1122 - Chapter 1

“You represent the image of Neptune Tech Group. If you can’t even perfect something as detailed as a tie, as the CEO’s assistant, it makes me seriously doubt your ability to handle tasks properly.”

The moment Jiang Yi stepped into the conference room, he suddenly felt everyone’s eyes on him. His gaze collided directly with the Alpha in a silver-gray suit seated at the head of the table. The intensity of that deep stare was almost overwhelming, as if it could swallow him whole.

This Alpha was named Yan Nanchen, the newly appointed CEO of the rival Galaxy Group. Despite his youth, his presence was stern and formidable, casting an oppressive atmosphere over the entire room.

Jiang Yi froze. Was he the one being addressed?

Then he saw Yan Nanchen stand up and walk toward him.

There was an inherent repulsion between Alphas, a trait determined by genetics. So when Yan Nanchen approached, Jiang Yi instinctively wanted to retreat.

But a hand moved faster than he could react. Those long, well-defined fingers reached for his tie, undoing it right in front of him before swiftly retying it with practiced precision.

“I don’t believe you don’t know how to tie a tie.”

“President Yan, I—” Jiang Yi stared in shock at Yan Nanchen’s hand. This man was actually tying his tie for him?! And right before the meeting was about to start.

…This guy was seriously weird.

He was just an assistant from a partner company.

Yan Nanchen’s expression remained indifferent as he meticulously redid Jiang Yi’s poorly tied tie, smoothing out the wrinkles at the knot with his fingertips before stepping back slightly to inspect his handiwork. Then his gaze lifted to meet Jiang Yi’s.

“I can’t tolerate even the slightest imperfection in details including you, Jiang Yi. Don’t let your shortcomings taint this collaboration.”

In that moment, Jiang Yi felt humiliated.

To be shamed over something as trivial as a poorly tied tie, and in front of so many people, what kind of power trip was this? Besides, his tie hadn’t even been that bad to begin with!

This guy was seriously bizarre.

Suppressing his anger after all, he was just an assistant, and his own CEO, Duan, was present, he forced a polite smile. “Understood, President Yan. I’ll pay more attention next time.”

“If you can’t smile properly, don’t bother.” Yan Nanchen gave him a cold glance before returning to his seat. Once seated, he addressed the room. “Let’s begin the meeting.”

Jiang Yi’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. For the first time in his life, he genuinely wanted to punch someone. Was the new heir of Galaxy Group really this insufferable?!

The thought of having to work closely with this arrogant Yan Nanchen in the future made him feel like his lifespan was about to shorten.

And as it turned out, he was indeed going insane.

Every time he visited Galaxy Group, Yan Nanchen would inevitably find fault with him. After the tie incident, he stopped wearing ties altogether but then it was his shirts, his shoes, even his choice of stationery.

“Assistant Jiang, I don’t like you wearing blue shirts. Stick to white next time.”

“Assistant Jiang, I don’t think this style of dress shoes suits someone your age. If you’re unsure about coordination, perhaps I can offer some advice.”

Hell, even his pen wasn’t spared.

Jiang Yi was at the secretary’s office, coordinating upcoming matters with the secretary from Galaxy Group, when he suddenly heard a voice behind him. Before he could react, the pen in his hand was snatched away. Startled, he looked up.

To his surprise, he met Yan Nanchen’s gaze. The irritation in those eyes was quickly suppressed, replaced by a polite smile. “Hey, President Yan, it’s you.”

…Was there anything he needed to discuss with Yan Nanchen today?

Then he watched as Yan Nanchen held his fountain pen, examining it with a serious, almost studious expression, as if scrutinizing something of great importance.

“?” Jiang Yi frowned. “Is there something wrong with the pen, President Yan?”

“This pen is ugly.” Yan Nanchen placed it back beside Jiang Yi and turned to leave the office. “Throw it away. It doesn’t suit you.”

Jiang Yi: “…” Even a pen isn’t spared. He really wanted to punch him, but his own boss, Duan, had warned him, impulsiveness was the devil.

“Hey, Jiang Yi.”

Jiang Yi turned back to see Yan Nanchen’s assistant calling him. “What’s up?”

“I’ve noticed President Yan treats you differently,” the assistant whispered conspiratorially. “He has OCD, but it’s usually directed at himself. He rarely imposes his standards on others and even when he does, it’s never like this.”

Jiang Yi thought to himself, Exactly why I call him a lunatic, bored and just looking for trouble. He lowered his head and continued signing documents. “Not really.”

So what if he was a prodigy? So what if he was rich and powerful? If he couldn’t respect others, who cared?

“I think President Yan’s demands on you are the same as the ones he places on himself. It’s like he wants you to become him or, in other words, meet his highest standards.”

Jiang Yi finished signing the documents, closed his pen, and stood up. With a smile, he handed the files to Yan Nanchen’s assistant. “I’m flattered. Thanks.”

With that, he picked up his things and left.

That evening, a friend invited him to a quiet bar for drinks and music.

“Jiang Yi, why have you been working so much overtime lately?”

The bar had a relaxed atmosphere, with patrons speaking softly and smooth R&B playing in the background comfortable and soothing.

Jiang Yi clinked glasses with his friend before slumping back in his chair. “Don’t even ask. The recent project with Galaxy Group nearly drove me insane not because of the project itself, but because of someone.”

If it were actual mistakes principled errors or project-related issues requiring his feedback, he’d gladly own up to them. But no, it was always trivial, insignificant things.

“I don’t get it.” Jiang Yi sighed and set down his glass. “I’ll be right back, just need to use the restroom.”

“Sure.”

Jiang Yi walked into the restroom. Since the bar wasn’t crowded yet, it was quiet. But just as he stepped out of the stall, a muffled groan came from the next one, a sound of pained restraint.

Concerned, he knocked on the door. “Sir? Are you okay? Do you need help?”

The moment he spoke, the stall door swung open, and he found himself staring into a pair of bloodshot eyes. In that instant, he felt like he was about to be devoured alive.

And the person standing before him was none other than Yan Nanchen, the very man he had just been complaining about.

Yan Nanchen seemed a bit off, his face was flushed, yet his entire body radiated a chilling coldness. He leaned against the bathroom stall door, loosening his tie, his whole being brimming with agitation and restlessness.

In this situation, he very much wanted to turn and leave. The only reason he asked was out of human instinct, not because he was particularly patient.

So, out of kindness, he stepped forward and asked, “President Yan, do you need help?”

As he spoke, he reached out to offer support.

But the moment he extended his hand, he was abruptly pulled into the bathroom stall. The door slammed shut, and he found himself pinned against the wall by Yan Nanchen, trapped within his strong, muscular arms.

Jiang Yi stared in shock into Yan Nanchen’s reddened, fierce eyes and swallowed nervously. “Uh… I don’t think I can help with this,” he said, trying to push Yan Nanchen’s arm away.

Unexpectedly, Yan Nanchen gripped the back of his neck and kissed him.

The kiss was savage and chaotic, as if desperately stealing his breath, wanting to devour him whole, to tear him apart and swallow him down.

Jiang Yi thought, At least I’m an alpha too, and tried to break free. But both his hands were seized and pinned above his head by Yan Nanchen, leaving him no room to struggle. He could only tilt his head back and endure the almost maddening kiss.

He felt himself growing lightheaded from lack of oxygen. Finally, unable to take it any longer, he shoved Yan Nanchen away with all his strength.

“Are you a rabid dog or something?!”

Yan Nanchen, whether from discomfort or something else, staggered back a couple of steps and collided with the wall. He himself seemed far from lucid, pressing a hand to his lips as he steadied himself. His dark, dazed eyes fixed on the alpha before him, and he moved closer again.

“Stay with me tonight. I’ll give you everything you want.”

His low, hoarse voice echoed in the stall, still carrying that arrogant, condescending tone.

Jiang Yi touched his bruised lips and let out a cold laugh. “Yan Nanchen, do you really think everyone is willing to accept your patronizing attitude?” He reached for the door to leave.

Seriously, this guy is so awful even a dog wouldn’t save him. And yet I still reached out?

He smacked his own foolishly helpful hand in frustration.

Just as his fingers touched the door handle, Yan Nanchen wrapped his arms around him from behind. Jiang Yi felt the weight of Yan Nanchen’s head drop heavily onto his shoulder as the man murmured:

“…Please. Let me mark you.”

The once haughty, condescending tone now carried a hint of pleading, almost like a whimper.

Jiang Yi froze. He turned his head hesitantly, meeting Yan Nanchen’s gaze, only this time, it was different. There was desperation in his eyes, like a pitiful, oversized puppy. “…You are you really Yan Nanchen? You’re not his secret twin brother, are you?”

Yan Nanchen chuckled, pressing a kiss to Jiang Yi’s neck. “You’re right. I’m not Yan Nanchen. I’m Chu Beiheng, his older brother. Right now, I’m not feeling well, someone drugged me, and I’ve gone into rut. Can you help me?”

Jiang Yi hadn’t expected his guess to be right. So that’s it, he thought. No way a sharp-tongued alpha like Yan Nanchen would ever act this clingy. “Even if you are President Yan’s brother, what you just did was still offensive.”

“Fine, that was my mistake. I apologize, I’m sorry. So, can you help me now?”

Jiang Yi studied Chu Beiheng, who looked exactly like Yan Nanchen, and suddenly felt an inexplicable urge. “How do you want me to help?”

If he helped Yan Nanchen’s brother, or even became good friends with him, wouldn’t Yan Nanchen have to show him some respect?

“Go to the hotel. I’ll have someone bring the pheromone inducer for you.”

That night, Jiang Yi began to regret his moment of weakness. He shouldn’t have taken that omega pheromone inducer injection, doing so meant he would undergo pheromone encoding registration with this alpha.

What made him regret even more was that he seemed to have provoked an alpha he shouldn’t have messed with.

Too fierce, too ruthless.

He was truly going insane.

In the hotel the entryway, the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sofa, the bathroom, the sink, everywhere was marked by the intense mingling of violet musk and tuberose jasmine.

Just as he was about to lose consciousness, he heard a deep, husky voice whisper praise beside his ear, the tone brimming with post-satisfaction delight:

“Yi Yi, you’re the most perfect alpha I’ve ever seen.”

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