Shang Yichen was consumed by a strange feeling that he couldn’t quite understand. Zhou Yi had become unusually well-behaved lately, no longer bothering him with constant messages and calls. So why did this make him feel more unhappy than ever?

It was clear that Zhou Yi used to follow him around, always caring for him, nagging him about even the smallest things. He would text and call late at night when they were out drinking, worried about him. Now, there was no message from Zhou Yi.

It’s as if I’ve been ignored.

Could it be that Zhou Yi was angry with him after what happened this morning and had decided to deliberately stop sending him messages?

This seemed similar to the little tricks Zhou Yi had played during the last business trip, trying to get his attention and coax him into comforting him.

The more Shang Yichen thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He clutched his phone tightly, growing more frustrated. He took a few large gulps of wine. Zhou Yi was getting bolder, even daring to throw a tantrum at him.

He’s just a distraction, a mere substitute Beta. I provide for him—food, clothing, and everything else. What right does he have to be angry with me?

“Why aren’t you saying anything? What’s on your mind? You look so upset, and your pheromones are all over the place—are you going into estrus?” Meng Rongze, standing nearby, frowned as he caught the strong scent of Shang Yichen’s pheromones.

Shang Yichen, still restless and lost in thought, took a sip of his wine. “It’s almost time. I don’t know why my estrus period started earlier this time.”

“Perfect timing,” Meng Rongze said with a grin. “A new batch of Omegas just arrived. I’ll prepare something to suit your taste.”

Shang Yichen barely reacted, saying nonchalantly, “You handle it.”

Meng Rongze looked at him, noticing his distracted state. He clicked his tongue and smirked. “Since you’ve got that Beta, why don’t you make use of him? You two haven’t even slept together, right?”

“He’s a Beta. Why would I sleep with him?” Shang Yichen’s voice was laced with disgust. “I can’t stand looking at his thin, shriveled body.”

Betas couldn’t sense pheromones, nor could they fulfill the needs of an Alpha during estrus. They weren’t as flexible as Omegas, and many Alphas dismissed them as unworthy.

“I think he looks fine,” Meng Rongze said with a sly smile. “I bet he’s a slut in bed.”

Shang Yichen leaned back, exhausted. “I don’t have the same wide range of interests you do. I can’t even imagine sleeping with a Beta.”

“If you ever get tired of him, I wouldn’t mind giving it a try,” Meng Rongze teased. “It’d be fun to play with him, then toss him aside.”

Shang Yichen paused mid-drink, a strange sense of displeasure rising in him. He glanced at Meng Rongze, his irritation barely contained. “Let’s talk about it later,” he said dismissively, before turning his attention back to his phone.

Still no messages or calls from Zhou Yi. He pressed his temples, frustration mounting. He shoved his phone back into his pocket irritably. “I’m going back.”

“Why are you leaving so early?” Meng Rongze asked, sensing that something was off.

Shang Yichen didn’t want to tell him the real reason. With a quick shrug, he replied simply, “It’s boring.”

Meng Rongze rolled his eyes, unimpressed. “Then let’s make things interesting. How about a bet? Since you’re in a rush to go home, let’s see if your little stand-in can make it to pick you up in fifteen minutes. If he does, I’ll give you the South Bay villa.”

His words echoed loudly through the room, catching the attention of others nearby. The wealthy second-generation heirs started murmuring, “Mr. Meng is so generous, I remember the South Bay villa is worth a fortune.”

“Even if he speeds, there’s no way Zhou Yi will get here in ten minutes,” someone else added. “He was in a car accident on his way to the bar, after all. How could he drive that fast?”

Meng Rongze whistled, clearly enjoying the provocation. “How about it, Shang Yichen? Want to make this bet?”

Shang Yichen, who had already sensed the challenge in Meng Rongze’s eyes, didn’t want to lose face in front of everyone. He raised his chin and replied coolly, “Of course.” Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed Zhou Yi’s number.

Just as the phone was about to ring, a sudden noise from the door caught his attention.