Chapter 18

What felt off?

Everything felt off.

In the past, Pei Siyue genuinely had no interest in omegas, didn’t care whether they were good or not.

But now, he thought of Ruan Shuyang’s sweet, delicate lily-of-the-valley scent, his almond-shaped eyes with their stark contrast of black and white, his delicate, petite cherry lips, and that slender, fair stretch of waistline…

He realized omegas were actually quite good.

Really quite good.

Pei Siyue: I need to base the treatment plan on your schedule.

Seeing “treatment plan,” Ruan Shuyang cooperatively replied: I don’t have other plans for my senior summer break. I was just looking for part-time work, but haven’t found anything yet.

An omega who had just turned eighteen and only held a high school diploma found it difficult to secure employment, even part-time work.

Most short-term part-time jobs available are physical labor, and these jobs often reject omegas because they lack stamina and are prone to accidents.

As for menial positions at major corporations, they’re flooded with applicants from prestigious universities—there’s no room for an 18-year-old omega like him.

In truth, Ruan Shuyang possessed exceptional skills. He inherited Yu Xianpo’s talent, but Yu Xianpo’s fate had left him terrified of revealing it.

From childhood, he’d possessed an acute sensitivity to beauty, effortlessly sketching exquisite designs. When Yu Xianpo discovered this, he’d driven him to swear never to reveal his talent for design. Terrified by Yu Xianpo’s frenzied state, the young Ruan dared not draw again.

As he grew older, he finally understood why Yu Xianpo had acted that way.

Exposing one’s talents before having the means to protect them was extremely dangerous, especially in an environment like the Ruan family.

Had he revealed his own talent for drawing design blueprints, the Ruan family would undoubtedly have treated him just as they had treated Yu Xianpo—forcing him to become a cash cow for Ruan Jewelry, controlling him through every dirty, underhanded means possible, squeezing every last drop of value from him.

Just like his mother, Yu Xianpo—she was drained of every ounce of value by the Ruan family until she could no longer draw, like a withered flower slowly fading from this world.

Before he could leave the Ruan family, before he could escape their grasp, he wouldn’t reveal this ability.

Therefore, finding a part-time job proved extremely difficult.

After seeing the message, Pei Siyue discussed with Ruan Shuyang: Marking once a week, pheromone soothing twice—is this frequency acceptable?

Pei Siyue: Additionally, gland and reproductive cavity development must be checked every other week.

When treatment came up, Ruan Shuyang always felt embarrassed. He fought through it, his face flushing as he replied: “Yes.”

Ruan Shuyang: “Mr. Pei, I have no other commitments and can accommodate your schedule.”

Ruan Shuyang: “Thank you for your efforts.”

After receiving Ruan Shuyang’s affirmative response, Pei Siyue first attended to business matters at the Pei Corporation headquarters. By noon, he had HR at Ruiji send over the summer internship recruitment plan.

Reviewing the positions and requirements, Pei Siyue realized none were suitable for Ruan Shuyang.

Even the most basic administrative role required current students from prestigious universities in relevant majors—and Ruan Shuyang hadn’t even started college yet.

He wasn’t the type to abuse his power or turn the company into a family business.

The situation was tricky, but not beyond his capabilities.

Pei Siyue firmly believed that if one was determined, anything was possible.

He wasn’t the type to abuse his power for personal gain or turn the company into a family fiefdom.

The situation was tricky, but not beyond his capabilities.

Pei Siyue firmly believed that nothing was impossible if one truly wanted it.

The same applied to people.

Whatever he desired, he could obtain. If it belonged to others, that didn’t matter—he’d simply take it.

**

At noon, Ruan Shuyang received a message from Pei Simin, informing him that he would be picked up on Saturday evening to join the Pei family for dinner.

He didn’t want to go, but he knew that once Pei Siming approached Ruan Jianchuan about it, he wouldn’t be able to refuse. After all, Ruan Jianchuan was eager to strengthen ties with Pei Simin.

So he asked first: Who else will be there?

Pei Siming: My parents and my older brother.

Pei Siming: Watch what you say once you’re there. Don’t put your foot in your mouth in front of my parents. Stay away from my older brother. If anything happens, I won’t be able to help you.

Pei Siming’s older brother… was that Pei Siyue?

If Ruan Shuyang remembered correctly, only Pei Siyue could be called “older brother” by Pei Siming.

Knowing Pei Siyue would be present, Ruan Shuyang felt strangely less nervous about Saturday night.

So he replied to Pei Siming: Got it.

Sure enough, Pei Siming had told Ruan Jianchuan about taking him to the Pei family dinner on Saturday. That evening, Ruan Jianchuan had looked at him with a peculiar gaze, as if seeing his son for the first time.

“I never imagined…” Ruan Jianchuan said meaningfully, “that you could actually make Second Young Master Pei treat you differently. Make the most of it.”

Who knows? This engagement, originally staged for outsiders, might just turn into a real marriage.

Securing a connection with the second young master of the Pei family—truly becoming his wife—would guarantee Ruan Jewelry at least another decade of survival.

Ruan Shuyang remained as docile and obedient as ever, like an invisible presence in the household.

A minor incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when he received a message from Chi Ye, inviting him to his birthday banquet.

Seeing Chi Ye’s invitation, Ruan Shuyang replied: “Thank you for the invitation, senior.”

Ruan Shuyang: “I should be attending with my brother that day. See you then~”

Chi Ye: “Alright, see you then.”

Around 5 PM, Pei Siming arrived to pick up Ruan Shuyang. His blue Lamborghini sports car pulled up outside the Ruan residence, prompting Ruan Jianchuan and his wife to step out immediately to greet him.

When Ruan Shuyang came downstairs after receiving the message, he overheard Ruan Jianchuan asking if the investment shares and equity stakes could be renegotiated—if they could be adjusted.

Though Pei Siming appeared refined and courteous, he carried an air of superiority, looking down on the Ruan family. Hearing Ruan Jianchuan’s words, he only replied coldly, “Uncle Ruan, we agreed on this long ago.”

Ruan Jianchuan’s face stiffened at the rebuff, and he couldn’t help but glare at Ruan Shuyang as he descended the stairs.

Having endured years of scorn and verbal abuse at home, Ruan Shuyang was accustomed to it. He silently walked to the passenger seat and sat down.

As Pei Siming started the car, he glanced sideways at Ruan Shuyang in the passenger seat.

Ruan Shuyang wore an off-white shirt embroidered with vibrant green bamboo motifs. Beneath it, the young omega possessed exceptionally clear almond-shaped eyes, luminous as autumn water. His porcelain-white skin framed delicate features, and his lips held the delicate hue of newly bloomed cherry blossoms. The simple, elegant attire accentuated his pristine, ethereal beauty.

Ruan Shuyang was indeed a strikingly beautiful omega. He had been even more captivating before, when he used to smile at him with pure innocence, his eyes brimming with trust.

But why could he never see that expression again?

Frustration welled up in Pei Siming, and he couldn’t resist leaning forward to touch Ruan Shuyang’s shoulder.

Ruan Shuyang’s expression froze instantly. Nervous and guarded, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

No alpha wanted to see his fiancé wary of him more than he was of strangers. Pei Siming felt the same, but he didn’t want to make Ruan Shuyang more afraid. Suppressing his irritation, he murmured, “Helping you adjust your seatbelt.”

Ruan Shuyang remained rigid throughout the process. Only when the seatbelt was secured and Pei Siming’s hand returned to the steering wheel did he exhale in relief.

The sky was clear and blue.

The car soon entered the tree-lined driveway of the Pei family estate. Passing through the wrought-iron gates, a massive fountain came into view, its droplets refracting rainbow halos in the bright sunlight. Beyond the fountain lay a classical French garden, with snow-white colonnades winding through it, flanked by lavender imported from Provence.

At the garden’s end was an artificial lake, a cream-colored marble bridge leading from the shore to a pavilion in the center.

After driving a few more minutes, the car finally arrived at the Pei family’s main residence.

The Pei family mansion was a Baroque-style villa infused with modern elements, with a parking garage adjacent to it.

Whether by coincidence or not, as Pei Siming parked, a custom Pagani Huayra pulled into the adjacent spot.

The sight of that deep blue Pagani Huayra—a supercar radiating artistic flair and mechanical beauty—caused Pei Siming’s expression to twist momentarily.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford it—but buying one would be a significant financial strain. After all, he held few shares in the conglomerate and received no dividends. His funds came from the family foundation and what he’d managed to secure from the group over the years. Spending over twenty million on a sports car would be a considerable blow, especially with his many other financial commitments.

Pei Siyue, however, was different. Having inherited substantial shares in the group upon reaching adulthood, he received hefty dividends. Purchasing a custom-made Vento was no big deal for him.

This made Pei Siming intensely jealous.

He’d despised Pei Siyue since childhood. Having a half-brother who constantly outshone him in everything, snatched away wealth that should have been his alone, and even achieved a higher Alpha classification than him—it was hard not to loathe him from the core.

As he stepped out of his car, the classic scissor doors of the Wind Son beside him opened with a dramatic flourish, like wings unfurling. The sight was undeniably flashy and eye-catching, causing Pei Siming’s expression to twist for another moment.

However, as the passenger door of the Lamborghini opened, Pei Siming’s jealousy and resentment suddenly faded.

At least in one thing, he could beat Pei Siyue: he had a fiancée. Pei Siyue was still a lonely bachelor, claiming to be allergic to omegas. Did he actually want to find an alpha?

Thinking of his fiancée, he deliberately walked over to Ruan Shuyang, draping an arm around his shoulder. Ignoring his stiff body and pale face, he maintained the embrace and smiled at Pei Siyue. “Big brother, it’s rare to see you back today.”

Pei Siyue watched Pei Siming’s arm draped over Ruan Shuyang’s shoulder. A faint smile touched his lips before he withdrew his gaze and fixed it on Pei Siming. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?” he asked, his tone unhurried.