The room fell into silence. Jiang Yunxing lifted his head, finally understanding their conversation.
Lin Yao had noticed something unusual about them, and he himself had something going on as well.
But Jiang Yunxing couldn’t figure out what the exact issue was.
“I wasn’t wrong about you. You’re much smarter than Lu Heng,” Lin Yao referred to the Lu Heng in the book. “However, I can’t tell you about my identity yet. If that’s why you called me here, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”
Lu Heng didn’t get angry at Lin Yao’s words and replied calmly, “You accepted my dinner invitation. Surely it wasn’t just to disappoint me.”
Lin Yao shrugged. “I just wanted to be honest with you, to make our future cooperation easier.”
“Cooperation?” Lu Heng asked.
“Yes.”
“What kind of cooperation?”
“It’s not time yet. When the day comes, I’ll tell you.”
Lu Heng let out a cold laugh. He reached for a cigarette but remembered he’d left them in his office.
Instead, he raised his hand to stroke Jiang Yunxing’s nape, his fingertips gently rubbing the skin.
As the tobacco-scented pheromones wafted over, Lu Heng withdrew his hand with satisfaction and asked teasingly, “You seem very confident that I’ll cooperate with you?”
Lin Yao watched their intimate gesture openly, his smile unchanged. “You will. It’ll benefit you too.”
Lu Heng thought of his conversation with Lin Yao this morning.
He knew Lin Yao’s approach had something to do with Omegas.
This world was incredibly hostile toward Omegas, and Lu Heng himself had been greatly affected. Even without Lin Yao, he would have found ways to improve the situation.
However, while he was willing to make changes on his own, he wasn’t interested in cooperating with Lin Yao right now.
“If something benefits me, I’ll do it myself. It has nothing to do with you,” Lu Heng said. “I won’t cooperate with you or help you because it’s not worth it.”
“What if I told you I was the one who brought you here?” Lin Yao said slowly.
Lu Heng’s expression tensed slightly.
Lin Yao continued, “Since I had the means to bring you here, I can naturally send you away too. But whether you will return to your original world or die, I don’t know.”
“……”
Lu Heng stared at Lin Yao, but Lin Yao’s disguise was as perfect as ever. He couldn’t determine the truth from Lin Yao’s expression.
But one thing was certain: as the protagonist of this book, Lin Yao was an existence they couldn’t ignore.
He was truly living in this novel’s world, and his understanding of it far exceeded Jiang Yunxing’s.
Jiang Yunxing couldn’t join their conversation, so he quietly and dutifully picked out the fish bones. When he finished, he placed the deboned fish in front of Lu Heng. “Ge, I’ve removed all the bones. Please eat.”
The only thing he was certain about was that Lin Yao was no longer the Lin Yao he had read about. Lin Yao didn’t mind his relationship with Lu Heng, so he didn’t need to pretend in front of him anymore.
He could openly stay by Lu Heng’s side.
“Let’s end the conversation here. We’re here to eat, aren’t we? I’ve never been to such a fancy restaurant before.” Lin Yao picked up his chopsticks without hesitation and started eating.
“By the way, are you managing the company now?” Lin Yao asked again.
Lu Heng’s silence was taken as confirmation.
“Save up money. It’ll be very helpful later,” Lin Yao said.
Noticing Lu Heng’s cold gaze, Lin Yao continued, “Lu Heng, I genuinely want to have a good relationship with you. You might not believe this, but I know everything about you in your world. That’s why I chose you without hesitation. I have something important to do, and only you can help.”
Lin Yao grew increasingly serious, and his expression grew more serious. Lu Heng calmly ate his fish with one pair of chopsticks and rice with another. After hearing Lin Yao’s words, he asked, “What about him?”
Lin Yao was momentarily stunned.
“Him?” Lin Yao glanced at Jiang Yunxing, a flash of coldness crossing his face before turning back to Lu Heng with a smile. “He’s just a placeholder.”
–
Having said what needed to be said, the meal ended quickly.
Before leaving, Lin Yao put his mask back on and looked at Jiang Yunxing with a gentle expression. “Yunxing, are you heading back now? We can go together.”
Jiang Yunxing did not answer and looked at Lin Yao with displeasure.
This person had just called him a placeholder during dinner.
He had only stayed quiet during their conversation because Lu Heng told him to, but that didn’t mean he had no temper.
Just as he was about to refuse, Lu Heng spoke up.
“He’ll go back later. You can leave first.” Lu Heng grabbed Jiang Yunxing’s wrist. “We’re going back to the company first.”
They parted ways with Lin Yao at the restaurant entrance, each heading in different directions.
After walking some distance, Jiang Yunxing asked, “Ge, what are you going to do about Lin Yao?”
“Leave him be for now. He needs my help, so he won’t do anything rash,” Lu Heng said, glancing at Jiang Yunxing. “But you need to be careful. Don’t get too close to him in the future.”
The biggest difference between the current Lin Yao and the one described in the book was his attitude toward Jiang Yunxing.
They were childhood friends who had feelings for each other since they were young. Even if the current Jiang Yunxing was a different person, Lin Yao’s attitude shouldn’t have changed so drastically. Moreover, according to Lin Yao, he had actively chosen to bring Jiang Yunxing here.
Lin Yao’s hostility toward Jiang Yunxing was intense, to the point where he felt Lin Yao might even kill him.
Jiang Yunxing hadn’t thought that far, but he didn’t want any interaction with Lin Yao anyway, so he nodded.
When they returned to the company, there were even fewer people around. Fang Zaiqi had already left work.
Only Jiang Yunxing and Lu Heng remained on the top floor. The long corridor was silent, their footsteps echoing loudly against the floor.
Jiang Yunxing tiptoed behind Lu Heng into the office and instinctively went to sit on the couch. With his homework finished, he had nothing to do, so he took out a notebook and started doodling.
As soon as Lu Heng returned to his desk, he saw several new emails. Taking a deep breath, he dove back into work.
The work seemed endless. As soon as one task was completed, another would take its place. Just when he’d get a handle on something new, an old project would have new developments.
Lu Heng worked non-stop, not even taking a break to drink water.
Shortly after, a glass of water appeared on his desk.
Lu Heng paused and looked up to find Jiang Yunxing standing beside the desk.
“Ge, take a break. You haven’t stopped working since we got back.”
Lu Heng glanced at the time. Two hours had passed.
He put down his mouse and leaned back, his gaze falling on the window that Jiang Yunxing had been blocking. It was already dark outside.
“When are you planning to go home?” Lu Heng asked.
Jiang Yunxing pursed his lips and asked in return, “When are you leaving, Ge?”
The topic made Lu Heng feel tired, but he replied calmly, “I’m not. I’m staying here tonight.”
Seeing Jiang Yunxing’s confused expression, he nodded toward a corner, “There’s a small room where I can shower and sleep.”
Although the sleeping conditions were basic, it made no difference to Lu Heng. He already expected a sleepless night.
Since coming to this world, he seemed to have grown weaker. Back then, he could work tirelessly for months on a difficult project without feeling anything. Now, just the thought of pulling an all-nighter exhausted him.
Perhaps it was the lingering effect of what happened before the transmigration. He’d experienced the pain of his body’s sudden deterioration and could no longer work continuously without concern.
But not wanting to do something didn’t mean he could avoid it. In his current situation, working his way up was the only path to salvation.
He craved a cigarette again, but not the ones he’d bought. He wanted Jiang Yunxing’s.
Lu Heng stared at Jiang Yunxing, his gaze lingering.
Several days had passed since the marking, yet his desire for Jiang Yunxing had only grown stronger.
When apart, he yearned for that scent. When together, he wanted to keep him close.
This setting was truly fascinating. With just one mark, it seemed to transcend everything, even breaking through one’s thoughts.
But Lu Heng found himself quite enjoying it.
Jiang Yunxing’s pheromones helped relieve stress, and he enjoyed kissing Jiang Yunxing. He hadn’t gone into sudden heat these past few days either.
Thinking about yesterday’s kiss, Lu Heng narrowed his eyes. Although alcohol never made him forget things, it did affect his perception somewhat. He only knew the kiss was unforgettable, but didn’t have a complete memory of it.
He beckoned to Jiang Yunxing. When Jiang Yunxing came closer, he stood up and kissed him without warning.
Although he always emphasized that “impulse is the devil,” at times like this, acting on impulse heightened the excitement. Lu Heng’s movements were rushed as he pushed Jiang Yunxing onto the desk. One hand supported Jiang Yunxing’s head while his body pressed down on him.
Probably worried about knocking over the computer, Jiang Yunxing braced one hand firmly on the desk while the other wrapped around Lu Heng’s waist, giving gentle pushes to remind him.
After a few pushes, he gave in and held Lu Heng even tighter.
Jiang Yunxing was a quick learner. Yesterday’s kiss had been awkward and inexperienced, but today he matched Lu Heng perfectly. When Lu Heng’s teeth applied slight pressure, he obediently opened his mouth.
Their pheromones seemed to escape control, dispersing at just the right moment. The tobacco and lime scents mixed together, filling every corner of space around the desk.
Just as the accumulated pheromones were about to burst, a phone vibration cut through, dousing them both with cold water.
The sound persisted. Lu Heng felt irritated but still released Jiang Yunxing, casually draping his arms around him and resting his forehead on Jiang Yunxing’s shoulder.
He suppressed his arousal and, confirming the sound wasn’t from his phone, asked in an unfriendly tone, “Who is it?”
“I-I don’t know.” Jiang Yunxing hurriedly took out his phone and glanced at it. The call had ended, but a text quickly followed. “…It’s probably my mom, asking me to come home for dinner.”
Lu Heng exhaled and leaned into Jiang Yunxing’s embrace, closing his eyes, unwilling to move.
“Ge.” Jiang Yunxing’s breathing was uneven as he asked softly, “You’re so outstanding, you must be really popular in real life, right?”
“Mm.” Lu Heng agreed. He had millions of followers on Weibo after all.
Jiang Yunxing pressed his lips together, his tongue secretly brushing where Lu Heng’s taste lingered. “Then, have you dated many people?”
“No,” Lu Heng answered without hesitation. “I told you, I wasn’t interested.”
“…”
Then why was he so interested now?
Jiang Yunxing sneaked a glance at Lu Heng but kept the question to himself. He was too embarrassed to ask and did not want to hear Lu Heng’s answer.
He remembered what Lu Heng had said. It was fine even if they were influenced by pheromones, they should just let things flow naturally.
Lu Heng calmed down and reined in his pheromones. He released Jiang Yunxing and sat back in his chair. “I haven’t finished my work and don’t have time to take you home. Can you get back by yourself?”
Jiang Yunxing looked a bit disappointed but nodded obediently. “Yes. Ge, don’t work too hard, make sure to rest well.”
“Hmm.” Lu Heng looked up at Jiang Yunxing. “One more kiss before you go?”
Jiang Yunxing bent down and gave Lu Heng a quick peck before gathering his things and leaving the office.
With his packed schedule, the two days flew by for Lu Heng, and Wednesday arrived in the blink of an eye.
Despite finding time to glance at the textbooks during his busy schedule, the content was too much. He barely scratched the surface.
Fortunately, the exam wasn’t difficult. Lu Heng was good at English and Chinese, so overall it wasn’t too bad.
As soon as Wednesday’s exam ended, Lu Heng followed his plan and asked his homeroom teacher for Thursday off, claiming he wasn’t feeling well.
He had only gotten three to four hours of sleep over the past few days, mostly just napping at his desk. Lu Heng really looked bad, so the teacher gave him permission after a few words of concern.
After getting his leave approved, Lu Heng rushed to the company. The wind was howling along the way. Wearing only a short-sleeve shirt, the cold air seeped through his sleeves, making him sneeze twice.
He had no time to enjoy proper meals, and Lu Heng was picky with food. Thanks to Jiang Yunxing introducing him to instant noodles, at least he wasn’t going hungry.
He needed to achieve Zhang Pu’s goal by Thursday. The company value rankings would be updated at 9 AM, leaving him little time.
Lu Heng took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, feeling his mind clear before diving into work.
Another sleepless night passed until a push notification appeared.
“Temperature Warning: The city will experience a severe temperature drop this Thursday. Please dress warmly, take care of your health, and prevent catching colds.”
Lu Heng closed the notification and glanced at the time in the bottom right corner. It was already 6 AM.
He released the mouse and let out a heavy sigh, collapsing onto his desk.
His head felt heavy and his eyes ached, but at least most of the work was done. Now he just had to wait for the rankings to update.
If they hadn’t reached the goal yet, they would definitely achieve it tomorrow after handling the remaining tasks.
As these thoughts drifted through Lu Heng’s mind, he gradually lost consciousness. When he jerked awake, it was already past 9 AM.
Lu Heng typed in the website and checked the rankings. Their company barely made it to tenth place.
He felt the weight lift from his shoulders instantly. He let out a rare laugh, took a screenshot of the page, and sent it to Zhang Pu along with the link before finally getting up from his seat.
His throat felt sore. Lu Heng took a sip of water and walked toward the office lounge.
Despite not having breakfast, he didn’t feel hungry, just overwhelmingly tired.
After days of continuous pressure, when it suddenly disappeared, what he felt wasn’t joy but even greater pressure.
With his head spinning, Lu Heng unconsciously pushed open the lounge door and collapsed onto the bed.
He couldn’t care less about not showering or the bed being too small. The moment he touched the bed, he passed out.
In his hazy state, he seemed to receive a call from Jiang Yunxing.
Perhaps because of what happened on Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Jiang had been getting along well these past few days. His mother made sure to wait for Jiang Yunxing to come home every day, so they hadn’t had a chance to meet after school.
They did see each other during lunch on Monday and Tuesday, but Lu Heng’s attention was focused on his phone messages, barely exchanging words with Jiang Yunxing.
Jiang Yunxing seemed to be saying something urgently on the phone, but Lu Heng couldn’t make out any of it.
His head was fuzzy and his body felt uncomfortably hot. Lu Heng only remembered mumbling something, but his voice was too hoarse to make a sound.
He couldn’t remember if he had hung up the phone before losing consciousness again.
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