Chapter 38 “Youji, It Hurts Here.”
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Confessions and chasing someone were both firsts for Zhao Jiu.
Not to mention chasing someone, he had even fewer experiences of being pursued. People who liked him would often be rejected when confessing, and the few who persistently pursued him disappeared without a trace after being taught a lesson.
Dating is not like being on the battlefield. Zhao Jiu can predict the enemy’s trajectory through the ship’s angle, but he can’t fathom Song Youji’s thoughts. He lacked the talent and experience in this aspect, and is even more wary of Sang Tong, who seems to be better at pursuing people than him. After all, Sang Tong and Song Youji were friends in high school, and when they walked side by side, Zhao Jiu foolishly thought that his concern for Song Youji was just because he found him unpleasant.
Finally meeting Song Youji again, the two, for various reasons, skipped the dating part and directly engaged, cohabiting in bed, turning into an engagement that doesn’t seem like an engagement, and a relationship that’s not like a relationship.
The completely chaotic trajectory left Zhao Jiu even more confused about their current position.
Feeling a bit regretful, he already had trouble understanding this situation. If Sang Tong gets involved again, he might be taken away by Sang Tong before he can even pursue him. He said, “Sang Tong likes you… Until I pursue you, you can’t see him.”
Song Youji didn’t understand what Zhao Jiu was entangled with. He said, “This is our own matter, and it has nothing to do with others.”
“It does. You care more about him than me. That night, you left me to find him.” Zhao Jiu’s tone was sour.
Suddenly being reminded of old issues, Song Youji felt quite helpless. Taking a step forward, he grabbed Zhao Jiu’s collar, looked into his eyes, and said, “There was a reason for that night. Sang Tong confessed to me, but I already refused. As for our matter, I need time to sort out my feelings. After this matter is over, let’s talk again?”
Song Youji knew very well that he still had a soft spot for Zhao Jiu, which allowed him to straightforwardly reject Sang Tong and compromise repeatedly with Zhao Jiu.
If Zhao Jiu were smarter, he might be able to discern the hidden meaning in his words.
However, Zhao Jiu’s emotional intelligence in love was almost negative. Hearing that Sang Tong had confessed to Song Youji, he exploded, “When did this happen? That night?! You smelled like his pheromones that night. Besides confessing, did he do anything else? Did he hug you?!”
“…”
Song Youji began to doubt what he liked about this guy.
He let go of Zhao Jiu’s collar and turned to leave. “You figure it out for yourself.”
Not denying it was a silent confirmation. Did Sang Tong really hug him?!
The cunning Omega not only made Song Youji smell his glands, but also took advantage of his heat period to let Song Youji hold him!
The jealous Zhao Jiu hugged Song Youji tightly from behind, releasing his own pheromones, trying to make Song Youji smell only of him.
Song Youji, bewildered, tapped on his head a few times, saying, “Let go of me!”
Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Jiu kissed the back of Song Youji’s neck. After letting go, he looked at the satisfied Song Youji, who was now covered in his own pheromones, and said, “Okay, you can go find Sang Tong now.”
Blushing slightly, Song Youji sniffed his wrist but found no scent. “Childish.”
Squinting, Zhao Jiu let him speak.
**
Being treated as a suspect by the police, Sang Tong didn’t find it surprising. If Aud could get intelligence, people in the hospital were the most suspicious. Since he had contact with Yu Ran, he was the prime suspect.
After the questioning, the police found no issues with Sang Tong and released him back to the hospital. When he came out of the police station, Sang Tong saw Song Youji. Even before getting close, he smelled the scent of Alpha pheromones on him.
Sang Tong sneered inwardly. Zhao Jiu, this guy, not only has a strong guard, but he’s also so petty.
Song Youji waved to him, “Sang Tong! Let me take you back!”
Sang Tong got into Song Youji’s car. On the way, the two discussed Yu Ran being abducted, went through the list of people, but couldn’t figure out who leaked the information to Aud.
“The ones who knew about this, apart from me, Dr. Mond, and the director, are the nurses who did rounds yesterday. Their relationship with Aud is average, not to the extent of risking for him.” Sang Tong analyzed.
“Now I’m more concerned about why Aud took Yu Ran away. Yu Ran is still pregnant with his child. He shouldn’t be so crazy as to harm even his own flesh and blood?” Song Youji said.
Sang Tong showed a disdainful expression, “He might even be suspicious whether the child is his.”
“Isn’t Yu Ran’s situation very dangerous now?” Song Youji said.
Rubbing his temples, Sang Tong thought for a moment and said, “He’s a doctor; he should do a genetic test before taking any action.”
Genetic testing!
Sang Tong had a sudden insight, “There are only six devices in Xiaoman City that can perform genetic testing, and all are registered. If we pay attention to those who have done genetic testing these days, we might find Yu Ran’s whereabouts.”
The two informed the police of this information, and the police quickly contacted the relevant hospitals.
Song Youji asked Sang Tong, “Do you want to go back to the hospital or to your home?”
“Can I come to your place for a while?” Sang Tong asked. “I don’t want to go home.”
Song Youji was a bit embarrassed. Zhao Jiu should be at the police station now, but if he found out, he would definitely throw a tantrum.
Sang Tong teased, “If you’re worried about being discovered by Zhao Jiu, we can go somewhere else.”
Seeing through his thoughts, Song Youji felt a bit embarrassed. He changed the direction and headed towards the apartment. “What’s there to worry about?”
Sang Tong repeated his words, “Yeah, what’s there to worry about? It’s not like we’re having an affair.”
“…Stop making fun of me.” Song Youji smiled wryly with his head down.
Resting his head on the back of the seat, Sang Tong looked into the distance and said, “Youji, I’m not reconciled. I can’t figure out where I fall short compared to him. Because I’m an Omega…”
“No. This has nothing to do with whether you are an Omega or not.” Song Youji knew that Sang Tong still hadn’t let go of his hang-up about becoming an Omega. “You know, I’m a Beta. I can’t smell pheromones, but precisely because of this, all my choices are based on my inner feelings, not influenced by pheromones.”
“You must have heard about me and Zhao Jiu. I’m the second son at home, and although my parents love me, they paid more attention to my older brother and younger siblings. Later, when my father went to prison, my mother, to save him, sent me to Zhao Jiu’s bed.”
Song Youji’s voice trembled. Some things, when kept in the heart for a long time, were thought to have become light and easy, but when spoken out loud, he realized that he would still feel palpitations.
“Just like what the media wrote, even if I was unaware in advance, I am still a member of the Song family. The hat of a fraudulent marriage is on my head, and I can’t take it off even if I want to. If that night had been someone else, I might have been considered a scheming fraudster, but Zhao Jiu is different. He believes in me. I said I didn’t know about my mother’s plan, and he didn’t even doubt, just believed in me. He isn’t afraid that I might be a good actor.”
Song Youji chuckled self-mockingly. Looking back now, he found that Zhao Jiu’s foolishness was traceable.
“To be honest, if it weren’t for Zhao Jiu, I might have chosen to end my life in humiliation.” Song Youji’s tone lightened from heaviness, he took a deep breath, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. “Actually, deep down, Zhao Jiu is a very gentle person.”
Fortunately, he encountered Zhao Jiu at that time. Even if Zhao Jiu hadn’t realized his feelings back then, he still chose to believe in Song Youji.
After hearing Song Youji’s words, Sang Tong also had the same thought deep in his heart: Fortunately, Song Youji met Zhao Jiu, Zhao Jiu, who had liked him for many years. If it had been someone else, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Sang Tong wiped away tears, forced a smile, and said, “Zhao Jiu, gentle? I think you’re blinded by love.”
“Let’s forget I said that.” Zhao Jiu’s many behaviors indeed had nothing to do with gentleness.
Sang Tong laughed twice, “It seems I really have no chance.”
He missed out on Song Youji’s joys and sorrows over the years and didn’t accompany him during the most painful moments. Losing to Zhao Jiu was his own fault.
The two naturally moved on from this topic. Song Youji asked, “What do you want to eat tonight? Let me cook for you and taste my skills.”
“Oh, it seems you’re quite confident in your skills.”
“Leaving aside other things, it’s definitely better than what you get at the restaurant.”
“Then I should start ordering. Let me judge.”
The two went to the supermarket, and when they came back, it was close to seven. Song Youji gave the keys to Sang Tong and asked him to take the groceries upstairs while he went to park the car.
When he finished parking and came back, he found the front door of the house open, groceries scattered on the floor, and sounds of a scuffle inside.
Zhao Jiu came back early from the police station and didn’t wait for Song Youji. He encountered Sang Tong holding keys at the door, and the rest could be imagined.
He was somewhat sensible and knew not to make a scene in the corridor. He waited until they entered the apartment before confronting Sang Tong.
When Song Youji intervened, Sang Tong was unharmed, but Zhao Jiu had some marks on his face, a punch on the corner of his mouth.
“He attacked me first; I acted in self-defense.” Sang Tong said.
Zhao Jiu snorted, approached Song Youji, and complained, “He provoked me first.”
One calm and one aggrieved, Song Youji sighed deeply and threw the groceries at them. “Go wash the vegetables! If you’re going to quarrel, get out of my house.”
Sang Tong went to wash the vegetables, and Zhao Jiu stayed in the living room to tidy up the mess they had made. Song Youji sat on the sofa, watching them with a sharp gaze.
“Youji, you sneakily went to see him, and you even brought him here. What do you want to do behind my back?” Zhao Jiu circled behind Song Youji, sniffed the reduced scent on him, feeling somewhat displeased.
“Just having a meal together, discussing Yu Ran’s situation.”
“Why discuss it at home?”
“This is my home!”
Song Youji tapped Zhao Jiu’s forehead, “Go pack your things.”
“I knew you were biased, always siding with him.”
“Who asked you to talk so much.”
Zhao Jiu, with a gloomy face, moved behind Song Youji and intentionally, in front of Sang Tong, planted a kiss on Song Youji’s face. Seeing Sang Tong’s defeated expression, Zhao Jiu was satisfied before going to pack his things.
Sang Tong increasingly felt that Song Youji was blind. How did he end up with such a childish guy?
Cooking, Song Youji and Sang Tong chatted and laughed, but Zhao Jiu, full of jealousy, interrupted multiple times, and eventually, Song Youji forcefully kicked him out of the kitchen with a spatula.
At the dinner table, the atmosphere between the two was still tense. However, it was mostly Zhao Jiu’s one-sided angry glares. Sang Tong, calm and composed, even commented on Song Youji’s cooking. He also enjoyed cooking himself. Compared to Zhao Jiu, who grew up drinking nutritional supplements, Sang Tong could be considered a professional.
Seeing the two laughing and chatting, Zhao Jiu couldn’t take it anymore. Taking advantage of Song Youji going to the bathroom, he blocked the person inside.
“You, are, not, allowed, to, talk, to, him, again.” Zhao Jiu said each word distinctly, an overwhelming aura of jealousy swept through.
Song Youji, pressed against the washbasin, anxiously glanced at the glass door, “Are you crazy? Hurry up and get out; Sang Tong is still outside.”
Zhao Jiu reached into Song Youji’s clothes, gently pinched, and made Song Youji go soft. “It’s okay; I don’t mind letting him know.”
With that, he sealed Song Youji’s lips with a kiss.
When the two came out, Sang Tong had already finished eating. He calmly glanced at the red marks on Song Youji’s neck and smiled, “Took quite a long time.”
Blushing, Song Youji adjusted his collar, “I’ll change my clothes.”
With a red face, he fled the scene.
Zhao Jiu sat on the table with a full-faced smile, “How’s my wife’s cooking?”
“Before you’ve pursued him, you already call him a wife. Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Dr. Sang was rejected, but he still meddles in other people’s affairs. Why do you care so much about others’ business?”
Sang Tong bit his lip and said, “Youji is a good person. Treat him well.”
“No need for you to say.” Zhao Jiu replied.
Song Youji came out of the bedroom, finding the two somehow coexisting peacefully. Although the atmosphere was still oppressive, and there was no eye contact, at least it wasn’t as tense as before.
Perhaps it was because Zhao Jiu was full and satisfied, he figured things out. Song Youji had rejected Sang Tong’s confession, but allowed physical closeness. That meant he and Sang Tong were different.
Since they were not on the same level, he didn’t need to pay any attention to Sang Tong.
After a calm dinner, in Song Youji’s living room, the three of them started discussing the case of Yu Ran.
Zhao Jiu shared his speculation, “Aud’s escape and your discovery of Tao Tao happened on the same day. He had weapons, indicating it’s not just a simple escape and kidnapping. I think it’s related to the NL organization.”
“But what is their purpose in helping Aud?” Song Youji also had this thought. Everything seemed too coincidental. Just as he arrived in Xiaoman City, Jia Chengan received information about Tao Tao, they entered the prison, and Aud escaped. It seemed like someone had carefully planned it.
“It’s hard to say. This organization initially aimed for gland modification, but after discovering the side effects, their experiments stopped… Perhaps they stayed in Xiaoman City to find a way to eliminate the side effects?” He had received information about the NL organization reactivating Area C, but after the Eagle Wing Team verified it, they found out it had long been abandoned. The janitor he caught was just passing through.
Now, thinking back, there might have been someone going back to find the research data at that time, exposing traces.
Suddenly, Sang Tong spoke, “The side effects you mentioned after gland modification, does it refer to a shortened lifespan?”
Song Youji nodded, “Yes.”
“In that case, a year ago, the hospital received a strange case. The person was in their early fifties, but all organs in the body had failed. We couldn’t find the cause after a long investigation. Moreover, that person was very uncooperative with treatment. He was a Beta but refused treatment from Alpha doctors in the hospital and refused further examinations. After staying in the hospital for two months, he passed away. I remember him well because he recognized me as an Omega the first time he saw me.”
In general, without releasing pheromones, it’s challenging for ordinary people to distinguish between Alpha and Omega. However, that Beta patient confirmed his identity at first sight.
“It’s the gland.” Song Youji said, “Qiao Si told me he learned a method from his brother to distinguish AO through glands. His brother is a member of the NL organization.”
Sure enough, NL organization members had conducted gland modification experiments in Xiaoman City.
Tao Tao, Yu Ran, NL organization… these clues formed an impenetrable web, enveloping Song Youji and making him uneasy.
At night, after seeing off Sang Tong, Song Youji returned home with a heavy heart. He found Zhao Jiu lying on the sofa, tilting his head back with closed eyes, hands crossed over his chest, looking peaceful.
“What are you doing?” Song Youji asked him.
Zhao Jiu opened his eyes, pointing to the wound on his lips, “Youji, it hurts here.”
“Such a small injury can hurt you?”
“When you kissed me just now, you were too hard, and it cracked. It hurts a lot, Youji.”
Zhao Jiu covered his mouth, leaning into Song Youji’s arms, “It hurts a lot, can’t sleep.”
The author has something to say:
Zero love skills, full points in green tea talent.
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