Zhu Yu had been married to Wei Ning for eight years, yet there had been no sign of a heat cycle, let alone a child. As a result, Wei Ning’s mother found everything about Zhu Yu displeasing. The Wei family had a vast group of companies, with dozens of subsidiaries, and without an heir, it would eventually have to be handed over to outsiders.
Whenever Zhu Yu heard Wei Ning’s mother complaining, he would snap back, saying that it was no wonder he couldn’t get pregnant since they had never even slept together. Wei Ning had told him on their wedding night that, aside from the heat cycle, he wouldn’t touch him. According to Wei Ning, he was asexual, and the sight of other people’s bodies made him nauseous. However, as an alpha, he had the duty to help his omega partner through heat, and he wouldn’t shirk that responsibility.
Zhu Yu sneered at this excuse, thinking it would be better if Wei Ning just admitted he didn’t like him. What was the point of coming up with such a lame excuse? Mimicking Wei Ning’s tone, Zhu Yu sarcastically told his mother-in-law, “If you’re so capable, have him divorce me and stay single for life. If he gets nauseous looking at a naked body, I get nauseous just looking at him.”
Divorce was out of the question, not in this lifetime. Every omega was considered a treasure, and divorcing one required a three-year cooling-off period. Even after three years, if the omega agreed, there would still be a lengthy mediation process. If mediation failed, divorce could proceed, but the alpha would have to serve three years in prison.
Wei Ning’s mother couldn’t bear the thought of her son going to prison, so she softened her tone. “Little Zhu, what alpha doesn’t love their omega? Why don’t you lower your pride and make the first move?”
Zhu Yu rolled his eyes and stormed upstairs, his footsteps heavy with frustration. “In your dreams!”
Wei Ning’s mother was left fuming, furious at Zhu Yu’s sharp retort.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yu went straight to his room, applied a night mask, and went to bed, sleeping soundly without a care about his husband’s lack of attention.
When Wei Ning returned home, it was no surprise that he was greeted by his mother’s tearful complaints about not having a grandchild. He let her words go in one ear and out the other, finishing his dinner before heading upstairs to their bedroom. When an omega’s hormone levels are unstable, their alpha partner cannot sleep in a separate room. Zhu Yu’s pheromone levels had been erratic for eight years, so Wei Ning had spent those eight years sleeping beside this omega with whom he shared no emotional connection.
Wei Ning frowned slightly as he saw Zhu Yu sleeping soundly, completely unaware that his blanket had fallen to the floor. Though their relationship was strained, it was in an alpha’s nature to take care of their omega, so he picked up the blanket and covered Zhu Yu with it out of habit.
After washing up, Wei Ning lay in bed, his mind filled with thoughts of the power struggles at the company. Senior board members disliked his bold reforms and wanted to oust him, competitors occasionally planted corporate spies, and earlier that day, he had to fire a secretary who tried to seduce him. Wei Ning rubbed his furrowed brow in the darkness, remembering how he had spotted fine lines at the corners of his eyes that morning. Meanwhile, Zhu Yu, who lived a carefree and pampered life, still looked as youthful as a teenager, even though he was two months older than Wei Ning.
Wei Ning felt a midlife crisis brewing, akin to a man going bald while his wife remained as beautiful as ever. With a frown, he eventually fell asleep.
As usual, Zhu Yu was woken up by the family’s husky, Simon, nudging him. He yawned, took the dog out for a morning walk, let him relieve himself, and picked up after him with gloved hands before throwing it in the trash. On the way back home, Simon lay down on the ground, refusing to move. Zhu Yu, accustomed to this behavior, gave him a nudge with his foot, urging him into his doghouse for breakfast.
Aunt Hong, who was tending to the garden, looked at him with surprise.
Zhu Yu found it odd. Aunt Hong tended to the flowers and plants every morning, so it wasn’t the first time she had seen him walking the dog. He wondered if she had suddenly developed a soft spot for animals and disapproved of his treatment of Simon. Shaking his head, he headed inside, went upstairs, and ignored the husband lying in bed as he got ready for the day.
“Why are you leaving so late today?” Wei Ning’s mother asked Zhu Yu with uncharacteristic warmth.
Zhu Yu was taken aback by her good mood. He wondered if he had woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
Aunt Hong came inside, smiling as she arranged freesias in a vase. “Madam, you didn’t know? Mr. Wei just took Simon for a walk. No matter how busy you are with work, you still have to live your life. Madam misses you when you’re not around, so spend some time with her today. Even though Madam doesn’t say it, she thinks about you.”
Zhu Yu was confused. “What did you just call me?” He pointed at Wei Ning’s mother. “And you want me to spend time talking with her?” Just yesterday, Aunt Hong had scolded him for arguing with Wei Ning’s mother, telling him not to upset the old lady. How had her attitude changed overnight?
Aunt Hong looked at Zhu Yu in surprise.
Wei Ning’s mother was displeased. “What’s wrong with what she said? Can’t you spend just one day with me? No matter how busy you are, you can’t work 365 days without rest.”
Zhu Yu looked down at himself. His feet, clad in slippers, were a size 45, and instead of the dog-themed pajamas he had changed into last night, he was wearing a Japanese-style bathrobe that Wei Ning favored.
Something was definitely wrong, Zhu Yu thought.
He turned his head and caught a glimpse of a familiar face in the background reflection of the vase.
It was—
Wei Ning’s face!
Alarms went off in Zhu Yu’s mind just as the sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears. He quickly looked up and saw a man freeze on the staircase, his expression equally stunned. The man was wearing Zhu Yu’s face, along with his husky-themed pajamas!
“Zhu Yu!”
“Wei Ning!”
They stared at each other for a moment before simultaneously shouting in anger.
Wei Ning’s mother and Aunt Hong exchanged puzzled glances—had both their heads gone wrong?
There was no time to worry about what Wei Ning’s mother or Aunt Hong thought. Wei Ning rushed down the stairs, grabbed Zhu Yu by the wrist, and tried to drag him upstairs for answers.
But he couldn’t budge him.
Zhu Yu now stood at 186 centimeters and weighed 81 kilograms, while Wei Ning was 176 centimeters and weighed 63 kilograms.
The difference in strength was vast.
For the first time, Wei Ning had to look up to see someone’s face. Twenty centimeters—was this the much-touted “adorable height difference”? Wei Ning, furious, demanded, “Zhu—Wei Ning, get upstairs with me!”
Zhu Yu, standing tall, took a moment to enjoy the newfound perspective before slowly nodding. “Let’s go back to the room.”
Watching Wei Ning follow Zhu Yu upstairs, Wei Ning’s mother felt this was completely improper. Her daughter-in-law was giving her son no face at all. She wanted to intervene, but Aunt Hong stopped her.
“Didn’t you say something to Mrs. Wei yesterday? Mr. Wei is reserved, and now that Mrs. Wei is finally taking the initiative, it’s a good sign, Madam.”
Wei Ning’s mother had an epiphany. “Finally, I’ve been waiting for this day.” She spoke through tears, “I’m getting old. Even if I get to hold my grandchild, I won’t have the strength.”
Aunt Hong, knowing these were tears of joy, simply smiled and returned to tending the garden.
Upstairs, the atmosphere was far from what those downstairs might have imagined. Wei Ning stood before Zhu Yu, demanding answers. “What did you do?” Soul swapping? Was this some third-rate drama plot?
Zhu Yu looked down at Wei Ning, a sneer curling his lips. “I should be asking you. Has Mr. Wei finally started experimenting with black technology, using himself as a guinea pig? Jealous of my looks? If you wanted to steal my body, you could have just said so.”
Wei Ning was enraged. “What’s wrong with my body?” Eight-pack abs, 18 centimeters—everything was in perfect order.
Zhu Yu shook his head. “Old and decrepit.” He patted his waist. “Too many late nights—your kidneys are weak.” He sighed. “This deal is a big loss.”
Wei Ning was so furious that his vision darkened. His extreme emotional agitation caused his blood circulation to speed up, making his face flush.
“What’s that smell?” Zhu Yu sniffed the air.
Wei Ning’s expression changed, and he took a few steps back.
Zhu Yu stroked his chin, scrutinizing Wei Ning, whose face was now drenched in sweat.
“Oh, I see.” Zhu Yu clapped his hands as if realizing something. “You’re going into heat.”
Wei Ning covered the gland at the back of his neck and shouted, “Shut up! It’s your body that’s going into heat!”
“Is that so?” Zhu Yu shrugged nonchalantly and stepped forward, closing the distance between them until they were almost touching. “Well, since it’s my body going into heat, shouldn’t I check it out?”
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