Mu Ye drove out of his home and headed straight to the apartment he had bought.
This area was close to the school. The night market made driving a bit tricky.
He parked his car in the underground garage of a nearby supermarket, planning to buy a few things and walk back.
After exiting the supermarket, Mu Ye lit a cigarette and took a glance at the chaotic night market not far away. He decided to take a shortcut back.
Carrying the bag in his hand, he turned into a dimly lit alley.
From a distance, he heard laughter. Raising an eyebrow, Mu Ye saw a group of people blocking someone and extorting him, letting out a silent sigh.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Dressed in a suit, he had unbuttoned two of his shirt’s buttons and his tie hung loosely to one side.
His hair, tousled from the morning, gave him the look of a disheveled uncle.
As soon as he spoke, the group of people noticed him.
Young Alphas usually instinctively chose to avoid older Alphas in society, even when faced with a small gang of five or six who were only confronting Mu Ye.
However, considering the social background of adults, this group decided to back off.
They pushed each other and hurried away from the alley’s entrance.
As the crowd dispersed, only a slightly frail Omega remained in the center.
The Omega was wearing a school uniform, clearly a student from a nearby high school.
Mu Ye composed himself and walked over casually.
The young Omega had a fair complexion. His bright black eyes sparkled and showed no signs of being intimidated by the earlier encounter.
For an Alpha with heightened senses, even in the dimly lit alley, everything was clear.
As he brushed past the Omega, the young boy turned and said thank you.
The voice was soft but loud enough for him to hear.
Mu Ye didn’t turn back; he simply raised a hand to gesture and lazily said, “Don’t take this alley anymore. It’s not safe.”
Standing there watching the Alpha leave, Su He curled the corner of his lips and turned to pick up his phone. “That guy’s gone. Where are you?”
When Mu Ye returned home, he made himself a pot of soup.
His phone, carelessly tossed in the living room, kept vibrating.
Yet he remained unmoved, seemingly absorbed in cooking.
Eventually, after buzzing for a while, the phone ran out of battery.
Mu Ye decided to take a few days off. Just thinking about the Mu family made his head hurt.
It seemed as if not forming a bond or having offspring made life devoid of any fun.
Having the phone die was just the right excuse to enjoy some peace.
When he decided to take time off, he didn’t hesitate at all.
He slept in until he woke naturally, had breakfast, then sat in a nearby little garden or played chess with the old men around.
In the afternoons, he’d go watch the spirited young students play basketball at the nearby school.
It felt like he’d suddenly transitioned into a retired life.
In the evening, he had steaming hot wontons at the night market and, as the stalls began to close, bought some fresh greens.
As he shuffled back in his slippers, he spotted the Omega he’d encountered in the dark alley, sitting at the same table with the Alphas who had surrounded him. The atmosphere looked quite harmonious.
Perhaps this combination was so surprising that he couldn’t help but take another look, making eye contact with the young Omega.
Su He: “…”
Mu Ye: “Have you guys become friends?”
Caught off guard by Mu Ye’s comment, Su He momentarily didn’t know how to respond.
Logically speaking, Mu Ye’s appearance that night saved the frail Omega’s life. If Su He had no ties to that group, it would truly be a good thing.
Perhaps the young Omega would even feel grateful and reciprocate.
But unfortunately, Su He had countless connections with those Alphas.
Who would have thought that the school bully from Zhong’an High would be an Omega?
And yet, it was true.
Even so, seeing the Omega he had rescued a few days ago coexist peacefully with the group that had bullied him—indeed, it could even be described as harmonious—did not surprise him at all.
“Want to join us for a bite?”
After Su He said this, the younger guy sitting next to him immediately stood up, giving up his seat and quickly ushering the others to leave.
Mu Ye, however, was not polite; after sitting down, he ordered more dishes from the boss. The young Omega sat quietly beside him, making it hard to imagine any connection between him and those Alphas.
Still, Mu Ye understood that his actions that day might have been unnecessary.
“Are you a student here?”
Su He didn’t expect Mu Ye to ask that, pausing briefly before nodding, “Senior year.”
“Don’t you have evening study?”
“…”
Su He thought Mu Ye probably still hadn’t grasped the situation. Just as he hesitated about whether to clarify, Mu Ye’s phone in his pocket rang.
His brow furrowed slightly but he made no move to answer it.
He simply continued munching on peanuts.
“Aren’t you going to answer? It seems urgent,” Su He noted, as it had rung several times.
“Not going to answer. It’ll run out of battery and turn off by itself in a bit.”
Su He: “…That makes sense. Do you live nearby?”
It felt a bit awkward, as Su He wasn’t sure what to say. The atmosphere seemed a bit uncomfortable without conversation.
Mu Ye pointed to a tall building in the distance: “23rd floor. What about you? What grade are you in?”
Su He: “…Senior year.”
This was the second time he’d answered.
Mu Ye nodded: “Have you decided which university you want to apply to?”
“…” Unable to continue the conversation, Su He stood up. “Have you finished eating? This meal is on me. Thanks for your help that day.”
“If I hadn’t helped you, you could have solved it yourself, right? You know those people.”
Su He turned his back, his hand shaking slightly as he prepared to pay, pretending he hadn’t heard, as if that would allow him to avoid answering the awkward question.
Mu Ye watched him finish scanning the code and then handed over his phone: “Let’s add each other as friends. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I’m decent at studying.”
Su He tucked the phone into his pocket. “There’s just a little battery left and it’ll turn off after I scan the code.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Mu Ye said, pulling out a pen from his pocket. “Mind if I write it on your hand?”
Su He: “…”
With his phone number successfully given away, Mu Ye felt satisfied. “You can ask me anything; I know it all.”
Su He: “…Thank you so much!”
Mu Ye: “No need to be polite. Do you need a ride home?”
Su He: “No, that’s okay. I live nearby.”
“Alright then, see you.”
Watching Mu Ye leave, Su He looked at the number written on his arm and rubbed it, but it wouldn’t come off.
Leaving his number for the young Omega felt like the most ordinary thing, and Mu Ye had no idea Su He would call him.
After some time of feeling down, life had to return to normal.
This time, the stubborn people at home seemed to realize they couldn’t push too hard and their attitude softened significantly.
Overall, the resistance was effective.
Life returned to a routine of occasional overtime and business trips.
Everything from before felt like a distant illusion.
Until one evening, Mu Ye, feeling a bit irritable from working late, decided to leave half an hour early to buy some medicine for his condition.
As he got out of the car, he happened to see Su He running out of the alley, but this time the young Omega was covered in blood, surrounded by a delicate fragrance.
Frowning, he reached out to scoop up the stumbling Omega and shoved him into the car. “Stay still and don’t say anything unnecessary for now.”
Slamming the car door shut, Mu Ye bought Omega emergency inhibitors and strawberry gland patches along with the medicine.
For the first time in his life, he found himself buying things for an Omega. As he watched the cashier pull out a pile of Omega supplies, he felt like he was stepping into a new world.
To make sure he was choosing the right items, he even called Rong Shu, only to be told that as an Omega with a partner, he hadn’t needed these things for many years and didn’t understand them anymore.
Great, he didn’t get the answer he wanted and ended up getting a mouthful of dog food.
In the end, he still bought the items based on the cashier’s recommendations.
When he returned, he opened the car door and handed the items over: “You’ll know how to use these, right?”
If he didn’t, he wouldn’t even know how to ask.
Fortunately, Su He didn’t need to ask.
After closing the car door again, Mu Ye stood outside smoking, the air around him filled with a faint, sweet scent that subtly disturbed his senses.
Before long, the car door opened, and Su He, looking pale, said, “Thanks, I’m fine now.”
Mu Ye glanced at the blood on his clothes and understood what he meant. The young Omega instinctively added, “It’s not my blood.”
“Did you get into a fight and end up in heat?” Mu Ye walked over and extinguished his cigarette. “Want to come to my place?”
Su He was taken aback; the invitation felt abrupt and oddly presumptive. “What would I do at your place?”
“Aren’t you worried about going home like this without cleaning up? You might get spanked.”
Realizing what Mu Ye meant, Su He felt a flush of embarrassment. Mu Ye didn’t wait for him to reply and simply got into the car. “Can you cook?”
“Yeah.” Su He instinctively replied, just as the Alpha driving said, “Then make me a meal as a thank-you.”
When they arrived at the 23rd floor, Su He realized that the address Mu Ye had given him earlier was no joke.
After scanning his fingerprint, Mu Ye pushed open the door and tossed him a pair of slippers. “There’s only one pair, so wear those. The kitchen’s over there and the guest room upstairs has a bathroom. You can wash up first; there are clean bathrobes in the closet. The washing machine is downstairs. Just call me when the food is ready.”
Without waiting for Su He to respond, Mu Ye went upstairs to his room.
Standing there, Su He took in the apartment’s surroundings. It wasn’t very big, but unexpectedly, it felt warm to him.
Following Mu Ye’s instructions, Su He went to the guest room to take a shower, put on a bathrobe, and headed downstairs. After tossing his dirty clothes into the washing machine, he opened the fridge in the kitchen.
Seeing the fridge packed with ingredients surprised him.
After a moment of hesitation, he entered the number Mu Ye had given him into his phone and sent a message: “Is there anything you can’t eat?”
Mu Ye replied: “Under the same roof, you don’t need to waste your phone bill.”
At the same time, Mu Ye opened the door and walked out, standing in the second-floor hallway while looking down at the young Omega. “I eat anything.”
Su He: “…”
He shouldn’t have asked—what a blunder.
Su He ended up making scrambled eggs with tomatoes, scrambled eggs with chili, and a pot of seaweed egg drop soup.
When Mu Ye came down and saw the spread, he remarked, “Is it an all-egg feast today?”
Su He placed the rice he had prepared on the table. “I didn’t see any meat in the fridge.”
Mu Ye recalled that he had meant to buy some at the supermarket last time but had to leave abruptly after receiving a call.
After they sat down, Su He held his bowl and watched Mu Ye take a bite. “How is it?”
“Hmm, pretty good. Do you cook often?”
“Depends on the situation.”
“For instance, today’s situation?”
Mu Ye looked at him. Su He felt he was probably about to ask about what had happened today. “Today’s situation is a first.”
Mu Ye chuckled. “Seems I’m quite lucky then.”
Su He felt his cheeks heat up and didn’t respond. It seemed like every time he encountered Mu Ye, something unusual happened.
It felt as if this person was fated to cross paths with him, always offering help, whether genuine or not.
After finishing the meal, Mu Ye took the initiative to clear the table. Once Su He came down after changing clothes, Mu Ye lit a cigarette and said, “I’ll give you a ride.”
“No need. I can go back by myself.”
“It’s getting late and the market is closing. Are you sure you want to go back alone? Or you could stay; the guest room is empty.”
“No, I don’t want to trouble you any further. Can I ask for your name? I still don’t know what to call you. I’m Su He, like the immortal crane.”
“That’s quite an ethereal name.”
“What?”
“My name is Mu Ye. I’ll call a car for you; it’ll be waiting at the door. I’ve already paid, considering the meal you treated me to last time.”
Su He was surprised by this gesture and nodded. “Thank you, goodnight.”
As he headed out, Mu Ye called after him, “Su He!”
Su He turned back, curious. “?”
“If you need anything, you can call me.”
Su He hesitated, clearly puzzled by the comment, but nodded and waved as he got into the elevator.
The next morning, Mu Ye warmed up the leftovers from last night. To be honest, Su He’s cooking skills were quite rough compared to his, but thinking about the earnest way the young Omega prepared the all-egg feast made it feel endearing.
He changed Su He’s name in his contacts from “Omega” to “Su He”, then grabbed his suit jacket and headed out to work.
As soon as he arrived at the office, he saw his Mom sitting on the sofa, smiling at him.
“I heard you brought an Omega back to your apartment last night?”
“Well, I assume you also know he left without staying overnight.”
“That’s not important.”
“What is important, then?”
“What matters is that you finally brought an Omega home. That means you’re doing well and I’m quite pleased.”
The female Omega beamed as she patted his shoulder.
Mu Ye shook his head helplessly. “So, is there anything else, Mom?”
“Don’t avoid the question. When are you planning to bring him to meet me?”
“He’s still in school, in his senior year. Besides, we’re not that kind of relationship yet, so what you’re saying now is just a thought, not a possibility.”
“Then you need to find a way to make it a possibility.”
“I’ll try my best. I really need to start working; I don’t have time to keep you company.”
“I don’t need you to keep me company; you can do your own thing.”
Mu Ye wasn’t lying when he said he was busy; he really had things to take care of. He had been on business trips for a week, finally wrapping up the previous project.
After handing off his work, he took three days off for himself. He parked his car at the supermarket and stopped by to buy some groceries on his way home.
But as he was crossing the alley, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Seeing Su He’s name brought him a hint of surprise.
When he answered, he heard cursing and yelling for someone to open the door. Stopping in his tracks, he asked, “Where are you?”
“Can you come to my house?”
Su He’s voice sounded weak. Mu Ye didn’t ask where that was; he just told him to wait.
When he arrived at Su He’s house, the door was opened by Su He’s stepfather—a middle-aged Alpha in shorts, with a protruding belly, exuding an oily presence.
Seeing Mu Ye, the man looked surprised. “Who are you looking for?”
“Is Su He at home?”
As soon as he asked, he saw the Alpha’s expression darken. “He’s not here. Get out!”
Just then, the door behind him opened and Su He appeared, looking pale. The Alpha’s face immediately changed upon seeing him.
Su He was wrapped in a coat. Mu Ye quickly stepped forward to grab his wrist, pulling him to his side.
The standing Alpha demanded, “Who are you? Where do you think you’re taking Su He?”
“We’re leaving,” Mu Ye said, noticing that Su He was trembling as he gripped his shirt.
Just from that light hold, Mu Ye could feel an abnormal heat radiating from Su He. He was running a fever.
Mu Ye looked at the Alpha. “Step aside.”
“What do you want to do? Su He, explain who he is! You can’t just leave with him like this. How am I supposed to report to your Mom? You’d better let Su He go or I’ll call the police!”
“Call the police? The cops will arrest you first. Get lost, you old lecher!”
Su He’s words changed the Alpha’s expression. He instinctively looked at Mu Ye. “You little brat, what nonsense are you talking about? You think you can—ah!”
Mu Ye didn’t give him a chance to continue. He grabbed the Alpha by the throat and shoved him against the wall. “Shut up now or you’ll suffer more.”
After that, he disdainfully shoved the man away and picked up Su He, carrying him out.
Nestled in Mu Ye’s arms, Su He clutched at his shirt, burying his face against him. “If it’s uncomfortable, you can close your eyes and rest. We’ll be home soon.”
“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“He’s my stepfather. My actual father is not well. I thought he was honest, so I bonded with him…”
“Does he bully you often?”
“How could he? He can’t touch me; he just takes verbal jabs.” Su He smiled, but it only made Mu Ye feel a heavy knot of anger in his chest.
“Does your Mother know?”
Su He fell silent, and Mu Ye could guess the answer.
She probably did know, but to maintain the marriage, she had to turn a blind eye to that Alpha’s behavior.
“How do you want me to help you?”
“I don’t have anything valuable to give you.”
“I’m not short on money.”
Mu Ye looked at him, the corners of his mouth lifting. “The guest room is always cleaned. If you want to stay, you can just handle the cooking.”
Su He nodded. “Okay.”
After bringing Su He home, Mu Ye placed him on the guest room bed and then fetched a thermometer, handing it to him. “Check your temperature; the doctor will be over soon.”
“No need to trouble yourself; I’ll just take a nap.”
Mu Ye didn’t reply, turning to go downstairs to make him a glass of lemonade. “Drink some lemonade and try not to think about those things for now. I’ll help you sort it out.”
Su He looked at him, suddenly grasping his sleeve. “Mr. Mu, you can mark me; it’s the only thing I can give you.”
“Is it selling yourself to repay a debt or offering yourself? I hope you can think it over and come back to me.”
