Transmigrated As The Cannon Fodder Ex-Wife Of A Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 5

“…No.” Zhao Zhiyi frowned. “It’s better if you stay away from me right now.”

He had been temporarily marked by Meng Ze. Although much time had passed and the pheromones had faded significantly, if Meng Ze were to peel off his inhibitor patch now, it might directly induce another heat.

Once an Omega has been marked, even if it isn’t a permanent mark, they develop a pheromone dependency on the Alpha who marked them. This is an instinct carved into their genetic code, nearly impossible to resist.

Zhao Zhiyi pulled open the bedroom door. “Goodnight.”

Before Meng Ze could respond, he had already shut the door.

Meng Ze stared at the closed door, he even heard the sound of the deadbolt clicking into place.

His phone began to vibrate. Meng Ze assumed it was another work related call. He was overly exhausted today and didn’t really want to deal with such matters. Seeing the caller ID was Su Jiyu, he paused for a moment before answering: “How is it?”

“Not dead,” Su Jiyu’s voice was somewhat raspy. “I just stepped out of the hospital.”

Meng Ze said, “I’m going to see my mother tomorrow. Do you want to come along?”

“I’ll pass.” Su Jiyu took a deep breath. “You’re probably bringing Zhao Zhiyi. Why would I want to be a third wheel?”

“He and I are only married by contract.”

Su Jiyu chuckled. “Really no feelings for him? From what I see, aside from his poor taste in partners, he’s actually quite alright in other aspects.”

“None.”

Su Jiyu hummed, seemingly thinking of something interesting. “Then I’ll hang up. I’m exhausted, going back to sleep.”

Meng Ze hung up and glanced at Zhao Zhiyi’s tightly shut door again.

Feelings? Zhao Zhiyi is guarding against me like I’m a thief.

Meng Qiao lived in the finest private sanatorium in City A. The costs were staggeringly high. If the front desk hadn’t explicitly stated they weren’t hiring art students, Zhao Zhiyi would have considered working there as a caregiver after graduation.

Meng Ze had specially ordered flowers. Only when they reached the floor where Meng Qiao stayed did he place them in Zhao Zhiyi’s arms, saying: “She likes buckwheat flowers best. Later, just say you bought them.”

Zhao Zhiyi nodded and followed behind Meng Ze to the door of Meng Qiao’s ward.

Meng Qiao was a top-tier VIP at this sanatorium, she occupied this entire floor alone. The caregiver who opened the door beamed instantly upon seeing Meng Ze: “Your mother is in a good state today. She was just mentioning you. I told her you were bringing your wife soon, and she was so happy she changed her outfit several times.”

Meng Ze’s usually cold and hard features softened slightly as he followed the caregiver inside.

Zhao Zhiyi saw Meng Qiao by the window.

She was very, very thin, one could almost describe her as “skin and bones.” Dressed in a white dress, she looked as if a gust of wind could carry her away. Even so, her extraordinary beauty was evident. Meng Ze actually took after his mother, though his features were much sharper and lacked Meng Qiao’s softness.

“A-Ze!” Meng Qiao said joyfully. “You’re here.”

Then her gaze fell upon Zhao Zhiyi, and she became even happier: “Zhiyi came too! Come, sit down.”

Zhao Zhiyi stepped forward with great politeness and sense, first calling her “Mom,” then handing over the flowers. “These are for you. I hope you like them.”

“I like them very much.” Meng Qiao took the flowers, her eyes curving with a smile. “They are my favorite. You are so thoughtful.”

“It was Meng Ze who told me you liked buckwheat flowers,” Zhao Zhiyi said.

Meng Qiao said softly, “A-Ze always remembers. His father and I had our wedding in a vast field of buckwheat flowers. I still have the recording from back then. So many years have passed in a flash.”

Meng Ze’s gaze turned cold. “Mom, the doctor said you secretly hid your medicine and flushed it down the toilet last time. What happened?”

Meng Qiao looked away uncomfortably, not daring to meet her son’s eyes.

Meng Ze softened his voice: “Mom, if you don’t take your medicine, your illness will recover very slowly.”

“Don’t trick me.” Meng Qiao laughed lightly. “I’ve taken medicine for so many years and haven’t gotten better. That medicine is no good; it makes me forget things. Sometimes I can’t even remember what you look like. I’d rather not take it.”

“You have to.” Meng Ze took his mother’s cold hand. “Forgetting things is temporary. You will get better.”

Meng Qiao opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately just nodded. “I know… sigh, don’t lecture me in front of Zhiyi. How embarrassing for me as a mother.”

Meng Ze: “He won’t laugh at you.”

“But I’ll feel self-conscious.” Meng Qiao sighed. “Before I got sick, I was a prominent figure in the business world. Now I can’t even leave this sanatorium. A-Ze, can’t I go home? I feel like I’m already better.”

Meng Ze remained silent.

Home?

That place had long ceased to be Meng Qiao’s home.

“Mom, I brought some small snacks for you.” Zhao Zhiyi timely changed the subject, taking out a box. “I made them yesterday. I’m not sure if they’ll suit your taste.”

Meng Qiao’s attention was indeed diverted: “You can make snacks too? How impressive.”

Zhao Zhiyi laid out the exquisite little pastries for Meng Qiao to taste, chatting with her about idle matters.

Meng Ze sat to the side, his gaze dark, thinking of who knows what.

Zhao Zhiyi suddenly thought of Yu Tao, who had broken down crying that day.

When Yu Tao was sad, she could cry without restraint and someone would comfort her. But what about Meng Ze?

This man, who bore the most weight, did he ever cry out loud in the dead of night when no one was around?

Zhao Zhiyi thought, probably not. Someone like Meng Ze would swallow his blood and broken teeth; even in a deserted place, he wouldn’t allow himself to show a moment of weakness.

A single lapse in strength would be a fatal flaw, an opening for others to swoop in and destroy the last few precious things he held in his otherwise barren life.

Meng Qiao’s high spirits didn’t last long before she became drowsy. The caregiver entered and whispered, “Let’s end it here for today.”

Meng Ze glanced at Meng Qiao once more and said to Zhao Zhiyi, “Let’s go.”

Zhao Zhiyi nodded. The change happened at that very moment.

Meng Qiao’s eyes suddenly snapped open. She grabbed Zhao Zhiyi’s arm with a grip like iron, staring at him with a hint of madness: “Where are you going?”

“Mom, you’re tired and need rest. We’ll come back another. ” Before Zhao Zhiyi could finish, Meng Qiao shrieked: “No! You can’t leave! You can’t go anywhere!”

She was trembling all over, stammering: “The outside is full of bad people! They all want to harm you! You’re only safe staying by Mother’s side, don’t you know?!”

The caregiver said in a panic, “The Madam is having an episode! She’s mistaken Zhiyi for you! You two quickly.”

Her voice stopped abruptly, turning into a scream. Meng Qiao’s previous terror vanished, replaced by a ferocious expression. She grabbed a nearby vase and hurled it at Zhao Zhiyi: “Get out! GET OUT!!!”

Zhao Zhiyi never expected a perfectly fine person to suddenly go mad. His mind reacted, but his body didn’t. He stood there dazed, watching the bone-china vase fly toward him!

With a crisp bang, the vase shattered into pieces. However, the expected pain didn’t arrive. Zhao Zhiyi was pulled into a strong embrace by a powerful force. Before he realized what had happened, he heard a muffled groan from above his head.

The vase had smashed against Meng Ze’s back, scattering shards everywhere. Zhao Zhiyi, shielded in Meng Ze’s arms, was completely unharmed.

The caregiver had already pressed the alarm. Doctors swarmed in to restrain Meng Qiao. Her eyes were bloodshot as she struggled wildly, scratching the doctors’ arms until they bled. She looked like a frenzied wild beast.

Before Zhao Zhiyi could get a closer look, Meng Ze had already led him out of the room. He shut the door and asked raspily, “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. You’re the one who’s hurt.” Zhao Zhiyi frowned deeply, looking at Meng Ze’s shirt which was already soaked through with blood. The large bloodstain was a shocking sight. “We need to treat it quickly, otherwise the fabric will stick to the wound.”

Meng Ze showed no expression. “I’m used to it.”

Zhao Zhiyi froze. Then he remembered the scar he had seen on Meng Ze’s right arm previously.

Was that also… caused by Meng Qiao?

“Sorry for scaring you.” Meng Qiao’s tragic wails echoed from the room. Meng Ze’s temple throbbed. He covered his eyes and took a deep breath. “The doctor said her state was stable these past two days, which is why I brought you to see her. I didn’t expect her to have an episode anyway, and almost let you get hurt.”

No wonder the original owner’s meeting with Meng Qiao was so brief that he hadn’t even remembered her face. It turned out that given Meng Qiao’s condition, even a few minutes of lucidity was rare.

Zhao Zhiyi hadn’t finished the original novel and didn’t know the extent of Meng Qiao’s illness. It seemed he had still underestimated just how much of a “living hell” Meng Ze’s life was.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to apologize,” Zhao Zhiyi said seriously. “I like Auntie very much. I know this wasn’t her intention.”

Meng Ze said, “I’ll have my secretary transfer some money to you later. Consider it compensation for mental distress.”

Zhao Zhiyi’s eyes widened.

Meng Ze expected him to say something like, “How can you insult me with money?” He was prepared to explain it wasn’t an insult, but basic compensation.

He didn’t like owing favors; favors were much heavier than money, even if the other person was his legal spouse.

“I really admire your style of sending money at the drop of a hat!” Zhao Zhiyi said excitedly.

“I’m not insul… what?” Meng Ze thought he had misheard.

Zhao Zhiyi: “No need to worry about scaring me. If Auntie wants to see me again in the future, I can still come.”

As long as Boss Meng was willing to pay, everything was negotiable.

Meng Ze: “…”

He had always known Zhao Zhiyi loved money, but in the past, he at least pretended otherwise. Now, he didn’t even bother to put up an act.

The ward door opened. The caregiver looked anxious: “A-Ze, the doctor says the Madam’s situation is very bad. It might still be… still be…”

Meng Ze said coldly, “I’m going in.”

“Don’t!” The caregiver stopped him. “When the Madam has an episode, she only recognizes Yu Shu’en. She attacks anyone else who gets close. You were so badly injured last time, don’t try again!”

She practically pleaded: “Call Yu Shu’en over.”

Meng Ze’s knuckles cracked. He punched the wall, leaving behind several crimson bloodstains, yet he seemed to feel no pain. He took out his phone to call.

Yu Shu’en’s voice was calm: “Your mother had an episode?”

Meng Ze didn’t speak.

“This is the only thing that makes you call me proactively.” Yu Shu’en wasn’t in the least bit hurried. He said slowly, “I can go over there.”

Meng Ze said coldly, “Your condition.”

Yu Shu’en said, “Beg me.”

As his son grew older, Yu Shu’en’s authority as a father was constantly being challenged, but he wasn’t worried.

As long as Meng Qiao was alive, he would always hold Meng Ze’s weakness in his hands. If he told Meng Ze to go east, Meng Ze wouldn’t dare go west.

Zhao Zhiyi clearly saw blood dripping from Meng Ze’s knuckles, splashing onto the floor like a dark red flower.

Yet he heard Meng Ze’s voice, hoarse to the extreme: “…I beg you.”

Yu Shu’en chuckled, sounding quite satisfied. “I’ll head over after I finish looking at this report.”

“…Her situation is very bad right now!” Meng Ze hissed.

“She won’t die,” Yu Shu’en said coldly. “What’s the rush?”

Before the sentence finished, he hung up.

Meng Ze threw his phone away.

The caregiver was used to such scenes and didn’t dare speak. Only Zhao Zhiyi slowly stepped forward, picking up the phone that had split in two. “Ah, it’s completely broken.”

The caregiver whispered, “Zhiyi, talk to A-Ze.”

Zhao Zhiyi pointed to himself: “Me?”

Caregiver: “You are husband and wife, he’ll surely listen to you. Hurry and take A-Ze to treat his wound. The blood is already starting to coagulate.”

Zhao Zhiyi felt that since Boss Meng was so generous, even if it was just for show, he should show some concern. He reached out and tugged at Meng Ze’s sleeve. “Meng Ze?”

Meng Ze turned his gaze.

“Go clean the wound.” Zhao Zhiyi pointed at his back and wrinkled his nose. “The pheromones in your blood are too sharp. I’m going to faint from the smell.”

Meng Ze: “…”

Meng Ze said, “Sorry.”

“What’s the use of saying sorry?” Zhao Zhiyi pulled Meng Ze by his sleeve toward the stairs. “There should be a doctor here who can handle trauma, right?”

The caregiver called out, “Yes, yes! I’ve already contacted Dr. Zheng. You’ll see the infirmary once you go downstairs!”

Zhao Zhiyi led Meng Ze into the infirmary. Dr. Zheng was very familiar with Meng Ze after all, he got injured every time he came. He asked, “Where is the injury this time?”

Zhao Zhiyi turned Meng Ze around to show the doctor: “His back. It’s quite serious, a lot of bleeding.”

Dr. Zheng didn’t look at the wound first. Instead, he looked at Zhao Zhiyi, his eyes lighting up as he stepped closer: “And who might this beautiful gentleman be…”

Meng Ze said with a cold face, “My wife.”

The young, promising, and handsome Dr. Zheng instantly lost interest. “Oh, your wife. Come and sit. Take off your clothes so I can see.”

Zhao Zhiyi said, “His clothes are stuck to the wound. He can’t take them off.”

Just as he finished, Meng Ze forcefully ripped the fabric away from the wound without even a flinch of his brow.

Zhao Zhiyi: “??”

“He’s very tough,” Dr. Zheng said with a smile. “No need to worry about him.”

Meng Ze: “You’ll pay for that mouth of yours sooner or later.”

“Uh-huh,” Dr. Zheng said. “We’ll see when that day comes.”

Meng Qiao’s hit had been heavy. There was a large bruise on Meng Ze’s back, along with bloody gashes from the shards. The mangled sight was enough to make anyone shiver.

Though Dr. Zheng was flippant, his hands were quick. He soon treated the wound and took out some supplies to instruct Zhao Zhiyi: “Based on my knowledge of Meng Ze, he won’t follow doctor’s orders to come to the hospital for dressing changes. Change these medications once every morning and evening, apply them to the wound, and wrap it with gauze. Once the wound scabs over, you can stop. Also, take note: no heavy labor recently, no overexertion, and ideally follow a restricted diet…”

“Wait.” Zhao Zhiyi interrupted the doctor. “Shouldn’t you be saying this to Meng Ze?”

“He won’t listen,” Dr. Zheng sighed. “I thought he might listen to you more?”

Zhao Zhiyi: “That’s your delusion.”

“Haha, alright.” Dr. Zheng tapped the table with his pen. “Meng Ze, did you hear what I just said?”

Meng Ze ignored him and put on his clothes to leave. Zhao Zhiyi said goodbye to Dr. Zheng and caught up to Meng Ze: “Are you two friends?”

“Not close.”

Zhao Zhiyi smiled. “You seem to have a good relationship.”

Meng Ze stopped in his tracks. “How can you tell?”

“After all, not everyone has the guts to joke with you.” Zhao Zhiyi walked past Meng Ze and pressed the elevator button, turning to look at him. “Most people are probably quite afraid of you, right?”

“Mhm. You used to be very afraid of me too.”

Zhao Zhiyi: “I’m still afraid… the elevator is here.”

The elevator doors opened. Yu Shu’en and Yu Tao were standing inside. The atmosphere instantly turned stiff.

“What are you doing here,” Meng Ze asked coldly.

“I-I-I-I…” Yu Tao stammered. “I heard Auntie Meng had an episode and came with Dad to see her…”

Remembering something, she waved her hands frantically: “I’ll stay outside! I won’t go in!”

Zhao Zhiyi tried to act like he was invisible, but Yu Shu’en said: “Zhiyi, you must have been scared today?”

“It was alright.”

Yu Shu’en nodded. “Meng Qiao has been like this for many years. She always wants to go home… in this state, if she went home, wouldn’t we all be living in fear?”

“At such an old age, she’s still so willful, not considering others at all.”

“Have you said enough?” Meng Ze glared at Yu Shu’en.

Yu Shu’en arched an eyebrow. “What, didn’t you beg me to come? If you don’t want to listen, I can leave right now.”

Zhao Zhiyi grabbed Meng Ze’s hand and shook his head gently. Fortunately, the elevator reached the floor. Zhao Zhiyi immediately pulled Meng Ze out. After escaping that suffocating atmosphere, Zhao Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief, only then realizing he was still holding Meng Ze’s hand. He quickly let go and said softly, “Sorry, I was just anxious.”

“It’s fine.” Meng Ze had suppressed his anger, looking away to avoid Zhao Zhiyi’s eyes.

His fingers, however, slowly rubbed together, as if the soft sensation of the Omega’s skin still lingered on his fingertips, carrying a faint, thread-like fragrance.

Zhao Zhiyi had already stepped forward to say something to Yu Tao. Meng Ze slowly raised his fingers and brought them to his nose for a light sniff.

There was no cold scent of orange blossom. It was just his imagination.