Before arriving, Xiao Zhao had already coordinated with the hospital. By the time they got there, specialized medical staff were already waiting for him.
Shen Yuqing experienced the privileges of a VVVIP for the first time. In less than an hour, nearly all the tests were completed, and now they only had to wait for the reports.
He sat in the hospital’s designated lounge, idly counting the petals of the flowers beside him. Waiting for the reports was tedious, but since he still needed to consult the doctor afterward, he couldn’t leave yet.
Sitting around was unbearably dull. For some reason, Shen Yuqing felt stifled and increasingly irritable. Eventually, he said to Xiao Zhao, “I’m going out for some fresh air.”
Xiao Zhao was about to stand and follow him when Shen Yuqing added, “I’ll go alone. You stay here.”
Xiao Zhao had no choice but to nod. “Don’t go too far. The reports should be ready soon.”
Shen Yuqing hummed in acknowledgment and headed for the exit.
The smell of disinfectant in the hospital was particularly strong. He hurried out, and only after leaving did the scent fade from his nose. Much better.
Shen Yuqing exhaled, intending to find a place to sit for a while. It was an overcast day neither too hot nor too cold the kind of weather he liked.
But he hadn’t taken more than a few steps when he spotted a middle-aged Beta hurrying toward the inpatient ward.
Shen Yuqing studied him, feeling a vague sense of familiarity, as if he’d seen him somewhere before.
Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall where. Probably just a passing face in the crowd.
Shen Yuqing averted his gaze and sat on the edge of a flower bed. The breeze swept past, dissipating the restlessness in his body.
He sighed, neither checking his phone nor his optical terminal, letting his eyes wander instead. If something caught his interest, he’d stare for a while; if not, he’d move on.
He didn’t know how long he’d been sitting there when his optical terminal vibrated Xiao Zhao had messaged him. The reports were ready, and it was time to see the doctor.
Shen Yuqing took a deep breath, stood up, dusted himself off, and headed back inside. Just as he reached the hospital entrance, his gaze unconsciously drifted toward the inpatient ward again.
This time, he saw the same middle-aged Beta emerging but now, Song Lejin was with him.
That’s when it clicked. No wonder he’d seemed familiar he was Song Lejin’s driver.
The last time Shen Yuqing had left Song Wangzhuo’s neighborhood after tutoring, Song Lejin had just returned, and this man had been the one driving.
Right now, Song Lejin looked terrible, none of his usual gentleness present. The driver walked beside him, saying something that only made Song Lejin’s expression darken further.
Why was Song Lejin here?
His optical terminal vibrated twice more, snapping him out of his thoughts. Xiao Zhao was urging him again.
Shen Yuqing set the question aside for now and went inside to see the doctor.
By the time he arrived, the doctor was already reviewing the reports, his brow slightly furrowed. When he saw Shen Yuqing, he asked, “Did you eat anything before coming here?”
Shen Yuqing shook his head. “I haven’t eaten anything today.”
“What about yesterday?” the doctor pressed.
Now, yesterday was a different story. Shen Yuqing honestly recounted everything he’d eaten.
The doctor frowned at his report, causing Shen Yuqing’s heart to skip a beat. “Doctor, what’s wrong?”
Why that expression?
The doctor said, “We detected traces of a certain drug in your system a type typically used on Omegas.”
Shen Yuqing still didn’t quite understand. A drug used on Omegas?
The doctor continued, “Try to recall carefully what else did you consume? This drug is usually mixed with water and has a slightly odd taste.”
An odd taste…
Shen Yuqing racked his brain, thinking back to what he drank the night before the alcohol Lin Sui had brought, various other drinks, plain water, and the hangover soup.
He remembered now the hangover soup he drank last night did have a strange flavor. But at the time, seeing everyone else drink it too, he hadn’t thought much of it. Only now, with the doctor’s reminder, did he realize something had been off.
He asked, “What effect does this drug have on Omegas?”
The doctor glanced at him before explaining, “It’s a banned substance to put it bluntly, an aphrodisiac. It’s prohibited for sale on the market. Hospitals do carry it, but distribution is strictly controlled. It’s only prescribed to married Omegas in very limited doses.”
But there were always loopholes. With enough money, one could easily obtain it on the black market.
Shen Yuqing understood now. But everyone had drunk that hangover soup especially Lin Sui, who had downed two whole bowls and no one else seemed affected.
Besides, he couldn’t recall his own state last night at all. Wait—
Xiao Zhao had mentioned this morning that he had clung to Pei Yiyan’s back, biting his neck and even kissing his scent gland. Damn it.
So, it was all the drug’s fault! No wonder in his past life, he’d just slept quietly when drunk. But this time, he’d been bouncing around like a monkey from Mount Emei.
No wonder he hadn’t dared to check Pei Yiyan’s stats. Now, he couldn’t wait to rush back and explain everything to him. He was innocent!
He asked, “Does this drug have any side effects?”
The doctor replied, “It’s still a drug, but in controlled doses, it’s not a major issue. It’ll metabolize out of your system. You likely didn’t ingest much, but still it’s best avoided. We only prescribe it to Omegas as a last resort.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Got it.”
Taking the report, he left the doctor’s office. Xiao Zhao had been waiting outside and asked, “Young Master, what did the doctor say?”
“Nothing serious just drank too much,” Shen Yuqing replied.
For some reason, he instinctively kept the drug a secret.
The hangover soup was just his own suspicion for now. He’d need to investigate further.
Shen Yuqing decided not to make a fuss about it yet. Once the system returned, he’d have it look into the matter.
Xiao Zhao sighed in relief. “You have no idea how terrifying last night was.”
“I can imagine,” Shen Yuqing muttered. Biting and kissing Pei Yiyan like that of course it was terrifying.
Xiao Zhao replied, “Last night you were burning up and completely delirious. If the doctor hadn’t given you a sedative to bring your fever down, we would’ve had to rush you to the hospital immediately.”
Shen Yuqing caught the key detail. He only vaguely remembered feeling both cold and feverish had his whole body really been that hot?
This was easy enough to verify. While Xiao Zhao went to get the car from the parking lot, Shen Yuqing stepped into a corner and called Lin Sui. The phone rang for a long time before being answered.
Still half-asleep, Lin Sui mumbled, “Hmm? What’s up?”
“Still in bed?” Shen Yuqing asked. “At Song Lejin’s place?”
“No,” came the groggy reply. “After you left yesterday, Lejin took me home. Why are you calling about this?”
“Oh,” Shen Yuqing said casually. “Your sister’s liquor was pretty strong. Just checking how you’re feeling.”
“Same as usual, nothing special.” Lin Sui sniffed. “But damn, it was good. When my sister gets back from her business trip, I’m asking if we can order a couple more bottles for my collection.”
“I thought you might’ve gotten drunk and rowdy.”
“Never happen. I just crashed when I got home.” Lin Sui yawned. “You feeling rough or something?”
“No, just checking.” Shen Yuqing pressed further, “Did you call the others? After all that drinking yesterday, we should make sure everyone’s okay.”
“They’re fine,” Lin Sui said. “Called this morning asking if we’re doing round two today. My head’s still pounding from yesterday no way I’m drinking more.”
So, the others were fine too. Could it not have been the hangover soup then?
He’d asked the doctor earlier while the medication had the strongest effect on Omegas, Betas or Alphas would still show symptoms if they’d accidentally consumed it. It couldn’t possibly have no effect at all.
Maybe it wasn’t the hangover soup?
Shen Yuqing pressed his lips together. But no matter how he thought about it, that bowl of soup remained the only suspicious factor.
“Yuqing? Bro?”
Lin Sui’s voice called out twice before Shen Yuqing snapped back to attention. “Oh, never mind. Gotta go taking the cat for a bath.”
“Since when did you start liking cats?” Lin Sui grumbled before adding, “Yeah, later.”
Just as they were about to hang up, Shen Yuqing suddenly thought of something else. “When Song Lejin took you home yesterday was she in the car with you?”
