At 25, Zhao Yexi was already approaching his thirties. He looked almost identical to when he was sixteen: the same height, the same baby face. The only difference was a ring on the middle finger of his left hand.

The ring Lu Huangzhi gave him had no extra decorations except for a diamond in the shape of a lock. The four English letters [HYZX] were engraved inside the ring.

HYZX=Breath of the Wild.

Although it was Zhao Yesi's first time to fall in love, he knew that wearing a ring on the middle finger meant that the owner was in love.

He and Lu Huangzhi are in love.

Jiang Fuying only rested at home for three days before returning to work. Her team held a press conference to announce the origin of the second sex gene.

A year ago, an unidentified meteorite landed in an uninhabited area of ​​northwest China. Upon landing, it released a type of radiation unknown to humans. This radiation is the culprit for genetic mutations, and Jiang Fuying's team has tentatively named it D radiation.

Mutated genes are only expressed during adolescence. Beyond that age, even if genes for a second sex are present, they won't differentiate, but they can still pass the recessive genes on to the next generation. In other words, the offspring of two Betas have a certain chance of differentiating into an Alpha and an Omega.

The decay period of D radiation is extremely long, measured in centuries. Human genes have been rewritten, forcing us into an irreversible evolution, or rather, degeneration. The era of male and female duality is gradually coming to an end, and the era of ABO six genders has fully begun.

Jiang Fuying's team returned to Suicheng with the meteorite sample, and the ABO Research Institute set up a laboratory specifically for her to study this special radiation. From then on, Zhao Yexi and his family of three all devoted themselves to the ABO field.

In the office, Zhao Yexi was typing furiously on his computer screen. When he stopped to rest, he saw the ring on his middle finger and couldn't help but send a message to his boyfriend.

【Zhao Yesi: What are you doing?】

【Lu Huangzhi: I miss you too.】

Zhao Yexi looked at the phone and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.

The female colleague across from me saw this and exclaimed, "Xiao Zhao, you're showing your dimples. How cute!"

Zhao Yexi's smile disappeared in an instant, and he said depressedly: "I'm almost 30 years old, can you please not use this word to describe me?"

The female colleague smiled apologetically and said, "Sorry, sorry."

At this time, Lu Siluo sent a message saying that there had been a major breakthrough in the research of contraceptive pills. As the project's sponsor, she was invited to the institute to view the results. She was currently at the institute and asked Zhao Yexi if he wanted to go with her to see it.

Zhao Yexi readily agreed. The person in charge of the contraceptive research was named Bi, a middle-aged man in his forties with thick hair. His colleagues called him Professor Bi.

Professor Bi invited them to the conference room and presented the research results to them in person.

"It's common knowledge that it's instinctive for an Alpha to mark their Omega. Few Alphas, upon entering an Omega's reproductive cavity, can resist leaving a permanent mark on the glands of the Omega," Professor Bi said. "And once a permanent mark is made, the chance of an Omega becoming pregnant is over 50%."

Zhao Yesi couldn't help but interrupt: "'Almost nothing'? That's not the case."

This wasn't the first or second time Lu Huangzhi had touched his reproductive cavity. Even without the props, he could have held back at the last moment, preventing the grapefruit juice from reaching his glands.

Lu Siluo cast an ambiguous look at Zhao Yesi: "Okay, okay, I know your boyfriend has amazing willpower."

Zhao Yesi's cheeks flushed, but he remained calm: "I'm talking about an Alpha friend of mine. Yes, that's Tao Qiaosheng."

Tao Qiaosheng: Then you overestimate me.

"You're living in a world around you," Lu Siluo said. "Forcing an Alpha not to mark an Omega in their reproductive cavity is like preventing a thirsty person from drinking water placed before them. It's going against their instincts. Eighty percent of the Alphas I know who spend a lot of time with Omegas have permanently marked them. The remaining fifteen percent are because they can't find the reproductive cavity, and five percent are simply incapable of doing so."

Zhao Yesi felt like laughing, but at the same time he also realized how hard his Alpha usually had to endure.

Lu Siluo sighed, "It's a good thing the technology to clean permanent markers already exists."

After permanent marking, the Alpha and Omega each know that they will no longer be affected by the other AO's pheromones, and will become dependent on each other both physically and psychologically. In a sense, the lifelong marking effect is more effective than legal constraints.

But the human mind is always a mystery. No matter how many constraints are put in place, they cannot withstand accidents and people who are determined to change their minds. Permanent mark removal technology undoubtedly provides them with a way out.

Currently, permanent marking removal technology is still in its infancy, and the damage to Omegas after surgery is no less than a miscarriage for women during their sexual lives. The ABO Institute has repeatedly emphasized this point, urging all AOs to be sensible in their use of lifelong marking.

"In addition, many AO couples want permanent marking without getting pregnant. Birth control pills are a great solution to this problem," Professor Bi said. "As long as the Omega takes birth control pills beforehand, they won't get pregnant even if they accidentally get their semen into their reproductive cavity."

Lu Siluo asked: "Will this contraceptive pill cause any harm to the Omega's body?"

"The contraceptive pill works by altering the environment in an omega's reproductive cavity, simulating a pregnancy-like state and thus preventing conception. Therefore, after taking the pill, an omega will experience some common symptoms of pregnancy. For example, they'll be extremely craving their partner's pheromones. If their partner isn't around, they'll become sensitive and vulnerable, engaging in nesting behavior," Professor Bi said. "This aftereffect lasts approximately three to five days, after which the omega will return to normal without any other side effects."

Lu Siluo nodded: "That's acceptable."

Professor Bi smiled and said, "Our contraceptive pills don't need to be refrigerated and have no preservatives. Besides being effective, they're also delicious. They're sweet, like candy—a perfect remedy for home, travel, or a moment of passion."

Zhao Yesi and Lu Siluo remained silent tacitly.

Lu Siluo looked at Zhao Yesi and asked: Are all of you researchers so humorous?

Zhao Yesi shrugged: Maybe it’s because research life is too boring, so they have to use humor to maintain their mentality.

Zhao Yexi asked, "Excuse me, when will the contraceptive pill be officially available on the market?"

"The Phase III trial is nearing completion. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the product will be available on the market by the end of the year," Professor Bi said gratefully. "We're able to achieve such high efficiency thanks to Ms. Lu's generous financial support."

"Don't say that. Researchers work the hardest." Lu Siluo smiled gracefully. "It's my honor to contribute to the new era of ABO."

After the incident, Zhao Yesi sent Lu Siluo downstairs. Lu Siluo was ready to donate another huge sum of money to fund a laboratory that could research the Alpha contraceptive pill.

"Why are we Omegas the only ones who have to take the medicine? This is so unfair."

Zhao Yesi said: "You can ask Alpha to get sterilized."

"You're right. Then I'll set up a charity organization to advocate for vasectomy for Alphas?" Lu Siluo said worriedly, "It's mainly because I have too much money lately and I really don't know how to spend it. I want to do something meaningful."

Zhao Yesi: "...I suddenly don't want to work hard anymore, sis."

"Then go find your Alpha. He's richer than me. I became rich suddenly because I sold everything my ex-husband left me."

Zhao Yesi asked curiously, "What are they?"

Lu Siluo counted them up with a beaming expression: "A wedding house, a university-educated apartment, two villas, and who knows how many shops. Bags, jewelry, cars, and watches... lots and lots."

“House prices have gone up so much, you can keep it for appreciation.”

Lu Siluo smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear: "We've broken up so completely, why are you still keeping his things? Take our wedding room, for example. We lived there for so long, and there are memories everywhere. Do you think I can still live there?"

After Lu Siluo finished speaking, the elevator door dinged open, revealing a man and a woman standing at the entrance. Zhao Yesi knew the woman; she was one of his mother's assistants. The man, dressed in a suit, had a cold demeanor and was much thinner than the last time Zhao Yesi had seen him.

He is Lu Siluo's ex-husband.

When they ran into their ex-partner, both Lu Siluo and the man were stunned.

The assistant greeted Zhao Yesi and said, "Xiao Zhao, this is someone you're seeing off."

"Yes." Zhao Yesi pretended to know nothing, "Sister, shall I take you to the parking lot?"

Lu Siluo recovered and said calmly, "No need, go and do your work." After saying that, Lu Siluo brushed past the man's shoulder and walked away.

The man stared at her back for a long time until his assistant urged him to look away: "Sorry, let's go."

Zhao Yesi smelled something fishy. After work, he ordered a large platter of fresh-cut fruit to be delivered to the damn lab.

Jiang Fuying was conducting research in the radiation room and couldn't come out for a while. Zhao Yesi handed the fruit plate to his assistant and asked, "What was that man doing this afternoon?"

"Oh, he's here to see Professor Jiang."

Zhao Yesi frowned: "Looking for my mom?"

"Ever since the existence of D radiation was announced, many people have believed that long-term, close-range exposure to it can increase their chances of differentiation. They call this 'artificial differentiation.' The person you mentioned is one of them. We certainly wouldn't bother with the others, but he has a significant background. Professor Jiang met with him out of respect for his family."

Zhao Yexi said: "You mean, he wants to turn himself into..."

"Alpha."

"Why?"

"I don't know about that. But some people who seek [artificial differentiation] do so because their partners have differentiated into Alpha or Omega, and as Betas they can't meet their partners' needs, so they hope to differentiate themselves."

Zhao Yexi said: "Oh, this possibility can be ruled out."

If this is what the ex-husband thought, then what about his cold violence towards Lu Siluo?

Disliking someone, just like liking someone, cannot be hidden.

"In short, artificial differentiation absolutely doesn't exist," the assistant said. "Instead of relying on D radiation, it's better to get sex reassignment surgery."

Zhao Yexi left without waiting for his mother. He got off work early today, and after returning to the apartment, he sent a message to Lu Huangzhi, asking him if he wanted to play a black game.

【Lu Huangzhi: Working overtime.】

[Lu Huangzhi: How many people should I call to play with you?]

Zhao Yesi: No need. I'll play solo.

【Lu Huangzhi: Then go buy two skins to play with.】

[Lu Huangzhi transferred 52,000 to you.]

【Zhao Yesi: Hey, eat my Jio.】

Ever since the two of them ended their cohabitation, Lu Huangzhi had been the one to look for him, but he had never gone to look for Lu Huangzhi.

Perhaps, he should go and visit his Alpha.