The alpha was frozen. He stared blankly at the cream covering his body and clothes.
The other party recovered quickly. "I'm so sorry! Goodness!"
A handkerchief was thrust in his face, a poor attempt to clean the mess on it. "I'm so sorry. The cake was a bit heavy."
Shaoyou inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself. He pushed the hand away. "It's nothing."
"Still, I shouldn't have—"
"I said, it's okay."
The alpha lifted his head and froze.
Pale skin, innocent brown eyes and petal like lips. Black hair that fell around his face like waves, giving him a soft and alluring look.
He was beautiful and Shaoyou felt his heart skip a beat.
"It's... fine," he repeated.
The other blinked at him and Shaoyou's eyes traced his soft features.
"Is there cake on my face too?"
The question made the alpha realize that he had been staring and he felt a bit embarrassed.
He stood up, dusting his pants. "I'll go and clean up."
"I'm really sorry," the other said again with a smile. "I'm Hua Yong."
The alpha resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Sheng Shaoyou."
Hua Yong's eyes brightened, stretching a hand toward him. "I'm your new neighbor. It's nice to meet you."
Shaoyou didn't share his enthusiasm. He gestured at the cake over himself. "I'm going to clean up."
"Hey!" the other called after him. "Wait up!"
Shaoyou ignore his calls and immediately got in, shutting the door behind him.
He collapsed on the floor, glancing at the cake on his clothes. "What the fuck was that?"
************
Hua Yong's lips curled in amusement, watching as his future mate ran away. "He's really cute."
He glanced at the handkerchief in his hand. The one that he used to touch Shaoyou's face. The cloth smelled faintly of the alpha.
"Bitter orange and rum," Hua Yong murmured softly. He brought it to his nose and inhaled deeply.
The scent filled his nose and his eyes glowed pink, his pheromones filling the corridor.
"Are you a dog? What are you sniffing like that?
Hua Yong rolled his eyes at the voice. "Save you bitterness for later, Wenlang. I'm not in the mood to entertain you."
The alpha scoffed, standing in front of him. "You should have thought about it before bringing me with you. Now you have to deal—"
"Remind me," Hua Yong tilted his head innocently. "How much did I invest you business again?"
Shen Wenlang zipped his mouth, straightening. "I think Jianghu is a nice place. We can stay here for a long time."
He looked at the ground. "Why is there cake on the floor."
The Enigma shrugged innocently. "It was a minor accident."
*************
The event of the previous day had completely slipped off Shaoyou's mind as he stepped out of his apartment, his textbook in one hand.
The weather was sunny as Shaoyou stepped out. He lifted his face to the sky, feeling the sunrays warm his skin.
"Winter is my favorite season," a voice whispered in his ear and the alpha startled, falling to the floor.
Pain zapped through him and he winced. "What the fuck!"
A soft laugh sounded above him and Shaoyou lifted his head, meeting familiar brown eyes.
"Why is it you again?" he asked. "First the cake and now this?"
"Good morning, Sheng Shaoyou."
The alpha got off the floor, dusting his pants. "What's your name again?"
"Hua Yong."
Shaoyou rolled his eyes. "I don't know what planet you're from, but you don't go around whispering in people's ears."
"It's... uncomfortable."
"I don't whisper in other people's ears," Hua Yong replied. "Only yours."
The alpha blinked at the unexpected words. "Are you... flirting with me?"
The other titled his head with a small smile. "Is that what it's called?"
Shaoyou was surprised. "What planet are you from?"
Hua Yong opened his mouth to respond but the alpha raised a finger, shutting him up.
"I don't want to know," he said coldly. "Just stay away from me."
The alpha walked away, shoulders tensed.
He didn't see how Hua Yong's gaze lingered on him, till he rounded a corner.
************
"He whispered into my ears."
"Is that so?"
"I think he was sent to disturb me."
"Is that so?"
Shaoyou frowned, squinting his eyes at his friend. "Gao Tu, are you even listening?"
The omega sighed, closing his book. "If you mean listening to you whining about Hua Yong for the past hour, then yeah, I'm listening."
"Do you have a crush on him?" he asked bluntly.
Shaoyou sputtered. "What the heck are you talking about? I'm complaining to you and this is all you have to say?"
How could his friend suggest such a thing?
Even if Hua Yong was very attractive, it didn't mean that he—"
The alpha shook that line of thought. He glare at his friend. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Gao Tu snorted. "What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know," the alpha threw his head in exasperation. "Comfort me or something! Isn't that what friends do?"
"Quit whining," his friend said. "We still have a lot of topics to cover."
Shaoyou looked around the library, noting the few students sitting around the reserved area. "Have you done your assignment?"
"Nope. I'll do it later."
"Why don't you come for a sleepover at mine?" the alpha suggested. "We can do the assignment there."
"Is Li Baiqiao going to be there?" Gao Tu asked, looking up from his notes.
Shaoyou wiggled his brows. "Why? Do you want him to be?"
The omega smacked his arm. "You know I find him annoying. That idiot is always trying to sniff my neck!"
He huffed, crossing his arms. "I'll definitely break his nose one day. Why are you even friends with him?"
Sometimes, even Shaoyou questioned himself. But then again, Li Baiqiao was a childhood friend and though foolish to a fault, was very kind.
Maybe that's why they were friends.
"Where's Chen Pinming?"
Gao Tu shrugged. "He didn't come today. Talked about a flu or something."
The alpha nodded. "Why don't we get something to eat? I'm starving."
The omega raised a brow. "You're paying."
Shaoyou rolled his eyes, crossing his hands. "I always—"
His friend stared pointedly at him.
"It was just one time! Why can't you let it go?"
Gao Tu stood up, packing his books. "You left me with a hundred thousand debt at a bar."
Shaoyou clicked his tongue. "I was drunk," he defended. "Does Italian sound good?"
"Italian?" a voice interrupted. "Why don't you try Chinese dishes instead?"
The alpha turned around, narrowing his eyes at the newcomer. "Are you stalking me or something?"