Shang Shujue has joined this free and unrestrained nomadic tribe. During the three days that Shen Lanting was in a self-repairing slumber, he successfully integrated into their lives thanks to his outstanding appearance, cheerful personality, and charming language.
The people in the tribe were surprised to find that Shang Shujue was such an honest and open person. They had initially been a little cautious around him because he was an Omega, but now they had no such worries or anxieties.
Because when Shang Shujue got to work, he was just as capable as the other Omegas in their tribe. However, Song Yanqing felt sorry for him and didn't want him to do heavy work, so he took him to herd sheep.
The recent controversy surrounding the Rose Base has been making headlines online, even reaching people here who don't frequently use their phones or computers, demonstrating just how widespread this issue has been.
"Those people are shameless! I was wondering why they suddenly wanted to recruit so many Betas to work at the Rose Base. Now I know why. It's disgusting..."
"Yeah, in those people's eyes, Omegas are just commodities, right? They have no human rights whatsoever. I wonder how they even get through their heat cycles? And those modified Betas, I don't know how they'll survive in the future..."
"These people are truly depraved and disgusting. They are absolutely awful. Thankfully, the Rose Base was destroyed, and now that national policies have been reformed, Omegas are finally free."
"Yes, but the price was still too high. I heard that Rose Coast was flooded with blood-red seawater that night, and there were even Beta corpses in it..."
"These people who conduct human experiments are insane! They must have wasted their education! And they call themselves highly educated? Disgusting!"
Outside the tent, Omegas and Betas were busy processing a new batch of shaved wool, their hands busy while they couldn't help but complain about the Rose Base.
They talked without any restraint. On this boundless grassland, there was a sense of freedom, and no one was afraid of being overheard and what might happen.
Shen Lanting woke up amidst such remarks. He didn't open his eyes immediately, but listened with his eyes closed for a while before opening them. He stared blankly at the tent, which was full of grassland tribal style, for quite a while.
"Huh? You're finally awake, little Omega."
A strange yet clear voice rang in her ears. Shen Lanting looked over reflexively and paused when she saw a handsome Beta with normal high-altitude rosy skin and a healthy complexion. She then realized that she was in someone else's house.
"Hello... cough cough..."
Shen Lanting propped himself up, but his body felt weak halfway up, and his hands trembled slightly. He only managed to utter two words before realizing that his throat was terribly dry and hoarse.
He couldn't help but cough twice, then heard footsteps approaching, and a cup of warm water appeared before him, warm to the touch.
Before he could even express his gratitude, he heard that clear, gentle voice in his ear, which spoke at length.
"You've slept for three days, so it's normal for your throat to be dry and itchy. Drink some hot water to soothe it. I am Qin Yu, the tribal healer, and I am a Beta."
"I'm also a cousin of your brother's current Alpha. I was thinking of using acupuncture to wake you up if you didn't wake up soon."
"After all, you have a baby in your belly that's consuming your nutrients, so you need to get up and eat."
"Although you were lying there fast asleep, you were perfectly healthy in every way, and in fact, you seemed to be getting better as you slept, so I didn't wake you."
Shen Lanting listened to Qin Yu's words and gleaned three important pieces of information: he had slept for three days, this was a grassland tribe, and his younger brother had an Alpha?
"My brother has an Alpha?!" Shen Lanting put down the cup, grabbed Qin Yu's wrist, her brows furrowed, a hint of anxiety in her voice, her gentle tone now tinged with urgency and worry, "When did this happen? His body..."
"Brother, you're awake?"
Before Shen Lanting could finish speaking, Shang Shujue's delighted voice rang out from the tent entrance. He paused, then immediately looked up and saw his younger brother, dressed in traditional grassland tribal clothing and brimming with energy, running in with great joy.
Before he could even feel happy, a quiet but strong and upright Alpha followed his younger brother in.
The Alpha looked at his younger brother with eyes full of tenderness and love, but when the younger brother came closer, he did not smell a strong scent of Alpha pheromones.
This meant they hadn't done any marking yet, which relieved him.
"Brother, you're finally awake! Are you feeling a bit weak? Do you want to get up and move around a bit? Or maybe eat something soft? I've learned how to make barley milk tea these past few days, it tastes pretty good, do you want to try some?"
Shang Shujue held Shen Lanting's hand, deeply immersed in his role, calling him "brother" very smoothly. Song Yanqing knew he was putting on a genuine performance, feeling a bit helpless yet wanting to laugh, but his face remained calm and composed, without uttering a single unnecessary word.
" Qin Yu, let's go to my grandfather's place together."
"Okay, I'll be going now. Xiao Jue, if your brother needs anything, he can ask me for help. You've gotten to know everyone here, so you know who to contact, right?"
"Okay, bye."
Song Yanqing nodded politely to Shen Lanting, then called Qin Yu away. Qin Yu glanced at Song Yanqing, then at the two brothers by the bed, and left, saying that he would ask someone to call him if he needed anything, giving the two brothers some free time.
After they both left, Shen Lanting, supported by Shang Shujue, leaned against the headboard, held his hand, and said with some concern, " Xiao Jue, you and that Alpha...?"
"Brother, his name is Song Yanqing. You were so weak that you fainted. I carried you for a long time. It was him and his people who saved us. When I woke up and saw his appearance, I just... I just..."
Shang Shujue couldn't explain to Shen Lanting how someone who lived in an inland hospital all year round knew Song Yanqing from the grasslands, so he could only weave a white lie—that he met Song Yanqing through online dating, and that Song Yanqing fell in love at first sight after they met in person.
Shang Shujue's acting skills are quite good. At this moment, his face is slightly red, and he looks like a young man experiencing his first love. He can't help but laugh when talking about the other person.
"After spending these past few days together, I think he's quite reliable. Actually, we had an online relationship for quite a while before, but I wasn't feeling well at the time and was afraid of holding him back, so we never met in person and I didn't dare tell you..."
"I was being chased before, so I thought I'd try my luck here. I never expected our fate to be so strong. He rescued me as soon as I arrived. I've seen his picture before; he looks exactly like the person in the photo. I liked him the moment I saw the picture..."
"Brother, I'm so sorry, I've been keeping it from you all this time..."
Shen Lanting was genuinely surprised that her younger brother had been hiding something from her. She was stunned for a while before raising her hand and tapping his head with her finger.
"You, no wonder you suggested coming to the grasslands back then! It turns out you'd already set your heart on this place."
"Oh, I'm so sorry..."
Shang Shujue let out a token "ouch," covered her head, and tugged at his sleeve, shaking it pitifully, trying to get his forgiveness.
On the other side, Song Yanqing, who witnessed everything through Nuomi, couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of his lips. His baby was so convincing and adorable when he played the role of a good boy.
The obedient Shang Shujue was unaware of Song Yanqing's thoughts and was still trying his best to act well in front of Shen Lanting. It was only at this moment that Shen Lanting noticed that his skin was rosy and radiant, looking very healthy, and was no longer the sickly pale skin he had before.
"Little brother, you look much healthier. Is there anything else bothering you?"
Shen Lanting pulled Shang Shujue to look at it again and again, her surprise growing with each look, her eyes even glistening with tears.
Seeing him like this, Shang Shujue sighed softly to herself. He was such a good older brother who worried about his younger brother's health.
"Brother, I'm all better now. I've found this place to be perfect for me. I spend my days basking in the sun, herding sheep, and enjoying the breeze. It's so liberating! I just went herding sheep with Song Yanqing. The sheep on the grassland are all huddled together like clouds, hahaha..."
Seeing her younger brother's genuinely happy expression, Shen Lanting felt gratified and developed a deep affection for Song Yanqing and the tribe.