Chapter 32 2/2

“There is no relapse, but the susceptible period is approaching. Let’s observe.”

Expert: “It’s done. Take a look at the pictures.”

A picture arrives on the phone, showing an instrument resembling the black cuff of an arm-style electronic blood pressure monitor. However, this is not for measuring systolic and diastolic pressure but for detecting pheromone overflow.

During the susceptible period, Alpha’s emotions are bound to reflect in pheromones. Cen Lang fears being oblivious to excessive pheromone overflow, potentially affecting Jiang Li. So, he customizes a high-precision electronic sniffer. Once it exceeds the standard, it releases an electric shock to the host.

Cen Lang: “Intensity?”

Expert: “The Alphas in the group have tried it, following their set limits.”

Cen Lang: “Hmm, bring it to the hotel tomorrow.”

Tormented by pheromone storms for twenty years, Cen Lang’s pain threshold is several times higher than an ordinary person’s. While a regular Alpha might cry and complain, he might at most furrow his brows. Besides, localized pain on the arm is nothing compared to what’s on his mind.

At three in the morning, Cen Lang falls asleep.

Two hours later, the early-rising Jiang Li pushes open the door and quietly goes downstairs.

He had pondered the night before how to tell his roommate about being pregnant and unconsciously thought about the pan-fried bun shop that Gu Yunkai mentioned. Across the rehabilitation center, Xiao Yang Shengjian opens at six in the morning and closes at ten. The pan-fried buns are crispy on the outside, tender inside, and burst with soup when bitten. Gu Yunkai always buys them on his way to work.

Last night, it was just a passing thought, but he woke up at five this morning extremely hungry and craving pan-fried buns.

Jiang Li sits on the bed, working on convincing himself. The hotel provides breakfast, and spending money on takeout would be a waste.

What if he treats it as buying breakfast for Cen Lang?

/>

“Married men should buy breakfast for their wives, right?” an auntie says in the tone of someone experienced. “If you’re single, you won’t be this diligent. It’s good enough to get up in the morning and order takeout. My son, when I ask him to have breakfast, says he has a nutrient supplement hanging at the bedside and drinks it.”

Jiang Li: “Not married.”

Auntie: “Well, it’ll happen soon. Oh, boss, this one’s on me!” Auntie stops chattering, takes a bag of pan-fried buns, and briskly walks home.

Jiang Li: “Boss, I’ll take two, maybe three. Cen Lang has a big appetite.”

Three servings of pan-fried buns cost a hundred and eight. Food is really expensive.

As Jiang Li is about to walk back, his peripheral vision suddenly catches a figure under the tree in front of the rehabilitation center. Lu Jing is sitting on the bench, still in the same position as last night. “Have you been sitting here all night?” Jiang Li asks.

He thought Lu Jing couldn’t wait to see Jiang Wanlan, but instead, he spent the night in the cold wind, which seems less comfortable than staying at the hotel. Lu Jing turns his head and sees it’s Jiang Li: “Yeah.”

Jiang Li feels he’s about to freeze, knowing it’s an illusion. Top-tier Alphas can infiltrate the ice and snow for three days and nights during a mission. He hands Lu Jing a box of hot pan-fried buns and says, “Have breakfast.”

Lu Jing takes it, takes out a bill from his pocket, and says, “Thank you.”

Jiang Li doesn’t politely decline, considering Cen Lang’s words that Deer Star has no place to spend salaries. Generals like Lu Jing don’t lack money, but he does. “Do you want to go in when it’s light?”

Lu Jing shakes his head, saying, “He doesn’t want to see me. I’ll just stay here.” Jiang Li is puzzled; did he come all this way just to look at a rehabilitation center?

He doesn’t ask more about Lu Jing’s private matters. Jiang Li touches the bottom of the pan-fried bun box; it’s warm through the paper box. It’s just right for warming hands. It won’t be tasty when it’s cold, and he can’t linger here.

“Then, be careful not to catch a cold,” Jiang Li says, turning around. However, he sees Cen Lang looking around and running towards them. Sweat is dripping from his forehead. “Why didn’t you answer the phone?” If the hotel front desk hadn’t said Jiang Li went to buy pan-fried buns, he wouldn’t know where to find him.

“I didn’t notice. I thought you wouldn’t wake up so early. I went to buy breakfast.”

Cen Lang sees the breakfast in Lu Jing’s hand and feels a bit jealous. How could someone get breakfast from Dr. Jiang before him? Lu Jing hasn’t eaten yet, and he wants to praise him before Cen Lang does.

Cen Lang sits down, tears open the box, takes out a pair of chopsticks, and picks up a pan-fried bun.

Hiss… It’s a bit hot, but it’s okay.

Cen Lang eats hastily: “Delicious. Dr. Jiang is good at exploring delicacies.”

Jiang Li: “Heard from my roommate.”

Cen Lang decides to savor the second pan-fried bun, stands up, and gives the no longer cold chair to Jiang Li: “Sit here and eat. Let the little couple eat face to face; Lu Jing can only go with the flow.” Jiang Li quietly tells Cen Lang: “Lu jing said he doesn’t want to go in.”

Cen Lang is adorable when whispered to, sneaking a pan-fried bun to Jiang Li. Then he turns around and says: “Can I say it? Lu Jing, you and Jiang Wanlan have a child.”

Lu Jing, who is usually indifferent, shows deep sorrow in his eyes: “Taken away, can’t find him no matter how hard I try.” Jiang Li is stunned, recalling a long time ago when he was in the orphanage, there were two large-scale parentage tests.

The first time, he didn’t remember much. He got soaked and had a high fever. He was the only one lying in bed with a red face. Later, he heard from others that someone came to collect hair, and the director plucked a strand from his head.

The second time was around four or five years old. He was locked in the garbage room by some nasty kids. When he figured out how to get out, it was over.

Little Jiang Li knew his biological father probably wouldn’t come looking for him. Still, when he was younger, his skin was thicker. Hearing those uncles who looked like bodyguards talk while getting into the car, mentioning something like “Young Master Jiang’s temperament changed drastically. He used to be a very gentle person. Now, without blinking, he sends his younger uncle to the mining star to dig minerals.”

The dirty little Jiang Li rushed over like a cannonball,

with a small face squeezed against the railing, big round eyes, shouting with a red face, “Uncle! Uncle—! I’m nineteen! And me!”

He shouted for his uncle with all his might, finally attracting the attention of those people.

The bullies in the orphanage watched the show on the side. Fearing the adults, they dared not act, cheering, “The little lunatic is out again!” “He’s a little lunatic!”

Little Jiang didn’t care about them, pulling his hair hard on his head, grabbing a few strands, and exerting the strength to almost squeeze half of his body out. The milk-like voice was clear: “Nineteen’s hair.”

A few soft strands of hair were tightly held in the small fist, trembling in the wind. If you don’t pay attention, they could be blown away.

His hair was a bit long because he always missed the welfare haircut. After getting dirty, it would knot, so he would cut the bangs in front like a dog chewing on it.

Just out of the garbage room, his little face and hands were black and white, and the strands in his hands weren’t necessarily clean.

But Little Jiang Li didn’t pay attention to these things, just looking forward to those uncles.

Finally, a long-legged uncle came over, pinching his hair with two fingers. “Okay, you’re nineteen; I remember. Go back.”

“Thank you, uncle.” Little Jiang Li squeezed his tightly covered body back, clapping happily. It was also very happy to be called a daydream by the little bully.

The uncle hadn’t left yet, and he caught up again. But happiness only happened once.

He would experience many times of not catching up, many times of being judged, until he numbly gave up. “Jiang Li!” Cen Lang grabbed his hand, “What are you thinking?”

Jiang Li came back to his senses, saying, “Nothing, just remembered participating in two parentage tests in the orphanage when I was a child, organized by Mr. Jiang.”

At that time, the order was chaotic, and there was no federal-level database, relying only on family power.

Lu Jing’s rough palm covered his face. After a while, he said, “He should be thinking, if the person who took the child gave birth to a biological child, would they throw the son into the orphanage? So, every few years, he looks for him.”

It’s the first time Jiang Li has heard such a long sentence from Lu jing.

He can’t help but comfort: “Maybe he grew up well elsewhere. Orphanages are not good.” Cen Lang quickly grasps the key point: “Did you get bullied in the orphanage?”

Jiang Li casually said, “Every child has suffered more or less, right? Adults didn’t pay attention in time, and kids played around.” Cen Lang: “Did others bully you? Could you beat them?”

Jiang Li vaguely said, “My IQ is higher than theirs.”

Cen Lang praises, “Your IQ is super high.”