Pheromone levels over the limit

Shen Yi unbuttoned Yuan Chen's shirt. When his fingers touched the exposed skin, he could clearly feel how abnormally high his temperature was.

It wasn't a fever, and he wasn't coughing. Was he feeling unwell?

A bad feeling rose in Shen Yi's chest. He turned toward the pheromone purifier in the corner, its screen flashing a glaring red. Only then did he realize that President Yuan was giving off unusually concentrated pheromones.

He immediately switched on the portable Testing Device. The absurdly high reading on its screen made his eyes widen in shock.

His Heat Period had already passed. Pheromones this strong should never have appeared.

"President Yuan, your pheromones..."

"I know."

While Shen Yi's voice trembled with alarm, Yuan Chen remained unnaturally calm. Without even lifting his eyelids, he took a pheromone suppressant from the drawer and swallowed it, then picked up the fatigue recovery tonic on the desk and drained it, as calmly as though nothing had happened.

"It's nothing medication can't fix."

Even in his poor physical condition, his tone retained its usual forcefulness. He might have been unable to control his exhaustion, but the tight furrow between his brows never eased.

Shen Yi lowered his gaze to Yuan Chen's face. This was definitely not something he could simply brush aside with medication. Managing President Yuan's health was his foremost responsibility.

"You have to go to the hospital for an examination. I'll contact Professor Hu right away..."

"Special Assistant Shen."

A large hand suddenly closed around his wrist as he reached for his phone, its grip astonishingly strong.

"Do you think I have time to go to the hospital right now?"

"Medication won't fix this! Anyone could see there's something wrong with your condition."

"Don't make a fuss. I know my own body." He dismissed the concern lightly, his tone allowing no argument.

His grip tightened further. Only when Shen Yi frowned in discomfort did Yuan Chen release him.

"Treatment will have to wait until this matter is settled. Make sure the medication stays stocked in the meantime."

"..."

"Let's call it a day."

He braced himself against the desk and stood, his attitude so firm that there was no room even to try persuading him. Shen Yi took a deep breath and silently picked up his coat for him.

President Yuan was now like a time bomb that could explode at any moment.

That meant he had to keep a constant eye on his condition. Shen Yi forced down his worry with reason.

The person who had leaked the information was a senior researcher who had worked there for five years. Reportedly, failed investments in stocks and cryptocurrency had left him deeply in debt. He had resigned a month earlier and, fearing that he would be held accountable, had since fled overseas.

"No matter the cost, no matter what it takes, find him and bring him to me."

Yuan Chen had hired top private investigators. They would presumably get results faster than the police.

The real difficulty lay in negotiating with Yuzhi Pharmaceuticals. With the patent already granted to them, Akit could no longer use the same compound. Development of a generic would have to wait twenty years. Although a lawsuit to invalidate the patent was not entirely unwinnable, it would require time and money comparable to the research and development itself, and would inevitably damage their reputation.

A week later, Yuzhi Pharmaceuticals took the initiative to request a meeting. During the difficult negotiations, they proposed selling the patent back at a steep price or establishing a partnership to hold it jointly. The so-called partnership was merely an attempt to siphon off Akit's capital and technology.

"Absolutely not."

A cold smile curved Yuan Chen's lips. He crossed his long legs and tilted his head slightly. Though he was smiling, his gaze was terrifyingly sharp.

"Do you really take me for a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, Mr. Fu?"

"Why would you think that? We've given your company's circumstances every consideration."

"This is the first time I've seen someone negotiate with stolen property."

A flicker of discomfort crossed Fu Siliang's face, but he quickly regained his composure. Clearly, he had anticipated this.

"In that case, we have nothing more to discuss. We'll develop a new drug based on this patent, and its prospects are limitless. As everyone knows, it was an exceptionally innovative patent to begin with."

"By all means, try. I'm looking forward to seeing just how remarkable a drug your company can develop."

"You really have no interest in cooperating?"

"None. And there's no room for bargaining."

Yuan Chen's answer was unequivocal. In fact, after repeated evaluations, he had already decided to abandon the stolen patent and attempt an entirely new design that worked around the existing one. It was practically the same as starting from scratch.

It had not been an easy decision. After a fierce argument with the chairman, he had acted unilaterally and promised to take full responsibility. If this new drug failed to achieve major success, Yuan Chen was prepared to resign.

"Then why did you come today? We thought you were sincerely interested in negotiating."

"To warn you all. I, Yuan Chen, always repay a grudge."

The smile vanished from his face, leaving his sharp edge fully exposed. His piercing gaze made Fu Siliang unconsciously tighten his grip on the armrests. This young man was even more forceful than the rumors suggested. Fu Siliang made himself straighten his back, unwilling to show weakness.

Shen Yi held his breath as he watched the confrontation.

Unlike Yuzhi Pharmaceuticals, which had brought a team of lawyers, Yuan Chen had brought only him. Even so, his presence was overwhelmingly powerful, his eyes revealing an unwavering determination to crush his opponents.

In all honesty, Shen Yi felt proud of President Yuan's performance at that moment.

That unyielding pride, which refused to bow even in adversity, inspired his heartfelt admiration.

This was no empty bluff. He firmly believed that as long as he stayed by this man's side, whatever difficulties they faced, Yuan Chen would ultimately gain the upper hand and succeed.

"I hope you won't regret this."

"Thank you for the advice."

With the superficial courtesies over, they dispensed with even the customary handshake. This brief clash already had a clear winner. Seemingly pleased by their strained efforts to remain composed, Yuan Chen left first with a mocking smile.

"President Yuan, it's time to go to the hospital..."

As soon as they got into the car, Shen Yi reminded him of their next appointment. He turned toward the back seat, only to find Yuan Chen slumping weakly to one side.

"President Yuan!"

Shen Yi hurried into the back seat to support him. As though he had finally reached the limit of what he could endure, Yuan Chen breathed rapidly, struggling even to open his eyes.

"Driver, go straight to First Hospital! Hurry!"

Shen Yi shouted as he held Yuan Chen's weakened body, taking out his phone to contact Professor Hu, President Yuan's attending physician. His palms were already slick with cold sweat.

"Professor, this is Shen Yi. President Yuan has collapsed. Yes, we're on our way to the hospital now. We'll arrive in about ten minutes."

Shen Yi never took his eyes off Yuan Chen's face. Ever since Yuan Chen had insisted on pushing through with medication, he had felt uneasy. Surely there had to be a limit to his stubbornness.

The bomb had finally exploded. He tightened his hold on Yuan Chen again. Yuan Chen was much bigger than he was; rather than supporting him, he was barely managing to bear his weight. But right now, there was no other choice.

"It's a miracle you've been able to function normally all this time. You're practically a walking corpse."

Professor Hu shook the examination report, pushed his glasses up his nose, and sighed repeatedly. The results were far worse than expected.

"Get to the point."

Yuan Chen pulled off his hospital gown and tossed it aside. Shen Yi immediately handed him a clean shirt and draped it over his shoulders with practiced understanding. Watching him take the care for granted, Professor Hu shook his head helplessly.

"Never mind your pheromone levels. Your liver function readings are abysmal too."

Professor Hu was one of the country's leading specialists in secondary sex medicine. Both Yuan Chen's attending physician and an old friend, he was one of the few people who knew his secret.

Even Professor Hu, who had been prescribing his suppressants all along, had not expected his condition to deteriorate this far. The tremendous stress he had been under recently was undoubtedly the main cause.

"Your immune defenses are completely depleted. The only reason you've held out this long is your alpha constitution... But now your pheromone secretion system is malfunctioning, so even that advantage is gone. As your attending physician, I'm giving you a serious warning: stop taking the medication immediately and prepare to enter your Heat Period."

Yuan Chen silently put on his shirt, then sat on the examination bed and let out a deep sigh.

Shen Yi quietly tidied the hospital gown he had taken off. Yuan Chen exhaled at length and rubbed his temple irritably. Although Shen Yi could not sense pheromones, he could still feel the pain Yuan Chen was enduring in his heavy, cloyingly sweet breaths.

"Is there no other way? What about surgery?"

"Surgery is possible. If you can stay in the hospital for three weeks, I'll arrange it immediately."

Professor Hu answered bluntly, set the report aside, and turned to the computer, typing rapidly.

"You dislike omegas, but surely you can at least manage to have sex with one?"

"..."

"Do I need to spell it out? If you don't get relief during your Heat Period immediately, you'll soon go into shock. You're not far from a total collapse."

The stern warning made Shen Yi's fingers freeze. He barely steadied himself before standing. Across from him, Yuan Chen showed no surprise, evidently having anticipated his own condition.

Yuan Chen irritably dragged a hand over his face, swept aside his tangled emotions, and spoke in a low voice.

"Shen Yi, my upcoming schedule."

Shen Yi had already checked his phone. The schedule was packed, with various events booked even over the weekend.

"President Yuan, it'll be difficult to clear a substantial block of time right now."

"Shock! I said shock!"

Professor Hu repeated the word firmly.

Yuan Chen bit his lip, clearly unwilling to accept it, but in the end, he could only nod in resignation.

"Postpone everything. Clear a week."