Picked Up an E on the Roadside! I Totally Fell for Him After Our Contract Marriage - Chapter 5

Knowing he couldn’t hide it from Zhong Yu, Shi Jing admitted, “…Yeah.”

He had planned to find the right moment to explain everything, but now, after being interrupted, his friend had discovered the truth first.

Zhong Yu could tell he was embarrassed and quickened his pace to catch up, slinging an arm around his neck. “Tell me about it. Who is this Enigma of yours? How did you two even get together? And you actually slept with him?”

Shi Jing shook him off and hesitated before answering. Instead, he asked, “…What should I do in this situation? This temporary mark—I don’t know when it’ll fade. Are there gland patches for Alphas?”

It was the first time Zhong Yu had heard him speak so much at once, and he found it oddly fascinating.

“You think this is a temporary mark?” Zhong Yu asked.

“What else could it be? I don’t have the gland functions of an Omega.”

Zhong Yu rubbed his chin, considering how to break the truth to his proud friend.

As an Alpha, the instinct was to conquer, not to be conquered. Now he had to deliver the exact opposite news…

Shi Jing grew impatient. “Just say it.”

Enigmas were incredibly rare in this world—so rare that most people would never encounter one in their lifetime. Outside of medical students, even physiology textbooks barely touched on this uncommon secondary gender.

Moreover, due to their scarcity, doctors and scholars were still researching and exploring the nature of this gender.

It was no surprise Shi Jing didn’t know.

Zhong Yu patted his shoulder. “How do I put this? All I know is that an Enigma’s pheromones unconditionally dominate the other three genders. So there’s no such thing as a ‘temporary mark’ with them.”

Shi Jing’s expression shifted.

“You mean…”

“That’s not entirely accurate either. The mark on the back of your neck will only fade as it heals. Whether it disappears completely—or at all—depends on the Enigma’s ability.”

Zhong Yu continued, “Just like how Alpha pheromones have different tiers, if the Enigma’s pheromone level is high even among their own kind, you might carry that mark for life. You’d need a specialized hospital to run the tests and confirm.”

Shi Jing: “…”

???

His mind exploded with a deafening crash.

Zhong Yu poked his back when he saw him frozen in place. “You stunned or what? Now can you tell me how you two got involved? Did he mention he was an Enigma before?”

“We’re not involved,” Shi Jing said, feeling unsteady. “It was just a one-night stand. My grandfather found out, so we’re entering a contractual marriage for a year.”

Zhong Yu: “…”

Zhong Yu: “Huh?”

“Does your grandfather know he’s an Enigma?”

“Not yet.”

Zhong Yu hesitated. “But your grandfather wants you to marry an Omega. He won’t agree if he finds out, will he?”

“Once we’re married, he won’t let us divorce—it’d be a loss of face.” He just wanted to shut Shi Shunde up about the marriage pressure.

Shi Jing’s lips pressed into a tight line—whether from anger or something else, it was hard to tell.

The emotional turmoil made his gland ache, his temples throbbing.

“Where can we get an Enigma’s pheromone level tested here?” he asked.

Zhong Yu sent a location to Shi Jing: “This place is good. If you’re going today, you can take the specialist emergency route.”

“Got it. I’ll treat you to a meal another time. I’m heading out now.”

Shi Jing glanced at the navigation and immediately called Wei Qinan.

The other man’s voice was warm—just a simple “Hello” sent an electric shiver down Shi Jing’s spine.

He knew it was the pheromones messing with him. “Where are you right now?”

Wei Qinan looked out the car window. “I’m in your assistant’s car, heading back to the apartment.”

Shi Jing told him to switch to speakerphone.

Ye Li responded with a surprised, “Yeah? What’s up, boss?”

Standing at the intersection, Shi Jing hailed a cab and ordered, “Ye Li, take Wei Qinan to the Sixth People’s Hospital, ABO Specialist Building.”

Then he hung up.

By the time Wei Qinan arrived, Shi Jing had already been waiting for over ten minutes.

Without a word, he led Wei Qinan straight into the emergency department. Only when they met the doctor did he speak. “Dr. Hu, could you test his pheromone levels for me?”

There weren’t many doctors who specialized in Enigmas, and this was the only one in the hospital.

Dr. Hu glanced up, studying Wei Qinan standing beside Shi Jing. After a few seconds, he turned to fill out a form. “We can only do a basic screening here. If you need a detailed report, you’ll have to book an appointment with an official specialized testing facility.”

“Fine, no problem.”

“Second floor, testing department. Results should take about an hour.”

Shi Jing nodded. “Thanks.”

Pheromone level testing wasn’t covered by insurance—it was an out-of-pocket expense, and most people didn’t even think to get it done.

Shi Jing pulled the test slip from the machine and paid the fee for him.

Wei Qinan had been silently following him the whole time, only speaking up now. “…I can pay for this myself.”

“Don’t bother. Just consider it a pre-marital checkup.” Shi Jing’s tone was icy as he jerked his chin, signaling him to follow.

With his expression hardened, he looked unapproachable—right now, his murderous aura was at full blast. As he watched the nurse draw bl00d, his glare could’ve burned a hole through the slender tube.

Testing pheromone levels was a hassle. The nurse had to take five vials before stopping.

Wei Qinan pressed a cotton ball to his arm. “Do we just wait now?”

The thought that the mark on his neck might never fade made Shi Jing restless. He raked a hand through his hair. “…No. Let’s go eat first.”

He picked a random, decent-looking noodle shop and sat there like the Grim Reaper, chilling the air more effectively than the restaurant’s AC.

Wei Qinan studied his reaction. “Are you angry?”

Shi Jing: “…”

How was he supposed to explain? He wasn’t angry—he was terrified of Wei Qinan’s pheromone level.

What if it was high? What if this mark stayed on him for life? Just because he hadn’t liked the Omegas he’d met through matchmaking didn’t mean he was planning to stay single forever.

…Not that Wei Qinan was bad-looking, but their genders just weren’t compatible.

Damn it. He never should’ve gone drinking. What was the point of picking up some random person?

As he stewed, a hand lightly brushed against his.

Wei Qinan hooked a finger around his. “Don’t be mad. I won’t release pheromones without your permission from now on.”