CH 24

Fortunately, Gu Zhongyi showed no signs of anger. He remained calm and even asked Lin Yuxing to taste the Valencia orange in his hand.

To be honest, Lin Yuxing had long lost his appetite.

Gu Zhongyi then told him, “The school doctor has your recent medical records. These two medications cannot be taken together, so the school doctor had to issue that reminder.”

At that time , Lin Yuxing was in a drowsy state, and Yang Zhou would definitely have informed his “boyfriend” Gu Zhongyi about the situation.

Lin Yuxing put down the Valencia orange in his hand, and nervousness appeared on his face.

Neither of them spoke again.

The tense atmosphere became unbearable for Lin Yuxing, and he turned his head to look at Gu Zhongyi, cautiously asking, “Do you have something else to say?”

Of course, Gu Zhongyi had more to say.

Gu Zhongyi placed his hands on his thighs and sat in a slightly inclined position, contemplating his words. He decided to get straight to the point, “Can you tell me which Alpha it is?”

Lin Yuxing did not expect Gu Zhongyi to be so direct, and his expression changed immediately.

Because he didn’t want to say, and he couldn’t say.

But Gu Zhongyi’s tone didn’t sound like a negotiation; he became serious, “Yuxing, I hope you can tell me the truth.”

If the Alpha who had made Lin Yuxing take the suppressant was really Xu Xiangchi, Gu Zhongyi would find a way to make even the shadow of Xu Xiangchi completely disappear from Lin Yuxing’s life.

Second chances were often rare, and Gu Zhongyi couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes.

He assured Lin Yuxing, “I will help you handle this Alpha and make sure you no longer have any contact with him. So, can you tell me?”

Upon hearing that, Lin Yuxing’s face turned pale, and his hands clenched tightly. Sitting uneasily, his expression gradually became solemn, “I…”

Gu Zhongyi held his breath, waiting for him to speak.

What he heard was Lin Yuxing saying, “Can I not say?”

Lin Yuxing felt extremely guilty and couldn’t meet Gu Zhongyi’s eyes.

Gu Zhongyi’s grip tightened, and his heart ached.

Lin Yuxing bit his lip forcefully, and the bitten area turned pale before filling with blood. “Senior, everyone has their privacy. Just because we are working together doesn’t mean I should tell you everything about me. In fact, using suppressants as an Omega is an extremely private matter.”

He wasn’t seeking Gu Zhongyi’s approval; he was simply stating his stance.

With the absence of pheromone attraction, Lin Yuxing rationalized their relationship and created some distance between them. His thoughts were unusually clear, “As long as I can ensure that it doesn’t affect our cooperation, I can choose not to say.”

In an instant, Gu Zhongyi froze, and several scenes flashed through his mind.

Having failed once before, Gu Zhongyi jumped to conclusions and assumed that Lin Yuxing was influenced by pheromones of the Alpha, defending that Alpha to such an extent.

His jealousy surged, completely overwhelming him.

Gu Zhongyi wasn’t a perfect person; he had simply lived ten years longer than Lin Yuxing, making him more skilled at disguising and restraining himself.

But in front of Lin Yuxing, Gu Zhongyi’s disguise wasn’t good enough.

In the face of Lin Yuxing, the only thing he could do was instinctively try to make up for the time they had lost. It was only in front of Lin Yuxing that Gu Zhongyi felt uneasy, restless, and experienced the pain of wanting but not attaining.

His mask was falling off.

And when Lin Yuxing saw Gu Zhongyi’s stern face, he suddenly felt a strange feeling. He lowered his head, filled with fear, silently believing that Gu Zhongyi must have known something, which is why he questioned him like this.

Although Lin Yuxing tried to be strong, his heart was in agony.

He knew that hiding the truth was wrong, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it no matter what.

Because he needed money desperately.

He also knew very well that once there was a crack between them, the contract would end.

In the past, Lin Yuxing could endure and survive on his own. But now, after experiencing someone else’s help, he unexpectedly developed a certain greed and selfishness. He had warned himself not to blindly accept help from others. If it happened too often and dependency was formed, the one destroyed would be himself, who was at the bottom.

Lin Yuxing didn’t want to deceive Gu Zhongyi, so he clenched his teeth in pain, blaming his own incompetence.

But in that instant when he looked up, he froze.

In Gu Zhongyi’s eyes, there was never any hint of anger towards him. In those eyes, there was only endless hurt and blatant devastation.

At that moment, Gu Zhongyi was not the usual cold and aloof campus heartthrob, nor was he the gentle friend in Lin Yuxing’s eyes.

He was like a rain-soaked animal, wounded but not knowing where to go for healing.

“Yuxing,” Gu Zhongyi’s voice gradually became shaky. He didn’t want to force Lin Yuxing, so he restrained himself as much as possible, “I don’t want to interfere with your life. I just hope that I can help you, whether as your employer or… as your friend.”

He didn’t want Lin Yuxing to leave him, so he instinctively grabbed hold of Lin Yuxing’s wrist.

Gu Zhongyi’s gaze was affectionate, driven by jealousy, and he exposed his true feelings without reservation, “When you’re in trouble, I hope you can turn to me.”

He was afraid, afraid of missing the chance to save him once again.

The scent of bitter orange pheromones became intense, containing various emotions, all burning like a raging fire.

Lin Yuxing suddenly pulled his hand back, avoiding Gu Zhongyi’s scorching gaze. He stood up and took two steps back.

Gu Zhongyi looked at him in astonishment, speechless.

But Lin Yuxing didn’t avoid him because of disgust; he simply believed that Gu Zhongyi, just like him, was completely influenced by the pheromones to say such things.

In that way, he convinced himself that everything about Gu Zhongyi, his kindness and gentleness, had an explanation.

Lin Yuxing reproached himself inwardly. Even though Omegas were more sensitive to pheromones than Alphas, he had noticed the unusualness a long time ago but hadn’t taken the initiative to get the medication earlier.

Faced with Gu Zhongyi, who was completely influenced and seemed like a different person, Lin Yuxing’s selfishness began to crumble.

Lin Yuxing firmly believed that he and Gu Zhongyi were not suitable for each other.

Not only were there differences in wealth and status, but also in their bodies.

On Lin Yuxing’s back was a huge burn scar, a remnant of the suffering he endured in the orphanage during his childhood. It extended to the gland on the back of his neck, rotting and scarring, remaining hideous and haunting in Lin Yuxing’s self-doubt.

Anyone who saw it would be repulsed.

He was a freak in his childhood, struggling to survive in the shadows of the night.

Lin Yuxing closed his eyes, and his long eyelashes were like feathers drawn with ink.

He couldn’t bear it in his heart, thinking of Gu Zhongyi’s kindness towards him. After recalling all of it, he decided to spare innocent Gu Zhongyi.

If worse came to worst… He would ask Gu Zhongyi to post an announcement later, clarifying that they had already broken up. The money he had would be enough to get through next month. Winter break was coming soon, and he would apply for a vacation to stay at school and find more part-time jobs in the city.

Unexpectedly, before Lin Yuxing could avoid him, Gu Zhongyi made a move first.

Gu Zhongyi became determined and forceful.

He approached, stubbornly grabbing Lin Yuxing’s hand and refusing to let go as he asked, “This Alpha… it’s Xu Xiangchi, right?”

Lin Yuxing looked at him blankly, not understanding why he would bring up Xu Xiangchi.

In Lin Yuxing’s memory, Xu Xiangchi hadn’t appeared for a long time.

“Xu Xiangchi?”

Gu Zhongyi swallowed hard, his palm losing strength, and an undesired resentment appeared in his tone. “He’s still bothering you, after all.”

The last sentence was an affirmation.

Gu Zhongyi almost gave himself an answer and firmly clenched his teeth. “This time, I’ll deal with him.”

Rain started falling outside.

A sudden burst of anger ignited within Gu Zhongyi’s heart as he recalled memories from years ago–

It was also a rainy day, a funeral with few people, and a moment when Gu Zhongyi missed Lin Yuxing’s world.

Gu Zhongyi stood before a tombstone, nearly killing someone.

He angrily swung his fist in the rain, repeatedly hitting Xu Xiangchi’s detestable face. He resented Xu Xiangchi, resented why he had cruelly hurt the person he loved.

Torrential rain poured, and Gu Zhongyi gasped for breath.

Blood seeped from Xu Xiangchi’s mouth, his gaze empty, lying on the ground like a corpse.

After a long while, he hoarsely said, “He is highly compatible with me. He chases after me … I really wanted to give him to Young Master Gu, but there was no way, right?”

Xu Xiangchi achieved his wish when he saw the change in Gu Zhongyi’s pupils. He smirked provocatively and said, “He’s hanging onto you because you pay for his medical expenses. You’ve spent so much money on him… Is he willing to let you touch him even once? Have you tasted his flavor?”

“…Shut up, shut up!”

Gu Zhongyi swung his fist again like a madman, shattering the hurtful words.

Xu Xiangchi coughed up blood in pain. Unable to overpower Gu Zhongyi, he sneered maliciously, “Gu Zhongyi, if you love him so much, why not die with him?”

Another punch landed, and Gu Zhongyi’s eyes turned red.

Xu Xiangchi grabbed Gu Zhongyi’s collar, starting to fight back, not physically but with words. “Look at your pitiful existence. Should I tell you another secret?”

The heavy sound of rain merged with Xu Xiangchi’s hoarse voice as blood blended with the drops of rain. He whispered in Gu Zhongyi’s ear, “He is not the person you’re looking for at all. He’s just a little bastard who lies for medical expenses.”

Xu Xiangchi slurred his tone, “The person you’re looking for died a long time ago, just like this little bastard… dead… and… gone.”

Gu Zhongyi’s breathing grew heavy, and suddenly he lost all strength in his body. He murmured without stopping, “You’re lying…”

Xu Xiangchi pushed him away and struggled to stand up. “You fool, the person is already dead. Why would I lie to you?” He glanced at Gu Zhongyi in pain and retaliated, “I heard that people who look alike also have the same pheromones. If the person you’re looking for is still alive, would they have a high compatibility with me too?”

Xu Xiangchi clicked his tongue twice.

Gu Zhongyi lay in the rain, allowing Xu Xiangchi to stagger and leave without being able to catch up.

His heart broke, and his body ached as if bones were being crushed and flesh peeled.

The person he was looking for had died, completely vanishing from the world.

Tears mixed with rainwater streamed down Gu Zhongyi’s face as he grabbed onto the tombstone, completely consumed by grief. He desperately pleaded and interrogated, “Xu Xiangchi is lying, isn’t he? You told me before that Little Star is still alive, right?”

In the last three words, he gnashed his teeth.

But the dead couldn’t answer him.

The photo on the tombstone showed a face identical to Lin Yuxing’s, named Qu Xing, who passed away at the age of 28.

Gu Zhongyi’s face turned pale as he fell into a flashback, with the continuous calling of Lin Yuxing in his ears.

“Senior? Senior—”

Gu Zhongyi snapped back to reality, his body drenched in cold sweat, almost losing his balance.

Lin Yuxing held onto him and asked concernedly, “What’s wrong with you? You look terrible.”

Gu Zhongyi instinctively held onto Lin Yuxing and refused to let go. It was only when he confirmed that the hand he was holding was warm, not cold, that he trembled and slowly released his grip.

He was in a sorry state.

“I’m fine,” he said.

Gu Zhongyi realized he had lost control of himself and that he wasn’t in a suitable condition to be with Lin Yuxing. He turned to grab the car keys nearby and said, “Let’s go. It’s raining, and I’ll take you back to school.”

Although he said that, his mind was filled with thoughts on how to deal with Xu Xiangchi.

Regardless, the compatibility of pheromones was like a kind of poison, and he had to resolve the issue with Xu Xiangchi as soon as possible.

Even without his usual tenderness, Gu Zhongyi still wanted to give Lin Yuxing some reassurance. “I’ll handle the situation with Xu Xiangchi as soon as possible.”

Unexpectedly, Lin Yuxing asked in great confusion, “Why do you think it’s Xu Xiangchi? I don’t like his pheromones at all, so our compatibility must be low.”

“You don’t need to lie to me.” Gu Zhongyi didn’t want to hear Xu Xiangchi’s name from Lin Yuxing’s mouth, and his steps became heavier. “That idiot alpha who doesn’t know how to control his pheromones when he knows we’re in a relationship. I think he did it on purpose. Try to avoid him as much as possible. If there’s any problem, remember to tell me immediately.”

Lin Yuxing was completely confused.

Because of that, he no longer hid it and stopped Gu Zhongyi, who was about to open the door.

“Zhongyi?”

Lin Yuxing lowered his gaze and said dejectedly, “The idiot alpha you mentioned who can’t control his pheromones… it’s you.”

It was never Xu Xiangchi.

The car keys in Gu Zhongyi’s hand suddenly fell to the ground, and he stood fixed, unable to react.

Lin Yuxing quickly squatted down to pick them up and kindly advised him, “You’re not an idiot or terrible. Don’t scold yourself anymore.”