Little Mushroom’s heart softened, and the stupid human kissed him for two hours. Of course, it definitely wasn’t just kissing.

Little Mushroom was truly angry this time. What kind of stupid student studied for only ten minutes but “recharged” for two hours? Little Mushroom couldn’t understand.

Little Mushroom: Stupid human, did you do it on purpose?

Little Mushroom: “Stupid #…# on purpose?”

Jiang Songshi pretended not to hear.

The Little Mushroom was puffed up with anger.

The next day was the weekend. The busiest day at the research institute had passed, and Jiang Songshi rarely took a day off. Jiang Songshi originally planned to go out for a drive with Little Mushroom since the previous attempts had failed; the “obedient” Little Mushroom was either at the bar or on his way there.

However, halfway there, Jiang Songshi received a call from the research team and had to return to the research institute temporarily. Little Mushroom followed behind Jiang Songshi, holding hands as they walked towards the research institute.

This was Little Mushroom’s first time at the stupid human’s workplace. Little Mushroom curiously looked around, finding everything novel and fascinating.

Originally, according to regulations, Little Mushroom couldn’t enter the laboratory. But seeing Little Mushroom’s face almost pressed against the glass door, Jiang Songshi couldn’t bring himself to leave him outside.

“Come with me,” Jiang Songshi said.

Little Mushroom tilted his head, pointed to himself, and then pointed to the door with “No idlers allowed¹闲人 (xián rén) – idle person; idler / person who has no legitimate reason to be in a certain place. 人 being the character for people, hence JSS reply in the next sentence.” written on it, asking if he could really go in.

Jiang Songshi: “You’re a little mushroom, and it didn’t say ‘No Idle Mushrooms Allowed.’”

Little Mushroom: That makes sense!

Little Mushroom’s eyes sparkled. When Jiang Songshi changed his clothes, Little Mushroom was a bit nervous. Jiang Songshi squeezed Little Mushroom’s hand: “The colleagues at the research institute today are all on good terms with me. Anyway, I’ll introduce you to them later. No need to be nervous.”

Little Mushroom didn’t know many people, and even fewer related to Jiang Songshi. The only friend of Jiang Songshi’s that Little Mushroom knew was someone the stupid human didn’t seem to like him getting too close to.

Little Mushroom felt a little disappointed. In his opinion, introducing the person (mushroom) you like to your friends was a formal matter, only done after fully confirming the relationship.

Little Mushroom was seriously involved with Jiang Songshi, so he had secretly written a letter introducing the stupid human to Grandpa Tree and Grandma Giant Mushroom.

But the stupid human didn’t seem to want to introduce him. Little Mushroom wondered if it was because of his poor human language skills, perhaps even unable to properly introduce himself, that Jiang Songshi refused to let him meet his friends.

Little Mushroom felt a bit resentful. Jiang Songshi’s mushroom language was a mess, yet he had introduced Jiang Songshi to his family.

Jiang Songshi didn’t know why Little Mushroom was spacing out. He was even getting more and more agitated, his little face scrunching up into a ball, his gaze full of reproach when he looked at him.

Jiang Songshi: ????

Jiang Songshi carefully straightened Little Mushroom’s collar: “You… don’t want to meet them?”

Jiang Songshi had brought Little Mushroom here intending to introduce him to these good friends. Little Mushroom was unfamiliar with the world, and although he didn’t say it, Jiang Songshi thought it would be good for him to meet more friends.

Little Mushroom’s world should be colorful and diverse. Protecting Little Mushroom didn’t mean locking him up; previously having him go out less was only out of concern.

Little Mushroom shook his head: “Didn’t you… not want to introduce me to your friends?”

Little Mushroom spoke his mind without beating around the bush.

Jiang Songshi was stunned for a moment, finally recalling the incident at the bar.

Seeing that Jiang Songshi understood, Little Mushroom pressed on: “So you’re introducing me to your friends now because I’ve been behaving well lately?”

Jiang Songshi tightened his grip on Little Mushroom’s hand. His Little Mushroom only appeared carefree but was actually sensitive. Without Jiang Songshi realizing it, Little Mushroom had overthought so much.

Jiang Songshi seriously hugged Little Mushroom, saying, “Not because you’ve behaved well, but because you’re Jiang Songshi’s Little Mushroom.”

“We’ve confirmed our relationship; you’re part of my family.”

Jiang Songshi explained the bar incident and showed Little Mushroom the messages his friend had sent him.

Jiang Songshi pretended to be pitiful: “Look, he wants to pursue you and steal my Little Mushroom.”

Little Mushroom’s face reddened; he had misunderstood!

Little Mushroom felt a bit happy.

Little Mushroom: “Stupid #…# lemon!”

Jiang Songshi: Who taught Little Mushroom those words!

At that moment, a group of people walked over. Seeing Jiang Songshi hugging the young man, they clamored and called out, “Sister-in-law.”

Little Mushroom’s face turned even redder, but his expression tensed, appearing somewhat stern.

Little Mushroom: “Hello, I’m Gu Batian(Mushroom Overlord).” He spoke with vigor, standing on a step, appearing taller than Jiang Songshi from his friends’ perspective.

Friend A: “Oh! So you’re the brother-in-law!”

Friend B: “Hello, brother-in-law!”

Friend C: “Brother-in-law, this way please!”

Friend D: “Jiang-ge, we’ll leave it to brother-in-law to take care of you from now on!”

Little Mushroom nodded, feeling satisfied.

Jiang Songshi: …

Author’s Note:

Jiang Songshi: “The wife turned out to be myself?”

Little Mushroom: ” ٩(๑′0`๑)۶!”

TL Notes

• 1
  闲人 (xián rén) – idle person; idler / person who has no legitimate reason to be in a certain place. 人 being the character for people, hence JSS reply in the next sentence.