Chapter 15 - Arousal

"Mr. Lee," Hong Yi spoke hesitantly, "Mr. Hong, do you want me to continue with the investigation?" Cody asked, making Hong Yi's slight frown. This wasn't what he'd expected to hear.

"Mr. Lee," Hong Yi replied, trying to mask his confusion, "can we meet tomorrow evening?"

"Sure, Mr. Hong, but where?"

Hong Yi considered his options. Neither his office nor his apartment felt suitable; he wasn't comfortable with someone he barely knew entering his personal space. "At Halo," he decided. "And please come with the information you've collected so far."

"Okay, Mr. Hong. I'll be there by 6:30." Hong Yi ended the call, wanting to avoid further conversation.

As Hong Yi started to go through the desktop files again he heard his stomach making sounds.

Hong Yi pushed away from the table, his unease momentarily forgotten by the pangs of hunger. Shu Ya's words about taking care of himself echoed in his mind, bringing a small smile to his lips. He decided to whip up something to eat.

Reaching for the fridge handle, he peered inside, hoping to find some inspiration. Disappointment washed over him as he saw only a lonely carton of eggs staring back. With a sigh, he accepted his limited options. He would have to make do with what he had.

But for Hong Yi, that wasn't a problem. Years spent surviving on his wits in the wild had honed his culinary skills. He was an efficient cook, able to transform meager ingredients into surprisingly delicious meals. A single glance at the eggs sparked a plan in his mind.He rummaged through his pantry, emerging with a triumphant grin. A dusty bag of forgotten herbs, a half-empty bag of rice, and a stray onion – it wasn't much, but it was enough for Hong Yi. With practiced ease, he began to transform these simple ingredients. The rhythmic clinking of the knife against the chopping board, the sizzle of onions hitting hot oil, filled the air.

As the enticing aroma of fried rice wafted through the room, Hong Yi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Even in this sterile apartment, with limited resources, he could still create something comforting and delicious.

Hong Yi settled on the couch with his plate of fried rice, the enticing aroma a welcome distraction. Flicking on the TV, a random show titled "CEO's Baby" caught his eye. Amusement flickered across his face as the plot unfolded. A powerful CEO, an alpha male as the show described him, falling for a seemingly ordinary omega. It was a classic trope, yet strangely captivating.

As the show progressed, things got...heated. The alpha CEO and the omega began displaying behaviors that made Hong Yi raise an eyebrow. There was talk of "heat" and "rut," concepts vaguely familiar but mostly confusing. A blush crept up his neck at the overly dramatic portrayal of these supposed biological urges.

"Ridiculous," Hong Yi scoffed, shoving the thought of stereotypes away. Then, a cold realization hit him. If he was indeed an alpha, the implications were far-reaching. He wouldn't just be attracted to omegas, his body would be subjected to the very urges he found cheesy in the drama – marking, rutting, the intense need to claim an omega.

Pushing the plate of barely touched fried rice aside, Hong Yi's mind raced. He imagined himself succumbing to these primal urges, something so far removed from the life he'd known. A life spent fighting, scavenging, searching for a safe haven, all while protecting his people from those monstrous creatures.

A hot blush rose on his face as he continued down this unwelcome path of thought. "Argh, man, what the heck is this?" he muttered, frustration lacing his voice. He realized a growing tightness in his chest, a physical response that mirrored his mental turmoil.

Needing an escape, Hong Yi bolted for the bathroom, the cool relief of the tile floor a welcome shock. He turned on the shower, the icy water cascading down his body, aiming to extinguish the unwanted heat that had flared up.

As he stood under the cold spray, the cool droplets hammered his head, quickly traveling down his toned body. With damp hair plastered to his forehead, Hong Yi pushed it back, letting the water cascade down his face. He squeezed his eyes shut, forcing his mind away from the unwelcome arousal and the chaotic thoughts swirling within. Today had been a whirlwind of new information – the investigation taking a strange turn, and the shocking revelation about himself. Yet, through it all, Hong Yi had maintained a semblance of control.

Suddenly, his mind snagged on the conversation with Yun Xiang and the potential date with Yun Fei. A choked laugh escaped his lips. "I'm screwed," he muttered, the humor a mere facade for the rising panic. He was trapped, squeezed from all sides by unexpected circumstances.

Stepping out of the cold shower, Hong Yi found himself face-to-face with his reflection in the full-length bathroom mirror. He took a deep breath, trying to digest the new reality staring back at him.Hong Yi's face was strong, defined by sharp cheekbones, thick eyebrows, and a prominent nose. His body, honed by years of survival, wasn't excessively bulky but held a lean, functional strength. It wasn't the physique of a bodybuilder, nor was it the result of mere neglect. His broad shoulders tapered down to well-defined arms, the veins pulsing faintly beneath the surface. 

If someone were to ask him what part of him he appreciated most, it wouldn't be his well-proportioned physique, a testament to years of hardship. It would be his eyes. Not the dark brown he'd seen on others, but a lighter shade that seemed to shine in light.

Satisfied with this small acknowledgement, he donned his pajamas and crawled into bed. Sleep, however, was a distant visitor. He tossed and turned, the weight of the day pressing down on him. Reaching for his phone, he initially intended to simply distract himself. But curiosity gnawed at him.

He began to delve into Yun Fei's background. Starting his career at a tender age of sixteen, the young omega had steadily climbed the ladder. His breakthrough came at eighteen, playing a character with unrequited love and suicidal tendencies in a school drama titled "Never Miss Me." Yun Fei's portrayal was so poignant, his popularity skyrocketed.

While subsequent dramas followed, none quite captured the audience's imagination. Recent rumors swirled about him dating his co-star from "Wish You Luck." Yun Fei vehemently denied them, while his co-star maintained a cryptic silence, fueling the speculation. This made Hong Yi wonder - what kind of person was Yun Fei, really?

Clicking on a recent post, Hong Yi found a picture of Yun Fei celebrating his birthday on the set of his new drama. A wide smile, revealing dazzling white teeth, stretched across his face. As Yun Fei laughed, his eyes crinkled into charming crescent moons, his full cheeks adding to his youthful charm. Despite himself, a small smile tugged at Hong Yi's lips.

Shaking his head at his own reaction, he placed his phone down and finally succumbed to sleep's gentle embrace. The image of Yun Fei's smile, however, lingered in his dreams.