What to Do if You Mess With an Omega? - Chapter 6

Xu Yuqing’s luggage was minimal—just a single rose-gold suitcase with a combination lock. Its sleek, flowing lines were as beautiful as the mecha she’d touched earlier, catching Ning Hanzhu’s eye for a few extra glances.

This suitcase was clearly not something an ordinary person could afford. At least on Alpha Star, she’d never seen anyone carry such a refined case. It resembled the mini handheld safes from her era.

To travel with just one suitcase, Ning Hanzhu suspected it used advanced folding space technology, like the shop counters that could extend to reveal stacks of goods or mecha buttons. The spatial tech here far surpassed her time.

Ning Hanzhu’s understanding of Xu Yuqing’s background deepened another layer.

Out of politeness, she didn’t pry. Seeing Xu Yuqing struggle with the suitcase, she offered to carry it. The moment it was in her hand, it felt light as a feather, as if it held only a stack of paper.

Xu Yuqing shook her wrist. “Thanks.”

Ning Hanzhu glanced at her hand, not imagining things—her strength had definitely increased. Was this a perk of differentiating into an Alpha?

She’d have to find time to test it.

Xu Yuqing noticed her effortlessly carrying the suitcase in one hand while holding Ning Qianqian in the other, looking completely at ease.

“You—”

“You—”

They spoke in unison, perfectly synchronized.

Ning Hanzhu gave a sheepish grin. “You go first.”

Xu Yuqing said, “I heard Alpha Star has a beautiful dense forest. From the highest point, you can see a sky full of rosy clouds and fairy butterflies dancing. I’d like to find a local guide. Any recommendations?”

As it happened, Ning Hanzhu did know someone.

“Why do you want to go to such a dangerous place?”

“Just to see it.”

Ning Hanzhu’s brows furrowed deeply. To reach that scenic spot, you had to pass through a perilous forest. Even seasoned Alphas who thrived in the wild avoided it. For a delicate Beta like Xu Yuqing, who’d even suggested it?

“Oh, what were you going to say?”

“Huh?”

Distracted, it took Ning Hanzhu a moment to recall. “Nothing much, just curious—how do you know the second young miss of the Luo family?”

Xu Yuqing’s long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, her expression playful. “I don’t, of course.”

Ning Hanzhu’s eyes widened in shock. “What? But you told Mr. Luo you’d talk to the second young miss about me.”

Xu Yuqing threw her a wink. “I was bluffing, obviously. If I hadn’t said that, would he have spilled everything? You didn’t actually believe me, did you? Silly. How could an ordinary Beta like me know an Omega like the second young miss?”

“…”

Silly? She was truly silly.

She’d not only believed it but was utterly convinced.

Ning Hanzhu instinctively clutched the mecha she’d just acquired with her suitcase-holding hand.

What if Luo Wu realized he’d been duped and demanded it back?

Xu Yuqing didn’t miss her little gesture and laughed helplessly. “Relax, you’re so scared. Even if I tricked him, he wouldn’t dare verify with the second young miss. So put your heart back in your chest.”

“That’s true.”

If Luo Wu checked, he’d be exposing his own misdeeds to the second young miss—basically confessing and ruining his career.

Realizing this, Ning Hanzhu admired Xu Yuqing even more. “You’re the smartest Beta I’ve ever met. You pinned down Luo Wu’s psychology so fast. Impressive.”

Ning Qianqian, the little flatterer, chimed in with praise.

But a gust of wind passed, and Xu Yuqing stepped back, her radiant smile nearly slipping.

Ning Hanzhu walked a few steps before noticing she hadn’t followed. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Yuqing saw her genuine confusion, as if she truly hadn’t noticed. “Take me to a nearby hospital.”

“!!!”

“Are you unwell?”

Xu Yuqing said, “A bit. Lead the way.”

Ning Hanzhu rarely visited hospitals, mainly because she was poor. Poor people couldn’t afford treatment—a single visit could wipe out their funds and leave them in debt. Over time, the original owner endured whatever ailments she could, and when she couldn’t…

“Hey, you registered for the wrong department.”

“You’re a Beta. Why’d you book the Alpha Pheromone Department? Go tell the nurse.”

Xu Yuqing waved the slip in her hand, a touch of exasperation toward this oblivious Alpha. “It’s not a mistake. You need to get yourself checked.”

“???”

“Wait, aren’t you the one who’s unwell?”

Xu Yuqing had never seen such a haphazard Alpha. Too lazy to explain, she took Ning Qianqian and the suitcase from her. “Go. We’ll talk when you’re done.”

And so, Ning Hanzhu followed the robot into the examination room.

The doctor glanced at her, then at her chart. “Pheromone disorder. Describe how it’s disordered.”

Ning Hanzhu was full of question marks.

She understood every word, but together, they made no sense.

“How old were you when you differentiated?”

“A couple of days ago.”

The doctor’s casual movements paused. She scanned Ning Hanzhu up and down. Ning Hanzhu hadn’t thought much of it, but the extra scrutiny made her uneasy. Did she have some bizarre illness?

Honestly, her pocket money hadn’t even warmed up yet.

“Do some tests first, then come back.”

…

Ning Hanzhu followed the robot through basic checks, still confused. When she returned to the examination room, the doctor’s brow was furrowed enough to crush a fly.

She set down her chart with a serious expression. “Do you ever smell anything unusual?”

Ning Hanzhu thought about it and shook her head.

“I saw a Beta lady with you. You seem close.”

“Not really.”

They’d only known each other two days.

“Her scent must be attractive to you.”

“Huh?”

“Beta pheromones are faint, but they’re there. When you’re close or emotional, her pheromones would definitely affect you, make you act unlike yourself.”

Ning Hanzhu finally understood. “No, it’s not like that. We’re just ordinary friends.”

The doctor wasn’t interested in her friend drama and cut her off. “Fine, I get it, just friends. When you’re near her, do you ever smell her pheromones?”

She gestured a tiny amount with her fingers. “Even just a little.”

Ning Hanzhu froze. “No.”

On reflection, something was off.

In an ABO world, pheromones identified Alphas, Betas, and Omegas. They could spark attraction, rapidly pushing strangers into heat, ready to go at any moment.

Especially in this world’s setting, Omegas were like walking aphrodisiacs, a hint of their pheromones driving Alphas wild.

Since waking in this body, Ning Hanzhu had ignored all the oddities around her, never considering her body might be the problem.

“Based on our results, I can confirm you have pheromone recognition disorder.”

It sounded like a euphemism for sexual dysfunction.

“So I can’t detect other people’s pheromones?”

The doctor chuckled. “That’s one way to put it. We don’t have enough data to know if it’s temporary or permanent, so I’d like you to come back every two weeks for pheromone collection…”

…

Ning Hanzhu left with the report, her mind buzzing with the doctor’s advice and instructions.

A soft little body crashed into her leg.

Ning Qianqian looked up, eyes red. “Is Sister sick?”

Xu Yuqing approached, noticing the inhibitor patch on Ning Hanzhu’s neck. The overpowering pheromone scent was finally contained. “What’s the diagnosis? What did the doctor say?”

“Qianqian heard sick people die. She’s worried about you.”

Ning Hanzhu’s heart softened. She gently ruffled Ning Qianqian’s fuzzy head, crouching to explain, “Sister’s not sick. The doctor said I’m very healthy.”

Ning Qianqian held back tears. “Really?”

“Of course.”

Not sensing pheromones didn’t affect daily life and was probably a blessing. She had no desire to be an Omega’s personal massage device.

Problem solved at the root.

Seeing her relaxed attitude, Xu Yuqing guessed it wasn’t serious.

Ning Hanzhu stuffed the report in her pocket, lifted Ning Qianqian, and spun her around twice, making her giggle. Even nearby patients couldn’t help but glance curiously.

Xu Yuqing covered her face. “Watch it, this is a hospital.”

Seeing people staring, Ning Hanzhu set Ning Qianqian down, and the three quickly left. On the street, Ning Hanzhu and Xu Yuqing both sighed in relief.

They locked eyes and burst into laughter.

Ning Qianqian, clueless about the joke, joined in with silly giggles.

“Today wasn’t a total loss. Come on, I’m treating you to a big meal.”

Ning Qianqian clapped excitedly at the mention of food. “Big meal, big meal! Ning Qianqian loves big meals!”

Xu Yuqing saw the big and little sister beaming over a meal, her mood complex. For once, she didn’t dampen the mood and followed them to the so-called big meal—a nondescript diner.

It served everything, like a hodgepodge.

But it was bustling with customers.

Ning Hanzhu led them to a corner table, setting down her sister and the suitcase. Ning Qianqian started climbing up and down, ducking under the table like a puppy, peeking out. “Sister, Sister.”

Ning Hanzhu played along, making faces, while inviting Xu Yuqing. “Order whatever you want. My treat today.”

Xu Yuqing, uninterested, lazily picked a few decent-looking desserts. Amid the surrounding chatter and the sisters’ laughter, she stared at a bird on a treetop outside, lost in thought.

The food arrived quickly. Within minutes of ordering, a robot delivered their dishes.

Ning Hanzhu busied herself setting up, noticing Xu Yuqing’s gaze drifting. She leaned closer, close enough to see the edge of an inhibitor patch on Xu Yuqing’s neck. In that moment, she inexplicably recalled the doctor’s suggestion.

[To treat this, we need to find the cause, which will take time and your cooperation. I also suggest finding someone close to help with desensitization therapy.]

Ning Hanzhu closed her eyes, focusing all her senses on smell, inhaling deeply.

Wait, there was a faint fragrance.

That wisp of scent, like an alluring sprite, drew her closer. As she honed in on it, Xu Yuqing’s voice cut through, calm but laced with suppressed anger—or was it her imagination?

“What are you doing?”

“I—”

Slap—