The Beautiful Wife I Picked Up Is A Little Mute - Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Stop Pretending

“Xie Mo, do you understand it?” Ji Hanyue asked out of the blue.

Hearing his name, Xie Mo followed the sound and looked over, only to hear Ji Hanyue’s next sentence: “How about I get you a slot so you can come to A University to study too?”

Getting a placement was incredibly simple; the Ji family held shares in A University, and much of the school’s construction was credited to them. If Xie Mo wanted it, it could be arranged immediately. Besides, Xie Mo was exactly at the age to be in college.

But Ji Hanyue didn’t expect Xie Mo to refuse. He mouthed each word slowly and clearly: “Thank you, but I don’t need to.”

Ji Hanyue frowned slightly. If Xie Mo came here, he could see the boy every day—it would be a win-win situation. “Why? Do you not want to study?”

Xie Mo naturally wanted to. In his second year of middle school, his family decided that education was useless for him and would only be a waste of money. So, at thirteen or fourteen, he was forced to drop out. He had actually been a top student, often at the head of his class and praised by many teachers. But his inability to speak was a huge flaw in the eyes of his family, and on top of that, he was an Omega. Consequently, he had to spend his days at home helping with farm work.

Xie Mo’s culinary skills were also developed during that time, as he had to cook large pots of rice for the whole family. To this day, Xie Mo hadn’t touched a book in nearly six years; even his writing had become stiff and unfamiliar. If he agreed to Ji Hanyue’s offer, the academic challenge would be immense, not even counting the multi-year gap in his education.

Ji Hanyue didn’t press him further, choosing a compromise instead. “It’s fine if you don’t want to, but when I ask you to accompany me to class, you must come.”

Ren Wen chimed in at that moment. “Hanyue, you’re being unethical. Am I not here to keep you company? What about me?”

Ji Hanyue had never found Ren Wen more of an eyesore than he did now. He brushed his hair back from his forehead and said impatiently, “Can’t you just sleep for a while?”

“…Fine, you’re really treating me like a pig.” Ren Wen rubbed his face, his drowsiness completely gone, his gaze wandering aimlessly. Finally, he fixed his eyes with great interest on Xie Mo, who was half-hidden behind Ji Hanyue.

Following the principle of being attentive in class despite not quite understanding, Xie Mo kept his back straight and listened to the teacher with his head held high. Under his elbow lay an open textbook—upon closer inspection, it was Ji Hanyue’s.

Ren Wen had only met Xie Mo once before. Honestly speaking, the boy looked much better than his previously shrinking, fearful self. Perhaps because he was sensitive to the cold, Xie Mo had half of his face buried in his scarf. Furry and soft, he looked like a delicate doll in a display window.

Before Ren Wen could look for long, Ji Hanyue turned around displeased. “What the fuck are you looking at?”

Ren Wen’s eyelid jumped, and he gave a nonsensical reply. “Oh crap, I actually am a bit sleepy.” Having said that, he made a show of leaning down to foster some sleepiness.

“…Stop pretending. Class is almost over.” Ji Hanyue suddenly felt that Ren Wen had spent too much time with Nie Xi and had caught Nie Xi’s “drama king” personality.

Being exposed, Ren Wen just laughed it off and nudged Ji Hanyue’s elbow, bringing up another matter. “Qiran went back to Canada today.”

At the mention of Fang Qiran, Ji Hanyue showed no emotional fluctuation. “What does that have to do with me?”

As if thinking of something, Ren Wen sighed. “It’s been almost three years, and you two are still at a stalemate. What exactly happened between you two before graduation? You used to be on such good terms…”

Ji Hanyue abruptly interrupted, “Don’t mention him.”

But Ren Wen didn’t stop, muttering to himself: “Are you guys planning to stay like this forever? Actually, you’re the only one holding out; he still has feelings for you. Qiran is so great, why don’t you like him? There are plenty of Alpha-Alpha relationships these days.”

Ji Hanyue’s voice went cold. To avoid affecting Xie Mo beside him, he lowered his volume. “Ren Wen, what’s wrong with you? Do you like him or something?”

Surprisingly, Ren Wen didn’t refute him. “I did like him. I liked him before. Now… I don’t know. Forget it, let’s not talk about it.”

Ji Hanyue felt that Ren Wen’s brain had been scrambled today. He had never seen Ren Wen show the slightest interest in Fang Qiran before. In fact, when Ren Wen found out Fang Qiran liked Ji Hanyue, he had even encouraged him to confess.

The conversation ended there. When class finished, Ren Wen mentioned finding Nie Xi for dinner and left first.

Because Xie Mo was a new face yet had listened so intently, the teacher specifically praised him before leaving. For the first time, Xie Mo gave a shy, timid smile. Ji Hanyue was dazed for a moment as he watched. Realizing what he was doing a few seconds later, his expression became a bit awkward, and he pulled Xie Mo toward the exit. “You did well. Even the teacher praised you.”

Xie Mo took it as a sincere compliment, and his slightly low mood instantly cleared up. He even began to look forward to the evening classes, as Ji Hanyue had said the schedule was full for the whole day.

However, Ji Hanyue walked straight toward the school exit. Xie Mo couldn’t help but tug gently at the Alpha’s sleeve. When the Alpha turned back in confusion, he saw the Omega typing quickly on his phone. When Xie Mo looked up, his eyes were full of expectation.

The screen clearly displayed: “Is there still class in the evening?”

Ji Hanyue made up a reason without thinking: “It was moved to tomorrow. I’m taking you to dinner tonight.”

Ji Hanyue was the type to skip any class he could. The evening elective, Photography, was only on his schedule because he had been too slow when the system opened. It was the only slot left, so he had just checked the box. He had no interest in photography whatsoever.

Xie Mo lowered his head in disappointment and let Ji Hanyue lead him away.

As soon as the car doors were locked, Ji Hanyue engaged the window locks. He vented all the cravings he had been suppressing.

Nie Xi, who was in a different major, had finished dinner and was planning to head home when he saw Ji Hanyue’s car parked across the street. Knowing that evening classes should have started, he tapped on the window out of curiosity. “Ji Hanyue? Ji Hanyue?”

There was no answer after several calls. Just as he thought the car was empty and prepared to leave, the window rolled down a tiny crack. From that narrow slit, the pheromones that wafted out almost choked Nie Xi to death.

Ji Hanyue was leaning against the seat, his upper clothing a bit disheveled. There was someone curled in his arms, wrapped tightly in a blanket. A light gray scarf was tossed on the passenger seat, and the hem of a camel hair coat trailed onto the floor mat—clearly discarded in a hurry.

Ji Hanyue lifted his eyelids and glanced lazily at Nie Xi, his face full of satisfaction. “What?”

Nie Xi’s expression changed rapidly. The interrogation at the tip of his tongue turned into a sigh. “Holy crap… Ji Hanyue, you really have zero restraint.”

Ji Hanyue didn’t see anything wrong with what he was doing. He kept Xie Mo by his side to satisfy himself, after all. Besides, it wasn’t like they were out in the open. Why be so shocked?

Ji Hanyue’s tone was nonchalant. “Do you want a ride?”

Nie Xi had no desire to be a third wheel. “No thanks. I brought my own car. I don’t need Master Ji’s help.” Before he could finish, the window zipped shut, and the Maybach sped away.

…

Xie Mo poked half of his face out, the corners of his eyes moist and red. He was trying very hard to adapt, but the Alpha would lose control for no reason, regardless of the setting.

He felt he couldn’t take this anymore. One moment they were discussing class, and the next, he was being grabbed and kissed. Just now, Ji Hanyue had even invited Nie Xi into the car; if Nie Xi had actually stepped in, Xie Mo couldn’t imagine the consequences.

The Omega’s head popped out from the blanket, leaning against Ji Hanyue’s shoulder. His cheeks were covered in a thin layer of sweat, and he looked listless, lost in thought. Ji Hanyue, feeling satisfied, stroked the soft back of Xie Mo’s head. He kissed the boy’s forehead before placing him properly in the passenger seat.

Xie Mo didn’t look at Ji Hanyue. He grabbed the Alpha’s wrist and wrote in his palm: “Go find someone else. I will die if it’s like this every day.”

Xie Mo described the situation as extremely dire. But he truly believed it.

Ji Hanyue glanced at him. The Omega’s thick black hair was messy and puffed up, with a few stubborn strands sticking out. His clothes were wrinkled in every direction. Although his eyes were red, his complexion was actually very good. He even had the energy to be angry.

“Not interested,” Ji Hanyue said, uncharacteristically not arguing back. He started the car.

Xie Mo rubbed his sore eyes, slowly smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothes, and put his coat back on. He wrapped his scarf around and around, even tucking the tassels carefully into his collar. Finally, he buckled his seatbelt. No matter what, one must not violate traffic rules.

As Ji Hanyue drove, his sleeve was tugged. Xie Mo turned his phone screen toward him, his small face very serious: “Song Xia wants to seduce you. You can agree to him.”

Ji Hanyue didn’t remember the name for a moment. “…What did you say?”

Xie Mo deleted the text and typed quickly, seemingly truly concerned for him: “The Omega rescued with me. He is very pretty and likes you. You can say yes.”

This way, Ji Hanyue wouldn’t always ask me for help, and I’d have time to breathe.

Ji Hanyue’s face went through various shades, none of them good. He hadn’t even looked twice at that Omega; he had just saved him because he was there. Whether the person had other intentions was unknown, but regardless, that person was no longer at the villa. They wouldn’t meet again.

Ji Hanyue said harshly, “What the hell goes on in your head every day?”

Among the young masters he knew, everyone kept around people who tried every possible way to please their Alpha, terrified of being abandoned once they lost favor. Xie Mo was the opposite, practically pushing other Omegas into his arms.

Actually, Xie Mo was conflicted too. If he couldn’t stand it, others might feel the same. Before he could say anything else, Ji Hanyue reached over without looking and ruffled Xie Mo’s already messy hair. “If I hear you say something like that again, I’ll lock you in a room where you can’t go anywhere, and you’ll wait for me to come back and [redacted] you every day.”

Xie Mo was incredulous. He remained silent for a few minutes, feeling a bit hurt. Finally, he typed a few words and tapped Ji Hanyue. “Why?”

Ji Hanyue’s decent mood had been soured by Xie Mo. “Why do you think? Can’t I just like mutes?”

Xie Mo stopped talking. He huddled obediently in the passenger seat, watching the scenery retreat outside the window. Before meeting Xie Mo, Ji Hanyue truly didn’t have any special feelings for Omegas. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made a pact with Ren Wen and the others while drunk to use suppressants for the rest of their lives.

Thinking it over, Ji Hanyue couldn’t figure out the reason either. He just felt that being with Xie Mo and not doing something would be doing himself a disservice. Besides, Xie Mo’s watery eyes were too alluring, always glancing at him. It was normal for him to lose his self-control.

By the time they reached the villa, it was dark. The servants had just brought dinner to the table. Xie Mo had no appetite; like a frost-bitten eggplant, he listlessly ate a few bites and wanted to sleep.

“Finish the rice in your bowl, and I’ll return the money I got back from the thief to you,” Ji Hanyue offered a very tempting condition.

Xie Mo had been at the villa for several days. Aside from his hips and thighs which still felt soft, there wasn’t much meat on him elsewhere. The tactic worked. Xie Mo looked at the table full of food. In the center was a plate of glossy braised ribs.

The moment he saw the ribs, Xie Mo felt a bit nauseous. He hated eating ribs. But for the sake of his savings, Xie Mo frowned, scooped two spoonfuls of soup into his bowl, and mixed it with the rice.

After a few bites, Ji Hanyue rapped his knuckles on the table and told the servant to bring a fresh bowl of rice. He took Xie Mo’s bowl away. Xie Mo looked at him in confusion. Ji Hanyue crossed his arms and glanced at him. “Rice in soup has no nutrition. Eat two bowls of rice properly, then go upstairs.”

With that, Ji Hanyue gave the butler a look, stood up, and went upstairs.

This meal was incredibly agonizing. The butler stood to the side like a surveillance camera. Xie Mo forced himself to take a bite of vegetables, then a bite of rice. After dragging it out for half an hour, he finally finished with a sigh of relief.

Ji Hanyue hadn’t assigned him a specific room in the villa. Xie Mo walked around and stopped at a room far from the master bedroom. He pressed the handle with determination. With a dull click, he realized the door wouldn’t open. He tried several other rooms; they were all the same. Who locks all the doors in their own house? Xie Mo didn’t understand.

The butler appeared behind him like a ghost. The sudden sound almost made Xie Mo, who was studying the lock, stumble. Luckily, the butler was still fit and caught him in time. “Sir, what are you doing here?”

Xie Mo felt an unwarranted guilt. He opened his mouth and mouthed: “Unlocking.”

It was a fact that Xie Mo was cute, but in Ji Hanyue’s territory, Ji Hanyue’s word was law. “Are you lost, sir? I will take you back to your room.” The butler bowed slightly and made a gesture of invitation.

Xie Mo had no choice but to follow. The door to the master bedroom was slightly ajar, as if inviting someone in. Xie Mo pushed the door open. The room was dark; he could only see the path by the light coming from the bathroom. Just as he sat down on the edge of the soft bed, before his fingertips could even warm the sheets, he heard Ji Hanyue’s deep voice over the sound of the shower:

“Come in.”