laundry basket. It wasn’t really dirty at all, and he didn’t have the heart to wash it—the scent of Ling Che’s pheromones on it had already faded.
He hung the coat up properly, took a sniff, and then walked out of the room with a flushed face.
Qiu Yin hadn’t left yet and adjusted his black-framed glasses: “ZhouZhou, have breakfast.”
On the dining table, the breakfast Qiu Yin made was fragrant and inviting—who would have thought that a genius youth could also cook.
Whoever becomes Qiu Yin’s alpha in the future would be the real winner in life.
“Don’t you have classes today?” Xu Tangzhou sat down to eat, “Eat up, it would be great if you were here every day.”
Qiu Yin gave him a look: “Do you think I have that much free time?”
Last night, Xu Tangzhou had honestly confessed that the person who came to their house was the legendary Ling Che. Qiu Yin, who was usually cut off from the world and oblivious to outside affairs, finally understood what kind of work Xu Tangzhou was doing.
His roommate was a little celebrity.
His roommate’s lover was a superstar.
Qiu Yin accepted this fact very calmly, and then spent a few hours watching Xu Tangzhou’s past videos and recent photos to confirm something.
“The alpha you mentioned before, the one that made you very sensitive, is Ling Che, right?” Qiu Yin said.
Xu Tangzhou: “……”
Xu Tangzhou: “It’s pheromone sensitivity, not that he makes me very sensitive.”
Why does Qiu Yin always manage to describe things in such a suggestive way, with all this talk about being 'wet' or 'abundant'? Xu Tangzhou feels like it borders on being inappropriate whenever he thinks about it.
“If it’s him, then I understand now,” Qiu Yin said. “There’s a problem.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Xu Tangzhou stopped eating, his phoenix eyes wide open: “What problem?”
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We Kjcuhtbe’r fjgibyfr aegcfv rilutais gfv: “Qts vbc’a sbe ub yf Vtfgibmx Lbiwfr?”
Qiu Yin’s analysis was spot on.
Furthermore, he proceeded with the next step of reasoning: “You said last night that you didn’t know why he was angry. Let me tell you.”
Xu Tangzhou actually had figured it out himself, but he didn’t want to expose his lack of understanding in front of his friend, so he pretended to be profound: “Oh? Why?”
But Qiu Yin said, “He was angry last night because you didn’t let him mark you.”
“???” Xu Tangzhou almost choked. What the heck?
He hadn’t done anything, why would he need to be marked?
Besides, who just bites for fun?
“Did you even go to school?” Qiu Yin said with disdain, “Did you fail biology? Of course, Ling Che is irritable because he’s entered the alpha’s susceptible period. You didn’t proactively let him bite you, so of course, he would be angry.”
Xu Tangzhou: “Susceptible period???”
He remembered.
His memories from before he was a teenager were still intact. He knew that after every argument his parents had, his father Xu Wei would become even more irritable than before the quarrel. Xu Wei was a retired military officer, and as a former army colonel who had seen action on the battlefield, he was particularly terrifying when angry. This led to even greater friction between the two, and Xie Rui would always cry out in distress, exclaiming things like “I don’t care about your susceptible period at all.”
He was suddenly stunned, how could he have not thought of the susceptible period?
Was Ling Che… also experiencing a susceptible period?
After Qiu Yin informed him, he quickly finished the last two bites of his meal, then stood up to tidy up the scattered books on the table, getting ready to leave.
“Being in a relationship with an alpha and omega is a mutual obligation and responsibility.” The future Doctor Qiu educated Xu Tangzhou, “You should at least pay attention to why your partner is in a bad mood.”
Following his reflection from the previous night, Xu Tangzhou began a new round of introspection.
Qiu Yin, with his backpack on, walked to the door, then turned back.
He asked, “By the way, when you’re marked for the first time, was it more painful or more pleasurable?”
Xu Tangzhou: “???”
Qiu Yin said earnestly, “It’s related to my studies, just for reference.”
Xu Tangzhou narrowed his eyes: “That depends on the other person’s skill. If they’re skilled, it should be pleasurable.”
Someone’s skill… was hard to describe.
It was barely pleasurable, at best.
Qiu Yin pondered for two seconds, then left.
Xu Tangzhou attended two classes at the company, and Huang Qian finally arrived late. He had drunk too much the night before and seemed somewhat listless.
Xu Tangzhou was also a bit distracted, occasionally checking his phone.
The screenwriter of 《Yufeng》had prepared a script specifically for the third male lead for him, which Huang Qian brought over, and he also handed Xu Tangzhou a box: “Yesterday morning, God Che asked Xiao An to give this to you. I forgot to pass it on.”
Hearing Ling Che’s name, Xu Tangzhou snapped back to attention: “What is this?”
“I don’t know,” said Huang Qian. “You check it yourself.”
Xu Tangzhou asked Huang Qian to act as a double agent, insisting that he must not tell Ling Che what he already knew.
As someone who couldn’t keep a secret, Huang Qian really found it too difficult.
He swore that unless the two were caught and exposed by the paparazzi, he would absolutely not meddle in their affairs, not even for a minute.
As Xu Tangzhou unwrapped the package, he felt his face grow warm, thinking that no wonder Ling Che had questioned him yesterday about whether he was avoiding him. It turned out that Ling Che had been well aware of his whereabouts since yesterday morning.
The box was opened, and inside was a pair of slippers.
Xu Tangzhou: ?
What does it mean? Why would Ling Che give him slippers?
Huang Qian also frowned in confusion at this “gift.”
But he didn’t ask. Instead, he said: “The day after tomorrow, we’re going on《Super Player》to promote《Our Perfect Journey》They’re all familiar faces, so there’s no need for a rehearsal. It’s just that you’ve never been to this kind of event. I’ve asked them to send over the script, so you can look at it tonight and tomorrow, okay?”
Xu Tangzhou was aware of this and nodded: “Okay.”
Huang Qian added: “I remember you said on the show that you get along well with Mi Fei, and he’s been on a lot of variety shows. You can follow his lead when the time comes.”
Xu Tangzhou said: “Ling Che… he won’t be participating, right?”
He asked cautiously, knowing that Ling Che was busy with concerts and really didn’t want to go, but he still held a bit of hope in his heart.
“How could he?” said Huang Qian. “Of course, he’s not going.”
So… the hope of meeting Ling Che through work was dashed.
Having his “first time” in a relationship, Xu Tangzhou encountered a Waterloo with no experience, completely at a loss for what to do.
Before parting ways after recording the show, Xu Tangzhou and Mi Fei exchanged private messages, and Mi Fei contacted him first this time, pulling him into a group.
The group’s name was: Leisure Chess and Cards Chat Room.
King: [??? Baby, what is this?]
Mi Fei: [This is the chat room we used the first time we played cards on the plane to commemorate it. You forgot?]
King: [How could I forget! Of course not. 【Sweat】]
Upon seeing this 【Sweat】 emoji, Xu Tangzhou immediately confirmed that the sender was undoubtedly Lu Cheng’an and updated his contact name.
Xu Tangzhou: [Senior Lu, you’ve revealed your age.]
Lu Cheng’an: [ZhouZhou, you’re still as sharp as ever. I watched the behind-the-scenes footage, you called me ‘Lu Cheng’an who doubts life.’ 【Cleaver】]
Another emoji that seems favored by the middle-aged…
Xu Tangzhou: [……]
Mi Fei: [ZhouZhou! Come to my place for dinner at seven tonight, I’ll cook a feast for you guys!]
Xu Tangzhou: [Will Senior Lu poison me tonight?]
Mi Fei: [It’s either a blessing or a curse, If it’s a curse, you can’t avoid it. If he doesn’t poison you tonight, he’ll make his move during the recording the day after tomorrow.]
Lu Cheng’an: [???]
Mi Fei: [Did God Che receive it?]
Xu Tangzhou: [That sounds so reasonable. In front of you guys a single dog is doomed sooner or later anyway.]
These two messages were sent out at the same time, and Xu Tangzhou, momentarily forgetting the setting of “having a lover who has bitten his neck,” trembled with his hand.
Was Ling Che also in the group?
He checked and indeed saw Ling Che in the list of group members in the messaging app.
Xu Tangzhou: “……”
Ling Che replied: [.]
Xu Tangzhou: “……”
He really felt like dying.
On the way to Mi Fei’s house, Xu Tangzhou first searched “what to do if you accidentally make your lover angry,” but all the answers were nonsensical, not a single serious one.
So he searched “how to deal with an alpha’s susceptible period,” and to his surprise, the more he read, the more explicit the content became, with all sorts of driving techniques related to ‘getting it on.’
Xu Tangzhou quietly learned one or two techniques, then saw a post describing “My alpha is in his susceptible period, but I don’t really want to let him bite me” with such content.
He pondered for a moment. Setting aside subjective reasons, objectively, from Ling Che’s perspective, he indeed hadn’t wanted Ling Che to bite him.
The responses below were all scolding the original poster.
[This is inhuman. You clearly don’t love your alpha!]
[No wonder some say omegas are inherently promiscuous – the original poster has proven it]
[Inhuman torture, and still using such a cute tone. Sick, ugh]
[The one above is sick? If you’re going to insult someone, just do it, don’t attack omegas!! Don’t you have any omegas in your family?]
[Agree, the one above really is sick, die of your gender discrimination. — A beta passing by]
The argument was fierce, and the original poster came out to explain, “Actually, I really didn’t do it on purpose. We’ve only bitten once, and it was too painful. Also, I’m naturally quite indifferent, I seem as cold as ice, and I’m really not interested in that aspect.”
The comments below became even more aggressive.
[Does it make a difference whether you’re bitten once or many times? Green tea 【Disdain】【Disdain】]
[I’m really curious, if you’re so indifferent and pure, how did you even have a first time?]
[+1, offensive words and language]
[Post a photo, let’s see how indifferent you really are]
[And you say you’re as cold as ice, do you think you’re Xu Tangzhou?]
Xu Tangzhou: “???”
Alright. Setting aside how these people were arguing, Xu Tangzhou finally understood something—during an alpha’s susceptible period, as Qiu Yin said, an omega should proactively fulfill their obligations and responsibilities.
He was a bit annoyed with himself.
It was one thing not to understand, but how come yesterday when he met with Ling Che, even just as friends, he hadn’t even asked once, “Why are you in a bad mood?”
When the car arrived at the base of Mi Fei’s apartment building, Huang Qian left.
The security measures in this residential complex were well done, so there was no need to worry about privacy being compromised.
Xu Tangzhou had only walked a few steps forward when he noticed a tall young man standing downstairs. The man was wearing a black mask and listlessly looking at his phone. Hearing footsteps, the man turned his head.
He had a noble air, with deep-set eyes and brows, very distinctive.
Upon seeing Xu Tangzhou, he slightly furrowed his brows but did not remove his mask, giving him a brief look before continuing to focus on his phone.
Xu Tangzhou’s face flushed, and his heart pounded like a drum.
Ling Che.
Was he waiting for him?
As he approached, the scorching presence gradually melted the ice and snow.
Xu Tangzhou: “Why don’t you go up?”
Ling Che didn’t answer.
The Xu Tangzhou before him had drooping long eyelashes, a delicate and flawless pale face, and he said weakly, “I’m sorry.”
Finally, Ling Che reacted: “Sorry for what?”
Xu Tangzhou’s heart quivered, and he forced himself to speak: “About what I said last night… I’m sorry. I seem to have been a bit of a jerk, I didn’t know you s… really like me.”
He almost said “you still like me,” but Xu Tangzhou swallowed the word “still” and replaced it with “really,” which sounded a bit conceited, and he almost bit his tongue.
Ling Che’s expression was not pleasant, he said oddly: “Who said I really like you?”
Being dumped and then eagerly trying to catch up, only for the other person to completely misunderstand their relationship.
Without Ying Chen’s reminder, this was already a blow to Ling Che’s pride. Last night, Ling Che was truly very angry, and it only slightly improved by morning. He was busy with rehearsals all day. With every moment, including drinking water, was scheduled tightly. Having the time to check his phone, he was almost infuriated to death by some “participation is what counts in a relationship” comment. Originally, he had no time, nor would he attend such a gathering, but Xu Tangzhou’s reply in the group chat only made him grind his teeth more.
Xu Tangzhou went all out: “…Isn’t it…?”
Ling Che coldly said: “You’re overthinking it.”
Xu Tangzhou suddenly looked up: “Huh???”
Ling Che put away his phone and said indifferently, “I don’t really like you. I just don’t like to bite people’s necks casually.”
Last night, when Ling Che said “I don’t have friends who I just casually bite on the neck,” could it mean… that biting the neck implied responsibility, and it was not because he liked him that they were in a relationship?
Xu Tangzhou felt struck, his face burning hot.
This was so embarrassing!
Xu Tangzhou just wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into, wishing he could hide away.
Before he could even take a step, Ling Che hooked a finger around the back of his collar: “Where are you going?”
Xu Tangzhou stumbled, his face turning beet red.
Seeing him so embarrassed, there was a hint of annoyance in Ling Che’s eyes, yet he still said coldly, “Played and now you want to run? Xu Tangzhou, do you think it’s that easy?”
First, you said you like him, then you let him mark you, and in the end, you pretend you didn’t know anything.
Quite capable.
“I didn’t want to play,” Xu Tangzhou said, forcing himself to speak, “…I’ll take responsibility, I’m sorry.”
The two looked at each other.
“How will you take responsibility?” Ling Che asked.
Under the light.
Ling Che’s light brown eyes seemed to carry the galaxy, with dark circles that were more prominent than yesterday.
It was clear that his susceptible period was not over yet.
Xu Tangzhou, who was usually a cool and aloof beauty, immediately became pitiful in his presence.
It was almost as if he was delicate and easy to push over.
Ling Che, suppressing his irritability, sighed.
But before he could speak, Xu Tangzhou interrupted him.
As if possessed, Xu Tangzhou parted his lips and asked, “…Bite?”
Ah, good ol’ societal expectations and bullshit a/b/o biology. I’m not going to say much about Ling Che bc we all know he’s conceited AND emotionally constipated, but those commenters are really something. I guess the idea of asexuality has never occurred to people like them since they care way too much about whether other people are getting it on that much.
Xu Tangzhou wasn’t perfect in his interaction with Ling Che but expecting him to read the man’s goddamn mind and essentially proposition him bc of a relationship they haven’t even confirmed is ridiculous.
Ugh, those comments were kinda gross… =.= And LC seriously behaving like a child right now <(｀^´)>
Thank You for the new chapter ♡〜٩( ╹▿╹ )۶〜♡
+1
I’m so confused. Do I have low reading comprehension because I can’t seem to understand if they are now dating or not ㅠㅠ