Chapter 22: Want to Smell Your Scent (Revised)

Ji Laili had been standing guard for about an hour, scaring off several unlucky Alphas using the same method.

Just as he was preparing to continue his watch, the system broadcast echoed in his ears.

[Male Lead’s Corruption Value +1]

[Male Lead’s Corruption Value +5]

[Male Lead’s Corruption Value +3]

Shen Yu’s corruption value suddenly spiking made Ji Laili jump in surprise.

“System bro, what’s going on with Shen Yu?”

[Upon system inspection, the male lead’s corruption value is increasing indefinitely. The host must take action to reduce it.]

How was he supposed to reduce it?

Ji Laili was getting a headache. He had no idea what he needed to do to lower Shen Yu’s corruption value.

He had worked so hard to reduce it by ten points before, and now it was all for nothing.

But now wasn’t the time to lament over the lost points. If even the system was saying this, then Shen Yu’s condition must be really bad.

After only a moment’s hesitation, Ji Laili sprinted back.

He retraced his steps to the sealed chamber where Shen Yu was.

“Senior, are you okay?”

There was no response inside. Ji Laili was so anxious that sweat began forming on his forehead.

“System bro, please keep an eye out for me. If anyone comes, let me know immediately.”

Receiving the system’s confirmation, Ji Laili didn’t hesitate any longer. He immediately opened the door and slipped inside.

The moment he stepped in, a thick scent of pheromones engulfed him.

It felt as if he had been submerged in a pool of pheromones, cold yet lingering, wrapping tightly around him.

The sensation was similar to pheromone training, where pheromones completely surrounded a person, filling every breath they took.

(Just a scent! Nothing else under review!)

But none of those past pheromones were as overwhelming as Shen Yu’s.

Ji Laili felt dizzy, his nasal allergy acting up fiercely.

After holding out for so long, his nose finally gave in.

“Achoo! Achoo!”

He sneezed several times in a row, unable to stop. His eyes were misty from the physiological reaction.

Through the blurry haze, he saw Shen Yu leaning against the wall, his entire body flushed red.

His pale skin was burning with a deep, languid flush, as if a mere touch would melt him.

Shen Yu’s breath was scorching, the corners of his eyes tinged red.

When he barely managed to lift his head, his dark pupils were void-like, searching for a place to anchor.

Only when he saw Ji Laili did that hollow detachment fade slightly.

His voice was weak and calm, his lips moving faintly behind Ji Laili’s misty gaze.

“I’m about to differentiate into an Omega.”

The system broadcast of corruption values rang in his ears, each more piercing than the last, rising at an alarming rate—signifying Shen Yu’s turbulent emotions.

For a moment, Ji Laili felt like this wasn’t just a simple statement of fact.

Rather, it was a weak, unwilling plea for help—one that had already resigned itself to the inevitable.

This was the fate written for Shen Yu in the novel.

Superficial words, an empty future, shattering in this very moment.

Ji Laili clenched his fists, staring at him.

“I want to help you.”

“What can I do?”

“Shen Yu, is there any way?”

Shen Yu fixed his gaze on him, beads of sweat rolling down his face, dripping onto his eyelashes like a weight pressing against him—so much so that even seeing the Alpha in front of him was difficult.

Suddenly, he asked a question completely beyond expectation.

“What does your pheromone smell like?”

Ji Laili froze, unable to respond immediately.

“…You can’t say?”

“No,” Ji Laili replied dejectedly, “I said I forgot—would you believe me?”

An Alpha who could forget something like that.

It sounded like a lie.

Ji Laili had no choice but to change the subject, directly asking, “Then what about your pheromone?”

It was a clumsy diversion, easy to see through, but Shen Yu didn’t press further.

“Water irises.”

“Water irises?” Ji Laili was surprised.

He had been in this world for a while now. As someone with a strong curiosity, Ji Laili had initially spent his nights secretly using the Star Brain to study this world—learning common knowledge to avoid becoming a clueless fool.

That grand plan, however, was soon shattered by the passionate late-night gaming sessions of his roommate.

Still, Ji Laili had managed to learn some things.

A person’s pheromone scent often reflected a certain aspect of their personality or nature.

Water irises—Ji Laili had a friend who once grew them, and he had the chance to see the tiny blue butterflies that seemed to bloom from the water.

Ji Laili glanced at Shen Yu.

He was indeed beautiful.

Following the principle of friendly conversation, Ji Laili praised sincerely, “I’ve seen them before. They’re really beautiful.”

“Do you want to try it?”

Shen Yu’s voice was cool, but hoarse and dry from the fever, carrying an underlying meaning.

It was like a temptation lurking in the dark—one that lured people in despite the known danger.

However, his words struck Ji Laili like a thunderclap.

“What?!” Ji Laili’s pupils shrank in shock, staring at him in disbelief.

Shen Yu, suppressing his discomfort, let out a faint chuckle.

His soft, red lips melted away his usual coldness, leaving behind a dangerous and enchanting beauty.

“Don’t want to?”

“In a little while, everyone will know and see me like this.”

“But right now…”

He looked like a water spirit born from the depths, beautiful yet eerie.

“Only you can see.”

“Ji Laili, come here…”

Shen Yu panted lightly, his long, narrow eyes fixated on him.

“I want… your scent.”

What did this clean, untainted Alpha smell like?

Ji Laili’s entire ear burned red.

“Calm down!”

He was on high alert.

“Are you still doubting me? Do you think I’m trying to take advantage of you? Is that why you’re testing me?”

Ji Laili thought it over and could only come up with that explanation.

He pressed his lips together.

“It’s not that bad yet, Shen Yu. Don’t panic…”

According to the original plot, Shen Yu wasn’t supposed to differentiate at this time.

Ji Laili reassured both himself and Shen Yu.

“You’ll be fine. Or maybe I can find you a suppressant?”

Of course, the suppressant he was referring to wasn’t for Alphas.

The Federal Military Academy wouldn’t have Omega suppressants either.

Ji Laili thought for a moment, then said seriously, “I’ll sneak out and buy some for you.”

He had no idea that the so-called ‘original plot’ was from the past life, and that this life’s events were unfolding in unexpected ways.

Even Shen Yu himself hadn’t anticipated this.

Yet, seeing Ji Laili so flustered yet still trying to comfort and help him—Shen Yu couldn’t suppress the rising sense of pleasure.

His chest rose and fell, and a faint, weak chuckle escaped his lips.

Shen Yu gazed at him.

Just like all those days before—watching from unnoticed corners, in dark places, observing Ji Laili quietly.

His pitch-black eyes were like a massive net, stretching across the sky, impenetrable.

Just being watched made Ji Laili feel a creeping sense of unease, as if he was being targeted by something he could never escape.

[Male Lead’s Corruption Value -3]

[Male Lead’s Corruption Value -5]

[Male Lead’s Corruption Value -10]

The sudden broadcast made Ji Laili’s heart skip a beat.

“Senior Shen?”

“…No need.”

It seemed his words had some effect—Shen Yu’s attitude had shifted slightly, no longer so indifferent.

“Do you have an Alpha suppressant with you?”

Shen Yu, pale and weak, frowned slightly, enduring the feverish pain in his body.

“Let’s just try it.”

Although Ji Laili’s concern for him was unexpectedly pleasant—

He still thought it was better if this cheerful, puppy-like guy kept smiling.

Otherwise…

He might just scare him.