The Popular/Charismatic Beta Always Thinks They Are Universally Disliked - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Why Don’t We Skip Class?

Dark, smooth, silken curtains, clear and structured floor-to-ceiling windows, elegantly styled statues and (decorative objects), and a luxurious yet subtle floor lamp… This was indeed the Wei family study as he remembered it.

Wen Zhiyi, who stepped into the room punctually on Sunday afternoon, blinked a little confusedly.

He was certain he had not entered the minimalist-style villa where he had lived for the past two years.

In that case, Wei Yuzhi, currently sitting behind the walnut desk, appearing here was probably not a coincidence?

The handsome, profound-featured Omega (referring to Wen Zhiyi, though the previous chapters suggest he is Beta, this is a common inconsistency in ABO settings or a specific nuance) subtly gripped his own palm. He tried his best to appear calm and collected, carefully concealing his anxiety and unease. Before Wen Zhiyi could react, he proactively explained: “Wei Zhao is my uncle. I’m here because…”

He watched Wen Zhiyi’s expression, and the prepared explanation and excuse briefly stalled in his mouth.

Why was he here?

What business matter could possibly require him to personally visit Wei Zhao?

Should I tell the truth or use an excuse?

If he told the truth, would Wen Zhiyi be annoyed? If he used an excuse, would Wen Zhiyi think he didn’t care?

Wei Yuzhi paused.

Wen Zhiyi nodded, swallowing the surprise and distraction that had instinctively surfaced upon seeing Wei Yuzhi. He was not very concerned about the reason for his appearance, choosing instead to return to his professional role: “In that case, does it mean that Wei Xingjiang’s afternoon lesson is canceled?”

Wei Xingjiang, his cousin, a nine-years-younger S-rank Alpha—young, handsome, and fresh, but restricted by his father, Wei Zhao, and still living under his control.

In the pin-drop silence of the room, Wei Yuzhi contemplated for a moment, then slowly shook his head: “No, I’ve asked someone to call him over. Everything will proceed according to your original schedule.”

While the butler went to find Wei Xingjiang, Wen Zhiyi waited quietly, and Wei Yuzhi observed him just as quietly.

Wei Yuzhi first noticed that Wen Zhiyi looked well. It seemed he hadn’t suffered from insomnia these past few days. While relieved that the other person was getting sufficient, peaceful sleep, he also felt a pang of pain that Wen Zhiyi wasn’t worried about him.

Next, he noticed the trinket on Wen Zhiyi’s backpack: a lifelike little rabbit doll. Unlike ordinary rabbit dolls, this was a small, delicate porcelain rabbit, meticulously dressed in a neat, handmade miniature suit.

This was undoubtedly a very fragile rabbit. It had accompanied Wen Zhiyi for the past few years. Wei Yuzhi remembered Wen Zhiyi already carrying it when they first met two years ago. He himself could never understand why the other person would hang such a fragile charm on his backpack.

He still didn’t understand.

If you place a cherished item where it is exposed to wind, sun, and easily accessible to outsiders, wouldn’t you constantly bear the anxiety and worry of losing it?

Therefore, even if his beloved object was dazzling, Wei Yuzhi always kept it precious and hidden.

As long as I can see it, that’s enough.

He had told himself this countless times.

But now, this porcelain rabbit had jumped off the high pedestal itself, proudly declaring that it would leave forever.

Wei Yuzhi felt a profound, magnificent ache compelling him to do something, say something. At the very least, he couldn’t just watch the other person leave empty-handed.

No matter the extent, no matter how far the other person had gone, no matter the price he had to pay to keep him, he had to hold onto Wen Zhiyi.

He suddenly spoke without any preamble: “I came here for you.”

Wen Zhiyi looked up in surprise, gazing back at him, confused.

Wei Yuzhi continued:

“I wanted to see you, so I showed up here, because I couldn’t think of any other way to legitimately appear before you. Wen Zhiyi, I truly have no other choice (literally: I really have no method left). Can you please give me a hint? Please, like before, tell me one sentence, one word. I will do better than before, and better than anyone else.”

His tone sounded very flat, so flat that it didn’t sound like something Wei Yuzhi would say. It was so flat that even when saying phrases like “I truly have no other choice,” there was no hint of pleading.

It seemed he was merely stating a fact, and after stating this fact, he could only proceed as he must.

Because the power of choice lay with Wen Zhiyi. Wen Zhiyi held the right to either lift up or shatter this heart that had become humble.

This sentence sounded very familiar to Wen Zhiyi.

He thought he must have also once said something like, “I truly have no other choice.”

So, who truly had the choice then?

Was it the former Wei Yuzhi or the current Wen Zhiyi?

“Do you know what this rabbit is called?” Wen Zhiyi suddenly asked a highly tangential question.

What is this rabbit called?

What is the name of this porcelain rabbit that has hung on Wen Zhiyi’s bag for years and is still intact?

Xiao Wen smiled, completely unsurprised by Wei Yuzhi’s silence. He said softly: “Thirty days will pass quickly. Soon you’ll be able to end your current state, and after that, the name of this rabbit won’t matter to you at all.”

“If I answer this question, will I still have a chance?”

Wei Yuzhi asked a question that even he found ridiculous.

He knew the rift and discord did not stem from this single question, but as he said, he truly had no other choice.

He saw Wen Zhiyi smile and shake his head, saying calmly: “I can tell you right now: This rabbit is called Edward. Do you feel that anything between us has changed?”

“Yes, there is.” Enduring Wen Zhiyi’s frown, a self-soothing smile appeared on Wei Yuzhi’s cold, handsome face. He spoke slowly, word by word, as if admonishing himself, or perhaps trying to convince Wen Zhiyi: “As long as I understand you a little more, that is change. As long as you are willing to let me understand you a little more, there is still a chance.”

On the fifth day after they filed for divorce, Wei Yuzhi, who had spent two years of married life with Wen Zhiyi, finally understood that love was not just giving, but also understanding and seeing.

Energetic, erratic footsteps sounded from outside. It was Wei Xingjiang, wearing a tank top and long pants.

He pushed open the door with a frown, raising his eyebrows in confusion at Wei Yuzhi sitting in his usual spot. His thick, black eyebrows stood up dramatically. He turned to look at Wen Zhiyi next to him, opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

He was thinking.

He remembered the first time they met, Wen Zhiyi asked him what his relationship with Wei Yuzhi was.

So—

The pure, straight Alpha high school student’s heart sank heavily.

Wen Zhiyi is his cousin’s marriage partner!

But—they look like they’ve quarreled.

He instinctively relaxed his tightly knitted eyebrows.

A quarrel is good. A quarrel is a great thing.

Wei Yuzhi glanced at Wei Xingjiang, who had just entered, without expression. He couldn’t claim to have much of an impression of this cousin. He could dig up dozens of similar brothers and cousins from the Wei family, and while not all of them shared the Wei surname, they were all roughly the same.

The only reason this cousin left even a sliver of an impression was due to his rare S-rank designation.

An S-rank Alpha, a natural elite in the military. Wouldn’t it be a shame for such a good seedling not to join the army?

In those extremely brief few seconds, Wei Yuzhi, who had briefly glanced at Wei Xingjiang, had already planned the latter’s future trajectory for the next few years.

However, all this would have to wait until Wen Zhiyi finished his tutoring job. Wei Xingjiang could only be put to good use after Little Mr. Wen grew tired of this line of work.

This was the thought that rapidly flashed through his mind within a few seconds.

Wei Xingjiang, completely unaware of this, watched his cousin leave. After maintaining reserve for only a few seconds, he stood in front of Wen Zhiyi, awkwardly asking: “Are you… okay? My cousin is really not easy to get along with. Did you two quarrel?”

Quarrel?

Who could possibly quarrel with Wei Yuzhi?

Wen Zhiyi burst into a laugh: “Do I look like I just finished a quarrel?”

“You look like you’re in a bad mood.” Wei Xingjiang frowned, looking toward the door. He didn’t pry into Wen Zhiyi and Wei Yuzhi’s past. The highly privacy-sensitive high school student, for the first time, applied the empathy he learned from Wen Zhiyi—

If he disapproved of the way he was being treated, he shouldn’t treat anyone else that way.

“How about this—”

The young Alpha, with untamed brows, suddenly flashed a mischievous smile, proposing a shockingly audacious idea with great excitement: “Why don’t we skip class?