Releasing pheromones

"But it was worth it. Working by your side, President Yuan, helped me grow a lot too."

"..."

"Rest assured, I definitely won't become anyone else's secretary," Shen Yi said, half joking. Though neither of them had ever said it outright, he knew very well how much Yuan Chen valued him. After all, Yuan Chen had personally chosen him.

To ease the tension, Shen Yi smiled, his eyes curving, but Yuan Chen's lips didn't so much as twitch. He kept eating in silence, his face taut.

Without his usual elegance and composure, he suddenly set down his chopsticks. His lips pressed tightly together, and his strained voice escaped through clenched teeth:

"Am I really not worth staying for at all?"

"You still haven't given up?"

"It's not as if you dislike being a special assistant. We've worked together for six years."

"Don't say that."

This was downright unfair. The great President Yuan was actually showing vulnerability to him? Goose bumps rose all over Shen Yi, and even through his shirt, he could feel the hairs on his arms standing on end.

"I thought we settled this last time."

"As long as you make sure to control your pheromones, there won't be any problems at work."

"It's not that simple."

"Or... I could get used to you."

Everything Shen Yi said was countered. His throat tightened, and he hurriedly took a gulp of water, but Yuan Chen looked determined and continued:

"Try releasing your pheromones."

"..."

"It's all right."

Shen Yi narrowed his eyes slightly. To be honest, he was a little curious too. Half skeptical, half testing him, he released a tiny trace of pheromones.

An invisible fragrance slowly spread through the air.

Without a change in expression, Yuan Chen picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of yuzu peel clinging to the white kimchi, and quietly chewed it.

"Can you really tolerate it?"

"Yes. I don't feel much."

"But your face is red."

Yuan Chen abruptly put down his chopsticks and drank deeply, then frowned in a show of composure. "See? I told you it was fine."

Shen Yi immediately withdrew his pheromones. Watching someone suffer because of his pheromones felt awful.

"See? How are we supposed to work together like this?"

"Getting used to something takes time. You can't expect perfection right from the start."

"There's no need to force yourself."

Yuan Chen suddenly looked up. Shen Yi met his gaze and frankly expressed what he thought:

"President Yuan, I want to be respected at work. I don't want to work with someone who's disgusted by me."

"I'm disgusted by you?"

"I remember your expression just now very clearly."

Yuan Chen pushed away his half-finished meal box and leaned back in his chair, tilting his head up. He ran his fingers through his disheveled bangs and closed his eyes.

His brow was tightly furrowed, as though a headache had struck.

"No matter what, I'm going to try."

"All right. There are still two days left anyway," Shen Yi replied lightly.

He was certain that no matter how hard Yuan Chen tried to adjust, he would give up in the end.

Seeing that Yuan Chen had lost his appetite, Shen Yi began clearing the table. It would be better to end this dinner sooner.

After returning from cleaning up, he continued working. By the time he looked up again, it was already eleven at night. Shen Yi saved his files and shut down his computer.

Yuan Chen happened to switch off the lights and come out of his office just then, and their eyes met again.

"Still have something to take care of?"

"No. I was just about to leave."

"Let's go together."

His tone was so casual that it was hard to refuse. Shen Yi straightened his chair and followed him.

The elevator was silent. Shen Yi stared intently at the floor display.

When he lowered his head, the smooth metal panel reflected Yuan Chen's profile, his head tilted back. His suit jacket was draped casually over his arm, his hands tucked into his trouser pockets. Exhaustion hung over him, and his rumpled shirt made him look even more disheveled.

Shen Yi silently looked away. I can't let myself care.

A clear chime sounded when they reached the third basement level, and Yuan Chen slowly opened his eyes.

Their footsteps rang especially clearly through the empty parking garage. At this hour, most of the spaces were vacant, with only two cars parked in the vast expanse.

Shen Yi walked over to Yuan Chen's car. "President Yuan, drive safely."

Just as Yuan Chen was about to open the driver's door, he suddenly looked at him:

"Get in. I'll drive you."

"No need. I drove here."

Shen Yi pointed to the car a short distance away, its lights flashing on.

Yuan Chen cast it a cold glance and got into the driver's seat, looking displeased. Hearing the door close, Shen Yi breathed a sigh of relief and turned toward his own car.

Shen Yi settled into the driver's seat, and belated fatigue washed over him. He leaned back against the leather seat and closed his eyes, intending to rest for a moment before setting off.

Suddenly, the passenger door opened. Shen Yi sat up in surprise, and before he could react, Yuan Chen had already climbed in and fastened his seat belt.

"President Yuan, what are you..."

"Tired."

"What?"

"Can't drive."

Wasn't he just offering to drive me? If he can't drive, why not call his driver? Shen Yi swallowed the retort on the tip of his tongue.

"Drop me off at my door before you leave."

"All right..."

Yuan Chen closed his eyes, making it clear he didn't want to say anything more.

Looking at his long legs folded into the passenger seat, Shen Yi sighed helplessly and tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"Wouldn't the back seat be more comfortable?"

"Here is fine."

So stubborn. Shen Yi suppressed his irritation and started the car.

"Pheromones."

"What?"

"Release your pheromones. I need to get used to them."

Shen Yi let out an incredulous laugh. Yuan Chen really was determined to try.

Since it wasn't rush hour, they reached the residential complex quickly, but the drive was anything but peaceful. Yuan Chen reacted badly twice along the way, frightening Shen Yi into immediately withdrawing his pheromones. A little later, he asked him to continue again. What exactly does he want?

In the end, he had no choice but to open the windows and let the pheromones disperse in the wind. Shen Yi's feelings were complicated. He felt as though he were doing something wrong.

After all that trouble, they finally arrived. Both got out of the car, and Shen Yi solemnly told Yuan Chen, who was still panting:

"Don't try again. I can't take it either."

Yuan Chen clenched his teeth, his cheeks taut.

"Bear with it. I'm bearing with it too."

"You won't change, President Yuan."

"What if I do?"

He strode closer, his tall figure casting a shadow over Shen Yi's face. Even without releasing pheromones, his presence alone was oppressive enough.

"You have to fulfill your duties too."

"What duties?"

"Your contract hasn't expired yet."

Shen Yi raised a hand to his burning forehead. Has this man lost his mind? Differentiating into an Omega was already a valid reason to terminate the contract.

"I told you, I'm only helping you for three days."

"I'm sick of hearing that. I don't want to hear it again."

"Apparently your memory isn't very good. I'll have to keep reminding you."

Their gazes clashed, and Yuan Chen's mouth twisted:

"You really are stubborn."

"Not as stubborn as you, President Yuan."

"I'll make you admit defeat sooner or later."

"Once I resign, I won't even have to call you 'President Yuan.' Actually, maybe I can stop now?"

Shen Yi refused to yield an inch. He was leaving soon anyway. What was there to fear?

"Go on home, Yuan Chen."

After that brief farewell, he turned away. A restrained laugh came from behind him. Without looking back, Shen Yi got into his car and gripped the steering wheel, the corners of his mouth lifting unconsciously. An inexplicable pleasure shot up from his tailbone. He shrugged and pressed the accelerator.

The car drove past the entrance to Yuan Chen's home. For some reason, Shen Yi slept especially soundly that night.

The second day of the handover.

Shen Yi was the first to arrive at the company. As soon as he got there, he aired out the office, then made a cup of coffee and drank it slowly. Though he didn't want to admit it, the familiar workplace really did put him at ease.

As he sipped his coffee, his colleagues from the Secretary Department began arriving one after another. Seeing Shen Yi there so early, they all greeted him with smiles:

"You're here early!"

"Good morning."

"It's so nice having our department head in the office. Why don't you come back to work?"

Faced with their familiar teasing, Shen Yi responded with a smile:

"I'll find you all an even better department head."

That was right. He had to find a suitable candidate for special assistant today. His mind made up, he drained his slightly cooled coffee in one gulp.