Pei Yiyan’s rut lasted an entire week before he finally emerged from that uncontrollable state of unease and involuntary closeness.
Although tests at the hospital still showed his pheromone levels were slightly elevated meaning he was still in rut at least Shen Yuqing no longer had to be by his side every second.
Even when Shen Yuqing went to school for exams, Pei Yiyan waited for him in the car. Aside from showering or using the bathroom, Shen Yuqing was almost always within Pei Yiyan’s line of sight.
For the first time, Shen Yuqing truly felt the overwhelming influence of pheromones. While becoming an alpha or Omega certainly came with unpredictable advantages, it also meant being subjected to the consequences of pheromonal dominance.
Being a beta was just fine.
That was Shen Yuqing’s recent realization.
And because of Pei Yiyan’s rut, he hadn’t been able to visit Song Wangzhuo at the hospital for several days. Even sending messages was difficult if his attention strayed for too long, Pei Yiyan would get angry.
Though Pei Yiyan never said anything, Shen Yuqing just knew.
Today, he finally managed to find an excuse to leave the house.
With exams over, the academy had given them time off before their practical training officially began next Wednesday.
When Shen Yuqing arrived at the hospital room, Song Wangzhuo had already packed his things.
Spotting Shen Yuqing, Song Wangzhuo paused in surprise. “You came?”
“Of course, I came to pick you up for your discharge,” Shen Yuqing said. “How’s the wound? Better?”
Song Wangzhuo nodded. With no one bothering him these past few days, and given an alpha’s natural recovery ability, he had healed well.
He had even considered returning to school for exams, but the academy had arranged for him to take them at the hospital. Otherwise, he would’ve left much sooner.
The caregiver took Song Wangzhuo’s suitcase downstairs first, where the academy’s car was waiting.
The two of them followed at a slower pace. Inside the elevator, Shen Yuqing studied Song Wangzhuo his condition had clearly improved. Just days ago, he had needed support to walk, but now he moved normally. The caregiver had also been diligent in nourishing him, and his complexion looked healthier.
Noticing Shen Yuqing’s gaze in the elevator mirror, Song Wangzhuo turned his head. “What is it?”
“Are you really up for the practical training next Wednesday?” Shen Yuqing asked.
Song Wangzhuo placed a hand lightly over his abdomen. “I can go.”
Shen Yuqing’s eyes lingered on his hand before he finally nodded. “Alright.”
“You don’t want me to?”
“Of course not. That wound needs at least half a month to fully heal. The training base is out in the wild; hot weather, bugs everywhere. If your wound gets infected, it’ll be bad.” The concern in Shen Yuqing’s voice was genuine.
Song Wangzhuo’s expression softened. “Don’t worry. I know my limits.”
They stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the outdoor parking lot, chatting along the way. Suddenly, Song Wangzhuo stopped, his gaze sharpening as he scanned their surroundings.
Shen Yuqing, still discussing the training, took another step before realizing Song Wangzhuo wasn’t following. He turned back, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
He followed Song Wangzhuo’s line of sight but saw nothing.
Song Wangzhuo resumed walking. “It’s nothing.”
He had just sensed someone watching them, but when he cautiously looked around, there was nothing there.
It must have been his imagination.
Ever since Shen Yuqing stopped visiting him, he rarely left his room anymore. He spent his days cooped up in the hospital attending online classes, trying to catch up on his studies.
Although Song Wangzhuo had assured him everything was fine, given what had happened before, Shen Yuqing still had the system scan the area. There were indeed no suspicious individuals just medical staff, patients, and their families.
This time, Shen Yuqing finally relaxed. He got into the car with Song Wangzhuo, and as the vehicle drove smoothly along the road, Song Wangzhuo who had spent nearly half a month in the hospital finally left behind the sterile scent of disinfectant.
After they left, the door of a black sedan parked by the roadside opened. The man inside, though dressed in a hospital gown, showed no signs of illness. Without a word, he respectfully handed his phone containing the photos he had just taken to the woman on the other side.
“President Nie, I’ve captured the photos you requested,” he said.
Nie Xiu took the phone and examined it. The images of Song Wangzhuo were strikingly clear.
Those eyes, they were exactly like hers.
She had seen him in person that day, but in a fleeting glance, she had begun to doubt herself.
For the past two days, the Song Corporation had been swamped with work related to the bridge construction project. By the time she remembered this matter again, she was informed that Song Wangzhuo was being discharged today.
Under normal circumstances, Nie Xiu wouldn’t waste a single second on an unfamiliar child. But this time, it was as if some subconscious instinct compelled her to act.
Now, seeing the photos, the resemblance was even more striking.
If she stood next to this child, people would likely assume he was her son.
And he was a double-S-class Alpha, no less.
Nie Xiu turned off the phone and set it aside. Everyone in the car had been brought from the Nie family to the Song family all utterly reliable.
“What was he hospitalized for?” Nie Xiu asked.
The man had naturally done his research. “A while ago, during the sports festival at Silino Academy, this kid discovered two intruders from outside the school. He was stabbed and had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.”
He paused. “But not even two days after arriving, someone else tried to kill him.”
Nie Xiu looked at him, and the man revealed everything he had uncovered.
Having navigated the upper echelons for so many years, Nie Xiu could easily tell that someone wanted this child dead.
She frowned. “Investigate whether he’s made any enemies.”
How could a mere student provoke multiple assassination attempts?
The man nodded. “Understood.”
Nie Xiu then asked, “Did you complete the task I assigned you?”
The man nodded again. “Rest assured, President Nie. This morning, I had them draw a vial of the boy’s blood. It’s already in the genetic database.”
The man was Nie Xiu’s assistant. He had been hospitalized recently due to health issues and was technically still in recovery.
He hesitated before speaking again. “President Nie, forgive me for overstepping, but this child he resembles both you and Chairman Song.”
More so than their own biological son.
Nie Xiu closed her eyes. “I know. You may leave now.”
The assistant nodded and opened the car door. Before stepping out, he heard Nie Xiu say, “By tomorrow evening, I want all the information on this child.”
The assistant acknowledged and exited the vehicle.
As the car resumed its journey, Nie Xiu reopened her phone to examine the photos again. They didn’t just feature Song Wangzhuo, but also Shen Yuqing.
If she remembered correctly, Song Lejin had mentioned once that he and Pei Yiyan no longer lived at the Shen residence, but in an apartment near the academy, right next to his own neighborhood.
She opened her eyes and instructed, “Don’t head back to the company yet. Take me to Lejin’s place.”
The driver acknowledged and adjusted their route.
When Shen Yuqing and Song Wangzhuo arrived home, the house was spotless despite having been unoccupied for a while not a speck of dust in sight.
Song Wangzhuo looked puzzled until Shen Yuqing explained, “I gave Xiao Zhao the keys yesterday and had him arrange for cleaners. They even cleared out your fridge.”
Shen Yuqing clasped his hands behind his back. “Rest well at home these next few days. Let the caregiver know if you need anything, he’ll handle the shopping.” After a pause, he added, “Our exam results won’t be out until after the practical assessments, but I’m confident I’ve improved. I’ll go ahead and give you your tutoring bonus now.”
“No need,” Song Wangzhuo replied.
Shen Yuqing looked at him questioningly.
“Not just now, never again,” Song Wangzhuo continued. “I’ll still tutor you, but free of charge.”
Shen Yuqing’s confusion deepened as Song Wangzhuo’s gaze drifted to his left arm. The bandages had long been removed, and his T-shirt exposed the ugly scar now visible in the open air.
Noticing the attention, Shen Yuqing instinctively tucked his arm slightly before saying, “It’s nothing serious just scabbed over now. The rest will fall off naturally in a few days.” Parts had already peeled away, though the scars remained.
Knowing what troubled Song Wangzhuo, Shen Yuqing reassured him, “Relax, I’ve consulted the doctor about the scars. Some topical medication will help, or we can explore cosmetic procedures if needed. Plenty of solutions don’t dwell on it.”
Throughout this, Song Wangzhuo kept silent, his eyes fixed on the arm. Even after Shen Yuqing finished speaking, he remained unresponsive.
“What’s with that look?” Shen Yuqing prodded. “I told you it’s fine. Since when did you become so hesitant?”
Finally reacting, Song Wangzhuo lifted his head. “Shen Yuqing… why are you so good to me?”
He carefully retraced their history from their chaotic first encounter, no, even during their actual first meeting, Shen Yuqing had consistently shielded him. People called Shen Yuqing a madman, yet this supposed madman had protected him in his own peculiar way.
For a long time, Song Wangzhuo had recurrent nightmares of hardship and suffering that was his life before Shen Yuqing. But after meeting him, everything had gradually improved.
Shen Yuqing now looked up with a smile, his eyes crinkling. “Haven’t I said it before? We’re friends. Between friends, does it matter who does what for whom? Asking like this are you doubting our bond?”
“I don’t doubt it,” Song Wangzhuo answered.
To be precise, he had doubted before, but later he no longer did.
