Chapter 25: Nesting with Clothes
Thanks to the inhibitor, he temporarily avoided sudden intense heat symptoms.
But an omega in heat is naturally drawn to his alpha.
Nan Yi didn't want to cling to He Yu Shen, but he couldn't help himself.
So, when He Yu Shen went to work as usual, Nan Yi would sneakily gather his alpha-scented clothes, nestling them on the bed like a rabbit does — from suits and shirts to casual wear and pajamas.
He'd arrange them in a circle based on the intensity of the scent, ensconcing himself in the middle.
Finally, clutching He Yu Shen's frequently worn black pajamas, he'd snuggle in the center of the bed, languidly lounging for hours.
His heat lasted four days, and for three of those days, unbeknownst to He Yu Shen, Nan Yi used his clothes to nest.
Nan Yi would always tidy up before He Yu Shen returned from work.
Today was no different. After He Yu Shen left, he began his usual nesting ritual.
"What... are you doing?"
Clutching the final pajama and climbing onto the bed, Nan Yi froze.
The familiar voice behind him sent a shiver down his spine.
He Yu Shen, who should have been at work, had unexpectedly returned to the villa.
Nan Yi lacked the courage to turn around.
His clothes were strewn messily on the bed, forming a circle.
He Yu Shen gazed at the stiff, slender figure at the edge of the bed.
"Turn around and look at me."
His expression was stern, his tone devoid of emotion.
With rigidity, Nan Yi faced him, still clutching the black pajama.
"Are you in heat again?"
He Yu Shen looked quizzically at his own pajama in Nan Yi's grip.
Nan Yi shook his head, tossing the pajama back onto the bed.
He Yu Shen: ..................
He Yu Shen did not ask Nan Yi anything further.
Under He Yu Shen's gaze, Nan Yi awkwardly folded the pile of clothes.
"Stop fussing with it. I'll have the maid collect it for washing in a bit."
Nan Yi's actions halted at He Yu Shen's words, a hint of embarrassment evident.
He Yu Shen probably thought he dirtied his clothes.
"I'm hungry, come and cook for me," He Yu Shen stated.
Nan Yi followed him downstairs, standing close enough to detect a minty pheromone.
It was more comforting than being wrapped in clothes.
Initially, Nan Yi thought it was merely the strong pheromone of an alpha and not intentional.
But even from the distance of the kitchen, he could smell that minty scent.
He realized that He Yu Shen was releasing soothing pheromones.
A smile crept up on Nan Yi's lips, and his usually indifferent eyes softened.
His mood was exceptionally good today.
The meal he prepared for He Yu Shen was notably lavish.
"Have you been secretly learning culinary skills?"
After consecutive weeks of plain porridge with eggs and sausages, for the first time, there was colorful porridge containing shrimp and chicken chunks, even the egg transformed into a pumpkin-steamed egg.
A beautifully set plate in front of him looked much like a lovingly prepared breakfast.
"The taste is good; you sure know how to please. Reduce the salt a bit next time."
The two sat across from each other, savoring a breakfast that was an hour late. After eating, He Yu Shen headed upstairs.
The soothing pheromones gradually weakened, and discomfort began to manifest in Nan Yi.
Just as he was thinking of an excuse to head to the study to bask in the alpha's pheromones, He Yu Shen's assistant handed him some documents.
"Hello, can you lead me to the boss's study?"
A rather cute beta, who didn't approach immediately but stood somewhat uneasily by the door.
Seeing an opportunity, Nan Yi didn't hesitate and led him upstairs.
Even a few seconds inside would be worthwhile.
"Come in."
The door to the study was firmly shut. After the beta assistant entered, Nan Yi lingered hesitantly by the door, reluctant to leave.
A faint minty scent permeated the study; he wondered if it was because of his impending heat cycle.
He could still detect such a subtle pheromone.
Although the pheromone was weak, it was comforting to Nan Yi, an Omega of lesser quality.
"Come in and help me organize these documents."
The man behind the desk didn't lift his head, but Nan Yi knew he was being addressed.
Joy lit up his face, and his steps became noticeably lighter.
"The ones on the tea table."
Indeed, many documents were spread out on the low tea table in front of the sofa. As the table was inconvenient to work at while standing, Nan Yi sat down and began quietly sorting through the pile of incomprehensible paperwork.
"Boss, are you sure you can't make it to the company today? The afternoon meeting is crucial."
The beta assistant at the desk looked close to tears. He couldn't understand why his usually meticulous boss insisted on working from home today.
Having to bring all the contracts to the villa would waste so much of his time.
"Hold the video conference at 1 PM."
"Afterwards, collate the paper plans and meeting notes for me."
He Yu Shen instructed.
The beta assistant felt like he was running out of oxygen, wishing he could just faint on the spot.
"Yes, Boss."
But he couldn't, not when He Yu Shen paid such a generous salary.
"I'll take my leave now, Boss."
Nan Yi listened intently to their exchange, noting that the assistant's tone was slightly less energetic than when they had spoken downstairs.
With one less person in the room, Nan Yi felt a bit out of place.
But he genuinely needed the pheromones present here.
Although Nan Yi deliberately slowed down his sorting, he finished organizing everything by the time He Yu Shen started his video conference.
He sneaked a glance at He Yu Shen, who was engrossed in the meeting with headphones on.
Pretending to be careless, he once again scattered the documents on the table.
Then, as if it was the most logical thing to do, he began organizing from the beginning.
As time passed, his eyelids grew heavier, the minty scent seemingly having a hypnotic effect.
He Yu Shen held a two-hour-long meeting. After ending the call, he looked over at the person now sound asleep on the sofa, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
The omega lay softly on the sofa, an abnormal blush staining his cheeks, with a trace of drool at the corner of his mouth.
He Yu Shen rose from his seat and left the study, returning shortly after to his desk.
Nan Yi had had a long nap, waking up to find himself alone in the study.
He couldn't recall when he had drifted off.
The room's minty scent had faded significantly; He Yu Shen must have been gone for quite some time.
However, the burning heat in his body had subsided, signaling the end of his heat cycle.
Excitedly, Nan Yi sat up, feeling much lighter.
He looked down in confusion at the blanket that had fallen to the floor.
Had the maid covered him? He wondered, picking up the blanket from the floor and placing it on the sofa.
"Didn't I tell you I can't handle spicy food?"
Nan Yi, standing at the top of the stairs, observed the middle-aged maid, her face fraught with anxiety, standing by the dining table.
The tone in Song Jing's voice in the living room was less than friendly.
"I only prepared one spicy dish because Mr. Nan enjoys it," the maid explained, lacking confidence.
Nan Yi paused mid-step as he descended the staircase.
He had never explicitly informed anyone in the mansion of his preference for spicy food.
Due to the tastes of He Yu Shen and Song Jing, the meals had always been relatively bland.
The new maid, unaware, had prepared a few spicy dishes, and he had helped himself generously.
He hadn't expected the maid to note his preference so quickly.