PTBC chapter 9

The next morning, when the other members of D.A woke up, they found their leader and Xu Cong together in the kitchen making breakfast. They were leaning on each other, chatting. The leader, who had looked exhausted yesterday, now seemed fully recharged, his sharply defined face under the sunlight was like a masterpiece from God, every pore glowing.

“Did those two sneak around last night? How come the captain looked exhausted yesterday, but today he’s full of energy? He seems all revived,” Lin Qiuxi squinted and looked ahead, asking, “We’re clearly a five-member group, but why does it always feel like we’re being excluded by them?”

Xiao Ning looked conflicted, unsure whether to agree or feel it wasn’t quite right to say that.

Ye Zhaoyang pressed Lin Qiuxi’s head down. “Stop saying stuff that’s bad for team unity. If you could be as considerate and loyal as Xu Cong, you’d get the same treatment.”

“I can’t,” Lin Qiuxi said confidently.

After a loving breakfast, Lin Qiuxi was quickly packed and sent off to the airport.

Bai Yu had worked hard to get him a small role in a film by the famous director Lu Heng. Lu Heng was now one of the few directors in the industry who was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Even though the supporting role didn’t have much screen time, Bai Yu was still very cautious, afraid he would mess up.

A few days later, the remaining members also had to set off.

Ye Zhaoyang went to be a mentor on a music program.

Xiao Ning took leave to visit his family abroad.

And Xia Yan, along with Xu Cong, would be going together to participate in a variety show called ‘Relaxing Vacation’.

It was a slow-paced variety show that invited famous celebrities every season, sending them to remote, desolate places. It was highly popular with viewers, maintaining high ratings.

At first, Bai Yu intended to send Ye Zhaoyang and Xiao Ning, as one had a steady personality and the other was adorably cute—both were unlikely to cause any trouble. However, the production team insisted on having Xu Cong and Xia Yan, believing they’d make for more interesting content.

Ye Zhaoyang and Xiao Ning were too approachable, which made them less in line with the program’s requirements.

In the end, Bai Yu had no choice but to sell off his two top members without hesitation, since the offer from the production team was too tempting.

But that was all before Xia Yan’s transformation.

Now, Bai Yu’s only concern was whether Xia Yan’s secret would be exposed.

“You mustn’t get too close to other alphas,” Bai Yu said, worried like a parent of a rebellious teenager, “those alphas outside aren’t good. You might get affected by them and go into heat. Always carry your suppressants, and if anything happens, call Xu Cong.”

Since Xia Yan had turned into an omega, Bai Yu had become a lot gentler toward him.

God knows, he used to dream of managing an all-omega girl group, with their sweet personalities and well-behaved nature—it sounded like a dream job.

But fate had other plans, and he ended up managing D.A, an all-alpha boy group. He had already accepted it.

Who would’ve thought that the heavens would still bless him with an omega?

Xia Yan looked at Bai Yu like he was crazy.

What kind of expression was that?

It was almost as repulsive as when Lin Qiuxi met a cat.

He looked disgusted.

“Got it, stop nagging. You look after the house. Go check on Lin Qiuxi and Ye Zhaoyang more. Don’t worry about me,” Xia Yan said to Bai Yu, before turning to leave with Xu Cong.

But they didn’t head to the recording site together.

Instead, they went back to Xia Yan’s home first.

Both of his dads had just returned from abroad and were very concerned about their son’s change from alpha to omega, insisting that he must come home.

Since he had two free days before heading to record the variety show, he decided to bring Xu Cong along.

After all, Xu Cong had often come to visit and had no reason to feel embarrassed.

Xia Yan’s house was located in Zhenwu District of Hai City, about an hour’s drive from their dorm. It wasn’t very close to the city center, but it had the advantage of being a private villa, with a more secluded and peaceful neighborhood, free from the usual troubles.

However, in recent years, both he and his sister had grown up and were busy with work, rarely coming back. His dads were often flying around, so the house was often empty, with only the gardener and housekeeper to take care of it.

During his trainee days, Xu Cong had often visited Xia Yan at his home.

He was as familiar with it as his own.

There was a grapevine in the yard, and in the summer, he and Xia Yan would lie beneath it. Aunt Chen, the housekeeper, cooked very well, and next door, there was a Persian cat with round eyes that sometimes climbed the wall and peeked over…

As for Xia Yan’s family, Xu Cong had met them several times.

When they entered the house, Xu Cong immediately spotted Xia Yan’s two fathers.

Xia Chujun was standing by the fish pond, lazily sprinkling fish food into the water. He was tall but had a narrow waist. Even in loose shirts and long pants, his slim figure was evident.

Xia Yan looked very much like him, both possessing a striking face with a sharp air between their brows.

However, Xia Chujun, now in his forties, had mellowed a bit, his temperament softer than before.

Xia Yan’s other father, Fu Changfeng, was the epitome of coldness, even at forty. He had a chiselled face with deep, handsome features and a touch of white at his temples. He exuded authority rather than age.

The two of them had once been a legendary couple. More than twenty years ago, when society wasn’t as open, and laws did not yet allow marriages between alphas or omegas, they had run away together.

In fact, even now, their relationship was still seen as taboo by many, not something most would choose.

Thankfully, not long after they eloped, the marriage laws changed.

Assisted reproductive technologies were introduced, and they were able to have two children: Xia Yan and Fu Hui.

“Dad.”

Xia Yan pushed open the door and called out.

Both men by the fish pond turned around.

Xu Cong, standing by Xia Yan, nodded at them and greeted, “Uncle Xia, Uncle Fu.”

About an hour later, Fu Hui also returned with her omega partner.

Her partner was a male named Li Song’an. They had been classmates since middle school, and their relationship had always been stable. The two were already engaged, though they hadn’t had a wedding yet—Li Song’an was already considered part of the family.

When they arrived home, Xia Yan and Xu Cong were in the kitchen, pretending to help with the vegetables.

There weren’t many skilled cooks in the family, so most of the dinner had been prepared by Aunt Chen before she left. Fu Changfeng handled the few remaining dishes.

Xia Chujun, on the other hand, couldn’t cook at all.

The most complicated thing he had ever made was tea.

So, he was naturally snacking on the couch.

Xu Cong and Xia Yan were helping in the kitchen, though their cooking skills were limited. Xu Cong was better, while Xia Yan could only help with the prep work.

“Wow, looks like you’ve learned something after being in a boy band for two years. At least your shredded potatoes look decent,” Fu Hui said, casually picking up two slices of fruit from the plate Xu Cong had arranged. She gave one to herself and handed the other to Li Song’an behind her. “Didn’t you learn how to cook on a variety show? You’ve made progress—you won’t cut yourself anymore.”

Li Song’an took it, both helpless and amused.

He politely greeted Fu Changfeng, then nodded at Xu Cong and Xia Yan.

Xia Yan had always liked his brother-in-law and smiled back.

But as soon as he turned to face his sister, his expression changed instantly: “Fu Hui, get your hands off me. If you mess with me again, I’ll chop you up.”

Fu Hui was unbothered.

“Touching you won’t make me lose any skin. I used to bathe you when you were little. Let me check, now that your gender’s changed—it doesn’t seem like much has changed. Your abs are still there,” she said with a smile, releasing his T-shirt and making her verdict. “Still as fierce as ever, I see. Looks like you’re still going to stay single.”

Xia Yan immediately raised the knife to strike her.

The two of them, looked no different from five-year-olds as they rolled around and fought in the spacious kitchen. They quickly threw aside the kitchen knives and bowls, resorting to hand-to-hand combat.

In the midst of this, Fu Changfeng’s reprimands could be heard.

“What are you two doing?”

“If you keep fighting, you’ll stand in the yard tonight.”

Li Song’an, unable to watch this any longer, turned to Xu Cong apologetically. “Sorry you had to see this. Fu Hui has always been a bit mentally challenged; just don’t take her too seriously.”

Xu Cong was equally modest. “It’s fine, our captain’s the same. As soon as he comes home, he loses his mind, not much different.”

They both shared a mutual understanding.