Seeing that Qiu Sui didn’t respond for several seconds, Qiao Keren next to him felt like a total detective genius and continued excitedly drawing conclusions. “I knew your ideal type was always Omegas. How come you’re suddenly talking about finding a Beta partner?”
As he spoke, Qiao Keren recalled running into Xiao Mu in the teaching building before and how the guy had greeted him. His impression was pretty good. “Xiao Mu seems pretty outgoing and lively, right? And he’s not bad-looking either…”
Qiu Sui snapped out of his thoughts and realized his brief silence had nearly made the misunderstanding worse. He hurriedly interrupted Qiao Keren, his expression serious. “No, no, Xiao Mu and I are just regular friends.”
Qiao Keren had been about to heap on more praise when his words caught in his throat. He let out a long “Ah?” and blinked at Qiu Sui in total confusion.
“I just want a Beta partner as my dating criteria, that’s all. It has nothing to do with Xiao Mu,” Qiu Sui explained.
Qiu Shun, propping his chin across from them, had been observing his brother for a while before suddenly asking, “Why the sudden urge to start dating?”
Qiu Sui’s main reason for wanting a partner was to more safely dodge the plot, but he couldn’t find one right away, so he could only state his criteria to Qiu Shun for now.
Under Qiu Shun’s direct gaze, he felt exposed, like his mind was being read. He gripped his chopsticks tighter without thinking and forced a calm tone. “I just suddenly felt like it. Lots of people in our class have been pairing up lately.”
As he said it, a chill crept down his back—like the hangover from lying.
Qiu Shun let out a brief “Oh” in response. Wanting to date was normal enough. Betas had no Pheromones, so they couldn’t soothe an Alpha or Mark an Omega. Dating a Beta was indeed pretty suitable.
But after taking a bite of rice, he added a bit more seriously, “Betas might be a good match for Betas, but I still think liking each other matters more.”
Qiu Sui nodded in agreement, even though he didn’t know why Qiu Shun said that. Out loud, he said he’d definitely find a Beta he liked to date, but in his heart, he thought liking someone was something that could spark in an instant—from the second two people locked eyes for the first time—or bubble up in some gesture during long acquaintance. Or it might never happen at all. Too unpredictable.
I don’t think I can find it, Qiu Sui thought. Right now, I just want to dodge the plot.
With that, he rubbed his somewhat chilly nape, feeling like the central AC overhead was blasting too cold, making his hairs stand on end.
Qiao Keren’s detective genius title overturned, he waved it off at Qiu Sui with a long sigh. “Then you’re doomed just like me. The more you want a partner, the harder it gets. We’ll end up holding hands and watching everyone else date.”
He shot a meaningful glance at Qiu Shun as he said it, but the guy kept eating calmly, no pressure at all.
Qiao Keren had been waiting for Qiu Shun to come clean about him and Shen Zhixiao, but after holding out nearly half a month, nothing. He was getting antsy. Apart from that one time off-campus spotting them together, he hadn’t seen the two hang out. He couldn’t help suspecting if they really were the kind of “relationship” Qiu Sui had mentioned.
But Qiu Sui wouldn’t lie to me, right?
Qiao Keren was holding it in so hard, itching to ask, when he heard the brothers start discussing flight times home.
“How about the afternoon of the 1st? I don’t wanna get up early,” Qiu Sui said, full from lunch. His head naturally leaned onto Qiao Keren’s shoulder as he held up his phone high to scroll flights. Being taller made the pose a bit comical.
Qiu Shun seriously compared prices across a few apps for the same flight, then reluctantly tapped two tickets for the afternoon of the 1st. “No baggage allowance.”
With the end of the month nearing, Qiu Sui’s pocket money was mostly spent. He sat up straight with a resentful look and caved without pride. “Then let’s do the morning of the 2nd instead.”
Those tickets were the cheapest.
Qiao Keren’s attention snagged on them planning to stick around campus an extra day. The question on his lips turned to cheers. “Perfect! We can all hang out together then.”
Figuring the day would be free, the brothers nodded in sync.
Qiu Sui even pondered what gifts to buy home for family and friends.
That reminded him of Xiao Mu’s birthday next Tuesday—the 29th, just three days away.
He couldn’t show up empty-handed, so back at the dorm, Qiu Sui carefully picked out a small gift for him.
Given the awkward desk-sharing with Shen Zhixiao and Wen Heng Friday morning, then during classes Saturday and Monday, Qiu Sui always checked the floor hall before heading out. Spotting either of them, he’d bolt for the stairwell. Even if spotted, he’d pretend not to hear and dash downstairs.
He dodged them in the dorm, but changing classrooms in the teaching building made face-to-face encounters unavoidable.
Passing them head-on, Qiu Sui tensed up hard, but they smiled and greeted him like nothing happened—never mentioning calling for him in the dorm with no response.
He didn’t dare meet those friendly eyes, just hugged his books, gave an awkward smile, and hurried off with Xiao Mu—completely missing the pair of eyes boring into his retreating back.
Tuesday afternoon after classes, Qiu Sui and Xiao Mu didn’t head straight off-campus since they’d stay overnight. They returned to the dorm first for changes of clothes; Qiu Sui grabbed the gift for Xiao Mu too.
Near evening class time, Shen Zhixiao and Wen Heng—who had lectures—were probably already in the classroom signing in. Qiu Sui headed to the floor hall without much guard up.
Just stepping in, he jolted at the one still figure standing motionless—the tall S-Rank Alpha at the elevator.
Qiu Sui clutched the gift bag, staring in shock. His heart raced out of control. Before he could calm, the rigid silhouette moved.
The guy spun around fast—before Qiu Sui could back off—face blank as he stared. Under the hall’s harsh fluorescents, his handsome features looked pale and icy, setting Qiu Sui’s danger senses prickling, hackles rising.
But almost instantly, the cold melted into a standard smile. His dark eyes reflected Qiu Sui’s figure as he greeted warmly, “Heading out?”
Someone who should be in class suddenly here—the guy he’d been dodging—Qiu Sui’s mind screamed horror movie. His danger radar blared; he couldn’t react right away.
Qiu Sui didn’t answer. Shen Zhixiao didn’t seem to mind, glancing curiously at the gift bag before smiling again. “Where to?”
An S-Rank Alpha’s presence was overwhelming. Qiu Sui felt a pang of panic like getting caught sneaking out cheating.
Sweat slicked his palm on the bag. Under that intense gaze, it took ages to flick his eyes away and stammer, “O-off… off-campus. What a coincidence.”
He didn’t know why he was this tense—body rigid, barely movable. Seconds later, he shuffled two steps toward the stairs. Then Shen Zhixiao’s voice made his shoulders twitch.
“Coincidence?”
The voice dipped low, tone lilting with teasing question.
Qiu Sui sensed something off from his usual self. His heart hammered wildly, tremors rippling through limbs in dense panic.
But soon, a light chuckle, and the tone softened gentle. “It really is. First time late to class, and I run into you.”
He added with a hint of grievance, “All Wen Heng’s fault. Woke up from nap without waking me and ditched to class.”
Qiu Sui’s tension eased a fraction. No wonder.
Under that unignorable stare, he forced an awkward, flustered laugh, desperate to flee. He shuffled two more steps toward the stairs, dryly saying, “Then I’ll head out…”
An Alpha cut him off, puzzled concern in his voice. “Why not wait for the elevator? Barely anyone around now.”
The mild tone sent a spine-tingling chill through Qiu Sui. Glancing at the guy’s kind expression, he figured it was his own awkwardness. He refused, “Too lazy to wait. Stairs are fine…”
He’d barely finished when the man hit the elevator button. The doors dinged open. He turned, face full of regret and innocence, explaining warmly, “I forgot to call it earlier. No wonder it took so long.”
Smiling, he stepped in, held the door open, and watched expectantly—earnest focus. “Elevator’s here now. Let’s go down together. Don’t keep your friend waiting.”
Maybe the tardiness had him off, but Qiu Sui hesitated with an “Uh,” then stepped in under the persistent wait.
Luckily, Shen Zhixiao stayed quiet in the elevator, standing silently behind. Only at the first floor did he smile and remind, “Be safe heading out.”
Qiu Sui felt bad for overthinking earlier and waved goodbye.
Xiao Mu stood at the dorm entrance. Seeing Qiu Sui’s text that he was downstairs, he happily craned to look—only to lock eyes with a cold, icy glare.
The S-Rank Alpha stood behind Qiu Sui, staring him down coldly.
Xiao Mu’s heart jumped, thinking the guy wanted to ruin their two-man dinner—until Qiu Sui emerged alone. He exhaled.
To keep solo time with Qiu Sui, Xiao Mu called a dedicated ride.
He was thrilled with the gift, pulling it out repeatedly to admire before stowing it, chatting animatedly now and then.
Qiu Sui was still distracted, mind on that slightly off Shen Zhixiao—who’d only held his phone, no books.
Rushed too much from being late and forgot?
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