Chapter 10: Maintenance

Chi Han knocked on the door for half a minute. Just as his patience was about to run out, he forcefully used his powerful pheromones as a tangible weapon. With a “click,” the lock loosened, and Chi Han pushed the door open.

The room was filled with varying intensities of mint scent, indicating that the Omega’s pheromones were in a chaotic state.

Chi Han immediately noticed Qin Wen awkwardly asleep on the sofa. Was it an illusion? He seemed weaker every time they met.

Just as Chi Han’s fingertips touched Qin Wen, the phone beside him lit up. After only two rings, Qin Wen answered it. Despite being in a deep sleep, it was as if he received some signal to wake up. Qin Wen didn’t even notice there was another person in the room. His body was submerged in a cold, damp sponge, barely maintaining a sliver of clarity. “Hello?”

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the line. “What, you don’t recognize me after a few words?”

Qin Wen hadn’t even looked at the caller ID. Hearing Qin Yaosheng’s words, he didn’t know how to explain. It seemed the other party wasn’t interested in listening, so he waited quietly for what was next.

“Only an Alpha can inherit the family business. This is the rule in any prestigious family.” Qin Yaosheng’s tone was cold, not at all like he was speaking to his own son. Chi Han, being a top-level Alpha with incredible hearing, heard every word. Qin Yaosheng continued, “The Qin family can only be your brother’s. Don’t even think about touching it.”

Qin Wen opened his eyes wearily. From Chi Han’s angle, the young man looked fragile, the light absorbed by the abyss in his pupils, leaving nothing behind.

Chi Han felt an inexplicable panic.

Qin Wen whispered, “Dad, I never wanted anything from the Qin family. I just want to resign and take care of my health. I haven’t been feeling well lately.”

“The Qin family is in a period of development. If you drop everything now, you’re forcing me to…” Qin Yaosheng continued to ramble, on the verge of getting angry again. Qin Wen frowned slightly, and the scent of cedar, with a hint of coldness, enveloped him gently and soothingly. Normally, Qin Wen would have been startled by the sudden presence of someone in his home, but due to the pheromones, he was only momentarily stunned. The next moment, his phone was taken away.

Qin Wen’s vision was unfocused, but he knew it was Chi Han. He was gently embraced by the man, shivering slightly from the warmth.

“Hello.” Chi Han’s cold voice made the other end instantly quiet.

“Chi Han?” Qin Yaosheng was somewhat afraid of Chi Han, not just because of the Chi family’s status, but also due to the suppression between Alphas.

“It’s me.” Chi Han grabbed a blanket and covered Qin Wen with it, his impression of Qin Yaosheng plummeting. “Qin Wen is indeed unwell. The Qin family’s development can’t rely solely on an Omega, can it? People would laugh if they heard.”

In Qin Yaosheng’s memory, Qin Wen was never favored. Why was Chi Han suddenly speaking up for him?

“Of course not.” Qin Yaosheng’s tone softened. “It’s just that Qin Wen has a few projects in hand. If he hands them over halfway, others might not keep up. It’s irresponsible to the company…”

Qin Wen heard bits and pieces. Without his glasses, his eyes were red at the corners, looking at Chi Han through a misty haze, shaking his head slightly, indicating there were no projects and no irresponsibility.

Qin Yaosheng just wanted an excuse to tie Qin Wen down.

“What projects?” Chi Han tightened his grip, pressing on. “You can send them to me, and I’ll handle them for Qin Wen. Also, father-in-law,” he said the term “father-in-law” dryly, without any sincerity, “forcing an Omega against their will is illegal, even if Qin Wen is your son.”

That was as polite as he would get. Alphas could sense each other, and Qin Yaosheng knew that continuing the conversation would not end well with Chi Han.

In the brief standoff, Qin Wen suddenly moved. He struggled to pull the trash can closer, looking pained. Chi Han was startled, hanging up on Qin Yaosheng without a second thought. He saw that Qin Wen was about to vomit, so he supported him against his knee, bringing the trash can closer. Qin Wen, not caring about anything else, dry heaved a few times, only managing to spit out some bile, then curled up in discomfort.

How could he be this sick?

“Qin Wen?” Chi Han held his cold, clammy hand. “Are you feeling really bad? Let me take you to the hospital.”

“No hospital.” Qin Wen was very resistant. “I’ll be fine after some sleep.”

Omegas are extremely fragile creatures, Chi Han realized once again.

“When you truly like someone, you instinctively want to be good to them. Instinct, you know?” Sun Kaining’s words echoed in his mind.

Chi Han respected Qin Wen’s choice. He knew the best way to comfort a distressed Omega was to soothe them. So he wrapped Qin Wen in the blanket and carried him straight to the bedroom.

Qin Wen became a bit more alert, even feeling a bit lost. In the past, he had been so proper in front of Chi Han and still couldn’t win any favor. Now, he had just vomited in front of Chi Han, who had a severe cleanliness obsession. Not only did he not leave, but he also carried him to the bedroom. But… how did Chi Han get in?

Chi Han settled Qin Wen down and noticed a bunch of bottles and jars on the bedside table. He immediately picked one up to look.

Qin Wen was startled, then sighed in relief. He had torn off the labels when he bought the medicine to prevent anyone from finding out. Chi Han shouldn’t recognize them.

Sure enough, Chi Han shook the bottle in his hand. “What’s in here?”

“Some vitamins and immune boosters,” Qin Wen explained softly.

“It’s been so long, and you’re still not better…” Chi Han hesitated for once. “Is it because of the lack of pheromones?”

This wasn’t wrong. During their marriage, aside from Qin Wen’s heat, there was almost no pheromone exchange. But recently, Chi Han had given Qin Wen plenty of pheromones. What he didn’t know was that the one who needed pheromones the most now wasn’t Qin Wen, but the child in his womb. Normally, Qin Wen could last for months, but now even a few days were tough.

Qin Wen felt he should shake his head and deny it. Since he decided to leave, he couldn’t develop any dependency. The person in front of him was his Alpha, his beloved. The vulnerability and sensitivity of pregnancy were all drawn out by Chi Han’s few words. He couldn’t control it. Qin Wen looked deeply at Chi Han, nodded with a forlorn expression.

He didn’t really have any hope.

Unexpectedly, Chi Han sat on the edge of the bed the next second, hesitated for a moment, and said, “I should apologize first. I broke the code lock because no one answered the door.”

Qin Wen didn’t care if Chi Han broke one code lock or two. He said softly, “It’s okay.”

“I’ll have someone install a new one for you soon,” Chi Han continued, which would allow him to get the room’s password. “By the way, Grandpa’s 80th birthday is coming up. Let’s go together.”

He said it as if they had never divorced.

Seeing Qin Wen stunned, Chi Han carefully chose his words. “We haven’t told Grandpa about the divorce. You know he likes you. I thought it would make him happy.”

Qin Wen could understand this. Among the Qin and Chi families, only the old master was genuinely kind to him. Chi Han was probably afraid of upsetting the old man. He could cooperate. Qin Wen agreed, “Okay.”

This person is really good, Chi Han thought.