Chapter 80
After Zhuang Chi returned from the museum, the group didn't linger and set off on their return journey that same day.
While the convenience of the two neighboring cities' transportation was certainly a factor, Zhuang Chi felt the main reason was Lou Che's loose tongue. An Chen had been a bit hesitant at first. After all, by the time Zhuang Chi got back, it was already dusk, and they would arrive home late at night. During dinner, he had suggested, "Why don't we rest here for another night and leave tomorrow?" But Lou Che, while nodding in agreement, posed a question: 'What about Gu Ximian and Zhuang Chi? Are they sleeping in separate rooms tonight? Or together again?'
Zhuang Chi heard a soft thud beside her; Gu Ximian had accidentally dropped the food from her chopsticks into her bowl.
'...Anyway, it's not that late. Let's just go back directly. We need to get Zhuang Chi to a doctor as soon as possible to check on her condition.'
In the end, with Gu Ximian's final word, the group hurried back, travel-worn, and went straight to the hospital without stopping. She had been to the hospital many times, but this was the first time she was accompanied by the entire group. Zhuang Chi felt a little uncomfortable as the doctor unwrapped the bandage to examine her gland under the gaze of so many eyes.
"...This is much better than I expected," the doctor said, her eyes widening in surprise at first glance. "How did you handle it in the end? It doesn't look like you chose to continue with inhibitors."
Zhuang Chi's throat moved with difficulty. She hesitated before answering, "...No, I—"
"Ah, so Olivia was able to help? She contacted me about it before." The doctor interrupted her mid-sentence, looking at Olivia with sudden realization. "That's really... For an Alpha to be able to soothe another Alpha to this extent, it seems you two might be quite compatible—"
"Listen to people when they're talking."
But then her own words were mercilessly cut off. The doctor turned her head to see Gu Ximian with a slightly cold expression, who stated succinctly, "I was the one who accompanied Zhuang Chi through her susceptible period."
"..." The doctor was stunned for a moment, then startled. "I-It was you? But an addicted Alpha would find it even harder to accept another Omega's pheromones for comfort... It must have been very difficult, right? How are you? Did anything happen?"
"No," Gu Ximian said concisely. "As you can see, both of us are fine."
The doctor's face was filled with disbelief. She looked from Gu Ximian to the speechless Zhuang Chi and couldn't help but press, "What about during the susceptible period? Even the most good-tempered Alpha becomes irritable and prone to anger during their susceptible period, and it's even worse without timely comfort. Were you the only one with her then? How did you manage to subdue her by yourself...?"
"I didn't subdue her. She had no intention of being violent towards me." Gu Ximian shook her head, her voice lowering slightly. "I didn't sense any irritability or anger either. She was always very careful with me, and... very obedient to my words."
Ah... what complicated feelings. Zhuang Chi silently scrunched up her face, not daring to look at the others' expressions. In any case, she herself was almost too embarrassed to speak after hearing these things while fully lucid. And just then, the completely bewildered doctor, after finishing her conversation with Gu Ximian, suddenly turned to her and asked, "...Let me just confirm, were you referring to Gu Ximian's pheromones when you said before that 'just thinking about them makes my gland hurt'?"
"?!"
She had said it so smoothly that Zhuang Chi had no time to stop her. The others, who had never heard of this, exchanged glances. Gu Ximian was the first to frown. "What 'just thinking about them makes my gland hurt'? Why didn't you ever mention this before? Did you come see the doctor by yourself, Zhuang Chi?"
"..."
Zhuang Chi was speechless. She looked sorrowfully at the doctor, who only now realized this was apparently a secret. Seemingly wanting to help smooth things over, the doctor chimed in, "It's just a small thing, nothing to worry about, haha. I told Zhuang Chi at the time that it was probably just a normal part of the gland's healing process or a sign of an approaching susceptible period, so she probably didn't think it was a big deal to tell you all. It seems to be about the same now, after all, it's not like she's having that kind of reaction to the pheromones she's addicted to..."
As she spoke, her words slowed down until she finally stopped. She thought carefully for a moment with a good deal of suspicion, glanced at the clueless Gu Ximian, and then changed the subject. "...Would you be willing to cooperate with some pheromone tests?"
Gu Ximian frowned in confusion. "Why?"
"No, it's just that I suddenly feel..." The doctor, remembering her previous blunder, hesitated. "From what you just said and all the previous signs, it feels a bit like—"
Zhuang Chi couldn't listen anymore. She shot to her feet and started pushing the Alphas, who were crowded together listening intently to the doctor, out the door. Exclamations of surprise erupted as several of them clamored, "What are you doing all of a sudden, Zhuang Chi! The doctor isn't finished!" and "Not this again! You kicked us out just like this when Gu Ximian was taking off your inhibitor collar in your room!" Zhuang Chi pretended not to hear, single-mindedly shoving them all out the door. Telling them to wait in the nearby lounge for a bit, she slammed the door shut, feeling a thin layer of sweat break out on her forehead from the stress.
She took a deep breath, looked at the doctor and Gu Ximian who were stunned by her actions, and spoke.
"...Let's talk after the tests are done!" Zhuang Chi's tone was resolute, a sliver of wishful thinking still in her heart. "Until the results are out, anything we say is just speculation!"
"It is indeed an addiction to Gu Ximian's pheromones."
"..."
Holding the test results, Zhuang Chi was speechless at the definitive conclusion.
"So I've been misunderstanding all this time. I was only thinking about the period when Zhuang Chi was kidnapped, I never thought..." The doctor sighed with emotion, a hint of self-blame in her voice. "I never considered the possibility that she was already addicted to pheromones before she was kidnapped. I'm sorry, Zhuang Chi, it's my fault."
"..." Unsure of how to respond, Zhuang Chi forced a smile at the doctor. "It's okay, I didn't notice it at all myself..."
After the test results came out, the doctor questioned her and Gu Ximian in detail about their previous contact. She ultimately pinpointed the likely time of addiction to when Zhuang Chi gave Gu Ximian a temporary mark. The concentration of S-class pheromones on the verge of a susceptible period, plus the fact that she had directly bitten Gu Ximian—it seemed the conditions were indeed met, it was just that no one had thought of it before.
Although she had a premonition, actually hearing the doctor say it still came as a considerable shock to Zhuang Chi. She could only think thankfully that she'd had the foresight to kick the Alphas out first, otherwise who knew what kind of chaos would have erupted by now...
...But there was truly no way to hide it from Gu Ximian. After all, they needed her pheromones for the test. But she didn't know what the situation was now; Gu Ximian hadn't said a word since hearing the results. Zhuang Chi had to give herself a thorough mental pep talk before turning to speak to her, her words coming out stiffly, "Re... really surprising, isn't it, haha..."
Her own heart was in turmoil, making her words dry. Gu Ximian slowly turned to look at her. Her eyes, which had been somewhat dazed, focused slightly upon seeing her. Then, as if suddenly illuminated from within, her gaze became as brilliant as stars, dazzlingly beautiful and radiant, seeming to dim their surroundings.
"...It's me." As if talking in a dream, Gu Ximian moved a little closer to Zhuang Chi, her tone still somewhat airy, as if she couldn't suppress the emotions in her heart. She said softly, "So you're... addicted to me."
...Strictly speaking, that sentence should have been "addicted to my pheromones," Zhuang Chi thought. Omitting the last four words made it sound exceptionally significant.
But for some strange reason, perhaps bewitched by Gu Ximian's gaze, she felt that now was not the time to point this out and correct Gu Ximian, so she just nodded lightly.
It could be considered a blessing in disguise. This way, even if they had brought Lily before, they would have only discovered that it wouldn't work. Although this situation was a bit embarrassing for Zhuang Chi, from another perspective, it could perhaps be considered a good thing. At least it saved her from the trouble of becoming addicted to Lily's pheromones—but this was probably just a complete coincidence. Based on her impression from her two conversations with the Notebook, it wouldn't do something so closely related to Gu Ximian, since it offered no benefit to Gu Ximian...
As she was thinking this, a sudden warmth enveloped her hand. Gu Ximian had suddenly taken her hand, not holding it tightly, but just gently grasping her fingertips.
Zhuang Chi looked at Gu Ximian and saw that she had her eyes slightly lowered, clearly avoiding her gaze, and said in a small voice, "...I just suddenly feel a little relieved."
...That didn't seem to explain why she suddenly took her hand. Zhuang Chi blinked in confusion but let her hold it, silently praying that her palms wouldn't get sweaty.
"...Well, if the object of addiction is Gu Ximian, then things are much simpler." The doctor watched them with a smile and said to Gu Ximian, "However... if you accompany Zhuang Chi through all her future susceptible periods, then this isn't really a big problem. It's fine even without treatment; it will gradually get better on its own."
Before Gu Ximian could speak, Zhuang Chi couldn't listen anymore and hurriedly responded, "It needs to be treated! It needs to be treated! How can I keep troubling her with something like this!"
The doctor blinked leisurely. "Trouble? Isn't this a very normal thing between lovers?"
A rush of heat shot to Zhuang Chi's head, and she explained even more hastily, "You've misunderstood! We're not lovers!"
"..."
The doctor was clearly bewildered. She looked at Zhuang Chi, then down at their loosely held hands, and finally turned her gaze slowly to Gu Ximian. After a moment of silence, Gu Ximian nonchalantly changed the subject. "...Could you tell us the treatment method first? Will my cooperation be needed?"
"...Yes, your cooperation will be needed..." The doctor still seemed a bit unable to let it go, but she began to explain the situation. "The method is very simple. Just have Zhuang Chi smell your pheromones regularly."
How is that simple?! Zhuang Chi was aghast and couldn't help but interject, "Wait, didn't you say it's an addiction? Shouldn't I normally... go through withdrawal or something? Why do I have to smell them on purpose?"
"Because your body wouldn't be able to handle sudden withdrawal," the doctor explained patiently. "You just experienced it, didn't you? Gu Ximian's pheromones seem to have a very strong effect on you; even three inhibitors were useless during your susceptible period. To put it simply: your gland can't stand being 'hungry' right now. Once it gets too hungry, it can't be suppressed, and it's extremely picky, only wanting Gu Ximian's pheromones."
"So we can only consider a gentler treatment method, which is a gradual, phased treatment."
The doctor then looked at Gu Ximian again. "Although I said the method is simple, the difficulty lies in controlling the pheromone concentration each time—that is, how much to 'feed' her. Too little, and her gland will be uncomfortable; too much, and it won't help treat the addiction. Because it requires a high degree of control from the Omega, it's usually our hospital's responsibility to use an Omega's pheromones to make corresponding pills..."
She trailed off, then continued hesitantly, "...But... are you willing? I saw on the test results that your pheromone level is... quite high. Right now, these preliminary results can stay with just me, but if we were to make medicine, then it might..."
So that's it. She's saying that more people might find out, Zhuang Chi thought. Find out that Gu Ximian is an S-class Omega.
"No." The word came out of her mouth subconsciously the moment she understood. When both of them looked at her, she finally reacted and stammered out an explanation, "...I mean, I... I don't like taking medicine."
"..." Gu Ximian looked at her for a long moment, her grip on Zhuang Chi's fingertips tightening slightly. She said softly, "Then I'll help you myself, okay?"
Ah, in another sense, choosing this option is also very unsafe! Zhuang Chi had no confidence in her own self-control and was momentarily at a loss for words. But the doctor was already smiling happily, her eyes curving. "That's even better. I'll write you a detailed list of the required pheromone concentrations and other precautions. Just follow that."
And so, the matter was decided. While waiting for the doctor to write out the list, Zhuang Chi and Gu Ximian sat in the room, momentarily speechless.
Then the doctor said she needed to "go discuss how to write this" and went out to consult with other doctors, suddenly leaving Zhuang Chi and Gu Ximian alone together.
It was the first time since she had returned from the museum. Their hands were still together, as if both had forgotten to let go, revealing a hint of secret intimacy.
Originally, she felt she had many things to say to Gu Ximian, Zhuang Chi thought. But after talking with the Notebook... she suddenly didn't know where to begin.
The Notebook was right. Until she could tell Gu Ximian her secret completely, she couldn't allow herself to consider her own burgeoning feelings.
In the end, Zhuang Chi was very scared. She was afraid that she was overthinking things and Gu Ximian didn't like her, but she was also afraid that Gu Ximian really did like her, and that this affection was the fruit of a seed planted by an initial misunderstanding.
But the Notebook had been vague, not because it was maliciously withholding information, but because even it didn't know what consequences would follow if Zhuang Chi chose to confess. And even now, the Notebook was still rigidly obstructing her, causing persistent palpitations in her heart even as she thought in desperation that she might as well just tell Gu Ximian everything.
"...Speaking of which, when did you find out I was an S-class Omega?"
Just as she was being tormented by palpitations, she suddenly heard Gu Ximian's quiet question. Instantly, the phantom palpitations became real. Zhuang Chi's mind raced for a moment before she finally stammered a reply, "I-It was when we did the temporary mark. You told me yourself. You said, 'An S-class Omega's susceptible period is very troublesome.'"
It seemed she had passed the test. After a moment of silence, Gu Ximian nodded slightly and said softly, "You really didn't seem surprised at all back then."
Her heart pounded. Zhuang Chi spouted nonsense like, "Because I didn't really know how amazing S-class was back then," to hide her guilt. While she had weathered this storm, she also felt pessimistic: she was truly terrible at lying. Not only would she slip up if she wasn't careful, but Gu Ximian was also a very intelligent person... No matter how she thought about it, it seemed impossible to hide her secret from her forever.
...Besides, from a selfish standpoint, Zhuang Chi didn't want to keep hiding it from her forever anyway.
Maybe this would be better, Zhuang Chi couldn't help but think. Wait until her addiction is cured. On that day, she would confess to Gu Ximian. Whether Gu Ximian liked her or not, she would tell her everything honestly.
Perhaps it was just an evasive postponement of a difficult problem, but she couldn't deny the selfish and despicable thoughts mixed within. The moon in the water is beautiful even if it's fake. Zhuang Chi knew she was just reluctant to throw a stone into the water and shatter the moon when Gu Ximian was willing to stay by her side like this.
"...Gu Ximian," Zhuang Chi couldn't help but call her name softly, thanking her while feeling a sense of guilt. "Thank you for being willing to help me like this. From what the doctor said, it sounds quite complicated... It'll probably cause you a lot of trouble, I'm sorry."
And she heard Gu Ximian sigh softly, her reply gentle. "I'm the one who caused your addiction, so of course I should be responsible. If anyone should be sorry, it should be me. Why are you apologizing to me?"
...Besides, she was the one who chose not to use medicine, but to help Zhuang Chi with the treatment personally, Gu Ximian thought. While it was true they couldn't make the medicine at this hospital, her own family had a private doctor with sufficiently strict confidentiality. It was actually possible to use her pheromones to create the kind of medicine the doctor had just described.
Of course, she had no intention of telling Zhuang Chi this.
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