Volume Eight: Those Years When I Was an Alpha
Apple
Respect.
Bian Tuo hadn’t heard this word in a long time. Now, hearing Wen Nuan say it, he actually felt as if a lifetime had passed.
Bian Tuo had wanted to talk back to Wen Nuan, but hearing her say this, the words at the corner of his mouth were choked back, and his eyes actually began to sting.
“Wen Nuan?” Bian Tuo didn’t continue to call her Chaoyang.
He savored the name for a moment; it had a bit of the meaning that her name is like her person1.
“Yes, what is it?”
Bian Tuo looked at her. “The way we are now… can we be considered friends… who have been sharing trials and tribulations2?”
His tone was flat, yet it carried a hidden expectation and nervousness.
Wen Nuan paused for a moment, then smiled. “Friends who don’t fight, don’t know each other3 isn’t bad either.”
Bian Tuo let out a laugh. “That’s right, don’t fight, don’t know each other.”
Wasn’t the bond between them forged from fighting all day long?
It was just that these fights were a matter of you die, I live.
The moment the video of the gland differentiation surgery was leaked, it immediately captured the attention of all the higher-ups and the public in the Interstellar Universe.
The omegas were beyond excited when they saw this surgery. They frantically wanted Tofis to release Mu Wen Nuan to perform the surgery for them, to completely solve the predicament brought about by their omega glands.
In the Interstellar Universe, omegas were at a disadvantage in terms of both rights and status. Although they were protected, they all lived like useless tools that only knew how to breathe and reproduce. There were no human rights to speak of. Even if a few outstanding omegas managed to make a name for themselves, they ultimately couldn’t overcome the pain and torment of their heat periods and walked into an endless abyss.
This video released by Mu Wen Nuan was undoubtedly giving them a choice, a broad and open road that didn’t require them to give up their dignity and future.
Omegas began to gather spontaneously, calling for their rights on major planets and launching resistance movements, demanding AO Equality!
However, the momentum was great, but the splash was small. The omegas’ resistance was suppressed. The alphas would not allow omegas to climb on top of their heads, let alone dare to dream of AO equality; it was a fool talking in a dream.
Omegas struggled desperately, alphas suppressed them forcefully, and betas decided to hang it up high if it doesn’t concern oneself.
Until—
Another video appeared horizontally in the world, in which Mu Wen Nuan was explaining the full effects of this surgery.
For a time, everyone went crazy.
Alphas, omegas, and betas all went crazy. They were frenzied over this technology.
But some people didn’t believe it, because this surgery had only been performed on omegas. It had never been tested on alphas or betas, so how could it be convincing?
The Interstellar Universe began to polarize into two factions, supportive and negative, and for a time, they were at a stalemate.
Ning Qiu watched Mu Wen Nuan’s video explaining the gland differentiation surgery. The voice of the explanation inside had long since stopped. The room was so quiet that one could hear a heartbeat.
Ning Qiu looked at the people in the conference room and said faintly, “What is your choice?”
Everyone looked at each other, none speaking.
Xi Chen raised his hand. “I agree to release Mu Wen Nuan and promote the gland differentiation surgery.”
“I also agree,” Jiang Yichuan raised his hand, seconding him.
Ning Qiu looked at the others. “And you?”
“I believe this technology still has risks,” an alpha Lieutenant Colonel4 said. “We all know this technology is very effective for omegas, but for alphas and betas, there have been no videos or documents showing its practical application. We cannot casually draw a conclusion based solely on Mu Wen Nuan’s one-sided statement.”
Jiang Yichuan lifted his eyes and looked at the Lieutenant Colonel. “As an A-grade alpha, your susceptibility periods must be very painful, right?”
The Lieutenant Colonel said, “I have my wife to soothe me, so it’s not too difficult to get through.”
“Then each time you get through your susceptibility period, is your wife safe and sound?” Jiang Yichuan continued to question.
When an alpha goes through a susceptibility period, they must have the soothing of an omega, but this kind of soothing is both physical and mental torment for the omega.
The Lieutenant Colonel’s brow furrowed, and he was mute-mouthed and without words.
Jiang Yichuan looked at the alphas in the conference room and said coldly, “While you feel that the susceptibility period is incredibly difficult and painful, your omega partner not only has to endure the torment of their heat period but also your torment during your susceptibility period.”
“In your eyes, do you see an omega as a person with dignity and rights, or just a tool to alleviate your pain and desires?”
“What are you talking about?!” an alpha Major slammed the table and said angrily. “If we looked down on omegas, you wouldn’t even be here!”
Jiang Yichuan gave a sarcastic smile. “So I should thank this Major for his support?”
The alpha Major’s face turned green, and he was about to retort.
“Enough,” Ning Qiu looked at the alpha Major, a threat flashing in his eyes. “What’s there to argue about? Isn’t it chaotic enough outside?”
Seeing Ning Qiu speak, the alpha Major immediately shut up and quieted down.
Xi Chen pulled Jiang Yichuan down and stood up himself, looking at the crowd. “If everyone is worried about the practicality of this technology for alphas and betas, I can be Mu Wen Nuan’s first alpha to undergo the surgery.”
Jiang Yichuan looked at Xi Chen in disbelief.
Ning Qiu’s brow furrowed. “His Highness the Crown Prince, please speak cautiously.”
“That’s right, Your Highness, how can we let you be the experiment?”
“Your Highness, think three times then act5.”
“Your Highness…”
Xi Chen sighed and looked at Ning Qiu. “Since I am the Imperial Crown Prince, I should lead by personal example. Since the people are all worried about the risks of this technology, then I will personally experience it, which can be considered giving everyone an explanation.”
“As for the beta candidate, it will be Chu Luo from Bali Academy.”
“I have already communicated this decision with my Father Emperor, and he very much approves of my choice. So, everyone need not try to dissuade or argue anymore. Let us wipe our eyes and wait to see if Mu Wen Nuan can truly change all of this.”
Everyone was instantly speechless, looking at Xi Chen in shock.
“When did you make this decision?” Jiang Yichuan said urgently. “Why didn’t you say so beforehand so we could all discuss it?”
Xi Chen was the Imperial Crown Prince. If something happened to him, Wen Nuan would surely die.
“This was also a measure of last resort. We can’t let everything Mu Wen Nuan has done be ruined,” Xi Chen said, looking at Jiang Yichuan.
His gaze was gentle, the corners of his mouth turned up. “I know how important she is to you. For now, this is all I can do for you.”
Although Mu Wen Nuan was imprisoned without being charged with a crime, they all understood the principle that an ordinary man is not guilty, but possessing a treasure is a crime6.
Jiang Yichuan’s expression was moved. “…I’m not worth this from you.”
“Whether it’s worth it or not is not for you to say, but whether I am willing. I only did a small thing for you, but what Mu Wen Nuan has done for you is something I can never do,” Xi Chen smiled with relief. “Yichuan, you are different towards her. You should see your own heart clearly.”
He had long known that Jiang Yichuan was different towards Mu Wen Nuan, both three years ago and now. This person, Mu Wen Nuan, could stir Jiang Yichuan’s seven emotions and six desires7.
She didn’t need to rely on pheromones to influence Jiang Yichuan. As long as she appeared and stood there, Jiang Yichuan would approach her on his own initiative.
This was a feeling that even he, an outsider, could see clearly, yet Jiang Yichuan had gone astray, his feet of clay sinking deep8.
Jiang Yichuan’s eyelashes trembled slightly, his eyes a little lost.
Bian Tuo and Wen Nuan still got into a fight, because this dog woman wanted to snatch his apple again.
He stared deadly at Wen Nuan as she ate the apple that should have been his, and she had the nerve to say it was for his own good, that eating too many apples was not conducive to wound recovery, and beautifully called it9 that.
To hell with that!
Wen Nuan stood in the corner, watching Bian Tuo glare at her viciously.
She said with a grin, “It’s just one apple, why get so angry?”
Bian Tuo held out his hand. “Give it back!”
“Only the core is left, you still want it?”
Bian Tuo took a deep breath, walked to the door, and shouted, “Is anyone there? I fucking want to change rooms! I don’t want to be locked up with this person anymore.”
This was simply torture!
Wen Nuan couldn’t cry or laugh. “It’s just an apple. Are we still good friends or not?”
“Then give me back my apple!”
Wen Nuan sighed. “I’ll give you mine tomorrow, okay?”
Bian Tuo thought for a moment, then said fiercely, “If you don’t, Laozi10 kill you.”
Wen Nuan smiled slightly.
Bian Tuo sat back down on the platform and closed his eyes to rest his spirit. Footsteps came from outside the door. Wen Nuan looked up, and the door was opened. The person who walked in was her teacher.
Major General Ning Qiu.
Bian Tuo looked over, raising an eyebrow slightly. “Ning Qiu?”
Ning Qiu looked at Bian Tuo and said faintly, “You’re recovering well.”
“It’s alright, not gonna die,” Bian Tuo said casually. “What are you doing here?”
Ning Qiu looked at Wen Nuan. “Long time no see.”
Wen Nuan nodded. “Teacher, long time no see.”
Bian Tuo was surprised. “Ning Qiu is your teacher?”
“Mhm,” Wen Nuan nodded.
Bian Tuo couldn’t help but feel emotional. An old genius taught a young genius. Interesting.
Ning Qiu didn’t exchange too many pleasantries with Wen Nuan and got straight to the point. “You were the one who released those two videos, correct?”
Wen Nuan had already guessed that Ning Qiu would figure it out. She said frankly, “Yes. This student had to save her own life.”
A hint of a smile flashed in Ning Qiu’s eyes as he feigned a reprimand. “This life-saving method of yours has thrown the entire Interstellar Universe into chaos.”
Wen Nuan smiled. “Teacher, are you angry at this student?”
“Shouldn’t I be?”
“You should be,” Wen Nuan pouted aggrievedly. “This student released this technology not only in the hope of changing the current situation for ABOs, but also in the hope that Shimu11 could be healthier and happier.”
Ning Qiu’s pupils trembled, his expression moved. He sighed, “…You.”
He glanced at Bian Tuo, leaned closer to Wen Nuan, and asked in a low voice, “Tell your teacher the truth, are you and Sun…”
He wanted to ask if the two of them knew each other, otherwise how could Wen Nuan so casually release the operational video of this technology?
Wen Nuan thought Ning Qiu had guessed it and nodded. “What Teacher is thinking is correct. This student is indeed Sun.”
Ning Qiu’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You are Sun?”
Wen Nuan was startled by his reaction, puzzled. “Teacher… didn’t you know?”
Ning Qiu shook his head. “I did not know.”
“…” Wen Nuan gave an awkward smile. “Well, Teacher knows now. Are you happy?”
Ning Qiu: “…”
He struggled to digest this earth-shattering news, glanced at Bian Tuo, and said warily, “Besides me, does a third person know you are Sun?”
“I knew long ago,” Bian Tuo raised his hand and sneered. “Major General Ning Qiu doesn’t need to be cowering and shrinking, hiding in the east and concealing in the west12.”
Ning Qiu’s brow furrowed as he looked at Wen Nuan with disappointment. “You were exposed?”
Wen Nuan waved her hand. “I never intended to hide it from him. He guessed it himself.”
Seeing the atmosphere between the two, Ning Qiu felt that their relationship had become much closer.
“You and Bian Tuo…”
Wen Nuan knew what Ning Qiu wanted to ask and explained, “This student and he also don’t fight, don’t know each other.”
“You’ve become… friends?” Ning Qiu was dazed.
The entire Interstellar Universe knew that Chaoyang and Bian Tuo were opponents and enemies with the tip of the spear against each other. And now these two had established a revolutionary friendship in prison!?
Bian Tuo didn’t reply to Ning Qiu, but looked directly at Wen Nuan.
Wen Nuan nodded. “Yes, we’ve become friends.”
Bian Tuo wasn’t bad at heart, just that his methods were a bit ruthless and arbitrary. He had endured too much injustice and humiliation in his youth, which led to his personality becoming somewhat paranoid and gloomy.
According to the original plot, Bian Tuo had developed a method to solve the gland problem to help the female lead. He had led the charge and died on the operating table, laying the foundation for the female lead’s transformation.
But in the original plot, the effect of the surgery to change the glands was too extreme. It required the complete severing of the gland, and people who underwent the surgery would become very weak, their lifespan would be shortened, and there was also the possibility of recurrence and pathological changes. It could be said to have a hundred harms and not a single benefit.
Hearing Wen Nuan’s answer, the corners of Bian Tuo’s mouth hooked up.
Ning Qiu paused. “You can handle it yourself.”
Bian Tuo was not easy to control, but he was indeed a talent. Now that the Evil Ghost was eliminated, the Federation was interested in recruiting him, but Bian Tuo eats neither the soft nor the hard13. Perhaps Wen Nuan could break through his defenses.
“The candidates for the alpha and beta experiments will be Crown Prince Xi Chen and Chu Luo,” Ning Qiu told Wen Nuan this decision. “There absolutely cannot be any mistakes.”
Wen Nuan didn’t expect the male lead to step forward, but it was in line with his character design.
She replied, “Understood.”
Ning Qiu patted Wen Nuan’s shoulder. “Come with me.”
Just as Wen Nuan was about to leave with Ning Qiu, Bian Tuo suddenly said, “If you leave, will there be one less apple tomorrow?”
“…” Wen Nuan glanced at the door. “Probably.”
The next second, she immediately bolted out and shut the main door tightly.
Bian Tuo roared in the room, “Fuck! Mu Wen Nuan, you son of a turtle14! Give me back my apple!”
Ning Qiu: “…”
The dignified leader of the Evil Ghosts flying into a rage and broke open his mouth to curse loudly over an apple, was this for real!?
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