CHAPTER 3

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.

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