Chapter 15: Hospital

Wen Xi snapped her suppression bracelet shut. The Omega pheromone scent gradually weakened until it was completely undetectable.

She forced herself to remain calm, but Cheng Si lay on the sofa, teetering on the edge of consciousness. His legs were curled up, his jawline sharp, and his brow tensed. Several veins bulged at the side of his neck as fine beads of sweat erupted from his forehead. A single drop condensed on the tip of his tall nose, adding a touch of stubborn desolation to his rugged features.

To be fair, with a face and physique like his, he didn’t make for a very “likable” Omega. It was unlikely many people would feel a sense of pity or protection for him.

Wen Xi was no exception. She expressionlessly switched on the indoor air circulation system, pulled his school uniform back over him, and then went to the bedroom to quickly change her clothes, tossing everything that carried his scent into the trash.

Wen Xi called Luo Wanran, briefly explained the situation, and told her to put on her suppression bracelet and come over. During the call, the ambulance service called back to confirm the patient’s condition, stating they would arrive within two minutes.

When she returned to the living room, Cheng Si had buried his face in the sofa. His breathing was heavy, and he was delirious with fever, murmuring incessantly. She stood there for a moment before she caught what he was saying: “…Wen Xi, it hurts.”

For a rare moment, Wen Xi drifted into thought. Does a person like Cheng Si actually cry out in pain? He was always covered in injuries. But she only hesitated for a few seconds; the doorbell rang, and she went to open it for Luo Wanran.

“Oh my god, Cheng Si actually differentiated into an Omega? That’s insane! Him? With that build, he’s an Omega??” Luo Wanran’s shock hadn’t faded, but when she saw Wen Xi, she noticed she was dressed to go out. “Where are you going? You’re just leaving him?”

“Doctor Pei is drunk. I have to go get him.” Wen Xi changed her shoes. “The ambulance is almost here. Do me a favor and get Cheng Si to the hospital.”

“…” Luo Wanran was rendered speechless by the mention of “Doctor Pei.” She watched as Wen Xi left without a single backward glance.

Cheng Si was left behind on the rumpled sofa, burning with fever, speaking in riddles, and calling out a name that would no longer be heard by the person he intended.

Luo Wanran sighed deeply, looking at Cheng Si with pity. It couldn’t be helped. Everyone has something most important to them, and Pei Huanzhou just happened to be Wen Xi’s.

At 6:00 AM, Cheng Si opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the sterile white ceiling of a hospital ward.

He had spent plenty of time in hospitals before, but this was nothing like the wards he knew. The bedding was soft and clean, the spacious sofa nearby looked expensive, and a gold crystal lamp sat on the nightstand. Pots of single-stem lilies hung on the walls; though not in full bloom, they were still flowering.

The room was brightly lit, stinging his eyes. It took a while for his mind to clear from its state of daze.

His memories before losing consciousness stopped at the image of Wen Xi standing over him. He had differentiated. And Wen Xi had pushed him away with a cold face.

Did I mess up again? At the thought, Cheng Si felt a profound sense of helplessness.

Swish— Someone slid the ward door open. Cheng Si’s eyes lit up, and he snapped his head up.

“You’re finally awake.” Luo Wanran walked in from behind the partition, yawning and rubbing her eyes. “I was worried sick.” Cheng Si was full of surprise: “…Why is it you?”

“Seeing how disappointed you look, did you think it would be Wen Xi?” Luo Wanran dragged over a chair and sat down, crossing her legs. “Wen Xi told me to bring you here. She had something she couldn’t walk away from.”

“…” Cheng Si was silent for a few seconds, then gave a soft “mm.”

“Good thing we got you here in time,” Luo Wanran said. “Otherwise, with the severity of that ‘heat’ fever, you might have ended up with permanent side effects.”

Cheng Si had been staring blankly, but at the word “heat,” he was jolted out of his thoughts. He looked at her in shock. “What heat?” Luo Wanran frowned. “Haven’t you felt it? You differentiated into an Omega.”

Her tone was calm, but the sentence hit Cheng Si like a physical explosion, making his brain buzz. Something was different about his body; his stomach and the back of his neck felt swollen, and his muscles ached intermittently. He just hadn’t dared to examine the feeling closely, thinking it was all an illusion.

“You were overstimulated, your Omega hormones went haywire, and your differentiation was too late. The doctor said those are the main reasons your symptoms were so severe this time.” Luo Wanran looked at him. “But you’re out of danger now.”

Cheng Si felt his expression must look worse than crying. Despondent, he asked, “Is there any way… to not be an Omega?”

Luo Wanran hadn’t expected him to be so repulsed by the idea. Then again, Cheng Si had lived his life as a prospective Alpha; it was natural to find the result hard to accept.

“Actually, being an Omega isn’t so bad,” Luo Wanran shrugged. “Look at me and Wen Xi. We aren’t exactly inferior to Alphas, are we?”

“It’s not because of that…” Cheng Si spoke with difficulty, his raspy voice sounding pained. He looked at Luo Wanran, then lowered his head. “Forget it.”

He never had good luck anyway. Even if there were a way to “not be an Omega,” he certainly didn’t have the money for surgery. Why even ask?

“Since you’re okay, I’ll let Wen Xi know and head out?” Luo Wanran was so tired she could barely keep her eyes open. She sent a text to Wen Xi. “Just stay here and rest. The ward fees are paid. The doctor said you’re still in your heat cycle; even though you’ve had suppressants, it’s best to stay under observation for 48 hours.”

“Wait.” Hearing Wen Xi’s name made Cheng Si’s chest tighten. He tried to sound calm. “Can I ask… what Wen Xi is doing?” He wanted to confirm if she was angry because of his “offense.”

Luo Wanran gave a forced laugh. “You’re better off not asking.” “Why?”

As Luo Wanran was figuring out how to explain, her phone rang. It was Wen Xi. She handed the phone to Cheng Si. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

Cheng Si stared at the glowing screen. He found himself hesitating, but it didn’t last long. He pressed answer.

“Hello?” Wen Xi’s voice came through the receiver. “Wanran, is he awake?” “It’s me,” Cheng Si replied.

After that, both fell into an awkward silence. Finally, Wen Xi spoke first. “Good that you’re awake. Get some rest.”

Usually, that was a closing line for a call, but Cheng Si didn’t give her the chance. He suddenly said hoarsely, “Wen Xi, I differentiated into an Omega.” There was a silence on the other end. “I know.”

“Will that make you a bit happier? Will you stop being mad at me?” Cheng Si’s logic was simple: though being an Omega was a devastating blow to him, if it made Wen Xi happy, he would consider it worth it.

Wen Xi avoided the heart of the matter. “I’m not mad at you.”

Perhaps it was the hormonal instability after differentiation, but Cheng Si had become exceptionally sensitive. After hesitating, he couldn’t help but ask, “Then why did you leave so suddenly?”

“Wanran didn’t tell you?” Wen Xi said. “Something came up with Doctor Pei. He’s my family doctor for gland issues…” “Pei Huanzhou, right?” Cheng Si blurted out the name.

Wen Xi was startled. “You know him?” Cheng Si said nothing.

Wen Xi seemed to have a guess. She gave a light “tch,” and her tone turned cool. “Since you know—” Before she could finish, Cheng Si interrupted her with effort. “I won’t ask anymore.”

He seemed unable to handle the words she was about to say. He kept murmuring, “I won’t ask, I really won’t ask anymore.”

Luo Wanran couldn’t take it anymore. She snatched the phone back and hung up, swearing inwardly. When she had washed her hands earlier, she had removed her suppression bracelet and accidentally caught a whiff of Cheng Si’s pheromones. Distinguishing the scent of Angelica (Bai Zhi), she had been surprised for a while. Why was an Omega cursed with such an “unlikable” medicinal scent?

And now, this Omega—who should have been strong and fierce—looked just as bitter as his pheromones smelled.

“Don’t worry too much about Pei Huanzhou. You know, Wen Xi has known him since she was very small, so it’s understandable she treats him specially—hey!” Luo Wanran racked her brain for comfort, but the more she spoke, the more she realized it was useless.

Cheng Si nodded in agreement and lowered his lashes, a tragic curve to his lips. How could I not know? He had known two years ago that Wen Xi treated Pei Huanzhou differently from everyone else.

In the end, Cheng Si didn’t stay the full 48 hours. He hated hospitals.

After Luo Wanran left, he discharged himself. He didn’t go to school or his part-time job; he planned to return to his rental room. He was supposed to work today, but he had forgotten to ask for leave in advance. When he remembered to contact the recruiter, he found he had been blocked.

He stood frozen for a long time until large tears began to drip onto his phone screen. He finally realized he was more heartbroken than he had imagined.

Consequently, as alert as he usually was, he failed to notice the many strange faces appearing near his rental unit. The group came up behind him as he turned, swinging clubs and striking him hard across the back.

Cheng Si grunted as a sudden wave of pain hit him. While he was briefly incapacitated, the leader—dressed in a fine suit—violently grabbed his school uniform collar and dragged him into a deserted alleyway with no cameras.