Despite Having Many Disguises, I Failed to Impress the School Heartthrob - Chapter 2
Jokes aside, tending to the wounds was the priority.
He Yu pulled over a small floor cushion and sat in front of the sofa. He carefully rolled up Chu Yi’s sleeve, trying his best not to disturb the injuries, which looked rather gruesome under the living room light. Chu Yi had a cold, pale complexion, making the dried, dark-red blood stark and eye-catching.
He Yu held his breath.
Perhaps because he had just come from a fierce battle, Chu Yi’s subconscious self-defense mechanism was still releasing pheromones even while he was out. The chill spread through the room like a tangible mist. To an Omega, it looked like a boiling white fog, reminiscent of a celestial paradise, though beneath that ethereal surface lurked a bloodthirsty beast. One moment the pheromones were calm and aloof; the next, they lunged without warning at the only living thing in the vicinity: He Yu.
Facing that lethal attraction, He Yu’s fingertips trembled slightly, and a bead of sweat rolled down his nose. He quickly wiped it away.
Good, no nosebleed this time.
If there were an award for an Omega who could maintain their sanity amidst pheromones as powerful as a full-blown rut, He Yu would claim first place without competition. After all, there probably wasn’t a second person in the entire country suffering from “Omega Pheromone Disorder.”
As the name suggested, the part of He Yu’s pheromones meant to attract Alphas had mutated into a substance known as “Pseudo-Alpha Pheromones.” This condition drastically reduced the impact of Alpha pheromones on him. It usually led Alphas to have the frustrating thought: Am I impotent? Why isn’t this Omega reacting at all?
In He Yu’s extreme case, he was virtually immune to all Alpha pheromones and could even use his own scent to suppress others. He didn’t know whether to call himself a badass or a tragedy. However, a freak of nature like a Super S-rank Alpha was clearly outside his control, especially when the Alpha in question was exceptionally good-looking.
He was a seasoned veteran of the world and wouldn’t pounce on someone like a bear on honey, yet Chu Yi’s scent exerted a staggering pull. An unprecedented thirst spread from his throat, and waves of heat rolled through his body.
The school rumors claimed Chu Yi’s pheromones were an abstract type: Ice. But beyond the cold, He Yu smelled something else—a faint, indescribable scent of seawater. It wasn’t salty or fishy, but rather like the frozen waters of the Arctic, carrying the scent of ancient flowers from millions of years ago, radiating an eternal chill.
He Yu recalled a rare Super S-rank pheromone he had seen in a biology textbook: Glacial Sea.
Suddenly, a sweet scent of watermelon spread uncontrollably, rushing toward the cold mist with unprecedented speed. The two scents entwined, blended, and merged. As the room temperature plummeted, it felt as though dozens of chilled watermelons had been cracked open simultaneously. The sugary sweetness of watermelon juice flooded the space, quickly claiming every corner of the room.
The usually composed He Yu was shocked. Does this kind of pheromone compatibility actually exist? This is insane!
With his heart rate nearing 100, He Yu’s breath grew hot. The air he inhaled was thick with the suggestive atmosphere of the blended scents. He had no time for fantasies, though, as he fought to suppress his physical discomfort.
The tall boy on the sofa seemed to sense something. His sharp brows furrowed slightly; he was waking up. He Yu froze with the gauze in his hand. Well, here comes the moment of truth.
Long eyelashes fluttered before the boy’s eyes slowly opened. Squinting against the direct light of the ceiling lamp, the Alpha’s handsome eyes gradually found their focus.
He Yu watched with a sense of resignation as the boy’s expression shifted from “Who am I and where am I?” to “Oh, I seem to have passed out.” Throughout the transition, Chu Yi remained as calm as a houseguest who had accidentally taken a nap. After ten seconds, his gaze cleared completely. He scanned the room, clearly sensing the “intimately blended” pheromones filling the air.
“Chu—” Chu Yi, hello. Even though I’m craving your body, I didn’t assault you. The pheromones started it.
Before he could speak, Chu Yi’s expression changed. He knit his brows tightly, sat up abruptly, and shoved He Yu aside to dry-heave toward the floor. His face was pale, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his pheromones surged instantly to form a powerful protective aura that shielded He Yu like an umbrella.
He Yu, who had been pushed onto his backside only to be immediately “protected” by the Alpha’s pheromones, was confused. Talk about a slap followed by a sweet date.
Chu Yi gagged a few times but produced nothing. He Yu realized the problem. Ah, my pheromones made him uncomfortable. He stood up immediately and bowed ninety degrees with sincere regret. “Brother Chu, I’m so sorry!”
Even though he was the one who saved the guy, he had no intention of catching Chu Yi’s eye or demanding he marry him in gratitude. Money or not, it would be best if they just went their separate ways.
Chu Yi wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and looked up at him. When he was asleep, he looked like an exquisite oil painting, but now that he was awake, his features were vivid and striking. His gaze was lazy and handsome, filled with a mix of indifference and curiosity.
He Yu had to admit that when the Heavens favored someone, they really gave them the best of everything. How can someone be this good-looking? He’s the ultimate nemesis for someone like me who loves a pretty face.
“Your pheromones?” Chu Yi scanned the surroundings. A flash of sudden pleasure appeared in his eyes that He Yu couldn’t quite decipher.
“Yes, mine,” He Yu confessed honestly. He put on the well-behaved, obedient act of a “background student,” scratching his nose with a hint of embarrassment. “You passed out, and your pheromones were so strong that I accidentally…”
He Yu was only 175cm tall, half a head shorter than the 189cm Chu Yi. His hair covered his eyes and his thick black-rimmed glasses hid half his face, making him look as inconspicuous as a human-shaped cloud of air. He looked exactly like a trustworthy, honest kid.
Chu Yi gave the “honest kid” a look that was half a smile and half something else. “Thank you.”
The “good kid” waved his hands hurriedly and smiled bashfully. “No problem at all.”
Chu Yi’s gaze remained light, but a spark of interest flashed in his eyes even if he didn’t show it on the surface. He Yu slipped into his role instantly, standing there dutifully while a glimmer of craftiness hid behind his honest face. It was a clash between two master actors.
“Are you a student at Tongyan High?” Chu Yi leaned back against the sofa. He glanced at his rolled-up sleeve and hooked one leg up, resting his injured arm on his knee. He looked as relaxed as if he were chatting with an old friend. The movement tugged at the collar of his black sweater, revealing a small red mole on his left collarbone. It was seductive yet masculine, making him look like a powerful demon in control of everything.
“Yes,” He Yu sat down obediently, suppressing the urge to stare. He swallowed hard and pointed shyly at the first-aid kit, then at Chu Yi’s arm. “Brother Chu, let me finish cleaning that up for you.”
If anyone could resist looking at such beauty, He Yu would kowtow and call them “Grandpa” on the spot.
“Sure,” Chu Yi agreed readily. He looked increasingly satisfied, a slight curl appearing at the corners of his mouth. He Yu felt like a watermelon in a supermarket, with Chu Yi tapping on his rind and deciding he was a “good melon.”
He Yu began disinfecting the wound with iodine-soaked cotton swabs. His movements were practiced and swift, causing almost no pain. As he worked, the thin calluses on his palms and the small scars on his fingers became visible—medals of sorts that formed a sharp contrast with his seemingly fragile frame.
The smile on Chu Yi’s face grew playful. “Which class are you in?” he asked casually. His voice was deep and magnetic as if he were whispering right into He Yu’s ear.
“Class 24, Sophomore year,” He Yu replied.
“And your name?” Chu Yi propped his chin on his hand, leaning against the sofa armrest, his eyes fixed on He Yu without blinking.
“…” For once, He Yu felt a bit shy under that intense gaze.
To be fair, he had seen handsome Alphas before, but never one of this caliber, and certainly not at such close range. It was a significant shock to his system as a fan of beauty. Furthermore, the Alpha’s pheromones were irrationally strong and their compatibility was off the charts. He Yu felt his face heating up biologically. He lowered his head to finish the bandage and murmured, “He Yu. ‘He’ as in ‘Why did we ever meet,’ and ‘Yu’ as in ‘extra.'”
“Chu Yi,” the boy introduced himself. Seeing the vast difference in their introductions, Chu Yi couldn’t help but chuckle, the corners of his eyes tilting upward. “Want to be friends?”
He Yu finally got a clear look. Phoenix eyes. A noble and cold face, but with a playful, incredibly attractive smile. Wait, Chu Yi wants to be friends with me? Like a president visiting the countryside to discuss policy with a farmhand?
Something was definitely up. He Yu put on a look of polite surprise, neither agreeing nor declining.
“I’ll be direct,” Chu Yi leaned back, his lips curling into a perfect arc. “I currently need a highly compatible partner to be my ‘lover’ in a passionate relationship. You happen to be very suitable.”
Oh, so that’s it, He Yu thought, his mind settling. A classic arrangement.
“Our compatibility,” Chu Yi closed his eyes and sniffed slightly, like a predator tracking its mate. When he opened them again, they were full of mirth. “It’s well over 90%.”
An Alpha’s senses were far superior to those of Omegas or Betas. The lingering pheromones in the air couldn’t escape him. Such a high level of compatibility brought a sense of physical euphoria; regardless of how they felt emotionally, they were biologically the most perfect match for each other.
“The price is negotiable, and we can set the rules together,” Chu Yi’s voice was low and smooth, like a skilled hunter on the savannah, pressing forward while always leaving an opening. “What do you think?”
This was sudden, but He Yu didn’t think a big shot like Chu Yi would be in the mood to joke around, so he seriously weighed the pros and cons. Chu Yi didn’t rush him, simply watching him patiently.
He Yu had heard some rumors about Chu Yi from his friend Yuan Li. Chu Yi’s mother was the CEO of an international jewelry company. Rumor had it she had been searching for a compatible Omega for an arranged marriage ever since Chu Yi first presented. Recently, she had found one with over 80% compatibility and was pushing for an engagement against Chu Yi’s will. Their public disagreement at a gala had even made the local news.
He Yu understood now. This was a fake dating scheme. While Super S-rank Alphas enjoyed immense biological advantages, they also faced the weakness of having a hard time finding a “fated” Omega. Most Omegas simply couldn’t handle their overwhelming pheromones. Once a highly compatible match was found, the Alpha would biologically reject any other Omega. The higher the rank, the more severe the reaction.
Chu Yi was desperate to cancel the engagement, and finding an Omega with over 80% compatibility to fake a romance was the best solution. Even the most famous biologists couldn’t force an Alpha to love someone else when they were biologically and psychologically “locked” onto a specific match.
While finding such a match was like looking for a needle in a haystack, Chu Yi had apparently stumbled upon one today. Honestly, He Yu had no idea why an average Omega like himself would be so compatible with someone like Chu Yi. But that didn’t matter. They would cooperate: He Yu would get the money, and Chu Yi would deal with the unwanted fiancé. It was a win-win.
“Well?” Chu Yi asked when He Yu looked up.
“How much… money?” He Yu asked, acting like a poor student who had never seen the world, shyly fiddling with his fingers.
“Twenty thousand a month. If I need you to meet my elders, that’s extra, two thousand per visit. I can also cover all your tuition and living expenses,” Chu Yi said with a casual smile, as if he were merely offering to buy lunch. “Unless necessary, there will be no excessive physical contact. Any touching will not cross the line, and I will ask for your consent beforehand. We can negotiate any other conditions.”
The offer was like a mountain of gold being placed in front of him with an invitation to help himself. He Yu glanced at the stone-cold pancake on the coffee table, which he hadn’t even been able to afford an egg for.
“For the first month…” He started tentatively.
“Payment upfront,” Chu Yi said, raising an eyebrow.
He Yu wasn’t worried about being touched. He was a hedonist; as long as the contact stayed within the bounds of a normal relationship, looking at Chu Yi’s face would be a pleasure. He was an adult; the idea that holding hands would lead to pregnancy was for fools, not him.
He was currently broke with only a few dozen yuan to his name.
Was Chu Yi an ATM sent by the heavens?