I Heard You Only See Me as a Friend - Chapter 33

Ji Wan backed against the wall, trapped within the small space created by Feng Jin’s arm propped beside him. With no path for retreat behind and his way blocked in front, he was cornered in this tiny world.

However, the actions of the one who trapped him were not rough; instead, they could be described as extremely tender. While pouring out pheromones, he also took care of Ji Wan’s lips and tongue, ensuring he wouldn’t feel the slightest bit of discomfort.

Having not been released for a long time, Ji Wan felt a lack of oxygen and reached out to push Feng Jin away.

His lower lip was bitten lightly, it felt as though Feng Jin’s teeth had accidentally grazed him while pulling away, yet it also felt like an illusion.

Enduring the ache, Feng Jin wiped his mouth, clearing the moisture from his lips. Taking the initiative to strike first, he dispelled the ambiguous atmosphere and said coldly, “The strawberry you ate was too sweet; it’s not great. Sour ones taste better.”

Ji Wan: “…”

“Next time I’ll eat garlic. It definitely won’t be sweet then,” Ji Wan replied expressionlessly.

There’s actually a next time?

Even though he knew Ji Wan was likely just speaking casually and didn’t mean it, Feng Jin couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy in his heart.

Controlling his facial expression, he lazily delved deeper into the topic: “Still, for you, this method is much better than the first one. At least it’s not painful, and you recover faster.”

“Yes,” Ji Wan nodded.

Feng Jin frowned, putting on a show of making a concession: “I can tolerate a fifty-fifty split between the first and second methods. Do you want that?”

Ji Wan hadn’t expected Feng Jin to be so accommodating. After a moment of surprise, he smiled. “No need. Unless there’s a special situation, let’s just stick to biting the gland.”

Feng Jin’s frown deepened. He wore an expression that said: I’ve painfully accepted this and yet you refuse? Do you even know how to arrange things?

Under Feng Jin’s pressing gaze, Ji Wan sighed helplessly and explained, “It’s only because I’m a Beta that I’m relatively indifferent and don’t feel much. If you were this intimate with an Alpha or an Omega, you might have already…” Ji Wan paused, choosing a more subtle description, “…experienced the feeling of a ‘stick fight’.”

Feng Jin: “…”

The corners of Feng Jin’s mouth twitched slightly, and his eyes dimmed. “But you aren’t an Alpha or an Omega. You have no feelings for me, do you?”

“I am a living person too,” Ji Wan said, dodging the main point. “Doing this once or twice occasionally doesn’t matter, but don’t use this method all the time.”

He wanted to avoid the “little things adding up” until his pure friendship with Feng Jin turned sour.

“Oh, alright then.” Feng Jin let go, no longer pressing. “Whatever you want. As long as you’re willing to use the first method.”

Ji Wan’s tongue felt sore. He hurried off to find something to eat to ease the sensation, missing the look in Feng Jin’s eyes behind him.

That gaze was like a wolf lying in wait, biding its time for the perfect moment to strike.

So… when he kissed Ji Wan, Ji Wan did feel something.

The corners of Feng Jin’s mouth curled up before returning to normal.

The pleasant day passed quickly. By the time Ji Wan returned home, it was already night. Feng Jin made a point of seeing him to the vicinity of his house, watching him walk inside.

Feng Jin frowned. “You’re too easy to talk to. If they make things difficult for you, just send me a message.”

“Okay, I’ll call you immediately if anything happens,” Ji Wan replied perfunctorily, waving goodbye. In his heart, however, he didn’t take the words to heart.

He wouldn’t let his family affect Feng Jin, no matter what.

He just had to find a way to deal with them until university. When that time came… no one would be able to stop him from flying far away.

When he entered the house, a crowd indeed gathered around him. Third Aunt was the first to speak: “The one who came looking for you earlier was that your classmate?”

“Yeah, a classmate,” Ji Wan smiled.

Everyone looked at him with fervent eyes. “He came all this way for you; you two must have a very good relationship, right?”

The smile on Ji Wan’s lips deepened, and a hint of pride entered his eyes. He even straightened his back. “Yes.”

Seeing Ji Wan’s “vainglorious” display, the relatives suppressed the disdain in their hearts and continued warmly, “Xiao Wan, why don’t you invite your friend over more often? Being too solitary isn’t good for your mental health.”

Ji Wan’s expression shifted from pride to embarrassment, which he forced himself to cover up. “I’ve known him for less than a semester, and I’m just a Beta. How could our relationship be good enough to invite him home?”

At this, Ji Wan bit his lip unwillingly and straightened his back again. “In a few more semesters, I’ll be even closer to him.”

Someone asked doubtfully, “Then why did he come to find you today?”

Ji Wan lowered his eyes. “Before the holidays, I asked him for a reference book. He wanted it back, so I told him to come by on his way so we could head back to the house together to get it.”

“I see…” The crowd became pensive. Since the relationship between Ji Wan and Feng Jin hadn’t reached that level yet, trying to use Ji Wan to cozy up to Feng Jin now might backfire.

There was still plenty of time; there was no need to rush.

Everyone was full of calculations; no one noticed the mockery in the depths of Ji Wan’s eyes.

The following days were unexpectedly peaceful. If there was any ripple, it was that the person in charge of materials whom Ji Wan’s father had bribed was fired. Ji Wan’s father lost his entire investment and was so furious he filled the floor with cigarette butts.

Ji Wan felt nothing, and was even somewhat pleased by the news.

This home, ultimately, was not his. Whether they made a profit or a loss, what did it have to do with him?

The winter break for high schoolers wasn’t long to begin with. Shortly after the New Year, Ji Wan and the others returned to school.

“Wan-wan!” Kong Liyan, wearing a bright red down jacket, gave Ji Wan a bear hug from behind. “I haven’t seen you in forever! How come you didn’t gain any weight over the New Year? Is it true that good-looking people like you just can’t get fat?”

Ji Wan put down his luggage and looked back at Kong Liyan. Kong Liyan’s originally sunny and handsome face had rounded out quite a bit after the holidays.

Ji Wan said subtly, “Brother Yan, I see your height and athletic cells are quite good. When you have time, you should play basketball with Brother Feng.”

“Eh, we’ll see,” Kong Liyan slumped like a salted fish. “I brought a ton of snacks. Let’s all eat together. Come, come, come.”

Kong Liyan pulled out a large bag of snacks and spread them on the table, giving a pile to Ji Wan while grabbing one for himself.

After finishing a salt-baked chicken wing, he bumped Ji Wan’s shoulder, fully satisfied. “Wan-wan, did you finish the winter break homework? Let your brother copy it?”

Ji Wan handed the homework to Kong Liyan. While Kong Liyan was scribbling away furiously, Feng Jin also returned to the dorm.

Ji Wan was eating a pack of chocolates. Upon entering, Feng Jin spotted it immediately and moved to his side. “Let me try some too.”

During the break, Ji Wan had met up with Feng Jin every few days, so there wasn’t much “long-awaited reunion” passion. He naturally broke off a piece of the chocolate he hadn’t touched yet and handed it to Feng Jin.

Feng Jin had luggage in both hands, so Ji Wan simply stuffed the chocolate into Feng Jin’s mouth. Feng Jin didn’t mind and ate it happily.

“Brother Feng!” Kong Liyan stood up, opening his arms. “Brother, give me a hug!”

“You got fat,” Feng Jin said, looking up to scan Kong Liyan, heartlessly piercing his friend’s feelings.

Kong Liyan: “…”

Kong Liyan sat back down, grumbling and cursing, temporarily severing his brotherhood with Feng Jin.

Classes started the next day, so there weren’t many activities to do. After everyone finished washing up, they relaxed and prepared for bed.

Ji Wan was sitting on his bed in his pajamas memorizing vocabulary. He was focused when he heard a sudden, abrupt sound.

Turning toward the source, he discovered the radiator in their dorm had burst, and water was flooding the floor.

“Ow!” Kong Liyan sprang from his bed, staring at the radiator in a daze. “It burst! It burst!”

The water gushed out, creating a scene like the “flooding of Jinshan Temple.”

Feng Jin quickly flipped out of bed and turned off the heating valve, stopping the flow of water.

“Damn, what luck,” Kong Liyan said, looking pained.

Ji Wan also got out of bed. “Alright, let’s clean up and rest. We’ll tell the teacher tomorrow and get someone to fix it.”

The three of them did a quick cleanup, turned off the lights, and returned to their respective beds.

Feng Jin was well-prepared and pulled out a down comforter.

Kong Liyan said tearfully, “Tonight is destined to be a lonely, cold night. Goodnight, brothers.”

Less than ten minutes after his farewell, Kong Liyan was snoring loudly in his sleep.

Ji Wan: “…”

That falling-asleep speed is truly impressive.

Ji Wan couldn’t sleep.

Without the heat, the cold slowly crept in, penetrating the quilt. His hands, feet, and back began to feel chilly.

Ji Wan breathed into his palms and curled his body up, trying to keep warm.

But this had no significant effect. Ji Wan tucked his head into the quilt, wrapping himself up like a zongzi.

Ji Wan considered getting up to grab some clothes to layer over the quilt. Even then, it would likely still be cold, but at least he might be able to sleep.

However… leaving the warmth of the quilt to grab clothes was also difficult.

Just as Ji Wan was struggling, he felt someone press down on his head through the quilt.

Ji Wan fumbled to stick his head out. In the dim light, he could vaguely see Feng Jin propping up his upper body, facing him.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Wan asked in a whisper.

“Are you cold?” Feng Jin’s voice drifted through the air, extremely soft and tinged with tenderness.

“A little,” Ji Wan didn’t deny it. Feng Jin’s hearing was sharp; he even suspected Feng Jin could hear him shivering in bed.

Ji Wan continued, “Is your overcoat on the bed? Lend it to…”

Ji Wan’s voice trailed off as he saw Feng Jin’s movements.

Feng Jin moved to the edge of the bed, clearing the half-space against the wall, then patted it. “Come over.”

Ji Wan: “…?”

When Ji Wan didn’t speak, Feng Jin grew slightly nervous and said more: “I’m not ordering you to just enjoy the benefits. I’m saying… my quilt is warmer; its objective insulation is stronger.”

Ji Wan remained silent. After a long pause, he said in disbelief, “You want to sleep with me?”

Feng Jin is actually willing to let me sleep in his bed for a night?

Feng Jin didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said, “Don’t dawdle. Otherwise, you’ll have a cold and fever tomorrow, you won’t be able to pay attention in class, and you’ll delay your studies for several days. I don’t want to win against you that way.”

These words hit Ji Wan exactly where it mattered.

Thinking about being groggy for several days and unable to learn anything was enough to make Ji Wan feel distressed to the point of a “heart attack.”

Ji Wan tentatively handed his pillow to Feng Jin. Feng Jin took it and placed it next to his own. The size of the two pillows was just right, side-by-side they perfectly covered the head of the bed.

As the cold intensified, Ji Wan hesitated no longer. He climbed up as quietly as possible and crossed over to Feng Jin’s bed.

The bed creaked. Feng Jin’s gaze was hidden in the darkness, but he stared at Ji Wan without blinking until Ji Wan slipped into his quilt.

After lying down, Ji Wan let out a silent sigh of relief.

So warm.

Feng Jin had a strong physique; he was like a furnace, making the bed warm and cozy, a world of difference from Ji Wan’s own icy bed.

The single beds at school were a bit cramped for two people, especially two males. Ji Wan lay on his side against the wall, trying not to take up Feng Jin’s space.

Ji Wan lay properly, his whole body as straight as a ruler.

However, the person sleeping next to him was much more casual. Feng Jin’s long legs had been bent, but as he stretched them out, they brushed against Ji Wan’s feet.

Ji Wan’s feet were still very cold. He moved in surprise when touched, but being against the wall, there was nowhere to retreat. He could only remain stiff.

Feng Jin wanted to warm Ji Wan up directly, but he knew doing so would “startle the snake.” So, he withdrew his leg and continued to lie in wait.

“So icy,” Feng Jin pretended to be dissatisfied, whispering, “I’m really not used to sleeping with an extra person.”

Ji Wan felt embarrassed to begin with, so he said, “Then I’ll go back…”

“It’s just for one night; make do. I can’t just watch you turn into an ice sculpture.” Feng Jin interrupted Ji Wan and sighed. “They say in Omega and Beta dorms, those with good relationships often sleep together. Our relationship isn’t worse than theirs.”

A smile appeared in Ji Wan’s eyes. “That’s true, it’s quite common. I’ve shared a bed with an Omega friend before.”

That was also in winter, before the heating had started. Da Mao couldn’t take the cold and brought his quilt to join him.

Though they had two quilts, one Omega and one Beta, they were still frozen like idiots. The next day, they went together to buy hot water bottles.

Feng Jin: “…”

This was not what he wanted to hear.

Ji Wan actually shared a bed with someone else?

Jealousy spread from the depths of his heart, even if the source of this jealousy was an Omega, a gender that shouldn’t even be considered a love rival.

Feng Jin licked the teeth he used to bite the back of the neck. His gums felt itchy.

“It’s been two days. I want to take a bite,” Feng Jin said suddenly.

“…Okay.” Ji Wan didn’t say much. He turned over, his back to Feng Jin. He lowered his head slightly so Feng Jin could better reach the position of the gland.

Feng Jin pressed a hand on Ji Wan’s shoulder, feeling the blood throughout his body boiling.

Unlike the temporary marking on the bed before the break, this time, Ji Wan was truly lying inside his quilt.

Ji Wan was lying so close, close enough that he could smell the scent of Ji Wan’s body wash, close enough that he could clearly perceive how Ji Wan was staining half of his quilt and half of his bed with that scent.

Feng Jin licked his lips and leaned close to Ji Wan’s ear, whispering, “Be careful. Kong Liyan is still sleeping; we can’t wake him up.”

Ji Wan nodded. The corners of Feng Jin’s mouth curled up slightly as he opened his mouth and bit down.

The silent night amplified bodily sensations twofold. Ji Wan gritted his teeth and endured, feeling his whole body go soft.

This time lasted only a short while. Feng Jin let go of him just before Ji Wan couldn’t help but make a sound. After a pause, Feng Jin shook his shoulder.

“Don’t press against the wall, it’s cold. There’s plenty of space, come over,” Feng Jin said softly.

Ji Wan was already sleepy. The warm, soft quilt was eroding his nerves, and the soreness after being injected with pheromones numbed his body. He mumbled a response and drifted into dreamland.

Between sleep and wakefulness, someone carefully tucked the down comforter into the gap between him and the wall, sealing out the last trace of chill.