SCOM - Chapter 75

Chapter 75

After an Alpha temporarily marks an Omega and releases a large amount of pheromones, a long period of calm follows.

Zuo Luohuan pulled him in, originally intending to take him back to his room, but Ji Yuezhi leaned directly on her shoulder, the weariness between his brows obvious. He wasn't in his heat period; the recent marking had been exceptionally draining for him. The words on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.

Zuo Luohuan gently covered Ji Yuezhi's eyes, letting him rest.

The Omega was truly exhausted and fell asleep just like that, leaning on the Alpha's shoulder.

Zuo Luohuan listened as Ji Yuezhi's breathing gradually slowed and deepened. Only then did she move her hand away and look down at him. The Omega's face was refined and handsome, his long lashes like raven feathers. Because of what had just happened, his lips held a certain allure. Even in sleep, he exuded a hint of sensuality, unknowingly captivating.

She held him and sat for a while. Once she had completely calmed down, she gently placed Ji Yuezhi on the bed, covered him with the blanket, and stood by the bedside watching for a long moment before turning to leave.

---

The next morning, when Ji Yuezhi woke up, there was no one in the room. He sat on the bed in a daze for a moment before getting up and walking out of the bedroom, but he still didn't see any sign of Zuo Luohuan.

On the table was an Omega scent patch. It was self-evident who it was for.

Ji Yuezhi was silent for a moment, then applied it to the gland on the back of his neck and opened the door to leave.

“Ji…” Luo Shaoyuan happened to be opening her door as well, preparing to go to the restaurant for breakfast. She subconsciously greeted Ji Yuezhi, then suddenly realized he was coming from the wrong direction. “Why are you coming out of Zuo Luohuan's room?”

Yesterday, she had clearly seen the two of them enter their respective rooms as usual. How could Ji Yuezhi be coming out of Zuo Luohuan's room, and in his pajamas, no less? They didn't need to act anymore, did they?

“We switched rooms last night.” Before Ji Yuezhi could speak, Zuo Luohuan came around the corner of the hallway, carrying a takeout breakfast.

“Oh, I see… What are we doing today?” Luo Shaoyuan didn't think much of it and asked reflexively.

“Nothing much. The missing Lu Hui from the 377th Army has been found.” Zuo Luohuan walked up to Ji Yuezhi and turned to tell Luo Shaoyuan.

“Then I'll go get something to eat first.” Luo Shaoyuan nodded at the two of them and turned to walk towards the elevator.

As the elevator descended, Luo Shaoyuan suddenly remembered what Zuo Luohuan was carrying. The hotel could deliver breakfast, so why did she specifically get takeout?

But it was a minor detail, and Luo Shaoyuan didn't dwell on it. After all, the elevator had reached the restaurant floor, and it was time for her to eat.

“Are you hungry?” Zuo Luohuan lifted the bag in her hand. “I got some breakfast. Shall we eat together?”

Ji Yuezhi pressed his lips together and looked at her without moving. He neither agreed nor disagreed.

He stood at the doorway, having likely just come out, and the door wasn't fully closed.

Zuo Luohuan took a step forward, reached a hand past his body to push the door open, and then took Ji Yuezhi's hand, leading him inside.

The takeout was all things Ji Yuezhi liked to eat. She remembered all his preferences, though it was his father who had told her.

The two sat down and ate in silence.

Zuo Luohuan hadn't rested at the hotel last night. She had gone straight out with the Winter Army to search for the missing Lu Hui and his squad.

Lu Hui had been on Xijiang Exile Star for twenty years and knew the place like the back of his hand, which was why no one had been able to find a trace of him for so many days.

“Where is his son?” Zuo Luohuan asked the person beside her.

“He was working at a company in the West District last year. He went missing a few days ago.”

Zuo Luohuan frowned. Given the timing of the disappearance, Lu Hui's son was probably no longer in the Federation.

The Federation punished traitors and also monitored their families. Since Lu Hui had truly betrayed the Federation, he had likely already arranged for his son's escape route in case he was discovered.

“I know a place.” Yan Yan's father had grown haggard these past few days. When he walked over, his expression wasn't good. His gaze was weary. “A place we used to go often when we first came to Xijiang Exile Star. It's very remote, but there's a beautiful lake there, like the one back in our hometown.”

Yan Yan's father and Lu Hui had grown up together and joined the army together. Even now, he couldn't understand why Lu Hui would do these things.

Late at night, Zuo Luohuan took a team and followed Yan Yan's father towards the lake.

When they arrived, Lu Hui was indeed there. He was sitting by the lake, gazing at the pitch-black water in the darkness, clearly waiting for them.

“You told them after all.” Lu Hui turned his head to look at Yan Yan's father.

“Whether he told us or not, finding you was only a matter of time,” Zuo Luohuan said coldly. Even at a time like this, he was still trying to leave a shadow of guilt in Yan Yan's father's heart.

Lu Hui stared at Zuo Luohuan for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Favored children of heaven like you enjoy all the resources in the capital and receive the best education, yet my son, an A-class Alpha, couldn't even get into a military academy because he was stuck in this godforsaken place.”

As expected…

Hearing his words, Zuo Luohuan wasn't the least bit surprised. Lu Hui's wife had died in an accident ten years ago, and his personality had likely shifted since then. His son's failure to get into a military academy was the trigger.

“Both of you were on Xijiang Exile Star, both differentiated into Alphas early. Has Captain Lu never wondered why Yan Yan could get into the First Military Academy, while your son couldn't get into any military academy at all?” Zuo Luohuan said. “Getting into a military academy has always depended on academic and physical scores. If you don't study for the academic part yourself, no one can save you.”

Zuo Luohuan had looked up Lu Hui's son's scores from back then. Those results had nothing to do with educational resources; he simply didn't want to go to a military academy.

Not everyone wanted to go to a military academy. Once enrolled, upon successful graduation, they would join an army group, and their life and death would be uncertain from then on.

Lu Hui's face gradually darkened. “I just can't accept it! Why should the Yan family get to have a better and better life? My wife is dead, my son can't get into a military academy, so why should I still serve the Federation, stuck in this shithole for twenty years? If I hadn't been transferred here, my wife wouldn't have died!”

When she first met Lu Hui, the captain had been warm and generous, treating his juniors with kindness. Who could have known his heart had long since become twisted?

“Brother Lu…” Yan Yan's father had also never seen through to Lu Hui's inner thoughts. He opened his mouth several times but didn't know what to say.

Lu Hui had saved Sun Long, yet he had also tried to kill her, only failing in his attempt.

Their friendship of over forty years couldn't withstand a single word of jealousy.

“Every time I see you all, I feel extremely uncomfortable,” Lu Hui said, staring at Yan Yan's father. “On what grounds!”

His appearance, on the verge of madness from jealousy, made everyone present subconsciously lower their guard. The next second, Lu Hui spun the light gun in his hand and aimed it at his own head.

Before anyone could react, Zuo Luohuan fired a shot that hit Lu Hui's hand. His gun went off course, the shot grazing past his face.

“So many people lost their lives because of your betrayal. This debt hasn't been settled, and you want an easy suicide?” Zuo Luohuan signaled for her people to move forward and restrain Lu Hui. “It's not that simple.”

Lu Hui was pinned to the dry grass, struggling frantically. “Hahaha, who asked you to come? The moment you heard about Silver-Blue, you all came faster than anyone. Why didn't I see anyone come to help for twenty whole years?”

Zuo Luohuan glanced at Lu Hui and gave a hand signal. Someone immediately knocked him unconscious.

“…I never thought Brother Lu would think this way.” Yan Yan's father turned his face away, unable to look at the unconscious Lu Hui, and sighed inwardly. “The 377th Army was actually on the verge of being eliminated by the Winter Army back then. We only agreed to come to Xijiang Exile Star to preserve the Winter Army's name.”

Competition within the Winter Army had always been fierce because the Northern District was a primary target for the Gashiro. If you weren't strong enough, you would only be sacrificing yourself in vain on the border.

“I've heard.”

“Brother Lu had an upright character. I never thought he would get so fixated on this.” Ten years ago, when Lu Hui's wife died unexpectedly, Yan Yan's family stayed by his side. Half a year later, Lu Hui returned to normal, and everyone thought he was fine. “We all know why no army groups came from the Northern District.”

The war on the Northern District's border had never stopped; it was merely a matter of scale. How could they possibly spare any military forces?

“We will take Lu Hui with us.” Zuo Luohuan looked at Yan Yan's father. “I recall the 377th Army has already completed the handover of its duties. You can return with us.”

Yan Yan's father nodded, looking somewhat wistful.

---

“You…”

“I…”

The two people eating across from each other spoke at the same time, then stopped upon hearing the other's voice.

“What is it?” Zuo Luohuan asked first.

Ji Yuezhi put down his chopsticks. “You didn't rest last night?”

Zuo Luohuan was taken aback, not expecting him to ask that. She nodded. “I wasn't very tired last night.”

She changed the subject. “We're returning to the capital tomorrow.”

They had been on Xijiang Exile Star dealing with the third-generation robot dogs, but things in the capital were not peaceful.

After the news that Ji Xixiu and the Seventeenth Army were coming to Xijiang Exile Star was released, there had been some movement in the capital. However, the people behind it quickly sensed something was amiss and didn't make any more rash moves. But Ji Xixiu was waiting for them to reveal a clue, and in a chain reaction, he once again rooted out the spies embedded in the Federation.

“Mm.” Ji Yuezhi stood up. “I'll head back first.”

As he walked past the dining table, Zuo Luohuan suddenly reached out and grabbed Ji Yuezhi.

Ji Yuezhi turned his head to look at her. They met each other's gaze, and neither spoke first.

Finally, Zuo Luohuan stood up, but she didn't let go of his hand. The smile that was always on her face had long since vanished, making her look a bit cold, but her eyes were serious.

“During your heat, I considered you not clear-headed. Last night, you said that because I helped you, you were helping me in return.” Zuo Luohuan released Ji Yuezhi's wrist but didn't move away. Instead, she slid her hand down and intertwined her fingers with his.

Their ten fingers intertwined. One palm was slightly cool, the other's knuckles were warm. The moment their hands clasped, both of their hearts stirred.

Ji Yuezhi lowered his eyes. All the sounds around him disappeared, leaving only the words of the person opposite him. He had a faint inkling of what she was about to say, yet he was afraid it wasn't what he thought, and his fingertips tensed.

“Today, you're not in your heat, and you don't owe me anything.” Zuo Luohuan gently soothed his tense fingers and continued, “So now, I want to ask you something.”

Ji Yuezhi couldn't help but look up at her, his voice a little tight. “What?” He was clearly nervous.

Zuo Luohuan wasn't much more relaxed herself, but seeing his expression, a hint of a smile finally appeared in her eyes. “I think I like you. Do you like me?”

A faint blush spread from Ji Yuezhi's long, fair neck all the way to the tips of his ears. He turned his head, avoiding Zuo Luohuan's gaze. He could almost hear his own heartbeat.

“…You still haven't told me that secret,” Ji Yuezhi said after a moment.

“Mm, you answer my question first,” Zuo Luohuan said gently. “Then I'll tell you.”

Ji Yuezhi met Zuo Luohuan's gaze. All his messy plans were thrown to the back of his mind, leaving only the words of the person in front of him and the look in her eyes.

“I do.” Ji Yuezhi said softly, then repeated, “I like you.”

No one knew how nervous Zuo Luohuan was at that moment. She was used to being carefree and playful. Even when captured and interrogated, her heart had never wavered much; she would only calmly think about how to escape and assess the situation. Even extreme pain had never caused much of a ripple in her, being nothing more than a bit of hurt, followed by exhaustion.

Never like now, where she felt like someone awaiting sentencing and beheading, her heart in her throat, just waiting for the final blade to fall.

So when she heard Ji Yuezhi's words, Zuo Luohuan was even spacing out, thinking about what she would do next if he denied it. As long as he showed even a sliver of willingness, she wouldn't let go.

“I like you, Zuo Luohuan,” Ji Yuezhi said once more.

Zuo Luohuan finally snapped back to reality, her eyes and brows relaxed and smiling. She pulled him into her arms, and they embraced, their heartbeats transmitting to one another.

After a moment, she leaned close to his ear and said: “My secret is… I've liked you for a very, very long time.”

---

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