The Top-Tier Alpha Refuses to Be Pretty Cannon Fodder - Chapter 28.2

Lin Zhi: “My family is wealthy! Let me go! Tell me how much you want, and I will transfer it to you!”

“Hurry up. I’m in a rush.” A deep, familiar voice suddenly rang out from the darkness.

 

Lin Zhi looked toward the source of the voice in disbelief. “President… President Qi!”

 

Amidst Lin Zhi’s cries, the Alphas pinned him to the sofa. Rough fingers brushed against the gland on the back of Lin Zhi’s neck. An Omega’s gland is highly sensitive. Lin Zhi screamed, “No!” If he were marked by these filthy men, his life would be over.

 

Lin Zhi pushed them away with all his might and crawled toward Qi Xi. “President Qi… President Qi, I was wrong!” He grabbed the hem of Qi Xi’s trousers and wept. “I won’t ever do it again. Please, spare me.”

 

Noisy.

 

Qi Xi sat in the shadows, flicking the ash from his cigarette. The ash fell onto Lin Zhi’s hand, making him jerk it back. Qi Xi looked down slightly. “Oh? What were you wrong about?”

 

Lin Zhi clutched his hand and sobbed. “I shouldn’t have blocked Lu Yunxing yesterday…”

 

Qi Xi narrowed his eyes. “You guys…”

 

Lin Zhi heard the footsteps approaching from behind and wailed, “Don’t come near me!”

 

Qi Xi realized he truly could not stand the sound of anyone crying in front of him. Lin Zhi’s sobbing only annoyed him. Holding the cigarette between his teeth, Qi Xi grabbed Lin Zhi by the hair and pulled him close. “I am asking you one more time. What were you wrong about?”

 

Lin Zhi’s face turned deathly pale. “I…”

 

Qi Xi tightened his grip. Lin Zhi cried out in pain, “It hurts! I’ll talk, I’ll talk! I shouldn’t have leaked Lu Yunxing’s affairs to the internet.”

 

Qi Xi tossed him aside. “So it was you spreading rumors online.”

 

Lin Zhi: “President Qi, but those things are true! I didn’t lie, and I didn’t slander him! President Qi, don’t be fooled by Lu Yunxing! That wedding back then… he designed it! The one who was supposed to marry you was Xie Xingchi!”

 

Qi Xi stood up and looked down at him. “It seems this matter also involves Xie Xingchi.”

 

Lin Zhi’s mouth snapped shut instantly. Qi Xi gave a cold laugh.

 

Lin Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. He grabbed Qi Xi’s trousers again. “President Qi, Xingchi has been sincere toward you all these years! For you, he gave up an invitation to a top university in Country Y to stay at Lanhai Group as your secretary! If it weren’t for Lu Yunxing, you two would be the married couple!”

 

“So, he’s been feeling wronged staying by my side?” Qi Xi kicked Lin Zhi away. He brushed off his clothes and looked down. “I should be glad I married Xingxing back then instead of Xie Xingchi.”

 

Qi Xi straightened his back. “I’m leaving him to you. Don’t break him completely.”

 

Lin Zhi: “President Qi!”

 

Qi Xi turned and left the booth without looking back. Fang Yu, who was waiting at the door, pulled him aside. “You are playing with fire. If the Omega Protection Association finds out, you’ll end up in jail!”

 

Qi Xi handed a recording pen to Fang Yu. “That’s why I have you. Give this to the police. I’m going to the birthday banquet.”

 

The man went to chase his wife, leaving Fang Yu to handle the mess. Fang Yu cursed and ran inside to stop the men. The Omega inside was terrified and sobbing hysterically. Fang Yu frowned and called the police.

 

Shenghua Club

 

Lu Yunli was upstairs discussing matters with Huo Yan when the sound of a dog barking erupted outside the lounge, followed by a cacophony of voices from downstairs.

 

Lu Yunli’s brow furrowed immediately. “Rice.”

 

Rice hurried over. “President Lu, General.”

 

Lu Yunli: “What is happening out there?”

 

“Out there…” Rice searched for the right words before saying, “President Qi has arrived. And… he brought a dog.”

 

Lu Yunli stepped out of the lounge. “Does he not know this is a banquet? Is he here to crash it?”

 

Rice chased after him. “He said it was… a gift.”

 

A gift?

 

Lu Yunli walked to the balcony on the second floor and looked down. He saw Qi Xi entering like a bandit leader, leading a golden retriever. The dog looked silly and happy—just like its owner. Lu Yunli rubbed his temples.

 

Downstairs, Qi Xi couldn’t find his target in the hall. When his gaze landed on Lu Yunli on the second floor, his eyes lit up. “Xingxing! Wife!”

 

Lu Yunli spent several seconds holding back a “Get lost.” He lowered his hand and said, “Look closely before you call out!”

 

Laughter broke out among the guests. “Imagine misidentifying your own wife.” “The Qi heir really does come from a rough background. I didn’t believe it before, but he has zero noble grace.” “Wait, I thought Lu Yunxing was the one obsessed with him? Why did Qi Xi chase him to the banquet?”

 

Qi Xi ignored the whispers. He awkwardly lowered his hand, and his expression turned cold. “Where is Xingxing?”

 

Lu Yunli’s gaze landed on Xie Xingchi, who was standing in the crowd. Tonight’s main players—the protagonist and the antagonist—had all arrived. He looked away and answered, “Xingxing isn’t feeling well. I told him to rest.”

 

Qi Xi frowned. “How can he be unwell?” He suddenly thought of the rain yesterday. It had been a downpour, and the boy had been soaked. Qi Xi was thick-skinned and fine, but Xingxing would surely catch a cold.

 

Seeing that Qi Xi was silent, Lu Yunli turned to leave.

 

“Wait!” Qi Xi led the dog upstairs in three quick strides. “Lu Yunli, where is he? I…”

 

Rice stepped forward to block him. “President Qi, ahead is President Lu’s private lounge.”

 

Qi Xi stared at Lu Yunli’s back, silenced for a moment before raising his voice. “I brought a gift for Xingxing, and food… I have things to tell him. I found out about yesterday…”

 

Lu Yunli turned around. “And what is this, President Qi? A breakup fee?”

 

Qi Xi: “I am here to celebrate Xingxing’s birthday.”

 

Lu Yunli: “You saw the news yesterday. He doesn’t want to see you.”

 

“That is between him and me. Whether he doesn’t want to see me, is angry with me, or hates me, I want to hear it from his own mouth.” Qi Xi’s patience was wearing thin. He walked toward Lu Yunli, closing the gap until he was right in front of him. “As for you, step aside.”

 

Lu Yunli (to himself): Qi the Dog, you are dead meat!

Lu Yunli ground his teeth and stepped forward. “Qi Xi!”

“Is it a bit late for President Lu to start interfering now?” Seeing the flicker of hesitation on Lu Yunli’s face, Qi Xi leaned in and lowered his voice, his words a sharp reminder. “Has President Lu forgotten? If it weren’t for you, why would I have married Xingxing in the first place?”

 

Lu Yunli narrowed his eyes.

 

[520: Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully unlocking a hidden plot point.]

 

[Lu Yunli: What’s going on?]

 

[520: Dear, the reason Qi Xi married Lu Yunxing was because the original owner threatened him!]

 

[Lu Yunli: …]

 

He truly was a scapegoat. The original owner had certainly left him a massive pile of a mess!

 

[Lu Yunli: How did he threaten him?]

 

[520: The original owner said if Qi Xi didn’t marry Lu Yunxing, he would ruin Qi Xi’s newly started company.]

 

[Lu Yunli: …]

 

Forced to marry someone he didn’t love just to save his business. Lu Yunli finally understood why Qi Xi had married the man but hadn’t returned home for three years. Honestly, Qi Xi had a good temper. If it were Lu Yunli, he would have exploded.

 

What a headache.

 

As a vein pulsed on Lu Yunli’s forehead, he suddenly felt something rubbing against his leg. He looked down to see the large Golden Retriever in Qi Xi’s hand wagging its tail, rubbing against him to curry favor.

 

Just as Lu Yunli was about to reach out and pet the dog’s head, Qi Xi pulled the leash with a cold expression. “Come back. He isn’t your mother.”

 

Lu Yunli: “…”

 

Dog son. If they didn’t have a fight today, this matter wouldn’t end!

 

Seeing the atmosphere turn sour, Rice hurried forward to separate them. “President Lu, the birthday banquet is about to begin.”

 

The birthday banquet.

 

Lu Yunli glanced at the crowd below. The guests were whispering while staring up at them. If they started a scene now, the melodramatic tabloid story of a brother-in-law fighting his wife’s brother would become the talk of the town. He would be the one losing face.

 

Lu Yunli suppressed his cold expression. Since Qi Xi didn’t want him to touch the dog, Lu Yunli made sure to do it anyway. He rubbed the dog’s head and issued a warning. “Xingxing just fell asleep. You, go downstairs and wait.”

 

Having finished, Lu Yunli pulled his hand back and walked downstairs before Qi Xi could say another word.

 

[Lu Yunli: Qi the Dog is here. Give me back my progress percentage.]

 

[520: System scan: The current scene’s trajectory has a 90 percent similarity to the original work. Appeal rejected.]

 

[Lu Yunli: Speak human.]

 

[520: Dear, it means if you do nothing now, 90 percent of the events in this segment of the original book will occur.]

 

Lu Yunli paused slightly on the stairs.

 

[Lu Yunli: Meaning, I’ll stumble upon Qi Xi and Xie Xingchi’s drama, I’ll go into heat, then I’ll do ‘this and that’ with some random Omega who appears out of nowhere, and the media will catch me?]

 

[520: Currently, yes.]

 

Damn, that truly is a nightmare.

 

Lu Yunli looked up and hooked a finger at Rice. Rice stepped forward, and Lu Yunli gave his instructions. “Send people to keep an eye on Qi Xi. Don’t let him get near Xie Xingchi.”

 

Rice: “Yes, sir.”

 

Lu Yunli: “Also, prepare a dose of suppressant.”

 

Rice frowned. “Isn’t your heat cycle still a few days away?”

 

Lu Yunli: “My heat might come early. Have it ready just in case.”

 

After giving his orders, Lu Yunli walked down the stairs. Qi Xi followed, found a secluded sofa, and sat down with the Golden Retriever. The dog rested its front paws on Qi Xi’s legs, wagging its tail happily. Qi Xi rubbed the dog’s large head. “Xingxing isn’t awake yet. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

 

Having soothed his “son,” Qi Xi leaned back and looked toward Lu Yunli, who was standing before the guests. The noble Alpha stood at the front and addressed the crowd.

 

“Today, I thank you all for taking the time to attend my birthday banquet. Those present are leaders in various industries, and many of you likely came because of yesterday’s news,” Lu Yunli scanned the room. “Since that is the case, I won’t beat around the bush. In the future, I may need to trouble all of you.”

 

The crowd responded immediately. “Helping President Lu is our blessing.” “Exactly! Besides, President Lu is doing this for Country M. With General Huo’s guarantee, we naturally trust you.” “Whatever you need, President Lu, just ask!”

 

Lu Yunli thanked everyone, and Rice signaled the waiters to bring out the cake. Lu Yunli made a wish and blew out the candles. The crowd cheered.

 

“Why hasn’t Lu Yunxing come out?” “Who knows? If I were him, I wouldn’t come out either. Why come out and be humiliated?” “Lower your voice, Qi Xi is sitting right there.” “I heard they’ve lived apart for all three years of their marriage. Even if he came today, it’s probably just for show. I don’t think he likes him much.”

 

Sitting on the sofa, Qi Xi listened to the whispers, his expression turning colder as he looked at the empty second floor. So this was how Lu Yunxing had lived all these years. Despite being from the same Lu family and having the same face, simply because of their bloodlines, one was in the clouds while the other was lower than dust.

 

Lu Yunxing had given him all his love, yet Qi Xi had discarded it like trash. In this feud between him and Lu Yunli, the only innocent person was Lu Yunxing. Qi Xi had also known the feeling of being abandoned by everyone. In this moment, he could suddenly empathize with Lu Yunxing; he knew exactly how painful it felt.

 

Qi Xi rubbed the head of the dog jumping on him. “If I’m not around, you have to stay with your mother, understand?” The dog wagged its tail cheerfully.

 

Qi Xi looked up at the second floor. Surrounded by the crowd, Lu Yunli opened a bottle of wine. Just as he poured a glass and raised it, the heavy doors of the club were suddenly thrown open from the outside.

 

Personal guards in military uniforms entered first, standing in two rows. Then, in the silent hall, the dull, heavy thud of something striking the floor echoed.

 

At the same time, Huo Yan walked to Lu Yunli’s side and whispered, “It’s people from Country Y.”

 

“They don’t come in peace. General, be prepared,” Lu Yunli replied. He looked up and saw a man dressed in vintage royal attire enter. The sound the crowd had heard was the man’s black cane hitting the floor.

 

From the moment he stepped in, everyone present felt a crushing pressure. This was the bloodline suppression of a top-tier Alpha. Only Lu Yunli remained calm, setting down his wine glass and stepping around the table.

 

He walked forward, his gaze landing on the person following the man. That familiar face—who else could it be but Colonel Morpheus? Huo Yan had mentioned that someone had bailed him out of prison; it seemed it was this man. To have Colonel Morpheus following him like a subordinate, it could only be Country Y’s Duke Albard.

 

It seemed the previous incident had made certain people restless.

 

Lu Yunli’s smile deepened as he went to meet him. “Duke Albard.”

 

As he drew closer, Lu Yunli saw him clearly. This young Duke of Country Y was a top-tier Alpha just like himself. His sharp features were cold and stern, like rime ice in winter; every breath he took felt frigid. A year ago, there were reports of a coup in the Country Y royal family, with media stating Duke Albard would become the new king. His appearance here suggested the dust had finally settled.

 

Duke Albard stopped and sized up Lu Yunli. In a single glance, he was captivated. “Lu Yunli.”

 

Two top-tier Alphas stood together—one cold, one radiant. Though their status differed greatly, their auras were evenly matched.

 

Duke Albard rubbed the handle of his cane and took a step back. “I hope President Lu doesn’t mind an uninvited guest?”

 

Lu Yunli stood with one hand in his pocket, a faint smile on his lips. “Since the Duke has graced us with his presence, how could I turn him away?”

 

As they exchanged pleasantries, Sheng Yan nudged Huo Yan with his elbow. “Why is Duke Albard here?”

 

Huo Yan finished giving orders to his adjutant and turned his gaze back to Lu Yunli. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were dark, as if ready to strike at any moment.

 

Sheng Yan spoke again, “Could it be because of the warehouse incident? He couldn’t take the slight and came to settle the score personally?” He leaned in and whispered, “If a fight starts, how fast can your soldiers get here?”

 

Huo Yan pushed up his glasses, annoyed by the chatter. “He only brought a few people. It doesn’t look like he plans to start a fight.”

 

Before Sheng Yan could say more, Duke Albard, standing in the center of the hall, spoke. “Morpheus.”

 

Morpheus hurried forward. “My Lord.”

 

As soon as Morpheus reached his side, Duke Albard raised his cane and struck the man’s leg. Lu Yunli watched as Morpheus fell to his knees with a thud.

 

Quite a performance, Lu Yunli thought.

 

Duke Albard retracted his cane and gave an elegant, slight nod. “My subordinate acted on his own. He caused trouble for President Lu previously.”

 

Acted on his own? Lu Yunli sneered inwardly. He didn’t believe for a second that Duke Albard hadn’t been involved. However, he remained calm. “Duke, what is the meaning of this?”

 

Duke Albard straightened his back. “Morpheus ruined President Lu’s business and nearly damaged the diplomatic relations between our two countries. To show my sincerity, I personally bailed him out and brought him here for President Lu to deal with. Kill him or punish him as you wish.”

 

Lu Yunli looked at Morpheus. The man clearly hadn’t known about the Duke’s decision; his face was deathly pale, yet he knelt on the floor, not daring to react. It was clear that Duke Albard ruled with an iron fist.

 

If Lu Yunli killed him, it would be seen as a personal vendetta. If he didn’t, he would lose the upper hand. By making this move, Duke Albard established himself as a reasonable man while salvaging Country Y’s reputation. The excuse was simple: he didn’t know; it was all the subordinate’s fault. He was playing both sides perfectly.

 

Lu Yunli laughed. “No need. Duke Albard might not know, but Country M is a society ruled by law. A life for a life. Besides, today is my birthday; it isn’t a good day for bloodshed.”

 

He took a step forward, stopping directly in front of the man. “If the Duke truly wishes to apologize, how about this? Punish yourself with three drinks. I’ll toast to you.”