"Operation Liang Zixuan," Li Hao wrote in bold across the top of the transparent board, then straightened his cane and tapped the portrait pinned beneath it.
"His name is Chen Zixuan," he announced, pointing at the photo with the cane like a schoolmaster.
"He's the only heir to the Chen empire, Chen Fashions," Li Hao continued. "His father died when he was young, and his mother, Chen xi, has been running everything. In four months' time, he'll officially take over as CEO. That means the assistant position will open in a few weeks. I dug up all I could about his work life." He pushed his glasses up and flipped the board so Yuhan could study the notes.
"And his private life?" Yuhan asked, leaning forward despite the bandage on his leg.
"Twenty-five years old," Li Hao said, then smirked. "And Yuhan, don't faint, you're five years older. Have you no shame?"
Yuhan lobbed a potato snack at him and cursed. Li Hao ducked it with theatrical disdain.
"He's an Alpha," Li Hao went on. "Gym three times a week, volunteers at the orphanage twice, plays basketball three times a week."
Li Hao leaned in, lowering his voice until it was barely a whisper. "And here's the final blow."
Yuhan raised an eyebrow. "What final blow?"
"He… can't perform."
"Perform what?" Yuhan asked, still chewing.
Li Hao pointed to his groin with exaggerated patience. "Down here, idiot."
The words hit Yuhan like a slap. He yelped and grabbed his bandaged leg, then stared at Li Hao in stunned disbelief.
"That's why they took Ying Yue," Li Hao said quietly, as if offering cold comfort.
Yuhan's shock curdled into laughter, sharp, incredulous, then louder. "He can't perform," he repeated, words tumbling out of him until even Li Hao blinked.
"His mother's tried everything to fix it," Li Hao said, dropping the voice back to business. "Nothing's worked."
"And he's an Alpha?" Yuhan asked, still wobbling between incredulity and glee.
"How are you any different?" Li Hao shot back. "You," li hao pointed, "never been in rut, always failed. Are you sure you're an Alpha?" He teased, grinning.
Yuhan glared but couldn't argue. After a beat, his face hardened. "The plan is to make him fall for me… hard. I'll infiltrate his life, study for the interview, and I stay close."
Li Hao's expression shifted. He sidled up and whispered, "And money."
Yuhan fidgeted with the bean bag and ignored him.
"Deceive yourself all you want," Li Hao continued, voice sharp with practical reality. "Gym membership costs money. Basketball gear costs money. The orphanage, volunteering takes time and effort, not just good intentions. Are you actually ready for this, or is this just a fantasy?"
"Do you have to be that mean? Are you sure you're the Omega here?" Yuhan pouted.
Li Hao rolled his eyes. "I also wonder if you're the Alpha between the both of us sometimes."
Yuhan straightened, stubborn as ever. "I have savings. I'll spend it."
" He doesn't even know you exist..."
"Yet. He doesn't know I exist yet," Yihan cut him. "It's worth the try. I'm not giving up."
Li Hao watched him for a long second, then broke into a smile. "Next week, we plan attack," Yuhan declared, leaping up with more energy than his bandaged leg warranted.
"You are certainly not crashing here," Li Hao said, hurrying after him.
"Freeloader," Yuhan shouted over his shoulder as he bounded down the stairs.
Li Hao laughed and chased him, cane tapping rhythmically against the rooftop tiles.