Chapter 45: Gone, Not a Drop Left

No matter how cold or intimidating Shen Yu was, Ji Laili could always catch glimpses of something oddly gentle in him—something completely out of place.

Ji Laili couldn’t help but smile. “Senior Shen.”

“Hm?” The young man lifted his gaze, puzzled.

Ji Laili suddenly declared, “I’ve pieced myself back together now.”

Under Shen Yu’s confused gaze, Ji Laili blinked playfully. “Now I’m a happy little puppy again~”

He had only joked earlier about being a brokenhearted puppy. But now? He wasn’t sad in the slightest.

The cold and beautiful Alpha looked at him in a daze, unwilling to show weakness. In the blink of an eye, his expression shifted back to his usual indifferent demeanor as he let out a soft “hm.”

Ji Laili leisurely took in the scene and sighed dramatically.

Sigh, I really have become a little worse again.

—

Not far away, Eugene’s pupils shook.

Shen Yu had actively placed his hand on Ji Laili’s shoulder!

Shen Yu was patiently listening to him talk!

And even laughing along with him!

“Heh.” Eugene sneered, tilting his nose slightly. “Shen Yu, you’re acting suspicious!”

“Just wait until I uncover all your secrets and expose them to everyone.”

Muttering to himself, Eugene’s eyes glinted with malice.

“An Alpha-hating man getting so close to another Alpha? There must be some unspeakable secret between them!”

His interest in this matter grew stronger.

However, when training time began, Eugene forced himself to put aside his curiosity. He hadn’t forgotten—

These two were definitely in cahoots, conspiring to get him removed from his position as acting instructor.

Eugene wouldn’t give them that chance!

—

After three grueling days, the anti-pheromone training finally ended.

During this time, the Alphas had been running back and forth between two different training regimens—first getting drained in the sealed-off pheromone chamber, then rushing to the practical training field to get beaten up.

The days were unbearable. They cursed the mastermind behind this torturous training—Instructor Aiger—as a complete sadist.

Did he think Alphas weren’t human?!

Yet despite their complaints, every freshman persevered.

And under this relentless, insane training, they became tougher, their tolerance for pain increased, and their combat skills improved rapidly.

Instructor Aiger was the strongest, so the military academy always entrusted him with training the freshmen.

He was undeniably sick of it.

Seeing these cocky, weak brats trying to act tough irritated him.

But that didn’t mean he didn’t care about them.

No one understood Alphas better than another Alpha. A little progress, and they’d get cocky, thinking they were invincible.

That’s why suppression training was essential!

Aiger had come today intending to crush their arrogance, but to his surprise, he didn’t even need to lift a finger.

Ji Laili alone had handled everything.

This kid was like a sponge—throw him into water, and he’d absorb and expand.

More terrifyingly, everyone knew that if you squeezed a sponge, there was always a little more to drain out.

And so, after each training session, the Alphas lay on the ground like half-dead dogs, gasping for breath.

“Gone… not a drop left…”

Their arrogance? Completely shattered.

Aiger, satisfied, took a final look around and prepared to leave.

But before he did, he noticed something else.

“That kid doesn’t seem very well-liked. Just like you.”

Lifting his chin, he motioned toward Eugene, who stood alone, head held high, drilling the freshmen.

“The brats under Philo treat him pretty coldly. Tsk, what happened there?”

Aiger became interested.

“Little Shen, why don’t you bring him over to our side? If Philo finds out his own people ‘defected,’ it’d be hilarious.”

Shen Yu’s voice was indifferent. “Didn’t you say you disliked him?”

“I don’t like him, but I don’t hate him either.” Aiger appraised. “He’s dumb, but not a bad kid.”

Just days ago, Eugene had annoyed him so much that Aiger had deliberately released pheromones to pressure him. But now?

Honestly, Shen Yu couldn’t figure out what was so special about Eugene.

Seeing Shen Yu’s bored expression, Aiger clicked his tongue. “Forget it. Talking to you about Alphas is pointless. Just don’t kill him, that’s all I ask.”

Recruiting Eugene was out of the question.

Shen Yu’s cold expression didn’t change.

Aiger sighed. Alphas are just too much trouble…

Then, as if remembering something, he warned, “That Ji Laili kid—be careful with him. I plan to take him under my wing, so don’t scare him off.”

Shen Yu’s gaze flickered slightly. He glanced at the curly-haired boy beside him.

“I’ll take him.”

“You’ll—huh?” Aiger widened his eyes, rubbing his ears. “You messing with me?”

“Be honest with me. Are the rumors true?”

Aiger’s expression turned serious. “You don’t like him, so you’re planning to take him down?”

Shen Yu: “….”

He could hardly believe such ridiculous rumors existed.

Were these Alphas completely brainless?

Seeing Shen Yu’s silence, Aiger thought he’d hit the mark. Stroking his chin, he arched an eyebrow.

“If you’re gonna take him down, be careful not to get caught.”

Shen Yu’s fingers stiffened slightly.

Aiger suddenly burst into laughter, folding his arms as he glanced at him sideways.

“That kind of dangerous thinking—you better not have it. You won’t be able to keep it hidden for long.”

“I don’t feel like dealing with annoying people just to bail you out.”

“Don’t worry, Instructor! Senior Shen knows what he’s doing. He won’t trouble you!”

Aiger was startled by Ji Laili’s sudden appearance, almost reacting on instinct.

His expression turned dangerous. “What are you doing here? If you’re not training, do you want to be punished?”

Ji Laili grinned. “Just stopping by to say hi, Instructor. Besides, Senior Shen is in charge of my training right now. You’ve been talking to him for so long—I couldn’t train even if I wanted to, right?”

He blinked innocently.

“You’re saying Shen Yu is responsible for you?”

Aiger eyed them suspiciously.

Shen Yu’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly, but he said nothing.

Ji Laili looked him straight in the eye, his face saying, Is there a problem with that?

Everyone knew that Alphas weren’t great at thinking too deeply about certain things.

Aiger wasn’t sure what he was overthinking, but his expression softened ever so slightly.

“So you actually took my orders seriously, huh? Already making your move so soon.”

Recruiting people already, huh?

This was going to drive Philo insane.

In that instant, Aiger forgave all of Shen Yu’s recent behavior. Hands behind his back, he walked away, satisfied.

Ji Laili, however, was confused.

“What order?”

Shen Yu had no interest in discussing other Alphas.

Instead, he reached out and grasped Ji Laili’s wrist.

The cool touch immediately captured the smaller Alpha’s full attention.

Ji Laili’s thoughts quickly shifted from Why was Instructor Aiger acting weird? to His hands are cold. But mine are warm. Should I warm them up for him?

Being the straightforward puppy he was, he instinctively clasped the chilly hand in return.

His fingers brushed over Shen Yu’s sharp knuckles, then unconsciously rubbed against the protruding bone.

“Your hand is really cold. Is it always like this?”

The warmth from Ji Laili’s palm seemed to spread over Shen Yu.

Shen Yu felt the heat.

He pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

Ji Laili, thinking Shen Yu was uncomfortable, loosened his grip slightly.

“I—”

But just as he let go, the cold touch returned.

Ji Laili hesitated, looking down at their interlocked hands.

Above him, a voice as clear as fractured ice spoke, tinged with an almost imperceptible awkwardness.

“You’re really warm.”

“Ah.” Ji Laili suddenly felt a little warm himself.

A cool little butterfly hand… so nice to hold.

He gave the knuckles another gentle squeeze and, following his heart, said,

“Then I’ll warm you up.”