Zhou Qi sat up straight and stared at Lu Heng with wide eyes. “You were mmmph…?!”
Before he could finish, Lu Heng propped himself up, one hand gripping the back of Zhou Qi’s head while the other covered his mouth.
Zhou Qi’s voice was muffled against Lu Heng’s palm. He grabbed Lu Heng’s wrists with both hands and was shocked to find that Lu Heng was so strong that he couldn’t break free at all.
Was this the kind of strength an Omega should have?!
“Say another word,” Lu Heng lowered his voice, his eyes looking murderous, “and I’ll sew your mouth shut.”
Zhou Qi: “…”
Looking at Lu Heng’s expression, he actually believed Lu Heng would do just that.
Only after making sure Zhou Qi had quieted down did Lu Heng release him.
Drowsiness kept washing over him. After dealing with Zhou Qi, Lu Heng lay down and fell asleep.
For the entire afternoon, Lu Heng remained listless, always on the verge of falling asleep. Fortunately, the afternoon was spent reviewing test papers, so the teacher didn’t notice him.
It wasn’t until evening self-study that his usually quiet phone suddenly vibrated once. Lu Heng glanced down to find it was actually a WeChat message.
[Top Alpha:] What time does school end?
Lu Heng frowned slightly and scrolled up. There were no other chat records with this person, and he couldn’t access their Moments when he clicked on their profile picture. He typed back.
[Stay Away:] Who are you
[Top Alpha:] ?
[Top Alpha:] Lu
[Top Alpha:] Tian
[Top Alpha:] [angry][angry][angry]
[Stay Away:] Oh
Lu Heng clicked on Lu Tian’s profile picture again and added a note for him, feeling a little confused.
This person had never chatted with him on WeChat before. Why the sudden change today?
After setting the note, Lu Tian asked about his dismissal time again, and Lu Heng told him honestly.
[Stay Away:] 6
[Top Alpha:] OK, don’t leave after school
Lu Heng raised an eyebrow without replying. The other side didn’t send any more messages either.
Half an hour later, the school bell rang, and the classroom buzzed with activity.
Lu Heng had packed his bag five minutes early and was the first to leave when the bell rang.
Right after dismissal, the hallways weren’t crowded yet. Lu Heng quickly went downstairs. At the school gate, he immediately spotted the dark red car across the street.
Among all the cars, this one stood out the most. Without hesitation, Lu Heng walked over. The back window rolled down, revealing Lu Tian’s face.
Lu Tian scooted over, and Lu Heng opened the door and got in.
“Look how happy you are that I came to pick you up,” Lu Tian said with a smirk.
Lu Heng: “…”
He turned to look at Lu Tian expressionlessly.
Lu Tian pretended not to notice and continued, “I heard from the butler that you were making a fuss about wanting a private car this morning.”
True, he had asked about a private car, but it wasn’t exactly a fuss.
“You should know that private cars are only for Alphas, meaning me and Lu Ying. An Omega like you doesn’t have such privileges.”
“But since you’re my brother, and I happen to be free after school today, I can fulfill this little wish of yours.”
Lu Tian let out a fake sigh. “If only you had gone to the same high school as me like you were supposed to, you could’ve carpooled with me every day.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Lu Heng said flatly.
Lu Tian: “?”
“I’ve already registered for the driver’s license test. I’m taking the written exam this weekend, and once I get my license, I can drive myself.”
Lu Tian: “…”
“What’s the use of having a license! Dad won’t buy you a car anyway!” Lu Tian huffed.
Lu Heng remained silent, leaning his arm against the car door and looking out the window.
He knew perfectly well that Lu Shenghua wouldn’t buy him a car. He had never counted on him anyway.
Achieving these things through his own ability wasn’t difficult for him.
If he remembered correctly, the cooperation with Nantian Group was imminent. He just needed to seize this opportunity…
“Hm?” Lu Tian suddenly made a strange sound and leaned closer to Lu Heng. “What’s this here?”
Lu Heng glanced sideways to see Lu Tian staring at his nape with a serious expression.
Lu Heng remembered the mark on that spot.
He didn’t leave his seat all afternoon and sat in the corner of the last row. Except for Zhou Qi discovering it at lunch, no one had noticed.
Even he hadn’t paid attention to that spot, but Jiang Yunxing seemed to have mentioned leaving a mark there.
Was it still there?
Lu Tian leaned in closer, sniffing at that spot. Since it was his own brother, Lu Heng didn’t move away.
“A mark…” Lu Tian mumbled, sitting up straight and staring at Lu Heng in shock.
“…Don’t tell me it’s that Alpha you brought home last time.” Without waiting for Lu Heng’s response, Lu Tian burst out, “Lu Heng, are you stupid? Just because you thought you couldn’t be marked, you fooled around? If you can’t be marked, why do you smell like an Alpha?”
Lu Tian’s expression was exaggerated, as if Lu Heng had committed a terrible taboo. Lu Heng remained calm and asked, “If there’s no mark, there shouldn’t be a scent, right? Then how did you smell it?”
“…How should I know!” Lu Tian seemed even more annoyed by Lu Heng’s reaction and rolled his eyes dramatically. “You’re different from normal Omegas, and I’m not a doctor!”
Lu Heng stayed quiet but gradually pieced the information together.
It seemed in this world, other Alphas could smell when an Omega was marked. Jiang Yunxing said he couldn’t smell anything at lunch, probably because he was the one who left the mark.
Did that mean Jiang Yunxing’s marking was successful?
How could he, who was supposedly difficult to mark, be marked by Jiang Yunxing? Especially since Jiang Yunxing was the protagonist gong and he was the villain in the book.
This novel was really strange.
“We’re going to the hospital,” Lu Tian suddenly said firmly.
Lu Heng’s thoughts were interrupted. He replied indifferently, “No need, I already have an appointment this weekend…”
“We’re going to the hospital RIGHT NOW!” Lu Tian shouted decisively.
“…” Lu Heng fell silent for a moment, then turned back to look out the window. “Whatever you say.”
Through the window’s reflection, he saw Lu Tian’s profile.
At this moment, he looked somewhat similar to his brother in reality.
–
When the dismissal bell rang, Jiang Yunxing didn’t rush to leave.
He packed his bag slowly, folding each test paper neatly before putting it in his bag. Each time he put one away, he would look up at the doorway.
Perhaps if he dawdled a bit longer, Lu Heng would come to walk home with him…
But instead of Lu Heng, Lin Yao and Zhou Qi showed up.
Lin Yao caught Jiang Yunxing’s gaze and waved at him with a smile. Jiang Yunxing sighed, carelessly stuffed the remaining test papers into his bag, and walked out of the classroom.
The three of them walked toward the school gate together.
“Jiang Yunxing, you were with Lu Heng at lunch, right?” Zhou Qi seemed to have been puzzled for a while. “He came back marked after lunch. Did you know about it?”
Jiang Yunxing’s heart sank. “How did you know he was marked?”
“There are marks on his neck, and his scent is obvious.” Zhou Qi continued, sounding annoyed, “I wanted to get a whiff, but he pushed me away. I don’t get how an Omega can be that strong.”
“…I don’t know either.” Jiang Yunxing glanced at Lin Yao. “We just had lunch together, then we separated.”
Although he appeared calm on the surface, Jiang Yunxing’s heart was racing.
With Lin Yao present, he instinctively lied. After all, he had stolen the body of the person Lin Yao liked. If the marking incident got out, too, wouldn’t Lin Yao snap?
But Lin Yao maintained his slight smile, seemingly unbothered.
This made Jiang Yunxing even more afraid.
Fortunately, Zhou Qi didn’t ask further and parted ways with them after leaving school.
Left alone with Lin Yao, they fell into their familiar silence.
This time, Jiang Yunxing couldn’t empty his mind. Instead, it was filled with jumbled thoughts.
Lu Heng was supposed to be difficult to mark, so why did his marking work? The story had completely derailed from the original plot. Where would it go from here?
Also, how long would he have to maintain this facade with Lin Yao?
If he were the only one who had transmigrated, he might have followed the original plot and gotten along well with Lin Yao. But Lu Heng came from the same world as him, and everything was different now.
Between Lin Yao and Lu Heng, he would choose the latter without hesitation…
“Did you mark Lu Heng?” Lin Yao asked.
“Mm…” Jiang Yunxing responded reflexively, then quickly realized who had asked the question.
He turned to meet Lin Yao’s gaze. Lin Yao’s smile remained unchanged, but Jiang Yunxing’s heart began racing wildly.
“No, ah… why do you ask?”
“Your expressions,” Lin Yao said, “are too easy to read.”
“…”
Only three words remained in Jiang Yunxing’s mind – What to do?!
“Isn’t it good though? Finding someone you like,” Lin Yao continued. “You used to revolve around just me. I was quite worried about that.”
“…” Jiang Yunxing was confused again.
Had he overthought it? How could Lin Yao say such things, and he didn’t seem to be pretending either.
Could it be that Lin Yao had no feelings for him yet?
But the story started with yesterday’s noon scene; by then, they should have already had secret crushes on each other.
“However,” Lin Yao’s smile faded slightly, his face showing a hint of confusion, “you’ve changed so much these past two days, like you’re a completely different person.”
Jiang Yunxing was at a loss for words, and his panic grew stronger.
Did Lin Yao figure it out? Could something like this be guessed so easily?
No, impossible. Even with Lin Yao’s setting as highly intelligent, he couldn’t possibly think in that direction.
He must be overthinking it.
Just as Lin Yao seemed about to say something more, Jiang Yunxing’s phone rang timely.
Jiang Yunxing felt relieved and excited at the same time. He only had two numbers saved in his phone, and one was right beside him, so the caller must be the other one.
Taking out his phone, he saw it was indeed Lu Heng calling. However, when he answered, it wasn’t Lu Heng’s voice.
“Where are you?” A male voice came through, suppressing anger.
Jiang Yunxing paused, “Who is this?”
“Lu Heng’s brother, Lu Tian.” The voice briefly introduced, then asked again, “Where are you?”
Jiang Yunxing: “Ah, hello, do you need something?”
Lu Tian clicked his tongue impatiently, “Can’t you understand simple words? Whatever, just come to XX Hospital, right now, immediately!”
The line went dead as soon as he finished speaking.
–
At the hospital.
Lu Tian stood in the middle of the office, glaring at the doctor in white coat, “Aren’t you a doctor?”
The doctor smiled helplessly, “Doctors have different departments. I’m not in charge of removing marks, and temporary marks don’t need removal. The scent will disappear in a few days… if not repeatedly marked.”
The doctor glanced behind Lu Tian after speaking.
Lu Heng sat casually, seemingly unbothered by Lu Tian’s fuss. He truly didn’t care much; comparatively, the real Lu Tian was much more troublesome.
However, finding a trace of reality here put Lu Heng in a good mood, so he further ignored Lu Tian’s noise.
He suddenly thought of his brother in the real world, and his relaxed expression faded.
After his death in reality, Lu Heng was the only son left in the Lu family. No matter how frivolous he was, Lu Shenghua wouldn’t let him off.
He wondered how Lu Tian was doing in reality now. Would Lu Shenghua drive him crazy?
Lu Heng’s thoughts drifted away, and an idea suddenly popped into his head.
Was he really going to stay here forever, never able to return?
Living in this body that was similar to reality but not his own, residing in a city named after letters, surrounded by virtual characters created through words…
“Ah! You’re so late!” Lu Tian’s voice pulled Lu Heng back from his thoughts.
Jiang Yunxing stood at the door, apologizing sheepishly, “The bus took some time…”
Lu Tian didn’t dwell on it and urged, “Stop with the small talk, come here quick. Ge, you too.”
Lu Heng stood up and walked to the doctor’s desk with Jiang Yunxing. The doctor had already taken out his tools.
“This is a compatibility test paper,” the doctor explained. “We put a drop of blood from each person on both ends. The degree of fusion and extension will quickly show the pheromone compatibility between two people.”
“Skip the explanation,” Lu Tian impatiently interrupted. “Just test it now. How long until we get the results?”
Clearly didn’t listen at all. The doctor sighed inwardly and said, “It’s just a compatibility test. It won’t take long.”
He looked up at the two people beside Lu Tian. Lu Heng silently raised his hand in cooperation. Although Jiang Yunxing wasn’t quite clear about the situation, he obediently raised his hand after seeing Lu Heng do the same.
Since the test paper was small and didn’t need much blood, the doctor only pricked their fingertips, similar to a regular blood test.
All four of them quietly waited for the results. Lu Tian was the most eager, leaning closest to the paper, his eyes almost glued to it.
The blood mixed with the special reagent and was dropped on both ends of the test paper, quickly extending toward each other.
In less than two seconds, the two different colors met and seemed to pull at each other, rapidly merging in the center of the paper and spreading in all directions.
Soon, the entire test paper was covered in the merged color.
“Ah,” the doctor broke the silence with a smile. “Our first 100% match this year.”
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