After the Corporate Slave Beta and the Top Alpha Married - Chapter 21.1

The moment that thought surfaced; Ji Yu instinctively dismissed it.

Impossible. No matter how I look at it, it’s just impossible.

This was when all those TV dramas about overbearing CEOs falling for “little white flowers” (innocent underdogs) started to play in his head.

Maybe, back in high school, the kind “Little White Flower” Ji Yu comforted the bullied and humiliated illegitimate son, A-Zhou, after his presentation failed. Ji Yu was like a beam of light piercing through the desolate darkness of A-Zhou’s heart. Then, after the illegitimate son became President Shang, the head of the Shang family, he met his “White Moonlight” again at a gala. To avoid tainting his pure, non-materialistic White Moonlight and using the excuse of his struggle for power he convinced the soft-hearted boy to agree to a fake marriage. Then comes the “marriage first, love later” trope, leading to a happy ever after.

Ji Yu almost laughed at his own fabricated story. The idea that Shang Yuanzhou liked him felt increasingly absurd. Real life isn’t a fairy tale; no one falls hopelessly in love with a complete stranger based on a single sentence. Besides, he wasn’t a “white flower,” his high school conversation wasn’t exactly life-changing comfort, and he certainly didn’t hold a noble disdain for money.

Still, the unknown pheromones on his body remained a heavy doubt in his mind.

“Everyone knows an Alpha only leaves pheromones that represent such strong possessiveness on someone they like.”

Ji Yu didn’t know that. And he figured it was perfectly normal for a Beta not to know.

Because of those words, Ji Yu took his first serious, deep dive into learning about Alphas well, not too serious, mostly through the internet. Whether it was search engines, forum posts, or other boards, the descriptions of Alpha pheromones were largely the same.

Alpha pheromones serve two main purposes:

1. Aggression
2. Marking

With the end of ancient wars, the aggressive effect of Alpha pheromones has become very weak, but pheromones released by a top-tier Alpha with intent to intimidate still make other Alphas feel like they can’t breathe. Suppression has replaced physical attack.

Marking, on the other hand, is simpler and more primal—much like a wild beast leaving a scent on its mate to let everyone know they belong to each other. But marking only happens between Alphas and Omegas. An Alpha’s pheromones can even induce an Omega’s heat, and vice versa. They are a natural pair.

Betas cannot be marked, nor can they mark others. Leaving pheromones on a Beta is technically useless.

Unless… the Alpha likes the Beta. Then, the Alpha’s instinct for marking and possession makes them unable to stop themselves from leaving a scent.

Pheromones aren’t just a smell; they contain the emotions of the owner. Aggression is anger; marking is a predatory possession an exclusionary “claiming of territory.”

When discussing pheromones meant for marking, the topic is always inextricably linked to intense sexuality. In daily life, no one is bold enough to talk about it openly. In the pantry, those people only dared to say one sentence during the peak of their gossip. But on the internet, shielded by anonymity, people were far more shameless.

• “An Alpha leaving pheromones on a Beta either wants to fight them or ‘do’ them. And by ‘do,’ I definitely don’t mean fighting.”
• “Honestly, almost no Alpha would be interested in a Beta. Betas are too ordinary, no fun, and they can’t soothe an Alpha during a rut.”
• “Imagining an Alpha secretly dyeing an oblivious Beta with their scent… that’s so hot.”
• “An oblivious Beta walking into a crowd covered in dense pheromones, with everyone knowing he’s been ‘thoroughly loved’ except for him… I ship it. I ship it so hard.”

The more Ji Yu read, the more dazed his expression became and the redder his ears turned. After a quick browse, he closed the tabs, unable to look further.

He returned to Shang Yuanzhou’s office with a heavy heart. Not wanting to disturb the man’s work, he temporarily bottled up his questions. Regardless, Ji Yu intended to get a clear answer. He didn’t want any emotional entanglement with Shang Yuanzhou beyond friendship not just because Shang Yuanzhou was an Alpha, but because Ji Yu was repelled by the idea of entering a family relationship with anyone, be they Alpha, Omega, or Beta.

Once Shang Yuanzhou got what he wanted and Ji Yu got his money, he would finish everything, move abroad, and never look back.

He glanced at Shang Yuanzhou. Then again. And a third time.

Upon being caught for the third time, he heard Shang Yuanzhou ask, “Is something wrong?”

So cold… Thinking about it, there was no way the man liked him. But then again, Shang Yuanzhou wasn’t usually this cold… was it because he was currently in “work mode”?

Ji Yu’s internal conflict raged on. As he shook his head, he decided to ask for clarification once they got home. Deep down, he didn’t truly believe Shang Yuanzhou would like him. If he did believe it, he would be planning his exit right now, not just a question. It was precisely because he didn’t believe it that he could ask so openly and carelessly.

The reason he wanted to confirm was his habit of cutting off all emotional possibilities at the root. Plus, they were in a complicated contract relationship. Shang Yuanzhou hiding the pheromone issue was indeed strange. Only by clearing the air could Ji Yu feel at ease and maintain a natural dynamic.

Shang Yuanzhou didn’t miss the looks Ji Yu was giving him, nor did he miss the hesitation and uncertainty beneath his expression. Ji Yu had been like this since returning from his walk. Recalling that Ji Yu said he was going to the pantry for snacks, someone must have said something to him.

Shang Yuanzhou wasn’t surprised. In fact, he had intentionally allowed this. The moment he agreed to let a pheromone-drenched Ji Yu accompany him to the office, he had anticipated what might happen. Sometimes, the words of others can be a catalyst for emotional change. Otherwise, he had a thousand ways to ensure Ji Yu never heard a word of gossip.

His own past romantic life was a blank slate no scandals, no rumors so he wasn’t worried about Ji Yu hearing anything negative. Those words would inevitably be about his shock at bringing a partner to the office, the fact that Ji Yu was a Beta, or the unignorable pheromones on Ji Yu’s body.

Shang Yuanzhou could use this to plant a seed in Ji Yu’s heart.

The two went about their own tasks, no longer communicating. The office fell silent, save for the scratching of Shang Yuanzhou’s pen as he signed documents. But both were thinking about the same thing from two very different angles.

Ji Yu spent a day that was no different from his usual ones, except the location had moved from the house to the office. The two returned home together, just as they had arrived. To outsiders, they truly looked like a loving couple.

Dinner was again from Lixiang Garden. Throughout the meal, Ji Yu repeatedly practiced how to ask. Even after they finished eating, he still hadn’t found the right opening. Seeing Shang Yuanzhou about to return to his room, Ji Yu steeled himself and blurted out:

“A-Zhou, do you like me?”

The man, who had stood up to leave, froze. His expression was one of bewilderment, as if he couldn’t understand why Ji Yu would even ask: “What makes you think that?”

Shang Yuanzhou sat back down, his brow slightly furrowed. Though his tone was peaceful, the sense of distance in his words was obvious: “I wonder if I’ve done something to give you the wrong impression?”

Ji Yu: “The pheromones. Someone said I’m covered in your scent.” His eyelashes fluttered in embarrassment. “Alpha pheromones are… used for marking, right?”

He couldn’t bring himself to be as blunt as the internet posts he’d seen. He tried to be subtle, but his embarrassment and shame still bled through.

Shang Yuanzhou’s expression was even more confused than Ji Yu’s had been in the pantry. The handsome man sighed, looking somewhat helpless:

“When my rut suddenly started yesterday, you were right next to me. You were touching me, calling my name… we were so close. In a state where I couldn’t control my pheromones and my brain wasn’t clear, it was inevitable that I would leave a scent on you. I thought you knew that.”

Ji Yu: “…” He corrected him with difficulty, “It wasn’t ‘touching,’ it was ‘patting.’ I wasn’t touching you.”

Shang Yuanzhou changed his wording smoothly: “Fine, ‘patting’ me. If that caused you to misunderstand, I can apologize. My only goal is to use our fake marriage to successfully take full control of the Shang family. However, since we have to live together for an indefinite amount of time, I didn’t want to maintain a strict ‘work’ persona at home as well. It’s too exhausting. Please, don’t misunderstand.”

Oh no… I look like the type of person who would stubbornly cling to him after the contract ends.

Ji Yu felt awkward but also relieved. Under Shang Yuanzhou’s scrutinizing gaze, he felt a lot of pressure.

“I was just worried…” Ji Yu stopped himself. To say he was worried Shang Yuanzhou actually liked him? That sounded way too narcissistic. Why on earth did he run to ask based on some vague gossip? Was this that classic “delusion” that someone likes you?

Ji Yu wanted to sigh. After a moment of conflict, he decided to be honest: “Sorry. I heard some strange things and misunderstood. It won’t happen again. I’m just… very protective of our ‘pure’ working relationship. If other things get mixed in, I’d have to consider terminating the contract.”

Even if it sounded a bit self-important, now that he’d mentioned termination, Shang Yuanzhou surely wouldn’t think he was going to cling to him. This was also Ji Yu’s true thought. Before they officially held the wedding and before Shang Yuanzhou officially introduced him to others, there was still time. Once the wedding happened and it became public knowledge, it wouldn’t be something Ji Yu could stop just because he wanted to.

He wasn’t a naive child; he knew the world didn’t revolve around him. He couldn’t just end things whenever he felt like it the breach of contract fees wouldn’t allow it. According to the contract, the fees only applied after the fake relationship was officially announced to the Shang family. For Shang Yuanzhou, the loss would be minimal just some gossip. So, before the wedding, there was still a chance to back out.

This was why Ji Yu had insisted on asking, even if it felt narcissistic.

Shang Yuanzhou looked at the fair, clean face of the man speaking so seriously. He wasn’t surprised to hear that Ji Yu would end the contract if his feelings were real. Yet, as Ji Yu said it without hesitation, he still felt a sense of… breathlessness, like stepping forward and finding only empty air.

Shang Yuanzhou felt a recurring sense of frustration with Ji Yu. Whether he was the ruthless illegitimate son who only knew how to solve problems with his fists, or the powerful head of the Shang family, Ji Yu didn’t care about him.

But his rut had passed; he wouldn’t let himself be overly bothered by things he already knew.

“A ‘pure’ working relationship?” Shang Yuanzhou chuckled. “I thought we were at least friends by now?”

Ji Yu was stunned for a second, then his lips curved into a slight smile. “We are friends.”

Shang Yuanzhou: “But you did remind me of something. I might need your cooperation.”

“What?” Ji Yu asked instinctively.

Shang Yuanzhou’s eyes darkened. “After we officially hold the wedding, I might need to ‘mark’ you every once in a while.”

Ji Yu’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Mark? I thought Betas couldn’t be marked.”

Shang Yuanzhou explained, “It’s not a real marking. It’s just leaving my pheromones on you. If others can’t sense my scent on you, no matter how well we act, they’ll be suspicious.”

Ji Yu agreed without much hesitation. Pheromones being left on him didn’t cause him any physical sensation. He had no psychological burden… as long as he didn’t think about those messy internet comments.

Because he agreed so quickly, Shang Yuanzhou let out an unidentifiable chuckle. His tone deepened. “It’s done through a bite on the back of the neck to leave the pheromones.”

Ji Yu froze. “Can’t you just… ‘dye’ me with the scent directly? Why do you have to bite?”

Shang Yuanzhou said unhurriedly, “No Alpha can control their instinct to mark their partner. Even if the partner is a Beta who can’t be truly marked, they won’t be able to resist leaving a bite on the neck. I’m sorry; I hadn’t thought of this before, but you reminded me today. I’ll try to keep the frequency to a minimum only before important gala. After all, you probably won’t enjoy being bitten.”

As he spoke, he furrowed his brow slightly, as if to say: I don’t enjoy biting a random person’s neck either. Somehow, Ji Yu read exactly that from his expression. When you don’t want to do something, you procrastinate. But when someone else is in the same boat and neither of you wants to do it but has to, the resistance lessens. At the very least, Ji Yu’s resistance to the neck-biting had weakened significantly. But… he hadn’t asked his question today to remind Shang Yuanzhou of this.

He felt a sense of powerlessness, like he’d shot himself in the foot. Yet, based on what he’d learned about Alphas online, he knew Shang Yuanzhou was telling the truth. An Alpha who never tried to mark their partner after marriage would only make people think their marriage was a sham.

He reached up to touch the back of his neck, his voice growing a bit weaker: “Will it hurt a lot?”

Shang Yuanzhou smiled. “I’ll try to be gentle. I’ll also avoid it for less important occasions.”

He watched as “Xiao Yu’er” lowered his guard and began to curiously, ignorantly approach the bait on the hook. He began to pleasantly plan which galas, dinners, and ceremonies he “had” to attend in the future.

“We’ll start this after the official wedding. For now, let’s leave it as is,” Shang Yuanzhou added.

Ji Yu felt relieved but also a bit sympathetic. It seemed Shang Yuanzhou was even more repelled by the idea than he was. Well, who would want to bite a grown man’s neck for no reason? I’m not some fragrant, soft Omega.

Ji Yu’s hand injury healed well. By the time the cast was removed, the wedding day was fast approaching.

“You can invite some friends or colleagues. I’ll have seats reserved for them,” Shang Yuanzhou said, walking out of the study with an invitation list drafted by his secretary.

Ji Yu shook his head. “No need.” He had no friends in A City, and there was no need to invite colleagues.

Shang Yuanzhou didn’t press him. He knew everything about Ji Yu’s situation in A City. He changed the subject: “Should I deliver the invitations to your family, or…?”

He was waiting for Ji Yu to refuse. Ji Yu didn’t have a good relationship with his family, and Shang Yuanzhou had no interest in getting along with them. He didn’t know the specifics of what Ji Yu had endured at home; Ji Yu was extremely reluctant to discuss family matters. Shang Yuanzhou only knew that Ji Yu’s father was in a nursing home, his mother had passed away, and his two brothers weren’t close to him.

He wasn’t a “Saint” who wanted to move Ji Yu to forgive his family and achieve some conventional “happy reunion.” Not now, and not ever.

Sure enough, Ji Yu frowned. “I’ll just let them know on WeChat. No need for invitations.”

The wedding was set for Saturday. The wedding planner said it was an auspicious day—perfect for couples to stay together for a hundred years. As the invitations went out, regardless of the shockwaves caused by Shang Yuanzhou marrying an unknown Beta, preparations proceeded as planned.

Saturday was a beautiful day. A gentle breeze blew, and the sun hung lazily in the sky like a warm yellow orb. Golden light spilled over the ground, adding a brilliant glow to the clear day. Beneath the azure sky sat a vast, magnificent manor.

The lawns of the manor were filled with flower stands, and white roses stretched out across the grass like a grand, silent confession of love. Guests arrived in an orderly fashion, guided by staff.