Mutated Pheromones

Editor: DarkSapphire, Sahloknir

Dinner was set for half past five. 

Yue Ran did an instance dungeon with the cuties in his guild, then ran an open egg solo and fed his chicken. His afternoon passed very quickly.

During this period, his father came three times to deliver fruit, snacks and ice cream.

He secretly observed his son’s condition and found the younger man was in a good mood. So he glanced at the monitor and went back to his study to sit down and think silently.

He thought that when his son encountered this event, he might go chat with his online partner after he was discharged from the hospital. But instead, Smashing Vault of Heaven was nowhere to be seen. 

Not only that, he saw his son’s new character ID. After a quick research, he found that they were no longer in the same guild.

So did the two break up?

Otherwise, why would Ran Ran leave his partner and change his name?

Wait…unless it was for some undercover plan? Was Ran Ran working as a spy?

Recently, Yue Shizhong, who had been eating a lot of melon seeds on the world chat, thought the game’s scandal and drama were too deep.

At this time, a new horn message flashed and new content appeared from a quite familiar character ID.

[(Horn) Star of Jupiter: @A- – – – Killer senior~expert, I’ve finished refining my sixth. Do you want to schedule a rematch?]

[(Horn) A- – – – Killer: Someone else already invited me for dinner, I need to get off.] 

[(Horn) Star of Jupiter: Alright, when are you free?]

[(Horn) A- – – – Killer: It depends.]

[(Horn) Star of Jupiter: Then accept my friend request so we can schedule in private.]

[(Horn) Star of Jupiter: Hnh…he’s already gone offline (tear)…] 

The world chat instantly became lively.

They have heard rumours that Star of Jupiter was killed by a formidable expert player in the arena. But it was morning, so there were very few spectators and no one recorded the match. They just heard from word of mouth. Later, they saw people analyzing the match and deduced that Star of Jupiter was at a disadvantage because of his poor equipment and lack of sixth. Now the elite player had taken the initiative to set a date for a rematch, the other players were naturally excited. 

It was a pity that the other was busy and couldn’t fight today.

Some players felt sorry for Star of Jupiter, some wished him luck, and some made outrageous assumptions. 

[(World) Do Not Regret True Love: Was he really busy? Could he be using it as an excuse to escape?]

[(World) Foolishly Waiting for You: To be honest, if I have the achievement of beating a great god, I don’t want a rematch.]

[(World) The Past: He has plans for dinner, why are you twisting his words?]

[(World) Doughnut: Did you stuff yourself with too many melon seeds? Do you have an itch if you don’t conspire?] 

Yue Shizhong was also a little angry, so he contributed his first world chat message to those players.

[(World) Anonymous Guardian: That’s right, can’t you read? He said he has something to do!]

Yue Ran was unaware that the moment he went offline, the world chat started to quarrel because of him.

After receiving his cousin’s WeChat message, he simply tidied himself up, ran to inform his father and went downstairs.  

Qin Xiujie drove his family’s off-road vehicle. After picking his cousin up, they went straight to the airport.

Half an hour later, they arrived at T2 terminal in S City and patiently waited at the reception hall. After a moment, they saw a young man with no luggage walking out.

The man was tall and had defined facial features. His indifferent appearance gave him a hard to approach aura. However, due to his beauty, many people couldn’t resist focusing their attention on him.

Startled, Yue Ran only felt that his senior was more handsome than the picture. 

Aljcu Wljb jirb rjk atfw. Lf pera uijcmfv ja Hlc Wleplf jcv atfc aegcfv ab Tef Ejc yfrlvf tlw.

Ktf ilaaif rewwbcfg kjr kfjglcu j iluta mbibegfv mjreji beaola. Lf rtbkfv cb fwbalbc, yea tlr yfjealoei ojmf kjr vfilmjaf ilxf j qgbev mja. Ktf lcmlvfca vlvc’a rffw ab tjnf ifoa jcs wjgx.

He suppressed the palpitation in his heart and walked step by step until he was in front of the other. He called out with a faint smile, “Ran Ran.”

Yue Ran was shocked again, thinking this senior was quite friendly. 

But that large force behind the small smile, his cousin hadn’t over-exaggerated when he said a lot of people pursued this senior at school.

He nodded and greeted politely, “Hello senior.”

Jiang Xiao said, “I’m in the same year as your cousin. You can call me Ge.”

Yue Ran had no objection, so he did as he was told. “Ge.” 

Jiang Xiao handed him what he had in his hand and said softly, “I saw a capsule machine on my way here and got a summoner. Wanted to give you it as a greeting gift.”

Yue Ran stretched out and accepted the capsule. “Thank you.”

With a dry cough, Qin Xiujie pulled Jiang Xiao’s attention away from Yue Ran and took a half step forward. He unkindly inserted himself between the two and put an arm around his friend. “C’mon, time to go eat.”

Jiang Xiao took a glance at him, followed them to the car, and they began their drive downtown. 

On the road, Jiang Xiao sat in the passenger seat while Yue Ran sat in the safer back seat.

Originally, Jiang Xiao also wanted to sit in the back, but Qin Xiujie quickly pulled him away and asked him to sit in the front with him for the convenience of talking.

Qin Xiujie was speechless.

Only today did he learn that Jiang Xiao was serious and unexpectedly shameless. 

It was very soon that he saw a more shameless scene.

Jiang Xiao asked about Yue Ran’s major when they brought up school. He said that his roommate was in the student union and he could contact them for help. Then he casually passed his phone to the back. “This is my WeChat.”

Yue Ran found nothing strange as he happily added his senior as a friend by scanning the QR code on his phone.

“…” Qin Xiujie spared his friend a single second of deadpan look. 

So, the so-called ‘I want to go see him first’ was just bullshit. After a while, with just a simple effort, Jiang Xiao got Ran Ran to call him Ge, gave him a gift and added each other as friends…They were totally signs of pursuing people. We’ll see once university starts my ass!

In Qin Xiujie’s heart, he quickly found a new topic to grab his friend’s attention again.

The restaurant served S City’s local cuisine.

Because of their good reputation, the place was already overcrowded when they arrived. Fortunately, they booked a reservation in advance. Without queuing for the line, they followed the waiter to a booth table against the wall. 

Qin Xiujie naturally sat in a row with his cousin.

He let the young man sit inside and took a seat closer to the corridor for protection.

Jiang Xiao sat opposite of them. He looked at Yue Ran. “I heard you were hospitalized a few days ago, are you alright?”

Yue Ran replied, “I’m alright.” 

Jiang Xiao carefully studied the younger man’s expression and saw no sign of unease, so he assumed the other was really fine.

Although he had known the little summoner for a short period, he found the other was very easy to read. He could understand Yue Ran’s character more or less.

He was a small tsundere, fast to anger, strongly independent, and didn’t like to rely on people.

Now Jiang Xiao added firm will. If what happened a few days ago happened to any normal omega, they would probably collapse on the spot, while this little summoner had already bounced back. 

It was something to be proud and gratified over, but also gave him deep distress.

The emotion in his eyes was profound, and he had the urge to grab the younger man into his arms for comfort. 

At this time, a hand suddenly stretched out, holding the menu and blocking his line of sight.

Qin Xiujie gave him a bright smile, but in his gentle tone was concealed rage. “Please order something.” 

Jiang Xiao calmly took the menu and turned his attention to Yue Ran again. “Anything you can’t eat?”

Yue Ran brought up, “The doctor said I can’t eat seafood for the time being.”

Jiang Xiao nodded. “Except for seafood, what don’t you like to eat? Can you handle spicy food?”

Yue Ran responded, “No.” 

Jiang Xiao made an acknowledged sound, as he asked while ordering their food. Absolutely flawless. 

Qin Xiujie: “…”

Are you actually inquiring for information while ordering!

Qin Xiujie mocked his stupid self for saying, ‘A meal won’t give you enough time for a proper chat’. He speechlessly watched the two interact. He didn’t try to stop Jiang Xiao anymore because his friend was an unstoppable force! 

Fortunately, Ran Ran acted more introverted in front of strangers. When the dishes were served, Jiang Xiao ceased to seek information. 

Jiang Xiao really didn’t have other motives. Most of the time, he talked with Qin Xiujie about school and games. As they brought up games, the more they chatted, the more the atmosphere became harmonious.

Now they were almost done with their meal, Yue Ran got up to use the restroom. The atmosphere instantly shifted between the remaining two.

Qin Xiujie asked, “What is your purpose here today?” 

“See if he’s alright, and see if my feelings have changed since we met in person,” Jiang Xiao said. “I’m absolutely sure he is the one.”

Qin Xiujie lowered his voice. “But his pheromones…”

“I know,” Jiang Xiao interrupted. He understated, “It’s just a receiver. I can get it removed.”

Qin Xiujie almost choked to death on his own saliva. “Going to the hospital and asking them to remove your receiver. Which doctor would be willing to go through with the surgery? Besides, that’s a part of the human body. Could it even be removed?” 

Jiang Xiao concluded, “It’s my business, I’ll solve it myself.”

Qin Xiujie didn’t know what to say. It took him a full five seconds before he said, “I’m sure Ran Ran won’t allow you to remove it.”

His younger cousin has such strong self-esteem. How would he accept his partner becoming ‘disabled’ for him?

Jiang Xiao answered, “That is also my business.” 

He wiped the corners of his mouth and faced Qin Xiujie. “The suppressant he got is the one with the three months’ effect?”

Qin Xiujie pondered, “That should be the case.”

An omega’s first estrus period tended to be quick and violent, so the hospital used a more powerful suppressant.

This kind of suppressant could completely cover up an omega’s pheromone, and it would take up to three months to lose its efficacy. This was also the reason Qin Xiujie was willing to let Jiang Xiao visit. Otherwise, Jiang Xiao wouldn’t be able to stand Ran Ran’s pheromones and display a slightly different emotion, which would lead to a second painful experience for Ran Ran. 

Jiang Xiao calculated, “He took it on the twenty-third, and university starts in September. On October twenty-third, it will lose its efficacy. I have one month.”

Qin Xiujie knew what he meant, but he was, once again, speechless.

Ran Ran would undergo military training after university starts. Strictly speaking, his friend has less than a month. During this period, Jiang Xiao needs to get close to Ran Ran, have the other to agree to be with him, and also persuade Ran Ran to allow him to remove his receiver…Qin Xiujie rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed, “Impossible.”

Jiang Xiao insisted, “Then I’ll do it slowly.” 

Qin Xiujie argued, “But once the suppressant’s effect is over, you have to pursue him with his repelling pheromones.”

Jiang Xiao uttered, “I know.”

Qin Xiujie knew nothing he said could change his friend’s mind. He could only look at the other seriously. “I won’t stop you. But if you find you can’t stand the smell halfway, and hurt Ran Ran’s heart, I’ll never forgive you.”

Jiang Xiao promised, “I won’t.” 

When their conversation came to an end, they waited for Ran Ran to return. After the three were together and chatted for another ten minutes, it was time for Jiang Xiao to go to the airport.

He didn’t ask Qin Xiujie to drive him because he didn’t want his friend to drive at night.

He called a taxi on the side of the street. As he was watching the driver driving over, he patted Yue Ran’s head. “See you at the beginning of school.”

Yue Ran responded, “Okay.” 

Jiang Xiao opened the car door and entered. He took one last look toward the younger man before looking away, and added another farewell message in his heart—see you at the beginning of school, my little summoner.

Yue Ran watched the taxi drive off. Then with his new capsule figure in hand, he was sent home by his cousin.

Qin Xiujie couldn’t stop by without greeting, so he followed his younger cousin upstairs to say hello to his uncle before leaving. But instead, he was called by his uncle to enter the study. He asked strangely, “What’s the matter?”

Yue Shizhong said, “I forgot to tell you, but the suppressant Ran Ran took has a six-month effect. Please watch over him at school.” 

Qin Xiujie was shocked. “Doesn’t the doctor use the three month one generally?”

Yue Shizhong sighed. “His condition is special. The doctor said that if the time is too short, alphas would reject him the moment the suppressant loses efficacy, and that’s too soon. To avoid him getting depression from the trauma and stress, they extended the time to winter vacation. Once the time arrives, I’ll take him to the hospital for a psychological assessment.”

Qin Xiujie made an ‘I see’ sound.

Yue Shizhong continued, “Pay attention to any alpha that is interested in pursuing him. Secretly break them apart if they have a normal receiver.” 

Qin Xiujie was once again speechless.

University hasn’t started yet, and Ran Ran has already been targeted by a shameless alpha.

But maybe heaven was helping Jiang Xiao. If Ran Ran’s suppressant could last for half a year, maybe Jiang Xiao could get Ran Ran to agree to the surgery. Looking at his uncle, the words in his mouth went in circles twice. He swallowed what he should have said after deciding to believe in Jiang Xiao, giving him a chance.

“By the way,” Yue Shizhong hesitated for a moment. He asked, “Does Ran Ran have a partner in the game?” 

Qin Xiujie replied, “No.”

Yue Shizhong double-checked, “Really?”

Qin Xiujie smiled. “Really.”

Yue Shizhong guessed that they might have broken up. He turned to his nephew and asked, “What about you?” 

Qin Xiujie answered, “Neither do I.”

Yue Shizhong didn’t believe him, so he admitted, “When I delivered fruit to Ran Ran’s room before, I saw your message on waiting for this person for several years. That wasn’t your partner?”

“…” Qin Xiujie cried laughing inside. “No, that was all pretending.”

Yue Shizhong was suddenly enlightened. 

He was right that the game couldn’t be supernatural to such a degree. It turned out it was all an act.

He immediately felt better. After seeing his nephew off, he slipped back into his study.

At first, he didn’t want Ran Ran to be tricked. Now that he knew his son wouldn’t do online romance in the game, he didn’t have to suppress his troubles. Otherwise, what would he do if Ran Ran learned of his game character one day and ignored him out of anger?

So after he pondered over everything, he went to his son’s room and called out, “Ran Ran.” 

Yue Ran looked up.

Yue Shizhong tried to make it sound as natural as possible. “I recently created an account on the new server. After playing for a few days, I found it too difficult. Could you help me train?”

Yue Ran: “…”