Chapter 56: Be my alpha

Translator: Abo Dammen

☆

Case Three: Nucheng’s Past Events

The sun had just risen, but its light was already blocked by the curtains. The small castle had become hot and humid again, the T-shirt soaked through, indistinguishable whether it was sweat or something else.

Desire gnawed at reason, thought receded to primal instinct. The only thing that remained clear and unshaken was the knight’s name.

“He Yixun, what are you doing? Hurry up!” 

By now, Xu Pei was completely delirious, unconsciously repeating, “He Yixun, will you be my alpha… be my alpha…”

He Yixun, on the other hand, had remained clear-headed throughout, especially after reaching his peak. He was completely calm. He knew the request Xu Pei was making was difficult to fulfill.

Firstly, he could not accept transformation to become another “species.” Secondly, even if ‘alpha’ was taken as an abstract concept meaning ‘husband,’ the issue of their different worlds still stood between them.

He didn’t like making promises rashly before things were sorted out. 

So he couldn’t agree.

He Yixun used his fingertips to brush aside Xu Pei’s damp hair and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Okay.”

—-

It was unclear when the heat period actually ended. In the following days, apart from eating, the two spent most of their time fooling around in bed. 

The curtains were never opened again. Electrolyte drinks were delivered by the case. Even the extra-large capacity disposable bedding couldn’t withstand the continuous flood of days, and the small castle had to be reorganized twice.

The wound on his arm, due to prolonged intense movement, tore open and healed repeatedly. It was only when Xu Pei’s reproductive chamber gradually dried up that the wound finally stopped bleeding.

Another morning with no glimpse of daylight. Xu Pei, drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted, collapsed onto He Yixun. Wanting to check the time, he realized his phone had long since died.

The physiological nesting behavior had vanished. He went to the living room to find the charger. Just as he plugged it in, he heard a rumble outside the window. Dark clouds gathered, suggesting rain was coming. 

Walking to the window, Xu Pei looked out at the gloomy sky and muttered, “Is it already Saturday?”

He Yixun followed him out of the bedroom, found his own phone lying barely alive on the coffee table, and opened the weather app. “Yes. There will be a thunderstorm later.”

A startup chime sounded. Xu Pei’s phone had come back to life.

Message notification tones chimed one after another. He picked up his phone and looked, seeing his inbox filled with unread messages: thunderstorm warnings, public service announcements, and one message from Zhan Gao. 

[Saturday, 10 AM, come to the City Government press conference hall. The wedding date is set for three months from now, as you wished. These three months are for you to change your mind.]

…Ten o’clock?

His gaze moved to the top right corner of the screen. It was already 9:10.

Did he have to face reality so soon? 

While still slightly dazed, the ringtone suddenly blared. The name “Zhan Gao” popped up on the screen.

The shrill ringtone was like a demonic sound piercing the ears, impossible to ignore. Xu Pei’s first instinct was to hang up, but after a moment’s hesitation, he took a deep breath and pressed the answer button. “Hello.”

“Finally turned your phone on?” Zhan Gao’s voice was light, sounding in a good mood. “Thought you were planning to run away.”

“I won’t run away,” Xu Pei said calmly. “Ten o’clock, right?” 

“Yes. I’ll be waiting for you at the City Government.”

Because Xu Pei resisted marriage, Zhan Gao hadn’t insisted, appearing quite gentlemanly. In reality, announcing the wedding news in advance was a form of psychological torture for Xu Pei, telling him his resistance was futile, that he was still Zhan Gao’s possession in the end, because their relationship was bound by law.

Hanging up the phone, Xu Pei returned to the bedroom to change into outdoor clothes and said to He Yixun, “I’m going to the City Government.”

“Wait.” He Yixun blocked the bedroom doorway. “You’re going to see Zhan Gao.” 

It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

“I have to resolve this.”

“Why?” He Yixun frowned slightly. “We can leave soon.”

“Are you saying we wouldn’t come back if we go?” Xu Pei had never considered that. Even amidst the passion with He Yixun in bed, he hadn’t thought of abandoning his life here. “This mess needs to be dealt with.” 

“How do you plan to resolve it?”

“I’ll question his identity at the press conference and demand public oversight for him to take a blood test.”

“And then when the test shows he is Zhan Gao, what do you plan to do then?” He Yixun disputed.

Xu Pei had never considered that possibility, because all signs indicated that the current Zhan Gao was abnormal, most likely Zhan Yuan impersonating him. 

But He Yixun’s concern wasn’t unfounded.

“If it is Zhan Gao,” Xu Pei reassured, “I can still leave with you afterwards. It wouldn’t be too late.”

“No.” He Yixun flatly refused. “We don’t know when the next thunderstorm will come. Variables could occur in the meantime. You come with me now.”

“What if that person really is Zhan Yuan?” Xu Pei didn’t want to leave like this. “If I just expose him, I can dissolve the engagement. I don’t have to give up my original life. You and I can travel between both worlds, and time won’t even pass. Isn’t that good? 

“Besides, if he really is Zhan Yuan, an S-grade alpha I created, how could I possibly let him run amok and commit crimes?

“He blew up the research institute, robbed the central bank, and now he’s become the Council Speaker of Nucheng. I have an obligation to expose his true face.”

“But have you considered, if that person is Zhan Yuan, publicly exposing his identity is a very dangerous thing,” He Yixun retorted. “This place isn’t like Binshi. I can’t protect you here. Can’t you just leave directly with me?”

“I don’t want to leave under a cloud of uncertainty.” Xu Pei looked at He Yixun with mixed feelings. “If it were you, would you abandon your own life?” 

“If I were you, I would leave.”

“Don’t play word games with me. I’m asking, would you, for my sake, abandon all your achievements and start over from scratch in another world?”

He Yixun moved his lips. He wanted to say that his situation was different from Xu Pei’s—Xu Pei was legally bound here, forced to marry someone inexplicable, whereas he wasn’t bound over there, and he could protect both of them perfectly well.

But the words reached his lips, only to be swallowed back. 

Because He Yixun knew that wasn’t what Xu Pei was asking. Even if he answered that, Xu Pei would continue asking: setting aside external factors, was he willing to live in another world for Xu Pei?

Was he willing?

The brief silence had already provided the answer.

For an unrealistic moment, Xu Pei had thought that if only He Yixun answered ‘yes’, given He Yixun’s nature, he wouldn’t lie, nor would he use a temporary expedient to coax Xu Pei into leaving first, then Xu Pei might also reconsider and be the one to take the leap of faith. 

But hearing the silent answer, Xu Pei thought somewhat self-mockingly, ‘Of course. I’ve been so clear about not wanting to give up my life here, so how can I expect He Yixun to be willing?’

Really, when he asked this question, he just wanted He Yixun to see things from his perspective, to understand why he’s unwilling, not to provoke a declaration from him. Thinking that would happen is laughable.

“Let’s just leave it at that.” Xu Pei took off the blocker from his left pinky finger, removed the small stone inside, and placed it in He Yixun’s hand. “You can leave if you want. The decision is yours.”

Having said that, Xu Pei walked around He Yixun and headed for the entrance. 

“Are you sure you want to go?” He Yixun looked at Xu Pei’s back, his heart filled with an unprecedented complexity of emotions. “If you go, you won’t see me when you return.”

Xu Pei paused mid-step and said, “That small stone is easy to lose. There’s an unused box in the right nightstand. You can use it to store it.”

“Xu Pei!”

“Goodbye.” 

Traces of their intimacy still lingered in the bedroom, yet the entire house felt empty and devoid of warmth.

Outside the window, a steady drizzle began to fall. Nucheng was covered in a gray filter, the sunlight of the past few days had vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

So, was he willing?

He Yixun sat on the sofa, lost in thought for a long time. 

Subconsciously, he probably was willing, but logic couldn’t quite justify it.

Why should he give up his original life for someone he hadn’t known for long?

Yes, Xu Pei was special, not just any random person. But no matter who it was, wasn’t doing something like this for another person rather foolish?

He Yixun simply couldn’t convince himself to do such a foolish thing. 

Perhaps when Xu Pei first asked him to be his alpha, they should have talked this through clearly. Whether it was traveling between worlds or choosing one to settle in, at least making an agreement beforehand would have prevented this conflict.

But what was done was done. He also couldn’t let Xu Pei face the danger alone, because he had promised Xu Pei, he was Xu Pei’s “alpha,” he had a responsibility.

So.

Is this what being in a relationship is like? 

It seems so troublesome.

Regardless, the small stone in his hand was only the size of a diamond, and it could easily slip through his fingers if he wasn’t careful.

He Yixun went to the bedroom, intending to find a box to put it in first. But he wasn’t sure if the ‘right side’ Xu Pei mentioned meant the right side when facing the door, or the right side when facing the bed.

Thinking it must be in the nightstand anyway, he walked directly to the nightstand closer to the door and pulled open the drawer. 

What met his eyes was a pile of miscellaneous items. He didn’t see any unused box, but he did see—

A compass with a small bee sticker on its back.

Reason crumbled in that instant.

—

On the other side.

When Xu Pei drove to the City Government, the parking lot was already packed with media vehicles.

He pulled his collar up to cover his mouth and used an umbrella to shield the upper half of his face. Following the crowd, he arrived at the press conference hall officially used for announcements. 

There were still half an hour until 10 AM. The vast hall was packed, with no empty seats. Reporters had set up their cameras early. The familiar blue background often seen on TV had been replaced with a festive red, as if heralding the announcement of good news.

Having mentally rehearsed his speech once more, Xu Pei was just about to pull out his phone to tell Zhan Gao he had arrived, when Zhan Gao suddenly appeared from behind him, wrapped an arm around his waist, and said with a smile, “I thought you’d arrive at the last minute.”

Xu Pei resisted somewhat, taking a step to the side, but Zhan Gao didn’t seem to mind at all. He kept his arm around Xu Pei and walked him forward, leading him to a rest room.

“There’s still over twenty minutes. Sit for a while first.” Zhan Gao pressed down on Xu Pei’s shoulders, making him sit on a chair, and asked, “Where’s that persistent fellow who sticks to you like a ghost?” 

“He’s not involved today,” Xu Pei remarked.

“Indeed,” Zhan Gao smiled. “If I’d known you’d be so cooperative, how nice it would have been if we’d just gone ahead and registered our marriage today? Don’t you think so, Little Bee?”

Hearing this address, Xu Pei’s expression changed. “What did you call me?”

“Little Bee,” Zhan Gao said affectionately, pinching Xu Pei’s cheek. “Your pheromones are honey-scented. I’ve called you that since the day I first smelled them, haven’t I?” 

Oh no…

“I have a few documents to look over. I’ll come get you at ten.” Zhan Gao turned to leave after speaking, but after only a few steps, he turned back to admonish Xu Pei, “Since you’re here, don’t go back on your word. If I don’t see you at ten… I’ll be very angry.”

Xu Pei replied expressionlessly, “I know.” Once Zhan Gao left, he immediately pulled out his phone to call He Yixun.

However, the expected ringtone didn’t sound. Instead… the other party’s phone was switched off. 

Why would it be off?

A sudden clap of thunder split the sky outside the window, jolting Xu Pei out of his stunned state.

He put down his phone in disbelief. Had He Yixun really left? Just like that? So decisively?

But he promised to be my alpha. 

If he’s already gone, then what am I still struggling for here?

Xu Pei’s heart felt heavy. He didn’t notice someone pushing open the restroom door and walking in. He tried calling He Yixun again, but the receiver only delivered that same merciless message.

Suddenly, he heard faint footsteps behind him. He instinctively turned to look and asked, somewhat surprised, “Why are you here?”

The newcomer was wearing a hooded sweatshirt. The large hood covered most of his face, his expression completely hidden in the shadows. 

Seeing Xu Pei turn around, the figure paused mid-step, then slowly walked towards Xu Pei. “I heard you’re getting married.”

Xu Pei felt increasingly that something was wrong. “So?”

“I came to congratulate you.” The figure walked up to Xu Pei, suddenly pulled his hand from his pocket, and stabbed something into the back of Xu Pei’s neck.

Xu Pei couldn’t dodge in time. He only felt a sharp pain spread from his gland. Before his consciousness faded, he saw the syringe the figure retracted back into his pocket. It was a high-concentration dose of alpha pheromones. 

It is very dangerous for an omega’s gland to be injected with Alpha pheromones when they are not in heat.

And that dosage in the syringe….

Was lethal.