When An Xun woke up again, the discomfort had lessened significantly. His throat parched, he looked pleadingly at Bo Xiangzhou.

Usually, no one besides the master was allowed in the bedroom, especially not someone looking as disheveled as An Xun. Catching the need in An Xun’s eyes, Bo Xiangzhou supported his arm, propped him up with pillows, and handed him a glass of warm water that had been prepared earlier.

After drinking half a glass of water fed by Bo Xiangzhou, An Xun’s pallid complexion hadn’t improved much. Clearing his throat, he took the glass from Bo Xiangzhou’s hands, his gaze shifting around the family doctor who stood by.

“Why is he here?” An Xun asked.

“Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that?”

“The doctor wasn’t called by me.” An Xun fingered the blue deer painted on his favorite ceramic cup, which he always used for drinking water. He was touched that Bo Xiangzhou had noticed such a small detail about him.

Bo Xiangzhou’s intention was to probe how much An Xun knew about his condition, not expecting the feverish An Xun to show a bit of temper.

“You didn’t sneak downstairs for a cold drink last night, did you?”

Bo Xiangzhou, a light sleeper, was easily awakened by any noise from An Xun. Normally, An Xun would be under the butler’s watchful eye within Jia He Estate, and Bo Xiangzhou hadn’t noticed any unusual activity last night. An Xun stayed tucked in bed all night and fell asleep quickly, so it baffled him how this omega could have fallen ill, as the doctor’s list of possibilities seemed unrelated to An Xun’s behavior.

An Xun looked confused. “No, I didn’t.”

Bo Xiangzhou was momentarily at a loss. An Xun’s sleeve was rolled up, showing a clear puncture mark with a bit of blood seeping out.

After hearing about Bo Xiangzhou’s symptoms, the family doctor fell into deep thought before speaking, “Madam, are you aware that you had a fever?”

“Just found out.” An Xun had a feeling about it, but he didn’t expect to have fainted so severely, grateful that his life had been spared.

Both Bo Xiangzhou and the family doctor wore silent expressions.

“What’s wrong? Did I get diagnosed with something incurable?”

His face grew even paler, his mind flashing back to the terrifying search results he had seen online during a previous fever.

Damn, could those have been right?

He had merely imagined such scenarios, never hoping they would come true. He hadn’t done anything heinous in his life, was kind to animals, and even rid the world of deceitful men for the good of society. He hadn’t enjoyed many good days yet—was he really doomed to die young?

Seeing the shift in An Xun’s expression, Bo Xiangzhou felt like knocking some sense into his head. “What are you fantasizing about all day? We’re just trying to figure out why you’re feverish.”

“Oh, that.” An Xun patted his chest, “I have a reaction to omega suppressants, getting a fever is pretty common for me. If I’m lucky, I react like most omegas without adverse effects.”

The family doctor nearly doubted his medical expertise, feeling the need to retrain himself. He and Bo Xiangzhou both sighed in relief, “The main ingredients in commercial suppressants are generally the same, and the technology isn’t fully mature yet, not perfectly suited for every omega. It’s not fatal, but in your case…”

“Is it serious?” An Xun thought too much. Could a fever land him on the news?

“Madam, let me finish. Frequent use of suppressants can lead to the body developing antibodies, making each subsequent heat more intense than the last. This is one reason why the government is eager for young omegas to find suitable alpha mates. For your condition, I suggest…”

He glanced at Bo Xiangzhou, “I suggest you stop using suppressants. Spending time with President Bo, you’ve inhaled enough alpha pheromones, and your body isn’t satisfied with suppressants anymore. I guess this fever is worse than before, a signal from your body. Of course, I’m just observing without hospital-grade equipment; if you doubt my words, you could get a thorough check-up at a hospital.”

An Xun’s spine stiffened. Doctors really do say what others won’t, fearless even in the face of the powerful. Was he asking Bo Xiangzhou to help him through his heat? Was that asking for a salary too high to spend?

An Xun imagined asking for a temporary mark, wondering if the dignified Bo Xiangzhou would scowl on the spot, thinking him shameless and lacking omega modesty.

“Without suppressants, how am I supposed to get through the heat?”

The family doctor thought his question incredibly stupid. Wasn’t it obvious?

He gave a meaningful look, but An Xun pretended not to understand, “Does this mean I should sleep in a separate room from President Bo?”

He would like that, but the Old Madam wouldn’t agree. She was like a faithful guardian of love, never knowing when she might pop over.

The family doctor explained, “The pheromones you’ve inhaled daily are enough; whether or not you share a room doesn’t make much difference.”

An Xun, eyes wide, “Then what should I do? I can’t just endure it, can I?”

Seeing omega dragging the topic further away, Bo Xiangzhou interjected, “Alright, just give him some fever medicine and go back to your work.”

An Xun looked anxious, unsure why, “Then how will I get through the heat?”

“Come to me.” Bo Xiangzhou said calmly, touching his forehead. “You’re better now that half the IV bag is in, not as hot.”

“When did I get an IV?”

“While you were too feverish to open your eyes.”

An Xun felt like he had slept through a century.

Bo Xiangzhou not only said things An Xun couldn’t remember but also took on the task of giving him a temporary mark.

He glanced at his right hand, spotting a barely noticeable puncture wound.

Bo Xiangzhou helped him lie down, preparing to leave, but An Xun grabbed his wrist, his initially resolute expression turning shy, “…Honey, it’s just a temporary mark, right?”

Bo Xiangzhou nodded, not fully understanding why he asked.

An Xun nodded back, mentally coaxing himself down the bed. A temporary mark was okay; he could only accept that, reluctant to engage in anything more. Despite the agony of the fever, he’d rather suffer through that.

Bo Xiangzhou left a final word, “I’m heading back to the office,” and left. After a while, An Xun, nearly suffocating, climbed out of the covers, his face flushed red.

He realized he might have a thing for being the vulnerable one in a temporary arrangement, needing a long conversation with himself for reassurance.

An Xun shared his thoughts with Tao Nian, who laughed after hearing them.

[Nian Nian]: It’s not a fledgling syndrome; you’re just incredibly nervous because you’re anticipating it too much.

[Nian Nian]: Why so nervous? It’s not like you’re losing anything significant. After being bitten by an alpha, you’re still tough.

Tao Nian was excited as he spoke.

[Nian Nian]: Even sleeping once is okay; just help me verify whether what they say online is true or not.

Tao Nian tapped into a short video app, finding a video to send to An Xun.

The video’s title read: It’s said that AOs with high compatibility are even more so in bed.

An Xun paused, wondering if such content was allowed online.

Clicking on the video, it featured a doctor from a well-known hospital.

The doctor was convincing, listing several examples. An Xun was initially convinced until he learned the answer was “yes,” his expression instantly turning to distrust.

He didn’t believe it, feeling the pain in his bottom just by watching the video.

·

An Xun thought he would get through this. Once the fever was gone, he started snacking, munching day and night, apart from avoiding staying up late. At night, he could sense a slight presence of alpha pheromones in the air, which made him feel a bit restless, but he quickly suppressed it.

An omega’s heat lasted a week, and he wasn’t idle. Taking the time, he went for a full-body check-up at the hospital and, at Bo Xiangzhou’s request, got a detailed examination on his body’s rejection of suppressants. The findings matched exactly what he had said, especially the doctor’s advice to find an alpha to balance him out in the coming months to potentially reduce future suppressant rejections.

When An Xun sent the medical report to Bo Xiangzhou, he only received a cryptic “rest well” in response.

Moreover, he sneaked into the office to sign a document, incidentally smacking the deadbeat playing with a calcium bottle at his desk.

After that, Meng Xiao was thoroughly scared of him, opting for a workstation far away from An Xun.

Disdain yet fear, An Xun couldn’t understand how someone could be so contradictory and fragile-hearted.

His desk was clean, just a few stress-relief toys and a drawer full of small pastries left. The bag was too small to carry important stuff, so he took a few toys that hadn’t yet been tainted by his touch and left the rest at the desk for the next unfortunate newbie at the company.

The company hadn’t approved his resignation yet, so he couldn’t leave. His boss even sent him a dozen messages, threatening him with his salary. Floating through his time at the Bo residence, his rebellious spirit kicked in, and in a fit of pique, he almost blocked his boss. He needed the screenshot of the resignation for just-in-case scenarios, so he set aside the thought of blocking him.

At night, An Xun sat in bed with a can of nuts, browsing his phone. He had heard rumors a few days ago about a luxury jewelry brand planning a charity gala, inviting business magnates, including Bo Xiangzhou.

An Xun hadn’t asked about it, but considering it was already nine o’clock and Bo Xiangzhou hadn’t returned, the rumors seemed true.

He had developed a habit of early sleep, growing drowsy at this hour. The glands on the back of his neck felt hot, a discomfort he had been ignoring for several nights. Turning off the light, he tried to sleep.

After a few days of incubation, the dam formed by the suppressant’s effects gradually crumbled. An Xun felt nothing unusual in his body, irritably scratching at his gland through the suppressant patch and venting his frustration on the blanket with a few kicks. By the early hours, the soothing pheromones left by Bo Xiangzhou were useless.

The repressed restlessness was fierce, more intense than ever before. An Xun’s face twisted in pain, his body desperately craving alpha caresses. He felt weak, gasping with every movement.

His mind was foggy, his reason and lust battling for control over his brain. Crawling to the edge of the bed, he tried to turn on the light by memory, but his brain was too caught up in the struggle, leaving no room for thought.

An Xun sat on the bed, his eyes filled with confusion. He wanted an alpha, he wanted suppressants, but he just couldn’t turn on the light, the air thick with the scent of lychees. Suddenly confused, he forgot what he was trying to do.

Then, Bo Xiangzhou, absent all evening, appeared before him.

He shielded his eyes from the harsh light, his desire surging upon smelling the alpha’s scent, every cell in his body clamoring.

An Xun’s brain was a mess, Bo Xiangzhou’s presence exciting his pheromones further. Desire swallowed his last bit of reason, his mind filled only with the alpha approaching him.

Bo Xiangzhou had been drinking, his eyes slightly dazed with intoxication, but his reason was unaffected. He touched An Xun’s forehead, reassured by the normal temperature.

He was about to speak when omega already gave the answer.

An Xun threw himself into his arms, his body temperature alarmingly high.

Bo Xiangzhou wasn’t sure how to feel, his instincts telling him this was his omega to take care of.

“Do you want to be marked?”

Even with the situation at a critical point, he made sure to ask An Xun’s consent.

An Xun tilted his head, not understanding, releasing pheromones without stopping Bo Xiangzhou from continuing to hold him.

The alpha’s pheromones were calm and deep, contrasting with the sweet scent of lychees. Usually, An Xun either ignored the alpha pheromones or didn’t notice much difference, but without exception, he had been unknowingly absorbing them all this time.

Bo Xiangzhou’s pheromones were intoxicating. An Xun buried his head in his chest, inhaling for several minutes. The heat in his body didn’t subside but flared even more, yet his reason slowly returned.

An Xun was startled by the situation; he had been so bold to jump on him. Had his character collapsed?

“Honey, you’re back.”

His voice was so delicate it scared him again, surely not his own.

With too much omega pheromone in the air, even with his strong will, it was hard to withstand. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“Uncomfortable…” An Xun wanted to pull his hands back, but they seemed glued to Bo Xiangzhou’s waist, not only unable to retract but also uncontrollably reaching for the alpha.

Bo Xiangzhou closed his eyes, and after a few seconds, looked up and grabbed omega’s wrists, his voice husky, “Do you want a temporary mark?”

The suppressed desire in his eyes, An Xun found this version of him exceptionally alluring.

He was already smitten by Bo Xiangzhou’s looks, desire clouding his senses, he foolishly said, “Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

An Xun paused for a moment, Tao Nian’s words flashing through his mind.

Just go with whatever feels good, Bo Xiangzhou won’t blame you, and if your character is ruined, you can always claim you lost your reason during your heat.

A bite is better than suffering from fever.

He thought about it; if it were someone else, he might not agree, but it was Bo Xiangzhou, his instincts telling him to trust unconditionally.

An Xun’s voice was very soft, “…Yes.”

His tone was tinged with anticipation.

“Turn your back to me.” Bo Xiangzhou pulled off his tie, unbuttoning the top button of his shirt.

An Xun’s eyes reddened at those words, which sounded somewhat indecent.

His ears burning, he turned his back to Bo Xiangzhou, who pulled him into his arms.

Alpha’s hot breath on the back of his neck, as he drew closer, An Xun’s heart pounded like a drum.