Chapter 10: Too Comfortable

He solidly ran twenty laps, followed by two hours of marching drills in the afternoon training, a quick dinner, and then an evening route march with military songs. Even someone with stamina as strong as He Siheng was truly worn out, and he spoke even less.

Finally dismissed from training, He Siheng lacked the energy to play games. He sat idly in Dorm 224 for a while before grabbing his change of clothes and heading to the bathhouse for a shower.

After rinsing off with hot water for half an hour, the overexerted muscles finally eased somewhat. He Siheng changed into dry clothes and was about to step out of the shower stall when he hurriedly stopped himself.

He was really exhausted—he had almost forgotten to spray the Scent Blocker.

Having just gone through his Differentiation Period a few days ago, He Siheng’s pheromones were still unstable. To be safe, he needed to spray Scent Blocker every day and always carried it with him.

However, He Siheng rummaged through all the pockets of the clothes he had just changed out of, but he couldn’t find the Scent Blocker.

This was bad.

He had only brought this one bottle. If it was lost, he’d have to borrow from someone, but the problem was that everyone except Tan Jing still thought he hadn’t Differentiated yet. Borrowing from anyone would reveal the truth.

While retracing his steps in his mind to figure out where he had put the Scent Blocker, He Siheng hurried back to Dorm 224. He turned his suitcase and storage cabinet upside down searching.

Still nothing.

Wang Yizhou, who had been sitting on the bed playing games, looked up from his phone after failing a match. “What are you looking for?”

“Nothing.”

He Siheng remembered that during the punishment laps that afternoon, he had taken off his jacket and thrown it on the ground. Maybe the Scent Blocker had slipped out of the pocket then.

He quickly grabbed his phone and rushed to the Sports Field.

As he stepped out of Dorm 224 door, he brushed past Tan Jing, who had just returned from his shower.

Tan Jing saw him hurrying and turned to meet Wang Yizhou’s gaze. “What’s up with him?”

Wang Yizhou shrugged. “No idea. Seems like he lost something.”

Tan Jing frowned slightly.

What could he have lost that made him so anxious?

Tan Jing thought for a moment, set down his things, and left Dorm 224.

It was already past nine, completely dark. Dorm 224 was some distance from the training field, which wasn’t lit. Even with the light from his phone flashlight, visibility was dim and limited.

He Siheng followed his memory to the spot where he had thrown his clothes that afternoon. He shone the light around but still didn’t see the Scent Blocker. Just as he wondered if he had remembered wrong, a voice suddenly came from behind him.

“He Siheng, what are you looking for?”

He Siheng paused, turned to the newcomer, and said irritably, “None of your damn business.”

Du Ziteng grinned, holding up the item in his hand. “Looking for this?”

It was unmistakably He Siheng’s Scent Blocker.

He Siheng looked at him expressionlessly. “Give Zhou Yu’s Scent Blocker back.”

Du Ziteng laughed scornfully. “Don’t lie to me. I’ve been with Zhou Yu for so long—I know what his Scent Blocker smells like. This is clearly yours.”

He stared intently at He Siheng, his gaze like a snake’s flickering tongue, laced with malicious glee. “You’ve Differentiated into an Omega.”

He Siheng curled his lip in a sneer. “Scent Blockers are like boyfriends—the old one was too crappy, so of course he’d switch to a new flavor.”

The remark was maximally mocking.

Du Ziteng’s face darkened instantly, but then he laughed again. “Want the Scent Blocker? Come and get it yourself.”

With that, he deliberately released his pheromones. A heavy, bitter ink scent spread outward from him like vines, surging toward He Siheng.

He Siheng’s expression turned cold as he instinctively stepped back half a pace.

Having just passed his Differentiation Period, his gland was in a vulnerable state he couldn’t control. The Alpha’s deliberately released pheromones carried an intense oppressive force, harshly compelling submission.

Every cell in his body stirred restlessly, his breathing grew labored, and He Siheng clenched his fists tightly.

Du Ziteng caught a hint from his movements and laughed maliciously. “What’s wrong, Young Master He? Why aren’t you coming to get it?”

He Siheng gripped his fists tighter. “You stink too much.”

Du Ziteng laughed and took another step forward. “Didn’t you Differentiate yet?”

The Alpha’s pheromones seemed to drill into every cell of He Siheng’s body, spreading needle-like pain throughout, suffocation invading his limbs.

Du Ziteng kept advancing. “How can you smell my pheromones then?”

As the words fell, he swung a fist at He Siheng’s face.

He Siheng staggered back two steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, his mind clearing for a moment.

Sensing his weakness, excitement filled Du Ziteng’s eyes. “How does it feel to get beaten?”

He Siheng panted twice, wiped the blood from his mouth with his thumb, and let out a extremely disdainful snort from his nose. “With that soft punch? Did you skip dinner?”

Provoked by his words, Du Ziteng clenched his fist and swung again, this time at He Siheng’s abdomen. He Siheng grunted in pain, the sharp agony clashing with the discomfort of the Alpha pheromones’ suppression.

“How about this one?” Du Ziteng grabbed his neck, forcing him to look up, malice dancing excitedly in his eyes. “What do you think everyone’s faces would look like if they knew the esteemed Young Master He Differentiated into an Omega?”

He clenched his fist and swung at He Siheng again, but this time, his wrist was caught.

“I told you, your trashy stench is too foul.”

The grip on his wrist was so strong it nearly crushed the bone. Du Ziteng’s pupils shrank.

The boy before him slowly raised his head. In the dim light, those amber eyes gleamed with sharp ferocity.

Like a vicious dog breaking free of its chains, baring its fangs.

Du Ziteng’s eyes widened. “How are you resisting…”

Before he could finish, He Siheng seized his arm and executed a swift over-the-shoulder throw.

Du Ziteng slammed hard onto the ground. Without hesitation, He Siheng straddled him, veins bulging on his tensed arm as he rained punches down on his face.

“So what if I Differentiated into an Omega? Is Omega something you can discriminate against?”

Du Ziteng had never imagined that He Siheng, showing signs of Omega suppression, would still have the strength to beat him.

He desperately released more pheromones to suppress him, but He Siheng went berserk, slamming his head into the ground.

Du Ziteng’s face was covered in blood. He opened his mouth to shout for help, but He Siheng smashed another fist into his face. He bit his tongue hard, his expression twisting in pain.

Crazy—this guy was a lunatic!

As He Siheng continued pummeling him fist after fist, someone suddenly grabbed his wrist.

He Siheng reflexively tried to break free but failed. Burning with rage, he glared at the newcomer.

The young man’s scent was like a forest after rain, seeping into He Siheng’s agitated gland, soothing his pain and ferocity.

“If you keep hitting, you’ll kill him,” Tan Jing said.

He Siheng’s chest heaved violently. Tormented by Du Ziteng’s pheromones, driven mad by pain, his eyes red from the fight—he wouldn’t listen to anyone.

But upon smelling Tan Jing’s scent, the pain suddenly eased, a thread of reason returning. He stopped struggling and used Tan Jing’s support to stand.

Du Ziteng seized the chance, scrambling up with hands and feet, looking at Tan Jing like a savior.

He had heard that He Siheng and Tan Jing didn’t get along—looked like it was true!

Du Ziteng eagerly offered the secret he had uncovered to curry favor. “Jing Bro, He Siheng Differentiated! He’s an Omega!”

Tan Jing released He Siheng’s hand and glanced at him casually. “So?”

Certain he had latched onto the right thigh, Du Ziteng was delighted and quickly suggested, “Jing Bro, haven’t you always disliked this guy? Perfect chance—let me help you teach him a lesson—”

Before he finished, the boy before him unleashed pheromones with overwhelming pressure.

Like a storm brewing, winds surging, the chilling aura made his head throb.

Du Ziteng’s face changed as he tried to resist, but an S-Rank Alpha’s destructive power was far beyond what his A-Rank could withstand. He nearly knelt.

At the same time, He Siheng smelled the rich pheromone scent, even stronger and more distinct than before—like the fresh woody aroma of damp pine needles after rain, carrying a cool edge, seeping into his skin and further easing the pain inflicted by Du Ziteng.

It was even… <i>too comfortable</i>.

He Siheng shook his dizzy head, his nape gland seemingly warming slightly.

Du Ziteng had already collapsed to his knees, gasping with difficulty. “Jing Bro, what… are you doing…”

Tan Jing walked over unhurriedly. “You might not have grasped one thing.”

The tall youth loomed like an emperor, looking down disdainfully at Du Ziteng. “He’s my rival.”

“Not yours.”