Shen Yi, come over

"Do you find this job tiring?"

"Huh?" Shen Yi didn't quite register the question.

"You look thinner than before." Yuan Chen's gaze lingered on his face.

The sudden concern left Shen Yi stunned. Yuan Chen's fingers absently traced his own jawline, and Shen Yi looked up at him, wondering, What's gotten into the president today?

"No, it's not tiring..."

Yuan Chen looked away, his gaze settling on the calendar on the desk, filled with appointments. A moment passed before he spoke again.

"Your contract is about to expire, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Are there any particular terms you'd like to add?"

Shen Yi finally understood why Yuan Chen was acting so strangely today. Although he was already a permanent employee, the president's special assistant was a unique position, requiring a contract renewal every two years.

The unusual greeting, the perfectly timed concern... Shen Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his lips pulling into a somewhat weary smile.

After three contract renewal negotiations, he earned one of the highest annual salaries in his field. He had already bought a home and a car in City A, where every inch of land cost a fortune, and enjoyed department-head-level benefits. The rewards for this demanding job were certainly generous.

He really had nothing else to ask for.

"I'll give it some thought."

"I trust you'll renew, of course." Yuan Chen's tone was even, but left no room for doubt. Looking at Shen Yi, he continued, "I know the job has its difficulties. Material compensation is about all I can offer. I hope you'll keep up the good work as you always have, Special Assistant Shen."

It was a habit of his. Only when he was in a reasonably good mood did he add that touch of deliberate courtesy.

Then Yuan Chen lightly touched his watch and rose from the desk.

"That's all for today. You can clock out."

The words "clock out" made Shen Yi's eyes light up instantly.

It wasn't even six yet! This was more precious than any material compensation, and made him far happier.

"Of course! Mr. Yuan, I'll arrange everything right away!"

Suppressing his delight, he stood briskly and contacted the driver. Naturally, he couldn't betray even a hint of eagerness. Keeping his emotions hidden was another basic skill for a special assistant.

"We'll pick you up before nine tomorrow morning."

"All right. Thank you for your hard work."

"After you, sir."

Shen Yi said goodbye more sincerely than usual, watching Yuan Chen enter his home without looking back. Only when he heard the metal gate close did the joy of freedom truly sink in. The corners of his mouth lifted uncontrollably, and the driver beside him couldn't help smiling too.

"Special Assistant Shen, would you like a ride?"

"No, I can walk. Thank you for your hard work, too. Head home and get some rest."

It was only a five-minute walk from Yuan Chen's home to Shen Yi's. The streets of this expensive neighborhood were quiet, surrounded by high walls.

His steps were so light on the smooth asphalt that he almost felt he could fly. The rare chance to leave work early had him as excited as a child.

A short walk beyond the residential compound brought a row of elegant, upscale townhouses into view. This was where Shen Yi lived, in one of the capital's most expensive villa neighborhoods.

As soon as he stepped inside, he shed his restrictive suit. By the time he finished showering, the takeout he had ordered in advance had arrived. He spread the food across the living room coffee table and settled comfortably on the floor.

Even sitting cross-legged, his knees trembled slightly with excitement. Having free time is wonderful! He arranged the lavish dinner before him and even opened a can of cold beer. The soft pop was wonderfully satisfying.

Not being able to drink because of work was a bit of a shame, but this was already good enough. He took a big gulp of beer and immediately picked up his chopsticks.

Shen Yi stuffed a piece of sauce-covered barbecue into his mouth, his cheeks bulging as his eyes curved in satisfaction. Sometimes happiness really was that simple.

Living alone in this spacious house, he pressed the remote and let the noise of a variety show drive away the silence. The guests were being introduced on-screen.

"Today's guest is Mr. Gu Qingheng!"

"Oh, my neighbor." Shen Yi watched the radiant actor on-screen with a look of recognition.

The superstar lived in the same villa neighborhood, and they had crossed paths a few times. Shen Yi had to admit that he looked even more handsome on camera than in person.

The caption beside the actor's face read "S-Class Alpha." The other male guest next to him was also an Alpha, and was busy expressing his envy of S-Class Alphas.

How ironic. Even among Alphas, there was a hierarchy. To Betas, they practically seemed to live in another world.

The guests were introduced one after another, all Alphas and Omegas. When a male Omega actor appeared, even Shen Yi couldn't help taking a few extra looks. He really was beautiful. Even male Omegas looked different from ordinary men.

Once he was full, he stared aimlessly at the screen. Everyone was entranced by the looks of these blessed few, and the captions lavished them with every possible word of praise.

Recently, the proportion of people with secondary genders in the entertainment industry had risen sharply. Omegas had always been common, but now even S-Class Alphas appeared frequently, all thanks to the Pheromone Enhancer. With this much media exposure, it was no wonder everyone wanted to become a star.

No wonder the Pheromone Enhancer sold so well, either. The brisk sales of Akit's recently developed drug were the best proof of that demand.

"Oh, the enhancer!"

Watching television finally reminded him of the important matter he had put off. Shen Yi set down his barbecue and picked up the phone on the sofa.

Even working at a pharmaceutical company didn't make it easy to buy this popular product. Asking Yuan Chen would make it simple, of course, but that was strictly a last resort. He had to find a way himself.

"Hmm... who should I ask?"

He scrolled through his phone's contacts, packed with connections. They were another valuable asset he had accumulated over six years as a special assistant.

Just as he was browsing his work contacts, the phone screen suddenly changed, and a shrill ringtone sounded.

"Oh, no!"

The instant "President Yuan Chen" appeared on the screen, he was so startled he nearly dropped his phone. He hurriedly steadied it and answered before his heartbeat had settled.

"Mr. Yuan, what can I do for you?"

"Shen Yi, come over."

"Yes, I'll be right there."

The call ended in less than thirty seconds. As he lowered his phone, exaggerated laughter and cries of "I knew this would happen!" came from the television, as though they were mocking him.

"...What is it this time? There goes my evening off again!" Shen Yi pressed his forehead against the back of the sofa.

How long has it even been since I clocked out? He sighed helplessly, braced himself against the floor, and hauled his heavy body up.

What else could an assistant do? When the boss called, he had to go.

His footsteps felt unbearably heavy on the same route he had walked while humming just a little earlier. Back in his suit, he almost felt as though he was heading back to work.

When he reached Yuan Chen's home, he entered the code, and the gate slid open silently. He crossed the courtyard toward the entrance.

Instead of ringing the doorbell, Shen Yi pressed his thumb directly against the door lock. Since he came and went so often, his fingerprint had long since been registered.

There wasn't a trace of human presence in the house. Yuan Chen had called him over, yet he was nowhere to be seen.

He searched through the cold house. As always, Yuan Chen's home was spotless, without a speck of dust. Every visit left him feeling that the place lacked warmth, more like a showroom or gallery than a home.

"Mr. Yuan, I'm here."

Only his own voice echoed clearly through the high-ceilinged living room.

Shen Yi looked around and headed toward the study. Out of courtesy, he knocked before pushing the door open, and finally found the person he was looking for.

Yuan Chen came into view behind the desk. Something was clearly wrong with him. He had a hand against his forehead and was slumped deep in his chair.

Shen Yi immediately hurried over. Once close, he first checked Yuan Chen's condition: his skin was frighteningly hot, and his breathing was different from usual, rapid and labored.

"Mr. Yuan, please look at me."

Only then did Yuan Chen open his eyes. His pupils were abnormally dilated.

These were the symptoms of an S-Class Alpha's rut.