A man cannot step into the same river twice.
Yet Pei Ningyu had fallen into the same pit twice.
No wonder betas were despicable unable to be marked by pheromones, they were destined to be nothing more than public utilities, flashy and shameless.
The same military hospital.
The same scenario.
The only difference was that no one from Fu Chu’s family had come.
Ah, he’d forgotten.
Fu Chu had always been the unloved child.
His long-dead mother had passed away when he was just four.
Pei Ningyu said to Pei Xu, “I need to apologize to Fu Chu’s father. Contact him now.”
As a general, Pei Xu probably hadn’t heard such an imperious command in years, yet it felt utterly normal to him. Even the adjutant by his side couldn’t object. As an assistant, he couldn’t possibly let the general handle such trivial matters himself, so he stepped forward tactfully and smiled at Pei Ningyu. “Second Young Master, allow me to make the call.”
After a brief, hushed exchange, the adjutant handed the communicator to Pei Ningyu.
Pei Ningyu took it. “This is Pei Ningyu.”
He took a deep breath, as though forcing the words out was somehow difficult for him. “My apologies, Uncle Fu.”
He had actually admitted fault just like that how unexpected.
Pei Xu couldn’t help but glance at Pei Ningyu. Every time he’d tried to make Pei Ningyu admit a mistake, it had been an uphill battle. This time, achieving it so effortlessly left Pei Xu feeling uneasy instead.
His thoughts lingered on their earlier conversation. He regretted it in that heavy silence, he should have handled things better. Pei Ningyu was no longer the clingy child he once was. Only children could reconcile so easily after a fight.
Pei Xu’s gaze traced the fresh bruise on Pei Ningyu’s cheek from the earlier strike. When Pei Ningyu noticed his stare, Pei Xu smoothly averted his eyes.
Unaware, Pei Ningyu closed his eyes briefly. “Uncle Fu, I truly am sorry.”
Then he lifted his gaze, eyes clear and cold. “However, it seems Fu Chu wasn’t as fortunate as Xu Sidu this time. Even after the secondary sex transformation injection, he didn’t successfully become an alpha.”
Whatever the response was on the other end, Pei Ningyu chuckled softly. “Exactly.”
Pei Ningyu: “You flatter me.”
Pei Ningyu: “An apology won’t change anything. I believe forcing Fu Chu into the White Tower would only humiliate him.”
Pei Ningyu: “So what I propose today is this whether Fu Chu wakes up or not, I hope you’ll agree to let me take him back to the Pei family.”
“This is his best option.”
In that instant, Pei Xu turned sharply, staring at Pei Ningyu. He reached to take the communicator from him. Their hands overlapped, Pei Xu applying some force, yet Pei Ningyu’s grip was unyielding, like iron.
Pei Ningyu’s tone remained composed as he spoke to Fu Rong, as though he weren’t the one who had harmed Fu Chu. “No, I’m certain he’ll wake up.”
How could he not?
Fu Chu had never been a beta to begin with there was no way he could have taken the secondary sex transformation injection. He’d probably bribed the hospital to play along with this charade.
At this thought, Pei Ningyu’s resentment grew deeper. He intensified his tone, making his stance clear to Fu Rong.
Pei Ningyu: “Whether out of personal motives or consideration for Fu Chu’s future, my intention to protect Fu Chu remains unchanged.”
Using that flat, emotionless voice, Pei Ningyu expressed his supposed tender feelings it all seemed so performative.
Indeed, they had been at each other’s throats not long ago.
“Enough, Ningyu,” Pei Xu interrupted.
Realizing his tone was too stern, Pei Xu hesitated before adding, “Isn’t this decision a bit premature? Children’s words… you might forget them yourself in a few days.”
Pei Ningyu merely glanced at Pei Xu just one look, but it was enough for Pei Xu to see the rare seriousness on his face. As if deaf to Pei Xu’s words, Pei Ningyu continued speaking to Fu Chu’s father through the communicator: “Then from now on, Fu Chu’s medical care will be handled by my private team. I trust you have no objections?”
Pei Xu could already guess Fu Rong’s response. Fu Rong probably never expected his abandoned, life-hanging-by-a-thread son to still be useful in winning over the Pei family. He’d be overjoyed, readily agreeing to Pei Ningyu’s proposal.
And then, with all the pompousness he could muster, he’d add: “Ningyu is at the age for marriage anyway. It’s just a couple of years early settling on a beta in advance isn’t a big deal.”
Sure enough, Pei Ningyu pressed his lips together in a faint smile, his eyes curving slightly with hidden malice: “I won’t fail Fu Chu, nor will I betray your trust.”
Then, tossing the communicator to his adjutant without waiting for Pei Xu’s reaction, Pei Ningyu turned to him: “Brother, I’ll go in now to personally apologize to Fu Chu.”
Apologize?
Pei Xu saw no trace of remorse in Pei Ningyu. He frowned, but when his gaze fell on the fresh wound on Pei Ningyu’s face, it felt like being scorched by flames rendering him unable to voice any refusal. Pei Xu immediately averted his eyes, silently acquiescing under Pei Ningyu’s heavy stare.
Pei Ningyu entered the ward and sat by the hospital bed.
Lowering his head, he took Fu Chu’s hand the one not hooked to an IV and pressed his forehead against it, clinging tightly as if whispering something intimate.
“Fu Chu, I hope you recover soon.”
So I can torment you without restraint.
“I’ve already gotten your father’s approval. Once you’re better, we can marry immediately.”
Then your identity as a beta will be set in stone.
“Aren’t you happy?”
I wonder if you’ll be as pleased as when you provoked me?
Pei Ningyu tucked in Fu Chu’s blanket, presenting a picture of tender care to outside observers: “Don’t worry, my private team will take over from here.”
There’s no escape for you.
“Focus on recovering here without concern for interruptions.”
No one can save you now.
Pei Ningyu gazed at Fu Chu’s closed eyelids, enunciating each word of his “sincerity.”
Right now, Fu Chu hadn’t undergone differentiation yet. Before that happened, forging Fu Chu as a beta wouldn’t be difficult.
Didn’t Fu Chu love pretending to be a beta?
He wanted to make him a beta for life.
Pei Xu heard every word clearly.
This was the first time Pei Xu had seen this side of his younger brother gently bowing his head to gaze at the person in the hospital bed, as if his eyes held only that one individual, his words tender and unhurried.
Pei Xu had initially suspected Pei Ningyu of harboring ill intentions, but now those doubts had mostly dissipated. Perhaps he and Fu Chu had reconciled at some point. After being fierce rivals for over a decade, it wasn’t impossible for their feelings to change overnight.
After all, Pei Xu knew that despite being the elder brother by just five years, he couldn’t begin to comprehend Pei Ningyu’s thoughts.
As they grew older, Pei Ningyu shared less and less with him. From the nursery to the military base, he had witnessed Pei Ningyu’s entire upbringing, yet all that remained were suspicions filled with resentment and increasingly hostile glances.
Such tender words Pei Xu doubted he would ever hear even half a sentence like that from Pei Ningyu in this lifetime.
