Early in the morning, as Shang Yichen finished washing up and walked out of his room, he was greeted by the fragrance of freshly cooked rice. Zhou Yi, wearing an apron, was placing the prepared breakfast on the dining table.

When Zhou Yi looked up, he saw Shang Yichen walking toward the table. He immediately pulled out the chair for him and said with a smile, “Mr. Shang, you’re up.”

Shang Yichen nodded, walked over, and sat down. He looked at the hearty breakfast before him. “What’s for breakfast?”

Zhou Yi moved the plate closer to him. “Freshly made century egg and lean meat porridge, a bacon sandwich, and fruit and vegetable salad. I know you prefer a light breakfast, so I didn’t put any dressing on the salad, and the bacon was cooked in olive oil for a healthier touch. For drinks, would you like coffee, soy milk, or milk?”

“Coffee,” Shang Yichen replied.

“Okay.” Zhou Yi walked into the kitchen, brought out the freshly brewed coffee, and placed it beside Shang Yichen. With a gentle smile, he added, “It’s freshly ground. Just brewed a moment ago, so be careful, it’s hot.”

Shang Yichen noticed Zhou Yi’s well-behaved smile, which reminded him of Gu Shuning, and took the coffee with satisfaction. But the next moment, he caught a faint scent of pheromones, the kind that didn’t belong to him—Omega pheromones.

He frowned. “Why do you smell like Omega pheromones?”

Zhou Yi’s heart skipped a beat. He looked up at him with feigned innocence. “Maybe when I went to the supermarket to buy vegetables earlier, there were too many people, and I accidentally got it on me.”

Shang Yichen glanced at him indifferently. “Next time, have things delivered. I don’t like other people’s pheromones in my house—it’s unpleasant.” He didn’t seem suspicious, but his tone was firm. “Go take care of it now.”

Zhou Yi lowered his head and agreed, turning to head to the bathroom. Once inside, he sprayed a pheromone-neutralizing mist on himself, took several suppressant pills, and splashed his face with cold water.

Despite taking precautionary measures, the pheromones still leaked. His physical condition was worse than he thought.

If Shang Yichen found out he was an Omega, this substitute job would be over, and he would undoubtedly be fired.

Zhou Yi stared at his reflection in the mirror, his hair still wet. He didn’t want to lose this job.

On one hand, he knew the world wasn’t very friendly to Omegas—especially with the way they were affected by Alpha pheromones and estrus cycles. Many jobs wouldn’t hire Omegas.

On the other hand, this substitute job paid him well for little work—food and accommodation were provided, and he only had to tolerate the occasional whims of his sponsor, earning 200,000 yuan a month. It was far more comfortable than working in a company as a wage slave earning only a few thousand a month.

The most urgent task was to prevent Shang Yichen from detecting pheromones in the house again. A few times wouldn’t raise suspicion, but if it happened too often, he would get suspicious.

Zhou Yi stared at the empty blister pack of suppressants in his hand and decided he’d visit the hospital for a stronger suppressant once Shang Yichen left.

When Zhou Yi came out of the bathroom, Shang Yichen had finished breakfast and was preparing to tie his tie.

This was the perfect opportunity to make a move.

Zhou Yi quickly walked over and said, “Let me help you with your tie, Mr. Shang.”

Shang Yichen glanced at him but didn’t refuse. Zhou Yi took the tie from his hands and skillfully tied it while asking, “Mr. Shang, will you be home for dinner tonight?”

Shang Yichen looked at him thoughtfully, then replied, “I have to work overtime and won’t be back. You can have lunch and dinner by yourself.”

Zhou Yi’s mood lightened at the news.

If Shang Yichen wasn’t coming home tonight, it meant he didn’t have to maintain his obedient, considerate persona. He could enjoy his own night without any restrictions.

With that thought, Zhou Yi’s smile grew even warmer. He raised his head and replied, “Okay, Mr. Shang.”

Shang Yichen was struck by the warmth of Zhou Yi’s smile, which seemed to shine with sincerity. He also noticed something he hadn’t before—a small light brown mole under Zhou Yi’s eye. He hadn’t noticed it until now.

Moreover, Shang Yichen felt an odd sensation in this moment—a sense that Zhou Yi seemed happy that he wouldn’t be coming home tonight, rather than feeling the usual sense of loss.

This realization made Shang Yichen’s brows furrow slightly. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something seemed off. He paid little attention to Zhou Yi, and the reason he kept him around as a stand-in was because his profile resembled Gu Shuning’s.

Additionally, Zhou Yi was a Beta, which made him much easier to deal with than the unpredictable Omegas who experienced estrus at any time.

Shang Yichen looked at Zhou Yi, his gaze slightly scrutinizing as he scanned him from head to toe. Seeing Zhou Yi obediently tie his tie, he thought perhaps he had overreacted.

After all, Zhou Yi secretly liked him to the point of devotion. Shang Yichen had noticed how Zhou Yi woke up an hour earlier every morning to prepare breakfast. When he got home late, Zhou Yi would sit on the couch, waiting for him until dawn.

Zhou Yi was always willing to fulfill his requests, no matter how unreasonable, until Shang Yichen was satisfied.

Shang Yichen didn’t mind these attempts at flattery, as long as they remained subtle and didn’t disturb his own mood.

Zhou Yi, unaware of Shang Yichen’s internal thoughts, admired the bow tie he had neatly tied and, as usual, smiled and reminded him, “Mr. Shang, be careful on your way to work.”

Shang Yichen, dressed in an elegant dark suit, looked at Zhou Yi’s gentle smile. His suspicion faded, and he responded coldly, turning to leave.

Once the apartment door closed behind him, Zhou Yi’s smile immediately vanished. He yawned. Acting on an empty stomach had been exhausting, but judging by Shang Yichen’s expression, he knew his performance had been flawless.

Zhou Yi walked slowly to the kitchen, opened the cupboard, and took out a white bag with the KFC logo on it. He discarded the empty coffee cups and porridge containers into the trash can.

The breakfast he had just prepared for Shang Yichen was a pre-order from KFC, something Zhou Yi had ordered earlier. He wasn’t keen on getting up early to prepare a complicated breakfast for Shang Yichen.

Whenever Shang Yichen came over, Zhou Yi would order from KFC and pick it up from a nearby store before Shang Yichen woke up. He would also grab sandwiches and fruit-and-vegetable salads from the convenience store, then plate everything neatly.

Shang Yichen never suspected anything and always thought it was Zhou Yi’s work. Zhou Yi knew that someone like Shang Yichen, wealthy and refined, had probably never eaten this type of chain fast food. That’s why he had switched the containers and plated everything—so it looked presentable.

Zhou Yi pulled out a smoked chicken pancake from the bag and took a few bites, feeling satisfied as the food filled him up.

After finishing his breakfast, Zhou Yi started preparing to go out. He first booked a hospital appointment using his phone, then went back to his room to change clothes.

He opened his closet, revealing a row of neatly arranged white shirts and suit pants—plain and pristine.

Of course, for someone like the “Bai Yueguang” character, white shirts and suit pants were standard attire.

All the clothes in his closet had been specially bought by Shang Yichen. It was clear that they were chosen according to Gu Shuning’s style.

But today, Zhou Yi wasn’t planning to wear these “work clothes.” Instead, he opened another drawer, took out a skull-printed short-sleeved shirt and ripped jeans, and fully armed himself with a hat and mask. This punk-style outfit would ensure that even if he ran into Shang Yichen on the street, he wouldn’t be recognized.

After finishing his preparations, Zhou Yi closed the door and took the elevator downstairs. He ordered a car via a taxi app, choosing not to drive the car Shang Yichen had given him—he didn’t want the trouble of running into someone he knew.

Zhou Yi went to a private hospital known for its excellent service and strong privacy. After receiving a one-on-one examination, he entered the VIP treatment room with his test results.

Inside, a man wearing glasses sat across from him, looking like a young talent. Zhou Yi glanced at his name tag, which read “AΩ Internal Medicine, Liang Shaowen.”

After reviewing Zhou Yi’s test results, Dr. Liang’s expression became serious. “Your condition is very concerning. Many of your indicators are below half the normal levels. Normally, high-quality Omega pheromones don’t become so disordered. Do you have a partner?”

Zhou Yi immediately shook his head. “No, I take medication to get through my estrus periods.”

Dr. Liang adjusted his glasses. “What’s the dosage you’re taking each time?”

Zhou Yi thought for a moment, then explained, “I usually take about twice the normal dose—or more—if I feel any signs of estrus or pheromone leakage.”

Dr. Liang frowned and looked at him disapprovingly. “Your pheromone secretion is stronger than most Omegas. Taking large amounts of medication to suppress the pheromones without any management has caused them to accumulate in your body. Have you been experiencing pheromone leakage recently?”

Zhou Yi nodded. “Yes…”

“This is the result of overusing inhibitors,” Dr. Liang sighed. “The overdose has caused resistance and side effects. At this point, even special medications won’t help you. Inhibitors can only provide temporary relief, not a long-term solution. Given your high-quality Omega status, suppressing your estrus with drugs will be difficult, and you’ll likely experience more frequent pheromone leakage and irregular estrus symptoms.”

Zhou Yi realized his situation was far worse than he had thought. If this continued, it would be hard to hide it from Shang Yichen, and his substitute career would be in serious jeopardy.

“Is there no way to treat this?” Zhou Yi asked, feeling anxious at the thought of being discovered as an Omega.

Dr. Liang paused, then said, “I wouldn’t normally suggest this, but in your case, it might be best to find an Alpha with a higher compatibility to mark you. If that doesn’t work, sexual relief and soothing can help alleviate your symptoms.”

“Will that solve the pheromone leakage and irregular estrus?” Zhou Yi asked.

“I can’t say for certain, but it will help relieve the symptoms. The higher the compatibility with the Alpha, the more effective it will be in soothing you.”

Zhou Yi nodded, absorbing the information. “Okay, thank you, doctor.”

Dr. Liang handed him a prescription. “This is for emergency use. You can take it immediately if something urgent happens.”

Zhou Yi glanced at the prescription and asked, “Only emergency medication? No inhibitors?”

Dr. Liang’s eyes narrowed. “I’d advise against taking inhibitors right now. They could put too much strain on your body. And please, stick to the prescribed dosage. Stronger medications can have stronger side effects, especially for high-quality Omegas like you. Take care of your body—it’s too rare and valuable to be treated carelessly.”

More than ten minutes later, Zhou Yi left the clinic, feeling somewhat depressed. He hadn’t expected Dr. Liang to be so blunt and unforgiving.

Zhou Yi sighed, feeling overwhelmed. Since coming here, things had rarely gone smoothly. While acting at home was manageable, this new issue was looming large.

Frustrated, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette. The urge to smoke was overwhelming.

Zhou Yi was in no rush to get his medication, so he made his way to the designated smoking area. When he entered, he saw a man standing by the window, lost in thought, holding a half-burned cigarette.

Zhou Yi didn’t pay much attention, instead sitting down and pulling out a cigarette. He reached for his lighter, but it was nowhere to be found.

He looked again, but the lighter was still missing. Frustrated, he saw the man’s cigarette and couldn’t resist.

“Excuse me, could I borrow a light?” Zhou Yi asked softly.

The man turned to him, and despite his punk style, Zhou Yi noticed the mole beneath his eye, which contrasted sharply with his fair skin.

The man pulled out a lighter, lighting the flame. He didn’t hand it over but instead blocked the flickering flame from the wind, holding it up to Zhou Yi’s cigarette.

Zhou Yi watched in surprise. The man’s hands were well-groomed, and Zhou Yi could see the pale veins on the back of his hand as he extended it.

He hadn’t expected the man to light his cigarette, and the gesture caught him off guard.

“Don’t you want to light it yourself?” The man’s low voice interrupted his thoughts.

Zhou Yi snapped out of his daze, leaning over to bring the cigarette closer to the flame. Once it was lit, he whispered, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome…”

Zhou Yi stood beside him, took a puff of his cigarette, and slowly exhaled the smoke. The nicotine-filled air spread through his senses, calming his nerves.

It had been a while since he smoked. At home, he had always maintained his innocent, sweet persona, hiding his smoking habit. But now, with Shang Yichen not around, he could indulge in the brief sense of relief.

Zhou Yi felt a little better. He wasn’t addicted to smoking, but it helped calm his irritability. He thought back to what the doctor had said and realized that his only option to avoid exposing his identity was to find an Alpha for relief—but where could he find one with high compatibility?

As Zhou Yi pondered the situation, he took another drag from the cigarette. The smoke burned his throat, causing him to cough violently. He dropped the stack of bills he was holding to the floor.

He stood there coughing, his eyes watering, unable to pick up the papers.

The man who had lit his cigarette stepped forward, picking up the scattered bills and handing them back to him.

“As a patient, you should smoke less,” the man said with quiet concern.

“Thanks…” Zhou Yi wiped away the tears and took the bills. “I’m not a patient. I just took too many inhibitors, and the doctor scolded me for it.”

“Is it Dr. Liang from the AΩ Internal Medicine Clinic on the third floor?” the man asked, his gaze sharp.

“How do you know…” Zhou Yi was taken aback. “Could it be… you were scolded too?”

The man glanced at Zhou Yi’s tear-streaked face and felt an odd stirring in his chest. He forced himself to look away, replying in a low voice, “Almost. The reason was that I didn’t take my medicine on time.”

“That’s the opposite of me,” Zhou Yi laughed lightly. “I took it too often.” He chuckled, “That doctor is intense. He talks like a monk chanting the Tightening Curse, putting you under both physical and mental pressure.”

The man paused, then laughed softly, “That’s an interesting way to put it.”

Zhou Yi nodded enthusiastically. “You must have felt the same!”

“Not wrong,” the man agreed, his voice calm.

Zhou Yi was about to respond when he noticed Dr. Liang approaching through the glass door.

He quickly extinguished his cigarette, glancing at the man, then pointed discreetly at the doctor’s approaching figure. “I still have some medicine to pick up. I’ll leave now.”

He turned and left without looking back, leaving the man standing still, deep in thought.

“Brother, what are you looking at?” Liang Shaowen, having entered the room, looked curiously at his brother, who was gazing at the glass door.

Liang Xianzhang quickly redirected his attention, extinguishing his cigarette in the trash can. He glanced at his brother. “Nothing.”

Liang Shaowen, feeling uneasy under his brother’s gaze, quickly dropped the subject and handed him the medication bag. “Here’s the medicine for the treatment.”

Liang Xianzhang took it without a word.

“Remember to take it with every meal,” Liang Shaowen reminded him.

Liang Xianzhang’s eyes flicked over to his brother, indifferent. “You’re really starting to sound like a nanny.”

“It’s because too many patients are disobedient and don’t take care of themselves,” Liang Shaowen said, grumbling. “Alphas and Omegas today are becoming more and more reckless. They don’t care about their health, they either misuse medicine or avoid it entirely. It’s really a headache.”

Liang Xianzhang let his brother ramble on, but his mind kept wandering back to the person he had just met.

He had already remembered his name from the test report: Zhou Yi.

Liang Xianzhang half-closed his eyes, uncertain if it was just a feeling, but when his fingers brushed against Zhou Yi’s earlier, his glands had heated up for a moment. Even the usually unresponsive pheromones seemed to stir.

He looked again at the now empty glass door, then at the palm of his hand, slowly closing it in contemplation.