Chapter 51: The super inhibitor

Translator: Abo Dammen

☆

Case Three: Nucheng’s Past Events

Xu Pei silently hung up the phone, recalling one of the laws most heavily emphasized in Nucheng over the past few decades.

Marriage Charter, Article 2, Section 3: Alpha and Omega pairs matched by the Marriage Bureau shall complete the marriage and have the obligation to conceive offspring, except in cases where the matched relationship is dissolved according to regulations. If one party delays or refuses to complete the marriage without valid reason, they shall be sentenced to a minimum of three years imprisonment and have half their property confiscated.

When he learned about this law in history class as a child, his understanding came entirely from the textbook. After this law’s implementation, the birth rate of high-quality infants increased significantly, the proportion of alphas and omegas rose markedly, the number of betas decreased, laying the human resource foundation for Nucheng’s future economic boom. 

Later, after entering society, Xu Pei had seen many people oppose this law, believing it strips freedom in marriage and relationships. But as a biomedical professor, Xu Pei also agreed that this strict law benefited the overall evolution and development of humanity.

It’s just…

The whip doesn’t hurt until it hits your own back. Xu Pei had never imagined he would also have the thought of breaking the law.

“You said he prefers alphas,” He Yixun placed the large bouquet of roses on the dining table. The small rectangular table was instantly more than half occupied. 

A faint rose fragrance permeated through the living and dining area. The scent was pleasant but felt somewhat out of place in the small, academically-inclined home.

Looking at that champagne-colored card, a messy thought flashed through Xu Pei’s mind, finally converging into one sentence. “He’s not normal.”

It wasn’t that preferring alphas was abnormal, but the act of sending Xu Pei flowers was bizarre.

He Yixun didn’t say much more. He and Xu Pei exchanged a look, both understanding the same thought in the other’s eyes. 

“Let’s go to the institute first,” Xu Pei casually returned the card to the flowers, as if dealing with an unimportant flyer. “The DNA test results from our side are also out. That corpse is indeed Zhan Yuan.”

After a pause, Xu Pei corrected himself, “It is indeed one of the Zhan brothers.”

The congestion from the previous night continued into the morning. Roadblocks sealed the area affected by the helicopter explosion, impacting nearby main arteries. Opening the navigation app, the map was a bloody red; the complex roads resembled blocked blood vessels.

The bachelor apartment wasn’t far from the research institute to begin with. Rather than being stuck in traffic, the two opted to take the bus. 

Many others had also given up driving. The bus was packed with people. While approaching a stop, the electronic stop sign broadcast the news. “Latest update: The National Research Institute has re-tested the DNA of the charred corpse from the scene, confirming it is the S-Class experimental subject Zhan Yuan…”

The image switched to an interview with the rescue helicopter pilot. “I saw with my own eyes Zhan Yuan shoot and kill several other robbers and scatter all the stolen money. I don’t think money was his goal from the start.”

People discussed in low voices this city-shaking event. The bus moved smoothly along the bus lane.

After one stop, Xu Pei and He Yixun got off. The research institute was still under strict control, causing passersby to cast sideway glances. 

The temporary office the director had arranged for Xu Pei was empty, not even a computer set up yet.

Xiang Dong had taken the subway from school, unaffected by the traffic jam, and was currently cleaning. The moment Xu Pei entered the office, he noticed the flashy sneakers and asked, “New buy?”

“Limited edition,” Xiang Dong said triumphantly.

Xu Pei: “Looks like delaying graduation doesn’t affect your mood.” 

Not long after, Mo Xin also arrived. Xu Pei greeted her as usual, but his attention was drawn to the unfamiliar fiery red lips. He raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on with you two today?”

One buying limited edition sneakers, the other, wearing makeup for the first time.

“New project, new atmosphere.” Mo Xin pushed up the serious silver-framed glasses on her nose bridge. Even heavy makeup couldn’t hide that academic aura. “Starting everything from scratch, so I put on makeup to cheer myself up.”

“Exactly! A new project needs a sense of ritual,” Xiang Dong exclaimed. “Professor, you said we’re changing research directions. Changing to what?” 

Xu Pei handed the printed materials to the two of them and asked, “Notice anything?”

It was the blood test report for He Yixun that Dr. Jin had sent Xu Pei. Although the conclusion was “Abnormal,” all the indicators were worth studying.

Mo Xin frowned after just flipping through two pages, looking carefully at the charts and asking, “This person’s blood has no A/O antigens?”

“No way,” Xiang Dong also noticed this and muttered, “Is this an alien?” 

“He’s standing right in front of you,” Xu Pei replied.

Xiang Dong widened his eyes and looked at He Yixun as if just noticing his presence. But he suddenly remembered something and said to Xu Pei, “Oh right, Professor, I have a classmate interning at the hospital. He heard you married your research subject. Isn’t your fiance Speaker Zhan?”

At this point, he looked vigilantly at He Yixun. “I remember you said he was your exclusive volunteer and wouldn’t let us touch him. Could it be that you…”

“Could it be what?” Xu Pei asked with a smile. 

“Ahem, nothing,” Xiang Dong promptly changed the subject. “Are we going to study him?”

“He and Zhan Yuan are two extremes,” Xu Pei knew Mo Xin and Xiang Dong didn’t need him to explain, so he turned to He Yixun and said, “Zhan Yuan’s blood had very high A-antigen levels, related to his gland evolution, and was one of the bases for his S-Class rating.

“The quantity of antigens directly determines pheromone concentration. Simply put, more antigens in the blood indicate a higher pheromone level for that person.”

He Yixun nodded. “I don’t have any.” 

Now it was Mo Xin and Xiang Dong’s turn to show puzzled expressions, as having no antigens in the blood was unimaginable.

Xu Pei didn’t explain and continued, “I told you before that an omega’s heat cycle can be managed with blockers. The principle of inhibitors is to neutralize the antigens that surge during heat. They were initially extracted from betas and can now be chemically synthesized. But your blood is purer than any beta’s.”

Mo Xin was the first to react, her surprise not hidden by her glasses. “Could it be that you want to…”

Xiang Dong also understood Xu Pei’s meaning and drew a sharp breath. “Then his blood would be…” 

“Correct.” Xu Pei placed his hands on the table and said in a serious tone. “He is the super inhibitor.”

The two looked at He Yixun at the same time, their shocked eyes filled with awe—not for He Yixun, but for the Earth-shaking future they saw.

He Yixun showed little reaction, consciously acting as the research subject without offering any opinion.

“You’re too bold,” Mo Xin said, frowning. “Do you know something like this would threaten the status of alphas?” 

“Yeah, Professor,” Xiang Dong, being an alpha, scratched his cheek awkwardly. “This new project of yours… the institute simply won’t approve it, right?”

“I’ve never liked that omegas go into heat twice a year, each time holding up to six or seven days. Why don’t alphas experience this?” Xu Pei asked. “I just hope Omegas can have autonomy over their heat cycles. Now that we have the super inhibitor, I believe achieving it won’t be difficult.”

A certain someone’s focus was different. “Six or seven days?”

The other three directly ignored the research subject’s comment. Firstly, they were accustomed to viewing experimental subjects as “items,” and secondly, a certain someone had no say here anyway. 

“No, Professor, that’s not really fair to say,” Xiang Dong looked like he had more to say but hesitated. “Why, you say? It’s determined by genes. Why don’t you mention that when alphas help omegas through their heat, it also takes six or seven days?”

A certain someone persevered, “Six or seven days?”

“Then if omegas don’t go into heat, wouldn’t that save time for everyone?” Xu Pei asked.

“That way of thinking is too radical, Professor,” Xiang Dong was slowly getting angry—a normal reaction when rights are threatened. But mindful of Xu Pei’s status, he suppressed his temper and said, “Omega heat cycles comply with the laws of biological reproduction. You’re a biomedical professor yourself, do you want to go against natural laws?” 

Xu Pei felt it unnecessary to argue with an alpha intern and didn’t want to say more. However, upon hearing the word “laws,” He Yixun, as if his DNA stirred, asked, “Your previous research direction was modifying glands. Does that comply with natural laws?”

“Of course it does,” said Xiang Dong. “Everything we do is for human evolution.”

“The difference between humans and animals is that humans explore the meaning of life, while animals only reproduce,” He Yixun said. “What you truly need to evolve is not reproductive ability, but intelligence.”

He Yixun spoke as if from a more advanced, higher civilization. Combined with his inexplicable physical phenomena, it seemed even more plausible. His words struck Xiang Dong dumbfounded, as if he was hit by an attack from a higher dimension. 

Coming back to his senses, Xiang Dong was so angry his face turned red and his neck thick, hostile pheromones leaking out. “You’re only saying that because you can’t reproduce, aren’t you!”

“Alright, Xiang Dong,” Xu Pei stopped him. “If you won’t participate, that’s fine. I’ll introduce you to another professor.”

He had thought Xiang Dong respected omegas and would have more open-minded ideas, but it turned out he still wouldn’t betray his own interest group.

Xiang Dong stuffed his things into his backpack in one go and left with a dark expression, his speed suggesting this place was some cult gathering, and staying a second longer would mark him as an alien. 

The large office felt even emptier and quieter. Xu Pei looked at Mo Xin and asked, “What about you, Professor Mo?”

“As an omega, I understand your ideas,” Mo Xin paused, then changed her tone. “But I cannot participate in this project.”

Xu Pei was somewhat surprised. “Aren’t you also annoyed by how heat cycles affect work?”

Mo Xin, like Xu Pei, was an older, single omega. When they chatted, Mo Xin often expressed dislike for heat cycles. Xu Pei thought she would be very interested in this project. 

“Yes, but I’m not in research for ideals.” Mo Xin said indifferently. “I have to remind you, the institute won’t provide funding for this project. If you really want to research some super inhibitor, you’d better change jobs to a pharmaceutical company.”

Mo Xin also left. Only Xu Pei and He Yixun remained in the office. Looking at it now, this office seemed like it didn’t even need to exist, especially since it was devoid of anything to begin with.

Xu Pei let out a sigh, slumped listlessly into the office chair, and lamented, “Sure enough, researching how to cure impotence is more profitable.”

He Yixun leaned against the desk and asked, “Could Zhan Yuan’s blood cure impotence?” 

“Theoretically, it could, it just hasn’t been verified yet,” Xu Pei answered. “We had many hypotheses regarding the S-Class alpha, like being able to mark alphas, impregnating omegas without marking, and so on. But we never got the chance to verify them.”

“If you need my blood for verification, I can provide it to you,” He Yixun said.

Looking at He Yixun’s arm in a sling across his chest, Xu Pei said amusingly, “You focus on recovering properly first.”

“Drawing a small tube of blood isn’t a problem,” He Yixun insisted. 

Actually, this matter wasn’t urgent, but He Yixun urged Xu Pei to proceed. Xu Pei knew what he was thinking: because he would be leaving soon, he wanted to leave behind as many useful things for Xu Pei as possible.

Xu Pei’s smile disappeared, having mixed feelings about this. He then gave an “Mm,” and said to He Yixun, “Come with me.”

Regardless of the institute’s attitude, Xu Pei still had to submit the project proposal to try his luck.

He separated He Yixun’s serum, testing it while composing the report. But since all the work had to be done by him alone, by the time it was almost time to get off work. He had only just written the framework of his report, with countless details still waiting to be filled in. 

He Yixun had been accompanying him the whole time, making coffee for him, recording data for him. His work comfort had significantly improved, but the work progress was still as slow as a snail.

“Maybe you should head back first,” Xu Pei said. “You must be bored staying here.”

“Okay,” He Yixun stood up from the chair.

Seeing He Yixun agree so readily, Xu Pei muttered internally, ‘You could have said you were bored earlier.’ But then he heard He Yixun add, “I’ll go back and cook, then bring it over for you later.” 

Xu Pei pressed his lips together, suppressing the smile at the corners of his mouth. Just then, his phone suddenly rang. The caller ID was quite a mood-killer—it was Zhan Gao.

The smile instantly vanished without a trace. He Yixun, who had stopped nearby, instantly transformed from a domestic husband back into a police officer and said to Xu Pei, “Answer it.”

Putting it on speakerphone, Zhan Gao’s voice echoed in the empty office. “Pei Pei, I’m at the institute entrance. You can come out now.”

When Xu Pei hung up in the morning, he and Zhan Gao had agreed to meet and talk further, but he hadn’t specified it would be today. He didn’t expect Zhan Gao to act so quickly. 

Xu Pei said “Okay,” hung up, and told He Yixun, “You don’t need to make me dinner.”

“I’ll follow behind you,” said He Yixun.

“There shouldn’t be any trouble,” Xu Pei stood up, took off the lab coat used for entering and leaving the lab, and changed back into his own jacket. “He definitely won’t take me straight home. Even if he tries, I’ll refuse. As long as we’re in a public place, he can’t do anything to me, unless he doesn’t want to be Speaker anymore.”

“Don’t let your guard down,” He Yixun warned. “If it’s the situation we suspect, it’s hard to say what this person might do.” 

That’s true.

Although unsure what had happened behind the scenes, the various suspicious details made both Xu Pei and He Yixun agree that Zhan Gao’s identity was questionable. Xu Pei agreed to the meal partly to discuss the engagement, but more to sound him out.

“I’ll keep in contact with you in real-time,” Xu Pei straightened his collar, preparing to leave.

“Wait,” He Yixun grabbed Xu Pei’s hand and placed the sample vial containing his serum1 into Xu Pei’s palm. “Be careful.”