Outside the door, the petite Omega who had just been given the brush-off stood with his head bowed. His golden hair drooped low, making him look exceptionally pitiful. To any outsider, he appeared to be a "little sweetheart" who had approached someone with a heart full of kindness, only to be cruelly and heartlessly rejected.
Devastated, Hill lingered at Feng Zhixi’s door for a long while before finally giving up. Just as he turned around, he accidentally collided head-first into a broad, warm chest.
"Ah—"
The golden-haired, green-eyed Omega let out a soft cry as his head hit the hard pectoral muscles. Unable to steady himself, his body tilted backward. At the critical moment before he could fall, a pair of large hands reached out, catching him firmly and pulling him into a protective embrace.
Hill looked utterly shaken, his emerald eyes momentarily brimming with tears. He heard a low chuckle from above—a man’s voice, rich with maturity and stability.
"Little thing, aren't you watching where you're going?" Ji Wei asked with a smile.
Holding the little scatterbrain—who had once again forgotten to apply his pheromone blockers—Ji Wei took a deep breath, intoxicated by the Omega’s sweet, enchanting scent. This adorable Omega was right in his arms, head lowered, exposing his completely unguarded gland to Ji Wei’s gaze. It was a blatant provocation.
*What an unconscious little vixen,* Ji Wei thought to himself, momentarily forgetting why he had come there in the first place.
"What’s wrong?" Ji Wei’s eyes were full of mirth as he playfully pinched the Omega’s chin. "Let me see those red bunny eyes."
"I-It’s nothing!" Hill ducked and dodged, refusing to let the Alpha see his eyes.
In the hallway, the Alpha and Omega remained locked in their own world, a tug-of-war of affection that seemed to fill the air with pink bubbles.
Meanwhile, separated only by a door, Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran—having learned from experience—were watching everything through a small specialized device. The scene made them both shudder violently—not from disgust at the display, but from the stench.
This was especially true for Ji Yeran. While Feng Zhixi had little contact with Hill’s future partner, Ji Wei, Ji Yeran was different. As someone who had been genuinely revolted by the pheromones of the Ji Wei-Hill duo in his past life, the memory of that "fragrance" wafting for miles remained vivid, though he had no desire to recall it.
Publicly bonding? Was that something a person with a functioning brain would do? As an Alpha, did he not know the meaning of restraint?
Recalling his past experiences, Ji Yeran’s expression soured. Even if they had been shielded by a basic escape pod at the time, did they really think people outside didn't know what Ji Wei and Hill were doing in there?
Before his rebirth, Ji Yeran had unfortunately stumbled upon the scene of the "Toxic Gas Bomb Duo" marking each other. Reeling from the infinitely amplified stench, the grim-faced Alpha had fled the scene as if escaping a disaster.
However, Ji Yeran’s dark expression as he left only served to confirm the rumors circulating at the time. To make matters worse, after leaving the scene, he had gone on a rampage, taking down every Alpha who had been drawn in by Hill’s estrus pheromones.
The murderous Alpha had blocked everyone who coveted the Omega, standing guard at the outermost perimeter while his rival marked his "White Moonlight."
What kind of selfless spirit was that? It was the ultimate definition of the "King of Spare Tires," the quintessential devoted second male lead. Furthermore, this devoted backup was powerful, handsome, faithful, and a paragon of self-restraint. One could say that Ji Yeran had solidified his unprecedented status as the "King of Spare Tires" through that single battle. Truly a cause for celebration.
As Ji Yeran brooded over these memories, he felt a light, cool poke on his cheek.
"?" The Alpha turned around in confusion to find the culprit’s finger still in place. The black-haired, dark-eyed youth looked at him and, with total entitlement, poked him again.
*His face really is soft,* Feng Zhixi thought, poking him twice more for good measure. He was surprised to find that Ji Yeran’s stern, icy face was actually quite squishy to the touch. This strange contrast piqued his interest.
Then, his finger was caught in the other man's hand.
"What is it?" Ji Yeran looked at Feng Zhixi helplessly, unsure of what he was up to.
Feng Zhixi curled his captured fingers slightly and asked, "What do Hill's pheromones smell like?"
Feng Zhixi realized he had been overlooking a problem. His own pheromone reception was damaged, so he couldn't perceive the "correct" scent. That was why everyone else thought Hill’s pheromones were incredibly sweet while he found them foul.
But what about Ji Yeran? Feng Zhixi was puzzled. Ji Yeran should be able to smell the correct scent of Hill’s pheromones. If so, why did he avoid the Omega like the plague?
One had to remember that Hill’s pheromones were naturally highly seductive and, strangely enough, infinitely compatible with all Alpha pheromones—a phenomenon that had never occurred before.
Feng Zhixi recalled their shared reaction during both encounters with Hill. At the time, he thought Ji Yeran simply didn't want to be influenced by Hill’s pheromones because they were too tempting. But now, it seemed he might have missed something. He looked at Ji Yeran, seeking confirmation.
Hill’s pheromones? Ji Yeran found it strange that Feng Zhixi would suddenly ask about them. That foul odor, that stench of rotten eggs that carried for miles—didn't Feng Zhixi find it just as repulsive?
Wait.
The Alpha’s eyes widened as he realized something was wrong. He looked at the Omega before him and answered softly, "Rotten eggs."
He then saw Feng Zhixi nod, confirming his suspicion.
Indeed, he and Feng Zhixi smelled the exact same thing: rotten eggs.
However, Feng Zhixi had a pheromone reception disorder. Logically, it should have been impossible for him and Ji Yeran to smell the exact same scent—unless they both suffered from the same disorder.
Looking at Feng Zhixi, the prompted Ji Yeran suddenly realized a problem, the root of which lay with his cousin, Ji Wei. As fellow Alphas, their pheromones naturally repelled each other, meaning neither would ever find the other’s scent pleasant.
However, while the pheromones Ji Wei occasionally leaked in the past were pungent, it was merely the normal repulsion between two strong Alphas. When exactly did Ji Wei’s pheromones start becoming... strange?
Ji Yeran searched through his memories, scenes of the past flashing by until he remembered: the mutation in Ji Wei’s pheromones—that greasy, nauseating smell—began after he formed a permanent mark with Hill!
Not only that, but afterward, more and more Alphas with strange, disgusting scents began appearing around Hill, including the former commander of the First Legion, Ji Qi.
Thinking back, it seemed as if all those people's pheromones had been... contaminated by something?
Enduring the nausea to recall the past, Ji Yeran frowned. This was the fundamental reason why the Warden had eventually reached his limit and left the Capital Star; he didn't want his green plum-scented pheromones to turn into rotten plums overnight.
Contamination?
Hearing Ji Yeran’s hypothesis, Feng Zhixi looked at the two outside with curiosity. He wondered: what method could contaminate another person’s pheromones?
When he thought about it that way, the answer seemed obvious—marking?!
Feng Zhixi: "..."
Ji Yeran: "..."
Having guessed the answer, Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran looked in unison at Ji Wei outside, whose head was looking a bit "green." They didn't know whether to pity him or marvel at Hill’s prowess.
How did Hill manage to have "deep interactions" with other Alphas while being marked by Ji Wei? Or was it possible that Hill and Ji Wei had never actually formed a permanent mark?!
Meanwhile, Ji Wei—unaware that his future self would be sporting a literal forest on his head—was using his mature masculine charm to "conquer" this innocent, lovely Omega.
"And you say you're not a crybaby," Ji Wei chuckled lowly. With a domineering and brook-no-argument air, he lifted the little Omega’s chin, meeting those emerald eyes brimming with tears.
Hill blinked. As that mature, handsome face drew closer, he instinctively closed his eyes, and his falling tears were licked away.
Following Ji Wei’s action, Hill heard the System’s voice in his mind: *[Ding! Host has completed the side quest. Punishment deferred.]*
*Excellent,* Hill smiled inwardly.
In the room diagonally across the hall, no one knew that another person was also quietly witnessing this scene.
*Wow, what a show!* Emir thought to herself as she peeked, her mind racing with commentary.
She crossed her arms and couldn't help but rub the goosebumps on her skin. She had to admit, she was revolted by the greasy scene before her. Licking someone's face with a long tongue? What kind of sleazy move was that?
In her opinion, anyone who could pull a stunt like this during the Joint Military Exercise instead of focusing on their efforts—like this Ji Wei from the First Military Academy—was clearly no good.
Furthermore, based on what she knew, Ji Wei had initially invited Benjamin. Yet, the person who ended up at the exercise was this white-lotus Omega. There was definitely something fishy going on.
*I despise Alphas who don't use their brains!* Emir thought indignantly.
By comparison, she suddenly felt that the "Double Chiefs" were a match made in heaven! They were easy on the eyes, brilliant, and invincible when working together! A real couple should advance hand-in-hand, acting as each other’s backbone.
Emir, who had previously only supported the "Single Chief" (Feng Zhixi), suddenly discovered a new world. *Actually... having Double Chiefs wouldn't be bad at all~*
Emir thought happily.
And so, without Feng Zhixi or Ji Yeran knowing, they had somehow gained a president for their CP support club. Moreover, this "brilliant" president—who excelled at alliances and schemes (or rather, strategic thinking)—would play a decisive role in the future.
For now, Feng Zhixi and Ji Yeran merely looked at each other, finding both doubt and caution in the other’s eyes.
As someone partnered with a Federation Marshal and a young Master in his own right, Hill’s future was bright. Even Feng Zhixi, the former Chief of the Lanli Research Institute who might have posed a threat, had been sentenced to exile on a Death Star. As the undisputed Chief and next Director of the Lanli Institute, Hill had no more stumbling blocks in his life.
What would drive Hill to do such things at the risk of being discovered by a partner who had permanently marked him?
Ji Yeran was certain that Ji Wei was oblivious to Hill’s behind-the-scenes activities. Though he wasn't sure how Hill managed to hide it—considering that pheromones between permanently marked partners were supposed to be exclusionary—Ji Wei had somehow failed to notice the truth of the "green pasture" on his head.
Ji Yeran, who had been inexplicably targeted by Ji Wei, felt he was truly being treated unfairly.
As he was lost in thought, Ji Yeran felt a poke in his palm. He blinked and saw Feng Zhixi smiling at him.
"So, Hill wanted you to be his paramour?" Feng Zhixi’s eyes were curved with laughter, though the mirth didn't quite reach the depths of his gaze.
"??!" Ji Yeran was shocked. Where did this random accusation even come from?!
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 备胎之王 | King of Spare Tires | A slang term for someone who is the ultimate "backup" or "rebound" lover. |
| 白月光 | White Moonlight | A Chinese internet slang term for someone who is an unattainable, idealized first love or obsession. |
| 信息素接收障碍 | Pheromone Reception Disorder | A medical condition in the story where a character cannot correctly perceive or process pheromones. |
| 头顶一片青青草原 | Green pasture on one's head | A Chinese idiom/slang for being cheated on (wearing a "green hat"). |
| 入幕之宾 | Paramour / Secret lover | Literally "a guest behind the curtain," referring to a private or secret lover. |
| 终身标记 | Permanent Mark / Lifetime Mark | In ABO settings, a deep, irreversible bond formed between an Alpha and Omega. |
| 临时标记 | Temporary Mark | A short-term pheromone bond that eventually fades. |
