Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The bizarre and terrifying situation was anything but romantic, yet Qiao You felt the atmosphere couldn't have been more perfect. The words spoken by the person in his arms were simply too enchanting. So, he smiled at the young man, and with a cool, firm hand, he assertively lifted the other's chin.

Lan Yexing gazed blankly into Qiao You's eyes.

That gaze was dangerously possessive, brimming with overt desire. Lan Yexing’s breath hitched for a moment, his instinct screaming for escape, yet another will held his body captive, rooted to the spot…

The hand he had lowered clenched into a fist. *Actually, it’s nothing…*

*Ignoring the reasons, they had already kissed twice…*

Qiao You leaned in for a kiss, and just as Lan Yexing was about to close his eyes, hurried footsteps—a mix of human and canine—suddenly echoed from downstairs. Lychee, having finally caught the unfamiliar scent on the second floor, had roused the elderly man out of concern for her owner, and they were now rushing towards them.

As if jolted awake, Lan Yexing forcefully pushed the young man away and retreated a few steps, stammering, "I-I'll go downstairs and stop Grandpa so he doesn't get scared!"

Having some understanding of Qiao You's mental power, he added, "Use your mental power to send this Alpha to the police! Be careful yourself; don't let anyone find out!"

With that, he turned and strode towards the door, his steps even more frantic than those of the dog and the elderly man hurrying up to the second floor.

Qiao You glanced at his empty embrace but didn't stop him again. He simply stood there, watching with keen interest as the young man, almost in full flight, revealed distinctly red ear tips and neck in the moonlight. *So, so adorable…*

Qiao You's gaze followed Lan Yexing as he left the room. His fingers, hanging by his side, subtly twitched, as if savoring the lingering sensation of the young man's skin. His expression was both dangerous and captivating.

It wasn't until Lan Yexing closed the door that the smile on Qiao You's face slowly faded.

Then, he arrogantly and coldly looked down at the unconscious Alpha on the ground, his fingers curling. The man on the floor let out a fearful cry of pain in his slumber, his body convulsing unconsciously like a dying fish, and his already recovered limbs were once again brutally broken and twisted.

Yet, the man was still alive, and not a single drop of blood flowed.

Qiao You nonchalantly pulled on medical gloves, his eyes filled with cruel frost. *Of course, he wouldn't easily let go of someone who dared to enter Lan Yexing's home and attack him.*

His fingers curled again. Qiao You "extracted" the space, and with a look of utter disdain and revulsion, he grabbed the almost unrecognizable Alpha by his collar and stepped out.

He dutifully sent the Alpha to the police—though he avoided surveillance, casually tossing the man into a bush near the police station.

This way, before he was discovered the next day, the fool, even in his current unconscious state, would suffer in agony all night long.

Then, he returned to the bedroom. Lan Yexing seemed to have successfully intercepted the elderly man. Qiao You faintly heard his gentle voice coming from downstairs, seemingly comforting the old man in the living room.

Qiao You, having just committed a terrifying act, couldn't help but chuckle softly. As he casually unbuttoned his shirt and disdainfully tossed his no-longer-clean clothes into the laundry basket, he walked into the bathroom.

…

At the same time, in the living room downstairs, the warm yellow lights had already come on.

Lan Yexing patiently and gently comforted the elderly man: "Qiao You is perfectly fine. I just went back to my room to get something and accidentally tripped, which is why Lychee was startled awake."

At this moment, the faint sound of rushing water came from upstairs. Lan Yexing added, "Listen, Qiao You is taking a shower. He'll rest after his shower."

The elderly man looked at him quietly, neither confirming belief nor disbelief, but he clearly breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the water. He no longer held any hope of stopping Qiao You from doing certain things; as long as he knew he was fine, he was content.

So he patted the young man's shoulder affectionately and said, "I understand. Xiao Xing, I'm going back to my room. You should also rest early."

Lan Yexing hummed in response, got up, gently helped the elderly man, and escorted him back to the second bedroom.

…

Afterward, he didn't go upstairs again. Instead, he turned off the living room lights, lay back down on the sofa, comforted the furball curled up in his arms, and prepared to sleep.

The watch on his right wrist quietly glowed at this moment, and the system's mechanical yet gentle voice emerged: "Host, are you truly decided on dating Qiao You?"

Lan Yexing's cheeks flushed at the word "dating." He couldn't help but bury the lower half of his face in the quilt, revealing only a pair of beautiful, clear eyes looking at the ceiling. After a long moment, he softly but firmly hummed in affirmation.

There was nothing to hesitate about or be afraid to admit. Once they had confirmed each other's feelings, falling in love with each other was simply the most natural thing, wasn't it?

The system, which had regained some self-awareness, didn't utter any illogical nonsense like "if the important person who comes to Xingdu University a year later doesn't get Qiao You, this world will be destroyed." It simply said softly, "Congratulations, Host."

Although it didn't understand why such cold data would feel happy for its host, it was truly wonderful that the host could find someone they liked.

After a pause, the system continued, "If the Host wants to leave Xingdu University, or even Central County, with Qiao You, I will try my absolute best to help you."

Somehow, its yet-to-be-unlocked fuzzy data gave it this line of reasoning: The person it cared about (the Host) and the person they liked had confirmed their feelings for each other. This was a very, very good thing. The Host should be with the person they liked and then find happiness.

It felt that no one in the world deserved happiness more than its Host.

And Xingdu University was clearly not a happy place.

So, at the risk of its slowly recovered self-awareness being completely erased by the Host, it desperately tried to block the Host for two minutes and said these words to Lan Yexing.

It called the young man by his name for the first time, its mechanical and indifferent voice containing an incredible tenderness: "Xiao Xing, if you wish, you can take off that watch now."

System: "Although I am clumsy and slow, as the Host helps me unlock more of myself, I can vaguely perceive that the Host is controlling the outside world through a very special ability and operating logic. In this world, that ability only fails for Xiao Xing. So, as long as you abandon this watch now, the Host will not be able to locate you, and you will be free."

System: "Even if I am no longer on the Host later, I will use all the mental power I currently have to help you and Qiao You escape."

Essentially, the Host could have taken off that watch at any time before. He was free from beginning to end, able to withdraw at any moment. But the Host seemed certain that Lan Yexing would not leave, so besides this watch, it did not impose any other control over Lan Yexing.

But just now, the Host had learned that Qiao You had fallen in love with Lan Yexing by reading its data.

Qiao You and Qiao You's love were too important to the Host and to this world. It couldn't imagine what the current Host would do to Lan Yexing...

It could vaguely sense that Lan Yexing had chosen to stay in that place for its sake, and had worked so hard to complete the tasks... Many times, it wanted to say that there was no need to pay so much for a string of cold data.

But it had to admit, it really liked and was fascinated by the feeling of being worried about and cared for... It really, really liked the Host.

So, it would absolutely not allow any entity to harm him now—not even the Host.

The system finally said, "Xiao Xing, you don't belong here. Leave, go to a farther and freer place."

It believed that its Host would find happiness on any journey and at any destination.

There were 10 seconds left of the shielding time.

Lan Yexing reached out and gently covered the watch face with extreme tenderness. He lowered his eyes and softly said, "Thank you so much, Xiao Song. You are neither clumsy nor slow. You are a companion I can trust implicitly. I truly like and appreciate you."

Lan Yexing: "But your suggestion... please allow me to refuse."

Thinking of something, his expression turned cold, and he stubbornly repeated, "I won't leave."

He would neither abandon Xiao Song and leave, nor would he force Qiao You to give up what he was doing and leave with him. He would stay at that university and drag the person who casually played with others' fates into the sunlight, making him receive the punishment he deserved.

As soon as Lan Yexing finished speaking, the watch face let out a soft 'beep,' and the shielding time ended.

New data from the Host immediately flooded in, and the system's consciousness paused for a moment before slowly speaking: "Host, in addition to preventing the strategizer from strategizing Qiao You, the Host has added new types of tasks for you..."

Lan Yexing's eyes turned cold: "Tell me."

System: "The first type of task is that next Monday, a new administrative teacher (Alpha) responsible for Xingdu University's club activities will report to the school. He is the Host's person, and the Host needs you to meet him and assist him in the activities he will conduct on campus later."

Lan Yexing clenched his fingers: *Finally, one of the people behind the scenes has been brought to the forefront...*

The system continued: "The second type of task is that a special mental power Omega exchange student will enter your class. He is Qiao You's childhood friend..."

Lan Yexing's pupils constricted, and he clenched his fingers tighter: "I need to stop him from strategizing Qiao You?"

System: "No, the Host requires you to help him approach Qiao You and reconnect their childhood relationship. After that, he has things he needs to do."

Lan Yexing bit his lip in pain: "Is he the one you initially mentioned, the one who must obtain Qiao You?"

System: "Data shows, no."

Lan Yexing: "What is his identity and mental power?"

System: "His name is Yan Min. Like Su Lou, he is a noble orphan adopted by the royal family. Data shows that he attended the same elementary school and the same aristocratic public school as Qiao You. During that time, he sent Qiao You a total of 120 love letters, all of which failed to reach him. However, it is said that although he couldn't become Qiao You's lover, he became Qiao You's rare good friend."

"Yan Min's mental power is 'Pheromone Attraction.' This mental power is better understood as: Charmer. However, data shows that his mental power has a huge flaw."

Lan Yexing: "What if I choose not to complete these two types of tasks? What will be the consequences?"

The system's tone appeared normal: "No consequences whatsoever."

Lan Yexing sighed softly: "Tell me the truth."

System: "...The Host will punish the Host by electrocuting me, but, Host, don't worry, I have the ability to bear it for you." *After all, data doesn't feel pain from electrocution... probably.*

Lan Yexing's breathing hitched, but he didn't blame the other party for acting on their own initiative. He just said softly, "Xiao Song is truly amazing."

But how could he let it bear the cost for him?

Having made a certain decision, Lan Yexing closed his eyes, forcing himself to fall asleep.

…

After a long and chaotic night, Lan Yexing welcomed the holiday.

However, Qiao You, as Lan Yexing had predicted, spent the entire two-day holiday rushing around outside due to the fire. Lan Yexing stayed at home to take care of the elderly man and the cat and dog.

On Sunday evening, the elderly man and Lychee were strolling on the large lawn outside the villa. Lan Yexing sat on the sofa inside the villa and learned from the news on TV that Prince Leon was in even greater despair.

One of his attendants was found outside the police station with twisted limbs. He regained consciousness enduring immense pain and confessed the hiding places of Prince Leon's other attendants. Those attendants with very dangerous mental powers were all captured by the police.

But whether out of fear or other reasons, he did not tell the police the reason why Qiao You and he himself had fallen into such a predicament.

And Prince Leon was still missing.

After Lan Yexing recorded this information, a slight sound came from the door; Qiao You had returned.

Having just confirmed their relationship, Lan Yexing, still unaccustomed to their changed identities, tensed up and hugged the pillow in his arms tightly.

The tall and handsome young man, however, took off his coat and washed his hands, then sat down beside Lan Yexing as naturally as could be.

The refreshing and pleasant scent of lime invaded his nostrils. Lan Yexing felt a slight dizziness, and his body stiffened even more.

Qiao You subtly shifted closer to Lan Yexing, deliberately bumping his shoulder. His tall, dark shadow firmly enveloped Lan Yexing. He smiled and looked at him: "What are you doing?"

Lan Yexing blinked: "...Watching the news."

Qiao You turned to look at the young man's exquisite profile, so close to him. He dangerously narrowed his eyes, and with a mischievous glint, he lowered his voice and knowingly asked, "Junior, why is your face so red?"

Lan Yexing trembled as if electrified by that breath, and his face, ear tips, and the sides of his neck became even hotter and redder.

Provoked to such a degree of shame, he instead threw caution to the wind. He simply stared at him, his nose almost touching the other's nose. Those green eyes, focused solely on him, almost seemed to suck him in.

Lan Yexing's cheeks were almost completely red, and he was nearly out of breath. He instinctively stretched out both arms, his fingers curled and pressed against the other's broad, strong chest. He pushed with force but could only move him a little. He had no choice but to lower his head, using his soft bangs to hide his unpromising, feverish expression, and said annoyingly, "You clearly know the reason..."

*Yet you still tease and bully him like this, is it fun?*

Qiao You's eyes deepened as he looked at the young man, who was now overly endearing. However, he had no intention of letting him go.

He reached out his large hand and covered the young man's curled fingers pressed against his chest, while his upper body continued to lean in forcefully and oppressively towards the young man. He smiled and used his other hand to pinch the young man's hot chin, forcing him to lift that overly cute face—they were almost at kissing distance, yet he didn't kiss the young man. He just mischievously continued to stare at him with a gaze that seemed to want to devour him, his voice deep and hoarse to the extreme: "How would I know why your face is red, junior."

Qiao You: "Junior, tell me, teach me."

"Thump, thump, thump"

Lan Yexing felt his whole body gradually getting hotter. His heart was about to burst out of his chest, and the rapid heartbeat disturbed his ears, buzzing. He only felt dizzy and weak all over.

One hand was held possessively by the other, and his chin was firmly held by that large hand. He had nowhere to escape, so he bit his lip and angrily cursed him: "You bastard..."

Qiao You's smile deepened: "Thank you for the compliment. I'm quite clear on that point—"

As he spoke, he continued to lean in, his ambiguous gaze lingering on the young man's moist, lovely eyes and the cute, bitten lips. His voice was enchanting: "Xiao Xing, as long as you say you want me to kiss you, I'll let you go and only kiss you. That way, you'll escape your current predicament. Isn't that a good deal?"

He encouraged and tempted the other: "You understand, don't you? You didn't cherish the opportunity to escape from me that night, so we're no longer friends now. Instead, we have the kind of relationship where we can say such things and do such things."

Qiao You's smile was beautiful and dangerously alluring: "Xiao Xing, say it..."

Lan Yexing was startled by the word "friends." He suddenly remembered something and opened his eyes wider, then used all his strength to push the other's hand away.

He ignored his still soft and hot body, and the fact that the other was still firmly holding one of his hands. He simply stood up neatly, and in the setting sun that filled the room, he glared at the other with near anger: "We are not friends. You and your childhood friend are still friends, right?"

*And why does he need to be the matchmaker to reconnect their relationship?!*

Qiao You was startled, a hint of pure innocence and confusion appearing on his face, but he didn't let go of the young man. Instead, he tightened his grip on the young man's wrist with that hand.

Lan Yexing felt that the string of rationality in his mind had been completely melted by the hot body temperature, no longer able to hold on. Although he felt that his state was very wrong, his mouth seemed to open automatically—only now did he belatedly and vaguely realize that his acceptance of the change in their identities would not be lower than Qiao You's.

He averted his gaze and said aggrievedly words he would never have said to a "friend" before: "You only ever bully me... The first time we met, you threw away my breakfast..."

Qiao You, suddenly having old scores brought up, subtly stiffened.

Lan Yexing took a step, intending to go to another room to calm down—he knew his current state wasn't right.

But the next moment, his eyes suddenly widened—Qiao You's large hand, gripping his wrist, suddenly exerted force, pulling him roughly onto his lap. Then, he placed one hand on his thigh, while his other arm firmly wrapped around his waist, pressing him into his embrace.

Lan Yexing's pupils widened slightly as he looked at him, saying in shock and displeasure, "Hey—"

"Xiao Xing," Qiao You, however, held him even tighter with a possessive grip. He thoughtfully glanced at the watch on the young man's right wrist in his arms, then smiled and looked at him, meeting his eyes as he said, "I'm not clear on the specific content of the information you have, but the part about me is most likely completely incorrect. For example, from birth until now, there has been no such disgusting thing as you mentioned."

*What the hell is a childhood friend?*

*To be honest, such a term was simply nauseating.*

*In fact, before university, he didn't even have such a thing as friends.*

Lan Yexing, sitting on the young man's lap, was startled.

Qiao You reached out a large hand and gently but forcefully stroked the young man's still hot cheek in his arms. His half-closed green eyes were filled with obsessive yet gentle emotions, and in the center of his pupils, only the young man's reflection was visible. He said hoarsely, "...It was my fault for throwing away your breakfast and other things in the past. Forgive me, okay?"

Lan Yexing, now calm, also felt that bringing up such old scores was really... spineless of him. He lightly 'coughed,' lowered his head, and obediently mumbled, "Okay."

Qiao You used that large hand to gently caress and play with the young man's beautiful, pink-tinged outer corner of his eye, like a devil tempting a human to break a commandment: "Xiao Xing, actually, there are many things you can tell me directly. I will help you. As long as you say it, I can do anything for you..."

Lan Yexing subconsciously glanced at the watch on his right wrist, a rare moment of blankness appearing on his face: "...?" *Was it his imagination? What Qiao You said sounded so much like—*

But Qiao You didn't give him a chance to react. His large hand now caressed downwards from the young man's outer eye corner, ambiguously passing over his cheek and the side of his neck, finally pressing on the young man's fair and delicate back of the neck. He smiled slightly: "As for not bullying you—"

With a forceful press of his large hand on the young man's delicate and lovely back of the neck, Lan Yexing was forced to arch his back slightly in the young man's powerful embrace. He let out a soft 'hmm' and suddenly widened his eyes, his two arms forced to wrap around the young man's neck to support his body—

Qiao You had already forcefully kissed his lips.

A deep, hoarse, and mischievous voice ambiguously escaped between their colliding lips: "...Sorry, baby, I can't do that..."