DMPSA CH 13

Chapter 13: Why Pretend to Be a Beta?

The tea house’s doors and windows were tightly shut, ensuring no trace of scent leaked outside. This also meant the room remained filled with the lingering fragrances of two people: the osmanthus aroma and oolong tea mingled in the air, refusing to dissipate.

Fortunately, the surge of emotions had been swiftly suppressed. Half an hour after administering the inhibitors, both had returned to normal.

Yue Qi sat at the table closest to the bar counter, while Su Qing brought over an entire tea set and placed it on Yue Qi’s table. He then sat across from him and began heating water.

“Thank you so much for earlier,” Su Qing said, his tone laced with embarrassment. By now, he understood the reason behind Yue Qi locking the doors and windows, feeling deeply ashamed for doubting him earlier. When the water boiled, Su Qing deftly rinsed the teapot and cups before brewing the tea. Pouring two cups of Jin Xuan oolong, he raised his cup apologetically toward Yue Qi. “I’m also truly sorry for dragging you into this,” he said, clearly flustered.

Yue Qi, who now associated the Jin Xuan oolong with a lingering sense of unease, glanced at the tea with slight trepidation. Smiling faintly, he didn’t reach for the cup.

“No need to apologize,” Yue Qi replied, leaning lazily against the back of his chair, exuding the exhaustion of someone who’d just endured a tense situation. “But you really need to be more careful. How could you forget to restock your inhibitors? Thankfully, I had some on hand today. Otherwise…” Yue Qi suddenly leaned forward, scrutinizing Su Qing intently. “Your face is really red. Are you running a fever?”

“Ah, no, it’s fine,” Su Qing said, touching his face but feeling no particular heat. “It’s probably just… not completely over yet.” He was referring to the lingering effects of the heat. As he spoke, his cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red.

Yue Qi wasn’t entirely reassured. Su Qing’s reddened complexion seemed abnormal, almost like a sickly flush. The doctor in Yue Qi couldn’t help but surface. “If you have a fever, your entire body would feel hot. How could you tell just by touching your own face?” He reached out his hand, intending to check Su Qing’s temperature directly.

Startled, Su Qing reflexively leaned back, raising a hand to shield his face.

Su Qing’s sudden defensive reaction made Yue Qi realize his gesture might have been inappropriate—especially given the chaotic events they’d just experienced. Physical contact between them would only feel more ambiguous.

Awkwardly withdrawing his hand, Yue Qi’s gaze fell on Su Qing’s raised right hand, where a large waterproof bandage was affixed to the palm.

As Su Qing brewed the tea earlier, his palms were facing downward, and the skin-colored bandage blended into his complexion, making it inconspicuous. That’s why Yue Qi didn’t notice it immediately.

Replaying the night’s events in his mind, Yue Qi recalled their earlier close interactions: when Su Qing handed him the menu, and when Su Qing brought the floral arrangements. At those times, there hadn’t been any visible injury. This wound must have been inflicted just moments ago. The bandage now bore deep crimson stains, indicating the wound beneath was still bleeding.

“What happened to your hand?” Yue Qi asked, not withdrawing his hand. Instead, he grabbed Su Qing’s right hand to examine it closely. “Did you injure it just now?”

Su Qing tried to pull his hand back, but Yue Qi’s grip was firm. Laughing nervously, Su Qing tried to downplay it. “It’s nothing, really. I accidentally nicked it earlier when I broke a cup…”

“What’s wrong with you?” Yue Qi snapped, his voice tinged with irritation. Su Qing’s casual demeanor only fueled his frustration.

It’s nothing. Everything is “nothing.”

Being misunderstood by your boyfriend? Nothing.
Your boyfriend walking out on you? Nothing.
Cutting your hand? Nothing.
So, what’s next? Suddenly going into heat in public—also nothing?

Or… was it deliberate?

“Why are you pretending to be a Beta to deceive people?” Yue Qi’s hand loosened its grip as his tone grew colder. His unexpected accusation left Su Qing stunned, frozen like a deer in headlights.

Yue Qi glared at Su Qing, his brows furrowed, radiating a dark, oppressive aura that replaced his usual gentle demeanor.

Su Qing let out an awkward “Ah,” finally processing the situation.

Yue Qi had every right to be angry. If their roles were reversed, and he found himself manipulated into an uncontrollable heat without knowing the full truth, he’d be furious too. Su Qing owed him an explanation.

With a heavy sigh, Su Qing carefully contemplated how to respond without it sounding like an excuse or an attempt to shirk responsibility.

“First of all, I need to apologize to you. I truly didn’t mean to cause such chaos earlier. Please believe me.” Su Qing’s eyes brimmed with guilt, and his tone carried genuine sincerity, expressing his desire for forgiveness and trust.

Yue Qi reluctantly nodded. Although he had only known Su Qing for half a year, deep down, he was confident Su Qing wasn’t the type to play manipulative games. His earlier outburst stemmed not only from confusion over the chaotic situation but also from frustration at Su Qing’s apparent disregard for his own well-being.

This man, who treated “it’s nothing” like a mantra, even tried to comfort others while he himself was injured.

Yue Qi’s face remained stern as he gestured for Su Qing to continue.

“And, I didn’t deceive anyone. I never said I was a Beta. I just…” Su Qing hesitated before continuing softly, “I don’t have Omega characteristics.”

Yue Qi froze for a moment. That was true.

Su Qing had never explicitly mentioned his secondary gender. Yue Qi had jumped to conclusions, assuming Su Qing was a Beta because, like all Betas, he had no detectable scent.

Yue Qi began to feel embarrassed. His anger had been misplaced and unwarranted. But Su Qing didn’t seem to notice and continued speaking, pouring out his feelings.

“I didn’t know this would suddenly happen,” Su Qing admitted, struggling to find the right words. Even the phrase “go into heat” was too embarrassing for him to utter. He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat before pressing on. “In fact, this is the first time I’ve had… a cycle since my differentiation at twenty.” He rubbed his nose awkwardly. “So, I didn’t have any suppressants prepared. I… I’ve never used them before.”

No wonder Su Qing had been so clumsy with the medication earlier—he hadn’t even known how to find a vein and had nearly pulled down his pants to inject it into his hip.

Wait a minute. There was a lot to unpack in Su Qing’s words. What did he mean by differentiating at twenty? And this was his first time going into heat?

“You… you differentiated at twenty?” Yue Qi asked in astonishment. “And this is your first heat? How… how is that possible?”

Su Qing gave a bitter smile. He didn’t know why, either.

“To be precise, it was at twenty-two,” Su Qing explained. “The month after I graduated from university. Before that, I thought I was a Beta.”

Even though it had been fifteen years, Su Qing could still recall every detail of that experience as if it had happened yesterday.

(To Be Continued…)

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