If you’ve been following the chaotic, pheromone-heavy world of the Chinese BL series Desire (垂涎), you know things just got incredibly messy. Like, "unplug your router and rethink your life" messy. Most fans were expecting a typical slow-burn reveal, but ABO Desire episode 9 basically nuked the status quo.
Honestly? It's the most polarizing hour of television in the Omegaverse subgenre right now.
The episode doesn't just push boundaries; it sprints past them and jumps off a cliff. We’re talking about the pivotal moment where Hua Yong’s carefully constructed "poor, innocent Omega" facade finally hits a wall, and the power dynamic between him and Sheng Shaoyou flips in a way that’s frankly terrifying.
The Night Everything Changed for Sheng Shaoyou
For eight episodes, we watched Sheng Shaoyou play the part of the dominant S-class Alpha. He’s rich, he’s arrogant, and he has a revolving door of exes. But in ABO Desire episode 9, the predator officially becomes the prey.
Hua Yong, who we’ve known all along is actually an Enigma—a rare, "Alpha of Alphas" rank—finally loses his grip. During a susceptible period, the mask slips. The scene in the darkened hotel room is hard to watch. It’s a total subversion of the "knight in shining armor" trope. Instead of a romantic confession, we get a brutal assertion of dominance where Hua Yong marks Sheng Shaoyou against his will.
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It’s dark. It’s visceral.
The show makes a point of showing Sheng Shaoyou’s confusion. In the pitch black, he doesn't even know who is attacking his senses. His body, betrayed by the Enigma’s overwhelming pheromones, reacts in ways his mind rejects. This isn't just a plot point; it's a fundamental shift in the story’s DNA.
Why the Second Couple’s Story is Actually More Tragic
While everyone is screaming about the main leads, the parallel tragedy of Gao Tu and Shen Wenlang in this episode is arguably more heartbreaking.
Gao Tu has been living a lie for years, suppressing his Omega identity to work as a secretary for Wenlang, who—ironically—claims to hate Omegas. In episode 9, fate decides to be particularly cruel. While the chaos with Hua Yong and Shaoyou is happening nearby, Gao Tu also goes into heat.
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- The Coincidence: Both couples end up in the same hotel hallway at the same time.
- The Pheromone Cloud: The air is so thick with competing scents that Shen Wenlang loses his rationality.
- The Fallout: Much like the main couple, Wenlang and Gao Tu have a physical encounter in the dark.
The sting here? Gao Tu knows it’s Wenlang. He knows exactly who is holding him. But Wenlang, blinded by the "scent of a stranger" that actually belongs to the man he sees every day, remains clueless. It’s a masterclass in dramatic irony that makes you want to throw your remote at the screen.
The Science of the "Enigma" in Desire
You’ve gotta understand how the world-building by author Nong Jian (who actually directed and produced the show) differs from your standard fanfic. In this universe, the ABO system was caused by a global viral outbreak that wiped out AB blood types and mutated others.
An Enigma isn't just a "strong Alpha." They are a biological anomaly capable of rewriting another person’s biology. By marking Shaoyou in episode 9, Hua Yong hasn't just claimed him; he has the potential to turn an S-class Alpha into an Omega.
That’s why the stakes are so high. This isn't just about a broken heart; it's about the loss of bodily autonomy and identity.
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Common Misconceptions About Episode 9
Some fans are arguing that Hua Yong did it to "save" Shaoyou because of the drug research plotline. While it’s true that Hua Yong sows discord to help Shaoyou get the targeted cancer drug for his father, the marking itself was a moment of pure, uncontrolled instinct.
- Was it consensual? Absolutely not. The show is very clear that both Shaoyou and Gao Tu were victims of the biological "pull" of the Omegaverse system in this episode.
- Does Shaoyou know it was Hua Yong? Not immediately. The episode ends with him broken and searching for the "shadow" in the darkness, unaware that the person he’s falling for is the one who shattered him.
- Is this a "Green Flag" romance? No way. Hua Yong is a textbook "Black Bellied" character. He’s manipulative, obsessed, and dangerous.
What You Should Do After Watching
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the intensity of episode 9, you aren’t alone. The community is split down the middle on whether Hua Yong is redeemable.
Watch the "Special Awareness" Scenes Again
Pay close attention to the library scene earlier in the episode. It foreshadows the sensory overload that happens later. The way Hua Yong tracks Shaoyou’s scent even before the encounter shows how deep his obsession runs.
Check the Original Novel (垂涎)
Since the show has to follow broadcasting guidelines, some of the more extreme biological details are toned down. The novel by Nong Jian goes much deeper into the "Pheromonal Disease" Hua Yong fakes to keep Shaoyou close.
Keep an Eye on the Pheromone Suppressants
Gao Tu’s reliance on medication is reaching a breaking point. Episode 9 showed us that his "Beta" disguise is failing, and the medical consequences are going to be a major factor in the final stretch of the season.
The fallout from this episode is going to be massive. We’re looking at a protagonist who has to reconcile his growing love for a man with the trauma that man unknowingly (or knowingly) inflicted on him. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and honestly, it’s why we can't stop watching.