Better to Be Number Three Than the One Who Arrives Later or the Childhood Friend

A possessive, brooding younger alpha who loves to act cute x a cool, studious omega who's cautious but understanding

Wu Chen went abroad as a child. Ten years later, he returned to start a business. Besides wanting revenge on his cheating father, scheming stepmother, and unruly illegitimate older brother, he had one thing he could never forget: finding Xiao Ci, his childhood savior and beloved first love.

But he never imagined that when he joyfully reunited with his childhood sweetheart, the other man wouldn't recognize him at all, and would even be dating that despicable illegitimate older brother of his.

Longing, joy, confusion, hatred... a jumble of emotions clouded Wu Chen's mind. Why had Xiao Ci, who once promised he would always like him best, abandoned him?

Wu Chen sneered. He was possessive and cold-blooded, and hated seeing anyone else lay claim to what belonged to him. If that's how things were, then they couldn't blame him for being ruthless

"You look very handsome today." Ruan Xinci glanced at Wu Chen's carefully styled outfit and offered a simple compliment.

Wu Chen's lips curled into a wide grin. He leaned close to Ruan Xinci, rubbing against him and showing off his charms. "Really? Do you like it? You look especially good today, too, big brother!"

Alpha Qi Jiayao often received envious looks from his underclassmen, not only because he was rich, but also because he had a boyfriend: Ruan Xinci, an omega who ranked first in the English department, was cool and capable, and would cross campus early in the morning to bring Qi Jiayao a lovingly prepared breakfast, stay up late to help him with his coursework, and even wash his clothes and polish his shoes. He was completely lovestruck.

But at a late-night karaoke gathering, Qi Jiayao got drunk and spoke from the heart: "You guys have no idea. He's so cold and uptight, he won't even let me kiss him. The singers here are more affectionate than he is! And his family is greedy and calculating. They keep wanting us to get married so they can use my family's money to support them. That kind of family is disgusting. His parents are like that, after all..."

His friends were all shocked. "Wasn't your boyfriend your devoted admirer since high school?" "So that's what he's really like?" "Why put yourself through that, Brother Yao? You're really patient!" "I never would've guessed he was such a gold digger! He must have been after you from the start, right?" "Dump him. Why should that guy get in Brother Yao's way?"

The private room erupted. Qi Jiayao's face flushed with excitement. "You're right. We're breaking up!"

Outside the room, Ruan Xinci, who had heard everything, was trapped against the wall by another tall, handsome alpha. The man's lips brushed his ear, and his low laugh revealed his barely contained delight.

"Big brother, can I take the side-piece position now?"

Wu Chen's resolve to take revenge on Ruan Xinci and Qi Jiayao, that despicable couple of an omega and an alpha, lasted less than a week. He firmly devoted himself to stealing Ruan Xinci away, wielding his shovel as he showed off his charms to Ruan Xinci and tried to make Qi Jiayao fall for someone else so they'd break up.

The road ahead was long, but Wu Chen had prepared thoroughly! He dug in with his shovel

Huh? Xiao Ci doesn't like Qi Jiayao all that much? Huh? Qi Jiayao is shameless enough to look down on Ruan Xinci and cheat on him? Huh? This relationship has actually been on the rocks for a long time?

And that's how Wu Chen won without lifting a finger (not really).

He couldn't help it. He simply loved that sincere, cautious, aloof omega. After one disagreement and reconciliation after another, they finally cleared all the obstacles in their way and reached their happy ending. Wu Chen was pleased with himself and leaned in to kiss his boyfriend, but Ruan Xinci smiled faintly at him and asked gently:

"Come clean. What did you do behind my back to mess with Qi Jiayao?"

Wu Chen: ! QAQ

A few content notes:

1. There is a secondary couple, but they get very little page time.

2. The professional details are completely made up, so please be gentle.

3. This is a romance! A romance! The pursuer spoils the recipient at first, then the recipient spoils the pursuer later. They spoil each other overall!! It's a sweet, fairly short story, with both their perspectives.

Theme: Take love seriously and bravely pursue your ideals