Take care of yourself

Professor Hu wore a warm smile. "What a wonderful surprise. Congratulations, Shen Yi."

What was there to congratulate him for? Yuan Chen muttered something under his breath beside him, but Shen Yi pretended not to hear and shook the professor's hand with a smile. With that, his status as an omega had been officially confirmed by one of the country's leading experts.

"Thank you for taking the time to examine me."

"It's fortunate that you understand differentiation so well. That's very important. Many people who differentiate late go through a long adjustment period."

The test results showed that Shen Yi had excellent control over his pheromones and strong resistance to alpha pheromones, placing him in the S-class omega category.

"But you still need to take this seriously. Let's start with regular follow-ups to monitor your condition. Would you consider transferring to our hospital? I could be your attending physician."

"That would be wonderful."

While the two spoke, Yuan Chen sat by the window with his arms folded. Even his breathing betrayed his irritation, and his expression was particularly grim.

Once they left the hospital, Shen Yi took out a white envelope. This was the second time in his life he had handed in a resignation letter.

"President Yuan, thank you for looking after me during my time here."

The envelope crumpled in Yuan Chen's grip. He didn't even open it, only stared at Shen Yi.

"Do you want to leave that badly?"

"You're an alpha, and I'm an omega. Given what we are now, it really isn't appropriate for us to keep working together. You know that better than anyone."

Yuan Chen didn't respond.

Shen Yi was actually an omega. His most trusted, most capable assistant had suddenly become an omega, and Yuan Chen found it impossible to accept. Although he knew it wasn't Shen Yi's fault, an indescribable distress still welled up inside him.

In the end, he stuffed the crumpled resignation letter into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

Shen Yi smiled faintly. "The other staff are all excellent. You can entrust the work to them without worrying."

"That's not your concern."

"I'll finish handing over my duties before I leave."

"No need. Shen Yi, take care of yourself."

With those cold words, Yuan Chen turned and left. Though his face was expressionless, Shen Yi could tell he was in a terrible mood.

But President Yuan would surely be all right. He had always been strong and disciplined.

Watching the alpha get into the car, Shen Yi turned to leave as well. A faint trace of pheromone fragrance still lingered in the air.

From now on, he would begin a new life as an omega.

At six thirty in the morning, Yuan Chen woke up right on schedule.

After an hour of exercise, he finished showering at eight sharp. As usual, he skipped breakfast; he disliked feeling full first thing in the morning.

For him, a suit was everyday wear. He put on a neatly pressed white shirt and fastened his tie. The man in the mirror remained as immaculate as ever.

Once he was ready, he left the house and crossed the courtyard. His driver and secretary were already waiting beside the car and greeted him respectfully.

This was the first day after Shen Yi's departure.

The world wouldn't change just because someone had left. Yuan Chen gave them an indifferent glance and headed straight for his car. Secretary Li hurried to open the door for him.

After closing the car door, Secretary Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Despite all her preparations, she couldn't help feeling nervous.

The president's special assistant's duties were temporarily being shared among the Secretary Department. This morning, it was Secretary Li's turn to accompany him. Though it was only a temporary arrangement, she already felt the pressure of the job. In fact, she had been on standby since seven.

Fortunately, Shen Yi had left a detailed work manual. All she had to do was follow it.

Buying President Yuan's daily coffee, adjusting the temperature in the car according to the weather, briefing him on the day's schedule during the drive... none of it was difficult, but she still worried about making a mistake.

Just then, Yuan Chen picked up his coffee. The moment he touched it, something felt wrong. He took a sip. The temperature was just right, yet something still seemed off.

He forced down a mouthful and set the cup aside. It was the same coffee from the same shop, but it simply didn't taste the same.

The car drove smoothly, with classical music playing as always. Yuan Chen gazed out the window, then suddenly caught an unfamiliar scent and frowned.

It seemed to be coming from Secretary Li in the front passenger seat. He couldn't tell whether it was perfume or something else. Though it wasn't strong, it irritated him immensely.

Without a word, Yuan Chen lowered the window. Wind rushed in, dispersing the scent.

Secretary Li saw what he had done in the rearview mirror. Assuming President Yuan was feeling hot, she quickly lowered the air conditioning temperature.

"President Yuan, may I brief you on today's schedule now?"

"Mm."

Secretary Li picked up the itinerary and began her report in a clear voice, but none of it registered with Yuan Chen. He seemed to have grown accustomed to someone else's voice.

At the office, everyone was cautious. The secretaries did their best to avoid mistakes, but people inevitably made them.

Whenever that happened, Yuan Chen held back his displeasure. He knew this was a transition period, and such things were unavoidable.

But maintaining that level of tension was difficult. Three weeks after the president's special assistant position became vacant, the Secretary Department staff gradually began to show signs of exhaustion.

After a midweek meeting, the secretaries gathered to talk quietly. Secretary Li, who had recently been handling the morning duties, rubbed her haggard face and said:

"I'm on edge every morning. If this keeps up, I won't last much longer..."

"Aren't we all? Look at Haoyu. He's practically sallow."

"The department head's departure paperwork hasn't been completed yet, has it?"

"I heard President Yuan hasn't approved it?"

"Is that good news?"

Hopeful looks passed among them. Secretary Li, the most senior of the group, shook her head.

"Have you ever seen an omega serve as a president's special assistant? It's impossible." Besides, Yuan Chen's aversion to omega pheromones was well known.

"I thought... President Yuan wouldn't want to let him go."

"Exactly. I really don't understand why he still hasn't hired a new secretary."

"Secretary Li, why don't you suggest it to him?"

Even the good-natured Secretary Pang pressed both hands together in a plea.

The longer it went on, the more keenly they felt the void Shen Yi had left. The workload was manageable; the problem was that no one could figure out Yuan Chen's temperament. Faced with his icy gaze, they were all on tenterhooks.

Just then, the office door suddenly opened, and the gathered secretaries immediately scattered. Holding a document, Yuan Chen said:

"Shen Yi, there's a problem with these meeting minutes. Bring your laptop in and check them."

Everyone exchanged looks. Shen Yi wasn't here. Calling for "Shen Yi" was a habit Yuan Chen had never broken, and he didn't seem to notice it himself. After speaking, he closed the door and went back inside.

"Haoyu, hurry in. You handled the meeting minutes."

"But... President Yuan called for the department head."

"Stop dawdling. You're responsible for them now."

His colleagues patted the newcomer's shoulder, leaving Chen Haoyu no choice but to pick up his laptop with tears in his eyes.

Without Shen Yi, the Secretary Department was barely keeping things running for yet another day.

On the surface, everything was normal with Yuan Chen, but he, too, was deeply affected.

When a late-night business engagement ended, perhaps because it was Friday, the usually restrained Yuan Chen was so drunk that his steps were unsteady.

With the driver's support, he entered his house, carelessly kicked off his shoes, and stumbled onto the living room sofa.

He leaned back against the sofa and irritably loosened his tie.

Every breath made the world spin. His head felt as though it would split open.

What was on the schedule tomorrow?

Even this drunk, he was still thinking about work. Instinctively, he reached into his suit jacket's inner pocket, took out his phone, and pressed the speed-dial button.

As always, the call was answered before the second ring.

Yuan Chen lay slumped on the sofa, running his fingers through his disheveled bangs.

"Shen Yi, what's on the schedule tomorrow?"