Chapter 59
“Could it be that Lin Lan noticed something?”
Lin Xiaoran instinctively pressed his lips together. He rarely felt this guilty, like a child caught doing something wrong. His hands clenched slightly. “Mom, what do you mean?”
It was rare to see her son so nervous, and Lin Lan couldn’t help but laugh softly. She patted his hand reassuringly. “Did I scare you, Ranran? I was just joking. Besides, Yangyang is a really good kid. Have you ever considered it?”
Joking?
Lin Xiaoran breathed a quiet sigh of relief and muttered, “We’re just friends.”
“Really?” Lin Lan’s face showed a hint of disappointment. “That’s a shame. I think Yangyang might really like you. When he looks at you, his eyes…”
“Mom!” Lin Xiaoran’s guilt spiked, and he didn’t want to continue this topic any longer. He called out helplessly.
Lin Lan caught on immediately and chuckled. “Alright, alright. I won’t tease you two about your pure friendship anymore, okay? What did you have for dinner? Are you hungry? Should I make you something?”
“No, I’m going to take a shower and sleep.” Lin Xiaoran felt somewhat relieved but was also guilty about deceiving his mom. He quickly escaped to his room.
Meanwhile, on the way back home, Gu Yang and his father, Gu Xiuyuan, remained as silent as ever. Gu Yang stared out the window, unmoving. Gu Xiuyuan glanced at him several times but eventually swallowed the questions he wanted to ask.
He figured he might be overthinking things. Gu Yang was an alpha going through adolescence, a time when pheromones could easily become unstable. Maybe the scent he had caught earlier at Lin Lan’s house was just from Gu Yang singing or being moved by music, and not necessarily because of anything involving Lin Xiaoran.
He should trust Gu Yang.
The New Year’s performance at No. 7 High School was scheduled for the afternoon of December 30th.
The organizers knew exactly what they were doing. Ever since Class 1 of the senior year had submitted the program featuring both Gu Yang and Lin Xiaoran, the entire school had been buzzing, eagerly anticipating the appearance of the two most popular students performing together. Naturally, they scheduled their act for the grand finale.
Discussions about their performance had already been flooding the forums for days.
As soon as the program list came out, curiosity spiked—Gu Yang was going to sing? The academic genius was going to play the piano?
Soon, a student from Class 1 anonymously posted on the forum, claiming that Gu Yang had a great singing voice. Apparently, during a celebration after the basketball team won the championship, Gu Yang had sung for everyone. So, the audience should look forward to it!
But no one knew that Lin Xiaoran could play the piano.
After all, the genius student had never even watched a New Year’s performance, let alone performed in one.
Aside from his academic achievements, everything about Lin Xiaoran was a mystery to the students at No. 7 High School.
Yet, after the last basketball game, where Lin Xiaoran—who everyone thought couldn’t play—ended up being named MVP, the idea that he could play the piano wasn’t all that shocking. Like with basketball, perhaps his piano playing would stun them all.
Still, despite preparing themselves mentally, when the lights dimmed and a single spotlight illuminated the white-clad youth on stage, his slender, graceful fingers dancing across the black-and-white keys, the audience was enchanted by the fresh, melodious notes flowing into their ears.
The fans who had been waiting all afternoon for Lin Xiaoran to appear, ready to scream, fell silent. The music captivated everyone, pulling them into its atmosphere.
Quiet, yet deeply immersive.
As the gentle prelude ended, another beam of light came down, revealing the tall, poised figure of Gu Yang leaning casually against the piano, head slightly bowed, microphone in hand. His lazy yet warm voice blended seamlessly with the music, creating a perfect harmony.
It was a simple performance, especially compared to the meticulously rehearsed skits and magic acts that came before it, but it effortlessly captivated everyone’s attention.
Without a doubt, it became the most talked-about performance of the event. As soon as they left the stage, the crowd exploded, with everyone shouting, “The genius and Yang-ge are so handsome!” Clips of their performance flooded the forums, and the discussion only grew.
“Oh my God! What kind of treasure is our academic genius? He’s unstoppable! Did you see him playing the piano? He looks just like a prince on a white horse!”
“Seriously! I’m officially joining his fan club from today. He was beyond handsome! When he appeared, I was speechless!”
“Why is no one talking about my Yang-ge? Doesn’t he deserve some love?”
“Yang-ge was amazing too! He looked incredible, and his singing was so soothing! Did anyone else feel like he was whispering sweet nothings in their ear?”
“Yeah, but he wasn’t whispering to you. He was singing to the academic genius.”
“Totally! Did you see that moment when they looked at each other? My heart melted! That smile between them—so sweet!”
“The air was thick with love vibes!”
“Has anyone ever seen the genius smile like that before? He looked stunning!”
“If he smiled at me like that, I’d be dreaming about it for days.”
While everyone was still buzzing about the performance, the two stars of the show had already snuck out the back door.
It got dark early in the winter, and by the time they left through the school’s back gate, it was already night.
Most of the students were still at school, and since it was New Year’s Eve and there was a holiday the next day, many of them had plans for the evening. The nearby snack street was unusually quiet.
With so few people around, they managed to grab a hot meal at their favorite, usually crowded, hotpot restaurant.
By the time they left, it was almost 8 p.m.
The streets, usually bustling, were much quieter than usual, with many businesses already closing up for the holiday.
“Good thing the milk tea shop is still open.”
And there was no line today.
Gu Yang dashed over and ordered two plain milk teas, one without sugar, while Lin Xiaoran waited beside him.
Just then, the sky began to release delicate snowflakes, drifting down like soft feathers.
Lin Xiaoran reached out his hand to catch them.
In the southern coastal city, it rarely snowed during winter, so when a few flakes did fall, it inevitably brought joy to people’s hearts, and Lin Xiaoran was no exception.
Gu Yang took the milk tea from the shop owner and, when he turned around, he saw the boy bundled up tightly under the streetlamp. The boy extended a fair hand to catch the snowflakes, his bright eyes fixated on the tiny snowflakes as they gradually melted into water droplets in his palm, his thick eyelashes fluttering as he blinked.
Gu Yang chuckled softly and walked over, placing the warm milk tea in his hand, laughing, “Even our top student can be this childish?”
Lin Xiaoran ignored him.
He was a bit afraid of the cold. Ever since winter started, he had stopped riding his bike to school in the mornings, opting instead to take the bus, a taxi, or simply walk. Riding in the cold was too much for his hands.
Unless he absolutely had to write something, his hands stayed tucked inside his pockets, never to be exposed.
But now, seeing the snowflakes brought him a little joy, and he was willing to take his hand out for just a moment.
Even in that brief time, his hand had already turned ice cold.
The warm milk tea in his hand felt incredibly comfortable, and he quickly used both hands to hold it, enjoying the warmth.
Gu Yang helped him insert the straw, then grabbed one of his hands, squeezing it a little. “So afraid of the cold, yet you’re still playing in the snow?” he said, his voice carrying a hint of concern as he tucked Lin Xiaoran’s hand into his own pocket to warm it.
Lin Xiaoran silently drank the warm milk tea but couldn’t help feeling a bit puzzled. Why were Gu Yang’s hands always so warm, even though he was dressed lighter than Lin?
“Still cold?” Gu Yang asked as they walked out of the food street. After finishing his milk tea, he touched Lin Xiaoran’s other hand and found that it was no longer as cold, but he still seemed worried.
Lin Xiaoran casually tossed the empty cup into a trash can, tucked his hands into his pockets, and shook his head.
It was really only his hands that had felt cold. Now, after drinking the warm milk tea, he felt his whole body had warmed up.
“Shall we walk back?” Gu Yang asked.
It was New Year’s Eve, and Lin Lan was hosting a live television show that would last until midnight. Because of that, Lin Xiaoran was going to spend the night at Gu Yang’s house.
It wasn’t far from Seventh High School to Gu Yang’s house, and Gu Yang usually walked to and from school.
When the winter chill set in, he’d occasionally take a taxi.
But now, with the light snow falling, Lin Xiaoran seemed to enjoy it, so a walk didn’t seem like a bad idea.
Lin Xiaoran nodded, raising his head to watch the snowflakes drifting down from the sky. Every now and then, a flake or two would land on his hair, and Gu Yang couldn’t resist reaching out to brush them away.
“What did you usually do on New Year’s Eve? Your mom had to host shows too, right?” Gu Yang asked as they walked, chatting idly.
“Yeah, I just stayed home,” Lin Xiaoran replied softly.
“All by yourself on New Year’s Eve?” Gu Yang squeezed his hand, imagining Lin Xiaoran spending the night at home, doing homework or playing video games, while the streets outside were filled with the festive noise. The thought made him feel a little sad.
Lin Xiaoran picked up on his tone, turned his head to look at him with his clear eyes, and blinked, “What about you?”
“Me?” Gu Yang thought for a moment, then laughed, “I guess I was home by myself too.”
Lin Xiaoran stared at him in silence, and Gu Yang understood the look in his eyes: See? We’re just the same, so why feel sorry for me?
Gu Yang couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This was Lin Xiaoran—always finding his own way to comfort him.
Half an hour later, the two of them turned onto the tree-lined path by East Lake, only to find it completely dark. The streetlights on both sides were out, and even the Gu family villa in the distance had no lights.
“Huh?” Lin Xiaoran was a little surprised and instinctively glanced at Gu Yang.
In an instant, there was a loud bang, drawing Lin Xiaoran’s attention. He looked over and saw a firework rising from the shore of East Lake, bursting into the night sky. Right after, two, three, and then hundreds, thousands of fireworks followed, stretching along the entire shoreline. Countless fireworks soared into the sky, dazzling and lighting up the entire lake.
The fireworks in the night sky reflected in the lake’s surface, creating the illusion of two worlds—both equally beautiful and magnificent.
For a moment, Lin Xiaoran was stunned. Suddenly, he recalled the time he and Gu Yang had set off fireworks together at Xingluo Lake. Gu Yang had told him then that the fireworks by East Lake were even more beautiful.
He also remembered that, after their last offline competition, Gu Yang had whispered in his ear that next time they would set off fireworks by East Lake.
But…
He couldn’t help but turn to look at Gu Yang. Gu Yang was also looking at him, his peach-blossom eyes curved in a smile, though his expression was completely innocent. “There’s a fireworks festival here by East Lake tonight. Didn’t you know? It’s been all over the internet.”
Afraid that Lin Xiaoran wouldn’t believe him, Gu Yang even pulled out his phone and showed him the information.
But Lin Xiaoran didn’t look. He just stared at Gu Yang with his clear eyes, as if saying, Let’s see what else you can come up with.
Gu Yang laughed, walked over, and pinched his cheek. “Alright, I admit it. I asked Uncle Yang to arrange this. Don’t worry, it’s all been reported and cleared for safety. Consider it a New Year’s gift for the city’s residents. I was going to schedule it for midnight, but I figured it would be too cold for you, so I had it done now. Lin Xiaoran, Happy New Year!”
Looking into Gu Yang’s smiling eyes, Lin Xiaoran found himself at a loss for words. He hadn’t expected Gu Yang to go to such lengths to fulfill a casual promise he had made.
“Gu Yang…”
“Ah, right! There’s more…” Lin Xiaoran was just about to speak when Gu Yang suddenly remembered something. He pulled him over to a tree and took out a box from behind it. Inside were handheld fireworks sticks.
Gu Yang lit one and handed it to Lin Xiaoran. “Didn’t you say before that you never got to set off fireworks as a kid? Tonight, you can make up for that!”
Lin Xiaoran was stunned for a moment, reaching out to take the small, flickering light. His bright eyes flashed with something fleeting, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He took several more sticks from Gu Yang’s hand and lit them all.
“Let’s head to the lakeside!” Gu Yang pulled him over to the shore, where the reflection of the fireworks in their hands shimmered clearly on the lake’s surface.
“Isn’t it more beautiful than at Xingluo Lake?” Gu Yang asked with a smile.
Lin Xiaoran turned to look at him, nodding, his voice carrying a note of happy laughter, “Gu Yang, thank you!”
The dim light from the fireworks illuminated his face, and Gu Yang saw the soft curve of his rosy lips and the smile that filled his eyes, making him look stunningly beautiful.
Gu Yang knew that Lin Xiaoran was truly happy at that moment, and his heart swelled with affection and longing. Unable to resist, he leaned in and kissed Lin Xiaoran’s lips, laughing softly as he asked, “Any thank-you gift?”
Lin Xiaoran blinked his clear eyes, looking up at Gu Yang. “What do you want?”
Gu Yang smiled. He had just been teasing, but since Lin Xiaoran had agreed so readily, how could he let this opportunity slip?
Lowering his head, he rested his face on Lin Xiaoran’s shoulder, grinning mischievously by his ear. “How about letting me take a little bite?”
“Hmm?” Lin Xiaoran was a bit surprised. “I’m not in heat.”
“I know,” Gu Yang said, holding him close and not letting go. “But I want you to carry my scent.”
Lin Xiaoran tilted his head to glance at him, lightly pursing his rosy lips. He lowered his head, leaned against Gu Yang’s shoulder, and reached up to pull back his collar, exposing his gland. In a soft voice, he said, “Go ahead.”
Seeing Lin Xiaoran willingly offering his gland, Gu Yang’s breath grew heavier. He couldn’t help but kiss the spot lightly, immediately causing the sensitive omega to shudder. Lin Xiaoran scolded, “Hey! Don’t do anything extra—ah…”
Before he could finish, Gu Yang gently bit down on his gland. Alpha pheromones instantly stirred Lin Xiaoran’s body into action.
Lin Xiaoran clung tightly to Gu Yang, waiting for his body to adjust and calm down.
The alpha, however, found it difficult to control himself during the marking process. After releasing Lin Xiaoran’s gland, his lips trailed kisses down his pale neck until they reached his rosy lips.
The freshly marked omega was incredibly docile. Lin Xiaoran’s soft lips were repeatedly tasted by the alpha, and the intimacy made him feel a sense of joy and contentment. A faint sound escaped from his throat.
The alpha’s actions grew more urgent, his large hands unconsciously moving to remove Lin Xiaoran’s clothes.
Suddenly, Gu Yang snapped out of it and released him, realizing what his hands were doing. He felt awkward and a bit helpless, holding Lin Xiaoran close without saying a word.
Lin Xiaoran remained silent as well, knowing full well what was happening with Gu Yang, though it was a little awkward for him too.
After a long, quiet moment, their heartbeats gradually slowed. Gu Yang finally chuckled softly by Lin Xiaoran’s ear and whispered, “Xiaoran, how about we make a deal?”
“Say it.” Lin Xiaoran’s response was brief and to the point.
“How about we raise the stakes for our college entrance exam bet? Like…” Gu Yang stretched out the words, “if I win, you let me mark you in a different way?”
Lin Xiaoran: “…”
His long lashes fluttered as he realized what Gu Yang meant. His face heated up, and he shoved Gu Yang away, turning to leave.
Gu Yang immediately provoked him with a challenge, “What? Afraid?”
“Who are you calling afraid?” Lin Xiaoran spun around and glared at Gu Yang, “Fine, I accept!”
Gu Yang’s heart bloomed with joy. He knew his adorable boyfriend couldn’t resist a little reverse psychology. And now, feeling a bit bold, he added, stepping closer to Lin Xiaoran, “Speaking of which, there’s still a few months until the college entrance exam. How about we bet on the next monthly test instead?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, two sharp, piercing gazes landed on Gu Yang’s face like knives.
Oh no! He’d overplayed his hand. His boyfriend was angry.
Just as Gu Yang was about to apologize, he noticed that the cold light in Lin Xiaoran’s clear eyes had faded. Instead, there was a faint smirk on his lips. “Gu Yang, you’re getting a bit cocky. You really think you can beat me next time?”
Huh?
Was that… a challenge?
Gu Yang rubbed his nose and grinned. “I can’t guarantee it. But if the stakes are tempting enough, I’ll be really motivated.”
“Hmph!” Lin Xiaoran rolled his eyes. “Alright! I accept. We’ll bet on the next monthly test. If you win, you get what you want. But if you lose…” He paused for a moment, then flashed a stunning smile at Gu Yang and casually tossed out a few words, “You’ll suffer the consequences!”
