Chapter 36

Chapter 36

A putrid stench permeated every pore, on the verge of making him vomit the moment he opened his mouth. Li Yang forcibly suppressed the discomfort and remained silent.

The Omega’s appraising stare swept over him from head to toe as he continued, "You’re not an Omega pretending to be a Beta, are you?"

Li Yang had always wanted answers about his unusual circumstances and wouldn't let any lead go. He stopped walking, his expression cold. "Why do you say that?"

There were clear differences in height and dominance between Alphas and Omegas, while Betas, aside from being more average-looking, didn’t differ much from Alphas or Omegas otherwise.

Li Yang wasn’t sure if this person had noticed he could smell pheromones and was asking him because of it.

The guy rested his chin on his hand, staring at Li Yang’s unusually striking features, unable to look away.

"Your looks aren’t ordinary like a Beta’s. You resemble an Omega."

Then, his eyes curved into a smile, and his previously unfriendly face became suddenly charming with that expression.

Li Yang: "...Just because of that?"

Should he thank this person for a backhanded compliment?

"Also, if you were just a Beta, why would that Alpha pay so much attention to you? Does he like you or something?" The Omega scoffed. "As if."

Recalling Ying Xi’s words, Li Yang smiled faintly. "Maybe because he’s head over heels in love with me."

The Omega: "..."

Convinced Li Yang was mocking him, the Omega blocked his path and snapped angrily, "Who do you think you’re fooling? A Quality Alpha, head over heels in love with you? It’s not even dark yet, and you’re already dreaming."

Li Yang said, "Move. It reeks here. I’m leaving."

"You dare call me stinky?" His collar was abruptly yanked as the Omega glared at him furiously. "How dare you! Apologize to me!"

Though the pheromones did originate from him, Li Yang hadn’t been referring to the Omega and was momentarily speechless.

"I meant this place."

The distance was too close, and the pheromones were like a massive landfill reeking of decay. Li Yang’s vision blurred momentarily.

Realizing where they were, the Omega released his collar, clapped his hands, and dropped his earlier condescending attitude.

"Since you’re being so obedient, I’ll give you a pass this time. Let’s talk somewhere else."

"Not interested." Li Yang straightened his wrinkled collar, wanting to tell him to control his pheromones but afraid of exposing himself. He endured with difficulty, his complexion still looking queasy. "If you’re interested in him, go directly. You don’t need me as a go-between."

Li Yang opened the door, quickening his pace to avoid being followed.

Despite walking briskly, the Omega deliberately antagonized him, running after him, clearly unwilling to let him go.

"Give me your WeChat, and I’ll let you leave. Otherwise, I’ll keep following you."

Without turning his head, Li Yang rattled off his phone number. The Omega didn’t believe him. "Don’t try to trick me. Take out your phone."

It was just WeChat—he could delete it later. Li Yang quickly pulled out his phone, and they added each other as contacts.

True to his word, the Omega didn’t follow him further.

Standing in place, gripping his phone, the Omega recalled Li Yang’s appearance and couldn’t help but smile.

He had been interested in the Alpha.

But the moment he got a clear look at this Beta, his thoughts changed entirely.

Once they were apart, the cloying pheromones vanished completely. Breathing in fresh air, Li Yang’s pale face gradually had its color returned.

What nonsense.

Frowning slightly, he was about to delete the contact when the Omega sent a message: "If you dare delete me, I’ll find a way to track you down."

Li Yang paused, then gave up.

He patted his clothes, hoping not too much of the pheromones had clung to him.

Yet the moment he stepped back into the private room and met Wen Yun and Ying Xi’s gazes, he knew it was hopeless—he still reeked of foreign pheromones.

"Ran into a weirdo on the way," Li Yang said casually as he sat down.

A light, pleasant scent washed over him, silently overpowering and masking the odor clinging to him.

Li Yang instantly looked at Ying Xi.

The boy was propping up his chin, not looking at Li Yang—clearly doing this on purpose.

Glancing at Wen Yun, Li Yang could tell from his uncomfortable expression that Ying Xi had released his pheromones.

He needed to visit the hospital again.

This intermittent sensitivity to pheromones—he had to figure out the cause, as well as why Ying Xi’s pheromones no longer smelled unpleasant to him.

Had constant exposure increased his tolerance?

Li Yang rubbed his face, shaking it off, and focused on eating hot pot.

An hour later, all four of them were stuffed.

Li Yang put on his coat, ready to head to the hospital. "I have something to take care of. You guys go back to school first."

Ying Xi’s gaze followed him, but he didn’t speak up.

Assistant Min glanced around hesitantly. "Where are you going, Classmate Li? I can drive you."

"No need." Until he had answers, Li Yang didn’t want anyone to know about his unusual condition.

Before leaving, he caught a glimpse of Ying Xi’s downcast eyes and found himself saying, "Be careful on the way. See you at school."

That single sentence instantly lifted the dejected boy’s spirits, and he beamed happily in response.

***

Before arriving at the hospital, Li Yang spent a long time searching online and eventually booked an appointment with a doctor highly recommended by netizens.

When his turn came, he pushed the door open and quickly outlined his situation.

After reviewing his medical history, Dr. Wen asked, "You’re only eighteen?"

"Yes," Li Yang nodded.

"The test results are quite stable, and you indeed have no pheromones. However, based on what you described, there's a high chance you might present as an Omega at any time." Dr. Wen mused for a moment. "Would you like to try a more sensitive test?"

Li Yang: "How long will it take?"

"The whole process takes half an hour." Dr. Wen warned, "The test can be painful. You might want to consider it."

Li Yang lowered his gaze and asked quietly, "Is the enhanced test to confirm whether I have pheromones or not?"

"Although Betas are considered ordinary people, in a certain sense, they aren't entirely ordinary—they're just in a persistent atavistic state."

"If this regressive state disappears one day, there's a high probability of presenting as an Omega. Your case might involve having barely detectable pheromone levels while the rest remains in regression." The doctor explained carefully.

Li Yang nodded.

Pressed for time, he called to request leave.

As the doctor had said, the test was indeed painful. He had no idea what instrument was used, but the moment it approached, Li Yang felt lightheaded, and even breathing became slightly stinging.

When it was over, Li Yang sat in a daze on the chair to rest until Dr. Wen came over with the report.

"According to the report, your reproductive organs and glands are completely regressed—you cannot get pregnant or receive mating marks. There's only a negligible trace of pheromones present."

"The reason you can smell others' pheromones might be due to the influence of your own. As for that special person you mentioned... I suspect you two might be biologically compatible."

"Compatible?" Li Yang was stunned, slightly shocked. "What kind of compatibility?"

The doctor smiled. "Pheromone compatibility can lead to various situations. If possible, bring the person who affects you here for a check-up to confirm this."

"You should also come for regular follow-ups." The doctor handed him the report and said seriously, "Your constitution is quite unique—there's a high chance of secondary differentiation. Regular check-ups will help detect it early and prepare accordingly."

"So, I'm an anomalous Beta?" Li Yang took the report, deep in thought. "My case doesn't fall under subfertile Omega, right?"

"Subfertile Omegas only have difficulty conceiving; their reproductive organs and glands are fine," Dr. Wen said.

Li Yang nodded in thanks, then remembered something and turned to confirm, "Then I shouldn’t have a rut/heat cycle, right?"

"It’s not entirely ruled out." Dr. Wen sighed and explained carefully, "I’ve seen cases similar to yours online, and their outcomes varied greatly. Some differentiated into subfertile Omegas, some experienced pheromone growth leading to false heats, and some remained unchanged for decades. For now, you don’t need to worry too much."

Li Yang let out a small sigh of relief. "Is there any way to make me unable to smell others' pheromones?"

Dr. Wen shook his head, advising Li Yang to stay away from people who made him uncomfortable whenever possible.

With this answer, Li Yang felt much more at ease.

When he left the hospital, the snowflakes drifting overhead grew heavier, blanketing the world in white.

He hailed a taxi, and only when he picked up his phone inside did he notice the barrage of unread messages.

Aside from those from Wen Yun and Ying Xi, there was one from an unknown sender—eighteen messages in total.

Li Yang deleted the stranger’s messages and opened his chat with Ying Xi.

"Are you back yet?"

Li Yang: "I’m back."

Wen Yun, meanwhile, had asked where he’d gone and why he hadn’t returned to school yet.

Li Yang typed a reply: "It’s nothing. I’m almost back at school."

The unknown number texted again.

Li Yang opened it and, after scanning their previous exchange, remembered—this was the Omega who’d thrown a fit in the restroom.

"Why are you ignoring me? Did you block me?"

"I told you—if you dared block me, I’d find you."

"My name is Wen Xinci. What’s yours?"

"Where are you?!"

"Whatever, it’s during class now."

Li Yang: "..."

So freaking annoying.

The growing irritation in the young man’s eyes finally led him to choose "silence notifications" over blocking or deleting.

Arriving at school, Li Yang got out of the taxi and noticed someone standing at the gate, kicking snow angrily while arguing with the security guard.

The figure was all too familiar. His eyelids twitched, and he slid back into the cab.

Meeting the driver’s questioning look, Li Yang smiled. "That person outside has screws loose. I’m just hiding here for a bit."

"I told you I just transferred here and came to report today. Why won’t you let me in?" Wen Xinci looked ready to hurl a snowball at the guard.

"Who reports this late when they’re supposed to come in the morning?" The guard stood his ground. "You’ve got no proof. I can’t just let you in."

"I’m reporting you," the Omega snapped furiously.

The guard shrugged. "Go ahead."

Wen Xinci muttered curses and turned to leave—only to spot the taxi nearby. He strode over quickly.

The moment he slid into the front seat, Li Yang ducked out of the car and bolted into the school.

Behind him, Wen Xinci’s outraged shout echoed: "That guy got in! Why can’t I? Tomorrow, the first thing I’m doing is reporting you!"

Without stopping, Li Yang pushed through the blizzard and got back to the classroom just as class ended.

He took off his coat, brushing off the snow, and went to brush his hair when a hand brushed the snow from his hair first.

"Why are you covered in snow?" Ying Xi asked quietly, his gaze lingering on Li Yang’s red-rimmed eyes as he gently dabbed at them.

Li Yang flinched automatically, his eyelashes fluttering. He didn’t even realize how used to it he was to Ying Xi’s touch.

He didn’t mince words. "That psycho I ran into earlier showed up at the school gate again."

As soon as he said it, Li Yang remembered the Omega mentioning a transfer.

"If a prime Omega transfers here, will they definitely end up in our class?"

"Odds are." Hearing him, Wen Yun peeled the novel off his face. "Aside from those high-quality Alphas and Omegas, the rest get in based on good grades."

"But where did you go? You were gone for two full hours." He gave Li Yang a once-over.

Ying Xi shot a look.

Li Yang pondered whether to tell him the specifics.

The thought came and went, and Li Yang ultimately gave up, glossing over it: "I've been a bit tired lately, went to the hospital for a check-up. Nothing serious, so I came back."

"Good that you're alright," Wen Yun said what Ying Xi was about to.

Ying Xi remained silent, reaching over to tousle Li Yang's hair.

He could tell Li Yang was hiding something but chose not to press further.

"Any new transfer students?" Wen Yun asked idly, just making small talk.

Li Yang casually hung his coat on the back of his chair and sat down before replying, "Could be."

With a quiet *tap*, a folded paper slipped out of his coat pocket, landing face-up to reveal a few large, bold words:

—*Pheromone Test Report.*