The night air was slightly chilly, carrying with it the faint, sweet scent of daisies stirred by the breeze.
Su Xu thought back to the scene of Zhong Heng being completely overpowered, unable to land a single counterattack.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, “Alphas are rare in our country as it is. You’re top-tier, honed by years of grueling military life. There can’t be many left who could stand a chance against you, right?”
Chu Xi’an nodded calmly. “That’s right.”
Su Xu raised an eyebrow. “So…?”
Chu Xi’an remained silent, simply watching him.
Su Xu recalled the earlier question Chu Xi’an had asked.
“I don’t like him,” Su Xu said without hesitation. He let out a soft chuckle, his expression relaxed and casual. “My standards aren’t that low. I wouldn’t fall for an Alpha like that.”
Chu Xi’an exhaled lightly. “When I saw you inviting him before, I thought you two were close.”
Su Xu merely smiled in response.
Chu Xi’an lowered his voice. “After moving, I spent five years completing middle school, high school, and college. Then, after evolving into a top-tier Alpha, I joined the military, and step by step, I’ve come to where I am today.”
As he spoke, Chu Xi’an stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
His ash-gray eyes never left Su Xu’s face, “Over the years, I’ve always been able to get information about you. Though we’ve been apart, in my heart, I’ve grown up alongside you.”
The smile on Su Xu’s face faded slightly, “…Really?”
Noticing Su Xu’s unease, Chu Xi’an paused, then shifted the topic. “I’ve been on more assignments recently, so we’ll likely see each other often. Add me as a friend?”
Su Xu raised his hand, exchanging contact details with Chu Xi’an. He lingered a moment longer, staring at the time on his terminal.
Seeing this, Chu Xi’an said, “Let’s go. It’s too late already. I’ll walk you home first.”
“Alright.”
The two walked in silence the rest of the way. Chu Xi’an drove the hovercar slowly, what should have been a thirty-minute trip to Su’s home stretched to nearly fifty. When they finally arrived, he said quietly, “Let’s go inside.”
His long fingers, calloused at the tips, tapped the hovercar’s control screen, knuckles curling slightly.
Through the rearview mirror, he looked at Su Xu, “If there’s a chance, may I take you out to dinner sometime?”
“Of course,” Su Xu replied casually. He lowered his eyelashes, stepped out of the hovercar, and had barely taken two steps when his terminal pinged, a message from Chu Xi’an.
“Shall I book tomorrow’s lunch then?”
Su Xu looked back. The military-grade hovercar was larger than civilian models, looming at the gate like a beast ready to devour.
Inside, lights illuminated Chu Xi’an seated in the driver’s seat, head lowered over his terminal.
“Sorry, I’ve got something tomorrow at noon. Another day,” Su Xu typed, then went inside.
At this hour, the Su household was silent; all the rooms were pitch black. Su Xu reached out, fumbling until he clicked on the living room light.
There, sitting on the sofa in silence was Su Rui, lost in thought.
“…Not turning on the light again, trying to scare me?” Su Xu teased.
Su Rui’s gaze drifted to the window, “General Chu brought you home?”
“Mm.” Su Xu changed his shoes as he spoke.
“Chu Xi’an was our neighbor when we were kids. You remember? He lived next door. He moved away when I was in third grade… you weren’t even in first grade yet, I think.”
Su Rui let out a dry, “Oh.”
“Something wrong?” Su Xu asked, picking up a cup to get some water.
Su Rui came closer, lowering his voice. “I heard Mom and Dad saying they arranged to meet General Chu tomorrow. Seems they’ve been in contact all these years, want to see what the Chu family’s offer will be…”
His eyes flicked to Su Xu as he finished.
“I know,” Su Xu said coolly. “Chu Xi’an told me the same, he’s always been able to get news about me over the years. It’s obvious who’s feeding him the information.”
Su Rui’s expression grew complicated, “And you? Who do you want to marry?”
Su Xu shot him an amused look, ignoring the question. Instead, he asked, “Why suddenly curiosity? Giving up your rebellion?”
“…Rebellion?!” Su Rui’s face flushed red. He glared at Su Xu, stammering, “Don’t think I’ll always be on your side. I said this just to thank you for the tickets, that’s all!”
Su Xu set the cup down, half-heartedly replying, “Alright, alright.”
Returning to his room, he powered on his terminal. The aftermath of General Chu’s lecture still buzzed online; students were excited, posting one comment after another, often tagging Su Xu directly.
He muted notifications, opened the class group, and found Qiu Jiang.
“Are you there? Can you give me the contact info for the department beauty? I need her help with something.”
As expected, Qiu Jiang was still online, exploring the virtual world. He quickly replied, “Sure! I’ll forward her card. You can add her directly.”
“Thanks.”
The department beauty, already awake, received Qiu Jiang’s message and promptly accepted Su Xu’s friend request, sending back a playful cat-peeking emoji.
Su Xu’s lips curved slightly. “Can I ask for a favor? Today I saw you taking attendance for the lecture. Can you show me the registration list?”
“Of course. It’s not a secret, but too many people remembered it. I can’t just take a photo. I’ll bring it to you tomorrow.”
“Alright, thanks for the trouble.”
Having sent the message, Su Xu turned to wash up.
Meanwhile, Chu Xi’an looked at Su Xu’s reply on his terminal, expressionless, though the corners of his lips twitched downward slightly, betraying his displeasure.
He shut the terminal and drove his hovercar back to his home in the capital. Pushing open the door, the long-uninhabited space greeted him with a cold, empty air.
The cleaning robot detected him and greeted respectfully, “Master, you’ve returned.”
“Mm.”
He didn’t turn on any lights, navigating the darkness with ease to his bedroom. After closing the door behind him and locking it, he switched on a small night lamp.
The bedroom of a single Alpha was unremarkable, except for one thing,scattered photographs everywhere: on the desk, the walls, even the bed.
They were clearly well protected, laminated, and glimmered softly under the moonlight and the night lamp.
Chu Xi’an began undressing. His skin was honey-toned, marked with scars of varying depths, each telling of his achievements.
Wearing only long pants, he walked to the bed, lowered his gaze, and picked up a photograph.
A handsome boy, around seventeen or eighteen, stood in the living room drinking water. Hearing someone shout for the photo, his eyes flicked toward the camera.
In another photo, the young man was back-facing the camera, changing clothes, his long fingers gripping the edge of his shirt, mid-way off, revealing a pale, slender waist that could be embraced by a single arm. In yet another, the bathroom steamed, hinting at the outline of a tall figure.
“Su Xu.”
The low voice echoed in the bedroom. Chu Xi’an closed his eyes.
The next morning, Su Xu had class. Upon entering, he immediately saw the department beauty sitting next to Qiu Jiang, sharing a terminal screen, apparently watching a show. She waved as she noticed him. “Su Xu, over here!”
He walked over, feeling the curious gazes of classmates on him. Everyone knew about the incident when the department beauty almost accepted Zhong Heng’s confession, only for Su Xu to intervene. They were surprised to see the two seeming so comfortable together.
“This is what you wanted,” she said, unfazed by the stares around her. She placed an A4-sized notebook on the desk, patted it, smiling brightly. “I have class, so I’ll leave. After you’ve checked it, just return it to Qiu Jiang.”
“Thanks.”
Su Xu watched her leave, then sat down to examine the registration list.
“Anything interesting on the list?” Qiu Jiang asked curiously.
“No,” Su Xu shook his head. “I saw a familiar figure yesterday, had a guess, wanted to verify it.”
He ran his long fingers over the names on the list, stopping near the middle-bottom, “Tsk. Just as I thought.”
Qiu Jiang followed his finger and exclaimed, “Chen Tingyi? Didn’t he already apply for a leave of absence?”
“I don’t know.”
Having found the answer he wanted, Su Xu closed the list, recalling that gaze directed at him, the same one he had felt when he unexpectedly met Chen Tingyi at the restaurant before.
He frowned, muttering under his breath, “Such a pervert.”
“Something wrong?” Qiu Jiang asked.
“Nothing. Class is about to start. You keep the list safe and return it to the department beauty. In the afternoon class, I’ll buy you milk tea.”
Qiu Jiang instinctively took the list. Hearing Su Xu, she widened her eyes. “Eh? You’re not sitting with me again?” Before he finished, Su Xu had already slipped to the back row.
After class, Su Xu opened his terminal, noticing a message from Chen Tingyi.
“Baby.” Those two characters stood out like a glare in his eyes.
In the original story, Chen Tingyi had turned to the “Star Thief” profession only after his family’s bankruptcy.
He had always been rebellious, unwilling to remain under others’ shadows. Previously, he restrained himself due to family obligations. Now, with the family gone, he had space to act.
At the restaurant, Su Xu, following the persona of a vindictive male lead, deliberately stepped on Chen Tingyi’s shoulder while insulting him verbally.
By all logic, Chen Tingyi should now be on the fringe planets, building his power, ready to watch Su Xu suffer once his strength grew.
So why was he here at the lecture and messaging Su Xu like this?
Furthermore, neither attending the lecture nor sending this message had occurred in the original story. Clearly, the plot had already deviated slightly, though to what extent remained unknown.
Su Xu lowered his gaze, fingers tapping lightly on the desk. No matter what, Chen Tingyi was ruthless. He would have to be careful from now on.
✦ ✧ ✦
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · The Inner WorldChapter 2 · Pheromone Testing CentreChapter 3 · Low Grade OmegaChapter 4 · Faking to be Top tier OmegaChapter 5 · Zhong YiChapter 6 · The culprit behind the videoChapter 7 · Lecture ticket of powerful military OfficerChapter 8 · Zhong Heng acting like a thugChapter 9 · General ChuChapter 10 · Do you really like that good for nothing, Alpha?Chapter 11 · Chen TingyiChapter 12 · Class AssessmentChapter 13 · Call me HusbandChapter 14 · Almost Like AffairChapter 15 · Lantern BloomChapter 16 · Mild Pheromone overflowChapter 17 · Hi, WifeChapter 18 · Or you can kiss me. I’m not pickyChapter 19 · It’s not too late for you to call off the engagementChapter 20 · My BoyfriendChapter 21 · Kidnapped?Chapter 22 · Sister in LawChapter 23 · So you didn’t differentiateChapter 24 · PrinceChapter 25 · That Alpha… is none other than His MajestyChapter 26 · My mom said you’re too oldChapter 27 · Do you still have me in your heart?Chapter 28 · You Can call me Brother in law or sister in lawChapter 29 · I fell in love with you at first sight.Chapter 30 · What kind of friend? Alpha, Beta, or OmegaChapter 31 · Your current boyfriend is hereChapter 32 · I can protect youChapter 33 · Mental suppressionChapter 34 · It doesn’t matterChapter 35 · Watched another horror movie?Chapter 36 · Did you hear thatChapter 37 · You’d know what it tastes like once you try itChapter 38 · He is my boyfriend, his name is Zhong YiChapter 39 · This is what I just received from your father todayChapter 40 · Who did you return the photos of me and Su Rui to?Chapter 41 · As a result, Rui Rui ran away with meChapter 42 · Constitutes accomplice behaviorChapter 43 · You can’t stay in the second bedroomChapter 44 · No one will think you are inferior anymore.Chapter 45 · I am inferior, what’s it to you?Chapter 46 · Let’s wait until the debt collectors come knockingChapter 47 · Focus on your studiesChapter 48 · Am I that valuable?Chapter 49 · From now on, call me MasterChapter 50 · I have always been tolerant of beautiful MenChapter 51 · Don’t be so recklessChapter 52 · He’ll only get more excitedChapter 53 · Call him sister in lawChapter 54 · You haven’t even fulfilled your obligations yetChapter 55 · What? Grandma Su Xu is sick?Chapter 56 · That wasn’t what he meant at all!Chapter 57 · I could actually share him with youChapter 58 · Why was someone added at the last minute?Chapter 59 · You can’t record videos here.Chapter 60 · I like it tooChapter 61 · Distinguish between two similar pheromones.Chapter 62 · Why do you think I blocked you?Chapter 63 · Why hasn’t Su Xu replied yet?Chapter 64 · His Majesty never comes back to eatChapter 65 · Hide your things wellChapter 66 · Connection?Chapter 67 · Maybe I can even inhale it for some comfortChapter 68 · So you don’t run awayChapter 69 · Will you be with His Majesty?Chapter 70 · Take itChapter 71 · Who is this person?!Chapter 72 · Who did you just call worthless?Chapter 73 · Weren’t we talking about Mr. Su and His Majesty?Chapter 74 · Aren’t you very capable?Chapter 75 · As expected of Wu ChuChapter 76 · Help him sleep?Chapter 77 · Su Xu’s Alpha was His MajestyChapter 78 · You really are something, playing favorites like thatChapter 79 · World of a novelChapter 80 · I simply… know them inside outChapter 81 · Wait for meChapter 82 · But I think you’ve become a lot cuter latelyChapter 83 · The feeling of me kissing you?Chapter 84 · Our Xuxu… is finally becoming an adultChapter 85 · Rare stolen moments for an affair like this.Chapter 86 · What kind of death-level love triangle battlefield was this!?Chapter 87 · It was practically torture!Chapter 88 · What sinful karmaChapter 89 · You weren’t worried I’d get angry?Chapter 90 · I’m going to mark youChapter 91 · Who did you go with?Chapter 92 · Chu Xian….. You really aren’t humanChapter 93 · Did this man actually know how to kiss?Chapter 94 · After all, he’s still the current boyfriendChapter 95 · Did they mark you again?Chapter 96 · It’s not my bloodChapter 97 · Did you seduce another alpha??Chapter 98 · After that, don’t use that kind of thing anymoreChapter 99 · Even at this point, Su Xu is still lying to him!Chapter 100 · What’s wrong with you?Chapter 101 · Don’t tell anyoneChapter 102 · I Think my hear startedChapter 104 · You’re Wu JiChapter 104 · A wedding?Chapter 105 · Exceptionally Beautiful OmegaChapter 106 · If you’re with him, aren’t you afraid of being cheated on?Chapter 107 · “Am I the same person as him?”Chapter 108 · What important matter could Chu Xian possibly have to do?Chapter 109 · Did the boss actually steal someone else’s partner?Chapter 110 · Wu Chu is preparing for his weddingChapter 111 · I know better than you what’s so great about Su XuChapter 112 · Chu Xian had gotten a bit tannedChapter 113 · Su Xu, your boyfriend is here!Chapter 114 · I’ve completely lost face!Chapter 115 · Don’t you think your sister-in-law is interesting too?Chapter 116 · I will definitely tell Wu Chu the truth.Chapter 117 · Didn’t you already meet your boyfriend today?Chapter 117 · Why do I need to take a day off on Saturday?Chapter 119 · This is a TrapChapter 120 · This is the future queen chosen by their monarch!Chapter 121 · Could it be that Su Xu went directly to the scene?Chapter 122 · Slipped the ring on Su Xu’s ring fingerChapter 123 · You have no experienceChapter 124 · I haven’t even mentioned your lover in Galaxy A yetChapter 125 · He suddenly had a strong urge to kiss Qi YanChapter 126 · May I ask what you encountered?Chapter 127 · It’s not Jiang Cang, it’s Jiang CangxingChapter 128 · Where does the money come from for a single line of code?Chapter 129 · This is unbelievable!Chapter 130 · Su Xu slammed the box shut.Chapter 131 · This is so weird!Chapter 132 · This person and Teacher Sang are mutual followers!Chapter 133 · I can finally keep my promise and come see youChapter 134 · Extra 1: He’s mango FlavouredChapter 135 · Extra 2: Boyfriend meets ParentsChapter 136 · Extra 3: The Game (1)Chapter 137 · Extra 4: The Game (2)