Chapter 36: It Was Deadly
Everyone thought He Siming was joking, but in fact, it was true.
Jiang Rong fell silent. He only knew that in this world, homosexuality was a minority orientation and few people openly came out. However, compared to the tense vigilance he’d felt at first, he now understood things more deeply—thanks to the café manager, who had told him plenty of campus romance gossip. Same-sex couples at school didn’t deliberately flaunt themselves, but people weren’t especially hostile either. Times were more open now; some girls even loved shipping same-sex couples. Holding hands openly on campus could even earn blessings from others.
Perhaps in his original world, where all kinds of genders existed, love in any form was simply a personal freedom. He didn’t really understand the whole CP-shipping thing.
When He Siming wasn’t around, after a full day of classes Jiang Rong’s whole body would ache. But today, sitting beside him, probably having absorbed some pheromones, his limbs didn’t feel nearly as tired.
Still, that only worked when He Siming was constantly by his side—and he couldn’t exactly treat himself like an accessory, sticking to He Siming every day.
Simply relying on pheromones gained through kissing, hugging, and skin contact was starting to feel insufficient.
Dinner was a nutrition-packed meal He Siming had ordered from a restaurant. Everyone in the dorm got a portion—even some unofficial members showed up to eat.
The weather had turned cold recently, so even Ding Yan, who usually acted like a spoiled young master, was willing to stay in the male dorm again.
Ding Yan looked at his own meal, then at Jiang Rong’s.
His mentality instantly became unbalanced. “Jiang Rong, why does yours look so much fancier than ours? Those shrimp balls look pretty good.”
Yao Shule, gnawing on some delicious lemon chicken feet, said, “Didn’t He-god say it today? Jiang Rong is his wife—what’s wrong with him eating better? Right, Rongrong?”
Jiang Rong, quietly eating: “……” He knew they were joking, but he still blushed.
He looked at He Siming, hoping he’d rescue him. He wasn’t good at responding to jokes like that.
He Siming took the crab from in front of Ding Yan and placed it in front of Yao Shule. “Reward for you. Say more.”
Ding Yan wailed and tried to snatch it back. “My crab!”
Yao Shule was quick-eyed and faster-handed, pushing the crab toward Li Yizhou. “Don’t let him get it. It’s mine—I’ll eat it after I finish the chicken feet!”
Ding Yan liked saving his favorite foods for last. “No way. This place’s drunken crab is amazing. You’ve already finished yours—this one’s mine!”
Yao Shule: “It’s mine now!”
Li Yizhou started breaking off a crab leg. “Wow, it smells so good.”
Yao Shule reached to grab it back. “Damn it, why are you eating it? You already finished yours!”
Li Yizhou: “Hehe, whoever sees it gets a share!”
The three of them started fooling around over a single crab, and Dorm 519 was as lively as ever.
Jiang Rong, who also loved seafood, stared at the crab with envy. He really wanted to eat it—he was practically drooling. Seafood was one of his favorite foods.
A hand blocked his view.
He Siming covered his eyes. “Stop looking. You can’t eat it.”
Jiang Rong sighed regretfully. “Alright.” Once he finished giving birth, he was definitely going to eat a ton!
Seeing how pitiful Jiang Rong looked as his gaze followed the crab, He Siming found him a little adorable and smiled. “Later I’ll heat up the fresh meat mooncakes. Want to try one?”
Jiang Rong’s attention shifted instantly. “Sure. I’ve never had one before.”
Compared to the noise from the other three, their voices were soft, forming a small world of their own.
After dinner, they started discussing song choices for the New Year’s performance.
Since New Year’s was meant to celebrate the coming year, Li Yizhou suggested something upbeat, and everyone agreed.
In the end, they chose the very festive piece “CHINA-E.”
Jiang Rong liked it too. Perhaps because of the pregnancy, his emotions were more easily affected—listening to cheerful music lifted his mood.
Yao Shule said, “Let’s download the sheet music first. So where do we rehearse?”
Li Yizhou checked the school app. “The practice rooms are all booked. Even after nine at night, they’re taken.”
Ding Yan, who hadn’t gone back to his own dorm yet, suggested, “How about renting a recording studio outside?”
Yao Shule said, “That’s expensive.”
Li Yizhou added, “We’re poor students.”
While Ding Yan was still thinking, He Siming spoke. “Come to my place. My house is soundproofed—practice shouldn’t bother the neighbors.”
Ding Yan stared at He Siming as if he’d seen a ghost. “……”
He knew very well how much He Siming disliked people intruding into his private space.
No, bro—who are you? Please get off my buddy already. He’s never this approachable. He’s not even one percent this enthusiastic with friends normally!
Yao Shule cheered. “That’s great!”
Li Yizhou added, “Close to school and free!” College students were just that stingy.
He Siming said, “It’s settled. Get familiar with the piece these next couple of days.”
Jiang Rong replied, “Okay, He-god.”
Ding Yan asked, “Can I come? I can pour tea, fetch water, be a music stand.”
Every time He Siming heard him call him “He-god,” it felt different from when others said it. He quietly raised a hand and ruffled Jiang Rong’s hair.
Jiang Rong leaned into his palm. “?” Why was he rubbing his head?
At that moment, He Siming’s phone rang. “I’ll go downstairs to get the mooncakes.”
A few minutes later, He Siming returned with the reheated fresh meat mooncakes, and the dorm instantly filled with their aroma.
All of them were adult male college students—big appetites, one bite per cake.
Ding Yan was also from Magic City and knew local food well. As he ate, he explained the brand of mooncakes to Yao Shule and Li Yizhou.
“Fresh meat mooncakes—haven’t had these in ages. Jiangnan specialty. You have to line up for an hour to buy these.”
Jiang Rong had just eaten dinner and wasn’t very hungry. The mooncake was still hot, so he ate slowly. Hearing Ding Yan say that, he looked to He Siming for confirmation.
An hour-long line… just to buy mooncakes for him?
The mooncake in his hand suddenly felt even more fragrant—and more precious.
For some reason, his eyes suddenly felt hot.
He remembered when he was very young, going back to his hometown with his parents. Only his grandparents would get up early and line up at the market for an hour to buy him the most famous local braised duck. After they passed away one after the other, he never tasted it again—only recalling the flavor late at night. Maybe he really had been loved by family once.
Yao Shule, from the southwest, was also trying them for the first time. He chatted with Ding Yan. “Did He-god have someone buy these early in the morning?”
He Siming didn’t answer. He noticed Jiang Rong lowering his head over the mooncake, his mood off.
“As long as it tastes good,” he said.
Jiang Rong forced back his tears. “It’s really good.” It just had pork inside—lately he couldn’t really eat pork without feeling nauseous.
Ding Yan left right after eating, afraid He Siming would make him run errands again. Recently, he’d been sent running all over outside—his skin was practically getting wrinkled from the cold wind.
Yao Shule and Li Yizhou started gaming.
Seeing that Jiang Rong had only eaten a small half and barely touched the filling, He Siming knew he probably couldn’t manage it.
“Not eating anymore?”
Jiang Rong nodded. He felt a little sad—He Siming had bought it especially for him, yet he couldn’t finish it.
Just as he was feeling conflicted, He Siming held out his hand. “Give the rest to me.”
Jiang Rong, confused, handed over the remaining half. He watched as He Siming ate it in one bite.
After finishing, He Siming clapped his hands. “All gone.”
Jiang Rong blinked, stunned for a long moment. With their backs to Yao Shule and Li Yizhou, the two of them hadn’t noticed what He Siming did.
He whispered, “I already ate that.”
He Siming replied, “No waste is good. Besides, it’s not like I haven’t…” eaten your saliva.
Jiang Rong immediately stood up. “I’ll get you some water!” He was terrified He Siming would say the rest—he’d really cry.
Here, openly declaring your orientation or same-sex relationship was called coming out. He wasn’t ready for that yet—he’d only just arrived in this world!
Jiang Rong poured him a cup of boiling hot water. He Siming took a small sip and was so scalded he couldn’t speak, successfully making Jiang Rong laugh.
Over the next few days, He Siming tried all kinds of ways to get Jiang Rong to eat more. His bag had different snacks every day, most of them meant to prevent nausea.
Jiang Rong’s reactions were a bit stronger these days; he felt like vomiting during class, so they sat in the back rows.
For large lectures, He Siming even had Ding Yan go early to grab back-row seats, making it easier for Jiang Rong to get to the restroom if he felt unwell.
To reduce his nausea, He Siming drove home early every morning to freshly squeeze lemon juice for him. It worked pretty well—what used to require one trip out per class became almost unnecessary over the next two days.
Jiang Rong’s morning sickness wasn’t too severe. With He Siming around, it eased throughout the week, and He Siming even had more energy tutoring him at night.
He Siming adjusted the study pace according to Jiang Rong’s progress, explaining things clearly and simply. Jiang Rong absorbed a lot.
Before they knew it, Saturday arrived.
A day without classes—and the day they’d agreed to rehearse together at He Siming’s place.
Li Yizhou went home to get his electric guitar. Yao Shule went downstairs to pick up the saxophone his family had shipped via SF Express.
By the time Jiang Rong finished washing up, everyone was ready to go.
Yao Shule and Li Yizhou carried instruments. He stood there empty-handed.
Only then did he realize a problem. “I don’t think I have a cello.”
He Siming said, “There’s one at my place. I have it.”
Jiang Rong nodded. “Okay.”
The unofficial member of Dorm 519, Ding Yan, didn’t come—he couldn’t get up. No one minded.
At the door, Jiang Rong realized he’d forgotten his phone and went back to get it. He Siming waited and went downstairs with him.
He Siming asked, “Can you hold up today during practice?”
Jiang Rong replied, “No problem. I’ll be sitting anyway.”
Yao Shule and Li Yizhou had already gone down in the previous elevator. No one else was at the elevator entrance.
He Siming held his hand. “Tell me if you feel uncomfortable.”
Jiang Rong actually had something to say. Leaning closer, he whispered, “He Siming, can we replenish pheromones today? It feels like it’s not enough.”
He Siming agreed readily. “Sure.” He thought it just meant kissing him like before.
Jiang Rong assumed he understood and didn’t explain—especially since someone came up behind them. He couldn’t say something that embarrassing out loud.
Fortunately, He Siming had agreed.
When Yao Shule and Li Yizhou first arrived at He Siming’s home, they were stunned by the decor.
Jiang Rong wasn’t there for the first time, so he was fine—he even knew where his shoes went.
He had his own pair of cotton slippers there. Yao Shule and Li Yizhou wore disposable hotel-style slippers—though probably from a five-star hotel.
Yao Shule asked, “Why are his different?”
Li Yizhou added, “Yeah, we’re all roommates—He-god is playing favorites.”
He Siming shot him a glance. “So, any objections?”
Li Yizhou instantly chickened out. “None, none. Wouldn’t dare.”
Jiang Rong explained for him. “I’ve been here before. These are the shoes I wore last time.”
Yao Shule nodded. “Right, when you weren’t feeling well after hiking.”
After entering, they first admired the layout.
Li Yizhou exclaimed, “This is so tasteful—my dream decor!”
Yao Shule said, “It’s pretty cool. Must’ve been designed by a professional.”
“I designed it myself,” He Siming said, then glanced at Jiang Rong.
Not disappointing him, Jiang Rong praised, “You’re amazing—you can even design your own house. That must’ve taken so much effort and time, and you have great taste.”
He Siming felt thoroughly pleased. “It’s alright. Not that hard.”
But now wasn’t the time to talk decor. Like presenting a treasure, He Siming brought over a cello case.
“Open it?”
“My cello?”
“Yes. Yours.”
No matter what He Siming gave him, Jiang Rong treated it like the first gift he’d ever received—carefully, joy written all over his face. So this was what it felt like to receive little surprises—pure happiness. Lately, he’d been immersed in the joy He Siming created, afraid it might suddenly disappear one day.
Now, his happiness peaked.
The cello case looked brand new. When he opened it, a beautifully maintained cello lay inside.
The cello was known as the “noble lady” among Western instruments—probably why his mother had forced him to learn it.
Now, he didn’t regret the years he’d spent practicing.
While Yao Shule and Li Yizhou continued admiring the house, He Siming watched the subtle changes in Jiang Rong’s expression.
In a low voice, he asked, “Do you like it?”
Jiang Rong nodded. “Yes, I like it.”
He Siming lowered his voice further. “This is the first gift from student He Siming to student Jiang Rong, in pursuit.”
Jiang Rong’s eyes reddened. He looked at He Siming, deeply moved. “Thank you.” He wanted to kiss him.
But with the other two present, he pressed his lips together and whispered instead, “I want to kiss you.”
He Siming’s heart stirred. He didn’t want to practice anymore either. With a soft laugh, he said, “Me too.”
Yao Shule’s voice came from the window. “Can we start? I’m inexplicably excited—Dorm 519’s first full ensemble!”
He Siming fetched a cello chair for Jiang Rong and took out his violin.
Jiang Rong tuned his instrument while seated—everything felt just right.
They all had basic music theory knowledge, so communication was smooth.
Though it was Jiang Rong’s first time playing a piece from this world, music transcended worlds. After the first run-through, he already had it down.
By the second rehearsal, it was even more natural. He added emotion and incorporated his past performance experience into the arrangement.
Jiang Rong, with his unique understanding of music, was shining. The corners of He Siming’s mouth lifted unconsciously.
He wasn’t bad either. Though it had been a while since he played violin, his technique hadn’t dulled, and his coordination with Jiang Rong was seamless.
Where had Jiang Rong come from? Such a precious treasure—how could anyone abandon him?
Luckily, He Siming had picked him up. From now on, he was someone He Siming would protect.
After two hours, it was noon. He Siming ordered food. After lunch, they rehearsed for another hour. Their coordination was solid—now they just needed individual practice and one or two more group rehearsals before the performance.
With only one week left, one or two times was plenty.
Using the excuse that he needed He Siming’s computer to do homework, Jiang Rong stayed behind. Yao Shule and Li Yizhou didn’t think much of it—He Siming’s computer really was top-tier.
The moment the door closed, Jiang Rong’s craving for He Siming’s pheromones surged like a tide.
He turned around and hooked his arms around He Siming’s neck. “Can I kiss you?”
He Siming had already been about to wrap an arm around his waist—he hadn’t expected Jiang Rong to be faster. He immediately claimed Jiang Rong’s lips, making up for that split-second delay.
As he kissed him, he guided him toward the sofa. With a gentle lift, Jiang Rong sank into the soft cushions.
He Siming caressed his face and said softly, “The peach scent today is really sweet.”
Jiang Rong liked looping his arms around his neck. Looking at him, his face flushed pink. “I want a lot, a lot of pheromones today.”
He Siming kissed him again and again. “How much is a lot?”
Jiang Rong’s gaze dropped to his collar. “As much as during a three-day heat.”
He Siming’s supporting hand nearly gave way. His breathing deepened as he placed one hand over Jiang Rong’s lower abdomen.
Still retaining his reason, He Siming sat up and forced himself to put some distance between them. “No. There’s a little seed here. Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
He hadn’t expected Jiang Rong to go this far to satisfy his needs.
Jiang Rong sat up and held his hand, explaining, “I’m different from others. I’m an Omega—pregnancy naturally requires a lot of pheromones. That’s reasonable.”
He Siming had lost his playful mood. “Where are you getting these ideas? Did you hit your head? Let’s go to the hospital, okay?”
Jiang Rong shook his head. “I know my own body. He Siming, I know I can get pregnant, and I know what I need. I really am different. Didn’t Dr. Liu say it? The little seed is protected by a reproductive chamber—it won’t be harmed. On the contrary, it needs the other father’s pheromones to grow faster.”
He Siming did know about the reproductive chamber, and Jiang Rong’s explanation was starting to sound more and more reasonable.
Still, he hesitated. “But—”
“I’m sure my head hasn’t been injured,” Jiang Rong said. Seeing his hesitation, he straddled He Siming’s lap and sat in his arms, impossibly close. He kissed his chin. “Why don’t you try it? Lately, it hasn’t been enough—I’m starting to feel uncomfortable. In the future, I’ll need more and more.”
Faced with Jiang Rong’s desire and his firm assurance, He Siming shamefully wavered.
Holding him, He Siming carried him toward the bedroom. “Then I’ll be gentle. If you feel even the slightest discomfort, tell me immediately.”
“Okay,” Jiang Rong replied softly. He kissed He Siming’s Adam’s apple, blushing deeply at what was about to happen. “I won’t feel uncomfortable.”
He Siming: “…Damn it. This is going to kill me.”
