“Beep beep beep beep beep!”
Before Pei Yiyan could even process the sudden resurgence of his pheromones, the alarm in the room blared to life.
This alarm was familiar it was designed to detect pheromone levels. If the concentration of an alpha or Omega’s pheromones exceeded the limit in a confined space, physical intervention was required, such as administering suppressants.
First, excessive pheromone leakage could adversely affect the individual.
Second, pheromones were also classified by rank. The higher the rank, the more likely they were to influence others, potentially triggering a collective pheromone frenzy and causing irreversible harm.
Pei Yiyan felt as though the back of his neck was about to explode swollen, throbbing, and unbearably hot. His entire body burned.
The alarm continued to beep incessantly, growing more frequent.
Pei Yiyan tried to suppress the pheromone leakage but found it futile.
He had lost control of his pheromones!
The hospital room door swung open as fully equipped medical staff rushed in.
A top-tier alpha in the throes of intense pheromone leakage would typically go berserk. Yet, Pei Yiyan showed no signs of frenzy. Instead, upon seeing the medical team, he calmly instructed, “Throw me a muzzle mask.”
A doctor tossed him one, and he deftly secured it over his face before turning his back to the staff, allowing them to handle the pheromone surge.
His cooperation eased the tension in the room.
They swiftly administered suppressants to Pei Yiyan, applied a blocker patch to his scent gland, and activated the air circulation system, which whirred to life.
Within minutes, the pheromone concentration in the room had significantly diminished.
Pei Yiyan asked, “Has my gland healed?”
The doctor shook his head. “No. A preliminary examination shows your gland still hasn’t recovered. But we don’t understand why such potent pheromones are being produced. Once the other doctors are back tomorrow, we’ll arrange a consultation.”
Pei Yiyan nodded. “Thanks.”
So, it hadn’t healed after all.
No wonder. Normally, a pheromone surge of this magnitude would push someone to the brink of violent frenzy. There was no way they’d calmly don a muzzle mask or allow medical staff to approach so freely.
Once everything was under control, Wu Yi entered though he lingered at the doorway, cautious as an alpha himself. Unintentionally triggering Pei Yiyan’s pheromones again would only worsen the situation.
“Are you alright, Young Master?” Wu Yi asked.
“I’m fine.” Pei Yiyan lifted a hand, adjusting the strap of his muzzle mask. “You can leave.”
Wu Yi agreed that staying wasn’t ideal. A beta would be more suitable, unaffected by pheromones.
After a pause, he ventured, “Should we inform Young Master Shen? They probably haven’t gone far yet.”
Pei Yiyan replied flatly, “No need.”
Wu Yi acknowledged with a hum and turned to leave, but just then, Pei Yiyan added, “…Tell him. Whether he comes back or not it’s up to him.”
Wu Yi turned to look at Pei Yiyan, who was already preparing to lie down. Honestly, he was a bit confused did Pei want Shen Yuqing to come back or not?
Wu Yi stepped out to make a phone call. While still pondering Pei Yiyan’s ambiguous stance, he heard Xiao Zhao’s voice through the receiver: “We’re on our way back now.”
He exhaled in relief. The question had been burning in his hands like a hot potato, but thankfully, he no longer needed to handle it.
Shen Yuqing’s car had only just left the hospital gates when Xiao Zhao was about to turn back. But Shen Yuqing stopped him: “No need to drive back in. Just wait for me at the entrance.”
Xiao Zhao nodded. “Understood.”
This way, they wouldn’t have to deal with parking again.
Shen Yuqing pushed the car door open and stepped out. The inpatient building wasn’t far, and coincidentally, Song Wangzhuo was also staying in the same ward complex.
As he pressed the elevator button, he hesitated, then selected Song Wangzhuo’s floor first. With Xiao Zhao present earlier, he hadn’t been able to check on him properly. Now alone, he could inquire about Song Wangzhuo’s condition.
Even the system couldn’t help remarking: 【You’re truly the kindest host I’ve ever encountered.】
Shen Yuqing replied: 【In my past life, we had four famous sayings.】
The system was puzzled: 【What?】
【”It’s the holidays,” “They’re just kids,” “They’re already dead,” and “Since we’re here.”】 Shen Yuqing watched the ascending floor numbers: 【Well, since we’re here, I’ll just take a quick look from outside.】
Not coming would have been fine, but now that he was here, he couldn’t stop thinking about Song Wangzhuo’s emotional state that afternoon. A quick glance from the hallway would set his mind at ease.
The elevator soon reached Song Wangzhuo’s floor. From a distance, he could see two bodyguards stationed diligently outside the door.
As he approached, they recognized Shen Yuqing and moved to open the door, but he shook his head, indicating he only wanted to look from outside.
“Has Song Wangzhuo woken up?” he asked.
One of the bodyguards answered, “No. His medication contains sedatives, and combined with the anesthesia, he probably won’t wake until tomorrow.”
That wasn’t bad at least he could get proper rest.
Through the glass window, Shen Yuqing saw Song Wangzhuo lying in bed, the monitors beside him showing normal readings.
His worries settled. “No need to tell him I came by,” he said before heading back downstairs.
Exiting the elevator, he spotted Wu Yi sitting on a bench outside. “Why aren’t you inside?” Shen Yuqing asked curiously.
Wu Yi stood up. “I’m an alpha. Going in could easily trigger an information surge. That’s why I wanted you to come back and check.”
Shen Yuqing understood. He nodded. “I’ll go take a look.”
Wu Yi added, “Young Master Pei has already taken suppressants and is probably asleep, but alphas metabolize quickly. The medication might wear off by midnight.”
Shen Yuqing nodded in acknowledgment.
Pushing the door open, he entered the room. The air carried no discernible scent or perhaps there was one, but he couldn’t detect it.
Approaching the bedside, Shen Yuqing studied the metal mask on Pei Yiyan’s face with curiosity. He reached out and touched it still metallic.
Could this be the bite-stopping mask mentioned in textbooks? The craftsmanship was impressive.
His touch didn’t rouse Pei Yiyan, just as Wu Yi had predicted.
Shen Yuqing sighed softly. The sofa bed had already been assembled likely for Wu Yi to rest before the sudden information surge occurred.
But this raised another question: hadn’t Pei Yiyan’s gland already been damaged?
Why was this happening? Could the plot have advanced ahead of schedule? His gland had healed.
But there was no way to know for sure now. They’d have to wait until all the doctors were back on duty tomorrow to find out.
He turned and walked out of the ward. Wu Yi was still standing outside.
Shen Yuqing said, “You and Xiao Zhao should go back first. I’ll keep watch here tonight.”
Wu Yi hesitated, “But…”
“You said yourself you’re an alpha. There’s no point staying here. Better to go back and come early tomorrow.” Shen Yuqing just wanted to rest now. After speaking, he retreated back into the ward and closed the door.
Wu Yi rubbed his nose, then turned and left decisively.
When Shen Yuqing returned to the ward, he noticed Pei Yiyan seemed to be regaining consciousness. He hurried over, “Pei Yiyan?”
Pei Yiyan slowly opened his eyes, then immediately closed them again.
Shen Yuqing glanced at the lights in the ward. Was that reaction from being dazzled by the light?
Before he could ask, he heard Pei Yiyan say weakly, “My eyes hurt so much.”
“Is it because the light hurt your eyes?” Shen Yuqing asked.
“I don’t know… It hurts so much. Shen Yuqing, I feel terrible.” Pei Yiyan still wore the bite restraint mask, his eyes tightly shut, looking extremely frail the very picture of misery.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Yuqing went to turn off the lights. Using the dim light from outside, he returned to the bedside and asked gently, “I’ve turned off the lights. Do you still feel bad? I’ll call the doctor right away. Don’t worry.”
As he reached for the call button, Pei Yiyan stopped him.
“No need. With the lights off, my eyes feel better.” He reached out, groping for Shen Yuqing. After a brief hesitation, Shen Yuqing offered his uninjured hand for Pei Yiyan to hold.
Pei Yiyan gripped it tightly immediately. “Shen Yuqing.”
“I’m here,” Shen Yuqing responded.
“Shen Yuqing.”
Shen Yuqing answered again.
Pei Yiyan called his name many times, and Shen Yuqing responded each time. He could feel Pei Yiyan gradually relaxing with each reply.
Then he saw Pei Yiyan release one hand to feel along the edge of the bed.
Hospital beds have guardrails. Finding the railing, Pei Yiyan shifted slightly closer to it.
“Shen Yuqing,” he said, “come up here.”
