Chapter 5 2/2

Both of them felt refreshed. After recovering for a while, Jiang Li’s cleanliness symptoms peaked. Not only did he take a shower himself, but the thought that Alpha still had something he left behind forced his compulsive behaviour.

Finding a towel in the bathroom, Jiang Li, dragging his tired body, scrubbed back and forth several times.

Indeed, an unconscious Alpha was the best Alpha; he loved to be wiped again and again.

The dungeon had a ventilation system, and the air gradually became fresh.

Jiang Li cleaned both of them, took out restraint patches from his bag, and applied them to both.

For medical students, not only treating illnesses but also providing humane care was essential.

Jiang Li empathised, hoping that when Alpha woke up, it would be like before he entered—as if he had undergone anaesthesia, feeling nothing, without any discomfort left by treatment.

On the bedside table, there’s always a set of spare clothes. Jiang Li, once again gritting his teeth, dresses him, living up to the fifty thousand-yuan caretaker fee.

Countless times, Jiang Li gratefully extends his hand into darkness; Alpha, to him, is not a specific person or face but a tool, relieving him of ninety percent of awkwardness.

As he prepares to leave, he hesitates, ultimately retrieving a notebook and jotting down instructions on a whim.

【Do not use FVD soothing agents anymore.】

Tearing it off and folding it, he tucks it into Cen Lang’s jacket pocket.

He could have informed the employer directly, but, harbouring the possibility of pregnancy, he opts for a discreet exit.

The act of stuffing the note triggers a reflex in Alpha, sensing a threat to the heart and firmly gripping Jiang Li’s hand.

Is this level of vigilance necessary?

Temporarily unable to leave, Jiang Li, feeling stiff, can only lie down side by side.

In the chaos, sensations are numbed. After both sides achieve their goals, lying together feels “strange.”

“You must find it odd too,” Jiang Li says to Alpha. “Let me figure something out.”

His psychotherapist claims his lack of progress over the years is due to excessive awareness, analysing every motive and purpose behind the therapist’s words.

This isn’t therapy; it’s a damn lecture for Jiang Li!

He admits he’s learned.

When pheromones go haywire, a person may go insane and suffer, possibly causing harm. The brain activates self-preservation, making memories during this period challenging to preserve.

Jiang Li tightens his lips. If Alpha doesn’t remember, wouldn’t that be a win-win?

If Alpha has no recollection, he’ll never guess someone is carrying his child!

Alpha hasn’t marked an Omega; he only feels a sensation when close to an Omega.

“Come,” Jiang Li says, taking out a needle and pricking the sleeping Cen Lang, ensuring his auditory cortex is awake.

Brainwashing begins.

【You’ve survived on your own.】

【Amazing.】

He’s just an ordinary carer, good at encouragement.

…

When Jiang Li stumbles out of the underground passage, daylight greets him.

As he opens the door, eyes accustomed to darkness can’t handle the sudden light.

Jiang Li covers his face, kicking a pair of sunglasses likely left by the employer.

He quickly picks them up, disinfects them, and puts them on.

His fingers touch around his eye sockets, causing severe peeling. He cried so much inside; the synthetic skin couldn’t withstand the tears.

“Thank goodness for the sunglasses.” Jiang Li pulls the mask up to his nose and drapes the “borrowed” suit over his head, looking shivering as if frozen on a winter morning.

The bodyguard exhales a cold breath, turning to see Jiang Li slowly approaching. He eases his breath.

Madam looks quite fragile, like straw, ready to topple with a gust of wind.

He’s so thin, yet he cared for Mr. Cen for two days and nights in the basement, enduring terrifying pheromone attacks.

Even the coat draped over Madam is probably contaminated with Mr. Cen’s horrifying pheromones, enough to induce an attack with just one glance.

The bodyguard shows deep respect, saluting Jiang Li.

Jiang Pian: “…”

The bodyguards have changed, but he hasn’t rested.

Jiang Li clears his throat, still unusually hoarse. “Please stay away from me.”

The bodyguards immediately retreat like a tide.

Jiang Li: Very good.

He walks past, spots the employer’s surveillance car in the usual place, walks the other way without glancing, and they don’t follow. It seems payment and goods have been settled.

Yang Xiaoli’s car was parked nearby. Seeing Jiang Li complaining, she said, “You told me to come at night, and I’ve been feeding mosquitoes here for eight hours.”

Jiang Li, exhausted, asked, “What time is it now?”

Yang Xiaoli replied, “It’s 10 in the morning.”

Jiang Li apologised, “I lost track of time inside. Don’t let anyone follow us; I need a short nap.”

Meanwhile, in the Lin family’s car, a telescope was set up. The butler woke up Lin Lu and said, “Young Master, he’s coming out.”

Lin Lu, rubbing his eyes, asked, “Where?”

“He’s getting into the car.”

“Then let’s catch up.”

“The bodyguards are watching. It would look suspicious if we followed too closely.”

Lin Lu frowned. “Did you see what he looks like?”

The butler sighed, “He’s walking unsteadily; he looks like he might faint any moment. He’s wearing something on his head, probably to protect against wind due to neuralgia. It seems he won’t live much longer.”

Lin Lu, reassured, said, “Alright, take me to the hospital. Tell them I came back and immediately passed out; remember how the body double looks, and I’ll play along.”

The butler hesitated, “Are you sure… there’s one more thing I haven’t mentioned. The visible part of his face seems disfigured.”

Lin Lu, alarmed, touched his own face. “Can’t I skip that part?”

“Acting requires commitment, even if it means some discomfort,” advised Lin’s mother sternly.

Lin Lu, surprised, looked at his mother as if seeing her anew. “No! I won’t do it!”

Lin’s father, with empathy, said, “Child, endure it for a while.”

Lin’s mother assured, “It’s just a substance that will temporarily sensitise your face. Take care, and it won’t cause permanent damage. You’ve taken care of Cen Lang for two days; you’re a hero to the Cen family. I wouldn’t let you ruin your face. Cen Lao just informed us; Cen Lang’s pheromone concentration has dropped to a non-susceptible level. He might wake up soon.”

Lin Lu gritted his teeth and reluctantly agreed.

Jiang Li, having slept in the car, wanted coffee but remembered his stomach was full. Blushing, he put the coffee back, removed the synthetic skin with a solution, and said, “To the lab.”

Blaming someone for dragging time, Yang Xiaoli sighed. She regretted introducing part-time work to him; he looked miserable. She noticed his eyes and neck.

“Thanks. I’ll treat you to dinner another day,” Jiang Li said, slowly getting out of the car and taking off his coat.

In the lab, Jiang Li stashed his clothes in a locker, changed into lab attire, and prepared to work. The sterile lab environment was his favourite, allowing him to conduct experiments for days and eat nutrient supplements when hungry. For now, he didn’t want to see those supplements.

In the lab, everyone was busy. Occasionally emerging from the sterile room, Jiang Li’s juniors would realise, “Oh, Senior Jiang, you’ve been in there all night again.”

About to write experiment notes, Jiang Li absentmindedly marked the entry date as yesterday evening, December 3rd.

After finishing, he found it amusing. Who could use this as evidence?