Chapter 47
byChapter 47
In the darkness, Jing Baiyuan kissed Chu Li for the first time. Both of their breaths were unstable, and Chu Li's hands were even trembling slightly.
He leaned in, capturing the other's lips, which were softer and warmer than he had imagined.
There was no particular taste; instead, a strong pheromone scent flooded his senses.
Both Omega and Alpha saliva contained pheromones, and the more agitated one was, the more pheromones they released.
To some extent, a kiss could substitute for a mark.
He had thought he could be more restrained, not to frighten his Omega. Chu Li appeared calm and composed on the surface but was actually emotionally fragile and in need of care.
But passion waits for no one. The moment their lips touched, he forgot all his intentions. A wild fire raged in his heart, consuming his rationality, urging him to hold the person in his arms even closer, desiring to be nearer still.
Not until Chu Li's lungs were drained of air did Jing Baiyuan release him from his embrace, allowing him to struggle up.
In the darkness, Jing Baiyuan's gaze was piercingly sharp, causing Chu Li to tremble all over.
Soon, the man lowered himself once more.
---
Jing Baiyuan fulfilled his promise.
He accompanied Chu Li on Blue Stripe Star for seven days.
The good news was that out of the fourteen bottles of medicine provided by the hospital, Chu Li only consumed one at the beginning, rendering the rest unnecessary. Furthermore, the medicine had contraceptive effects, ensuring they wouldn't conceive a child no matter how reckless their actions during these seven days.
The bad news, however, was that Chu Li grew weary on the third day and wanted to send Jing Baiyuan away on the fourth. By the fifth day, he was utterly bewildered, and by the sixth... he yearned to pack his belongings and flee the galaxy in the dead of night!
But they had agreed upon a full week, and despite Chu Li's exhaustion, which made him desperate to kick Jing Baiyuan out, his body would promptly draw the man back as soon as he tried to leave.
Aren't ruthless people like him referring to himself?
By the seventh day, Chu Li had lost all sense of clarity, lying on the bed and submitting to Jing Baiyuan's every whim—sleeping when asked, eating when prompted, and drinking when instructed.
Regardless, with Jing Baiyuan's meticulous care, his body felt as if it no longer belonged to him.
In the afternoon of the seventh day, Jing Baiyuan fed Chu Li some water and let him sleep in the warmth of the covers. However, as soon as the man turned his face, burying himself deeper into the blankets, he finally opened his eyes, which had been either crying or closed for days, and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Perhaps I should just have my gland removed at the hospital..."
It was too exhausting.
Unlike Chu Li's exhaustion, Jing Baiyuan appeared radiant despite undergoing the same amount of physical activity. His posture remained straight, and his gaze was as sharp as ever.
Jing Baiyuan touched his forehead, ensuring that he wasn't running a fever, before gently tapping his forehead with the knuckle of his index finger. "Nonsense."
Chu Li: "..."
He wasn't talking nonsense; he was sincere.
The pleasure was genuine, as was the fatigue.
Feeling deeply embarrassed, Chu Li turned his head to face the wall, humming and grumbling, refusing to look at Jing Baiyuan.
Jing Baiyuan found him even more endearing, like a soft and cuddly little rabbit.
Clinging close to him, he whispered, "Take a day off tomorrow. The day after, I'll accompany you to sort out your household registration. And... just stay here, alright?"
These few days, they have explored every corner of this house.
Before arriving, Chu Li still felt awkward about it being Jing Baiyuan's property, but now he had completely become desensitized to it.
He didn't resist and softly replied, "Okay."
Exhausted and drowsy, he fell asleep soon after.
After an indeterminate period, he woke up to someone speaking beside him, "His condition is excellent. He has ample pheromones, so his physical fatigue is only temporary. He'll recover quickly... I didn't expect you to be so cautious. You managed to get through his first heat without causing any harm to him."
"Applying medicine? No need. An Omega's body is very unique. With sufficient pheromones, self-healing is the best remedy. But he must eat properly. Not eating because of exhaustion will have a more significant impact on his health..."
"Mm... His disorder? If his pheromones are replenished promptly, the condition won't relapse... Generally, permanent bonding is considered a cure, as it's currently the only effective treatment. The others only alleviate symptoms without addressing the root cause..."
"I'll leave if there's nothing else... You came in so boldly without worrying about being discovered."
Chu Li was confused, his eyes barely open as he noticed the door to the room was ajar.
Peering out, he saw a man in a white lab coat conversing with someone across from him, the figure appearing familiar.
Before he could recall who this person was, their conversation ended. Jing Baiyuan seemed to be escorting the individual away, only to push the door open and enter after a while.
Spotting that Chu Li was awake, he asked, "How do you feel?"
Having passed his rut, Chu Li merely felt physically unwell but mentally stable.
Other than... eating and sleeping, it was difficult not to feel well these days.
His body wasn't as heavy as he had imagined, so he propped himself up. "I'm alright... Who were you talking to just now?"
"Doctor," Jing Baiyuan replied.
Chu Li suddenly recalled someone, realizing why the figure seemed familiar. He decided to ask straightforwardly, "Was it Shen Fengbei?"
"Hmm?" Jing Baiyuan Yuanting was surprised. "You know him?"
"Yes," Chu Li replied. "During my school internship, I was assigned to work under him."
"Ah, it's him," Jing Baiyuan nodded.
Chu Li grew curious. Jing Baiyuan had secretly returned and surely didn't want anyone to know he was here. Why was he so trusting of Shen Fengbei and even invited him over?
Reading Chu Li's curiosity and concern, Jing Baiyuan didn't explain but simply said, "He can be trusted."
It seemed that Jing Baiyuan wasn't as straightforward as he appeared. Chu Li glanced at him again, sensing the depth behind this man – someone he might not be ready to deal with yet.
He wondered if encountering Jing Baiyuan was a blessing or a curse.
Despite assuring Chu Li that he was fine, Shen Fengbei still prescribed some medicine. After Jing Baiyuan helped Chu Li take it, he intended to coax him to sleep. However, Chu Li found himself unable to doze off, having spent almost all his days in bed lately and feeling like his body was about to fall apart.
"I suggest we go for a walk outside," Chu Li suggested.
Jing Baiyuan frowned, clearly disapproving.
Chu Li, however, countered, "Dr. Shen didn't say there was anything wrong, right? I feel fine too. Let's just stroll around the entrance, we won't go far."
Jing Baiyuan Yuanting pondered for a moment before saying, "We won't leave the courtyard."
It was already his greatest compromise.
Chu Li only wanted to step out for some fresh air and wasn't about to risk his health. He agreed, "Alright."
The two of them tidied up and headed downstairs.
Although it was nearing the end of November, the weather was still slightly chilly. However, with the global temperature control systems in place, it wasn't unbearable. After Chu Li went outside, Jing Baiyuan Yuanting fetched a stool for him to sit on the grass in the small courtyard.
Looking up at the sky, Chu Li asked, "Does it snow here during winter?"
Jing Baiyuan Yuanting replied, "It's already winter now."
Already winter?
If that were the case, wouldn't it mean there would be no snow at this temperature? Chu Li felt rather disappointed.
Jing Baiyuanting said, "It does snow, usually during the coldest week of the year, and it lasts for an entire week… Most likely, it's artificial snowfall."
Artificial snowfall was nice too, Chu Li smiled and asked, "Will there be snowball fights?"
"Snowball fights?" Jing Baiyuanting replied, "I'm not sure about that…"
He didn't know how to have snowball fights; he only knew how to fight battles.
Jing Baiyuanting paused and suddenly added, "But I do know that some planets experience natural snowfall."
In truth, most planets did so. It was just that Blue Stripe Star, being the capital of the Empire, prioritized stability, hence they used artificial weather systems to intervene.
Chu Li wore an envious expression.
Jing Baiyuanting wanted to say that he would take him there someday.
But, upon realizing that there were already many such 'somedays' piling up, he remained silent and reached out to pat Chu Li's head.
After sitting outside for a while, they felt the cold, so Jing Baiyuanting carried Chu Li back into their room.
Despite Chu Li feeling that he was well enough to walk on his own, Jing Baiyuan's attitude was resolute, leaving him no choice but to accept the assistance with a slight blush.
Over the past seven days, they had caused quite a ruckus at home. After Jing Baiyuan placed Chu Li on the sofa, he began cleaning the house from top to bottom.
It was rather incongruous; with Jing Baiyuan's towering stature and prestigious status, one would never expect him to be doing household chores. Yet, his movements were swift and proficient, indicating that he was accustomed to such tasks.
Recalling how Jing Baiyuan mentioned that his mother remarried when he was eight years old, Chu Li guessed that he must have had a difficult life since then. He got up to lend a hand and engaged in conversation, "Did you grow up on Lanwen Star?"
Jing Baiyuan was taken aback, "Not really, I arrived here at four."
"Did you come with your parents?" Chu Li asked, "Where is your mother now?"
Jing Baiyuan paused, a hint of confusion on his face.
Chu Li continued, "If it's not convenient to talk about..."
"There's nothing inconvenient," Jing Baiyuan replied, "Her name is Bai Xian, and she's the current Empress of the Empire."
"Ahh... Ah?" This was truly unexpected for Chu Li.
Bai Xian, the Empress.
If she remarried... wouldn't that mean marrying the emperor?
But upon further thought, the current emperor wasn't like the feudal monarchs of ancient China. It didn't seem strange for a woman to remarry into the royal family.
However, when he thought about that crown prince... he suddenly felt uneasy, so he asked, "Then, what about you and that crown prince..."
"We're not blood-related siblings; we have different fathers and mothers," Jing Baiyuanting replied. "I didn't change my surname, so I'm not considered part of the royal family."
"..." Chu Li seemed to understand why this person would incorporate both his parents' surnames into his own name.
Bai Xian's remarriage was still a sensitive matter in this era, right? Apart from Jing Baiyuanting's name and his existence, no one likely remembered Bai Xian and her late husband's past.
Chu Li's emotions were mixed as he stepped forward to embrace Jing Baiyuanting, whispering, "Where did you grow up after you were eight? Were they good to you?"
"It was okay. I grew up in an orphanage," Jing Baiyuanting paused before continuing, "My mother isn't very lucid now and doesn't recognize me anymore. She's in the palace, where no one can harm her... That's all there is to it."
In any case, he couldn't take her out of there.
"What's going on?" Chu Li was astonished.
Jing Baiyuan shook his head. "I was sent to the front lines when I was eighteen, and back then, I was powerless and had no say in anything. By the time I achieved something and rushed back to the capital, it was already like that. They said my mother was too obsessed with her studies, but due to some accidents, all her academic accomplishments were lost. Her decades of effort went down the drain, and she couldn't accept that outcome. She temporarily suffered from dementia..."
"In this era, many illnesses can be cured, but there are also many that can't," Jing Baiyuan said indifferently. "Unfortunately, dementia is one of them. I was often away, unable to take good care of her, so I left her in the palace. The emperor... treated her decently."
Anyway, she was just an insane patient now, eating and drinking every day without costing much.
The emperor could even earn a reputation for being kind and loving towards his wife.
Why not?
Chu Li frowned. "She suddenly got dementia, didn't you take her to see a doctor?"
"We did, and they all said the same thing," Jing Baiyuan replied. "We even asked Shen Fengbei to examine her, and he said that there was no cure."
"Alright." Chu Li could only nod, but he kept this matter in mind.
Observing Jing Baiyuan's expression, it seemed his relationship with Bai Xian was quite amicable.
Still lost in thought, Chu Li heard Jing Baiyuan say, "Speaking of me, let's talk about you."
"What? About me?"
Jing Baiyuan replied, "You mentioned that you were hospitalized at fifteen and met a young girl… Was it due to an issue with your pheromone disorder?"
Typically, a child's gland would begin developing around the age of fifteen or sixteen.
Chu Li froze.
Damn, he must have been delirious during his rut, revealing details from his past life.
Author's Note:
I've done my best.
It's not that I don't want to share, but honestly... well, you can imagine the rest yourself! !!
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