The young man had a head of curly, fluffy flaxen hair, which now bristled with anger. His eyes were quite beautiful, with slightly downturned corners, and now, as he grew angry, they shone brightly.
Lennart, the son of the deputy director of the factory where I worked, was also a beta. He was currently in the eighth grade at a public school in Central Six Cities, and now was the time when all schools were on break.
We had met a few months ago when he came to stay for about two weeks to complete a school survey project. I had served as his temporary guide, showing him around the steel factory and the Twelve Cities.
Before he left, he had promised to come back and visit me, and by my calculations, that time had come just a few days ago.
“Take me upstairs! Why are you stopping me?” Lennart grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me up the stairs. “Chen Zhiwei! Let go!”
I tightened my grip on the handrail, bracing myself against the steps.
“Lennart!” I called his name, “Stop making a scene. This is a hospital.”
“What scene am I making?” Lennart finally loosened his grip and turned to look at me, his fluffy curls framing a face that looked as if he had been terribly wronged. “I came back and heard you were gone. I was so worried! I even begged my father not to let them fire you over this. How could you say something like that?”
“I had to dig around to find out you were here!” Lennart’s eyes were now round, and with his curls, he looked like a teddy bear. “I thought you were sick, so I came as soon as I got the news. How could you—”
Oh no, this is not something to say out loud.
The medical center was full of security guards and bodyguards. If anyone overheard, my whole persona would crumble. The music in my head stopped, the little figures stopped dancing, the lights went out, and my brain finally started working again.
I quickly stepped forward, one hand gripping his waist and the other covering his mouth as I dragged him away. “Come with me, I’ll explain.”
“Mmm—” Lennart tried to struggle, but he was tall and strong, and it took almost no effort for him to break free. “I don’t want to hear it! Whatever you say, I won’t believe you. You’re just lying to me!”
Help, stop making a scene.
I could feel the eyes of the nurses and doctors nearby, and even a couple of security guards were starting to approach. If this continued, it would inevitably reach Disen Jiangsen’s ears.
Lennart grabbed my wrist again and shouted, “You said you’d explain! Why aren’t you saying anything now?”
I: “…”
Why did I ever get involved with you?
As he started to make a fuss again, I couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle his hair, gritting my teeth as I said, “There’s nothing to explain. It’s exactly what you saw. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing more I can say.”
“Let go.” I looked at him, swallowing hard. “I said let go. Just leave.”
Lennart looked hurt, his green eyes wide as he instinctively released my hand. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing.” I turned my face away, refusing to look at him, and started walking. “That’s it.”
Before attracting more attention, I quickly headed downstairs.
Lennart caught up a few seconds later, and we raced down the stairs like we were in a speed-walking competition.
“Chen Zhiwei! Stop right there!” Lennart shouted from behind. “You better explain yourself!”
I walked faster, breaking into a run.
Please don’t run into Disen, don’t run into those Jiangsen bodyguards.
I pushed past countless people, running until I was out of breath, finally stopping in the woods outside the hospital building. I leaned against a tree, panting, and just as I caught my breath, Lennart caught up. His honey-colored face was slightly flushed, his eyes moist, and his curls clung to his handsome face. “Why are you running?”
I leaned back against the tree, looking defeated. “Why did you even bother chasing me?”
“You didn’t even say anything!” Lennart stepped closer, looking even more aggrieved. “How dare you get mad at me? How dare you tell me to leave? You’re not going anywhere until you explain!”
I covered my face, letting out a sigh. “Would you even believe me if I explained?”
I looked at him, trying to convey three parts disappointment, three parts sadness, and four parts desolation. “If there’s no trust, then anything I say is pointless.”
“I—” Lennart looked flustered, his hands gripping my shoulders as if he didn’t know what to do with his anger. “Then just say it! Explain why you suddenly ended up in prison, why you’re here now, and why—”
“Why were you hugging that guy!”
He shouted it out, his hands tightening on my shoulders.
I said, “I got caught up in Olbert’s mess, so I ended up in prison. The guy who hugged me is my cellmate. He’s someone important, and he promised he could get me out, but the condition was—”
“What?” Lennart’s anxiety was palpable as he interrupted, guessing, “Did he want you to date him? Did you agree? How could you do this to me! Chen Zhiwei, haven’t I been good enough to you? I could have gotten you out too! Why didn’t you ever agree to me? How could you do this?!”
He looked like a kicked puppy, tethered and barking at me.
Lennart’s curls seemed to lose their luster as he looked down, his beautiful eyes on the verge of melting. “How… how could you do this to me?”
There seemed to be tears in his eyes.
I reached out and touched his face. “What are you thinking? I’m not some outstanding or remarkable person. Who else would chase after me like you do?”
“But you never agreed to me either!” Lennart couldn’t hold back anymore, wrapping his arms around me and resting his head on my shoulder. “What’s really going on? Tell me!”
I said, “He’s having some issues with his fiancé, and he asked me to pretend to be close to him to make his fiancé jealous. That’s all.”
“Really?” Lennart pulled back, his eyebrows lifting in excitement. “So what happened earlier was—was it all an act?”
I nodded.
It was all an act, anyway.
“Don’t think this means I forgive you.” Lennart tried to suppress his happiness, forcing his lips not to curve into a smile, but his eyes betrayed him completely. “I still hate that you were so close to him, and how do I know you’re not lying to me?”
As soon as he said it, he remembered my earlier words and quickly added, “No, it’s not that I don’t trust you! But you never reached out to me, and you were so close to him. If I hadn’t seen it, would you have even told me?”
“I never planned to hide it from you.” I paused, affectionately ruffling his fluffy hair. “But as soon as we met, you were so eager to catch me in the act. I didn’t have a chance.”
I said softly, “Lennart, you should have been calmer. Making a scene in public like that—what if word got out? How would your father see me?”
Back then, I had made a good impression on his father, which was why he had trusted me to show Lennart around the Twelve Cities and the factory. After the project ended, I didn’t get a promotion, but I did receive a bonus.
Lennart’s face grew increasingly uneasy, and he even bit his lip. “Was I too impulsive?”
“It’s fine, it’s over.” I smiled at him. “Don’t overthink it.”
Lennart nodded reluctantly, but his face still showed signs of worry.
I asked, “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happier after I explained.”
Lennart shook his head, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing, I’m just a little distracted.”
After a few seconds, he added, “Was I really that impulsive?”
“So what if you were?” I pinched his cheek and laughed. “Next time something like this happens, I’ll find a way to smooth it over for you.”
Lennart grinned, a small dimple appearing on one side of his mouth. “Okay.”
He seemed to regain his energy, standing up and pulling me along. “So how long do you have to keep up this act? Seriously, couldn’t he have found someone else? Why does it have to be you?”
“Don’t say that. He’s the one who got me out.”
I said.
“If you’d just waited a few more days, I would have come to the Twelve Cities. I could have gotten you out too!”
Lennart turned back, his face full of reluctance.
"By then, it might be too late," I said helplessly, shaking his arm. "They’re leaving tomorrow afternoon."
"Good riddance!" Lennart snorted, then suddenly stopped and turned to look at me. "You didn’t—"
He trailed off, his honey-colored face flushing slightly as he leaned in to sniff me. But unfortunately, he was a beta, and his sensitivity to pheromones was weak. After sniffing for a while, he still couldn’t detect anything, just pinched his chin and circled around me.
I grabbed his shoulders firmly. "No, I only hugged him, and it was all for show in front of his fiancé."
"Fine, I’ll take your word for it," Lennart muttered, then added, "Even if you don’t agree to be with me, you absolutely can’t agree to be with anyone else…"
Lennart spoke seriously, "When you feel ready to accept me, I’ll take you to meet my father."
Please, no. If your father doesn’t kill me, I’ll consider myself lucky.
I could only laugh awkwardly, putting on a determined expression. "One day, I’ll stand beside you as someone worthy of you."
"If it comes to it—" Lennart suddenly wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing close and nuzzling my ear, "we could do what your colleague did…"
His warm breath brushed against my ear.
I played dumb. "What do you mean?"
Lennart nipped my earlobe. "Didn’t you say before that one of your colleagues got married because of a baby? A shotgun wedding?"
His voice was soft and quick, his damp breath lingering by my ear.
That was then, this is now.
Now that I can get a new job, why would I get married?
I frowned, pushing him away and shaking my head. "We can’t do that. You have better options. Don’t tie yourself to me. I want to strive for you, but I also know I might never succeed. So I won’t agree to this, and I won’t drag you into my mess."
Lennart listened quietly, his eyes growing brighter.
After a long pause, he said earnestly, "I’ll wait for you."
I added, "You should head back early. Once things are settled tomorrow, I’ll come find you."
Lennart hesitated. "But—"
"Go back early," I said gently. "Be good, alright?"
Lennart wavered but eventually left, glancing back every few steps.
Damn, I’m exhausted.
As Lennart’s figure disappeared into the woods, I leaned against a tree, panting and rubbing my temples.
Then, I heard a few claps.
"Well, you’re quite the charmer, huh? Smooth talker, aren’t you?"
A mocking voice rang out.
I turned and saw a vaguely familiar face.
I stared at his menacing expression for a few seconds before it clicked.
Wasn’t this the prison guard who kicked me in jail?
What was his name… Disen?
Seriously, what kind of day is this?!
Why is one mess after another piling up?
Disen was in his military uniform, holding a set of keys, with a few cigarette butts at his feet.
I quickly reviewed my earlier words, confident there were no loopholes, and replied coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for the boss," Disen paused, then gave me a once-over. "From the first time I saw you, I knew you were a lowlife who couldn’t be trusted. But I guess you’ve got some skills, managing to latch onto Young Master Olbert, huh?"
I replied calmly, "It’s exactly as you heard. Olbert and I had an agreement to keep it secret. If it leaks from you, you know the consequences, right?"
"Why wouldn’t I believe it?" Disen’s eyes were full of disdain, but he pulled out his terminal. "I’ve already recorded it. The boss and Young Master Olbert will be here soon. Why don’t we let them hear your heartfelt confession to another beta in person? If what you said is true, I’ll take the punishment. If it’s a lie, someone might end up dead."
I was speechless.
You’re really determined to ruin me, huh?
"We’ve got no beef, and you even kicked me once. Why do you seem to hate me so much?"
I asked.
Disen grinned. "Don’t think I didn’t notice. From the moment you first met the boss, your eyes were full of schemes."
Oh, I get it now. He’s gay.
Even though in the ABO world, betas are the majority and usually marry within their own gender, alphas and omegas rarely fall for the same sex due to pheromones.
But clearly, this guy’s an exception.
Or maybe it’s just admiration.
Alphas are naturally drawn to strength—except me.
"So you’re not sending it to them directly because you want them to see me humiliated in person?" I scratched my head furiously, feeling itchy all over. "Damn it, you’re insane! What’s it to you?!"
Disen burst into laughter seeing me so flustered.
He even glanced at his terminal and announced, "What are you going to do? They’ll be here in a few minutes. Scared of dying? Too bad—"
While he was laughing, I lunged at him, aiming a hard kick at his stomach and trying to grab the terminal.
I can’t take this anymore! No one told me I’d have to star in an action movie!
Disen, being a soldier, fought back, and soon we were grappling, blood staining both of us. His ordinary face looked even more menacing with the blood, more like a thug than a soldier.
During the scuffle, I managed to pin the terminal under me, desperately trying to delete the recording.
But footsteps were already approaching from the woods, sounding chaotic. Disen’s fists rained down on me, his face red like expired chili sauce.
He even shouted, "Hurry! Come over here!"
The wind rustled through the trees, and my body and mind were disconnected—my limbs still struggling, but my brain was blank.
Damn it, not even a song in my head. Just silence.
But I can’t think of a solution! Might as well have a song playing!
Just as I thought that, a flash of inspiration hit me, and finally—a song started playing in my head:
Let’s dance! Talking is overrated! Just dance to feel good! Keep dancing!
…That’s not the kind of inspiration I needed!
