This realization made Ruan Shuyang feel somewhat tense and unnatural.
The Enigma standing before him was exceptionally tall, his bearing cold and noble, his features deeply carved like chiseled stone, strikingly handsome.
Pei Siyue seemed to possess an innate aura of command, making those beside him instinctively obey and trust.
Ruan Shuyang’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.
He swallowed hard and first expressed his gratitude for last night: “Mr. Pei, thank you for last night.”
Pei Siyue gave only a slight nod, watching Ruan Shuyang as he asked slowly, “He tried to force his mark on you last night. Do you still like him?”
Ruan Shuyang froze, head bowed. his long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings, and he unconsciously twisted his fingers, his delicate fingertips turning white from the pressure.
He had long since stopped liking him and wanted to dissolve the engagement.
He had previously felt uncomfortable discussing these matters with Pei Siyue, but after last night, he saw no reason to hold back.
It was Pei Siyue who had protected him once more; otherwise, he might have been forcibly marked by Pei Siming.
He lifted his head, his eyes bright, his gaze clear and resolute.
Ruan Shuyang’s voice remained soft and sweet, yet his tone carried a resolve absent before: “I don’t like him anymore.”
“I want to break off the engagement, but I never found the right opportunity.”
Besides, it wasn’t convenient to do this while he was still living at the Ruan residence. If he took the initiative to request the annulment, who knew what methods Ruan Jianchuan would use against him.
Pei Siyue looked at him, his gaze deep. His low voice held a certain reassurance and promise: “The opportunity will come.”
Definitely.
Ruan Shuyang felt this chance would be hard to come by. The matter wasn’t simple; under current circumstances, unless Pei Siming initiated it, dissolution would be difficult.
But since the other was offering kind words of comfort, he wouldn’t argue. He just smiled.
“Come with me.”
Ruan Shuyang followed Pei Siyue up the stairs.
Pei Siyue, with his long limbs, should have walked swiftly, yet he matched Ruan Shuyang’s pace as they ascended to the second floor.
Upon reaching the second floor, Pei Siyue gazed thoughtfully at the spiral staircase beneath his feet.
During the renovation, the designer had asked if he wanted to install an elevator. He’d dismissed it as unnecessary—only three floors, after all. He wasn’t crippled; he didn’t need an elevator.
But now…
The Omega’s body seemed more delicate than he’d imagined. Would climbing one flight of stairs be too much?
He hesitated before asking Ruan Shuyang, “Does climbing stairs feel difficult?”
“Not at all,” Ruan Shuyang shook his head immediately. “Stairs are fine.”
At that moment, Ruan Shuyang had no inkling that he would soon be unable to climb stairs.
Pei Siyue led him to a room on the left side of the staircase entrance. Opening the door revealed a massive study, with built-in bookshelves lining both walls, stacked high with volumes.
In the center stood an enormous desk, flanked by two ergonomic chairs.
One chair faced a desktop computer with three monitors, while the other held a laptop and… a gaming console?
“Apologies, I still have some business to attend to this morning,” Pei Siyue said from the study doorway. “I hope you’ll join me for work.”
“I’ve prepared your computer and game console. Let me know if you need anything else.”
Ruan Shuyang paused in surprise before hastily replying, “Mr. Pei, if you still have work to do, I can leave now so as not to disturb you.”
Pei Siyue countered, “No need to call me Mr. Pei.”
Ruan Shuyang froze. “Then… then what should I call you?”
Pei Siyue lifted the corner of his lips, leaning his tall frame against the study doorframe. His tone carried a hint of laziness and nonchalance: “Figure it out yourself.”
Ruan Shuyang scratched his head, thoroughly perplexed.
Siyue?
That didn’t feel right.
Brother Pei?
That sounded odd.
He tentatively tried, “Mr. Pei?”
The expression on Pei Siyue’s face visibly hardened.
Ruan Shuyang was stumped, looking pitifully at him. “I can’t think of anything.”
Pei Siyue watched Ruan Shuyang’s head droop lower and lower, softly suggesting, “You can just call me by my name.”
Ruan Shuyang tentatively tried, “Pei Siyue?”
Pei Siyue nodded.
Ruan Shuyang felt oddly uncomfortable with the unfamiliar sensation.
Pei Siyue noticed his hesitant expression and asked, “Is something wrong?”
Ruan Shuyang murmured softly, “It just feels a bit strange. You’re much older than me, working here with a respectable position. Calling you by your first name feels disrespectful.”
Pei Siyue: “…”
He closed his eyes briefly, his tone patient. “Don’t use ‘you’. It’s not that big a difference. You’re eighteen this year, right? I’m only nine years older than you.”
Ruan Shuyang blinked. Could he really use the word “only”?
Nine years was half his entire lifespan.
Pei Siyue didn’t want to continue this topic. He simply said, “Come in.”
Ruan Shuyang hesitated inwardly but obediently stepped inside.
The moment he stepped into the study, he felt an overwhelming sense of belonging—this space truly belonged to Pei Siyue. A faint, almost imperceptible current of water flowed through the room, the distinct scent of Pei Siyue’s pheromones.
Once inside, Pei Siyue walked behind him, removed the gland blocker patch, and whispered, “Today is pheromone soothing.”
After speaking, Pei Siyue walked to the ergonomic chair opposite him, sat down, and powered up the main unit and three screens.
Ruan Shuyang sat in the chair across from him, feeling both novelty and pleasure.
He didn’t know why, but even though he hadn’t seen Pei Siyue many times and hadn’t known him long, living with him always brought an unusual sense of security.
He wondered if it was the mark’s influence, but he found himself instinctively growing dependent on Pei Siyue.
Yet he also knew Pei Siyue was genuinely kind—picking him up on Sundays, preparing a laptop and games to keep him entertained, placing warm water by his desk. No one but Yu Xianbo had ever been so thoughtful toward him.
And yes, he did crave Pei Siyue’s pheromones.
Just one night without it, and he instinctively missed it—missed the sensation of being enveloped by that gentle current, missed the sense of security he felt near Pei Siyue.
His face flushed as he opened his laptop. He knew this wasn’t good. He had to be more patient, stop acting so… unsatisfied.
He opened his computer, browsing design-related materials. Unnoticed, the gentle current began seeping from his glands into his body, slow and subtle—imperceptible unless deliberately sought, yet all the more irresistible.
The lily of the valley slowly steeped in water, blooming ever more vibrant and fragrant.
Enigma’s pheromones soothed the omega, bringing comfort and peace. Sunlight streamed through the study window, pooling on the floor beside Ruan Shuyang, its warmth making one feel languid.
Unconsciously, he found himself leaning on the desk, staring at the computer screen. The soft tapping of the keyboard across from him became a lullaby. Just a moment ago, he’d been reminding himself this was someone else’s home—don’t fall asleep, it’s rude.
The next moment, he collapsed asleep in the study.
It felt incredibly comfortable. The sun’s warmth was perfect for sleeping; Ruan Shuyang simply couldn’t resist.
Not long after he fell asleep, Pei Siyue noticed the small omega sitting across from him had been knocked out.
He stood up, walked over to Ruan Shuyang, and gently picked him up, carrying him toward the bedroom.
This time, he didn’t open the guest room door. Instead, he opened the master bedroom door, laid Ruan Shuyang on his own bed, took a pillow he often used and tucked it under the other’s arms, then helped remove his shoes and socks.
Throughout the process, he continuously soothed the young omega with his pheromones. Ruan Shuyang slept soundly, showing no signs of waking. After tucking him in, Ruan Shuyang clutched the pillow and let out a soft whimper, rubbing his cheek against it. His little mouth murmured a few times, seeming particularly fond of the pillow in his arms.
Pei Siyue’s eyes darkened slightly as he pressed a finger gently against Ruan Shuyang’s lips.
The next moment, Ruan Shuyang seemed to sense something. In his sleep, he opened his mouth and unconsciously took Pei Siyue’s finger inside, his small tongue lightly flicking against it.
Pei Siyue leaned closer, his cool voice laced with a thread of seduction. He murmured softly into Ruan Shuyang’s ear, “Move again.”
But whether Ruan Shuyang was completely asleep or simply uncomfortable with the foreign object in his mouth, he didn’t continue the playful nibble. Instead, he began to push him away.
Pei Siyue withdrew his finger, its tip glistening with moisture.
He reached out with his other hand, gently scraping Ruan Shuyang’s nose with his fingertip, his voice tinged with indulgence and resignation.
“Little rascal.”
He really knew how to be alluring, yet after luring someone in, he refused to take responsibility.
**
Ruan Shuyang slept straight through until noon. Upon waking, he was too lazy to open his eyes, instinctively stretching halfway before suddenly sensing something was off.
He opened his eyes to find himself hugging an enormous pillow—nearly half his body size—while lying on a massive bed.
The bed measured roughly 2.5 meters by 2.5 meters. His petite frame looked especially small nestled within it.
He struggled to sit up from beneath the cloud-like pillow and duvet. The room was vast, almost empty, furnished only with the bed, a wardrobe, and a bedside lamp—simple yet exquisitely crafted from luxurious materials.
The surface of the large black bed beneath him was polished smooth and warm to the touch, its wood grain flowing naturally. The duvet and pillows on the bed were a stark, almost icy white, yet as comfortable as clouds.
This wasn’t the guest room he’d stayed in before. Ruan Shuyang had a vague feeling this must be Pei Siyue’s own bedroom.
So that meant he’d been carried to Pei Siyue’s room after falling asleep?
This realization made him flush.
The bed was indeed incredibly comfortable, saturated with pheromones. He instinctively liked it, unable to resist rubbing against it again.
Only after rubbing did he realize what he’d been rubbing against. Embarrassed, he quickly sat up, got out of bed, tidied the bedding, and opened the door.
The hallway was quiet. The study door he’d just been in was open. He walked to the study entrance.
Pei Siyue sat inside, holding a silver-white necklace.
The necklace bore traces of deliberate design—three vine-like patterns intertwined, crowned by a precious ruby of intense saturation.
Yet, through the eyes of a jewelry designer, Ruan Shuyang found the piece poorly executed. The gem was set with crude simplicity, a waste of such a precious stone.
He stood at the study doorway for only a moment before Pei Siyue pulled out a chair beside him and looked up, saying, “Come here.”
Ruan Shuyang walked over and sat beside Pei Siyue. Without the weight of official duties, Pei Siyue seemed more relaxed than usual, the top button of his shirt undone, revealing a broad, solid chest and the faint outline of his abs.
Once he was seated, Pei Siyue held up the necklace in his hand and asked, “Do you like it?”
Ruan Shuyang hesitated, words on the tip of his tongue.
“Speak your mind freely. No need to hold back.”
“I don’t think this necklace is very well designed,” Ruan Shuyang said. “It feels wasteful to set the ruby so bluntly. A more thoughtful design would make it much prettier.”
Pei Siyue regarded Ruan Shuyang thoughtfully. “You can design?”
Ruan Shuyang hesitated briefly before replying, “Yes.”
Though Yu Xianbo had repeatedly warned him not to casually reveal his design talents—lest others exploit him as a design tool—he was willing to trust Pei Siyue.
Pei Siyue had helped him countless times without expecting anything in return, never inquiring about his skills or asking for payment.
He was willing to design something for him.
“I made this necklace. The material is quite unique. I originally planned to give it to someone, but I’m not skilled at jewelry design, so the finished piece isn’t very attractive.”
Ruan Shuyang gazed at the necklace and asked softly, “Was it meant for someone very important?”
Pei Siyue acknowledged, “Very important.”
His late mother.
Ruan Shuyang: “Then let me help you design it, okay? It’ll look much prettier this way, and the recipient will be happier.”
Pei Siyue stared at the necklace for a moment before finally placing it around Ruan Shuyang’s neck.
The instant it touched his skin, Ruan Shuyang gasped in astonishment.
“Mr. Pei, why did you put it on me?”
“You need to redesign it,” Pei Siyue replied. “Wearing it will help you understand the material and its characteristics better, making the design process easier.”
“Oh, I see…” Ruan Shuyang scratched his head. “But this is meant for someone else. Wouldn’t it be awkward for me to wear it?”
Pei Siyue shook his head firmly. “Not at all.”
“This necklace is made of a special material I developed—it blocks alpha pheromones. Wearing it provides protection. With this necklace, even without a blocking patch, an alpha can’t force a temporary mark on an omega or use pheromones to induce heat. The chain is sturdy; an alpha’s strength can’t snap it. The clasp is a small lock that only opens with the key.”
Pei Siyue placed a small key on the table as he spoke.
This necklace was specially designed and crafted by him, intended to be placed at his grave on the anniversary of his death.
An omega’s vulnerability is starkly evident. Back then, Pei Yan exploited Jiang Ruowan’s weakness, sacrificing his entire life. Ultimately, the aftereffects of the mark removal surgery destroyed his body, leading to his death by depression.
Had this necklace existed then, Jiang Ruowan wouldn’t have been forcibly induced into heat by Pei Yan’s pheromones, wouldn’t have been permanently marked, and he himself wouldn’t exist.
Without him, the tragedy spanning two generations would never have unfolded.
Though belated, he still hoped Jiang Ruowan could see this necklace, to make amends for the regret of the past.
But seeing Pei Siming attempt to forcibly mark Ruan Shuyang yesterday, he suddenly felt Ruan Shuyang needed this necklace’s protection even more now.
Due to the special materials required, the production cycle was one month. With some time remaining before Jiang Ruowan’s memorial date, he could craft another one for her. This completed piece would be given to Ruan Shuyang for now.
Pei Siyue gazed into Ruan Shuyang’s eyes and told her, “Wear it. Even if I’m not by your side, Pei Siming won’t be able to mark you or force you.”
Ruan Shuyang placed his hand on the necklace, his eyes stinging involuntarily.
He truly needed this necklace. Had he possessed it earlier, he wouldn’t have been induced into heat by Lu Zheng’s pheromones, sparing him so much trouble afterward.
While the blocking patch was convenient and effective, it was too easily removed, losing its protective function once taken off.
The necklace perfectly avoided this weakness. Made of hard material, it provided protection simply by being worn, and only the key could unlock it.
This necklace was exceptionally suited for an omega to shield themselves from pheromone intrusion.
Pei Siyue was a true gentleman, a genuinely good man, willing to consider things from an omega’s perspective and create what an omega truly needed.
His eyes reddened as he said, “Thank you.”
Tears hung suspended in his sockets, poised to spill at any moment.
Pei Siyue sighed softly, a hint of resignation in his voice. He gently lifted the other man and seated him on his lap, his tone gentle and careful, as if afraid of startling Ruan Shuyang.
“Why are you crying?”
Only then did Ruan Shuyang realize the tears in his eyes had fallen, landing on Pei Siyue’s hand.
He quickly wiped away the tear and explained softly, “I think you’re really kind. You can see things from an omega’s perspective and create what we truly need.”
Pei Siyue gazed at Ruan Shuyang, his eyes deepening as he replied calmly, “I’m not good.”
“No.” Ruan Shuyang shook his head, his voice trembling with tears. “You’re already very good.”
Better than most enigmas and alphas in this world.
Pei Siyue said nothing more, simply holding Ruan Shuyang close and gently patting his back in silent comfort.
After a little while longer, Ruan Shuyang slowly calmed down. He realized he was sitting sideways on Pei Siyue’s lap, cradled completely in the other man’s arms like a child, being soothed by the soft pats on his back.
Embarrassed, he slid off Pei Siyue’s lap and took a couple steps back, trying to hide his earlier loss of composure and childishness.
But before he could speak, his stomach suddenly growled loudly. The sound echoed distinctly in the quiet study, immediately caught by the exceptionally well-trained ears of the enigma.
Ruan Shuyang’s face flushed bright red. Glancing at the clock on the desk, he realized it was nearly 1 PM—no wonder his stomach was growling.
Just as he was about to say something, he caught Pei Siyue’s faint smile and felt his cheeks burn fiercely.
Pei Siyue stood up and asked, “What do you want to eat?”
Ruan Shuyang didn’t know what he wanted, but he felt hungry enough to eat a horse.
He followed Pei Siyue downstairs. Watching him walk into the kitchen, open the refrigerator, and take out ingredients, he asked in surprise, “You’re going to cook?”
“Mhm.” “ Pei Siyue nodded and asked Ruan Shuyang, ”How about seafood baked rice?”
“Sure.” Ruan Shuyang answered instinctively, then watched as Pei Siyue took ingredients from the fridge and began cooking.
…Is Pei Siyue really doing this?
He walked over and said, “Let me help.”
“No need.” Pei Siyue turned back to his work. “If you get bored, you can think about how to design the necklace.”
Ruan Shuyang stood in the kitchen watching for a moment. Seeing Pei Siyue was doing just fine on his own, he realized stepping in might disrupt the rhythm and end up being more trouble than help. So he sat down at the dining table, staring at the necklace around Pei Siyue’s neck and the large ruby, searching for inspiration.
Half an hour later, the fragrant seafood baked rice was served, so delicious it made one want to swallow their tongue.
Unfortunately, the omega’s small frame meant a small appetite. Ruan Shuyang, who’d felt capable of eating an entire cow before dinner, was full after just a small bowl. Rubbing his stomach, he said, “I’m full.”
He was even a bit stuffed.
Pei Siyue frowned, finding Ruan Shuyang’s appetite truly meager.
“You’re still growing. You should eat more.”
Ruan Shuyang opened his clear almond-shaped eyes. Perhaps energized by the meal, his cheeks flushed as he asked in confusion, “Growing?”
He seemed past the age for physical growth.
Pei Siyue reminded him, “Secondary growth.”
Ruan Shuyang blushed even more, rubbing his stomach and stammering, “But I… I really am full.”
Pei Siyue stopped urging his and quickly finished his meal. After placing his bowl and chopsticks in the kitchen, he said to Ruan Shuyang, “Come with me. I’ll give you a physical exam.”
Ruan Shuyang followed Pei Siyue to the villa’s basement.
The basement housed a complete set of medical equipment, even including an ECMO machine. Naturally, he also spotted the familiar ultrasound machine.
He asked dryly, “Um, are we doing the ultrasound today?”
He hadn’t been holding his urine.
A hint of amusement flashed in Pei Siyue’s eyes as he replied leisurely, “If you want to, we can.”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head immediately. “I don’t want to.”
“Then you don’t have to.” Pei Siyue said, putting on gloves and disinfecting his hands before gesturing for Ruan Shuyang to sit in a chair.
After disinfection, a disposable fingerstick lancet pricked his fingertip, causing a slight sting. Once the blood was drawn, Pei Siyue applied a small band-aid.
The blood sample was placed into the analyzer. Pei Siyue then retrieved a soft tape measure and walked behind him.
“Bear with it.”
As the words fell, Pei Siyue leaned close to Ruan Shuyang’s nape. His breath gently brushed against the gland there, and a wave of gentle warmth slowly washed over him.
Only then did Ruan Shuyang realize he’d forgotten to apply his barrier patch. Exposed in Pei Siyue’s presence, the scent of lily of the valley filled the entire villa.
Here, he instinctively felt at ease.
So at ease he’d neglected the barrier patch.
The soft tape gently pressed against Ruan Shuyang’s gland, causing a slight sting, a tingling numbness, and a faint electric sensation spreading behind his ear.
He flinched slightly.
The tape was quickly removed. Ten minutes later, the blood test report arrived. Pei Siyue placed both reports in front of Ruan Shuyang.
Ruan Shuyang still couldn’t make sense of them, so Pei Siyue explained, “Your pheromone fluctuation levels are slightly better than last time, and there’s no significant change in gland size.”
Ruan Shuyang tilted his head. “Does that mean the treatment is working or not?”
“It’s working,” Pei Siyue replied with certainty. “It’s just that the treatment process will be very long.”
Ruan Shuyang froze. “How long exactly?”
“Based on the current progress, at least half a year.”
“Half… a year?”
Ruan Shuyang froze in shock, speechless for a long moment.
The situation was far more complicated than he’d imagined. He’d assumed that accepting the mark and pheromone soothing would cure him within a month at most, but Pei Siyue was saying it would take half a year.
It really takes a long time.
“Your reproductive cavity is only about two fingers wide, whereas a normal omega’s cavity is usually fist-sized when not pregnant,” Pei Siyue told him calmly. “The growth and development of bodily organs takes time—it might even take half a year to fully develop.”
“That long?” Ruan Shuyang felt discouraged and worried. “To trouble you for so long…”
He truly felt so guilty.
“It’s fine,” Pei Siyue’s voice carried reassurance. “I don’t mind.”
Ruan Shuyang hung his head, his voice muffled. “Even if it’s just for your experiments and collecting feedback, it’s such a long time. It must be really hard on you.”
Marking an omega must be exhausting too.
He wasn’t an enigma or an alpha, so he didn’t know much about marking others. But seeing how Gu Jin looked afterward, it seemed incredibly taxing. Making Pei Siyue endure half a year of hardship for him made him feel terribly guilty.
He tentatively asked, “Is there any medication I could take?”
“No.” Pei Siyue shook his head slowly, shattering his hopes. “Currently, synthetic drugs cannot replace genuine pheromone therapy.”
“I see…”
Ruan Shuyang looked even more disheartened.
Pei Siyue watched the small omega sitting opposite him, shoulders slumped, head bowed, even his soft strands of hair drooping. The whole scene looked pitiful.
His voice softened slightly. The pheromones surrounding Ruan Shuyang gradually soothed him, gently guiding him.
Marking wasn’t just about dominance and submission—it could also coax and entice, completely without trace.
Ruan Shuyang didn’t realize Pei Siyue was using the bond formed by their marking.
“Would you hate me for treating you?”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head immediately. “No, I wouldn’t hate it at all.”
He even liked it a little.
Because every treatment left him feeling incredibly comfortable.
“Then let’s continue the treatment.”
Pei Siyue’s tone was firm. Ruan Shuyang paused for a moment before unconsciously complying.
“Alright, then… thank you.”
After the examination, Ruan Shuyang followed Pei Siyue upstairs to the first-floor living room. He had just sat down on the sofa when Pei Siyue suddenly lifted him up, placing him sideways on his lap to snuggle into his embrace.
Perhaps because he’d sat there several times before, he felt no awkwardness this time, only a touch of confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Pei Siyue placed his warm, large hand on Ruan Shuyang’s lower abdomen and asked softly, “Does it still hurt here?”
Ruan Shuyang obediently admitted, “A little.”
Perhaps due to the growth process, his lower abdomen occasionally throbbed with a dull ache. It wasn’t severe, but it was uncomfortable enough to be impossible to ignore.
Pei Siyue’s left index finger gently traced the omega’s gland. The sensation of his fingerprint lingered on the pale, tender skin. Ruan Shuyang flinched sensitively, then heard Pei Siyue ask again, “Does it hurt here?”
“It… it does.” He didn’t know why he felt embarrassed again; he always seemed shy around Pei Siyue. “Occasionally it feels numb and swollen.”
Pei Siyue’s eyes darkened slightly. “You didn’t tell me before.”
Ruan Shuyang recalled agreeing to share his sensations and quickly replied, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I should mention this too. I’ll be more mindful next time.”
Pei Siyue: “Then remember to tell me next time.”
Ruan Shuyang nodded like a chick pecking at grain. “Okay.”
After he agreed, he felt Pei Siyue’s large hand gently kneading his lower abdomen. The pressure was light and felt incredibly soothing.
Then, Pei Siyue tilted his head and lightly flicked his tongue against Ruan Shuyang’s gland.
Enigma’s bodily fluids also contained pheromones. Ruan Shuyang felt them slowly seeping in. His body instinctively craved this pheromone, gladly accepting it.
This felt like pheromone soothing…
He thought hazily, but then remembered something. Grabbing the necklace around his chest, he asked, “Shouldn’t this be taken off?”
Pei Siyue looked at the necklace. “No need.”
Ruan Shuyang’s gaze was curious and puzzled.
“This necklace can’t block my pheromones,” Pei Siyue explained. “I’m not an Alpha.”
“I’m an Enigma. Enigma pheromones are more unique and harder to block. Materials are still being developed.”
After speaking, he noticed the omega in his arms showed no surprise or confusion, as if he had known this all along.
He asked thoughtfully, “You knew?”
“Yes, I know.” Ruan Shuyang replied obediently. “When I went for a checkup earlier, the doctor suggested pheromone therapy. I went to the government-run treatment center to ask a volunteer for a temporary mark, but the volunteer couldn’t mark me. They speculated I must have been marked by an enigma before, and the residual pheromones prevented them from doing anything.”
Pei Siyue recalled the message Chi Heng had sent him. The volunteer who couldn’t mark Ruan Shuyang must have been Chi Heng’s younger brother, Chi Ye.
After Ruan Shuyang finished speaking, he noticed Pei Siyue remained silent. His keen awareness detected something amiss, and he asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Pei Siyue reached out, gently lifting his chin with one hand. His dark, deep eyes fixed on her. “Next time, don’t use someone else’s pheromones. Understand?”
Ruan Shuyang recalled their earlier agreement about treatment and feedback, nodding immediately. “Got it.”
Yet he sensed that Pei Siyue’s tone seemed to carry more weight than just reminding him of their agreement.
“If there’s anything else you want to know, ask me. When it comes to enigma, I know more than anyone else.”
Ruan Shuyang was genuinely curious about enigma. Observing Pei Siyue’s expression—calm, showing no signs of anger—he tentatively asked, “Where exactly did enigma come from?”
He’d searched online for information about enigma before, but found pitifully little. Most sources simply advised not to provoke or approach it, leaving him unsure how to proceed.
“It stems from alpha’s secondary differentiation.”
“Secondary differentiation…” Ruan Shuyang revealed genuine envy. “I didn’t undergo secondary differentiation. If I had, I wish I could’ve differentiated into an alpha.”
Pei Siyue stroked Ruan Shuyang’s hair, offering silent comfort.
“When you… dominated me before, was it because you’re an enigma?”
“Yes.” Pei Siyue nodded. “An enigma’s pheromone level surpasses all Alphas and Omegas.”
“What about compatibility?” Ruan Shuyang was curious. “Do we still need to go to the hospital for matching tests like Alphas and Omegas?”
Come to think of it, he and Pei Siming had been engaged for so long without ever taking a compatibility test. It seemed everyone had tacitly forgotten about it.
Perhaps it was because everyone regarded this engagement as nothing more than a charade—a temporary arrangement destined to end soon, rendering compatibility testing unnecessary.
This time, Pei Siyue looked at him and shook his head slowly. “No.”
Ruan Shuyang blinked.
“Enigma is perfectly compatible with all Alphas and Omegas. Its pheromones can reshape a marked Alpha or Omega into their most harmonious form.”
Ruan Shuyang gaped in astonishment, feeling both bewildered and slightly afraid.
He hugged himself and whispered, “You’re reshaping my body?”
What exactly is it being reshaped into?
Ruan Shuyang’s mind raced—would he turn into something bizarre?
“Don’t overthink it,” Pei Siyue cut off his wild imaginings. “It’s just pheromone compatibility. Your body will gradually stop rejecting mine.”
Ruan Shuyang exhaled in relief. “That’s good.”
Thinking back, those recent pheromone soothing sessions did seem to gradually ease his discomfort—now it just felt pleasant.
Was this the end of the transformation, or was it still ongoing?
Either way, he felt fine. His body hadn’t changed noticeably.
But some differences were hard for him to sense, and Pei Siyue hadn’t mentioned them.
As their pheromones grew increasingly harmonized, each marking became pleasurable and deeply satisfying.
Other elder enigmas had once told him that even a simple temporary marking could elevate a partner to high C.
This was one of the blessings of being an enigma’s partner—that utterly synchronized sensation was intoxicating.
But conversely, separation became excruciatingly painful.
Those marked by an enigma could not form bonds with others unless the enigma pheromones vanished entirely from their bodies. Even if the pheromones faded and they attempted to mark or be marked by someone else, the initial phase was agonizingly uncomfortable—a profound sense of mismatch made the relationship’s longevity uncertain.
Ruan Shuyang, held in Pei Siyue’s embrace, had unconsciously nestled completely into the other’s arms. Pei Siyue’s hand rested on his waist.
The waist beneath his palm was exceptionally slender, as if it could be fully encircled by one hand. The omega leaning against him was also petite, easily enveloped by his presence.
Pei Siyue held Ruan Shuyang’s waist, his voice laced with gentle coaxing. “Is something on your mind today? Besides the matter with Pei Siming.”
Ruan Shuyang leaned into Pei Siyue’s embrace, instinctively feeling a deep sense of security. It was an incredibly relaxed and comfortable posture, more so than anywhere else.
At times like this, he instinctively let down his guard. When asked about his worries, he didn’t resist. After a moment of silence, he murmured softly, “It’s really nothing.”
“I want you to tell me.” The voice beside him was cool yet deep, like a glass of chilled red wine—crisp and intoxicating. “I can help you.”
Ruan Shuyang’s expression was utterly silent. his pale cherry lips pressed together, his large almond eyes dull and lifeless, he looked like a small, abandoned animal—lonely and desolate.
“My family… things aren’t good at home,” Ruan Shuyang’s voice was faint, like a cloud slipping through one’s fingers. “They force me to do things I shouldn’t.”
“I can guess.” Pei Siyue’s voice was utterly calm, devoid of any other emotion. “What do they make you do?”
Ruan Shuyang was slightly surprised, yet it didn’t feel strange that Pei Siyue had guessed correctly. He was exceptionally capable, seemingly understanding everything, knowing everything.
“My father… wants me to… find a way to secure benefits for the Ruan family.”
Ruan Shuyang, guided by Pei Siyue’s train of thought, found himself speaking without realizing it.
But some things he still couldn’t bring himself to say—like what Ruan Jianchuan had asked him to do.
Pei Siyue observed Ruan Shuyang’s expression and continued in a calm tone, “Is it about the warning you received?”
Ruan Shuyang looked up at Pei Siyue in surprise, only to find himself locked in those deep, dark eyes. He froze involuntarily, taking a long moment before shifting his gaze away. “How… how did you know?” he asked awkwardly.
“Guessed.”
Pei Siyue found it not difficult to deduce.
Given Ruan Jianchuan’s personality, he must have told Ruan Shuyang these things every time. But since Ruan Shuyang was only in a bad mood today, it proved Ruan Jianchuan had issued a warning or set a deadline.
Ruan Shuyang was part surprised, part puzzled. “How… how could you guess?”
Pei Siyue explained part of it: “Ruan Jianchuan is greedy but lacks the capability. Unable to achieve much in his career, he resorts to other means.”
This was already a very tactful way of putting it, considering his regard for Ruan Shuyang.
Truthfully, he believed Ruan Jianchuan was insatiably greedy yet utterly incompetent. In terms of capability alone, he lagged far behind even the likes of Lu Zheng, resorting only to underhanded tactics.
Now that lifeline was nearing its end. Ruan Jianchuan must be scrambling desperately for a way to prolong it. At a time like this, he would seize every opportunity. Given his character for dirty tricks, he would surely make Ruan Shuyang do something.
Hearing Pei Siyue’s assessment of Ruan Jianchuan, Ruan Shuyang rubbed his nose and muttered softly, “You’re absolutely right.”
“What does he want you to do?” Pei Siyue asked. “I can help you.”
“No.” Ruan Shuyang shook his head firmly this time. “You’ve already helped me so much. I can’t trouble you further.”
Besides, he knew exactly what Ruan Jianchuan wanted: money. Ruan Jianchuan’s partnership with Pei Siming came at a price. Though Pei Siming had injected capital, he’d taken a significant chunk of shares—enough to nearly rival Ruan Jianchuan’s influence. He’d also planted his own people within Ruan Jewelry to participate in management and decision-making.
Ruan Jianchuan wasn’t satisfied with this. He wanted Ruan Jewelry to be his personal fiefdom, so he needed sufficient capital—or rather, he needed Pei Siming to relinquish his shares and return them to him.
For this, Ruan Jianchuan was entirely capable of sacrificing his own son, as long as he could obtain what he desired.
Pei Siyue gazed at Ruan Shuyang, gently stroking his hair as his voice softened to a low murmur.
“When I mark you, you’ll instinctively crave my pheromones. Staying by my side will feel safe and comforting, won’t it?”
Ruan Shuyang couldn’t deny it, blushing as he nodded.
“That’s the effect marking has on an omega,” Pei Siyue explained. “The same principle applies to enigma. After an enigma marks an omega, they develop a protective instinct and possessiveness toward that omega. I too would instinctively want to protect you, to help you.”