What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 44

In the deepening dusk where each passing second darkened the sky, a cool breeze drifted slowly from all directions, carrying a chill. Yet Chi Jinxian felt none of it he only perceived an astonishing warmth.

Lu Zhi held the strap of his single-shoulder backpack as usual with one hand, while the other instinctively rose to half-embrace Chi Jinxian when the latter rushed over and hugged him.

Chi Jinxian lifted his head from the other’s embrace, as if acting coquettishly with a lover. His overly bright eyes, now extremely close to the other, stared directly at Lu Zhi, filled with uncontrollable excitement: “Just like this?”

Lu Zhi didn’t speak, but his breathing seemed to grow softer, almost inaudible.

His hand rested lightly on Chi Jinxian’s waist. After a long pause, he finally said, “You didn’t even ask if it was true… just hugged me like that.”

His tone carried a sense of being caught off guard, leaving his actions to rely on instinct.

Thus, even as he spoke these words, the tips of his fingers unconsciously tightened slightly the moment his voice trailed off.

Chi Jinxian chuckled softly and held on even tighter. “I’ll believe anything you say. Why bother asking if it’s true?”

Besides, passing up an opportunity to take advantage making him ask questions first wasn’t in Chi Jinxian’s nature.

Now that he was already holding him, whether he asked or not no longer mattered. Chi Jinxian said, “But since you brought it up, tell me now, when I was little, did I really do this every time I saw you?”

Due to their height difference, when Lu Zhi half-embraced him, his eyes would instinctively lower slightly to gaze at the person in his arms.

His pupils were pitch-black, clearly reflecting Chi Jinxian’s face. His gaze was heavy, so heavy it seemed to make everything unconsciously sink into it.

It held a hint of danger that was hard to detect. Only Chi Jinxian would never presume to guess his Lu-ge’s thoughts, instead considering this a form of special favor.

Though in a way, it truly was.

“Really,” Lu Zhi said without even blinking.

That afternoon, when Chi Jinxian ran home, he was as cheerful as a wild hare, hopping and skipping all the way.

The moment he stepped through the door, still far from the living room, he began shouting, “Xiao Dad, Xiao Dad”

“Great, he’s calling you,” Chi Sui in the study had just received a cup of coffee personally brewed by his wife. Before he could take more than a couple of sips, he sighed in frustration and set the cup down, sighing repeatedly.

Seeing this, even though he witnessed this scene daily and was thoroughly accustomed to it, Yuan Si Bai still let out a soft, helpless laugh. “During winter break, let Xiao An go to Dad’s place to play with Xiao Sui. I’ll accompany you on a trip, alright?”

He stood by the study window, originally looking outside. To make his comforting attitude more sincere, he turned his head back.

Chi Sui’s eyes lit up. “You said it yourself! Yuan Si Bai, no taking it back!”

This suggestion had been brought up by Chi Sui back when Chi Jinxian first started his senior year of high school, but at the time, he was purely trying to provoke his son. Without Yuan Si Bai’s agreement, he wouldn’t dare make the decision.

Now, however, Chi Sui felt his eyes, strained from staring at the computer all day, were no longer blurry!

Yuan Si Bai hummed in agreement and turned his gaze back outside.

After a moment, he said, “Chi Sui, Lu Zhi is still seeing Xiao An home.”

Hearing this, Chi Sui stood up and walked over to Yuan Si Bai’s side, following his gaze to look outside.

The study was on the second floor, and the window offered a commanding view of many things, including the intersection diagonally across.

There, an inconspicuous car had been parked for several minutes without moving. It only quietly turned around and left after Chi Jinxian returned home.

This situation had started on the afternoon when Chi Jinxian nearly had an accident.

Due to Ren Yiran’s unscrupulous actions, and with the Alliance yet to propose an effective solution regarding Ren Guanming’s family, Yuan Si Bai was uneasy about letting Chi Jinxian return home alone after school.

The weather was growing colder, and darkness fell earlier, making it less safe.

When Yuan Si Bai called Chi Jinxian to say he would pick him up at least until the Ren family matter was resolved Chi Jinxian refused.

He said, “Dad, I’m almost an adult. We live up to 180 years. If I rely on you for everything and have you by my side constantly, I’ll never grow up.”

“No matter how big the challenge, I must learn to face it on my own first.”

Yuan Si Bai found his reasoning impeccable, as he couldn’t come up with a single rebuttal after racking his brains.

At the time, Chi Sui watched Yuan Si Bai struggle to speak, his expression shifting repeatedly, and couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Yuan Si Bai was so frustrated he nearly lashed out.

“Alright, then come straight home after school. Don’t linger too long talking to classmates,” Yuan Si Bai reluctantly agreed. But sometimes, the depth of parental worry is something children can’t fully grasp. After hanging up, with Chi Jinxian about to finish school, Yuan Si Bai paced back and forth in the living room for twenty minutes, his brow furrowed in concern. Finally, he said, “Chi Sui, I still want to go check on him.”

Yuan Si Bai had only one child, Chi Jinxian, and this only child had nearly cost him half his life several times over the past 18 years.

The first time was when Chi Jinxian was taken by Qiao Ming at age seven. The second was when Chi Sui carried the young Chi Jinxian to the hospital to flush the drugs from his system after he was found. The third was when Chi Jinxian’s pheromone deficiency disorder flared up, nearly claiming his life.

This time, it was because of Ren Yiran.

So, Yuan Si Bai had long been like a startled bird, constantly on edge about Chi Jinxian.

Chi Sui understood this. The moment Yuan Si Bai finished speaking, he draped a trench coat over him and said, “It’s chilly outside. Put this on. Let’s go.”

But just as they stepped out, Chi Jinxian appeared at the intersection. Far behind him, a car followed, as if seeing him home.

An outsider could see it clearly, but when Chi Jinxian returned and Yuan Si Bai subtly probed, he realized Chi Jinxian was completely unaware, like a little fool.

He might even cheerfully help someone sell him off.

Nevertheless, this put Yuan Si Bai at ease.

Matters between young people weren’t for adults to interfere with. What he had seen, he would pretend not to have seen, keeping silent and dropping even the subtle inquiries.

This, however, offended Qi Suiyi.

Qi Suiyi doted on his little nephew. If not for others restraining him, he would have beaten the already hospitalized Ren Yiran again. Thus, he had long proposed moving back into Chi Sui’s house, saying he would accompany Chi Jinxian home after school to protect him just as he had skipped grades for Chi Jinxian in their childhood.

However, his well-intentioned gesture was coldly rejected by Chi Jinxian.

His excuse was almost identical to the one he had given Yuan Si Bai.

After being rejected, Qi Suiyi refused to believe it and went to complain to Chi Sui and Yuan Si Bai. But at the time, Chi Sui said, “Let him be. You don’t need to follow him around.”

This made Qi Suiyi believe to this day that there was no love left in this family that his concern for his little nephew went unnoticed. Furious, he went home on the spot.

For the next several days, he continued to show concern for Chi Jinxian in an awkward manner, never saying too much but putting on an attitude that screamed, “Come and comfort me already.””

Today, Lu Zhi once again silently escorted Chi Jinxian home, like an impeccably qualified, silent guardian.

“This child…” Yuan Si Bai sighed softly as the car at the intersection disappeared from view. “He’s just too reserved, never saying a word.”

Upon hearing this, Chi Sui snorted and retorted, “I thought he was plenty talkative when he threatened to have Ren Yiran expelled from school. His mouth was going a mile a minute.”

“Him?” Chi Sui pondered for a moment before delivering his final verdict. “His mouth just isn’t where it’s supposed to be. Mark my words based on my experience, men like him are headed straight for the crematorium.”

Yuan Si Bai: “…”

Yuan Si Bai replied expressionlessly, “Aren’t you just describing yourself?”

Chi Sui squinted and grinned, mumbling softly while trying to appease him, “But I’m quite good with words, you know.”

“Oh, yes,” Yuan Si Bai said, almost through gritted teeth. “You’re far too good with words. Would it kill you to say one less sentence?”

“Yuan Yuan, I suggest you praise me more. Your own son the little ancestor I’m raising is just like me,” Chi Sui declared matter-of-factly. “When you criticize me, you’re criticizing him too.”

At that, Yuan Si Bai raised his hand, ready to swat him, but was saved just in time by the said “miniature version” of Chi Sui.

“Little Dad ” The little ancestor outside the villa had already made his way to the living room. Not seeing anyone there, he raised his voice even louder.

Chi Sui, annoyed, immediately covered his ears and grumbled about the noise.

Yuan Si Bai instantly abandoned him, opened the study door, and stepped out. “I’m here. We’re home.”

He looked down from the hallway and saw Chi Jinxian beaming. Unconsciously, Yuan Si Bai found himself smiling too. “Something really happy must have happened today.”

Chi Jinxian exclaimed, “Yeah!” Without lingering in the living room, he hoisted his backpack and bounded up the stairs.

When he reached Yuan Si Bai, he grabbed his arm and, without another word, planted a kiss on his cheek. “Little Dad, I love you! I’m off to do my homework now.”

Yuan Si Bai stood there wide-eyed, completely stunned.

Chi Sui, irritated by the noise outside and always prone to picking fights when annoyed, shuffled out in his slippers. Before he could even utter a single critical remark with a stern face, a figure suddenly rushed up to him and planted a loud, smacking kiss on his cheek.

Chi Jinxian flashed a bright, toothy grin and said, “Dad, I love you too!”

With that, he dashed off excitedly, humming a cheerful tune!

Chi Sui froze on the spot, utterly dumbfounded. For a long moment, he stammered incoherently, “I you he.” unable to form a complete sentence, only shaking his head back and forth repeatedly.

Finally, he furrowed his brows and muttered in resigned despair, “It’s over. I’m tainted.”

During dinner, Yuan Sibo asked Chi Jinxian why he was so happy that he had even made his own father question his life with all the affection. At this, Chi Jinxian just grinned foolishly but refused to say what had actually happened, only replying, “Anyway, you already know about these things, Dad. I’ll tell you later.”

Regarding the fact that he and Lu Zhi had known each other since childhood, Chi Jinxian was truly eager to share, even boast about it. After all, he and Lu Zhi were practically childhood friends, and he had pursued Brother Lu for three years in high school. What incredible fate it was to meet again and form such a deep connection.

See, even heaven approved and pushed them together.

However, Yuan Sibo was deeply reluctant to discuss the events of Chi Jinxian’s seventh year. Chi Jinxian didn’t want his own joy to make his dad dwell on the time he was kidnapped by bad people especially since he couldn’t remember any of it and couldn’t share the burden.

So, he only expressed his happiness and said nothing more.

Although Ren Yiran had indeed caused Chi Jinxian to uncontrollably dream for a few days, by Monday, when Lu Zhi stood under the Alliance’s banner, he was already fearless again.

The past is always the past; fear only proves you haven’t let go. How could someone like him, who couldn’t even recall his memories fully, have any reason to hold on?

Absolutely no reason. He’d rather spend that time pursuing Lu Zhi and studying a very pragmatic outlook.

“I already know?” Yuan Sibo asked again, making sure he hadn’t misheard.

Chi Jinxian nodded: “Yeah.”

“Alright.” Seeing that he really didn’t want to talk about it and noticing how genuinely happy he was, Yuan Sibo chuckled lightly and let it go, not pressing further, simply saying, “As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters.”

From that day on, Chi Jinxian felt that spending time with Lu Zhi at school every day wasn’t enough. After returning home and having dinner, he would still call Lu Zhi to study together.

Except, often, studying would turn into chatting about their childhood.

Today, they started chatting again.

“Brother.” Chi Jinxian sat upright at his desk, twirling a pen in his hand, and called out.

On Lu Zhi’s end, the sound of a pen scratching against paper as he did homework could be heard, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere in the gradually quietening night.

He responded, “Hmm?”

Chi Jinxian tapped his pen on the book to make a little noise and said, “Math Five-Three, page 189, the second part of the big question. I’ve been calculating for a long time, but I keep getting it wrong.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhi flipped a few pages and said, “Two minutes.” After that, the sound of writing resumed. Chi Jinxian listened quietly, feeling as if his own heartbeat might be audible.

Two minutes later, Lu Zhi said, “Remember to try substituting 0; it gives two different answers. Prove it from those two. You’re getting it wrong because you might be focusing on a distracter that’s useless.”

“Oh, oh, oh.” Chi Jinxian acknowledged, his serious attitude instantly switching.

He fell silent, but it felt unusually conspicuous.

“Haven’t figured it out yet?” Three minutes later, Lu Zhi asked.

When tutoring Chi Jinxian, Lu Zhi never spelled things out too clearly. He would instinctively use vague and uncertain phrases as hints though it wasn’t much different from stating things outright. Still, he avoided giving explicit answers, opting instead for general guidance, letting Chi Jinxian work out the results himself. This way, the concepts would leave a deeper impression, and when encountering similar problems in the future, Chi Jinxian would be less likely to repeat the same mistakes.

But Chi Jinxian had always suffered from the flaw of being overly ambitious yet underperforming, a trait that persisted to this day. After being admonished by Lu Zhi several times, there was now a noticeable improvement.

After all, with the college entrance exams drawing nearer, there was no room for unnecessary errors not a single point could be wasted.

Yet the atmosphere during their private phone calls was entirely different from that in the classroom. In class, there were others around, but here, it was just the two of them.

A minute of silence felt overwhelmingly quiet.

After Lu Zhi asked his question, Chi Jinxian remained silent, clearly still focused on solving the problem.

Lu Zhi waited another minute before speaking again. “Is it that difficult?”

“Ah, done, done! I’ve got it,” Chi Jinxian said two seconds later, his tone genuinely pleased. “It only took me five minutes I’m pretty smart, you know.”

Lu Zhi remarked, “You sound quite proud of yourself.”

“Of course I am!” Chi Jinxian laughed. He put his book away and said, “Bro, it’s already past ten. Should we call it a day?”

“Then let’s sleep,” Lu Zhi replied. The sound of a book closing could be heard from his end as well.

“Hey, don’t hang up yet!” Chi Jinxian quickly interjected, his voice cheerful. “Let’s chat for a bit.”

As he spoke, he pushed his chair under the desk, shuffled in his slippers toward the bed, and leaped onto it, his body bouncing like a spring a couple of times.

Lu Zhi seemed to have stood up and pushed his chair back too footsteps could be heard from his end, though far less lively than Chi Jinxian’s.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Bro, did you always know that we knew each other as kids?” Chi Jinxian asked.

Hearing this, Lu Zhi fell silent for a moment, as if considering how to respond.

Only when Chi Jinxian, hearing no reply, asked again did he say, “No.”

Chi Jinxian pressed, “Then when did you find out?”

If he had known all along, there would have been no reason not to tell him.

Lu Zhi’s tone was flat. “I only remembered when you asked.”

“Ah?” Chi Jinxian sounded unsure whether to believe him. “What a coincidence, huh?”

Lu Zhi replied, “Mm.”

“So, how much do you remember from back then?” Ever since learning that he and Lu Zhi were childhood friends, Chi Jinxian had been intensely curious about the memories he himself had forgotten, often asking about them.

Lu Zhi had long since grown accustomed to his reactions.

Sure enough, before Lu Zhi could answer, Chi Jinxian continued on his own, “I get the feeling you don’t remember much either. Even if you do, don’t tell me, I want to remember on my own!”

Lu Zhi acknowledged him with a quiet, “Mm.”

Finally, Chi Jinxian asked, “Bro, back when we were kids, besides Brother Jiang and well, plus me, did you have any other friends?”

His voice was soft, so soft it seemed he had spent a long time mustering the courage to ask. Soon after, he even held his breath slightly.

Lu Zhi didn’t know why he was asking, but somehow, he felt he could guess.

His reply was straightforward: “No.”

Chi Jinxian didn’t ask any more questions. Lying in bed, he gazed at the ceiling with curved eyes. The soft light from above poured into his pupils, forming scattered glimmers.

Because of their childhood though one of them still hadn’t fully recalled it the barrier between Chi Jinxian and Lu Zhi seemed to have been broken. They grew closer in ways unseen.

Chi Jinxian’s “I like you” no longer received a rebuttal of “I don’t like you.”

Although Lu Zhi remained silent each time, at least he never explicitly refused again.

The winter vacation arrived as scheduled, wrapped in this somewhat ambiguous atmosphere.

During the last few days before the break, Chi Jinxian called Qi Suiyi to wake him up before heading to school in the morning.

Surprisingly, the other party wasn’t sleeping in today his voice sounded clear and alert when he answered the phone.

“Huh?” Chi Jinxian was quite surprised by this and said, “You actually got up on your own today? Did Grandpa drag you out of bed?”

Qi Suiyi: “…”

Qi Suiyi retorted irritably, “Who do you think you’re looking down on? Can’t I be diligent for once?”

“Of course, of course,” Chi Jinxian suppressed a laugh and said, “Then hurry up and get ready for school. I’m hanging up.”

“Wait a second!” Qi Suiyi stopped him. “Once you get to school, you’ll be all over Lu Zhi and completely ignore your uncle!”

Chi Jinxian muttered, “That’s not true.”

“If it weren’t for the fact that he dealt with Ren Yiran in a way that pleased me last time, I’d have beaten you up right in front of Third Brother,” Qi Suiyi said, his tone fierce.

Chi Jinxian didn’t appreciate that remark. “Do you believe my dad would beat you up?”

“Chi Jinxian, you”

“Alright, alright,” Chi Jinxian quickly interrupted, deciding to humor him. “What did you want to say?”

Qi Suiyi then said, “Winter break is just a few days away.”

“I know.”

“Brother Yuan has already talked to your grandpa. You’re staying at my place during the winter break. Third Brother insists on taking Brother Yuan out to have fun,” Qi Suiyi’s voice carried a hint of anticipation. “Is it true?”

Chi Jinxian checked his backpack to make sure he had brought the rose love letter and milk, then replied, “Yeah, it’s true. Ah, my dad he’s always thinking about kicking me out.”

“Ah! It’s actually true!” Qi Suiyi suddenly screamed, overjoyed and extremely excited. “Then after school this afternoon, just bring your stuff over no, never mind, your room here is already fully stocked. Just come over directly. Once you’re here, I can play games openly! Your grandpa absolutely spoils you!”

Chi Jinxian: “…”

Chi Jinxian said, “Qi Suiyi, you really have no ambition.”

After hanging up amid Qi Suiyi’s delighted laughter, Chi Jinxian couldn’t help but smile on his way to school.

First Interstellar Alliance High School only had uniforms for spring, summer, and autumn. Winters were cold, and the clothing tended to be bulky. No matter how well-designed, school uniforms always ended up looking unattractive most designs ended up failing anyway.

Thus, after generations of students seriously protested, they were allowed to dress freely in winter.

This year seemed to have gotten cold earlier than usual. A few days ago, the first snow fell. Today, Chi Jinxian wore a thin down jacket.

The puffy clothing made his figure appear somewhat petite and rounded, drawing attention at first glance.

Especially when running, the fluffy hem of his clothes billowed in the wind, making him as light as a flying winter spirit.

“Brother,” Chi Jinxian called out, quickening his pace to catch up with the person ahead.

Hearing the call, the person stopped in place and turned to wait. When he saw Chi Jinxian, Lu Zhi was visibly stunned for a moment.

As Chi Jinxian reached his side, Lu Zhi asked, “Why are you running so fast?”

Chi Jinxian looked up at him and handed over the milk. “It’s warm.”

After Lu Zhi took it, Chi Jinxian added, “To catch up with you.”

Lu Zhi didn’t respond and silently took a sip of the milk after opening it.

When the two arrived at the classroom, Jiang Baixiao was already there. As soon as he saw Chi Jinxian, he playfully reached out to pinch his face. “Ah, Cash, you look so cute today.”

Chi Jinxian dodged him with a look of disgust, as if startled, and said, “Go sit back down.”

Jiang Baixiao chuckled and asked, “The first and second years are already on vacation, but we’re still here fighting the good fight.”

That’s just how it is in the third year of high school starting school earlier than others and getting out later than everyone else.

Chi Jinxian said, “You only have a few days left before you can stay home.”

“But that’s only for 20 days.”

“Still better than having none at all.”

Lu Zhi closed the back door, pulled out his chair, and sat down.

The bottle of warm milk was already half empty.

“True enough,” Jiang Baixiao, now comforted, asked, “So, Cash, what are your plans for the winter break? Like going out with your dad or something?”

Chi Jinxian was the most qualified to answer this. He sighed heavily, looking troubled, and said, “Don’t even mention it. My dad booked a trip with my stepdad to have some alone time, leaving me behind. They’re leaving the very day my break starts.”

He even put on a brave smile for effect.

Jiang Baixiao found it amusing. “Dad Chi Sui and Dad Yuan Si Bai are so in love.” After this remark, he laughed even harder, leaning in gleefully to ask, “So, does that mean you’ll be home alone?”

“No way,” Chi Jinxian raised an eyebrow and said, “I’m staying at Xiao Sui’s place.”

Jiang Baixiao: “Huh?”

Behind them, the sound of someone flipping pages abruptly stopped.

Lu Zhi looked up.

Jiang Baixiao nervously glanced at Lu Zhi and quickly averted his eyes. He stopped laughing and whispered urgently, “Think before you speak.”

“Huh?” Chi Jinxian pulled books out of his backpack, confused by the comment, and turned to look at him. It was then that Lu Zhi’s indifferent expression caught his peripheral vision. Chi Jinxian’s heart skipped a beat, and his scalp tingled instinctively. He thought, Lu Zhi doesn’t know Qi Suiyi is my uncle! After finally getting closer to him, it would be such a loss if he got the wrong idea because of this.

He should have said he was staying at his grandpa’s place, not Xiao Sui’s, or even his uncle’s. This stupid mouth… why does it fail at critical moments?

Sure enough, Lu Zhi asked coldly, “Staying at Qi Suiyi’s place?”

At this point, all he could do was try to fix the mistake.

Chi Jinxian let out an “Oh” and quickly explained, “Well it’s because we’re childhood friends. Our dads are really close, so they asked me to stay over.”

Worried about being misunderstood, Chi Jinxian immediately clarified his intentions, looking at Lu Zhi and speaking a bit faster, “We’re both guys, and I’m a Beta, even if I were an Omega, it wouldn’t matter since we’re just staying at his place. It’s fine.”

The topic had clearly become too private for outsiders. Jiang Baixiao, ever perceptive, grabbed his water bottle and said, “I’m going to get some water by the podium.”

Lu Zhi frowned, pursed his lips, and his eyes held a hint of reproach, as if he couldn’t understand Chi Jinxian’s actions.

Wasn’t he pursuing Lu Zhi? Didn’t he like Lu Zhi?

Lu Zhi stared directly at Chi Jinxian and repeated in a low voice, “It’s fine?”

This is bad, he’s really misunderstanding. Chi Jinxian glanced around his deskmate wasn’t there, the students in the front row hadn’t arrived yet, and Qi Suiyi was almost 17. It probably wouldn’t hurt to tell Lu Zhi alone that Qi Suiyi was his uncle.

But just as Chi Jinxian opened his mouth to speak, Lu Zhi spoke again:

“In that case, you can stay with me.”