SCOM - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
“I heard the Ji family called a doctor over again today. Ji Yuezhi’s differentiation must be succeeding. His differentiation period is way too short.” Jiang Hong sat across from Zuo Luohuan, sharing the news. But after chattering for a long time, the person opposite him showed no reaction.
From the first class in the morning until the last class in the afternoon, she had worn this expression of being a million miles away. Jiang Hong endured it and endured it, but finally couldn't hold back. “If he differentiates into an Alpha, you'll be the first one he goes up against. When that time comes, I bet the students of this First Military Academy will soon listen only to him, Ji Yuezhi.”
Zuo Luohuan, who had been absent-minded for nearly a day, finally deigned to return to her senses. She looked up at Jiang Hong and said with an ambiguous tone, “Why is it certain he'll differentiate into an Alpha?”
Jiang Hong laughed at her words, his tone carrying a hint of bewilderment at Zuo Luohuan. “If Ji Yuezhi isn't an Alpha, could he possibly differentiate into an Omega? You're not afraid you won't be able to beat him after he differentiates, are you?” So you're cursing him to differentiate into an Omega.
Zuo Luohuan lowered her eyes and leaned back lazily in her chair, but she couldn't help but recall the iris scent from last night's room, mixed with her own pheromones. After the stabilizer injection, the Alpha pheromones should have been circulated out. He should be fine.
Across from her, Jiang Hong stared at Zuo Luohuan, his eyes darting around. He had always been close to her and could usually grasp sixty to seventy percent of her unspoken thoughts. He suddenly remembered something, his expression freezing as he leaned in and lowered his voice. “Zuo Luohuan, you said you were delivering a gift last night. Did you do something to Ji Yuezhi?”
Zuo Luohuan thought of the pheromones unintentionally released from her blood, and a rare trace of guilt flickered through her.
Jiang Hong, who had been watching her intently, couldn't miss it. His eyes widened, his tone tinged with anger. “Fuck, are you crazy? Ji Yuezhi is still in his differentiation period. You messed with someone in their differentiation period?”
His anger was not without reason. Normal people had principles. Treating those in their differentiation period with kindness was an unwritten rule in the Federation. As for Zuo Luohuan, she had some principles a few years ago, but in the last year or two, her actions had become increasingly unprincipled. It was no wonder Jiang Hong would suspect as much.
“...I didn't.” Zuo Luohuan’s face darkened. “I wouldn't stoop to messing with someone in their differentiation period.”
Only after she said this did Jiang Hong let out a breath of relief, though still skeptical. He then changed the subject. “Have you seen the news? The newest experimental light gun on the third floor of the Military Armaments Database was stolen.”
Who had secretly gone to the Military Armaments Database last night was something both of them knew perfectly well. Jiang Hong was just informing Zuo Luohuan of the aftermath.
“Haven't seen it yet.” After returning from the Ji residence last night, Zuo Luohuan hadn't slept a wink, her mind a chaotic mess. How could she have seen the news? But now that Jiang Hong mentioned it, she opened her optical computer in front of him and found the news article.
【Last night, a petty thief took advantage of a lax guard change at the Military Armaments 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 valued at 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 Military Armaments Database's guard team. He stood before the media cameras with a solemn expression.
Jiang Hong propped up his face, watching the news as he spoke. “This is a good move. All the major powers want to get their hands on an SL-9 light gun to dismantle and study it. The thief could be anyone.” And no one knew the thief's true objective.
The guard captain in the news was still sternly reprimanding: 【...If the latest model light gun falls into the hands of the Gashiro Empire, it will cause immense losses to our Federation. Therefore, we implore the public, if you notice anything unusual about anyone around you, please contact the Scavenger Army.】
Zuo Luohuan tilted her head up slightly to look at the light screen. She wasn't looking at the guard captain; her gaze fell on a person behind him. The person was wearing the same yellow-and-green striped military uniform, standing ramrod straight in the sunlight like a gleaming, sharp blade.
“He Yue of the 673rd Army. She just returned to the capital last night,” Jiang Hong said, following Zuo Luohuan’s gaze.
He Yue... Her reputation was indeed well-deserved.
Under the table, Zuo Luohuan raised a hand to press the scrape on her side, lost in thought. “He Yue was among the new guards at the Military Armaments Database last night.”
“She was there?” Jiang Hong hissed, looking Zuo Luohuan up and down. To think she had escaped from He Yue and still had the mind to go give Ji Yuezhi a gift.
“The SL-9 light gun is indeed a good thing,” Zuo Luohuan said as she closed the news. “With He Yue’s return this time, she’ll probably join the Scavenger Army.”
Jiang Hong was stunned. “I haven't received any news about that.”
“It’ll be soon,” Zuo Luohuan said nonchalantly. “From the moment He Yue joined the military, she already had this intention.”
The Scavenger Army was different from the Federation's other army groups. It was a force completely independent of the various armies, responsible for cleaning out all traitors and spies within the Federation. Sometimes, they could even take direct action against important figures in various armies. However, with the Federation stable for so many years and the Gashiro Empire repeatedly suppressed, the Scavenger Army's power was far from what it used to be. It had declined, and most of its members were responsible for places like the Military Armaments Database building, which didn't belong to any single army group. It was a very leisurely post.
“No wonder she only ever stayed in the 673rd Army and never transferred up to the Seventeenth Army.” Jiang Hong realized. The conditions for joining the Scavenger Army were harsh. Apart from those selected right after graduation, those from the direct lines of other army groups were basically unable to get in, even with a brilliant record. Although the 673rd Army was subordinate to the Seventeenth Army, it was a world away from the direct line.
The Ji Residence.
Ji Xixiu hadn't expected his son's differentiation period to enter its final stage so quickly. But after just one night following the coming-of-age ceremony, his pheromones had entered an explosive phase. As an Alpha, it was inappropriate for him to go in, so he could only have a doctor go in to observe.
These days, most doctors were Betas, because whether it was surgery or other procedures, Betas were least affected by a patient's pheromones.
Even so, when the doctor entered, he was stunned for a second. The pheromones inside were so rich they smelled like iris flowers steeped in wine.
“You already administered the stabilizer yesterday?” The doctor looked at the two syringes on the bedside table, collected them, moved the empty water glass, and placed his medical kit there. “Well done. First, take off the scent patch. I'll check the differentiation status of your gland.”
Ji Yuezhi had a low fever. The corners of his narrow eyes were unusually red, and his cheeks were scorching hot. Leaning against the headboard, his vision wasn't very clear, but he still raised a hand to remove the scent patch from the back of his neck.
The moment it was removed, the iris scent in the room instantly became richer and sweeter.
The doctor took out an instrument and leaned over to touch the back of Ji Yuezhi's neck, a little surprised. “Your gland is differentiating very well.” Too well, in fact. How many days had it been?
“Doctor, is there a problem?” Ji Yuezhi asked. His usually clear and indifferent voice was a little hoarse, like a dusty flute, yet it held an added charm.
“No major problem,” the doctor muttered. “It might be that you young people nowadays have such good physical constitutions that you differentiate in just a few days.”
This doctor had also handled another person whose differentiation period ended in just a few days.
“The doctor is talking about Zuo Luohuan,” Ji Yuezhi said slowly, opening his eyes and looking up.
“Who else but her.” The doctor recalled the incident and couldn't help but shake his head. “It was the first time I'd ever seen an Alpha who didn't even notice her own differentiation period, stubbornly enduring it until the later stages when she passed out.”
An Alpha's differentiation was more painful than an Omega's. The gland on the back of the neck would gradually atrophy, causing pain from the very beginning. The pain intensified in the later stages, and the stronger the grade, the deeper the pain.
“When she was carried into the hospital that day, I thought she wouldn't make it. At the very least, even if she woke up, the fever would have fried her brain,” the doctor marveled for a moment. “But she pulled through. She’s truly remarkable.”
Ji Yuezhi didn't interrupt the doctor. He even lowered his eyes and listened intently, as if unwilling to miss a single word the doctor said about her.
The doctor bustled about, finishing Ji Yuezhi's examination and giving him an injection. “I estimate that in another day or two, your differentiation period will be completely over, and from now on... from now on you'll be an Omega.”
“En.”
Hearing Ji Yuezhi's soft reply, the doctor thought he was brooding over differentiating into an Omega and offered some comfort. “Even if you've differentiated into an Omega, your grade is extremely high. I doubt there are many in the entire Federation whose pheromone grade can compare to yours.”
As he spoke, the doctor remembered something. “Major General He Yue has returned to the capital. I expect that, as is customary, she'll be called to the First Military Academy to be an instructor. You can ask her for advice then.”
The doctor knew this because he had signed He Yue's physical examination form just yesterday.
A glint flashed in Ji Yuezhi's eyes. He Yue was finally preparing to join the Scavenger Army.
“These are all things an Omega needs. Take a close look; you'll be able to use them in the future.” The doctor set aside half of the items from a pile. “Keep the inhibitors and scent patches with you at all times.”
Inhibitors were used to suppress an Omega's heat. With the Federation's development, Omegas in heat no longer had to rely solely on Alphas; they could live normally with inhibitors, and it didn't harm their bodies. As for the scent patches, they were similar to an Alpha's. Generally, a powerful Omega could also control their pheromone leakage, but there were always special circumstances, so carrying a scent patch was still necessary.
The doctor gave Ji Yuezhi another nutrient injection before packing his things and leaving the room. “Get some good rest.”
From entering to leaving, the doctor's eyes were only on his instruments and Ji Yuezhi. He didn't look anywhere else in the room, and thus didn't notice anything unusual.
After the medication, Ji Yuezhi felt much clearer. He leaned against the headboard in a daze, strands of hair falling over his brow. His long, dark eyelashes trembled. Last night... was it a dream?
However, just thinking about the feeling of his pheromones intertwining and mixing with that person's sent a tremor that started from his very bones. The heat that had been suppressed began to rise again, and the gland on the back of his neck throbbed painfully.
Ji Yuezhi slowly lifted his narrow eyes and scanned the entire room, his gaze finally stopping on the table by the window:
—There lay one of his guns, and a strange yet familiar gift box.
It wasn't a dream. She was here.
The corners of Ji Yuezhi's eyes burned red. He pressed his lips together and forced himself to get up, slowly walking to the table. He picked up the gun and the gift box and returned to the bed.
He didn't look at the gun, merely placing it in the bottom of the bedside table. Just doing this had left Ji Yuezhi drenched in sweat.
The gift box was beautiful. Holding it, he could tell the material was precious and expensive. Ji Yuezhi caressed the box, feeling the illusion that his own fingertips were burning. He pursed his lips, guessing what was inside.
In truth, he had a good idea of what it was.
From the moment he picked up the gift box, Ji Yuezhi had recognized it as a special box from that particular store. They had a habit of engraving a small pattern in the bottom right corner.
Ji Yuezhi carefully opened the gift box. His gaze fell on the gift inside, and even though he was mentally prepared, his entire body felt as if it were on fire.
—Intricate, openwork black lace was entwined around a round, thin strip of black metal. Looking closer, one could see that the thin, black, round strip was engraved with gold thread patterns.
It was an exquisite yet sturdy neck lock. Because of the outermost circle of openwork black lace, it looked exceptionally erotic. If worn on an Omega's long, fair neck... it would only incite an Alpha's desire to conquer.
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