Chapter 51: Three Flavors
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Such reflexes and the coordination of muscles and bones, different from the sturdy beta, made An Lan confirm once again that the person overseeing him was an alpha.
Fortunately, it was an alpha; otherwise, they would be immune to pheromone influence.
An Lan didn’t know his own capabilities, but he would give his best, and even if he failed, they wouldn’t likely kill him.
After a few laps, the numbness in An Lan’s legs disappeared, but the person still refused to remove the blindfold. When An Lan was finally returned to the chair and had his hands and ankles restrained again, someone else entered the room.
A tingling sensation in his arm signaled that they were collecting his blood again, not injecting anything into him.
After that, the entire room fell into prolonged silence.
“Play some music,” An Lan said.
“Hey, that’s rare. I thought you wouldn’t talk to me at all,” the person’s voice carried a strong teasing tone.
“Forget it if you don’t want to.”
“Now, you must be thinking about who we are. Will playing music disturb your thoughts?”
An Lan replied, “Thinking is based on clues. Without clues, all thoughts are just imagination. It’s better to listen to music to pass the time.”
Applause rang out.
“I really like kids like you. If you didn’t already have a little boyfriend, I would personally mark you.”
So, this person was an alpha, but it was also possible they were pretending to be an alpha to confuse others.
An Lan ignored him and leaned back against the chair.
Soon, the room filled with heavy metal music, screams, and shouts as if planting bombs in the heart and lungs, ready to explode.
This guy played rock to create chaos in An Lan’s thinking, making him restless.
It was a battle without gun smoke, seeing who would be the first to give in and reveal more information.
An Lan didn’t mind; after all, he didn’t fully understand his own situation.
The other side, on the contrary, had to be more careful not to say what shouldn’t be said.
Although he didn’t usually like rock, An Lan decided to appreciate the charm of rock now.
His fingers gently tapped the armrest, following the rhythm. His toes also tapped the ground from time to time, seemingly merging with the music.
He wasn’t in a hurry, and the other person was patient.
After one rock song ended, it switched to a slow and melodious blues, carrying a lazy and ambiguous fluctuation, slowly circulating in the room.
“An Lan, let’s have a chat.”
An Lan smiled, “What do we have to chat about?”
“Xu Xingran, Gu Liyu, and Xiao Chen, whom do you like the most?” the person asked.
Indeed, because he was closer to these three Alphas, he suspected that one of them had bitten him.
However, An Lan always remembered the man at Gu Yunyi’s art exhibition, the one who passed by him in the restroom and hooked his collar, saying, “It’s healing.” He was an alpha, and it was highly likely that he was the one who had bitten An Lan.
“They are my friends,” An Lan replied.
“Friends, huh… So, which one’s pheromones do you feel the most?” the person asked again.
An Lan smiled, “Who would bother releasing pheromones for me.”
“Sometimes, they release them for you, but their techniques are smooth, making you unaware. Or alphas’ pheromones are different from those during the sensitive period, and you can’t distinguish. We specifically simulated the pheromone scents of a few of them. Would you like to recall?”
The person’s tone was casual, like inviting An Lan to taste the difference between coffee and black tea.
An uncontrollable tremor passed through An Lan’s heart, although his facial expression remained unchanged.
He had always wanted to smell the pheromones of the three, but he hadn’t expected it to happen in this situation.
At this moment, someone entered, sticking something on An Lan. He immediately understood that the person wanted to observe his breathing, heartbeat, and even pulse to judge his reactions to various pheromone scents.
The one that caused the most noticeable fluctuations in An Lan’s heartbeat and pulse might be the alpha who had bitten him.
It was truly insidious.
“Don’t worry, what we can simulate is only the scent of their pheromones, not the actual composition. So… you won’t have a stress reaction, and… won’t feel oppressed by the pheromones of a stronger alpha. Am I considerate enough?”
An Lan tried to calm his heartbeat, but some emotions were uncontrollable.
“Tsk tsk, why so nervous now? I haven’t released their pheromone scents yet.”
An Lan swallowed, feeling that the person who attached the sensing patches had left. The room was silent, with only him remaining.
He finally understood why there was no scent in the room and why even the person who came in had no scent.
The purpose was to purify his sense of smell, making his reactions to simulated pheromone scents most direct.
“Let’s start with the gentlest one. The Xu family’s upbringing holds the highest reputation among alpha families, given their diplomatic background. You should quite like the scent of Xu Xingran.”
The room gradually filled with a fresh and mellow fragrance, rich and steady, exuding a poised elegance that intricately wrapped around Anlan’s nerves, lingering in a subtle dance, reappearing just when Anlan thought it was dissipating.
This scent… An Lan had smelled it before…
It was like that time when he and Xu Xingran had supper together… Xu Xingran got close, and An Lan was dazed.
This fragrance awakened An Lan’s feelings at that moment, as if gentle fingerprints left by time, filling the voids and gaps in his heart. Trees formed amber over thousands of years, burning with sparks as they touched every pore of An Lan. The consciousness was pulled out of the body with the gentle fragrance swaying.
An Lan remembered that day, in the bustling night market, people coming and going. Xu Xingran slowly approached him, as if falling from a height into the human fireworks. An Lan’s heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively clenched his fist, telling himself not to be misled by this simulated pheromone scent.
Its purpose was to evoke his memories.
Gu Liyu had said that all sensations, whether it was an omega’s desire for alpha pheromones or an alpha being enticed by omega pheromones, were reactions of the brain. As long as his brain didn’t analyze and identify the scent, he wouldn’t be confused by it.
At this moment, the gentle and lingering woody amber fragrance, as if burned intensely, sparks colliding with the air, became intense and even full of conquering desire.
This should be the scent of Xu Xingran during his susceptible period.
Xu Xingran was always gentle and polite, but every gentle person had a suppressed side. When composure and elegance were burnt away, what remained was probably the desire for sensory control.
An Lan told himself not to be influenced, shifting his brain’s attention.
Think of other things, things that relax you.
If this organization hadn’t interfered, they would be eating hot pot together.
He would stir-fry the hot pot ingredients in the pot before boiling it.
Everyone sitting together, various ingredients put into the pot to cook together. The duck intestines Xu Xingran wanted, the fish tofu Xiao Chen prepared for his sister, and the bamboo shoots Gu Liyu favored, all the mouth-watering flavors…
Thinking about it, a gentle smile slowly appeared on An Lan’s lips, and his heart rate became calm and steady.
“Looks like Xu Xingran is too gentle. The musk of the Xiao family is quite famous. I wonder if you prefer something more exciting.”
The exhaust system in the room began to operate. Although the sound was not loud, An Lan still heard the buzzing.
In less than a minute, the scent of woody amber dissipated, and the air gradually became intensely spicy. The scent seemed to have its own will, refusing to adhere to any fixed pattern, filled with a sense of control yet not repulsive. This should be the musk scent of the Xiao family?
An Lan recalled the time at the Observing Mountain and Sea Shooting Club when Xiao Chen and Xiao Nan competed with each other’s pheromones in the changing room, but he was protected.
It should be Xiao Chen. He still remembered the scent like burning tobacco, not irritating but full of the vitality of running in the mountains and forests, as if wanting to take An Lan to boldly see the world.
Gradually, this scent became stronger, the air becoming dry. The sun hung high above the desert, as if wanting to destroy all living things.
Is this the scent of Xiao Chen during his susceptible period?
If this were real pheromones and not a simulated scent, An Lan had no doubt that he would suffocate.
But even in his anger, Xiao Chen did not forget to protect An Lan, and An Lan was not afraid at all because of his susceptible period.
In the estimation that they were eating hot pot together, he was probably the type who would take care of others.
The other party waited for a long time, but An Lan’s heartbeat remained steady. He even turned his face as if enjoying an aromatic spa.
“Then let’s try the Gu family. I’m really looking forward to your reaction. You should know that the Gu family is the most famous crazy family among alpha families.”
Almost every generation of the Gu family had alphas who were exceptional and were consumed by their own pheromones. In the Gu family, mediocrity might be the most fortunate thing.
An Lan’s fingers trembled unconsciously. He knew Gu Liyu’s pheromones, and in this world, besides him, probably no one else had unabashedly smelled Gu Liyu’s pheromones.
It was precisely because of familiarity that it was most difficult to conceal.
Even after so many days, occasionally recalling that crisp and profound ocean ambergris, An Lan couldn’t help but feel the sensation of drifting in seawater.
Seaweed danced, embracing the proliferation of life, distant glaciers melted and intertwined with warm oceans, forming layers of captivating scents, along with a deep sense of mystery, as if there were countless words unable to express, only to entrust vast and boundless possibilities, inviting the other to listen attentively.
“Your heart is beating so fast?” the teasing voice of the other person rang out.
An Lan turned his face and smiled, “Because I’m curious.”
It meant, I haven’t smelled Gu Liyu’s pheromones.
Anyway, you lied to me, and I lied to you. We owe each other nothing.
“Is that so? Then, this time, feel it well.”
A vast and wild scent surged into the space, ocean waves surged and roared. The originally fresh and distant scent of seaweed struggled helplessly. The brain’s nerves seemed to be conquered and submerged by this scent, surging deeper layer by layer.
Followed by the rise in heat, the salty and stuffy scent of seawater conquered the air, soaring up and freezing the heavens and earth.
A sense of fear surged in An Lan’s heart. Breathing was sealed, unable to think, and a helpless sense of powerlessness struck as if he couldn’t struggle. An Lan subconsciously gripped the back of his chair.
The heartbeat became faster and faster, but from the tense line of An Lan’s lips, it was evident that this scent had no attraction for him. It even brought only resistance and fear.
“It seems that you dislike this scent the most.”
The voice of the other person sounded, and the scent in the room was quickly expelled. An Lan, like a drowning person finally reaching the shore, took a deep breath.
“But you remember this scent. It left a deep impression on you.”
After almost half a minute, An Lan’s heartbeat returned to normal.
He spoke coldly, “This scent is very similar to someone from the Gu family… but are you sure this is simulating Gu Liyu’s pheromones?”
Gu Liyu had mentioned that even if all alphas in a family had the same pheromone scent, there would be significant differences due to different personalities, constitutions, and the feelings of the released individuals.
Gu Yunli’s pheromones were domineering and full of a desire for control, while Gu Liyu’s pheromones… were beautiful.
In his pheromones, An Lan could imagine everything most beautiful about the ocean.
Gu Yunli’s ocean was very dangerous, but Gu Liyu gave people a sense of security.
The other person had completed probing with three types of pheromones; now it was An Lan’s turn.
“You know Gu Yunli, right?” An Lan spoke.
This was the first question he had asked since being brought here.
The other party had been trying to extract information from An Lan, and now it was An Lan’s turn to probe.
“You understand his pheromone characteristics so well. Have you been suppressed by his pheromones… or are you an omega, attracted by his pheromones?”
An Lan asked with a smirk.
This man who was monitoring An Lan seemed confident and accustomed to controlling the situation. If he didn’t want to show weakness, he should immediately answer An Lan, but he seemed to be stuck.
Before Gu Yunli went insane, he was already a legendary figure among alphas.
This person simulated Gu Yunli’s pheromone scent at least seventy percent accurately, maybe he had some kind of admiration for Gu Yunli.
Since that was the case, An Lan decided to go against the grain and stimulate him.
“Gu Yunli’s pheromone scent doesn’t deserve to represent the Gu family. If an outstanding alpha is conquered by his own pheromones, he’s just a failure.”
“Shut up, you don’t understand him.” The other person’s voice became cold.
“Of course, I don’t understand him. But I have seen him go crazy, and I have personally experienced his mad and raging pheromones. He’s just a complete lunatic.”
“You’ve never truly met him. Unmoved by fame and fortune, composed…” The other person seemed to realize something, abruptly stopping, “He’s a complete madman, then why are you still so close to Gu Liyu? An Lan, I underestimated you; you’re trying to trap me with your words.”
An Lan leaned back with a smile, facing the other person with a very relaxed posture.
“Yeah, I’m still sitting at the same table with Gu Liyu. Have you ever sat at the same table with Gu Yunli? Have you played basketball with him? Did you ride bikes home from school together? If not, then you’re really pathetic, as even if Gu Yunli, who hasn’t gone insane, is outstanding, it has nothing to do with you.”
“Wait until you become a pure omega, and we’ll look forward to whether Gu Liyu can still sit at the same table with you, play basketball together, and ride bikes innocently to and from school. Maybe he will be even more ruthless than Gu Yunli.”
An Lan could sense that this person held admiration for Gu Yunli but displayed complete disdain toward Gu Liyu, who inherited the bloodline of Gu Yunli.
“Alright, it’s time to sleep. Goodnight, little friend.”
The crackling sound of the radio stopped, and the other person closed the communication between them.
The entire room was so quiet that only An Lan’s breathing could be heard, but An Lan was even more confused.
What kind of relationship does this person have with Gu Yunli?
Although An Lan hadn’t paid much attention to the gossip of alpha families before, Gu Yunli was too famous. He was stable and wise before going insane. How could he suddenly go mad during his wife’s childbirth?
If he managed to get out smoothly, he must inform Gu Liyu about this.
Digging into and investigating Gu Yunli’s past might reveal new clues about this organization.
But the problem is… the probability of him getting out smoothly is really low.
An Lan closed his eyes, distinguishing all the sounds in the darkness and silence.
Although this room was well-sealed, when An Lan focused one hundred and twenty thousand percent of his attention to distinguish, he could hear very faint breathing outside the room.
There were two people guarding outside the door.
Footsteps sounded, indicating a change of guards.
So even if he managed to subdue one person, he wouldn’t be able to handle the other.
Physical confrontation was not an option, so how about using pheromones?
During these days, An Lan had been using the special pheromone-enhancing drugs sent by the Alpha Management Committee, and his pheromone concentration had increased significantly.
Perhaps he could succeed by taking advantage of their unpreparedness, but… this could only be used once and had to be a decisive blow. Otherwise, if the other party noticed, they might inject him with some random drugs.
At this moment, Gu Liyu, Xu Xingran, and others were still accompanying An Lan’s parents.
It was already past midnight, but there was still no news.
An Lan’s mother washed her face with tears, blaming herself incessantly, “I should have gone home to cook for him tonight… then he wouldn’t have gone to the supermarket. I don’t even want him to become some alpha; I just want him to be a happy and healthy beta. Why do these people always target my child? My son hasn’t done anything wrong!”
The author has something to say:
Child An finally smells three scents without spending money, hooray for saving money!
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