STIDM 19

The campus was bustling with the noise of students returning. Yan Lu returned to school to take care of his departure paperwork. Love really did come at a cost. Getting into C University wasn’t as simple as just wanting to go.

After returning home, he told his father about aiming for C University. Though his father didn’t outright reject the idea, the stunned expression on his face made it clear just how unrealistic he thought that goal was.

Still, with his son finally back home, Father Yan didn’t want to stop him. Instead, he spent money to hire a private tutor for after-class lessons. As for who Yan Lu had been involved with during his time away, Father Yan tried asking around indirectly, clearly itching to find out so he could break that person’s legs.

Yan Lu had no idea what kind of personal epiphany his father had gone through while he was gone. Now, he suddenly acted like he cared, and the attention made Yan Lu’s skin crawl. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t affected.

Even if this so-called concern only lasted a few days before everything snapped back to how it was, it was enough for him.

However, the tutor thought that C University was a terrifying goal. After two years of slacking, Yan Lu barely had half a tank of knowledge in him. C University was a top-tier school. His chances of getting in were slim.

The tutor suggested that Yan Lu apply as a sports student instead. That way, with a lower academic requirement and a stronger physical performance, he could still get into C University.

In short, Yan Lu would be shipped off to a training camp for six months, then take the national sports exams.

Father Yan was completely against the idea.

His son was an Omega. Not only did he lack any of the typical softness expected of an Omega, now they wanted to send him to a training base full of Alphas? It was dangerous enough as it was, and on top of that, if he came back stronger and tougher, who would dare want him then?

Yan Lu rolled his eyes so hard he nearly saw the back of his skull. He couldn’t help but speak up. “So now you finally remember I’m an Omega? All these years, where were you? Never taught me anything, never gave a damn. Now I want to train, I want to get into C University. Are you sending me or not?”

Watching his son sitting there with one leg crossed over the other, eyebrows raised like some rogue ready to stir up trouble if things didn’t go his way, Father Yan could only sigh and agree to the tutor’s plan.

That night, Yan Lu called Zhong Zong. He had his phone pressed to his ear while scrolling through details about the training program on his laptop.

When Zhong Zong heard he was going to apply as a sports student, he went silent for a long while. The sound of keyboard tapping came faintly from the other end. Then came a pause. “Wait… sports student?”

“Yeah.”

“Which means you’ll be stuck for half a year with a bunch of restless Alphas and Betas?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“…”

“What? It’s the fastest way into C University. I’m not like you, top ten in the grade.”

“Can you… not go?”

“Nope.” Yan Lu sounded just a little too pleased with himself.

“…”

The line went quiet for a moment, then a sullen voice finally mumbled, “I regret it…”

“Regret what? Letting me aim for C University with you?”

“I regret not grabbing you back then and forcing you to study!” Zhong Zong’s voice practically came through gritted teeth.

Yan Lu was trying so hard not to laugh that his stomach hurt. He kept his voice serious, trying not to let the amusement leak out. “Why? You really don’t want me to go?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Objection overruled.”

“…”

“I’m heading to the training base as soon as the new term starts.”

“…”

“You can come see me when I’m on break. It’s not far, just at the training field in the south of the city.”

“When’s your break?”

“You’ll have to keep an eye on your phone. I’ll text you when I know.”

“Fine.”

“Not happy about it?”

“No.”

“Take care of yourself. And remember, until you get into C University, keep yourself pure. You may not be mine yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”

Zhong Zong didn’t respond right away. Then a low chuckle came through the line.

“I’ll wait for you.”

Yan Lu took his dad’s card and headed to the hospital. His old man originally wanted to come along, but that idea freaked him out. He was already used to doing things alone. Having someone tag along just made him uncomfortable.

Even though his father’s attitude had improved, the emotional distance hadn’t changed. After more than ten years of detachment, there was no way they could suddenly get all close and affectionate.

Zhong Zong told him to go to a proper hospital and get a more effective suppressant. If he went into heat at the training camp, that wouldn’t just be a joke. It could be dangerous.

Yan Lu didn’t dare ask the doctor for injections. After all, in a physical fitness test setting, if someone noticed needle marks on his arm, it would definitely raise suspicion of drug use, and they might even demand a full-body exam.

There was no official rule that said Omegas couldn’t become athletes, but they were still a minority in the field. To avoid unnecessary trouble, it was best to stay under the radar.

He left with a large bag of meds: powders, pills, everything. After packing his stuff, he got on the bus and headed out. On the way, he texted Zhong Zong. At this hour, he was probably in class, so Yan Lu didn’t expect a reply.

He put in his earphones, ready to sleep, but his phone started vibrating not long after.

The music in his ears stopped. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see it was a call from Zhong Zong.

He picked up. “Aren’t you in class?”

“Just asked for leave and stepped out.”

“A model student skipping class?”

“Yeah.”

There was a lazy hum in his voice, a slight nasal tone that drifted through the line like he didn’t give a damn. It made Yan Lu want to crawl through the phone just to kiss him.

He grinned like an idiot before asking, “So how long did you take off?”

“One class. Why?”

“That’s a lot of time. Enough for me to reach the training base.”

“Isn’t that perfect then?”

Yan Lu paused. “You stepped out just to call me?”

“Why else?”

“You’re such a reckless top student.”

“You’re not happy?”

“Heh… I’m over the moon.”

They chatted all the way until he arrived. Reluctantly, Yan Lu ended the call. Carrying his backpack and dragging his suitcase, he stood in front of the training camp gates, took a deep breath, and told himself to hang in there before walking in.

He had chosen martial arts. Partly because he genuinely wanted to become stronger, and partly because he had a perverted little goal. He wanted to get strong enough to pin Zhong Zong down and fuck him.

That bastard clearly knew he liked him but kept pretending not to. He even flirted just enough to make Yan Lu’s heart itch.

He requested a single dorm room, threw his stuff aside, collapsed on the bed, and passed out. The suffering was only just beginning, so he figured he might as well rest up first.

Time flew when training seriously. Yan Lu had natural talent, and his results reflected that.

A month went by, and the coach finally granted them a three-day break.

Yan Lu, exhausted, dragged himself back to his dorm. Since he was performing well, the training intensity was higher. The coach clearly wanted him to succeed, and Yan Lu never protested. He completed every task assigned to him.

His limbs felt like jelly when he returned. His phone screen had been lighting up nonstop.

He never brought his phone during training. When he picked it up, he saw multiple missed calls.

All from Zhong Zong.

He lazily sat down on the floor and called back. “What’s up?”

The background noise on the other end was loud. Voices mixed with traffic, making it hard for Yan Lu to hear what Zhong Zong was saying.

Covering one ear, he raised his voice. “What’s going on?”

“Didn’t you say yesterday that you’d be off tomorrow?”

“Yeah, so?”

“I’m at the station, Yan Yan. Will you come pick me up?”

Yan Lu stared at the phone blankly, then hung up. After a moment, he muttered, “Shit.”

He jumped to his feet and paced around the room a few times. He reeked of sweat, there was no way he could go pick someone up like this. Tugging at his shirt, something suddenly came to mind. He yanked the closet open and buried himself inside. After digging around for a while, he finally pulled out a pair of red thong underwear.

He hooked it on his index finger and gave it a shake, grinning with pure mischief.

You came right to my door. Just wait and see how I drain you dry tonight.