CHAPTER 3

On weekends, Yue Fei didn’t stay in the dorm.

His family lived in the same city, so he returned home as usual.

In this world, the Yue family was considered well-off in B City. As the eldest son, Yue Fei had a younger omega sister and an alpha brother. On the surface, it looked like a balanced and respectable family—but in reality, his position had always been… awkward.

Because he was a beta.

Compared to his siblings, he was easily overlooked. Not favored, not prioritized—just quietly existing in the background.

But the original Yue Fei had never accepted that.

Except for his poor academic performance, he had always tried to be the best in everything. And when it came to relationships, he had stubbornly insisted on finding an alpha boyfriend—almost as if proving something.

That was why, when Yue Fei calmly told his family at the dinner table that he and Jian Yi had broken up—

no one believed him.

“You spent so much effort pursuing him back then,” Father Yue said, frowning. “We even thought you’d get married after graduation. What happened?”

Yue Fei didn’t hesitate.

“He marked an omega.”

The moment those words fell, the entire table went silent.

His younger brother, Yue Luo, was the first to react. “Big brother… it’s good that you broke up.”

Seeing Yue Fei so calm, the family assumed he was suppressing his emotions. They didn’t press further, and after dinner, they let him return to his room to rest.

Yue Fei thought things would end there.

But the next evening—

everything changed.

“There’s something I need to tell you all,” Father Yue said heavily.

The three siblings immediately looked up.

“The company… has had financial problems for over a month now.”

Yue Ling’s face turned pale. “Are we… going bankrupt?”

Father Yue nodded with difficulty.

Her eyes reddened instantly.

Yue Fei, however, felt something was off. It didn’t match what he remembered from the original story.

Yue Luo spoke up anxiously, “Dad, I still have some saved money—”

Mother Yue shook her head. “That won’t be enough.”

“Then what do we do?” Yue Luo asked, helpless.

Father Yue hesitated, then glanced at Yue Fei.

“Your aunt mentioned… the Gu family is looking for a suitable partner for their second son, Gu Xing.”

The moment those words came out—

Yue Ling burst into tears. “Dad! I won’t marry!”

Father Yue quickly reassured her. “They’re not looking for an omega.”

Her crying stopped abruptly.

“The only requirement… is that the partner must be a beta.”

Silence fell again.

Then, slowly, everyone’s gaze shifted toward Yue Fei.

Yue Fei: “…”

Only he knew the truth.

This wasn’t about the so-called second young master.

The real person behind this arrangement—

was Gu Wei.

The third son of the Gu family. The true alpha heir.

After a brief pause, Yue Fei spoke calmly.

“I’ll go.”

He couldn’t let the family fall into ruin—not after just arriving in this world.

Besides… he wasn’t willing to return to a life of poverty again.

In truth, Father Yue hadn’t told the full story.

The company was indeed struggling, but not to the point of bankruptcy. However, if they could establish a connection with the powerful Gu family, not only would they survive—there would be greater opportunities ahead.

And if Yue Fei knew the truth, he might refuse.

So Father Yue chose to push him gently into this arrangement.

After all, even if it was just the second young master, he was still part of the Gu family. Yue Fei’s future would be secure.

“Xiao Fei,” Father Yue said with a relieved tone, “Second Young Master Gu is a good person. The meeting is tomorrow night at Fu Yue Hotel. Your mother will prepare proper clothes for you.”

Yue Fei nodded.

“…What if he doesn’t like me?”

That question surprised Father Yue.

In the past, Yue Fei had always been confident—almost arrogant. He believed himself to be the best, and anyone who didn’t see it was simply blind.

But now—

“Just do your best,” Father Yue said gently. “Even if it doesn’t work out, making connections is still good.”

Yue Fei forced a small smile.

How was he supposed to relax after hearing the family might go bankrupt?

The next day, under Mother Yue’s urging, Yue Fei left early.

But he wasn’t in a hurry.

After wandering around a nearby mall for half an hour, he finally headed toward Fu Yue Hotel.

Because he already knew—

Gu Wei would deliberately arrive late.

Just as expected.

When Yue Fei arrived twenty minutes after the scheduled time, the table was still empty.

He sat down casually, gazing out at the night view.

In his previous life, he had been to places like this countless times—but always as a waiter. He used to joke that one day, he would come here as a guest and enjoy being served.

Unexpectedly—

that joke had come true.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

A voice broke his thoughts.

Yue Fei looked up—

and paused.

For a brief second, he was stunned.

So handsome.

The man in front of him was dressed impeccably, his sharp features carrying an air of cold authority.

But Yue Fei quickly composed himself.

“Young Master Gu?” he asked politely.

The man nodded slightly, his expression indifferent.

Yue Fei didn’t mind. He opened the menu naturally.

“What would you like? Let’s talk while we eat.”

“You decide,” Gu Wei replied.

Without hesitation, Yue Fei ordered two steaks and a bottle of red wine.

Then he smiled lightly.

“My name is Yue Fei. I was told I’d be meeting Second Young Master Gu… so why is it Third Young Master instead?”

Gu Wei raised an eyebrow. “You know me?”

“I’ve seen you on business news.”

Gu Wei didn’t deny it. “The one who wants to marry is me. My second brother is just a cover.”

Yue Fei nodded.

“Then why choose a beta?”

“Beta is easier.”

Yue Fei nearly choked.

Straightforward to a fault.

After a brief pause, he decided to get straight to the point.

“I want to make a deal.”

Gu Wei gestured for him to continue.

“You need a marriage without burden,” Yue Fei said calmly. “That’s why you prefer a beta over an omega. As for me—besides being a beta, I can promise that I won’t ask for anything beyond the agreed terms.”

Gu Wei studied him carefully.

The meaning was clear.

A contract marriage.

No interference. No emotional entanglement.

Exactly what he needed.

“…Alright.”

Gu Wei stood up, looking down at him.

“My secretary will contact you. You’ll need to sign a contract before marriage. Discuss the details with him.”

And just like that—

he turned and left.

Leaving Yue Fei sitting there, slightly stunned.

That’s it?