GBROTAH CH45

Dong dong—

Two knocks sounded on the door, and a head peeked into the dorm. It was Gao Yufei. Seeing who was inside, he looked left and right before asking:

“Senior Shen, is Xie Yuanxing here?”

“I have something I want to talk to him about.”

Shen Bianye didn’t even lift his head, his stylus noting on the tablet. “No.”

He was always aloof with outsiders, so Gao Yufei didn’t sense anything amiss. He said, a little surprised, “Then where did he go?”

“Haven’t you two been coming and going together these past few days, Senior Shen? I thought your relationship had gotten better.”

That one sentence lit the fuse. Shen Bianye turned to look, his brows furrowed with irritation, his expression cold and bearing a hint of viciousness. “What does it matter to me where he went?”

“Close the door, get out.”

Gao Yufei sheepishly retracted his head, closed the door, and left.

What was the relationship between these two, good or bad?

Over time, those in the neighboring dorms also knew that Shen Bianye had food delivered daily, and would coincidentally have a portion sent to Xie Yuanxing too.

The ingredients were top-notch, some they had only seen online, completely unaffordable for a student.

If you said their relationship was bad, then this was too good. Gao Yufei was almost red-eyed with envy. Why hadn’t he been assigned to Shen Bianye’s dorm?

If you said their relationship was good, sometimes it seemed very distant, making it hard to figure out.

Gao Yufei walked away, utterly confused, completely unaware that the meals delivered punctually every day weren’t sent to Xie Yuanxing as a courtesy when delivering to Shen Bianye.

Shen Bianye was the one who was incidental.

After Gao Yufei left, the dorm fell silent. Shen Bianye’s stylus paused on the tablet, pressing so hard it almost created a bright spot on the screen.

After that day, the atmosphere between him and Xie Yuanxing had turned strange. His agitated pheromones wouldn’t allow him to regret, yet continuing to follow Xie Yuanxing felt somehow inappropriate.

Annoying.

What annoyed him more was that Xie Yuanxing’s reaction remained as normal as ever, while he was the one who had become strange. Perhaps it was because what he did was indeed impolite, and his morals were being condemned.

Xie Yuanxing was still no different from before, not even a hint of a blush.

This was good. Xie Yuanxing genuinely didn’t like him, and he didn’t like Xie Yuanxing. Once his pheromones were normal, and they were separated, Xie Yuanxing wouldn’t cling to him either.

Crack! The thin stylus in his hand made a protesting bending sound.

Shen Bianye casually put the pen aside, picked up his phone from the table, switched accounts, and sent a message to Xie Yuanxing.

X: “Baby, exams start tomorrow, right?”

X: “Tired from studying? Want me to order you a bubble tea, baby?”

No reply.

He clicked his tongue, tossing the phone aside. No reply, then no reply. It was good to give him the cold shoulder for a few days. After finals, Xie Yuanxing wouldn’t be able to avoid seeing him.

Inside the library, Xie Yuanxing’s study group had grown by two people.

They happened to run into Shi Tingting and Tangtang, and the four of them sat together.

Xie Yuanxing’s phone was on silent, quietly tucked into his pocket. Shi Tingting, tired from writing, stretched lazily. When she looked up and saw all three of them looking at her, she smiled sheepishly.

Shi Tingting: “Xingxing, did you sort out your winter break stay?”

Xie Yuanxing nodded, “Yes, it’s clear. I’ve already submitted the application form to the advisor.”

Shi Tingting: “My home is in A City. If I have time during winter break, I’ll come visit you.”

Xie Yuanxing staying alone at school—she could imagine how lonely it would be. She didn’t want to ask why he wasn’t going home for the New Year, so she offered to spend time with him if she was free.

Xie Yuanxing’s eyes curved slightly, and he smiled, shaking his head. “I might not have time. I’ve already arranged a part-time job. I have an interview the day after exams, and I start work the next day.”

Tangtang: “Huh?”

Shi Tingting: “Huh? Won’t that be a bit tough, being all alone here… working?”

Lin Xiuming, beside them, smiled and said, “It will be a bit tough, but at least he’ll have me with him while staying at school.”

“I also have something to do here during winter break, so I can’t go back.”

Xie Yuanxing nodded, then said, “It’s not that tough. Because I’m a student at A University of Science and Technology, even though it’s a part-time job, the education institution there is willing to pay me 8,000 yuan.”

His eyes sparkled, not feeling at all that working during the winter break and New Year was tiring. Instead, he looked forward to it, “If I stay on duty during the Spring Festival holiday, I’ll even get triple pay per day.”

“Working for two months, I can earn 20,000 yuan.”

“It’ll be better when I’m a sophomore or junior. When I’m a sophomore, I can intern at a software engineering company. Although the salary might be lower, I can use that experience to get into a better company when I graduate.”

Shi Tingting: “…You mean, every winter and summer break, you’ll be working? And building experience and your resume?”

She said weakly, “Xingxing, what kind of workaholic are you? Aren’t you tired?”

Tangtang poked her under the table, feeling that Xie Yuanxing hardly rested or went home, which probably wasn’t just because he was a workaholic.

Xie Yuanxing pursed his lips and smiled, “It’s not too bad.”

Compared to endless beatings and insults, and finding time to do homework in between cooking, washing dishes, and doing laundry after school, at least these things were all for himself.

The matter of buying back the house dangled before him like a carrot, giving him endless energy.

As he spoke, Xie Yuanxing took out his phone to check the time and saw messages from X and Gao Yufei.

While listening to Shi Tingting and the others chat, he looked down and replied to X, “Yep, exams are tomorrow.”

“No need for bubble tea, I have several people here.”

He then opened Gao Yufei’s message and frowned after reading it.

Gao Yufei: “Xiao Yuan, SOS, can you help me with that PPT for the group assignment? I’m really swamped here.”

Xie Yuanxing: “Do it yourself, I’m busy too.”

Gao Yufei was a bit surprised. He didn’t expect Xie Yuanxing to refuse. In the past, Xie Yuanxing would never refuse when asked for help with these things.

He didn’t give up and continued, “Xiao Yuan, the best Xiao Yuan in the world, just a simple job will do.”

Xie Yuanxing: “If it’s simple, do it yourself.”

After saying that, he put his phone on the table. Gao Yufei wasn’t bad-hearted and was enthusiastic towards people, but sometimes he lacked boundaries. When he got busy, he’d try to push his work onto others.

Once or twice was fine; they were classmates. But too many times, and now it was finals week and he was busy too, Xie Yuanxing got annoyed.

As for whether Gao Yufei would get angry or dissatisfied, he couldn’t be bothered to consider it.

After a brief mid-chat break, it was back to the endless ocean of studying that felt like it would kill him.

Xie Yuanxing hadn’t been buried in his work for long when he looked up and saw a flashing phone call, “Hello?”

The other side said, “Your takeout order has arrived. I’m at the library entrance now, and I can’t get in without a card. Can you come out and pick it up?”

Xie Yuanxing was surprised. He got up and went outside, returning with four cups of bubble tea.

Shi Tingting said happily, “Xingxing, you’re so nice, buying us bubble tea?”

“How embarrassing, hehe.”

Xie Yuanxing’s ears flushed, “I didn’t order it.”

He opened the bag, and sharp-eyed Lin Xiuming saw a note on the middle cup.

“The taro milk tea is for Xingxing. I don’t know what Xingxing’s friends like, so I just ordered some random ones.”

Lin Xiuming teased, “Your boyfriend ordered it?”

Shi Tingting and Tangtang exchanged glances and laughed, “Then thank you, Xingxing! We’re benefiting from you, and thank you, Xingxing’s boyfriend.”

Xie Yuanxing’s ears were faintly hot, “You’re welcome. Keep studying.”

He wanted to pick up his phone and ask X, but then felt a little embarrassed under the teasing gazes of the others and ultimately didn’t.

There was nothing much to ask anyway.

From his understanding of X, 99% of the time, it was because X heard there were other people around him, using it to assert his dominance.

The meaning of that note wasn’t at all what it seemed on the surface.

Near noon, after Xie Yuanxing separated from the others, he saw a message from X, and a thought popped into his mind: Sure enough.

X: “Who’s around you, baby? Your friends? Two girls and that overly enthusiastic Alpha?”

X: “Is it those people, baby, or are there other more annoying people?”

X: “I ordered bubble tea for you, baby, and three other cups. If it’s not enough, just tell me.”

Xie Yuanxing: “Not an Alpha, it’s another friend of mine. He’s an Omega.”

“But yes, it’s exactly four people.”

Shen Bianye of course knew it wasn’t an Alpha; Gao Yufei had just come to the dorm. It was just that X didn’t know about that shriveled monkey yet.

Shen Bianye certainly didn’t want to buy the shriveled monkey bubble tea, but if he ordered one less, Xie Yuanxing would probably give up his own, which was even worse.

X: “Omega? A guy? Baby made new friends?”

Xie Yuanxing: “No, he’s a childhood neighbor.”

X: “Childhood neighbor? A childhood sweetheart, baby?”

X: “What’s his name, baby?”

Xie Yuanxing: “Lin Xiuming.”

X: “Lin Xiuming, Xiu?”

X: “Were you and him very close as children? You’re still going to the library with him now, so your relationship must be very good, right?”

X: “What’s his personality like? Does he praise you, baby?”

X: “Baby likes to be praised. Your childhood friend must be very good at praising you, right?”

X: “Baby, I’m a little jealous.”

X: “I want to cover your ears, baby. You can’t hear any praise but mine.”

Xie Yuanxing: “What nonsense are you thinking? He and I are just friends.”

Forget it, X thought. Exams are coming soon. Now isn’t the time to say things that would distract baby. Wait until after the exams, wait until they meet.

X: “I’m sorry, baby, I was overthinking.”

X: “Because I like you too much, please forgive me, baby.”

X: “You have to study this afternoon, right? Go be busy, baby, don’t mind me.”

Xie Yuanxing replied with “Okay” and temporarily set it aside, not bothering with it anymore. He was truly busy. Besides exams, there were all sorts of forms to fill out, and quite a few miscellaneous tasks.

Moreover, he also had to prepare for a part-time job interview in two days, making him even busier. Time for chatting was extremely limited.

Three days of exams, one after another. When he walked out of the last exam room, Xie Yuanxing let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. It was finally over.

He slung his black backpack over his shoulder, walked through the crowd and out of the school gates, continuing straight until he stopped at a bus stop.

During the wait for the bus, he turned off his phone’s silent mode. As soon as he did, as if the person on the other end had a premonition, messages buzzed in.

X: “Baby, are you done with exams?”

X: “I booked a ticket to A City. I’ll be there in an hour.”

Xie Yuanxing was stunned. He quickly said, “Cancel it. I have a part-time job interview, I can’t meet you.”

The other side paused for just a second, then a flood of messages came, urgent, anxious, and tinged with grievance.

X: “How can you be like this, baby?”

X: “Didn’t we say we’d meet?”

X: “Baby has been cold and distant because of exams. I’ve waited for baby to finish exams for a long time.”

X: “Aren’t we dating, baby? Baby is so cold.”

X: “Or does baby have a childhood friend now and doesn’t want me anymore? You can’t be like this, baby.”

X: “Baby, what’s so good about an Omega? Don’t pay attention to him, baby.”

Xie Yuanxing was dumbfounded, “It has nothing to do with him. Why are you so randomly jealous of everything?”

X: “Baby won’t see me, I can’t stand it, baby.”

X: “Baby gives anyone else a glance, and I get jealous.”

X: “Baby has a new friend you’ve known since childhood, and you’re still so cold to me. Baby can’t be like this.”

X: “If baby thinks I’ve done anything wrong, I can change, baby.”

X: “Let’s meet, baby. I want to kiss you, baby. If baby doesn’t want to kiss, I can hold back. Or maybe the electric collar is better?”

X: “Or does baby just not want to see me?”

X: “Baby, I’m feeling awful.”

Although Xie Yuanxing wanted to give X a surprise once he got his salary, his boyfriend’s mood was clearly not right. He thought for a moment and still said:

“I’m going for a part-time job interview. I’ll work for two months and buy you a gift with the salary.”

He had already looked it up online. With a little saving on living expenses during these two months of part-time work, he should be able to afford it.

X: “Baby, you don’t need to bother buying me a gift. More than a gift, I want to meet you.”

Xie Yuanxing: “Another day, okay? I have an interview today, I really can’t make time.”

“I’m already at the school gate waiting for the bus, and I still need to earn tuition fees.”

The chat box fell silent for a moment. The other side, seemingly unwilling, sent, “Can’t I just transfer money to you, baby?”

“Baby doesn’t have to work so hard.”

Xie Yuanxing: “It’s not hard. I’m willing to do these things.”

Buying X a gift with money transferred from X would be meaningless.

No matter when this somewhat muddled online relationship ended, at least he genuinely liked X. This was his sincerity.

Moreover, X had already done enough for him. He had to do something.

X: “Then where’s your interview, baby?”

Xie Yuanxing: “It’s at an education institution called Hongwang.”

The bus hissed to a stop at the station. Xie Yuanxing got off and walked in the direction of Hongwang Education.

As he walked, his phone buzzed twice. He thought it was X, but when he opened it, it was Shen Bianye.

Shen Bianye: “Xie Yuanxing, you’ve gotten bold, daring to hang up on me.”

Shen Bianye: “I told you I’d pay you for these two months. It’s already vacation, why should I run back to school because of you? Is your business more important or mine?”

Shen Bianye: “Live at my place, food and accommodation included, better than your crappy part-time job.”

Shen Bianye: “Don’t pretend you didn’t see it.”

Xie Yuanxing: “Not pretending, just don’t want to reply.”

Shen Bianye gritted his teeth in anger, “If I didn’t have this damned problem, do you think I’d want you living at my place?! I’m annoyed just sharing a dorm with you.”

“You’re too narcissistic, Xie Yuanxing.”

Xie Yuanxing stared at these sentences three times, couldn’t figure out where he was being narcissistic, and fell silent. He simply didn’t reply.

Hongwang Education was on the second floor of a building in the commercial street. When Xie Yuanxing went up, he saw the front desk reception area and offices separated by frosted glass doors on both sides behind it.

He walked to the front desk and asked, “Hello, is Teacher Guo here? I’m here for an interview.”

Interviews related to education always involved teaching. When he stood on the podium in his long coat, his posture was refined and upright, and his deliberately practiced speaking speed was steady and unhurried, as if he had become a different person from his previous melancholic, dark-haired self.

After two rounds of interviews were complete and everything was settled, Xie Yuanxing finally breathed a sigh of relief and came down from the Hongwang Education building.

Outside, the sky had completely darkened. The city’s light strips glittered brightly. The tall man standing in a corner across the street saw him descend and shifted his body, which had grown stiff from standing for a long time.

He had originally just wanted to glance, couldn’t say exactly what he was looking for, just felt like taking a look.

When Xie Yuanxing walked down, the desire to look expanded, becoming large and empty, like an insatiable craving.

Shen Bianye pushed his cheek with his tongue, his gaze dark as he turned into another alley. As he walked, he took out a collar from his pocket, lowered his head slightly, and put it on himself.

The tall, slender figure walked into the depths of the alley, like a hunting wolf hiding in a corner, quietly waiting for its prey to come.

Xie Yuanxing walked into the narrow and dark alley that was a necessary path to the bus stop. When his wrist was grabbed in the middle of the alley, even though he was brave, he was startled enough to almost scream.

Thankfully, he heard a familiar, gentle voice, “Baby.”

The next second, Xie Yuanxing was pulled into an even darker corner.

“Baby, baby, baby.” The gentle voice held a strange stickiness. As he pulled Xie Yuanxing, he eagerly tried to grab Xie Yuanxing’s hand.

In the darkness, a tall body pressed closer. A small, cold, hard object was thrust into Xie Yuanxing’s hand. Before he could react, he heard X say, “Press it if you can’t stand it, baby.”

Can’t stand it?

Can’t stand what? Press what? Or electric…

His jaw was gripped, and his lips suddenly felt hot. Xie Yuanxing didn’t mean to press it, but when he was nervous, he habitually clenched his fist, pressing the switch in his hand.

X groaned, not letting go at all. He spoke almost pressed against Xie Yuanxing’s lips, “Baby, you said you’d let me kiss you when we met.”

“Baby can’t be like this,” he then groaned twice, his voice urgent and deep: “Can’t go back on your word, baby.”

His breath was hot and scorching. He urgently and fiercely kissed him again, completely ignoring the electric collar around his neck.

Why refuse? Why refuse both sides?

Was Shen Bianye unlikable? Why refuse him too?

Indignation, unwillingness, all unanswered, could only be vented by kissing the soft lips beneath him.

Xie Yuanxing quickly turned off the switch in his hand, tilting his head to try and dodge, trying to get a chance to breathe and speak, “No… mmph…”

He had just uttered a single word when the person on him pushed deeper, into his teeth. When the warm, wet tongue entered, Xie Yuanxing’s eyes widened suddenly.

X kissed him deeply, gripping Xie Yuanxing’s jaw to prevent him from retreating. His tongue plundered Xie Yuanxing’s wet mouth like a siege, robbing him of breath, robbing him of air.

His tongue licked forcefully, heavily and urgently. The intense intertwining was almost visible through the thin oral membrane. X licked Xie Yuanxing’s tongue surface, sucking and holding it like jelly, unwilling to let go, kissing almost obsessively.

His voice was muffled yet seemingly pleased, “Baby, I kissed baby. So fragrant, baby.”

He slowly retreated from the warm, moist mouth, licking the dewy lips, even drawing the translucent fluid into his mouth. He murmured, almost a whisper, “Don’t hide from me, baby.”

“Please, okay?”

Xie Yuanxing’s body felt soft. His mind seemed veiled, sluggish and adorably dazed, only concerned with taking deep breaths, unable to utter a single word for a long time.