Cen Chi ended the call, unsurprised—just as he’d expected, Chi Zhan had begun probing into his background.
Though they lived under the same roof, it was difficult to keep all movements completely hidden—but not impossible.
What Cen Chi hadn’t anticipated was that Chi Zhan’s first suspicion would come from detecting his pheromone.
That meant there had been a moment—an exact moment—when Chi Zhan had actually smelled his pheromones.
But when?
He’d been careful about using suppression patches. True, there was a time he’d deliberately released his pheromone to test Chi Zhan’s reaction, but Chi Zhan hadn’t shown any response. If he really were an Omega, that level of exposure should have triggered heat.
The report had been very clear—Chi Zhan wasn’t an Omega.
Cen Chi mulled it over, then opened his contact list, found Chi Zhan’s name, and sent a message.
Cen Chi: Class over? Want to grab lunch? I booked a place—it’s really good.
Chi Zhan: Already have plans.
Cen Chi glanced at Tao Ran, who was just picking up his food delivery. With who?
Chi Zhan: None of your business.
Tsk. How cold.
Still, Cen Chi wasn’t surprised. Half coerced, half threatened, that’s how he’d gotten Chi Zhan to agree. But Chi Zhan wasn’t the type to be easily pushed around. That hadn’t been his intention at all.
He hadn’t expected Chi Zhan to agree in the first place.
With a Crown Prince as his backer, being pursued by a powerless roommate should’ve warranted immediate rejection—if not, he could’ve simply turned to the prince and had him dealt with quietly.
Yet Chi Zhan had agreed—even if only to pretend. Did he not understand? An Alpha’s possessiveness would never tolerate such a thing.
Even a fake relationship would be intolerable—especially for someone like the prince, an Alpha at the pinnacle of power.
Or… maybe the prince was too soft with him and didn’t know?
In any case, he’d have to wait. See how much the Crown Prince truly cared for Chi Zhan. And more importantly—when he would find out.
When that happened, it would be one hell of a scene.
When Chi Zhan returned to the dorm, Cen Chi was still seated quietly. His injury hadn’t fully healed, so he’d taken time off to rest.
Chi Zhan walked over to him.
“How was lunch with someone else?” Cen Chi asked.
“It was fine,” Chi Zhan replied, reaching out to touch the gauze on Cen Chi’s neck. His voice was as calm as ever. Seeing no reaction of pain, he added, “You heal fast.”
Alphas had stronger physical resilience and recovery compared to Betas. Even without medication, they could tough it out.
“Still gonna take three or four more days to fully heal. It still hurts.”
“Oh.”
Just a flat monosyllable.
“Aren’t you even the least bit concerned? You really don’t seem worried.”
Chi Zhan tossed a treatment voucher on the table.
“Here. Returning it.”
Cen Chi had once given him a therapy pod voucher. At the time, Chi Zhan had accepted it as a kind gesture between friends. But now, after seeing Cen Chi’s true face, Chi Zhan had made up his mind—he’d return everything the man had ever given him. No debts, no ties.
“How heartless,” Cen Chi said with a soft sigh.
“Likewise.”
“So… who did you eat with?” Cen Chi pressed.
“None of your business.” Chi Zhan spat out the words with finality, turned, and climbed into his bed in one clean motion—no further engagement.
Chi Zhan sent a message to S. But Cen Chi quietly approached his bedside.
“Just tell me,” he said. “I’d rather not have to track your whereabouts.”
Chi Zhan lay on his side, back to Cen Chi. All Cen Chi could see was the inky black of his hair and the pale curve of his neck.
He reached out and gently brushed his fingers through Chi Zhan’s hair.
That citrusy sweetness—was it still there if he leaned in?
Feeling his hair being touched, Chi Zhan abruptly propped himself up on one elbow and snapped, “Are you seriously a pervert? Do you even realize stalking someone’s schedule is freak behavior?”
“I don’t mind if you think of me that way,” Cen Chi replied with a laugh. “But I’m more curious about something else. That voucher you gave me—where did you really get it? That voucher serial was completely sold out. Someone must have given it to you.”
Chi Zhan gritted his teeth, glaring like he could incinerate him on the spot. After a long pause, he said coldly, “I bought it. Don’t talk to me again—or I’ll stab you a second time.”
Seeing that Chi Zhan was on the verge of exploding, Cen Chi backed off, speaking gently: “Alright, alright. Rest well. I won’t bother you anymore.”
Tao Ran lay on his bed with his ears perked up. He couldn’t hear the details—they were whispering—but it definitely wasn’t a romantic conversation. The tension in the room felt more like the presence of sworn enemies.
This wasn’t anything like the love stories in his novels… Sure, Betas didn’t have the same intense chemistry as Alphas and Omegas, but it couldn’t be this bad, right?
Then again, Chi-Chi had never been the romantic type. Maybe even being in love wouldn’t change that.
Cen Chi returned to his desk and met Tao Ran’s sympathetic gaze. With a faintly exasperated look, he silently gestured for him not to ask.
That look… Tao Ran’s heart went soft.
This is the face of someone suffering from love’s bitter sting! My god, what did Chi-Chi do? Did he… break Cen Chi’s heart? But he’s not that kind of guy…
Feeling sorry for him, Tao Ran sent Cen Chi a private message to comfort him.
Tao Ran: Did you guys fight? Chi-Chi must be in a bad mood. He’s never like this.
Chi Zhan was always gentle with others—this was the first time Tao Ran had seen him argue with anyone.
Cen Chi: I was a little jealous. He wouldn’t tell me who he had lunch with. Maybe it was an ex.
Tao Ran: No way! Chi-Chi’s never had a boyfriend before—I swear! You’re his first.
In truth, Chi Zhan hadn’t had lunch with anyone. He’d lied. He ate alone, then arranged a discreet deal with someone who had a booked therapy voucher—paying for it with a significant chunk of his remaining funds. Between this and his ongoing investigation, his living expenses were now teetering on the edge.
He was flat-out broke.
