Eye Drops, So Close 2.0

Eye Drops, So Close 2.0

The two remained silent on the way. Something subtle had changed between them. Lin Su drove all the way to the supermarket parking lot before stopping, and throughout it all, Gu Lin had not asked a single question.

"Let's go."

Gu Lin gave a quiet hum.

Lin Su knew Gu Lin's tastes, but it was already getting late. Waiting any longer to eat would be too harsh on their stomachs.

Lin Su pointed to a shop not far away. "Want noodles?"

Gu Lin followed his gaze and saw an old-established noodle shop. "Mm, noodles."

The place was crowded, nearly every seat inside occupied. The two of them, dressed in formal suits, looked somewhat out of place there and drew plenty of sidelong glances.

Only when the steaming noodles were served did Gu Lin gaze at the person before him through the rising mist. His sharp brows softened, and his indifferent eyes brightened slightly.

Why are you looking at me? Aren't you hungry after waiting so long?

Doesn't he want noodles?

Lin Su opened his mouth, about to ask, but the man across from him had already picked up his chopsticks.

Two exceptionally good-looking people would be the center of attention anywhere, and many gazes filled with admiration fell upon them.

"Ring, ring, ring." It was Lin Su's phone.

"I'll take this call. President Gu, take your time eating." With that, Lin Su rose and headed outside.

Gu Lin nodded without saying anything, quietly watching him leave.

His dark eyes sank back into silence. The noodles before him instantly became tasteless when he saw the two words on the screen: Han Jin.

Gu Lin took a few more bites, then set down his chopsticks and went outside. Stopping beside Lin Su, he said in a cool voice, noticeably louder than before, "I'm done."

"There's nothing in the fridge at home. Let's make a trip to the supermarket." With that, he took Lin Su by the hand and headed toward the supermarket.

Lin Su was somewhat baffled, while the person on the other end of the call also fell silent. "I'll hang up first. Get some rest early."

"Beep, beep, beep..." The call had already been disconnected.

Han Jin's face gradually darkened. His gaze fell on his foot wrapped in plaster, and his expression turned increasingly ugly.

A "careless" twist had turned into a fracture. Not only had he failed to win Lin Su over, Gu Lin had gotten there first again.

Everything he had done today had been for nothing. Since this approach would not work, he would have to find another way. The anonymously submitted documents should have received a response by now.

"Bzz, bzz."

An unfamiliar call came in, identified as the Pheromone Research Center.

"Hello?" The old man on the other end could barely contain his excitement.

"We received your documents. Could we discuss this privately?"

The old man's voice was full of anticipation. This perfect inhibitor could spare many Omegas from the suffering of their heat cycles. The old professor had never expected such a simple, familiar formula to produce results entirely different from theirs.

He was simply a genius!

Han Jin said coldly, "No need. I don't have time."

The old man thought: It was understandable for a genius to be somewhat aloof.

Han Jin raised a brow. "Is the drug ready?"

The old professor replied, "Yes, yes! The first batch of clinical results has been excellent, with no side effects whatsoever."

"Immediately—"

Han Jin cut him off coldly. "I want the finished product."

"I'll send you the address. I don't need anything else." It was enough to have fame and profit once. Besides, neither interested him.

The old professor froze, wanting to say more, but all he heard was the busy tone. He let out a long breath, calmed his excited heart, and threw himself back into the research.

This would become a great contribution. In the future, Omegas would finally be able to go out openly without being affected!

Once he got the finished product and presented it to Lin Su with both hands, Lin Su would be able to escape Gu Lin's shackles. Though he was not a top-tier Alpha, with long-term marking, he believed that one day Lin Su would become his Omega. At last, Han Jin revealed a satisfied smile.

Meanwhile, at the supermarket.

Lin Su carefully compared the products in his hands, noticing from the corner of his eye the silent man pushing the cart behind him.

Why does Gu Lin seem a little strange? That aggressive attitude from earlier suddenly disappeared.

Gu Lin's hand tightened. His thin lips pressed together, and after deliberating for a long time, he still could not think of what to say.

Lin Su placed the items in the cart, strode forward on his long legs, and headed elsewhere.

Why am I thinking so much? We're not really living together as a couple.

The professor's experimental drug wasn't ineffective either. I'm sure I'll soon be free of my dependence on Alpha pheromones.

Not really living together...

Free of dependence...

Gu Lin halted mid-step. His eyes gradually dimmed, and his broad shoulders slumped.

Their relationship had never been pure to begin with. They had only been bound together by a mutually beneficial agreement.

Gu Lin thought again of the inhibitor called P13.

Even though it was only a clinical trial drug, Lin Su was still trying it. Everything he did was meant to break away from him.

At first, Gu Lin had wanted Lin Su to serve as a shield before the Gu Household, while Lin Su needed someone whose pheromones could restrain his own.

What had begun as each taking what they needed had gradually changed.

They did not buy much. By the time they returned to the villa, it was already nearly ten. Lin Su put everything away, made himself a cup of coffee, and headed upstairs.

Tomorrow was the weekend again, but he had not finished his work. If he worked overtime tonight and got it done, he could spend tomorrow lying around like a corpse. Just thinking about it made him happy, and his steps upstairs became much lighter.

Gu Lin came toward him from upstairs, carrying a faint scent of tobacco as they brushed past each other.

Lin Su stopped and looked back at the man's retreating figure. Why did he look a little dejected?

Forget it. I don't feel like using my brain.

His brain was too valuable. Better save it for the work ahead!

With that thought, Lin Su hurried into his room.

Every word had reached Gu Lin's ears with perfect clarity. When he turned back, all he saw was the tightly shut door.

Second by second, time passed. Lin Su rubbed his stiff neck as the fatigue in his eyes surged again. He took another sip of coffee and threw himself back into work.

By the time it was two in the morning, Lin Su leaned back in his chair and let out a heavy breath. Using his brain for too long really was exhausting. Good thing this coffee was strong.

Now that the work was done, it was time to empty his mind. He slowly stood up, deciding to begin his path to sleep with a glass of plain water.

He blinked his dry eyes and stepped outside. As he reached the stairwell, Gu Lin happened to emerge from his room as well, a cup in his hand.

"President Gu, you're still awake?" Lin Su asked, blinking.

Gu Lin's gaze fell on the faint redness at the corners of Lin Su's eyes. Knowing he had overused his eyes again, his brows furrowed unconsciously.

"Mm. Have you finished your work?"

He had clearly wanted to show concern, but coming from his flat, emotionless voice, it came out entirely wrong.

Why is he inspecting my work now?

Lin Su paused mid-rub and replied warmly, "It's finished. Does President Gu need to review it?"

The moment he said it, Lin Su regretted it. Don't agree, don't agree.

"Fine. I'll wait for you in the study." With that, Gu Lin went downstairs.

Lin Su wanted to slap his own mouth. Why did he have to say that? He sighed silently and headed downstairs too.

I hope the proposal passes in one go. I hope Gu Lin doesn't make me revise it.

But things went against his wishes. Sitting beside Gu Lin and staring at the densely circled issues before him, Lin Su fell into endless contemplation.

So many... sob, sob, sob. It seems like I worked overtime for nothing.

My brain isn't valuable at all. It's a cheap brain. I want to throw it away.

Gu Lin's hand paused. The black pencil stood out starkly against the white paper. He flipped through a few more pages, then nodded in satisfaction. "The issues later on aren't serious. Revise these earlier ones."

Thank goodness, thank goodness...

"Understood, President Gu." Lin Su blinked and said, "It's late. I won't disturb your rest any longer."

As he spoke, he stood to leave, but the person beside him pulled him back onto the sofa.

"Wait. Stay here and wait for me."

Under Lin Su's puzzled gaze, Gu Lin left and returned with a small bottle in his hand—a familiar bottle.

"Your eyes are red. I'll help you." His tone was somewhat stiff, but his concern could still be heard.

Lin Su froze. His body reacted before his mind did, leaning back against the sofa. By the time his mind caught up, Gu Lin was already close—closer than last time. He nervously shut his eyes, and the man's scorching breath brushed across his face.

"Relax a little. Otherwise the drops won't go in." Gu Lin's voice was cool, with a hint of gentleness.

Lin Su's heart thudded violently, and his hands clenched involuntarily.

I'm not used to this. Really not used to it... Gu Lin's gentleness.

Gu Lin's fingertips paused slightly as he looked at that tense face.

Not used to what?