DABGBTF 1

Xie Zheng raised his eyes.

He went to university in Linyuan, and after graduating, he returned to Chen’an to start a business; he hadn’t been back in many years.

Y University changed presidents the year before last and moved its campus—everything inside the school was brand new and bright. Compared to before, it could be described as a drastic change.

The early spring wisteria flowers climbed the low corridor, blooming softly and beautifully. In the distance, tender green leaves were sprouting, combined with the noisy, clamoring sounds of students playing—

Xie Zheng tapped a cigarette out of his trouser pocket, dangled it in his mouth, mumbling indistinctly, “So f*cking energetic.”

His good friend Song Qingyuan glanced at him. “…Don’t swear.” Then added, “Don’t smoke either.”

Xie Zheng tugged at the corners of his mouth in a smile, an expensive and custom-made lighter twirled around his fingertips, but he didn’t actually light the cigarette.

Xie Zheng’s facial features were sharp as if carved by a knife, and his half-smiling expression was very wicked and highly hostile.

The weather was hot. He had taken off his black suit jacket and draped it over his arm, his silver-gray tie was stuffed into the pocket of his black shirt, the shirt was stretched tight by his pectoral muscles, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing a section of wheat-colored forearms with bulging veins.

He was thirty-one this year, having an age gap of about ten years with the university students, and his aura was also completely different. If one had to say, he looked like a mafia boss from a Hong Kong movie¹This refers to the classic 80s and 90s Hong Kong triad action movies (like the famous Young and Dangerous series). These movies had a massive cultural impact across China, cementing the aesthetic of a tough, suited, cigarette-smoking gangster in the public consciousness., with a gun tucked into his lower back, ready to flip the table at any moment.

The students didn’t usually see someone who looked so much like a gangster. Presumably, they all thought Xie Zheng was here to corner someone. They either detoured far away from the wisteria corridor, or, those who couldn’t detour, lowered their heads and blushed, quickening their pace, terrified of being targeted.

Xie Zheng knew others were afraid of him. When a student walked past him, he even deliberately frightened them. “Afraid of me, huh?”

In recent years, after Omega suppression collars²A quintessential piece of world-building in Omegaverse (ABO) stories. Omegas usually wear these chokers/collars to physically block their pheromones from leaking out and to protect the “gland” on the back of their neck from being bitten and marked by an Alpha. were invented, basically all Os³Short for Omegas. stopped getting injections and switched to wearing colorful collars.

This student that Xie Zheng scared wasn’t wearing a collar, and looking at his height and build, he should be an Alpha.

Xie Zheng was also an A. Generally speaking, the absolute suppression of an A over an O doesn’t exist between Alphas, but the student Xie Zheng spoke to turned pale and began sweating immediately.

Song Qingyuan was dead speechless. “You will be happy when the campus police come and kick us both out in a minute.”

Xie Zheng laughed. “How much longer until we reach your place?”

“Just through the campus. Don’t forget what you promised me. After I leave, you have to take good care of my flowers.”

“I know.” When Xie Zheng spoke, he was either scary or completely flippant. “I’ll serve them like my ancestors⁴In Chinese culture, ancestors are revered and treated with the utmost respect and complex rituals. Saying you will treat a houseplant “like an ancestor” means you will pamper it to an absurd degree..”

Pausing for a moment, he added a sentence to Song Qingyuan, “Thanks.”

Being thirty-one and still single, the matters of finding a partner, getting married, and having children were put on the agenda.

Xie Zheng’s parents’ views were still very traditional. “You can’t live your whole life alone. At least have a companion, someone to keep you company when you’re sick.”

Xie Zheng’s mouth was never forgiving, even his parents had to be talked back to. “I have money, I can hire caregivers, and have them peel apples, feed me, and pole dance for me.”

He was treated like air by his parents in a cold war for three weeks.

However, the matter wasn’t over yet. His parents began arranging blind dates for Xie Zheng—male and female Omegas were invited to a coffee shop near their home every few days, looking at Xie Zheng with shyness and timidity.

Xie Zheng irritably bit his cigarette, feeling that this wouldn’t do.

He knew why his two elders suddenly wanted him to get married so badly: the son of an uncle⁵In Chinese culture, “Uncle” is used not just for blood relatives, but as a polite title for any man of your parents’ generation, especially close family friends. whose family was on good terms with theirs got married a month ago. The wedding was very sensational and lively. The two of them stood together and kissed under the master of ceremonies’ direction, looking happy and sweet.

The daughter-in-law was very capable; working together, the son was much more relaxed and also had time to return home often.

Listening to the uncle’s showing off, his two elders got envious.

Anyway, Xie Zheng didn’t believe that married life could stay perfect forever. How could trivial matters and daily necessities always be comfortable? He was now just waiting for this newlywed couple to cause some kind of trouble, to pour cold water on his parents’ feverish minds.⁶Literally “extinguish.” He’s hoping reality will splash his parents and cure them of their romanticized “fever” regarding marriage.

However, before that, he didn’t want to be pushed anymore, and was troubled by the fact that if he went out to live, his consumption records would be checked. Coincidentally, Song Qingyuan, who taught in Linyuan, was preparing for a vacation and needed to find someone to take care of his flowers, suggesting that Xie Zheng stay at his house to hide out, and Xie Zheng agreed.

Song Qingyuan shook his head. “Thanks for what. We’ve been friends for so many years, don’t be polite.”

Pausing for a moment, he was again very curious. “Are you really that resistant? Really haven’t thought about finding one?”

With a “clack,” the lighter lid opened and closed, and Xie Zheng finally lit the cigarette in his mouth.

His face was shrouded in smoke, and Song Qingyuan could only clearly see the teasing smile at the corners of Xie Zheng’s mouth. “Don’t worry about me, worry about yourself. Take advantage of the vacation to run to a few more hospitals, ah, cure your impotence first.”

Song Qingyuan helplessly corrected, “…It’s pheromone genetic sensory integration disorder.”

Xie Zheng laughed very wildly.

An electric bell rang on the campus—it should be the lunch break bell. The students rushed out of the teaching building carrying vitality and appetite. Everyone was very young.

Song Qingyuan is a teacher in the sculpture department. There are few students in the department, but he also gives classes to other classes in the major.

Just then, they happened to run into art students coming out of the teaching building. A group of students still had wet paint on them, and upon seeing Song Qingyuan, they giggled and said hello Teacher Xiao Song.

Xie Zheng dangled his cigarette and thought that the aesthetics of the art major students are indeed quite good. Every single one of them was dressed very beautifully.

When Song Qingyuan faced the students, he still had a very teacher-like appearance. “Class dismissed? Hurry and go eat. Don’t run and jump.”

The students hummed in agreement. They bypassed Song Qingyuan and walked forward, then only did they see Xie Zheng under the wisteria corridor.

The sound of talking and laughing suddenly stopped, and the students squeezed together and left sneakingly.

Only after passing Xie Zheng did the sound of talking and laughing ring out again.

The phone in Xie Zheng’s trouser pocket started vibrating. He took it out for a look—it was a call from one of his assistants.

There was another new batch of students going to greet Song Qingyuan, looking like they wouldn’t finish talking for a while, so Xie Zheng answered the phone. “Speak.”

The assistant reported the morning’s work to him at a very fast speaking speed.

Logically speaking, what assistant would choose to call the boss during lunch break to report work, but Xie Zheng was different. He wasn’t the kind of leader to let subordinates go and do it, he just liked to pinch everything in his own hands⁷Describes extreme micromanagement. The verb “掐” (pinch/choke) implies a tight, unyielding grip on control., absolute control.

A very bright and refreshing gust of wind blew past. Fine wisteria flowers fluttered down from overhead, falling all over Xie Zheng’s head.

Xie Zheng didn’t feel it was romantic. He clicked his tongue, clamped his phone with his shoulder, draped both elbows back on the railing, and frowned looking up at the flowers.

The assistant said, “Xie-ge⁸His corporate assistant calling him “Brother” instead of “Boss” or “President” reinforces Xie Zheng’s underworld/gangster background, where respect and loyalty are shown through familial-style mafia titles., that’s all.”

Xie Zheng glanced at Song Qingyuan. Seeing that the students around him had almost dispersed, he then hummed at the assistant. “Hanging up.”

Just preparing to get up, Xie Zheng heard Song Qingyuan’s raised voice. “Xiao⁹“Xiao” means small/little, and is an affectionate prefix used by older people or superiors for younger people.  Lu! Come.”

A voice as bright and refreshing as the wind just now answered from afar, “Teacher Song!”

Xie Zheng cast him a sideway glance.

There were three male students originally walking on the opposite side of the road. Hearing Song Qingyuan’s greeting, they came over. All three didn’t have collars worn on their necks, so they should all be Alphas.

The boy in the very middle was very conspicuous—tall, wearing a bright yellow jacket and jeans, his skin was very white, his face looked exceptionally good-looking, his smile was very sunny, and his eyes curved up very obediently.

The boy’s steps and figure were both very light, like a nimble cat.

Waiting until the boy in the yellow jacket got closer, Song Qingyuan fished a key out of his bag and gave it to him. “I forgot to give you the studio key. I was just thinking of finding someone to deliver it to you, and then we ran into each other.”

“Okay.” The boy accepted it, his tone very likable. “Teacher, don’t forget our group’s dinner tonight, ha.”

“I know.”

Song Qingyuan gave a couple more reminders, “Hurry and go eat.”

The boy gave a sound of agreement and continued walking forward.

When he passed by Xie Zheng, Xie Zheng exhaled a mouthful of smoke, raised his hand to take down the cigarette butt covered in teeth marks, and snuffed out the last bit of sparks between his two fingers.

The three boys coincidentally quieted down when passing him. The boy in the yellow jacket seemed to look at him very quickly, his sneakers knocked against a protruding brick, and he suddenly staggered forward.

The direction the boy fell just happened to be toward Xie Zheng, but Xie Zheng leaned motionless against the railing behind him, having absolutely no intention of helping him up. He exhaled a mouthful of smoke, looking up at the sky through the white mist.

Fortunately, the person on the boy’s right side supported him. “Are you okay, Xiao Lu?”

The boy seemed quite happy, letting out a “pfft” laugh. “Mm-ha.”

Throwing the cigarette butt into the trash can, Xie Zheng walked to Song Qingyuan’s side. “Your student?”

“Yes. Lu Lu—the surname is Lu as in ‘road’, the name is Lu as in ‘sika deer’. I told you before that there is a student in my class with a lot of flair¹⁰This directly translates to “spiritual aura.” In the context of art or acting, it refers to a natural, innate, and inspired talent that cannot be taught. Song Qingyuan is praising Lu Lu for having a brilliant artistic intuition., it’s him.”

Xie Zheng thought of the moment just now when Lu Lu almost fell.

Flair? Haven’t seen it yet.

Rather, just a big, silly one.

A stupid deer.

—

Song Qingyuan didn’t buy a house. For the convenience of attending class, he rented a place in a residential community not far from the school’s back gate.

17th floor, spacious and clean. Upon entering the door, the flowers and plants were lush and green.

Xie Zheng leaned against the wall, listening to his good friend talk about the care methods for these flowers and plants.

In the middle of the flowers and plants were placed various sculptures. There was plaster as well as root carving and paper carving. Xie Zheng looked at a plaster statue, and Song Qingyuan told him, “This is the one Xiao Lu made.”

The half-person-tall plaster statue carved a man covered with a gauze veil. The translucent plaster veil looked extremely soft, tightly clinging and wrapping on the skin, revealing the man’s hard facial features.

Xie Zheng asked, “Is it made very well?”

“Exceptionally inspired. The texture is done too well.”

Xie Zheng casually rested his elbow on the top of the plaster statue’s head, not in the least bit interested in the work that Teacher Song was full of praise for. He tugged at the corners of his mouth, smiling lazily, a section of the tattoo under his shirt revealing itself.

Song Qingyuan’s phone rang once. He took a look and laughed, and Xie Zheng, seeing his good friend smiling ambiguously, asked, “What’s the situation? A partner?”

Song Qingyuan directly stuck the phone in front of Xie Zheng’s face. “Not looking for me, looking for you.”

[24 Environmental Art¹¹This is short for Environmental Art Design, a very common university major in China that combines interior design, architecture, and landscape design. Wang Chuchu: Teacher Song, who is that wearing the black suit next to you today? Is he also a teacher at our school? Or is he your friend?]

That wicked aura on Xie Zheng’s body made people afraid, but it was also very enticing. There were always people who clearly knew the danger but still threw themselves toward Xie Zheng’s side like moths to a flame.¹²A very famous Chinese idiom. It describes people who are fatally attracted to something dangerous, bringing destruction upon themselves just as a moth burns itself in a fire.

However, Xie Zheng wasn’t interested in a single one of them, rejecting them no matter who came.

This time was also the same. Xie Zheng smiled very cheerfully, but the words he spoke showed no mercy, “Take it away.”

Song Qingyuan put away his phone, a bit curious. “What kind do you actually like?”

Xie Zheng said, “Good-looking ones.”

Song Qingyuan: “…Was that little celebrity who chased you before not good-looking enough? Like a heavenly immortal, and I didn’t see you liking them either.”

Xie Zheng frowned and smiled.

He wasn’t lying. He really did like good-looking ones, but for him, the definition of “good-looking” was quite different from other Alphas.

Due to genetics, after differentiating, Omegas grew softer and softer, their facial features like water. Xie Zheng, however, happened to like them a bit tougher. To Xie Zheng, a slender waist was inferior to bulging veins on the back of a hand or lean, bony wrists.

Xie Zheng didn’t have a desire to destroy. He had a desire to conquer.

—

Xie Zheng’s Diary

[Fifteen years ago]

First day of entering high school, got into a fight with someone in an alley.

Don’t know where the school uniform buttons got lost to.

D*mn it.

• 1
  This refers to the classic 80s and 90s Hong Kong triad action movies (like the famous Young and Dangerous series). These movies had a massive cultural impact across China, cementing the aesthetic of a tough, suited, cigarette-smoking gangster in the public consciousness.
• 2
  A quintessential piece of world-building in Omegaverse (ABO) stories. Omegas usually wear these chokers/collars to physically block their pheromones from leaking out and to protect the “gland” on the back of their neck from being bitten and marked by an Alpha.
• 3
  Short for Omegas.
• 4
  In Chinese culture, ancestors are revered and treated with the utmost respect and complex rituals. Saying you will treat a houseplant “like an ancestor” means you will pamper it to an absurd degree.
• 5
  In Chinese culture, “Uncle” is used not just for blood relatives, but as a polite title for any man of your parents’ generation, especially close family friends.
• 6
  Literally “extinguish.” He’s hoping reality will splash his parents and cure them of their romanticized “fever” regarding marriage.
• 7
  Describes extreme micromanagement. The verb “掐” (pinch/choke) implies a tight, unyielding grip on control.
• 8
  His corporate assistant calling him “Brother” instead of “Boss” or “President” reinforces Xie Zheng’s underworld/gangster background, where respect and loyalty are shown through familial-style mafia titles.
• 9
  “Xiao” means small/little, and is an affectionate prefix used by older people or superiors for younger people.
• 10
  This directly translates to “spiritual aura.” In the context of art or acting, it refers to a natural, innate, and inspired talent that cannot be taught. Song Qingyuan is praising Lu Lu for having a brilliant artistic intuition.
• 11
  This is short for Environmental Art Design, a very common university major in China that combines interior design, architecture, and landscape design.
• 12
  A very famous Chinese idiom. It describes people who are fatally attracted to something dangerous, bringing destruction upon themselves just as a moth burns itself in a fire.