Mu Chenxing truly had no idea who this Alpha was.
But Professor Zhang was confidently insistent, and his three roommates were seething with rage… He was starting to doubt his own memory.
He clearly remembered that night—the Alpha had said he was “just passing by.”
So, it couldn’t be someone the original body knew without him realizing.
He said to Professor Zhang once more, “No, I’m certain I don’t know him. He was just passing by that night.”
Professor Zhang frowned. “Then why did he give you such a strong Temporary Mark?”
Mu Chenxing spread his hands helplessly.
Tong Xiao hesitated for a moment before asking cautiously, “Was the Alpha on the other end pretty young?”
Professor Zhang got it instantly. “You think it’s because the other guy is too young and can’t control it well?”
Tong Xiao nodded.
Professor Zhang waved it off. “That’s unlikely. Anyone in a high position is old enough to be your father—”
His brows suddenly furrowed tight, his thoughtful gaze sweeping toward Mu Chenxing.
Mu Chenxing: “?”
Professor Zhang withdrew his gaze, his expression turning somewhat grave.
Mu Chenxing was baffled.
After a moment’s contemplation, Professor Zhang suddenly looked up and glared at him. “Did you spray the medicine?”
Mu Chenxing: “…Yes.”
“Then get out of here. Don’t waste my time.”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
He pulled down his pant leg and sleeve, preparing to leave.
Professor Zhang remembered something and called after him. “Don’t forget to come every day.”
Mu Chenxing: “…Didn’t you say just three days?”
Professor Zhang glared. “Come when I tell you to. With your Pheromones all over the place, you’re lucky I didn’t make you stay in the Medical Building.”
Mu Chenxing: “…Oh.”
He left the building with his roommates, slinking away dejectedly.
Once outside, he asked Tong Xiao, “What does this Professor Zhang specialize in? Why’s he so nosy?”
Tong Xiao shushed him. “He’s a big shot in Pheromone studies. He used to teach at Alliance University of Science and Technology, but his partner transferred here as principal a couple years ago, so he requested a move too. Not sure why he hasn’t taken on students though.”
Tao Xirui smirked. “I heard they’re trying for a baby, so he’s holding off.”
Xia Weizhen: “Huh, I thought they already had a kid.”
Tao Xirui: “They do—one already. But Professor Zhang loves kids and wants another.”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
He just couldn’t picture that handsome young professor pairing up with having babies.
Xia Weizhen sighed. “Betas trying for kids is tough. The principal transferred back almost a year ago, and they still haven’t conceived.”
To blend in and not seem out of place, Mu Chenxing forced out, “It’s fine. They’re still young.”
Tong Xiao rolled his eyes at him. “Young? Professor Zhang’s probably 60. If they don’t get it soon, it’ll be hard.”
Xia Weizhen: “Nah, I think it’s 56. The principal was stationed at the Border before, so they were apart a lot—tough to have a kid. Now they’re together every day, so it should happen soon. Maybe they already have.”
Tong Xiao: “True.”
Tao Xirui nodded. “They need to hurry. Fertility drops sharply after 60.”
Mu Chenxing’s jaw dropped.
56 and having kids???
Just a drop in fertility at 60?!
He didn’t dare ask about normal human lifespan or retirement age.
As his roommates dove into the principal and Professor Zhang’s love story, he lagged two steps behind and secretly searched—current human average lifespan.
…According to the 8026 Census #232, Alliance average lifespan is 133 years… Age divisions unchanged… Adulthood at 22, youth 23-55, middle age 56-90, elderly at 90, with retirement phased by gender and physique…
Mu Chenxing: “…”
Graduate at 23, start working at 24—work nearly 70 years??
Sounds miserable.
…Good thing he’s at a Military Academy, graduates to Border service, 5-10 years.
Wait—if an Omega marries young right after graduation, do they have to pop out kids from their twenties to fifties-sixties??
Fuck, that’s terrifying!!!
Past. Omega. Mu Chenxing shivered.
Xia Weizhen, turning back to check on him, caught it and worried, “You okay? Pheromones acting up?”
Mu Chenxing squeezed out a smile. “Nah.”
He quickly changed the subject. “Which Cafeteria we hitting?”
Xia Weizhen’s attention shifted right away. “Second Canteen—it’s closest.”
No objections. They headed straight there.
The next few days, life settled back into routine.
No word from the police station. Shen Mingtao’s brothers probably kept their distance to avoid suspicion. Mu Chenxing tagged along with his roommates, zipping around campus, hitting all seven Cafeterias.
Once his bones healed, he resumed training.
Maybe because he’d beaten Xu Zhicheng, or his daily persistence, or worry he’d get hurt alone—Tong Xiao and the others cut back on Alpha time, joining him for workouts every day.
On top of that, they got chummy with Professor Zhang, scoring snacks or gossip now and then.
Like today.
After checking Mu Chenxing, Professor Zhang frowned. “Over half a month, and your Pheromones are still this high?”
Mu Chenxing calmly rolled down his sleeve. “Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t affect life.”
At worst, training slowed a bit. He could live over a century now—no rush.
Professor Zhang rolled his eyes. “Long-term exposure to Alpha Pheromones causes issues. You know that?”
Mu Chenxing played dumb. “What kind?”
Professor Zhang rolled his eyes harder, pointing at Tong Xiao. “Tong Xiao, educate this ignorant newbie.”
Tong Xiao stifled a laugh. “If an Omega’s exposed long-term to a specific Alpha’s Pheromones, it creates false interference in their own Pheromones, making them think they’re bonded—stabilizing compatibility. It repels other Alphas’ Pheromones, makes adapting hard, harms physical and mental health, and affects fertility.”
Mu Chenxing: “Just that? No problem then—”
Professor Zhang smacked him hard.
“Bullshit.” Professor Zhang was exasperated. “You’re not even of age yet. Once some—no-good Alpha’s locked you down, how’ll you find a partner?”
Mu Chenxing looked innocent. “I can’t undo it. Waiting on you to figure it out… Professor, you holding off on clearing this Alpha’s Pheromones for some research?”
Professor Zhang: “…”
Tong Xiao and the others coughed lightly, scratched heads, stared out windows—fidgety, but their smirking faces gave them away.
Professor Zhang fumed, smacking Mu Chenxing’s forehead a few times.
“You little rascal.”
Mu Chenxing yelped dramatically, clutching his head and bolting out.
Tong Xiao and crew burst out laughing.
Professor Zhang was speechless, pointing and laughing-scolding, “How’s an Omega like you such a cheeky monkey?”
Seeing no more hits coming, Mu Chenxing darted back. “It’s called clowning around to entertain the old folks. Showing respect to my elders.”
Professor Zhang: “…Pfft, you’re the old one!”
He couldn’t hold back his grin. “Alright, enough fooling. Listen up—got something to tell you.”
Tong Xiao and the others sat up straight.
Mu Chenxing plopped back on the sofa, snagging a candy from the table and crunching it. “What’s got you so serious?”
Professor Zhang ignored him and got to it.
The school was hosting its anniversary celebration soon.
It didn’t involve them as freshmen much—just be background filler. Combat drills, fighting demos, cultural shows—all handled by upperclassmen.
Professor Zhang wasn’t hyped about that. He asked if Mu Chenxing and the others wanted to go backstage with him for autographs. The school had invited their alumnus—the Alliance’s youngest Admiral, Pei Yao—for the event.
This name rings a bell, Mu Chenxing thought.
Tong Xiao lit up. “Admiral Pei! Isn’t he stationed at the Northern Border?”
Xia Weizhen: “Aaaah! Really Admiral Pei?! I want in, I want in!”
Even Tao Xirui got excited. “Me too!”
Professor Zhang glanced subtly at the oblivious Mu Chenxing. “Falcon Army’s rotating back to Central Star this year—not public yet. Main force returned last month. He delayed half a month for handover, but he’s on Central Star now and agreed to come for the celebration. Wanna come see him with me?”
“Not taking students yet, or I wouldn’t bring you lot.”
Tong Xiao and crew nodded frantically, piling on lavish praise—even shy Tao Xirui fawned rainbow-style.
Professor Zhang smiled faintly. “No guarantees on autographs. Might just get a glimpse.”
The starstruck trio:
“No worries!! A glimpse is enough!!”
“Aaaah, seeing him is plenty!”
“That’s Admiral Pei!! The Alliance’s youngest Admiral! Even a distant look would do!”
Professor Zhang nodded warmly. “Alright, I’ll let you know.”
He turned to the lone holdout, Mu Chenxing. “You in?”
Mu Chenxing flicked another candy into the air, caught it in his mouth, crunched casually. “Not interested. Pass.”
