Chapter 6 “We Can Get Married.”

Chapter 6 "We Can Get Married."

Returning from his aunt's house, Lin Yunshu was completely drained.

He staggered into the bathroom, immediately hopped into a hot shower, hoping to wash away the disgusting images swirling in his mind.

Unfortunately, afraid of fainting like the day before yesterday, he kept a strict eye on his shower time.

Once his hair was dry and he had changed into pajamas, Lin Yunshu stood in front of the bathroom mirror.

It was a fairly large mirror—clean, spotless, and well-lit.

The reflection showed him with well-proportioned features and a smooth face shape; the baby fat had faded with time, and almost everyone who met him would compliment his good looks.

But now, he only felt that the bags under his eyes were obvious, and he wondered if he still lived up to it.

He opened the drawer and took out the suppressants.

For ordinary omegas, suppressants are only used during their heat, and those with alpha partners might only use them a handful of times a year.

But Lin Yunshu used them every day.

Suppressants were more important to him than meals.

He unwrapped an injector and skillfully gave himself the shot in his arm.

The gland was actually the most effective injection site, but Lin Yunshu didn’t want anyone to see the back of his neck full of needle marks.

Due to the suppressant injections, both his arms were covered in bruises, so he wore long-sleeved shirts year-round. Fortunately, his job required formal attire anyway, which worked out perfectly.

After injecting one tube, Lin Yunshu went ahead with a second one. It wasn’t until he picked up the third that he remembered the doctor’s advice to reduce the dosage.

But he didn’t know when his heat would come. What if the dosage was too low…

After a moment of hesitation, Lin Yunshu ultimately didn’t proceed with the injection. Instead, he took a few more blocker pills, finally felt calm enough to sleep.

·

On the other side, Zhou Yu, after showering, cozied up on the couch.

On the other end of the phone screen, it was a bright, sunny day.

"So, do you want to get married or not?" His friend Tan Cong mumbled through a mouthful of sandwich, looking confused.

"Of course I do," Zhou Yu said. "But only with someone I like."

Tan Cong thought for a moment. "Still that underclassman from college?"

Zhou Yu smiled without answering.

"Seriously? It’s been so many years, and you still haven’t gotten through to him?"

"You don’t understand," Zhou Yu said. "He’s different."

Tan Cong: "…"

"He’s a tough nut to crack—it takes a lot of effort to get him to open up. You can’t force it."

Tan Cong: "…………"

"So how much have you managed to pry open after all these years?"

"About fifty percent," Zhou Yu said confidently.

Tan Cong: "?"

Zhou Yu said, "At the very least, we’re now in a relationship where we’re spending days and nights together."

"Really? It seems to me he’s a lot more into his job than he is into you."

Zhou Yu: "Keep eating that sandwich—hope it’s poisoned."

"…" Tan Cong sighed. "Buddy, if it’s really not working, maybe just let it go. Back then, you pulled some strings to get him to come work in Lin’an—playing pitiful and tempting him with perks. It’s only because he’s kind-hearted that he fell for it."

"But after all these years, isn’t he still all work and no play with you?"

Zhou Yu winced—that struck a chord.

Thinking about Lin Yunshu’s attitude toward him—polite yet distant, not even as warm as back in college when he affectionately called him "senior."

"So what?" Zhou Yu stubbornly dug in his heels. "If it really doesn’t work, I’ll just try another scheme."

Tan Cong wore an expression that said, "What’s your next move, hotshot?":

"What other tricks do you have?"

Zhou Yu lowered his eyes, his pupils dark and deep. "At the very least, now everyone knows I’m looking to get married."

·

Late at night.

Lin Yunshu jolted awake drenched in sweat, a little past 3 a.m.

His heart was pounding severely, almost as if it would burst out of his chest, with a searing pain in his chest.

The pain spread from his heart throughout his body. Lin Yunshu went rigid, frozen in place, curling into a ball as he twitched and shuddered uncontrollably.

He could clearly feel his body deteriorating, something deep within him breaking beyond repair.

He was swallowed by overwhelming darkness, like a black fog tightening before his eyes, consuming him until all his senses faded.

In that moment, he truly experienced the feeling of nearing death.

Over ten minutes later, the fog lifted.

By the moonlight, Lin Yunshu could just barely see the outlines of the furniture in the bedroom again.

His body gradually softened, and fresh air filled his nostrils, but the soaking wet sweat and cold limbs relentlessly reminded him of the close brush with death he had just endured.

His mind still not fully clear, Lin Yunshu hauled his weak body upright and almost stumbled to the desk, firing up the computer.

He was afraid.

Only when truly facing the approach of death did he understand how terrifying and hopeless it felt.

But he was also greedy—unable to let himself die just like that, yet equally unable to accept losing the career he had dedicated himself to.

"Just let me have this one selfish wish…" he whispered raspily.

He wants to keep both his life and his job.

His fingers trembled so much he could barely hold the mouse. Lin Yunshu struggled to click open the document, typing out a line with shaky hands, one character at a time.

“—Voluntary Salary Reduction Application”

·

9 a.m., Lin'an Group headquarters.

Zhou Yu walked into the office. This morning, the flowers on Secretary Lin's desk were yellow roses paired with baby's breath, their petals adorned with glistening dew.

Secretary Lin stood by the printer, printing documents.

The sunlight outside the window was just right, wrapping him in bright yellow velvet. The half of his face visible in the light carried an aura of extremely tranquil beauty.

Hearing the sound of footsteps, he looked up.

Lin Yunshu's eyes were a light yellow, resembling glass objects submerged in water under the sunlight. Once again, Zhou Yu found himself mesmerized.

Only belatedly did he notice the dark circles under Lin Yunshu's eyes.

Even after a full day of rest, he didn't seem much more spirited. He still looked weak.

The printer continued to hum softly. Zhou Yu approached and lightly supported Lin Yunshu's shoulder. "Still not resting well?"

Lin Yunshu nodded instinctively.

His gaze remained fixed on the printer's output tray, his head slightly lowered. Zhou Yu could see the extremely graceful curve of his neck beneath the collar.

The next second, as if thinking of something, Lin Yunshu looked up. "I don’t mean to ask for another day off."

His anxious display of loyalty made Zhou Yu chuckle.

"I know," Zhou Yu teased. "Secretary Lin’s reputation as a workaholic is well-known by now."

Lin Yunshu didn’t respond, but a light blush rose on his cheek.

Zhou Yu found it remarkable.

There was something different about Secretary Lin today—something particularly special, particularly good-looking.

Reluctantly, Zhou Yu shifted his gaze away. "Suit yourself. Today’s workload isn’t heavy anyway."

Lin Yunshu nodded. "Thank you."

Zhou Yu said nothing more, reminding him not to eat in the cafeteria for lunch and to eat together later, before turning and entering his own office.

Only after the door closed did Lin Yunshu let out a long sigh of relief. He bent down to retrieve the printed documents.

He carefully checked each page, bound them neatly, and placed them in a folder, mentally preparing himself.

Walking quietly to Zhou Yu’s door, he rehearsed his words one last time, ensuring there were no oversights, before knocking on the metal door.

"Come in."

Zhou Yu’s calm voice came from inside.

Lin Yunshu took a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping into his direct superior’s office.

Zhou Yu was bent over his large desk, looking through something. He didn’t look up when Lin Yunshu entered but instead reached out his hand very familiarly.

This was part of their daily morning routine.

Lin Yunshu would prepare Zhou Yu’s daily schedule in table form for him to review and confirm.

The next moment, Zhou Yu’s fingers paused, and he straightened up.

Lin Yunshu watched as he flipped through the two-page application several times before looking up.

"Voluntary Salary Reduction Application," Zhou Yu said, his brow lowering slightly. "Secretary Lin?"

Lin Yunshu subtly clenched his fingers, maintaining an expression without waves.

"I voluntarily request a thirty percent salary reduction. Could you... give me some of your pheromones?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Yunshu felt instant regret.

It was absurd.

Making such a request in this manner was utterly absurd—completely unlike something Lin Yunshu would do. It felt like child’s play.

Zhou Yu must think he’s lost his mind.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl.

Lin Yunshu lowered his eyes slightly, unable to confidently meet his superior’s eyes.

He had no idea how this would go.

Over the past year, he had become increasingly unable to decipher Zhou Yu’s thoughts. Similarly, he couldn’t begin to imagine what his superior was thinking at that moment.

A growing premonition arose in Lin Yunshu’s heart—Zhou Yu would refuse him.

He would definitely refuse.

"Secretary Lin, you..."

Zhou Yu seemed at a loss for words and instead let out a light laugh.

It was a faint, unreadable laugh.

Zhou Yu closed the folder and slid it back across the desk, his tone neither light nor heavy.

"No."

Lin Yunshu closed his eyes, his heart sinking.

As expected...

What superior would agree to such a baffling request from a subordinate?

"Sorry," Lin Yunshu said, picking up the folder, almost wanting to escape the place.

But as he turned to leave, his superior called out to him.

He turned back and saw that Zhou Yu was still smiling.

It was a smile Lin Yunshu knew well—one Zhou Yu only wore during negotiations.

"But we can get married," Zhou Yu said.

"You know, I happen to need a suitable partner for marriage."

Author's Note:

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