They're All Scrambling to Call Me Daddy

Yu Zhi is a beta who spent his childhood in the chaotic Delta, a lawless region where he survived by becoming a skilled mercenary. Raised by Sister Hong after leaving his abusive home, he possesses exceptional combat abilities and a cold, indifferent demeanor. Upon arriving in the Empire, a civilized society where betas are marginalized, he is hired by the wealthy Chi family as a bodyguard for their eldest young master, Chi Yanxi, who has just been kidnapped. Yu Zhi views the job merely as a means to earn money and eventually return to his quiet life, harboring no interest in the political intricacies of the Chi family.

Chi Yanxi is a powerful alpha and the heir to the Chi family empire. Proud, rebellious, and accustomed to a life of luxury, he resents being controlled by his family and looks down on betas. When Yu Zhi rescues him from the kidnappers, their first interaction is violent; Chi Yanxi mistakes Yu Zhi for an enemy and attacks him, only to be effortlessly subdued. Yu Zhi, annoyed by the damage to his expensive clothes, implants a tracker in Chi Yanxi’s mouth as a form of punishment, establishing a dynamic of dominance and submission that defines their relationship. Chi Yanxi is furious and humiliated, vowing to make Yu Zhi’s life difficult.

As Yu Zhi settles into his role, the tension between him and Chi Yanxi escalates. Chi Yanxi attempts to sabotage Yu Zhi’s living conditions, such as having the cafeteria food salted, but Yu Zhi remains unfazed and indifferent to his provocations. The conflict comes to a head at a private club where Chi Yanxi’s rival, Qiao Yuchen, challenges Yu Zhi to a fight. Yu Zhi quickly defeats Qiao Yuchen’s bodyguard and holds a gun to Qiao Yuchen’s mouth, using Chi Yanxi as a human shield to ensure his own safe exit. This display of ruthlessness and skill shocks Chi Yanxi, who begins to feel a confusing mix of fear and attraction toward the beta.

Yu Zhi’s past is revealed through flashbacks, showing that he killed his mother’s abusive alpha partner at a young age after witnessing sexual abuse directed at him. This trauma has left him emotionally detached and viewing violence as a mundane tool for survival. Despite his cold exterior, Yu Zhi is fiercely loyal to his duties and to Sister Hong, whose advice he follows to navigate civilized society. He observes Chi Yanxi’s family politics from a distance, noting the power struggles between Chi Yanxi’s uncle and grandfather, and recognizes Chi Yanxi’s value as a kidnapping target rather than a threat.

The story progresses with Yu Zhi protecting Chi Yanxi from various dangers, including a racing incident where Chi Yanxi competes and wins. Yu Zhi’s competence and calmness under pressure begin to earn the respect of Chi Yanxi’s other bodyguards, though Chi Yanxi himself remains hostile. A key turning point occurs when Yu Zhi intercepts a call revealing that Chi Yanxi refused to cooperate with Qiao Yuchen’s plot against him, stating that Yu Zhi “does not deserve to die.” Yu Zhi overhears this and is momentarily surprised, leading to a subtle shift in his perception of the alpha.

As the narrative continues, the power dynamic between Yu Zhi and Chi Yanxi becomes increasingly complex. Chi Yanxi finds himself drawn to Yu Zhi’s strength and beauty, despite his pride, while Yu Zhi remains focused on his job, occasionally showing flashes of protectiveness. The story sets the stage for a deeper exploration of their relationship, as Chi Yanxi’s family pressures mount and external threats to Yu Zhi’s life emerge. Yu Zhi’s presence in the Chi household disrupts the established order, forcing Chi Yanxi to confront his feelings and his role within the family, while Yu Zhi navigates a world he finds tedious but necessary to endure.