What to Do If Beta Cannot Be Marked? - Chapter 9

The surrounding students gradually slowed their pace in small groups, seemingly uncertain about what they had heard, or even whether they had heard anything at all. One by one, their eyes carried astonishment and scrutiny.

Lu Wan froze directly on the spot, as if she hadn’t expected to receive such a blunt counterattack. She was momentarily at a loss, her gentle face now only showing bewilderment and confusion.

Moreover, Lu Zhi’s gaze was terrifying. Though her lips still twitched as if wanting to speak, she absolutely didn’t dare utter another word.

Jiang Jin’s reaction was even more pronounced. He appeared as if he had just learned about Chi Jinxian from Lu Zhi, his expression brimming with novelty as his eyes unabashedly swept over Chi Jinxian from head to toe. It wasn’t until Lu Zhi cast him a light glance from the side that he coughed lightly and withdrew his gaze.

Finally, for some reason, he suddenly couldn’t hold back a soft “pfft” of laughter. He actually found Chi Jinxian quite adorable.

Startled by this laugh, Chi Jinxian quickly turned to look at Jiang Jin. The amusement and emotion were conveyed so directly that even though the other’s laughter and expression showed no mockery, Chi Jinxian’s sense of shame instantly surfaced.

Upon careful reflection, he realized what outrageous nonsense he had just spoken!

His forehead instantly felt as if it had been boiled, emitting wave after wave of heat. It seemed that if you placed an egg on his forehead, it would crack open and fry into a sunny-side-up egg right then and there.

Thoughts always transmit commands to the brain faster than physical reactions. Before he could devise a strategy or find a crack in the ground to hide in, Chi Jinxian instinctively raised his hand to cover his forehead, afraid that someone might actually place an egg there. The motion was so forceful that it produced a sharp “smack.”

Lu Zhi frowned at him. Jiang Jin was startled, thinking he was trying to knock himself out.

“I was talking nonsense.” Chi Jinxian covered his forehead as if hiding half his face, murmuring softly, “Just joking around.”

Jiang Jin found this utterly amusing. Though he knew he shouldn’t laugh further, he simply found it too entertaining. The corners of his eyes and brows were tinged with amusement because of Chi Jinxian’s behavior today. Only after receiving another pointed glance from Lu Zhi did he nod and restrain himself, his expression showing both regret and helplessness.

Chi Jinxian no longer dared to look at Lu Zhi at all. The exposure of his family’s wealth the day before hadn’t troubled him this much after all, back then he was only worried about whether he could still mooch meals. But now, this was a complete social disaster. These thoughts should have remained private fantasies in his mind, how could he voice them so openly, especially in front of the other person involved?

No surprise, he was probably going to become the talk of the school again. Sigh.

Hanging his head, he muttered very quietly, “I was just retorting… who told her to criticize me.” Lu Zhi remained silent, which troubled Chi Jinxian greatly. He thought to himself that he had just managed to win favor by playing pitiful, and now he had to find another way to appease him. After all, this was Lu Zhi’s younger sister he really shouldn’t have acted that way.

After a moment of contemplation and a great internal struggle, Chi Jinxian reluctantly said, “Then I won’t mooch a meal today. Can I do it tomorrow instead?” Though he said this, he made no move to leave; his meal card seemed fused to his hand, with no indication that its owner intended to let go voluntarily.

Jiang Jin completely lost control, laughing joyfully and unabashedly as he said, “Cash, why don’t you chase after me instead? I’d definitely say yes right away.”

“Shut up.”

“No way.”

Lu Zhi and Chi Jinxian’s voices overlapped, making it momentarily difficult to distinguish who was speaking. Chi Jinxian tightened his grip on the meal card and added with exaggerated seriousness, “I just like Brother Lu.”

His tone was earnest, his words clear. However, fueled by the earlier embarrassing scene, he wasn’t as bold this time, speaking softly enough that only those present could hear.

Although Jiang Jin had only been joking, hearing this confession made him finally drop his smile, feeling the urge to curse.

But his upbringing made him maintain basic courtesy.

A few students who had intended to linger nearby to eavesdrop on their conversation quickly dispersed upon seeing Lu Zhi’s unpleasant expression, none daring to stay longer.

After this interlude, many classmates had already finished their meals and returned. Chi Jinxian, affected by subtle restlessness, unconsciously rubbed his stomach.

He wanted to eat, but he’d just declared he wouldn’t freeload today should he stick to his word? A real man should keep his promises, right? Just as Chi Jinxian reached his final decision and resolved to eat on his own today, Lu Zhi spoke:

“No more heartache now?”

“Huh?” Chi Jinxian was momentarily stunned, but not for long. The absurd essay he’d concocted last night about having a heartache that could only be cured by freeloading meals daily instantly flooded his mind. He immediately raised his voice, “Yes! There is!”

“Brother Lu, let me tell you, this heartache of mine it’s incredibly hard to cure, yet surprisingly easy to treat. You…”

Jiang Jin followed their steps as they moved forward, leaving Lu Wan, still dumbfounded where she stood, far behind, completely unable to understand what they were talking about.

Some students in the cafeteria were already heading back to their classrooms. Chi Jinxian sidestepped to let them pass and eagerly went to buy his meal.

After ordering his usual dishes from the auntie, he sweetly said, “Thank you,” and swiped his card. But the moment the card touched the reader, he jumped in shock, his eyes widening.

Yesterday, his meal card balance was only a thousand Alliance coins, but today it had magically transformed into twenty thousand Alliance coins!

With only one year of high school left, even eating three meals a day wouldn’t use up this amount, let alone just lunch.

Although Chi Jinxian was used to seeing such sums, it was the first time he’d encountered so much on a meal card just for eating and it felt somewhat unbelievable.

Chi Jinxian first brought Lu Zhi’s meal to him, then fetched his own and sat beside him, only to be shooed to the opposite seat by Lu Zhi’s light tap on the table.

After settling opposite and pondering for a moment, Chi Jinxian said, “Brother Lu.”

Lu Zhi glanced up at him but didn’t respond.

Chi Jinxian whispered, “Did you put too much money on your meal card?”

Lu Zhi lowered his eyes to eat, ignoring him.

“Huh?” Jiang Jin, curious, came over with his meal and asked, “What?”

Lu Zhi clearly didn’t want to talk about it, so Chi Jinxian shook his head, mumbling “Mhm-mhm-mhm” implying “nothing” and started shoveling food into his mouth, leaving only sounds, no words.

Jiang Jin: “…”

On the way back, Chi Jinxian went ahead to the restroom. Jiang Jin asked on the stairs, “Hey, Lu Zhi, do you really not like Chi Jinxian?”

Lu Zhi’s expression remained unchanged as he answered without hesitation, “I don’t like him.”

“Not even a little?” Jiang Jin asked in surprise, as if he didn’t quite believe it.

Lu Zhi didn’t respond, but Jiang Jin knew this was his usual silent agreement.

Jiang Jin found it strange and hissed, “Then why have you been letting him follow you around so often these past two years?”

Lu Zhi paused briefly in his steps, glanced at him with an icy side-eye devoid of warmth, and said, “I never allowed it.”

That was true. Every day, it was Chi Jinxian stubbornly following him. Though he never crossed any boundaries, he couldn’t be driven away either.

Jiang Jin understood, a faint smile curling on his lips, whether genuine or not was unclear as he remarked, “Then how about I pursue him? I really like such optimistic, upbeat, fun, and interesting Omegas.”

“Anyway, you don’t like him.” Jiang Jin lightly nudged Lu Zhi’s elbow and added, “Right?”

When they reached the third floor, Lu Zhi headed toward his classroom without even a sidelong glance, indifferent. “Whatever.”

Jiang Jin was certain now this guy truly had no feelings for Chi Jinxian.

Not a shred of possessiveness, even encouraging others to pursue him freely. If Chi Jinxian heard this, he’d probably be heartbroken.

Lu Zhi said, “Anyway, it’s not you he likes.”

Arriving at the classroom, Lu Zhi stopped at the back door, hand on the doorknob, and turned to give Jiang Jin a look that could almost be described as pity, a stark contrast to his usual aloof demeanor.

Jiang Jin: “?”

He likes you, not me, right?

Exactly.

Inadvertently irritated, Jiang Jin’s face stiffened, unsure what expression to wear, so he settled for a strained, insincere smile.

Lu Zhi pushed the door open and added, “He’s not, though…”

“Hey? Lu, you guys just got back? Why aren’t you coming in?” Chi Jinxian stood at the back door, shaking water droplets off his hands.

Lu Zhi, who had been blocking the doorway, politely stepped aside to fully open the door and let him enter first.

As Jiang Jin watched Lu Zhi about to follow into the classroom, he quickly asked, “What? He’s not what? Finish your sentence.”

Click. The closing door shut him out.

On the first Monday of the senior year, during the last ten minutes of afternoon classes, Gao Ming, the homeroom teacher of Class 10, stopped lecturing and asked the class if they wanted to re-elect class committee members.

Holding annual elections was a class tradition, even if the class roster remained unchanged.

A mere formality.

The formality lasted less than a minute, with all students unanimously raising their hands to say no re-election was needed they were fine with keeping the same committee members as last year.

They loved having God Lu as their class president: he excelled academically, and no one dared provoke him, which somehow made their class feel more respected than others probably a psychological effect.

But everyone enjoyed it; having the class president as a school-day idol wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Starting this week, day students would only attend one evening self-study session, while boarders would return to their dorms by 10 p.m.

The first evening self-study session passed quickly, ending in no time.

Chi Jinxian, whose courage had only been missing for a day, had fully recovered the moment he got hold of Lu Zhi’s meal card. Right after school ended, he tugged lightly on Lu Zhi’s backpack strap, and when Lu Zhi looked over, he boldly declared his love with unwavering confidence.

As expected, he was interrupted again.

Undeterred, Chi Jinxian quietly slipped the love letter and rose into the side pocket of Lu Zhi’s backpack, then waved cheerfully goodbye.

When Lu Zhi got off the bus and arrived home, he heard a commotion in the living room as soon as he opened the door.

“Dad, I don’t want to live on campus. Can you talk to Father about it?” Lu Wan’s voice, tinged with coquetry and grievance, drifted through the living room, completely different from the arrogant tone he’d had at noon. A young man’s gentle voice responded beside him, “Talking to your father won’t help. Lu, your brother wants you to stay on campus.”

“Why should I listen to him!”

As if he hadn’t heard their conversation, Lu Zhi slammed the door shut with a loud “bang.”

Quite impolite.

All sounds in the living room abruptly ceased.

“Xiao Zhi, you’re back.” The young man, upon seeing him, immediately broke into a smile and inquired with concern.

Lu Zhi’s gaze lingered lightly on his face for a moment not merely a look, but a warning.

Sure enough, sensing his expression, the young man corrected himself: “Lu Zhi.”

Just by looking at Lu Wan, one could tell how beautiful the young man was. Unlike Lu Zhi, who resembled Lu Zisheng, Lu Wan had entirely inherited his dad’s looks and temperament.

But Lu Wan was still a child, far from possessing the unique seductive allure and the exquisitely refined, delicate charm that Ai Duoyan exuded.

Many Alphas were drawn to such qualities, even though he was a Beta.

Betas don’t have reproductive organs and can’t bear children, yet he gave birth to Lu Wan.

“Father is home, isn’t he? If you don’t want to do something, go talk to him directly.” Lu Zhi’s tone was indifferent, clearly indicating he wanted no part in the matter.

Having been thwarted earlier that day, Lu Wan was in a foul mood, but at home, he didn’t dare say much to Lu Zhi.

After hesitating for a long while, he only managed to mutter, “Brother, I don’t want to live on campus.”

Seeming to dislike the address, Lu Zhi frowned in disgust and couldn’t be bothered to engage further.

Without a word, he headed upstairs.

On the very first day Ai Duoyan brought Lu Wan to the Lu family, Lu Zhi had made it clear: as long as he lived in this house, Lu Wan was not to wander around under his watch.

Either stay confined to his room and behave, or live quietly at school.

Though the rule wasn’t strictly enforced, it was firmly in place.

After all, the outside world only recognized Lu Zhi as the heir of the Lu family.

Never mind that the Lu elders weren’t limited to Lu Zisheng; even if Lu Zisheng were the only one left, the fact remained that Lu Zhi was the sole son of Lu Zisheng’s lawfully wedded wife.

“By the way.” Lu Zhi suddenly paused on the stairs, looking down at Lu Wan from the middle steps, his expression utterly detached.

“Watch your mouth.” His gaze turned cold as he said, “Don’t let there be a next time.”

Though his tone was flat, the gradually darkening look in his eyes conveyed all the warning and threat. A chill ran down Lu Wan’s spine, spreading across his back as cold sweat broke out.

Perhaps hearing the commotion, the study door clicked open softly, and Lu Zisheng emerged.

Passing by the study, Lu Zhi, true to form, didn’t even smile at his own father, merely greeting him with, “Father.”

After briefly agreeing to come down for dinner later, he returned to his room.

As if timed perfectly, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Lu Zhi took it out to check. Whether he’d lost his mind or not, he had changed a contact name that afternoon.

Now, the owner of that contact, labeled 【Spoiled Brat】, had sent a message.

【Bro, give me a chance to date? I’m super well-behaved.】