The rain poured heavily outside the small cafe.
"Anqi, that's enough for today. You can go home now," Manager Zhuang called out from behind the counter, glancing toward the windows streaked with water.
Lin Anqi looked up from the table he was wiping. "Just one last table, Manager," he said gently. "I'll wipe it down, then go."
Manager Zhuang smiled fondly. "Don't be such a hard worker, Anqi. The rain's too heavy—I'll be worried about how you'll get home. Do you want to stay here tonight?"
Anqi offered a polite smile. "Manager, my school is far from here, and I don't want to be late tomorrow. I'll go. You should get some rest."
Manager Zhuang nodded as he climbed the stairs to his room. "Alright. But message me when you get home, okay?"
"I will," Anqi replied softly, his smile lingering as the manager disappeared upstairs.
He wiped the last table carefully, then headed into the back room to change out of his uniform. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Anqi stepped outside into the quiet night. The rain was still falling heavily, turning the streets slick and silent. Only the steady rhythm of raindrops filled the air.
Holding his umbrella, Anqi walked slowly toward the bus station.
He glanced at his phone. The last bus arrives in thirty minutes.
Still smiling to himself, he took a deep breath and enjoyed the cool rain around him.
> "I'm Lin Anqi," he thought, "an orphaned Omega. My life's not easy. I was raised in an orphanage and became independent young. I work multiple jobs—even on weekends—but I enjoy it. I've got a good part-time job, a kind manager like Mr. Zhuang, and a close friend—Yichen, who's also an Omega."
His smile turned shy.
> "And… I have a crush."
> "A crush on Shen Jinyuan."
Just thinking of the name made his heart flutter.
Anqi continued walking, but something suddenly caught his eye. A sleek, expensive motorcycle was parked along the street—unusual in this area. Standing beside it was a tall figure. No umbrella. Soaked in the rain.
Curious, Anqi stepped a little closer, squinting through the mist.
His breath hitched.
Shen Jinyuan…?
The boy stood motionless, drenched, a frustrated expression on his face.
Anqi hesitated. Should I… give him my extra umbrella? he wondered. He must be freezing if he stays in the rain like that…
Slowly, quietly, Anqi stepped forward. When he was close enough, he raised his umbrella gently over Shen Jinyuan's head, shielding them both under the soft pattering of rain.
Jinyuan looked at him with sharp, questioning eyes.
Anqi hesitated, his heart pounding. Then, softly, he said, "Shen Jinyuan… you'll get sick if you keep standing in the rain like that."
Jinyuan stared at him. His scent—his pheromones—were intense.
Anqi blinked. Is he… on heat?
Jinyuan frowned. "Who are you?"
"I'm your classmate," Anqi answered, voice quiet but steady.
"Classmate?" Jinyuan raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember seeing you."
"I sit in the front row," Anqi replied gently.
He quickly reached into his bag and pulled out a second umbrella. "Here… I brought an extra. You can take this one."
Jinyuan's gaze didn't leave him. His pupils dilated slightly, his breathing uneven. He's an Omega….. I can smell it. It's too sweet… too tempting…
Anqi extended the umbrella again. "Shen Jinyuan, take it."
Jinyuan's hand reached out—but instead of the umbrella, he grabbed Anqi's wrist.
Anqi's eyes widened. He's touching me… Shen Jinyuan is touching me…
"My bike's not working," Jinyuan muttered.
Anqi's heart raced. "Y-You can take the bus," he said quickly. He looked at his phone and gasped, "Ah—only five minutes until the last bus!"
He gently tugged Jinyuan's hand. "Come on! Let's go to the station."
The two boys hurried under the single umbrella toward the bus stop, rain splashing beneath their feet, pheromones lingering faintly between them.
Neither of them spoke.
But everything had already started to change.
The rain hadn't stopped.
They stood together at the small bus station, silence between them as the downpour tapped against the metal roof. Shen Jinyuan didn't say anything—he just kept staring at Anqi.
Anqi's heart raced.
He looked away nervously, trying not to blush. He could feel Jinyuan's eyes on him, heavy and unreadable.
Soon, the headlights of the bus appeared through the mist.
They boarded together.
Anqi slipped into a seat near the window. Just as he settled in, Jinyuan sat beside him. Their shoulders brushed.
Anqi blushed deeply. It's the first time I've ever been this close to him…
He peeked at Jinyuan from the corner of his eye. Even soaked from the rain and silent, he looked perfect. He's even more handsome up close…
Time passed in silence until the bus slowly rolled to a stop.
Anqi stood up quickly. "This is my station," he said, grabbing his bag and stepping out.
He turned—and to his surprise, Jinyuan followed him off the bus.
Anqi blinked. "This is your stop too?"
Jinyuan looked around, then shrugged. "I don't know. I've never taken the bus before. Or the subway."
Anqi froze. He doesn't even know how to ride public transport...?
He glanced back—the bus had already pulled away.
What do I do now?
Suddenly, Jinyuan said, "Can I stay at your place?"
Anqi's eyes widened. "Ah…"
His thoughts spun wildly. He wants to stay with me? At my place? Why?
Jinyuan looked away. "If not, it's fine."
He turned to walk off into the rain.
Anqi bit his lip, heart pounding. "You can."
Jinyuan stopped. Turned back to him.
"You can stay at my place," Anqi repeated softly.
Without another word, the two of them began walking side by side in the rain, sharing the umbrella under the dim streetlights.
They arrived at Anqi's tiny rooftop apartment.
He unlocked the door and stepped inside first, immediately flustered. Oh no... it's a mess...
"I-It's not much," he murmured. "Sorry. I wasn't expecting anyone..."
Jinyuan said nothing, just walked in calmly.
Anqi handed him a towel and a pair of extra pajamas. "You can change into these. I'll get you something warm to drink..."
Later, after his shower, Jinyuan stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp, wearing the plain pajamas.
Even in those, he looked… unreal.
Anqi's face turned red again.
"You can sleep on the bed," he said quietly. "I'll take the couch."
But Jinyuan didn't walk to the bed.
He walked toward Anqi.
Anqi stepped back nervously. Why is he coming closer...?
Then, Jinyuan's hand slipped around Anqi's waist, pulling him in.
He lowered his head, nose brushing Anqi's neck, inhaling softly.
"It smells so good..." he murmured.
Anqi froze. "Ji-Jinyuan…"
But the Alpha suddenly kissed him.
Anqi's eyes widened.
He pushed him back, breath trembling. "What are you doing?"
Jinyuan stared at him.
"If you didn't want this," he said coldly, "then why did you let me come to your place?"
"I… I just…"
"But I came here to do it with you."
Those words made Anqi's heart stop.
To do… it?
Does that mean… he likes me?
Jinyuan turned away. "If you don't want to, I'll go."
Anqi grabbed his sleeve. "No. I mean… you don't have to go."
Jinyuan smiled—just barely.
He stepped closer again, this time slower.
Then he kissed Anqi again. This time deeper. Firmer. Anqi's back pressed against the wall.
He didn't know how to kiss—but he followed Jinyuan's lead.
"Open your mouth," Jinyuan whispered.
Anqi obeyed, eyes fluttering shut.
Their lips moved together, and the small room filled with the soft sounds of rain outside and breaths inside.
Anqi melted.
His heart raced.
He kissed me… he wants to stay with me…
Maybe… he likes me.
In that moment, he gave himself fully to Jinyuan.
To the boy he'd loved from afar for so long.
But innocent Omegas don't know—
Sometimes, it's not love.
Sometimes, it's just a one-night stand.