The Omega Pretending to Be an Alpha Was Accidentally Marked by His Boss - Chapter 13

The night view of Nandong City was breathtaking.

Located right in the heart of the city, Jinyan Pavilion stood directly across from a circular plaza. Night had fully fallen, and the cascading skyscrapers and wide, straight avenues were ablaze with a brilliant sea of lights.

The plaza looked like a glowing ring, its central fountain erupting into delicate, shimmering beads of light. The reflections of the streetlamps stretched outward along the radiating roads, reaching into the distant dark as if they would never end.

In the distance, the suspension cables of the Meijiang River Bridge glowed in kaleidoscopic colors, their flickering images dancing across the water’s surface. Beneath the neon glow, a slowly cruising vessel let out a deep, heavy blast of its horn, echoing like the tolling of an ancient bell.

Resting his hands on the rooftop terrace railing, Qiu Nan watched the flashing headlights on the streets and the bustling crowds in the pedestrian mall below, feeling completely detached from the warmth of the ordinary world.

Almost all of his colleagues at the Bureau were locals, and so was he. The only difference was that they all had homes to return to, while he did not.

He had been left at the doorstep of an orphanage while still in swaddling clothes, with nothing on him but a single token.

It was a black badge engraved with a golden tentacle pattern. When caught in the sunlight, those tentacles seemed to come alive, twisting and clawing at the air.

Through a stroke of serendipity years later, he learned that the token originated from an organization called the “Monster Control Bureau.”

Qiu Nan took a deep breath, forcing himself out of the fragments of his memories as the blurry points of light before his eyes snapped back into sharp focus.

He glanced at his watch and was startled to realize just how long he had been standing there.

The cool night breeze had calmed him down considerably, but it also made him realize how incredibly rude his sudden departure had been. Especially since Director Xie had claimed he would cover for him, only for Qiu Nan to vanish.

He felt like a heartless, ungrateful wretch.

Just as he turned to leave the terrace, he ran right into Xie Yunnian, who had just stepped out of the stairwell.

“Director,” Qiu Nan said, his hands instantly pinning to the seams of his trousers. He looked as guilt-ridden as a junior high student caught playing hooky at an internet cafe by his teacher.

At the same time, he scrutinized the other man, trying to gauge if he was drunk.

He looks completely fine?

With that many people, even if it was just one glass each, his tolerance is absolutely insane!

Xie Yunnian was studying him as well.

Once he was certain nothing was amiss, he asked, “What are you doing up here?”

“Just getting some fresh air,” Qiu Nan mumbled.

Xie Yunnian watched his expression. “You didn’t look quite right after those two glasses. I thought you—”

Before he could finish, Qiu Nan rushed to explain, “I took an inhibitor shot beforehand. I’m completely fine.”

“I see.” Xie Yunnian let out a brief, self-deprecating laugh. “Then it seems I meddled unnecessarily.”

“No! Thank you, Director!” Qiu Nan offered him a soft, genuine smile.

Beneath the ink-black canopy of the night sky, the brilliant streetlights reflected in the depths of his eyes. His slightly curved eyes sparkled, and the night breeze tousled his hair, revealing a sliver of his fair, rounded earlobe.

Suddenly, Qiu Nan caught a whiff of a faint, crisp pine scent. He looked over curiously, only to find Xie Yunnian turning his gaze away with a touch of awkwardness.

His pheromones are starting to leak?

He must be pushing through on sheer willpower just to maintain his dignified Director persona. He is totally drunk!

This was exactly why Qiu Nan despised these kinds of gatherings. It wasn’t just about the pressure to drink; if a weak-willed Alpha got drunk and let their pheromones bleed out uncontrollably, it was highly unpleasant. Even if an Omega had taken inhibitors and wouldn’t go into heat, they would still feel stifled and oppressed by the heavy Alpha scent.

Though, that wouldn’t happen to him anymore. He had been permanently marked by a much more powerful Alpha, meaning he was now immune to the pressure of these smaller fish.

Looking at it that way, a permanent mark is actually pretty convenient.

The self-deprecating thought had barely crossed Qiu Nan’s mind when he noticed the pine scent dissolve into the night breeze.

Hah. Not only are his pheromones leaking, they’re completely unstable!

“Director, did you drink too much?” He rubbed his itching nose and stepped forward. “Let me head down and find a sober colleague to drive you home.”

He reached out and gently took hold of Xie Yunnian’s arm.

Xie Yunnian stared down at him in silence with deep, dark eyes for a few seconds before giving a quiet nod.

Qiu Nan was tall and lean, standing only half a head shorter than Xie Yunnian, yet standing right next to him, he seemed remarkably small.

As Qiu Nan supported his arm with an unfamiliar, slightly awkward posture, the corner of Xie Yunnian’s mouth curved upward, thoroughly enjoying the service.

After only a few steps, Qiu Nan suddenly halted.

He caught a peculiar scent in the air—an Omega was releasing pheromones.

Xie Yunnian clearly smelled it too. With reflexes even sharper than Qiu Nan’s, his eyes immediately locked onto the direction the scent was coming from.

It was a pitch-black corner of the terrace, completely hidden in the heavy shadow cast by the adjacent building.

Evidently, an Omega was hiding there for some reason, and they seemed to be going into heat.

Qiu Nan pointed toward the opposite side of the terrace ledge. “Director, please wait for me over there. I’ll go check if they need any help.”

Xie Yunnian chuckled. “How are you going to help? By your logic, shouldn’t I be the one helping them?”

Knowing the Director was teasing him about what had happened during their very first encounter, Qiu Nan pouted in irritation. He wanted to fire back but couldn’t find the words, so he turned and ran off.

Xie Yunnian’s smile widened.

He could feel the Omega pheromones growing increasingly potent in the air, smelling faintly of gardenias.

He had absolutely zero interest. He didn’t even feel the need to move away.

Turning his head, he crossed his arms and looked out over the sprawling, prosperous city view.

A few minutes later, light footsteps approached. Qiu Nan came trotting back with a cheerful stride, his face practically beaming.

Xie Yunnian turned back. Seeing the immense sense of accomplishment written all over the younger man’s face, he asked, “Sorted out?”

“Yep!” The corners of Qiu Nan’s mouth curled up even higher.

Xie Yunnian’s gaze lingered on his face for a beat before he simply said, “Let’s go.”

Qiu Nan hurried to catch up. “Director, aren’t you curious about what happened?”

“I don’t know them. A strange Alpha shouldn’t pry into an Omega’s private matters.”

That actually makes sense.

“Oh,” Qiu Nan muttered. He sneaked a glance at Xie Yunnian, unwilling to let it go, and dropped a pointed hint. “But Director, it actually has something to do with you.”

“With me?” Xie Yunnian was genuinely surprised.

“You drank too much and let your pheromones run wild just now. There was a young guy over there who got triggered by your scent and suddenly went through a forced differentiation.” Qiu Nan looked distinctly smug at his misfortune.

Xie Yunnian tilted his head, studying him closely. “It really had to do with me? I don’t recall releasing that much scent. Besides, you’re perfectly fine.”

“Because I took an inhibitor shot beforehand! You have no idea, he was crying so hard! I gave him one of my backup shots, told him to stay put on the terrace, and had him call his family to pick him up and take him to the hospital.” Qiu Nan let out an exaggerated sigh. “Sigh! I swear, I’m the only person in this world who can tolerate you.”

Xie Yunnian’s mood instantly brightened. A smile bloomed on his face as he nodded. “True.”

After a brief pause, he asked, “Do you always carry that many inhibitors on you?”

Qiu Nan shoved his hands into his pockets and bared his teeth. “Better safe than sorry!”

“And you’re willing to just give them away to a stranger? Those aren’t cheap.”

Qiu Nan’s eyes softened into crescents. “I still remember what it felt like when I first differentiated. It felt like my entire body didn’t belong to me, and I was absolutely terrified. Seeing him like that just reminded me of myself. If I can help, I might as well.”

Xie Yunnian quietly averted his eyes.

When they returned to the banquet hall, they found that less than half the crowd remained. Everyone had thoroughly enjoyed themselves tonight. Wu Jiada had his arm slung over Huo Honghai’s shoulder, slurring his words as he bragged loudly.

Qiu Nan rolled his eyes.

For these two to put aside their differences, they must be completely wasted.

Mi Zhu had also been coerced into drinking several glasses, but he had managed to keep a clear head, firmly remembering his sacred duty to protect his Captain’s personal safety.

The moment Qiu Nan and Xie Yunnian entered the chaotic banquet hall together, they instantly drew everyone’s attention.

The usually unruly Captain Qiu looked completely harmless, chatting away about something, while Director Xie kept his eyes lowered, listening with absolute focus, a gentle smile gracing his face.

Yes, gentle. It was undeniably gentle!

Mi Zhu rushed over to greet them. “Captain, you good? Should I drive you home?”

Xie Yunnian’s brow furrowed imperceptibly. Raising his voice slightly, he said, “Captain Qiu, didn’t you say you were driving me home?”

Qiu Nan faltered.

Mi Zhu countered, “Director, let Xiao Pei drive you. Captain Qiu drank tonight, he can’t get behind the wheel.”

Xie Yunnian replied dismissively, “I have a chauffeur in my car.”

Mi Zhu and Qiu Nan fell silent.

“Captain Qiu and I have official Bureau business to discuss,” Xie Yunnian added, his tone leaving absolutely no room for argument.

Qiu Nan: “Ah, alright then.”

Since things had reached this point, Mi Zhu no longer had any ground to protect Qiu Nan. He shrugged and prepared to leave with Sang Yongyi.

However, Xie Yunnian lifted a glass of wine, blocking his path. “Mi Zhu, right? Care for a drink?”

Startled, Mi Zhu quickly found his glass, filled it to the brim, and knocked it back with the Director.

The field agents left one after another. Once the venue was empty, Xie Yunnian left the wrap-up work to Lan Mingliang before walking side-by-side with Qiu Nan to the parking lot. They slid into the back seat of the car.

Xie Yunnian’s ride was a limited-edition luxury vehicle, and there was indeed a professional chauffeur waiting at the wheel.

The moment he sat down inside, Qiu Nan truly felt the sheer disparity between them. Even though they were separated by only a single empty seat, he felt as though the Mount Himalayas loomed between himself and this new Director.

“Young Master, heading home?” the chauffeur asked, looking through the rearview mirror for confirmation.

Xie Yunnian leaned back slightly against the seat. As he murmured an affirmative “Home,” he pressed one of the buttons lined along the roof of the car. A solid partition slowly descended from above, completely sealing the back seat away from the front.

Taking off his jacket, Xie Yunnian tossed it aside before tugging at his tie. No matter how much he loosened it, it still felt uncomfortable, so he finally ripped it off his neck entirely and threw it into the corner.

He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, exposing a sharp, well-defined collarbone that cast a deep shadow under the dim, amber glow of the car’s interior lights.

Qiu Nan’s breath suddenly caught in his throat.

He was thoroughly starting to regret his decision to “drive” the Director home. No matter how he looked at it, he seemed like prey that had willingly walked straight into a trap!

I’m literally dumber than an E-class monster!

Shrinking weakly back into his corner, he mumbled, “Director, it’s a little stuffy in here. How about we roll down a window?”

Xie Yunnian didn’t say a word. He just stared at him without blinking, his deep, intense gaze practically glued to Qiu Nan, seemingly unable to look away.

A purely instinctual sense of danger enveloped Qiu Nan. He wanted to fling the car door open and bolt right then and there, only to realize that the car had already started moving at some point and was currently cruising at high speed.

Great. It really is an inescapable trap.

“Director? Are you drunk?”

Seeing how he was clearly terrified yet desperately trying to play it cool, Xie Yunnian let out a low chuckle.

“Yes. I’m drunk.”

Qiu Nan breathed a small sigh of relief. As long as they could communicate, things were manageable.

Forcing a relaxed chuckle, he tried to laugh it off. “Ha, no way? You were completely fine when we came down from the terrace.”

Xie Yunnian leaned his head lazily against the perfectly cushioned backrest. “Didn’t I have that last drink with Mi Zhu?”

Words failed Qiu Nan.

One drink and you’re wasted?

Maybe it was a cumulative effect? The straw that broke the camel’s back?

Qiu Nan had always possessed immense self-control; he had no idea what being drunk felt like, let alone what the progression was.

Maybe this is just how it works?

To Xie Yunnian, Qiu Nan’s bewildered and conflicted expression was utterly adorable.

His alcohol tolerance was actually phenomenal; the amount he drank tonight wasn’t anywhere near enough to make him lose his composure. But right now, looking at the person in front of him made him feel a little intoxicated.

He tentatively released a tiny hint of his pheromones, teasing his Omega.

With an Omega who shared a 99% compatibility rate with him, how could he possibly suppress his affection?

He watched as Qiu Nan’s pale lips trembled slightly before he curled himself tighter into the corner.

Is he afraid of me?

That realization made Xie Yunnian a little displeased. Then, he saw Qiu Nan cover his mouth and let out a tiny, muffled sneeze.

Damn that allergy!

Xie Yunnian carefully regulated the concentration of his pheromones in the car, keeping it just enough to act as a mild stimulant without making his Omega too uncomfortable.

Then, leaning forward slightly, he caught Qiu Nan by the arm and pulled him firmly into his embrace.

Qiu Nan gave a few subtle, hidden struggles before going completely still. The scent belonging exclusively to his Alpha made him shiver, and a deeply rooted yearning began to fester and grow within him. Fighting against it was exhausting.

Moreover, he noticed that his own scent glands were starting to heat up in response. The inhibitor shot he had taken earlier had effectively done absolutely nothing.

The Director is just drunk, so I’ll just let him hold me for a bit, Qiu Nan rationalized. A lot of drunk people like giving hugs.

It’s just a purely platonic, human-to-human hug.

Slowly, however, he realized the situation was veering wildly off course.

Xie Yunnian’s chin actually came to rest on his shoulder. Tilting his head, the Director began to nuzzle his way closer and closer toward Qiu Nan’s scent glands.