In the new contract revised by President Huo, taking a single bite was only worth 99,999 yuan.
The remaining two yuan would be paid in the form of a red envelope.
This time, Liang Xiao calculated things meticulously. He felt not only that he hadn’t lost out but had even profited. Satisfied, he followed the attendant straight to the private elevator leading to the 20th floor.
“Mr. Liang.”
The butler, waiting by the elevator, finally exhaled in relief when he saw Liang Xiao and stepped forward to greet him. “Thank you for coming.”
He had promised Liang Xiao to keep things confidential but had unfortunately failed to withstand President Huo’s interrogation. Now, seeing Liang Xiao, he felt a twinge of guilt. “Earlier—”
“No problem.” Liang Xiao’s tone was warm, his smile gentle. “Has President Huo’s head healed?”
The butler: “…”
“Don’t ask him yourself.” The butler’s expression turned grim. “Please, for your own safety.”
Liang Xiao, not one to push his luck, laughed and patted the butler on the shoulder. “Just kidding.”
The long lecture the butler had prepared was instantly swallowed back. He stared blankly for a moment. Liang Xiao’s bright and undeniably charming smile was infectious, and despite himself, the butler ended up smiling too.
Liang Xiao hadn’t expected secrecy to hold anyway and didn’t think the matter was particularly serious.
From the way Huo Lan had acted, it didn’t seem like he intended to demand medical fees from him. Liang Xiao was more than happy to let the issue slide. Leaning back comfortably, he turned his attention to the slowly ascending semi-transparent scenic elevator.
The hotel’s décor exuded grandeur, its overall style lavish and extravagant. Even the private elevator bore the unmistakable aura of wealth that defined the presidential suite.
The interior was exquisitely designed, with brilliant chandeliers that gleamed like crystal. Through the observation window, one could enjoy an unobstructed view of the outside world.
The plane had landed at dusk, and after the hassle of the journey, night had fully fallen. A glance downward revealed the serene twinkling lights of countless households.
“Mr. Liang,” the butler called softly, “President Huo—”
Halfway through his sentence, the butler’s voice tapered off.
Liang Xiao always seemed brimming with energy, but leaning against the glass and gazing quietly outward like this, his whole demeanor appeared gentle yet tinged with a subtle weariness. The chandelier’s glow swirled on the glass, reflecting from the tips of his lashes to the depths of his eyes, making him look serene and almost unreal.
The butler, used to his sharp and formidable boss, found himself utterly defenseless against this sort of charm. The words he had intended to say evaporated entirely.
Liang Xiao heard his hesitation and turned slightly. “What’s wrong?”
The elevator stopped on the 20th floor. The butler swallowed his words, stepped ahead, and led the way. “…It’s nothing.”
Liang Xiao, curious but unable to figure out the butler’s mood, didn’t press the issue. Passing through the shielding agents held by bodyguards at the door, he instinctively and adeptly headed for the bathroom.
The presidential suite, unsurprisingly, lived up to its name.
The toiletries alone exuded luxury, the bathtub was loaded with features, and even the showerhead was easily priced over ten thousand yuan.
Excluding the ten or so rooms with unclear purposes outside and the wine cabinet radiating wealth, just the master bedroom alone, along with its attached bathroom, toilet, and walk-in closet, had a usable area comparable to Liang Xiao’s current apartment.
The warm air flowed gently, the lighting was soft, and the intricately patterned carpet complemented the European-style carved bed big enough to fit five people lying side by side.
Unfortunately, President Huo wasn’t interested.
President Huo’s heart was filled with work.
Liang Xiao, rare to have a comfortable sofa to sit on, felt both regret and contentment. Draping a blanket over himself, he nestled into the seat.
Having spent half the day on a plane and then switching to a car ride, Liang Xiao now found the overly comfortable atmosphere amplifying his fatigue. He instinctively rubbed his gland, relaxed, and leaned back into the sofa.
Although he didn’t know why Huo Lan had called him over before finishing his documents, disturbing someone’s work was clearly impolite.
Considering his “public persona,” he couldn’t play games or indulge in risqué reading either.
Deprived of entertainment, boredom crept in, and a sense of drowsiness slowly wrapped around him.
The entire room was so warm and tranquil that it exuded a rare comfort.
It had been a long time since Liang Xiao had felt this cozy. He tried to resist but ultimately surrendered, sinking deeper into the sofa and drifting into a deep sleep.
…
A few minutes later, Huo Lan put down the documents in his hand.
The Omega, who had just been adamant over two yuan, now looked entirely melted into the sofa. A corner of the blanket hung loosely over him as he slept, completely carefree.
Huo Lan had deliberately left him aside, intending to teach him a lesson, only to find it had no effect at all.
On the contrary, Liang Xiao seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself.
…Forget it.
Huo Lan sighed and walked over, intending to shake him awake.
Over the past two days, Liang Xiao had been sneezing frequently. Duan Ming, fearing he might catch a cold, had insisted on giving him two cold pills just in case. The pills had a particularly strong sedative effect. Coupled with a full day of evading paparazzi and traveling, the accumulated exhaustion hit Liang Xiao like a tidal wave.
Liang Xiao was dead to the world. Even when Huo Lan shook his shoulders twice, he simply slid further down the sofa.
Huo Lan instinctively reached out, and Liang Xiao’s head landed squarely in his palm.
Needing a pillow, Liang Xiao subconsciously adjusted himself, holding Huo Lan’s hand and using it as the perfect headrest.
Huo Lan: “…”
Three hours later, Liang Xiao opened his eyes.
That nap was so deep it felt like he had slept through day and night. The lingering sense of cozy laziness only dissipated after a moment. He didn’t immediately realize anything was amiss.
After a few seconds, Liang Xiao suddenly noticed that his position had shifted.
Gone was the sofa. Now, he was sprawled out in a starfish position, lying squarely in the center of the carved European-style bed that could fit five people side by side.
A blanket was snugly wrapped around him, a pillow tucked under his head.
Surrounding him, pillows were meticulously arranged in a tight circle.
Having never encountered such a setup before, Liang Xiao was dumbfounded: “??”
A bit startled, he froze for two seconds before quickly propping himself up to survey his surroundings.
There was no one at the desk. The documents seemed to have been taken away, and the lighting in the bedroom was dimmer than before.
Huo Lan had taken over his previous spot, reclining on the sofa with his eyes closed, appearing to rest.
Perhaps hearing the commotion on the bed, Huo Lan opened his eyes and directed his gaze toward Liang Xiao.
“President Huo,” Liang Xiao called out, struggling against the blanket’s ambush. Failing to escape, he found himself tangled in the pillow barricade: “…Save me.”
“…”
Huo Lan pressed his fingers to his temple, got up, and walked over. With one hand, he effortlessly lifted Liang Xiao out of his predicament.
The Alpha’s arms were strong and firm. Leaning in close, Liang Xiao caught a faint scent of icy snow mingled with a subtle trace of cedarwood.
Huo Lan’s pheromones were currently in an active phase, and given his unique condition, even increasing the frequency of bites required the assistance of temporary suppressants.
Modern suppressants came in various styles, suitable for both Omegas and Alphas, offering a wide array of choices. Liang Xiao himself had been curious and purchased a couple online before.
This cedarwood suppressant, named No Man’s Land, was designed for Alphas with pheromones leaning toward warm and intense tones. Liang Xiao hadn’t expected it to make such an impression in this situation, blending with Huo Lan’s icy snow pheromones to create a complex, layered chill.
The cold sensation was remarkably nuanced.
Murmuring his thanks, Liang Xiao shivered, the frosty air invigorating him instantly.
Huo Lan didn’t respond, his expression remaining indifferent. After steadying Liang Xiao, he released his grip and stepped back.
Liang Xiao blinked, reaching instinctively to touch his gland.
…Still unchanged.
Huo Lan hadn’t bitten him yet.
After a brief pause, Liang Xiao studied President Huo, whose eyes were already half-closed, brows furrowing tightly. He cautiously reminded, “President Huo.”
Unable to calm his pheromones, Huo Lan frowned deeper and interrupted in a low voice, “Don’t speak.”
“President Huo,” Liang Xiao kindly explained, “See, the thing is, even when I’m asleep, my gland stays at the back of my neck.”
Huo Lan: “…”
Liang Xiao met his gaze, dark eyes roiling with a cold, volatile edge. Taking the hint, he obediently shut his mouth.
Huo Lan despised this side of himself and loathed being seen in such a state. Forcing his body deeper into the sofa while his pheromones still teetered on the brink of control, he reached back to grab the suppressant syringe. “Leave.”
When he’d called Liang Xiao up earlier, his pheromones had only been slightly unstable. Yet somehow, the situation had spiraled into chaos, fueled by petty grievances—over two yuan, no less.
He had deliberately tried to make things difficult for this Omega, who seemed to only care about money, and instead, the Omega had peacefully fallen asleep on him.
Initially, he thought the suppressant would handle it, but the mere presence of an Omega in the room had such a potent effect that even though Liang Xiao hadn’t emitted the slightest bit of pheromones, his Alpha instincts were already surging uncontrollably.
Now, his movements were strained, his patience frayed. Looking at Liang Xiao, who still had the audacity to stay in front of him, Huo Lan’s irritation flared unusually hot. “You’ll get your money. Just go.”
The Omega who apparently cared only about money studied him for a moment, then crouched down patiently and took his hand.
Huo Lan’s breathing hitched.
“Using this thing hurts,” Liang Xiao remarked, recognizing the suppressant syringe. Gently taking it from his hand, he coaxed in a soft voice, “And it makes you tired.”
The pheromonal surge left Huo Lan’s vision hazy, waves of white flooding his mind. He struggled against the impulses coursing through him but was momentarily distracted by the endearing lilt in Liang Xiao’s tone.
Crouched before him, Liang Xiao deftly unbuttoned his collar.
Huo Lan was just overreacting, Liang Xiao thought. All this over a one-yuan discrepancy?
Recalling his manager’s words about Xingguan being overly delicate, Liang Xiao finally grasped the full extent of their description as he witnessed its president in person.
Feeling rejuvenated from his nap, Liang Xiao wasted no time. With casual efficiency, he shrugged off his shirt, presenting his neck without hesitation. “Go ahead and bite. Forget the one yuan.”
Huo Lan: “…”
Huo Lan felt like he might die of frustration.
Liang Xiao knelt there with his back to Huo Lan, waiting for the expected bite. When nothing happened, he turned around in confusion, only to be startled. “President Huo—”
Huo Lan’s eyes were shut tight, cold sweat streaming down his face. His entire body was taut with tension, muscles bulging as he pressed his arms against his back and his head against the wall.
It seemed the out-of-control pheromones had already pushed him into a near-unconscious state. Liang Xiao called his name a few times, but the effort felt like shouting into a void.
Frowning deeply, Liang Xiao grabbed his shoulders and gave him a hard shake. “President Huo!”
The motion made Huo Lan’s already spinning head worse, as if he could hear water sloshing in his skull. Forcing himself to speak, he gritted out, “Suppressant—”
“No more suppressants, my dear President Huo.”
Liang Xiao was far quicker to act. Without hesitation, he dove into the icy storm of pheromones emanating from Huo Lan. Wrapping himself around him, Liang Xiao pressed Huo Lan’s head against the back of his neck. “Bite now, before it’s too late!”
President Huo’s bite, taken while the heat of the moment lasted, hurt quite a bit.
Liang Xiao finally experienced the reality of a temporary marking as described in those steamy novels. After returning to his room and sleeping through the night, he woke up the next morning to find the back of his neck still burning with pain.
Duan Ming arrived early to pick him up and was startled. “Didn’t sleep well?”
“It’s… complicated.” Liang Xiao swayed as he headed to the bathroom to freshen up. “The latter half wasn’t so great.”
Duan Ming didn’t fully understand but was concerned nonetheless. Frowning, he reached out to steady Liang Xiao.
As Liang Xiao reached the bathroom door, someone knocked. Duan Ming went to answer it, paused in surprise, and instinctively glanced back at Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao poked his head out as well, equally confused. He accepted the soy milk, fried dough sticks, buns, and hot porridge handed to him by Huo family’s butler.
“Once you join the set, Xingguan will assign an assistant team to you,” the butler informed him. “You can pre-order meals, and if you have any other requests, feel free to let us know.”
Liang Xiao reflexively thanked him. Remembering last night’s events, he felt he ought to show some concern. “How is President Huo—”
“President Huo instructed that starting today, your nutritional allowance will be increased by 100,000 yuan per session, transferred directly from his personal account to your old account.”
It seemed the butler had been anticipating his question and seamlessly added, “President Huo also said—”
Duan Ming: “!?”
Liang Xiao: “!!”
Liang Xiao immediately perked up, his smile radiant. “What else did President Huo say?”
The butler hesitated for a moment.
He didn’t understand President Huo’s thought process behind issuing this order, but he did know it wasn’t something easy to explain.
Still, the butler was nothing if not professional. He took a deep breath and dutifully continued:
“President Huo said, next time you visit… if you dare say another word, he’ll deduct 100,000 yuan.”
hahajaja they both are funny