Chapter 28 So Sad It Makes Teeth Itch

Chapter 28: So Annoyed It Grates on My Nerves

That day, Lin Juangui's face dominated the front pages of all news media.

All cameras followed him as he left the stage.

As the liaison for Lin Juangui's donated items, Zhuang Xi expressed gratitude for Lin Juangui's selflessness.

After the press conference, Lin Juangui and Zhuang Xi were swarmed by reporters who had rushed over.

"Mr. Lin, why did you donate all the artifacts? Did you truly not keep a single one for yourself? And why donate to a charity association instead of the Federal Museum?"

"Vice Chairman Zhuang, can the upcoming auction process guarantee transparency?"

"Will there be more detailed explanations about the history of Bada Star?"

Seeing that he couldn't get away, Lin Juangui simply stopped, smiling somewhat helplessly. "I thought I made everything clear during the press conference. My original purpose in donating the artifacts was to raise funds to help children affected by war. If the Federal Museum wishes to contribute to this cause, no one would stop them. Why must you pit us against each other? Your intentions are malicious."

Zhuang Xi, standing nearby, also frowned and said sternly, "The auction will be jointly supervised by the notary office, the charity association, and Mr. Lin. All procedures will be documented, and we welcome oversight from our media friends. However, please do not disrupt our work with trivial questions."

"Regarding Bada Star's past, relevant personnel are already compiling information. Due to the vast amount of text and the inclusion of Bada's local dialect, deciphering it will take time. I will notify everyone as soon as there are updates. Please stop crowding us—both Mr. Zhuang and I are Omegas."

Omegas are physically delicate and highly valued. At Lin Juangui's reminder, the reporters quickly stepped back, afraid of attracting the attention of the Omega Protection Association.

Finally escaping the crowd, Lin Juangui let out a long sigh of relief as he got into the car. He asked Zhuang Xi, "How did I do?"

Zhuang Xi gave him a thumbs-up. "I can't quite describe it, but it was good, really good!"

That poised and confident demeanor made Zhuang Xi's heart race uncontrollably as he watched from below.

So young, yet so mature in handling things, and completely unfazed by so many reporters.

Zhuang Xi knew this press conference would bring Lin Juangui immense prestige, and it was well-deserved.

Zhuang Xi believed Lin Juangui would achieve great things in the future; what he was doing now was just going with the flow.

When he opened the Star Network, Lin Juangui's face already dominated the homepage. Zhuang Xi showed it to Lin Juangui as if watching a spectacle, and Lin Juangui smiled and said, "The suit you picked for me today looks very nice, Brother Zhuang."

The white pinstripe style made Lin Juangui appear even more refined and handsome, lessening the eerie gloom about him.

"With your face and your model-like figure, you’d look good even in a burlap sack. By the way, I’m attending a gathering tonight. Would you like to join?"

Lin Juangui was truly impressed by Zhuang Xi's energy—after a full day of back-to-back events, he showed no signs of fatigue.

He shook his head and said, "The artifacts have been handed over to you, and my tasks are done. I have a lot of trivial matters at home, so maybe next time."

Zhuang Xi didn’t press him. "Alright, let me know when you’re free, and I’ll arrange something."

"Sure."

Before leaving the Federal Capital Star, Lin Juangui planned to visit his company.

Although he mostly worked remotely, he had chosen a floor in a Federal office building as the company’s physical location.

Lin Juangui's ambitions lay hidden beneath the calm surface of the deep sea. He had many ideas during his time at Zhou's, but due to his status, he couldn’t act on many of them.

Not long ago, Lin Juangui had nothing but the startup funds Geng Xuelan provided, yet he managed to use that money to snowball and accumulate capital.

After completing his capital accumulation, Lin Juangui began targeting some struggling companies for acquisition. He would provide guidance and have his team execute according to his requirements.

Rather than investing in projects with uncertain futures, it was better to acquire companies that had once held a certain market position but were on the brink of bankruptcy due to poor decisions.

These companies had their own laboratories, and that was exactly what Lin Juangui was after.

Whether these companies could eventually be revived or not was useful to Lin Juangui. He liked to play the long game, and he needed to be fully prepared for the right opportunity.

Now that the most critical hurdle had been overcome, Lin Juangui only needed to steadily develop from here.

Qu Yang had long since left Lin Corp to work at Lin Juangui's company, handling tasks he couldn’t attend to personally. Although working under Lin Juangui was more exhausting than before, his instructions were clear, and she only needed to follow them. Her salary had more than tripled, and with bonuses, Qu Yang was overjoyed.

Hearing that Lin Juangui wanted to visit the company, Qu Yang thought about messaging the colleagues to prepare, but Lin Juangui said, "No need. You’ve already conveyed all the work arrangements for me. I’m just here to see the office environment."

Lin Juangui wasn’t doing this because he distrusted Qu Yang but because he needed to stay on the Federal Capital Star a bit longer; otherwise, the gifts prepared in the trunk would go to waste.

Halfway there, the car was intercepted. A uniformed guard approached and briefly explained, "General Mu wants to see you."

Lin Juangui wasn’t surprised.

Finally.

The legendary General Mu had remarkable patience, only now sending someone to invite Lin Juangui. If Lin Juangui hadn’t made such a public appearance in front of so many media outlets today, the old general might not have had a reason to summon him.

Lin Juangui glanced back at Qu Yang, who nodded and handed him the gift box.

"I’ve been wanting to visit General Mu as well. Please lead the way."

The guard seemed surprised by Lin Juangui's reaction. He had expected resistance and had prepared reasons in advance, never imagining Lin Juangui would be so cooperative.

Throughout the journey, Lin Juangui remained quiet, holding the gift box and gazing at the winding star trails in the sky.

Retired Federal generals lived in uniformly allocated community villas, and someone like General Mu, with his illustrious military achievements, was assigned more servants.

As soon as Lin Juangui arrived at the Mu family’s gate, he was warmly welcomed by the housekeeper, who repeatedly addressed him as "Mr. Lin," making it seem as though Lin Juangui was a regular visitor.

The housekeeper led Lin Juangui to the backyard, where General Mu was sitting in a rattan chair, browsing the Star Network on his light brain. The virtual screen was filled with information about Lin Juangui, occasionally popping up with speculation about the reasons for his marriage to Mu Zhang.

General Mu had killed countless insects on the battlefield in his youth. Even in his advanced age, his eyes remained sharp and spirited, exuding an aura of solemnity and dignity.

Seeing Lin Juangui approach, he flicked his wrist to put away the light brain. When facing Lin Juangui, he didn’t carry an overbearing sense of superiority but simply gestured for Lin Juangui to take a seat.

Lin Juangui sat in the empty rattan chair beside him, smiled politely, and addressed him respectfully, "Grandpa."

"You say 'Grandpa' quite naturally. Did Mu Zhang mention me to you?"

General Mu was friendlier than Lin Juangui had imagined, but the question was difficult to answer. Lin Juangui avoided the topic, saying, "Mu Zhang's family background isn’t a secret."

The old man’s eyes dimmed slightly, understanding that Lin Juangui was telling him Mu Zhang had never mentioned having a grandfather far away on the Federal Capital Star.

This was to be expected.

After all, he had once chosen the survival of a planet over his own son. He was destined to owe something.

General Mu didn’t dwell on it for long. He asked Lin Juangui why he had chosen to marry Mu Zhang. Lin Juangui smiled slightly and didn’t lie. "My family’s company was in trouble, and Mu Zhang was willing to help. So I married him."

"Really?" General Mu questioned, unconvinced by Lin Juangui's explanation.

"Grandpa probably doesn’t care about my reasons for becoming Mu Zhang's partner, right?" Lin Juangui handed the gift box to the old general respectfully. "These are flower seeds I carefully selected. I heard you enjoy gardening. When Grandma was still here, you cultivated a garden for her. I hope you’ll appreciate this small gesture."

Lin Juangui's company is located in the Federal Central Star, and none of his actions escape General Mu's notice. Therefore, Lin Juangui's recent capital accumulation in the financial markets faced no interference precisely because General Mu provided protection, ensuring no one dared cause trouble.

Both parties are well aware of each other's roles—Lin Juangui needs protection, while Elder Mu needs someone by Mu Zhang's side to help mediate relationships.

Lin Juangui adopts the demeanor of an understanding Omega, saying, "There are some things Mu Zhang is unwilling to do. As his partner, it's only natural for me to consider his best interests."

"Including today's public appearance?" General Mu clearly suspects that Lin Juangui's actions might affect Mu Zhang.

Lin Juangui is aware of the public opinion backlash he might face. After all, Mu Zhang's reputation in the Federation is not good, and despite years of efforts to rehabilitate his image, some people's negative perceptions remain deeply entrenched.

This is precisely where Lin Juangui's role becomes crucial.

"Although the military's cooperation with Mu Zhang appears stable, the pressure they exert on him is considerable. They want someone to replace Mu Zhang and are even attempting to tarnish his reputation, rendering all his efforts over the years futile. My goal is to refresh his public image. He may dismiss public opinion, but I must consider his well-being."

From this perspective, it seems Lin Juangui is genuinely looking out for Mu Zhang's interests. At the very least, the image he projects is beneficial to Mu Zhang. The military will reassess Mu Zhang's value based on Lin Juangui's influence, and even if they consider burning bridges, they will have to weigh the risks involved.

Elder Mu scrutinizes Lin Juangui. This Omega is indeed clever and adept at reading situations. More importantly, he possesses exceptional perceptiveness. Instead of staying at home as a mere accessory to Mu Zhang, he comes to the forefront to shield Mu Zhang from storms.

Initially skeptical of Lin Juangui's intentions, Elder Mu suddenly feels relieved. He instructs the housemaid to carefully store the flower seeds Lin Juangui brought, signaling his acceptance of him.

Lin Juangui maintains his smile—everything is going according to plan.

The information about Mu Zhang being wary of the military was something he learned during conversations between Mu Zhang and his friends at the wedding.

Even though Mu Zhang is the male lead of this book, fearless and formidable, the plot will inevitably create obstacles in his path for him to overcome.

Fortunately, Lin Juangui has the advantage of knowing the original storyline. It would be a waste not to make use of this knowledge.

Having gained General Mu's initial trust, Lin Juangui addresses the real reason General Mu summoned him today: "Grandfather cares deeply about Mu Zhang."

General Mu does not deny it. "With you by his side from now on, I can rest much easier."

"Even before meeting me, Grandfather has already helped me so much. If the opportunity arises in the future, I hope Mu Zhang can let go of past grievances and visit you."

There's no need to spell things out when speaking with someone perceptive. General Mu nods, clearly pleased with Lin Juangui's tact.

Lin Juangui doesn't stay long before taking his leave. General Mu doesn't press him to stay, only saying that Lin Juangui can contact him if he ever needs help.

By the time he leaves the Mu residence, it's already after work hours. Lin Juangui has no intention of going to the company and instead boards a starship to return to Cygnus Star as soon as possible.

The doctor has just messaged Lin Juangui, informing him that Mu Zhang is in stable condition and showing signs of waking up. His damaged internal organs have nearly healed with the help of treatment devices, and he is expected to regain consciousness in another two days.

The fact that Mu Zhang was injured has been kept tightly under wraps—even General Mu is unaware. Lin Juangui has new respect for Gu Mi's capabilities.

On the return journey, Lin Juangui takes a nap. Just as he is about to arrive at Cygnus Star, he receives a call from Wen Rui.

Before leaving the orphanage last time, Lin Juangui specifically instructed that if anything happened to Huo Zeshen, he should be notified immediately.

Wen Rui knows Huo Zeshen is special. Lin Juangui's concern reflects his responsibility toward the children. This time, the situation is urgent, and she has no choice but to disturb Lin Juangui.

"Mr. Lin, this is Wen Rui. I apologize for calling at this hour, but something has happened to Little Huo…"

Huo Zeshen's name jolts Lin Juangui awake from his drowsiness. He asks Wen Rui to explain clearly.

Wen Rui keeps it brief: "Little Huo might be going through differentiation. He has locked himself in his room and refuses to come out no matter how much we call him. Moreover, his pheromones… give off a very disturbing vibe. We tried to move him to the differentiation room, but he won't allow anyone to open the door. Even the Alpha Association representatives who came were of no help…"

Lin Juangui's heart immediately clenches. He checks the time. "I'll reach Cygnus Star in half an hour. If possible, please tell him I'll be there soon. I’m not sure if I can be of any help, though."

"Alright, I'll tell him right away. Thank you so much."

It's a relief that Lin Juangui is willing to help. Wen Rui unconsciously breathes a sigh of relief, but her frown deepens as she looks at the empty dormitory.

Huo Zeshen's pheromones are incredibly destructive, and no one can withstand their oppressive force.

It's uncertain whether Huo Zeshen will be willing to restrain his pheromones in Lin Juangui's presence.

After hanging up, Lin Juangui immediately searches online for what to do after differentiating into an Alpha. The information is too scattered, so he consults a professional doctor. After understanding the situation, he takes a deep breath and orders several doses of strong inhibitors for himself.

Given Huo Zeshen's character profile, his pheromone level should be on par with Mu Zhang's. The only area where he falls short is in winning Mu Yuanqing's heart; otherwise, his other attributes are no less than Mu Zhang's, making him a worthy male secondary lead.

Due to the overwhelming oppressive force of Huo Zeshen's pheromones, even the Alpha Association personnel are powerless to intervene.

The differentiation process cannot be disturbed by outsiders. An Alpha of such high caliber must be protected. A security perimeter has been set up around the orphanage to ensure Huo Zeshen can complete his differentiation smoothly.

Lin Juangui arrives at the orphanage entrance on time. Wen Rui has been waiting for him for a while, and to her, Lin Juangui is like a savior.

"The area near the dormitory is saturated with Alpha pheromones. We've evacuated the other children from the orphanage. We informed Little Huo of your arrival through the nanny robot, but after hearing the message, he turned off the robot, and we've lost all contact with him…"

Lin Juangui acknowledged with a hum. He glances at the nearby security personnel in protective suits and asks Wen Rui what's going on.

Wen Rui explains, "These are members of the Alpha Association. They have specialized equipment to handle Alpha pheromone diffusion and also provide special courses for Alphas after differentiation."

Normally, Alpha differentiation takes only a few hours. However, Huo Zeshen's high level, coupled with his emotional instability before differentiation, makes it uncertain whether this process will end smoothly.

Lin Juangui frowns. "I understand. Please ask the chapter director of the Alpha Association to come over. I have some questions to ask."

"Alright."

The chapter director of the local Alpha Association branch arrives quickly. Upon seeing Lin Juangui, she shows surprise. "You are…"

Lin Juangui's face has dominated the headlines all day, making it hard for anyone not to recognize him. Moreover, during the press conference, he revealed himself as Mu Zhang's partner and dropped such bombshell news.

Mu Zhang never appears in front of the camera, maintaining an air of mystery. Now that Lin Juangui has voluntarily stepped into the spotlight and dropped such bombshell news, many are speculating about Mu Zhang's next move.

Lin Juangui's appearance at the orphanage not only surprises the branch head but also gives her a new perspective on him.

Mr. Lin seems genuinely committed to charity work, even willing to personally come and check on the situation.

When Lin Juangui says he wants to go in and care for Huo Zeshen, the branch head immediately refuses. "That's impossible. You're an Omega. The pheromone concentration in the orphanage is too high—our detectors are off the charts. Ordinary people can't get close. If anything were to happen…"

"Precisely because the differentiation process is perilous, I cannot stand by idly. I will inject strong inhibitors. If you have any suggestions, please share them, but do not obstruct my actions."

Lin Juangui is not someone who acts recklessly, but when it comes to matters involving Huo Zeshen, he can't afford to hesitate. He must see Huo Zeshen today and be by his side during his most vulnerable moment.

In the end, Lin Juangui puts on a neck ring designed to block Alpha pheromones. The branch head sprays several layers of suppressant spray on him and helps him into a thick protective suit.

After securing the transparent helmet to the protective suit, the branch head hands Lin Juangui a medical kit and anxiously advises him, "This contains stabilization serum, typically used in the early stages of differentiation. If you feel unwell after entering, leave immediately! Do not risk your wellbeing!"

"Okay, I understand. Thank you."

Lin Juangui looks up at the deserted orphanage and heads toward the dormitory area as directed by Wen Rui.

Even with the neck ring, suppressant spray, and thick protective suit, Lin Juangui still senses an overwhelming wave of pheromones as he approaches the dormitory.

Unlike Mu Zhang's pheromones, Huo Zeshen's carry the sour-sweet aroma of unripe plums.

Frowning, Lin Juangui feels torn between breathing and holding his breath. Gripping the medical kit tightly, he fights off dizziness and takes the elevator to Huo Zeshen's dormitory floor.

Huo Zeshen's door is tightly shut, and the intense green plum scent is so strong that Lin Juangui could sense its acridness.

He knocked on the door, his voice faint and frail, "Xiao Shen, it's Lin Juangui. I'm back."

Lin Juangui loved the feeling of winning—it gave him a brief sense of reality.

Dizzy and woozy, he suddenly recalled a time long ago when Fan Meiyi's death had stripped him of his life’s purpose, making all his efforts feel futile. Waking up in a hospital bed, he was even disappointed to find himself alive.

A middle-aged man in a well-tailored suit approached him, saying their chairman held him in high regard and hoped he would do his senior year internship at Zhou Corp.

Lin Juangui was too out of it to process it at first. "Zhou Corporation?"

You mean the Zhou Corp that got its start in biochemistry and had expanded into various industries?

The man smiled at Lin Juangui. "Our chairman is a big admirer of yours. He asked me to pass on a message: there are many things one can pursue in life. If you can’t find one, it’s alright—just focus on staying afloat first. Only by living can you find hope."

"I don’t know any chairman…"

Lin Juangui’s mind was still in a fog, but the man remained patient. "The chairman is still waiting for you to beat him at chess. Opportunities like this are rare. Give it some serious thought once you’re feeling better. Here’s my card—contact me if you need anything."

The man left his business card and called for a doctor. Lin Juangui stared at the card, letting out a weary, frustrated chuckle.

He had previously been scrambling to cover Fan Meiyi’s medical bills, taking on a part-time insurance sales job. To earn commissions, he even started pitching to the regular elderly crowd at the park who played chess.

By chance, Lin Juangui met an elderly man who was exceptionally skilled at chess.

Noticing Lin Juangui often watching from the sidelines, the old man invited him over for a game.

Lin Juangui waved him off, saying he didn’t know how to play, but the old man saw right through him. "If you don’t play, you won’t ever blend in. Besides, it’s not hard to learn—I’ll teach you."

Lin Juangui’s learning ability had been sharpened to a razor's edge. He could quickly pick up and remember things, which was how he balanced multiple jobs and his studies.

Perhaps because Lin Juangui progressed so rapidly, the old man began teaching him more advanced techniques. Lin Juangui gradually became able to hold his own in games, though he never once won.

Time flew by, and winter arrived—half a year had passed in what felt like no time.

Lin Juangui’s insurance sales performance was mediocre, and his supervisor, thinking he was goofing off, had fired him months earlier. Yet, going to the park to play chess had become a habit. Lin Juangui even began to enjoy the feeling of clearing his mind and focusing solely on the game.

But Fan Meiyi’s sudden death had caught him off guard, leaving him with no energy for life’s trivialities.

Now, faced with an unexpected opportunity, Lin Juangui pulled himself together.

He still had his studies, years of savings, and scholarships—leaving him with a sizable sum. What could he do next? What did he want to do?

After graduation, Lin Juangui joined Zhou Corporation. During this time, he never saw the old man again. Relying on his own abilities, he became an employee of the year for two consecutive years, but a minor mistake nearly cost him his job.

The old man stepped in to save him, cementing Lin Juangui’s reputation as someone with "connections" and leaving Lin Juangui deeply in his debt.

Lin Juangui had always loved winning, but he never once beat the old man at chess. Still, he persisted, trying again and again. Perhaps the old man saw this tenacity and decided to give him a chance.

That mistake hadn’t been Lin Juangui’s fault—it was a trap set by misinformation. By the time Lin Juangui realized, it was too late to fix it.

Lin Juangui quickly understood the old man’s plan, and the old man knew Lin Juangui had figured it out.

Lin Juangui rose through the ranks, tackling challenges others avoided, acting as a subtle but sharp instrument for change within the company. Outside work, he had almost no personal life.

With no family ties, he had nothing holding him back. The old man sharpened this blade and wielded it with ease.

Gradually, Lin Juangui lost his desire to win—it all felt pointless to him.

Everyone said he owed his smooth rise to vice president to the old man’s backing, but his capabilities proved otherwise. So when Lin Juangui left the Federal Capital Planet, he did so in good spirits.

Even with nothing, he could still achieve everything he wanted.

With Huo Zeshen, Lin Juangui always felt at ease—a habit Huo Zeshen had helped cultivate. He could freely share his likes and dislikes, expressing his truest emotions without reservation.

But now, it seemed Huo Zeshen was giving him the cold shoulder.

Lin Juangui sighed.

Staying any longer might be fatal, and Lin Juangui wasn’t about to throw his life away—he didn’t want to waste time rebooting.

Just as he set down the medical kit, ready to explain a few precautions to Huo Zeshen before leaving, the door suddenly opened.

A disheveled teenager stood there, wearing a black sleeveless shirt, his arms covered in self-inflicted nail marks, eyes red-rimmed and filled with hopeless despair.

"Brother... am I going to die?"

Lin Juangui’s eyes widened in relief at the sight of Huo Zeshen. He immediately smiled, his expression softening in a way even he didn’t notice.

"Of course not. You’re just growing up, Xiao Shen."

Huo Zeshen’s lips were bitten raw in several places, stained with blood. His shoulders were hunched over, making him look especially vulnerable.

Lin Juangui guided Huo Zeshen back inside to lie down. He opened the medical kit and, following the instructions from the association director, administered a stabilizer injection.

Huo Zeshen stared intently at Lin Juangui’s eyes and lips, asking, "What’s wrong? You look pale."

Even now, Huo Zeshen was worried about him. Lin Juangui smiled. "Your pheromones are too strong, Xiao Shen. You’re the only one left in the group home—everyone else has been evacuated."

Huo Zeshen’s face twisted in pain. "I don’t know how to..."

He didn’t dare explain why he couldn’t control himself—the "culprit" behind his condition was right in front of him, and he had no right to blame anyone.

At noon, Huo Zeshen had been eating in the cafeteria when the large holographic screen broadcasted news of Lin Juangui’s press conference about the Bada discovery, followed by Lin Juangui’s closing remarks.

When he heard Lin Juangui thank his husband, Huo Zeshen’s chopsticks slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

While the teachers and children discussed Lin Juangui and his husband, Huo Zeshen returned to his dorm, restless and distraught.

So, Brother already had a partner.

Of course—who wouldn’t love someone like him?

But Huo Zeshen still felt a sense of loss, reminded of his own intimate, ambiguous dreams.

He knew he was disrespecting Lin Juangui, but he couldn’t control his dreams—he felt utterly helpless.

The sadness made Huo Zeshen’s teeth ache. He took a deep breath, and the next moment, he collapsed uncontrollably to the floor.

His neck burned, and his limbs convulsed. He didn’t know he was undergoing differentiation—no one had taught him.

In his most agonizing moments, all he could think of was Lin Juangui. When the nanny robot announced Lin Juangui was coming, he shut it off immediately.

No. He couldn’t. He didn’t want to.

Huo Zeshen didn’t want Lin Juangui to see him looking like a total mess. He wanted to look presentable, to leave at least a decent impression.

But Lin Juangui came anyway. After an internal struggle, Huo Zeshen dragged himself up and opened the door. Lin Juangui stood there in thick protective gear, a transparent helmet covering his face.

Being able to see Lin Juangui smiling at him was enough.

Huo Zeshen’s eyes looked hollow, and Lin Juangui's heart ached. Gently patting Huo Zeshen’s back, he said, “It really came true—Xiao Shen has presented as a powerful Alpha. Didn’t I say it before? Alphas are strong. Xiao Shen, you need to slowly learn how to control your pheromones. Come, let me teach you…”

The sensation of controlling the gland to release pheromones was unusual, almost fascinating. Huo Zeshen learned quickly, and Lin Juangui removed his helmet. Huo Zeshen noticed sweat beading at Lin Juangui’s temples.

The young man used the back of his hand to wipe the sweat from Lin Juangui’s forehead. Lin Juangui breathed a sigh of relief and praised him, “Xiao Shen, you’re amazing. Let me take off this protective suit first—it’s so thick… and doesn't even do much good anyway.”

Lin Juangui was still wearing the white suit Huo Zeshen had seen him in on television, except now there was a black neck ring around his neck.

Huo Zeshen watched as Lin Juangui tended to him, taking disinfectants from the medical kit to clean the wounds on his body.

Huo Zeshen’s body was still feverish; his cheeks were flushed pink, and his expression was down and defeated. The innocence of youth blended with his well-defined features, creating an indescribable allure.

“Being an Alpha… isn’t good. It’s really uncomfortable.”

The young man’s voice was hoarse. Lin Juangui looked up and met his gaze, gently stroking Huo Zeshen’s cheek with his thumb, his touch tender and full of compassion.

“Good and bad are relative. Don’t dwell on it. How about we chat for a bit? Hmm… when you were little—I mean, even younger—what was your dream?”

Lin Juangui had only intended to casually change the subject, hoping to distract Huo Zeshen, but Huo Zeshen thought carefully and answered earnestly,

“A long time ago, I wanted to be a doctor who could save lives and help the injured.”