Late at night, after taking another shower, Pei Yujang turned on her computer and saw a notification from a forum.
[Complaint] An Omega in heat is driving me crazy!
OP: My wife's heat is getting worse lately. I'm on a business trip and couldn't rush back to accompany her. This time, her heat is pretty severe. She was crying when she called me, thinking I was cheating on her with another Omega. No matter how much I tried to explain, she wouldn't listen. I'm so frustrated!
1L: Mine is the same. Whenever she's in heat and I'm not around, she gets all paranoid. Sometimes, Omegas are really troublesome.
3L: You can't say that. It's a sign that your Omega loves you. Many Omegas are emotionally fragile and sensitive during heat, especially if they haven't been comforted in a long time. It's our responsibility as Alphas to be there for them.
OP: Here's the real kicker! She made me video call her to check my hotel room. She even made me lift the bed to prove no one was hiding under it, and she wanted me to scan outside the air conditioner to ensure there was no one around. She was crying like I was bullying her, but who's bullying who here? Omegas can be so clingy!
The earlier replies were fairly neutral, but as OP continued to vent, the topic of AO (Alpha-Omega) dynamics started to stir up tensions.
Some people said Alphas should be considerate of Omegas because during their rut, Alphas are like mad dogs. Omegas just want companionship during their heat. Sometimes, they can be pacified for hours just by giving them a pillow with your scent. It's nothing like Alphas, who get easily irritated during their ruts.
Other Alphas argued that Omegas are overly suspicious, always picking fights during their heat.
Having just been tormented by an Omega herself, Pei Yujang deeply sympathized. Though she didn't find Yu Zhiwan annoying, she wasn't an Alpha and couldn't mark her. Not long ago, she had barely managed to coax Yu Zhiwan into taking an inhibitor, watching her fall asleep before she could relax.
Once Yu Zhiwan was asleep, Pei Yujang carefully crawled out of bed and returned to her own room.
Seeing that the forum was still active late at night, Pei Yujang typed out a question, sincerely seeking advice:
[So how can you ease an Omega's suspicion? Or reduce the symptoms during heat?]
Within a minute, a dozen replies popped up, with no one addressing her question. Just as Pei Yujang was about to give up, the OP replied.
OP: Easing their suspicion? Forget about it. You must not have your own Omega, huh? There's no way to ease the symptoms during heat.
273L (OP): [Image] So I gave in and bought a ticket home overnight to be with my wife -v-
The image was of a high-speed rail ticket.
Everyone else: ?
Pei Yujang: ?
Nowhere to show off, huh?
Frustrated, Pei Yujang exited the thread.
Although she didn't get the answer she needed, getting a mouthful of dog food unexpectedly was better than watching Alphas and Omegas argue in a thread.
AO equality is a debate that's been raging without resolution. Even though the government has passed laws to protect Omegas, many Alphas still don't truly respect Omegas, stubbornly believing that because Omegas are physically weaker, they should stay home and raise children.
Pei Yujang had thought seriously about this issue, but in reality, there wasn't much she could do. People's thoughts are ultimately uncontrollable.
Late into the night, after soothing an Omega for a long time, Pei Yujang felt a bit tired, shut off her computer, and went to bed. She slept until after ten the next morning, waking up with a slight headache.
Yu Zhiwan seemed to be doing better. Hearing noise outside, Pei Yujang quickly tidied up and went out, seeing Yu Zhiwan sitting at the dining table, bored, playing with her whack-a-mole game console.
It was a handheld game that came free with a meal, where moles popped up when you pressed the switch. It was good for training reflexes for the blind, but a bit dull for a regular adult. Pei Yujang had hardly played with it, but seeing Yu Zhiwan seriously pressing the buttons, she couldn't help but smile.
Pei Yujang checked the time and took out her phone to order takeout, only to be stopped by the Omega.
Yu Zhiwan looked up, her red lips parting as she softly asked:
"Up already? I have an appointment with Dr. Zhou at noon. Can we go now?"
Pei Yujang: "..."
Yu Zhiwan's question sent a chill down Pei Yujang's spine, making her rush to the bedroom to find the inhibitor. But then she heard the Omega's voice, tinged with playful exasperation:
"Why so serious? Can't even take a joke now?"
Pei Yujang admitted she wasn't very smart, unable to tell whether Yu Zhiwan was joking or serious. Standing closer, she scrutinized Yu Zhiwan's expression and, seeing no heat-induced flush on her face, cautiously sat down.
"You're… okay now?"
She didn't dare mention last night, hoping Yu Zhiwan would quickly forget about it. It's said that many Omegas lose awareness of their heat during the final days. She had given Yu Zhiwan an inhibitor to end her heat reaction, and it seemed an artificially ended heat wouldn't be the same.
For some reason, Yu Zhiwan's face was thicker-skinned at times, making Pei Yujang feel a bit wronged. She had been teased by Yu Zhiwan several times already.
Yu Zhiwan touched her smooth skin and asked:
"What's wrong with me now?"
Before Pei Yujang could answer, her phone rang, and she rushed back to the bedroom to grab it.
It was a call from Pei Jinhuai, asking her and Yu Zhiwan to come to the villa for a meal.
"Takeout? You're back in Yicheng, so why order takeout? Come home and eat. Don't you miss Aunt Kou's cooking?"
After suggesting she and Yu Zhiwan just order takeout, Pei Jinhuai immediately criticized Pei Yujang and insisted she come home.
Aunt Kou was the family's long-time cook, having worked for them for over ten years. She practically watched Pei Yujang grow up and knew her tastes well.
The original Pei Yujang was a picky eater, but luckily, Pei Yujang wasn't. She wasn't fussy about food and could eat almost anything, so she never gave herself away in this regard.
Unable to refuse Pei Jinhuai's invitation and not wanting to disappoint her, Pei Yujang decided not to order takeout. Before leaving, she checked on Yu Zhiwan's condition, confirming multiple times that her heat had ended before deciding to go together.
After all, with Jiang Wenxiu, an Alpha, at the villa, she didn't want to risk affecting Yu Zhiwan. On the way, she messaged Jiang Wenxiu, reminding her to properly apply her scent-blocking patches.
Jiang Wenxiu didn't reply, probably lost in her video games again.
Although Pei Yujang had explained countless times, Pei Jinhuai still saw Yu Zhiwan as a daughter-in-law, especially after she brought considerable profit to Yu Rong. Pei Jinhuai grew even fonder of the young woman.
Long ago, Pei Yujang had gone to extreme lengths, like self-harming in an abandoned factory, to "pursue" Yu Zhiwan. Pei Jinhuai couldn't blame her daughter and had held some grudge against Yu Zhiwan then.
But now, seeing the two of them, well-dressed and walking leisurely inside under the butler's guidance, Pei Jinhuai could easily overlook Yu Zhiwan's disability, happily inviting them to sit.
She could sense that after meeting Yu Zhiwan, her daughter had become more motivated, much more reliable, no longer the carefree person who would quit anything after just a few days.
Pei Yujang personally pushed Yu Zhiwan into the living room, surprised not to see Jiang Wenxiu and Fan Zhaozhao. But before she could ask, Pei Jinhuai seemed to notice her confusion and explained:
"Wenxiu went out of town for a research study. She'll be back tomorrow. Aunt Kou had a family emergency, so Zhaozhao is cooking."
Fan Zhaozhao was skilled in cooking. She used to be a chef before becoming a small restaurant owner, which Pei Yujang knew. But picking up on the detail in Pei Jinhuai's words, she asked:
"What happened to Aunt Kou's family?"
Pei Jinhuai was a businesswoman, always choosing her words carefully. Saying "emergency" instead of "something came up" suggested it wasn't a minor issue. Seeing Pei Yujang's concern, Pei Jinhuai frowned, thought for a moment, and led the two youngsters to the sofa, handing Yu Zhiwan some cut fruit.
"Thank you, Aunt Pei."
Yu Zhiwan thanked her softly. Pei Yujang, curious about Aunt Kou's family, didn't notice Yu Zhiwan's choice of address. Pei Jinhuai's lips curled slightly at the title, but she quickly returned to seriousness.
"Aunt Kou's Omega niece got pregnant. The girl just turned 18. Although they took precautions with her partner, the chance of pregnancy during heat is still high. Precautions can't guarantee anything…"
At this point, she was relieved her child was a Beta, not having to deal with such issues.
Aunt Kou wasn't just an employee; she was also a good friend of Pei Jinhuai, familiar with the family. So, she had confided in Pei Jinhuai, seeking advice. Pei Jinhuai, having never dealt with such a situation, did her best to comfort Aunt Kou and arranged for her to go to the hospital to visit her niece, but couldn't resist sharing the story with her daughter, reminding Pei Yujang to keep it to herself.
Pei Yujang remained silent.
She thought of the original storyline, which seemed so distant now.
In the original plot, the irresponsible scumbag Alpha, Liu Huanran, had left Yu Zhiwan unmarried and pregnant, leading to a series of misunderstandings. She reappeared only after the child was raised through the hardest years, finally acknowledging them after three years of Omega single parenthood.
Pei Yujang couldn't help but look at Yu Zhiwan.
The woman's skin was fair and smooth, her figure graceful. She was intently listening to the conversation, silently holding an apple slice, not commenting.
As the timeline shifted, Yu Zhiwan was avoiding the suffering she would have faced in the original story. Pei Yujang could feel the healthy, vibrant energy in the Omega, no longer the solemn, melancholic figure hiding unknown sorrows behind a serene exterior.
Suddenly, Pei Yujang wanted to hold Yu Zhiwan's hand.
Next, Pei Yujang followed her instincts, gently grasping Yu Zhiwan's fingers, giving them a little shake. Before the Omega could react, she quickly released her hold, leaving behind only a faint warmth.
"No matter what precautions are taken, any Alpha who knowingly deep-marks an Omega during their heat, knowing the high risk of pregnancy, is trash."
Pei Yujang couldn't intervene in Aunt Kou's family matters, but hearing Pei Jinhuai talk about it, she couldn't help but vent her frustration.
Pei Jinhuai sighed.
"That's true, but elders from that generation always advocate for making things work, not breaking up. Plus, since she's already pregnant, the child can't be born without an Alpha's involvement, right?"
As she spoke, Fan Zhaozhao finished cooking, and Aunt Zhou helped bring out the dishes. Pei Yujang wasn't used to discussing such matters in front of Fan Zhaozhao, so she changed the subject.
After the meal, Pei Jinhuai kept them to discuss Yu Rong's development, talking about the next product launch and Pei Yujang's recent promotional efforts. Before they knew it, time had flown by.
Pei Yujang planned to stay in Yicheng for a few days, so she had dinner with Pei Jinhuai, took a walk around the villa, and then left.
Pei Jinhuai was busy with work, unsure when they'd next meet, and it wasn't like she could have dinner with Pei Yujang every day while she was in town. Before leaving, she called Pei Yujang aside, studying her daughter carefully before suddenly remarking:
"You've grown up, Yujang."
Pei Yujang was already in her twenties, long past her growth phase, with no change in appearance. But perhaps in a parent's eyes, a child is always growing.
She didn't fully understand, but smiled cooperatively, trying to be a dutiful daughter to please Pei Jinhuai.
Although Pei Jinhuai was a beauty, when she smiled, the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes betrayed the toll of her hard work. The woman gently patted Pei Yujang's face.
"Good thing you're not really an Alpha, or the troubles would be endless."
"Yujang, take good care of Zhiwan."
At that moment, Pei Yujang couldn't fully grasp the meaning behind Pei Jinhuai's words, but deep inside, she always felt a strong sense of responsibility towards Yu Zhiwan. Hearing this, she nodded vigorously.
The weather was nice today, and Pei Yujang didn't want to head back immediately. Instead, she took Yu Zhiwan for a stroll around the area. Breathing in the moist air of Yicheng's early spring, Pei Yujang stood beneath the tall tower by Yihu Lake and suddenly patted Yu Zhiwan's head.
"The feelings between an AO couple often don't make sense because of pheromones. It's really annoying." She tilted her head, feeling the gentle coolness of the wind off the lake. "So there are many moments, like today, when I'm really thankful."
"Thankful you don't like Liu Huanran."
Of all the Omegas in the world, why does Yujang only want to protect Zhiwan?