Jiang Chen didn’t have much of a memory of what happened after he fainted. By the time he opened his eyes, he was already lying in the school infirmary.
Fluttering his eyelids open, he caught the sound of Gu Xin speaking to the doctor in a hushed voice. It wasn’t actually that quiet, though…he could hear every word.
“Why did he just pass out like that out of nowhere?” Gu Xin was asking. “His health is usually fine. He sleeps early, wakes up early, doesn’t stay up late, and doesn’t have any bad habits.”
“Sudden fainting spells like this usually require a thorough, comprehensive blood panel at a proper hospital,” the doctor explained. “There are a ton of reasons why someone might faint, and I can only handle minor issues here. I can’t run full diagnostics.”
Jiang Chen sat up on the examination bed. The dizziness was completely gone; his mind felt clear, and he felt perfectly normal again. “What happened to me?” he asked.
Gu Xin hadn’t gotten any useful answers from the doctor, so seeing Jiang Chen finally awake brought a massive wave of relief.
Turning to Jiang Chen, the doctor said, “The school’s medical equipment is limited, young man. You should really find some time to go to the hospital for a detailed checkup. Since you’re a Beta, I suspect this issue might be related to your pheromones. You probably need to get blood drawn or have some scans done.”
Jiang Chen was genuinely baffled. “Pheromones? Don’t we Betas have barely any pheromones? How could that possibly affect me?”
“It’s clear you haven’t been paying attention in biology class,” the doctor chided gently but seriously. “During puberty, Betas can also experience pheromone instability. Your current state looks a lot like that. Go get a checkup at an authoritative, top-tier hospital as soon as possible. Don’t drag your feet on this, understood?”
“Oh, okay. I get it,” Jiang Chen could only reply obediently.
“I won’t prescribe you anything,” the doctor added. “It’s probably too late to head to the hospital this afternoon anyway; the outpatient doctors will be locking up soon. Just go tomorrow morning.”
“Sure, will do,” Jiang Chen agreed.
The doctor didn’t give him any medication. Since his situation was rather unusual, it wasn’t safe to take random meds.
Throughout the doctor’s instructions to Jiang Chen, Gu Xin remained entirely silent.
He had heard of Beta pheromone instability before, but none of his peers had ever suffered from it. He was now deeply worried about Jiang Chen.
By the time Jiang Chen woke up from his deep sleep, the school’s anniversary celebration had long since wrapped up.
As he and Gu Xin walked out of the infirmary, most of the students had already left the campus. Tomorrow marked the beginning of a seven-day National Day holiday.
For Jiang Chen, it was a bit of a mixed bag. A holiday meant he could sleep in, but knowing that his sleeping might actually be a symptom of a medical issue made it thoroughly unpleasant.
Gu Xin was still scrolling through his phone, researching information on Beta pheromone instability. The more he read, the more alarmed he became. Looking up symptoms online always starts with a cough and ends with a terminal diagnosis; if he kept reading, he’d probably convince himself Jiang Chen belonged in the ICU. He decisively closed the webpage, forcing himself to stop overthinking.
Walking side-by-side with Jiang Chen, he asked, “Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere right now?”
Jiang Chen stretched his arms out and shook his head. “Nope.”
Just as they stepped out, Wei Meng came rushing toward them, with Jiang Yibai, Yang Xiu, and a few others trailing closely behind.
Wei Meng examined Jiang Chen with frantic concern. “Chen-er! How did you just drop like that? Did you hurt yourself anywhere? What happened? Is this a delayed reaction from those guys last time?”
Jiang Chen shoved Wei Meng’s crowding face away, completely unwilling to look weak in front of his bros. “I’m totally fine, it was just low blood sugar. Why haven’t you guys gone home yet?”
Jiang Yibai said, “The teacher gave us a quick lecture before letting us go. Are you really okay?” He looked over at Gu Xin for confirmation.
Gu Xin didn’t want to bring up the details of Jiang Chen’s pheromone instability…after all, it was a private matter. Looking at the huddle of classmates, he instinctively shifted a step closer to Jiang Chen’s side.
“The doctor said he could go home,” Gu Xin spoke up. “There’s nothing seriously wrong for now.”
Yang Xiu, being the most observant of the bunch, chimed in, “Good to hear you’re okay. Class Monitor, keep a close eye on Jiang Chen on the way back. It’s crowded with cars and people out there…fainting halfway home is no joke.”
Gu Xin nodded. Even without Yang Xiu’s reminder, he was already planning to keep a watchful eye on Jiang Chen’s condition.
They made loose plans to hang out in a couple of days before parting ways.
Having just woken up from a fainting spell, Jiang Chen’s energy wasn’t at its peak, and he kept mostly quiet along the journey.
It wasn’t until they reached their apartment complex that Gu Xin finally asked, “Should I go with you to the hospital tomorrow?”
Jiang Chen nodded. “Sure, if you want. Aren’t your parents taking you out for the National Day holiday?”
Gu Xin shook his head. “Not until three days from now. The first three days of National Day are way too crowded; my mom doesn’t want to fight the throngs of people.”
Walking sluggishly into the elevator, Jiang Chen said, “Mm, I’ll talk to my mom about going to the doctor tonight.”
Gu Xin stole another glance at him before stepping out of the elevator. “Make sure you get some good rest tonight.”
Jiang Chen gave a casual wave of his hand.
When he stepped inside his apartment, he found the place completely empty. Checking the time, he realized their school had let them out early; his older sister and younger brother weren’t home yet, and his parents hadn’t finished work either.
Tossing his backpack aside, Jiang Chen crashed straight onto his bed. In less than five seconds, he was fast asleep.
When he woke up, the bedroom was pitched in darkness. Outside the window, the city lights had already flared to life.
His stomach gave a loud rumble.
Through the door, he heard the familiar sounds of his sister and brother bickering, locked in a fierce debate over what takeout to order.
Jiang Chen pulled his door open, leaning lazily against the frame. “What are you two shouting about? Where are Mom and Dad?”
Jiang Zheng looked up, practically beaming. “They’re not coming home for dinner tonight. They went out to catch a movie!”
Jiang Xin excitedly added, “What do you want to eat? Mom sent us dinner money in the family group chat, hurry up and accept it. She told me to order takeout myself, and it’s a pretty hefty amount.”
Jiang Zheng pleaded, “Bro, can we get a KFC Family Feast bucket?”
Jiang Xin immediately shot it down. “What’s the point of a Family Feast bucket? I want barbecue and beer!”
Jiang Chen finally unlocked his phone to check the group chat. Sure enough, his mother had sent a transfer, adding a strict note telling them not to buy junk food, and explicitly forbidding his sister from touching alcohol. The last time their grandmother visited, his sister had gotten so drunk she couldn’t even make it to school the next day, nearly driving their mom insane with anger.
“Any other ideas?” Jiang Chen opened a food delivery app, casually checking his WeChat notifications as he did. He noticed that Gu Xin had sent him a message an hour ago.
Jiang Zheng: “I just want the Family Feast bucket.”
Jiang Xin: “Barbecue and beer!”
Gu Xin’s message read: My parents aren’t eating at home tonight. Want to grab dinner together?
Jiang Chen typed back: What do you feel like eating? My parents aren’t home either, so I’ve been granted a dinner fund. But I have to bring my sister and brother along.
Gu Xin replied instantly: Do they have anything they want to eat?
Jiang Chen: One wants a KFC bucket, the other wants barbecue.
Gu Xin: What about you?
Jiang Chen: Don’t have much of an appetite.
Gu Xin: Isn’t there a seafood porridge place on the old street nearby? There’s a KFC right next to it, and they also sell barbecue and stir-fried snails. Should we head over there?
Jiang Chen: Sounds good.
Lifting his head, Jiang Chen called out to Jiang Xin and Jiang Zheng, “Let’s go eat with Gu Xin. His parents aren’t home either, and he knows a good spot.”
Jiang Zheng instantly ditched the Family Feast bucket. “Oh wow, Brother Gu Xin is coming too!”
“Then let’s all go together, the more the merrier,” Jiang Xin said carelessly. As the oldest sibling who used to stick up for her three younger brothers when they were kids, she viewed Gu Xin as just another little brother.
And so, the four kids abandoned by their parents set off.
Jiang Zheng spent ten full minutes touching up his makeup and changing out of his school uniform, while Jiang Xin draped a thick gold chain around her neck, convinced it gave her a fierce, powerful vibe. As for Jiang Chen, watching them swap outfits back and forth until his eyes blurred, he didn’t change a single thing. He wore exactly what he had on during the day, carrying nothing but his phone, with his No. 3 High School uniform jacket tossed over his shoulders.
When the elevator stopped at the tenth floor, Gu Xin stepped inside. Jiang Chen beat Jiang Zheng to the punch, sliding right over to Gu Xin’s side. “How come you changed clothes too?”
“I went for a run when I got home,” Gu Xin replied. “Changed after my shower.”
Jiang Zheng immediately showered him with praise. “Brother Gu Xin, this outfit looks amazing on you.”
Jiang Xin clicked her tongue in approval. “You really know how to dress. If you went to our school, you’d have a crowd of Omegas asking for your WeChat or trying to set up dates by the very next day.”
Jiang Chen gave his sister a sharp glare. “Sis, watch your mouth.”
Gu Xin was currently sporting a black baseball cap, a thin black trench coat, and a pair of black sweatpants…he looked pretty cool. His clothes were undeniably high-end; Jiang Chen had seen some unworn jackets hanging in Gu Xin’s closet with price tags easily clearing seven or eight thousand yuan. His parents never scrimped on Gu Xin and were always incredibly generous when spending on him.
Gu Xin let out a soft laugh, taking the black baseball cap off his own head and placing it gently onto Jiang Chen’s. “Well, I go to No. 3 High, so I won’t be running into the Omegas from Sister Xin’s school.”
Jiang Xin sighed dramatically. “If you were at my school, I wouldn’t have any status left.”
Jiang Chen rolled his eyes. “You should focus on studying instead. With your track record of changing girlfriends every three days, what kind of status do you even need?”
“Little brother, you just don’t get it,” Jiang Xin countered smoothly. “Your sister only cares about having fun in the moment, not forever. Living in the present brings ultimate happiness.”
Jiang Chen was well acquainted with this particular philosophy. Their maternal grandmother frequently drilled it into their heads; ever since their grandfather passed away, Grandma had seemingly unlocked a whole new world. In her senior citizen group chats, elderly men were constantly fighting for her affection.
Gu Xin listened to the three siblings bicker, a steady smile gracing his features the entire way.
Chatting and laughing as they walked, they quickly arrived at the seafood porridge restaurant Gu Xin had mentioned.
The place didn’t just serve roasted meats and porridge…they also offered grilled fish.
All four of them saw that the grilled fish had excellent reviews, so they ordered a large portion. For once, Jiang Xin and Jiang Zheng actually agreed on something.
Gu Xin leaned in closer to Jiang Chen. “Should I order a bowl of porridge just for you?”
“I want to eat the fish too,” Jiang Chen insisted.
“But the grilled fish is quite spicy. Can your stomach handle it?”
Underneath the table, Jiang Chen gave Gu Xin’s thigh a sharp, stealthy nudge, silently warning him not to bring up his medical episode in front of the others. Caught the hint, Gu Xin dropped the subject.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xin and Jiang Zheng were locked in a battle over whether to add extra potatoes or bamboo shoots to the fish.
Gu Xin spoke up to resolve the dispute seamlessly. “Let’s just add both. We should be able to finish it all.”
Jiang Chen secretly thought his sister and brother were way too loud. Eating with just Gu Xin was so much quieter and more peaceful.
Once the four of them had eaten and drunk their fill, Gu Xin took care of the bill. Saved from spending their dinner money, Jiang Xin immediately suggested heading to the arcade, while Jiang Zheng announced he wanted to try the claw machines.
Neither Jiang Chen nor Gu Xin had any objections; the dinner funds they had saved could now be put toward buying game tokens.
The arcade was absolute sensory overload, bursting with noise and flashing lights. The moment Jiang Xin stepped inside, she was in her element, grabbing a handful of tokens and heading straight for a shooting simulator. Jiang Zheng slipped away just as quickly; he hadn’t actually come for the claw machines at all, rushing instead toward the dance machine to flash his skills. Jiang Zheng loved nothing more than being the center of attention, and he achieved his goal instantly.
Seeing that the siblings were doing their own thing, Jiang Chen turned to Gu Xin. “What do you want to play?”
“Didn’t we come to catch plushies?” Gu Xin pointed out.
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow playfully. “You actually want to play the claw machine?”
Gu Xin shrugged. “Nothing else really catches my eye.” He generally avoided loud, chaotic environments.
Whenever Jiang Chen came here with Wei Meng, they usually just wandered around aimlessly without any particular game they stuck to.
“Claw machine it is, then,” Jiang Chen agreed.
Gu Xin asked, “Which one do you want?”
Jiang Chen pointed toward a large, purely white duck with a comically massive beak. “I want that one.”
Gu Xin slotted a token into the machine. “Let me give it a shot.”
Jiang Chen leaned casually against the side of the machine, watching him play.
First try—missed.
Second try—missed.
Third try—still nothing…
By the time the tokens in Gu Xin’s hand were entirely spent, the big-beaked duck was still resting peacefully atop the pile of plushies, its tiny bead-like eyes seemingly mocking Gu Xin’s efforts.
Jiang Chen gave Gu Xin’s shoulder a comforting pat, bursting into laughter. “Xin-bao, turns out there really is something you’re bad at! Hahaha!”
A small crowd of kids had gathered around them to watch the spectacle, all of them looking up at Gu Xin with expressions that clearly said, Wow, you’re pretty weak.
Gu Xin grit his teeth, glaring fiercely at the big-beaked duck. “Just you wait. I am absolutely catching you tonight!”
With a sharp turn on his heel, he marched off toward the front counter to buy more tokens.
Jiang Chen had been idly flipping a single token in his fingers while waiting. The moment Gu Xin left, he slid into the empty seat.
Aiming the claw, dropping it down the entire sequence was executed in one smooth, flawless motion.
The surrounding kids let out a collective, breathless gasp of awe!
When Gu Xin finally returned with a fresh cup of tokens and turned around, Jiang Chen was already standing right behind him. He lightly tossed the big-beaked duck straight into Gu Xin’s arms.
“Can’t even catch a simple plushie. Here, take it, I got it for you.”
Gu Xin froze, staring down blankly at the duck in his hands, then looked back up at Jiang Chen, who was grinning brightly.
If Jiang Chen ever dates an Omega in the future, Gu Xin couldn’t help but think, he’d probably catch plushies for them just like this, wouldn’t he?