Bo Xiyun was momentarily stunned, not expecting the conversation to take this turn.
Earlier in the day, when He Jianqing visited, Bo Xiyun had analyzed the situation rationally with his friend, considering the possibility that he and Mr. Wen might have a relationship of preference and affection rather than straightforward love. Now, however, Mr. Wen, while looking down at him, seemed to be afraid that the young master hadn't grasped it clearly and repeated himself.
"I like you."
Bo Xiyun looked at the tall figure, which almost blocked out all the light, and opened his mouth, trying to organize his thoughts.
As he now fully understood, the territorial awareness of top-tier alphas was a physiological instinct. So, he promptly explained to Wen Xiusen.
"Ah Qing came today to bring me suppressants, not intentionally provoking you. After he left, I sprayed a dispersant."
The reason Bo Xiyun had met He Jianqing today was to address the issues related to his heat cycle. He Jianqing, being a student of Dr. Sun, had been assisting the doctor with Bo Xiyun's case, even skipping classes to help. The suppressants brought by He Jianqing were specially formulated for Bo Xiyun based on his pheromone levels. Along with that, there were some other medications that Bo Xiyun usually took.
Because He Jianqing had inadvertently influenced him during the boat journey back to Hong Kong, this time, he came prepared to ensure that his scent wouldn't be broadcast involuntarily. Bo Xiyun, taking the opportunity, also made some attempts to control his pheromones with the appropriate safety measures.
The result was quite successful. This time, the young master could completely block out He Jianqing's pheromones. Similarly, He Jianqing didn't perceive any scent from Bo Xiyun.
Clearly, the little master had made significant progress in controlling his pheromones through the lessons in recent days.
Bo Xiyun and He Jianqing had engaged in a serious discussion around medical topics throughout the day. Therefore, the young master felt the need to clarify.
"I understand that S-class alphas may harbor animosity towards another alpha with a dominant scent, but today, Ah Qing came only to bring me suppressants, and there was no other intention."
Even after Bo Xiyun explained, Wen Xiusen's expression remained unchanged.
The overwhelmingly thick alpha pheromones in the room were highly noticeable. Bo Xiyun cautiously observed Wen Xiusen, feeling a slight tension in his body.
Because he was cornered against the wall, the young master's slender back was pressed against the cold, hard surface, causing some discomfort. Bo Xiyun had just moved slightly when Wen Xiusen seemed to sense his condition.
Bo Xiyun carefully adjusted his position, and Wen Xiusen, sensing the change, took a decisive action.
Bo Xiyun felt a sudden weight in his body, and the next moment, he was held horizontally by the alpha.
Wen Xiusen's way of holding him was practiced and familiar. Although the action was sudden, it didn't make the young master nervous. Wen Xiusen lifted Bo Xiyun away from the cold corner and carried him to the sofa before gently placing him down.
During the process, the overwhelming alpha pressure that had filled the room was gradually restrained, indicating that Wen Xiusen was exercising self-restraint, ensuring not to harm Bo Xiyun.
They both returned to the sofa, and the scent of frost and snow that had permeated the room was so thick that Bo Xiyun felt as if even his eyelashes, blinking involuntarily, were covered in snow. Yet, strangely, he didn't sense any cold. It was as if the coldest pheromones had started to burn silently, and the snowfall seemed to enhance the warmth of a blazing fire. Everything around them began to be roasted and warmed, and even the pheromones that the young master had concealed perfectly from his friend's senses were irresistibly drawn out.
It felt as if, in this bitterly cold season of heavy snowfall, they were alone in brewing a quiet storm.
In the midst of this warm and pleasant fusion of scents, Bo Xiyun looked at the man.
"I dislike him."
"I like you."
Wen Xiusen's confession had nothing to do with the young master.
The alpha still lowered his gaze, looking at Bo Xiyun, and his gaze never wavered. He had been so straightforward that there was no room for misunderstanding.
Bo Xiyun might still misconstrue something.
The young master remained silent for a moment before whispering, "I thought it was a mutually beneficial arrangement based on agreed-upon conditions between us."
He continued, "Yes, I was wrong."
Bo Xiyun admitted his mistake candidly.
Wen Xiusen looked at him and said, "Apologize to me."
Bo Xiyun raised his head, and the omega's soft cheeks, tinged with a hint of pale pink due to the fluctuations in pheromones, made his already faint lips appear even more vivid.
"I'm sorry to you," he said.
Bo Xiyun continued, "I have some... reasons of my own."
"Can I tell you a story?"
In fact, even Wen Xiusen's assistant could perceive the vulnerable position and hidden concerns of the omega, noticing Bo Xiyun's silent resistance against prejudice and stereotypes. Wen Xiusen, who cared more about the young master than anyone else in the world, was even less likely to be unaware.
However, Bo Xiyun's attitude was all due to his resistance against the dominance of pheromones. He had even deeper shadows.
"Once, there was a beta. He was very talented and good-looking."
This story began with a seemingly ordinary opening sentence, but when spoken by Bo Xiyun, it sounded extraordinary. To be praised by the young master as both talented and good-looking indicated that the person must have been extraordinarily exceptional.
"He had his own hobbies and clear goals. At the age of twenty, he almost won all the awards in his field."
The young man's voice was calm, with a hint of palpable nostalgia in his tone.
"No one fell for him. Everyone praised him as a genius who would surely have a bright future. Those who met him marveled, saying that he was born under God's favor."
"However..."
Bo Xiyun paused.
Like every story that leads to extreme beauty, there is always a painful twist.
Fortunes change, and fate is unpredictable.
"The result was, at the age of twenty-one, he unexpectedly underwent a delayed differentiation and became an omega."
The young master's voice gradually lowered.
"Moreover, it was discovered that he was an extremely rare S-class omega."
From that moment on, all the achievements of the young genius in his field became less important.
He went from an incomparable shining star to a rare and precious treasure that could be manipulated.
Transformed from an individual into a mere drug, a tool.
"When his S-class status was revealed, numerous S-class alphas immediately emerged, engaging in intense competition for him."
Even when he was a beta with that attractive appearance, there were already some who were fond of him. But this kind of liking and admiration couldn't compare to the fervent competition an S-class omega would face.
Bo Xiyun narrated with an expressionless face.
"In the end, he was claimed by a victorious alpha who married him. The alpha not only disliked him appearing in public but also wanted to prevent the hard-won prize from being coveted by others, so he locked him in a heavily guarded mansion."
"Afterward, he could no longer continue his original way of life."
"He couldn't achieve the goals that were once within his grasp, couldn't step into the beautiful future he had envisioned. Everything about him was shattered and reduced to being treated as a mere object."
The S-class omega brought home was only an excellent reproductive tool and an efficient soothing drug.
The slender figure of the young master was covered with a soft blanket by Wen Xiusen, adding warmth to isolate the silent chill.
However, Bo Xiyun's expression didn't change much.
Because the tragedy had not yet concluded.
"He remarried."
Bo Xiyun continued.
"After marrying another alpha, he was snatched away by an even more dominant top-tier alpha."
"Two alphas forcibly imprinting their marks on him."
One alpha had already fully marked him after marriage—no alpha could resist the allure of an S-class omega. This meant that for the rest of his life, the omega would be affected by the remnants of any mark.
To consolidate his own mark later, the alpha continued to stimulate the omega's pheromones continuously.
After each invasion, the alpha would satisfactorily perceive the strong aura he had imprinted on the omega's delicate glands. Only the omega alone bore the painful struggle of two alphas' marks within his fragile glands.
For him, as long as he remained an omega, this cruel pain would never end, never cease.
And all his sins, simply because he was an omega.
During this time, the young man's voice remained calm, and even his expression showed little reaction.
But the young master's body temperature dropped significantly. Even the warm blanket couldn't restore any warmth. His pale fingers, when held in the palms, felt unnaturally cold, as if they could induce frostbite.
Wen Xiusen held the boy's hands in his own, comforting him in silence for a long time.
The continuous warmth transmitted through their closely touching skin, and after a while, Bo Xiyun finally moved his stiff fingertips.
The young man lowered his eyelashes and spoke in a hoarse voice.
"So, yes."
Even though it was Wen Xiusen who apologized, Bo Xiyun still apologized to him.
"I know this is my own issue."
Even if he was a bit slow in this regard, Bo Xiyun didn't fully understand.
It was more about seeing that sincere affection.
"But I might not be able to accept other feelings for now."
He also couldn't provide the same response.
The young man took a shallow breath.
Telling this old story consumed a bit of his mental energy.
Bo Xiyun had never been confessed to. The highly praised young master of the Bo family was rarely admired or pleased. If it were any other person, Bo Xiyun wouldn't have explained this much.
It was only because of Wen Xiusen that he confessed so candidly.
The young man lowered his eyes and spoke softly.
"I'm sorry."
Warm fingertips tapped lightly on his dry lips.
It was a gentle hushing motion.
"..."
Wen Xiusen's voice was low but still that same sentence.
"Sorry to me."
TN: I will just pretend that I did a good job translating this chapter.