After the Beautiful Omega Was Targeted by His Straight Roommate - Chapter 41

The low, gentle voice was carried by his warm breath, fluttering against Tao Ran’s ear.

As the words fell, Tao Ran’s pupils contracted slightly. His heart nearly skipped a beat, and he instinctively bit his lower lip. This was his reflex whenever he encountered unpredictable or overwhelming situations, or when he was lost in troubled thought.

His snowy-white teeth grazed the plumpness of his lower lip, quickly leaving a deep indentation.

Qi Yuxiao’s gaze fell on that mark, his eyes darkening with an unreadable emotion. He reached out and pinched Tao Ran’s chin, pressing his thumb into the center with slight force.

Tao Ran’s jaw was forced open, and his lower lip popped out like a plump, soft jelly, glistening with a faint sheen of moisture. He felt as if he were drifting in the clouds, his eyes filled with even more confusion. He didn’t quite understand why Qi Yuxiao was doing this.

However, he didn’t really mind. Tao Ran allowed him to do as he pleased, as his focus was still on the previous matter. After a moment, he looked up at Qi Yuxiao with watery eyes, hesitating several times before finally pursing his lips and asking, “Then… does this mean only people who are very close can help each other?”

Qi Yuxiao’s dark eyes were profound as he nodded. “Yes.”

“…”

Upon hearing this answer, Tao Ran’s first reaction was one of pleasant surprise. So, in Qi Yuxiao’s heart, they were already very close friends? After all, only people who are very close can…

It felt as though several packets of popping candy had been poured into his heart; countless sparks of joy leaped out, gradually filling his entire body. Tao Ran lifted his head from the overwhelming shame of moments ago. His lips moved, casting aside all previous reservations.

The delight brought a slight itch to his skin, stirring an urge to be close. Tao Ran reached out and hooked his arms around Qi Yuxiao’s neck, burying his cheek in the crook of the other’s shoulder and nuzzling him with his soft face. He shifted his waist a few times, sitting against the other’s lap until he finally found a snug, comfortable position.

Having engaged in these intimate movements frequently, Tao Ran actually enjoyed them sometimes. Qi Yuxiao’s body was truly warm—his chest, his arms, his palms—and the place where Tao Ran was currently sitting was radiating a steady, comforting heat.

Then he suddenly thought: help should be mutual for a friendship to last.

Tao Ran lifted his head again, his eyes sparkling with earnestness and concern. “Then, do you need my help?”

Qi Yuxiao’s body had already stiffened when Tao Ran moved, and at these words, his brow twitched. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he desperately forced his gaze away from Tao Ran’s face. “No need.”

“Alright.” Tao Ran wasn’t too disappointed by the answer.

Truthfully, if Qi Yuxiao had actually asked for help, Tao Ran would have needed a very long time to prepare himself mentally. He was far too thin-skinned; he really couldn’t match Qi Yuxiao’s decisive efficiency when it came to dealing with private parts usually hidden under clothing.

The two had been cuddling on the bed for quite a while. Tao Ran had gradually let go of the shame caused by the unfamiliar physiological response and had accepted that “helping” was something close friends did. He felt that he had become closer to Qi Yuxiao both physically and mentally. Unconsciously, he shed his wariness and caution, displaying an unprecedented level of affectionate reliance.

Qi Yuxiao’s face was slightly tense, and a faint vein pulsed at his temple. He pursed his lips, trying his best to restrain his reaction, and the hand around Tao Ran’s waist tightened unconsciously.

Tao Ran: ?

He thought they were already pressed together tightly, but when Qi Yuxiao tightened his grip, he was surprised to find they could be even closer. However, he felt like his body was being squeezed out of shape by Qi Yuxiao’s iron-like arm. He felt a bit breathless and spoke softly, “Qi Yuxiao, you’re holding me so tight it’s hard to breathe.”

Qi Yuxiao froze for a moment, then released his grip. His chest was heaving noticeably. In the quiet, cramped space, his somewhat heavy breathing was audible.

Tao Ran: “??”

Tao Ran looked at him with concern. “What’s wrong? Is it hard for you to breathe too?”

The moment he met Tao Ran’s dark, innocent eyes, Qi Yuxiao looked away awkwardly. “Mm.”

Tao Ran thought for a few seconds and blinked. “So that means the pressure from before was the best. There’s no need to use more force.”

He made a move to hug Qi Yuxiao again, but Qi Yuxiao patted his waist, reminding him, “It’s time to get up. Go take a shower first.”

Hearing this, Tao Ran froze. The dampness below had been warm at first, but after being ignored for so long, the heat had dissipated, and it now felt slightly chilled. All his vanished logic and sense of shame suddenly came rushing back.

Tao Ran’s heart nearly hammered its way out of his chest. Heat rushed to his cheeks as he hurriedly scrambled out of Qi Yuxiao’s arms. “T-then, I’ll go shower first.”

With that, he nimbly threw back the bed curtains and climbed down the ladder. Qi Yuxiao remained in his current position. Without Tao Ran’s weight… he watched Tao Ran’s retreating figure with a faint smile. A moment later, the bed curtains were pulled shut with a sharp zip.

Tao Ran rummaged through his locker for a set of fresh pajamas and underwear, then ran into the bathroom without looking back, as if someone were chasing him. After closing the door, he looked down. His pants were stained…

He averted his eyes as if he had been electrocuted, hurriedly stripping off both his pants and underwear. A rich fragrance immediately burst out, quickly filling every corner of the bathroom.

Tao Ran stood dazed for a moment, recalling a lesson from his biology teacher. Pheromones don’t just drift from the gland on an Omega’s neck; they are also contained within bodily fluids, and at an even higher concentration. Common fluids include sweat, saliva, and…

Tao Ran shivered. Coming back to his senses, he grabbed the hem of his pajama top, pulled it off, and threw it into the plastic basin already containing his pajama bottoms.

After cleaning his sticky body, Tao Ran changed into the new pajamas. He hesitated as he picked up the basin of laundry. He still wasn’t mentally prepared to face it, so he placed it in the center of the bathroom sink. He turned on the tap, and the rushing water quickly soaked the clothes. The water level rose until it overflowed the edges of the basin.

Tao Ran snapped out of his thoughts and tightened the tap. Forget it. I’ll let it soak for a bit before washing.

He carried the water-filled basin out of the bathroom and set it in an out-of-the-way corner. Then, feeling more relaxed, he walked into the dorm. He happened to see Qi Yuxiao just getting out of bed.

When the glass door was opened, sunlight poured into the room, making it bright. Tao Ran looked up and met Qi Yuxiao’s eyes, noticing that the other’s pale, cool face was tinged with a rare flush, and a thin layer of sweat had broken out on his nose.

He couldn’t help but wonder. Did the room temperature skyrocket while I was showering? Why is Qi Yuxiao so hot?

Tao Ran looked at him intently. “Qi Yuxiao, do you want to take a shower too?”

The stray hairs on Qi Yuxiao’s forehead half-obscured his dark eyes. His voice was noticeably raspy as he inclined his head. “Mm, I was just about to.”

The sound of the shower pitter-pattered. Qi Yuxiao stayed in the bathroom for a long time. Tao Ran sat at his desk waiting for him, intending to go to the cafeteria together.

After the morning’s commotion, he felt physically drained as soon as he rested, and his stomach let out a growl. He was a bit hungry. Tao Ran rubbed his stomach to soothe it while glancing through the glass door toward the bathroom. What is with Qi Yuxiao today, showering for so long?

Finally, the water stopped. Soon, Qi Yuxiao emerged with wet hair.

Tao Ran extended an invitation: “Qi Yuxiao, shall we go to the cafeteria for food?”

Qi Yuxiao held a towel, casually drying his hair. “I’ve already had the auntie prepare a meal. It’ll be delivered to the dorm entrance in a few minutes.”

Tao Ran was amazed. “So fast?”

Did the cook at Qi Yuxiao’s house have six arms? He had only been out of bed for half an hour; how could she have finished cooking and delivered the food so quickly? Does Qi Yuxiao’s family eat pre-prepared meals?

That wasn’t right; every time he had eaten it before, he could clearly tell that the ingredients were fresh and of high quality, not at all like pre-prepared food.

As he was wondering, Qi Yuxiao offered an explanation. “I spoke with her in advance last night.”

“Oh, I see.” Tao Ran remembered now. Qi Yuxiao had specifically asked him last night if he had classes this morning.

He had been so busy with his part-time job at the bar lately that he rarely had time to spend with Qi Yuxiao during the day. When he returned at night, it was already very late, and each time he would just take a shower and hurry to bed.

Calculating it, it had been a while since Tao Ran had eaten the food prepared by the auntie at Qi Yuxiao’s house.

Tao Ran nodded expectantly. “So, the auntie will be here soon?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Tao Ran’s obvious delight, Qi Yuxiao’s lips curved slightly. “How about this: from now on at dinner time, I’ll have the auntie cook and deliver food to the place where you work.”

Tao Ran’s head heated up and he almost agreed, but his brain took a sharp turn just in time to slam on the brakes.

The place where he worked? That was definitely not something he could let Qi Yuxiao know about.

Tao Ran panicked and hurriedly shook his head in refusal. “No, no, that would be too much trouble for the auntie.”

“…”

Qi Yuxiao’s gaze remained neutral. Seeing Tao Ran’s resistant reaction, he didn’t push further.

The auntie soon sent Qi Yuxiao a message telling him she had delivered the food to the bottom of the dormitory building. Qi Yuxiao went downstairs and brought up several tightly packed thermal containers.

The two sat together and finished breakfast and lunch in one go. Not a single dish the auntie made failed to suit Tao Ran’s taste; he ate more than usual every time. It wasn’t until his stomach truly couldn’t hold any more that Tao Ran put down his chopsticks.

Just as he was about to lean back in his chair to rest, the phone Tao Ran had placed on the desk suddenly vibrated. Someone had sent him a message.

Tao Ran reached for his phone and opened it to find a message from the manager.

Qi Yuxiao lifted his eyelids, his gaze landing on Tao Ran. “What is it?”

Tao Ran spoke hesitantly, “It is… a message from the boss.”

Tao Ran wasn’t scheduled for a day shift today, but a colleague who was supposed to work couldn’t make it, so the manager asked Tao Ran if he had time to fill in. Tao Ran thought about it; he had no classes in the afternoon, but he did have one in the evening.

Furthermore, it was an elective course he was taking with Qi Yuxiao.

The times were staggered, and he would be able to rush back from the bar in time for class, so Tao Ran did not refuse the manager and replied with an “okay.” After all, there was money to be earned, and it would be a waste not to take it.

Turning off his phone, Tao Ran stood up without hesitation and began to pack his things.

Watching him suddenly get busy, Qi Yuxiao’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to my part-time job now to cover for a colleague,” Tao Ran said, looking down to pack his backpack.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuxiao went silent.

Once Tao Ran had put everything he needed into his backpack, he zipped it up, crouched down to put on his shoes, and was ready to head out. For some reason, he suddenly felt a burning, unavoidable gaze staring at him. Tao Ran paused and turned around to look, only for a shadow to fall over him.

Qi Yuxiao was standing behind him at some unknown point, the air pressure around him noticeably lower. The young man was very tall with broad shoulders, completely enveloping Tao Ran. “There is still class tonight. Can you make it back in time?”

Tao Ran looked up to meet his eyes and licked his lips. “I ca—”

Before he could finish, Qi Yuxiao interrupted, “I will pick you up after work.”

A flash of shock appeared on Tao Ran’s face. His first instinct was that it definitely wouldn’t work for Qi Yuxiao to pick him up, and he was just about to voice his refusal.

But the other man was one step ahead in guessing his reaction and added before he could speak, “At the same subway station as before.”

Tao Ran: “…”

It seemed he had no choice but to agree. Qi Yuxiao seemed to purely want to pick him up, and he was even considerate enough of Tao Ran’s desire to keep his workplace a secret that he proposed waiting only at the subway station, just like last time.

“Alright then,” Tao Ran nodded.

Tao Ran was all packed. Just as he was about to turn around and grab his backpack from the desk, he was unexpectedly pulled into an embrace.

Familiar breath fell on the side of his neck. The way the young man buried his head in his neck seemed even more dependent than usual, mixed with a lot of reluctance.

His voice turned into a faint current of electricity that drifted into Tao Ran’s ear.

“One more hug.”

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