The Coveted Gloomy Beta Roommate Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Pheromones: Thirsty. So Thirsty.

Lu Zhi didn’t react much; he simply looked away and continued discussing details with his team members.

Tang Xingye was used to it. Lu Zhi put on this high-and-mighty act, and yet everyone fell for it.

He poked the straw into the hole. He might as well drink the free milk.

However, Tang Xingye really didn’t like coffee.

He had worked part-time at a coffee shop and, curious about the iced Americanos that those glamorous office workers all carried, he had secretly made a cup to taste. The result was so bitter it made him frown. How could anyone like drinking this stuff?

Tang Xingye couldn’t understand it and just chalked it up to a rich person’s sentiment.

Listening to the people around him murmuring praise, he sneered coldly inside.

Tang Xingye mentally added another mark against Lu Zhi for this maneuver—using him to implicitly boost his own image.

But he wouldn’t show it. He knew people liked obedient kids, or ones like Lu Zhi.

During the debate, Tang Xingye listened with rapt attention. Although nominally a friendly match, both schools had always wanted to claim the title of the Number One University. From citing classics to sharp, precise rebuttals, the signs of meticulous preparation were everywhere. The two sides went back and forth, tit for tat, holding nothing back despite the “friendly” nature of the match.

He was very unwilling to admit it, but Lu Zhi’s case analysis was indeed brilliant.

Tang Xingye stood up with the crowd to applaud, preparing to leave.

A Beta called out to him, “Junior, don’t rush off. Lu Zhi is treating everyone to dinner later.”

“I won’t go.”

Tang Xingye lowered his eyes, meticulously organizing the recording files on his phone. The phone with small memory storage was already running a bit hot. He needed to go back quickly to organize his notes and clear the files.

He could guess where they would go to eat. Usually, when others asked him to join for a meal, the penniless Tang Xingye couldn’t afford it, and he was too embarrassed to mooch, so he had to refuse.

Over time, his social circle became almost non-existent, leaving him with a reputation for being aloof and unsociable.

Tang Xingye didn’t care. Friends made through eating and drinking probably only had eating, drinking, and playing in their heads. How much potential could they have?

Although Lu Zhi was treating this time, he couldn’t stand how everyone fawned over Lu Zhi. Whether Alphas or Omegas, when emotions ran high, they would release vague pheromones.

A mix of various pheromones in one room was simply pheromone bullying for the naturally sensitive Tang Xingye. It was a terrible smell, and while his mind remained clear, his body would heat up strangely amidst the breathing.

Sponsored

But if he said it, no one would believe him.

How could a Beta smell pheromones? They would surely think he was being delicate and pretentious, that he just disliked them and was looking for trouble. Those people would then release even stronger pheromones as if to prove a point, enveloping him.

Even if he was uncomfortable enough to want to sob, those people still wouldn’t believe him.

This was why Tang Xingye didn’t like close contact with AOs. The thought that he couldn’t switch dorms, forcing him to smell the pheromones his roommates unconsciously released every night, filled his heart with disgust.

The person speaking watched Tang Xingye’s lowered eyelashes casting a shadow on his pale skin. His slender nape was covered strictly by his collar, yet it made one unable to stop imagining the color of the gland under that fair skin.

Suddenly, a popular post from the forum yesterday came to mind. Tang Xingye was considered a prominent figure on the campus anonymous forum. Regarding his dramatic past and beautiful appearance, there were many intimate, even obscene speculations.

Receiving a destined O: [Tang Xingye acts like a cold, aloof young miss on the surface, but in reality, his gland probably squirts and swells if someone just licks it a little. Who knows how his husband died? Maybe he was drained dry.]

Straight Man for Life: [You’re full of shit. My wifey’s gland is very clean, and it’s pink.]

Receiving a destined O: [Poster below, why are you triggered? Are you his husband? Or have you licked his gland?]

Straight Man for Life: [Yes, we’ve seen it.]

Frontline Melon Eater: [????? Did you get him pregnant?]

Anonymous User 456: [My roommate is in med school and has seen Tang Xingye’s physical exam report. Guess what? His sensitivity to pheromones is three times that of an ordinary Omega.]

Frontline Melon Eater: [Holy crap, for real? Doesn’t that mean he’d get wet just by being touched?]

Anonymous User 321: [Imagine it. Him pinned to the bed by an Alpha, legs going weak as soon as the pheromones hit. Pink-white fingers clutching the sheets, eyes red at the corners and brimming with tears, gasping while biting his lip to endure…]

Straight Man for Life: [Bullshit! If you keyboard warriors talk nonsense again, believe it or not, I’ll doxx your IPs!]

The discussion was still fermenting, and the post had hit the top of the hot list.

The Beta quickly snapped back to reality, realizing he had been led astray by these dark fantasies. Those malicious speculations hidden behind screens in the forum were nothing but jealousy that couldn’t see the light of day.

If nothing else, Tang Xingye was indeed beautiful. Just standing there, that cold and melancholic temperament was enough to arouse the most primitive desire for conquest, making people want to break him.

Good upbringing reminded him: Tang Xingye was a widower whose husband had just died. Making a move on a little widower was really not what a gentleman should do.

“I’m not used to eating outside food.”

Sponsored

Tang Xingye naturally didn’t know the person’s fantasies; he just wanted to go back quickly and secretly work hard to surpass Lu Zhi.

Several students from A University looked at him in unison, pretending to be familiar as they urged Tang Xingye to join. clutching their phones, they had been planning to use the meal as an excuse to get Tang Xingye’s WeChat.

Tang Xingye assumed they were being this enthusiastic only out of respect for Lu Zhi. He smiled politely but subtly took half a step back.

Shen Qing whispered persuasion, “Junior, we’re all in the same club. We can discuss…”

Tang Xingye hesitated internally but quickly made a decision.

He lifted his eyelids, turning his face to look at the senior (Beta) from earlier. His jet-black pupils reflected the Beta’s face, looking as if he was staring intently at him.

The Beta’s heart skipped a beat. He knew perfectly well this was just a casual glance, but he couldn’t help the palpitation. Electricity shot through his brain, and his whole body felt indescribably numb.

The last remaining shred of his conscience told him: Stop looking. This is a widower. This is someone else’s wife.

Tang Xingye stepped forward, gazing at him, his cold face devoid of much expression. “I don’t know the way. Could I trouble you for a ride, Senior?”

He remembered this Beta drove his own car and had mild mysophobia. Riding with Shen Qing and her many AO friends meant their pheromones would make him dizzy again.

Tang Xingye’s face was even prettier up close. His skin was white like a handful of fresh snow, and the eyes under his long lashes were clear as glass beads.

As his lips opened and closed, a faint fragrance wafted over, practically intoxicating enough to make one faint.

The Beta stared, entranced. His brain was hot, and his moral baseline collapsed in an instant.

Only one thought remained in his mind—Mom, I’m going to be a mistress.

Hehehe, wifey is talking to me. No, no, this is someone else’s wife. Right, right, the first husband is gone. Now it’s my turn to be the mistress.

Tang Xingye didn’t get a reply and asked again, “Is that okay?”

The Beta snapped back to reality, swallowing hard. “Yes! Yes! I… I’m willing! My technique is very good—no, I mean, I’ll definitely make you satisfied!”

Tang Xingye didn’t know why he was so excited and replied perfunctorily, “I trust you.”

The Beta’s brain got even hotter. Wifey is affirming my ability to be a mistress.

So what if I’m a mistress?! Being a mistress for such a beautiful wife just proves my charm, doesn’t it? This isn’t being a mistress; this is bringing honor to my ancestors!

Sponsored

His chest overflowed with happiness as he dizzily rejected everyone else asking for a ride.

Go away! You shameless side-pieces! Don’t disturb my date with wifey!

This Beta still hadn’t recovered even when they arrived at the restaurant entrance.

Being a mistress for the first time, the Beta didn’t know how to please his wife and just stared straight at Tang Xingye.

So “Wifey” whispered to him, “Senior, go ahead and busy yourself. I’ll sit with someone else.”

Oh, wifey wants to sit with other mistresses. It must be because I performed poorly somewhere for the first time, and wifey is dissatisfied. Wifey is giving me a chance to learn and brush up on my knowledge. Ah, someone else’s wife is the best. Considerate and gentle. Not only did he not say my technique was bad to my face, but he even made an excuse for me.

Tang Xingye watched the Beta leave, walking with same-side arm and leg movements, almost hitting a wall. Suddenly, he kind of wanted to add his contact info; the guy looked like his brain didn’t work well, maybe he could sell him study materials later.

Shen Qing wanted to call him to sit near Lu Zhi, but Tang Xingye found an excuse to politely refuse.

Tang Xingye glanced at the central figure. At first, he thought Lu Zhi treated him reasonably well. Later, he discovered the guy was just going through the motions; there was always a bit of awkwardness with him. Secretly, Lu Zhi probably despised him. Tang Xingye once thought the guy had seen through his gloomy, unsightly inner self.

He must feel pressure living with such a hardworking and excellent Beta like me, Tang Xingye thought scornfully.

He chose to sit in a corner upwind, watching others’ table manners and mimicking them.

When others moved their chopsticks, Tang Xingye moved his. He ate elegantly, thinking idly that this was indeed much tastier than the “big feast” the village chief used to host. The people around him were chatting about random debate topics. Tang Xingye didn’t quite understand and couldn’t keep up with their train of thought, so he focused on eating to avoid making a fool of himself.

But the food became tasteless as he ate. The person next to him kept bringing up Lu Zhi every now and then, queuing Tang Xingye for his thoughts, and then abruptly pivoting to ask for his contact info.

Lu Zhi’s family background was special; he was the type who could control others’ upward mobility. Tang Xingye assumed they just wanted to climb the social ladder, so he deftly tossed the topic back and continued eating quietly.

What did he think?

Heh. If Lu Zhi were an unruly, badly behaved rich kid, he could justify cursing Lu Zhi to be unhappy. But Lu Zhi, aside from being a bit cold, was flawless in his conduct.

But that didn’t stop Tang Xingye from jealously hating him.

No one is perfect. How could a rich person like that have no faults? He was just pretending, just like him.

Tang Xingye noticed Lu Zhi had been away from the table for a while. It was probably saving face after drinking too much—vomiting in the bathroom. A thought moved in his mind; he wanted to see Lu Zhi’s pathetic state. Maybe he could even snap a few ugly photos.

He found an excuse to leave the table. The hotel was crowded and the pheromones were mixed. Tang Xingye followed the scent of cocoa to find Lu Zhi, finally stopping at a small stall.

Sponsored

Tang Xingye heard a suppressed groan. With his hand on the door, he even felt a subtle, excited sense of superiority. Even the Alpha everyone praised had his disgraceful moments, no matter how excellent he appeared in public.

When he opened the door, the heat inside flushed Tang Xingye’s face slightly.

Hair wet with sweat plastered against snow-white skin. The originally faint scent suddenly became intense.

Very fragrant, a very soft scent.

Fragrant enough to make one’s heart itch.

He saw the Alpha half-kneeling, knuckles turning white from force, head hanging low, sweat dripping from his hair.

Tang Xingye ignored the other’s abnormally heavy breathing. With a bit of malicious anticipation, he leaned in, squatting beside the Alpha, feigning concern. “Lu Zhi, are you okay?”

As the Beta leaned close, the scent from his hair seemed to drill into the Alpha’s nose pervasively.

Lu Zhi’s canine teeth itched, and he bit his lip hard. His Adam’s apple rolled violently, veins bulged on his temples, and his breath grew scorching hot. The blood vessels on his wrist expanded, and his inhibitor ring made a click sound, overwhelmed by the burden.

Thirsty. Unbearably thirsty.

This was Lu Zhi’s only thought.

At this moment, the Beta in his eyes was like an oasis in the desert, exuding a tempting coolness, wavering right in front of him.

He wanted to smell more, wanted to go deep into the source of that fragrance, and suck the sweet water.

Reason was constantly tugging at instinct, stretched to the limit. Just a tiny bit of stimulation would cause a total snap.

Pretending to be fine after drinking so much. Truly dying for face, Tang Xingye huffed lightly in his heart, but on the surface, he acted considerate. “I’ll find some tissues to wipe your sweat.”

Using the search for tissues as cover, he quietly unlocked his phone camera. But the old system lagged at this critical moment, the interface failing to load.

Tang Xingye tsked impatiently in his heart. The tips of his hair inadvertently brushed past Lu Zhi’s burning ear.

The inhibitor ring on the Alpha’s wrist suddenly snapped open.