Early in the morning, the sound of soft rain could be heard, and the mist veiled the tree-covered mountains, creating a dreamlike scenery.

A sleek black car was navigating a winding mountain road.

The driver held the steering wheel with utmost care. In the back seat sat a man dressed in a neatly pressed gray suit. His crisp white shirt bore no sign of creases, and his slender fingers leafed through a document with precision.

The man’s features were sharp, his expression composed and distant. Though he remained silent, his mere presence exuded an overwhelming sense of authority. The atmosphere within the car was heavy with tension, and the driver dared not make a sound for fear of disturbing him.

Seated beside the man was a young woman, likely in her early twenties. She had a fresh and lively appearance, her pink dress and neatly tied bun giving her a charming look. She was engrossed in a novel displayed on her phone. After a while, she stole a glance at the man next to her, her eyes darting up and down his figure.

Sensing her gaze, the man asked in an even tone, “What is it?”

The young woman’s eyes curved as she smiled brightly. “Brother, the lead character in this novel has the same name as you—Pei Shaoze.”

Pei Shaoze raised an eyebrow and asked casually, “What novel?”

“Marked by Fate. It’s an ABO story.”

“ABO story?” Pei Shaoze, unfamiliar with online literature, misunderstood and thought it referred to blood types. His reading material was typically limited to the scripts vetted by his company’s film and television department.

Pei Xueqing hesitated before briefly explaining, “It’s a concept from foreign works. In an ABO world, people are categorized as alpha, beta, or omega. Alphas and omegas emit pheromones that influence their instincts—sort of like a special hormone. The Pei Shaoze in the story is an alpha and also the CEO of an entertainment company.”

Pei Shaoze frowned slightly but remained indifferent.

“However,” Pei Xueqing hesitated, “the Pei Shaoze in the book is a complete scumbag. When the main character, Cheng Xia, lost control of his pheromones, the book's Pei Shaoze treated him horribly and nearly destroyed him. Aside from the name, you two are nothing alike.”

“Well, sharing a name isn’t unusual,” Pei Shaoze replied flatly, returning his focus to the document in hand.

Busy with work as usual, Pei Shaoze had only returned home because it was his 30th birthday, and his mother insisted on hosting a party for him. The document he was reviewing in the car was a contract for an upcoming film project, which had already been scrutinized by the legal team. With an hour’s drive remaining, he decided to finalize it during the ride.

Ten minutes later, Pei Shaoze closed the file and placed it neatly into his briefcase.

Pei Xueqing, seeing that her brother was free, couldn’t resist asking, “Brother, are ‘unspoken rules’ common in the entertainment industry? If one day, a particularly stunning actor or actress appeared in your bed, would you accept them?”

Pei Shaoze’s expression remained calm as he replied, “No.”

“...” Pei Xueqing shook her head helplessly.

Her brother was simply too disciplined. Even if someone threw themselves at him, he’d remain unmoved. He was nothing like the immoral protagonist in the novel. That Pei Shaoze had taken advantage of Cheng Xia the moment the opportunity presented itself, leading to a series of dramatic and melodramatic developments.

Her real-life brother, on the other hand, was reserved to a fault. His work ethic bordered on obsession, and his personal life was rigidly structured. He followed a strict schedule, leaving little room for romance or leisure.

After their father’s untimely passing and their mother’s declining health, Pei Shaoze had taken over the family business at just 22. Fresh out of university, he had been faced with a mountain of debt and a company on the brink of collapse. The sheer pressure of those early years was unimaginable.

He had poured his energy into stabilizing the business, personally handling everything from market research and project selection to talent recruitment. His dedication had even landed him in the hospital after a grueling night of negotiations with investors. The resulting stomach problems still plagued him to this day.

Yet his perseverance paid off. Under his leadership, the Pei family’s entertainment company flourished. The stars he nurtured rose to prominence, and the films he financed became box-office successes. Pei Shaoze gained a reputation as one of the industry’s sharpest investors.

However, this journey shaped him into someone distant and hard to approach. To him, love seemed like a distraction, and he had no patience for those seeking to exploit his status.

The birthday celebration was held at a prestigious five-star hotel, attended by both family and business acquaintances. Artists from his company mingled with high society figures, and gifts for Pei Shaoze were stacked high. When he entered with his sister, the crowd instinctively parted to make way for him.

Pei Shaoze greeted his mother with a rare smile, briefly shedding his stern demeanor. “Happy birthday, Shaoze,” she said, patting his shoulder affectionately. “I wanted to make your 30th birthday special, so I invited some old friends. I hope that’s alright?”

Pei Shaoze nodded, his tone warm. “Of course, it’s fine.”

His relaxed expression caught the attention of several young women across the room, who whispered amongst themselves about his striking looks and enigmatic personality.

The party proceeded smoothly. After delivering a short speech, Pei Shaoze cut his birthday cake amid applause. As the evening wore on, he endured endless rounds of toasts from guests, gradually feeling the effects of the alcohol. Though he disliked such occasions, he indulged his mother’s wishes for the evening.

By the end of the night, Pei Shaoze called his assistant over and instructed, “Arrange for my mother and Xueqing to be driven home later. Take me to the villa in the western suburbs—I need a couple of days to rest.”

The assistant quickly complied, helping a visibly drained Pei Shaoze to the car. Pei Shaoze leaned back in his seat, pressing his temple to ease the throbbing pain from his overindulgence.

The drive was slow due to the persistent fog blanketing the city. By the time they reached the villa, Pei Shaoze’s headache had worsened. He climbed into bed after taking some medication and quickly fell asleep.

Some time later, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

[Welcome to the Book Transmigration System. System 1022 is at your service.]

Pei Shaoze frowned in confusion, trying to process the words.

[Your account has been activated.]

[Analyzing memory... The last book recalled is Accidental Mark by Butterfly Fly Fly.]

[Loading novel’s world...]

[Character Pei Shaoze successfully bound. Strategy initiation commencing.]

Pei Shaoze suddenly opened his eyes. He remembered returning to the villa and taking sleeping pills before bed. Now, an inexplicable voice had awakened him.

Before he could gather his thoughts, he felt someone’s warm body next to his. A hand slid around his waist, startling him. Both he and the other person were unmistakably unclothed.

Pei Shaoze turned on the bedside lamp, revealing a young man beside him. The man’s flushed face and disoriented state were striking. He appeared to be in distress, his breathing rapid.

Pei Shaoze immediately grabbed the man’s wandering hand, his tone icy. “Who sent you here?”

The young man, trembling under Pei Shaoze’s cold gaze, stammered, “P-President Pei… I… I’m Cheng Xia. My omega pheromones are out of control...”

Cheng Xia? Omega pheromones? The terms struck a chord.

Pei Shaoze’s expression darkened. Had he somehow entered the world of Marked of Fate?