Chapter 87: Estrus vs Heat Sensitivity? (3200+)

Chapter 87: Estrus vs Heat Sensitivity? (3200+)

"What exactly do they intend to do? Every time I ask Father, he doesn't tell me, only urging us to be cautious."

Inside the room, Xu Ming sat down on the sofa with a furious expression.

Chen Wuxing also sat down, soothing her.

In fact, Xu Ming's father had already told him, but after some thought, he decided to keep it a secret from his parents-in-law.

Qing Er sipped her soda. "Fortunately, no one was hurt. These people are utterly insane, launching indiscriminate attacks."

Ever since Qing Yi returned from the hospital, his face had been clouded with gloom.

Chen Wuxing cleared his throat, suggesting they retreat to their rooms for rest.

At his words, they nodded and departed.

Chen Wuxing kept his gaze on the staircase until he was certain they had all left, only then feeling relieved.

"Dear child, they are not worthy to be your family."

After Chen Wuxing finished speaking, he embraced him tightly, giving his face a gentle peck. He spoke softly, "You still have me."

Xu Ming wearily leaned on his shoulder: "I'm really exhausted."

Chen Wuxing gently ruffled his head. "Baby, I know. Like I said, you've got me."

No sooner had the words left their lips than they were met with a chorus of jeers.

Their bodies froze, all turning in unison to look up at the balcony.

It was Qing Er who had been instigating the commotion; now, he was being lifted by his collar by Qing San.

Qing San apologized, "My apologies, I'll take this eavesdropper back with me right away."

The two downstairs found themselves unable to protest.

Qing San then proceeded to walk away with Qing Er in tow. After two steps, Qing San turned back and said, "Carry on with your conversation."

Even Xu Ming felt a bit embarrassed. He reached out to push the person beside him, only to find that they didn't budge an inch.

Today, Chen Wuxing seemed somewhat unusual.

Xu Ming raised his head and was drawn into the swirling vortex that flowed in Chen Wuxing's eyes.

"You."

No sooner had the words left her lips than they were covered by another pair of gentle ones, which then nibbled softly and hurriedly intruded into her space.

Xu Ming couldn't help but close his eyes in compliance with the act.

Her eyes were filled with the tender concern in Chen Wuxing's gaze.

One cannot deny that the wounds within my heart are being tenderly mended, bit by bit.

Upstairs, the atmosphere was utterly distinct.

Qing Yi's face was dark with concern. "Why wasn't the food inspected beforehand? After just a few days of comfort, have we already forgotten the dangers?"

Qing Si still stood before the vast floor-to-ceiling window, silent as ever.

Qing San and Qing Er were bowed, receiving their scolding.

"If the one who ate that poisoned pastry today had been the employer, who would have taken responsibility? You or you?"

The two kneeling figures shook their heads in unison.

Qing Yi huffed. "Both of you will apologize to the employer with me later. If something like this happens again..."

Qing Yi didn't pay attention to their remorseful words but instead focused on the person ahead.

After a moment's contemplation, he spoke, "Qing Si, ever since I took you in three years ago, you've been cold and distant, barely uttering a word. I don't know what happened to you, but I didn't inquire back then, and I won't now about your matter with the General. If you don't wish to see him, return home first. We'll handle things here."

When they first encountered Qing Si three years prior, his clothes were tattered, and his skin was almost entirely scarred.

He had stared wide-eyed at the sky, seemingly oblivious even to lying in the mud.

It was as if he belonged there, a part of the landscape itself.

In that instant, Qing Yi's first impression was sheer astonishment.

After the rescue, they discovered that Qing Si's bones were damaged to varying degrees, preventing him from standing or moving about.

Initially, Qing Yi assumed that he couldn't move due to his condition, but after healing him in a treatment chamber, he realized it might not be the case.

Qing Si spoke no more than five sentences a day, spending his time sitting in a tree, watching the sunrise and sunset.

They were uneasy leaving Qing Si alone, especially with his striking appearance.

Upon discovering that Qing Si possessed surprising agility, they decided to bring him along and gave him the name Qing Si.

Three years passed this way.

After a moment, Qing Si turned back and said, "No need, I can't."

Qing Yi nodded upon hearing this, relieved that it was so.

"You can go rest if you're tired," he offered.

Uncharacteristically, Qing Si acknowledged the request and started walking toward the room.

This is clearly favoritism.

However, neither Qing Er nor Qing San had any objections. If there was favoritism, they were both on the receiving end of it.

The sound insulation of the house is quite good. Once the door is closed, all the words of Qing Yi's scolding are blocked outside the door.

Qing Si strolled nonchalantly over to the table and sat down, a mirror placed before him.

It's all because of this face. If only I had mustered the courage to alter it back then.

Qing Si, also known as Luo Le.

He is him, yet not him.

His memory was intact; he vividly remembered everything Huo Lanjing had done, including the fact that she had given birth to their child alone.

Yet, he didn't despise Huo Lanjing; he merely looked down on him. It was the kind of disdain one would have toward a stranger, disdain for the actions Huo Lanjing had taken.

He didn't have any affection for Chen Chen either. Three days ago, he had wiped away the child's tears because, biologically, he was the kid's father and felt obligated to do so.

Not out of fatherly affection, nor out of pity.

At present, he has no understanding of what love truly is.

No exception applies to familial love, friendship, or romantic affection.

Perhaps it was the effect of the medication.

But it no longer matters.

What he aspired to be was Qing Si, not Luo Le.

Now, this nomadic existence has its charm.

The following day, due to the events that had transpired the previous day, Chen Wuxing and Xu Ming decided not to venture outside.

Qing Yi and Qing Er were meticulously planning their schedule for the wedding day, cross-checking every detail of the ceremony.

Qing Si, or Luo Le as he was also known, listened with an absent-minded air.

Qing Yi caught a glimpse of his distraction and asked if there was something on his mind. Luo Le replied that there wasn't anything.

It was the first time Qing Yi had seen him so preoccupied.

Contemplating for a moment, Qing Yi suggested that Luo Le take a walk outside, with plans to inform him of their discussion later.

Upon hearing this, Luo Le's mind couldn't help but drift back to the morning's message from the soft, young voice.

He acknowledged the suggestion and stood up to leave.

Qing Er looked towards the door and inquired, "Is it alright to let him go like that?"

Qing Yi sighed, "Let him deal with his own affairs."

At noon, Luo Le, guided by memory, arrived at Huo Lanjing's usual residence - the house they once shared as newlyweds.

After ringing the doorbell, he saw a child who reached only up to his knees.

A fever patch adorned his forehead, and he was dressed in pajamas, looking rather worn out.

Upon seeing him, the boy's face lit up with a smile as he called out, "Daddy!" But then, he promptly covered his mouth.

Luo Le immediately recalled what he had said that day. The child must be afraid that he would leave.

Looking at the child standing barefoot on the floor, he disapproved and bent down to scoop him up.

"He left you alone at home?"

Surveying the surroundings, Luo Le noticed that not even a household robot was present.

Chen Chen pressed his lips together, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Uncle, can you not leave after I tell you something?"

Luo Le was taken aback. "Go on."

Seeing his cold and distant father again, Chen Chen still felt a twinge of sadness. He was on the verge of tears, but the memory of that day made him suppress them.

"I saw that uncle upstairs, but no matter how much I called out to him today, he wouldn't respond. He told me to stay away from that room."

Luo Le paused, likely guessing what was going on.

Suddenly, there was a rumble from Chen Chen's stomach.

Looking at him, Luo Le walked into the kitchen on his own and opened the fridge for a look.

He cooked some fried rice with eggs.

Chen Chen held his cute little plate, nervously scooping up a spoonful and taking a bite.

In the next moment, tears streamed down his face.

It tasted like Father.

It had the exact same taste as Father's cooking; Uncle hadn't lied to him.

Confused, Luo Le asked, "Why are you crying?"

Chen Chen wiped away his tears messily. "Nothing, it's just really hot."

...

After the meal, Luo Le played with Chen Chen for a while longer.

When it was time for their afternoon nap, Chen Chen stubbornly refused to sleep.

Luo Le let him be. However, about twenty minutes later, he himself fell asleep.

He approached and felt Chen Chen's burning forehead. He then replaced the fever patch on Chen Chen.

Children under ten years old were not allowed to use treatment pods. When they were sick, they could only take medicine; injections were out of the question.

After placing Chen Chen in bed, Luo Le left the room, closing the door behind him.

As he passed by the master bedroom, Luo Le unconsciously sensed a dense scent seeping through the crack of the door.

His body weakened, and he leaned against the wall, his neck gland burning and itching, demanding to be marked.

This sudden wave of heat was inexplicable. Could he be going into rut again?

Sweat beads formed on Luo Le's forehead, and the corners of his eyes took on a faint red hue.

His mind went blank in an instant.

He knew nothing now; he only craved being marked.

His legs grew weaker, and unable to support himself, he tumbled to the ground.

Suddenly, the door swung open from inside, revealing the culprit standing in the entrance.

Huo Lanjing frowned. Upon seeing the person lying at the door, his pupils constricted, seemingly surprised by Luo Le's presence.

He immediately crouched down. Before he could speak, Luo Le, with reddened eyes, clung tightly around his neck, exhaling onto the skin of his shoulder blade.

It was like being gently scratched by a kitten, igniting a trail of flames that seared straight into his heart.

Huo Lanjing's renowned self-control teetered on the brink of collapse. He reached out to push Luo Le away, "Qing Si."

Luo Le's gaze was dazed, and though his grip weakened, his hands continued to cling uncontrollably around his neck.

Over the past three years, his rutting periods had become increasingly intense, and the effectiveness of the suppressants dwindled with each passing episode.

The last time, Luo Le locked himself in a sealed room alone.

He prepared an abundance of suppressants and administered forty-two injections over the course of a week, yet he still found himself consumed by desire.

After that episode, he slept for an entire month before regaining consciousness.

No Alpha could withstand being embraced by their beloved Omega during their sensitive period, and Huo Lanjing was no exception. He was already reacting, his ears turning crimson from the strain.

He subtly pulled away from Luo Le, noticing the flush on his labelless face, causing him to involuntarily swallow.

"You, go back first."

With these words, Huo Lanjing rose to leave. However, as he turned around, Luo Le tugged at his hand.

Being in his sensitive phase, his body was weak, and he stumbled, falling to the ground after half a turn. His head struck the wall with a loud thud.

He closed his eyes with a muffled groan, and when he opened them again, he saw Luo Le's gaze unfocused. His usually stern face now held a hint of allure.

Before he could speak, Luo Le straddled his lap, pinning his shoulders with both hands.

Then, an unskilled kiss landed on his lips, parting them.

Both kept their eyes shut, instinctively tilting their heads up and down.

Alphas typically took the lead, so such provocation was clearly a challenge to them.

Huo Lanjing could no longer restrain himself. With his right hand, he grasped Luo Le's head, flipping him over onto his back.

He then held both of Luo Le's wrists in one hand, positioning him facing away. Bending down, he gently nipped at the inhibitor patch with his teeth before licking it.

A strong scent of pomelo filled the air, and as Huo Lanjing drew closer, he detected a faint, cold pine fragrance mingling within.

That was... an irreversible mark.

A flash of surprise passed through Huo Lanjing's eyes, even though he had always suspected that this person was indeed Luo Le.

Yet, the joy she felt upon learning that he was indeed Luo Le was indescribable.

It was truly him.