Chapter 102
She hadn’t slept well all night.
First, she was too excited to sleep. Memories from earlier kept bubbling up, making Zhuang Chi toss and turn, unable to calm down. When she finally managed to fall asleep, she was plunged into a series of complex dreams, so bizarre and fantastical that she lost count of how many she’d had. When Zhuang Chi opened her eyes again, she had forgotten all the dreams completely. The only thing she was certain of was Gu Ximian's high appearance rate; both in and out of her dreams, she occupied an absolute position in her mind.
She and Gu Ximian were a couple—it had already happened yesterday, but thinking of that sentence now, Zhuang Chi still couldn't help but silently curl up into a ball under the covers. After a good while, she finally poked her head out and sat up in bed with a flushed face.
It was as if she hadn't slept at all. Zhuang Chi ruffled her own messy hair. But surprisingly, she felt quite energetic… It was probably too much adrenaline, or maybe she had unknowingly inhaled a lot of her own pheromones yesterday, like she'd drunk many cups of coffee.
She rolled out of bed. It was almost eight o'clock. Lu Man was already dressed and flipping through a book below. Seeing her awake, she seemed rather surprised. “I thought you would sleep in a little longer today.”
Zhuang Chi picked up her toothbrush cup to go wash up. Hearing this, she asked curiously, “Why? Did you find out I went to bed late yesterday?”
“Not really.” Lu Man shook her head, fell silent for a subtle moment, then said slowly, “...I just thought that yesterday… might have been quite physically demanding for you.”
...She was taken away by Gu Ximian right after class, and then that night, she posted the reply that made the St. Blaisedon forum quake. Lu Man thought carefully about Zhuang Chi's worrisome appearance before she left and felt that what had happened during that time was probably not so simple.
But Zhuang Chi looked completely baffled, clearly not understanding the subtle implication in her words. She even asked with an innocent face, “What do you mean, physically demanding? I didn't do any manual labor yesterday.”
Understanding dawned on Lu Man instantly. She gave Zhuang Chi a gentle smile, indicating that it was nothing and she should go wash up and not mind her. Inwardly, she thought, it seems my roommate hasn't climbed the ladder to adulthood before me yet. That made sense. Zhuang Chi looked like a very rare herbivorous Alpha. Just getting to the dating stage must have taken a lot of effort on Gu Ximian's part.
Not long ago, watching from the sidelines had made Lu Man want to beat her chest and stomp her feet in frustration. Now, she decided to watch this pair's development with a benevolent gaze—and mentally prepared herself for Gu Ximian to snatch her roommate away at any moment. She looked at Zhuang Chi, who had already quickly washed up and changed her clothes, and decided to cherish what little time they might have left as roommates. She extended an invitation, “I was just about to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. Want to come with me?”
“Ah… no, thanks,” Zhuang Chi looked up, full of apology. “I made plans with Gu Ximian yesterday to have breakfast together today… Sorry. How about I walk with you to the cafeteria? It's about time for me to head out anyway. We're meeting at eight-thirty.”
“No, no, it's fine.” Lu Man decisively gave up on their roommate bonding time and offered some pertinent advice. “Then remember not to order the chive and egg xiao long bao this morning, okay? Steamed dumplings are also a no-go. If you're going to eat them, get a different filling.”
...But she didn't usually eat those things in the morning anyway. Zhuang Chi was confused, but under Lu Man's sincere gaze, she nodded dazedly in agreement. Lu Man, relieved, prepared to pack up and head out for breakfast. But just as she reached the door, she suddenly heard a knock. It was a polite knock, three times and then it stopped.
Who would be knocking so early in the morning? She had lived here for almost a semester, and this was the first time. Lu Man was a little puzzled. She glanced at Zhuang Chi, who was also clearly clueless. So, she blankly opened the door, wondering if it was the dorm manager with some business—
“Good morning. Sorry to bother you. I'm here for Zhuang Chi. Is she up?”
Oh, not the dorm manager. It was Gu Ximian.
Lu Man's eyes, originally a little drowsy from waking up early, suddenly widened. She felt an overwhelming beauty rush towards her. Gu Ximian had clearly taken great care in her appearance today. Even though she was still wearing the St. Blaisedon uniform, she looked even more captivating than usual, making it impossible to look away. Lu Man silently thanked Gu Ximian in her heart—and Zhuang Chi, too, for that matter. Seeing such a sight so early in the morning was truly a treat for the eyes. She stepped aside and called out to her roommate, who was still struggling with her unruly hair, “Zhuang Chi! Gu Ximian is here for you!”
Zhuang Chi's hand slipped, and the comb she was holding fell onto the desk with a clatter. She had no time to pick it up. She scrambled to her feet and looked over, only to really see Gu Ximian standing at the door. She immediately rushed to check the time. “A-Am I late? Why did you come here directly...”
“No, it's not time yet,” Gu Ximian said, looking at her. Her tone, which had been polite when speaking to Lu Man, softened instantly. She pursed her lips and said, “I just... I was waiting anyway, and I had nothing to do.”
Okay. Lu Man took a deep breath, feeling as if she was already a little full before even having breakfast. She prided herself on being a person with good judgment. In any case, she first invited Gu Ximian in, then turned back to her desk, randomly swept a few textbooks into her arms, and said in a rapid-fire voice, “You two talk. Ah, it's okay, you can use my chair. I was just about to go out for breakfast, and after that, I'm going to the library to study. Oh my, final exams are coming up soon. If I don't cram now, I'm really going to fail. I'll just spend the whole day in the library!”
Her words came out like a machine gun, catching Zhuang Chi, who was used to her slow pace of speaking, completely off guard. It took her a long moment to react before she said hesitantly, “...But don't we have class this afternoon? You can't be in the library all day, can you...?”
...Great. Such a diligent student, still remembering they have class in the afternoon. Lu Man froze, momentarily unsure how to respond. But Gu Ximian obviously understood her meaning better than Zhuang Chi did. A faint blush appeared on her fair face, and she said softly, “We... we'll be leaving in a bit. You don't have to do this...”
“It's fine! I really am going to the library!” Lu Man decisively pushed her own chair over to Zhuang Chi's desk, then, clutching her books, she gave the two a solemn nod. “I'll be going then. Goodbye!”
With that, she left the dorm without a backward glance. She had probably never been so eager to leave the dorm this entire semester. As she walked towards the cafeteria, she felt she had done a good deed by helping the couple along. The more she walked, the happier she became, and she went to eat her breakfast, pleased with herself.
“...We've troubled her.”
Still inevitably a little shy in the face of such kindness, Gu Ximian said softly. She was now sitting in Zhuang Chi's seat; Zhuang Chi had given her own chair to her and taken Lu Man's. Zhuang Chi now also realized that Lu Man's reaction was meant to accommodate their relationship. She felt embarrassed as well and said sheepishly, “Yeah... I'll have to thank her later. I'll treat her to a meal sometime.”
Gu Ximian hummed in agreement, and silence fell between them again. The atmosphere on the second day of their relationship was even stranger than the first, especially since this meeting was earlier than planned—the truth was, Gu Ximian had woken up too early and couldn't wait. To put it simply, she was “impatient to see Zhuang Chi,” but she had no intention of telling Zhuang Chi the truth.
She quietly raised her eyes to look at Zhuang Chi, only to meet Zhuang Chi's gaze head-on. Instantly, both of them turned their heads away. It was strange; the dorm room wasn't that small, but their eyes dodged each other clumsily, as if no matter where they looked, their gazes would meet. They were crowded together, retreating at the slightest touch, and after this happened several times, it began to strike some ambiguous sparks.
The alarm bells of self-control were ringing loudly in Zhuang Chi's mind. She swallowed uncomfortably and finally remembered to perform her duties as a host. “Do... do you want some water?”
She had asked randomly, but who knew that Gu Ximian, having rushed over so early in the morning, was actually a little thirsty. She nodded at her. Zhuang Chi then began to frantically search for a cup. But heavens, of course a university dorm room wouldn't be stocked with disposable paper cups... They didn't usually have guests over for water. After searching for a long time, she found nothing but the cup she normally drank from herself. Zhuang Chi looked at her own cup, which she had just drunk from about five minutes ago, and then at Gu Ximian—this person had clearly seen her entire series of actions searching for a cup, but she showed no intention of changing her mind and saying “I'm not thirsty after all.” She just sat there leisurely, waiting for Zhuang Chi to give her water.
Zhuang Chi gave in. Steeling herself, she took a few quick steps to the sink and briskly rinsed the cup inside and out. Only then did she pour water for Gu Ximian and bring it back, her movements as stiff as a robot's. Gu Ximian said thanks, took it, and quietly drank a few sips. Her snowy white throat bobbed slightly a few times. For some reason, Zhuang Chi's heart started beating faster just watching, and she didn't dare to look anymore. It was the first time she realized that watching someone drink water could make her nervous. But she had barely been nervous for a moment when she saw Gu Ximian hold the cup out to her. Her beautiful eyes were half-raised in a slightly awkward way as she glanced at her and said softly, “Do you want to drink too?”
She actually wanted to refuse, but she didn't know if it was because watching Gu Ximian drink had made her thirsty or what. In any case, by the time Zhuang Chi came to her senses, she was already holding the cup in her hands—with both hands, at that, in a posture of fearful reverence. She froze for a long time, but finally, under Gu Ximian's gaze, she silently turned the cup halfway and lowered her head to drink from the rim where she was certain Gu Ximian's lips had not just touched.
Drinking water as if facing a great enemy. Zhuang Chi only let out a small sigh of relief after swallowing. But before she could even catch her breath, she heard Gu Ximian's voice float over softly, “...We've already done direct things, why are you still afraid of indirect ones.”
Zhuang Chi's hand trembled. Fortunately, the cup was only half full, or she probably would have spilled it all over her leg.
She didn't dare hold it any longer. She hastily put the cup back on the desk and stiffly changed the subject. “...Weren't... weren't you stopped by the dorm auntie when you entered our building? I feel like they're pretty strict here...”
“...No,” Gu Ximian said, raising an eyebrow at her, but she still went along with the change of topic. “It's probably because this dorm is mostly Betas, so an Omega like me won't cause any trouble... Plus, I'm relatively well-known at school. They recognized me when they saw this thing on my neck—oh, right, I brought you a Pheromone Blocking Collar.”
As she spoke, she took out a black choker identical to the one on her own neck from her bag and handed it to Zhuang Chi. As Zhuang Chi took it, she asked softly, “Do you want me to help you put it on?”
“...” Zhuang Chi's hand froze again. She stared at Gu Ximian, unable to tell if she was joking or being serious. She could only mumble a refusal, “No, it's fine... I can put it on myself...”
How to put it? Ever since seeing Gu Ximian, Zhuang Chi had felt very constrained—an enclosed space, the two of them alone; all the natural conditions for an ambiguous atmosphere were more or less gathered. But she still remembered that this was a dorm room, and not hers alone, so she couldn't help but feel a sense of restless dissonance, making her feel embarrassed, as if she were a thief with a guilty conscience—
Just as she was thinking this, her phone suddenly rang, startling the guilt-ridden Zhuang Chi. She took a deep, shaky breath, and after getting a nod of permission from Gu Ximian, she picked up her phone—it was Ling Jing.
...To be honest, she only had a bad feeling. Speaking of which, she hadn't heard from Ling Jing after posting her reply on the forum yesterday. Thinking about it now, she could guess what this call was about. Zhuang Chi answered the phone and, sure enough, heard Ling Jing's frantic voice from the other end: “Zhuang Chi! I didn't check the forum yesterday! I only saw the messages people sent me this morning—you and Gu Ximian are together?!”
...Her voice was so loud that Gu Ximian could hear it even without speakerphone. Zhuang Chi silently held the phone a little further from her ear. This seemed to be the first time she was seriously discussing their relationship with someone else. She replied, a little embarrassed, “...Yeah, we started dating yesterday.”
“...” She heard Ling Jing take a deep breath on the other end of the line, then say excitedly, “So that means Gu Ximian isn't mad at you anymore? Your performance passed?”
She really took their conversation from that day to heart. Zhuang Chi wanted to laugh, but she kept a straight face in front of Gu Ximian and answered seriously, “Yeah. It passed.”
Ling Jing took another deep breath and continued excitedly, “Does that mean your kissing skills passed too?!”
“...”
If she had to answer that question, Zhuang Chi wasn't actually sure herself. She subconsciously glanced at Gu Ximian, only to be glared back at. She had no choice but to stammer a reply, “Ah... I guess... more or less...”
“That's great! Congratulations!!” Ling Jing sounded incredibly supportive, as if she were about to set off party poppers for them. “I'll treat you to a meal!”
Infected by such abundant enthusiasm, Zhuang Chi laughed. “Don't be so polite. Isn't it said that the couple should be the one to treat their friends to a meal?”
Gu Ximian, who had been listening quietly from the side, suddenly spoke up. “Then let's treat them. We should invite everyone. How about tonight?”
Zhuang Chi was taken aback. Before she could even process it, she obediently relayed the question to Ling Jing on the phone, “Tonight? Are you free?”
“—”
The other end of the line went silent. Zhuang Chi looked at her phone in confusion and said “hello” a few more times before she heard Ling Jing speak in a tone as if she had discovered some incredible secret, “...Is Gu Ximian... with you right now?”
Only now did she realize she'd been exposed, but there was nothing to be done about it at this point. Zhuang Chi answered honestly, “She is.”
Ling Jing was quiet for another long moment. When she spoke again, her voice was as soft as if she were whispering into the microphone, and her tone sounded much weaker. “...At eight-something in the morning?”
“...”
Somehow, the “eight-something” that came out of her mouth sounded particularly meaningful.
Zhuang Chi frowned. Before she could figure out why, she heard Ling Jing seem to take her silence as some kind of answer. She hurriedly changed the subject, her words jumbled and incoherent, finally ending with a long, breathless sentence: “I'm free tonight just let me know when you decide where to eat sorry for bothering you!” before hanging up with a click.
Zhuang Chi was baffled. She put down her phone and looked at Gu Ximian, who was already starting to type an invitation for dinner in the Student Council Presidium's WeChat group. Seeing Zhuang Chi look over, she met her gaze. “What's wrong? Is Ling Jing not free?”
“No, that's not it,” Zhuang Chi shook her head. After hesitating for a moment, she decided not to mention Ling Jing's strange reaction. “She said she's free.”
Ling Jing's last few sentences were spoken softly, so Gu Ximian hadn't heard them. Zhuang Chi felt something was off but couldn't figure out what the trick was for the moment, so she decided to just put it aside. She scooted closer to Gu Ximian, her mind already on dinner. “What should we eat tonight? Is there anything you want to eat?”
Gu Ximian didn't particularly want to eat anything. If she had to say, most of the time when Zhuang Chi was close to her, she only had the thought of wanting to drink coffee, but coffee couldn't be a meal. She thought for a moment and said, “Let's have hot pot.”
It was the safest choice for a large group, and the weather was suitable for it too. Gu Ximian's definition of this meal was really just to formally announce their relationship to their friends—those who had helped and those who had offered unhelpful assistance. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea that came when she heard Zhuang Chi was going to treat Lu Man and Ling Jing. She hadn't really needed this meal, but now that Zhuang Chi was close to her, the sensitive sense of smell of an S-class Omega picked up her scent. Or rather, she had been able to smell it ever since entering the dorm. Gu Ximian discreetly glanced around Zhuang Chi's dorm and heard the footsteps of students from other dorms passing in the hallway, making her think to herself that she really did want to smell Zhuang Chi's scent in a more private space. It would be more reassuring.
Thinking about this, Gu Ximian suddenly felt that this meal might be helpful in that regard. She looked at the oblivious Zhuang Chi and asked softly, as if it were a casual question.
“...Have you ever had alcohol before?”
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