MVCFO CH32

Lin Xiangqi still remembered how Lu Cong had helped him last time—though he had teased him with a math problem during the process, the outcome had left him feeling comfortable.

He wasn’t the type to burn bridges after crossing them, nor was he an ungrateful person. So now, with Lu Cong suffering, Lin Xiangqi had no reason not to lend a hand.

Not to mention that Lu Cong had saved his life and was on such good terms with him—helping each other was only natural.

Even if, for argument’s sake, Lu Cong was just a patient now—no one knew when his rut would hit or what specific symptoms it would entail—any abnormal physiological reactions should be taken seriously.

If left unchecked, who knew what problems might arise?

Lin Xiangqi had too many reasons to help, so despite having no experience or confidence, he didn’t resist.

Reciprocity, right? It was only fair.

So, with a righteous sense of duty, Lin Xiangqi reached out with the intention of helping, tentatively poking at it—only to be startled by the hardness of what he touched, reflexively shoving it away with too much force.

He swore he meant to help, but his inexperience made the gesture abrupt and reckless.

Lu Cong, already teetering on the edge of endurance, stiffened at the touch, letting out a muffled groan as he exhaled heavily, looking at him with helpless exasperation. “Is this my punishment?”

Lin Xiangqi was indignant. “This is me helping!”

With that, he reached out again, this time even more eager to prove his sincerity—though his haste only made things worse.

He tried to mimic Lu Cong’s technique from last time, but his grip was smaller by a whole size, making it awkward to maneuver. His palm burned from the heat, and his clumsy, haphazard strokes only made things more chaotic.

“Hss—” Lu Cong gritted his teeth, grabbing Lin Xiangqi’s restless hands. “Yanyan, execution is quicker than this.”

Lin Xiangqi’s pride took a hit. “I can’t get a good grip.”

Lu Cong fell silent.

Lin Xiangqi, still earnestly brainstorming solutions, continued experimenting while asking for feedback. “Is this okay? A gentle touch should help, right? Why aren’t you saying anything? Does it not feel like anything? What if I try this instead—”

Lu Cong: “…”

Lin Xiangqi: “Huh?”

Damn it.

Why was it still getting bigger?!

Lin Xiangqi stared at Lu Cong in horror, only to find his eyes dark with unrestrained intensity, threatening to swallow him whole. It was then that he belatedly realized—this “help” might not be as simple as he’d thought.

He yanked his hand back. “…Y-you should handle this yourself.”

With that, he tried to duck under Lu Cong’s arm and escape.

Lu Cong effortlessly blocked him with a slight shift of his body, looking down at him with a low, husky voice. “Why stop?”

“…My hand’s tired.”

Lin Xiangqi couldn’t even meet his eyes.

Lu Cong took Lin Xiangqi’s hand, pressing a tender kiss to his knuckles, his tone considerate. “How pitiful. Then rest.”

A cold sweat broke out on Lin Xiangqi’s back for no reason. “I’ll leave the room to you.”

“No need. Stay right here.” Lu Cong’s fingers hooked into the waistband of Lin Xiangqi’s pants, easily loosening the drawstring. “I’ll take care of it myself.”

Lin Xiangqi: “?”

Lin Xiangqi: “If you’re handling it yourself, why are you taking off my pants?”

Lu Cong: “Since your hands are tired, I’ll switch methods.”

Lin Xiangqi was baffled. “If my hands are tired, just use your own!”

Lu Cong: “I prefer yours.”

Lin Xiangqi lifted a foot to kick him, but Lu Cong seized the opportunity, giving a light tug—his loose loungewear slipped away, leaving him as bare as a smooth, delicate egg.

“Lu Cong, Lu Cong, Lu Cong!” He panicked, slapping at Lu Cong’s shoulders.

Lu Cong replied, “I’m here.”

Lin Xiangqi was so mad he nearly short-circuited. “Obviously I know you’re here! I’m telling you to stop!”

Lu Cong pinned both his wrists, pressed down on his thrashing legs, and leaned over him, his body pressing down.

Lin Xiangqi was even more confused. “What are you doing now?”

A flicker of curiosity made him slow his struggles. Propping himself up on his elbows, he tried to get a better look at Lu Cong. Lu Cong lifted his gaze to meet his, the corner of his lips quirking up in a smirk.

Lin Xiangqi’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you—? This is so weird, just get up first—ahhhh?!”

Without warning, Lu Cong lowered his head.

For a split second, Lin Xiangqi imagined a murder scene—or perhaps Lu Cong’s mutated genes had stripped him of humanity, turning him into a flesh-eating monster. Today was the day he’d meet his end.

Wait.

It… didn’t hurt?

Gradually, Lin Xiangqi processed what was happening…

Oh. He hadn’t bitten down. Instead, it was a warm, wet heat enveloping him.

No life-threatening danger here.

Wait—

Bro?!

This isn’t right either!  

“Lu Cong, you… calm down…” He really wanted to slap Lu Cong awake, but his hands were pinned, and his whole body felt weak. All he could do was whimper and scold, “…Don’t just eat random things!”  

Lin Xiangqi would rather believe that Lu Cong had suddenly mutated and was trying to devour him than accept that Lu Cong was actually doing this.  

His knowledge in this area was completely blank, his mind unable to process anything. After what felt like an eternity, his eyes suddenly grew hot, tears welling up from sheer physiological reaction. His mouth fell open as he gasped for air, but no sound came out.  

Lin Xiangqi always finished quickly.  

Probably because Lu Cong really knew how to make him feel good.  

This was something Lin Xiangqi hadn’t prepared for at all. It took him a long time to regain his senses, and even then, he could only weakly curse, “Psycho… you psycho…”  

Then, belatedly realizing something, he stammered, “Did you… spit it out?”  

Lu Cong kissed the already spent area again, sending a shudder through Lin Xiangqi. Though he didn’t say anything, the action alone answered Lin Xiangqi’s question.  

He hadn’t spat it out.  

He’d probably already swallowed it.  

Lin Xiangqi’s worldview shattered.  

Lu Cong really seemed to have turned into a pervert. This was worse than pica.  

The shock of this act was so overwhelming that Lin Xiangqi couldn’t even enjoy the afterglow. Even as his body still trembled from the lingering pleasure, he insisted, “Give me my phone… I need to look up… whether accidentally swallowing that stuff makes you sick…”  

Lu Cong didn’t respond. Instead, he propped himself up, grabbed Lin Xiangqi’s trembling legs, and draped them over his shoulders. “Focus,” he said.  

It wasn’t over yet…?  

Lin Xiangqi was speechless.  

He suddenly felt something press against him again. His barely settled emotions took another rollercoaster plunge, and this time, fear crept in. He begged, “Lu Cong, no, not this… really, no… Can’t you just hold back?”  

“I am holding back,” Lu Cong rasped, swallowing down his urgency. “Tighten your legs, baby.”  

Lin Xiangqi shuddered, all his senses zeroing in on that one spot.  

He was done for.  

If Lu Cong was a pervert, then why hadn’t he refused?  

Had they both lost their minds?  

/  

This year’s snow came earlier than usual.  

From the early hours of the morning, flurries had been drifting down, and the temperature plummeted overnight.  

Qi Ye had helped them take leave from school, which was supposed to end today. Normally, they should have already been up and getting ready to leave by now.  

But the alarm was silenced by Lu Cong’s hand just before it could ring.  

Lin Xiangqi, curled up under the blankets, slept fitfully, his delicate brows furrowed as he occasionally let out soft, distressed murmurs.  

Lu Cong leaned down to listen.  

“Lu Cong… it hurts…” Lin Xiangqi whimpered.  

Lu Cong asked, “Where does it hurt?”  

But Lin Xiangqi had already quieted again.  

Probably restless even in his dreams, he nuzzled into Lu Cong’s chest, burrowing for warmth, though his eyes remained closed—perhaps still clinging to the comfort.  

Lu Cong had gone too far last night.  

Though he’d restrained himself from taking the final step, it had been dangerously close.  

The skin on Lin Xiangqi’s thighs was delicate and sensitive, and after nearly two hours of friction, if not for their pheromones mingling to soothe him, Lin Xiangqi would have long since cried from the pain.  

Guilt gnawed at Lu Cong. He pressed a hand to Lin Xiangqi’s forehead to check for fever, then carefully released some pheromones to calm him before gently lifting the covers to inspect his skin. Red marks were scattered everywhere, but thankfully, none were too severe.  

Lin Xiangqi slept for another half-hour before finally waking up from thirst. When he opened his eyes, he found himself still in Lu Cong’s arms. His mind blanked for a second, almost as if last night’s events were still ongoing.  

Lu Cong handed him the glass of water he’d prepared earlier, complete with a straw. Too lazy to move, Lin Xiangqi drank several sips while half-lying against him.  

Lu Cong asked, “Still feeling uncomfortable?”  

Only after finishing the water did Lin Xiangqi grumble, “I think you rubbed me raw.”  

“It’s not raw,” Lu Cong said, though he instinctively released more pheromones. “I was watching. I wouldn’t hurt you.”  

Lin Xiangqi had planned to settle the score with him, but bathed in the Alpha’s pheromones, his anger fizzled out. All he could muster was, “You were terrifying last night. Seriously. Are you sure it wasn’t your rut?”  

Lu Cong replied flatly, “It wasn’t.”  

Lin Xiangqi didn’t believe him. “Don’t avoid the truth just because you’re embarrassed.”  

Lu Cong paused, then asked, “Do you think the only reason I’d act like that is because of a rut?”  

“What else could it be?” Lin Xiangqi said, still shaken. “You were like a madman—eating random things, grinding against my thighs… What sane person would do that?”  

Lu Cong had always known Lin Xiangqi was a little slow in this department, but he hadn’t expected his knowledge to be this lacking. He rephrased his question: “Yanyan, did last night feel good to you?”  

Lin Xiangqi froze, then suddenly twisted out of Lu Cong’s embrace. “Obviously not,” he huffed.  

With that, he tried to jump off the bed and flee to the bathroom to end the conversation.  

But the moment his feet touched the floor, his thighs gave out, and he crumpled to the ground.  

Lin Xiangqi: “Ow.”  

Lu Cong rolled off the bed and scooped him up in one swift motion. Before Lin Xiangqi’s “ow” had even fully left his lips, he was back in Lu Cong’s arms.  

“Can’t even stand, and you still want to run?” Lu Cong chuckled.  

Lin Xiangqi headbutted him lightly. “And whose fault is that?”

Lu Cong: “Me.”

Lin Xiangqi: “Good, you admit it.”

Lu Cong carried him to the bathroom, not letting Lin Xiangqi lift a finger. He even squeezed the toothpaste onto his toothbrush for him. If not for Lin Xiangqi’s tongue being too sensitive, Lu Cong would have brushed his teeth for him too.

By the time they finished freshening up, it was already past nine.

After some thought, Lu Cong decided to call their homeroom teacher to ask for another half-day leave.

But this time, Qin Xiao didn’t let him off so easily. “What’s really going on? Your mother only said you needed rest for your health. Why are you calling to ask for sick leave for Lin Xiangqi?”

Lin Xiangqi, standing nearby, frantically gestured at him. Picking up on his cues, Lu Cong replied, “I was the one who was sick. He took care of me last night and ended up catching a chill. He’s doing much better now—we’ll probably be able to come to class this afternoon.”

The explanation was barely passable, but Qin Xiao was still concerned. “Sigh… Look how many times you two have taken leave in just this semester alone? Lin Xiangqi is even worse—his grades are already unstable as it is. If he wants to get into Capital University, he’ll have to work harder than everyone else. There’s no more time to waste. Take better care of your health and try not to take any more leave.”

Lu Cong politely humored him for a few more sentences before hanging up.

Lin Xiangqi, standing nearby, was absentmindedly brushing his teeth, foam nearly dripping from his mouth.

Lu Cong pulled the toothbrush out and pinched his cheeks. “Spit.”

Lin Xiangqi obediently spat out the foam.

Lu Cong handed him a cup of water, and he took a sip, swished it around, then spat it out with a splash.

Lu Cong: “Open.”

Lin Xiangqi: “Ah—”

Lu Cong took the opportunity to check his teeth—neat, white, and cavity-free—before saying, “Good boy.”

Lin Xiangqi closed his mouth and sighed.

Lu Cong dampened a washcloth with warm water and gently wiped his face. Without asking why Lin Xiangqi had sighed, he simply said, “Don’t worry. You’re smart. As long as you’re willing to put in the effort, your grades will improve quickly.”

Lin Xiangqi was taken aback. “How did you know what I was thinking?”

“Close your eyes.” Lu Cong wiped the corners of his eyes, not answering.

Lin Xiangqi obediently shut his eyes and waited for Lu Cong to finish cleaning his face before opening them again. “Lu Cong, you’re really… too good.”

Lu Cong tossed the washcloth aside and effortlessly found Lin Xiangqi’s facial moisturizer. These skincare products weren’t bought out of vanity—Lin Xiangqi’s skin was just too delicate. In the dry winter, he was prone to chapping, so he’d always made a habit of moisturizing.

Lu Cong warmed the cream in his palms before gently smoothing it over Lin Xiangqi’s face, his expression neutral as he said, “If the next words out of your mouth are about us being best friends forever, don’t say them.”

Lin Xiangqi, caught red-handed, pouted. “Oh.”

Lu Cong sighed and pinched his earlobe. “Don’t be so cruel to me.”

Lin Xiangqi looked a little guilty. “I didn’t mean to… Sorry, I don’t want to make you unhappy. I won’t say things like that anymore.”

Lu Cong stared at him, unable to bear the sight of those beautiful eyes fixed on him. He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to Lin Xiangqi’s brow, half-jokingly saying, “Yanyan’s being so obedient—does that mean you’ll marry me?”

Lin Xiangqi let out an “ah!” and clamped a hand over Lu Cong’s mouth. “I’m warning you, you can’t just say things like that at school!”

Lu Cong laughed. “No.”

Lin Xiangqi: “Don’t forget, we signed a pledge promising not to engage in puppy love.”

Lu Cong: “I only promised not to engage in puppy love. I never promised not to get married.”

Lin Xiangqi: “Wow, you’re defying the natural order!”

He bit down on Lu Cong’s chin, leaving teeth marks, then turned and ran. But because his legs were still weak, his escape was more of a wobbly, limping stumble.

Lu Cong followed behind him, taking one step for every two of Lin Xiangqi’s. When Lin Xiangqi nearly tripped, he steadied him. When Lin Xiangqi got hungry from all the anger, Lu Cong made him breakfast.

Watching Lu Cong bustling around the kitchen, Lin Xiangqi suddenly thought that agreeing to marry him didn’t seem so terrifying after all.

“…Alright?” Lu Cong’s voice suddenly rang out. “Yanyan, did you hear me?”

Startled out of his thoughts, Lin Xiangqi jumped up from his chair. “No, no, no! No marriage!”

“Hm, no marriage.” Lu Cong leaned against the wall, arms crossed, looking at him with an amused smirk. “But all I asked was whether you wanted dumplings for breakfast today.”

Lin Xiangqi wanted to bite his own tongue off. After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a single word: “…Okay.”