What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 37.2

The math teacher always loved watching these two students explain problems to each other, because when they took their studies seriously, it was as if they were treating each other with the utmost care and respect. The teacher appreciated such an attitude.

So today, the math teacher, with hands clasped behind his back, went over to their seats again. After listening for a while, he praised as usual, “Lu Zhi explains it very well. If any other classmates in the class still don’t understand this problem later, go up to the podium and explain it to everyone again, in more detail.”

Lu Zhi agreed, “Alright.”

The math teacher added, “Jinxian catches on quickly, so there’s no need to worry too much. I think he’d probably understand even without further explanation.”

Hearing this, Chi Jinxian wasn’t pleased. Why did the teacher explain things in more detail for everyone else, but assumed he didn’t need it?

He looked up and protested softly, “Teacher, I have to disagree with you. I’m not smart at all, I’m actually quite slow. I need to listen carefully to what the class monitor says to understand.”

The math teacher chuckled and clicked his tongue. “I think you’re plenty smart. You know how to strive to match someone you like and have become an outstanding person yourself. No arguments, I’m praising you. Focus on your problems and stop talking.”

As he spoke, he brought his hands out from behind his back and pointed at the textbook, urging Chi Jinxian to concentrate.

The other students stifled quiet laughter.

Chi Jinxian had no choice but to swallow his words. Once the math teacher had walked away with his hands behind his back again, he complained to Lu Zhi, “Brother, don’t listen to the teacher. Please finish explaining it to me. I’m dumb, I don’t get it, I don’t understand, and I’m really slow.”

As if saying “I don’t get it” once wasn’t convincing enough, he piled on several more self-deprecating remarks.

Lu Zhi was left speechless for a long moment.

Jiang Baixiao, who had suffered greatly from this, let out an irritated hiss, looking as if he wanted to press Chi Jinxian’s face into the desk to snap him out of it. But with class in session and God Lu sitting behind them, he didn’t dare.

When the classroom had settled back into the quiet concentration of problem-solving, Lu Zhi finished his explanation.

Chi Jinxian picked up his book and pen, saying, “Thanks, brother,” and started to turn back around. But then Lu Zhi spoke softly, “Chi Jinxian.”

“Huh?” Chi Jinxian, halfway turned, paused and looked back. “What’s up?”

Lu Zhi lifted his gaze, his expression extremely serious. “I don’t want you to get to know that new transfer student. If possible, don’t even talk to him.”

“But.” Chi Jinxian thought back to the scene during break and frowned. “That would be really rude.”

“He approached you with ill intentions. What’s there to be polite about?” Lu Zhi’s brow furrowed slightly, his tone firm.

Reminded of this, the discomfort he’d felt when locking eyes with Ren Yiran after Jiang Baixiao woke him came rushing back, overwhelming him once more.

Chi Jinxian was puzzled. “Why would he seek me out? Does he want to be friends?”

Lu Zhi might not have fully understood either. After all, the guy had just arrived, and his attitude had seemed polite enough. Labeling him as ill-intentioned so quickly was already quite subjective.

So he didn’t respond.

After a long pause, Lu Zhi only said, “I’m with you now. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

The words “with you” sent Chi Jinxian’s head spinning. His eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, unable to even form the simplest syllable to express his flustered, heart-pounding feelings.

In the end, he only stammered out his stance: “Brother, I’ll listen to whatever you say! If you don’t want me to talk to him, then I won’t.”

Lu Zhi seemed reassured. He lowered his gaze and replied, “Mm.”

“Brother, if we’re together now.” Chi Jinxian turned back fully, his eyes filled with hope. “We’ll be together in the future too, right?”

Lu Zhi didn’t answer. He just reached out and pinched the back of Chi Jinxian’s neck, making him immediately shrink his shoulders and straighten up to focus on his studies.

In the few days since Ren Yiran transferred schools, he had garnered attention from various classes and students, quickly blending in with his own classmates and earning a good reputation.

Except for Chi Jinxian, who would take a detour whenever he saw him, as if there was some past grudge between them truly, he was very obedient to Lu Zhi’s words.

For two consecutive days, Ren Yiran hadn’t crossed paths with Chi Jinxian, nor did he think of actively seeking him out in another class like he did on the first day.

It wasn’t just about unfriendliness; if he encountered another awkward situation like that afternoon where no one acknowledged him, it would be truly embarrassing.

As for Lu Zhi, he was even more indifferent. He didn’t deliberately avoid Ren Yiran; he remained exactly as he was before Ren Yiran arrived.

But if the other party tried to speak to him or had already greeted him, Lu Zhi would walk straight ahead without even a glance, treating him as if he were air.

Ren Yiran didn’t get angry either, always maintaining a proper smile on his face.

The only thing that struck Chi Jinxian as odd was his observation that Ren Yiran and Nan Mengbai had a very good relationship.

This closeness didn’t seem like a recent development since Ren Yiran’s transfer; the two of them appeared to have known each other for quite some time, with a dynamic and atmosphere in their interactions that was distinctly different from others.

During these days, Qi Suiyi, who was staying at the Chi residence, brought this up with Chi Jinxian.

On their way home together, he frowned and asked, “I feel like Mengbai and Ren Yiran have known each other for a long time. I haven’t asked yet but speaking of this, I have something to ask you.”

“I heard Ren Yiran is Lu Zhi’s childhood friend? And that he likes him?”

Chi Jinxian replied, “Didn’t he transfer to your class? Haven’t you found out about these things yet? Why ask me?”

“What does transferring to my class have to do with it? Should I go ask him myself? Just looking at him makes me uncomfortable, like that idiot younger brother of Lu Zhi’s. One glance is enough to annoy me,” Qi Suiyi adopted a senior’s tone, sounding concerned. “Of course, I’d find out what I need to know, but I want to know what Lu Zhi’s attitude is. Ren Yiran has been with him for over ten years, while you’ve only been around for how long? And he doesn’t even like you… Okay, okay, I misspoke, don’t look at me like that. He’ll like you in the future. If you ever end up facing off against Ren Yiran, I know that guy came looking for you on his first day. If that day ever comes, Lu Zhi won’t side with him, will he?”

Hearing this, Chi Jinxian puffed up with pride, unconsciously straightening his chest, and said, “Brother Lu said he stands with me.”

Qi Suiyi: “He said that himself?”

Chi Jinxian: “Yep.”

“Tsk, not easy for that reserved, tight-lipped gourd to say something like that,” Qi Suiyi commented indifferently, feeling somewhat reassured. “I never liked him to begin with. If you got hurt because of someone else, I’d definitely beat him up!”

“Ah, it won’t come to that,” Chi Jinxian reassured him. “I’m not some kind of saint myself. If someone really bullies me, how could I not fight back? I can be fierce.”

As he spoke, he bared his teeth, then felt it was too silly and burst into carefree laughter.

Qi Suiyi made a disgusted “Ew” sound, looking away as if he couldn’t bear to watch. “Some people even say Ren Yiran and Lu Zhi dated. Is that true or false?”

At the mention of this, Chi Jinxian immediately straightened up and said seriously, “False! Brother Lu told me himself he’s never been in a relationship before! Don’t believe the rumors.”

“He even told you that?” Qi Suiyi widened his eyes, looking somewhat incredulous.

But Chi Jinxian nodded with absolute certainty, saying, “Yeah.”

“…” Qi Suiyi’s lips twitched indecisively for a long moment before he finally twisted his face and commented, “He’s insane.”

And he still claims not to like his little nephew?

Of course, before he could voice that follow-up question, his little nephew overheard him insulting Lu Zhi and gave him a beating.

Because Chi Jinxian repeatedly praised his “Brother Lu,” Ren Yiran, who had grown up with Lu Zhi, found that Qi Suiyi had actually started to view Lu Zhi more favorably lately, despite having just transferred schools.

As long as the family’s beloved wasn’t upset, he could do as he pleased.

Originally planned to stay at the Chi family for a week, Qi Suiyi ended up begging Chi Sui for so long to extend his stay that Yuan Si Bai couldn’t stand it anymore. He called Chi Yuan Shen, claiming that An An missed his uncle terribly and didn’t want him to leave.

Thus, Qi Suiyi got to stay another week at the Chi residence.

But Chi Yuan Shen had issued a clear warning: if Qi Suiyi didn’t return on time next week, he would show up with a stick and make him face the consequences.

To maximize his gaming time, Qi Suiyi continued to dash off right after school without waiting for Chi Jinxian mainly to avoid questions from others who often noticed they were heading the same way.

A few days prior, Lu Zhi had even questioned why a certain Chi was waking a certain Qi up. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Chi Jinxian stopped walking home with him.

So when school ended on Friday, Qi Suiyi vanished without a trace, unaware that the new transfer student had gone to Class 10 of Grade 12.

“Brother. The letter, and the flower!” Chi Jinxian quickly rummaged through his backpack as soon as they stepped out of the school gate, pulling out the items and handing them to the person beside him.

Lu Zhi, holding his backpack strap with one hand and opening the car door with the other, had no free hand to take them immediately. The scene resembled those past moments when Lu Zhi would ignore whatever Chi Jinxian offered.

“Such a garish rose you probably won’t accept it, right?” a voice suddenly remarked. The tone was calm and sincere, as if stating the most ordinary fact.

Just then, Lu Zhi and Chi Jinxian had stepped out of the classroom one after the other.

In response to Ren Yiran, Lu Zhi released the door handle, raised his wrist, and without hesitation took the blazing red rose from Chi Jinxian’s hand, followed by the love letter.

Not stopping there, after carefully placing the items in his backpack, Lu Zhi waited a moment. Seeing no further movement, he asked coldly with a stern gaze, “Where’s the milk?”

Chi Jinxian was still glaring unhappily at Ren Yiran, thinking to himself that Brother Lu was right to tell him not to talk to him he was so unlikable.

And now he couldn’t even bother pretending to be friendly.

Hearing the question, Chi Jinxian snapped his attention back, tilting his head slightly with an innocent look. “Huh? I gave it to you this morning.”

Lu Zhi’s expression remained blank.

Chi Jinxian shrank under his gaze, immediately lowering his head to search his backpack.

When he saw a carton of milk lying quietly inside, his mind went blank for a second.

“I…” Chi Jinxian trembled as he pulled out the milk and handed it over, his voice barely a whisper, not daring to look up. “I forgot.”

Lu Zhi didn’t take it, his tone turning icy. “Why did you forget?”

And it wasn’t the first time.

Previously, Chi Jinxian would always give the milk in the morning and the other two items after school in the afternoon.

But lately, perhaps because Lu Zhi had been treating him too well, he’d become less diligent about the gifts and kept forgetting.

“Back when I was afraid you’d get angry, I didn’t give you anything,” Chi Jinxian thought for a moment and explained. “So now I often put everything together to give in the afternoon, but then I think, I already gave the milk in the morning.”

His voice trailed off, nearly inaudible by the end.

After speaking, as if recalling some unpleasant memory, Lu Zhi almost viciously snatched the milk. The force was so strong that it pulled Chi Jinxian half a step toward him, making it seem like he was about to get angry.

After taking the item, he turned and walked away. Chi Jinxian hurriedly followed, saying, “Brother, why are you unhappy again? Don’t be like this. I won’t do it next time. Wait.”

Chi Jinxian’s footsteps halted, and his words abruptly stopped as he looked up at the person blocking his path.

It seemed to be the first time Ren Yiran had truly witnessed the dynamic between the two. His expression was unprecedentedly grim and dark, as if provoked by some scene, his eyes filled with stubborn coldness.

“Chi Jinxian,” he said, “ever since I wanted to get to know you, you’ve been avoiding me. Even when I approached you, you wouldn’t say a word. Is this how your parents taught you to behave?”

Ahead, Lu Zhi stopped walking.

Chi Jinxian frowned, the uniquely obedient expression he wore when chasing after Lu Zhi now gone from his face.

He spoke slowly but with a sharp, thorny tone, “My parents never told me that I have to talk to someone who approaches me with ill intentions.”

Ren Yiran pressed his lips together and silently watched him.

“You say you want to get to know me, so I must get to know you?” Chi Jinxian sidestepped to move past him, coldly remarking, “How rude. What’s the use of just being good at studying?”

Ren Yiran: “…”

“Who taught you to curse?” Lu Zhi asked sincerely once Chi Jinxian reached his side.

Hearing this, Chi Jinxian felt a pang of guilt and retorted softly, “I didn’t curse.”

“Mm,” Lu Zhi acknowledged, then lifted his gaze to stare directly past Chi Jinxian at Ren Yiran ahead.

Ren Yiran suddenly let out a light laugh, as if resigned, and said, “Lu Zhi, you let someone like this stay by your side?”

“Brother, don’t listen to his nonsense,” Chi Jinxian tugged at Lu Zhi’s sleeve before he could react, blatantly whispering in his ear with a serious expression, “I’m perfectly fine.”

Ignoring him, Ren Yiran maintained a deep, intense eye contact with Lu Zhi and questioned, “Didn’t you say you would never be with a Beta in this lifetime?”

Chi Jinxian’s grip on Lu Zhi’s sleeve loosened slightly, and he blinked twice.

“Isn’t it because I’m a Beta that you hate me even more?” Ren Yiran took a step closer. The hallway was now empty, and his tone was so cold it even echoed faintly in the spacious school.

The three stood in a tense silence for a long moment. Suddenly, Ren Yiran’s attitude softened, the corners of his eyes tinged with red as if he were deeply wronged.

“Didn’t you hate me for being a Beta?” he said softly, “I’m an Omega now.”

Anyone who saw this pitiful demeanor would feel sympathy. Chi Jinxian subconsciously held his breath, wondering if he had been too harsh earlier.

But he had no time to dwell on it, as the other’s words had struck a chord in his heart.

It wasn’t until Lu Zhi spoke indifferently, “You’re an Omega now?” that Chi Jinxian looked up at him, slightly panicked, and almost blurted out, “Brother, no one said relationships have to be between Alphas and Omegas. I can do it too.”

He could like him more than an Omega, cling to him more, and satisfy all his intense, unreasonable possessiveness and territorial instincts.

“Mm-hm!” After transferring schools for a week, the other person had finally spoken to him. Ren Yiran’s tone grew more excited as he quickly said, “My secondary differentiation was Omega Lu Zhi, I really don’t want things between us to end up like this. You know.”

“Sorry,” Lu Zhi cut him off coldly, enunciating each word clearly, “I only like Betas.”