After Yu Ling’s sharp critique, he shifted gears and addressed the three omegas, including Ruan Shuyang: Your task is simple: seduce Chi Ye, cling to him, and sabotage this matchmaking event. Of course, if any of you actually succeed in seducing Chi Ye, consider it your good fortune—I won’t say a word.”
Blending in unremarkably among the three omegas, Ruan Shuyang nodded in agreement.
Seeing their agreement, Yu Ling dismissed them to enter the birthday banquet estate separately.
Parking at the estate was limited, so Ruan Qi’s vehicle couldn’t gain access. He parked by the roadside and walked into the estate with Ruan Shuyang.
The birthday banquet villa sat in the suburbs, with rolling hills faintly visible behind it. The area was rich in greenery, and the fresh scent of plants filled the air everywhere.
Upon entering the villa, they followed the attendant through an arched gateway to the banquet hall. As soon as they stepped inside, Ruan Shuyang spotted a familiar face.
This time, the man wore no dark circles beneath his eyes. Dressed in a sharp shirt and suit, he radiated sunshine and approachability—a transformed alpha.
Gu Jin stared at Ruan Shuyang in surprise. “Little bro, you really came? I heard from Ye Ge that—”
Before he could finish, Ruan Shuyang frantically signaled him with his eyes. Gu Jin caught the hint, then nudged the person beside him with his elbow. “Take Ruan Qi around for a look.”
The person beside him walked over to Ruan Qi, playfully slung an arm around his shoulder, and suggested they go explore nearby.
In this situation, Ruan Qi couldn’t possibly refuse. He only managed to shoot Ruan Shuyang a warning glance before being pulled away.
After Ruan Qi left, Gu Jin pulled Ruan Shuyang to a corner of the banquet hall and sat down. “Why did you come with Ruan Qi? What’s going on here?”
Though the Ruan family was declining, they still maintained the trappings of a wealthy clan. Ruan Qi had attended numerous banquets and crossed paths with Gu Jin before.
Gu Jin held little regard for Ruan Qi—mediocre in ability, constantly sucking up to others, and utterly clueless about reading people’s expressions. He’d always treated him like some kind of gas.
He never expected Ruan Qi to show up today with his adorable junior classmate.
Ruan Shuyang gave a wry smile and reminded Gu Jin, “Senior, my surname is Ruan. My name is Ruan Shuyang.”
“I know your name is Ruan Shuyang.”
Gu Jin replied instinctively, then seemed to recall something.
He’d occasionally heard gossip about the Ruan family having an illegitimate son who was rarely brought out in public. Could it be…
Gu Jin looked at Ruan Shuyang with a mix of surprise and sympathy.
Hardly ever brought out in public—one could only imagine what his life at home was like.
Seeing the sympathy in Gu Jin’s expression, Ruan Shuyang knew he’d guessed. He lowered his head, twisting his fingers nervously.
He wasn’t very good at facing others’ pity and sympathy.
Gu Jin quickly composed himself and said, “Sit here for a moment. I’ll go get some drinks and snacks.”
Ruan Shuyang smiled. “Okay.”
He sat down in a chair and pulled out his phone, where he saw a message from Pei Siyue.
Pei Siyue: Where are you?
Ruan Shuyang: At a senior’s birthday party.
After replying, he suddenly remembered Pei Siyue mentioning a few days ago that he’d give him pheromones on Wednesday.
So that meant Pei Siyue would be back from his business trip on Wednesday?
Calculating the timing, it seemed about time for the next marking session too.
His face flushed slightly. He lowered his head and texted Pei Siyue: I should be leaving soon. If you’re free then, I’ll come find you.
Pei Siyue had told him not to call him “Mr. Pei,” but to use his first name instead. Yet the name felt impossible to utter.
Though Pei Siyue was Pei Siming’s older brother—theoretically his peer—he always felt like a child in Pei Siyue’s presence. The other man radiated such maturity and strength that he instinctively treated him like an elder. Calling him by his first name felt disrespectful.
So for now, he could only offer a vague form of address.
Upon seeing the message, Pei Siyue simply asked: Which senior’s birthday party?
Seeing the other’s persistence, Ruan Shuyang answered honestly: Senior Chi Ye’s.
Pei Siyue: Got it.
Ruan Shuyang scratched his head, unsure what Pei Siyue knew. But after those three words, the other didn’t reply further. He didn’t feel comfortable pressing the issue, so he simply opened the app again to look for summer part-time jobs.
When Gu Jin walked to the food display table in the center of the banquet hall to get food and drinks for Ruan Shuyang, he saw Chi Ye walking towards him.
Spotting Gu Jin standing alone, Chi Ye asked, “Where’s Ruan Shuyang?”
He’d specifically instructed Gu Jin to wait by the entrance, fearing Ruan Shuyang might be overwhelmed upon arrival. Now, finally finding a moment to look for him, he saw Gu Jin fetching food by himself.
Gu Jin pointed in a direction. “I told him to sit over there. I’m getting him some snacks and water…”
As he spoke, he leaned closer to Chi Ye and lowered his voice. “Ye Ge, you know… Ruan Shuyang is… he’s…”
Gu Jin hesitated to utter the words “illegitimate son,” feeling they might tarnish his clean, handsome younger classmate.
“The Ruan family’s illegitimate son,” Chi Ye finished for him, his voice calm. “I knew that already. Is there a problem?”
In truth, not long after helping Ruan Shuyang with the enigma matter that day, his older brother Chi Heng had told him about Ruan Shuyang—that he was the Ruan family’s illegitimate son—and advised him to stay out of it.
Though Chi Ye got along well with his brother Chi Heng, he wouldn’t heed his own brother’s advice on this sort of matter.
He’s an adult now and can choose his own friends. As an older brother, I shouldn’t meddle in my younger brother’s personal affairs.
Gu Jin noticed Chi Ye’s expression was unusually calm and suddenly realized, “It doesn’t matter.”
Chi Ye never judges friends based on status or wealth, since few are as wealthy as the second young master of the Chi family.
Truthfully, Gu Jin didn’t care either. He’d only worried Chi Ye might be bothered by it, but seeing Chi Ye was unfazed, he pulled him along to find Ruan Shuyang.
Gu Jin handed Ruan Shuyang the cake and drink he was holding, smiling as he said, “Have something to eat and drink. Don’t go hungry. The banquet won’t start for a while yet.”
Ruan Shuyang quickly placed his phone on the nearby table, took the items from Gu Jin, and replied, “Thanks.”
Chi Ye casually sat down in the chair next to Ruan Shuyang. Unlike Gu Jin, who appeared sunny and gentle, Chi Ye was an Alpha with an overwhelming presence. His long limbs made the chair, which seemed spacious to Ruan Shuyang, feel cramped for him.
Chi Ye looked at Ruan Shuyang and asked casually, “Looking for a part-time job?”
Only then did Ruan Shuyang notice he hadn’t locked his phone screen. He quickly pressed the lock button before replying, “Yeah, I’m looking for some part-time work during my senior year summer break.”
“Same here back in my day,” Gu Jin recalled his senior summer break, chin resting on his hand. “But my mom insisted I ‘experience real life’ by working on a construction site. After two months of bricklaying under the sun, I turned as black as a coal ball. When school started, everyone asked if I had African heritage. Even the girl I had a crush on thought I was too dark and tossed my love letter in the trash.”
Ruan Shuyang offered consolation: “Senior, you’re fair-skinned now. You can write love letters again.”
“Forget it,” Gu Jin sighed wistfully. “Once that time passes, you just don’t want to think about those things anymore.”
Chi Ye, who had been listening casually nearby, spoke up after Gu Jin finished: “Our club is also recruiting summer interns.”
Ruan Shuyang looked surprised and delighted, tentatively asking, “Is it a club at T University?”
“Yep.” Chi Ye nodded. “It’s a game development club at T University. Because of our project, we won’t be taking a break over the summer. We need to hire a summer intern to help with miscellaneous tasks.”
“If you’re interested, I can send you the recruitment link.”
Ruan Shuyang was very interested. For him, working in a school club felt far more familiar and trustworthy than jobs outside campus. He immediately replied, “Sure, thanks, senior.”
Gu Jin watched quietly, frowning slightly but saying nothing.
As a freshman who hadn’t even enrolled yet, Ruan Shuyang wasn’t even in the Computer Science department. Strictly speaking, his resume wouldn’t pass the initial screening.
But since Chi Ye dared to mention it to Ruan Shuyang, it proved that Ruan Shuyang would pass the screening just by submitting his resume.
He reasonably suspected Chi Ye had feelings for Ruan Shuyang.
Meanwhile, Pei Siyue stood with Chi Heng on the second floor of the banquet hall, overlooking the entire venue. From their vantage point, they could clearly see the three figures huddled in the corner.
Chi Heng reasonably suspected his younger brother hadn’t heeded his advice and had developed a crush on Ruan Shuyang. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to seek out that Ruan Shuyang amidst such a crowded occasion.
Noticing the unreadable expression on Pei Siyue’s face beside him, he tentatively suggested, “Actually, Chi Ye and Ruan Shuyang are the same age. For us, who’ve been out of school for years, there’s always this sense of generational gap.”
Pei Siyue stared at the trio in the corner below and asked, his tone flat and emotionless, “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Seeing his roundabout approach was useless, Chi Heng cut to the chase: “What exactly are you thinking? If you just want to use Ruan Shuyang to get back at Pei Siming, then do me a favor and let Ruan Shuyang off. My brother seems to like him quite a bit. Who knows, maybe something could happen.”
Pei Siyue’s lips curled into an exceptionally cold smile. He replied simply, “Pei Siming? Is he even worthy?”
Pei Siming had never been worth betraying his mark, or revealing his enigma pheromone for revenge. His help for Ruan Shuyang had nothing to do with Pei Siming from start to finish.
It was just that everyone subconsciously assumed there was a connection, that it was revenge. Most of the time, he couldn’t be bothered to care what others thought and never explained. If not for Chi Heng speaking up for Chi Ye today, he wouldn’t have bothered to clarify.
Chi Heng clearly understood the implication in Pei Siyue’s words and was visibly shocked.
He stared at Pei Siyue in disbelief. “Aren’t you afraid he had something going on with Pei Siming? Aren’t you afraid Pei Siming sent him to get close to you?”
Their private collaboration, though discreet, wasn’t entirely untraceable. If someone was determined to investigate, they might uncover clues—or even learn why Pei Siyue had been on the fifth floor of the club that day.
So even if surveillance showed it was a chance encounter, suspicion couldn’t be entirely dismissed.
Pei Siyue’s expression remained unusually calm. He only said, ” Don’t overestimate Pei Siming.”
Chi Heng was speechless. After a long pause, he asked, “So you’re dead set on stealing your brother’s fiancée?”
Pei Siyue answered with absolute certainty: “Whether I steal his or not, Pei Siming won’t be with her.”
He knew Pei Siming well.
His younger brother hated being called a bastard more than anything in the world. It was a lifelong shackle, a sore spot no one else dared mention—his deepest stubbornness and greatest mental obstacle.
Pei Siming despised those three words. He prided himself on being the most legitimate, legitimate-born son. Of course, he could never truly be with Ruan Shuyang.
From the start, he’d suspected Pei Siming and Ruan Shuyang’s engagement was merely a tactical alliance. Based on the intelligence he’d gathered before returning to China, Zhou Wei’s true target for a daughter-in-law was likely the youngest son of the Jin family. The question was whether the Jins would even consider Pei Siming worthy.
Chi Heng was no fool either. Understanding Pei Siming’s temperament somewhat, he quickly grasped the logic behind it. His focus, however, landed on something else: “So you still want to fight for her, huh? Otherwise, why bring up ‘whether I fight or not’… Ugh, are you two brothers really going to brawl over one omega? Is that skinny little omega really that charming?”
Chi Heng truly couldn’t see it. Skinny and small, barely looks adult, maybe just prettier than other omegas—nothing special beyond that.
Why are both of them, the Pei brothers including his younger brother, so interested?
“And is this even appropriate?” Chi Heng asked. “After all, she’s your younger brother’s fiancée. As an enigma, you could marry an alpha yourself. I see the eldest son of the Jin family is an alpha who’s quite interested in you. Why steal your brother’s omega?”
Pei Siyue stared expressionlessly at Chi Heng. “In modern society, an engagement holds no legal standing.”
The implication was clear: Ruan Shuyang and Pei Siming had no legally binding relationship to begin with. So what if he took her?
He never cared what others said.
And even if there were, if he set his sights on someone, he’d snatch them away.
Ruan Shuyang was discussing summer internship opportunities with Chi Ye and Gu Jin when someone approached Chi Ye, announcing the banquet was about to begin and his parents needed him.
Though Chi’s mother favored the second young miss of the Wen family, she feared Chi Ye might reject his parents’ choice. That’s why she’d invited so many potential matches today. Little did she expect that despite the crowd, Chi Ye would slip away to hide.
Chi Ye frowned upon hearing the news, his tone tinged with irritation. “I’ll go later.”
Seeing his sour expression, the messenger dared not press further and quietly withdrew.
Ruan Shuyang recalled the mission Ruan Qi had sent him here for. Though he’d never wanted to help his brother, the current situation seemed to render his involvement unnecessary.
Chi Ye seemed utterly disinterested in the impending blind date, still hiding in the banquet hall’s corner. It appeared the matchmaking wouldn’t succeed even without others interfering.
Chi Ye wasn’t the type to be manipulated by his parents.
Gu Jin observed Chi Ye’s irritated expression and quietly urged, “Brother Ye, you should probably go anyway. Uncle Chi and Auntie Chi are waiting over there. It wouldn’t be right to keep them waiting.”
Chi Ye understood the logic, but he deeply resisted arranged meetings. He had repeatedly emphasized to his parents that he didn’t want them, yet they stubbornly insisted on arranging them regardless of his feelings as the person involved.
Just as he was thinking of delaying his arrival, he suddenly heard Chi Heng call out, “Xiao Ye.”
Six years his senior, Chi Heng had always looked after his younger brother. When their parents were away, he shouldered the responsibility for Chi Ye’s affairs. To Chi Ye, Chi Heng was both a brother and a father figure—often more influential than his own parents.
“It’s almost time. You should go. Don’t keep Mom, Dad, and the others waiting.”
Chi Ye turned toward the voice and saw Chi Heng emerging from a relatively hidden passageway behind them. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed another figure standing in the passageway.
The man was exceptionally tall, standing a good half-head taller than Chi Heng. He stood perfectly straight, dressed in a shirt and trousers with a pronounced drape and sheen. The fabric alone hinted at a hefty price tag—likely a custom piece from AETHOS.
Standing sideways, he revealed only a sharply defined profile. The top button of his shirt was undone, offering a glimpse of broad, powerful pectorals—a physique radiating muscular beauty.
Suddenly, the man turned his head. Spotting Chi Ye watching him, he offered only an icy, dismissive glance.
That single glance made Chi Ye feel like he’d been targeted by a dangerous predator, the hairs on his back standing on end.
Chi Heng walked over, wrapped an arm around Chi Ye’s waist, and half-forced him to turn. “Let’s go. Mom and Dad have been waiting a long time.”
Chi Ye turned in a daze, feeling vaguely familiar with the man.
Only when he reached his parents did it suddenly dawn on him—this man was Pei Siyue, the eldest son of the Pei family who had returned to China a few months ago. He had once glimpsed him from afar at a Pei family banquet.
Was he a friend of Chi Heng’s, or…
For some reason, Chi Ye couldn’t shake an uneasy feeling.
After the Chi brothers left, Pei Siyue emerged from the hallway. Standing before Ruan Shuyang, he extended his hand and said, “Come.”
Under the banquet hall lights, Pei Siyue’s hand was long and elegant, radiating a quiet strength, with faint veins visible on the back.
It was a perfectly formed hand.
Ruan Shuyang stared at Pei Siyue in surprise, recalling the other man’s earlier words, “I know.” Could he have come here specifically to find him?
Today seemed to be the time for marking again.
Seeing Pei Siyue extend his hand, Ruan Shuyang instinctively moved to approach him. Gu Jin, who didn’t recognize Pei Siyue, subconsciously stepped in to block him, asking under pressure, “Junior, who is he?”
But the moment the words left his mouth, he felt an immense pressure—an oppressive force emanating from pheromone levels—that made his face go pale and his body break out in a cold sweat.
Not knowing how to explain Pei Siyue’s presence to Gu Jin, Ruan Shuyang simply said, “He’s someone I know. He’s a good person. You don’t need to worry, senior.”
Seeing the earnest sincerity in Ruan Shuyang’s expression, Gu Jin didn’t press further and released his grip, letting Ruan Shuyang pass.
The moment he let go, the pressure vanished instantly. This made Gu Jin deeply suspicious that the oppressive force he’d sensed earlier had come from this… alpha named Ruan Shuyang?
Something felt off.
But the other party quickly pulled Ruan Shuyang away. Without giving it much thought, Gu Jin turned to look for Chi Ye.
Ruan Shuyang placed his pale, slender, and exceptionally soft hand gently into Pei Siyue’s. The two hands—one large, one small—formed a striking contrast yet fit together unexpectedly well.
Pei Siyue led him through the hallway and took the elevator to a study on the third floor.
The study was spacious. Against the left wall sat a leather sofa placed flush against it.
Pei Siyue gestured for Ruan Shuyang to sit beside him on the sofa. Once seated, he didn’t speak immediately, only reaching out a finger to gently pull the necklace hidden beneath Ruan Shuyang’s clothes into view.
The metal chain carried a trace of Ruan Shuyang’s body heat, warmed to a gentle warmth.
The beautiful ruby adorned his chest, adding a touch of vibrant elegance to Ruan Shuyang.
Pei Siyue gazed at it for a moment before saying, “You designed it very well. You have real talent.”
When Yu Xianbo was alive, he had repeatedly warned Ruan Shuyang not to casually reveal his design talent. Therefore, he had never designed anything for anyone else, and no one had ever seen his sketches.
Pei Siyue was the first to see them.
He said somewhat sheepishly, “I’m glad you like it.”
Pei Siyue’s hand slid slowly down from his chest, resting gently on Ruan Shuyang’s lower abdomen, warming it softly.
“Has your stomach been hurting these past few days?”
“A little, but thankfully not too badly.”
“Have you eaten dinner?”
“No,” Ruan Shuyang shook his head. “I haven’t had time yet.”
He hadn’t even managed to eat much of the pastries Gu Jin brought. He was very hungry now.
Pei Siyue in the study was much gentler than he had been in the banquet hall. Ruan Shuyang heard him ask, “What would you like to eat?”
“Anything is fine.” After a moment’s thought, he suggested, “Just the food from the banquet.”
Pei Siyue had the food sent over, and soon a waiter pushed a cart into the room. It held steak, blue lobster, king crab, black truffle cream soup, along with desserts and beverages.
After the waiter arranged the food on the table and left, Pei Siyue motioned for him to join him for dinner.
During dinner, Ruan Shuyang keenly sensed that Pei Siyue was in a low mood.
Though he showed no outward signs—not even a hint of displeasure—Ruan Shuyang could detect it.
Because pheromones never lied. The water belonging to Pei Siyue now felt unusually still, calm as a mirror.
Seizing an opportunity, he whispered, “Is something bothering you?”
Pei Siyue: “Why do you ask?”
“You seem unhappy.”
Pei Siyue didn’t confirm whether he was happy or not. Instead, he asked Ruan Shuyang, “What are you doing here tonight?”
“I came for Senior Chi Ye’s birthday party,” Ruan Shuyang explained, omitting the task Ruan Qi had sent him on. “I met Senior Chi Ye at the treatment center earlier. He’s the volunteer I mentioned to you, and he’ll be a senior at the same university in the future. He’s really nice and invited me to his birthday party.”
Pei Siyue could sense the cheerful tone in Ruan Shuyang’s voice when he spoke of his senior and the upcoming university.
Pei Siyue asked softly, “Are you looking forward to college?”
“Very much so.” “ Ruan Shuyang smiled, his eyes crinkling sweetly. ”Even though many say college isn’t as great as imagined, I feel it’s a fresh start for me.”
The start of escaping the Ruan family.
Pei Siyue lowered his gaze and suddenly asked Ruan Shuyang, “I graduated several years ago. Do you think I’m too old?”
“Old?” Ruan Shuyang blinked, puzzled for a moment before quickly replying, “Not at all. You look like you’re in your twenties—still very young.”
“Compared to me, then?”
“Compared to me?” Ruan Shuyang set down his fork, propped his chin on his hand, and thought for a moment before answering honestly, “You do seem a bit like an elder to me.”
But the moment those words left his mouth, Pei Siyue’s expression visibly darkened, and the previously still water turned icy cold.
Ruan Shuyang quickly amended herself: “Not like an actual elder. It’s just that around you, I always feel like a child—so immature. You’re so much more mature than me. You… you’re like a big brother.”
The young omega seemed afraid his words might hurt him, watching him cautiously with a soft, gentle voice—clear yet tenderly sweet, his tone full of soothing reassurance.
Pei Siyue lowered his eyes, his expression hidden. He simply said flatly, “Let’s eat dinner first.”
Dinner was finished quickly. The waiter came to clear the plates and cart, thoughtfully closing the door behind them as he left.
After the door shut, he sensed Pei Siyue standing behind him, unsure how long he’d been there.
He tried to turn, but Pei Siyue pressed down on his shoulders.
His fingers traced down his shoulder blades to the gland at the base of his neck. A thumb gently brushed against the gland. Ruan Shuyang shouldn’t have felt anything, yet it felt as though the thumb had deliberately stroked his gland.
He flinched slightly and whispered, “What is it…”
Pei Siyue peeled away the patch covering the gland at the base of his neck. An elegant lily-of-the-valley fragrance instantly filled the study.
“Is… is the marking about to begin?”
Pei Siyue offered no confirmation, standing calmly behind him, still silent.
Ruan Shuyang turned to look at Pei Siyue, this time unimpeded.
The towering enigma stood behind Ruan Shuyang. When he turned to look up at him at close range, he realized how exceptionally tall the other man was—so tall that Ruan Shuyang had to crane his neck to meet his gaze.
Enigma’s face bore no unnecessary expression. His lowered eyes carried an intense sense of pressure.
He instinctively sensed Pei Siyue was in a foul mood, for the surrounding currents felt icy and oppressive.
Ruan Shuyang began to feel uneasy.
Without the barrier patch, he was once again fully exposed to Enigma’s pheromones. His body remembered Pei Siyue’s scent, craving it instinctively. He started to overheat uncontrollably, his lower back growing weak and aching.
The water flow teased him relentlessly, tempting him without offering satisfaction, refusing to grant him the pheromones he craved.
Ruan Shuyang burned with unbearable heat, unable to resist grabbing Pei Siyue’s clothes.
His eyes reddened, a damp mist gathering in their depths. He wanted it, but didn’t know how to ask.
He felt wronged, confused why Pei Siyue had removed his barrier patch yet done nothing.
Pei Siyue reached out, wrapping his arms around Ruan Shuyang and pulling him close. The small omega couldn’t stand, collapsing limply into his embrace. He tilted his head up to look at him, his large almond-shaped eyes misty with frustration and hurt.
The omega in his arms was so small, Pei Siyue could easily encircle his slender waist with one hand.
He gently traced Ruan Shuyang’s smooth, delicate cheek with his index finger, his fingers brushing the delicate, pale pink cherry lips. He asked softly, “What do you want to say?”
Ruan Shuyang’s voice was faint: “Is today the day for the mark?”
“Yes.” Pei Siyue answered calmly and deliberately, “You remember?”
“Of course.” Ruan Shuyang sounded even more aggrieved, “I won’t forget.”
But why won’t he give it to him?
Pei Siyue gently pinched Ruan Shuyang’s chin, lifting his face slightly. His gaze was as calm as the sea, yet his voice carried a certain depth: “Do you want it?”
Ruan Shuyang wanted it desperately, but he couldn’t utter the words “I want it.” It felt like Pei Siyue was tormenting him with his pheromones.
Pei Siyue teased him with his scent yet refused to satisfy him. Ruan Shuyang’s body craved the other’s pheromones intensely, instinctively seeking them out—even drawing out his own pheromones in response.
He felt like crying.
Yet he hadn’t been this prone to tears before. Even when he’d been cruelly bullied in the Ruan household, he rarely cried. Today, though, for some reason, he felt so wronged he wanted to weep.
Pei Siyue hadn’t done anything truly cruel to him—just withheld his pheromones generously, leaving him uncomfortable.
Just as his eyes welled up, tears poised to fall, he was suddenly turned around.
Pei Siyue’s hands gripped his waist tightly as he lowered his head and bit into his gland.