What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 14

Lu Zhi’s hand gripping the doorknob seemed to have been paused, freezing abruptly in place.

His distinct knuckles pressed against the cold, hard metal, making that hand appear even more porcelain-white, flawless and perfect.

Chi Jinxian suddenly recalled the sensation from that morning when Lu Zhi gave him the card, when he accidentally brushed against that hand.

Beneath his school uniform, his fingertips unconsciously rubbed together, as if that touch had lingered until today, something he could savor endlessly.

The next moment, Lu Zhi glanced sideways, letting out a calm “Hmm” from deep in his nasal cavity. His expression remained unreadable as he simply said, “I forgot. Thanks.”

The lock mechanism clicked as it turned, and Lu Zhi pulled the door open to leave, his steps steady and devoid of any unusual reaction, just like usual. Chi Jinxian hadn’t expected his “mwah” to earn any special attention from Brother Lu either. Seeing him leave, he immediately followed, lowering his head to rummage through his backpack.

In less than three seconds, the love letter, rose, and the milk he hadn’t managed to give that morning as if by magic, already familiar with their master of just one day’s acquaintance, instantly found their way into his hands.

“Brother Lu”

“What, just happened?” Zhong Qing, who lived in the dorm, had been on his way to the restroom after class. But since his seat wasn’t far from Chi Jinxian’s, his ears were still echoing with someone’s bold “mwah,” leaving him standing there dumbfounded.

His expression was full of hope that someone would come over and snap him out of it.

In contrast, Jiang Baixiao, as Chi Jinxian’s deskmate, was surprisingly much calmer. He slowly packed his bag, also preparing to go home, and replied to the class monitor, “Oh, my little sister flower blew a kiss to God Lu from afar. His level of pursuing someone has upgraded from mooching meals and giving gifts.”

This time, all the classmates still in the classroom heard it! Mada, Zhong Qing’s deskmate, saw that class was about to start and figured using the restroom could wait until next period. He tugged on Zhong Qing’s sleeve, making the still-dazed class monitor sit down, his expression and voice brimming with excitement.

“Our little Cash is making progress!”

Never mind others the entire Class 10, Grade 12 knew exactly how Chi Jinxian pursued Lu Zhi, the affection in his expressions and eyes always at a hundred percent. They admired Chi Jinxian for not fearing rejection from Lu Zhi and even more so for his sheer perseverance.

Over time, this admiration strangely transformed into concern. They genuinely wanted to see Chi Jinxian get some reciprocation of course, this was all based on mutual willingness.

So, although they privately felt some sympathy and regret, they never showed it openly. Still, in their small group chats, they’d lament how Chi Jinxian, aside from following the usual pursuit routine, made no progress at all, it was truly a case of frustration over unmet potential.

But look at the astonishing thing they witnessed today! Even though Lu Zhi showed no reaction, little Cash took a remarkable step forward. Worthy of celebration!

That night, they got so carried away discussing the “air kiss” that, at some point, “air” turned into “real,” and by the end of two full class periods, Chi Jinxian’s air kiss to Lu Zhi had evolved into Chi Jinxian actually kissing Lu Zhi.

The forum went wild.

Chasing after Lu Zhi out of the classroom, Chi Jinxian was unaware that tonight would be a sleepless night for the school forum. Holding the gift he intended to give, he trailed two steps behind Lu Zhi as they descended the stairs, stretching his hand to gently tuck the item into the side pocket of Lu Zhi’s backpack. While committing this mischievous act, he asked, “Brother Lu, would you like some milk?”

Lu Zhi didn’t look at him, continuing straight ahead after the final step, and the figure behind naturally followed him out of the school building. In a cool tone, Lu Zhi replied, “No.”

Chi Jinxian sensed his unhappiness. Though his voice wasn’t much different from usual, this was the person he loved, so Chi Jinxian could naturally tell.

But upon closer reflection, it didn’t seem like genuine unhappiness more like, a bit of frustration and irritability, the kind where one doesn’t know what to say or how to face someone.

Could it be because of the “kiss”? Only then did Chi Jinxian, who had mustered his courage for once, seem to realize what he had done. He raised a hand to cover his nose as if hiding his guilt, not daring to make a sound, while inwardly sighing, Even Xiao Lu can miscalculate sometimes. Boldness didn’t work, alas.

The season, not long after early autumn, was neither cold nor hot, with daylight hours still long. At seven in the evening, the sky was adorned with gradient layers of crimson clouds, and the golden-red sun had not yet completely vanished into the galaxy, hiding among the clouds and complementing the colors of the sunset.

Students heading home after school, all in identical uniforms, moved across the campus in a disorderly yet orderly fashion, all heading in the same direction toward the school gate.

Lu Zhi walked among the crowd with his backpack slung over one shoulder and one hand in his pocket, just as he had done for hundreds of after-school afternoons over the past two years. Behind him, someone followed at a leisurely yet persistent pace. The lingering sunlight cast a golden glow on their hair, as if dusting them with gold powder.

Without either of them, the scene would feel incomplete.

On the second-floor corridor of the high school building stood two figures. One of them bore little resemblance to Lu Zhi in temperament, yet they shared half the same blood.

Lu Wan leaned lazily against the corridor railing, gazing down. During the last two minutes of class, his eyes were fixed on the two figures one in front, one behind, who had not yet left the campus and were heading toward the gate. His face showed no particular expression.

“Hey, Lu Wan, isn’t that your brother, God Lu?” the person beside him asked.

“Yeah. I see him,” Lu Wan replied nonchalantly, as if he hadn’t been staring at anyone.

“I notice God Lu goes home every day. How come you’re boarding at school?”

Just when you dislike a topic, it has to parade itself out, Lu Wan thought. He chuckled and said, “He’s not weaned yet. I prefer independence, okay?”

There was a momentary silence beside him, and as the surroundings quieted, Lu Wan realized his attitude had been poor. There was no guarantee those words wouldn’t reach Lu Zhi’s ears, then he’d be done for.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Wan softened his tone and corrected himself, “We’re almost adults. My dad wants him to take over the family business eventually, so he’s busy at school and busy at home. I don’t want to be dragged into that mess, so I avoid going home whenever I can.”

The person beside him uttered an understanding “I see,” then also leaned on the railing to look down. Noticing Chi Jinxian almost walking side by side with Lu Zhi, he casually asked, “That’s Chi Jinxian, the pursuit fanatic, right?”

“He does seem quite good-looking.”

Lu Wan shot him a glance. “Haven’t you seen him before?”

“He’s a year above us. I’ve only heard about him, never went out of my way to see him.” After a pause, he chuckled and added, “But I did go out of my way to see God Lu once, back when Senior Chi wasn’t around.”

“Why go see Lu Zhi?” Lu Wan said. “Do you like him?”

Cheng Fei coughed but didn’t respond.

Lu Wan let out a silent, cold laugh. He truly couldn’t understand what someone like Lu Zhi, aside from his face, had to attract others.

Not gentle, not considerate, not attentive yet Omegas and Betas alike were drawn to him. Even some Alphas were tempted to test their luck.

“If you like him, why not go after him? Look at Chi Jinxian rejected for two years, yet he still follows Lu Zhi around. He even got hold of Lu Zhi’s meal card. If you persist like that, maybe you’ll get the same treatment.”

Cheng Fei froze for a moment before belatedly replying, “Really?”

Lu Wan fell silent, unwilling to speak further.

Cheng Fei smiled and said, “But honestly, I’m really curious about how God Lu feels about Senior Chi. Do you think he actually likes him or not?”

If he did like him, why were they so clearly distant? They weren’t together, and outsiders saw no signs of them ever being a couple. If he didn’t like him, then why let someone he didn’t care about follow him for two years? What was the reasoning? Did he just want a personal lackey?

Lu Wan said, “He doesn’t like him.”

“But doesn’t God Lu have the love letter and rose from Senior Chi in his backpack’s side pocket? I heard he never accepts anything from Chi Jinxian.”

The class bell rang, and the two began heading back to their classroom. As they turned, Lu Wan caught another glimpse of Lu Zhi, who had just reached the school gate. Though a bit far, the rose stem in his backpack side pocket was long enough for the bloom to be clearly visible.

Lu Wan didn’t often run into Lu Zhi, and since he boarded at school in the evenings, their paths crossed even less.

He’d never seen Lu Zhi carrying Chi Jinxian’s things in his backpack before. It seemed more likely that Chi Jinxian had slipped them in when no one was paying attention. Besides, during the times Lu Wan was home, he never saw any milk or love letters around.

Lu Wan said, “Obviously, Chi Jinxian put it there when no one was looking. Once Lu Zhi notices, he’ll definitely throw it away.”

As he spoke, a vague memory surfaced in his mind, something about his stepfather mentioning that Lu Zhi owned several villas, inherited from his late mother. One of them had a garden filled with fiery red roses, not a vast field, but over a thousand plants. Lu Zhi forbade anyone from entering.

A flicker of doubt crossed Lu Wan’s mind, but he couldn’t pinpoint its source. Unfamiliar with the details, the thought vanished as quickly as it came, lost to the start of class.

The school grounds emptied as students headed home, the noise shifting to the school gate as tranquility returned to the campus.

“Lu-ge, if you’re mad at me, that’s fine, but please don’t be upset.” Chi Jinxian had spent the entire walk across campus thinking, concluding that if Lu Zhi was unhappy, it must be because of his impulsive kiss. After turning it over in his mind, he decided to try and cheer up his Lu-ge.

Ahead, Lu Zhi seemed to snap out of his thoughts. Hearing this, he glanced back, frowning in confusion.

The impatience and the look as if staring at an idiot were so vivid, yet Chi Jinxian perked up instantly, coming back to life.

“As long as Brother Lu is fine,” he said with a smile. “Today, I also like”

“Cash” A shout came from not far away. Chi Jinxian paused mid-sentence and turned to look toward the roadside. Qi Suiyi was waving at him, calling out, “Why are you only coming out now? Let’s go home together.”

Qi Suiyi was particularly prone to oversleeping in the morning, so Chi Jinxian often had to call him to wake him up. Most of the time, Qi Suiyi would wait on the agreed-upon street so they could walk to school together. In theory, they should also go home together after school, but since Chi Jinxian was too engrossed in pursuing Lu Zhi, and Qi Suiyi couldn’t stand Lu Zhi, Chi Jinxian was afraid that Qi Suiyi would be furious seeing him chase after Lu Zhi after school to confess his feelings. So, they had a rule: they wouldn’t walk home together after school.

Chi Jinxian was momentarily confused but immediately walked toward him. “Xiao Sui? What’s up?”

Qi Suiyi reached out to pull him, drawing him close. “Nothing much, just wanted to walk home with you.”

As he said this, he looked provocatively at Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi shot him a cold glare.

Chi Jinxian hit him, frowning. “What’s really going on? We don’t usually walk home together after school. Why did you wait for me today?”

Lu Zhi lowered his gaze, his eyes seemingly fixed on a point in mid-air.

Mentioning this only made Qi Suiyi grit his teeth even harder. As if afraid others might hear, he pulled Chi Jinxian’s arm closer and whispered through clenched teeth, “Did you kiss Lu Zhi?”

Chi Jinxian widened his eyes in disbelief and was about to deny it with a wave of his hand when Qi Suiyi added, “You’re trending on the forum again, you know? They’re saying you pinned that bastard Lu Zhi against the wall and gave him a fiery French kiss.”

Chi Jinxian: “!!!”

The idea of pinning Lu Zhi against the wall was clearly impossible, if anyone were to do the pinning, it would be Lu Zhi pinning him, but that was even more unlikely!

Chi Jinxian’s face flushed bright red, and he exclaimed in near panic, “How would I dare?!”

He couldn’t control his volume, and his voice boomed loudly. Lu Zhi glanced up, his expression devoid of any emotion.

Qi Suiyi gritted his teeth even tighter. “You caused trouble just ten minutes after school ended. I was almost home and had to turn back. You’re going to be the death of me, you useless Chi Jinxian!”

“I went viral again in just ten minutes?” Chi Jinxian was incredulous, but this was a common occurrence, and honestly, he was used to it. He thought for a moment and said, “It’s only been ten minutes since school ended. How did you already make it home, which takes twenty minutes to walk? Don’t lie to me.”

Qi Suiyi: “…”

Though it wasn’t quite that exaggerated, he had indeed been dawdling on his way home. It was only after seeing the forum post a classmate sent him that he immediately turned back!

Qi Suiyi said expressionlessly, “Well, let’s go home together now. I need to lecture you.”

Chi Jinxian: “…”

“Oh, alright.” Chi Jinxian grabbed a small strap at the bottom of his backpack, intending to say something more to Lu Zhi first.

But as soon as he turned around and had just called out “Brother Lu,” he saw Lu Zhi still standing two meters away, his gaze icy as he stared at Qi Suiyi, as if looking at a rival in love.

His brow furrowed, and in an instant, his eyes shifted to the spot on Chi Jinxian’s arm where Qi Suiyi had touched and pulled him, as if that area had already been unmistakably tainted with Qi Suiyi’s scent.

Those with pheromones could indeed leave their scent on others.

Jiang Jin wasn’t here, otherwise he would have felt his heart skip a beat again, thinking Lu Zhi looked like he wanted to hit someone at this moment.

“Lu-ge?” Chi Jinxian took two steps toward him but didn’t approach directly. He intended to say “See you tomorrow, Lu-ge” as usual so they could meet again the next day, but Lu Zhi seemed lost in thought.

Hearing the voice, Lu Zhi’s focus finally returned to Chi Jinxian’s face. He appeared uncertain about what he wanted to do, or what he should do. After a long pause,

He chose what he most wanted to do at this moment.

He said: “Come here.”