Chapter 11

But Jiang Wu couldn’t think of any other reason. Since the boss had laid out the plan, he followed through, coordinating with R&D in advance to inform them the boss would personally participate in the development.

After discussing R&D progress, they moved on to the guest list for the next day’s banquet.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Ruiji Technology’s domestic subsidiary, the group was hosting a banquet at a mountain villa in the suburbs. Jiang Wu showed Pei Siyue the list of important attendees before asking, “Young Master, will you be attending?”

Pei Siyue scanned the list, his gaze settling on the name Pei Siming. Following the name were two small, annotated characters: accompanied by partner.

“I will attend,” Pei Siyue replied indifferently, “but I won’t make a public appearance.”

“Understood.”

As they discussed work, night fell unnoticed. Lights flickered on in the study as Ji Huai knocked to announce, “Mr. Pei, the guest has awakened.”

Pei Siyue immediately instructed Jiang Wu, “You may return first. Call me if needed.”

Jiang Wu, who had hoped for more gossip: “…”

He could only leave obediently.

Pei Siyue walked to the guest room door, knocked twice for formality, then pushed it open.

All the beds in the house were purchased according to Pei Siyue’s physique. Being tall and broad-shouldered, his beds were naturally large. Ruan Shuyang now sat on an exceptionally oversized bed, his shoulders slumped, making his appear exceptionally petite.

Traces of marks still lingered on his body. His delicate cherry lips glistened with a post-rain dew, and his almond-shaped eyes, with their distinct black and white, held a hint of springtime allure. Yet, his expression was blank and bewildered.

Spotting Pei Siyue enter, Ruan Shuyang tried to roll off the bed but was stopped by a hand pressing down on his shoulder.

She asked uncomfortably, “How… how did I end up here? What happened?”

When he awoke, thick darkness surrounded him. Fumbling for the light switch, he found his phone and realized it was already past seven in the evening. He had slept for over five hours in this unfamiliar room.

The ceiling was high and cold white, the walls covered in matching dark-patterned embossed wallpaper. He lay on a large black bed, the room unfamiliar and empty, with only him inside.

His body still felt weak and aching. He stumbled off the bed, leaning against the wall to reach the door and open it.

As soon as the door swung open, a Beta man in his forties approached and said, “Please rest in bed first. I’ll go find Mr. Pei.”

Hearing the words “Mr. Pei,” he exhaled in relief. His body still lacking strength, he prepared to return to bed.

It felt odd. As Pei Siming’s fiancée, hearing “Mr. Pei” should have made him think of Pei Siming first. Yet this time, his mind went straight to Pei Siyue.

After sitting on the bed for a moment, Pei Siyue knocked and entered, informing him, “You were asleep. It wasn’t convenient for someone to stay with you at the hospital, so I had to bring you back.”

Ruan Shuyang’s eyes widened in surprise. “This is the Pei… the Pei family residence?”

He hadn’t even been allowed to visit the Pei residence during his long engagement to Pei Siming, yet now Pei Siyue had brought him here?

“No,” Pei Siyue shook his head. “I don’t live with the rest of the Pei family. This is my own place.”

Ruan Shuyang exhaled in relief. Thankfully it wasn’t the Pei residence—he’d dreaded running into Pei Siming.

Pei Siyue quietly took in Ruan Shuyang’s expression before casually adding, “Once you’ve recovered, get out of bed, take a shower, change clothes, and eat something. You need to replenish your strength.”

Ruan Shuyang had many questions he wanted to ask, but after being reminded by Pei Siyue, he noticed a fresh set of clothes placed beside the bed. His body felt sticky and uncomfortable, as if he’d sweated profusely.

He found himself unconsciously obeying Pei Siyue’s instructions, obediently washing up and changing clothes.

After freshening up and changing into the new clothes, he followed Ji Huai’s lead to the dining room. The heated table was already set with a variety of dishes—both Chinese and Western. As Pei Siyue saw him approach, he gestured for him to sit down and explained, “Not knowing your preferences, I had them prepare a bit of everything.”

Ruan Shuyang had only eaten a light breakfast that morning. The day’s chaos and busyness had made him forget lunch. Now, seeing the appetizing food, he couldn’t help but swallow hard, his appetite suddenly awakened.

“Anything is fine,” he said sheepishly, feeling like he was constantly troubling Pei Siyue. “I’m not picky. You didn’t need to prepare so much.”

Pei Siyue stared at Ruan Shuyang’s cheeks, as fresh and rosy as a peach, for a moment before lowering his voice. “Eat first.”

Ruan Shuyang began eating. At first, driven by hunger, he worked quickly. By the time he was about seventy percent full, his pace slowed. Watching Pei Siyue across from him eat with such grace and refinement, he felt the urge to ask something. But remembering the other’s words—“Eat first”—he obediently continued eating without asking questions.

His appetite was small, and he soon finished, setting down his chopsticks.

Pei Siyue asked, “Are you full?”

“Mhm.” Ruan Shuyang smiled sheepishly. “Mr. Pei, the food you prepared is delicious. It’s just that I have a small appetite and can’t eat much.”

Pei Siyue watched Ruan Shuyang eat like a kitten: “…”

Do all Omegas eat this little?

He hadn’t raised other Omegas and didn’t know. After Ruan Shuyang finished, he had Ji Huai clear the dishes and bring dessert drinks.

Ruan Shuyang received a glass of delicious fresh watermelon juice. Biting down on the straw, he pondered how to broach the subject with Pei Siyue.

Before he could speak, Pei Siyue offered, “If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

Ruan Shuyang exhaled in relief and immediately asked, “Mr. Pei, I… I’m very grateful for your help. I just don’t understand why you’re assisting me, or what kind of compensation you require.”

After posing the question, he summoned the courage to meet Pei Siyue’s gaze directly. His heart pounded uncertainly, unsure why Pei Siyue was helping him or what he might demand in return.

Pei Siyue sat across from him, his noble and aloof demeanor radiating an icy calm. His expression was utterly serene, his dark, deep eyes revealing no trace of emotion, which only heightened Ruan Shuyang’s growing tension.

Fortunately, moments later, he heard Pei Siyue say, “Ruiji Group is developing a drug—a synthetic compound mimicking enigma or alpha pheromones—to stimulate secondary development of an omega’s glands and reproductive tract. I’m helping you because I want to obtain your physical data related to this secondary development.”

Ruan Shuyang was astonished—he hadn’t expected such a response.

Admittedly, this explanation was far easier to accept than something like, “You’re my brother’s fiancée, so I’m helping the Pei family.”

Since it involved collecting physical data, he would certainly cooperate.

He immediately replied, “Mr. Pei, rest assured. I’ll definitely provide all the data you need.”

Pei Siyue, however, offered a pointed reminder: “No need to rush into agreeing. I’ll require comprehensive data feedback and may make additional requests.”

Ruan Shuyang blinked, “What do you mean?”

“This includes, but isn’t limited to, your sensations during temporary marking, the frequency of pheromone cravings, post-marking sensations, and any subtle bodily changes.” “ he said slowly, watching his reaction closely. ”Can you provide feedback on these points?”

Ruan Shuyang’s mouth fell open in surprise before he stammered, “The feelings during the marking… I have to talk about that too?”

“Of course.” Pei Siyue nodded. “This pertains to an omega’s experience when using the medication.”

“Well… alright then.”

Ruan Shuyang couldn’t help recalling the strange sensation from being marked earlier—a mix of pleasure and pain. Blushing, he nodded. “I… I can do it.”

It was his duty. Accepting help came with a price, and this served a legitimate purpose—medicine research.

Fortunately, payment wasn’t required. He truly couldn’t afford it.

Pei Siyue raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

Ruan Shuyang nodded firmly. “Absolutely. Rest assured, Mr. Pei. I’ll see it through.”

“One more thing.” Pei Siyue added casually, “To prevent interference from other factors during this period, you cannot accept pheromones or markings from anyone else. You also cannot use suppressants without my permission. Of course, you may use them in emergencies, but you must inform me afterward.”

“Is that really possible?”