WHIF- Chapter 7

Ch. 07 Pretend to have a crush on me

    On Saturday, Ji Xiang went to pick up Shen Siru outside his apartment complex.

    Shen Siru, who is always punctual, surprisingly made Ji Xiang wait for ten minutes.

    Ji Xiang didn’t mind. But when he saw the exquisitely dressed city-chic omega swaying under the weight of a burlap sack full of products, he rushed over in shock to help. “Are you moving?”

    “Nope, all of this is for you. It’s a mix of stuff—some skincare products too.” Shen Siru stood with his hands on his hips, catching his breath. “I brought you different brands of anti-hair loss treatments. They all have decent reputations and reviews, but results vary by person. Try them out and use what works best for you.”

    “Oh right, there’s also combos of shampoo and hair oils in there. Remember to use them, and when you run out, just let me know—I’ll bring more.”

    Shen Siru wasn’t just ambitious in his main job; his side hustle as a beauty influencer had also been thriving since university, only growing stronger each year.

    Because he thought Ji Xiang lived too ‘rough’, he often ‘fed’ him with products like this.

    Shen Siru fussed over him for a while in a steady stream of reminders. Ji Xiang was used to it as he nodded along, loading the sack into the back seat, and then took Shen Siru to his favorite restaurant: the chicken hotpot place he’d been obsessed with since high school.

    They’d been eating at this restaurant for over a decade. Over the years, they’d watched the owner’s business flourish and expand. The moment they stepped inside, the owner sent over a few bottles of soda and cold dishes.

    Shen Siru popped open a Coke, stuck in a straw, and stared out the window, muttering to himself, “Ever since they tore down the building next door, you can actually see the high school from here. Everything’s changed so much.”

    “You make it sound like it’s your first time back in years. That’s exactly what you said last time too.”

    “Really?” Shen Siru’s eyes drifted towards the giant banyan tree at the school gate, now so large it seemed to block the sun. He then looked away casually. “Are you seriously planning to marry that… what’s-his-name?”

    “Yeah. I’m heading home tomorrow and bringing Yang Chaosheng with me,” Ji Xiang said, tossing a plate of greens into the pot. “Why the face? You look so grim.”

    As a close friend, Shen Siru should have been happy for Ji Xiang. But this wasn’t some traditional romance that grew from mutual affection into commitment—Ji Xiang’s sudden decision to marry this man named Yang Chaosheng left him uneasy.

    There were just too many unfaithful people in the world. Even long-term relationships built on deep affection could fall apart. A whirlwind marriage like Ji Xiang’s felt even riskier.

    “I’m not trying to pour cold water on you… but I’ve been thinking—grabbing a near-stranger to marry like this is just too impulsive. Think it through one more time, okay?” Shen Siru propped his chin on one hand, tapping the bottom of his bowl with his chopsticks. “Not a single alpha’s truly good. Their flaws are in their bones, selfish, cold, controlling… you can’t just look at appearances. Sure, there are legal protections for omegas in marriages now, but you’re a beta. If he treats you badly, like abuse, marital rape—what will you do?”

    Ji Xiang hadn’t expected Shen Siru to think this far ahead. And he wasn’t entirely wrong either. He knew Shen Siru carried a deep bias against alphas, all stemming from a certain jerk who hurt him back in high school.

    Ji Xiang ladled a bowl of Shen Siru’s favorite leg meat and placed it in front of him. “I know you’re just looking out for me…”

    Shen Siru cut him off. “You don’t want blind dates but insist on getting married? Fine, I’ve got a solution—marry me instead. You can bring me home and tell your parents that our friendship evolved into something more. Isn’t that safer than marrying a random alpha?”

    Ji Xiang chuckled, amused. “And what if you meet someone you actually like in the future? You’ll just tell him, ‘Hold on, I need to divorce my friend first’?”

    “Ji Xiang, I’m serious! What if you end up with someone like Yuan You…” Shen Siru bit his lips, flustered, then angrily threw a handful of cilantro into Ji Xiang’s bowl. “Forget it. I’ve said what I wanted to say. I just don’t want you getting hurt.”

    Yuan You had been Shen Siru’s secret boyfriend in high school. Ji Xiang had met him a few times, but he didn’t know the specifics of their breakup, Shen Siru never liked to talk about it.

    Ji Xiang only knew that after they broke up, Shen Siru had been physically and emotionally wrecked. But even so, Ji Xiang hoped Shen Siru wouldn’t live in fear or let one person kill his courage and passion for love.

    “Siru… don’t punish yourself for someone else’s mistakes.” Ji Xiang said gently.

    “I’m not…” Shen Siru’s eyes turned red from the steam. “I just don’t want to see you get deceived.”

    Ji Xiang didn’t say anything, he simply smiled at him with quietly. “If it’ll put your mind at ease, come home with me tomorrow. You can meet him too.”

    “No way. What would that look like?” Shen Siru sniffled. “Do what you want. But if he ever lays a hand on you after marriage, I’ll be the first to beat him up.”

    “Deal.”

    Ji Xiang couldn’t help but laugh at his fierce ‘don’t underestimate an omega’ stance. He urged Shen Siru to hurry up and get some food. But, just then, someone tapped twice on the glass window.

    Ji Xiang instinctively turned around and was surprised to see Song Zheli smiling warmly from outside.

    “What a coincidence.” Song Zheli mouthed the words, as they couldn’t hear through the glass.

    Ji Xiang’s eyes lit up as he waved a hand, not noticing Shen Siru’s stunned expression across the table. When Song Zheli walked in, Ji Xiang greeted him.

    “Director Song? What brings you here?”

    “Just passing by. Didn’t expect to run into you on the weekend,” Song Zheli replied. “Out with a friend?”

    “Yeah. This is my good friend, Shen Siru. He works in the administration department at our company.” Ji Xiang introduced them. “Siru, this is my boss—Song Zheli, our creative director.”

    Song Zheli offered a handshake, “Nice to meet you.”

    “It’s you?” Shen Siru’s eyes cleared instantly. He’d been wondering where he’d seen this man before. Realization dawned, and he quickly grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth. “Nice to meet you.”

    Their handshake was brief and polite.

    “You know me?” Song Zheli asked, puzzled.

    “Yes. In the elevator last time, you pointed out that my scent blocker was coming loose and even gave me a spare. I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly then.”

    After graduating high school, Shen Siru’s heat cycles had become irregular—usually only once a year, but when they came, they hit hard. Unlike most omegas, he struggled to control his pheromones. If his blockers weren’t firmly in place, even trace amounts of alpha pheromones in the air could affect him.

    That day, he’d been rushing to work, already late, when he started feeling off. Had Song Zheli not noticed first, the consequences might’ve been serious.

    Song Zheli paused, recalling the incident. “It was nothing, just lending a hand.”

    Ji Xiang blinked and glanced at the half-finished meal. “Since you two know each other already… Director Song, have you had lunch? If not, why not join us? My treat. You mentioned last time that we should hang out sometime. And Siru’s no stranger.”

    “I’d love to, but I’ve already eaten,” Song Zheli said with a look of regret. “Besides, I’ve got something to take care of soon, so I wouldn’t disturb you friends’ dinner. Anyway, I’m not going anywhere, so you can’t duck the bill next time.”

    “Okay, work is more important. Next time, then.”

    As Ji Xiang waved him off and sat back down, Shen Siru immediately asked, “So that’s your beta boss?”

    “Yep. He’s a good guy, and really capable,” Ji Xiang teased. “So, stop fighting my battles for me, alright?”

    Song Zheli was parachuted into the company about a year ago [mfn]entered the company through connections[/mfn]. With overseas education and work experience, he was immediately appointed as creative director.

    Before that, the former director had just transferred out, and Ji Xiang, who had worked under her since graduation, had been a top contender for the role. But the spot ended up going to the newcomer, sparking plenty of gossip in the department.

    Shen Siru had caught wind of the rumors and, once confirmed by Ji Xiang, had cursed out every boss involved—especially Song Zheli.

    Shen Siru awkwardly brushed his bangs aside. “Well… it was still unfair. That position was practically yours.”

    “Until it’s official, nothing’s set in stone. Everyone was just speculating. Sure, I was upset, but I don’t have his background. Losing to him isn’t strange.” Ji Xiang shrugged. “Besides, they gave me a raise afterward. Work’s about making money anyway.”

    Shen Siru looked at him like he was hopeless. “Sometimes I think you’re way too tolerant… Do you know how much a director makes a month?”

    “The greater the power, the greater the stress. If I made a million a month and had to work myself to death, I’d rather jump off a building.” Ji Xiang said calmly.

    Shen Siru gave up and quietly went back to eating chicken.

    After lunch, Ji Xiang accompanied him to the nearby mall for a bit, then headed home.

    Ji Shuyu messaged him, first spamming several pages of photos of men and women for matchmaking. Ji Xiang didn’t even look at them, just sending a message back: “I will bring my marriage partner home tomorrow.” That earned him an instant phone call.

    “Ji Xiang? You didn’t have to lie to me because you didn’t want to go on a blind date, okay. Want to skip this week? I’ll have Aunt Lin call you next week.”

    Ji Xiang was too lazy to boil water, so he just moistened his throat with the cold water left in the cup in the morning, “I’m not lying, Mom. I really am bringing someone home tomorrow.”

    “Don’t give me that. Since when have you been in a relationship? You’ve never even dated! What, did you hire an actor?”

    “He’s not an actor. We just got together a few days ago, but we’ve known each other for a long time.” Ji Xiang lied smoothly, borrowing the matchmaker’s words. “He’s a lawyer now—stable job, reliable, takes good care of people. The kind of person who’d make a great partner. Will definitely have a bright future. A good potential investment.”

    Ji Shuyu: “…” That sounded way too familiar.

    “Don’t worry, you’ll understand when you meet him tomorrow. We used to be friends, and I really trust him.” Ji Xiang added a touch of emotional depth, borrowing from Shen Siru’s earlier idea. “You’ll like him. He’s a truly great person. I think he’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with him.”

    There was a pause on the other end of the line. “…Just come home first. No rush to get married. Let’s see.”

    Ji Xiang said “okay,” hung up, then typed out a message to Yang Chaosheng.

    [CilantroKiller]: Lawyer Yang, I need your help running a little script tomorrow when we go to my place, my parents might not believe it otherwise.

    [Yang Chaosheng]: Sure. Just tell me what to do.

    [CilantroKiller]: Just pretend you were my college classmate who had a secret crush on me. We were friends at that time, so you never dared to confess before, even until the graduation. Half a year ago, we reunited when you moved back to Tongcheng for work, started seeing each other more, and naturally got together.

    Yang Chaosheng stared at the word ‘crush’ on the screen, as if it had hit a nerve. His heartbeat quietly picked up speed.

    [Yang Chaosheng]: Okay. I’ll follow your lead.

    [Yang Chaosheng]: See you tomorrow.

    [Ji Xiang]: Thanks. See you tomorrow.

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The author has something to say:

Xiao Yang: Secret crush? I am good at this. Watch me.😎

Xiao Ji: Hope the plan works. 🤗