TCFGBH Chapter 70

Shen Wenqing was easy to feed—no matter what Xia Yan offered, he’d open his mouth and swallow it down.

Forgetting Wen Changming, the two shared a harmonious atmosphere. After finishing dinner, the man, who had been sleeping in the guest room, naturally entered the master bedroom and slept beside Xia Yan.

He was so well-behaved, not showing any aggressiveness.

Xia Yan let his guard down entirely.

That night, the air conditioning was set low. Feeling cold, Xia Yan curled up into a ball and unconsciously moved closer to the warmth beside him. Shen Wenqing let out a satisfied sigh, pulling him closer.

Their bodies entwined as if they were one.

–

Early November.

The last traces of autumn faded, and winter arrived right on time. People on the streets wore coats and hurried through the bustling city.

Inside a large mall nearby, on the third floor’s electronics market.

Xia Yan wore a smoky gray coat layered over a white shirt and black sweater, looking polished and chic as he idly browsed the new phones.

Shen Wenqing wore a similar outfit, though with a slightly different collar style. From a distance, they looked like a couple.

“See any style you like?” Shen Wenqing asked.

Yawning, Xia Yan covered his mouth, “They all feel pretty similar.”

The sales assistant, a soft-spoken Beta girl with a gentle smile, patiently introduced the new models’ features and functions.

But despite her detailed explanations, this unique BO couple showed no real reaction.

After assessing the situation, the girl noticed that Xia Yan would likely decide. She discreetly observed him before taking out a new pink phone.

“This is our latest model with eight colors available, and the pink would look great with your style.”

“…”

Xia Yan had previously dyed a few strands of his hair pink to match his pink diamond earrings, which had now faded to a near-blonde shade hidden in his black hair, barely noticeable.

He didn’t care much about color and went with whatever felt natural.

Before, he might have thought holding a pink phone as a guy would attract too much attention, triggering his social anxiety. But after his experiences in two different worlds, he had no qualms about even performing on stage, so what was there to fear?

Raising an eyebrow, he asked with interest, “You figured that out just from looking?”

“I dyed my hair pink once too,” the girl said sweetly, not missing the chance to compliment him. “But I don’t have as beautiful a complexion as you do.”

Uh… well, maybe not just a compliment but the truth.

Xia Yan casually pulled up a high stool and sat down, seeming impressed by the girl. “Alright, I’ll go with this one. But before that, can you transfer the data from my old phone?”

The girl’s face lit up with joy, and she cheerfully replied, “If it’s the same brand, we can fully transfer all data.”

“What if it’s a different brand?”

“Well…” The girl glanced at his cracked black phone and asked, “What data do you need to transfer? If it’s photos or videos, we can use a computer to move them, but app data or chat records might not transfer as smoothly.”

This phone was a gift from Xia Yan’s parents. It holds the only family photo of the three of them. To him, it was his last link with his parents.

Even though he wore luxury clothing worth tens of thousands and lived in a city-center apartment, he continued using this modest two- to three-thousand-dollar phone and had never changed it.

He tapped the table thoughtfully, his long, snow-white fingers and charming eyes creating a striking aura.

“Just the photos,” he said.

The girl blushed slightly but quickly regained her professional composure. “Alright, please wait a moment.” Taking the phone, she hurried off to handle the transfer.

Feeling it would take a while, Xia Yan lazily leaned against the glass counter, considering lying down on it, when he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders.

“?”

“The counter’s cold; you might catch a cold. Lean on me instead,” Shen Wenqing said, positioning himself behind Xia Yan so he could rest his head against his stomach.

Xia Yan didn’t mind and went along, leaning back against him.

Since it wasn’t a holiday, the mall wasn’t too crowded. The idle sales assistants couldn’t help but glance their way, inwardly admiring how compatible they looked.

Xia Yan: “…”

No big deal! He was used to it.

The photo transfer didn’t take long, just a basic operation.

After about ten minutes, the sales assistant returned with both phones. Her previously cheerful face now looked serious. She hesitated, as though unsure whether to speak.

But looking at Xia Yan’s oblivious expression and his attractive features, she softened and, gritting her teeth, decided to intervene in something unrelated to her job.

“Your old phone has tracking software installed.”

Both of them froze.

The girl continued, “This software allows someone on the other end to see your call logs, messages, app activities, and even your real-time location.”

After saying this in one breath, the girl looked at them nervously.

Xia Yan’s expression darkened. No one would want their every move monitored by a stranger. Let alone… the only person he could imagine doing such a thing was a stalker.

An Alpha he’d run into easily found him wherever he was; the postcards he received accused him of being unfaithful… it all made sense with tracking software involved.

Nowadays, you can leave your wallet at home but never without your phone.

It seemed someone had bet on this fact to set their trap.

Thinking back, Xia Yan tried to remember the last time his phone was out of his sight. His mind played through numerous memories, eventually settling on the band’s performance.

That was the only time his phone would be left out, entirely unguarded.

Xia Yan was so deep in thought that he didn’t respond when Shen Wenqing called him.

Shen Wenqing’s face had also darkened, and veins pulsed on his hands. If that stalker were present, they’d likely already be bloodied and bruised.

“Yan Yan, stay calm. Pretend nothing’s wrong.”

“…”

“Thank you for letting us know.” Shen Wenqing turned to the sales assistant. “If you can, please keep this to yourself.”

The girl nodded vigorously. “Please don’t worry; I won’t mention it to anyone.”

“Thank you.”

Shen Wenqing paid the bill and left a generous tip as a thank-you. After that, he said, “Let’s head up to the fourth floor.”

The fourth floor was filled with clothing stores selling seasonal attire.

Xia Yan understood immediately.

Using clothes as cover and pretending to shop would throw off the stalker. The phone, once a tool for the stalker, would now serve as bait.

–
November 10th, clear skies, auspicious for weddings.

Inside a three-star hotel’s wedding hall, balloons and flowers decorated the venue, and guests moved among the crowd with smiles of joy.

Xia Yan sat at a table, propping his chin up with one hand, lazily fiddling with his phone. Beside him sat his Omega boyfriend, looking mildly annoyed at being ignored.

“It’s been years, but Brother Fan has finally tied the knot with his partner,” the drummer clicked his tongue. “Our band of four has finally seen someone couple up.”

This comment drew a sharp look from the Omega beside him.

“…” Damn!

Shao Jiaze quickly realized Xia Yan was also taken! But since he never introduced his boyfriend and usually played it cool, she often forgot about it.

“Zihang! Looks like it’s just us single dogs now.” Shao Jiaze avoided the Omega’s gaze and threw her arm around the teammate beside her. “We should grab a drink sometime and find someone cute to hang out with.”

“Shao, I just got out of a relationship.”

“?”

“Not exactly in the mood to date right now.”

“Ugh! That leaves just me as the last single one.” Shao Jiaze dramatically downed her coconut juice as if it were alcohol. “I need to find a boyfriend too.”

Tang Zihang let her hold onto him, but his gaze lingered on Xia Yan and Shen Wenqing.

As the lively chatter continued around them, he hesitated, then leaned in to whisper, “Brother Xia, did you have a fight with your boyfriend?”

“No,” Xia Yan replied through gritted teeth, his expression cold.

…Clearly, they had fought.

Tang Zihang awkwardly laughed and didn’t press further, glancing at Xia Yan’s cracked phone screen to change the subject. “Oh? Brother Xia, your screen’s cracked—haven’t replaced it yet?”

“Been too busy.”

“Oh, okay.”

Tang nodded and returned to his seat. A moment later, his phone buzzed with a message from Xia Yan.

Xia Yan: [I just chatted with someone, and he sulks, giving me the silent treatment. He’s nothing like a gentle Omega.]

[…]

Tang Zihang stole a glance at Shen Wenqing.

An Omega standing at 185 cm, with broad shoulders, a slim waist, and long legs, exuding an imposing aura—definitely an intimidating figure! Was Xia looking for the wrong qualities in a partner?

[Brother Xia, maybe—just maybe—it’s that you’ve blurred some boundaries and made him feel insecure] Tang Zihang suggested cautiously.

The band had known Xia Yan’s nature for a long time.

He wasn’t the type to cheat.

Not because he was especially loyal, but simply because he was not interested in the crowd who fawned over him. Sitting and chatting with them was fine, but physical contact? Out of the question.

Even so, watching his boyfriend chatting with someone who has a crush on him must be torture for Shen Wenqing!

Tang Zihang said truthfully.

The young man, unhappy, asked sarcastically, [Whose side are you on, really?]

Tang Zihang looked up and gave him a sheepish, pleading smile. The young man clicked his tongue and typed furiously: [Ugh, I have to deal with his cold shoulder again today.]

[He says he’s protecting me and insists on following me every time I go out at night from now on.]

Tang Zihang, unaware of the stalker situation, asked, [Did something happen?]

[Isn’t it just some creepy stalker who keeps sending me postcards with weird messages? To me, he’s just a cowardly wimp.]

Xia Yan spared no effort in belittling the stalker, saying a lot of unpleasant things, and finally concluded, [A pervert who doesn’t even dare to show his face yet. Is that something worth stressing over?]

Tang Zihang, who was timid by nature, had already turned pale. [Brother Xia, Brother Shen is right. Better be safe.]

[No way. After the party tonight, I’m sneaking out alone.]

Xia Yan made the decision, ignoring all of Tang Zihang’s attempts to dissuade him. After a while, getting fed up with the nagging, he typed again, [I’m just slipping out the hotel’s back door to the Third Bar on Huayuan Road, which is already deserted, and nobody knows about it. What’s there to worry about?]

The wedding venue and the Third Bar were both in the city center, just a ten-minute drive away.

The area around Huayuan Road is an old neighborhood that was demolished last year. Due to some political issues, the construction was put on hold, leaving the road deserted and mostly uninhabited for the time being.

Xia Yan turned off his phone, ignoring Tang Zihang’s warnings.

He took a sip of coconut water, and with the corner of his eye, he and Shen Wenqing shared a fleeting glance, swiftly breaking away without anyone noticing.

Both of them maintained calm and composed expressions, showing no sign of resentment or dissatisfaction from their supposed cold war.

As the lights dimmed, the hotel’s main doors opened, and the bride, escorted by her parents, walked down the aisle, her face beaming with happiness.

The bassist, dressed in a black suit, stood at the center stage, nervously rubbing his hands and smiling awkwardly.

The slideshow started to play, showing their journey of love. Amidst the romantic and beautiful music, they exchanged rings and vowed a lifetime together.

“How nice! I want to marry the one I love too,” Tang Zihang sighed wistfully.

Under the table, Xia Yan felt someone holding his hand, fingers interlocked, and palms touching. The darkness was the perfect cover, and no one noticed them.

“Let’s get married next year.”

Shen Wenqing’s voice was soft, only audible to the two of them.

In this world, people can get married at twenty. Xia Yan was nineteen this year, just the right age to legally marry next year.

Xia Yan slightly turned his head, pretending not to hear.

He didn’t have to break character as long as he didn’t hear it.

But Shen Wenqing, unwilling to give up, leaned in close to his ear, his warm breath bringing a tickling sensation.

He raised his voice slightly and repeated the question.

Xia Yan: “…”

The distance was too close; every word was clear, and he couldn’t ignore it.

The original owner’s ideal was to marry a beautiful Omega wife. He wasn’t picky as long as they were beautiful and an Omega.

Now, a perfect ideal type was eagerly proposing to him.

Could he refuse?

Xia Yan hesitated and nodded.

Shen Wenqing’s grip on his hand tightened in the darkness, filled with sudden joy and contentment.

The wedding continued, with the emcee keeping the atmosphere lively. Even some relatives went up to perform, and due to some missteps, amusing moments brought laughter all around.

Ding-dong!

Shen Wenqing’s phone suddenly rang.

Xia Yan almost turned his head to ask what was wrong, but luckily, he remembered that they were still ‘in a cold war. ‘ He quickly pulled his hand away, crossed his arms, and shot him a disdainful look.

The white glow of the phone illuminated Shen Wenqing’s calm face. He frowned slightly, typing quickly in response.

Xia Yan adjusted his posture to sneak a glance. With the corner of his eye, he could only catch a few words.

[Forum… video… Post Bar…]

The mention of Post Bar immediately made Xia Yan think of himself.

But his phone was still under surveillance, and he had to pretend that nothing was happening. Instinctively, he opened the system task panel in his mind. He was stunned to find—Task 5 was completed?!

What’s going on?

–

Meanwhile—

Wu Qin and the others have been busy since confirming that the stalker was a student at the school.

Yan Ming and his roommates didn’t sit idle either. They quickly joined a post-bar group dedicated to bashing Xia Yan. It wasn’t very big, only about 300 members.

Clearly, they were cautious about their invitations, afraid of being discovered by a “hacker.”

These 300-odd people included those who were jealous of Xia Yan for ‘seducing’ Shen Wenqing, those who blamed Xia Yan for their accounts being suspended, and even people who admired Xia Yan but knew they couldn’t win him over, so they decided to put him down…

All kinds of strange personalities. Anything you could imagine.

Yan Ming rubbed his nose, giving his roommates a guilty smile.

He still liked Xia Yan and was jealous of Shen Wenqing, wishing the two would split immediately, but he had never thought about ruining Xia Yan!

He preferred Xia Yan’s shining presence on stage over a dejected version of him.

The group was chaotic, and none of them understood the stalker’s motives.

The four went undercover, but before they could get any information, they heard that a tracking app had been found on Xia Yan’s phone, meaning that the creep had been spying on him.

The four: “!!!” Holy crap, that’s terrifying.

They quickly changed tactics, switching from spying to going on the offensive. Xia Yan pretended to have a bad temper, picking fights with Shen Wenqing and Wu Qin.

Then, they planned to find the right opportunity to tell the stalker the time, place, and destination, so Xia Yan could ‘go out alone’ and lure the stalker out.

The wedding was the perfect setting for their plan to draw out the stalker.

Everything was set, with bodyguards from the Shen family stationed along the way. But before the plan even began, a video surfaced on the school forum showing Xia Yan and Wu Qin on a date.

In a lively arcade, a tall figure and a shorter one were close together, happily playing a claw machine.

Compared to the mysterious gift incident, this was solid proof!

Everyone was shocked. They wanted to say something but hesitated for fear of being banned. Just then, all previously banned accounts were unbanned.

With that? Time to enjoy the drama!

[I told you before, Xia Yan isn’t worthy of Senior Shen.]

[Where are all the people who used to defend Xia Yan? Haha, this is the Beta you were rooting for?]

[My ship is sunk, wah.]

With the stalker’s help, Xia Yan’s Task 5 was finally completed!!!

Xia Yan: “…” Oddly enough, he felt grateful. As a reward, he’d give him a silver bracelet.

Wu Qin: “…”

Was this stalker going to stop at nothing to ruin Xia Yan’s reputation?

Angry, he turned on his computer, ready to ban the accounts, but hesitated at the last second. If he did that, how would he be different from the stalker?

Thinking it over, he logged in with his forum account, even changing his nickname to his real name.

In his post, he laid out all the details.

Xia Yan wasn’t cheating; it was simply his one-sided pursuit of the other person. Due to some incident, Xia Yan was in a bad mood on that day, and they went out just to unwind.

[Well… even so, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for someone with a boyfriend to go out alone with someone pursuing them?]

[Poor Shen Wenqing, getting ‘cheated on’ by his nemesis.]

[Speechless. In this messed-up world, all I want is to enjoy the drama.]

Wu Qin: [But Shen Wenqing knew about this all along!]

Although Shen Wenqing didn’t know they had gone out together, he had seen both of them outside the bar, so he must have been mentally prepared.

In any case… ahem, Xia Yan did nothing wrong.

Everyone: [???]

They don’t get it, but they’re deeply shocked.

The forum fell silent for a moment, then the replies exploded with a flood of question marks, unable to decide where to begin with so much to unpack.

[Is this… self-destruct mode?]

[Turns out, being pretty really means you can get away with anything.]

[I heard Xia Yan is money-hungry. Did Senior Shen not satisfy him financially, so he turned to Senior Wu instead? Or maybe… he just likes playing around?]

Wu Qin: […] Would he still be single if Xia Yan was really after money?