Chapter 49: Dressing Room (Part 1 + Part 2)

Chapter 49: The Changing Room (Part 1 & 2)

The phone screen was still lit up!

Bao Jin's pupils suddenly contracted. Seeing Yuan Shiyuan about to touch the phone, he instinctively flipped over, pinning Yuan Shiyuan to the bed.

But Yuan Shiyuan, with a nimble twist of his waist, slipped out from under Bao Jin's arm. His pink hair brushed lightly against Bao Jin's hairline. In that moment of distraction, Yuan Shiyuan jabbed his elbow into Bao Jin's abdomen.

Bao Jin grunted. By the time he recovered, Yuan Shiyuan had turned the tables, straddling his waist.

Their positions were completely reversed.

Yuan Shiyuan panted, bracing his hands on the Alpha's chest. His loose collar slipped with the movement, revealing a large expanse of pale skin.

The loose collar naturally slid downward with gravity. With just a slight lift of his head, Bao Jin could see everything clearly, from top to bottom, through the open neckline.

Bao Jin's breath hitched.

The scene overlapped with his memory, yet the feeling was entirely different now. Hearing Yuan Shiyuan's breaths by his ear and smelling his scent, even the sight before him became increasingly suggestive.

However, there was something noticeably unusual on the left side—an area that had been flat in his memory now had a slight curve.

"You..." Bao Jin lifted Yuan Shiyuan's shirt hem, his gaze fixed intently on the left side. "Why is it swollen?"

Yuan Shiyuan's skin was very fair, and the red, swollen area now stood in stark contrast to his unblemished skin.

How could an ordinary Alpha's skin show marks so easily? At that moment, his skin looked unusually red and swollen. If his clothes had been any more sheer, the marks would have been clearly visible.

How could Yuan Shiyuan tell the truth? He couldn't possibly say it was because of his younger brother, could he?

He brushed it off casually: "Oh, it's just a mosquito bite."

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Alright, so Bao Jin wasn't that easy to fool. Sometimes, this Alpha was surprisingly sharp.

Yuan Shiyuan offered another excuse: "Maybe it's from my clothes rubbing against it?"

"Only on one side?" Bao Jin still didn't believe him.

"My skin’s pretty sensitive, it's hard to explain. You know, last time I was even irritated by the care label." Yuan Shiyuan bit the hem of his shirt himself, openly letting Bao Jin inspect it. "If you don't believe me, check it yourself."

Yuan Shiyuan had only said it offhandedly, hoping to quickly brush it off. To his surprise, Bao Jin actually reached out to examine it.

His thumb and index finger pinched lightly, applying a gentle but firm pressure. Yuan Shiyuan's fair skin showed even slight changes vividly. The pale pink flesh instantly turned red, though it didn't swell up as much as the left side.

Yuan Shiyuan's calm and casual expression shifted abruptly. Startled and somewhat dazed, he immediately released the shirt from his mouth.

The garment, now creased deeply, fell back down, covering Bao Jin's hand. Seizing the moment when Bao Jin was captivated and off guard, Yuan Shiyuan quickly turned to snatch the phone nearby.

Bao Jin suddenly clenched his hand, nearly crushing the fabric between his fingers.

Yuan Shiyuan had always been ticklish. Unable to control himself, he let out a gasp, his shoulders even lifting slightly. Triumphantly, he held the phone up high: "Let me see what you've been looking at..."

His voice cut off abruptly.

Yuan Shiyuan's pupils dilated.

A shock right on the screen!

It was actually a fanfiction about him and Bao Jin!

Bao Jin froze completely, not daring to move a muscle.

He waited silently for judgment.

Yuan Shiyuan quickly scanned the page, growing more and more astonished. Before he could even finish reading one section, he looked up and took a deep breath.

He needed a moment to process it.

"You're reading fanfiction about us?"

After a moment of silence, Yuan Shiyuan couldn't help but ask. Feeling intrigued, he lowered his head to continue reading. "This is even more intense than the last one."

"Are we role-playing or something?"

"Am I the teacher, and you're the bad student?"

"I never would've guessed you're into this sort of thing." Yuan Shiyuan's tone was teasing, with a hint of smug satisfaction. He still remembered the time Bao Jin had caught him red-handed reading fanfiction.

Bao Jin's ears were burning, but he stubbornly insisted: "I'm just studying."

"Studying?"

"Didn't we need to train before the audition? I'm just reading some fanfiction about us to get into the mood."

Yuan Shiyuan raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Did it have to be this explicit?"

Perhaps Yuan Shiyuan's expression was too straightforward, mixed with a bit of amused mockery and slight disdain. Bao Jin tried to justify himself: "Aim high and you'll hit the middle; aim for the middle and you'll hit low. If you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. If I can get used to the intensity of bed scenes, other intimate scenes will be nothing in comparison."

Bao Jin's reasoning actually made some sense. Mastering bed scenes would make other intimate scenes feel effortless for a pro.

"Alright then." Yuan Shiyuan was half-convinced but didn't press further. "You're really going all out. Brother Mingxi said we'd start getting into character tonight, and you're already sneaking in practice during the day."

"Well, since we're here, why not? Let's practice together."

The unexpected turn of events left Bao Jin stunned: "Starting now?"

"Otherwise?" Yuan Shiyuan said matter-of-factly. "We have the script, lines, and actions right here. It'd be a waste not to give it a try."

"Since we're already here."

Bao Jin's pupils widened slightly, unable to believe his luck.

And at that moment, luck was perched on his hips. As Yuan Shiyuan lowered his head to read the text on the phone screen, his pink hair brushed faintly against Bao Jin's Adam's apple.

Yuan Shiyuan rarely read such material. As he delved deeper into the story, his ears turned slightly red, but he continued reading attentively.

Although he found some parts overly explicit and exaggerated, he had to admit that exaggerated descriptions had a stronger visual impact.

"Shall we start now?" Yuan Shiyuan had a rough idea of the plot. Feeling a bit nervous, his fingers unconsciously clutched Bao Jin's clothes. "Should we start with the lines?"

"We can leave the actions for later."

"And let's skip the classroom desk part—I don't want to lie on a table. We can just use your bed as the gym mat in the equipment room."

"..."

Yuan Shiyuan had actually read it so carefully that he remembered every detail of the different scenes.

For some reason, Bao Jin suddenly felt intensely hot. He said in a hoarse voice, "I have no objections."

Even the most mentally resilient straight guy couldn't withstand the impact brought by an Alpha. Yuan Shiyuan had to make enough mental preparation before saying, "Let's do it!"

"Ah, no way."

"I'm gonna come~!"

"..."

Bao Jin looked unusually nervous, but when he heard Yuan Shiyuan's completely flat delivery of the lines, he couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Why aren't you saying anything? It's your turn," Yuan Shiyuan complained.

Bao Jin wore a complicated expression.

Yuan Shiyuan probably didn’t realize that just now, he looked exactly like an honest person forced by circumstances to go all out and dance on the edge of propriety.

"You're like this..." Bao Jin didn’t want to discourage Yuan Shiyuan’s enthusiasm. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Too emotionless."

"Really?" Yuan Shiyuan didn’t deny it. Instead, he asked humbly, "Then teach me? You’ve read more chapters, so you should have a deeper understanding of the details."

"And insights too."

"..."

What insights could he possibly have?

At the time, Bao Jin’s mind was torn between shock and excitement, recreating the scenes in his head and putting himself in them.

If he had to say what he’d learned, it was that he regretted not reading it sooner.

Seeing Yuan Shiyuan’s humble attitude of seeking guidance, Bao Jin thought for a moment and said, "Come closer first."

"Huh?"

"The original text describes us as being pressed close together, not like this."

Yuan Shiyuan glanced at the distance between them and nodded obediently. Seeing Bao Jin lean back against the headboard, he snuggled into Bao Jin’s arms.

Because of their difference in build and height, he was almost completely enveloped in Bao Jin’s embrace. Their breaths intertwined, carrying a faint fragrance.

Although they were roommates and occasionally held arms or put arms around shoulders, this kind of fully snuggling position... was a bit too much for Yuan Shiyuan.

The S-class Alpha’s pheromones completely enveloped him, carrying an undeniable aggressiveness. He tried to pull back, but a large hand firmly held his lower back, pressing him back in place.

Yuan Shiyuan tried to relax: "What should I do next?"

"Hold my waist." Bao Jin wrapped one arm around him while using the other to scroll through the phone screen. "It’s written very clearly here—later, you couldn’t sit still at all, pinned against me."

"...Wait."

That eerie, scalp-tingling sensation returned. Yuan Shiyuan took a deep breath, mentally prepared himself, then wrapped his arms around Bao Jin. "Alright, let’s continue."

This was harder than he’d imagined.

Bao Jin noticed his nervousness and reassured him, "The plot doesn’t matter as much as the atmosphere. The most important thing is that we capture the atmosphere of ambiguous tension."

Yuan Shiyuan nodded in agreement, then asked with a puzzled expression, "Then how do we find that feeling?"

"Just get more familiar with it."

"Since we’re roommates, practicing intimate scenes is convenient. We can practice a bit every night before bed. Over time, we’ll definitely get the feel for it."

Yuan Shiyuan curled up in Bao Jin’s arms, trying to find the right feeling.

Just as he was feeling awkward, Bao Jin could clearly smell the scent on him and couldn’t help tightening his arms around him. Then, with restraint and greed, he inhaled the fragrance from Yuan Shiyuan’s hair.

"Why do you smell so much like my pheromones?"

Yuan Shiyuan answered honestly, "I just used pheromone extract—it was extracted from you."

Bao Jin’s breathing faltered. His eyes darkened: "Now you’re completely covered in my scent."

Yuan Shiyuan thought Bao Jin didn’t like it and said casually, "It’ll fade soon."

Bao Jin fell silent.

"I can’t get into the feeling with this position." Yuan Shiyuan lay still for a while but still felt it wasn’t right.

"Then let’s switch."

Yuan Shiyuan remained nestled in Bao Jin’s arms while scrolling through the screen.

"This one—it feels more intimate." His finger paused on a certain scene, and he reminded, "Stay still, don’t move."

Bao Jin remained leaning against the headboard, while Yuan Shiyuan knelt over him, knees apart.

The meaning of this position was obvious—no one would misunderstand.

The top position, also known as the cowgirl position.

Yuan Shiyuan finally felt a bit more at ease. Having control relaxed him somewhat. But with summer clothing being thin, their body heat transferred through the fabric, unable to block the warmth.

The sense of danger around his butt was especially strong.

It felt like if he let his guard down for even a moment, Bao Jin could freely enter.

Yuan Shiyuan tried to distract himself and urged Bao Jin, "I’ve been doing all the talking—hurry up and say your lines."

His face, beneath pink hair, flushed with embarrassment, and his eyes glistened at the corners.

Unlike Yuan Shiyuan’s awkwardness, Bao Jin seemed to have found his groove.

Warm breath accompanied his words, landing by Yuan Shiyuan’s ear. He whispered to Yuan Shiyuan, "Do you know why I always acted up in class?"

"Because only then... would you look at me more."

"..."

Yuan Shiyuan hadn’t expected Bao Jin to get into character so quickly. He struggled to recall the original text and enunciated clearly: "Someone could come into the equipment room at any time."

"Don't come in..."

"Then you should keep your voice down, teacher."

Bao Jin gripped the sides of Yuan Shiyuan’s waist, looked at his slightly dazed face, and suddenly chuckled.

That light laugh made Yuan Shiyuan even more embarrassed: "I’ve never acted before."

"I know."

Bao Jin simply felt that Yuan Shiyuan, despite clearly feeling deeply embarrassed, still earnestly reciting his lines was really cute.

He suddenly understood the "bad student" character in the story who kept losing control.

"You'll get better with practice." Bao Jin ran a hand through Yuan Shiyuan's hair, cupping the back of his head, while the other held his waist. Occasionally, he would pinch the nape of his neck—every movement was like that of a lover deeply in love.

"Imagine yourself as the character in the story."

"Alright, let me get into the mood."

Yuan Shiyuan recalled the scenes from his phone, imagining himself as the character who was going to be developed. Fortunately, the author had described his expressions in great detail, allowing him to mimic as closely as possible.

He hooked his arms around Bao Jin's neck, tilting his head to nuzzle against Bao Jin's jaw. In a watery voice, he spoke pleadingly: "Brother..."

"Please go directly into the nest's reproductive cavity."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yuan Shiyuan curled his fingers in embarrassment. But Bao Jin abruptly tightened his arms, pressing him firmly against his chest.

The Alpha's scorching, ragged breaths fell entirely on that snow-white nape.

"Mmm...?"

Yuan Shiyuan couldn't help but let out a muffled sound, red alarm signals blaring in his mind. Pressed so tightly against him, his gland was flush against Bao Jin's abdomen.

He could clearly feel the contours of the Alpha's muscles through the thin layer of fabric, grinding against his gland.

Fortunately, Bao Jin soon released him, his movements somewhat hurried though his expression remained normal.

Yuan Shiyuan coughed awkwardly: "Was it still a bit weird?"

"Mm." Bao Jin's voice was slightly hoarse. "Didn't you feel anything?"

"Feel what?" Yuan Shiyuan was stunned. "You mean feeling awkward?"

Bao Jin didn't answer directly, instead asking: "You have that endorsement shoot later, right?"

Yuan Shiyuan nodded: "Brother Zhuang hasn't rushed us yet, we should still have some time to practice."

"Let's stop for now." Bao Jin's Adam's apple bobbed again. He lifted Yuan Shiyuan up and set him down on his own bed, then quickly got up and headed towards the bathroom.

He didn't let Yuan Shiyuan see his movements clearly. "I'll take a shower first, then go with you."

"Okay." Yuan Shiyuan didn't stop him.

Yuan Shiyuan finally relaxed completely only after the bathroom door closed, lying back on Bao Jin's bed. He stared at the ceiling, recalling the details of the earlier role-play and Bao Jin's restrained expression when he left...

So he wasn't the only one feeling awkward after all.

-

The set for the endorsement shoot was bustling with people.

Under the magnesium lights, Yuan Shiyuan wore a white, heavily embroidered haute couture piece adorned with gold; the hand-stitched gold thread shimmered under the lights. With every movement he made, it was as if starlight fell from him.

"Oh my God, it's so beautiful." The surrounding crew kept gasping in awe, and the styling team were especially enthusiastic. They whispered among themselves, but their eyes never left that stunning face.

"I was wondering before why Pierre was in such a hurry," someone murmured in admiration. "Now I finally understand."

It wasn't that Silence didn't want to collaborate with Chinese artists—they just hadn't found one who fit the brand's vibe until Yuan Shiyuan came along.

No wonder the higher-ups had ordered Pierre to do whatever it took to sign Yuan Shiyuan. "Signing Yuan Shiyuan is such a huge win for Silence!" they exclaimed.

The entire Scepter group stood behind the monitor, watching intently. They had always known Yuan Shiyuan was dazzling, but seeing it firsthand still made their eyes widen in awe.

Hearing everyone praise Yuan Shiyuan filled them with an inexplicable sense of pride and a subtle, secret delight.

"Shi Yuan, please lean down a bit... yes!"

"Hold this pose, look at the camera..."

The photographer's voice trembled with excitement, the shutter clicking incessantly.

By now, Yuan Shiyuan had changed into a backless haute couture set, with skin exposed from his neck down to his lower back. Paired with a haute couture body chain, it accentuated his beautiful shoulder blades and spine, the end of the chain swaying gently at the small of his back.

He lay prone on an artificially crafted reef, his long legs extending from uneven layers of fabric, crossed elegantly.

The body chain slid downward naturally with gravity, his amber eyes gazing directly into the camera like a mermaid from the depths of the ocean, exuding breathtaking beauty.

At this moment, no one could look away from him.

Pierre was at a loss for words to describe his feelings. The Silence designer's gaze towards Yuan Shiyuan was practically glowing, as he frantically jotted down his inspiration into his notebook.

After this haute couture shoot wrapped up, Yuan Shiyuan thanked each crew member: "Thank you for your hard work."

He was very polite and careful not to dirty the haute couture outfit, moving cautiously.

After discussing the remaining shooting details with the crew, Yuan Shiyuan nodded and said: "Alright, I'll go change now."

"Your body chain might be tricky to handle, let me help you!" An assistant rushed over, eager not to miss this chance.

"No need, I can manage myself." Yuan Shiyuan declined politely. Changing was a small matter; most importantly, he needed to reapply the pheromone extract.

As soon as he finished speaking, a force yanked him into an embrace. A large hand clamped on his shoulder—Ying Mingche had pressed up behind him, offering the crew ahead a highly possessive smile.

"Our Princess Yuanyuan, we'll take care of him ourselves, no need to trouble you."

Ying Mingche half-lifted, half-carried Yuan Shiyuan to the side, his gaze sliding from Yuan Shiyuan's face down to his bare back.

"I never thought Silence's haute couture line was that good-looking before," he said, utterly puzzled. "How do you make it look so amazing?"

Yuan Shiyuan immediately checked their surroundings and gestured for him to be quiet. Bao Jin warned in a low voice: "If the Silence brand people hear that, it'll leave a bad impression."

Ying Mingche shut up at once, afraid his casual words might affect Silence's perception of Yuan Shiyuan.

"Weren't you going to change?" Jiang Hang's eyes fell on the body chain Yuan Shiyuan wore. "Let's go."

The metal clasps of the body chain were interlocked; undoing it would likely be troublesome. He probably couldn't handle it alone—better if all five of them were there.

"Wait—" Yuan Shiyuan hurriedly broke free from the Alpha's embrace. "I can change by myself, no need to trouble you all."

Fortunately, Zhuang He appeared just in time, dispersing the group: "Everyone, step back. I need to talk to Shi Yuan about something important, don't delay the important matter."

Zhuang He put on a serious expression, leading Yuan Shiyuan to an open area before, unable to wait any longer, lowering his voice: "Let me give you some good news first—your signing fee is going up!"

Yuan Shiyuan asked casually: "How much?"

Zhuang He smiled mysteriously, first holding up one finger, then two, then three... the number kept changing in his hand, finally settling on "8."

After revealing the astonishing figure, Yuan Shiyuan's pupils dilated: "Eight digits?!"

"That much?!"

"You think that's a lot?"

Zhuang He laughed heartily, his eyes scanning the adoring fans nearby. "This is just the beginning for you. Your stock is only going up from here on out. Better get used to it early."

As Yuan Shiyuan walked toward the dressing room, he was walking on air.

He hadn't been signed for long, and already his signing fee had increased!

And by so much.

Distracted by his thoughts, Yuan Shiyuan completely failed to notice the figure emerging from around the corner.

Just as he placed his hand on the dressing room doorknob, someone grabbed him from behind.

"Got you."

Ying Mingche effortlessly scooped Yuan Shiyuan up in a classic princess carry, and after entering the dressing room, he clicked the lock shut.

"Our little princess Yuanyuan is so beautiful," he said playfully, spinning Yuan Shiyuan halfway around in his arms.

The tailored haute couture pants, uneven in length, swayed softly in the air like fluttering skirts.

"Alright, I'm all sweaty. Doesn't it bother you?" Yuan Shiyuan leaned lazily against the Alpha's chest, not struggling in the slightest.

"Sweaty?"

Ying Mingche leaned in closer, his nose almost touching Yuan Shiyuan's neck. Whether Yuan Shiyuan was actually sweaty or not, he couldn't tell—all he saw were the fine glitters dusted on Yuan Shiyuan's skin, shimmering softly under the light.

"You smell so good. Who would be disgusted?"

Suddenly remembering something, Yuan Shiyuan looked around behind him. "Where’s Brother Mingxi? I haven’t seen him since earlier."

"Did he come with you?"

"Who knows? Maybe he’s off rescuing small animals again." Not picking up any strange vibes, Ying Mingche replied indifferently.

He gazed down at Yuan Shiyuan. "Why aren’t you changing?"

"How can I change with you here?"

"We’re both Alphas. Are you afraid I’ll peek?" Ying Mingche leaned in expectantly. "If it makes you feel better, I’ll take my clothes off too."

"No one wants to see that." Yuan Shiyuan pushed Ying Mingche’s face away. "I’m not used to someone watching me change. Get out."

"I’ll leave, sure."

Ying Mingche gently set Yuan Shiyuan down but took a step forward instead.

Yuan Shiyuan’s hips pressed against the edge of the vanity table, his hands instinctively bracing on the surface. He looked up at Ying Mingche, who was closing in with an innocent smile.

"Kiss me," Ying Mingche said. "Give me a kiss, and I’ll go."

Yuan Shiyuan froze, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you crazy?"

Ying Mingche pouted. "Didn’t we agree to get a head start on getting into character? Well, I’m in the mood now."

Whether it was Yuan Shiyuan’s surprised, slightly startled expression, his faint, enticing scent, or the clandestine atmosphere of the two of them alone in the dressing room—as if they were sneaking around—it all stirred something in Ying Mingche.

Hadn’t they agreed to be normal teammates during the day and only practice at night?

Were these Alphas all trying to jump the gun? Making plans to start at night but secretly competing to outdo each other?

Bao Jin was sneakily reading fanfiction in the dorm, while Ying Mingche seized the chance to sneak in for a kiss when no one was looking.

They’d have to practice sooner or later anyway. A kiss wouldn’t hurt.

After a moment’s thought, Yuan Shiyuan hesitated and asked, "Where should I kiss?"