It’s So Exhausting Having Top-tier Alpha Twins As Exes - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Do you know how to play?

An Alpha discussing an Omega’s pheromones usually borders on sexual harassment, but Xiang Shuyu felt as if a kettle had just started boiling—his head buzzed, his face flushed, and his heart raced, but he didn’t feel angry.

He had heard a bit about Duan Yue’s character: he was decisive and ruthless in business, but quite rebellious and mischievous in private.

These flirtatious words seemed to come naturally to him; perhaps he didn’t even mean them.

Even so, Xiang Shuyu was very happy. He hadn’t expected Duan Yue to remember him.

They had only met once, after all.

Xiang Shuyu had always been soft-tempered. Despite attending many banquets with Ji Yeran, he still hadn’t learned the proper social graces; he only knew how to give of himself blindly.

If someone spoke to him or asked him to do something, he didn’t know how to refuse; a few soft words were enough to sway him.

He had come to offer a toast, but Duan Yue hadn’t responded to it. Instead, he simply said, “I don’t like red wine. Try this instead—I just mixed this cocktail myself.”

He took a glass from a tray and held it out to Xiang Shuyu.

Though his tone was gentle, his attitude was somewhat forceful, as if refusing was not an option.

Xiang Shuyu’s mind went blank for a moment as he reached out and took the glass.

Ji Yeran suddenly nudged him with his elbow. “Hey, you’re just going to drink whatever he gives you? Can you use your head? Do you even know what’s mixed in there?”

Xiang Shuyu was a bit dazed and didn’t have time to speak before Duan Yue let out a light “Tsk.” “You’re making me out to be the bad guy? It’s vodka, rum…”

As he spoke, he seemed to forget what else he had put in, so he added dismissively, “Anyway, it’s just a bunch of random stuff.”

“Xiang Shuyu has never had anything this strong.”

Though Ji Yeran often looked down on Xiang Shuyu, he didn’t want the man to get into trouble, so he tried to grab the glass.

Just as he reached out, Duan Yue blocked his arm. Though his words were directed at Ji Yeran, his gaze remained fixed on Xiang Shuyu’s face.

Xiang Shuyu felt a prickle of tension from being scrutinized, like a predator staring down its prey. His back stiffened slightly.

“Let him choose for himself whether he wants to drink the wine I mixed with my own hands.”

He emphasized the words “own hands” heavily, making it sound more like flirtation.

Ji Yeran suddenly realized that Duan Yue was actually teasing Xiang Shuyu.

It was rare. He usually disliked such things, yet here he was, actively seducing an Omega.

Ji Yeran felt a bit stifled. He frowned, but before he could speak, the spineless, soft-eared Omega had already whispered with a red face, “I want to try it.”

After those words, both Alphas fell silent for a moment, likely surprised that Xiang Shuyu was spineless to such a degree.

In the upper class, lacking an opinion or a tough skin made one easy prey to be devoured whole.

Ji Yeran was simply frazzled.

But Xiang Shuyu really hadn’t thought much of it. He only remembered Jiang Xiayue’s tearful words telling him to be more ambitious.

Though he didn’t understand how seducing an Alpha to marry into wealth counted as being “ambitious,” he didn’t want to continue being forced by Jiang Xiayue to do things he didn’t want to do.

If he could be with Duan Yue, perhaps he could finally shut Jiang Xiayue up.

Since Jiang Xiayue was his mother, she knew exactly what to say to manipulate him best.

Xiang Shuyu truly had never had such a strong drink. In the eyes of others, he had always been the well-behaved one who didn’t smoke or drink and never went to messy clubs.

The liquid was a bit spicy as it entered his mouth, but it wasn’t as bad as he had imagined, leaving a slightly sweet aftertaste.

Because he drank it a bit too quickly, he covered his mouth and coughed twice, his head buzzing in a chaotic mess.

When he regained his senses, Duan Yue’s arm was around his shoulder.

Duan Yue waved his hand at Ji Yeran and said, “Is this your friend? It’s his first time here, right? I’m the host; I’ll take him to have some fun.”

Ji Yeran instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words died in his throat when he saw Xiang Shuyu’s flushed, beautiful face and his admiring gaze fixed solely on Duan Yue.

He felt a knot of irritation stuck in his chest.

This Xiang Shuyu had certainly struck it lucky; Duan Yue had been “frigid” for so many years, yet he had actually taken a liking to him.

Of all people, he chose him.

“Where are we…” Xiang Shuyu was still a bit dazed as Duan Yue led him away. It felt like a dream; perhaps the alcohol was hitting him. His legs felt weak, as if he were walking on clouds. “Where are we going?”

“A few friends are playing billiards. Do you know how to play?”

Duan Yue gripped Xiang Shuyu’s shoulder. He didn’t know how high his pheromone compatibility with Xiang Shuyu was—it was likely very high, which is why he found Xiang Shuyu’s scent so pleasing.

After their brief meeting last time, that fragrance had lingered in his memory. He hadn’t seen the man for a long time afterward and hadn’t expected to run into him today.

It really was… a wonderful gift from the heavens.

The man was just a bit thin; his shoulder bones were prominent, looking very frail.

Duan Yue didn’t look down directly, but observed Xiang Shuyu from the corner of his eye. He saw that Xiang Shuyu’s face and earlobes were very red; he was likely a bit drunk.

He had mixed high-proof alcohol, and someone drinking for the first time truly might not be able to handle it—especially since Xiang Shuyu didn’t know how to savor it and drank so quickly.

This caused a strange surge of pity to rise in Duan Yue’s heart.

He had never seen an Omega so perfectly to his liking.

An Omega who seemingly liked him, at that.

He really wanted to devour him just like this.

Duan Yue took a deep breath and looked away. “You seem a bit drunk.”

“Mm…” Xiang Shuyu had no idea what the man was thinking. Once the alcohol hit, he was entirely lightheaded, and his thoughts could no longer function.

It was like a dream.

The Tuberose pheromones wrapped around him like a comfort, yet also like an inducement.

He didn’t know if Duan Yue was inducing him into heat; he felt a bit restless, and the back of his neck was getting hot.

He was still at a banquet; he couldn’t do something so disgraceful.

Xiang Shuyu shook his head gently, struggling to maintain his clarity.

He was led into a private room by Duan Yue. The room was crowded with Alphas and Betas; there wasn’t a single Omega besides Xiang Shuyu.

When Duan Yue brought an Omega into the room, the group of wealthy socialites was incredibly shocked.

“Yue,” someone exclaimed, “Where did you get an Omega from?”

“Changed your nature? Is the impotence cured?”

“Go away, don’t talk nonsense,” Duan Yue said as he settled Xiang Shuyu on the sofa. He sat down beside him, draping his arm behind him in a posture that was both casual and protective. “Ji Yeran brought him in. Get me a glass of honey water.”

He took the glass from someone and held it to Xiang Shuyu’s lips. “Take a sip; it helps with the alcohol.”

Xiang Shuyu could no longer quite understand what Duan Yue was saying; he only instinctively responded with a “Thank you.”

He had intended to take the glass himself, but Duan Yue showed no intention of letting go. His hands lacked strength anyway, so he simply rested his hand lightly on the back of Duan Yue’s as he tilted his head back to take small sips of the honey water.

Duan Yue saw his moist, crimson lips. At first glance, he had only thought they were pretty, but looking closely now, he felt they grew even more beautiful the more he looked.

Every part of him fit Duan Yue’s ideal type perfectly.

Duan Yue’s gaze darkened slightly, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Xiang Shuyu’s lips looked very soft. He wondered if kissing them would be just as comfortable.

He spaced out for a moment until Xiang Shuyu had had enough. Shuyu’s slightly cool fingers rested on his wrist with a faint pushing force.

Only then did Duan Yue place the glass on the table and ask with a smile, “Drinking for the first time, do you feel unwell?”

“A bit dizzy,” Xiang Shuyu said honestly. “The drink… tasted very good.”

“Thank you.” Duan Yue accepted the compliment without hesitation, feeling that Xiang Shuyu’s praise made him feel exceptionally good.

He asked again, “What’s your name?”

When Duan Yue spoke in a low voice, his tone was always husky and tingling. Xiang Shuyu’s ears felt itchy, and the tipsy feeling returned as he spoke slowly, “Xiang Shuyu.”

“Ah…” Duan Yue dragged out the ending of the name ambiguously. “Xiang Shuyu. The little artist of the Xiang family.”

Xiang Shuyu didn’t know if he spoke to others this way—like he was flirting or coaxing a child.

He felt a bit embarrassed and said, “I’m not much of an artist.”

Supporting himself was actually quite difficult.

Xiang Shuyu started worrying again about the debts Jiang Xiayue had put under his name.

Nowadays, very few people were willing to go to concerts for traditional music. Only a few wealthy people or artists looking to “cultivate their soul” were willing to spend money; the performance fee for a Guzheng set wasn’t much.

After paying off the loans and expenses, there wasn’t much money left in his hand.

He was lost in thought while Duan Yue stared at him.

He still felt Xiang Shuyu was very beautiful. Perhaps it really was the influence of pheromones; why hadn’t he noticed this person before?

He found it quite curious that the “third party” of the Xiang family who had intruded on a marriage had such a good son.

Speaking of which, it seemed Xiang Shuyu wasn’t even of the Xiang bloodline.

A thought stirred in Duan Yue’s mind. He patted Xiang Shuyu’s shoulder, signaling him to snap out of it.

Xiang Shuyu’s face began to burn again.

Every movement of Duan Yue was so elegant and noble; his naturally flirtatious nature was impossible to ignore. Anyone would like him.

There would be no exceptions.

Xiang Shuyu’s heart beat so fast it felt like it might fly away. Dazed, he followed Duan Yue as he stood up, feeling a gentle but firm hand on his lower back, pushing him toward the billiard table.

The others scattered, leaving the space to them, though their eyes remained fixed on the two, filled with gossipy curiosity.

“Is that the Omega from the Xiang family?”

“Yeah, I saw him when I went to a concert.”

“No wonder Duan Yue changed his nature today. Looking up close, he really is beautiful—much prettier than the one you sent before.”

“What are you saying? That little celebrity is a recognized beauty. You can only say Xiang Shuyu has a good temperament.”

Though they said his nature had changed, they all knew that Duan Yue never lacked beauties; as long as he wanted, countless high-compatibility Omegas would be sent to him.

Furthermore, Xiang Shuyu’s gland had a “disability.”

He was likely just playing around; no one actually took this bastard of the Xiang family seriously.

Xiang Shuyu didn’t hear what they were saying. Duan Yue braced both hands on the edge of the table, trapping him in his arms. With his back pressed against Duan Yue’s chest, he could feel the other’s body temperature melting him.

His heart was beating too fast; Duan Yue would surely notice.

It was also possible that he had already seen through his feelings and was intentionally teasing him.

Xiang Shuyu’s guesses were mostly correct. Duan Yue whispered in his ear, “Do you know how to play?”

“Not really.”

“That’s perfect then,” Duan Yue said as he took a pool cue from the table and placed it in Xiang Shuyu’s hand. He nudged his back, making his upper body lean down. “I’ll teach you.”