Killing Marriage [ABO] - Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Communication
After touring the “warm little home” with full barrier-free accessibility, Ren Zhong started to feel like he wasn’t here to fulfill a superior’s order or a legal obligation.
Was he here to retire?
There was a household elevator installed indoors. The flooring had no level changes; the wheelchair could glide in any direction without bumps or obstacles. Even the shower had a nursing-home-style seat and automatic shower system, and every sharp edge of the furniture had been rounded off or padded for protection.
Ren Zhong thought: Did Zhang Qingyuan and the designer want to open a private rehabilitation center here?
After having a light meal with the kind but visually overwhelming designer, Mr. Han finally left.
Ren Zhong’s eyes got a much-needed break. But now came the awkward part—how to belatedly talk with his “newlywed husband,” whom he was meeting for the first time, about their marriage.
After thinking over how to approach this delicately, Ren Zhong ultimately decided it was best to just be direct.
While Ren Zhong was pondering, Zhang Qingyuan had tidily cleared the table and sat back down across from him.
“Mr. Zhang, I think it’s time we had a talk,” Ren Zhong cleared his throat, trying to ease the awkwardness. “I was in the hospital before, so it wasn’t very convenient…”
He wore a stern expression, which masked his nerves—he just looked like he was delivering an important military briefing.
In contrast, Zhang Qingyuan looked utterly at ease, relaxed and even a little casual in demeanor.
“Perfect. There are some important things I haven’t had a chance to discuss with you either,” he said, still calm as he poured two cups of fruity herbal tea.
Facing such composure, Ren Zhong felt an inexplicable discomfort.
He was clearly the legal owner of this house, yet he felt like the outsider—tense and uneasy in surroundings that didn’t feel like home at all.
Meanwhile, the Alpha sitting opposite him appeared totally in control, as if subtly declaring ownership and extending his invisible grasp into every corner of the house.
A predator who knew how to disguise himself was far more dangerous.
This Alpha was not to be underestimated.
“Captain Ren, do you have any expectations or conditions regarding our marriage?” Zhang Qingyuan struck first, holding back his own cards while tossing the question at him.
Ren Zhong wasn’t easily intimidated and met the challenge head-on. “I’ve had a subdermal implant. I don’t have heat cycles and won’t get pregnant.”
Zhang Qingyuan showed a brief flicker of surprise and then asked earnestly, “May I ask, what’s a subdermal implant?”
“Oh, that tech hasn’t been available to the general public for years. You’re an Alpha, so it’s normal you don’t know.” Ren Zhong explained patiently, “It’s a form of contraceptive implanted under the skin.”
He rolled up his sleeve to reveal the inner part of his upper arm. “Here. A medical device about the size of a grain of rice was implanted, and it steadily releases medication to suppress heat and prevent pregnancy. It lasts for five years.”
“That’s incredible technology.” Zhang Qingyuan’s eyes lit up. He asked curiously, “Does it cause any harm to the body?”
Ren Zhong shook his head. “No. The side effects are lower than with inhibitors or oral contraceptives. Two months after removal, fertility returns. Non-civilian Omega soldiers all get them.”
“Of course. If an Omega went into heat during training or a mission, it’d be disastrous,” Zhang Qingyuan said. Then his eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked cautiously, “Is that classified information?”
Ren Zhong replied instinctively, “Spouses have the right to know.”
Omega soldiers being unable to conceive while serving is an important part of “marital harmony” and must be disclosed to one’s spouse.
Only then did Ren Zhong realize—he had just called Zhang Qingyuan “spouse.”
They had just met. And yet, legally, they were family. Wasn’t that ridiculous?
“I’ll be continuing the implant treatment after returning to active duty. So, I won’t be having kids.”
That was Ren Zhong’s bottom line.
He absolutely refused to become like those other Omegas—trapped in the home as prisoners of marriage and childbirth.
He took a deep breath and said calmly:
“I know the law requires us to have at least one child within three years of marriage. Otherwise, the Monitoring Bureau will force medical intervention and artificial insemination, and my record will get a red flag. This isn’t something I can solve right now, but I will communicate with the military…”
Zhang Qingyuan cut in.
“It’s okay. If it comes to that, I have a solution too.”
He dropped a bombshell with serene calmness.
“I’ll carry the child.”
Ren Zhong: “…”
Ren Zhong: “?”
Ren Zhong: “?!”
He spat tea all over the table.
“You—you—you, what did you just say?!”
Still warm and composed, Zhang Qingyuan replied, “Captain, I understand your commitment to defending the country, and I know it’s non-negotiable for you. Given that, it’s my duty to find the solution that best serves both our interests. Me carrying the child seems to be the optimal choice.”
He said it as casually as one might say “Nice weather for tea today.”
Ren Zhong had faced life-or-death situations, unspeakable tragedies, and cruel missions during his military service—but never had he felt so utterly at a loss.
He stared, slack-jawed, and finally mumbled, “You are… an Alpha, right?”
What kind of Alpha volunteers to get pregnant just because their Omega doesn’t want to?
Zhang Qingyuan even chuckled softly. “Of course I’m an Alpha. You can smell my pheromones, and I have my genetic report right here.”
“Male Alphas can get pregnant? Do you even have a reproductive cavity?” Ren Zhong started to question all the biology and health education he had ever received.
The other man smiled with his eyes nearly closed.
“Of course not. But the technology to allow male Alphas to carry children does exist.”
He pulled out a tissue to clean the table while explaining, “Just like your ‘subdermal implant’ is a tech restricted to Omega soldiers, male Alpha pregnancy is another specialized technology that only certain people can access.”
It involves implanting the embryo into the greater omentum—then a male Alpha can carry the pregnancy and later deliver via C-section.
Ren Zhong never imagined that the first thing to crumble after marriage wouldn’t be his career—but his understanding of ABO biology.
Holy hell. Male Alphas can actually get pregnant?!
“…The human body is that amazing?” Ren Zhong marveled at both science and his own ignorance.
Zhang Qingyuan kindly handed him a tablet and opened a research paper:
“A Practical Study on Embryo Implantation in the Greater Omentum”
Author: Shang Liwei
“This is an award-winning paper in the field, by a female Alpha scientist. If you’re interested, feel free to read it.”
Ren Zhong didn’t flip pages. Instead, he zoomed in on the author’s name.
Not for nothing—but that woman had just raced his wheelchair earlier this morning.
Female Alpha scientist Shang Liwei?
That’s his childhood friend!
Ren Zhong knew she worked at the Academy of Sciences in ABO gender research, but how was he supposed to know that she’d been focusing on groundbreaking tech like getting male Alphas pregnant?!
After a few seconds of stunned silence, he tapped her name and said, “If it really comes to that… she lives next door.”
A flicker of surprise passed through Zhang Qingyuan’s eyes, then faded into a calm smile.
“It really is a small world.”
At this point, Ren Zhong felt like he had thrown a live grenade at enemy lines—only for it to bounce back and explode in his own face.
He couldn’t stop thinking: Male Alphas can actually get pregnant!!!
And yet, the next “grenade” was from Zhang Qingyuan.
He swiped the screen closed and opened a banking app, logging in via face recognition.
“Captain Ren, although this should’ve been done before the wedding, it’s still not too late.”
He expertly navigated the banking system and pulled up a document.
“This is my credit report. Marital status: married, with only your name listed—no fraudulent multiple marriages. No significant debt, only a few manageable loans, which you’re not liable for.”
Ren Zhong was stunned.
Why was this man revealing his entire financial history at their first meeting?
He thought Zhang Qingyuan was a careful, private person. This was like rolling over and exposing his belly.
“I believe spouses should understand each other’s credit status clearly.”
Oh. So that’s where this was going.
“After all, premarital assets and debts, and post-marriage shared finances, are very serious matters. You wouldn’t want a debt-ridden husband to jeopardize your military career. Likewise, I want to understand my spouse’s financial standing.”
Implying: he didn’t want the risks from an Omega’s finances falling on him either.
At first glance, it sounded cold and calculating—“talking money kills the romance.”
But Ren Zhong actually wanted to applaud him.
No matter what intentions brought them together, their little “husband-and-husband business” was officially open for business.
Better a transparent partner than one who pretended to be rich but later dumped a mountain of debt on you.
No strings. No baggage.
After exchanging reports, Ren Zhong casually glanced at Zhang Qingyuan’s assets—and thought his eyes were playing tricks.
He squinted and counted the decimal places again. And again.
He confirmed two things:
-
He hadn’t miscounted.
-
His spouse was definitely not short on money.
Zhang Qingyuan looked down at the screen with a focused calmness that made his features—more delicate than most Alphas—radiate the quiet authority of one.
“You clearly have a savings habit, Captain. Very wise in this unstable economic climate.”
After complimenting Ren Zhong’s conservative financial philosophy, he pulled up another file.
“This is my full medical report—no genetic illness risks and in overall good health. I’d also like access to your recent medical records, if possible.”
Ren Zhong had no reason to refuse.
After all, they’d be sharing a bed—it was only responsible to make sure neither of them was hiding a contagious illness.
Thinking of medical history reminded Ren Zhong that when their marriage was legally finalized, he had just come out of the ICU, still wheelchair-bound and with an uncertain recovery ahead.
Not exactly prime spouse material.
But he’d heard through the grapevine:
Zhang Qingyuan had, like him, received special privileges in the mandatory marriage system—and had many excellent match candidates. Yet the man had insisted on Ren Zhong, putting only his name on the match request form.
“Mr. Zhang, why did you agree to marry me?” Ren Zhong asked.
What benefit was there in marrying a temporarily disabled soldier?
To this, Zhang Qingyuan replied:
“My deferral period was up. I had to get married. Military marriages are restrictive, but overall, marrying you was a very advantageous decision for me.”
He didn’t get into specifics—just confirmed Ren Zhong’s guess.
Then he added, “Of course, I also had personal reasons. I’ve watched your speeches and interviews and read about your achievements. I think you’re honest and clear-headed. Communicating with you would be smooth.”
His gentle gaze fell on Ren Zhong with the afternoon sunlight.
He smiled warmly. “It’s truly an honor to be married to you.”
Honestly, Ren Zhong felt kind of relieved.
At least he hadn’t ended up with a nightmare Alpha. In a forced marriage, that was probably the best one could hope for.
Zhang Qingyuan closed his screen, folded his hands on the table, and said in a formal tone:
“Captain, I just remembered a very urgent matter we need to discuss.”
“Go ahead.”
Zhang Qingyuan cleared his throat.
“According to the Mandatory Marriage Matching Act, spouses are required to engage in intimate relations at least once per month under AI surveillance. It’s been thirty days since our marriage was finalized.”
“That means, before 11:59 PM tonight—we’re legally required to fulfill that obligation.”