Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Omega suppressors weren't expensive. Bai Qi didn't have any glandular disorders, but he still had to inject the needle into the skin around his gland.

He was afraid injections elsewhere wouldn't be effective.

Bai Qi deftly unwrapped the packaging. His movements weren't slow, and he didn't flinch as the needle pierced his skin. The moment the suppressor was injected, he immediately felt the pressure from his gland lessen significantly, and his mental fog lifted too.

Qi Heyan was waiting for him outside. When Bai Qi emerged, Qi Heyan didn't ask a single question, silently following beside him instead.

"I've been looking at properties for a while now. Since this area is remote, there's a lot of open land, but it's also by the sea, so winters will be cold."

Bai Qi believed a "home" was extremely important. He first took Qi Heyan to the spot he had picked out. The surroundings were still sparsely populated, but it was much better than that drafty shack. The Omega bounded excitedly in front of Qi Heyan, gesturing with his hands. "About this big. If I knew how to draw, I'd definitely sketch the house for you."

"So when do we start looking for builders?"

Qi Heyan listened carefully as Bai Qi described the layout and structure of the house. The Alpha casually brought it up, and the Omega immediately froze. Bai Qi sighed silently. "Let's wait until everything stabilizes first."

Right now, Qi Heyan was working for Wen Si, and it had only just begun. Though Bai Qi kept saying he wanted Qi Heyan to leave, in a way, they were already tied together. If Wen Si—that temperamental bastard—decided to cause trouble for them midway, it'd be over.

The Alpha didn't fully understand Bai Qi's concerns, but he still respected the Omega's thoughts. Qi Heyan linked pinkies with Bai Qi. "Then where should we go now?"

"Should we go find work at Auntie's place?"

"Of course not." Bai Qi shook his head, smiling at Qi Heyan. "There are no jobs available this late. Haven't you heard the saying, 'The early bird catches the worm'? We're lazy birds—no worms for us."

Bai Qi shrugged, then poked Qi Heyan's shoulder. "Is your Rut coming soon?"

"Yeah."

"Will you lose control without suppressors?" Bai Qi knew very little about Alpha Ruts. He usually avoided discussing such topics with others, and Alphas running rampant in the streets tended to get beaten to death.

Rumors said an Alpha's pheromones could cause agitation in others of their kind.

Qi Heyan fell silent for a few seconds before gripping Bai Qi's hand and asking sincerely, "Who told you all this?"

"Just bar talk."

The Omega blinked at Qi Heyan. He often overheard people chatting while working—talking about everything under the sun. Many people Bai Qi had never met became familiar names through their conversations.

The Alpha swung their joined hands lightly, patiently explaining, "Ruts don't make you lose control, but suppressors are still necessary. I actually wanted to ask you where to buy them, but I forgot."

"It's fine, I remember." Bai Qi subtly withdrew his hand. A trace of exhaustion flickered in his eyes, but he quickly shut it down. The Omega didn't know why he felt so tired—was it because his Heat was approaching?

He didn't dwell on it, deciding to take Qi Heyan to buy suppressors first.

"I bought my suppressors from this shop."

The weather seemed about to change again—rain was coming. The gloomy sky cast a sinister pall over the alley. Bai Qi held Qi Heyan's hand as they unconsciously quickened their pace.

"Feels like it's going to rain. We should hurry—our clothes are still hanging outside."

"Okay."

The Omega broke into a jog, hammering frantically on the door as soon as they arrived. He was in a rush—open up already!

"Who is it? Got a death wish?" The same man as last time opened the door. When he saw Bai Qi, his expression instantly shifted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, if it isn't Bai Qi? Ran out of suppressors? How'd it feel?"

The man even winked suggestively at Bai Qi. The Omega's face immediately darkened, refusing to back down. "What's that supposed to mean? If you're itching for something, go find your wife. Don't come here being a creep."

"Give me ten Alpha suppressors."

"For him?"

The man still didn't move aside, seemingly determined to chat. "Not to judge, but an Alpha and an Omega staying together and still relying on suppressors? People would die laughing if they heard!"

"Does it concern you?"

Qi Heyan suddenly stepped forward, glaring at the man, his voice dropping low. "Are you selling or not?"

The Alpha's aura was oppressive. The man shuddered, turning away with a string of curses. "Fine, I'll get it for you. Who are you trying to scare?"

He picked out a type of suppressor and casually handed it to Bai Qi. "Same price."

"Is the effect the same?"

Bai Qi was particular about this. The brand he usually used had been his go-to since his first Heat—it never let him down.

"Of course."

The man narrowed his eyes, suddenly grinning. "Hurry back now. Don't bother me anymore."

"Sure."

Bai Qi didn't want to waste words on this man either. After paying, he left with Qi Heyan, completely missing the shit-eating grin in the man's eyes.

"What did you give them?" The man's wife came out, looking worried. "Dad said not to make unnecessary enemies."

The man waved her off impatiently. "What else? Just a little something to get them going."

The suppressor did have an initial inhibitory effect, but it was mostly laced with aphrodisiacs. That'll teach them for putting on airs!

The man didn't think he'd done anything wrong. In fact, he proudly told the woman to prepare lunch. "Hurry up already!"

The woman frowned, biting back her words several times before giving up. Fine, let him do as he pleased.

.

"Did you have some grudge with that guy?" Qi Heyan walked side by side with Bai Qi. Seeing the Omega shrug off the earlier incident, he suddenly asked, "He seemed to really dislike us."

"That's just how he is. A petty bastard who's never satisfied, thinks the world should revolve around him. His father's a decent man—no idea how he ended up with such a rotten son."

Bai Qi even made a look of disgust. "Don't mind him. Let's just avoid him in the future."

"Okay."

Since Bai Qi said so, Qi Heyan didn't press further. The two decided to head back first to collect their clothes—once it rained, going anywhere would be inconvenient.

Bai Qi's mood had lightened considerably. His spring in his step reflected his current state of mind as he walked slightly ahead of the Alpha. He turned around. "You—"

"Meow—"

A small cat suddenly wound around Bai Qi's legs, rubbing its head against his calf. The Omega instantly stiffened, rooted to the spot. "Qi Heyan… what is that?"

Bai Qi blinked, his voice trembling slightly. "Tell me quick!"

"A kitten."

Qi Heyan tilted his head, chuckling as he motioned for Bai Qi to look back. "A little orange cat."

The Alpha cleared his throat. The kitten was tiny, barely weaned. He crouched down, clicking his tongue, but unfortunately, the cat couldn't care less about him.

"Kitty?"

Bai Qi finally relaxed. The sudden touch of something furry had startled him, making the omega think it was something spooky. He turned around and looked down to find the little cat looking up at him with a soft "meow."

"You... why are you rubbing against me?"

Bai Qi carefully knelt down, recalling the day he had picked up Qi Heyan—he had also encountered a cat then and even shared half of his steamed bun with it.

The omega gently stroked the cat's head. The kitten wasn’t afraid of him at all; in fact, it seemed to like him, kept nuzzling against him.

Bai Qi leaned back slightly from the rubbing and chuckled. "Alright, alright, I’m going to fall over."

He wasn’t planning to keep it. Taking in a cat meant being responsible for a life, and Bai Qi hadn’t even figured out his own life yet—how could he care for another?

"Hey there, I’ll find someone to take care of you."

With a sigh, Bai Qi picked up the kitten. It was so thin and light, barely weighing anything, likely having gone hungry for a long time. He said quietly, "Qi Heyan, let’s find a place for it quickly."

"I thought you’d take it home," Qi Heyan said, surprised by Bai Qi’s decision. "Not keeping it?"

Bai Qi shook his head. "If it hadn’t rubbed against me, I wouldn’t have bothered."

He had kindness in his heart—just not the ability.

"Let’s go."

Bai Qi had a clear place in mind. The sky was getting darker; though it was only noon, it looked as if night was falling. More and more people hurried home along the streets. The omega, who had been walking earlier, now started jogging. "Hurry, Qi Heyan!"

"Where are we going?"

"To Auntie's place."

Bai Qi moved nimbly, dodging people. He tucked the kitten into his arms and quickly reached Auntie’s door. "Here we are."

Auntie was watching TV and glanced over casually when she saw him approaching. "No work today—why are you—"

"Meow."

Auntie froze, looking down. Bai Qi had quietly set the kitten on the ground and even gave its bottom a little push. The omega smirked. "A kitten."

"What’s this for? Trying to bribe me?"

Despite her words, Auntie picked up the cat, squinting as she examined it. "I don’t want it. Take it away."

"It’s yours now. Next time, find us better jobs!"

Before Auntie could finish protesting, Bai Qi grabbed Qi Heyan and took off. The omega ran like a child, whistling a tune before suddenly stopping. "Don’t worry, it’ll be well taken care of."

Qi Heyan followed Bai Qi the entire time without resistance, his gaze fixed on the omega. Seeing Bai Qi happy lifted his own mood.

"Why?"

A good alpha knew when to engage in conversation.

Bai Qi immediately explained. "Because Auntie’s child loves kittens. She always accepts them when others give them to her, but she never adopts them herself."

"See how smart I am?"

Bai Qi bumped his shoulder against Qi Heyan’s. "I knew she’d take it in."

"What are we eating for lunch?" Bai Qi suddenly asked, smirking. "Wait, no—it’s about to rain. We should head back."

"Looks like we’re stuck eating crackers again."

Bai Qi sighed. "Once the house is built, we’ll have real food. It’s been so long since I’ve had rice."

"It’ll happen. Don’t worry."

Qi Heyan wanted to touch Bai Qi’s hair, but the moment he raised his hand, he remembered the crowd around them. The omega might not like the gesture in public. He lowered his hand, pretending nothing had happened. "Let’s hurry back. The wind’s picking up."

"Okay!"

The two quickened their pace, but things didn't go as planned. Before long, someone ran right into Qi Heyan. The alpha tried to dodge but failed, so he caught the guy and stepped back to create distance.

Yet the stranger showed no intention of letting go, dropping to his knees and pleading, "Please, save me! Someone’s after me!"

Bai Qi looked up and saw several burly men approaching—likely alphas, given the awful smell permeating the air.

It made him sick.

"They want to mark me. I have no way out—please, help me!"

The man clung desperately to Qi Heyan’s sleeve, his eyes darting between the two. He was an omega, his face flushed, clearly in heat...

"What's with today?"

Bai Qi pulled Qi Heyan back, forcing the man to release his grip. He lifted his gaze and asked coldly, "Are you trying to mark him?"

"He owes us money. He signed a contract. We weren't planning to mark him, but his heat went into heat," one of the burly men said, sweating heavily, his voice unsteady. "Kid, you gonna help him or what?"

Bai Qi glanced down and casually pulled the man’s shirt for a brief look before letting go. But the omega reacted faster, seizing Bai Qi’s arm and pulling him closer. "Aren’t you going to save me? Why won’t you save me?"

Tears streamed down the man’s face, but his eyes were already dazed. His body trembled violently as he repeated, "I won’t gamble anymore... never again..."

Bai Qi pulled his arm free, about to speak, but Qi Heyan stopped him. The alpha put an arm around him. "Let’s go."

The omega lowered his eyes and followed obediently without resistance.

The man they left behind was messy, his body covered in marks from recent intimacy, his pheromones overpowering. He was pathetic, but Bai Qi couldn’t save him and didn’t want to.

Qi Heyan, unsure of Bai Qi’s thoughts, asked quietly, "You okay?"

Bai Qi shook his head. "No. I’m not that nice."

"Guess I’m lucky Bai the Hero picked me up. A true blessing."

Qi Heyan teased, carefully watching Bai Qi’s face. "Really okay?"

"Of course." Bai Qi looked away but suddenly remembered something. He looked up and asked, "Did that omega’s pheromones affect you earlier?"

"Don’t worry. They didn’t."

"Good."

Bai Qi let out a relieved breath. The sky had darkened completely now, the wind kicking up sand and grit that bit at their skin. He lifted his arm to block it—and in that brief pause, something was wrong.

His body lurched forward a little. He let out a sharp breath, blinking rapidly.

What was wrong with him?

"Qi Heyan."

Bai Qi felt heat pricking at his eyes. He raised a hand to rub them. "You go get the laundry. I don’t feel so good."

"You sick?"

The alpha immediately stepped closer to him. "Or—"

"Yeah."

Bai Qi lifted his head to meet Qi Heyan’s gaze, his voice tinged with confusion. "I took an inhibitor this morning before leaving, but I still feel wrong."

Since they lived together, they had to be extra careful about these things.

"Alright, go back inside quickly. I’ll get the laundry."

"Mm."

Bai Qi forced a faint smile. Like travelers on diverging paths, they parted ways at the intersection. The omega fought against the howling wind as he hurried back into the house, his body trembling from the gusts that slipped in.

A fever was taking hold. Bai Qi could feel it—his limbs growing weak, his breathing ragged. He rushed to grab another inhibitor, dropping to his knees as sweat began to bead on his skin. Something was terribly wrong. He hunched over, quickly injecting himself.

He'd hoped it would work. But instead, his pheromones surged uncontrollably. Bai Qi’s eyes widened in panic. His thoughts blurred, words failing him. Gasping, he reached for another dose—but it was too late.

The replacement inhibitor backfired. His body shook, feverish and desperate. The omega clutched at his clothes, collapsing to the floor, his self-control unraveling.

"Why… why?"

He tried to fight it, but his legs wouldn’t hold him. He knew how pathetic he looked.

"Bai Qi!"

"Stay back—just stay back—"

Bai Qi whipped his head around, his voice a terrified whisper. "Stay back."

The moment Qi Heyan stepped inside, Bai Qi’s scent overwhelmed him—wrapping around him like constricting vines, tightening.

The alpha's throat tightened. He clenched his fists. "Didn’t you take an inhibitor?"

"You’re going into heat."

And his own rut was coming on.

Qi Heyan took a slow step back, but his scent glands throbbed violently, as if screaming a warning. The room grew heavy with citrus.

Sandalwood and lemon entwined, inseparable, unbreakable.

"Get out!"

Bai Qi, overwhelmed by the alpha’s pheromones, felt his final shred of willpower break. "Get out!" he shouted. "Go take your inhibitor."

"I'm begging you—stay away—"