Chapter 84 Returning the Ring

Chapter 84: Returning the Ring

The doctor who had previously examined Chen Su’s gland was Dr. Liu, fifty-three years old, and had a child later in life.

While Chen Su was in college, he tutored Dr. Liu’s son, who was in high school, which helped the son improve quickly and eventually get into a prestigious university. Dr. Liu was very grateful to Chen Su, but Chen Su always declined invitations for meals or similar favors.

Dr. Liu had no idea how to thank Chen Su.

Until—

On the day Chen Su graduated from grad school and was preparing to take the regulatory agency selection exam, he collapsed on the road and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. He was diagnosed with pheromone disorder. It was during meal hours, so Dr. Liu took his case.

That was when he and Chen Su got to know each other.

In recent years, whenever Chen Su had trouble with his gland, he would come to see Dr. Liu.

The car arrived at Shuguang Hospital.

Meng Suizhi took Chen Su to the emergency room and described his symptoms of vomiting blood and his history of gland damage. The emergency department immediately called Dr. Liu.

When Dr. Liu arrived, his expression was grave. "What’s wrong?"

Meng Suizhi said, "Recently, he’s been fainting and coughing up blood. He had a forced mark cleaning before... there are aftereffects. Doctor, can cleaning a mark cause aftereffects this bad?"

Dr. Liu replied, "If the mark was high-level and a lot of cleaning agent was used, it can leave serious aftereffects."

Meng Suizhi glanced at Chen Su. "Should we do some tests?"

"We already ran the tests." Dr. Liu asked, "Have you been working too hard lately?"

Meng Suizhi nodded. "He’s barely rested at all lately."

Dr. Liu sighed. "Xiao Su, your gland damage is already pretty bad. You really need to rest. I’ll prescribe some medication. Take your meds on schedule and get plenty of rest."

"Okay," Chen Su nodded.

Dr. Liu frowned. "Are you in heat?"

"Yes."

"Did you inject suppressants?"

"Yes."

Dr. Liu’s expression darkened. "Your body can’t handle any medication right now."

"I’ll write you a sick note for tomorrow. Rest well at home." Meng Suizhi looked at the doctor. "Doctor, please prescribe the medication. I’ll go pick it up. Can you add some painkillers to the prescription?"

"Alright." Dr. Liu prescribed the medication on the computer.

Meng Suizhi hurried off to pick up the prescription.

After Meng Suizhi left, Dr. Liu asked Chen Su, "Is he your partner?"

"No... he’s an alpha, just a coworker."

"Your partner didn’t come with you?"

"We broke up."

Dr. Liu advised, "Xiao Su, you need his pheromones for comfort right now."

"I know. I’ll go ask for his help."

Dr. Liu urged, "You really need to rest, okay?"

"Okay."

Chen Su’s answers were short and dismissive; it was unclear if he was truly listening.

Meng Suizhi returned with the medicine and a bottle of water. He handed Chen Su the water and helped him take his meds before sending him home.

Chen Su rested at home for two days.

During his heat cycle, without his partner to soothe him, the pheromones on the bed gradually faded. He went to sleep in the study, but the pheromones there were also gone. Chen Su didn’t know how to fall asleep; he searched bit by bit for any trace of Zhao Jinzong’s pheromones.

In the end, every last bit of Zhao Jinzong’s pheromones was completely covered by Chen Su’s heat-cycle pheromones.

The monitoring watch on his wrist vibrated repeatedly.

It was reminding him that he needed pheromone comfort, that he needed his partner.

On the fourteenth day after the breakup—exactly two weeks—and still in heat, Chen Su received a text from Zhao Jinzong.

Zhao Jinzong said he was free and that Chen Su could bring the things over.

Chen Su couldn’t drive.

Soon after, Uncle Wen called and said he'd be there soon to help pack.

Chen Su unlocked the downstairs door, then went to the study to pack Zhao Jinzong’s work documents. When Uncle Wen came up, he started on the bedroom.

Chen Su placed the documents into a storage box. Finally, he added the ring he had taken off a while ago.

As for the watch on his wrist, Chen Su did not return it to Zhao Jinzong.

He had once given Zhao Jinzong a wristwatch, and even after the breakup, there was no need to cut ties so cleanly.

Chen Su wanted to hold onto something.

Soon, everything was packed and Uncle Wen loaded it into the car. Chen Su stood at the door. Behind him, his house no longer held any of Zhao Jinzong’s pheromones—or his things.

Uncle Wen clapped his hands and opened the car door. "Sorry for making you come all this way, Mr. Chen. Better to go through the documents together in person."

"Mm." Chen Su closed the door and got into the car.

For the first time in two weeks, Chen Su went to the Zhao house.

On the way, a heavy rainstorm hit. Rain was pouring so hard the car windows looked like waterfalls. Trees on the street were whipping wildly in the wind. Chen Su also received a phone alert: a typhoon was expected to hit today and tomorrow.

When the car arrived at the Zhao residence, the butler held an umbrella for Chen Su while he carried the document box into the villa. The lights in the Zhao house were on, but the butler was not around. Uncle Wen carried a suitcase in first; his clothes were already soaked.

"Mr. Chen, the Director is in the study. Please take the things up first."

"Okay." Chen Su carried the document box to the study door and knocked. A voice from inside said, "Come in."

Chen Su pushed open the door. Zhao Jinzong was on the phone. He glanced up and met Chen Su’s eyes. Then he put out his cigarette, stood up, and cleared the desk of documents.

Chen Su carried the box closer. Zhao Jinzong supported the bottom of the box and placed it on the just-cleared desktop. He gave a few quick orders to his subordinate on the phone, hung up, and set his phone on the table casually.

Chen Su asked, "Do you want to take a look?"

"Mm."

Zhao Jinzong poured a glass of hot water for Chen Su. "Have a seat."

"Okay."

Chen Su sat down, his gaze lingering on Zhao Jinzong's long, ringed hand.

Zhao Jinzong opened the document box and began sorting and organizing.

Chen Su sat in the guest chair across from Zhao Jinzong. The study smelled strongly of Zhao Jinzong's pheromones, and because of his rut, his burning, painful gland finally got some relief.

Chen Su's fingertips tightened around the water glass, and he kept sipping water.

Chen Su was nervous.

Zhao Jinzong sorted the documents very carefully, which meant there was no way his ring wouldn't be found.

Sure enough, when Zhao Jinzong opened a file folder, he felt a hard metal ring-shaped object.

Zhao Jinzong took out the documents and shook the folder; the ring fell into his palm.

It was the ring Zhao Jinzong had given Chen Su.

Zhao Jinzong's face darkened.

Chen Su stood up. "This—I should give this back to you."

Zhao Jinzong reacted even more coldly than Chen Su had expected. "Mm."

Chen Su didn't know whether to be sad or relieved...

His vision blurred and his nose stung; he just wanted to leave, to get away.

Chen Su turned around. "I'll get going now."