Chapter 1

In the North, late autumn carried a cold, slicing wind outside.

But inside the room, it was warm—soft enough to feel unreal, almost indulgent. The kind of warmth that made people forget how sharp the world could be.

So warm it felt wrong.

Like someone’s personality.

“Your schedule for today is as follows.”

A calm electronic female voice filled the quiet living room.

“It is 8:18 a.m., Yangcheng time, November 10th, 2022.

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Solace Inhibitor commercial shoot.

5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Gulu Gulu platform interview.

8:00 p.m., themed salon dinner.

Once again—”

A white, slender hand reached out.

Click.

The robotic cat on the coffee table was lightly pressed on its head. The voice instantly stopped mid-loop, replaced by a soft mechanical silence.

Too loud.

Even that gentle reminder felt like noise today.

The owner of the hand stood up from the sofa.

He didn’t move immediately.

Just stayed there for two seconds.

As if waiting for something inside his head—the fog, the pressure, the dull ache behind his eyes—to settle down enough for him to function like a normal person.

It didn’t fully go away.

It never really did anymore.

He still stepped forward.

“Brother Che.”

A bright voice came from the kitchen.

“What are you taking? Why didn’t you call me again?”

Tong Che paused.

Slowly turned back.

Ruan Tang was inside the kitchen, struggling with three appliances at once—soy milk machine, bread maker, egg cooker—like she was fighting a small war alone.

Too noisy.

Too alive.

He looked at her for a second and felt something mild but familiar rise in his chest.

Not irritation.

Just exhaustion disguised as calm.

“What do you want me to call you for?” he said lightly. “So you can split into three versions of yourself and come running?”

Ruan Tang immediately dropped everything.

“I can! Just call me! Why are you still like this after a year and a half?”

She rushed out, wiping her hands.

Her voice was loud, warm, too close.

Tong Che didn’t answer immediately.

Because for a second—

A faint pressure spread behind his temples.

A headache.

Again.

He pressed his fingers lightly against his brow.

Not hard enough to show.

Just enough to survive it.

“I want painkillers,” he finally said. “If I ask you, will you get them for me?”

Ruan Tang froze.

Then her expression changed instantly.

“Brother Che… again?”

Her tone wasn’t anger.

It was worry trying very hard to sound like scolding.

“You’re eating them like candy. Do you even know how bad that is?”

Tong Che didn’t respond.

Because explaining would take energy.

And energy was something he didn’t have in abundance.

The pain behind his eyes pulsed again.

He inhaled slowly.

“I have work all day,” he said softly. “I might not be able to hold on without them.”

That word—hold on—slipped out too naturally.

Like it had lived in his vocabulary for years.

Ruan Tang stopped arguing.

She turned around, grabbed the medicine box, poured warm water, and placed everything in front of him.

Her movements were fast.

Too fast.

Like if she slowed down, she might see something she didn’t want to understand.

Tong Che took the pill.

Swallowed it.

Warm water followed it down his throat.

For a second, he closed his eyes.

Waiting for the edge of pain to dull.

It didn’t disappear.

Just softened.

Like everything in his life.

Never gone.

Only reduced.

He leaned back into the sofa.

The warm light in the room hit his skin, making him look softer than he actually felt.

Thin shoulders.

Pale face.

Lips slightly colorless.

A body that looked like it belonged in a display cabinet, not a working world.

Ruan Tang sighed.

“Brother Che… when your schedule clears, talk to Brother Lou. At least take a few days off.”

For a split second—

Something flickered across Tong Che’s eyes.

A reflex.

A refusal before thought.

Then it faded.

“I can still hold on,” he said.

Not because he believed it.

Because there was no alternative.

Ruan Tang didn’t push further.

“I know, I know. Being busy is good.”

She turned back to the kitchen.

But Tong Che didn’t move.

Because the truth wasn’t something he could say out loud.

It sat somewhere deeper.

Beneath the painkillers.

Beneath the exhaustion.

Beneath even his thoughts.

He wasn’t just tired.

He was controlled.

From the moment he differentiated as an Omega at thirteen, his life stopped belonging to him.

365 days.

Heat cycles that never stabilized.

A body that never stopped reacting.

A mind that never stopped being reminded.

Suppressants.

Always suppressants.

Even now, sitting here quietly, his body carried a low, constant unrest—like something under the skin trying to wake up.

He hated that part the most.

Not the pain.

Not the side effects.

But the lack of control.

Ten years.

And he still hadn’t gotten used to it.

“Brother Che, breakfast is ready!”

Ruan Tang’s voice pulled him back.

He stood up.

Walked to the table.

Simple food waited.

Whole wheat bread. Unsweetened soy milk. A boiled egg.

Control disguised as nutrition.

Ruan Tang, on the other hand, ate something completely different—rich, warm, alive.

She noticed his gaze.

“Doesn’t it feel boring?” she asked.

Tong Che took a bite.

“It’s fine.”

Of course it was fine.

He had learned long ago:

Boring is safe.

Safe is necessary.

Anything else came with consequences.

His gaze drifted briefly to Ruan Tang’s cup of hot chocolate.

For a fraction of a second—

Something sharp moved inside him.

Not desire exactly.

More like instinct.

A body remembering something it was never allowed to ask for.

He lowered his eyes immediately.

Ate his bread.

Quietly.

After dressing, Ruan Tang helped him into his coat.

He looked too clean.

Too perfect.

Like something carefully edited out of chaos.

“You look like a prince,” she said proudly.

Tong Che sighed.

“That’s just an internet joke.”

But he still put on the Omega pheromone collar.

Habit.

Not trust.

Never trust.

Because even with suppressants, his body could betray him at the worst possible time.

And he couldn’t afford that.

Not in this industry.

Not in this world.

Not ever.

In the car, his manager called.

Busy. Distracted. Barely present.

“Deal with it yourself,” Lou Gui said quickly.

Tong Che didn’t react.

Of course.

He hung up.

Looked out the window.

Trees blurred past.

And then—

The thought came.

Solace.

If this commercial went well, he could secure something stable.

Something that would reduce his dependence on suppressants.

Even a little.

Even temporarily.

That alone was worth enduring today.

The studio was bright, expensive, flawless.

Everything looked designed to sell perfection.

And Tong Che became part of that design.

Ice-toned makeup.

Cold lighting.

Frosted costume.

A “clean Omega.”

A “perfect spokesperson.”

A “safe image.”

He moved through poses like muscle memory.

Smile slightly.

Turn head.

Lower gaze.

Lift hand.

Even the suppressants in his pocket felt like part of the performance.

Sometimes in his mouth.

Sometimes in his fingers.

Always present.

Always controlled.

Five hours later, the shoot ended.

“Brother Che, you were amazing!”

Ruan Tang’s voice sounded distant.

He was already tired.

Too tired.

Painkillers dulled the edges, but not the weight inside his skull.

Not the emptiness.

Not the quiet pressure of his own body constantly reminding him:

You are not normal.

In the car, he closed his eyes.

Sleep came fast.

Too fast.

And with it—

The dream.

Blue sea.

Endless.

A faceless man standing far away on the shore.

No voice.

No name.

Only presence.

Like something waiting.

Something he couldn’t reach.

“Brother Che, wake up.”

He opened his eyes.

Time had passed.

Lunch forgotten.

Body slightly heavier.

They were already at Gulu Gulu Live.

He ate quickly.

Went upstairs.

Interview began.

Everything was smooth.

Until—

“One last question.”

The host smiled.

“Who is your idol?”

A pause.

Too small.

Too dangerous.

His mind flickered.

A face.

A frame from a movie.

A body that shouldn’t exist in his thoughts this clearly.

Heat—no.

Not heat.

Just awareness.

Sharp. Sudden. Uncontrolled.

“Mu—”

He stopped.

Too late.

The sound still escaped.

And everything changed.

Later, in the car, his phone exploded with notifications.

Hot search rising.

Ruan Tang talking nonstop.

He didn’t listen.

Because his mind wasn’t there.

It was still stuck on that moment.

That split second of loss of control.

He hated it.

Not because of Mu Hanfeng.

But because he had lost precision.

And in his life—

Losing precision meant danger.

At the company building.

A corridor.

A shadow.

A man standing still, leaning slightly against the wall.

Black shirt.

Half-open collar.

Cold face.

Thin glasses.

Alpha presence so heavy it changed the air around him.

Ruan Tang stopped breathing mid-step.

Tong Che looked up.

And for the first time that day—

His carefully controlled world cracked slightly at the edge.

Because Mu Hanfeng was looking at him.

And Tong Che realized something with uncomfortable clarity:

This wasn’t just a coincidence.

This was going to become a problem.

Mu Hanfeng

Alpha

Tong Che

Omgea

Chapter 2

Mu Hanfeng stood facing their direction, leaning casually against the wall.

One hand was tucked into the pocket of his black trousers while the other held a phone. His head was slightly lowered, his attention seemingly fixed on the screen as though he hadn't noticed anyone approaching.

The corridor lights cast soft shadows across his sharp profile.

Tall.

Cold.

Untouchable.

Tong Che's first instinct was simple.

Run.

Turn around immediately and disappear before Mu Hanfeng noticed him.

Unfortunately, fate clearly had no intention of cooperating.

Before he could even take a step backward, Mu Hanfeng suddenly put away his phone and raised his head.

His gaze landed directly on Tong Che.

For a brief moment, neither of them moved.

Then Tong Che felt it.

The natural pressure that belonged to a top Alpha.

It wasn't deliberate.

Mu Hanfeng wasn't releasing pheromones.

He wasn't trying to intimidate anyone.

Yet the oppressive aura that came from someone standing at the very top of the food chain still swept over him like a tidal wave.

Tong Che's heartbeat instantly skipped.

His legs weakened.

His body seemed rooted to the spot.

Running away was impossible now.

Pretending not to see him was even more impossible.

At that moment, Lou Gui lightly squeezed his elbow.

The meaning was obvious.

Go greet him.

Tong Che nearly wanted to cry.

Still, he forced himself to raise a hand and gave a stiff little wave.

"Hello, Teacher Mu."

Mu Hanfeng didn't answer.

But neither did he look away.

Those deep eyes remained fixed on him.

The corridor suddenly felt silent.

Too silent.

Tong Che felt like a rabbit that had accidentally wandered into a hunter's territory.

The scalp beneath his blond hair tingled.

Every nerve in his body screamed at him to retreat.

Yet he could only stand there.

Unable to move.

Unable to speak.

Unable to breathe properly.

Time seemed to freeze.

One second.

Two seconds.

Five seconds.

Ten seconds.

The longer Mu Hanfeng looked at him, the more Tong Che felt his heartbeat becoming unstable.

The pressure wasn't physical.

It was psychological.

A famous movie emperor.

A top Alpha.

His idol.

And now, probably someone who thought he was deliberately trying to ride his popularity.

Tong Che felt his soul gradually leave his body.

Just as he began wondering whether Mu Hanfeng would actually say something, the Alpha finally withdrew his gaze.

Without even offering a simple acknowledgment.

Without a single word.

Mu Hanfeng turned around and walked away.

His long legs carried him effortlessly down the corridor.

Soon his figure became smaller.

Then disappeared completely.

Only after he was gone did Tong Che realize he had been holding his breath.

His back hit the wall.

He bent forward slightly and pressed a hand against his chest.

His breathing became uneven.

Fast.

Deep.

Almost desperate.

"Xiao Che!"

Lou Gui finally recovered as well.

Turning around, he immediately noticed Tong Che's condition.

"What happened to you? Are you okay?"

Tong Che slowly straightened.

His throat felt strangely tight.

He opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

After trying twice, he finally managed to squeeze out a weak response.

"I'm fine."

Lou Gui stared.

Then muttered to himself.

"Is this what people mean by Alpha-Omega suppression? That's terrifying."

As a Beta, Lou Gui couldn't smell pheromones.

Nor could he truly understand the biological instincts between Alphas and Omegas.

To him, Mu Hanfeng's pressure had only come from his overwhelming presence and status.

Naturally, he assumed Tong Che's reaction came from Omega instincts.

Only Tong Che knew the truth.

It wasn't because of instinct.

At least not entirely.

The moment he calmed down, he realized something.

Mu Hanfeng hadn't actually tried to suppress him.

In fact, when Mu Hanfeng looked over earlier, the faint sea scent surrounding him had already disappeared.

The Alpha had deliberately restrained it.

So why had Tong Che reacted so strongly?

Because Mu Hanfeng was too close.

Too tall.

Too imposing.

And because those eyes had unknowingly awakened memories Tong Che never wanted to touch.

Memories buried deep beneath ten years of suppressants.

Deep beneath years of pretending everything was fine.

"Can you walk?"

Lou Gui's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Tong Che took another slow breath.

This time his voice finally returned.

"I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Mm."

He pushed himself upright.

The two entered the elevator together.

As the numbers descended floor by floor, Lou Gui suddenly spoke.

After a long silence, he said reluctantly,

"Forget what I told you before."

Tong Che glanced over.

Lou Gui clicked his tongue.

"Tonight, stay away from Mu Hanfeng."

Tong Che blinked.

Lou Gui continued,

"If you can avoid him, avoid him."

Naturally, it wasn't because Lou Gui suddenly developed a conscience.

Quite the opposite.

The accidental encounter had convinced him that Mu Hanfeng disliked being associated with Tong Che.

If Tong Che tried anything at the dinner tonight, Mu Hanfeng might crush him tomorrow.

Lou Gui wanted attention.

He wanted publicity.

But he definitely didn't want his most valuable money-maker destroyed.

Tong Che silently looked at the changing elevator numbers.

Then nodded.

"Okay."

The elevator doors opened.

For the first time that evening, he felt slightly relieved.

By the time they got into the car, Tong Che had completely recovered.

Or at least, he looked recovered.

The panic had faded.

The embarrassment remained.

And after the embarrassment faded, something else slowly surfaced.

Excitement.

A ridiculous amount of excitement.

Only now did Tong Che truly realize what had happened.

He had just met Mu Hanfeng.

Not through a screen.

Not through a movie.

Not through an interview.

The real Mu Hanfeng.

A living, breathing Mu Hanfeng.

And he had stood less than a meter away.

Tong Che had entered the entertainment industry four years ago.

In those four years, Mu Hanfeng had always existed in a completely different world.

Even now, despite becoming one of the hottest young actors in the country, Tong Che knew perfectly well that there was still a huge gap between them.

Mu Hanfeng relied on talent.

Awards.

Strength.

Experience.

Tong Che had only just begun climbing.

The distance between them remained enormous.

Yet somehow—

They had actually met.

The memory replayed itself uncontrollably.

Those dark eyes.

The bridge of his nose.

The thin-rimmed glasses.

The sharp jawline.

The prominent Adam's apple visible above the collar of his black shirt.

The broad shoulders.

The narrow waist hidden beneath tailored fabric.

Even his breathing had seemed steady and powerful.

And then—

That scent.

The scent of the sea.

Deep.

Cold.

Endless.

Tong Che covered his face.

His ears slowly turned red.

Every detail that had been overlooked in the moment suddenly became vivid.

Painfully vivid.

His heartbeat sped up all over again.

Then another thought surfaced.

And immediately ruined everything.

His first impression.

It was definitely terrible.

Absolutely terrible.

Mu Hanfeng probably thought he was some shameless Omega desperately trying to use him for publicity.

The more Tong Che thought about it, the more depressed he became.

He wanted to bury himself alive.

"Xiao Che."

Lou Gui's voice interrupted again.

"We're almost there."

Tong Che snapped back to reality.

"Adjust your expression."

He immediately patted his face twice.

Forget it.

What was done was done.

He couldn't change the past.

The only thing he could do now was prove through actions that he genuinely wasn't trying to cling to Mu Hanfeng for attention.

Absolutely not.

The silver-white Maserati steadily approached Light Joy Hotel.

Outside, countless reporters and cameras were already waiting.

Tonight's battlefield had officially begun. :::

The silver-white Maserati rolled to a smooth stop in front of the Light Joy Hotel.

Lou Gui got out first and hurried around to open the door for Tong Che, performing every bit of the attentive-manager act for the waiting cameras.

Tong Che stepped out of the car.

Dressed in a white high-fashion suit tailored perfectly to his figure, he looked elegant and refined beneath the dazzling lights. The moment his polished shoes touched the ground, flashes exploded around him.

Click! Click! Click!

The shallow dimple at the corner of his lips appeared as he revealed the exact smile he had practiced countless times before.

Not too enthusiastic.

Not too distant.

Perfect.

The surrounding reporters couldn't help drawing in breaths of amazement.

"His face is insane..."

"No wonder he's trending every day..."

"He looks even better in person."

Tong Che had long become accustomed to such reactions.

His expression never changed as he signed autographs, waved politely, and entered the hotel lobby before finally making his way into the banquet hall.

The hall was already crowded.

Crystal chandeliers illuminated the luxurious venue while celebrities, investors, directors, and media personnel mingled in small groups.

Tong Che casually swept his gaze across the room.

But he didn't find Mu Hanfeng.

After a moment's thought, he felt it made sense.

With Mu Hanfeng's status, the fact that he was attending this kind of banquet at all was already giving the organizers face.

Arriving late would be perfectly normal.

Before Tong Che could continue thinking, Lou Gui had already dragged him into social mode.

A glass of wine was placed into Lou Gui's hand.

A glass of grape juice was handed to Tong Che.

Tong Che's alcohol tolerance was notoriously terrible.

Unless absolutely necessary, Lou Gui would never allow him to drink.

Tong Che lowered his eyes and took a sip.

The movement was graceful and unhurried.

Even something as simple as drinking grape juice looked elegant when he did it.

Many people couldn't stop staring.

Most of the people approaching him were artists whose popularity was lower than his current level.

Tong Che never deliberately got close to anyone, but he never acted arrogant either.

The conversations were polite.

Friendly.

Professional.

Exactly the way things should be.

Until a voice suddenly cut through the atmosphere.

"Yo."

"If it isn't Big Star Tong."

"It's been a long time."

The strange tone immediately drew attention.

Everyone present worked in the entertainment industry.

Nobody was stupid.

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Tong Che raised his eyes.

Standing across from him was a male Omega with delicate features and a somewhat feminine appearance.

Qi Xie.

The second male lead from the ancient costume drama that had made Tong Che famous.

Back then, Qi Xie had been significantly more well-known than Tong Che.

Now the situation was completely reversed.

Tong Che calmly took another sip of grape juice.

As though he hadn't noticed the hostility.

"Long time no see, Teacher Qi."

Qi Xie sneered.

"I can't afford to be called teacher by Big Star Tong anymore."

Several people nearby quietly stepped away.

Nobody wanted to get dragged into someone else's conflict.

Tong Che remained calm.

"You debuted before me."

"Calling you teacher is only proper."

The words themselves weren't wrong.

But in Qi Xie's ears, they sounded like mockery.

His expression immediately darkened.

The veins on his forehead almost bulged.

Tong Che inwardly sighed.

He truly didn't understand why some people insisted on making enemies everywhere.

He was already considering finding an excuse to leave.

Then Qi Xie suddenly sneered.

"I really don't know how some people become famous."

"Was it because of their face?"

"Or their pheromones?"

"Or maybe because they're good at flirting?"

The surrounding air instantly became awkward.

Even Lou Gui frowned.

"Watch your mouth."

"Don't talk nonsense in public."

Qi Xie merely laughed coldly.

At that exact moment—

Neither he nor Tong Che noticed that someone had entered through the banquet hall doors.

An Alpha.

The kind of Alpha who instantly became the center of attention wherever he appeared.

Naturally—

It was Mu Hanfeng.

Earlier.

On the way to the banquet.

Mu Hanfeng's manager, Yun Su, had casually brought up the topic.

"What do you think about that hot search?"

The meaning was obvious.

Did Mu Hanfeng intend to do anything about Tong Che?

Mu Hanfeng had already watched the interview clip.

The Omega in the video had clearly blurted out "Mu" without hesitation.

The annoyance that flashed through his eyes afterward didn't seem fake.

But Mu Hanfeng couldn't care less.

Whether it was genuine or not made no difference to him.

He wasn't insane enough to target someone because of a single word.

Besides...

His thoughts drifted back to their encounter earlier.

The Omega's pale face.

The slight stiffness.

The fear hidden beneath those clear black-and-white eyes.

For some reason, the image resurfaced again.

Mu Hanfeng unconsciously rubbed his fingertips together.

Was he really that frightening?

"So what if he tries something else at the banquet?" Yun Su asked.

The question interrupted his thoughts.

Mu Hanfeng raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of something?"

Then he added lazily,

"Pour red wine on me?"

Yun Su immediately burst out laughing.

"You're sick."

The old cliché of accidentally spilling wine onto someone to create romance had become a joke throughout the industry.

Cheap.

Embarrassing.

Outdated.

Anyone with a functioning brain would never attempt it.

The two men entered the banquet hall while chatting casually.

At the same moment—

Qi Xie suddenly revealed a strange smile.

Before Tong Che could react—

Qi Xie stepped forward.

Bang.

His shoulder struck Tong Che's left wrist.

The force wasn't particularly strong.

For most people, it would have done nothing.

But Tong Che wasn't most people.

His left hand had never been very strong.

Normally he wouldn't even use it to hold a glass.

Today he only did so because his right hand had been occupied greeting people.

The instant Qi Xie hit him—

Tong Che's wrist trembled.

The goblet tilted.

Purple grape juice splashed through the air.

Time seemed to slow.

A dark blue suit entered his vision.

Splash.

The juice landed perfectly.

Purple stains spread across the expensive fabric.

Tong Che's pupils contracted.

His heart nearly stopped.

"I'm sorry—"

He immediately apologized while looking up.

Then he froze.

The unfinished words stuck inside his throat.

His brain went completely blank.

Standing before him—

Wearing the dark blue suit that was now stained with grape juice—

Was Mu Hanfeng.

The very Alpha he had spent the entire evening trying desperately to avoid.

The very Alpha he had promised himself he would never accidentally offend.

The very Alpha who, less than half an hour ago, had jokingly said:

"What, is he going to pour wine on me?"

Tong Che:

"..."

Mu Hanfeng:

"..."

The entire banquet hall:

"..."

For one horrifying second, nobody spoke.

Tong Che could practically hear the sound of his own future career shattering into pieces.

Finished.

Absolutely finished.

If there were rankings for the worst first impressions in entertainment industry history—

He was certain he had just secured first place.

Chapter 3

It was clearly a dinner party filled with music and chatter, yet around Tong Che, everything within a five-meter radius seemed to freeze.

Because that man had arrived.

Mu Hanfeng.

The Alpha known throughout the circle as having the strongest restraint.

There were countless rumors about him—one of the most infamous being that an Omega once went into heat and deliberately threw himself into Mu Hanfeng’s arms. Any ordinary Alpha would have been overwhelmed by instinct, but Mu Hanfeng reportedly showed no reaction at all. He had only coldly pushed the Omega away with clear disgust.

From then on, he earned the reputation of being the “strongest Alpha”—untouchable, unshakable, impossible to provoke.

And now, that same man—who rarely attended such gatherings—had appeared here… only to walk straight into a situation like this.

No one saw clearly how Qi Xie moved.

The wrist hit looked accidental from afar. Even those standing nearby couldn’t catch anything wrong.

But the result was obvious.

The grape juice splashed.

Onto Mu Hanfeng’s suit.

For a moment, the entire hall felt like it stopped breathing.

Most people looked at Tong Che with subtle amusement, waiting to see how this traffic-star Omega would be dealt with. Everyone knew Mu Hanfeng’s temperament—cold, strict, and unforgiving.

But contrary to expectations—

Mu Hanfeng simply looked down at him.

His gaze landed on Tong Che’s face.

The Omega’s emotions flickered rapidly—shock, panic, confusion—before settling into forced calm.

That transition made Mu Hanfeng pause slightly.

Strangely, there was no anger rising in him.

Instead… he felt something almost like amusement.

The corners of his lips lifted faintly.

It was a small, fleeting smile.

But it was enough to make the surrounding crowd tense instantly.

He smiled?

That had to mean something worse was coming.

However, the expression disappeared just as quickly, leaving his face cold and unreadable again.

Before anyone could react, Lou Gui hurried forward.

“Mr. Mu, I’m really sorry, our artist didn’t mean it—he was just—”

“I’m sorry.”

Tong Che cut in abruptly.

Everyone turned to him.

Lou Gui froze. He had been about to explain that someone else had hit his wrist—but Tong Che had already stepped forward.

He looked directly at Mu Hanfeng.

“I was careless. I’ll compensate for your suit.”

Lou Gui’s face changed instantly. “Che, you—!”

That suit cost more than most people earned in years.

But Tong Che didn’t look at him.

He only stared at Mu Hanfeng, stubborn and steady.

“I’m really sorry, Teacher Mu.”

Then he bowed.

A full ninety degrees.

The gesture was clean, precise, and sincere enough that no one could find fault.

For a brief moment, even Mu Hanfeng seemed slightly surprised.

Then he spoke, low and calm.

“No need for compensation.”

His gaze shifted away.

“And don’t let it happen again.”

That was all.

He turned and left without another word.

Yun Su followed, but not before glancing at Tong Che—sharp, warning, silent.

The message was clear.

Don’t talk too much.

And just like that, the crowd scattered.

No one stayed.

The excitement disappeared as quickly as it had come, leaving only awkward silence behind.

Only Qi Xie remained standing in place, his expression darkening.

He hadn’t expected this outcome.

Mu Hanfeng hadn’t punished him.

And worse—he had let Tong Che go so easily.

Tong Che didn’t look at him again.

He simply turned away.

“Xiao Che…” Lou Gui followed quickly, lowering his voice, “Why didn’t you say it was him who—”

“What’s the point?” Tong Che interrupted lightly.

He picked up another glass of grape juice from a passing tray, taking a slow sip as if nothing had happened.

“Do you think Teacher Mu would believe it?”

Lou Gui froze.

Because… he wouldn’t.

There was no proof. No clear angle. Nothing.

At best, it would sound like an excuse.

At worst, it would look like shifting blame.

And Mu Hanfeng was not someone who enjoyed excuses.

Lou Gui changed the topic quickly.

“Did he know your wrist was injured?”

“Yes.” Tong Che’s tone remained calm. “The director and cast knew when I filmed that ancient drama.”

His left wrist shifted slightly under the bracelet.

A hidden injury from his trainee days—one that made many actions difficult.

Lou Gui frowned. “Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Tong Che glanced at him.

That look was quiet… almost distant.

Lou Gui laughed awkwardly, realizing the answer himself.

Back then, he hadn’t cared enough to ask.

He changed direction again.

“So they don’t know?”

“No.” Tong Che shook his head. “I said it was from dance practice before debut.”

A believable excuse.

Safe.

Simple.

Lou Gui sighed. “That Qi Xie clearly did it on purpose.”

“He did.”

“Then why—”

“But we shouldn’t offend him.” Lou Gui cut himself off, softening his tone. “You’re just starting out. It’s better to avoid trouble. Let it go this time.”

Tong Che lowered his eyes.

A faint, self-deprecating smile almost appeared—but disappeared just as quickly.

“I understand.”

He had always understood this logic.

Since long ago.

No one would stand in front of him.

And no one ever really had.

Later, they left the hotel earlier than expected.

The purpose of networking was already ruined. Staying longer only meant more scrutiny.

Neither of them pushed to remain.

Inside the car, the city lights blurred past the window.

Tong Che leaned back, finally allowing his tense posture to loosen.

The encounter replayed in his mind again and again.

Mu Hanfeng’s gaze.

That faint smile.

And the cold final sentence.

“Don’t let it happen again.”

He pressed his fingers lightly against his palm.

He hadn’t done anything right tonight.

And worse—

He had probably left the worst possible impression on the one person he least wanted to disappoint.

In the presidential suite at the top floor of the hotel, Mu Hanfeng was waiting for his suit to be delivered.

The stained one had already been taken off.

He sat back on the sofa in a black shirt, long legs resting casually on the low table. A cigarette burned between his fingers.

Beside him, Yun Su watched carefully.

After a long pause, he finally asked,

“You’re… in a good mood?”

Mu Hanfeng didn’t answer.

Didn’t even look up.

Today was a date he usually disliked.

But strangely, his mood wasn’t as bad as expected.

Yun Su changed the topic.

“You really let him go that easily?”

Still no response.

Yun Su sighed. “That’s not like you.”

Mu Hanfeng exhaled smoke slowly.

“He’s stupid.”

“…Stupid?”

Yun Su didn’t agree. “He took responsibility. He didn’t argue. His apology was sincere.”

Mu Hanfeng finally glanced at him.

“Isn’t that stupid?”

Yun Su gave up. “Then what would be smart?”

The cigarette burned quietly between Mu Hanfeng’s fingers.

After a pause, he said:

“He should’ve acted a little spoiled… said he’d wipe it off for me… maybe even thrown himself into my arms.”

Yun Su nearly choked.

“What kind of ridiculous script is that?!”

But Mu Hanfeng looked completely serious.

Or maybe not serious.

Just… unreadable.

When he returned to the ballroom later, everything felt normal again.

People surrounded him.

Flattery resumed.

But his gaze drifted once around the hall.

The Omega was gone.

Of course.

He had already left.

For some reason, that realization made Mu Hanfeng’s mood shift slightly.

Not irritation.

Not satisfaction either.

Something in between.

Unclear.

Uncomfortable.

He didn’t like it.

Meanwhile, Tong Che was already on his way home.

The earlier tension had drained him more than expected.

By the time he arrived, it was barely past nine.

Too early.

Too quiet.

He showered quickly and fell into bed.

A soft yellow lamp glowed beside him.

Warm.

Still.

But his mind wasn’t.

Mu Hanfeng’s face kept appearing in his thoughts.

That faint smile again.

That calm gaze again.

He exhaled slowly.

He didn’t hate him.

At least… not yet.

And that thought alone made it harder to sleep.

Eventually, he got up, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

Smoke filled the room softly.

The calm spread through his chest.

Only then did his thoughts slow down.

When he finally lay back down, hugging the old brown bear pillow, sleep finally pulled him under.

The next morning, at 7:30 a.m., the alarm rang.

Tong Che opened his eyes slowly.

And remembered the dream.

It had started as something familiar—a boy on a beach from his long-repeated memory.

But last night, that dream had broken.

Replaced.

By Mu Hanfeng.

And in that dream—

Mu Hanfeng had grabbed his neck.

And bitten him.

Fiercely.