Liu Yan stepped back, stunned, and took a deep breath. “Lu Yingchi, why are you here too?”
Jian Song immediately gave Lu Yingchi a pleading look. Little Brother Lu! Your chance to shine has arrived; do not embarrass your Big Brother!
Lu Yingchi remained calm, projecting an air of complete control. “Teacher, this matter is actually my fault. I was not looking where I was going while crossing the street and was almost hit by a car. It was Student Jian Song who rushed over in time to save me.”
Hearing Lu Yingchi’s explanation, Liu Yan looked at Jian Song with suspicion. “Is that so, Jian Song?”
Jian Song had not expected Lu Yingchi to be so eloquent; he could make the dead speak. He nodded frantically. “Yes, yes! Teacher, there is even surveillance footage to prove it.”
The traffic officer behind them promptly handed over his phone. He had only called Liu Yan over to file a report, not to ruin Jian Song’s life. Besides, the surveillance footage confirmed exactly what Lu Yingchi had said. No one knew better than the parties involved what had happened.
Watching the footage, Liu Yan saw Jian Song’s incredible speed as he braced himself with one hand against the railing to rescue Lu Yingchi. Liu Yan’s heart finally settled, though watching the moment Lu Yingchi was about to be hit by the car made her heart jump into her throat. It was truly terrifying. If her star pupil had been lost to such an accident, her tears would have flooded the school.
Liu Yan returned the phone to the officer. She had truly never expected Jian Song to have such reflexes; it looked like a scene from a movie.
Liu Yan clicked her tongue. “Jian Song, although you made a mistake this time, considering you saved a classmate, I will spare your life. However, while the capital crime is forgiven, you must still suffer the consequences. Tomorrow, when you get back to school, come to my office and write a self reflection of no less than eight hundred words.”
Jian Song’s eyes went dark as he stumbled back, and Jiang Qi stepped forward to support him. The two Alphas, who had been full of life just a moment ago, suddenly became incredibly fragile. Jian Song coughed weakly, as if he were trying to cough up his lungs. “Teacher, Teacher, I feel very unwell, cough, cough.”
Liu Yan had long since seen through Jian Song’s little tricks. She only had to glance at him to know whether he was faking it or not. Right now, Jian Song was clearly acting.
Liu Yan’s tone was uncompromising. “That is decided. If I do not see you in my office tomorrow, do not blame me for being heartless.”
Seeing that Liu Yan was adamant, Jian Song had no choice but to sigh and agree.
Liu Yan took them to sign the documents and have their humiliating photos taken before she finally left. As they were about to part ways, Jian Song suddenly asked, “Teacher Liu, can you please not tell my parents about what happened today?”
Liu Yan turned to look at Jian Song. Only when speaking about his family did the usually lawless boy briefly reveal his fragility and anxiety. Liu Yan knew Jian Song’s family situation, but this matter concerned his safety; hiding it from his parents was impossible. Seeing Liu Yan’s silence, Jian Song knew the news would inevitably reach his two fathers.
Jian Song pursed his lips and bowed his head slightly. “Okay, I understand. Thank you, Teacher Liu.”
Jiang Qi watched Jian Song’s spirit drain away and called out in distress. “Brother Jian, are you okay?”
Jian Song looked at the road ahead, his tone nonchalant. “I am fine. What could happen to your Big Brother? Do not overthink it; I just did not want to be nagged by my Papa when I get home.”
Jian Song appeared carefree and relaxed, as if nothing were different, but those who knew him understood that he was in a very bad mood. Jiang Qi knew this, so for the rest of the walk, he did not talk or joke with Jian Song.
Jiang Qi’s home was the closest of the three. When he arrived, he called out to Jian Song. “Brother Jian, I can let you stay with me.”
Jian Song was stunned by the remark, then smiled at Jiang Qi. “You brat, did you think your Big Brother has nowhere to go? I have money; staying in a hotel is better than staying in your tiny, broken room.”
Jiang Qi laughed. “Alright, Brother Jian. Just contact me if you need anything. As a good brother, I will always be here.”
Jian Song knew Jiang Qi was serious, so his smile softened slightly. He looked at Jiang Qi, stayed silent for a few seconds, then gave a low “Mm.” Only then did Jiang Qi feel reassured enough to go home.
Originally, Jian Song would have walked the rest of the way alone, but today, there was Lu Yingchi. Jian Song glanced at him. “How much further is your home?”
Lu Yingchi looked at the road and said. “It is still a bit of a distance.”
Jian Song made idle conversation with Lu Yingchi. “Your home is so far from the school, why do your family members not come to pick you up?”
Lu Yingchi said. “My family wanted me to live in the dormitory.”
Hearing this, Jian Song immediately looked at Lu Yingchi, asking urgently. “Why?”
Is it because you are as unwelcome and unloved as I am?
Jian Song felt a dark sense of gloom. He hoped Lu Yingchi was in the same situation as him; that way, he would have a kindred spirit. Someone who had truly walked the same path. Jian Song asked this question nervously, his lips pulled taut.
Lu Yingchi looked into Jian Song’s eyes and saw a trace of yearning. But what was Jian Song yearning for? Lu Yingchi did not understand.
“No, it is because my two fathers think I am getting in the way of their sweetness at home.”
Hearing Lu Yingchi’s words, Jian Song’s tense body suddenly relaxed. He felt hollow. As expected, who in the world could be more miserable than him?
Jian Song looked at the road ahead. Even if he felt sad for a second, he managed to talk himself out of it. It was fine; Brother Jian had grown up and could stand tall on his own. Jian Song had gone through this mental process so many times that he did not even need to rehearse it.
Lu Yingchi did not know why Jian Song had suddenly stopped talking, but hearing him mention his family, Lu Yingchi felt he could let Jian Song know about his situation.
“My two fathers are both Alphas.”
Jian Song was surprised. “Two Alphas? Then how were you born? A test tube?”
Lu Yingchi chuckled. “Of course not. Alphas can add a womb through surgery.”
It was the first time Jian Song had heard of this; he found it quite wondrous. “A womb? Is that not something only Omegas have?”
When Lu Yingchi spoke of his family, there was a faint smile on his face. “Yes. My two fathers both had the surgery, and they made a bet on who would get pregnant first. Whoever got pregnant first would not be allowed to be on top for a while.”
Jian Song’s mouth hung open, and he muttered. “Then your two fathers must love each other very much.”
Lu Yingchi nodded. “Yes.”
If they did not love each other enough, why would they be willing to add an organ that did not belong to them, one that could even be incompatible?
“Then you, your fathers, are they not afraid of any accidents during the surgery or in the future?”
“No, their wombs were not taken from anyone else but were created using their own flesh, blood, and genes. Once they recovered, it was just like being born with it.”
This was the first time Jian Song had learned about such things; it was truly an eye opener.
Lu Yingchi suddenly laughed. “I remember my Papa telling me that my other Papa and he did not know the other had gone to have the surgery. It was only after they had finished and went to the same hospital room, in adjacent beds, that they discovered it.”
Jian Song laughed along with him, deep down feeling a sense of envy. “That is so nice, your family.”