Alpha, Straight To The Crematorium - Chapter 5
5: Blind Date
Li Yuan and Jin Qin spent the afternoon shopping, buying a mix of essentials and odds and ends, though most of their purchases were for Li Yuan’s new apartment.
“By the way, you should stock up on some blockers and suppressants for your new place. Just in case something unexpected happens, it’s good to be prepared.” Jin Qin said as she turned into the nearest pharmacy.
As soon as they stepped into the store, Li Yuan’s nose caught a captivating scent—so alluring it made her heart race and her face flush instantly.
As an Omega, Jin Qin also noticed the scent, but her reaction was the complete opposite of Li Yuan’s. She found it repulsive, almost to the point of nausea. If she had to endure it any longer, she felt she might actually throw up.
Seeing their reactions, the pharmacy clerk hurriedly grabbed a bottle of blocker spray and doused them both with it.
“I’m so sorry! An Alpha came in earlier to buy blockers, and we haven’t had the chance to clear out the lingering pheromones. My deepest apologies.”
Li Yuan waved it off dismissively before turning to check on Jin Qin, whose reaction was clearly much stronger. “Ah Qin, are you okay? That scent really hit you hard.”
“Yeah, probably less than 20% compatibility. God, if I had to smell that any longer, I’d probably drop dead on the spot.” Jin Qin groaned, pinching her nose in discomfort.
The clerk, seeing that neither of them seemed intent on making a fuss or holding the pharmacy accountable, let out a sigh of relief. An Omega’s complaint would be far trickier to handle than one from an Alpha or Beta.
“Since KN headquarters is nearby, we get a lot of Alphas who lose control of their pheromones due to stress. They often rush in to buy blockers. We didn’t have time to clean up just now. As an apology, we’ll give you both a 20% discount on your purchases today. Again, we’re terribly sorry.”
It wasn’t really the pharmacy’s fault, and since Li Yuan and Jin Qin weren’t the type to nitpick, they let the matter slide.
Back in the car, Jin Qin belatedly realized something—while she was practically gagging, hadn’t Li Yuan been blushing?
She really hasn’t seen much of the world, Jin Qin thought. I need to take her out more often, or some random Alpha will sweep her off her feet one day.
Meanwhile, Li Yuan, sitting quietly beside her, was still lost in the lingering memory of that scent. It wasn’t until they left the pharmacy that she realized it resembled musk—deep, ancient, and calming, giving her an overwhelming sense of security.
Maybe I have a high compatibility with that Alpha, she thought.
But her thoughts stopped there. Instead, she pulled out her phone and ordered a bottle of musk-based perfume online.
Si Rong, meanwhile, was in the company bathroom, dousing herself with blocker spray to suppress her overflowing pheromones.
That cigarette she smoked earlier did nothing to help and only left her reeking of smoke.
Musk mixed with cigarette smoke? Ugh, indescribable, she thought.
The blocker she chose was colorless and odorless, and after applying it, she finally felt a bit more comfortable.
Leaning against the sink with one hand, Si Rong tugged at her collar, tilting her head to inspect the skin near her nape gland. Her neck was smooth and fair, almost jade-like, but the area near her gland was slightly red—a normal sign that an Alpha’s susceptible period was approaching.
No wonder I’ve been so irritable lately, she thought. I’ll need to wear a blocker patch tomorrow. If I lose my temper and scare that sweet little Omega, I might end up in a detention center.
Every Alpha and Omega experiences a susceptible period or heat cycle every three months. During these phases, they have little resistance to others’ pheromones. To maintain normalcy in their lives, Alphas and Omegas in these periods are required to wear blocker patches to prevent pheromone leaks—for their own safety and the safety of others.
The next day, Si Rong took a rare day off. Though she was determined to reject the Omega she was meeting, she still wanted to show basic respect.
She spent nearly two hours in her closet picking out an outfit and another hour getting ready—doing her makeup, styling her hair, and choosing accessories.
Before leaving, Si Rong checked herself in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
Perfect. This outfit screams “not here for a blind date.”
She carefully applied a blocker patch to her nape and sprayed herself with odorless blocker for good measure before heading out.
Instead of her flashy sports car, she chose a muted, unassuming G-Class SUV.
Nice. The kind of car those little Omegas don’t like.
It wasn’t a holiday, and the meeting spot wasn’t far from her place, so she arrived quickly.
Si Rong glanced at her watch. Ten minutes early. Perfect. Not a single misstep.
Feeling pleased, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
“Welcome to Alley Café.”
“Hello, I have a reservation under a Ms. Bei.” Si Rong said, giving her mother’s name.
“The other lady from Ms. Bei’s reservation is already here. She’s inside. This way, please,” the waiter said, gesturing toward the interior.
Si Rong hadn’t expected the Omega to arrive even earlier than her. Following the waiter’s direction, she glanced over and began to doubt her own eyes.
That face—if she wasn’t mistaken—she had seen it last night before bed.
As she stood there, stunned, her phone buzzed with a message from her mother.
Mom: Sweetie, I forgot to send you her picture! Look, isn’t she gorgeous? Her name is Li Yuan, a freelance illustrator. According to her mom, she doesn’t have any other Alphas around her, so seize this chance!
Attached was a candid photo of a girl smiling brightly, her light brown hair shimmering like gold dust in the sunlight. Her delicate, round face was flushed from the sun, utterly charming.
Si Rong had to admit, this Omega was indeed pretty and sweet.
But this wasn’t her type. She preferred someone who could match her strength, and this Omega clearly wasn’t that.
Still, this Li Yuan was likely the elusive illustrator “Linyue,” whom their company had been desperately trying to hire.
Si Rong stood quietly by the entrance, unnoticed by the waiter, who didn’t rush her. A row of bookshelves shielded her from most of Li Yuan’s view toward the door.
Then, like a sudden epiphany, an idea struck her.
Omegas are soft-hearted, especially ones who seem as sweet and delicate as this one.
She knew how to solve her work problem. As for what it would cost her, she didn’t care.
In the game of interests, emotional leverage was always the most effective tool. For a freelance illustrator like Li Yuan, taking on a project for a friend’s sake wouldn’t be a big deal.
Si Rong pulled out her phone and messaged her assistant, Chen.
Si Rong: Tell the planning department not to rush picking another artist. For the new NPC, focus on other parts for now and hold off on the character design.
Li Yuan, oblivious to all this, hadn’t expected to arrive so early.
Afraid of being late, she had gotten up early, gotten ready, and headed out, thinking her timing was perfect. But she hadn’t realized how close the café was to her new apartment.
The taxi ride was so short it barely registered on the meter.
Sitting in the café with half an hour to spare, she grew bored and asked the waiter for paper and a pen. She began sketching the café, stroke by stroke.
As Si Rong approached, Li Yuan had just finished her sketch.
“That’s beautifully done,” a cool, clear voice said above her.
Startled, Li Yuan looked up and found herself staring into a pair of deep amber eyes. Her breath caught, and her heart pounded so loudly it drowned out everything else. A wave of heat surged from her feet to her face, setting her cheeks ablaze.
So, love at first sight really exists, she thought.
Seeing Li Yuan’s startled reaction, Si Rong softened her demeanor and smiled. “Hello, I’m Si Rong,” she said, extending her right hand.
Li Yuan’s gaze fell to Si Rong’s hand, lingering until the sunlight glinted off the bracelet on Si Rong’s wrist, snapping her back to reality. She hurriedly reached out and shook Si Rong’s hand.
“Y-You… hello, I’m Li Yuan.”
It all happened in a fleeting moment. As Li Yuan held Si Rong’s hand, she could feel the warmth and softness of her palm with startling clarity.
Li Yuan looked utterly bewitched, and Si Rong found her reaction quietly amusing.
She’d been called beautiful before, but Li Yuan’s response was so intense it almost seemed like love at first sight.
Yes, definitely love at first sight, Li Yuan confirmed to herself.
Si Rong was the embodiment of her aesthetic ideal, the perfect muse she’d envisioned. Agreeing to this blind date was the best decision I’ve made this year, she thought.
They sat down on the sofa, and Si Rong asked courteously, “What would you like to drink?” She raised a hand to summon the waiter.
Li Yuan’s mind was throwing a party, but she kept her outward composure, shy and quiet. Clearing her throat, she said, “A caramel milk tea, please.”
Si Rong nodded and ordered a black coffee for herself.
Li Yuan had only tried black coffee once, sneaking a sip from Jin Qin’s cup when she was pulling an all-nighter. The bitterness was unforgettable. When she heard Si Rong order it, a faint grimace crossed her face.
“Black coffee is so bitter. Don’t you want something sweet?” Li Yuan asked softly, her voice as gentle as a newborn lamb.
Si Rong smiled. “I’m used to it. I don’t really like sweet things.”
Li Yuan nodded understandingly.
“You seem quite young, Ms. Li. What made you decide to go on a blind date?” Si Rong asked casually, as if making small talk.
Li Yuan replied, “My parents are often away on business trips, so they think I should find a partner.”
“So, the blind date was their idea?”
“Mm.” Li Yuan nodded. “What about you?”
“Me?” Si Rong winked, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “I’m getting old, of course.”
“You’re only 26! That’s old? And you’re so beautiful!” Li Yuan was floored.
26 is considered old? Si Rong didn’t seem like someone with age anxiety.
Si Rong paused, then burst into a bright smile, a teasing glint in her eyes. “You think I’m beautiful?”