Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 109
Chapter 109 Establishing Trust
Since He Lang arrived in this world, he had taken on most of the tasks of looking after Rao Chen. Even though the young man was unwilling, He Lang shamelessly persisted, tirelessly caring for him.
Rao Chen couldn’t adapt to He Lang’s change in attitude. After all, it wasn’t as if He Lang had just arrived at the sanatorium; for the first half month, he hadn’t even seen him once, only overhearing bits and pieces about him from the nurses’ gossip.
Why, then, had He Lang suddenly taken an interest in him and started pestering him every day? Something felt off, and Rao Chen instinctively raised his guard.
He had long been accustomed to the cold comfort of the darkness. Suddenly, someone barged in, yanking open the curtains of his heart with lightning speed. As sunlight poured in, it felt as though he was being deliberately pulled from the shadows and exposed to the blinding daylight.
Dizzy, his eyes stung. Embarrassed and furious, he had no choice but to admit that He Lang was, indeed, warm.
He could disregard the care and concern of others, treating their fear and panic as amusing diversions. But the moment this man stepped into his room, focusing his gentle gaze solely on him, Rao Chen sensed that this time, it was different.
His gaze was tender, seemingly casual, yet heavy with an inexplicable weight.
From He Lang’s demeanor and patience, Rao Chen deduced that this man might genuinely care about him—though the reason remained unclear. Thus, he couldn’t help but suspect ulterior motives.
When He Lang leaned close to adjust his pillow, Rao Chen’s body stiffened. He glanced up, his gaze landing on the man’s sharply defined jawline and prominent collarbone.
Without hesitation, Rao Chen reached out and pulled He Lang down by the neck, holding him captive. He savored He Lang’s startled expression before teasingly asking, “What’s this? A few days of seeing me, and now you’re so good to me? Have you fallen for me, an Omega?”
An Omega’s scent was sweet and naturally irresistible to Alphas. And given Rao Chen’s refined and striking appearance, it wasn’t an implausible scenario.
When the man above him didn’t respond immediately, Rao Chen couldn’t decide whether to be disgusted by the presumed affection or relieved at having found an explanation.
As he curved his lips and blew a breath near He Lang’s collar, He Lang finally shook his head and denied it, “No, it’s not that.”
Startled, Rao Chen angrily shoved him away, letting out a cold snort that seemed to say, At least you know your place. Yet, inexplicably, he felt irritated.
This man was infuriating. He had barged into his world, claiming he wanted to take care of him, yet his approach was neither too hot nor too cold. If it wasn’t for his appearance, then what was He Lang after? His family’s wealth and power? He didn’t seem like someone naive enough to think that Rao Chen, an overlooked eldest son, held any sway in the family.
In the half month since he’d been admitted, not a single person from the outside had visited him. What could anyone possibly gain from him?
Rao Chen scowled, refusing to engage further with He Lang.
He Lang chuckled softly, as if indulging him. “You don’t need to overthink it. Even if the whole world is against you, I’ll still be the one who stands by your side.”
Rao Chen lifted his gaze disdainfully, dismissing He Lang as delusional. He retorted sharply, “Why should I trust you? Are you my family or my partner?”
Even family couldn’t be trusted to truly care for him, so why should he place his faith in this man who appeared out of nowhere?
Unbothered, He Lang poured him a glass of water at just the right temperature, smiling gently. “Family or partner—whatever you want me to be.”
The words were undeniably tempting, especially to someone who had been alone for so long. Perhaps it was precisely what Rao Chen had always dreamed of hearing.
Staring at He Lang, Rao Chen found his heart inexplicably skipping a beat, despite his annoyance at the man’s unrelenting gentleness. Whether out of defiance or self-mockery, he replied with a sardonic edge, “I’m just an unwanted Omega with nothing to my name. I’m on your turf now—whatever you want to do, it’s easy for you.”
The self-deprecating tone displeased He Lang slightly. He sighed and leaned in to whisper something shocking into Rao Chen’s ear.
“What if I told you—you’re not an Omega?”
Rao Chen’s expression shifted instantly. He stared at He Lang in disbelief, unable to speak, as though the man had gone mad.
He had lived his whole life as an Omega. Even though he had faced ridicule and scorn, and envied the strength of Alphas, who would question their gender identity after nineteen years of life?
But as He Lang’s words sunk in, a faint spark of hope flickered in Rao Chen’s heart. For the first time, the possibility began to seem real.
Still cautious, he asked, “Why do you say that?”
Seeing Rao Chen’s posture relax and his attention fully on him, He Lang retrieved a handheld device and began a diagnostic test. Grasping Rao Chen’s wrist, he explained earnestly, “Your body contains Alpha inhibitors. When A-type hormones are suppressed, Omega-type hormones compensate, creating the appearance and scent of an Omega. I reviewed your admission records—there was no full-body examination conducted when you arrived, which is why this secret remained undiscovered.”
Perhaps because He Lang’s white coat emphasized his expertise in medicine, his explanation carried weight. More importantly, there was no reason for him to lie.
As Rao Chen remained deep in thought, He Lang smiled and added, “While your outward appearance may suggest you’re an Omega, your genes have not changed. Just now, when you restrained me—or when you lash out—your strength is far beyond that of an Omega, isn’t it?”
Despite believing most of it, Rao Chen insisted in a low voice, “I want to see the actual report.”
Unfazed, He Lang nodded and assured him it would be ready by the afternoon.
Something about He Lang’s demeanor inexplicably lifted Rao Chen’s spirits. Adjusting his posture, he cleared his throat and said, “I’ll believe you for now. If what you say is true and my inhibition can be undone, can I truly become an Alpha?”
He Lang nodded with a smile, barely needing to deliberate. If he could develop Alpha hormone masking agents capable of causing a stir, then creating a countermeasure to undo Omega suppression was within his reach.
When Rao Chen received the test results, confirming his identity as an Alpha, his emotions were complex.
For nineteen years, he had lived as an Omega. Despite being the eldest son, he had been constantly overlooked, trampled underfoot by his father’s Alpha illegitimate child, Rao Feng.
Once he turned of age, his family even tried to coerce him into marriage, claiming it was for his own good. In reality, they wanted to use him to forge alliances with influential Alphas. To them, an Omega’s path was clear: marriage and childbirth.
But Rao Chen’s Alpha genes had always rebelled against this notion. From an early age, he had been defiant, strong-willed, and fiercely independent. These traits became his sharpest weapons, allowing him to fend off every Alpha who dared approach him, often through sheer violence.
He took a twisted pleasure in these confrontations, finding joy in the fear he inspired. It was through this chaos that he felt truly alive.
A child so warped and rebellious was eventually deemed uncontrollable by the Rao family. They had no choice but to isolate him here, treating him like a wild beast.
A sinister smile crossed Rao Chen’s lips, unsettling even He Lang.
In the Rao family, power was passed to capable Alphas. Before, Rao Chen didn’t dare dream of such a future. Now, things were different.
He couldn’t wait to leave this place and dethrone his half-brother, Rao Feng, claiming the family’s wealth and power for himself.
But harsh reality quickly doused his enthusiasm. Confined within the sanatorium, he remained a pawn of the Rao family’s control.
Thinking carefully, he began to question why his body contained Omega inhibitors. His mother had been the legitimate wife and had enjoyed immense favor in her youth. Why, then, had he ended up in such a state of captivity?
Rao Chen’s gaze darkened with hatred. The answer was clear: the mastermind was none other than Yang Xuefei, Rao Feng’s mother.
Once a mere mistress, Yang Xuefei had secured her position by giving birth to an Alpha son. Rao Chen’s mother, devastated after childbirth, had succumbed to illness and passed away. Over time, as Rao Chen’s father grew old, Yang Xuefei became the de facto matriarch of the Rao family.
Reflecting on her apparent kindness during his childhood, Rao Chen now saw it for what it was—a facade. Under the guise of caring for his fragile health, she had orchestrated everything, ultimately gaining control over him.
This time, her pretense of acting in his best interest had convinced the family elders to send him here.
Enlightened, Rao Chen’s chest heaved with fury.
He Lang, understanding his turmoil, placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “You’ll reclaim everything that belongs to you.”
This simple statement affirmed He Lang’s allegiance. Alone and powerless, Rao Chen desperately needed such support. Still, he didn’t believe in free favors.
Coldly, he asked, “Why are you helping me without any reason?”
He Lang hesitated briefly before dismissing his own motives with a cheerful smile. “Because you’re the true heir of the Rao family—the real Alpha. Isn’t that enough?”
Rao Chen thought it through. No matter how much Rao Feng strutted around now, his position was tenuous. The Rao family elders held significant power; Rao Feng had no claim to being the true heir. Extending a hand to Rao Chen now was indeed a strategic move.
“Fine, I’ll believe you for now—” Rao Chen nodded, though his gaze turned dangerous. Suddenly, he pulled He Lang down, pinning him to the bed and gripping his neck tightly. With a menacing tone, he whispered, “But if you’re playing any tricks or betray me, I’ll make sure you burn in hell with me.”
Author’s Note: Progress 2/12—Don’t be fooled by Rao Rao’s demeanor… he’s actually a soft puppy!