Chapter 5: The Married Beta Gets Cornered

At eleven o'clock the next morning, Bai Yu arrived at Yunjing University, his timing impeccable. His former counselor, Teacher Ling, was in the office.

Bai Yu had taken a leave of absence in the first semester of his sophomore year. To resume his studies, he would need to start from the second semester of sophomore year, delaying his graduation by a year.

After filling out and submitting the paperwork, Teacher Ling swiveled their chair to face Bai Yu and looked up. "Music theory fundamentals are crucial for the Composition Major. You should spend the next few months reviewing the basics. I’ll explain your situation to Teacher Hou, who will be teaching the next cohort of Composition Majors."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Ling."

Bai Yu was the student in his class who skipped the most lessons. He was always absent, even missing specialized courses, and none of the teachers knew what he was busy with outside of school.

Although he had a natural talent for music composition, his frequent absences not only annoyed his classmates but also affected his final credits. Teacher Ling had spoken with Bai Yu several times about this issue.

It wasn’t until just before the start of the first semester of sophomore year that Bai Yu called Teacher Ling to inquire about taking a leave of absence. Only then did they learn that a family member was seriously ill and he could no longer continue his studies.

Teacher Ling asked, "Is your sister’s condition any better?"

Bai Yu nodded. "Still waiting for a match, but it should be soon."

"That’s good. Starting next semester, you need to study seriously and not waste your talent. Many people outside would kill for this opportunity."

Yunjing University’s music school is one of the top three music academies in the country, boasting top-tier faculty and equipment, with high admission standards every year.

Students here either possess exceptional musical talent, hail from musical dynasties, or are wealthy scions who benefit from intensive training and early immersion in musical thought.

Bai Yu was among the very few from an ordinary background who gained admission. He genuinely loved music. "I understand, Teacher Ling."

Just as the class dismissal bell rang, students streamed past, holding textbooks in one hand and carrying instrument cases—violin, guitar, flute—or wearing theatrical costumes as they moved along the main avenue.

Besides its music school, Yunjing University is also renowned for its School of Performance and Dance, attracting a high concentration of attractive students.

Bai Yu messaged his roommate Lu Chuo to borrow his specialized course notes from freshman year.

Lu Chuo replied quickly: [Yeah, I have them piled in the dorm cabinet. I just got out of class—wait for me downstairs.]

Bai Yu, carrying some spiced meats he bought at the supermarket, waited at the dorm entrance.

When Lu Chuo arrived, he spotted Bai Yu immediately. The first time he met Bai Yu, he had asked how his nose was so perfectly shaped, making him a standout handsome beta even campus-wide.

"Hey, your hair’s longer?"

Lu Chuo was an alpha. Bai Yu pressed down on the concealed Barrier Patch hidden under his long hair at the nape of his neck, worried it might come loose. "It’s fine. Are you busy with classes now?"

"Don’t even ask. This semester, we have three 8 a.m. classes every week. It’s torture."

Bai Yu handed the spiced meats to Lu Chuo. "I remember you like these, so I got some for you."

"We’re roommates, no need to be so polite."

Lu Chuo smiled, taking the snacks and immediately biting into a duck leg.

"After I left, did anyone new move in?"

"No. Some people wanted to, but we said no. We were hoping you’d come back. Did Teacher Ling say you’ll continue from sophomore year?"

"Yeah, missing a whole year means I can’t make up all the credits."

Lu Chuo opened the dorm door. The male dorm wasn’t a complete mess, but it wasn’t clean either, with the smell of spicy snack strips lingering in the air.

Bai Yu’s old bed was empty, with some miscellaneous items piled on it.

As Lu Chuo rummaged through the cabinet for books, he said, "By the way, someone came looking for you last week."

Bai Yu’s fingers curled slightly. "For me?"

"Yeah. I asked what they wanted, but they didn’t say. Two alphas with sleeve tattoos—didn’t look like the decent type."

Last week was when Bai Yu had encountered Situ Jing. If Situ Jing had sent people to find him at school, they wouldn’t be tattooed thugs. So who were they?

Lu Chuo piled the found books and notes on the table. "Did you piss someone off?"

Bai Yu thought for a moment. "No. Did they say anything else?"

Lu Chuo recalled the scene. "I told them you’d taken a leave of absence and weren’t here. They cursed, 'Damn it,' and left."

"Nothing else?"

"No."

"Okay. I’ll be back next semester. If they come again, I’ll see who it is."

Lu Chuo handed the books to Bai Yu. "See which ones you need."

Bai Yu selected five books and notes to take back. "I’ll borrow these and return them at the start of the semester."

Lu Chuo smiled. "Keep them. No need to return. They’re just gathering dust here anyway."

"Should I go now?"

"I’ll walk you out. I need to buy something anyway."

Bai Yu and Lu Chuo left the school together, and Bai Yu caught the bus back to his neighborhood on the Third Ring Road.

Half an hour later, Bai Yu got off the bus with his books and notes. From a distance, he saw a red sports car parked at the neighborhood entrance, with two heavily made-up women in high heels leaning against it and several thugs holding baseball bats behind them.

The security in this old, run-down neighborhood was poor, and brawls happened often. Bai Yu assumed someone in the area had provoked a rich kid and was now being targeted for revenge, waiting to ambush them.

Head down, Bai Yu skirted around the group toward the neighborhood entrance when suddenly someone from the crowd shouted, "That’s him!"

At that moment, Bai Yu was the only person walking outside the neighborhood, with no one else around. His nerves instantly tightened.

Bai Yu turned to look and saw the taller woman in a leopard-print tight dress pointing at him. "You! Don’t you dare run!"

"I don’t know you. What’s going on?"

Bai Yu felt her voice sounded odd, almost masculine, and was sure he’d never met this person.

The woman swayed her hips, walking with an outward gait in seven-inch stilettos, rushing toward Bai Yu. "You say you don’t know me? I ended up like this because of you!"

From her walk, Bai Yu realized she wasn’t a woman but... "Cui Che?!"

Cui Che yanked off the wig, revealing the bandage on his head, and grabbed Bai Yu by the collar, eyes wide. "Was it you who set me up?"

The thugs instantly surrounded them, tapping their baseball bats.

Bai Yu was baffled and pushed Cui Che away. "What are you talking about? I have no idea! I haven’t even settled the score with you for drugging me!"

Cui Che tugged at his riding-up skirt and cursed, "Cousin, what kind of cheap skirt is this? My ass is hanging out with every move, damn it!"

The cousin was still leaning against the sports car, blowing smoke rings. "If you've got the guts, don't wear it then. Let's see if your mom doesn't find out you never went to Country G."

The hoodlums also found their boss's new outfit eye-catching and strangely... quite attractive!

Cui Che kicked the guy sneaking glances beside him once, then kicked him a second time, still unsatisfied, before walking back to Bai Yu. He twirled a combat knife in his hand. "Three days after I drugged you, my dad received compromising photos of my wild behavior. My parents decided to exile me to a petrochemical plant in the desert of Country G. What a coincidence, huh?"

Bai Yu kept a wary eye on the knife in Cui Che's hand. "I didn't do it."

Cui Che pressed the back of the blade against Bai Yu's face. "Really, it wasn't you?"

"No. I'm just a college student working part-time, living in this dump of a neighborhood. I can barely make ends meet—how would I have money to buy your photos?"

Bai Yu, holding his books and notebooks, suddenly remembered what Lu Chuo had said. "Did you come looking for me at school?"

"Who do you think? Let me tell you, don't even think about lying. I've asked everyone around who might be involved."

"I really didn't do it."

A few alphas emerged from the neighborhood but kept their distance, watching the scene unfold.

Bai Yu thought to himself that although he was glad Cui Che was in trouble, he had no idea who was behind it. Now Cui Che hadn't left after all and had even cornered him.

If Cui Che didn't believe him, these hoodlums could easily beat him till he was bedridden for a month—one swing each would be enough. Where could he run to shake them off?

Cui Che gritted his teeth and cut Bai Yu's clothes with the combat knife, exposing a patch of fair skin on his chest.

Bai Yu flinched slightly, afraid of Cui Che's knife and even more afraid that the unhealed bite marks might be seen. Luckily, the blade hadn't reached the bitten area.

Cui Che laughed. "Why are you shaking?"

He noticed the phone in Bai Yu's hand—its screen was cracked like a spiderweb, an outdated Chinese brand model from years ago. His shoes were also cheap knockoffs worth about fifty bucks. For now, Cui Che believed him and felt the urge to mess with him again.

Bai Yu took a step back. "If there's nothing else, can I go?"

Cui Che withdrew the knife. "Sleep with me tonight, and I'll believe you."

Bai Yu went pale. "What?"

The cousin urged from nearby, "Did you get your answers? Hurry up, I've got a banquet to attend tonight."

Cui Che dragged Bai Yu over. "Drop me off at Haoting Hotel."

The cousin smacked Cui Che's head. "Trying to push your luck, huh? Aren't you afraid someone will take more photos and post them on hot searches? Listen to your mom and stop while you can."

Bai Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief. At least the cousin had some conscience.

Cui Che whispered something in his cousin's ear, and she laughed, patting him. "If you're itching for trouble, don't drag me into it. Hail your own cab!"

While the two were talking, Bai Yu broke free and ran.

"After him!" Cui Che stomped after Bai Yu, the hoodlums following close behind.

Bai Yu dashed into an alley and collided with an e-bike pulling out. His books scattered, and as he hurried to pick them up, he was caught, pinned against the wall.

Cui Che grabbed Bai Yu by the jaw. "Seems like betas have better endurance than omegas. The dose last time wasn't enough to take you down. This time, we'll need to increase the dosage."

Just then, Bai Yu's phone rang. It fell to the ground, lighting up with an unknown caller ID.

Cui Che picked it up, answered, put it on speaker, and held it to Bai Yu's mouth.

Bai Yu: "Hello?"

"This is my number. Save it. I may contact you personally in the future. Keep your phone on at all times."

"Okay."

Cui Che mouthed silently, "Who is this?"

Situ Jing had warned him not to reveal his name or their relationship, so Bai Yu made up an identity on the spot. "The bar manager I know from my part-time job. I'm performing there later."

Over the phone, Situ Jing asked, "Is someone with you?"

"Yeah, ran into an... acquaintance at the neighborhood entrance. We chatted for a bit."

"Who?"

Bai Yu glanced at Cui Che, who gestured with the knife—he couldn't say his name. "A customer who bought me drinks last time."

The voice on the other end snorted coldly. "Is he still there?"

Bai Yu's heart sank. What did Situ Jing mean? Did he know Cui Che was with him? And that Cui Che's parents were sending him to Country G?

Cui Che's heart also dropped. Who was this? His tone was so calm yet icy, as if he knew something.

Cui Che hung up Bai Yu's phone and grabbed his collar. "Who was that?!"

"Just a bar manager." Bai Yu stared toward the alley entrance, looking for a chance to escape.

"Like hell I believe you! Who's backing you, huh?"

Cui Che bit out, shaking Bai Yu, "You might not have money to buy photos, but you could've found someone to help. With that face of yours, it wouldn't be hard to find a buyer. You're the one who leaked my photos! You're in cahoots with him, aren't you?!"

"I'm not!"

Just then, a blue sports car pulled up, followed by three black SUVs.

The sports car stopped. A noblewoman stepped out, saw Cui Che, and hurled her high heel at him. "You worthless brat! Sneaking around disguised as a female omega and hiding here!"

Cui Che, terrified, let go of Bai Yu, who dodged the flying red heel.

Bodyguards from the SUVs scattered the hoodlums and dragged Cui Che, with his arms pinned, into one of the vehicles.

The cousin approached the noblewoman to plead for Cui Che. "Auntie, he's still injured. Let him stay in the country a while longer?"

"Get out of here too! Go meet your fiancé. Don't embarrass the Cui family—it's all the reputation we have left!"

The cousin frantically sped off in her car.