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The morning sun did not glare with the harsh, reflective intensity of a high-rise city skyline, instead, it filtered gently through the ancient, rustling leaves of the oak trees outside their window. Their home was a sprawling, secluded estate nestled deep within the verdant hills just outside the city limits, a sanctuary built of rich mahogany, warm natural stone, and sweeping windows that invited the tranquil beauty of their private, meticulously manicured gardens indoors. It was a place designed for peace, a sprawling haven far removed from the relentless, suffocating pace of the corporate world.
Yet, despite the serene environment, inside the cocoon of their massive, linen-draped canopy bed, Shaoyou was not at peace.
He stirred with a quiet, miserable groan, his limbs feeling as though they had been filled with lead overnight. A dull, rhythmic throb pulsed directly behind his eyes, and a scratchy, distinctly uncomfortable sensation coated the back of his throat. Adding insult to injury was the familiar, unsettling churn in his stomach. The undeniable, swirling nausea that had become the daily hallmark of his newly discovered condition. Shaoyou squeezed his eyes shut, trying to burrow deeper into the plush, down-filled mattress and the warmth beside him, only to find the space entirely empty. The crisp cotton sheets were already cooling.
A soft, distressed whine vibrated low in his chest. His inner Omega, already sensitive and thoroughly needy due to the pregnancy, immediately mourned the absence of his mate. However, the lingering scent of ghost orchids was woven into the very fabric of the pillows and blankets. It was Huayong’s scent. Just drawing the aroma into his congested lungs helped to marginally settle the violent swirling in Shaoyou’s stomach, though it did absolutely nothing for the creeping, mild fever he suspected was currently blooming beneath his skin.
"Shaoyou?"
The voice was a low, melodic hum, smooth as poured velvet and striking through the quiet of the morning. Shaoyou pried his heavy eyes open, blinking sluggishly against the soft, dappled light, to see Huayong stepping out of the sprawling, marble-clad master bathroom.
Even after years of being intimately intertwined, the mere sight of his mate still possessed the raw power to make Shaoyou’s breath hitch in his throat. Huayong was an Enigma, a secondary gender classification so incredibly rare and biologically dominant that it commanded absolute, instinctual submission from Alphas and Omegas alike. Yet, Huayong effortlessly defied every crude, brutish stereotype associated with his kind. He wasn't built like a towering, imposing wall of muscle... instead, he was tall and exquisitely slender, possessing an ethereal, almost devastatingly delicate beauty. His dark, silken hair was falling flawlessly around a face that looked as though it had been meticulously sculpted from pale, unyielding marble.
Currently, Huayong was impeccably dressed in a tailored, charcoal-grey suit, looking every inch the formidable, untouchable CEO of X Holding. He was a man who moved global markets with a mere flick of his expensive pen, a ruthless, calculating executive who commanded fear and respect in the boardroom. But the very second those piercing, obsidian eyes landed on Shaoyou’s form tangled in the bedsheets, the cold corporate mask melted away entirely. It was replaced instantly by an expression of pure, unadulterated, and achingly tender adoration.
That adoration, however, rapidly shifted into a sharp, piercing concern as he took in Shaoyou's appearance.
Huayong crossed the vast expanse of the bedroom. He was stepping over the plush, woven rugs that covered the hardwood floor in three long, purposeful strides. He completely abandoned the designer silk tie he had been skillfully looping around his neck, letting it drop carelessly onto a velvet chaise lounge.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
Shaoyou tried his absolute best to offer a reassuring, sunny smile, the kind he usually reserved for his mate, but it morphed into a weak, pathetic grimace. "Nothing serious," he rasped, wincing as his voice came out sounding thick, heavy, and thoroughly congested. "Just a little cold, I think. And the usual, lovely morning nausea deciding to double its efforts."
The very atmosphere in the cavernous room immediately shifted. The subtle, elegant, and usually restrained scent of ghost orchids spiked dangerously. It grew exponentially heavier, richer, and decidedly, aggressively protective. It flooded the space, rolling over the bed like a heavy, invisible velvet shield. Huayong's intrinsic, almost obsessive possessiveness over his mate flared to life, filling the room with an undeniable demand to secure and protect.
Huayong sat on the very edge of the mattress. His long, elegant, pianist-like fingers reached out to gently, reverently cup Shaoyou’s flushed cheek. The physical contrast between them was stunning. While Huayong was slender, angular, and sharply defined, Shaoyou was also tall but beautifully, wonderfully filled out. He was wonderfully soft, possessing a sweet, radiant beauty with curves that dipped and swelled perfectly beneath Huayong’s worshipful hands. Usually, Shaoyou’s warm, deep mahogany-brown eyes sparkled with life. Right now, though, those beautiful brown eyes were glassy and unfocused. His warm, sweet, and vibrant aroma of blooming orange blossoms was leaking out. It smelled slightly soured by his physical illness, yet it remained heavy and thick with unmistakable affection and reliance on his Enigma.
"You're burning up," Huayong murmured, his voice dropping into a low, rumbling register that sent a shiver of comfort down Shaoyou's spine. His thumb brushed gently, rhythmically against Shaoyou's prominent cheekbone. His brow furrowed so deeply it created a sharp crease between his perfect eyebrows. "Why didn't you tell me sooner, my love?"
"You have that important meeting today," Shaoyou mumbled, leaning heavily into the cool, profoundly soothing touch of Huayong’s pale palm. The potent, concentrated ghost orchid scent was doing absolute wonders for his pounding headache. "I'm just a bit under the weather, A-Yong. I just need some sleep, maybe some hot tea, and I'll be right as rain. You really should go. You look too handsome to stay cooped up in here anyway."
Huayong let out a soft, elegant scoff, the sound utterly dismissive of the compliment and the suggestion entirely. "The meeting can wait. X Holding will not collapse into the ocean if I am absent for a single day, but I will most certainly lose my mind if I leave you here while you are unwell."
Before Shaoyou could even attempt to form a coherent protest, Huayong reached into the inner pocket of his meticulously tailored suit jacket and retrieved his sleek smartphone. He dialed a number with rapid, precise taps, his dark eyes never once leaving Shaoyou’s flushed face.
"Chang Yu, cancel everything on my itinerary for today," Huayong ordered the very second his secretary answered. His voice dropped an octave, returning instantaneously to the icy, commanding tone of the CEO. "Reschedule the meeting to next week. No, there are absolutely no exceptions. If the board has an issue with it, tell them they are welcome to take their business elsewhere. I am entirely unreachable for the next twenty-four hours. Do not call this number unless the building is actively burning down."
He ended the call without waiting for a confirmation and tossed the spectacularly expensive device onto the mahogany bedside table.
"A-Yong..." Shaoyou whined softly, the sound muffled by the thick duvet he had pulled up to his chin. Despite his protest, his heart fluttered wildly in his chest at the sheer, unyielding devotion his mate displayed. "You really didn't have to do that. It's just the sniffles."
"You are carrying our child, Shaoyou," Huayong stated softly, his voice a jarring, beautiful contrast to the one he had used on the phone mere moments prior. He stood up smoothly, shrugging off his expensive suit jacket and discarding his silk tie. His nimble fingers made quick work of unbuttoning the first few buttons of his pristine, custom-tailored white shirt, loosening the collar. "Your immune system is entirely compromised right now to protect the baby. A 'simple cold' is more than enough reason for me to stay firmly anchored to your side."
Shaoyou was currently only eight weeks along, still navigating the incredibly delicate and notoriously difficult early stages of his first trimester. Beneath the thick blankets, his stomach was still relatively flat, though the Omega had privately noticed his clothes fitting a bit more snugly around his waist and thighs. The knowledge of the tiny, fragile life growing inside him had made both of them overwhelmingly, tearfully happy when they found out. But it had also turned Huayong into an absolute menace of overprotectiveness. An Enigma’s biological drive to guard their mate was already legendary, an Enigma fiercely protecting a pregnant mate was a force of nature that absolutely refused to be reasoned with.
Huayong leaned down, pressing his soft lips firmly against Shaoyou’s warm, damp forehead. "Stay right here. I am going to get you some fresh water, some pregnancy-safe fever reducers, and a warm washcloth. Do not even think about moving a single inch, do you understand me?"
"I'm way too tired to move anyway," Shaoyou admitted with a little, pathetic sniffle.
Huayong smiled, a breathtaking, incredibly tender curve of his lips reserved exclusively for his Omega. He disappeared into the master bathroom, returning moments later with a damp, warm, fluffy towel to meticulously wipe the light sheen of sweat from Shaoyou's temples. The simple, quiet, domestic gesture was so incredibly intimate, performed with a quiet reverence that made Shaoyou’s chest ache profoundly with love.
After administering the mild medicine with a glass of water, Huayong didn't stop his caretaking. He left the room entirely, his quiet footsteps padding down the grand staircase toward the estate's massive kitchen.
When he returned nearly an hour later, he was completely transformed. He had changed into a luxuriously soft, oversized, charcoal-gray sweater that hung loosely off his slender frame, paired with dark, comfortable sweatpants. In his hands, he carried a heavy wooden tray holding a steaming porcelain bowl of beautifully fragrant chicken and ginger soup, alongside a mug of honey-lemon tea.
"I simmered the broth from scratch," Huayong explained in a low, soothing tone as he set the tray carefully on the sturdy nightstand. "I minced the ginger myself to ensure it was the exact ratio needed to settle your stomach."
Shaoyou blinked, a fond, watery smile touching his lips. It never ceased to amaze him that this terrifying, untouchable CEO possessed such an array of domestic talents. Huayong was a brilliant cook, an entirely multi-talented husband who would ruthlessly dismiss his world-class private chef just so he could personally boil soup for his sick mate.
"You didn't have to cook, A-Yong. The maid could have..."
"I wouldn't trust anyone else with your meals right now," Huayong interrupted softly, climbing fluidly into the massive bed beside Shaoyou. He leaned his back against the tufted velvet headboard and gently pulled his mate up, shifting the pillows until Shaoyou was resting comfortably against his chest. "Especially when you are so fragile. I need to know exactly what is going into your body."
Shaoyou melted entirely into the embrace, a contented sigh escaping his slightly chapped lips. The scent of ghost orchids was absolute strongest right here, right against the delicate skin of Huayong's scent gland. Shaoyou nuzzled his nose greedily into the crook of Huayong’s neck.
"Smells really good," Shaoyou murmured, eyeing the soup.
"You need to eat to keep your strength up, my beautiful Omega," Huayong murmured, his voice rumbling pleasantly in his chest. He reached over, picked up the bowl and the matching porcelain spoon. He scooped up a small amount of the rich, golden broth, blowing on it patiently to cool it down before bringing the spoon to Shaoyou’s lips. "Open for me."
Shaoyou complied, his cheeks flushing. "I can feed myself, you know."
"I know you can," Huayong replied smoothly, his tone brokering absolutely no argument as he carefully fed him another spoonful. "But I want to. Let me pamper you. It brings me immense peace of mind."
Shaoyou surrendered happily, swallowing the warm, savory broth. It felt incredibly soothing as it slid down his scratchy throat, and the perfectly balanced ginger immediately began to work its magic, settling his rolling stomach. They sat together in a profoundly comfortable silence, the only sounds being the soft clinking of the spoon and the cheerful chirping of birds in the sprawling gardens outside.
As Shaoyou slowly ate, Huayong’s free hand drifted downward. His long, elegant fingers slipped beneath the loose hem of Shaoyou’s cotton sleep shirt, coming to rest gently, firmly against the warm curve of Shaoyou’s lower stomach. The touch was feather-light, completely reverent.
Shaoyou paused mid-chew, placing his own warmer hand directly over Huayong’s pale one. "We're okay, A-Yong. I promise you. Little Huasheng is perfectly fine."
At the mention of the baby's affectionate nickname, the corners of Huayong's eyes softened entirely. "I know," Huayong whispered, turning his head to press a long, lingering kiss to the crown of Shaoyou’s dark hair. "But I cannot help but worry. You and our little Huasheng are my entire world. The mere thought of either of you being in discomfort... it unsettles me deeply."
The sheer vulnerability in the Enigma’s voice made Shaoyou’s heart swell. In the quiet privacy of their sunlit bedroom, this fiercely calculating corporate titan was just an overly anxious, devoted husband, entirely consumed by his love and obsessive need to guard his family.
"I'm perfectly fine," Shaoyou reassured him softly, pressing a chaste kiss against the sharp line of Huayong’s jaw. "Your pheromones are helping a lot. I feel significantly better just having you hold me."
Hearing his Omega's words, Huayong deliberately released even more of his soothing pheromones, wrapping them around Shaoyou like a thick, weighted blanket. It was a biological lullaby, designed specifically to ease an Omega's pain and induce deep rest.
Once Shaoyou had bravely eaten a little over half the bowl of soup, he gently pushed Huayong’s hand away. "I'm full, A-Yong. Thank you."
Huayong didn't push him to eat another bite. He set the half-empty bowl back onto the wooden tray and carefully moved it out of the way.
"Lie down," Huayong instructed softly, sliding down the tufted headboard until he was lying flat on the mattress, pulling Shaoyou down with him.
Shaoyou curled instinctively against Huayong’s side, throwing one leg casually over Huayong’s narrow hips. Huayong’s arm immediately snaked around Shaoyou’s waist, drawing him flush against his side so there was absolutely no space between them. His tight, fiercely possessive hold made Shaoyou feel like the absolute safest person in the universe.
Huayong’s hand returned to its rightful place on Shaoyou’s bare stomach, rubbing slow, mesmerizing circles over the space where little Huasheng was growing. His other hand moved up to run effortlessly through Shaoyou’s soft hair, massaging his scalp with expert fingers in a way that made the Omega’s deep brown eyes flutter shut in pure bliss.
"Are you absolutely sure the company will be fine without you today?" Shaoyou murmured sleepily.
"They pay my top executives millions of dollars a year for a very specific reason," Huayong replied, his tone laced with dry amusement. "Besides, as I have told you a thousand times before, my most important, most vital job in this world is right here."
Shaoyou smiled, a soft, sleepy, entirely beautiful curve of his lips. He pressed his nose deeply against Huayong’s chest, inhaling the clean, elegant scent of ghost orchids. "You're a really good mate, Huayong."
"I simply try my absolute best to be worthy of you and Huasheng," Huayong whispered into the quiet, sun-drenched room. He shifted slightly to press a long, incredibly tender kiss to Shaoyou’s forehead, relieved to feel the unnatural heat of the fever already breaking beneath his touch. "Sleep now, my sweet Omega. Let your body rest. I will be right here holding you when you wake up."
"Promise?" Shaoyou breathed out, his consciousness slipping rapidly away.
"I swear it on my life," Huayong vowed softly, his voice an unbreakable promise in the absolute stillness of their quiet estate.
Shaoyou let out a contented sigh, finally allowing himself to be pulled completely under into a deep, healing sleep. Wrapped securely in the arms of his devoted, beautifully obsessive Enigma, surrounded by endless love and the protective scent of ghost orchids, he knew he and his little Huasheng were the safest beings in the world.