At the very deepest part of the sanatorium on the outskirts of the city stood a three story building, half concealed by lush, overgrown shrubs.
In the room at the very center of the second floor, one could see the surface of the Qingling River in the distance from the balcony, its waters dyed a soft gold by the lingering glow of the setting sun.
Qin Yu stood on the balcony, listening to the doctor beside him report on the situation. At his side were carefully tended flower pots, the plants inside still in full bloom.
“…Her emotions fluctuate severely at times. On one occasion, we had no choice but to administer a sedative. The duration of her unconsciousness is growing longer and her pheromones have been losing control more frequently. The inhibitors aren’t having much effect anymore. I’m afraid she may not be able to hold on until…”
Qin Yu’s deep, dark eyes rested on the orchid beside him. His expression did not change. After a long while, he finally turned and walked into the bedroom.
The thick, soft carpet made no sound underfoot. The woman lying on the bed was sleeping peacefully. The hand resting atop the blanket was so pale it was nearly translucent. Even under the meticulous care of the sanatorium, her body was still frighteningly thin.
And yet, even in this state of illness, traces of her former beauty could still be seen between her brows and eyes. Near the corner of her eye was a tear mole, vivid as cinnabar, adding a fragile, sorrowful beauty to her weakened appearance.
Several sophisticated machines beside the bed were quietly operating. One of the screens displayed the pheromone concentration. The number was not high, remaining within a stable, controllable range.
Qin Yu couldn’t help but take in a breath but aside from the soothing incense burning in the room, there was no scent he could detect at all.
He lowered his eyes and carefully examined the woman’s face once more, then left the bedroom and went into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face.
Hanging on the wall was a shattered mirror. The woman had smashed it earlier in the afternoon while she was conscious. The shards on the floor had already been cleaned up but the mirror itself hadn’t yet been replaced. Only two jagged fragments remained inside the frame.
Qin Yu braced his hands on the sink and lifted his head, seeing his own face reflected in those broken fragments, as if it had been sliced apart.
Below the outer corner of his left eye was a dark brown tear mole, in the exact same position as the woman’s.
Qin Yu lowered his head, pulled a tissue to dry his hands, then left the small building and got into the Maybach parked on the open ground in front of it. His voice was calm and flat.
“To the Wang residence.”
“I’m saying, bro, is it really necessary to go this early?” Xie Wangyuan came downstairs, half closing his eyes and yawning, his hair still damp. He grabbed a white suit jacket and pulled it over himself. “I’m dead tired.”
The night before, he had gone out drinking with Ren Yi and Meng Zhaozhi and stayed out all night. The sky was already bright when he finally came back. He had been sleeping it off in his room until just now, when someone knocked on the door to say that Xie Jun had arrived.
Xie Tiancheng took one look at Xie Wangyuan’s flamboyant shirt with its buttons not even properly done and felt his anger surge.
Xie Wangyuan’s throat felt painfully dry. He picked up a glass from the table and downed an entire large cup of water before speaking. “Dad, if you’re bored at home, you might as well read more fashion magazines and keep up with the news.”
Xie Jun coughed lightly and spoke before Xie Tiancheng could be angered to death. “Dad, it’s fine. It’s not some formal occasion anyway. It doesn’t matter.”
Xie Tiancheng snapped, “A’Jun, watch him carefully. Don’t let him do anything embarrassing.” After that, he turned and went out into the courtyard, clearly not wanting to look at him anymore.
Xie Wangyuan lit a cigarette to wake his brain, then shamelessly called after Xie Tiancheng’s retreating back, “Dad, listen to what you’re saying, what embarrassing thing could I possibly do? It’s just that your son here is too charming. Those Betas look at me like dogs staring at a meaty bone. What do you want me to do about it…”
Xie Tiancheng paused mid step, then hurried away at a much faster pace.
Xie Wangyuan took a few quick steps to catch up with Xie Jun. “Qin Yu will be at tonight’s banquet too, right?”
“You’ve already heard of Qin Yu?” Xie Jun slowed his pace slightly and said seriously, “We don’t have any direct business dealings with the Qin family right now but you’d better not provoke him.”
“You sound that wary of him? What, you Alphas can’t outplay him?”
“Wary?” A trace of disdain curved Xie Jun’s lips. “Still, for a bastard child to make it this far, he does have some skill.”
Xie Wangyuan had already heard all of this from Ren Yi.
Back then, when something happened to Qin Er, Qin Jingxuan, an Alpha who had his glands pierced and nearly died was effectively crippled. The eldest son, Qin Jingzhuo, was an Omega. Qin Weihong, who had already retired years ago, had no choice but to come out of retirement and take charge again.
At the time, everyone believed that Qin Corporation would eventually be handed over to one of the Qin family’s collateral branches that had Alpha heirs. No one expected that less than two years later, the Qin family would host a grand and lavish banquet for Qin Yu.
A bastard child who couldn’t be brought into the light and a Beta at that yet the Qin family held such a large scale event just to introduce him to the world.
After that night, everyone in C City laughed at Qin Weihong. Having been shrewd and imposing for most of his life while in power, wasn’t he still afraid of losing control to the collateral branches once he grew old? Panicked and muddled, grasping at straws in a desperate situation.
But only two years later, Qin Yu, who successfully took the seat of CEO of Qin Corporation, shut up everyone who had been watching for a joke.
In a top tier elite family like that, a Beta should never have been able to compete with an Alpha, born to rule and command.
Yet Qin Yu did it anyway. Not only did he survive the open and covert struggles with the Qin family’s collateral branches, he also made everyone wary of him, wary of a Beta.
“Uncle Qin was senile enough to think this Beta son would be easy to control,” Xie Jun continued, glancing at Xie Wangyuan again. “I think the Qin family raised a wolf that won’t be tamed. In a few years, whether the Qin family still belongs to a ‘Qin’ is hard to say. Wangyuan, I’m telling you all this so you understand one thing. Qin Yu is not someone you should provoke. You’d better give up on that idea.”
Xie Wangyuan knew that for Xie Jun, who was usually so good tempered, to speak to him like this was already a very explicit warning.
But if Xie Wangyuan could obediently listen, then he wouldn’t be Xie Wangyuan.
Before night had even fallen, the Wang family’s private estate was already bustling with activity.
Wang Changlu ranked second among the Wang siblings. He was an Alpha and had been betrothed early on to the Qin family’s eldest young master, Qin Jingzhuo. They had been married for ten years now and tonight was the sixth birthday banquet for their second son.
Wang Changlu had excelled academically since childhood and enjoyed a good reputation within their social circle. After marriage, he even had the Qin family backing him. Unfortunately, he had an Alpha elder brother above him. No matter how outstanding he was, he could only serve as vice president of the family company for now.
Xie Wangyuan ignored the assessing gazes cast his way throughout the banquet hall. Trailing behind Xie Jun, he kept his head lowered as he chatted with Ren Yi.
The Ren family had been invited to this banquet as well but the one who came was Ren Ke. For businessmen, occasions like this were prime opportunities to expand their networks.
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: Brother Yuan, are you there yet?
WHY: Just arrived. This birthday banquet is quite grand and looks like the kid is pretty favored in the Wang family.
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: What’s the use of favoring the kid? The Wang family business won’t end up in Wang Changlu’s hands anyway. Even if the kid grows up to be an Alpha, at most he’ll just idle around in his own company and collect dividends for a living.
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: Uh… Brother Yuan, Wang Changlu is Wang Changlu, you’re you. I’m not talking about you.
Come to think of it, Xie Wangyuan’s situation was indeed quite similar to Wang Changlu’s. The difference was that Wang Changlu was far more driven, while Xie Wangyuan only wanted to muddle through life and wait for the end.
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: Actually, I’m pretty curious what that Qin Yu looks like.
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: …Brother Yuan, you know, doing the bare minimum at the company already takes all my effort.
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: And my usual social circle has nothing to do with these young masters. I’ve never met him, how would I know what he looks like?
I’m panicking, your Ren Yi: Anyway, Brother Yuan, take it easy tonight. It’s Wang family and the Qin family don’t make a big scene.
Ahead of him, Xie Jun turned around and said, “Wangyuan, come with me. I’ll introduce you to a few elders.” His tone remained as gentle and calm as ever but there was dissatisfaction in his eyes.
Xie Wangyuan curled his lips, put away his phone and staggered over to Xie Jun’s side. “Alright. The ancients refused to bend for five pecks of rice but today, I, Xie Wangyuan, will bend, for money”
Xie Jun shot him a warning glare. When he turned back, his face was already filled with a warm smile. “Uncle Zhao, this is Wangyuan… Yes, he’s just returned from overseas. I brought him along tonight so he could get acquainted…”
Endless pleasantries and flattery followed. Xie Wangyuan yawned as he listened to several balding old men whose surnames he couldn’t even remember speak blatant nonsense, praising him as a young elite with boundless promise. He couldn’t help wanting to laugh.
How could Xie Jun not see through his thoughts? While handing him a glass of wine, he lowered his voice and said, “Wangyuan, perk up a bit. Don’t carry on like this.”
Xie Wangyuan had just finished another yawn, his eyes still slightly watery. Hearing that, he complained again, “I drank all night long, of course I haven’t woken up yet. Besides, it’s just a little kid’s birthday banquet. There’s nothing but alcohol here. Isn’t there even any food?”
By now, Xie Jun fully understood that nothing good ever came out of Xie Wangyuan’s mouth. He pretended not to hear and continued leading him toward the center of the hall.
Xie Wangyuan shrugged and scanned the room. “Didn’t you say Qin Yu would be here? Where is he?”
At the very center of the banquet hall, amid clusters of people and converging gazes, stood a man holding a glass of champagne. Even from behind, his presence was striking.
Xie Jun was chatting with several directors from their company. When he noticed Xie Wangyuan staring unblinkingly at Qin Yu, his dissatisfaction deepened. “Wangyuan, come here.”
“Wangyuan.”
Xie Wangyuan clicked his tongue impatiently but still obediently stepped forward, allowing Xie Jun to introduce him.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the surrounding crowd gradually dispersed. Xie Jun met Qin Yu’s gaze and stepped forward. “President Qin.”
“This is my younger brother, Xie Wangyuan. He’s just returned from abroad.” Xie Jun turned slightly, then gave Xie Wangyuan a warning look. “Wangyuan, this is Qin Yu, President Qin.”
Xie Wangyuan hadn’t even had the chance to properly register the faint scent of mint before the man’s next sentence, laden with meaning, made him lift his eyes.
“Second Young Master Xie, I’ve long heard of you.”
Xie Wangyuan looked up and met a pair of pitch black eyes that stared straight back without avoidance. Amusement flickered through him as he raised an eyebrow.
They had clearly met just a few days ago. In such a short time, what reputation of his had this man supposedly heard about for so long?
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Vynellia
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ChaptersChapter 1 · A Beta who looks particularly attractiveChapter 2 · Illegitimate child? BetaChapter 3 · Am I going to kick a hornet’s nest?Chapter 4 · A banquet that only Betas can attendChapter 5 · The young man’s heart was wastedChapter 6 · What’s so fun about Beta?Chapter 7 · Your dad has too many loversChapter 8 · Date with a ‘beautyChapter 9 · Long Time no see…Chapter 10 · He’ll definitely be the dominant oneChapter 11 · Seeing Qin Yu was like a dog seeing a bone.Chapter 12 · Young Master Qin, what a coincidenceChapter 13 · I don’t like things that other people have touched.Chapter 14 · Just call him “little brother”Chapter 15 · Are you going to pursue Xiao Mei O?Chapter 16 · The dead are deadChapter 17 · Qin Yu, aren’t you going to take responsibility?Chapter 18 · Xie Wangyuan and his dog are not allowed insideChapter 19 · Got into his carChapter 20 · He really gave me a hard timeChapter 21 · You actually Like that beta?Chapter 22 · Like an Alpha catching his wife cheatingChapter 23 · How do you want me to repay you?Chapter 24 · An Alpha without pheromonesChapter 25 · I’m determined to get my hands on Qin YuChapter 26 · Whatever service you needChapter 27 · Honey, shall I put it on for you?Chapter 28 · Mr. Qin has a rather unique aesthetic senseChapter 29 · Who says Qin Yu is hard to deal with?Chapter 30 · Please teach me, Teacher QinChapter 31 · These are all he can lose.Chapter 32 · I’m looking for someone who has “disappeared”.Chapter 33 · A new meaning in his lifeChapter 34 · Your birthday is in a few days, right?Chapter 35 · Just the two of us.Chapter 36 · It was like Qin Yu’s O-selection banquetChapter 37 · He saw himself clearly in his eyesChapter 38 · Do those Betas really make you this comfortable?Chapter 39 · Qin Yu, you just wait.Chapter 40 · I’m to blame for stealing tonight’s main characterChapter 41 · If you have only one piece of clothing left, you winChapter 42 · I admit defeatChapter 43 · He is my lover!Chapter 44 · What kind of cult is Yuyuan?Chapter 45 · There are no other BetasChapter 46 · Go to bedChapter 47 · Susceptible periodChapter 48 · Qin Yu, are you a damn dog?!Chapter 49 · It would be best to lock us up completelyChapter 50 · I’ll give you five million, leave my sonChapter 51 · Other Alphas smell awfulChapter 52 · He can’t possibly be like those stupid Alpha dogsChapter 53 · Only youChapter 54 · Go ahead and say what you just said again if you dareChapter 55 · I thought you were going to meet someone at night.Chapter 56 · Swallow it.Chapter 57 · Service fee for the second young masterChapter 58 · He touched it himself and showed it to meChapter 59 · To make an Alpha no longer need an OmegaChapter 60 · They’re kindly taking me in?Chapter 61 · Qin Yu is different.Chapter 62 · HelpChapter 63 · At times like this and that with Qin Yu.Chapter 64 · We will never abandon themChapter 65 · My wife’s surname is QinChapter 66 · Two numbersChapter 67 · Qin Yu and dogs are not allowed insideChapter 68 · Eat a lotChapter 69 · It’s a must-eatChapter 70 · Batian misses youChapter 71 · Earn money to support your wife.Chapter 72 · I hug you like a crossChapter 73 · Use these to exchange for a wish.Chapter 74 · Extra 1Chapter 75 · Extra 2Chapter 76 · Extra 3Chapter 77 · Extra 4Chapter 78 · Extra 5Chapter 79 · Extra 6Chapter 80 · Extra 7Chapter 81 · Extra 8Chapter 82 · Extra 9Chapter 83 · Extra 10Chapter 84 · Extra 11Chapter 85 · Extra 12