The Sickly Omega Is No Longer Pretending to Be Good/Obedient - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Jingle the Bells “Liar” [Revised]

“Alright then, we’ll go out first. If you feel uncomfortable, call me anytime.”

Shen Qiudu didn’t respond, lowering his eyes. What met his gaze was no longer his old, worn clothes, but a clean, comfortable shirt he’d been changed into. The size was too large, making him look even smaller and thinner.

Moreover, a faint scent of vegetation emanated from his surroundings.

It was a very soothing scent, and he liked it very much.

Seeing that Shen Qiudu remained silent, the atmosphere was quiet for a moment.

Suddenly, Shen Qiudu felt a warm object placed on his cold palm.

It was a metallic bell. Its exterior was already warmed up, seemingly having been held for a long time.

Shen Qiudu frowned, subconsciously wanting to throw it away, but the man stopped him.

The man’s palm was large, easily covering Shen Qiudu’s weak and small, malnourished hand.

It was very warm, the same feeling the scent he had smelled brought him.

Shen Qiudu guessed that the man in front of him must be an Alpha.

He looked like he was a high-ranking one, too. At least higher than him.

“You can shake the bell. I’ll come as soon as I hear it.”

The man’s concerned voice sounded low. He deliberately leaned in close to Shen Qiudu, perhaps sensing that he didn’t want to engage.

The bell’s exterior was cold and slick, piercing Shen Qiudu’s heart with a jolt, but he didn’t think much of it.

The moment the door closed, Shen Qiudu immediately opened his eyes, braced himself to sit up, and surveyed his surroundings.

The furnishings in the room were lavish and high-profile, something even a sheltered person like him could recognize. His bedside was covered with medicine and IV drips, all high-grade pharmaceuticals Shen Qiudu had never used.

It seemed Shen Qiudu had encountered a kind family, but cases of the upper class in Sūzhōu City kidnapping people from the slums for human experiments were countless.

Furthermore, his mother had told him that Omegas with his looks and background were most likely to be targeted by malicious bad men, and one careless mistake could turn him into an unspeakable, dirty “lover.”

He didn’t want this; he certainly didn’t want to become a plaything in someone else’s hands.

Shen Qiudu looked down at the bell in his palm and thought of the man still waiting outside the door.

He had to be even more cautious of these seemingly innocent and harmless people.

Shen Qiudu threw the bell away without hesitation, pulled out the needle, opened the window, and looked down.

Even though his entire body was utterly exhausted, he didn’t want to sit and wait for his fate.

Second floor. There was a lawn below, and it was drizzling.

Hmm, suitable for jumping and escaping.

Just as Shen Qiudu placed his foot on the window sill, the door behind him suddenly opened.

The man rushed into the room with a pile of recuperative items he’d gathered from who knows where. His gentle voice rang out: “I didn’t know which one you liked, so I just brought everything I could find.”

“I have fresh oyster millet porridge, I asked someone to freshly cook Korean ginseng and chicken, and there’s also sea cucumber, white fungus, bird’s nest, and more. See what you’d like to eat?”

“Oh, and I still don’t know your name.”

The room fell into a dead silence. The man looked up in surprise and met eyes with Shen Qiudu, who had just retracted his foot from the window.

Seeing the half-open window and the silent Shen Qiudu, the man’s heart ached. He hurriedly placed the things in his arms aside and walked over.

“You shouldn’t open the window to enjoy the rain when you’re sick, okay?”

“……”

The man didn’t notice Shen Qiudu’s slightly resistant gaze. He directly grasped his wrist and gently placed him back on the bed, adjusted the blankets for him, and then tucked the bell back into Shen Qiudu’s palm.

Everything proceeded as normal, as if nothing had happened.

“Oyster millet porridge, Korean ginseng and chicken, sea cucumber, white fungus, bird’s nest—do you like these?”

“Also, can you tell me your name?”

“……”

Shen Qiudu had never met such a talkative person, nor was he used to such gentle and thoughtful concern.

Having grown up in the slums, people there adhered to the principle of “one thing for another.”

Therefore, Shen Qiudu would never readily accept favors from others.

Especially not from the man of unknown origin in front of him.

Seeing Shen Qiudu remain silent, the man looked a little anxious, “I knew these little things must not be good. What’s so great about something that only costs a hundred thousand… It’s all Butler Liang’s insistence.”

The man tossed the items in his hands aside with a hint of distaste, then tightly grasped Shen Qiudu’s hand.

“It’s okay, don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad person.”

Shen Qiudu looked at the pile of needles beside him, then at the man’s agitated expression, and clearly didn’t believe him.

“Just tell me whatever you want, don’t worry about the cost.”

“After all, I have nothing but money, so I can only give you these. I’m sorry.”

Shen Qiudu took a deep breath, growing increasingly annoyed, wishing he could just close his eyes and forget about the whole thing.

“My name is Wen Jiangchu. What about you?”

“Shen Qiudu.” The tone was very impatient.

“Do you want to eat anything?”

“No.”

Shen Qiudu looked up at him and unexpectedly noticed a red string and a bell identical to his own tied on the man’s finger. An idea sparked.

He wrapped the thin red string around his finger in front of Wen Jiangchu and shook the bell on his hand.

“Wen Jiangchu, I want some quiet for a while.”

…

“How is his body?”

“Young Master, overall he has recovered well, but…”

“But his scent gland defect is not congenital. Furthermore, it’s clear the method of treatment was poor. If we try to forcibly treat and repair it now, there’s a risk of infection, which could lead to coma or even the loss of his unique Omega characteristics.”

“What does ‘loss of Omega characteristics’ mean?”

“It means forcing him to transition from an Omega to a pseudo-Beta. He will have to endure the Easy Susceptibility Period solely by relying on suppressants.”

“Of course, there is another therapy: scent gland repair during the Easy Susceptibility Period.”

“But this requires finding an Alpha with a 100% pheromone match to stabilize him with their pheromones, and then permanently marking him immediately after the surgery.”

“However, the probability of a 100% A/O match globally is extremely low; it is essentially impossible to succeed.”

A 100% A/O match has two strict requirements:

1. The Alpha’s and Omega’s pheromones must match 100% and they must willingly accept each other.
2. They must be of the same rank. If one is S-rank and the other is B-rank, it doesn’t qualify as a 100% match.

“So, if we want him to recover quickly… is there only one way?”

“That is correct, but the danger level is very high. Please consider it carefully, Young Master.”

…

Shen Qiudu, barefoot and curled up, leaned against the cold door. The conversation from the living room drifted through the gap under the door, sounding particularly sharp in the silent room.

The rain outside hadn’t stopped, the sky was stained a hazy blue, reflecting in Shen Qiudu’s blank pupils.

Hearing these words, the rock that had been pressing on Shen Qiudu’s heart finally fell.

His first feeling was relief.

Relief that he would no longer be betrayed or sold because of his Omega identity, and he wouldn’t have to go through those desperate Easy Susceptibility Periods like a dying fish again and again.

As for the threat of death—

Poverty coupled with the Omega identity was just another kind of threat of death, wasn’t it?

However, the bl00d drawn from his lip by biting down to suppress his emotions hinted at another kind of unwillingness. But in less than half a second, Shen Qiudu resignedly loosened his clenched fists.

He didn’t know what Wen Jiangchu would do upon learning this information.

Would he abandon him like his father, complaining that he had picked up a burden?

Or would he peel off the intact parts of his body for trade, exploiting the last drop of his bl00d for other benefits?

Or perhaps an even worse outcome.

In any case, Shen Qiudu could not sit idly by. He had to go back, back to that dilapidated home.

His mother was still there—the only person in the world who truly cared for him.

Since jumping out of the window would be easily noticed, he would change his plan: pretend to be obedient, and then leave during the chaos.

“Click—”

It was the sound of the doctor leaving and closing the door, followed by the sound of light footsteps approaching. Shen Qiudu came back to his senses and immediately sat back on the bed.

He had expected Wen Jiangchu to burst into the room violently, but he was surprised when the man respectfully knocked on the door.

He had heard terrible stories: those men would violently break in, take the Omega they desired, sell the good-looking ones to wealthy businessmen for their release, and the less attractive ones would only be reduced to defective goods.

Honestly, Wen Jiangchu did seem like a good person.

“Shen Qiudu? Are you awake?”

“Mhm.”

Shen Qiudu looked up and met Wen Jiangchu’s slightly guilty expression.

“Was that the doctor just now?”

“Ah… did you hear them?”

Shen Qiudu silently studied Wen Jiangchu’s expression, sneered in his heart, and chose to lie without hesitation.

“No, what did the doctor say?”

“Uh… they said your body is recovering well, very well! You don’t need to worry.”

Wen Jiangchu chuckled awkwardly, then turned on the room light.

“It’s so dark. Why didn’t you turn on the light?”

“Didn’t want to.”

“Lest I be missed by bad people.”

When Shen Qiudu said this, his eyes were locked on Wen Jiangchu, trying to gauge something.

What he got in return was a Wen Jiangchu who looked a little shy from being stared at. He nodded in agreement.

“Exactly. It’s a good thing I picked you up. Otherwise, you definitely would have been kidnapped by other bad people.”

“……”

Actually, being picked up by you isn’t a good thing either.

“Right, Shen Qiudu, did you run away? Why were you lying unconscious on the street alone?”

Sure enough, he’s starting to probe now.

But he wouldn’t give Wen Jiangchu the chance.

At Shen Qiudu’s workplace, after one Omega was captured, a few days later, a group of people secretly infiltrated the slums, murdered the entire family, and covered up the crime with a massive fire.

Even though everyone knew it wasn’t an accident, the “everyone” here was just a group of the poorest people at the bottom, with no voice.

Even knowing the truth, what good would it do? Sometimes, the truth becomes the most fabricated thing.

Shen Qiudu sneered inwardly, his face expressionless. He chose to hide everything and followed Wen Jiangchu’s lead: “No, I’m an orphan. I was just barely surviving and waiting to die in the slums.”

“I see…”

Wen Jiangchu lowered his head, his eyes’ emotions unclear. His soft words were tinged with distress and pity.

This inexplicable statement made Shen Qiudu feel a pang of nervousness.

Suddenly, his hand, lying flat on the bedsheet, felt a heavy wetness.

The raised blue veins on Shen Qiudu’s hand became faded branches under the curtain of rain. That tear melted into the moisture seeping into the branch, heavy and causing his heart to be stuffed with a cotton ball soaked in water.

Shen Qiudu felt disbelief and subconsciously pulled his hand back.

“Wen Jiangchu?”

No response.

Shen Qiudu’s throat was a little dry. He sighed, feeling uneasy, and leaned closer to Wen Jiangchu, bending down to look into his eyes.

He only heard a faint sob.

“Did you… cry?”

Shen Qiudu was somewhat shocked. An unfamiliar person reacting so strongly when he brought up his past was too abnormal.

How could a top-tier Alpha with a happy family, whose only suffering in life might be a cold Americano, cry so easily for a person like him?

“No… no. My emotions are just a little complicated.”

Wen Jiangchu roughly rubbed his cheeks and turned his back, not wanting Shen Qiudu to see his disheveled appearance.

“I’m sorry, Shen Qiudu, I made a fool of myself. I just feel a little heartbroken and a little relieved.”

“…Relieved?” Shen Qiudu’s face slightly darkened. The small amount of suspicion that had risen was extinguished completely.

“I understand how difficult it is to be an orphan and live in the slums.”

“But it’s okay now. You’re an orphan, but you can live with me. I’m very happy that I was lucky enough to save you, and I can… I can take care of you like an older brother…”

Due to the recent crying, Wen Jiangchu’s nose and the corners of his eyes were slightly red.

After saying these words, his tone dropped. He was clearly a little shy, yet he turned around excitedly, tightly grabbing Shen Qiudu’s hands, seemingly completely immersed in his own world, utterly oblivious to Shen Qiudu’s already gloomy face.

Damn it, he shouldn’t have asked in the first place.

“I don’t need you to take care of me. I can manage on my own.”

The stiff words were interpreted by Wen Jiangchu as an attempt to act tough.

“It’s okay. Don’t feel like you’re troubling me.”

“I don’t feel like I’m troubling—”

Shen Qiudu’s pale explanation had absolutely no effect.

“Shen Qiudu, don’t you think we have a strong connection?”

“Where is the connection?”

“Look, so many people pass out in the slums every day. Why did I specifically pick you up? And you’re an orphan. Do you know what that means?”

How could he know? He just thought this person was a little crazy.

The people who kidnap Omegas shouldn’t be like this, right?

But to stabilize Wen Jiangchu, Shen Qiudu had no choice but to endure his headache and ask, “What does it mean?”

“It means that even Heaven thinks we’re suitable, which is why it let you come home with me.”

Shen Qiudu didn’t know how to explain to Wen Jiangchu that an unconscious person couldn’t make a choice.

Seeing Shen Qiudu’s unhappy expression, Wen Jiangchu restrained himself a little and lowered his eyes with some disappointment.

“Do you… do you not want to stay here? Is there something I did wrong? Or… do you actually hate me?”

“I don’t. I just—”

Shen Qiudu took a deep breath, looking at the heartfelt sincerity in Wen Jiangchu’s eyes.

“Wen Jiangchu, first of all, thank you for saving me.”

“I don’t know why you’re keeping me, but I have to go back no matter what.”

“If you truly want what’s best for me, then let me leave.”

Shen Qiudu’s words were merciless. This man, who was incredibly unfamiliar to him, did everything in a way that distressed him.

He didn’t understand. Aside from being a bad person, how could anyone be so good to another from the very beginning? It was impossible; manna never falls from heaven.

But if he wanted to play the good guy, Shen Qiudu would play along.

Shen Qiudu wouldn’t miss this opportunity either.

“But the slums have been burned down. The people there are either dead or injured. Shen Qiudu, where will you go back to?”

In that instant, Shen Qiudu felt his heart stop beating.

Could it be… that even lying couldn’t save him from implicating others?

Sure enough, everything before was a facade and a lie. Thankfully, he hadn’t fallen deep into it.

The actions of these people were truly sickening!

Shen Qiudu’s dark eyes dimmed, and the hand hanging by his side clenched into a fist, like a desolate cold mountain. Even if a mournful whimper escaped, to an outsider, it was nothing more than a few falling pebbles—unnoticed and uncared for.

Just then, someone caught it.

Shen Qiudu’s heart tightened. He looked down and saw that the spot where his fingernails had dug in was being gently soothed by Wen Jiangchu, bit by bit.

He frowned in distress, “I’m sorry. I know this news is unsuitable when you’re still sick.”

“But Butler Liang told me that you have the right to know.”

Then, he raised his wrist in front of Shen Qiudu, exposing an expensive electronic watch. He swiped his finger across the surface, and a piece of breaking news appeared in mid-air:

“On the morning of June 13th, reporters discovered a severe fire in the slum area of the city’s southwest corner. The number of casualties has not yet been tallied. Firefighters and medical personnel have gone to the site for aid, preventing the fire from worsening.”

“According to the latest police report, the suspected arsonists have been successfully arrested and brought to justice.”

The two faces displayed were precisely the two burly men who had come to collect debt at his house earlier.

So, it wasn’t Wen Jiangchu’s doing.

Shen Qiudu’s gaze flickered from the electronic screen and he incidentally noticed that Wen Jiangchu’s wrist had a scar similar to his own.

He knew what this was more than anyone else.

Shen Qiudu subconsciously gripped Wen Jiangchu’s wrist tighter.

“What’s wrong?”

“You…”

The question was stuck like a fishbone, impossible to articulate. Shen Qiudu was never good at comforting others. Rather than making things worse and hurting him, it was better to pretend he hadn’t seen anything and treat him like a normal person.

“So, you’re not the leader of an organization that trafficks Omegas? You won’t sell me for money, and you won’t covet every organ and drop of bl00d in my body…”

This time, it was Wen Jiangchu who froze, unable to speak, “You… so you thought of me that way!”

“No, I’m a law-abiding citizen; I would never do such a thing!”

“I… I would never covet your body either, never!”

Wen Jiangchu’s face flushed. He nervously raised the wrong fingers to swear.

“Although our Alpha reputation outside is a little bad… rest assured, I would never do that! If I really wanted to, I would have just—”

“?”

Wen Jiangchu clicked his tongue and awkwardly stopped his sentence.

“I’m sorry. I should have explained it clearly to you from the beginning. It’s my fault that you misunderstood me.”

“It’s alright. I misunderstood you too.”

“Then… why did you save me?”

Why are you so good to me?

Why did you hide my illness? Is it because you were afraid I’d be sad?

Why do you care about whether I live or die more than my own parents?

Shen Qiudu couldn’t find any other reason besides coveting something valuable on him.

Furthermore, a wealthy young master like him would, at most, be curious about a person like Shen Qiudu, just like picking up a small cat or dog on the street.

When he got tired of playing, he might just abandon him—ruthless yet overly emotional.

He didn’t want to fall into that trap, so he had to restrain himself.

Therefore, Shen Qiudu still didn’t believe the person in front of him, even though Wen Jiangchu had genuinely saved him.

Shen Qiudu’s breathing was shallow, almost inaudible. His hair, for the convenience of work, had been crudely cut short with cheap scissors until it barely covered his forehead. The ends were rough and unsightly. His supposedly attractive face was purely supported by his bone structure.

Thus, he was very skilled at hiding his emotions, like the invertebrates in the rainforest.

Shen Qiudu stared at Wen Jiangchu directly, with a few viscous, gloomy thoughts creeping into his eyes. Coupled with his naturally aggressive look—despite his striking bone structure, his low-set brows and eyes always gave people the feeling of being watched by a black python.

It was a pity that Wen Jiangchu noticed nothing amiss.

Or perhaps, he had never encountered anything like it, so he subconsciously categorized Shen Qiudu as his own kind.

Only his wrist was being gripped so tightly that it turned red.

Wen Jiangchu tried to subtly pull his arm away but couldn’t.

“Seeing someone collapsed on the ground, any person wouldn’t choose to sit idly by, right?”

Wen Jiangchu smiled, his tone gentle, but the reason was extremely vague and unconvincing.

“But haven’t you heard a saying?”

Shen Qiudu didn’t give Wen Jiangchu a chance to breathe, asking without pause.

“What saying?”

“Don’t pick up random men on the street. They are either criminals or liars.”

“And in the end, you might get yourself involved too.”

Wen Jiangchu laughed, clearly unconvinced, but still indulged Shen Qiudu, following his words.

“Then Shen Qiudu, what are you? A criminal or a liar?”

Of course, a liar.

Lie to you, and then escape.