Chapter 119

Chapter 119

During his weekend at the Combat Command Department, Bai Xingshu had a great time, which made him even more interested in the upcoming equipment development with Song Xiyan.

But when Bai Xingshu entered the Mechanical Engineering Department, he drew a lot of looks.

Fewer people were around on campus during the weekend, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any.

Still, Bai Xingshu only got some attention, unlike during the previous Exchange Fair when he had been given the cold shoulder by the Mechanical Engineering students.

Now, whether freshmen or juniors, most knew him pretty well. Some even waved or said hi.

"Bodhisattva"—a nickname that might need brief explanation for those unfamiliar with Buddhist terms—"here to see Teacher Song again?" The person was friendly and upbeat. "Did he mention where he is? I can take you there!"

He was totally confident.

With him leading Bai Xingshu, nothing could go wrong this time!

Then he heard Bai Xingshu’s reply.

"Yeah, he’s in Building 1 of the Research Complex," Bai Xingshu responded cheerfully. "Want to come along?"

Bai Xingshu never dampened the enthusiasm of anyone who meant well.

But for this Mechanical Engineering junior, it might have been better if he had.

Building 1 of the Research Complex was the very same green building Jiao Rong had once directed Bai Xingshu to...

The junior’s eyes went wide with shock, nearly calling the cops right then.

Who was trying to sabotage their Mechanical Engineering Department again?!

Seeing the junior’s reaction, Bai Xingshu—always up for mischief—reined in his playful side slightly.

He cleared his throat and briefly explained the situation.

This was official business, not a setup!

Afterward, Bai Xingshu gave the junior a bright smile. "Thanks for looking out for me, Senior Zhou. I can go by myself."

He then nodded to the people sneaking glances at them. During their brief exchange, quite a few had already started watching them.

"If others who don’t know the truth see you escorting me, it might cause trouble for you."

Bai Xingshu’s bright smile and thoughtful words made the junior's heart skip a beat.

His mind went blank for a long moment, and he automatically copied Bai Xingshu’s wave in farewell. It took him a while to process what had just happened.

When he finally came to his senses, the junior was even more bewildered.

Holy crap...

Back at the Exchange Fair, at least a hundred people had talked to Bai Xingshu. He was just an ordinary student from Class A, never thought he stood out in the department.

But...

After all this time, Bai Xingshu still remembered him!

Even remembered to call him Senior Zhou!

He actually remembered my name!

During the Exchange Fair back then, Senior Zhou only thought that Bai Xingshu truly lived up to his reputation as someone renowned throughout the school—glowing and captivating.

But that’s all there was to it, with no further fantasies.

Yet now…

It was enough to make him fall for him in a heartbeat.

Senior Zhou, filled with complicated emotions, met back up with his friends.

His companions teased with raised eyebrows at his downcast look. "Even if the Bodhisattva said no, no need to look so heartbroken, like you got rejected."

"And what if it *is* like getting rejected?" Senior Zhou sighed. "The Bodhisattva really is the Bodhisattva…" Then he spilled all the details about what had just happened with Bai Xingshu.

Immediately, it set off a wave of shock.

One of his friends patted his shoulder consolingly. "Let it go. You can't compete with Teacher Song."

None of them had forgotten that moment during the Exchange Fair before Bai Xingshu was taken away—when Song Xiyan's pheromones spilled out.

To Bai Xingshu, an outsider from the apocalypse, it had only felt like a sudden chill, but the Alpha students of their world had sensed it clearly.

On the spot, they had all clammed up, not daring to utter another word the entire time—though privately, the incident had long since spread among them.

Their Teacher Song and the Little Bodhisattva… *heh heh heh*.

They were hardcore shippers.

Everyone began picking apart every detail, analyzing every little thing.

And the more they analyzed, the more evidence they found.

From that time with Jiao Rong, when Bai Xingshu came looking for Song Xiyan, to how Teacher Song never dragged out his morning classes—the moment they ended, everyone could see him striding briskly toward the Combat Department.

Then there was the Exchange Fair, when Bai Xingshu had handed Song Xiyan flowers, or when he had broken the rules just so Song Xiyan could rest earlier…

In the eyes of these third-year Mechanical Engineering students, this was entirely a story of Bai Xingshu actively pursuing Song Xiyan—and Teacher Song falling for him effortlessly.

This was nothing short of a whirlwind romance, practically a done deal!

And now, Bai Xingshu had even come to the Green House on a weekend to find Song Xiyan—further proof of it.

Everyone in the Mechanical Engineering Department knew just how difficult it was to enter that Green House!

To spend more time with Song Xiyan, Bai Xingshu must have put in who knows how much work—no wonder he managed to win over their department’s untouchable prize, Teacher Song!

Wiping away tears!

Who could compare to such deep affection?

Who could possibly compete?

And if anyone actually tried to steal him away…

Hundreds of shippers in the Mechanical Engineering Department would jump out and tear that person to shreds!

Bai Xingshu had no idea that, within the Mechanical Engineering Department, such an utterly bizarre and outrageous love story had been spun around him.

Along the way, Bai Xingshu reassured several mechanical engineering students who looked horrified as he headed toward the green house.

When he finally reached the entrance of Research Building 1, Bai Xingshu couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

The short trip had been harder than he expected.

After passing mechanical verification, automated verification, and another manual check, Bai Xingshu successfully entered the interior of Research Building 1.

The green house wasn’t busy—if anything, it felt almost too quiet.

It wasn’t empty—just that everyone was focused on their work. Aside from the occasional machinery hum, it was nearly silent.

This…

Reminded him of the research institutes back in the post-apocalyptic world.

Bai Xingshu felt oddly at home.

He trailed Song Xiyan, who’d come out to greet him.

In such an environment, Bai Xingshu instinctively lowered his voice to avoid disturbing others. Leaning in, whispering near Song Xiyan’s ear, "Professor, can you tell me now what this new instrument you’re researching is?"

The warmth of his breath made Song Xiyan tense.

Song Xiyan flinched back slightly, glancing at Bai Xingshu, who seemed completely oblivious.

Song Xiyan pursed his lips before murmuring, "It’s a conditional neural linkage device. It skips mechanical controls—letting pilots operate mechs with just their thoughts."

Bai Xingshu heard him but still didn’t quite get it.

He leaned in until his ear almost touched Song Xiyan’s mouth. "Professor, say that again—what’s used to operate the mech?"

Song Xiyan lowered his gaze.

His eyes lingered on Bai Xingshu’s soft, pale earlobe—irresistibly biteable—and the vulnerable curve of his neck, just as exposed.

Song Xiyan stared silently at this offering right in front of him, unable to utter a single word.

Bai Xingshu waited. Nothing.

Worse, there was no response—

Song Xiyan had even stopped walking altogether.

Confused, Bai Xingshu looked up. Only to find Song Xiyan’s ears burning red.

Bai Xingshu blinked. '?'

"Professor?" he asked, baffled.

At a loss for words, Song Xiyan simply stared at Bai Xingshu for a long moment.

Did Bai Xingshu even pay attention in middle school health class?

"Don’t just let people whisper in your ear," Song Xiyan said, forcing calm.

Bai Xingshu caught on—sort of.

And then...

What the—?!

[Seriously, why is this world so touchy about whispering in someone’s ear?! They get worked up over the dumbest stuff!!] Bai Xingshu was stunned.

Back during the championship video, Bai Xingshu had already been shocked once—why were people freaking out over something so harmless?

But it turned out it didn’t stop there.

Now whispering near someone’s ear was a no-go too?!

Bai Xingshu hurriedly tried to recall who he had whispered to since coming to this world…

And the result… he had no clue—couldn’t even begin to count.

Why didn’t anyone warn him?!

No wonder people always tensed up whenever he whispered to them.

So that was it!

System: [...]

System: [......]

After a long pause, the system stepped in to save face.

[This is an ABO world. Their pheromone glands are on the back of the neck.]

[During mating, they bite the glands, so the neck’s a big deal.]

When whispering in someone’s ear, you get too close to their neck, and your breath completely envelops that area.

They grow up learning this stuff, so regardless of gender, they’re super careful about it—totally normal here.

Bai Xingshu, blindsided: "…"

Without thinking, Bai Xingshu’s eyes flicked toward the back of Song Xiyan’s neck.

Right near the ear he’d just breathed on, he spotted a slightly raised curve.

So Teacher Song was an Alpha.

Ohhh, so that’s how you tell ABO genders here!

It all clicked for Bai Xingshu.

Song Xiyan, catching his stare: "…"

What the hell?!

"The hell are you staring at?!" Song Xiyan’s voice sharpened, uncharacteristically annoyed.

Bai Xingshu yelped, backpedaling fast. "I’m sorry, I’m sorry! You can check me out too, Teacher!"

Song Xiyan: [...]

Another loud knock!!!

This dumbass!!

In the end, Bai Xingshu got pummeled all the way to the testing site by Song Xiyan.

The numerous researchers who secretly witnessed this scene: "..."

Damn... Teacher Song's scary.

The other teachers, already somewhat intimidated by Song Xiyan's ice-cold presence, became even more apprehensive.

Unaware of this, Song Xiyan stopped once they entered the testing site, remembering to save Bai Xingshu some face.

However, Song Xiyan's annoyance hadn't completely faded.

As a result, his voice when introducing Bai Xingshu to the others was icy.

"This is Bai Xingshu, just a freshman from the Combat Department, and also the third tester for this equipment testing."

To the ears of the other researchers, it might as well have been saying...

...This is our third condemned prisoner.