MVCFO CH13

Lu Cong went to the office and came back with a set of test papers and a sports meet registration form.

When he walked into the classroom, he noticed that Lin Xiangqi wasn’t in his seat.

That wasn’t unusual.

Lin Xiangqi was lively and energetic. Sometimes during lunch break, if the teachers weren’t around, he’d sneak off to the playground with a few other boys to play ball.

But after scanning the room, Lu Cong noticed that aside from Lin Xiangqi, only Xu Muwen and Chen Qiutian were also missing from their seats.

That could only mean one thing—after Chen Qiutian came back, Lin Xiangqi went out with him.

What kind of game would the two of them be playing?

Table tennis? Badminton?

No… maybe they weren’t playing at all.

Lu Cong glanced at his phone without any change in expression. No unread messages.

He lowered his gaze, his face unreadable. Then he began distributing the test papers and took out the registration form to encourage his classmates to sign up for the sports meet.

During the process, he absentmindedly checked his phone three times and glanced toward the classroom door twice.

“Class rep, does everyone have to sign up? I’m really bad at sports. Last time I ran a bit and ended up puking. If I have to do something, is there an easier event you can give me?”

“I want one too. I’ve been forced to run long-distance every year, but this time I swear I’m not doing it. Class rep, give me the easiest one.”

Lu Cong withdrew his gaze and looked at the class. “The cheerleading team needs ten people. If you’ve got basic coordination, you can sign up.”

Someone asked, “Can boys join too?”

Lu Cong replied, “You can sign up, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be selected.”

That got everyone debating again.

Because of the sports meet sign-ups, every classroom was noisy that noon—no one was actually resting.

By the time Lu Cong finished everything the homeroom teacher asked him to do, the afternoon class was about to start.

Only then did Lin Xiangqi stroll in, alone.

Chen Qiutian was nowhere to be seen.

As he passed by Lu Cong’s seat, Lin Xiangqi proudly pulled out a chocolate bar from one pocket, then a small bottle of coconut milk from the other.

Lu Cong took them, intending to do what he usually did—not press for details unless Lin Xiangqi brought it up himself.

But suddenly, he caught a faint scent that put him in a bad mood.

He looked up at Lin Xiangqi and asked, “Where did you go during lunch?”

Lin Xiangqi replied, “I went with Chen Qiutian to the hospital.”

Just then, the bell rang. He hurried off to his seat, calling over his shoulder without turning around, “I’ll tell you at home!”

Lu Cong’s brows furrowed tightly. For once, he couldn’t keep his calm.

Because he knew very clearly—that scent on Lin Xiangqi just now was Shen Qiaolan’s pheromone.

—

With Lin Xiangqi’s help, Chen Qiutian had managed to get a somewhat fair amount of medical compensation out of Shen Qiaolan.

But it hadn’t gone smoothly.

After returning from the hospital, Chen Qiutian held his not-so-serious diagnosis report, feeling a bit anxious. He hesitated about whether to really confront Shen Qiaolan to ask for medical fees.

There had been a lot of people around when Xu Muwen got kicked—Shen Qiaolan couldn’t deny that.

But no one else had been around when Shen Qiaolan strangled him.

Chen Qiutian was a bit cowardly. But Lin Xiangqi was firm: no way Shen Qiaolan was getting away with choking someone without consequence. That medical fee had to be paid.

So Chen Qiutian went to confront Shen Qiaolan by himself.

At the time, Chen Qiutian thought he wouldn’t push it—just ask to be reimbursed for a few hundred yuan in exam fees and leave it at that. Better to avoid this guy in the future and stay out of trouble.

But Shen Qiaolan was completely unreasonable.

He wouldn’t even give Chen Qiutian a cent.

His exact words were: “Who can prove it was me who strangled you? Unless you get Lin Xiangqi to testify.”

At that moment, Chen Qiutian didn’t even want the money anymore.

Because it was obvious—Shen Qiaolan just wanted to drag Lin Xiangqi into this and mess with him.

Chen Qiutian threw the diagnosis report on the floor and said, “You’re a psycho. I’m done with this.”

Then he bolted, afraid Shen Qiaolan might grab him again and strangle him a second time.

When Lin Xiangqi heard about it, he immediately said he’d go himself. He could take a little mistreatment—but his bro was not going to suffer.

Hearing that, Chen Qiutian was so moved he almost cried. Watching Lin Xiangqi’s heroic back walking away, he started singing:
“The wind is cold, the Yi River icy, Xiangqi goes forth and never returns—”

Lin Xiangqi: “Shut that awful mouth of yours.”

Chen Qiutian: “Okay.”

—

The confrontation between Lin Xiangqi and Shen Qiaolan wasn’t as dramatic or intense as Chen Qiutian had imagined.

Shen Qiaolan was waiting for Lin Xiangqi on the rooftop.

He was posing with that brooding, melancholic posture only male leads in idol dramas could pull off.

The first thing he said when he saw Lin Xiangqi was, “You’ve been avoiding me for days. Finally got the guts to come see me?”

Lin Xiangqi looked at him.

A light, cool breeze blew by, rustling his soft bangs. Though slender, he stood there firm and tall, his eyes shining bright, enough to captivate anyone.

Shen Qiaolan thought: If Lin Xiangqi would lower his head to me in this moment, I’ll give him a chance to get close.

Then he heard Lin Xiangqi shout into the wind: “Pay up!”

Shen Qiaolan: “…?”

All the drama disappeared from Shen Qiaolan’s face. He glared coldly at Lin Xiangqi. “Do you even know who you’re talking to? Watch your tone, Lin Xiangqi.”

Lin Xiangqi took a step closer and repeated, “Pay. Up.”

Shen Qiaolan was starting to get angry. He gritted his teeth. “That’s really all you came to say?”

“I didn’t even want to see you in the first place. You’re the one who insisted I come.”

When Lin Xiangqi saw Shen Qiaolan, he couldn’t help but think of the tragic ending he had in the original story. Just the thought annoyed him to death.

He didn’t want to get entangled any further and urged, “Stop wasting time. If you plan on shirking responsibility, I’ll call the police. You know I’m on my own at home, I have nothing to lose. Are you really ready to mess with someone like me?”

Shen Qiaolan was clearly taller than Lin Xiangqi, but at that moment, he inexplicably felt smaller.

He stared at Lin Xiangqi in disbelief, unable to utter a word.

It had only been three days, yet Lin Xiangqi seemed like a completely different person.

No…

In fact, Shen Qiaolan knew — Lin Xiangqi had always been like this.

Objectively speaking, Lin Xiangqi was actually quite well-known at school. He was always the center of attention wherever he went and had a natural ability to draw people in. His personality was nothing like his delicate and pretty appearance; he was righteous, unrestrained, candid, and easygoing. He always looked like the youngest in any group, yet people often called him “bro.” And he did behave like a big brother, constantly looking out for the underclassmen around him. Anyone who asked him for help could count on him. And when he couldn’t manage it alone, no problem—there was always a silent Alpha within two meters of him who would step in.

This kind of Lin Xiangqi was like a glowing little sun.

Wherever he went, it was warm and bright.

When Shen Qiaolan transferred to what he considered this rundown high school, the first person he saw in the crowd was Lin Xiangqi.

Back then, he assumed Lin Xiangqi was an Omega and instinctively released his pheromones in front of him, trying to force this radiant person to look his way.

It worked.

Lin Xiangqi not only looked at him—he even ran over.

Unfortunately, Lin Xiangqi was just a Beta.

To Shen Qiaolan, dating a Beta had never even been an option.

Just like a lion running across the plains wouldn’t stoop to licking the fur of a dirty stray cat on a city street—even if that kitten cleaned up and looked soft and cute and clingy—it still wouldn’t be a worthy match.

So Shen Qiaolan withdrew his admiration for Lin Xiangqi.

But of all things, Lin Xiangqi fell for him and began actively pursuing him. Shen Qiaolan found this beneath him.

A Beta? How dare he like me?

With this contemptuous mindset, Shen Qiaolan rejected Lin Xiangqi countless times. Yet every time he pushed him away, he assumed Lin Xiangqi would never truly give up.

Until now.

He watched with his own eyes as Lin Xiangqi pulled out his phone, dialed “110,” and showed him the screen.

Lin Xiangqi said, “Chen Qiutian isn’t like Xu Muwen. He’s not trying to milk extra money out of you. But you attacked him without reason and released your pheromones, causing physical harm. That mental damage and medical bill—you’re not getting out of that. Shen Qiaolan, evil deeds will be your downfall. You’d better pay up.”

Shen Qiaolan’s emotions were a mess. After a long pause, he squeezed out from between his teeth, “…How much do you want?”

Lin Xiangqi: “Ten thousand.”

Shen Qiaolan was stunned. “You said all those harsh things just for a measly ten thousand?!”

He could easily spend several tens of thousands on a single lunch!

Lin Xiangqi, ever adaptable, took the suggestion in stride: “Then make it twenty?”

“Lin Xiangqi!” Shen Qiaolan had never been humiliated like this before.

Just moments ago, he’d been racking his brain, thinking Lin Xiangqi’s change in attitude must mean he’d grown bitter after failing to win his heart and was now using Chen Qiutian’s incident to extort a fortune in revenge.

But all this—was just for some medical fees?!

“Or is this some new trick of yours?”

Shen Qiaolan could no longer make sense of Lin Xiangqi’s coldness and was left grasping at straws. “You know Xu Muwen got two million out of me, and you’re only asking for twenty thousand? What, trying to show me how noble and different you are?”

Lin Xiangqi gave him a complicated look and answered honestly, “I’m just afraid if I ask for more, you won’t pay.”

Shen Qiaolan: “?!”

The son of the richest man in town was absolutely livid. He immediately pulled out his phone and transferred a huge sum to Lin Xiangqi to prove his financial strength—and of course, he couldn’t resist tossing in his usual sneer: “Lin Xiangqi, I hope you understand this isn’t some medical reimbursement. It’s charity from me, Shen Qiaolan, to a bunch of pathetic, poor Betas like you—”

“Five million?!” Lin Xiangqi’s eyes went wide at the amount, completely tuning out the rest of Shen Qiaolan’s rant. “Are you sure this was meant for Chen Qiutian? Did you accidentally add an extra zero or two?”

Shen Qiaolan’s jaw was twitching: “It’s me. Charity—”

Lin Xiangqi: “You do whatever you want then. I’m accepting the payment now.”

Shen Qiaolan: “…”

Before he could get another word in, Lin Xiangqi—now with the payment in hand—had already turned and skipped away.

Literally skipped away.

Delighted.

By the time Lin Xiangqi’s bouncing figure disappeared down the hallway, Shen Qiaolan finally crumbled, stumbling toward the nearby chain-link fence, clutching his chest like he was about to faint.

Chen Qiutian didn’t dare keep the full five million.

Lin Xiangqi also thought it would be better to return most of it—just leave enough to cover the actual damages. After all, Shen Qiaolan wasn’t someone to trust. What if he used the payment against them later?

In the end, they discussed it and sent back 4.5 million.

Even holding onto the remaining 500,000 made Chen Qiutian tremble. It felt like robbery. His dad’s annual income wasn’t even 200,000.

Lin Xiangqi said seriously, “You can’t just focus on the money. You have to realize that Shen Qiaolan is an elite Alpha, and you’re just a Beta. If he had released too much pheromone or held your neck a bit longer, you could’ve died. Let this be a lesson—don’t ever be alone with him again.”

Chen Qiutian thought back to that moment and immediately got goosebumps. “You’re right. That money—I deserve it. I almost died! Thank god you were there. Otherwise, I’d have to pay for the medical check myself!”

And just like that, the matter was settled.

Chen Qiutian obediently went home to rest as per the doctor’s advice, while Lin Xiangqi helped him ask for leave from the teacher and then returned to the classroom.

After the first class ended, everyone was chatting about the upcoming sports meet.

Lin Xiangqi wasn’t around during lunch break and now, needing to fill out the registration form, he approached Lu Cong.

As Lin Xiangqi got closer, Lu Cong again caught the faint scent of another Alpha’s pheromones and barely furrowed his brow.

On Lu Cong’s desk was a coconut milk drink that Lin Xiangqi had brought him—Lin’s favorite beverage.

Seeing Lu Cong hadn’t opened it, Lin Xiangqi instinctively grabbed it, twisted off the cap, and took a couple of big sips.

Lu Cong took out the registration form, glanced at it, and only spoke when Lin Xiangqi was halfway through the drink: “It’s mine.”

Then he took the coconut milk back and drank it himself.

Lin Xiangqi was momentarily stunned but teased, “Cheapskate.”

Lu Cong: “Mm.”

Lin Xiangqi laughed, knowing Lu Cong wasn’t really stingy and that their teasing about the coconut milk wasn’t serious.

He then started to focus on the form, looking for a suitable sports event. But the simpler events were all filled, and what was left were all tough ones.

Lin Xiangqi looked up pitifully: “Can I join the cheerleading squad?”

Lu Cong raised an eyebrow: “If you want.”

Lin Xiangqi said, “Forget it. I see all the cheerleaders are girls, and they dress up pretty and dance nicely. I don’t want to join that crowd.”

“You’re good-looking too,” Lu Cong said lightly.

Lin Xiangqi smiled on hearing that: “Really? Then should I wear a little skirt and do cheerleading?”

Lu Cong blinked suddenly, then looked down, changing the topic: “You can sign up for two team events. No need for individual ones.”

“Huh?” Lin Xiangqi was curious. “Didn’t the teacher say everyone must sign up for at least one event unless there’s a special reason? And if I don’t sign up, what about these leftover—”

He looked at the events with no names yet and pointed line by line: “400 meters, 1500 meters, high jump, shot put, and 100-meter hurdles — who are you planning to assign these to?”

Lu Cong: “Me.”

Lin Xiangqi laughed angrily: “You’re taking all the unpopular events yourself!”

Lu Cong didn’t respond but thought of another option: “Or you could try high jump.”

Lin Xiangqi was agile and had good jumping ability; his form was especially nice. He was well suited for high jump.

But Lin Xiangqi said, “No, I want to run the 1500 meters.”

A slight crack appeared on Lu Cong’s usually steady face, like hearing a tiny kitten roar in disbelief: “Why?”

“You still ask why? If I don’t sign up, you have to run it!” Lin Xiangqi leaned on his desk and stared at him.

“1500 meters is right after the 400 meters, isn’t it? Two events back-to-back without breaks? And after that, you still have to throw the shot put with no rest, then quickly come back for the team events — the 4×100 relay and tug-of-war — both very exhausting. Do you really think you’re an ironman?”

Lu Cong looked at him; his dark eyes rippled with a faint wave.

Lin Xiangqi poked Lu Cong’s forehead: “No frowning allowed.”

Lu Cong relaxed his brows and returned to his usual expression but still refused Lin Xiangqi: “You can’t run 1500 meters.”

“Who says? I passed the 1000-meter fitness test last semester,” Lin Xiangqi argued. “I was even top three in the class.”

“That’s exactly why,” Lu Cong said, “which is why you can’t.”

Lin Xiangqi had a bad habit: he was a bit competitive and easily provoked.

His physical fitness wasn’t great, just average, but his endurance and determination surpassed most.

Once on the track, if others were faster, he’d try to be faster; if others sprinted, he’d sprint too.

He was also very tough, able to endure discomfort until his body gave out.

At the class-level fitness test, it was okay because everyone was average; he could grit his teeth and run top three if Lu Cong led but took it easy.

But at the whole-school level, he had no advantage.

Several sports students in the grade signed up for long-distance running clearly aiming for first place.

Meanwhile, students like them who participated mainly for the experience only aimed to finish.

The worry was that Lin Xiangqi might get excited and stubbornly push to win top three for the class…

“Then I’ll run the 400 meters,” Lin Xiangqi backed down.

“No,” Lu Cong said.

400 meters sounded easier than 1500, but it was actually the event most prone to mishaps. Unlike long-distance running, in 400 meters you barely have a chance to adjust your pace — from the start, it’s a sprint demanding high explosive power and endurance.

Lin Xiangqi frowned: “What do you mean? This one no, that one no. Do you just think I’m useless and can’t win anything no matter what I enter?”

“You know that’s not what I mean,” Lu Cong looked at him helplessly.

He always felt powerless against Lin Xiangqi — whenever Lin challenged him, he surrendered unconditionally.

But this was genuinely difficult for Lin Xiangqi, so Lu Cong hesitated, trying to find a compromise.

The next moment, Lin Xiangqi, taking advantage of Lu Cong’s distraction, snatched the form and boldly signed his name on the 400-meter run.

Then he beamed brightly: “Report to class monitor, I’ve signed it. No changes allowed.”