The Unattainable Flower Pulled Down from the Pedestal by Universal Dislike – CH3

Chapter 3

Because of Tan Ning’s mention of “market price,” Lin Song’an didn’t contact him for an entire week.

Tan Ning was happy to have some peace and focused earnestly on preparing for the IELTS exam in June. It wasn’t that he intended to study abroad; he just liked having a goal to keep life from becoming too dull.

He continued his routine of leaving the dormitory on time, spending ten minutes on breakfast, taking a twelve-minute walk, and arriving at the library punctually at 8:30 a.m. He aimed to secure his favorite window seat before the library turned into a bustling marketplace.

His academic life was simple—emotionally stable and distant from crowds. He could have maintained this low-profile existence indefinitely if it weren’t for people who insisted on provoking him.

Like now, sitting diagonally across from him was Lei Xin, twirling a pen and eyeing him up and down with narrowed eyes.

It was said that Lei Xin’s father used to be a low-level manager at a logistics company under Tianhe Group. When Lin Song’an’s father inspected the company, he was impressed by Lei Xin’s father’s work ethic and promoted him, instantly elevating their family’s social status. Grateful to the Lin family, Lei Xin idolized Lin Song’an, almost becoming his shadow and mentioning him in every sentence.

Lei Xin was reasonably good-looking and, judging by his physique, was an alpha.

Glancing at him briefly, Tan Ning returned to his practice questions.

“I’m quite curious about you,” Lei Xin said.

Tan Ning remained unfazed.

“I heard you received the Tianhe Scholarship?” Lei Xin suddenly changed the topic, saying regretfully, “Too bad the announcement period has already passed.”

Without a hint of emotion, Tan Ning paused his pen momentarily before resuming his work.

“What other scholarships have you applied for?” Lei Xin clearly had ulterior motives, perhaps thinking that money was Tan Ning’s weak spot due to his plain attire, and tried to provoke him.

While it was true that money mattered to Tan Ning, no one could use it to threaten him.

After a few seconds of silence, Tan Ning couldn’t help but chuckle. Looking up, he asked, “Are you standing up for Lin Song’an?”

Was it because he had ignored Lin Song’an in the auditorium that day, acting as if no one else was present? How laughable.

“Not really. Like I said, I’m just genuinely curious about you. You’re quite famous; I’ve heard about you for a while.”

Tan Ning found lackeys like Lei Xin ridiculous and realized that over-the-top supporting characters in TV dramas did have real-life counterparts.

Perhaps Lei Xin genuinely couldn’t understand how a universally disliked beta like Tan Ning—despised by everyone in his own college, dressed shabbily with hair covering half his face—could dare to sit casually beside Lin Song’an. Despite his decent features, his gloomy eyes made others uncomfortable, leaving nothing pleasant about him. How could someone like that boldly sit next to Lin Song’an, even pushing aside Lin Song’an’s arm, kicking his dirty backpack near Lin Song’an’s feet, and not turning his head once during the entire meeting? He left as he pleased before the meeting even ended.

He completely disregarded Lin Song’an, making others’ admiration for Lin Song’an seem like a joke.

“I’m really curious: do people like you enjoy being unconventional and relishing others’ strange looks?”

“But others look at you like they’re watching a clown.”

“Did behaving that way in front of Lin Song’an give you a thrill?”

Seeing that Tan Ning didn’t respond and even had a slight smirk of sarcasm at the corner of his mouth, Lei Xin instantly became furious. He slammed the table, suppressing his anger, and said in a low voice, “So that’s how it is.”

Noticing the disturbance, many people turned their gaze toward them. Hearing the growing whispers, Tan Ning, who disliked being the center of attention, calmly lowered his head and continued reading.

Lei Xin left him with a final remark: “Watch yourself.”

Recalling Lei Xin’s earlier comment about “hoping you get more scholarships,” Tan Ning couldn’t help but frown.

After Lei Xin left, Tan Ning instinctively picked up his phone, his fingertip hovering over the screen, ready to open the chat with that person. But he quickly realized he couldn’t panic.

Throughout his life, Tan Ning had faced much malice, whether justified or inexplicable. He had learned to remain calm and indifferent. But this time was different.

Although he knew Lei Xin’s mention of the scholarship was just bluster—his grades were legitimately earned and couldn’t be taken away—he was still worried. If Lei Xin went crazy and stuffed a complaint letter into the principal’s mailbox or used some connections to prevent him from receiving the scholarship, it would affect his interests. Being criticized, glared at, or ostracized didn’t matter, but if someone threatened his livelihood, even with a one-in-ten-thousand chance, Tan Ning had to retaliate.

Money was more important to him than life.

*

Three days later, at Tianhe Villa.

Tan Ning’s arms were pinned behind his back by Lin Song’an. Though he couldn’t feel it, the overwhelming alpha pheromones in the room filled him with fear. Covered in sweat, he bit his lip to stifle any sounds.

This time, Lin Song’an had given him ample time to relax, but Tan Ning still couldn’t handle it.

The windows weren’t closed, and a gentle breeze stirred the white gauze curtains. The flowers and trees in the garden outside occasionally entered his line of sight, giving him a panicked feeling of being watched.

He turned his head to the other side, thinking: If he ever bought a house, he’d install pure black blackout curtains.

So no one could see.

Tan Ning shuddered as Lin Song’an pressed down on the back of his neck.

Betas didn’t have glands, but Lin Song’an still leaned in to bite him. It hurt—a lot—as if he were ravenously devouring his flesh. After countless times in bed with Lin Song’an, Tan Ning concluded that one couldn’t go against nature; alphas were still better suited with omegas.

At least biting them would lead to a closer bond, not just bleeding and pain.

He heard Lin Song’an ask in his ear, “Was it you who wrote that complaint to the Academic Affairs Office about Lei Xin cheating on his exam?”

“Yes.”

“He came to provoke you?”

Suddenly, Tan Ning chuckled—a soft laugh that drained his strength. He collapsed onto the bed, his body pressed against the soft silk quilt.

Lin Song’an licked the small wound on the back of his neck, letting the bitter taste of iron spread in his mouth. “He dared to cheat because he knew no one could touch him.”

“Is that so? Then why did he run to you to complain?”

Lin Song’an flipped him over. Instinctively, Tan Ning avoided eye contact, but Lin Song’an grabbed his chin and asked, “Why couldn’t you come to me and complain?”

Oh, so this was what he was upset about.

Tan Ning hadn’t expected that.

Feigning innocence, Tan Ning said, “But he’s your childhood friend.”

“You are—” Lin Song’an stopped mid-sentence, released his chin, and sneered, “You’re someone I pay for—two thousand yuan each time.”

Tan Ning raised an eyebrow. “Yes.”

“I’ll handle this matter.”

Tan Ning was momentarily stunned but quickly reverted to his carefree demeanor. “No need. I don’t want him to know about our relationship.”

Before Lin Song’an could react, he raised his hand to Lin Song’an’s shoulder and neck, tracing with his fingertip as if writing: “I reported Lei Xin from the Business School’s 2019 class for using electronic devices to cheat during last year’s end-of-term Securities Trading Lab exam.”

He smiled at Lin Song’an. “I hope the school can uncover the truth and punish the cheating student severely.”

“Where did you get the evidence?”

“Plenty of people dislike him for flaunting your influence. A little money bought the information.”

Shaking his head helplessly, Lin Song’an withdrew and grabbed the quilt to cover Tan Ning, wrapping his arms and shoulders as if swaddling a baby.

“In the future, if something like this happens, tell me. I have my ways.”

Staring at the ceiling, Tan Ning didn’t respond.

Putting on a bathrobe, Lin Song’an went to the living room to pour a glass of warm water. Returning to the room, he supported Tan Ning’s back to help him drink.

“Does your neck… still hurt?”

Tan Ning shook his head, then nodded, and earnestly said, “Young Master Lin, if you want to bite someone next time, you should find an omega. Biting me is useless.”

“It still hurts, doesn’t it?” His voice was gentle.

Suddenly averting his gaze, Tan Ning uncomfortably pushed the glass away, saying, “I’m going to take a shower.”

But Lin Song’an scooped him up from the quilt, cradling him horizontally. Instinctively, Tan Ning wrapped his arms around Lin Song’an’s neck.

They were suddenly very close. As hot water filled the bathtub, Lin Song’an placed him on the bathroom counter, standing before him to kiss him. Tan Ning resisted, but he couldn’t overpower the alpha who had absolute dominance in bed.

His lips were sucked until they tingled, making it hard to breathe, yet Lin Song’an didn’t let go.

The sound of running water masked Tan Ning’s gasps. He tried to push Lin Song’an away, but Lin only pressed closer. Before he could protest, Lin Song’an bit his lip and said, “One more time.”

It was an unquestionable statement.

How could Tan Ning have any strength left?

Betas weren’t like omegas, whose bodies could easily be aroused under the influence of pheromones. He had already been through a lot just now, and the wound on the back of his neck from Lin Song’an’s biting still throbbed with pain. He needed a long recovery period.

“That’ll cost extra,” he said deliberately.

Desperate, Lin Song’an pulled him closer by the crook of his leg, his voice hoarse. “How much more?”

Tan Ning smiled at him. “That depends on how much the customer is willing to pay.”

He insisted on saying “customer,” deliberately touching a nerve.

Lin Song’an’s expression changed abruptly. He pushed Tan Ning away forcefully, his eyes cold and filled with disdain. “Shut up.”

The bathroom’s temperature seemed to drop suddenly.

Tan Ning still had a smile on his face, unafraid.

Lin Song’an could never do anything about him. Staring into Tan Ning’s eyes—still calm and emotionless—he wondered if every word came from his true feelings.

Perhaps this was truly how Tan Ning felt.

Turning away, Lin Song’an left, closing the bathroom door behind him.

Half an hour later, Lin Song’an emerged from the secondary bathroom after showering. Returning to the bedroom, he saw Tan Ning curled up in the quilt, reaching out to play with the tassels of the bedside lamp. He was wearing Lin’s pajamas; the wide sleeves accentuated his thin, bony arms. With his fingertips, he flicked the crystal tassels.

Like a curious kitten.

Lin Song’an’s heart softened, his earlier anger dissipating instantly. He lifted the quilt and lay down beside him, handing his phone to Tan Ning. “You haven’t received today’s payment.”

As soon as he had arrived, Lin Song’an had pulled him into the bedroom, and he hadn’t had a chance to ask for money.

Glancing at him, Tan Ning picked up the phone, skillfully unlocked it, opened WeChat, and transferred two thousand yuan to himself. He also knew the payment password. The whole process took less than half a minute, and the phone was back on Lin Song’an’s pillow.

He didn’t even bother to look at any other content.

Amused yet helpless, Lin Song’an buried his face in Tan Ning’s chest.

“These are your own pajamas. Don’t blame me if you stretch out the collar,” Tan Ning mumbled.

“Mm, I won’t blame you.”

By the time Lin Song’an had his fill of mischief, Tan Ning was already asleep.

He was only well-behaved when asleep—not saying hurtful things or showing indifferent eyes. His cheeks were flushed, lips slightly parted, and he clutched the corner of the quilt tightly like a child lacking a sense of security.

Pulling him into his arms, Lin Song’an replaced the quilt corner with his own hand for Tan Ning to hold. Watching him sleep peacefully, he couldn’t resist leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on his lips.

Author’s Note:

Three chapters delivered. Looking forward to more comments!