Zhou Le finally arrived at a room that looked very much like a bathroom, but just to be sure, he hesitated before pushing the door. Someone reached out ahead of him and opened it.
“It’s the bathroom. You got it right,” Lu Jingran said.
Zhou Le glanced inside. Sure enough, it was.
The bathroom had a modern layout with separate wet and dry areas. When the light turned on, the tiles gleamed.
Zhou Le walked in.
Outside, Lu Jingran showed no intention of leaving.
Zhou Le looked at him twice.
Lu Jingran chuckled, “Do you need me to show you how to use it?”
Zhou Le looked around, realizing he indeed felt a little out of his depth. Everything looked so high-end, like each tile was expensive, and he was afraid of breaking something.
Understanding his hesitation, Lu Jingran explained how to use the smart toilet and sensor faucets, even showing him the toiletries he’d set aside and a new toothbrush.
“How about now?”
“I got it,” Zhou Le replied softly, “Thank you, class rep.”
Lu Jingran ruffled his hair. “I’ll wait outside. Call me if you need anything.”
Zhou Le nodded.
Lu Jingran left, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
The moment he was alone, Zhou Le felt his strength drain away, leaning on the sink to recover.
The morning had been so chaotic, and it felt like his brain was overloaded, making it hard to clear his thoughts.
Why did he end up staying over at Lu Jingran’s house? What exactly happened last night?!
Zhou Le clutched his head, almost wanting to tear his hair out.
Slowly, another thought dawned on him. What about his mom and Little White last night…? Oh no, his mom must have been worried sick.
With that thought, Zhou Le stopped overthinking, quickly finished in the bathroom, and dashed out.
He needed to call home; otherwise, his mom would definitely worry.
But Lu Jingran stopped him.
“I already called. I got permission from your mom last night to have you stay over.”
Zhou Le was surprised. “How did you know my home phone number?”
Lu Jingran replied, “I asked our homeroom teacher. I told her you were at my place studying, and she called your mom.”
Zhou Le hadn’t expected this.
“So, what did you want to tell her?” Lu Jingran crossed his arms, a slight smile in his eyes. “That you got so drunk at my place that you couldn’t move, and even…”
At that moment, Lu Jingran suddenly stopped and fixed his gaze on Zhou Le.
?
Zhou Le blinked, confused by his unfinished sentence.
Lu Jingran lowered his gaze, letting out a low chuckle.
He changed the subject, “Your clothes from last night smell like alcohol, so you can’t wear them today. I’ll lend you mine. After school, your clothes will be dry-cleaned and fresh, and I’ll give them back to you.”
“…Oh, okay.” Zhou Le couldn’t think straight, simply nodding and following along like a robot to each of Lu Jingran’s instructions.
Lu Jingran brought him clothes, and Zhou Le changed into them.
With Lu Jingran’s taller, lean build, the clothes were a bit oversized on Zhou Le. He had to roll up the sleeves and pant legs.
Before he could crouch down, Lu Jingran knelt in front of him.
He rolled up Zhou Le’s pant legs.
Just like when he’d helped with the slippers earlier, Zhou Le couldn’t stop him.
Looking at Lu Jingran’s head and his focused expression, Zhou Le felt an odd sensation pass through his heart.
Even his toes curled up inside the slippers.
This small reaction didn’t escape the Alpha’s keen eye; Lu Jingran could sense the tension in his hands.
Zhou Le’s ankles were slim, easy to hold in one hand.
And soft, like they’d redden from even a gentle grasp.
“All done.” Lu Jingran stood up, gathering the clothes Zhou Le had taken off.
Zhou Le hesitated. “I could take them home and wash them before returning them.”
Taking and returning clothes like this, it felt too casual, as if he were at home—too impolite.
Lu Jingran’s lips curled in a small smile, his voice softening, “No need, I’ll handle it.”
Zhou Le didn’t think much of it, simply replying with a polite thank you.
The next moment, a hand gently held his chin.
The Alpha’s face leaned in close.
Zhou Le’s eyes widened.
Lu Jingran narrowed his gaze at him, his expression anything but pleased.
He lowered his gaze, his eyes falling on Zhou Le’s lips, which he had playfully pursed.
They looked like soft candies, both in color and texture.
He could still remember how they had pleased him last night.
When he looked up again, Zhou Le’s face held a slightly frightened expression.
Last night, he had been so eager, but now he looked like this.
This difference in attitude made a trace of displeasure rise in Lu Jingran’s heart.
Even though he knew Zhou Le had only acted that way last night because he’d had too much to drink and was affected by pheromones, he still couldn’t tolerate Zhou Le’s polite distance.
“Why are you still so polite with me?” Lu Jingran’s eyes were serious. “You’ve said thank you enough times, and I don’t like it.”
Looking at him, he said softly, “Don’t say it anymore.”
Then, he released Zhou Le’s chin, picked up the clothes, and turned to leave.
Zhou Le stood there, stunned.
His mind buzzed.
It exploded.
—
He was still in a daze when they arrived at school, his mind filled with the close-up of Lu Jingran’s handsome face, his intense gaze, and sensations that overlapped with scenes from his dreams…
Unconsciously, he swallowed.
But… wait!
Why did the class rep’s flirtatious actions feel so natural?! How could he act so casually?!!!
So, what exactly happened last night? Could someone please tell him?!!!
Lin Xiaoxiao had gotten a severe scolding from her parents last night after being brought home drunk by a group of unknown men. Any parent would’ve been furious.
Even she couldn’t remember why she drank so much. Her head hurt this morning.
Looking over, she saw Xia Linchuan had already fallen asleep on his desk, clearly in a similar state.
As for Zhou Le, her deskmate…? Zhou Le had also been drinking last night. He seemed fine, just dazed and out of it, like he’d lost his soul.
“Hey, does your head hurt? I feel like I’m going to throw up.” Lin Xiaoxiao rubbed her temples and nudged Zhou Le.
They were in class, so she didn’t dare speak too loudly.
Zhou Le snapped back to attention. “Huh? I’m fine, my head doesn’t hurt.”
Lin Xiaoxiao leaned in, whispering, “Really? You drank quite a bit last night too. How come you don’t feel it?”
Zhou Le thought about it. He didn’t feel much of anything, just tired and a bit sleepy.
“I took a hangover medicine this morning,” he recalled.
Lin Xiaoxiao looked envious. “Your mom even got you hangover medicine? Lucky! My mom nearly killed me last night.”
“…”
It wasn’t his mom who bought it; it was Lu Jingran.
“What’s it called? I’ll buy a box after class.”
Zhou Le was stumped by her question.
He didn’t know the name. After breakfast, Lu Jingran had handed him two small pills, which he’d taken.
“I can’t remember. I’ll ask after class.”
“Okay, hurry. I feel like I’m going to die.”
After class, Zhou Le wanted to ask Lu Jingran, but he was worried about being overheard. He took out his phone and opened WeChat.
His screen paused at his chat with Lu Jingran.
He stared at it, unsure how to start.
He was still feeling awkward about the way Lu Jingran had acted that morning. Although he didn’t know why, the intense look Lu Jingran had given him had made his heart pound…
So, what should his first message be?
Just as he was hesitating, as if reading his mind, a message from Lu Jingran appeared.
Lu Jingran: [Are you still feeling unwell?]
Seeing it, Zhou Le replied immediately: [No, I’m fine.]
Lu Jingran: [Okay.]
Zhou Le waited a moment, but seeing no further messages, he took the initiative to ask: [Class rep, what was the name of the hangover medicine I took this morning? I’d like to buy more.]
Lu Jingran’s response was quick: [It’s an imported brand, not available domestically.]
Zhou Le: [Oh, okay then.]
Lu Jingran: [Didn’t you say you weren’t feeling unwell?]
Zhou Le: [I’m fine. Lin Xiaoxiao and Xia Linchuan want it.]
Lu Jingran: [Tell them to drink more water; they’ll feel better by tomorrow.]
Zhou Le: [Got it.]
After a while, Lu Jingran messaged again: [Are you sure you’re not feeling unwell?]
Sensing the concern in his tone, Zhou Le hurriedly replied: [I’m sure, I feel great. Class rep, no need to worry.]
Lu Jingran: […Alright.]
Alright.
And that was it.
Zhou Le was at a loss on how to respond.
Should he thank him?
But as soon as he typed it out, he remembered what Lu Jingran had said that morning.
—Don’t say thank you again.
His face flushed, and all thoughts disappeared.
Just then, another message from Lu Jingran appeared: [Lunch together at noon.]
It was a statement, not a request.
Zhou Le remembered he hadn’t brought lunch today, so he assumed they’d be eating in the cafeteria and agreed.
But to his surprise, they ended up eating a boxed lunch in the classroom.
A boxed lunch, filled with meat, and even strawberry milk tea!
It was lunchtime, and most of their classmates were in the cafeteria. Only the two of them were in the classroom, enjoying a delicious boxed lunch.
“Chen Nan isn’t here today; you can sit in his seat,” Lu Jingran said as he handed Zhou Le a pair of chopsticks and opened his lunchbox.
Not only Chen Nan but Sheng Qian was also absent.
Zhou Le sat down, still in awe.
The lunch was filled with his favorite dishes—spicy chicken cutlets, braised pork knuckle, saucy eel, and stir-fried seafood.
The aroma was irresistible.
Zhou Le couldn’t help but swallow.
In the morning, he hadn’t eaten much due to a series of chaotic events. Although Mother Lu’s seafood congee was truly delicious, he didn’t feel right asking for more as a guest visiting for the first time. He stopped after he’d eaten a bit, but now he was actually feeling a little hungry.
“Why aren’t you eating? Is it not good?” Lu Jingran noticed he hadn’t picked up his chopsticks.
“No, no, it’s really good! I’ll eat now,” Zhou Le replied, picking up his chopsticks and starting to eat.
“Take your time. If it’s not enough, I’ve got more here,” Lu Jingran reminded him, carefully.
As he spoke, he placed a piece of pork knuckle onto Zhou Le’s plate.
As Zhou Le ate, he couldn’t help but think.
Since he’d gotten to know Lu Jingran, he’d enjoyed so many delicious foods—things he’d never dared to dream about before. He was honestly afraid that he’d get used to it, and then plain steamed buns and pickled vegetables wouldn’t satisfy him anymore.
Just like now. He’d grown accustomed to Lu Jingran’s presence, and just sitting next to him and smelling his scent made him feel calm and secure. If one day he had to eat alone, without Lu Jingran by his side, he wondered what that would feel like.
Zhou Le stole a glance at the Alpha sitting next to him.
It seemed that Lu Jingran sensed it and looked back.
Their eyes met, and for a split second, the air between them felt thick.
Zhou Le’s gaze suddenly drifted down to Lu Jingran’s lips.
They looked… soft, like they’d be nice to kiss, maybe even to bite.
“What are you staring at?”
Suddenly, the Alpha raised an eyebrow and looked at him with a barely-there smile at the corner of his lips.
