After Getting Pregnant, I’m Divorcing My Alpha - Chapter 37

After finishing his prenatal check-up and stepping out of the hospital, An Xiangdi received a call from Yao Honglang.

“Where are you? I’ll come pick you up,” Yao Honglang got straight to the point.

“At the hospital.”

“The hospital? Are you sick?” Yao Honglang paused his mouse-clicking and leaned back in his chair.

“Prenatal check-up.” An Xiangdi noticed Shen Xiao was about to start the car and raised a hand to stop him. “What’s up?”

“There’s a photographer from Ci Sheng who wants to meet you.” Yao Honglang had just received the call, and the other party had offered such favorable terms that he agreed to ask An Xiangdi.

“A photographer?” An Xiangdi found it odd he had collaborated with countless photographers at Ci Sheng.

“Yes, a foreigner.” Yao Honglang glanced at the name he had jotted down in his notebook. “Someone named Clarence.”

“Don’t know him.” An Xiangdi wasn’t keen on going.

“They’ve offered to publish a solo photobook for you, with global distribution, plus a full-line endorsement deal with a luxury brand.”

“Where?” An Xiangdi thought the offer was tempting but couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

“At the Ci Sheng magazine office. Can you go by yourself?” Yao Honglang spoke while rummaging through his drawer for his car keys.

“Mm.”

“See you at the magazine office then.”

After hanging up, An Xiangdi said to Shen Xiao, “Are you free now? Let’s head to the Ci Sheng office.”

“Sure.” Shen Xiao started the car and drove in the opposite direction of home.

The Ci Sheng magazine office was just as it had been the last few times lacking in lively atmosphere, with a somewhat desolate yet charmingly retro vibe.

Shen Xiao parked the car across the street, and the two walked in side by side.

A staff member at the magazine office spotted them, froze for a moment, then quickly exclaimed, “Mr. An, Mr. Shen, please wait a moment. I’ll go get Director Ning right away.”

An Xiangdi wasn’t in a hurry and took a seat on the sofa near the entrance.

Shen Xiao had collaborated with Ci Sheng on several cover shoots before but had only been featured in one special issue. He was nowhere near as favored by the magazine as An Xiangdi.

Soon, Ning Zhi came downstairs personally, greeting An Xiangdi with a smile. “Mr. An, long time no see.”

“Long time no see.” It had indeed been a while since their last shoot for the May cover.

“I didn’t expect Mr. Shen to grace us with his presence as well. We’re truly honored.” Having worked with An Xiangdi before, Ning Zhi was used to his free-spirited nature and had always been somewhat intimidated by his temper. Even though he knew An Xiangdi was an Omega, he remained respectful. Now, with the addition of Shen Xiao, whose status was equally formidable, Ning Zhi’s smile grew even more exaggerated.

“I’m just accompanying him. No need for formalities, Director Ning.” Shen Xiao hadn’t worked with Director Ning before, so they weren’t familiar.

Ning Zhi chuckled tactfully and turned his attention back to An Xiangdi. “Mr. An, do you remember that photographer you met when you came for the shoot earlier this year?”

“Who?” An Xiangdi’s question made it clear he had no recollection.

“You’ll see when you go upstairs.” Realizing further explanation would be futile, Ning Zhi simply led them upstairs.

In the conference room, a blond Alpha sat with his back to the door, flipping through a magazine.

Shen Xiao saw from a distance that the Alpha was flipping through the “Prince” issue of Ci Sheng that An Xiangdi had shot at the end of last year.

An Xiangdi caught the scent of an unfamiliar Alpha and instinctively moved closer to Shen Xiao. With the help of Shen Xiao’s brandy-scented pheromones, the unfamiliar Alpha’s cider-like pheromones became less overpowering.

Just as An Xiangdi and Shen Xiao sensed the Alpha’s pheromones, the blond Alpha also detected theirs and quickly turned around.

Initially, the blue-eyed, blond Alpha’s eyes were filled with anticipation, but upon noticing An Xiangdi’s swollen belly, his expression shifted to shock.

“Oh! Is he pregnant?” The blond pointed at An Xiangdi and asked his translator.

The translator, being Chinese herself, was well aware of An Xiangdi and Shen Xiao’s situation. “Yes, the person next to him is his Alpha.”

“His Alpha? Isn’t he an Alpha himself?” The blond looked utterly disbelieving.

“He’s an Omega,” the translator patiently explained.

The blond muttered “Omega” repeatedly. In truth, he could have determined An Xiangdi’s gender just by his pheromones. But he never expected that, in just a few months, the Alpha he had admired had not only turned out to be an Omega but was also pregnant!

“I think.” the blond started to say something, but the conference room door was suddenly pushed open.

Yao Honglang, who had arrived late, adjusted his glasses and spoke without a hint of apology. “Sorry, traffic was bad. I’m late.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Ning Zhi and Yao Honglang were old acquaintances.

Yao Honglang nodded in greeting, but his gaze fell on the blond, blue-eyed Alpha. “Is this Clarence?”

“Yes, yes, that’s right.” Ning Zhi, acting as the introducer, stepped between the two groups and made the introductions. “Teacher An, this is Clarence, a renowned photographer from the United States. In the months since he collaborated with you, he has won three international photography awards.”

“Mr. Clarence, this is An Xiangdi, the artist you wanted to meet the one you worked with earlier this year.”

“My new theme is ‘Life,’ and I think I need to reconsider the model,” Clarence said, frowning as if deeply dissatisfied with An Xiangdi’s pregnancy.

An Xiangdi couldn’t stand his condescending attitude and grabbed Shen Xiao’s wrist. “Let’s go.”

“Ah? Teacher An, why are you leaving so suddenly?” Ning Zhi was caught off guard by the abrupt turn of events.

“If the other party isn’t interested in cooperating, why should I stay here and endure their disdain?” It was just a solo photoshoot and an endorsement deal he didn’t lack such opportunities.

Yao Honglang adjusted his glasses again and stepped in front of Ning Zhi. “Director Ning, my artist has made it clear he doesn’t want to cooperate. Let’s just drop it.”

Seeing them about to leave, Clarence panicked and hurriedly grabbed the translator, speaking to her in a flurry of words.

The translator, feeling awkward, rushed over to An Xiangdi. “Teacher An, could you please wait a moment? M-Mr. Clarence says he’d like to reconsider.”

“As a photographer, if I can’t tell at first glance whether I can work with someone, what’s the point of wasting time?” An Xiangdi said arrogantly, “Tell him to find someone else. I’m busy.”

The interpreter was caught off guard by the retort and could only watch as they walked past her and headed downstairs.

Seeing the model he had originally chosen walking away, Clarence gritted his teeth and quickly caught up. “Wait a moment. I’d like to invite you to collaborate with me, but regarding the theme of ‘Life,’ do you have any good ideas about your current physical condition?”

“Even if I did, I’d say I don’t.” An Xiangdi curled his lips into a mocking smile, completely disregarding how many awards the man had won. Without giving him any face, he pulled Shen Xiao back to the car.

With a “thud,” An Xiangdi tossed the bottled water Ning Zhi had given him into the storage compartment.

“What kind of condescending fool is that guy? I’m so damn.” An Xiangdi was about to continue cursing when Shen Xiao caught him off guard with a kiss.

“Mmm An Xiangdi struggled for a moment before half-heartedly giving in.

Shen Xiao gave him an extremely lingering kiss, only pulling away slowly after a long while. He raised his hand and wiped the glistening saliva from the corner of An Xiangdi’s lips with his thumb. “Still angry?”

“Not anymore.” An Xiangdi’s pent-up anger had completely dissipated with that one kiss.

“I’m quite angry, though,” Shen Xiao said, startling him.

An Xiangdi looked at him in confusion. “What are you angry about?”

“There are always other Alphas who are interested in you.” Shen Xiao raised his hand and gently rubbed the back of An Xiangdi’s neck.

The back of his neck tingled, especially when his gland was brushed a sensation both numbing and electrifying. “Since when? Far more people have confessed to you than to me.”

“Hmm.” That’s because you don’t know, Shen Xiao silently added in his heart.

“I can help you release a globally acclaimed photo book and secure luxury endorsements for you. Just ignore that guy.”

“I’m not some kept celebrity you’re supporting.” Though he had to admit, Shen Xiao’s words were both domineering and enticing, making his heart feel sweet, An Xiangdi couldn’t accept it.

Shen Xiao chuckled softly and was about to say more when the car window was suddenly knocked on.

“An Xiangdi, let’s collaborate! Let’s talk again!” Clarence’s entire face was pressed against the car window, his originally handsome features now scrunched up in urgency.

The interpreter stood helplessly beside him. Clarence, accustomed to acting on impulse, often spoke without thinking, causing her no end of trouble. As the intermediary, she bore the brunt of the unpleasantness from both sides of the negotiation.

Shen Xiao’s face immediately turned cold. “Stay here.”

“What are you going to do?” An Xiangdi grabbed him, his lips still swollen.

As if to assert his dominance, Shen Xiao bit An Xiangdi’s lips lightly, then pushed the car door open and got out.

An Xiangdi watched through the window as the two Alphas faced off.

The interpreter, Ning Zhi, and Yao Honglang were all Betas. Shen Xiao no longer restrained his pheromones, and instantly, the air was thick with the aggressive scent of his brandy pheromones, radiating a clear threat.

Clarence froze for a moment before releasing his own pheromones in resistance.

Though both were Alphas, Shen Xiao’s clear intent gave him the upper hand. Soon, Clarence was on his knees, sweating profusely.

Shen Xiao’s gaze was dark. “I hope you won’t appear in front of An Xiangdi again. With me around, his resources are none of your concern.”

After saying that, Shen Xiao didn’t spare Clarence another glance and directly returned to the car.

An Xiangdi’s face was flushed red it was his first time witnessing such a direct clash of pheromones between two Alphas.

No physical confrontation was needed; the sheer suppression of pheromones alone could force someone into submission.

“I never realized before you’re quite handsome?” An Xiangdi leaned back in his seat, tilting his head to look at Shen Xiao.

Sensing something amiss, Shen Xiao reached out a hand.

An Xiangdi’s forehead was burning hot, his cheeks flushed a deep red.

“In heat?” Shen Xiao could detect the gradually intensifying scent of sugary water pheromones in the air, sweet and fragrant.

“Am I?” An Xiangdi only felt a bit warm, having assumed it was because Shen Xiao looked too dashing. “Then let me lean on you.”

As he spoke, An Xiangdi slipped his hand inside Shen Xiao’s clothes.

Shen Xiao grabbed his wrist firmly: “You little pervert, stay still. We’re going home.”