The nurse came in holding a hot water bottle, hesitated for a moment, then stuffed it into Chu Tao’s arms.

“You… you’re soaking wet. Warm up quickly.”

After speaking, the nurse’s face turned slightly pink, and she pretended to check on Chu Xingning’s condition.

Chu Tao was momentarily stunned, murmuring, “Thank you.”

The nurse awkwardly rubbed the tip of her nose, tapping her toes and lowering her head, mumbling, “No need to thank me. I’m just happy if you like it.”

After saying that, she bit her lower lip and hurriedly slipped away.

Chu Tao’s pheromone scent gradually spread into the air, and it was the scent she liked.

And with Chu Tao being so handsome, even though he was drenched, he looked somehow charming in his disheveled state, making her unable to resist wanting to take care of him.

Chu Tao couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

It was the first time an Omega had shown interest in him.

But unfortunately, he didn’t like Omegas.

The hot water bottle was very hot. He gripped it tightly, feeling the warmth spread through his palm, dispelling some of the coldness.

But Chu Tao still placed the hot water bottle in Chu Xingning’s bed, hesitated for a second, then quickly ran out.

The rain had lightened, but the water on the road was still very deep. The road conditions were unclear under the cover of night, and with every step, he sank a bit—he couldn’t run fast at all.

Chu Tao stumbled his way to the alley where the bicycle was locked. He leaned against the damp wall, gasping for air.

His hair, which had been drying, was completely wet again, and the alternating cold and warmth made his head throb slightly.

After a moment, Chu Tao knelt on one knee, wiped his face, and began unlocking the bicycle lock.

The lock hole was very small, and the night was pitch black.

He was worried about his phone getting wet and had left it behind, not even bringing a flashlight.

Chu Tao could only feel around, trying to find the lock hole with his fingertips, attempting to unlock it.

As Chu Tao kept trying, he suddenly felt the rain above his head stop.

The sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella echoed.

Confused, Chu Tao looked up and saw a tall figure standing behind him, holding an umbrella, shielding him from the rain.

The person’s shoulder was exposed to the rain, but they still made an effort to cover Chu Tao completely.

The dim streetlight cast a slanted glow on the person, and their shadow was stretched long by the light, blending into the drizzling rain.

The last time Chu Tao saw this person, he was leading a group of his friends, threatening him to “be obedient.”

Jiang She took the lead and spoke: “You have a masochism kink?”

Chu Tao: “…”

Jiang She: “Are you a plant that will turned into a spirit? Why do you like getting drenched in the rain so much?”

His words were too harsh.

Chu Tao casually responded: “Yeah, but you’re still holding the umbrella for me.”

As soon as he said it, both of them were slightly stunned.

Jiang She couldn’t understand why seeing Chu Tao in such a sorry state made him so angry.

Chu Tao also felt that what he said sounded a bit spoiled, as if he was taking advantage of Jiang She’s kindness.

Anyway, Jiang She was holding the umbrella for him out of good intentions.

He lowered his eyes, stood up, and moved away from Jiang She’s umbrella.

“Anyway, I’m already soaked, you can hold it yourself.”

He moved his bike out of the puddle and shook off the water from the seat.

Jiang She insisted on keeping the umbrella over his side, casually saying, “Didn’t you leave with your brother? Why are you back riding your bike?”

Chu Tao pushed his bike to the intersection, speaking in a calm voice: “I had something to do.”

“What something?” Jiang She blocked his way.

Chu Tao fell silent.

He should have just gotten on his bike and left, but since Jiang She was here, he wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to just leave him behind.

“Say it, where are you going?” Jiang She impatiently urged.

His father had rented a school district apartment near Huainan, not far, just a short walk away.

It was purely by chance that he ran into Chu Tao on his way.

Chu Tao lifted his gaze, his wet face visible, and said, “If I tell you, you’ll get angry.”

Jiang She scoffed lightly: “I will not get angry.”

Chu Tao sighed: “I’m going to the laundry shop to pick up your school pants.”

Since Jiang She was right here, he couldn’t hide it, and he wasn’t trying to.

Right now, his time was precious, and he didn’t have the time to waste talking.

“You ran out in the heavy rain just to pick up my pants?”

“Yeah.”

Jiang She squinted, grinding his teeth: “I told you to hand wash them, and you took them to the laundromat?”

Chu Tao rolled his eyes.

When it came to one-on-one, he wasn’t afraid of Jiang She, and wasn’t even sure who would win in a fight.

“No one’s hand washing them, even Su Jingtong wouldn’t hand wash your pants.”

Jiang She raised an eyebrow: “Why are you bringing up Su Jingtong?”

Chu Tao didn’t know why he suddenly mentioned Su Jingtong.

Maybe it was the rain messing with his mind.

Jiang She frowned: “You’re not… into Su Jingtong, are you?”

Su Jingtong, although pretentious, was still a likable Omega.

Jiang She had reluctantly agreed to go out with him because he looked good.

But just having a good appearance wasn’t enough. Su Jingtong couldn’t attract him, and definitely didn’t stir any desire to conquer him.

Right now, the only person he had that kind of desire for was…

Chu Tao couldn’t be bothered to argue with him: “You’re talking nonsense.”

Jiang She said, “Forget it, don’t go, I’ll get my pants myself.”

Chu Tao said, “The boss didn’t wash them, I was planning to take them home and wash them. I’ll give them to you on Friday.”

Jiang She heard his voice shake and said in a low voice: “I said forget it, no need to wash them.”

Chu Tao pressed his lips together, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly. He gripped the handlebars tighter, stubbornly saying, “I promised you.”

They reached a streetlight, and the visibility improved a little.

The light shone from above, casting over them along with the fine rain, which fell onto the umbrella.

Only the light came through.

Jiang She looked at Chu Tao’s figure, realizing that his school uniform was drenched, clinging tightly to him.

His back, waist, and hips were all outlined by the fabric, and a faint scent of pheromones lingered around him.

It was an Alpha’s pheromone, which triggered a sense of competition rather than desire for pleasure.

But right now, Jiang She couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than possessing an Alpha.

He even thought about holding Chu Tao’s supple waist and rubbing it hard, imagining how Chu Tao would look with misty eyes.

Chu Tao felt uneasy under his gaze, wondering: “Why are you following me?”

Jiang She smirked: “None of your business.”

Chu Tao: “…” But you’re wasting my time!

With Jiang She around, he couldn’t just ride off. After all, Jiang She had shared most of the umbrella with him.

But being close to someone was warmer than being alone, and no one would reject warmth that was freely given.

Fortunately, the row of simple houses wasn’t far from the school.

After winding through two alleys and crossing a traffic light, they finally arrived.

Jiang She looked disgusted: “You’re taking my clothes to get washed at this crappy place?”

Chu Tao glanced at him, calmly replying: “Young Master Jiang, even if it’s crappy, it’s better than hand washing them.”

Jiang She suddenly said, “I like you hand washing them.” He placed his palm on Chu Tao’s hand, his thumb gently brushing over his knuckles, and with satisfaction, added, “You have nice hands.”

For some reason, Chu Tao’s heart skipped a beat.

---

Author’s Note:
Brother She always wants to get handsy with Tao Tao.