I Heard You Only See Me as a Friend - Chapter 41

Feng Jin’s expression was so nonchalant that it was clearly a joke, yet it still made Ji Wan’s heart skip a beat.

Before Feng Jin said those words, Ji Wan had never considered that there was anything wrong with Feng Jin biting him due to the influence of another Omega’s pheromones. After all, Alphas were naturally susceptible to Omega attraction; having a reaction was perfectly normal.

Moreover, as a friend, what did it matter if he helped Feng Jin in a way that caused him no harm?

It was only when Feng Jin spoke that Ji Wan realized the impropriety in the connection between these two things.

Deep in his heart, the notion influenced by his father that Alphas could not resist the temptation of Omegas began to fade unconsciously. Ji Wan struggled to find his voice again: “What ‘two-day limited boyfriend’? You actually remember that.”

“Of course I remember. It was a joke.” Feng Jin finished the rest of his cola and tossed the can accurately into the trash bin. “But even if you weren’t my boyfriend, I couldn’t possibly bite you because of that. Wouldn’t that tarnish our relationship?”

Ji Wan’s eyes curved into a smile. He stopped suggesting that Feng Jin “handle it himself” and instead poured Feng Jin a glass of water and took out the medicine.

After watching Feng Jin take the medication, Ji Wan went to take a shower.

The sound of rushing water echoed in the bathroom. Feng Jin sat with his back to the bathroom, sighing.

Compared to resisting the temptation of Omega pheromones, it was clearly much harder for him to resist the urge to peek at Ji Wan while he showered.

The scent of body wash drifted through the gaps of the bathroom door, filling the air. The sounds of Ji Wan scrubbing himself were also clearly audible. Ji Wan was so earnest in everything he did and trusted him so much that he certainly wouldn’t be constantly checking if Feng Jin was peeking.

All Feng Jin had to do was quietly turn around, and he would be able to see Ji Wan from a short distance covered in snowy white foam, rinsing himself under the stream of water.

That foam and water would flow down from his neck, passing over places usually hidden by clothes that Feng Jin wasn’t allowed to see, before trickling down his slender ankles to the floor.

As Feng Jin imagined this, he began to feel restless and irritable. He drank another large glass of water, but it did nothing to suppress the “evil fire” in his heart. Finally, he simply wrapped himself tightly in the blanket to prevent himself from losing control and looking and potentially being caught by Ji Wan.

…He couldn’t rush. One day, he would be able to leave his mark on every single corner of Ji Wan’s body.

When Ji Wan finished his shower and stepped out, he saw Feng Jin lying on the bed, wrapped tightly like a cocoon. He turned up the air conditioner temperature. Seeing that it was getting late, he brushed his teeth, turned off the light, and lay down on the bed as well.

Feng Jin didn’t speak. Perhaps he was silently using his willpower to combat his physical reactions. Ji Wan didn’t disturb him and lay quietly on the other side.

Ji Wan didn’t know how much time had passed, but he still couldn’t fall asleep. He carefully turned over and stared at the ceiling with his eyes open.

The few things Feng Jin had said to him tonight had a much larger impact on him than expected.

If his mother had chosen an Alpha with a character like Feng Jin’s back then, perhaps she wouldn’t have been betrayed by an unfaithful husband.

The more Ji Wan thought about it, the more restless he became. He eventually stuffed his head under the covers, hoping to calm himself down.

But less than two minutes after burying his head, the blanket was lifted from above him. Fresh, cool air rushed in, accompanied by Feng Jin’s voice.

“What time is it? Why aren’t you sleeping?” Feng Jin asked.

Ji Wan obviously couldn’t tell the truth, so he made up an excuse: “…I was thinking about a problem from the competition that I couldn’t solve. I can’t sleep.”

“What kind of problem is so charming that it keeps our student Ji Wan awake at night?” Feng Jin asked. “Tell me, let me hear it.”

Ji Wan then randomly recalled a question he hadn’t finished during the competition. That problem tested an area he was relatively weak in, which happened to be exactly what Feng Jin excelled at.

“You can’t even do this?” Feng Jin let out a chuckle. “Well then, there’s no choice but to let Teacher Feng teach you.”

“Teacher Feng” rolled over from his side of the bed, pulled out his phone to open the calculator, and walked Ji Wan through the steps to solve the problem.

Once the explanation was finished, Feng Jin asked, “Do you understand now?”

Ji Wan understood, but his thoughts were uncontrollably drifting.

Feng Jin was truly good to his friends. Just because he didn’t understand something in the middle of the night, Feng Jin was willing to get up and explain it to him. He would give this level of patience a ten out of ten.

“Feng Jin,” Ji Wan said suddenly. “What kind of Omega do you like?”

Feng Jin’s movements paused. “Why ask this all of a sudden?”

After saying that, Feng Jin remembered his image in Ji Wan’s heart and added, “I’m not looking for a partner.”

Ji Wan sighed. Seeing that Feng Jin had occasionally joked about this topic lately, he thought Feng Jin was finally starting to “see the light,” but it turned out he still hadn’t.

While being single or seeking a partner is a matter of personal will, Feng Jin’s situation was special. Finding a suitable partner would definitely be better for Feng Jin’s physical health.

For instance, the pheromones released during a lifetime mark would be enough to let Feng Jin live comfortably for a week certainly more suitable for someone like Feng Jin, who might have to travel for work in the future.

“Have you never had an ideal type since you were a kid?” Ji Wan asked, unwilling to give up.

Feng Jin remained silent for a long time before speaking: “I did have one when I was little. Since you are my ‘two-day limited boyfriend,’ I’ll tell you.”

Feng Jin fabricated a fake childhood preference while stealing glances at Ji Wan.

“They have to be good-looking, fair-skinned, thin, have a good temper, be gentle, smart, and get along well with me,” Feng Jin said confidently.

Ji Wan: “…”

As expected of a childhood standard; it was just a list of “popular crush” traits.

However, with Feng Jin’s qualifications, he was more than a match for someone like that. Ji Wan silently committed Feng Jin’s words to memory and lay back down.

Since Feng Jin didn’t care himself, he would keep an eye out for him. Maybe he would encounter someone suitable in the future.

The next day’s competition concluded smoothly without any further issues.

After it ended, Liu Xiang who had previously expressed interest in Ji Wan showed up again. He looked at Ji Wan and, taking advantage of the fact that Feng Jin hadn’t walked over yet, said hesitantly, “Can we exchange contact info?”

“…Why do you want my contact info?” Ji Wan asked.

“High school relationships rarely last. If you break up with him, you can let me know,” Liu Xiang said, puffing out his chest.

Ji Wan: “…”

Before Ji Wan could respond, he felt a weight on his shoulder.

“Scram,” Feng Jin said with a dark expression.

Liu Xiang didn’t look back and ran away as fast as he could.

With that farce resolved, Ji Wan and Feng Jin returned to the hotel to pack their luggage for the trip back.

“The two-day limited boyfriend status is about to end, Brother Feng,” Ji Wan joked, pretending to be reluctant. “It seems the treatment for a boyfriend is better than for a friend. You’re favoring romance over friendship, Brother Feng.”

Feng Jin snorted, shaking out a piece of clothing and folding it into his suitcase. “You call this favoring romance? This is just a fake boyfriend. If it were real, do you think you’d be the one packing your own luggage?”

Ji Wan was startled. “What? Would you actually pack your boyfriend’s luggage for him?”

That was a bit too much of a “domesticated good man” image; it was quite a departure from Feng Jin’s usual unruly persona.

“If it were a real boyfriend,” Feng Jin said meaningfully, “you wouldn’t be able to get out of bed right now. So of course, I would be the one packing.”

Ji Wan: “…”

He had let his guard down; Feng Jin was actually making a dirty joke.

Ji Wan was really not good at this. He pursed his lips, trying to think of a comeback, but ultimately admitted defeat and continued packing as if he hadn’t heard anything.

The competition rankings came out before the end of the term. Ji Wan waited anxiously for the announcement.

This was different from a regular exam; the rank determined the amount of prize money, so the placement was extremely important.

When the rankings were officially released, Ji Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

He had edged out Feng Jin by a narrow margin to take first place, securing the highest tier of prize money.

Between the competition prize and the school’s incentive bonus, he now had enough money to cover his first year of university tuition and a portion of his living expenses.

That was close. If Feng Jin had solved just one more problem, that first-place spot might not have been his.

Feeling both relieved and a bit guilty, Ji Wan went to comfort Feng Jin.

“…I’m not that fragile. It’s just one competition; I can win it back next time,” Feng Jin said helplessly. “But you seem especially happy this time. Is it because of the prize money?”

“Yes,” Ji Wan said happily. “With money in hand, even if something happens and I really want to leave, I’ll have the confidence to do so.”

After the final exams, they could no longer stay at school, so Ji Wan returned home.

It had been so long since he was last back that he felt a bit dazed seeing the house’s layout.

He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, but the fruits and snacks on the table didn’t look as good as they used to.

However, Ji Wan never ate those things at home anyway, so he didn’t pay much attention after a glance.

He stayed quietly at home for a few days. One day during dinner, Father Ji suddenly spoke solemnly.

“I’m bringing a big client home for dinner the day after tomorrow. Clean up the house these next few days; don’t leave things lying around. He will be eating with us. Don’t speak out of turn and try your best to make him happy. Do you understand?”

Ji Ke nodded indifferently. The stepmother’s expression held a hint of worry: “Can he really help our family…?”

Father Ji nodded seriously. “The competition is too great. The company’s profits have been dropping lately. This might be our chance to open up the market.”

“That’s great. I’ll prepare a feast then to make sure he’s happy,” the stepmother said with a smile.

Everything was settled. Ji Wan listened to these conversations thoughtfully.

Since he had been living at school, he had no idea that the family’s finances were becoming increasingly difficult.

His food allowance hadn’t decreased because it was only a few hundred yuan a month—deducted from the inheritance his mother had left him anyway. Whether the company did well or not had nothing to do with him.

Two days later, the stepmother cooked personally, and Father Ji brought the big client home.

The client appeared to be in his early 40s, with a typical middle-aged beer belly. His hair was slicked back with pomade, looking greasy and smooth. His gaze held a mixture of arrogance and a touch of lewdness.

“Boss Ji, your home looks quite nice. This rosewood furniture must have cost a fortune,” the client said as he sat on the sofa.

“Not at all, it’s not worth much. Your presence is what truly graces this place,” Father Ji flattered.

Ji Wan had no interest in these pleasantries. He sat to the side as a background character, letting the words go in one ear and out the other.

“This is my younger son, Ji Ke, an Omega,” Father Ji introduced the family members to the client. “Ji Ke, say hello!”

Ji Wan heard Ji Ke give a brief greeting. The client acknowledged him, but immediately after, a greasy gaze fell upon Ji Wan.

“And who is this?” the client asked.

“This is my eldest son, Ji Wan. He’s just a Beta, not very accomplished. Please don’t mind him,” Father Ji said humbly.

“How can you say a Beta is unaccomplished? Old Ji, you have a prejudice; that’s not right. I think this young lad is very good. Being a Beta is even better,” the client laughed.

“Yes, yes, you’re right,” Father Ji said with a fawning smile.

The two talked animatedly. When dinner time arrived, everyone gathered around the table.

Ji Wan originally intended to sit in the most inconspicuous spot according to his habit, but Father Ji, for some unknown reason, told him to sit closer.

“Ji Wan, why are you sitting so far away? How are you supposed to reach the food?” Father Ji said.

So Ji Wan sat down. Whether by coincidence or design, the only seat left was next to the client.

Ji Wan tried to move as far away as possible, keeping his head down and eating quickly, hoping to finish fast.

A chubby hand placed a piece of braised pork into his bowl. Ji Wan looked up and saw the client’s smiling, triangular eyes. That gaze was even greasier than the pork. “How can you only eat vegetables? You should have some meat too.”

“Thank you, but I don’t like this,” Ji Wan said stiffly.

“Oh, a picky eater,” the client continued to smile, showing no anger. “It’s fine. Being thin looks good.”

Ji Wan stopped talking, gave a brief, forced smile, and continued eating his vegetables.

The client didn’t serve him any more food but continued chatting with Father Ji. Once they were mostly finished, the two of them went to the study.

Ji Wan finished his meal as well. He stood up and quietly returned to his room.

In his small room, the suitcase he had brought back from school was still in the corner. There were even clothes and daily necessities he hadn’t had time to take out.

Ji Wan opened the suitcase, looked at the bank card inside, and pursed his lips.

Inside the study.

Father Ji held an exquisite teapot, pouring fragrant tea into a cup as thin as a cicada’s wing.

The client picked up the tea cup, blew on it gently, and took a sip. “Good tea. Fragrant.”

“I have many more boxes of this tea. Would you like to take some back?” Father Ji asked eagerly.

“Just a little. Otherwise, the Omega at my house will find out and scold me for taking things randomly again,” the client said.

“Then take two packs for now. If you run out, just ask me,” Father Ji smiled. “But even if you take a few more, your partner shouldn’t say anything.”

The client sighed. “Ah, Old Ji, you don’t know. My Omega keeps a tight leash. Forget a few packs of tea if the scent of another Omega’s pheromones appears on me, I get questioned for ages. It’s annoying.”

Father Ji was about to speak but suddenly paused, realizing there was a hidden meaning in those words.

Sure enough, he heard the client say with a smile: “Your eldest son has no pheromones. I think that’s very good.”

Father Ji was stunned, then asked tentatively: “You mean…?”

The client placed the tea cup on the desk, still wearing that smiling expression. “He stays with me for two years, and I’ll give you the orders and financial support. Otherwise, there’s no need to talk. After all, your family’s goods aren’t particularly outstanding, right?”