Shang Yichen and Meng Rongze had an appointment the day after tomorrow, so he planned to use the next two days to handle his work to avoid delays due to the approaching Q period.

Lately, Shang Yichen had been feeling a strange longing whenever he saw Zhou Yi. As a result, he hardly left the study and instead asked Zhou Yi to bring him his meals.

Zhou Yi couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved. He noticed that Shang Yichen’s pheromones were growing stronger with each passing day. He feared the effects they might have on him, especially after the incident a few days ago when he felt unusually “sticky” toward Shang Yichen. It was impossible to avoid being affected by the pheromones when staying so close to him, and Zhou Yi had been carefully suppressing his own scent. His glands, covered by a suppression patch, were becoming painfully agitated.

But for now, Shang Yichen only seemed to stay in the study or his bedroom, and their interactions had been limited to a few brief exchanges. When Zhou Yi brought him food, he would hold his breath and try not to inhale too much of his scent.

Zhou Yi had expected Shang Yichen to go out and find an Omega to help him through his Q period, which would give him a little relief. However, he hadn’t expected things to take such a turn.

Shang Yichen’s estrus period arrived earlier than anticipated.

His body was on fire, pheromones radiating in waves, demanding release. Desperate for relief, Shang Yichen tore at his collar and called his driver to wait for him downstairs. He could still maintain some control, but he knew he had to act quickly.

“Mr. Shang, I’ve brought your lunch.”

Zhou Yi’s voice came from the door, interrupting Shang Yichen’s thoughts. Before he could stop him, the door swung open.

Zhou Yi walked in, but the second he did, Shang Yichen’s anger flared. He rose abruptly from his desk, about to order Zhou Yi to leave, but froze when he detected a faint mint-like scent. It was subtle, but with his heightened sensitivity, Shang Yichen immediately recognized it.

Zhou Yi regretted it as soon as he entered. The room was thick with the heavy scent of Shang Yichen’s tobacco pheromones, and as soon as he inhaled, his legs grew weak, and his hands began to tremble.

But there was Shang Yichen, staring at him. Zhou Yi tried to appear unaffected, walking toward him and placing the food on the table. “Mr. Shang, I’ve put the food here. I’ll go now…”

Shang Yichen gripped the table tightly, his breath shallow and uneven. He had sensed it now—Zhou Yi’s minty pheromone scent. He didn’t know where it came from, but his mind raced with thoughts of Zhou Yi trying to seduce him, using this scent to manipulate him into some kind of entanglement. And if Gu Shuning found out…

The mere thought sent anger spiraling inside him.

He glared at Zhou Yi, his voice thick with fury, “Are you doing this on purpose? You knew my estrus period was approaching, and yet you still come here?”

Zhou Yi froze. He had always brought Shang Yichen his meals at this time, so he was confused by the sudden question. If Shang Yichen wasn’t his financial sponsor, Zhou Yi wouldn’t want to be near him at all.

Swallowing his frustration, Zhou Yi sighed, “I don’t have any—”

Shang Yichen, in his rage, didn’t believe him. He was too far gone to listen, his anger blinding him to anything other than Zhou Yi’s presence. His hands shook with fury, and with a violent motion, he sent the plates of food and the cups crashing to the ground, the loud crash echoing in the study.

Water spilled onto the carpet, mixing with oil and splashing onto Zhou Yi’s shoes, staining them with various colors.

Zhou Yi stood frozen, watching the chaos unfold, lips pressed tightly together.

Shang Yichen’s anger was palpable. “Shut up! You think I didn’t smell that on you?” He pointed an accusing finger at Zhou Yi’s face. “What did you spray on yourself? Huh? I asked you if it was pheromone inducers or perfume to make an Alpha aroused. Are you trying to seduce me to bed while I’m distracted?”

Zhou Yi’s heart skipped a beat. He hadn’t expected his pheromones to still be detectable, but he felt a twisted relief that Shang Yichen believed he had sprayed something on himself instead of suspecting his Omega scent.

Zhou Yi didn’t know whether to feel relieved or troubled. While his Omega identity was still hidden, Shang Yichen’s imagination had clearly led him to believe that Zhou Yi was trying to seduce him.

Before Zhou Yi could protest, Shang Yichen moved closer, his voice sharp. “Can your methods be any less vulgar?” He reached out, grabbing Zhou Yi’s neck and pushing him roughly against the wall. His breath was hot and furious. “Zhou Yi, do you really want to be fucked?”