Jiang Heng’s birthday is at the end of July.
He still remembers that just a few days after his birthday last year, he went through his secondary gender differentiation—a difficult period. Learning that he had differentiated into an “atypical” Omega was painful, and it’s something Jiang Heng doesn’t want to recall.
On his birthday, a heavy rain fell on Jincheng.
After nearly half a month of intense heat, the sudden rain brought relief to everyone. Although Jiang Heng usually doesn’t like rain, today, he felt a bit cheerful.
Just after dawn, Jiang Heng nestled by the window to watch the rain outside.
Since it was his coming-of-age day, he’d stayed overnight at the Shen family’s old house at the request of Ruan Shu. Shen Huaizhi’s room had a floor-to-ceiling window, with a rug spread out in front of it. The air conditioning was set a bit low, so Jiang Heng wrapped himself in a thin blanket, his half-lidded eyes fixed on the raindrops tapping against the window. Occasionally, faint thunder rumbled in the distance.
Time had passed so quickly.
Jiang Heng used to think of adulthood as a distant concept, like the phrase “study hard and make progress every day”—something that felt far removed from his life.
In that moment, he suddenly thought of Xie An.
At this time last year, he never would have imagined that his own biological mother, the person who raised him, would treat him as a tool to satisfy her selfish desires. Humans are indeed strange creatures.
He was lost in thought when a warm body pressed against his back.
The familiar scent of Shen Huaizhi’s pheromones quickly enveloped him. Shen Huaizhi leaned over and kissed the back of his exposed neck. With just that gentle touch on his sensitive gland, Jiang Heng let out a soft sound.
Hearing his Omega make that sound, Shen Huaizhi chuckled lightly, pleased. “What are you doing?”
Through the thin blanket, he pulled Jiang Heng into his arms, gazing at the side of his face, and couldn’t resist stealing another kiss.
Kissed like this so early in the morning, Jiang Heng groaned softly, biting his lip as he pressed his elbow against Shen Huaizhi’s shoulder to stop him. “Shen Huaizhi, did you brush your teeth?”
“Hmm, can’t you tell? Your favorite lemon flavor.” Shen Huaizhi laughed, pulling him closer by the waist.
Hearing that, Jiang Heng paused, staying silent for a moment before murmuring, “Shen Huaizhi, today, I’m an adult.”
“Happy birthday, little birthday star.” Shen Huaizhi’s voice, likely still a bit drowsy from just waking up, was deeper than usual, with a hint of morning huskiness, making this simple phrase inexplicably sensual.
Jiang Heng glanced back at Shen Huaizhi, then smirked and turned to look out the window again, as if answering Shen Huaizhi’s first question. “Watching the rain.”
Just as he finished speaking, a clap of thunder sounded, and the rain fell harder, the sound of it hitting the window noticeably louder.
Jiang Heng froze for a moment.
Shen Huaizhi nudged his head against Jiang Heng’s shoulder and neck. “Is it nice to watch?”
Jiang Heng was about to say there was nothing special about the rain; he just couldn’t sleep early in the morning. But Shen Huaizhi, almost as if answering himself, replied, “Of course it is.”
As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Heng, as if he hadn’t even looked outside.
Jiang Heng clicked his tongue lightly. “Then you stay here and watch it. I’m going back to sleep.” Interrupted by Shen Huaizhi, he started to feel sleepy again and let out a yawn.
He hadn’t gone to bed very early last night, busy with summer homework—he hadn’t slept early in a while.
Shen Huaizhi agreed with a hum but didn’t let go, clinging to Jiang Heng with a bit of a clingy, large-dog energy, snuggling against his neck as if unwilling to let him go.
Jiang Heng struggled a little, but Shen Huaizhi only held him tighter.
Jiang Heng couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation.
So early in the morning.
He glanced at the rain again, waited a bit, but Shen Huaizhi showed no sign of loosening his grip. Finally, unable to hold back any longer, Jiang Heng said with a straight face, “Shen Huaizhi.”
Shen Huaizhi began peppering his neck with soft kisses, feather-light touches that skimmed over Jiang Heng’s skin, not lingering, just grazing—more tantalizing than anything deeper.
Jiang Heng shifted his neck, trying to evade him slightly.
Perhaps his movement provoked Shen Huaizhi, as his arm around Jiang Heng’s waist tightened, though he didn’t go any further. Instead, he murmured, “Stay with me a little longer?”
Jiang Heng pressed his lips together.
Just moments ago, he’d felt a bit chilly, but after being held by Shen Huaizhi, he was starting to feel warm.
Jiang Heng lifted his eyes and shook his head. “Shen Huaizhi… do you realize that the birthday person has the final say?”
He felt Shen Huaizhi, still resting his head on his shoulder, nod in response, which made him feel amused.
Despite being an Alpha and older than him, Shen Huaizhi seemed so steady and mature to others. Yet, with him, there was this occasional, endearing childishness.
It even made Jiang Heng feel a bit reluctant to refuse him.
Adjusting his position, Jiang Heng leaned his back against the wall, turning to face Shen Huaizhi with a serious expression, a hint of fatigue in his eyes, though they still sparkled slightly.
“The birthday person wants to go back to sleep now. How about it?” He finished speaking, watching Shen Huaizhi’s reaction.
Perhaps because of their sudden separation, Shen Huaizhi looked a little displeased, the smile fading from his lips, though his gaze never left Jiang Heng.
After a while, he finally responded softly, loosening his hold a bit.
But before Shen Huaizhi could fully let go, Jiang Heng couldn’t help but chuckle. “Seriously, Shen Huaizhi, are you really an Alpha? Just doing whatever I say?”
His tone carried a hint of mockery and a playful tease.
Shen Huaizhi paused, about to respond when Jiang Heng leaned in, lightly biting Shen Huaizhi’s lips and letting out a soft laugh as he teased, “So, Shen Huaizhi, want to kiss now?”
It was impossible to go back to sleep at this point.
By now, even if he were still tired, there was no way to rest.
Jiang Heng rarely took the initiative like this. His face, bold and willful as always, gave off an almost taunting air, yet somehow, in Shen Huaizhi’s eyes, it looked enticing.
Today, Jiang Heng fully realized what it meant to “reap what you sow.”
Perhaps because he was now an adult, Shen Huaizhi was even more intense than usual.
Pressed against the window with the rain hammering down behind him, Shen Huaizhi thoughtfully laid a thin blanket—one Jiang Heng had been wearing—between them to keep him warm.
That blanket probably never thought it would serve such a purpose.
Jiang Heng was starting to think he never wanted to see that blanket again.
As Shen Huaizhi’s fervor grew, Jiang Heng instinctively began to resist.
But with Shen Huaizhi unwilling to let him go, he pressed Jiang Heng’s hands up over his head against the window, caught between cold and heat.
The kiss felt endless.
The room filled with the mingling scents of roses and fresh snow, both fiery and cool, laced with an intoxicating allure.
With his hands held firmly, Jiang Heng could only lift his leg to push Shen Huaizhi away.
But an Omega has little resistance in situations like this, and Shen Huaizhi, fully attuned to him, sensed his attempt and firmly caught his ankle. He leaned down, planting a swift kiss on the top of his foot, his voice thick with desire and a trace of reprimand. “Jiang Heng, you’re not focused.”
Jiang Heng: “…”
Completely dazed and nearly out of breath, he tried to speak, only to be silenced again, letting out a few fragmented words: “Are you… some kind of pervert?”
Did he have to kiss everywhere?
Nearly an hour later, Jiang Heng sat dazed by the window, clutching the blanket.
He glanced down at it, then, flustered and red-faced, threw it to the floor, muttering a few curses and rubbing his wrists.
There were visible red marks where Shen Huaizhi had held him.
In the bathroom, the sound of running water continued.
Jiang Heng muttered a few more curses, still unsatisfied, when his phone on the floor started buzzing repeatedly.
With a blank expression, he reached for it.
Damn.
He hadn’t expected he’d ever be so thoroughly kissed that he couldn’t even stand properly.
The messages were from He Ci.
[He Ci: (Image) For a moment, I thought I’d accidentally walked into some kind of film set. This villa is even more extravagant than the Yujing estate.]
[He Ci: Is this the legendary top-tier rich neighborhood?]
[He Ci: Birthday boy, are you still asleep?]
[He Ci: Dude, you have to register just to enter the villa, and there’s security at the gate. Intense, huh?]
[He Ci: Hello? Really not awake?]
[Waterworks Wang Xing: Are you nuts? It’s barely past seven, and you’re already here?]
[He Ci: Couldn’t sleep from excitement; wanted to experience the rich life.]
[Waterworks Wang Xing: Wait downstairs, I’ll be down soon.]
Who knew what time He Ci had left home, but Jiang Heng snickered a few times before grabbing his clothes and heading to the neighboring room to shower.
The old family house was much larger than the Shen home in Yujing, and Jiang Heng was still getting his bearings.
When he got downstairs, Ruan Shu and Shen’s father were already there.
He Ci and Chen Xingchi sat across from them, hands on their knees, backs straight, looking perfectly proper.
Jiang Heng couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
Ruan Shu poured drinks for the two of them, but Shen’s father frowned, “Why are you drinking cola? So early in the morning?”
Ruan Shu shot him a look. “Why do you care what they drink? Why are you sitting here anyway? To scare them?”
He Ci and Chen Xingchi: “…”
Both of them were silently regretting their decision to come so early—only to face Shen Huaizhi’s parents.
Especially Shen’s father, who, just by sitting there, made the two young Alphas tremble more than Shen Huaizhi ever did.
Noticing Jiang Heng coming downstairs, Chen Xingchi raised his eyebrows, signaling for help.
But Jiang Heng just stood on the staircase, watching them like a pair of elementary school chickens frozen in place, with no intention of coming to their rescue.
Chen Xingchi’s movements naturally caught the attention of both Ruan Shu and Shen’s father, who turned to look at Jiang Heng.
Under their gaze, Jiang Heng couldn’t continue standing there watching the show. “Good morning, Uncle, Aunt.”
Ruan Shu smiled. “You’re up?” Her eyes lingered briefly on Jiang Heng’s neck before she pulled Shen’s father up by the arm. “Then we’ll go check on things in the kitchen; you all enjoy yourselves.”
Since it was hot, Jiang Heng wore a short-sleeved shirt, and the marks on his neck were quite visible. Ruan Shu had no face to ask him the usual “Did you just wake up?” out of embarrassment for her shameless son, and she hurriedly pulled the reluctant Shen’s father away.
Once they were gone, Chen Xingchi and He Ci both let out a sigh of relief. Chen Xingchi patted his chest in lingering fear. “Class Rep’s dad is seriously intimidating.”
He Ci snorted. “You were the one who insisted on coming this early.”
“I just wanted us to be special!” Chen Xingchi argued, quickly shifting the topic. “Happy birthday, Jiang Heng! Happy coming of age!”
He shoved a gift into Jiang Heng’s hands, nudging He Ci’s back. “We’re the first to arrive—doesn’t that make us extra special?”
Jiang Heng had invited more than just the two of them; he’d asked anyone he considered a friend, and Shen’s family would arrange rides for those who lived far. It was summer break, and everyone was bored at home, so no one turned down the invite—especially since the event was at the Shen family’s old house.
Jiang Heng’s retort got caught in his throat. He chuckled. “Yeah, you two are the sons; how could you not be special?”
He Ci thought it over. “Fine, the birthday boy gets his way. Sons it is.” He paused, then hinted with some amusement, “But when more people arrive, are you really going to greet them like this? With those marks on your neck, shouldn’t you cover up a bit?”
At that, Chen Xingchi noticed too, letting out a long, “Oohhh~~ Looks like adulthood really makes a difference. Couldn’t even wait until tonight, huh, Class Rep?”
Jiang Heng raised an eyebrow. “Shut up, you two.”
He might have a thick skin, but he still had some shame. In his rush downstairs, he hadn’t noticed, and only now did he remember how Shen Huaizhi had bitten his neck for quite a while. No wonder Ruan Shu’s gaze had been so strange.
He’d even been seen by his elders.
The thought of it brought a fresh wave of murderous ideas involving Shen Huaizhi.
Jiang Heng went back upstairs to put on a bandage, and when he returned, it was alongside Shen Huaizhi.
He Ci and Chen Xingchi were eager to take in the lavish scenery around the old estate. The place was indeed impressive, meticulously designed to resemble a scenic resort. With Shen Huaizhi’s permission, Jiang Heng accompanied them on a little tour while having breakfast—but rather than walking, they took one of those sightseeing carts often seen in tourist areas.
He Ci couldn’t help but sigh, “… Never thought I’d get a taste of that ‘waking up on a king-sized bed in a mansion’ life, like in a novel.”
“Dad, don’t forget us if you marry into wealth,” he joked.
“Yes, Dad!” Chen Xingchi chimed in, playing along.
Jiang Heng replied, “…Shut it. One more word, and I’ll toss you into the artificial lake to feed the fish.”
The driver up front chuckled at this, joining in with, “As you wish, Young Master; we could always add more fish.”
Around ten o’clock, Ruan Shu sent a message reminding Jiang Heng it was time to change clothes. She insisted on making the event a bit grand, so he’d be dressing formally—it was, after all, a coming-of-age celebration, a milestone.
Jiang Heng had never worn anything so formal. He was used to his school uniform or casual clothes, and even he felt out of place in it. As he left the room, he tugged awkwardly at his jacket.
Shen Huaizhi was waiting outside, focused on his phone, checking messages from people saying they’d arrived. Even when he had his own coming-of-age, he hadn’t taken it this seriously or felt this kind of nervousness. But the moment he saw Jiang Heng, that tension took on a new dimension.
The black suit had been tailored precisely to Jiang Heng’s measurements, with a fitted waist that highlighted his figure. His muscle tone wasn’t overly pronounced, but perfectly defined, making him look striking rather than out of place. The usually bold teenager now seemed dashing, yet still kept a youthful charm rather than looking too mature.
Noticing Shen Huaizhi’s silence, Jiang Heng looked up, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Does it… look weird?”
He felt strange in it himself.
Seeing him like this, Shen Huaizhi’s gaze darkened. Instead of answering, he stepped closer and murmured, “Your bow tie is crooked.”
1You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you and Enjoy reading! ❤️ -TL: Ysiad
