MVCFO CH30

Through Qi Ye’s account, Lin Xiangqi finally learned that a lot had happened during the two days he was unconscious after his differentiation.

First, Lu Cong had released his pheromones on a large scale during the sports meet, which caused quite a commotion.

Not only was this a serious violation of school rules, but it was also morally problematic.

Previously, even Shen Qiaolan’s minor release of pheromones had already stirred up significant discontent. Many students had formed a bad impression of him and secretly gave him the nickname “the berserk rich second-gen.” Lu Cong’s actions this time were even more extreme—his violent pheromones engulfed the entire field. At first, the entire school was terrified.

Fortunately, people were familiar with Lu Cong’s usual behavior. So both students and teachers believed there must have been some unavoidable reason behind his actions—perhaps he was sick.

They would rather believe he had been cursed than think he did it on purpose.

The more troublesome issue, however, was that Lu Cong had carried an unconscious Lin Xiangqi away in front of everyone. This act triggered rampant speculation among students, which soon spiraled out of control.

That same night, school forums across the city were buzzing with a chilling rumor—

It claimed that a senior Alpha from a certain school had violently assaulted a Beta classmate due to a pheromone rampage. He allegedly knocked the person out, dragged them off campus, and continued to beat them, while even the teachers were powerless. The rumor said the Beta’s life was now in critical condition.

The rumor was outrageous.

Fortunately, with Qi Ye stepping in to handle the school’s response, it was only a matter of time before the rumors were put to rest.

But another matter proved far more urgent—

Due to severe overuse of suppressants, Lu Cong’s glands had developed complete resistance to all inhibitory and calming medications.

In simple terms, suppressants no longer worked on him.

For a typical Alpha, this would just make their heat periods harder to manage.

But Lu Cong’s situation was far more serious.

Lin Xiangqi didn’t fully understand how terrifying Lu Cong’s pheromone outburst had been, but he did know what kinds of drastic measures might be taken to prevent him from losing control.

Lu Cong had been born an Alpha and hadn’t gone through secondary differentiation. Before the age of five, he had no control over his glands and constantly leaked pheromones. As a result, he lived in a medical facility.

Lu Cong once told Lin Xiangqi that his earliest memories were of a spacious glass room.

The room had everything—food, water, toys that most kids could only dream of. But he spent most of his days staring blankly into space.

Apart from his parents, who were somewhat resistant to his pheromones, everyone else—visitors and caretakers alike—had to wear heavy protective suits, treating him like a biohazard, carefully keeping their distance.

By age three, Lu Cong had learned how to stop unintentionally secreting pheromones, but if his emotions were ever triggered, he would still lose control.

So he stayed in that glass room for two more years.

Eventually, Lu Cong mastered control over his body and emotions. After passing a series of evaluations, he was allowed to leave the facility—at the age of five.

When Lin Xiangqi first met Lu Cong, Lu Cong was gruff and hostile—not because he disliked him, but because he’d never interacted with other kids before and didn’t know how to be one.

Luckily, Lu Cong learned fast. After becoming Lin Xiangqi’s neighbor, he quickly adapted to “normal life.”

The events before age five gradually faded from Lu Cong’s memory. He nearly forgot how people used to look at him in fear at the medical center.

And Lin Xiangqi never imagined that one day, Lu Cong might return to that glass room.

When Lin Xiangqi saw the muzzle and neck restraint on Lu Cong, he thought it was just a temporary measure for an emergency, and would be taken off in a few days.

But Qi Ye told him, “From now on, Lu Cong has to wear these every time he goes out. Without suppressants and given the concentration of his pheromones, if he goes into heat in public, others will be affected. If the Alliance learns of his condition, they might force us to return him to the medical center.”

Lu Cong scowled and shot a cold glance: “That’s enough.”

Qi Ye ignored him and rushed on, afraid of being interrupted: “Xiao Qi, thank goodness your illness is cured. Now you don’t need my son’s help to treat you—or to mark you. Just look at him now, what help could he possibly be?”

Her tone was biting, filled with a cold, mocking sarcasm.

Lin Xiangqi felt a pang of pain.

He looked at Qi Ye with some displeasure, but since she was an elder, he didn’t dare to argue directly. He simply turned away, hiding behind Lu Cong’s shoulder, and muttered quietly, “How could she say that about you…”

“She never has anything nice to say. Ignore her,” Lu Cong comforted him, then glared at Qi Ye and mouthed, “Shut up.”

Qi Ye’s eyes glinted sharply behind her glasses. Her voice grew colder: “The truth is never pleasant. In his condition, Lu Cong probably can’t return to school. If he does, he’ll be the center of attention, judged and gossiped about by everyone—”

“That’s enough,” Lu Cong interrupted with a sigh, massaging his temple. “You’re being dramatic.”

“Dramatic?” Qi Ye’s voice rose slightly. “Would you willingly wear all that gear to school every day, let your classmates treat you like a sideshow? Do you know what people call Alphas who need muzzles? They call them ‘mad dogs.’”

Lin Xiangqi turned around with a wounded expression. “Auntie Qi Ye.”

Qi Ye froze, then said sadly, “Oh dear, calling me that sounds so distant.”

Lin Xiangqi frowned. “You were too mean.”

“Well then, Xiao Qi,” Qi Ye leaned her chin on her hand, her words heavy with implication, “tell Auntie—do you want Lu Cong to be looked at differently?”

“No.” Lin Xiangqi answered without hesitation.

Qi Ye smiled, looked at Lu Cong, and said, “But if he goes to school looking like this, how can people not talk?”

Lin Xiangqi turned toward Lu Cong. As much as he hated to admit it, Qi Ye wasn’t wrong.

Teenagers are incredibly imaginative. If they could already make up stories about Lu Cong beating Lin Xiangqi unconscious, what terrifying things might they say about the muzzle and collar?

At that moment, Lin Xiangqi was overwhelmed with guilt.

Lu Cong deliberately released pheromones in front of everyone to help cover up the truth about his chemical differentiation, causing misunderstanding among the crowd.

He also took more than ten doses of inhibitors on himself and even injected his glands during the differentiation, so that all the suppressants eventually became ineffective on him—this was to accompany Lin Xiangqi during the process.

“Is there really no other way?” Lin Xiangqi rubbed his palm and asked, “He usually doesn’t release pheromones casually. Could he just wear this during his sensitive period?”

Seeing Lin Xiangqi’s unease, Lu Cong reached out and gently patted his back: “Don’t worry, Dr. Tang is working on a compromise solution.”

“There’s no compromise, only concession.”

Qi Ye stood up. Although she smiled, as a dominant Alpha, she exuded an aura of authority without needing to be angry. Ignoring Lu Cong’s rejecting glance, she said to Lin Xiangqi, “Lu Cong’s sensitive period can’t be predicted, so it’s either long-term suppression or complete isolation.”

“But Dr. Tang also mentioned a hypothesis… if a kind Omega could stay by his side, and whenever he shows signs of trouble, give him some pheromones, if their matching degree is high enough, then with long-term pheromone soothing, his sensitive period might gradually stabilize.”

Qi Ye raised one eyebrow in a rather provocative manner, directing her words at Lin Xiangqi: “The question is, who would be willing to stay with him like that for a lifetime? If someone is willing to marry him, that would be even better. Don’t you think so, Xiao Qi?”

Lin Xiangqi replied firmly, “There definitely will be someone willing to marry him. And… it doesn’t necessarily have to be marriage to help him. I’m an Omega too, and my pheromones help him.”

Lu Cong was about to speak when Qi Ye covered his mouth, deliberately ignoring the second half of his sentence and asking Lin Xiangqi, “Oh really? But I think my son is like a closed-off shell; it’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to spend their life with him.”

“Who says so.” Lin Xiangqi frowned, displeased by Qi Ye’s harshness today. “I think he’s great. I want to spend my life with him.”

“Cough!” Lu Cong coughed.

Qi Ye kept her hand on Lu Cong’s mouth and said, “Don’t talk nonsense just because you’re close to him. Do you dare marry him?”

Lin Xiangqi shrugged, “Actually, I don’t dare.”

“That’s enough.” Lu Cong’s face turned grimmer than ever. Suddenly standing up, he didn’t dare even look at Lin Xiangqi’s expression. He just said to Qi Ye, “He just finished differentiation and needs rest. You come with me.”

Qi Ye felt a bit of regret, like she had shot herself in the foot, but also feared that if the topic stopped here, it might make it difficult for the two kids to get along in the future, so she added as a consolation, “See, even Xiao Qi… doesn’t want to marry you, which means you probably won’t find a wife in the future, son.”

Lu Cong didn’t even have the strength to argue, lowering his gaze as he tried to pull her out.

At that moment, Lin Xiangqi quickly waved his hand and said something that almost made the mother and son faint:

“No, I can’t marry Lu Cong because Uncle Lu really dislikes me; it’s not that Lu Cong is bad.”

Lu Cong paused and looked at Lin Xiangqi oddly: “…What?”

Qi Ye was also stunned: “What?”

Lin Xiangqi never actually thought there would be any other possibility with Lu Cong, but he still couldn’t help saying, “Uncle Lu once said if Lu Cong dared to be with me, he’d kill Lu Cong…”

Two minutes later, Lu Huo shouted over the phone with a deafening roar:

“What???”

The year they finished the middle school entrance exam, Lin Xiangqi was preparing to enter the high school affiliated with their current school.

Lu Cong had originally planned the same, but Lu Huo insisted that he go to the AO Joint School.

This could be understood.

As parents, of course, they hoped Lu Cong could get rid of the unease caused by the possible loss of control over his pheromones as soon as possible.

If Lu Cong could meet an Omega at AO Joint School with a good match and compatible personality, then the problem could basically be solved at its root.

But Lu Cong refused.

He still decided to attend the affiliated high school with Lin Xiangqi.

That day, Lin Xiangqi was actually very happy, but he didn’t dare to show it.

When Lu Cong refused to move away with his parents at fourteen, Lin Xiangqi vaguely understood why but pretended not to know.

At fifteen, Lin Xiangqi felt lonely and wanted to commit suicide. Lu Cong promised he would always be with him. Lin Xiangqi quietly started having some feelings but hid them in his heart.

At that time, he didn’t dare to ask because he was too young and unclear.

He also feared guessing wrong and ending up with nothing.

At sixteen, Lu Cong argued fiercely with Lu Huo to stay.

Lin Xiangqi secretly hid in the corner of the yard, listening to the faint quarrel from the next room, every word striking his heart, frightening him.

Lu Huo: “Even if your mother and I agreed, don’t you care about your own body? What about the future? What do you plan to do then?”

Lu Cong: “We’ll deal with the future when it comes.”

Lu Huo: “So foolish.”

Lu Cong: “You’re a wise teacher.”

Lu Huo: “Don’t talk back! Yes, I admit I’ve been neglectful in caring for you over the years, so I said I’ll try to meet your reasonable demands, but not to the point of madness.”

Lu Cong: “I’m not crazy.”

Lu Huo: “If you’re really normal, you’d listen to me and go to AO Joint School to find a suitable Omega properly.”

Lu Cong: “I’m not worthy of anyone.”

Lu Huo: “Bullshit!”

Qi Ye: “You two argue, don’t involve me.”

Lu Huo smoked three cigarettes before continuing: “I’ll ask you one last time, are you really going to stay here all alone?”

Lu Cong: “Yes.”

Lu Huo: “I can’t stop you, but you must promise me one thing.”

Lu Cong: “What?”

Lu Huo: “Don’t get involved with the Lin family kid, for your own sake and his. At least keep a way out, understand?”

Lu Cong: “I don’t understand.”

After a brief silence, Lin Xiangqi, like a sneaky little thief, pressed his head through the fence gap, trying to hear more clearly.

Instead, he heard a sharp slap.

Lin Xiangqi was so scared his face turned pale, and he quickly pulled back his head.

He didn’t dare listen further and ran home, but Lu Huo’s raised voice forced him to hear the last sentence:

“You dare be with him, and I’ll kill you! Just try me.”

Sometimes, misunderstandings arise just like that.

Because of that loud slap and that warning, Lin Xiangqi silently hid the feelings he hadn’t yet fully understood.

From then on, he always consciously or unconsciously reminded himself: Lin and Lu Cong would always be best friends.

Greed wouldn’t bring good results; it’s best to stop at a point where no one gets hurt and leave a way out.

……

“Lu Huo.”

Qi Ye gritted her teeth and exposed a smile that was soft on the surface but sharp underneath through the phone’s speaker, “I’ve kind of forgotten — can you remind me why you said something like that back then?”

“……” Lieutenant General Lu Huo of the Alliance suddenly broke out in cold sweat, “I was just conveying what you meant, wasn’t I?”

Qi Ye: “Hmm???”

Lu Huo hurriedly explained, “Because the Lin family kid is a Beta, and once Lu Cong’s pheromones go out of control, it could kill him. So they absolutely can’t get that close — it would ruin both of them. That’s what you told me back then.”

Qi Ye: “……”

Looks like it really was her words.

But Qi Ye still blamed Lu Huo for it and warned grimly, “You better explain it clearly to Xiao Qi yourself. If my daughter-in-law disappears, I want you dead.”

The ward was so silent not a sound could be heard.

Even the monitoring device had been turned off by Lu Cong.

Qi Ye was locked outside; only Lu Cong and Lin Xiangqi remained inside.

Although Lin Xiangqi felt he hadn’t done anything wrong, he still felt guilty.

He shrank his neck, touched the soothing patch stuck on the back of his neck, his glands beating faster than his heart.

“…Auntie went out looking so grim, is it because I shouldn’t have brought that up?”

Lin Xiangqi looked at Lu Cong sitting there with his head bowed, silent. Feeling uneasy, he moved closer and squatted beside him, tilting his head to glance.

“Don’t be mad. I know I shouldn’t have eavesdropped, but Uncle Lu probably has been training soldiers for a long time and his voice is loud… Even if I hadn’t hidden in the yard, I probably would’ve heard his last words.”

Suddenly, Lu Cong laughed.

Lin Xiangqi felt a chill run down his spine.

Then, he saw Lu Cong raise his arm and touch the lock of his bite guard.

But it was a smart lock — only Tang Luyu could unlock it. Lin Xiangqi said, “Are you feeling uncomfortable? I’ll go call Dr. Tang—”

Unexpectedly, with a cracking sound, Lu Cong twisted it off with his bare hands.

“Wow.” Lin Xiangqi was stunned beyond belief.

That kind of strength — no wonder he’s an Alpha.

Lu Cong threw away the bite guard, silently pulled the crouching Lin Xiangqi into his arms, pinched both his cheeks with one hand, and with a little force, forced Lin Xiangqi to open his lips.

He lowered his head and bit Lin Xiangqi’s chin harder than usual; Lin Xiangqi winced in pain.

“What’s wrong?”

Lin Xiangqi felt something was off about Lu Cong — not just physically, but in his aura.

It was as if…

Lu Cong had come to collect a debt.

“I seem to have missed a lot.” His eyes showed a greedy desire, staring deeply at Lin Xiangqi.

Lin Xiangqi: “…Missed?”

At that moment, Qi Ye’s voice came from the door.

The ward was well soundproofed, so even if Qi Ye spoke loudly, it was muffled. The gist of what was heard was: “Xiao Qi, your Uncle Lu has something to tell you, open the door.”

Curious, Lin Xiangqi wanted to turn his head but was held firmly by Lu Cong’s hand on his head, who fiercely kissed him.

“!!!”

No pheromones, no medical reason — the kiss was abrupt and made no sense.

Qi Ye knocked on the door, got no response, and then seemed to leave.

Lin Xiangqi’s scalp tingled; he felt like he was doing something wrong.

But Lu Cong’s kiss was too familiar and comfortable. While warning himself to stay calm, he couldn’t help but sink into it.

If Lu Cong’s hand hadn’t started to explore under his shirt, Lin Xiangqi probably would’ve fainted from the kiss.

But he still remembered they were in a hospital ward, and there were cameras in the corner.

He couldn’t let things go too far here.

Lin Xiangqi pushed lightly; although his strength was nothing to Lu Cong, Lu Cong still withdrew his hand as Lin Xiangqi wished.

Lin Xiangqi took the chance to catch his breath. “Are you in your sensitive period? Why did you suddenly…”

“If I’m in my sensitive period, you wouldn’t be able to push me away.” Lu Cong’s eyes turned even redder, his breath burning hot as he whispered in Lin Xiangqi’s ear, “Now, don’t think about anything. Just tell me — are you willing? Not just for a day or a year, but always, always, always to stay with me.”

That faint stirring feeling surfaced again in Lin Xiangqi.

He seemed to understand what Lu Cong was saying, but subconsciously forced his thoughts elsewhere: “You mean comforting you with pheromones? Sure, I can do that.”

“Lin Xiangqi.” Lu Cong laughed angrily, grinding his teeth and speaking clearly word by word, “Playing dumb won’t work. This time, there’s no way you’re getting away.”