The conference room was too bright.
Shen Yaojin sat at the far end of the long glass table, hands folded in his lap, posture calm on the outside. Inside, his nerves were screaming. The room was filled with people who didn't smile with their eyes. Executives, shareholders, advisors—people who measured others in numbers and risks.
And right now, he was the risk.
Lu Zhiyuan stood at the head of the table, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. He didn't look at Yaojin, but somehow Yaojin could feel him everywhere—like gravity.
"This is Shen Yaojin," Zhiyuan said, voice smooth, controlled. "He will be attending internal meetings from now on."
A ripple of murmurs spread across the room.
An older man with silver hair adjusted his glasses. "Is this necessary? He doesn't hold a position in the company."
Zhiyuan's gaze sharpened slightly. "He holds a position in my life."
Silence dropped like a blade.
Yaojin's fingers curled slightly. So dramatic…
Another executive, a woman in her forties with sharp eyes, smiled thinly. "Of course. But some shareholders are concerned. Marriage contracts can be… distracting."
Yaojin felt their gazes slide over him, assessing, dissecting.
"I won't interfere with company operations," he said calmly. "You don't have to worry."
The silver-haired man tilted his head. "That's what everyone says at first."
Zhiyuan's hand slammed lightly on the table. Not loud, not violent—just enough to make everyone stop.
"He's not here to interfere. He's here to learn."
His eyes flicked to Yaojin for a brief second.
Learn to survive, Yaojin thought.
Whispers in the Hallway
As the meeting ended, Yaojin walked out with Zhiyuan. Conversations resumed instantly, but now they were quieter.
"He's younger than I expected."
"He looks harmless."
"That's the problem."
Yaojin kept his expression neutral, but his chest felt tight.
In the hallway, Lin Meiqi appeared like she had been waiting. She leaned against the wall, scrolling through her phone, pretending not to notice them—until Yaojin passed.
"So you're attending meetings now?" she asked casually.
Yaojin paused. "Is that a problem?"
"For me?" She smiled. "No. For you? Maybe."
Zhiyuan stepped closer, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. "Don't you have work to do?" he asked her coldly.
Meiqi chuckled. "Always so protective. It makes people curious."
She leaned closer to Yaojin, her voice dropping. "Do you know what curiosity does in a place like this?"
Yaojin met her gaze. "No."
"It eats people alive."
She walked away, heels clicking, leaving a faint scent of expensive perfume and warning.
Jealous Alpha Mode Activated
In Zhiyuan's office, the glass walls overlooked the city. He stood by the desk, arms crossed, while Yaojin sat on the sofa pretending not to feel his stare.
"You shouldn't talk to her," Zhiyuan said.
"I didn't start the conversation."
"You didn't end it either."
Yaojin sighed. "You're being paranoid."
Zhiyuan walked over and stopped in front of him. "Paranoid keeps people alive."
"Or miserable."
Zhiyuan's gaze darkened. "Do you enjoy testing me?"
Yaojin hesitated. "…Maybe."
Zhiyuan leaned closer, voice low. "Don't."
The warning was quiet but heavy.
Friends Finally Meet
Later that afternoon, Yaojin escaped to the company café. He needed air, caffeine, something normal.
"Yaojin?"
He turned and saw Han Zexu standing there, holding two cups. The omega looked a bit nervous, but his eyes were warm.
"Zexu," Yaojin said, relieved. "I didn't know you were here."
"I work here now," Zexu said softly. "Bai Lianyi recruited me."
"That alpha recruits everyone," Yaojin muttered.
Zexu smiled and handed him a cup. "I thought you might need this."
"You're a lifesaver."
They sat by the window, city stretching endlessly below.
"So… how is it?" Zexu asked carefully.
"Being married to Lu Zhiyuan?"
"Yeah."
Yaojin stared into his coffee. "It's like living with a storm that looks calm on the surface."
Zexu nodded slowly. "Bai Lianyi is like that too. Just… quieter."
They shared a look that said we're in trouble.
Rumors Begin
That evening, Yaojin's phone buzzed nonstop. Messages from unknown numbers. Gossip group chats he didn't remember joining.
"Lu Zhiyuan's omega spouse is just a trophy."
"He's probably after the money."
"He won't last a year."
Yaojin stared at the screen, expression blank.
So this is how they fight.
Behind the scenes, Lin Meiqi watched the same messages appear, her lips curving slightly.
"Let's see how strong you are when the city turns on you."
At the Mansion
Zhiyuan found Yaojin in the garden, sitting on the swing, phone in hand.
"You saw the rumors," Zhiyuan said.
"Hard not to."
"They'll stop."
"When?"
"When they're bored."
Yaojin laughed quietly. "People like them never get bored."
Zhiyuan stood in front of him. "Then they'll get scared."
Yaojin looked up. "You sound like a villain."
Zhiyuan's lips curved slightly. "Only when necessary."
He placed a hand on the swing's chain, stopping it.
"You're under my protection," he said. "Don't forget that."
Yaojin looked away, heart beating strangely fast.
That's the problem, he thought. I don't know if that makes me safer… or trapped.