Can Alpha Also Be A Wife? - Chapter 22
Chapter 22: It’s Okay, I’m Here
As Lin Fansheng and Benson navigated their uneasy relationship, they gradually uncovered the patterns behind Benson’s mining sales.
During the day, Benson mostly stayed in the office, patrolling the mining site only occasionally, and only requested Lin Fansheng’s company at night. Perhaps the events of their first night together had left a mark—most nights, Benson simply slept beside Lin Fansheng without making any advances. When he did attempt to engage, hallucinogens would sometimes cloud his mind, rendering him unconscious.
In those moments, Lin Fansheng took care of him without hesitation.
Slowly, Benson became more straightforward. He didn’t want any trouble caused by those who slept beside him. But long periods of just lying there, staring at Lin Fansheng, left him bored and distant.
Lin Fansheng noticed the growing coldness but pretended not to see it, keeping their routine unchanged.
Benson skipped two nights of visits in a row, claiming to be working late. Yet, Fu Mingxi’s tracking revealed that during those nights, Benson’s account kept receiving substantial payments in galaxy coins—funds traced to a powerful alliance buyer.
This buyer had officially entered the empire’s trade network, known for purchasing goods at premium prices and being very wealthy, attracting many imperial traders. Recently, he’d been active in the Alinas Galaxy, openly stating his desire to acquire jade.
“Jade? Like the jade beneath the ice?” Fu Mingxi questioned skeptically.
Lu Shihuai immediately ordered an investigation: “Have someone look into him.”
Lin Fansheng flipped through the buyer’s information and pointed out a key detail: “He’s likely only handling payments, not the actual transport of the mined crystals. Someone else is probably the one moving the ice crystals.”
Neither Benson nor this buyer were the real targets; their true goal was to uncover the mastermind behind the scenes. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be acting so cautiously around Benson.
If the buyer got caught, the hidden figure might abandon the deal.
Lu Shihuai understood and calculated the timing: their next trade was in two days. If they could gather precise intelligence before then, they could make arrests simultaneously.
Fu Mingxi said, “I’ll send the information now. When the time comes, we’ll catch the buyer and the ice crystal purchaser together—two birds with one stone!”
They knew they couldn’t allow the ice crystals to be sold or risk alerting the culprit prematurely.
Fu Mingxi double-checked the buyer’s info, packaged it, and forwarded it to the appropriate departments. To ensure no mistakes, he even disguised the message as if it came from a Ye family member, known for their recent vocal stance in the elections.
The three of them discussed contingency plans in case something went wrong.
Lu Shihuai glanced at the screen’s time prompt and said, “Yu Heng’s back, I’m logging off.”
Without waiting for a reply, he ended the call and turned to Lin Fansheng with a subtle movement.
Lin Fansheng raised an eyebrow, teasing, “You kissed me, but now you don’t dare do it again?”
Lu Shihuai coughed awkwardly, then pulled Lin Fansheng into an embrace.
“When will your memories return…?” he murmured, resting his jaw on Lin Fansheng’s shoulder. From this angle, Lin Fansheng noticed a faint patch of gland covered by the collar, making Lu Shihuai’s eyes darken briefly.
The cold barrier between them started to thaw, and emotions long suppressed stirred to the surface.
Suddenly, Lin Fansheng asked, “Do you like Lin Ling or me?”
“You are Lin Ling. Lin Ling is you,” Lu Shihuai answered firmly.
But then he couldn’t hold back anymore.
Without warning, Lu Shihuai bit into Lin Fansheng’s arm with fierce urgency, leaving a vivid red mark.
The biting brought a rush of icy pheromones filling the room. Lin Fansheng grabbed Lu Shihuai’s arm mid-bite and said, “Use the inhibitor!”
“I don’t have one…” Lu Shihuai admitted.
Lin Fansheng frowned. “Why didn’t you bring one?”
Lu Shihuai, usually so reliable, had forgotten this crucial item during his vulnerable period.
He said nothing, pushing Lin Fansheng away as he staggered to the bathroom and locked the door behind him.
From behind the door came a blurry voice: “Just a moment.”
Then the sound of water drowned out his words.
Lin Fansheng stared at the closed door thoughtfully.
He was no longer the confused man he had been.
Alpha pheromones were mutually exclusive; neither the hospital nor now did Lin Fansheng feel repulsed by Lu Shihuai’s scent.
Their bond was far more complex than it seemed.
Behind the door, Lu Shihuai curled under the cold water stream, trying to wash away the intense feelings surging through him.
His damp black hair clung to his face, eyes clouded as if behind a watery veil.
His face flushed deeply.
He curled into himself, burying his head between his knees, vulnerability breaking through.
“It’s okay… Lin Ling is outside… it’s okay.”
He closed his eyes and replayed memories of their past.
The mental solace eased his physical pain, but soon he gritted his teeth, groaning as bl00d seeped from his lips into the water.
He struggled to regain control, his mind raging.
Had too much time passed?
He didn’t know.
His chilled body trembled under the water, but the chaotic energy inside hadn’t settled.
Again, he bit down hard, numb to pain.
It shouldn’t be happening now… he must control it.
The vivid red dissolved in the water, turning to a faint powder.
After a moment, a weak whisper emerged amid the sound of the water:
“Lin Ling…”
Some things just couldn’t be held back any longer…
Before Lu Shihuai could collapse, the bathroom door was suddenly forced open, and a figure rushed in.
Then darkness took over his vision—he had no idea what happened next.
“Lu Shihuai!”
Lin Fansheng had waited only five minutes before fear compelled him to break the door down.
He found Lu Shihuai looking worn and fragile.
Turning off the shower, Lin Fansheng picked him up.
The cold made him frown, so he laid Lu Shihuai on the only free bed.
“Lu Shihuai? Are you okay?” he called several times but got no response.
He had to wipe him dry and change his wet clothes.
Though Lu Shihuai lay naked, Lin Fansheng didn’t pay it much mind, focusing instead on drying him off.
After finishing, he returned him to bed.
Just then, Yu Heng entered, surprised to see Lin Fansheng stepping down from the bed.
He almost choked on his words: “Lin Sheng? What are you doing?”
“Ah Huai got sick and fainted in the bathroom. I was just taking care of him,” Lin Fansheng explained, gesturing to his damp clothes.
Yu Heng, unaware of the pheromones now dispersed, believed him and asked if Lu Shihuai was alright.
“He’s fine. Already asleep,” Lin Fansheng replied.
He tidied up the wet clothes and bedding, then noticed Yu Heng still watching him.
“Do you have something to say?” Lin Fansheng asked.
Yu Heng blinked and nodded eagerly, like a child hoping for praise.
“I have a big secret!” he whispered mysteriously.
“I know the bad things Benson has done, and I’ll make him pay!”
Lin Fansheng narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Had Yu Heng really figured out about Benson’s illicit trade?
“Secret… can’t tell yet,” Yu Heng said. “But I’ll make sure he never wants to sleep with anyone again!”
Lin Fansheng remained silent. He’d suspected Yu Heng wouldn’t grasp the full picture.
“Just wait!” Yu Heng puffed up proudly. “I’ll even make him apologize to you!”
Lin Fansheng smiled faintly, not wanting to discourage him.
“I look forward to that day.”
Lin Fansheng glanced back at Lu Shihuai, still motionless, worry etched on his face.
After a moment, he returned to the bedside.
Yu Heng, sensing their privacy, quietly left.
The single bed was cramped, forcing Lin Fansheng to lie sideways under Lu Shihuai’s quilt.
Though the cold still lingered, the moment Lin Fansheng settled in, Lu Shihuai instinctively sought warmth and clung to him.
Lin Fansheng gently patted him and whispered, “It’s okay. I’m here.”
Perhaps hearing that, Lu Shihuai tightened his embrace, nuzzling his neck.
How could there be such a caring Alpha?
Lin Fansheng couldn’t resist stroking Lu Shihuai’s soft, damp hair.
“Lin Ling…” Lu Shihuai murmured drowsily.
Lin Fansheng leaned closer, hearing the whispered name.
He paused, lowered his hand, closed his eyes, and returned the hug.
Sure enough, Lu Shihuai was still thinking of Lin Ling.
Still… Lin Fansheng’s voice softened as he said, “I’m here.”
Lu Shihuai’s lashes fluttered but he didn’t wake.
The cold quilt soon warmed from their shared heat.
The two Alphas clung to each other, the small space growing hotter until they began to sweat.
Lin Fansheng tried to shift, but Lu Shihuai held him tightly like an octopus, refusing to let go.
Finally, Lu Shihuai stirred awake and his first words were, “I heard you.”
He sat up, staring deeply at Lin Fansheng.
Trying to sit and speak, Lin Fansheng was stopped when Lu Shihuai flipped him over.
“You are Lin Ling, and Lin Ling is you. Your personality hasn’t changed.”
Lu Shihuai straddled his waist, pinning his shoulders firmly.
Their eyes locked, emotions naked and raw.
“What others see isn’t the real you—just the image you let them see, the fantasies they build.”
“In this world, only I truly know you.”
“Lin Fansheng… Lin Ling,” Lu Shihuai spoke slowly, “What is it that you’re struggling with?”
“I… you don’t understand,” Lin Fansheng’s vision blurred.
Losing his memories would have been simpler, but now everyone treated him as a powerful figure—someone he wasn’t sure he recognized.
From breaking into government buildings to sneaking into mining zones, they believed him to be capable of anything.
He didn’t want to live in the shadow of another self, even if that self was his.
But Lu Shihuai was different—his unwavering focus and clear eyes made Lin Fansheng unable to refuse him.
“Alright, I don’t understand,” Lu Shihuai teased, “But wait until we get out of here—I’ll show you that I do!”
Realizing his tone was a bit harsh, Lu Shihuai softened, closing the distance between them.
Their Alpha breaths mingled, slowly blending together.
Lin Fansheng’s heart raced.
He struggled with painful memories, but Lu Shihuai’s strength held him firmly.
With eyes full of tenderness, Lu Shihuai whispered, “I know what’s troubling you, but I never see you as anyone’s shadow. To me, you are simply you.”
“I’m just scared… that I won’t be able to stay by your side.”
Lu Shihuai hid the bitterness in his voice and buried his head in Lin Fansheng’s neck.
“If Lin Ling can’t remember me… I don’t think I can survive.”