Chapter 38
As Xia Tong’s body temperature continued to rise, his consciousness grew increasingly hazy, as though it were being steamed into a foggy daze. Lin Mingfei was calling his name, but the sound barely registered. The anxious and astonished voices of the others seemed distant, muffled as if blocked by thick layers, resonating faintly in his ears.
He felt utterly miserable. The heat within him was like a star burning in the depths of the universe, expanding relentlessly, crushing his organs with its fiery intensity, leaving him no outlet for relief. So when Lin Mingfei reached out and touched him, Xia Tong instinctively leaned into the faint sandalwood scent, desperately clutching Lin Mingfei’s collar with fragile yet determined hands, refusing to let go.
The scent of sandalwood was truly soothing, as if it carried calming and tranquilizing properties that seeped into Xia Tong’s senses, pacifying the turmoil in his body—but it wasn’t enough, not nearly enough. He craved more contact, more closeness with the source of that comforting aroma.
But he was too weak. He couldn’t do anything.
He couldn’t even hold onto the Alpha’s presence.
Why did it feel so distant again… Why was it suddenly out of reach… It was so frustrating…
Lin Mingfei had merely stood up to roll up his sleeves, and Xia Tong couldn’t hold back his sobs, startling him.
The little Omega was now a complete mess, utterly clueless about how to control his behavior and emotions. His damp fingertips trembled as they searched for something to grasp, but all they caught was air. It only added to his frustration, and tears streamed down his cheeks like broken strings of pearls.
“Don’t cry. I’ll take you upstairs right now,” Lin Mingfei said urgently. He scooped Xia Tong into his arms and carried him out of the meeting room in long, quick strides.
As he once again came into contact with the scent of sandalwood and was gently enveloped by it, Xia Tong found a brief respite. His frantic, erratic heartbeat began to slow, and the overwhelming sense of panic that had gripped him eased. He pressed his burning face against Lin Mingfei’s firm chest, occasionally nuzzling into it, while his fingers clung tightly to the Alpha’s shirt, refusing to let go.
Lin Mingfei rushed upstairs with purposeful speed. Without a second thought, he kicked open the door to Xia Tong’s room, only to hear a sharp “clack.” Something was knocked over by the forcefully opened door. Looking down, he saw a small pink robot wobbling like a roly-poly toy in the corner.
“Xia Tong, take your medicine! Xia Tong, take your medicine!” Debon’s red alert light was flashing incessantly as it repeated the same words. Apparently, it had been panicking over Xia Tong missing his scheduled medication and was trying to find its owner, but the door had been closed. With no solution in its database, it had been helplessly bumping against the door, spinning its little wheels in distress.
In a way, this dumb AI robot really took after its owner…
Lin Mingfei sighed lightly in his heart.
“What medicine? Where is it?” He gently placed Xia Tong on the pillow and was about to search for it, but the little Omega whimpered pitifully, weakly clutching his wrist and subconsciously guiding his hand back toward himself.
“Don’t go… Zero, don’t leave… I feel so awful…”
Why is he clinging like sticky candy? Lin Mingfei’s heart burned with frustration. He had never dealt with an Omega in the throes of heat before and had no idea what to do. Leaving him now felt cruel, but staying…
The Omega’s pheromones were pouring out endlessly, their sweetness cloying, like layers of thick osmanthus honey that wrapped around Lin Mingfei, making his heart pound uncontrollably like a drum.
Drawing on the patience he’d built up during their last encounter, Lin Mingfei bit his lip hard, the sting and taste of blood helping to suppress the tumultuous urges in his chest. With great effort, he pulled his arm free from Xia Tong’s grip and unfolded a blanket from the foot of the bed to cover him.
As the scent of sandalwood faded, the flames surging within Xia Tong reignited with a vengeance. His flushed lips parted as he gasped for air, letting out soft, helpless whimpers like a distressed cub. Clearly displeased, he wriggled restlessly, and Lin Mingfei could only soothe him with a gentle stroke of his head and a light kiss on his sweaty forehead.
“I’m not leaving. I’m just going to get your medicine. I’ll be back very soon—be good.”
Xia Tong didn’t respond. He squeezed his eyes shut even tighter, and the sweat and tears streaming from him carried so much Omega pheromone that the room was quickly filled with the overwhelming scent of osmanthus sweetness. Veins bulged on Lin Mingfei’s arms as he hurriedly stood and turned to Debon. “Where’s the medicine?”
“In the suitcase compartment,” Debon replied, rolling to lead the way.
Lin Mingfei quickly retrieved Xia Tong’s suitcase, unzipped it, and reached into the bottom compartment to find a small medicine box. He pulled it out and examined it under the light, seeing the words “Omega Hormone-Regulating Enteric Tablets” on the label.
“Hormone-regulating tablets? Shouldn’t it be an antagonist or a suppressant?” Lin Mingfei was puzzled. Then, anxiously, he asked Debon, who was still wobbling around nearby, “Is it taken orally? One pill or two?”
Debon slowly raised its round arm and then, with a faint “beep,” its LED light went out.
Lin Mingfei: “…”
No power?! At such a critical moment, it runs out of power?! This is like someone dying in a drama and not being able to deliver their last words! Damn it, what did this stupid robot waste all its battery on? It knew it couldn’t get out the door, so why keep spinning in circles? Couldn’t it save some power for standby?
Lin Mingfei felt utterly exasperated.
Despite his frustration, there was no time to waste. He rummaged through the medicine box for an instruction leaflet, eventually pulling out a crumpled piece of paper. Scanning it quickly, he found the instructions at the bottom.
> This medication is used to regulate and induce the release of hormones in an Omega’s primary endocrine axis. Regular monthly doses can prevent the onset of heat. If needed, discontinue use. Note: Heat will occur 2-4 hours after discontinuation. Please prepare in advance. Do not use this medication during heat to avoid adverse reactions. Normal sexual activity is permitted during this period.
Lin Mingfei: “…”
That was a lot to take in.
So when Xia Tong mentioned “I have objections,” he must have been referring to the strict schedule for taking his meds—but the scatterbrain forgot.
This was a heat triggered by a missed dose, and the medication was only preventative, completely useless during an active heat! Lin Mingfei was losing his mind; he even felt an urge to curse.
Meanwhile, the little Omega on the bed was gasping deeply, turning over in distress. He kicked off the blanket, pushing it into a bundle between his knees, his body seemingly burning up from the heat.
“Brother… Brother, please help me… I feel so awful… so awful…” Xia Tong sobbed breathlessly, instinctively seeking comfort. He was completely oblivious to how provocative and mesmerizing his posture was—like a beautiful, stranded dolphin. To a mature Alpha, it was a deadly temptation.
Lin Mingfei froze.
Raising a trembling hand, he pinched the bridge of his nose, struggling for composure.
The beast within had fully awakened, roaring and growling, urging him to give in—to become a predator and claim this defenseless, sweet prey entirely. The instinct was relentless, gnawing at his resolve.
In his struggle, Lin Mingfei took out his phone and opened a search engine.
“I’m a single Alpha, and my close Omega friend is in heat. What should I do?”
Surprisingly, similar questions had been asked before.
- Answer 1: Go for it, bro! Opportunities like this don’t come twice. Afterward, your bond will grow even stronger!
- Answer 2: Bro, the fact that you’re asking means you’re looking for encouragement. You can do it!
- Answer 3: As a Beta, I have to ask—do Alphas only think with their lower halves? Get them to a hospital!
- Answer 4:Hospital? Nah! Beta advice is useless here. Omega heat is like a Beta’s monthly cycle—it’s manageable. Instead, consider a temporary mark. Even good friends can help each other out!
- Answer 5: I’m an Omega, and my husband and I became a couple after a situation like this. If you’re worried enough to ask, you’re a good Alpha. Best wishes for your relationship!
Lin Mingfei stared at the screen.
“Temporary mark?”*
He turned to glance at Xia Tong.
The little Omega looked utterly spent, his red-rimmed eyes and flushed lips painting a pitifully alluring picture.
Could a temporary mark really work? Would it truly leave no lasting harm?
Cautiously, Lin Mingfei searched for detailed information about temporary marks, combing through the results to ensure there were no irreversible effects. Once he confirmed that the mark would fade within a week, leaving no lasting impact, he let out a shaky breath of relief.
But his heart raced uncontrollably.
So, this meant… he had to mark Xia Tong.
Xia Tong, innocent and pure, trusted him completely—so much that the mere thought of marking him felt like a violation. Lin Mingfei couldn’t predict what might happen afterward.
—
The heat took its toll on Xia Tong, drenching him in sweat and leaving him restless and uncomfortable. His body, strained by dehydration, squirmed on the bed, desperate for relief.
Lin Mingfei hastily brought over a glass of water, took a sip, and then cradled Xia Tong’s head to pass it to him mouth-to-mouth.
The moment their lips met, both jolted as if electrified, the contact igniting a profound, indescribable tension.
At first, Xia Tong resisted, startled by the sudden intimacy. Some water escaped, trickling down his jawline and soaking into the pillowcase. But Lin Mingfei firmly held him, parting his lips to guide him to swallow. Eventually, Xia Tong stopped struggling, drinking obediently.
The water alleviated some of the discomfort in Xia Tong’s parched throat. The blend of their pheromones subtly mingled, creating a sense of mutual relief.
Pressing Xia Tong into the mattress, Lin Mingfei leaned in instinctively, deepening the kiss. He nibbled and explored, savoring the sweetness like one savoring cotton candy—soft and addictive.
“Xia Tong,” he murmured, his voice low and hoarse. “This might hurt a little. If it’s too much, you can hit me.”
“It’ll hurt… but I’m scared of pain…” Xia Tong whimpered, fearfully turning his face aside, trembling.
“It won’t hurt like surgery,” Lin Mingfei reassured, coaxing softly. “It might… even feel good in a way. Trust me, okay?”
Under his gentle guidance, Xia Tong shifted, lying face down on the pillow.
The Omega’s damp brown hair clung to his neck, the source of the intoxicating scent. Overwhelmed by the scent and the Omega’s vulnerability, Lin Mingfei clenched his jaw until he tasted blood, his self-control stretched thin.
“Xia Tong,” he sighed, his voice thick with helplessness. “Call me brother one more time.”
“Brother…” Xia Tong’s voice wavered as tears streamed down his face. “Brother, please be gentle… I’m scared… Can’t we go to the hospital and get anesthesia instead…?”
Before he could finish, Lin Mingfei’s restraint snapped. His fangs pierced the nape of Xia Tong’s neck, sealing the mark.
As if a vulnerable herbivore had been seized by a predator, Xia Tong let out a sharp cry, his dry throat rising in panic. His hands clenched uncontrollably as he tilted his head back, trying to escape the source of the pain, only to have Lin Mingfei pin him down firmly. The texture of the bedding beneath them became more pronounced as the struggle continued.
“Do you hate me?” Lin Mingfei muttered in a muffled voice, “Then bite me!”
Xia Tong’s limbs were weak, and all he could do was sob in pain, tears streaming down his cheeks, soaking Lin Mingfei’s hand.
The Omega’s scent gland was a source of immense temptation and stimulation for the Alpha, its sweet osmanthus fragrance overwhelming his senses. Every molecule of Xia Tong’s pheromones seemed to carry tiny hooks, stirring his blood and luring him to delve deeper and extract more sweetness. Lin Mingfei’s hand trailed slowly down Xia Tong’s spine, his firm yet ambiguous touch full of dominance.
The Omega’s body was so delicate and soft, so easy to leave marks on, so easy to claim…
Alpha pheromones slowly infiltrated Xia Tong, mingling with the tempestuous Omega pheromones. Lin Mingfei remained self-restrained, knowing that because it was only a temporary marking, he couldn’t inject too much pheromone. This made the process long and painstaking.
The unruly Omega pheromones finally quieted, yielding to the presence of the Alpha’s. As their scents intertwined, Xia Tong’s eyes fluttered open slightly, his glassy pupils reflecting a dazed confusion as if soaking in warm spring water. He had bitten Lin Mingfei’s hand fiercely at first, but gradually loosened his grip, leaving only soft, shallow breaths and a chaotic rhythm in his wake.
Lin Mingfei observed that Xia Tong seemed calmer, less agitated and distressed. He gently released his hold, noticing that Xia Tong’s pale neck was slightly flushed and swollen from the moisture, a light pink hue coloring his skin.
Two rows of teeth marks were the undeniable evidence of his savagery.
Poor Xia Tong.
Lin Mingfei thought this but still couldn’t suppress a sense of satisfaction, like a wolf that had feasted. He had to admit he felt incredible.
So this is the joy of marking an Omega…
And this was only a temporary mark. If it were permanent—no, stop! This is not the time to think about that!
He shook his head, trying to refocus, but his mind wandered. He shifted Xia Tong gently, laying him flat and pulling the blanket over him. Exhausted from the ordeal, the little Omega immediately drifted into a deep sleep, his head tilted to the side, completely still. Lin Mingfei let out a breath of relief and grabbed a chair, sitting by the bedside.
The once-overpowering scent of osmanthus in the air had noticeably faded. Lin Mingfei leaned closer to Xia Tong’s neck out of curiosity, inhaling lightly. He was surprised to find that Xia Tong’s scent had changed, blending with his own signature aroma of white sandalwood into a more neutral note.
Lin Mingfei’s eyes brightened.
This was a peculiar feeling, like tagging something you loved with your unique mark so no one else could touch it. It was a heady mix of joy and pride.
Even if it only lasted seven days.
… Only seven days.
Lin Mingfei crossed his arms, tilting his head as he watched Xia Tong sleep. The Omega looked peaceful, his brows smoothed out, though his messy bangs and disheveled pajamas betrayed the struggle he had just endured. A wave of tenderness and satisfaction washed over Lin Mingfei, and he couldn’t help but think that Xia Tong was even more beautiful like this, impossible to tire of looking at.
After sitting by the bed for a while longer, Lin Mingfei got up and noticed the little pink robot lying on the floor. He picked it up, placed it on the bookshelf, and rummaged through Xia Tong’s drawer to find the charging cable for it.
Despite his usual disdain for this overly sentimental piece of artificial intelligence, he now saw its indispensable role in Xia Tong’s life.
When no one was there to protect Xia Tong, this little robot did its best to shield its master.
After charging it for a bit, the robot’s LED eyes lit up.
“Xia Tong, time to take your medicine—” It resumed its previous unfinished command.
Lin Mingfei burst into laughter, leaning on the bookshelf with folded arms to level his gaze at the tiny pink machine.
“No need anymore. Everything’s fine now,” he said with a satisfied smile. “Good job. Keep up the good work, Debon.”
“What did you do to Xia Tong, Alpha?” Debon’s mechanical voice cut sharply, unimpressed by Lin Mingfei’s praise. “Please refrain from approaching a sleeping Omega, or I will recite the *International Omega Protection Act* as a warning.”
This little robot didn’t know when to quit! It was one thing to talk like this to Shi Ya and the other Alphas, but Lin Mingfei had a membership with this thing—he was family!
A mischievous idea suddenly popped into Lin Mingfei’s head.
“I marked him,” he said slyly.
Debon froze as if struck dumb, silent for over ten seconds. Lin Mingfei smirked smugly.
Gotcha, you little AI brat.
But just as he was feeling triumphant, Debon emitted a mechanical “click” followed by a beep.
That sound was oddly familiar, but Lin Mingfei didn’t immediately catch on.
Debon: “According to the *International Omega Protection Act*, Chapter 4, Article 236, any act of forcibly marking an Omega through violence, coercion, or other means is punishable by three to ten years of imprisonment.”
Lin Mingfei: “…”
Debon: “Dialing emergency services, 110. Connecting now. Beep—”
Lin Mingfei: “???”
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