SCOM - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
"Heard the Ji family called the doctor over again today. Ji Yuezhi must be close to finishing his differentiation. His differentiation period was really short." Jiang Hong sat opposite Zuo Luohuan, sharing the news. But after chattering for a while, the person opposite him didn't react at all.
From the first class in the morning until the last class in the afternoon ended, she had been in this dazed state. Jiang Hong held back, then held back some more, finally unable to resist: "If he differentiates into an Alpha, you'll be the first person he targets. Then I bet the students at this First Military Academy will soon listen only to him, Ji Yuezhi."
Zuo Luohuan, who had been absent-minded almost all day, finally snapped back to reality, looked up at Jiang Hong, and said cryptically, "Why must he differentiate into an Alpha?"
Jiang Hong laughed upon hearing this, his tone carrying a hint of finding Zuo Luohuan baffling. "If Ji Yuezhi isn't an Alpha, could he possibly differentiate into an Omega? Are you perhaps afraid you won't be able to beat him after he differentiates?" So you're cursing him to differentiate into an Omega.
Zuo Luohuan lowered her eyes, leaning back lazily against the chair, but couldn't help recalling the scent of iris mixed with her own pheromones in the room last night. After the stabilizer was administered, the Alpha pheromones should have been circulated out. He should be fine.
Opposite her, Jiang Hong stared at Zuo Luohuan, his eyes darting around. He had always been close to her and could usually grasp six or seven tenths of her unspoken thoughts. He suddenly remembered something, his expression froze, and he leaned closer, lowering his voice, "Zuo Luohuan, you said you were delivering a gift last night. Did you do something to Ji Yuezhi?"
Zuo Luohuan thought about the pheromones unintentionally released from her blood, feeling a rare trace of guilt.
Jiang Hong, who had been watching Zuo Luohuan closely, couldn't miss it. His eyes widened, his tone tinged with anger, "Damn, are you crazy? Ji Yuezhi is still in his differentiation period. You messed with someone during their differentiation?"
It wasn't surprising he was angry. Normal people had principles; treating those in differentiation kindly was an unwritten rule in the Federation. As for Zuo Luohuan, while she had some principles a few years ago, her actions had become increasingly unprincipled in the past year or two. It wasn't strange for Jiang Hong to suspect this.
"...No." Zuo Luohuan's face darkened. "I wouldn't stoop to messing with someone during their differentiation period."
Only after she said this did Jiang Hong relax slightly, still suspicious, then changed the subject. "Seen the news? That latest experimental light gun from the third floor of the Armament Database was stolen."
Both knew perfectly well who had secretly gone to the Armament Database last night. Jiang Hong was just informing Zuo Luohuan about the aftermath.
"Haven't seen it yet." Zuo Luohuan hadn't slept all night after returning from the Ji residence, her thoughts chaotic. How could she have seen the news? But since Jiang Hong mentioned it, she opened her optical computer right in front of him and found the news article.
[Last night, a petty thief took advantage of lax security during the guard shift change at the Armament Database building, broke in, and stole the latest model SL-9 light gun. According to our investigation, this is highly likely related to a recent bounty posted on the black market: a complete, latest model SL-9 light gun is worth 5 million star coins. Security has now been strengthened, and we will continue to track the gun thief!]
The person speaking in the news was the captain of the Armament Database building's guard team, standing solemnly before the media cameras.
Jiang Hong propped his face up, watching the news while commenting, "Not a bad move. All the major powers want to get their hands on the SL-9 light gun to dismantle and study it. The gun thief could be anyone." And no one knew the thief's true objective.
The guard captain in the news continued sternly: [...If the latest model light gun falls into the hands of the Gashiluo Empire, it will cause immense losses to our Federation. Therefore, we implore the public, if you notice anyone suspicious around you, please contact the Purifier Corps.]
Zuo Luohuan tilted her head slightly, looking at the optical screen. She wasn't looking at the guard captain; her gaze fell instead on a person behind him. The person wore the same yellow-green striped military uniform, standing ramrod straight under the sun like a gleaming, sharp blade.
"He Yue of the 673rd Army. Just returned to the Capital last night," Jiang Hong said, following Zuo Luohuan's gaze.
He Yue... truly lived up to her reputation.
Under the table, Zuo Luohuan raised her hand and pressed the graze on her side, thoughtfully saying, "He Yue was among the newly changed guards at the Armament Database building last night."
"She was there?" Jiang Hong hissed, looking Zuo Luohuan up and down. Escaping from He Yue's grasp and still having the mind to deliver a gift to Ji Yuezhi.
"The SL-9 light gun is indeed a good item." Zuo Luohuan closed the news. "He Yue's return this time probably means she'll join the Purifier Corps."
Jiang Hong paused. "I didn't receive any news."
"Soon." Zuo Luohuan said nonchalantly. "From the moment He Yue joined the army, she already had this intention."
The Purifier Corps was different from other Federation army groups. It was a completely independent force responsible for cleaning up all traitors and spies within the Federation, sometimes even directly targeting important figures in various armies. However, with the Federation stable for so many years and the Gashiluo Empire repeatedly suppressed, the Purifier Corps' influence was far less than before, having weakened significantly. Most now handled security for places like the Armament Database building, which didn't belong to any single army group – a very leisurely job.
"No wonder she only stayed in the 673rd Army and was never transferred up to the Seventeenth Army." Jiang Hong realized. The conditions for joining the Purifier Corps were strict. Apart from those selected right after graduation, direct descendants of other army groups basically couldn't get in, even with brilliant resumes. Although the 673rd Army belonged to the Seventeenth Army, it was leagues away from being a direct lineage.
...
Ji Residence.
Ji Xixiu hadn't expected his son's differentiation period to enter the final stage so quickly. However, after the night of the coming-of-age ceremony, his pheromones entered the outbreak period. As an Alpha, it wasn't appropriate for him to enter, so he could only let the doctor observe.
Nowadays, Betas made up the majority of doctors because, whether for surgery or other procedures, Betas were least affected by patient pheromones.
Even so, when the doctor entered, he still paused for a second. The pheromones inside were so rich, like iris steeped in wine.
"Was a stabilizer administered yesterday?" The doctor looked at the two syringes on the nightstand, collected them, removed the empty water glass, and placed his medical kit there. "Good job. Now, take off the patch. I need to check the differentiation status of your gland."
Ji Yuezhi had a low fever, the corners of his narrow eyes unusually red, his cheeks flushed hot. Leaning against the headboard, his vision wasn't very clear, but he still raised his hand and removed the patch from his nape.
The moment it came off, the iris scent in the room instantly became even richer and sweeter.
The doctor took out an instrument and touched Ji Yuezhi's nape, somewhat surprised. "Your gland differentiation is excellent." Too excellent. It had only been a few days?
"Doctor, is there a problem?" Ji Yuezhi asked. His usually clear and indifferent voice was somewhat hoarse, like a dusty flute, yet possessing an added charm.
"No major problems." The doctor muttered, "Maybe it's because young people nowadays have such good physical constitutions, differentiating completely in just a few days."
This doctor had also handled another person whose differentiation period ended in just a few days.
"The doctor means Zuo Luohuan," Ji Yuezhi said slowly, opening his eyes and looking up.
"Exactly her." Recalling the incident back then, the doctor couldn't help shaking his head. "I'd never seen an Alpha who didn't even notice their own differentiation period, toughing it out until the late stage and fainting."
Alpha differentiation is more painful than Omega differentiation. The nape gland gradually shrinks, causing pain from the beginning, intensifying in the later stages. The stronger the rank, the deeper the pain.
"When she was brought into the hospital that day, I thought she wouldn't make it, or at least wake up with brain damage from the fever." The doctor clicked his tongue in amazement for a moment. "But she pulled through. Impressive."
Ji Yuezhi didn't interrupt the doctor, even listening intently with lowered eyes, seemingly unwilling to miss a single word the doctor said about her.
After the doctor finished checking Ji Yuezhi and administered an injection, he said, "I estimate in another day or two, your differentiation period will be completely over. From now on... from now on, you'll be an Omega."
"Mm."
Hearing Ji Yuezhi's soft affirmation, the doctor assumed he was upset about differentiating into an Omega and comforted him, "Even though you differentiated into an Omega, your rank is extremely high. Probably few in the entire Federation can match your pheromone level."
Speaking of which, the doctor remembered something. "Major General He Yue has returned to the Capital. I estimate, as usual, she'll be invited to the First Military Academy as an instructor. You can ask her for advice then."
The doctor knew this because he had signed He Yue's physical examination form yesterday.
A glint flashed in Ji Yuezhi's eyes. He Yue was finally preparing to join the Purifier Corps.
"These are all things Omegas need. Take a close look; you'll use them in the future." The doctor separated half of the items from a pile. "Keep inhibitors and pheromone patches with you at all times."
Inhibitors were used to suppress Omega heat cycles. With the Federation's development, Omega heat cycles no longer solely relied on Alphas. Inhibitors allowed for a normal life without harming the body. As for pheromone patches, they were similar to Alpha patches. Generally, high-ability Omegas could also control their pheromone leakage, but there were always special circumstances, making patches essential to carry.
The doctor gave Ji Yuezhi another nutrient injection before packing his things and leaving the room. "Rest well."
From entering to leaving, the doctor's eyes were only on his instruments and Ji Yuezhi, never glancing elsewhere in the room, thus noticing nothing unusual.
Because of the medication, Ji Yuezhi felt much clearer. He leaned against the headboard, dazed, his fringe falling over his brow, long dark lashes trembling. Last night... was it a dream?
However, just thinking about the feeling of his pheromones intertwining and mixing with that person's made Ji Yuezhi tremble from the core. The heat that had subsided began to rise again, his nape gland aching and throbbing.
Ji Yuezhi slowly lifted his narrow eyes, scanning the entire room, finally stopping at the table by the window:
—There lay one of his guns, and a strange yet familiar gift box.
It wasn't a dream. She had been here.
The corners of Ji Yuezhi's eyes burned red. He pursed his lips, forcing himself to get up, slowly walked to the table, picked up the gun and the gift box, and returned to the bed.
He didn't look at the gun, just placed it back at the bottom of the nightstand. Merely doing this left Ji Yuezhi drenched in sweat.
The gift box was beautiful; just holding it revealed its precious, expensive material. Ji Yuezhi caressed the box, feeling as if his own fingertips were burning. He pursed his lips, guessing what was inside.
Actually, he probably already knew.
From the moment he picked up the gift box, Ji Yuezhi recognized it was the exclusive packaging from that store. They habitually engraved a small pattern in the bottom right corner.
Ji Yuezhi carefully opened the gift box, his gaze falling on the gift inside. Even though he was mentally prepared, at this moment, his entire body felt like it was burning.
—Intricate, hollowed-out black lace entwined around circular, fine black metal strips. Looking closer, one could see patterns engraved with gold thread on the fine black circular strips.
An exquisite yet sturdy neck lock. Because of the outermost layer of hollowed-out black lace, it appeared exceptionally erotic. If worn on an Omega's slender, pale neck... it would only incite an Alpha's desire to conquer.
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