Fourth Day of Pretending to Be an Alpha

A Country.

In the Chi Family’s suburban villa.

The whole household was busy helping the young master of the Chi Family pack his luggage. They ended up with two suitcases full of hats, seven boxes of sneakers, and a whopping twenty-two boxes of clothes.

A tall, well-built Alpha stood in front of the full-length mirror in the walk-in closet, slipping on a trendy streetwear jacket.

He just gave himself a glance in the mirror before frowning the next second. 

“Doesn’t match my necklace.”

His assistant quickly smiled apologetically and handed him a few of the latest jackets. 

“Young Master Chi, why don’t you try these instead?”

In his heart though, the assistant was already silently roasting him. Only Young Master Chi could wear a jacket that cost tens of thousands to go with a necklace worth a couple hundred and still complain that it didn’t match.

“You little brat, what are you peacocking around for? You don’t look like a proper young master of the Chi Family at all.” Father Chi stood by with a dark expression, lecturing in a heavy tone.

“Let me warn you—don’t forget the mission for coming back this time.”

Mother Chi chimed in, “You and the youngest son of the Chu Family have a 100% compatibility rate. Our family really needs the Chu Family’s support right now—so you better not mess this up.”

As he changed clothes, Chi Cheng replied impatiently, “Who even cares about AO compatibility in this day and age? Isn’t that super outdated?”

Then, through the mirror, he glanced at his parents’ darkened faces and raised a brow. “Sorry, forgot you guys are from the last century.”

“You—” Father Chi held back his anger, glaring at him. “We set you up with so many blind dates and you bailed every single time. Now you’re 100% compatible with Chu Yun and you’re still not satisfied? What exactly do you want?!”

“Alright, alright, don’t yell at him.” Mother Chi took on the good cop role. “Xiao Jun, we know you liked Chu Yun when you were little…”

“How many times do I have to say this—don’t call me Xiao Jun.” Chi Cheng’s face darkened. “And also, who said I liked him when I was little?”

“Xiao Jun” was his childhood nickname.

Chi Cheng’s full name used to be Chi Chengjun, meaning “a galloping steed.” 

Later on, he thought the name sounded lame and practically dragged his parents to change it, dropping the “Jun.”

Father Chi didn’t buy it. “You didn’t like him? Then why were you always running over to their house when you were a kid, only willing to come home after dark? As far as I remember, the only Omega in their house is Chu Yun, right?”

Chi Cheng stiffened a little, his expression a bit awkward. He still insisted, “Don’t remember.”

“As long as you go back and make your stance clear, the Chu Family will definitely pick you first,” Mother Chi continued. “The only obstacle is Chu Yun’s big brother, Chu Mo. He probably doesn’t like you. But it doesn’t matter, as long as Chu Yun likes—”

“Who told you he doesn’t like me?” Chi Cheng cut her off angrily, tossing the jacket aside. “Mom, can you stop making stuff up?”

Mother Chi quickly said, “Of course Chu Yun likes you.”

“I wasn’t talking about Chu Yun!” Chi Cheng raised his voice.

His parents were both stunned for a second.

“If not Chu Yun… then Chu Mo?” Father Chi caught on, saying, “Well, you were pretty annoying as a kid. If I were Chu Mo, I’d be annoyed with you too.”

Chi Cheng’s face was pitch black as he stormed out of the walk-in closet.

Father Chi was fuming. “What are you throwing a fit for now?! Can’t even say a few words to you? Look at Chu Mo—he’s an Alpha too, how come the gap between you two is so huge…”

Chi Cheng ignored the voices trailing behind him.

Back in his room, he opened a box. Inside were all sorts of things.

Some building blocks, stuffed toys, envelopes…

And a white dress shirt.

Chi Cheng took the shirt out and laid it flat on the bed.

The shirt was clearly not his size and definitely not his style.

It was well-preserved and looked pretty new, but there were still traces of time on it.

Chi Cheng picked it up and held it to his nose, sniffing gently. The scent was of clean minty laundry detergent.

But it didn’t carry that familiar feeling from back then.

Very soon, Chi Cheng would be back in the country, meeting the owner of this shirt.

He carefully put the shirt into a kraft paper bag, calculated the time difference, and sent Chu Yun a message to say he was coming back soon.

Chu Yun was clearly surprised.

Chu Yun: [Why are you suddenly coming back?]

Chi Cheng: [Because of that damned compatibility score.]

Chu Yun: [Oh. Then don’t come back. There’s no way we’ll work out.]

Chi Cheng: [Well, thank God for that.]

Chu Yun had been annoyed with Chi Cheng since they were kids.

On the contrary, every time Chi Cheng came to the Chu Family, his goal wasn’t to hang out with Chu Yun at all—it was to get the attention of his big brother, Chu Mo.

As an only child, Chi Cheng was super envious that Chu Yun had an older brother. Especially every time he saw Chu Mo coming to pick up Chu Yun from kindergarten, Chi Cheng would just stand there and stare at Chu Mo like he was hypnotized.

Chi Cheng had once told Chu Yun, “If only Chu Mo were my brother.”

Chu Yun’s reply? “Don’t even think about stealing my brother!”

At first, Chi Cheng just played little pranks to get Chu Mo’s attention—like “accidentally” knocking over some blocks, kicking a ball into Chu Mo, or making him clean up some messes.

Then one day, when Chu Mo had just started high school, he got a love letter after school… and a certain nosy elementary schooler, Chi Cheng, happened to catch him in the act.

Fueled by envy and bitterness, Chi Cheng snitched to the Chu parents, saying that Chu Mo was planning to elope with a girl.

Chu Mo ended up getting dragged into the study and scolded by his parents. Chu Yun, furious, gave Chi Cheng a good old beatdown.

After Chu Mo came out of the study, he only said two words to Chi Cheng.

“Boring.”

Didn’t even spare him a real glance.

Chi Cheng, whose master plan had failed, felt humiliated—his eyes went red with frustration, and two little tears rolled down like pearls. Not that Chu Yun understood why the tattletale was crying.

From that point on, Chi Cheng’s personality did a complete 180 and turned downright nasty.

He’d mess up Chu Mo’s clothes, lose his handkerchiefs, wreck his dates with friends…

He even took Chu Mo’s gender test report before his differentiation and deliberately crossed out “Alpha” and wrote “Omega” instead.

With his chin up, he’d mock the much taller Chu Mo, “With your pretty-boy face, how could you possibly be an Alpha?”

Chu Mo, being mature, never stooped to his level. He ignored him every time.

But even being ignored didn’t stop Chi Cheng—he kept at it like it was his full-time job, right up until he left the country.

So, upon receiving the news that Chi Cheng was coming back, Chu Yun immediately messaged Chu Mo.

Chu Yun warned him: [Ge, that brat’s been picking fights with you since he was a kid. Now that he’s back, you’re gonna have a headache.]

[Picking fights with me?] Chu Mo was confused. 

[Why don’t I remember any of that?]

Chu Yun was shook.

[Ge, how can you forget a blood feud like this??]

To be fair, Chu Mo’s memories of Chi Cheng as a kid were super blurry.

After all, during those first few years after he transmigrated into this book, he’d been busy adapting to his character setting. Once he started school, he didn’t dare relax—always preparing to become the stereotypical domineering CEO.

Near his differentiation, his test results had even predicted he might become an Omega, so he had to work extra hard to hide his real secondary gender…

Chi Cheng was just another character in the story. Until Chi Cheng turned 18, Chu Mo had deliberately kept his distance from him.

So yeah, no surprise his memories of Chi Cheng were pretty much nonexistent.

Chu Yun texted again.

[Actually, it’s better if you forgot. That guy’s no good anyway.]

There was definitely a trace of smug glee in that message.

Chu Mo: [???]

Why did it feel like Chu Yun hated Chi Cheng more than he did, and he’s the overprotective older brother here?

—

A few days later.

Outside the Chu Group building.

Inside a luxury car, Chi Cheng sat holding a few paper bags, gazing up at the towering office building through the car window. “Uncle Zhou, you sure this building… belongs to Chu Mo?”

His eyes were full of surprise and awe.

Driver Uncle Zhou replied, “Young Master, you’ve already asked me three times. This plot of land really was bought by Mr. Chu, and the building was also funded by him.”

This building sat on prime real estate—right in the heart of the CBD.

Right at that moment, Chi Cheng finally understood what his dad meant when he said, “You’re both Alphas, but the difference between you two is huge.”

“Ahem, hey, do you think Chu Mo will be happy to see me?” Chi Cheng asked Uncle Zhou. “I mean, it’s been years since we’ve seen each other.”

Uncle Zhou paused for three seconds before calmly replying, “Of course.”

Chi Cheng had always been a confident guy, but now… even he was starting to feel a little unsure.

After all, he’d done quite a few awful things to Chu Mo back in the day.

He voiced his concern to Uncle Zhou.

“Young Master, Mr. Chu is someone of high status now, he wouldn’t hold a grudge over these things,” Uncle Zhou comforted him in a steady tone. “And even if he did, you came today to apologize. It’s a great chance to make peace.”

Chi Cheng glanced at the mountain of gifts he’d prepared for Chu Mo and instantly felt more confident.

Besides the gifts, there was also a shirt tucked away in one of the bags.

He’d prepared all this just to apologize.

The moment he opened the car door, Chi Cheng was already imagining the emotional scene of Chu Mo tearing up.

—

Inside the company building.

Chu Mo stepped out of the elevator, and the moment he appeared, everyone scattered like birds fleeing a beast—but not before greeting him.

Chu Mo didn’t have time to respond to each one. He just gave them a light nod.

Lately, he’d been locked in a battle of wits and strategy with Xie Songchen, trying to get him kicked out of the secretary department—but every attempt had failed.

He was still racking his brain on how to get the plot back on track.

Just then, a tall Alpha walked into the company’s first floor.

Everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to him.

The Alpha was super tall, with short ash-blond hair, broad shoulders and a narrow waist.

He had a silver necklace around his neck, wore a black hoodie underneath a trendy jacket, and white jeans on the bottom.

The whole vibe screamed sunshine, cool, and hot guy energy.

Chi Cheng scanned the crowd, and his gaze quickly locked onto a man in a sharp suit.

The man was tall and lean, skin pale, the tailored fabric of his suit outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

He walked through the crowd with a cold face, like the center of a galaxy—surrounded by stars.

It was obvious he was an Alpha, with striking, chiseled features and a powerful presence that demanded attention.

But there was something about him that went beyond the usual ABO categories—an almost magnetic charm.

Chu Mo, sensing the sudden hush around him, looked up in confusion.

Standing not far away was an Alpha with ash-blond hair, long legs, broad shoulders, and a handsome face… but a dumbfounded expression.

The moment their eyes met, Chi Cheng’s hand trembled, and the bags in his hand almost fell to the ground.

He snapped back to reality.

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Then, summoning up his courage, he strode toward the man who felt both strange and familiar.

“Long time no see, Chu Mo.” Chi Cheng looked at the man in front of him, and he had to admit—his looks had only gotten more striking over the years. “This is a gift from this young master to you. Try not to get too emotional…”

Chu Mo frowned slightly in confusion, cutting him off. 

“Sorry, who are you?”

Chi Cheng froze mid-action, the smile on his lips stiffening for a second.

After a beat, he forced the smile back into place, speaking each word clearly.

“Chu Mo, haven’t seen you in years and now you’re cracking jokes, huh?”

“Name,” Chu Mo said flatly. He was already annoyed and didn’t have time to play guessing games.

Chi Cheng’s smile finally collapsed.

Gritting his teeth, he squeezed out two words.

“Chi. Cheng.”

Chu Mo was stunned.

He hadn’t connected the tall Alpha in front of him to that bratty kid from years ago.

But wait… he didn’t recall any part of the plot where Chi Cheng returned to the country and came looking for him at the office.

Without a set storyline, Chu Mo’s usual policy was to keep his distance from original characters.

He looked at Chi Cheng expressionlessly, let out a lukewarm “Oh,” and asked, “What do you want?”

Seeing Chu Mo’s cold attitude, Chi Cheng’s temper flared even more.

All the apology lines he’d prepared—he couldn’t say a single one of them now.

“You seriously don’t remember me at all?” Chi Cheng frowned, forcing down his anger as he stared at Chu Mo. “I stuffed mud into your pants pocket once and made you late to class. You even forgot that?”

Everyone around them exchanged looks, wide-eyed.

Someone actually dared to do that to President Chu?!

A flash of awkwardness crossed Chu Mo’s face, but he quickly masked it again. “Don’t remember.”

“Great. Just great.” Chi Cheng’s fingers curled into fists, chest heaving with frustration. “You…”

He really regretted bringing so many gifts today. He even brought that shirt he’d carefully kept for years.

All of it felt like a damn joke now.

Chu Mo raised an eyebrow, his voice still cool. “What about me?”

Chi Cheng growled through gritted teeth, “I seriously didn’t expect you to be this kind of person, Chu Mo. And to think I kept that shirt for you all these years…”

Just then, a familiar figure walked in through the doors.

Xie Songchen had gone to pick up a shirt from the dry cleaner.

A few days ago, one of Chu Mo’s shirts had gotten stained with coffee. Xie Songchen had personally taken it to be cleaned after work, just to stay useful in the secretary department.

Chu Mo hadn’t expected him to go that far, just to remain in his position.

Xie Songchen stepped up and handed over a perfectly bagged, freshly pressed shirt. “The shirt’s been cleaned and ironed. The shop did a careful job—no shrinkage or damage.”

Through the clear garment bag, the pristine, high-end shirt could be seen.

Chi Cheng froze.

He glanced down instinctively at the plain kraft paper bag in his own hand, at the shirt inside that he had washed himself, with fabric that wasn’t even ironed that well…

Chu Mo turned to him. “You were just about to say?”

Chi Cheng had wanted to tell him he’d preserved that shirt for nine whole years.

But right now, the words wouldn’t come.

“I…” he started, hesitant.

He wasn’t even sure anymore—did Chu Mo still want that old shirt?

Xie Songchen looked at Chi Cheng. “Sir, if you have something for President Chu, you can give it to me first.”

Chi Cheng had originally decided not to take the shirt out at all.

But right then, the word “sir” cut through him like a knife, and the emotions he’d been holding back suddenly erupted.

He turned sharply to Chu Mo and thrust the bag at him with a firm voice.

“This is a shirt I kept for you—for nine years.”

Chu Mo froze.

Xie Songchen’s eyes flicked to the plain kraft paper bag.

The wrinkled bag Chi Cheng had carried all the way on the plane stood in stark contrast to the clean, high-end garment bag in Xie Songchen’s hands.

“I washed it myself. I don’t know if it shrank or got damaged,” Chi Cheng’s throat bobbed again as he spoke, like he was past caring. “Didn’t iron it that well, either.”

When he finished, he looked away, not daring to meet Chu Mo’s eyes.

Xie Songchen stared at Chi Cheng’s trembling hand for a few seconds, then shifted his gaze to his face.

The young Alpha’s nerves were impossible to hide.

It felt like he wasn’t handing over a shirt—but a symbol of something much more.

Xie Songchen’s face remained calm, but his eyes flickered subtly.

“This shirt…” Chu Mo gave it a careful look, confusion in his eyes. “It’s mine?”

Chi Cheng’s hand froze mid-air.

Off to the side, Xie Songchen said mildly, “It’s a shirt from nine years ago. It’s perfectly normal if you don’t remember.”

Chi Cheng’s face turned ice-cold in an instant.

That chill in his eyes—it was the look of betrayal and disappointment.

The same kind of disappointment he used to feel as a kid, every time he tried to get Chu Mo’s attention… only to be ignored again and again.

The next second, Chi Cheng dropped the kraft bag right at Chu Mo’s feet. It landed with a soft thud.

His voice was light and indifferent.

“I kept the shirt for a while out of guilt for getting it dirty back then. Since you’ve forgotten, just toss it.”

With that, he turned and walked away, head held high—leaving behind a proud, retreating figure under everyone’s stunned gazes.