You sound like a jerk

Qin Zheng and Zhan Ying watched Lu Ye noisily packing his things, both looking delighted.

"Boss, does this mean you won't have to go into confinement anymore?"

"Of course! Now that Boss has a wife, forget confinement-he won't even need suppressants!"

The corners of Lu Ye's mouth practically reached the sky. He was very pleased with what they said.

While they packed, Qin Zheng made a call, telling the bodyguards to head to Snow Hall first and secure the surrounding area.

A top-tier Alpha's rut was no small matter. They had to be prepared for anything.

Zhan Ying looked at the suitcase full of newly purchased, extra-strength suppressants on the floor, then turned to Lu Ye in bewilderment.

"Boss, take these along, just in case..."

In case Xie Lin won't let you bite him, you'll still have something to get you through.

Before he could say it, Lu Ye cut him off through gritted teeth.

"Get lost, get lost! There's no 'just in case.' Taotao and I are getting along great."

"...All right!"

Once everything was packed, the group strode out of the Dingchi building with their heads held high.

The employees they passed all stopped to watch Lu Ye-

The boss was going into confinement again!

Tsk, tsk. How pitiful!

Those few days every month really were terrifying for a top-tier Alpha!

On her way back from shopping with her best friend, Lu Zhenzhen passed Dingchi and decided to stop in to see her older brother.

"Everything ready, bro?"

"Yep, all ready!"

Lu Ye deliberately raised his voice.

"I'm spending my rut with my wife!"

"..."

"???"

The corner of Lu Zhenzhen's mouth twitched as she lost control of her expression.

"No, bro, fantasizing is one thing, but there's no way Tao Miaomiao would actually..."

"It's true!"

Zhan Ying puffed out his chest and raised his chin, looking as proud as if he were the one with a wife.

"We're taking Boss to the Xie family's place. Tao..."

Lu Ye shot him a cutting look. Who said you could call him Taotao?

Zhan Ying shrank back, immediately changing course.

"Mr. Xie invited Boss over!"

With that, Lu Ye led his entourage out of the building, got into the car, and drove away.

He left Lu Zhenzhen and the employees gaping in shock, their mouths forming perfect O's.

Meanwhile, Wen Xubai looked at the large number of men in black who had suddenly appeared around Snow Hall, his brows knitting involuntarily.

He was about to call Xie Yanqiu when he saw him strolling over leisurely, his hands behind his back.

"What brings you over here? Where's Taotao?"

Xie Yanqiu waved a hand.

"Lu Ye's coming."

"What? What's that brat coming here for? To take advantage of him?"

"Taotao agreed. It's just a temporary mark. It's nothing."

"Oh, I see!"

Wen Xubai relaxed a little, a faint light appearing in his eyes.

"An S-Class Alpha's rut really isn't easy. I'm lucky I have you!"

Xie Yanqiu blushed despite his age and shot him a look.

"That's enough. You're acting like a young pup."

"Hehe! Oh, right, what about us?"

"When Lu Ye gets here, we'll have him take us to a hotel. We'll leave this place to them."

"You're really comfortable with that?"

Xie Yanqiu let out a long sigh.

"We're old. We can't protect Taotao for the rest of his life. It's time someone took our place."

Wen Xubai nodded, pulling him into his arms and gently patting his back.

"You're right!"

When Lu Ye arrived at Snow Hall, he found the front gate wide open. Two white-haired elderly men, one tall and one short, stood inside, watching him.

He quickly straightened up, then bowed with a smile.

"Elder Great-Grandfather, Grandfather, I'm Lu Ye!"

"Mm!"

Wen Xubai looked stern and unsmiling, his gaze full of scrutiny.

Xie Yanqiu was much more easygoing, a smile on his lips.

"You won't go back on your word, will you, President Lu?"

"Oh, please, call me A-Ye. That's what everyone in my family calls me. Don't worry, Grandfathers. I will never force him!"

"All right. We'll trust you this once!"

Lu Ye broke into a broad, happy grin.

But he also knew that if he crossed the line this time, there would be no next time.

If he was brazen enough to go all the way, knowing that man's temperament, he would rather die of pain afterward than ever see him again.

Lu Ye had Qin Zheng take them to the hotel, then slowly walked inside.

Following that trace of orange scent, he easily found Xie Lin.

On the evening six days later, Xie Lin woke in Lu Ye's arms.

Hearing him stir, Lu Ye opened his eyes and looked at him.

"You're awake?"

"Yeah. I feel uncomfortable. I'm going to shower."

"Me too..."

"Go back to your own place to shower!"

Lu Ye sat on the bed, pouting.

"Using me and tossing me aside. Honey, you sound like a jerk!"

"Hah!"

Xie Lin did not actually make him go home to shower.

Fresh and clean, Lu Ye stepped outside Snow Hall and got into the car.

Looking at how full of energy he was, Zhan Ying could not suppress his smile.

"Boss, you're in much better shape this time than before."

The corners of Lu Ye's mouth lifted.

"Really?"

"Really! It's like night and day. Having an Omega soothe you really makes a difference!"

Lu Ye's smile vanished, and he shot him a fierce glare.

Zhan Ying looked bewildered.

"...What did I say wrong?"

Qin Zheng gave him a sidelong glance, frustrated with his hopelessness and pitying his misfortune.

"Boss and Mr. Xie are going to become mates. It's not just a matter of pheromone attraction."

"If Boss wanted an Omega to soothe him, he would have found one long ago. He's with Mr. Xie purely because he likes him!"

"Oh!"

Zhan Ying blinked, looking as though he understood, yet also as though he did not.

Lu Ye looked at Qin Zheng and nodded approvingly.

As expected of his executive assistant. He really had a sharp eye.

Zhan Ying was good in every other respect, but when it came to romance, he remained as clueless as a block of wood.

At the same time, Wen Xubai and Xie Yanqiu returned as well.

Smelling the black sandalwood scent that had yet to completely dissipate from the house, Wen Xubai involuntarily felt aggression surge within him.

As fellow S-Class Alphas, when their scents clashed, they were bound to vie for dominance.

Xie Yanqiu patted his arm, slowly releasing his pheromones.

"All right, don't scare Taotao."

Xie Lin shuffled out of the room in his slippers, hugging one and then the other.

Xie Yanqiu raised an eyebrow and could not resist teasing him with a smile.

"He didn't do anything to you, did he?"

"Of course not. If he dared go any further, I'd beat him to death!"

Meanwhile, "Heartbeat Time Difference" released its trailer for season two.

On-screen, a man in a light gray hoodie sat for an interview with his back to the audience.

A profile appeared alongside him:

Male Alpha, 24 years old, renowned dancer, 188 cm tall.

[Wow, a new guest, and he's a young guy!]

[A dancer! His bearing is bound to be amazing. I can't wait!]

The PD's voice came from off-screen.

"Do you like our show?"

"Yes. I watched the previous season. It was excellent!"

"May I ask if there's someone who's caught your eye?"

"Yes, it's-beep!"

His name was bleeped out, and a line of large text appeared on the screen:

"Who could it be? Tune in to the livestream in two days. We'll see you there!"