An Xin opened a pack of cilantro-flavored chips, the strong scent filling the room, but he didn’t react; only his partner in crime, Liu Tang, frowned slightly.

An Xun, trying to think in reverse, seemed to understand.

All of An Xin’s actions were aimed at provoking him, likely recorded by a hidden camera in the room to capture his true demeanor as concrete evidence.

But why go to all this trouble? Liu Tang was after Bo Xiangzhou, but what about An Xin?

Enlightenment struck An Xun, clarifying his mind amidst the anger. Yet, he suddenly felt weary and tired of pretending. It was exhausting having to worry about the An family’s betrayal and fearing that Bo Xiangzhou would discover his true self and divorce him. Now, Liu Tang was added to his troubles.

He hated this life, constrained by others.

He thought recklessly, if he were to be divorced a month into his marriage and become a laughingstock, so be it. The money was already in his hands; why should he care about others laughing? He was happy.

Once exposed, the An family would still retain their dignity. Bo Xiangzhou never mixed personal grievances with business. At most, he would sever ties with the An family. The An family’s businesses might suffer, but he could always nurture a subsidiary. Nothing would change because of him.

Feeling a sour sensation, An Xun felt powerless, as if the road he walked was endless, shrouded in darkness.

He straightened his face, forcing a smile, “I’ve never said I liked any alpha. Maybe you’re misremembering, putting your own words in my mouth. I only love my husband. I think there’s no alpha in the world better than him.”

“I remember very clearly,” An Xin, looking deceptively innocent, spoke with persuasive conviction, “At the beginning of our first year in high school, you couldn’t sleep because of this, and you came to my room in the middle of the night asking for solutions.” He advised me to prioritize my studies over such concerns, but I didn’t listen and argued with him instead.

“You’re turning dreams into reality quite convincingly. I used to doubt people could mix up dreams with reality, but now it seems, in this vast world, anything is possible. Let’s not take dreams too seriously. Always drowning in dreams isn’t proper. But I’m curious, how much must you dislike me to dream up such a version of myself?” An Xun made it sound like a casual joke among close friends.

An Xin’s expression changed abruptly, then he said with a forced calm, “I was just worried about you being tricked by some alpha, considering how playful you were back then.”

“Then you still misunderstand me,” An Xun responded softly. “I don’t know what I’ve done to make you so angry, causing you to repeatedly slander me and drive a wedge between my husband and me. If I’ve wronged you, I apologize right now.”

An Xun’s head drooped, his face a picture of misery, as if he was about to cry the next second, “Are we done talking? Can we stop here? My husband is waiting for me to come home.”

During his immature years, An Xun suffered from An Xin’s torment at the An family home, which fostered An Xin’s habit of wanting to tease him whenever he saw An Xun. As they grew up, An Xun’s resistance only sparked An Xin’s competitive spirit further.

He couldn’t stand seeing someone he once bullied doing better than him. He resented that An Xun, though less outstanding in many ways, had fortuitously married into the Bo family due to compatibility.

A tear hanging from An Xun’s eye completely infuriated An Xin. He kicked over the coffee table, and the glass shattered, scattering shards across the floor.

“What are you pretending for? Is this how you seduced Bo Xiangzhou? At least you’re aware that with your former self, Bo Xiangzhou wouldn’t spare you a glance. An Xun, I’m embarrassed for you.”

Liu Tang kicked the glass shards aside, then stomped on the broken table, “If I were you, I’d have divorced Brother Xiangzhou by now. He doesn’t like you; you clinging to him is a disgrace to us omegas. Better to divorce and find some decent alpha to spend your days drinking and partying without anyone to control you, no need to keep up this charade. It sounds so tiring to even hear.”

Liu Tang’s eyes danced with mockery, “Or how about this, I give you one million, and you disappear as far as you can go. Once Brother Xiangzhou is thoroughly disappointed in you, he’ll naturally divorce you.”

An Xun: “?” What nonsense is this? Bo Xiangzhou gives me more than a million in a month, is this money supposed to impress me?

An Xun sobbed, “It’s not like that… I can feel… my husband kinda likes me… Last night he even kissed me several times while I was sleeping, and he complimented how soft my lips are.”

“Just last week, he held me and said I was prettier than any omega he’s ever seen.” He could flirt with Tao Nian because Tao Nian would flirt back, but to do it unilaterally and involve an innocent bystander was too much for An Xun’s dignity, his ears turning even redder.

Liu Tang was suddenly livid, his teeth grinding, “Enough! Have you no shame? Bringing these things up openly!”

A flicker of triumph passed through An Xun’s heart, he continued, “But that’s what he says at home, he even said he especially likes my honesty.”

Like pouring gasoline on a dying ember, the fury in the room ignited, the atmosphere chilling like frozen ice.

“You shameless thing, relying on such despicable tactics to win his favor, he’s just tolerant because he never holds grudges against omegas. I don’t believe he said those things! I don’t believe it! Even when I barged into his office without warning, he told me I was too lively and needed to restrain myself, he’s the same with everyone, he wouldn’t favor you alone!” Liu Tang kicked the table again, sending glass shards onto An Xin’s bed.

An Xin grabbed him, shouting even louder, “You can insult him, you can hit him, but don’t break my coffee table, how am I supposed to sleep at night?”

“Sleep however you want! I don’t mind sleeping in the hallway!” Blinded by jealousy, Liu Tang had everything but lacked the only thing he ever truly loved—Bo Xiangzhou.

As he claimed, Bo Xiangzhou treated him like a brother, his always gentle voice lingering in Liu Tang’s ears since he first felt affection, forever unforgettable.

An Xin and he began arguing, the squabble unceasing, with An Xun distancing himself from the fray, squatting in a corner enjoying the show.

Their fight was hideous, their faces twisted beyond recognition of their handsome features. An Xun couldn’t help but laugh, which sounded mocking to their ears.

They exchanged looks, then unanimously turned their targets towards An Xun.

Seeing them just steps away, fierce and furious, An Xun had an epiphany, calculating an angle where a slap wouldn’t hurt but would leave a mark, planning to cry to Bo Xiangzhou later and have the old man sort them out properly.

He considered several scenarios, ultimately deciding to offer his shoulder for them to hit, sparing his face. He wasn’t generous enough to let someone slap his face.

The tension was palpable, a big confrontation imminent, An Xun holding his breath, ready for the moment of crisis, when the locked door was kicked open.

As if on cue, his legs cramped, and An Xun, just having stood up, crouched down again.

Uncle Liu entered to see a room in disarray, with the haughty An Xin and domineering Liu Tang cornering his pitiful husband against the wall, seemingly about to beat him.

Mother Chen arrived belatedly, gasping for air at the sight, her lips trembling, Father An was so angry he nearly fainted.

An Xun was led away in confusion, still unclear on how the three had found him, his plans once again disrupted.

He endured an unwarranted scolding.

An Xun limped into his home, his calf muscles aching as he walked.

Bo Xiangzhou was in the living room, fiddling with a new kumquat plant he had bought that morning. Seeing An Xun’s state, he put down the gardening shears, furrowed his brows, and asked, “What happened?”