Chapter Text
The violent clattering of the metal roof was a common occurrence around this time of year; after all, this facility was hastily slapped together to hoard all of the test subjects of Project XY.
Sheng Fang sucked his teeth in distaste, wading through the damp floor full of messy wires and scatterings of what few possessions the “guinea pigs” owned. Perhaps they were giving them too much freedom; how else could these things make such a mess? H-384 seemed to be one of the more sensible ones, though. His few things lay on top of his cot. Consisting of his food tray, miscellaneous rags, and what resembled a toothbrush that he kept tightly wrapped with spare wire. His cot was just barely off the ground, consisting of a thin, scratchy material attached over a weak, creaky metal.
The gentle clack of CEO Sheng’s shoes was barely audible, but all 100 pairs of eyes stood at attention with bated breath to see what he’d do next.
“Don’t you dare make him wait! All of you assume your position if you plan on being left intact!”
Screamed one of the guards.
In an instant little feet pattered, scrambling to get in their place; the mass of naked bodies, all various shades of gray, green, and white, clumped together. The routine examination had already begun. They all acted in unison, opening their mouths as wide as they could as small cameras projected their mouths. The guards went one by one, gliding the camera with a flashlight to view each tooth. The slight scrape of the cold metal and heat of the flashlight. H-384 felt the corners of his mouth tear as the guard tugged and stretched his mouth. One by one their backs were marked with a score. Next exam was naturally their weight, followed by their height, and lastly a standing scan of their internal organs.
Despite not knowing fully what was being written on his skin, H-384 knew it meant something good. The longer the large men in black touched his back, the more food he would receive.
Not a moment later a whistle sounded, signaling their daily allotment.
Just as he suspected.
Alongside his daily pills, H-384 was granted a whopping 1,400 grams of allotment. He had to contain his smile, lest the others would try and rob him. Leading to all of them being chained up like animals.
H-384 quickly chewed his pills, like normal; H-373, however, tried swallowing them whole, wasting his meager water allotment and nearly choking in the process.
Fool.
H-384 knew H-373 wasn't the brightest. The dry mouth and potential diarrhea from improper digestion might have him finished. Illness was rarely, if ever, treated with anything but death here. H-373 scarfed his pills down and finished his meal in about 15 seconds, eyes growing green with envy a second later. H-384 mocked him internally; what a show of greed and impatience. H-384 had a taste for bitterness. He savored each crunch of his pills, letting it draw out his saliva. He felt less thirsty and could probably save his first water allotments till halfway through the day. That fool, on the other hand, even after swallowing the pills whole, kept twisting and grimacing from the bitterness and hunger. H-373 even dared to drink from the puddle on the ground!
It wasn’t the hunger that ached, but the distance between your meals.
That’s what G-274 once told him.
Chew, chew, and chew some more.
The longer your meal, the less you feel your stomach gnawing at your senses. Maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but chewing everything until it was a thick paste always made the sensation of his stomach aching in hunger lessen.
“H-384, finish your meal this instant; someone is here to see you.” One of the men in black said.
Before he could even get a crumb to his mouth, he was grabbed by his nape and dragged. H-384 ate what he could with one hand, but most of his allotment was destined to decorate the floor today.
H-384 ground his teeth till he tasted blood and watched in horror as everyone ate his scattered food. H-373, that pig, that greedy glutton monster, was the first to scrape his face along the floor like a rat. H-384 did everything he could to not give in and throw his weight down and fight off the scavengers eating his food. He felt like they were directly reaching into his chest and eating his heart and liver. H-384 pursed his lips and tried blinking away his unshed tears. He hoped those gluttons all got starved for this.
The gaggle of CEOs softly chuckled, very pleased with this one. So cute, so obedient, this little thing, like the rest, had its ribs out like a xylophone but wouldn't eat from the ground. Its small and exquisite face full of sharp contrasting lines but ultimately softened by jewel-like eyes that always seem to be glimmering with tears and adorned with long straight lashes. All of them were almost certain that out of the hundreds of test trials, this had to be the one to succeed. They were so certain they even dared to invite Sheng Fang, the biggest investor in this research.
“He's near perfect, isn't he?” Sheng Jingyi spoke. Grinning ear to ear, he couldn't help but walk a few circles around the little guinea. “I think this one is ready for personal consumption. I could bring it back in a few—”
“No.” The other CEOs sounded in unison, looking at the lowliest of them all with disdain.
They all couldn't help but roll their eyes. Just how many of these “taste tests" did that bastard intend on having?
“My god, it doesn't even have a scent yet, and you're saying it's near perfect? If all you're interested in is growing your backyard, you can do that in your spare time. We're conducting a study. That I have put my blood, sweat, and tears into for the past 16 years!" Qi Yuanshuang hissed.
The others nodded in agreement. If not for the fearsome A-tier alpha sharing the same surname, who would let this fool stick around? Unfortunately, Sheng Fang attached importance to family time, leaving them no choice but to tolerate him.
“Ge, why can't you let even one good thing fly into my mouth?” Sheng Jingyi didn't pay any attention to the others. Despite being a man well into his 40s, he shamelessly put his meaty paw onto his cousin's arm. “I promise I'll bring it back this time. I don't want to play for too long; just play for a while, okay? Besides…every good toy needs to be broken in. A good alpha will bring that scent out. The only difference between an omega and a beta is one was carefully developed by helping hands at a young age.”
Sheng Fang sighed and ruthlessly yanked his sleeve away from his cousin.
Perhaps even with the most careful cultivation, a low-tier alpha was as good as shit. His cousin was born to die a waste.
“It’s my son's birthday in a few days. He differentiated just last year and still doesn't have anyone to stabilize his ruts. If this child can't assist with that, you can play with him to your heart's content.” Sheng Fang said with an air of finality.
He walked around examining the boy in front of him from head to toe. More so than his appearance, Sheng Fang was interested in his demeanor. Despite not knowing a word of what they were saying, he didn't flinch in fear or look up in confusion. He showed signs of intelligence but still had ingrained submission that would aid Sheng Fang's son. Still…what would be the point if he didn't even have a scent? Anyone could find droves of smart and well-behaved children at the orphanage. What he cared about was if they were high-rank enough. That was the point of this; if there was a way to guarantee his grandson would be an S-tier alpha, he'd stop at no lengths to achieve that. He looked once more at the boy's back, quickly scanning his score once more.
Teeth: 32/32
Height: 168
Weight: 42 kg
Organ function: high
Appearance: 5 stars
Scent: unavailable
XY's approval rating: 6.3/10
H-384 looked at the floor every so often, peeking at the murmuring adults. He didn't know why he was told to stand here, why these strange adults were here, or even why they were expecting them.
He dug his blunt nails into his palm, trying to cease his curiosity. Knowing too much was never a good thing, and the adults were speaking in a manner he couldn't understand at all but felt familiar all at the same time.
All he knew is that they were different, far unlike the faceless men in black, like the distributors, and clearly worlds apart from the letters, like himself.
Would they give him more allotments?
H-384 couldn't help but smack his lips thinking about the possibility.
Fat chance of that.
Sheng Jingyi groaned. What a sinful little thing! Taking shy little peeks at him, batting those big eyes still misty while licking those thin pouty lips as if it's hungry. If it weren't for his greedy cousin, he'd be the first one to let such rogue stained lips be filled with something…
He couldn't resist but reach his hand out to sink his fingers through those tangled ink-like strands. What could a little runt do with a toy at his age? Instead, good things should be given to elders first.
“I don't like to repeat myself.” Sheng Fang said calmly.
Sheng Jingyi laughed nervously, smelling the hint of displeased whiskey pheromones that tainted the air. Sweat slid down his back, making the humid and hot air turn his suit into a sauna.
“Fang-ge, don't be like that; you know I was just joking.” Sheng Jingyi wiped his greasy forehead, panting once the air thickened with a whiskey scent. “Do I really seem like I would steal from my own nephew? You know? I've never really been fond of spring chickens. Seriously, how old am I this year? Where would I put my face if others knew I was playing with someone who just got potty trained?”
Sheng Fang said nothing, but his scent disappeared as the smell of rusting metal and rain washed it away.
“Clean this one up and pack him into the boat. I will add another 1 billion into the research fund for any inconvenience.”
Qi Yuanshuang smiled, and his eyes sparkled with pride.
“I have a feeling that this one will be S-tier, President Sheng.”
_____________
H-384 had no clue that would be his last day at the facility.
Well…it should be Hua Yong now. Mr. Sheng said people had names. After leaving the facility, Hua Yong's days of being just an experiment had long since ended. Thanks to young master Sheng, Hua Yong is officially a person now.
Life is so wonderful now. No fear of chains or starving; he can eat 3 meals a day, and he even has a room.
Now his days consist of so many interesting things, and little by little Hua Yong realized what he was made for.
To be the young master's perfect omega.
Hua Yong stared carefully at his tutor's lips. She, a middle-aged beta, spoke slowly, repeating the same word over and over again.
“Listen, it's Shi, not Si. Do you want me to die? How many times do I have to say this useless thing?”
Hua Yong tried to purse his lips like she did but still couldn't say it properly. He didn't even have time to dodge when his tutor backhanded him.
“What did I tell you? SHI, not SI. Are you malfunctioning? Do I need to tell them to send you back? What can the young master do with a retarded omega? Even if you omegas are only good for spreading your legs, you will not humiliate me in front of President Sheng. By tomorrow, I could have your replacement here. I'm sure they could tell the difference between "shi" and "si"!
Hua Yong's eyes went wide with panic, and he couldn't help but cry out no.
Anything but that!
His breath quickened and his brow filled with sweat imagining those sad, sad days full of nothing but needles, beatings, and hunger.
What's worse, another omega would be in this seat, belly full of food, and be given to the young master.
They would be Hua Yong, and he would be H-384 again.
“Please don't tell them to send me back, I'll do better! Shi.”
The tutor sucked her teeth.
“Why do I need to threaten you for you to be obedient?” She wiped the blood leaking down his nose with her handkerchief only to twist his nose till his eyes teared up. “Only the best of the best get to serve the Sheng family. Even a dog must be intelligent, charming, and obedient. It's so easy for an omega to be kept. A good omega will always be fed for a lifetime. If you don't want to leave, learn things the first time I show you. President Sheng will be checking on you soon. Don't you dare make him displeased with me, or else I'll put you in that tube you were born in myself.”
Hua Yong nodded obediently, drying his eyes with his sleeve.
If he's a good omega, he can stay and please young master Sheng, but if he's bad…
Hua Yong bit his lip. There was no what if; in this life he's going to be young master Sheng's and young master Sheng's alone.
“Next section, ma'am.”
_________________
Sheng Fang was surprised. He originally hoped that it would take a year, and at worst 3 to 4, to have Hua Yong ready to meet his son. Unexpectedly, he was ready in a matter of only 2 months, far surpassing any and all expectations.
He really had a keen eye for observation.
One week to learn, for lack of a better word, to be a human, 2 weeks to learn the basics of Mandarin, and the rest of the time to just acquire some reading and writing.
Was it anywhere near passing scores for secondary school?
No
But it was certainly more than enough for Shaoyou to meet his little companion. He wasn't making an heir; he was making a canary, after all.
Sheng Fang even felt tempted to hire another assembly of tutors and nannies to look after Shaoyou; that boy was far too easygoing for his taste. He wouldn't want this omega to one day climb over his head.
“Read the next section for President Sheng.” Ms. Yue said shakily, her fingers twisting her handkerchief till it frayed.
Sitting in front of the small crowd of employees was President Sheng in the flesh.
Yet, Hua Yong spoke in a smooth and unhurried manner. His delicate voice maintains a melodic pitch, his voice ringing like light church bells. Truly living up to his name. It was as if his whole being was the embodiment of fragrant flowers drifting in gentle summer winds, chanting a hymn.
“The hungry caterpillar ate—” Hua Yong was interrupted by the screech of President Sheng's chair.
“I’ve heard enough.” Sheng Fang said.
The entire room was filled with panic for one moment until Sheng Fan waved his hand.
“This is more than enough. Tomorrow, register him for next school year at this secondary school.”
Ms. Yue's mouth gaped as her head cocked to the side.
“President Sheng… Hua Yong's reading level currently isn't even past 2nd grade; there's simply no way he would even be able to guarantee last place during the semester's exam. I would need at least another 3 years before he—” Ms. Yue rambled before Sheng Fan pressed his finger to his lips.
He smiled, eyes full of affection. “Don’t concern yourself too much. Your job was simply to get him literate and comprehending Mandarin.” He slid his hands down to her waist and rubbed the airy silk of her skirt.
Ms. Yue smiled as she leaned into his embrace, burying her nose in his neck. “Do you have anything else for me to do, President Sheng?”
Sheng Fan smiled as he lifted up Ms. Yue's pointed chin. “I see you're already teaching Hua Yong something besides reading and writing…”
The other employees averted their eyes, and Hua Yong followed suit, opting to stare at the illicit couple through the reflection of the mirror. He wondered if one day the young master would touch him like that.
Moments after the two parted, Sheng Fang turned his attention back to why he came here originally.
Hua Yong was staring at the window and hadn't spoken once when not spoken to. Like a little doll who hadn't yet received a soul, his eyes were blank. It hadn't been that long since he'd seen him, but it felt like he was already witnessing him beginning to blossom. Yet in the back of his mind he couldn't shake the feeling that something was not quite right. Sheng Fang just shook his head.
He was just overthinking things. He sniffed Yue Mei's neck, and the only thing he could smell was the scent of her pricey perfume that poorly imitated pheromones. While endearing, it lacked any real substance, making her one of his least favored lovers. One could be as beautiful as an immortal, but without pheromones it was meaningless. Sooner or later they'd be forgotten by any and all top alphas.
This was a fact.
Betas couldn't understand this, but pheromones are a language of their own. Outside of extreme aggression, betas couldn't tell anything off of pheromones. They couldn't even smell pheromones. If Yue Mei were an omega, she would've known the extremely glacial Sheng Fang was in a particularly good mood today. She'd be able to smell the lightness of his whiskey scent and airy quality of his sandalwood notes. What his face didn't depict, his scent did.
If Hua Yong had differentiated, it would be so easy to tell just what was behind those bottomless eyes of his.
Sheng Fang sighed, leaning into the desperate kiss of the lover in his arms. All beauties had their imperfections.
That's why an alpha could never keep just one.
One day soon his son would understand and enjoy the world of high-ranked alphas, and the next day Sheng Fang could hold his legacy S-tier grandson in his arms, guaranteeing a dynasty of wealth and glory.
One day soon.
____________
The first day of “omega training” for Hua Yong was a day Ms. Yue would live to regret.
Naturally, what President Sheng found amusing took off half of her lifespan.
“President, what do you like in a partner? I'll train this one based on this. Ms. Yue said coquettishly, twisting disobediently in his lap.
Sheng Fang stroked his chin as if in thought but snaked his hand to pinch the thin waist occupying his current thoughts.
“I'm really a simple man. I like simple, natural, and obedient beauties who can still have a sense of playfulness. The ones who know when to bend and when to cry. Sheng Fang replied.
Just what the fuck did that even mean?
Bend over the table? Cry in bed?
“I didn't know President Sheng was so easy to please.” Yue Mei said breathily directly to the shell of Sheng Fan's ear.
Yue Mei snorted internally, self-censoring as if it's not obvious why they're here. Yue Mei kissed her lover's neck and tried leaving a love bite on it.
A girl had to get some benefit for agreeing to such a ridiculous and illegal circumstance. The president's neck was currently blank like an unmarked canvas. Naturally Hue Mei wanted to stain it with her lipstick and tongue…
Wouldn't it be just great if his wife saw and threw a big enough fit that President Sheng divorced her?
Yue Mei skipped the foreplay and just directly bit his neck on the little raised bump she noticed. Her ex liked that move.
President Sheng did not. He almost lovingly pushed her off his lap, careful not to hurt her; his face, however, was as cold as the Antarctic.
“My my my, this is the first time I've seen someone trying to mark an elite alpha. You're really trying to set that boy up for failure.”
He turned to Hua Yong, whose eyes were drawn to the blood spilling from the bite.
“Ignore that; Ms. Yue only did that because she's a silly beta who doesn't know where scent glands are. Scent glands are something you'll learn about when school starts in a few months.
Yue Mei was quick to nod along.
“Exactly, Hua Yong, when you differentiate into an omega, you won't make silly mistakes like Ms. Yue.”
Sheng Fang chuckled.
“What mistake? The mistake of thinking a little lowly thing like you could jump over my wife's head? Or better yet, mark me? He clacked his tongue. “Sending you abroad to get your doctorates was a mistake; you don't even know basic science. Really, you're hilarious.”
Yue Mei laughed alongside him, trying her best not to panic. She looked at Hua Yong like her saving grace.
“Xiao Yong, do you remember what I told you earlier? If you practiced writing the character sheet I made for you 1,000 times, I would take you out to see a basketball game.” Yue Mei said. She pretended to throw a basketball, partially because she knew her cleavage would spill out even more when she jumped.
Distractions, distractions, distractions~~
Hua Yong looked confused and blinked slowly before nodding.
“I remember, Ms. Yue said young master Sheng and I would watch the basket game together.” Hua Yong said cutely,
Good.
Smart boy.
Obviously she never once promised that brat shit. However, her smart little seedling already knew how to take advantage of someone in distress.
It would be better if he wasn't practicing on her!!!
Nevertheless, she smiled warmly and patted him on the head. He forgot one thing: she wasn't born yesterday.
Now she could just crush his little dreams and get him in range for President Sheng's annoyance. Sheng Shaoyou wasn't allowed to watch basketball games. Of the few times she had seen him, she tried to give him front-row seats to an NBA game. President Sheng, however, tore them up in front of them both till it was confetti. Simply saying his son wasn't allowed to watch basketball games anymore. Since he said he wanted to be a basketball player once when he was 6 or something.
Yue Mei furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. Frowned like she had to tell someone their dad died, like she actually gave a fuck. She crouched down and ruffled Hua Yong's hair.
“I'm sorry, Xiao Yong; Ms. Yue forgot that young master Sheng isn't allowed to watch basketball games. You'll just have to—”
“Who said that?” Sheng Fang interrupted.
You! You said that!!!
Sheng Fang grabbed his coat off the rack.
“Lucky for you, there's in fact a game in A country in 2 days. I'm taking You-er to see it. Get Hua Yong presentable and meet us at the game. I want those 2 to meet before school starts.” Sheng Fang said as he walked towards the door.
Yue Mei didn't even have time to think about why the little princeling was magically allowed to watch basketball games. All she could do was chase after her sugar daddy.
“President Sheng, how am I supposed to get tickets to a game in time? I don't even have a hotel booked, and to get a good suite so last minute, they're going to up-charge me.” Yue Mei whined, wrapping her hands around Sheng Fang's arm coaxingly.
President Sheng simply peeled off her grubby fingers like she was covered in dirt and cleaned his suit jacket with a handkerchief.
He smiled.
“Is Ms. Yue asking me for more money?”
Yue Mei smiled back sheepishly and nodded shyly. This man really didn't save her an ounce of face. Making her beg like a dog for something he planned last minute!
Why was he teaming up with Hua Yong against her?
Jerks!
“If you were going to ask for money, you probably shouldn't have bitten my neck like a little wolf now, should you?” He pouted mockingly. “Now figure out a way to get there on your own. If you fail to show up… I won't be very happy.”
And just like that, Yue Mei learned just what type of bending and crying President Sheng really meant. Bend her wallet open and pay for 2 express tickets, and cry her eyes out when all her money is spent on courtside seats for the little monster. Finally she had to bend her neck to find the cheapest yet age-appropriately sexy for Hua Yong.
________________
Hua Yong was surprised just how many words he didn't understand today. Usually he wasn't this stupid. Today, however, no matter how hard he tried to focus, he couldn't understand a thing from the strange-looking people's lips.
According to Ms. Yue, this was A country, a foreign country. While there were some people who looked like them, it was impossible to not be able to spot Mr. Sheng and young master Sheng. The men on the court were like giants, running up and down the floor vigorously. While everyone in the seats was screaming, faces contorted like they were demons. He hid behind the familiar beta woman.
“Sit right next to the white guy with the foam thumb in the second row.” Ms. Yue said coldly.
Hua Yong sweated nervously as he looked at the guy in question. He almost looked like he was being force-fed pills. Shaking and crying, holding his phone like it murdered his whole family.
“Can I just sit with young master Shaoyou?” he asked.
She yanked him by the ear and yelled.
“Want me to get arrested for beating you up in A country, huh? Stop asking stupid questions; I already told you it doesn't work like that. The place where you sit is where you're assigned. If you weren't such a little white-eyed wolf, you wouldn't have lied and said I agreed to take you to a basketball game in the first place. Remember everything else I told you. After the game is over, you can go up to them and introduce yourself, but keep your mask on. I’m right behind you; nothing bad is going to happen.”
Yue Mei didn't care whether she lied first or beat Hua Yong previously for exposing one of her lies. She was always in the right.
She sat down in her third-row seat and began her daily begging routine of sending nudes and apologies to President Sheng, completely ignoring her surroundings, especially the game. This time she had even taken a photo with a fake wolf tail to really seal the deal. Perhaps she should burn incense when he finds out she couldn't get courtside tickets.
Hua Yong, left to fend for himself, reluctantly sat down beside the wailing man trying desperately to catch young master Sheng's attention.
Unfortunately, any attention he could've gotten was quickly snatched up by the noisy man crying. Hua Yong noticed after one of the tall men in yellow and purple put another ball in the basket, the crying man beside him wet himself and smashed his phone.
Hua Yong could only sit and daze at the young master.
Is this what it means to be handsome? His face was so perfect even from this angle. Completely like the photos Hua Yong had seen before. Unlike the mourner beside him, young master Sheng definitely wasn't covered in pee. Instead he was smiling and waving his hands side to side beside his father, who was watching calmly.
Hua Yong didn't even know how long he stared for until he suddenly saw a ball about to slam into his face; he ducked by reflex.
Unfortunately for Ms. Yue, the ball landed square onto her slightly parted lips, knocking her front tooth out.
She screamed, and Hua Yong turned towards her.
“Quickly help me grab it.” She yelped and pointed at her tooth.
Hua Yong grabbed the fallen ball and was about to hand it to her right as he saw young master Sheng looking right at him.
Ms. Yue seemed to all but fade out of existence, and Hua Yong's voice caught in his throat.
It was like an angel spoke.
“I wish I had gotten that ball.” Sheng Shaoyou said to his father.
Hua Yong heard what felt like the third sentence he understood the entire day and all but kept over the chairs in front of him to hand young master Sheng the ball.
Ms. Yue, left forgotten, saw herself on the big screen and courtside doctors rushing towards her. She cried in embarrassment and wanted to die, imagining if she made the news for becoming toothless at a game.
She tried running out of her row but quickly tripped, adding the cherry on top of her humiliation.
Hua Yong couldn't get even two words to come out after young master Sheng spoke to him.
In a split decision he ran away, leaving an immensely displeased Sheng Fang and a baffled Sheng Shaoyou.
_____
After that fiasco, Ms. Yue's temper was at an all-time high, and the frequency of Mr. Sheng's visits increased. Ms. Yue emphasized again and again Hua Yong was never allowed to run away from young master Sheng.
Long gone were the days of studying characters and math equations mindlessly. The next month was solely about memorizing everything there was to know about Sheng Shaoyou.
His favorite foods, his hobbies, his allergies, and even the time he would brush his teeth and how many times he would use the toilet in a day.
Hua Yong knew far more about young master Sheng than he knew himself. He doubted even the young master knew himself as well as Hua Yong knew him.
In this life, if he mastered anything, it would be the inner workings of Sheng Shaoyou.
The weather was hot, and the days were long.
In a blink of an eye Hua Yong felt the weight of a backpack on his back and walked into school. The faces around him seemed to blend into the walls; none of them were the young master, so needless to say, they were as unimportant as the tile beneath his feet. The countless hours of studying, the hunger, the shots, and the pills would all have been worth it.
Today was the day Hua Yong would live to see the face of God twice.
There he was in a clean and ironed uniform, sharp and fragrant, with his short and tidy hair combed back softly.
Sheng Shaoyou looked over at him, his thin, heroic, straight brows slightly arched up for a moment before he continued walking to class.
Hua Yong could've fainted; all of his blood swarmed to his face as his legs moved before his mouth could burst into an awkward sprint before he knew it. It didn't occur to him that he hadn't run a day since he left the facility; his legs had become stiff sitting still in a chair for 16 hours a day every day for the past 3 months.
“Young master Sheng!!!” Hua Yong screamed.
Hua Yong felt countless eyes glued to him while everyone else seemed to pause what they were doing just to look at him. He felt a bit strange but smiled as he saw Sheng Shaoyou's eyes on him once again.
The air had the subdued scent of bitter orange and rum; alcohol seemed to be the theme of scents in the Sheng family. Hua Yong walked over calmly towards Sheng Shaoyou, taking in all of him greedily, stealing sniffs as he got closer as if he wanted to consume him whole. Commit him to memory. Just like the notes said, young master Sheng had his clothes ironed and his wristwatch polished with a scented metal oil. Once close enough, Hua Yong dipped his graceful neck and bent at the waist.
“My name is Hua Yong, young master Sheng, and I'm here to be your exclusive omega.”
The hallway burst into laughter, and Sheng Shaoyou frowned in disgust.
“What on earth is wrong with you…” Sheng Shaoyou spat as he and his groupies moved quickly to homeroom, trying to escape the bizarre classmate whose confession couldn't be more odd.
That day Hua Yong thought he had died and gone to hell.
____________
Weeks had passed, and while life wasn't as hard as the days in the facility, Hua Yong's mood had reached a new low.
Every day Ms. Yue was reminding him at any given moment he could be replaced if Young Master Sheng didn't take interest in him. Every day when he returned, he would be met with her icy glare as she asked him about his progress wooing young master Sheng. Did Sheng Shaoyou sit next to him in class? Did he eat the lunch the chefs had customized to his taste that Hua Yong had brought? Did he notice Hua Yong had a new expensive haircut?
After Hua Yong had to say no to each and Every. Single.Question. Ms. Yue would remind him failures were replaced.
Hua Yong knew he could get replaced.
No, that he would be replaced.
Very soon at that.
Her frustrations left Hua Yong with lashes up and down his back. She didn't stop there; Hua Yong's knees had indents from shattered pots he was forced to kneel on that were so frightening; and Hua Yong was no longer allowed to wear shorts in front of Mr. Sheng. Worrying he would scrutinize her for her “teachings.” After the basketball game, she and Mr. Sheng never “demonstrated” in front of him again despite Ms. Yue's desperation. This morning she left a calendar full of X's with 2 words: "moving date.”
Sheng Shaoyou, despite Hua Yong's best attempts, avoided him like snakes and scorpions. While other kids delighted in torturing him, reminding him that Hua Yong had indeed not spent his life studying for entrance exams and memorizing English vocabulary.
He could barely understand the people around him. Even when he knew the words, he felt like what they were talking about was so alien to him.
Hua Yong couldn't even fail his classes in peace; everyone knew he was the dumbest student in the whole school and filled his desk with trash and crude drawings every morning. If he dared to ignore it, he'd be made to clean the whole school for “trashing” his desk even though everyone knew it wasn’t him…
If it was just that, Hua Yong could ignore it. After all, none of them mattered, but every time he turned around, he would hear the lies they told young master Sheng about him. Making young master Sheng even more wary of him. Last week young master Sheng even raised his hand to ask the teacher to be seated as far as possible away from Hua Yong.
That week Ms. Yue had shown him a picture of i-001 with his old study materials.
Tears threatened to fall down his cheek as he routinely scrubbed his desk. The hand sanitizer stung his fingers; his chewed-off nail began to bleed again. Hua Yong zoned out, finally done and ready to sit, but was brought back to earth as he felt his chair kicked out from beneath him.
“Enough of your distractions! You took over 5 minutes standing looking stupid when you came in. Sit properly in the seat or stand in the hall.” Teacher Ruan yelled.
The class erupted into giggles, all of those eyes twinkling with amusement.
Hua Yong quietly picked up his chair, careful not to scrape the metal against the floor, and this time held firmly onto the sides of the chair as he went to sit down.
The whiteboard morphed into a random scatter of characters before Hua Yong. Like usual, he couldn't understand a thing. So he didn't try to; he'd return back home and get punished regardless by Ms. Yue. It would be better to focus on how to get the young master's attention. Maybe today he should write a love letter like Ms. Yue told him, but what should he say this time? His last letter was thrown away before young master Sheng even opened it.
Teacher Ruan said “puppy love” was forbidden and snatched up Hua Yong's last letter.
Hua Yong worried at his nails, his ruby lips open, sucking the tip of his fingers, sharp teeth tearing off whatever scrap of fingernails he could find. Spit and hints of blood slowly dripped down his wrist, leaving a thin coat of saliva. Needless to say, he paid no mind to how he looked to the rest of his classmates; they already hated him.
What he didn't realize was how ironically charming he looked doing such a disgusting act. Half the class lost focus, stealing peeks at Hua Yong mouthing his digits with gusto, eyes half-lidded, truly in a world of his own.
Even the teacher's breath hitched seeing such a lewd action performed in the middle of a history lesson; you'd think this wasn't a real class but an AV set!
Still, it seemed the class was divided into 2 factions: those turning their noses up at such a shameless display and those turning their necks around to gawk at such a shameless display.
Both parties thought Hua Yong was doing this knowingly.
Why wouldn't he?
After all, he was the shameless “omega” who approached the wealthiest and highest-tier alpha that most of them would see in their lives the first day of school to beg to be his exclusive omega.
Not even one person thought Hua Yong didn’t “know what he was doing.” But one person inadvertently saved him from further embarrassing himself.
Sheng Shaoyou all but chucked his mechanical pencil across the room quite accurately near Hua Yong's desk.
“Could you return my pencil?” Sheng Shaoyou asked.
Hua Yong, who wasn't paying any attention to the lesson or lack of lesson at the moment, sprung up, skipping over to return the pencil of his sweetheart.
Sheng Shaoyou gave him a gentle pinch on the back of his hand when he came over. Trying to subtly signal to stop his shenanigans.
No matter how in love someone was with him, there was no reason to damn near masturbate in class.
He could only imagine the news station would try and publish about his family before their PR team could take it down.
Hua Yong fell into a trance; not just his face but even his neck turned red.
At that moment he was certain that even if he didn't have a soul, he must've saved the universe in his past life. SHENG SHAOYOU TOUCHED HIM! He actually touched him. Hua Yong, his personal omega, was finally touched by him.
Did that mean he was marked already and they'd have babies by tomorrow? Ms. Yue and even the fickle president Sheng agreed Hua Yong was beautiful. Beautiful omegas would make beautiful babies. Hua Yong glanced at young master Sheng. His handsome eyebrows, curved lips, and long and straight nose—all of it. All of his face was absolutely perfect; no one could compare.
No other alphas was as beautiful as him. Hua Yong swayed side to side, his sneakers creaking on the floor. When they had a kid, he was going to call their baby peanut! The best food in the world since they were the best, the most gorgeous people ever! Hua Yong slapped his hands to the sides of his face, smiling ear to ear, trying to imagine what their baby would look like.
He didn't really know what a baby was exactly, but it had to be cute if it was young master Sheng's.
Sheng Shaoyou, on the other hand, looked horrified.
Did their school not …separate the neurologically ill students into a different class? Hua Yong was grinning like a madman, seemingly having an entire conversation with himself. Such varied bizarre expressions really destroyed the image of that beautiful face. He noticed a moment later that prepubescent lunatic's fingernails were completely ripped off.
“Are you insane?!” Sheng Shaoyou grabbed onto Hua Yong's sleeve and dragged him to the nurses’ office.
How could anyone not feel their fingernails ripped off? Even Sheng Shaoyou, an S-tier alpha, couldn't just sit there calmly sucking his fingers after such a thing. Why was his classmate so useless? He couldn't even take care of himself.
Sheng Shaoyou didn't stop to ask their teacher if they could leave the classroom, seeing what rough shape Hua Yong's hands were in. The nurses’ office was all the way downstairs, quite a walk from their homeroom.
If not for the constant stares and bizarre and scary declarations of ownership, Sheng Shaoyou would feel bad for Hua Yong.He looked over at the boy next to him; his once neat uniform was covered in chalk, and even the back of his pants seemed stained in ink from the fall he had this morning.
The little S-tier alpha knew what influence he had over people. Even adults would think twice before disobeying him, and more than a fair share of married omegas have tried to catch his attention. One day if Sheng Shaoyou was left with nothing besides his appearance and his glands, the world would still value him.
That was the power of being an S-tier alpha.
Of course, however, no one was as shameless and slow-witted as the little fool beside Sheng Shaoyou. Everyone tried to hide what they actually meant. No one wore their heart on their sleeves, showing unyielding amounts of devotion and obsession like Hua Yong.Sheng Shaoyou at times felt scared when he saw those big black eyes staring at him unblinking for what felt like hours at a time. He snorted. That fool could probably tell him how many times he took a breath in 15 minutes but couldn't spare even one second to realize his own hands were bleeding?
Now that little fool beside him seemed to be doing an impression of a tomato. Cheeks faced flushed in brilliant red, and the green piece of gum stuck in his hair appeared to be the stem. Just who knows what could be going on in that little head.
“ If you have something to say, just say it. This is your one chance to say your nonsense. I won't scold you this time. “ Sheng Shaoyou said.
Hua Yong batted those long lashes and spoke softly. “When will Peanut arrive?”
Sheng Shaoyou regretted opening his mouth. This was a new level of nonsense.
“ The school doesn't sell peanuts, but the convenience store across the street does. “
Hua Yong shook his head and smiled.
“ Not peanuts, young master Sheng. I meant peanut, our baby, when will I have our baby?”
Sheng Shaoyou immediately flared up and adamantly denied it.
“That’s not a joke you can't just say shit like that are you stupid? Besides you haven't even differentiated how could you be pregnant? “ Sheng Shengyou saw Hua Yong's face puff up in anger momentarily and didn't know what came over him, but he couldn't help but tease him. “For all we know you could be a beta.”
Hua Yong's eyes watered, Sheng Shaoyou felt a little guilty. He didn't actually want the little fool to start crying. It was a sensitive matter, especially to those who hadn't yet differentiated. Just mentioning the word beta was enough to make them want to jump out the window.
What he didn't expect was for Hua Yong to take his bloody fingers to his mouth about to chew on his already missing nail before Shaoyou snatched his wrist.
“Don't bite that hand! I was just joking, you don't need to be so serious. “
Hua Yong raised his other hand about to chomp down, Sheng Shaoyou snatched that one too.
“You'll be an omega, you'll be an omega, you'll be an omega !”
Hua Yong's tears dripped down his face, like a flower covered in rain. “Do you promise?”
Sheng Shaoyou waved his hand dismissively and grabbed Hua Yong's thin wrist once more.
“ Yeah, if someone as pretty as you isn't an omega, I'll bend over and be your omega how about that.”
Hua Yong went red again, mumbling something under his breath Sheng Shaoyou didn’t hear.
“I̶f̶ I̶'m̶ n̶o̶t̶ a̶n̶ o̶m̶e̶g̶a̶ I̶'l̶l̶ b̶e̶ y̶o̶u̶r̶ a̶l̶p̶h̶a̶…y̶o̶u̶n̶g̶ m̶a̶s̶t̶e̶r̶ S̶h̶a̶o̶y̶o̶u̶ c̶a̶n̶'t̶ l̶e̶a̶v̶e̶ H̶u̶a̶ Y̶o̶n̶g̶.”
Sheng Shaoyou gently pushed Hua Yong into the nurses office and was about to return to class.
That little fool looked at him through the tiny window of the door like an abandoned puppy. Trying to shake off the school nurse yanking him into a chair. Sheng Shaoyou cursed internally and just entered the room
It wasn't like he'd lose a pound of flesh just by ditching first period. He did inadvertently get that dummy bullied. Sheng Shaoyou knew when he was wrong, did that mean he'd ever verbally apologize?
No
But it wouldn't kill him to give a carrot after a stick. If Hua Yong toned his behavior down, Sheng Shaoyou wouldn't mind him being one of his many followers.
Maybe it's just because he's cute, Sheng Shaoyou didn't want to hold a grudge against him.
Sheng Shaoyou simply slumped into the chair beside the nurses’ office's bed and winced as he saw the nurse cleaning Hua Yong's wounds.
“ I don't care if you're nervous. Keep biting your nails to this state and see if your fingers won't be amputated. I'm calling your parents to take you home.” The nurse said.
Hua Yong pursed his lips.
“ I won't do it again but… I can't go back home.” He said simply.
The nurse slammed her clipboard against the table.
“Why? If you're scared your parents will scold you for messing with your hands, you shouldn't have done it in the first place.”
Hua Yong broke into a sweat and pursed his lips.
“They won't come, they're…busy with work.”
Sheng Shaoyou, annoyed at this dragged out interaction, spoke up.
“Just call your housekeeper. They probably won't tell your parents either.” Sheng Shaoyou said.
He nodded to himself, really he was too helpful. Why was Hua Yong trying to over complicate things? Such a basic thing and he can't figure it out himself, what a little baby. This was the difference between a little kid and a fully differentiated grown up like himself.
Hua Yong looked even more nervous and deflated. “ I don't have a housekeeper or anyone else at home right now. Please let me go back to class.” His eyes watered looking pitifully at the nurse.
She ignored him and called the number on his file.
In an instant Hua Yong started crying.
“Please, please,please, hang up, don't call her.” Hua Yong squeezed out clutching his injured hand to his chest like his heart was ready to beat out.
Sheng Shaoyou had known Hua Yong for about 1 semester. While he had seen him close to crying a handful of times, and though it seemed like those big watery eyes must be fond of crying, Sheng Shaoyou had never actually seen him cry. Whether it was when other kids left trash on his desk, shoved him around and even when someone had locked him in the janitor’s closet until after school he's never shed a tear.
In an instant he felt guilt and heart broken for that little fool. Pearl-like tears dripped down his face, pooling and wetting the nape of his shirt. Hua Yong looked like a flower being swallowed up by the rain.Sheng Shaoyou didn’t know why but he had the strong urge to shelter this little flower from the rain and wind at that moment and tell him everything would be alright.
Of course he wouldn't say that, instead he said.
“I'll just take him to my family's private clinic. His parents might just add insult to injury if they have to leave work just because he wants to chip away at himself.“ Sheng Shaoyou said.
Hua Yong looked like he had just received a lifeline and nodded desperately.
The nurse frowned, but put down the phone.
“You young people really don't know what's good for you. But if you want to waste time reenacting Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai do it off school grounds. “ The nurse said.
She turned to Hua Yong with a sneer and roughly covered him with a blanket.
“Just lay down and be quiet until after school.” She pretended to zip her lips .”Not a peep do you hear me?”
Afterwards she took out her personal phone and started playing mahjong with a fever.
Sheng Shaoyou walked towards Hua Yong and personally tucked him in.
“After school I'll have my driver take you to the hospital. Just rest up for now. “ Sheng Shaoyou said.
He quickly turned around, not daring to take another look at those bewitching eyes and damn near ran back to class.
It was just one favor, and if Hua Yong could act normal it would have been worth it, Sheng Shaoyou told himself. It didn't mean anything else.
It didn't mean anything at all.
At least he told himself that.