IMAO Chapter 45

Ji Chong: The military’s stance is firm. I can only make a brief trip back.

Ji Rong: You must be busy then. Don’t waste time picking me up. I’ll head back to school with my classmates. Focus on your work first.

Ji Chong’s message appeared: Not a waste.

Ji Rong frowned slightly at his father’s message, scratching his forehead. What’s not a waste? Then it dawned on him. His father meant ‘picking him up wasn’t a waste of time.’

Ji Rong: Really, Dad, it’s not necessary. It would be awkward for my classmates.

Sitting in his car, Ji Chong’s elegant brows furrowed. Why would it be awkward?

Ji Chong: Understood.

Seeing his father’s reply, Ji Rong finally relaxed. If his father picked him up, his classmates would surely start calling him ‘Ji Chong’s son’ instead of ‘Ji Rong’ by tomorrow. Having an exceptionally outstanding father was really stressful. Even though he worked hard, once people accepted the label of ‘Ji Chong’s son,’ they assumed his excellence was a given.

Ji Rong shook his head slightly. He was about to turn and ask Jiang Yuan if he wanted to practice Star Wars tonight when he noticed six pairs of eyes fixed on him, and the word “gossip” was clear in their eyes.

Ji Rong: “Why are you all staring at me?”

Gu Bai: “Ji Rong, was that your Omega checking up on you?”

“I don’t have an Omega,” Ji Rong explained, then cast a meaningful glance at Jiang Yuan, who was also teasing him. Their eyes met briefly before Ji Rong added, “Besides, I don’t necessarily need an Omega. A Beta would do.”

Jiang Yuan froze slightly at their eye contact. What was that look about?

Gu Bai let out a disappointed “oh,” realizing it wasn’t what they thought. Ji Rong’s previous defensive expression made him look like a tense hedgehog and sparked their curiosity.

The training companions around them launched into a discussion upon hearing Ji Rong’s words.

“If you don’t want to find an Omega, a Beta is fine too. But I heard Omega-Alpha pairs are more harmonious, and the experience is different.”

“I’m definitely looking for a gentle Omega. As an outstanding Alpha, I belong to all Omegas!”

…

As the conversation shifted to preferred partner types, Cyril shared his ideal type before turning to Jiang Yuan, asking, “What about you, Jiang Yuan? What’s your type?”

Jiang Yuan was caught off guard by the question, missing how Ji Rong’s ears twitched beside him.

Ji Rong’s ears perked up at Cyril’s question. Although he looked nonchalant, his palms were sweaty with tension, and his heart was racing wildly.

What type did Jiang Yuan like?

Could it be someone like him?

Ji Rong nervously clenched his fists, stealing glances at Jiang Yuan’s elegant profile. Jiang Yuan’s already handsome features softened by the play of light and shadow.

Ji Rong thought of Jiang Yuan’s “ex-boyfriend,” that scumbag Song Yirui. The guy had soft features, appeared non-aggressive, and had a mild temperament. Since Jiang Yuan had been with him before, he must prefer that type.

Ji Rong turned to look out the window, where the beautiful starscape reflected his profile against the dark transparent glass.

He shared five or six parts of resemblance with Ji Chong, but his father’s handsome features carried an intimidating quality that had nothing to do with gentleness. So he didn’t look “gentle” at all.

Thinking about it, he was the complete opposite of Jiang Yuan’s type.

Ji Rong: QAQ

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Yuan said, “I don’t know.”

“How can anyone not know what type of partner they like? Come on, tell us! We won’t laugh!” Cyril teased.

Ji Rong’s inner thoughts: Cyril looks so agreeable today!

Jiang Yuan thought to himself, in his past life he had many pursuers, but he never liked anyone. If he had to say who he liked most, perhaps it was Alphonse? Alphonse was obedient and capable, so he could trust it completely with piloting the ship without worry.

Jiang Yuan considered and said, “Someone obedient.”

Ji Rong nearly raised his hand to shout: I can do that!

He secretly rejoiced. So Jiang Yuan liked obedient people, not necessarily gentle ones. That meant he had a chance! He could definitely listen to his wife!

Having trained together for a while, Cyril knew Jiang Yuan was a Beta. He smiled and asked, “Alpha? Beta? Or Omega?”

“Beta.”

Jiang Yuan answered without hesitation, adding, “Alphas can make Betas pregnant, not an option.”

“Omegas need soothing during heat, and while suppressants can control heat cycles, Omegas who use long-term suppressants have lifespans about seven years shorter than those in normal AO bonds.”

“Gender-wise, I’d definitely choose a Beta.”

Jiang Yuan kept one thought to himself. Choosing a Beta aligned with his current gender perception. Alphas, creatures who could impregnate Betas, were terrifying. The mere thought of himself with a big belly made him shudder.

Ji Rong, who had just been smiling happily, felt thunderstruck. His mind fixated on Jiang Yuan’s words: ‘Alphas can make Betas pregnant, not an option.’

He faced the window, holding his breath. Although his expression remained calm, inside he was devastated, biting his handkerchief in distress.

Not an option?

Not… an option?

He was directly excluded from the options? Just because he was born an Alpha… This was blatant gender discrimination! It was all that scumbag Alpha’s fault. Pregnancy wasn’t the real reason. Jiang Yuan had been hurt by that scumbag and now excluded all Alphas!

Wuwuwu, but he wasn’t a scumbag! He was a good Alpha!

…

“Five minutes until we reach Earth’s spaceport. Have you all gathered your belongings?” An officer walked into the hall, asking Jiang Yuan’s group.

Jiang Yuan: “Everything’s packed.”

The officer nodded, “Good. Don’t forget anything. No one will deliver items to you later.”

Seeing Earth appear through the window, the young officer smiled and pointed outside, “We’re almost there. Don’t wander too far these few days. In three days, Commander He Chuan will arrive on Earth to lead your team to Hoyt for the competition.”

“Finally, I wish you all the best results.”

After speaking, the officer quickly left. Shortly after, the spacecraft approached the spaceport and landed smoothly.

“Let’s go.” As the cabin door opened, Gu Bai picked up his luggage and turned to address the others.

“Yes!”

The group walked quickly toward the exit, especially the other five who hadn’t returned to Earth since their break began. Their steps became faster.

Jiang Yuan took a few steps before feeling something was off, like something was missing…

He looked back to see Ji Rong still sitting in the cabin. “Ji Rong, why are you still spacing out there?”

Ji Rong only realized the ship had docked at the spaceport when Jiang Yuan called out. He stood up from his seat and hurried to catch up.

Jiang Yuan glanced at Ji Rong with deep concern, then hooked his right arm around Ji Rong’s neck, making them look like close buddies.

Jiang Yuan: “You’ve been distracted lately. Is something wrong? Need help?”

Ji Rong’s face burned hot where it half-pressed against Jiang Yuan’s right cheek, but he maintained a calm facade, responding coolly, “No.”

Jiang Yuan let go of Ji Rong and met his eyes, asking skeptically, “Really nothing?”

Ji Rong shook his head. He could hardly admit that he’d been distracted these past days because he couldn’t stop thinking about Jiang Yuan’s words ‘Alphas can make Betas pregnant, not an option,’ could he?

Ji Rong didn’t dare check his communicator because his recent search history had become—

‘I’m an Alpha in love with a Beta who was hurt by an Alpha and now dislikes Alphas, what should I do?’
‘How to make a Beta fall in love with an Alpha again?’

Seeing Ji Rong’s silence, Jiang Yuan could only shrug helplessly and say softly, “Let’s go, they’re waiting.”

Ji Rong hummed in agreement and quickly fell into step beside Jiang Yuan.

He discreetly observed Jiang Yuan, feeling dejected. His pursuit had just upgraded from difficult to extremely difficult.

Damn, all because of that scumbag Alpha!

As soon as they left the ship, Jiang Yuan received a message from Ji Yang: “Have you arrived on Earth?”

Jiang Yuan replied: “Yes, arrived. Heading back to school now.”

Ji Yang: “When you get back… come to class.”

Jiang Yuan: “?”

Ji Yang: “Professor Xu has a class this afternoon. You’ve skipped too many classes.”

At the mention of Xu Chen, Jiang Yuan suddenly remembered he was a student in two departments, and he’d skipped Xu Chen’s class the day he left. The old professor had even fought with the principal over it. With three days’ rest after returning, attending one class wouldn’t hurt.

Jiang Yuan: “Okay.”

At school, Ji Yang received Jiang Yuan’s reply and sent another message, “When you return, don’t be surprised by the crowd at school.”

Jiang Yuan: “Surprised?”

Ji Yang: “Mm… you’ll see when you arrive.”

Jiang Yuan found it puzzling. He put away his communicator and got in the car. Since Cyril and the others were senior students from First Military Academy’s Mecha Department, they were all heading the same way. Three days wasn’t enough time to visit home, so except for Gu Bai, whose family was on Earth, none of the others planned to go home.

The car sped along and quickly reached the school gate.

“Whoa, why are there so many people at the entrance?” Gu Bai was stunned. Earlier, when classmates asked about their return time, he’d freely shared it, expecting a welcome. But he never imagined their enormous school gate would be completely packed. And First Military Academy’s gate was famously huge!

“Wow, are we that popular?” Liu Shan stroked his chin, smiling. “They don’t need to be this enthusiastic just because we’re representing the Federation in the mecha competition.”

“With this many people, the whole school must be here?” Cyril was also surprised. His sharp eyes also spotted several teachers among the crowd, but their positions were not so close to the front.

“Ahem!” Gu Bai cleared his throat, discreetly adjusting his clothes before asking his companions, “How do I look?”

“Great,” Liu Shan gave a thumbs up, then pointed to himself, asking, “How about me?”

Seeing the scene outside, Jiang Yuan thought the mecha competition must be incredibly popular, but he didn’t expect such an extreme ‘fan-like’ reaction. No wonder Ji Yang warned him not to be surprised.

After everyone was presentable, Gu Bai said softly, “I’m opening the door then.”

Everyone: “Okay!”

Gu Bai extended his long legs and stepped out of the car, inwardly smiling as he awaited the cheers.

However, when he appeared, the crowd at the gate merely glanced at him silently. His hand, raised in greeting, awkwardly shifted to run through his hair.

Cyril also noticed the strange atmosphere when he got out. People seemed disappointed to see him.

Cyril: …

Everyone exited under this bizarre atmosphere, but the moment Jiang Yuan appeared, Gu Bai heard someone shout—

“It’s him, it’s Jiang Yuan!”

The trainees’ gazes all snapped to Jiang Yuan: ???

Jiang Yuan: ???

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