Chapter 23
Because Bai Yan had suddenly developed a fever, fainted, and been hospitalized before, the family doctor had moved into the auxiliary residence at Yǎyuán. This time, he arrived quickly on the third floor of the main house.
Under Mr. Pei’s sharp, piercing gaze, the Beta doctor silently wiped away his cold sweat, his hands trembling as he opened the measuring instrument and carefully examined the Omega’s symptoms.
“Mr. Pei, Young Master Bai Yan’s sudden fever this time was induced by a pseudo-heat. The symptoms of the first onset are very mild. He just needs to sleep it off.”
The servants at Yǎyuán had all been told in advance that the new master was young and might feel uncomfortable being called “Madam.” Therefore, everyone at Yǎyuán addressed him as “Young Master Bai Yan.”
Pei Tingyu’s expression didn’t improve much. He asked in a deep voice, “Is it because of the alcohol?”
The Beta’s tone was tactful. “The alcohol had a certain effect, but the bigger reason… Mr. Pei, is you.”
“Mr. Pei, your rut is approaching. Your compatibility with Young Master Bai Yan is high, and your pheromone level is higher than his. Close contact with you at this time will also make Young Master Bai Yan feel unwell and induce a pseudo-heat.”
An Omega’s pseudo-heat is different from a true heat. Although the body will be hot and uncomfortable, it doesn’t require an Alpha’s mark for soothing.
The family doctor chose his words carefully. “If you’re worried about Young Master Bai Yan’s discomfort, you only need to mark him to alleviate it. Once the Omega feels secure, he will no longer have pseudo-heats.”
Mark him?
Pei Tingyu’s gaze unconsciously fell on the sleeping young man in the bed.
The Omega was nestled in the soft velvet quilt, his slender neck resting on the edge of the pillow. His beautiful little face was pale and dim, the flush from the alcohol having faded.
But the corners of his eyes were still red and moist, and his brow was furrowed, indicating that he was not at peace.
What nightmare is he having now?
The man sighed to himself. This delicate and timid little rabbit probably couldn’t even withstand a single temporary mark.
The Alpha frowned, rejecting the family doctor’s suggestion. “Besides marking, are there any other methods?”
This, this, this, haven’t Mr. Pei and Young Master Bai Yan already registered their marriage?
Why doesn’t Mr. Pei agree? Is even a simple temporary mark not an option?
The Beta doctor’s mouth was wide enough to fit a duck egg. It was as if he had accidentally learned some earth-shattering secret.
He pushed up his glasses, his gaze wavering for a moment. “There are other ways. You can continue to inject suppressants, and from now on, have Young Master Bai Yan minimize contact with your pheromones.”
“Once your rut is over, he will no longer have symptoms of fever and lethargy.”
He thought for a moment and added, “But this is only a temporary solution. Your pheromone disorder could flare up at any time…”
“Please be cautious.”
Pei Tingyu lowered his gaze to the sleeping young man and grunted in acknowledgment.
The family doctor wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Seeing that he was no longer needed here, he quietly retreated, leaving the room to the newly married couple.
The heavy curtains were drawn, blocking out the silver-white moonlight from outside.
Pei Tingyu turned off the overhead light in the room, leaving only a small jellyfish nightlight on by the bed. He remembered that Bai Yan had night blindness and wouldn’t sleep well in a completely dark environment.
The faint blue light of the nightlight spilled out, illuminating the soft fur of the little rabbit toy next to it, making it look fluffy and shiny.
The large bedroom was quiet and peaceful, with only the faint sound of the young man’s shallow breathing.
Pei Tingyu glanced briefly at the room’s furnishings. The empty room was now filled, but not cluttered.
The original sky-blue decor had been changed to a yellow-green color scheme that better suited Bai Yan’s tastes.
The small study connected to the bedroom was neat and tidy. On the solid wood desk, the roses picked just yesterday lay in a vase, their buds on the verge of blooming, emitting a faint, sweet fragrance.
Pei Tingyu walked to the desk. Several notebooks were open and stacked haphazardly. On top, a laminated ginkgo leaf bookmark was tucked between the pages, like a dancing yellow butterfly.
The Alpha’s eyesight was excellent. Even in the dim light, he could easily make out the contents of the notebook.
A rose petal with curled, yellowed edges was taped to the center of the page. The petal’s veins were meticulously outlined with colored pens, and various characteristics of the rose were carefully noted beside it:
“Rose, Rosa spp., Rosaceae, perennial deciduous shrub…” ①
“Note the distinction between rose and Chinese rose. Specific characteristics are…”
Pei Tingyu’s eyes scanned the contents of the notebook, ten lines at a time. The young man’s neat handwriting was dense, with many professional terms recorded in detail.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise. It seemed the young man had been burning the midnight oil last night for more than just cramming some gossip.
He flipped through a few more pages. The handwriting gradually became rounder and more erratic, and at the end, he had even drawn a crying sun face.
“Cell analysis lacks effective experimental equipment. Awaiting return to school for research.”
The sense of disappointment was palpable. A faint smile unknowingly appeared in the man’s eyes, and an image of the dejected young man, slumped over his desk, seemed to float before him.
Experimental equipment… A thought flashed through Pei Tingyu’s mind. He put the notebook back in its place.
His gaze swept around the room and, without him realizing it, landed back on the young man.
The Omega lay flat on his back, his hands folded and resting on his chest. His snow-white lashes covered his eyelids, trembling slightly with each breath.
His soft, moist lips were parted slightly, shallow breaths escaping from them.
His porcelain skin was almost transparently pale. Because he had just been sweating, some of his pale gold hair was damp and stuck to his temples.
This scene was so similar to when he was lying in the hospital bed.
Pei Tingyu lowered his gaze, his cool eyes falling on that strand of hair.
Before long, that strand of pale gold hair was peeled away by cool fingertips and tucked to the side, revealing a small, faint red mole between the strands.
It was inconspicuous, like an unopened red plum blossom bud nestled in the snow. And because it was hidden under his bangs, it was almost impossible for anyone to see.
It looked somewhat alluring on the young man’s beautiful face.
The Alpha’s gaze fixated on this small mole, an unreadable emotion in his dark eyes.
The roots of his teeth itched. The pheromones that had just been brought under control seemed to be stirring in his blood again.
The man’s brow furrowed slightly. His hand hovered in mid-air for a moment, then gently descended.
The soft pad of his finger rubbed against the faint red mark.
He lost control of his strength for a moment, and the fair skin quickly flushed with a hint of an ambiguous red mark.
“Mmph.”
The sleeping young man unconsciously frowned and moved his head restlessly, which, in turn, seemed to deliberately push his hair into the man’s palm, nuzzling against it gently.
A soft grunt escaped the Alpha’s lips. The restlessness in his heart was so easily soothed, and the touch of his finger became gentle again.
After a moment, the young man’s brow gradually relaxed, his features finally returning to peace.
The man withdrew his hand. As he leaned over, his thin lips touched the small red mole.
It was a touch-and-go contact, so light it couldn’t be called a kiss.
The Alpha’s gaze was incredibly dark. He had no intention of exploring the reason for his actions, only following his heart.
Perhaps the brandy tonight was a little intoxicating.
After a long moment, the man’s thin lips parted, his tone carrying a hint of an imperceptible, doting gentleness:
“Sleep well.”
Sleep well. Leave everything to me.
Don’t worry or be afraid anymore.
