Chapter 23 Coughing Blood

Chapter 23: Coughing Up Blood

"You don't understand," Zhao Jinzong said. "Alpha-inducing agents mean omegas will become rare commodities, reduced to test subjects, fought over, and turned into expensive trade items. All the laws of the Federation are built on peace. Things aren't as simple as you think."

"Mm."

"You're banned from the Bureau of Drug Supervision for a week. Go home and reflect. That's an order from the Director-General."

"The Director-General acts all high and mighty. Annoying."

Zhao Jinzong took two green-apple-flavored candies from his pocket and placed them in Chen Su's palm. "How about liking Zhao Jinzong just a little bit now?"

Strange—how did someone always have candy in their pocket?

Chen Su smiled. "Another time."

No one knew when that time would come, or how long it would take.

As they left Huaicheng Bridge, Zhao Jinzong reached for Chen Su's hand. His long fingers slid inside Chen Su's leather glove and held tight.

Chen Su wasn't unhappy.

The evening breeze carried a sour, green apple scent.

...

The next day, Chen Su and Meng Suizhi flew back to the capital on a Federation plane, taking the agents to the Bureau of Drug Supervision.

Meng Suizhi and Chen Su had a meal together.

Meng Suizhi's phone, lying on the table, lit up. He glanced at it but didn't pick up.

Messages kept popping up on the screen.

"Bro, you're back in the capital, right?"

"Bro, I miss you."

"Bro, come home early tonight and hang out with me, okay?"

"I'm almost in rut."

Meng Suizhi frowned. What a load of bullshit—since when does an alpha go into rut every damn day?

Han Yu is a lunatic!

Meng Suizhi turned the phone face-down on the table.

Chen Su asked, "Deputy Meng, since we seized a lot of agents from Huaicheng this time, can I request a sample for drug decomposition analysis?"

"This batch is highly sensitive. According to Bureau of Drug Supervision regulations, it requires approval at every level. First, Director Tan has to sign off, then it goes to the Director-General. Only after that can you receive the agent."

"Mm."

"I heard from Director Tan that the Director-General has suspended you for a week?"

"Mm."

"What did you do to get suspended?"

...

Meng Suizhi could tell Chen Su didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't press further. "Are you and the Director-General close?"

Meng Suizhi had been shocked when Zhao Jinzong came looking for Chen Su at the lab last time.

"We're not close."

"Mm. Just rest at home. If you want the agent, hand me the application and I'll submit it for you."

"Thank you." Chen Su filled out the application and handed it to Meng Suizhi. He went back to the lab, picked up his research report on the alpha-inducing agent, and took it home.

Xiao Li had returned and had been home for two days. He noticed that Chen Su was always at home.

Chen Su kept locking himself in the study. Every time Xiao Li went in, he found Chen Su staring blankly at the report.

"What's wrong, bro?"

"Nothing."

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing." Chen Su tried to put the report away, but Xiao Li reached over and snatched it away. After seeing the title, he understood why Chen Su was so worried.

Xiao Li tore the research report and data into pieces, throwing them into the trash bin.

"Bro, I don't want to be an alpha anymore," Xiao Li said. "Don't put yourself through this."

"Xiao Li..."

"Bro, I'm an experimental subject. I don't have much time left anyway. I might not even get to finish college. Even if I did become an alpha, it wouldn't change anything. Stop thinking about this."

Chen Su's eyes darkened.

Xiao Li took hold of Chen Su's arm. "Don't be sad. It's okay, really. I've already fulfilled my dream."

Chen Su reached out and tousled Xiao Li's hair.

Xiao Li smiled. "I'll make you pork rib soup tonight, bro."

"Alright."

Xiao Li walked away smiling, but his back looked off—he seemed to be limping a little.

Chen Su called after him. "What's wrong with your leg?"

"Too many people after class—I fell. It's nothing—I already put some medicine on it."

"Okay."

That evening at dinner, Chen Su asked about the Yancheng Art Museum.

Xiao Li's eyes crinkled. "Not going anymore. Somebody with connections took my spot."

"How many spots were there?"

"Just one."

"I'm not working this week. I'll drive you there."

"Not going, bro... it's too much trouble," Xiao Li said. "I watched some videos online. The weather's supposed to be nice tomorrow, so let's go hiking."

"Mm."

After dinner, Xiao Li washed the dishes.

Chen Su went upstairs first. When he came down to get water, he saw Xiao Li at the sink carefully rolling up his sleeve, revealing a bruise on his wrist.

Xiao Li's injury was shocking.

Xiao Li stayed home for three days to recover. On the fourth day, when he was heading to school, Chen Su drove him to the airport.

Xiao Li left with a smile.

"Bro, take care of yourself."

"Mm."

Xiao Li picked up his suitcase and walked away.

Chen Su didn't head back. Instead, he drove from the capital to Rongcheng and went straight to the Academic Affairs Office.

The homeroom teacher immediately called Xiao Li's roommate over for questioning. When asked, the roommate said he didn't know how Xiao Li had gotten hurt. Among the architecture majors, there were only a handful of omegas. One of them was from a different major and had different classes, so he barely knew Xiao Li. The other two omega classmates also shook their heads, saying they didn't know. Xiao Li rarely stayed in the dorms.

The homeroom teacher then called for the class monitor.

The class monitor said, "Recently, some people in the class have been saying that Li Ran is being kept by a construction company boss. The injuries might be..."

Chen Su let out a cold laugh. "He's short on cash?"

Chen Su had been supporting Xiao Li. Except for the early days when Xiao Li was still in school—which were a bit tight—Xiao Li never had money problems. There was no way he'd be kept.

The class monitor didn't know Chen Su was Xiao Li's guardian and said sarcastically, "Who knows... Teacher, on Li Ran's enrollment form, didn't he say he had no family in the family information section? I don't think he's short of money, so maybe it could be true..."

Chen Su's forehead veins popped, his rage peaked, and he kicked the class monitor.

The homeroom teacher was shocked. "Sir, please calm down."

Chen Su kept his foot on the class monitor, looked at the teacher, and said from above, "My brother is injured, limping, and being slandered at your school—this is the quality of education at Rongcheng University? That's not how you acted when you came knocking on our door to recruit students."

Xiao Li had great grades. He could have gotten into Jing University.

Chen Su didn't want Xiao Li to stay in the capital. Rongcheng University had been very sincere, so he let Xiao Li study there.

Chen Su said, "Call my brother over."

He wanted to ask directly.

Soon, the homeroom teacher called Xiao Li over.

Chen Su lifted his foot off the class monitor. He pulled Xiao Li over, lifted the sleeve of Xiao Li's shirt, revealing the shocking bruises on his wrist. Xiao Li panicked. "Bro..."

"Who did this?"

"...I did it by accident."

"Li Ran, who did this?"

Xiao Li looked at the homeroom teacher, then at the class monitor who had stood up, and finally at Chen Su. He still said, "I did it myself."

Chen Su's face turned cold, and he strode out of the office. Xiao Li chased after him.

He knew Chen Su was angry.

"Bro..."

Xiao Li chased him for a long time, but Chen Su kept walking without stopping. Xiao Li was desperate.

Suddenly, Chen Su stopped, leaned against a tree, and started coughing violently.

Chen Su covered his mouth, and a smear of blood appeared on his black glove.

Xiao Li was terrified and immediately grabbed Chen Su's arm. "Bro, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Let go." Chen Su's tone was icy, as if he didn't want Xiao Li anymore.

Xiao Li was on the verge of tears. He lowered his head and said, "Bro, I'll tell you everything. Just don't be angry."