Chapter 46: Gu Xiujue
An Omega coming home late was a big deal. When the three of them returned, Father Chu was waiting.
He frowned but could not bring himself to scold Li Dong. “Huanhuan, you made us very worried.”
“I am sorry,” Li Dong said. He stood before Father Chu looking worn out. “I promise it will not happen again.”
Father Chu was a middle-aged Alpha who had been quite handsome in his youth, and even now remained a distinguished gentleman. “Of course I believe you.” He could not bear to reproach his youngest, so he immediately switched to a smile. “Are you hungry? Go eat and rest.”
“Okay,” Li Dong said. He excused himself and went upstairs to his room.
“Tell me what happened,” Father Chu said as he watched his youngest go, then turned to his wife and eldest son, face grave.
“Huanhuan may have reached maturity,” Mother Chu said. “I am guessing he had a false heat today.” Thank heavens, she added, “The person who took him in was Major General Gu Xiujue and nothing happened between them.”
“Major General Gu Xiujue?” Chu Dad said. “Him again?” He still remembered the officer who had been taken to court by their son last time.
“That major general is quite pitiful,” Chu Mom said. “He did nothing to Huanhuan. Last time was a misunderstanding.”
“I agree with Mom,” said Big Brother Chu. He shrugged. “I am not directly under Major General Gu, but everyone knows his character. He would not harm an Omega.”
He was a people’s hero who had defended the nation. Anyone who had served knew how difficult that mission had been.
If not for that mission, Major General Gu Xiujue could have kept his health and happily married his lover, Major General Huo Leishao.
“I am not saying he is a bad man,” Father Chu said. He had served too and understood a soldier’s sense of duty. “What I worry about is Huanhuan getting drawn in by his story and wanting to bond with a Beta.”
Gu Xiujue was not unworthy as a person. The key was that he was a Beta and infertile. What right did he have to claim an outstanding Omega?
“I will not allow that to happen,” Father Chu said. “No more talk. We will organize Huanhuan’s coming-of-age immediately. Any objections?”
Mother Chu and Big Brother Chu replied in unison, “All right, you have the final say.”
In Li Dong's room, Mother Chu brought up some food.
“Thank you, Mom.” Li Dong had just showered. In pajamas with a book in hand, he said, “I think I should read this again.” It was the Omega Life Handbook that everyone owned.
Mother Chu smiled kindly, worry in her eyes. “Huanhuan,” she said as she sat on the edge of the bed, “your father just said we need to hold your coming-of-age soon.”
It was time for the Omega to choose a bonding partner.
“You want me to choose a strong Alpha. I know,” Li Dong said. “But I do not want an Alpha.” He turned the pages calmly. “Choosing who spends a lifetime with me is the one right that belongs to me.”
“Do you like Major General Gu?” Mother Chu raised a brow.
“I would not call it like,” Li Dong said. “I think he suits me. At the very least there is no other candidate who attracts me more.”
“Your father disagrees,” Mother Chu sighed as she set the food out. “Eat. We can discuss the rest tomorrow.”
There were precedents in history of Omegas loving Betas, but they rarely ended well.
“No matter when you ask, my answer will be the same,” Li Dong said, blinking and smiling.
What a lovely child, Mother Chu thought. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. For him, she would fight for anything. “Listen. No matter what happens, Mom loves you.”
“I love you too,” Li Dong said, returning the kiss.
He watched her leave, tossed the book aside, and concentrated on enjoying his late dinner.
An unsettled day ended in quiet.
The next morning, a doctor came to the house and examined Li Dong.
After confirming by blood test, the doctor looked serious and told Mother Chu, “Yes, the Omega has entered maturity. Hormone levels are about to peak. I estimate heat will be triggered within a month.”
Li Dong felt woozy and pressed his skin where they had drawn blood while the doctor’s instructions buzzed in his ears.
For a while he could not go out, could not drink alcohol, could not engage in strenuous exercise, and so on.
“Most urgent is choosing an excellent Alpha to help your Omega through heat,” the doctor said.
The child had grown up and would have to marry sooner or later. It was inevitable.
“Understood,” Mother Chu said. “Thank you, Doctor. The coming-of-age is already being prepared. It should be in the next few days.” She hid her worry and saw the doctor out.
All of Li Dong’s courses that required going out were canceled, which secretly pleased him.
“Huanhuan,” Mother Chu said, “when your father comes home tonight, I will talk to him.” Her view was the same as her husband’s. She did not want her youngest to marry a Beta who had once been abandoned.
“Okay. You are too good to me,” Li Dong said. He stood and hugged her, and while he did he quietly tossed the lollipop the doctor had given him. He did not need candy for shots.
In the afternoon the home gym was off limits to Li Dong, so he set his sights on the unused link pod.
The doctor had said no strenuous exercise, but had not said one could not go online for strenuous exercise.
The link pod connected to a person’s consciousness. Once inside, the mind entered a virtual space known as the Star Net.
The Star Net was citizens’ back garden, a place for real-name relaxation.
From Chu Huanyan’s memories, Li Dong had long known about the Star Net and had wanted to have a look.
Also, Huo Leishao had said Gu Xiujue liked to go online at certain times in a certain zone.
Connection successful. Li Dong opened his eyes and a Star Net map appeared in front of him.
He lifted a hand to swipe through region names, drilling down layer by layer to the place he wanted.
Then he remembered he could have just entered the location name to search.
After he confirmed, he spawned at that zone’s login point.
He popped into view. From that height and face, everyone knew an Omega had come online.
An Omega?
The guys looked up at the zone name above them: Tough Guy Club.
Yes, a place dripping with tough-guy energy. An Omega showing up was quite something.
Li Dong had two reasons for coming here. First, there were no hormones online, so an Omega could move around freely.
Second, this was where Gu Xiujue liked to play. It was his and Huo Leishao’s playground.
“Hi.” A handsome, courteous young man approached with a warm smile. “Are you alone, or would you like me to give you a tour of the Tough Guy Club?”
“Sure, thanks,” Li Dong said. He smiled at the stranger without the shyness most Omegas showed. “Take me to the fighting arena. This place is huge.” He might not find his way.
“My pleasure,” the youth said, eyes fixed on Li Dong with open admiration. “My name is Neil. You are very attractive.”
Apparently it was even easier to get hit on as an Omega in an online environment.
“Chu Huanyan,” Li Dong said, offering a hand. “Nice to meet you, Neil.” He suddenly remembered that the lead in The Matrix was called Neo, and looking closely this one even resembled him, the same refined type.
“Chu Huanyan?” Neil’s mouth fell open. “Oh, you are that Chu Huanyan, the one all over the news recently?” To protect Omegas, the Empire never published their photos, so citizens knew the name but not the face.
He had actually dumped Major General Huo Leishao.
Wait, Major General Huo Leishao had been frequenting the arena lately.
“Are you here to find Major General Huo Leishao?” Neil asked.
Li Dong only smiled. His laid-back ease made Neil feel himself falling in love. No wonder this Omega had dumped Huo Leishao. He felt different from the rest.
At the arena, a domain of tough guys, an Omega suddenly appeared.
By Li Dong’s side, Neil whispered, “Everyone is looking at us. They are jealous of me.” Thanks to Li Dong, he felt envy aimed his way for the first time in his life.
“An Omega…”
“Uh, an Omega…”
Li Dong walked like he owned the place, untouched by the surrounding commotion. It was as if the arena belonged to his family and he had come to inspect his property.
Neil felt complicated. How was this Omega somehow more dashing than he was. He felt himself getting swept away.
“Is this the arena?” Li Dong asked. “Thanks, Neil. You can leave me here.” He tipped the young man a smile.
“I do not mind staying with you…” Neil ventured.
“No need. I found who I came for,” Li Dong said, turning his gaze toward ten o’clock.
Through ring after ring he saw a tall, austere youth leaning in an inconspicuous corner, arms folded, watching the matches.
The fringe on Gu Xiujue’s forehead was messy and sweat damp, showing he had already warmed up and was just resting.
His shirt hung loosely, careless and a little decadent, another kind of allure.
Just then, the two fighters in the ring before him decided the match.
They came down and went to speak to Gu Xiujue, probably to ask for pointers.
Li Dong ignored the looks and headed straight for him.
People gaped. An Omega in a fighting arena, seriously?
Alphas and Betas along his path parted for him without thinking.
Gu Xiujue stepped into the ring, ready for one last match before leaving.
Something felt off. The place had gone quiet.
He glanced over his shoulder and jumped. “Omega?” For heaven’s sake. He took a full look around and confirmed it was indeed the arena.
Li Dong sauntered up. “Hi, Major General Gu. Good afternoon.”
“What are you doing here?” Gu Xiujue frowned. “Did you forget my warning?” An Omega on the brink of heat was roaming around, heading straight for Alpha-heavy places at that.
“This is the Star Net,” Li Dong said. “I am not in danger here.” He hopped the ropes with a neat, clean motion. “Major General, how about a match with me?”
There was a stir. Alphas and Betas crowded around.
Interesting, an Omega challenging a Beta.
“Do not joke around,” Gu Xiujue said. “This is not a place for you. You should go somewhere that suits you.” A hint of helplessness showed. His face stayed cold, yet there was a trace of awkwardness.
Crap, was he blushing?
Blushing made Li Dong think of the thing he had tried to forget from yesterday.
He had lived two lives and never felt anything like that before. His mood was complicated. He had a d*ck and had been licked by a shou.
F**k. His knees went weak just thinking about it.
How had the other person even managed to do that? He must have been possessed at the time!
“Spare me the lecture. I am not as fragile as you think,” Li Dong said. He shrugged off his jacket and hung it on the springy ropes.
So crisp and neat that it triggered a wave of cheers.
“This Omega is so cool,” someone yelled. “Major General Gu, accept the challenge.”
“Yes, yes.” Whistles rose and fell, and the arena boiled.
Neil burst out laughing. An Omega was challenging a major general. He immediately posted on the Star Net. “Everyone come quick. An Omega is challenging Major General Gu Xiujue in the arena.”
“Do not do this,” Gu Xiujue said. He folded his arms and looked genuinely troubled. “Do not make things hard for me. I do not intend to have too much contact with you.”
“In a few days my family will hold my coming-of-age,” Li Dong said. “Then I will become someone else’s Omega, just as you want.”
“That is only natural,” Gu Xiujue said. He had never imagined any second possibility.
“Then what are you afraid of?” Li Dong spread his hands and grinned openly. “There are still a few days. You will not even let me go a little crazy?”
That “you” gave Gu Xiujue the illusion that the Omega was giving him the right to decide everything.
Hearing that word from an Omega made his heart shiver.
“Come on, make me happy,” Li Dong said. “Just like you did yesterday.” He suppressed his internal complaints, pretending he had enjoyed it.
What a mess.
“I will not fight back. Go ahead,” Gu Xiujue said. “Stop when you are satisfied.” He lowered his hands and dropped every guard.
He had never given up resistance on a ring. He was competitive to the bone and never allowed himself to be at someone’s mercy.
Forget it. He would take the hits and not strike back.
“You are looking down on me,” Li Dong said. “Do you think I am made of tofu?” He stepped in and tapped a light punch to Gu Xiujue’s abdomen. The man did not budge.
The Alphas and Betas hooted. They all wanted to be Gu Xiujue right then, being teased with punches by an Omega. Nothing got the blood pumping more.
“Your abs are hard,” Li Dong said. “My knuckles hurt.” He leaned in and smiled.
Gu Xiujue said nothing, stepped back a pace, sweat running down his brow. “Get down now. I told you this is not for you.” His eyes flicked to the Omega’s fist. Had he really hurt his hand?
“No. We are already up here, so we fight,” Li Dong said. He glanced at the eager onlookers. “Do not refuse to hit back. Just treat it as practice and teach me a couple of moves.”
He raised his guard. “Whether I can get out of danger the next time something happens depends on you, Major General Gu.”
“Have you trained in fighting?” Gu Xiujue asked, eyes narrowed. He noticed how standard Li Dong’s stance was, and his interest rose.
“Mm-hmm,” Li Dong said. “Come on. You are dragging it out.”
“Alright. Be careful,” Gu Xiujue said, taking a defensive posture. He pretended to be very serious, “going all out” against an Omega opponent.
This look made Li Dong want to ride him.
Li Dong lunged. His first move showed off his legs.
It looked good, but the power was a bit lacking. Gu Xiujue blocked it easily.
“Good. Again,” he said. For some reason his handsome face kept flooding with color. Sparring with an Omega felt indecent, like going to bed with one.
“Mm.” That had just been a probe. Li Dong had not gone all out. “I am getting serious.”
“Good,” Gu Xiujue said, lips slightly parted, damp face undeniably attractive. “Give it everything.”
Free sparring with an Omega. It was too delightful.
Around them the Alphas and Betas envied him to death.
But once Li Dong really began to show his skill, people’s emotions went up and down. That left hook was solid. Nice. A midline strike, very quick. Excellent. The Omega’s base was stable. The major general might be in trouble.
“This is Neil reporting live,” Neil crowed. “Major General Gu Xiujue and an Omega are locked in a fierce match. You heard that right. The Omega’s technique is good. He just punched the major general again. Oh, directly on the left cheek. Wait, our major general is smiling. My goodness, so happy. I want to be punched by an Omega too.”
Li Dong was speechless. So much for that refined demeanor.
Neil’s commentary spread across the Star Net. People flooded toward the arena.
“Your technique is better than I expected,” Gu Xiujue said. “But you are too weak. Heads up, I am going to counter.” He felt Li Dong had greater potential, so he began to teach in earnest.
“!” thought Li Dong. So much for not hitting back. Liar.
When Gu Xiujue countered, Li Dong was quickly on the defensive.
“Good heavens,” Neil cried. “The major general is turning the tide. The Omega is dodging in a panic. Oh no, the Omega fell. No, the major general caught him. I cannot, I am dying of jealousy. That is it for commentary. If you want to see, come in person.”
D*mn it, frustrating.
Gu Xiujue had grabbed Li Dong when the man nearly fell. Thankfully he had pulled his strike.
“You are really strong,” Li Dong said. He had thought himself good at fighting, but in front of Gu Xiujue he was nothing. Very, very not good.
“You also exceeded my expectations,” Gu Xiujue said.
They were both panting, staring at each other, faces damp with sweat and full of allure.
The hold lasted a good ten seconds. No one interrupted.
“Xiu!” Huo Leishao rushed in from afar, saw the scene, and exploded. “You laid hands on an Omega. Are you still human?”
Li Dong and Gu Xiujue both snapped back to reality. They separated slightly and turned to look at Huo Leishao.
The burly Alpha vaulted into the ring and threw a punch at the stunned Gu Xiujue. “You are too selfish! Jealousy has made you ugly!”
“Mm…” Gu Xiujue grunted as he took the blow, hand to his mouth as he staggered to the ropes. The force was obvious.
“Major General Huo Leishao, you have misunderstood,” Li Dong said, moving to Gu Xiujue’s side to check on him. “We were sparring. It was not what you think.”
Charging in and swinging first. What a reckless scummy gong.
“Huanhuan, do you believe a powerful Beta is sparring combat techniques with you?” Huo Leishao asked angrily, convinced Gu was lying. “Xiu, I thought you meant well by Huanhuan, but you are still jealous.”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Gu Xiujue said, lifting his head. The face that once laughed and bickered with Huo Leishao was now cold. “Major General Huo Leishao, I will state it here and now. Whatever good feeling I had for you ends today.”
The audience went silent as chickens, but their inner commentaries never stopped.
Too melodramatic. The three of them had formed three different couples.
It began with Alpha and Beta, fighting life and death together, yet useless in the end. The Alpha still abandoned the Beta and got engaged to an Omega.
Later on, the Omega dumped the Alpha and turned to the Beta.
Then the Beta declared he was done with the Alpha and seemed to like the Omega.
“What?” Huo Leishao said. Feelings over? He did not believe it, because he knew how much Gu Xiujue had relied on that feeling without analysis. “Do not run from your responsibility. You are in the wrong.”
“I have no feelings for you anymore,” Gu Xiujue said tiredly. “Do not interfere in my life.” He looked at his former lover. A thorn pricked deep in his eyes, for the self who had once held to a creed without wavering. “Do you not understand plain language, Huo Leishao?”
“You…” Huo Leishao said. “You make people angry and disappointed.” Growing more extreme was not right. “Keep this up and you will go astray, and no one will accept you, Xiu.”
This was a world with rules. Those who followed the rules benefited. Those who broke them were not accepted.
“Enough,” Li Dong said. He was furious, yet happy to hear the male lead say he was done with the scummy gong. “Major General Huo Leishao, have you heard of minding your place?”
He stepped in front of Gu Xiujue and blocked Huo’s line of sight. “Nothing Xiu does is your business. You are strangers now, or enemies, because you abandoned him. You have no right to yap here. So, mind your place. Do not do anything under the banner of doing it for his own good, because he does not need it.”
Huo Leishao’s face burned. Anyone could tell Li Dong’s words were naked contempt. “You do not understand anything. Xiu and I went through life and death together. You cannot understand our feelings.”
He believed that even if they had broken up, the two of them were still tied together. Neither could forget, and neither could escape the other’s life.
“Maybe you are right,” Li Dong said. “Now I am going to announce something.” He rolled his eyes in secret, then faced everyone. “Today, whoever can beat Major General Huo Leishao, I will marry him.”
First there was silence below, then suddenly a terrible uproar and jeering erupted. The entire fighting arena boiled with excitement.
“The Omega said if you beat Major General Huo Leishao, he will marry you.” The tough guys howled. “Beat Huo Leishao! Beat Huo Leishao!”
“Breaking news,” Neil shouted. “Although I hate to tell you this, over!” He loathed his thin arms and legs. A Beta like him was no use.
“You are being frivolous,” Gu Xiujue said, glaring at Li Dong with a flicker of anger. It felt like holding a cake too precious to touch, only for some random passerby to snatch it and take a bite.
“Major General Gu,” Li Dong said as he stepped close and murmured at his ear, “fight for me.” The cruelest spell in history came out. “Beat him, and I will be your Omega.”
He ran the tip of his scarlet tongue lightly over Gu Xiujue’s earlobe.
A shiver went through Gu. He closed his eyes quickly, afraid to show the greed in them.
Several seconds passed.
“I cannot,” he said when he opened his eyes again. The heat that had flared felt like an illusion. “I am not worthy. You should find a strong Alpha.” He turned his face aside and refused flatly.
“A strong Alpha,” Li Dong said. “You mean who, Huo Leishao?” He pinched Gu Xiujue’s chin and locked eyes with him. “I have my eye on you. If you are a man, answer me with one sentence. Will you fight or not?”
Gu Xiujue fell silent.
No answer. He had gone limp like a scared dog. What kind of panther was that. “Fine,” Li Dong said, letting him go. “Stay that way for the rest of your life, coward.”
He turned to leave after the insult.
“Let me hold the ring for you,” Gu Xiujue said, catching the wrist that had gripped his chin. His feelings were a tangle.
He did not believe the Omega truly wanted him. Maybe it was just a whim. He did not believe Huo Leishao could hold the ring either. There were plenty here who could defeat him.
“I do not need you to hold it,” Li Dong said. “If you do not want to be with me, step off this ring and let someone else come up.”
“You are too willful,” Gu Xiujue said, anger rising. “If you are with me, no one will bless us.” That was the rule Huo Leishao spoke of, and he had to admit it was true.
He could wander outside the rules himself, free and alone, but he could not drag an Omega into the same suffering.
“I do not care,” Li Dong said. “Major General Huo Leishao, if no one beats you in the end, I will marry you.” He shook his arm free, turned, and stepped off the ring.
[Mini Theater ③: Prequel to the Pure Major General “Losing It”]
Gu Xiujue: Am I supposed to tear up my ex or my partner’s ex?
Li Dong: What did you say, say it again.
Gu Xiujue: I… I… (blushes, flees)
Li Dong: … (mind racing, really wants to f**k, someone’s big sister is starving already)
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