Pregnant with the Empress’s Alpha Heir - Chapter 11

Faint sounds of an argument drifted in from outside. Yu Zhitao frowned. “This won’t do. I need to go check.”

Without a word, Ah Jiu stepped in front of her and led the way out of the performance area.

Inside the bar, regular patrons had retreated to the sides, watching the commotion unfold. Only Shu Da, a petite young woman, stood her ground with her head held high, facing off against two men in suits.

“What business is it of yours? Don’t think I won’t lay hands on an Omega,” one of the suited men threatened, jabbing a finger at Shu Da’s face.

Shu Da glared back. “Go ahead then, you arrogant bastard! If you don’t even respect the Upper District Security Force, why would you fear a single Omega?”

The suited man gritted his teeth. “You—”

Seeing this, Yu Zhitao quickly stepped forward to stand beside Shu Da.

Shu Da was startled, her anger subsiding only when she recognized Yu Zhitao. “Zhitao, why did you come out?”

Yu Zhitao didn’t have time for pleasantries, redirecting the hostility toward herself. “Weren’t you dissatisfied with my performance?

“If you have a problem, take it up with me. Don’t drag innocent people into this!”

The suited man rolled up his sleeves as he advanced toward Yu Zhitao. “Perfect timing that you showed up.

“What kind of garbage performance was that? You should be ashamed to embarrass yourself here like this. Let me tell you, if you can’t give me a proper explanation today, I swear I’ll—”

Before he could finish, his outstretched hand was caught by Ah Jiu.

At 190 cm tall, Ah Jiu was usually quite imposing. But the two suited men stood around 200 cm, making her seem less intimidating at first glance.

Yet with just that effortless grip, the suited man found himself unable to move forward an inch.

After struggling in vain to free his fist from her grasp, he was about to shout when several competent figures finally arrived at the bar.

A tall Alpha man entered the scene with a group of security guards in tow.

Some guards began dispersing the lingering spectators while others approached Yu Zhitao and her companions.

“Gentlemen, if you have any issues, you can discuss them with me,” the man said.

Caught off guard, the two suited men were quickly subdued by the numerically superior security team.

Once they were restrained, the man approached Yu Zhitao and introduced himself, “I’m Fan Ying, founder of Van & Dream.

“My sincerest apologies for frightening you three.”

Yu Zhitao waved it off. “We’re fine, but…”

She looked at the mess around them with guilt.

Fan Ying dismissed her concern. “Leave this matter to me. The bar will be closing early tonight—you should all head home now.

“We’ll give you a proper explanation tomorrow evening.”

Shu Da sighed in relief beside them. “Let’s hope so.”

Though unharmed, her earlier confrontation had left her drenched in cold sweat. Now that the bar had taken charge, she took Yu Zhitao’s hand to comfort her. “You must be shaken up too, Zhitao. If you’re alright, you should get some rest.”

Yu Zhitao squeezed her hand in return. “I’m not frightened. I just thank you for standing up for me.

“That was too dangerous earlier—you didn’t need to argue with them.”

Shu Da protested, “Of course I did! They insulted my favorite performance!”

Gazing at Yu Zhitao earnestly, she added, “You play beautifully. I’ve been coming every night these past few days just to hear you perform.”

Yu Zhitao smiled warmly. “Thank you.”

While comforting each other, Fan Ying noticed Ah Jiu in the corner.

Having heard the manager mention her, he roughly knew Ah Jiu’s identity. Seeing this Alpha cowering weakly in the corner, a trace of disdain inevitably surfaced in his gaze.

Precisely because of this, he beckoned one of his bodyguards over.

“Lin Kang, Miss Yu is an important performer at our bar. Later, escort her out and make sure they board a public rental car before returning.”

Lin Kang nodded. “Understood.”

Thus, after the two Omegas bid their farewells, Yu Zhitao and Ah Jiu found themselves trailed by a tall Alpha bodyguard.

Yu Zhitao had politely declined, but Fan Ying insisted it was just to the station, so she didn’t press further.

At the station, Yu Zhitao couldn’t shake the feeling that the bodyguard was watching them.

It wasn’t her imagination.

Though Omegas were common in the upper district, rare beauties like Yu Zhitao were still a sight to behold. And when such a beauty was accompanied by a low-tier Alpha whose pheromones were downright repulsive, it naturally stirred thoughts in others.

After a while, Lin Kang stepped forward and handed his business card to Yu Zhitao.

“Miss Yu, here’s my contact. I work for Mr. Fan, so we’ll likely cross paths often. If you ever find yourself in danger again, you can message me.”

Yu Zhitao blinked, then waved her hand with a smile. “No need.

“Tonight was just an accident. The upper district is so safe—it’s not like I’ll constantly run into trouble.”

Lin Kang replied, “You never know.

“Better safe than sorry. Keep my contact—you might need it someday.”

Yu Zhitao felt awkward.

She had a rough idea that he was trying to flirt with her.

But clearly, she had zero interest in men.

Ah Jiu stood beside her, staring absently at the station’s information board, seemingly unwilling to step in and help.

Left with no choice, Yu Zhitao moved closer, looping her arm through Ah Jiu’s, and said, “Ahem, no need. If there’s any danger, my girlfriend will protect me.”

Lin Kang looked surprised, then snorted in realization.

Though he took back his card, his tone remained sharp. “So that’s your relationship. Miss Yu, no offense, but this kind of Alpha,  could she even mark you?

“Her pheromones probably aren’t even worthy of touching you.”

At this, Ah Jiu finally lifted her eyelids lazily, giving him a sidelong glance.

Lin Kang adjusted his sleeves. “The bus is here. I’ll take my leave.”

He cast one last look at Yu Zhitao. “I occasionally work shifts at the bar. Feel free to look for me anytime, Miss Yu.”

Yu Zhitao didn’t even acknowledge him, darting onto the bus instead.

Only once the bus started moving did she slump into her seat with a long exhale, muttering to herself, “Why are all the people I meet lately like this?”

Ah Jiu turned to her. “Who else have you run into?”

Yu Zhitao averted her gaze, refusing to look at her.

Ah Jiu’s indifference at the station had left her frustrated. When she rejected Lin Kang, A-Jiu had clearly heard but didn’t lift a finger to help.

Hearing Ah Jiu’s question, she replied petulantly, “Just those Alphas who keep asking for my contact info. So annoying.”

Ah Jiu froze. “Someone followed you backstage?”

Yu Zhitao nodded.

She sighed, trying to smooth things over. “Well, working at a bar, running into these kinds of people is to be expected. At least most of them have the sense to back off when rejected.”

Ah Jiu could probably guess that while she was busy in the bar, someone from the lounge who was interested in Yu Zhitao had approached her.

With her attention divided, she really couldn’t keep an eye on Yu Zhitao at all times.

But seeing Yu Zhitao in this state, she wasn’t sure what she had done to upset her. She simply nodded in agreement and stopped talking.

When they got home, it was still early.

Dinner had been rushed, so Yu Zhitao had picked up some noodles and vegetables from the store on the way back. She cooked a late-night snack, and the two of them filled their stomachs together.

Xiao Jiu, catching the scent, came circling around her feet, as if hoping for a share.

Yu Zhitao playfully lifted the kitten onto the table, but the steam from the noodles proved too much for it, and Xiao Jiu scampered away with a patter.

Yu Zhitao laughed delightedly after it.

After this brief interaction with her little kitten, the unhappiness of the entire evening seemed to melt away.

Her good mood lasted right up until bedtime.

Though the apartment had only one bedroom and a living room, it wasn’t particularly small. The living room had a large sofa, which, after some adjustments, became Ah Jiu’s bed.

But today, Ah Jiu came into the bedroom carrying her pillow.

Yu Zhitao was stroking Xiao Jiu’s fur when she looked up in confusion at her entrance. “What’s wrong?”

Ah Jiu plucked the kitten from her arms.

“If you don’t want to be bothered by strangers, how about a temporary mark?”

A mark was like a declaration of ownership, an Omega who had been marked could avoid a lot of trouble.

Remembering Yu Zhitao’s earlier frustration in the car, Ah Jiu had come up with this solution.

Yu Zhitao froze, instinctively touching the gland at the back of her neck.

Their first intimate contact had only been a few days ago, but the shivering sensation it had left behind was still fresh in her memory.

Yu Zhitao swallowed hard.

“Do marks,  fade that quickly?”

Ah Jiu lowered her head. “Mm. With my current ability, it only lasts three or four days.”

Yu Zhitao didn’t notice the flaw in her words.

Instead, her cheeks suddenly burned. “Then wouldn’t that mean.”

Wouldn’t that mean they’d have to be intimate every three or four days?

At the thought, her breathing grew uneven.

It didn’t sound so bad, really.

“Ahem!” Yu Zhitao shook her head, trying to dispel the strange thoughts.

Composing herself, she said to Ah Jiu, “Then, I’ll trouble you.”

Ah Jiu nodded.

She turned and tossed the bewildered kitten out the door before returning to the bed and leaning close to Yu Zhitao’s neck.

In the room, the scent of aged wood and cherry cream intertwined once more.

Lost in the moment, Yu Zhitao clutched Ah Jiu’s long hair. As Ah Jiu licked and sucked at the gland on her neck, Yu Zhitao wasn’t sure whether she wanted her to stop or to just go ahead and mark her decisively.

Between gasps, she asked, “If, if the mark is deeper, will it last longer?”

Ah Jiu’s hand trailed down her cheek and further.

“Be good. Leave it to me.”

Yu Zhitao let out a soft whimper and said no more.

Relaxing her body, she surrendered completely to the entanglement.

The night was intoxicating.

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