By the time they reached the hospital, the sky had turned a murky gray, and a light drizzle began to fall. The raindrops were unusually cold, and outside the window, white mist swirled, bringing a chill with it.
The doctor said that if Xu Sidu didn’t wake up tonight, he would face organ failure and cardiac arrest. When the doctor delivered this news, he noticed that Xu Sidu’s father remained completely indifferent. In the end, the doctor could only leave in silence.
The three people outside the ward each had their own thoughts, but not one of them genuinely mourned for Xu Sidu. Pei Xu simply wanted to smooth things over, while Pei Ningyu couldn’t care less whether Xu Sidu lived or died.
As for Xu Sidu’s father, he had probably rushed over only after hearing that Pei Xu had arrived.
Pei Xu bowed first to Xu Sidu’s father. Perhaps out of a politician’s instinct, he was always meticulous about etiquette, making it difficult for anyone to find fault.
“My apologies. It was my failure in discipline. I’ve brought Pei Ningyu here to offer his apologies.”
The elderly man, despite facing the loss of his only son, showed not a trace of sorrow on his face. Instead, as he looked at his son’s ashen complexion inside the ward, there was a sense of relief.
Xu Sidu’s father was impeccably dressed, his stiff hair combed neatly upward, presenting himself with utmost precision.
“Scuffles between children are common. Why should General Pei apologize?”
The man’s words were particularly callous: “Besides, I didn’t lose this son when he injected those drugs. I lost him the moment he presented as a beta.”
Even though Xu Sidu had once brought him great honor, even though he had once seen the possibility of the family’s resurgence the moment Xu Sidu presented as a beta, the man had drawn a clear line between them.
He could never be the father of a beta, even if Xu Sidu had once been his most cherished son.
“His use of banned substances at least preserved the dignity of the family and his own.”
Xu Sidu’s father spared no effort in praising Pei Ningyu to Pei Xu: “Ningyu is such an outstanding boy. Didn’t he break your record the moment he entered the base?”
There was even a smile on his face whether he spared a thought for Xu Sidu was unclear. “He’s bound to present as an alpha.”
His son had presented as a beta, while Pei Xu’s younger brother, Pei Ningyu, was already showing signs of becoming a favored confidant of the Crown Prince. The alpha frowned, unwilling to believe that his parenting was at fault. Instead, he placed all the blame on Xu Sidu for his own lack of ambition.
On the surface, Pei Xu remained unmoved, though the slight curve of his lips betrayed how much he enjoyed the praise. Still, he feigned reproach toward Pei Ningyu: “All he does is stir up trouble. Ningyu, apologize.”
The moment Pei Xu finished speaking, Pei Ningyu had already adjusted his expression to one of earnest sincerity: “I’m sorry, Uncle Xu.”
In front of elders, Pei Ningyu’s image was surprisingly polished. Even though his heart seethed with disdain for Xu Sidu, his entire being brimming with malice, his face remained the picture of obedience.
He had a face that worked to his advantage his pitch-black eyes shimmered with unbridled ambition when they moved, but when he put on an act, he could conjure up an air of innocence and purity from that unnaturally pale skin of his.
Pei Ningyu hypocritically wiped away nonexistent tears: “Because I was good friends with Si Du at the base, I genuinely wanted to treat him well after he differentiated into a beta. I’ve always admired him deep down, which is why I gifted him the wedding attire…”
Lowering his head, Pei Ningyu struggled to suppress the smirk tugging at his lips. Even now, he was still trying to justify himself: “I never expected he would misunderstand.”
Whether true or false, Xu Sidu’s father knew he shouldn’t press further. For the sake of a beta son, he couldn’t afford to offend the Pei family. The man even maintained a cordial attitude toward Pei Ningyu.
Xu Sidu’s father patted Pei Ningyu’s head, speaking in a paternal tone: “Ningyu, I know you’re not a bad kid.”
“You’re an imperial talent even the crown prince holds in high regard. It’s a pity our Xu family never produced someone like you.”
Pei Ningyu was always adept at saying what elders wanted to hear: “It’s because of your excellent upbringing, Uncle. Si Du was the most popular at the base I couldn’t help but be drawn to him too, hence this misunderstanding.”
The man remained amiable toward Pei Ningyu: “Ningyu, go in and see him.”
Pei Xu turned his head and immediately added: “Ningyu, make a proper apology.”
An apology?
Pei Ningyu had no intention of apologizing, but under Pei Xu’s watchful gaze, he reluctantly nodded.
Entering the ward, Pei Ningyu was hit by the pungent smell of disinfectant. Sophisticated machines worked tirelessly to sustain Xu Sidu’s life, emitting rhythmic beeps.
Sitting by Xu Sidu’s bedside, Pei Ningyu fiddled with the fresh flowers on the nightstand, his bowed head giving outsiders the impression he was speaking to Xu Sidu.
Gazing at Xu Sidu, unconscious from sedatives, waves of satisfaction washed over Pei Ningyu.
Why apologize to a dying man? His brother was making unnecessary fuss.
And what had he done wrong anyway?
Can fate be so easily rewritten? People are born into hierarchies children of betas can never escape their destined role as playthings.
What did it matter that Xu Sidu came from a comparable background? If heaven deemed him unworthy, he’d differentiate into an inferior.
Isn’t that the purpose of inferiors to amuse people like us?
“Thinking you can defy heaven and change your fate? How naive. Just die already,” Pei Ningyu murmured under his breath.
Having played his part sufficiently, Pei Ningyu rose to leave when a thought struck him. Turning back, he tucked in Xu Sidu’s blanket corners a gesture that appeared caring to outside observers.
“Oh, Bailu your fiancée. I heard she broke off the engagement after you became a beta. Rumor has it you were deeply in love and reluctant to let go.”
“I originally planned to marry her first, then bring you home. What a shame I won’t get to see you both serving me together.”
With these words, Pei Ningyu exited the ward, unaware of the faint movement from Xu Sidu behind him.
Approaching Xu Sidu’s father, Pei Ningyu put on a convincing performance—the obedient, high-achieving student elders always saw: “Uncle, please accept my condolences. Si Du, he…”
Before he could finish speaking, the doctor monitoring Xu Sidu’s vital signs suddenly exclaimed, “Chief! Young Master Xu’s pheromone levels have suddenly spiked!”
A flurry of hurried, disorderly footsteps echoed through the room.
As the words fell, several medical staff rushed into the emergency room.
Pei Ningyu didn’t understand what was happening, but he saw a flicker of surprise and joy in Xu Sidu’s father’s eyes as if. a new hope had ignited within them.
What’s going on?
Pei Ningyu hadn’t undergone differentiation yet, so he couldn’t sense it.
But Pei Xu, Xu Sidu’s father, and the alpha doctor all felt the overwhelming presence of pheromones.
Xu Sidu’s pheromones.
The faint scent of gunpowder began permeating the air, growing stronger the unmistakable pheromones of a mature alpha.
Strangely, even though Pei Ningyu couldn’t smell pheromones, he detected something unusual from the chaotic chatter of the doctors and nurses, sensing an ominous and dangerous aura.
“He’s waking up.”
Pei Xu said.
The words struck Pei Ningyu’s ears like thunder.
Pei Ningyu’s expression remained impassive as he turned his head to look at the young man on the hospital bed through the glass. The reflection made his obsidian-like eyes gleam even brighter.
What tough luck.
I should have just finished him off.
“What a nuisance,” Pei Ningyu murmured under his breath, his dark eyes simmering with unspoken thoughts.
