Chapter 82 No More Pretending 8

Chapter 82 Dropping the Act 8

This happened after Chu Yansheng left Chu Mo's office.

Chu Yansheng's secretary stood outside the door, wearing a puzzled expression.

He'd overheard the argument inside the office.

The secretary couldn’t help asking, "Sir, you’ve always been the most opposed to Mr. Chu associating with those alphas. Why today..."

At this point, the secretary hesitated, afraid he’d crossed a line.

Chu Yansheng didn’t get angry. He paused and replied:

"Lately, those alphas couldn’t reach Chu Mo, so they all came to me instead. They pleaded with me to convince Chu Mo to abandon his adenoid dormancy plan."

The secretary was confused. "Then why did you let Mr. Chu call the shots today?"

Chu Yansheng paused before answering:

"That guy Xie Songchen said he was willing to undergo gland dormancy for Chu Mo."

The secretary gaped:

"An alpha would actually deactivate his alpha gland for Mr. Chu?!"

For omegas, gland dormancy is all upside.

But for alphas, it’s different.

Except for certain professions like the military, alphas are obsessive about whether their gland functions are normal.

"An alpha with a dormant gland might as well surrender their leadership position in society," the secretary had to ask.

"I found it unbelievable too," Chu Yansheng muttered. "Xie Songchen said he was willing to undergo gland dormancy to speed up results for Chu Mo’s research. And he asked me to let Chu Mo make his own careful decision."

"He said verbatim: '*Mr. Chu* is smarter than all of us combined."

The secretary gaped again.

Only then did he realize that Chu Yansheng had let Chu Mo decide because of Xie Songchen.

"But... aren’t you worried about the ownership of Original Track Pharma?" the secretary shot back.

Chu Yansheng didn’t answer.

They reached the underground lot.

After getting into the car, Chu Yansheng fished out documents from his briefcase:

"Every alpha who came to me had to sign *this agreement*."

The secretary took the document and saw the title—

*Agreement on Voluntarily Relinquishing Any Form of Equity in Original Track Pharma.*

The secretary’s eyes widened. "They actually signed?!"

Chu Yansheng replied, "I told them I could help persuade Chu Mo, but the condition was that they must never claim a stake in Original Track Pharma. To my surprise, they agreed on the spot."

Chu Yansheng skimmed the agreement and continued,

"Just this morning, Chen Ruibo's son came to see me too. That kid made it clear he didn’t want to get anything from Chu Mo—he only wished for Chu Mo’s good health."

"Ah, I get it."

The secretary had an epiphany.

It was precisely because all these alphas had signed agreements with Chu Yansheng that he was willing to let Chu Mo make his own decision.

In fact, Chu Yansheng had even bought plane tickets for those alphas, leaving it to Chu Mo to decide whether to go with them to the lab for the gland suppression procedure.

The secretary couldn’t help but ask, "So… are you trying to set Chu Mo up with one of those alphas?"

Chu Yansheng, however, replied, "No, I don’t intend to force Chu Mo into a relationship with anyone."

"Then why go through all this trouble?" The secretary was baffled.

Chu Yansheng answered, "From my understanding of my boy and my observations of him recently, I can tell he’s still very anxious and afraid about gland suppression."

"He’s at a turning point. As his father, I want him to figure out what he really wants at this moment."

Hearing this, the secretary’s expression turned thoughtful.

He hadn’t expected this side of Chu Yansheng.

Gazing at the scenery passing by outside the window, Chu Yansheng said,

"In the end, whether Chu Mo chooses to be with someone or undergo gland suppression, I’ll support his decision."

Chu Mo was a rare business genius.

Not only that, but Chu Yansheng had lost to Chu Mo in the past.

Chu Yansheng wasn't automatically impressed by geniuses.

But he certainly admired ones who could beat him.

Finally, the secretary realized—Chu Mo had changed Chu Yansheng in many ways.

He couldn’t help but say, "You should have explained this to Chu Mo earlier. Otherwise, he’ll blame you again for being too controlling."

Chu Yansheng cracked the window, lit a cigar, and chuckled,

"He’s in a bad mood right now. Letting him take it out on me is fine—it’s the least I can do for forcing him to pretend to be an alpha all these years."

News of Chu Mo going abroad for gland suppression quickly spread.

Chu Yun, Chu Mo’s younger brother, pulled out all the stops to talk him out of it upon hearing the news.

One day,

Chu Yun visited Chu Mo’s villa and said,

"Brother, pretending to be an alpha all these years has already caused you so much pain. Don’t do something so foolish!"

Chu Mo was silent for a moment, then sighed and replied,

"Xiao Yun, I know you're worried about me. But precisely because I know how much it hurts to keep pretending, I have to go ahead with the gland suppression experiment."

Chu Yun got anxious, grabbed Chu Mo's arm, and said,

"You know how much it hurts me, but you're still doing this? If you really go live on that deserted island, who’ll look after you?"

Hearing his younger brother's words, Chu Mo let out a laugh:

"I’m not a kid anymore."

Yet Chu Yun’s eyes reddened, his voice shaky, on the verge of tears: "But I can’t bear to see you go."

Chu Mo patted his taller brother’s head and said meaningfully:

"Xiao Yun, it’s time you grew up."

From childhood, Chu Yun had always been the one who stuck to him like glue.

Chu Mo had always been the one looking after Chu Yun, and Chu Yun had always looked up to Chu Mo.

He would ask Chu Mo first for everything he did.

If Chu Mo were really going to be away from him for so long, he couldn’t imagine how hard it would be.

Of course, Chu Mo didn’t want to leave either.

Chu Mo still remembered when he first went to summer camp as a child.

Back then, Chu Yun was still young, threw a fit, begging to go with Chu Mo.

In the end, their family refused, and Chu Yun cried himself sick afterward.

In the end, Chu Mo had no choice but to return early from the camp.

Looking at his brother, who hadn’t changed much since childhood, Chu Mo said:

"Xiao Yun, the experiment will be over soon. I’ll be back in no time."

Though Chu Yun didn’t want him to go, he was no longer the little kid he once was.

He knew Chu Mo now had more important matters to attend to.

So, straightening up, Chu Yun announced seriously to Chu Mo:

"If you’re gone for more than two months, I’m flying out there in a chopper to get you."

"No way the experiment’ll take that long," Chu Mo couldn’t help but laugh.

Chu Yun cut him off: "Too bad. That’s as far as I’ll bend."

"Then you’d better go get a helicopter license," Chu Mo just sighed and gave in.

Chu Yun announced: "I’ll enroll tomorrow."

That night,

Chu Mo lay in bed.

He stared at the plane ticket Chu Yansheng had bought for him, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

When Chu Yansheng told Chu Mo to pick a flight, what he really meant was for him to pick an alpha.

The five plane tickets seemed to ask Chu Mo:

Which alpha do you choose?

Chu Mo got out of bed and walked to the window, gazing at the moon and the starry expanse of the Milky Way outside.

A glimmer of uncertainty shone in his eyes.

Would those alphas actually show up at the airport?

Even if they did, he didn't know how to handle this decision.

Logic dictated that he must choose the flight departing alone.

Yet inexplicably, his heart was filled with an unnameable feeling.

This feeling made it nearly suffocating for Chu Mo.

For a fleeting moment, he found himself reaching for his phone, his gaze lingering on someone's flight number.

But soon, he shut off his phone and looked away.

Chu Mo told himself firmly: No, this isn't an option.

He couldn't let anyone else come with him to the deserted island.

He had to bear the responsibility of the experiment—no room for fear or retreat.

The next second, determined not to leave room for second thoughts, Chu Mo texted Chu Yansheng:

"I've decided which flight to take."

"Which one?" Chu Yansheng replied quickly.

After a moment's hesitation, Chu Mo responded:

"Obviously, the solo flight."

Chu Yansheng went quiet on his end for a long time.

He had intended to offer arguments to change his mind.

But against his better judgment, they all felt pointless now.

In the end, Chu Yansheng only sent four words:

"Are you sure?"

And Chu Mo quickly replied with just two words:

"I am."

By the next morning, through back channels, Chu Yansheng discreetly leaked these flights to the other four alphas.

Each thought they had gotten hold of Chu Mo's itinerary.

Chi Cheng got wind of it first, much to Chu Mo's eventual dismay.

Upon learning Chu Mo's flight number, Chi Cheng immediately decided to go abroad with him.

The Chi family, of course, objected.

Chi Cheng's father hurriedly tried to dissuade him, saying, "Chu Mo is going to Country D for the gland hibernation lab—there's a high chance his gland won't be restored afterward. Why would you even go?"

"I have to go."

But Chi Cheng remained resolute.

His mother thought it was ridiculous and said,

"If Chu Mo's gland can't be restored, he will lose his ABO gender! What good will it do even if you like him?!"

Chi Cheng frowned and said firmly,

"Before, when I was studying abroad, I kept missing chances to stay with him. Now, I don’t want to miss this opportunity to go abroad with him."

His father argued, "But have you considered that even if you book the same flight as Chu Mo, what if he doesn’t want to go with you?"

Ignoring their objections, Chi Cheng bought the ticket anyway and declared,

"I don’t care. Even if he rejects me, I’ll make it clear to him in person."

The Chi family was caught off guard by his impulsive decision, throwing the whole house into chaos.

Meanwhile, Chi Cheng began packing his luggage with dramatic seriousness.

In fact, he worked harder on it than he ever had when preparing for school.

The flights Chu Yansheng had booked were scheduled close together, all departing domestically to Country D on popular routes.

After Chu Mo decided to go abroad, Original Track Pharma began handling all his travel preparations.

For this trip, Chu Mo had to bring along a team of research staff.

Upon hearing the news, Chu Mo’s mother rushed home and burst into tears.

The thought of not knowing how long it would be before Chu Mo returned broke her heart.

She was even more furious at Chu Yansheng for pushing Chu Mo to this point and ended up punching him.

On the day of departure, Chu Yansheng held his wife and told her,

"Don’t worry. Xiao Mo knows what's best for himself. When has he ever given you a reason to worry?"

She hit him and snapped, "Isn’t it because you’ve been pressuring him since he was a child?!"

The entire family came to say goodbye.

Among them, Chu Yun was crying harder than even his mother.

Chu Yun said tearfully,

"I signed up for the helicopter pilot’s license, but the testing process takes forever. I don’t know when I can come see you."

"You really signed up?" Chu Mo couldn’t help but laugh.

Chu Yun nodded hard. "Brother, take care of yourself."

Seeing his family's reluctant expressions, Chu Mo felt his heart clench painfully.

But he knew he couldn't cling to this family bond.

What he needed to do was cherish this bond in his heart.

After bidding farewell to his family, Chu Mo got into the car with the experimental staff from Original Track Pharma, on their way to the airport.

Three hours before departure.

International Airport.

Chi Cheng arrived at the airport early, hauling multiple suitcases.

However, as soon as he reached the entrance, he caught sight of Zhou Jingyan from afar.

Zhou Jingyan kept a low profile, traveling alone—clearly a last-minute trip.

Wearing a mask and a baseball cap, only his most devoted fans could recognize him.

Ignoring the fans, Zhou Jingyan rushed into the terminal, looking tense.

Chi Cheng couldn’t help but frown.

Did Zhou Jingyan also know Chu Mo’s flight details?

Yet, after passing through security and arriving at Gate H, Chi Cheng saw no sign of Zhou Jingyan.

Growing more suspicious, Chi Cheng’s expression turned wary.

Was Zhou Jingyan trying to intercept Chu Mo?

But why hadn’t he shown up at Gate H?

Meanwhile.

Gate E.

Zhou Jingyan was wrapped up tightly, afraid fans would recognize him and delay his trip.

Ever since learning that Chu Mo was going abroad for the gland hibernation experiment, Zhou Jingyan couldn’t concentrate on his acting career.

Memories of the past kept flooding his mind.

Back then, he was just a nobody with no hope of debuting—until Chu Mo gave him hope and a new life.

In Zhou Jingyan’s eyes, Chu Mo had always been someone who gave others hope.

Including what he was doing now.

Offering the world new hope—a way to eliminate ABO gender differences.

Once, Chu Mo had stood by Zhou Jingyan as he grew. Now, Zhou Jingyan wanted to be there for Chu Mo during his toughest time.

Before departure, Zhou Jingyan’s family and manager did everything to stop him.

His manager warned, "Your career is taking off! Leaving now will ruin everything!"

"I know," Zhou Jingyan replied calmly yet stubbornly. "But I can’t leave President Chu alone now."

For Zhou Jingyan, Chu Mo was his whole purpose for entering the entertainment industry.

He just knew—if he didn’t follow Chu Mo abroad this time, he’d regret it for sure.

Compared to that, Zhou Jingyan would rather temporarily give up his acting career.

Once Zhou Jingyan learned Chu Mo’s flight number, he bought a ticket without a second thought.

Zhou Jingyan stared at the boarding pass in his hand, his grip tightening.

His heart began to race.

Anxious, but exhilarated.

Just like his heart hammering before every performance in the past.

Meanwhile.

At Gate N.

Chen Songxie showed up at the airport wearing a loose hoodie and carrying only a simple backpack.

He breezed through security much faster than others.

Chen Songxie’s phone was blowing up with texts from his father, Chen Ruibo.

“Are you out of your mind?”

“I finally brought you back into the wealthy family, and now you’re running off to some remote island for Chu Mo?!”

“Get a grip! Chu Mo is about to lose his omega gender!”

Chen Songxie wasted no time blocking Chen Ruibo.

He hadn’t been happy a single day since he returned to the wealthy family.

Chen Ruibo pushed him to meet one omega after another, but Chen Songxie always found excuses to slip away.

When Chen Ruibo learned that Chen Songxie had once been involved with Chu Mo, he was thrilled.

He was ready to have Chen Songxie and Chu Mo tie the knot right then and there.

Of course, Chen Songxie wanted to be with Chu Mo.

But he wouldn’t force him.

This time, when Chen Songxie heard that Chu Mo was going abroad for gland suppression, he froze for a second.

Did this mean he had missed his shot?

Chen Songxie was kicking himself.

Once, he had given up on the arrangement with Chu Mo.

After that, they grew distant.

But during their fake relationship, the joy Chu Mo gave him was something Chen Songxie had never experienced with anyone else.

If he’d just held on…

But 'if' doesn’t exist.

So this time, Chen Songxie didn’t want to let this chance slip away.

He hoped to take this opportunity to go abroad with Chu Mo and truly *pursue* him, becoming Chu Mo’s real partner.

As for Chu Mo putting his gland into hibernation, Chen Songxie didn’t care at all.

He found Chen Ruibo’s words utterly laughable.

Even if Chu Mo lacked an ABO gender, Chen Songxie’s love for him wouldn’t diminish in the slightest.

Chen Songxie glanced at the clock, waiting for Chu Mo to appear.

At Gate Z.

Xie Songchen got to the airport way too early.

To be precise, Xie Songchen had been up all night.

At this moment, Xie Songchen sat in the waiting area, clutching his boarding pass until the edges bent under his grip.

When Xie Songchen learned about Chu Mo’s flight, he felt a tangled mix of emotions.

He hadn’t heard it straight from Chu Mo’s mouth.

Was Chu Mo *dodging* him?

The idea left his mouth parched.

Unable to reach Chu Mo, he went to the company only to be told Chu Mo wasn’t there.

So, Xie Songchen could only stake out the airport.

He wasn’t sure if the information was accurate, but it was his only hope.

Minutes dragged.

The boarding call inched nearer.

But Xie Songchen still didn’t see Chu Mo.

His hope withered with each passing second.

Before leaving, Xie Songchen’s mother, Kang Xu, had begged him to stay put.

Kang Xu told him, "Mr. Chu has his reasons. If he knew you were coming with him, he might bail altogether—he could’ve bought a different ticket."

Xie Songchen hadn’t listened to Kang Xu.

But now, he realized she might have been right.

Regret flickered across his face.

Was Chu Mo avoiding him over that fight?

No doubt…

Xie Songchen kicked himself for losing his cool.

Under such circumstances, Chu Mo must have been under immense pressure, so it was only natural for him to be irritable.

At least, Chu Mo was still willing to direct his anger at him.

But after leaving that day, no matter how much Xie Songchen messaged him with apologies, Chu Mo never responded.

Clearly, Chu Mo wasn’t over it.

Just then,

Outside Gate A.

International Terminal.

Chu Mo had his secretary handle check-in for him.

He’d picked a flight none of the four alphas knew of.

After completing check-in, Chu Mo headed toward the security checkpoint.

Xu Yi hesitated nearby before speaking up: "President Chu, think this through..."

Chu Mo said nothing.

On the way to the airport, Chu Mo had been replaying everything since he’d transmigrated into the story.

At first, Chu Mo had only wanted to stick to the script.

Even after presenting as an omega, he had still done his best to pass as an alpha.

Chu Mo had just wanted to complete the script, yet he’d ended up changing it.

He had initially believed he could single-handedly fix the derailed storyline.

He had even started a pharma company named "Original Track Pharma" for this purpose.

But in the end, Chu Mo realized the plot was too far gone.

The deviation had started from the very beginning.

His glands building resistance, Chu Yansheng pushing him to marry, the Chu Group attempting to remove him from power...

One thing after another pushed Chu Mo’s goal from "changing the plot" to "changing the ABO dynamic."

The dormancy drug accidentally developed by Original Track Pharma helped Chu Mo flip the script.

Circumstances forced his hand.

Now, Chu Mo had to complete the development of the dormancy antidote.

Thinking of this, Chu Mo couldn’t shake a pang of regret.

After coming out, it seemed he hadn’t even had the chance to experience life without hiding his status before embarking on solitary gland dormancy trials.

As for those alphas...

Chu Yansheng had once told Chu Mo that he was the one who ruined their happiness.

And now, Chu Mo still couldn’t make anyone happy.

Chu Mo couldn't help but close his eyes at this thought.

Some things just can't work out for everyone. Since that's the case, let it all end here.

Seeing Chu Mo remain silent, Xu Yi spoke up again, "Boss Chu, Boss Chu..."

Without turning his head, Chu Mo replied, "I've made up my mind."

He decided to go alone to the laboratory on the remote island.

What awaited him was a long-term gland stasis experiment.