Chapter 123

Chapter 123

"Experiment number 22... somehow, it succeeded. Initially, they were thrilled, thinking they had finally found the right method. But they soon realized it was just an accident."

Dongkui struggled to steady his emotions, trying to keep his voice as stable as possible, but his immense fear was evident, and his voice still trembled noticeably.

"My original gene level was very low; I was barely alive when undergoing the experiment. I overheard the researchers in white saying that subject number 22 might not even survive the surgery. Yet in the end, I was the only one who survived this genetic experiment."

"After repeated verification and observation, they concluded that my extreme weakness had virtually shut down my immune system. The injected plant genes didn't immediately perceive a threat from the host, so they didn't attack my healthy cells. This was a mere chance occurrence. From the perspective of subject survival, the experiment was a success; in terms of completing the genetic modification, obviously, the experiment did not meet its goal."

Dongkui used just a simple phrase "repeated verification and observation" to lightly skim over the inhumane torments he endured in that process.

"Regardless of the outcome, the director considered this a groundbreaking breakthrough. They gave me a new identity, had me pretend to be a wandering Omega, and enter the Empire's First Military Academy through the selection and allocation process of the Aelbeatz vessel."

Dongkui said with self-mockery, "They didn't suddenly develop a conscience and give me freedom; they just treated me as a living sample for observation, to see if an Omega who had undergone genetic fusion could live like a normal Omega."

"Later, aboard the Aelbeitz vessel, for the first time outside the research institute, I met an Omega – that was you."

Back then, Dongkui didn't know that the Omega he thought he had merely brushed past, a fleeting encounter, would repeatedly give him the most precious things in this world, warmth, and redemption.

It was only later that he learned from Liu Changming that it was because of Queqiu his condition had stabilized, even progressing from a healing B-grade to A-grade.

Lifting his head, his eyes brimming with tears, he just looked at Queqiu.

Dongkui thought, meeting Queqiu was the luckiest thing in his otherwise unlucky life.

As Dongkui narrated, Queqiu recalled their first encounter on the Aelbeitz. Newly arrived, he had assisted Dongkui, thinking he was a fellow Omega due to the wilting flower on his head, sharing his scarce spiritual energy.

Queqiu never imagined that his spontaneous act of kindness would be remembered by Dongkui for so long.

Hearing Dongkui’s experiences as a bystander, Queqiu found them unbelievable and chilling. He couldn't fathom the hardships and turmoil Dongkui, as the person who lived through it, had endured to finally stand before him as he was now.

He couldn’t imagine, couldn’t fathom Dongkui’s scarred past.

Just as Dongkui said, surviving that cruel experiment was his greatest fortune.

All Queqiu could do, the only thing he could do, was to offer Dongkui a belated embrace now that his trials and tribulations had ended.

Holding Dongkui tightly, Queqiu clearly felt the Omega’s fear and trembling. He understood that even though Dongkui had physically left the research institute, he had never been freed from his demons; his body might be free, but his soul remained trapped in that horrific hell.

Queqiu’s gentle spiritual energy flowed into Dongkui like a spreading ray of sunshine, striving to dispel the persistent shadows in his heart and bring a bit of real warmth to his world.

Gently patting Dongkui’s back, Queqiu comforted him, "It's okay, it's all over now. Nothing like that will ever happen again."

He earnestly promised, "I'm right here with you, and I will protect you."

For Dongkui, no professional therapist's words could compare to the few uttered by Queqiu.

Sniffling, he nodded, his voice thick with tears, "With you by my side, I'm not afraid."

"Dongkui's confession felt like a secondary injury to him, and Queqiu decisively interrupted: "I'm sorry, I didn't realize this would reopen your wounds. Let's stop here for today; you don’t need to say anymore."

But to Queqiu's surprise, Dongkui sat up from his shoulder, wiped away his tears, and looked earnestly into his eyes, shaking his head in refusal: "Telling you everything I know is the only thing I can do for you, my only way of making amends."

He gazed at those sincere, golden eyes, feeling inevitably inferior and out of place in front of such a dazzling person.

Dongkui didn't know how to start talking about his own wretchedness; he buried his head deeply, covering his face, not daring to let Queqiu see.

The Omega sobbed, "Because later, I was no longer an innocent victim, but a lowly accomplice."

Queqiu wanted to reach out to him but stopped, sensing it might be better not to have physical contact at that moment. So, he retracted his hand, becoming a quiet listener.

"The team competition... what happened during the team competition, you all know, right..."

The Sunflower Omega lowered his voice, as if it was difficult to speak, and confessed everything to Queqiu in a very soft, almost inaudible voice.

"Actually, my estrus had long passed. That day... I followed the director’s instructions, used a catalyst he gave me to stimulate my glands, and forcibly entered estrus. Without wearing pheromone-blocking patches, I intentionally spread my pheromones in the dense environment of the simulation battlefield, causing the large-scale collective estrus and pheromone chaos."

"I heard... heard the director and the Duke planning how to expose your true identity, knowing their target was you. I should have confessed everything to you then, warned you not to fall into their trap, but I, but I..."

Dongkui couldn't continue, breaking down into low sobs.

He felt that every word he spoke now seemed like an excuse for himself. Queqiu had been so kind to him, even saved his life, yet at that time, he was too cowardly to resist, helping Liu Changming in their scheme to reveal Queqiu's true identity—

He didn't deserve to stand in front of Queqiu, to enjoy his kindness.

As Dongkui fell into deep self-loathing, belittling himself to nothing, he suddenly heard a voice above him, soothing like a heavenly melody.

"True evildoers never repent for their sins. You were just a coerced victim; why do you see yourself as an unforgivable sinner?"

Queqiu's voice came from above, gently, like a soft evening breeze.

Dongkui froze, slowly lifting his head, and instead of the anticipated disgust, he saw only pure compassion on Queqiu's face.

Queqiu said, "After the team competition ended, the admiral and I knew it was a conspiracy against me, and that you were the catalyst. I don't know how others would view you if they knew all this, but I'm only speaking for myself: from the beginning to the end, even after knowing the truth, I never thought of blaming you."

"No blame."

Dongkui's eyes widened in disbelief at what he had heard.

He had thought...

Thought that Queqiu would despise him for this, never wanting to see him again.

But unexpectedly, Queqiu said, "No blame."

"This was never your fault. From the beginning to the end, you were only being harmed by them. If it weren’t for that gene experiment, you wouldn’t have become what you are now, and you wouldn’t have made those mistakes, right?"

Dongkui was right; he should have come to confess everything to Queqiu before the team competition started. But while it's easy to say, how difficult must it have been to actually do it?

After suffering so much, did Dongkui have enough courage left to resist? How could he fully trust that Queqiu would believe and protect him?

Knowing Dongkui's past, Queqiu couldn’t stand on moral high ground to accuse Dongkui of cowardice or failing to distinguish right from wrong.

He believed Dongkui knew right from wrong, but defending justice comes at a great cost. The battered Dongkui couldn’t be a superhero to save the world; he was barely surviving and couldn't afford such sacrifices.

Dongkui, with tears streaming down his face, said, "You really don't blame me…"

He didn’t know why, but although he had never cried in front of the terrifying Liu Changming, he always felt like crying in front of the kind Queqiu.

Queqiu, looking at the swollen eyes of the Sunflower Omega, nodded seriously and reaffirmed, "I really don't blame you."

He wiped Dongkui's tears away: "So, stop crying all the time."

"Okay, okay... I won't cry..."

Dongkui, though stopping his tears, still spoke in a choked voice, trying hard to say, "This... this is basically everything I know."

Queqiu summarized the information he received: "So, the genetic research institute has been conducting live experiments on Omegas, with the institute's director Liu Changming and the noble Jacquelee being involved, or rather, they have been collaborating all along."

"That's about right," Dongkui said. "I only know that this experiment is related to the director's 'Blossoming Plan,' but I’m not clear about the specifics of the plan. As for the Duke, his collaboration with the director is simple: he wants to seize power and take over the empire."

"What about you?" Queqiu asked. "Do you really not remember your past?"

Dongkui hesitated for a moment, wanting to provide Queqiu with a helpful answer. However, after numerous attempts, he could only shake his head dejectedly and say, "Every time I try to think about the past, my head hurts terribly, leaving my whole body weak. No matter how hard I try to recall, my mind draws a blank on anything before the lab."

"If it were Alphas or Betas, it might be easier to handle, but the Empire places great importance on Omegas. Even defective or wandering Omegas are registered once encountered. Liu Changming kidnapping so many Omegas for live experiments, he surely wouldn't dare let you keep your past memories, or even your original faces, as it would be easy to get discovered. So, your memory must have been deliberately erased, and I suspect the same for the other Omegas," Queqiu speculated.

Now he was becoming more suspicious that Dongkui was indeed Xu Hua. If not, where had the original Xu Hua gone, and how did Dongkui come to be?

A living person couldn't just disappear without reason, nor appear out of nowhere.

Unless they were originally the same person, but someone erased the original identity and then fabricated a new one.

"I'm not sure," Dongkui said, a look of apology appearing on his face, "I'm sorry, I can't remember anything."

"Returning to the initial question, since you have no memory of your past, why did you have such a strong reaction to the ring on my hand?"

Queqiu patiently guided him, "What I mean is, was there anything different? You've never reacted like that when we were together before."

Dongkui tried hard to remember, but his mind was a blur. Suddenly, he gasped, blurting out, "Before being sent here, the director took me back to the research institute once, saying he had something to return to me!"

He recalled the vague words Liu Changming had told him. After being taken back, he had fallen into a coma, seemingly just asleep. But now, he realized that his memory was likely tampered with during that time.

Queqiu furrowed his brow, "Return something to you? What did he give back to you?"

Dongkui opened his mouth, uncertainly saying, "Perhaps... some fragments of my past memories."

Hearing this, Queqiu's expression darkened.

Liu Changming and the genetic research institute were shrouded in mystery, and Queqiu realized he might have to visit personally to unravel the sordid dealings hidden within.

In just a few breaths, Queqiu had formulated a plan. Noting it was getting late, he suggested Dongkui stay over. Faced with Dongkui's embarrassed refusal, he persuaded, "You've told me so many secrets about the research institute and Liu Changming. Frankly, you're now an important witness, and Liu Changming might target you. This place is absolutely safe. Stay here until the matter is fully resolved; I can protect you better this way."

Dongkui paled, knowing that once he chose to confess to Queqiu, his own situation would become very dangerous. Therefore, he didn't refuse Queqiu's offer this time.

But regardless, he had no regrets.

After settling Dongkui in, Queqiu left his room.

He gave his bed to Dongkui and planned to bunk with Duan Chensen.

As he opened the door, he was suddenly embraced by a large hand around his waist and, after a whirl, found himself in the sturdy arms of an Alpha.

Queqiu didn't need to guess who it was.

After all, apart from the high-ranking admiral, no one else in the entire empire dared to wrap their arms around his waist.

He sighed resignedly, thinking what you fear often comes to pass.

Before Queqiu could steady himself, Duan Chensen, like a wolf starved for days, clung to the petite Omega, showering him with kisses, as if he would starve without kissing his wife immediately.

"Wife smells so good, wife tastes so sweet, I really want to kiss my wife."

The Alpha's head was nuzzling Queqiu's neck, and seeing his clingy behavior, Queqiu instantly guessed it must be Morfa.

Duan Chensen was also hungry, but aside from being jealous, he didn't usually engage in such antics.

Queqiu was hugged and kissed by him for a while, his clothes getting disheveled, before he managed to push the man away, asking for a bit of reasonableness.

"Have you ever seen a puppy that only wags its tail a few times after not seeing its owner for a long time?"

Duan Chensen lifted his head, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Queqiu.

A long time?

It hasn't even been a full day, Queqiu thought wryly.

"Moreover, you're covered in other people's pheromones, without even a trace of mine."

Faced with this sudden jealous accusation, Queqiu was somewhat speechless: "Dongkui is just an Omega..."

"Don't you know some Omegas are attracted to other Omegas? They like to take advantage of their status as Omegas." Besides, with a spouse as outstanding and beautiful as his, he couldn't be at ease even if it was another Omega.

The Alpha playfully nipped at the gland on the back of Queqiu's neck, half-serious, half-jokingly saying, "I need to refill my pheromones in Mommy's glands."

Queqiu shuddered, quickly pushing him away, his voice tinged with a hint of panic: "We're still outside..."

He glared at Duan Chensen, warning him, "You better behave yourself."

The Alpha put on a sullen face but obediently straightened up, no longer clinging to Queqiu like a koala.

Queqiu glanced back at the room, thinking of Dongkui, his mood growing somber.

"Let's go to your room, I have something to talk about."

Seeing this, the Alpha's demeanor became serious too, nodding his head and leaving the place with Queqiu.

After returning to Duan Chensen's room, Queqiu organized the information he had gathered from Dongkui today and began by asking him a question.

"Has the Empire's technology advanced to the point where they can manipulate a person's memory at will?"

Clarifying this would dictate Queqiu's next course of action.

Duan Chensen, not understanding why he was asking, still dutifully replied, "There is a memory storage technology that can extract a person's past memories, but it doesn't allow viewing the memories. It's somewhat like squeezing water out of a sponge and storing it separately, and then later pouring the water back into the sponge. However, this technology cannot alter memories, much less fabricate them."

Indeed, when Liu Changming told Dongkui he would return something to him, it must have meant restoring some of his previous memories.

It seems Queqiu needed to trouble An Weiran to send some of Xu Feng's hair over.

Duan Chensen asked with some curiosity, "Is there any progress with the matter you promised that little rabbit?"

Queqiu nodded and recounted everything that had happened today to Duan Chensen.

Throughout the conversation, he closely watched Duan Chensen's reactions, noticing his expression growing darker with each detail, almost unable to contain his rising fury.

His face became entirely somber, his silver eyes filled with murderous intent.

"That genetic research institute... daring to collude with nobility and commit such heinous acts!"

Queqiu remained silent for a long while.

He thought to himself that even Duan Chensen, who was accustomed to violence, felt such outrage at Dongkui's ordeal, indicating just how ruthless and cold-hearted Liu Changming must be.

Duan Chensen closed his eyes, not wanting to expose his violent side in front of Queqiu. He composed himself, his expression less grim than before, but his tone was still heavy.

"What are you planning to do next? Do you want me to have Xu Feng brought here for a reunion with his brother?"

Unexpectedly, Queqiu shook his head.

"We can't yet be certain that Dongkui and Xu Hua are the same person. Until everything is settled, I don’t want to prematurely tell all this to Xiao Feng. If the end result is not as expected..." he couldn’t bear to imagine another twist of fate for Dongkui, nor did he want Xu Feng to experience hope only to be followed by disappointment.

Queqiu sighed, "For now, the safest approach is to ask Instructor An to send over Xiao Feng's hair and conduct a DNA test with Dongkui. We’ll make further plans once we have the results."

This way, even if the final outcome is not as he suspected, it won’t affect anything.

Duan Chensen kissed the top of his lover's head, "Your approach is the safest. I didn’t think it through as thoroughly as you did."

He lowered his head, forehead resting against Queqiu's, looking at him from such a close distance, a sudden sense of contentment rising in his heart.

Duan Chensen had almost seen Queqiu grow up, from his cold and solitary beginnings to now being surrounded by flowers and continuous praise, constantly progressing and transforming, until he reached this level of excellence that everyone looks up to.

His little rose was born perfect but always strived to be even more perfect.

Unable to restrain the surging emotions in his heart, Duan Chensen deeply kissed Queqiu’s forehead, breathing heavily, "I love my little rose the most."

He nibbled on Queqiu's ear, whispering stickily, "Wife, I want to fill you with my pheromones."

Queqiu felt the gland at the back of his neck heat up at these words. He casually pushed Duan Chensen, but when the push didn’t work, he let it be.

"Then try."

Author's note: