Chapter 5: Beta is Naturally Inferior

Chapter 5: Betas Are Born Inferior

The atmosphere grew even quieter.

Song Yuqing—was this the Song Yuqing they had in mind?

That lowly beta from the slums, who managed to become Qi Ran’s stepfather.

Wasn’t it said that Song Yuqing’s looks were unremarkable, utterly plain?

Could it be that those top students from the slums were deceiving them?

The expressions of the entire class of Alphas and Omegas shifted unpredictably—confusion, displeasure. Finally, their gazes fixed on Song Yuqing, raking over him with invasive intensity, again and again.

The beta was entirely covered by his school uniform, his shirt buttoned to the top, revealing only a slender, pale neck.

Nothing like the rumors—flashy yet ordinary.

Song Yuqing gathered the prank items on the desk, his eyes scanning the words scrawled on the notes: "disgusting," "gold-digger," "shameless."

Thick with malice, the stationery bore the insignias of various families.

Tossing the stack of papers into the trash, Song Yuqing pulled out a chair and sat down, opening his textbook.

At Victor United High School, the curriculum wasn’t divided into arts and sciences, nor did it follow a 3+2+1 elective model.

Instead, students studied everything.

They studied the natural sciences: physics, chemistry, biology, geography; as well as the humanities and arts: history, politics, art and music, philosophy and ethics.

Additionally, they had to choose an elective to study and produce research results.

The world had been completely overturned; only the foundational subjects retained some familiarity.

Even so, the foundational subjects were more advanced than in his original world.

He had some background knowledge, but not much.

Song Yuqing sighed softly. With one transmigration, eighteen years of effort all gone to waste.

88: "Weren’t you a top student who loved studying?"

Song Yuqing’s fair face tightened. Those familiar with him might detect a faint hint of deadness.

Song Yuqing: "Actually, I’d rather be a school bully."

88: "..."

If it weren’t for your good grades, you wouldn’t be much different from a school bully.

Since transmigrating into this book, he had beaten three Alphas and forced one to become his "patient."

Song Yuqing’s record was clear.

Song Yuqing continued reading, his eyes scanning ten lines at a time.

His brain was like the most precise instrument, imprinting every word accurately into his memory. As he read, he could simultaneously outline key points, organize his understanding, and even extrapolate and apply the knowledge.

His mind was powerful, and Song Yuqing’s concentration was intense, barely affected by the surrounding gazes and noises.

"Song Yuqing, you need to fill out your elective form."

The class monitor of Class 8, an Alpha with relatively less aggressive energy, handed him a form.

Song Yuqing’s slender fingers grasped the edge of the form and took it.

He filled in the elective he intended to study—Advanced Applied Research on Pheromones.

In the first semester of senior year, students aiming for advancement within the continent needed to complete exams for each subject. Achieving all A’s in the entrance exams was merely the stepping stone to top universities.

The elective courses taken throughout senior year were the key to securing admission.

For example, the Advanced Applied Research on Pheromones that Song Yuqing planned to take required him, like a college student writing a thesis, to select a meaningful research direction, propose an innovative topic, and produce research results within a year.

In reality, studying at Victor United High School wasn’t much different from entering university early.

The only catch was that research required funding. The school’s approved research grants were limited, and Song Yuqing didn’t yet know his financial situation, but he certainly couldn’t afford to fund a research project now.

He was actually quite interested in research. If nothing had gone wrong, he would have likely become a research grunt in university.

88 asked, "Did you already plan to research pheromones, which is why you examined Gu Jingtang’s gland?"

Song Yuqing lowered his eyes and explained earnestly, "I was just taking a look. I didn’t collect any samples."

88: "..."

So, when do you plan to collect your sample?

Although 88 hadn’t known Song Yuqing for long, it was certain that Song Yuqing had his sights set on Gu Jingtang’s pheromones.

88 fell silent for a long time before saying, "Gu Jingtang will become obsessed with you. I’m afraid you..."

After all, this world wasn’t normal. There were many unbalanced people, and even high schoolers were more mature—and more perverted—than those in the normal world.

Those of lower status flattered and fawned over those of higher status, while those of higher status maliciously toyed with those beneath them.

"From the moment I entered this world," Song Yuqing’s tone was detached and weary, his gaze somewhat distant, "I was already unable to stay out of it."

He was already a part of someone else’s game.

Since this was a power game, then...

He would start from nothing, gradually creating his own chips, seizing power, and becoming the one who played the game.

"Done, thank you." When Song Yuqing handed the form back to the Alpha, he smiled politely, his cold features instantly softening slightly.

But it was fleeting, and soon he returned to his usual expression.

The class monitor was stunned, and gasps echoed around them.

Song Yuqing’s beauty wasn't aggressive like an Alpha's, nor did it have the softness of an Omega's. Instead, it was a gender-transcending, almost illusory purity.

His faint smile was like a soft light, gentle and beautiful, indeed evoking the image of a shy, new wife.

288L: Stop looking, he’s someone’s wife.

299L: A wife? Is he married?

300L: A wife.

309L: A married man, huh.

310L: A married man, huh.

320L: We know the strengths, now talk about the weaknesses.

321L: Qi Zhengqing's husband, and you want to sleep with him too?

324L: Song Yuqing?

325L: Who said Song Yuqing looks plain and ordinary?

345L: Why didn’t he seduce my father? Is it because my father’s money and power can’t compare to Qi Zhengqing’s? Qi Ran really has it good, having a stepdad like that.

356L: What nonsense are you all talking? Actually, seducing me wouldn’t be bad either.

366L: You’re all a bunch of perverts, actually wanting to seduce a married man into cheating.

Soon, the thread was once again flooded with various photos of Song Yuqing—reading with his head down, listening to the teacher in class, walking on the road. One after another, secretly and perversely peeping.

Song Yuqing, like a bookworm, wasn’t in a hurry to eat but stayed in the classroom to read.

Pei Huai spent the whole day lurking in the thread, even forgetting to go cause trouble for Qi Ran.

Seeing that it was already 6:30 and Song Yuqing was still reading in the classroom, the Alpha coldly sneered, "Betas are just naturally inferior."

Stupid and useless.

Tch.

A dumb bookworm, studying to death still can't compare to Alphas born to be leaders, nor can they match Omegas who’ve been nurtured with talent since childhood.

Many things are determined in the womb. No matter how hard you try, you can only make slight changes—from zero point one to one. But the possibility of going from one to one hundred, one thousand, or ten thousand is almost zero.

Might as well spend some time eating.

Pei Huai pulled out his IV needle.

Pei Huai never ate dinner in the school cafeteria. Servants delivered his dinner every day, and Pei Luo, as his errand boy, would personally go pick it up.

At that moment, with Pei Huai’s dinner in hand, Pei Luo had three lunchboxes laid out in front of him.

He moved the Wagyu beef and seafood from Pei Huai’s lunchbox—flown in that morning and served that evening—into a white ceramic lunchbox, then added the caviar, black truffle, and bluefin tuna from his own lunchbox into the same white ceramic container.

Just as he finished, a familiar voice came from behind.

"What are you doing? Why is taking the food so slow?" Pei Huai’s tone was impatient.

Pei Luo fumbled to close the lunchbox and handed it to Pei Huai. "Here, Brother Huai."

Pei Huai frowned, took the lunchbox, and walked in the direction Pei Luo had intended to go.

Pei Luo: "Brother Huai, aren’t you going back for your IV?"

The evening glow cast its light on Pei Huai, dyeing his light golden hair with a layer of intense sunset hues, giving him a rebellious, untamed aura.

"Yeah." Pei Huai’s voice was casual.

Song Yuqing had been reading all afternoon, and in the future… there would be many more afternoons like this spent reading.

Song Yuqing’s expression was calm and steady.

His motionless demeanor was cool and detached.

But in his mind, he was chattering, "I want to be a slacker, a street loafer."

88: "…"

88: "Qingqing, go eat. I’m begging you, go eat."

88: "Are you trying to starve yourself to death?"

Song Yuqing ignored it completely.

88 then saw one, two, three, four…

Many lunchboxes placed in front of Song Yuqing.

On each lunchbox was a note:

—What’s going on with you and Qi Zhengqing? Are you two close?

—Doesn’t your husband bring you food?

—Qi Zhengqing is hardly a qualified husband. You’re really living a tough life.

—My heart aches for you, being someone’s stepdad at such a young age.

Song Yuqing: "…"

The way kids these days mock and taunt is really something else.

Stepdad?

So aggressive, I’m triggered.

88: "…"

You’re not that old either, just graduated from high school.

When Pei Huai entered the classroom, he saw Song Yuqing nearly buried in lunchboxes.

The bookworm Song Yuqing sat amidst the lunchboxes, lips pressed together, not a hint of a smile on his face.

Like a small ice sculpture.

Glistening and translucent, the small ice sculpture’s eyelashes seemed to shimmer with snowflakes under the evening glow.

Helpless, on the verge of melting.

Pei Huai’s lips curled into a slight smirk. He wasn’t like this, about to melt, when he hit me.

Wiping the smile off his face, Pei Huai put on a cold, stern expression and ordered Pei Luo, "Go throw everything on Song Yuqing’s desk into the trash."

Those around felt sorry for Song Yuqing, thinking he’d provoked the troublemaker Pei Huai as soon as he arrived.

Song Yuqing: "?"

Song Yuqing sat up straight, turned his head, and met Pei Huai's gaze with calm composure. "Don't you dare throw my things away..."

"You have no right to dispose of my stuff."

His voice was soft, yet every word was clear.

But it was precisely this statement that sent Pei Huai's anger through the roof. Not throw away Song Yuqing's things? Song Yuqing really was a beta who knew how to work people.

In no time at all, he had already sweet-talked so many people into bringing him dinner.

This dumb, clueless beta—who would recklessly stick his neck out for Qi Ran—was now accepting favors from other Alphas. Just wait until he’s made to cry by those Alphas, one after the other.

"Can you even eat all of this?"

Pei Huai's voice was filled with rage. "You think you can handle all this? Song Yuqing, don’t get greedy."

Pei Huai wasn’t just displeased by the sight of the lunchboxes on Song Yuqing’s desk; he was equally irritated by the desk itself, now reeking of others' food.

Pei Huai kicked Song Yuqing’s desk. "This—take it out and throw it away too. It’s an eyesore."

"Throw it far away."

Song Yuqing’s fingers twitched slightly, his eyes downcast, making him look fragile and pitiable.

Pei Huai opened his own lunchbox, slammed it down on the desk next to Song Yuqing’s seat, and shoved the chopsticks into Song Yuqing’s hand. "Eat here. Eat this."

The onlookers held their breath, watching Pei Huai’s one-sided bullying of Song Yuqing. Quietly, they began live-posting about the scene on the forum.

8L: Is Pei Huai bullying him? Seems like he’s jealous, not letting Song Yuqing eat food from others. Song Yuqing’s defiance pissed him off.

9L: He's probably loving this, huh? Forcing Song Yuqing to eat from his lunchbox, to eat his food.

10L: I bet Pei Huai would even take a bite of whatever Song Yuqing leaves behind.

It wasn’t until they saw what was inside Pei Huai’s lunchbox that everyone’s perception shifted.

The contents consisted of a few vividly green vegetables and a mess of unappetizing rice—likely leftovers that Pei Huai had already eaten, now given to Song Yuqing.

It was a clear insult, treating Song Yuqing like a dog eating someone else’s scraps.

Song Yuqing: "..."

You’re really something. Even a dog wouldn’t eat this, and you’re giving it to me.

Song Yuqing’s expression remained cold. Even as Pei Huai grabbed his wrist and forced him to pick up the food, Song Yuqing kept struggling.

"Why won't you eat for me?"

"You’ll eat others’ food, but not mine? What, you think you're too good for my food?"

The Alpha’s large, powerful hand clamped down on that slender wrist.

His fair, jade-like skin flushed red under the pressure, like blood blooming suddenly on snow.

Only when he pinned Song Yuqing down did Pei Huai realize how slender the figure in his arms was—a delicate, enticing blend of youth and maturity.

Pei Huai’s gaze fixed on Song Yuqing’s shirt, which had ridden up to reveal a strip of pale, slender waist, the curve below beautifully defined.

Feeling tempted, Pei Huai even had the urge to place his hand there. But catching himself, he yanked Song Yuqing’s shirt down, blocking the view from further prying eyes.

His calloused fingers brushed against the beta’s soft skin, and he felt the waist in his arms tighten, that slender, trembling curve pressing against him helplessly.

Pei Huai’s mind reeled, his senses drowning as if he were submerged in water. Only one thought remained: that faintly pink, cool-scented waist was his only lifeline.

Song Yuqing: "Let go, Pei Huai..."

Anger flushed the corners of Song Yuqing’s eyes a seductive red, silent yet alluring.

14L: Damn, Pei Huai, you’re really inhuman, bullying someone’s wife like this.

17L: Qi Zhengqing’s wife, Qi Ran’s stepmother, pinned to the desk by Pei Huai, bullied to the brink of tears. I wish I was Pei Huai, holding Song Yuqing’s wrist, pressing him against the desk to torment him.

18L: What am I seeing? My wife’s waist, right? Damn you, Pei Huai, get your hand off my wife’s waist.

Song Yuqing wrenched himself free, not only breaking free from Pei Huai’s grip but also shoving him away and slapping him hard across the face. "You... get away from me!"

The beta’s eyelashes trembled violently, like butterfly wings fluttering in the wind—fragile, as if they might shatter at a touch. Yet the light in his eyes was cold and stubborn.

Pei Huai stood frozen, his face darkening with humiliation. When he finally saw what was in the lunchbox, he opened his mouth to say something, but Song Yuqing had already panicked and fled the classroom.

Driven away by his bullying.

For a moment, Pei Huai looked stunned, shifting from initially thinking Song Yuqing was ungrateful to realizing he might have genuinely bullied him.

But a proud Alpha would never admit his mistakes or lower his head. He could only remain arrogant, venting his anger on others. "What are you all staring at? Got nothing better to do? Get lost."

Everyone averted their eyes.

Song Yuqing’s food was tossed, his desk was hauled off, and even the books on it were thrown out.

The professor overseeing the evening study session had heard about Song Yuqing being bullied by Pei Huai before class.

She sympathized with Song Yuqing, but... there was nothing she could do.

In a school like this, the most she could offer the victim was a meager dose of pity.

As the class bell rang, the crowd thinned out.

Song Yuqing: "It’s too dirty. I can’t rummage through the trash for my books."

"It'll take three days to get new books."

"And my desk is gone too. I’m afraid if I go back to class, Pei Huai will just bully me again."

"I’ll have to take tomorrow off, and the day after too."

88: "..."

What bullying? Clearly, Song Yuqing had no intention of showing up at school for the next few days. He was deliberately pushing the Alpha's buttons, playing the victim, crafting a narrative where he dared not confront his bully, rationalizing his temporary disappearance from school.

Without any explanation from Song Yuqing, others would connect the dots and rationalize it for him.

"I love studying too, but it’s all because of that dog Pei Huai."

88: "..."

Yeah, right. I don’t believe a word of it.

88 reminded him weakly, "Qingqing, eat your food."

Song Yuqing: "..."

You're annoying me too.

Song Yuqing cut off the connection to the system.

[System message:] Your host has gone offline.

88: "..."

"Song Yuqing."

That voice had a lazy, amused tone, utterly carefree.