Yan Feizhuo, what do your pheromones smell like?

After Sheng Nian got into the car, he felt even worse and slumped weakly against the seat.

On the way, Yan Feizhuo called ahead to summon his personal doctor to the estate.

As soon as they returned to the estate, Yan Feizhuo carried Sheng Nian back to his room, then called the doctor in to examine him.

Yan Feizhuo's personal doctor was named Chen Che, a male beta.

Looking at the Omega wrapped in the quilt, Chen Che asked gently, "Where do you feel unwell? Apart from dizziness and a fever, do you have any other symptoms?"

Sheng Nian first nodded groggily, then touched the back of his neck. "My gland. My gland feels uncomfortable too."

At the mention of discomfort in his gland, both Chen Che's and Yan Feizhuo's gazes grew more serious.

The gland was very important to an Omega, and its structure was so intricate that even a minor problem could have a major impact.

Fortunately, Yan Feizhuo's estate was fully equipped. A treatment room had been included when it was built, complete with most commonly used testing equipment.

After obtaining Sheng Nian's consent, Chen Che drew a vial of blood and took it to the treatment room for testing and analysis.

After Chen Che left, Yan Feizhuo poured Sheng Nian a glass of warm water and quietly kept him company.

The room was very quiet, and Sheng Nian lay curled beneath the quilt with little strength.

Gradually, he seemed to catch the scent of a damp mist carrying the warmth of morning sunlight. It was very abstract, yet very distinct.

The scent enveloped him, like real mist surrounding a jasmine blossom and leaving moist morning dew upon it. It was a little cool, but it made him feel much better.

He paused in surprise, then spoke in a hoarse voice. "Yan Feizhuo, what do your pheromones smell like?"

Yan Feizhuo paused. "Why are you suddenly asking that?"

"I think... I can smell your pheromones."

Yan Feizhuo frowned. "I haven't released any pheromones."

Unlike Omegas, Alphas could actively control the concentration of the pheromones they released.

More than fifty years ago, after a series of bills on Omega rights submitted by Wen Shi, the leader of the Omega equal rights movement and a member of parliament at the time, were passed, pheromone blockers and various pheromone-suppressing bracelets and collars had burst onto the scene.

These products could all block the pheromones of Omegas and Alphas, preventing pheromones from involuntarily inducing heat or rut in either and freeing Omegas from the constraints of pheromones so they could choose their own partners.

In theory, as long as an Omega received regular suppressant injections and wore a collar or a suppressant patch, they would not be able to smell the tiny amount of pheromones an Alpha unconsciously released in everyday life.

Yan Feizhuo also wore a suppressant bracelet designed for Alphas while on the show. Although he had not set it to the highest level, which completely blocked the scent of pheromones, he was not currently in his rut and had not deliberately released any pheromones. Sheng Nian should not have been able to smell them.

His frown deepened. "What do you smell?"

Sheng Nian thought for a moment, struggling a little to describe it. "Damp and cool, like..."

"Being surrounded by the slightly cool morning mist."

Yan Feizhuo froze.

Because Sheng Nian really had smelled his pheromones.

He said nothing for a long while, and Sheng Nian asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Yan Feizhuo shook his head. "No. When did you last get a pheromone blocker injection?"

Sheng Nian was slightly taken aback. "So what I smelled really was your pheromones?"

Yan Feizhuo nodded.

"But my pheromone blocker won't wear off for another few months, and I've been wearing a collar and a gland suppressant patch during the show..."

"It's all right. Don't panic. Nothing will go wrong. Chen Che is already running the tests."

Seeing him grow increasingly anxious as he spoke, Yan Feizhuo reassured him. "It's all right. If Chen Che can't find out what's wrong here, we'll go to the hospital."

Yan Feizhuo's calm tone did much to soothe Sheng Nian. He settled down and nestled back beneath the quilt, waiting for the doctor's test results.

An hour later, Chen Che returned with the blood analysis report.

"Mr. Sheng's pheromone concentration has shown an abnormal increase within the past three hours. This is very likely a sign of an approaching heat."

Sheng Nian frowned. "That isn't normal. My heat shouldn't come at this time, and before I joined the show, my manager even arranged for me to get a suppressant injection at the hospital."

Chen Che adjusted his glasses and continued, "An Omega's gland is a remarkable thing. Perhaps something stimulated yours."

He offered a reasonable guess. "Have you recently met an Alpha with a very high compatibility with you? Their pheromones may have affected you."

"An Alpha's pheromones?"

Sheng Nian murmured, looking at Yan Feizhuo before turning back to Chen Che. "But I've had a pheromone blocker injection. Shouldn't that block the effects of Alpha pheromones?"

Chen Che shrugged. "As you know, as long as the compatibility is high enough, the effects of pheromones can be amplified without limit."

Sheng Nian: "..."

"From the looks of it, you have indeed smelled an Alpha's pheromones, Mr. Sheng?"

Yan Feizhuo took over the conversation. "So, what can we do about it?"

Chen Che's gaze moved back and forth between them. "It's very simple. Just have that Alpha give him a temporary mark."

"No!"

Sheng Nian's reaction was rather strong, and his refusal was equally firm.

Chen Che looked at Yan Feizhuo and fell silent for a moment.

Ah, so he hasn't won him over yet...

Yan Feizhuo glanced at Sheng Nian and readily agreed. "Another option."

Chen Che glanced at Yan Feizhuo. "If you don't want a temporary mark, the only option is to prescribe some medication to relieve the pheromone sensitivity symptoms, switch to a more precise collar, and give him another pheromone blocker injection."

"Oh, and if possible, remember to have that Alpha turn his suppressant bracelet up to the highest setting so he won't affect you."

Yan Feizhuo: "..."

"Beep-"

The sound of the Alpha adjusting his bracelet's setting broke the silence in the room.

Sheng Nian: "..."

That was rather a giveaway.

Chen Che raised an eyebrow. So it really is you.

Yan Feizhuo met Chen Che's meaningful gaze quite calmly. "Then we'll go with the second option."

"All right. I'll go downstairs to prepare the medication and injections, then come back up."

Chen Che asked Sheng Nian a few more questions about his allergy history and other information before leaving the room to prepare the medication downstairs.

As soon as he opened the door, he saw an Omega hurrying past.

Chen Che frowned, but since the show was being filmed and there were other guests in the villa, he did not give it much thought. The patient was more important right now.

Chen Che soon returned with the medication and injections. After receiving the injection and taking the medicine, Sheng Nian sniffed lightly. The damp scent that had been enveloping him had vanished completely.

He found it a little hard to get used to.

Sheng Nian felt a little sleepy after taking the medicine, so Yan Feizhuo and Chen Che both left the room to let him rest.

"I'll come check on you when it's time to gather later. If you're not feeling well, you can skip the remaining activities."

Sheng Nian nodded, closed his eyes, and went to sleep.