When Gu Qingqiu woke up, Zhang Xin'ai was peeling an apple for her by the bedside. She looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings and whispered, "Mommy, is this a hospital?"

Zhang Xin'ai quickly put down the apple and touched Gu Qingqiu's forehead. "My dear girl, you're finally awake. You scared your mother to death."

Gu Qingqiu said embarrassedly, "I'm sorry, Mom, I... I didn't mean to get sick."

Zhang Xin'ai sighed, "Mom already asked for leave for you this morning. You should rest well in the hospital for the next few days."

"Huh?" Gu Qingqiu's first reaction was what to do about Ji Xingqiao. She had clearly told Ji Xingqiao "see you tomorrow" yesterday. Wasn't she breaking her promise? And... what if Ji Xingqiao went hungry without her bringing him breakfast?

Gu Qingqiu's disappointed expression stung Zhang Xin'ai's eyes. She couldn't say anything more. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, saying with difficulty, "Nannan... once you get better, let's take a break from school, go home and study on our own, and then take care of your health."

"What?" Gu Qingqiu was so shocked she almost jumped out of bed. "Why, Mommy? Do I have a very serious illness?"

"No, no! Don't think like that!" Zhang Xin'ai quickly pressed Gu Qingqiu down and comforted her, "Nannan has always been very healthy. We go for checkups every year, don't we?"

"...Why is that?" Gu Qingqiu had actually guessed the answer in her heart.

Sure enough, Zhang Xin'ai told the truth, "Nannan... actually you... are an omega, so... you probably can't attend Shengming High School."

Yes, St. John's High School is a school that only accepts alphas and betas.

But Gu Qingqiu just transferred schools, and now she's going to have to take a break from school? She's about to take the college entrance exam...

Zhang Xin'ai looked distressed. "Mom knows you must be feeling terrible, but... your current health condition doesn't allow it. You'll have to study at home for the time being. It's okay if your exam results aren't good. Mom can support you for the rest of your life, or you can take the exam again next year..."

Having kept the secret hidden for so many years, Zhang Xin'ai had to come to light. She rambled on and on, talking incoherently to Gu Qingqiu, recounting her past and Gu Qingqiu's childhood.

As Gu Qingqiu listened, her eyes gradually welled up with tears. Although she had only been in this world for a short time, she could still feel Zhang Xin'ai's selfless maternal love for her. Not wanting her mother to be sad, she hugged her and replied, "I will listen to Mommy."

Because she left in a hurry, Gu Qingqiu left her phone at home. Zhang Xin'ai said she would take it out for Gu Qingqiu next time she came home to cook.

During this period, Gu Qingqiu could only lie in bed staring blankly. The male protagonist system was busy, and Gu Qingqiu finally managed to say a few words to it and obtain two key pieces of information.

1. The current experience bar progress is 2%, which is still a long way from completing the task.

2. Ji Xingqiao's current location is at the school, and this location has not changed.

Gu Qingqiu felt melancholy again. She had finally managed to establish a slight romantic relationship with the male lead, but was it going to end just because of their physical differences? If she couldn't go to school anymore, how would she continue to keep in touch with Ji Xingqiao?

That evening, Zhang Xin'ai brought Gu Qingqiu her phone. Gu Qingqiu quickly opened QQ and saw many classmates sending messages of concern, presumably knowing that Gu Qingqiu had taken sick leave. Ji Xingqiao was not among these people, because Ji Xingqiao had not added Gu Qingqiu as a friend.

After politely replying to her classmates' concerns, Gu Qingqiu immediately opened the class group chat and searched for the name "Ji Xingqiao" in the member list, but no results were found.

Although she was already mentally prepared that Ji Xingqiao might not be in the overtime group, Gu Qingqiu still stubbornly went through the list of all members and found that Ji Xingqiao was indeed not there.

What should we do?

Gu Qingqiu is now inseparable from the hospital. Although her fever has subsided, she has been transferred to a prestigious VIP ward, and doctors come to check her glands every few hours. Sometimes, the doctors will bring in several people who look like interns to use Gu Qingqiu as a living example to explain things, making Gu Qingqiu both nervous and embarrassed.

It makes sense; a person who grew up as a beta suddenly becoming an omega is indeed worthy of research by hospitals.

At the same time, Gu Qingqiu also realized the value of being an omega in this world. According to her mother, the hospital initially thought she had abused her glands and almost took her to the police station for interrogation. Fortunately, she produced her medical records to prove her innocence.

That wasn't all. After the hospital discovered that Gu Qingqiu's omega glands had begun to develop, they transferred her directly to a VIP ward. Zhang Xin'ai was worried about the expenses, but the doctor said that the government can now fully reimburse the medical expenses of omegas. They truly are a rare species!

Gu Qingqiu thought she might have to wait until she was discharged from the hospital to see Ji Xingqiao, but to her surprise, Ji Xingqiao came to the hospital to see her that very evening with a fruit basket.

Gu Qingqiu was pleasantly surprised and straightened up. "Why are you here?"

But Ji Xingqiao looked unwell. He put the fruit basket down next to Gu Qingqiu's bed and rushed into the bathroom to vomit.

Hearing Ji Xingqiao's retching sounds, Gu Qingqiu became extremely nervous. Just as she was about to get out of bed to check on him, Ji Xingqiao realized something and shouted from the bathroom, "Don't come any closer!"

Gu Qingqiu felt that Ji Xingqiao probably didn't want her to see him in such an embarrassing state, so she could only continue to lie still, but her attention was still on the bathroom.

Ji Xingqiao felt as if he was about to vomit up all his stomach acid. Almost ten minutes later, the sound of flushing water and the sink water came from the bathroom.

Gu Qingqiu was a little uneasy. Ji Xingqiao finally came out of the bathroom, but his face was extremely pale and his expression was a bit strange. He stared at Gu Qingqiu for a long time before speaking, "Are you an omega?"

His voice was a little hoarse, probably because of vomiting.

Gu Qingqiu pursed her lips, "...I just found out about this too. I'm sorry, I...I might not be able to bring you breakfast anymore..."

"Mm," Ji Xingqiao responded and sat down beside Gu Qingqiu's bed.

Silence spread through the ward once again.

Gu Qingqiu perked up and asked, "What... happened to you just now?"

Ji Xingqiao moved his lips, as if considering his words, and after a moment said, "I have a pheromone allergy."

"What?" This was the first time Gu Qingqiu had ever heard of this disease.

Ji Xingqiao patiently explained, and Gu Qingqiu suddenly realized, "No wonder you always..."

Thinking that Ji Xingqiao must have encountered many alphas and omegas on his way to the hospital to deliver the fruit basket to her, Gu Qingqiu felt both touched and heartbroken, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? Why were you so foolish... to force yourself to come to the hospital?"

“I don’t know either.” Ji Xingqiao’s deep gaze fell on Gu Qingqiu’s face. “My heart tells me that it wants to see you.”