Le Ci is a 25-year-old unmarried "older" omega, with 365 days left before the Black Tower forces him into a marriage match.
After trying every matchmaking agency without success, his meddlesome roommate packed him off to the dating show "The Future, With You." He never expected to run into his "ex" from eight years ago there.
The puppy who used to follow him everywhere had transformed into a big-shot CEO, and now acted as if nothing could get through to him.
Le Ci did want to catch up, but he had no interest in making a fool of himself by chasing after someone who didn't care. Besides, too much between them remained unresolved, and getting too close would only be like drinking poison to quench his thirst. He didn't want to make the same mistake again.
Who was it who said that maintaining a respectable distance was what a proper ex should do?
Still, teasing the puppy was fun, but Le Ci hadn't forgotten why he came on the show.
His constitution was unusual, so finding an alpha to fall in love with him and live happily ever after was probably impossible. Would any of these guys be kind enough to help him get through the Black Tower's inspection?
Alpha number two had a face like ice and criticized him without the slightest courtesy as soon as they met. Le Ci held a grudge, so this one was definitely out.
Lin Xinghai: I was wrong. I'll reflect on myself. My eyes were blinded by prejudice.
Alpha number three was an enigma, smiling all day and claiming not to know whenever asked. Not one dependable word ever came out of his mouth. Le Ci didn't like solving riddles, so this one was out, too.
Cheng Ye: I was just trying to add a little mystery. It's trendy these days. If you don't like it, I'll change, okay?
As for alphas four and five, who hadn't appeared yet... They were showing up too late. He'd run out of patience.
They say that if you chase too hard, you won't get anywhere. Maybe he should just go home and get matched the old-fashioned way.
Eight years ago, Han Zhixing was left behind without a word, and he had never been able to forget it. He'd used his sponsor status to bring Le Ci onto the show so he could repent for his "crime" back then. If Le Ci looked at him with teary eyes and obediently apologized, Han Zhixing thought, he would surely be magnanimous and forgive him, holding no grudge.
But he started losing his resolve the very second he saw Le Ci. Before Le Ci had even realized he'd done anything wrong, Han Zhixing could have filled an entire dictionary with apologies.
Forget it. He'd accept that he'd fallen for this guy.
But what was with all these alphas? There were so many beautiful single omegas on the show, yet they insisted on surrounding someone who was already taken. Han Zhixing couldn't even say a word to Le Ci without having to break through a wall of people.
Han Zhixing: Don't any of you have a wife? Why are you staring at mine!
P.S. Please see the author's note in Chapter One for a content advisory.
Theme: Love and growth
