Author: hoenibean (Page 57 of 78)

Chapter 4 – Replica

September 7, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 4: Every Day

 

Tan Xilu absentmindedly drank the now cold water that had been left sitting for a while. His lips, which hadn’t fully healed, stung as the water touched them. He took a sip, maintaining his composure as he watched Xu Huaiming cooking in the kitchen.

 

It had been a week since Xu Huaiming returned, and Tan Xilu still found it hard to believe that he was here in the flesh.

 

He couldn’t help but pinch his palm. It hurt.

 

After a few seconds, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Xu Huaiming had really come back; this wasn’t a dream.

 

With that thought in mind, Tan Xilu lifted his lips slightly and stood up from the sofa. He walked to the kitchen door, leaning against the frame as he said to Xu Huaiming, “Don’t overcook the noodles, okay?”

 

The boiling pot of noodles rolled and frothed, spilling white foam. Xu Huaiming gently stirred the noodles, sprinkled some fine salt, and covered the pot with a lid, reducing the heat.

 

“Sure,” Xu Huaiming replied. He continued to prepare the broth on the side. This was a clear noodle soup that he had learned from a short video platform today. Tan Xilu was still recovering from his illness and couldn’t eat overly spicy food, so Xu Huaiming had started making some milder dishes.

 

Perhaps due to his intelligent AI nature, Xu Huaiming quickly picked up various skills. He could remember everything like a program after just one run-through, much like the saying, “photographic memory.”

 

Xu Huaiming poured some vinegar into the bottom of the bowls and then lifted the lid of the noodle pot. The noodles were cooked perfectly, breaking with a light touch. To maintain their chewiness, he rinsed them in cold water briefly before placing them in the bowls. Finally, he sprinkled chopped green onions and a fried egg on top of the noodles.

 

Two bowls of clear noodle soup were placed on the dining table.

 

After observing for a week, Xu Huaiming noticed that Tan Xilu had a particular fondness for noodles. Whether it was knife-cut noodles, hot dry noodles, or dan dan noodles, he enjoyed them all. So, Xu Huaiming made various noodle dishes to cater to his preferences.

 

Xu Huaiming handed a pair of freshly rinsed chopsticks to Tan Xilu and said, “I lost track of time just now, and I’m not sure if the noodles are overcooked.”

 

Tan Xilu took the chopsticks and picked up a strand of noodles, bringing it to his mouth and tasting it before answering Xu Huaiming’s question. “It’s not bad, quite delicious, and not too soft.”

 

“That’s good,” Xu Huaiming replied, and he began to eat his own noodles.

 

Xu Huaiming’s bodily functions were similar to humans, and he had his own digestive system. However, unlike humans, he only needed to excrete waste once a month. In other words, he could eat for a month before needing to eliminate waste. But Xu Huaiming didn’t like the process of digestion. His method of waste elimination was different from humans, requiring him to go to a specialized waste disposal room at the lab, where he would connect to a professional waste disposal system through his mouth and expel the waste, similar to human vomiting.

 

Xu Huaiming had more sensitive senses than humans. The discomfort in his throat when he vomited made him uncomfortable for half a day. During this time, he couldn’t drink water because it would make him feel even more uncomfortable. Therefore, in the lab, he usually chose to eat liquid food. However, in front of Tan Xilu, this was not an option. He was supposed to be a “human,” and he couldn’t live like an AI. As a result, he ate very little.

The taste of the noodles was indeed good, and the fried egg was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. When you took a bite and dipped it in the soup, it was very flavorful. However, Xu Huaiming didn’t particularly like eating eggs; he always found such food to be somewhat fishy. The only exception was food where you couldn’t see the eggs, like cakes. But Tan Xilu loved this type of food, and sometimes in the morning, he would eat a fried egg along with a boiled one.

 

So, Xu Huaiming placed the fried egg from his own bowl into Tan Xilu’s bowl and said, “You can have mine too.”

 

“Thanks,” Tan Xilu replied without looking up, as if it was a common occurrence.

 

Because in the past, Xu Huaiming had always taken good care of Tan Xilu, he was well aware of Tan Xilu’s preferences, and he would avoid foods that Tan Xilu didn’t like when cooking. He had taken care of Tan Xilu so well that Tan Xilu couldn’t handle his sudden absence.

 

— How could the person who loved me and took care of me so much just disappear like that?

 

Fortunately, Xu Huaiming was back now, and Tan Xilu would be well taken care of again.

 

The meal didn’t take long. Tan Xilu had another class in the afternoon, and he needed to prepare his lecture materials in advance. This public class was important because a professor would be attending, and there were also other students from the department who were interested in the topic.

 

After the meal, Xu Huaiming washed the dishes and changed his clothes before driving Tan Xilu to the university. After dropping him off, he headed to the dessert shop that used to be run by no. 7 at the university.

 

The dessert shop had been closed ever since no. 7 returned to the lab. It had been closed for seven years, during which time the city had changed a lot, but the shop’s front remained dusty.

 

Tan Xilu wanted Xu Huaiming to reopen the shop, and Xu Huaiming couldn’t refuse. However, he had no previous experience making desserts; it would take him some time to learn. The shop’s renovation would coincide with his learning period.

 

When Xu Huaiming arrived at the shop, the renovation workers had already started installing the counter. The renovation was not very complicated, so it progressed quickly. A few days ago, the shop had just been repainted, and today, with the counter in place, they only needed to purchase some equipment.

 

Inside the shop, the workers were busy, while Xu Huaiming sat outside and opened his laptop to watch dessert tutorials. He had been doing this for the past few days. He and Tan Xilu would come to the university together, and then Tan Xilu would attend classes while Xu Huaiming watched tutorials outside the dessert shop. When Tan Xilu finished his classes and returned home, they would go back together.

 

Tan Xilu’s public class lasted for two hours. Xu Huaiming had drained his laptop’s battery by the time he finished watching tutorials. However, he had learned quite a bit today, mastering the techniques for at least five different desserts. Now he just needed to put them into practice.

 

When Xu Huaiming reached the university’s entrance, Tan Xilu had just come out of the school building. He was accompanied by a tall and seemingly cheerful guy who was talking to him. The guy said something that made Tan Xilu smile, and in response, the guy also smiled.

 

Tan Xilu had originally been smiling, but when he raised his head and saw Xu Huaiming across the street, he suddenly became serious. He turned to the guy and said, “Someone’s here to pick me up. About what you mentioned, I’ll consider it. Don’t stay out too late tonight, and don’t drink too much. I don’t want to have to come and rescue you guys like before.”

 

“I got it, Teacher Tan,” the guy said, wearing a slightly teasing expression. “Does Teacher Tan have a girlfriend now? Lately, you’re not working overtime at all. You leave right on time.”

 

Tan Xilu didn’t deny the first question, but he had an explanation for the second one. “It’s not that I’m getting old, it’s just that as soon as I’m at school, you guys drag me into having fun. I’m not as young as you all anymore.”

 

In reality, part of it was because he wanted to spend more time alone with Xu Huaiming.

 

“What do you mean you’re not young anymore, Teacher Tan? You’re not even thirty yet. Don’t call yourself old,” the guy said playfully. As he finished speaking, he noticed someone blocking their path. He was about to step aside, but then he realized that Tan Xilu, who was beside him, had stopped moving. He followed Tan Xilu’s gaze and saw a tall man standing in front of them. The man had an expressionless face, possibly because he was wearing golden wire-framed glasses, giving him a distant look.

 

He stood in front of Tan Xilu and looked at him without saying a word.

 

“Teacher Tan, is this your friend?” the guy asked tentatively.

 

Tan Xilu made an “ah” sound, seemingly considering how to explain his relationship with Xu Huaiming.

 

Before he could say anything, Xu Huaiming took the initiative to hold Tan Xilu’s hand. His voice had a distinct metallic quality as he said to the guy, “I’m Ah Lu’s boyfriend. My name is Xu Huaiming.”

 

The bus moved slowly, and it was around four or five in the afternoon, which was the time when schools let out. The bus was crowded, and at every stop, many students in blue and white uniforms got on.

 

Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming sat in the last row of seats. The twilight sun shone through the windows, casting their figures in a warm glow. Both of them had no particular expressions on their faces, but their hands were intertwined on their laps.

 

It was unclear who looked at the other first, but both of them broke into smiles.

 

Xu Huaiming was looking at Tan Xilu when he smiled, and Tan Xilu smiled back, sweetly.

 

Since Xu Huaiming’s return, Tan Xilu had refrained from asking where he had been all these years, not because he didn’t want to know, but because he didn’t dare to ask.

 

Their first major argument back then had been about whether or not to publicly acknowledge their relationship.

 

Although same-sex marriage had been legal for several years, it was still unacceptable to many people. Tan Xilu claimed that he had no such concerns. His parents had received a higher education, and when Tan Xilu had just started dating, they had expressed the hope that he would bring his boyfriend home to meet them. At first, Tan Xilu thought that their relationship wasn’t stable enough for that, but later, after he and Xu Huaiming had solidified their relationship, he decided to introduce Xu Huaiming to his parents. However, what caught Tan Xilu off guard was Xu Huaiming’s strong resistance.

 

Xu Huaiming appeared quite unhappy, his brows furrowed. He asked, “Did you tell your parents about us?”

 

Tan Xilu was taken aback by Xu Huaiming’s reaction, freezing in place. He stammered, “Uh, is that not allowed?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t say it was not allowed; he simply shook his head.

 

Tan Xilu forced a smile, tugging at Xu Huaiming’s arm awkwardly. He said, “It’s okay; my parents will really like you.”

 

Xu Huaiming still shook his head, and this time, he spoke, “Ah Lu, I don’t need others to like me. It’s enough for me if you do.”

 

Tan Xilu didn’t insist further, and that night, the two of them lay on the same bed in silence.

 

The next morning, Tan’s mother called, asking when Tan Xilu and his boyfriend would be coming home. Tan Xilu looked at Xu Huaiming, who was tending to plants on the balcony, and said to his mother, “Mom, he’s been busy these past few days. We’ll come home when we have some free time.”

 

Tan’s mother seemed disappointed but didn’t say much.

 

The excuse of being busy was quite weak, and it only took two times for Tan’s mother to suspect that something was amiss. Perhaps it was because she had watched too many soap operas, making her quite astute. She said to Tan Xilu, “Don’t tell me your boyfriend doesn’t want to marry you, so he doesn’t want to meet your parents. Why else wouldn’t he want to come with you?”

 

“How could that be, Mom? Don’t make wild assumptions. He really likes me,” Tan Xilu replied.

 

“Then why doesn’t he come with you? What’s the matter? Would it hurt to be with you for a while?” Tan’s mother said, “I think he simply doesn’t care about you.”

 

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 52 – Who Says Omegas Can’t be as Explosive as Alphas

September 7, 2023 / / 1 Comment

Chapter 52

At this moment, Lu Jingning was standing on the wreckage of an old mecha, holding a thick metal stick he somehow found. With a slender wrist raised, he nonchalantly rested the broken blade on his shoulder, as if it symbolized the bloodshed and battles he had just experienced.

 

After concluding his communication with Wen Ye, Lu Jingning glanced at Wen Xingchen and said, “The captain told us to speed up.”

 

Wen Xingchen nodded without hesitation, “Then let’s directly break through the crystal.”

 

Meanwhile, as the Three Schools Alliance was still assembling, the big screen displayed their actions. Upon hearing their conversation, everyone’s expressions became complex.

 

“Do they think the energy crystal is as easy as picking cabbage? Are they planning to break through just like that?!”

 

However, when they looked at the Three Schools Alliance, which was gradually gathering, they had to admit that apart from rapidly annihilating the enemy base, there seemed to be no other feasible option for them.

 

Speed and decisiveness were essential!

 

The Imperial Navy University had indeed displayed overwhelming strength in this military academy exchange competition. Sometimes, they were not only inexperienced but also too powerful, making it a kind of original sin.

 

As the source of all evil on the battlefield, Lu Jingning, after a brief exchange with Wen Xingchen, began moving swiftly once again.

 

If others thought their words were merely due to their lack of experience in the league, they were proven wrong when they saw the two charging straight towards Grand War’s main base. They were not even attempting to take a detour.

 

There were confused faces all around.

 

What kind of divine operation was this?!

 

Their aggressive approach bewildered even the viewers from the god’s-eye perspective, let alone the defenders of Grand War’s base.

 

Seeing the sudden appearance of the two in their field of view, Luojingchen hesitated for a moment and immediately sought instructions from the frontline captain.

 

While the Three Schools Alliance had almost completed their assembly and was preparing to launch an attack, Grand War’s captain was somewhat startled by the inquiry. “Are you saying those two want to break through our base?! Do your best to intercept them; we’ll also step up our defenses.”

 

After ending the communication, the captain glanced at the others and couldn’t help but chuckle, “The Imperial Navy University hasn’t called their people back for defense even at this moment. They’re becoming overly arrogant.”

 

Someone from the Heavy Cloud Defense University frowned, “It’s been three years, and it seems like Wen Ye has become even more aggressive.”

 

“This must be due to their recent smooth sailing; they’ve become too complacent. They seem to have forgotten how they lost the previous exchange competition. We thought Wen Ye would have learned from that experience, but apparently, they haven’t.”

 

Listening to their discussion, the commentator couldn’t help but feel amused, “It’s evident that the Three Schools Alliance is determined to win this time! However, their optimism might be a bit too much. As of now, Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen have already initiated their attack. Can Grand War’s defense hold them outside the base?”

 

The tone of the commentator seemed somewhat delighted, leaving the audience feeling a bit speechless. However, when the camera returned to Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen, they were stunned by the intense battle on the screen.

 

“It’s just too explosive! The first shot shows a huge rock shattering under the beam, and two figures are darting around like phantoms, avoiding continuous strafing. Regardless of the dense firepower, they aren’t hindered in the slightest. Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen are demonstrating incredible agility and swift movements!”

 

The commentator’s voice changed as he got more excited, “They have evaded a wave of mini-trackers’ self-destruct attacks, and now they’re facing the drone group’s strafing interception. Can they avoid it? Oh, they did it again! A beautiful side flip and a quick turn combined with the use of cover have bewildered the drones. Where should they fly now? But it’s no surprise; Lu Jingning’s movements are just too clever. Even with a god’s premonition, it will still feel like being fully wrapped up in his trick. This positioning will undoubtedly make it into the top 10 highlights of this year!”

 

The commentator was nearly banging his head on the table with excitement, “Another perfect blast! Wen Xingchen is skillfully utilizing the terrain conditions! This is the third heavy mechanical depot destroyed at Grand War’s base!”

 

“But that’s not all; they continue to advance! It’s hard to believe that this level of destruction is caused by two freshmen! They’re like mobile explosive machines! Up to this point, nearly two-thirds of Grand War’s base has been destroyed. Can they hold on until the Three Schools Alliance completes its operation?!”

 

At this point, no one cared about the commentator maintaining neutrality.

 

Everyone watching witnessed the successive explosions that looked like fireworks, not only happening in the sky above Grand War’s base but also sparking in the minds of the audience.

 

Are these two really ordinary military academy students? Placed in any war setting, even among the top military personnel, there would be no sense of incongruity with their actions.

 

Feeling a bit dizzy, they were allowed a moment to catch their breath.

 

Meanwhile, Grand War’s defenders had no time for respite. Their operator’s hands were constantly at work, and even in the virtual space, the overwhelming tension made them feel chills down their spines.

 

Though they had received orders from their captain, seeing those two figures approach at a speed surpassing ordinary humans, the operator couldn’t help but open the communicator again and desperately seek support, “Defend the base! Request rapid reinforcement! The base is on the verge of collapse! Request reinforcements!”

 

As the communication reached its end, the operator’s gaze met with a pair of smiling eyes.

 

Lu Jingning had gone through many obstacles to arrive here, and his appearance seemed a bit disheveled. However, when he curved his eyes, an overly brilliant light seemed to shine through, causing a faint pang in the viewer’s eyes.

 

He stood before the last giant mecha of the base, and even in the serious situation of both armies facing each other, he politely greeted, “Hey, it’s been quite a journey. We finally meet!”

 

The defender’s mouth twitched slightly, and on the other side, Grand War’s captain heard the sudden silence over the communicator. An anxious voice came through, “What’s the situation at the base? Please respond! Do you need reinforcements? Give us a clear message!”

 

The defender remained silent for a moment and sighed softly, “It’s already… not needed.”

 

Clearly, even if they returned at that moment, it would be too late.

 

…

 

As Lu Jingning was engaged in the confrontation, the camera suddenly switched to the middle lane.

 

This abrupt change made the audience, who were eagerly waiting for the final showdown, erupt in frustration.

 

What’s going on? This is a historic moment!

 

However, the organizers had to be fair, as the Three Schools Alliance was launching an attack together. Without switching the camera, they feared that Grand War’s team would be completely eliminated.

 

Compared to the reactions of others, the commentator’s response was much quicker. He quickly took a sip of tea and cleared his throat before speaking, “Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen have been making impressive progress, and the Three Schools Alliance is also moving fast. Within a short period, they’ve already overturned the peripheral defenses. But can they make it in time? After all, Wen Ye and Kang Hanyun successfully returned to defend. Besides, Bing Yunlin, the recognized best operator among the military academies, is holding the fort. Judging from the current situation, their progress doesn’t seem to be going smoothly. If they continue like this, those two overlooked freshmen might just surprise them.”

 

The intensity of the middle lane battle was evident, but compared to the previously shown top lane, despite the significantly larger number of people, the visual impact was somewhat underwhelming.

 

Lu Jingning carried an air of wildness that was rarely seen among other military academy students. While most people would consider energy allocation during team matches, he seemed not to bother with it. He simply detonated and destroyed, seemingly driven by a pure mischievous spirit.

 

However, this very demeanor ignited unparalleled excitement among the audience.

 

This led to a balanced atmosphere on the battlefield between the top and middle lanes.

 

But with this balance, the tempo on the middle lane appeared slower than the other side.

 

At this moment, Grand War’s captain, upon hearing “not needed,” although sensing something amiss in the tone, subconsciously leaned towards a positive interpretation. His first reaction was that their defender had successfully dealt with the two from the Imperial Navy University.

 

Yet, when he looked up at the team score, there was no change. It seemed like it wasn’t the case.

 

But if it wasn’t…

 

He finally felt a sense of unease in his heart, which was soon confirmed.

 

In the chaotic scene, Tang Jiaze saw Grand War’s captain still standing there dazed. He couldn’t help but call out from a distance, “Grand War, don’t stay behind. We’re launching the next wave of attacks!”

 

Then he saw the opponent’s silhouette strangely flicker around, and before the captain could say anything, he vanished into thin air.

 

All Grand War team members were immediately ejected from the system, leaving behind their equipment scattered on the ground, adding an eerie backdrop to the previously roaring battlefield.

 

This sudden turn of events left everyone momentarily stunned, and then they realized what had happened. Their expressions couldn’t help but twist in a bizarre manner.

 

Subconsciously, they looked up at the scoreboard and, as expected, saw the Imperial Navy University’s score jump from 7 to 10.

 

Crushing the enemy’s base crystal directly earned them 3 points.

 

The audience: … 

 

Damn it! They still didn’t get to see the scene where the energy crystal was taken down. Who switched the camera to the top lane?! Get your ass out here and face the consequences! Kill him! Ahhh!

 

The commentator chimed in, “Congratulations to the Imperial Navy University. Finally, the moment has come when the Three Schools Alliance starts to crumble. Hahaha!”

 

…

 

Lu Jingning had no idea about the near-riot that almost happened outside due to the lack of appreciation for his magnificent performance.

 

At this moment, he sat on the Grand War base’s energy crystal, sounding somewhat regretful, “It’s a shame there’s no communicator in the virtual map. Otherwise, I’d take a selfie now. How cool would that be?”

 

Wen Xingchen, who was busy swapping some equipment, looked up at him for a moment and couldn’t help but chuckle, “Whether you take a selfie or not, you’re still pretty cool.”

 

Lu Jingning genuinely felt that Wen Xingchen was very skilled in his speech. Even though he delivered a rather subtle compliment, it seemed to dissipate much of his regret.

 

Looking back at the pile of ruins behind him, Lu Jingning became increasingly satisfied with his masterpiece, “Of course, how can I not be cool? With such thorough demolition skills, who else but me could do it!”

 

Wen Xingchen naturally reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling him off the crystal, reminding him, “Enough boasting. Don’t forget, your idol is still waiting for you to save him.”

 

Lu Jingning immediately snapped back to attention, and with a serious expression, he said, “That’s right. We can’t forget this daunting mission!”

 

Wen Xingchen asked, “Where to next?”

 

Without hesitation, Lu Jingning took action, “Silver Star!”

 

Wen Xingchen quickly caught him by the collar and said, “You’re running in the wrong direction; it’s this way.”

 

“Cough, cough.” Lu Jingning cleared his throat and pretended as if nothing had happened, then turned around and ran, “Hurry, catch up!”

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you life 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 3 – Replica

September 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 3: Lost You

 

Tan Xilu had a dream, a dream of his twenty-year-old self and a twenty-two-year-old Xu Huaiming.

 

At that time, they were still in the ambiguous stage of their relationship. Tan Xilu was majoring in Chinese literature at a normal college, and Xu Huaiming had a dessert shop near the school.

 

Tan Xilu had a sweet tooth, and whenever he had free time, he would visit the dessert shop. However, desserts were often high in calories, so Xu Huaiming tried to make some low-calorie yet delicious desserts for him.

 

During that time, Xu Huaiming created a dessert using toast, milk, and various fruit jams. It had less cream and lower calories but was incredibly delicious. Tan Xilu loved it, and Xu Huaiming even gave it a rather romantic name – “Love Harmony.”

 

Tan Xilu would eat it three to five times a week because it was simple to make and tasted amazing. The dessert became popular, with many regular customers. However, after Xu Huaiming disappeared, no one had tasted that dessert again.

 

It had been a long time since Tan Xilu dreamt of eating dessert, and he was surprised to find himself standing in front of a cooking counter with Xu Huaiming.

 

Xu Huaiming was very serious when making desserts. He would decorate ordinary pieces of bread into various shapes, adorn them with strawberries, kiwis, and other fruits, and sprinkle them with powdered sugar, making them look incredibly enticing.

 

The Xu Huaiming in Tan Xilu’s dream was the same Xu Huaiming who had kissed him for the first time at the dessert shop.

 

Xu Huaiming had just prepared a strawberry dessert and placed it in front of Tan Xilu, who was sitting at the bar counter. Tan Xilu picked up a fork and played with the strawberry. It was the largest one Xu Huaiming had chosen, and when Tan Xilu took a bite, he could only eat half of it. He ate very elegantly, keeping his mouth closed, chewing slowly, and then swallowing.

 

However, because the strawberry was so large, juice overflowed when he took a bite, flowing down to the corners of his mouth. Tan Xilu’s lips were as red as if they were painted with rouge.

 

Xu Huaiming watched him, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Tan Xilu, still unaware, continued to eat the remaining half of the strawberry. Then he heard Xu Huaiming’s voice, “Ah Lu, do you like the strawberries?”

 

Tan Xilu glanced up at Xu Huaiming and nodded.

 

“I want to eat too,” Xu Huaiming smiled.

 

Xu Huaiming rarely smiled, but he was undeniably attractive, with his eyes that could easily make people’s hearts flutter, just like Tan Xilu, who couldn’t resist such a person.

 

Tan Xilu fell silent for a moment, then made a sound of agreement and reached out to stroke Xu Huaiming’s face.

 

The dessert shop was empty at this time, so Tan Xilu felt free to be more forward. With one hand supporting himself on the counter, he closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss Xu Huaiming’s lips.

 

Xu Huaiming’s lips were cool, without much warmth. As their lips met, he fed the strawberry into Xu Huaiming’s mouth.

 

Xu Huaiming seemed surprised by Tan Xilu’s sudden initiative, but he quickly reciprocated. His large, firm hand gently cupped the back of Tan Xilu’s head.

 

This was their first kiss at the dessert shop. The strawberry was soft and juicy, but very sweet.

 

Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of the shop’s entrance bell as a customer walked in. When they pulled away, Tan Xilu’s lips were even redder.

 

Tan Xilu didn’t understand why he had this dream. Later, in the dessert shop, they would often exchange kisses, but such intimate feeding was rare. It was too ambiguous, and at that time, they hadn’t officially become a couple.

 

Both of them were slow to express their feelings and slow to warm up to each other, even in their relationship. It wasn’t until they had been in bed together a couple of times that they realized they were in love.

 

Tan Xilu’s dream was romantic, as it involved kissing, and, for him, kissing was the most passionate act. While intimacy in bed was a physical response, kissing, when their lips met, was an irresistible display of emotion.

 

Why was it irresistible? Tan Xilu’s rigid belief was that it was because they were in love.

 

When Tan Xilu woke up, his heart was still racing. It had been a long time since he had dreamed of Xu Huaiming. In fact, shortly after Xu Huaiming had left, it was as if this person had gradually faded from Tan Xilu’s mind like a slowly erasing file.

 

Tan Xilu often had to look at their photos to remind himself. He felt that he loved Xu Huaiming, but after Xu Huaiming left, he could quickly forget the person’s face. Tan Xilu was afraid that one day he would forget everything.

 

“Are you awake?” Xu Huaiming reached out to touch Tan Xilu’s forehead, which was no longer as hot as before.

 

Tan Xilu blinked, feeling the slightly cold touch of Xu Huaiming’s palm. It took him a moment to realize that this was a living person in front of him, the real Xu Huaiming, not the one from his dream.

 

“Xu Huaiming,” Tan Xilu called out.

 

Xu Huaiming looked at him and responded, his hands busy with the hot water he had just poured from the bedside table.

 

Lin Changyu had suggested giving Tan Xilu a cup of hot water once he woke up.

 

“Have some hot water first,” Xu Huaiming said.

 

Tan Xilu didn’t move. He called out again, “Xu Huaiming?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t understand why Tan Xilu kept saying his name, but he didn’t contradict him. His programming told him to respond to Tan Xilu, so he spoke again, “I am Xu Huaiming.”

 

Xu Huaiming thought that Tan Xilu would be satisfied now, but suddenly, Tan Xilu burst into tears. Tears flowed from his eyes, traced his temples, and wet the pillow.

 

Tan Xilu looked very well-behaved, at least in Xu Huaiming’s definition. His chin was sharp, indicating his leanness, and his face still had a hint of baby fat. His almond-shaped eyes made him look innocent. Xu Huaiming thought that perhaps no. 7 had created him this way so that Tan Xilu wouldn’t feel lonely.

 

Tan Xilu climbed out of bed, reached out to touch Xu Huaiming’s face, as if to confirm that this person was real.

 

Of course, Xu Huaiming was real. He was a replacement created by no. 7, a genuine AI. Tan Xilu didn’t know this; he would only think that this was his Xu Huaiming.

 

So, for the next five minutes, Tan Xilu held onto Xu Huaiming tightly and cried. This was the culmination of seven years of waiting, and his Xu Huaiming had finally returned.

 

“Don’t cry,” Xu Huaiming said, pressing Tan Xilu’s head against his shoulder, letting Tan Xilu’s tears wet his clothes. However, he felt uncomfortable with the dampness, so he used his hand to cover Tan Xilu’s eyes, feeling the tears falling into his palm, wet and itchy. He repeated, “Tan Xilu,don’t cry.”

 

Tan Xilu didn’t stop crying because of his words; instead, his sobbing intensified.

 

Xu Huaiming found human emotions strange. He had once taken emotional courses in his AI training at the lab, but he had performed poorly in the “sadness” category. He couldn’t empathize with human emotions like this. He had never cried, never felt like he would shed tears for someone or something.

 

But now, he seemed to understand a bit, because Tan Xilu was crying so intensely. Xu Huaiming realized that he had come seven years too late. In those seven years, Tan Xilu had missed someone whose fate was unknown, and this longing had likely become a habit. Now that the habit was broken by Xu Huaiming’s return, it released seven years of pent-up emotions like a flood. Tan Xilu needed to vent.

 

So, Xu Huaiming didn’t tell Tan Xilu not to cry again. Instead, he found another way to comfort him.

 

The pressure around his neck was slightly heavy, and Tan Xilu could smell a faint, refreshing scent from Xu Huaiming’s body. Xu Huaiming gently bit Tan Xilu’s lips, silencing his cries.

 

Tears streamed down Tan Xilu’s cheeks like fine threads, falling at the corners of his mouth. Xu Huaiming could taste the saltiness of his tears.

 

Xu Huaiming’s kiss came suddenly, and Tan Xilu wasn’t prepared for it at all. His lips were seized, and Xu Huaiming’s kiss, just like before, was not a gentle lip-to-lip kiss, nor was it a wet one. It was a bite. Tan Xilu felt like a lamb, and Xu Huaiming was a hungry wolf eager to devour him. However, his actions were clumsy at best, like a newborn wolf, lacking any real threat.

 

But Xu Huaiming didn’t see it that way. He had learned about kissing in his training, and he had kissed a silicone model back then. The model’s lips were very soft, and Xu Huaiming felt that Tan Xilu’s lips were even softer. He couldn’t resist the urge to take a bite, so he did.

 

“Mmm…”

 

Tan Xilu found it hard to breathe. He resisted by pounding Xu Huaiming’s shoulders and finally, Xu Huaiming let go of him, realizing that his actions had been somewhat extreme.

 

“It hurts,” Tan Xilu said, and Xu Huaiming saw that the corner of his mouth was cut, and it had turned slightly red.

 

Xu Huaiming felt like he had made a mistake. Although Tan Xilu had stopped crying, he had hurt him.

 

“Is it really painful? I’m sorry.” Xu Huaiming furrowed his brow. “I’ll get some ointment.” With that, he stood up and was about to leave.

 

“Hey…” Tan Xilu grabbed Xu Huaiming’s arm lightly and smiled, “It’s not that painful, actually.”

 

Xu Huaiming paused, pondering the meaning of Tan Xilu’s words. Was it painful or not? Did this mean he didn’t want him to leave?

 

After a ten-second pause, Xu Huaiming decided to let it go. Humans seemed much more complicated than he had imagined, and he couldn’t understand these strange word games.

 

At this moment, blood began to flow from Tan Xilu’s lips. Blood droplets emerged from the cut, and Xu Huaiming was about to grab a tissue to help him wipe it away, but Tan Xilu had noticed and reacted quickly. He extended his tender, red tongue and licked it away.

 

Xu Huaiming’s hand holding the tissue froze in mid-air. He watched as Tan Xilu bit his lip, and his heart couldn’t help but stir. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to keep his emotions calm and steady.

 

Tan Xilu was really playing dirty.

 

Were all humans like this? Xu Huaiming understood why the no. 7 was so reluctant to let him go.

 

“Thank you,” Tan Xilu said when he saw Xu Huaiming holding the tissue, completely unaware that he was a replica.

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 2 – Replica

September 6, 2023 / / 1 Comment

Chapter 2: The two of us

 

After getting off on his stop, he felt like he was perfectly clear-headed, yet also terribly confused. He had seen Xu Huaiming, but it couldn’t be him. It wasn’t until a familiar voice spoke out, “Ah Lu, it’s me.”

 

Only then did it hit him. It had indeed been him.

 

In his blurry vision, Tan Xilu rubbed his eyes with his wet hand, the rainwater stinging his eyelashes, making them ache. He desperately tried to see Xu Huaiming clearly, fearing that this might be an illusion, that the person he had longed for might not be real.

 

“Mr. Tan, is this your friend?” Lin Zhiyuan asked, looking at Tan Xilu, who seemed dazed.

 

Tan Xilu seemed to come to his senses at this point. He turned to Lin Zhiyuan and let out an “Hmm,” followed by, “Mr. Lin, maybe you should go ahead. I might have some personal matters to attend to.”

 

Lin Zhiyuan hesitated, glancing at Xu Huaiming and then at Tan Xilu. He felt that there was a story between these two, so he said, “Alright.”

 

Tan Xilu had thought that when he saw Xu Huaiming again, he would be overwhelmed with emotions, perhaps shouting and hitting him, crying and asking, “Where have you been all these years? Why couldn’t I find you?”

 

Or maybe they would have a good cry together and formally break up. After all, he had spent seven years waiting.

 

However, when he actually saw the person, Tan Xilu found himself surprisingly calm. The intense desire he had once had to find Xu Huaiming had gradually faded over the years, replaced by a sense of emotional stability. He felt no strong emotions, just a slight physiological chill when he laid eyes on him.

 

He walked up to Xu Huaiming, gazing at this person he hadn’t seen in seven years.

 

Xu Huaiming seemed unchanged, at least in Tan Xilu’s eyes.

 

He was still not prone to smiling, and he was undeniably good-looking. That was why when Xu Huaiming had confessed to Tan Xilu all those years ago, he had accepted without hesitation.

 

Tan Xilu, someone who swung the other way, couldn’t resist when a handsome man confessed to him. Why would he?

 

Tan Xilu’s gaze moved down from Xu Huaiming’s beautiful peach blossom eyes to his rosy lips. He had kissed those soft lips countless times, even leaving a scar from a love bite during one passionate encounter.

 

“Ah Lu, are you feeling unwell?” The man’s voice was deep and magnetic.

 

Xu Huaiming lowered his head, his peach blossom eyes gazing at Tan Xilu affectionately. If Tan Xilu tilted his head just a bit, he could kiss Xu Huaiming.

 

But he didn’t, because his body felt weak at the moment.

 

Just as he was wondering why Xu Huaiming had suddenly asked if he was feeling unwell, the next moment, he got the answer.

 

His vision turned black in an instant, and then he felt numbness. In his fading consciousness, he sensed himself falling into warm arms. It was different from the unfamiliar embrace on the bus; this one radiated safety, familiarity, and comfort.

 

—He had fainted.

 

Xu Huaiming lifted Tan Xilu’s limp body into his arms. It was like a programmed memory; as soon as he touched Tan Xilu’s body, he recalled all the things they had done together.

 

Kissing, watching movies, going on dates… and being in bed together.

 

They had been so intimate, deeply in love.

 

With the implanted programs, Xu Huaiming remembered that Tan Xilu’s apartment was on the second floor, but he didn’t know the door code.

 

—The previous door had a lock.

 

He carried Tan Xilu to the front of the apartment door, where Tan Xilu’s face was flushed due to the rain, his entire body drenched. His wet hair clung to his cheeks, and he frowned, looking uncomfortable.

 

He must be sick, Xu Huaiming thought.

 

Tan Xilu’s body was burning with fever. For a normal human, their body temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius, but Xu Huaiming felt that Tan Xilu’s temperature was higher than that. He needed medicine or something to bring down the fever.

 

The door code was a mystery after failing to input it the second time. Xu Huaiming attempted to rouse Tan Xilu, using his slender fingers to move aside the wet strands of hair and gently massaging his forehead. He leaned down, whispering softly in Tan Xilu’s ear, “Ah Lu, what’s the door code?”

 

Tan Xilu seemed to respond slightly but didn’t fully wake up. He just moved a bit and weakly called Xu Huaiming’s name, “Xu Huaiming…”

 

Xu Huaiming paused for a moment, realizing that it was pointless to ask a sick person for a door code. But Tan Xilu’s body was so hot that he was worried it might get worse. So, he cradled Tan Xilu in his arms, providing some temporary relief from the fever.

 

But this could only be a temporary solution.

 

Xu Huaiming hadn’t expected that on the first day of his visit to Tan Xilu, he would encounter such a challenging situation.

 

No. 7 had implanted many memories, but it hadn’t prepared him for how to handle a situation like this.

 

With Tan Xilu in his arms, Xu Huaiming pondered for a moment. He couldn’t just stand there indefinitely, waiting for Tan Xilu to wake up. It might take a while.

 

After some thought, Xu Huaiming heard some noise from the neighbor’s apartment.

 

He adjusted Tan Xilu’s position, holding him closely. Then he approached the neighbor’s door and knocked.

 

The door was opened by a seven or eight-year-old boy holding a video game controller. He looked up at the unfamiliar man and asked, “Mister, do you need something?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t expect a young boy to answer the door. He hesitated for a moment and said, “My partner has a fever, and I can’t get into our home. Can you help us?”

 

“Your partner?” The young boy hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the drenched person in Xu Huaiming’s arms. “Is that Mr. Tan?”

 

Recognizing him, Xu Huaiming breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, we need help.”

 

The young boy turned and called out to someone inside, “Brother, Mr. Tan is here, and he’s sick. There’s another man who says he’s Mr. Tan’s boyfriend, and they came to our house.”

 

“Boyfriend? How is that possible?” A male voice from inside called out, “Mr. Tan’s boyfriend isn’t…?”

 

But when the voice trailed off and the person saw Xu Huaiming, he stopped abruptly. “…dead?”

 

“You’re not dead?” The man named Lin Changyu widened his eyes in surprise.

 

In the seven years since Xu Huaiming had disappeared without a trace, no one had been able to contact him. Most people had assumed he was dead. Xu Huaiming paused for a moment, then awkwardly replied, “I’m still alive.”

 

“Ah,” Lin Changyu said, looking at him and then at Tan Xilu. “Is Mr. Tan running a fever?”

 

Before Xu Huaiming could answer, Lin Changyu added, “I don’t have any medicine at home. Mr. Tan should have some at his place. I usually go to his place to get it.”

 

As Lin Changyu spoke, he stepped out of the door, bypassing Xu Huaiming and heading to Tan Xilu’s apartment. He pressed a few buttons and, with a beep, the door unlocked.

 

Xu Huaiming, still holding Tan Xilu, watched Lin Changyu’s actions with a slight squint in his eyes.

 

“Seems like there’s no hot water,” Lin Changyu said as he walked to the kitchen, filling a kettle with water and plugging it in.

 

Seeing Xu Huaiming standing in the living room without moving, Lin Changyu shook his head and said, “Big brother, Mr. Tan is still wet. You should at least change his clothes for him.”

 

Xu Huaiming seemed a bit slow to react, but after Lin Changyu’s reminder, he replied with an “Hmm” and carried Tan Xilu into the bedroom.

 

Xu Huaiming remembered where the bedroom was; it was the room furthest inside. Program 7 had implanted the memories, and he pushed the door open with his arm, entering the room.

 

The room was clean, and there was a faint scent of lemons in the air.

 

Xu Huaiming laid Tan Xilu on the bed and then turned to search for clean clothes in the wardrobe.

 

Tan Xilu’s wardrobe was unusually monotonous, filled with light-colored clothes, particularly white shirts. Xu Huaiming found a gray T-shirt and knee-length shorts that seemed suitable for home wear, hidden deep inside.

 

However, when he was about to change Tan Xilu’s clothes, he hesitated.

 

Tan Xilu’s white shirt was completely soaked, clinging to his body and outlining his slim, beautiful figure. Xu Huaiming could even see the buttons fastened tightly under the collar, revealing the prominent collarbones.

 

Xu Huaiming furrowed his brows and pursed his lips. In the past, it had been no. 7 that had been intimate with Tan Xilu. Now, having to undress Tan Xilu, who was essentially a stranger to him, felt somewhat awkward.

 

“Uh, that someone… Mr. Tan’s boyfriend, are you still with him? And has Mr. Tan’s clothes been changed?” Xu Huaiming heard Lin Changyu’s approaching footsteps outside, and he looked at Tan Xilu, pausing for a moment, uncertain of what to do next.

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 1 – Replica

September 6, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Chapter 1 : The wind is picking up

 

The sky was gloomy, covered with thick dark clouds, and there was a hint of rain in the air. Outside, a chilly wind was blowing, not too strong but making a howling sound. The creaky window let in a cold breeze and Tan Xilu was abruptly awakened from his slumber due to the cold. His desk was right in the path of the wind and it ran past his legs, making them shiver uncontrollably. He couldn’t help but want to cough but was afraid of disturbing others, so he covered his mouth and suppressed it instead.

 

The wind grew stronger and Tan Xilu couldn’t bear it any longer. His long eyelashes trembled and his brows furrowed slightly. He looked at the other teachers in the office and spoke in a low but hoarse voice, “Could someone please close the window?”

 

There was an unnatural flush on Tan Xilu’s cheeks, tiny beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his lips were an abnormal pale color, making him look very weak.

 

One middle-aged male teacher, seeing his condition, couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Tan, is your illness not better yet?”

 

Tan Xilu pursed his lips, his amber eyes watery. He raised his gaze to the teacher, his expression somewhat distant. “It might be because of the cold weather. I almost recovered, but then I caught a cold.”

 

“Young man, you should take better care of your health. Back in my day, I could go for several years without getting sick,” the male teacher sighed and turned to close the window. “I say, Mr. Tan, you should find a companion. There’s no one to take care of you now if you get sick. What about Mr. Lin I introduced you to last time? He seemed nice. Did you not continue to contact him?”

 

Tan Xilu reacted a bit slowly since he was ill, He paused for a moment, searching in his mind for the Mr. Lin that was mentioned by the teacher. He seemed to be a young and promising male professor from the neighboring medical school, who bore some resemblance to Xu Huaiming but was a few centimeters shorter. Tan Xilu had tried to be with him, but the memories of Xu Huaiming were too deep, making it difficult for him to wholeheartedly pursue a relationship with Mr. Lin.

 

Shaking his head and hoarsely clearing his throat, Tan Xilu replied, “We’re not quite suitable for each other.”

 

“That’s a pity,” the male teacher said. “I’ll introduce you to someone better next time.”

 

“Oh, come on! Why are you in such a rush?” A female teacher next to him teased. “Not everyone is in a hurry to find a spouse like you, we’re not almost forty and ready to settle down.”

 

“Hey, you wicked woman,” the male teacher retorted playfully. “I’m just worried about the young people nowadays.”

 

The two of them started bickering.

 

Tan Xilu furrowed his brow slightly. His head felt like it was about to explode from the noise in the office.

 

How annoying.

 

If only Xu Huaiming were here.

 

He would surely take him away from here, to a quiet place, buy him a bottle of hot milk, and pinch his cheeks while he drank it. Whenever he got angry, he would placate him with a kiss tasting of milk.

 

That way, he wouldn’t stay angry for long.

 

Xu Huaiming understood him the most and loved him the most.

 

But now, he was all alone.

 

Tan Xilu managed to endure it until the end of the workday, spending it in a daze. Unfortunately, it even started raining outside.

 

—And he had forgotten to bring an umbrella.

 

At least the rain wasn’t too heavy. As long as he walked quickly, Tan Xilu could reach the bus stop outside the school gate before the rain poured down, avoiding getting soaked.

 

However, Tan Xilu clearly hadn’t expected to encounter an unexpected person while waiting for the bus.

 

When Tan Xilu saw that face so similar to Xu Huaiming’s, he was momentarily dazed. It wasn’t until the person waved a hand in front of him and spoke with a cold but very pleasant voice, “Mr. Tan, are you waiting for the bus?”

 

It was too polite. This warmth and the lack of Xu Huaiming’s usual slowness made it clear that it wasn’t him.

 

Tan Xilu snapped out of his brief daze and nodded, “Yes, Mr. Lin.”

 

“Mr. Tan, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Zhiyuan,” Lin Zhiyuan smiled.

 

With a mumbled “Hmm,” Tan Xilu lowered his head to check the time left for the bus to arrive on his phone.

 

“Excuse me, coming through.” A student with a backpack hurriedly passed by, and Tan Xilu, caught off guard, swayed to the side.

 

“Be careful.” Lin Zhiyuan instinctively reached out and steadied Tan Xilu’s body. His hand touched Tan Xilu’s waist, and Lin Zhiyuan froze for a moment. His first thought was, ‘Why is his waist so slender?’

 

“Thank you, sorry… Mr. Lin…” Tan Xilu straightened his posture, seemingly recalling that Lin Zhiyuan had asked him to call him Zhiyuan earlier. He tried to find the right words but felt awkward, finally saying in a dry tone, “… Zhiyuan.”

 

The person in front of him looked so obedient and cute, clearly not at fault, yet seemed a bit aggrieved. His gaze lowered, and his ears turned bright red. Lin Zhiyuan noticed a small mole on his earlobe, tempting him to reach out and touch it.

 

However, the next moment, the bus’s announcement sounded, and Tan Xilu raised his head, turning to board the bus.

 

Lin Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment and then followed him onto the bus.

 

The rain fell steadily, and the sound outside the bus was hollow.

 

“You…” Tan Xilu looked at Lin Zhiyuan, who sat beside him, and paused. “Why did you get on the bus too?”

 

“You don’t look too well. I’ll take you home,” Lin Zhiyuan said.

 

Tan Xilu responded with a simple “Oh” and didn’t say anything more.

 

Two minutes later, the bus’s engine started and it moved slowly. Tan Xilu sat by the window, gazing outside. The fine raindrops tapped against the window, making a crisp sound, which had a somewhat hypnotic effect. His vision gradually blurred and his consciousness became a bit hazy.

 

“Don’t lean against the window, especially when it’s rainy and windy. No matter how tightly the window is closed, it can still be drafty. You know what’s the point of having a boyfriend? When you have a boyfriend, you can lean on him, Ah Lu,” Lin Zhiyuan said gently.

 

Suddenly, a shadow of the past flashed by the window. Tan Xilu saw a familiar figure and panicked. He got up from his seat and hurriedly approached the driver to try and get him to stop the bus.

 

The driver, already irritated by the complaints of the passengers, was getting impatient. When Tan Xilu pushed the issue, the driver snapped, “We don’t have such a rule. We don’t stop midway; we only open the doors at bus stops!!!”

 

Just then, the green light came on, and the driver accelerated, continuing on his route.

 

Tan Xilu watched helplessly as that figure disappeared from his view, his heart suddenly aching once more. It was always like this, over and over again.

 

How could he ever see Xu Huaiming again?

 

Standing there in a daze, Lin Zhiyuan grew concerned when he saw Tan Xilu’s intense reaction. He gently touched Tan Xilu’s arm and asked with care, “Mr. Tan, are you okay? Did you see someone you know?”

 

“Oh,” Tan Xilu snapped out of it, swaying a bit. He shook his head and sat down, saying, “I must have mistaken someone else for him.”

 

Indeed, how could someone who had been gone for seven years suddenly appear on a busy street in broad daylight?

 

“You got so worked up just now, your forehead was sweating. It startled me,” Lin Zhiyuan took out a packet of tissues from his jacket pocket, and his slender fingers picked out a tissue, using it to wipe Tan Xilu’s forehead.

 

As Tan Xilu settled into his seat, he gradually calmed down. The intense emotions that had surged within him a moment ago subsided, replaced by a sense of absurdity.

 

It had been seven years, and he had remained trapped in this deep bondage, unawakened and unwilling to wake up.

 

He couldn’t believe that the person who had promised to be with him for a lifetime had suddenly passed away.

 

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” Tan Xilu looked at Lin Zhiyuan with remorse in his eyes. “I’m too useless, Lin… Zhiyuan. I know you like me a lot, but I’m not ready to start anew with someone else. Please… don’t waste your time on me.”

 

Even in rejecting someone, Tan Xilu was gentle. Lin Zhiyuan wondered what kind of person could make him lose control on a bus like this.

 

“I understand, Mr. Tan,” Lin Zhiyuan reached out and ran his fingers through Tan Xilu’s hair, feeling the wet strands before embracing him.

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 51 – Who Says Omegas Can’t be as Explosive as Alphas

September 6, 2023 / / 2 Comments

Chapter 51

 

“Captain, we’ve completed the mission.” On the battlefield, Lu Jingning kicked the “corpse” next to him to the side and cheerfully reported to Wen Ye through the communicator.

 

His tone sounded like he was bragging, which made Wen Xingchen, who had just approached, look at him with a puzzled expression. The refreshed team battle score list hinted at what had happened, but the sudden increase of 6 points still surprised him. He asked, “How many enemies did your team eliminate?”

 

Lu Jingning hadn’t paid much attention, so he glanced around and counted carefully before calmly replying, “It seems like two from Silver Star University, one from Heavy Cloud, and three from Grand War.”

 

Meanwhile, on the other side, Wen Ye fell into silence. After exchanging a glance with Kang Hanyun, he said, “Keep moving along this path.”

 

Seeing that Lu Jingning hadn’t studied the map beforehand, he blurted out, “Where does this lead?”

 

Wen Xingchen explained, “It leads to Grand War’s main base.”

 

Lu Jingning’s eyes lit up, “Straight to their base? I like it!”

 

Suddenly, sounds of intense fighting came from the other end of the communicator. Wen Ye didn’t say much and left with a parting remark, “Contact me if anything happens.”

 

Hearing the communication cut off, Lu Jingning knew what was going on without asking.

 

However, Lu Jingning wasn’t too worried about Wen Ye encountering enemies on his side. He squatted down and casually searched through the nearby “corpses,” taking some equipment and also asking Wen Xingchen, “Lao Wen, aren’t you going to restock some supplies?”

 

Wen Xingchen only took out a few energy bullets and replied, “These will do.”

 

After standing up and glancing at Lu Jingning, Wen Xingchen couldn’t help but ask, “Your ‘god’ is in a fight, haven’t you thought about supporting him?”

 

Lu Jingning sneered, “My ‘god’ is not someone those ordinary mortals can compare to. I trust him unconditionally! Supporting him would be the greatest insult!”

 

Wen Xingchen: “…”

 

He was wrong; he shouldn’t have asked.

 

The two didn’t say anything more and continued along the path towards Grand War’s main base.

 

At this moment, the large screen in the arena switched to where Wen Ye was fighting. When the audience saw the two figures facing him, they couldn’t help but gasp. Even though Tang Jiaze’s image might be associated with his crushing defeat due to Lu Jingning’s influence, when these two appeared together in the field of view, many people couldn’t help but think of one word: destiny.

 

Tang Jiaze had been waiting for Wen Ye for quite a while. Standing beside him was the freshman from Silver Star University who had tried to stall Wen Ye on the day of the actual combat. Whether it was an attempt to use the same strategy again or for another reason, he immediately launched a fierce attack as soon as they met.

 

The commentator remarked, “It’s clear that the grudge between Silver Star University and Imperial Navy University is still deeply entwined! Last time, Imperial Navy University was leading all the way, but they ultimately lost to Silver Star University in the team match. Today, the battlefield is repeating history. We wonder how it will all end.”

 

“Oh, as expected, Tang Jiaze is aiming straight for Wen Ye. The two team leaders from the two academies are clashing again!”

 

On the battlefield, dirt and stones flew everywhere. It seemed both sides were quite accustomed to this style of combat. Regardless of long-range shooting or close combat, each collision carried an indescribable sense of attachment.

 

During the previous real combat, due to the pre-exhaustion of physical strength, Wen Ye’s perception wasn’t as acute. However, in this direct confrontation, he was surprised to find that Tang Jiaze had made significant progress in just a few years. He had grown to be this powerful.

 

The two figures clashed again, and in an instant, Tang Jiaze gazed at Wen Ye’s furrowed brow and a wicked grin appeared on his face. He said, “How is it, Wen Ye? Do you feel my strength has improved a lot? Of course, you S-class prodigies, born with god-given talents, can never understand the efforts we A-class students put in to improve. But what can I do? I truly look forward to the day I can completely defeat you…”

 

Wen Ye sidestepped, evading his incoming punch, and calmly stated, “Last time, you guys won.”

 

He hadn’t meant to say it, but now that he had, it seemed like he touched a sore spot for Tang Jiaze, who bit his teeth hard and retorted, “Won? Hah, that’s not the kind of victory I wanted!”

 

Indeed, in the last competition, Silver Star University had secured the top spot on the total score list. But so what? In everyone’s hearts, there was only one name they were obsessed with—Wen Ye. As for Tang Jiaze, no one even spared him a second thought!

 

Some people were just like that, destined to shine brightly from the moment they were born, while those impoverished people who came from the desolate star system had to rely on their own efforts, step by step, to barely keep up with them.

 

Countless people had told him that different people were fated to have different destinies, but Tang Jiaze simply refused to believe in such a fate!

 

He was sick and tired of the days of struggling at the bottom! Now that he had finally entered Silver Star University and reached such a glorious position, he was determined to climb even higher.

 

He wanted to surpass those high and mighty figures and prove to the entire universe that people from the desolate star system could also possess absolute strength. They were not trash!

 

Tang Jiaze’s killing intent surged, and the pheromones burst out, covering a large area. His figure seemed like a phantom, and the power he displayed in the battle seemed to be as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Wen Ye didn’t expect Tang Jiaze to suddenly expend his pheromones without any regard for the consequences. He furrowed his brow slightly, avoiding a direct confrontation and skillfully sidestepping at a critical moment.

 

The commentator said, “It’s evident that Tang Jiaze is being extremely persistent. Wen Ye, under such relentless pressure, has yet to respond directly. Based on the information we have, both of them are S-class pheromone wielders, and this direct confrontation is like a needlepoint against a wheat awn.”

 

“However, Tang Jiaze seems to be displaying stronger combat intent. So, what is Wen Ye waiting for? Obviously, if they can’t deal with this troublesome obstacle, it’ll be nearly impossible for them to proceed!”

 

Not only the commentator but also Kang Hanyun, who had fought side by side with Wen Ye countless times in the Imperial Navy University patrol team, couldn’t quite grasp Wen Ye’s intentions during their current encounter with the freshman. She couldn’t help but ask, “Captain?”

 

Whether it was due to Tang Jiaze’s suppression or for some other reason, Wen Ye remained silent and unresponsive for a while.

 

During the brief skirmish, the surrounding trees were already in disarray, and the ground was filled with pockmarks, indicating the intensity of the battle.

 

Wen Ye’s furrowed brow didn’t relax; it seemed that something had flashed through his mind during the prolonged engagement with Tang Jiaze. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke, “Hanyun, retreat!”

 

Kang Hanyun: “???”

 

Kang Hanyun: “Understood!”

 

Although she didn’t fully understand Wen Ye’s intentions, her habit of strictly obeying orders kept her from saying much. Ignoring the Imperial Navy University freshman, who was sticking to her like a plaster, she promptly withdrew to the rear.

 

Tang Jiaze, seeing Wen Ye suddenly retreat, realized that the latter had seen through his intentions. His cold gaze deepened, and he said with a cruel smile, “Trying to leave? Not that easy!”

 

However, Wen Ye seemed uninterested in engaging him further. He gathered his pheromones in his legs and, with a powerful burst of strength, quickly put some distance between them. He showed no desire to linger in the fight, and like Kang Hanyun, he turned and left.

 

But wanting to leave didn’t mean Tang Jiaze would allow it. He immediately closed in again, intending to continue the entanglement.

 

The sudden change in the situation left the commentator briefly stunned. But upon seeing the reactions of both parties, he seemed to realize something and had the production team switch to a broader view of the battlefield.

 

As expected, while they were engaged here, apart from the personnel guarding the base, including the substitutes who had just entered the field, all the members of the three academies were rapidly advancing towards Imperial Navy University’s main base.

 

Clearly, the newly acquired 6 points had made them more aware of the looming threat from Imperial Navy University.

 

The commentator remarked, “It seems that the three academies have finally realized the immense danger posed by Imperial Navy University. They’re now planning to directly destroy Imperial Navy University’s base crystal as a last resort! Imperial Navy University is in big trouble! Wen Ye and Kang Hanyun are retreating at high speed, but they still have quite a distance to cover to reach their base. With Tang Jiaze’s frenzied restraint, can they catch up in time? Given the current circumstances, will Imperial Navy University choose to recall personnel from Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen to reinforce their base?!”

 

As if to answer this question, the camera switched back to Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen’s position on the top lane.

 

How to describe it… wherever they went, nothing happened.

 

Seeing this impactful scene, the commentator suddenly cleared his throat and changed his tone, “Oh, what I mean is, as a team captain, Wen Ye truly understands how to make the most appropriate decisions at the right time!”

 

Then, as if feeling his expression wasn’t enough to convey his current feelings, he exclaimed with conviction, “Let’s look forward to the performance of Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen, hoping they will show us what it truly means to turn the tide!”

 

Audience: ?????

 

Supporters from the other three academies: Is the commentator suddenly becoming a sycophant at the live event? He’s being so biased! Can we report him for being so crooked?

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you life 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 50 – Who Says Omegas Can’t be as Explosive as Alphas

September 5, 2023 / / 1 Comment

Chapter 50

 

After clearly understanding the movement routes of Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen, the commentator had obviously grasped the intention of the Imperial Navy University. However, upon observing the changes in the upper route, he fell silent for a moment before speaking again: “I can understand the Imperial Navy’s thinking very well. After all, dealing with three A-class pheromone players with the strength of Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen is not a problem. But, at the moment, I’m afraid I can only say… the Imperial Navy’s luck seems a bit too unfortunate.”

 

The audience in the stands naturally noticed the changes on the field and couldn’t help but feel a mix of complex emotions. “More than just unfortunate, it’s like the Imperial Navy is experiencing a retrograde phase today!”

 

“Sigh, don’t ask, it’s just uncomfortable. My two cuties are about to face a new wave of slaughter, it’s really distressing.”

 

“But why do I still have a feeling that a storm is brewing?”

 

“Don’t be silly, it’s two against six? They are just freshmen, not immortals, you know?!”

 

“There’s a saying, ‘anything is possible!'”

 

“Am I the only one who thinks it’s a bit insane for the three schools to team up against the Imperial Navy?”

 

“It does seem a bit…”

 

“This is the arena and the battlefield is truly cruel.”

 

…

 

In the short time that the teams exchanged members, the trio from another university, Grand War University, also appeared on the upper route and quickly reached a consensus with the other two schools. As a result, the chaotic situation among the four schools turned into a confrontation between two factions.

 

The commentator felt that his professional career was facing an unprecedented challenge and took a while to organize his words: “I have to say, the Imperial Navy University has demonstrated its strength in a different way. The other three military academies have formed an alliance to eliminate this excessively dominant opponent in advance. Now we can only see how the Imperial Navy plans to deal with this situation. However, regardless of the outcome, they are undoubtedly the protagonists of today’s team match!”

 

As the protagonist, Lu Jingning couldn’t hear the impassioned commentary from outside, nor could he feel the cold sweat being squeezed by their supporters. He was walking along the battlefield.

 

As they progressed, they could already see the traces left behind from the previous battles. Feeling the unnaturally quiet atmosphere around them, Lu Jingning furrowed his brows and suddenly stopped.

 

Wen Xingchen, who had been following him, also stopped and asked, “What’s wrong?”

 

Lu Jingning shook his head, “Hard to say, but my intuition tells me something’s not quite right ahead.”

 

Wen Xingchen scanned their surroundings and said, “Oh, you’re right, something’s off.”

 

“An ambush?” Lu Jingning asked.

 

Wen Xingchen chuckled lightly, “There’s probably quite a few of them.”

 

Due to the need for frequent communication during the team match, unlike the previous two days of individual battles, the players’ conversations were broadcasted clearly to the audience. Just as everyone was focused on their progress, the main screen was on them, and they could clearly hear the two’s conversation. Their keen perception caused quite a stir.

 

The commentator was also amazed, “The intuition of these two players is really keen! Yes! There are currently six people lying in ambush ahead, doubling the previous estimate of three. So, after sensing it, what method will they use to deal with it? Will they retreat immediately or…”

 

In the rest area, Cen Junfeng found the commentary too noisy and couldn’t help but comment, “Retreat is impossible. What else can they do? Face it head-on!”

 

As expected, even before he finished speaking, the main screen showed Lu Jingning suddenly taking out a beam gun from his pouch and making a few inexplicable gestures to Wen Xingchen. Then, he accelerated and charged straight towards the ambushing opponents.

 

Wen Xingchen miraculously understood him completely and quickly dodged to the other side, effectively concealing his figure from the view of the alliance team.

 

At that moment, Lu Jingning officially clashed with the opponents lying in ambush on the roadside.

 

His speed was incredibly fast, to the point that when he appeared, the players from the other three military academies were momentarily stunned. Upon realizing that only he had come, they couldn’t help but feel a complicated mood.

 

Though they had formed an alliance to completely annihilate the Imperial Navy University, besieging one person among them felt like taking advantage of their superior numbers.

 

Such a video, even if they ultimately won, would probably not receive much praise from the public.

 

However, the so-called moral struggle was just a brief moment. After all, they were all on the battlefield now and had no time to be distracted.

 

In an instant, Lu Jingning had already entered the attack range, and the players from the three-school alliance decisively launched an encirclement.

 

What they didn’t know was that, unlike the “compassion” that appeared out of nowhere, Lu Jingning was inexplicably excited upon seeing them. One, two, three, four, five, six… What a tempting pile of points!

 

Just now, when he speculated that new military academies might join the alliance, he didn’t flinch at all. His only thought was, “Wow, that’s a lot of people!”

 

Indeed, without the infighting among the other military academies, from a certain perspective, it was like gathering all their necks together and waiting for the Imperial Navy University to completely demolish them.

 

Lu Jingning’s footsteps didn’t hesitate in the slightest as he dashed through the rugged mud terrain, like a sharp arrow shooting from its bowstring.

 

The six ambushers were almost taken aback by his forceful momentum and were instantly filled with anger. How dare he charge towards them alone despite being outnumbered? Who did he think he was underestimating?!

 

Even the commentator was astonished by Lu Jingning’s direct and almost aggressive approach, his voice involuntarily raising a few notches, “Lu Jingning is actually charging ahead like this! Keep in mind, he’s facing a total of six opponents! His speed is incredibly fast; oh, a beautiful dodge, he evaded the first wave of shots! Counterattack! His shooting is precise! Has the Grand War University player lost their mobility? Could this be the third elimination of the match?!”

 

However, the subsequent development caught him off guard, and he stammered, “Oh, Lu Jingning didn’t even bother with them… He, he’s charging towards the two players from Silver Star University! It’s evident that he’s skilled in finding the right moments to move. Wonderful! The alliance’s attack has failed again! It’s understandable, after all, it’s a temporary team, and under such repeated disturbances, their coordination is becoming chaotic.”

 

“He’s closing in! Lu Jingning has successfully closed the distance! He used pheromone enhancement to strengthen his footwork, making his speed astonishing! This move towards the rear is truly beautiful. Is he really going to take on six opponents by himself? Remember, this is a team match!”

 

“Be careful!” In the perilous situation, the commentator seemed to be inadvertently biased, not realizing it himself, “As everyone’s attention is on Lu Jingning, he has been given a completely open sniping space! Grand War has lost one player, and the next is… oh, it’s Heavy Cloud! Heavy Cloud Defense University has already lost two players so far! But it’s not enough, not enough! Let me correct what I said earlier. It’s not that Lu Jingning is surrounded by the alliance, but rather he and Wen Xingchen have completely surrounded the players from the other three military academies!!”

 

As he spoke, he stood up from his seat, hands supporting the table, and was so excited that he almost shouted.

 

However, no matter how vividly and passionately he described the process, it couldn’t fully convey the precarious situation on the battlefield.

 

In the process of moving, Lu Jingning had already simulated the route in advance, just as he had communicated with Wen Xingchen. His task was to divert everyone’s attention completely and create a perfect output space for Wen Xingchen.

 

Although opening pheromone suppression might seem like the most direct approach, to achieve long-range intimidation, it required a high level of release intensity, which would consume a lot of energy.

 

Therefore, after successfully “drawing the monsters” at this moment, a faint smile appeared on his face.

 

The players from Silver Star University released their pheromones as Lu Jingning closed in.

 

Two A-class Alpha auras with a conquering taste rushed toward him, tightly enveloping Lu Jingning, attempting to force this Omega player to submit to them.

 

Alpha pheromones naturally possess aggressiveness, which further disadvantages Omega. Generally, Omegas rarely engage in close combat due to this.

 

However, Lu Jingning was clearly different.

 

The players from Silver Star University couldn’t see any impact on him; on the contrary, the next moment, even more imposing pheromones roared in their direction.

 

Without giving them any time to react, they were effortlessly cleared out.

 

Those who were at a distance wanted to seize the opportunity while Lu Jingning was engaged to quickly eliminate him, but it seemed like someone was dissatisfied with their hunting tactics.

 

Several gunshots from the shadows caused several figures to fall in quick succession.

 

Wen Xingchen held a long-range weapon, and the scene showed him leaning against a tree, leisurely retracting his sniper posture and looking at the fleeing figure in the distance.

 

In order to avoid his range, the surviving player had to retreat to a farther position. However, in doing so, they unknowingly fell into Lu Jingning’s attack range.

 

With a portable gun in hand, Lu Jingning played with it for a moment before putting it away without even bothering to release his pheromones. He looked at the approaching player and gently beckoned, “Wanna play?”

 

There was no shortage of arrogance.

 

The Grand War student couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his mouth and also clenched his fists.

 

However, he soon realized that saying “let’s play” was something he couldn’t live up to.

 

Though he could fully release his pheromone aura, Lu Jingning simply disregarded it and effortlessly sent him out of the match.

 

On the team match’s scoreboard, the Imperial Navy University’s points skyrocketed from one to seven in an instant.

 

Two scenes were displayed on the large screen: the one before and the one after. The entire venue fell silent for a moment before exploding into commotion.

 

If they hadn’t witnessed it themselves, nobody would believe that in just a few minutes, the alliance’s ambush of six people had been effortlessly dismantled like this?

 

ASDF! What kind of devilish combination was this?!

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you life 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 49 – Who Says Omegas Can’t be as Explosive as Alphas

September 4, 2023 / / 1 Comment

Chapter 49

 

As it was the final day of the team competition, the stadium was packed to capacity, with even the aisles filled with people. Despite only two days of competition, the outstanding performances of the participants had already garnered them a significant number of fans. Today’s audience comprised not only students cheering for their respective schools but also a considerable number of fans who came just to support their favorite stars. The atmosphere was undoubtedly electrifying.

 

When the Imperial Navy made a simple appearance, the crowd couldn’t help but erupt into a frenzy of screams. Amidst the uproar, Cen Junfeng vaguely heard a few familiar names mixed in, causing him to sourly glance at the two people beside him.

 

“Wen Ye and Bing Yunlin, these seniors who have long been renowned, I can understand their popularity. But even Wen Xingchen and Lu Jingning, who are both newcomers this time, already have such a massive fan base. How can the gap be so significant?”

 

Once they reached the resting area, they began their final preparations. After going over the tactical arrangements with the starting members, Jihan lifted his head and looked at them deeply. “The last thing I want to say is, let’s give our all in today’s team competition!”

 

Everyone placed their palms together, raising their arms in unison, shouting, “Let’s go!”

 

As the match approached, led by the staff, all the starting members headed to the virtual cabins to prepare for the game. Outside the arena, the commentators passionately explained the specific rules of the team competition.

 

Following the format from previous years, all the players would start by refreshing their respective camp territories, each containing an energy crystal. In this competition, the players had two main objectives: to eliminate enemy team members and to destroy enemy bases. Every elimination granted one point, while destroying a base’s energy crystal awarded three points. If any camp’s energy crystal was destroyed, regardless of the number of remaining players, they would be considered eliminated.

 

Hence, how they strategically assigned players for defense and offense became crucial.

 

After explaining the rules, the commentators proceeded to introduce the starting lineups of each school one by one. Each introduction was met with enthusiastic cheers from the audience, showing just how deeply the representative players had captured their hearts.

 

When it was the turn for the Imperial Navy, the cheers reached an even more exaggerated level. The enthusiasm was so intense that it seemed as though the entire roof of the venue might be lifted off.

 

Even the commentator was momentarily stunned by the reaction and joked, “It seems that the popularity of the Imperial Navy is exceptionally high this year! If we were to vote for the most popular institution, they would undoubtedly be the favorites!”

 

As a substitute, Lu Jingning sat beside Wen Xingchen, and after hearing the commentator’s words, he suddenly asked, “Wen, why is our school so popular? Who are they here for?”

 

Wen Xingchen glanced at him and replied, “You?”

 

Lu Jingning shook his head and said, “How could that be!”

 

Wen Xingchen was surprised by his rare humility and continued, “I think at least 80% of our popularity is because of our team captain. With our captain’s godlike presence, who wouldn’t be charmed?”

 

Wen Xingchen: “…”

 

He pondered for a moment before responding, “Oh, they’re genuinely here to watch the game.”

 

It was then that Lu Jingning realized the team competition had officially begun. Simultaneously, all external sounds were entirely shut out, as the substitutes, who would need to rotate into the game later, were isolated in their space.

 

Although they couldn’t have an all-encompassing view like the audience outside, they could clearly see the specific situation of their teammates.

 

Lu Jingning looked at the screen and saw that Wen Ye and the others had already taken swift action since the start.

 

According to the pre-arranged plan, Bing Yunlin stayed at the campsite to control the equipment and handle defense, while the other four split into two pairs and acted separately.

 

As Lu Jingning followed the progress of the match and occasionally switched views to observe the situation of each squad, he felt bored due to the lack of any enemy encounters. Unable to contain himself, he asked Wen Xingchen, “Other schools are being cautious and still haven’t shown up yet. Do you think our captain and the others took the wrong route, and the other teams have already started fighting elsewhere?”

 

Wen Xingchen’s gaze remained fixed on the screen as he said, “No, big brother never makes such low-level mistakes.”

 

After a moment of silence, he added, “But something seems off.”

 

Lu Jingning, on a rational level, also believed that Wen Ye’s judgment was undoubtedly correct. Hearing Wen Xingchen’s remark, he furrowed his brow and asked, “When you say ‘something seems off,’ do you mean…?”

 

Before he could finish his sentence, the team led by Zhan She and Tao Yushi encountered their first wave of enemies. However, the number of enemies seemed unusually high.

 

Lu Jingning immediately understood what was going on and clenched his teeth, saying, “Damn, they’re forming alliances!”

 

Yes, it was indeed an alliance.

 

Before the Imperial Navy noticed, the audience with an all-seeing perspective had already clearly seen the entire process.

 

Silver Star Academy and Heavy Cloud Defense Academy didn’t immediately engage in battle when they encountered each other. Instead, they tacitly formed a unified front. Judging from the current scores, the Imperial Navy was undoubtedly leading by a wide margin. The team competition had always been the best battlefield for an all-out effort, and this year, the military academies with lower scores knew that their only chance to turn the tide was to completely annihilate the Imperial Navy before they earned more points.

 

Zhan She and Tao Yushi’s chosen route was not wrong, but unfortunately, luck was not on their side. They directly encountered the alliance teams of two other academies. Facing a total of four opponents, the situation seemed to be overwhelmingly unfavorable.

 

The commentator remarked, “It seems that the Imperial Navy showed too much strength in the previous two days of competition. Today’s team competition is bound to be incredibly challenging. This may be the first time in the recent exchange matches that we see alliance tactics, which highlights the terrifying strength of the Imperial Navy this year. But can they maintain their dominant position in the face of the combined forces of the other two academies? Let’s wait and see!”

 

Inside the substitute area, Lu Jingning couldn’t hear the passionate commentary from outside. He wore various expressions of disdain on his face while incessantly grumbling, “I guarantee this idea must have come from that guy Tang Jiaze again! Tsk, tsk, tsk. If you’re a man, you should confront the enemy head-on instead of relying on these crooked schemes!”

 

“These are just normal tactics,” Wen Xingchen calmly replied.

 

With the tense situation on the field, Wen Xingchen tidied his clothes, stood up from the chair, and as Lu Jingning continued to complain, he couldn’t help but reach out and pat him on the head, reminding, “Prepare to go in.”

 

Zhan She had already reported the specific situation to Wen Ye. While they had notified about the alliance of the two schools, they were also currently struggling against the four opponents, making it unlikely they could hold out for long.

 

However, it was precisely in such a perilous situation that the composure of the senior students shone through. Zhan She didn’t seem as weak as he appeared during the freshman challenge. Without the restrictions of using information pheromones and no time given to opponents to find loopholes, he displayed a steady and resourceful demeanor, maximizing the unique characteristics of the situation.

 

Though they were inevitably forced to retreat under the numerical disadvantage, the overly detailed handling of the situation made the members of Silver Star and Heavy Cloud feel a discordant discomfort.

 

Clearly, they should have fought with swift and decisive action, but somehow the entire process had become awkward and restrictive.

 

Watching the intense battle on the field, Lu Jingning saw that the two senior students were gradually overwhelmed. Feeling an eagerness to join the fray, he clenched his fist and a touch of madness crept into his expression. “Oh, they are sending Papa Lu in so quickly? Be careful not to regret it!”

 

On the field, Zhan She and Tao Yushi finally couldn’t withstand the encirclement and were killed in battle. However, they managed to take down one member of Heavy Cloud Defense Academy before falling, and both of them withdrew from the match. Thus, their brief practical experience in this year’s exchange matches came to an end.

 

At the same time, Lu Jingning and Wen Xingchen, as substitutes for the Imperial Navy, automatically entered the field according to the order.

 

As their figures appeared in the Imperial Navy’s camp, the organizers quickly cut the cameras to them.

 

With a giant close-up displayed on the big screen in the arena, the audience didn’t have time to sigh for the first casualty of the team competition before they suddenly erupted in excitement.

 

Cen Junfeng had just been lamenting his senior’s sacrifice when he was startled by this sudden burst of enthusiasm. It wasn’t until his ears were buzzing from the deafening noise that he realized the situation. He couldn’t help but glance at a certain person’s incredibly excited expression on the big screen and couldn’t resist muttering in a complex tone, “What else can they do? Just do it!”

 

At this moment, as Lu Jingning entered the competition map, he received Wen Ye’s instructions through team communication. Wen Ye told him to continue following the path Zhan She had taken before his defeat, which naturally made Lu Jingning deeply satisfied with this arrangement.

 

There was an idiom that went, “Blood debt must be repaid with blood,” and it was quite applicable now.

 

Based on the intelligence provided by Zhan She, Wen Ye had already deduced the strength of the opponents on that route. Although he had already had a conclusion in his mind, he still couldn’t help asking, “The remaining three are basically all A-class, and it’s very likely that others will show up too. Can you handle it?”

 

“Ah, of course, I guarantee the mission will be completed!” Lu Jingning replied confidently.

 

As he spoke, Lu Jingning armed himself comprehensively from the arsenal. He turned to the person beside him and called out, “Wen, let’s go!”

 

“Mhm,” Wen Xingchen replied lightly, adjusting the weapon he held in his hand. In the moment when Lu Jingning rushed out of the door, Wen Xingchen followed right behind him.

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you life 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 1 (part 1/2) – You don't know too much

September 3, 2023 / / 0 Comments

1

 

Lu Changze guarded a black school bag in front of him as he walked through the crowded train with difficulty. He bought a regular ticket and the journey was long.

 

He was surrounded by people going back home just in time for the Spring Festival. There were a lot of people and on a journey lasting more than 10 hours, most had no more energy and had to find a place to rest, whether leaning or lying down.

 

Lu Changze had one hand on his school bag and the other was holding an instant cup noodle.

He was going to the other end of the carriage to get some hot water as he was a little hungry.

 

He hasn’t eaten since he got onto the train.

 

After finally getting some hot water, Lu Changze didn’t dare to fill it up too much. He covered the cup of instant noodles, turned around with difficulty and squeezed into the smoking area, standing next to the toilet.

 

It was a cramped place to eat noodles.

 

Lu Changze ate very quickly. He had to finish eating quickly. There were too many people in the carriage and most of the passengers were migrant workers. Some looked honest and some did not look like good people. He did not want to cause trouble, not to mention… There were so many people, so it was awkward eating slowly. In two or three bites, he finished the mostly-uncooked noodles.

 

It was difficult to throw the instant noodle packaging into the garbage bin.

 

After eating, he found a place where he could stand and barely squeezed in. There were other people’s luggage beside him, but Lu Changze did not mind.

 

He just hugged the black schoolbag in his arms tightly and leaned his dirty head on the shaking carriage as he watched the scenery whistling by outside the carriage.

 

Lu Changze is thirty-seven. A man of this age should have started a family long ago, but he didn’t. What Lu Changze has gained at this age are only the wrinkles in the corner of his eyes and a heart that no longer beats for any reason apart from sustaining his life, as well as the $150,000 of cash notes in his bag. That was all he had.

 

He bought a ticket at the station, but in fact Lu Changze didn’t know where he was going to get off. He didn’t know which city he would settle down in for the rest of his life.

 

The train is heading south. The further south, the hotter the weather, so the thick down jacket on his body is already starting to make him feel hot but Lu Changze didn’t want to take it off. It was too troublesome so he’ll just keep wearing it as he doesn’t want to move. It’s hard to even turn around in this place.

 

What’s more, he was carrying a huge sum of money with him.

 

The train came to a slow stop and Lu Changze looked out the window. There were few people on the platform. Not many people were getting off the train.

 

The small station didn’t even have a decent platform and through the simply built white platform signs, one could see the lush mountains and forests.

 

The train bell was already ringing and Lu Changze hurriedly squeezed out of the crowd. He got off the moment the train door closed.

 

I’m here, he thought.

 

2

 

When he got out of the station, he realised that the platform was really small. Xuan Qi was a city that hardly appeared on the map. He only took two steps when it started to rain again.

 

Lu Changze quickly put on his hat, but the rain was getting heavier and heavier so he had no choice but to find a nearby noodle shop. He sneaked in and ordered a bowl of noodles. He hugged his school bag as he ate, waiting for the rain to stop.

 

The noodles from the shop next to the train station were not good, and they were expensive. However, Lu Changze has always been a person who likes to get his money’s worth.

 

As such, he even held the bowl and downed the soup. When he put it down and looked at the empty bowl, Lu Changze sneered silently at himself.

 

The rain had stopped and the streets were muddy. There was a puddle of murky water and he stepped on it. His blue and white shoes had now become a pair of dirty black ones. He was speechless.

 

Walking down the street, Lu Changze looked up and around. The surrounding shops were disorderly and most of them were dilapidated. Especially after it had just rained heavily.

 

The other pedestrians on the street were in groups of twos and threes. There weren’t many cars. Most were probably at home and at around four or five in the evening, most shops will be closed

The lights of every residential building were now turned on. Over here, most people lived on the second floor of the shophouses, with the shops below.

 

Lu Changze stopped on the road. He looked at the house lights that were gradually increasing and was lost in thought. A line of lyrics suddenly came to mind, but he couldn’t remember who sang it.

 

Tens of thousands of lights. The more one sees, the more lonelier they will be.

 

He found a cheap, small hotel and paid for a room to stay in for a night. It cost 69 yuan a night. The room was barely enough to fit a bed and a small wall-mounted TV. There was also a tiny standing shower with half a mirror next to it. After entering the room and locking the door, Lu Changze heaved a sigh of relief before placing his backpack on the bed that he had been carrying for more than 20 hours. He then took off his dirty shoes and put on the dark blue plastic slippers that had been worn by countless people who had previously stayed in this hotel before taking off his down jacket.

 

His socks were already so wet and they could no longer be worn, so he simply balled them up and threw them into a garbage bag. He sat on the bed for a while, got up and went to the shower room to wash up. He tried to turn on the hot water twice but the shower was still more cold than it was hot. At least it was not too cold and Lu Changze was alright with it.

 

Turning around to take off his clothes, he froze when he saw himself in the mirror.

 

The middle-aged man in the mirror was very haggard, with chunks of hair sticking to his head. The lenses of his glasses were covered with dust and oil stains.

 

Lu Changze tried to show a flattering expression by smiling but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes immediately became obvious.

 

Lu Changze was too used to this flattering and humble expression in the reflection. He has lived with this expression for thirty-seven years.

 

The corners of his mouth were raised even higher and Lu Changze laughed silently so much that he couldn’t straighten his waist. His hands were in the mirror and tears came out of his laughter.

 

When Lu Changze laughed enough, he slipped down and sat down on the ground. The bathroom room was too narrow and his falling body turned on the tap of the shower. The warm water completely drenched him from head to toe.

 

Before Lu Changze could close his laughing mouth, he was forced to take a big gulp of water, which made him cough.

 

After getting up and turning down the water, Lu Changze took off his wet clothes and threw them on the ground, humming a song while taking a bath.

 

After taking a shower, he simply wiped himself. Lu Changze looked at the wet and dirty clothes piled up on the ground and sighed. He only had one set of clothes.

 

Ah, there was nothing in this shitty hotel, so he won’t be able to dry his clothes before tomorrow after washing them. Lu Changze rubbed his hair vigorously with a towel and resigned himself to doing laundry using boiled water.

 

He wrung out his clothes and hung them in the small cabinet at the corner of the bed. After finishing, he picked up his school bag and fell asleep soundly.

 

3

 

Xuan Qi is a prefecture-level city and the city is very small. There were only three bus routes. Route one, two, and three respectively. The third route was considered a bus route but actually cost two more yuan.

 

It takes one and a half hours to drive to Pingzhou, a relatively large city nearby. Xuan Qi is actually a city under Pingzhou and taking route one or two will allow one to cross between the two cities.

 

Xuan Qi is still in early development and the pace of life here is very slow. Lu Changze was content eating takeaway and watching TV. 

 

He has stayed here for five years.

 

After staying in that small hotel for more than ten days, he purchased a small shop near the route one bus terminal. The shop was not very big, and it was roughly 20 square meters but Lu Changze was very satisfied. After he sold many orders, he made it into a small self-running shop and got a computer to be the cash register. He went to collect the money from the cash register every day.

 

He lounged around, watched TV, played games and surfed the Internet for the entire day while the small shop ran itself with about seventy to eighty people coming by per day.

 

After deducting the cost, he could only earn two or three meals a day, but Lu Changze is quite satisfied. As long as he didn’t starve to death, Lu Changze was living a pretty good life now and he was happy.

 

When it’s time, Lu Changze pulled down the shutter door of the shop and put the key in his pocket. He walked home slowly on a path diverging two ways. He walked to an old residential building and walked up to the third floor to find his house. Yes, the location of Lu Changze’s house was very convenient and close by.

 

He bought a small house and it was enough for a single man to live in. Lu Changze opened the door, changed his shoes, went in, lay down on the sofa, and covered himself with the blanket that was always on the sofa. The sofa was small but very soft. Lu Changze hummed twice in satisfaction and fell asleep.

 

When he woke up, he took his phone out and looked at it. At two o’clock in the morning, Lu Changze got up, turned on the light and opened the refrigerator to find something to eat. The house is small and there is no kitchen.

 

In the studio, there is only a small area behind the sofa for preparing food and eating.

 

Lu Changze rummaged for the only instant noodles he had left. He took out the pot and turned on the gas, tore open two packets and put them in. After beating two eggs, he put them in front of the pot.

 

He watched quietly. From time to time, he would use his chopsticks to stir them twice. The sound of gurgling in the pot was very random and it stood out in the quiet room in the middle of the night. Reassured, Lu Changze turned off the fire and started to eat directly using the pot on the wooden table in front of the sofa. The weather was a bit cold but the instant noodles were steaming.

 

The glasses Lu Changze was wearing were covered with white mist. He took off his glasses, took a big mouthful of noodles and stuffed it into his mouth to eat. After being hungry, his mouth was full of food. It was a very fulfilling feeling as the soft instant noodles could be swallowed without much chewing. Lu Changze finished it in two or three bites. In fact, he likes it

instant noodles.

 

Lu Changze put the finished entire pot and put it in the sink next to the gas stove before returning to nest on the sofa. He always eats cleanly, and only leaves some soup bases. It’s late at night, so he didn’t want to wash the dishes.

 

He took his mobile phone from the side and searched for a movie to watch. After watching it, the sky was bright. His days in Xuan Qi were very comfortable. There were a lot of movies and he had a lot of time to do what he wanted.

 

4

 

Lu Changze was sitting behind the cashier and catching up on a show. Aunt Liu who lived across the street came down to do some shopping and bought a bunch of things. Lu Changze

paused the screen and recorded the stock.

 

Aunt Liu is an old lady with a round face. She talks a lot. Every time she comes to buy something, she always hopes that Lu Changze can give her a cheaper price. This has been going on for a while.

 

Lu Changze would occasionally charge her less for a pack of vinegar and the two of them saw each other every once in a while. Seeing that Aunt Liu had bought a lot of beer, Lu Changze casually asked

 

“Aunt Liu, someone in town? Buying so much beer, will you be able to carry it?”

 

“Yes, don’t judge my appearance. I am strong!” Aunt Liu said while putting the alcohol in the canvas bag she carried with her, “You don’t know about it yet? I’ll tell you.”

 

As she spoke, she got closer and said mysteriously, “Our area is going to be demolished. I have a relative who works in a real estate company in Pingzhou. According to internal information, their company is responsible for the compensation for our demolition. I heard that the company is big and can pay a lot of money. Young Lu, don’t underestimate the small size of the shop. You’ll be able to make a lot of money by getting the compensation later!”

 

Speaking enviously, she looked at the small shop owner.

 

Lu Changze pushed his glasses up and helped Aunt Liu put the things into her bag, “It’s nothing to worry about. They said that they would demolish it last year but they didn’t. Aunt Liu, don’t take it too seriously. That’ll be 57 yuan in total.”

 

“Believe it or not, it’ll be different this time. My relative is still at my house and they were still talking about it today. I think it’ll proceed this time.”

 

“After two months, everyone will find out. Let’s not talk about it now. Get moving.”

 

Aunt Liu paid the money and took the things and went back beaming. Lu Changze took the

Money and placed it into the bag he always carried with him. He sat back in the chair and continued to watch the TV series, not taking Aunt Liu’s words to heart.

 

After spring began, Lu Changze found that more people were coming to this area. From a glance, one could tell they were not local. They came to judge and compare the houses here. They were the same people from last time and he now believes Aunt Liu’s words. It seems that this area is soon to be demolished.

 

It was completely dark outside but Lu Changze hadn’t closed his shop and went back home. Today, he watched the drama he hoarded some time ago and the plot was not bad.

 

He didn’t stop until he finished it. Usually, he closes at six or seven o’clock, but today it was way after ten o’clock. After watching the show, he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. He got ready to get up and collect his money but saw someone coming in to get something out of the corner of his eye. The cash register was a bit tall, so he didn’t see it clearly.

 

The visitor took a bottle of mineral water and put it on the cash register without saying a word. Lu Changze stood up and looked down at the hand holding the water in surprise.

 

After the other person took the most expensive water in the shop, Lu Changze raised his head, “Four yuan…”

 

Their eyes met and Lu Changze was stunned.

 

Gu Xiu’s hand holding his wallet paused and he recovered after a while, “Lu Changze, I didn’t expect to see you here.” 

 

There were no ups and downs in his voice.

 

He took out a 50 yuan note from his wallet and handed it over. Only then did Lu Changze snap out of it. He took the money and put it in his bag. He then found some change and passed it to him.

 

Gu Xiu took the money but did not keep the coin that Lu Changze gave him. It was too troublesome to keep such a small change, so he put the rest of his change inside his wallet, took his water and left the small shop.

 

Lu Changze saw a car parked on the other side of the street with the light from the small shop to the door. It was dark and only the outline of the car could be seen. Gu Xiu got into the car and drove away.

 

Lu Changze withdrew his gaze, glanced at a coin left on the cash register, reached out to take it and put it in his bag. He then turned off the computer and lights, closed the door and went back home.

 

Gu Xiu drove the car a long way before turning around and driving back. By that time, the small shop was already closed. Gu Xiu looked at the small shop through the car window and smoked a stick of cigarette before driving away again.

 

Lu Changze came back and changed his shoes. He took off his coat as usual and lay down on the sofa. He put his arms over his eyes before getting up from the sofa after a while.

 

After entering the narrow bathroom and taking a shower, he lay down on the bed wearing a tank top and shorts, ready to go to sleep. However, he ended up tossing and turning until 4:00 in the morning, unable to sleep.

 

Unexpectedly, Lu Changze simply turned over and sat up, turned on the light, took the sketchbook beside him and started drawing.

 

After drawing, it was already eight o’clock the next morning. Lu Changze felt drowsy then, so he casually threw the book and pen on the quilt before lying down and falling asleep.

 

The store is closed today.

 

T/N: Happy Bad End Month! Here’s the second novel for September~

Chapter 48 – Who Says Omegas Can’t be as Explosive as Alphas

September 1, 2023 / / 2 Comments

Chapter 48

 

When Wen Xingchen fell asleep, he vaguely felt something surrounding him. Although it was an entirely new sensation, he could say he slept soundly. In the past, during his estrus periods, he would always suffer immensely, locking himself in a room to suppress the restlessness. Even so, he would still experience an unbearable feeling of wanting to explode, which was difficult to endure.

 

But this time, he slept through the night until morning, without waking up once. It was probably the calmest estrus period he had ever experienced in his life.

 

However, precisely because of that, when Wen Xingchen woke up and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, he seemed lost for a moment. Lowering his head slightly, he saw an arm dr4p3d over him in an ambiguous embrace.

 

“…”

 

He glanced sideways and caught sight of the peaceful sleeping face of Lu Jingning. Despite Lu Jingning’s usual domineering demeanor, during this moment, his Omega’s gentleness unavoidably showed.

 

The arm surrounding Wen Xingchen was fair and slender, as though it could easily fit into the palm of his hand with just a gentle grasp.

 

Wen Xingchen remained silent for a while. Although he could recall previous events, he couldn’t remember what happened after falling asleep last night. He cautiously attempted to remove the hand resting on him.

 

Unexpectedly, this action disturbed the slumbering Lu Jingning. His thick eyelashes trembled slightly, and as he drowsily opened his eyes, they appeared to carry a thin layer of mist. He rubbed his eyes lazily and said in a leisurely tone, “Morning, Lao Wen.”

 

He acted so normally.

 

“…”

 

Wen Xingchen had prepared countless scenarios, but he didn’t expect to receive such a nonchalant response.

 

Now, he was even more uncertain about what happened last night.

 

Lu Jingning yawned, clearly not having slept enough. He subconsciously curled up under the covers, asking nonchalantly, “How do you feel now? Still uncomfortable?”

 

“I’m not uncomfortable anymore.” Wen Xingchen couldn’t recall anything about the events after falling asleep, and he frowned slightly, “Last night…”

 

Lu Jingning finally noticed his attitude, and most of his drowsiness disappeared. He couldn’t help but feel mischievous and turned to look at Wen Xingchen with a teasing glint in his eyes, “Don’t remember?”

 

Wen Xingchen didn’t say anything, silently admitting it.

 

This amused Lu Jingning greatly, and a sly curve formed at the corner of his mouth, “Ah? Last night, you were calling me ‘Gege’ in your sleep and being clingy, not letting me go anywhere. You cried and said you’d throw a tantrum if Brother Lu left you alone. I’m such a righteous person, how could I bear to leave you alone? So, I generously gave you my pheromones. How about it, did you sleep well?”

 

Wen Xingchen had been quietly listening, and when the last word fell, he suddenly leaned in closer, smiling in a way that was not quite a smile, “So, Brother Lu is so generous. Does that mean you’ll fulfill any request I have?”

 

In that instant of proximity, the Alpha scent emanated from Lu Jingning enveloped him. It wasn’t as chaotic as last night but incredibly controlled and meticulous, surrounding Lu Jingning entirely.

 

However, this atmosphere didn’t become tense; instead, it became even more ambiguous.

 

Lu Jingning could tell that Wen Xingchen was truly at ease now.

 

He had only meant to play around earlier, but unexpectedly, just the words “Brother Lu” had caused his heart to skip a beat. Then, when Wen Xingchen suddenly emitted his pheromones, Lu Jingning’s throat inexplicably felt dry.

 

Though feeling a bit guilty, it didn’t prevent Lu Jingning from fighting back with his own pheromones, while also continuing to take advantage of the situation, “Huh, after one night, you still want my pheromones so badly? Brother Lu will gladly give them to you!”

 

The Alpha and Omega pheromones exploded in the room once again, but this time, there was less of a confrontational feel and more of an indescribable tenderness.

 

Wen Xingchen’s gaze fell on Lu Jingning’s smooth neck, and he couldn’t help but recall the scene of lightly biting the gland yesterday.

 

Suddenly, he felt that a certain desire within him had been stirred once again.

 

With this, he had marked Lu Jingning for the third time.

Repeated temporary markings deepen the bond between Alpha and Omega. Wen Xingchen couldn’t believe that even though his sensitive period had eased, this possessive emotion could still be easily stirred up.

 

He glanced at Lu Jingning and realized that he might be completely at the mercy of this man for the rest of his life.

 

Lu Jingning, who was initially tense, was taken aback by Wen Xingchen’s inexplicable gaze.

 

Just as he was about to say something, they heard a knock on the door. At the same time, Cen Junfeng’s voice came from outside, “Lu bro, are you there? Lu bro?”

 

Lu Jingning remained silent, exchanging a knowing glance with Wen Xingchen.

 

After a moment of silence, Lu Jingning asked, “Should I go and open the door?”

 

Wen Xingchen’s mind had already moved on, and he smiled playfully, “Big brother, scared?”

 

For the first time, Lu Jingning felt a bit overwhelmed. He never imagined that Wen Xingchen, who was usually so well-behaved, could be this seductive. He thought to himself that when an Alpha gets frisky, no Omega is safe.

 

The arrival of the unexpected visitor interrupted their playful exchange. Lu Jingning opened the door to find Cen Junfeng, who seemed hesitant and at a loss for words.

 

Cen Junfeng had come to see Wen Xingchen. Despite not liking the top student in their grade, he felt the need to show some concern after Wen Xingchen’s absence the entire previous night. He worried that the encounter between the two might have resulted in something disastrous.

 

But seeing Lu Jingning’s appearance, it seemed that things weren’t as tragic as he had imagined.

 

As Cen Junfeng’s gaze shifted to the side of Lu Jingning, his inquiring words got stuck in his throat.

 

He felt as if he had suddenly lost his voice, and for a moment, he couldn’t say anything.

 

Wen Xingchen, who was calmly sitting on the bed, methodically tidying his clothes, had turned the room into a chaotic mess.

 

Damn, were these two so intense last night?!

 

Cen Junfeng was utterly shocked and took a step back, feeling a bit uneasy. He wondered if he might be silenced for witnessing something he shouldn’t.

 

Lu Jingning opened the door, seeing Cen Junfeng silent and backing away. He raised an eyebrow, puzzled, “What’s the matter? What did you come for?”

 

Cen Junfeng’s mind was like a storm, and the strong survival instinct made him respond as quickly as he ever could, “Ah, I just came to ask if you need me to bring a set of clothes for Wen Xingchen?”

 

Lu Jingning knew Cen Junfeng was Wen Xingchen’s roommate, so he understood the context. Skipping any unnecessary explanations, he happily turned to the room and asked, “Lao Wen, do you need to change your clothes?”

 

Wen Xingchen also heard their conversation and controlled the subtle curve of his lips. His voice was calm as he replied, “Yes, please.”

 

Lu Jingning turned back, and in an effort to demonstrate their normal relationship, he conveyed Wen Xingchen’s message, “He said he’d appreciate it.”

 

Cen Junfeng’s heart was practically screaming like a groundhog. Seeing Lu Jingning acting like a doting spouse, he couldn’t help but admire the insurmountable gap between himself and the top student.

 

At least, Lu Jingning was such a formidable Omega that he didn’t even dare to test the waters.

 

“Just wait, I’ll bring them right away!” With that final remark, Cen Junfeng didn’t linger in this potentially dangerous situation and swiftly turned to leave.

 

Seeing Cen Junfeng’s hurried departure, Lu Jingning was a bit perplexed, “So friendly! I never knew Cen Junfeng was this warm-hearted.”

 

Wen Xingchen couldn’t help but chuckle, “He always has been.”

 

…

 

Today was the day of the team competition, and although Lu Jingning had intended to sleep in, he didn’t go back to bed after all.

 

Once Wen Xingchen changed his clothes and assembled with the other team members of the exchange team, they headed to the team competition venue. Since the final day of the competition would lead to the most significant score changes, everyone was eager and enthusiastic. After confirming the final attendance count, Jihan began to finalize the lineup.

 

The military academy’s joint exchange competition used a seven-person team format, with five players as starters and two as substitutes. If a starter was unable to continue, the substitutes would automatically step in.

 

Jihan had already drafted the preliminary starting lineup the day before, but he was hesitant about the two substitute spots.

 

Looking up at Wen Xingchen, Jihan asked, “How’s the damage from the mecha combat yesterday? Can you still fight?”

 

Hearing their conversation, Lu Jingning recalled Wen Xingchen’s condition during his sensitive period last night. Without waiting for Wen Xingchen to respond, he preemptively said, “Teacher, let me go!”

 

Jihan chuckled, looking at him, “Of course, how could we miss you? But we have two substitute spots; besides you, we need to arrange one more person.”

 

Lu Jingning didn’t hesitate at all, “Then let someone who hasn’t played yet get a chance. They’ve been sitting on the bench the whole time without any chance to shine, it’s a bit pitiful.”

 

Everyone: … Thank you so much!

 

Cen Junfeng had been standing aside without much interest, but when Lu Jingning’s sharp gaze fell on him, he immediately understood, “Yes, teacher, let Wen Xingchen rest a bit more, the rest of us can handle it. He’s really tired from yesterday.”

 

This comment was sincere. After all, fighting in three mecha battles and then wrestling with Lu Jingning in bed was no small feat. How could he not be exhausted?

 

In just one day, he felt as if he had become a worrisome mother.

 

As the only person who knew the earth-shattering secret, he couldn’t help but feel that life was extremely challenging.

 

Hearing everyone’s suggestions, Jihan frowned, deep in thought.

 

At that moment, Wen Xingchen spoke up, “It’s okay, I can go.”

 

Hearing Wen Xingchen’s decision, Lu Jingning nudged him with his elbow and asked in a low voice, “Are you sure you want to go?”

 

Wen Xingchen also lowered his voice, his laughter light and airy as he replied with a question, “Are you worried about me?”

 

“Yes, yes, I’m worried you might get killed,” Lu Jingning observed his expression for a moment and saw that he seemed to have made up his mind, so he could only sigh and say softly, “Alright, if you want to go, then go. Just remember to stick close to me, I’ll protect you, Lu Brother will keep you safe!”

 

The words sounded rather arrogant, and faced with Wen Xingchen’s overly radiant smile, he couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.

 

After a brief moment, Wen Xingchen’s mouth curved up as he spoke, “Okay, I won’t leave your side for a moment.”

 

The team’s lineup was finalized, and the competition was about to begin.

 

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

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Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

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