Chapter 38: The Healing Instructor Part 1

Lin Jianxi went to the bedside and picked up a cigarette. He tilted his head to light it and clamped it between his lips.

【.】: I don’t feel anything right now.

【.】: How about you send me some little videos?

【X】: …

【X】: You’re an Omega. You don’t need to feel anything.

【.】: No way, that’d be way too lewd.

【.】: It hurts.

There was a full ten minutes of silence on the other end.

During those ten minutes, Lin Jianxi watered the flowers, trimmed the weeds, and even washed the paws of the sleeping little cat. Then he picked up his phone to check for replies.

【X】: You and your husband don’t need to fuck.

Lin Jianxi tossed the cigarette butt into the ashtray.

【.】: I do feel something for him. No need for that.

【.】: How about we chat first? We can talk more tonight.

Even as he said this, Lin Jianxi picked up the nail clippers he had organized that evening and started trimming his nails. His index finger was still wrapped in a bandage, and the pressure from clipping made it start bleeding again. He peeled off the bandage, stuck his finger in his mouth, and continued one-handed messaging to the protagonist.

【.】: How old are you?

【X】: 20

【.】: Still in school, right? Is university fun?

【X】: It’s okay. Didn’t you go?

【.】: I did, but it was a science program. Tons of classes—super boring.

In real life, Lin Jianxi had attended a juvenile class with very few students, most of them girls. Back in those days, guys and girls didn’t hang out together easily, so he spent a lot of time doing experiments alone with professors.

Experiments from dawn till dusk, day after day—no free time at all.

He was a total homebody. Board games, bars, video games? He knew nothing about any of it.

He had even less in common with kids the protagonist’s age.

After two worlds, Lin Jianxi had gotten a general sense of what these worlds’ protagonists were like.

Twisted, sure, but they loved sweet talk. A little sugar and they’d follow you anywhere. Though they could be ruthless toward their husbands.

Lin Jianxi actually liked every world’s husband. This one’s Shen Yuxiu might be a bit robotic, but he was fun, and his pheromone scent was delightful.

The husbands’ endings, though, were all tragic.

His finger throbbed with sharp pain. Lin Jianxi messaged the protagonist again.

【.】: What did he do to piss you off? Tell me about it.

【.】: Or did I do something to you?

【X】: Having fun at the training camp lately?

Lin Jianxi paused.

Dodging the question, just like that?

【.】: It’s alright. Some annoying stuff, but I can handle it.

【.】: You know all about it, don’t you?

【.】: You sold the clothes and socks, right?

【X】: .

【.】: I’m actually pretty grateful. Without that stunt of yours, I wouldn’t have realized how pent up they were. We were managing them too strictly.

【.】: There’s a reason they say extremes breed opposites.

【.】: Planning to take them out tomorrow. Got any good suggestions?

【X】: …

【X】: Has nothing to do with being strict. Going out won’t help—you can’t find them partners.

Lin Jianxi let out a soft hiss.

Fair point.

So what now?

Having a whole class of trainees lusting after him was absurd. Was it his fault? He beat them black and blue every day; if anything, they’d want him dead before they’d covet him…

Ah.

Lin Jianxi had a sudden realization.

There were no Omegas here.

But a place like this couldn’t recruit Omegas anyway.

【X】: One solution.

【X】: You’re a pushover from the start. No need to turn into an egg and smash yourself against a rock. Just stay an obedient pushover.

Lin Jianxi was just about to reply when another message popped up.

【X】: Not saying you should hand out kindness randomly.

【X】: Don’t go caring for every pitiful thing you see.

Lin Jianxi chuckled.

【.】: These guys are your age. Most of them are orphans. If I don’t look after them, should I just let them run wild?

【.】: You know Xu Song’an, the one I’ve been keeping an eye on lately.

【.】: His family’s loaded, but his parents are messed up, he’s got health issues, and he’s not close to his relatives. If I don’t watch out for him, what if his mind breaks? Guys like that seem fine on the surface, but they’re sensitive—they pick up on every little change, even overthink it.

【.】: I knew one like that before.

【.】: Later found out his arms were covered in scars. He never slept well, in constant agony day and night. Broke my heart.

【.】: I won’t go into the others. No random pity—they all deserve caring for.

【X】: .

【X】: You weren’t like this before. To marry Shen, you’d stoop to anything. Did you ever care about anyone?

Lin Jianxi wasn’t surprised or disheartened by the message. If anything, he felt a spark of excitement.

It seemed he finally knew why the protagonist hated him and his husband.

To marry Shen Yuxiu by any means necessary must have hurt Shen’s family—maybe even driven them to extremes. And that could have indirectly harmed the protagonist, who already had an irreconcilable grudge against Shen.

But knowing the reason didn’t change a thing. He’d just die with a clearer conscience.

Knock knock knock.

Shen Yuxiu pushed the door open, his expression neutral as he handed over the bowl. “Drink this, then sleep.”

Lin Jianxi sipped the soup slowly. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Shen Yuxiu’s nape, and a question popped into his head.

Lin Jianxi asked the system, “Since both Alphas and Omegas have glands, what happens if an Omega bites an Alpha’s gland?”

System: “Probably like a dickless guy fucking a guy with a dick.”

Lin Jianxi choked on his soup, coughing so hard he nearly died.

Shen Yuxiu patted his back to help him breathe. “Caught a cold?”

He even touched Lin Jianxi’s forehead. Lin Jianxi waved him off. “No, just choked. Go handle your work.”

“You’re too weak,” Shen Yuxiu said sternly. “I’m not leaving your side for the next few days.”

Smiling, Lin Jianxi reached out and touched his ear. “What, work’s not number one anymore?”

Shen Yuxiu: “You are.”

Lin Jianxi suddenly remembered something. “Who were you arguing with this morning?”

A flash of disgust crossed Shen Yuxiu’s eyes. “Foster father.”

Hearing that, Lin Jianxi didn’t ask any further. His foster father clearly had plenty of secrets he shouldn’t spill.

After downing the hangover soup, he followed Shen Yuxiu to the office. A short nap had cleared his head, and he’d come to terms with things. The protagonist had already seen every inch of him anyway—what was one more look? With that in mind, he relaxed considerably. While Shen Yuxiu worked at his desk, Lin Jianxi sprawled on the sofa, soaking up the sunlight.

Now he wouldn’t have to wear a suit every day. He could finally dress in whatever he felt like.

Truth be told, Lin Jianxi didn’t have any particular favorites; he just threw on whatever. Baggy pajama-like pants paired with a shirt. Lounging on the sofa like that, the loose fabric clung to his skin, faintly tracing the firm lines of his body.

The protagonist hadn’t sent him a message in ages.

Yet Lin Jianxi couldn’t stop replaying those words in his head.

Make bread?

The more he mulled it over, the tighter his brows knit.

He shook out his cigarette pack and found it empty, so he fished a fresh one from his husband’s coat pocket.

Shen Yuxiu’s smokes had burst beads.

Lin Jianxi remembered that detail. He’d just pinched one open when the door flew open without so much as a knock.

He jolted upright and looked up to see Xu Song’an.

Puzzled for a split second, he noted the other man had frozen too, lingering in the doorway without stepping inside.

Lin Jianxi approached and peered up into Xu Song’an’s eyes. “You okay?”

“…” Xu Song’an turned his head to dodge the gaze.

“Hold still.” Lin Jianxi gripped his chin, leaning in too close—his scent drifting straight into Xu Song’an’s nose. “…Looks manageable. You wear a hat this afternoon?”

Xu Song’an fell silent for a beat. “Yeah.”

Lin Jianxi: “What brings you here?”

Shen Yuxiu had sidled over unnoticed and gently pried Lin Jianxi’s hand from Xu Song’an’s face, enfolding it in his own. “I called him. Family business to discuss.”

“Oh.” Lin Jianxi nodded. “I’ll step out and wait, then. Grab some smokes while I’m at it. Need anything? Xu Song’an, what do you feel like eating? Husband, you?”

Shen Yuxiu passed, as always—Lin Jianxi was used to that.

Just in case Xu Song’an felt awkward, he pressed: “Kids your age seem to love sodas. Want one? Your brother’s all about plain water or tea around here. Nothing else in stock.”

“No need to ask him.” Shen Yuxiu handed over a parasol. “Off you go.”

“Don’t get mad.” Lin Jianxi took it with a grin. “Alright, I’m out. Talk it through.”

~~~

Lin Jianxi had barely left when Xu Song’an dropped onto the sofa with a huff, words on the tip of his tongue—only to swallow them back down.

Lin Jianxi was back already, standing right in front of Xu Song’an, the sunset’s soft glow mirrored in his eyes.

Xu Song’an’s brows twitched faintly, but Lin Jianxi’s smile eased them despite himself.

Then came a tiny sneeze from out of nowhere.

“…”

Lin Jianxi crouched by Xu Song’an’s feet, chuckling as he tucked Little Three—a fluffy calico kitten—into his arms. The soft bundle landed on Xu Song’an’s lap, but it clawed right at his heart.

“No soda, huh? Little cat instead?” Lin Jianxi propped his chin on his hand. “Strays everywhere around here.”

Shen Yuxiu, off to the side, asked, “Whose litter is this one from?”

Lin Jianxi: “Beats me. Time to round up another batch for fixing, I guess.”

Shen Yuxiu reached to haul him up, but Xu Song’an finally spoke. “Instructor, you seem off today.”

Lin Jianxi rose with a smile. “That obvious?”

Xu Song’an: “Everyone knows.”

Lin Jianxi figured as much. After that mess, topped off by the protagonist’s sudden drop-in, good mood was off the table.

He didn’t feel all that torn up, though. Just worn out.

“Everyone’s got their headaches,” Lin Jianxi said. “Little Xu, quit fretting over me. Lighten up yourself.”

“…” Xu Song’an stared, lost.

Lin Jianxi swept back his bangs. “Earth to you? Think I’m a different guy here than out there?”

“…Yeah.” Not quite.

Lin Jianxi leaned into Shen Yuxiu, eyes half-closed as he drew a slow breath. “Got me thinking today—the trainees tuning me out. Maybe my style’s the issue. But get this—”

Shen Yuxiu’s brow furrowed. “Who’s tuning you out?”

“Tons of ’em,” Lin Jianxi replied. “So Xu Song’an figures that’s why I’m down. Then today, someone tells me don’t go head-to-head, especially when you’re outmatched from the jump. Hit home. My all-time favorite teachers? Gentle souls, stern only when it counted. Never crossed ’em. But a hothead, skills or no? Builds up this quiet grudge.”