Chapter 37: High and Mighty Alpha Young Master

In the original text, an omega unexpectedly went into heat aboard the cruise ship.

By the time it happened, the ship was already far out at sea, with no quick way to reach shore. The entire vessel became a sealed environment.

The pheromones from the heat proved somewhat contagious, and before long, chaos spread across the ship. It marked the first substantial intimate contact between the protagonist gong and shou.

05 figured the same thing would probably happen this time.

Realizing Shen Yanzhi was still watching him, 05 put on that pitiful expression again—the one that screamed he was terrified Shen Yanzhi might abandon him here to starve.

“Are you going, Shen Yanzhi…?”

“Yes.”

“Then I want to go too.”

“Mm.”

Shen Yanzhi was pleased.

He let go and headed to the study, with Zhou Wu trailing right behind him. Zhou Wu sat beside him, watching intently.

“Can you take off the collar?”

Shen Yanzhi perched on the desk and began reviewing his documents. He didn’t even glance up at the question.

“No.”

He had important work to do.

Zhou Wu pressed his lips together and snuggled closer in evident discomfort, resting his chin on Shen Yanzhi’s shoulder.

Shen Yanzhi pretended not to notice, so Zhou Wu leaned in for a tentative kiss.

“Shen Yanzhi…”

Shen Yanzhi’s ears slowly flushed red. At last, he gripped Zhou Wu’s face, though his voice remained icy.

“Know your limits.”

“I want the collar off.”

Zhou Wu’s eyes brimmed with red. “Please.”

In truth, Zhou Wu was already running a slight fever.

Designed for omegas, the inhibitor collar steadily released faint omega pheromones into the back of the neck to suppress heat.

For Zhou Wu, however, the effect was the polar opposite. The constant influx hyperactivated his body, and faint signs of trouble were already brewing.

Shen Yanzhi remained oblivious.

05 refrained from pointing it out too directly. He intended to leverage this to trigger a manifestation of the hidden enigma gender’s heat.

After a bit of clinging, Shen Yanzhi chalked it up to having molded Zhou Wu into someone overly needy.

Always craving that sort of thing.

As expected of an inferior omega.

He voiced his refusal, yet slyly slipped his fingers between Zhou Wu’s neck and the collar, kneading the flesh there.

From on high, he demanded, “Why do you want the collar off?”

Zhou Wu’s eyes reddened further.

“It hurts.”

“Then how can we make it stop hurting?”

Shen Yanzhi’s lips curved upward. He wanted to hear the real plea.

But the little fool believed only by pleasing Shen Yanzhi could he get the collar removed.

Anxiously, he leaned in for another kiss. “Please, Shen Yanzhi.”

The fruit fragrance wafted through the gap beneath the collar, ensnaring him. Shen Yanzhi couldn’t resist any longer. He pulled Zhou Wu into a kiss.

Zhou Wu redoubled his efforts, nearly toppling Shen Yanzhi’s chair.

The fruit scent grew thicker, quickening Shen Yanzhi’s pulse.

It accelerated until a hint of lost control washed over him. Instinctively, he tried to shove the other man away.

But Zhou Wu weighed a ton. How did an omega get so tall?

Nothing about him was small…

The textbooks’ claims about omega male traits being subpar had to be wrong.

Dazed from the pressure, Shen Yanzhi’s head swam for a moment.

Zhou Wu pulled back first.

With the collar removed, his fervor dimmed, and he lowered his gaze.

Yet Shen Yanzhi reached for his neck anyway, admiring the increasingly muscled waist he had cultivated.

“If someone else kissed me, what would you do?”

“?”

It was untaught knowledge, so Zhou Wu had no answer.

Shen Yanzhi smiled. “Go ahead—pound him, tackle him, bite him. Whatever it takes.”

“…”

Did he have to?

“Did you hear me?”

Shen Yanzhi drew nearer, only to be captivated by the fruit fragrance once more. His pupils dilated, and before he knew it, his lips were brushing Zhou Wu’s neck.

Such a cheap fruit scent.

Still, his throat bobbed. Unable to hold back, he sank his teeth into Zhou Wu’s shoulder. Zhou Wu flinched in pain and jerked away.

The bite only whetted Shen Yanzhi’s appetite, leaving his teeth and bones aching for more. Realizing his lapse, he shoved Zhou Wu.

“Enough. Out!”

This time, Zhou Wu obeyed at once and left.

~~~

A few days later, the highly anticipated cruise ship party finally set sail.

The Hua Family had spared no expense for this half-month oceanic extravaganza. The massive liner brimmed with luxury: opulent guest rooms belowdecks, and above, fine restaurants, stylish bars, a gilded ballroom, an infinity-edge swimming pool, an observation deck with sweeping views of the starlit sea, and every amenity imaginable.

That night, a gentle sea breeze stirred as the poolside party thrummed with energy. Lights danced across the rippling water while elegantly attired guests laughed and mingled.

Hua Jing had chosen his swim trunks with care, even dusting his skin with foundation and rouge on his knees to evoke a delicate, almost bruiseable softness.

But when he finally summoned the nerve to gaze at Shen Yanzhi—the crowd’s magnetic center—

He spotted Zhou Wu right there beside him!

How had he come aboard? Damn it—when?

Fuming inwardly, Hua Jing couldn’t let it show in front of Shen Yanzhi.

He plastered on a perfectly poised smile—warm, even enthusiastic—and approached.

“You’re welcome here too.”

Zhou Wu ignored him.

Hua Jing’s facade nearly cracked.

So lively.

Back in the apartment, Zhou Wu’s clinginess to Shen Yanzhi stemmed mostly from loneliness. Now, amid the ship’s bustle and crowds,

Novel sights captured Zhou Wu’s attention, pulling his focus from Shen Yanzhi.

Shen Yanzhi wasn’t thrilled but held his tongue.

Too many people swarmed him—eager conversationalists, toasters, face-familiarizers—encircling him in layers.

Moments later, Zhou Wu had been quietly nudged from the inner circle.

Hua Jing pounced on the opening, wineglass in hand, his voice soft and saccharine: “Brother Yanzhi, my father just acquired some private reserves from Bordeaux Winery—exceptional vintages…

“You mentioned your expertise in wine tasting. Would you mind joining me in the quiet bar to sample them?”

Hua Jing’s cheeks warmed with excitement.

A private tasting with Shen Yanzhi under these seductive sea stars… a sliver of alone time. Who knew?

Shen Yanzhi seemed distant, though, his eyes drifting over the crowd in search of Zhou Wu.

When he found him, Zhou Wu was chatting with Qiu Ye.

No surprise there. Zhou Wu’s school stint had been too brief to even familiarize himself with his classmates.

Qiu Ye was actually the one Zhou Wu knew best.

Truth be told, he most wanted to catch a glimpse of Su Bai by accident, but he no longer dared mention it in front of Shen Yanzhi. Maybe Qiu Ye knew something?

Qiu Ye’s eyes lit up the moment he spotted him. Zhou Wu had swim trunks on his lower half and a loose, slightly sheer shirt draped over his upper body.

Towering a full head taller, he gazed down at Qiu Ye with lowered eyes. Though there was still a hint of innocence about him, it was overshadowed by a clean, refreshing handsomeness.

Qiu Ye had been munching on a pastry, but the sight of Zhou Wu made his mouth fall open, saliva nearly dribbling out.

“Mm.” He clamped his mouth shut in a hurry and instinctively held out the snack. “Do you… want some?”

Zhou Wu nodded obediently. He’d grown accustomed to being hand-fed by Young Master Shen lately, so he simply opened his mouth and accepted it.

Qiu Ye’s face flushed crimson in an instant.

Shen Yanzhi’s expression darkened fiercely.

This idiot was infuriating. He ate so readily from my hand, and now from someone else’s too?

What Shen Yanzhi had wanted to see was Zhou Wu throwing a fit at Hua Jing, seething with jealousy, and stirring up some drama.

Not ditching him to cozy up with that little yellow hair and share cake.

He’d been planning to string Hua Jing along a bit longer, but now Shen Yanzhi had lost all interest. He refused outright.

“No need.”

Hua Jing froze in place, watching wide-eyed as Shen Yanzhi spared him not another glance. Instead, he strode over, grabbed Zhou Wu by the collar, and yanked him away from Qiu Ye’s side.

He even skipped every remaining formality, dragging Zhou Wu straight out of the pool party.

Hua Jing ground his teeth until they nearly shattered.

Why him!

That was Shen Yanzhi.

To stand at his side, to be marked by him, to become his acknowledged partner… it would be the greatest honor any noble omega could claim.

Not only would boundless wealth and status follow, but also the exclusive favor and protection from the strongest alpha—a dream of every omega—along with those leg-weakening top-tier pheromones.

In short, everyone would envy him, fawn over him, and look up to him!

He couldn’t give up.

As Zhou Wu was forcibly dragged away, he glanced back at Hua Jing one last time. A faint glimmer of understanding flickered in his eyes.

The Young Master of the Hua Family would likely soon be driven to desperate measures.

Namely, an “accidental” heat.

But the one going into heat couldn’t be him—everyone would see through the ploy as intentional.

The true culprit behind the accident had to be someone else. Then he could arrange to be locked in a room with Shen Yanzhi, capitalizing on another’s agony to achieve his goal.

Two days passed. By then, the cruise ship had plunged deep into the ocean’s heart, surrounded on all sides by an endless expanse of inky blue sea.

Another grand party kicked off in the dance hall.

All the guests were single young men and women, and the mood grew even freer. They writhed together on the dance floor as throbbing beats pulsed through the floor straight into their hearts.

Shen Yanzhi sat at a nearby table, obnoxiously pinching Zhou Wu’s ear.

“I’m asking one more time. When someone approaches me, what should you do?”

Zhou Wu pursed his lips, clearly done with this question after countless repetitions.

But his ear hurt.

With a wronged expression, he answered, “Get angry… hit him…”

Shen Yanzhi was somewhat appeased but kept pinching anyway, turning the earlobe bright red.

“Why hit him?”

Zhou Wu didn’t get it. Why was there a follow-up question?

Just then, Hua Jing glided over and deliberately took a seat at their table.

Tonight, he was dressed provocatively bold—a sheer, veil-like top that teased glimpses of what lay beneath. His shoulders were dusted with shimmering powder, catching the lights and drawing every eye.

“Yanzhi,” he purred, voice soft and seductive. “Care to dance?”

Shen Yanzhi glanced at Zhou Wu.

Zhou Wu wanted water, but the table held only alcohol. He took a sip, then stuck out his tongue in confusion.

“Sure.”

Hua Jing’s face lit up with delight. “Really?”

Shen Yanzhi didn’t answer right away. Instead, he fixed Zhou Wu with a stare laced with threat.

Zhou Wu: “…”

“He won’t go with you.” Awkwardly, he spoke up and hugged Shen Yanzhi tight in a show of “jealousy.”

“He…”

At that moment, chaos erupted.

Qiu Ye, dancing nearby, suddenly vomited. He clutched his chest and dropped to his knees, as if he’d ingested something foul.

His friends rushed to his side, only to find his face flushed scarlet, eyes glazed and unfocused, body shuddering. A thick rose scent began wafting from him.

“He’s in heat?”

The crowd erupted in commotion. Alphas instinctively backed away from the uncontrolled pheromones.

Beta staff scrambled out to restore order while someone dashed off to summon the ship’s doctor.

“Damn. Yanzhi, get clear quick.”

The cruise ship had few rooms that could fully seal off scents. As host, Hua Jing knew them best and naturally reached for Shen Yanzhi’s arm to lead him to safety.

But Zhou Wu abruptly rose in a daze and walked straight toward Qiu Ye.

“Zhou Wu?” Shen Yanzhi barked, brow furrowed.

At first, he didn’t grasp Zhou Wu’s intent, assuming he was just rubbernecking.

So damn annoying—the cloying rose scent grated on Shen Yanzhi’s nerves.

He shoved Hua Jing aside and started forward to haul the troublesome fool back.

Then he saw Zhou Wu squat before Qiu Ye, cup the other’s fever-hot, flushed cheeks in his hands, lean down… and press his nose to Qiu Ye’s nape.

What the hell was he doing?!

Shen Yanzhi’s mind went blank with a buzz. Ignoring everything, he shoved through the crowd and lunged forward, yanking Zhou Wu back hard.

“An omega in heat—what do you think you’re doing?!”

Qiu Ye was already hazy, his instincts fired up by the sudden fruit fragrance and agarwood scent. Without a thought, he lunged toward Zhou Wu.

The other alphas were scarcely more lucid, restrained only by betas and omegas. The scene devolved into pandemonium.

Qiu Ye knew exactly what he wanted: Zhou Wu and Shen Yanzhi—their scents were simply the best.

Zhou Wu stubbornly tried to shove Shen Yanzhi away, reaching for Qiu Ye.

“So fragrant…”

Fragrant my ass!

Shen Yanzhi’s liver ached with rage. In a panic, despite being an alpha himself, he kicked Qiu Ye aside and desperately dragged Zhou Wu away.

“What the hell is wrong with you!”

Drenched in the foul stench, Shen Yanzhi had fought tooth and nail to wrestle the thrashing Zhou Wu back. He was on the verge of losing it.

“Filthy mutt, all you want is pheromones, huh? Not satisfied?”

“I’ll fucking give them to you.”

He pinned Zhou Wu to the ground by the throat, then suddenly shoved his head downward.

The entire room was already thick with the scent of pheromones, and the ship swayed gently on the sea. Neither of them was in a particularly normal state.

Suddenly, Zhou Wu was forced to open his mouth. His eyes and entire face quickly turned red. Suffocation made his gaze glaze over, and his hands gripped Shen Yanzhi’s leg tightly.

His dark eyes slowly looked up at him.

Shen Yanzhi’s breathing was unsteady as his hands pressed down on Zhou Wu’s head.

Soon, Zhou Wu coughed violently on the floor from his roughness.

Shen Yanzhi broke out in a cold sweat. He had thought that doing this once might help him calm down a little, but now he realized he couldn’t calm down at all. If anything, it was even worse.

Damn… How much longer did he have to endure this? If he called for a helicopter, how long would it take to arrive?

But just then, Zhou Wu hugged him tightly in a daze, even tugging at his clothes as if they were in the way.

Even the collar could no longer suppress the overwhelming, rich, and sweet fruit fragrance.

Was it an induced heat?

Shen Yanzhi watched as Zhou Wu’s face flushed deep red, his eyes grew moist, and he sniffed around frantically, seemingly entranced by his scent.

Shen Yanzhi took a deep breath. Suddenly, he thought that maybe handling it right here wouldn’t be so bad.

If worst came to worst, he could just go ahead with the marking.

His gaze locked involuntarily onto Zhou Wu’s neck. His chest heaved, his heart pounded wildly, and his mind buzzed.

Yes, mark him.

Even though he had never seriously considered taking such an inferior person as his partner.

Even though this situation might lead to irreversible consequences, directly impregnating him in one go.

Although an omega could only be thoroughly marked by one alpha in their lifetime, and removing it required an excruciatingly painful process.

So what? Once he marked him, Zhou Wu’s gaze would follow him everywhere, unable to tear itself away from his scent.

Withholding his pheromones would become the cruelest punishment for him.

Zhou Wu would cry and beg. He would try every trick in the book, debasing himself without a shred of dignity, kneeling on the ground and pleading for just a little more.

He would no longer be swayed by anyone else’s pheromones. Instead, he would fly into jealous rages over any omega who came near him.

The emotions of a fool driven purely by instinct would burn the fiercest. Zhou Wu would become his completely—his alone… a plaything.

Shen Yanzhi’s pupils dilated, his gums ached with the urge to bite, and the agarwood scent grew so thick it blanketed the carpet. Desire had morphed into a throbbing pain he could barely contain. He felt like he was about to explode.

He reached out, flipped Zhou Wu over, pinned him to the floor, and tore off his collar.