"Get off the car," Luan Xi said to himself, and then he pulled out the car keys, opened the car door, and swung his leg out.

Yi Zixin realized he had misspoken and felt a sense of unease. He quickly got out of the car along with him. In the past few years, Yi Zixin had made this kind of joke countless times in the dormitory, but Lan Xi never reacted like this. Now the situation was different, and this joke seemed to have a subtle and profound effect.

The two of them chose a Japanese restaurant, quiet and convenient for discussing matters. The store was decorated quite dimly, and combined with the atmosphere between them now, Yi Zixin's back was covered in cold sweat.

He guessed, could it be that he had guessed what Xi Ge was thinking? Can I pretend that I haven't said that previous sentence?

Perhaps this shop is too hidden, as there were only a few tables occupied by diners when it reached lunchtime. A young lady dressed in a kimono served them a few appetizers beforehand.

Luan Xi felt frustrated in her heart, twirling the keychain in her hand. Even her facial expression showed impatience. The cartoon pattern on the keychain was chosen by Shen Li, dull and silly, completely contrasting with Luan Xi's image.

Yi Zi Xin silently poured himself a cup of tea from the small pot on the table. He even thought that no matter what he said now, Lan Xi would respond with cold words.

"Oh, by the way, Yi Zixin," Luan Xi suddenly remembered the day when the postgraduate entrance exam results were announced. That person across from her had called her late at night, discussing about sharing an apartment. "Is that offer you mentioned on the phone about sharing an apartment still valid?"

Yi Zixin was slightly taken aback. After sipping some water, he put down the cup and asked, "Brother Xi, are you suggesting that I should move in?"

Luan Xi nodded in agreement.

The incident involving Shen Li yesterday definitely had some impact on Luan Xi. It's not that he is afraid of what might happen to himself, but rather he is worried about what might happen to Shen Li because of him. Luan Xi watched Shen Li grow up and in his eyes, she has always been the tender and obedient child he first met. How could he possibly have any improper thoughts about Shen Li?

But reality caught him off guard. Shen Li's facial features had also grown and no longer resembled the face of a child from a few years ago. Instead, he became increasingly handsome, captivating people's attention. In Lan Xi's eyes, even though Shen Li was still underage, he belonged to the most desirable type of Omega she had ever seen during her time at school. With this thought in mind, it was as if the sweet aroma of Omega pheromones, which belonged to the person in her embrace, still lingered in her nostrils, melting Lan Xi's heart.

For the first time in over twenty years, I was thrown into such disarray because of an Omega's pheromones, especially when that Omega happened to be Shen Li, who had just recently undergone differentiation.

But things shouldn't have turned out like this.

The only way to stop it is for him to move out.

"Sure, if you want to. But why did you suddenly change your mind?" Yi Zixin asked as the dishes were brought one after another. He thanked the waitress in a kimono and then turned to ask Luan Xi, "Are you really willing to let go?"

After listening to his words, Luan Xi furrowed her brows and explained, "Your statement is ambiguous, and what I'm doing is to ensure that he grows up in a normal environment." To be precise, to become an adult.

He is too dependent on me... I can't bear to refuse Shen Li's request either.

Yi Zixin couldn't help but sob and sigh, "You say you're so great, but have you ever thought about what will happen to him when he grows up? What identity will you use to watch him find his own Alpha?"

Luan Xi fell silent as he pondered over such a possibility.

"Alright, Xiaoge," Yizi Xin picked up her chopsticks, "the root of your troubles lies in not knowing your place. After all, you two have grown up together, so do you want to be a good older brother next door who watches children grow up, or..." Yizi Xin didn't say the last word.

He reached out and picked up a piece of salmon, dipped it into the wasabi soy sauce, and rephrased the question, "Why do you dote on someone who has no connection to you? Moreover, after all these years, only you know whether this love has gone sour or not."

He saw that Luan Xi did not express his opinion, and continued to speak to himself, saying, "Oh, my Xi ge, if you can't figure it out, just go with the flow."

Luan Xi, unlike Yi Zixin, does not have much experience in emotions. After all, he is a virgin who has never even had a first love. He has always regarded Shen Li as a cute neighbor's kid, inexplicably enjoying Shen Li's coquettishness and dependence on him. If one day, all of these no longer belong to him but to someone else, Luan Xi simply cannot imagine what that situation would be like.

"If you're really decided to move out, I have a room here that's reserved for you."

The gathering that evening was lively and bustling, with many people. After playing a few rounds of cards, Luan Xi found someone to replace him and sat on the sofa with a few other classmates, drinking together. On a low table, there were various types of foreign liquor arranged in two solid triangles for people to choose from. Luan Xi didn't know how they mixed the drinks, but after a while, he began to feel a bit dizzy. He took out his phone and glanced at the time—it was already past eleven. The screen displayed a missed call from a home landline, which had come in ten minutes ago.

Is it Shen Li?

Once this idea arose, it couldn't be stopped.

Luan Xi and Yi Zixin bid farewell, saying they had to leave first. Today was Sunday, and they still had a class to attend tomorrow morning. Luan Xi was not a boarding student, so she did not have the luxury of staying on campus during this time. If they continued playing until dawn, it would be around one or two in the morning when she finally got home, which would delay her waking up the next day.

After leaving the club, Luan Xi was momentarily sobered by the night breeze. He got into the car and called for a designated driver to take him back.

Arriving home, he changed into slippers and headed towards the room. The smell of alcohol on himself made him uncomfortable, even when he sniffed it. As he turned the doorknob to enter the room, Lan Xi, for the first time ever, glanced at Shen Li's bedroom door.

At this hour, Shen Li is probably fast asleep in his own room.