Chapter 1

Late August in S City remained sweltering, the cicadas’ incessant chirping filling the air as sunlight filtered through the gaps in the classroom curtains.

Today marked the return to Jiangning No.1 High School after summer break.

“So, classes officially start the day after tomorrow. I hope everyone uses these last two days to get back into the right mindset…”

The new homeroom teacher had just announced dismissal from the podium when the classroom exploded into chaos.

“Ling Bro, wanna go play ball?”

“Come on, Ling Bro. It’s been ages since we saw those slick shots of yours. We miss ’em.”

“A day apart feels like three years.”

“I’ve got plans today.” Xie Ling looked up from his manga, a lazy smile in his eyes. “Wait till school starts. I’ve cooked up a new killer move. I’ll show you guys then.”

“Whoa, Ling Bro’s the man!”

“Never been this pumped for school!”

“We’re heading out first!”

“Watch the road. Don’t miss me too much.”

Xie Ling waved mischievously at his pack of devoted fans before starting to pack his things. Then his deskmate Xia Yu blurted out, “Little Lingling! Little Lingling! Brother Gu Ran’s getting bullied!”

Xie Ling frowned. “What?”

Xia Yu thrust his phone forward, relaying the message he’d just seen in the school group chat. “It happened in that little park near our school. Some random alpha was picking on him, and they laid out Zhou Haoxuan too.”

Xie Ling immediately dialed Gu Ran, only to find his phone was off.

Gu Ran was a year ahead of him, on the cusp of senior year—the object of Xie Ling’s affections.

Seniors had started classes early last week. Gu Ran lived in the same neighborhood as Xie Ling. He’d gotten off early today for once and even mentioned heading home together. But now the time had come and gone, and his phone was shut off.

“Reliable intel?” Xie Ling asked as he shot to his feet.

“Should be. One of Zhou Haoxuan’s underlings said it themselves.”

Zhou Haoxuan was in the same grade but a different class. The two had never gotten along and had even traded blows twice. Xie Ling dismissed him as a total pushover—but only against himself. For most people, that Zhou punk was still a tough nut to crack.

Xie Ling’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning icy. He bolted for the door without even grabbing his backpack.

Xia Yu jogged alongside, chattering away. “That guy’s pheromones seem crazy strong, but no way he’s a match for you, Little Lingling. I’ll tag along… What’s wrong?”

He eyed Xie Ling in confusion as the other boy came to a sudden halt.

“Held it in too long. Gotta hit the bathroom. You go ahead.”

Xia Yu sensed something off but nodded anyway. “Alright, I’ll go hold the guy for you.”

Xie Ling grunted in acknowledgment. He glanced through the back door at the now-deserted classroom. “Call Xiao Yanfei. You’re just an omega—don’t get yourself bullied.”

Xia Yu nodded vigorously and dashed off.

Once he was sure Xia Yu was gone, Xie Ling slipped back into the classroom.

That line about the guy’s “super strong pheromones” lingered in his mind. Xie Ling’s gaze darkened. He swiftly pulled two syringes from his backpack, pocketed them, and headed to the bathroom.

~~~

Twenty minutes later, Xie Ling reached the entrance to the little park Xia Yu had mentioned.

The spot was fairly close to his old middle school. He’d skipped class plenty back then to rollerblade here—a real blast from the past.

“Little Lingling! Little Lingling!” Xia Yu ran out to greet him.

“That dog alpha still there? Any sign of Brother Gu Ran?” Gu Ran still hadn’t replied, and his phone remained unreachable.

“No sign of Senior Gu Ran. The big hunk… I mean, dog alpha’s still hanging around. I had Xiao Yanfei keep an eye on him. Dude wasn’t planning to leave anyway. Didn’t even light incense and pray when he heard your name, Little Lingling. Just chilling with his manga.”

Xie Ling bristled and ignored the bizarre “big hunk dog alpha” label, sneering coldly. “Cocky bastard.”

He had a pair of seductive fox eyes, the outer corners naturally upturned. He usually lounged around with a carefree slouch, but when he got pissed, that cold smirk carried a razor-sharp edge.

“He’s cocky for real. Or maybe what they say about ignorance being bliss. No school uniform, so no clue which school’s he’s from. Probably not from our district.”

“Doesn’t matter where he’s from. He’s not walking away today.”

The unnamed alpha was being held down in a small square pavilion in the park. The afternoon sun blazed at its fiercest, yet the square was ringed with First High students like it was a flag-raising assembly—all drawn by word that Xie Ling was coming for a showdown.

Xie Ling had made his name on the very first day of freshman year, stunning everyone with his jaw-dropping looks. His legend grew with near-perfect scores across every subject and soloing five alphas without breaking a sweat. By now, he was the school’s undisputed big shot.

As the big shot strode into the square, he spotted everyone’s gazes fixed unanimously on a large tree in the southern corner.

“That’s the guy—sitting under the tree!” Xia Yu said.

His voice drew the crowd’s attention. When they realized Xie Ling had arrived, a ripple of excitement spread through them.

“Ling Bro’s here!!”

“Today’s Ling Bro is dazzling as ever!!” Not just omegas—some betas and even alphas had snuck in to cheer.

Normally, Xie Ling would trade jokes with his Fan Support Club crew, but not today. He cut straight through the square toward the tree.

“Ling Bro!”

The handful of guys blocking the tree parted smoothly.

Xie Ling got his first look at the dog alpha.

It was a boy with light brown hair, dressed in a white button-up and jeans. He leaned against the trunk, one leg stretched out, the other bent with his elbow draped casually over his knee.

He had phoenix eyes with lighter-than-usual pupils, a faint smile curving his lips—polite yet distant, giving off an aloof, untouchable vibe.

Xia Yu and the other omegas were heartbroken. Too damn handsome. Why’d a stud alpha have to do such a dog thing? He was about to get turned into a swollen pig head by their Ling Bro.

“…Qin Han.” Xie Ling uttered the two words slowly.

A murmur erupted from the crowd.

“No way—that profile looked familiar. It really is Qin Han!!”

“You know him?”

“Junior high classmate. Back in school, he and Ling Bro were huge deals. They never got along, though…”

Xie Ling had always been popular. Things started off okay with Qin Han in middle school. But halfway through his term as Student Council President, Qin Han flipped a switch and started abusing his authority to target Xie Ling—banning this, forbidding that. Their relationship soured, conflicts snowballing with every clash.

Then, in the second semester of freshman year, Qin Han abruptly transferred to the States. Right before leaving, they’d had a blowup, and Xie Ling had even issued a challenge. It all fizzled out unresolved.

Xie Ling had figured he’d never see the guy again.

Qin Han rose and brushed imaginary dust from his pant legs.

“You’re still so popular.” He gazed at Xie Ling, a subtle ripple stirring in his smiling eyes.

He’d grown taller, leaner.

They’d parted on bad terms back then. Xie Ling hadn’t expected their reunion to kick off with what sounded like a compliment. Was he softening the blow, knowing a beating was coming?

Xie Ling didn’t waver. He shoved his hands in his pockets and asked coolly, “You’re the one who messed with Brother Gu Ran?”

“Who’s Brother Gu Ran?”

Xie Ling lifted his chin slightly. “The guy I like.”

The air hung silent for a beat.

Qin Han crushed a bug that had crawled onto him with his fingers. “I have no interest in bullying people.”

A derisive snort cut through the tension.

A shadow fell over him in a flash. Before he knew it, Xie Ling was right in his face. A faint floral scent wafted in with Xie Ling’s approach, then dissipated just as quickly.

“Doesn’t your conscience sting saying that, Chairman Qin?” Xie Ling murmured, low enough for only the two of them to hear. “You sure didn’t hold back abusing your position to bully me back in middle school.”

The boy’s striking face was inches away, those fox eyes glinting with unfriendly amusement. His lowered voice took on a silky, teasing lilt.

Qin Han’s lashes fluttered. On impulse, he replied, “Yeah. Only you.”

Xie Ling froze. He hadn’t expected such a frank admission.

Had graduation unleashed him? Back then, Qin Han had always deflected with sanctimonious lectures on school rules, never owning up to the power trips.

“So Chairman Qin really gave me special treatment.” Memories of those oppressive days fueled Xie Ling’s anger. He grabbed Qin Han’s collar with one hand and shoved him back against the tree trunk.

The onlookers couldn’t make out their words but saw Xie Ling make his move, erupting in rowdy cheers.

Xia Yu had already been dragged clear of the fray by Xiao Yanfei. He yelled, “Little Lingling, can you not hit his face?!”

“Alphas fighting without face shots? Come on.” Xiao Yanfei pinned Xia Yu down and bellowed, “Xie Ling, pound him good!!”

Xie Ling stared at Qin Han’s long-lost, handsome-to-the-point-of-piss-off face and blanked on his original purpose for a moment.

“Where should I start?” His smile turned wicked and languid as his body tensed, bracing for whatever pheromones Qin Han might unleash.

Unexpectedly, Qin Han said, “Anywhere’s fine.”

His smile hadn’t faded. “Wherever you like.”

???

His attitude was far too calm, a massive departure from what Xie Ling had anticipated. For a moment, Xie Ling couldn’t process it.

“But don’t come any closer.” Qin Han eyed Xie Ling’s dumbfounded expression at his words, tempted to savor the sight a little longer. But no, he couldn’t.

The two of them were standing a bit too close—close enough that Qin Han could feel the warm puffs of Xie Ling’s breath brushing against his face.

Unobtrusively, Qin Han took a step back. “Otherwise, we might accidentally kiss before the fight even starts, and then your dignity would be utterly shattered.”

???

What kind of flirty nonsense was this guy talking?

He had to be trying to lull Xie Ling into dropping his guard before the brawl. Xie Ling refused to relax; he had to strike first. He threw a punch right away, but before it could land on Qin Han’s abdomen, a fierce wave of dizziness crashed over his brain. His knees buckled an instant later. He didn’t even have time to figure out what was happening before he collapsed.

In the split second before blacking out, he vaguely sensed himself falling into a solid embrace.

~~~

When Xie Ling came to again, he found himself in a hospital room with an IV drip hooked to the back of his hand. Aside from one doctor and two nurses, the place was empty.

Instinctively, Xie Ling tried to sit up. A sharp pain lanced from the top of his head straight to the soles of his feet, nearly sending him tumbling back down.

The two young nurses rushed over to steady him. The doctor said, “Classmate, don’t move yet. The side effects of your Gender Inducing Agent haven’t passed.”

“…Side effects?”

“We ran a full body scan on you. You’re an Omega, but you were giving off Alpha pheromones. Must be the Gender Inducing Agent, right?”

Xie Ling fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft hum.

As the name suggested, the Gender Inducing Agent was a drug that blurred the user’s gender presentation. Alphas, Betas, and Omegas could inject the appropriate formula to masquerade as another type, depending on their needs.

Ever since differentiating as an Omega, Xie Ling had been using the agent to pass as a strong Alpha.

The doctor sighed. “You shouldn’t use it anymore. The inducer has already done some damage to your body.”

Xie Ling grew anxious. “But I heard this stuff has no side effects.”

“The one you used does have minimal side effects, true. But you’re a top-tier Omega with a unique constitution, and you overdosed today, didn’t you?”

He had overdosed, yes. Xia Yu had warned him that his fight opponent had potent pheromones, so Xie Ling, terrified of being exposed, had upped the dose from one vial to two.

Yet Qin Han hadn’t released a single whiff of pheromones.

“For now, avoid any prolonged intense activity. Otherwise, you could get dizzy spells, shortness of breath, stabbing pains—or even pass out like today. Regular meds won’t cut it long-term, either. Your best bet is finding a top-tier Alpha with at least 98% compatibility to help ease your symptoms.”

Xie Ling blinked, a sinking feeling stirring in his gut. “Ease… how, exactly?”