Chapter 37 Pay the Price

Chapter 37 Paying the Price

The water dungeon where Yao Zhi and Lin Juangui were held was situated in a manor on a small planet not far from Yungang Star.

This place served as a private playground for Yungang Star's elite, a discreet haven where hidden, even taboo, desires could be indulged away from prying eyes.

The manor grounds were vast and desolate, with the water dungeon occupying the highest floor. Security was entirely managed by an AI steward, ensuring virtually no human presence. However, for a top-tier hacker, seizing control would be a matter of mere minutes.

While Yao Zhi still wavered, unsettled by Lin Juangui's earlier words, Lin Juangui rose and casually swung his whip. With precise strikes, he shattered the surveillance cameras in the water dungeon, their fragments scattering across the floor.

Yao Zhi was stunned by Lin Juangui's formidable wrist strength, unable to fathom the damage such force would inflict upon him—skin torn, flesh ripped, on the spot.

For a moment, Yao Zhi was utterly at a loss, only able to gasp for breath, his mouth agape.

The clamor from outside the water dungeon persisted. Lin Juangui turned to Yao Zhi, a smile playing on his lips. Yao Zhi’s eyes widened in terror as Lin Juangui tossed the whip into the air, caught it mid-shaft, and approached him, whispering a low threat.

Yao Zhi frantically shook his head, protesting, but Lin Juangui’s whip was already tightly coiled around his neck.

Bound hand and foot, Yao Zhi was powerless to struggle. Lin Juangui’s grip slowly tightened. He derived no pleasure from the fading of life, merely observing in silent intensity.

The instant the water dungeon door swung fully open, Lin Juangui seemed to collapse, utterly drained. His fingers were already bleeding from the whip’s barbs, while Yao Zhi, overwhelmed by terror, had fainted. Blood seeped from his neck, blossoming into crimson patterns in the water.

Police officers swiftly converged, and Mu Zhang strode into the water dungeon. Seeing Lin Juangui being helped up, looking utterly disoriented, he frowned and stepped forward, asking, "You..."

Before Mu Zhang could finish, Lin Juangui raised a hand and slapped him across the face.

The sharp crack silenced everyone present, snapping Mu Zhang’s head to the side.

The Alpha’s face bore not only Lin Juangui’s handprint but also sticky, dark red bloodstains.

"You know why I hit you. You deserved it."

Lin Juangui exhaled sharply, as if regaining his composure, his eyes blazing with hatred for Mu Zhang.

But the next moment, all strength left him. His eyes dulled, and his legs gave way, sending him collapsing to the ground.

Mu Zhang quickly caught Lin Juangui. Seeing the person in his arms completely unconscious, his expression softened for a fleeting moment, tinged with pain.

A moment later, Mu Zhang cradled Lin Juangui in his arms. As he exited and saw Liang Shanyue gritting his teeth in fury, he sneered, "Mr. Liang, Omegas are inherently vulnerable. My partner was harmed by your Beta lover. I believe everything he did in the water dungeon was in self-defense. I have no interest in hearing why you instructed Yao Zhi to kidnap him. You can explain that to the interstellar police."

"Mu Zhang, you are despicable. You deliberately used your own partner as bait, exposing weaknesses. Do you think he didn’t know? Otherwise, how did you get that slap? Sacrificing your partner’s safety for your goals—even if you succeed, what does it matter? You won’t get far."

Mu Zhang offered no reply, instead immediately carrying Lin Juangui back to Tianguang.

The starship boasted the finest medical facilities and doctors. The wounds on Lin Juangui’s hands were slowly mending, but scans revealed muscle damage, indicating a potential period of impaired strength.

"Omegas lack the physical resilience of Alphas. After this, he might never fully recover his ability to stand."

"Do everything in your power to treat him. If..."

Mu Zhang had clearly witnessed Yao Zhi maximizing the electric chair’s current, yet Lin Juangui appeared completely unfazed. The police nearby had already signaled their readiness for a swift rescue, but Mu Zhang instructed them to hold their ground.

"Let’s observe a little longer."

Mu Zhang was intrigued by Lin Juangui’s constitution—how could he recover so quickly after being electrocuted? Yao Zhi, in comparison, was like a fawning lapdog. Was Lin Juangui truly that captivating?

What Lin Juangui subsequently did to Yao Zhi made the police behind Mu Zhang visibly uncomfortable, yet Mu Zhang watched without a blink.

Where had Lin Juangui acquired such techniques? It transcended mere proficiency; the way he tied the ropes could only be described as art.

Mu Zhang began to suspect that the information he had previously gathered might have been tampered with. Or perhaps he needed to hack into Lin Juangui’s light-brain to scrutinize his browsing history on the Starnet?

Initially, Mu Zhang had felt a pang of unease, but Lin Juangui’s slap, ironically, brought him a measure of relief.

He had indeed figured everything out.

Lin Juangui was exceptionally astute. Even without explicit instructions from Mu Zhang, he could deduce the general course of events.

He was willing to cooperate with Mu Zhang’s plans and do what he could, but that didn’t mean he would tolerate being treated as subhuman by Mu Zhang again.

Lin Juangui was merely a pretext for Mu Zhang to extract moral leverage from Liang Shanyue. Forcing someone into submission in such a manner was indeed shameless, yet undeniably effective.

The pent-up anger within Lin Juangui completely dissipated with that slap to Mu Zhang’s face. When Mu Zhang lifted him, he could feel Lin Juangui’s body go utterly limp. To unleash such immense power in a brief moment to strike Mu Zhang—Mu Zhang began to feel a profound admiration for him.

Mu Zhang knew he needed to apologize properly to Lin Juangui, just as he had before. His silence had stemmed from a fear that Lin Juangui, under Yao Zhi’s deliberate manipulation, might expose Mu Zhang’s plan. Yet, Lin Juangui not only turned the tables, forcing Yao Zhi into subservience, but also came perilously close to killing him.

Lin Juangui had every right to be angry. Mu Zhang had been waiting for Lin Juangui to awaken, ready to explain his actions, but this time, Lin Juangui’s slumber was unusually prolonged.

Even after Tianguang had returned to Sailing Star, Lin Juangui remained like Sleeping Beauty, his eyes still closed.

Mu Zhang grew agitated. He questioned the doctor about the situation, and the doctor presented the examination report, explaining that Lin Juangui’s body had suffered irreversible damage from the electric shock. Once awake, a period of rehabilitation would restore him.

However, the current issue was Lin Juangui’s unwillingness to regain consciousness.

The doctor, with a complex expression, remarked, "This situation might necessitate a psychological consultation."

Mu Zhang paused, as if a memory had surfaced.

Lin Juangui had mentioned his fear of the dark.

Lin Juangui was immersed in a long dream.

-

In the dream, he was still trapped in that bottomless water dungeon. His glasses had been removed, rendering most things before him a blur.

He had become a caged beast, tearing and gnawing at anything that approached him. This was his primal instinct after losing all reason—he had to survive.

Gradually, he noticed someone approaching. Mu Zhang smiled at him, a cold and selfish grin, then kicked Lin Juangui to the ground, declaring in an entitled tone, "The fact that I can still use you means you have value to me. Don’t act as if I owe you something. Wasn’t all of this your willing choice?"

Lin Juangui cursed him, "Beast."

He recalled the arms dealer who had drugged and injected him.

Such individuals, who dehumanized others, deserved death.

Once dark thoughts coursed through his veins, they fueled an even greater desire for destruction.

In the dream, Lin Juangui was contemplating the most satisfying way for Mu Zhang to die when he turned and saw Huo Zeshen sitting nearby, engrossed in a book.

An adult version of Huo Zeshen.

Lin Juangui blinked, as if bewildered by his presence. Huo Zeshen noticed his subtle movement, set down his book, and settled beside Lin Juangui, taking his hands. "Still plotting someone’s demise?"

"Not at all." From his tone, Lin Juangui seemed in high spirits. He tried to withdraw his hands from Huo Zeshen’s grasp, but Huo Zeshen held them firmly.

Huo Zeshen rested his head on Lin Juangui’s shoulder. The scent of wormwood emanating from him brought Lin Juangui a profound sense of calm. "It’s alright, I’ll be with you. Everything about you, good or bad, I’ll embrace it with joy. I love you very much, Xiao Juan."

To Lin Juangui, this was not a dream, but a long-forgotten memory resurfacing.

At that time, Huo Zeshen and Lin Juangui’s relationship had entered a stable phase. Although they had never quarreled, they often held differing views when facing certain situations.

Lin Juangui knew his methods could be ruthless and deliberately avoided revealing this side of himself to Huo Zeshen.

But one day, when Huo Zeshen came to pick him up at the office, he overheard Lin Juangui instructing his assistant: "Force him abroad first, then see his attitude. If he doesn’t value his life, so be it. In any case, his wife and children won’t have an easy life from now on. But then again, such a person doesn’t care whether those around him live or die, so proceed without hesitation."

"Understood."

Huo Zeshen was holding a bouquet of flowers at the time. When Lin Juangui saw him, his expression stiffened. Sensing the awkwardness, the assistant quickly found an excuse to leave.

Huo Zeshen’s smile remained gentle as he approached Lin Juangui and handed him the flowers. "You’re so busy—I’m five minutes late. How should I make it up to you tonight?"

Lin Juangui breathed a sigh of relief and, disregarding any parking lot cameras, stepped forward and kissed Huo Zeshen. "Is this enough?"

Huo Zeshen’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "Not enough. You know how insatiable I am."

Back home, Lin Juangui still felt a touch of unease. After showering, he quietly went to the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Huo Zeshen’s waist. Huo Zeshen, who was making soup, asked Lin Juangui what was wrong.

Lin Juangui said, "Does the way I work ever scare you?"

Huo Zeshen turned down the heat, then turned and pulled Lin Juangui into his embrace. His laughter was deep and melodious. "Work and life are separate. I’m serious at work too—it’s not as if you haven’t seen that. Besides…"

He took Lin Juangui’s hand and placed it over his own heart. "You’re adorable no matter what. Everything you do makes my heart flutter."

Sometimes Lin Juangui wondered if Huo Zeshen was a master of sweet talk, and where he had learned it all.

If it weren’t for Huo Zeshen’s friends and colleagues confirming he had never been in a relationship before Lin Juangui, he might have suspected Huo Zeshen was running some kind of romance scam specifically targeting him. He would occasionally scrutinize whether the happiness he found was truly genuine.

Huo Zeshen seemed to sense Lin Juangui’s profound insecurity, and he would tirelessly express his affection again and again until Lin Juangui grew completely accustomed to his presence.

Lin Juangui still remembered the time he went to the hospital to present Huo Zeshen with a commendation banner—all of Huo Zeshen’s students had playfully teased them.

Although Huo Zeshen was three years younger than Lin Juangui, he had started school early and possessed exceptionally deep professional experience.

After that, Lin Juangui would also bring Huo Zeshen bouquets filled with ballpoint pens and wellness teas, essential for late nights.

It could be said that Lin Juangui poured his heart into pursuing someone for the first time, meticulously preparing every gift.

He invited Huo Zeshen to dinner, inquiring about his work schedule, smiling brightly and openly, radiant like the sun.

Huo Zeshen was utterly disarmed by Lin Juangui’s advances, especially since he had been the one to first convey his interest in Lin Juangui.

Huo Zeshen honestly shared that he was currently an attending physician at the hospital, handling a continuous stream of surgeries, leaving him with very little free time.

Lin Juangui nodded, unsurprised. "I’m usually quite busy too. I endured a lot of hardship in my youth, pouring all my energy into work. But these past six months, I’ve been frequently ill, which made me feel that beyond work, there should be other things more deserving of my time. What are your thoughts, Dr. Huo?"

"If given the chance, I too hope to better balance work and life."

Lin Juangui felt that he and Huo Zeshen were quite compatible in their values, making friendship a certainty. However, taking things further would depend on Huo Zeshen’s intentions, as Lin Juangui’s own stance had been quite clear.

Huo Zeshen could sense Lin Juangui was waiting for an opportunity. He had initiated, and Lin Juangui had responded. If he did nothing now, he would be no better than an idiot.

So, on a stormy day, after work, Huo Zeshen—stranded at the hospital due to the heavy rain—called Lin Juangui and asked if he was away on a business trip.

Hearing Huo Zeshen’s voice clearly lifted Lin Juangui’s spirits. He instructed his subordinate to attend to their own tasks while he stood by the window in the corridor connecting two buildings, gazing up at the dark, heavy clouds and the steady downpour.

"No, I just finished a meeting. I was planning to go out for dinner with colleagues from the office, but I didn’t expect the rain to be this heavy. I might not even make it home today."

"The rain probably won’t let up until early morning. Who knows if the roads will be flooded."

Even though they were just making ordinary small talk, Lin Juangui felt a profound sense of comfort.

He didn’t know if he could have a normal romantic relationship, but Huo Zeshen made him feel so good—good enough to make him temporarily forget all the scars from his past.

So Lin Juangui was willing to take this step. The moment he confirmed his feelings, he had already prepared himself for the possibility of losing everything. But now, he could afford to lose, so he wasn’t afraid.

Lin Juangui’s cheerful tone resonated with Huo Zeshen, who hummed in agreement on the other end of the line. "You’re so clever."

When Lin Juangui’s assistant found him, she deliberately suppressed a gossipy smile, stating she needed to consult him on something. Lin Juangui lowered his voice and told Huo Zeshen, "I need to handle something. It’ll take about a minute or two."

"Okay, go ahead."

Lin Juangui covered the receiver with his hand. After the assistant finished asking about the dinner plans, Lin Juangui took out his wallet, pulled out a card, and handed it to her.

"It’s pouring outside, and none of you can go home for a while. Our plans to eat out are ruined, and ordering delivery isn’t practical. Use my employee card to buy whatever they’d like from the company store. You can even set up a hotpot."

The assistant took the card and grinned. "Thanks, President Lin! I’ll let you get back to your call. Should I get anything for you?"

"Just decide among yourselves. Save a couple bites for me, that’s all."

"Got it!"

The department Lin Juangui managed had a vibrant atmosphere. Although he held his subordinates to high standards, he was relatively approachable compared to other executives.

Even though Lin Juangui deliberately spoke softly, Huo Zeshen’s keen hearing caught everything. When Lin Juangui announced he was done, Huo Zeshen teased, "It sounds like working under President Lin is truly enjoyable. I’m tempted to come work for you too."

"Then I’m afraid there might not be a position for you, Dr. Huo. Healing people and saving lives better reflects your societal value. Someone like me, to put it bluntly, is the kind of person who drives others to despair—my reputation isn’t exactly stellar."

Lin Juangui was reminding Huo Zeshen of the gossip and criticism he might face if they were together, but Huo Zeshen saw it as merely part of the job—nothing to be criticized.

"You don’t strike me as someone who cares much about reputation, and I don’t either. After all, I can tell that the you I interact with is good—exceptionally good."

Huo Zeshen’s words were utterly sincere. Even without seeing him face to face, Lin Juangui could feel his earnestness.

Lin Juangui suddenly looked up and sighed. "This is the first time I’ve ever wished so badly for the rain to stop soon."

"Why?" Huo Zeshen followed up.

Lin Juangui’s voice softened, carrying a hint of tender affection. "So I can go see you."

The city’s drainage system was efficient. Even after the heavy rain, the water receded completely after a brief period of flooding.

Huo Zeshen remained in his office, talking to Lin Juangui on the phone. He could hear Lin Juangui’s colleagues sharing their heartfelt thoughts and praising how Lin Juangui had supported and promoted them.

Lin Juangui told them to stop exaggerating—he had only done what was expected and didn’t need to be put on a pedestal.

After the gathering ended, Lin Juangui returned to his office and glanced outside. Seeing that the rain had lightened, he asked Huo Zeshen when he planned to head home.

Huo Zeshen said he wasn’t sure. Since he couldn’t go home, he had been reading research papers in his office. The hospital was relatively empty due to the heavy rain, and his department had no surgeries scheduled for the next few days, making it a rare break.

"Want me to pick you up?" Lin Juangui offered.

The long phone call, brought on by the rain, had brought them closer. Now, both were eager to see each other.

Huo Zeshen considered Lin Juangui’s convenience: "If it’s out of your way, it’ll take you a long time to get home, won’t it?"

"Why are you worrying about that now? Who was it that asked me not to hang up earlier?"

Huo Zeshen was practically clinging today, as if he couldn't bear to be separated from Lin Juangui for even a second. To continue their conversation, Lin Juangui even found a fully charged Bluetooth headset.

Lin Juangui trusted Huo Zeshen implicitly, and besides, it was after work hours. Employees wouldn’t be so self-punishing as to discuss work at dinner, so Lin Juangui didn’t end the call.

He offered to drive Huo Zeshen home, hoping to gauge if Huo Zeshen was ready to take their relationship further. However, Huo Zeshen’s current reserve seemed rather ill-timed.

Huo Zeshen quickly realized, laughing sheepishly, "Then I’ll take you up on that."

"I’ll call you when I’m almost at the hospital."

"Okay."

On his way to the parking lot, a subordinate asked if they could hitch a ride. Lin Juangui gave an apologetic look, "Let me get you a car. I have to pick up a friend—he’s stranded at work because of the heavy rain earlier."

The reason was perfectly reasonable, and Lin Juangui even kindly offered a solution. The subordinate waved it away, not wanting to bother him, but Lin Juangui insisted it was fine and posted a message in the department group chat.

"Anyone who hasn’t gotten home yet, I’ll arrange a car to take you back. The sooner you get home, the better."

After arranging his colleagues' rides, Lin Juangui drove to the hospital.

As he neared the hospital, Lin Juangui called Huo Zeshen, who said he was already on his way down.

Lin Juangui said okay and parked at the hospital entrance. Soon after, he saw Huo Zeshen walking out of the main door.

The man was wearing a navy blue trench coat that made his figure appear exceptionally tall and slender. When he spotted Lin Juangui’s car, his eyes lit up, and he waved toward him.

Huo Zeshen hurried over, opened the car door, and got in. He smiled at Lin Juangui and handed him a bottle of warm milk. "Earlier on the call, I heard your colleagues say you had spicy hot pot today. I was worried it might upset your stomach, so I warmed up some milk. Have a little."

"Dr. Huo is as thoughtful as ever."

Huo Zeshen helped Lin Juangui open the bottle cap, then quietly held his hand.

Lin Juangui’s mind was no longer on the milk. He could feel the warmth of Huo Zeshen’s palm—dry yet soft, clearly well-cared for, as a doctor’s hands are incredibly important.

This fluttering, nervous excitement was unfamiliar to Lin Juangui. He drank half the milk in one go and, when he looked up, found Huo Zeshen gazing at him intently.

Huo Zeshen didn’t say anything, just held Lin Juangui’s hand, leaned in quickly, and kissed his milk-scented lips.

"I don’t want to let go of your hand. Is using this method to wipe your mouth too forward?"

Lin Juangui blinked but didn’t answer. He pursed his lips, as if still savoring the sensation.

Huo Zeshen cupped Lin Juangui’s face with his other hand, lowering his head as if to kiss him again. The desire in his eyes was nearly overflowing, but he held back, giving Lin Juangui a subtle smile before asking—

"I really like you. Will you be with me?"

That night, Lin Juangui stayed at Huo Zeshen’s place, since it was close to the hospital and neither had to travel far.

When parking in Huo Zeshen’s underground garage, Lin Juangui couldn’t help but laugh, "In the end, I ended up delivering myself to your home."

Huo Zeshen squeezed Lin Juangui’s fingers, smiling like a content little boy. "I didn’t want you to drive for so long. You have work tomorrow, right? It’s better to rest early."

"Will we really rest early?" Lin Juangui teased.

Huo Zeshen seemed flustered, the tips of his ears turning red, and he held Lin Juangui’s hand tighter. "I might not be as much of a rogue as you think."

Lin Juangui continued teasing, "What if I want to be the rogue?"

"Then you can only be a rogue with me."

Huo Zeshen’s sudden burst of possessiveness made Lin Juangui laugh heartily. He pinched Huo Zeshen’s earlobe and pulled him into a hug. "Don’t be so adorable."

The rain had made both of them fully aware of each other’s feelings. Lin Juangui really liked this kind of natural, mutual affection.

Huo Zeshen didn’t actually do anything to Lin Juangui that night, and Lin Juangui’s playful teasing didn’t materialize either.

After all, it was their first time being in a relationship. Beyond holding hands and kissing, there wasn’t much else they could do. Lin Juangui thought Huo Zeshen was almost excessively pure, but he loved all the reactions he got when teasing him.

Lin Juangui and Huo Zeshen officially became a couple. Lin Juangui explained the drawbacks of his profession: "I might not have much time to spend with you, but whenever I’m free, I’ll be thinking of you."

Huo Zeshen shook his head and said it was fine, holding Lin Juangui even tighter. "You have your own path. This relationship is like the icing on the cake for you. I don’t want to be a burden—just hope to give you a hug when you’re tired. Maybe that’s all you need."

Lin Juangui loved these tight, comforting hugs; they made him feel safe.

It was Huo Zeshen’s candid and free-spirited attitude that made Lin Juangui feel understood.

Being in a relationship was about giving each other emotional support and response. Both had already fought their way to where they were now; the day-to-day details just needed some adjustment. What mattered most to them was enjoying the feeling of being in love.

Being with Huo Zeshen made Lin Juangui feel full, as if a void had been completely filled.

It was in this joyful state that Lin Juangui opened his eyes.

"You’re awake? How are you feeling now?"

The speaker was a middle-aged woman whose voice was familiar to Lin Juangui. He blinked, clearly not yet free from the happiness of his dream.

He closed his eyes again, giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts.

There was no going back to the dream—he had to face harsh reality. Lin Juangui couldn’t escape.

Several doctors came to examine Lin Juangui, who even needed help just to sit up.

Lin Juangui curled his lips into a cold smile that sent chills down everyone’s spines.

Song Jie, who had been observing quietly, slipped away. Mu Zhang was leaning against the wall in the corridor. Song Jie gestured for him to follow her to a more private spot.

"How is he?"

Over the half-month Lin Juangui had been unconscious, Mu Zhang had watched him cry silently in his nightmares, then gradually calm down after Song Jie’s guided hypnosis, even smiling from time to time.

As Lin Juangui’s legal partner, Mu Zhang had the right to know about his psychological condition from Song Jie.

Song Jie relayed fragments of her earlier conversations with Lin Juangui. When Mu Zhang learned that Lin Juangui’s psychological barriers and dissociative symptoms had started from being locked in an attic, he fell silent for a long time.

"His other self protected him for a very long time. They had coexisted peacefully, but when he found himself in another hopeless situation, he completely broke down."