Transmigrated As The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Of A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 22

Zhao Zhiyi was unaware of this silent clash, he simply felt as if the sky had collapsed.

What was Meng Ze doing?! How could he bite someone’s neck right in front of Su Jiyu? Why on earth did Su Jiyu fall for such a scumbag Alpha??

Fortunately, Meng Ze wasn’t out of control this time, it was a demonstration of dominance, and the bite wasn’t deep. Zhao Zhiyi forcefully pushed Meng Ze’s head away, hurriedly reapplied the suppressant patch, and glared at Meng Ze, mouthing the words: “Don’t go too far!”

Meng Ze’s attitude toward admitting his mistake was very proactive: “I’m sorry.”

Zhao Zhiyi took a deep breath. After confirming Su Jiyu was alright, he wanted to check on Zhou Xia’s condition, thinking that if the guy wasn’t dead, he’d take the chance to kick him a few more times. But just as he leaned over to look, Su Jiyu suddenly swayed, pressed a hand to his forehead, and let out a soft hiss of pain.

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Zhiyi immediately tossed the thought of Zhou Xia aside and grabbed Su Jiyu’s arm. “Did the wound open up?”

“It seems so.” Su Jiyu smiled pale faced. “I feel so dizzy.”

“You’re covered in injuries and ran all this way, it’d be a miracle if you weren’t dizzy.” Zhao Zhiyi frowned. “In this condition, you have to go to the hospital.”

“I…” Before Su Jiyu could finish his sentence, he fainted, falling straight into Zhao Zhiyi’s arms. Zhao Zhiyi was nearly crushed under the weight, struggling to support this “weak and helpless” protagonist Shou who, despite his large frame, had just beaten someone within an inch of their life moments ago.

Meng Ze’s brow furrowed. He grabbed Su Jiyu to pull him away, looking ready to toss him aside like trash.

Zhao Zhiyi hurriedly said, “Don’t just throw him!”

Meng Ze clicked his tongue. “Then what should I do?”

“Send him to the hospital.” Zhao Zhiyi rubbed his sore arms. “His wounds definitely reopened. He needs a full checkup.”

Meng Ze: “He won’t die even if we ignore him.”

Zhao Zhiyi gave him a complicated look. “Once your rut is over and you realized you said something like that, you’ll definitely regret it.”

Meng Ze: “?” He was just stating an objective fact. Su Jiyu was a stubborn maniac, since childhood, fortune tellers said he was a curse to his parents and everything else, everyone else would die before he did.

Zhao Zhiyi asked Secretary Chen to call an ambulance. On the way to the hospital, they dragged Zhou Xia along too. Little Zhao’s mental calculator was clicking away, this way, he could make Zhou Xia pay for the ambulance.

The Hospital

Su Jiyu had indeed fainted from blood loss. When the doctor saw his wounds, they almost called the police, thinking he had escaped from a human trafficking ring. Zhao Zhiyi felt a pang of heartache listening to this, wondering if a trafficking ring was more terrifying or if He Linrong was.

Secretary Chen was efficient and thorough, handling all the paperwork. Zhao Zhiyi sat in the waiting room, staring blankly at a water cup on the coffee table.

Perhaps because Zhou Xia had mentioned it, but previously, Zhao Zhiyi didn’t have many memories of his “father.” When Zhan Yue asked if he was going home for winter break, he simply thought the original owner had a distant relationship with his father and casually said no.

But now it seemed the memories were so painful that the original owner had chosen to mentally block them. Zhou Xia’s words were like opening Pandora’s box, countless images flashed through Zhao Zhiyi’s mind.

Just as Zhou Xia said, the original owner’s father, Zhao Jing, was a piece of trash highly similar to Zhao Zhiyi’s own biological father. In his youth, he relied on his decent face to live off wealthy women. But as his alcohol and gambling addictions grew, his body withered. No longer able to be a “pretty boy,” he joined a gang to collect protection money. During that time, he met the original owner’s mother.

Zhao Zhiyi was much luckier than the original owner because his own mother, though timid, gave all her love to her son. The original owner wasn’t so fortunate. His mother worked in a nightclub and only got pregnant because she thought Zhao Jing was wealthy and wanted to use the baby as leverage. When she was eight months pregnant, she discovered he was just a street thug.

She abandoned the baby at Zhao Jing’s doorstep immediately after birth. Zhao Jing didn’t care, the original owner was actually raised on goat milk by a kind elderly neighbor.

The reason Zhao Jing took him back at age six was because the neighbor passed away and left her meager savings to the boy. Zhao Jing wanted the money. Once the money was gone, he planned to kick him out again, but realized a six-year-old could do housework. So, he kept him to serve him.

In such a hellish environment, the original owner actually got into A-University and escaped Rong City. If not for being such a “love-brain,” he would have been quite admirable.

…No, perhaps his “love-brain” was a form of “transference.” He never received a father’s love, so he couldn’t refuse anyone who showed him kindness. He likely knew Cheng Hui’s motives but forced himself to be ignorant for the sake of sweet words and the feeling of being “loved.”

Zhao Zhiyi suddenly covered his face and muttered, “…Scum.”

Meng Ze tilted his head. “Who are you talking about?”

“Not you.” Zhao Zhiyi drank some water to calm down. Just then, the doctor came in to say Su Jiyu was awake.

Given Meng Ze’s current extreme rejection of other Alphas’ pheromones, Zhao Zhiyi warned him to stay outside so he wouldn’t barge in and beat Su Jiyu up in a fit of rage.

Inside the Ward

Su Jiyu was as pale as paper, lying on the bed with his eyes closed. The doctor said, “How could he not come to the hospital with such serious injuries? Even if it’s the patient’s wish, you family members shouldn’t have agreed. The wounds have torn repeatedly, there will likely be scars.”

Zhao Zhiyi froze. “Will there definitely be scars?”

Su Jiyu was so beautiful; it would be a shame for his skin to be marred.

The doctor chuckled. “You’re worried about scars now? He has so many old scars already… I thought you didn’t care about that.”

Zhao Zhiyi pursed his lips. Right… this wasn’t the first time He Linrong had beaten him. Those scars were layered over years, how could they ever fade?

Zhao Zhiyi sat by the bed and tapped Su Jiyu’s hand. “You heard the doctor, didn’t you? Stop faking sleep. I saw your eyelashes move.”

“Alright.” Su Jiyu opened his eyes, his amber pupils reflecting Zhao Zhiyi’s face. He smiled slightly. “I heard.”

“Then take care of your body,” Zhao Zhiyi said earnestly. “You’re young now, so you recover fast. When you’re older, all these ailments will come back to haunt you.”

Su Jiyu: “You say that as if you’ve experienced it.”

Zhao Zhiyi paused. He hadn’t, but he knew how much his mother suffered whenever it rained, all old injuries from his father.

“Don’t take it lightly,” Zhao Zhiyi said. “No wonder Dr. Zheng said you’re an even worse patient than Meng Ze when it comes to following orders.”

Su Jiyu whispered, “If Zhiyi were the doctor, I would definitely listen.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “…Stop being cheeky.” He poked the bandage. “Does it still hurt? I heard you didn’t use anesthesia.”

“Yeah, I don’t like the feeling of anesthesia,” Su Jiyu said softly. “The brain stops thinking. It’s like… being dead.”

“Don’t talk about death, you’re living just fine. Why did you go to Meng Ze’s company instead of staying at the hotel?”

Su Jiyu looked aggrieved. “You didn’t reply to my messages. I was too scared being alone, so I went to find you.”

Zhao Zhiyi sighed. “Fine, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ignored you, but things were a bit…”

“I know,” Su Jiyu said calmly. “Meng Ze’s rut started. You were with him.” He suddenly turned to look directly at Zhao Zhiyi. “Did he give you a permanent mark?”

Zhao Zhiyi turned bright red instantly. “No! What are you talking about!”

“…Oh.” Su Jiyu retracted his gaze and smiled. “That’s good.”

“Good?”

Su Jiyu said seriously, “Although marking removal technology is mature now, the surgery is very painful.”

Zhao Zhiyi subconsciously touched his neck. True… he and Meng Ze would be divorced soon. If he got permanently marked now, he’d just suffer more later.

“Are you…” Zhao Zhiyi asked hesitantly, “…not angry?”

Su Jiyu said gently, “You are a married couple. It’s normal for you to stay with him during his rut. I won’t be angry.”

There it was again. The angelic halo. How did Meng Ze manage to land someone like Su Jiyu?

“But Meng Ze has a bad temper, doesn’t he?” Su Jiyu added, appearing troubled. “We’ve known each other since we were small. He’s always been violent. It must be worse during his rut. Once I walked past him during his rut and he beat me up.”

Zhao Zhiyi’s eyes widened. “He hit you too?”

“Yes.” Su Jiyu lowered his lashes. “I’m no match for him. I was in the hospital for a week.” He neglected to mention that Meng Ze also ended up in the hospital, strapped to a bed with restraints for that rut.

“Then… why are you still… cough, on good terms with him?” Zhao Zhiyi asked.

“Maybe because I’ve never had many friends,” Su Jiyu said dejectedly. “Meng Ze is fierce and likes to hit people, but he’s willing to acknowledge me…” He suddenly sat up and hugged Zhao Zhiyi tightly. “Zhiyi, if only I had met you when I was little. Am I very unlikable? Is that why no one played with me?”

Zhao Zhiyi was startled and moved to push him away, but he felt something warm on his neck. Water droplets.

Was Su Jiyu… crying?

Zhao Zhiyi’s hand stopped. He patted Su Jiyu’s back instead. “No, I think you’re great. It’s not your fault.”

Su Jiyu leaned against his shoulder, his cheek brushing Zhao Zhiyi’s neck like a tame animal seeking warmth. “Really?”

“Of course,” Zhao Zhiyi said. “Why would I lie? I’ve always thought you were a good person. Don’t overthink it.”

The Omega comforted him gently, unaware that the Alpha on his shoulder was currently staring at the crumpled suppressant patch on the back of his neck with cold, terrifying eyes. He couldn’t smell Zhao Zhiyi’s pheromones, only the thick, possessive scent of another Alpha’s gin.

Su Jiyu desperately wanted to overwrite that scent. If only the person in his arms smelled like him…

“Su Jiyu?” Zhao Zhiyi patted his arm. “Lie back down. If the wound opens again, the doctor will yell at me.”

“…Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Su Jiyu slowly let go, his dark gaze returning to a gentle expression in a split second.

The Confrontation with Zhou Xia

After settling Su Jiyu, Zhao Zhiyi stepped out of the ward and was immediately pulled into a hug. He didn’t even need to look to know who it was. “Meng Ze, let go. This is a hospital.”

Meng Ze: “You have the smell of another Alpha on you. I don’t like it.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “Then deal with it.”

As he walked down the hall, Meng Ze followed. “I want to mark you again to cover the scent.”

Zhao Zhiyi said coldly, “Don’t even think about it.”

Meng Ze remained silent but wouldn’t let go of his hand. Zhao Zhiyi felt like kneeling to this couple. “This is a public place. Even if you beg me on your knees, I won’t… huh?”

Meng Ze wrapped his coat around Zhao Zhiyi. “I won’t bite. You can at least wear my clothes, right?”

The black coat was saturated with Meng Ze’s pheromones. Zhao Zhiyi was trapped in a cage of scent without even realizing it. “Fine, fine, I’ll wear it. Stop looking at me like that.” Zhao Zhiyi pointed at him. “Wait here. I’m going to see Zhou Xia.”

Thinking of Zhou Xia’s sickeningly sweet pheromones, Meng Ze didn’t insist on following.

Zhao Zhiyi entered Zhou Xia’s room. The man was wrapped like a mummy, cursing at the ceiling. When he saw Zhao Zhiyi, he tried to get up to fight.

“Don’t struggle in that state, it looks ridiculous,” Zhao Zhiyi said, sitting down. “I’m here to ask you something. You said you saw Zhao Jing a few days ago? Where is he now?”

Zhou Xia sneered. “Why should I tell you?”

“I see you’re not going to cooperate.” Zhao Zhiyi raised an eyebrow and suddenly pressed down on Zhou Xia’s wound. Zhou Xia screamed in pain. Zhao Zhiyi covered his mouth. “Stop shouting. This is a hospital, not your house. Have some manners.”

Zhou Xia stared at him in horror.

“The doctor says your heat was abnormal and suspects drugs. If I remember correctly, forced heat triggers for Omegas are contraband, right?”

Zhou Xia began to tremble.

“Don’t be nervous. I told the doctor your health is poor and your cycle is irregular, so they didn’t report it.” Before Zhou Xia could breathe a sigh of relief, Zhao Zhiyi smiled. “But I can still report it. Now, can you answer my question?”

Zhou Xia nodded frantically. He had thought Zhao Zhiyi was a pushover who only knew how to cry. Now, he feared for his life.

“I… I saw him at a casino. He was kicked out after losing everything. He looked familiar, so I asked. He really is your dad! He said he’s looking for you, but you changed your number. He only knows you go to school in A-City.”

“And?”

“He said he missed you, but I could tell he’s just a gambling addict. He’s probably dodging debts and wants you to pay them off. I didn’t know where you lived, so I gave him the address of the Meng family estate…”

Seeing Zhao Zhiyi’s expression, Zhou Xia covered his face. “I know I was wrong! I’ve already been beaten up by Meng Ze and Su Jiyu!”

Zhao Zhiyi didn’t hit him. Even without Zhou Xia, Zhao Jing would have found him eventually. “Where is he now?”

“I don’t know, but someone like him can’t get into the Meng estate. He’s likely lurking nearby.”

Zhao Zhiyi stood up to leave, then turned back. Zhou Xia flinched. “What else do you want?!”

“Oh.” Zhao Zhiyi placed a stack of papers on the nightstand. “These are the bills for the ambulance and your medical fees. Remember to transfer the money to Meng Ze.”

Zhou Xia: “…”

Zhou Xia: “The ambulance was for Su Jiyu!!”

“Didn’t you ride in it?” Zhao Zhiyi narrowed his eyes. “I called the fastest, most expensive ambulance out of ‘concern’ for you, Young Master Zhou. Surely you aren’t short on cash?”

Zhou Xia gritted his teeth. “…I’ll transfer it.”

The Morning After

By the time everything was settled, it was night. Zhao Zhiyi fell asleep in the car. When he woke up, Meng Ze was carrying him into the house. “I can walk myself.”

Meng Ze ignored him. “The garage is empty.”

“I’m hungry,” Zhao Zhiyi yawned.

“I’ll cook for you?”

Zhao Zhiyi checked for food delivery on his phone. When the payment failed, he realized he was using Meng Ze’s phone. Meng Ze provided the code: “170971.” It worked.

After eating and a quick shower, Zhao Zhiyi crashed. The next morning, he woke up feeling refreshed. His neck was bare, but there were no new bite marks, just signs of licking. At least he has some conscience, Zhao Zhiyi thought.

As soon as he opened the bedroom door, he was hit by a tidal wave of aggressive gin scented pheromones. He rushed to the study and saw Meng Ze sitting at the computer. He hugged Meng Ze from behind. “Why are your pheromones out of control so early?”

Meng Ze stiffened.

Zhao Zhiyi sat on the desk. “Do you have to go to the office today? Should I call Dr. Zheng? Actually, never mind… he’ll just tell me to let you bite me.” He tilted his head, exposing his neck. “Go ahead, take a bite, then I need to make breakfast.”

Meng Ze didn’t move.

Zhao Zhiyi was wearing one of Meng Ze’s oversized T-shirts. The collar slipped, revealing pale skin covered in bruises and marks from the previous night.

“Are you going to bite or not?” Zhao Zhiyi asked impatiently.

Meng Ze reached out and pulled the collar back up to cover him.

Zhao Zhiyi found it strange. Usually, Meng Ze would have pounced by now. Why was he so calm? And his expression was… odd.

“I’m in a video conference. You’re blocking the screen,” Meng Ze said, pulling Zhao Zhiyi down from the desk. “Let’s talk later?”

Zhao Zhiyi turned around. On the screen were several elderly board members, all wearing very knowing, very awkward smiles.

Zhao Zhiyi: “…”

He felt like his tail was on fire and wanted to vanish into the floor. Then, he realized something. He stared at Meng Ze. “Your… your rut is over?”