Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Exchange of Conditions

At eight in the evening, the doorbell rang punctually.

As he had informed Chu Li beforehand, Chu Li emerged from his room earlier than usual and was now sitting on the sofa, pretending to be close brothers with Chu Heyang.

He wore a thick pheromone patch around his neck, a collar, and had just taken a shower, applying both an inhibitor and cologne.

In short, he was fully armed to the teeth to prevent Shu Chengxing from noticing anything amiss.

Upon hearing the doorbell, Chu Heyang rushed to open it. Today, he was dressed in a white short-sleeved shirt and beige pants, which, paired with his bashful yet expectant blush, gave him a certain charm.

Chu Li, on the other hand, remained seated on the sofa, exuding an increasingly cold aura.

Even Zhu Wei, sitting beside him, found it a bit unbearable. As a Beta, she couldn't sense Omega pheromones, so she had never known what Chu Li's pheromones smelled like in the past or present.

Previously, he hadn't felt such an overwhelming sense of suppression when facing Chu Li. Who had marked him during his trip? Why was there such a significant change in him after returning?

While Zhu Wei was lost in her thoughts, Chu Heyang entered the room accompanied by others.

Chu Li also looked up. It had to be said that Shu Chenghang was quite good-looking, standing at nearly six feet tall with handsome features. His demeanor was gentle, and a soft smile adorned his face when he gazed at Chu Heyang.

Chu Heyang, at only five feet six inches, stood beside him with his head lowered, appearing bashful and timid. They seemed quite compatible on the surface.

Chu Li didn't feel much. If the compatibility of their pheromones in this world was truly so effective, and high compatibility could influence emotions, then they would make a decent couple.

This family had been cruel to him, yet they weren't his real family. They had raised him, which could be considered a favor. Chu Li disliked them but didn't hate them.

However, Shu Chenghang and Chu Heyang's compatibility was short-lived. Shu Chenghang quickly spotted Chu Li sitting on the sofa, his eyes lighting up. The maturity and gentleness he exuded were instantly shattered, revealing the expression of someone who had seen their true love – a joyful, oversized puppy. "Little Li!"

Chu Li: "..."

His headache began.

Chu Li responded coldly, not yet having a chance to speak when Zhu Wei interjected, "This child has no manners at all. Someone is talking to you, and you're still sitting there."

Reluctantly, Chu Li got up from his seat.

Shu Chenghang, who was standing by the door, said, "Auntie, don't be mad at him. Little Li is fine sitting on the sofa. I'm just a bit worried about you, Little Li. Since you came back for summer vacation, you haven't replied to my messages. Did something happen?"

Chu Li answered indolently, "No, I just didn't feel like replying."

The original owner had clearly told Shu Chenghang that they weren't a match, and he wasn't interested in him. He made his stance clear, without any intention of leading Shu Chenghang on. However, Shu Chenghang refused to believe it and even thought that being rejected was fine. He continued to persistently show concern for the original owner every day.

Chu Li didn't know if the original owner had replied to Shu Chenghang's messages or not. Anyway, since he had taken over, he hadn't figured out how to use the end-brain, let alone reply to messages.

Intent on cutting off this relationship, Chu Li became even colder in his attitude.

Seemingly hurt by Chu Li's indifference, Shu Chenghang stood dejectedly at the door.

Chu Heyang, who was being ignored, gritted his teeth in frustration. "Chenghang, stop standing by the door. Come in and sit down."

Zhu Wei also regained her composure. "Yes, yes, yes. Don't stand there. Come in and sit. Let's talk while seated."

Shu Chenghang entered the house and sat down, his gaze still fixed on Chu Li, completely ignoring the glare of hatred from Chu Heyang beside him.

Chu Li felt that Chu Heyang's family had invited him out tonight only to shoot themselves in the foot.

He also found it perplexing how Shu Chenghang remained fixated on him despite already agreeing to an omega screening with Chu Heyang on the condition of an engagement.

The atmosphere in the living room was peculiar. Zhu Wei kept trying to engage Shu Chenghang in conversation, while Chu Heyang sulked in silence. Shu Chenghang's gaze, however, never left Chu Li.

As for Chu Li... He didn't look at anyone. His mind was preoccupied with the kitten nestled in his bed, wondering if it was sleeping soundly. He had been feeding it human food since it came into his life, and he couldn't help but worry if it was too rich for a cat's diet.

Unfortunately, he lacked the means to buy cat food, causing him much distress.

Lost in thought, Chu Deyue returned, prompting more greetings from the family. Finally, dinner was served, allowing Chu Li a reprieve. Once he finished eating, he could retreat to his room and ignore the chaos outside.

Perhaps mindful of the head of the family's presence, Shu Chenghang shifted his attention away from Chu Li at the dining table. The Chu family made playful jabs at the pair, and Shu Chenghang responded with bashful smiles, sitting beside the equally shy Chu Heyang, resembling a young couple preparing for marriage.

It was a pleasant sight, and Chu Li breathed a sigh of relief.

He was the first to finish his meal, setting down his chopsticks. "I'm full."

"Go rest in your room if you're full," Zhu Wei said with a hint of warning, then turned to Shu Chenghang with a smile. "He hasn't been feeling well lately. After eating, he needs to rest. Let's not disturb him."

"Um," Chu Li replied. "I'll just get some water and leave."

The little cat hadn't had any water all day, so he needed to figure out how to coax the feline into drinking.

He filled a large cup with water from the kitchen dispenser and turned to head back to his room when Shu Chenghang entered from outside.

The laughter and joy of Chu Heyang's family echoed from outdoors, making the atmosphere inside seem even more cramped and quiet. With Shu Chenghang's towering figure standing at the entrance, Chu Li had no choice but to stop in his tracks.

Shu Chenghang looked at Chu Li, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.

Chu Li, running out of patience, asked, "Is there something you need?"

Shu Chenghang frowned. "Little Li, did they bully you?

"Who?" Chu Li was confused. Only after asking did he realize that Shu Chenghang was referring to Chu Heyang's family. "No, they didn't."

Shu Chenghang's brows knitted even tighter. "If you have any problems, tell me. Don't hold it in. I know you're not happy living in this house..."

But Chu Li replied, "No, I don't."

He attempted to leave, but Shu Chenghang grabbed him, not only holding Chu Li's wrist but also brushing his fingers against the sensitive inner side. The pungent scent of an Alpha's pheromones assaulted his nose, likely a result of Shu Chenghang's agitation and inability to suppress it.

However, this was already an infringement for an Omega. Although Chu Li had been permanently marked and wouldn't react to Shu Chenghang's pheromones, he couldn't help but lean back slightly, lifting his nose.

Shu Chenghang noticed Chu Li's evasion but still refused to let go, instead tightening his grip.

Finally, Chu Li spoke up, "It seems you're aware of my predicament. Then why insist on finding me?"

"I...," a hint of guilt flashed in Shu Chenghang's eyes, "Little Li, I'm worried about you."

"Worrying about me is good, then focus on getting along with Chu Heyang. Aren't you two planning to undergo pheromone compatibility tests?" Chu Li looked down, brushing off the Alpha's hand from his arm. "I might be better off if you didn't care. Since you can't help, don't create trouble. I suggest you devote your attention to whoever you plan to engage with, as others' well-being is none of your concern."

A faint glimmer appeared in Shu Chenghang's eyes, "Little Li, are you blaming me for saying these things?"

Blaming him? Not worth it.

Chu Li rubbed the spot that had just been held, saying, "Don't read too much into it. I'm just telling you not to worry about me."

Seeing that Shu Chenghang seemed unconvinced, Chu Li suddenly lowered his head and lifted a corner of his gland patch, revealing, "See this mark? I have someone I like. Don't bother me anymore."

He only lifted it slightly before quickly closing it again. The time was too brief for Shu Chenghang to discern whether it was a permanent or temporary mark.

He merely froze, his expression a mix of pain and disbelief.

This reaction pleased Chu Li, who walked away with his oversized water cup in hand.

When cutting ties, it should be done decisively.

It would be a waste of his time to linger on something he didn't like anyway.

Moreover, the other person was standing at a crossroads in life. He couldn't afford to confuse them with ambiguous behavior; if he led them to make the wrong choice, it would be Chu Li's fault.

Having swiftly resolved the matter of the young heart, he returned to his room with his water cup and found the little cat burrowing under his covers.

This Li Hua Cat wasn't very large, likely just over a year old and freshly mature, full of playful energy.

Upon hearing Chu Li enter, it ceased its childish antics, lifting its head to fix its pair of feline eyes intently on Chu Li—hmm? There was another Alpha's scent on this two-legged creature!

The kitten instantly grew disgruntled, leaping down from the bed in two bounds to land at Chu Li's feet, where it began clawing at his pants as it tried to climb up.

A cat's claws were sharp, and as it climbed, it would extend them slightly to prevent itself from slipping. One of its claws grazed the skin beneath Chu Li's pants, causing him to hiss, "Ouch!"

The moment he spoke, the kitten retracted its claws, its limbs stiffening as if it had become a lifeless doll. It slid down Chu Li's pant leg and fell to the floor with a thud.

Hearing the impact, Chu Li found the scene both amusing and endearing. He bent down to pick up the cat, stroking its head gently. "You didn't have to retract your claws that quickly, are you silly?"

With all the strength it could muster, the kitten rubbed the base of its scent gland-laden ears against Chu Li's wrist—the spot an Alpha had just touched.

It continued until its own scent completely masked the other Alpha's. Then, with its eyes half-closed, the kitten nestled comfortably in Chu Li's embrace.

Putting down his water cup, Chu Li reached under the table to retrieve a small dish. He poured some water into it and placed the dish on the table before setting the kitten down beside it.

However, the cat didn't even glance at the dish, persistently trying to crawl back onto Chu Li.

With no other choice, Chu Li held the kitten's neck gently, guiding it to recognize the water in the dish. He was genuinely afraid that the cat might refuse to drink and eventually die of thirst.

Unintentionally, Chu Li applied too much pressure, submerging the kitten's nose in the water. Startled, the kitten coughed and sneezed, then lifted its head to look at Chu Li with a pitiful expression.

Chu Li hurriedly apologized, "I'm so sorry, I was too impulsive."