The Cannon Fodder 'Seme' is the Center of Attention Again (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 26

The rain outside seemed much lighter than before. Among the bushes in the corner, a few unknown wild flowers were scattered. Raindrops hit the pinkish-purple petals, and before they could stay for even a few seconds, they were pushed away and replaced by new droplets of water.

Jiang Siran fell silent after saying those words, but he did not leave. He pressed his head against Li Qingran’s shoulder, his hands tightly encircling the Alpha’s waist.

The atmosphere in the study seemed to fall into a sudden silence. Everything was still, save for the subtle sound of the two of them breathing.

Li Qingran looked at the reflection in the glass window of the Alpha who had lowered his head, unwilling to meet his gaze. He blinked slowly and asked, “Why do you say that?”

“…Just a feeling,” Jiang Siran said in a muffled voice. “I feel like when you asked me to go hold Su Jingyi, it wasn’t just as simple as wanting me to take him to the doctor.”

Otherwise, why didn’t he let Gu Shiyu hold him? The relationship between those two was certainly much closer than with a stranger like him, whom Su Jingyi had never even met.

Jiang Siran didn’t believe a word of Gu Shiyu’s talk about his body being too cold and damp, or it being unsuitable to hold an uncomfortable Omega, or fearing it would cause more serious consequences.

Although Omegas were indeed fragile, they couldn’t possibly be fragile to that extent!

Jiang Siran hadn’t argued with Gu Shiyu at the time only because Li Qingran had agreed with Gu Shiyu’s view and had told him to go do it.

He couldn’t possibly disobey Li Qingran, so he had gone to Su Jingyi’s side without further word.

Yet, when he reached the sofa and before he could even fully uncover the jacket—which was covered in Li Qingran’s pheromones—from the Omega’s face, the other party suddenly released a massive amount of pheromones. It made his body stiffen instantly. The possessiveness triggered in his brain made him lose control, wanting to mark the Omega in front of him.

At one point, a whispering voice even seemed to appear in his ear, telling him that the Omega before him was the person he should truly love, and that the blending of their pheromones was what was “right.”

“So, open your mouth and bite down!”

“As long as you bite down, everything will return to the right track.”

That was what the voice in his ear told him, urging him to move closer and closer to the Omega, to lean toward his gland, and then take that piece of soft flesh into his mouth to feel more of that rich lemon fragrance that should have made him crave and become addicted.

But… Jiang Siran wanted to ask, what did it mean that as long as he bit down, everything would return to the right track?

What did this “right track” refer to?

And who set this track? Why did he have to listen to this voice?

Jiang Siran didn’t understand, didn’t comprehend, and didn’t respect it.

He was not the kind of person who would discard his own will to fulfill someone else’s wishes. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have insisted on returning to Nancheng to find Li Qingran during such a critical moment for establishing his authority in the Jiang family, despite his grandfather’s repeated persuasions.

So, he directly ignored that mysterious voice. He fought against his body’s instincts with all his might, biting his own hand hard to create a sharp pain that cooled the blood boiling in his body from the Omega’s pheromones.

At that moment, his mind was filled with thoughts of Li Qingran.

Now, he also wanted to know: what was in Li Qingran’s mind at that time? When Li Qingran saw him obey and walk toward Su Jingyi, when he saw him attacked by the Omega’s pheromones, and when he saw him bite his own hand so hard?

Was it him?

Or was it something else, some experiment or plan he didn’t know about?

The arms around Li Qingran’s waist tightened further. Before he could be strangled to death by Jiang Siran, Li Qingran patted his tensed arms. After the Alpha paused and reluctantly let go, Li Qingran turned around to face Jiang Siran.

“Then what do you think was my purpose for insisting you hold Jingyi?”

“…I don’t know,” Jiang Siran’s voice became even more muffled.

He felt his mind was a mess. He wasn’t sure if it was because the Omega’s pheromones were still affecting him, or if it was because Li Qingran’s evasive attitude was too vague. This feeling of being unable to see through him or get close made Jiang Siran feel miserable and frustrated, yet also a bit anxious.

He was afraid that if he continued to press for answers, Li Qingran might find him annoying and decide to leave him.

After all, although Gu Shiyu had taken Su Jingyi away, they weren’t dead; there was always the possibility of a comeback.

Thinking this, Jiang Siran suddenly didn’t want to ask anymore.

The answer didn’t matter. What Li Qingran used him for didn’t matter. For Jiang Siran, the most important thing right now was that Li Qingran’s final choice was him.

That was enough!

Yes! That was enough!

Jiang Siran took a deep breath and pretended nothing was wrong. “Forget it, I was just asking. It’s no big deal. Since you’ve been busy for so long, are you hungry? I’ll have the butler prepare something to eat.”

He prepared to turn and leave as he spoke.

However, before he could even take a step, his wrist was grabbed from behind by Li Qingran. The Alpha’s gentle voice, which always carried a hint of distance, followed.

“Really? Were you really just asking? Do you really not want to know the answer?”

Of course not! Of course I want to know!

Jiang Siran’s lips moved, but these two answers—which roared from his heart—did not come out of his mouth.

He only asked in a low voice, “Do you find me very annoying?”

Li Qingran tilted his head and looked at him, not quite understanding what prompted this question. “Why do you ask that?”

“I’m overthinking. Maybe you just said it casually, wanting me to help move someone, but I started doubting you because of it…”

Jiang Siran licked his dry lips and looked back at Li Qingran with a smile, but to be honest, that smile didn’t look very good.

“But I really didn’t mean I doubted you. I just, I just…”

Jiang Siran’s voice grew smaller and smaller, and in the end, he couldn’t finish his sentence.

He looked even more dejected. His dark green eyes became watery, looking as if he had been badly bullied.

Li Qingran looked at his current appearance and blinked. He suddenly let go of Jiang Siran’s hand. The latter looked over in a panic, like a puppy whose owner had suddenly released the leash, his face full of confusion and helplessness.

Li Qingran ignored this. He walked past him to the sofa and sat down. Then, looking up at the Alpha who was still standing there dazed, he gestured to him.

“Come here.”

Without a second thought, Jiang Siran immediately walked over and squatted down beside Li Qingran. At the same time, he hooked his pinky finger around Li Qingran’s as if catching hold of an anchor.

“You!”

He wanted to ask if Li Qingran was angry, but before he could speak, his mouth was blocked by the cool sensation of a finger on his lips.

The dark green eyes of the Alpha became even more vacant.

Jiang Siran felt as if someone had pressed a pause button on him. He couldn’t speak, he couldn’t move his body, and even breathing became difficult.

His mind went blank. All purposes and plans disappeared from his head. At this moment, Jiang Siran could only feel Li Qingran’s finger on his lips.

He felt the Alpha gently knead his lower lip before using a fingertip to pry open the gap between his lips. Then, the moment he opened his mouth, the Alpha pressed his finger pad directly against the fang that had appeared at some unknown time.

The soft fingertip rubbed against his sharp tooth, over and over. It gave Jiang Siran the illusion that even the glands inside were being touched. Pheromones smelling of gunpowder were released uncontrollably, and the Alpha’s breathing became increasingly rapid.

But Li Qingran continued to touch them unhurriedly, as if performing a routine medical checkup. Sometimes he lingered at the tip, sometimes he brushed against the lips. The cool touch, accompanied by the faint scent of ice and snow pheromones, traveled through sensitive nerves to the brain, bringing waves of tingling numbness.

Jiang Siran could hardly remain in a squatting position.

The fingertips hooking Li Qingran’s other hand couldn’t help but tremble slightly. When the Alpha’s fingertip touched the tip of his tongue once more, Jiang Siran couldn’t hold back and knelt directly on one knee on the floor.

He wanted to ask what Li Qingran was doing. Why did he suddenly become curious about his teeth?

Weren’t they just arguing? How did things develop to this point?

Was he trying to use this method to distract him? Or was he simply trying to tease him?

Jiang Siran’s mind became even more chaotic. His brain, which was already crowded with questions, became even more of a tangled mess as Li Qingran continued his movements.

 

He wanted to speak, yet he couldn’t bear to. He was afraid that the moment he opened his mouth, the Alpha would stop touching him.

 

Jiang Siran was reluctant to break the silence, but Li Qingran had no such reservations. Amidst the thick scent of gunpowder pheromones, the black-haired, grey-eyed Alpha sat with his legs crossed. One hand rested on the armrest, his pinky still hooked by Jiang Siran, while the other hand continued to stir and probe inside the other man’s mouth.

 

Li Qingran’s gaze was lowered, his grey eyes shimmering with a hint of curious amusement. Each time he touched a new spot, his eyes would light up slightly.

 

“So sharp…”

 

After a long while, Li Qingran finally withdrew his hand. His pink fingertips carried a trace of transparent moisture, and an obvious small indentation had formed on his finger pad. Jiang Siran watched as he used his thumb to rub that small indentation several times. Suddenly, Li Qingran leaned down. As a wave of icy snow scent rushed toward him, the Alpha’s beautiful grey eyes were reflected clearly in Jiang Siran’s own.

 

“It must have hurt a lot when you bit it,” Li Qingran said, picking up Jiang Siran’s injured hand.

 

“Ah? Um…”

 

Jiang Siran blinked, letting the other man gently touch the scabbed wound with his fingertips. His Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously, as if Li Qingran’s finger was still stuffed in his mouth, he couldn’t speak, and he didn’t dare to.

 

Li Qingran couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s with the ‘um’? I’m asking you a question. Does it hurt?”

 

“It’s alright.” Jiang Siran’s brain was barely functioning. It took a great deal of effort to stumble out an answer. “I wasn’t thinking about much at the time. I just wanted to keep myself conscious.”

 

“Why did you want to stay conscious?”

 

Why?

 

Jiang Siran blinked and said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “Because I didn’t want to mark him! I just told you I liked you, if I went and marked an Omega right in front of you, what kind of person would that make me!”

 

The Alpha’s eyes shone brightly. He leaned closer to Li Qingran and repeated, “Qingran, I only like you.”

 

“Then what is it you like about me?” Li Qingran asked. “Do you like my looks? My personality? Or… my pheromones?”

 

The beautiful young man hooked Jiang Siran’s chin. In the dim light, his jewel-like grey eyes turned into a deep, heavy black, like a bottomless pool that drew people in, making them want to jump in and test the depths.

 

Jiang Siran heard him ask, “Are you addicted to my pheromones?”

 

“Do you really not want to try the pheromones of an Omega?”

 

That scent that brings no pain, only desire and pleasure—is that really not what you want?

 

Li Qingran watched Jiang Siran silently, waiting for the final result of his experiment.

 

Actually, he simply wanted to know if the Alpha had developed any special feelings for Su Jingyi’s pheromones as he had in the original plot. However, when these words reached Jiang Siran’s ears, it was unclear how his brain processed the information.

 

Li Qingran saw the Alpha’s eyes suddenly light up, and the gloom surrounding him vanished instantly. He leaned toward Li Qingran, his grip on his fingers tightening with excitement.

 

“So, you wanted to test if I really like you, and if I would be influenced by an Omega’s pheromones in the future… that’s why you made me hold Su Jingyi, right?”

 

Li Qingran: “…?”

 

No, wait! How did the question loop back to that?

 

Li Qingran was somewhat dazed, but Jiang Siran let out a long breath as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his chest. His eyes grew even redder, seemingly moved to the core by Li Qingran’s “test.” When he spoke again, his tone was solemn and serious.

 

“Don’t worry. When I say I like you, I mean it. Whether it’s now or in the future, I will never do anything to betray you. I won’t go looking for an Omega just for a moment of pleasure. If you don’t believe me, or if you’re worried, I’ll be seduced by an Omega later, I can go and have my glands removed right now!”

 

Li Qingran: “…That won’t be necessary.”

 

Jiang Siran couldn’t care less. He grabbed Li Qingran’s hand, his dark green eyes looking sincere and earnest.

 

“Truly, Qingran, I only like you. If I have to say it and compared to an Omega’s pheromones, I much prefer yours.”

 

Perhaps he was just abnormal; he didn’t like the comfortable way. He only wanted to use a rougher method to stir up the most primitive desires of his body.

 

But so, what? This was his choice.

 

Jiang Siran lowered his head and nuzzled Li Qingran’s fingertips. His black hair fell softly by his ear, just as he leaned against Li Qingran’s side.

 

“I’m sorry, Qingran. I misunderstood you just now.”

 

So, he had him hold Su Jingyi not because he felt bad for Gu Shiyu, nor because he still had feelings for Su Jingyi, it was only to test if he could resist the natural influence an Omega has on an Alpha.

 

He cares about me. Maybe he even likes me a little bit.

 

It was his own fault for being so conflicted! Qingran was already going back to Beicheng with him, yet he was still here overthinking things. It was truly uncalled for.

 

Thinking this, Jiang Siran suddenly looked up and leaned in close to Li Qingran. “Qingran, punish me!”

 

“…”

 

How did the topic jump to punishment now?

 

Li Qingran really couldn’t keep up with Jiang Siran’s train of thought. He pursed his lips, forcing himself to snap out of the Alpha’s wild imagination. Steadying his mind, he said, “So, you don’t like Su Jingyi’s pheromones?”

 

“I don’t!” Jiang Siran said decisively.

 

What was there to like about those soft pheromones? Compared to that, Jiang Siran preferred the exhilarating, full-throttle thrill of fighting for dominance and control against Li Qingran’s pheromones.

 

Is that so?

 

Li Qingran raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. If that were the case, did it mean—

 

【Ding! Emergency System Notification: Since the villain of this world has completely deviated from the plot settings, the world line will be reset to a new track. During this period, the task-taker may have a period of relatively free activity.】

 

【Furthermore, because this plot deviation was triggered by a major character, the task-taker will not be punished. As compensation, the task-taker’s mission will be adjusted to simply staying away from the protagonist Shou. The system will no longer have any requirements for the protagonist Shou’s hatred value.】

 

【Please continue to work hard and complete the new mission!】

 

The mechanical, flat voice echoed in Li Qingran’s mind. Jiang Siran was still whispering vows of loyalty in his ear, and even 888, after a brief disconnection, came back online to happily congratulate him on finally escaping the setting where the protagonist Shou had to be the one to initiate the breakup.

 

【This way, as long as we leave Nancheng with the villain, the mission is considered complete】 888 said excitedly.

 

After working overtime for so long, it could finally get off work!!!

 

But Li Qingran’s focus was no longer on “getting off work.” He only wanted to know one thing:

 

【What does ‘relatively free activity time’ mean?】

 

【Oh! It means that outside of plots involving the main characters, the host has a certain amount of free time. You no longer have to maintain your persona or be controlled by the plot.】

 

【I see…】

 

Li Qingran pressed his tongue against his teeth. In the dim light, the expression on his face became unreadable.

 

Then it’s not particularly free, is it?

 

Li Qingran blinked and turned his attention back to Jiang Siran. Since the plot had collapsed because of the villain..

 

Li Qingran licked his lips, and the smile on his face became increasingly gentle.

 

“Punish you?” he said softly. His voice was full of confusion, as if he were completely unfamiliar with the concept and needed someone to guide him out of this hazy, dangerous fog.

 

Jiang Siran heard him ask for help: “How should I punish you?”

 

On the soft leather sofa, Li Qingran leaned down, moving closer to Jiang Siran. His expression looked lost and helpless. His black hair flowed down like water, passing his fair ear and falling near his lips.

 

He looked at Jiang Siran, his grey eyes seemingly filled with a falling snow. Even the surrounding air became saturated with the scent of ice and snow.

 

“Will you help me?”

 

Jiang Siran’s Adam’s apple moved.

 

In the next second, 888 was thrown into the dark room once again.