Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 17

The flight touched down late into the evening, and Han Zaijing stepped off the plane carrying not just the weight of her luggage, but also a heavy exhaustion that seemed to seep into her bones. Her body ached from the relentless travel schedule, and the emotional turbulence of the past few days only deepened her sense of fatigue.

By the time she reached the quiet comfort of her apartment near the university, the familiar surroundings did little to soothe her. Her mind was weary, her body unwell, and her emotions teetering on the edge of collapse.

She let herself fall into bed without even changing out of her travel clothes. The linens were cool, but her skin burned with an unnatural heat. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her erratic heartbeat, but her body resisted rest. The aftermath of her pheromone imbalance still lingered, manifesting in nausea, dizziness, and a low-grade fever that wouldn’t subside.

Ni Jia, upon hearing that Han Zaijing had fallen ill, dropped everything she was doing. Without hesitation, she rushed to her apartment, her heart filled with worry. She knocked on the door with urgency, and when she was finally let in, she found Han Zaijing curled up on the bed, visibly weakened and flushed.

Ni Jia had grown up in comfort, never having to do chores or care for others in a practical sense. But in this moment, none of that mattered. She clumsily filled a basin with warm water and began to wipe Han Zaijing’s face and neck, her hands unsteady but full of tenderness. Every gesture, no matter how inexperienced, carried the weight of her deep concern.

“Zaijing, you shouldn’t be pushing yourself so hard,” Ni Jia said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper as she brushed stray strands of hair away from Han Zaijing’s face.

Han Zaijing opened her eyes, the sight of Ni Jia’s anxious expression warming her heart in spite of her discomfort. There was a pang of guilt buried deep within her. She had been hiding too much lately, and now she was letting Ni Jia see her in this vulnerable state. Yet, at the same time, there was an unexpected sense of comfort in allowing someone to care for her.

Ni Jia returned from the kitchen with a bowl of hot porridge she had managed to cook. It wasn’t seasoned particularly well, but it was warm and nourishing. She sat on the edge of the bed and held it out with both hands.
“Come on, Zaijing. You need to eat something. You haven’t had anything since you landed.”

Han Zaijing struggled to sit up, her limbs heavy and her head still spinning. She took the bowl in trembling hands, forcing a smile. “Thank you… my wife,” she said, half-jokingly, the term of endearment slipping out with surprising ease.

Ni Jia’s cheeks flushed at the nickname, and she quickly looked away, hiding a shy smile. “Idiot. Just get better soon.”

As she watched Han Zaijing eat, Ni Jia found herself distracted. Even pale and ill, Han Zaijing’s profile was striking—slender fingers gripping the bowl, a delicate jawline shaded by her disheveled bangs, and a faint sheen of sweat on her temples.

A sudden, unwelcome thought crossed Ni Jia’s mind: she looked too good like this—fragile, yet intoxicating. Realizing where her mind was going, Ni Jia quickly scolded herself. She’s sick, she reminded herself. Don’t be weird.

Over the next few days, Han Zaijing gradually recovered. She resumed her regular check-ups with her aunt, Dr. Lin Jin, a seasoned medical professional who had been managing her condition for years.

During one of these appointments, the test results revealed something troubling: although the acute symptoms of her pheromone disorder had subsided, her body was beginning to develop a resistance to the inhibitors. Her need for exposure to multiple Omega pheromones was increasing—a warning sign that her condition could spiral out of control.

Sitting in her aunt’s private clinic, Han Zaijing held the test results with trembling hands. A deep unease settled in her chest. The fear wasn’t just physical—it was emotional, psychological. Would she lose control again? Would she betray Ni Jia a second time, against her own will?

Lin Jin, observing her niece’s expression, softened her tone. “Zaijing, this isn’t your fault. You’ve done everything right. You’ve been coming in every week, monitoring your levels carefully. You’ve managed this condition with more discipline than most.”

“But it wasn’t enough,” Han Zaijing murmured, her voice low and filled with pain. “I still lost control once. What if it happens again? What if next time… I can’t stop myself?”

She rose from the chair and walked to the window, staring out at the campus. The sun was shining gently over the trees, students laughing in the distance, and the world seemed peaceful. Yet, inside her, a storm raged—conflicting emotions of guilt, fear, and longing. She wanted to be worthy of the love she had. She wanted to be in control.

Lin Jin approached her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think. And you’re not alone. We’ll figure out a better treatment plan—maybe even a combination therapy. We’re also working on a new generation of inhibitors. There’s still hope.”

Encouraged by her aunt’s words, Han Zaijing returned to school with renewed determination. She buried herself in research, poring over medical journals, consulting experts in pheromone regulation, and even exploring experimental methods. This wasn’t just a medical problem to her—it was a battle for her future, for her ability to be with the person she loved without fear or shame.

Ni Jia, meanwhile, noticed the change in her demeanor. Han Zaijing had grown more distant, often lost in thought, sometimes restless at night. One evening, as they sat together under the dormitory’s rooftop canopy, Ni Jia took Han Zaijing’s hand and asked gently, “Zaijing, is there something you’re not telling me? You’ve been… different lately.”

Han Zaijing looked at her for a long moment. She was tired of hiding. But she also didn’t want to burden Ni Jia with too much truth.

“I’ve been a bit irritable because… I think I might be entering a mild estrus period again,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully. “It’s nothing serious. I just… need you around more. It helps keep me grounded.”

Ni Jia’s expression softened. She squeezed Han Zaijing’s hand and leaned her head against her shoulder. “Of course I’ll stay with you. You don’t even need to ask.”

Han Zaijing closed her eyes, drawing strength from her presence. As long as Ni Jia was by her side, she believed she could withstand anything—even the storm quietly building within her.

But deep down, she knew the hardest choices were still ahead.