Chapter 4

Among these interviewers, there must have been more than one alpha. Even though everyone was wearing pheromone-blocking patches and sprayed with blockers on their bodies, the atmosphere of this interrogation-like interview was so oppressive that it made an Omega feel guilty and short of breath, with their heart pounding as if it might explode.

Ling Ran forced himself to remain calm and walked over to the seat directly opposite Jiang Zhiyu. He bowed politely to everyone and spoke in a voice both sweet and soft.

“Good day, interviewers. I am candidate number 17, Ling Ran.”

The person sitting beside Jiang Zhiyu had a gentle and refined expression, with slightly long hair neatly tucked behind his ears. His appearance alone revealed an artistic and tender Omega aura.

Ling Ran recognized him—this was Yin Chu, the founder of Jiangzhou Entertainment’s exclusive news segment. He used to be the mainstay anchor of the entire news channel, and whenever Yin Chu reported the news, the ratings for that time slot would reach record highs.

However, over the past two years, Yin Chu had gradually shifted behind the scenes and rarely appeared as the anchor.

“Ling Ran, right?” Yin Chu smiled warmly at him. “Don’t be nervous. There’s a news script on the table—just read it according to your understanding.”

Ling Ran felt somewhat soothed by this gentle voice, like a breeze caressing his face. He steadied his nerves, deliberately ignoring the presence of Jiang Zhiyu, whose presence was overwhelmingly intense, and sat down to begin reading with a broadcasting tone.

“Recently, a shocking case involving the abduction of an Omega teenager has attracted widespread attention…”

The previously sweet voice of the Omega grew more serious and mature during the news report.

It was like the first ray of sunlight piercing through the morning mist—warm and clear, full and emotive, with perfect intonation that easily penetrated the hearts of listeners.

Several interviewers nodded in increasing satisfaction, their eyes shifting to Jiang Zhiyu and Yin Chu seated in the middle.

Yin Chu smiled, but his fingers resting on his lap subtly clenched.

Today, it was indeed him who had dragged Jiang Zhiyu along to interview newcomers. Yet, throughout the previous dozen candidates’ readings, the CEO hadn’t even spared a glance.

Why was it that the moment this child entered the room, Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes seemed glued to him?

The boy was tender and fair-faced, but Jiang Zhiyu wasn’t supposed to like Omegas, was he?

He had been by Jiang Zhiyu’s side for so many years without ever stirring any feelings. Could it be that the CEO preferred these barely matured kids?

“…All sectors of society should strengthen attention and protection for the Omega community, ensuring they receive proper support and assistance during differentiation.”

Ling Ran finished reading the script smoothly and finally relaxed a little.

He had thought the interview would end after the reading exercise and was about to stand up and leave.

But before he could rise, a low and pleasant voice from across the table cut through the room.

“Why do you want to join Jiangzhou?”

Ling Ran was momentarily stunned. Seeing the other interviewers exchange glances, he realized this must be a sudden question from Jiang Zhiyu.

It was clearly meant to put him on the spot.

How infuriating!

He thought carefully for a few seconds before answering, “Because Jiangzhou Entertainment is truly serious about journalism. As a news anchor—the window through which news is conveyed—I can best transmit the power and value of the news.”

His eyes were clear and bright, shining with youthful vigor. Sincerely, he added, “I want to work with Jiangzhou to guide public opinion accurately and promote social progress and justice.”

The interviewers across from him were stunned by such profoundly meaningful words from a fresh graduate.

Jiang Zhiyu’s gaze was deep and unreadable. His thin lips parted again to toss out another lethal question.

“There are many who are more ambitious and outstanding than you,” his deep eyes fixed on the young Omega before him. “What value do you think you have? Why should Jiangzhou hire you?”

The question felt harsh. Ling Ran was still a sheltered flower, unscathed by the harshness of society, and he took Jiang Zhiyu’s words as a veiled rejection.

He felt a wave of grievance, biting his lip lightly. His beautiful dark eyes lowered, and he struggled to find words.

Yin Chu discreetly tapped Jiang Zhiyu’s thigh under the table, signaling him to soften his tone.

But Jiang Zhiyu seemed completely focused on the young Omega, not even glancing at Yin Chu.

Ling Ran composed himself and replied softly, “I may not be the most outstanding or excellent, but my teacher praised me for my resilience. I’m confident I can persevere longer on the path of news than others. I…”

Before he could continue, a sudden, intense, fishy scent exploded through the conference room.

One of the interviewers, who had been sitting upright just moments ago, suddenly collapsed beneath his chair.

It seemed his sensitive period had prematurely arrived. His elegant and noble demeanor vanished entirely, replaced by bloodshot eyes shining with uncontrollable primal ferocity. He had lost all reason and restraint, reduced to a shell driven by instinctual desire.

The fishy smell was nauseating and pungent, emanating from a high-level alpha pheromone.

Both Ling Ran and Yin Chu, as Omegas, showed signs of distress, their breathing becoming erratic.

Yin Chu, being older and more experienced, was coping slightly better.

Ling Ran, however, was in dire straits. Having been on the verge of heat for some time, he had been suppressing the surges inside him with inhibitors. Now, he was clearly overwhelmed.

The patch at the nape of his neck felt faintly burning, and the glands beneath were hot as if about to ignite.

The other alphas were also uncomfortable, their bodies instinctively rejecting the pheromones from the other alpha, their skin prickling with pain as if pricked by needles.

Only Jiang Zhiyu seemed unaffected, his expression calm as usual. “Interview paused. Take care of him first.”

Two betas entered the room. Unaffected by the pheromones, they sprayed the sensitive alpha with blockers and covered his head with an isolation hood before escorting him to a containment room to calm down.

After the man was taken away, Ling Ran gritted his teeth and braced himself to stand.

Sweat beaded densely on his forehead, and his cheeks glowed with a misty flush.

Feeling the turbulent heat surging violently inside him, Ling Ran panicked, unsure of what to do. His mind was foggy, unable to think clearly, and he didn’t even manage to say goodbye to the interviewers before stumbling toward the door.

Only one thought filled his heart—

He absolutely must not go into heat here.

The foul, sticky fishy smell was blocked by the inhibitors, and the others soon returned to normal.

Yin Chu’s cheeks still held a faint blush, and his eyes sparkled with alluring charm as he glanced at Jiang Zhiyu, his admiration for this highest-ranking enigma growing deeper.

Jiang Zhiyu seemed never to be affected by anyone’s pheromones, always maintaining the coldest and most restrained rationality when everyone else succumbed to primal instincts, looking down on them like a god surveying ants.

If only this enigma would be willing to pair with an Omega.

“Zhiyu,” Yin Chu’s body softened as he leaned gently on the powerful arm beside him, speaking softly, “I’m fine now. Let’s continue.”

Jiang Zhiyu gave a faint “hm.”

The next candidate to be interviewed was Qin Chengyue. The secretary called several times with no response, then moved on to the next name.

Jiang Zhiyu listened to candidate number 19’s steady, mellow broadcasting tone, but suddenly a delicate, tear-streaked, beautiful face appeared in his mind’s eye.

“In response to this incident, experts have pointed out that society’s attention to the Omega community remains insufficient. The next steps…”

Before the candidate could finish, the distinguished and handsome Jiang CEO suddenly stood.

All eyes immediately focused on him.

He lowered his brows slightly and leaned toward Yin Chu, whispering, “I have something to attend to. You may continue.”

Without waiting for a reply, he strode out of the conference room.

*

Ling Ran’s body burned fiercely. His soft, thick black hair was damp with sweat, clinging to his forehead and ears.

Waves of scorching heat inside him threatened to consume him. His breathing was heavy, yet his chest felt as though a massive stone weighed down on him, suffocating him.

Exhausted, he sat down on the toilet in the furthest stall of the restroom. Fortunately, these stalls were fully enclosed, blocking pheromones.

But he had already been induced into heat by the alpha’s repugnant pheromones. What he needed now was his bag and the inhibitors inside.

He tried to reach for his phone in his pocket to call Qin Chengyue, but his fingers were too weak to exert any force, and tears welled in his eyes from frustration.

Suddenly, an even more intense wave of heat and dampness surged through him. Ling Ran trembled lightly.

He bit his lips but could no longer hold on. His slender back arched like a shrimp, and his body slid forward, falling to his knees from the toilet.

He should have hit the cold stall door in front of him—but suddenly the door was pulled open from outside.

A cool fresh breeze entered, and Ling Ran’s head fell into a strong, muscular embrace.

His knees still scraped the floor, numb with pain, and he let out a few soft sobs he could no longer suppress.

Two large hands reached under his arms and effortlessly lifted him up, then gently settled him back onto the toilet seat. The stall door shut with a firm “bang.”

Ling Ran hung his head weakly. The slender, fair nape of his neck was fully exposed to the air, the pale skin flushed with an alluring rosy hue. The small, delicate pheromone-blocking patch beneath was slightly swollen.

Feeling a firm hand pressing on the back of his neck, the heated gland beneath seemed too fragile to endure, struggling and crying out as if trying to burst out from beneath the patch, begging the hand not to press so firmly.

The slender figure before him trembled violently, like a delicate flower bent by a storm, a fragile sob escaping from his throat. It was as if someone had stepped on his tail—helpless to break free, yet utterly pitiable.

Ling Ran raised his tear-filled eyes, shimmering with moisture, the misty gaze silently pleading. His long, thick lashes fluttered twice, then tears fell one by one.

The hand pressing on the nape loosened slightly, then rested coolly on the patch, gripping the soft back of the neck with one hand, forcing the tearful young Omega closer.

Jiang Zhiyu locked eyes with him, gazing deeply into his soul.

“Do you enjoy going into heat in front of others so much?”