The Lin family estate was a world unto itself: sprawling courtyards, white stone walls that gleamed under the morning sun, and ancient pines whispering secrets of generations long gone. Inside, everything smelled faintly of polished wood and old ink, the kind of scent that only accompanied legacies built on power.

In the heart of this home, the study stood as a silent witness to countless decisions that shaped empires. Behind an imposing desk sat Lin Yisheng, chairman of YY Corporation, a man whose gaze alone could silence entire boardrooms.

But when his son entered the room, the sharpness in his eyes eased.

Lin Yicheng, barely twelve, already carried himself with quiet dignity. His back was straight, his steps measured, his expression calm in the way only those raised in responsibility could be. But behind that calmness, there was something fragile—something even his father, for all his sharp perception, could not completely read.

Yisheng gestured for him to come closer. “Yicheng,” he began, voice low, “there is something you must know. Something only a father can tell his son.”

The boy hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, Father.”

“You are not like other children.” His father’s tone carried both pride and warning. “You are an Enigma.”

The word landed heavy in the air, as if the walls themselves absorbed its weight.

Yicheng blinked, his young mind racing. “Enigma…?”

Yisheng leaned back in his chair, studying the boy with solemn eyes. “A rare existence. Not Alpha, not Beta, not Omega—something beyond those lines. With such a gift comes great danger. People will not understand you. Some will covet you, some will fear you, and some will try to destroy you.”

Yicheng’s small fists tightened. “Then… what should I do?”

His father’s gaze softened. “You do nothing, my son. You live carefully. You hide what you must. But never forget: it is not shame, it is power. One day, when you are strong enough, you may decide what it truly means to be Enigma. Until then, guard your secret well.”

He placed a steady hand on his son’s shoulder, warmth beneath the steel. “I will protect you, Yicheng. But I cannot protect you from everything. That, you must learn yourself.”

Yicheng bowed his head. “I understand.”

At least, that was what he said.

But when he left the study, the boy’s mind was far from still.

That afternoon, laughter drifted across the garden. Yicheng found himself following the sound until he spotted the familiar figure crouched under a willow tree.

Gu Chengyao.

The neighbor’s son. His best friend. His only friend, in truth. At thirteen, Chengyao was a year older, taller, his features already carrying the promise of the Alpha he would one day become. His presence was magnetic, sunlight spilling off him wherever he went.

At that moment, he was coaxing a trembling puppy out from beneath the tree. When he saw Yicheng, his smile lit up.

“Yicheng! Come help me. It’s too scared to move.”

Without hesitation, Yicheng knelt beside him. Their shoulders brushed, and though he tried to ignore the strange flutter in his chest, he could not. Together, they coaxed the small animal out, Chengyao’s hand steady and warm as he held it.

When the puppy finally settled, Chengyao turned to him, his expression unexpectedly serious.

“You’re always so quiet, Yicheng. But don’t worry—I’ll protect you. Always.”

The boyish words were simple, careless, but they carved deep into Yicheng’s heart.

That night, long after the lamps had been extinguished, Yicheng lay awake in his room. His father’s warning echoed in his ears: Guard your secret. Be careful.

But louder still was Chengyao’s promise: I’ll protect you. Always.

Yicheng stared at the ceiling, his small hands clenched beneath the blanket. His father had told him to be careful, to hide his Enigma nature. But he had not told him how to hide.

If Chengyao would only ever choose an Omega…

If Alphas were bound to them, drawn to them, destined to stand by them…

Then Yicheng would become one.

Not because his father asked him. Not because the world demanded it.

But because of his own choice.

Because of Chengyao.

That night, a twelve-year-old boy made a vow that would shape his entire life:

I will live as an Omega, even if it means burying my true self. Even if it means wearing a mask forever. Because only then will Chengyao stay by my side.

Years Later

The city had grown into a battlefield of glass and steel, ambition reflected in every skyscraper that clawed at the heavens. In this world, two names dominated the stage.

YY Corporation—a dynasty carved from decades of power, with the Lin family seated at its helm.

CC Group—a younger empire, but one that had risen at a frightening pace under its ruthless new CEO.

At YY’s headquarters, Lin Yicheng stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his reflection cast against the sprawling city below. He was no longer a boy, but a man in his prime—tall, graceful, his tailored suit framing a figure that exuded elegance and control.

To the world, he was the flawless Omega heir: unapproachable, untouchable, the dream of every Alpha in the city. His composure was legendary, his intelligence sharper than anyone expected. No one suspected the truth beneath his perfection—that the Omega mask was of his own choosing, and that beneath it pulsed the dangerous secret of an Enigma.

Across the city, at the highest floor of CC Group, Gu Chengyao stood much the same way: gazing out from his office window, a cup of black coffee in hand. Once the boy who had grinned beneath the willow tree, now he was the Alpha CEO whose name commanded both respect and fear. His decisions could sway markets, his presence alone enough to silence rivals.

The two men had not seen each other in years, their paths diverging as the burdens of family legacy fell upon them. Yet the bond of childhood—unspoken, unfinished—remained buried deep, waiting for the moment it would resurface.

Two boys bound by a promise.

Two men divided by power, secrecy, and longing.

And one mask—woven not by his father’s will, but by Yicheng’s own choice—that would decide the fate of them both.

The boardroom of YY Corporation gleamed with wealth and power. The chandelier above scattered light across polished mahogany, the table stretching so long it seemed to divide the room into opposing camps. On one side, YY’s directors whispered in anticipation; on the other, CC Group’s representatives sat straight-backed, calm, exuding confidence.

At the head of the table sat Lin Yicheng, the eldest son of Chairman Lin Yisheng. Though many still thought him too young to wield influence, his composure silenced all doubts.

His expression was as tranquil as water, his suit immaculate, his scent faintly sweet—Omega, refined, dignified.

But beneath the calm, his pulse raced.

Because today… he would see him again.

The door opened.

Gu Chengyao entered with his entourage. Tall, broad-shouldered, his aura sharp as a blade unsheathed. His black suit was cut to perfection, the watch on his wrist understated yet screaming wealth. The very air seemed to shift with his arrival.

A ripple of awe swept through the room. Even the directors who had faced countless magnates unconsciously straightened their backs under his gaze.

Yicheng’s eyes locked onto him instantly.

Chengyao…

Memories crashed in like waves—two boys beneath the willow tree, laughter in the summer heat, a promise whispered in secret.

But that boy was gone.

The man before him was every inch an Alpha, untouchable, colder than the memory Yicheng carried in his heart.

And most cruelly—he didn’t recognize him.

“Chairman Lin. Director Lin.” Chengyao’s tone was smooth, polite, entirely professional. “It is an honor. CC Group looks forward to working with YY Corporation.”

Yicheng forced his lips into a faint smile, elegant and distant.

“YY welcomes CC Group. May this cooperation be beneficial to us both.”

Their eyes met.

For one fleeting second, Yicheng thought he saw something—hesitation, a flicker of familiarity—in Chengyao’s gaze. But it passed too quickly.

The meeting began.

Contracts were presented, figures debated. Chengyao led the discussion with effortless authority, his voice firm yet never raised. He dismantled opposition like it was nothing, his logic precise, his ambition clear.

The directors of YY exchanged glances. Even rivals had to admit—this Alpha was formidable.

And yet, Yicheng did not falter. Though he spoke sparingly, each of his words carried weight. Where Chengyao pushed aggressively, Yicheng yielded just enough, only to redirect the conversation back to his terms with quiet precision.

The two of them clashed like storm and tide. Blades hidden in silk, ice against fire.

By the end, several directors whispered to each other:

“These two… are equally matched.”

“President Gu’s force is overwhelming, but Director Lin… his elegance hides steel.”

“It’s as if they’ve known each other for years—like old rivals meeting again.”

Yicheng heard none of it. His attention was fixed only on Chengyao—on the curve of his jaw, the way his brows furrowed when concentrating, the faint edge of exhaustion in his otherwise perfect mask.

You’ve changed so much… and yet not at all.

But when Chengyao’s eyes lingered on him, there was no recognition. Only curiosity.

The meeting ended hours later, contracts signed, agreements sealed. The directors filed out, chatting excitedly about the promising partnership. Soon, only silence remained.

Yicheng gathered his documents calmly. He told himself to leave, to end this day quickly before his mask cracked.

But then—

“Director Lin.”

His hand froze on the folder. Slowly, he looked up.

Chengyao stood across the table, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on him. The sharpness of a CEO was gone, replaced with something heavier, more uncertain.

“There’s something about you.” Chengyao’s voice was lower now, softer, almost thoughtful. “You feel… familiar. As if I’ve met you before.”

Yicheng’s chest tightened. The words he had longed for, feared, dreamed of hearing—spoken so simply.

For an instant, his heart leapt. He wanted to cry out: It’s me, Chengyao. Don’t you remember?

But that was impossible.

He steadied his breath, forced a faint smile, lowered his gaze.

“Perhaps President Gu has mistaken me for someone else. Many Omegas share similar features.”

“Is that so?” Chengyao studied him longer, his dark eyes searching. “Strange. I rarely forget a face.”

Yicheng turned slightly, so the light no longer revealed the tremor in his expression. His voice was calm, almost teasing.

“Then perhaps I am simply not worth remembering.”

A silence stretched between them.

Finally, Chengyao gave a low chuckle, though his eyes remained unreadable.

“You underestimate yourself, Director Lin.”

He said no more. With a polite nod, he left the room, his long strides confident. Yet even as the door closed behind him, a faint crease lingered between his brows.

That night, Yicheng stood before the mirror in his private suite. The city glittered behind him, but his reflection looked hollow.

He touched his own face, tracing the jawline that had matured over the years, the mask of gentleness he had perfected.

“He didn’t see me,” he whispered.

The boy beneath the willow tree was gone. To Chengyao, he was only Director Lin—an Omega heir of YY Corporation.

And yet… wasn’t this what he had chosen? If Chengyao only cherished Omegas, then Yicheng would become one, even if it meant burying his true self forever.

A sharp ache spread in his chest, but he swallowed it down.

Meanwhile, across the city, in the top-floor office of CC Group, Chengyao sat in the dark. The contract lay open on his desk, but his gaze had long since drifted from the words.

Instead, he saw again the faint curve of Yicheng’s smile, the calm grace with which he deflected every question. That air of quiet dignity, tinged with something unplaceable.

He tapped his fingers against the desk.

“Strange… Why do I feel like I know him?”

But no matter how hard he searched his memory, the answer slipped further away, like mist in the wind.

Both men, in different rooms, stared into the night—haunted by a connection that neither could name aloud.

The city of Jiangsu pulsed with its usual rhythm—neon lights flickering, cars weaving through the avenues, skyscrapers reaching for the heavens. In such a city, power was currency, and both Gu Chengyao and Lin Yicheng wielded it effortlessly.

But tonight, their paths crossed again, away from polished boardrooms and contracts.

The evening banquet was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, a gathering of the country’s most influential figures. Wine flowed freely, silk gowns shimmered, and behind every toast lay veiled calculations.

As the honored heirs of their respective empires, both Chengyao and Yicheng were naturally present.

Chengyao entered first, his presence commanding the room the way a storm commanded the seas. Alphas and Betas alike straightened their posture when his gaze swept over them.

And then—Yicheng appeared.

A tailored white suit, refined and understated, Omega grace in every step. His lips curved in the faintest polite smile as he greeted the crowd. But what drew every whisper was not his attire—it was the black silk mask covering the lower half of his face.

“Director Lin seems fond of masks lately,” someone murmured nearby. “Is it fashion, or…?”

“Perhaps it’s health. Omegas can be delicate,” another speculated.

Chengyao narrowed his eyes, watching as Yicheng moved through the room with that same untouchable poise.

He couldn’t look away.

Later, when the banquet’s crowd had thinned and polite laughter drifted into softer murmurs, Chengyao cornered him near the balcony.

The night air was cool, the city lights stretching endlessly below. Yicheng had stepped out for a moment of quiet, fingers curled around a crystal glass of champagne.

And then the door opened behind him.

“Director Lin.”

That voice—steady, deep, carrying weight even without effort. Yicheng turned, his heartbeat stuttering as his gaze fell on Chengyao framed by the doorway.

For a moment, neither spoke. Only the faint hum of music from inside filled the silence.

Finally, Chengyao stepped closer, his sharp eyes lingering on the mask.

“Why do you always wear that?”

Yicheng blinked.

“…Pardon?”

“The mask.” Chengyao’s tone was deceptively casual, but his gaze was piercing. “You wore one during our last meeting as well, didn’t you? And again tonight. Is it a habit, or a shield?”

The question cut deeper than it should have. Yicheng’s grip on the glass tightened.

Shield. Yes, it was exactly that—a shield to hide the lines of his face, the parts of him that might betray the boy he once was.

But aloud, he said with practiced calm:

“Omegas are prone to weaker constitutions. My doctor recommended I avoid crowded places without precaution.”

“A precaution,” Chengyao repeated, his tone unreadable. He studied Yicheng for a long moment, as if searching for cracks in the mask—both literal and figurative.

At last, he gave a faint smile.

“Strange. Even half-hidden, you still seem… familiar.”

The champagne glass trembled faintly in Yicheng’s hand. He turned away, gazing out at the skyline to hide the turmoil in his expression.

“President Gu must be mistaken. I assure you, we’ve never met before.”

“Never met,” Chengyao echoed softly. Yet the way his eyes lingered suggested doubt, as though he wanted to peel away every layer and see the truth beneath.

Inside, the banquet carried on without them. But on that balcony, the distance between the two men felt impossibly close—like a storm on the horizon, inevitable, waiting to break.

Yicheng’s pulse pounded. He could feel Chengyao’s gaze still on him, heavy, searching. If the Alpha pressed further, if he pulled the mask away—

No. I can’t risk it.

He placed the glass down, offering a shallow bow.

“If you’ll excuse me, President Gu. The hour grows late.”

And before Chengyao could stop him, Yicheng slipped back inside, vanishing into the crowd with that same composed elegance.

Alone on the balcony, Chengyao stood in silence. The city lights reflected in his eyes, sharp and restless.

Director Lin… Who exactly are you?

The name tasted foreign on his tongue, yet the man himself was anything but. Each encounter left him unsettled, chasing a memory he couldn’t grasp.

For years, he had built walls around himself, burying the past beneath steel and ambition. And yet this Omega, with his half-hidden face and unreadable eyes, stirred something he had long forgotten.

Something dangerous.

That night, Yicheng sat in his suite again, staring at the mask he had set on the table. His reflection stared back at him in the dark window—half-Alpha, half-disguised Omega.

The mask had kept him safe. But for how long?

Because Gu Chengyao was already suspicious.

And once an Alpha like him began to pursue an answer… there would be no escape.