Chapter 7: Picking Someone Up from A University

Ruan Yan handed the processed experimental data to Yu Wan.

“Ruan Yan, come here.”

It was the professor’s voice.

Ruan Yan set down the beaker in his hands and walked over.

A gaze fell on him. Ruan Yan tilted his head slightly.

Beside the professor stood a man. When he noticed Ruan Yan looking at him, he extended his hand with a slight smile. “Hello, Ruan Yan. My name is Jiang Yizhou.”

Jiang Yizhou had striking features, his brows and eyes carrying a perpetual warmth. He had broad shoulders and long legs. In the lab, though there were no Omegas, there were plenty of Betas. As soon as Jiang Yizhou appeared, quite a few female Alphas and Betas turned their attention toward him.

Ruan Yan lifted his hand and brushed his fingers briefly against Jiang Yizhou’s in a fleeting handshake. “Hello.”

A faint yet distinct scent of pheromones lingered in the air, carrying an inexplicable pressure. Ruan Yan frowned slightly—Alphas who released their pheromones so casually in public lacked basic etiquette.

The professor spoke, “Ruan Yan, Jiang Yizhou is Professor Tong’s final student from C University’s medical department. He’s here to observe and learn. You are my most outstanding student—take the time to discuss the experiments with him.”

Ruan Yan glanced at the professor, then subtly observed the other Alpha students nearby. No one else seemed to notice the scent of Jiang Yizhou’s pheromones.

Jiang Yizhou took a step closer to Ruan Yan, his smile deepening. “Ruan Yan, I’ll be relying on you to introduce me to the lab’s work over the next while.”

Without a hint of expression, Ruan Yan stepped back slightly. “Alright.”

The other party was young—at least a full generation younger than the old foxes of the Commerce Guild.

Yet, no one in the guild dared to underestimate him now.

“The transport of goods? Fine. As long as you pay enough and pass my inspections, do whatever you want.” Xiao Jin idly fiddled with the black ring on his index finger, a smirk playing on his lips. His gaze swept over the seasoned businessmen across from him, sending a chill down their spines. “But if you’re trying to move certain… questionable items through my territory—” He tapped the ring against the table, the metallic click unnervingly crisp. “Well, let’s see if my gun agrees with that.”

“You… Do you even know who’s backing the Commerce Guild?” one of them stammered.

“I know.” Xiao Jin cut him off, tapping his boot against the table. “So what? You people have been pestering me for two months now, and those big shots behind you haven’t stepped in. What, are they afraid of me?”

Standing behind Xiao Jin, Ji Duan had already done his research. On the surface, the six overseers of the Federation seemed to coexist in harmony, but in reality, they kept each other in check.

Everyone knew who was really pulling the strings behind the Commerce Guild, but as long as no one publicly acknowledged it, they all had to pretend ignorance.

The six overseers of the Federation were far from the clean-cut figures they appeared to be in the news. The Commerce Guild was one of their biggest financial powerhouses.

“You—!” The representatives of the guild were livid, their faces flushed with anger.

Xiao Jin simply waved a hand dismissively as he got up, already losing interest. “Like I said—if you’re thinking of moving illicit goods through my turf, forget it.”

As soon as he left, murmured discussions broke out in the conference room, the guild members debating their next steps.

The heavy doors swung shut behind Xiao Jin. He stretched his arms lazily, letting out a breath. Two months of negotiations and confrontations—even he was starting to feel the strain.

At least, for now, he had secured his foothold in District One.

Ji Duan spoke up. “Boss, I heard a new bar just opened up in District One. Want to check it out and unwind a little?”

“No, I’m heading home to catch up on sleep.” Xiao Jin didn’t even think twice, his gaze darkening with a hint of cold ruthlessness. “There won’t be many peaceful days ahead.”

“Fair enough.” Ji Duan shrugged.

He knew exactly what Xiao Jin meant. Their recent moves would inevitably attract the Federation’s attention sooner or later.

A black Land Rover cruised down a pedestrian street. Xiao Jin glanced sideways at the crowded walkway, mostly filled with students in casual attire.

The sight of students suddenly reminded him of something. His lips curled slightly. “Take the next turn. We’re heading to A University to pick someone up.”

“Got it.” Ji Duan immediately recalled Ruan Yan and smoothly turned the wheel.

Though, he still didn’t quite get it—of all people, why was the boss interested in an Alpha? Weren’t soft, sweet Omegas more appealing?

---

On the tree-lined paths of A University, the week’s classes had finally wrapped up. Jiang Yizhou had been called in by the professor, leaving no more unwelcome company. Taking full advantage, Yu Wan practically draped himself over Ruan Yan. “Yan yan, let’s go check out the pedestrian street.”

Omegas weren’t allowed in the lab, and since Yu Wan didn’t stay in the dorms, Ruan Yan was the only real friend he had at school.

If anyone knew Yu Wan was an Omega and saw him hanging off an Alpha like this, they’d probably start gossiping.

But to both Yu Wan and Ruan Yan, the world should be equal for Alphas and Omegas. Besides, neither of them had any romantic thoughts about the other. They were completely at ease, and they couldn’t care less about what others thought.

“Alright.” Ruan Yan agreed without hesitation.

For the past week, because of Jiang Yizhou’s presence, Yu Wan had kept his distance from him.

As the two of them were about to leave the campus, Ruan Yan’s arm was suddenly tugged.

Yu Wan’s hand that was holding onto Ruan Yan’s arm was also jerked along.

Ruan Yan turned around to see that it was Jiang Yizhou who had grabbed him, his brow furrowing slightly.

For some reason, being close to Jiang Yizhou didn’t sit well with him, though he could tolerate it.

“Ruan Yan,” Jiang Yizhou called his name, “Thank you for looking after me in the lab this week. How about I treat you to a meal?”

Yu Wan could barely stop himself from rolling his eyes. One reason was that he didn’t want to reveal his Omega identity, but the other reason, he couldn’t quite explain. He just had a feeling that Jiang Yizhou didn’t have the best intentions toward Ruan Yan.

After all, there were others in the lab, yet Jiang Yizhou had singled Ruan Yan out.