Chapter 38: Who’s he meeting in the middle of the night?

After more than a year apart, Xu Lin had so much he wanted to say, but his throat was blocked, as if by a lump of air. It made his eyes sting.

Ji Jixuan rubbed the reddened corners of his eyes, his fingertip catching a trace of dampness.

He lowered his head. “I’m sorry for making you wait so long.”

Xu Lin didn’t want to hear that. He grabbed Ji Jixuan’s clothes. “Where did you go? Why didn’t you send me a single message? Do you know you’ve been gone for over a year? Do you know how much I…”

“I know,” Ji Jixuan interrupted. “I know everything. It won’t happen again. I promise.”

Xu Lin’s mouth felt bitter. He pushed Ji Jixuan away. “You said that before. You said you’d never leave again, but you were still gone so long. Liar.”

Ji Jixuan didn’t get upset. He just pulled Xu Lin back into his arms, resting his chin on his head, stroking his back. “There won’t be a next time. I promise.”

It took a while to calm Xu Lin down. Still unsatisfied, he grabbed a tie and bound Ji Jixuan’s hand to his own. Only then did he relax.

“We’ll settle this tomorrow,” Xu Lin said, burrowing into the blankets and glaring at him.

“Okay.”

Ji Jixuan stroked his brows and eyes. When his finger reached Xu Lin’s mouth, Xu Lin bit down hard on his index finger. When he let go, a teeth mark was left on Ji Jixuan’s finger.

Ji Jixuan didn’t even flinch. He offered his other hand. “You can bite this one too.”

“Hmph.” Xu Lin huffed and buried his face in the blanket, ignoring him. Ji Jixuan leaned down and kissed his cheek through the blanket.

An hour earlier.

He had returned to the main city from the military science academy. The investigation he had asked Zong Xi to conduct earlier was complete, so he went to him first.

Zong Xi handed him a list: names, addresses, all clearly documented.

“Is this all?”

Zong Xi crossed his arms. “When have I ever let you down? Forty-two people, their locations in District Thirteen, daily routes, contacts—all there. No mistakes.”

Zong Xi glanced at him. Ji Jixuan’s expression was focused.

“I’ve already posted people there,” Zong Xi said. “Should we move?”

“No.” Ji Jixuan said. “I want to destroy him completely.”

“Completely cut off his options, no loose ends,” his nail traced down the long list of names, “then take out these cockroaches in one sweep.”

Zong Xi smiled. “You really hold a grudge. What’s your plan?”

After Ji Jixuan gave his suppressant to Zhuang Xun, his unit sent a recommendation that got him into the Linghai Military District’s medical research institute. The current KW-02 had limited use; the military had countless top performers, and many S-rank Alphas struggled with sudden ruts during missions. They had no effective solution and urgently needed a breakthrough. Ji Jixuan’s sample could be the answer.

He was invited to join the development of a new drug specifically for S-rank Alphas.

That was his goal. His only chance.

Before he left, knowing he’d be gone a while, he’d asked Zong Xi to investigate the people in District Thirteen and had men stationed at the mountain’s foot to prevent Ji Wang from making a move while he was away.

He hadn’t expected to be gone so long.

The institute he entered was the Linghai region’s top medical research facility—isolated, housing experienced researchers in new drug development. Alongside them, Ji Jixuan spent his days in the lab, experimenting, testing, refining.

The project was classified. Everyone involved signed strict NDAs. Communications were limited to monitored devices, and they could only contact the outside world at set times under supervision.

That was why he often missed Xu Lin’s messages.

But the progress was good. Building on his original formula, they spent over a year developing a new suppressant. After passing the final tests, it was mass-produced for the military, replacing KW-02 as the standard suppressant for all Alphas.

Ji Jixuan’s reputation soared. He became a prized asset at the institute.

Many people in the Linghai Military District remembered Ji Hongyun and knew of his connection to Ji Wang.

“Just like his family. Keep it up. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll surpass Engineer Ji.” Someone once said to him.

Ji Jixuan had smiled and replied, “I will.”

Of course he would. He would make sure Ji Wang never recovered.

That day was coming soon.

Zong Xi said, “While you were gone, your grandfather spread the news that you’re getting engaged to that Omega from the Chen family. He’s trying to force your hand.”

“I’ve spoken with her.”

“Who?”

“Chen Yu.”

“That Omega? Wait, you know? You’re really going through with the engagement?”

Ji Jixuan said, “Yes.”

“Are you crazy? What if Xu Lin finds out…” Zong Xi paused, then guessed, “You’ve made some kind of agreement with her, haven’t you?”

Not long after Ji Wang threatened him using Xu Lin’s teacher, their families had dinner together—both sides with their own agendas. Ji Jixuan didn’t touch the food, just sipped his wine.

When he went to the terrace to smoke, Chen Yu joined him. She slid the door shut, cutting off the noise from the dining room.

She was a beautiful Omega, in a black dress, her curly hair falling at her sides. She stood beside Ji Jixuan, lit a cigarette, and placed it to her lips. In the small space of the terrace, two red embers flickered in the night.

“I have someone I love,” she said suddenly, halfway through her cigarette. “Just so you know, I’m not marrying you. This dinner is just to appease my parents. We’ll pretend for a few days, then you tell your grandfather we’re not compatible. We’ll call it off.”

Ji Jixuan finally looked at her. “You think it’s that easy?”

She frowned. “Aren’t you supposed to be capable? You’re more convincing than me.”

Ji Jixuan flicked his ash. “An arranged marriage. Think about it.”

She’d probably already argued with her parents and failed, which was why she’d come to the dinner with a sour face, still unwilling to give up and asking him for help.

She could tell Ji Jixuan wasn’t interested either—he looked even more annoyed than she did. He’d been forced into this too.

She sighed in frustration.

“I don’t care about compatibility. If it’s not the person I want, even 100% isn’t enough.”

Ji Jixuan paused at that. Yes.

He stubbed out his cigarette. “I have a plan.”

“What is it?” Her eyes lit up.

“But to make it work, we’ll have to have an engagement party first.”

“…” She looked wary. “Really? You’re not lying?”

“I don’t have the energy to lie.”

She gritted her teeth. “Fine, as long as we don’t actually get married!”

She asked, “What’s the plan?”

He told her. Their conversation was lost to the wind.

Back in the present, Ji Jixuan relayed it all to Zong Xi.

Zong Xi was silent for a long time. “That’s pretty ruthless.”

“Kills two birds with one stone.”

“But if you do that, the Ji family’s reputation will be destroyed.”

Ji Jixuan snorted. “Who cares?”

He said, “Ji Wang will find out I’m back soon. He’s been waiting over a year, and he’s probably impatient. He’ll have me spend time with the Chen family soon. The engagement date will be set quickly. Watch District Thirteen for me.”

“Got it.” Zong Xi said, “I’ll wait for your signal.”

He asked, “What about Xu Lin when it’s all over? What will you tell him?”

Ji Jixuan was silent. “I’ll explain everything.”

“Aren’t you afraid he’ll hate you?”

He didn’t answer.

Xu Lin couldn’t sleep. He just lay there with his eyes closed. How could he sleep when Ji Jixuan had finally come home after so long? But he didn’t want to talk to him yet. He decided to be angry for a while.

After hiding under the blanket for some time, he heard Ji Jixuan call him.

“Xu Lin.”

He opened his eyes and moved, only his upper face visible above the blanket, his mouth still hidden. “What?”

Ji Jixuan was very close, his voice soft. “If one day I do something that makes you angry, will you forgive me?”

Xu Lin grumbled, “Haven’t you already done plenty to make me angry?”

Ji Jixuan was speechless.

A second later, Xu Lin added indignantly, “I’ve forgiven you more than once.”

He pulled the blanket over his head. “Jerk.”

Ji Jixuan kept his promise and didn’t go out again.

Xu Lin stayed mad at him for a few days, wanting him to feel what it was like to have no one to talk to. But he forgot Ji Jixuan was naturally quiet—it wasn’t a punishment for him. Ignoring him didn’t drive Ji Jixuan crazy; it was driving Xu Lin crazy.

He held out for a week. During that time, he didn’t let Ji Jixuan eat his cooking. Every mealtime, Ji Jixuan would watch him devour everything, not even leaving a single chili pepper behind. All he could have was nutrient solution.

It wasn’t that great. A week was punishment enough, right?

Xu Lin’s heart was still soft—soft enough to last only a week.

One evening, he set a place for Ji Jixuan at the table. He was about to walk away when Ji Jixuan grabbed him, pulled him onto his lap, and held him tight.

“Let me go!”

Ji Jixuan didn’t. “Not angry anymore?”

“Of course I am!” Xu Lin started off indignant, but then his eyes suddenly reddened. Ji Jixuan’s expression turned serious.

He was angry at Ji Jixuan, and at himself. “Do you think because I’m easygoing, you can just keep pushing me around?”

Ji Jixuan said seriously, “I don’t.”

“Being angry at you is because I miss you. I don’t like it when you disappear for so long without a word.” Xu Lin’s eyes were red. “I forgive you because even when I’m angry, I still love you.”

Ji Jixuan’s pupils widened slightly.

His voice was hoarse. “Don’t keep being this good to me.” He gave a blunt example. “Even the toughest battery will run out if you keep dropping and kicking it.”

Ji Jixuan cupped his face. There was a quick flicker of pain in his eyes, gone in an instant, maybe just Xu Lin’s imagination. He leaned in and kissed Xu Lin’s damp lashes.

When they parted, his lips were wet with Xu Lin’s tears.

He said, “Okay.”

Life seemed to return to normal.

Ji Jixuan seemed determined to make up for the lost time, staying home with Xu Lin every day. He only occasionally went to the study to handle files from Xiao Jin.

Xu Lin asked worriedly, “Don’t you need to go to the office? Is that okay?”

“Someone else is handling things,” Ji Jixuan said. “I’ll stay home with you.”

Months passed. Xu Lin thought things were getting better, slowly moving in the right direction.

But one night, he woke abruptly—something that should never happen. He was used to sleeping through the night until morning. The bed was empty, the sheets cold. Ji Jixuan was gone.

He searched the house. Not only was Ji Jixuan missing, but his car was gone too.

He’d gone out. In the middle of the night. Where?

He waited until dawn. In the early morning, Ji Jixuan returned. Xu Lin pretended to be asleep. Ji Jixuan got back into bed and held him, acting as if nothing had happened. He was practiced, as if he’d done this many times before.

Over the next few days, Xu Lin was more alert. Every night, he would close his eyes and pretend to sleep.

Thinking he was asleep, Ji Jixuan would place half a pill under Xu Lin’s tongue and leave. After he was gone, Xu Lin would spit it out, the wet pill rolling on the carpet.

So that’s why he’d been sleeping so deeply lately.

Night after night, Ji Jixuan kept sneaking out while he was asleep. Where was he going? If it was work, why not just tell him and leave openly? By hiding it, Ji Jixuan was doing something he didn’t want Xu Lin to know about. He was afraid Xu Lin would find out.

What was he so afraid of?

Was he going to work? Or—

Was he meeting someone?

In the middle of the night, who could he be meeting?