The Sickly Omega Is No Longer Pretending to Be Good/Obedient - Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Jingling the Bell – “The Feel of This One Is Good”

Shen Qiudu took Uncle Liang’s words to heart and went upstairs to look around.

After hearing Uncle Liang’s story, Shen Qiudu’s mind felt solidified, and he began to doubt the conclusions he had once drawn. The sour emotions slowed his steps.

The warmth from Wen Jiangchu’s scorching tears seemed to still linger on the back of Shen Qiudu’s hand. He trembled and silently clenched his fist.

Finally, Shen Qiudu stopped at the deepest part of the corridor, where there was only one room.

After pushing the door open, darkness enveloped his vision, and he could see nothing at first glance.

Shen Qiudu could only vaguely perceive the room by the dim yellow light from the hallway.

Judging by the furnishings, it seemed to be an abandoned study.

It was empty and silent all around. Shen Qiudu involuntarily stepped inside, closed the door, and turned on the light.

The moment the light came on, Shen Qiudu was stunned by the scene fully exposed inside.

The room was a complete mess.

Books, seemingly scrounged from somewhere, were scattered randomly on the floor. Loose white papers covered the entire desk, and dust on them was clearly visible.

Moving his gaze, he saw several large rolls of tissue paper piled on the left side of the desk.

But why would there be tissue paper in a study?

Shen Qiudu fumbled around, his eyes falling on a glass display case on one side. The case was filled with trophies and certificates, and upon closer inspection, only one name was on them: Wen Jiangchu.

If Shen Qiudu wasn’t mistaken, this should have been Wen Jiangchu’s study during his high school years. For some unknown reason, it had been neglected in the villa.

Shen Qiudu eventually made his way to the desk. Just a slight movement raised a cloud of gray dust, making him retreat a few steps and pat the air with a frown.

The top layer of the desk was covered with blank white papers, with no content, as if deliberately covering something up.

Shen Qiudu pushed aside the white papers. The first thing that caught his eye was Wen Jiangchu’s ABO differentiation identity information report from when he was 14 years old.

The youth in the photo had gentle features, his tender cheeks unable to hide his emotions. His white shirt clung to his skin, giving off a feeling like the scattered light reflected from a lake surface on a spring day.

Shen Qiudu could completely imagine that teenage Wen Jiangchu was probably the kind of gentle and considerate senior from a fairy tale, riding his bicycle in the spring, cheeks blushing as he placed breakfast, specially bought early, on the desk of the person he liked, or carefully tucking the stray hair of his secret crush behind their ear beneath a creaking fan in a humid and stuffy summer.

In short, he must have been beautiful and astonishing.

Name: Wen Jiangchu

ABO Differentiation Type: S-level Alpha

Pheromone: Dianthus

Dianthus?

Shen Qiudu frowned and stared at the word for a long time, yet he had no memory or understanding of it. This pheromone was a bit too niche.

After the differentiation report, there were a few more pages, usually introducing the individual’s pheromone characteristics and precautions.

In the current world, an Alpha’s pheromone can not only influence other Alphas or Omegas through scent but can also have a certain impact on their own emotional fluctuations and habits, especially plant-based pheromones.

For example, a peach blossom pheromone would trigger frequent ruts during the peach blossom season and come with a strong impulse to fall in love. Therefore, the success rate of permanent marking usually increases significantly during this period.

Shen Qiudu casually flipped to the next page, as he was quite curious about “Dianthus.”

“Dianthus is a perennial herb of the Caryophyllaceae family, widely distributed in China, Japan, and other places, often used in Chinese medicine and for ornamental purposes.”

“Its pheromone scent primarily comes from the Dianthus flower, a woody aroma with a hint of sweetness. The flower color is subtle, thus giving people with this type of pheromone a sense of steadiness on the surface.”

“However, the withering process of the Dianthus is often aestheticized as an emotional release. This suggests that people with this pheromone are highly susceptible to external interference in their private emotions, possess strong empathy, are sensitive and prone to tears. Whether through words or actions, if an internal conflict is touched, they will be affected, exhibiting a strong contrast.”

“Precautions: This pheromone type should automatically stay away from animals and requires regular psychological counseling to reduce the probability of depression.”

“If a powerful emotional fluctuation is experienced, they may suffer from ‘uncontrollable crying.’ Doctors recommend physical intervention if symptoms of unconscious crying become frequent, such as crying during normal walking, working, or chatting.”

“In this situation, the individual may, depending on their condition, seek out an Omega with a plant-based pheromone. If a permanent mark can be achieved with a plant-based Omega who has experienced similar circumstances and can empathize, the treatment effect can be significantly improved, but it is considerably damaging to the Omega.”

Shen Qiudu’s heart dropped, his throat dry and unable to utter a sound. Uncle Liang’s words just now felt like a massive fog, bit by bit burying the truth and only exposing the most vulnerable parts.

He was panicked, feeling that something was connecting everything.

So, the books here were all overturned by Wen Jiangchu when he had an episode, and those large rolls of tissue paper were constantly prepared to prevent Wen Jiangchu from unconsciously shedding tears.

The crying during their first meeting was because the two words “orphan” touched upon his current reality, forcing him to cry.

Shen Qiudu didn’t know how he returned to his room. He was completely distraught, his hand, with its protruding bones, struggled to grip the white wall, walking like a lost soul step by step.

Until he kicked over the trash can he had never noticed.

Fragments scattered across the floor, which must have been torn up and thrown away by Wen Jiangchu today.

He bent down to pick them up, and his pupils were suddenly stung by familiar black characters. Even though it was torn into pieces, Shen Qiudu was still extremely sensitive to the scattered words when pieced together.

Because it was his name.

Doubt emerged from the bottom of his heart, slowly accumulating and swelling into a cloud in his chest.

Shen Qiudu quickly gathered the paper fragments and brought them back to his room. Then he locked the door and began to carefully piece them together on the table.

When the last corner was successfully fitted, a profound panic made Shen Qiudu’s back feel cold, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

This was indeed Shen Qiudu’s ABO differentiation identity information report from when he was 14.

Name: Shen Qiudu

ABO Differentiation Type: B-level Omega

Pheromone: Trumpet Creeper

At first, it was a normal information background. Shen Qiudu also knew from Xu Zhouye that Wen Jiangchu had mastered everything about him.

But what truly terrified him were the two lines of red text in the blank space—

“Pheromones fundamentally compatible”

“Can serve as a treatment vector”

“Treatment vector”…

Shen Qiudu immediately recalled what he had just read in the study. In an instant, all the details and clues corresponded one by one, forming a deadly closed circle.

So, Wen Jiangchu fighting so hard to be good to him, making him lower his guard, saying those touching words, and even Uncle Liang cooperating by bringing up Wen Jiangchu’s past, trying to use a sympathy ploy to soften his heart—it was all just for his own selfish gain, no different from those who trafficked Omegas!

Saying he wouldn’t covet his body, wouldn’t sell him, and would take care of him forever—

These words weren’t exactly lies, but his goal wasn’t for Shen Qiudu’s sake, but for his own illness!

In the end, his body was already failing; how could he possibly lust after his body?!

Shen Qiudu’s fingertip pressed fiercely on the last sentence, leaving a clear indentation on the paper.

It seemed that his self-doubt just now, and even that hint of guilt, was nothing but a joke.

He was worried about the other person, afraid of misunderstanding him. But the other person had already been treating him as a container for physical recovery behind his back!

Shen Qiudu’s breathing grew heavy, his body uncontrollably shaking, and his consciousness again became blurred due to the emotional turmoil.

He furiously messed up the fragments and threw them back into the trash can. Finally, unable to hold on, he collapsed onto the bed. The cold quilt felt scorching to his broken heart.

Shen Qiudu struggled to control his emotions, preventing himself from falling into the protective mechanism again. He tried to think about how to escape from here, but his brain was covered by wave after wave of bitter distress, unable to breathe.

He completely relaxed his body, lying on his side on the bed, curling up and hugging himself, chin resting on his bent knees. Tears silently streamed down his face, soaking the bedsheet.

The sound of bitter laughter was particularly jarring in the silent room.

There was truly a moment when Shen Qiudu believed Wen Jiangchu, thinking he was different from those other people. He wouldn’t love him like his mother did, but at least… at least he wouldn’t hurt him.

Because Wen Jiangchu’s eyes were sincere and ardent, seemingly only able to hold him. But it turned out he wasn’t looking at Shen Qiudu, the complete person, at all.

Now, all the fabricated warm illusions shattered into bubbles. He had been trapped in a lie all along and had even tried to immerse himself in it.

Fate once again validated what Shen Qiudu had said: he was not a person favored by fate. Just when everything was about to get on track, a sudden tsunami always came to destroy everything he treasured.

Shen Qiudu certainly knew the reason why.

He didn’t deserve it.

He didn’t deserve any of this.

The moment his mother personally cut his gland, he was no longer a complete person.

Shen Qiudu stayed in the room alone very late, his eyes hollow and his body weak. Fortunately, due to his previous doubts about Wen Jiangchu’s motives, his emotions did not fluctuate enough to trigger the protective mechanism.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Wen Jiangchu’s slightly tired voice came through: “Qiudu, are you asleep?”

Wen Jiangchu must have just finished his public affairs and rushed straight to Shen Qiudu’s room upon arriving home.

He must be truly terrified of his “vector” escaping, right?

Hearing no sound inside, the doorknob turned but wouldn’t budge.

Shen Qiudu closed his eyes and chose to ignore it; he had locked the door anyway.

However, after a short while, he heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.

He jumped up in shock and turned his head, only to see Wen Jiangchu holding a key in one hand and a porcelain bowl containing boiled medicine in the other.

“Qiudu, did I wake you up? I’m so sorry.”

“But it’s the time the doctor instructed you to take your medicine; we can’t delay it.”

So, rushing home was just to feed Shen Qiudu his medicine?

Shen Qiudu sneered inwardly.

He was really afraid of his “vector” being in any life-threatening danger.

Wen Jiangchu sat down next to Shen Qiudu, holding the decoction, which smelled nauseating, in his hands. “Qiudu, your body hasn’t fully recovered. Let me feed you, alright?”

Shen Qiudu turned his face away, trying to use silence as a form of emotional abuse to make Wen Jiangchu back off, but Wen Jiangchu seemed to misunderstand.

Seeing Shen Qiudu’s gaze fall on the porcelain bowl he was holding, he laughed lightly. “Qiudu, don’t worry about me getting burned. Although this porcelain bowl is a collector’s item from the Ming Dynasty, I specifically ordered people to add an extra process to the inside later. It can appropriately insulate some heat and won’t burn me.”

“I wasn’t.”

Shen Qiudu didn’t understand how Wen Jiangchu had jumped to that conclusion, but he stubbornly responded with a stiff body.

He didn’t want to say another word to Wen Jiangchu right now!

“Okay, you weren’t, you weren’t. If Qiudu says no, then it’s no.”

Wen Jiangchu chuckled, seemingly mistaking his stubbornness for shyness.

“Then shall we drink the medicine?”

With that, Wen Jiangchu specifically scooped up a spoonful of the medicine, blew on it by his lips until it cooled, and then offered it.

“I said I don’t want it!”

“Wen Jiangchu, I don’t need your false kindness either! And I don’t want this broken bowl!”

Shen Qiudu forcefully pushed Wen Jiangchu away. The medicine, along with the precious bowl, smashed to pieces on the floor.

Suddenly, the room was silent, save for the bitter smell of the strong medicine spreading rampantly.

Due to the excessive force, Shen Qiudu’s body instantly lost strength and tilted downward, only to be promptly caught by Wen Jiangchu’s shoulders.

“Qiudu…”

Shen Qiudu quickly struggled out of Wen Jiangchu’s embrace, curling up like a snail and burrowing into the quilt, forming a ball. Only when he felt the weight on the bed lighten did he slowly reveal one ear.

From the sound, Wen Jiangchu seemed to have picked up the fragments, thrown them into the trash can, wiped away the spilled medicine, and then silently left the room.

Shen Qiudu slowly lay flat, staring at the dark ceiling.

After doing all that, he didn’t feel the satisfaction of having exacted revenge. His heart felt heavy, but he couldn’t understand the feeling.

Was it regret? Or was this small amount of damage far from enough for him?

This silent chaos clung to every inch of his skin.

He thought he might be scared, afraid of angering Wen Jiangchu, afraid he would tear off his facade, abandon him in the dusty study to fend for himself, and force him to become his “vector.”

Until the darkness was once again swallowed by light, and Wen Jiangchu reappeared, backlit.

Shen Qiudu hadn’t expected Wen Jiangchu to return.

Was he really here to take him away?

Wen Jiangchu still smiled gently at Shen Qiudu, holding that bowl of medicine again.

However, the porcelain bowl had been replaced.

“Qiudu, I’m sorry. That bowl was indeed ugly and broken. I was inconsiderate.”

“But look, I’ve replaced it with a better one this time. It’s from the Tang Dynasty, and the feel of it is much better!”

“…?”

So, after all the horrible things he had just said, did Wen Jiangchu only hear the two words “broken bowl”?