Chapter 45 Starting to Look Human Again

Chapter 45: Acting More Human Again

Most of the attendees at the small gathering organized by Zhuang Xi were Omegas, each decked out in flashy jewelry, beautiful accessories, and fancy, elaborate outfits. Standing among them, Lin Juangui wondered if he was underdressed.

However, they were all very friendly, tilting their heads slightly to look at Lin Juangui and asking how he grew so tall.

"I went through presentation quite late and thought I would be a Beta, but unexpectedly, I turned out to be an Omega."

The other Omegas mentioned that they had presented around fourteen or fifteen, after which their bodies developed to be more slender and delicate. Unlike them, Lin Juangui had presented at seventeen, which allowed him to grow so tall.

It all came down to individual differences. Lin Juangui smiled shyly and said, "Sometimes I don’t even know when my heat will arrive. So far, I’ve only experienced it twice."

Including the one he was currently experiencing, it was exactly two. Lin Juangui didn’t think there was anything unusual about what he said, but the other Omegas seemed surprised.

"Only twice? I remember right after I presented, all I could think about were Alphas. Sometimes, without an Alpha’s pheromones, I felt like I was going to dry up and die..."

"You think everyone is as hormonal as you? But Juangui, have you never been induced into heat by an Alpha’s pheromones?"

"Yeah, with so few heats, how would you even conceive?"

Lin Juangui maintained his smile. He knew that personal details between Alphas and Omegas were often picked apart to gauge the state of a relationship. Playing up health issues had always been his way of laying the groundwork for a future divorce from Mu Zhang, to prevent outsiders from speculating about other reasons.

So, without hesitation, Lin Juangui pinned it all on himself. "My body isn’t fully developed yet. Maybe I’m just late in every way. It’s not easy for me to get pregnant, and I don’t really have any good solutions for it."

The other Omegas nodded, seemingly accepting his explanation.

Zhuang Xi stepped in to smooth things over. "After all, Juangui only presented at seventeen. It’s only been two years since then. There’s still plenty of time. Besides, he and Mu Zhang have a stable relationship. Mu Zhang isn’t in a hurry to have children, right?"

Lin Juangui shook his head with a smile. "He said my health comes first."

This low-key display of affection drew envious looks from the others, and Lin Juangui sighed inwardly.

He still wasn’t entirely comfortable dealing with these kinds of domestic topics, not quite as adept as he would have liked.

But at least he managed to get through it. It was a pass.

Lin Juangui drank a few glasses with them and chatted about the upcoming auction. It was already getting late.

After several rounds of drinks, the Omegas were slightly tipsy. Some were singing, others playing cards, and a few even began rambling, openly sharing intimate details about their interactions with their Alphas.

The energy of these Omegas left Lin Juangui astounded. He didn’t have the stamina to stay any longer, especially since he was experiencing the early signs of heat. He prepared to head out after saying goodbye to Zhuang Xi.

Zhuang Xi’s cheeks were flushed. Seeing Lin Juangui approach, he asked if he was planning to leave. Lin Juangui nodded.

"Let’s leave together later. They’ll probably keep going until midnight."

"Okay."

Lin Juangui had long since taken off his jacket and tie, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt to reveal his delicate collarbones, and was lazily leaning against the soft sofa, slowly sipping a glass of brandy.

This was how Mu Zhang found him when he arrived.

Lin Juangui lowered his eyes, looking distracted as if drunk. He occasionally laughed along with those around him, not noticing Mu Zhang’s arrival.

Mu Zhang was tall. Though his features weren’t as refined as those of men who made a living off their looks, his presence was commanding. His identity and demeanor as an Alpha were his best embellishments.

He naturally picked up the jacket and tie from the sofa, bent down to gently help Lin Juangui up, and said to Zhuang Xi, who was sitting nearby, "He took an inhibitor before coming. We have to leave now."

Zhuang Xi’s mind went blank for a moment before he understood: Lin Juangui hadn’t mentioned his heat to avoid dampening the mood and making it seem like he was being disrespectful.

"Go ahead, take good care of him."

Mu Zhang wrapped his arm around Lin Juangui’s waist and led him away, leaving the other Omegas watching their retreating figures with envy.

After becoming a space pirate, Mu Zhang had never appeared in the media. Many knew of his reputation but had no idea what he actually looked like. The moment Mu Zhang entered the banquet hall, countless eyes turned to him, yet his gaze was fixed solely on Lin Juangui.

Someone nearby asked curiously, "I heard that after Mu Zhang fell out with his grandfather, he never set foot on Federal Central Star again. Did he come back this time for Juangui’s award ceremony?"

Zhuang Xi rubbed his chin, slightly confused. Hadn't Mu Zhang come to Federal Central Star when he and Lin Juangui registered their marriage? These must be rumors. Someone as elusive as Mu Zhang—who could ever know where he was day to day?

Still, in response to his friend’s question, Zhuang Xi said, "Probably. They seem to have a pretty good relationship."

In the eyes of outsiders, the relationship between this Alpha and Omega was hard to judge. Some thought Lin Juangui was climbing the social ladder, while others believed Mu Zhang had taken advantage of the situation. But their post-marriage relationship seemed surprisingly stable? It looked like the trope of love after marriage had become their reality.

After being taken away by Mu Zhang, Lin Juangui remained silent. He felt hot, and the night breeze did little to cool him down. An itch he couldn’t scratch simmered within him.

He knew it wasn’t the alcohol—it was his heat, which even the strong inhibitors couldn’t fully suppress.

Once Mu Zhang helped him into the car, Lin Juangui slumped heavily into the seat, his voice hoarse as he spoke. "I can’t leave for the next few days. There are some things I need to handle. Qu Yang booked a hotel for me. Just take me there."

Mu Zhang didn’t respond. Instead, he took a pillow from beside him and tucked it under Lin Juangui’s head. The faint scent of jasmine washed over Lin Juangui, and he relaxed almost instantly. The pillow contained Alpha pheromones, which were far more comforting than inhibitors.

Lin Juangui’s eyes grew hazy, as if veiled in mist, making everything seem unreal.

Mu Zhang knew it was pointless to discuss anything with Lin Juangui in this state, so he simply told him their destination. "I have a property here. If I let you stay at a hotel and someone finds out you’re using an Alpha pheromone pillow, my reputation would be ruined across the entire Federation. For the next few days, behave yourself and don’t go anywhere."

Lin Juangui pressed his lips together and remained silent, as if acquiescing, then closed his eyes and dozed off.

Mu Zhang watched Lin Juangui’s face for a long moment. For some reason, he found this dazed, unaware version of Lin Juangui somewhat endearing—softer than his usual shrewd self and more to Mu Zhang’s liking.

But then again, that wouldn’t be Lin Juangui.

Mu Zhang reached out and gently brushed aside the stray hairs on Lin Juangui’s forehead. His gaze was calm, but after a moment, as if suddenly realizing something, he withdrew his hand abruptly, frowned, and then, seemingly unwilling to let it go, poked Lin Juangui’s cheek with his finger.

Lin Juangui smacked his lips, shifted his neck, and seemed uncomfortable.

Mu Zhang took a deep breath. He knew his attention toward Lin Juangui had long crossed the line. In the past, he would tell himself it was just part of fulfilling the contract—both he and Lin Juangui needed to present a stable marriage to the outside world.

But another voice in his heart would always ask: Aren’t you just making excuses?

After wrestling with his thoughts, Mu Zhang stopped hesitating. He decided to follow his instincts—do what he wanted to do. That was always how he operated.

The night on Federal Central Star was still filled with light pollution. When Mu Zhang carried Lin Juangui out of the car, he thoughtfully shielded his eyes. But despite his gentle movements, Lin Juangui still woke up.

Mu Zhang’s sky villa was located in the best area of Federal Central Star. It was where he had lived during university, and he had brought Mu Yuanqing here many times before.

He had already arranged for the place to be cleaned when he learned Lin Juangui would be attending the award ceremony on Federal Central Star. He laid Lin Juangui down on the bed in the bedroom and administered the prepared inhibitor.

Lin Juangui watched Mu Zhang’s movements through half-lidded eyes. He disliked the feeling of being injected with medication and frowned, appearing vulnerable.

Ge Miao brought the pillow they had left in the car, stored in a box. When he saw Mu Zhang kneeling on the floor to administer the inhibitor to Lin Juangui, his expression became knowing.

It was a rare sight—Mu Zhang taking such meticulous care of an Omega.

Mu Zhang’s pheromones weren’t particularly appealing. Unless someone had a specific preference, most Omegas wouldn’t want to smell the pungent odor of asphalt when they needed warmth and comfort during their heat.

Mu Zhang tucked the pillow under Lin Juangui’s neck again. Lin Juangui visibly relaxed more than before. He kept his eyes on Mu Zhang and asked in a soft voice, "If you had treated me like this when we first met, would things have turned out differently?"

"..." Mu Zhang fell silent as if unsure how to respond.

Ge Miao made a tactful exit, sensing things were off—could it be that Lin Juangui still held expectations of Mu Zhang?

Unable to get an answer, a flicker of determination appeared in Lin Juangui's eyes. He tore off the inhibitor patch on his neck, and a wave of potent Omega pheromones filled the room. His eyes locked on Mu Zhang, and he spoke with urgency.

"I know my pheromones are unique, so what scent do you detect from me?"

It was still the fragrance of white fir, though much fainter than the first time he had smelled it. Mu Zhang's brow knitted in conflict, as if hesitating whether to tell Lin Juangui the truth. But Lin Juangui let out a deep sigh.

"I understand."

Lin Juangui turned over, facing away from Mu Zhang, burying his face deep into the pillow and closing his eyes as if to sleep.

Mu Zhang had no idea what Lin Juangui had "understood," but he hesitated. Someone as sharp as Lin Juangui couldn’t possibly miss the underlying implications of his attitude.

What Lin Juangui really wanted to ask was whether Mu Zhang had been using his unique pheromones to see him as someone else—otherwise, why had Mu Zhang treated him so poorly before? Even if Mu Zhang refused to answer, Lin Juangui could have pressed him while he was at his most vulnerable, yet he held back, sparing both of them further embarrassment.

Mu Zhang hadn’t answered any of Lin Juangui’s questions, and he could practically feel the hurt emanating from Lin Juangui’s turned back.

Their beginning had been rooted in Mu Zhang’s selfishness and arrogance—to him, Omegas were merely objects, divided into useful and useless.

If Lin Juangui had been a completely useless trophy husband, Mu Zhang might not have cared as much. But Lin Juangui’s capabilities made Mu Zhang reconsider his views on Omegas, even leading him to question whether his past prejudices had been too extreme.

The tenderness Mu Zhang showed Lin Juangui now was entirely because of who Lin Juangui was, not his identity as an Omega. Yet even after realizing this, Mu Zhang still couldn’t bring himself to answer Lin Juangui’s questions.

He couldn’t deny Mu Yuanqing’s existence, nor would he doubt his past feelings for him. What he felt toward Lin Juangui was straight-up guilt, and everything he did now felt like compensation.

So, was it shame? Mu Zhang.

From the very beginning, you treated Lin Juangui as a stand-in. When your white moonlight parted ways with you and the replacement began to show his unique charm, you wavered, didn’t you?

Mu Zhang couldn’t provide any answers, neither for himself nor for Lin Juangui.

For the next few days, Mu Zhang stayed home without going out. Lin Juangui was in heat, and if he were seen outside by someone with ill intentions who reported it to the Omega Protection Association, it would undoubtedly be seen as neglect.

But Mu Zhang did take genuine care of Lin Juangui. He timed the inhibitor injections precisely, made sure Lin Juangui consumed only nutritional drinks during his heat, and even specifically chose fruit flavors he knew Lin Juangui preferred.

Lin Juangui’s demeanor during his heat was far more composed and controlled than Mu Zhang had expected. Whether it was due to his personality or not, Lin Juangui could still hold conversations normally, though he seemed listless and distracted. If not for the faint pink flush at the corners of his eyes, almost no one would have guessed he was in heat.

But this was only possible with the help of the Alpha pheromone pillow and heavy-duty inhibitors. Lin Juangui had come to understand the terror of an Omega’s heat—he had to suppress his desires completely to avoid being consumed by the cravings growing within him.

On the day his heat ended, Lin Juangui took a long bath. He could clearly sense that Mu Zhang had been going out of his way lately.

Was it because of the awards ceremony? Lin Juangui and Zhuang Xi had been named Philanthropists of the Year, boosting Mu Zhang’s public image. Now, when people mentioned Mu Zhang, they would think of his Omega partner first, not the notorious star pirate.

After his bath, Lin Juangui saw Mu Zhang bringing a freshly cooked meal to the table. Mu Zhang noticed that after this heat, Lin Juangui’s jaw looked more defined than before.

"I made some porridge. Add salt to taste."

"Okay."

Noticing Lin Juangui’s surprised expression, Mu Zhang smiled faintly. "What, not used to it?"

"Yeah," Lin Juangui replied, his voice still weak. "I thought you only cooked for your grandmother."

Mu Zhang leaned back in his chair, relaxed and at ease. "The year I left the Federal Core Worlds, I worked as a crewman on a small starship. That’s where I learned to do these things."

The original storyline had only briefly touched on Mu Zhang’s past—it seemed like his influence had grown suddenly, transforming him into the feared star pirate everyone knew.

Lin Juangui was curious about Mu Zhang’s past. "How did you go from there to where you are now?"

Young ones always love stories, Mu Zhang thought with a resigned smile before continuing, "Back then, I enjoyed being somewhere no one knew me. But when the starship was surrounded by insectoids and the captain panicked, I stepped up, took charge, and directed the battle. After that, I was noticed and taken on as an advisor under the leader of Blade."

"Blade was what became Tianguang. Some say Mu Zhang was a traitor to Blade—that he betrayed its leader and founded Tianguang, turning former Blade members into his own underlings. But none of that has been confirmed, so who knows if it’s true."

Lin Juangui jumped in to add context, and Lin Juangui listened so intently he even set down his spoon.

The leader of Blade had a Robin Hood mentality. He despised planetary lords who hoarded wealth in their treasuries while ignoring the suffering of others. He would blast those lords’ warehouses open and blast them to dust.

It might have been satisfying, but it also made many enemies. Over time, Blade became hunted by numerous planetary lords. As an advisor, Mu Zhang played a significant role in several key battles for Blade across the cosmos.

By then, Mu Zhang had become Blade’s right-hand man. But the leader was growing old and didn’t fully trust his followers. So, he proposed a plan to Mu Zhang: let those who wished to retire and leave their life of constant running do so with dignity, while Mu Zhang would gain a force truly loyal to him.

Lin Juangui seemed somewhat thoughtful. "So that’s how it was."

Mu Zhang’s notorious reputation in his earlier years stemmed from the shameful act of "betraying" Blade’s leader and founding Tianguang. Little did people know it was all a coordinated effort to give those who wanted out a chance to leave peacefully.

Looking at it this way, Mu Zhang seemed almost human.

Most space pirates were unruly and defiant by nature, and Mu Zhang’s personality appealed to them. As the core of Tianguang, Mu Zhang had to be resolute and decisive; otherwise, his followers would lose respect for him.

In recent years, Mu Zhang’s desire to "go legit" had caused discontent among some of his people, but his personal charisma kept them loyal and persistent.

Mu Zhang needed someone with a softer presence to balance the image he projected, and Lin Juangui happened to enter his life at just the right time.

Seeing Lin Juangui’s expression, as if seeing him in a new light, Mu Zhang couldn’t help but laugh softly. He sighed lightly. "These things happened a long time ago. I never thought I’d have a chance to talk about them."

Mu Zhang rarely told stories, let alone exposed his vulnerabilities. This was an Alpha who hid away in the basement during his rut cycles, proof of how strong his pride was.

He didn’t need anyone’s sympathy or pity. He did what he wanted directly, often without overthinking, because the outcome would always be what he desired.

Honestly, Lin Juangui admired someone like that. He himself had little capital to risk, so he had to weigh every decision carefully.

Mu Zhang could be called a ruthless leader. From a broader perspective, the actions he led Tianguang to take had a sense of justice, but his disdain for Omegas and treating people as objects were plain facts.

A person’s character is always complex—it can’t be defined by labels others casually attach.

After hearing Mu Zhang’s story, Lin Juangui felt that this man was more than just some novel’s male lead, painted as perfect.

Neither of them brought up what happened that night. The porridge was cooling, and Lin Juangui had had enough. He said to Mu Zhang, "I’ve made up my mind. I’ll donate the lab to you for use under my personal name, as support for my partner’s work. I don’t need shares or dividends, but I want to be kept in the loop about the project’s progress."

Lin Juangui was as generous as ever. Having already witnessed his strategic mind, Mu Zhang could roughly guess why he was donating the lab. But hadn’t Lin Juangui said he had no interest in human development? Why was he so invested in this project?

"You’re so generous people will think you’re easy to fool," Mu Zhang teased.

Lin Juangui didn’t mind. "I believe what I’ll gain will outweigh what I give. Knowing the project’s progress is also about helping you manage risks. Are you involved in this project for the future of humanity? Sword Group and the military must have something you want—otherwise, why would you join?"

In the past, Mu Zhang wouldn’t have uttered a word about the project to Lin Juangui. But now, he trusted him completely and spoke bluntly: "They’ve jointly developed a cutting-edge mech capable of destroying star systems. If such a weapon were deployed in battle, wiping out insectoids would be effortless. But the mech demands extremely high physical endurance from its pilots—no Alpha’s body can withstand it. So, they’re pushing the limits of human physicality."

This setup was straight out of a villain's playbook, completely contrary to Sword Group’s founding principles.

Initially, mechs were designed to serve humanity, but now humanity was being forced to adapt to the mechs—a true regression.

As Mu Zhang’s partner, if he fell from grace, Lin Juangui would be dragged down with him, so he had to be cautious.

"Then my request isn’t unreasonable. I also want to see how far this project can go."

The project lead sent by the Sword Group turned out to be Liang Shanyue's uncle, while the military, as Lin Juangui anticipated, was Mu Yuanqing. The three parties confirmed their collaboration through a video conference.

Liang Yu appeared composed and seemed a year or two older than Mu Zhang. Though he seemed somewhat slender, he carried an air of innate elegance and superiority that was impossible to overlook.

When he heard Lin Juangui mention donating the laboratory, a look of surprise crossed his face, followed by what seemed like a sigh. "Mr. Lin, my father had hoped to express his gratitude through this gesture of thanks. Your response leaves me uncertain how to relay this to him."

Lin Juangui smiled calmly. "I appreciate the elder's kindness. However, Brother Liang and I have a good relationship. Although he wasn’t in favor of locating the project on Yungang Star, he remains quite curious about it. If I were to become a shareholder, he would undoubtedly ask me for project details. If I were to brush him off, we might not even remain friends."

Liang Xiancheng did not want Liang Shanyue to know anything related to this project, as it was a way to protect both him and Yungang Star. By bringing up Liang Shanyue, Lin Juangui was using him as a shield, much like how the Sword Group sought to exploit Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui’s stance was clear—this laboratory was his safeguard measure. He saw no need to take on risks that could easily ruin his reputation, nor would he let greed blind him for the sake of modest profits.

Mu Zhang and Mu Yuanqing remained silent throughout, quietly listening to Lin Juangui and Liang Yu bargain.

Liang Yu was well aware of Lin Juangui’s calculations and was not about to concede easily. "Mr. Lin, are you being so cautious because you doubt the project’s success? Do you lack confidence in your Alpha?"

This attempt to deflect attention questioned the relationship between Lin Juangui and Mu Zhang. Unfazed, Lin Juangui replied, "I thought donating the laboratory was enough to demonstrate my sincerity. Whether the project succeeds or not depends on the researchers, doesn’t it? Besides, Mu Zhang's possessions are mine—what use do I have for shares? According to federal law, since the laboratory was donated, not sold, I also bear a share of responsibility. I’m not sure what concerns you have, Mr. Liang?"

Lin Juangui laid his cards on the table. Both sides understood each other’s reservations and intentions, and Lin Juangui would not allow Liang Yu to cross his bottom line.

It was clear someone else was with Liang Yu, though they remained off-screen, likely a lawyer. After a quick glance to the side, Liang Yu’s attitude softened slightly.

"Mr. Lin, as expected of a top graduate from Yungang University, you cite legal statutes with ease. I recall you ranked first in your grade this semester, didn’t you? Truly accomplished for someone so young."

Realizing the conversation would only grow more contentious, Liang Yu decided to end the discussion. Lin Juangui’s reasoning was not without merit.

Still, being outmaneuvered at the negotiation table felt like an inauspicious start. Seemingly unwilling to concede entirely, Liang Yu turned to Mu Zhang beside Lin Juangui. "Your Omega is quite extraordinary."

This was a jab at Mu Zhang.

Mu Zhang’s smile didn’t reach his eyes, though his gaze softened slightly when he looked at Lin Juangui, as if deliberately showing off. "He’s more capable than I am."

Mu Yuanqing, tired of their diplomatic exchanges, spoke coolly, "Are you finished? I’m ending the meeting."

Liang Yu through the holographic screen stared intently at Lin Juangui, his smile meaningful. "Then we thank you for your generous donation, Mr. Lin. I believe we’ll have many opportunities to collaborate in the future."

Lin Juangui raised his water glass in a toast to Liang Yu. "I look forward to it as well."

"Are you feeling unwell?" Mu Zhang noticed Lin Juangui’s mood and asked with concern.

Lin Juangui shook his head, pausing thoughtfully before asking, "Does General Mu dislike me?"

Alarm bells rang in Mu Zhang’s mind. Lin Juangui was highly perceptive of his surroundings, and Mu Zhang feared he might detect something between him and Mu Yuanqing, which was why he had avoided engaging with Mu Yuanqing during the meeting.

He instinctively defended Mu Yuanqing: "He’s usually very serious about work; it’s not personal."

"Is that so?" Lin Juangui had hoped to probe further but saw no opening.

Relieved that Lin Juangui didn’t press further, Mu Zhang quietly sighed.

It wasn’t that he feared Lin Juangui’s misunderstanding—many from his university days knew he had been with Mu Yuanqing, and even now, it was dismissed as a youthful indiscretion.

But Lin Juangui had once held such high expectations for Mu Zhang. He could tolerate being used or judged by Mu Zhang, but if he learned he had been a substitute for someone else, he might never forgive him.

In moments like these, Mu Zhang’s first instinct was to shield Mu Yuanqing from misunderstanding. Regardless of their current relationship, protecting Mu Yuanqing was ingrained in him.

Lin Juangui had plans afterward and was about to ask Qu Yang to prepare a car when Mu Zhang stopped him. "Where are you going? I’ll take you."

"No need, I might—"

Before Lin Juangui could refuse, Mu Zhang insisted, "Your heat just ended. I need to stay with you."

"...Fine."

As long as you don’t regret it.

When Lin Juangui gave the driver the coordinates, Mu Zhang, sitting beside him, already sensed something amiss but continued impassively handling emails on his device.

As the car stopped at the villa’s entrance, Lin Juangui watched Mu Zhang’s expression and said, "You were the one who insisted on driving me."

"Mm. Let me know when you’re done; I’ll pick you up."

Lin Juangui prodded, "Aren’t you coming in?"

A cold smile tugged at Mu Zhang’s lips. "I only drove you here for your sake."

"Alright, I’ll go then."

Lin Juangui waved before getting out. Mu Zhang nodded from the car, watching as Lin Juangui entered the house he loathed.

The Alpha took a deep breath and asked the driver to drive around nearby.

Some hurdles had to be faced head-on; avoiding them wasn’t an option.

In the past, he could use youth as an excuse to claim nothing mattered, but now, to achieve his goals, he had to leverage old connections.

Thankfully, there was Lin Juangui now.

Otherwise, Mu Zhang couldn’t imagine how he would ever reconcile with the old man.