Chapter 91: You Have to Get Better

In just sixty short minutes, Ji Laili had no idea how he managed to endure it.

After collecting his data, the Beta doctor checked off a box with satisfaction and wrote down the word “Excellent.”

Length: Excellent.
Width: Excellent.
Duration: Acceptable.

Below, he even added a note:

All parameters are outstanding. First test duration: 30 minutes and 16 seconds.

Ji Laili happened to catch a glimpse of it—

Puppy blushing.jpg

Wait… they actually timed it?!

But at least he was fine—Ji Laili finally let out a breath of relief. See? There was no way he wouldn’t be able to get it up. That would’ve been way too terrifying.

He looked at the Beta doctor with hope.
“Doctor, does this mean I’m okay? Can we skip the rest of the experiments now?”

The Beta doctor glanced at him.
“Can you release pheromones now?”

Ji Laili’s face fell instantly.
“…No.”

“This data only proves that your body is fine. It looks like the real problem is still with your pheromones.”

“I’ll arrange for you to meet some Omegas. Be prepared—don’t let them file complaints about us.”

Ji Laili nodded and left after receiving a long list of instructions.

—

When he saw Shen Yu, he couldn’t help but sigh loudly and, for once, hugged him first.

With one large hand pressed against Shen Yu’s waist, Ji Laili rubbed his head against the young man’s neck, nuzzling him affectionately.

“Senior, it’s so great to see you again!”

He rubbed against him twice—completely satisfied.

Completely unaware that the moment he hugged Shen Yu, the man’s body went rigid.

A strange feeling rose from Shen Yu’s waist, and he tensed up, afraid that, just like last time, his legs would go weak.

His voice came out dry.
“What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?”

Ji Laili laughed.
“How is that possible? Everyone here is easy to get along with.”

“Are you really not interested in trying to get along with them? Making more friends is actually really fun, you know!”

Ji Laili chattered away about the joys of friendship before letting out a long sigh.
“Actually, I was pulled into a meeting just now. And now… I have to undergo treatment.”

Shen Yu’s brows furrowed.
“What kind of treatment?”

“For my pheromones.”

Ji Laili sighed again.
“My last blood test showed that my gland has problems.”

He really didn’t expect them to be able to detect even that.

Shen Yu’s brows relaxed slightly.
“Getting treatment is a good thing. I should have remembered this earlier…” He pressed his lips together, then said softly, “Laili… I’m sorry.“

Ji Laili chuckled and let go.
“What are you apologizing for?”

The warmth of an Alpha’s body temperature disappeared from his neck.

Shen Yu instinctively tried to lean in again, but forced himself to stop halfway.

I want to be close.

I want to keep holding him and feel his warmth.

But…

I can’t let Laili find out. I can’t scare him…

His dark gaze lingered on Ji Laili, his eyes deep and unreadable.

Meanwhile, Ji Laili remained completely oblivious, continuing to grumble about the meeting.

Shen Yu’s eyes landed on Ji Laili’s lips.

His ears gradually started to heat up.

At some point, he realized—he wasn’t listening anymore.

Until—

Ji Laili suddenly said, “What’s the point of meeting Omegas? It’s not like just seeing them will suddenly make me better.”

Shen Yu froze.

Ji Laili flopped onto the couch, stretching out lazily.
“Actually… it sounds like it won’t just be one Omega.”

“Really? Are you happy about that?”

Shen Yu’s voice was cold and stiff.

Ji Laili blinked and answered honestly,
“Not really. But I do hope I can get better soon.”

“The Omegas connected to the Federal Military Academy all come from powerful families. Their pheromone levels are also much higher than an average Omega’s.”

“The last time we had pheromone resistance training, it was their pheromones that were used.”

“Oh? Is that so?“

Ji Laili’s face was full of joy—the kind that came from learning a lot of little secrets. His eyes curved as he smiled.

Shen Yu watched him with cold eyes, barely able to hide his jealousy.
“Which scent do you like?”

“Eh?”
The sudden question caught Ji Laili off guard. He turned his head to look at Shen Yu.

What he saw was a cold, expressionless face, a clenched jaw—like someone desperately suppressing an emotion. His pale, delicate features were icy, dark hair clinging to his skin.

Following Shen Yu’s gaze, Ji Laili met a pair of moist, shadowy black eyes, their depths unreadable.

The expressionless face twitched slightly.

Then, thin red lips curled up ever so faintly in a shallow smile.
“Laili, which one do you like?”

Ji Laili looked at the smile on his lips and answered honestly,
“I don’t like any of them.”

“Why?”

Shen Yu’s smile faded, his brows briefly darkening with coldness.
“For an Alpha, it should be a rather… pleasant experience.”

Ji Laili rolled over with a muffled groan.
“Yeah, well, I have rhinitis.”

For other Alphas, it might be a great experience, but for him?
A complete disaster.

Shen Yu’s fingers trembled slightly. He lowered his gaze, momentarily speechless.

Ji Laili muttered under his breath,
“Besides, I wouldn’t call it a ‘pleasant experience’… It’s more like a black mark in my history. I mean, look at Bo-ge—he probably wishes he could turn back time.”

Shen Yu suddenly asked,
“Is it really that unbearable when you smell pheromones?”

Thinking of his long-suffering nose, Ji Laili nodded.
“Yeah, it’s uncomfortable.”

Shen Yu fell silent.

He seemed a bit down.

Ji Laili hesitated, then tried to comfort him.
“It’s really not that bad, actually. As long as the scent is faint, it’s not too overwhelming.”

“And… some are different.”

Ji Laili looked at him, his eyes curving softly. His voice was much gentler.
“Being uncomfortable and liking something don’t have to be contradictory, you know?”

Just like how he had never hated the scent of irises.

But it seemed like the little butterfly didn’t understand his meaning.

Instead, Shen Yu looked even more downcast, like he wanted to retreat into the darkness and hide.

Ji Laili thought for a moment. He didn’t think he had said anything wrong…

Then he heard Shen Yu say,
“Laili, go along with their treatment. If your nose feels uncomfortable, you can request to stop.”

Shen Yu looked at him seriously, carefully instructing him.
“Those Omegas won’t mind. You’re such a good person—they wouldn’t have a problem with you.”

“Don’t damage your sense of smell. I’ll tell Instructor Aiger to inform the attending doctor.”

“Omega pheromones…” Shen Yu paused briefly, his voice turning neutral.
“They have a soothing effect.”

“If they work, don’t hold back. Resolving it immediately will make things easier. Your pheromones have probably built up a lot by now.”

“Laili.”

His chest tightened, jealousy rising in layers, threatening to overwhelm his rationality.

And yet, it was as if he had built an unshakable wall, forcing himself to remain calm.

Shen Yu lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling lightly.

For a moment, it felt like he was back in his sensitivity period—back when the discomfort was so intense he felt like crying.

But, Shen Yu thought with detached clarity, an Alpha’s self-control is terrifyingly strong.

As long as he didn’t want to, he really could hold back.

Just like now—

All his selfish, dark thoughts had to take a backseat in front of Ji Laili.

When he finally looked up again, his eyes—though concealing a storm beneath the surface—couldn’t help but reveal a trace of emotion.

He pressed his lips together and smiled—a quiet, obedient smile.

“Laili, you have to get better.”

“I still want to know… what your pheromones smell like.“