Chapter 8

At the top of the stairs, Zuo Nian couldn’t help glancing back.
Head bowed over his phone, Duan Baisui looked very busy.
Only then did Zuo Nian realize that their marriage wasn’t like other people’s.
At the very least, Fat Dad and Pretty Dad weren’t like this. Neither were Xu‑dad and Duan‑dad.
They hugged naturally, they kissed before going out.
He and Duan Baisui had none of that.
His fingers picked at the banister.
There was still so much he needed to learn.
As the scandal gained steam, the other two members of TR—Meng Cheng and Ou Kai—finally couldn’t withstand the pressure and came forward to apologize.
The company had suspended all their activities, and brands were lining up to terminate their endorsement contracts. Not only were they facing unemployment, they also had to shoulder astronomical penalty fees.
They each posted long apologies, downplaying their own actions while repeating “I’m sorry” over and over, trying to tug at people’s heartstrings and win Ju Xiao’s forgiveness.
Late one night, Meng Cheng even started a livestream, sobbing into the camera as he prepared to jump into the small fountain in his residential complex, saying he’d atone in the “same way.”
It was so stupid it was almost funny.
The average viewer wasn’t buying it. Many called him a full‑blown drama king and pointed out that if his acting had been this good on set, he’d have been an award‑winning actor by now.
But his fans still defended him. He’d already apologized, what more did people want? Were they trying to drive him to suicide too? Wasn’t that cyberbullying?
Fans and onlookers went to war in the comments. And the one who’d started it all, Rong Jin, remained comfortably out of sight.
Whenever something negative about him appeared, it vanished quickly. Even hashtags with his name were mass‑reported into oblivion.
It was clear that Rong Lin meant for Meng Cheng and Ou Kai to absorb the public outrage while he quietly pulled Rong Jin out of the line of fire.
But how could it end so easily?
At PR’s suggestion, Ju Xiao recorded a video explaining the main reason he’d tried to take his own life.
The earlier humiliation and isolation were just the tip of the iceberg. The real breaking point had been the forced injection of illegal drugs and the grotesque “wager” Rong Jin and his friends had made with him.
The matter finally drew the attention of the police and the AO Administration. Rong Jin was taken in for questioning.
Rumor had it that he’d been intercepted at the airport as he was trying to flee the country under his family’s protection.
Only after he was detained did the public learn he was the Rong family’s precious young master.
Overnight, “Ju Xiao” and “Rong Jin” shot to the top of the trending list.
An underprivileged Beta standing up against a vicious, entitled Alpha second‑gen struck a nerve with many who’d had similar experiences.
On camera, the pale, frail Beta was heartbreakingly sympathetic. He didn’t try to milk people’s pity—not a single tear fell.
He just recounted everything calmly, numbly.
His eyes were empty, as if his soul had already been hollowed out.
Within TR, he’d always been the most polite and approachable member—and the only one without any scandals.
As more people learned his story, casual viewers started turning into fans.
Directors and actors who’d worked with him before stepped forward to voice their support.
With the rapid growth of Ju Xiao’s fanbase, Rong Jin’s fan forums were overrun.
Previously, Ju Xiao’s fans had always been timid, following his lead in being “Buddhist” and non‑confrontational. Even when the bullying first came to light, they couldn’t out‑argue Rong Jin’s fans.
All they could manage was a weak chorus of “You shouldn’t bully people,” and “How can you be like this?”
Some girls had typed through their tears.
Now that they knew what else Rong Jin had done, even the most mild‑mannered fans were furious.
They ransacked their vocabularies for every vicious word they could think of.
Meanwhile, Rong Jin’s most unhinged fans were still howling in his supertopic: “He spent so much on drugs to turn you into an Omega, you should be grateful! If it were me, I’d never bite the hand that feeds me!”
Ordinary netizens just wanted Rong Jin in jail. His fans sounded like they wanted him dead.
The situation spiraled quickly. His supertopic was shut down, and his accounts on major platforms were suspended.
Usually, when the authorities stepped in like that, it meant the case was all but confirmed.
At roughly the same time, Xingyu issued an official statement condemning the three members’ behavior and announcing that they’d be terminating their contracts immediately.
Some people called Xingyu opportunistic for only speaking up after Rong Jin’s arrest, but others argued that if the company truly hadn’t cared, someone like Ju Xiao really might have been left with nowhere to turn.
After all, all the earlier news about Rong Jin had been quietly suppressed.
Soon, Ju Xiao posted again to thank the company, thank his fans, and especially thank young President Duan for his unconditional support and help.
His tone was sincere, clearly not part of some damage‑control script. Those who’d doubted Xingyu’s intentions started to change their minds.
For the moment, at least, everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.
“Did you see today’s trending topics?”
“Yeah. Ju Xiao really had it rough. I still think the punishment for those three scumbags is too light. They should have their glands removed so they can never be Alphas again.”
“Exactly. There’ve been so many protections rolled out for Omegas in recent years, but Betas are treated like they’re expendable. They never get any real protection.”
“If Ju Xiao had been an Omega, they never would’ve dared bully him like that.”
“At least Xingyu didn’t cover anything up and even helped him sue Rong Jin.”
“I saw a rumor yesterday that young President Duan went head‑to‑head with every higher‑up at the company for Ju Xiao’s sake. Supposedly, everyone at Xingyu knows about it.”
“Seriously? A tyrant CEO Alpha and a downtrodden star Beta… I ship it!”
“But I heard he’s married.”
“Who’s that lucky? Must be some kind of political marriage.”
“Ow—” Zuo Nian pricked his finger while sewing a little outfit for a plush toy. He gave the two girls in front of him an apologetic smile and blew on his fingertip.
“Do you follow any idols, little boss?” asked the girl with glasses, looking up from her work.
The two girls had come to DIY custom phone cases.
Zuo Nian’s shop not only sold finished products; it also offered worktables and craft kits so customers could make whatever designs they liked.
These two were regulars. Every time they came, they’d gossip a bit and always try to drag Zuo Nian into the conversation.
He rarely spoke, but he was an excellent listener.
“No,” he said slowly. “But I watch dramas… I admire some actors.”
“I’ve run out of shows to watch. Got any recommendations, little boss?” the other girl asked.
Nodding earnestly, Zuo Nian said, “Bamboo Grove, and Moonlit Vows. Both are really good.”
“I saw the trailer for Bamboo Grove,” the girl with glasses said. “It looked decent, but I wanted to wait for it to finish before binging.”
Holding up four fingers, Zuo Nian said, “Four more episodes. Then it’ll be done.”
“Those are both starring Lu Li, right?”
“Mm‑hm,” he said, nodding again.
“So you like Lu Li?” she asked.
He waved his hands. “Not like. Admire. His acting is good.”
“And he’s handsome. Just seems a bit of a flirt.”
Tilting his head, Zuo Nian thought for a moment. The faces of Lu Li and Duan Baisui floated into his mind, and he said seriously, “Not handsome.”
The girls: “……”
At five in the afternoon, he flipped the sign to “Closed,” counted the cash in the drawer, and recorded it carefully in his little notebook.
He’d made 459 yuan that day—enough to buy a few more things for the cat.
Yesterday, when he’d taken it for a bath, he’d only bought food, goat milk powder, and canned meat. Today, he needed to pick up a litter box and litter.
He’d already chosen a scratching post and some toys online.
Once his plan was set, he slung his small crossbody bag over his shoulder, tugged a yellow knit hat down over his ears, and left the shop.
Just five minutes’ walk from the plaza was a busy little street full of pet shops with everything he needed.
Crossing the road, he soon spotted a big blue sign: “Pet Home.”
He patted his bag protectively, took a few steps toward the store, then backed up again.
A new shop had opened on the corner.
The sign was bright pink. In the window, a mannequin modeled a sexy black lace one‑piece that barely reached mid‑thigh. The half‑hidden lower body was covered only by a scrap of fabric masquerading as underwear.
Since it was opening week, a balloon arch framed the entrance, and a large display board out front listed the sales and a bold slogan: “Pick the right lingerie, and your husband will be home early.”
Zuo Nian stared for a long time.
People flowed in and out, and he couldn’t help wanting to see what all the fuss was about.
As soon as he stepped inside, a sales clerk descended on him with a bright smile. “First time here, sir?”
“Uh…” Zuo Nian blinked, lost for a moment. “Mm.”
“Are you an Omega?” the man asked.
He nodded.
“Are you in a new relationship or already married?”
“Just… got married,” Zuo Nian said honestly.
The clerk’s enthusiasm made him a little shy. He clutched the strap of his bag like a lifeline.