MFSOWAA Chapter 10: I'm Not

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The duel was set. This time, Xia Lin did not avoid it. When he saw the familiar car downstairs, he got in with an air of righteousness.

He calmly fastened his seatbelt, ignoring the concerned look from Xue Zenan. As the car slowly started moving, he said, “Director Xue, how about we have a meal together another day?”

“No need for another day.” Xue Zenan’s voice was uncharacteristically gentle. “How about we go to Morning Light Restaurant?”

Xia Lin replied, “I meant, another day—me, my boyfriend, and you, together for a meal.”

There was no outburst, no protest. Xue Zenan’s tone remained so calm it was as if he hadn’t even heard the words "my boyfriend" at all. He simply said, “Alright.”

Xia Lin felt that the weather for a duel should have been something like a storm of blood and rain.

And indeed, a heavy storm came.

A super heavy storm.

Originally, Xia Lin had planned to swagger downstairs and wait for his boyfriend to pick him up. But then he received a message from Zhang Tianke saying he couldn’t make it.

Pretty Omega Overlord: Bad news: My car broke down in the rain. Good news: My studio is right downstairs from the duel venue.

Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia: …Be more reliable.

Pretty Omega Overlord: The most reliable thing I’ve ever done was booking the duel at the Twilight Revolving Restaurant! That cost me half a year of blood and sweat—and selling my soul! Anyway, no backing out! Get here now!

Xia Lin had no choice. He could either walk through the rain or call a taxi.

But if you could get a taxi in this weather, it wouldn’t be called a heavy storm!

In the end, Xia Lin got into Xue Zenan’s car.

“Where’s your boyfriend?” Xue Zenan asked.

Xia Lin braced himself and said, “His studio is just downstairs from the Twilight Revolving Restaurant, no need for him to come all the way here.”

God knows, Xia Lin had prepared a dramatic opening scene! Zhang Tianke’s car was a top-tier sports car! It was his entire fortune spent purely for show! But! It had a powerful aura that would absolutely not lose to a branch company director’s vehicle!

Even if he was just a beta.

Unfortunately, the storm had other plans. Xia Lin could only pretend nothing had happened and obediently accept Xue Zenan’s offer of a ride.

   [Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia: This duel is kind of poetic. I’m sitting in Boss Xue’s car, but in a bit, I’ll have to tear into him. Roar.]

   [Pretty Omega Overlord: A dear little brother showed up at my studio. An omega! If not for his terrifying family background, I’d definitely make a move. It’s time for you to witness my terrifying social network!]

   [Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia: …What are you trying to do?]

   [Pretty Omega Overlord: A living, breathing, single omega is right in front of me! You, as a beta, have already fulfilled the prophecy of “100% meeting your destined O.” You can retire now!]

   [Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia: Do you think… an omega and an alpha can just randomly bond on the street because of pheromones?]

   [Pretty Omega Overlord: It’s fake, sure. But in the mind of an alpha who only has omegas on their radar, isn’t it 100% fate once an omega goes into heat?]

Xia Lin thought about it and realized Zhang Tianke made a lot of sense.

If someone believed in such a bizarre prophecy, they would definitely also believe that the first omega they encountered in heat would have an astonishing compatibility rate with them.

Flawless logic, no mistakes.

He glanced at Xue Zenan’s composed profile. His heart was filled with anticipation—if this alpha could be swayed by beauty and turn his attention elsewhere, that would be the best outcome for Xia Lin.

Although, deep down, Xia Lin still had a tiny sliver of regret.

The Twilight Revolving Restaurant was ridiculously expensive, and even reservations required status and influence. Zhang Tianke had been a persistent presence in that building for years. Even the coldest tycoons had been warmed up by him.

Even if this "warming up" wasn’t the kind Xia Lin wanted to know about, he was still moved by how much Zhang Tianke had spent. So much so that he immediately forgave Zhang Tianke for his past failure to defend him from being carried away by an alpha due to his lack of fighting ability.

When they arrived, Zhang Tianke and the omega pretty boy were sitting across from each other. The two empty seats left were just enough—one on each side.

Without hesitation, Xia Lin sat next to Zhang Tianke, and Xue Zenan silently took the remaining seat.

Facing each other, Xia Lin suddenly thought—Xue Zenan and the pretty boy looked extremely well-matched.

Alpha and omega were the natural order. Since ancient times, clans had transitioned from omega-centered societies to alpha-dominated ones. Betas had always been the ruled class.

After entering society, this knowledge from textbooks became even more pronounced. In moments of exhaustion, it sometimes even felt like betas were an oppressed class.

This so-called duel was entirely staged on Zhang Tianke’s home turf. The things Xia Lin had sworn to reveal now seemed impossible to say with the pretty boy present.

The omega from Zhang Tianke’s studio was particularly sunny, exuding an enticing scent. Xia Lin couldn’t even tell if it was the fragrance of the restaurant or the omega’s perfume. He only felt like he was sitting at a wedding ceremony, seconds away from saying:

"Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together."

The pit he had dug for himself—because of Zhang Tianke—he was now falling into once again.

Xue Zenan’s gaze wasn’t on Xia Lin. He seemed more interested in Zhang Tianke and the pretty boy, completely ignoring Xia Lin’s silence.

Xia Lin said nothing. He even felt like crying.

If this were a TV drama, a beta like him—pursued humbly by an alpha but still refusing to appreciate it—would definitely be publicly shamed. Even if his name weren’t smeared on walls, he’d be scolded for being blind.

Oh, right. TV dramas never featured love stories between alphas and betas. If they did, it was always about an alpha finally finding their true omega love, tearing apart the scheming beta in the process.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Zhang, but I have other matters tonight.” Xue Zenan glanced at Zhang Tianke’s hand, which was wrapped around Xia Lin’s, and declined the invitation for the afterparty, preparing to leave.

The pretty boy said, “Director Xue, would you mind giving me a ride? My senior looks like he’s going home with his boyfriend, and I don’t want to disturb their alone time.”

　　Zhang Tianke tightened his embrace and couldn't help but think that the newcomer was very tactful. He said, “Then I’ll have to trouble President Xue. After all, I’m in quite a hurry.”

Xue Zenan didn’t refuse. Without even glancing at Xia Lin one last time, he left with the handsome young man, one in front and the other behind.

"Do you regret it? Are you sad? Heartbroken?" Zhang Tianke asked exaggeratedly.

Xia Lin shook off his hand and let out a relieved sigh. He had become overly cautious after being burned once, and he had never trusted the Alphas around him.

He felt like he had once again become a self-sacrificing saint of the new era—a stepping stone for Alpha-Omega lovers to be united.

He said, “Good thing I didn’t agree to President Xue’s offer. He and that handsome guy make a good match.”

Alphas were supposed to be with Omegas anyway.

On the first day without seeing Xue Zenan, Xia Lin worked smoothly and didn’t think about him.

On the second day, his work was still going well, and he still didn’t think about him.

On the third day—he thought about him, thought about him, thought about him.

With a mountain, no, mountains of work piling up! Xia Lin wanted to die and only survived the third day thanks to the power of money.

"Where is Xue Zenan?! Is he in heat?!" Xia Lin finally lost his patience and stormed into the HR department to find Selena.

Selena frowned, looking quite surprised. “President Xue is on leave. How do you not know?”

“On leave?!” Xia Lin was utterly confused by this sudden plot twist. “Two days ago, he called me to say he was going on a business trip and that I should handle work in his absence! A business trip!”

“Yes, it was supposed to be a business trip.” Selena elegantly brushed a finger across her face. “But that afternoon, after arriving at the headquarters, he messaged me and applied for annual leave.”

For a workaholic in capitalism, taking annual leave was practically a waste of life. But Xia Lin instantly thought of the handsome young man.

Using annual leave to get through a heat period—without even needing to take heat leave—was very much in line with a workaholic’s mindset.

"Alright, I understand."

Xia Lin continued to work diligently. Even though he had worked overtime until the early hours of the morning, he still arrived at the company on time the next day.

He needed rest, but even more than that, he needed a reliable boss—one who wouldn’t go into heat.

As he reflected on his disaster-prone career and considered requesting a transfer, he figured that since Xue Zenan had found new love, letting go of an innocent Beta like him should be easy.

Or perhaps he should submit a proposal stating, "Since this department is extraordinarily cursed, it is recommended that a Beta be appointed as director to ensure its stable operation." Surely, the headquarters would seriously consider it after seeing two consecutive Alpha directors take leave at critical moments.

While Xia Lin was busy juggling work and his scattered thoughts, Xue Zenan returned.

On the seventh day of his absence, right when an Alpha’s heat period would have ended—he returned.

Xia Lin couldn’t help but admire his dedication.

However, Xue Zenan didn’t look like someone who had been indulging in post-heat bliss.

In fact, he looked pale and sickly.

Xia Lin, whose mind was always full of nonsense, first thought that the handsome young man must be so strong that he drained Xue Zenan dry. His second thought was that Xue Zenan might actually be sick.

As a timid and cautious subordinate, Xia Lin asked politely, “President Xue, are you feeling unwell today?”

"Aftereffects." Xue Zenan signed a week’s worth of backlog documents, his voice weak.

As Xia Lin pondered how heat could have aftereffects, Xue Zenan added, “I had surgery.”

“…Huh?” A honeymoon turning into surgery—Xia Lin’s brain struggled to keep up.

Xue Zenan glanced at him and handed over some documents. “These need to be finalized and sent to the partners immediately. These should be submitted to headquarters. And for the remaining ones, push for the budget on the new project.”

He looked entirely professional, clearly unwilling to discuss it further.

   [Xia Lin wasn’t Lin Xia: So… President Xue really had surgery?]

   [I'm Prettier Than an Omega: …But my handsome guy also hasn’t shown up for work for seven days! He’s still not here today!]

Xia Lin had believed that Xue Zenan had taken time off for his heat period mostly because the handsome young man, who had been at Zhang Tianke’s place, had also taken leave after Xue Zenan dropped him off. The young man’s uncle had even helped apply for his leave.

Things like heat periods weren’t exactly publicized. Zhang Tianke had only casually asked if the guy was sick and reassured Xia Lin that he didn’t need to rush back to work. That was enough to reinforce Xia Lin’s assumption.

But now, the handsome young man was still on leave, while Xue Zenan had returned—looking like he had been seriously ill rather than enjoying himself.

   [The World Is My Background: …This plot twist is totally off-script. Where’s your matchmaking aura, Lin?]

   [Xia Lin isn’t Lin Xia: …Should I ask Xue Zenan what surgery he had?]

   [I’m Prettier Than an Omega: What if it’s that kind of surgery? You know, super awkward.]

   [All Alphas in Heat Are Idiots: Ask! What if it was an appendectomy? By the way, do Alphas even have an appendix?]

   [The World Is My Background: I have a feeling this surgery might be something serious. Xia Lin, brace yourself.]

Xia Lin was conflicted. He didn’t know how to bring it up. His so-called farewell gathering had been an unmistakable signal to Xue Zenan, which was why Xue hadn’t asked him a single question or even spared him a glance.

It had been a perfect way to burn bridges—but also the right choice.

After struggling with his thoughts for a long time, Xia Lin finally asked as Xue Zenan was signing documents, “President Xue, are you feeling alright? Do you need more rest?”

“No need.” Even his tone was cold.

Xia Lin, feeling rebuffed, realized that such concern was unnecessary—Xue Zenan didn’t need it.

He was just an ordinary subordinate. Keeping this distance was exactly what he wanted.

“Xia Lin.”

　　

Just as Xia Lin was about to walk out of the office, Xue Zenan suddenly called out.

He said, "I despise omegas to the point of both physical and psychological aversion. So that day, after going home with that omega, I felt really miserable."

Xia Lin did not turn back. He was like a snail retreating into its shell, needing that short distance to ensure his own safety.

Then, he heard Xue Zenan say, "I underwent pheromone isolation. My temper hasn't been great lately—it's a post-surgery side effect. I hope you don't mind."

In modern medical technology, pheromone isolation was rare. Alphas who underwent this procedure exhibited no obvious physical changes, but when encountering a heat cycle, they would be no different from eunuchs—unable to form a bond and completely incapable of impregnating an omega. Generally, unless an alpha had medical conditions or psychological abnormalities, doctors would never dare to perform such a surgery.

After all, the union between alphas and omegas was legally protected.

   [Xia Lin Isn't Lin Xia: What do I do?! What do I do?! What do I do?!]

   [More Beautiful Than an Omega: My guess—our little handsome guy went into heat on the way, triggering Xue Zong's extreme resistance, leading to a psychological breakdown, and then the doctor performed the surgery. So scary. Xia Lin, your constitution is toxic!]

   [Only Fools Go Into Heat: If I were you, I’d be asking my boss directly instead of screaming "What do I do" in the group chat.]

   [The World Is My Background: +1]

   [Xia Lin Isn't Lin Xia: …I'm timid and guilty. As narcissistic as it sounds, I actually feel like he did this surgery because of me!]

   [More Beautiful Than an Omega: While I do want to call you narcissistic… I also think he did it because of you.]

   [Only Fools Go Into Heat: What is love, if not making fools sacrifice their lives?]

   [The World Is My Background: Pheromone isolation for an alpha is basically like cutting off their manhood. Even though it's a temporary isolation that can be reversed with another surgery, the emotional pain is eternal… Has your boss's temper changed drastically? I heard many alphas become so distressed that they try to kill someone.]

   [More Beautiful Than an Omega: Damn, this is terrifying. If he can go that far against himself, Xia Lin, you'd better pack up and run. If his personality changes too much… scary!!!]

   [Only Fools Go Into Heat: Am I actually touched by an alpha who used to act all high and mighty? This "to master the art, one must first self-castrate" kind of love pursuit? Confused meme face.]

   [The World Is My Background: Xia Lin, you should observe him more carefully. Betas have weak pheromone perception, but being cut off like this feels like losing your sense of smell, taste, and hearing all at once. It can easily make someone go berserk and question their entire existence.]

   [More Beautiful Than an Omega: Xia Lin? Xia Lin? Hello??]

   [Only Fools Go Into Heat: Xia Lin? Did you go confess? Swear to take care of this alpha for life? The triumph of the bitter-meat strategy? Xia Lin?]

   [The World Is My Background: What I said is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance. The two or three alphas I know who had this surgery are bouncing around just fine without any issues. Xia Lin, come back! Come back! Come back!]

Overtime at the branch office was practically routine.

Xia Lin lingered outside Xue Zenan’s office for a long time. Ever since he learned that Xue Zenan had undergone pheromone isolation surgery, all he felt was regret. He even began to think that maybe, even if Xue Zenan and Kai En had the same motives, it would have been better to just let them have their way.

After all, it was just a normal couple breaking up—plus a little bit of unpleasant cheating.

To Xia Lin, it wasn’t a big deal.

But Xue Zenan—he had undergone pheromone isolation surgery, risking all sorts of side effects, just to prove…

Xia Lin didn't know how to put it into words or what to do. He didn’t believe he had the kind of charm that could make an alpha so devoted.

And besides, Xue Zenan didn’t love him.

Xue Zenan loved the beta he remembered—the one he met on a rainy day, who bought ice cream for a stranger alpha and said that when you meet someone you like, you should be brave enough to pursue them.

The beta who, in Xue Zenan’s heart, was irreplaceable.

But that beta was not Xia Lin.

Xia Lin knocked on the office door. Without waiting for Xue Zenan’s "Come in," he chose to enter.

He got straight to the point. "Xue Zong, why did you undergo pheromone isolation?"

Xue Zenan pulled himself out of his work, frowning, his usual ease completely gone.

The surgery was actually minor, and it didn’t require a long recovery. But on the first day after discharge, he felt an irritation rise in his heart. Humans were beasts, too. They used scent, hearing, touch—sensory input—to understand the world. As an alpha, he had been used to a world full of pheromones. Now, suddenly deprived of that, even someone as mild-tempered as Xue Zenan still felt irritable.

So, he had taken a full five days off before returning to work.

And now, the beta who had caused him to make this huge decision was standing here, pretending not to know why he did it.

"I feel wronged." Xue Zenan’s tone was cold, but his words carried a childish grievance. "I put my heart in my hands and showed it to you, and you pushed me toward someone else instead."

"Xia Lin, do you know? I recognize every omega in the entire western district, including the headquarters region."

"Including that so-called junior of your ‘boyfriend’—they were all once arranged blind dates for me. I just refused to meet them."

"I’m an anomaly among alphas, a disgrace to my family. Because I should be with an omega, but my heart has always belonged to a beta. And yet, this beta lied to me. He told me he had a loving boyfriend. He even had his fake boyfriend introduce an omega to me—someone I had already rejected before."

"Xia Lin, tell me, shouldn’t I be angry?"

Xue Zenan’s dark eyes locked onto Xia Lin’s hesitant gaze.

He said, "There’s only one person in my heart."

"He’s a beta."

Xue Zenan always frowned when he spoke. Even though his tone was cold and calm, Xia Lin could feel the suffocating sense of interrogation in his eyes.

But those questions—those doubts—should not have been directed at Xia Lin.

"I'm not," Xia Lin looked into his intense gaze. "I'm not the person who bought you ice cream. I never said that... I never said those words. I'm not, Xue Zenan. I'm not the one you love."

Tears suddenly fell from Xia Lin's eyes. He longed for this kind of unwavering love, yet he was deeply afraid of it.

Seeing Xia Lin cry, Xue Zenan panicked. He stood up abruptly and quickly walked toward him.

He had always regarded omegas as fragile beings—keeping his distance, even feeling a sense of aversion—never once feeling pity for them.

But now, for the first time, Xue Zenan felt pity for a beta.

Only because it was Xia Lin.

Xue Zenan reached out to hold Xia Lin’s face, gently wiping away the warm tears with his thumb.

He said, "Xia Lin, you've just forgotten. But that's okay. Just think of it as me once hearing someone say, 'When you meet someone you love, be brave and fight for it.' Okay?"

Xia Lin looked up at him, feeling ridiculous and embarrassed for the first time.

Yet the man, who had been irritated just moments ago, now spoke with unexpected tenderness.

"I've found the person I love, and I even used an awful method like a pheromone blockade to gain sympathy."

"So, Xia Lin, do you think… because you pity me, you should be with me?"

Online Group Chat:

   ["Prettier than an Omega": ...]

   ["Everyone in Heat Is an Idiot": ...]

   ["The World Is My Background": I'm feeling a bit flustered… and a bit jealous. So, which type of keyboard should I buy to make my suffering look aesthetically pleasing?]

   ["Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia": ???]

   ["Prettier than an Omega": Oh right, eat the keyboard!]

   ["Everyone in Heat Is an Idiot": Watching Xia Lin slowly turn into an idiot, compassionately clicking the purchase button for a keyboard.]

   ["Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia": This isn’t about eating keyboards!]

   ["Prettier than an Omega": My heart is unmoved; all I can think about is the keyboard.]

   ["The World Is My Background": If you can be together, just be together already. He even did a pheromone blockade—this kind of alpha is practically holding out a golden ticket for a sugar baby. Rich, handsome—if you don’t accept, it’s against the natural order. PS: You can invite him to eat keyboards together.]

On the first day that Xia Lin and Xue Zenan got together, everyone at work took it for granted, assuming they had been together for a long time.

As a boyfriend, Xue Zenan was the perfect partner.

As a work colleague, Xue Zenan was extremely efficient—except for the occasional post-surgery aftereffects.

"Xia Lin, my head hurts," Xue Zenan grimaced in pain, rubbing his temples.

Xia Lin immediately put down the documents he was working on and rushed over to carefully massage him. The pheromone blockade didn’t have severe effects, but Xue Zenan frequently complained of headaches, which made Xia Lin worry.

"What should we do? Should we see a doctor? Or just cancel the pheromone blockade altogether?"

"I don’t want to," Xue Zenan grabbed his hand, kissed it, and even had the audacity to pull Xia Lin into his arms, seemingly attempting to initiate an office romance in broad daylight—only to be ruthlessly pushed away by Xia Lin.

"My head hurts," Xue Zenan repeated the moment he was pushed away.

Xia Lin felt like this was an act, but he couldn’t just ignore it. He had researched a lot about pheromone blockades and even consulted doctors, all of whom said headaches could be a side effect that required ongoing observation.

But Xia Lin couldn't tell if Xue Zenan's pain was real or fake.

"Stop crying wolf," Xia Lin said. "If you really have a headache, you need to see a doctor."

Xue Zenan covered his head and smirked. "Maybe… if you invite me to stay over at your place for the night, I'll be completely cured."

   ["Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia": What kind of mysterious request is this???]

   ["Prettier than an Omega": Group admin, kick out this lovestruck fool. I need peace.]

   ["Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia": I am the group admin. This is a cry for help!]

   ["The World Is My Background": The sheer display of affection is burning through my screen.]

   ["Everyone in Heat Is an Idiot": Based on my experience, your man’s pain isn’t in his head—it’s somewhere else.]

   ["Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia": ???]

   ["Prettier than an Omega": Pheromone blockades don’t cause frequent headaches! Irritability, maybe.]

   ["Xia Lin Is Not Lin Xia": ???]

   ["Everyone in Heat Is an Idiot": Silly kid, he just wants to sleep with you.]

On the sixth day of their relationship, and the sixth day of Xue Zenan’s so-called headaches, there was finally a new guest in Xia Lin’s house.

Xue Zenan’s true wolf-like nature was fully revealed—he didn’t have a headache at all as he invaded Xia Lin’s bed and, along the way, claimed its owner.

Perhaps it was due to being utterly exhausted from their activities, but Xia Lin was still worried about the aftereffects of the pheromone blockade, asking Xue Zenan about his condition with great concern.

But Xue Zenan was straightforward: "Shouldn’t you be more worried about yourself?"

Xia Lin blinked. "What?"

Xue Zenan said, "By being with me, you might never have children in the future."

Even though betas had lower fertility than omegas, there was still a chance of pregnancy. However, Xue Zenan’s pheromone blockade completely eliminated the active agents necessary for beta conception.

Xia Lin chuckled and said, "I’ve never really liked kids anyway. Besides, my dad is already like a child—he drives me crazy. He’s a full-grown adult who’s obsessed with sweets, and he even sends me out in the rain to buy ice cream for him—oh!"

Xue Zenan tensed. "What’s wrong?"

Xia Lin looked at him like he had just seen a ghost, then hesitantly reached out to touch his face. After their passionate night, Xue Zenan’s usual sharp appearance had softened, his bangs falling gently across his forehead, making him look his age.

After a moment of hesitation, Xia Lin asked, "When you were little… were you often told you were cute?"

Xue Zenan frowned, as if he disliked the memory. "When I was a kid, my dad always dressed me in skirts and raised me like a little girl. I hated it and often ran away to play outside. That’s why…"

He trailed off.

Xia Lin said, "That’s why you met the person who bought you ice cream, right?!"

Xia Lin had always hated ice cream—mostly because his dad constantly sent him out to buy it, no matter the season or weather.

But one day, he met an adorable little girl.

She was incredibly cute, wearing a pink dress, standing outside the ice cream shop with a serious expression—pretending she didn’t like ice cream.

Despite usually disliking kids, Xia Lin was captivated.

So, he had quietly told her, "Little cutie, I hope you find someone you truly love."

Xue Zenan now murmured, "I may not be a little cutie anymore, but you… you're very cute."

Xue Zenan: "I’m sorry. If I had been smarter, I wouldn’t have spent years looking for the so-called ‘most beautiful beta.’"

Xia Lin: ???

Xue Zenan added, "Because it was your charm, not just your looks, that made alphas fall for you."

_____

Author's Note: At least it was completed on the same day as the esports story.

T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍂🍂🍂