The Beta Wife Claimed by Competing Alphas - Chapter 9

“Is your father still gambling?”

Mu Yan’s thoughts were pulled back by the question. Hearing mention of Lin Guojun, he paused, lowering his head in embarrassment.

“Sorry, Brother. I should not have brought that up,” He Fan said, quickly trying to remedy his slip of the tongue with a hint of guilt. “I… I just wanted to say, if you have any needs, I still have some money saved up. If it can help you out, Brother Xiao Yan…”

Mu Yan had always treated him like a younger brother, so he naturally did not take offense at a thoughtless remark. He offered a faint smile and shook his head. “How could I take your money? I have already troubled you enough today. As for Lin Guojun… I truly have not been in contact with him for a long time. He does not even have my contact information. My brother is simply too soft-hearted; he felt he could not just watch him die, which is how the man ended up leeching off him again.”

“But Brother Xiang Zhuo and I have reasoned with him. My brother has agreed to move. He will not give Lin Guojun his new number or address. My brother mostly just assumed the man wouldn’t be stupid enough to borrow from loan sharks. Now he has promised that no matter how much debt Lin Guojun incurs in the future, it will have nothing to do with us.”

He Fan smiled, seemingly happy for Mu Yan. “That is good then. That is good. Those people were so aggressive earlier; I was worried to death.”

“And yet you still charged in,” Mu Yan said, between laughter and tears. He Fan must have been well-protected by his family since childhood to have developed such an impulsive, straightforward personality that disregarded consequences. “Do not do that next time. It is very troublesome to provoke those people. They…”

“I do not act that way with others, of course; I am not a fool. But if I did not come out today, what would you have done? I was woken up when they started banging on the door. I only came out after I saw you through the peephole, Brother Xiao Yan.”

Mu Yan was momentarily stunned by his words.

It was true; although He Fan seemed lively and cheerful, he was never an impulsive person in university. Having been roommates for two years, Mu Yan had never seen him lose his temper with anyone. He had waded into this mess specifically to help him.

Mu Yan was never one who liked owing favors. Back in university, if He Fan treated him to a meal, Mu Yan would proactively do He Fan’s laundry for two days. This time, He Fan had done him a massive favor.

He Fan certainly had not helped him just for a reward, but Mu Yan could not ignore the debt of gratitude. Yet now, he had no money, his job was average, and his family situation was a mess; what could he possibly do to help Xiao Fan in return?

“Xiao Fan, I…”

“Why do you look like you are facing a formidable enemy, Brother? I am not going to force you to marry me just because I helped you with a small favor.” Because Mu Yan was a Beta, He Fan made such jokes without any reservations.

“Just treat me to a meal. I want hot pot. I remember the dipping sauce you mix is especially delicious; I have been thinking about it for a long time,” He Fan continued, his tone carrying a hint of acting like a spoiled child.

Mu Yan had worked at a hot pot restaurant during the summer after high school graduation. An older colleague there had shared the recipe with him. Whenever he ate out, he would mix sauces for his friends. Since it was just a matter of a few spoonfuls of this and that, the carefree He Fan had likely never memorized the proportions.

“Then why didn’t you call me? I could have written it down for you,” Mu Yan laughed.

“That’s all because of that boyfriend you had in junior year. He was like a madman. If he saw you walking with us, he would pick a fight. We did not want to cause trouble for you.”

“Once, it was almost lights out and you weren’t back at the dorm yet. Brother Yao was worried and said he’d call you. Your boyfriend picked up and was incredibly rude. When Brother Yao said he was your roommate, the guy got even more impolite. He even asked Brother Yao if his pheromone scent was Bergamot and told him to have some self-respect and stay away from people with boyfriends. Brother Yao is a Beta, so he asked if the guy was brain-sick, and the guy just hung up in a rage…”

Most college couples break up upon graduation. Furthermore, while that Lu Chong had a cold face and a bad temper, he was a handsome, top-tier Alpha from a good family. Dating was one thing, but he would surely end up with an Omega eventually.

Besides, if they hadn’t broken up, what kind of Alpha would let his lover face a situation like today’s all alone?

When they were still dating, Mu Yan’s friends had some reservations about speaking ill of Lu Chong to Mu Yan’s face. Now that they had surely broken up, He Fan felt free to air all the grievances.

“After that, we did not dare to call you casually, fearing he would be the one to answer. After you graduated, I felt it wasn’t right to trouble people over such small things…” He Fan grew more animated the more he spoke about the ex-boyfriend the whole dorm had hated. “By the way, Brother, when exactly did you two break up?”

Mu Yan froze, his fingers naturally clutching the hem of his shirt.

“We… haven’t broken up.”

Mu Yan felt awkward, his voice becoming a bit stuttered. “He was young then, not very mature… I did not know about that incident. I will call Zhi Yuan next time and apologize to him.”

“Sorry, Brother Xiao Yan. I did not mean to speak ill of Brother Lu Chong. I thought you had already broken up; I saw that he didn’t accompany you here today…” He Fan apologized with regret. “Brother Yao certainly won’t be angry with you over that. If Brother Lu Chong has changed, then that is for the best. As long as he is good to you, that is all that matters. We were just afraid you were being bullied.”

“He…” Mu Yan instinctively wanted to say that Lu Chong was very good to him. But the words reached his lips and he found himself at a loss for how to prove it to He Fan.

Lu Chong still hated him carrying the scent of any other Alpha. Because his life was not going smoothly, his temper was even worse than it had been in university.

But who in the world is perfect? Did Mu Yan not have flaws of his own? Being together meant mutual tolerance.

He Fan observed his reaction and did not pursue the topic. He paused, then smiled to change the subject.

“Let’s not talk about that. Let’s go eat hot pot. That chain restaurant we used to frequent has a branch nearby. I am always too embarrassed to go eat there alone. It is also hard to get a taxi around here; after we eat, I will drive you home, Brother Xiao Yan.”

Mu Yan felt a hitch in his chest. Looking into He Fan’s sincere eyes, he could hardly find a reason to refuse.

Xiao Fan had just done him such a massive favor. If not for him, the matter of the gambling debt could not have been settled. They also hadn’t seen each other in so long; even if He Fan hadn’t helped him today, it would be appropriate to share a meal.

But… Lu Chong’s rut was approaching.

“Brother Xiao Yan, is it inconvenient?” He Fan keenly sensed his hesitation. He paused, then asked tentatively, “We can eat another day… or will Brother Lu Chong get angry because you are eating with me?”

His consideration made Mu Yan feel even more guilty. Mu Yan grit his teeth and decided to eat with He Fan today, and deal with Lu Chong once he got home.

He Fan had a relaxed, gentle smile. He had been leaning casually on the sofa, but now he stood up. “Once you have rested, I will send you home first. I do not necessarily have to eat hot pot today. As for the meal, if Brother Lu Chong minds, we can just invite him along next time. Besides, you must be tired today, Brother Xiao Yan; you should go home and rest.”

“Sorry, Xiao Fan. He usually doesn’t mind; it is just that his rut is almost here… Can I treat you to a meal another day?”

He Fan reached out to take the cup from Mu Yan’s hand. He leaned in slightly, his fingers brushing against Mu Yan’s knuckles with a trace of fleeting warmth.

“Why are you apologizing to me? Do you think I am such a petty person, Brother Xiao Yan?”

Mu Yan did not pick up on the underlying sharpness. Instead, he smiled with a sense of relief. “How could that be? Your personality is so good, Xiao Fan. I just… feel like I am ruining your fun.”

“Even if Brother Lu Chong weren’t in his rut, your hypoglycemia flared up today; you shouldn’t overexert yourself. I happen to have nothing to do, so I will drive you home.”

Mu Yan was startled and instinctively waved his hand. “No need to trouble you. I will just take a taxi.”

He Fan seemed to have misunderstood something and did not push further. He simply followed him to the door and picked up his keys.

“I will walk you downstairs then, to see you into a car. Send me a message when you get home, Brother.”

As soon as they stepped out, the door opposite opened. Xiang Zhuo stood there with his car keys, having clearly heard the movement. “Is Xiao Yan leaving? I have applied the medicine; let me drive you back.”

“Ah… no need. I am fine…” Mu Yan waved his hand helplessly, his voice carrying a note of hesitation.

He truly did not want to trouble anyone. Furthermore, Mu Yan only had a minor flare-up of hypoglycemia, whereas Xiang Zhuo was the one actually injured and in need of rest.

“How can that be? You just fainted. How can I let you go home alone?” Xiang Zhuo frowned, clearly not easily convinced.

Beside them, He Fan stepped forward at the right moment, offering a calm and polite smile. “I will be driving Brother Xiao Yan home. Brother Xiang’s injury isn’t healed yet; you should rest.”

“That is too much trouble for you.” Xiang Zhuo was not one to like owing favors either. Even knowing the Alpha before him was Mu Yan’s former classmate, he still wanted to drive Mu Yan back himself.

“No trouble at all. We are neighbors; it is normal to help each other out. I live here alone; there will surely be things I need to ask of you in the future.”

His words were perfectly phrased, leaving no room for refusal.

Between an injured Xiang Zhuo and a He Fan who might make Lu Chong lose his temper, if Mu Yan had to choose someone to drive him back, he would still prefer He Fan.

“Brother Xiang Zhuo, let Xiao Fan drive me back. You rest well. I will come back to help when you move.”

Xiang Zhuo was silent for a moment before finally giving in with a nod.

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