Chapter 25: Alpha Pheromone Sample

Chapter 25 Alpha Pheromone Sample

Song Yuqing didn't contend with Pei Huai.

He simply asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Why didn't you come to me?" Pei Huai's gaze fixed on the mark on Song Yuqing's neck, which was already bruising.

He had only learned from Pei Luo that Tan Shu was bothering Song Yuqing again.

He rushed over in a panic, only to find Song Yuqing speaking with Qi Ran. Qi Ran affectionately called Song Yuqing "Dad," and Song Yuqing had even remarked that he preferred those who were well-behaved.

Song Yuqing liked the obedient ones.

But he was neither obedient nor well-behaved; he was disobedient, annoying, and had bullied Song Yuqing. Therefore, Song Yuqing disliked him.

"You don't want me to use you a second time."

Song Yuqing spoke calmly, lifting his eyes to watch the rain falling beyond the umbrella, creating distance between himself and Pei Huai.

Pei Huai tilted the umbrella to follow him.

Hearing Song Yuqing's words, Pei Huai felt a pang in his chest.

When Song Yuqing ignored him, he felt wretched but had held back from approaching him.

Today, upon learning that Tan Shu had troubled Song Yuqing again, he could no longer resist seeking him out.

In the face of Song Yuqing being harmed by others, his pride and haughtiness seemed utterly ridiculous.

Pei Huai recalled Song Yuqing's words again: he preferred those who behaved better.

He should be more sincere and well-behaved, not speak hurtful words or bully Song Yuqing without reason.

For the first time, the young master reflected on his behavior over the years, realizing how rude and unpleasant he had been.

Just Song Yuqing not speaking to him was unbearable.

The words he had said to Song Yuqing must have been even more damaging.

"I was wrong before. I shouldn't have bullied you or said those things. I'm sorry, Song Yuqing."

Pei Huai lowered his head, unable to meet Song Yuqing's gaze for the first time.

As these words left his lips, Pei Huai's heart pounded nervously. He feared Song Yuqing wouldn't forgive him and would continue to dislike him.

"I promise I'll change for the better," Pei Huai said urgently.

Song Yuqing: "Mm."

"I understand." Song Yuqing remained largely impassive, speaking in a calm tone. "I believe you will improve."

Pei Huai, who had been too ashamed to look up, was taken aback. He had expected Song Yuqing not to forgive him so quickly, to continue disliking him.

But he never imagined Song Yuqing would say he believed in him, believed he could change.

His past mistakes weren't unforgivable; he still had a chance to improve.

The small snake coiled around Song Yuqing's wrist, its head swaying curiously at the sound of its former owner's voice. Song Yuqing gently pressed his wrist, signaling the snake to be still.

Lan Balun obediently rested its head against the inner side of Song Yuqing’s wrist, pressing against the skin chafed by the rope.

Snakes are cold-blooded, providing a cooling touch.

Along the way, Pei Huai chattered incessantly.

"My foul mouth was wrong. I won't curse anymore."

"I won't bully others either. I'll only fight if you tell me to."

"Do you dislike me being too close? Then I can keep my distance."

Song Yuqing: "Mm."

Receiving another response from Song Yuqing, Pei Huai felt a surge of satisfaction. If he had known being so devoted felt this good, why would he care about pride?

He held the umbrella over Song Yuqing’s head, stepping out into the rain himself. If Song Yuqing preferred him to keep his distance, then he would.

"Do you think I should apologize to the people I've bullied?"

Song Yuqing considered for a moment. "Be sincere. Make amends where necessary."

Pei Huai felt an inexplicable warmth. He seemed to understand why Qi Ran clung to Song Yuqing so closely.

It wasn't about condemning his past actions, but guiding him to make things right.

As long as he sincerely apologized and changed, Song Yuqing wouldn't be harsh on him.

He just needed to be sincere and improve—Song Yuqing was giving him a chance to change for the better.

"I understand. I'll listen to you," Pei Huai said earnestly.

"You know, I grew up without a mother too," Pei Huai suddenly said, unsure why he brought up mothers with Song Yuqing.

Song Yuqing lowered his gaze, speaking seriously. "We're different. I have a mother. She's very gentle."

She called him "little moon."

She would cut apples into little cat shapes for him.

They relied on each other, with only each other to depend on.

The dim yellow streetlights refracted through the rain into scattered specks of starlight. Song Yuqing’s long lashes drooped slightly, glistening with moisture, like the wings of a butterfly dampened by rain. When reminiscing, his expression carried an indescribable tenderness.

Pei Huai was momentarily captivated by this gentle side of Song Yuqing, his heart racing uncontrollably.

He thought, *This* was the soft, gentle side of Song Yuqing he wanted to see—not the forced submission brought about by bullying and humiliation.

He had been terribly wrong before.

Pei Huai’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Then your mother must love you very much."

He wanted to make Song Yuqing feel loved, just as Song Yuqing’s mother had.

Song Yuqing: "Mm."

The next day,

Song Yuqing went to the laboratory, and Pei Huai followed, gleefully putting on his collar.

He kept adjusting the dog tag on his neck, hoping Song Yuqing would notice it.

But it was like winking at a blind man—Song Yuqing didn’t even glance his way.

He understood nothing about robots, and his coding skills were abysmal. The only thing he could write was "Hello World!"

But as he watched Song Yuqing’s slender fingers tap away on the keyboard, completely immersed in his own world, he couldn't help but feel that Song Yuqing was truly impressive.

Pei Huai sat in a corner peeling apples.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Song Yuqing: "You can leave now—don’t stay here."

Pei Huai: "..."

Why, even after reconciling with Song Yuqing, couldn’t he stay with him?

Song Yuqing lifted his thin eyelids slightly and gave Pei Huai a warning look. Pei Huai: "..."

Pei Huai finally put down the knife. "Fine, I’ll go then."

After Pei Huai left, Song Yuqing stared at the pile of apples, puzzled. Alphas were all as if they had some kind of illness—what was the point of messing around with apples for no reason?

What did the apples ever do to Pei Huai?

After restoring his data, Song Yuqing continued soldering the last few robots.

Tan Shu had been too busy lately to bother Song Yuqing, giving Song Yuqing nearly a week of peace.

Viktor, who always curried favor with the powerful and bullied the weak, had given Tan Shu enough trouble during that week.

Clearly, Tan Hongzhen was not the kind of alpha who prioritized emotions, stood by his wife, or was devoted to his children.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had children outside the marriage and raised them with care, not only satisfying his own base reproductive urges but also calling it good for the family.

Most upper-class families in the world were like this. As long as the legal wife’s family remained stable and the legitimate children were successful, the illegitimate children could suppress their ambitions and desires, living comfortably as the children of mistresses but never holding power, thus maintaining the family’s stability.

However, once the legitimate children ran into trouble, those previously unseen children would begin to emerge, fighting for the heir position.

Tan Shu was now in such an awkward position—an heir with problems.

After discovering that his wife and son had deceived him, Tan Hongzhen quickly brought the child he had raised outside back home.

He also stripped Tan Shu of almost all privileges at Viktor.

Tan Shu’s position as student council president, along with his privileges for research applications and controlling forum public opinion, were all taken away.

The position of president would also be reelected.

Gu Jingtang proposed four candidates—Song Yuqing, Pei Huai, Xiao Jinshi, and Ye Siling.

The student council president would only be elected from these powerful families, making it clear to all students that social class barriers were insurmountable. Some positions were reserved for those from the slums or the middle class—they could only admire from afar but never reach them.

Wealth and power were determined solely by bloodline and family.

The election would be decided by a school-wide vote over the course of a week.

This tiny bit of democracy within an undemocratic system was enough to give people a sense of participation.

When Song Yuqing saw the list of candidates, he gave a light laugh. Gu Jingtang was never a good person.

The student council president held considerable power at the school, even surpassing some teachers.

How could Gu Jingtang possibly give such a good thing to him?

He merely wanted to show Song Yuqing that he was just a beta who had worked his way into the upper class through schemes, fundamentally different from those who had always belonged there.

The voting results would only humiliate him and make him lose face.

Song Yuqing coldly lifted his eyelids. "Attention seeker."

Just as problematic as Tan Shu.

OP: My wife is among the candidates for president this time! Everyone, go vote for my Qingqing!

5L: Qingqing is beautiful, but looks alone aren’t enough to be president.

56L: I don’t understand why anyone would want to vote for SYQ as president. If he becomes president, the first thing he’ll do is go after those of us who secretly fantasize about him.

108L: *Cough*, let my wife deal with me! Whip me! Step on me! Slap me!

118L: If SYQ becomes president, I’ll be even more excited. I just want to enter the president’s reproductive cavity, to dirty President Qingqing.

209L: You don’t get it. If SYQ becomes president, it’ll be even more thrilling for those of us who fantasize about him. A lofty, untouchable flower gaining power, only to be dragged down and defiled—that’s the real thrill.

218L: If Qingqing becomes president, he’ll do inspections. Those who don’t meet standards will be written up. Isn’t that like being punished by my wife?

256L: Even so, PH is unreliable, XJS is rarely at school and can basically be disregarded, YSL looks down on us. No matter how you look at it, SYQ seems the most suitable, but his grades and achievements still can’t compare to YSL. YSL has a higher chance of winning.

Discussions like these popped up daily, but the heavy course load at Viktor continued.

After the first monthly exam, it was time to choose the direction of the graduation project. The first round was a preliminary selection, and once the second round was confirmed, no changes could be made.

After finalizing the graduation project, the advisor assignments began.

Students could reach out to advisors in advance. If chosen, the advisor would directly select the student during the allocation process.

Students who didn’t contact an advisor would eventually be assigned one through a random draw.

No one would be left out, but those with popular advisors would receive more benefits.

Among them, the most sought-after advisor for students focusing on pheromone research was Gu Jingtang. As a member of the Gu family, he controlled significant resources.

Working on a project under him would guarantee ample resources.

When it came time to submit their choices, Song Yuqing chose to minor in robotics engineering.

When Professor Lin saw Song Yuqing’s selection, he was delighted and immediately chose Song Yuqing. Song Yuqing had finally gotten him to join.

A star student!

Other professors in the same field, seeing Professor Lin beaming with pride, couldn’t help but feel envious. "Professor Lin is so lucky. The only most talented student in our school has come to you."

Professor Lin: "Hahaha, I am lucky."

"Yeah, really lucky. He comes with his own resources, so you don’t even need to apply for research funding. With money and talent, you should be thrilled to have Song Yuqing."

Professor Lin: "What?"

Huh?

Is Ye Siling really worth him smirking to himself?

A cocky alpha who thinks he's a genius.

His talent doesn't hold a candle to Song Yuqing's.

Professor Lin soon smiled wordlessly, "Yes, yes, I'm lucky."

It's fine, if Ye Siling doesn’t apply for research funding, I can allocate all of Ye Siling’s research funding quota to Song Yuqing.

Ye Siling is work, Song Yuqing is life.

Song Yuqing is simply brilliant.

Qingqing is such a good kid—the old man told him to pick Song Yuqing, and Song Yuqing did. So obedient.

OP: You have to admit, SYQ is really bold, taking on two courses now. Is he gonna be able to handle it all?

1L: SYQ has been really busy lately, trying to do everything. Honestly, I think he’s a bit unrealistic. Choosing robotics is fine—his robots are truly showstoppers. But pheromones…

25L: As we all know, not everyone has the talent for research. Can’t he just be a pretty face?

28L: As a pretty face, Song Yuqing is absolutely top-tier—seriously tempting, makes you want to lick him. But as for the rest, I think it’s just average. Choosing pheromone research… cough, does that mean he’ll be touching alpha glands? Any alpha he touches would lose control and jump him right then and there.

29L: Don’t you dare make my wife cry! Wife, come press my gland, touch me however you want.

45L: What are you all afraid of? Afraid SYQ will become an unattainable beta? My baby is focused on his career and won’t even notice you stinky dogs. You’re all so gross.

Ye Siling frowned. Song Yuqing is... seriously ambitious for a beta.

Ye Siling has noticed Song Yuqing lately—after all, they’re both running for student council president, so it’s hard not to.

He also bought one of Song Yuqing’s robots. All he can say is, it’s just okay.

Song Yuqing probably spent a long time making that robot—it has its good points. But considering all the time and people he needed, it's not that impressive.

While Ye Siling was lost in thought, he suddenly received a message from Pei Huai.

My Heart Yearns for the Moon: “Go vote for Song Yuqing.”

Ye Siling: “…”

ysl: “Wait, if I recall correctly, both you and I are Song Yuqing’s competitors.”

My Heart Yearns for the Moon: “You scrub, how dare you compete with Song Yuqing? Useless, go vote now.”

Pei Huai has been sneaking around to watch Song Yuqing lately. Song Yuqing’s robots are way better than anything Ye Siling, that waste of space, could ever make.

Especially the three robots in Song Yuqing’s lab—they’re almost like they’ve gained sentience.

They smile at him and call him “Pei Dog,” but behind his back, they curse him as a mad dog.

Whether it’s intelligence, endurance, or patience, Song Yuqing is miles ahead of Ye Siling.

ysl: “Homewrecker coveting someone else’s wife, shut up.”

My Heart Yearns for the Moon: “Don’t talk nonsense. If Song Yuqing hears, he’ll get annoyed with me again. I promised him I’d be a good alpha.”

Ye Siling: “…”

A good alpha? Does that even apply to Pei Huai?

That dog Pei Huai—since he was a kid, he’s been a little tyrant. If anyone upset him, he’d use his psychic power to pressure them.

Pei Huai has been tamed into a dog by Song Yuqing.

ysl: “Really, I hate homewreckers. Stop coveting other people’s wives.”

Song Yuqing packed up all the robots and shipped them out, and the final payment was settled in full.

That evening, Song Yuqing started his livestream again.

After voting for Song Yuqing, Ye Siling entered the livestream right on time.

The same white lace gloves, the same stack of pristine draft paper.

Explaining each problem patiently, one by one.

Ye Siling couldn’t take his eyes off those hands, half-listening to the teacher’s explanations.

Ye Siling has a thing for hands, but few people know it.

Those hands—perfect for gripping anything: a blanket, a pen. He wanted to greedily caress the fingertips, to lick each long, pale finger, to take them entirely into his mouth.

Ye Siling also wondered what this teacher, so skilled at explaining problems, looked like. He must be beautiful—would he panic if someone licked his fingers?

Or would he coldly slap them?

Song Yuqing spoke slowly for two hours, his voice slightly hoarse. “Did everyone understand today’s lesson?”

The slightly raspy voice, gently asking, carried a hint of indescribable warmth.

—Teacher, if we understand, is there a reward?

—Mom, teacher, can you be my mom?

“…Do you lack a mother?” Song Yuqing pondered seriously, his tone still gentle. “You can go to an orphanage and wait for a kind mother to adopt you.”

88: “…”

Always chilled by Song Yuqing’s sudden responses.

—Teacher, can you teach me this problem? I like someone else’s mom, but she already has a husband. How can I make her my wife?

Song Yuqing: “???”

Song Yuqing frowned slightly. “You’re beyond help. Just bury yourself. Everyone, please uphold morality—being a homewrecker is immoral, and breaking up someone’s family is shameful.”

Ye Siling typed.

—I hate homewreckers too.

—No one cares that you hate homewreckers. Why are you seeking attention here?

——Is a mistress just a mistress? Being a mistress is an art form! Do you even know what art is before hating on it?

After every livestream, this Q&A segment is both ridiculous and hilarious.

Song Yuqing's straight-faced responses are often clipped and shared everywhere, though these people do respect his intellectual property rights by not spreading his teaching videos around.

Ye Siling typed.

——Get some good rest, don’t overwork yourself.

This message was quickly buried among the flood of comments.

As soon as Song Yuqing ended the stream, he tossed the video to 88 for editing. Since it couldn’t be published, Song Yuqing found an alternative path: paid knowledge content.

Song Yuqing opened Victor’s student operating system to check his assigned advisors.

For Robotics Engineering, the advisor was Professor Lin—no problem there.

For Advanced Pheromone Application Studies, the advisor was Gu Jingtang.

Song Yuqing: "..."

Coincidentally, Gu Jingtang's email arrived right then.

1. Please study the attached books on your own.

2. Don't be late for the first group meeting next Wednesday.

3. Bring an alpha pheromone sample to the first group meeting. You may use your own pheromones as a sample—the higher the pheromone level, the better. Beta students can borrow pheromones from other alphas. Instructions are attached; please handle with caution.

Song Yuqing: "..."

He’s totally targeting me.

Author's Note:

Qingqing: This chapter features a lot of mistresses. He's the only one who isn't a mistress.

Ye Siling: Ahem.