Chapter 1: Advanced Age

Chapter 1: Over the Hill

"Look at your age, you're 35 already, you can't keep up with our workload anymore."

"What you need most is to focus on your family."

Cai Gu hadn't expected to walk into the office and face a scolding from his boss. He cowered, his large frame nearly curling in on itself, his hunched shoulders squeezing the cleft between his chest muscles even deeper.

Huo Qizhou sat in his leather chair, legs crossed. Nearing forty, he was no longer young, but he was still as captivated by those full chest muscles as he had been in his youth.

As if he were seducing him with a pitiful pose.

Huo Qizhou had regretted countless times that he hadn't dragged this foolish Beta into bed sooner, sinking his sharp teeth into the back of his neck, injecting pheromones into his barren gland.

After countless rebuffed advances, Huo Qizhou's heart had bred an inexplicable obsession: to make Cai Gu kneel on the bed himself, begging Huo Qizhou to kiss him.

Cai Gu finally realized his boss meant to fire him. He had never imagined losing his job at thirty-five would happen to him.

He quickly looked up, but his eyes met Huo Qizhou's, and he deflated like a balloon, mumbling, "I... I can keep up."

Huo Qizhou narrowed his eyes and fixed them on Cai Gu. Despite his neglect of self-care, Cai Gu's face was still smooth and soft. The fine lines that came with age only made him appear more mature.

The loose work uniform couldn't hide his sexy curves—his chest and rear strained the fabric taut.

It was because of this body that Huo Qizhou had once made a fool of himself, mistaking Cai Gu for an Omega disguised as a Beta who just gave birth and was still lactating.

Huo Qizhou spoke deliberately: "Why do you think I would give up a bunch of young Alphas applying to our company for an ordinary Beta who's nothing special?"

Cai Gu fidgeted with his fingers. Betas had low social status; they could only take the most mundane jobs, like worker ants, nameless and unknown.

He was not particularly good-looking, nor outstanding in ability, except for this body...

At that thought, Cai Gu's eyes suddenly lit up. He quickly unbuttoned his uniform, stripping off his jacket in front of Huo Qizhou, revealing the tight tank top underneath.

He knew his chest was ridiculously huge; wearing just the work uniform made it look odd and revealed the shape. To appear normal, Cai Gu always bought tight undershirts to flatten his chest.

Huo Qizhou watched as Cai Gu approached. The air seemed to fill with fragrance. When Cai Gu stood before him, he could no longer hold back; his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

Cai Gu didn't notice his boss's flustered movement. Instead, he grabbed Huo Qizhou's hand and placed it on his muscular arm.

Cai Gu's body temperature was very high, nearly burning Huo Qizhou's hand. Before Cai Gu could speak, Huo Qizhou eagerly began to stroke his arm.

It was the first time Cai Gu had actively invited him. Huo Qizhou leaned down, shedding his usual composure, pressing his face close, his high-bridged nose brushing against the wheat-colored muscle.

This was a healthy tan from the sun, like ripe autumn wheat, giving off a mouthwatering scent.

When Huo Qizhou's actions grew increasingly excessive, Cai Gu, though puzzled why inspecting muscles required being so close, obediently crouched on the floor, letting his boss sniff his arm like a dog.

After smelling, Huo Qizhou's hand went to his own belt. He decided to enjoy Cai Gu right there in the office, pinning him to the desk, gripping his slender waist, making sure the sounds traveled out for any Alpha coveting Cai Gu to hear.

Huo Qizhou's voice trembled with excitement: "Have you made up your mind?"

He was already planning where to hold the wedding. His and Cai Gu's wedding would be grand. He would have Cai Gu wear a strapless wedding dress that would fully expose him with a slight tug.

The air was thick with Alpha pheromones, enveloping Cai Gu completely. But Cai Gu, standing at the center of the storm, was oblivious. His timid, avoiding eyes now shone with hope.

Cai Gu lifted his head and tentatively proposed: "I have. I can help the company unload cargo. The young Alphas don't want to do that kind of work. I have a lot of muscle; I can handle heavy labor."

*Click.*

Cai Gu followed the sound to see Huo Qizhou's belt undone. Desperate to stay at the company, he hurriedly helped re-fasten it.

He bent over, loose wisps of hair brushing his cheeks.

In the past, such a gesture would have sparked countless taboo fantasies in Huo Qizhou's mind, but now he was simply enraged.

Huo Qizhou pinched Cai Gu's face, gritting his teeth: "That's what you meant by your earlier action?"

Cai Gu's eyes were innocent: "Mm... mm."

"Hah." Huo Qizhou's fingers tightened, leaving marks on Cai Gu's chin. He really shouldn't have expected anything from a stupid Beta. He smirked: "Fine, Cai Gu. You're very good."

Hearing his boss's praise, Cai Gu pursed his lips, the corners slightly lifting. He thought he could stay, but Huo Qizhou's next words froze him: "You can't stay at our company anymore. But I can arrange a new job for you."

"You said you can do heavy work, right? Then go be a school security guard. There are only students there. You'd better protect them well."

The boss grabbed Cai Gu's bulging muscle: "Use these muscles of yours."

Cai Gu drooped his head in dismay as he stood up. He had worked at this company for nearly fifteen years, and being thrust into an unfamiliar environment filled him with fear.

But seeing his boss's obvious dissatisfaction, he didn't dare push further. He crept out of office with his tail between his legs.

Just as Cai Gu was about to leave the office, Huo Qizhou called after him: "Cai Gu."

Cai Gu turned around blankly, locking eyes with Huo Qizhou's deep eyes. He quickly lowered his head again, avoiding his boss's gaze.

"Don't you have anything to say?" Huo Qizhou's lips were pressed into a thin line. Like a venomous snake, he fixed his gaze on Cai Gu, taking in every reaction.

Cai Gu hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Can I have the severance pay?"

Huo Qizhou took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and pointed at the door: "Get out!"

As Cai Gu exited, he heard the teacup crash against the door. The sound made him shiver and hunch his shoulders.

He had been thinking of secretly reporting his boss but quickly gave up that idea.

Back at his desk, Cai Gu lay there in confusion, biting his finger as he tapped his phone. He counted his savings over and over, but the amount didn't increase.

"Brother Cai, what happened?"

"Did the boss scold you? Don't take it to heart. That old man is probably going through manopause."

Cai Gu, only a few years younger than his boss, blinked. Soon, his desk was crowded with young Alphas, their pheromones fighting for dominance in an attempt to monopolize Cai Gu.

But the oblivious Beta couldn't sense the pheromones.

"Brother Cai, after my brother heard that you brought me lunch, he asked me to give you this chocolate he bought from abroad."

Seeing the beautifully packaged chocolate in his colleague's hand, Cai Gu looked up and gently pushed it away: "I can't bring you breakfast anymore, so I can't accept the chocolate."

"Why?" His colleague was confused. Everyone in the office was smug to eat Cai Gu's cooking, not just because he was a good cook, but also because his carefully prepared daily meals gave young Alphas the illusion that he was their wife.

Cai Gu sighed helplessly: "I'm leaving the company. I'll be working somewhere else."

His expression was apologetic, he tore off a sticky note and handed it to his colleague: "If you ever don't have time to buy lunch, you can call this number a day in advance to order. Their food is clean and tastes good."

The sudden news left the colleagues stunned, their eyes wide: "Huh? Huh?"

"No, Brother Cai, why are you leaving?"

"Is it the boss? I knew it—that old man's losing his mind."

"Freakin' psycho, can't get a wife, so he's all pent up..."

Seeing his colleague crossing a line, Cai Gu quickly covered the Alpha's mouth with his hand, so anxious he could barely get the words out: "Don't, don't say that. It's my fault. I'm too old."

Cai Gu's palm was rough but broad and warm. The Alpha breathed in and said, all infatuated, "Brother Cai, your hand smells so good."

"Bang."

Huo Qizhou glowered darkly at the two who were acting intimately: "Why aren't you back to work? What are you standing around for?"

Seeing his boss approaching, Cai Gu guiltily withdrew his hand.

"Grab your stuff. I'll drive you home."

Under the young Alpha's gaze, Huo Qizhou led Cai Gu out.

They didn't talk the whole ride. Cai Gu just held the box, staring blankly at his reflection in the window. After making eye contact with Huo Qizhou, he quickly pressed his head against the window, like a frightened quail.

Even though he was huge—bigger than Huo Qizhou—he was still so easy to push around.

Cai Gu's home was on the edge of the city. Although it was far from the city center, it had taken all his savings to buy it.

Before Cai Gu got out of the car, Huo Qizhou held out an envelope, pinched between his fingers: "Go to Yasa Academy tomorrow. Just hand the letter of introduction to the staff."

Cai Gu carefully tucked the letter away: "Then, I'll be going. Take good care of yourself. Smoke less; it's bad for your health."

Huo Qizhou had already reached for a cigarette but stopped. He watched Cai Gu's departing back—the sway of his waist under the thin shirt and the prominent curve in his suit pants.

Huo Qizhou clicked the lighter, the flame igniting the cigarette. He slowly let out a puff of smoke, his eyes dark and menacing.

Once Cai Gu had been out there a while, he'd realize that by his side was the safest, most comfortable place to be.

The neighborhood was on the edge of the city, a motley crew of people, with many coming and going. Not seeing any thugs downstairs, Cai Gu hurried home as fast as he could.

Although Cai Gu's home was very small, it was cozy and well-decorated.

Back in the familiar place, Cai Gu could no longer hold it in. He covered his face, crouched on the floor, a complete mess, and cried softly.

Tears streamed down his cheeks, and the small room echoed with his sobs.

After crying, Cai Gu wiped his tears clean with a handkerchief. His eyes red and swollen, he turned on the computer and searched for "Yasa Academy."

In a hoarse voice, he read the introduction on the page.

"Yasa Academy is a school founded and funded by the Federation. It's an all-Alpha institution..."

Below were all the big names who had graduated from the academy. Seeing those familiar names that he could only see on TV, Cai Gu couldn't help opening his mouth wide: "So impressive."

Completely different from an ordinary Beta like him.

At the bottom of the school introduction there was also a link to the school forum, which required identity verification. Although he couldn't log in successfully, after learning about the academy, Cai Gu's mood improved a lot.

If that was the case, the children at the school should all be very well-behaved.

Cai Gu started to feel some anticipation for the next day's work.

Author's Note:

(1) The male lead is an adult, 18 or older.

(2) There has always been a power gap; there's no anti-alpha or any of that.

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(3) Although there is a power gap, the Alphas are all crazy about the bottom.

(4) The bottom is very handsome, with curves in all the right places, a great beauty. Not a plain bottom! No way!

(5) The number of Alphas hasn't been decided; though I joked with friends in the group that there would be seven.

(6) Although I think it's unnecessary, I feel everyone will care about it, so I'll say it: The Alphas are all virgins! All of them! The kind who haven't even had their first kiss.

(7) The bottom is a sweet and naive person. Don't expect him to rise up; he's naturally a bottom, the kind who doesn't even know how to resist when taken advantage of.

(8) Everyone loves the bottom, falling for him at first sight. Who wouldn't like a voluptuous beauty?