A Fatal Attraction from Lawyer A - Chapter 62

“Welcome to ‘Cats and Dogs Family’! How can I help you today?”

Gu Yuxi followed Qi Lin into the pet store. The shop was bright and clean, lined with wooden display cases housing cats and dogs of every color. On a spiral climbing frame nearby, several beautiful Chinchilla cats sat obediently, their curious eyes tracking the newcomers.

In a corner dog bed, Yuxi spotted a Corgi puppy. It was currently sticking its rump in the air, rubbing its head against a soft cushion. Its ears twitched up and down as its paws kneaded the carpet fibers, wagging that round, sexy “peach butt” right at him.

His heart suddenly itched; he really wanted to pat that little Corgi’s backside. He walked over.

“I’d like to see some dogs,” Qi Lin said, directly addressing the clerk. “Are there any breeds particularly suited for an Alpha to raise?”

“Huskies, Golden Retrievers, Alaskans, Shepherds, and Corgis are all very suitable for Alphas.”

Qi Lin thought for a moment. Scaring Jian Wenxing with a giant dog didn’t seem like it would provide much of an achievement. “I want to see Pomeranians. I like the small ones.” The thought of using a tiny puffball to terrify a two-meter-tall man was hilarious.

“Of course, this way please.”

On the other side, Yuxi crouched beside the yellow-and-white Corgi. The puppy was still rubbing its head against the cushion with its butt in the air—it didn’t look like the brightest creature, but those twitching, rounded ears made it look like a plush toy. Watching that wagging “peach butt,” Yuxi couldn’t help but think it bore a striking resemblance to Luo Panzhi.

He reached out and patted the Corgi’s rear. It was soft and round.

The puppy’s ears quivered. It spun its head around to look at him, its round eyes filled with shock as if saying, “You actually touched me?!” Two seconds later, it trotted over to nuzzle against his pant leg.

“Woof! Woof!” The puppy wagged its tail and barked. It was a high-pitched, “milky” sound.

Yuxi felt his heart melt. The puppy nuzzled his hand, its soft fur brushing against him like it was plucking his heartstrings. He was already defenseless against fluffy things, but this display of affection captured him instantly.

He picked the puppy up to get a better look. Its eyes were like black pearls with almost no visible whites. It looked sweet and obedient. When he touched its nose, the puppy tilted its head. This “head-tilt kill” completely dazed him.

“Want to come home with me?”

“Woof!”

Gazing into those watery eyes and feeling the fluffiness in his arms, Yuxi thought of Panzhi again. He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Then your name shall be Xiao Pan (Little Pan).”

He wondered if Panzhi would like it. Surely he would.

Ultimately, they both bought a dog: Qi Lin chose an Omega Pomeranian, and Yuxi chose an Omega Corgi puppy. The household had officially gained a new member capable of tearing the place apart.

Galaxy Research Institute

“We have obtained the genetic sequences of all the victims after their secondary differentiation. After comprehensive analysis, we finally discovered the spelling error that actually destroys the genes during the process. Essentially, extremely low pheromone compatibility leads to the loss of a certain segment of a chromosome and the genes it carries. This causes gender mutation, proving that secondary differentiation isn’t entirely a psychological stress response.”

In the laboratory, Luo Panzhi had changed into a white coat. He stood beside his father, Chu Yiqiao, looking at a large screen displaying the genetic sequences of victims compared to a normal sequence. The discrepancy was obvious.

Chu Yiqiao pointed at the screen. “Actually, everyone’s genome has these errors—so-called ‘loss-of-function mutations.’ Usually, they don’t have ill effects; they might just slightly weaken our sense of smell or taste while we remain healthy. But in these cases, the compatibility affects the chromosomal structure of the entire ABO population. When compatibility is low enough, it triggers a structural mutation.”

Panzhi frowned. “But how do you explain the 99% mortality rate? How did Yuxi become the 1%?” He felt a wave of relief even as he asked.

“Nowadays, with blockers, most AO couples reach 70% compatibility. However, the WHO mandates that any pair below 20% is a ‘dangerous match’ and marking is forbidden. If they get close or try to mark, it can be fatal. These victims were marked by someone with incredibly low compatibility, which mutated their chromosomes. As for how Yuxi survived… one can only say he was extremely, extremely lucky.”

Chu Yiqiao looked at his son. “I told you before—it was the sweatcloth with your scent that saved him. Even though you were young and hadn’t differentiated yet, your scent was a signal to him, a sign of compatibility. When we saw him calm down, we immediately extracted your genetic code and injected it into his system via a BO sexual inducer. Then, when you differentiated into an Alpha at sixteen, your pheromones completely suppressed his instability. That is why he survived.”

“The probability of this genetic defect is perhaps one in a thousand. And you just happened to appear, with a 100% compatibility rating. That probability is practically non-existent. You are his lucky star. In this world, you two are the only recorded pair of Double Alphas with 100% compatibility. If Yuxi had been an Omega, he might never have met you.”

Panzhi leaned against a table, his expression grave. “Dad, will this chromosomal abnormality be passed to the child?”

“Yes,” Chu Yiqiao replied, as expected.

Panzhi’s face darkened. “What kind of problems will it cause?”

“Generally, your child would only be an Alpha or an Omega. The chance of a Beta is usually only 10%. But because of Yuxi’s mutation, the probability of the child being a Beta is now 50%.” Chu Yiqiao adjusted his glasses. “The child may be frail and prone to illness. You must be extremely careful during Yuxi’s pregnancy. His health will dictate the child’s constitution.”

Panzhi took a deep breath, a heavy aura of distress surrounding him. “Dad, the price is too high. I can’t bear to see him suffer. It breaks my heart.”

“That is why Galaxy Research is launching a screening project for secondary differentiation defects. Once perfected, it will become a routine checkup. We are also developing new drugs to inhibit the defect. Right Pan (Panzhi’s nickname), I need you to lead this. It will be a long process. You are the heir to Galaxy Group, you have the team, and your partner is the one affected. Your drive must keep you at the forefront of this. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Dad. I’ll do it.”

“Yuxi needs to rest. Get him to step away from work at the Group for a while. He isn’t like other pregnant fathers. Your brother is seven months along and still practicing piano, but Yuxi might not be able to do that. If you can’t take care of him, bring him home to us.”

Panzhi thought of his workaholic partner and sighed. “I’ll talk to him. He can’t sit still. He’s probably at home right now looking at Mo Wenbin’s case files.”

At Home

Beep. The fingerprint lock clicked, and Luo Panzhi walked in lugging bags of groceries. “Baby, I’m home!”

He set the food on the table and looked around. Not seeing Yuxi, he headed toward the bedroom, but suddenly felt something fluffy brushing against his leg.

His body froze. He looked down stiffly.

A small yellow-and-white Corgi was nuzzling his ankle, its round butt in the air and its tail wagging furiously.

“…You…” Panzhi’s voice trembled. He gripped the back of a chair to keep his legs from giving out.

Yuxi walked out in a bathrobe, fresh from the shower. “You’re back?” He noticed Panzhi’s strange expression. “What’s wrong?”

“W-what is this?” Panzhi pointed a shaking finger at the fluffball.

“I bought a Corgi.” Yuxi walked over. “Don’t you like dogs?” He bent down and scooped up the puppy, holding it out toward Panzhi. It was undeniably cute.

Panzhi’s brain practically exploded. Driven by a primal, childhood fear, he jumped onto the dining table, pointing at the puppy with trembling hands. “Don’t come over here! I-I’m warning you! Stay back!”

Yuxi stared at the CEO cowering on the table. “This Corgi is only two months old. Are you… afraid of dogs?” He swung the puppy slightly toward Panzhi.

The puppy wagged its tail and gave Panzhi a cute head-tilt.

“AHHHHH! STAY AWAY!!” Panzhi crouched on the table, covering his face in a near-total breakdown.

The puppy was so startled by the scream that it splayed its legs out and let out a tiny, hurt whimper.

“DON’T MAKE THAT SOUND!” Panzhi covered his ears and looked at Yuxi with tearful, wronged eyes. “Quick, baby, take it away! It’s terrifying! I’m scared!”

The little Corgi whimpered again and buried its head in Yuxi’s chest.

On top of the table, the suit-clad Young Master Luo was losing his mind over a two-month-old puppy. Yuxi bit his lip, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer. He burst out laughing. “You’re afraid of dogs?” He set the puppy down and patted its rump. “Go play over there, Little Pan.”

The terrified puppy bolted for its bed.

Panzhi peeked through his fingers. Seeing the puppy gone, he exhaled in relief. He glared at the laughing Yuxi. “I am afraid of dogs. Very afraid. Super, ultra afraid!”

“But it’s only two months old. It’s so small!”

“I don’t care if it’s two months old!” Panzhi’s voice went up an octave. “You don’t understand! They bite, and they’re fast, and they chase you!” He lowered his head, his voice sounding like he was on the verge of crying.

Yuxi had intended to lecture Panzhi about the “golf” incident, but seeing him trembling on the table was such a hilarious contrast that he just kept laughing.

“I’m seriously scared, and you’re laughing at me,” Panzhi muttered gloomily.

Yuxi felt a bit bad. He walked over and patted Panzhi’s head. “It’s just a puppy. It won’t bite. It’s very good.”

Panzhi leaned into the touch, feeling slightly better. Then, he realized something. “Baby… that hand… you just held the dog with that hand.”

“Yeah, so?”

Panzhi felt a surge of jealousy. “Why did you buy a dog? Am I not ‘dog’ (loyal/clingy) enough for you?”

Yuxi suppressed another laugh. Panzhi jumped down from the table, pulled Yuxi between his legs, and gripped his hands. “Why a dog? What for? Am I not dog enough?”

“I just wanted one,” Yuxi said, looking away to hide his smile.

“Don’t keep it,” Panzhi pleaded, looking like he was about to cry. “I was bitten on the butt by a dog when I was a kid. I have psychological trauma.”

Yuxi saw his red-rimmed eyes and finally gave in, resting his forehead on Panzhi’s shoulder while laughing uncontrollably. “Go ahead and cry, I love to see it.”

As Panzhi held the laughing Yuxi, he felt the puppy nuzzling his feet again. He shrieked and hugged Yuxi tightly, his legs turning to jelly. “WAHHH! Take it away! I’m really scared!” If Yuxi weren’t pregnant, Panzhi would have jumped right into his arms.

Yuxi looked down at the Corgi circling them. “Panpan, look how cute Little Pan is.”

Panzhi froze. “What did you call it?”

“Little Pan,” Yuxi said innocently.

Panzhi’s face went black. “How could you!”

“You want to keep raising your voice?” Yuxi picked up the puppy and shoved it toward his face.

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!” Panzhi turned and bolted for the living room, leaping onto the sofa. “If you come near me, I’ll… I’ll eat you!”

Little Pan, terrified again, let out another whimper.

Yuxi cradled the puppy like a baby. “Don’t listen to Big Dad. Papa won’t let him eat you. I’ll buy you a pretty little dress tomorrow, okay?”

Under the warm glow of the chandelier, the sight of Yuxi and the puppy was so peaceful that Panzhi found himself dazed. He imagined a future where Yuxi held their child just like that.

Maybe… accepting a two-month-old puppy isn’t that hard.

“Woof!” Little Pan barked happily.

Panzhi shivered. Actually… it’s still very scary. Help, there’s a dog in my house.