Chapter 124

Chapter 124

Song Xiyan gazed dazedly at Bai Xingshu, as if he were about to drown in those jewel-like eyes of his.

His heart raced uncontrollably.

This development completely blindsided him.

"Okay," Song Xiyan heard his own voice—hoarse yet brimming with excitement.

Bai Xingshu detected that crisp, icy fragrance again, a clean sharpness without winter's harshness.

This scene made Bai Xingshu involuntarily recall the scent he had sensed several times before.

Ah... Hmm...

[Teacher Song, what does your pheromone smell like?] Bai Xingshu cautiously asked the system.

The system was currently bubbling with enthusiasm, highly cooperative with its host, and immediately replied: [Fresh snowfall!]

Bai Xingshu, whose premonition had come true: [...]

That's actually a scent?!

It was practically indistinguishable from ordinary air!!!

Bai Xingshu had thought all pheromones in this world were as clear and distinct as Cheng Yunxi’s meadow-fresh aroma.

Setting aside the Exchange Fair, earlier in the repair room, Bai Xingshu had faintly detected traces of it a few times, but...

Song Xiyan’s demeanor had always been frosty and aloof, so he had assumed it was just the air turning colder because he had gone too far and angered Teacher Song, or perhaps some special mechanical lubricant smell.

In any case, Bai Xingshu hadn’t for a second imagined pheromones.

Until now.

In this moment, there was no way Song Xiyan could be angry.

Looking at the smile on Song Xiyan’s face—blossoming like midwinter camellias—Bai Xingshu couldn’t help but grin as well, then teased with a smirk, "So... Teacher, what's the game plan?"

"How were you planning to court me originally?"

It wasn’t as if Bai Xingshu had never been pursued before.

In the apocalypse, the strong were naturally sought after, not to mention... Bai Xingshu’s looks were exceptionally handsome even without the system’s filter.

Flowers, gourmet food, over-the-top grand gestures, and all sorts of unsubtle advances—

Bai Xingshu had experienced them all.

There were even attempts at locking him up or non-consensual scenarios—some had been bold enough to attempt those tactics on him.

When it came to being pursued, Bai Xingshu was practically an expert.

But...

He couldn’t for the life of him picture how such an ice prince as Song Xiyan would go about pursuing someone.

He was lowkey thrilled to find out.

Upon hearing Bai Xingshu’s question, Song Xiyan froze once again, his previously bright eyes quickly turning panicked.

How to pursue someone?

Of course, it meant waiting for Bai Xingshu in the repair room, waiting for him at the research institute, and if he didn’t come, staking out Bai Xingshu’s usual paths just to catch a glimpse of him.

The idea of other courtship methods had never crossed his mind.

Song Xiyan’s ears burned red all at once, utterly at a loss for words.

One glance was all Bai Xingshu needed to size things up.

With a quiet laugh, Bai Xingshu—who had his own intentions to escalate things—of course didn’t push Song Xiyan. Instead, he brushed it off with a wave, “If you don’t have any plans for now, let’s get back to fixing the mech!”

“But I’ll need a surprise when we meet tomorrow,” Bai Xingshu added with a teasing wink.

His quick, easy banter melted away Song Xiyan’s earlier tension.

Song Xiyan gaped at Bai Xingshu, stunned, his heartbeat racing once more.

The system, monitoring everything: […]

Wait, who’s chasing who here?!

Meanwhile, Bai Xingshu was totally clueless that he had just been flirting. To him, that was just how he talked.

With that, Bai Xingshu headed straight to his usual workstation. But after waiting for a while, he realized Song Xiyan hadn’t given the usual instructions.

Turning around, he locked eyes with Song Xiyan, who was staring right at him.

Bai Xingshu flashed a bright grin, leaning against the safety railing with his arms crossed, sing-songing teasingly, “Teacher Song, hello! Do you still remember what you’re supposed to say to me right now?”

Song Xiyan’s brain, fried from flustering, barely managed to function as he opened his mouth.

“I like you!”

Bai Xingshu froze, completely unprepared for those words.

The sheer, unfiltered emotion bowled him over.

That kind of pure, guileless feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

It was so beautiful that Bai Xingshu’s expression went tender.

“Teacher, you’re cheating!” Bai Xingshu fake-gasped playfully.

Song Xiyan let out a soft laugh.

He had arrived with a heavy heart, never expecting to leave the repair room feeling so light and happy.

Once outside, Song Xiyan dove headfirst into studying romance tactics with the same fervor he applied to his studies.

Upon closer inspection, he realized the endless list of dating tricks was just as intricate and complex as his research.

Exciting outings could naturally lead to holding someone close, showcasing reliability.

Sports activities easily facilitated physical contact.

And then there were hot springs or swimming pools, where the raw appeal of skin and water couldn’t be ignored!

Song Xiyan scanned the options, imagining the scenarios where he and Bai Xingshu would interact in these planned encounters.

He blushed furiously.

And in the end...

Song Xiyan invited Bai Xingshu to a private restaurant for dinner.

All this planning made perfect sense and was very thoughtful, but Song Xiyan hadn’t forgotten that Bai Xingshu’s favorite thing was great food.

He had always remembered how Bai Xingshu’s expression lit up when he tasted dishes he really liked during their previous meal together.

Meanwhile, back at the dorm...

Shen Geng wordlessly observed Bai Xingshu, who was occasionally replying to messages.

Without even asking, Shen Geng knew who was contacting Bai Xingshu.

Over the past few days, though Shen Geng hadn’t inquired, he was aware that things between Bai Xingshu and Song Xiyan were progressing remarkably well.

Every noon, Shen Geng would see Bai Xingshu bring back an intricate little gadget, carefully placing it in the most prominent spot on his desk.

Of course this was happening.

Bai Xingshu had always wanted to find an elite Alpha, and Song Xiyan had long harbored feelings for him.

Of course, they clicked instantly, everything going smoothly.

Why had he blurted out those words to Bai Xingshu before?

Shen Geng’s chest tightened as he watched Bai Xingshu excitedly getting ready for his date, making it even harder to watch.

But he had no business interfering.

In fact... he should be wishing him well.

Wishing Bai Xingshu finally got what he wanted and found happiness in this life.

Thinking this way, Shen Geng slipped away to the cool places Bai Xingshu had mentioned upon his return.

Morality and impulse battled inside him.

In the end, his actions led him to pretend that the one Bai Xingshu was dating... was him.