TAHDO Chapter 46

Ever since learning about their relationship, Yin Tongguang, while feeling deeply moved and committed to keeping their secret, was so shocked that he even secretly created a note in his mind just for them.

The content wasn’t anything special—mostly just a collection of rambling thoughts he couldn’t say out loud.

October 30, Rainy.
Today Xiao Qiu brought breakfast for both Yan Yan and me. He got noticed outside the dorm, but thankfully this dorm building is shared by Beta-Omega and Omega-Omega students, so the dorm manager let him in.

Oh my god, in my lifetime I actually witnessed an Alpha entering the Omega dorms! And I’m a witness!

But then again, Xiao Qiu isn’t exactly a typical Alpha anyway.

November 1, Cloudy.
In lab class today, we got through the function module really quickly.
I don’t know what I did to deserve being grouped with the three of them!

Still, Sister Lai really is amazing. Sigh.

Setting his internal monologue aside, that day, after finishing dinner, Ji Qiu was walking with Liang Yan. There were too many students by the artificial lake. Ji Qiu wanted to be a bit more affectionate, but didn’t dare go too far for fear of upsetting Liang Yan. Plus, he had something to talk about today.

“Yan Yan, can I talk to you about something?”

Liang Yan immediately understood his tone. “It’s about KB?”

Ji Qiu nodded.

Liang Yan’s voice was calm and unreadable. “Tell me. What do you plan to do?”

Ji Qiu said, “Ideally, we’d go the legal route. I already tried anonymously leaking some information to the media about the issues with the 3.0 suppressant research…”

He paused. “But KB’s PR is too strong. They quickly used other news to divert public attention.”

Liang Yan thought about it—it did seem that way.

If Yin Tongguang hadn’t been so well-connected and shown him the news as soon as it came out, he might still not know anything about it.

They were passionate and full of justice, but ultimately powerless against the system.

“I…” Ji Qiu hesitated. “I’m planning to go to KB’s headquarters again this weekend.”

Afraid that Liang Yan would object, he rushed to add, “I swear I’m not going to cause trouble. I’m just submitting data. The company’s R&D and clinical trial departments are separate, so as long as I don’t run into people from both at once, they won’t realize I’m the same person.”

But Liang Yan didn’t respond immediately, which made Ji Qiu uneasy. “Yan Yan?”

“How many times have you gone?”

Liang Yan stared at Ji Qiu, then, feeling he hadn’t expressed himself clearly, repeated, “Since you got involved in this, how many times have you gone to KB headquarters?”

Ji Qiu froze. “Not that many times. And I didn’t go to the experimental area often—mostly just dropped off materials and left. Like what you saw last time, it wasn’t anything serious…”

Worried that Liang Yan wouldn’t believe him, he added, “Really. I usually ride the campus shuttle to the lab zone to scope it out first. If it looks clear, I go submit the data. It’s perfectly safe. Really.”

“Tong-jie can’t pass for an Omega, but I can. And my pheromone level is higher than hers. So either way, I’m safer.”

Safe.

Although Alphas can test suppressants, KB monitors it as if they had Omega physiology. Too many variables had to be managed on his own, and yet Ji Qiu told himself, it was “safe.”

Liang Yan’s gaze flickered with concern. “When you used the suppressant… how did it feel?”

“Huh?” Ji Qiu blinked. “Didn’t really feel anything. The 2.0 had almost no effect. The 3.0 made me a bit feverish, and because I accidentally took too much last time, it triggered my rut early… But otherwise, really, nothing happened.”

Liang Yan stopped walking and said nothing.

“Yan Yan?” Ji Qiu was getting anxious.

Afraid Liang Yan was worried, he rushed to reassure him: “Really, it’s fine. The rut thing—better to get it over with sooner…”

Suddenly, he was pulled into an embrace.

The other person didn’t speak, didn’t squeeze tightly, just held him lightly. The hug didn’t last long—there were still people nearby, and Liang Yan was a little shy—so he gently patted Ji Qiu’s shoulder and let go.

Ji Qiu fell silent.

Liang Yan no longer asked how bad it felt, nor pushed for more details. He just hugged him, and said:

“Then I’ll go with you this weekend.”

I can’t stop you. I can’t offer empty comfort either.

But at the very least—from now on, I’ll be by your side.

—

When they arrived at KB over the weekend, the same manager from last time, surnamed Hu, enthusiastically greeted them.

Seeing Ji Qiu had brought Liang Yan with him, he was delighted: “You came with your classmate? Also here to submit data? That’s great. The company really appreciates proactive volunteers like you two…”

“Thanks for your concern,” Liang Yan replied coldly. “But I haven’t had the opportunity to contribute lately.”

“No problem, no problem,” the manager laughed casually, undeterred. He even reminded them, “But just so you know, version 3.0 is launching soon. If you don’t submit any feedback data before release, you won’t qualify for the lifetime free medication benefit afterward.”

“Got it.” Liang Yan curled his lips into a sarcastic smile. “I’ll do my best.”

This time, Ji Qiu submitted the data he’d collected during his rut after using 3.0.

Pheromone samplers are a fascinating and advanced kind of instrument. Normally, pheromones are invisible and intangible, but with this device, once the pheromone concentration in the air hits a certain threshold, it can capture a sample and, when connected to a dedicated analyzer, automatically generate a curve showing the fluctuations of pheromone levels in the body at that moment. It’s a handy tool for the 3.0 trial.

Ji Qiu smiled as he handed over the sampler. “My classmate just came to keep me company today. If there’s data related to him next time, we’ll be sure to sample and send it to you in time.”

The person in charge was very satisfied with Ji Qiu, and even showed concern for both of them. “Alright, I’ll take this over in a bit. Do you two want to wait and ride back to the city together? I’ll give you a lift—it’s quite a hassle to come out here every time.”

Before Liang Yan could reply, Ji Qiu smiled gently and said, “Sure!”

The man’s name was Guo Yi. Seeing them agree, he soon drove up in a high-end SUV and enthusiastically invited them in. “Which school are you from? I’ll check the route.”

“Qicheng University of Political Science and Law. Thanks, Uncle Guo,” Ji Qiu replied naturally.

“Oh, Political Science and Law—good school,” Guo Yi complimented. “Your school’s pretty close to the medical university, isn’t it?”

Liang Yan gave a soft “mm.”

“The medical university…” Guo Yi tapped the steering wheel absentmindedly while waiting at a red light and let out a faint tsk.

Ji Qiu didn’t miss the hint of displeasure. “What is it, Uncle Guo?”

“Nothing,” Guo Yi said, waving a hand. He couldn’t badmouth others in front of two students. “It’s just that the dean of that school is a bit rigid.”

Otherwise, the 3.0 project might’ve progressed faster.

The completely unaware Guo Yi didn’t know that the dean’s own son was sitting in the back seat.

He dropped them off at the gate of the law school and waved politely. He seemed to genuinely like Ji Qiu. “I know you’re students, but I really appreciate your help, Xiao Ji. When 3.0 gets released, your contributions will definitely be part of its success. If you don’t mind, Uncle Guo will treat you to a meal sometime. KB is lucky to have crossed paths with you two.”

Liang Yan stood still without any change in expression.

Ji Qiu, on the other hand, smiled brightly and sincerely. “Thank you, Uncle Guo. We’ll get going now.”

The SUV sped off into the distance.

Only then did Ji Qiu drop the smile, speaking casually and without a trace of guilt. “Hitching a ride is definitely faster than going back on our own.”

Liang Yan nodded, with no objections.

All in all, today had gone smoothly.

Ji Qiu glanced at his expression, then looked around—since they were standing at the law school’s gate and there weren’t many familiar faces from his own university around, he went ahead and took Liang Yan’s hand. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

But they hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a voice called out from behind them. “Liang Yan?”

Liang Yan turned around in surprise—and saw Jiang Xinglan, whom he hadn’t seen in days.

Although he had been rejected, Jiang Xinglan still believed Liang Yan was the most suitable Omega for him. Even though the blunt refusal last time left him a little disheartened, he never completely gave up hope. Especially now, seeing Liang Yan appear at the entrance of his university stirred emotions in him. He couldn’t help but call out.

Jiang Xinglan was tall and slender, standing straight under the streetlight. He wore a casual suit jacket today, but underneath it was a crisp white dress shirt and a classic black tie. His glasses perched elegantly on his nose, the thin lenses reflecting light as his gaze swept over—he had the aura of a polished elite.

But before he could say anything else, his eyes fell on the two hands intertwined together.

Despite his years of refined upbringing, he paused for a brief moment. Then he quickly composed himself and politely said, “You two… really do have a great ‘best girlfriends’ kind of relationship.”

Liang Yan: “…”

Ji Qiu: “…”

“Holy crap, Yan Yan? Xiao Qiu??”

Another familiar voice rang out nearby.

It was Yin Tongguang, who happened to be visiting a friend at the law school. He returned just in time to see this scene.

What a divine moment of pure drama.

He sighed quietly to himself.

As a fully willing and name-disclosing eyewitness to the entire incident, Yin Tongguang recorded in his mental notebook:

November 3rd, sunny.

Because of a slip of the tongue in the past, Xiao Qiu got beaten by Yan Yan for a whole day.

The breeze was light, the sky high and clear.

Xiao Qiu smiled and passed peacefully.

P.S. Jiang Xinglan is so pitiful. A tear of sympathy for him.

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