Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The boy's killing intent was fierce, the blade hidden at his fingertips thrusting straight toward Shen Hui's neck.

"Die!"

At the critical moment, Shen Hui used all his strength to desperately roll away, barely avoiding a fatal strike, but the blade still sliced through a large area of skin. Blood gushed forth, instantly staining half his shoulder crimson.

The glaring red and the metallic smell of blood made the boy even more excited and cruel, like a hunter watching struggling prey in its death throes, closing in step-by-step.

"So weak. I really don’t understand what Master sees in you."

Shen Hui scoffed scornfully. "Being noticed by him is not a good thing."

A flash of ruthlessness passed through the boy’s eyes. Looking at the disheveled Shen Hui on the ground—worthless aside from his face—he was certain Master wouldn’t be angry if he killed someone like this. In fact, he might even praise him.

Thinking this, the boy didn’t hesitate to swing at Shen Hui, but stopped abruptly just before striking, turning his head towards the door.

"If I were you, I wouldn’t do something so stupid."

Liu Fenghua leaned casually against the door frame, arms crossed. He glanced at Shen Hui, whose face was growing paler from blood loss, and subtly signaled him to stay calm while maintaining a calm demeanor.

"Kill him, and you’ll bring disaster upon yourself as well."

The boy scoffed with disdain. "You expect me to believe that?"

"My predictions are always accurate. If you don’t believe me, ask him." Liu Fenghua gestured toward Shen Hui with his chin.

Shen Hui, his vision blurring and ears ringing, had no energy to respond to his sarcastic humor.

The boy gave a cold laugh, seeing through his intention. "You think you can save him? With just you?"

An ordinary alpha like him—back at the base, he could knock out three or four in one punch.

Chen Shenzhi’s name indeed caught the boy’s attention.

"He really is the one Chen Shenzhi cares for most. And if I’m not mistaken, you’re just a replacement." Liu Fenghua squinted his eyes, scanning the faint mark visible on the boy’s neck, a flicker of anger-like emotion in his gaze. "Or should I say, an experiment."

"Shut up!"

The boy instantly exploded in rage, throwing a dart straight at Liu Fenghua’s face. Liu Fenghua barely avoided it, creating distance between himself and Shen Hui in that split second.

"Freeze! Don’t move!"

Several police officers rushed in from the window and back door, guns aimed right at the boy’s forehead.

The boy glared furiously at Liu Fenghua. "You actually called the cops?!"

"It’s a law-ruled society, kid." Liu Fenghua shrugged as if it were obvious. "When in trouble, of course you turn to the police."

"You’ll pay for this!" The boy wanted to tear him apart but, wary of the approaching police, gradually raised his hands.

Just as the police reached for handcuffs, the boy suddenly lunged, grabbing the gun from the officer’s holster. In an instant, the police stepped back, highly alert. Without hesitation, the boy lifted the helpless Shen Hui onto his shoulder and leaped out the back window of the hall, quickly disappearing into the wilderness of the mountains behind the temple.

No one expected anyone to dare escape with a hostage right under the police’s nose. They immediately called for backup.

The area around the earth shrine was a partially developed wilderness, with villagers' trails and worn-out wooden boardwalks crisscrossing the terrain—and no surveillance.

The boy carried Shen Hui like a wild ape, swiftly moving through the wooded mountains toward the village below. As he neared the base of the hill, the phone in his pocket rang—the one Chen Shenzhi had bought him before sending him back to the country, with only Chen Shenzhi as a contact.

The boy stopped immediately, assuming Shen Hui was unconscious, and answered the phone excitedly. "Master, I—"

"Don’t stop. Enter the village through the alley ahead." Chen Shenzhi’s voice was calm, but the boy could tell he wasn’t pleased. Not daring to explain, he obeyed and kept running with Shen Hui.

"There’s a car on the main road ahead. Cross directly, and be quick."

If it were Shen Hui, he would have recognized the mischief in Chen Shenzhi’s tone—someone was likely about to be in danger.

But the boy only followed orders faithfully, running without hesitation past the stopped Mercedes van.

Five minutes earlier.

*

When Yan Gui drove into Zhongshi Village, he was determined to have this place torn down.

The windows were as crowded as birdcages, unbelievable in their closeness. Narrow, dim passages were wet with unknown liquids. Even the main road was occupied by various stalls, making it difficult for a single car to pass. A hundred-meter stretch took a full five minutes to navigate, along with the occasional curses of street vendors.

He couldn’t imagine how Shen Hui had spent three years here. Or was it that he’d rather stay here than come find him?

Annoyed, he watched Tang Fan tiredly negotiate with a fruit stall owner ahead to make way. After finally helping the stall owner move his cart, Tang Fan returned to the driver’s seat worn out. "Boss, are you really sure Mr. Shen would be in a place like this?"

"Find a spot to park. We’ll continue on foot."

Tang Fan smiled bitterly as he started the car. "In this place, even parking an e-bike is a fight. There’s nowhere to park."

Just as the car began moving, a dark shadow flashed past them.

Even someone as patient as Tang Fan was infuriated. He leaned out the window and yelled, "Running so fast—are you rushing to be reborn?!"

But before the words fully left his mouth, he heard his boss’s shocked voice. "Shen Hui?!"

Tang Fan: "What?!"

Without another word, Yan Gui got out of the car and chased after the shadow, disappearing around a corner into the depths of a narrow alley.

Tang Fan had no choice but to follow on foot, ignoring the fruit vendor’s shouts behind him.

Yan Gui was certain that unconscious face belonged to Shen Hui—and Shen Hui was injured. The distinct smell of blood stimulated his pheromones, making him increasingly agitated.

The boy ahead also noticed the alpha chasing him, nearly caught several times. Fortunately, he had Chen Shenzhi remotely guiding him.

"There’s an abandoned self-built house ahead. Go to the fourth floor and lock the door securely."

The boy followed Chen Shenzhi’s instructions, entering the room and pulling the heavy door shut before finally catching his breath.

The speed and endurance of the alpha behind him even surpassed his own. It had been a long time since he’d been this disheveled.

Chen Shenzhi waited patiently for him to steady his breathing before giving the next order. "Put Shen Hui in the chair in the center, tie him up, and inject him with Number Six."

Shen Hui woke from the pain in his neck. As his blurred vision gradually cleared, he saw the boy who had tried to kill him now carefully bandaging his wound. The specialized topical medicine stung sharply, burning against the injury.

"I apologize for my subordinate’s rudeness. Whether you believe it or not, I had no intention of harming you." Chen Shenzhi’s polite voice came from the phone in front of him. On the screen, he sat elegantly in his overseas office.

Shen Hui tried to rise but found his hands and feet bound to the chair—a metal chair welded firmly to the ground.

The scent of a long-planned conspiracy made him immediately alert. He scanned the room: dozens of square meters, empty and dilapidated, with doors and windows barred by steel rods.

"So, you’ve been planning to make a move on me for a long time?"

"You're wronging me," Chen Shenzhi said with his usual studious demeanor, gazing at everything tenderly. "This place was originally taken over from the Yan family's holdings. It's said to be where they screened test subjects in the early years. Back then, I didn't ask you to handle it simply because I didn't want you tainted by such filth."

Shen Hui let out a cold laugh.

Just then, the young man finished bandaging the wound and respectfully looked toward the screen at Chen Shenzhi. "Master, the bandaging is done."

"Hmm."

The young man, unsettled by his indifference, panicked with fear. "Master, I—"

Chen Shenzhi cut him off firmly. "I'm catching up with A-Hui. No interruptions allowed."

The young man bowed his head deeply, completely shrouded in despair and fear, a far cry from the arrogance and confidence he had shown earlier when confronting Shen Hui.

Chen Shenzhi's gaze on the screen fell on Shen Hui's wound, where a faint pink tinge of blood had seeped through again.

"I'll deal with him," Chen Shenzhi promised Shen Hui earnestly.

But his feigned affection only made Shen Hui nauseous. "Does trampling on someone's sincerity bring you so much joy?"

Chen Shenzhi smiled leisurely. "Are you referring to Yi? Can I take that as jealousy?"

Shen Hui sounded as if he'd heard a joke. "Narcissism is a disease. Get it treated sooner rather than later."

"Alright, it seems you're still angry," Chen Shenzhi said, as if coaxing a sulking lover. "Then let me give you a gift."

Shen Hui narrowed his eyes warily.

"Related to Yan Gui," Chen Shenzhi smiled slightly. "A stabilizer that can alleviate the side effects of Catalyst No. 1. I think you'll very much need this gift."

Shen Hui's memory instantly flashed back to that night six years ago.

*

Standing at the top of the staircase, Shen Hui looked down at Chen Shenzhi. "Where is Yan Gui?"

"Can I take that as you throwing a tantrum?" Chen Shenzhi ascended the steps, stopping on the final stair, reaching out to touch Shen Hui's temple, only to be impatiently brushed aside. But then Chen Shenzhi cupped his face.

"Or are you jealous and afraid? Afraid that after Yan Gui becomes my Omega, you'll be cast aside?"

Hearing the word "Omega," Shen Hui instantly understood that today's so-called transaction to return the Yan family's assets was a trap set by Chen Shenzhi. He gripped Chen Shenzhi's wrist tightly, demanding through gritted teeth, "Where is Yan Gui?!"

The tension and worry in his eyes seemed utterly genuine, and for the first time, Chen Shenzhi felt a real urge to kill Yan Gui.

That murderous intent flickered in his eyes like reflected light, then transformed into amusement and mockery.

Perhaps he should let Shen Hui see his hope—Yan Gui—turned into an Omega: broken, tragically beautiful, and forever bound to his side.

"Right next to the private room you just saw."

Shen Hui shoved him aside and strode directly toward the room Chen Shenzhi had indicated. Soon, sounds of surprise and the crunch of bones being shattered by fists echoed from inside.

Three minutes later, Shen Hui emerged from the room carrying Yan Gui, who was on the verge of his heat, in a bridal carry.

The nineteen-year-old was barely conscious, clinging tightly to Shen Hui's neck, trying to draw scent from him.

Chen Shenzhi's smile faded, his eyes filled with mocking amusement. "Oh, it seems he's about to differentiate, isn't he?"

Shen Hui's suppressed rage ignited completely at those words. Holding Yan Gui with one arm, he freed his other hand and slapped Chen Shenzhi without hesitation.

*Smack—*

All background noise faded, leaving only the stinging pain and a ringing in the ears.

Chen Shenzhi licked the blood from the corner of his mouth, watching Shen Hui's hurried departure with a pleased smile.

Author's Note:

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Diao: As the first person in Diao's writing to be princess-carried by his wife, what are your thoughts, Boss Yan?

Yan: Why did he hit him and not me?! Unfair!

Chen: It seems some kids will never understand what it feels like to have A-Hui's scent arrive before the slap.

Yan Gui angrily pulled Shen Hui, who was about to clock out: Honey, slap me!

Shen Hui looked "kindly" at a certain Diao: Today is Thursday, right? Does a certain yellow Diao want to come to my house and fix the microwave? 250 degrees, 40 minutes, until golden and crispy, right?

Diao: Today isn't Thursday— (is dragged away)