WHIF- Chapter 19

Ch. 19 Curiosity

    Ji Xiang sat in the hospital room, shocked as he read the information on ‘Glandular Pheromone Rejection Disorder’.

    Glandular Pheromone Rejection Disorder refers to an excessive immune response of the body that occurs when a gland comes into contact with certain pheromones. Symptoms could include palpitations, convulsions, skin rashes, etc. In severe cases, it could lead to difficulty in breathing or even shock.

    He also noticed the section on its causes: it is an extremely rare condition. It mainly occurs when a permanent mark is erased and the individual is exposed again to the same pheromone. Alternatively, it can also happen when the gland is irreversibly damaged during the surgery, causing the gland to reject its original imprinted pheromone. Once afflicted, the condition was incurable, and its effect on an omega’s heat cycles can vary from person to person.

    All in all, it was a life-threatening disease, one that brings lifelong suffering.

    He scrolled through case after case. In severe instances, omegas who had removed their permanent marks developed complete pheromone rejection towards all alphas. And during their heat, they suffer unbearable pain which cannot be soothed, eventually being forced to remove their glands entirely.

    The glands are a critical part of the body, whether it be for alphas or for omegas. If it ever reached the point where removal was necessary, the damage to one’s health was only the tip of the iceberg. The true cost could be a shortened lifespan.

    Ji Xiang, overwhelmed by the information, put away his phone and stared blankly at Shen Siru, still asleep in the hospital bed.

    Yuan You had been kept outside by him and the nurse. Ji Xiang had too many questions, but the truth behind those unanswered questions was sharp-edged. Yuan You refused to say a word, and Ji Xiang had no desire to make Shen Siru relive his past wounds.

    “…Ji Xiang?”

    Just as Ji Xiang was lost in his thoughts, Shen Siru opened his eyes. His body ached terribly, with the most unbearable pain coming from his gland; it felt as if dozens of tiny cuts had been carved into it, each one stinging like a needle.

    “I’m here.” Ji Xiang quickly stood up and held his hand. “How do you feel? The doctor said your gland would feel extremely painful after you wake up. If it’s too much, we can press the button and get a painkiller injection. But there will be side effects if you use it too much, can you still bear it?”

    Shen Siru’s eyes were red. After hesitating, he shook his head very slightly and reached up to touch his gland, which was wrapped in gauze.

    “Are you hungry then? I can get you something to eat, okay?” Ji Xiang coaxed gently. “I saw downstairs that they’re selling those little cakes that you loved in high school.”

    “Ji Xiang.” Shen Siru interrupted him, his voice hoarse with emotion. “Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”

    Ji Xiang pressed his lips together. In truth, he had already figured out most of it. “…If you don’t want to talk, I won’t ask. But only if you promise me to take good care of yourself.”

    Shen Siru had been friends with Ji Xiang for years, he knew this was Ji Xiang’s way of expressing anger. “It’s not that I don’t want to say it. I just… don’t know how to.”

    Ji Xiang didn’t respond. He just quietly poured a cup of warm water for him.

    “And him?”

    “He’s outside.” Ji Xiang instinctively understood who he meant, and his voice grew colder. “He wanted to see you. I didn’t let him in.”

    “He doesn’t know, right?” Shen Siru’s head hung low, his voice muffled.

    Ji Xiang was silent for a few seconds. “You mean your Glandular Pheromone Rejection Disorder?”

    “Yeah.”

    “Permanent mark… then removing it… I actually wish he did know. But unfortunately, the doctor only told me.” Ji Xiang handed him the cup. “If the doctor hadn’t said anything, I probably would’ve never found out.”

    Shen Siru shriveled under Ji Xiang’s gaze, just like the time he was caught dating in secret, unable to hide it any longer, he finally spilled the truth.

    “It was right after the college entrance exams. One night, I got drunk and lost control… and ended up with a permanent mark. Later, our relationship fell apart. He went abroad, and I got sick and had to recover by myself.”

    He kept it short, as if the breakup was barely worth mentioning, holding no weight whatsoever.

    He was only trying to speak lightly, to keep Ji Xiang from worrying, to avoid making him dig into things he had already buried deep. But maybe somewhere, he was also trying to spare himself from more pain.

    “Did your illness back then… have anything to do with him?”

    “…Not much. It’s normal to feel unwell after removing a mark.” Shen Siru lowered his eyes, avoiding Ji Xiang’s gaze.

    Ji Xiang picked up the medical report on the table. “Your allergen is him. Did you know that?”

    Shen Siru nodded. “Today… was an accident.”

    If Yuan You hadn’t insisted on having him accompany him, he would have left right after handing over the documents. And none of this would’ve happened.

    They had only been in the same room for less than thirty minutes, and Shen Siru never expected it to be this bad.

    He thought it was psychological, just discomfort from being around Yuan You. He didn’t realize it was the aftermath of the surgery eleven years ago that had nearly taken his life.

    Their bond had long run its course, and the permanent mark now seemed absurd.

    When Shen Siru went to the hospital, he chose to remove the mark without hesitation. He didn’t have much money and didn’t want anyone to know. So, he picked the cheapest and most painful surgical option.

    He still remembered how the special officers had carried him out of his house back then.

    The neighbors, alarmed by the strong smell of herbal medicine, had called the police. He was barely conscious, his heat cycle completely disrupted, his pheromones raging and overwhelming his mind.

    Inhibitors didn’t work. His freshly operated glands hadn’t yet healed. In pain and desperation, he clutched the few things Yuan You had left behind, instinctively ‘nesting’ with a mix of longing and helplessness.

    It was like drinking poison to quench thirst, he even found a trace of sweetness in it.

    He needed Yuan You during his uncontrollable heat, but because of the rejection syndrome caused by the surgery, he could no longer endure that familiar scent of green apple.

    No matter how sweet it once was, it had become a kind of suffering. He had endured that torment which felt as if he was caught between fire and ice.

    Ji Xiang had more to say but stopped when there was a knock at the door. Song Zheli walked in with lunch.

    Timing was everything. Though Ji Xiang wasn’t in the mood to eat, Song Zheli brought him wontons and thoughtfully handed a hot bowl of porridge to Shen Siru, who had just woken up.

    Ji Xiang took the warm food gratefully and thanked him. Shen Siru, still looking sickly and embarrassed, also muttered a “thank you,” knowing it was Song Zheli who had saved him when he collapsed.

    “No need to be so polite. Ji Xiang’s friends are my friends too,” Song Zheli said casually, then glanced at Ji Xiang, who was about to feed Shen Siru. “Want me to do it? You should eat something first.”

    Shen Siru quickly waved his hand and took the porridge himself, eyes darting between the two of them. “I can do it myself. You guys go ahead, I’m not in that much pain anymore.”

    He had lived through worse.

    Ji Xiang also didn’t push it. He just sat down to eat while keeping an eye on Shen Siru, planning to get his gland test results afterward.

    Meanwhile, Yang Chaosheng had just left the suburban courthouse. He guessed the situation must have been urgent, and that Ji Xiang probably hadn’t even eaten. On his way over, he picked up the beef rice bowl Ji Xiang had once said he liked during a chat with Jian Xin and headed upstairs using the room number Ji Xiang gave.

    He adjusted his tie in the elevator’s dim reflection and stepped out steadily when the doors opened on the seventh floor.

    The room wasn’t far from the elevator. He saw Ji Xiang standing at the door, talking to the man he’d briefly met once before, Ji Xiang’s boss.

    Having taken up half of Song Zheli’s day, Ji Xiang insisted on personally walking him out.

    “No need to come all the way down. Stay and take care of your friend,” Song Zheli patted his shoulder. “If anything comes up, call me anytime, we are not strangers now.”

    Ji Xiang knew those were polite words but still responded graciously, “Of course.”

    Yuan You had disappeared; it was good, out of sight, out of mind. Ji Xiang was about to walk Song Zheli to the elevator when he looked up and saw Yang Chaosheng standing a few steps away.

    “Yang… Chaosheng.”

    Ji Xiang remembered introducing them last time, so instead of calling him ‘Lawyer Yang’, he used his name.

    “Xiao Xiang.” Yang Chaosheng came over, nodded politely to Song Zheli, then looked at Ji Xiang with soft eyes. “Sorry I’m late.”

    “No, it’s fine.” Ji Xiang noticed the takeout bag in his hand. “You haven’t eaten yet?”

    Yang Chaosheng had brought two servings, intending to eat together: “Not yet. One is for you, I figured you probably skipped lunch.”

    A hint of awkwardness crossed Ji Xiang’s face. He had just finished a whole bowl of shrimp wontons. He was so full that he even wanted to run a few laps just to digest it.

    Yang Chaosheng noticed his discomfort and gently said, “Already ate? That’s good. It’s not good to eat too late.”

    Ji Xiang gave a vague “mm,” feeling oddly guilty. “You should eat too then. I’ll walk Director Song out first.”

    “No rush. I’ll come with you.”

    Yang Chaosheng placed the beef rice on a shelf near the hospital room door and walked with Ji Xiang.

    He respected Ji Xiang, so he didn’t force himself into the conversation, only speaking when he was addressed.

    But deep down, Yang Chaosheng felt a twinge of envy.

    He could tell Song Zheli had feelings for Ji Xiang. He envied that Song Zheli had stepped into Ji Xiang’s life earlier than he did. He was jealous that they could talk easily about shared memories, even the stray cat at their office had become their inside joke.

    “Don’t worry, I’ll feed Xiao Hua and the others on time,” Song Zheli said, getting into the car and waving.

    “Thanks, Director Song.” Ji Xiang gave him a thumbs up.

    As he watched the taxi drive away, Ji Xiang turned to Yang Chaosheng. “Let’s go. Want me to eat with you?”

    Yang Chaosheng had been afraid that Ji Xiang might be annoyed by his insistence on walking Song Zheli out.

    Not everyone liked others mingling too deeply in their social circles. And he understood the importance of boundaries.

    “Why are you zoning out?” Ji Xiang tilted his head, waving a hand in front of him playfully. “Are you in standby mode cause I wasn’t talking to you?”

    Yang Chaosheng had the sudden urge to take Ji Xiang’s hand, and he did, just briefly though. “Would it upset you… if I wanted to know about your family, your friends, your co-workers?”

    Ji Xiang blinked. “Why would I be upset?”

    “…I want to know them all. Would that bother you?”

    “Of course not. Why would it?” Ji Xiang smiled. “Doesn’t that just mean you’re curious about me? Whether it’s friendship or love, curiosity is the foundation of care and affection. You want to explore, and I understand you. You said the exact opposite, I would actually be quite happy if you asked.”

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T/N:- Since I missed posting a chapter yesterday, there is one more chapter coming up today.

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