“Chapter 121”

"Chapter 121"

"Next patient, please—"

Dongkui poured himself a glass of water, blowing on it to cool it down, his eyes slightly vacant.

Having provided mental guidance to three Alphas in a morning, the immense effort left Dongkui, an A-grade healing Omega, somewhat exhausted. But whenever he felt tired, he would watch Queqiu's video, revitalized by the Omega's clear voice and serious demeanor.

Clenching his fist, Dongkui silently cheered himself on, preparing to see the next patient.

The sound of the clinic door opening was followed by footsteps. Soon, a shadow fell across his desk.

Busy with his task and without looking up, Dongkui asked, "Name, genetic grade, ability?"

"Liu Changming, genetic grade—oh, do you mean in combat or healing? B-grade Omega for combat; A-grade Qingliu Omega for healing. Ability—let's keep it a secret."

Expecting an Alpha patient, Dongkui was startled by the familiar voice. His body felt weak, a chill running down his spine.

He abruptly looked up, and upon recognizing the visitor, he froze, unable to move.

Liu Changming's smile was gentle, his gaze affectionate like an elder's, all focused on Dongkui.

He casually asked, "Busy lately?"

Unsure why Liu Changming was there and if his hospital decision had angered him, Dongkui barely glanced at him before lowering his head, stammering, "Sorry, I just saw other Omega students—"

Liu Changming, anticipating Dongkui's timid response, chuckled and turned off the playing video. Dongkui paled at the action.

"Don't be nervous, I'm not here to blame you or question your decision to join the public hospital," Liu Changming said unexpectedly, not turning off the video but watching it with interest.

"He's an impressive little Omega," he commented, "probably an idol to you youngsters now, right?"

Confused about Liu Changming's visit and his attitude towards Queqiu, Dongkui felt compelled to lie, "No, not really, I—"

Biting his lip, Dongkui internally apologized to Queqiu while he spoke, feeling like he had betrayed him.

"I will always adhere to your teachings."

Liu Changming set down the star brain and walked behind Dongkui, patting the Omega's soft hair with satisfaction: "Good boy."

Where he was touched felt as if a cold snake had slithered over, causing a disturbing chill. Dongkui had barely relaxed when Liu Changming's next words sent his heart racing again.

"Go to the examination table."

Those few words felt like a cold splash of water, chilling Dongkui from head to toe.

He was so frightened that he momentarily went deaf, his face pale, lips trembling.

Dongkui thought his mind went blank with fear for several minutes, but it was only a few seconds. Regaining composure, he numbly walked to the examination table and lay down stiffly.

Despite being terrified to the core, he didn't dare to resist at all.

This equipment was meant for patients, but now, as Dongkui lay on the cold table, the overhead surgery lights glaring down, memories he wished to forget flooded back like a tidal wave, engulfing him in their tumultuous tide.

He couldn't recall how many times he was carried to the operating table by the experimenters, the pain and helplessness of feeling his skin sliced open by a cold scalpel, or the countless times he lay under the harsh light, tears of despair streaming down as he helplessly gazed into those black, bottomless eyes above him.

Back then, Dongkui was as vulnerable as a newborn. His most profound memory of the research institute, aside from the constant pain of his body being physically altered, was of Liu Changming, always smiling with an icy cold gaze.

Although injected with substances that restricted his movement and speech, Dongkui could always sense that Liu Changming, like him, was an Omega; and so were the specimens in the culture dishes.

From the moment Dongkui awoke in the lab with a consciousness, he could never understand why his own kind, who should have supported each other, acted like demons from hell, inflicting such horrifying, cruel acts on their fellow Omegas.

His time at the research institute was the most hopeless and powerless period of his life. Now, facing Liu Changming in the same posture, Dongkui felt as if he had returned to that hopeless situation once again.

Tears streamed down Dongkui's cheeks as Liu Changming treated him like an inanimate test subject, flipping and examining him indifferently.

"Your recovery is excellent in all aspects, with no signs of mutation," Liu Changming said, smiling and calling his name, "Dongkui, compared to those failed experiments, you are a fortunate Omega."

Fortunate?

Tears flowing, Dongkui questioned himself, echoing Liu Changming's words in his mind.

If he was truly fortunate, why was he the one used as an experimental subject, the one enduring such excruciating pain, the one who could never escape this demon?

Seeing Dongkui's tears, Liu Changming leaned down gently to wipe them away, whispering in his ear, "Why cry? What we are doing is a great endeavor."

When Dongkui showed no reaction, Liu Changming smiled, "I know where you most want to be – with that little Omega, right?"

At these words, Dongkui trembled with fear that Liu Changming might harm Queqiu, quickly denying, "No, I haven't!"

Liu Changming pressed on, "Relax. I've said it before, I have no intention of opposing that Omega. Your admiration and affection for him mean nothing to me."

"In fact, I can even help you get closer to him—"

Liu Changming's gentle voice was like the poisoned apple that tempted Snow White, drawing out the faint hope buried in Dongkui's heart. Under such seductive words, he quickly forgot the fear and dread he had just experienced. It seemed as if hearing that name could make all difficulties and hardships disappear instantly.

Now, Dongkui had only one thought: Could he really stay by Queqiu's side?

Clinging to an unrealistic hope, the Sunflower Omega eagerly asked a devil for confirmation, "R-really? You can really help me get close to Queqiu?"

Liu Changming's deep black eyes stared intently at Dongkui, effortlessly piercing through his innermost thoughts, his tone incredibly gentle, "Of course, it's true. You know, the royal family has established the Omega Joint Committee, which has vacancies. They need you now. If you want to go, I can arrange for you to be Queqiu's assistant. That way, you can work with the Omega you admire."

Dongkui was naturally thrilled, but he also knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. If someone was willing to go through so much trouble for him, they must have ulterior motives.

With this realization, he cooled his enthusiasm slightly.

Dongkui sat up from the examination table, dressing himself while speaking, "During the recent military academy team competition, you deliberately had me use a catalyst before the match, causing all Alphas and Omegas in the simulated battlefield to enter a collective mating season. Although it ended without disaster, the royal family set up an investigation team. As the source of the pheromone chaos, I was interrogated more than once. Even though they didn't find anything on me, I'm probably not trusted anymore."

Gathering courage, Dongkui looked up at Liu Changming, meeting his gaze, "Which means, I'm no longer of any use to you. If you want me to be an undercover agent, even if you arrange a high position for me, I won't have access to core information. On the contrary, it might even alert others."

"So..." He didn't want to cause harm to Queqiu and mustered the last bit of courage he had, prepared to refuse any requests that might come his way.

Liu Changming couldn't help but laugh, "An undercover agent? I never said that."

He even playfully scolded Dongkui, "Look at you, always thinking so poorly of me. I just want to fulfill a little wish of yours, nothing more."

But the more Liu Changming said this, the more puzzled Dongkui became: Nothing in return?

How could there be such a good deal?

Seeing the distrust in Dongkui's eyes, Liu Changming didn’t feel offended. Instead, he maintained his pleasant demeanor and said, "Regardless of what you think, you'll soon get your wish."

"Before that, come back to the research institute with me."

Dongkui immediately became alert, his body instinctively distancing itself from Liu Changming, eyeing him warily.

Liu Changming found this amusing, "Why so nervous? I just want to take you back to the institute and give you something."

Dongkui fell silent. Since waking up in the cultivation vessel at the institute, his mind had been a blank slate, unaware of his past identity and everything that had transpired.

He didn’t even know what he had lost, let alone have any recollection of what Liu Changming meant by "returning" something to him.

However, Liu Changming seemed to be telling the truth. He did use his power to place Dongkui in the Omega Joint Committee as Queqiu's assistant.

Dongkui had his doubts. The Liu Changming he knew was cunning and ruthless, more like a calculating businessman than a scientist, never engaging in a losing deal.

Yet, this time, Liu Changming did exactly as he said, not forcing Dongkui to do anything against his conscience, nor assigning any tasks, not even uttering a word of advice before letting him go, as if bestowing an act of mercy.

—If only he truly had a change of heart, that would be great.

But the fear was, he had other plans.

The more normal Liu Changming acted, the more uneasy Dongkui felt. He didn’t want to be an accomplice in wrongdoing, but he knew he was always just a powerless pawn at the mercy of this man.

He racked his brain but couldn’t figure out Liu Changming's intentions this time, let alone how to guard against them.

Dongkui was filled with anxiety, but the moment he saw Queqiu emerge from the meeting room, all his worries vanished into thin air, his mind and eyes filled only with this exceptional Omega.

Queqiu was instructing a Beta assistant on the details of the meeting. As he walked out, he noticed the Sunflower Omega hesitantly standing near a landscape tree, clutching a stack of documents, not daring to come forward.

The man’s face was filled with expectation, his bright, dog-like eyes brimming with admiration, impossible for Queqiu to ignore.

Queqiu paused, nodded to his Beta assistant, signaling that he could leave.

"Okay, Chief, I will organize the meeting points as soon as possible."

"Send them to my star-brain once done, and arrange the subsequent agendas."

The Beta assistant respectfully nodded and said, "Yes."

After the Beta assistant left, Queqiu approached Dongkui.

Here he comes!

Dongkui wanted to greet Queqiu, but hesitated, aware of the disparity in their status and identity.

Unexpectedly, Queqiu took the initiative to walk towards him.

Dongkui's face flushed instantly, feeling thrilled and joyful, a stark contrast to the fear and apprehension he showed around Liu Changming.

Instinctively, he relied on the Rose Omega before him, wishing to be even closer.

"H-hello—"

Nervous to the point of stumbling over his words, Dongkui was embarrassed by his awkward start and bowed his head, unable to meet Queqiu's gaze.

Queqiu responded indifferently, then his gaze fell on the Sunflower Omega's neck gland, exposed due to his lowered head.

He clearly saw a slightly grotesque scar on what should have been smooth, unblemished skin.

That was a mark left by some type of injection.

"The team competition incident didn't affect you, did it?"

Queqiu was naturally referring to the collective mating season incident. As one of the people involved, he knew better than anyone that it was not an accident, but a conspiracy to reveal his true identity.

Even the mastermind could very well be this Sunflower Omega before him.

Yet, Queqiu was also certain and trusted his sharp intuition: this person was not like Jacky, driven by insatiable greed and inhuman ambition.

His eyes were clear, untainted by evil.

Even if Dongkui was indeed involved in the whole process, he must not have participated willingly, and there must be someone else behind it all – perhaps the real culprit.

For some reason, a figure suddenly flashed through Queqiu's mind.

He frowned, looking at Dongkui, pondering whether he had any connection with Liu Changming, the director of the Genetic Research Institute.

If there was a connection, what role did Liu Changming play in it all?

All of this was shrouded in mystery, and Dongkui might just be the key to unraveling it.

Faced with Queqiu’s friendly inquiry, Dongkui thought he had misheard and abruptly looked up in astonishment, meeting his gaze—

Dongkui had assumed that he and Queqiu were merely acquaintances who had met a few times, but unexpectedly, Queqiu’s first words were a concern for his well-being.

But after the initial surprise, Dongkui was seized by intense fear and regret—he had almost caused a catastrophe. If it weren’t for the Omega before him intervening in time, so many participants in the team competition would have...

Dongkui didn’t dare to think further. The more he thought about it, the more he felt unworthy of standing before Queqiu.

He thought self-deprecatingly that he was just a test subject with nothing to his name, a mere accomplice and henchman of Liu Changming. Meanwhile, Queqiu was the most sought-after Omega in the empire, with such a noble and special status, holding such an important position. Although both were Omegas, there was a world of difference between them.

"I-I'm fine..."

Barely lifting his head for a few seconds, Dongkui quickly lowered it again in panic, afraid of Queqiu seeing the turmoil in his heart, and even more afraid of him seeing the hidden, dirty side of himself.

"The committee said they arranged a new assistant for me. I didn’t expect it to be you," Queqiu said. "The documents you’re holding are exactly what I need. Come with me."

Clutching the documents tightly, Dongkui stuttered, "W-where are we going?"

"To my place."

With that, Queqiu started walking.

Dongkui stood frozen for a moment before quickly following.

For some unspoken reasons, Marshal Duan Chensen indulged himself by intentionally setting up the headquarters of the Omega Joint Committee in the palace, so he could see his beloved wife at any time.

And Queqiu’s residence was in his main hall.

Or to be more specific, he lived in his room, sharing the same bed.

The relationship between Queqiu and Marshal Duan Chensen was no secret; almost all the palace attendants knew about it, and the nobility, who closely monitored the royal family, were also aware.

The two were often seen together, and although Queqiu would ask Marshal Duan Chensen to maintain his marshal demeanor in public, their intimate and sticky atmosphere was evident even without words, making everyone around them understand—

The Marshal and the Chief were a couple.

A loving, sweet couple at that.

But Dongkui was unaware of these details.

He was astonished when brought to the main hall of the palace, looking at the lavish and exquisite decorations around him, too nervous to even move. He would only act after Queqiu spoke, sitting quietly on the bench in the anteroom when asked to wait.

From meeting Queqiu to being brought into his residence, and now waiting outside, Dongkui was incredibly excited throughout. He didn’t understand why he was so reliant on Queqiu. His feelings seemed much deeper than his classmates' simple admiration for another Omega.

It was like a chick seeing its mother hen right after hatching, instinctively wanting to be close, stumbling and tumbling just to keep up.

If not for this, Dongkui would never have agreed to Liu Changming's request to risk being discovered in such a dangerous place.

He had no other desire than to be a little closer to Queqiu, even just a little bit closer — that alone would satisfy him.

Dongkui waited for about half an hour, not feeling bored at all, rather finding the time passing quickly.

When Queqiu came out again, he was dressed in more casual attire and seemed to be on a videocall.

Dongkui heard a delicate voice from the star-brain, mentioning that the lord of the Dark Star had been found dead in his bedroom, with an unknown cause of death but in a tragic state.

Dongkui paused, then heard Queqiu speak a few words to the person on the call before hanging up.

Dongkui knew he shouldn’t ask such private questions, but in that moment, he couldn’t help but blurt out, "Who were you talking to on the videocall just now?"

Queqiu, not sensing anything amiss or feeling offended, replied while putting away his star-brain, "It was a good friend of mine from the Dark Star Military Academy, an Alpha."

"Alpha?" Dongkui, recalling the shy tone of the person on the call, almost visualized their expression and demeanor while video calling with Queqiu. He couldn't help but laugh, "By the sound of it, I wouldn't have guessed. I thought it was an Omega, or maybe a gentler Beta."

Queqiu, recalling his interactions with Xu Feng, couldn't help but smile softly at the corners of his mouth – indeed, Xu Feng was a sensitive and tearful little rabbit.

"He's a lop-eared rabbit Alpha with a weaker genetic grade. He's relatively introverted, so he might come off more like an Omega or Beta as most people perceive."

After speaking, Queqiu couldn't help but think of the favor Xu Feng had asked of him, still softly murmuring about it during the videocall.

But in such a vast empire, finding a missing Omega among billions of people across thousands of planets is no easy task.

He had been in the capital star for so long without any clues or leads.

Queqiu felt troubled, subconsciously twirling the carrot-shaped ring on his finger.

Dongkui's gaze was fixed on Queqiu the whole time, not wanting to miss any of his movements, and naturally noticed the small gesture.

He had been smiling until he saw the ring on Queqiu's finger, and then the smile on his lips suddenly froze. His mind was struck with a sharp pain, followed by a few blurred, mosaic-like memory fragments.

Dongkui clutched his head in pain, sweat beads forming on his forehead. He realized he had forgotten something but, despite his best efforts, couldn't remember or grasp it. These unclear fragments lasted only a second or two before vanishing.

His reaction was somewhat exaggerated, and Queqiu couldn't help but notice.

"What's wrong?"

Queqiu approached Dongkui, and as he got closer, placing a gentle hand on Dongkui's shoulder, Dongkui clearly saw the ring just inches away.

The carrot shape was somewhat childish, yet Dongkui couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen it somewhere before.

"It feels so familiar..." he murmured.

Queqiu didn't hear clearly, "What?"

Dongkui's gaze became vacant, as if he had lost his soul, muttering to himself, "The ring... it feels so familiar."

Author's Note:

You should have guessed what Liu Changming returned to Dongkui (returned, but not completely).