Beta Chapter 45: Jealousy

Chapter 45: Jealousy

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

“Are you still feeling uncomfortable? Do you want to go home and rest?”

As they left the hospital, Luo Songran heard Duan Yizhou asking beside him. He muttered softly, “Why go home? You’re not coming home with me anyway.”

After saying this, he heard a chuckle from above his head, followed by a pat on his head. Suddenly, he realized, his ears burning, What did I just say!!!

“I have an important meeting today. How about I take you to the company?” Duan Yizhou suggested.

Luo Songran looked up at Duan Yizhou and said softly, “I’m not a child. I don’t need that. I’ll go back to school. I have classes in the afternoon, and I can’t skip the ideological and political class.”

What’s the point of going to the company with Duan Yizhou anyway?

Hearing him say this, Duan Yizhou couldn’t help but smile, ruffling his hair and pinching his ears. “You’ve been really good lately, worthy of praise. If you want anything, just tell me, and I’ll give it to you.”

He meant it. Luo Songran had indeed been behaving well lately, almost to the point where Duan Yizhou felt uneasy about it. But he still appreciated it and cherished it.

Luo Songran felt extremely uncomfortable being praised so suddenly by this man. He squirmed away from Duan Yizhou’s hand. “Stop messing with my hair. It’ll mess up my hairstyle.”

Duan Yizhou laughed again.

Feeling Duan Yizhou’s laughter, Luo Songran couldn’t help but feel itchy inside. “I… You, you can just drop me off at school!” 

Why was he laughing like that again? It made him feel awkward.

Duan Yizhou didn’t show any reaction to the redness creeping up on Luo Songran’s ears. “Okay, if you feel uncomfortable, make sure to let me know. I’ll come pick you up.”

Even though he had received the threatened miscarriage shot and could leave the hospital, he still felt a bit worried. But perhaps he should be more worried about his cooking skills. It seemed that he needed to learn more. If his cooking skills didn’t improve, how could he fatten up Luo Songran? With these thoughts in mind, he drove Luo Songran back to school.

At the school gate, Luo Songran asked Duan Yizhou to leave quickly. But this man lingered at the gate for a while. At first, Luo Songran kept looking back, but then he couldn’t stand it and walked back to school in quick steps.

But after walking just a few steps, he felt his phone vibrating. He checked it and saw the caller ID labeled “Can’t escape”.

That was his nickname for Duan Yizhou.

He subconsciously looked back at the school gate, thinking that Duan Yizhou was so bored that he hadn’t left and was calling him. But when he turned around, he realized that Duan Yizhou’s car was gone. Suddenly, he felt a sense of emptiness in his heart. Thinking this, he answered the phone.

On the other end of the phone, Duan Yizhou’s low, gentle voice came through. “I saw you running again. Do you want to be spanked?”

Luo Songran’s ears turned red instantly. Irritated, as if the words “spanking” had ignited something in him, he retorted, “I didn’t run. I just walked a bit faster! Stop threatening me with that all the time.”

“As long as you didn’t run, that’s fine. I’m worried you’re not feeling well.”

Perhaps it was because Duan Yizhou’s voice was too gentle, Luo Songran felt a moment of daze. He didn’t even feel someone bumping into his shoulder as he walked. He couldn’t help but stop, holding his phone. His thoughts began to trouble him, and he lowered his gaze, not knowing what he was thinking. “I’m fine, I’ll hang up.”

After saying that, he hurriedly hung up the phone, as if trying to cover up something, and trying to salvage what was supposed to be a lifetime of being strong. But he couldn’t hide the pounding of his heart echoing in his eardrums. It was so strong. Was he going to be caught red-handed by Duan Yizhou again?

The ideological and political class teacher was a strict one. Last semester, he skipped class twice and ended up failing the course. His usual score was zero, and the final exam accounted for sixty percent of the grade. Unless he could get a perfect score, how could the teacher give him one?

He hadn’t skipped class this semester. After all, failing a course was embarrassing enough, not to mention being laughed at by Yan Nanchen. During class, while listening to the passionate lecture from the ideological and political teacher, he doodled on his textbook and then looked down at the message Duan Yizhou had just sent him.

Can’t escape: [I’ll bring something for you to eat tonight. What do you want?]

He poked the screen: [I don’t know yet. Let’s talk about it later.]

Can’t escape: [Shall I bring you a bowl of Ling’s claypot rice?]

Ling was the name of the stall in the old town where he loved to drink claypot rice. He thought for two seconds and replied: [But I want it for dinner. Forget it, you’re so busy, and you still have to entertain tonight. I don’t want you to bring it. I’ll go eat by myself after class.]

Can’t escape immediately replied: [Are you angry that I’m not having dinner with you tonight?]

[No, you’re so busy. I’m just helping you out.]

Can’t escape: [Don’t be angry. I’ll come back early to accompany you, okay?]

Luo Songran’s fingertips paused on the screen for a few seconds. Even through the screen, he could imagine Duan Yizhou’s tone when he said this, which was unique to him, almost patient to the point of being tireless.

Why was Duan Yizhou always able to sense his emotions so quickly, whether he was angry or happy? Could it be that the chip in his body was still being monitored by Duan Yizhou?

No, that shouldn’t be the case. His dad told him that if he authorized someone else to monitor the data from the chip, it would only be for a month at most.

So, this person, Duan Yizhou…was still deeply in love with him, wasn’t he?

Just then, he received a message from He Yu:【Let’s meet tonight. I have something to tell you, and I also want to discuss the pheromone coding. How about going to the tea restaurant we used to love on weekends?】

Luo Songran furrowed his brows slightly. He had already discussed this matter with Duan Yizhou before and canceled it. What did He Yu want now? He said he would handle it, but he didn’t, and he ended up getting spanked by Duan Yizhou!!

Could He Yu have some ulterior motive against him?

【Okay.】

Thinking about being pressured by Duan Yizhou because of this matter made him feel resentful. If it weren’t for this, he wouldn’t have been on edge for so long, fearing that the child in his belly belonged to someone else. He was already caught by Duan Yizhou, and he had to endure it.

And now, He Yu was asking him out again. Wasn’t this suspicious?

After sending the message, he sat next to a girl who softly called out to him. He turned his head and saw a girl from his class who played the violin very well. “What’s wrong?” 

“I’m curious. Are you in a relationship?” the girl asked tentatively.

Luo Songran was taken aback by the question. “Why do you ask?”

“We all noticed that you’ve been in a better mood lately, especially during our string ensemble rehearsals. Before, if anyone played a wrong note, you would frown and point it out. But during the recent rehearsals, you’ve been gently pointing out mistakes without any impatience. So we all think you must be in a relationship.” The girl lowered her voice and asked, “Is it Professor Duan?”

Luo Songran: “…” He suppressed the panic in his heart and remained calm on the surface. “How could that be?”

Could it be that they had been found out? But they didn’t have much contact at school. Wait, why was he so nervous? They weren’t in a relationship; they just got their marriage certificate. And no one knew they had gotten it. Usually, they didn’t hold hands or hug at school, there was no intimacy at all. So why would they suspect him and Duan Yizhou?

“…Today, I saw you with Professor Duan in the parking lot.” The girl seemed hesitant to say it, and she touched her index fingers together. “You seemed to be acting coquettishly with Professor Duan.”

Luo Songran: “???” He didn’t act coquettishly with him this morning; he was just angry. He furrowed his brows, trying hard to remember how he had talked to Duan Yizhou this morning. Hugging? Maybe there was some hugging. Coquettish? Impossible, he was furious at the time, how could he be coquettish? So he firmly told the girl, “You must have seen it wrong. I wouldn’t act coquettishly with him.”

“I saw you sitting on Professor Duan’s lap inside the car.” The girl spoke very softly.

Luo Songran: “!?” Oh, he remembered now. He tried to maintain his composure but felt a little flustered. “Um, that was because of something. Please don’t casually tell others. There’s really nothing between me and him.”

It was just getting a marriage certificate.

“I definitely won’t casually tell others. I just want to ask you for a favor.”

Luo Songran was stunned for two seconds. So, she was trying to use this to blackmail him? He frowned slightly. “What is it?”

“If you have time, could you listen to my ‘Variations on the Last Rose of Summer’? I want to use this piece for a competition.” The girl’s request seemed difficult to make, and she didn’t know if it was because she felt it was inappropriate to ask for help using this matter.

Luo Songran thought it was something else. “Sure, but why me? You could just ask the teacher.”

“It’s not the same. I feel like your ability to empathize with the music is very special. The teacher said I’m fine, but I still feel like I can’t grasp the understanding I want. So I want to ask you for help.” The girl pleaded, “I promise not to casually mention the matter between you and Professor Duan. I promise. Can you please help me?”

Luo Songran remained silent for a moment, although he felt that he had kept his distance from Duan Yizhou all along, but after what his classmate said, he wasn’t so sure anymore. It was better to be safe than sorry. “Okay, but I don’t have time today. How about tomorrow?”

“Thank you!”

The bell rang, and all the students in the classroom began to leave, without any hesitation.

Only Luo Songran remained sitting in the classroom, lost in thought. He leaned his head on his hand and stared at the blackboard in front of him, puzzled. “Does that count as being coquettish?”

Suddenly, he realized how rash he had been to get the marriage certificate with Duan Yizhou, and more so, why was he getting more and more accustomed to Duan Yizhou’s presence? Even to the point of revealing his true temperament to Duan Yizhou without any defenses, whether he was angry, stubborn, or happy.

He initially only liked Duan Yizhou’s face and figure. Could it be that falling in love with someone could make you easily devote yourself to them? No matter how willful or intentional he was, he would never get angry. Every aspect of his life. And he was always there to help, answer questions, and fulfill requests.

Is it really so easy to wholeheartedly give up on someone you like? No matter how willful or deliberate they are, you won’t lose your temper, and you’ll take care of every little detail. You always accommodate their requests and answer their questions. In this relationship, it’s a mutual understanding, willingly giving in to each other. It’s a mutual affection, even if I willingly let myself be deceived by you.

I’m not stupid, because falling for someone I want to like is the most interesting thing in my life. Because you’re worth studying more than any research I’ve ever done. I’m willing to spend my whole life studying you, making myself like you more, love you more, and be more infatuated with you.

Thump, thump, thump… His heartbeat suddenly accelerates, incredibly excited, and so real that it makes him feel lost.

Luo Songran, could it be that you’ve fallen for Duan Yizhou?

Luo Songran suddenly stood up, his breath calming down in a panic. The most impossible answer floating in his mind made him feel a little panicked. Then he comforted himself with a laugh, “Ah, what nonsense am I thinking? How could that be possible? Impossible.”

But his smile froze on his lips. He couldn’t laugh anymore. He felt very guilty. No, he couldn’t lose!

Nightfall, in the tea restaurant…

“I’ve sorted things out. The registration of pheromone coding has been canceled.” He Yu cut the curry chicken on the plate into small pieces and pushed it towards Luo Songran.

Luo Songran fell silent as he listened to He Yu’s words. He sneered inwardly. Canceled? It was clearly not canceled when he went for the pre-marital examination with Duan Yizhou some time ago. What was He Yu up to?

“Really? You canceled it?” He replied tepidly, then saw He Yu push the plate over. He felt a bit nauseous smelling the curry and frowned. “I don’t want this.”

He Yu’s hand holding the fork paused, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. “But this is your favorite curry chicken. Don’t you want it?”

“I don’t feel like eating curry now. It’s too strong.” Luo Songran pushed the plate aside, then looked at the dishes on the table that he used to love. In the end, he only picked the barbecue pork and beef to eat.

He Yu didn’t eat either. He stared at Luo Songran in front of him, noticing a beautiful rosy glow on his face, as if he looked even better than before, especially his skin, fair and rosy. “Songran, you seem a bit different.”

Luo Songran’s hand holding the fork tightened suddenly. Even the words “different” were somewhat repulsive to him now. “What do you mean by ‘different’?”

“It’s like you’ve been well taken care of.” He Yu seemed to realize something. “Is it because of that alpha? The one you used the pheromone enhancer for?”

Luo Songran didn’t intend to hide it. He said bluntly, “So why did you lie to me?”

He Yu was momentarily stunned. “What?”

Luo Songran sneered, “I canceled the pheromone coding with him. So why did you lie to me that it was canceled? He Yu, what are you thinking? Do you know what you’re doing with this behavior?”

He Yu was somewhat surprised to have his thoughts exposed directly, but he wasn’t entirely surprised. “I know, but I just can’t accept it.”

“Can’t accept it?”

“Yeah, I can’t accept that you belong to someone else. CEO Luo clearly said we were quite suitable. I thought we might have a chance together.” He Yu looked straight at Luo Songran, his gaze affectionate. “You’re just playing with that alpha, right? Maybe it’s more appropriate to listen to your parents’ opinions?”

Luo Songran’s hand holding the fork suddenly tightened. For a moment, he felt disgusted and wanted to throw the fork at He Yu’s face. He looked incredulous, as if he was meeting He Yu for the first time. “He Yu, what’s wrong with you? My Dad was just joking before. Are you taking a joke so seriously?”

He suddenly felt ridiculous. Compared to Duan Yizhou, this was the real love brain, right? Or the kind of love brain that makes people want to punch someone.

“I’m serious. I’m serious about you. Songran, I like you.”

Luo Songran’s expression froze. What? He spat! Was he liking him because of the pheromone coding incident he handled privately?

Just then, a familiar name came from behind him, “Yizhou, it’s really nice to be liked by you.”

Yizhou? Luo Songran slowly turned his head. He saw a man and a woman walking out from the kitchen, and since he was seated relatively close to that area, he saw a graceful omega next to the man, Duan Yizhou, who had an appointment tonight.

He also happened to hear what the omega said, “Yizhou, it’s really nice to be liked by you.”

His face suddenly darkened. And when Duan Yizhou walked out, he happened to meet Luo Songran sitting in front of him and clearly heard the words, “I’m serious. I’m serious about you. Songran, I like you.”

Their eyes met.

Luo Songran took a deep breath. Alright, it was supposed to be a business dinner, but he was dating an omega here?!!! He pursed his lips, his eyes filled with anger. “Duan Yizhou, didn’t you say it was a business dinner?!”

He had no idea how angry he was.

“The chairwoman of this tea restaurant, Ms. Xiao, is now in a cooperative relationship with me. I’m planning to invest in this catering business, and we just finished discussing this cooperation. As for why I came out from the kitchen, it’s because I had some time and wanted the chefs here to teach me how to cook a couple of dishes, so I can cook for you later.” Duan Yizhou observed Luo Songran’s emotions, calmly explaining, then shifted his gaze to the alpha sitting in front of Luo Songran, his eyes deepening. “Baby, what about you? Why did he say he likes you?”

Luo Songran’s anger, which had just ignited, was instantly extinguished. He was speechless.

The man had predicted his own prediction. It’s over, he didn’t even know He Yu would confess to him! Lost momentum. After being arrogant, he’s now scared.

 

 

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