The gymnasium in City A had recently been renovated. Always open to the public for free, it quickly filled with people once it reopened, eager to claim their spots. The basketball court was especially popular and required reservations well in advance. Due to the long renovation period, reservations were now fully booked for the next three months.
Li Yan had been watching for a while. Among the group of boys playing basketball, a new face had appeared, seemingly a newcomer. This team was from University C, a school renowned for dominating intercollegiate championships and being virtually unbeatable.
The new player played aggressively, allowing the opposing team to score only three points by the end of the game, sparing them the humiliation of a complete shutout.
The sounds of sneakers squeaking on the floor, the rhythmic thud of the basketball, and the swish of the ball sinking through the hoop blended seamlessly together.
By the end of the game, every member of University B’s basketball team was drenched in sweat, with droplets forming small streams on the pure wooden floor.
In stark contrast, University C’s players showed only a light sheen of sweat on their foreheads, casually tossing water bottles to each other while chatting and laughing.
University B’s players looked on with a mix of contempt and annoyance. Some claimed that University C’s success was due to the fact it was full of rich kids, speculating that some teams went easy on them out of fear. Yet, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that while this might be true for some teams, University C’s team was undeniably skilled.
However, it was also true that University C enjoyed a far larger budget than most teams.
A few University B players turned away, muttering curses under their breath as they left dejectedly.
Some of the Omegas on the sidelines approached the Alphas, offering water and wiping their sweat. Without the blocker patches everyone wore, the gym would have been overwhelmed by the scent of Alpha pheromones after such intense physical exertion.
Du Lin nudged Lin Sheng with his elbow and nodded toward the stands, where Li Yan sat.
“That guy’s been watching you almost the entire game.”
Lin Sheng glanced over. The man had black hair, tanned skin, a slim build, and bright eyes. If Du Lin hadn’t pointed him out, Lin Sheng wouldn’t have noticed him at all—he was the kind of person who easily blended into a crowd.
“What’s the big deal?” Lin Sheng asked, turning away.
“He’s a regular here. He even comes in the dead of winter when the ground’s frozen. If the game’s not exciting enough, he just falls asleep in the stands.” Du Lin explained with a chuckle as if sharing something novel. “He’s been coming for two or three years, always alone, and never talks to anyone.”
Du Lin gave the man another glance, finding him utterly unremarkable. He didn’t seem like an Alpha—more likely a Beta, given his shoulders and build weren’t as slender as most Omegas.
Du Lin added, “He probably watched because you played well.”
“I don’t need him to think about how well I played.” Lin Sheng’s face was expressionless as he urged, “Hurry up and change, Auntie has called several times already.”
By the time the group finished showering and changing, the court had nearly emptied out as it was almost closing time.
As Du Lin and the others exited, they noticed the man still sitting in the fourth row, staring vacantly at the basketball court.
Later, as Li Yan ran the last stretch on his way home, he suddenly remembered that today was the day Lu Lianning was supposed to return.
When he arrived, it was already 7:35, five minutes past the time he was supposed to be back.
Standing at the door, Li Yan saw the butler in the living room, already preparing dinner.
Clinging to a sliver of hope, Li Yan asked softly, “Has he come back?”
The butler didn’t respond, merely casting a glance upward.
Directly across from the long table in the living room, in the middle of the second-floor hallway, stood Lu Lianning, just stepping out of the bedroom. He seemed to have just taken a shower; his hair was still damp, clinging to his forehead. Despite changing into light gray cotton pajamas, his presence was intimidating, accentuated by the gloomy expression on his face.
The butler, observing nearby, noticed Li Yan’s body tense instantly and his lips press together. After just a single glance at Lu Lianning, Li Yan quickly averted his gaze and lowered his head.
From the second floor, Lu Lianning looked down at the crown of Li Yan’s head as he bowed and couldn’t help but sneer.
As Lu Lianning descended the stairs, the butler wisely stepped away.
The chair creaked as Lu Lianning pulled it out. His voice was flat. “Why are you just standing there? Sit down and eat.”
Li Yan breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that Lu Lianning wasn’t going to make an issue of his lateness.
He pulled out a chair and sat down. After taking a few bites, Lu Lianning’s voice broke the silence again. “Where did you go today?”
Li Yan swallowed hastily before answering, “I went to watch basketball.”
Lu Lianning let out a disdainful laugh. “You watch it every day. Do they even let you play?”
Li Yan lowered his eyelids and ate with his head down.
Thankfully, Lu Lianning didn’t dwell on the subject. He finished his meal quickly and then served Li Yan a bowl of soup, insisting he drink it.
Though already full, Li Yan didn’t dare refuse since Lu Lianning had given it to him.
Later that night, Li Yan lingered in the bathroom for over an hour, hesitant to return to the bedroom.
It wasn’t until 10:30 that he finally stepped out, all the while praying that since Lu Lianning had just returned from a business trip, he might be tired and already asleep.
But as soon as he emerged, he saw Lu Lianning half-sitting on the bed, watching him with a smirk. “After all these years, can’t you show even a little progress?”
Lu Lianning removed his blocker patch, filling the room with a citrus scent. Li Yan breathed it in. As a Beta, he wasn’t particularly sensitive to pheromones, but after living with Lu Lianning for so long and being repeatedly marked, he had grown more responsive to Lu Lianning’s pheromones.
Translator’s note:
Thank you for choosing to read this novel! You’re in for an emotional rollercoaster with plenty of ups and downs.
If you spot any mistakes or typos, feel free to leave a comment on the chapter—your feedback is really appreciated!
Hope you enjoy~~ ❤️
