TYMIMA Chapter 40

Zhan Pingchuan had studied his mother’s microexpressions since childhood to an academician level. With just one look from Chu Fu, he knew he was going to get beaten.

Zhan Pingchuan smiled, desperate and exhausted: “Thank you, Dean Chu.”

Chu Fu said indifferently: “You’re welcome.”

Zhan Pingchuan wanted to make a last-ditch effort. His Adam’s apple rolled, and he cleared his throat: “At this moment, allow me to say one more thing. About my mother, it was just an accident, but she was undoubtedly a great mother who was helpful, gentle-tempered, forgiving at heart, and able to tolerate any mistake a child might make.”

Chu Fu: “Hmph.”

Zhan Pingchuan: “.” It’s over. This expression means, too late.

Tang Li, seeing that Chu Fu had even spoken quite a bit more with Zhan Pingchuan, was self-satisfied with his excellent performance and quick response.

He had finally been able to help the team!

Tang Li raised his eyebrows proudly at Zhan Pingchuan. In his expectation, Zhan Pingchuan would now be full of gratitude and approval toward him, soon giving him a grateful look. But he wouldn’t take advantage of this gratitude to make Zhan Pingchuan date him; he would just wave his sleeve, hiding his merit and fame.

Unexpectedly, Zhan Pingchuan hung his head lifelessly, not meeting his gaze at all.

Tang Li: “”

Lance quietly observed Chu Fu from the side.

Honestly, Zhan Pingchuan had always been a good-tempered person who knew how to please others. He didn’t have any of the arrogance, aloofness, or self-satisfaction typical of S-levels. On the contrary, he always appeared somewhat lazy, very fond of smiling, keeping his posture low, not giving anyone any sense of pressure—except when kissing and marking.

Even when mentioning his mother’s death just now, he didn’t intend to use it for sympathy but instead used playful and relaxed language to transition past it.

But although Chu Fu politely expressed her condolences, she didn’t appear very sincere, even seeming perfunctory.

It seemed the rumors were indeed true; Chu Fu was truly a serious and cold person.

Chu Fu shifted her gaze from Zhan Pingchuan, scanning the four of them, and slightly raised her chin: “Sit.”

There were only two sofas in the reception room. Chu Fu sat on one, and Kang Disheng had just sat on the other, with a small glass table between them, very suitable for discussing business.

The rest of the room had only hard chairs, at some distance from the two sofas, probably for people to sit and listen.

In such a setting, of course, no one would be so tactless as to sit beside Chu Fu, so the four of them headed toward the four hard chairs.

Those four chairs were solid wood, coated with dark varnish, very smooth on the surface, but presumably not very comfortable to sit on.

By now, Lance had released Zhan Pingchuan’s hand.

The weather was particularly hot today. He had broken into a light sweat, and then entered the air-conditioned room, causing his clothes to cling to his body.

So he instinctively touched his waist, stretching his clothes.

Chu Fu took it all in.

Ordinary Omegas didn’t possess her powerful recovery system ability. No matter how vigorously they were tossed around in bed, they could recover their strength through abilities.

If the first time was so exciting that a mark was bitten, the Omega would inevitably be uncomfortable the next day, with sore waist and legs.

Chu Fu took a deep breath, telling herself that after all, he was her own flesh and blood.

She tried to adjust her expression to be a bit gentler: “Don’t be too formal. The red-haired student, sit beside me.”

Lance paused: “?”

Lance looked at the comfortable, spacious sofa chair, then at himself, the farthest from the chair.

Although he had doubts, no one would dislike sitting in a more comfortable place. Besides, in the Black Lantern Society, he was always seated in the main position.

Lance smiled and nodded, walking over to sit beside Chu Fu. Of course, his sitting posture was still proper, not showing any of the White Pharaoh’s lofty demeanor.

Zhan Pingchuan sat down on the hard wooden chair, thinking, my mom is still too detail-oriented, knowing this is my future daughter-in-law, so she’s already starting to score points for me.

Tang Li silently wept inside. He was the closest to Chu Fu, but indeed, idols still preferred students who were good at studying and hardworking.

As soon as Lance sat down, he suddenly felt a spring drizzle brushing his face. While his skin felt cool and refreshed, all his fatigue and drowsiness completely disappeared.

He had never felt so clear-headed and carefree.

Lance initially thought it was his imagination, until he smelled a faint mint fragrance.

That was the scent of Chu Fu’s pheromones.

Lance had doubts but maintained a calm exterior.

Chu Fu had actually noticed his slight discomfort and even used her ability to help alleviate it.

Why?

Lance instinctively looked at Zhan Pingchuan, who also hadn’t slept well, then at Tang Li and Liu Bo, who were completely unaware of the situation.

He immediately realized that Chu Fu had only used her ability on him alone; the others didn’t know!

But Chu Fu’s face showed no expression; she didn’t even look at Lance much.

She lowered her knee and made a small adjustment to her sitting posture, speaking in a more comfortable and approachable manner: “I called you here today on a whim. I rarely come to Star University to give reports, and I wanted to see this year’s rising stars.”

“You’re freshmen who just entered school, so it’s too early to talk about internships. But I look forward to your persistent efforts and future connections with Ghost Eye Guild.”

Chu Fu paused at this point, casually glanced at Lance, then continued: “Ghost Eye Guild is relatively a fair place. Regardless of background, level, or talent, whether you come from a poor family, have a low level, even if your father’s character is questionable and your mother died young, none of this will affect personnel’s evaluation of your abilities.”

Chu Fu didn’t avoid mentioning Ghost Eye Guild or Zhan Qinghe. Some people thought she and Zhan Qinghe needed to stand as equals, each with their own brilliance, which was a childish idea.

She and Zhan Qinghe had a relationship where they shared glory and shame. They loved each other and had a son together, so she was happy to recruit talent for Ghost Eye Guild.

Moreover, these words were mainly directed at Lance.

A child with only an F-level awakening talent, who didn’t give up on himself and entered the capital’s highest institution with the top grade in his year—Chu Fu admired this attitude.

She had also once been considered the least talented and least useful junior in her generation by her family, but in the end, as the family declined, it was only she who stood tall again.

Now, not many people know about the Chu Guild of Yata City, but Chu Fu, the dean of Chuan Hospital, is renowned throughout the country.

Chu Fu’s sincerity made Tang Li restless. Although Chu Fu was his idol, he really didn’t want to go to Ghost Eye Guild. Desert City was too sandy, the climate too dry, and too far from his hometown. High Tower Guild was his dream home!

Sorry, idol! Afraid you might not forget me and invite me to Ghost Eye Guild again, making it hard for me to refuse, I won’t take a photo with you this time. Let’s part ways in this world!

Tang Li tried hard to lower his head, reducing his presence.

Chu Fu didn’t notice Tang Li’s complex and outrageous psychological activities. She simply inquired about the difficulty of courses in the Underground City College and their views on various guilds, then gave some verbal blessings before letting them leave.

Tang Li hunched over and zipped out of the reception room, afraid that Chu Fu would notice him, this recovery system Awakened one who had performed excellently during the interview.

Liu Bo scratched his head in confusion: “Hey, weren’t you going to…” take a photo?

By then, Tang Li had already disappeared.

Lance stood up from the sofa, nodding to Chu Fu: “Thank you.”

Chu Fu could secretly use her recovery system ability on him, but he couldn’t pretend not to know. This emotion couldn’t be called gratitude; he wasn’t so easily softened. But to be fair, Chu Fu’s actions made his feelings complex.

Could it be that the rumors were wrong, and Chu Fu wasn’t a cold person but rather quite warm?

Chu Fu nodded slightly, indicating she understood.

Lance turned to Zhan Pingchuan: “Let’s go, we still have class this afternoon.”

“Oh.” Before leaving, Zhan Pingchuan turned back to look at Chu Fu. Their eyes met for just a brief second, and Zhan Pingchuan understood his mother’s meaning.

This meant the important matter hadn’t been discussed yet, and they would meet later.

Probably his mom had called the four of them over just to see the little red fox.

Zhan Pingchuan secretly winked at Chu Fu, then ran out after Lance.

Zhan Pingchuan grabbed Lance’s hand, squeezed his palm, and tentatively asked: “Little classmate Lance, what do you think of Chu Fu?”

Lance lowered his eyes, hesitating for a moment before revealing what had happened in the reception room: “Maybe I looked too tired, but Chu Fu seemed to use her ability on me. My body feels very comfortable now.”

Zhan Pingchuan: “?” Hadn’t his mom seen his obvious panda-like dark circles?

Why didn’t she treat him too?

Lance noticed Zhan Pingchuan’s momentarily stunned reaction and thought, the little idiot probably thinks he’s been disliked.

Although that was very possible, the adult world was still too cruel for the little idiot.

So Lance squeezed his fingers back, comforting him: “Don’t overthink it. She doesn’t necessarily dislike you.”

Zhan Pingchuan: “……”

Zhan Pingchuan: “Then?”

Lance stiffened slightly. He hadn’t expected another question; the little idiot’s honesty caught him off guard.

Zhan Pingchuan could barely hold back his laughter. He used his other hand to pinch the tips of Lance’s hair, using the soft ends to lightly brush Lance’s small nose tip: “It’s okay, no need to force yourself to comfort me. It’s fine if she dislikes me, as long as she doesn’t dislike you.”

He certainly knew his mom didn’t dislike him; it was mainly that Lance’s appearance, wracking his brains to comfort him, was too cute.

The well-raised little red fox already knew to side with his husband.

Zhan Pingchuan felt a surge of accomplishment.

Lance dodged the ticklish sensation, saw the undisguised smile in Zhan Pingchuan’s eyes, and knew he didn’t mind.

Zhan Pingchuan lovingly rubbed the tips of Lance’s hair in his palm and asked again: “Since she’s so nice to you, would you consider joining Ghost Eye Guild in the future?”

Lance didn’t even think: “No.”

Zhan Pingchuan paused, his expression instantly stiffening, and hurriedly asked: “Why?”

Lance’s fox-like eyes raised slightly, thinking to himself, because I’m the White Pharaoh of the Black Lantern Society, the young master of High Tower Guild, you little idiot.

But Lance said: “I don’t accept benefits without merit, and I haven’t decided about my future yet.”

As he spoke, he pulled his hair out of Zhan Pingchuan’s palm.

In the past, except for Dream Witch occasionally braiding his hair, no one else paid much attention to his long hair. He didn’t know why Zhan Pingchuan liked it so much.

Zhan Pingchuan carefully probed, half-jokingly: “Actually, you could consider it. I think Chu Fu is a good person, and she takes care of you. Her family is also quite wealthy; buying a large villa with a hundred-square-meter bathroom isn’t a problem. Her marriage is strong, their love is firm, and they’ve never had any black history of one spouse beating the other for losing a child to the point of not daring to come home. There are no inhumane family rules like father and son being punished together for mistakes. And they’re so busy that they haven’t even had time for a second child all these years, so they won’t interfere with the younger generation’s lives. I think it’s especially suitable for alli… alliance. What do you think?”

Lance laughed, looking at Zhan Pingchuan meaningfully: “I think a single-parent family that collects trash is also fine. I don’t care about money or villas. Don’t worry, I’ll never marry into their family.”

Zhan Pingchuan: “……” Maybe we should form an alliance after all?

At noon, they ate lunch during the last moments before the cafeteria closed for rest. In the afternoon, they had classes in different buildings. Lance went to the Mineral Building early, taking a call from Lan Wendao on the way.

Lan Wendao’s first question was: “Is that Desert City boy still hanging around you?”

Lance found it incredibly strange. When he was very young, Lan Wendao loved to show him off, enjoying hearing others express amazement and affection for him. Lan Wendao had worn out several pairs of shoe soles walking around their hillside villa area.

Back then, Lan Wendao’s frequent words were: “Yes, yes, yes, our little Omega, haha, he is indeed beautiful, takes after me. What, you want to hold him? Go ahead, go ahead. You want a photo too? That’s fine, but don’t post it online, it’s not good for a child’s development.”

But now, Lan Wendao wished no Alpha would surround him, let alone allow anyone to give him chocolates, condoms, or similar things.

Lance curled his lips, deliberately saying: “Dad, what boy are you talking about? His name is Zhan Pingchuan.”

Hearing Lance’s teasing tone, Lan Wendao knew Lance was joking, but he still felt a pang: “I don’t care what his name is, don’t talk like that in the future!”

Lance listened to Lan Wendao’s agitated reaction, and only after a while did he put away the amusement in his eyes, switching to work mode: “Chu Fu came to our school today and specifically met with the Challenge Cup championship team.”

Lan Wendao didn’t immediately react: “Oh?”

Lance narrowed his eyes, his shrewd calculations fully exposed: “Chu Fu held me when I was young. Do you think she might recognize me?”

Lan Wendao frowned: “I don’t think so. You were only four then, with a round face. Even if Chu Fu’s abilities are strong, she wouldn’t imagine what you’d look like grown up.”

Lance frowned, murmuring: “Then why did she use her recovery system ability to alleviate my fatigue?”

If he had been dying, hanging by a thread, and Chu Fu saved him, it could be considered a doctor’s duty. But he had just not slept well; why would Chu Fu bother?

Lan Wendao knew Lance was naturally suspicious, but he couldn’t help interrupting his wild thoughts, hitting the pain point: “Darling, Daddy just snatched a big contract from her husband with a unique little trick. I heard Zhan Qinghe was so angry he developed two oral ulcers. Do you think if she remembered you were my son, she would still treat you?”

Lance: “……” Such flawless logic.

On the other side, Zhan Pingchuan decisively skipped “Underground City Practical Exercise.” He pulled up the hood of his school uniform jacket and quickly made his way to the administration building, finding the familiar black Alfa in the shaded parking lot below.

Zhan Pingchuan raised his hand to grab the door handle, pressing his thumb on it. The fingerprint sensor made a “zi” sound, confirming Zhan Pingchuan’s identity, and the door popped open.

Zhan Pingchuan quickly bent down to get in the car and closed the door.

The anti-peeping film instantly turned ink-black, blocking out all light from outside.

Zhan Pingchuan turned his head, took off his hood, and grinned at Chu Fu: “Mom!”

Chu Fu had been waiting in the car for some time. Seeing Zhan Pingchuan get in, she swept her cool gaze over him and directly raised her left hand.

The suit sleeve slid down her wrist, revealing the unbuttoned shirt cuff underneath and her tensed forearm muscles.

Zhan Pingchuan shrank his neck, thinking that this beating was indeed unavoidable.

But in the end, Chu Fu was just scaring him. She forcefully pushed his forehead with her finger, scolding: “You don’t know your limits.”

Zhan Pingchuan’s head tilted backward, then quickly bounced back. With a smile in his eyes, he took advantage: “Mom, I knew you wouldn’t bear to hit me.”

Chu Fu was indeed talking about stealing the autopsy report.

Zhan Qinghe and Chu Fu had always had different educational philosophies. Zhan Qinghe believed Alphas should be raised tough, with lots of experience and exposure to the world. A little blood and a few injuries were nothing, because that’s how he had grown up.

Chu Fu’s early life had been equally hard, but precisely because she understood the harm such hardship brought to people, she didn’t want Zhan Pingchuan to experience these things.

But Zhan Pingchuan also had an adventure-loving personality, so in the end, the father and son were more in tune.

Chu Fu really couldn’t bear to hit him; after all, he was an adult now, even knowing how to mark other Omegas.

She pressed open the car’s storage compartment and took out a palm-sized metal box, tossing it to Zhan Pingchuan.

Zhan Pingchuan caught it with one hand, weighed it, and found it had some heft: “Mom, what’s this?”

Chu Fu: “The latest scientific research results not registered by Blue Pivot: iris replication device, fingerprint copy stickers, infrared interference device, surveillance image overlay virus, simulated dust spray, and a vial of my pheromones.”

Zhan Pingchuan opened the box and was dumbfounded to see the neatly arranged miniature instruments inside.

He took out the small glass vial fixed at the bottom. The vial emitted a faint green glow; due to the addition of special drugs, the pheromones still maintained their activity.

Zhan Pingchuan felt distressed. He held the glass vial in his palm and reached out to pull at Chu Fu’s collar, his tone somewhat urgent: “Let me see!”

Extracting pheromones required a very thick needle to be inserted into the gland, directly into the gland nucleus. To maintain pheromone concentration, a large amount would be extracted at once. At the same time, the individual being extracted had to suppress their instinctive reaction and not use abilities to expel the needle.

Although this wouldn’t cause too much harm to the body, the extraction process was painful.

Chu Fu was an A-level recovery system Awakened one. A vial of her high-purity pheromones could almost be said to bring the dead back to life without exaggeration.

Chu Fu turned her head, batting away Zhan Pingchuan’s hand: “What’s there to see? It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

As soon as the needle was removed, she could use her ability to heal her wound. From bleeding to complete healing, it was just a matter of a second.

Zhan Pingchuan frowned, his fingers slowly closing, his heart feeling as if it had been wrung, both sour and painful.

“Mom, you…”

Chu Fu didn’t let him continue feeling guilty and directly said: “Hong Suo Research Institute has developed a device that can extract ability pheromones within an hour. Through analysis of the pheromones, they can easily lock onto an individual. Remember, for this mission, unless absolutely necessary, don’t use any abilities.”

Zhan Pingchuan didn’t put his own safety first, but instead looked at Chu Fu, saying angrily: “Then why did you extract your own pheromones for me? If I use them, won’t they be able to trace them back to you?”

Chu Fu looked at her son with an expression reserved for idiots, saying indifferently: “If you use them, it means your life is already hanging by a thread. In that case, why would your father and I stand on ceremony? Ghost Eye Guild can just rebel directly.”