Chapter 23: First Floor of the Private Residence Part 3

Liang Shijing wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Wen Yan burrowed even deeper into the crook of his neck, refusing to budge.

After a dozen minutes of persuasion, the omega’s sleepwear hung half-off, slumped in the alpha’s arms and panting. His fingers clutched the alpha’s collar desperately. “Take it out…”

“I’ve prepared this for you a long time.” The alpha’s voice was steady.

“Liang Shijing!”

“Getting up?”

“Yes!” The omega gritted out.

Luckily, they ate in the living room—no total humiliation. Fully awake now, Wen Yan gripped his chopsticks, fidgeting in his chair. Liang Shijing beside him seemed oblivious to his discomfort. Wen Yan’s lashes glistened with moisture. When it grew unbearable, he looked up, on the verge of tears, even his toes curling tight.

Only then did Liang Shijing leisurely set down his chopsticks and draw him close, settling Wen Yan on his lap. His long, pale, feverish hand roamed idly over the omega’s swollen belly. “That’s all you’re eating?”

His tone was coldly interrogative, like scolding a mistake, even as his actions remained utterly indecent.

“Can’t eat more…” Wen Yan bit his lower lip, shuddering hard.

“Two more bites left.” Liang Shijing held a spoonful of rice and vegetables to his lips. His other hand began to move. Wen Yan tensed, mouth clamped shut. He suffered, but so did Liang Shijing. Gripping his waist, he guided him down slowly… Then offered the spoon again. “Eat.”

“Too full…” Wen Yan shook his head helplessly.

“I know.” Sweat dampened Liang Shijing’s temple.

This was Wen Yan’s first taste of Liang Shijing’s ruthlessness. On principles, he never yielded. Only after the final bite slid down his throat did Liang Shijing lift him. The unresolved tension had frayed their nerves; now it spilled over in a tiny, involuntary moan.

Liang Shijing laid him on the bed. Their noses brushed. Wen Yan parted his lips, seeking a kiss. Liang Shijing turned away. “No kissing.”

“Why?” Wen Yan asked softly, his gaze unfocused.

“Because of the pheromones. I can’t control myself.” Liang Shijing intertwined their fingers and pressed them into the soft bedsheets. “Even after we’re done, I won’t be able to sleep. You know that, right?”

“Got it…”

Two hours later, the black convoy rolled out of Oak Bay. The omega had still nodded off despite his promises, a thin blanket draped over him as he slumbered deeply with his head pillowed on the alpha’s lap. Their destination was a top-tier mall in the Capital. The place had been swept for security risks a full week in advance, and the alpha had prepaid three times the mall’s daily revenue—fifty million in total. None of the stores knew exactly who their VIP guest would be that day, but they’d all pulled their top staff, set out last season’s newest arrivals, and waited eagerly.

Yet the sleek black sedan had been sitting in the empty underground garage for over twenty minutes.

Why?

Because the omega flat-out refused to wake up.

In the end, no one knew what trick the alpha pulled, but the omega finally emerged from the car, his face flushed bright red as if fleeing a crime scene. Hand in hand, they boarded the sightseeing elevator and ascended.

By some stroke of bad luck, the ever-meticulous General Office of the Chief’s Mansion had dropped the ball this time. They’d thought of everything for a seamless outing—even deploying Cloud-Dispelling Bombs ahead of time to ensure clear skies. But they hadn’t accounted for the mall’s blasting air conditioning. It was perfect for their suit-and-tie attire, but brutally chilly for a pregnant omega.

The elevator doors slid open, and Wen Yan shivered.

Liang Shijing’s expression remained stone-cold as he swept a glance over the coordinating staff.

“Sorry, sir.” Cold sweat beaded on the staffer’s brow. They scrambled to fix it, but the chill wouldn’t dissipate anytime soon. The quickest solution? Buy some clothes right away.

The SG Store specialized in bespoke menswear. The omega manager stood with his hands politely folded over his abdomen, thrilled that the guests had finally arrived. By all rights, this discreet VIP—who’d shelled out a fortune to reserve the entire mall—should be strolling leisurely from shop to shop. So why the mad dash?

“Welcome. We’re delighted to serve you,” the manager said with his most polished smile. He’d been briefed that the guests preferred quiet, so staff should stick to their posts unless needed.

The “guest” was panting as he rattled off measurements and barked instructions before hurrying inside. “One hundred percent natural fabrics only—no logos. Stick to light colors. Pick out a few styles for our staff to inspect later. And get everything disinfected in advance.”

Ah. So the real guests hadn’t arrived yet…

The manager nodded and efficiently summoned his most experienced tailors to make selections. He retreated to the doorway to wait, his eyes scanning through the lush, suspended greenery that layered the mall’s atrium. There—in the shade of a standing umbrella at the nearby outdoor café—sat a couple.

The S-level omega was draped in an oversized black suit jacket, lounging lazily astride the lap of an S-level alpha. His head rested on the alpha’s right shoulder, hiding his face. Glossy black hair framed a slender neck adorned with a pristine white Omega Neck Ring. It was obvious whose jacket that was.

One of the alpha’s hands rested on the chair’s arm, while the other slipped beneath the jacket to rub the omega’s waist. His profile was perfection itself—sharp, superior lines. Sensing the prying eyes, he shot a frigid glance over.

When the alpha turned his full face into view, the manager nearly dropped his jaw.

Some time later, mustering his courage, the manager sneaked another peek. The alpha’s hand hadn’t stopped its soothing circles on the omega’s waist, and his thin lips moved steadily as he spoke. Thanks to years on the job, the manager made out every word.

“Still not awake?” the alpha murmured.

The hand buried in the jacket shifted lower. He gave the omega’s backside a light pat…

“Get up and walk around a bit.”

The omega didn’t stir.

“You’ll throw a fit later if you sleep too deeply.”

“Wen Yan, I’m leaving.”

…That airy threat fell flat, only annoying the omega enough to clap a hand over the alpha’s mouth. The alpha paused, then tapped twice on his Black Bracelet—aiming the controls away, shutting off his pheromones.

Moments later, bereft of that enticing scent, the omega lifted his face from the alpha’s neck and leaned it against the chair back instead. How to even describe a face that seized the eye and refused to let go?

Refined features, petite and delicate. Lashes like bold ink strokes against his lids. Lips a healthy pale pink. Gentle yet stubborn, aloof yet radiant and soft—a face so perfect, so uniquely captivating.

One could only imagine the devastation when those stunning eyes finally fluttered open. Who could meet that gaze and stay unmoved?

“Still not awake?” the alpha prompted softly.

“Liang Shijing, you’re being really annoying today,” the omega grumbled, still half-asleep.

The air froze for a beat. The alpha’s expression did too. Then he flicked the pheromones back on… and gingerly lifted the omega’s face, nestling it once more against his shoulder.

Good grief… The alpha was quite the tsundere, wasn’t he? He kept the soothing pheromones flowing to comfort him, shut them off to rouse him, then flipped them right back on at a single grumble. Hard to picture the icy Chief Liang like this in private—afraid of his omega, maybe?

Enlightenment dawned on the manager. No wonder the underling had rushed in for emergency clothes—the omega hated the cold. The true VIP’s identity was beyond question. Shutting down an entire mall? Prepaying its full take? Not so surprising for someone with that kind of pull.

Behind him, a tailor emerged with the selected garments. The manager watched as the staffer carried them to the café and presented them to the alpha with utmost respect. The alpha took no chances with others; he pulled the disinfected clothes from the bag himself, testing the fabric between his fingers. Satisfied, he finally shrugged off the jacket that had enveloped the omega.

In that instant, the manager’s pupils dilated in shock. The omega’s belly was hugely rounded—he was pregnant… No wonder he was so lazy today…

Omega had no intention of waking up and continued sleeping soundly against Alpha’s body. This time, Alpha didn’t turn off the wristband. Instead, he instructed the staff member who had just been selecting clothes to come upstairs with a cup of something. The manager stifled a laugh—the logo on the side of the cup clearly identified it as coming from the fresh-squeezed lemon juice shop upstairs, so its contents were undoubtedly lemon juice.

Alpha patted Omega’s shoulder while bringing the cup to his lips. Omega proved quite obedient, parting his lips to drink without a hint of suspicion, just like someone accustomed to being fed. But the moment he swallowed a sip, his refined features scrunched up into a grimace.

Alpha chuckled with gleeful malice.

So the lofty Chief wasn’t some cold and heartless man after all. He was the sort who would go to any lengths to rouse his Omega—even stooping down to slip slippers onto his feet.

Most patrons who visited this mall dressed to the nines, desperate to look like the cream of high society’s crop. Yet this Omega wore nothing but casual loungewear and non-slip slippers, exuding the easy nonchalance of someone ambling through their own backyard garden.

Actually, even a stroll through the backyard would warrant switching into outdoor shoes.

Alpha led the sleepily blinking Omega into one of the stores. They emerged shortly after, with the bodyguards trailing behind now carrying several shopping bags. Their bespoke attire alone made it obvious these men didn’t typically shop off the rack from these brands—they had built this entire mall simply to take a leisurely walk and sample the recreational haunts of the “next class down.”

Before long, amid the manager’s eager anticipation, they finally stepped into his store. The manager summoned every ounce of his energy and flashed a warm smile. Omega returned the smile, but Alpha shot him a cold glance—a clear warning for his earlier eavesdropping.

Omega released Alpha’s hand and pointed to a diamond tie clip displayed in the counter. “Excuse me, could you take this out for me to look at?”

His voice was soft and gentle, pleasant to the ear.

“Certainly, please wait just a moment.” The clerk, donning a pair of crescent-white silk gloves, bowed and retrieved it.

The sparkling diamond tie clip rested on a bed of black velvet flocking, its design mimicking a slender leaf. Omega held it up to Alpha’s chest, tilting his head. “Wouldn’t this be a bit too flashy? I mean, for something like a meeting.”

“If you like it, then it’s perfect.” Alpha deferred to Omega’s judgment.

The manager quietly surmised that if Omega declared it no good, Alpha would echo the sentiment without hesitation.

Omega mulled it over and set the tie clip back down. “It’s not quite serious enough.”

“Then we won’t take it.” Alpha said precisely as expected. But he added, “Design one for me.” As they turned toward the exit, the manager overheard Alpha continue, “I’ll wear the one you design.”

“Then you’ll have to beg me for it,” Omega replied with a bright, beaming smile.

Whether Alpha begged or not went unheard—they had already wandered off hand in hand… Everyone left in the store wore expressions caught between an urge to gossip and the fear of speaking up, lost in a daze tinged with stifled snickers.

Wen Yan couldn’t muster even a smile. He didn’t want to keep walking; he was exhausted.

“My legs are sore.”

“Let’s grab something to eat. There’s a restaurant here I think you’ll like.” Liang Shijing gave the palm of his hand a squeeze.

Every restaurant stood at the ready until they entered one, at which point the tension eased ever so slightly. The food was delicious, but after a few bites, Wen Yan’s drowsiness crept back in. Still haunted by the trap Liang Shijing had sprung on him at noon, he forced himself to stay awake, mechanically feeding himself bites while his head bobbed repeatedly. No matter what, he couldn’t bring himself to admit he wanted to sleep.

He nodded until his mind grew foggy, then suddenly his forehead smarted with a sharp jolt of pain, drawing an involuntary yelp. He had dozed off and accidentally knocked it against the rim of his cup… Liang Shijing seized his hand to inspect the spot. The pain had lasted only a few seconds, but his eyes were rimmed thin and red from prolonged exhaustion. When he lifted his gaze to let Liang Shijing check, they shimmered like pools of crystal-clear water.

“No more eating.” Liang Shijing gently rubbed the tender spot on his forehead, then with practiced ease encircled his waist and drew him into his arms. “Go to sleep. We’re done eating.”

Wen Yan stared blankly, thinking that his tears must hold such power. He didn’t need to do a thing—just let out the tiniest whimper of pain.

Liang Shijing’s principles would all be cast aside.