Jiang Wan suddenly felt a bit thirsty. He casually grabbed a bottle of mineral water and had just unscrewed the cap when [One-Eyed Dragon] turned around with a strange expression, handing him the phone.
What’s this? Is the new guy really that good-looking? Jiang Wan wondered, puzzled but curious as he took the phone, drinking his water while glancing at the screen, secretly feeling a bit excited.
“Pfft!”
The familiar handsome face and those long, straight legs made Jiang Wan spit out a mouthful of water.
The world was ending—his beloved Alpha was about to start working as an escort.
Who could stand this!?
Snapping back to reality, Jiang Wan’s first reaction was, “Quick! Tell the boss—I’m booking the newbie.”
[One-Eyed Dragon]: “…Understood, Big Brother Jiang.”
From the driver’s seat, [Steel Teeth] glanced back in surprise. Just how attractive is this new guy? Big Brother’s smitten just like that? Even with Dou Ming, whom he had his eye on from the start, he wasn’t this eager.
The café owner’s response came back quickly, but he sounded hesitant: “This kid’s young and naïve. Chatting with him is fine, but keeping him for yourself might be tricky. How about I find you someone more obedient?” He spoke as if Jiang Wan were a tyrant landlord, while Dou Ming was his innocent, pure daughter being handed over.
[One-Eyed Dragon] sought Jiang Wan’s instructions: should they offer more money or use force?
Jiang Wan, maintaining his composure, replied, “I’ll talk to him myself.”
As soon as Dou Ming arrived at the café, the owner pulled him aside, nervously informing him that a powerful figure had taken an interest in him and wanted to keep him.
Dou Ming: “…”
Seems like the world is even darker than I imagined, Dou Ming thought, clenching his fists in silence.
The café owner, clearly regretful, looked at Dou Ming’s young, handsome face and well-defined muscles. “It’s my fault. This big shot has a reputation for being a neat freak. He never touches anyone from the shop—he just chats behind the curtain and leaves. I thought introducing you would make your job easier.”
Still, Dou Ming didn’t respond.
“Who would’ve thought he’d actually want you this time?” The owner patted Dou Ming’s muscular arm, his voice full of pity. “Sorry, Ming Ming, but I really can’t offend this guy. He’s notorious in this area—the terrifying Big Brother Jiang. Nobody’s ever seen his real face, but word is he’s an Omega who commands hundreds of men, can smash rocks with his chest, and rides horses on his biceps. His face is said to be so fearsome it could scare children into silence!”
The café owner described Big Brother Jiang as if recounting a horror story, painting a vivid picture of a monstrous Omega. He continued to fill Dou Ming in: “This guy rules the underground in Haicheng. He’s got two lieutenants—first is One-Eyed Dragon, a Beta. Don’t be fooled; he’s as tough as any Alpha. Rumor has it that in a street fight, he lost an eye, but in return, he ripped his opponent’s skull in half!” The owner shuddered, as if reliving the gory scene of a man tearing another’s head apart, something even the strictest censors wouldn’t dare show. “Then there’s Steel Teeth, an Alpha with terrifying self-control. In all the times they’ve come here, I’ve never once figured out what his pheromones smell like! You’re an Alpha—you should know how hard that is.”
Dou Ming listened quietly before finally speaking. “Have they already arrived?”
The owner nodded reluctantly. “They’re upstairs.”
Dou Ming let out a cold chuckle. “Good.”
Good? The owner blinked in confusion. “Wait, are you agreeing to go see Big Brother Jiang?” He hadn’t expected the boy to be so compliant, thinking he’d have to persuade him for ages or even call in security to convince him. “I should remind you that Big Brother Jiang’s intention is to keep you for months, maybe even years.”
Dou Ming, however, asked, “Are you sure this big shot is Big Brother Jiang?”
The owner nodded again.
“Good.” Dou Ming smiled, though the air suddenly felt chilly.
As a Beta, the café owner wasn’t sensitive to pheromones, but he couldn’t help feeling the sharp, cold edge in the atmosphere.
Big Brother Jiang was one of the biggest debt collectors pursuing his father, Dou Deli.
From Dou Ming’s own investigations, this notorious loan shark was responsible for countless ruined families in Haicheng.
Dou Ming had been searching for him for a long time. And now, this evil loan shark had presented himself on a silver platter.
Keep me? Dou Ming thought grimly. This “Big Brother Jiang” is just as despicable as the rumors say—oppressing Alphas and Omegas alike!
The café owner, oblivious to Dou Ming’s inner turmoil, cheerfully led him upstairs to the private room.
The private room was set up as usual, with a heavy black curtain hiding Big Brother Jiang behind it, concealing him from view.
But this time, there was also incense burning in the corner—a rich, woody scent that masked any trace of Big Brother Jiang’s pheromones.
[One-Eyed Dragon] and [Steel Teeth] stood guard on either side of the curtain, their faces expressionless, their arms behind their backs, exuding a chilling aura. It was clear these two had seen blood.
Even though the café owner had seen them many times, he still felt a sense of unease standing before them. He opened his mouth, intending to introduce Dou Ming.
[One-Eyed Dragon] raised his hand slightly, fingers together, and quickly made a silent gesture.
Understanding the cue, the owner hurried out of the room, thoughtfully closing the heavy door behind him.
Dou Ming: “…”
Standing before these two imposing figures, Dou Ming remained straight and composed, his expression cold.
The room was silent except for the soft curl of smoke from the incense, slowly winding its way around Dou Ming. Unperturbed, he carefully tested the air, trying to detect any hint of Omega pheromones beneath the incense.
This was his chance—to get close to Big Brother Jiang and gather more information.
Releasing a trace of his pheromones, Dou Ming sent the crisp scent of cedar out, mingling with the heady incense, tentatively probing toward the curtain.
His pheromones were immediately blocked.
[Steel Teeth] shot him a cold glance, and Dou Ming felt as though he was being stared down by a lone wolf. The air suddenly filled with real killing intent, which shattered the thread of his pheromones.
Dou Ming clenched his fists, only to release them just as quickly. He stepped forward, ignoring the way [Steel Teeth] tensed, and spoke directly to the figure behind the curtain. “How much are you offering me per month?”
Behind the curtain: “…”
Jiang Wan nearly choked. He had been ready for the Alpha to get angry, to shout insults at him!
Aren’t Alphas supposed to be proud?
Someone’s offering to keep you!
Keep you!
Aren’t you accepting this a little too quickly?
Jiang Wan, feeling both exasperated and amused, sighed. Kids these days, always looking for shortcuts to success.
He picked up a voice modulator and casually threw out a number. “Five thousand.”
Dou Ming: “?”
Jiang Wan could sense the subtle disdain in Dou Ming’s silence.
“…Fine, ten thousand.” he reluctantly raised the offer. That’s over ten grand a month—better than 90% of regular jobs!
Dou Ming, however, was deep in thought. As someone new to this scene, he had no idea what the going rates were—was this high or low? His only experience came from the popular CEO-themed novels often recommended on his phone, where the Alphas casually threw around millions.
But that was for Alphas keeping Betas or Omegas. In their case, where the roles were reversed—an Omega keeping an Alpha—it made sense the amount would be lower.
After a moment of serious contemplation, Dou Ming replied, “This is my first time, so you’ll need to pay extra.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
The room fell deathly silent, with [Steel Teeth] slightly widening his eyes in disbelief at Dou Ming’s audacity.
Dou Ming, seeing that the figure behind the curtain hadn’t responded, began to worry he’d asked for too much and scared the Omega off.
Is the economy really that bad? Even the rich are cutting back on expenses?
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