Just hearing that name made Pei Ningyu gnash his teeth in frustration, yet he couldn’t help marveling at fate’s unpredictability.
This was an unexpected windfall.
That constant thorn in his side, the only opponent he’d ever needed to fear during major examinations, had actually differentiated into a beta. He’d been troubled by his team being full of useless second-generation rich kids, but now that problem was solved effortlessly.
Pei Ningyu maintained his usual haughty demeanor, though rare astonishment flickered across his features.
He’d just lost his plaything Xu Sidu, and now another appeared immediately. Was this divine compensation for his unjust punishment and confinement?
Even God stood on his side on the alpha’s side.
Such was the truth.
Pei Ningyu promptly forgot Pei Xu’s warnings to him. Though he’d just stumbled over a beta, he immediately erased all lessons learned, completely immersed in excitement and anticipation.
He truly couldn’t stand Fu Chu’s pretentious, disgusting mannerisms.
Their similarities were too numerous their growth trajectories nearly identical meaning they were destined to be locked in mortal combat over limited resources.
Just like when the Crown Prince had ultimately chosen him over Fu Chu back then.
By the narrowest of margins.
He and Fu Chu had been equals for too long.
Which was why Pei Ningyu found it nearly impossible to associate Fu Chu with that inferior species betas.
Pei Ningyu removed Yin Xishu from his blacklist. The message he left was as caustic and unapproachable as the man himself, still making no mention of bringing Yin Xishu back to base, delivered in his characteristic commanding tone.
That condescending attitude was utterly repulsive.
“Yin Xishu, I can let you return to base. Get me more of that Omega simulation pheromone.”
Pei Ningyu planned to reuse his old trick.
Last time, he’d deceived Xu Sidu by claiming the Crown Prince intended to train betas to counter frontline pheromone gas attacks, luring him to base for trial training only to be mercilessly exposed.
This time, he’d tell Fu Chu the base planned to train betas for battlefield deployment.
The lie was just as flimsy as before.
Though he had learned some lesson this time.
Just not much.
Simply replacing “Crown Prince” with “base.”
He knew the Crown Prince’s name wouldn’t fool Fu Chu not when Fu Chu had followed the Crown Prince to Hengjing Fortress, maintaining even more frequent contact than before.
But this message came from the base’s official communication channel under his control, appearing somewhat credible at first glance.
In truth, this impersonation of official accounts was so clumsy it had become a tired prank years ago at the base.
Yet after the Xu Sidu incident, Pei Ningyu believed such simple deception was more than enough to trick low-intellect betas.
Hadn’t Xu Sidu fallen for this exact lie, nearly letting him succeed?
After sending it, Pei Ningyu opened a small transparent case containing a metallic-toned photograph the only image of Fu Chu he’d kept.
Not by choice he simply couldn’t crop Fu Chu out. To preserve the photo’s integrity, he had to endure keeping Fu Chu’s half despite his disgust.
To be precise, it was a group photo capturing the moment he received his medal at the KEL League.
Fu Chu had only placed second, yet he was dressed as flamboyantly as a peacock spreading its tail.
While everyone else came off the field exhausted and covered in dust, Fu Chu remained as energetic as if he hadn’t competed at all, immediately changing into a military uniform the moment he stepped off. Pei Ningyu still remembered how the omegas’ cheers nearly shook the entire venue when Fu Chu made his grand entrance in that outfit.
He was absolutely doing it on purpose, Pei Ningyu thought with no small amount of malice.
In the photo, Fu Chu stood to his right, clad in a black military uniform. The stars on his epaulets gleamed coldly, his belt cinched sharply at the waist, and his expression was stern as he stared straight at the camera.
Bastard.
Pei Ningyu’s brow furrowed slightly before smoothing out again as a cold smirk curled his lips.
After Xu Sidu presented as a beta, he had slunk around like a beaten dog with its tail between its legs. Fu Chu was probably in a similar state now rushing back in such a hurry from the Hengjing Fortress. Unless something major had happened, His Highness would never approve a wartime change of command.
If Fu Chu really did look like a stray dog, no different from any ordinary beta, Pei Ningyu would be genuinely disappointed.
Having mentally ridiculed Fu Chu, Pei Ningyu was abruptly interrupted by a vibration from his neural interface communicator.
It was an incoming call from Fu Chu.
Pei Ningyu froze slightly. He hadn’t expected Fu Chu to contact him at this moment.
Had he realized it was his doing?
The disappointment in Pei Ningyu’s eyes instantly gave way to interest as he leaned forward slightly.
Pei Ningyu had assumed Fu Chu would look far more disheveled traces of exhaustion and struggle lingering at the corners of his eyes, perhaps even stubble left unshaven at the edges of his lips. His face should have been filled with the panicked uncertainty of someone caught off guard by sudden, unforeseen circumstances.
Yet when Fu Chu’s image appeared on the holographic screen, he was draped in a black officer’s coat, the uniform impeccably pressed with razor-sharp lines. His cinched waist was as precise as a blade, every detail immaculate still the picture of a young elite, as though nothing had happened at all.
Seeing Fu Chu like this, Pei Ningyu’s smile deepened. “You called me?”
Fu Chu’s expression was unreadable, his lashes casting a faint shadow over his lower lids, lending an inexplicable darkness to his gaze. “Mn.”
“Have you heard about what’s happened to me recently?”
Pei Ningyu feigned ignorance. “What happened?”
Fu Chu: “That I presented as a beta.”
The young man sat in his chair, his downcast eyes seemingly filled with genuine sympathy for his friend. “A beta? That’s such a shame.”
“Are you really sorry, Ningyu?”
Fu Chu’s thin lips quirked slightly a smile in form, but his dark eyes remained devoid of emotion.
Pei Ningyu truly despised Fu Chu. He always had to contradict him. They had grown up in the same circle, yet while few dared to speak to Pei Ningyu so boldly given his temper neither Gu Shize nor Fang Hongwen acted this way. Why was Fu Chu the only one so insufferable?
Pei Ningyu’s expression darkened instantly as he retorted, “What else would I be?”
Fu Chu curled his lips: “What I mean is, if it’s truly a pity, then why not help me out?”
“Ning Yu.”
Pei Ningyu knew full well that he had always been at odds with Fu Chu. Moreover, Fu Chu was clearly aware of how much he disliked him, yet he still came asking for help. Pei Ningyu couldn’t fathom what madness had possessed Fu Chu now.
Was it because everyone else had refused?
Had Fu Chu reached the end of his rope?
Pei Ningyu raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued further: “How exactly do you want me to help you?”
Fu Chu: “The base just contacted me. They need to train a batch of betas to deal with the pheromone gas bombs on the front lines.”
Pei Ningyu understood: “Ah, so that’s it. I’ve heard about this too. You want me to follow up on this matter? Fu Chu, is there something you’re unsure about? Aren’t you always holding all the cards?”
Fu Chu arched a brow: “Follow up? Ning Yu, you’ve misunderstood.”
“When I ask for your help, it’s not about that.”
“Being part of the first batch of beta test subjects for the base is practically suicide.”
The image of Pei Ningyu’s arrogant smirk reflected in Fu Chu’s gray eyes as he gazed at him intently: “There’s clearly a much better shortcut right in front of me.”
Pei Ningyu’s movements stilled: “Shortcut?”
Faced with Pei Ningyu’s dismissive attitude, Fu Chu showed no discomfort. He sighed lightly, a smile still playing on his lips: “According to regulations, I’ll be forcibly sent to the White Tower next month.”
“That place…” Fu Chu chuckled meaningfully, “You know how it is. Rather than serving those politicians reeking of old age”
“I’d rather be your beta.”
Fu Chu watched Pei Ningyu’s expression closely, observing the flash of shock that crossed that flawlessly beautiful face.
“Be my beta?”
Pei Ningyu’s expression froze momentarily, his Adam’s apple bobbing before his lips curled slightly, eyes gleaming with pleasure.
Though he had lured Fu Chu here precisely for this purpose, seeing his former rival willingly utter those words clearly delighted Pei Ningyu.
Pei Ningyu’s sharp black eyes immediately locked onto Fu Chu’s face, their depths growing increasingly obscure as he freely scrutinized Fu Chu’s expression. His slender fingers rubbed against each other, restless with anticipation.
Yet his words remained as cutting as ever, dripping with arrogance: “A coward who doesn’t even dare enter the White Tower thinks he’s worthy of being my beta?”
The faint light swirling in Pei Ningyu’s eyes carried a hint of frivolity, glimmering like glass under the lights, holding Fu Chu’s rapt attention.
Fu Chu was quick to catch Pei Ningyu’s underlying meaning and began earnestly listing his qualifications for serving him. Though it sounded like a prostitute advertising her body to a client, he presented it with such gravity it might as well have been the most serious business negotiation.
“I’m very obedient. I’ll do whatever you say without resistance.”
“Secondly, I’m in good health that’s undeniable. No matter how rough you get, I’ll only briefly lose consciousness, meaning you can vent your emotions on me however you like.”
Fu Chu smirked: “Lastly, we’re friends, aren’t we? Shouldn’t friends help each other out?”
Pei Ningyu was utterly wicked, his dark eyes watching Fu Chu with amused interest: “Can I use a military-grade baton too?”
Fu Chu paused, seemingly grinding his molars, yet the smile remained on his face: “Of course, Ning Yu.”
But if Fu Chu willingly became his beta, could it still be considered humiliation? Pei Ning Yu propped his chin, scrutinizing Fu Chu with disdain, withholding his response.
Because what he truly wanted to see… was Fu Chu in an even more degrading state.
To escape the White Tower, Fu Chu should learn to beg him with greater humility. Only then would it be an equivalent exchange.
Pei Ning Yu’s tone was lazy and indifferent: “But Fu Chu, I don’t lack betas at the moment.”
“What I do lack is an obedient piss pot.”
The smile on Fu Chu’s face deepened. His expression tensed and relaxed as his strikingly handsome face leaned closer: “Ning Yu, you’re not scared of your brother, are you?”
Fu Chu sighed lightly, lips curled in amusement: “I heard Ning Yu got lectured by your brother again something about two betas, wasn’t it?”
Feigning distress, he adopted a knowing look: “Then I can’t choose you as my alpha. Can’t even control your own betas, still obeying your brother at nineteen… tsk, baby Ning Yu, remember to go home by seven. Wouldn’t want to worry your brother.”
Fu Chu laughed recklessly.
Pei Ning Yu’s eyelids lifted slightly, his jawline taut, his usual composure replaced by a dark, stormy expression. A silent fury burned in his chest, brewing a tempest.
Almost no one dared mention Pei Xu in front of him except Fu Chu.
He always had a death wish.
Pei Ning Yu’s smile vanished abruptly, his voice strained: “Are you provoking me because the White Tower scared you stupid?”
“Fu Chu, taunting won’t work on me.”
Fu Chu seemed to revel in riling him up, his lips curving, voice dripping with delight: “Really?”
Pei Ning Yu: “You should think carefully about your future in my hands. What if I accidentally break something? That wouldn’t be good.”
Fu Chu stuck out his tongue, provocatively dragging it along his lips in a slow, suggestive circle, the motion only amplifying his allure: “Ning Yu, come on. If you can take me home, I’m yours to command.”
“Do whatever you want break me, ruin me, I don’t care.”
Pei Ning Yu’s eyes darkened instantly, his expression shadowed with lust stirred by Fu Chu: “I’ll show you exactly what I’m capable of.”
He had already planned Fu Chu’s “use” in his mind. He would pry open that defiant mouth, strip away every last shred of dignity, and force himself deep into that warm, tight crimson throat.
He’d relish the sight of Fu Chu’s flushed face, twisted in shame. No matter how desperately Fu Chu begged or sobbed, he wouldn’t show mercy.
He would crush every ounce of Fu Chu’s pride utterly and ruthlessly.
