The Beta Fake Young Master Just Wants to Decline the Shura Field - Chapter 2

Jiang Lanyi meticulously chose a secondary bedroom that was quiet and far from the master bedroom. Although he might only stay there for a few days, quality sleep was the foundation of physical and mental health. He refused to mistreat himself no matter where he was.

Despite the major upheaval in his life, he only suffered from five minutes of insomnia before falling into a deep sleep; this was a testament to the importance of exercising for thirty minutes a day.

When he woke up the next day, Xiao Chi was already sitting at the table, eating breakfast while reading an English newspaper. The breakfast looked exquisite, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles with plenty of choices. Jiang Lanyi did not stand on ceremony. He looked like he was chewing slowly, but he actually ate quite fast.

In less than ten minutes, he poured himself a cup of coffee to top things off. Xiao Chi had stopped eating long ago and was typing away on his keyboard. “Finished eating?”

Jiang Lanyi nodded.

“Housekeeper Zhang will be here shortly. I will introduce you to her. You can contact her if you need anything in the future.” His residence was nearly 300 square meters and required daily upkeep, but because he did not like too many people in his private space, the housekeeper only came at specific times.

Housekeeper Zhang was available 24/7. She could run errands between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, but any other time required double overtime pay. After entrusting Jiang Lanyi to Housekeeper Zhang, Xiao Chi drove off on his own.

He had started getting involved in the family business back in university. Jiang Lanyi did not know where he found the energy. He never missed a beat with his studies, sports, or clubs, yet still managed to start from the bottom and intern in various departments. Now that it was the summer break after graduation, word was he was taking online advanced courses while simultaneously starting new projects.

I really want to go to war with you “Heavenly Dragon” Alphas.

Housekeeper Zhang was a pleasant-looking woman in her thirties with a round face and a kind smile. Her long hair was tied back efficiently; her posture was respectful but not subservient. She introduced Jiang Lanyi to the study, gym, swimming pool, activity room, card room, wine cellar, and dining bar. She also thoughtfully prepared a new private laptop and tablet for his use.

Jiang Lanyi instantly lost any desire to go out. After a nap at noon, he spent an hour in the study meticulously refining his resume and browsing through various campus recruitment notices.

This one did not match my major; this one requires five years of experience; this monthly salary is only 3,000; the commute for this one is two hours.

After looking all afternoon, he had not sent out a single resume. His foul mood was written all over his face by dinner, which even Xiao Chi noticed.

“Is the food not to your taste?” Xiao Chi asked.

Jiang Lanyi glanced at the dishes in front of him: Mouth-watering Chicken, Stir-fried Pork, and Creamy Pumpkin. These were all his favorites. The steamed sea bass and boiled broccoli on Xiao Chi’s side were the kind of things that caused acid reflux just by looking at them.

He said, “No.”

Xiao Chi gave a short “Mm” and did not ask further.

Later that evening, while Jiang Lanyi was lying in bed after a shower still scrolling through job listings, there was a knock on the door.

“It is me.” The deep male voice was pleasant to the ear.

Jiang Lanyi opened the door to find Xiao Chi dressed in soft, fluffy loungewear. The tips of his hair were damp, clearly having just bathed, and a faint woody scent lingered around him. He looked politely at Jiang Lanyi without peering into the room. “Is now a good time?”

Jiang Lanyi glanced at Xiao Chi’s collarbone, which was still glistening with moisture. He initially wanted to say no, but his brain lagged as he replied, “Uh, yeah.”

Xiao Chi was a serious and disciplined man. His daily attire usually had the top button fastened right to the Adam’s apple. Jiang Lanyi sometimes worried he would choke while speaking. He had never seen Xiao Chi wearing clothes that revealed this much skin, looking so relaxed and at ease.

Well, of course he is relaxed; it is his house.

Jiang Lanyi stopped his wandering thoughts and stepped aside to let him in. “Is something wrong?”

With a single glance, Xiao Chi noticed a detail. “Why did you not have Housekeeper Zhang unpack your suitcases?”

Jiang Lanyi’s two travel buddies were still standing in the walk-in closet. The wardrobe was empty, save for the two items he had changed out of yesterday, which Housekeeper Zhang had washed and dried today.

“I was busy with other things today and did not get around to it,” Jiang Lanyi said casually. In reality, he was used to handling his personal belongings himself and had not let Housekeeper Zhang take over too much. Back at the Jiang residence, the domestic staff knew this about him too.

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

Xiao Chi took out his phone and tapped on an image. “No, I wanted to ask about this.”

The image was an admission letter. The name “Jiang Lanyi” was written clearly in English at the top, congratulating him on gaining admission to the Comparative Literature program at Oxbridge University.

Jiang Lanyi clenched his fist behind his back. “The start date is not here yet, there is no rush.”

“Reporting is in October. You need to start preparing your visa and medical exams now. If you are free these next few days, I can help you handle it. I will be quite busy later on.”

“I can arrange it myself; there is no need for you to worry about it,” Jiang Lanyi said.

His tone was a bit stiff. Xiao Chi looked at him quietly for a moment and said, “Alright. If you need my help, just ask.”

Jiang Lanyi regretted his sharp tongue, but since Xiao Chi had given him a way out, his attitude softened appreciatively. He muttered, “Thanks.”

Xiao Chi stepped forward, bringing a wave of clean, fresh scent. Jiang Lanyi wondered if it was similar to the smell of his pheromones. Jiang Lanyi took half a step back, but forced himself to plant his feet for the second half-step, otherwise it would look like he was being intimidated into a retreat.

Seeing this, Xiao Chi stopped. The two maintained a distance. It was not exactly a confrontation, just awkward.

“Uncle Jiang asked me today if I had seen you. I told him you moved out on your own,” Xiao Chi said. There were surveillance cameras on the mountain. His license plate and the footage of Jiang Lanyi getting into the car were very clear. Xiao Chi had not hidden the truth.

Jiang Lanyi bit the inside of his lip.

Asking about him? He probably wants to tell Xiao Chi the truth about his birth so Xiao Chi will not be “scammed” by him.

Was the real reason Xiao Chi came in here to kick him out?

Jiang Lanyi glanced at his two suitcases out of the corner of his eye. Luckily he had not unpacked much. If Xiao Chi kicked him out now, he would not have much to pack.

“You seem like you have something to say to me.” Xiao Chi lowered his gaze, no longer looking at him directly. A focused gaze often caused anxiety. From his perspective, Jiang Lanyi’s shoulders were tense and his expression was unnatural. He was clearly very nervous.

He should not push him too hard.

The moment Xiao Chi looked away, Jiang Lanyi felt the pressure lift slightly, yet a spark of annoyance flickered in his heart.

This was why he hated Alphas. They always carried the air of a superior. Even the most casual look held an oppressive sense of scrutiny.

Lying was useless, and he did not know how much Xiao Chi already knew. Jiang Lanyi’s fists remained clenched. “Did you hear everything? From the Jiangs.”

To personally admit the fact that he was swapped at birth and then abandoned felt like he was negating his entire past. It was harder than he imagined.

Xiao Chi’s voice was flat: “According to them, your biological parents are someone else.”

Jiang Lanyi’s body trembled.

“So, if you only took me in for the sake of the Jiang family but regret it now,” Jiang Lanyi controlled his breathing. His nose felt a bit stuffed. He might be catching a cold.

“I think I made myself very clear yesterday.” Xiao Chi seemed like he wanted to sigh. His voice trailed off.

Jiang Lanyi: “?”

“I am willing to let you stay because you once saved my life.”

“That is it?” Jiang Lanyi had thought Xiao Chi was just making up an excuse.

Xiao Chi raised an eyebrow. “Is my life that worthless? Not even worth a month’s rent at the Hilton?”

Jiang Lanyi picked at his hands. “I cannot even afford one night there right now.”

“The Jiang family would not go as far as withholding alimony.”

“I do not want it.”

His face still held traces of youth, a kind of naive stubbornness that was almost amusing to behold.

Xiao Chi still remembered the first time Jiang Lanyi participated in the youth 200-meter freestyle. He was mocked by several older swimmers, only to leave them in the dust. When their coach tried to get them to shake hands and make up, Jiang Lanyi had just tilted his head back and looked at them down his nose: “I do not want to.”

He was very arrogant. Just like now. It was as if he had not grown up at all.

But Xiao Chi did not plan to persuade him. He had no right to make decisions for Jiang Lanyi. “Uncle Jiang said he could not reach you. If you want to negotiate later, you can contact them through me.”

Jiang Lanyi did not flatly refuse to ever contact them again. He only asked, “Did they say anything else?”

He asked awkwardly, his voice small, but Xiao Chi read his lips.

“Nothing else,” Xiao Chi said.

Jiang Lanyi picked at his hands again. “Oh.”

Twenty-two years of affection, and in the end, only the matter of alimony needed communication. Did they think he would cling to them? He had left of his own accord and made his stance clear. How could they still think so poorly of him?

Jiang Lanyi frowned, breathing through his nose and mouth, yet his chest felt heavy, as if he had sunk into deep water that was squeezing the breath out of him.

Xiao Chi saw a glint of moisture in his eyes, which was quickly hidden as Jiang Lanyi shifted his dark pupils, acting as if nothing had happened and he was not sad at all.

“I have to go to Xunwan for a meeting for the next two days. The company booked an extra room,” Xiao Chi said.

Jiang Lanyi looked up: Is this topic jumping a bit fast?

“Go clear your head. There is no point in overthinking the past.”

Xiao Chi’s expression remained as plain as water, yet every sentence he spoke was for Jiang Lanyi’s benefit.

Jiang Lanyi did not get it. Was Xiao Chi really treating him like a literal life-saver? He was even worrying about his psychological state now?

Until just a moment ago, he thought their relationship was that of an NPC landlord and a down-on-his-luck tenant who would one day rise again because of a destined benefactor and reach the peak of life through self-struggle.

Xiao Chi was still waiting for an answer. Jiang Lanyi rubbed his nose and said honestly, “I am still looking for a job.”

Xiao Chi tilted his head slightly.

Sensing his confusion, Jiang Lanyi felt a bit of an itch in his teeth. “I am not an idle person. I need to work, Brother.”

He was originally just using a popular internet meme, but Xiao Chi involuntarily twitched his shoulders as if he had been touched by something dirty. He knit his brows and said, “Do not call me that.”

Jiang Lanyi’s eyes widened.

Is that necessary?

What was wrong with calling him “Brother”? He was not some soft, delicate Omega. No matter how much Xiao Chi kept himself pure, it would not be threatened by a Beta like him.

Xiao Chi’s face darkened further. After deliberating for a long time, he finally only said: “Do not just call anyone Brother so casually.”

Jiang Lanyi was speechless. He gained a new understanding of Xiao Chi’s old-fashioned nature and replied perfunctorily, “Yeah, yeah, I definitely will not call you that again. Rest easy.”

Xiao Chi opened his mouth, the furrow in his brow deepening.

That was not exactly what he meant, either.

Support The Beta Fake Young Master Just Wants to Decline the Shura Field