Chapter 14 Rut Period

Chapter 14: The Vulnerable Period

Yixin Welfare Home, though distant from the main city, boasts a beautiful environment and pleasant climate, nestled amidst lakes and small hills.

The welfare home is not only spacious, featuring classrooms, dormitories, and a library, but also equipped with robots to cater to the children's basic needs, significantly easing the burden on the teaching staff.

As Lin Juangui listened to Zhuang Xi's introduction, he marveled at the advanced technology, all the while pondering how to keep Huo Zeshen on Sailing Star, just to be closer to him.

Wen Rui, the director of Yixin Welfare Home, is a benevolent and approachable female Beta in her forties, her long hair neatly tied back with a band.

Zhuang Xi's visit served not only to deliver the children but also as an informal inspection, which Wen Rui took very seriously.

"Although the welfare home doesn't house many children currently, we are fully prepared to accommodate more should the need arise. The five children who arrived today have each been assigned a private room and a dedicated robot. We will also conduct intelligence tests and tailor appropriate curricula for them. Do you see any areas that require further improvement?"

Zhuang Xi entrusted the children to Wen Rui, instructing her, "These children were personally rescued by General Mu Yuanqing. Please ensure they receive extra care. We'll take a stroll around and stay for lunch to sample the cooking robots' culinary skills."

"Certainly. I'll escort the children to their dormitories first. Please feel free to look around."

Noticing Lin Juangui's silence, Zhuang Xi inquired, "What are your thoughts?"

Lin Juangui nodded, "It's meticulously planned, and its scale far exceeds my expectations."

Lin Juangui was no stranger to welfare homes, as his mother, Fan Meiyi, had grown up in one.

During his youth, Lin Juangui had accompanied Fan Meiyi on several visits to welfare homes. It was precisely because of his mother that, once he achieved financial independence, he resolved to help more girls like her to the best of his ability.

Zhuang Xi proudly lifted his chin and declared, "Many in the association accuse me of extravagance, questioning the necessity of such a well-appointed welfare home. But I believe a welfare home's purpose extends beyond merely providing food and shelter. These children possess the potential for brilliant futures! Having lost their homes to war and disaster, they undoubtedly harbor resentment. With that spirit and access to appropriate educational resources, they are capable of achieving great things!"

"Indeed, your work is truly remarkable. I can sense it."

Lin Juangui's words were not mere cold or insincere flattery. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Zhuang Xi, conveying a desire to help, yet uncertainty about how.

Zhuang Xi clasped Lin Juangui's hand and said, "I can tell you're not flattering me. Meeting a kindred spirit like you is a true blessing."

The two exchanged smiles, and Zhuang Xi suggested they explore the library's collection. Lin Juangui readily agreed.

By midday, they had thoroughly toured almost the entire welfare home. Lin Juangui was pleased with the environment and felt reassured about Huo Zeshen living there. However, he worried that the other children might bully Huo Zeshen, so he thought it best to separate them soon.

At lunchtime, Wen Rui introduced the newly arrived children to the cafeteria's procedures.

"Take only what you need, and don't waste food, as it's hard-earned. After eating, please dispose of any leftovers in the trash before returning your bowls. Understood?"

"Understood."

While the food in the welfare home cafeteria wasn't particularly exquisite, it was nutritionally balanced, ensuring the children received adequate sustenance.

Fruits were distributed in the afternoon, and though the portions were small, having them was far better than having none at all.

As Lin Juangui prepared to depart with Zhuang Xi, he mused, "I wonder how much Zhuang Xi has experienced to become so meticulous and thoughtful."

"There's still much room for improvement, and we'll address it gradually. I must return to the Federal Central Star for a meeting, so I'll take my leave now."

"Alright, I'll make time to visit these children. After all, I promised Mu Zhang I'd take responsibility for them."

Zhuang Xi smiled warmly, "Knowing you'll keep an eye on things here puts my mind at ease."

No sooner had Zhuang Xi departed in his airship than Butler Yang emerged from a hovercar, his expression urgent. "Madam, the Master has been looking for you."

"What's the matter?" Lin Juangui wondered if Mu Yuanqing's gland was acting up again, requiring his intervention.

Butler Yang seemed hesitant to speak, whispering to Lin Juangui, "You'll understand once you return."

Lin Juangui, utterly perplexed by Butler Yang's cryptic message, strode with long steps into the hovercar.

As it turned out, Lin Juangui's intuition was largely correct, except this time, it was Mu Zhang, not Mu Yuanqing, who required his pheromones.

-

Mu Zhang did not answer Mu Yuanqing's question but instead countered by asking if Mu Yuanqing intended to sever all ties with him.

"You asked me that same question many years ago. My answer then is still my answer now."

Years ago, after their graduation, Mu Zhang had posed the same question to Mu Yuanqing, who was about to report to the military: whether he intended to break off all ties with him.

Mu Yuanqing had replied, "Mu Zhang, we are better suited as friends, not lovers."

Their genders alone presented an insurmountable chasm, making a romantic relationship seem utterly fantastical.

Mu Yuanqing frequently scrutinized his relationship with Mu Zhang. No matter how he considered it, he knew such feelings should not exist. Yet, Mu Zhang, a man of extraordinary talent, had singularly focused his attention on him. How could Mu Yuanqing not feel both flattered and overwhelmed?

Mu Zhang's affection was so overwhelming; who could possibly resist it?

Consequently, Mu Yuanqing often found himself entangled in an agonizing dilemma.

Now that Mu Zhang was married, Mu Yuanqing could not allow himself to repeat past mistakes. He had to decisively sever his lingering affections.

However, Mu Yuanqing still relied on military supplies from Mu Zhang. He couldn't possibly let his soldiers starve because of the upper echelons of the military.

Therefore, he needed to maintain his friendship with Mu Zhang, but without becoming a third party in Mu Zhang's marriage.

Mu Zhang suddenly laughed, as if snapping back to reality, his face etched with self-mockery. "Since our reunion, you've maintained this ambiguous relationship with me solely to ensure I'd deliver those military supplies to you as quickly as possible, haven't you? Don't placate me with any more sweet words. Haven't you hurt me enough over the years?"

"...Yes," Mu Yuanqing admitted, taking a deep breath.

Mu Zhang closed his eyes, as if he had finally given up all hope.

He recalled every moment shared with Mu Yuanqing, realizing they were all merely feigned sincerity.

"To have fallen so low, Mu Zhang, you are truly a failure."

Although Mu Zhang's heart was shattered by Mu Yuanqing, he still invited Mu Yuanqing to stay for dinner before leaving.

"I've already had your situation reported to the military. I'll arrange for a starship to take you back later. Let's eat first."

The instinct to care for Mu Yuanqing seemed ingrained in his very being. Mu Zhang knew Mu Yuanqing was a man of strong principles. His own stubbornness had backfired; how could Mu Yuanqing possibly want to maintain such an ambiguous relationship now?

Now, only Mu Zhang himself could decide whether he was willing to accept the friendship Mu Yuanqing offered.

At the dining table, Mu Zhang remained silent for a long time. As Mu Yuanqing neared the end of his meal, he asked, "Do you regret ever knowing me?"

Mu Yuanqing shook his head, "No, meeting you in college was the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. Those were the best days of my life."

Even these words offered no solace to Mu Zhang.

He still felt a profound sense of regret.

Before leaving, Mu Yuanqing inquired about the children.

Mu Zhang replied, "Zhuang Xi, the vice chairman of the charity association, has taken them in. They will likely be sent to a welfare home on Sailing Star. You needn't worry."

In truth, Mu Yuanqing wanted to apologize to those children. His oversight at work had inadvertently allowed bugs onto the airship. Had it not been for the children's bravery in killing the two larvae, they might have perished at the hands of the insects because of him.

However, Mu Zhang's expression was grim, so Mu Yuanqing refrained from saying anything further, resolving to find another opportunity to visit the children later.

Not long after Mu Yuanqing's departure, Mu Zhang's rut suddenly erupted.

Older Alphas have a propensity to enter a rut after experiencing intense emotional fluctuations.

Mu Zhang's last rut had been three months prior, triggered by a phone call from Mu Yuanqing that had left him feeling deeply wronged.

No matter how formidable an Alpha might appear outwardly, during a rut, they are no different from paper tigers. Mu Zhang urgently instructed Butler Yang to summon Lin Juangui, but Lin Juangui was not at Luochen Manor at that moment.

Butler Yang had to hastily leave the manor to personally retrieve Lin Juangui.

Butler Yang led Lin Juangui to a basement.

Upon seeing the basement's layout, Lin Juangui almost mistook it for a private prison within Luochen Manor. The lighting was dim, and several closely spaced bars stood in the center, with a lock in the bottom right corner. There was a bed, a refrigerator, and even a restroom further inside.

"What is all this...?"

Seeing Lin Juangui's reluctance to proceed, Butler Yang quickly explained, his words tumbling out even faster: "This is where the Master spends his ruts. Although Alphas of his rank don't experience ruts frequently, they can strike suddenly and last anywhere from three to fifteen days. The presence of Omega pheromones for comfort can shorten the duration."

Lin Juangui's expression was troubled. He wanted to ask if it was truly necessary to be in such a dark place.

But Mu Zhang, now fully immersed in his rut and unable to perceive pheromones, slammed his fist violently against the bars. The bars momentarily deformed under the impact before quickly springing back to their original shape.

"Since the Madam arrived at the manor, the basement has been converted into two rooms. You can provide pheromones for the Master from the other side of the bars. The restroom, water, suppressants, and everything else are prepared. If you need anything else, just call out."

Butler Yang, sensing Mu Zhang was on the verge of losing control, quickly pushed Lin Juangui into the basement and locked the door.

Lin Juangui knew there was no escape. As Butler Yang closed the basement door, the surroundings were immediately plunged into complete darkness.

Sensing the darkness, Mu Zhang no longer restrained himself, unleashing his Alpha pheromones without inhibition.

Lin Juangui's legs instantly gave way, and he collapsed to the floor.

The asphalt-scented pheromones were truly...

So utterly repulsive.

Beyond the aversion to the scent, Lin Juangui felt an overwhelming weakness throughout his body.

Mu Zhang continued to growl, "Where are your pheromones?"

Lin Juangui covered his nose, exhaled deeply, and focused his senses on the gland at the back of his neck, releasing soothing pheromones for the Alpha.

He closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and patted his own shoulders to relax.

This was his job. Lin Juangui had to endure this to survive. No matter how uncomfortable he felt, he had to push through.

But Lin Juangui's ordeal was far from over.

He gradually found himself unable to self-hypnotize. His body's reactions made him involuntarily frown. The sensation was akin to having ingested several tons of potent drugs, completely beyond his control.

The Alpha in the room, now fully in rut, had curled up in a corner, weeping pitifully. Lin Juangui crawled on all fours to the refrigerator and found the suppressants.

After injecting the suppressant, Lin Juangui felt a coolness spread from his veins, then throughout his limbs, slightly alleviating the agitation in his body.

Lin Juangui then crawled back to bed and lay there like a corpse.

He felt like a jellyfish stranded on a beach, facing the risk of melting away while still having to constantly supply pheromones to the Alpha.

At that moment, Lin Juangui had no extraneous thoughts. He simply felt that helping an Alpha through a rut was nothing short of physical and mental torture for an Omega.

Therefore, the ultimate conclusion was—

Mu Zhang wasn't paying him enough.