Chapter 43: Chance Encounter (Part 2)

Chapter 43: Chance Encounter (Second Update)

"Because I’m an Omega."

Yuan Shize sniffed his uniform repeatedly, as if to confirm something, then voiced his question with a mix of emotions. He never expected such an answer.

He froze on the spot, unable to react for quite a while.

Seeing him so startled, Yuan Shiyuan suddenly laughed. "Just kidding."

With such fragile nerves, it's better not to tell him directly yet. Yuan Shiyuan casually made an excuse, "Maybe I brushed past some Omega wearing perfume on the way. Isn’t it trendy these days to add synthetic pheromones to perfumes?"

"It’s not perfume," Yuan Shize mumbled, his voice muffled. "It’s your scent."

Still not convinced? Yuan Shiyuan arched an eyebrow slightly and deliberately took half a step forward, tilting his head to expose the back of his neck.

His tone was teasing, "Alright then, it’s my pheromones. I’m an Omega."

"..."

Yuan Shize backed down immediately. "Okay, brother, it’s perfume. Sorry, I misidentified it."

Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Yuan Shize was so used to indulging him—regardless of the facts, he would apologize first, as if his brother was always right in his eyes.

Had he been bullying his younger brother too much? To the point where Yuan Shize didn’t even dare to doubt him.

Oh well. He’d told the truth; whether Yuan Shize believed it or not was up to him.

Just as Yuan Shiyuan sat back down, he suddenly felt his clothes were damp. He reached out to touch them, and his palm was soaked.

He had been sweating heavily.

Perhaps it was because he’d been too absorbed in smelling the pheromones earlier, and the cramped room lacked ventilation, making him overheated. He didn’t pay it much mind and turned to pull out a pack of disposable underwear from his sling bag.

Luckily, there were some left from last time.

The bathroom had a separate shower area, and the sound of running water could be heard—probably someone washing their face. Yuan Shiyuan stepped into the shower area and took a quick shower.

By the time he came out, Yuan Shiyuan had changed into fresh clothes. His loose pants covered his long legs, and the lingering scent had mostly faded.

He had only taken two steps forward when a pair of arms wrapped around him. Yuan Shize rested his chin on his brother’s head and murmured, "Brother."

"If I’m an Alpha, will you still like me?"

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t understand. Many people desperately wished to become an Alpha, so why was his brother the exception, so opposed to being an Alpha?

Perhaps it had to do with Yuan Shize’s childhood experiences. When Yuan Shize was in the orphanage, his outstanding performance in various areas made him a target of bullying by other children.

Had he been mistreated for being exceptional, making him prefer to remain an unremarkable ordinary person?

Yuan Shiyuan raised his hand and wrapped his arms around his brother’s waist.

"Do you remember me telling you that the first family who adopted me really wanted an Alpha? At the time, I had no concept of gender and didn’t particularly desire to become any particular gender. But because of them, I desperately wished to become an Alpha," he said. "But it was useless. They had their own child and abandoned me before even confirming the baby’s gender."

"Later, I met Mom and Dad. They treated me well and loved me deeply. They never held it against me for having poor gland development, nor did they love me any less because of whether I was an Alpha or an Omega."

He lifted his head, cupping his brother’s face. "So, gender isn’t everything."

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting dappled light on them. Yuan Shiyuan’s face was exceptionally bright, but his voice was soft. "Those who love you will love you regardless of your gender or who you are. They won’t change their love for you based on your gender."

"If they do, then it’s not real love."

"We love you because you’re Yuan Shize," Yuan Shiyuan said, standing on his tiptoes to gently nuzzle against his brother’s jaw. "Not because of your gender."

Yuan Shize’s pupils widened slightly as he gazed at the face so close to his.

Yuan Shiyuan’s skin was pale, and the light spots illuminated the droplets of water still glistening in his hair and the barely visible scent gland beneath his collar, which seemed to emit an alluring fragrance.

His gentle words worked like a sedative, calming Yuan Shize instantly. Yet, he couldn’t help wondering: Did his brother love him? And if so, was it for himself, or simply because he was his brother?

He knew it was most likely the latter and that he shouldn’t ask for more. But he couldn’t stop himself from fantasizing about possibilities that would never happen.

*What if I weren’t your brother? Would you still love me?*

*Love me for who I am, not for being your brother.*

Yuan Shize stared intently at Yuan Shiyuan’s face and, as if seeking confirmation, asked again, "Brother, do you love me?"

"Of course," Yuan Shiyuan replied without hesitation. "You’re my brother."

Yuan Shize lowered his eyes and grumbled, "But we’re not even on the same family registry."

Yuan Shiyuan’s face instantly fell. He grabbed his brother’s collar, forcing him to bend down.

"Yuan Shize."

Hearing his full name, Yuan Shize stiffened.

"Mom has health problems, and Dad was worried that childbirth would harm her, so they chose adoption. We may not be their biological sons, but they treat us no differently—in fact, even better. It’s true you’re not on the family registry, but that’s due to adoption procedures. Don’t ever say such things again," he said sternly. "Otherwise, Mom and Dad would be hurt."

Each family is limited in the number of children they can adopt to prevent irresponsible abandonment or inability to afford raising them. The exact number depends on a comprehensive evaluation by professional agencies based on income documentation, asset status, and other materials submitted by the family.

Back then, Yuan Xing and her spouse had only planned to adopt one child. When they brought young Yuan Shiyuan back to the orphanage to bring snacks for the children, they encountered Yuan Shize—quiet, withdrawn, and clearly dealing with emotional issues.

Noticing how little Yuan Shiyuan kept staring at the other boy and even ran over to talk to him, they asked, "Does Xiao Yuan want a little sister or brother?"

Little Yuan Shiyuan was very obedient. He said, "If Mom and Dad want one, then I want one too."

Children don’t resent having siblings; they only feel wronged when love is unevenly distributed. But little Yuan Shiyuan received so much love that he wasn’t worried about a new family member stealing their parents’ attention.

At that time, little Yuan Shiyuan was at an active, playful age and had just transferred to a new school. Perhaps having a friend of the same age to go to school with would make things easier?

Besides, this child was clearly isolated and looked so lonely.

After much discussion, the couple decided to adopt another child.

Unfortunately, they were only approved for one adoption quota. Left with no choice, they asked relatives abroad to help with the adoption process, formally adopting Yuan Shize through that channel.

Even though Yuan Shize’s household registration wasn’t under their family’s name, they were truly a family.

Yuan Shize hurriedly explained, "Brother, that’s not what I meant."

His fingers trembled with anxiety, but he didn’t know how to explain further. He could only repeat, "I know Mom and Dad have been great to us. I’ve long regarded them as my birth parents. I really don’t have any other thoughts..."

"You’d be dead if you did."

Yuan Shiyuan pretended to be fierce, shaking his fist as if to punch his brother, but in the end, only gently touched his brother’s jaw with his fingertips.

His tone softened, "I know you didn't mean it, and I know you’re a good kid. You never planned to go professional, right? It was only because of sudden family trouble that you secretly contacted the club."

Yuan Shize lowered his gaze and didn’t respond.

At first, he only treated gaming as a hobby. Even when club owners recognized his talent, he didn’t agree. Back then, his family’s financial situation was stable, and he had plenty of options.

It wasn’t until his mother suddenly had health problems—during the year Yuan Shiyuan was preparing for college—that he even considered dropping out to work and cover the medical expenses, so his brother could go to university.

But the whole family scolded him and stopped him.

"I did this for Mom and Dad, but also for you," Yuan Shize leaned in and hugged Yuan Shiyuan. His embrace was now broad enough to envelop the other. "I didn’t want you to have it so hard... I wanted to help carry the load."

"Ge, I want to protect you."

Yuan Shiyuan laughed softly and patted his younger brother’s back. "I’m the older brother. There’s no need for you to protect me."

Yuan Shiyuan was genuinely surprised.

Yuan Shize, who usually was quiet, had actually been holding onto all this.

Yuan Shiyuan looked at his brother, who now stood half a head taller than him.

Indeed, even though Yuan Shize was now taller and stronger, he was still the same clingy, sensitive younger brother who used to follow him around, who had to bathe and sleep with him.

When they stepped out, they found Yuan Xing had already fallen asleep. She lay quietly on the hospital bed, a book of poetry resting on her abdomen.

Yuan Shize gently placed the book on the bedside table, while Yuan Shiyuan carefully fixed her blankets.

As the surgery date approached, Yuan Xing got tired easily. The doctor had advised ensuring she got plenty of rest and avoiding getting too emotional during this period.

"Dad said he’s working overtime today and will be back later."

Yuan Shiyuan sent a message in the family group chat and left a note on the bedside table. "Let’s go eat first."

"Mom doesn’t have any sketchy social media apps on her phone, right?"

Yuan Shize replied, "All other apps have been deleted. Only the e-reader app and texting app are left. When she watched your reality show, Mom also watched it with Dad."

"Dad’s been watching over her."

"That’s good."

As a public figure now, Yuan Shiyuan was worried Yuan Xing might come across negative news.

The hospital cafeteria offered decent food that's affordable. As Yuan Shiyuan lifted the clear plastic door curtain, the aroma of food wafted over.

While looking for an empty seat, Yuan Shiyuan suddenly noticed a familiar figure.

A tall black-haired Alpha wearing a black mask and cap was standing in line. His height made him stand out in the crowd.

Yuan Shiyuan hadn’t meant to recognize him, but the other’s earring was too distinctive.

"Jiang Hang?"

The Alpha initially thought he was hearing things, but he turned around anyway. His stern expression softened noticeably when he saw Yuan Shiyuan.

"What a coincidence, running into you here."

Yuan Shiyuan quickly walked over, his gaze falling on the neck where the gland was. After removing the bandage, there were clear needle marks and bruising—signs of a blood draw.

His voice immediately grew tense. "Did something go wrong during the blood draw? Are you feeling unwell? Is it serious?"

Earlier, his mind had been a mess, and Zhuang He had hurriedly rushed him out from the scene before he could properly ask about or thank his teammate.

"Was too much blood drawn...?"

Realizing the misunderstanding, Jiang Hang quickly interrupted to explain, "It’s not because of the blood draw. I’m here to visit family."

"Here to see my grandfather. He’s asleep, so I came to eat."

As if to reassure Yuan Shiyuan, Jiang Hang straightforwardly took off his cap and mask.

"Not much blood was drawn," he repeated. "I’m not feeling unwell."

Yuan Shiyuan carefully observed the Alpha’s complexion and, confirming that he looked fine, finally relaxed.

"Then let me treat you to a meal? I really should thank you properly today." He pursed his lips awkwardly. "Actually, I should’ve thanked all of you earlier, but my mind was a mess... I only just came to my senses."

"No need to thank me," Jiang Hang said. "It’s what I should do."

Yuan Shiyuan insisted, "There’s no ‘should’ about it. You helped me, so I should properly thank you."

But Yuan Shiyuan couldn’t immediately think of how to express his gratitude. In the Scepter boy band, aside from himself, it seemed all the other members were from well-off families.

Jiang Hang was relatively private. Yuan Shiyuan didn’t know much about his family background, but he’d seen online discussions suggesting Jiang Hang might be the scion of some wealthy family?

That’s why he’d been so surprised to see Jiang Hang working as an auto mechanic on the cruise ship. He hadn’t expected Jiang Hang to have those skills, let alone be so good at it.

Rather than exchanging pleasantries or thanks, Jiang Hang was more curious about what had actually happened.

Aside from the pheromone trigger, were there any other incidents? Why had Zhuang He acted so unusually?

Did Yuan Shiyuan really need that much S-class Alpha pheromone?

Just then, Jiang Hang suddenly sensed a sharp, intense stare.

He turned his head and noticed the young Alpha standing beside Yuan Shiyuan. The boy didn’t look very old, wearing a school uniform, but his eyes were like those of a fiercely protective guard dog, full of vigilance.

There was a natural rivalry between Alphas, and Jiang Hang immediately felt competitive. He immediately concluded that the other was also an S-class Alpha, just like him.

"This is my brother."

Yuan Shiyuan, who was standing in line, peeked ahead to see what dishes were available and introduced them. "Little Ze, this is my teammate, Jiang Hang. You should call him ‘Ge’ too."

Jiang Hang said, "No need."

Yuan Shiyuan insisted, "You’re my friend. It’s fine for him to call you ‘Ge’."

"Hello, Brother Jiang."

When Yuan Shiyuan looked over, Yuan Shize instantly changed his attitude. Like a fierce beast retracting its claws and biding its time, he adopted a polite attitude. "Thank you for helping my brother today, and thank you for looking after him usually."

"If I get the chance, I'll make sure to thank you properly on behalf of my brother."

Jiang Hang gave a slight smile but didn’t respond.

Yuan Shiyuan didn’t notice the awkward moment between them, focusing instead on seeing what they were serving at the window and deciding what to eat.

When it was his turn, he immediately said sweetly, "Chen-ayi is on duty today? What a coincidence."

Auntie Chen, who was serving food, recognized Yuan Shiyuan and chuckled, "Oh, it's Xiao Yuan! You're looking even sharper lately! Come, come, what can I get for you?"

"Jiang Hang, what would you like?" Yuan Shiyuan asked Jiang Hang first. Jiang Hang replied, "Anything is fine."

Yuan Shiyuan knew Jiang Hang's taste was similar to his own. "I'll have the pickled fish, dry pot cauliflower, sweet and sour shrimp..."

As he spoke, he leaned on the counter, slightly crouching down and tilting his face upward. His dewy eyes blinked slowly, his eyelashes fluttering. "Auntie, could you give me a little extra shrimp?"

Auntie Chen's heart melted. With a smile, she loaded up his plate with a heaping scoop. "Of course! You're still growing, so you should eat more... Auntie will give you extra rice too, so you don't go hungry."

She quietly slipped a few extra pieces of pork ribs into his bowl and whispered, "If it's not enough, just let me know."

"Thank you, Auntie," Yuan Shiyuan said sweetly. "You're so kind!"

Auntie Chen had known Yuan Shiyuan for a while. She'd heard that his family had went through a tough time and that he was taking on multiple part-time jobs to help make ends meet.

Her heart went out to him, so she often used her employee meal card to slip him some extra portions during mealtimes. Since employees had staff meal benefits, it didn't cost her anything—she was just lending a helping hand.

But during that period, Yuan Shiyuan was so swamped with work that he mistakenly thought he'd ordered too much without paying. He rushed back to pay the difference, worried that the serving auntie might suffer a loss.

Yuan Shiyuan ordered several dishes that Jiang Hang liked, then picked his own favorites.

He counted the pile of food on the tray and lowered his head thoughtfully. "This should be enough for the three of us, right?"

"It's enough," Jiang Hang said, noticing his hesitation. He reached to grab the tray, but just as his fingers touched the edge, Yuan Shize cut in and grabbed it from him.

"Jiang, you can just sit back and relax."

Yuan Shize appeared out of nowhere, smoothly snatching the tray in front of Jiang Hang with a tight, polite smile. "You're my brother's friend—no need for you to bother!"

"I've been taking care of my brother for almost ten years now; I'm used to it. Leave these small tasks to me."

Jiang Hang's outstretched hand hung in the air. He lifted his gaze to meet Yuan Shize's.

Yuan Shize didn't avoid his eyes but stared back directly, his gaze filled with open hostility.