After discussing the filming concept with the endorsement party and agreeing to continue shooting the next day, Ning Manqing finally emerged from the room and took out her phone.
“I also think your idea is better. Lao Ning, I knew back in school that you were very capable. Even if you don’t become an actress in the future, you could still land a director position at an advertising agency.”
Ran Yanru teased, then noticed the change in her friend’s expression.
“What’s wrong? You’re so angry, your pheromones are hitting me. Didn’t the discussion just go well?”
Even between good friends who were both Alphas, their pheromones could repel each other. Ran Yanru smelled the aggressive pheromones laced with anger emanating from Ning Manqing. Although they weren’t directed at her, it still made her frown uncomfortably.
While Alpha pheromones don’t have inherent superiority or inferiority, their strength varies based on an individual’s mental power. In a pheromone struggle, the Alpha with stronger mental power can crush and control their opponent, potentially causing mental damage.
When an Alpha releases intensely aggressive pheromones, it not only makes other Alphas uncomfortable and provokes conflict but can also cause varying degrees of harm to Omegas.
Unsure if there were any Omegas in the building, Ran Yanru patted Ning Manqing’s shoulder as a reminder, urging her not to tread the line of illegality. If she accidentally harmed an Omega, she could be arrested.
The oppressive pheromones vanished instantly, like a heavy stone lifted from her chest. Ran Yanru let out a soft breath.
“What happened? Is it about your family?”
“No.”
Ning Manqing’s expression was a calm that bordered on extreme suppression, her dark eyes brewing a storm.
She stared at the unanswered chat window, her hand hanging by her side clenching into a fist. Even the motion of pressing the elevator button carried a hint of deadly intent.
Sitting in the private club, Li Chu felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. But under the boss’s gaze, she didn’t dare take it out. She could only obediently lower her eyes, staring at the tablecloth pattern, pretending to be dull and slow-witted.
The moment she stepped into this place, she knew it was bad news.
The dining table in this private room wasn’t large, accommodating three people at most, as one side was against the wall. But Li Chu suspected it was really meant for two. The boss’s claim of treating a group of outstanding employees to dinner was clearly a lie.
Even more terrifyingly, the private room was quite spacious. Besides the dining area, there was a section hidden behind a screen. Using her 20/20 vision, Li Chu glimpsed a large bed through the gaps in the screen.
Tang Congnan also sensed trouble, but before he could speak, the president’s secretary half-escorted him out of the room under the pretext of discussing business. The two only had time to exchange a look of shared apprehension.
“Why aren’t you eating? Does the food not suit your taste?”
The man leaning back on the other side casually sized up Li Chu, like inspecting merchandise.
Li Chu pretended to hastily take a few bites, perfectly portraying timidity, hoping to dissuade the boss from any ideas about the “unspoken rules.”
“You do look good on camera. Your face seems a bit different from how it looks on screen.”
Yu Feiming propped his chin up, observing the quail-like Omega opposite him, his gaze sliding down from her neck.
“The makeup artist helps,” Li Chu mumbled. Even without looking up, she felt extremely uncomfortable under that almost tangible gaze.
“Is there anything you want?” Yu Feiming asked directly. He considered himself a generous patron; as long as the other party’s request was reasonable, he wouldn’t be stingy.
“I want…” Li Chu looked up at Yu Feiming shyly, appearing hesitant and awkward.
Seeing her demeanor, Yu Feiming knew he had succeeded today. Although her face was indeed a bit plain, her figure looked decent, and she was an Omega. Having someone do her makeup would make her quite a nice dish.
He raised his red wine glass, looking encouragingly at Li Chu, waiting for her to voice her desires.
As if empowered by his gaze, Li Chu mustered her courage and said, “I want your skincare routine, Boss.”
“Pfft— Cough, cough, cough, cough.” Yu Feiming sprayed out a mouthful of red wine, choking until his face turned red.
“Boss, are you alright?” Li Chu’s expression was worried and innocent, while inwardly she thought, Thank goodness that wine didn’t spray on my face.
Li Chu was genuinely asking. According to the information, Yu Feiming had to be at least forty, but he looked like he was only in his thirties. One couldn’t help but comment on how well-maintained he looked.
He carried the typical aura of a wealthy Alpha, but Li Chu found him greasy. Compared to Ning Manqing, at least, there were several oil fields between them.
“Are you messing with me?” Yu Feiming wiped the wine from his mouth, looking at her displeased.
“You should know your place. If you don’t want to be shelved, you’d better be sensible.”
“Boss, I will definitely work hard to improve my acting skills and make good money for the company. I absolutely won’t let the company lose money,” Li Chu said anxiously, completely talking past him.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I hate it most when people try to be clever, thinking they can fool me.” Yu Feiming stroked the side of his glass, sitting back leisurely and watching Li Chu.
Li Chu’s expression changed abruptly, and this time, she wasn’t acting.
Yu Feiming released his pheromones.
At that moment, she understood the individual differences between Alphas and Omegas. The overwhelming pressure of the unfamiliar Alpha’s pheromones assaulted her nerves. She felt as if someone was strangling her; she was dizzy and even felt like vomiting.
If there is no intimate relationship between them, an Alpha cannot induce estrus in an Omega. They can only achieve their goals through drugs or mental violation, causing the Omega to lose the ability to resist. Colloquially, this means drugging or raping them.
Omegas are naturally disadvantaged against Alphas in terms of pheromones. From the very beginning of their genetic makeup, they were beings meant to be controlled. They can release pheromones to soothe Alphas or induce estrus, but their pheromones have no offensive power – they either act as nurturers or solicit mating.
Li Chu’s face quickly turned deathly pale, her forehead beaded with sweat, and even her palms were covered in a cold sweat.
Yet, Yu Feiming’s pheromones continued to pressure her, forcing her to release her own. Li Chu gritted her teeth and resisted. If her pheromones were forced out, it would be no different from surrendering.
“Why resist? Isn’t it good to be with me?” Yu Feiming found it amusing. An Omega daring to resist an Alpha? Their physiology dictated their inherent weakness. Omegas were meant to be playthings in an Alpha’s hands.
“You are committing a crime.” Each word was a struggle for Li Chu. Sweat trickled from her forehead onto her eyelashes, but she lacked the strength even to lift a hand to wipe it away.
There were many laws protecting Omegas. Alphas using aggressive pheromones against Omegas, as well as mental violation, were criminal offenses. Physical assault or completing a Mark resulted in aggravated charges.
“So what? If you’re obedient, I might even marry you later.” Yu Feiming said nonchalantly, the last sentence delivered as if it were the highest possible reward.
Li Chu felt that was the most terrifying threat. When an Omega is completely Marked, they become bound to the Alpha physiologically and psychologically. Due to genetics and pheromones, they become uncontrollably dependent on the Alpha, especially during estrus and pregnancy.
Even though Alphas also become particularly desirous and dependent on their Omegas during their susceptible periods, and even though Alphas might grow fonder of their Omegas due to genetics, it doesn’t stop some Alphas from embracing others once the susceptible period passes.
While not all Omegas succumb to their genes, compared to Alphas, they are the more fragile and faithful beings.
Li Chu felt dizzy and nauseous, thinking, This ABO setting really has major issues. Omegas are treasures fought over and protected by all Alphas because of pheromonal attraction and comfort, but they seem more like perfect tools. High conception rates and low childbirth mortality rates. Clearly weak in every aspect—physique, mental strength—yet they possess a buff for 100% safe childbirth.
But then again, this was originally an R-rated novel setting. Perhaps the person who created this setting didn’t think too deeply about it initially.
Seeing Li Chu still putting up futile resistance, Yu Feiming stood before her somewhat surprised, gently stroking her hair.
“Stop the meaningless struggle. Let me smell your pheromones.”
But Li Chu turned her head and dry-heaved. As Yu Feiming approached, the increasingly dense scent of his Alpha pheromones washed over her, making her sick.
To Li Chu, Yu Feiming’s pheromones smelled fishy, like fish corpses soaking in seawater—salty, fishy, and disgusting.
Li Chu vomited violently, bringing up the few pieces of meat she had just eaten. She practically curled up on the floor, close to fainting.
For an Omega to react so strongly to an Alpha’s pheromones was undoubtedly the greatest blow to an Alpha’s pride.
Yu Feiming was certain he had stopped using his pheromones to control Li Chu, yet she still reacted so extremely just smelling them. He was somewhat incredulous.
His previous Omega lovers had always said his pheromones smelled wonderful, like the ocean, with a special fragrance, like diving deep into the sea. But seeing Li Chu looking like she was about to vomit up stomach acid made him doubt himself.
Li Chu felt awful from vomiting. She thought she wouldn’t want to go near the sea anytime soon. But seeing her in this wretched state, the boss should lose interest, right? Even a beautiful woman vomiting uncontrollably couldn’t possibly arouse anyone.
But Li Chu had clearly underestimated the depths of some people’s depravity. Unconvinced, Yu Feiming reached out to touch Li Chu’s scent gland, wanting to smell her pheromones.
At the same time, Yu Feiming’s phone rang.
Yu Feiming glanced at the caller ID and answered with a frown.
“Yu Feiming, you get your ass back here right now! Otherwise, forget about divorcing me! You won’t see the kids, not even once! And I’ll leak everything to the media! Don’t think you’ll get off easy!”
The shrill voice pierced Yu Feiming’s eardrum. He looked at Li Chu on the floor, thinking she was an easy target who wouldn’t run away. Better deal with the one at home first.
As its owner left, the disgusting smell slowly faded. Feeling returned to Li Chu’s limbs. She sluggishly sat up from the floor, but the private room door opened again.
Li Chu thought Yu Feiming had returned and hesitated whether to collapse and continue vomiting, but then she smelled the familiar scent of Cloud Mist Tea.
“Teacher Ning!” Li Chu looked up in pleasant surprise, gazing pitifully at Ning Manqing, her eyes welling up with tears.
“I’m here.” Ning Manqing lifted Li Chu from the floor, enveloping her in her arms and using her own pheromones to dispel the lingering scent on Li Chu.
Seeing Li Chu’s pale face, Ning Manqing felt a wave of lingering fear. She had used her connections to investigate Yu Feiming’s network as quickly as possible and contacted his wife, but she still felt she had arrived too late. Every second she waited, she worried something would happen to Li Chu.
Thank goodness, thank goodness.
She felt relieved looking at Li Chu in her arms, but thinking of Yu Feiming’s name, her eyes filled with icy coldness.
Li Chu was oblivious to Ning Manqing’s inner turmoil. The soothing scent of Cloud Mist Tea pheromones gradually eased her discomfort. She curled up in Ning Manqing’s embrace like a battered bird returning to its nest.
