Chapter 41: Garter

Chapter 41: The Thigh Garter

"What? An Omega!?"

Zhuang He rushed to the hospital in a frantic state, only to be met with this shocking news. His first reaction was to ask, "Is he physically alright? How could he suddenly undergo secondary differentiation?"

"Mr. Yuan is in excellent health," the doctor stated, handing over the report. "Perhaps it was precisely his robust constitution and good nutrition that triggered the secondary differentiation."

Zhuang He let out a long sigh of relief. "That's good. Shi Yuan is still so young."

Finally, he posed the core question, one Yuan Shiyuan also yearned to ask: "Is there any chance he could revert? Like, differentiate into an Alpha again?"

"Theoretically, no," the doctor chose his words carefully, avoiding absolutes. "But medicine always has room for miracles, so there is a possibility."

"Alright, I understand." That was enough for him.

Zhuang He nodded, already formulating a plan. This hospital had collaborated with Starry Night Entertainment for years, and all medical staff had signed strict confidentiality agreements. With the doctor's statement, he felt better equipped to negotiate with the company.

Inside the VIP lounge.

The doctor left to extract the remaining S-class pheromones, temporarily leaving the two of them alone.

Yuan Shiyuan lay face down on the table, only his teary eyes visible. He mumbled gloomily, "Brother Zhuang, I'm sorry."

"Silly child, what are you talking about? Differentiation isn't something you can control." Zhuang He instinctively reached out to pat Yuan Shiyuan's shoulder but, remembering he was now an Omega, pulled his hand back. "As long as you're healthy, everything else is a minor issue."

Yuan Shiyuan lifted his head. "Do I have to leave the group then...?"

"Leave what group?"

Zhuang He declared firmly, "Didn't the doctor say? Maybe you'll turn back into an Alpha in a few days?"

"What if I don’t change back?"

"Shi Yuan, let me ask you one question: do you still want to stay in our group?"

"Yes." Yuan Shiyuan answered without hesitation.

Yuan Shiyuan had initially thought he wouldn’t adapt to the idol life, but not only did he adjust quickly, he also grew to love the job—including the affection from fans.

"Then that's settled," Zhuang He said. "You just had an accident due to an Omega-induced estrus. Many people in the company witnessed it and can back you up. The hospital has confidentiality agreements, and I’ll deal with the company side."

He paused, his tone softening. "I’ll give you some time off. Rest well. Remember to let your parents know about this—don’t keep it to yourself."

"I don’t want you to leave Scepter either," Zhuang He said softly. "Let’s get through this together, okay?"

"Okay, Brother Zhuang." That was all he could do. Yuan Shiyuan nodded. "Thank you."

"What’s there to thank, silly boy?" Zhuang He habitually ruffled Yuan Shiyuan's hair, then pondered, "I’ll have to arrange a single room for you... It’s not appropriate for an Omega and Alphas to room together."

Yuan Shiyuan hurriedly said, "No. The more special treatment I get, the more suspicious others will become. Let’s keep things as they are."

"That may be true, but..." Zhuang He stared at Yuan Shiyuan’s flushed, delicate face, worried. "I’m really afraid Bao Jin might do something inappropriate to you."

When Yuan Shiyuan was an Alpha, Zhuang He never thought much of it—after all, they were the same gender. Sharing beds, bathing together, and massages were common. No matter how refined Yuan Shiyuan was, he was still an Alpha.

But now, thinking of Yuan Shiyuan as an Omega, the same scenarios felt utterly strange.

Placing Yuan Shiyuan among Scepter’s S-class Alphas—wasn’t that like throwing a lamb into a wolf’s den?

"Brother Bao Jin wouldn’t do that." Yuan Shiyuan blinked. "Isn’t he afraid of Alphas, disgusted by Betas, and annoyed by Omegas?"

"That’s true." Zhuang He suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh. "Speaking of which, that kid Bao Jin is actually the most reliable. He’s the only child of overseas billionaires; his parents passed away, leaving only him. Before he even reached adulthood, so many people sent high-compatibility Omegas to him, even drugging him..."

Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes widened. "So that’s why he..."

"Later, when sending Omegas didn’t work, they started sending Alphas and Betas instead. In the end, it made him develop a phobia and aversion to people."

"You know he has Pheromone Mania. Even under those circumstances, he guarded his chastity—his self-control is extraordinary."

Zhuang He felt slightly relieved. "Good. With Bao Jin as your roommate, I can rest a little easier."

When the doctor returned with the new S-class pheromone extract, Zhuang He had a general understanding of Yuan Shiyuan’s condition.

Out of respect for patient privacy, the doctor didn’t go into specifics about the treatment plan, only hinting, "Frequent contact with S-class Alphas will be helpful."

Zhuang He was delighted. "Isn’t that perfect? Our group is practically mass-producing S-class Alphas—we have plenty to spare! Shi Yuan, feel free to make use of your older brothers as you need!"

Yuan Shiyuan made a pained face.

The doctor hadn’t specified how to "use" them, so Zhuang He assumed it might involve scenting their pheromones, like drinking pheromone extract. Only Yuan Shiyuan understood that this "use" involved adult themes.

Use them freely? How?

Would the S-class Alphas in the group line up, waiting for him to take turns sitting on them?

He didn’t want to "weed the Arctic." TOT

The doctor avoided detailing the treatment plan to spare Yuan Shiyuan embarrassment and didn’t mention the high compatibility rate to Zhuang He.

After all, high compatibility was a topic loaded with implication in relationships—it sounded too explicit...

After the secondary differentiation, Yuan Shiyuan seemed to glow even more. His skin was delicate with a faint blush, and the corners of his eyes shimmered with a crystalline wetness. While the middle-aged Alpha (Zhuang He) listened intently to the doctor, Yuan Shiyuan lay across the table, one arm resting on its surface, joints tinged a soft pink, half his face buried in the crook of his elbow, looking dazed as if questioning life itself.

Nearby, young nurses stole glances in their direction, whispering among themselves.

"How is he even more handsome than in photos?"

"Oh my, his face is so small, and his skin is so fair..."

"He looks so well-behaved..."

The hospital collaborated with numerous entertainment companies, so they often saw celebrities.

They were accustomed to beautiful faces, but no artist had ever been as stunning as the one before them now.

At the end of the hallway, five tall figures stood quietly.

Their wrists and necks were adorned with hemostatic cotton. Later, seeking higher pheromone concentration, they had blood drawn directly from their glands.

As the hospital door cracked open, they immediately stepped forward.

Bao Jin, who was closest, reached out: "What did the doctor say—"

*Smack!*

Bao Jin’s hand was forcefully swatted away.

The sharp sound echoed through the corridor.

Only then did Yuan Shiyuan notice the blood draw marks on Bao Jin's wrist, and the same was true for the other Alphas. The twin brothers must have just returned from a commercial shoot, not even having time to change their clothes; Pei Yanbing, who was particular about cleanliness, had bloodstains on his cuffs; Jiang Hang's clothes were extremely wrinkled...

"Sorry, I couldn’t control myself..."

Yuan Shiyuan’s mind was filled with the final conversation he had with the doctor.

"You don’t seem to understand what 100% compatibility means," the doctor said meaningfully. "It means that as long as an Alpha and an Omega exchange pheromones, both will feel great pleasure."

"Like a spiritual connection."

Yuan Shiyuan: OoO!

Does that mean he’s had a spiritual connection with all the S-class Alphas?

Several times it was with multiple people, even all six at once...

Yuan Shiyuan was so stunned that he felt lightheaded as he left the hospital room. So much so that when Bao Jin approached him, he jumped back as if scalded.

"It’s fine."

Bao Jin moved his hand behind his back, not letting Yuan Shiyuan see. He said, "You’re not yourself right now. I won’t take it to heart."

Yuan Shiyuan’s chest felt warm, and his eyes felt slightly sore.

"I didn’t mean to snap at you," he said, fidgeting with his fingers before suddenly hugging Bao Jin. "Actually, I’m feeling kinda rough."

Bao Jin looked down at Yuan Shiyuan’s rounded earlobe and his long, gently damp eyelashes.

He said, "I know."

Being sent into rut by an Omega was indeed uncomfortable, especially when both parties had high compatibility. The struggle of losing control and fighting against one’s instincts was excruciating.

Bao Jin had been through it countless times, so he said, "You’ve done great holding out."

"Sigh."

Though he didn’t know what Bao Jin had misunderstood, it somehow comforted him right. Yuan Shiyuan really did think he'd been amazing.

The differentiation process was no walk in the park, amplifying sensitive emotions and leaving you really vulnerable. Yet he had gone through it twice.

His first pseudo-differentiation was S-class, and this time, with S-class as baseline, the doctor said he might even reach 3S!

He was off the charts.

After hugging Bao Jin, Yuan Shiyuan went around hugging the other members. He said earnestly, "Thank you all so much."

"If it weren’t for you, I really couldn't have gotten through it."

S-class synthetic pheromones were hard to come by in hospitals, and S-class individuals were extremely rare. Having five readily available S-class donors providing pheromones through blood draws was a first in the hospital's history.

After hugging the last person, Yuan Shiyuan noticed Zhuang He staring wide-eyed, looking as if his precious cabbage had been trampled by pigs. Only then did it finally click that he was now an Omega.

What used to be normal physical contact could now be taken as sexual harassment against Alphas.

Yuan Shiyuan coolly stepped back, "As expected, when it comes down to it, it’s my good brothers who’ll have my back."

"So, what exactly did the doctor say?" Jiang Hang brought the topic back to the beginning.

"Isn’t it just what it seems?" Zhuang He cut in at the right moment. "You all have bookings tomorrow and the day after. Come on, break it up! And Ming Che, Mingxi, aren’t you still shooting your commercial?"

He began dispersing the crowd. "As for Shi Yuan, I’m putting him on leave. He needs to rest properly these days."

"The doctor also said a few days of rest should do it. You brothers quit worrying so much."

The other Alphas looked skeptical, clearly unconvinced. Ying Mingxi suddenly stepped forward, approached Yuan Shiyuan, and lifted his chin, his thumb lightly grazing against the tip of Yuan Shiyuan’s jaw.

Yuan Shiyuan’s shoulders trembled slightly.

"Your color does look good, but Shi Yuan..."

Ying Mingxi examined Yuan Shiyuan’s face doubtfully. Was it his imagination, or did his lips seem brighter?

His usually gentle face showed a hint of doubt as he asked, "Are you really okay?"

"Stop with the touching," Zhuang He knocked Ying Mingxi’s hand away. "I’ll take Shi Yuan home. Everyone, disperse!"

Zhuang He gave Yuan Shiyuan a look and hurriedly pushed him into the elevator.

The elevator doors slowly closed.

Only after the two disappeared did the S-class Alphas slowly withdraw their gazes, the warmth in their eyes fading.

S-class individuals weren’t so easily fooled.

They could all tell Zhuang He was hiding something.

Something must have happened—something they didn’t know about, something Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t bring himself to mention.

But what could it be, that even their manager would help conceal it?

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t go home but instead went to the inpatient ward of the neighboring hospital.

He was visiting his mother.

Along the way, Yuan Shiyuan occasionally glanced down, curious about his newly developed gland.

Unfortunately, he was wearing long pants today and couldn’t get a clearer look.

The gland was located beneath the skin, appearing no different from the surrounding area. But this patch of skin was more delicate, soft, and sensitive, unable to withstand much contact.

As Yuan Shiyuan entered the elevator, his fingers unconsciously tugged at the hem of his clothes, and he glanced down again.

He looked no different from usual, but only he knew that beneath his loose pants, a leg ring—modified by the doctor—was fastened around his thigh. Originally sized as a neck ring, it had been hastily adjusted to fit the curve of his inner thigh.

With every step, even through the fabric, Yuan Shiyuan could feel the discomfort from the gland.

Yuan Shiyuan still wasn’t quite used to wearing it. Perhaps due to his walking posture, with each step, the leg ring gently rubbed against the sensitive gland.

But Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t bother taking it off. He had already made up his mind. Since the gland was on his inner thigh, ordinary people wouldn’t pry it open to look.

He could just apply a barrier film, and that would be enough.

The only downside was that the inner thigh tended to sweat. No matter how waterproof the barrier film was, there was always a chance it might come off.

With a "ding," the elevator doors opened.

Yuan Shiyuan’s thoughts wandered, and he couldn’t help but wonder—did that mean touching his thigh now counted as masturbation?

No wonder it felt so good every time he brushed against it...

Yuan Shiyuan was feeling torn again.

Should he tell his family at this moment? Mom was about to undergo surgery, and his younger brother was on the verge of his secondary gender emergence while also preparing for exams...

Maybe he should wait until after Mom’s surgery? It's not like it's far off—just a couple more days.

In two more days, it would also be his younger brother’s eighteenth lunar birthday, which seemed like a more appropriate time.

Yuan Shiyuan inched toward the door when it suddenly swung open from the inside. A tall shadow cast over him, completely enveloping him.

He looked up, dazed. His brother’s frame had filled out, and he had grown even taller.

"Bro? Why aren’t you coming in?"

Yuan Shiyuan shot him a sidelong glare.

"Oh, since when do you care?" He turned his head away coldly, his tone stiff.

Yuan Shize had no clue what he had done to upset Yuan Shiyuan. He quickly followed behind him, taking his messenger bag and swiftly clearing the cushions from the sofa.

"Was it too hot outside? Or did you get lost again?" He said soothingly, "Bro, next time just send me a message, and I’ll come down to get you..."

Yuan Shiyuan shot him another dirty look.

Yuan Shize immediately fell silent but kept himself busy, pouring water and cutting fruit for his brother.

After finishing, he circled Yuan Shiyuan like a large dog, then crouched in front of him to massage his legs. "I just learned a massage technique online..."

"Try it, Bro. You’ll love it."

Yuan Shiyuan kept a stony face and didn't respond.

Yuan Xing, who was lying in the hospital bed reading, couldn’t help but laugh. "Yuan Shiyuan's teasing his brother again."

Yuan Shiyuan let out a laugh and tugged at Yuan Shize’s arm. "Alright, get up."

"I’m not really mad," he said. "Even Mom can tell I’m teasing you. How come you can’t?"

Yuan Shiyuan particularly enjoyed teasing Yuan Shize like this, and every time, Yuan Shize would fall for it.

Because Yuan Shize never wanted to risk it.

"I was afraid you were really upset, and I hadn’t noticed," he said, sitting beside Yuan Shiyuan. "Anyway, coaxing you isn’t that hard."

Whether it was real anger or not, he’d soothe him first and ask questions later.

Once Yuan Shize sat beside him, Yuan Shiyuan felt a little uneasy, as if danger was approaching...

Yuan Shize wasn’t much younger than him; his physique caught between a teenager and a grown man, with his shoulders and frame growing broader and more imposing.

After just a few days apart, Yuan Shize had grown even taller.

Yuan Shiyuan gave him a thoughtful look.

He had been eating more recently and had happily assumed he was going through a growth spurt, but it turned out all the growth had gone to the scent gland between his legs.

Did secondary differentiation count as a second puberty? Did that mean he still had room to grow taller?

Yuan Shiyuan casually lifted the hem of his shirt to take a look. He had the typical slender, toned build of a pretty boy, with a thin layer of muscle covering his frame, his skin firm and smooth, with soft, flowing lines.

His friends all said it looked good and felt nice to touch, often jostling to touch him.

But he really didn’t want to be surrounded by multiple "human refrigerators."

"Time flies. Xiao Yuan will be nineteen soon, right?" Yuan Xing suddenly remarked.

Yuan Shiyuan replied, "I’m about to turn twenty."

Since he wasn’t much older than Yuan Shize, he often exaggerated his age, counting the traditional way, to prevent Yuan Shize from getting defiant.

Yuan Shize complained, "By traditional reckoning, I’m nineteen too."

"That doesn’t count. It has to be based on the lunar calendar," Yuan Shiyuan shot back mercilessly.

By the Gregorian calendar, Yuan Shize had already turned eighteen. But their family was accustomed to celebrating birthdays according to the lunar calendar, so Yuan Shize had been considered an adult for a while now.

Yuan Shize knew better than to argue.

"It’s fine, it’s only a couple of days away anyway," Yuan Xing said with a laugh. "The lunar and Gregorian dates aren’t that far apart."

After chatting for a while, Yuan Shiyuan made up an excuse and slipped into the small room inside the suite.

After their family’s financial situation improved, Yuan’s father had upgraded his mother to a small suite with a separate room where family members could stay.

Yuan Shiyuan was incredibly curious about his new gland. Just as he was about to take off his pants, the door quietly opened.

Before he could turn around, a broad body pressed up against his back. Yuan Shize’s arm draped over his collarbone, his palm resting on his shoulder, while his other hand pressed against his abdomen.

In a tight, restraining hold, Yuan Shize enveloped him.

Yuan Shiyuan felt a mix of bewilderment and amazement.

His perfectly fine younger brother had turned into a "human refrigerator" too?

"Bro, I saw the news."

Yuan Shize’s chin rested on the top of his head, his tone serious. "You went to the hospital today? It caused quite a stir."

"What did the news say?" Yuan Shiyuan was stunned, shocked at how quickly the paparazzi had gotten the story.

"It said an Omega went into heat, and you were affected."

Yuan Shize’s breath warmed his ear, carrying the unique warmth of youth. "But I want to hear it from you directly."

"It’s just what you saw," Yuan Shiyuan said, relieved that their mom didn’t check her phone often. "I’m fine. Don’t worry."

But Yuan Shize tightened his embrace.

His gaze fixed on the scent gland on the back of Yuan Shiyuan’s neck, where the skin had been rubbed red by his collar, looking especially enticing. When he had first opened the door, Yuan Shiyuan’s eyes were red-rimmed and moist, making his heart skip a beat.

So he had been induced into a pseudo-heat by an Omega.

Of course—Bro did prefer Omegas...

Yuan Shize’s eyes darkened bit by bit. He buried his face in Yuan Shiyuan’s neck, his nose brushing against the warm skin like a large dog seeking comfort.

The body in his arms trembled noticeably but didn’t push him away. This reaction put him at ease, and his courage grew.

Yuan Shize stuck out his tongue and gently licked the gland. "Bro, you smell so good."

Yuan Shiyuan's pupils blew wide.

He knew this wasn't his real gland, but the moment it was licked, a jolt raced up his spine. He had intended to push his brother away, but seeing Yuan Shize's needy expression softened his heart.

Yuan Shize had always been insecure since childhood and liked to hold onto some part of his body while sleeping. When he was little, he had to suck on Yuan Shiyuan's fingers to fall asleep, a habit that only improved as he grew older.

This seemed to be Yuan Shize's way of seeking comfort.

Now, it was just another way to gain that sense of safety.

Whatever, let him lick—it wasn’t a real gland anyway.

As long as he didn’t lick the thigh gland, anything goes.

Yuan Shize watched Yuan Shiyuan's expression like a hawk, immediately noticing his indulgence.

So, his brother didn’t mind an Alpha touching his fake gland.

So, he could accept this level of contact.

Yuan Shize felt a sudden surge of excitement but didn’t push his luck. He had learned from a young age to read his brother's cues to control his actions—a skill honed over years of growing up together.

If his brother got angry, he would stop immediately; but if Yuan Shiyuan didn’t tell him to stop, he would try to go a little further.

Until he figured out exactly his brother’s limits.

But Yuan Shize knew better than anyone that Yuan Shiyuan was only humoring his nonsense, treating him like a spoiled, insecure younger brother.

This realization made his heart sink with bitterness, and his expression gradually darkened. He dejectedly nuzzled his face against Yuan Shiyuan’s neck.

"Brother..."

"Hmm?"

"I’ve presented." Yuan Shize’s voice was muffled against his chest. "As an Alpha."

Yuan Shiyuan was surprised: "You presented too?"

Yuan Shize: "Too?"

"Oh, I spoke too fast." Yuan Shiyuan brushed it off lightly. "I was just too surprised."

"But I didn’t want to present as an Alpha." Yuan Shize insisted again, "I didn’t want to."

Yuan Shize’s voice shook noticeably, his emotions clearly unstable.

"What’s going on?" Yuan Shiyuan was also totally confused.

"Brother, I’m really upset." Despite his large frame, Yuan Shize wore an expression as pitiful as a stray dog’s. "I want to hug you."

"Alright, alright, come here."

Yuan Shiyuan quickly pivoted in his brother’s arms and pushed him onto the single bed.

He lifted his legs, straddling Yuan Shize, and generously spread his arms: "Come on, hug all you want."

Yuan Shize immediately wrapped his arms around Yuan Shiyuan, burying his face in his brother’s chest. Through the thin fabric, he could clearly hear Yuan Shiyuan’s steady heartbeat.

Yuan Shiyuan understood Yuan Shize’s feelings all too well.

As someone who had been through it, he knew the hormonal fluctuations during the differentiation period could make one highly emotionally sensitive—an uncontrollable physiological response.

"Being an Alpha is great too," Yuan Shiyuan said, pressing his brother's face against his chest while rhythmically patting his back. "It's okay, don't be sad."

"No gender discrimination."

"I'm afraid you won’t like me anymore…"

Yuan Shize's voice was muffled, and the warmth of his breath seeped through the thin fabric, making Yuan Shiyuan's chest feel warm.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Yuan Shiyuan chuckled, deliberately changing the subject. "Since you’ve differentiated, what’s your rank?"

"The same as you."

"S-Rank."

Yuan Shiyuan stared blankly.

What?!

Another S-Rank!

Weren’t S-Ranks supposed to be rare? Why did they keep appearing around him?

And… their compatibility wouldn’t be high too, would it?

To Yuan Shize, however, his silence meant something entirely different.

Alphas naturally reject each other—the higher the rank, the more intolerable they find one another. Was his brother rejecting him because he was merely another S-Rank?

Is Ge silent because he doesn't like me anymore? Is it because I'm also an S-rank?

Yuan Shize's panic intensified rapidly. He clung tightly to his brother's waist and buried his face even deeper.

"I don't want to be an Alpha..." he repeated, "I don't want to."

"I want to be closer to Ge..."

Yuan Shiyuan was utterly helpless. He rested his hand on the back of Yuan Shize's head: "Isn't this close enough?"

"We're already very close."

"Not enough... not enough!"

"I want to be even closer to Ge..."

Yuan Shize suddenly grew agitated, his breathing becoming heavy. He crushed Yuan Shiyuan against his chest, increasing the area of their contact.

Having touched something sensitive, Yuan Shiyuan abruptly tensed his toes, his arms tightening around his brother's neck, his body trembling uncontrollably, and let out a half-suppressed gasp near his brother's ear.

Yuan Shize froze.

He saw his brother's flushed ear tips, his eyelashes trembling and damp. Then, his gaze drifted downward—Yuan Shiyuan's pants were strained, showing a distinct ring-shaped bulge near the thigh, visible through the fabric.

He instinctively reached out to touch it, to investigate further, but was cut short by Yuan Shiyuan's trembling voice.

"Don't touch there!"

Yuan Shize immediately stiffened. He could only watch helplessly as Yuan Shiyuan broke free from his embrace.

Yuan Shiyuan moved slowly to the edge of the bed, his fingers gripping the elastic waistband of his pants before swiftly taking them off.

His pale, slender legs parted casually, yet around the top of his right thigh was a black leather leg garter, leaving faint red marks against the snow-white skin and pressing into the soft flesh.

Yuan Shiyuan sighed. He really wasn’t used to wearing these things. Acting as if he were alone, he unfastened the garter and tossed it aside.

The air seemed to freeze.

But the young Alpha’s pheromones leaked out uncontrollably, carrying an unrefined possessiveness, encircling the other within it.

Yuan Shize stared intently at the scene, his voice hoarse as he called out, “Bro…”

“What is this?”