Chapter 1 The Matrimonial Candidate

Chapter 1: The Marriage Prospect

At 3 p.m., Beijie Road Cafe.

A piano melody drifted through the air, and a few guests sat scattered by the window.

Lin Yunshu locked the restroom door, leaned over the sink, and vomited.

His heat cycle was approaching. Lately, he had been using blockers and suppressants frequently, and his body was reacting strongly.

But it shouldn’t be too serious—it had been like this for the past year.

Lin Yunshu had a congenital genetic defect.

He was a child born after his father's death. His omega mother struggled to give birth to him without the support of an alpha father and passed away just days later. Due to the lack of paternal pheromones, he was born with an underdeveloped gland.

For him, the pheromones of most alphas in the world were agonizing. While pheromones served as a means of attraction between alphas and omegas, for him, they were a terrifying burden.

The two things he couldn’t live without were, first, money, and second, the highest-strength blockers and suppressants.

The medication blocked his pheromones and made him unable to detect any alpha’s scent.

Everyone assumed Lin Yunshu was a beta.

He never bothered to explain, preferring it that way.

Lin Yunshu expertly washed his face, his gaze glancing at the mirror. He noticed he had started bleeding from his nose while vomiting.

Thick blood, diluted by water droplets, trailed down his chin, threatening to drip onto his snow-white shirt.

He quickly wiped it away, unbuttoned his shirt, bent over to rinse, and carefully avoided staining the collar.

He had an important meeting soon.

His phone on the counter lit up with a message:

[Xiao Guo: Boss, are you done? Young Master Mu just called and said he’s almost here.]

Lin Yunshu picked up his phone, unlocked it, casually grabbed a tissue to dry his face, and pressed the voice message button: "Order him a cappuccino and a mousse cake first. I’ll be right out."

[Xiao Guo: Okay.]

Lin Yunshu tossed the tissue, turned to face the mirror. The high-end café’s mirror was spotless, surrounded by a ring of lights.

The soft, warm glow fell on Lin Yunshu’s face but failed to add any color to his pale cheeks.

Lin Yunshu wasn't concerned. His gaze swept lightly over his reflection as he adjusted his collar and hair, ensuring he looked presentable, then pushed the door open and stepped out.

Guo Shengyao was already waiting outside and hurried over when she saw him.

"Boss, your complexion…" she said worriedly. "Are you really okay?"

"I’m fine," Lin Yunshu smiled. "I skipped lunch, so I’m feeling a bit nauseous."

He said it casually, but Guo Shengyao grew anxious upon hearing it: "How can you skip lunch? Food is fuel! It’s all the big boss’s fault—piling you with so much work that you don’t even have time to eat!"

"Would you dare say that to his face?" Lin Yunshu countered, the smile at the corners of his eyes deepening.

He wasn’t an aggressive person—his words were gentle, his actions soft, unlike those rigid, robotic seconds-in-command who acted as the boss’s enforcers.

Lin Yunshu was gentle and compassionate, calm and methodical. He had followed the boss since graduating from university and was the big boss’s most trusted confidant.

A couple of years ago, when the boss first took over the group and clashed with the old-school shareholders, he was a temperamental force of nature.

It was Secretary Lin who smoothed his edges and, when necessary, acted as the subtle blade, gradually shaping Zhou Yu into the mature and steady figure known to outsiders today.

Everyone regretted that Lin Yunshu was only a beta—otherwise, the position of Lin'an Group’s chairman’s spouse would never have been available to anyone else.

Guo Shengyao muttered softly, "I only say these things in front of you."

No matter how mature and steady the big boss pretended to be, he was still a force of nature at heart. Who would dare gossip in front of him?

"We all stand with Secretary Lin. No one should keep you from eating," Guo Shengyao said seriously. "Lily said a new soup restaurant opened near the company and invited everyone to go tonight. Boss, you have to come and soothe your stomach. You’ve been having stomach issues lately."

Lin Yunshu’s workload was intense. In the past two years, while helping Zhou Yu expand their territory, he had developed minor health issues, though none were serious.

His current physical condition was mainly due to his genetic disease, which unfortunately had no cure. Over the years, Lin Yunshu had grown accustomed to it, relying on medication to suppress the symptoms and taking it one day at a time.

"Alright," he said, smiling at Guo Shengyao. "I’ll come if I have time. It depends on whether the boss has any arrangements tonight."

"He won’t let you off even at night?!" Guo Shengyao exclaimed indignantly. "That’s exploitation! He’s such a slave driver!"

"Keep your voice down," Lin Yunshu said, his expression turning slightly stern as he raised a finger to his lips. But his eyes remained gentle, tinged with helplessness. "The boss is actually very good to me."

He never hesitated to speak highly of Zhou Yu, especially since Zhou Yu’s salary and benefits for him far exceeded those of a typical secretary—even surpassing those of a group vice president.

So, despite Zhou Yu’s unpredictable and nitpicky nature, Lin Yunshu was willing to work under him.

Both professionally and personally.

Guo Shengyao pushed open the café door, and the two stepped outside. Soon, a luxury car appeared at the end of the street.

Lin Yunshu put on a professional smile.

Guo Shengyao mimicked him, smiling as well, and whispered in his ear, "The third one this week. I wonder if this one will work out."

The person in the car was Zhou Yu’s arranged match.

Although Zhou Yu had largely consolidated his power over the Lin'an Group’s core operations over the past two years, his retired father remained restless, occasionally stirring up trouble with his old connections to assert his presence.

As Zhou Yu consolidated his power, making it harder to interfere in group affairs, the old Mr. Zhou began arranging marriages for him under the pretext that he was of age to settle down.

"If you ask me, old Mr. Zhou is too impatient," Guo Shengyao muttered. "Our boss is only twenty-nine. At that age, the eldest son of Xiangyu Real Estate next door is still partying in nightclubs."

This arranged match happened to be with the younger son of Xiangyu Real Estate, just twenty years old and a high-level pheromone omega.

Zhou Yu himself was an S-level alpha, so old Mr. Zhou naturally sought a matrimonial candidate no lower than S-level.

Moreover, the chairman of Xiangyu Real Estate was an old acquaintance of Mr. Zhou, and the two families were exceptionally close. If Zhou Yu married into this family, old Mr. Zhou would have yet another reason to stir the pot.

"Boss," Guo Shengyao nudged his shoulder and asked quietly, "do you think it’ll work out this time?"

Lin Yunshu pursed his lips, his expression still calm. "It's up to fate."

But then again, Zhou Yu wasn’t even showing up. Even if the matchmaker wanted to tie the red thread, there was nowhere to attach it.

The luxury car stopped about two meters away. The automatic door slid open, and the two stepped forward to greet the occupant. Lin Yunshu nodded politely. "Young Master Mu."

The person in the car was helped out by the driver. It was September, and Young Master Mu wore a silk shirt with excellent drape, shimmering like pearls under the bright sunlight.

Xiangyu Real Estate rarely produced such a high-level omega, and the entire family doted on him, raising him like the center of attention.

Young Master Mu stepped out of the car, his hand still resting on the driver's forearm. Upon seeing Lin Yunshu, he first gave him a thorough, appraising look.

His scrutinizing gaze was undisguised, even carrying a hint of disdain.

Lin Yunshu acted as if he noticed nothing, curling his lips into a polite, professional smile. "Hello."

Even with such a respectful demeanor, he did not appear humble in the slightest. Instead, he carried himself with grace and poise, inexplicably making Young Master Mu feel a sense of pressure, as if facing a business counterpart.

Mu Yi was startled by this pressure, and then felt a surge of dissatisfaction toward the person before him.

Staring at Lin Yunshu's face, he instinctively compared it to his own, then subtly bit his lower lip. "So you're that lackey of Brother Zhou Yu?"

"What lackey?" Guo Shengyao said. "This is Secretary Lin."

"Secretary?" Mu Yi lifted his chin. "Isn't that just a follower?"

Guo Shengyao wanted to retort, but Lin Yunshu discreetly pressed her hand down.

His expression remained unchanged as he took a card from his briefcase and handed it over. "Hello, Young Master Mu. I'm Lin Yunshu, Zhou Yu's secretary. This is my business card."

Mu Yi glanced down but did not take it.

His driver, quickly stepped in, took it instead and said warmly, "Hello, Secretary Lin. It's an honor to meet you."

Lin Yunshu smiled and shook his hand.

Mu Yi looked around. "Where's Brother Zhou Yu?"

"The boss is attending an important forum in City A today and was unavailable," Lin Yunshu said. "He asked me to meet with you and hopes you'll understand."

"What?" The young master's expression suddenly changed. "He's not coming? He's supposed to be meeting me for an arranged meeting, and he's not even here? Are you making a fool of me?!"

Lin Yunshu bowed slightly, making up an excuse on the spot. "My apologies. Our boss truly has urgent matters to attend to, but please believe we are very sincere."

"Sincere?" Mu Yi sneered. "Do you think I'm stupid? Who are you to decide? If Zhou Yu wants to marry me, he should come see me himself. Otherwise, there's nothing to discuss."

With that, he turned to leave but was stopped after just one step.

Mu Yi curled his lips, thinking the little secretary wouldn't dare oppose him. But when he turned, he saw it was his own driver holding him back.

Secretary Lin stood calmly behind, unfazed.

The afternoon sun was actually quite strong, and Lin Yunshu's face was flushed from the heat, yet he remained composed.

Mu Yi seethed with renewed anger.

"Oh, young master, you need to be patient," the driver pleaded earnestly. "Our family and the Zhou family are not on the same level. Secretary Lin has been by Zhou Yu's side since he assumed his position. If you two get married in the future, Secretary Lin will be given a place of honor!"

"—Having Secretary Lin come to talk to us is not beneath you!"

Mu Yi bit his lip, somewhat persuaded. But he had already made his sharp words, and his pride made it hard for him to back down.

Lin Yunshu stood quietly in the back, watching the scene for a while. When the timing seemed right and the situation was about to become awkward, he spoke up:

"Young Master Mu, it's hot outside. Don't let the sun bother you. I know you have a love for sweets, so I've prepared some snacks for you. Shall we go inside to talk?"

Mu Yi slowly turned around, seizing the chance to save face. He walked a few steps over to Lin Yunshu.

He still disliked this secretary, feeling a deep-seated dislike rising from within.

He shook off the driver's hand and extended it toward Lin Yunshu. "You help me inside."

Even his own driver was stunned by this behavior. "Yo-Young Master..."

Guo Shengyao couldn't help but step forward angrily, ready to intervene. Lin Yunshu gently pulled her behind him, his smile unchanged, and took Mu Yi's hand.

"Young Master Mu, this way, please. There are steps—mind your step."

Mu Yi finally showed a satisfied expression and leisurely took his seat, commenting, "At least you know how to attend to people."

He was indeed accustomed to being pampered since childhood, viewing Lin Yunshu as nothing more than a servant in his household.

He was just a secretary, with no real power in the company. At the Mu family, even his father's secretary had to help him with his shoes.

Guo Shengyao was so angry she could barely stay calm, struggling to maintain her expression. "Young Master Mu, please mind your language."

Mu Yi then shifted his gaze to the girl beside Lin Yunshu and smirked. "Oh, so the follower has a follower too? Who do you think you are to speak to me?"

"Shengyao is a top-tier graduate of Capital University. Zhou Yu personally hired her into the secretary group," Lin Yunshu said warmly. "She is one of Zhou Yu's trusted aides."

He was protective—if others criticized him, he could brush it off, but he couldn't tolerate anyone targeting those around him.

He directly brought up Zhou Yu's name, making it clear that whoever caused the trouble should deal with it.

Mu Yi was stung. Even he knew better than to insult Zhou Yu. He touched his hair nervously and said nothing more.

Lin Yunshu then took out documents and a pen from his briefcase, adopting a formal tone. "Shall we discuss the marriage alliance—"

"Do I have a say too?" Mu Yi interrupted directly.

Lin Yunshu paused, then smiled. "Of course."

"Good, then I'll state my requirements," Mu Yi said.

Lin Yunshu set down his pen, assuming an attentive stance.

"I'll overlook it this time that Brother Zhou Yu didn't come," Mu Yi said. "But since he intends to marry me, the proper customs must be followed."

"Although it's an alliance marriage, our family is quite traditional. There must be pre-wedding ceremonies, engagement banquets, and they must be lavish to avoid losing face."

"After marriage, Brother Zhou Yu must make time to accompany me every day. As you know, omegas cannot lack companionship from their partners... But you're only a beta, so I suppose you wouldn't understand."

"I need competent staff to serve me. The maid my mother is used to won't be able to follow me to the Zhou family."

"You handle this. Be smart about it and pick a few clever ones for me to choose from."

...

He went on and on, unable to stop once he started.

Guo Shengyao came from an ordinary family and had never seen such entitled behavior. She almost felt as if she had traveled back to a bygone era and was stunned by what she heard.

Lin Yunshu, however, remained perfectly at ease, nodding occasionally and jotting down a few notes in his notebook.

But Young Master Mu's demands were simply too numerous. After a while, even Lin Yunshu couldn't help but drift off a little.

He pressed his temples, feeling a bit lightheaded.

"If we have a baby in the future, we'll need someone to take care of it. They must be carefully selected—can't let just any random person in."

"I think Secretary Lin is quite good at taking care of people. If you can’t find anyone for now, you can fill in temporarily... Hey, hey!"

He slammed the table abruptly. "What are you spacing out about?"

The sound startled Lin Yunshu, making his heart pound and ears ring. He pressed his lips together, unable to speak for a moment.

Guo Shengyao was alarmed by his expression and gently touched his arm. "Shifu?"

Lin Yunshu quietly adjusted his breathing, calming down slightly, and patted Guo Shengyao’s hand. "I'm fine."

"Hello? Are you even listening to me?" Mu Yi had never been ignored like this before and was furious. "What kind of people are you? Is this the standard of Lin'an Group’s secretaries?"

"Young Master Mu." As his heartbeat gradually steadied, Lin Yunshu looked at Mu Yi. "We have understood your requests. The rest will need to be run by our boss."

His attitude remained gentle but was no longer as patient.

"A marriage alliance is a matter for both parties. Perhaps you’re thinking too far ahead."

·

After seeing off the furious Young Master Mu, Guo Shengyao let out a heavy sigh. "Oh my god, I’m exhausted."

Lin Yunshu smiled and handed her a glass of water.

"Shifu, do you think Mu Yi has a few screws loose?" Guo Shengyao gulped down a large mouthful of water. "Does he think he’s a princess or what? Acting like that when nothing's even been decided yet, already acting like the chairman’s wife... and even daring to boss you around like some nanny!"

"He's crazy!"

Their car arrived. Lin Yunshu ushered the complaining Guo Shengyao into the back seat and greeted the driver with a smile.

The driver smiled back and started the car, heading toward the company. The rearview mirror reflected Lin Yunshu’s pale, weary face.

"Secretary Lin, you look exhausted," the driver said with concern. "You look even more worn out than when you went with the boss for out-of-town negotiations."

This made Guo Shengyao stop complaining. Lowering her voice, she looked at Lin Yunshu with worry. "Shifu, are you okay?"

Lin Yunshu didn’t meet their gaze. He closed his eyes, leaning his temple against the window, exhausted.

"It's really draining."

Author’s Note:

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The story begins! This time, it’s a sweet romance about marrying first and falling in love later. I even have drafts prepared for once! So excited! [patting head]