RT Chapter 18
by VolareShu Lin’s eyes darted anxiously between the two men, unsure of what to do.
After a moment, he thought about it and gently tugged on Shao Chengxi’s sleeve, “It’s okay, or I…”
Shao Chengxi grasped his hand. “No, it’s not okay.”
Even if they were both Omegas and elders, he didn’t want anyone touching Shu Lin’s pheromones.
His, could only be his.
Shao Tingrui looked at their clasped hands and suddenly chuckled, “Interesting.”
He stood up. “Chengxi, you’ve found a soft-hearted Omega.”
Shao Chengxi looked at him warily. “Grandfather…”
“Don’t worry,” Shao Tingrui waved his hand. “I won’t make things difficult for him.”
He walked up to Shu Lin. “Child, lift your head.”
Shu Lin obediently looked up.
Shao Tingrui was an Omega and an elder, so Shu Lin didn’t feel offended by this action.
Shao Tingrui scrutinized him carefully and then gestured for him to offer his hand.
Examining his slender, fair fingers for a moment, Shao Tingrui’s eyes showed satisfaction.
“It’s often said that appearance reflects the heart. Not bad, this face clearly belongs to a blessed child, worthy of my most prized grandson.”
Shu Lin was flattered. “Thank you for the compliment, Grandfather.”
Shao Tingrui nodded. “Be a good Omega to Chengxi, don’t cause him trouble, and come visit this old man when you have time.”
Shu Lin replied obediently, “Understood, Grandfather.”
Shao Tingrui turned to Shao Chengxi. “Since you’ve chosen him as your Omega, cherish him well and live a good life together.”
Shao Chengxi said, “I will.”
Leaving the study, Shu Lin’s legs went weak, and he fell against Shao Chengxi. “Your grandfather is really a bit scary.”
Shao Chengxi chuckled. “He already likes you very much.”
“Really?” Shu Lin widened his eyes in surprise.
“Of course,” Shao Chengxi gently kissed his forehead. “Otherwise, do you think he would have let us off so easily?”
Shu Lin was a bit bewildered. “Huh? I didn’t do anything. Does this count as passing the test?”
Shao Chengxi tapped his nose. “Yes, you passed. Don’t forget, you are a US-Class Omega.”
Starting Tuesday, Shao Chengxi was constantly busy. Shu Lin didn’t see him before bed each night, nor was he by his side when he woke up in the morning.
However, every morning upon waking, he bore his marks.
Waking up on Friday morning, Shu Lin propped himself up in bed with both hands, struggling to sit up, rubbing his sore eyes, his mind foggy.
Had he not worn pajamas after showering last night?
But he didn’t have the habit of sleeping naked.
During breakfast, he tentatively asked Chen, the housekeeper, “Um, last night…”
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, Minister Shao returned briefly around three in the morning. He slept in the bedroom for nearly two hours and then left in a hurry. You were probably sleeping soundly and didn’t know.”
“Oh…”
Shu Lin puffed out his cheeks, gritting his teeth as he viciously stabbed at the fried egg on his plate.
You bad thing!
The temperature difference between morning and evening was significant in Imperial Capital’s autumn. By the end of October, it was quite cold.
When leaving, Shu Lin specifically wore a white turtleneck undershirt, paired with a light blue casual windbreaker. He sat in the car arranged by Housekeeper Chen and headed to school.
Friday morning had arrived again, and it was time for the public moral education class.
As soon as Shu Lin entered the lecture hall, he saw Gu Xiao waving at him from the back. “Babe, come over here quickly, I saved you a seat.”
“Coming!” Shu Lin smiled and went over.
Sitting next to Gu Xiao would allow him to nip any unwanted romantic advances in the bud.
As soon as he sat down, Gu Xiao frowned and shook his head, scrutinizing him.
“What’s wrong?” Shu Lin was getting creeped out by the staring.
Gu Xiao propped his chin with one hand, still examining him, his gaze falling on his turtleneck undershirt. He pointed at it, looking puzzled.
“Babe, something’s not right with you. Why have you been wearing turtlenecks all week?”
Shu Lin’s heart skipped a beat, but he stubbornly insisted,
“Have I? I don’t remember. You must be mistaken. Just today, mainly because it’s cold.”
Gu Xiao pouted, shaking his head decisively. “I definitely won’t misremember. People on the school forum upload your outfit photos every day. I’ll open it up for you to see if you don’t believe me.”
Gu Xiao pulled out his phone, skillfully opened the school forum, and found several photos of Shu Lin, handing them to him:
“Here, look for yourself. You’ve been wearing turtlenecks every day this week, even during PE class. Babe, this isn’t right. Are you hiding some secret from me?”
Shu Lin’s heart tightened, but he forced himself to remain calm. He reached out to push Gu Xiao’s phone away, pretending to be relaxed as he said,
“Oh, stop looking at those messy forums. Who’s so idle that they’re always taking pictures of me? That’s a violation of privacy. Besides, what’s wrong with me wearing a turtleneck? It’s cold, so I wear a turtleneck to keep warm, is that not allowed?”
Gu Xiao narrowed his eyes, looking suspicious.
He moved closer to Shu Lin, lowered his voice, and said with a teasing tone,
“Babe, be honest, did you watch the little movies I gave you and finally figure things out completely? Do you have hickeys on your neck, so you’re wearing a turtleneck every day to cover them up?”
Shu Lin shook his head guiltily. “Y-you’re talking nonsense! That’s not true!”
Seeing that his voice was even cracking, Gu Xiao became even more convinced of his guess, smiling mischievously.
“Oh? Not true? Then dare to pull down your collar and let me see?”
Shu Lin subconsciously covered his neckline, his eyes darting around. “Gu Xiao, stop it! Class is about to start, the teacher is coming!”
But Gu Xiao refused to let it go, reaching out to pull Shu Lin’s collar:
“What are you afraid of? Just let me take a look, I won’t tell anyone. Besides, we’re good friends, what secrets can’t you share with me?”
Shu Lin was forced into a corner by him, dodging and protesting, “Gu Xiao! I’ll get angry if you keep doing this!”
“Hey, you two in the back, if you keep pulling and shoving, making noise, don’t bother coming to my class anymore.”
The teacher had come in unnoticed, and with a shout, the two calmed down.
Shu Lin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
That was close, almost got found out.
Should he tell Gu Xiao about his marriage?
As soon as class ended, Shu Lin, afraid that Gu Xiao would ask more questions, took advantage of his inattention, packed up his things, and slipped away.
The teacher for the next PE class had requested leave, so Shu Lin took the opportunity to go home to see his father.
In reality, as long as he had finished class during the day this week, he would sneak home to see his father and sister.
Noticing the turtleneck that Shu Lin was wearing, Shu Jingcheng hesitated to speak.
Without asking, he knew what was going on.
Fortunately, Shu Lin’s glands were intact. It seemed Shao Chengxi knew as well and hadn’t reached the point of marking Shu Lin yet.
Thinking that Shao Chengxi had this thoughtfulness and restraint, Shu Jingcheng’s impression of him improved.
At noon, Shu Lingxiao, knowing Shu Lin was home, made a special trip home from work. The family of three had lunch together and discussed going to the Shao Residence tomorrow.
It was agreed that they would go to Shao Residence at 5:00 PM on Saturday, where the Shao family would formally present the betrothal gifts to Shu Lin.
Shu Jingcheng remembered something and said,
“Families like the Shao’s are very particular about Feng Shui and have many taboos. Xiao Lin, give Shao Chengxi a call and ask if there are any taboos in his house, so we don’t accidentally offend them.”
Shu Lin was stunned. “Dad, I don’t think I have his… oh, I almost forgot, I do, I do. I’ll call now.”
He had never contacted Shao Chengxi by phone before and almost forgot he had saved his number.
Shu Lin picked up his phone and looked for the number.