The Beta From the Countryside (05)

When the eraser was placed on the desk, Xue Ci still hadn't figured out what was wrong with the fifth fill-in-the-blank question. When he couldn't make progress on what he was supposed to do, he would unconsciously turn to something else, like brushing the dust off his eraser.

But someone had cleaned it for him.

Xue Ci glanced at Gu Ling. The incandescent light fell on the man's sharply defined profile. Black hair covered his forehead and eyes, his lips were pressed into a line, and several veins stood out on his neck. He looked even more forbidding than before.

He was a little scary.

Xue Ci couldn't help gripping the eraser tighter and holding his breath. He didn't dare say he couldn't solve the problem, either.

Gu Ling came back to himself and noticed how stiffly the person beside him was acting.

Was he afraid of him? Gu Ling had no intention of being a stern family patriarch. He looked up and pressed a hand to his brow, trying to appear more easygoing. "Pen."

Xue Ci obediently handed it over.

The room was quiet, with only the sound of the man's pen moving across the paper. Xue Ci leaned closer and quickly understood the steps. "So that's how it works," he said thoughtfully.

His eyes grew round again.

Under that admiring gaze, the corners of Gu Ling's lips lifted of their own accord. He was gradually discovering the pleasures of raising a younger brother.

Poor Xue Ci, however, had to start on a second test paper under his eldest brother's supervision.

Gu Xu had a lot of classes that day and came home an hour later than usual.

The first thing he did when he got home was glance at the sofa, but the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen. He searched the kitchen and balcony as well.

Afraid the young master would trample the flowers and plants in the garden if he still couldn't find him, the butler promptly told him where Xue Ci was. "Young Master Xue Ci is still studying in his room."

He was still studying at this hour? Gu Xu was surprised. "How long has he been studying today?"

"He's been in his room all afternoon."

Wouldn't all that studying ruin his brain? Gu Xu started toward the second floor, only for the butler to stop him. "President Gu is tutoring him in there. He said not to disturb them before dinner."

Gu Xu stopped in his tracks and stared for two seconds before giving an indifferent "Oh."

He sat back down on the sofa to play games, his expression casual, looking no different from usual. But that pretense was shattered half an hour later by a call from Hu Shenglan.

"How did you get along with Xue Ci today? You didn't go around scowling, did you?"

Gu Xu said, "Even if I did, it wouldn't matter. I haven't even seen him."

"What happened?" Hu Shenglan asked. Why did he sound like a grade-schooler tattling?

Gu Xu was silent for a moment. "Mom, why did you have Brother tutor Xue Ci? He still won't let Xue Ci out for dinner."

Hu Shenglan picked up on the irritation in Gu Xu's voice. "Don't worry. Your brother knows what he's doing."

Gu Xu glanced upstairs. There was still no sound of the door opening, so he tried to persuade her again. "He goes to the company every day, and now he has to come back and tutor him too. Where will he find the time?"

"Should I have you tutor him instead?"

"Sure, I-"

Before he could finish, Hu Shenglan firmly shot him down. "You're the least clever person in our family. I'd be embarrassed to ask you to do it."

Gu Xu: "?"

In the end, Hu Shenglan didn't take his advice. She told him to behave himself and stay out of trouble, then hung up.

At dinner time, Xue Ci finally came downstairs.

He spotted Gu Xu at once. The other man seemed to be surrounded by an air of resentment, and his scowl was even worse than usual.

Xue Ci assumed Gu Xu was still giving him the silent treatment over the wristband he'd ruined in the wash that morning. He hadn't expected things to get worse than he'd thought. In the original plot, Gu Xu had still been willing to talk to him at this point.

It seemed he really liked that wristband.

Xue Ci felt very guilty. He went over and sat down. "Where can I buy your wristband?"

He added, "I have money now. I can buy you an identical one."

Afraid Gu Xu wouldn't believe him, he took a card out of his pocket. "Look, I really do have money now."

"My mom gave you that?" Wealth shouldn't be flaunted. Thinking of how Xue Ci never guarded against others, Gu Xu frowned. "Put it away, and don't go spending money on other men."

Xue Ci didn't have time to consider why he'd said "other men." He shook his head. "Eldest Brother gave me this."

"My brother?"

Gu Xu froze for a moment, gradually feeling something strangely subtle.

Xue Ci nodded. He had also been surprised when Gu Ling handed him the card earlier. In the original plot, he and Gu Ling hadn't had much to do with each other, and it hadn't said whether he could accept spending money from Gu Ling.

Xue Ci had hesitated until 11 told him to accept it. [Host, it's all right. It won't be OOC. We're honest people! Honest people don't turn others down!]

"Don't worry, I won't spend Eldest Brother's money recklessly," Xue Ci said sincerely. "I'll only buy you a wristband."

Gu Xu couldn't describe how he felt at that moment.

On the one hand, he was annoyed that Xue Ci had only known Gu Ling for a day, yet they seemed closer than Xue Ci was with him. On the other hand, Xue Ci's words about "only buying him a wristband" had left him feeling lightheaded.

The wristband Xue Ci had washed all night was wrinkled, but it was still barely wearable, so Gu Xu hadn't thrown it away.

He gave an affected "Oh."

Xue Ci ordered the same wristband on a shopping app right in front of him. This time, the Alpha's expression finally improved.

There were only a few days left before the entrance exam, so Xue Ci headed straight for his room after dinner.

He didn't stay in the living room.

Playing games alone had suddenly become boring. Gu Xu tossed aside his controller, and as he sat there with nothing to do, footsteps came from the stairs. He glanced over and saw Gu Ling coming down with a document.

"Brother."

Gu Ling responded, then suddenly asked, "Is the entrance exam in three days?"

Gu Xu nodded.

But his brother was paying a bit too much attention to Xue Ci.

That subtle feeling came over him again.

He hesitated for a few seconds before asking, "Did you give Xue Ci a card?"

Gu Ling gave him a casual glance.

The elders in the family had mentioned spending money to him, but he had given it more careful thought. Xue Ci had no shortage of food or clothing at the Gu home, but once he started school, he would be surrounded by unfamiliar things and would naturally be interested in some of them.

He wasn't trying to encourage keeping up with others; he was just afraid Xue Ci might go astray in that kind of environment.

"Let him keep the card and use it." Gu Ling knew about Gu Xu's bad temper and reminded him in the tone of an elder brother, "He's unfamiliar with the people and the place here. Look after him more at school. Even if you two don't get married in the future, Xue Ci is still a guest."

That last sentence made Gu Xu uncomfortable, though he didn't know why.

"I know. I was going to take him there anyway."

Gu Ling's finger paused on his phone screen. He had been messaging his assistant to cancel his plans for three days later.

Since Gu Xu was taking him, there was no need for him to go. It would also give the two children some time alone together.

Besides... Gu Ling's expression changed slightly at some thought, but it quickly returned to normal. After giving Gu Xu those instructions, he left the villa with the test paper Xue Ci had just finished.

The doubts in Gu Xu's mind vanished completely.

So his brother was taking such good care of Xue Ci because he already regarded him as his future brother-in-law.

His brother really was thoughtful.

That night, Xue Ci was still writing furiously, struggling with his test paper, when his phone began vibrating nonstop beside him on the desk.

When he opened it, he found a text message from the bank.

Someone had transferred money to him.

Only Hu Shenglan knew his bank account details, so she was probably the one who had sent it.

11 checked the account for him, and a huge exclamation mark appeared on its forehead!

[Host! The protagonist sent it to you!]

Xue Ci was surprised.

Gu Xu could hardly stand the sight of him, so why would he send him money?

Afraid the plot had gone off course, he immediately checked the progress bar.

It seemed to have gone up.

11 had its own ideas. [Host! He must be trying to compete! Didn't Gu Ling give you a card? He can't lose when he's trying to prove he has more money!]

In a way, 11's idea was also correct.

Xue Ci just couldn't understand it.

He left his room and went to knock on Gu Xu's door.

Gu Xu soon opened it.

11 said, [Look! He's showing off! He's smiling!]

Xue Ci looked up and saw that Gu Xu did indeed seem to be in a good mood.

He asked him why he had transferred the money.

Gu Xu said casually, "The family told me to send it. Keep it for yourself, and don't let some man trick you away with a little money."

Xue Ci: "?"

What did he mean, "let some man trick him away with a little money"? Was he talking about... Eldest Brother, who had given him the card?

But Eldest Brother definitely wouldn't trick him.

Xue Ci didn't refuse again, afraid it would have the opposite effect.

Soon, the day of the entrance exam arrived.

Gu Xu got up especially early. In the living room, he stared absentmindedly at his phone while glancing up at the second floor at frequent intervals.

Finally, Xue Ci appeared at the top of the stairs.

The Beta was wearing a pale yellow jacket that day, zipped up to his chest and revealing his delicate collarbones. He seemed to have just gotten up. He wasn't quite awake yet, his face still hazy with sleep and his hair a little messy.

His lips, though, were bright red.

And full.

Gu Xu stared at them for a few seconds, and then his ears burned fiercely.

He must think he looked tacky.

Xue Ci was very pleased with Gu Xu's reaction of not bothering to look at him.

He sat down at the dining table, where Grandpa Butler had thoughtfully prepared a special "100 points" breakfast.

Xue Ci had crammed for several days. Although he couldn't score 100, he was confident he could pass. After breakfast, he stood up and was about to pick up the schoolbag beside him, but Gu Xu took it first.

"That's mine..."

Xue Ci wanted to remind him tactfully.

But Gu Xu had no intention of giving the schoolbag back and headed straight for the door.

Perhaps he thought Xue Ci was too slow.

Xue Ci didn't have time to think much about it and immediately followed him.

Gu Xu looked conceited, but he was actually quite low-key and rarely took the family car to school. He had specifically told the driver the night before that he needed a car, and a black minivan was now parked outside the villa.

"You sit-"

As Gu Xu opened the car door and saw Gu Ling sitting in the back row, his eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

Hadn't his brother told him to take Xue Ci?

When he noticed the obvious delight on Xue Ci's face at the sight of Gu Ling, Gu Xu's face stiffened. He managed to keep his voice steady. "...Brother, you're coming too? Don't you have work today?"

Gu Ling gave a casual "Mm." "There isn't much going on at the company today."

He turned his gaze to Xue Ci, seeming to wait for something.

Sure enough, Gu Ling only looked away after Xue Ci obediently called him "Eldest Brother."

As soon as Xue Ci got in the car, he felt cramped.

There were three seats in the back row, but perhaps because Gu Xu and Gu Ling were so tall and broad, the space felt especially crowded.

He sat in the middle, pressed tightly against them. The slightest movement brought him into contact with the leather shoes on his left or the sneakers on his right.

Even the air around him seemed to have been taken away.

He finally endured the ride until it was time to get out.

Xue Ci took a deep breath, his cheeks pink from lack of oxygen.

He had never seen an elite academy in real life, and only when he arrived did he realize just how extravagant it was. The buildings were magnificent and imposing, and lush greenery filled the grounds, making it look like a giant maze.

He followed closely behind Gu Xu.

Fortunately, Gu Xu took him all the way to the examination room that day.

"How well have you prepared?" the Alpha, who had been silent since earlier, suddenly asked.

Was he going to make fun of him?

Xue Ci puffed out his chest. "I studied hard. I'll definitely pass."

Had he worked so hard to attend the same school as him?

Gu Xu pretended to straighten the hem of his clothes and handed over the schoolbag on his shoulder, his voice softening. "Then... do your best."

The entrance exam covered basic knowledge and wasn't too difficult. Xue Ci felt confident. After handing in his paper, he hurried back with his schoolbag on his back.

The Gu family car was waiting at the school gates, and he didn't want to keep the driver waiting too long.

The building was especially quiet, with hardly anyone around, so Xue Ci became bolder and started jogging. He hadn't expected someone to suddenly appear around the turn in the stairs.

He crashed straight into him.

The other person's body was hard. Xue Ci bumped his nose, and the sting brought tears to his eyes.

A pair of strong hands steadied him by the arms. Even through his thin jacket, he could feel the scorching heat of the palms.

"Are you all right?"

A gentle voice, as warm as a spring breeze, rang out.

Xue Ci looked over with misty eyes. The edges of the young man's features were blurred. Soon, the watery haze cleared, and he saw the other's face.

He had the handsome looks of a top student who would be popular at school, with deep-set features and a straight nose, yet he was unusually approachable.

He made people lower their guard without realizing it.

11's voice sounded in his head. [Host, he's the protagonist's archenemy, Xie Yishu. His personality is the opposite of Gu Xu's. He's a well-mannered and reasonable Alpha.]

An Alpha?

Only then did Xue Ci realize that Xie Yishu was a head taller than him.

Not only that, but the arms he had overlooked had smooth lines, and the body hidden beneath his clothes was lean and strong, with firm muscles.

"Are you hurt?"

Xie Yishu leaned closer.

Held in his arms, Xue Ci was forced to tilt his face up, meeting the other man's dark eyes.

For a moment, he had the illusion that he was about to be drawn into them.

"I'm fine..." Xue Ci struggled a little, and Xie Yishu quickly let go.

"That's good." Xie Yishu smiled, everything about him giving off the air of a model child. "It's dangerous by the stairs."

Xue Ci listlessly rubbed his nose.

Just then, 11 suddenly issued a task.

[Host, you need to go find Gu Xu. His classmates in his major found out about his childhood engagement, and after they mocked him mercilessly, he became very cold toward you.]

Seeing that the Beta in front of him was all right, Xie Yishu was just about to leave when someone lightly tugged at the hem of his clothes.

"Excuse me." The Beta's voice was soft, and the tears from the collision still clung to his eyelashes, making him look a little pitiful.

His cheeks were very fair, as though the lightest touch would leave a mark.

The school was so big that finding where Gu Xu was taking classes was no easy task. To complete his task, Xue Ci had no choice but to ask Xie Yishu for help.

Fortunately, Xie Yishu was good-tempered and friendly, and he took him to the management department's teaching building.

"I know where to go from here. Thank you!"

Afraid that Xie Yishu would find out he was looking for Gu Xu, Xue Ci parted ways with him in the hallway before they got there.

The slender figure disappeared from sight, and the smile on Xie Yishu's face gradually faded, a hint of madness showing in his indifferent eyes. He stared for a long time in the direction Xue Ci had gone, and only after an unknown length of time did he lower his eyes, bring his hand to his face, and take a deep breath.

He's clearly a Beta, so why does he smell so good?

Xie Yishu's back trembled slightly.

He smells so good.

He liked this scent.

Could he hide him away?

In the classroom.

As soon as Xin Yue arrived, a few of his friends teased him, asking whether he'd picked up some Omega's scent.

"I haven't even started dating yet. How could I fail to uphold male virtue?"

He smelled a little sweet because he had sprayed perfume in his room, and the scent had naturally clung to him.

Ever since meeting that Omega, Xin Yue had missed his scent more than once, but he couldn't describe exactly what it smelled like. So he had gone to a perfume shop and tried the bottles one by one, until he finally found one with a somewhat similar scent.

But it was obviously different. The rich perfume sometimes made him choke, and it couldn't compare to the Omega's scent at all.

The longer Xin Yue smelled it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He was just about to get up and wash it off in the restroom when he caught sight of a fluffy head outside the window.

Xin Yue's pupils contracted sharply.

Is that... the Omega?

And he was looking right in his direction.

Xin Yue instantly straightened his back.

Gu Xu, sitting in the back row, also noticed something was off with Xin Yue and looked in the same direction.

Xue Ci?

He had come to find him as soon as the exam was over.

So clingy.

Gu Xu suppressed the corners of his mouth, which were about to curl upward, and was just about to get up when he heard Xin Yue beside him say, "Bro! I think someone's looking for me outside... Quick, check if my hair's a mess!"

"Damn it... Why did I put on perfume today?! It's choking me!"

*?*

Gu Xu lowered his gaze, his voice dropping eight octaves. "...You said he's looking for you?"

"Of course." Xin Yue knew Gu Xu still remembered this Omega. How could he forget someone so beautiful? Xin Yue paid it no mind, a gloating expression on his face. "He must have lost interest in you. You're already engaged, and a secondhand man isn't worth anything."

Author's note:

Gu Xu: Fucking...

Second brother: The perverts have all shown up. When do I get to see my wife?