IMAO Chapter 23

While the Mecha Department students finished their game, fans had been watching eagerly from the spectator area!

After all, these students were all top performers, some having played in public before. Their game accounts ranked on the leaderboards, and some even recorded their battles!

The group dispersed, teasing Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong in the class chat and trash-talking in the Mecha Department’s main group. It seemed insignificant, but the internet exploded!

Viewers were stunned to discover that except for the two nameless accounts, all other players from both red and blue teams were ranked in various regional leaderboards!

Who did these two mystery accounts belong to? They were incredibly skilled!

One specialized in close-combat brutality, the other in long-range sniping. Their teamwork absolutely dominated the field.

Water cascaded down, hitting the floor like scattered pearls. As Jiang Yuan crossed his arms to remove his shirt, he revealed attractive muscle lines. Shedding his clothes, water droplets fell onto his firm, toned muscles, which ached slightly.

Jiang Yuan felt he hadn’t played long, but the gaming pod demanded high physical fitness. Even though the original owner consistently engaged in intense workouts, Jiang Yuan still felt fatigued.

This made him think of Ji Rong’s subsequent charge into enemy lines. Only Ji Rong could maintain such high-intensity attacks.

Jiang Yuan lathered up with body wash, rinsing away the sweat.

…

It wasn’t too late, around 8 p.m. on Red Star.

A young boy sat in a café, looking awkward and glancing around as if waiting for someone.

After a while, a middle-aged man in black approached. He appeared utterly ordinary, lacking both an Alpha’s intimidating presence and an Omega’s delicate beauty. He seemed to be a typical Beta, yet a faint scent reminiscent of pheromones clung to him.

The middle-aged man sat across from the boy, who was wearing a mask and a hat. He subtly assessed the boy’s attire, unable to discern his Alpha status.

The middle-aged man thought to himself: This kid must be loaded.

“Did you bring it?” A clear voice like clinking jade rang out.

The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment and smiled amiably. “I did. Hand over the money first, and I’ll deliver the goods!”

Qiu Jingming, who was wearing a mask, pulled out a card from his bag and pushed it towards the man. “Here.”

Smiling, the man retrieved a glass vial containing two pills from his bag. As he handed it to Qiu Jingming, he whispered, “This drug will trigger an Omega’s heat within two hours. Mind the timing and stay close to your target, or someone else might snatch them!”

Usually, the people who buy this kind of medicine were Alphas with bad behavior, so the middle-aged people never thought that the person buying medicine in front of them was a serious omega!

“Mm…” Qiu Jingming murmured softly. The man left with the money, while Qiu Jingming clutched the vial with his pale hand, breathing deeply. Since the last incident, he’d noticed Song Yirui treating him more gently, almost at his beck and call out of concern.

Although he knew his heat was approaching, Qiu Jingming couldn’t guarantee where he’d be when it hit, or if Song Yirui would be nearby. He suspected Fang Shi would soon excuse him from classes, confining him at home as a precaution.

This was standard procedure for most Omegas nearing adulthood. Although there were suppressants, they feared unexpected situations. Thus, most Omegas experienced their first heat at home.

Of course, Qiu Jingming had no intention of staying docilely at home. Unable to predict his heat’s exact timing, he searched the StarNet for ways to ensure he could be with Song Yirui when it happened. He discovered pills that could accelerate an Omega’s heat. He decided to use them when the house was empty to advance his cycle and secure Song Yirui.

Qiu Jingming squeezed the pills tightly in the palm of his hand, feeling very uneasy in his heart. He knew Song Yirui wasn’t entirely indifferent to him, otherwise he wouldn’t have let him succeed repeatedly. As an Alpha, Song Yirui could easily have pushed him away outside of heat.

Some Alphas maintain self-control even during an Omega’s heat. Song Yirui’s failure to reject him, despite Qiu Jingming not being in heat, indicated his indecision between Jiang Yuan and himself. After sleeping together this time, Song Yirui would realize Omegas were better!

He just needed to add a little fuel to the fire, and Song Yirui would know how to choose.

Qiu Jingming pocketed the pills and returned home quickly after leaving the café.

As soon as he opened the door, Fang Shi’s lovely face greeted him. Relieved to see him home, she asked, “Jingming, have you injected the suppressants your brother bought?”

Qiu Jingming smiled, “I-I’m still figuring out how to use them!”

Fang Shi frowned, “If you don’t know how, tell me. I’ll teach you. You’re already emitting a sweet scent. Don’t go out too late, and be careful. It’s dangerous for you to be out like this.”

Fang Shi thought about it and suddenly regretted it. Qiu Jingming was indeed a good-looking omega, and it was easy for those Alphas to lose control. She said, “Jingming, stay home tomorrow. Don’t go out at all, just to be safe.”

“Okay, Mom,” Qiu Jingming agreed.

Fang Shi nodded, then said, “Your father and I have work tomorrow, and Auntie requested time off. There won’t be anyone to cook…”

“Mom, I can take care of myself,” Qiu Jingming’s eyes lit up. This was perfect timing, as if heaven itself was helping him! With the housekeeper gone and his parents at work, he’d have the privacy he needed.

Back in his room, Qiu Jingming lay on his bed, storing the pills in his nightstand. Everything was ready. He pulled out his communicator and called Song Yirui.

“Rui-gege, I can’t go out tomorrow.”

Song Yirui answered, “You shouldn’t. Your heat’s coming soon. It’s not safe.”

Qiu Jingming replied, “I know, but the housekeeper won’t be here. No one will make me lunch.”

Song Yirui offered, “What do you want? I’ll order takeout for you.”

Qiu Jingming shook his head, “I don’t want takeout. I want you! Can’t you come back, just for a moment?”

Song Yirui hesitated, “This… I’d better not.” He recalled their recent close call.

Hearing Song Yirui’s refusal, Qiu Jingming pouted, gazing at him pleadingly, “Rui-gege, I really want to see you. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be on leave and staying in. The closer my heat is, I’ll have to keep my distance from all Alphas. I won’t be able to see you for so long. I’ll be miserable without you!”

Song Yirui was helpless, while Qiu Jingming looked at him helplessly. His pitiful look made him unable to bear to refuse. This beautiful little Omega really liked him so much.

Finally, Song Yirui relented, “Alright. But you still need to eat. I’ll come check on you and bring lunch, okay?”

Qiu Jingming beamed, “Thank you, Rui-gege!”

…

Soft pants and breaths teased his ear as those seductive, boneless hands encircled his neck.

The narrow mecha cockpit held two people.

Jiang Yuan’s flushed face made Ji Rong’s heart race uncontrollably. His blood seemed to surge, and an indescribable restlessness filled his body, causing him to suddenly pin Jiang Yuan against the wall.

Exhale—

Early the next morning.

Ji Rong crouched in the bathroom, washing his underwear, nearly in tears. He’d lost count of how many mornings he’d done this.

After tidying up, he leaned against the door, listening for movement next door. The moment he heard the neighboring door open, Ji Rong emerged, feigning surprise before smiling, “What a coincidence. Shall we go together?”

Jiang Yuan nodded, “Sure.”

They headed to the cafeteria and queued for food. Jiang Yuan stood in front, enveloped by the scent of the person behind him. He could smell Ji Rong’s pheromones.

Sensing Ji Rong’s pheromones, Jiang Yuan felt uncomfortable. What had this guy been doing? His pheromones were so strong!

“Jiang Yuan, watch out!”

Lost in thought, Jiang Yuan hadn’t noticed a passing student stumble, nearly spilling hot milk on him. Suddenly, someone yanked him back, and he found himself leaning against the person’s chest.

The student who’d dropped his breakfast looked apologetic, hurriedly picking up the fallen food.

During this brief incident, Ji Rong’s arm encircled Jiang Yuan from behind. His grip was tight, his breathing quickened, and Jiang Yuan keenly noticed Ji Rong’s pheromones intensifying in the air.

Jiang Yuan thought: Sigh… What’s wrong with this Ji Rong? He can’t even control his pheromones! What a rookie Alpha!

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