---

In public, Lu Ci would often show off his affection for me, seeking a commitment.

Due to my occasional interactions with others, Lu Ci would coldly call me away, leading our boss to believe that there was some hidden story between Lu Ci and me.

Several times, the older man was terrified, fearing that Lu Ci and I might fight.

But in the end, nothing happened.

Being older, he noticed the signs quicker than others.

---

For tonight’s social gathering, I ruthlessly turned down Lu Ci’s intimate requests over the past few days.

Now that the socializing is over, Lu Ci has probably prepared his method to deal with me.

Thinking of his wildness in bed, I couldn’t help but pinch the bridge of my nose.

But when I got home, I unexpectedly ran into a man I never thought I’d see at the corridor door.

“It’s you?”

The omega was wearing revealing clothes, and there were several red spots scattered across his fair skin.

My heart sank.

I didn’t expect to meet Lu Shang here unexpectedly.

Lu Shang arrogantly raised his head, still favoring to look down at others.

“Qiu Shui?”

He smiled maliciously. “So you’re the omega who climbs into beds, huh?”

“Oh, wait, you’re just a useless beta that doesn’t even count as an omega.”

“You have to wonder, if my brother knew that you once kneeled at my feet, struggling to survive, would he think you’re disgusting?”

I tightened my grip on my suit jacket, the thin shirt feeling cold in the evening breeze.

Ignoring Lu Shang’s nonsense, I calmly replied, “You’re really just a homeless wild dog, only able to bite whoever you can catch.”

“Who the hell are you calling a dog?”

Compared to Lu Shang’s aggression, I was very calm. “Call it like it is, it’s you.”

In the past, I might have feared Lu Shang’s sudden bullying and threats, hating him for the way he once tormented me.

But now, five or six years later, I no longer held any hatred for Lu Shang in my heart.

Clearly, Lu Shang was dissatisfied with my reaction.

The beautiful omega suddenly raised his hand, and just when I thought he was going to hurt me again, he tore off his own clothes and lunged at me.

I didn’t know how an omega could have strength that rivaled a beta.

Lu Shang held me tightly and shouted loudly,

“Brother! He’s trying to assault me!”

I stiffly turned around to see Lu Ci standing behind me, his face dark.

The cold air around him felt like it had been there for a long time.

“Brother! He’s trying to seduce you because he couldn’t win my affection!”

“He doesn’t love you at all!”

“He only loves your status and your protection!”

“He doesn’t want to be with you! He just wants to sow discord between us brothers!”

In my heart, I thought, “This is bad.”

The secret I had hidden for so long was being exposed by Lu Shang like this.

Even though some things had changed now, it couldn’t be denied that the truth of why I approached Lu Ci was just as Lu Shang said.

I turned my head away, unwilling to see Lu Ci’s hurt and terrified expression.

But in the next second, the terrified Lu Ci forced the omega off me with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes: “I will handle our matters myself.”

“Now you’d better go home and marry honestly.”

“Otherwise, I’ll definitely break your legs.”

The delicate omega had never seen Lu Ci like this and turned pale with fright, quickly leaving.

My heart raced, wishing I could vanish like the omega.

But before I could react, Lu Ci, looking pained, pulled me into his embrace.

He was delirious, muttering “Don’t abandon me,” as if it would be easy to bring him down.

Strangely, I could smell his pheromones.

I could even clearly see the blood vessels flowing in his neck.

Seeing the fragile Lu Ci, my heart sank further.

Because I knew that Lu Ci’s sensitivity period had been forced out.

---

Lu Ci carried me back home.

His brows were tightly knitted, his eyes filled with a desire to get close to me but also hesitating for some reason.

Lu Ci took me to the bathroom.

The alpha in his sensitivity period was impatient, placing me gently but slowly in the bathtub.

I knew he loved me.

What Lu Shang did wouldn’t make Lu Ci suspicious of me; instead, it would only lead to his dislike of Lu Shang.

After all, he was the evidence of Lu Ci’s father’s infidelity.

A young and proud alpha wouldn’t possibly like a half-brother born out of wedlock.

Five years ago, he wouldn’t, and five years later, he still wouldn’t.

The warm water covered my body, but Lu Ci still furrowed his brows.

He gently washed my body, especially the places touched by the omega.

Lu Ci murmured:

“This place has been touched by someone else; it’s dirty.”

“This place has been touched by me; it’s fragrant.”

Usually, alphas have a strong possessiveness, especially during their sensitivity periods.

He washed meticulously, his gaze hot enough to want to replace the towel with his pheromones to wipe my body.

Lu Ci cleaned me up and carried me back to bed.

He held me in his arms, just sniffing my neck, without doing anything else.

This wasn’t like an alpha in his sensitivity period.

It was more like a little dog wanting comfort from its master after being wronged.

Thinking this, I raised my hand to touch Lu Ci’s earlobe, softly saying, “Let me tell you a story.”

I exhaled, feeling a mixture of relief and fear in my heart.

After many years, I could finally share the secrets I had hidden for so long.

“I’m a child from an ordinary family in B City. My parents are both teachers; they are great and have low expectations for me.”

“Even though I’m a beta, I’m still spoiled by my family.”

“I thought this world would always be happy and beautiful until I met Lu Shang…”

Just because Lu Shang said, “Qiu Shui is a beta, perfect for cleaning toilets for omegas,” I was forcibly assigned to do the job of cleaning toilets by the conniving counselor.

It was a cold winter, and I stood all alone in the restroom.

I had to endure the odd looks from passersby and face Lu Shang’s insults.

---