Chapter 31: The Little Mouse with a Flower Scent
After finishing his morning classes, Yu Shi inexplicably received a transfer.
It was from Thank Your Whole Family, who had disappeared for a while: [Transfer: 19,999 yuan.]
[Thank Your Whole Family: Little Yu, I saw a brooch yesterday that would be perfect for you to wear during academic presentations. Unfortunately, I canât give it to you directly, so take this and buy it yourself. (From StarAI: Please generate a transfer message used for chasing an Omega)]
Yu Shi: …
He had encountered a high-level “Pig-Butchering Scam.”
Those few short lines of text contained a massive amount of information.
First, large transfers often canât be withdrawn; they serve as bait for the next step, which would likely be tricking him into “investing” funds.
Second, the person skillfully kept the AI generation record, blatantly telling him “I’m chasing you.” This could greatly satisfy an Omegaâs vanity and cloud their judgment.
Finally, “Unfortunately, I canât give it to you directly” not only expressed regret over being unable to meet but also hinted at giving expensive gifts the next time they met, inducing the Omega to take the initiative to meet in person.
Impressive, truly impressive.
This kind of high-end scammer wouldn’t leave any handles and might even use the transfer records to bite back. They looked like a seasoned veteran.
Dealing with such a person by following their script would only lead to being trapped.
Since the other party could spout lies, he could also fabricate a “poor little white flower” persona to induce them to lower their guard and reveal more of their true nature.
[Little Yu Doesnât Eat Fish: This is too precious; I canât accept it. Itâs equivalent to several months of my salary.]
“Little Yu Doesnât Eat Fish” returned the transfer.
Thank Your Whole Family replied: [Oh, donât be shy. But… is the salary at the Third Academy really that low?]
[Little Yu Doesnât Eat Fish: The base salary isnât high. I canât afford to give a gift in return, so knowing your sentiment is enough.]
Xie Junyan sighed repeatedly, “How rare. These days, such a considerate Omega is hard to find. Do you think I should ask for a meeting?”
Xie An didn’t dare to respond and instead said, “The Young Master is at the door. He said he wanted to visit you before returning to school.”
“Let him in.” Xie Junyan put away his communicator.
Xie Ren pushed the door open and entered, looking refreshed and energetic. He didn’t look at all like someone who had been troubled by a rut for several days; in fact, he seemed even more spirited than before.
“Grandpa,” he greeted in a good mood.
Xie Junyan was puzzled. “Youâre back to your lively self so quickly? It seems youâve recovered well.”
“Uncle Zhang said that after injecting pheromones, the duration of the rut can be shortened, so I didn’t enter the third stage.”
Xie Junyan looked thoughtful. “Your compatibility is truly high. I haven’t seen a number like that in years.”
Xie Ren asked him, “Does your leg still hurt? My dad said you went back in a wheelchair a few days ago.”
Xie Junyanâs right leg had been blown apart in his youth, and the entire leg was a mechanical prosthetic. Due to the limited medical technology back then, there were lingering side effects. It wasn’t until a few years ago that he got a new mechanical leg, but he occasionally still needed to rely on a wheelchair.
“Iâm perfectly fine, it doesn’t hurt at all.” Xie Junyan kicked his leg and accidentally yanked off the communicator that was plugged into it for charging.
Xie Ren: “…”
Xie Ren picked up the communicator and said speechlessly, “How many times have I told you? Don’t use your prosthetic as a power bank! Also, cooperate with your daily check-ups and stop scaring those young nurses.”
Xie Junyan was indignant. “When did I ever scare them? Itâs clearly ‘friendly interaction.’ Since you and your dad don’t come to see me, are you not even allowing me to play with other youngsters?”
Xie Ren could only soothe him, “Once Iâm done with the gun exhibition, Iâll come stay with you for a week.”
“Save your breath; you fool me every time. Once youâre done, youâll probably be out on another mission,” Xie Junyan paused before adding, “By the way, the Sovereign has been visiting the Third Zone frequently lately. Itâs said you might be transferred there soon.”
Although he had retreated to the second line of command, the news in his hands never lagged, and he was always able to accurately judge the current situation.
Xie Junyan advised earnestly, “Youâre about to graduate; itâs time to plan for the future. I know you want to stay in the Falcon Regiment, which would certainly bring honor to our ancestors. However, the direction you choose now will not only affect your own development but also your spouse and descendants. The Third Zone is the focus of future development; itâs a good choice.”
Xie Ren was silent for a long while before saying, “Grandpa, I might still go to the Ninth Zone.”
He said “might,” but his tone brooked no argument.
If it were Xie Chengfeng, Xie Junyan would have flown into a rage by now.
However, he only sighed. “I can understand your thoughts. You have your own plans, and I won’t interfere too much. But you should know that in the Ninth Zone, let alone your father and me, even the Sovereign cannot guarantee your safety.”
Xie Ren nodded and said perfunctorily, “I know. I’ll consider it carefully.”
Seeing that persuasion was useless, Xie Junyan simply stopped pushing and changed the subject. “Besides that, thereâs another matter you should put on your schedule.”
“Iâve almost finished my graduation thesis. A teacher has been guiding me lately.” A hint of a smile flashed across Xie Ren’s face, his tone almost boastful.
“Whoâs talking to you about a thesis?” Xie Junyan was confused. “Hurry up and go on blind dates; don’t delay the important business.”
Xie Renâs face fell. “I almost forgot about that. Why are you still dwelling on it? Wait, did you secretly chat with that scammer again?”
He opened the communicator, moving so fast that Xie Junyan didn’t have time to snatch it back and could only shout, “You brat! How dare you flip through my private business!”
“You’re the one who keeps logging into my account! Is my privacy not privacy?” It would have been better if Xie Ren hadn’t looked, but once he did, he instantly exploded. “Grandpa, why did you send him money?! And such a large amount!”
Xie Junyan said with a stiff face, “I felt like it, and itâs none of your business. If I hadnât sent the money, you two might never have spoken to each other in this lifetime.”
Xie Ren read aloud in shock, “âItâs too precious, I canât accept it… I canât afford to give a gift in return…â Tsk tsk, what a master of ‘retreating to advance.’ He really knows how to play.”
“What are you muttering about? Give it back.”
“No way. You are not allowed to touch this communicator for the next few days.” Xie Ren was so angry his face turned livid. “Leave this person to me. Iâll show him the price for playing with the elderly.”
Xie Junyan frowned. “Talk to him properly. That child won’t disappoint you.”
“Iâm already not disappointed; Iâm practically looking at him in a whole new light.”
Xie Junyan chuckled. “In that case, hurry up and arrange a meeting.”
“Of course we’re meeting.” Xie Ren gritted his teeth.
Not only were they meeting, but he was going to haul him straight to the station.
Xie Junyan sipped his tea with satisfaction, already beginning to imagine the future wedding scene. Where should the ceremony be held?
When Yu Shi received the new message, he was drinking milk tea Li Yang had bought him and nearly sprayed it out.
[Thank Your Whole Family: Youâre quite ‘unyielding in the face of wealth.’]
What on earth…
The mastermind behind this scam seemed to have a screw loose, acting up in fits and starts.
[Little Yu Doesnât Eat Fish: ?]
[Little Yu Doesnât Eat Fish: What are you trying to say?]
[Thank Your Whole Family: Nothing. By the way, aren’t you a weapons researcher? I ran into a problem while doing my homework. Take a look and see if you can do it. /Image/]
Yu Shi opened the image. It was a formula that looked simple but was actually quite complex. As luck would have it, he had solved this exact formula in a previous paper, so he sent the answer back without a second thought.
In his car, Xie Ren slapped his thigh and thought angrily: This identity is undoubtedly fake.
For a normal person to calculate this formula, it would take at least ten minutes. The other party didn’t even take time to think; it was clearly a result found by searching online. What kind of researcher has to search the internet for a single formula?
He probably doesn’t know how to do it at all.
He sneered, already forming a plan.
You want money, don’t you? Then Iâll make it so you can see it but canât touch it. I donât believe he wonât take the bait when faced with the temptation of real gold and silver.
As long as the scammer took the initiative, they would reveal their flaws.
[Thank Your Whole Family: I’ll stop talking for now; I have to drive. /Image/]
Li Yang was playing Mahjong on his light-brain when he caught a glimpse of Yu Shi’s twitching expression. He asked, “Whatâs wrong?”
Yu Shi said with a face full of disgust, “I met an idiot.”
In the photo, a Cullinan logo was deliberately exposed, with a Koenigsegg key tossed next to it. On the lower right dashboard, a Richard Milleâlimited to only 5 piecesâwas casually thrown, and the car pendant was a nine-eyed dZi bead worth nearly eight figures.
To be able to make a single picture this extravagant was rare in this world.
He had seen people who loved to show off, but never someone who showed off to this extent.
The “Show-off Monster” sped all the way home, parked the Cullinan in a packed garage, and then squeezed onto the train to head back to school, pathetically sending a message to his instructor.
[Xie Ren: Instructor Yu, Iâm back to check in from my leave. /Pity/]
[Xie Ren: Sigh, those six homework books were stolen earlier, along with my favorite hat. Iâll make up the rest of the homework and give it to you later.]
Yu Shi ground his teeth. He didn’t believe for a second that this guy didn’t know he was the one who took those homework books.
He pulled that black hat out of his drawer. It was priced at 25 yuan on a trading app, equivalent to one of Xie Renâs meals.
Fine, it really was quite expensive for him.
“Li Yang, Iâm going out for a bit. If anyone looks for me, tell them to come back in the afternoon.” He stood up and walked out of the office.
Yu Shi put the hat in a black plastic bag and walked toward the training grounds, trying to avoid being seen. The Alphas in the class were currently practicing their physical conditioning. Taking advantage of the moment when no one was looking, he slipped into the locker room.
The room was empty. He walked to the locker labeled with Xie Renâs nameplate, took out a piece of wire he had prepared, and skillfully began to pick the lock.
Just as he was about to open it, noisy chatter and laughter came from outside.
Yu Shiâs movements froze, and he quickly hid behind the last row of lockers.
A few seconds later, a group of Alphas swarmed in.
Zhao Yi said while changing clothes, “Brother Ren just got back and is already drilling people. I think heâs been pent up too long. Heâs clicking that stopwatch so hard itâs practically throwing sparks. He looks like heâs suffering from sexual frustration. An Alpha holding back their fire is truly terrifying.”
“They say the higher the grade, the harder it is to self-control. Iâm quite curiousâfor an S+ like him, wouldn’t it be especially agonizing without a partner?” Ye Bingyang said. “I sent him that ‘package’ of videos you gave me last time, but he didn’t accept it. He completely wasted my good intentions.”
“I don’t think he needs those videos because heâs got someone on his mind. Didn’t he say last time an Omega was chasing him? Maybe they took the chance to solidify their relationship over the past few days,” Zhao Yi said with a sly smile.
“Someone is chasing him? Who?”
Yu Shi raised an eyebrow. He didn’t really want to eavesdrop on his students’ private lives, but these guys were taking their sweet time changing and their gossiping was endless, comparable to idle old men at a village entrance.
“Iâm not sure. His lips are sealed. My guess is an ‘O’ from the neighboring Arts Academy…”
Xie Renâs voice suddenly rang out, “Do you guys want to run another ten kilometers? Didn’t run enough just now?”
“Holy crap, you scared me!” Zhao Yi cried out. “No, no, no, Iâve had enough. Have mercy… Hey, Brother Ren, your locker seems unlocked. It wasn’t chewed open by a mouse again, was it!”
He quickly changed the subject.
Thinking of that wire, Yu Shiâs mind went blank, and he instinctively held his breath.
He was in trouble. If this group decided to search the locker room, he would have no way to escape.
His palms broke into a layer of sweat, and he began to think about what excuse he could use to save face in front of his students.
The outside went quiet, and the atmosphere became eerie.
After a moment of silence, Xie Ren said nonchalantly, “Oh, I forgot to lock it. The cleaning lady put out rat poison, so no more mice should come to steal things.”
Yu Shi: “…”
You’re the mouse.
Han Po suddenly said, “Hmph. If your things were lost, it’s because of your own poor management. Who are you being passive-aggressive toward?”
Yu Shi hadn’t expected this guy to be here too. He pressed his temples, feeling like he was going to be exposed today. Given Xie Ren’s personality, he would probably give him a left hook in two seconds.
Tick, tock. Two seconds passed on the second hand.
Surprisingly, Xie Ren didn’t make a move. He said disdainfully, “Don’t flatter yourself. Do I need to be passive-aggressive with you? Iâm being direct.”
“…”
Xie Ren ignored him and spoke to the others, “Finished changing? Get back to training.”
He actually let it go just like that. That really didn’t seem like him, Yu Shi thought.
The Alphas left in groups of threes and fives. The locker room gradually grew quiet. Yu Shi let out a breath and waited for about a minute before slowly creeping out from behind the lockers.
The moment he stepped out, he met a pair of dark, mocking eyes, and nearly lost his breath.
Xie Ren had his arms crossed, leaning against a locker door in a leisurely manner. “I was wondering why there was a little mouse with a flower scent. It turns out it’s Instructor Yu.”
Yu Shiâs eyelids twitched violently, and he pursed his lips without speaking.
Xie Ren looked at the hat in his hand, a smile surfacing in his eyes. “Don’t worry, only I can smell this scent. Instructor Yu seems to really like this hat; Iâll reluctantly give it to you to wear.”
His smug look made one really want to slap that handsome face.
Yu Shi said coldly, “I just happened to pick it up and was returning it to you.”
With that, before that punchable mouth could utter another offense, he raised his hand and slammed the hat onto Xie Renâs head, covering the Alphaâs entire face.
Xie Renâs world went dark, and the scent of orchids drifted in the wind. The lighter it was, the more alluring it became, like white magnolias blooming in the evening breezeâcool, yet carrying a fatal temptation.
The corners of his mouth curled up. He reached out and grabbed that slender wrist, pulling the person back with a sudden tug.
“Did I say you could leave?”
Translatorâs Note: Hello everyone! Iâm back~ This chapter gives us a great look at the “battle of wits” between our two leads.
- Pig-Butchering Scam (ćçŞç – ShÄzhĹŤpĂĄn): A popular term in China for a type of long-term investment scam where the victim is “fattened” with affection and fake profits before being “slaughtered” for their money.
- Thank Your Whole Family (č°˘č°˘ä˝ ĺ ¨ĺŽś – Xièxiè nÇ quĂĄnjiÄ): This is a sarcastic play on words. In Chinese, “I thank your whole family” is often used as a euphemism for a common curse involving one’s family.
- StarAI: Just a funny nod to how much AI has integrated into even romantic pursuits in this setting! Poor Xie Ren, thinking he’s the hunter when he’s just caught a very prickly “mouse.” Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
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