Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The moment those three words were spoken, Li Yang felt an ineffable sense of stability.

Like a falling leaf about to plunge into the sea, only to be caught steadily by a passing ship.

From this moment on, he had an anchor in this novel’s world.

Li Xu and Ying Sui were ecstatic, while Ying Xi remained calm: "You won’t regret it?"

"I won’t regret it." This agreement was 90% in his favor. Li Yang looked at Ying Xi, enunciating each word: "I hope you won’t regret it."

Even if Ying Xi’s pheromones spiraled out of control again, they wouldn’t affect him, a Beta without scent glands.

This deal had been a win for him from the start, and with a time limit as his escape route, there was nothing for him to refuse.

"I won’t," Ying Xi replied with a smile.

Li Yang found it hard to adapt to the obvious affection and tenderness in Ying Xi’s eyes, only able to hastily avert his gaze.

The surroundings fell silent, and the frantic pounding of his heart became impossible to conceal.

"One more thing: I don’t want to see them again."

Li Yang lowered his eyes, handed the bell back to Ying Xi, and turned to pack his things.

He had few belongings to begin with, and having packed earlier, he emerged from the room in less than five minutes.

"No problem." Ying Sui scrutinized Li Yuyue and Su Shaoning with disgust, took out his phone, and sent a message to someone, his voice calm as if stating a fact: "They won’t get another chance to appear before you."

Li Yuyue exploded: "I’m your father! What are you saying? You’ve curried favor with the wealthy and now you disown me? You unfilial child!"

Su Shaoning’s face turned pale. He tried to pull Li Yang, but Li Yang deftly sidestepped.

"You never treated me as your child, and I never saw you as parents either." Li Yang turned slightly away from them, his words laced with cold indifference: "Our ties are severed."

Pulling his suitcase, he left without a moment’s hesitation.

Li Yuyue scrambled up, intending to chase after him.

Ying Xi, standing at the doorway, fixed him with an icy stare—one so murderous that Li Yuyue was forced to halt in his tracks.

He could only grit his teeth in frustration, squeezing out a sentence through clenched jaws: "How dare you!"

The only reply was the sound of the door slamming shut without mercy.

"Yangyang." Ying Xi withdrew his hand, calling out the name he’d long wanted to say. He naturally took Li Yang’s suitcase and tucked the bell into his arms. "Let me."

The gentle tone sent a shiver down Li Yang’s spine. His expression was complicated. "Just call me what you usually do. Don’t call me Yangyang."

It was strange. By all rights, he should have felt immense pressure right now, but he didn’t—not even a trace of aversion. His heart was calm yet filled with an unknown emotion.

Perhaps he liked Ying Xi more than he had realized.

"Alright." Ying Xi nodded dejectedly, his eyes dimming, and accelerated down the stairs with the suitcase. "I understand, Yangyang."

"You did it again," Li Yang said.

"Okay, Yangyang."

Li Yang: "...Whatever."

Holding the bell, he glanced back at the place he’d lived for nearly two months before getting into the car. Unexpectedly, he met the twisted expressions of Li Yuyue and Su Shaoning.

Pretending not to see them, Li Yang sat in the backseat and took a deep breath of the bell’s scent. As his consciousness drifted into relaxation, he heard Ying Xi’s voice, unable to conceal his joy.

"Let’s go. We’re going home."

Li Yang froze. Perhaps it was the excessive softness of the cat’s fur, but his eyes grew warm, and his nose tingled slightly.

What was this about? Li Yang sniffed.

This wasn’t even his real home. There was no need to feel so sentimental.

The car drove steadily forward and soon disappeared from sight.

Li Yuyue was consumed by regret, slamming his fist against the window before smashing all the furniture in the room.

"I told you then, this person was worth a try," Su Shaoning said resentfully. "But you said you’d break up any early romance. Look where that got us."

"I refuse to believe it. I’m his father, there’s no way I won’t see him again!" Li Yuyue kicked a broken chair aside, his eyes filled with greed and desire for wealth.

***

The bell was asleep, and Li Yang regained his composure. Lowering his voice, he said to Ying Xi, "Don’t tell anyone at school about our relationship."

"I know," Ying Xi said. "Until you’re comfortable, we’ll act the same as before. I won’t cross any lines."

Li Yang’s eyelashes fluttered as he voiced the question in his heart: "What exactly do you like about me? Why are you so good to me?"

Everything wasn’t just given freely—it felt like charity. He didn’t think he possessed any charm that would warrant Ying Xi doing all this.

His long lashes cast a shadow on his delicate skin as they fluttered. Ying Xi wanted to reach out and poke them, but halfway there, he changed his mind and gently massaged Li Yang’s head instead.

The overly soft black hair threaded through his fingers, and he found it hard to let go, his voice deep and firm: "Liking someone doesn’t need a reason. Being good to someone doesn’t need a reason either. Don’t burden yourself, Yangyang."

The gentle pressure made Li Yang narrow his eyes, strangely enjoying a sense of satisfied relaxation.

He felt as if he had turned into the bell, wanting to purr contentedly, but then he snapped back to awareness at the crucial moment, his previously dazed gaze sharpening as he stared unblinkingly at Ying Xi.

Warm fingers gradually moved downwards, lightly brushing his cheek before Ying Xi quickly withdrew his hand and sat upright, no longer looking at Li Yang.

He turned his head towards the window, propping his chin on his hand, appearing calm and indifferent.

Only the driver, who happened to glance at the rearview mirror, noticed the tell-tale flush on Ying Xi’s right ear and the uncontrollable smirk on his lips.

Soft, soothing music played in the car.

Li Yang raised his hand, his fingertips brushing the spot that had been touched, his eyelashes trembling slightly before he decisively opened the window for some air.

The cold rushed over him, instantly steadying his previously erratic pulse.

When no one was looking, he let out a careful sigh of relief.

Being close to Ying Xi made him feel strange; he had to stop it.

With only this thought left in his drowsy mind, Li Yang rested his cheek on his hand, drifting off to sleep as the car moved smoothly along.

The destination was farther than he’d expected. At first, he managed to stay awake, but after dozing off three times with the bell in his arms, the car finally came to a stop.

Outside was an unfamiliar residential complex entrance. Li Yang remembered Ying Xi’s home wasn’t here. Holding his head as he sat up, he mumbled, "Where is this place?"

"The house my parents got you," Ying Xi got out of the car first and personally opened the door for him.

Li Yang froze, unsure how to react, only awkwardly holding the cat as he stepped out.

"No pressure," Ying Xi said. "You’re taking risks by being with me. This is what you deserve."

"Ah..." Li Yang didn’t know what to say. "There’s no real danger. I’m a Beta."

Ying Xi’s thin lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he held back.

If he ever lost control, he might not even be able to tell whether Li Yang was a Beta or not.

The complex was close to school, about a ten-minute walk.

Ying Xi and Li Yang entered the neighborhood on foot, with Ying Xi pointing things out as they walked, eventually leading him to Building A, 6th floor, and opening the door to Unit 601.

Across was Unit 602. Li Yang glanced at the similarly styled door and was about to ask when Ying Xi spoke first. "This entire floor is ours."

The outrageousness of that stunned Li Yang. He instinctively pointed at the two units next door: "Those too?"

"Yes, but those aren’t furnished. 602 has basic furnishings," Ying Xi pushed the door open.

A sleek, luxurious interior came into view. Li Yang followed behind Ying Xi, touring the apartment.

Aside from a study and a gym, there was even a mini swimming pool.

There was only one master bedroom—spacious but furnished with just a two-meter-wide bed.

Li Yang stopped at the doorway, frowning in thought.

Ying Xi took the bell from his arms and placed her on the sofa. "Essentials will be delivered later. As for the bed, perhaps—"

"It’s fine," Li Yang cut him off. "I accept co-sleeping."

Ying Xi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed the words, "Perhaps we should sleep in separate rooms."

"You don’t mind?" he asked.

"I’m a Beta, why would I mind?" Li Yang said seriously. "Besides, the bed’s huge. We can each take half, with room for two more in the middle."

Ying Xi nodded with a faint smile and put away Li Yang’s luggage.

His phone vibrated—Li Xu and Ying Sui had added him on WeChat. The moment Li Yang accepted, each of them transferred 200,000 yuan.

The sum was so large it felt scalding. He didn’t accept it, politely sending a message of thanks instead.

"The property transfer will take a few days. Consider this some spending money for now," Li Xu said. "Yangyang, if you’re uncomfortable living with Ying Xi, just tell Mom. Mom will buy you another place."

Li Yang repeatedly thanked her, so startled by the word "Mom" that his typing was full of mistakes.

Ying Xi’s family had accepted him way too fast.

He stated that he didn’t need anything else; just a place to stay was enough.

Li Xu: "Not happening! If you’re with Ying Xi, you’re my child too. All my children get equal treatment."

"But Yangyang, don’t feel pressured. If anything upsets you, tell us anytime. You can leave whenever you want too," she added in another message.

Li Yang froze, only managing to smile and thank her after a long pause. Then he turned to Ying Xi: "Aren’t we getting a marriage certificate?"

He vaguely remembered the setting of this world—marriage certificates could only be obtained at 20. They were only 18 now, so they couldn’t register yet.

"No need," Ying Xi said. "If you still want to be with me five years from now, we’ll get one then."

Li Yang’s eyelids twitched. "How is this any different from charity?"

"What charity?" Ying Xi said. "You being with me is already you doing me a favor."

Li Yang: "It’s really not a sacrifice."

With so many benefits, calling it that would be embarrassing.

"What about a contract?" Li Yang said. "If we’re not getting a marriage certificate, let’s sign an agreement."

...

The agreement arrived that afternoon along with a pile of other items.

The person delivering it was someone he recognized but didn’t know how to address.

"My surname is Min," Assistant Min said with a smile. "I’m the Ying family’s personal assistant. You can call me Assistant Min. I didn’t expect things to progress so quickly between you two. Let’s swap WeChat info—you can contact me directly if you need anything in the future."

Assistant Min took out his phone and pulled up his QR code.

Li Yang thanked him and added him, signing the agreement without even looking.

He didn’t really care about the terms—as long as he could graduate safely, find a job, and live quietly, that was enough.

As for Ying Xi...

Li Yang had never been in a relationship before and couldn’t guess the future. If he had to define their relationship now, "friends" was the best description.

Beyond that, there was nothing.

"Alright, everything’s been arranged. We’ll take our leave now," Assistant Min said, leading the others out.

Before closing the door, he popped his head back in and grinned mischievously. "Oh, and—congrats on the marriage."

For some reason, those four short words made Li Yang’s face burn in an instant.

He awkwardly clarified, "We’re not married. It’s not like that. You’ve got the wrong idea."

Glancing back, he saw Ying Xi was also uncomfortable, even crouching down to absentmindedly pet the bell.

The hands in his line of sight had distinct knuckles and prominent veins, long fingers curling one after another with each movement.

Li Yang zoned out briefly until the bell let out a "Mrrow!" darting around Ying Xi to rub against his feet.

Picking her up, Li Yang suddenly remembered something. "Can she really do backflips?"

Luckily, among the delivered items was a feather wand. Ying Xi took it and showed off what he'd taught her.

The bell let out an "aowu!" and performed a perfect backflip on the spot, then jumped into Li Yang’s arms like she wanted applause, purring contentedly.

Ying Xi stared straight at her, trying to wordlessly tell her that she should get down and not hog Li Yang for too long.

The bell pretended not to see, blissfully rubbing her head into Li Yang’s touch.

The biggest romantic rival had appeared and was even living with him.

Ying Xi's gaze darkened as he quickly scooped up the bell and placed her in the cat bed, his expression cold. "It's time for you to sleep. Go to bed now."

The bell tilted her head, looking at the bright daylight outside. "Meow?"

She stretched out her soft pink paw and lightly patted Ying Xi, but the moment she tried to jump away, a large hand caught her mid-air and placed her back in position.

The bell shot him a grumpy look until a small fish toy appeared before her, immediately distracting her. She instantly bit onto it and began playing on her own.

"Let's go out for dinner," Ying Xi said, standing up with a soft laugh.

"I can cook," Li Yang replied, opening the fridge. The once-spotless fridge had been deep-cleaned and was now packed with all kinds of food.

He took out a few ingredients. "Just wait a bit. I’ll take care of it."

The next second, Ying Xi took the items from him and ushered him to the dining table. "I’ll cook. You wait here."

"Can you really?" Li Yang blinked, not entirely convinced.

Ying Xi held up the ingredients without hesitation. "I can."

Half an hour later, the pot caught fire, filling the kitchen with so much smoke that Li Yang turned around in horror, nearly giving him a heart attack. He rushed in, turning off the stove and grabbing the pot, all while pushing Ying Xi aside to ask if he was okay.

But before he could finish speaking, Ying Xi easily lifted him and carried him to the living room.

"It's too messy and dangerous in there. Don't go in," Ying Xi said in a low voice, setting him down on the sofa. "Wait here for me."

He hurried back into the kitchen and quickly dealt with the situation. The smoke finally cleared, but the freshly cleaned kitchen now looked a decade older, covered in signs of use.

Li Yang: "...Don't cook next time."

Ying Xi picked up his phone, his expression calm. "I really can. This was just a mistake. Give me five minutes."

In the end, Li Yang ended his cooking attempt and simply boiled two bowls of egg noodles.

At first, he didn’t notice, but while eating, Li Yang finally saw the streaks of soot all over Ying Xi’s face.

On instinct, he reached out to wipe them away, then immediately felt the gesture was too intimate. He awkwardly averted his gaze and explained, "Your face is dirty."

Steam rose continuously from the noodles in the bowl, blurring the young man’s face. Ying Xi’s gaze lingered on Li Yang’s earlobe slowly turning red, fighting the urge to touch it.

He lowered his head, his voice slightly hoarse. "I didn’t notice. Thanks."

They hadn’t expected to be very familiar with each other, and living together might have been awkward.

But after dinner and washing up, the two lay on opposite sides of the bed, silent and without any interaction.

Li Yang fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow. He’d been too wound up, and the soft bed relaxed him instantly, pulling him into deep slumber.

The wind rustled the curtains, and the dim light from downstairs cast faint outlines on Ying Xi’s tense expression.

He lay stiffly until he realized there was too little movement behind him. Turning slightly, he saw Li Yang had already fallen asleep, facing away so only his exposed ear was visible.

Ying Xi reached out to pull the blanket up a little higher, then lay awake until dawn.

The next morning, the first thing Li Yang saw upon opening his eyes was Ying Xi, fully dressed and sitting by the bed with heavy bags under his eyes.

He thought he was still dreaming and rubbed his eyes in confusion. "What happened to your eyes?"

The shadows were so deep it looked like he’d been punched twice in the middle of the night.

"It’s nothing," Ying Xi muttered vaguely. "I had breakfast delivered. Let’s go eat."

He quickly walked to the living room, unpacked the food, and set out the bowls and chopsticks.

Throughout the meal, Li Yang couldn’t help but glance at Ying Xi’s dark circles.

"Did you not sleep well last night?"

"I slept fine," Ying Xi answered hastily. "Very well."

Li Yang paused mid-bite but said nothing.

After breakfast, he reacted faster than Ying Xi, quickly clearing the table before heading into the bedroom to grab his pillow and blanket.

"What’s wrong?" Ying Xi, who had been about to say he’d handle the chores, immediately stood up when he saw the items in Li Yang’s arms.

"I might disturb your sleep at night. I’ll take the sofa, and you can have the bed."

"You didn’t disturb me," Ying Xi said after a short pause. "I was just too excited to sleep."

Every time he felt drowsy, the thought of Li Yang sleeping right beside him got him too worked up.

Li Yang was puzzled. "What were you excited about?"

Ying Xi answered honestly. "Excited to be living with you."

Now it was Li Yang’s turn to feel awkward.

So the dark circles were because of him? That made it even more necessary to sleep separately.

"We don’t have to sleep apart," Ying Xi said, taking the items from him and returning them to the bedroom. "If you’re uncomfortable sharing the bed, I can move to the opposite room. There’s a small bed there."

Li Yang latched onto the wrong thing. "...The way you phrase things is too misleading."

"Where?" Ying Xi pondered, genuinely unaware.

Li Yang quickly changed the subject. Pushing further would only reveal how easily his mind went there.

"No need to move," he said. "I sleep deeply and won’t be affected. If you’re fine with it, we can keep things as they are."

He turned and took a blanket from the closet, folding it in half and placing it in the middle of the bed. "This’ll do. We’ll each have our own side."

***

Just as Ying Xi had said, their relationship in class stayed the same.

No one knew about their arrangement—or that they were already living together.

After class, Wen Yun came over worried. "Were you really just unwell those two days you took off, or did something happen?"

"It’s nothing," Li Yang replied, his thoughts momentarily distracted by the events of the past two days, his emotions complicated.

"That’s good," Wen Yun let out a relieved sigh, mumbling under his breath. "You weren’t here yesterday, and Ying Xi was terrifying. He looked so pissed he could blow up at someone at any moment."

Li Yang couldn’t quite picture that scene.

"But did something happen between you and Ying Xi?" Wen Yun asked again.

Li Yang picked up his pen, twirling it idly. "Why do you ask?"

Wen Yun gave him a strange look, subtly gesturing with his chin toward the side and lowering his voice. "He's acting really strange."

Li Yang turned his head and finally understood what Wen Yun meant by "weird."

Ying Xi, whose face was usually expressionless, was now lit up with a smile, the corners of his lips perpetually curved upward. Even his gaze had softened, none of his usual cold, distant demeanor.

He might as well be shouting out loud that something good was going on with him recently.