Extra 3: Citrus Flavor

(Prerequisite: Parallel Universe)

Shen Yuanting and Yan Zhao knew each other from a very young age.

They lived in the same large compound as children. Yan Zhao got along well with everyone and was always active, flying kites, playing cat and mouse, house, and other games. Both boys and girls liked playing with him. Shen Yuanting, on the other hand, preferred quietness and always stayed indoors.

Occasionally, Yan Zhao would knock on his door and ask, “Brother Shen, would you like to be the big villain?”

At times like this, Shen Yuanting knew they were short of people for their role-playing games, or no one was willing to play the villain. When they were young, everyone had a simple taste and hadn’t yet realized that “villains” could be cool too. When no one wanted to play the big bad villain, Yan Zhao would be pushed out to find someone to fill the role.

Shen Yuanting was Yan Zhao’s first choice.

The first time, Shen Yuanting refused. He didn’t want to play such silly little games. Yan Zhao nodded and went to find someone else. But after going around, there were plenty of princesses and heroes, yet no one wanted to be the big villain.

Yan Zhao knocked on Shen Yuanting’s door a second time, holding his most precious water gun toy to bribe him, “Will you be the big villain? You can play with my water gun.”

The little boy’s eyes were watery, almost crying, with a dirty face like an abandoned kitten. Even Shen Yuanting’s stone heart melted. He reluctantly played a lackluster big villain, getting defeated by the hero Yan Zhao with a squirt from the water gun.

Thus, Shen Yuanting became Yan Zhao’s exclusive big villain, appearing only when Yan Zhao was around, otherwise staying indoors.

When Yan Zhao was about to start elementary school, the children’s enthusiasm for role-playing shifted to four-wheel drive cars and card games, and the Shen Villain finally ceased operations, no longer needing to play house with them.

Shen Yuanting’s role shifted from being squirted by Yan Zhao to tutoring Yan Zhao in elementary school subjects, marking a significant rise in status, which was indeed a cause for celebration.

When Shen Yuanting entered junior high and moved away, Yan Zhao cried his heart out, hugging his waist and wailing, “Brother Shen, don’t go! Hic!”

Shen Yuanting pried his hands away helplessly and told him, “In two years, when you get into First High School, we can meet again.”

Yan Zhao replied, “Two years is too long. I’ll call you every day from now on!”

Shen Yuanting patted his head, his heart soft as if soaked in honey.

Yan Zhao kept his promise, reporting to him daily in great detail, including the knowledge points learned in class: “If you move the plus sign to the other side of the equals sign, it becomes a minus sign.”

Shen Yuanting, after finishing his middle school classes, was forced to review elementary school knowledge points every day, immersing himself in a sea of learning.

Later, Yan Zhao participated in a youth singing competition and won an award. He was then signed by a talent agency for closed training. Meanwhile, Shen Yuanting was troubled by family affairs, and after differentiating into an alpha, his rising A-type pheromones made him irritable and emanate a cold and unapproachable aura. By the time he got through his busy period, they hadn’t contacted each other for a long time. From then on, he only received postcards or brief holiday greetings on special occasions.

Shen Yuanting didn’t avoid writing to him more often, but considering that Yan Zhao might have a new life, he decided to let things take their course.

They met again on the campus of First High School.

First High School’s middle and high school sections were only separated by a wall, virtually making them the same campus. Any mischief by the middle school students or trouble caused by the high school students would quickly spread throughout the entire school.

Shen Yuanting wasn’t interested in gossip, but if everyone was talking about something, he would inevitably hear snippets of it.

For instance, Yan Zhao transferred from the Music Academy to First High School, enrolling in Class 1 of the third grade. Also, during the last medical check-up, he was determined to be an omega, which broke the hearts of countless hopeful little alphas.

At just fifteen, Yan Zhao was at his most youthful. Despite being an omega, his clean and attractive features, along with his tall height, won him many fans. During breaks, people would rush to the middle school next door, forming random A/B/O combinations, much to the dismay of the discipline director, who locked the iron gate with extra locks.

But not everyone liked him.

On Saturday, at the city library, near closing time, Shen Yuanting exited the study room and entered the elevator.

Inside, there were already three betas: one tall, one short, who seemed to be together, and the last person standing alone in the corner, wearing a hat embroidered with “didn’t wash hair.” Perhaps afraid of being recognized in his disheveled state, he also wore glasses and a mask.

Shen Yuanting vaguely smelled a youthful, slightly bitter but refreshing scent. He glanced at the beta in the corner, who looked back at him with a hint of surprise in his eyes behind the glasses.

He looked familiar. Just as Shen Yuanting was about to recall his identity, he was distracted by the conversation of the other two betas.

The tall one said, “I think Yan Zhao’s acting is mediocre, not as great as the internet hypes him up to be. Top new generation? I don’t think so.”

The short one replied, “He’s a celebrity with a big following; as long as he looks good, people are lenient with them.”

“Good-looking? Not really, he’s not my type. I prefer tall and tough pure alphas.”

Shen Yuanting frowned but didn’t say anything, just flexed his knuckles.

The two betas continued chatting, “I don’t care for him either. Maybe we betas are immune. You don’t know my dumb alpha deskmate; he claims he can smell Yan Zhao’s pheromones from far away and gets excited like a dog.”

“Really? He doesn’t take scent inhibitors?”

“Who knows, he’s probably trying to seduce as many as he can. Every omega I’ve met puts on a show,” the man’s words grew more lewd, “They all act so demure on the surface, but once an alpha touches them, they go into heat. I bet he slept his way to that award—ah!”

With a loud thud, the tall beta was knocked into the corner, blood streaming from his nose.

His companion screamed, “What are you doing?!”

Shen Yuanting cast a cold glance at him. The short one fell silent, helping the tall one stand up.

The tall one wiped his nose and charged at Shen Yuanting, but before his fist could even land, an overwhelming alpha aura crashed down like a tsunami, making the two betas’ knees buckle.

“Ding.”

The elevator arrived at the ground floor. Shen Yuanting said, “Don’t let me see you again,” and exited the library.

That faint, green citrus scent followed him closely, drawing nearer and nearer. Just as the beta was about to bump into him, Shen Yuanting sidestepped and grabbed his wrist, saying coldly, “Stop following me.”

The beta looked at him steadily. Through the dim shadows, Shen Yuanting observed the exposed features, realizing how familiar they were, overlapping with the little sticky kid from his memories, only now more refined and confident.

The beta, or rather the omega who had taken scent inhibitors, pulled down his mask and removed his glasses, calling out, “Brother Shen…”

Shen Yuanting was stunned.

They stood in silence for a while. On the way, Yan Zhao broke the quiet, “I’m in Class 1 of the third grade.”

Shen Yuanting replied, “I know.”

Yan Zhao asked, “What about you? Which class are you in?”

Shen Yuanting said, “Class 1 of the second year.”

“Can I come to see you from now on?”

“You can.”

“Can we eat together?”

“As you wish.”

“Can you help me with my studies?”

Shen Yuanting replied, “…I’m afraid we’ll have to start from the first year.”

Yan Zhao had been busy with vocal and acting training for the past two years, and his grades weren’t very good. He swore, “I’ll catch up with the progress quickly!”

Shen Yuanting smiled at him, and Yan Zhao, feeling guilty, said, “Don’t laugh, you’re not allowed to laugh.”

Shen Yuanting took off his cap embroidered with “didn’t wash hair” and teased him, “Didn’t wash your hair?”

Yan Zhao reached for the cap, “I just washed it this afternoon.”

Shen Yuanting raised his hand, and the brim of the cap just brushed past Yan Zhao’s hand. This was undoubtedly a provocation. Yan Zhao frowned and lunged at Shen Yuanting. Shen Yuanting, two years older and an alpha, was tall and quick. Despite trying for a long time, Yan Zhao couldn’t gain the upper hand.

Yan Zhao: “Give it back to me!”

Shen Yuanting: “Call me brother.”

Yan Zhao repeated lifelessly several times, “Brother Shen, Brother Shen, Brother Shen… okay, give it to me.”

Shen Yuanting teased him, “Call me like you did when we were kids.”

Yan Zhao: “…” Forget it.

Seeing Shen Yuanting wasn’t going to relent, Yan Zhao grudgingly complied and whispered, “Bro-Brother Shen—” As he was about to finish saying the second “brother,” he leaped like a leopard pouncing on its prey, aiming straight for the cap in Shen Yuanting’s hand.

“Got it!” Yan Zhao grasped the brim of the cap, jumping a few steps forward triumphantly, almost wagging his tail with glee.

Shen Yuanting casually followed with one hand in his pocket.

After the high school entrance exams, Yan Zhao successfully entered First High School, while Shen Yuanting was already a senior.

The two often met at the library. Yan Zhao initially felt embarrassed about asking Shen Yuanting for tutoring again, but Shen Yuanting always proactively asked for his test papers to help him with the questions.

One day, Yan Zhao saw Shen Yuanting submitting some documents to the international department’s teacher. During a break from studying, Yan Zhao leaned on the table and asked languidly, “Are you going to take the college entrance exam or study abroad?”

Shen Yuanting hesitated, “…Probably study abroad.”

Yan Zhao looked up, “Then I’ll only be able to see you during winter and summer vacations.”

Shen Yuanting said, “We can still stay in touch by phone.”

Yan Zhao buried his face in his arms, muttering a muffled “hmm,” and said, “I’m going to take a nap.”

Shen Yuanting said, “I was joking, I’m not leaving.”

Yan Zhao, eyes closed, kicked him under the table.

Shen Yuanting said, “I’m really not leaving. If you’re tired, take a nap.”

When Yan Zhao woke up again, he found a school uniform draped over his shoulder, and the person who had been sitting opposite him was gone, but the books were still on the table.

Yan Zhao unfolded the school uniform. It was a bit larger than his size.

He put the school uniform back on and went to look for the missing Shen Yuanting. Outside the study area, he saw a delicate-looking boy with a flushed face saying something to Shen Yuanting.

Yan Zhao frequently received confessions from alphas he knew or didn’t know. Although this boy’s expression was shyer compared to an alpha, the emotions in his eyes were similar.

The pheromones in the air didn’t lie. That sweet and sticky scent unmistakably indicated its owner was expressing love.

Yan Zhao sniffed the sleeve of the school uniform. Apart from the smell of detergent, he couldn’t detect anything.

Sometimes he suspected Shen Yuanting might be a beta pretending to be an alpha. In his understanding, all alphas wanted to broadcast their pheromone scent as much as possible to show their status and strength. But Shen Yuanting’s pheromone scent was so faint that Yan Zhao often forgot he was a dangerous alpha.

In fact, Yan Zhao didn’t care whether Shen Yuanting was an alpha or a beta.

Yan Zhao hid behind the bookshelf for a while. Only when he saw the boy showing a hurt expression did he return to his seat and pretend to be asleep.

He heard the chair being quietly pulled out, and then Shen Yuanting said, “You were looking for me just now.”

It was a statement, not a question. Yan Zhao continued to play dead.

Shen Yuanting said, “I smelled your pheromone scent.”

Yan Zhao thought, Trying to trick me? No way.

Shen Yuanting said, “Citrus scent.”

“How do you know? I’ve taken the suppressant!” Yan Zhao raised his head, furrowing his brows, and sniffed his wrist. “Did it fail—wait, how do you know my scent?”

Yan Zhao took scent inhibitors every morning and had never disclosed his pheromone scent. Shen Yuanting shouldn’t know this much.

Shen Yuanting said, “I smelled it.”

Yan Zhao was skeptical, “When did you smell it?”

Shen Yuanting replied, “The day you didn’t wash your hair.”

Yan Zhao retorted, “You’re the one who doesn’t wash your hair! I wash mine every day!”

After finishing their work, Yan Zhao packed his things and handed the school uniform back to Shen Yuanting, casually asking, “Shen Yuanting, are you really an alpha? Why can’t I smell your pheromones?”

Shen Yuanting asked, “Have you tried smelling them?”

“…,” Yan Zhao hesitated, “I haven’t deliberately tried, but look, I’m standing this close to you and can’t smell anything—my deskmate is a beta, and I can smell the milk scent on him.”

Shen Yuanting replied, “If the milk scent is from your deskmate, then whose scent is the lemon and grass?”

Yan Zhao was surprised, “How do you even know the pheromones of the people sitting around me?”

Shen Yuanting explained, “Because those two are annoying male alphas going through puberty.”

Yan Zhao thought to himself, You’re also a male alpha going through puberty, aren’t you?

The two walked out of the library. A cool breeze blew, and a few raindrops hit Yan Zhao’s forehead. He looked up at the sky, “It’s raining.”

Shen Yuanting took a folding umbrella out of his bag, “Did you bring an umbrella?”

Yan Zhao ignored the umbrella in his bag, “No, I didn’t.”

Shen Yuanting said, “I’ll walk you back to your dormitory.”

The umbrella Shen Yuanting brought was a single-person umbrella with a narrow canopy. As they walked, Yan Zhao stayed dry, but one of Shen Yuanting’s shoulders got wet.

Yan Zhao said, “I’ll move closer to you.”

Yan Zhao pressed against Shen Yuanting, their shoulders touching, but Shen Yuanting still got wet. Yan Zhao then decided to wrap his arm around Shen Yuanting, but due to the height difference, the action was awkward.

Shen Yuanting suggested, “…Let me hold you instead.”

Yan Zhao replied, “Then give me the umbrella.”

Yan Zhao held the umbrella while Shen Yuanting put his arm around Yan Zhao’s shoulders, finally keeping both of them dry under the umbrella.

In the narrow space, the citrus scent mixed with the damp smell of rain.

Shen Yuanting looked at the misty rain in the distance, counting the steps to the end of the path.

Suddenly, Yan Zhao stopped, “Wait a minute.”

Shen Yuanting asked, “What is it?”

Yan Zhao leaned closer and sniffed him, “Is this scent yours… it’s so faint…”

His fluffy head rested on Shen Yuanting’s shoulder, his warm, damp breath landing on Shen Yuanting’s neck. Shen Yuanting froze, letting Yan Zhao, like a small animal, sniff around his gland.

Shen Yuanting’s pheromones were almost odorless, with only a faint sweetness, but for some reason, Yan Zhao got closer and closer, his nose almost touching Shen Yuanting’s Adam’s apple.

Feeling a sudden pinch on the back of his neck, Yan Zhao was pulled away like a cat being carried by the scruff.

Yan Zhao flailed his arms, “You’re pinching my gland!”

Shen Yuanting frowned, “You know that’s a gland?”

Yan Zhao blushed and lowered his head. The gland, being the part used for temporary marking in A/O relationships, was of significant importance. If an alpha sniffed an omega’s gland without permission, getting beaten up would be deserved.

Yan Zhao tried to brush it off, “I wasn’t doing it on purpose, I was just curious…”

Shen Yuanting said coldly, “Why don’t I see you being this curious about math?”

“…” Yan Zhao felt wronged, thinking to himself that conic sections wouldn’t pop out of the textbook to tutor him. His mind blanked, and he unbuttoned his shirt collar, “You’re so fierce, then smell mine back!”

Shen Yuanting was speechless.

Yan Zhao regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. In TV dramas, flirtatious omegas would invite alphas this way, leading to… well, that. Embarrassed, he let go and, seeing they were close to the dormitory, tried to make a quick escape, “I’m going back!”

He took one step before Shen Yuanting pulled him back. The alpha hugged him from behind, pressing his nose against Yan Zhao’s gland, his breath hot against it.

Yan Zhao didn’t dare move, feeling the alpha’s rapid breathing.

Once the surging pheromones returned to normal, Shen Yuanting released Yan Zhao, his hand resting on Yan Zhao’s long neck, and his thumb gently stroking the reddened skin.

Yan Zhao shuddered, then turned around, grabbed Shen Yuanting’s collar, and pulled him down, biting his gland.

Yan Zhao declared, “Don’t go looking for other omegas!”

After marking him, Yan Zhao pecked the alpha’s Adam’s apple and dashed out from under the umbrella, running into the dormitory.

Shen Yuanting touched the tingling spot on his neck, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Two years later, Shen Yuanting, just back from his company, hurried to a restaurant to pick up Yan Zhao, who had just finished his high school graduation celebration with his classmates.

The scent of citrus was surrounded by mango, apple, banana, and mint, each trying to blend with it. Shen Yuanting drove out of the restaurant’s parking lot and asked, “How many alphas have confessed to you?”

Yan Zhao replied, “One, two, three, four, five, six… so many, I lost count, but definitely not three digits.”

Shen Yuanting: “…”

Yan Zhao continued, “Since it was my birthday recently, they even wanted to take me to a bar, but I thought of you and declined.”

Shen Yuanting said, “You’re not allowed to go alone in the future either.”

Yan Zhao responded, “Yeah, after all, I’m an unmarked but not single omega.”

Shen Yuanting: “…”

Yan Zhao looked out the window as a familiar supermarket passed by. It was the place he often sneaked to on weekends to buy chips.

Yan Zhao suddenly called out, “Don’t drive me home!”

Shen Yuanting asked, “I can’t take you back to the dormitory, can I?”

Yan Zhao hesitated, “I told my mom and my agent that I was staying out all night singing karaoke.”

Shen Yuanting sharply turned the wheel, “Then I’ll take you to a karaoke bar.”

“…” Yan Zhao stared at him, “Fine, let’s go to the karaoke bar!”

As the scenery outside the car window gradually changed, at a red light intersection, Yan Zhao realized the direction they were heading. He purposely grabbed a cushion and threw it at Shen Yuanting, “Didn’t you say we were going to the karaoke bar? Why are you taking me to your place?”

Shen Yuanting didn’t dodge, “Because I have ulterior motives.”

The light turned on, illuminating the living room.

Shen Yuanting embraced his omega and kissed him. The scent of citrus in the air grew stronger, no longer with the bitterness of green oranges but the sweetness of ripe ones, with a hint of alcoholic aroma.

After the kiss, Yan Zhao looked at him and bit his neck again, “Let me reinforce the mark.”

Shen Yuanting tilted his head, allowing his omega’s pheromones to enter his gland, forming a short-term bond with his alpha pheromones.

When Yan Zhao let go, Shen Yuanting asked, “Are you scared?”

Yan Zhao shook his head, then touched his own neck, blushing as he looked at Shen Yuanting. He turned around, exposing his neck.

The sharp pain of fangs piercing his skin made Yan Zhao nervously close his eyes and grip Shen Yuanting’s hand tightly.

After completing the temporary marking, Shen Yuanting released his bite, satisfied to detect his own pheromone mixed with the citrus scent.

Yan Zhao whispered, “Brother Shen… actually, there’s something I’m very curious about regarding alphas.”

Shen Yuanting asked, “What’s your question?”

Yan Zhao asked, “What does an alpha’s knot look like?”

Shen Yuanting: “………………”

Yan Zhao continued, “Will it hurt a lot when you form a knot?”

Shen Yuanting: “………………”

Shen Yuanting finally said, “You won’t know if it hurts until you try, will you?”

Author’s Note:

The story of Zhao Zhao and President Shen ends here. This is the official conclusion. Thank you to everyone who followed this story. Love you all!

The End.

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Translator’s Note:

Thank you all for reading this beautiful story, hope you enjoyed it!(≧▽≦)❤️

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