A World Asunder - Chapter 5

Zhao Yexi knew that overthinking was useless; a suspected case like him should get a genetic test as soon as possible. Following the instructions from the Suicheng Hospital, he filled out his information on the mini-program, only to find that his appointment was scheduled for a month later.

Once human differentiation was confirmed, everyone was desperate to know their second gender. Those past the typical age range or those without symptoms swarmed the registration system. Testing resources were limited; unless someone showed obvious signs of differentiation, they had to wait in line.

To calm the public, the ABO Research Institute issued another statement: For now, it can be assumed that second-gender differentiation does not cause any bodily harm. Please be patient and wait for your turn. Medical resources will be prioritized for Omegas currently in their “Susceptibility Period” (the temporary name).

Zhao Yexi was so anxious he started losing hair, complaining to Tao Qiaosheng on WeChat.

It’s a Macho Man: Can someone just give me a straight answer already?! [Cat screaming meme.jpg]

Xiaoqiang Is Trying to Become Qiao: Love and peace. [Nun holding flowers meme.jpg]

It’s a Macho Man: ?

Xiaoqiang Is Trying to Become Qiao: The internet says maintaining a peaceful mind makes it easier to differentiate into an Omega.

It’s a Macho Man: [Your daddy is silent for a moment.jpg]

Xiaoqiang Is Trying to Become Qiao: If you can’t be peaceful, just go find your dad. The whole ABO Research Institute belongs to him; you think he can’t get you a test?

It’s a Macho Man: If my parents were willing to let me use the back door, would I be stuck here?

Xiaoqiang Is Trying to Become Qiao: Well, is there anyone around you who has already confirmed their differentiation? You could ask them what the testing process is like.

Zhao Yexi thought about it; there might actually be someone.

He sent Monkey a WeChat message asking about his health, and to his surprise, the other side placed a call immediately.

It was Monkey’s mom. She said Monkey had been confirmed as an Omega and had spent his Susceptibility Period in the hospital. He had been discharged safely. She wanted to invite Zhao Yexi and the driver who took them to the hospital to dinner as a thank you.

Zhao Yexi’s first instinct was to refuse a meal with Lu Huangzhi, but he was dying to know the details of differentiation. Besides, Lu Huangzhi really had helped Monkey; he earned the right to that dinner.

Zhao Yexi created a group chat for Lu Huangzhi and Monkey’s mom. After learning the situation, Lu Huangzhi agreed. For Zhao Yexi’s convenience, Monkey’s mom scheduled it during the New Year’s holiday at a Cantonese restaurant.

Zhao Yexi arrived at the restaurant just as Lu Huangzhi did.

Lu Huangzhi was wearing a knit sweater with a white collared shirt underneath. He wasn’t wearing his earring today. He was still handsome, but it was a different vibe from his usual look, more like a “boy-next-door” heartthrob.

Zhao Yexi couldn’t help but look twice. “Dressed so warmly. Are you meeting your mother-in-law?”

“No,” Lu Huangzhi yawned, looking like he had just woken up. His expression was lazy. “I’m meeting my godfather.”

It took Zhao Yexi a few seconds to process that. He had to hand it to him. “Forget about your shame, have you lost your dignity too?”

“What’s the point of those superficial things?” Lu Huangzhi looked at his face. “Give me a smile.”

Zhao Yexi: “?”

“Let me see if your dimples, canine tooth, and brain are still there.”

“Can you act like a human for once?” Zhao Yexi kept a stiff face, secretly vowing that if he smiled at Lu Huangzhi, he’d consider himself the loser.

Monkey and his mom arrived before them. Monkey’s mom was clearly struck by Lu Huangzhi’s looks, while Monkey grinned at her side. “Told you the driver was handsome.”

Monkey’s mom warmly invited them to sit and pushed the menu toward Lu Huangzhi. “Order whatever you like, Auntie’s treat.”

Lu Huangzhi casually handed the menu to Zhao Yexi and asked Monkey, “How are you feeling?”

Monkey flexed his arm, showing off his biceps to Zhao Yexi and Lu Huangzhi. “Full health, back to life. Nothing wrong with me at all.”

His mom sighed. “You’re fine now, but you’ll have a hard time when the Susceptibility Period hits.”

Zhao Yexi took the opportunity to ask, “Auntie, what’s it like at the hospital? Is it super crowded?”

“There are a lot of people getting tested, but the ones staying in the wards are Omegas in their Susceptibility Period. There aren’t that many of them, so the beds are just barely enough.”

Zhao Yexi asked further, “What exactly does this Susceptibility Period mean?”

“The experts say it’s a periodic physiological phenomenon, also called a heat period. An Omega’s pheromones overflow, and they become exceptionally sensitive, fragile, and crave human touch.” Monkey’s mom paused, her expression turning a bit odd. “Anyway, it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. I heard from the doctor that the ABO Research Institute is working on a suppressant, so Omegas won’t have to be hospitalized for IV drips to get through it. I hope they succeed soon.”

Zhao Yexi asked, “I was sprayed by a nurse at the hospital last time. Was that a suppressant?”

“That was just an odor blocker to hide an Omega’s scent.”

Monkey made a gagging face. “The result was that I didn’t smell like braised pork anymore, but I smelled entirely of alcohol.”

His mom comforted him. “The ABO Research Institute will surely improve that. In the future, you can have whatever scent you want.”

The information Monkey’s mom shared hadn’t been fully released to the public yet; even Zhao Yexi hadn’t heard some of it.

Lu Huangzhi asked, “Alphas don’t have a Susceptibility Period?”

“No, but they have their own pheromones, and they are easily influenced by an Omega’s scent.” Monkey’s mom recalled some things she saw at the hospital. She couldn’t bring herself to say them in front of the boys, so she spoke euphemistically: “Omegas really need to protect themselves, or they’ll be bullied by Alphas.”

Zhao Yexi shuddered. Bullied? What kind of bullied?!

Monkey clenched his fist. “If anyone tries to bully me, I’ll give them an uppercut followed by a back-hook.”

Lu Huangzhi said, “Are you in eighth grade?”

“Yeah. Macho Man told you, right?”

Macho Man?

Lu Huangzhi looked at Zhao Yexi, who had a face that said “So what? Got a problem?”. He replied, “No, Macho Man didn’t say. I just guessed.”

Zhao Yexi wanted to ask about Omega pregnancy, but Monkey was a minor. His sudden differentiation was already depressing enough for the family; it was better to avoid sensitive topics.

After dinner, Monkey’s mom brought out a gift. “I wanted to give you a silk banner, but since I didn’t know your names, I baked two boxes of cookies instead. It’s nothing expensive, so please don’t be polite with me.”

It was impossible to refuse a handmade gift like that, so both Zhao Yexi and Lu Huangzhi accepted.

“Macho Man, I prepared a special gift for you too.” Monkey’s smile was mysterious. “It’s perfect for you.”

“Ah, you really shouldn’t have.”

“I already bought it; it’s useless to us if you don’t take it.” Monkey’s mom stuffed a large bag into Zhao Yexi’s arms.

Zhao Yexi looked at the contents and froze.

Lu Huangzhi asked curiously, “What is it?”

Zhao Yexi slammed the bag shut, but he couldn’t shut Monkey’s mouth.

“A full set of ‘Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests’! Good luck with your exams, Macho Man!”

Zhao Yexi smiled. “My whole family thanks you.”

Stay steady. As long as I’m not embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to others.

Lu Huangzhi raised an eyebrow. “College Entrance Exams?”

“Xiao Zhao is a senior this year. There are only a few months left until the exams.” Monkey’s mom had a glint in her eyes. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. Work hard, Xiao Zhao! Fight for one season, win a lifetime of no regrets!”

Zhao Yexi forced a smile. “No regrets. None at all.”

Monkey was confused. “Wait, Macho Man, why are you crying? Are you really that moved?”

Lu Huangzhi looked like he was enjoying the show. “How many more surprises do you have that I don’t know about?”

Sorry, I can’t stay steady.

Zhao Yexi covered his face, which had become a mask of agony. “Shut up.”

After saying goodbye to Monkey and his mom, Zhao Yexi was desperate to leave. Lu Huangzhi grabbed the hood of his sweatshirt. “Is the little brother in such a hurry to get home because his homework isn’t finished?”

Zhao Yexi turned around, clutching the heavy textbooks. “Don’t touch me.”

So annoying. The back of his neck was starting to feel hot again. He suddenly realized that every time Lu Huangzhi got slightly closer to him, this happened. This was the third time.

“Lu Huangzhi, are you an electric blanket?”

Lu Huangzhi couldn’t follow his logic. “You mean the kind people sleep with in winter?”

The heat was intensifying. Zhao Yexi couldn’t stand it and reached behind his neck.

Lu Huangzhi noticed the movement and stepped forward. “The back of your neck. When are you going for your test?”

Zhao Yexi caught a faint, clean scent, like some kind of fruit. It smelled extremely pleasant and brought him a strange sense of satisfaction. The back of his neck didn’t seem quite so hot anymore.

Is there a fruit shop nearby?

Lu Huangzhi leaned in closer. “Zhao Yexi?”

Zhao Yexi felt like he had been stung. “I don’t want to differentiate.”

“What you want doesn’t matter,” Lu Huangzhi said. “Get tested as soon as you can.”

“Are you telling me what to do?” Zhao Yexi pulled his hood up to cover the hot area and waved at Lu Huangzhi without looking back. “I’m leaving.”

The restaurant wasn’t far from his house, so Zhao Yexi decided to walk back to clear his head. After a few steps, a flashy red supercar drove toward him, the engine roar sounding incredibly cool.

Every “macho man” loves cars, and Zhao Yexi was no exception. He looked back a few times as it passed.

The red supercar stopped in front of Lu Huangzhi. Lu Huangzhi opened the passenger door and got in.

Zhao Yexi had heard that Lu Huangzhi came from an extraordinary background, but he was quite low-key at school, usually driving a car worth only seven or eight hundred thousand.

Zhao Yexi withdrew his gaze. Whatever car Lu Huangzhi drove had nothing to do with him.

Inside the car, the driver was one of Lu Huangzhi’s close friends. The friend looked at Zhao Yexi in the rearview mirror. “Since when do you hang out with high schoolers?”

Lu Huangzhi curled his lips. “He’s a senior in the same major.”

“Holy sh*t, he looks good. Quite a snack. Is he your type?”

Lu Huangzhi looked at his friend but didn’t say anything.

The friend knew Lu Huangzhi’s temper and didn’t push. After a minute of driving, Lu Huangzhi suddenly spoke: “I wouldn’t say I ‘like’ him.”

The friend was stunned, then laughed. “Your reaction time is a bit long, don’t you think?”

“I just think he’s interesting,” Lu Huangzhi said casually while scrolling through his phone. “Messing with him every now and then puts me in a better mood.”