The alpha’s figure stiffened slightly, and Yan Chi’s footsteps faltered for a moment.
“Yes,” Ji Yueting’s answer was the same as last time. “There’s still a lot to do. I won’t leave. Besides. when I said at the orphanage that I prefer it here, I wasn’t lying.”
“Well, then I hope you finish your plans soon and accomplish everything you need to do.”
Ji Yueting didn’t let the topic linger on himself for too long. “RH and Haihui have ended their collaboration. What are you planning to do next?”
What could they do? Without finding a suitable replacement, the boss was preparing to step in himself.
“The team has a backup plan. We’ll start reshooting next week.” Yan Chi didn’t elaborate.
Fortunately, Ji Yueting didn’t press further and simply continued walking slowly.
As eight o’clock approached, the bell rang across the campus, followed by the chatter of students. The sports field gradually grew lively, with shadows flickering under the lights as groups of students arrived together.
Yan Chi peered through the railing and said without thinking, “Back then, you and your friends would always go to the basketball court after this class. I’d often run into you on my way upstairs.”
Ji Yueting glanced at him, his expression unreadable. “Were you always paying attention to me back then?”
“No!” Yan Chi thought his words had given something away and quickly denied it. “It’s just that we ran into each other so many times that it left an impression.”
“Would you greet me then? We should have known each other by that point, right?” Ji Yueting instinctively reached for his pocket but stopped himself, as if remembering something.
Though he was asking about himself, his tone was as calm as an observer’s, with a hint of barely detectable… annoyance.
Yan Chi’s mind was elsewhere. He turned and looked at Ji Yueting’s face. The man hadn’t changed much since his youth just a sharper jawline and an overall more mature demeanor.
“I did greet you. It’s just that you were usually surrounded by people and might not have noticed.”
Yan Chi was about to say more but was cut off by Ji Yueting’s sudden closeness.
Again, he was so near, almost resting his chin on Yan Chi’s neck, just like during his sensitive period.
“It won’t be like that in the future. Now, you’re the only one… friend by my side.” Ji Yueting sounded both apologetic and pleading. Without waiting for a response, he lightly brushed the black hair at the nape of Yan Chi’s neck, his tone casual. “It’s grown so much longer since last time.”
[Look, isn’t that Senior Ji from the third year surrounded by people? He’s so tall!]
[Yan Chi, don’t you know him? Aren’t you going to say hello?]
Yan Chi stood at the corner of the staircase, holding his chemistry and history textbooks as he looked up. But Ji Yueting happened to be chatting with a friend beside him and didn’t notice.
The chaotic and inexplicable feelings of youth might only be an unnecessary burden to others. Since they were never on the same path to begin with, Yan Chi had never intended to speak of them.
As the jumbled timeline snapped back to the present, the dark, soft strands of his hair were tousled by a sudden gust of wind. Though Yan Chi had no scent gland, the moment his nape was touched, he felt half his body go numb.
His ears flushed red as he turned around, only to see a plane tree leaf drift precisely into Ji Yueting’s palm.
“It landed right here.” Ji Yueting chuckled softly, then released it to the wind.
At that moment, the plane tree leaf, much like the fallen leaves in the afternoon sun at Hongshan Welfare Home, drifted aimlessly, settling into the quiet lake of Yan Chi’s heart.
After years apart, they could meet again.
Perhaps what Ji Yueting said in the car on that rainy night was true they really did have “quite a fate.”
Yan Chi hadn’t believed it before. But now, gazing at the long, distinct lines on the alpha’s palm before him, he was beginning to.
By the time he finished handling affairs at the company and returned home, it was already deep into the night.
The villa was silent. Ji Yueting stood at the entrance for a moment before crouching down and clapping his hands softly. Soon, a plump, white figure emerged from the darkness, lazily rubbing against his black suit pants and leaving behind a trail of white fur.
Ji Yueting gave the cat’s head a gentle pat.
“Meow” Chichi snorted impatiently, urging its owner to hurry up with dinner, then flicked its tail in annoyance.
Seeing this, Ji Yueting quietly removed his tie, took off his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and took care of everything for the cat.
When utterly exhausted, one often doesn’t feel like doing anything.
At two in the morning, instead of sleeping, he sat on the sofa, watching the cat eat.
A phone call shattered the vast villa’s tranquility.
“Theron, how’s life back in the country? Haven’t forgotten your old friends, have you?” The voice on the other end was lively, with thumping club music echoing in the background.
“…”
“Hello? Is the signal bad? Why aren’t you saying anything? Who poisoned you into silence?”
“It’s two in the morning,” Ji Yueting pressed his fingers to his temples, “not everyone runs on Washington time.”
Andrew realized his blunder and quickly apologized to his dance partner before moving to a quieter spot to continue the conversation. “I forgot, just wanted to check in on you. Wait. why aren’t you asleep at this hour? Weren’t you all about healthy living?”
“Just got back from handling company matters.”
“Oh right, I almost forgot you went back to deal with that mess at your family’s company,” Andrew teased. “Your family didn’t leave anyone in charge all these years, so it’s no surprise there are a few bad apples.”
Ji Yueting had no interest in delving deeper into the topic and simply asked, “What do you need?”
“Can’t I just call to chat?” Andrew complained. “The old fraternity buddies have been speculating behind your back, saying you got bewitched in China, not rushing back after finishing your business but staying there. Aren’t you worried your assets will get divided by those illegitimate kids?”
Ji Yueting closed his eyes and beckoned the cat closer. “They’re just spoiled heirs with no real ambition. Nothing to worry about.”
“Alright, alright, you’re the best. The only one in your family who could even remotely challenge you is well, your brother, I guess. But he’s still far from your level,” Andrew remarked casually.
“How is he doing lately?” Ji Yueting’s voice betrayed no emotion.
“Who?” Andrew paused for a moment before realizing “he” referred to Theron’s younger brother. “Still unconscious, lying in the rehabilitation hospital. Your mother visits often. But his car accident wasn’t too severe the doctors say it’s only a matter of time before he wakes up.”
Ji Yueting said nothing, simply lowering his gaze to watch Chichi meticulously licking its paws.
Andrew was a chatterbox. Even if the other person didn’t respond, he could ramble on endlessly by himself. “I just don’t get it. If you wanted to go back to China, fine, but why did you have to bring the cat along? That matter wasn’t even that troublesome for you, was it? It’s been months now do you really have no plans to come back?”
“Not for the time being.”
“Ugh, I feel like ever since you returned to China, everything about you has been off,” Andrew tried to search for clues. “You took the cat, you took your brother’s phone. What are you up to? Speaking of which, I remember your brother used to say that when he was studying in China, there was this really beautiful beta who liked him. Is that true? You’re not planning to play matchmaker for your brother and that beta, are you?”
“If you don’t know how to talk, then shut up.”
“I was just saying, don’t get mad.” Andrew grumbled. “You’re so boring, actually happy to run off to work in such a faraway place. What’s the point of having so much money? It’s not as satisfying as falling in love. Speaking of which, don’t you also have a crush back in China? Didn’t you go look for them?”
The thought struck Andrew as odd. Theron had moved to the U.S. with his family at a young age, and his social circle had always been limited to wealthy heirs and scions of prominent families.
Everyone in their circle was rich, and when people have money, it’s almost inevitable that they’d indulge in some wild behavior.
Early relationships were commonplace. Some even had illegitimate children running around before they reached adulthood. Andrew considered himself relatively loyal, having had two or three girlfriends over the past five or six years.
But there was always an exception. Theron, the most outstanding among them with the highest pheromone level, had never been in a relationship since childhood. He rejected all advances, gifts, and flowers from admirers, maintaining an almost absurd level of self-restraint.
Once, at a gathering, someone’s curiosity got the better of them, and they couldn’t resist disturbing Theron, who was quietly reading company reports in the corner. They asked if he was impotent otherwise, why hadn’t he found a partner all these years?
The question was undeniably offensive. Anyone would have been angry, let alone the usually cold and reserved Theron.
But he wasn’t. Instead, he answered seriously:
“I’m not.”
That single statement sent ripples through the crowd, instantly igniting everyone’s interest.
“So why don’t you find a partner?”
“Hahaha, could it be because Theron is Chinese and doesn’t like our type?”
“That’s simple enough. If he really wanted to, he could just call out in any study abroad circle.”
Finally, the alpha among them lifted his gaze, sweeping a cool glance over the group.
“I don’t look for a partner because I already have someone I like.”
“You all are too dirty.”
Given Theron’s status, even if he had cursed everyone present or thrown a punch, there would have been no consequences. The alphas, who usually prided themselves on fearing nothing, were cowed by a single look, their scalps tingling with unease.
After that day, they all shared a common understanding:
Theron had a crush, and that person was Chinese.
As for who it was, no one knew.
“I did.”
Don’t you also have a crush back in China? Didn’t you go look for them?
I did.
The reply came so suddenly that Andrew jolted upright as if struck by lightning. “You did?? You actually went! How did it go? Is he an omega or an alpha?”
He was dying of curiosity.
“Beta,” Ji Yueting said calmly.
“Huh? Beta? Wait, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying betas are great. But. how is it another beta?” Andrew’s mind raced, and a sudden connection clicked into place.
An unprecedented conjecture formed in his mind.
Illogical, unbelievable, downright offensive.
These two from the Ji family were biological brothers, both from China.
One said a beta liked him.
The other said he liked a beta.
China was so vast could it really be such a coincidence?
“Th—Theron, the one you like it couldn’t be the one who likes your brother, could it?”
Andrew didn’t dare finish, but given the other’s intelligence, he didn’t need to spell it out.
One second, two seconds a minute.
What answered him was silence.
And silence was the answer.
“!!!” Andrew, having glimpsed the truth, felt like he was now on the brink of death. He truly regretted making this call.
From the receiver came the alpha’s soft chuckle: “Figured it out?”
“Y-yes, I understand. Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t tell anyone! As for your brother. I can help cover for you internationally.” Andrew offered his sincerity.
The alpha said nothing, neither confirming nor denying.
It was getting late. After chatting for a while, the cat had finished its canned food, licked its fur smooth and shiny, and it was time for him to rest too. He had a meeting at seven tomorrow morning.
Andrew sensed the other was about to hang up and, in his urgency, blurted out: “Ji Songmin!”
His Chinese name no one had called him that in a long time. Hearing it suddenly felt somewhat unfamiliar.
“What now?”
“Aren’t you afraid? I mean, since you went to see him, you must be planning to pursue him, right?” Andrew had known him for over a decade and was well aware of the obsession and possessiveness deep in his bones. “You took Ji Yueting’s phone, didn’t you? Are you planning to use it to deceive him? What if you’re exposed? Something like this can’t be hidden forever.”
“What’s the difference between this and Cinderella? When the time comes and your brother wakes up, everything will be for nothing. At least Cinderella knew to lift her skirt and run early. You with your personality, would you be happy to leave on your own?”
Ji Songmin listened patiently and corrected him: “I think you might have guessed wrong. Right now I am ‘Ji Yueting.’ That phone is insignificant; it’s just for convenience in contacting some people.”
Across the ocean, Andrew’s breath hitched. He hadn’t expected Ji Songmin to be this insane.
So it wasn’t about using Ji Yueting’s number to help pursue someone? It was about directly stepping into his place, cleanly and decisively stealing stealing his own brother’s identity?
Was that even possible??
“As for whether I’m afraid,” Ji Songmin held the drowsy cat and looked toward the glass vase displayed in the living room cabinet. Inside was a tuberose, from the same plant as the one he had given to Yan Chi. “Afraid? Of course I am. How could I not be?”
“It’s just that, compared to the eventual exposure, I’m more afraid that he’ll never see me in this lifetime.”
On this night, where one could briefly preserve their true name, Ji Songmin spoke, though it was unclear to whom:
“Afraid he’ll never see me.”
“As long as he can see me… I can do anything.”
Even if he is a magicless imitation, even if no one will come searching frantically after the clock strikes twelve.
Even if it’s only for a fleeting moment.
He must, seize Yan Chi.