“It’s good you found it. Just remember to keep your things safe next time. It’s a pain having to search for them all the time, isn’t it?”
“I know, I know,” Tao Ran replied, scratching his head.
As he spoke, his gaze flicked over to the calm expression on Cen Chi’s face, then to the equally composed Chi Zhan.
Chi Zhan kept wanting to touch the back of his neck. Ever since the pheromone sampling, Cen Chi had warned him that the nape could easily get infected. He’d even pulled out a disinfectant patch from his drawer and told him to stick it on.
Chi Zhan stared at the patch with an odd expression.
It was soft pink, decorated with little strawberry illustrations—and as if that wasn’t bad enough, the packaging explicitly stated “For O Use.”
Cen Chi’s explanation?
“Disinfectant patches designed for Omegas offer stronger protection and have antibacterial and soothing properties. The pain you’re feeling might be a stress reaction. A calming patch could help ease it.”
Since the pheromone collection, Chi Zhan had never been so aware of his own neck. Every now and then, a sharp, stinging sensation would flare up. Whether it was psychosomatic or not, the patch genuinely seemed to help.
That’s when he remembered his pheromone sample was still with Cen Chi.
“About the pheromone…”
“I have a friend who works at the Sample Center. He’s coming by later. I’ll give it to him, and we should get the results pretty quickly.”
Chi Zhan blinked, at a complete loss for words.
What kind of top-tier roommate was this guy? Not only had Cen Chi done the sampling for him, treated him to a drink, but now he was even taking care of the lab work. One-stop service, all-inclusive.
Cen Chi smiled.
“We’re friends now, aren’t we? It’s only natural to do something like this for a friend.”
Tao Ran, watching from the sidelines, looked as if his jaw might hit the floor.
What the hell? Wasn’t he supposed to be Chi-Chi’s best friend?!
Fortunately, Chi Zhan didn’t end up going to lunch with Cen Chi. He still chose to eat with Tao Ran.
While chewing on his chopsticks, Tao Ran hesitated before saying, “Chi-Chi… do you think Cen Chi might be… into you?”
Chi Zhan froze for a moment, then laughed helplessly.
“You’re overthinking it. Today was literally the first time we’ve talked properly. He was just being nice.”
“Hmph.” Tao Ran huffed. “I might not have any dating experience, but I’m not blind. Didn’t you notice the way he looked at you? It was super gentle. But when he turned to me—yeah, he was polite—but none of that softness.”
“…Was there?” Chi Zhan thought hard, but honestly couldn’t tell the difference. “Are you sure you’re not reading too much into it?”
“Of course there was! You’re just too deep in it to see clearly—classic case of not seeing the forest for the trees!”
Chi Zhan rubbed his forehead.
“Impossible. We’re both Betas.”
“Exactly!” Tao Ran shot back, full of conviction. “It’d be weirder if he liked an Alpha! Beta-on-Beta is totally normal. And he’s a total neat freak—yet he let you lie on his bed! If that’s not affection, what is?”
“That’s only because…” Chi Zhan honestly felt Tao Ran was making a mountain out of a molehill. After a long-winded explanation, he finally said, “Until we have concrete answers, don’t jump to conclusions. If someone overhears, it might even ruin the friendship.”
Chi Zhan didn’t have many friends. Besides Tao Ran, Cen Chi was probably his second.
He really valued the friendship they had now.
***
Meanwhile—
Cen Chi had arranged to meet Lin Feng at a private booth in Han Ting.
“You dragged me out in such a hurry, and then booked a private booth—just to test a pheromone sample?” Lin Feng looked baffled. “Is it some kind of secret? Do I need to run a DNA match? Or test for royal bloodline?”
“No need,” Cen Chi said, opening the box and removing a sealed vial. “I just need you to help me determine the secondary gender of the person this pheromone belongs to.”
“…???”
***
The news that the Crown Prince was selecting a Secretary had already spread among the students. Even at lunch, conversations were abuzz with it. Most were saying that Moy had already been chosen.
“What are they even talking about,” Tao Ran grumbled, puffing out his cheeks. “It’s a serious, professional role! Yet they’re making it sound like he’s picking a damn bridal candidate!”
This time, it was Chi Zhan who had to calm him down.
The Crown Prince’s visit had come completely out of the blue. Normally, secretary appointments weren’t made through public recruitment. At the end of each academic year, students were assigned future posts based on a comprehensive review of their past performance. Only the most elite Betas were eligible to serve the royal family—while Omegas were selected solely for their looks.
So in a sense, while it might seem like society favored Omegas, that wasn’t entirely true. After all, looks were innate and unchangeable, but skill could be honed and improved over time.
“Chi-Chi, your face looks a bit pale,” Tao Ran said with concern. “Was giving the pheromone sample too exhausting? You look like someone drained your life force. Want to order some stir-fried pork with liver? Great for replenishing blood.”
Chi Zhan gave a wry smile.
“They didn’t draw any blood, just took the pheromone. I’m just a little tired.”
He kept unconsciously reaching for the back of his neck. It didn’t really hurt anymore, but there was still a faint sense of discomfort lingering there.
At that moment, a fellow Beta classmate sat nearby and casually said, “Hey Chi Zhan, didn’t you go to the infirmary for pheromone sampling? The line’s insane now. If you don’t go soon, you might miss your chance.”
“I already did it.”
“Oh wow, quick work,” the student said, stretching and tilting his head. “I just finished mine—finally escaped that stuffy place.”
He looked full of energy and totally unfazed, a stark contrast to the visibly drained Chi Zhan.
“You don’t feel off at all?” Chi Zhan asked, puzzled.
“Not at all,” the other Beta said. “Sampling was less painful than getting a shot. The nurse was super efficient—one quick move and it was done. Everyone around me had the same reaction—just like a mosquito bite… Did you think it hurt?”
“It wasn’t too bad,” said Chi Zhan, who had actually found it quite painful.
“Before I left, the nurse even showed me the color of the pheromone. It was super faint—barely more visible than air. Kinda magical, don’t you think?”
