Chapter 16 SJC

 Shen Jinnian was just about to pick up his package when a shadow suddenly loomed over him, enveloping him entirely.

Gu Yan slowly put his books on the desk and sat beside him: "It's almost time for class, are you going out?"

“It’s fine. I’m not going anymore.” Shen Jinnian subtly shifted to the side, putting some distance between them.

But Gu Yan clearly had no intention of giving him that chance. Every step he took back, Gu Yan followed, closing the gap between them until only the width of a single finger remained between their arms.

Leaning in, Gu Yan deliberately exhaled near Shen Jinnian’s ear, his voice low and husky. “Boss Shen, did my laundry smell nice?”

The warm breath grazing his skin was like a feather, making his ears burn.

Shen Jinnian flinched slightly, turning his head to avoid the proximity. He feigned indifference. “Are you entering a beauty pageant? Always asking if you look good, if you smell nice.”

“It’s normal to want to look good for the one you like.” Gu Yan whispered softly, with a hint of ambiguity in his cold eyes.

Shen Jinnian instantly became interested and teased Gu Yan: “Oh? So, you’ve got someone you like now?”

Gu Yan met his gaze, deep and unguarded. “You sound strange. Am I not allowed to like someone?”

“Whoever they are, they must be really unlucky to have caught your eye.” Shen Jinnian scoffed, flashing a small tiger tooth in his grin. He supported his chin with one hand and his eyes were frivolous, “Their ancestors must have committed some terrible crime.”

Gu Yan’s expression didn’t change. Instead, he smiled slightly and said, “You’ve never dated me, so how would you know if it’s a crime… or a blessing?” His voice carried an unmistakable undertone. “Or have you fantasized about it before?”

Shen Jinnian’s face turned red instantly. He realized too late that he had walked right into Gu Yan’s trap again.

“Gu. Yan.” His name was squeezed out through clenched teeth. Shen Jinnian’s heart pounded and he immediately sat up straight and wished he could stay eight hundred meters away from the man: “Would it kill you to behave yourself for once?”

He originally wanted to take the opportunity to mock Gu Yan as a vulgar Alpha who was tempted by beauty, but he didn't expect Gu Yan to deliberately set a trap for him to jump into.

Gu Yan was a wolf in sheep’s clothing—a natural-born menace wrapped in an innocent façade!

“I wasn’t making fun of you,” Gu Yan said innocently, though the hint of amusement in his voice was clear.

Shen Jinnian clenched his fists, itching to land a punch or two and teach this guy a lesson.

Unfortunately, before he could make a move, the professor walked into the classroom, laptop bag in hand.

With no other choice, Shen Jinnian scooted as far away as possible, putting what felt like a galaxy’s worth of distance between them.

Gu Yan saw that he was about to shrink into the corner, and could not bear it, so he could only move ten centimeters away in the opposite direction to give Shen Jinnian a safe distance.

For the next half of the lecture, the two of them minded their own business, keeping a tense but peaceful truce.

Finally, Shen Jinnian collapsed on the desk, holding his stomach with a pale face.

Gu Yan noticed.

Without a word, he reached under the desk and gently poked Shen Jinnian’s arm.

Shen Jinnian barely lifted his eyelids and asked impatiently. “What?”

Gu Yan opened his palm.

A small, brightly wrapped candy sat quietly in the center, catching the light like a tiny gemstone.

Shen Jinnian hesitated. His hostility faded slightly, replaced by something more awkward. He let out a soft hum. “…Hmm?”

Gu Yan nudged it toward him. “It’s for you.”

“You carry candy with you?” Shen Jinnian didn’t take it right away, but his tone had softened considerably.

Maybe it was the dizziness.

Maybe it was the unexpected kindness.

“I take one when I don’t have time for breakfast,” Gu Yan admitted. “Strawberry flavor. You’d probably like it.”

By now, Shen Jinnian’s head was spinning and his limbs were weak from low blood sugar.

With no other choice, he reached out, picked up the candy, and discreetly unwrapped it beneath the desk, popping it into his mouth.

The sweet, rich taste of strawberries spread across his tongue instantly.

For a brief moment, the dull, colorless world cracked open, revealing a soft pink light.

Shen Jinnian barely propped himself up and whispered to Gu Yan, "Thank you."

"You have low blood sugar, remember to eat breakfast."

Shen Jinnian watched as Gu Yan pulled a box of yogurt from his bag and placed it in front of him.

“If you don’t have time to eat, at least carry some chocolate with you. And if you really can’t manage, ask a classmate or a friend.”

Shen Jinnian’s ears were practically growing calluses from all the nagging.

But since he had just eaten Gu Yan’s candy, it didn’t feel right to snap at him now.

“…Got it.” He picked up the yogurt, stabbed the straw in, and took several big gulps. Finally, he felt a bit of strength returning to his body.

Gu Yan watched as color visibly returned to his face and exhaled a breath of relief.

It was a good thing he always carried candy with him. He had finally encountered the day it was needed.

Unaware of the subtle shifts in Gu Yan’s expression, Shen Jinnian mulled something over before finally speaking. “Since you gave me snacks, I’ll cut your laundry duty in half. Five more days, and you’re done.”

“I—” Gu Yan parted his lips to speak, but before he could finish, the dismissal bell rang.

Shen Jinnian’s eyes lit up instantly. 

He had urgent matters to attend to, and there was no time to ask what Gu Yan had been about to say. 

He picked up the unfinished yogurt on the table, stood up, walked around Gu Yan with his long legs, and ran straight to the door with a clear goal.

The courier was still waiting at the school gates. Documents this important weren’t meant to pass through third-party hands.

His pace quickened.

Then, unable to contain his excitement, he broke into a run.

When the thin stack of A4 papers—so light in weight yet heavy in significance—finally landed in his hands, a wave of relief washed over him.

Soon, his life would be back on track.

He was still the SS rank Alpha that everyone was paying attention to, the second young master Shen who was loved by his family, the super-strong war god who had fought three hundred rounds with Gu Yan with all his strength, and the happiest puppy.

Shen Jinnian hugged the package to his chest and took a deep breath.

With a good mood, even the scent of cedar in the air felt particularly refreshing.

As he stood there, Gu Yan rode past on a shared bike, sparing an extra glance at the package in his arms. “You’re done with classes too?”

For once, Shen Jinnian didn’t throw him a nasty look. Instead, he smiled. “Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

Gu Yan froze, caught completely off guard by the sudden friendliness. It was as if his brain had glitched for a moment, leaving him stiff and awkwardly processing the interaction. After a few beats, he finally managed a response.

“…See you tomorrow.”

Shen Jinnian took a taxi and went home immediately.

The nanny was preparing formula, while the little guy was hiding in the pile of clothes and playing with his little doll.

When he saw Shen Jinnian coming home, he immediately blinked his big eyes and grinned, happily asking for a hug.

Shen Jinnian felt a little guilty.

He hastily stashed the unopened package atop the entryway cabinet before carefully scooping up the expectant child.

The cub beamed, overflowing with joy, and planted a loud, sloppy kiss on his cheek. “PaPa!”

Shen Jinnian’s chest tightened.

Humans were sentimental creatures. He had deliberately avoided naming the child, afraid he might grow attached. But now that the moment of separation was looming closer, he couldn’t help feeling reluctant.

Clenching his jaw, he steeled himself.

With one arm holding the child and the other gripping the paternity test, he called out to the nanny.

“Auntie, I’m taking him out for a bit.”

· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

Chapters 17-20 are now up on Patreon! (≧▽≦)/  Chapter 21 drops tomorrow~ 💖

The $2 offer is still up for grabs, so if you're enjoying the novel, pretty please consider supporting me? (╥﹏╥)💕 Every little bit helps and keeps me going!

Alsooo, if you spot any sneaky typos or mistakes, let me know! I’ll be happy to fix them~ 

· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·

A huge thank you to Michelle for being my first patron! 🥹💖 You’re the best!! ✨🎀