Chapter 43 Pretending to be A Day Forty-Three

Chapter 43: Day 43 of Pretending to Be an Alpha

Day 43 of Pretending to Be an Alpha

Zhou Jingyan stared at Chu Mo, then spoke slowly, emphasizing each word:

"Then why didn’t you mark him?"

Chu Mo froze.

He couldn’t figure out why Zhou Jingyan was so hung up on this, digging into every little detail.

Zhou Jingyan kept staring at Chu Mo.

It seemed this question meant everything to him.

Before Chu Mo could come up with an answer, Zhou Jingyan spoke again:

"Is it because… you don’t have the ability to mark him?"

Chu Mo went rigid.

He never saw that coming from Zhou Jingyan.

Usually, Zhou Jingyan seemed slow on the uptake—a wise fool.

But when it came to matters like this, he was sharp as a tack.

Previously, Chu Mo had been using suppressants in the bathroom when the needle dropped, and Zhou Jingyan found it.

Now, Zhou Jingyan was asking a question like that.

Chu Mo couldn’t help but suspect that Zhou Jingyan was onto him.

"Ahem," Chu Mo cleared his throat, staring at Zhou Jingyan as his mind came up with an excuse. "Let’s just say Xiao Chen didn’t want to be marked. I respect his wishes."

Zhou Jingyan blinked in surprise.

That wasn’t the answer he expected.

Chu Mo liked that omega so much that he was even willing to pay for his company.

Yet, out of respect, he hadn’t marked him.

For some reason, Zhou Jingyan’s throat felt dry, and that bitter feeling in his chest grew more pronounced.

"Alright, if there’s nothing else, I’m out of here," Chu Mo said coldly, glancing at Zhou Jingyan. "Stop wasting my time with this crap. I’m not obligated to report to you."

As Zhou Jingyan watched Chu Mo walk away, his eyes darkened with disappointment.

A few days later.

The boy band AL, featuring Zhou Jingyan, released their debut single.

After a series of promotions and hype, coupled with the members’ striking good looks, the single went viral as soon as it hit.

Overnight, the leader, Zhou Jingyan, racked up hundreds of thousands of followers, becoming an overnight sensation.

It seemed he was about to blow up.

No one in the Chu Group could have anticipated the sudden rise to fame of the AL boy band.

The board of directors had initially had low expectations for this acquired entertainment company.

The Chu Group was an old-school family business, traditionally focused on conventional industries, with no prior involvement in the entertainment sector.

Not to mention, boy bands were a relatively recent phenomenon that had only gained traction in recent years.

Shortly after acquiring the company, Chu Mo launched the AL boy band as a trial.

Almost everyone was skeptical about its success.

Even Chu Yansheng hadn’t expected Chu Mo’s decision-making to be so astute.

Only Chu Mo knew it was because the original plot was progressing smoothly.

According to the timeline, in a short while, three alphas—*in the ABO universe, alpha males are known for their dominant traits*—would make grand gestures professing their feelings to Chu Yun at a banquet, kicking off an intense rivalry.

And by then, Chu Mo could make his exit.

Ever since Chu Mo and Chen Songxie staged their "lovers' quarrel" act,

the two had ceased all contact.

Chu Mo, preoccupied with the unfolding plot, was stressed out every day and in a bad mood.

One day,

after the production meeting for *Desert Island War*,

Xie Songchen followed Chu Mo back to his office.

He asked casually, "Boss Chu, are you and your partner giving each other the silent treatment?"

Xie Songchen used the term "silent treatment" because Xiao Chen hadn’t been seen at the Chu Group for some time.

Chu Mo shot a look at Xie Songchen.

Why was this guy so interested in his and Chen Songxie’s relationship drama?

"Don’t misunderstand," Xie Songchen said, leafing through files without looking up, his tone indifferent. "I’m not prying into your personal life. I just noticed you’ve been in a bad mood and was concerned it might affect your work."

"Focus on your own tasks," Chu Mo shot back, his expression turning stormy. "Don’t assume your project is guaranteed success."

Seeing Chu Mo’s cold demeanor, Xie Songchen put two and two together.

It seemed the falling out between Chu Mo and Xiao Chen was serious, with no signs of reconciliation after so many days.

"Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked," Xie Songchen said, looking up at Chu Mo with a hint of remorse. "I didn’t realize he’d treat you like this."

Xie Songchen’s words sounded sincere.

But this wasn’t like him.

Chu Mo was confused—was this guy actually worried about him, or was he being sarcastic?

After a moment’s thought, Chu Mo concluded Xie Songchen was definitely messing with him.

"Are you gloating?" Chu Mo wheeled around, frowning as he snapped. "Xie Songchen, it’s just some stupid argument."

"I know," Xie Songchen paused, said earnestly, speaking slowly, "I just didn’t expect that even after so many days, he still hasn’t reached out to you."

There was a touch of resentment in his tone, like Chu Mo deserved better.

Xie Songchen thought to himself, if he were Chu Mo’s boyfriend…

He’d never treat Chu Mo this way.

Hearing this, Chu Mo tensed up.

"Well, he’s got a temper," Chu Mo cleared his throat and said, "Alright, no personal talk at work. This is between Xiao Chen and me."

Xie Songchen looked down.

He hadn’t expected that even after the way Xiao Chen treated Chu Mo, Chu Mo would still defend him.

A flash of jealousy crossed Xie Songchen’s eyes.

But he quickly masked it.

Chu Mo didn’t have the energy to dwell on the fake relationship.

Because he had a feeling that his heat was coming early.

It was much earlier than usual.

So, his recent bad mood was also related to his heat.

Before leaving home this morning, Chu Mo noticed that his pheromones were off.

He’d taken a Potent Inhibitor.

To be safe, he took a heavy dose.

Afraid he might run out of Potent Inhibitors, Chu Mo decided to see Dr. Xu Yi for more.

After work.

Seeing that Xiao Chen still hadn’t come to see Chu Mo, Xie Songchen was worried Chu Mo might be upset.

He entered Chu Mo’s office and noticed him picking up his car keys, about to leave. Hesitantly, he asked:

"Are you going back alone?"

Chu Mo glanced at Xie Songchen and nodded. "Of course."

He had to get the inhibitors himself.

But Xie Songchen took Chu Mo’s behavior as a sign he was upset.

Normally, Chu Mo would let his driver take him.

"How about…" Xie Songchen paused, then murmured, "I drive for you?"

Xie Songchen’s driving skills were no match for a professional chauffeur, but after working as a secretary, he was far better than most people his age.

"No need," Chu Mo refused without hesitation.

And with that, he walked out.

Xie Songchen watched Chu Mo's retreating figure, a flicker of heartache in his eyes.

His disdain for that Chen grew even stronger.

How could an omega like Chen stand to hurt Chu Mo like this?

Was he even human?

At the same time, Xie Songchen felt a bitter pang.

Chu Mo would rather be with such an aloof omega than choose an alpha like him.

That was the divide between them.

Chu Mo drove to the private hospital and picked up more potent inhibitors from Doctor Xu Yi.

Xu Yi sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Mr. Chu, try to ration them."

He was genuinely worried that if things continued like this, in another month or two, Chu Mo's inhibitors might just stop working entirely.

By then, not even potent inhibitors would work.

"Don’t worry, Doctor Xu," Chu Mo said casually. "Soon enough, I won’t need them."

Chu Mo thought to himself that once the plot was completed, he could return to his original world and no longer have to pass as an alpha despite being an omega.

On the drive home.

Chu Mo had assumed that since he’d taken a heavy dose of potent inhibitors in the morning, he shouldn’t have any problems.

Yet, for some reason, halfway through the drive, he sensed an unsettling surge of pheromones within him again.

Chu Mo took a deep breath.

To avoid an incident, he pulled the car over and found a large bookstore by the roadside.

He slipped the inhibitors into his pocket and entered the bookstore.

Acting casual, he browsed and picked up a comic book from the shelf.

Approaching the counter to pay, he asked casually, "Excuse me, do you have a restroom here?"

The cashier stared at the book, momentarily stunned.

The next moment, he covered a laugh.

While scanning the book’s barcode, the cashier replied, "Yes, it’s right over there."

In a hurry to take the injection, Chu Mo didn’t notice the cashier’s expression.

It went smoothly.

He doused himself in scent-blocker, leaving no trace behind.

By now, he’d gotten good at it—

Fast, sharp, and no-nonsense.

He didn't make a sound the entire time.

Even if the Potent Inhibitor was far more painful than regular inhibitors.

As Chu Mo was walking out of the bookstore,

he bumped into a tall figure entering the store.

Blocking his way, Chu Mo looked up and froze in surprise.

It was Xie Songchen.

After work, with nothing to do, Xie Songchen had decided to buy a graphic novel.

He never expected that Chu Mo, who should have been home by now, would be here.

Seeing Xie Songchen, Chu Mo instinctively took a step back.

He had just taken the inhibitor and didn’t want Xie Songchen to notice anything.

Even though he had taken every precaution.

Xie Songchen looked at Chu Mo, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

After a beat, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

Chu Mo held up the book in his hand and gave Xie Songchen a look that said 'you idiot.' "Obviously, to buy a book."

Xie Songchen clearly remembered that Chu Mo usually read on his Kindle.

Even newspapers were digital.

Besides, Chu Mo wasn’t the kind of boss who put on airs with print books.

Why would he suddenly buy one?

Xie Songchen abruptly thought of something—

Could it be because of a fight with his boyfriend, so Chu Mo came to buy a book about relationships?

His gaze at Chu Mo filled with sympathy.

He quickly looked down to conceal his emotions.

"Did you come here just because you wanted to buy a book," Xie Songchen asked slowly, "or for some other reason?"

Chu Mo’s throat worked as he said stiffly, "Of course because I wanted to."

It's not like he could say he’d come to use the restroom to take an inhibitor, could he?

Xie Songchen took Chu Mo’s discomfort for reluctance to admit he’d come for his partner’s sake.

To save face, Chu Mo was deliberately denying it.

Xie Songchen's chest ached, mixed with frustration.

Why couldn’t Chu Mo see that that omega surnamed Chen wasn’t worth all this trouble?

Xie Songchen hesitated before continuing, his tone carefully controlled, adding:

"Not just to learn relationship tricks for someone who isn’t worth it."

Chu Mo noticed Xie Songchen seemed unconvinced.

Had he slipped up somewhere?

No way, right?

With that thought, Chu Mo grew more confident.

He pulled the book from the bag, holding up the cover to Xie Songchen, and said flatly:

"Obviously I like it—why’d I buy it otherwise?"

Xie Songchen went rigid at the sight of the cover.

The next instant, his eyes blew wide.

After a beat,

Xie Songchen spoke slowly:

"You... sure about that?"

Chu Mo nodded, oblivious.

Xie Songchen snatched the book from him.

He flipped it around, showing the cover to Chu Mo:

"This is *really* your taste?"

The moment Chu Mo processed the title, it hit him like a bolt of lightning.

He locked up like a statue.

Chu Mo hadn’t even glanced at the title when he grabbed it—

"Fated Alphas: The CEO’s Forbidden Love with His Junior Secretary."

The cover showed two decked out in suits—one in sunglasses—locked in an embrace.

Their lips were sealed together.

Chu Mo short-circuited on the spot.

Of every damn book in the store, why *this* one?

Chu Mo couldn’t bring himself to meet Xie Songchen’s eyes.

Xie Songchen’s gaze shook, staring at Chu Mo like he’d grown a second head.

Since when did Chu Mo read *this* garbage???

Dude’s supposed to be the straightest alpha alive?!

"I—it was an accident, I just—" Chu Mo floundered.

A second passed.

He cut himself off mid-sentence, gaping at Xie Songchen—

For some reason, Xie Songchen’s ears were burning crimson.