Aren't You in It?

"Don't eat them all in one day. One a day is enough to last you a week."

Seeing that Jiang Qi's hands were full, Qi Yue stuffed the lollipops into his school uniform pocket.

"Alright, go on."

Having delivered the candy, Qi Yue let out a sigh of relief, immediately waving his hand to dismiss him.

Jiang Qi didn't speak. He couldn't explain what he was feeling.

It was slightly amusing, but also somewhat touching.

"Thank you. Safe travels."

The car door closed with a thud. Jiang Qi waited for the car to turn around before turning to leave, his steps incredibly light.

This was the first pure, unburdened gift he had ever received.

Returning to the villa, only the butler and two servants were waiting for Jiang Qi in the living room.

"Young master." The butler bowed, looking at the plushies in the young master's hands.

"Mhm."

Jiang Qi gave a cold response, explaining beforehand, "A gift from a friend. I'm a few minutes late."

The butler nodded, indicating he understood.

But understanding was one thing; reporting it was another.

Jiang Qi curved his lips, his long eyelashes drooping to hide the mockery in his eyes.

His bedroom was packed with all kinds of plushies—on the rug, on the bed, on the desk, and even on the bookshelf.

Entering the room, Jiang Qi placed the "newcomer" on the bed without hesitation, moving three "exes" elsewhere.

After all, the two plushies today were different; they were the ones he had caught together with Super Cute.

As for why he didn't keep the others on the bed, Jiang Qi wasn't sure either.

An image flashed in his mind, and he laughed out loud, perhaps for the same reason the Alpha had mentioned.

There was no room for a third party between his dog and cat.

The scenery quickly receded outside the window, the streetlights turning into golden ribbons, particularly beautiful in the dark night.

The car window reflected Qi Yue's face and... his slightly red ears.

Damn it! Wasn't it just a single compliment? Wasn't it just giving lollipops to his Omega... Alright, he looked much better now, but surely his ears didn't need to turn red?

"Damn."

Qi Yue touched his pocket, cursing inwardly. He had given away too many.

He was out of strawberry lollipops again.

What was going on?

Qi Yue had no choice but to pull out some chewing gum, popping it into his mouth and licking his lips.

Next time he met Jiang You, he must hide his lollipops carefully.

Otherwise, when he wanted to eat one, there wouldn't be any left.

The next day, Jiang You woke up. Seeing the unfamiliar plushies on his bed, he remained speechless for a long time.

Jiang Qi had changed "lovers."

They looked somewhat familiar.

Jiang You's brow gradually smoothed out. He opened his chat history with a certain Alpha, looking at his phone, then at the plushies on the bed.

They looked exactly the same.

So he had bought plushies that looked like Qi Yue.

Jiang You didn't think too much about it. He went to the bathroom to wash up, and after coming out, he grabbed his uniform from the rack and put it on.

Immediately after, his movements stiffened. He reached into his pocket, pulling out everything inside.

Seven strawberry lollipops.

They had also appeared in his chat history with Qi Yue.

At this moment, Jiang You realized something was wrong.

Jiang You pursed his lips and walked over to the mirror in his bedroom, looking at his reflection.

Jiang Qi muttered in dissatisfaction in their subconscious, "What are you calling me for?"

Jiang You's eyes flashed with anger. "What did you do yesterday?"

Jiang Qi rolled over in their subconscious. "Nothing, I just took some leave to go out and play."

"With Qi Yue?"

Hearing this name, Jiang Qi suddenly sat up, looking at Jiang You very seriously. "Don't touch the lollipops in the pocket, they're all mine! I want to eat them during evening self-study."

Jiang You took a deep breath, asking again.

"With Qi Yue?"

Jiang Qi lowered his head, giving a soft "mhm."

"You didn't go out of character, did you?" Jiang You cared deeply about this.

If he didn't sleep deeply, he could vaguely remember the other personality's actions. But this time, he had slept soundly, possessing no memory of the other personality, knowing nothing of what had transpired.

Jiang Qi felt guilty, but a cool guy couldn't show fear.

"No."

Jiang You let out a soft sigh of relief, not noticing Jiang Qi's guilt.

After a moment, Jiang You thought about it and said, "We need to have a proper talk tonight. We can't go on like this."

Jiang Qi didn't care, giving an "okay" before yawning and sinking back into their subconscious.

Jiang You packed the lollipops into his bag. Leaving the house, he felt a headache coming on, not knowing how to face Qi Yue.

Jiang Qi set a difficult challenge for him every day.

Not only was Jiang You worried, but Qi Yue was also anxious. He had gotten along very well with the Omega yesterday; should he greet him today?

Could they be considered friends now?

After some consideration, Qi Yue decided to wait and see. If Jiang You took the initiative to speak to him, he would try to play along. If Jiang You was as cold as a stranger, he would... he hadn't thought about it.

Qi Yue looked at his extremely handsome face in the mirror, adjusting his collar. Who could ignore a handsome guy like him?

Arriving at the classroom, the sound of reading echoed in waves. Qi Yue held his pen, scribbling on paper as if writing his homework.

When he was young, Qi Yue liked to follow the elderly neighbor who made sugar sculptures. Although he had never received formal training, he knew how to draw chibi figures after a few years.

He casually sketched the proportions of the Omega reading in the front row, creating an innocent and adorable chibi version.

Qi Yue curved his lips, drawing a cat that looked exactly like the two-colored-eyed Persian cat from yesterday beside him.

What else was missing?

Qi Yue thought for a moment, drawing a dog with a sarcastic face.

So ugly. Qi Yue laughed, poking the dog with his pen.

By the time Qi Yue finished drawing the dog, the bell rang. He had been too absorbed to hear it.

It wasn't until a familiar tap on his desk sounded that Qi Yue startled, realizing class was over.

Qi Yue looked up at the expressionless Omega in front of him, his phoenix eyes narrowing, looking as arrogant as ever. "Homework? Don't have it."

Jiang You had expected this result. He parted his lips to say something, but felt there was nothing to say.

It was as if he never knew what he wanted to say.

His long, thin eyelashes trembled. Just as Jiang You was about to leave, he saw the drawing on Qi Yue's desk—featuring himself, a cat, and a dog.

Qi Yue was puzzled to see Jiang You didn't leave immediately. Following his gaze, he saw his doodle.

Qi Yue's first reaction was to hide it.

"It's beautiful."

The cool voice rang in his ears, carrying no mockery or fake praise, only expressing his true thoughts.

When Jiang You said this, his expression was very serious, his eyes bright and clear, seemingly carrying a trace of shyness.

"Of course, look who drew it."

Stopping his movement to hide the drawing, Qi Yue proudly displayed it so Jiang You could appreciate it easily.

"Cat Jiang, Little Cat Jiang, Little Dog Jiang."

Qi Yue smiled proudly, pointing at each character.

Qi Yue propped up his chin, his dark eyes shining, eagerly awaiting Jiang You's reaction, but nothing happened.

His excitement gradually faded. Qi Yue stretched his legs under the desk, preparing to put away the drawing in disappointment when he heard the Omega speak:

"Aren't you in it?"

Jiang You raised his pale finger, pointing at the empty spaces.

"Dog Qi, Little Dog Qi, Little Cat Qi."

Qi Yue was stunned, then burst out laughing, slamming the desk. "Cat Jiang, you're so funny. Am I supposed to draw a single father of two meeting up with you?"

Jiang You withdrew his hand, his ears slightly red.

He looked down at Qi Yue, who was smiling brightly, revealing two sharp canine teeth, looking as radiant as the sun. He silently let out a sigh of relief.

*Since he's laughing, I didn't say anything wrong, right?*

Jiang You wasn't entirely sure.

Qi Yue didn't know Jiang You's conflicted thoughts. He was in an excellent mood, speaking softly, "Cat Jiang, this is the first time you've talked to me about something other than collecting homework."

Hearing this, Jiang You recalled Qi Yue's complaints during the volunteer activity.

At that time, Qi Yue had said Jiang You never listened to him.

Jiang You blinked. Immediately after, he stared at Qi Yue, seriously emphasizing each word, "I am only in charge of reminding you to submit homework. Once that's done, my task is complete. There is no need to say anything else."

Qi Yue pondered these words, looking up at Jiang You's pale face. "Then why are you talking to me this time?"

Naturally, it was to check if Jiang Qi had gone out of character.

Jiang You questioned his own behavior, his lips twitching as his face flushed. "Friends, chatting."

Friends.

Qi Yue looked at Jiang You, his smile widening. He suppressed his embarrassment, pulling down the corners of his mouth, and coughed. "Oh."

*His face is red... is he shy?*