Chapter 101
In the end, they still came to the hospital.
It wasn’t because of the grand failure of Zhuang Chi’s pheromone addiction treatment—Gu Ximian hadn’t mentioned that matter again after hearing Zhuang Chi’s words. It was just that her face was incredibly red, and for someone with fair skin, a blush was particularly obvious. She found various excuses to wash her face three times, but it still didn't return to normal. Zhuang Chi found her adorable and couldn't help but smile, which resulted in Gu Ximian grabbing her and rubbing her face for a long time, refusing to let go until she was blushing too.
The main purpose of their hospital visit was to check on the recovery of her gland and see if the bandage could be removed. Zhuang Chi sat down obediently, listening as the attending physician, whom she felt she hadn't seen in a long time, muttered, “Why is there a red mark on your neck?” while unwrapping her bandage. She froze instantly, subconsciously looking at Gu Ximian. The culprit, who had bitten her on the side of the neck and then rubbed the spot red, stood stiffly to the side, her expression as calm and unconcerned as if she had no idea what the doctor was talking about.
But the tips of her ears, peeking out from between her strands of hair, were bright red, unable to hide any of her emotions.
The doctor didn't notice the undercurrent of emotion between them—or perhaps she did notice but was considerate enough to pretend she hadn't. She quickly immersed herself in a professional examination. After a series of procedures, she said with approval, “The injuries that can be treated with medicine have pretty much recovered. You can indeed take off the bandage now.”
“And then let’s do a pheromone check—have you tried using your gland since your last susceptible period? Can your pheromones be released normally?”
Zhuang Chi was taken aback. The words “released normally” spun in her mind. She wasn't really conscious of such things herself. Back at Gu Ximian's house, she had been mostly focused on smelling Gu Ximian's scent. Now, being asked so abruptly, she couldn't quite recall if her own coffee scent had been mixed in at that time. She could only answer hesitantly, “I think… they can be released.”
She sounded so uncertain that the doctor hesitated for a moment. Whether it was intentional or not, her gaze shifted to Gu Ximian.
Gu Ximian, who had been silent all this time, endured the pointed stare for a long moment before finally turning her head in compromise. Her thin lips parted as she spoke, as sparingly as possible, “...They can.”
“Oh, oh.” The doctor nodded, looking as if she had a sudden realization, and patted Zhuang Chi’s shoulder with a smile. “That’s great.”
…It felt like she was talking about more than just the gland’s good recovery.
Zhuang Chi silently followed the doctor to get her pheromones checked. When she returned with the report, she received very positive feedback from the doctor: “There are still some minor issues with pheromone control, but it shouldn't affect your daily life. Let’s have you come back for some rehabilitation and see how it goes. However, you might still have a hard time during your susceptible period. The main issue is that with your current condition, it’s hard to say if your susceptible period will still come every few months like a normal Alpha’s. It might get messed up… In any case, try to pay attention as soon as you have signs of an impending susceptible period.”
“But if you have the pheromones you’re addicted to to accompany you through your susceptible period, then there’s nothing to worry about,” she said. Even though she knew the object of Zhuang Chi’s addiction was standing right there, she insisted on speaking in a business-like manner, instructing Zhuang Chi with a serious expression, “If that person can’t be with you, then at least go ask her for a couple of pieces of clothing, alright? It’ll be somewhat useful.”
It was unclear who she was saying that for. In any case, Zhuang Chi thanked her and left in a hurry. This was her first relationship, and her skin was still rather thin; she felt she couldn't quite handle the well-meaning teasing of adults. She glanced at Gu Ximian, who was walking silently beside her, and judged from the unnaturally frequent blinking that Gu Ximian probably felt the same way.
They had left the hospital now. Logically, they should have parted ways, one going home and the other back to school. But both of them were tacitly walking quite slowly. Gu Ximian hadn't messaged her driver either; she just kept her eyes lowered somewhat uncomfortably, her fingers curling and uncurling as she unconsciously stared at Zhuang Chi’s hand hanging by her side.
She stared for a few seconds before realizing what she was looking at and abruptly snatched her gaze back, turning her head away as if she’d been burned. The sudden movement startled Zhuang Chi. The oblivious Alpha turned her head to look at her questioningly. Judging from her expression, she hadn't yet recovered from the doctor's words. A thought stirred in Gu Ximian's mind, and she asked in a small voice, “...Do you want my clothes?”
“…” What a direct question. Zhuang Chi froze and subconsciously stammered, “N-No, that’s not necessary…”
Recalling the surveillance footage from Lily's villa, where she had seen Zhuang Chi biting the sleeve of her school jacket, curled up and looking pitiful and helpless, Gu Ximian frowned slightly. She felt that now that she was here, she didn't want that to happen again. She hummed in agreement. “Mm, remember to tell me before your susceptible period.”
The meaning behind these words was glaringly obvious. Zhuang Chi’s ears burned. Just thinking about what might happen made her feel her self-control issue a high-level danger warning. So, she timidly changed her tune again, “...Just lend me a jacket then.”
She was glared at. Zhuang Chi silently closed her mouth.
Then she didn't know what to say, and Gu Ximian also fell into silence. It was strange; after confirming their relationship, the atmosphere had become even quieter than before, and this silence always made one want to escape… yet feel reluctant to. Zhuang Chi remained stiff in this complicated silence for a while. Just as she was thinking about whether she should take the initiative to say goodbye, she heard Gu Ximian break the silence, “Why are you still wearing this?”
She followed her gaze and saw Gu Ximian naturally raise a hand to touch the black choker on her neck, frowning. “Didn’t the doctor say your glands won’t leak pheromones normally? There’s no need to wear it anymore, it’s uncomfortable…”
She had conveniently gotten this from the doctor before leaving the hospital and put it on. Zhuang Chi didn't dare to move, obediently letting Gu Ximian tap on the blocking collar. She replied, “I’ve been wearing something on my neck ever since I presented, so I’m not used to the idea of not wearing anything now. And…”
She looked at the similar band on Gu Ximian’s neck and blinked. “Let’s just say it’s a couple item with you. When you can take yours off, I’ll take mine off with you.”
Gu Ximian’s breath hitched, her heart in a bit of a mess. Feeling unwilling to be outdone, she took a provocative step forward and said, “...Do you know under what circumstances I can take it off?”
From Zhuang Chi’s expression, it was clear she didn’t know. Gu Ximian figured this setting wasn't something she had written. She looked into Zhuang Chi’s clear eyes, her own face burning before she even spoke, but she still said softly, “After being marked.”
Zhuang Chi’s eyes widened abruptly. She was clearly at a complete loss, frozen in place. Gu Ximian wasn't faring much better; she was just thankful it was nighttime, and the darkness could hide the unnatural blush on her face. Only then did she regret provoking Zhuang Chi like this. She silently withdrew her hand and stepped back to her original position, saying quietly, “...I’ll bring you one like mine tomorrow. My blocking collar is custom-made, the material is a bit softer.”
Zhuang Chi gave a low hum of agreement. After a moment of silence, she spoke again, her tone even carrying a hint of guilt, “I didn’t know just now… I just meant I would wear the blocking collar with you, you… don’t overthink it.”
Gu Ximian lowered her eyes and pursed her lips. “...I know.”
If it were any other Alpha, Gu Ximian would have thought those words definitely hinted at wanting to mark her as soon as possible. But Zhuang Chi was, of course, different. Her Alpha was docile and restrained, completely lacking the inherent flaws of the traditional Alphas in this world. Gu Ximian felt that if she didn't bring it up herself, Zhuang Chi would probably never say something like wanting to mark her.
…Not to mention Zhuang Chi had previously said that her addiction was like being marked by Gu Ximian. Gu Ximian thought that if anyone else heard that, it wouldn't just be Lou Che who would point at her and say she wasn't like an Alpha. More radical people might even call her a traitor to Alphas…
But… it was different in an Omega’s eyes.
Gu Ximian thought, a hint of concern rising in her heart, causing her to frown. Her gaze toward Zhuang Chi was not very friendly. “...Speaking of which, I remember you said in yesterday’s interview that we weren’t dating. What now?”
“At this rate, admirers might be bringing breakfast to your dorm door tomorrow,” Gu Ximian said flatly, her tone devoid of emotion. “My dear, popular Pygmalion?”
…The topic jumped so quickly. Gu Ximian’s words sounded like she was reading from a script. Zhuang Chi was a bit slow to react and looked at her, only to be startled by her furrowed brow—she clearly cared a great deal. Zhuang Chi managed to swallow the response “that won’t happen” that was about to come out. She thought hard for a moment and finally tried to propose a solution, “...Should I reply to that forum post?”
Then, under Gu Ximian’s silent, supervisory gaze, Zhuang Chi began to log into the St. Blaisedon forum on the spot, starting with registering an account. After a great deal of effort, she finally opened the hot discussion thread about their relationship, which was still floating on the homepage. Gu Ximian offered no suggestions as she typed her reply. Zhuang Chi agonized for a long time, finally using all her powers of observation to delete and re-edit, typing out a sentence: The interview was from a few days ago. Gu Ximian and I have started dating now.
Seeing Gu Ximian’s expression relax slightly, she hit the send button and also breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't care that her reply would bump the thread back to the top. She shoved her phone into her pocket and eagerly turned her head to look at Gu Ximian, carefully trying to meet her eyes. “...Not angry anymore?”
“…” Gu Ximian glanced at her, but her gaze was soft, without any intimidating force. “If someone confessed to me in front of you, wouldn't you be angry?”
…It was indeed not a pleasant scenario. She had witnessed it once three years ago and had thrown a whole box of chalk in anger. Zhuang Chi blinked blankly and said in a small voice, “Then let’s not let that happen again. People who like you… can just be angry at me.”
Like An Chen. Zhuang Chi silently closed her eyes, thinking it was a good thing the Student Council Presidium wasn't meeting tomorrow, so she probably wouldn't run into him soon.
The topic came to an end there. The two fell into silence again. For the second time, Zhuang Chi thought that perhaps it was time to leave. After all, it was getting late, and the atmosphere was such that just standing there made one’s heart race—
Just then, Gu Ximian suddenly reached out and gently caught her fingertips.
It felt as if all her blood rushed to the fingers touching Gu Ximian in an instant, making Zhuang Chi burn. She unconsciously held her breath and looked up at Gu Ximian, who was quietly looking down, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions in her eyes. Her expression looked perfectly calm, as if she wasn't the one who had reached out.
“...Today is the first day of our relationship,” Gu Ximian said softly. “Are you leaving already?”
Zhuang Chi’s heart tightened. She felt as if Gu Ximian’s words carried some kind of hint, throwing her mind into a panic. Not leave… shouldn’t I leave? But it’s already night. If I don’t leave now, then…
…Her mind gradually began to wander to strange places. Zhuang Chi squeezed her eyes shut, trying hard to banish those fatal fantasies, but memories were not easily forgotten. She couldn't help but think, back at Gu Ximian's house, if she hadn't stopped then—
Stop thinking about it! Zhuang Chi felt a headache coming on. No matter what, she was a young Alpha, and she knew she couldn't handle being teased. Not daring to let her thoughts run wild with Gu Ximian’s words, she scrambled for a new topic but still couldn't escape her memories, blurting out in a panic, “...Speaking of which, do you think… my kissing skills are bad?”
“…” Gu Ximian paused. After a long moment, she slowly said, “...What?”
She must have subconsciously kept this in mind from her chat with Ling Jing and An Chen, and now it had slipped out. Zhuang Chi regretted her slip of the tongue, but the question was already out…
Seeing Gu Ximian look as if she hadn't quite heard what she said, Zhuang Chi swallowed with difficulty and mustered her courage to repeat, “I mean, are my kissing skills—”
“Alright, you don’t have to say it a second time, I heard you.”
Gu Ximian stopped her mid-sentence. Her head was slightly lowered, the night concealing her expression. Zhuang Chi could only tell from her deep inhale that her emotions were in great turmoil. After a long while, she heard her answer in a stiff, tense voice, “...I don’t know. I don’t have anyone to compare you with.”
…That made a lot of sense. Zhuang Chi nodded, but she was still not reassured. She asked again, “Then did you feel… un… un…”
The words “uncomfortable” were stuck in her throat. Zhuang Chi choked several times, only succeeding in raising the temperature of her own face by a few degrees. Unfortunately, Gu Ximian had already understood what she meant. Her already tense shyness became uncontrollable. She looked up and glared at her in embarrassment and annoyance, grabbed Zhuang Chi’s collar, and bit her lip fiercely. After pulling away, she snapped, “I don’t know! Figure it out yourself!”
After snapping, Gu Ximian was the first to be unable to bear Zhuang Chi’s gaze. She turned and walked away, stopped after a few steps, then turned back and said in a cold voice, “...What are you still standing there for? I’ll have the driver take you back to school first.”
Zhuang Chi was still a bit dazed. After a good while, she slowly shook her head. “N-No, it’s fine. I’ll just take the bus back, otherwise…”
She stopped again, but Gu Ximian knew that words even Zhuang Chi couldn't say would only be harder for her to handle. Her face burned again, and she turned as if to leave. But she stopped again after a few steps, turned around with a stern face, and said one last thing to Zhuang Chi: “...Message me when you get back.”
Seeing Zhuang Chi nod obediently, Gu Ximian huffed lightly and turned to leave.
The butler’s car was actually parked nearby. When she got in, the butler was looking straight ahead, showing no particular reaction. She wasn't going to consider whether the butler had seen the two of them standing there just now. As the car started to move, Zhuang Chi, who had been standing there, slowly turned and walked towards the bus stop. Through the car window, Gu Ximian watched her back, bathed in the hazy glow of the orange streetlights, looking slender and soft.
This is unbearable, Gu Ximian thought. A thought suddenly popped into her head—if she also lived in the school dorms, she could have walked a little further with her.
…Or the other way around.
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