A White Cloud (GL ABO) - Chapter 2

Last week, the department head attended a medical conference in a neighboring city.

Shen Zhiqing temporarily managed the psychiatric ward.

After handing over the night-shift doctor, Shen Zhiqing sent off Xu Yiyi, who came for a follow-up visit.

She wore a white coat and led a team to conduct rounds diligently.

Her pant legs swayed loosely as she walked.

Shen Zhiqing adjusted her white coat, ensuring her name tag hung neatly.

She meticulously inquired about the ward’s daily operations and the lives of inpatients.

“Has he seen Xiaomi recently?” Shen Zhiqing asked softly, reviewing the medical chart.

She comforted the patient’s family before starting a brief consultation.

The patient in bed five was an Alpha with schizophrenia; he was admitted six months ago due to self-harming tendencies.

Xiaomi was the hallucination that appeared each time he injured himself.

The Alpha’s once-robust body had wasted away significantly.

His blue-and-white hospital gown hung loosely on him.

Shen Zhiqing recalled he was once an excellent ice-skating club coach.

His mother was the accompanying family member; she was a middle-aged woman.

She never imagined her child would end up like this.

In six months, her hair had turned white.

She clutched a handkerchief with tears in her eyes, and said, “He hasn’t mentioned it. Dr. Shen, can he be cured?”

When an Alpha or Omega without a partner developed pheromone-related mental disorders, most treatments remained conservative.

Doctors avoided excessive medication to prevent stimulating fragile glands, which could affect future life.

Currently, no solution existed for pheromone disorders except finding a highly compatible partner for marking; it partially prevented issues.

The issue didn’t happen just in the capital Huajing, but across Huaguo and the world.

Shen Zhiqing offered gentle reassurance but said nothing more.

Back in the outpatient room after rounds, Shen Zhiqing reviewed Xu Yiyi’s medical file.

The words “pediatric autism” stood out on the front page.

Below were Xu Yiyi’s treatment records from the past two years.

Shen Zhiqing stared at Xu Yiyi’s information for a long time.

She opened the bottom drawer of the cabinet, revealing a stack of drawings.

The top one was the drawing Xu Yiyi made that morning.

In past drawings, a child always watched an adult’s departing figure.

Today, the drawing shows two figures standing side by side; there was a large hand holding a small one, heartwarmingly intimate.

In Shen Zhiqing’s mind, the image of a 17-year-old Tomb Cheng leaving surfaced.

Without Xu Yiyi’s presence these past two years, Shen Zhiqing would have forgotten Tomb Cheng’s face.

Half a month ago, Shen Zhiqing saw Tomb Cheng again at Zhiman’s party.

She was entirely different from the shy Alpha who stammered during confessions in her memory.

Recalling Xu Yiyi’s words from that morning, an ethereal voice echoed in Shen Zhiqing’s ears.

“Senior, I like you,” it said.

***

A haze of mist clouded her vision.

Tomb Cheng stood barefoot on white clouds, her body enduring the scorching heat of a blazing sun.

She raised her hand to shield her forehead, gazing blankly at the ethereal scene before her.

Everything was a white expanse, like snow or fog.

Pheromones drifting in the air enveloped her, timidly clinging to her side.

Though it was early spring, a wintry chill lingered.

“At dusk, a poem forms as the sky snows again, joining plum blossoms to create a full spring.”

Her pheromone was the proud, solitary plum blossom of a winter moon.

The pheromones released during forced heat manifested in their purest form.

In the sealed lab room, researchers observed the scene through a glass window.

The room’s air temperature dropped rapidly.

They monitored the device reacting to Tomb Cheng’s pheromones.

Based on the data, they cautiously introduced heat into the room, carefully adjusting the temperature.

Where Tomb Cheng’s fingertips touched, wisps of white vapor rose.

A researcher zoomed in on the observation device and saw a thin layer of frost condense on the IV tube Tomb Cheng had touched.

At the same time, the pheromone detection device displayed the result.

Plum, S-grade.

In the lab room, Tomb Cheng stood like a peak atop a snowy mountain.

However, she suddenly collapsed as if broken.

Her black hair floated and swayed.

“Tomb, Tomb,” a voice called.

When she opened her eyes again, the environment had changed.

The lab’s precise instruments were gone, replaced by a standard hospital IV drip.

Tomb Cheng propped herself up on the bed.

“Tomb, do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” the researcher asked, sighing in relief as she woke.

Tomb Cheng leaned against the headboard, eyes half-closed.

The researcher helped her put on her glasses, and she finally saw her surroundings clearly.

The researcher had removed her mask and goggles, now wearing only a white coat and holding a clipboard.

Tomb Cheng recognized the young woman.

She adjusted her glasses and said, “No, I’m fine. Thank you, Dr. Liao.”

Leaving the research institute, Tomb Cheng felt little impact.

The test results matched her expectations.

However, since her nape gland had been damaged, the institute recommended regular checkups.

“No issues were found except low pheromone concentration, same as before. You can collect the full report in three days, Tomb,” the researcher said.

Low pheromone concentration meant she could only bond with a highly compatible Omega or likely a Beta.

Her pheromones were insufficient to effectively support an Omega partner through heat.

Without adequate pheromone comfort, Alphas and Omegas risked pheromone disorders.

Tomb Cheng stood outside the institute, pulling her jacket closer.

She quickly accepted being classified as a “half-disabled” Alpha.

More pressing matters awaited her attention.

Tomb Cheng’s pheromone test results were sent to the pheromone genetics department.

Liao Ying placed the paper file on the desk.

She rubbed her forehead as she glanced at Yuan Jin, who was focused on an experiment.

She started nagging.

“You didn’t go home again?” Liao Ying asked.

Yuan Jin didn’t look up, responding softly, “Mm.”

Hearing this, Liao Ying shrugged helplessly and said, “Go home soon, or I’ll tell Xiao Man.”

As she turned to leave, she pointed at the file and added, “By the way, that’s from the injured retired soldier.”

“Got it,” Yuan Jin replied.

***

The Huajing Research Institute was only two streets from Huajing Medical University Affiliated Hospital.

Tomb Cheng called Dean Luo, asking them to find a rest spot outside the hospital to wait for her.

Her excellent physical condition allowed her to reach the hospital in half the time others would take.

Xu Yiyi spotted her in the crowd while munching on a small cake.

“Mom!” she called out.

Dean Luo followed her gaze and saw Tomb Cheng.

Her tall, striking figure stood out, especially among the hurrying crowd.

Tomb Cheng wore a gray jacket, her long hair tied low.

Her cargo pant cuffs were tucked into combat boots, standing proud and straight like a pine.

Her eyes carried a silent intensity, scanning the crowd with a piercing gaze.

Tomb Cheng turned and spotted them in the café.

When she saw the cake crumbs on Xu Yiyi’s lips, her entire demeanor softened.

She quickly walked toward them.

Meanwhile, in an office on the hospital’s fourth floor, Shen Zhiqing lingered on the sight of her departing figure.