On a freezing winter morning, Jin Yan was huddled against his warm older brother, refusing to get out of bed, completely unaware of how badly the internet had crashed.
His phone on the nightstand lit up incessantly, but Zhou Shu had possessed the foresight to silence it the night before.
Little did he know that even this couldn't block someone’s murderous intent.
At seven in the morning, the door to Zhou Shu’s apartment was pounded on, and the doorbell began to howl without pause.
"Who is it... so early..."
Woken by the noise, Jin Yan’s first instinct was to cling to Zhou Shu, burying his head directly under the covers.
Zhou Shu had been sleeping lightly and woke at the first ring. He smiled, ducked under the duvet to kiss Jin Yan’s forehead, and whispered, "Hide here for a bit. I’ll go open the door."
"Mm..." Jin Yan hummed vaguely as Zhou Shu got up.
The moment the door opened, Zhou Shu wisely covered his ears.
"Zhou Shu! I think you’ve lost your damn mind!"
He let out a soft chuckle and raised a hand to greet Gou Feifei, who was standing outside. "Morning, Goofy."
"Morning, Film King. Where’s my Brother Jin? Not up yet?"
"Yeah, he’s sleeping in."
"Oh, oh. Got anything to eat? We haven't had breakfast."
"Check the kitchen."
"Will do!"
Watching the two of them chat like neighbors, Zhu Lili was so furious her mascara was starting to smudge.
"Zhou Shu!"
"Easy now, auntie. Keep your voice down, Yan-yan is still sleeping."
Zhou Shu was in a rare good mood, actually humoring Zhu Lili instead of gearing up for a fight.
Just then, the bedroom door opened. Jin Yan emerged with a head of messy, fluffy hair, squinting at the two familiar guests.
He said languidly, "Morning."
"Hey, morning Brother Jin. You’re up pretty late. I remember you used to wake up naturally at six?"
"Hard to wake up in winter."
Seeing the other two start chatting as well, Zhu Lili became even more volatile.
"Are you all trying to start a rebellion?!"
Jin Yan blinked, stealing a glance at Zhu Lili. Drawing from experience, he whispered to Gou Feifei, "Is it her period? Did you upset her?"
Gou Feifei couldn't hold back a snort and came clean about their visit. "It’s not her period, and I didn't upset her." He shot a look toward the Film King, meaning: *It’s your man.*
*Huh?*
Jin Yan wore a look of confusion.
His brother had been incredibly well-behaved lately, not even stepping foot out of the house. What could he have possibly done to make someone come for a "demolition" visit first thing in the morning?
However, as a responsible Enigma, he would never stand by and watch his Alpha get yelled at by an Omega. He stepped forward and pulled Zhou Shu to his side.
He said politely to Zhu Lili, "Sister Julia, calm down first. Sit, I’ll brew you some brown sugar ginger tea."
"You, get back in the room! I’m angry just looking at you right now!"
"..."
Jin Yan was stunned. He had come to mediate, so how did the fire end up spreading to him?
Consequently, within the next three minutes, every E and A present was given a thorough tongue-lashing by the lone O.
Finally, Gou Feifei had to resort to kisses and hugs for quite a while before she finally sat quietly on the sofa.
"Brother, what happened..." Jin Yan blinked, seeking an answer.
To his surprise, Zhou Shu showed no sign of distress. He suppressed a smile and arched an eyebrow. "Check your phone."
"Phone?"
"Brother Jin, look at the trending searches," Gou Feifei slapped his own forehead. "Oh, wait, you probably can't even click into the topics right now. Here, look at my phone. I took screenshots."
Jin Yan shook his head to clear the cobwebs and took the phone.
He carefully confirmed the text in the screenshots three times, then repeatedly zoomed in on the two small red booklets stacked together in the photo.
"Brother..." After a long silence, Jin Yan looked up, his voice trembling. "This is..."
Gou Feifei stealthily slid over to rescue his precarious phone, then went back to the sofa to cover his own Omega’s eyes.
Zhou Shu smiled, pulled Jin Yan close, and gave him a kiss. "Publicly announcing our marriage. Can't you tell?"
"You... why would you..."
"I don't want to be in the entertainment industry anymore," Zhou Shu said, looking into his eyes with total sincerity. "My little sun is back. Why would I keep standing there?"
Hearing this, Jin Yan couldn't hold back anymore. His eyes shimmering, he lunged forward, wrapping Zhou Shu in his arms and kissing him.
It was a raw, unreserved display of emotion, as if no one else was in the room.
Watching them, Zhu Lili felt a pang in her heart and was somewhat moved.
She had watched these two struggle through their awkward phases. Though she hadn't known them as children, she was very familiar with Zhou Duo and, by extension, the eighteen-year-old Jin Yan.
No Enigma doesn't want to possess their partner completely, heart and soul. She knew Gou Feifei was like that, so Jin Yan must be too.
Their understanding and indulgence were forms of endurance. They seemed gentle and harmless, but internally, they were torn by conflict, having long since carved themselves open.
Once they received affirmation and total surrender from their partner, the love hidden in their bones would manifest without any concealment.
Specifically...
He could make you feel it clearly.
He was willing to give his life for you.
This was the selfish love of an Enigma.
She had just seen that unquenchable fire of love in Jin Yan’s eyes, and it slowly smothered the anger in her heart.
Perhaps remembering there were guests, the two didn't kiss for long before pulling apart.
Once the atmosphere turned quiet and harmonious, a hint of awkwardness inevitably crept in.
Fortunately, the quick-witted Gou Feifei had another bright idea. "Uh, hey, let's eat. I just made some sandwiches. Don't be shy, make yourselves at home."
Zhu Lili shot him a glare but walked straight to the dining area.
The four of them chewed their sandwiches, each harboring their own thoughts, no one speaking.
With a soft *clink*, a glass of milk was placed in front of Zhu Lili.
She followed the hand up to the owner and saw the lingering tenderness in her boss’s eyes—a tenderness given by Jin Yan, and one that could be given in abundance.
Zhou Shu cleared his throat and pushed the glass forward. "Still mad?"
Seeing that Zhu Lili didn't respond, Gou Feifei took the glass and held it out to her. "Don't be mad, don't be mad."
"Does Sister Julia want hot chocolate? I’ll make a cup." Jin Yan was exceptionally gentle and well-behaved today, looking every bit like a little puppy who had been well-fed by his master.
Thus, a formidable Omega found herself being coaxed in various ways by a room full of EEAs. For a moment, she felt a bit embarrassed.
She gave an annoyed "tsk" and downed the milk in one go, as if it were strong liquor.
A moment later, as if finally letting herself off the hook, she let out a long sigh.
"I didn't come here just to interrogate you, and I’m not stopping you from making this decision, it’s just..." Zhu Lili said helplessly, "It’s just that you should have at least discussed it with me beforehand. Do you know how I felt when I got the call from the company this morning?"
"They couldn't reach you, so they all came to blame me, saying I indulge your whims every day. But the problem is... the problem is that this time, you actually put me on the opposing side too."
"It’s not..." Zhou Shu started to speak but didn't know how to explain. He finally just said, "I did it on a whim. I didn't think that far ahead. I didn't hide it from you on purpose."
Zhu Lili’s eyes felt a bit hot. She had been Zhou Shu’s assistant for three years and had never seen him like this.
He was trying to explain, as if seeking one more person’s understanding for his and Jin Yan’s public announcement.
Every time he softened his stance, it was for Jin Yan. Every single time.
"Forget it. It’s not the first time you’ve been this impulsive. I can't control you anyway; I’m just here to wipe your ass. Regardless, this is the last time." Zhu Lili’s voice wavered at the end. For a moment, no one knew what to say.
"Julia, don't say that. Even after I leave the industry, we’re still..." Zhou Shu cleared his throat, finally squeezing out a sentimental word from between his teeth, "...friends."
Sure enough, Zhu Lili couldn't help but laugh.
"Julia..." she murmured her own English name. "I’ve finally heard that name from your mouth after all these years."
Once the mist in her eyes cleared a bit, she rolled her eyes at Zhou Shu. "I want sea cucumber porridge."
"I’ll order from Xianyue Pavilion right now. You can have three portions. You can have Jin Yan’s portion too." Zhou Shu chuckled, pulling out his phone to order delivery.
Suddenly, Zhu Lili slammed the table, turning explosive again. "Zhou Shu, don't you dare!"
The three of them froze, not daring to move.
A few seconds later, the furious Omega pointed at the Film King and said indignantly, "Don't think I forgot that Jin Yan is allergic to seafood!"
Crap. The Film King’s scheme had been seen through again...
***
The news of the Film King’s marriage announcement and his retirement from the entertainment industry caused a massive stir for many days.
The agency’s phones and mail were at saturation point. Zhu Lili kept her promise, handling the very last of Zhou Shu’s affairs in the industry.
His manager seemed to have expected Zhou Shu to make a big move like this eventually and wasn't even that surprised.
He simply made one last effort, asking if there was any possibility of Zhou Shu continuing to develop in the acting world.
Zhou Shu thought about it and gave his answer.
"I still love acting, but I don't want to stand in the media’s spotlight. If there’s ever a way to have the best of both worlds, you can contact me again."
The manager fell silent for a moment, then laughed.
Yes, that was the true Zhou Shu.
He had maintained this attitude from beginning to end. He was the one person who had entered the vat of dye and come out without a trace of color on him.
He was a rare piece of reality amidst the decadent play of light and shadow.
Everyone thought the matter would fade from public memory after a few days. However, on an ordinary morning, Jin Yan had just pushed open the hospital doors when he was grabbed by Jiang Rong.
"Senior! You’re on the trending searches!"
"?"
Without giving Jin Yan time to react, Jiang Rong pulled him over to the sofa and showed him his phone.
A post that looked like a long essay appeared on the screen—
**Title: I think I saw the handsome younger brother who appeared at the hospital with Zhou Shu in person!**
**Content:** The story goes like this: my roommate’s cat got sick, so last week I went with her to the most famous pet hospital in Haicheng. My friend specifically booked an appointment with their Dr. Jin, saying she wanted to get the pet treated while getting some eye candy. Who knew that once I got in there, he looked incredibly familiar! I sat in the corner and secretly scrolled through my phone, comparing him to the real person. The silhouette and body shape were a 99% match! I was totally shocked, I almost screamed right then and there!!!
Dr. Jin himself is super, incredibly handsome! He’s so gentle, I almost died when he smiled!!! So, I’m asking here, does anyone know what Dr. Jin’s relationship with Zhou Shu is? Is he really the Film King’s Omega? Or is he an Alpha? If he’s an Alpha, I’m going to camp outside the hospital every day!!!
After reading it, Jin Yan didn't know how to respond for a moment.
*Omega...*
How did they see him as an Omega? Was it just because his brother was an Alpha?
These people were too superficial.
Why must an Alpha only be paired with an Omega?
Alpha and Enigma, Alpha and Alpha, or Alpha and Beta—none of those were impossible.
Jin Yan shook his head silently. Jiang Rong couldn't figure out what his senior was thinking.
"Um, Senior... you’re not mad, are you?"
Jin Yan snapped out of it and gave a faint smile. "No, nothing to be mad about."
"Oh, oh, that’s good. I knew it, you wouldn't get mad over something small like this, hehe..." After saying that, Jiang Rong’s restless hand scrolled the screen again. "Since you’re not mad... then why don't you look at our official website?"
"..."
Jin Yan’s brow twitched. He swallowed hard and opened the website.
Instantly, a sea of red notification dots flooded the screen.
Jin Yan instinctively leaned back, but Jiang Rong held him up.
"Senior! Don't wimp out! Keep reading!"
Then, the senior saw the screen filled with "Dr. Jin." The density of those three words made his eyelids jump.
[Dr. Jin! Was that you at the hospital the other day?]
[Dr. Jin, do you know you’re trending? Based on how well I know you, I’m certain the person at the hospital with Zhou Shu was you!]
[Dr. Jin, aren't you an Alpha? Why would you be at the hospital’s OB/GYN department with the Film King!]
[Dr. Jin, please answer us! Is the marriage certificate the Film King posted yours? If you don't say anything, I won't be able to sleep for two nights, waah...]
[Dr. Jin! You aren't really an Omega, are you? You aren't really pregnant, are you?!]
...
Seeing the word "pregnant" at the end, Jin Yan felt like his vision was failing.
He took the tablet and stared at the website comments for a long time. After browsing through them, he went back to the trending post, took a screenshot, and sent it to Zhou Shu.
[Brother, look. I’m not clean anymore.]
[?]
[What should I do? People have tracked me down. They’re all saying I’m your Omega and that you got me pregnant.]
[Aren't you?]
Seeing his brother’s reply, Jin Yan couldn't help but laugh helplessly.
He hesitated for a long while with his phone before finally replying to one person’s comment on the official website.
Jin Yan replied to: *"Dr. Jin, please answer us! Is the marriage certificate the Film King posted yours? If you don't say anything, I won't be able to sleep for two nights, waah..."*
**[Yes, the marriage certificate Zhou Shu posted is with me.]**
After replying, he felt it wasn't quite enough and added another sentence.
**"I am his Omega."**
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 闲月阁 | Xianyue Pavilion | Name of a high-end restaurant. |
| 蒋荣 | Jiang Rong | Jin Yan's junior colleague at the pet hospital. |
| 妇产科 | OB/GYN department | Obstetrics and Gynecology; where the rumors of pregnancy originated. |
