Older Brother - Chapter 16

28.

“Is that so?” Bai You’s mind raced. He lowered his head, casually adjusting his slipping collar as he replied nonchalantly, “How unfortunate.”

Fu Yu smiled thinly, leaning forward slightly to smooth a crease on Bai You’s shoulder. “Really? Let’s move on. It seems you’ve left something behind here; you should go and retrieve it.”

In truth, there wasn’t much worth taking.

Seeing his once-arrogant eldest uncle, who used to threaten him constantly, now reduced to a state of suppressed rage and fearful silence was entertaining, but that was all. His mother’s belongings had long since been treated as trash by this family, discarded who knows where. After a fruitless search, Bai You finally found a single photograph of his mother in her youth tucked inside an album.

The Omega in the photo had soft, delicate features. It was clearly a candid shot; she was looking up with a mix of surprise and a lingering smile, her eyes filled with vibrant life. This was from her university days, back when she had passed the entrance exams for the Federation’s top academy. This institution heavily discriminated against Omegas and maintained a minuscule admission quota for them. It was the first step toward her dreams. But before she could even finish her degree, her family had sacrificed her, selling her off to be a mistress for some “stud” Alpha.

Bai You gently brushed his fingers over the photo, a wave of sorrow washing over him.

His mother had fought desperately to resist, but she had failed at every turn. That was why she had insisted he hide his identity as an Omega at all costs; she knew all too well that the world’s malice toward their kind was undisguised.

Fu Yu was waiting by the study door. Seeing Bai You emerge with only a single photograph, he asked curiously, “Only that?”

“It’s enough.” Bai You pursed his lips, offering no further explanation.

He walked away. As he passed his uncle, a low, muffled mumble reached his ears: “…An Omega is just an Omega.”

Bai You paused and turned back.

With Fu Yu’s back turned to them, the uncle sneered, his lips moving silently to convey his undisguised contempt and loathing: A social-climbing brat who uses his body for influence—just like your mother.

Bai You blinked, his calm eyes turning into dark, bottomless lakes. “Say that again?”

Hearing the tone, Fu Yu turned around. “What?”

In the next instant, Fu Yu’s pupils dilated. Bai You had snatched a vase from the stand outside the study and smashed it violently over his uncle’s head!

The vase shattered on impact.

Everyone present froze, including the uncle, whose forehead was now gushing blood.

Bai You’s expression remained composed. Blood had splattered across his cheek, making his face appear ghost-white in the shadows. His dark eyes were devoid of light, and a faint, chilling smile touched his lips. His voice was soft: “Who the hell do you think you are?”

Fu Yu rubbed his own neck, feeling a sudden chill. As Bai You walked toward him, Fu Yu remarked with genuine sincerity, “Brother, it seems you’ve been truly merciful to me.”

Bai You had no desire to indulge him.

Fu Yu didn’t mind. He was more focused on the blood on Bai You’s face. Once they were in the car, he pulled out a handkerchief and meticulously wiped the stain away. He even leaned in to sniff the area like a hunting dog. Bai You tried to pull away in discomfort, but he was caught and pulled back. The Alpha narrowed his eyes, clearly displeased. “His pheromones are disgusting.”

An Alpha, naturally possessed by intense territorial instincts, could not stand the scent of another Alpha lingering on their Omega.

He leaned down and kissed Bai You’s cheek, trying to overwrite the lingering scent. Bai You was pressed against the car window, nearly unable to breathe. Losing his patience, he snapped, “Get off me!”

“This is your true nature, isn’t it, Brother?” Instead of backing off, Fu Yu crowded him further into the corner, pressing their bodies together to soak up his warmth. His kisses moved from the cheek to the side of the neck, his voice trailing off like a sigh. “If you hadn’t shown your hand back there, I almost would have forgotten… that you are also that man’s son.”

Bai You stiffened. After a long moment, he closed his eyes, took a sharp breath, and mustered the strength to shove the lingering Alpha away. “Regretting that you didn’t ‘clear’ me out too?” he asked coldly.

When he looked up and caught Fu Yu’s gaze, he momentarily faltered.

There was a flicker of complexity in Fu Yu’s eyes that he couldn’t decode. It didn’t look like a joke, but the emotion vanished as quickly as it had appeared. In a flash, Fu Yu’s usual smirk returned. “Alright, let’s not let irrelevant people ruin the mood. We’ve been out since morning; you must be hungry. What do you want to eat?”

Half an hour later, the car pulled up outside a prestigious private club.

Someone was already waiting outside. Fu Yu gallantly opened the door for Bai You, looking intrigued. “I didn’t expect you to like a place like this. I thought you’d tell me, ‘I lose my appetite looking at your face’ or ‘I want street food near the school.'”

Bai You hadn’t eaten breakfast and was indeed hungry. He replied indifferently, “Since when did you start watching cliché teen dramas?”

Fu Yu immediately shut his mouth and shot a warning glare at his subordinates, who were stifling laughs behind them. They instantly straightened up and went back to their duties.

“But this place is good,” Fu Yu continued, ignoring the jab as he matched Bai You’s pace. “We won’t run into any riff-raff.”

Just as the words left his mouth, a warm voice called out from behind them: “Senior!”

Fu Yu: “…”

Bai You turned to see Tang Xu. The latter smiled and stepped forward quickly. “It’s been a while. I’ve tried to visit several times lately, but Colonel Fu always claimed you weren’t home. Since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we have lunch together?”

Completely ignored, Fu Yu narrowed his eyes. He stepped forward and slung an arm around Bai You’s shoulder. “Talk about the devil. Riff-raff really does show up when you mention it.”

Tang Xu finally seemed to notice Fu Yu. “What a coincidence. I heard there was some trouble at the military headquarters; I assumed you’d be there.”

Fu Yu’s expression was icy. “If you don’t disappear from my sight right now, there might be even bigger trouble at your family’s house.”

Bai You listened boredly as the two Alphas engaged in their petty, childish bickering. Suddenly, he ducked, slipping expertly out from under Fu Yu’s arm. He darted into a nearby private room in three quick steps and nodded to the stunned pair. “You two enjoy your argument.”

The door slammed shut, leaving the hallway in dead silence.

Bai You didn’t care what was happening outside.

The clashing pheromones from the two Alphas’ subconscious territorial battle had left his body feeling weak and soft. He staggered to the window and threw it open, leaning against the frame to gasp for air. However, a silent, burning craving began to take root inside him, spreading like vines. Every pore was trembling, and his glands were throbbing with a heat so intense he didn’t dare touch them.

He finally identified the source of his recent restlessness and lack of appetite.

Since his secondary differentiation, Bai You had used Alpha-disguise agents and suppressants. Because of this, he had rarely experienced heat since reaching adulthood, and his cycles were highly unstable.

But the signs were now unmistakable.

His heat was coming.

Perhaps tonight, perhaps right this second.

29.

This was disastrous news. Fu Yu, who constantly toyed with him, and Tang Xu, who was clearly insincere both were Alphas, and neither was “good.” An Alpha’s nose was incredibly sensitive; once the heat truly began, he could wrap himself in a cocoon and they would still sniff him out.

When that happened, whatever followed would be a nightmare he couldn’t escape.

During an Omega’s heat, if an Alpha was willing, the chance of conception was nearly 100%.

The thought jolted his clouded mind, forcing a moment of clarity.

He had to hide this.

He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, weighing the possibility of jumping out the window to escape. It was unlikely. Although Fu Yu hadn’t brought a large entourage today, the club was undoubtedly surrounded by his men. Moreover, he still had that cursed tracker around his ankle.

The argument outside seemed to have ended. Fu Yu knocked leisurely on the door. “Darling, what are you doing in there? Do you need me to come in and help?”

Bai You’s eyes landed on the room’s aromatherapy oils. After three seconds of deliberation, he grabbed a bottle and poured it over his clothes without hesitation.

The overwhelming, pungent scent stung his nose, masking the faint, underlying fragrance of cold orchids. Bai You turned his head away, held his breath, and opened the door.

Fu Yu had been standing outside in an elegant pose, but when the door opened, the concentrated scent hit his sensitive nose like a physical blow. His vision blurred for a second, and he retreated two steps, clutching his forehead as his temples throbbed.

Tang Xu, waiting a bit further away, also looked shocked. He covered his nose and backed off, feeling dizzy from the olfactory assault.

Bai You crossed his arms, satisfied to see the two “dogs” keeping their distance. He said nonchalantly, “I accidentally knocked over the diffuser. Are you two done fighting?”

Being further away, Tang Xu recovered faster than Fu Yu. He managed a suave smile. “Since you’re here, Senior, why would I waste time arguing with irrelevant people? I’ve prepared a room upstairs with food. Would you do me the honor?”

Fu Yu, having finally recovered from the nausea, shot Tang Xu a lethal look. His voice was slightly raspy. “This is a private family dinner. Why would we involve an outsider? Brother, let’s go.”

Bai You looked at these two hormone-overloaded Alphas—who behaved like two roosters squaring off the moment they met and a risky idea flashed through his mind. “You two are partners now, which technically makes you friends.”

Fu Yu smiled. “Of course.” He lied.

Tang Xu also offered a fake smile. “I’m honored.”

“Since you’re friends and it’s rare to cross paths, let’s just share a table,” Bai You said calmly. “I trust that two grown men won’t have any major grievances unlike petulant children who can’t stand to sit with someone they dislike.”

He paused, then added with a smile: “I absolutely loathe children.”

Fu Yu: “…”

Tang Xu: “…”

Five minutes later, the three were seated in a private room. The scent of the perfume on Bai You was even stronger than the food. Fu Yu had tried to have someone buy a change of clothes for him, but Bai You had shut him down with a cold, “I actually quite like this scent.”

In front of an Omega—even one they didn’t necessarily love—the competitive nature of Alphas was bound to flare up. Soon, their focus shifted back to outdoing each other rather than watching Bai You.

A glimmer of calculation shone in Bai You’s eyes. He took a sip of the juice Fu Yu had poured for him. Predictably, the competitive Alpha raised an eyebrow and shot a triumphant look at Tang Xu.

Watching them bicker, Bai You stood up. “I’m going to the restroom.”

The Alphas spoke in unison: “I’ll go with you.”

Bai You pointed at them, then at himself, his face icy. “You two… want to accompany me… to the Omega restroom?”

He picked up a napkin, wiped his hands, tossed it aside, and walked out without looking back.

The two were pinned to their seats by his words and didn’t follow.

Bai You was familiar with clubs like this. These high-end establishments catering to the elite often had “other” businesses running under the radar. He had noticed it the moment they entered.

Sure enough, as soon as he left the room, he sensed someone suspiciously loitering nearby.

However, with Fu Yu’s and Tang Xu’s men guarding the door, these people didn’t even have a chance to pose as waiters to enter.

Seeing him come out, a person began to tail him stealthily, following him all the way to the restroom area.

Bai You hid behind the door. As the person peeked in, he grabbed them and pulled them into a stall, looking down at them. “Why are you following me?”

The Omega he had snatched was startled. But because Bai You wasn’t using his disguise pheromones today, the little “Sweet O” didn’t feel threatened. Seeing how handsome Bai You was, the Omega asked tentatively, “Those two VIPs in there… who are they to you?”

Bai You: “Nobody.”

The Sweet O suddenly “understood”: Most likely a kept lover, just like us.

Gaining confidence, the Omega rubbed his hands together. “You can’t handle two Alphas on your own, right? Can you tell me what scents they like? Our club has everything. Everyone out here has already taken an aphrodisiac shot; they’re just waiting in line to pass by…”

Bai You paused. “What?”

The Sweet O’s eyes darted around. “Exactly what you think. Don’t be mad at us for ‘stealing’ your business.”

Bai You narrowed his eyes, staring at him for a long moment before an idea struck. “Since you’re all working so hard, I’ll help you out. Go gather your brothers and sisters who took the shots. I’ll open the door in a bit, and you can take it from there.”

A crowd of Omegas in heat flooding a room was enough to drive any Alpha insane on the spot.

That would be his window to make a clean exit.

The Sweet O couldn’t believe his luck and thanked him profusely before scurrying off to gather the group.

Once the person was gone, Bai You’s head began to swim again. Even he could smell the faint, elegant scent of cold orchids beginning to seep through the pungent perfume.

If he didn’t leave now, it would be too late.

Bai You splashed cold water on his face to clear his head, then walked back to the private room. He beckoned to the bodyguards outside. “Some friends of mine are coming in. Don’t stop them.”

The bodyguards looked at each other, unsure if they should obey, as their bosses seemed to value this man highly.

Bai You didn’t care if they listened. Seeing the Sweet O leading a large group down the hall, he casually pushed the door open.

The two Alphas inside turned around just as a tidal wave of dozens of clashing, sweet heat-pheromones hit them. Uncontrollable Alpha instincts caused their eyes to turn red instantly.

The guards at the door were also Alphas. Chaos erupted immediately. Bai You’s lips curled into a faint smirk. Feeling his limbs grow increasingly heavy and weak, he didn’t linger. He hurried downstairs and said calmly to the driver waiting at the car, “Your commander is busy dealing with some Omegas in heat upstairs. Take me home first.”

The scent of a group of Omegas in heat triggered a riot throughout the club, even causing other Alphas nearby to enter an induced rut. In such a dangerous situation, Fu Yu’s subordinates—who had strict orders to protect Bai You—didn’t dare hesitate. They quickly drove him away.

With a triumphant smile, Bai You returned to his secluded house. He dug out his hidden suppressants and injected himself immediately. He stripped off the shirt that was making his head spin and stepped into the shower to wash away the scents.

However, the suppressants that were usually so effective were incredibly slow to work today. After a quick shower, instead of feeling relief, the weakness and physical symptoms of the heat only intensified.

He leaned against the wall, dizzy, stepping out of the steamy bathroom. His breath felt like fire in his lungs.

It took his clouded brain a full ten seconds to realize something was wrong.

Bai You’s eyelids twitched as he slowly looked up.

Fu Yu—who was supposed to be losing his mind at the club under the influence of dozens of Omegas—was sitting comfortably on the sofa, watching him with a relaxed gaze.

“Running home in such a hurry, and you didn’t even lock the door properly—though it wouldn’t have mattered if you did.”

He stood up and walked over step by step, taking a deep, satisfied breath of the heart-soothing orchid scent. He chuckled softly. “You lost again, Brother.”

“Your heat has arrived, hmm?”

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