Chapter 35
There were five seats in a row, with Bai He on the innermost side. Next to him from right to left were Qin Yao, Zhang Wenyi, and Qin Fei.
The three alphas were nearly six feet tall, sitting there like a blockade, especially since they were occupying the front row seats.
As soon as the bell rang, Professor Han, holding a teacup, entered the classroom and immediately noticed the wall of alphas, giving him a good laugh. "You three sitting there, didn't you consider the tiny souls of the students in the back?"
"Professor, you can't just call alphas small," a student from the back raised his hand. "It's a tiered classroom, we have to find a way to survive in the crevices."
This remark drew laughter from the class, and Professor Han stopped the joking, quickly transitioning into the lecture.
Bai He quietly took notes, writing very carefully, not used to fast writing, each stroke neatly formed.
After finishing a section, he discreetly glanced sideways, seeing Qin Yao twirling a pen, his textbook open, cleaner than his face.
Bai He returned his gaze, silent for a moment, then looked over again, softly asking, "Is your illness still not healed?"
"Hm?" Qin Yao heard this, leaning down to hide his eyes, noticing Bai He was looking up at him, his breath catching. "No, it's better."
"Is that so?" Bai He shifted his gaze away. "Then is it just a bad mood?"
"No."
"Yes."
Qin Yao pressed down the pen in his hand, simply resting his head on his arms on the desk, tilting his head to stare at Bai He. "Tell me, how did you notice?"
Bai He remained silent, quietly meeting the alpha's gaze for a moment, then also put down his pen, reaching out to gently press on Qin Yao's brow. "Relax, you're almost getting a frown line here."
Qin Yao suddenly widened his eyes, sitting upright, his gaze darting around, muttering a low "Ugh," his normally calm face briefly showing a flicker of panic. He reflexively gripped the pen, then put it down, looking very busy.
Bai He thought of Lingling, when it was flustered, it would also pretend to be busy grooming.
He had just lightly touched Qin Yao, and the alpha reacted so strongly.
Was Qin Yao aware that Bai He was an omega now? Was Qin Yao the one who took him to the hospital that day?
Bai He's train of thought was cut off by Professor Han's voice. The alpha professor clapped his hands, his voice loud. "Okay, it's finally time for the much-anticipated part of this class! Every year we have to do this, the ones who get photographed have to upload it to the education system, so treat it seriously!"
His words had barely fallen when the entire classroom erupted in cries of protest and disdain.
Bai He was bewildered, only hearing Professor Han continue.
"Pair up, partner with the one sitting next to you, no running around the classroom, don't mess up the classroom discipline." Professor Han unscrewed the lid and took a sip of tea, reveling in the excitement. "Simulating biting the gland, how should the movements be? Ah - gently, give your partner a friendly hug, harmoniously, you're good, they're good, everyone's good - of course, don't actually bite, unless you want to be choked by their pheromones."
Simulate biting the gland?
Bai He's mind went blank for a moment, seeing the two alphas in the front row already awkwardly embracing, their movements as stiff as could be, their facial expressions disgustedly contorted.
What was this? Part of the curriculum?
"I want you all to treat this seriously, it'll be uploaded to the education system and counted towards your grades! This multi-function lecture hall has recording cameras, you know!"
Bai He: "..."
He pressed his lips, glancing sideways at Qin Yao, noticing the three alphas sitting to his right were all looking at him.
Bai He was taken aback, in the silence, Qin Yao leaned in, bowing his head to gaze into Bai He's eyes. "Don't look at those two."
Zhang Wenyi clicked his tongue, turning to block the still-peeking Qin Fei. "Stop looking, Young Master Qin, your partner is me."
Qin Fei retracted his gaze, a forced smile on his face. "I don't mind getting a zero for this class."
He then began flipping through his book without changing expressions.
"You bastard..." Zhang Wenyi clicked his tongue, making a gesture of grabbing a sleeve, then yanking Qin Fei's collar. "I don't care about your grade, as long as you don't affect mine!"
He then held his breath, resigned to his fate, burying his head into Qin Fei's neck.
"Fuck..." Qin Fei rarely cursed, but he couldn't break free from Zhang Wenyi.
Bai He noticed the dramatic commotion from those two, shifting his gaze back to meet Qin Yao's. The alpha had been watching him the whole time, perhaps not even realizing it himself, his expression carrying a hint of nervousness.
Bai He could see it.
So he took the initiative and raised his arm. "Hug first?"
Qin Yao's gaze darkened slightly, but he also raised his arm, enveloping Bai He in his embrace.
Chin resting on Bai He's shoulder, unmoving.
It was a very gentle hug.
The kind of embrace that friends would share, Bai He could feel Qin Yao's restraint, the alpha hugging him with just the right amount of force, gentlemanly and controlled.
But their heartbeats were racing, it was unclear whose.
Bai He folded his arms around Qin Yao, his movements light.
In the noisy classroom, they were like a quiet haven, isolating the clamor and leaving a corner filled with warmth.
Bai He moved his arm, pinching Qin Yao's clothes slightly. "What's next?"
Simulating biting the gland, they would need to get close to the gland.
Bai He turned his head, having listened carefully in class, knowing where the alpha's gland was.
So his warm breath fell on the alpha's neck, Bai He's lashes fluttering, seeming to tremble slightly, he tenderly, reverently, placed a light kiss on Qin Yao's gland.
A fleeting touch, there and gone.
He felt Qin Yao's stiff limbs, the alpha was even more nervous than expected. Bai He's voice was soft, next to Qin Yao's ear. "Is this okay?"
"F-fuck..."
The female alpha in the back was struggling to hold back the excitement in her voice, about to exclaim out loud, but before Bai He could look back, Qin Yao's hand gently pressed the back of his head, keeping him buried in the alpha's neck. Bai He's lashes fluttered rapidly.
Meanwhile, out of Bai He's sight, Qin Yao's eyes were red, the aggression in them about to spill out. The alpha held Bai He, glaring fixatedly at the female alpha in the back.
In fact, his possessiveness was not just directed at that female alpha, all the surrounding alphas were within his target. The first to sense the abnormal oppressive aura was Zhang Wenyi, who was still scuffling with Qin Fei. Catching a whiff of the extraordinary pheromones in the air, he immediately jumped up, herding the surrounding students to back away.
"Back off, back off! Disperse! Don't get too close to Qin Yao!" Zhang Wenyi shouted at Qin Yao, "Calm down, man! Fuck, Bai He, you better pry him off and get away!"
Qin Yao and Bai He immediately became the focus of the entire class, Bai He also quickly sensing the surging pheromones in the air, Qin Yao seemingly losing control of his pheromones.
Based on the previous incidents, Bai He could guess that Qin Yao's illness was related to pheromones.
He could feel Qin Yao slowly tightening his embrace, Bai He held tightly in the alpha's scorching embrace.
"Qin Yao."
Bai He raised his hand, gently patting Qin Yao's back. "You can control it very well, I believe in you."
In just a few seconds, the overwhelming pheromones quickly receded, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
Bai He's chin rested on Qin Yao's shoulder, tilting his head up slightly to give a warm smile. "You're amazing."
—
The class period ended, and before leaving, Professor Han reminded Qin Yao to go to the hospital.
Qin Yao, with his zipper pulled up to his chin and his chin buried in the collar of his tactical jacket, lifted his eyelids and gave a low-voiced "Mm."
Bai He packed up his books, turning to face Qin Yao. "Do you want me to go with you?"
"No need, no need." The one who responded was Zhang Wenyi, who was still holding back the speaking Qin Fei, waving at Bai He. "Me and Qin Fei will accompany Big Bro Qin, you go do your own thing."
"Why do I have to go with you?" Qin Fei dropped the pretense, his voice cold.
"Because you want to." Zhang Wenyi tightened his grip on Qin Fei's collar, turning back with a fake smile. "Bro, don't think we don't know what you're up to, let's chat."
"..." Qin Fei looked at Zhang Wenyi expressionlessly, then suddenly laughed. "Let's chat then."
The two then left through the back door, one in front, one behind. Qin Yao stood up, his long legs striding out, pausing in the corridor to look back at Bai He. "He won't bother you again."
Bai He was taken aback, smiling. "Is that what you two are going to talk to him about?"
Qin Yao fell silent.
"He didn't do anything to me." Bai He looked up at Qin Yao. "Are you really sure you don't want me to go with you to the hospital?"
"No need." Qin Yao's gaze was opaque. "About earlier, I'm sorry."
Bai He: "That's something I should be saying."
He unconsciously ran his tongue over his lower lip, giving an apologetic smile. "I shouldn't have kissed there, I'm sorry."
They looked at each other in silence, Qin Yao bowing his head slightly, raising a hand to pull his collar up higher, seemingly hiding something. "It's fine, I'll go first."
"Mm."
Bai He nodded, watching the alpha turn and leave. Qin Yao's shoulders were broad, and with his head bowed at this moment, his neck obscured by the high collar, nothing could be seen, but in a fleeting moment, Bai He noticed the alpha's eartips, flushed a deep red, peeking out from under his hair.
After Qin Yao left, Bai He remained standing there, the classroom now empty except for him. He relaxed, licking his lips.
Sweet.
The top notes of deer musk and brandy, the lingering fragrance of fruit wine.
Just the top notes...
—
Hospital, the beastmen outpatient department.
"If I'm not mistaken, you were just discharged yesterday, right?" Chen Wen stood with his hands on his hips, leaning against the desk, his displeasure palpable as he glared at the alpha sprawled in the chair playing games.
"This is because I was worried you'd be lonely in the hospital, so I came back to accompany you." Qin Yao asked nonchalantly, "Can you sense my pheromones?"
Chen Wen snorted. "No."
"Then there you go." Qin Yao didn't even look up. "I feel great now."
"Then why are you here at the hospital?" Chen Wen was exasperated by this guy.
Qin Yao omitted the details from class, only relating the few seconds he lost control, and how Bai He's two sentences had soothed him back.
Chen Wen furrowed his brow. "How strange..."
"Your friend, Bai He, is he an omega?" Chen Wen asked.
Qin Yao's finger paused on the screen, shaking his head. "I'm not sure."
"Not sure? Aren't you friends? Then do you know if Zhang Wenyi is an alpha?" Chen Wen found it unfathomable. "Really, are you and that pretty boy actually friends?"
"I won't allow you to question the friendship between Bai He and I." Qin Yao turned his gaze to the window. "Bai He is a beta, he can secrete pheromones, and there have been previous incidents of pheromone imbalance and outbursts..."
"...So?" Chen Wen shrugged. "Has he done a checkup? This kind of symptom may not necessarily be just a beta pheromone imbalance, maybe a secondary gender presentation?"
Qin Yao had also suspected that, but he really didn't know for sure.
After taking Bai He to Brother Hei that day, he had been undergoing treatment here with Chen Wen, whether Bai He had truly undergone a secondary gender presentation, Qin Yao didn't know.
The only thing he could say for certain was that Bai He's pheromones seemed purer recently.
Click - the sound of the door opening.
The two alphas both looked up, Liang Min with one hand in the pocket of his white coat, the other hand on the doorknob, his expression calm. "Busy?"
Chen Wen immediately stood up straight. "Not busy at all, not busy at all, Dr. Liang looking for me?"
Liang Min glanced briefly at the alpha lounging in the chair, his gaze settling on Chen Wen. "Meeting in the hospital in half an hour, don't forget."
"You came specifically to tell me?" Chen Wen's joy couldn't be hidden, his steps light as he approached Liang Min, being taller, he had to lean down slightly to meet Liang Min's eyes. "Dr. Liang, you're so kind."
Qin Yao in the back was getting goosebumps.
Liang Min remained impassive, saying nothing, turning to leave, when Qin Yao suddenly stood up. "Wait, Brother Hei."
Liang Min glanced back. "What is it?"
"Is Bai He a secondary gender omega?" Qin Yao's voice was clearly tinged with nervousness.
"That little one is really an omega?" Chen Wen also asked.
Liang Min was silent for a moment. "According to the patient's wishes, we need to keep it confidential."
He looked at Qin Yao again. "Why don't you just go ask him yourself?"
Qin Yao had a lump in his throat, rubbing his neck. "I felt it wouldn't be very polite..."
Liang Min crossed his arms, adopting a stern professorial demeanor. "Asking behind his back is more polite?"
Qin Yao focused. "You're right, I was wrong, Brother Min, please forgive me."
Actively admitting mistakes, Chen Wen chimed in. "Dr. Liang, don't take him at face value, this guy is just high on pheromones, he actually doesn't have any bad intentions..."
Liang Min gave Chen Wen a sidelong glance. "As a doctor, even if Qin Yao doesn't know, you should still properly maintain patient confidentiality, right?"
Chen Wen held his breath. "I know, I was wrong, baby, I'm sorry."
Thanks for the update
ReplyDelete