TL: Hua
Jiang Mingyu’s pheromones, like him, were a cold, aggressive mint scent. This kind of scent had an undeniable presence wherever he went, much like his striking features, boldly proclaiming his excellence.
In the misty bathroom, the torn-off scent patch was soaking in the water. Fine tendrils of clear fragrance slowly seeped from the exposed scent gland, neutralizing the coolness of the mint.
In contrast to Jiang Mingyu, Fang Qiao’s pheromones were very faint, like diluted jasmine. If you didn’t pay close attention, you might temporarily overlook their existence, but by the time you noticed, the scent would have silently occupied all the surrounding air.
On this matter, Jiang Mingyu had the most to say.
He gasped, kissing Fang Qiao, large amounts of pheromones moving between their lips and tongues, an intoxicating addiction that made one unable to stop.
Fang Qiao was already half-held by Jiang Mingyu, pressed against the wall. Behind him were cold tiles, and filling his nostrils was the biting mint scent. The double chill made him tremble slightly, yet the chest pressed against him was so hot. The alternating cold and heat made him groan softly in discomfort, “Mingyu, let’s go to the bed…”
Fang Qiao opened his water-soaked eyes, looking at the predator so close at hand.
Being too close, Jiang Mingyu’s features were hazy, yet still lost none of their striking power.
People have different aesthetic tastes, and there are as many beautiful Alphas and Omegas in this world as there are stars, with no fixed standard for judgment. However, Jiang Mingyu’s handsomeness was beyond doubt; even the most cynical person would likely find no fault with that face.
An S-class Alpha from a distinguished family, with such a devastatingly handsome appearance, it was hard not to feel a surge of affection.
Jiang Mingyu’s hair inherited a slight natural curl from his mother; it wasn’t obvious when dry, but now, soaked with hot water, its true form was revealed, slightly curling. Paired with his porcelain-white face, he didn’t look disheveled; instead, he resembled a BJD doll displayed in a showcase, every part of him exuding refinement.
At this moment, Jiang Mingyu was both easy and difficult to talk to. But after nearly three years of being together, Fang Qiao had long figured out the Alpha’s personality: you had to stroke him the right way, coax him gently and softly to prevent him from losing his temper.
He pecked the Alpha’s lips, then leaned back against him, exposing the scent gland on his nape to the Alpha’s gaze, and said softly, “To the bed, please.”
Jiang Mingyu’s breathing grew heavier. He simply scooped up Fang Qiao’s legs and carried him back to the master bedroom.
Pheromones filled the entire room.
Fang Qiao gazed at the bright lights as a shadow fell over him. Jiang Mingyu held his chin between two fingers, examining him closely.
They had already had a prolonged embrace in the bathroom, and the Omega’s pheromones had effectively soothed the Alpha’s agitated emotions. Only now did Jiang Mingyu have the presence of mind to settle scores with Fang Qiao. “You were exactly fifty-three minutes and seven seconds late.”
Precise down to the minute and second, Fang Qiao was somewhat speechless.
He buried his face in the Alpha’s palm and explained, “There were more patients registered today…” He thought for a moment and decided not to mention encountering the young boy, only sincerely admitting his mistake, “I kept you waiting. I’m sorry.”
Jiang Mingyu leaned closer, sniffing the jasmine scent. “Grandpa wants you to quit your job and become my personal assistant.”
Fang Qiao froze.
Jiang Mingyu was quite pleased with the Omega’s reaction. His hand moved to Fang Qiao’s earlobe, gently kneading it. “You disagree?”
“I…” Fang Qiao tried to sit up, but Jiang Mingyu pressed him back down. He could only lie there and discuss with Jiang Mingyu, his tone unusually urgent. “You haven’t had an episode in a long time. Isn’t it good the way things are now?”
Due to his condition, Jiang Mingyu rarely traveled far. He even studied in B City, at a top-tier university in the country, having secured direct admission in high school. Aside from his little-known illness, Jiang Mingyu was exceptionally capable in all aspects. He skipped two grades in junior and high school and, at 22 years old this year, has already graduated with a master’s degree and is gradually managing the operations of the Jiang Group.
Speaking of the Jiang Group, tracing back a century, it was a prominent and well-known family. Developing to this day, it shines even brighter, with overt assets exceeding one hundred billion yuan. Old Mister Jiang Shun is a legend in the industry, with three children: one son and one daughter are Alphas, and the youngest son is an Omega.
Jiang Shun’s eldest son, Jiang Ru, an S-class Alpha, is married to Lin Shaohong, the only Omega daughter of a retired central government official. This powerful union gave birth to Jiang Mingyu.
Their marriage was largely tied to interests, so when Jiang Mingyu was diagnosed with Pheromone Disorder Syndrome, the couple considered abandoning the idea of raising this child. Unfortunately, Lin Shaohong’s health was compromised during Jiang Mingyu’s birth, and several IVF attempts failed, leaving them with no choice but to place all their hopes on Jiang Mingyu.
Family ties in prominent families are often cold. Jiang Ru and Lin Shaohong’s marriage was an alliance of families, while Alpha sister Jiang Shu, over forty, remains unmarried and continues to assist Old Mister Jiang in managing the Jiang Group, earning her the nickname “Iron Lily.”
As for the youngest Omega son, he had married the second son of a domestic transportation giant long ago.
The relationships are intricate. Jiang Ru and Jiang Shu, as siblings, each harbor their own intentions for carving up the Jiang family’s assets. On the surface, they remain amicable, but little affection remains between them.
As Old Mister Jiang Shun’s only biological grandson, Jiang Mingyu was also one of the tools his parents used to vie for power. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to cure Jiang Mingyu’s Pheromone Disorder Syndrome.
Jiang Ru and Lin Shaohong’s marriage had repeatedly teetered on the brink because of Jiang Mingyu, and Fang Qiao’s appearance broke the stalemate.
After Jiang Mingyu’s condition was brought under control, while he was still studying, his parents immediately arranged for him to intern at the Jiang Group. In these three years, he achieved some success and gained the approval of his grandfather, Jiang Shun.
The old man has become more and more concerned about Jiang Mingyu’s affairs recently.
Fang Qiao knew the elder’s intention in wanting him to be Jiang Mingyu’s personal assistant. Although Jiang Mingyu rarely had episodes now, there were always exceptions. Moreover, Jiang Mingyu’s business trips were increasing. If Fang Qiao could stay by the Alpha’s side 24/7, any unexpected incident involving the Alpha could be resolved immediately. This was definitely a beneficial arrangement without any drawbacks.
Of course, this benefit only applied to Jiang Mingyu.
“Mingyu.” Fang Qiao took a deep breath. “I really like my job…”
Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “So what? You have to tell that to Grandpa.”
Old Mister Jiang was a man of his word, and since he had already made his wishes known, Fang Qiao, being insignificant, had no standing to make him change his mind.
He could only work on Jiang Mingyu.
Fang Qiao clung to the Alpha’s shoulders, almost pleading, “Help me…”
“Why should I help you?” Jiang Mingyu seized his wrists and pinned them above his head, a faint contempt in his dark pupils. “Didn’t you yourself say you’d do things for money? Now you regret it?”
Fang Qiao choked.
He and Jiang Mingyu had a long period of adjustment. At that time, Jiang Mingyu was almost at his physical limit and also didn’t want to be dominated by pheromones.
Initially, it was just a warning.
“I hate Omegas. Stay away from me.”
“You’d better get lost yourself; don’t force me to kick you out.”
When he couldn’t drive Fang Qiao away, he became curious about why Fang Qiao insisted on sticking around.
Fang Qiao pondered for a moment, and the answer he gave was not surprising.
Nothing else, he had taken money from the Jiang family, so he had to do his job.
How did Jiang Mingyu mock him back then? “What’s the difference between you and someone who sells themselves?”
That light remark immediately made Fang Qiao’s face turn pale, but what the Alpha said was indeed true. The human inhibitor implied an unspeakable, illicit intimacy.
It was countless days and nights of physical union, an instinctive entanglement of pheromones.
Fang Qiao’s expression wasn’t good, but he didn’t refute it. The agreement he signed was a draconian contract; he had to unconditionally fulfill any demands made by the Jiang family. Now that Old Mister Jiang wanted him to resign and become Jiang Mingyu’s personal assistant, he could only agree.
However, his job was hard-earned, and for him to give it up felt like tearing a piece of flesh from himself.
The contract was ending in less than six months. He wondered if he would be able to return to the hospital then.
Fang Qiao whispered, “Can you give me a few days to negotiate with the hospital?”
He stopped his futile resistance, and Jiang Mingyu, instead, furrowed his brows. “You really are obedient.”
The mint scent grew stronger, reflecting the Alpha’s bad mood. Fang Qiao pressed his lips together, not daring to say anything wrong and risk upsetting the moody Jiang Mingyu again.
Jiang Mingyu flipped him over, pinning him down, his lips pressed against Fang Qiao’s nape, and said sinisterly, “You being my personal assistant, if you don’t find it annoying, I find it annoying. Who wants to see you every day?”
Fang Qiao’s heart lifted, and just as he was about to turn his head, Jiang Mingyu’s sudden movement made him cry out in pain and collapse onto the bed.
He closed his eyes and endured.
Jiang Mingyu was five years his junior and had a spoiled young master’s temper. Fang Qiao would comply with almost everything the Alpha wanted, and in matters like this, he was even more at his beck and call.
After all, that was the sole reason he was by Jiang Mingyu’s side.
However, for some reason, Jiang Mingyu’s mood tonight seemed much more intense than usual. This couldn’t help but remind him of his first time with Jiang Mingyu.
That was an almost horrific memory, tinged with blood.
—
Fang Qiao opened the thin contract on the table.
The lawyer handed him a fountain pen. “If there are no objections, please sign here, Mr. Fang. The contract will be effective immediately.”
Fang Qiao pursed his lips and took the pen.
The contents of the contract were simple and clear at a glance, essentially selling himself to the Jiang family for three years. During these three years, he had no human rights; he was merely a vessel to treat the young master of the Jiang family.
Despite being an utterly unreasonable agreement, Fang Qiao hesitated for only a few moments before signing his name.
This year, Fang Qiao was twenty-four years old, two years out of university, and employed at the city’s dental hospital.
A month ago, as he left the hospital after work, a luxury car blocked his way. Inside sat a dignified middle-aged woman whose temperament, speech, and attire indicated her extraordinary status.
Later, Fang Qiao learned that this woman was Jiang Mingyu’s mother, Lin Shaohong.
The lawyer Lin Shaohong brought with her said only one sentence that made Fang Qiao willingly get into the car: “Mr. Fang, are you interested in overturning a wrongful conviction from thirteen years ago?”
Thirteen years ago, Fang Zheng, Fang Qiao’s father, was a teacher at the city high school. He was accused of sexually assaulting an Omega student and sentenced to twenty years in prison. Multiple appeals were unsuccessful, and he committed suicide in prison.
Fang Qiao was eleven years old that year. His mother had died early, his father was imprisoned, and he was subsequently raised by his uncle. A few days before his father’s suicide, Fang Qiao visited him in prison. To this day, he couldn’t forget his father’s desperate expression and the tone of his voice, as if crying blood: “Your dad is innocent; you must believe me!”
Of course, Fang Qiao believed his father. His father was an honest and loyal Beta, proud of his teaching and nurturing work. How could he possibly assault an Omega student?
Yet, all the evidence pointed to his father.
Young Fang Qiao sought help everywhere to clear his father’s name, but no one assisted him.
Before he could clear his father’s name, on a stormy day, news came that his father had died to prove his innocence.
His uncle and aunt couldn’t stand the public’s criticism and took him away from his hometown.
The case had no room for reversal, but for all these years, Fang Qiao had never given up. After graduating, he consulted many lawyers, but the case was too old, and all the lawyers told him that hope was slim and that he should move on.
Fang Qiao was unwilling. Why should an innocent, good person have their reputation ruined and die wrongfully in prison?
Thirteen years had passed, and someone told him, “I can help you.” Therefore, no matter what conditions the other party offered, Fang Qiao, who had been at a dead end for years, had no reason to refuse.
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