Whatever you want

Yuan Chen was notorious in their circle for having no interest in dating. In the past six years, Shen Yi had never seen him become intimate with anyone, male or female.

It wasn't that Yuan Chen was truly free of desire. Shen Yi had seen instinct get the better of him during his Heat Period plenty of times. It was just that his drive to conquer the business world far outweighed his sexual urges. He was a workaholic through and through.

For someone like him to agree to a romantic relationship with an Omega would have stunned anyone who heard about it.

Shen Yi figured he had either acted on impulse or had some other plan. There had to be a reason, but whatever it was, as his secretary, Shen Yi could only follow orders.

"Please, could you reconsider just once more?"

"Enough... Do I look like someone who'd do that? Have you got nothing better to do?"

"I completely understand that you're upset right now. If you'd just agree to meet him and hear the terms..."

"Do you think being an actor is that easy? Keep pestering me and I really will call the police. See? I've already dialed 11. I'll actually make the call."

The actor Yuan Chen had set his sights on was no pushover. The moment he heard the word "contract," he frowned, and even the way he looked at Shen Yi was full of disdain.

Shen Yi couldn't help questioning his boss's taste. This doesn't make sense. If he just wants to fool around, why pick someone this difficult? President Yuan, why him of all people?

"I'm sorry... But please."

All Shen Yi could do was keep apologizing and pleading. For two nights straight, he waited downstairs outside the Omega actor's home, bowing again and again. He felt bad about it, but he had no choice.

If he returned empty-handed, Yuan Chen's fury would surely sweep through the entire office. More importantly, what little pride he had as an executive assistant wouldn't let him botch the job.

On the third day, Ouyang Keke finally caved. Even the rain that had fallen all night seemed powerless against this stubborn secretary.

"Wow, do all secretaries work this hard? How could you stand in the rain all night?"

"Mr. Ouyang Keke."

"All right, I get it. Just one meeting, right? I'm not agreeing because I want to. I just feel sorry for you. I'm curious, too, what kind of person deserves this much from you?"

"Thank you. I'll make the arrangements." Shen Yi's wet hair clung to his forehead, but he still managed a strained smile.

To Ouyang Keke, he actually looked rather touching. Why should someone with such a handsome, delicate face work himself to death for an Alpha like that?

Yuan Chen and Ouyang Keke's first meeting took place in secret.

As the one proposing the dating contract, Yuan Chen remained aloof throughout. Shen Yi accompanied him as his executive assistant and finally understood President Yuan's plan:

The contract would last one month, with two meetings a week. They would enter and leave hotels together but have absolutely no physical intimacy. All they had to do was pretend to be close in public, creating the illusion of romance to pave the way for the ensuing publicity.

In short, it was acting. And Ouyang Keke had been chosen not only because he was a good actor, but also because...

"Yuan Hao approached him several times about becoming his kept lover?"

Because he was someone Yuan Hao had never managed to win over. Over the past six months, Yuan Hao had approached him several times, only for Ouyang Keke to see through his sleazy intentions and firmly refuse.

"Why go this far against your own family? Are all you Alphas this awful?" Ouyang Keke asked irritably.

"You're not exactly charming yourself. If I weren't trying to deal with Yuan Hao, I wouldn't have proposed this arrangement at all."

Did an Alpha and an Omega have to clash like this whenever they were together? Yuan Chen and Ouyang Keke had disliked each other from their very first meeting.

"I know you need to get him off your back. We each get something out of this."

"Then offer appropriate compensation. Do you know what romantic rumors mean for an actor? If you want my cooperation, I need to protect my interests, too!"

Unexpectedly, they actually reached an agreement. Shen Yi brokered the secret deal, becoming the only person privy to this bizarre relationship.

"All communication goes through Secretary Shen. If you need me, contact him."

"Perfect. I'm more comfortable talking to him."

For the first time during their conversation, Ouyang Keke smiled. His lovely brows relaxed, and he even winked at Shen Yi. Apparently, he knew how to turn on the charm.

"I look forward to working with you, Secretary Shen."

"Likewise." Shen Yi's lips curved slightly, but he felt a gaze pinning him in place.

He looked up and met Yuan Chen's icy stare.

...Why are you looking at me like that? He felt a little wronged.

The fake romance went unexpectedly smoothly.

In Yuan Chen's name, Shen Yi sent milk tea, pastries, and coffee to Ouyang Keke's film crew, carefully selecting every item.

He booked atmospheric restaurants, arranged hotel rooms, and meticulously prepared their dates. Before long, high-resolution paparazzi photos surfaced, and news of "Yuan Chen's passionate romance with an Omega actor" began trending.

Even if it was only a transaction, it looked convincing enough to pass for the real thing. Yuan Chen wore a perfect smile in public, while Ouyang Keke brought the role of a lovestruck Omega to life.

Of course, once they entered the hotel room, they went their separate ways, linking arms again only when it was time to leave.

The truth didn't matter. Looking intimate was enough, and no one brought up those rumors about Yuan Chen anymore.

"Rein in your pheromones. I'm going to throw up." After dinner, Yuan Chen rubbed his temples and frowned, making no effort to hide his disgust.

"Wow... That's really hurtful." Ouyang Keke released his arm and took a step back.

"He's really something, isn't he?"

Shen Yi could only smile. He agreed inwardly, but he absolutely couldn't answer. At a time like this, he was better off making himself invisible.

"President Yuan, should we cancel the trip to the cinema?"

Yuan Chen really wasn't feeling well, and looking after him had to come first. Shen Yi took out the Odor-Neutralizing Spray he had prepared, sprayed it around, then handed him some bottled water.

"Let's leave it at that." Yuan Chen drank the water, trying to suppress his discomfort.

"But I really want to see that movie. I've already announced it on social media..."

Now what? Yuan Chen regarded Ouyang Keke coldly.

The Omega's coaxing failed to move him in the slightest.

Ouyang Keke turned and gently tugged Shen Yi's sleeve.

"Secretary Shen, could you watch it with me?"

"Me?"

"President Yuan can rest in the car. You've booked the whole theater anyway. What difference does it make who I watch it with?"

Ouyang Keke had been looking forward to this movie for a long time, and they had booked the entire theater. Shen Yi also thought it would be a terrible shame to waste it.

He discreetly watched Yuan Chen's reaction. Yuan Chen gave a laugh, as though he found the idea absurd, then his smile vanished and his brows knitted tightly.

"Whatever you want." Yuan Chen tossed out the words coldly, then turned and left.

He took the car keys from Shen Yi's hand and rode the elevator downstairs alone.

"Oh no, did Secretary Shen get scolded because of me?"

"President Yuan isn't one to hold grudges. It's fine."

"Are you sure? He looked super angry walking away."

Shen Yi reassured Ouyang Keke, but he felt uneasy himself. That look Yuan Chen had given him before the elevator doors closed had sent a chill down his spine... The Yuan Chen he knew had never looked at him that way.

The two-and-a-half-hour movie was over in a flash. In the empty theater, they occasionally exchanged a few words, and the mood was relaxed.

"That was incredible! Thank you for watching it with me!" Ouyang Keke was still immersed in the story, savoring every moment.

Though the art film had left Shen Yi a little drowsy, seeing him so happy made him smile, too.

"As long as you enjoyed yourself."

"I have all this director's films on Blu-ray at home. If you're interested, want to watch them together sometime?"

"If there's an opportunity."

Unlike the excited Ouyang Keke, Shen Yi's thoughts had already flown to the parking lot. The movie had run longer than expected, and he worried that Yuan Chen would grow impatient waiting.

"Secretary Shen, can I call you Shen? That's okay, right?"

"Mr. Ouyang, could we walk a little faster?"

They were each talking about something different, but both quickened their pace. In the VIP parking lot, the sedan sat quietly, with a tall, slender figure leaning against it.

Shen Yi jogged over. "President Yuan, why aren't you resting in the car?"

"..."

Yuan Chen looked at him in silence, and Shen Yi tried hard to read something in his eyes.

"Get in. Drop him off, then we're going back to the office."

That was all Yuan Chen said before getting into the back seat. Shen Yi hurried around to the driver's side, but the front passenger door opened, and Ouyang Keke climbed in.

"You're sitting up front?"

"Yes. Wouldn't sitting in the back make him even more unhappy? I'd like to be comfortable on the way home. That's fine, right, President Yuan?"

Ouyang Keke buckled his seat belt and asked with apparent politeness. Shen Yi glanced in the rearview mirror, too. Yuan Chen was swiping across his tablet screen, ignoring him.

"...Let's go." His indifferent tone conveyed tacit permission.

Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief and gently pressed the accelerator. The sedan glided smoothly out of the parking lot.

Ouyang Keke talked nonstop along the way.

Yuan Chen had always preferred quiet, and the car was rarely this noisy. Shen Yi replied now and then, but his attention remained on the back seat. Fortunately, Yuan Chen showed no signs of impatience.

"The cookies sent to the set the day before yesterday were so exquisite I couldn't bear to eat them. I put them in the freezer. Did you choose those too, Shen?"

"Ah... Yes."

"You have the best taste of anyone I've ever met. How do you know my preferences so well?"

"I just... looked at your social media account."

It was the evening rush hour, and traffic was badly congested.

Shen Yi concentrated fully through the frequent stops and starts. He could drive, but he wasn't as skilled as a professional chauffeur, and he kept worrying that the person in the back seat might feel uncomfortable.

Ouyang Keke's clingy attitude puzzled him, too. From the way he addressed him to his tone, he was growing increasingly familiar. Though the Omega's distinctively soft voice was pleasant, it was also a little overwhelming.

Just as the light turned green and Shen Yi gently pressed the accelerator, a car in the next lane suddenly made an illegal lane change, cutting sharply in front of them!

Bang-!

Shen Yi slammed on the brakes and instinctively stretched out an arm to shield the person in the passenger seat. Inertia hurled them both forward.

"President Yuan! Are you all right?!"

He immediately turned to check on Yuan Chen. Fortunately, he seemed merely startled, not hurt.

"Did you hit anything?" he asked again, but Yuan Chen didn't answer.

His gaze rested on Shen Yi's arm, still shielding Ouyang Keke, then on the Omega's flushed cheeks, slightly parted lips, and those frightened eyes fixed on Secretary Shen.

Yuan Chen's brows slowly drew together.

What an... eyesore.

He had thought he could take it calmly now, but at that moment, the turmoil inside him began to rise again.