This person simply enjoyed tormenting him.

Song Yu sneered, “I’m such a perfect Alpha, and I have to pay to get a kiss?”

From a distance, Qin Luo’s shouts echoed. Song Yu pushed Rong Shi away and walked off with long strides, without a backward glance.

“Bro, how did you disappear in the blink of an eye?” Qin Luo found him. “Let’s go, it’s about to start.”

Song Yu tilted his head slightly, his gaze lingering on Rong Shi who was walking over. He scoffed coldly, “Boring. I’m going back.”

Qin Luo was bewildered: “Huh?”

Song Yu didn’t explain further, turned around, and walked outside. After only a few steps, he was surrounded by a group of young Omegas.

“Good evening, do you have a dance partner yet?”

“Haven’t seen you in months, you’ve gotten even more handsome!”

“Come party with us after the banquet.”

“Alright,” Song Yu smiled. “I was just looking for some entertainment anyway.”

[Master, hurry and coax your sugar daddy back. If we don’t eat soon, the children will starve themselves silly, sobbing—]

Rong Shi: “…”

---

Song Yu held his champagne, chatting casually with them, his peripheral vision tracking Rong Shi’s approach.

His lips were halfway curved into a smile when Rong Shi was suddenly pulled away by a female Alpha who appeared out of nowhere.

“Let’s go, it’s starting inside,” Qian Xun naturally linked arms with Rong Shi and walked towards the main hall. “There are too many wolves at the banquet tonight, so I’ll grudgingly be your dance partner.”

Rong Shi said expressionlessly, “Miss Qian, my wife is watching. He’s about to kill someone.”

Qian Xun, puzzled, followed his gaze and immediately met Song Yu’s cold, sharp eyes.

She quickly withdrew her hand: “Then I’ll be his dance partner.”

Rong Shi: “I’m very concerned about your personal safety right now. For Elder Qian’s sake, I suggest you find a partner among that group of Omegas.”

Qian Xun: “…”

The surroundings were too noisy for Song Yu to hear what they were saying. He only noticed that Rong Shi didn’t immediately shake off her hand, and anger surged within him.

Crack.

The stem of the wine glass snapped.

The surroundings suddenly quieted.

Song Yu casually tossed the broken glass onto a passing waiter’s tray, his voice icy cold.

“Get lost.”

The Omegas exchanged glances, then silently cleared a path.

They couldn’t understand why he was smiling charmingly one second and then angry the next.

Was he truly suffering from a mental illness, as the rumors suggested?

---

Rong Shi watched him approach, wondering how to coax the agitated little Song Cat when He Nian suddenly appeared, interrupting him.

“Finally found you,” He Nian said, walking up to Song Yu, smiling, “Major General Zhao and the others have already arrived. Shall we go together?”

Song Yu coldly assented, walking past Rong Shi.

Rong Shi grabbed his wrist: “Xiao Yu—”

Before he could finish, Song Yu shook off his hand, not even looking at him, and walked into the hall side-by-side with He Nian.

Qian Xun rested her chin in her hand and smiled: “Oh dear, he seems angry.”

Rong Shi: “…”

Qian Xun: “I’m suddenly getting Song Yu’s cuteness. Can I pursue him?”

Rong Shi’s face darkened: “Absolutely not.”

Qin Luo, having witnessed the drama of #WifeThrowsATantrumHusbandChasesToCoax#, #WifeStillNotCoaxedHusbandCheatsWithMistress#, #MistressAboutToBeTornApartByWifeWhenMistressAppears#, and #AfterATwo-WayLoveTriangleEveryoneGoesTheirOwnWay#, followed Song Yu into the main hall, thoroughly satisfied.

Before entering, he turned back to Rong Shi and gave him a cheering gesture.

“Oli Gae!” (A Chinese internet slang for ‘Go for it!’)

Rong Shi: “…”

---

The people in the courtyard all headed into the main hall. Rong Shi and his group walked in last.

Chen Chen: “I heard many important figures are here. The banquet tonight won’t be simple.”

Qian Xun subtly glanced around, lowering her voice: “You probably don’t know yet, but two days ago, the Qin family pressured the school authorities, holding a series of personnel accountable for insufficient rescue efforts.”

Chen Chen: “Which Qin family? Major General Qin Zhao?”

Qian Xun tilted her head to look at him, a hint of sarcasm in her smile: “He doesn’t have that much influence.”

Those who could enter the Royal Academy’s management were not ordinary people; ordinary forces simply couldn’t contend with them.

Rong Shi almost immediately thought of Qin Luo.

The Imperial Capital Qin family and the Qian family once held parallel status, but the Qin family’s internal relations were more complex.

Over a hundred years ago, a pair of brothers in the Qin family turned against each other. After dividing the family, they no longer interacted, thus splitting the Qin family into two.

Qin Zhao’s lineage was the branch family, and Qin Luo’s lineage was the main family. The descendants of the two families did not interact, no different from strangers.

Although both bore the surname Qin, the main family’s influence far surpassed that of the branch family.

However, currently, the Qian family had withdrawn from the front lines, and the Qin family sided with the Second Prince, facing constraints everywhere, also greatly diminished from before.

Rong Shi suddenly recalled hearing Elder Qian say in his previous life that Professor Qin was also from the branch family, but had been estranged from his family for many years.

“The Qin family has been active lately, truly loyal and eager to protect their master,” Qian Xun sighed, shaking her head as she said this. “It’s a pity their master is entirely focused on romance.”

Rong Shi’s gaze swept across the luxurious hall. In a corner on the second floor, he saw Lu Youqi and Qin Zhao chatting.

“It’s more than just that, right?”

Every step little Song Cat took back, the Qin family would advance a step, maintaining a delicate balance.

Qian Xun chuckled: “I heard that the three people from the Lin family and Liu family who just got into the council were removed due to work failures. I truly feel bad for them.”

Hearing “Liu family,” Liu Hong perked his ears for a moment, then his heart sank back.

“Good thing it wasn’t my dad who got demoted.”

Chen Chen and others: “…” Aren’t they your relatives, at least?

Under their subtle gazes, Liu Hong defended himself: “My great Liu family lives their own lives; we don’t do collective punishment. Whoever causes trouble cleans up their own mess.”

Chen Chen and others: “…”

Entering the main hall, they tacitly dropped the topic and found a corner to stand.

Before the banquet began, they had to listen to a few bigwigs “chanting scriptures.”

---

Besides Zhao Ji, Qin Zhao, and Lin Yue, who picked them up last time, Lu Youqi and several colonels about to be promoted to general rank were also present today.

As the host, Qin Zhao gave the opening remarks.

Rong Shi clapped perfunctorily, searching the crowd for a certain sulking little cat.

He could be with anyone else, but not He Nian. The hidden danger was too great.

He didn’t know when Qin Zhao’s “action” would take place, but regardless, he wasn’t at ease not keeping a close eye on little Song Cat these past few days.

[Master, do you need my help to search for little tricks to make your wife happy?]

Rong Shi: “…”

[Actually, I think you’d just avoid making him angry if you talked less.]

Rong Shi: “…”

His gaze fell upon Song Yu and He Nian, who were laughing and chatting. He lowered his voice and asked, “Who is Major General Qin Zhao’s wife?”

Being asked such a strange question out of the blue, Qian Xun glanced at him, scanned the crowd, and then leaned in slightly: “Third from the left in the last row on the second floor.”

Rong Shi followed her gaze.

[Lin Jing, 45 years old, Omega, born into the branch family of the Lin family, currently a member of the Omega Rights Protection Organization.]

Omega Rights Protection Organization? These words instantly made Rong Shi think of “Pheromone Equality” on the paper in the ant nest laboratory.

Just as men and women could never achieve absolute equality, neither could Omega and Alpha pheromones; this was determined by genetics.

[Too far. Do you need to collect his pheromones?]

Rong Shi nodded, his right hand behind his back. The blue crystal in his decorative buckle transformed into extremely fine silk threads that slid down his hand and pant leg to the floor, then snaked their way to the other side of the hall.

A patrolling AI guard floated by, suddenly caught by the blue threads and dragged into the utility room.

01 held it in front of itself, scanned it, then stuffed it into its transformed large mouth and munched it down with a few crunches.

Five seconds later, AI Guard 01, carrying a laser gun, flew emotionlessly towards the second floor, muttering to itself.

“No energy added at all. Ate for nothing.”

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, as Song Yu finally noticed and quickly glanced towards Rong Shi.

Rong Shi picked up a glass of champagne from nearby, rhythmically tapping the rim of the glass with his index finger.

[Don’t be angry anymore.]

This was a code they had created when bored, understood only by the two of them.

After sending it, he saw Song Yu’s wine glass in his hand casually twirl a few times.

[You say not to be angry, and I won’t be?]

Rong Shi struggled to suppress the upward curve of his lips, then continued to send signals.

[Want me to treat you to hotpot?]

Song Yu’s face stiffened.

[Don’t mention hotpot to me for a while!]

Rong Shi: [Then want me to let you hit me?]

Song Yu: [If I hit you, my hand will hurt.]

“Are you tired?” Seeing Song Yu lost in thought, He Nian asked, confused, “Didn’t you rest well?”

Song Yu twirled his glass, saying leisurely, “Yeah, I didn’t have my bunny pillow last night, couldn’t sleep.”

He Nian chuckled softly: “You actually made a bunny pillow?”

Song Yu’s voice was languid: “Didn’t you give it to me?”

He Nian’s pupils contracted, and he instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

He hadn’t expected a casual question to dig him into a hole.

“Just kidding,” Song Yu said, his cold peripheral glance sweeping over Rong Shi. “I just wanted you to get me one.”

Being overly tense, once he relaxed, his whole mind felt hazy.

He Nian’s voice tightened: “How big do you like—”

Before he could finish, he suddenly heard a pleasant laugh. He Nian looked up, and after a brief daze, his heart rate quickened.

Song Yu never gave anyone a pleasant expression; when he smiled, it was always with a hint of sarcasm, and when he didn’t, he was even more terrifying.

He Nian hadn’t expected him to be so dazzling when he truly smiled purely.

Not just him, even Rong Shi was momentarily dazzled.

Before the speeches ended, 01 completed its mission and silently returned to the decorative buckle on the terminal.

[Big discovery! Preliminary comparison shows Qin Zhao and Lin Jing are 100% matches!]

The previous speculation was confirmed.

So far, all Omegas from the Lin family had issues.

Rong Shi activated normal mode, sending commands to 01 through his consciousness, to systematically screen all Omegas in the hall, looking for members of the Omega Rights Protection Organization, or those closely related to Lin Jing.

“Since tonight is a celebration banquet, the opening dance should be performed by the champion team,” Qin Zhao looked down in Rong Shi’s direction. “Please select a representative.”

The team members all looked at Rong Shi simultaneously.

Such a show of prominence should, of course, be handled by the Chairman; it would be impressive!

Rong Shi, who was about to send 01 on a mission: “…”

Qin Zhao: “Alright, Rong Shi, you shall do it. Please choose your dance partner.”

Everyone else in the hall looked over, especially the young Omegas, their gazes particularly fervent.

“Song Yu is here, he must choose Song Yu, right?”

“Not necessarily. Who doesn’t know they have a fake marriage? It’s just for show.”

“In this kind of situation, he’ll definitely choose an Omega as a dance partner. Two Alphas dancing… I can’t even imagine it.”

“Choose me, choose me! I love this type!”

After this league, many great nobles were interested in Rong Shi.

His marriage with Song Yu seemed like a joke. While some keen observers wanted to make it real, others who were privy to the truth knew it was merely a transaction.

The resources Rong Shi could gain by climbing onto the Second Prince, a commoner, were considerable, and Song Yu, in turn, used this to escape his passive situation and execute his next plan.

Anyone could take it seriously, and no one truly did.

It could be fake, but it had to appear real.

If Rong Shi was smart enough, the Second Prince as a stepping stone would be enough to propel him to great heights.

A young man with strength and cunning, still a fresh military academy student, his future achievements were entirely foreseeable. Who wouldn’t like such a promising talent?

---

Rong Shi put down his wine glass and walked towards the center of the hall.

The Omegas, though outwardly composed, were screaming internally.

Who doesn’t love a top Alpha?!

“May I have this dance?” Rong Shi extended his hand.

Omegas: “…” Damn it!

Others: “…” He actually asked Song Yu?! Is he looking for a fight?

Teammates: “…” So much desire to survive!

Song Yu glanced at his long, slender hand, raising an eyebrow: “You can dance?”

Rong Shi: “No.”

Rong Shi: “You teach me.”

Song Yu put down his wine glass and took his hand, saying lazily: “Alright, since you’re my wife.”

Rong Shi gripped his hand, leading him to the center of the hall.

Amidst the melodious violin music, Rong Shi placed his hand on Song Yu’s waist, following Song Yu’s rhythm.

“You stepped on me again,” Song Yu said with a smile, his voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.

Rong Shi showed no guilt: “It’s my first time dancing.”

Song Yu: “I thought you were being humble.”

Rong Shi: “This is my blind spot.”

After being stepped on three or four times, Song Yu looked at his earnest face and burst out laughing.

“So there’s something you don’t know how to do?”

Rong Shi shook his head: “I won’t dance with anyone other than you. Learning it would be useless.”

Song Yu’s smile faltered for a moment, instantly understanding the meaning of that sentence.

If that sole person wouldn’t appear in one’s life, then many things learned would never be put to use.

Rong Shi’s gaze swept around, then he leaned in slightly and whispered into Song Yu’s ear.

“Cooperate with me.”

Song Yu’s eyes flashed. Using the dance steps, he subtly led Rong Shi to glide past the people around them.

[Pheromones collecting—8 o’clock direction complete—10 o’clock direction complete—]

Those who had planned to watch a show: “…”

Why do two Alphas dancing look so good?!

Omegas: “…”

—Ahhhhhh, I’m dead!

---

Author’s Note:

Song Cat: Paying for a kiss? Do you still want your cat pillow in the future?

Rong Bunny: I was wrong. Kiss me back, it’s free.

Song Cat: …