A few years ago, during his youth training period, Yan Chengfeng made many friends.
Now, most of them had drifted away—some had joined other teams, others had become small streamers, and some had long since quit gaming altogether.
Back then, a few of the undifferentiated alpha trainees would gather and chat, their conversations revolving around just a handful of topics: games, training, cafeteria food, and omegas.
When the topic of future partners came up, opinions varied. Some said they wanted an omega who understood gaming—otherwise, communication would be impossible. Others felt that, after exhausting training sessions, a partner who didn’t understand games would be more refreshing.
When they asked Yan Chengfeng, his response was a nonchalant, “Huh? A partner? Why do I have to have a partner?”
“Isn’t it just natural?” The person next to him chimed in, “After all, alphas and omegas are meant to be together. Plus, dating an omega sounds great…”
“What’s natural about it? I don’t know about omegas, but does an alpha die if they don’t mate?”
The boy furrowed his brows, baffled as he looked at the others. “We barely have enough time even if we push ourselves to the max. Training is already brutal, and you’re still worrying about dating? If anyone with a brain like yours actually makes it onto the stage, I’d be seriously shocked.”
“Enough talking.” His eyes suddenly brightened as he spotted something in the distance. “Zhen Ning’s here. I’m going to queue with him. You guys keep chatting about your omegas.”
Back then, Yan Chengfeng had answered so confidently because he believed Zhen Ning would always be by his side.
He felt his life couldn’t be more fulfilling than it was at that moment. After all, he already had someone who understood him better than anyone else. The idea of finding an omega partner or dating seemed like a waste of time, completely unworthy of his consideration.
And yet, the once single-minded Yan Chengfeng, who had made other alphas marvel, was now stiffly saying, “I agree.”
Zhen Ning clearly hadn’t anticipated this outcome.
He gazed into Yan Chengfeng’s eyes and, after a moment, softly asked, “Are you sure you’ve really thought this through? Are you certain you… can accept this kind of relationship?”
Yan Chengfeng pressed his lips together, trying hard to mask his unease.
He couldn’t fully understand his own thoughts. This relationship was undeniably absurd, no matter how one looked at it… Yet, Zhen Ning’s words “I’ll find other ways” kept looping in his mind.
The mere idea that those “other ways” might involve other alphas in the base left Yan Chengfeng feeling uncomfortable—very uncomfortable.
The frustration was killing him.
“…There’s no need to overthink it.” Yan Chengfeng averted his gaze, mumbling, “When I said I agreed, it meant I had thought it through and could accept it.”
Zhen Ning didn’t speak for a long time.
Yan Chengfeng noticed that his cheeks and the tips of his ears seemed slightly flushed. As Zhen Ning had mentioned, the second wave of his heat was likely approaching.
Omega heat usually involved one or two phases. The first phase lasted the longest and was the most intense, with mating or temporary marking being the only effective relief methods.
This was one of the reasons why Zhen Ning had been nearly delirious in the bathroom.
The symptoms of the second phase were somewhat milder. Although it wouldn’t feel much better, at least it wouldn’t be as tormenting. This phase was generally considered a time for intimacy between an alpha and an omega before the end of the heat cycle.
But Yan Chengfeng could tell that something was already off about Zhen Ning’s current state.
Zhen Ning nodded and said, “Okay.”
“I’ll remind you one last time: this relationship will inevitably involve some intimate contact,” he added softly after a pause. “Are you sure you can really accept—”
Before Zhen Ning could finish, Yan Chengfeng was still feeling somewhat hesitant.
Yet, Zhen Ning’s repeated questioning made it sound as if he wasn’t convinced, which only fueled Yan Chengfeng’s competitive spirit.
“I’m sure. Absolutely sure. Since I’ve agreed, just tell me what you need me to do now.”
Yan Chengfeng took a deep breath and tried to sound nonchalant. “Don’t forget, in the three years you were gone, I’ve lived as a mature alpha. Comforting an omega isn’t difficult for me, and there’s nothing I can’t accept…”
Zhen Ning: “Hold me while I sleep.”
Yan Chengfeng: “…!?”
Zhen Ning’s expression remained unchanged.
Perhaps the discomfort was rising within him again, because Yan Chengfeng saw him furrow his brows slightly, lower his gaze, and pause briefly before speaking again.
“I need to sleep, but I can only fall asleep peacefully in an environment with a moderate amount of alpha pheromones and a comforting presence,” Zhen Ning explained calmly. “When I wake up, this phase of the heat will have almost passed.”
It felt like a formal business negotiation between two parties.
Zhen Ning was the composed client, continually making outrageous requests, while Yan Chengfeng was the contractor, his mind blank, yet forcing himself to appear knowledgeable and in control.
Zhen Ning paused for a moment, studying Yan Chengfeng’s face. “So, like I said, if it’s too difficult for you, you can—”
Struggling to speak, Yan Chengfeng cut him off. “…Did I say it was too difficult?”
It was just holding him while he slept, wasn’t it?
Nothing too serious, Yan Chengfeng tried to convince himself. Look at Zhen Ning’s calm face—what’s there to panic about?
It’s just helping Zhen Ning, just for the upcoming competition. Just helping Zhen Ning, just for the competition… Yan Chengfeng repeated these words in his mind like a mantra.
In the end, he clumsily lay down beside Zhen Ning on the bed.
They lay on their sides, facing each other, both bodies initially stiff.
Yan Chengfeng hesitated, raising his hand and hovering it in the air for a long moment before finally placing it on Zhen Ning’s back.
The moment his fingertips made contact, they trembled slightly, as if electrified. He realized Zhen Ning’s back was already covered in a thin layer of sweat.
A new wave of heat had arrived.
For an omega in this state, an alpha’s pheromones and touch were crucial. Yan Chengfeng felt Zhen Ning’s body tremble subtly, his breathing growing heavier.
The scent of sour apricots spread through the air once again. Yan Chengfeng himself felt uncomfortable, struggling to suppress the dryness in his throat. Through the thin fabric, he could feel the abnormal heat radiating from Zhen Ning’s body.
His heartbeat and breathing lost their rhythm.
It was too intimate.
No matter how many times he reminded himself that this was “just helping,” the reality remained—an alpha and an omega were lying on the same bed, holding each other. Even if Yan Chengfeng could rationalize it mentally, his physical instincts weren’t so easily fooled.
Yet, the moment his hand landed, a significant mental barrier silently crumbled.
Embracing the thought that “since they were already hugging, helping a bit more wouldn’t hurt,” he gritted his teeth, continued releasing his pheromones, and raised his hand to gently stroke Zhen Ning’s back.
He felt Zhen Ning shudder.
Yan Chengfeng couldn’t help but lower his head, glancing at Zhen Ning’s face. Seeing his long, soft eyelashes and the tip of his nose so close, his heart pounded even faster.
So close.
And he was… actually holding Zhen Ning.
In his younger years, Yan Chengfeng had been carefree, always slinging an arm around Zhen Ning, hooking his neck, or whispering in his ear. But Zhen Ning had always responded with an indifferent demeanor.
Later, after their reunion, they hadn’t even spoken properly, let alone had any physical contact.
Yet now, the somewhat weakened Zhen Ning was curled up in his arms, bound by physiological instinct, unable to leave. And, he needed him.
—Zhen Ning needed him.
The thought sent a tingling sensation through Yan Chengfeng’s heart.
It was strange. According to Yan Chengfeng’s worldview, doing something like this with his former best friend should have felt unnatural. Yet, the simple realization that “Zhen Ning needs me right now” filled his chest with a warmth that made him feel involuntarily happy.
“…By the way,” Zhen Ning’s soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts, “Happy birthday.”
His breathing was still uneven. After a brief pause, he added, “Sorry. Because of me… you missed your birthday party.”
Yan Chengfeng was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected Zhen Ning to remember.
He replied nonchalantly, “It’s fine. I haven’t celebrated it in years.”
Compared to past birthdays, this one lacked cake, and he hadn’t even managed to eat a warm meal due to a series of unforeseen events. But at least this year… his heart felt alive.
Zhen Ning had returned, and they were going to compete together.
The room was quiet. They were so close. In this rare moment of peace and warmth, Yan Chengfeng’s heart softened.
As he stared at Zhen Ning’s face, a thought crossed his mind.
He pursed his lips. Since they were no longer in a cold war and were now literally holding each other on the same bed, perhaps it was time to ask some questions. He hesitantly called Zhen Ning’s name.
“Zhen Ning, I remember you once told me that you discovered you were an omega half a year after you went to America.”
The mention of “America” still made Yan Chengfeng uneasy. He turned his gaze toward the window, pausing for a long moment before continuing, his voice laced with hesitation. “Back then, were you—”
He didn’t finish the sentence.
As he lowered his head, he noticed that at some point, Zhen Ning’s face had turned alarmingly pale.
Author’s note:
Yan Kitchen: “Hehe, in the years you were gone, I’ve grown into a mature alpha. There’s nothing I haven’t faced…”
Zhen Ning: “Hold me while I sleep.”
Yan Kitchen: Face flushed, breath quickening, in disbelief.
The ex manager did something, didn’t he? 🙁