Ye Xing looked at Gu Xuanhao’s smug expression, finding it both adorable and infuriating. He had the sudden urge to pull the man over and ruffle his hair harshly. Just imagining Gu Xuanhao’s reaction after having his hair messed up made Ye Xing chuckle softly.

The eerie laughter startled Gu Xuanhao, making him instinctively take two steps back. He looked at Ye Xing warily.

“Ye Xing, what are you trying to do? I’m warning you, don’t mess around.”

Gu Xuanhao’s reaction made Ye Xing feel a bit sorry for him. He smiled warmly and took a step closer.

Even though the other man was physically weaker than him, Gu Xuanhao felt a dangerous aura and unconsciously retreated until his back hit the wall.

Ye Xing placed his hands on either side of Gu Xuanhao, trapping him. His gaze turned increasingly dangerous.

A shiver ran down Gu Xuanhao’s spine. Looking at Ye Xing’s unbearably annoying face, a sudden burst of anger flared up in him.

Damn it, why was he acting scared? He was Second Young Master Gu, the dream of countless Omegas! Why should he fear someone as harmless-looking as Ye Xing?

“Second Young Master.” Ye Xing leaned closer, his breath brushing against Gu Xuanhao’s neck. His voice, deliberately lowered, carried a dangerous undertone beneath its usual gentleness. “What if I told you that the one I’ve always wanted to mess with… is you?”

“Fuck off!”

Hearing those words, Gu Xuanhao instinctively raised his foot, aiming straight for Ye Xing’s vital area. Unfortunately, his full-force kick was effortlessly dodged.

Ye Xing moved in even closer, pressing their bodies together so tightly that Gu Xuanhao couldn’t even budge.

“Ye Xing, what do you want?” Though they were both Alphas, when faced with Ye Xing’s overwhelming pheromones, Gu Xuanhao suddenly felt at a disadvantage. Whether it was instinct or something else, he found himself inexplicably uneasy.

Now wasn’t the time for pride. His instincts screamed at him to put distance between himself and Ye Xing.

Ye Xing remained silent. No one knew what emotions lay beneath his fogged-up glasses. His eyes were fixed on Gu Xuanhao’s neck, and he couldn’t help but think—if Gu Xuanhao were an Omega, he would have bitten down already.

Marked him. Made it so he could never leave.

Who said two Alphas couldn’t be together?

As if unwilling to accept reality—or maybe out of spite toward this heartless “bastard”—Ye Xing bit down hard on Gu Xuanhao’s scent gland, forcibly injecting his pheromones.

Unlike Omegas, an Alpha’s body instinctively rejected another Alpha’s pheromones. The clash of two dominant scents was excruciating, a torment for both parties. Yet, as if possessed, Ye Xing repeated the action over and over again, as if doing so could make their conflicting pheromones harmonize.

At that moment, Gu Xuanhao suddenly had a terrifying thought—he felt like Ye Xing wanted to drag him into mutual destruction.

The realization horrified him. Coupled with Ye Xing’s momentary loss of control, his grip loosened slightly. Seizing the chance, Gu Xuanhao shoved him away with all his strength.

“Ye Xing.” Gu Xuanhao punched him hard in the left cheek. Despite his usual hot temper, he spoke with rare calmness. “I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, but let that punch be a wake-up call.”

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back.

The burning pain on his face brought Ye Xing back to reality. He touched his swollen cheek, a bitter smile forming on his usually refined face.

Heh… he lost control again.

Gu Xuanze’s words echoed in his mind:

“You’re both Alphas. Your instincts will only drive you to hurt each other.”

Back then, how had he replied?

“Even if I betray the whole world, I would never hurt him.”

Yet, just now, he had proven himself wrong.

The look in Gu Xuanhao’s eyes before he left had been like a dagger, piercing through all of Ye Xing’s carefully constructed façades.

At that moment, an absurd ringtone broke the tense atmosphere. Normally amusing, the sound was now unbearably grating. Annoyed, Ye Xing nearly smashed his phone to the ground—until he saw the caller ID.

His expression shifted instantly.

After a moment of adjusting his emotions, the ever-smiling fox reemerged.

“Well, this is rare. You actually took the initiative to call me.”

Whatever was said on the other end made Ye Xing’s face darken.

“I got it. I’ll be there right away.”

Meanwhile, in another car, Lu Youze sat in the passenger seat, looking bewildered at the driver—Gu Xuanze.

“President Gu, I’m really fine,” Lu Youze said, his lips twitching. “You can just drop me off at home. There’s no need to go to the hospital.”

What’s up with these two brothers? Do they both think I’m involved with the other?

Just as Lu Youze finished speaking, the car suddenly pulled over to the side of the road.

Gu Xianze turned his head with a serious expression, his gaze sharp and cold. “Youze, you don’t seem to care much about this child.”

Before Lu Youze could respond, Gu Xianze continued, “Is it because of the child’s father?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Gu Xianze realized he had overstepped.

“Sorry, I asked something I shouldn’t have. Just ignore what I said.”

“No, it’s fine.” Lu Youze shook his head, smiling openly. “The child’s situation isn’t exactly a secret. I wouldn’t take out my anger on the kid because of that. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Gu Xianze pressed.

Lu Youze glanced at him. Did he still think the child was Gu Xianhao’s? Was that why he was so concerned?

“Nothing, really.” Lu Youze shook his head with a smile. “President Gu, I’m really fine. I’d rather go home and rest than go to the hospital.”

Gu Xianze studied him for a moment before nodding, confirming that he truly seemed unharmed.

The rest of the ride was silent. Lu Youze had the feeling that Gu Xianze was upset about something. Where had he offended this big boss? He had originally planned to explain and apologize about Yu Li, but the atmosphere was so tense that he decided to wait and send a message on WeChat later.

“Youze, we’re here.” Gu Xianze pulled up in front of the Lu family residence and spoke.

Come to think of it, when did President Gu start calling him by name so naturally? It did sound better than having him formally address him as “Mr. Lu” all the time.

“Thank you, President Gu.” Lu Youze hurriedly got out of the car. “See you next time.”

Gu Xianze didn’t say anything, just silently watched as Lu Youze disappeared into the house. Then he leaned back in his seat, his expression growing even colder than before.

Thinking about the words Lu Youze had left unsaid, Gu Xianze felt even more irritated.