What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 33

Jiang Jin didn’t doubt Lu Zhi’s words in the slightest he was utterly serious.

During the short break after lunch, there weren’t many people around. Most classmates wanted to catch a few more minutes of sleep during these ten minutes. The corridor was quiet, with hardly any conversation to be heard. Lu Zhi’s words entered Jiang Jin’s ears with perfect clarity, every syllable distinct.

Jiang Jin fell silent for a moment before responding, “Mm.”

Having said that, as if completely unwilling to continue discussing that person, Lu Zhi’s hand was already on the door handle, turning to go back to the classroom when Jiang Jin called out, “Lu Zhi.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhi stopped and glanced sideways slightly, quietly waiting for him to continue.

Jiang Jin then spoke bluntly, face to face, voicing his doubt: “Actually, you like Cash, don’t you?”

Unlike through a phone screen where you could send emojis and fabricate tones at will, where the other person couldn’t see you and anything went saying it in person made emotions and perceptions impossible to hide. Jiang Jin thought that once the words were out, he’d see something different on Lu Zhi’s face evasion, panic, surprise, or any other reaction. But perhaps because he’d already asked through text and given him a warning, Lu Zhi showed no extra reaction upon hearing this, as if Jiang Jin had said something insignificant or even pointless.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Jiang Jin was somewhat irritated by his indifferent attitude and unnerved by his calm gaze. “If you don’t like him, why did you ask me to warn Ren Yiran?”

Lu Zhi said coldly, “Shouldn’t I have?”

Jiang Jin straightened his expression. “You should.” But that was one thing, he said. “Yet you definitely feel.”

“Hey, Brother Jiang, you came to find Brother Lu?” Chi Jinxian shook water droplets off his hands, strolling leisurely toward the classroom door. Spotting two very familiar figures, he greeted them out of habit.

Jiang Jin cut off his words and turned to look, smiling. “No, I’m here for you.”

The back door, having been opened just a crack, was closed again. Lu Zhi released the door handle, turned back, and quietly watched Jiang Jin, then shifted his gaze to Chi Jinxian, as if supervising his boyfriend to prevent him from talking too much with outsiders.

This posture made Jiang Jin raise an eyebrow with a smile.

Chi Jinxian shook his hands again, puzzled. “For me? What’s up?”

“Dare say one more reckless word, and I’ll throw you off this building.” Following right after Chi Jinxian’s words, Lu Zhi’s indifferent tone cut in.

Chi Jinxian was startled, thinking Lu Zhi meant him, and wondered, Did I upset my brother again? With that thought, he looked at Lu Zhi with some shock, only to find the other staring expressionlessly at Jiang Jin.

Jiang Jin: “…”

His slightly parted mouth, more afraid of death than its owner, immediately closed. Jiang Jin forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing, just wanted to ask you to add me back.”

Chi Jinxian looked confused.

Jiang Jin reminded him, “You deleted me.”

Chi Jinxian: “…”

Everything that had happened at noon came rushing back to his mind, word for word. Chi Jinxian felt both regret for not having read all of Jiang Jin’s messages and deep shame over deleting him, even though he hadn’t done it. But Chi Jinxian liked Lu Zhi too much; he wouldn’t give him away.

Resolutely taking the blame, Chi Jinxian lowered his head, too embarrassed to look at Jiang Jin. “Sorry, Brother Jiang… I was typing a reply, and my hand slipped… It was an accident.”

This time, Jiang Jin’s eyebrows truly shot up high, and he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. In life, encountering someone as passionate as fire yet obedient and sensible as a pursuer only someone blind and heartless could fail to like them.

To be honest, he was almost moved himself.

But with Lu Zhi standing in the way, he didn’t dare act recklessly.

Jiang Jin said, “Cash, have some principles. Don’t cover for him.”

Chi Jinxian didn’t understand: “Huh?”

Just as he spoke, the collar at the back of his uniform suddenly tightened. A few knuckles accidentally brushed against his skin but quickly withdrew. Startled, Chi Jinxian instinctively turned to look. Before he could speak, Lu Zhi grabbed him by the back of his collar and dragged him back to the classroom. Before entering, Lu Zhi said in a cold tone, “He knows I deleted it. No need to cover up.” Then he clicked his tongue, as if exasperated by Chi Jinxian’s foolishness, and muttered something entirely out of character under his breath.

The voice was so low that even Chi Jinxian only faintly heard his Lu-ge speaking, but couldn’t make out the words. It sounded like “little fool.”

But considering Lu Zhi’s years of maintaining the image of an aloof, untouchable ice-cold beauty, Chi Jinxian was sure he must have misheard.

Only Lu Zhi’s breath truly and unmistakably brushed against the nape of his neck.

Chi Jinxian shrank his neck slightly and cautiously reached out to tug at his collar, trying to free it from that distinctly bony hand.

The next moment, as the back door closed, the collar loosened. Lu Zhi released him, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

There were two minutes left before class. Deskmates patted each other awake amid murmurs and yawns, filling the classroom with noise.

Jiang Baixiao patted his cheeks to clear his groggy head. Seeing Chi Jinxian return, he casually asked, “Cash, when did you go out?”

Chi Jinxian adjusted his uniform collar and breathed a small sigh of relief, stepping past Jiang Baixiao to his seat. “A few minutes before class ended.”

“That early?”

“I went to the restroom.”

“How come I didn’t know?”

“You were sleeping soundly.”

They went back and forth, chatting briefly until the topic of the break was exhausted.

Out of the corner of his eye, Chi Jinxian noticed Jiang Jin still hadn’t left. He remained in the same spot, casually watching Lu Zhi and him through the back window, his expression scrutinizing and tinged with meaningful amusement.

Chi Jinxian turned his head, reached out to open the screen window with a slight noise, signaling Jiang Jin to look over.

The latter indeed shifted his gaze from both of them to focus solely on him, teasing, “No principles.”

Following “no backbone,” Chi Jinxian proudly earned the title “no principles.”

Anyone else would have retorted, but Chi Jinxian took such words as praise, his eyes curving with pride as he declared, “Lu-ge is my only principle.”

Jiang Jin: “…”

Jiang Jin instinctively glanced at the other party involved. Lu Zhi condescended to meet his gaze, his eyebrow twitching slightly.

Jiang Jin: “…”

Damn, it’s like showing off! Is he insane?

“Tch.” Jiang Jin looked away in annoyance and stomped back to his classroom.

Under the same roof, they were bound to cross paths sooner or later. Since they were all still at the First Interstellar Alliance High School, they couldn’t afford to burn bridges completely.

After returning, Lu Zhi mercifully removed Jiang Jin from his blacklist, and Chi Jinxian re-added him as well.

After receiving a stern warning, Jiang Jin certainly wouldn’t dare to say anything reckless again.

That afternoon after school, just like every other day, Chi Jinxian stuck closely to Lu Zhi as they walked out of the school gate together.

Students in the school cast surprised and doubtful glances their way. After all, no matter how vividly the forum described their reconciliation, seeing it with their own eyes was entirely different.

Many took photos though people had done so before as well.

Where there are people, there are supporters and opponents. Most wanted to see Chi Jinxian fail in his pursuit for entertainment, while a small minority secretly shipped the two as a couple.

They even thoughtfully gave Lu Zhi and Chi Jinxian’s pairing a name Road Idiots.

Though not widespread, the Road Idiots pairing always had a place on the forum.

But after this “reconciliation incident,” the CP posts on the forum skyrocketed in popularity, leaving others in the dust.

Just as Lu Zhi had told Jiang Jin that afternoon, Chi Jinxian was quite famous and not just among students at their school.

Students from other schools knew of him too.

Nan Mengbai had just stepped out of the teaching building when he received a message.

He pulled out his phone and saw several dazzling photos.

In the pictures were two boys in blue-and-white school uniforms, sometimes walking one behind the other, sometimes side by side.

Without exception, the slightly shorter boy was always tilting his head to smile at the boy beside him, his lips often slightly parted, clearly chattering excitedly at the time.

Just looking at the photos, one could imagine how enthusiastic that boy was.

When Nan Mengbai saw Chi Jinxian, his gaze paused briefly.

Bai Ri: 【What’s up, Yi Ran?】

Yi Ran Jue Ran: 【Is this the result of their fallout?】

Even though this question had been asked not long ago, he was posing it again in the same manner.

As if asking multiple times would yield a different answer.

Seeing the word “fallout,” Nan Mengbai recalled how dejected Chi Jinxian had been over the matter earlier and couldn’t help sighing. He replied with the same words Chi Jinxian had once told him.

【There was no fallout.】

The other side didn’t seem to care much about his response and immediately sent over several forum posts, all with titles prominently featuring the words 【Road Idiots】.

Clearly not the kind of posts a single person should be reading.

Yi Ran Jue Ran: 【The Road Idiots CP is really popular, huh】

Bai Ri: 【Pretty much. After all, Lu Zhi was the one who took the initiative to reconcile.】

Yi Ran Jue Ran: 【Chi is a Beta!】

Bai Ri: 【Lu Zhi has known for a long time.】

After a few rounds of chatting, they reached the school gate.

The other person stopped replying. Nan Mengbai put away his phone and focused on walking, but his steps faltered slightly when he spotted two figures ahead.

As soon as school ended, Chi Jinxian had been following Lu Zhi step by step.

Throughout the ten-plus minutes from the teaching building to the school gate, he had been the one chattering nonstop, while Lu Zhi occasionally responded with a quiet “Mm.”

Once outside the school gate, there wouldn’t be much time left to cling to him. Lu Zhi had just said “See you tomorrow” and hadn’t even taken a step with his long legs when a light yet surprisingly firm tug stopped him in his tracks.

Lu Zhi turned around, lowered his gaze, and looked questioningly at Chi Jinxian, who had unexpectedly grabbed the hem of his school uniform.

This was the first time Chi Jinxian had ever been so “bold” in public daring to grab hold of Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi asked, “What’s wrong?”

“…” Chi Jinxian tightened his grip on the school uniform, falling silent as he struggled to find the right words. After a long pause, he finally managed, “Meal card.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhi retracted the half-step he had taken, standing still as he looked down at him with composed detachment.

His tone was flat as he said, “Why should I?” Then, his voice turning cold, he added, “Are you trying to coax me?”

Chi Jinxian felt utterly aggrieved. For the first time, he silently retorted to Lu Zhi: You were the one who said those awful things about Betas. You scared me, and I haven’t even thrown a tantrum about it Well, actually, I did, I ignored you for two weeks.

Before the thought fully formed, he suppressed it again, his frustration giving way to guilt. Chi Jinxian looked up and flashed a smile, saying, “I’ll coax you, I’ll coax you.”

“Bro, you’re so handsome. You wouldn’t stoop to my level, right?”

“I like you so much. Even if I’m unhappy, I don’t want you to be unhappy. Mwah, okay?”

He even added in a slightly exaggerated tone, “Bro.”

But he didn’t realize that, to others, his tone and voice sounded like coquettish pleading the kind born from being spoiled.

Lu Zhi pressed his lips together, his gaze darkening.

The next moment, he seized Chi Jinxian’s wrist, his eyes fixed intently on the boy before him, barely blinking.

Chi Jinxian’s hand, halfway into Lu Zhi’s pocket, was caught red-handed. His fingers twitched nervously, brushing against the edge of the meal card inside.

Even caught in the act, he showed no embarrassment. Instead, his obedient smile widened, his large, dark eyes curving like bright crescent moons.

Lu Zhi asked, “Who taught you that?” If one listened closely, there was a trace of barely detectable surprise in his tone.

Chi Jinxian answered without hesitation, “You did.”

Now, Lu Zhi’s confusion became more apparent. “Huh?”

“Bro, you said at noon that even though we’re not adults yet, we still have to take responsibility for everything we do,” Chi Jinxian reminded him. “And you were the one who took out the card and said you’d give it to me, right?”

Lu Zhi: “…”

“And your words, too,” Chi Jinxian continued, reasoning logically. “You were the one who said ‘exchange,’ right? I gave you my phone, so I know you’ll definitely give me the card.”

Lu Zhi: “…”

He wasn’t wrong. Lu Zhi seemed momentarily stunned, unable to find a rebuttal. He stood there in silence, as if he hadn’t expected his own words to come back and haunt him.

If he wanted to gather his thoughts, he shouldn’t have kept staring at the enthusiastic boy in front of him it was too distracting.

Lu Zhi still held Chi Jinxian’s wrist, preventing him from moving, and finally tore his gaze away.

It was then that Nan Mengbai’s figure entered his peripheral vision.

He stood not far away, seemingly not having just exited the school. He must have been observing them for a while.

The distance was too great to make out his expression.

Lu Zhi’s face turned cold, his eyes darkening as he subconsciously pressed his lips together.

He looked down and said, “Go deliver your things first.”

Hearing this, Chi Jinxian let out a soft “Ah,” immediately understanding. He lowered his head to rummage through his backpack and pulled his wrist free from Lu Zhi’s grasp.

“Love letter!” Chi Jinxian first slipped the envelope into the other’s backpack side pocket as usual, only this time it was done openly. Then he took out the rose and personally handed it to Lu Zhi, saying, “Bro, a rose. It’s the absolute prettiest one blooming in my dad’s garden today.”

Lu Zhi reached out to take it, his gaze briefly sweeping past Nan Mengbai who was still standing there.

Simultaneously, his other hand moved lightly, reaching into his pocket to pull out a card, which he gently tapped against Chi Jinxian’s chest.

The latter instinctively raised his hand to cover it, his palm pressing against the back of Lu Zhi’s hand which hadn’t yet withdrawn.

Chi Jinxian’s eyes lit up.

“Taking responsibility,” Lu Zhi said, his expression unchanged. “No more tantrums from now on.”

“Otherwise, no card.”

“Mmhmm!” Chi Jinxian agreed cheerfully, eagerly proving his sincerity. “No tantrums, I’m super well-behaved!”

“Move your hand.” After a moment, Lu Zhi reminded him with restrained patience.

“Huh?” Chi Jinxian looked up at him in confusion, then followed his gaze down to his own chest he was still shamelessly holding onto the back of Lu Zhi’s hand! Chi Jinxian immediately released it, grinning sheepishly as he murmured, “Bro, your hand is really nice to hold.”

Lu Zhi indifferently withdrew his hand, grabbed his backpack strap with one hand, and walked toward a car parked by the roadside.

“See you tomorrow, bro!” Chi Jinxian called out brightly behind him.

Lu Zhi didn’t turn back. “Mm.”

Watching Lu Zhi get into the car, Chi Jinxian clutched the card, smiled, and turned to head home.

The afternoon breeze lifted the hem of his school uniform, leaving a blue-and-white afterimage that complemented the blue-and-white sky, forming an exceptionally beautiful scene.

“He’s talking to you again?” After Lu Zhi got in the car, he kept his head turned to look out the window. Fang Shou noticed this and asked with a light laugh as he started the car engine.

“Mm,” Lu Zhi replied. After a pause, he added, “He started talking to me a few days ago.”

This tone and wording were more fitting for a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy.

Besides, Fang Shou had witnessed when it started he just suddenly felt like bringing it up again.

Hearing this, Fang Shou indeed chuckled softly, this time unable to suppress a sound. Lu Zhi then turned his gaze from the window and gave him a faint look, but Fang Shou only laughed more heartily.

“Just being tsundere, aren’t you?” he commented.

Lu Zhi lowered his eyes and didn’t respond. After a long while, he murmured very softly, “No.”

The time after the first evening self-study session was somewhat awkward, or perhaps just right.

Those not working overtime had already left work, while those who were stayed at the company. Thus, aside from more students heading home instead of staying in the dormitories, there weren’t many cars or pedestrians on the road.

The car moved smoothly along the road, neon lights from various shops and buildings along the street already lit up. Those lights cast reflections on the car windows, filtering through the glass to paint the faces of those inside with shifting patterns of light and shadow.

Lu Zhi stared unblinkingly out the window, his eyes inadvertently catching these lights, making them gleam softly and gently.

During a red light, Fang Shou rested both hands on the steering wheel and remarked casually, “You’re in a good mood.”

Lu Zhi responded, “Mm.”

A slight smile curled at the corners of Fang Shou’s lips, carrying a sense of relief akin to watching one’s own child finally grow up and no longer needing parental worry.

Just then, the light turned green, and the car slowly started moving again.

“Oh right, Xiao Zhi.” Fang Shou said, “Lu Wan is at home.”

Lu Zhi’s gaze, which had been fixed outside the window, paused briefly before he turned back into the car, frowning slightly. “Who allowed him to come back?”

“No one did.” Fang Shou gripped the steering wheel, eyes on the road ahead. “He’s in his Alpha Rut and asked for leave to come home.”

In this day and age, whether it’s an Alpha’s Rut or an Omega’s Heat Period, their pheromones would uncontrollably leak out, and during this time the pheromones would be several times more concentrated than usual.

An Omega would trigger a normal Alpha’s heat, and after entering heat they would uncontrollably follow their instincts to seek permanent marking. The same went for Alphas, only even more intense and severe.

Therefore, in such situations, schools absolutely wouldn’t allow them to stay. Whoever’s family member they were would take them home, and they could return only after passing through their Heat Period and Rut.

Lu Zhi lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Fang Shou added, “He’s in his Rut these days, and it’s not convenient for me to be around. Try to avoid conflicts with him while you’re at home.”

Lu Zhi still didn’t respond.

Fang Shou sighed softly. “Xiao Zhi, you’re too impulsive. If you hurt someone, you wouldn’t be able to escape responsibility either.”

“I understand.” Lu Zhi finally said after a long pause.

Fang Shou still wasn’t reassured. “How about staying at the young master’s manor for a few days first? I could accompany you there too.”

Lu Zhi refused. “No need.”

Fang Shou asked, “What about the roses you were going to plant?”

“I’ll go take care of them myself later.”

Fang Shou sighed lightly, knowing he couldn’t persuade him, and let it be.

During normal school days, Lu Zhi wouldn’t stay at the manor Yan Yue had left him. Since there was only him there, without any housekeepers or servants to take care of daily needs, Lu Zisheng wouldn’t allow him to go there and make things difficult for himself.

Only during breaks, when Lu Zhi didn’t want to be at home, could no one stop him.

And Fang Shou was the butler at Lu Zisheng’s “main residence.” Although he had just said he could accompany Lu Zhi to stay for a few days, if Ai Duoyan and the others found out, it would inevitably look bad.

But at the same time, he was also an Omega. Whenever there was an Alpha in Rut at home, he wouldn’t stay at the Lu residence, which was why he had specifically reminded Lu Zhi a few more times.

Lu Zisheng rarely came back, and today was no exception.

Lu Zhi entered the villa with his schoolbag slung over one shoulder. Light streamed through various windows, making the place brightly lit.

It made the gradually darkening sky outside appear illuminated as well.

When an Alpha took Suppressants early during their Rut, their condition would be much better. At the beginning, it might not even be noticeable that they were in Rut.

Like Lu Wan right now.

He sat safely on the living room sofa eating fruit. With no classes these days, he seemed to be in quite good spirits.

Ai Duoyan was in the kitchen preparing some food for him.

Hearing the call, Lu Wan put down his fruit plate and went to the kitchen to get his meal.

As he walked back to the living room, he casually remarked, “Isn’t Lu Zhi coming back these days?”

Ai Duoyan said, “I don’t know.”

“I don’t think he will,” Lu Wan said. “If Fang Shou went to pick him up, he must have told him that he wouldn’t be around these days. He probably went to stay at his little dad’s place.”

Then he added with a cold laugh, “It’d be best if he doesn’t come back. He hates me, and I hate him too.”

Ai Duoyan called his name, reminding him that there were still servants in the house.

Lu Wan pouted discontentedly and poked at his bowl, muttering under his breath, “We clearly can’t stand each other. Why am I the one who always can’t be at home?”

This sentence pierced through more than just one person’s resentment. Ai Duoyan lowered his gaze, seemingly lost in thought.

“Dad,” Lu Wan set aside his angry expression and looked up to ask, “why does Lu Zhi hate Betas?”

After asking, he put on a look of amusement and sneered, “Everyone at school knows how much he despises Betas. But do you know, Dad, Chi Jinxian is a Beta. Not only does he not show any dislike, he even lets others keep following him. Is he insane? Why is he so two-faced?”

Hearing this, Ai Duoyan showed a hint of interest and asked, “He’s hanging out with a Beta?”

Lu Wan nodded, “Yeah.”

Like father, like son, a mocking expression also appeared on Ai Duoyan’s face. “Just like Lu Zisheng, he’s fallen for a Beta. Betas don’t have pheromones, can’t be marked so there’s no trouble, and can’t smell pheromones either. The two won’t argue over that. You can even find someone else on the side, what a convenient bed partner.”

Lu Wan paused while eating, thinking of Lu Zisheng, and cautiously glanced up at Ai Duoyan.

“Why hate Betas?” Ai Duoyan’s tone turned sharp, as if talking to himself. “Probably because I killed Yan Yue.”

For a moment, the living room fell into dead silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Thus, the sound of the door being pushed open seemed especially heavy and loud, pulling everyone’s consciousness back and shattering it completely.

Lu Zhi still held the doorknob, standing straight at the entrance, his gaze icy cold as he stared toward the living room.

In that instant, his gaze seemed to solidify. Wherever it landed, scalps tingled intensely, and cold sweat uncontrollably broke out on backs.

Lu Wan instinctively swallowed and called out, “Brother.”

Before he could finish saying “You’re back,” he saw Lu Zhi release the doorknob and stride into the living room. His lips immediately turned pale, and he quickly reached out to grab Ai Duoyan, whispering urgently, “Dad, Dad, hurry back to your room and call Father.”

“Buzz, buzz, buzz”

As if his mouth had some kind of power, the vibrating sound of an incoming call abruptly broke through the tense atmosphere in the living room, slightly easing the shock.

Lu Zhi stopped walking, gave a deep, obscure glance toward the other side, and then took out his phone to check who was calling.

In that moment, Lu Wan clearly saw the ferocity in Lu Zhi’s expression dissipate slightly, though barely noticeable, it was indeed there.

Chi Jinxian had just arrived home, finally freeing himself from Qi Sui Yi’s headlock. After returning to his room, he called Lu Zhi.

The call was answered after two rings. He exclaimed excitedly, “Brother!”

“Mm,” Lu Zhi responded, then asked, “What made you think of calling all of a sudden?”

“Oh, that…” Chi Jinxian raised a hand to rub the tip of his nose, as if it weren’t a big deal, but there was indeed something. He said, “I thought I gave you the milk this morning, but when I got back, I found it was still in my backpack. I don’t want to miss giving you the love letter rose milk… Do you still want it?”

Lu Zhi said, “Yes.”

Chi Jinxian abruptly sat up on the bed and tentatively suggested, “Then can I come to your place to give it to you?”

Yuan Si Bai had known Yan Yue for many years, and Chi Sui had business dealings with Lu Zisheng, so the two families weren’t completely disconnected. Now that he and Lu Zhi were classmates, visiting each other’s homes didn’t seem like a big deal.

Truthfully, Chi Jinxian just wanted to go privately. He had been wanting to visit for a long time!

But Lu Zhi said, “No.”

“…” Ah, Chi Jinxian sighed inwardly as he lay back down on the bed. “Alright.”

After a moment of silence from both sides, Lu Zhi spoke up to explain.

Proving it wasn’t rejection, but rather for a reason.

“There’s scum in my house,” he said, his tone icy cold. “It would dirty Xiao Chi’s feet.”