Hearing this, Yun Xingze was surprised and said, “A hundred thousand-star coins isn’t a small amount, is it?”
Luo Wenchuan’s narrow eyes fixed on Yun Xingze as he slowly replied, “I just think given your abilities, you deserve a higher salary.”
Yun Xingze hadn’t expected to hear what sounded like praise from Luo Wenchuan. He had always assumed Luo Wenchuan must have forgotten about the elbow modification he’d helped with.
Yun Xingze couldn’t help but consider if Luo Wenchuan was satisfied with his modification skills, then becoming his mecha engineer might not be a bad choice? After all, someone who could casually tip forty thousand star coins would surely offer more than a hundred thousand.
But the moment this thought surfaced, Yun Xingze quickly dismissed it. He knew Luo Wenchuan had omegaphobia. The fact that he’d helped at all was already an act of mercy; how could he possibly hire an Omega as his mecha engineer? It was utterly absurd.
“Thank you, Senior Luo,” Yun Xingze said after a moment’s thought. “I’ll consider negotiating for a higher salary during the interview.”
Luo Wenchuan seemed taken aback by this response. After a brief pause, he quickly regained his composure, pressing his lips together. “…Good luck.”
After ending the call, Yun Xingze couldn’t help but smile slightly. Despite Luo Wenchuan’s cold and unapproachable demeanor, his personality actually seemed decent. If not for his omegaphobia, Yun Xingze would have been quite willing to become his mecha engineer.
But why was Luo Wenchuan omegaphobic in the first place?
Curiosity getting the better of him, Yun Xingze asked Lu Ranxu about it.
“I’m not entirely sure about that,” Lu Ranxu replied. “Some say he’s asexual, others claim he was hurt by an Omega, and there are even rumors that Omega pheromones are toxic to him, all kinds of wild theories.”
“Does he react this way to all Omegas?” Yun Xingze pressed.
“Once, an Omega gathered the courage to confess to Luo Wenchuan,” Lu Ranxu recalled. “They say the Omega was in heat at the time, freshly dosed with suppressants extremely alluring to any Alpha. But…”
Yun Xingze took a sip of water. “But what happened?”
“Luo Wenchuan turned and ran without a word,” Lu Ranxu said with a shrug. “Like he’d seen a ghost.”
Yun Xingze nearly spat out his water.
“That’s why his rescuing you today was so shocking,” Lu Ranxu frowned. “You don’t think… he might actually like you? Don’t fall for an Alpha like that; an icy mountain of indifference is terrifying.”
“After describing his omegaphobia in such dramatic terms, how could you even suggest that?” Yun Xingze said, exasperated. “Though I don’t think he’s particularly cold-hearted.”
“Wait, I was joking about him liking you,” Lu Ranxu stared at him. “But you’re serious about him not being cold?”
Yun Xingze remembered Luo Wenchuan rescuing the cat, and the expression on his face when he’d said “Bear with it” while administering the suppressant in the rain.
Surely that wasn’t the behavior of a cold person?
After ending the call, Luo Wenchuan frowned, his narrow eyes clouded with frustration.
He had intended to lay some groundwork before inviting Yun Xingze to become his mecha engineer.
After all, Yun Xingze’s modification skills had truly exceeded his expectations. As fellow military academy students, he was a very suitable candidate.
Most importantly, he wasn’t allergic to Yun Xingze’s pheromones, so there wouldn’t be much psychological burden when working together.
But now, it seemed impossible.
Luo Wenchuan recalled how Ke Lei had repeatedly urged him to invite Yun Xingze to be his mecha engineer, yet he had refused each time. A wave of regret and irritation surged in his heart.
Yun Xingze had agreed to meet the senior student who hired him at five in the afternoon, at a café.
By this time, the second round of the campus mecha tournament had concluded, and the café was bustling with people.
The other party had reserved a private booth in advance. When Yun Xingze arrived, the waiter smiled and led him inside.
As soon as Yun Xingze entered, before he could even greet the person, he caught sight of a familiar, handsome face.
Hearing the door open, Chi Yu tensed and looked toward the newcomer.
The sharpness in his narrow eyes had faded considerably. The left corner of his lips seemed split, slightly swollen and red, making his fair skin stand out even more.
Yun Xingze frowned and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Chi Yu hastily stood up from his chair, striding over to grab Yun Xingze’s arm. “Xingze, can you not look at me like that every time you see me?”
Yun Xingze met his gaze and said coldly, “Was that 100,000 monthly salary offer from you?”
Chi Yu nodded slowly. Seeing the impatience in Yun Xingze’s eyes, he quickly added, “I really will pay you that much!”
“Are you having fun?” Yun Xingze’s voice dripped with disgust. “Chi Yu, do you think this is amusing?”
Chi Yu was taken aback. “I’m not playing with you. I genuinely want you as my mecha engineer. Xingze, what do I have to do to make you believe me?”
“Fine, let me tell you something too,” Yun Xingze sneered. “I only came here to say this 100,000 is too. little.”
The dim light in Chi Yu’s eyes suddenly flickered. “You think it’s too little? What if I add another 50,000?”
“Not enough.” Yun Xingze stared at him indifferently.
“200,000.”
“Are you mocking me?”
Chi Yu’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he frowned slightly. “Yun Xingze, 200,000 is already a high price. Ask anyone else if you don’t believe me.”
“Then we have nothing to discuss.” Yun Xingze turned to leave.
“300,000!” Chi Yu raised his voice.
After shouting, he blocked Yun Xingze from opening the door. “Xingze, besides paying you every month, I’ll buy you designer clothes, luxury bags, take you to the biggest interstellar amusement park. Isn’t that everything you’ve ever dreamed of?”
The old Yun Xingze had indeed begged Chi Yu endlessly for these things, but Chi Yu had never once fulfilled his wishes.
Back then, he had thought Yun Xingze was unbearably shallow.
“Chi Yu, it seems you really don’t know me at all.” Yun Xingze looked at him with biting sarcasm. “The only thing I dream of is money. And 300,000 is still too little.”
“Is there anyone in this school who can offer you more?” Chi Yu glared at him, frustration creeping into his voice. “Yun Xingze, I’ve put aside our past conflicts and humbled myself to beg you to be my mecha engineer. Do you really have to be this unreasonable?”
Yun Xingze’s gaze remained calm as he enunciated each word:
“You just want to spend money to buy back the old lapdog who used to follow you around.”
Chi Yu froze for a moment before his eyes filled with urgency. “Yun Xingze, I never thought of you as a lapdog. I just wanted you to be my mecha engineer to discuss mechas with me at school, to spend holidays together. That’s all I ever wanted.”
“Go find Su Zinan then,” Yun Xingze said slowly, meeting Chi Yu’s gaze. “I’m sure he’d be more than willing.”
In his desperation, Chi Yu blurted out, “How could Su Zinan even compare to you?!”
The moment the words left his mouth, even Chi Yu himself was stunned.
He used to frequently tell Yun Xingze—how could you ever compare to Su Zinan?
Now, he’d said the exact opposite.
Perhaps realizing the bitter irony, Chi Yu lowered his gaze and softened his voice. “I might have said some wrong things in the past. Give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?”
“No.” Yun Xingze opened the door and left without hesitation. “I won’t give you that chance.”
Watching Yun Xingze walk away, Chi Yu felt a deep ache in his chest.
He knew Yun Xingze was still holding a grudge over the past.
Memories surfaced Yun Xingze always following him unconditionally, doing everything he could to help. Yet Chi Yu had been dissatisfied because Yun Xingze knew nothing about mechas and was physically frail.
So, Chi Yu had turned a blind eye to the folded blankets, home-cooked meals, and washed clothes even nitpicking at them.
Regret flickered in Chi Yu’s eyes as he recalled his own actions.
He desperately wanted Yun Xingze back by his side, doing all those things for him again.
Even if they weren’t perfect, he wouldn’t complain anymore.
But Yun Xingze refused to give him the chance.
Su Zinan, who had been hiding outside, entered the private room after Yun Xingze left.
“Yu-ge, is your lip okay?” Su Zinan reached out to touch it with concern. “Does it hurt?”
The moment Su Zinan made contact, Chi Yu sucked in a sharp breath, his irritation flaring. “Of course, it hurts when you touch it! What kind of question is that?!”
“Why so harsh?” Su Zinan rolled his eyes. “Who else cares about you besides me? Your junior Xingze clearly doesn’t care if you’re hurt.”
Chi Yu closed his eyes impatiently. “I don’t need your concern. Get out.”
“Yu-ge, even though I’m an Omega, my personality is more like an Alpha’s,” Su Zinan suddenly said. “Don’t you all treat me like one of the guys? I can still give you advice on relationship matters.”
Chi Yu looked at him. “What are you getting at?”
After a moment’s thought, Su Zinan replied, “Junior Xingze keeps holding a grudge. You’ve tried coaxing him, but it doesn’t seem to work; your approach must be wrong.”
“Then what else can I do?” Chi Yu frowned.
“I’ll teach you a method guaranteed to get you back together.” Su Zinan’s lips curled into a mysterious smile.
Chi Yu eyed him skeptically. “You’d help me reconcile with him?”
“Of course. Aren’t I your good buddy?” Su Zinan said matter-of-factly. “I’m just looking out for your happiness.”
“Let’s hear it then.” A flicker of hope ignited in Chi Yu’s heart.
Su Zinan leaned in and whispered his “method” into Chi Yu’s ear.
Chi Yu stiffened, immediately rejecting it. “No way! If I do that, Xingze will definitely get angry!”
“You silly thing, the important thing now is to create an opportunity for you two,” Su Zinan said with exasperation. “His anger is only temporary. As long as you can reconcile, everything will be fine.”
“Besides, as long as this doesn’t get out, it won’t harm Xingze at all,” Su Zinan lowered her voice, her tone dripping with temptation. “When the time comes, you’ll be the only one who can help him.”
Her words made Chi Yu fall into deep thought.
Chi Yu’s voice was full of concern: “But what if Xingze really withdraws from the competition because of this…”
“He won’t. Xingze needs the prize money—he’s short on cash,” Su Zinan said with a faint smile, looking at Chi Yu. “And in the end, as long as you explain everything clearly, it won’t affect his competition.”
At this moment, Chi Yu began to waver. Finally, he said to Su Zinan: “Alright, I trust you.”
