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Chen Kongqing has spent his life dedicated to two things: studying herbal medicine and loving Ling Xiao. During his sophomore year of college, he suffered a severe leg injury while protecting Ling Xiao. Because of this, Ling Xiao agreed to be with him. Even knowing the reason, Chen Kongqing was happy for a long time.
But Ling Xiao wasn’t happy. He hated the smell of herbs and avoided visiting Chen Kongqing.
In reality, Chen Kongqing harbored a shameful secret: he suffered from Skin Hunger (a physical longing for touch), yet Ling Xiao refused to get close to him. As his condition worsened and became unbearable, Chen Kongqing finally went to the hospital.
That was the first time he met Xu Jingmo.
The second time he met Xu Jingmo was at Ling Xiao’s birthday party. He discovered that his attending physician was actually his boyfriend’s older cousin. At the party, Ling Xiao remained cold, even saying in front of everyone, “The herbal smell on him is too heavy; it’s repulsive.”
While those words chilled Chen Kongqing’s heart, Xu Jingmo was the only one watching him with steady, profound eyes.
During their third meeting at a treatment session: Xu Jingmo: “You lied last time.” Chen Kongqing had lied, claiming his intimate relationship was fine. Xu Jingmo: “Please cooperate with the treatment from now on. Don’t lie.” Near the end of the session, the doctor gave his first piece of advice: “Actually, you could consider breaking up.”
Over many subsequent sessions, the “selfless” doctor and cousin-in-law suggested breaking up again and again. Eventually, Chen Kongqing arrived for a session and said lightly, “I broke up. I was the one who initiated it.”
The doctor’s reaction was calm, but his fingers paused on the keyboard for a long time. That day, as heavy rain fell, a black umbrella appeared over Chen Kongqing’s head. Xu Jingmo, now out of his white lab coat, offered a ride.
Chen Kongqing: “Is the herbal smell on me too strong? I’m sorry.” Xu Jingmo (after a long silence): “It smells good. I like it very much.”
Later, even after the treatment ended, Xu Jingmo remained in his life—helping him move, driving him to work, and bringing him coffee. Chen Kongqing: “Dr. Xu, you are such a good doctor.” Xu Jingmo: “Then can you give me a chance to be a very, very good boyfriend?”
Xu Jingmo once thought he was morally bankrupt for falling for a patient who was dating his cousin. But the truth was… he had liked him first.
Book 2: Are We Still Divorcing?
Protagonists: Old-fashioned Archaeologist vs. Trendy Journalist “Cat-like” Protagonist
Synopsis: The first time Wen Xu met Shi Yuanchuan was at an archaeological dig site. The man climbed out of a dirt pit wearing dusty, drab work clothes. It was a “country-bumpkin” outfit, but his face was incredibly handsome.
Wen Xu, a self-proclaimed visual seeker, approached him: “Hello, I’m a reporter. Can you take me to see Professor Shi?” The man, drinking water with his Adam’s apple bobbing in the sun, looked down: “Why do you want him?” Wen Xu straightened his glasses (which had no lenses): “I want to interview him.” The man looked suspicious: “Where are your lenses?” Wen Xu: “…” (It’s called fashion!)
“I am Shi Yuanchuan,” the man said. “Maybe I should help you find your lenses first.”
He didn’t know then that two weeks later, he would suffer from Pheromone Disorder and be forced into a rush marriage with an Alpha whose pheromones were highly compatible. That Alpha was Shi Yuanchuan.
Shi Yuanchuan is an S-class Alpha and an archaeology professor who spends his time either in a lecture hall or a dirt pit. Wen Xu figured since they were married, they should make it work. But Shi Yuanchuan seemed not to like him at all. He was rarely home, and when he was, he was silent and “all business” in the bedroom—no kissing, no talking, just physical intensity.
Wen Xu felt like a tool. One night, amidst the exhaustion, Wen Xu snapped: “Let’s get a divorce!” Shi Yuanchuan froze for a second, then became even more intense. Shi Yuanchuan: “You aren’t sober right now. Once you’re sober, you won’t want to leave.”
The Alpha’s Perspective: Shi Yuanchuan lived for archaeology until he met a “trendy little cat” who wore glasses without lenses. Due to a twist of fate, he married him. He heard from the doctor that Wen Xu needed pheromones for his illness, so every time he went home, he worked as hard as possible to “provide.” He had dark, obsessive impulses toward Wen Xu but suppressed them for fear of scaring the “kitten.” He thought he was doing his best—so why was his wife still asking for a divorce? He will absolutely, definitely never agree to it.
