ABMSI Chapter 79

The moment Duan Wei sensed Fu Duqiu standing behind him, his first and only thought was: Run.

Back when they did the temporary marking, maybe Fu Duqiu had deliberately suppressed his pheromones, which was why Duan Wei hadn’t felt the overwhelming discomfort. But now, with the susceptibility period in full swing, the other’s pheromones were uncontrollable—white pine scent bursting through the classroom like a tidal wave, drowning him instantly.

He remembered how terrified he’d been during Peng Yan’s susceptibility period half a year ago. Even Peng Yan, he had barely managed to deal with. And now? Fu Duqiu.

As the thought hit him, he instinctively tried to move, but his limbs had gone weak. Before he could even lock his phone, it slipped from his hand and fell to the floor with a loud thud. Their chat log was suddenly on display, right between them.

Duan Wei: “…”

Crap crap crap crap crap!!!

Forget running—he didn’t care about anything now except grabbing that phone. He shoved the person behind him and reached, but the other was faster. Fu Duqiu bent down, long fingers pressing firmly over both sides of the device.

“Give it to me—”

Duan Wei tried to snatch it back, but compared to an Alpha in susceptibility, his strength was as useful as a mantis waving at a truck. Fu Duqiu only needed a slight increase in force to completely take the phone.

In just a second, the messages were visible. But right when Fu Duqiu was about to scroll up, Duan Wei used his free hand to slap the lock button.

The light between them vanished in an instant.

“…”

Darkness surrounded them. Duan Wei could even hear the faint sound of his own breathing. A dozen excuses flashed through his brain, including the ridiculous thought of claiming he “picked the phone up on the street.”

He finally worked up the courage to look up.

But Fu Duqiu’s face wasn’t what he had imagined. He was perfectly calm—as if he hadn’t seen anything—nothing like the uncontrollable mess that Peng Yan had been during his susceptibility period. In fact, he even seemed more composed than usual.

If not for the overwhelming pheromones filling the air, he looked practically the same as always.

With Fu Duqiu silent, Duan Wei had no choice but to test the waters. “So… what did you see?”

His nervousness practically stamped the words I’m guilty across his forehead. The frustration Fu Duqiu had been holding back earlier dissolved into quiet amusement. He turned his head slightly and gently placed the phone on the desk.

“What do you think I saw?”

“…”
His tone made Duan Wei realize the more he spoke, the more likely he’d expose himself, so he shut his mouth and pretended to be dead.

A quiet moment passed before Fu Duqiu suddenly asked, “Do you have a younger brother?”

The question came out of nowhere. Duan Wei didn’t even think and answered immediately, “No.”

The moment the words left his mouth, he sensed something was wrong, but before he could backtrack, Fu Duqiu nodded slightly and asked softly:

“Then who do you coax to sleep every night?”

Duan Wei: “…”

He never imagined that a cheesy line he’d casually typed months ago would be remembered now. He scrambled to pretend he knew nothing. “What? I didn’t put anyone to sleep!”

His acting skills at that moment—if he didn’t get into a film academy, it would be a national loss. Fu Duqiu only smiled, not arguing, and continued: “Are second-year math problems difficult?”

“…”

“If you don’t know how to do them, you can just ask me.” Fu Duqiu stepped closer, and Duan Wei stepped back, getting cornered near the door. Fu Duqiu continued slowly, “There’s no need to register a whole new account just to ask me.”

Duan Wei stared. This reaction… was completely unexpected. He’d thought Fu Duqiu would interrogate him angrily for an hour.

Instead, the guy had known all along, wasn’t angry, and was even teasing him.

Caught off guard, Duan Wei lost his footing mentally. His mouth opened and closed, fighting for a last desperate chance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” Fu Duqiu chuckled. He picked up the phone again, held it in front of Duan Wei, clearly not planning to give him any escape. “Then unlock it.”

The screen lit up upon Fu Duqiu’s touch. The dim glow illuminated the thin space between them. They were incredibly close, and with Duan Wei trapped in the corner like prey, the intense pheromones wrapped around him. He couldn’t stop the fear showing on his face.

Seeing him silent, Fu Duqiu didn’t push further. Instead, he put the phone back into Duan Wei’s hand. His fingertips brushed Duan Wei’s skin, and he frowned slightly.

“Your hands are freezing.”

Duan Wei had been so anxious when running over that he tossed his jacket to Peng Yan and came wearing only a T-shirt. Only now, after Fu Duqiu mentioned it, did he realize how cold he was.

Fu Duqiu said nothing more. He simply took off his school jacket and, ignoring Duan Wei’s protests, draped it over him.

And only then did Duan Wei finally notice—

Something was wrong with Fu Duqiu.

From the moment he stepped into the room, everything about him seemed normal. But once the jacket came off, the red marks around his collarbone immediately caught Duan Wei’s eye. They spread across his skin in blotches, and he couldn’t help blurting out, “What happened to you?”

The words had barely left his mouth when he remembered what someone once said: if an Alpha in their susceptibility period doesn’t get an inhibitor in time, side effects appear—mild cases show red patches, severe cases end up in the hospital.

He got anxious instantly. “You still haven’t gotten an inhibitor? I’ll go find one for you.”

He was about to open the door when Fu Duqiu grabbed him by the wrist. The other boy gave a faint smile, eyes scanning him from head to toe, and asked, “You knew I was in my susceptibility period?”

He said it so casually, as if this whole situation wasn’t urgent at all, like Duan Wei was worrying for nothing. “Of course I know.”

“Then do you know what an Alpha’s susceptibility period means…” Fu Duqiu said slowly, “…to an Omega?”

Duan Wei froze.

Since becoming an Omega, he’d occasionally had to sit through physiology lectures. He knew exactly what this period meant. An Alpha becomes stronger than usual, more possessive of their Omega. Once they lose control, they may forcibly mark someone for life. When he came running in earlier, his brain had been fueled by pure impulse. He didn’t think that far at all.

Just because he could endure Fu Duqiu’s pheromones didn’t mean Fu Duoqiu could restrain himself enough not to hurt him.

Cold realization hit him like a siren screaming in his head. He wanted to leave, but there was nowhere to run. Fu Duqiu moved closer, step by step, until only a fist’s distance remained between them. Duan Wei finally panicked. His voice trembled. “What are you trying to do?”

“What do you think I’m trying to do?”

Fu Duqiu replied instantly, his mind hazy but his words sharp. “You know how much I like you, don’t you?”

“…” Duan Wei turned his head away, feeling Fu Duqiu’s breath brush against his neck. His ears burned red without his permission.

Instead of backing off, Fu Duqiu got even closer. His breathing lingered between Duan Wei’s neck and ear as he murmured, “So how did you dare come here?”

His voice wasn’t seductive at all, but when it fell into Duan Wei’s ears, it somehow felt seductive. Duan Wei didn’t know how much was instinct and how much was real. He pressed a hand against Fu Duqiu’s chest. “I’ll find you an inhibitor…”

The resistance was pointless. It didn’t slow him down at all. Instead, Fu Duqiu frowned slightly, raised a hand, and cupped the back of Duan Wei’s neck. His voice softened—dangerously gentle. “No inhibitor. I only need this.”

!

Duan Wei’s eyes widened in shock. He wanted to move, but he didn’t dare push him away forcefully and possibly hurt him, so he froze there like a statue.

Seeing him just dumbly staring back, not resisting nor rejecting, Fu Duqiu clicked his tongue quietly. Half scolding, half helpless, he muttered, “Good thing you ran into me. What would you have done otherwise?”

Duan Wei: “…”

Running into you is the dangerous part.

Fu Duqiu swallowed back whichever impulsive thought was clawing at his mind and released him. He stepped back and sat down on the piano bench nearby. “Teacher Qin already contacted my family. Someone’s coming to pick me up.”

Since he wasn’t doing anything further, Duan Wei finally relaxed a little. Thinking it through, Fu Duqiu had shown signs back during PE class, and afterward he’d taken leave and come to the building—nearly an hour had passed. No wonder his skin reacted.

Knowing how strict his family was, Duan Wei frowned. “I should still get you an inhibitor. You can’t just wait this out.”

“I’m a superior Alpha. Ordinary inhibitors don’t work on me,” Fu Duqiu replied.

“Then…” It wasn’t Duan Wei’s first time dealing with this kind of situation. There were plenty of times he couldn’t get an inhibitor during heat, and Fu Duqiu always helped.

Thinking of that, he walked toward the door. “Then I’ll find a doctor.”

“Don’t go.”

Just as he opened the door, Fu Duqiu grabbed his hand again. He leaned his forehead into Duan Wei’s palm, holding on tight as if afraid that once he left, he’d never come back. His voice was soft, almost sleepy. “Don’t go. I’ll be fine in a bit.”

Something in Duan Wei’s chest twisted. If he hadn’t ignored him these past few days, maybe he would’ve noticed earlier. Maybe Fu Duqiu wouldn’t have ended up like this.

As if he could read his thoughts, Fu Duqiu looked up. “It’s not your fault. Superior Alphas can’t be suppressed with drugs. Just have to endure it.”

“So you just… put up with this every time?” Duan Wei frowned.

“I’ve always endured it.” For a brief moment, something fragile flashed in Fu Duqiu’s eyes—something he’d never shown before—but he quickly hid it away.

He didn’t let go of Duan Wei’s hand, and Duan Wei didn’t pull away.

Duan Wei pressed, “There’s no way to make it better?”

“There is.” Fu Duqiu’s tone lightened, as if to reassure him. “An Omega’s pheromones can soothe it.”

“…Oh.”

“Xiao Wei.” Fu Duqiu lifted his head again. His hands wrapped gently around Duan Wei’s, his eyes full of warmth. Seeing no resistance, he tugged, drawing him closer. His voice dropped low, almost polite. “Can I smell your pheromones?”

It wasn’t exactly a forced request. Compared to horror stories in the news about Alphas losing control, this was almost tame. Duan Wei didn’t even hesitate — he released his pheromones at once.

The scent of mandarin burst through the room — fresh, acidic, and bright like the summer on its way. The two pheromones blended in the air, entwining each other until they couldn’t be distinguished.

Soon, the red marks really did fade, and Fu Duqiu finally exhaled deeply. His arms slipped loosely around Duan Wei’s waist, head resting against his stomach.

Other than that, he did nothing.

Time ticked loudly in the quiet music room. Feeling Fu Duqiu’s breath rising and falling against him, Duan Wei slowly lifted his free hand and hovered it over his back. Then he gently patted it.

Like soothing a child.

Fu Duqiu let out a muffled laugh against him. “Is this how you put your little brother to sleep?”

“…Shut up.”

Fu Duqiu really did shut up, smiling silently. One standing, one sitting, the thin glass barrier between them seemed to disappear. Duan Wei could feel his breathing, his warmth. He knew there was a faster, more direct method to relieve an Alpha’s susceptibility, but Fu Duqiu had chosen the gentlest way, one that protected him completely.

Warmth swelled in his chest, oddly satisfying. His hand curled into a fist, hesitating for a long moment before he whispered, “How about…”

“Hm?” Fu Duqiu answered without lifting his head. His low voice made Duan Wei’s heart itch.

“How about you give me a temporary mark?” Once the words left his mouth, embarrassment hit him hard. He’d never said anything like that before. He quickly looked away and muttered, “If you mark me, you can absorb my pheromones too.”

“…”

In the dark, Fu Duqiu opened his eyes slowly. No Alpha faced with that kind of invitation from the Omega they loved could stay calm. Even someone with self-control like him couldn’t stop his breathing from going uneven.

He tightened his hold around Duan Wei’s waist. Then he raised his head, eyes tracing the faint flush on Duan Wei’s face, and let out a quiet laugh. “Come here.”

He didn’t speak loudly, but the words carried an irresistible pull. Duan Wei clenched his fists, moved stiffly, and sat beside him.

The piano bench was long, but they only occupied a tiny space of it. In the dim light, Duan Wei stared at Fu Duqiu’s elegant hands wrapped around his own. Realizing what was about to happen, his throat bobbed nervously.

Fu Duqiu remained utterly composed. Or rather, he’d never once shown panic.

He lifted a hand and lightly patted Duan Wei’s shoulder, like reassurance, like permission…