Zhou Yi was completely dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand why Liang Xianzhang seemed so obsessed with him. He turned his head away, avoiding his gaze, and instinctively tried to escape once again.

But an Alpha’s pheromones, stronger than before, surged toward him like a tide. The sweet floral fragrance wrapped around his entire body, and for a moment, Zhou Yi froze, his breath becoming shallow and rapid.

Liang Xianzhang’s gaze remained fixed on him. “I don’t want you to retreat or push me away,” he said, his voice firm. “You see, you like me too. No matter the scent, the kiss, or the touch—you need me as much as I need you.”

To be honest, Zhou Yi had never been so close to anyone before. The scent of Liang Xianzhang was overwhelming, and despite himself, he found it a little irresistible. But he didn’t want to admit it, so he spoke in a trembling voice, “I don’t like it, and I don’t need you.”

Liang Xianzhang wasn’t angered by his denial. Instead, he reached out, pulling Zhou Yi into his arms and not allowing him to reject the contact. As his fingers brushed over the sensitive gland on the back of Zhou Yi’s neck, he whispered, “You need it, and you like it too. Your scent has become stronger because of me.”

Zhou Yi’s face flushed deeply as his glands reacted under the touch. The sensation was like electricity coursing through him, his body shaking uncontrollably. He could no longer deny it. His body’s reaction was undeniable, and he could only weakly try to defend himself, “It’s just… I’m just affected by your pheromones. If you weren’t here, I’d have no problem.”

“Will there be no problem when I’m not around?” Liang Xianzhang’s smile faded, his cold expression turning dark and intense. He stepped closer, speaking with deliberate slowness. “Who was it that knocked on my door just now, who threw himself into my arms the moment he saw me, and who held my waist on the bed, crying and begging me to fuck you?”

Zhou Yi’s eyes widened in shock. His face turned bright red, and his ears rang with the intensity of Liang Xianzhang’s words. He never expected to hear such direct and intimate words from him.

“I won’t force you to admit it now,” Liang Xianzhang continued, his voice gentler, “but you can’t push me away.”

Zhou Yi, shaken by the realization, hesitated. “I… I don’t understand. Why are you so persistent? Is it just the pheromones?”

Liang Xianzhang shook his head. The soft light illuminated his profile, casting a warm shadow over Zhou Yi. He spoke slowly, “Maybe I was initially attracted by your pheromones, but pheromones alone aren’t enough to shake me. I’m not the type of Alpha who can’t see his own heart.”

He paused, looking at Zhou Yi with an earnest expression. “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m not the type to help people just for the sake of it. If I helped you, it’s because I wanted to. From the very beginning, it’s been different with you. I’ve never been this affected by someone before.”

Zhou Yi listened, his heart pounding in his chest. Liang Xianzhang’s words cut through the haze of confusion he had been feeling, and he realized the depth of what was happening between them. The more they were together, the harder it became for Liang Xianzhang to let go. Every interaction, every touch, only made him want more.

Liang Xianzhang’s emotions were no longer just influenced by the pheromones. He had begun to develop genuine feelings—feelings that were more than just physical attraction. He found himself wanting to spend more time with Zhou Yi, to see all of his expressions, to understand everything about him. Even the jealousy he felt toward an unknown Alpha, simply because Zhou Yi had allowed them to take and give, was a testament to how deep his feelings had become.

The realization that he wanted to protect Zhou Yi was new to him. He no longer wanted to see tears in his eyes. He didn’t want Zhou Yi to feel abandoned or alone.

If he had initially approached Zhou Yi merely for the sake of relieving his condition, he would have been willing to use any method to get Zhou Yi to cooperate. But now, it was different. Now, Liang Xianzhang wanted more—he wanted Zhou Yi in a way that wasn’t just about pheromones, but about genuine connection.

Zhou Yi’s confusion and unease didn’t go unnoticed. Liang Xianzhang’s voice softened as he addressed him, “You still don’t believe it, do you? You think this is all just about the pheromones.”

Zhou Yi, still reeling from the intensity of their conversation, shook his head. He didn’t know what to think, but there was something about Liang Xianzhang’s presence, his words, that made him question everything he thought he knew about relationships.

As the silence stretched between them, Liang Xianzhang moved closer, his hand gently cupping Zhou Yi’s face. “Even if it’s instinct, even if it’s pheromones, that doesn’t make my feelings any less real,” he whispered, his voice filled with resolve. “I want you by my side, Xiaoyi. I want to be the one who stays with you.”

For the first time, Zhou Yi felt the weight of his words. He didn’t know what this meant for their future, but he knew one thing for sure—things had just become infinitely more complicated.