DABGBTF 23

The call quality was very clear, and Xie Zheng also didn’t intentionally take it behind anyone’s back. Xie Zheng knew the content of that phone call just now was basically all heard by Lu Lu.

Xie Zheng took out a cigarette. He didn’t rush to light it, but his fingers gently rubbed it. 

He suddenly asked Lu Lu, “Do you think I’m weird?”

Lu Lu gently shook his head.

“What if I told you that I used to want to vomit the moment I smelled another Alpha’s pheromones?”

When he was nineteen, he presented. However, what was different from other As¹Again, A as in Alpha, the s is just as in Alphas. was he wouldn’t be attracted by an Os pheromones. He wanted to conquer other Alphas instead. 

Pheromone repulsion manifested to the fullest extent in his body; pheromones from other Alphas burned him until his whole body ached, causing him to vomit endlessly.

Xie Zheng held that cigarette in his mouth and smiled. “My mom couldn’t bear to watch anymore, and sent me to the hospital. The checkup said it was, what was it again, oh, pheromone receptor imbalance.”

“Do you know what that means? The doctor said I had no way to distinguish Omega and Alpha pheromones. It might be related to me witnessing my dad’s affair, or it might be innate.”

The doctor’s treatment was very painful but also very effective. He would no longer vomit at other Alphas’ pheromones. His parents were delighted. They sealed away the matter of him once liking Alphas into the dust, treating it as his youthful frivolity.

Did he resent them?

When he knelt in front of the toilet trembling all over and vomiting, Meng Haiying helped wipe the sweat from his forehead, tears of anxiety even welling up in her eyes. Xie Jinde called in many favors to send him to the best hospital for treatment.

Did he not resent them?

Xie Jinde threw his Mi Tuan to its death. He was locked in a hospital room filled with pheromones, watching videos of A together with A over and over again. He vomited until finally nothing would come out. The doctor then said he could be discharged.

Since then, everything has been peaceful—until Xie Zheng entered marriageable age. The matters of blind dates, marriage, and having children were put on the agenda.

The lighter spun a circle in Xie Zheng’s slender fingers. After Xie Zheng finished speaking, he lit the cigarette and took a drag, exhaling the smoke towards Lu Lu. 

Xie Zheng’s smile looked quite different from usual. Set against the pouring rain outside the window, it unexpectedly appeared gloomy and eerie.

It was Lu Lu’s first time seeing this kind of Xie Zheng.

Lu Lu probably had a face very suited for listening. From childhood to adulthood, many people were willing to tell him their secrets. Lu Lu would usually listen quietly, and then timely give the other party comfort. 

Now that Xie Zheng was also willing to speak out about his experiences, Lu Lu had clearly always been curious, but his chest felt exceptionally stifled.

He bent down and wrapped his arms around Xie Zheng.

“Stupid deer, you think I need your comfort? Let go.”

Xie Zheng reached out to push him, but Lu Lu hugged him very tightly. Xie Zheng heard Lu Lu say, “So hateful, they all bullied you—so hateful.”

A complaint like a six or seven-year-old child’s, even carrying a bit of a nasal tone, it instead made Xie Zheng laugh. 

The hand he used to push Lu Lu’s shoulder changed to pinch the back of Lu Lu’s neck. He smelled the refreshing pomelo scent on the boy’s body. 

He took Lu Lu’s earlobe into his mouth and bit it between his lips and teeth. His mood calmed down a lot in an instant.

Xie Zheng realized that, without knowing when, he had already gotten a bit used to Lu Lu’s hugs. 

However, if the time is too long, that won’t do either.

After hugging for a little while longer, Xie Zheng cursed at him with a darkened face, “Why not buy a bottle of glue and stick yourself to laozi?”

Lu Lu let out a “pfft” laugh and finally let go of Xie Zheng.

In the evening, out of consideration that the four students were brought personally by Xie Zheng, a few project managers threw a welcome party for them. 

To adjust his mood, Xie Zheng also followed along to join the fun. He amusedly discovered that the few students who were glowing with vigor in the morning were already looking exhausted after just a few hours. 

However, their spirits were still very excited. Talking about their experiences in the project group today, they all felt it was quite interesting.

Cui Songbai asked Lu Lu, “How about you? I saw you several times today. With the assistant sister following you, I didn’t even dare to call out to you. Was it quite busy?”

“Busy it was, but it didn’t take too much brainpower. Compared to you guys—” 

As Lu Lu was speaking, he paused bizarrely for a moment, reaching out to press down Xie Zheng’s palm that was sliding on his thigh. He continued with a normal expression, “It can’t compare to your kind.”

The corner of Xie Zheng’s lips curled and he smiled a bit. 

He was like a bad kid in elementary school who always liked to tease others. Seeing Lu Lu’s momentary helplessness, he only felt deeply satisfied. He wanted to pull his hand back, but found that Lu Lu’s hand was pressing his hand very firmly.

Xie Zheng used force twice. Not only did Lu Lu not let him go, he also parted his fingers. Five fingers forcefully inserted into the gaps between his fingers, intertwining ten fingers with him.

Xie Zheng had never intimately held hands with someone like this in his entire life. For a moment, his scalp practically exploded. 

He forcefully yanked his hand back and gave Lu Lu a not-too-light, not-too-heavy kick under the table.

After finishing the meal, Lu Lu followed Cui Songbai and the others back to the hotel, while Lao Tian drove Xie Zheng home. 

The figures of the kids in the rearview mirror grew smaller and smaller. The phone in Xie Zheng’s pants pocket suddenly vibrated. 

Xie Zheng opened it to take a look, and found it was Lu Lu sending him a message.

[Stupid Deer]: Uncle Xie

[Xie]: .

[Stupid Deer]: You are not sick.

[Stupid Deer]: You are very healthy.

[Xie]: …

Xie Zheng certainly knew he wasn’t sick; he himself was very healthy. 

However, these words coming out of the mouth of another alpha who had slept with him many times were again a little different. 

Xie Zheng touched the skeleton tattoo on his shoulder and the corner of his mouth lifted briefly.

—

On the weekend, Xie Zheng originally didn’t want to go back. 

However, Xie Li really didn’t want to face the several elders alone by himself, even hesitating at nothing to offer up business deals to try and tempt Xie Zheng. 

Xie Zheng’s career brain²Internet slang referring to someone who is entirely focused on their career, business, or making money, often disregarding romance, relaxation, or family matters. exploded, and he agreed.

Mrs. Meng stewed the fish until it was too horrible to look at. Fortunately, the cooking auntie made the other dishes very delicious. 

President Xu’s family was also there. As expected, he brings that easily shy omega, and additionally brought a small child who couldn’t even speak clearly, who was their family’s grandson.

After the wine had circulated three rounds³A traditional idiom used to describe a banquet or meal that is well underway or nearing its conclusion, meaning people have had plenty to eat and drink., and they were full of food and drink, the topic once again turned to the old cliché of urging marriage. 

Xie Li lowered his head and used his fork to stab the peas on his plate to play dead. Xie Zheng sat carelessly, just acting like he couldn’t hear, using his peripheral vision to look at the child lying on the sofa. 

That child was quite quiet, having been sleeping since everyone was eating. He was now awake, wriggling slowly in the swaddling clothes, looking very much like a giant bug.

Meng Haiying called Xie Zheng twice. Seeing he paid no attention to her, but after looking over following Xie Zheng’s gaze, she laughed again. “Chubby and white—so cute. When can you also have one for us to look after?”

“…” Xie Zheng smiled. “Let Xie Li have one.”

Xie Li, who was pushed to the crest of the wind and waves⁴An idiom meaning being pushed into the center of attention or the “hot seat,” usually in a tense, critical, or stressful situation., glared at him angrily.

Actually, Xie Zheng sometimes really felt he might as well just follow his parents’ will to marry and have children, but thinking it over and over, he still couldn’t bear to part with his current free and unfettered life, not to mention he now also had a little lover. Aside from occasionally being urged to marry, it was truly limitlessly enjoyable.

Thinking of Lu Lu, Xie Zheng’s mood lightened up a bit. 

He sent a message to Lu Lu: Your husband is a successful, handsome, and dashing man.

[Stupid Deer]: Haha

Xie Zheng entered the passcode, opened the photo album and scrolled up, finding a photo. 

It was taken yesterday after work in the office. Lu Lu squatted in front of him, and Xie Zheng stretched his fingers over to let him lick. The gaze Lu Lu raised his eyes to look at him with was very innocent. Xie Zheng, with a burning hot lower abdomen, picked up his phone and took a picture, planning to keep it as material for later.

Perhaps because the corner of his mouth revealed a bit of a weird smile, Xie Jinde asked, “What are you looking at?”

“Oh, a sika deer eating a ham sausage.”

“…?” Xie Li asked, “Don’t they eat grass?”

“Who knows. Go ask the sika deer.”

Xie Li: “…” 

He felt he was just being superfluous talking to Xie Zheng.

Xie Zheng didn’t eat much of the meal. The fish Mrs. Meng personally processed had a tragic death appearance and emitted a faint fishy smell. Xie Zheng lost his appetite severely, so he simply sat by the sofa to tease the child.

That easily shy O walked over to Xie Zheng’s side and called him in a low voice, “Xie-ge.”

The small child in the swaddling clothes had very sparse hair, bare and bald, not considered good-looking. Xie Zheng stuck out a finger, and the infant’s eyes followed its movement. 

Xie Zheng teased the child, also not looking at that omega, saying in a low voice with a smile, “Stop liking me, alright?”

After a long time as he finished speaking, Xie Zheng’s peripheral vision saw that omega gently nod his head. 

Xie Zheng withdrew his gaze. 

Unsurprisingly, this “blind date” would end at the other party’s request—as for the angry Mrs. Meng? Not within the scope of Xie Zheng’s consideration.

After finishing the meal, Xie Zheng drove himself back to his apartment. 

From far away, he saw a familiar figure next to the security booth, squatting in the bushes, with a cat currently pacing around that person’s feet. 

Xie Zheng honked the horn twice, and the cat immediately jumped away. That person raised his head and showed Xie Zheng a very bright smile. “Uncle Xie.”

“Came to find me?”

“I came to deliver some food to Uncle.” For the convenience of talking with Xie Zheng, Lu Lu bent his waist. The broken hairs at the back of his head fell down, resting by his cheek, making him look a bit more delicate than usual.

Xie Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Get in.”

Lu Lu walked around to that side, pulled open the car door, and got in. He lowered his head and flipped through the large plastic bag in his hand. “Eating irregularly makes it easy to get stomachaches. I bought some easy-to-cook food, bread, and fruit. Uncle, you can eat it when you’re hungry.”

“The little miser⁵An affectionate but teasing nickname. “抠门” means stingy or cheap, and adding “精” (spirit/essence) is a playful way of saying someone is the living embodiment of that trait (a cheapskate). is this generous?” The feeling of being kept in someone’s thoughts was unexpectedly, weirdly not bad. Xie Zheng reached out his hand to rub Lu Lu’s face and leaned over to kiss Lu Lu.

To Xie Zheng, the office was precisely the place for work. 

It was just like how he actually didn’t quite like the feeling of a dress shirt tightly binding his body. However, he was the boss so he had to dress himself up to look presentable. 

Lu Lu had been a little assistant here for a week; Xie Zheng basically only grabbed the person to give a couple of kisses after getting off work, and then he would go to social engagements or whatever else. Meanwhile, Lu Lu followed Cui Songbai and the others back to the youth hostel.

At this moment, as soon as their lips met, Xie Zheng’s body had already started to heat up. 

Xie Zheng’s hand slid inside along Lu Lu’s soft T-shirt, his fingertips circling on the young alpha’s lower abdomen covered with thin muscle, teasing, “You really did come to deliver a late-night snack to Uncle.”

The sports car Xie Zheng drove today, the interior space could be described as cramped.

Xie Zheng was unwilling to wrong himself, and brought Lu Lu upstairs. Who knew that when he casually mentioned he hadn’t eaten much, Lu Lu would directly ducked into the kitchen, saying he wanted to make dinner for Xie Zheng.

Xie Zheng followed him to the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe while watching Lu Lu wear an apron bustling about. 

The kitchen in Xie Zheng’s apartment might not emit hot steam even once in half a year. He looked at the pot spewing white steam outwards and suddenly felt his own home had become a bit unfamiliar.

Ten minutes later, Lu Lu brought out a bowl of plain noodles; on top of the thin, long noodles were two pretty, perfectly round poached eggs, as well as a few bright green vegetables—its appearance was very nice. 

Lu Lu used chopsticks to pick a little into a small bowl and he frowned slightly. “…It’s not good.”

Xie Zheng took the chopsticks from his hand and took a bite. “It’s alright?” 

He truly wasn’t picky about food. If it was good, he would eat a couple more bites; if it was bad, he would eat a couple less. To Xie Zheng, these noodles were just ordinary noodles, feeling like there was no big difference from those in a restaurant.

Seeing Lu Lu’s expression genuinely finding it unpalatable, Xie Zheng smiled and reached out to pinch his face. “Next time, you can make something delicious for your husband.”

Lu Lu: “In the future, whatever Uncle wants to eat, call me anytime, I…” 

Lu Lu suddenly paused, and airily changed the subject, “…Do you want to add some vinegar?”

“No need.” Xie Zheng quickly finished eating, finally feeling a sense of fullness. 

He lazily dragged Lu Lu to take a shower, and tumbled onto the bed together with Lu Lu.

In the dark, two bodies overlapped together, letting out muffled, low pants. Xie Zheng suddenly reached out, pinched Lu Lu’s chin, and made him turn towards the window. 

The light from outside the window faintly illuminated Lu Lu’s clean face. Xie Zheng saw he wore an expression of endurance on his face.

Very sexy. 

Just a few months ago, Xie Zheng still thought he would definitely be the one on top. 

However, an Alpha, revealing this kind of expression at a time like this—wholeheartedly immersed in the entanglement with him, putting great effort into every movement in order to make him more comfortable.

Truly very sexy.

Just looking at this kind of face, Xie Zheng was almost at his limit. He changed his hands to cupping Lu Lu’s face with both hands. “Baby Xiao Lu… I’m really going to be enchanted to death by you…”

Lu Lu used one arm to forcefully wrap around Xie Zheng. Being praised by Xie Zheng made his mind feel light and airy, as if he had floated to the clouds. 

By the moonlight, Lu Lu saw that Xie Zheng’s blow-dried hair had once again become damp. He gazed at Xie Zheng’s tautly arched body, continuously calling his name by Xie Zheng’s ear. He thought if Xie Zheng was willing, he would come make meals for Xie Zheng every day.

After a night of good sleep, Xie Zheng went to play golf with a few bosses he was previously on good terms with. 

Actually, Xie Zheng completely disliked such tepid activities—he preferred more vigorous sports like basketball or football. 

After completing this social engagement lacking in interest, he was directly driven to the hospital by Lao Tian.

Today was the day he arranged health checkups for his employees. 

Xingren’s treatment of its employees was quite good—health checkups, bonuses, snacks, and various subsidies. Moreover, precisely because of this, even though the work environment was high-pressure, the employees were still willing to follow Xie Zheng to brave it out.

Walking into the hospital, Xingren’s employees were all lined up in the corridor, and upon seeing Xie Zheng, greeted him one after another. 

Lu Lu and the other three students were also in the line, with faces full of student air.

Xie Zheng glanced at Lu Lu. He imperceptibly curled his lips up and asked, “Where is Dr. Zhang?”

The assistant answered, “The checkups just now were all done by Dr. Zhang, now it’s changed to someone else. Dr. Zhang should be resting right now.”

Xie Zheng nodded. 

He searched three consultation rooms, and finally found Zhang Xueyi in the innermost one. 

Zhang Xueyi was a male Beta, one year younger than Xie Zheng, and the director of cardiothoracic surgery. His surgical success rate was astonishingly high, so many people squeezed their heads broken⁶A vivid Chinese idiom meaning to compete desperately or scramble intensely for something (in this case, getting a medical appointment with a highly sought-after doctor). wanting to register for his appointments, yet couldn’t even catch a single glimpse of Dr. Zhang.

The reason Xie Zheng was able to know him was because a few years ago, when he accompanied Meng Haiying to the hospital for an eye exam, he conveniently grabbed a man who was holding a knife trying to stab him and threw him out.

Zhang Xueyi had a fairly handsome face, but his personality wasn’t considered steady. He was currently in a flurry packing up something, and upon seeing Xie Zheng, greeted him, “Oh, you’re here.”

Xie Zheng handed him the things in his hand. “Sorry to trouble you with my dad’s matter.”

Zhang Xueyi wiped his hands on his white coat, and took it. “No problem.” 

He then asked, “Have you had your checkup? Want me to cut you in line?”

Xie Zheng also wasn’t polite with him. “Thanks.”

The health checkup personally arranged by Dr. Zhang was very detailed. The form was a chunk longer than others’, and even blood was drawn one more time than others. 

During the stomach examination, Xie Zheng even specially told the doctor about his recent situation.

Two days later, the medical report came out, and it was Zhang Xueyi and another nurse who delivered it to Xie Zheng’s company together. 

When Zhang Xueyi arrived, Xie Zheng was losing his temper, facing a few staff members who were on the verge of making a mistake, sneering repeatedly. “Why don’t you all just get the hell out of here!”

Zhang Xueyi let his colleague go deliver the report first, while he waited outside alone. After those few employees went out, only then did he enter Xie Zheng’s office.

He noticed a young alpha standing beside Xie Zheng who didn’t look very old. His skin was very fair, his figure tall and slender, and he had a bright, likable face.

“Here to deliver the medical report?” Xie Zheng pinched the bridge of his own nose, controlling his anger a bit. “Is this kind of small matter even worth the great Dr. Zhang personally coming to deliver it?”

Zhang Xueyi hesitantly handed over a few pieces of paper. “You can take a look first—your report.”

Xie Zheng reached out his hand, but Zhang Xueyi did not immediately let go.

Xie Zheng: “?”

Zhang Xueyi swept a glance at Lu Lu. “Uh—you might need others to step away for a moment.”

As soon as these words came out, Xie Zheng immediately felt something was a bit wrong. 

Doctors usually do not ask family members or patients to step away. Once the word “step away” appears, the problem is absolutely considered serious. 

Xie Zheng thought of his stomach that would from time to time churn together, making him feel nauseous, and suddenly lose its appetite.

…Perhaps the situation was very bad.

Lu Lu’s thoughts were the same as Xie Zheng’s. He immediately became tense, tightly pursing his lips, feeling the muscles all over his body tense up, even beginning to tremble slightly. After a moment of silence, Lu Lu said in a muffled voice, “…I don’t want to step away, Uncle Xie.”

Xie Zheng thought for a moment, and shook his head at Zhang Xueyi. “He’s fine, he can stay.”

“Alright then.” Zhang Xueyi also didn’t insist, his gaze drifted erratically everywhere, saying at a very fast speed, “You don’t have a stomach illness. Xie Zheng, you are pregnant.”

Xie Zheng: “…?”

After a very long period of silence, Xie Zheng, with a face full of speechlessness, said, “…What kind of bullshit are you spouting?”

“Give me the report.” Zhang Xueyi flipped to one of the pages, his gaze still drifting erratically. “Look. Positive.”

Xie Zheng: “…”

Xie Zheng had an expression like he thought Zhang Xueyi was a psychopath, enunciating very forcefully, “I am an A, an Alpha.”

“I also suspected the test was done wrong. However, that day, your blood was sent separately. I had them use your other tube of blood to do the test again later…” 

Zhang Xueyi took out his phone, tapped the screen a few times, and then displayed the screen in front of Xie Zheng.

Under Xie Zheng’s bone-piercing, knife-like gaze, he couldn’t help but sweat a drop of cold sweat, saying, “Look. The right side is an Omega’s reproductive cavity, the left side is an Alpha’s reproductive cavity. It’s not that all Alphas don’t have it, some Alphas’ reproductive cavities have just degenerated… If the cavity opening is forcibly pushed open, there is still a probability of conception.”

Zhang Xueyi’s voice lowered another notch. He finally asked that most crucial question, “If you indeed have had penetrative sexual behavior, then the result is not a mistake… I came over, just to personally tell you this matter. If it were someone else, you would only think they were joking.”

Xie Zheng looked incredulously at those two comparison images of reproductive cavities—the Alpha’s reproductive cavity on the left side was obviously a circle smaller, and its position was also somewhat higher. 

He said, “…Actually, I also feel like you are joking with me.”

After Zhang Xueyi left, Xie Zheng lowered his eyes and looked at the report form. 

The column for 11-16 weeks pregnant had been marked with a checkmark by someone, proving he had been pregnant for fully three months, not exceeding four months.

When was that? April?

At that time, he had only just started his relationship with Lu Lu!

At that time it was already… ??

How is that possible?!

Xie Zheng knew clearly in his heart that Zhang Xueyi was not a quack doctor⁷A derogatory term for a medical professional who is incompetent, unskilled, or spouts unscientific nonsense. who would speak nonsense, but this answer was truly too absurd. It gave him a feeling that he was dreaming right at this very moment, his whole person as if suspended in outer space, floating lightly without being able to find a foothold.

Xie Zheng subconsciously furrowed his brows and looked toward Lu Lu. Lu Lu’s gaze was waiting right there.

“Uncle Xie.” The boy’s voice sounded a bit trembling, not knowing exactly what kind of emotions were mixed within it, but his vocal tone was clear and very organized. “Let’s go to the hospital right now and do another checkup. Confirm first whether you are really pregnant or not.”

• 1
  Again, A as in Alpha, the s is just as in Alphas.
• 2
  Internet slang referring to someone who is entirely focused on their career, business, or making money, often disregarding romance, relaxation, or family matters.
• 3
  A traditional idiom used to describe a banquet or meal that is well underway or nearing its conclusion, meaning people have had plenty to eat and drink.
• 4
  An idiom meaning being pushed into the center of attention or the “hot seat,” usually in a tense, critical, or stressful situation.
• 5
  An affectionate but teasing nickname. “抠门” means stingy or cheap, and adding “精” (spirit/essence) is a playful way of saying someone is the living embodiment of that trait (a cheapskate).
• 6
  A vivid Chinese idiom meaning to compete desperately or scramble intensely for something (in this case, getting a medical appointment with a highly sought-after doctor).
• 7
  A derogatory term for a medical professional who is incompetent, unskilled, or spouts unscientific nonsense.