Chapter 47: Marking

Chapter 47: Marking

"I made it clear to her eight hundred years ago."

At the entrance of the men's restroom, a man paced back and forth, effortlessly carrying two backpacks on his shoulders. He called out into the restroom. With no reply after some time, Ye Lincheng went in and saw Xie Chu washing his hands.

Technically, grades have been released, and the official vacation has begun. Swarms of students are rushing toward the school gates, while the basketball and football fields are teeming with activity.

The teaching building, however, is eerily empty.

This was the third time Ye Lincheng followed Xie Chu into the restroom, and this time, he casually locked the door behind him. The hallway outside was silent. Xie Chu's path was blocked, and the man stopping him brazenly pulled him closer, his voice soft,

"What's been bothering you lately? Why the temper?"

Ever since he told Xie Chu he would be going to North City, Ye Lincheng felt that Xie Chu became inexplicably more sensitive. For instance, last weekend, after Xie Chu tutored at Ye Lincheng's place until past 11 p.m., both were hungry. Ye Lincheng drove to buy midnight snacks from a noodle shop, but he ended up waiting in line for over an hour.

Before sleeping that night, Xie Chu insisted on going through their lessons and discussing plans for North City. They even shared some intimate moments. Like a market vendor counting change, they tried to make up for the lost hour together.

Then, just yesterday, after the final exam, Ye Lincheng stayed to review his answers and didn’t reply to Xie Chu’s message promptly. Xie Chu, who believed wasting time is wasting life, surprisingly waited for him downstairs for over half an hour without even listening to music.

Emotionally, Ye Lincheng felt overwhelmingly content.

He felt like he was floating on air.

But logic told him something was off with Xie Chu.

"If you don't like the milk tea, just throw it away. Why drink it?" Ye Lincheng teased as he playfully rubbed Xie Chu’s belly, "Still feeling bloated?"

Xie Chu didn’t respond, but he also didn’t stay mad at Ye Lincheng. He gently leaned his forehead against Ye Lincheng's chin, nodding in a placating manner.

He was aware that he had been overly sensitive lately.

But the arrival of these emotions seemed beyond Xie Chu's expectations. They gradually enveloped him during this week, rather than flooding him all at once when he was told about the extended separation.

At the time, he didn't think two months apart from Ye Lincheng would be a problem.

But during this past week of being together, Xie Chu realized he had turned into a penny-pinching miser, obsessively calculating their time together, always wanting all of Ye Lincheng’s attention.

A sour feeling, accompanied by the impending separation, uncontrollably seeped into every crack of their daily life. Xie Chu knew it was petty and lacked grace, but he couldn't control it.

Missing two months, no matter how they tried to compensate, still felt like a loss.

Resting his forehead against the chin, Xie Chu touched his nose and asked,

"Am I being unbearable right now?"

Ye Lincheng didn't answer but reached out to take Xie Chu’s phone, then unlocked it using Xie Chu's delicate and pale thumbprint. After a moment, he took out his own phone and fiddled with it for a while.

Without hearing a word from Ye Lincheng, Xie Chu started feeling uneasy. He looked up just in time to see his phone handed back to him, with their WeChat chat window displayed.

A photo had been sent from his side.

Xie Chu opened the photo to enlarge it, his pupils dilating for a moment.

The photo was taken during their sunrise viewing at Bailingshan. However, instead of capturing the golden sun breaking through the clouds, it showed a handsome boy laughing directly at the camera and a serene youth with eyes squinting against the wind, his skin flushed.

The first light of day lazily spilled overhead, turning both their black hair into warm chocolate hues.

Xie Chu remembered that moment, he had nestled into Ye Lincheng because of the cold and asked someone to take a photo of the sunrise for them.

After capturing the sunrise, Ye Lincheng sneakily switched the camera mode and snapped a candid shot of them that resembled a hawk guarding its chick.

Xie Chu, who rarely used his phone, hadn't noticed this surprise addition among the similar sunrise photos.

And now, not only was this 'private good' displayed in their chat window, but it was also set as Ye Lincheng's WeChat profile picture.

Xie Chu's ears tinged red, "You..."

With this move, it was essentially a public announcement to all their classmates that they were together.

Ye Lincheng pinched Xie Chu’s nose, wiggling it side to side. "You little rascal, does this make up for it a bit?"

Feeling adequately "compensated," Xie Chu chuckled and playfully tapped Ye Lincheng's chest with his phone. With his nose still pinched, his voice turned nasal, "That's it, your popularity with admirers will tank from tomorrow."

"Mm, yes, I'll miss it so much," Ye Lincheng replied nonchalantly, continuing his playful blackmail, "That's why you'll have to think of me more during the break, to make up for it."

Xie Chu's eyes crinkled with a smile as he nodded obediently. Ye Lincheng finally released his nose, rubbing the slightly reddened tip, "Ready to go?"

Xie Chu hesitated for a second, blushing, he mumbled,

"I, I still need to pee." As they waited again by the restroom entrance, Ye Lincheng, out of boredom, glanced at his WeChat notifications. In less than ten minutes since he changed his profile picture, his phone was buzzing incessantly with notifications.

Yu Yang sent: Tragic.gif, when you're home, kneel on your keyboard and send me a photo for laughs.

Mr. Xu: This photo doesn't do him justice. Xiao Chu looks way better in person.

Basketball Buddy 1: Damn, Ye, who's this beauty? Bring them along next time we play.

Basketball Buddy 2: My roommate just said he went through a breakup.

Gu Sheng: I've already taken a screenshot and sent it to Wei. I wonder if it struck a chord with her.

Ye Lincheng opened the message from Xu Xu and replied with a simple "Agreed". A "ding" sound followed as another message came in.

Yu Yang: Did you know? There's a group chat from our class with Cheng in it.

Ye Lincheng: "..."

It's already been changed; who cares about that now?

On the second day of the holiday, just before Ye Lincheng left,

Xie Chu was squatting at the apartment entrance, petting Wang Xiao Zhu, who had been absent for over three months and was only recently returned because of the break. Ye Wangwang, upon seeing Xie Chu, was clearly thrilled, circling around him and rubbing his snout against Xie Chu's ankles.

The driver had already taken down the luggage. Ye Lincheng also squatted down to give the dog a pat, "If it's inconvenient at your mom's, come back here. Mrs. Zhang comes by every day. Just tell her what you want to eat."

The previous day he'd asked Xie Chu about his holiday plans. Xie Chu assured him not to worry; he was going to visit Wan Jun.

Still, Ye Lincheng brought Ye Wangwang to the Bianjiang apartment and arranged for Mrs. Zhang to come thrice daily. If Xie Chu's around, she cooks; if not, she feeds and walks the dog. It’s a pleasant distraction.

This way, even if he's not there, the apartment has a dog and food to keep Xie Chu company.

"Mm, got it," Xie Chu scratched Ye Wangwang's paw, paused, then asked, "So, will you be playing basketball every day once you're there? Um... Do you have any days off?"

Ye Wangwang let out a comfortable howl, his paw retrieved by Ye Lincheng, "Probably not. I won't be there long, and I'll need to provide proof of training, so I expect to be practicing daily."

Xie Chu's eyes darkened slightly: "Every day, huh..."

Ye Lincheng's expression remained unchanged, pulling back the affectionate dog trying to snuggle up to Xie Chu. Unlike his own insecurities, the other seemed straightforward, asking,

"Hmm? Were you hoping I'd have a free day?"

Xie Chu stiffened, being called out on his intentions.

He'd thought that if Ye Lincheng had a day off, he could visit, buy a small cake, and they could blow out a candle together. But given the intense daily training, he decided against it.

"No. Train hard."

The driver, having stowed the luggage, urged them once more. Ye Lincheng had no choice but to walk toward the elevator. Xie Chu and Ye Wangwang followed closely. The seasoned driver glanced at Xie Chu, gave a slight nod, and then courteously smiled as he urged them along.

"Young Master, we really must leave now, or we'll miss the flight."

Ye Wangwang let out two distinct cries, bidding farewell to one of its plastic companions of three months. In the presence of the driver and the dog, Xie Chu felt embarrassed to show too much emotion and held himself back, standing in place.

But Young Master Ye clearly had no such reservations.

Just as they reached the elevator, Ye Lincheng passionately kissed Xie Chu from forehead to chin, pecking gently on both cheeks.

A childlike way of showing affection, quite endearing.

Wherever his lips touched, it felt like a trail of small flames lit up, making Xie Chu's face turn crimson. Seeing Ye Lincheng wanting to continue to his neck, Xie Chu whispered with gritted teeth,

"Stop it... there are people around."

But when he looked toward the elevator, it was empty.

The sly, old driver from the Ye family had already entered the elevator. With over twenty years of experience, he knew what was about to happen and waited inside, pressing the open door button for Ye Lincheng.

Ye Lincheng, not caring about appearances, gave in to his desires and kissed Xie Chu's neck, but not gently this time.

Without warning,

Ye Lincheng bit down.

The elevator doors closed immediately, descending.

A sudden shiver ran through the entire body, and within the confined space, two distinct pheromones intertwined and boiled. Before long, the faintly sweet scent of EGA pheromone filled the elevator.

Xie Chu let out a low moan of pain.

His legs weakened, making him almost collapse, but Ye Lincheng held him close, supporting him. Xie Chu's pale, slender neck bore the marks of the alpha's bite. His vision blurred, gradually losing focus due to the overwhelming pheromones.

It felt like half a minute, or maybe ten, before the temporary marking was complete.

When Ye Lincheng lifted his head, Xie Chu's neck bore a fresh, minty scent, making even the act of breathing feel cool.

Leaning heavily against the wall, Xie Chu barely avoided collapsing after Ye Lincheng let go. Oblivious to what had happened, Ye Wangwang circled around his legs, excited by the dancing pheromones in the air.

Xie Chu's eyes glimmered with a reddish hue as he looked at Ye Lincheng.

The man in front of him showed no intention of explaining his sudden behavior. His strikingly handsome face held a serene expression, his deep ink-colored eyes intently focused on Xie Chu.

"Alright, let's go."

Author's Note: Couldn't update more...busy during the day. Thanks to the angels who supported me with their votes or gifted nutrients!

Special thanks to the angels who sent landmines: ;

Gratitude to the angels who supplied nutrients:

Thank you so much for your support! I'll keep working hard! Some may have died, but not entirely...

After what felt like an endless unconsciousness, Shi Yu abruptly sat up on the bed.

He took deep breaths of fresh air, his chest heaving.

Confusion, bewilderment, and various emotions flooded his mind.

Where am I?

Immediately, Shi Yu scanned his surroundings and felt even more lost.

A single-person dorm room?

Even if he had been rescued, he should be in a hospital ward now.

And his body... how was there not a single injury?

With bewilderment, Shi Yu's gaze swiftly swept across the room, eventually resting on a mirror by the bedside.

The reflection displayed his current appearance, looking roughly seventeen or eighteen years old, with handsome features.

Before, he was a dashing young man in his twenties with a commanding presence, having been employed for some time.

But now, at a glance, he seemed to be of high school age...

This transformation left Shi Yu stunned for a long while.

Please don't tell him the surgery was too successful...

His body and appearance had changed completely; this wasn’t a matter of surgery but of some magical art.

He had transformed into someone else entirely!

Could it be... he had traveled through time and space?

Besides the poorly placed mirror by the bed that clearly had inauspicious Feng Shui, Shi Yu noticed three books beside it.

Picking one up, the title rendered Shi Yu speechless.

"Essential Manual for Novice Beast Tamers"

"Postnatal Care for Pet Beasts"

"A Guide to Evaluating Exotic Beast-Eared Girls"

Shi Yu:

The first two titles are reasonable, but what’s the deal with the last one?

"Ahem."

Shi Yu’s gaze turned serious as he reached out, but his arm suddenly stiffened.

Just as he was about to open the third book to uncover its mysteries, a sharp pain surged in his brain, and a flood of memories inundated him.

The City of Frost Plains.

Pet Beast Breeding Base.

Trainee Pet Beast Tamer. The website will be shutting down soon. Download the iRead app for premium stories like "Sly Omegas Can Deceive".

Beast Master?