Chapter 1 – Matching Degree of 99%

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“99%?!”

In the bright and comfortable living room, a scream abruptly tore through the tranquility.

On the sofa sat a mother and her son, both bearing the air of pampered nobility, only, their expressions were far from pleasant.

The shouting teenager, after finishing his yell, stood up agitatedly and paced back and forth: “How could that country bumpkin have a 99% compatibility rate with Third Young Master Xie? That’s fucking ridiculous!”

He took another lap, unwilling to accept it, and asked, “Can’t we say it was a machine malfunction?”

The noblewoman’s tone also showed unwillingness: “No, that’s the Xie family’s own hospital.”

The teenager’s expression was twisted, becoming even more agitated.

In the past half month, the most discussed topic in the upper circles was the sudden marriage alliance between the Xie family and the Song family.

The Xie family was powerful and deeply rooted. Though none of their direct heirs had yet proven to be dazzlingly exceptional, they were all above standard—far from the point of needing a marriage alliance.

In contrast, the Song family barely ranked among the third-tier families on the intricate Imperial Capital Star. For these two families to form a marriage alliance, people were bewildered and confused as to how it came about.

Rumor had it that for this matter, the Xie family had brought back Third Young Master Xie.

This Alpha was the child of the Xie family head and his second wife. After her death, Third Young Master Xie had lived with his maternal grandfather’s family for years and had a rather distant relationship with the rest of the Xie family. Now that he was being used as a sacrifice for the family alliance, no one found it surprising.

However, the Song family’s actions were somewhat perplexing.

Based on the Song family’s foundation, being able to form a marriage alliance with the Xie family was a huge advantage. The Song family head also happened to have an Omega son who had just come of age. 

So, when the news broke, people all assumed these two would marry. However, the Song family actually brought back an orphan who had been raised in the countryside.

This orphan was named Song Yan, the child of the Song family head’s elder brother. It was said that he had poor health and had been recuperating in the countryside since childhood, never having been to the Imperial Capital Star all these years.

Everyone couldn’t help but start speculating, with all kinds of guesses floating around.

Only a very small number of informed individuals knew that the Song family head originally intended to marry off his son. The main person involved had recently hinted at it, but for some unknown reason, the person changed.

【The one marrying into the Xie family is your brother, I thought it was you.】

【I heard your brother is going to marry into the Xie family? Isn’t it supposed to be you?】

Looking at the messages on his communicator, the young man was instantly ready to curse again.

The outside world didn’t know the full story, but they themselves knew it all too well.

Song Yan’s maternal grandfather and Old Master Xie were old acquaintances, which led to this arranged marriage. But he and his parents had always believed that with the right manipulation, the final chosen one would be him. 

He had even secretly asked for photos of Third Young Master Xie recently. Who knew that the Xie family specifically requested Song Yan by name?

Today, he finally understood why—

The Xie family had used the pheromone data of Third Young Master Xie and Song Yan for a compatibility match, and the result came back as 99%.

After the birth of the compatibility system, “compatibility theory” and “emotion theory” had always been at odds.

The former believed that high compatibility would naturally lead to good feelings. Data showed that couples with high compatibility had more stable emotional lives after marriage and produced more excellent offspring. The latter, however, felt that couples with good emotions might not necessarily have high compatibility, and humans should not let data control their thoughts. But no matter what, people were not forced to do compatibility tests when registering for marriage; it was entirely up to personal will.

The system maintained that absolute pheromone compatibility didn’t exist—only asymptotic proximity to 100%. A score of 99% was the system’s highest output. Such matches were exceedingly rare; even a single pair every few years was a stretch.

And the Xie family happened to be in urgent need of a truly outstanding heir. So, once the result came out, Old Master Xie set his sights on Song Yan without hesitation.

The noblewoman looked at her irate son and said, “This can’t be changed. Calm yourself. As long as we maintain good relations with the Xie family and our household’s status rises, you’ll have no shortage of admirers.”

The teen understood that in theory, but after seeing a photo of Third Young Master Xie, he still felt bitter: “That country bumpkin is not worthy of Third Young Master Xie. If they meet and Third Young Master Xie doesn’t like him, wouldn’t he consider matching with my pheromone data instead? As long as it’s above 90%, there’s a chance, right?”

You think scoring above 90% is that easy?

The noblewoman did not say he was fantasizing but stated the facts: “Your father sounded them out. The Xie family is only considering Song Yan. Even if Third Young Master Xie disagrees, it won’t be your turn. For the Song family’s future, this cannot fall through, do you understand?”

The teen’s heart turned cold and he suddenly felt a little flustered.

Today, Song Yan was going to meet Third Young Master Xie, and he had deliberately helped him pick out a gaudy outfit, hoping Song Yan would mess up the meeting. Could something go wrong?

After all, with a 99% match rate, even if Third Young Master Xie wasn’t pleased, Old Master Xie wouldn’t back down.

Yes, nothing would go wrong.

He forcibly calmed himself down.

At this moment, a guest slowly walked into the Sky Restaurant in the city center, looking around uneasily.

On his upper half, he wore a silk shirt divided into garish yellow and purple; on his lower half, a pair of wide-legged cotton pants printed with bright red flowers and green leaves. The whole outfit was visually overwhelming, and just standing at the entrance attracted all eyes around him.

People’s eyes naturally followed that indescribably awful outfit upward, then caught sight of the wearer’s face.

Slightly upturned eyes, a perfectly proportioned nose, crimson lips… and the inhibitor collar on his neck confirmed it: this was an Omega, and a very beautiful one at that.

Unfortunately, his taste was questionable and  his good looks were overshadowed by his clothes.

A server immediately stepped forward. “Sir, do you have a reservation?”

Song Yan lowered his gaze, not daring to meet anyone’s eyes, and spoke softly, “Y-Yes… Room 202, under the name Xie.”

“Alright,” the server checked the device and smiled, gesturing with her hand. “Please come this way, I’ll take you there.”

She led him across the main hall and stopped in front of Room 202, then opened the door.

Inside sat a young man, scrolling on a light screen. His fingers were long and attractive, and he wore an Alpha-exclusive suppression band on his wrist. When he heard the sound and looked over, his beautiful peach blossom eyes held a hint of laziness, both dashing and elegant.

But that wasn’t the most striking part.

He was wearing a pink T-shirt with gold embroidery, paired with plaid pants made from stripes of four different clashing colors. On his feet were dazzling bright blue ankle boots with open toes.

The server: “……”

She must have been busy earlier and wasn’t present when this guest arrived, which was why she was only now witnessing his impressive appearance.

She remained in the door-opening position, unmoving. Song Yan, seeing this, slowly stepped inside. The entire private room could instantly be described with one phrase: a riot of colors.

The server stared at the two stunningly attractive guests. Overwhelmed by the intense colors, she suddenly had a dazed thought: Wait… is this a couple’s outfit?

She felt the young man’s gaze sweep over her and immediately composed herself, pouring a glass of lemonade for the new guest. After confirming they didn’t need any other services, she smiled, excused herself, and left.

As soon as she turned around, she saw the door of the adjacent private room open. Two young men were peeking around the doorframe, their expressions filled with shock. She paused slightly and politely asked if they needed any help.

Both young men shook their heads simultaneously.

They were members of the Xie family and had secretly followed Third Young Master Xie today.

Today, Third Young Master Xie had arranged to meet Song Yan for a meal.

Having been raised outside for years and suddenly thrown into a marriage arrangement upon returning, the family patriarch worried he might act out in resentment. He wanted to have a word with him beforehand, however, before he even reached the location, he saw him from a distance, dressed in that garish outfit, step into a car and drive off.

“……” Old Master Xie’s eye twitched violently. Still uneasy, he sent two younger family members to follow.

By now, the news of the 99% match had spread throughout the family. Rumor had it that the two were destined to fall in love at first sight, followed by instant mutual affection—like lightning striking dry wood, fated and unstoppable. The two young men, claiming they had never witnessed such a miracle, readily agreed to come along.

Unexpectedly, they were shocked at their first sight of Song Yan and immediately started a small group chat.

【Oh my goodness, Grandpa, the compatibility system is amazing!】

【It’s like one half of a circle finding the other half, they actually match up!】

【Truly worthy of 99% compatibility!】

Old Master Xie was inexplicably added to the group chat. He read these messages and knowingly asked:【You saw Song Yan?】

【Yes!】

【Look at the photo I snapped [image]】

Old Master Xie stared at the image—Song Yan, decked out in blinding reds and greens—and fell into silence.

The two teenagers witnessing the scene continued to be amazed.

【How about it, Grandpa? Look at the photo I snapped of Third Brother [image]】

【I think they definitely didn’t plan this in advance, it’s definitely 99% tacit understanding!】

【I agree! Anyone who sees these two photos would have to say two words!】

【Perfect match!】

Old Master Xie: “……”

Inside the private room, separated by a wall, the two individuals scrutinized each other’s appearance and both fell silent.

They both knew about the 99% compatibility and scoffed at the idea of love at first sight.

So, Song Yan went along with wearing the clothes his cousin chose, while Third Young Master Xie picked his own. The two of them had the same idea, which was to lower the first impression by using an eye-catching method. They didn’t believe love could still spark under such circumstances.

However, they never expected it to be like this.

They wondered what the other person was thinking… Many thoughts raced through their minds in an instant.

Compared to Song Yan’s shy and furtive glances, Xie Chenyu’s gaze was far more direct. After scanning him from head to toe, he spoke in a warm tone, “You’re Song Yan, right? I’m Xie Chenyu. I messaged you yesterday. Come, have a seat.”

Song Yan sat across from him. When he saw Xie Chenyu pull up the menu screen on the table and ask what he wanted to eat, he glanced up briefly, then looked down again and answered softly, “As long as it’s not spicy… anything’s fine.”

He had kept his eyes lowered all this time, but now as he looked up, the two finally got a proper look at each other’s faces and thought simultaneously: Putting everything else aside, this face is indeed good.

But that was all. It was far from enough to stir any emotions.

Song Yan lowered his head to examine the table, his bangs covering his brows and eyes, looking shy.

Xie Chenyu withdrew his gaze: “Then I’ll just order?”

Song Yan gave a timid “Mm.”

Xie Chenyu scrolled through the screen, ordering: “Your outfit is quite nice. Did you pick it yourself?”

Song Yan carefully considered the tone, genuinely unable to tell if it was complimentary or not, and looked up again.

After Xie Chenyu asked that question, he continued to look at the menu. Song Yan couldn’t discern any meaning from his face and honestly replied: “My cousin chose it. He said… he said it was from the show this year. I think it’s pretty good, better than the ones in our market.”

He smiled timidly and shyly.

Very good, sufficiently rustic, stupid, and inexperienced, he thought. This should solidify things. He raised his eyes to look at the person opposite.

The imagined disgust did not appear.

Xie Chenyu’s expression did not change at all. He moved the screen in front of him, and his tone was still friendly: “Take a look, are these okay?”

Song Yan: “……”

What was going on? Could he actually like this type?

He re-examined Xie Chenyu’s outfit, considering the possibility that this was the man’s genuine fashion style, and fell silent.