Chapter 28

Chapter 28

A week earlier.

Qiao Yuexun had just finished a magazine cover shoot when he received a call from his agent, Zhou Lin.

The voice on the other end could barely contain its excitement: "Yuexun, can you come to the company right now?"

He didn't need to be told—Qiao Yuexun already knew exactly what could make Zhou Lin this happy.

His fingers tightened slightly around the phone, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. His tone remained unchanged, only the faint tremor at the end of his words betrayed the turmoil within.

"Alright, I'll head over now."

With a brief reply, he had his assistant pilot the aircraft to the company's aerial landing pad.

Xingyao Media's aerial landing pad.

As Qiao Yuexun stepped into the elevator lobby, he ran into the company's boss, Meng Linwan, who was just leaving via the private elevator.

Meng Linwan was the heir of the Meng family, a twenty-seven-year-old male Alpha.

The Alpha, exuding an overbearing, cold demeanor, paused mid-step, swept his gaze over Qiao Yuexun, and gave a curt nod.

"Mr. Meng," Qiao Yuexun greeted politely.

Meng Linwan gave a low hum of acknowledgment, his voice deep and businesslike: "As per our arrangement, Xingyao has secured the Aegis endorsement for you. Don't disappoint me."

His words were brief and direct, devoid of any superfluous explanation or personal sentiment.

Qiao Yuexun replied calmly, "Mr. Meng, I won't let you down."

After he finished, Meng Linwan made no further comment, simply withdrawing his gaze and striding toward the aircraft parked in its designated spot.

As they passed each other, Qiao Yuexun caught a faint trace of rum-scented pheromones—the signature of one in a position of power.

He stood there, watching the aircraft take off, before turning and walking toward the elevator.

Qiao Yuexun went straight to his agent's office.

Zhou Lin was a Beta who had spent over a decade navigating the industry. He wasn't a top-tier player, but he had solid connections and a steady hand.

Seeing Qiao Yuexun enter, he stood up and locked the door with careful, deliberate movements.

"Mr. Meng just called me in," Zhou Lin said in a lowered voice, his eyes gleaming. "He's already sealed the deal with Aegis—you're to be the face of the 7th-Gen Inhibitor."

Qiao Yuexun didn't lose his composure over this enormous piece of good news.

He sat down on the sofa, as if asking Zhou Lin, or perhaps himself, "How did Mr. Meng pull that off?"

Zhou Lin sat across from him and gave a knowing smile. "How else? The usual—resource exchange, mutual benefit."

There was a note of admiration in his tone: "Our Mr. Meng is no simple man. He's not just Xingyao's CEO."

Qiao Yuexun understood the implication.

The Meng family, to which Meng Linwan belonged, was one of the most elite families in the Federation. Though not among the seven great houses, they had deep roots in traditional spheres of influence, controlling one of the Federation's three major media conglomerates—"Universal Communications."

Xingyao was a subsidiary of Universal, and Meng Linwan's stint as CEO here was one of his trials as heir.

They both shared a moment of reflection over resources utterly out of reach for ordinary people.

The office fell silent for a few seconds, broken only by the faint hum of the central AC.

Zhou Lin suddenly spoke up. "We really need to thank Director Liu this time."

"Indeed," Qiao Yuexun said, nodding thoughtfully.

Director Liu was the head of the Artist Business Cooperation Department at Aegis's marketing division and a college classmate of Zhou Lin's. It was through this old connection that Qiao Yuexun had initially gotten the chance to shoot for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor promotional project.

Zhou Lin's gratitude toward him was for yet another boost.

When selecting the spokesperson for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor, Zhou Lin had proposed including Qiao Yuexun in the pool of candidates.

Zhou Lin sat down at his desk, leaned forward, and said, "And Director Liu gave me the inside scoop—after their department submitted the artist list, President Wen personally cut several people, and you were one of them."

Qiao Yuexun furrowed his brow.

Zhou Lin shifted gears and continued, "But later, after Director Liu submitted his report, President Wen agreed to add your name back."

Hearing this, Qiao Yuexun's brow relaxed.

He asked, "Are you sure—he first excluded me, then agreed to add me back?"

"Absolutely," Zhou Lin added with another meaningful smile. "Details like that in the internal process—Director Liu has no reason to fabricate them just to take credit."

"President Wen." Qiao Yuexun said only the title, his gaze fixed on the void as he recalled that heart-stopping night.

That day, due to an unexpected turn of events, things had spiraled out of control.

But this time, he could rest easy—the endorsement he wanted was already his.

Zhou Lin observed Qiao Yuexun's expression, leaned in closer, and lowered his voice. "Yuexun, be honest with me—that day on Shadow Island, besides releasing pheromones to calm things down, did anything else really happen?"

A flash of that day's events crossed Qiao Yuexun's mind.

"No," he replied quickly.

That was the truth—at least, the part that could be spoken aloud.

"Then why is Mr. Meng supporting you so much? Even going personally to negotiate with President Wen?" This sounded more like Zhou Lin's muttered musing, laced with genuine puzzlement.

A capitalist like Meng Linwan never acts without profit. To secure the endorsement, Qiao Yuexun had offered him a bargaining chip he couldn't refuse.

But that wasn't something Zhou Lin needed to know.

Zhou Lin's tone returned to its earlier admiration. "Well, whatever really happened behind the scenes, what matters is the result. This is Aegis, after all!" He emphasized again, "The 6th-gen inhibitor holds half the market share—the reputation and brand value are rock solid. What this endorsement means, you know better than I do."

Qiao Yuexun knew that all too well.

It meant an endorsement fee far above his current standing, top-tier exposure, and high-quality promotional resources. It meant a leap in commercial value and public recognition. With luck, it could be enough to make him a true "household name."

A wave of elation washed over him, but right on its heels came an even greater ambition.

"On the contract side, the company will fight for the best possible terms," Zhou Lin said, pulling him back to reality.

Even though he had full confidence in Qiao Yuexun, Zhou Lin couldn't help but reiterate, "These next few days, get yourself in top shape. No surprises. Wait for the official notice."

"I'll also make sure nothing leaks before the contract is officially signed."

Qiao Yuexun nodded and pushed open the door.

His face alone was highly recognizable, and the staff outside greeted him politely.

"Good morning, Qiao."

Qiao Yuexun responded warmly to each of them.

But his mind was on someone else.

Wen Yanxu.

That night, on Jueying Island, he had watched that man walk away with Wen Jueqian in his arms, without so much as a backward glance.

Qiao Yuexun narrowed his eyes.

The elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside.

The metal walls mirrored his face.

He studied the face in the mirror—still faintly unfamiliar—and slowly curved his lips into a smile.

No rush.

He'd waited all these years; he had plenty of patience.

————

When Wen Jueqian woke up, his eyelids felt heavy, as if something were pressing down on them.

The spot beside him was already empty, and the air still held the faint, sweet scent of Datura pheromones.

Wen Jueqian pushed himself up into a sitting position. He glanced at the clock—exactly seven in the morning.

After washing up, he left the bedroom.

The floor was paved with Calacatta white marble, every slab's veining meticulously matched, as if it were one single piece.

At the end of the hallway, a crystal art installation stood silently at the corner.

It was called "Bound Heart."

At the center was a suspended crystal "heart" with golden clouds swirling inside. Countless fine filaments extended from its surface to the crystal shell encasing it, light and shadow shifting as the light moved.

It was placed along the only route to the dining room, and it turned Wen Jueqian's stomach every time he passed it.

He recalled the design plan for the new house Wen Yanxu had sent him a few days ago—drawn up entirely to his specifications.

Wen Jueqian looked away.

Just a little longer, and he wouldn't have to look at it anymore.

Wen Jueqian stopped at the entrance to the dining room.

Wen Yanxu was seated at the ebony dining table, a nearly finished breakfast before him. This touch of domesticity softened the imposing, aloof coldness that usually clung to him.

At the sound of footsteps, Wen Yanxu looked up.

"Awake?" His gaze lingered on Wen Jueqian's face, a slight frown creasing his brow. "Not feeling well?"

Wen Jueqian said coolly, "Mm, I didn't sleep well last night."

Wen Yanxu paused for a moment. He set down his utensils and leaned back in his chair, his posture opening up as if inviting him closer.

"Come here," he said.

Wen Jueqian walked over and sat down beside him.

Wen Yanxu asked, "Is it because of the server stress test issue?"

Wen Jueqian wanted to retort: *Don't you know in your own heart what you did?*

But he couldn't say that.

Before the contract was officially signed, the choice of spokesperson was an internal secret of Aegis. Under normal circumstances, he would have no way of knowing.

If he called it out directly, he couldn't explain how he knew.

"Mm." Wen Jueqian simply hummed in acknowledgment and started eating his breakfast.

Wen Yanxu asked casually, "Did you eat properly at noon? Come by Aegis at noon and let me check."

Wen Jueqian's hand tightened around his utensils.

The contract signing was set for the morning.

But Wen Yanxu was asking him to have lunch together at noon—was he planning to come clean once everything was settled?

"We'll see." Wen Jueqian answered noncommittally.

The conversation ended there.

They finished breakfast in silence, broken only by the faint clink of utensils.

———

Wen Jueqian's walk-in closet was enormous, with clothes meticulously organized by color, season, and occasion. The central island and wall display cases showcased watches, jewelry, and accessories.

He casually picked up a pre-matched outfit hanging by the mirror.

In the mirror, he looked tall and slender. The vintage brown pinstriped suit jacket hung open, while the vest beneath was buttoned meticulously. The matching shirt and tie gave him a gentle, refined air.

When he came out, Wen Yanxu was already waiting in the entryway, also dressed in formal wear.

Wen Jueqian's gaze lingered on Wen Yanxu for a moment before dropping to his own outfit.

The same pinstriped suit—but in a colder dark gray. The same wool-blend fabric. Even the pocket watch chain draped across the vest was the same style.

Standing together, anyone would see it not as coincidence but as deliberately matched—understated yet impossible-to-ignore couple's attire.

Wen Jueqian recalled how others would describe him in the future:

"Wen Jueqian's possessiveness showed in every way. On Wen Yanxu's wrist was a Patek Philippe 6002G, with a tiny abbreviation of his name hidden deep in the dial; the gemstone cufflinks he often wore were crafted by the same 19th-century artisan who had made Wen Yanxu's pair, originally commissioned for a noble couple. At banquets, when someone raised a toast, he would look at Wen Yanxu, who would naturally take the glass he'd sipped from and drink it dry. Everyone knew he was showing off, marking his territory, telling the world: Wen Yanxu is mine."

But the truth was quite the opposite.

It was Wen Yanxu who loved doing all these things.

It was Wen Yanxu who, unbeknownst to Wen Jueqian, would have designers prepare matching outfits and accessories; it was Wen Yanxu who meticulously designed that engagement ring and insisted that they both wear it at all times; it was Wen Yanxu who, when Wen Jueqian was present, would have the entire private room ban smoking on the grounds that "my fiancée doesn't like the smell of smoke," even though Wen Jueqian would never make such a request.

Wen Yanxu always loved to assert ownership in this way.

This was his domineering control, and it was also the love Wen Jueqian couldn't live without.

This love had once firmly wrapped around Wen Jueqian.

"Let's go." Wen Yanxu held out his hand.

His palm was slightly tilted, not fully open, with fingers loosely curved, forming an arc that could close at any moment—a gesture brimming with control.

Wen Jueqian paused for a moment, then, as he had for the past seven years, willingly placed his hand in that grasp.

————

The Aegis Group headquarters tower stood in the heart of the central business district of Yinmian City, the capital of Yinsong State.

The ninety-nine-story glass-and-steel building gleamed brilliantly under the midday sun, like a sword thrust into the clouds.

At ten in the morning, Wen Jueqian passed through the revolving door and stepped into the center of this vast commercial empire.

The lobby soared nearly twenty meters high, the floor was polished to a mirror shine, and employees hurried past in all directions.

"Mr. Wen."

A crisp, professional female voice came from ahead.

Wen Jueqian turned and saw Wen Yanxu's assistant, Chen Suye, striding toward him across the lobby.

She was in her early thirties, wearing a well-tailored deep blue suit. Her short hair was neat, and a gold badge of the seventh rank at Aegis hung on her chest.

In Aegis's ranking system, that already qualified as middle management.

"Assistant Chen." Wen Jueqian nodded slightly.

Chen Suye stopped in front of him, a perfectly measured apologetic look on her face: "I'm so sorry, Mr. Wen. I should have come down earlier to meet you. I hope you haven't been waiting long."

It wasn't really her fault, though.

The original appointment was set for noon, but Wen Jueqian had asked 99 to find out the exact time of the signing ceremony for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor endorsement contract. That's why he had arrived early.

He knew that with the business endorsement advanced to this stage, blocking it for a personal reason—like minding that Qiao Yuexun was an omega with a high compatibility match with Wen Yanxu—would bring tremendous negative consequences for both his own reputation and Wen Yanxu's.

He was powerless to stop it.

But driven by a refusal to concede, he still wanted to come and see it with his own eyes, and to confront him face to face.

"Mr. Wen is busy right now and asked me to bring you up first." Chen Suye led him toward the executive elevator. "He specifically instructed that you wait in his office—he'll be there shortly."

Wen Jueqian stepped into the elevator and turned to face her: "He's in a meeting?"

Chen Suye paused briefly in the middle of swiping her card, then resumed as normal.

"To be precise, he's attending the endorsement signing ceremony."

After saying this, she cast a cautious glance at Wen Jueqian.

She still remembered the list she had given Wen Jueqian not long ago.

And on that list, there happened to be a name that matched the endorser's.

Wen Jueqian looked at her and asked, "Can I go watch the signing ceremony?"

This request clearly put Chen Suye in an awkward position.

Wen Yanxu had only told her to bring Wen Jueqian to the office to wait, nothing more.

But she couldn't easily refuse a request from Wen Jueqian either—after all, the entire secretarial office knew exactly how much he meant to Wen Yanxu.

Wen Jueqian had no intention of making things difficult for her either; he simply asked, "Which floor?"

Chen Suye hesitated for only a second before answering, "Thirty-second floor."

Wen Jueqian stepped past her and pressed the button for the thirty-second floor without hesitation.

The elevator began to ascend.

At that moment, a flood of dramatic scenes flashed through Chen Suye's mind.

As a competent assistant, she was also among the first to hear the rumors surrounding Wen Yanxu.

Rumors about Wen Yanxu and that omega endorser.

A candidate Wen Yanxu had originally eliminated had been re-proposed by him as the endorser.

And Mr. Wen's early arrival seemed to have a purpose of its own.

Standing behind Wen Jueqian, she carefully sent a message on her light-screen.

"Mr. Wen is coming to observe the signing ceremony."

Then Chen Suye silently prayed for her boss.

The elevator doors opened onto a carpeted hallway.

Wen Jueqian walked along the corridor. The moment he pushed open the door to the venue, he happened to catch the most critical moment of the signing ceremony.

The soft sound of the door opening made a few people seated near the entrance instinctively look up.

Wen Jueqian ignored them. He stood at the side entrance, his gaze sweeping past those people and landing on Wen Yanxu.

Several rows of people sat on either side of the long conference table.

Wen Yanxu sat in the central seat at the head of the table, holding a black pen, signing his name on the last page of the contract.

He was wearing the dark gray plaid suit from the morning, exuding an air of haughty elegance.

On his right sat the spokesperson for the 7th-Gen Alpha Inhibitor.

On his left sat Qiao Yuexun.

This was the third time Wen Jueqian had seen Qiao Yuexun.

Unlike the calmness of the clinical observation area and the dishevelment of the seaside, today he was different.

Coincidentally, today he was wearing a gray suit similar in color to Wen Yanxu's, with his chestnut short hair neatly styled, revealing a smooth forehead and refined features.

Flawless.

Now that's more fitting for a big star's image.

Qiao Yuexun kept his head slightly lowered, signing his name on the contract.

Wen Yanxu finished signing the last contract, set down his pen, and pushed the documents to the legal staff beside him.

Then he stood up, first shaking hands with the Alpha spokesperson on his right, flashing a standard, polished business smile and brief congratulations.

Then he turned to the left.

Qiao Yuexun had already stood up, turning slightly to face Wen Yanxu directly. He extended his hand, his face carrying just the right mix of gratitude and humility.

Wen Yanxu took that hand.

And in that instant, he caught sight of Wen Jueqian.

Those ice-blue eyes flickered with surprise for just a split second.

But Wen Yanxu quickly tamped it down, slipping back into his composed, commanding President Wen mode.

"Congratulations," Wen Yanxu said to Qiao Yuexun, his tone exactly the same as he'd used with the Alpha spokesperson—all business, proper, and distant.

Qiao Yuexun smiled back and said something Wen Jueqian didn't catch.

After the group photo, Wen Yanxu's gaze lingered on Wen Jueqian for one more second, then he turned and quietly gave a few instructions to a nearby staff member.

The whole time, his expression didn't change, his movements didn't pause, as if Wen Jueqian's arrival had been part of the plan from the start.

The staff member got the order and came to the side door to invite Wen Jueqian to sit.

Wen Jueqian moved to a different spot and quietly watched the rest of the ceremony.

His face gave nothing away.

But his eyes never once left Wen Yanxu.

Yet the look in them wasn't his usual gentleness.

Chen Suye stood beside him, feeling something off in the air that made her afraid to breathe for no reason she could name.

She said another silent prayer for President Wen.

The signing ceremony wrapped up.

Wen Yanxu walked straight up to Wen Jueqian with steady, purposeful steps, his eyes brimming with tenderness and concern.

"Did you get tired of waiting?" His voice was soft—a world away from the commanding presence he'd shown during the ceremony.

Wen Jueqian shook his head. "No."

Wen Yanxu reached for Wen Jueqian's hand on the armrest, but Wen Jueqian pulled it back and stood up, casual as anything.

One simple dodging move was all it took for Wen Yanxu to know something was off.

"Let's talk upstairs." This time, Wen Yanxu's hand shot to his shoulder, gripping it with quiet firmness, steering Wen Jueqian toward the door.

The two walked out of the conference room side by side, murmuring to each other.

Just from behind, they were similar in height, well-matched in build, and even their outfits complemented each other perfectly—like some unspoken agreement.

Back in the conference room, Qiao Yuexun stood there, watching the two figures disappear through the doorway.

His gaze stayed on the closed door for a long time.

Unlike on Jueying Island.

Today, he saw it clearly.

Wen Yanxu was refined and cold, his aura sharp but restrained; Wen Jueqian was elegant and distant, his presence calm and removed.

If you ignored gender—

When the two stood side by side, they were just a perfect match.

Zhou Lin noticed Qiao Yuexun still staring at where the two had gone and asked, "What's up?"

He dropped his voice, almost like a warning: "This is Aegis."

Qiao Yuexun dropped his gaze, tucking away that unnameable feeling, and followed his manager out.

The two reached the ninety-third floor.

The entire floor was Wen Yanxu's office territory. When the elevator doors opened, the first thing in sight was the secretaries' office, where the staff immediately stood up to greet them.

Wen Yanxu nodded and led Wen Jueqian through the secretaries' area toward the office on the right.

The door clicked shut behind them.

The office was huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the busiest part of Yinmian City.

The desk was custom-built from a single slab of rosewood. On top, besides the computer and documents, sat a photo frame—a picture from the day Wen Yanxu and Wen Jueqian got engaged. Both wore white formal attire, with Wen Jueqian leaning in slightly, holding a bouquet of champagne roses and white lisianthus.

On the right side of the office was a hidden door leading to a fully stocked lounge, complete with a bed, private bathroom, and even a small gym.

On the left, by the window, Wen Yanxu had used a folding screen to carve out a private corner: a set of cream-colored plush sofas, a shaggy rug, and a small side table that always had a few of Wen Jueqian's favorite books on it.

This was Wen Yanxu's special corner for Wen Jueqian—a comfy spot for him when he had to wait for Wen Yanxu to finish work.

Though both were busy with work, this spot rarely got used.

Now, only the two of them were in the office.

Wen Jueqian shrugged off his suit jacket and walked over to sit on the white sofa.

Wen Yanxu followed, moving to pull him into a hug.

Wen Jueqian raised his hand to block him.

He stood up, looking down at Wen Yanxu.

His gaze directly expressed his displeasure.

"Don't you have something to explain?"

Facing his resistant gesture, Wen Yanxu was silent for a few seconds.

Then he asked, "Explain what?"

The question even carried a hint of innocence.

"Why did Qiao Yuexun become the spokesperson for Aegis's 7th-Gen Inhibitor?"

Wen Jueqian's voice carried an unintentional edge of sarcasm; in his view, Wen Yanxu was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

Despite Wen Jueqian's accusatory tone, Wen Yanxu looked genuinely puzzled, yet he explained in a serious tone: "After this period of urgent crisis management and internal review, the fallout from the Shadow Island attack has been minimized. Moreover, as the victim in this incident, Aegis actually won public sympathy, which unexpectedly gave the 7th-Gen Inhibitor a huge pre-launch boost."

Seeing Wen Jueqian look away, refusing to meet his gaze, he paused briefly before continuing: "Currently, the marketing department's pre-sale numbers and sales projections are climbing steadily. The 7th-Gen Inhibitor is the first major project I've led on my own. A breakthrough in core technology is only the first step; achieving large-scale production and capturing the market is what really counts."

Wen Jueqian reached for the cup on the low table, using the motion to dodge Wen Yanxu's hand as it tried to reach for him again.

"What does that have to do with choosing Qiao Yuexun as the spokesperson?" he cut straight to the chase, stressing every word.

Wen Yanxu didn't avoid the question.

"His help that day came at just the right time," he said. "If not for his pheromones calming me down, I might not have stayed lucid enough to drive off Rustfire and find you."

Even though he already knew, Wen Jueqian's heart still clenched when he heard Wen Yanxu openly acknowledge his gratitude toward Qiao Yuexun.

His fingertips curled slightly around the cup, pushing the surging emotions back down into his chest.

He looked back at Wen Yanxu and probed: "So this is your way of thanking him?"

Wen Yanxu mulled it over for a moment.

From a businessman's perspective, a verbal thank-you was the cheapest currency. Resource swaps and mutual benefit were the rules of the adult world.

"Originally, I planned to give him a one-year endorsement deal for Snow Velvet, a newer brand under Aegis's cosmetics subsidiary. It's been well-received among younger Omegas and Betas over the past few years."

"That way, it's classy and won't throw off the normal marketing rhythm."

As he talked, his hand quietly crept toward Wen Jueqian's other hand, which hung at his side. Taking advantage of the moment while he was focused on listening, he slipped his fingers into Wen Jueqian's curled palm, gently prying those anxious fingers open one by one and folding them into his own hand.

Wen Jueqian didn't notice what he was doing; he was too busy mulling over the shift in Wen Yanxu's argument.

"So why did you change your mind?" It came out sounding like an interrogation, and Wen Jueqian only realized how harsh it sounded after the words left his mouth.

"I mean, wouldn't the Snow Velvet endorsement have been enough?"

Wen Yanxu held his hand, gently rubbing his knuckles.

"My gratitude to him hasn't changed."

"His spokesperson deal was secured by someone else on his behalf—a marketing manager put together a feasibility analysis for him."

"First off, Qiao Yuexun is a rare S-class Omega. The higher an Alpha or Omega's rank, the more in demand they are. Their experience with inhibitors naturally sets an example for everyday consumers. An S-class Omega's endorsement is, in itself, the ultimate stamp of quality."

Wen Jueqian tried to pull his hand free, but Wen Yanxu tightened his hold.

Once he saw Wen Jueqian stop struggling, Wen Yanxu went on: "Second, before the Shadow Island attack, the induced heat outbreak in the conference room was played down in the overall coverage, but there's no guarantee some sharp-eyed person won't pick up on it."

"If word ever gets out that 'Aegis executives all went into heat right before the 7th-Gen Inhibitor launch,' all the PR goodwill we gained from the Shadow Island incident would go down the drain."

Wen Jueqian finished his thought: "The public would be angrier about being deceived than if they'd known the truth from the get-go."

Wen Yanxu gave him an approving look. "Exactly."

Then he seized the chance to slip in a compliment: "Qianqian, you really get public psychology."

But Wen Jueqian's expression didn't soften. "Don't change the subject."

Wen Yanxu smiled and kept going, laying out his logic clearly: "And Qiao Yuexun, after taking the 7th-Gen Inhibitor, was hit directly by an S-class Alpha's pheromones and still kept his cool. That's the best proof. If that day ever comes, he can step up and vouch that the 7th-Gen Inhibitor actually works."

Hearing this, Wen Jueqian frowned a little but didn't argue.

Wen Yanxu: "Third, it's because of Meng Linwan."

Meng Linwan? The second he heard that name, Wen Jueqian instinctively braced for whatever trouble he'd cause this time.

"To push Qiao Yuexun forward, he offered up a ton of resources in exchange. Universal Media's promotional channels, prime-time slots for the next three quarters, and placement spots on several major variety shows. These resources are extremely valuable for promoting the 7th-Gen Inhibitor."

For Wen Yanxu to rate it that highly, Meng Linwan's offer must have been seriously sincere.

As Wen Yanxu's words trailed off, the office fell silent.

He'd made his call purely from the company's standpoint, so airtight that Wen Jueqian couldn't find a single opening to argue.

Wen Yanxu's gaze landed on Wen Jueqian's lips, which had been unconsciously pressed tight with tension this whole time.

To put his mind at ease, Wen Yanxu added: "Don't worry about the rumors going around the company. I'll clear it up—that Omega has nothing to do with me. The choice for Aegis's 7th-Gen Inhibitor was purely a business decision."

Wen Jueqian's breathing grew shallower; the hand that Wen Yanxu wasn't holding had its nails digging into his own palm without him realizing it.

Wen Yanxu's reasons were sound and impossible to refute, and he'd even promised he had no personal feelings for Qiao Yuexun.

That left Wen Jueqian's anger with nowhere to go, stuck in his chest, gnawing at his heart.

Wen Jueqian looked up at Wen Yanxu.

Then he stepped forward, pressing his knee against Wen Yanxu's, and leaned in.

The space between them, which had felt so wide, suddenly shrank to within breathing distance.

Wen Jueqian's voice was quiet, his tone measured and clear: "On a personal level, he helped you, and indirectly me, so he does deserve thanks. From a business standpoint, he fits the requirements for Aegis's 7th-Gen Omega Inhibitor spokesperson perfectly."

Those misty silver-gray eyes moved closer, studying Wen Yanxu as if hunting for a crack in his flawless reasoning.

"So, from every angle, it looks like I shouldn't have any objections."

Wen Jueqian dropped his head, and images surged up out of nowhere.

It felt like another one of those moments where he had to give in.

Doing a small favor, conceding a small point, giving up your rights, forgiving an unintentional slight.

And then?

What would he become after giving ground inch by inch?

He remembered the moment that made him lose all faith in his father.

In that massive study, he listened to them discuss what he could be traded for, like a sacrificial lamb.

"Jueqian, Wenyuan Medical needs Hewei Investment. We have no choice but to ask you to put up with it for now."

Qiao Yuexun is the best fit as spokesperson for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor.

The 7th-Gen Inhibitor will sell like crazy, Aegis will rake in more profits, and Wen Yanxu's position will get even more secure.

Wen Jueqian just needs to swallow his resentment and tough it out a little.

That was all.

So he should yield once more, swallow his grievances, and tell himself again to compromise and endure.

Logic told him that Wen Yanxu didn't know about the "future," didn't know that this would entangle his fate with Qiao Yuexun's. It was just a routine business decision.

Wen Yanxu didn't know, so he shouldn't be blamed.

But the fury in his chest still snapped the thread of reason.

"Wen Yanxu." Wen Jueqian heard his own voice, raspy and trembling.

Wen Yanxu froze for a moment.

Wen Jueqian yanked his hand out of Wen Yanxu's grip, staring straight at him. His usually calm eyes were now churning with fury. "I don't want Qiao Yuexun as the spokesperson for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor!"

Wen Yanxu said, "Why?" sounding genuinely surprised.

Once the first angry words were out, the rest just kept coming.

"I can't stand it!"

"No matter how reasonable or normal your contact with that omega is, to me, it's all just a bunch of excuses!"

Wen Yanxu had never seen Wen Jueqian like this. The always composed, self-possessed man suddenly this angry—he froze for a few seconds before explaining, "Qianqian, I'm not making excuses here."

Wen Jueqian was breathing fast, wanting only answers.

When the anger shed its mask, what lay beneath was panic and grief.

"Does my will mean so little to you that you're okay with me being wronged?"

Did my tragedy, my future, come from this indifference of yours?

"Do you even want to protect me?"

Wen Yanxu leaned in, reaching for Wen Jueqian's face, explaining urgently, "Qianqian, you matter so much to me!"

Wen Jueqian turned away from his hand and refused to hear any of it.

After saying those words, Wen Jueqian seemed to have all the strength drained out of him. His tense shoulders slumped, he stepped back twice, his gaze drifting into some vague emptiness, leaving Wen Yanxu with only a tense profile to look at.

Wen Yanxu seemed to say something else, speaking faster than before, desperate.

But Wen Jueqian didn't respond, just stood there in silence, shutting everything and everyone out.

They stayed in the same positions—Wen Jueqian backed against the coffee table, Wen Yanxu standing in front of him.

He seemed boxed into this tiny space.

Until, at some point, Wen Jueqian's gaze accidentally swept over Wen Yanxu's hand hovering in mid-air.

Reaching out to get his attention through touch, then pulling back with restraint.

The motion kept repeating, over and over.

He followed that hand up—Wen Yanxu's brows were knit, his jaw tight, and his always-composed eyes were full of panic. When he noticed Wen Jueqian looking, they lit up again.

Wen Jueqian looked away.

But in his mind, a voice started talking about something else.

So Wen Yanxu wasn't always so composed either.

This discovery let Wen Jueqian breathe a little.

After a moment, he turned back to look at Wen Yanxu.

If anger and sorrow were useless, then who was he supposed to turn to?

His voice was no longer agitated—just lost and helpless as he asked, "Axu, am I wrong to mind?"

That question landed in the quiet office like a soft breeze.

But it set off a tsunami in Wen Yanxu's heart.

After the anger, the accusations, the attacks.

Wen Jueqian asked this question in a posture of total surrender.

As he had for the past seven years, Wen Jueqian was used to Wen Yanxu controlling everything, habitually looking to him for direction when lost, letting him lead, letting him decide.

After the dissatisfaction, the anger, the sorrow.

Even at the risk of getting hurt, Wen Jueqian would still choose to trust Wen Yanxu.

He tossed the question to Wen Yanxu, letting him answer it for him.

If Wen Yanxu said "you shouldn't," then that would be the end of it.

Wen Jueqian would bury all those thoughts deep in his heart and keep fighting his future fate alone.

Because he still couldn't leave Wen Yanxu behind.

Wen Yanxu looked at him.

The office light fell on Wen Jueqian's profile, his skin pale after the emotional storm, almost translucent.

His lowered lashes fluttered slightly, giving away his unease.

All that so-called reason, all that weighing of interests—it all vanished in that moment.

He even started to wonder how he could stand to let such sorrow show on Wen Jueqian's face.

Then he said, "You shouldn't mind."

Wen Jueqian had already assumed it would be an apology, so he reflexively said, "It's fine."

He had already accepted the reality of it.

"You need to promise me a few things..."

"You should have just told me you don't want me to have any contact with this omega, instead of brooding and hurting on your own." This time, Wen Yanxu was the one who interrupted.

Wen Jueqian shot back instinctively, "I did tell you—I mind his high compatibility with you."

Wen Yanxu felt something off. He paused and repeated, "High compatibility?"

Suddenly, Wen Yanxu remembered Wen Jueqian's words on Jueying Island: "There's an omega on this island with a 90% scent compatibility with you."

Wen Jueqian's unease was so palpable.

How could he have forgotten?

Wen Yanxu's consciousness suddenly went blank for a moment.

Then seamlessly connected to the next thought.

"The spokesperson for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor hasn't been announced yet." The topic shifted abruptly.

His words came a little faster, as if he were rushing to get them out before something else could happen. "Switching now won't do much damage to the brand. The official launch isn't until early next month—all the upfront costs can still be pulled. The contract penalty is 30%, and I'll take care of that."

Wen Jueqian stared at him, stunned, not quite grasping what Wen Yanxu was getting at.

Wen Yanxu pulled out his light device.

"I'll contact the marketing and legal departments right away."

Only then did Wen Jueqian snap out of it. "What are you doing?" He grabbed Wen Yanxu's hand in a hurry, his voice laced with disbelief.

Wen Yanxu paused, looked up at him, and said firmly.

"We're switching the spokesperson."

Wen Jueqian went still.

"Qianqian." Wen Yanxu called his name, his voice soft but his tone solemn. "I promised I'd never do anything to hurt you. But I still let profit and a bunch of other reasons stop me from putting your feelings first."

He went quiet after that.

The only sound in the office was Wen Jueqian's light device buzzing.

Wen Jueqian looked at him.

In those ice-blue eyes, there was no dodging, no guilt—just remorse and honesty.

No matter the reasons, he'd ultimately agreed to let Qiao Yuexun be the spokesperson for the 7th-Gen Inhibitor.

Wen Yanxu knew, with painful clarity, that he'd messed up.

This alpha, always so domineering and arrogant, bowed his head and said to the man he loved, "I'm sorry. I'll end this contract that's hurting you."

Wen Jueqian's breath hitched, and he stood frozen in place.

After deciding to tough it out, he'd thought about a lot of things—how to demand compensation from Wen Yanxu, how to tell him he didn't want him having any more contact with Qiao Yuexun.

But he'd never once imagined hearing those words from Wen Yanxu. It hit him harder in the chest than any promise or compensation ever could.

Then Wen Jueqian suddenly reached out, looped his arms around Wen Yanxu's neck, and buried his face in his shoulder.

His fingers dug in hard, with everything he had, like a drowning man clutching a piece of driftwood.

Ever since yesterday, that suffocating dread that fate would barrel toward its predetermined end had been hanging over him.

Wen Jueqian felt like prey trapped in a spider's web—the more he struggled, the tighter it wrapped around him.

He was afraid he'd walk straight into the fate destiny had woven for him.

But now, he wasn't scared anymore.

Because he knew that no matter how powerful the predator that had caught him, no matter how airtight the web of fate, Wen Yanxu would come to save him.

It had been that way in the past, and it was that way now.

Wen Jueqian buried his face deeper, his lashes fluttering as a single tear slipped down.

Wen Yanxu felt the wetness against his neck, and his heart ached all over again.

He lifted his hand and rubbed Wen Jueqian's back. The warmth of his palm soaked through the fabric, his touch gentle, like he was soothing a kitten.

"Qianqian." His voice whispered against Wen Jueqian's ear, soft and serious. "Don't worry. It's just a spokesperson switch—I'll take care of it."

He slid his arm around Wen Jueqian's waist and pulled him in closer.

The cold that had clung to Wen Jueqian's body ever since he'd entered Aegis melted away as he sank fully into that warm embrace.

"You're what matters most."

Wen Yanxu's lips grazed Wen Jueqian's earlobe.

Wen Jueqian finally lifted his head.

He looked at Wen Yanxu, then kissed him.

At first it was just lips on lips, soft, tentative.

Wen Yanxu took control, and the kiss deepened, grew more intense.

It was a long time before they finally pulled apart.

Wen Jueqian pressed his forehead to Wen Yanxu's, breathing soft and shallow.

Wen Yanxu's thumb brushed the corner of his mouth, wiping away the dampness.

Wen Jueqian looked at him, a smile curving his lips, and said, "Let's not switch after all."

Surprise flashed through Wen Yanxu's eyes.

He gave Wen Jueqian's cheek a gentle pinch, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "If we don't switch, I'm afraid this little kitten will be too worked up to sleep every night."

Wen Jueqian pressed his hand down, still shaking his head. "Seriously, there's no need to switch."

"Why not?"

Wen Jueqian's tone grew serious. "I heard everything you said. The 7th-Gen Inhibitor is your first big solo project. Switching spokespersons without a solid reason would look bad for you."

He bit his lip, then added, "I don't want that to happen."

Wen Yanxu let out a sudden laugh.

"How did we end up swapping roles?" he asked. "Who was the one upset before? Now you're the one telling me not to switch?"

Wen Jueqian got a little flustered by his laugh.

He turned his face away a little, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks. He pressed his lips together briefly, then shot Wen Yanxu a glare that was half playful, half annoyed.

Wasn't he just worried about making things hard for Wen Yanxu too?

Wen Yanxu looked at him like that, and his heart turned to mush.

He reached out and pulled the person back into his arms, letting him lean against him, and said reassuringly, "Qianqian, don't worry about me."

"If a decision is wrong, it should be corrected before more costs are incurred."

Wen Jueqian leaned against his chest, reluctant, and said, "But from Aegis's perspective, choosing Qiao Yuexun as the spokesperson is indeed suitable, and the resources Meng Linwan brings would also maximize profits."

This was indeed a problem, Wen Yanxu thought, his hand unconsciously rubbing Wen Jueqian's waist.

That waist was slender and lithe, and one palm could easily wrap halfway around it. His fingertips pressed with just the right amount of pressure. Somewhere along the way, Wen Jueqian's vest had come undone, and Wen Yanxu's hand brushed over the sensitive skin through the thin fabric of his shirt.

Wen Jueqian felt a bit ticklish, and also an indescribable tingling sensation, and he squirmed slightly.

In response, Wen Yanxu's arm tightened around his waist, pulling him firmly into his embrace, his palm pressed flat against the curve of his waist.

Before Wen Jueqian could squirm again, Wen Yanxu suddenly spoke, "Qianqian, do you know what the real breakthrough of the 7th-Gen Inhibitor is?"

Wen Jueqian looked up. He had read up on the 7th-Gen Inhibitor, but wasn't sure why he was bringing it up now, and looked at Wen Yanxu, confused.

"The mechanism of traditional inhibitors is to suppress the heat and rut periods by inhibiting pheromone levels." Wen Yanxu's voice regained its steady, commanding work tone. "But the 7th generation works differently. We bioengineered universal pheromones. It doesn't suppress the glands—it tricks them."

"An Alpha's glands will think they've completed the marking, and an Omega's glands will think they've been marked. Then, the rut and heat periods pass smoothly, without forced suppression or any of those side effects."

He paused, his eyes landing on Wen Jueqian's face.

"This is a revolutionary product. Its marketing shouldn't follow the old playbook either."

"No single celebrity can fully embody its concept and meaning." His voice was low and powerful. "Because it's not about one person's experience—it's about the brand-new possibilities for Alphas and Omegas."

Wen Jueqian looked at him, momentarily stunned.

Rational, decisive, radiating an air of total control.

His racing heart told him he'd always fall for this Alpha's charm.

Wen Yanxu looked at him, smiled softly, leaned in, and kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Thank you."

Wen Jueqian barely gathered his thoughts and asked, "What are you thanking me for?"

"Thanks for helping me figure this out." Wen Yanxu pressed his forehead against Wen Jueqian's. "I've been stuck on which spokesperson to pick, but never considered that maybe we don't need a specific celebrity as spokesperson at all."

He took out his light computer and began quickly arranging work.

He fired off one command after another, crisp and decisive.

After sending the last message, he set down the light computer, leaned in again, and kissed Wen Jueqian once more.

"One more thing."

Wen Jueqian: "What?"

"I'd like to invite you to lunch."

Wen Jueqian was a little dazed from the kiss: "Didn't we already make plans this morning?"

Wen Yanxu's eyes sparkled with amusement. "It means something different."

"What meaning?"

"It's a thank-you gift."

He stood and held out his hand to Wen Jueqian.

"Come on, let's grab lunch. Before the afternoon meeting, I just want to be with you."

Wen Jueqian looked at his outstretched hand and smiled.

He put his hand in his.

As always.

==========Author's Note:==========

I've basically burned myself out trying to get the angsty parts done quickly.

The main story won't dwell on how Wen Jueqian and Wen Yanxu met and fell in love seven years ago; that'll be covered in a separate side story.