Chapter 1

At ten o’clock at night, a limited-edition high-end luxury business car pulled into the Shi Family Old Mansion. Once the car stopped, the driver got out and hurried around to the right side to wait.

As the door opened automatically, a woman in a pure white suit frowned the moment she encountered the wave of hot air.

She had been on a business trip in a southern city with its eternal spring-like climate for a week and had nearly adapted to the mild weather there.

Yinzhou City in Jinhuai Province was a renowned northern cultural tourism city. But this year, summer had arrived early, and the outdoor temperature in early June’s clear moonlight and breeze was even more irritatingly high.

Moreover, her heat was approaching.

Her white high heels hit the ground, and without pausing, she strode forward. The crisp sound of her heels striking the pavement mingled with her cool command that fell into the ears of the driver and assistant: “You all go back. Take the day off tomorrow.”

She just wanted to get inside quickly.

The man and woman by the car exchanged a glance. The female assistant was still holding her boss’s bag, so she hurried after her.

She silently followed her to the door, handed the bag to the housekeeper who had come to welcome Shi Youwan home, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave.

The housekeeper placed the bag properly, took out slippers and set them at Shi Youwan’s feet, then fetched a hot towel for her to wipe her hands. She asked, “Miss, would you like some porridge or noodles?”

But all of Shi Youwan’s attention was on the staircase landing.

There stood a tall, beautiful girl wearing the nightgown she had bought for her. A pair of affectionate eyes stared at her eagerly, waiting only for her summons to come bounding over in delight.

Shi Youwan felt her body heating up from the inside out, growing restless.

A faint lotus scent overflowed from the nearly ineffective Inhibitor Patch at the back of her neck. She steadied herself against the cabinet: “Aunt Han, you go rest.”

The housekeeper was a nearly sixty-year-old A-Grade Omega who had served at the Shi Family Old Mansion for almost thirty years. Though she hadn’t seen Shi Youwan born, she had watched the little girl grow into a president. She was one of the people Shi Youwan was closest to and trusted the most.

Likewise, Chen Han obeyed Shi Youwan’s every word without question and knew all the “secrets” of her life, including the one waiting at home with her tonight—this little lover.

She was also the only Alpha Chen Han had ever seen whom Shi Youwan had brought home to spend the night.

Influenced by Shi Youwan’s pheromones, the little lover responded appropriately. So when Chen Han caught the sweet coconut scent wafting through the air, she knew it was time to withdraw.

Once the sound of a door closing came from the direction of the housekeeper’s room on the first floor, Shi Youwan finally relaxed against the cabinet. Her red lips parted lightly: “Come here. Carry me upstairs.”

The girl bounded over like a puppy receiving its master’s command.

She first wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist, nuzzled her neck, and said, “Sister, I missed you so much,” before crouching down to remove the woman’s high heels and slip on comfortable house shoes.

Without the heels, the 167 cm Omega was suddenly much shorter than the 176 cm little Alpha.

For those in high positions, a significant height difference often made them feel psychologically uncomfortable when they were the weaker party. As an Omega, Shi Youwan frequently faced such awkwardness during social engagements.

But this girl gave her not oppression, but a sense of security—as if no matter the time, place, or danger, she would always protect her firmly in her embrace.

Her feet left the ground as she nestled into the familiar, reassuring embrace. The irritability faded, but the heat intensified.

“You smell so good.”

The young Alpha’s neck was kissed by the mature Omega and teased with seductive words, making the glands at the back of her neck swell with anticipation.

She scooped the woman up in her arms, their bodies pressed tightly together, indistinguishable in their shared heat.

More and more pheromones entwined desperately in the air. The elegant lotus fragrance and sweet coconut scent danced like two butterflies in flight—harmonizing, never dominating.

In just a minute to climb two flights of stairs, fine beads of sweat dotted the little Alpha’s forehead.

Entering Shi Youwan’s third-floor bedroom, Chi Yumo carried her straight into the bathroom and set her on the vanity. Without a word, she kissed the lips she had longed for day and night.

Shi Youwan cooperated fully, wrapping her arms around her little lover’s neck and tilting her head into the heated kiss.

The cool marble beneath contrasted with the little lover’s body heat above, plunging them into rapid surrender amid ice and fire.

Several minutes later, before her little lover lost control, she pulled away firmly and soothed: “Wait for me outside. Remember to turn off all the lights.”

Chi Yumo’s glands throbbed, her canine teeth itched, and she struggled to suppress the Alpha’s primal desire. But as long as Shi Youwan called a halt, no matter how uncomfortable her body felt, she could regain her reason instantly and obey every command.

The half-removed suit jacket hung from Shi Youwan’s arm, her lipstick was kissed off, and the beauty mark under her eye was smudged with flush—yet the woman still pushed her away with a serious expression, warning in a husky voice that under the lights, they couldn’t go further.

Why was it always her losing control?

Feeling a bit unwilling, she asked: “Can’t we… shower together?”

It had been two years. Every time they made love, Shi Youwan insisted on the lights off, and afterward, no matter how tired or sore, she wouldn’t let her help bathe her.

Long ago, she had asked the reason, and Shi Youwan had brushed it off: “Not used to it. No need.”

Not used to intimacy under the lights with her, no need for her to clean her body. Perhaps it was the pride and restraint inherent in someone of her status?

They had done it countless times, always in the dark, but she could map every inch of Shi Youwan’s body through touch and imagination.

So, she grew more puzzled and uncomprehending—why could they do the most intimate things, yet she could never see?

“Be good. Wait for me on the bed.”

“Okay.”

“Help me take out my hairpin.”

Shi Youwan’s inner white shirt was wrinkled, the top three buttons undone, revealing subtle curves beneath.

Her little lover was so obedient and gentle, with self-control beyond the ordinary—she had never torn Shi Youwan’s clothes.

With the last button undone, Shi Youwan stepped down, steadying herself on her little lover’s shoulder. She gathered the disheveled black hair behind her back and tiptoed to plant a light kiss on her lips.

Her expression was reserved, her movements elegant, but her words were both desiring and teasing: “It’s been a month since we met. Later, show me how much you missed me.”

Teased again by the Omega, the Alpha swallowed hard, gripping the hairpin tightly in her right hand. Intense pheromones surged from her glands and canines, nearly out of control.

She circled the Omega’s boneless waist with one arm, leaned down to the vital spot, and kissed the slightly swollen little bulge at the back of her neck.

“Just don’t cry, Sister.” The sweat-soaked Inhibitor Patch had long been torn off and discarded.

…

The bedroom curtains blocked out 100% of the light, custom-made over a year ago when Shi Youwan decided to bring Chi Yumo back to the Old Mansion.

In the pitch-black darkness, Chi Yumo enveloped Shi Youwan with her hot body, giving her full security while endlessly kissing the corner of her eyes.

As if confirming she felt her longing, she kissed away her tears at once.

Warm kisses trailed from her face, landing one after another on the Omega’s burning glands: “Sister, does it hurt here?”

How could it not?

She desperately craved Chi Yumo’s pheromones—only Chi Yumo’s.

Pheromones were the cure for an Omega’s heat, her medicine. The desire between Alphas and Omegas for pheromones was normal, not shameful.

“Xiao Mo,” the older Omega, adrift like duckweed before her little Alpha, had reached her limit. She finally grabbed the Alpha’s arm, turned slightly to show weakness, and pleaded, “Give it to me.”

“Okay.” The long-awaited sharp canines gleamed, poised to strike.

But at that moment, the door was pounded on forcefully: “Sis, I know you’re back. If you don’t want me breaking in, come out now. I have something to say to you.”

The housekeeper hurried over as well: “Oh dear, Second Miss, what are you doing? Can’t you talk tomorrow? Eldest Miss just got back from her trip, exhausted from travel. Let her rest tonight, okay? I’ll tidy your room. You sisters can talk tomorrow.”

“Aunt Han, you’re biased. I’m the one you raised from childhood.”

“Nonsense! Both my hands’ palms are flesh—who hasn’t spoiled you since you were little? Listen to Aunt Han. Sleep here tonight. And your second uncle-in-law, honestly—with your big belly, how could he let you out so late causing trouble?”

“Trouble? Yeah, trouble. If it weren’t for my celibate, emotionless Dao-cultivating CEO sister, would I be making trouble?”

The two outside bickered back and forth energetically, but it tormented the pair inside, leaving them stuck midway at the crucial moment.

“A Temporary Mark will make you feel better. I’ll be quick.”

“Be good. Gentle.”

…

Less than two minutes later, the door opened from inside. It was pitch black within; those outside couldn’t see a thing.

Shi Youwan wrapped her robe tightly, covering her neck and arms completely. But Chi Yumo had just given her a Temporary Mark, and the intense S+ Grade Alpha pheromones emanating from the room and her body nearly buckled the knees of the two A-Grade Omegas outside.

The housekeeper quickly steadied Shi Youran: “Second Miss…”

“Aunt Han, help Youran to the first floor.”

“Yes.” Chen Han was prescient; she had applied a Barrier Patch after Chi Yumo arrived.

“Sis, since we’re here, why not call out your little lover to meet?”

Shi Youran had rushed over upon hearing, guessing the little lover might be home tonight. She got lucky and struck gold.

“Nothing to see. Talk downstairs.” Shi Youwan glanced at Shi Youran’s legs and rejected her outright. “Not soft enough already?”

“Shi Youwan, are you even my sister anymore! Aunt Han’s seen her, your assistant and driver have seen her—why can’t your sister and mom?”

Chen Han: “…”

Your mom, your sister.

Chi Yumo, wrapped in the blanket in the darkness, twitched at the corners of her mouth.

Shi Youwan closed the door properly, grabbed Shi Youran’s other arm, and led her downstairs, helpless: “Every word and action of yours is early education for the baby. You sure you want to teach it that?”

“It’s all your fault for pissing me off.”

“Stop meddling. Who can piss you off?”

“Fucking your heart—is that meddling?”

Shi Youwan shot her a glare, and Shi Youran realized her words kept sounding vulgar today: “It’s your fault. You piss me off so much I can’t even speak civilly.”

After settling on the first-floor sofa, the housekeeper poured them plain water and asked if Second Miss was staying overnight so she could prepare the room.

Shi Youran said no, her driver was waiting outside. The housekeeper withdrew.

“Sis, even if you won’t let me see her today or tell me who she is, sooner or later, like those other Alphas who’ve been with you, some unscrupulous paparazzi or nosy netizens will dig up her entire family tree back eighteen generations and post it online. Then what? Deny it and kick her out, or reluctantly give her a title when you’re backed into a corner?”

Shi Youwan held her cup, neither drinking nor setting it down.

The house was comfortably temperate, neither too cold nor hot, easy to calm the mind.

After an Alpha’s Temporary Mark, an Omega felt physical and mental relief, though the craving for more pheromones lingered unsatisfied, leaving her limbs weak.

She closed her eyes lightly, tapped her fingers on the glass, and breathed shallowly, absorbing the residual coconut scent around her.

Seeing her silent, Shi Youran grew annoyed.

“If you have no heart, just kick her out. Fine, I’ll mind my own business. But if you really like this little lover, better bring her out for me and Mom to check. If she’s decent, the Shi Family will give her a proper status. Even as a girlfriend—dating and marriage are different. Marry when you’re ready, split if not or if it doesn’t fit. Better than letting her be labeled your mistress or canary, gossiped about and ruining her reputation.”

She knew very little about the little lover her older sister had pampered, having only coaxed one basic piece of information from Aunt Han—that it was a young girl.

This time, Shi Youwan finally showed some reaction. She lifted her eyelids, took a sip of water, and set the cup down. “It hasn’t reached that point yet, so you and Mom don’t need to meddle in my affairs. Focus on yourself and the one in your belly instead.”

“I’ve been married for years now, and this is already my second child. What’s there to manage?”

Shi Youran stroked her chest to soothe her breathing, then earnestly continued her persuasion. “My dear sister, do you even know how old you are this year? You’re thirty-five already! Tell me, what’s this unspeakable difficulty of yours? Why won’t you just date someone properly and eventually talk marriage?”