The concentration of Omega pheromones in the air had reached an unbelievable level.
The rose-scented pheromones had completely erupted, and only now did Pei Yujang realize just how powerful Omega pheromones could be. Unlike the aggressive nature of Alpha pheromones, the Omega's scent was like a gentle caress, subtly winding through the air, quickly filling the entire room.
As the Omega leaned into her embrace, Pei Yujang finally understood what those novel descriptors like "delicate and fragile" or "waist as soft as water" truly felt like when held in her hands.
A woman's skin is naturally smooth and soft, but the skin of a female Omega was as smooth as satin. Now tightly pressed against her, Pei Yujang could feel her heartbeat racing uncontrollably.
She was still nervous, but this nervousness was entirely different from before. The aphrodisiac incense was steadily burning, its rich scent intertwining with the Omega's pheromones. This was clearly a trap set for the Omega. Even though Pei Yujang wasn't an Alpha, Yu Zhiwan couldn't help but pounce on her.
As Pei Yujang untied the restraints, she noticed the deep and shallow red marks on Yu Zhiwan's wrists, the traces of her desperate struggle.
Her eyes stung with unspeakable pain, but before Pei Yujang could dwell on it, she was suddenly pushed onto the bed by the Omega.
"Zhi..."
She didn't even have time to speak before her lips were suddenly sealed. The woman's soft lips pressed against hers, no longer a fleeting touch like before, but a full-blown invasion.
The Omega pressed lightly against her, her hands propped up on the bedframe, and the scene was so seductive that Pei Yujang couldn't think straight.
Her breathing involuntarily matched Yu Zhiwan's rhythm, and in the haze of confusion in her mind, she finally remembered to take control. However, she didn't want to hurt the Omega and didn't push her off.
Pei Yujang forcibly pulled away, but within seconds, she reached out again, tucking the Omega's sweat-soaked hair behind her ear before kissing her again.
This time was different from before. Pei Yujang held Yu Zhiwan's slender wrists with just the right amount of force, turned her face to the side, and kissed her deeply. Although she had some experience from the previous kisses, she was still clumsy and rough, leaving Yu Zhiwan breathless, though she didn't complain.
Yu Zhiwan pressed her forehead against Pei Yujang's equally sweat-soaked forehead, pulling back just enough to catch her breath, then teased:
"Do you even know what you're doing?"
The Omega's voice was as soft as water, her pale neck and cheeks flushed, and her exposed skin was tinged with red. Even her scolding tone was sticky and sweet.
While kissing, Yu Zhiwan playfully stroked Pei Yujang's chin, her fingers tracing the smooth line of her jaw. Pei Yujang's facial structure wasn't sharp; her chin was delicate and soft, comfortable to hold. The Omega suddenly lifted her chin, causing their lips to collide, and muffled laughter was swallowed between them.
The air was thick with the scent of pheromones and the sound of their passionate exchanges.
As Pei Yujang's desire was gradually stoked, she realized that she couldn't afford to lose control here. Mustering her willpower, she kicked out the incense candle.
The Omega, left unsatisfied, slumped against her as Pei Yujang pressed down on her gland, drawing a sharp breath from her before she melted into Pei Yujang's arms.
Pei Yujang's mind was clouded with excitement, and only her ingrained instinct to handle danger kept her from sinking further into this situation. But she failed to notice the abnormality in Yu Zhiwan's body.
She picked the woman up in her arms, lifted her off the bed, and adjusted her breathing. When she saw Liu Huanran lying on the ground, a bit of clarity returned to her eyes.
Pei Yujang thought for a few seconds before speaking:
"She…"
"She tried to take advantage of me but didn't succeed."
Yu Zhiwan cut her off, blocking what she was about to say.
Although she knew Pei Yujang wasn't the type to be bothered by such things, nor did she hold outdated, objectifying views about Omegas, Yu Zhiwan still didn't want Pei Yujang to think Liu Huanran had gotten the better of her—it was too distasteful.
The Omega hadn't fully recovered from what had just happened, her breathing was unstable, and she clung to Pei Yujang's neck, her voice full of grievance and fear as she recounted how Liu Huanran had threatened her.
"It wasn't just her; she called someone else too. They wanted to light that incense, mark me, record something obscene, and then show it to you, to trap you too. But then the two of them started fighting, and Liu Huanran got beaten up by that male Alpha."
In general, male Alphas are stronger than female Alphas. Hearing this, Pei Yujang looked at Liu Huanran, noticing her body was indeed covered in bruises, clearly the result of a beating.
Pei Yujang unceremoniously kicked her again, hearing Liu Huanran's feeble groan.
"Yujiang."
Seeing Pei Yujang about to leave, Yu Zhiwan called out to stop her. The Omega's fuzzy head leaned against her shoulder, and despite her gentle tone, she seriously suggested:
"I think I heard water when I arrived. Is there water here? How about we throw her in?"
Yu Zhiwan originally wanted to throw her in herself, but Liu Huanran was over 1.7 meters tall. As an Omega, although she had the strength of an average adult woman, her legs were still in recovery. That kick just now had already made her legs uncomfortable, and if she tried to exert more force, she might pass out halfway through.
With no other choice, she had to encourage Pei Yujang.
But Pei Yujang wasn't so easily fooled. She frowned, not doubting Yu Zhiwan, but worrying that there might be some conspiracy here. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as she returned to a state of vigilance:
"And the person who was with her?"
"He ran away after injuring her. I've already dismantled the surveillance camera, so we're fine."
The lingering scent in the air wouldn't go away, and Yu Zhiwan's face was flushed as she struggled to suppress a cough. She showed Pei Yujang the small surveillance device she had taken out of her pocket, already smashed to pieces.
Pei Yujang hesitated.
The best thing to do now was to report this and have Liu Huanran punished. But since she hadn't caused any real harm, she'd only be locked up for a few years at most. That wouldn't be enough punishment.
"And she takes drugs," Yu Zhiwan added, noticing Pei Yujang's indecision. She sighed inwardly and revealed a nervous expression, her voice full of fear. "Look at the needle marks on her wrist, there are several. She tried to inject me with it too, to make me take it with her."
"It's a good thing you arrived in time…"
The Omega's voice trembled, her body shaking, clearly showing her fear.
Yu Zhiwan was truly afraid.
She was afraid she might accidentally kill Liu Huanran.
What if she did kill her? Murder is a crime, and she'd have to go to prison. Yu Zhiwan didn't consider herself a good person, but she still wanted to be a law-abiding citizen while things were stable, to keep a clean record.
The drug Liu Huanran had taken could be administered orally or by injection. From the bloodshot look in her eyes, Yu Zhiwan realized this woman had probably taken drugs.
But Liu Huanran couldn't be foolish enough to take drugs herself; addiction is hard to kick. Drug users would gradually sink into delusions, wasting away to the point where they looked neither human nor ghostly.
This poison was likely given to her by those people. They were ruthless, and Liu Huanran had no background. Even if she was killed, no one would look into it.
Yu Zhiwan had given her a special anesthetic that wouldn't kill her. Mixed in, it was hard to detect, and most importantly, it would render her unable to speak. Cutting out tongues was a cruel and bloody method used by Organization A, but she wasn't that brave and liked cleanliness. This kind of rough work wasn't for her.
Moreover, she had chosen injection sites on her skin that she could reach herself. She had practiced on those acupuncture points and skin areas thousands of times, ensuring no mistakes, with swift, clean actions, leaving no room for error.
The Omega's pitiful tone sparked a fire of anger in Pei Yujang's heart.
After confirming no one else was around, she placed Yu Zhiwan on a large rock where she could still see her, then quickly returned to the scene of the incident. She took photos and videos, then picked up the candle, before dragging Liu Huanran out.
She recognized this place; it was the factory she had first crossed into. About half a year ago, Liu Huanran, in a misguided attempt to gain Yu Zhiwan's "trust" and make the Omega feel important, had foolishly tied Yu Zhiwan up in one of the
abandoned lofts in this factory.
With both new and old grudges, Pei Yujang followed the sound of water until she found a drainage area. The faint stench of sewage washed away the mud on the ground, carving a shallow trench. She squatted down, sniffed, and confirmed the earthy smell of the water, then, without hesitation, threw Liu Huanran into it.
"Hiss—"
The impact of her head hitting a small piece of gravel jolted Liu Huanran awake. Her blood still boiled with heat, but her body was now soaking in the mud, the cold quickly spreading through her limbs.
The force just now was brutal, throwing Liu Huanran into a daze. The burning numbness in her mouth and the warning signals from her other organs made her realize something was very wrong.
Her vision was still pitch black, and panic surged through her.
Was she blind?
Someone, please save her!
Liu Huanran tried to speak, but her tongue was numb, unable to form a single word. The vast, abandoned factory was filled only with the sound of flowing water, and in the distance, the hoarse barks of stray dogs. Liu Huanran, now fully aware, was terrified. She regretted ever kidnapping Yu Zhiwan and bringing her to this forsaken place.
The woman began thrashing in the water.
The road ahead was rough, so Pei Yujang didn't use autopilot. Hearing the occasional whimper from the Omega in the back seat, her cheeks felt a bit hot.
Passing by a brightly lit 24-hour adult store, Pei Yujang pulled over, locked the car, and bought two packs of recently dated inhibitors from the self-service counter.
The counter was full of dazzling products. Pei Yujang had never really browsed such stores, but today she stopped to look, finding all kinds of new toys—lipstick-shaped ones, heart-shaped magic wands, a still-sealed set of cat ear maid costumes, and even little fans and mini ice makers she had no idea what to do with.
Pei Yujang blushed.
She told herself not to entertain those strange thoughts, but every time she closed her eyes to drive them away, the image of the Omega's loving eyes would float into her mind.
Now standing outside, with the warm summer night breeze blowing, Pei Yujang's mind cleared a little. Leaning against the edge of the vending machine, she took a deep breath, recalling her earlier peculiar behavior.
Yu Zhiwan's pheromones were indeed pleasant, with a rose scent she liked. It was enough to captivate an Alpha.
But she was a Beta—why was she so drawn to Yu Zhiwan's pheromones?
Could it be that she still retained some Alpha instincts? In any case, she was no longer an Alpha. Pei Yujang touched the smooth skin at the back of her neck, convincing herself that such strange things wouldn't happen. Betas didn't have pheromones and couldn't mark an Omega, which was a relief.
Lost in thought, Pei Yujang walked to the store's entrance, then gritted her teeth and went back to buy a magic wand. As she scanned the code to pay, she kept glancing outside.
General Pei, who had been invincible in the apocalypse, was now a regular Beta, buying such items while acting all sneaky.
Thinking of this, Pei Yujang blushed even more. Realizing her hands might be dirty from touching the shelf, she took out a wet wipe, carefully cleaning every finger. Her knuckles were pale and flawless, with no signs of pigmentation, long and beautiful—a pair of hands well-suited for playing the piano or plucking strings, now free of the calluses she used to get from wielding weapons.
Pei Yujang didn't go back to her place; she was a bit worried about Yu Zhiwan's current condition and decided to take her home first.
The Omega's exposed skin was flushed, like a ripe peach waiting to be picked—red and white, radiating temptation. Even climbing the stairs required Pei Yujang's help, the Omega's body soft and boneless, unable to move.
Having experienced several heat cycles together, Pei Yujang felt she had grasped the essentials. Despite the fiery heat coursing through her veins, she silently struggled with herself while soothing the Omega's emotions, holding her close.
Pei Yujang repeated her usual technique, massaging the Omega's gland. But as soon as her fingers touched it, the Omega trembled in her arms, the sensation echoing through Pei Yujang's nerves.
Suppressing her own physical discomfort, Pei Yujang hugged the Omega tightly, restraining her from moving:
"Let me give you an inhibitor."
Yu Zhiwan shook her head. "No."
"Then how about I get you some water? Do you want iced orange juice or blackcurrant juice? How about the grapes we bought last time? Let me check, I think you put them in the fridge—"
Pei Yujang, her mouth dry, quickly released her and went to rummage through the Omega's fridge. A bunch of green grapes caught her eye, large and plump, likely sweet and refreshing.
Delighted, she washed the grapes and peeled one, placing it in Yu Zhiwan's mouth.
"So sweet."
The Omega's eyes narrowed as she mumbled.
Though she was praising the grapes, she had taken Pei Yujang's fingertip into her mouth, licking off the grape juice. The grapes were cold, cooling her down, while Pei Yujang's mind raced. She popped one into her own mouth, responding awkwardly:
"Really?"
As she bit down, the juice burst forth, and Pei Yujang regretted it.
These grapes were of the Sunshine Rose variety, and top quality at that, with a lingering rose scent in their sweetness. The last thing Pei Yujang wanted to hear now was anything related to roses, but the grape's flavor lingered in her mouth, bringing back memories of her heated kiss with Yu Zhiwan.
"Yujiang," Yu Zhiwan called her name again. "Are you hot?"
"I'm not—wait, I am hot. I'll turn on the air conditioner."
"But I already turned it on when I came in."
The Omega's soft voice floated from behind her. Pei Yujang paused, realizing what she meant.
Yu Zhiwan's house had two air conditioner remotes, one voice-activated and one with buttons. The button-operated one was more complicated, requiring temperature and humidity settings, while the voice-activated one just needed a word.
Usually, Yu Zhiwan used the voice-activated one for convenience, but today, Pei Yujang hadn't heard her say anything, only now remembering that the Omega had already turned it on.
In her daze, Pei Yujang recalled Yu Zhiwan's earlier description of what had happened. Her heart pounded, joy overtaking the discomfort in her body. She exclaimed:
"Has your eyesight recovered!?"
Unlike Liu Huanran's sarcastic tone, Pei Yujang was genuinely happy. She had often lamented Yu Zhiwan's blindness, but now, hearing that her sight had returned, her heart swelled with joy.
"So, will you come back here?" Yu Zhiwan patted the spot beside her on the sofa. "I'll tell you how it happened."
Pei Yujang returned, but as soon as she sat down, Yu Zhiwan wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her again.
"Mmph!"
As she nibbled on Pei Yujang's neck, Yu Zhiwan murmured:
"Weren't you quite skilled before, learning on your own? Now what happened?"
This Omega had no idea what she was saying. Pei Yujang tried to hold back, but she wasn't a saint, nor was she emotionally detached, and she didn't appreciate being teased repeatedly.
Pei Yujang flipped her over, pinning her down, restraining her until she surrendered, and kissed her again. This time, with the experience from before, she was more confident, quickly engaging in a heated kiss with Yu Zhiwan. She could smell the pheromones, but without the ability to mark the Omega, her emotions were only further heightened.
Yu Zhiwan wasn't one to lie there passively, or someone who enjoyed letting the other person take complete control. She pulled Pei Yujang's neck down, finding a more comfortable position, preventing her from straining her neck.
Pei Yujang kissed her fiercely, over and over. Eventually, it wasn't just kisses, but also bites, on her neck, collarbone, and even her gland. She couldn't mark her, so she bit her like a playful puppy, half-jokingly, half-revengefully.
Eventually, Yu Zhiwan's breath became increasingly uneven, and Pei Yujang realized she was taking advantage of her and immediately stopped.
Propping herself up on the sofa, she felt embarrassed, her ears burning as she buried her head in the Omega's stomach, trying to catch her breath. A moment later, she looked up, her eyes brighter than ever.
Pei Yujang licked her lips, her blood rushing to her head. At this moment, all the confusing advice from that relationship expert seemed irrelevant—no excuses or blame on the moon. She asked directly:
"Zhiwan, do you like me?"
Yu Zhiwan, still catching her breath, was slightly annoyed by the question. After a brief pause, she feared Pei Yujang might still be slow to realize her feelings, and she didn't want to have to consider throwing her into Lake Yi again, so she grabbed Pei Yujang's chin, mimicking her earlier actions with another round of kisses and bites. Then she asked:
"Would you do this to someone you didn't like?"
Pei Yujang's face visibly reddened even more.
"I like you too," she replied, rubbing her forehead against Yu Zhiwan's in a joyful gesture. But then, as she took in their current position, she became a little flustered. "But… I'm not ready yet."
Yu Zhiwan, seeing the serious expression on her face, thought she was about to say something important and couldn't help but laugh.
How did this former Alpha turn into someone even more bashful than an Omega after becoming a Beta?
Yu Zhiwan didn't know that even when Pei Yujang was still an Alpha, she was just as innocent. But she could guess the general idea, and she adored this side of Pei Yujang.
Since she wasn't currently in heat, there was no need to cling to her, so she composed herself, got into her spare wheelchair, and waved Pei Yujang off:
"Then I'll go take a bath."
Pei Yujang eagerly went to help her adjust the water temperature. As she opened the door, she hesitated for a moment, then finally made up her mind. She took out the still-packaged magic wand from her pocket and handed it to Yu Zhiwan, her expression one of resolute determination, her eyes downcast:
"I can't be with you for now, so… let this keep you company instead."
With that, she quickly shut the door behind her to hide her face, which was flushed red enough to explode. Her heart pounded rapidly, but she didn't leave immediately. Instead, she pressed her ear against the door, straining to hear any reaction from Yu Zhiwan.
But perhaps the soundproofing was too good; she didn't even hear the sound of the packaging being opened.
Pei Yujang began to feel a bit anxious, worrying that Yu Zhiwan might think she was being too frivolous. But she had really bought that thing because she was concerned Yu Zhiwan might not be able to handle it…
After a moment, the Omega's voice finally came through the door.
"Pei Yujang, does this mean you're my girlfriend now?"
There was a brief pause, followed by a soft, drawn-out "Mhm" from the person outside.
"Then, since you can't stay with me, how about you listen from outside?" Yu Zhiwan pressed herself against the bathroom door, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she mimicked Pei Yujang's tone, drawing out the last syllable in a teasing question, "Mhm?"