Chapter 38: Lip Gloss
No matter how much money was currently in his account, Jiang Rong never really felt it was real. His desire for money wasn’t particularly strong.
Ever since his parents’ attitude toward him had done a complete one-eighty, and after he realized there was no way to change the situation, his wishes had become very simple: graduate, find a job, eat well and stay warm, work hard to earn money, and buy a small forty- or fifty-square-meter apartment—a little nest of his own.
Here, He Siming prepared high-quality winter clothes for him. When it came to food, He Siming watched over him even more closely than Jiang Rong himself—he would even read the ingredient list on drinks twice before allowing him to drink them.
With this kind of thoughtful care, all Jiang Rong needed to do was focus on studying.
Every time Ding Yan ran over to Dorm 519, he couldn’t help sighing—when He Siming wanted to treat someone well, he really treated them well.
Strangely enough, even though everyone had witnessed their friendly relationship grow from nothing, no one thought the atmosphere between He Siming and Jiang Rong was any different.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye it was almost the New Year’s holiday. Before that, Dorm 519 still had to finish their program performance.
Their class’s arts and entertainment coordinator was Lin Nana. Early Saturday morning, she tagged He Siming and the others in the group chat, asking them to come for rehearsal after lunch.
Since it was inconvenient to carry the cello over, Jiang Rong didn’t bring it and instead went along just to check the positioning.
On the girls’ side, they were doing a girl-group dance. Including Yao Yin and Lin Nana, there were eight of them. They’d already arrived early in costume, along with others.
He Siming had been called away by a professor for something. Jiang Rong went ahead with Yao Shule and Li Yizhou, helping to carry He Siming’s violin.
This year’s New Year’s gala was jointly organized by several colleges. Everyone was showing off their talents—there were all kinds of performances. Just watching the rehearsal from below, Jiang Rong found it fascinating. Entertainment in this world was much richer than in his own.
Was this what a world with only two genders was like?
It wasn’t their turn yet. Jiang Rong sat below with Yao Shule and Li Yizhou. In the row in front of them sat Yao Yin, Lin Nana, and the others.
Two hosts stood onstage, testing the microphones and rehearsing the lines.
A classmate beside Lin Nana said, “If He-god hadn’t quit the student council, he’d probably be hosting tonight, right?”
Lin Nana was clear-headed. “Even without the student council, He-god could host. But being in the student council means extra responsibility—he probably just doesn’t want to do it anymore.”
After chatting a bit, Lin Nana turned around and noticed Yao Shule.
She and Yao Shule often called each other “sisters” and got along well. At the same time, she also noticed Jiang Rong.
At some point, Jiang Rong had half-integrated into campus life. He’d become refined and handsome—completely different from the Jiang Rong she’d first met.
Her gossip instincts kicked in. “How did you guys convince He-god to go onstage and perform? I heard from my friends in the student council that last year the council president begged him for half a month and he still wouldn’t agree. In the end, they settled for him being a host.”
Yao Shule leaned over the back of the chair and said, “Obviously because the bond between the four of us in Dorm 519 is rock-solid brotherhood.”
Lin Nana shot him a glance, then looked at Jiang Rong sitting obediently. “So what instrument does Jiang Rong play? No other meaning—just curious.”
Yao Shule grinned and kept them in suspense. “You’ll find out tonight.”
Jiang Rong smiled faintly, and Lin Nana felt like she’d been bathed in that smile.
She grew more talkative. “Let me tell you some gossip about He-god and the campus belle from last year.”
Yao Shule said, “Why do you have gossip every single day? I love it—tell me more. Is there something from last year I don’t know?”
Lin Nana was surprised. “Huh? How could you not know?”
Yao Shule urged, “Just tell us what happened.”
Lowering her voice, Lin Nana said, “It was actually pretty unfortunate. Yang Qin probably got on some people’s nerves, and someone messed with her dress. Halfway through hosting, the zipper on her skirt burst. It almost fell down—lots of people backstage saw it. At that moment, He-god was super heroic. He took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.”
Yao Shule exclaimed, “What? That’s awful—how could someone be so nasty?”
Li Yizhou added, “He-god was pretty cool—helped the campus belle out right there.”
A girl next to them said, “Exactly. That person was horrible. Thankfully He-god is a good guy. After that, a lot of people started shipping He-god and the campus belle.”
Yao Shule said, “Wow, so that’s how it was.”
Li Yizhou nodded. “Then it’s pretty normal for the campus belle to like He-god.”
Lin Nana continued, “Later, Yang Qin returned the dry-cleaned jacket to He-god—we all saw it. After that, the campus belle and He-god were often seen together in the student council. People said they’d actually dated and were recently breaking up. Look—He-god even quit the student council!” Their analysis sounded very convincing.
Yao Shule frowned. “Did they really date? Didn’t He-god say before that he wouldn’t get together with the campus belle?”
Just then, a classmate in charge of rehearsal called into the microphone, “Jazz dance ‘Sweety,’ are you here? Please come up and walk through the positions.”
The jazz dance music Sweety immediately started playing onstage—dynamic, sexy, and fiery.
Yao Shule and Li Yizhou watched with relish. One wanted to join in; the other admired it with a straight-guy’s gaze, eyes practically glued. But Jiang Rong couldn’t muster any interest.
Had He Siming really been with Yang Qin?
Jiang Rong felt heavy and uncomfortable inside. That feeling lingered until it was their turn to rehearse. He Siming was still on his way—he said in the group chat that he was a hundred meters from the auditorium.
Standing by the stage waiting to be called up, Jiang Rong suddenly heard someone call his name.
“Jiang Rong?”
He looked up. The voice sounded familiar.
It turned out to be today’s co-host—the partner of the campus belle—Senior Song Yuening. He’d been facing away earlier, so Jiang Rong hadn’t noticed.
Jiang Rong was a bit surprised. “Senior?”
Song Yuening waved the performance list in his hand. “I saw your name on the list and thought it was just someone with the same name. Turns out it really is you.” He noticed the violin case in Jiang Rong’s hand. “You play the violin too?”
Jiang Rong replied, “No. This is He Siming’s violin.”
Song Yuening asked, “Then what do you perform?”
Yao Shule, who often browsed the forums and knew about Song Yuening, said, “Senior, why don’t you guess?”
Song Yuening laughed. “I won’t guess.”
Yao Shule asked, “You’re hosting tonight?”
Song Yuening nodded. “Yeah, someone asked me to help out, so I came to fill in. The previous program’s about to end—are you all here yet?”
Yao Shule said, “He Siming hasn’t arrived yet.”
No sooner had he spoken than He Siming’s figure appeared from the back of the auditorium, walking toward the stage. No matter where he was, he drew attention. He took long strides toward Jiang Rong and the others.
Li Yizhou even waved at him from afar.
As soon as He Siming came over, he saw Song Yuening standing next to Jiang Rong.
Without drawing attention to it, He Siming stepped between them and casually took the violin case from Jiang Rong’s hand. “You’re hosting tonight?”
Song Yuening smiled. “That’s me, junior.”
At that moment, the students who’d been rehearsing up front crowded over.
Yang Qin had been facing away earlier, but when she saw He Siming, she walked over. As soon as she arrived, she stood right in front of Jiang Rong and smiled at He Siming.
“I didn’t know you could play the violin.”
Then Jiang Rong smelled the rich, overly sweet perfume on her. The intense scent triggered his morning sickness, and he instinctively took a few steps back.
Jiang Rong was already standing fairly far back. More people came over in front, crowding him to the side. The farther he moved sideways, the farther back he got—completely unaware that there were steps behind him. His foot missed the ground.
Just as his hands flailed, trying to grab someone nearby, a hand clamped firmly around his waist.
He Siming was startled. “Why were you standing so far back?”
“So many people,” Jiang Rong said. He was also afraid of being bumped into.
He Siming gently rubbed his waist to comfort him and asked in a low voice, “Scared?”
Jiang Rong had broken out in a cold sweat, his face pale. “Yeah. I thought I was going to fall.”
“Stay by my side,” He Siming said.
“Okay.” Jiang Rong glanced at Yang Qin, who was staring at him with something to say, while Song Yuening simply smiled without comment.
Yao Shule and Li Yizhou had been busy picking up their instruments and hadn’t noticed what happened.
If Jiang Rong had fallen, it wouldn’t have been a big deal to anyone—no one would’ve paid much attention.
But because He Siming helped him, all eyes turned to Jiang Rong.
It was their turn to go onstage and mark their positions.
Their formation was actually quite harmonious: Jiang Rong sat, while He Siming, Yao Shule, and Li Yizhou stood.
Since it was an indoor performance, they didn’t need amplification. After setting their positions, they played about half the piece, with Jiang Rong seated the entire time.
When He Siming took out his violin, people both onstage and off gathered to watch.
Everyone knew the campus heartthrob had hosted galas before and was the “top star” of the Computer Science Department—but who would’ve thought this “top star” was truly top-tier, with such elegant artistic talent?
Yao Shule’s saxophone was also a pleasant surprise. Li Yizhou looked cool too, with an underground rock vibe. What people didn’t understand was what role Jiang Rong, sitting in the middle, played—was he shaking maracas?
Even though they only played half the piece, the crowd still applauded.
Their rehearsal ended.
He Siming put the violin back into its case.
Throughout it all, Jiang Rong’s gaze had been fixed on He Siming. Standing center stage with a violin, He Siming had the air of a performer—handsome and striking, his pheromones radiating charm, almost intoxicating Jiang Rong.
As they were leaving, Song Yuening smiled at Jiang Rong. “Junior, I’m really looking forward to your performance tonight.”
Jiang Rong returned a polite smile. “Thank you.”
He Siming cast Song Yuening a cool glance—an extremely displeasing look.
Right now, he desperately wanted to hide Jiang Rong away. He didn’t want anyone else to see him at all.
There were still two classes in the afternoon.
After returning to the dorm to rest for half an hour, they went to class again.
The gala was at 6:30 p.m. They’d go on around 7:00, with no time to return to the dorm to eat dinner or change.
Without a nap at noon, Jiang Rong got sleepy less than fifteen minutes into class. His head bobbed until he finally just lay down on the desk and fell asleep.
He Siming sighed helplessly and draped his down jacket over him. From now on, he wasn’t participating in any more of these pointless activities—waste of time and energy.
After class, Ding Yan brought them dinner—still from the same restaurant He Siming usually ordered from.
Jiang Rong’s portion was specially marked and separate from the others.
After eating, they started changing clothes.
Yao Shule was especially vain—five minutes after finishing his meal, he started putting on makeup.
Ding Yan stared. “Wait, you’re only performing for less than five minutes. Why are you putting on makeup?”
Yao Shule’s makeup kit was surprisingly complete—skincare, base, everything. He even groomed his brows and lined his eyes, leaving Jiang Rong staring in disbelief.
Jiang Rong wasn’t surprised by boys wearing makeup. In his world, many Omegas had makeup habits too. Yao Shule’s skills were far more Omega-like than Jiang Rong’s, a newbie Omega.
After finishing himself up, Yao Shule saw that Jiang Rong had finished his chicken soup. Holding a tube of lipstick, he walked over. “Here, put on some lip gloss. It’ll make your lips look moisturized.”
Jiang Rong dodged backward. “I’m not used to wearing that.”
Yao Shule shook his head. “Just a little. Your dewy skin suits this soft pink color.”
He advanced, Jiang Rong retreated, until he backed right into He Siming, who was sitting nearby. He Siming held Jiang Rong’s waist with both hands to keep him from falling.
At first, Yao Shule genuinely wanted to apply it. Now there was clearly a teasing element. He kept insisting, and Jiang Rong couldn’t escape. With no support behind him, he ended up sitting directly on He Siming’s thigh, instinctively turning his head and hiding against He Siming’s shoulder.
“I’m not wearing it,” Jiang Rong insisted.
Yao Shule clicked his tongue. “Rong’er, is He-god’s thigh comfortable?”
Jiang Rong’s face turned red from the teasing. Even though he’d sat on He Siming’s thigh several times before, doing so in public was still incredibly embarrassing.
He immediately tried to stand up, but He Siming held him by the waist.
He Siming asked him too, “Comfortable?”
“……” Jiang Rong looked at him. “I need to change.”
“Go ahead.” He Siming smiled and let him go, not teasing him when there were so many people around.
Ding Yan had watched the entire scene, his jaw practically dropping.
He Siming could actually accept Jiang Rong sitting on his thigh—then the time Ding Yan accidentally touched He Siming’s thigh and got punched… that punch hadn’t been for nothing?
Jiang Rong’s outfit had been personally chosen by He Siming.
Yao Shule had already changed. In Jiang Rong’s eyes, he really looked like an Omega from his world.
Li Yizhou wore Ding Yan’s suit. With his solid build, he only buttoned two buttons.
He Siming’s suit was also perfectly tailored—broad shoulders, narrow waist. It suited him extremely well.
Jiang Rong went inside to change and came out. He’d performed onstage before and worn suits, so it wasn’t unfamiliar.
The outfit He Siming prepared for him was simple and elegant, slightly casual, and complemented his skin tone.
However, when he came out, four pairs of eyes were fixed on him.
Yao Shule was the first to praise him. “You look like a little prince now.”
Jiang Rong was easily embarrassed. Once praised, he never knew how to respond.
He sincerely returned the compliment. “You look really handsome today too. A lot of guys are definitely going to fall for you.”
Yao Shule cupped his face. “Hehehe.”
Li Yizhou, a straight-up straight guy, didn’t have much of a reaction. He just felt that Jiang Rong’s aura was different from before. There had been changes recently, but they hadn’t been obvious. Now, though, it was clear—he was almost a completely different person.
Even Ding Yan, whose tongue was usually venomous, sounded a bit sweeter today. “Looks great. Really suits you. After tonight, tons of girls are definitely going to add you on WeChat.”
He Siming watched Jiang Rong, lightly picking at the seam of his suit pants.
It was Jiang Rong’s first time wearing a suit in this world. Being stared at made him uncomfortable, so he walked over and sat beside He Siming.
He Siming stared at him. “Very handsome. Charming.”
Jiang Rong smiled at him. “You’re even more handsome.”
He Siming felt like his chest had been struck by Cupid’s arrow.
Ding Yan shuddered with goosebumps. Old He complimenting people was just nauseating!
It was about time. They all put on thick down jackets and headed to the auditorium.
At 7:05 p.m., the onstage program was nearing its end.
Jiang Rong was a little nervous. He’d never performed in this world before. He Siming noticed and, in the dark backstage area, held his hand.
They stood behind a pillar, with no one in front or behind them.
In a low voice, He Siming asked, “Want to put on lip gloss?”
The fresh lime scent tightly wrapped around Jiang Rong. “What? I don’t need to wear that.”
He Siming stared at his lips. “The way I apply it is different from others.”
Jiang Rong followed up, “What way is that?”
“Like this.” Hooking a finger under his chin, He Siming swiftly captured Jiang Rong’s breath, pressing against his tongue and deepening the kiss bit by bit. He sucked firmly on his soft lips, coating them with his favorite color.
Jiang Rong’s back pressed against the pillar as he endured the deep, pheromone-filled kiss. His hands tightly clutched the hem of He Siming’s clothes.
“……” Tricked again!
With so many people around—how could he…
At the same time, the host announced from the front stage:
“Next, please welcome four handsome students from the Computer Science Department to perform the New Year’s blessing piece CHINA-E for us!”
As they went onstage, Yao Shule noticed Jiang Rong’s lips were red and glossy. “You said you weren’t wearing lip gloss—your color looks even better than mine!”
“……”
Jiang Rong’s cheeks burned. His heart rate, elevated from the secret kiss, still hadn’t come down, and he was breathing slightly fast.
Th-this… how was he supposed to explain it?
