When Pei Siyue went upstairs to his study to handle business matters, Ruan Shuyang was exploring his new phone. By the time Pei Siyue finished his work and came back downstairs, Ruan Shuyang was still clutching his new phone.
He felt strangely like a parent watching their child get absorbed in a phone.
Pei Siyue: “…”
He stood behind Ruan Shuyang for a moment, observing him continue to explore the phone’s various features. He asked calmly, “Do you like it?”
His tone wasn’t harsh, but Ruan Shuyang reacted like a child caught doing something wrong by a teacher. Startled, he dropped the phone and stood up. “Pei… Pei… No, Brother. Big Brother.”
He was extremely nervous, his breathing becoming short and shallow, unable to meet Pei Siyue’s gaze.
Pei Siyue strode over to Ruan Shuyang, gently lifting his chin and looking down at him. “What are you afraid of?”
Forced to look up, Ruan Shuyang met Pei Siyue’s inscrutable expression. “I… I think I played with my phone for a long time just now.”
Without realizing it, a significant amount of time had slipped away.
“And?”
“I probably did something wrong.”
“Remember this. “Pei Siyue told Ruan Shuyang in a tone that carried authority. ”You don’t need to be nervous here. Even if you genuinely feel you’ve done something wrong, it’s okay. Just tell me, and I’ll provide a solution.”
Ruan Shuyang, his chin held by Pei Siyue, saw the enigma mere inches away. His heart still raced instinctively, yet he wasn’t particularly afraid anymore.
He tentatively asked, “If I do something wrong, what will you do?”
Pei Siyue only replied, “If you do something wrong that harms your body, I will punish you.”
Ruan Shuyang felt both nervous and shy. “How will you punish me? Will you use pheromone punishment?”
Pei Siyue’s voice was low, his gaze darkening. “Do you like pheromone punishment?”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head, his face flushing. “It feels a bit uncomfortable.”
Wanting something yet being denied it was indeed unbearable, painful enough to make him want to cry.
But when he did get it, it felt incredibly good.
So he couldn’t say he hated it—only that it felt a bit uncomfortable.
“We’ll discuss the punishment later,” Pei Siyue told Ruan Shuyang. “But you don’t need to worry about things like playing with your phone, being stubborn, being picky about food, or sleeping in.”
“The only wrongdoing I’m concerned with is harming your own body. Understand?”
Ruan Shuyang didn’t quite grasp it, but he understood that things like playing with his phone, being stubborn, or being picky about food—things forbidden in the Ruan household—weren’t considered wrong in front of Pei Siyue.
He murmured softly, “I understand a little.”
Pei Siyue released his chin and asked, “What do you want to eat tonight? Or is there anything you want to do?”
Ruan Shuyang was actually quite curious about the outside world. He’d just finished his college entrance exams—the time when he should be most carefree and able to indulge in fun. If not for the Ruan family’s affairs, he could be happily enjoying life.
He’d heard classmates talk about all kinds of delicious food and exciting activities, and when Pei Siyue asked, he felt a surge of longing.
Could he truly speak without reservation in front of Pei Siyue? Could he make requests without feeling burdened?
Would that be too much trouble for him? Would it be too selfish?
His large almond-shaped eyes brimmed with conflict and unease, and Pei Siyue could see it all at a glance.
He told Ruan Shuyang, “Just say it.”
“I don’t like it when you hide things.”
Hearing that he disliked secrecy, Ruan Shuyang replied, “I kinda want to try that handmade ice cream, milk tea, and seafood buffet my classmates mentioned.”
Pei Siyue drove him to a five-star hotel offering all three.
While driving, he felt like he was babysitting a child.
But what else could he do? Ruan Shuyang was too young to grasp anything.
Besides, he was only as thick as two fingers now—there was nothing he could do.
If they really confirmed their relationship, he’d be the one suffering.
Ruan Shuyang sipped freshly made milk tea, savored delicious handmade ice cream, and had a plate of fresh sashimi before him.
Pei Siyue thought it was all cold food. Eating too much might upset his stomach, especially since the little omega’s reproductive tract was still developing and his belly was already uncomfortable. As soon as Ruan Shuyang took his first bite, he urged, “Eat less. Too much will give you a stomachache.”
Ruan Shuyang’s eyes crinkled with delight at the delicious ice cream, and he just wanted to keep eating. “It’s okay, it won’t hurt.”
Pei Siyue didn’t try to persuade him further. Only when Ruan Shuyang finished one serving of handmade ice cream and reached for a second did he stop him: “Don’t eat anymore. You’ll overeat.”
“Really?”
Ruan Shuyang had never experienced eating ice cream freely like this before. He didn’t know it could cause stomach discomfort, but he thought the ice cream was delicious and wanted more.
“Yes.” Seeing Ruan Shuyang’s eager expression, Pei Siyue told him firmly, “You can’t have any more.”
“Got it.”
Though he still craved more, Ruan Shuyang obediently stopped when Pei Siyue genuinely forbade it.
Moments later, Pei Siyue poured him a cup of warm water, urging him to drink it first. Then he fed him some lukewarm food before finally giving him a bowl of hot soup.
By the time they returned, Ruan Shuyang was rubbing his stomach, feeling incredibly full.
Pei Siyue had stuffed him with so much food that he was stuffed to the gills, yet the other person still thought he could eat more, insisting he was too thin and needed to eat more
By the time they returned home, Ruan Shuyang rubbed his stomach, feeling incredibly full.
Pei Siyue had stuffed him with so much food he was stuffed to the brim, yet the other still thought he could eat more, insisting he was too thin and needed to eat more.
A bit fierce.
Ruan Shuyang thought to himself quietly.
But even when he was a bit harsh, Pei Siyue was still very, very kind.
Upon arriving home, Pei Siyue led Ruan Shuyang to the guest room he had previously occupied. Ji Huai had already furnished it with items young men would enjoy—a desktop computer, laptop, gaming console, tablet, and more. The wardrobe was also packed full of new clothes.
“This is your room,” Pei Siyue told him from the doorway. “If there’s anything you don’t like or feel is missing, just let me know.”
Ruan Shuyang looked around the guest room, larger than any room in his own home, filled with things he’d once dreamed of having. He couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.
“I love it. Thank you so much…”
His eyes sparkled like starlight as he gazed at Pei Siyue.
Pei Siyue ruffled his hair and murmured, “Get some rest early.”
“If you need anything, just call me. I’m staying next door.”
As Pei Siyue turned to leave, he caught Ruan Shuyang blushing, eyes fixed on him, words on the tip of his tongue.
He decided to wait patiently where he stood.
After a few minutes, Ruan Shuyang gathered his courage and told Pei Siyue, “You really are such a good, good brother. I’m so happy to be your little brother.”
A good big brother?
Pei Siyue didn’t know how to react. His only biological younger brother, Pei Siming, certainly didn’t feel that way.
Besides, he didn’t want to be a good big brother.
He only wanted to be his enigma.
**
In stark contrast to Ruan Shuyang* stood Pei Siming, his mother, and the Ruan family.
Pei Yan instantly understood the day’s events and despised Pei Siming and Zhou Wei to the core. He ordered them out of the main Pei residence to a remote villa, warning Pei Siming that any further trouble would mean he’d disown him and cut him off from the family foundation’s funds.
Zhou Wei wailed and refused to budge, but after standing like a ghostly figure for a moment, Pei Siming—unusually—didn’t argue with his father. Instead, he pulled Zhou Wei away.
Pan Lan and her son Ruan Qi were finally discharged from Ruiji Hospital. Ruan Qi developed a deep psychological aversion to hospitals and vowed never to set foot in one again.
Upon receiving news from Ruan Shuyang, Ruan Jianchuan flew into a rage. He learned from the Pei family maid he’d bribed that Ruan Shuyang had left with Pei Siyue. He immediately sought out Pei Siyue but, lacking his contact number, could only reach his secretary. He secured an appointment for a meeting at Pei Corporation the next morning at ten o’clock.
This news calmed him considerably, and he refrained from confronting Ruan Shuyang.
Pan Lan, upon learning of Ruan Shuyang’s departure, remained surprisingly composed. While she’d have one less person to torment, the child born from her husband’s affair was finally gone. She couldn’t be bothered to track him down—she’d rather Ruan Shuyang died out there.
As for Ruan Jianchuan’s persistent scheme to trade Ruan Shuyang for advantage, she found it utterly ridiculous.
Given Ruan Shuyang’s pathetic, cowering appearance, what alpha would be blind enough to want him?
Ruan Qi, meanwhile, had simply been worn down by the turmoil these past days and wouldn’t voluntarily suggest seeking out Ruan Shuyang.
For various reasons, no one from the Ruan family sought out Ruan Shuyang.
Ruan Shuyang felt happier than ever before. Lying in his large bed at night, buried in cloud-like duvets and pillows, he was too joyful to sleep.
He tossed and turned for a long while. Just as drowsiness finally began to overtake him, a sudden ache struck his stomach.
This pain was different from the stretching sensation he’d felt during his reproductive tract development—it was a sharp, stabbing ache that made him want to roll around on the bed.
He had a bad feeling. Could eating too much ice cream really cause stomach pain?
What should he do about stomach pain?
He searched online for solutions and saw someone suggest drinking hot water. After a moment’s thought, he decided to find some.
He opened the door as quietly as possible, afraid of waking Pei Siyue. The motion-activated night light in the hallway flickered on. He made his way downstairs to the kitchen.
The hot water seemed to be stored in the kitchen.
He turned on the kitchen light on the first floor. Looking at the clean, shiny, and completely empty countertop, he was at a loss where the hot water might be.
Pei Siyue’s kitchen was so high-end he couldn’t figure it out. He frowned, looking utterly distressed.
Just as he was about to decide to tough it out, Pei Siyue’s voice suddenly came from behind him.
“Looking for something?”
Ruan Shuyang turned with a start, seeing Pei Siyue standing behind him. The other man wore black pajamas, clearly having been resting earlier—he must have heard Ruan open the door and come downstairs to check.
He asked dryly, “Did I wake you? Sorry.”
Ruan Shuyang stood in the kitchen wearing white bear pajamas, looking tense and flustered, like a child who’d done something wrong—a child who didn’t even look old enough to be a teenager.
Pei Siyue asked calmly, “No need to be nervous. What are you looking for in the kitchen?”
“I was looking for hot water.”
Pei Siyue took out a mug and filled it with 45-degree warm water from the water dispenser for Ruan Shuyang.
Ruan Shuyang sipped it in small, delicate mouthfuls, his pale pink lips becoming moist.
Pei Siyue looked away and asked, “Why do you want hot water? Does your stomach hurt?”
Ruan Shuyang dared not lie to Pei Siyue and admitted honestly, “My stomach hurts a little.”
Pei Siyue remained silent after hearing this. He waited until Ruan Shuyang finished drinking before accompanying him upstairs and entering his room.
Ruan Shuyang watched Pei Siyue walk into the room with surprise and confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Pei Siyue: “Lie down.”
Ruan Shuyang obediently lay down.
Pei Siyue stood by the bedside, leaning slightly forward as he gently placed his palm on Ruan Shuyang’s abdomen. “Is it hurting badly? Is it discomfort in your reproductive cavity?”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head. “Not terribly. It’s not the kind of pain I feel when my reproductive cavity is uncomfortable.”
Pei Siyue pressed a few more spots, asking if any caused sharp pain. Each time, Ruan Shuyang shook his head.
“Probably from eating too much ice cream,” Pei Siyue said, now sitting on the bedside and looking down at him. “You can’t eat that much ice cream next time.”
Ruan Shuyang looked utterly dejected, his large, expressive eyes widening as he asked pitifully, “Not even a little bit?”
Pei Siyue considered it, then replied condescendingly, “You can have one bite each time.”
One bite… that’s so little…
Ruan Shuyang thought of the delicious ice cream and felt it was truly miserable to only get one bite.
He gathered his courage to try bargaining: “One bite is too little. Can I have more?”
Pei Siyue placed his hand on Ruan Shuyang’s stomach, gently rubbing it as he asked, “What if I say no?”
Ruan Shuyang’s expression visibly wilted, but he sniffed obediently and replied, “Then… just one bite.”
The moment he said it, life felt bleak and dull—even artisanal ice cream was limited to a single bite.
Waaah, so sad.
“Depends on your behavior,” Pei Siyue said calmly. “If you behave well, you can have a few more bites—but no more than three.”
“Huh?” Ruan Shuyang froze, then immediately asked, “But was my behavior good today?”
He thought he’d been pretty good today—obedient and well-behaved.
But Pei Siyue replied, “No.”
Ruan Shuyang felt like the sky had fallen.
“No, not good?”
Pei Siyue’s expression turned stern. “I told you to tell me if anything’s wrong. Why didn’t you say your stomach hurt?”
It was true. Ruan Shuyang remembered now.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bother you. I’ll tell you next time.”
Most of the time, he thought Pei Siyue was gentle, but occasionally he also found him stern and imposing—especially when he’d done something wrong.
Pei Siyue lowered his gaze, his tone growing heavier. “You’ve been naughty today. You insisted on eating lots of ice cream and didn’t tell me when you felt sick.”
Ruan Shuyang thought about it and realized it was true. He timidly whispered, “So if I’m naughty, will you punish me?”
Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Shuyang, his face tense with worry, almost crumpled into a little ball. After a moment, he said, “Today is your first offense, so I’ll let it slide. But if you do it again, you’ll be punished.”
Ruan Shuyang exhaled in relief.
“If you ever feel unwell, you must tell me.”
Ruan Shuyang nodded obediently, replying in a soft, sweet voice, “Okay.”
A few minutes later, Pei Siyue asked, “Does your stomach still hurt?”
Ruan Shuyang blinked, surprised to find the pain had indeed subsided. Pei Siyue’s hand remained on his stomach, gently massaging it.
Every time Pei Siyue rubbed his stomach, Ruan Shuyang felt exceptionally comfortable.
Feeling better, his smile grew especially sweet, like a child who’d just received candy. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Pei Siyue didn’t leave immediately after hearing this. He remained seated at the bedside, one hand still resting warmly on his stomach, the other gently covering Ruan Shuyang’s eyelids. His voice was low and gentle, carrying a soothing quality.
“Go to sleep soon.”
He released a hint of pheromones to soothe him, coaxing Ruan Shuyang to sleep.
Once asleep, all the things he dared not do while awake—or rather, felt too shy to do—emerged unconsciously.
His small, soft hand grasped Pei Siyue’s, holding on lightly as if needing to confirm the other’s presence to feel secure.
Pei Siyue had heard that sick children often felt particularly insecure, and Ruan Shuyang himself seemed to be one such child, lacking a sense of security and needing someone by his side.
After confirming Ruan Shuyang was asleep, he slowly removed the hand covering his eyes and dimmed the bedside lamp.
Ruan Shuyang was so small, nestled between the pillow and mattress. His eyes were closed, breathing evenly, his chest rising and falling gently. Whatever dream he was having must have been pleasant, for a faint smile played on his lips.
He really is still just a child, Pei Siyue thought.
But he wouldn’t let go. He could wait patiently for Ruan Shuyang to grow up.
He sat and watched over him for a while longer, leaving only after confirming she was sound asleep.
The next morning, Ruan Shuyang woke up feeling terribly embarrassed that Pei Siyue had rocked him to sleep. She tossed and turned in bed for a long time before finally getting up and heading downstairs.
Unsurprisingly, she found Pei Siyue in the living room.
Pei Siyue looked up from his laptop as soon as he saw him and asked, “Does your stomach still hurt?”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head. “Not anymore.”
“Wait, I need to go to the office.”
“Should I come with you?” He recalled his role as Pei Siyue’s personal assistant. “Do you need help?”
Pei Siyue shook his head. “I’m heading to the Pei Corporation offices. I’ll have Ji Huai accompany you. Tell him where you’d like to go.”
“It’s fine, no need to trouble Ji Huai. I can just stay home.”
Pei Siyue considered for a moment before saying, “If you dislike having someone follow you, you could learn to drive.”
“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
Pei Siyue reminded him, “Don’t forget you said you’d learn to drive so you could take me places.”
Ruan Shuyang immediately replied, “Then I’ll start lessons next week.”
He wasn’t the type to like bothering others, and having Ji Huai follow him around driving would feel awkward.
Better to learn to drive himself—he could even drive Pei Siyue around.
After breakfast, Pei Siyue left. Ji Huai arrived at the villa and, after confirming Ruan Shuyang had no plans to go out, went to make desserts.
Hot, of course.
Pei Siyue had specifically instructed that Ruan Shuyang shouldn’t be given anything cold these days.
The “poor” Ruan Shuyang received a bowl of hot red bean ginger milk sago and a freshly baked rose cheese black tea pastry on this sweltering day.
**
Pei Siyue had gone to meet Ruan Jianchuan.
He had spent the past two days investigating the exact extent of the other party’s financial hole, instructing the group’s legal department to draft a contract to discuss with Ruan Jianchuan today.
When he arrived at the office at ten, Hanfeng Group’s secretary Cheng Yi informed him that Ruan Jianchuan had been waiting in the reception room for quite some time.
Pei Siyue said, “Let him in.”
Cheng Yi promptly brought Ruan Jianchuan into the office before closing the door and leaving.
This was Ruan Jianchuan’s second visit to Pei Siyue’s office. Though this young man was over twenty years his junior, he still felt tense and breathless in his presence, as if completely exposed.
But the thought of Ruan Shuyang, who had left with Pei Siyue, restored his confidence.
He tentatively addressed him, “Mr. Pei…”
Pei Siyue replied coldly, “Look at the contract.”
Hesitantly, Ruan Jianchuan picked up the contract. It was indeed an investment agreement, but concealed within was a performance-based agreement.
Instantly displeased, he thought: If you’re giving money, why add conditions?
His expression darkened. “Mr. Pei, why is there a performance-based agreement in here?”
Pei Siyue fixed Ruan Jianchuan with a piercing, emotionless stare. His voice was icy. “Perhaps you haven’t grasped reality.”
Ruan Jianchuan felt uneasy: “What do you mean?”
“You have no standing to negotiate with me.”
“But Ruan Shuyang—”
Pei Siyue cut him off: “He is an adult. Where he goes is none of your business as a father.”
“And would you really pay tens of millions for an omega?”
Ruan Jianchuan fell silent again.
“Business is business. Signing the hedge agreement is a requirement of my investment. If you don’t want to sign, you can leave now. Don’t come back.”
Ruan Jianchuan’s face darkened. Pei Siyue’s words blended kindness with authority, leaning heavier on the threat: sign or leave immediately. Don’t try to blackmail him with Ruan Shuyang—it won’t work.
If there were other options, Ruan Jianchuan would never choose Pei Siyue.
But Pei Siming refused to take his calls, making it clear he wasn’t interested in negotiating. He’d already exhausted all options with banks and business partners—no one was willing to lend him money. If he rejected Pei Siyue’s terms, he had no idea where else he could secure such a large sum. Without plugging the hole, everything he had built would collapse.
He absolutely refused to accept that outcome. Ruan Jewelry was his—he’d fought tooth and nail to secure it, resorting to any means necessary. He would never hand it over to someone else.
The performance-based agreement demanded that this year’s fourth-quarter net profit match the third quarter’s. Failure to meet that target would mean forfeiting his shares to Pei Siyue.
If met, Pei Siyue’s investment could be repaid interest-free over three years.
Ruan Jianchuan believed maintaining net profit levels wasn’t difficult—at least it didn’t require growth.
But he still wanted to negotiate further.
“Mr. Pei…”
Pei Siyue offered no reply, merely pressing another button on the desk phone.
The tall, sturdy secretary Cheng Yi promptly entered. Seeing the situation turn dire, Ruan Jianchuan had no time to think. He immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, “I’ll sign! I’ll sign right now! Don’t make me leave…”
Pei Siyue waved Cheng Yi away.
Ruan Jianchuan gritted his teeth and signed the contract.
**
After handling Ruan Jianchuan’s matter, Pei Siyue was about to leave when an unexpected call came in.
He frowned.
When Ruan Shuyang returned for lunch, Pei Siyue had just come back. He immediately asked, “Want to eat?”
Pei Siyue shook his head. “I’m leaving for an overseas trip this afternoon. It’ll be about a week or so.”
“Huh?” Ruan Shuyang froze, his chopsticks slipping from his grasp as a wave of deep reluctance washed over him. “Is it for work?”
“Not entirely,” Pei Siyue explained. “An elder relative is ill, and I need to visit them. I’ll also handle some matters for the overseas company while I’m there.”
Ruan Shuyang knew he shouldn’t interrupt his important business, so he swallowed his reluctance and nodded. “Alright, then hurry off. Drive safely.”
“The flight departs in three hours. There are things to do before then.”
Ruan Shuyang asked, “Packing? Can I help?”
Pei Siyue shook his head. Seeing Ruan Shuyang hadn’t picked up the chopsticks again, he first pulled out a wet wipe to clean his mouth, then lifted him from the chair and placed him on his lap.
Ruan Shuyang gazed at Pei Siyue with clear almond-shaped eyes, unsure of his intentions.
Pei Siyue’s fingers gently traced Ruan Shuyang’s cheek.
Ruan Shuyang’s skin was flawless, smooth and delicate like the finest white porcelain, irresistibly tempting to touch.
His hand slid along his cheek toward his temple, gently peeling away the adhesive covering his gland. He caught the fresh, delicate scent of lily of the valley, his gaze darkening.
The pheromones of an ordinary omega held no effect on an enigma. He could watch an omega in heat without the slightest reaction.
But the pheromones of a marked omega could affect his enigma. With each additional marking, the influence grew deeper.
Today’s marking would be the third time, making the effect profound.
He could also begin trying the things other older enigmas had mentioned.
Ruan Shuyang felt his gland cover being removed by Pei Siyue. His ears flushed crimson as he asked, “Are you going to mark me?”
Considering the timing—he’d be leaving in just over a week—perhaps he’d mark him before departure.
“Mm.” Pei Siyue’s voice was hoarse. “I’ll give you more pheromones before I leave. Don’t interrupt the treatment.”
Ruan Shuyang lowered his head, flushed, exposing his gland more clearly.
“Okay, okay.”
The omega’s gland remained as tender and pale as when they first met. Weeks of treatment hadn’t altered it significantly—still small, yet looking exceptionally fresh and appetizing.
Pei Siyue lowered his head, his lips lightly brushing Ruan Shuyang’s gland. The gland was extremely sensitive, and Ruan Shuyang couldn’t help but let out a soft “mmph.” He immediately covered his mouth, afraid to hear the sound he’d just made.