Chapter 99: Shen Yu is My Little Brother-in-Law!

Ji Laili and Shen Yu were together. AO-together. Third-leg-involved together.

This phrase was spamming the Federation Military Academy forums, hitting every Alpha like a fresh shockwave.

Rumors said the scene at the time was pure chaos. The moment Eugene finished speaking, some Alphas, too overwhelmed to accept it, flat-out refused to believe it—to the point where one went straight up to Shen Yu to ask.

“Senior Shen, are you really together?”

“Together as in… AO-together?”

“As in… there’s a third leg involved?”

Everyone thought Shen Yu would just ignore them—or at most, give them a cold glance.

But while the cold glare was there… why were his ears turning red?

The Alpha watched in disbelief as Shen Yu’s ears slowly flushed red while he stood there with his usual pale face, exuding an aura of intimidation.

But at this moment… yeah, he wasn’t that intimidating anymore.

The Alpha stared at Shen Yu, watching him tighten his grip on Ji Laili’s hand as if declaring ownership. His gaze was warning—almost like he was afraid they’d steal Ji Laili away or harbor other thoughts about him.

The Alpha was horrified. Why the hell would I even have those thoughts?!

“No, no, no—my instincts can’t be wrong. This has to be fake…”

Some were on the verge of realizing the truth but clung desperately to denial.

Others had been so severely shaken that, while they verbally denied it, deep down, they had already accepted it.

But the real chaos unfolded on the forums, where clips of Ji Laili and Shen Yu kept getting posted.

—User ID 777 was cranking out a new CP video every half hour.

Their goal? To comfort the heartbroken Alphas, providing a sanctuary for their shattered souls.

Unfortunately, this led to a full-scale Alpha backlash, igniting a massive comment war across the forums.

But all of that had nothing to do with Ji Laili.

“So it’s real? I’m not dreaming? Or wait… is this some new type of hallucinogen the Empire invented?”

Lei Po, still in a daze, was struggling to accept reality. Halfway through his sentence, he straight-up abandoned reality altogether and started fabricating a new one.

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became. Yes! This had to be the truth! His eyes regained their clarity, hands in his pockets.

“The Empire is damn cunning.”

“I almost fell for it. As long as I wake up, this will all be over.”

He flashed a reckless, arrogant grin.

Ji Laili: “…”

Ignoring the dumb Alpha, Ji Laili turned to Ji Laili and asked, “When did this start?”

At the mention of “start,” his gaze lingered a moment longer on Shen Yu.

It was clear that this sudden public relationship announcement had caught them both off guard.

Ji Laili didn’t miss the possessiveness hidden beneath Shen Yu’s cold expression, nor the fleeting surprise in Ji Laili’s eyes.

Though Ji Laili himself had been momentarily stunned, he quickly accepted that this wasn’t some kind of joke.

As Ji Laili tried to leave, Ji Laili blocked his way.

“Let’s talk, Laili.”

A statement disguised as a question—spoken with the certainty that he wouldn’t be refused.

It sounded a little arrogant.

But that was just Ji Laili’s natural demeanor. He was confident his childhood friend wouldn’t reject him.

The real point of interest? Shen Yu.

The moment Ji Laili stepped in, Shen Yu spoke coldly, hostility barely concealed.

“What do you want to talk to him about?”

Ji Laili lifted his gaze and replied indifferently:

“His relationship with you.”

After that brief exchange, Shen Yu’s hostility vanished.

Ji Laili couldn’t even figure out why.

What else could he and Ji Laili talk about? Dating advice?

Ji Laili didn’t understand why Shen Yu’s aggression appeared so suddenly and then disappeared just as fast.

But from that point on, Shen Yu kept his mouth shut, even when Lei Po spouted more idiotic theories.

The only thing he did was glance at Ji Laili before quickly withdrawing his gaze—then continued watching Ji Laili.

Even now, Shen Yu didn’t interrupt, just quietly stayed by Ji Laili’s side, watching him smile.

“Ji-ge, I thought you wouldn’t believe it either.”

Ji Laili glanced at Lei Po—who was still convinced this was an imperial conspiracy—and shrugged.

“I mean, even Lei-ge ended up like this.”

“Don’t lump me in with this dumb Alpha.” Ji Laili frowned.

“Alright, alright, my bad, ge. Wrong choice of words—you two are completely different. Ji-ge is amazing.”

Hearing that, Ji Laili’s frown eased.

Then, an arrogant voice cut in:

“Hah, of course we’re different. I wouldn’t even let myself be compared to this guy.”

Lei-ge, even if you think this is a hallucination, could you just accept defeat for once? Ji Laili wanted to laugh but simply patted him on the back.

“Of course, ge, you’re incredible too.”

“Maybe that’s why people compare you two—you’re both too outstanding.”

Lei Po still looked a little unhappy but also a little smug. Ji Laili gave him a cold glance but didn’t bother to argue.

So… Laili interacts with them like this too?

Shen Yu, standing by Ji Laili’s side, silently observed their conversation.

He discovered a new side of Ji Laili.

A sense of satisfaction mixed with displeasure—these Alphas took up too much of Laili’s time.

How annoying.

Didn’t they have training to do?

Shen Yu narrowed his eyes, suppressing his irritation—until his gaze fell on Ji Laili’s smiling face.

Instantly, all his displeasure melted away.

He tightened his grip on Ji Laili’s hand.

Ji Laili looked at him, confused.

Shen Yu smiled slightly. “Laili, you’re amazing.”

Even without training, he could play those two Alphas like puppets.

“Eh?” Ji Laili blinked, totally confused why his beautiful, adorable boyfriend was suddenly praising him.

After a brief moment of puzzlement, he simply accepted it, grinning and revealing his little canine teeth.

“Not that amazing. Shen-xuezhang is the best in my heart.”

“Better than anyone.”

Shen Yu’s smile deepened.

His grip on Ji Laili’s hand tightened slightly, a subtle but clear response.

Ji Laili glanced at him—and was met with a pair of dark, damp eyes, completely focused on him.

Ji Laili: “…?”

Ji Laili, watching from the side, felt like he had just been force-fed dog food.

“…Laili.” Ji Laili, expressionless, finally spoke.

When the two turned to look at him, he kicked over their plate of dog food.

“Are we still continuing this conversation?”

Now, he was truly convinced they were together.

Ji Laili rubbed his cheek awkwardly. “Sorry, ge, it’s my first time dating.”

He smiled. “Does this count as a family introduction?”

Seeing Ji Laili’s stunned face and Lei Po’s expression of pure existential crisis, Ji Laili naturally continued—

“After all, you guys are my most important people here.”

“Ji-ge, and… Lei-ge, who thinks he’s hallucinating—meet Shen Yu.”

Ji Laili lifted their intertwined hands.

His grin was bright as sunlight.

“The person I like. Ge, please take care of him from now on.”

“From now on, he’s your little brother-in-law.”

The treatment room was still waiting for him, and just thinking about it made Ji Laili’s nose start to feel uncomfortable.

Damn rhinitis!

He waved to his friends and pulled Shen Yu away.

Zhai Yifei watched his back. That little curly-haired guy was as cheerful as always—so full of energy when alone, and even with Shen Yu by his side, it didn’t feel out of place at all.

Whenever he ran around wildly, there would always be another hand pulling him back. He would pause for a second before shrugging it off with a bright smile, dragging the other person along with him.

“So weirdly harmonious.”

“…I really hope this is just a dream.”

Zhai Yifei glanced at Lei Po, who had a serious expression on his face, and scoffed. “Wake up, dumbass A.”

As usual, Lei Po, who always came alive during confrontations, quickly put on his cool and cocky persona. “A dream? I was just joking. You didn’t actually believe that, did you?”

“If my bro has a partner, of course, I’d support him! I was just testing your attitude earlier.”

Zhai Yifei’s temple twitched. “You better shut up. Don’t think all Alphas are idiots like you.”

Lei Po snorted, trying hard to suppress the tiny bit of guilt creeping up in him. Then, as if remembering something, his face lit up with smug satisfaction.

“Wait, what did Laili say just now? That Shen Yu is my sister-in-law?”

“Hahaha! Shen Yu is my sister-in-law!”

“I never thought I’d see the day! My little bro is amazing! Now the patrol team has to show me some respect, right?”

Lei Po’s imagination ran wild. He pictured those arrogant patrol seniors wanting to crush him but not being able to, making him want to sing Ji Laili’s praises.

Lei Po was overjoyed.

Zhai Yifei: “…Pathetic.”

That’s what he said, but the corners of his mouth curled into a smile. “Don’t forget, when Laili said ‘bro,’ he wasn’t just talking about you.”

“…Do you have to stick your nose into everything?”

Zhai Yifei shot him a look and couldn’t be bothered to respond.

——

When Ji Laili arrived at the treatment room, he, unsurprisingly, got an earful.

The Beta doctor angrily scolded him, “Kid, can’t you take better care of yourself?”

“Do you even realize how long you’ve been keeping that Omega waiting inside? He was getting impatient and wanted to leave! If no one helps you with your pheromone regulation, are you planning to hold it in until you explode?!”

“There’s been no progress at all! If I weren’t a Beta, I’d just do it myself!”

“Your pheromone accumulation levels have already exceeded the safe limit! This is dangerous!”

The Beta doctor was frustrated. “You young Alphas are all the same—thinking you can push your limits just because you’ve got a little bit of strength.”

He sneered. “I’d like to see just how miserable your little O is gonna be in the future. Oh, wait—can you Alphas even find a mate?”

…Such aggression.

But unfortunately for him, Ji Laili already had a partner, so that wouldn’t be a problem.

That said, he didn’t dare say anything. He knew he was in the wrong, so he just dodged the verbal attacks, obediently staying silent.

When the Beta doctor really got into his rant, Ji Laili quietly turned to Shen Yu with a pleading look.

Little butterfly, save me!

Shen Yu, of course, noticed Ji Laili’s gaze. He didn’t like seeing the Beta doctor scolding Laili so harshly.

But he had to admit—the doctor was completely right. As Shen Yu listened, he even reflected on his own actions.

He shouldn’t have delayed things just to make a statement. That kind of thing could wait.

With a cold expression, Shen Yu silently agreed with the doctor’s words. Laili really should take better care of himself. So when Ji Laili looked to him for help, Shen Yu hesitated—then looked away.

He looked away…

Ji Laili’s eyes widened in disbelief, his crescent-moon-shaped pupils filled with shock.

Like a wronged puppy, his curls drooped, and he stared at Shen Yu with a look of pure betrayal.

Shen Yu, whose resolve was already wavering, felt himself crumbling even more under that pitiful gaze. He couldn’t hold out any longer—his heart softened instantly.

Laili wasn’t completely reckless. He himself was partly responsible for today’s situation. He shouldn’t leave Laili to take the blame alone.

Ji Laili’s subtle excitement was obvious, but just as he was about to get his much-needed support, the Beta doctor followed his gaze and noticed Shen Yu.

The doctor paused, surprised. “Shen Yu? What are you doing here?”

Ji Laili: …He’s been here the whole time. You were just too busy scolding me.

“Perfect timing.” The Beta doctor smirked like he had just found a new ally. “According to your patrol team’s rules, how should he be punished?”

Ji Laili scratched the back of his head with a troubled look but secretly winked at Shen Yu.

‘Senior Shen, go easy on me~’

After delivering his message, his crescent-moon eyes curved into a mischievous grin, and he tilted his head, winking playfully—his little canine teeth flashing brightly.

That was cheating.

As one of the patrol team’s leaders, Shen Yu gave him a seemingly indifferent glance.

After a moment of silence, he quietly betrayed the system.

“Since it’s his first offense, we’ll be lenient.”

“This time only—don’t do it again.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the Beta doctor looked at him in disbelief, while Ji Laili couldn’t hold back his smile.

The doctor wanted to ask Shen Yu—are you sure it’s only this once?

But before he could say it, Ji Laili already knew the answer.

With that thought, Ji Laili smiled at the dumbfounded Beta doctor, eyes crinkling in delight.

Hehe, bet you didn’t see that coming—he’s my backup!