The Lost Omega Heiress is Pregnant with My Child - Chapter 21

“I’ll make it up to you many times over, alright?”

Hearing the words “stay,” Shen Tingxue felt a wave of relief wash over her.

No matter what, as long as Shi Anzhi was willing to stay, that was enough.

She couldn’t quite define her feelings for Shi Anzhi.

After being severely injured, Shi Anzhi had taken her in and given her a sense of security. Now that she had recovered, logically, she shouldn’t need Shi Anzhi anymore.

After all, Shi Anzhi had never seen her true self. The days spent in the slums felt like a fleeting dream.

As a child, Shen Tingxue had been captured by rebel forces during the empire’s political turmoil and held as a hostage. During those three months in the enemy camp, she could only fall asleep clutching her rabbit doll.

After the political unrest ended and she returned to the Shen family, for many years afterward, she still kept the rabbit doll by her bedside until Yan Ni threw it away.

As her thoughts drifted, Shen Tingxue realized that Shi Anzhi now felt like her security blanket…

It had no dazzling status, no power or influence, not even pheromones. It was considered defective, incapable of aiding her in any power struggles.

But Shen Tingxue didn’t seek these things from a comfort object. All she needed was for it to stay by her side.

As long as Shi Anzhi was willing to continue accompanying her, to be her solace in moments of despair, that was enough.

Shen Tingxue thought to herself that she had no desire to enter a relationship that demanded responsibility. Such things were too messy and complicated, becoming vulnerabilities that could hinder her ascent. Just the thought of it gave her a headache.

The current situation was perfect everything was under her control.

Observing Shi Anzhi’s expression, Shen Tingxue noted that this Alpha seemed to genuinely love her…

She had expected Shi Anzhi to confront her angrily about the arranged marriage, but Shi Anzhi hadn’t even brought it up.

Sometimes she wondered if she was too cold-hearted. In just a few seconds, she was already calculating the depth of Shi Anzhi’s feelings for her and strategizing how to coax Shi Anzhi into staying in the way she preferred.

She was adept at reading between the lines. The underlying message in Shi Anzhi’s words just now was clear: she loved Shen Tingxue, she was willing to stay in the Shen family for her, and she didn’t want money.

Shen Tingxue couldn’t help but think, wasn’t this just a kind-hearted fool?

When she looked up again, Shen Tingxue stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Shi Anzhi’s waist.

Shi Anzhi stiffened for a moment, resisting slightly as if to push her away, but Shen Tingxue held on tightly.

“Anzhi…”

Shen Tingxue inhaled Shi Anzhi’s scent almost addictively. It was still faint and unremarkable. Was this Alpha truly defective?

Yet, in her memories, her heat had been so pleasurable, and she had genuinely sensed that moist, fertile aura.

A flicker of frustration arose within her. Was there no way to cure Shi Anzhi’s congenital disability?

The temporary mark from last time had almost completely faded. With a sense of longing, she nuzzled Shi Anzhi’s neck with the tip of her nose.

“Thank you for being willing to stay for me.”

“I always knew you were the best…”

She skillfully whispered sweet nothings, alternating between soft and firm tactics. “Didn’t you always want a better bed?”

“Tonight… we…”

“My bed is very soft.”

Shi Anzhi tried to push her away but couldn’t.

It was unclear whether it was due to her lingering attachment to Nian Xue’s warmth, but she didn’t struggle further.

Hearing Shen Tingxue so quickly return to speaking ambiguously, confusion welled up in Shi Anzhi’s heart.

She didn’t understand what Shen Tingxue meant.

Did Shen Tingxue truly want her, or not…

Was it that she didn’t understand, or that she didn’t want to understand?

She needed to think it over carefully.

Shen Tingxue’s lips brushed against Shi Anzhi’s neck. When Shi Anzhi showed no reaction, she grew slightly uneasy.

In the past, even though Shi Anzhi was quiet as a closed gourd, she would always respond whenever Shen Tingxue spoke…

With a soft chime, the smart housekeeper projected a hologram, a burst of fireworks composed of blue data streams. It broadcasted a voice message, reminding its owner of the day’s schedule.

[Miss, the laboratory meeting is at 3 p.m. Everyone has already gathered.]

[There is a press conference at 7 p.m. where you will be asked about your disappearance.]

Shen Tingxue snapped back to reality.

After being missing for so long, she had to visit the lab immediately upon her return to check on the progress of several projects. She also wondered whether the researchers who had defected to her side were still safe.

Shen Hong still didn’t know she was gradually undermining his authority…

Hearing the announcement, Shi Anzhi remained unresponsive, like a puppet stripped of its soul.

Shen Tingxue loosened her embrace slightly. She hadn’t yet adjusted to interacting with Shi Anzhi in this new way. Perhaps it was better to focus on work for now.

“Wait for me to come home.”

She wanted to kiss Shi Anzhi’s cheek as a farewell gesture.

But as she leaned in, Shi Anzhi unexpectedly turned her head away.

The distance between them widened, and Shen Tingxue froze for a moment.

Suppressing her inner frustration, she smiled gently. “It’s alright. I’ll kiss you when I return

Shi Anzhi pondered Shen Tingxue’s remark about her being laughable that she was a “disabled Alpha without even a trace of pheromones.” It couldn’t really be considered an insult, could it? After all, it was the truth.

Shen Tingxue looked down on her.

As tears fell to the ground, Shi Anzhi forced herself to accept this reality. It hurt, but pretending nothing had happened would hurt even more.

–

Shen Corporation, Underground Secret Laboratory No. 7.

The security level here was even higher than that of Shen Hong’s office. The heavy alloy door required triple verification iris scan, voiceprint, and genetic sequence to open.

Before entering, Shen Tingxue changed into a white sterile research suit, leaving only her eyes visible.

Inside the lab, several core researchers were already waiting respectfully.

Leading them was Dr. Chu Yi, an Omega whom Shen Tingxue had personally promoted from the bottom ranks. As Shen Tingxue’s trusted confidante, Chu Yi would provide a preliminary report before the meeting officially began.

The moment Shen Tingxue stepped in, Chu Yi hurried over, her eyes filled with unconcealed relief and lingering fear. “Miss, you’re finally back.”

Shen Tingxue nodded. “You’ve worked hard while I was away.”

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the massive cylindrical cultivation tank at the center of the lab. “First, report on the progress of the Super Alpha Project.”

Chu Yi nodded, swiping across the holographic screen to bring up an interface. The background was a deep crimson, marked with the highest security-level warnings.

“Miss, the situation isn’t looking good.”

Chu Yi pulled up a surveillance recording from the isolation chamber. In the footage, an Alpha test subject, implanted with cybernetics, was frantically ramming against the reinforced glass. His eyes were bloodshot, his vocalizations animalistic, and his pheromone concentration readings had skyrocketed, pushing him to the brink of “Cyber Psychosis.”

“This is Test Subject No. 12,” Chu Yi explained. “Like the previous eleven, after receiving combat cybernetic implants exceeding 70%, his body exhibited severe genetic rejection. Our S-3 Gene Stabilizer can only maintain stable vital signs in the initial stages.”

“Once they enter high-intensity combat simulations, their pheromone glands overload, leading to central nervous system collapse.”

Shen Tingxue calmly watched the monster on the screen spiraling toward destruction. “What new instructions has my father given?”

Chu Yi’s expression tightened under the pressure. “President Shen demands that we spare no expense to develop the S-4 Stabilizer by next month, one that can perfectly integrate cybernetics with Alpha genetics. He said it’s a non-negotiable order from the Governor’s Office and a key gesture of the Shen family’s sincerity.”

A faint, ironic smile tugged at Shen Tingxue’s lips.

This so-called “sincerity” meant handing over the Shen family’s core biotechnology without reservation, creating a legion of half-human, half-machine monstrosities for the Governor’s Office.

And she, Shen Tingxue, would also be packaged as part of this “sincerity” and delivered to the Governor’s son.

“I understand.”

Shen Tingxue sighed. “Continue the research. Sync all the reconstructed experimental data for him to review. If the Governor’s Office is dissatisfied with the progress, submit the S-3 Stabilizer for now to buy us some time.”

She let out a breath and asked the more crucial question, “How has the progress been with the ‘Shepherd’ project while I was away?”

The S-4 model was a dead end from the start, destined to fail. Shen Tingxue had other plans in mind.

At this, Chu Yi’s face broke into a slight smile. “Miss, based on the framework you provided, our pheromone virus Shepherd 3.0 has completed its initial stability tests and is now undergoing further risk assessments.”

She pulled up a simulation video. In it, a super-Alpha test subject was engaged in combat simulation.

“The 3.0 virus can now be silently implanted into the subject’s gland,” she explained.

“It remains in a deep dormant state under normal circumstances, but once we send the activation command through your exclusive pheromone frequency…”

In the video, an invisible wave of command swept through, instantly activating the dormant virus in the subject’s gland. It released a specially encoded pheromone.

The subject in combat suddenly froze, then dropped its weapon and slowly knelt on one knee before Shen Tingxue.

Watching the footage, Shen Tingxue showed her first genuine smile in many days.

She had gone to great lengths, deceiving Shen Hong and the Presidential Palace, misleading them into focusing on genetic stability and cybernetic interface research. In reality, no matter how machine-like an Alpha was modified, their core drive would always stem from pheromones.

If she could control their pheromones, she could control their loyalty. Once this virus was implanted, this armed force would eventually transform overnight into a private army that answered to her alone.

Then, she would be able to overthrow Shen Hong’s power.

Shen Tingxue smiled and patted Chu Yi’s shoulder. “Well done. Continue running simulations to ensure there are no mistakes.”

Chu Yi nodded with a smile, but her expression soon turned serious again. “Mr. Shen has been tightening inspections of the lab recently, and Madam has tried multiple times to plant her own people here. I’m worried…”

“Don’t worry,” Shen Tingxue reassured her. “I’ll handle everything. You just focus on ensuring the Shepherd virus doesn’t fail.”

With everyone present, they began reporting on the research progress during her absence. After the routine agenda was discussed, the other researchers tactfully excused themselves.

Only Shen Tingxue and Chu Yi remained in the lab. The two often shared more private matters during these moments.

Shen Tingxue hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to speak.

Finally, she broke the silence.

She pulled up a medical report from the holographic screen physical examination data of Shi Anzhi, which she had accessed through her privileges from a border hospital. “Chu Yi, take a look at this.”

Chu Yi stepped forward and saw the nearly undetectable pheromone concentration levels in the report. The final diagnosis was stark Congenital Glandular Dysfunction.

Puzzled, she asked, “Miss, what is this…?”

Shen Tingxue’s voice was calm. “The medical record of an Alpha. The border hospital diagnosed her as disabled.”

Chu Yi analyzed the data from a professional standpoint. “Based on the numbers, that seems accurate.”

“This Alpha’s gland produces almost no pheromone molecules detectable by instruments. Theoretically, she can’t exert effective dominance pressure externally and would struggle to provide comfort during an Omega’s heat cycle.”

“Aside from her physiological structure, she is almost indistinguishable from a Beta.”

Hearing this, Shen Tingxue frowned.

Her fingers unconsciously traced the data on the screen. “But I can sense it.”

Chu Yi looked puzzled. “Sense it?”

“Miss, what do you mean…?”

“I can sense her pheromones.”

Shen Tingxue murmured, “Although I can’t smell anything, and the hospital reports indicate they’re almost nonexistent, when I’m near her especially during intimate contact, I can clearly feel her presence.”

“This Alpha helped me smoothly get through my estrus cycle.”

She tried to describe that strange sensation she had experienced.

“It was as if there was some invisible energy field around her, always very moist. I felt enveloped by warm seawater, and the effect was better than any inhibitor.”

Shen Tingxue looked up. “Chu Yi, how could an Alpha diagnosed as disabled possibly achieve this?”

Chu Yi was stunned. She pondered the implications of Shen Tingxue’s words… Had the young lady been intimate with that Alpha?

She adjusted her glasses, her mind racing.

“The situation you described is almost impossible according to existing physiological theories,” she replied cautiously. “The essence of pheromones is biochemical signals. What you’re describing… sounds more like the spiritual connection that supposedly exists between Sentinels and Guides whose mental abilities have reached S-level or above in the legends.”

“How could that be?” Shen Tingxue laughed dismissively.

“Exactly, that’s the contradiction.”

After a moment of thought, Chu Yi proposed a bold hypothesis. “Unless her pheromones aren’t the chemical molecules we conventionally understand not acting through the olfactory sense but directly resonating with the recipient’s mental field.”

Listening to these speculations, Shen Tingxue found them far-fetched and asked, “Is there a treatment?”

She couldn’t bear to hear Shi Anzhi constantly referred to as disabled.

Even though she herself had used that word to hurt her before.

Chu Yi looked somewhat troubled. “This goes beyond the scope of conventional medicine. To treat this defect, we would need the Empire’s top genetic laboratory and a comparative genetic map.”

“What genetic map?”

“We need to find her immediate blood relatives, preferably both parents, to extract their genetic samples for comparative analysis. Only then might we discover the root cause of her gland abnormality and consider potential repair methods.”

Parents…

But Shi Anzhi was an orphan.

Shen Tingxue’s heart sank. “I understand.”

She closed the holographic screen. “I don’t want a third person to know about our conversation today.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Chu Yi bowed her head.

Shen Tingxue turned and walked out of the laboratory.

Her mind remained unsettled for a long time.

She was the only one who could sense Shi Anzhi’s pheromones. She felt both secretly pleased by this unique connection and frustrated and resentful about Shi Anzhi’s disabled status.

How could an Alpha who had been intimate with her, Shen Tingxue, be disabled?

After the meeting, Shen Tingxue immediately went to the press conference.

To quell the public opinion storm caused by the “hacker incident,” Shen Hong, after consulting with various factions including the Governor’s Office, had decided to urgently hold a press conference to stabilize the situation.

As the person involved, Shen Tingxue naturally attended in person. She had already reviewed the speech draft; now it was just a formality.

At seven o’clock, dressed in a white professional suit, she sat at the center of the podium. Below her, countless camera flashes and journalists filled the room.

Shen Hong, the true power holder of the Shen family, spoke first, asserting that the “hacker incident” was an attack targeting the Governor’s Mansion and that the Super Alpha Project was entirely fabricated.

Shen Tingxue followed immediately after, a faint smile gracing her face.

“…Regarding my disappearance some time ago, it was an accident.”

Her voice, amplified by the microphone, echoed clearly throughout the venue and was broadcast live across the entire empire.

“During a private voyage, my aircraft encountered a severe electromagnetic storm and unfortunately crashed in the waters near the edge of Zone R. I was fortunate to be rescued by kind local fishermen. Due to a head injury, I lost part of my memory and have been recuperating in a local fishing village.”

“It wasn’t until recently that my memory gradually returned, and with the help of the local sheriff, I was able to contact my family.”

She recounted the contents of the speech draft in a calm tone.

Shen Tingxue paused briefly before continuing, “As for the rumors circulating about my engagement to the Governor’s son…”

She smiled lightly, “That was merely a hopeful vision shared by our elders. Gongzi Jiang Qi and I have not formally gotten engaged, but we are indeed dating. I personally greatly admire his talent and character.”

Her words caused an uproar throughout the venue.

Countless camera flashes went off, and Shen Tingxue felt slightly irritated.

That waste Jiang Qi, how dare his name be mentioned alongside hers.

Once the Shepherd’s Toxin matured and she could control those creatures, Jiang Qi would be the first to face her wrath.

The second would be Shen Hong.

She imagined her future victory, visualizing it in vivid detail. Only this could bring her a sliver of joy amidst her current constraints.

Just hold on a little longer, she told herself.

＊

From afternoon until evening, Shi Anzhi remained in the study.

No one in the house paid her any attention, and she had no desire to go out, unsure of what identity she should assume when facing the Shen family.

It seemed she could no longer bring herself to say “I am her Alpha” in front of others…

Shi Anzhi simply sat quietly, waiting for the heartache to pass, just as she had done many times before when the orphanage director told her that the visitors that day were also unwilling to adopt her. She slowly digested the disappointment.

Suddenly, the holographic TV on the wall lit up, becoming the only source of light in the study, followed by the sound of voices.

Shi Anzhi was momentarily stunned. She looked up, watching the screen as Shen Hong spoke, followed by Shen Tingxue with her faint smile.

She listened to every word, every phrase Shen Tingxue uttered, feeling colder with each passing moment.

Shen Tingxue had erased her existence.

She was nothing more than a “kind fisherman” unworthy of even being mentioned.

Shi Anzhi stared blankly at Shen Tingxue’s smile, listening as she spoke of her engagement to someone else.

Did it hurt? It seemed she had already grown numb.

She simply found it ridiculous, ridiculous that she had actually believed Nian Xue’s promises of forever, ridiculous that despite her current humiliation, she still couldn’t bring herself to leave.

She didn’t even know how to turn off the TV, forced to listen to Shen Tingxue’s words until the press conference ended and the screen finally went dark.

From afternoon till evening, Shi Anzhi hadn’t eaten anything. Time passed, yet she felt no hunger, simply sitting there in a daze.

Until the door was pushed open, and familiar footsteps entered the room.

Shi Anzhi didn’t turn around, who else could it be?

A soft yet cool body pressed against her from behind as Shen Tingxue’s arms wrapped around her waist.

In a daze, Shi Anzhi thought, all along, Shen Tingxue. No, Nian Xue, had always loved holding her in this way.

Shen Tingxue’s voice sounded by her ear, tinged with weariness. “Did you watch the press conference?”

The television in her study automatically turned on during important news broadcasts, though she could have set it to remain off.

But she hadn’t.

Before the press conference, she knew Shi Anzhi would see everything, yet she deliberately didn’t instruct the smart home system to turn off the TV.

She wanted Shi Anzhi to watch it on purpose.

She had no intention of being some weak Omega who had to coax and cajole an Alpha. If Shi Anzhi decided to stay, she needed to understand her place to abandon any romantic illusions and stop interfering with her decisions.

She thought, if Shi Anzhi could still love her under these circumstances, that would be true love, the kind worthy of a higher form of reciprocation.

Shen Tingxue couldn’t help but wonder if her expectations were too harsh. Did such selfless, all-giving love truly exist in this world.

Shi Anzhi took a deep breath. “Did you want me to watch it?”

“I saw everything. Are you satisfied?” Her tone carried a hint of coldness.

“Are you angry?” Shen Tingxue sensed the Alpha’s emotions but wasn’t surprised.

Should she try to coax her? She hesitated.

Shi Anzhi remained silent.

Shen Tingxue’s voice softened, adopting a hint of the coquettish tone she’d only used back in the slums. Her attempt at placation felt half-hearted.

“Why care so much about these things? Let’s talk about something else, alright? I missed you.”

Finally, Shi Anzhi moved.

She slowly pried open the hands encircling her waist.

Then she turned around and faced the Omega before her.

“Miss Shen.” Gazing into Shen Tingxue’s tea-colored pupils, she asked, her voice nearly breaking, “Tell me, who am I, really?”

“Some ‘fisherman’ not fit for public display?”

“Am I just someone hiding in the Shen household as your…” Shi Anzhi recalled the torn agreement, unable to find the right word to define herself.

Lover? A tool for physical desires? A plaything?

As she asked the question, Shi Anzhi hadn’t expected her voice to choke up perhaps too many suppressed emotions had built up.

Shen Tingxue pressed her lips together. Watching the tears glistening in Shi Anzhi’s lifeless eyes, a faint bitterness welled up inside her.

She set aside some of her nonchalance, swallowed the bitterness, and switched to a different way of placating.

“Shi Anzhi, if you’re really angry.”

“I’ll make it up to you, alright?”

She took Shi Anzhi’s cold hand and guided it beneath her silk robe, to a place warm and soft. “How about we do it many times tonight, to make it up to you?”