The Cannon Fodder Became the Empire's Beloved Omega - Chapter 57

“Talk?”

Yu Ruan blinked in confusion, feeling somewhat bewildered: What could Gu Yu possibly have to discuss with him? They saw each other constantly, and anything worth saying had long been said. He truly couldn’t fathom the purpose behind Gu Yu’s request.

Seeing that dazed expression, Gu Yu’s heart inexplicably tightened. A restless emotion surged within him, and after a moment of introspection, he realized this sudden feeling was likely jealousy.

Even in the simplest form of a temporary mark, purely for mutual benefit, the Alpha who held the dominant role in such a relationship would, by nature, develop a strong sense of possessiveness toward the Omega they had marked.

Moreover, this time, it wasn’t merely an impulse driven by pheromones.

“Yes, talk,” he said, lifting his gaze. “Do you have time?”

Recalling past events, Yu Ruan felt a bit awkward but nodded nonetheless. “Yes, I do. What’s the matter?”

Gu Yu fixed his dark blue eyes on Yu Ruan, a faint glimmer flickering within them. Sunlight streaming through the window cast a soft glow on his face, making his hair appear almost translucent and leaving a faint shadow beneath his eyelids.

He walked over to the nearby bookshelf, selected a book, and placed it beside Yu Ruan. Yu Ruan stared at him, utterly perplexed. Suddenly, a cool, detached voice sounded close to his ear: “I really like you.”

Yu Ruan froze for a moment, instinctively replying, “I really like you too.” Then, realizing something was off, his eyes widened in shock, and he stood there dumbfounded.

Wait.

Did Gu Yu just say he liked him?

Had the way to express sincere friendship become so bold and unrestrained nowadays?!

Yu Ruan was utterly bewildered. He stared blankly at the Alpha standing before him, but before he could react, he watched as the other suddenly leaned in, his dark blue eyes level with Yu Ruan’s.

A crisp, slightly bitter scent of pheromones slowly enveloped him. Gu Yu lowered his gaze slightly, his warm breath brushing against Yu Ruan’s forehead like a gentle, restrained kiss. “Not the kind of liking you’re thinking of between friends, but…”

His voice abruptly paused, his breathing growing heavy. Yu Ruan, stunned by the words whispered in his ear, could only stare blankly at Gu Yu’s face, his lips parting soundlessly.

“Gu…” he began, but the Alpha cut him off before he could finish.

With an arm braced beside Yu Ruan’s ear, Gu Yu suddenly leaned in closer, trapping him in a small space. His cool lips pressed against Yu Ruan’s, the soft touch sending a wave of warmth spreading from their point of contact.

A heated sensation spread from his lips, and Yu Ruan froze. Gu Yu’s hand cupped the back of his head as his tongue slipped inside, scorching and sweeping through his mouth. The rich scent of lime surrounded him, pulling him deeper into a daze.

His pheromones surged uncontrollably, a tingling sensation shooting through his fingertips. It took a long moment for Yu Ruan to process what was happening. Heat exploded across his face, turning it a deep, almost bleeding red.

Instinctively, Yu Ruan pushed back, scrambling up from the chair with a clatter. He stared in utter shock at the slightly frowning Alpha before him, stammering “You, I…” without managing to form a complete sentence.

Could someone please tell him what was wrong with Gu Yu?!

Yu Ruan was lost in a state of panic, completely unable to comprehend why Gu Yu would act this way toward him. After all, the image Gu Yu had always projected in front of him was one of rationality and calmness—nothing like the type of person who would do something like this.

Could a temporary mark really affect someone to such a terrifying degree?

Gu Yu lifted his gaze, the usual casual indifference in his expression gone. “I’m serious,” he said.

Yu Ruan opened his mouth, staring at him in a daze, unable to figure out how to respond. His mind was flooded with possible explanations for Gu Yu’s behavior, yet he couldn’t piece together a coherent reply. After a long moment, acting on impulse, he quickly gathered the books on the table. “Sorry!”

Without waiting for the Alpha’s response, he snatched up his backpack and bolted.

Gu Yu must have been influenced by the mark!

Yu Ruan couldn’t even imagine how furious and embarrassed Gu Yu would be once the mark’s effects wore off and he recalled what had happened today.

He suddenly felt as though his future had turned bleak.

Rushing out of the library, Yu Ruan felt his face burning hot. He didn’t even have the presence of mind to nod at the people greeting him on campus. Moving at a speed he’d never mustered before, he hurriedly dashed back to his dorm. Without a second thought, he slammed the door shut, his thoughts in disarray as he opened his tablet.

Yu Ruan felt that both he and Gu Yu needed a cooling-off period regarding the mark.

Opening the half-written reply he had been editing earlier, he swiftly deleted the original content and replaced it with a firm confirmation, sending it to Qi Shu: “Alright, I can start training today. Is the timing convenient?”

Qi Shu replied quickly: “Are you sure you want to start during your break? The Marshal’s schedule is flexible, but you rarely have time off—wouldn’t you prefer to rest a few more days?”

Yu Ruan immediately responded: “No, really, it’s fine. Thank you for your concern, but I’m completely capable!”

After typing that, he suddenly remembered his unavoidable daily encounters with Gu Yu. He hesitated for a moment before tentatively adding, “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble. I could even move in temporarily. That way, you wouldn’t have to go back and forth.”

He hit send.

Watching the message fly off, Yu Ruan nervously clenched his wrist. Honestly, he couldn’t think of any other legitimate excuse to avoid Gu Yu openly. His only hope now rested with Lin Fenghan, praying the man would lend him a hand.

He didn’t actually dislike Gu Yu. On the contrary, he quite liked him—this neighbor of his who appeared aloof on the surface. But precisely because of that, he didn’t want a mere temporary mark to ruin their relationship.

At least until the mark’s influence faded, he felt he needed to handle things with care.

“Please, Instructor Lin,” Yu Ruan murmured under his breath, “all my hopes are riding on you.”

Perhaps Qi Shu had gone to consult Lin Fenghan in person, as this time, his reply to Yu Ruan came a little slower.

[“If it’s convenient for you, then certainly.” Qi Shu gave him an affirmative reply. “I will contact the palace to have your daily necessities delivered. You just need to move in. I will arrange a room for you at the Marshal’s residence. When would you be available to come over?”]

Seeing this response, Yu Ruan was so overjoyed he could almost cry. He quickly replied to Qi Shu: [“I’m very available and can leave at any time. You can come directly to pick me up!”]

Qi Shu’s reply was equally concise: [“Alright, I’ll arrange for a vehicle to come over right away. Please wait a moment.”]

[“Okay.”]

After ending the conversation, Yu Ruan finally felt completely at ease.

He quickly packed the study materials he might need in the near future, stuffing them all into his backpack, and gathered a few other daily necessities he might require. Then, he sat on the sofa, waiting for the other party to pick him up.

The car arrived very quickly.

In just a short while, Yu Ruan received a message from Qi Shu, gently informing him that he had arrived downstairs.

Upon hearing this, Yu Ruan hurried to the door and cautiously peeked outside.

Gu Yu hadn’t returned yet, and the hallway was empty. Seeing this, Yu Ruan breathed a sigh of relief, immediately opened the door, and without wasting a second, rushed downstairs with his backpack.

Only after getting into the car did Yu Ruan dare to let his guard down. He forced a slight smile at Qi Shu, who was looking at him, and greeted him proactively: “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon, Your Highness.” Qi Shu smiled back at him and said, “The Marshal is still at the military headquarters and won’t be back for about an hour. In the meantime, I’ll take you to familiarize yourself with the Marshal’s residence. How does that sound?”

“That’s fine, I’m okay with anything.” Yu Ruan, afraid that Gu Yu might suddenly return, couldn’t help but repeatedly glance outside. “I’ll leave it to your arrangements. Should we leave now?”

Noticing his reaction, Qi Shu showed a hint of surprise. However, he didn’t ask for an explanation and instead considerately skipped the topic, merely smiling at him: “Please take a seat and fasten your seatbelt.”

Yu Ruan nodded.

The sound of the engine hummed in his ears as the car slowly started moving. Qi Shu drove the hovercar, taking him out of the campus.

The scenery on both sides rapidly receded, turning into a blur of fleeting images. Yu Ruan nervously clenched his fingers, staring at the figures swiftly passing by outside the window, terrified that the next second, Gu Yu would appear before his eyes.

His heart pounded violently, feeling as though it might leap out of his throat at any moment.

The school gate gradually approached in the distance. Yu Ruan held his breath, staring unblinkingly outside the car. Only when the vehicle sped past the school gate, leaving it far behind, did he finally exhale in relief.

Thank goodness.

He hadn’t run into Gu Yu.

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