You Can't Cut It

A flicker of surprise passed through Duan Xu's eyes as he obediently greeted, "Hello, Senior."

Tut!

Duan Xu looked up in confusion. Shen Yanlang happened to be looking at him too, and the two merely met each other's eyes without speaking.

Shen Yanlang narrowed his peach-blossom eyes slightly. I'll have you call me Senior too someday.

Duan Xu: "???"

What was wrong with him?

Zhou Zhou and Xiao Xu were standing nearby. Seeing this, they greeted him as well, and Zhou Zhou added, "We're Brother Yan's roommates too."

Xue Jingshu first glanced at Shen Yanlang before smiling as he greeted them. He also introduced Han Xi.

Han Xi truly lived up to the title of ice beauty. He merely nodded at the few of them, yet no one found him rude.

"President, I thought you weren't coming!" Huang Yonghe walked over. "Didn't expect you to come after all."

"I happened to feel like coming out to relax." Xue Jingshu replied with a smile.

Among the crowd, both betas and omegas were excited.

"The Student Council president came too? What special day is it today?"

"The president seems pretty familiar with the campus heartthrob. Did they know each other before?"

"I heard both their families are well-off. They probably knew each other through their families, right?"

"They're both top-tier alphas, sisters. Anyone interested should go for it!"

"There's an omega over there too. He looks incredible as well!"

While they chatted, Duan Xu secretly observed Han Xi. Han Xi was about the same height as him and stood over half a head shorter than Xue Jingshu. He seemed unconcerned with what the people around him were saying, standing there like a snow lotus untouched by the world.

Ever since they had arrived, Han Xi had not glanced at Shen Yanlang even once apart from when they greeted each other. Duan Xu found it strange.

Could it be that last time had not been a confession? Or was he playing hard to get?

No, no, no. Han Xi was genuinely aloof. He probably would not play hard to get.

Why does he keep sneaking looks at Han Xi?

Does he like Han Xi?

Duan Xu sucked in a breath and hurriedly shifted his furtive gaze away. Afraid that Shen Yanlang would see him as a love rival, he turned to Yu Qingqing beside him and asked, "Senior Yu, when are we leaving?"

Yu Qingqing checked the time, then looked over the little sign-in notebook. She smiled at Duan Xu. "We can leave now."

With that, she patted Huang Yonghe. "Everyone's here. We can set off."

"Oh, okay." Huang Yonghe greeted Xue Jingshu, then turned around and clapped his hands at the crowd. "Listen up, everyone. I sent the route to the group chat. Follow that. If you really don't know the way, just follow me. You can use navigation too."

"I'll ride at the front, and the vice president will bring up the rear, so don't worry!"

Everyone indicated that there was no problem, and the group of over forty people set off one after another.

Zhou Zhou was so excited that he had already ridden off with the others. Xiao Xu followed as well.

Once most of the people had left, Xue Jingshu asked Han Xi beside him, "Shall we go?"

"Mm." Han Xi responded and got on his bike, following the main group.

Xue Jingshu swung his long leg over his bike and turned back to Shen Yanlang. "We're heading out first."

Shen Yanlang nodded. He and Duan Xu were at the very back, with Vice President Zhu Lin and another senior behind them.

Shen Yanlang rode alongside Duan Xu and reminded him, "If you feel uncomfortable, tell me. There's no rush."

"Got it, got it." Duan Xu nodded perfunctorily without looking at Shen Yanlang, focusing on the road ahead so he would not hear any more thoughts that left him speechless.

Shen Yanlang's gaze darkened slightly at that, but he said nothing. Still, part of his attention remained fixed on Duan Xu.

The weather was quite nice today. Though the sun was out, it was nowhere near as scorching as summer. A breeze blew by, bringing exceptional coolness.

There were quite a few vehicles on the road, but before long, they entered a dedicated cycling greenway. Not only did they no longer need to worry about traffic, they could also slow down and enjoy the scenery along the way.

Facing the wind, Duan Xu raised one hand and grabbed at the air. "Woohoo! This feels so good!"

Shen Yanlang was half a bike length behind him. Watching Duan Xu, he could not help curling his lips upward. He was too cute!

"Be careful," Shen Yanlang reminded him.

Duan Xu did not turn around. "I know!"

Before long, Duan Xu sped up, and Shen Yanlang accelerated to keep up with him.

Half an hour later, Duan Xu's earlier excitement had faded. He had not ridden a bicycle in a long time, and after riding for so long, his legs were sore and his butt hurt.

"I want to rest for a bit. Is that okay?" Duan Xu finally spared Shen Yanlang a glance.

Shen Yanlang had been worried about whether Duan Xu was tired. "Xiao Xu and the others are up ahead. There are benches there too. We can rest there for a while."

Xiao Xu and the others were indeed ahead. Not only them, but Xue Jingshu and Han Xi were there as well.

"Okay." Duan Xu turned back around and continued riding forward.

His stamina isn't that great. It needs improvement.

Duan Xu: "..."

He knew he should not look at Shen Yanlang. Every thought he heard from him only left him speechless.

This greenway was very long, and the route was fairly straight. Xiao Xu and the others looked close, but it still took them one or two minutes of cycling to reach them.

"Why are you guys so slow?" Zhou Zhou stood beside Xiao Xu with a bottle of water in his hand.

Xiao Xu tipped his head back for a sip of water. Watching them park their bikes to the side, he said, "We've been resting for over ten minutes already."

Xue Jingshu and Han Xi had been sitting on a bench three meters away. When they saw Shen Yanlang, they walked over.

Xue Jingshu gave a mocking smile and said to Shen Yanlang, "Shen Yanlang, you can't cut it."

"Pfft, hahahaha..."

As soon as he shouted that, everyone who heard it burst out laughing.

Shen Yanlang's face darkened. Seeing that Duan Xu was laughing too, he shot Xue Jingshu a glare, then said to Duan Xu, "Don't listen to him. I can."

There was still laughter in Duan Xu's eyes. "Mm-hm, mm-hm. You can."

Shen Yanlang: "..."

Hmph! One day, you'll know that I can!

Duan Xu: "???"

What did that have to do with me? How bizarre!

Xue Jingshu raised his brows slightly at the sight. His gaze moved back and forth between the two of them before he smiled and pulled Han Xi aside to sit down and rest.

"Drink some water." Shen Yanlang took out a bottle of water from his backpack and handed it to Duan Xu. Duan Xu accepted it. "Thanks."

Duan Xu twisted the cap open and gulped down nearly half the bottle. His small Adam's apple bobbed up and down with every swallow.

Shen Yanlang stared at that moving Adam's apple, his gaze darkening. He had not felt thirsty before, but now his mouth was dry and parched.

I really want to lick it.

Huh? Lick what?

After finishing the water, Duan Xu looked at Shen Yanlang in confusion, but Shen Yanlang had already withdrawn his hungry, thirsty gaze.

"Give me the water." Shen Yanlang's voice seemed a few shades deeper than before.

Duan Xu and Shen Yanlang had brought only one backpack, which Shen Yanlang was carrying. After drinking, Duan Xu was supposed to hand the water back to Shen Yanlang to carry.

However, to Duan Xu's surprise, Shen Yanlang did not put the bottle into the backpack after taking it. Instead, he directly twisted open the cap, raised the bottle to his lips, and drank from it.

Duan Xu: "!!!"

His light brown almond-shaped eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Y-you... why... Isn't there another bottle in the backpack?"

Wasn't that... an indirect kiss?

At the thought, heat rushed to Duan Xu's cheeks, and he guiltily glanced toward Han Xi.