Chapter 36: High and Mighty Alpha Young Master

The call from his father ended, but Shen Yanzhi found his thoughts drifting back to Zhou Wu.

His private classroom was the size of a normal one, and with no one else around, it felt awfully empty. Having a dimwit sitting nearby with a picture book seemed… oddly appropriate.

Zhou Wu didn’t have a phone, so Shen Yanzhi simply sent a message to Su Bai, instructing him to bring Zhou Wu over.

Meanwhile, Su Bai felt his terminal vibrate. He glanced down, and his expression darkened instantly.

Zhou Wu was sleeping obediently on the desk beside him, his breathing steady and defenseless. Su Bai gripped his terminal so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He had no intention of handing Zhou Wu over to Shen Yanzhi.

Who knew what that guy would do to him?

After agonizing over it for a long time, Su Bai lied and said Zhou Wu wasn’t feeling well—he needed to take him to the infirmary for a nap.

Shen Yanzhi: 【Sleep here with me.】

Su Bai squeezed his eyes shut and shoved his phone into his desk drawer, pretending he hadn’t seen the message as he tried to stall for time.

But not long after, the teacher’s lecture came to an abrupt halt. Someone knocked on the door from outside and escorted her out.

Moments later, the teacher returned. Her gaze swept across the room, and she called out directly, “Zhou Wu.”

She paused, then added awkwardly, “Please go to the top floor with this teacher.”

Su Bai’s eyes widened in disbelief. Was this school actually run by Shen Yanzhi?

With no other options left, he shot to his feet. “Teacher, I’ll take him there.”

He pulled the newly awakened Zhou Wu to his feet and shielded him as they left the room.

In the corridor, Su Bai deliberately slowed their pace. His mind was a whirlwind of chaos, but he couldn’t think of any way to stand up to Shen Yanzhi.

However, just as they dawdled toward the elevator, another group of people approached from the opposite direction. Leading them was the Director of the School Affairs Office, who blocked their path.

With a stern expression, the director explained that, based on the evaluation, it would be better for Zhou Wu to transfer to a “more suitable” special school. The paperwork was already in process, and they needed to take him now to familiarize himself with the environment.

Su Bai’s heart leaped into his throat. Zhou Wu had already been approved for enrollment—why the sudden change?

Whose privilege was pulling the strings this time?

But as he listened, he realized they were talking about a legitimate school, one specifically established for special populations.

He had researched places like this before and even thought it might be ideal for Zhou Wu. The person in charge was a gentle middle-aged woman, just like the one on the official website.

Could it be the Shen Parents’ doing?

They were actually being reasonable. In his daze, Su Bai thought that the greatest devil in the entire Shen Family was Shen Yanzhi himself…

“05. You go ahead.”

Zhou Wu clearly didn’t want to leave with strangers. Su Bai gripped his hand tightly.

“Be good.”

…

Shen Yanzhi waited and waited in the classroom until his patience finally wore thin. All he got was a trembling report from the teacher: Madam had arranged for Zhou Wu’s transfer, and he’d been taken away.

Drawing his parents’ attention had been his goal in the first place, but after waiting half the day for nothing,

Shen Yanzhi felt a flicker of irritation anyway.

Suppressing his displeasure, he waited for classes to end before calling the driver to head to that so-called Academy for Special Populations and check it out.

He figured a dimwit like Zhou Wu, dumped into a completely unfamiliar place, must be terrified.

If the boy begged him, he’d reluctantly fish him out.

But when he arrived, he saw Zhou Wu on the playground, looking after a few little kids. He was shaking a jump rope for them, playing happily.

The moment he spotted Shen Yanzhi, the smile dropped from his face.

The dimwit’s instinctive first reaction was clearly to run, but he forced a bitter expression instead, reluctantly fishing the collar out of his pocket and clutching it hesitantly.

Shen Yanzhi: “…”

The teacher accompanying Shen Yanzhi had been about to praise Zhou Wu for being so obedient and helpful with the children. But one look at Young Master Shen’s face, and she didn’t dare say a word.

Shen Yanzhi waited coldly at the foot of the stairs for ages, but Zhou Wu didn’t budge an inch!

In the end, he stalked over with a dark expression and yanked the boy to his feet.

“Shen Yanzhi…” Zhou Wu sounded scared.

“What? You don’t want to come with me?”

Zhou Wu had learned his lesson. He shook his head frantically to show that wasn’t the case.

Young Master Shen let out a cold laugh, still unsatisfied.

“Then why didn’t you contact me?”

The words slipped out before he realized Zhou Wu had no way to do that.

Shen Yanzhi choked, then continued. “You just leave when others tell you to? You ran out of the bathroom pretty fast before—why didn’t you run to find me?”

“…” Zhou Wu stared at him blankly.

“You saw me earlier, didn’t you? Why didn’t you come over? Why make me come to you?”

Zhou Wu’s gaze grew dazed as he realized Shen Yanzhi was just going to stand there nagging endlessly.

Finally remembering the routine, he threw his arms tightly around Shen Yanzhi.

“Shen Yanzhi, I want to go home.”

Eldest Young Master Shen finally fell silent.

After a long moment, he shoved Zhou Wu away and grumbled, “Put on the collar!”

Zhou Wu struggled with it for ages, head bowed, but couldn’t manage. In the end, Shen Yanzhi yanked him close and snapped it on with a click.

“Ugh.” It was so tight.

Shen Yanzhi bundled Zhou Wu into the car. The boy figured he’d see Su Bai as soon as they got home.

Instead, Shen Yanzhi dragged him straight to the second floor—and even tried to take him into his precious study.

Zhou Wu froze in the doorway, glancing outward. He had no desire to go in.

Shen Yanzhi sneered coldly.

“What? Looking for someone?”

He didn’t need to guess. Zhou Wu was obviously searching for Su Bai.

Since his parents had started scheming to drive Su Bai away, Shen Yanzhi decided it was time to rebel openly.

He’d break Zhou Wu of this rotten habit of running off and looking for Su Bai, too.

“From now on, you’re staying right by my side.”

He was going to train the boy properly if it killed him.

Zhou Wu seethed inwardly but didn’t dare voice it. He could only sit there idly in the study, miserably scratching at the skin around his collar.

The villa had several restaurants, so he didn’t run into Su Bai at dinner. It was just him and Shen Yanzhi. Zhou Wu picked at his food without enthusiasm.

Finally, bedtime arrived. The little fool watched as Shen Yanzhi climbed into bed.

Thinking he could finally leave, a smile crept onto his face—but he hadn’t even made it out of the bedroom.

Shen Yanzhi called after him. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Zhou Wu turned back blankly. “?”

“I said you’re staying by my side.”

Shen Yanzhi pointed to the spot beside him.

“Lie down.”

Zhou Wu’s eyes went wide.

Shen Yanzhi arched a brow at him. Unwilling to disobey, Zhou Wu quietly lay down on the very edge of the bed.

Shen Yanzhi paid him no mind. He finished his book and switched off the light.

The bedding rustled for a moment.

Then the room fell completely silent.

Although someone cleaned the room regularly, Shen Yanzhi’s bedding still carried a faint woody fragrance.

His presence was overwhelming in itself.

Even lying there flat on his back with one hand resting on the covers, the scent of agarwood seemed even stronger.

Zhou Wu’s ears turned red. He held his position without moving.

A fixed distance separated the two of them.

Zhou Wu waited and waited, slowing his breathing. Feeling that Shen Yanzhi might have fallen asleep, he cracked his eyes open and began inching toward the edge of the bed.

Shen Yanzhi opened his eyes.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Zhou Wu froze instantly. “I… I want some water…?”

“No.”

“??”

Shen Yanzhi simply stared at him. With no choice, Zhou Wu reluctantly lay back down.

When he looked up, he found Shen Yanzhi still watching him.

The alpha’s face was somewhat blurred in the darkness, making it hard to read his expression, but his handsomeness was undeniable.

The agarwood scent seemed even thicker now.

Zhou Wu felt a little dazed.

Did he have to kiss him to get some water?

Testing the waters, Zhou Wu inched closer and closer. Shen Yanzhi didn’t move.

Only when their lips were about to meet did Shen Yanzhi’s mouth curve up. He turned his head aside.

“You want to drink my saliva?”

??

Sometimes, people really just wanted to go back to the orphanage…

Zhou Wu fell silent and buried his face under the covers. Shen Yanzhi yanked them away, pestering him.

“Where exactly were you trying to go? Tell me.”

Zhou Wu had no choice but to tell the truth. “I wanted to take off the collar.”

Wearing the collar felt incredibly uncomfortable. Zhou Wu’s eyes reddened, and his tone softened. With no other options, he hugged Shen Yanzhi again.

“Can I take it off? Shen Yanzhi…”

Shen Yanzhi fell silent for a moment, as if helpless, before agreeing.

“Mm.”

Zhou Wu lit up with joy. He eagerly removed the collar at last, but before he could rub his swollen nape…

The alpha had already turned his face and kissed him.

“!”

Shen Yanzhi had made Zhou Wu wear the collar to block his scent and avoid any influence. Now that Zhou Wu had taken it off, his intense fruit fragrance wafted out, tempting him. The little glutton must have developed a taste for it after last time. By that logic, the kiss was only natural.

The two quickly converged from opposite sides of the bed.

Shen Yanzhi pulled him in by the waist until even their toes touched.

Wait…

Zhou Wu stiffened for a moment but didn’t pull away.

After all, some of his functions truly weren’t working.

Even when he’d tested it hopefully before, all he could do was plant a few dreams in Shen Yanzhi’s mind. He couldn’t affect his spirit at all.

For the sake of the mission, this step was inevitable.

Watching the engrossed Shen Yanzhi, Zhou Wu hugged him back.

By the time he snapped out of it, Shen Yanzhi realized he’d been nuzzling Zhou Wu’s neck and had nearly opened his mouth.

He jerked back, hastily shoving the impulse aside.

No. How could he let such a common omega affect him?

The talk of pregnancy before had just been a hypothetical—a big move to trick his parents, nothing more.

Though alphas held more sway over omegas during marking, alphas weren’t entirely immune to influence.

He had no desire to mark such an idiot.

Not during his susceptible period, making a fool of himself.

He didn’t want to mark anyone.

Finally free of the weight on top of him, Zhou Wu opened his eyes. But that gaze was no longer innocent. Instead, it carried a predatory aggression that would feel utterly foreign to anyone who knew him.

He sat up silently, fixing his stare on Shen Yanzhi’s neck from a short distance away—like a wolf eyeing meat, cold and ravenous.

Sensing Zhou Wu leaning in again, Shen Yanzhi turned his head away. But then Zhou Wu actually grabbed hold of his…

Shen Yanzhi’s neck flushed red, his resolve wavering—only for Zhou Wu to shove him forcefully onto the bed.

Something suddenly felt off. He pushed the other away.

“What are you doing?”

He was breathing hard, the sleep shirt at his chest all rumpled.

Zhou Wu snapped back to awareness, as if confused by his own actions. He clutched his head, scared and miserable.

“Uh… wanted to bite…”

Shen Yanzhi didn’t catch it clearly. He assumed Zhou Wu meant he loved his scent so much he wanted to be bitten on the neck.

Unsurprised, he replied coldly, “No.”

Young, unmarked alphas and omegas always stuck together like this. Anyone would call it reckless. Sometimes, especially with low-grade ones, they were little more than slaves to their pheromones…

But Shen Yanzhi didn’t care much.

He was a top-tier alpha, with iron self-control.

…

Time passed like this. Shen Yanzhi kept Zhou Wu confined to the second floor, only occasionally taking him to the academy.

His mother tried talking to Shen Yanzhi multiple times, her words growing harsher each time, but he remained obstinately set on his course.

Perhaps because she’d never clashed so fiercely with her outstanding son before, she ended up in tears and backed off for a while. His father was still away on business.

At the end of the term, to everyone’s shock, Su Bai placed third in the entire school. Second place went to a commoner student who’d entered on grades alone.

First place, as always, was Shen Yanzhi.

With such prowess on display, others warmed even more to him. Plenty of nobles now genuinely sought his friendship.

Yet no matter how much acclaim Su Bai earned with his achievements, no matter how forcefully he argued with Shen Yanzhi, he still couldn’t see Zhou Wu even once.

Whenever he brought it up, Shen Yanzhi’s false politeness evaporated, replaced by a terrifying low pressure that froze every unspoken plea in Su Bai’s throat.

Meanwhile, the Young Master of the Hua Family—who’d lost face spectacularly in the canteen before—suddenly found an unexpected opportunity.

Mrs. Shen, who had always been indifferent to him, took the initiative to extend an olive branch. She not only invited him to visit the Shen Family home but also subtly suggested he host some gatherings.

To let Shen Yanzhi “relax a bit and spend time with suitable friends.”

Hua Jing’s heart raced with excitement. He wouldn’t miss a chance like this. He immediately decided on a cruise ship party.

Inviting Shen Yanzhi out to sea for a spin. Once everyone was sealed aboard the cruise ship, no one could back out easily, no matter what happened.

He smiled and said, “The sunset over the ocean is breathtaking too. It would be the perfect chance to… grow closer with Yanzhi.”

Mother Shen approved of his idea wholesale. After all, as long as Hua Jing could pull her son back from this “wrong path,” things couldn’t get much worse.

Word of the event soon spread through the Noble Academy. Hearing that Mrs. Shen had given her blessing and Shen Yanzhi himself would attend…

The eager noble students’ eyes lit up. They swarmed Hua Jing once more, fawning desperately for an invitation to board the ship.

Under pressure from his parents, Shen Yanzhi finally agreed to the invitation with nonchalance.

Shen Yanzhi knew Hua Jing’s little schemes and his mother’s intentions all too well. He was certain the other man would scheme something on the cruise ship.

But he didn’t care in the slightest.

In fact, he planned to bring Zhou Wu along.

The thought of Zhou Wu prompted Shen Yanzhi to head straight upstairs to the second floor as soon as he got home.

“Zhou Wu.”

Before he could finish speaking, the young man came rushing out, barreling straight into his arms and clinging to him tightly.

“Shen Yanzhi.”

A smirk tugged at Shen Yanzhi’s lips.

He had always found Zhou Wu insufficiently obedient before, but ever since he’d locked him in this room—unable to see Su Bai or even catch a glimpse of anyone else—Zhou Wu spent his days longing only for Shen Yanzhi’s return.

He had become far more compliant as a result. The moment he laid eyes on Shen Yanzhi, he’d come running for a hug. In the mornings, he refused to let him leave. Every day, he begged to tag along to school.

Sometimes, when Shen Yanzhi had to go anyway, Zhou Wu would even cry.

Just like now—he refused to let go.

Shen Yanzhi found the whole thing endlessly entertaining. He couldn’t resist hooking a finger through Zhou Wu’s collar and toying with it.

“Want to go play on the cruise ship, hmm?”

Zhou Wu froze for a second.

Shen Yanzhi had shut him away here for no apparent reason. None of this was in the original text, and 05 had been on edge the whole time. Now that he was finally bringing up the cruise ship…

Zhou Wu let out a quiet breath of relief. His chance had come.