Chapter 14

The Omega stood a short distance away from her, yet close enough that a simple raise of the hand would allow her to touch.

She could grasp that delicately raised, porcelain-white fingertip, then cover it with her own hand, her warm palm gently caressing skin as smooth and flawless as the finest sheep-fat jade.

Her body temperature was probably still quite hot, after all, the other woman was currently enduring the “torment” of her heat period.

How pitiful.

In that case… she would help her.

She could cling even closer until she grasped that snowy wrist, her thumb pressing down, sinking into the flesh in that instant, pulling the rose begonia-like beauty fully into her embrace.

She could even be bolder.

Her arm wrapped around, pinching that slender waist, and with a light lift of her toes, she scooped her up horizontally.

Then.

The door locked with a click, clothes fluttered.

In a haze of dreamy allure, the entire room bloomed with brilliant spring scenery.

Just right.

And all of this, the Alpha had experienced before.

Not long ago.

Less than half a month prior.

The same room, a similar situation—even the person was the same. No, if it had been someone else, she probably would have been labeled a scumbag Alpha.

In the deep black of night, in the silent office, the computer screen emitted a faint glow.

It had been the same then.

Lu Ningshuang first caught a faint cherry scent. At first, she thought it was her imagination, until the skin on the left side of her neck, at the back, grew slightly hot—that was the location of an Alpha’s glands.

With human evolution—or perhaps devolution—Alphas’ glands no longer clearly distinguished grades from F to S like in ancient times. Online, there were even rumors of SS, 3S, 5S… Just releasing a bit of their pheromones could make everything around them submit.

Effective on humans and beasts alike.

But this clearly didn’t align with the principles of a civilized society where everyone was equal—constantly kneeling and bowing was just too embarrassing for everyone.

Was that good?

No, it wasn’t.

Thus, through “optimization” (or regression) to the present day, Alphas’ glands were far from as omnipotent as they once were.

Differences existed between individuals in the speed and concentration of pheromone secretion.

Pheromone stimulation did help Alphas focus better while handling tasks, but it was only auxiliary. Focus was something anyone could achieve; ultimate success still depended on one’s own abilities.

Every Alpha’s glands were different, but the distinctions were no longer worlds apart. Pure pheromone clashes no longer existed; pheromones had returned to their original essence, manifested in compatibility with Omegas.

Different scents, different preferences, compatibility levels.

It couldn’t simply be described as good or bad—like durian-scented pheromones; what was honey to one might be poison to another.

Because of this.

Alphas’ glands remained dormant most of the time, like auspicious ornaments. Only when encountering an Omega whose heat-period pheromones leaked would they reveal their true fangs.

Thus, that night when Qin Yushu crashed into her arms, Lu Ningshuang immediately discerned—

This was an Omega, her released pheromones had a very high match value with hers, and…

That face was exactly her type!

“Help… me…”

The beauty pleaded in a delicate voice, trembling from her hair tips to her toes.

Gulp.

But after the pounce, Lu Ningshuang first peeled her off a bit, rummaged in her bag, and finally pulled out a bottle of suppressants.

In this day and age, Alphas weren’t entirely safe outside either; keeping some protective measures on hand was essential.

Lu Ningshuang pulled out her chair for her to sit, while she stood. “Is your heat period here? Do you… need to contact a friend? Or should I call an ambulance for you?”

There was a clear pause in the middle of the second question.

The Omega didn’t speak.

Lu Ningshuang smiled softly and said, “These are suppressants. Don’t worry, I’m an Alpha, but I won’t do anything to you.”

She remembered that the Omega had seemed to look up then, her affectionate eyes showing a hint of speechlessness when Lu Ningshuang sprayed the suppressants.

As if saying, “How can there be such an Alpha?” “It’s right there on the plate, and you won’t eat it?” “What a weirdo…”

Being too upright wasn’t always a good thing for an Alpha.

In certain specific moments and situations.

“Don’t call an ambulance.” The beauty’s hair veiled her cheeks; when she lowered her eyes, even the halo around her head seemed blurred.

Darkness bred endless affection.

Her voice was very soft and weak, as if resisting the tide of desire within her body. Lu Ningshuang had to lean down to listen.

But Lu Ningshuang understood.

Everyone had taken physiology safety classes in school. Though an Omega’s heat period was the most normal physiological reaction and nothing to be ashamed of.

Facing it alone versus making a scene at the hospital where others would know were completely different matters.

Not everyone had such a high threshold.

Moreover.

By now, suppressants were very effective, with no real side effects.

Except for one thing.

If an Omega kept using suppressants without pheromone soothing, the repeated suppressions would gradually weaken their effect over time—not because the suppressants failed, but more due to psychological factors.

A forcibly suppressed heat period was like a spring; sooner or later, it would bottom out and erupt completely.

Erupting like a volcano.

To address this, pharmaceutical companies invented soothers.

Soothers came in two types, for Alphas and Omegas respectively, but since Alphas’ heats were passively triggered, the latter had always been the main market.

They simulated various Alpha pheromone scents, allowing Omegas in heat to self-soothe conveniently.

Gradually, some Omegas grew dissatisfied with simulated scents, so higher-end products extracted from real Alphas began selling.

Processed legally.

Naturally, the prices were beautifully high.

Of course, some Omegas had emotional hang-ups and wouldn’t buy real Alpha pheromones—or even the simulated ones in severe cases.

At least at that moment, Lu Ningshuang hadn’t smelled any Alpha pheromones on her.

That was also why she hadn’t kept too much distance from her at first.

The Alpha’s gaze was gentle and concerned. While spraying suppressants on the great beauty, she also gave herself a couple of spritzes, so she was still rational and clear-headed now.

“Then, do you need anything else—”

What?

The Omega before her suddenly looked up, her snowy skin flushed like red plums, her dark eyes drowned in desire, alluring and inviting.

She had clearly been sprayed with suppressants and should have some resistance in her body, yet she pounced again. The feigned frailty shattered in an instant, revealing the true blazing passion beneath.

Her scorching skin pressed against Lu Ningshuang’s body, her head burying into the skin at Lu Ningshuang’s neck.

“I want an Alpha…”

She was close enough to spray her glands, each word burning hot.

“I want you.”

As soon as the words fell, she bit Lu Ningshuang’s neck—really bit, not just a light brush or rub.

But the Omega didn’t use much force; it was more like venting frustration.

Lu Ningshuang froze in place, unmoving.

Her voice remained gentle and soft. “Are you sure?”

“Mm.”

“Then, may I ask if you’re currently single?”

“Yes, no partner.”

“No one you’re entangled with in a petty argument or ambiguous relationship? Or maybe someone like a childhood fiancé only existing in memories… None of that either?”

“No, no, none of it… Are you satisfied now!!”

Lu Ningshuang’s questions were overly detailed, as if she didn’t want to violate even the slightest moral boundary. By the end, the Omega’s voice was completely annoyed. Even without seeing her face, it was clear she no longer looked as delicate as when she first arrived.

The Alpha’s dangling hands finally wrapped around the Omega’s back—but only one; the other was still fiddling with her phone.

“Let me check… nearby…”

Omega: “I know.”

Amid the fusion of pheromones, Lu Ningshuang looked up: …?

“Then you come?”

Everything after that proceeded naturally, like water finding its course.

The big boss truly couldn’t disguise herself as a delicate beauty; she’d broken character several times even before reaching the bed, but Lu Ningshuang didn’t mind.

Who could blame her for being utterly captivated by that face!

There was probably some pheromone influence too; at the time, she’d thought the other’s pheromones smelled so good, so good, that she just wanted to stay pressed closer longer.

That must have been the compatibility mentioned in physiology class.

No need to check; she and Qin Yushu’s AO compatibility was undoubtedly extremely high, otherwise it wouldn’t have been so… endlessly delicious.

Only much later, after everything was over, did she think and wonder—

Qin Yushu’s actions that night had clearly been deliberately designed; she was so ordinary, so why was she so honored to be chosen by President Qin; compared to the original plot, how had so many deviations occurred…

But now.

Seeing the undisguised alluring beauty before her, if at their first meeting Lu Ningshuang had only roughly sensed it by instinct, now she knew at least two or three parts of Qin Yushu’s true personality.

She wasn’t as soft and weak as she’d initially pretended; President Qin’s acting skills were really poor. But she was so beautiful; if she went into entertainment as a vase beauty, she’d definitely have tons of fans. No, with her career success, wouldn’t being a behind-the-scenes capitalist be even better?

…Getting sidetracked.

But for such a beauty.

Just as Lu Ningshuang had initially envisioned, she grasped Qin Yushu’s slender fingers.

Even if it was the same pit, she would jump in without hesitation.

Twice.

No lesson learned.

Delighting in it.

In an instant, this time it was Lu Ningshuang who buried her head in the Omega’s neck. Her stray hairs brought a faint itch, just enough to slightly alleviate the scorching heat of the heat period.

As she spoke, her sharp teeth peeked out a bit.

“Want to be marked?”

There were some questions she didn’t ask.

She had marked her last time too; an Alpha’s mark should last over a month, so why had it worn off so quickly?

An Omega’s glands had strong self-healing; now, touching it, it was smooth and flawless, showing no sign that it had once fully opened to an Alpha.

Qin Yushu tilted her neck back, like a proud swan offering its neck in entanglement. Her dark eyes narrowed, hazy with pleasure and satisfaction at her plan’s success, carrying a touch of smug pride.

See?

Just an Alpha… naturally unable to escape her palm.

President Qin was very satisfied.

Their body temperatures intertwined.

Lu Ningshuang’s Alpha pheromones were influenced by the Omega’s heat period; everywhere felt scorching hot.

Her lips parted slightly.

Accompanied by a soft hum.

Naturally from Qin Yushu’s mouth.

They descended.

The room’s pheromone scent grew thicker; they hadn’t even properly entered the bedroom yet, and Lu Ningshuang’s eyes and mind were no longer as clear as when she’d arrived.

Unable to think.

No need to think.

…

The peony bloomed, surpassing the colors of the kingdom.

—Even as a ghost, she would remain romantic.