So Shen Yan could only suppress his original temper, watching Wen Xiuran extend his influence into every aspect of his life, all while silently cursing him in his heart behind his back.
The two of them couldn’t establish a pheromone dependency, and after years of living together, Wen Xiuran had come to notice Shen Yan’s simmering frustration.
In the early stages of their relationship, Shen Yan wore his anger on his face. But now, unless he was truly pushed to the brink, he wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow when upset. His expression would remain unchanged, and at most, he’d just stare at Wen Xiuran with a cold, mocking laugh, refusing to say a word and leaving Wen Xiuran to figure it out himself.
But Shen Yan was also easy to appease. Most of the time, after receiving a gift, he wouldn’t dwell on the issue any longer.
“Still mad?”
Shen Yan deigned to shift slightly, turning his back to Wen Xiuran and sulkily wrapping himself in the blanket.
Wen Xiuran sighed, lowering his voice. “I’ll discuss things with you from now on, okay? Don’t be angry.”
Shen Yan let out a few soft, mocking laughs but still refused to speak.
Wen Xiuran was good—too good, in fact—but he still carried a hint of alpha superiority. Deep down, he didn’t approve of Shen Yan starting his own business or stepping into the public eye.
Shen Yan knew this well. No matter how many resources he had, his company would never surpass the Wen Group’s success. In Wen Xiuran’s eyes, everything Shen Yan was doing now was just child’s play.
No matter how much Wen Xiuran promised, he wouldn’t consult Shen Yan on everything.
A strong force tugged at his waist. Shen Yan turned his head to find Wen Xiuran resting his head on his shoulder, his soft hair brushing against Shen Yan’s cheek, tickling him slightly.
Shen Yan grumbled, “What are you doing?”
The alpha chuckled, his deep voice carrying a magnetic warmth. Wen Xiuran wrapped one arm around Shen Yan and took Shen Yan’s hand in his other, pressing a reverent kiss to the beta’s index finger.
Aside from the occasional minor disagreements, their relationship had always been stable. Shen Yan had expected Wen Xiuran’s family to suddenly interfere, but to his surprise, no one ever stood in their way.
With a handsome, wealthy, and physically fit alpha catering to his every need, Shen Yan adopted the mindset that not taking advantage of such a situation would be foolish, greedily pocketing every bit of affection Wen Xiuran offered.
“Trying to cheer you up.”
Shen Yan pushed his head away, expressionless. “I’m not angry.”
Wen Xiuran turned his face back toward him, smiling brightly. “Do you know who you remind me of when you’re angry like this?”
“Who?”
The alpha didn’t answer. Instead, he hugged him tighter and sighed helplessly. “They say couples start to resemble each other over time. It’s really true.”
Shen Yan’s eyes narrowed as he shot Wen Xiuran a dark look.
“Should we move to a different place? This one feels a bit too big.”
“What’s wrong with a big place?” Shen Yan sounded lazy. “More space means we can keep dogs, cats, or rabbits. Back at the orphanage, I had a tabby cat. But it was never really tame—no matter how much of my own lunch I gave it, it never let me touch it. Had a really weird temper.”
He rarely brought up his time at the orphanage, and Wen Xiuran never asked.
“Did you know I grew up in an orphanage?”
Wen Xiuran paused, then nodded gently. “It was in your school records. I saw it. Did you have any friends there?”
Friends?
Shen Yan snorted coldly. It would be a miracle if those alphas didn’t bully him—what friends could he possibly have?
“I didn’t have many friends when I was young either. My father was always busy with work, and I have few memories of my mother. But that’s all in the past now. From now on, I’ll have you by my side.”
Wen Xiuran pulled Shen Yan closer into his embrace, his breath warm against Shen Yan’s ear.
Shen Yan stopped struggling and simply leaned back against the alpha’s shoulder, hugging Wen Xiuran’s arm as he murmured absentmindedly, “Actually, I wasn’t completely alone back then. Someone wanted to adopt me, but then the news just… stopped.”
Maybe they had looked down on him for being a beta.
“It’s fine. I’ll take care of you from now on.”
Shen Yan stared at Wen Xiuran’s scent gland, unable to hide the envy in his gaze.
If Wen Xiuran had been born into an ordinary family, he wouldn’t have been safe either—high-tier scent glands were highly sought after in upper society. But Wen Xiuran was the offspring of a powerful political and business alliance. No one would dare lay a finger on him.
“Do you want to become an omega?”
Wen Xiuran’s words whispered against Shen Yan’s ear.
Shen Yan’s eyes snapped back into focus. He scrambled up and turned to look at Wen Xiuran, his expression strange—somewhere between shock, confusion, and a trace of disappointment and unease.
He was stunned by Wen Xiuran’s suggestion, spoken so casually, as if it were nothing more than an alpha’s instinctive desire.
“Why would I want to become an omega? So, it’d be easier for you to mark me?”
After spending so much time with Wen Xiuran, he often forgot the hierarchical divide between them. Wen Xiuran usually didn’t care about it either, so why bring it up now? Shen Yan couldn’t help but overthink it.
“If you don’t like the idea, I won’t force you. But if you do, I’ll find the highest-tier omega scent gland in the country and give it to you.”
Wen Xiuran said this with the same nonchalance as if he were discussing what to wear tomorrow.
Shen Yan’s heart sank. He waved a hand dismissively and burrowed back under the covers, muttering, “No need. I don’t really care.”
The rainy season in City S arrived right on schedule. Droplets pattered against the floor-to-ceiling windows, gathering into tiny rivulets that trickled down the glass.
After earning his first pot of gold, Shen Yan had the company renovated. He wasn’t particularly superstitious, but he’d still followed the trend and consulted a fortune-teller about his financial prospects, rearranging the office layout according to the master’s advice.
Wen Xiuran had once teased him for being money-obsessed. Shen Yan had glared at him for a long moment before biting him in retaliation.
Now, sitting at his desk, Shen Yan studied the proposal in his hands before handing it to Lin Bai.
“Go ahead with it.” Shen Yan sighed and leaned back in his chair. “It’s a bit risky, but in this era, attention is everything. If we don’t stir up some hype, we won’t get anywhere.”
Lin Bai had been one of the first employees Shen Yan hired when he founded the company. Shen Yan had chosen him not just for his competence, but also because Lin Bai had no influential background and was easy to control.
“Have you found a buyer for the company yet?” Lin Bai skimmed through the proposal. “If we can’t find one, purchasing our own artists’ works could end up being a loss.”
“And…” Lin Bai hesitated as he looked at the omega’s ID photo in the documents. “This might also hinder her career development.”
Shen Yan lowered his lashes and chuckled lightly, his tone casual. “She volunteered herself. I’m just giving her a helping hand.”
In the perception of most people, the omega gender often evokes an involuntary sense of pity. They are born with an endearing charm, which is precisely why omegas tend to attract more attention from alphas in social settings.
Naturally, Shen Yan had his own calculations. Another key reason he intended to hype He Wei was the ambitious drive she displayed as an omega.
He understood such people well—those with ambition were often easier to control and manipulate. With the right temptations and opportunities, He Wei would know exactly what to do.
He Wei came from a remote border town, where resources were scarce and the artistic atmosphere was even thinner.
Despite having zero foundation in painting, He Wei relied on sheer determination and managed to pass the entrance exam for the country’s top art academy after just four or five months of grueling study.
Shen Yan had to admit that He Wei’s looks were indeed among the most outstanding. Her delicate features, lively eyes, and unique aura made her impossible to ignore.
Moreover, her painting style was highly distinctive and easily recognizable among countless works.
If the hype around He Wei succeeded this time, it would bring enormous benefits. He could then legitimately contact companies interested in purchasing her artwork, bypassing official channels and opting for private, under-the-table deals.
By then, Shen Yan would reap substantial profits. Combined with the company’s legal tax avoidance strategies, the artists under his name would achieve both fame and fortune.
It would undoubtedly be a win-win for both sides.
He had no patience for small-scale operations anymore. With resources in hand, he had to maximize the profits.
It wasn’t that Shen Yan didn’t trust Wen Xiuran, but after hearing too many sweet nothings from alphas, he still found himself the most reliable.
“Does Wen Xiuran know you’re doing this?” Lin Bai asked casually.
“He doesn’t,” Shen Yan replied, his gaze cooling as he spoke deliberately. “And he won’t.”
He looked up at Lin Bai, who stood elegantly by the table in a well-tailored suit, his expression indifferent. His hair was neatly combed back, and gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose—a stark contrast to their first meeting.
Shen Yan turned his head and caught his reflection in the floor-to-ceiling window.
His eyes flickered slightly as he murmured, “Clothes really do make the man.”
Back when he was wandering the streets, he had never imagined he’d one day see himself like this.
Lin Bai smiled faintly. “Of course, he wouldn’t know. But you’ve been together for two or three years now—have you thought about when you’ll get married?”
Shen Yan studied him for a couple of seconds before replying with a half-smile, “Speaking of which, why are you still single? With your qualifications, finding an ordinary omega shouldn’t be a problem at all.”
Though Lin Bai was technically Shen Yan’s employee, their relationship was more akin to that of partners.
Because Wen Xiuran disliked Shen Yan attending too many social events, an internal division of labor had naturally formed within the company: Shen Yan primarily handled strategy and investments, while most of the networking responsibilities fell to Lin Bai.
Lin Bai’s first impression was that of a refined gentleman. He always spoke with a gentle and amiable tone, making people feel as if bathed in a warm spring breeze. His emotional intelligence was remarkably high, which was precisely why he had meticulously cultivated many of the company’s key connections.
Thinking of this, Shen Yan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
He realized he couldn’t always stay behind the scenes—it was time to actively network himself. After all, life was unpredictable. If he ever truly fell out with Wen Xiuran, he needed to secure a backup plan in advance. A powerful ally who could protect him from Wen Xiuran’s grasp.
However, Shen Yan was well aware that the likelihood of either scenario—falling out with Wen Xiuran or someone helping him escape—was extremely slim.
“I don’t like omegas or alphas,” Lin Bai said, shaking his head.
Just as the words left his mouth, Lin Bai’s phone rang abruptly, shattering the brief silence in the room. Shen Yan tilted his head slightly and smiled, gesturing for him to take the call.
Lin Bai offered an apologetic smile before answering. At first, his expression remained calm, but within moments, Shen Yan noticed a visible shift—his relaxed demeanor grew tense and complicated.
Shen Yan studied him intently and asked pointedly, “Who was it? You don’t seem too pleased.”
Lin Bai forced a faint smile. “It was He Wei. She wants to invite you to dinner tonight.”
“But I suppose you already know her intentions,” Lin Bai added, his gaze turning slightly cold. “I think this newcomer is far too ambitious—not a good fit.”
Shen Yan wasn’t particularly surprised, merely responding with a nonchalant hum.
This wasn’t even close to the point of daring to drug him—hardly worth a reaction.
“It doesn’t matter. You should know, only omegas and alphas are affected by those hormones. Betas aren’t influenced.”
Lin Bai seemed taken aback, replying slowly, “I already declined. Wen Xiuran made it clear—you’re not to meet clients alone.”
“Besides, I doubt you’d go anyway.”