The moment the bell rang, Yu Tian urged Zhong Xiu to run outside.
“I’ll come back to do the problems later,” Zhong Xiu briefly explained to Lin Xi, then walked towards the liberal arts classes with Yu Tian.
Lin Xi stared at her retreating figure, her eyes slightly sinking.
What a coincidence, the entrance to Liberal Arts Class 1 was particularly lively. The narrow hallway was suffocatingly crowded with “passing by” Alphas.
“Move aside! What are you all doing standing here?” “Mistress Annihilator” (the mean teacher) came from the office, holding a long teaching rod. She spoke while whipping the tiled floor of the corridor, her expression like one of the intimidating judges of the underworld.
“You go. I can’t. I’ll wait for you here,” Yu Tian said tearfully to Zhong Xiu.
Zhong Xiu pursed her lips, thankfully she had brought an English book with her.
Pretending to be a passing Beta, she wasn’t stopped by the teacher and successfully walked past the corridor outside the liberal arts class.
However, Zhong Xiu didn’t have Yu Tian’s audacity to openly stare into the classroom, and she didn’t know exactly where Xia Mu was sitting. So, she walked from the back door to the front door without seeing the Omega in person.
That was the end of the hall, so Zhong Xiu had to turn around and try again.
Just as she turned, she bumped into someone.
So fragrant, was the only thought in Zhong Xiu’s head.
Omegas had softer bodies. When Zhong Xiu realized this, she quickly looked up at the person she hit.
She locked eyes with Xia Mu, who was just walking out of the classroom.
“Coming to see me?”
Just as the rumors suggested, the moment the Omega spoke, Zhong Xiu froze for a few seconds.
So… so direct?
“Yes.” Zhong Xiu’s brain hadn’t processed it, but her mouth had honestly confessed everything.
Once her brain started working again, she asked, “How did you know?”
With her lips curved into a beautiful arc, Xia Mu chuckled, her voice carrying a comforting confidence. “Classmate, this is the end of the hall.”
“And you,” Xia Mu bent down to pick up her English book, flipping to the first page, where Zhong Xiu’s class and name were clearly written. “Are from the science class. You should be heading that way.”
“Thank you…” Being stared at by such beautiful eyes and having her intention exposed, Zhong Xiu blushed, feeling extremely embarrassed.
“I sit in the third row by the aisle. Next time, remember to look through this window,” Xia Mu’s slender finger tapped on the windowsill of Liberal Arts Class 1.
“Got it.” Zhong Xiu whispered, then grabbed her book and ran quickly, like a fleeing rabbit.
“Zoe,” Xia Mu read the English name she saw on her English book a moment ago, smiling slightly. “So you’re the little badger.”
…
“Why do you look like you’ve lost your soul? What did Xia Mu say to you just now?” Yu Tian desperately wanted to know. He hadn’t said a word to Xia Mu yet. When he saw Zhong Xiu bump into Xia Mu, he wished he could switch souls with Zhong Xiu.
“Nothing much, I just accidentally bumped into her,” Zhong Xiu placed her English book back on the desk and put both palms on her cheeks to cool down.
It was too shameful. Every time she thought about what Xia Mu said, she wanted to find a crack in the floor to hide in.
“Oh my god, Zhong Xiu, you haven’t fallen for Xia Mu, have you?” Yu Tian sighed. “But I understand. She’s incredibly charming.”
“…”
Lin Xi couldn’t feel the sudden palpitation right now. She felt a strange sensation, one that resembled the sense of crisis when someone was trying to steal her prey.
“Are you sure it’s not a sense of crisis towards an Omega?” The doctor pushed the glasses up his nose. “Is it because of this Beta that you don’t like Omegas getting too close to her?”
“I don’t know,” Lin Xi sat in the chair, her mind a bit confused. She had to admit that Xia Mu’s appearance had a great impact on her. The pheromones she hadn’t even released were enough to interfere with her judgment.
She couldn’t distinguish now whether she disliked Zhong Xiu having contact with Xia Mu, or if she didn’t want Xia Mu to have contact with Zhong Xiu, even though they sounded much the same.
Moreover, it wasn’t up to her.
“I think it might be that you’ve grown accustomed to being with the Beta recently, and this habit has influenced you. In your heart, you’re more likely concerned about the Omega.” The doctor drew a tube of blood sample from her arm.
Am I really concerned about Xia Mu? Concerned about an Omega whose pheromones match mine but who I’ve never really met?
“Or try this: You’ve been desk mates with that Beta for two years, haven’t you? Try changing your desk mate.”
“No,” Lin Xi refused without thinking.
“Tutoring can still proceed as usual. You just won’t be her desk mate,” the doctor didn’t understand. “This will help you distinguish whether your feelings for her are just habit or something else.”
“She’s my fiancée.”
“Didn’t you say it was just a temporary agreement?” The doctor smiled. “I don’t think that Beta would take it seriously. You’re a top-tier Alpha. We Betas know our place.”
“It’s still no.”
“Alphas are so strange. You’re not thinking of dating two people at once, are you?” Faced with the hesitant Alpha, the Beta doctor’s tone became serious.
“No,” Lin Xi said. “That’s not what I mean.”
“We’ll see in a while. I still suggest you spend more time with Omegas. If possible, minimize contact with this Beta who is giving you false impressions. It’s better for both of you.”
…
“I don’t think it’s right, but I don’t know what’s wrong.” Lin Xi sat in the ICU ward. The room was surrounded by various instruments and dials, ticking with the rise and fall of red and green lines on the electrocardiogram and brain wave monitors.
Countless tubes and wires connected to the two people lying on the hospital bed. They were asleep, eyes closed. The doctor said the time they would wake up was uncertain, and they might never wake up.
Her voice was the only one speaking in the room.
“I met an Omega. A top-tier one. Her pheromones match mine very well. The doctor said I like her.”
“But I seem to care more about Zhong Xiu.”
“…”
“Let’s talk next time, Dad and Mom.”
Lin Xi went to the hospital to visit her parents. She estimated she would miss dinner at home. Zhong Xiu walked towards the small food street behind the school with her schoolbag.
“Auntie, I’d like three original egg waffles.” Zhong Xiu stood in front of a clean-looking stall, estimating Lin Xi’s usual appetite at home.
“Three portions, dear? Can you eat that much?” The aunt looked at her in surprise.
“They’re for someone else.” Lin Xi had been craving egg waffles lately.
“Oh, a boyfriend,” the aunt instantly understood and skillfully scooped a ladle of batter.
“Not a boyfriend.”
The uncles and aunts here were all Betas. Seeing that Zhong Xiu was a Beta, no one would assume she was with an Alpha unless Lin Xi was right next to her.
“You don’t need to explain. Auntie understands. Boys eat a lot.”
“Girls are just shy. You’re so pretty; you must have many boys chasing you. Your boyfriend should watch out,” the Beta uncle selling grilled cold noodles next door also joined in.
Zhong Xiu didn’t know what to say. Perhaps there were too many young couples coming to this street for snacks, and the uncles and aunts here were used to saying things like this. It happened last time, too.
“Classmate, your schoolbag!”
Just as Zhong Xiu was about to take out her phone to scan the QR code, she realized the outer zipper of her schoolbag was open and empty.
A boy in a black T-shirt was running away, followed closely by a girl wearing the same school uniform as Zhong Xiu, with a ponytail. Her back looked familiar. Zhong Xiu quickly put everything down. “Auntie, please watch my things. I’m going to check.”
“Okay, be careful!” The aunt looked over, concerned. “If it’s serious, call the police.”
Putting in her best hundred-meter dash effort, Zhong Xiu still wasn’t very fast. Running had always been her weak point. Last time she ran to the back of the school, it nearly killed her. Who knew that a month later, she would have to do it again.
She ran almost the entire length of the food street. By the trash can at a branching alley, Zhong Xiu saw the girl tackle the black-shirted Alpha to the ground, retrieving Zhong Xiu’s phone from his hand.
The Alpha tried to struggle, was kicked, and lay on the ground clutching his stomach, cursing under his breath.
Zhong Xiu let out a sigh of relief and slowly walked over.
“Thank you. Are you okay?”
“Yes, here, your phone. Be more careful next time.”
It was Xia Mu, what a coincidence. She had been chasing the thief for so long without being out of breath or flushed, yet Zhong Xiu, who was behind her, was leaning on her knees, barely able to breathe.
“Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?” Xia Mu was startled by her.
“I’m fine,” Zhong Xiu took a few dozen seconds to recover. Just as she looked up, she saw the Alpha get up from the ground, pick up a discarded wine bottle from the trash can, and prepare to smash Xia Mu’s head.
Before she could speak, Zhong Xiu instinctively hugged her and pulled her to the side.
Both fell to the side. Fortunately, they dodged the full force of the blow. Unfortunately, the wine bottle shattered, and glass shards splashed onto Zhong Xiu’s hand.
The person saw the blood, froze for a second, perhaps sobered up a bit, and turned to run.
Xia Mu was about to chase, but Zhong Xiu pulled her arm. “Don’t chase. It’s too dangerous. We got the phone back anyway.”
If she chased, she would be alone again. Zhong Xiu knew she couldn’t help much. “I’m not doubting your ability, I’m doubting mine.”
Her words made Xia Mu laugh. “Let me see your hand.”
After checking that the wound wasn’t deep, Xia Mu was a little relieved. “Don’t let me catch him next time.”
“Huh?” Zhong Xiu wondered if she had misheard. Xia Mu looked younger than her; she was a transfer student who skipped a grade, after all.
Xia Mu didn’t seem like she was leaving. She squatted by the trash can and, pulling out a piece of white chalk from somewhere, began drawing on the ground, completely focused.
Although her performance just now was very brave, Zhong Xiu wasn’t comfortable leaving an Omega alone in this deserted alley, so she squatted next to her.
The feeling she gave Zhong Xiu was novel. She was cool when she beat the thief and spoke arrogantly, but now, quietly drawing, she looked very serene.
In less than five minutes, Xia Mu finished drawing and tossed the remaining chalk into the air, landing it squarely in the trash can. Zhong Xiu leaned in to look. On the concrete floor was a lifelike… Roujiamo (Chinese meat sandwich), the kind that looked aromatic.
“Do you want to eat it?” Zhong Xiu looked up and asked her.
Xia Mu nodded.
When the Omega wasn’t speaking, she looked incredibly well-behaved. Unlike Lin Xi’s slightly babyish obedience, hers was a princess-like, endearing obedience that instantly struck Zhong Xiu’s sweet spot. “I’ll treat you.”
“Oh?” Xia Mu tilted her head, her eyes seeming to show surprise.
“You helped me get my phone back. Treating you to this is nothing.”
“Okay,” after a moment’s consideration, Xia Mu nodded.
The two walked towards the food street. Halfway there, Xia Mu suddenly pulled her into a nearby corner, looking like she was hiding from someone.
“What’s wrong?”
“Shh.”
Zhong Xiu glanced outside. A remarkably cute little girl with a schoolbag was out there. Wasn’t that the “Little CEO Zhou”? Why was she here? Her clothes suggested she was a recently enrolled junior high student at the Experimental High School Affiliated. Hiding from her? Unlikely.
Immediately after, an adult Alpha wearing black sunglasses passed by. This person had a thick gold chain around his neck and tattoos on his arms—the standard TV “bad guy.” He was looking left and right, seemingly searching for someone. They must be hiding from him.
Such an excellent and beautiful Omega, who can’t even afford a Roujiamo and has to hide and sneak around. Zhong Xiu’s mind started conjuring up Xia Mu’s tragic past. I wonder if her beating up the thief was due to a lonely, difficult childhood. Isn’t this the ‘beautiful, strong, and miserable’ character often seen in novels?
“How long has it been since you ate? Is one Roujiamo enough?” When the burly man left, Zhong Xiu led her to the stall.
“What do you plan to do if I say it’s not enough?” She looked at Zhong Xiu strangely, filled with pity. Being looked at with such eyes for the first time, Xia Mu felt mischievous.
“What else do you want to eat? I’ll treat you.”
“Okay,” Xia Mu, who thought she wouldn’t be able to eat anything after her sister confiscated her wallet, was delighted by this sudden feast.
“You shouldn’t accept food from just anyone,” Zhong Xiu was worried about her. A simple meal made her so happy. What if someone tricked her?
Xia Mu already realized that Zhong Xiu seemed to have misunderstood something, but she didn’t explain, just nodded, looking very compliant.
So well-behaved. How could anyone abandon a child like this? Zhong Xiu sighed inwardly, hoping she wouldn’t go astray in the future.
What Zhong Xiu didn’t know was that after she left, Xia Mu got into a black Rolls-Royce. The burly man from earlier was the one who bent down to open the door for her.
“Sister, where did you go? Uncle Qin and I looked all over the back street but didn’t see you,” Zhou Yan’s small face, slightly baby-fat, showed at the window, her voice sounding a little aggrieved. “Were you secretly eating junk food? That stuff isn’t hygienic and is bad for your stomach…”
“I went to play with my new classmate. She treated me, so I couldn’t help it,” Xia Mu pinched her cheek.
“No, you can’t eat it,” Zhou Yan reached out to grab the Roujiamo in her hand.
“I will eat it,” Xia Mu, using her size advantage, wrapped one arm around Zhou Yan’s neck to immobilize her, while using the other hand to put a bite of Roujiamo into her mouth, chewing enthusiastically.
Tears instantly welled up in Zhou Yan’s eyes. She wanted to call her mother nearby for help but didn’t dare.
Her mother usually pampered her outside and never let her suffer, but whenever her older sister was involved, she would just sit there and watch, completely ignoring them, letting the two sisters wrestle. Sometimes, she would even video-record them and send it to their other mom.
Sigh, the little girl suppressed by bloodline can only rely on herself.
While Xia Mu was eating, Zhou Yan gathered her strength and, with a surprise move, snatched half of the Roujiamo from her hand, stuffed it into her own mouth, and chewed quickly, like a little hamster hoarding food.
If I eat it all, Sister won’t eat so much junk food.
After they finished eating, Zhou Nan, who had been watching silently nearby, took wet wipes from her bag and meticulously cleaned their four greasy hands, then fastened their seatbelts.
The car slowly started, driving into the sunset. Xia Mu looked out the window in the direction of the school and smiled.
“Goodbye, Zhong Xiu.”
…
“Come on, Zhong Xiu, tell me your zodiac sign. I’ll read your fortune,” Yu Tian found a page in his magazine about zodiac compatibility predictions. He originally wanted to try it out with Gao Lan, but she ignored him, so he had to ask Zhong Xiu to play with him.
Most importantly, he had just found out Xia Mu’s sign.
“This is inaccurate,” Lin Xi said from the side.
“Tsk, what’s her problem?” Yu Tian nudged Zhong Xiu. Lately, Lin Xi had been constantly contradicting him.
“Maybe you offended her recently,” Zhong Xiu smiled.
She also felt Lin Xi was a little strange lately, but couldn’t pinpoint why.
“No way, it clearly says that Leos are friendly and open-minded,” Yu Tian looked at Lin Xi with suspicion. “Are you a fake Leo?”
“That’s why I said it’s inaccurate,” Lin Xi looked up and stared at him.
“Hiss, forget it, forget it,” Yu Tian rubbed the goosebumps on his arms. “Don’t listen to us, write your test papers, King Leo.”
Turning back, he took out his phone to gossip with Zhong Xiu. “I absolutely have to see who she’s most compatible with.”
The phone was placed on Zhong Xiu’s desk. The two looked at the compatibility chart on the screen.
—Leo’s Best Match Zodiac Sign No. 1: Sagittarius | Compatibility Index: 100.
“Oh my god, it’s Sagittarius! I don’t think I match her very well,” Yu Tian patted his chest, still shaken. “And ‘foster resonant and vibrating minds’? I’d be lucky if she didn’t tear me apart.”
“Aries is also a good match for her,” Zhong Xiu said softly.
—Leo’s Best Match Zodiac Sign No. 2: Aries | Compatibility Index: 100.
“Oh wow, what a coincidence! Xia Mu is an Aries! It says here they have similar temperaments and values, and they are both top-tier. A perfect match!”
The screen continued to scroll down, only listing the top few most compatible signs for Leo. Yu Tian, out of mischief, searched for the least compatible sign for Leo.
“Hah! Who’s a Capricorn? You should stay away from Lin Xi, you know.”
After a few dozen seconds, Zhong Xiu said, “Me.”
“Pretend I didn’t say that,” Yu Tian chuckled, closing his phone. “Maybe it’s really not that accurate, huh?”
…
The monthly exam rankings were, as usual, posted on the notice board outside the third-year building.
“Doubt I can keep the first place?”
“Of course not, I’m just curious.”
Zhong Xiu had heard that Zhai Yong didn’t finish the last major physics problem during the science exam, so she knew the class first place was definitely Lin Xi. She was only going down now to join the crowd and check if the liberal arts first place really scored full marks in both subjects.
“Let’s go look at yours first,” Lin Xi pretended not to see her true intention, leading her from the back to the front of the list.
“What’s so great about mine?” Her Chinese score was lower, but physics made up for it a little. The overall difference wasn’t significant, just a few points higher than her usual total score. Zhong Xiu estimated she might move up about ten spots in the grade and two spots in the class.
When they arrived, a few Betas were discussing Zhong Xiu, with a hint of schadenfreude regarding her drop of over ten points in Chinese.
“I knew it. Who can consistently score 140 in Chinese? It’s against nature.”
“She’s human, after all. Humans make mistakes.”
“Exactly. Chinese was the only subject she was good at. Now, she’s utterly unremarkable.”
“…”
“Unremarkable is the best kind of progress,” Lin Xi said, pointing to her science exam score. “Looking at the total score, you can’t tell you failed physics.”
Although her physics score was still a failing forty-something this time, it was a huge improvement compared to her usual score, enough to compensate for the slip in Chinese.
The Chinese test paper had already been distributed. Zhong Xiu still scored 88 out of 90 on the basic questions, losing only two symbolic points on reading comprehension. She got 37 on the unfinished essay. If she had performed at her normal level of 55 points, without Ye Shuwen’s interference, she estimated a score of 140 would have been achievable.
Zhong Xiu searched twenty names before and after her own and didn’t find Ye Shuwen’s name. Finally, she wouldn’t be in the same exam room as her next time. Thank goodness.
“Didn’t you tell me to wait?” Ye Shuwen was also looking for her ranking. Her score this time was dozens of points lower than Zhong Xiu’s, and they weren’t listed together. She felt deeply unsatisfied.
During the science exam, Zhong Xiu was focused on solving problems, but Ye Shuwen was constantly worried that she would cause trouble, making it impossible for her to concentrate fully. Time for the science exam was already tight, and she left a large section blank at the end, dropping her score by at least thirty points compared to usual.
“I did tell you to wait, but I didn’t say I’d violate exam rules,” to her shame, ever since she complained to Lin Xi and the others, Zhong Xiu had completely forgotten about the harsh words she had said to Ye Shuwen.
Ye Shuwen glared at her, turned around to leave, and bumped into Zhong Xiu.
Seeing her desk mate being so easily bullied, Lin Xi originally intended to stop her, but…
“Class Monitor,” Zhong Xiu called out to the back.
This startled Ye Shuwen, who quickly lowered her head and pretended to be a good girl.
“Just kidding. Zhai Yong is in the classroom.” Zhong Xiu rubbed her shoulder.
“You!” Ye Shuwen’s eyes were red with anger.
So Capricorns can get angry too. It was, in a strange way, kind of cute.
“Why is he here to see the results?” The figure of that trouble-making boy was particularly obvious in the crowd. Zhong Xiu didn’t quite understand.
Ever since he was suppressed by Lin Xi’s pheromones that time, Lin Yucheng hadn’t shown up much. He seemed to view Lin Xi as a cat views a mouse.
“He’s here to see Zhiqiu.”
“Then let’s go up front and look too,” Zhong Xiu felt like she was dragging Lin Xi, whose center of gravity seemed deliberately leaning back, a little unwilling.
They finally squeezed to the front of the notice board. First, they politely checked Lin Xi’s scores—as excellent as ever. Zhai Yong also did well this time, ranking fourth in the grade, moving up two spots.
However, his score was still dozens of points behind, forming an eternal arithmetic progression.
Not too interested in the science side, Zhong Xiu hurried to check the liberal arts rankings. Lin Xi, not wanting to look, stood outside the crowd waiting for her.
Indeed, Shen Zhiqiu’s name ranked second, and the first place was prominently displayed with the new student’s name—Xia Mu.
Moreover, the columns for Math and English both had glistening gold “150”s, unlike everyone else’s black font. Even Lin Xi only scored 148 and 147 in English and Math, respectively, and the English papers for liberal arts and science were the same.
As expected, she heard the chatter.
“The new student is amazing. Zhiqiu seems to be in danger.”
“Xia Mu is a top-tier Omega, a perfect match for Lin Xi. Top scorers in science and liberal arts—I’m shipping them.”
“What about Zhiqiu? She’s the one who belongs with Lin Xi.” The classmate who said this was an Omega, one of Shen Zhiqiu’s friends whom Zhong Xiu remembered had also attended Lin Xi’s birthday party last time.
Two days ago in the restroom, she learned why the news of Lin Xi’s engagement hadn’t spread—Shen Zhiqiu didn’t allow them to talk about it. They all firmly believed Shen Zhiqiu hadn’t given up on Lin Xi and didn’t want the engagement to Zhong Xiu to be publicized. Everyone was convinced that Lin Xi would end up with Shen Zhiqiu.
That’s fine with me too, Zhong Xiu thought.
“She’s just a High-tier, right? There’s still a gap with Xia Mu. I even saw Xia Mu’s photo at the municipal tennis finals. Omega group champion, what a pro!”
Everyone favored a union of equals. The difference between second and first place was always more than just a ranking. Zhong Xiu found the talk a bit harsh, but thankfully Shen Zhiqiu herself wasn’t here.
However, where there was praise for Xia Mu, there was also suspicion.
“What top-tier Omega? She has absolutely no manners. She pointed her finger right at me and insulted me last time.”
“And a match for Lin Xi? I doubt any Alpha would even look at her.”
The speakers were the two Alphas who were publicly warned by Xia Mu in the exam room last time. The two tag-teamed, describing Xia Mu as a hooligan, swearing, and nearly putting her foot on their desks in her school skirt. It sounded very believable.
“Really?”
“No way, aren’t Omegas supposed to be gentler the higher their rank?”
“What gentle? Have you seen an Omega who is 175 cm tall?” The Alpha shook his head, his face etched with disgust.
Zhong Xiu was speechless. What did gentleness have to do with height? The version Yu Tian told her was that Xia Mu simply said, “If you’re unconvinced, come and challenge me.” How did history become so warped?
Thinking of the Omega who couldn’t even afford a Roujiamo and managed to achieve such excellent grades, Zhong Xiu felt a little sad, realizing it must have been very difficult for her.
Not very interested in the general discussion, she looked at the scores and pulled Lin Xi, ready to leave.
Just by chance, as they reached the staircase, she saw two Omegas walking towards them, one after the other. The one behind was Shen Zhiqiu, and the taller one in front was Xia Mu.
The people there must still be discussing, unaware that they had walked past. Xia Mu walked behind that group of classmates. She was clearly a quiet girl, and her neat school skirt made her look very well-behaved, but the next words were heard clearly by Zhong Xiu on this side—
“Who the hell are you talking about?”
Her voice was quite gentle. If it weren’t for the shocking content and unfriendly tone, one might think she was just saying hello to others. Hello, there.
What a unique way to greet someone. Zhong Xiu turned to Lin Xi and said, “She’s so cute.”
“…” Lin Xi stared at the Omega over there. The sense of crisis suddenly grew stronger.
Gao Lan had just discussed it with her yesterday: when you like someone, no matter what they do, you find them cute.
Faced with a direct confrontation, that group deflated again, looking timid and daring not to speak.
After speaking, Xia Mu walked straight to the notice board. The classmates who were gathered there all neatly stepped back, clearing the space for her to look.
She merely glanced at the ranking list, then turned and left, not giving anyone a second look. Shen Zhiqiu, behind her, kept watching her.
Envy? Jealousy? Disgust? Admiration? Or…
Shen Zhiqiu couldn’t quite put her finger on her feelings for Xia Mu. She seemed to exist outside this world, completely indifferent to what others thought of her.
She felt she could never be like that.
“They’ve all gone. What are you still looking at?” Lin Xi turned Zhong Xiu’s body around, pushing her toward the classroom.