Jian Song did not intend to let Lu Yingchi know about these matters, so he steered the conversation away by downplaying the topic. Lu Yingchi, sensing that Jian Song did not want to dwell on it, did not push further.
After a long detour, they finally arrived at Lu Yingchi’s home. Looking at the grand gate before him, Jian Song cautiously asked one more time, “Will I really not be disturbing your family?”
Lu Yingchi gave him a reassuring look. “Not at all. Usually, my two fathers are not in the main hall at this hour; they stay on their own floor.”
This was the first time Jian Song had ever visited a classmate’s home. He had never even been to Jiang Qi’s house before. As they stood in the entryway changing their shoes, Jian Song could not help but marvel.
“Lu Yingchi, your house looks so high-end; even the slippers are fancy.”
Lu Yingchi hung his school bag on the rack. “I cannot help it. My father has a strange quirk; he only likes using one specific brand. It is almost like he has a cleaning obsession.”
Jian Song chuckled as he finished changing his shoes and looked up. “I guess rich people always have a few eccentricities.”
Lu Yingchi laughed softly.
As they walked inside, they locked eyes with Lu Yingchi’s two fathers sitting on the sofa in the main hall. Jian Song’s wide, casual grin stiffened instantly; he pulled himself together and stood with proper posture. He greeted them politely: “Hello, Uncle Lu, Uncle Xu.”
Lu Zhili raised an eyebrow as he saw Jian Song. “Xiaochi, who is this?”
“This is my classmate, Jian Song,” Lu Yingchi introduced.
Lu Zhili had not expected Lu Yingchi to bring a classmate home so quickly after transferring. Given his son’s reserved nature, he would not bring anyone home unless this Jian Song were someone special.
Lu Zhili and Lu Yingchi’s other father, Xu Feng, stood up from the sofa. Xu Feng looked at Lu Yingchi, genuinely surprised: “Xiaochi, you have made a great friend so soon after starting school. Your social skills are truly impressive.”
Lu Yingchi smiled modestly: “It is alright. I have my father’s good genes to thank for that.”
Upon hearing this, Xu Feng beamed, feeling completely satisfied. “Oh, such a smooth talker. You are truly my son.” He nudged Lu Zhili with his elbow: “Look at that. Our Xiaochi is so articulate; that is definitely thanks to my genes.”
Lu Zhili laughed indulgently: “Since you feel your genes are so good, shall we have another one?”
Xu Feng’s expression soured instantly, and he whispered, “If you do not use protection next time, do not bother coming to my bed.”
Since Xu Feng spoke quietly, Jian Song did not hear the retort, but he watched their bickering with a sense of harmony. This was the kind of family atmosphere he had always longed for.
Lu Zhili looked toward Jian Song and asked with a smile, “Student Jian Song, are you an Omega or an Alpha?”
Upon entering Lu Yingchi’s home, Jian Song had retracted his pheromones. This was Lu Yingchi’s territory, and he knew it would not be respectful to let his pheromones roam freely. However, needing to declare his identity, he controlled them perfectly, releasing just enough to signal his status.
“Oh, an Alpha,” Xu Feng noted.
Lu Yingchi nodded, adding specifically, “His pheromones smell like chocolate.”
Hearing this, Jian Song could not help but glance at him. Really? Why did you have to point that out? Lu Yingchi met his gaze, and unable to hold back his amusement, he turned away to hide his smile behind a clenched fist.
Lu Zhili and Xu Feng exchanged a look as they watched the two interact. They both had a feeling that their son had more than just a little interest in this Jian Song. Xu Feng stroked his chin; the way Xiaochi looked at Jian Song was exactly how Lu Zhili had looked at him years ago. Like father, like son, Xu Feng thought with a smirk.
After a brief greeting, Lu Yingchi explained to his fathers why Jian Song was visiting tonight. Jian Song felt a bit shy under Xu Feng’s gaze and gave a small, bashful smile. Lu Yingchi, never having seen Jian Song so reserved, could not help but look at him a few more times, earning him a private eye-roll from Jian Song.
Xu Feng said, “I see. In that case, Songsong, why do you not sleep in Xiaochi’s room tonight? Our guest rooms are cluttered with storage items; we could not possibly ask you to stay there.”
Jian Song waved his hands hurriedly. “It is no trouble at all! I can sleep anywhere; my adaptability is excellent.”
Xu Feng’s eyes crinkled. “Do not be a stranger. After all, you are the first classmate Xiaochi has ever brought home.”
Xu Feng emphasized the last part, wanting Jian Song to realize how special he was to Lu Yingchi. Jian Song turned to look at Lu Yingchi in surprise: “Really?”
Lu Yingchi sighed helplessly: “Little Papa, please stop reading so many strange novels and comics.”
Xu Feng coughed. “Just admit whether it is true or not.”
It was not a lie, though perhaps a slight exaggeration. Because they were born from two Alphas, Lu Yingchi had been different from a young age—smarter, calmer, and stronger than his peers. In his freshman year of high school, despite having presented as an Alpha in junior high, he had gone through a second, feverish presentation. This time, he had broken through his limit to become an Enigma. This had made the already reclusive Lu Yingchi even more withdrawn, and his classmates, fearing his unstable pheromones, had ostracized him. That was why Xu Feng said he had never brought anyone home before.
“Little Papa, did I not bring friends home before?” Lu Yingchi asked.
Lu Zhili chimed in: “The ones from kindergarten do not count.”
Lu Yingchi had no comeback to that. He had taken a year off in his sophomore year specifically to hide his status as an Enigma, fabricating a background as a top-tier Alpha so he could return to school.
Jian Song, unaware of this tragic history, only saw Lu Yingchi’s somewhat fragile, delicate appearance. He assumed the other Alphas must have bullied him for lacking “Alpha spirit.” Jian Song felt a surge of protectiveness.
“Do not worry, Uncles! I will definitely keep hanging out with Lu Yingchi! I will be his best friend!”
Lu Yingchi did not quite understand why Jian Song was suddenly so serious, but he was delighted to hear it. “Really? Brother Jian, I will be counting on you to look after me from now on.”
Jian Song touched his nose, feeling too embarrassed to show off in front of Lu Yingchi’s parents, and just gave a quiet hum of agreement.
As Lu Zhili and Xu Feng watched Lu Yingchi stare unblinkingly at Jian Song, Xu Feng nudged Lu Zhili again. Lu Zhili looked at him, wrapped an arm around his waist, and said: “Xiaochi, take Jian Song upstairs and tidy up your room.”
“Alright,” Lu Yingchi replied. Jian Song tried to say something else, but Lu Yingchi grabbed his arm and led him away. “Come on, Brother Jian. My bed is big enough for two.”
Jian Song did not want to make a fuss and appear petty. He politely bid goodnight to Lu Zhili and Xu Feng and followed Lu Yingchi upstairs.
Lu Yingchi’s room was on the third floor—or rather, the entire third floor was his. There was a locked door at the top of the stairs, to which only Lu Yingchi had the key. Jian Song’s eyes widened to the size of saucers when he realized Lu Yingchi had an entire floor to himself.
“Lu Yingchi, do not tell me this whole floor is yours.”
Lu Yingchi twirled the key and smiled: “Sorry to disappoint you, Brother Jian, but you are absolutely right.”
Jian Song gasped: “My goodness! You have all this space? Do you not get scared living alone?”
“I am used to it,” Lu Yingchi replied as he opened the door for Jian Song to enter.
Jian Song saw the layout: a simple, spacious room with a living area featuring a TV and a computer desk loaded with high-end gaming equipment. Jian Song’s eyes turned green with envy; this was his dream room.
But the living area was just an appetizer. When Lu Yingchi opened his bedroom door, Jian Song understood why online comments said that a handsome face was often followed by an even handsomer living space. The room was understated, luxurious, and perfectly balanced.
“You were right,” Jian Song said, looking at the massive bed. “Your bed really is huge.”
Lu Yingchi chuckled and reached over to take Jian Song’s bag, placing it on the bedside table. Jian Song realized that Lu Yingchi had brought his bag all the way into the bedroom, even though his own bag had been left by the door downstairs.
Jian Song asked bluntly why he brought his bag in. Lu Yingchi, surprised by the question, replied: “Your clothes are in your bag, are they not? How would you change if I did not bring it in?”
“Oh! Right! I forgot,” Jian Song replied, enlightened.
Lu Yingchi shook his head, teasing him: “Did Brother Jian want to wear my clothes instead? I would not mind.”
Jian Song recoiled: “You would not mind, but I would! If our pheromones clash, we are done for.”
Alphas were naturally repellent to one another, especially those with high-level pheromones. This prompted Jian Song to ask curiously: “Lu Yingchi, do your two fathers not fight because of pheromone repulsion?”
Lu Yingchi, who was busy making the bed, replied over his shoulder: “They fight—they fight every single day. But they always end up fighting in bed.”
Jian Song could easily imagine the story behind those simple words. Once the bed was made, Lu Yingchi checked the time; it was 9:30 PM. Time to shower and sleep for school tomorrow. Lu Yingchi had already showered, but he was not sure if Jian Song had.
As he watched Jian Song digging through his bag at the desk, he could not help but chuckle. Jian Song looked back, puzzled: “What are you laughing at?”
Lu Yingchi quickly contained his amusement; he could not let Jian Song know he was laughing at him, or the kid would definitely fly into a rage. He shook his head: “Nothing. Did you shower yet, Brother Jian?”
Jian Song froze, then lowered his head in embarrassment: “Well… I was just… getting my clothes.”