What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 43

The student hosting the flag-raising ceremony still stood beside the steps. After Lu Zhi descended from the platform, he handed the microphone back to them.

The student reached out to take it, still dazed and unable to react.

The surroundings had nearly erupted into an uproar, with waves of discussion growing increasingly louder.

The situation almost spiraled out of control until the principal personally stepped up, speaking clearly and authoritatively into the microphone: “Quiet.”

Only when each class formation had reassembled and the murmurs from all directions ceased did he command in a stern voice, “Now, each class will exit in an orderly manner. No discussions.”

The homeroom teachers promptly appeared to guide their respective “little cubs,” leading them away in disciplined lines, one after another.

The senior high school building was the closest to the flag-raising area, so they were the first to withdraw.

As their homeroom teacher Gao Ming urged them to start moving, Jiang Baixiao seemed to snap out of his stupor, exclaiming incredulously, “Cash! What did the class monitor just say? Did I hear that right?!”

“He openly called for an investigation into Ren Yiran’s actions?! Did you see Ren Yiran’s expression just now? His face was deathly pale.”

Chi Jinxian’s forearm was suddenly gripped by Jiang Baixiao’s five fingers, which dug in with unexpected force, causing him to wince in pain as he tried to pry the hand away. “Your nails your nails are digging into my flesh!”

At this reminder, Jiang Baixiao quickly released his grip, not daring to move again, and simply followed the crowd obediently as they headed back to the classroom.

Chi Jinxian added, “Your nails are so short, yet they still managed to dig into my flesh. Look at how hard you were squeezing is that the kind of force sisters should use?”

“Haha, sorry, sorry! I got too excited and lost control. Let me rub it for you, let me rub it.” Jiang Baixiao laughed sheepishly, grabbing Chi Jinxian’s arm again to rub it up and down.

He was being exceptionally careful.

But when he glanced up, he noticed Lu Zhi, who was walking ahead in the class monitor’s position, turning his head slightly and staring expressionlessly at his hand.

Jiang Baixiao’s rubbing motion halted abruptly. For some reason, his body reacted faster than his brain he immediately released his grip and stuffed his hand into his pocket.

Only when that intense, icy gaze disappeared did Jiang Baixiao dare to lean closer to Chi Jinxian again. “Cash, is the class monitor standing up for you? He was so cool just now my heart is still pounding.”

As he spoke, he dramatically clutched the fabric over his chest, his face full of admiration and affection.

Chi Jinxian immediately went on high alert, forgetting all about what Lu Zhi’s actions might mean. Anxiously and earnestly, he said quickly, “No. No pounding. Calm down right now, steady! Lu Zhi is mine.”

With that, he pulled Jiang Baixiao’s hand away from his chest and patted it soothingly, asking as he did so, “Are you calm now?”

Jiang Baixiao was nearly dying of laughter, his eyes squeezed shut.

But Chi Jinxian remained utterly serious, so Jiang Baixiao had no choice but to say, “Calm, calm, I’m calm now.”

Once the students reached the teaching building, they were free to disperse. Before class started, those who wanted to return to the classroom could do so, while those who didn’t could hang around for a while.

Before Lu Zhi could even step onto the stairs, the Dean of Students called out to him.

Chi Jinxian had been sticking close to Lu Zhi since the formation disbanded and also stopped at the sound.

“You go back to class first,” Lu Zhi said.

Chi Jinxian didn’t question it. “Okay.”

On this early autumn morning, just after sunrise, thousands of mouths belonging to thousands of students ensured the incident spread rapidly without ever leaving campus.

Some had even secretly reported it to the police after all, the nature of this incident was shockingly severe.

If left unpunished, no one would feel at ease.

Ren Yiran couldn’t escape the school, couldn’t even run away, and was taken into custody.

He was already an adult, a mentally sound one at that, and he would bear full legal responsibility for every action he had taken.

Meanwhile, Chi Sui, far away at home, had been waiting until 8 a.m. to deliver a blow to Ren Guanming. Unexpectedly, before the clock struck eight, his phone and computer buzzed with breaking news alerts.

Clicking on one, he was stunned.

“Wait, who is this?” Chi Sui stood up and went to the living room to find Yuan Si Bai, pointing angrily at his phone. “Yuan Yuan, look at this, how dare someone steal my thunder?”

Hearing this, Yuan Si Bai glanced up. Chi Sui’s indignant expression, like a pouting child, met his eyes. He instinctively squeezed Chi Sui’s hand in a soothing gesture before taking the phone and opening the headline.

A moment later, he said, “You didn’t even read it properly. It’s Lu Zhi.”

“Huh? What?” A little brat had that much nerve? Chi Sui refused to believe it, gripping Yuan Si Bai’s wrist to check the phone and sure enough, it was true.

“This.” Chi Sui looked skeptical, unable to comprehend. “Isn’t this directly pitting the Lu family against the Ren family? Weren’t they practically old friends before? Won’t Lu Zisheng beat him when he gets home?”

Yuan Si Bai thought for a moment and replied, “Not necessarily.”

Chi Sui tilted his head to look at him and said, “Whatever.” Then he chuckled lightly, a strangely satisfied expression crossing his face. “But this kid’s got guts. Feels like he might even make a decent son-in-law, huh.”

For nearly three years, Lu Zhi had gone from being the unwelcome “Lu Celestial” to suddenly being considered “potentially decent son-in-law material,” completely unaware of this shift in his perceived status.

Meanwhile, the first class in the Interstellar Alliance was about to begin. Lu Zhi finally pushed open the back door and called out, “Reporting in.”

The teacher had just said “Come in” when the bell rang. She smiled and teased, “Quite the timing. Alright, class dismissed.”

As soon as Lu Zhi sat down, Chi Jinxian turned around, gripping the edge of the desk as he asked, “Bro, did the principal or anyone give you more trouble?”

“No,” Lu Zhi replied. “The report on the medication I submitted to the school on Friday proved I didn’t frame anyone.”

Mentioning Ren Yiran before class, people said he’d been taken away. Many had leaned out the windows to confirm if it was true. Half an hour later, photos surfaced on the forum undeniable proof.

It was hard to believe that just ten days ago, when Ren Yiran first transferred, he had captivated everyone’s attention. He was the school heartthrob, the top student, the epitome of “someone else’s child.” Yet in less than two weeks, he had fallen so far. Looking back, it felt surreal.

After rumors of his excellence spread, everyone had been waiting for him to take an exam and compete with God Lu to see who was truly better. Now, there was no need he wasn’t worthy.

Hearing Lu Zhi’s response, Chi Jinxian felt relieved and didn’t ask further. He had already grasped most of the situation from Chi Sui and didn’t want to dwell on it more.

That same afternoon, Chi Sui released the evidence he had gathered, proposing a thorough investigation into Ren Guanming at the peak of public outrage.

Without needing any prompting, the Alliance promptly took action.

Regarding the matter of Secondary Gender drugs, a more detailed and in-depth investigation was still required. Ren Guanming was first suspended pending investigation. However, perhaps years of holding high positions made him unwilling to accept such a swift downfall. Ren Guanming secretly mobilized all his connections, determined not to fall completely even if he lost his military authority.

But he had gravely miscalculated.

Lu Zhi was Lu Zisheng’s son. Under the banner of the Alliance’s First Interstellar High School, he spoke clearly and unequivocally whether Lu Zisheng had authorized it or not, his name would remain inextricably linked to this affair.

Thus, Lu Zhi effectively became the first to initiate the campaign to “bring down Ren Guanming.” After all, Ren Guanming was still a Lieutenant General and could potentially threaten General Lu’s position at any time, so his actions weren’t without reason in the eyes of many.

What puzzled everyone, however, was that shortly after that Monday, the Chi family also took action.

Before Ren Guanming could even reach out to his connections, Chi Sui had already preemptively struck wherever he could, causing Ren Guanming to hit numerous obstacles during his suspension.

Even personal interventions proved futile.

Not only that, but Chi Sui’s father, Chi Yuan Shen, also stepped in.

And he did so with unwavering resolve.

At this point, though largely bewildered, the public eagerly settled in to watch the drama unfold.

What they discovered was astonishing: the school fight hadn’t initially been solely between Lu Zhi and Ren Yiran. The root cause involved a student named Chi Jinxian, who played an indispensable role in escalating the incident to such magnitude.

Delving deeper revealed something even more shocking: Chi Jinxian was actually Chi Sui’s son!

Years ago, Chi Sui had confronted the issue of Secondary Gender drugs most directly no one understood or loathed them more than he did. Now, someone had dared to target his only son with such despicable methods. The gradual release of evidence, allowing Ren Guanming the illusion of a “chance to resist,” was already an act of immense mercy.

In truth, everyone understood: Chi Sui was methodically grinding Ren Guanming and the Ren Family into dust.

He intended to drive them to despair.

Meanwhile, confined to the Ren residence, Ren Guanming was indeed nearing madness. Unable to destroy his clandestine research base for banned drugs while suspended and trapped at home, he sat on the sofa, his posture trembling precariously.

Before Ren Yiran was taken away, Ren Guanming had pulled strings to ensure his only son could return home.

But now, as he glared at the youth seated across from him arms encased in plaster, face deathly pale, a picture of utter misery, Ren Guanming suddenly surged to his feet. He strode over and delivered a brutal slap.

The sharp crack echoed piercingly through the living room. Ren Yiran immediately burst into tears, trembling uncontrollably, too terrified to utter a word.

Only the other young man in the room rushed over to restrain Ren Guanming, crying out in distress, “What are you doing?!”

“What am I doing?” Ren Guanming’s voice trembled uncontrollably as he raised his hand to point at Ren Yiran, roaring angrily, “Who the hell told you to take that drug?! If you had just beaten someone up, that would’ve been fine. Even if it really was Chi Sui’s son, it would only require an apology no one would be afraid.”

“But you just had to.” Ren Guanming’s lips quivered incessantly, the whites of his eyes bloodshot, as he said, “But you just had to use that thing to provoke Chi Sui’s son.”

“But things have already come to this, what’s the use of hitting him now?” The young man restraining him couldn’t hold back his tears, crying so hard he could barely breathe.

Ren Yiran instinctively grabbed the young man’s hand, also breaking down in tears: “Dad.”

Ren Guanming stopped his assault. He suddenly laughed and said, “You’re right.”

After a moment of composure, the smile froze on his face, turning utterly resigned: “Spend the rest of your life in prison then.”

Almost overnight, influential figures across society made Ren Guanming realize that despair would only draw nearer, never receding.

Lu Zisheng spearheaded a condemnation against Ren Guanming within the Alliance, while the Chi and Jing families along with their corporate partners applied relentless pressure in the business world.

With no quarter given from any side, the Alliance finally conducted a thorough investigation.

A decade ago, when Chi Sui first proposed the destruction of prohibited drugs, Ren Guanming had already obtained a sample of the banned substance’s formula from Qiao Ming and had been covertly developing it ever since.

Because the defective versions in Qiao Ming’s possession caused immediate death upon injection with victims suffering gruesome, tragic ends.

Ren Guanming’s refined version was indeed more advanced fifty percent of those subjected to modification survived and remained healthy.

But among the survivors, only three percent had volunteered. The dead needed no explanation.

Beyond the drug operations, Ren Guanming maintained several other establishments disguised nightclubs.

Not openly advertised. They were filled with gender-modified Omegas imprisoned there, forbidden to leave.

Their purpose there required no elaboration.

Unlike the Lu family’s longstanding wealth and influence, Lu Zisheng not only a respected General in the Alliance but also a formidable presence in business commanded dual authority.

Decades earlier, Ren Guanming had only held the rank of Lieutenant General, barely attaining his current position over ten years later. He needed financial power to consolidate his status.

His methods generated fast money. Using those funds, he rapidly carved out a business empire.

And raised a son who feared nothing.

The prohibition on these drugs existed for two reasons: first, such modifications violated natural laws and threatened the Alliance’s collapse; second, despite decades of research, the gender-altering components still harbored unknown, uncontrollable dangers evident from the fifty percent fatality rate among Ren Guanming’s hundreds of test subjects.

This crime was unforgivable.

Half a month after the scandal erupted, the entire Ren family was imprisoned. How the Alliance would adjudicate fell to the law that was the Alliance’s affair.

It concerned no one else.

But the fact that the Ren Family was completely wiped out in just half a month was already satisfying enough.

Even before the dust settled on this matter, Chi Jinxian had already become the center of attention at school.

“Wow, little Cash, I still feel like I’m dreaming,” Jiang Baixiao stared wide-eyed at Chi Jinxian, stammering, “You’re, you’re Chi Sui Dad’s son?”

Regarding the Chi family’s development history and their corporate management culture, the Chi family had never kept anything hidden from anyone.

Thus, even Chi Jinxian, as an insider, found it unbelievable how the Chi family kept growing stronger, while outsiders were even more astonished by their prowess.

Before Chi Yuan Shen’s sons grew up, many people predicted they would fight tooth and nail over the family inheritance. Unexpectedly, instead of witnessing a dramatic battle for assets, everyone was stunned by their family and corporate culture.

Within the entire Alliance, the Chi family held an indelible position. Chi Sui’s development of the advanced Suppressant alone was enough to secure his comfort for life.

Therefore, when referring to the Chi family’s managers, people instinctively called them “Dad” or “Grandpa.”

For example, Chi Sui was called Chi Sui Dad, Chi Xiu, Chi Jinxian’s uncle was Chi Xiu Dad, and Chi Yuan Shen was Chi Yuan Shen Grandpa.

Seeing Jiang Baixiao’s shocked expression, Chi Jinxian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, waving his hand in an exaggerated manner: “Calm down.”

“Oh my god, Chi Sui Dad is so cool.” Jiang Baixiao suddenly wrapped his arm around Chi Jinxian’s neck, wailing dramatically, “The way he stood up for you was really awesome!”

Chi Jinxian felt dizzy from the shaking and quickly responded, “Of course.”

Jiang Baixiao said, “I want to marry Chi Sui Dad ”

Chi Jinxian: “…”

Chi Jinxian slapped the back of Jiang Baixiao’s head, saying, “Wishful thinking. I’d flatten you with two slaps.”

“Hahahahaha,” Jiang Baixiao laughed hysterically, then added, “Yuan Si Bai Dad is also super cool. I’d marry him too!”

Chi Jinxian: “…”

Chi Jinxian scoffed, unable to hold back a laugh, and said, “Go ahead then. My dad would bury you on the spot without me even lifting a finger.”

Jiang Baixiao just hugged him, giggling foolishly. After a while, he stopped and whispered with utmost seriousness, “Cash, this whole incident was really scary. When the class monitor gave their self-criticism, I heard about the Secondary Gender medication. My first reaction was anger, and then I felt suffocated, both furious and helpless. But I didn’t dare show it because you became so quiet when you arrived, clearly affected.”

“I thought, you’re so kind and cheerful, what would have happened if something went wrong and no one had your back? Thankfully, the class monitor wasn’t afraid to pressure the school and the principal, forcing them to take immediate action.”

This sudden, heartfelt monologue left Chi Jinxian stunned. In his daze, for some reason, his eyes grew embarrassingly moist.

Jiang Baixiao was still clinging to him, continuing on his own, his tone growing more excited: “I never knew you had such a powerful backer like Chi Sui Dad! I’m so happy! Screw Ren Yiran and his whole family! No wonder you were raised like a little sun ah, I feel even happier than you!”

Chi Jinxian couldn’t hold back any longer. He spoke in a nearly incoherent manner: “Jiang Baixiao, why are you suddenly, why are you saying all this?”

Jiang Baixiao then pretended to cry with genuine emotion: “We’ve been desk mates for three years, my dear sister-flower. I like you so much, wuwu I just hope you’ll be well.Once Jiang Baixiao started crying, Chi Jinxian’s eyes instead stopped stinging. He raised his hand to push away the “sister-flower” still clinging to him, laughing as he said: “Go away, go away.”

Of course Jiang Baixiao wouldn’t leave, his hands still gripping Chi Jinxian’s shoulders. However, he finally lifted his head, his face wearing a cheerful, smiling expression.

“But Cash,” he asked, “the Chi family is your family, so it makes sense that Dad Chi Sui and the others are dealing with the Ren Family. But why was the Jing family the second to step forward? Does your family have some cooperation with them?”

Chi Jinxian chuckled and explained seriously: “Uncle Jing is my uncle’s spouse. He’s a really impressive Alpha.”

Jiang Baixiao was practically crying with envy, but he was also genuinely happy as he hugged Chi Jinxian, shaking him back and forth.

“Click.”

Lu Zhi pushed the door open and entered, his eyes scanning over both of them twice, barely blinking.

After saying those things in front of so many people, it had become common for the school to frequently seek him out recently.

“Brother, you’re back.” Whenever Chi Jinxian saw him, his eyes would instinctively light up, as if seeing sunlight.

Lu Zhi first responded with “Mn,” pulling out a chair to sit down, then indifferently asked: “What were you talking about that required hugging each other?”

Jiang Baixiao’s hands on Chi Jinxian’s shoulders instantly stiffened, and he quickly withdrew his claws.

After straightening his attitude, he quickly whispered to Chi Jinxian: “Cash, back when you were chasing God Lu, I was always worried you’d get hurt, since God Lu’s family threshold is way too high. But now? Hehe, you two are really well-matched!”

Chi Jinxian’s eyes curved into crescents at his words, extremely happy.

He said to Lu Zhi: “Brother, you were so cool today.”

Lu Zhi remained expressionless and retorted: “Just today?”

Chi Jinxian laughed even more happily: “Every day!”

“Turn around,” Lu Zhi lowered his gaze and said, “Study.”

“Okay!”

The Ren Family matter was settled. Overnight, it was as if this family had never existed in the Alliance. When others mentioned them, they found it unlucky. Because of this, the Alliance also placed greater emphasis on matters of “Secondary Gender.”

They destroyed all the drugs that could be found, completely overturned and promulgated new Alliance laws.

From then on, if anyone dared to engage in activities that violated natural laws, they would be considered enemies of all Alliance humans, a crime more severe than being antisocial or attempting rebellion. Once discovered, the law would show no mercy.

It was an outcome that pleased everyone.

However, after the matter passed, dinner table conversations gradually faded, and talk began to spread about how General Lu’s son, Lu Zhi, disregarded past affections and was cold-hearted and unfeeling.

After all, he was the one who first laid this matter bare before the public. He was still young, with time left before adulthood, yet he already possessed such decisiveness, even overshadowing his father Lu Zisheng.

During his final year of high school, he left many with the impression of being a madman who would never engage in romantic relationships.

But these were the opinions of adults outside the school. Those inside the school were still teenagers, mostly innocent and without such thoughts or ideas.

It was Friday after school again. Chi Jinxian followed beside Lu Zhi and handed him a rose love letter. Just as they were about to part ways, he called out:

“Brother.”

After saying this, he lowered his eyes and fell silent, as if he had something to ask but didn’t know how to phrase it, so he quietly gathered his thoughts.

Lu Zhi waited patiently and asked, “What’s wrong?”

The response gave Chi Jinxian an inexplicable surge of courage. He lifted his head and looked straight into Lu Zhi’s eyes, his expression extremely serious: “Brother, did we know each other when we were kids?”

It was late autumn, and the temperature difference between day and night was significant. The afternoon air after school, carrying a cool breeze, seeped into the collars of passersby.

Yet it didn’t feel cold.

Lu Zhi blinked involuntarily, his mind clearing slightly. He asked, “What?” After speaking, he blinked again and continued almost hurriedly, “Why ask me whether you know yourself or not? Don’t you know?”

Hearing this, Chi Jinxian’s eyes lit up. With an overly bright gaze, he immediately said, “Do you remember the day Ren Yiran intercepted me, when I had an episode and told you I was injected with a syringe as a child?”

It was about the “Secondary Gender.”

Lu Zhi replied, “Mm.”

Chi Jinxian continued, “There was an uncle who injected me. I was so scared. When my dad and papa found me, they said I had a fever.”

“I don’t know if it’s true because I can’t remember anything from that time. I don’t know which kindergarten I attended or where I went for first grade. I just can’t recall.”

He rambled through the explanation, unsure if Lu Zhi had understood. Lu Zhi remained motionless, frozen in place as if digesting Chi Jinxian’s words.

After a long pause, Lu Zhi finally murmured, “Then why are you asking this now? Didn’t you say you don’t remember?”

“I don’t know either. I just felt like I had to ask,” Chi Jinxian said, then inquired, “Brother, did we know each other when we were kids?”

As he spoke, his expression grew tense, tinged with a flicker of hope, making it hard for anyone to disappoint him with a negative answer.

But Lu Zhi asked him, “Did you forget because of your illness?”

“Yeah, really,” Chi Jinxian insisted eagerly, “Brother, believe me! My dad and papa can vouch for it!”

“But because of my condition, they never told me about my childhood.”

Ignoring his plea, Lu Zhi pressed, “You’re not pretending or faking amnesia on purpose?”

“Of course not,” Chi Jinxian replied, his tone almost stubbornly earnest. “I like you so much if I’d known we knew each other as kids, I’d be over the moon!”

Fang Shou had been waiting by the roadside for several minutes. Today, Lu Zhi was talking to Chi Jinxian and hadn’t glanced his way to signal him to wait. He rolled down the car window to get a clearer view of the two at the school gate and saw a sudden smile curl at the corner of Lu Zhi’s lips, followed by a slight crinkle at the edges of his eyes. Lu Zhi’s perpetually sharp, aggressive features were genuinely filled with laughter, startling Fang Shou.

He thought to himself, He must be in an incredibly good mood.

Chi Jinxian stood directly in front of Lu Zhi, less than a meter away. That smile leaped straight into the depths of his pupils, and Chi Jinxian didn’t dare blink, staring dumbfounded at Lu Zhi.

Soon, his ears grew warm. A moment later, his cheeks flushed hot!

The next instant, his Adam’s apple bobbed violently as he began swallowing repeatedly, his blatant, lustful thoughts unmistakably clear.

“Lu Zhi, you” Chi Jinxian stammered, “It’s wrong to tempt someone into making a mistake.”

“We knew each other,” Lu Zhi said, his smile lingering.

“Huh?” For a moment, Chi Jinxian was stunned, then quickly grasped the meaning and nearly jumped for joy. He exclaimed loudly, “We really knew each other? Brother, were we childhood playmates?”

Lu Zhi replied, “Mm.”

“Did I chase after you back then?”

“You did.”

“How did you pursue me?” Chi Jinxian’s face flushed red, unsure whether he wanted to know about the past or was simply excited.

“What was the first thing you did when you met me?”

Same as now giving roses.

But in the gradually cooling evening breeze, Lu Zhi said, “You hugged me.”