The Beta Fake Young Master Just Wants to Decline the Shura Field - Chapter 10

Having already formed an impression of the pretentious true young master of the Jiang family, Jiang Lanyi felt a bit worried about the elderly couple in the Jiang household; after all, they had treated him quite well.

However, none of this was his concern. The most urgent task was to find a decent job. Even if he wanted to pursue further studies, he would only feel at ease if he used his own money.

Therefore, Jiang Lanyi did not even rest for two days before diligently heading out to job hunt.

He used his own savings to purchase two medium to high quality suits. Every day, he wore a tie and a long sleeved shirt with meticulous care, carrying his bag on the subway in the morning and biting into a shouzhua bing (scallion pancake) on his way back at night.

By late June, the weather became stiflingly hot. Often, on his way to catch the subway, his shirt would be soaked with sweat. When hit by the cold blast of air conditioning, he would sneeze several times in a row.

Eventually, he learned to pack a change of clothes, leaving the house in short sleeves and shorts, then changing into his formal attire once he reached the interview venue.

Because his schedule was so packed, he saw Xiao Chi less often. Contrary to the previous week, the alpha in his rut period needed isolation and observation. With Xiao Chi spending long hours at home, it was now Jiang Lanyi who was constantly running around.

But this did not have much of an impact on Jiang Lanyi.

Xiao Chi was only half a roommate to him, anyway. While they had become a bit more familiar during those two days in Xunwan, the alpha’s abnormal behavior had pulled their relationship back to square one. Aside from the red marks on his body that took three to five days to fade, that accidental temporary marking left nothing behind.

Jiang Lanyi simply treated it as a bout of acute urticaria (hives); it was not worth mentioning. Moreover, he was forgetful, and with his mind set on job hunting, he had long since put the alpha in the rut period out of his mind.

That afternoon, a sudden heavy rain began to fall. The subway station exit was crammed with office workers with damp shoes, each holding a crumpled, wilted umbrella, their expressions indifferent.

Jiang Lanyi stood at the subway exit, looking at the sky, which had turned as dark as deep night; he was unable to move a step. He had not checked the weather forecast before leaving and had not brought an umbrella.

A dozen people who were just as unlucky stood at the exit, all trying to book ride hailing services. His phone showed he was 18th in line; he would have to wait at least half an hour.

To make matters worse, during today’s group interview, he had simply made a mistake on one piece of data, and the two people in his group who had teamed up kept cuing him until the end, even voting for him as the worst performing member. Jiang Lanyi had almost gotten into a fight with those two betas, which was why his face was still sour.

However, he remembered what Xiao Chi had said before: even if you are being targeted, do not lose your composure.

“The other party is your competitor; naturally, they will try every method to defeat you, and it is normal for them to use underhanded tactics.”

“But the interviewer is looking for someone who can solve problems, not someone who plays games. Whether the problem can be solved, what methods are used, how personnel are deployed, and whether input output can be maximized, these are the priorities you need to focus on.”

When he said this, Xiao Chi had just finished a meeting, his brow showing slight fatigue. Yet, he was clear headed and could meticulously point out the problems in Jiang Lanyi’s mock interviews, guiding him toward a solution.

The atmosphere in today’s group interview was small fry compared to that night in Xunwan. Jiang Lanyi rarely encountered people who started attacking the moment they met, which was why his mood was ruined. Fortunately, his subsequent output was normal, and after his concluding summary, he was even pointed out and praised by the HR manager. Otherwise, he certainly would not have let those two betas get off easily.

Amitabha, he hoped he would not run into such idiots as coworkers in the future. He would gladly trade winning two hundred million in the lottery if he could avoid that.

As Jiang Lanyi folded his hands in prayer, his phone in his pocket suddenly buzzed violently, as if it wanted to jump out. The caller ID read “Xiao Chi.”

“Hello.” Jiang Lanyi answered the phone, thinking to himself that speaking of the devil.

The man’s voice on the other end was low; perhaps due to the electrical interference, it sounded even more magnetic. “It is me. Are you at Exit C of Ningzhi Station?”

Jiang Lanyi pulled the receiver away slightly; his ear felt a bit numb, so he pinched it with his other hand. “Yeah, the rain is heavy, and I have not managed to get a car yet.”

Xiao Chi rarely called him. Could it be there was new news from the Jiang family that he needed to know immediately? Jiang Lanyi frowned.

“Look to your left.”

“?”

The heavy rain was pouring down with no sign of letting up. The rain and mist washed everything into vivid, high saturation colors, including that Continental GT parked by the side of the road with its hazard lights flashing. The silver wings on the hood were shimmering, as if they were glowing.

Someone nearby whispered: “Damn, who called a luxury ride? So rich.” “Could it be they used a platform subsidy? Five yuan off for every two thousand.” “It is not five thousand off; how will they live their life?”

Jiang Lanyi, who had been forced into a luxury ride, felt speechless.

Xiao Chi urged him on the phone: “You cannot park on the side of the road for long.”

Ignoring the appreciative gazes from behind, Jiang Lanyi put his waterproof bag over his head and trotted over, pulling at the back door of the Bentley. It would not open. He then went to pull the front passenger door. It opened.

“I still cannot afford the cleaning fee, you know,” Jiang Lanyi said as he closed the door, hugging his wet bag to his chest to minimize water damage to the leather seats. God, Xiao Chi even has leather floor mats. What kind of money burning hobby is this?

“I do not need you to cover that.” Xiao Chi steered with one hand, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. “Have you been waiting long?”

“No, I just started looking for a ride. Good thing you were passing by.” Jiang Lanyi rubbed his nose. “Did you change your car air freshener?” It had not smelled like this two weeks ago.

Xiao Chi said “Hmm,” not mentioning that he was not just passing by, and went along with his words: “Does it smell good?”

Jiang Lanyi had not expected him to care about his opinion. “Uh, it is alright.”

It smelled similar to laundry detergent; it seemed Xiao Chi really liked that scent.

Upon hearing his answer, although Xiao Chi’s expression did not change, Jiang Lanyi keenly sensed he was not satisfied with that answer. To thank him for the ride, he changed his wording tactfully: “It is not just alright, I think it is actually quite good. It really suits your style.”

Xiao Chi turned his head to look at him this time. “What is my style?”

As a literature major, Jiang Lanyi was suddenly stumped by the question. “You know, steady and reserved, mature and reliable, dignified and elegant?”

He thought of the book The Emperor’s Proud Empress he had been reading recently, thinking to himself that he must never let Xiao Chi know that these adjectives were used to describe the Empress in the novel.

Xiao Chi gave a light hum, a hint of a smile on his lips.

Jiang Lanyi blinked. He is happy now? Is this person too easy to please?

“Change your clothes first, let us go out to eat tonight.” After parking the car, Xiao Chi tossed his phone over.

Jiang Lanyi had expected to see some high end restaurant that required reservations months in advance, but to his surprise, they were all popular, well reviewed local shops.

“Is your rut over? Or is Housekeeper Zhang taking the night off?” Jiang Lanyi asked while changing clothes inside. The rustling sounds entered Xiao Chi’s ears, and the sound of fabric rubbing against skin made his scent gland feel itchy.

“It is almost over. She has something to take care of tonight.”

Xiao Chi silently adjusted his suppressor wristband and took a suppressant patch from the medicine kit, pressing it behind his neck.

Jiang Lanyi walked out. “Oh, alright, let us go.”

The rainy night was chilly, so he had added a black shirt over his white T-shirt, paired with black sweatpants and high top sneakers.

Xiao Chi looked at his own black shirt and slacks. How does this look like couple’s outfits?

“I am so hungry, how about we have hotpot?” Jiang Lanyi did not notice. He crouched down to tie his shoelaces; when his legs folded, his muscle definition was on full display, looking very powerful.

“Whatever works.”

Xiao Chi’s gaze lingered on his toned Achilles tendons. They were sexy and powerful; it was one feeling when covered by suit socks, and another entirely when exposed above his sneakers.

“You will not find it too noisy?” “I will not.”

Jiang Lanyi looked back in surprise: “You do not hate hotpot restaurants anymore?” When did Xiao Chi have such a change of heart?

He had a cute junior in the Omega department who used to have a crush on Xiao Chi and had once recommended his favorite spicy beef oil hotpot to him. It was not that he wanted to ask Xiao Chi out. The junior knew Xiao Chi’s aloof nature and that he would not easily accept invitations.

But that hotpot place was the top rated must eat in the university town, and it was even doing a 50% discount for its tenth anniversary! The junior’s recommendation was truly sincere.

Yet, Xiao Chi had replied: “The decibels are too high; I will get an allergy.” After being rejected, the junior had cried on Jiang Lanyi’s shoulder for two days.

“That place has such a vintage decor and even has private rooms; it is not actually noisy. He did not even try to understand and just rejected me. Wuwuwu, he must hate me.”

The omega had sobbed, soaking Jiang Lanyi’s shoulder.

He had only just remembered this, and he was surprised that Xiao Chi was actually willing to eat hotpot now.

Xiao Chi glanced at the restaurant’s description. “They have private rooms. The privacy is quite good.”

Jiang Lanyi could not wait. “Then let us go quickly, it is only a five minute drive.”

This place was the closest and served food quickly, which was why Jiang Lanyi had chosen it at a glance. As expected, Xiao Chi had booked a private room. Luckily, it was not the weekend, so the restaurant was willing to spare a six person table, though the two of them sat close together.

Jiang Lanyi shifted his chair; he intended to eat to his heart’s content later, and he did not want to accidentally elbow Xiao Chi. But as he moved to the right, Xiao Chi also shifted to the right. He moved again, and Xiao Chi shifted again.

Jiang Lanyi: “…”

Xiao Chi explained: “The AC vent is here.”

Jiang Lanyi felt relieved. He knew it. How could Xiao Chi be trying to get close to him? Xiao Chi was not an omega, and even if he were, he would not be clingy toward a beta after a temporary marking.

Besides, his rut was almost over; he would not be craving physical contact.

Jiang Lanyi did not think twice and ordered eight plates of meat in one breath, plus four plates of side dishes and a table full of dipping sauces. He was very considerate, asking about Xiao Chi’s preferences, knowing he was a self discipline fanatic, and helped him mix two low cal sauces.

After that, he did not say another word, burying his head in his meal.

A mouthful of cheesy shrimp paste, munch munch munch. Grass jelly with taro balls, gulp gulp gulp. Refreshing iced lemon tea, slurp slurp slurp.

Beside him, Xiao Chi dipped beef shank in the clear broth, using his vinegar sauce, chewing slowly and swallowing gently, very elegantly. He even had time to place tissues in the middle for Jiang Lanyi to use.

“Does it taste okay? Are you used to it?” Jiang Lanyi took a break and finally remembered there was someone next to him, asking politely.

Xiao Chi, who usually only ate until 50% full for dinner, finished wiping his mouth and nodded aristocratically: “It is fine. The ingredients are quite fresh, and the dipping sauce is very good.”

“Of course.” Hearing him praise the sauce, Jiang Lanyi proudly promoted it: “This is the best healthy dipping sauce I have realized after eating hotpot for over a dozen years.” He then added with regret: “It is a pity you do not eat the spicy beef oil pot; the two together are even more fragrant.”

Xiao Chi pulled another tissue to wipe some soup splashes near his hand. “You used to eat hotpot often, right? With the school team members.”

Jiang Lanyi nodded: “I think so. It is hard to please everyone, so eating hotpot at one table is the most convenient.”

He asked: “You have seen us?”

Xiao Chi threw the dirty tissue into the trash bin by his feet. “The student council office is right across from the swimming pool, and you guys had huge lung capacity.”

Loudly plotting where to eat, as if wanting the whole world to know.

Jiang Lanyi said: “We finished training at nine in the evening. You were still working overtime in the office; that is so hard.”

Xiao Chi’s hand holding the tissue slipped; a smear of red oil from the table got on his fingertip, turning into a greasy film. “Yeah.”

Jiang Lanyi made the comment casually. Having rested enough, he continued his sweeping of the food, eating happily. He did not know that the tip of Xiao Chi’s leather shoes was already touching his heel, the polished lacquer reflecting the gaudy patterns on his sneakers.

Xiao Chi only needed to turn his body slightly to have a full view of Jiang Lanyi.

It was the same when he was in the student council office.

His desk was right by the window with the best view. When the clock struck nine and the sky darkened, a crowd would walk out of the swimming pool, and Jiang Lanyi was always surrounded in the middle. His half dry bangs would cling to his forehead, looking obedient and handsome, and no matter what he said, someone would always respond.

The one who responded the most was that school team manager who always hovered around him, an omega with a slender frame. What an eyesore.

Xiao Chi used a pair of communal chopsticks to put a piece of fish in his bowl. “Since you guys were such good friends, you should still be in contact, right?”

Jiang Lanyi’s chewing speed slowed down. “Not really.”

“Graduation season, everyone is busy,” he said.

“Once you settle down later, you can still meet up for meals,” Xiao Chi said in a comforting tone.

“We will see.”

For the second half of the meal, Jiang Lanyi ate absent mindedly, while Xiao Chi was in a wonderful mood, eating another half bowl of boiled broccoli.

Even if Jiang Lanyi only saw him as a landlord now, so what? Proximity makes it easier to get the moon…

“Captain Jiang! It really is you!” The private room door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and a petite figure hopped in, shattering the silence in the room.

It was none other than the omega whom Xiao Chi disliked the most.

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