Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Lin Ze got into Fu Zhi's car.

"Did you have a hard time in prison?" Fu Zhi asked with concern.

Lin Ze shook his head.

Fu Zhi secretly observed him in the rearview mirror. He didn't look at all like the utterly wicked person from the rumors. Instead, he appeared slender, fair-skinned, and gentle.

"Our General meant to come himself, but something urgent came up, so he sent me to pick you up."

"Your... General, why is he helping me?"

"I don't know either."

Fu Zhi wasn't lying; he genuinely didn't know why their General would go to such great lengths to control public opinion, retain a high-priced lawyer, and help this colonel whom everyone spoke of as malicious.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a manor partway up the mountain.

It wasn't a workplace but a home.

"It's like this, General Li has been working from home these past few days, so we had to invite you to his home," Fu Zhi explained.

Lin Ze nodded, but the unease in his heart didn't ease up.

The manor was vast, with a seemingly endless lawn. To the left was a fenced-off area with barbed wire, as if something was kept there, and he could just make out animal noises.

Entering the living room inside, it felt even more vast, cold, and utterly lacking in warmth, completely different from the searing presence that man exuded.

"Please wait a moment, I'll let the General know."

Lin Ze nodded slightly.

Even though he truly hadn't killed Liu Guang, he was indeed responsible for the wound on Liu Guang's neck. Under normal circumstances, he shouldn't have been released so quickly. He originally thought the lawyer was hired by Qi Qian, but when he saw the lawyer with Fu Zhi, he realized who had secured his swift exoneration...

An S-class alpha—and a wealthy, powerful one at that. Why would such a person focus on him? Could it really be just because of that one accident...

Lin Ze gave a slight tremble.

*

On the second floor, which offered a clear view of the entire living room, a tall, sinister alpha had a cigarette between his teeth, his gaze fixed intently on the young man.

A fair face, smooth black hair, eyes and brows that were gentle and tolerant... Even now, the alpha could recall the soft, warm sensation of the skin on his neck...

The clean, fresh scent emanating from the young man drifted through the air. The alpha took a deep breath, and a deep, urgent craving awoke within him...

A dark, deeply suppressed gleam flashed in his eyes as he stepped down the stairs...

*

Hearing the footsteps, Lin Ze didn't look up, but his shoulders couldn't help but tremble.

Then the alpha ordered, brooking no argument, "Look up."

Lin Ze paused for a few seconds before raising his head, getting a clear look at the alpha's face.

Deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, and brow bones that appeared even more oppressive due to his downward gaze, projecting a terrifying sense of pressure.

He felt an involuntary numbness at the nape of his neck, plunging him back into the memory of absolute suppression from that night, giving him his first real urge to run.

Lin Ze fought down that creeping dread...

The alpha unhurriedly unbuttoned his suit jacket and took a seat across from him, his two dark eyes boring into him.

"General Li, thank you..." Lin Ze said softly.

The alpha, however, just waved for Fu Zhi to bring over a document, which he placed in front of Lin Ze.

"I need a child."

A child...

Lin Ze dug his nails into his palm. Anticipating what was coming, the unease in his heart reached its peak. Still, he asked, "...I don't understand what you mean."

"Become my spouse."

"My sperm will be injected into your reproductive cavity, leading to uterine conception."

Lin Ze's face went deathly pale.

*

Fu Zhi kept glancing at the gentle young man in the rearview mirror. However, the young man kept his head down, his dark lashes lowered. Only his pale face revealed a trace of his feelings.

After uttering those shocking words, the alpha, with apparent kindness, said, "You don't need to give me an answer now. You can go back and think it over." Then he had Fu Zhi show him out.

The car interior was suffocatingly quiet. Fu Zhi tried to break the tension. "Our General grew up without parents. He deeply longs for a family..."

The young man only gave an almost imperceptible "mm" in response.

Fu Zhi didn't know what else to say, so he remained silent and drove him home.

Returning to the manor, he found the alpha still sitting in the living room. He was leaning back in his chair, head tilted up, biting on a cigarette, inhaling...

The clean, sharp scent of cedar still lingered in the air—the scent from that young man...

"General, I got him home safely."

Li Xiujin remained motionless.

"Even though I've only met Colonel Lin once, I don't believe he's the type to kill a fellow soldier with his own hands. General, do you think there might be some hidden truth behind this incident?"

The alpha remained silent, taking out that dagger, caressing and toying with it...

Seeing the alpha wouldn't answer, Fu Zhi mustered his courage to ask, "Setting aside the truth of what happened back then, Colonel Lin is still a rather controversial figure."

"Are you truly going to marry him?"

"According to the research data on Colonel Lin, although there are omega components in his body, he is indeed also an alpha. He likely cannot... conceive."

Fu Zhi still didn't get an answer from Li Xiujin, but he knew one thing: whatever the alpha said he would do, he would undoubtedly achieve.

That young man had no choice in the matter.

*

Only after the luxury car, so out of place in the slums, disappeared did Lin Ze lower his head and turn into the alley.

He opened the refrigerator at home; there were still some leftover ingredients. He simply made some soup. The taste wasn't particularly good, but Lin Ze drank it all.

After charging his phone, he received over a dozen messages.

- Where have you been? Why aren't you answering your phone?

- I saw the news. Lin Ze, have you lost your mind?! Are you so bent on revenge that you'd throw your own life away?

- I'll ask my father to help you.

- Are you okay? Why did Li Xiujin save you? How do you know him? What's your relationship with him?

The text was from Qi Qian, the only daughter of Qi Wensheng from the Qi Group, and Lin Ze's fiancée before the incident.

The second person to text him was Lin Zhuo, his teacher's son.

- Brother Lin, are you hurt?

- I'll find a way to save you.

- How do you know Li Xiujin? What's your relationship with him?

The third person to message him was the director of the orphanage.

- The children are holding a party this weekend, Mr. Lin. Are you free? The children would love to see you.

After reading them, Lin Ze turned off his phone and closed his eyes.

Yet his mind was filled with the words, "Become my wife."

"Uterine conception."

He clutched his pillow, awash with shame and at a loss...

He didn't know when he fell asleep, dreaming of those three days in the villa.

He became a captive, forced open in an unimaginable position, allowing the alpha to knot and inseminate him repeatedly in his malformed reproductive cavity.

His belly slowly swelled, becoming round...

He was pregnant...

Lin Ze woke up drenched in cold sweat. The alpha wasn't beside him, and his belly hadn't grown larger. He gradually relaxed, then covered his flushed face as waves of shame, humiliation, and other emotions washed over him...

Lin Ze didn't dare sleep again.

The school where Lin Ze currently worked was on winter break, so he didn't need to go in. His part-time boss called, hesitantly saying, "We've found new help."

Lin Ze understood.

He received another message from the orphanage director.

- Mr. Lin, today is the day of the children's party. Please come if you have time.

Lin Ze thought about it but still didn't reply.

In the afternoon, Lin Ze bought some winter coats and milk and went to the orphanage.

The orphanage was in a very remote location, the building itself quite dilapidated. From outside, he could see a stage set up on a playground and children chasing and playing around it.

Lin Ze stood outside without going in.

Until a little girl reading a book noticed him, then limped into the classroom. Soon after, an elderly woman with graying hair and a kind face came out.

It was the orphanage director.

"Mr. Lin?" she said, recognizing him.

He had thought she might resent him upon learning his true identity, but she didn't. She looked at him with a gentle, caring smile, like a teacher.

"Come in."

Lin Ze followed her into the orphanage. Many children gathered around, their round eyes and tender faces looking up at him.

Lin Ze wasn't good with children. He stiffened, unsure what to do.

The director kindly helped him out.

"Big brother brought you new clothes. Come and see."

The children swarmed around the new clothes. Lin Ze breathed a sigh of relief, then noticed a little girl standing not far away, biting her finger and watching him.

It was the girl who had gone to get the director. Her face was pale, but her lips were a deep color. Lin Ze recalled a student with a heart condition he'd seen before who looked similar.

"Big brother, can you help me tie my hair?" the little girl asked in a childish voice.

"Sorry, I... I don't know how," Lin Ze said apologetically.

"It's very simple," the girl pleaded with her eyes.

Lin Ze couldn't refuse.

"Let's go over there to do it," the little girl said, pointing to a nearby bench.

Lin Ze nodded.

As he followed her, Lin Ze noticed the way she walked was different from a normal child's—she limped.

Most children in the orphanage were abandoned, many with physical disabilities or intellectual challenges. Someone like Chen Zhi, who was without disabilities and even got into military academy, was exceedingly rare.

The little girl sat down obediently. Lin Ze stood behind her, raised his hands, carefully touched her hair, and clumsily tied a braid for her.

It was clearly crooked and messy, but the little girl loved it. She smiled happily, then suddenly started coughing uncontrollably, as if trying to cough up her lungs, her face turning purplish-red.

Hearing the noise, the director and a teacher hurried over, loosened her clothes, and gave her some medicine. She finally calmed down.

Then the teacher carried her away to rest.

Lin Ze's hands were trembling.

The director comforted him, "Don't worry. She has some heart problems. She gets like this when she gets too excited or exercises too much. Some medicine helps."

Lin Ze wanted to ask why she didn't have surgery, but he quickly found the answer in the director's worn-out shoes. The orphanage's income mainly relied on imperial funding and public donations. However, the empire was currently facing financial deficits, energy shortages, social instability, and more and more abandoned children. Social donations were far from enough.

After dinner, the party began.

It was clear the children cared deeply about this event. Everyone was serious and trying their best, wearing cute animal costumes, jumping around on stage, laughing with innocent joy.

After it ended, Lin Ze said goodbye to the director.

The director patted his shoulder and said, "Your life must have been very hard these past few years, yet you still send money every month. The teachers and I don't know how to thank you."

After the incident, he was dismissed, worked odd jobs at the school, earning a meager income. Yet every month he sent a significant amount of money. Sometimes it made people worry how he himself managed to live, if he was struggling terribly.

Lin Ze smiled bitterly. "This is what I owe Chen Zhi."

They trusted him, so they followed him into battle, and they lost their lives for it.

It should have been Chen Zhi here talking to the director.

The director shook his head. "You don't owe anyone anything."

Lin Ze's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and in the end, he only said, "I'll figure something out for the surgery."

When Lin Ze returned home, he found a tall young man at his door.

"Brother Lin Ze."

Lin Zhuo was leaning against the wall, the ground littered with cigarette butts, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

Lin Ze was apologetic. "Why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want to bother you."

"It wouldn't have been a problem."

When Lin Ze opened the door, Lin Zhuo caught a whiff of alpha pheromones—intense, almost choking. Lin Zhuo frowned.

"Have you been in contact with an alpha since you were released?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You smell like an alpha's pheromones."

Lin Ze flushed with embarrassment. "N-no, I haven't."

Lin Zhuo gave a noncommittal hum and asked again.

"Why didn't you discuss it with me before going to see Liu Guang? Over these years, you've seemed to live a normal life, but you never really gave up on figuring out whether you killed my father, did you?"

Lin Ze lowered his head, his chest feeling as if it had been pierced by several bloody holes.

How could he give up?

One moment he was laughing and joking with his teammates, and the next, he woke up to find them lying haphazardly in front of him, while he held a blood-stained dagger in his hand.

And he couldn't remember a thing.

"Do you know how I felt watching the news, with everyone saying you were Liu Guang's murderer, demanding your immediate execution, while I, your younger brother, was powerless to help you?" Lin Zhuo said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry," Lin Ze said, a guilty look on his face.

"If it weren't for Li Xiujin..." Lin Zhuo took a deep breath. "Why would he help you?"

Lin Ze's expression went blank for a moment before he replied vaguely, "We go back a ways."

"Actually, I came to ask for a favor."

Lin Ze looked up at him.

This look was all too familiar to Lin Zhuo—it was the look that said no matter how unreasonable the request, Lin Ze would agree.

Ever since his father died, Lin Ze had taken on the responsibility for him.

Sometimes Lin Zhuo felt that if he asked Lin Ze to die for him, Lin Ze would.

"The Empire wants to seize a piece of land in the northern district, but the owner has been refusing to agree."

In matters involving high-ranking officials and nobles, Lin Ze used to be able to handle it. But now he was just an ordinary civilian, and Lin Ze didn't understand why Lin Zhuo was asking him.

"The owner of that land is Li Xiujin."

Lin Ze's mind went blank.

"My boss promised me a promotion if I can get this done."

Lin Ze's face turned pale, but he still asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Help me persuade Li Xiujin."

"We're barely acquaintances, I'm afraid..."

"Brother Lin Ze, this means everything to me."

Lin Ze looked at him. He resembled his father so much—that upright and kind man.

Lin Ze couldn't bring himself to refuse, no matter what.

Lin Zhuo had work to attend to and didn't stay long before leaving.

In the shower, Lin Ze saw the bite mark on his chest left by that alpha. So many days had passed, yet it still hadn't faded...

Lin Ze shuddered.

The next day, Lin Zhuo called him.

"I think I left my work ID at your place."

Lin Ze found it on the sofa in the living room.

"I'll pick it up when I have time."

"Do you need it urgently? I'm free this morning; I can bring it to you," Lin Ze said.

"Sure."

"Xiao Zhuo, what would you like for lunch?" Lin Ze asked softly.

"I'd like fish maw soup."

"Okay." Lin Ze smiled.

After hanging up, Lin Ze went to buy ingredients. Once prepared, he placed the soup in a thermos, took the work ID, and went to Lin Zhuo's workplace.

When his father passed away, Lin Zhuo had just received his university acceptance letter. He should have gone to military school, but he resolutely gave it up and chose to attend another law school instead.

After graduation, Lin Zhuo worked at a law firm for two years before becoming a manager at a large corporation in Country A.

"I will never end up like you and my father." Lin Ze still remembered Lin Zhuo's words when he gave up his military school acceptance.

The corporate building towered high. Lin Zhuo hadn't told Lin Ze in detail what his company did, but out of concern, Lin Ze had looked up a lot of information. It was an enterprise founded by the eldest son of the Su family, primarily involved in chemical engineering.

Lin Ze stood downstairs, about to call Lin Zhuo, when he suddenly saw a business car pull up.

Lin Zhuo got out from the front passenger seat and opened the car door with a humble gesture. A slightly overweight man stepped out, straightening his clothes.

After the driver drove away, the slightly overweight man frowned and raised his voice, as if scolding someone, while Lin Zhuo lowered his head and fell silent, looking upset.

He’d always assumed that after changing jobs, Lin Zhuo’s work was going smoothly, and that he wasn’t the type to get pushed around, but…

And judging by the way he apologized so routinely, it was clear he was often reprimanded like this…

Lin Ze clenched the work badge in his hand.

If the teacher were here and saw this scene…

After the slightly overweight man left, Lin Zhuo spotted Lin Ze.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now.” Lin Ze forced a smile.

Lin Zhuo took him to the company’s break room to eat.

“Don’t worry, I’m used to it. I’m still young—one day, I’ll rise above him.”

“I believe you.” Lin Ze smiled. “You should eat before it gets cold.”

Lin Zhuo listened to him and downed the whole bowl.

“I’ve got to get back to work.” Lin Zhuo hung the badge around his neck.

Lin Ze patted his shoulder, pale-faced, and said, “I’ll help you, little brother.”

After Lin Zhuo left, Lin Ze sat alone in the same spot for a long time.

Finally, he placed a call.

“Hello, is this Assistant Fu?”

“I’d like to see… General Li.”