ROT CH 12

Chapter 12: I Won’t Force My Self

After finishing his basketball game, Chengyu was about to go inside when he saw his uncle and cousin sitting in the living room drinking tea. He was really annoyed by this pair. Every time they came over, his uncle would insist he stay nearby, claiming it was to maintain family ties, but in reality, it was just a waste of his time. Chengyu planned to sneak away to Qinglangxuan before his uncle could call for him.

Unfortunately, Jun had already spotted him. Just as Chengyu was about to turn around, Jun called out to him, “Chengyu, you’re back?”

Jun’s son, Chongwu, also enthusiastically said, “Little Chengyu, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time!” He excitedly stood up and tried to pull Chengyu, but Chengyu swiftly dodged him.

“Little Chengyu?,” Who gave you permission to call me that? Chengyu frowned in disdain, not wanting to engage with him.

Chongwu was nearly 10-year older than Chengyu, now almost 30. In terms of seniority, he was Chengyu’s cousin and an Alpha. This cousin was lazy and incompetent, not only did he do poorly in his studies, but he also neglected the martial arts that his family valued. Instead, he liked to fight and cause trouble, completely ruining the reputation of the name “Chongwu.” Jun, Chengyu’s uncle, always had to lecture him before sending him off to practice basic skills, which eventually made Chongwu not want to come anymore.

But ever since Chengyu turned Omega, his uncle had been bringing him over more frequently. Chongwu, who had previously avoided him, suddenly started acting friendly toward both Jun and Chengyu, showing affection and attention.

Chengyu felt that this was meant to provoke him. After learning that he had turned Omega, Chongwu deliberately strutted around, releasing his Alpha pheromones in front of him, almost flaunting them. Sometimes he would even move his foot intentionally, showing off his Alpha strength. It was really annoying.

Chengyu clenched his fist, pretending to scratch his face, but in reality, he was trying to avoid Chongwu’s scent by smelling his own hand. Chongwu’s scent reminded him of a damp rainforest, mixed with the smell of plants crushed underfoot, giving off a sharp, grassy odor. The scent itself wasn’t necessarily unpleasant—it was just the scent of plants decaying—but because it came from someone Chengyu disliked so much, it made his rejection even stronger.

Fortunately, Chengyu’s glands weren’t sensitive to certain Alpha pheromones, so Chongwu’s intentional provocation had no effect on him. Chengyu could still maintain his composure and continue pretending to engage with the two.

“Hahaha, Chengyu is shy, huh? Why is my little brother shy?” Jun laughed when he saw Chengyu rubbing his face, avoiding Chongwu. He knew Chengyu had smelled Chongwu’s Alpha pheromones, so he deliberately smiled with a friendly expression. Chengyu, gritting his teeth, greeted them, “Uncle, Brother.” In his mind, he cursed, old fox.

The old fox Jun was the older brother of Chengyu’s father, Lin. More specifically, Jun was adopted by Lin.

Years ago, Chengyu’s grandfather and grandmother had been married for a long time but couldn’t have children. Believing it was hopeless, they adopted a four-year-old child from a distant branch of the family and renamed him Jun. Two years later, Lin unexpectedly became pregnant with Chengyu.

At the time, Jun was old enough to understand that he wasn’t the biological child of the family. If it had just been him, maybe he would have been treated as a true member of the family, as others had said. But now that Lin had a biological son, there was no longer any room for Jun. After being spoiled for two years, when Lin’s younger brother was born, Jun felt incredibly uneasy.

Sure enough, after Lin’s son was born, all attention shifted to the infant, and seven-year-old Jun began attending school. He didn’t understand that going to school was just because he was old enough. To him, it felt like he was being distanced. They no longer wanted to spend all their time with him and only cared about their own son.

Although Jun lived a life of luxury in the family, enjoying all the comforts of life, he still harbored resentment and dissatisfaction, twisted by greed. First, he coveted the attention of his adoptive parents, and later, he desired the family’s wealth and power.

However, Jun, in his youth, wasn’t bold enough to do anything too extreme. Even though he resented his younger brother, he still treated him kindly in front of everyone. Because of this, no one suspected his bitterness, and Chengyu’s grandfather never learned of his hidden hatred. He was always pleased with how close the brothers seemed, thinking they had a loving relationship.

Since Lin was the biological heir, the inheritance naturally fell to him, with Jun becoming his most trusted advisor. Jun happily congratulated his brother and publicly declared that he would be the most loyal supporter of his younger brother. Anyone who opposed Lin would have to deal with Jun. By then, Jun had already gained a bit of a reputation and respect in the family. Everyone praised his loyalty and devotion to the family’s heir.

But Chengyu couldn’t stand his uncle’s constant smiling face. He felt that the smile was insincere. He had seen through Jun a few times and noticed the sharp, cold look in his eyes when no one was around. It made Chengyu uneasy.

Chengyu couldn’t force himself to smile back at Jun’s cheerful face, but the family’s traditions prevented him from simply walking away. Just as he was stuck between a rock and a hard place, Lin came out from the inner room.

“Back already? You’re late today?” Lin said indifferently, seeming to have a layer of separation between himself and his son. He glanced at the time and asked, “Have you eaten?”

Chengyu respectfully answered, “I already ate. I was playing basketball with some classmates. After the game, I went straight to eat, so I’m a bit late.”

“Basketball, huh? That’s good,” Jun chimed in. “It’s important to keep up with physical activities so your body stays healthy. Don’t slack off just because you’re an Omega. But can you run the whole court? Don’t push yourself too hard. I heard from the martial arts instructor that you’re still practicing boxing. Why did your coach let you continue playing? That’s concerning.” Jun turned to Lin, speaking in a reproachful tone, “You should have said something. You know Omega’s physical limitations, no matter how much you push them, they’ll never be able to compete with Alpha. Don’t exhaust Chengyu.”

Jun hit Lin’s sore spot every time, intentionally stepping on it. Chengyu hated it, but Lin, for some strange reason, was under some sort of spell when it came to his brother, a distant relative whose connection to the family was so weak it could be ignored. When Chengyu had first transitioned into an Omega, it was supposed to be a secret, but Lin immediately turned to Jun for advice, which led to the constant mocking and subtle cruelty he now had to endure. It was like being punished in the name of protection, and the pain was unbearable.

Lin truly trusted Jun, and when Chengyu heard Jun’s barbed remarks, he didn’t protest but instead took them seriously and reflected on them.

“I’m not forcing you. You’re used to practicing boxing. If you don’t, you’ll feel uncomfortable,” Chengyu quickly responded. It was Jun who had initially misled Lin, suggesting that he needed to be prepared to avoid being bullied by other Alpha students at school. A few misleading words had gotten him suspended from school, but after begging and promising to accept bodyguard protection, Lin had reluctantly allowed him to return. Now Jun was speaking carelessly again, and Chengyu feared his father might lose his mind again and forbid him from practicing boxing.

Lin pondered for a moment and finally concluded that boxing was something Chengyu had grown accustomed to, and his body should be able to handle it. He then calmly said, “Chengyu, just do what you can. Don’t force yourself. I’m not asking you to be as good as an Alpha, just be able to protect yourself.”

Chengyu’s frustration welled up inside him: I can do more than just match an Alpha, I’m better than some Alphas, not to mention that I’m leagues above Chongwu, that worthless Alpha. His eyes burned with anger, but he had to hold it in. If he showed any signs of resistance, they would use the excuse that an Omega couldn’t achieve anything substantial.

He lowered his gaze, letting out a slow breath to release the pent-up frustration. “I understand. I won’t force myself,” Chengyu repeated the words he had been saying since his transition to Omega: I won’t force myself.

The room fell quiet, as if the tension was being carefully managed.

(To Be Continued…)

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