The morning passed in the hospital, and by the time Bai Yue reached the school, the morning classes were almost over. However, the subject teacher didn't comment on his late arrival and instead expressed concern, suggesting he could go home early if he wasn't feeling well.
In theory, Bai Yue's health should have improved. After all, an Alpha's physique is generally more robust than that of an Omega. However, he couldn't voice such sentiments and merely smiled politely.
After classes, Bai Yue intended to rest his head on the desk for a while. However, it didn't take long for him to feel an overwhelmingly heated gaze from all around. While such glances were not uncommon, today it felt more blatant than ever.
He raised his head, and his classmates, as if on cue, averted their gazes, feigning busyness. Yet, whenever he shifted his attention away, they discreetly stole glances at him.
Due to the recent secondary differentiation, Bai Yue felt somewhat uneasy, fearing that others had figured out his transition into an Alpha. There shouldn't be any visible changes in his appearance, so could it be the pheromones?
Contemplating this, Bai Yue lowered his head, sniffing at his sleeve, but detected nothing unusual.
At that moment, someone nearby shouted, "Stop staring, it's not time for a bathroom break during class, why are you looking around!"
Bai Yue looked over, seeing Li Ren vigorously waving his hands to ward off the curious gazes of others.
While some students, with thinner skin, left the classroom after hearing Li Ren's words, there were still those who remained seated, responding sarcastically.
"Can't we even look? The classroom is so big, who cares where I'm looking?"
The speaker was the Omega who had been with An Yu's group yesterday. Although he had taken a beating, he hadn't suffered any real harm, and the one truly afraid was not present, so he still felt confident.
Li Ren retorted, "Fine, you can look at him, and I'll keep my eyes on you!"
With that said, he glared back at the Omega.
Initially finding it amusing, the Omega felt uncomfortable when Li Ren's gaze lingered on him for a moment. He finally turned his head away indignantly.
Before Li Ren could declare victory, another Omega stood up.
It was An Yu.
He had skipped class yesterday afternoon but had obediently come to school today.
An Yu's Omega friends, thinking he wanted to confront someone, also stood up. The group marched assertively to Bai Yue's desk.
Li Ren became somewhat hesitant, "What... what do you guys want? This is the classroom, and the teacher and classmates are watching."
Bai Yue, who had been in a daze, felt a shadow cast over his head and looked up.
An Yu, with a stern face, asked, "Did you go to the hospital this morning?"
Bai Yue didn't understand the meaning behind the question and saw no reason to conceal it. He nodded.
"Hmph!"
An Yu's expression grew even more unpleasant. He turned and walked out of the classroom.
The Omegas who followed An Yu, thinking he was preparing for a major confrontation, exchanged glances when he left so easily. Seeing the "little princess" about to walk away, they quickly followed.
Bai Yue knew that An Yu disliked him and understood the reasons for that dislike. However, the reason for today's confrontation was unclear.
He looked at Li Ren, "What's wrong with him?"
Li Ren wiped his face and suddenly leaned in, asking mysteriously, "They say you went to the hospital this morning because Shang Yufei injured you. Is it true?"
At the words, Bai Yue's expression became peculiar, "Injured?"
Li Ren's face turned red, "Just... injured. It's not the first time, is it?"
Bai Yue: "Ah."
Seeing Bai Yue's realization, Li Ren hurriedly asked, "Is it true?"
Bai Yue looked into his friend's eyes, a smile playing on his lips, "Who said that?"
"I saw it on the forum."
As Li Ren continued in a hushed tone, his face grew even redder, "Because you two haven't seen each other for almost a year, right? You displayed affection in public yesterday, went home together. The saying goes, 'absence makes the heart grow fonder,' especially after being separated for three days, it's only natural to spark a fire. And you went to the hospital today..."
While Li Ren explained quietly, Bai Yue noticed even more uncomfortable glances. However, this time, they didn't come from classmates but from outside the class. These were unfamiliar faces, seemingly students from other classes. They took advantage of the end of the class to gather at the door and peep inside.
As Bai Yue looked towards them, some with thin skin quickly stepped aside, while others flashed him a malicious smile.
"...So, everyone is guessing like this."
As Li Ren spoke, he looked at his friend, only to see him standing up and walking towards the door.
"Huh? Wait, where are you going?" Li Ren hurriedly caught up.
Bai Yue stood at the door, locking eyes with these unfamiliar classmates. He smiled slightly, "Is there something you need?"
The classmates were all taken aback. They had only come to watch the excitement after hearing rumors, not expecting the person involved to appear in person.
They had heard of the school's beauty, Bai Yue, many times before but always admired from a distance, never having spoken to him directly. Now, being approached voluntarily, even those with thick skin felt a bit hesitant.
"It's nothing, just passing by."
They laughed it off, dispersing simultaneously.
Bai Yue: "Wait a moment."
Unexpectedly, he called them back. Everyone was puzzled and turned to look.
Bai Yue: "I went to the hospital today because there were errors in the medical examination. If you don't believe me, you can ask the teacher."
The group exchanged glances.
Bai Yue spoke gently, "Can you help clarify this?"
Beautiful people have a way of making others unconsciously agree, especially when these students were just here for the spectacle and didn't harbor ill intentions. Upon hearing the request from the school's beauty, they nodded eagerly.
After they left, Bai Yue returned to the classroom.
Although most people would rather believe interesting rumors than the so-called truth, he didn't expect many to help clarify. However, at least after today, he hoped no one would come knocking on his door to watch the spectacle.
Bai Yue didn't pay much attention to this minor incident; his thoughts were still focused on the matter of secondary differentiation.
Currently, even though it was confirmed that he had turned into an Alpha, the pheromones had not been awakened yet. So, for the next few days, he needed to stay low-key to prevent anyone from noticing.
After school, Bai Yue declined Li Ren's invitation and boarded the hover bus heading home. The station near the school was relatively close to the starting point, so Bai Yue found a seat, hugged his backpack, and sat down.
The scenery outside the window blurred into a mess, rapidly receding backward. After about half an hour's journey, just as they were approaching the destination, his phone chimed with two "beeps." Checking it, he found a text message from Shang Yufei.
Shang Yufei: [Home yet?]
Usually, receiving a message from his boyfriend filled Bai Yue with joy. However, now, seeing the sender's name, he couldn't help but hesitate.
How should he reply without arousing suspicion?
After a moment, his fingers touched the screen, and he typed: [Not yet, had something today, still at school.]
As soon as the message was sent, it was immediately marked as read. Shortly after, his phone rang.
Shang Yufei called directly.
Bai Yue looked at the caller ID, pressed the answer key, and put the phone to his ear, "Hello?"
"What happened?" Shang Yufei's voice was somewhat hoarse. "I'll come pick you up."
Bai Yue lowered his eyes, "No, it's okay."
The tone echoed the usual: "Had a medical check-up yesterday, and the school arranged some last-minute makeup classes. I might be back very late, so don't wait for me."
Shang Yufei furrowed his brow, "Makeup classes? We didn't have this stuff last year."
Bai Yue remained composed, "Don't know, maybe it's a new addition this year."
"Quite troublesome."
Seemingly convinced, Shang Yufei inquired, "How many days of makeup?"
Bai Yue replied, "Not entirely sure yet. I'll contact you once it's done."
Changing the subject, he asked, "How's things on your dad's side?"
"Hmm?" A sigh came from the other end, "Same old story, pay up, and everything settles."
Knowing Shang Yufei's father's stance, Bai Yue understood the man preferred settling things with money rather than dealing with them and Shang Yufei.
Along the way, burdened by his humble background, he found himself unable to offer more assistance to his son. Yet, the father's concern didn't stem from a genuine transformation and newfound care for his child. It was driven by the hope to improve his own life through his son's accomplishments.
Throughout, this so-called "father" never fulfilled his paternal duties. His sole focus was figuring out how to maximize gains from his own flesh and blood.
Reluctant to delve into this topic, Shang Yufei briefly responded and shifted the conversation to other matters.
Minutes later, Bai Yue ended the call. The smile that once adorned his face faded, replaced by gathering clouds of gloom.
Although he managed to navigate through today's conversation, it was clear this couldn't be a long-term solution.
The bus reached its destination; he slung his backpack over his shoulder and disembarked.
For now, he could only hope for the early arrival of the awakening period for information particles.
Once he gained complete control over the emission and containment of information particles, ensuring no leaks, he could resume meeting Shang Yufei as if nothing had changed.
—It must happen before the truth unfolds.
The following morning, Bai Yue woke up early, troubled by his thoughts, a restless night behind him.
He examined his palm; the lines were distinct, everything appeared normal, and his body showed no signs of discomfort.
The awakening period had yet to arrive.
According to the knowledge he gained from textbooks, around the awakening period, humans experience symptoms akin to a fever. Once these symptoms surface, one could take leave and stay home until the awakening period concludes, securing complete control over information particles.
Yet, his body hadn't displayed any such symptoms.
Bai Yue lowered his hand, glanced at his sleeping brother on the opposite bed, and got up to prepare breakfast after a brief contemplation.
After observing for a while, he got up, washed up, and prepared breakfast.
An hour later, Bai Yue arrived at the college. As soon as he entered the gate, he sensed that today was no ordinary commotion.
Or rather, ever since the third-year medical examination, the college had been lively every day.
The first day was because Shang Yufei returned.
The second day was because he went to the hospital again, sparking rampant rumors.
And now, on the third day, it was due to something else—the medical examination results were out.
Even with advanced technology, important records still required physical documentation.
Each student's notification was packed into leather folders, solemnly handed out by the class teacher to each student.
Most students weren't interested in other details on the notification; all they wanted to know was their genetic grade.
Though most of the time, a class of students was just average C-level, the incident from the previous year had everyone hoping to become the next pride of the heavens.
Therefore, even the least academically inclined students were sitting diligently at their desks today.
Except for Fang Zhenren, who was still lying in the hospital.
As the bell rang, the homeroom teacher entered with a stack of documents. Seeing the students sitting upright, he raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so active today."
However, being a teacher for quite some time, he knew exactly what these kids were thinking. It was nothing more than eagerly anticipating their genetic grades.
Without further ado, he slammed the file bag onto the podium, stood firm, and declared, "I'll call out names, and each of you come up to receive yours."