The two left the corridor in silence.
Jackson, with his long legs, walked at a brisk pace, forcing Enola to half-run to keep up.
"Uncle… Uncle is bad!" Ruan Ruan muttered clumsily, her little face scrunched up in protest.
Jackson glanced down at the little girl, his sharp eyes making her flinch. She pouted and huffed, "Bad! Bad!"
For a moment, Jackson's gaze softened. Then, without warning, he stopped abruptly. Enola, unable to halt in time, let out a startled gasp as he bumped into Jackson's broad back.
"Ah—"
The contact was brief but noticeable. Enola's soft warmth, along with the faint scent of his omega pheromones, lingered in the air.
"Apologies," Enola said hastily, taking a step back. His lips pressed together in slight embarrassment as he glanced at Jackson. "Mr. Gu, are you upset?"
The question caught Jackson off guard. His brow furrowed as he asked himself, Why would I be upset?
There was no reason, no right for him to feel this way. Yet the weight in his chest—the faint, inexplicable annoyance—was undeniable.
But why?
He barely knew Enola. They had met only a handful of times. The most significant connection between them was that Enola taught his niece dance lessons.
"I'm not upset," Jackson replied evenly, lowering his gaze. His voice was steady, but the act of explaining himself felt unnatural—excessive, even.
He frowned at his own words and added, "I just feel responsible. You came here with me today, so I should take care of you."
Enola smiled softly, his lips curving into a small, polite arc. "I understand."
That smile, so gentle yet vulnerable, only deepened Jackson's frown. Enola seemed so delicate, so easy to harm. Today's encounter with Xia Lin and even Lu Jin earlier had proved how susceptible Enola could be to unwanted attention.
Without another word, Jackson turned and said firmly, "I'll take you home."
"Hmm?" Enola blinked, a bit puzzled, but followed without question.
Something about his quiet obedience made Jackson's brows knit further. This time, though, he slowed his pace, allowing Enola to walk alongside him.
Yaoyuan's serene environment was filled with the soft hum of cicadas. The peaceful atmosphere seemed to temper the tension between them as they reached the car.
The driver had already opened the door for them. Both got in silently, with Ruan Ruan quickly falling asleep, her small snores breaking the stillness.
After a while, Enola spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for everything today. Are you feeling better now?"
He was referring to Jackson's earlier susceptibility during his pre-scheduled sensitivity phase. Normally, omegas and alphas avoided discussing such topics due to their private nature, but Enola and Jackson shared an unusual history—one involving a shared moment of vulnerability.
Jackson's fingers paused over his phone as he was replying to an email. His tone was curt but calm. "I'm fine."
"The side effects of the suppressant can be strong," Enola continued gently. "If you experience any symptoms, it's best to see a doctor."
Jackson's stern features softened ever so slightly. He had intended to say something in return, but a sudden sound interrupted him.
"Beep—beep."
Enola's phone vibrated with an incoming call. He glanced apologetically at Jackson before answering.
"Hello? Yes, I'm still out," Enola's tone turned warm and soothing, noticeably softer. "I'm with a student's parent, finishing dinner. Right, I substituted for Ms. Yang today."
There was a light laugh in his voice. "I'll be home soon."
Jackson could vaguely hear a man's voice on the other end of the line. The caller's tone was deep and calm, unmistakably alpha.
"Did you cut your hand?" Enola's voice grew concerned. "Be careful, okay? Don't move too much. I'll be back in ten minutes—wait for me at home."
A brief pause followed. Whatever the caller said next made Enola's ears flush red. He glanced self-consciously at Jackson before murmuring, "I miss you too."
The call ended.
The silence that followed was almost palpable.
Enola exhaled softly and looked toward Jackson. "Mr. Gu, you were saying something earlier?"
Jackson's gaze remained cold. "Nothing."
Enola's lips tightened, sensing Jackson's icy mood but refraining from pushing further.
The air in the car felt heavy. When they approached the neighborhood, Enola leaned forward and said softly to the driver, "Could you drop me off at the entrance? I need to pick up a few things."
The driver glanced at Jackson, hesitant. "Mr. Gu?"
Jackson gave a brief nod. "Go ahead."
"Thank you," Enola said with a polite smile before stepping out.
The driver turned to Jackson. "Should we leave now, or wait for Mr. Enola?"
Jackson didn't respond immediately. Instead, he closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temple.
The driver took the hint and quietly turned off the engine, waiting.
Ten minutes later, Enola emerged from the pharmacy with a small paper bag in hand. He seemed surprised to see the car still waiting for him and hurried back inside.
"Mr. Gu, I didn't mean to trouble you—" Enola said, slightly out of breath. His loose hair framed his face, a few stray strands falling over his eyes.
In the moonlight, his features seemed even more ethereal—bright, amber eyes glistening like honey, his slightly parted lips inviting, as if asking to be kissed. The faint scent of his pheromones lingered in the air, a mix of sweetness and warmth.
"Enola," Jackson said, his voice low and deliberate. His piercing gaze locked onto Enola, his throat tightening.
The omega was captivating—soft, vulnerable, and utterly irresistible. Like a lamb unaware of the wolves circling around it.
"You're always like this, aren't you?" Jackson asked suddenly.
Enola blinked, confused. "Like what?"
"Careless," Jackson said bluntly, his tone growing sharper. "You already have an alpha, yet you still allow other alphas to… interact with you."
The moment the words left his mouth, Jackson regretted them. His usual self-control had faltered, and now he was faced with the sight of Enola's widening eyes, brimming with tears.
"I… I'm sorry," Enola stammered, his voice trembling. "I didn't mean to offend you."
"Stop," Jackson interjected, his frown deepening. "That's not what I meant."
But Enola didn't look at him, keeping his gaze fixed downward. "I understand. I'll be more careful in the future."
He reached into the bag, hesitating briefly before retrieving a small tube of cream. After a moment's pause, he put it back.
Jackson's sharp eyes caught the motion. "What's that?"
Enola flinched. "It's… nothing."
Jackson's voice turned commanding. "For me?"
"No," Enola whispered, but his expression betrayed him. After a pause, he exhaled and admitted, "Yes."
Jackson held out his hand.
Enola reluctantly handed over the cream, his voice soft. "It's for the cuts on your hands. Apply it nightly after cleaning the area. It'll help soothe the irritation."
Jackson's grip on the tube tightened, his gaze unreadable.
"Thank you," he said finally, his tone measured.
Enola smiled faintly, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I should go now."
Without another word, he stepped out of the car and walked toward his building.
Jackson watched him disappear inside, his expression dark and unreadable. After a long silence, he murmured, "Drive."
"Host, you're amazing!" the system's voice chirped gleefully. "You got his affection rating to 60!"
Enola's lips curved into a knowing smile. Sixty. That wasn't just fondness—it was the start of something more.
But he remained silent, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Back at his apartment, Enola opened the door to find Jay sitting in the living room, a slight hint of alcohol lingering in the air.
"You're back early tonight," Enola said gently, his expression softening. "No overtime?"
Jay nodded, and Enola's smile deepened as he sat beside him on the sofa. The paper bag he'd been holding earlier was set down quietly.
"That's wonderful," Enola murmured. "I learned a recipe for West Lake Fish today. I thought I might try making it for you."
Jay stiffened slightly, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I already ate."
"Oh," Enola blinked, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. "Then I'll make it for you tomorrow."
As Jay listened to the omega's soft, unassuming voice, a pang of guilt lodged itself in his chest. For a moment, he wrapped his arm around Enola's slender waist, pulling him close.
Enola leaned into him, his smile unchanging. "Tomorrow is Saturday. Do you have plans in the evening?"
Jay hesitated. He had planned to take Bai Li to the nearby town, but now…
"I have time," Jay said suddenly. "I'll take you to see the town tomorrow."
Enola's eyes widened with delight. "Really? Won't it interfere with your work?"
Jay didn't answer, merely brushing his thumb over the faint mark on Enola's neck. "You injected a suppressant?"
Enola nodded shyly. "I didn't want to bother you during your dinner with colleagues."
Jay's chest tightened as he gazed at the omega nestled against him. He thought of Bai Li and the fragile, fleeting nature of his infatuation with him. But here, with Enola, everything felt solid, warm—real.
For now, that was enough.