Pei Siyue nodded.
The sadness and bitterness in Ruan Shuyang’s heart vanished instantly. He touched the necklace around his neck and asked, “Then should I give this one away too?”
“No need. One is enough.” Pei Siyue shook his head, then asked, “Do you have the key on you?”
Ruan Shuyang nodded, took out the key, and unfastened the necklace around his own neck.
Pei Siyue picked up the newly crafted thorn rose necklace and personally placed it around Ruan Shuyang’s neck.
The rose entwined with thorns and adorned with rubies rested beautifully beneath Ruan Shuyang’s collarbone, radiant and vivid.
After leaving the Ruan household, Ruan Shuyang had changed significantly. His features had matured considerably; his gaze no longer darted away timidly. His skin glowed like jade, like a pearl dusted clean, radiating a luminous sheen.
Sooner or later, more people would notice Ruan Shuyang’s beauty.
Pei Siyue placed the necklace around Ruan Shuyang’s neck, but this time he didn’t hand him the key. He only asked, “Do you like it?”
Ruan Shuyang nodded, unaware of the key’s absence. His gaze fixed on the pendant he had designed, he replied, “I love it.”
Pei Siyue spoke calmly, “If you like it, wear it always.”
Don’t take it off. You won’t be able to anyway.
After Ruan Shuyang finished admiring the necklace with delight, Pei Siyue had already reviewed the documents he’d brought and made his annotations.
Handing the papers back to Ruan Shuyang, he asked, “What do you feel like eating tonight? How about I take you to a seafood buffet?”
Ruan Shuyang recalled the delicious seafood buffet Pei Siyue had taken him to—the succulent flavors so mouthwatering they made you want to eat your own tongue.
He nodded eagerly. “Sure thing.”
After work that evening, he sat with Pei Siyue at the seafood buffet. Munching on sweet shellfish, he asked, “Is this the reward you mentioned, Brother?”
“No,” Pei Siyue shook his head. “This is just dinner. The reward is this weekend.”
Ruan Shuyang was thrilled. “Another reward? What is it?”
Seeing Ruan Shuyang light up like a child at the mention of a reward, Pei Siyue decided to coax him like a little kid. “How about I take you to the amusement park?”
He’d only been to the amusement park once or twice when Yu Xianbo was still alive, and hadn’t returned since.
During the days away from the Ruan household, he’d occasionally crave going back. Passing by the amusement park, he’d gaze longingly at the giant Ferris wheel, yet felt it was inappropriate for an eighteen-year-old to visit.
Pei Siyue ruffled Ruan Shuyang’s hair and simply said, “I just knew.”
How could he not notice the little omega’s eyes brimming with longing every time they passed the Ferris wheel, gazing at its beautiful night view?
He’d been meaning to find time to take him there, but this weekend was the first opportunity.
Ruan Shuyang beamed with admiration. “Brother, you’re so smart. It’s like you know everything.”
Nothing could be hidden from him.
On the way home after dinner, Ruan Shuyang mentioned selling the necklace to an omega senior at school. Recalling it, his face lit up with excitement and joy, his eyes sparkling with confidence and radiance.
Pei Siyue observed him impassively. Once home, after locking the door, he removed the gland patch from Ruan Shuyang’s nape.
Ruan Shuyang was slightly startled, but then recalled that the original marking was scheduled for Wednesday. However, due to Pei Siyue’s unexpected business trip, it seemed to have been moved to today.
The moment the barrier patch was removed, he was instantly submerged in enigma pheromones. The pheromone extract differed significantly from the pheromones Pei Siyue himself emitted.
Pei Siyue’s own pheromones were overpowering, permeating every pore, completely enveloping Ruan Shuyang.
His body was already acclimated to Pei Siyue’s scent. The moment he sensed it, his limbs instinctively went limp, heat spread through him, and a primal craving surged.
He let out a soft groan, stumbling and collapsing into Pei Siyue’s embrace. He looked up at him pitifully, clutching the other man’s clothes.
For some reason, whenever he encountered Pei Siyue’s pheromones, his thoughts grew hazy. Instinctive desire surged, a deep fondness blossomed, and the satisfaction upon receiving it felt like a parched traveler, long wandering through the desert, finally drinking from a cool spring.
Pei Siyue’s expression remained cold and impassive as he wrapped an arm around his waist. “What’s wrong?”
Ruan Shuyang’s eyes were red, but no words came out.
He thought Pei Siyue was so cruel—removing his barrier patch to let him feel the pheromones, yet refusing to mark him immediately.
Knowing exactly what he wanted yet withholding it, teasing him.
Pei Siyue held him by the waist with one arm while his other hand gently traced Ruan Shuyang’s gland. The touch was light, yet the gland was exceptionally sensitive—so sensitive it could almost imprint Pei Siyue’s fingerprints.
Ruan Shuyang felt a pang of pain, tears welling up in his eyes despite himself. Through eyes blurred by moisture, he looked up at Pei Siyue. “Brother… big brother…”
Ruan Shuyang clutched Pei Siyue’s clothes as that feeling of grievance surged up again. Why? Why still not give it to him?
He let out a soft sob, but Pei Siyue lifted his chin, looking into those deep, dark eyes.
All he heard was Pei Siyue’s reminder: “Forgot again?”
Forgotten? Forgotten what?
His foggy mind slowly recalled Pei Siyue saying in their room last time: if he wanted it, he should just say so.
Say… say…
His cherry-red lips parted slightly, tinged with an alluring crimson by his increasingly heated body.
He clutched Pei Siyue’s clothes in silent supplication, but Pei Siyue remained silent, only lowering his gaze to look at him, one arm wrapped around his waist.
He was pressed almost completely against Pei Siyue, immersed in the other’s pheromones, yet this feeling was nowhere near enough. He wanted more, more—even with his eyes closed, he could feel Pei Siyue marking him fiercely.
Transparent fluid seeped uncontrollably from the glands at the back of his neck. His slender, lotus-root-like arms wrapped around Pei Siyue’s neck, desperately trying to absorb more, yet it was never enough.
The words he found impossible to utter when sober slowly escaped his lips.
“I want it. I want to be marked.”
He thought Pei Siyue would grant it once spoken, but this time, the other didn’t give it immediately. Instead, he gently stroked the heat-flushed rim of his eyes and asked, “Whose mark?”
The surrounding pheromones, flowing like water, grew increasingly hot. He felt immersed in hot water—comforting yet unsettling, craving more.
When Pei Siyue’s hand touched his cheek, Ruan Shuyang instinctively rubbed against it, closing his eyes involuntarily. But he heard Pei Siyue say, “Look at me.”
Ruan Shuyang obeyed without thinking, opening his misty eyes to find Pei Siyue’s handsome face mere inches away, their breaths mingling.
He heard Pei Siyue ask again, “Whose?”
Ruan Shuyang was burning with fever, his mind hazy and unsatisfied. Tears welled up in his eyes as he replied in a quivering voice, “Yours.”
“Brother’s. My brother’s.”
The words barely left his lips before he was spun around. A storm of pheromones flooded him, draining all strength from his body. He trembled uncontrollably, as if being caressed by waves of water, the pressure growing heavier and heavier.
His mind went blank for a long time. Only after the marking ended did he slowly come to his senses, realizing they had somehow shifted from standing by the door to sitting on the sofa, holding him in their arms.
Even after regaining consciousness, his body still twitched uncontrollably, trapped in the lingering sensations of what had just happened.
Pei Siyue gently stroked his back, his voice low and soft: “Just say if you want it.”
“If you want to be marked outside of the scheduled time, you can tell me.”
Ruan Shuyang gazed at Pei Siyue in confusion. Though his mind wasn’t entirely clear, he still sensed that today’s Pei Siyue was different from before—more dominant and assertive, completely in control.
It felt as if he was firmly held in the palm of his hand.
Yet he couldn’t help leaning into Pei Siyue’s embrace, finding it comforting and safe, cherishing this feeling.
The marking itself brought an irresistible sensation, his entire body almost convulsing, the pleasure so intense it nearly emptied his mind.
But being held by Pei Siyue felt warm and cozy, exceptionally secure.
Perhaps because it had been so long since his last marking, last week’s mark had faded somewhat. After it ended, he didn’t want to move, only wanting to nestle in Pei Siyue’s embrace.
Pei Siyue didn’t urge him either, just held him quietly.
Even though Pei Siyue had made him feel a bit wronged during the marking just now, he still couldn’t help but depend on him.
He buried his face in Pei Siyue’s chest, immersing himself in the other’s pheromones. Gradually, his stomach began to ache with anticipation, and the glands at the base of his neck still burned.
Once his body recovered, he realized he wasn’t satisfied yet.
He tried to hold back, but closing his eyes brought back the blissful sensation from the marking—a pleasure so intense it felt like soaring through the sky or diving deep into water.
The earlier feeling had been too intense and fleeting. Now he craved something more comfortable and lasting.
He unconsciously writhed, only to be held tighter around the waist by Pei Siyue.
Pei Siyue’s gaze darkened as he murmured, “What’s wrong?”
Their faces were dangerously close, his handsome features looming large before him. He swallowed hard, his heart racing. He felt overwhelmed, felt controlled.
He didn’t know what was wrong. He’d just been marked, yet he still craved more.
He tried to resist, but couldn’t. Clutching Pei Siyue’s clothes, his gaze hazy and voice thick with desire, he murmured, “I want more… I want it again…”
“What do you want?”
“Marking.”
Pei Siyue touched Ruan Shuyang’s forehead. It wasn’t particularly hot; he hadn’t been driven into heat by the mark. He simply wanted the mark itself.
Pei Siyue didn’t rush to give it. He asked slowly, “Why do you want it again?”
Ruan Shuyang let out two soft sobs, finding the words too shameful to utter. He wanted to pull away from Pei Siyue to compose himself.
But Pei Siyue didn’t release the hand restraining him. His lips brushed lightly against Ruan Shuyang’s gland. Ruan Shuyang let out a soft “mmph,” the sudden tingling sensation causing him to collapse limply back into Pei Siyue’s embrace.
He felt wronged, his voice trembling with tears. “Brother, you’re so bad…”
So bad.
“Using your pheromones to bully me again.”
Pei Siyue didn’t deny it. Instead, he gently licked Ruan Shuyang’s gland, lapping up the droplet of blood that had just spilled.
Just as Ruan Shuyang was about to cry from genuine hurt, he asked, “You want my pheromones, don’t you?”
Ruan Shuyang sniffled, pouting, “Yes, but Brother, you won’t give it to me.”
Pei Siyue smiled faintly. “I never said I wouldn’t give it to you.”
Ruan Shuyang didn’t know why he thought this, but he couldn’t help shifting his body. “Then… then why…”
Still not giving it to him.
“Your glands and reproductive cavity are too small,” Pei Siyue patiently explained. “You can’t handle too much pheromone at once.”
“You can’t endure a second marking right now. You need to wait.”
Ruan Shuyang blinked, his mind feeling like it had short-circuited. He clearly heard what Pei Siyue was saying, but his words jumbled together into incomprehensible chaos.
Pei Siyue’s voice turned coaxing. “Besides marking, there are other ways to obtain my pheromones.”
As he spoke, his pheromones swirled around Ruan Shuyang, drawing him in bit by bit, imperceptibly.
Ruan Shuyang drifted away from his thoughts, asking dazedly, “What way?”
Pei Siyue lifted his chin with one hand while the other gently traced his lips. His voice was low and intoxicating. “Is that okay?”
Ruan Shuyang seemed to grasp something, a flush spreading across his cheeks until they glowed crimson, starkly contrasting with his fair, delicate skin—a vivid beauty of white and red.
He hadn’t said no.
Was this… a kiss?
When Pei Siyue captured his lips, his mind went blank. An overwhelming surge of pheromones flooded from their kiss, engulfing him in a storm. A meaningless hum filled his ears, robbing him of thought. He could only feel himself being guided by Pei Siyue, kissed gently.
His heart raced as if fully submerged in water—gentle yet scorching currents lapping at his body.
The pheromone concentration in bodily fluids was intense. Through tangled breaths and kisses, he was immersed in Pei Siyue’s scent, the earlier dissatisfaction slowly fading.
When he finally came to his senses, Pei Siyue was sucking on his lips. His scalp tingled, his breath utterly stolen away. Eyes closed, his long lashes trembled.
He felt as if he were completely enveloped and covered by the water, kneaded and soaked through and through.
It was an extraordinary comfort, different from the soul-shaking tremors of being marked. He was so pleasantly lost that his consciousness blurred.
Just a second before he passed out, Pei Siyue released his lips and tapped his cheek gently, reminding him, “Breathe.”
Ruan Shuyang instinctively drew in a breath, panting softly, still dazed. His lips parted slightly, his gaze unfocused.
This time, Pei Siyue didn’t wake him again. He carried him upstairs to the bedroom, laid him on the bed, removed his shoes and socks, and fetched a hot towel from the bathroom to wipe his face and feet.
After finishing, Pei Siyue stayed with him for a while longer, stroking his cheek and murmuring, “I’m in the next room. Call me if you need anything.”
Then he left with restrained composure.
Ruan Shuyang lay on the bed for a long time before coming to his senses. His body felt utterly limp, too lazy to lift even a finger.
But as he slowly recalled what had just happened, he couldn’t help but curl up, burying his face in the pillow, too ashamed to face anyone.
Thankfully, Pei Siyue had already left. Otherwise, he feared he might faint from sheer embarrassment.
His expression flickered with frustration, shame, anger, and hurt—a whirlwind of complex emotions.
Pei Siyue was so mean, deliberately withholding it tonight just to force him to admit it, to make him say he wanted it.
But every time he did admit it, he’d be flooded with so much pheromone, more than he could handle.
Curled up, clutching his pillow, he felt strangely exhausted despite it being just marking and kissing. An inexplicable weariness washed over him, tempting him to fall asleep right there.
But he couldn’t. His clothes needed changing.
He struggled to sit up to wash, but his legs buckled as he tried to get out of bed, nearly sending him crashing to the floor.
Should he call Pei Siyue over to help him to the bathroom…
The thought was tempting, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to ask. He forced himself to the bathroom, showered, changed into pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep.
**
Pei Siyue was also showering—a cold one. Icy water poured from the showerhead, yet it couldn’t cool the heat radiating from his body.
Burning hot. Scorching.
He closed his eyes briefly, his Adam’s apple rolling up and down.
Ruan Shuyang had gradually become captivated by his enigmatic pheromones, unable to stay away. He craved him for physical pleasure and fulfillment, not merely for healing.
Perhaps the net he’d cast could slowly be drawn tighter.
He admitted many of his methods weren’t honorable, but he’d never been a good person in the traditional sense. He never gave without expecting something in return.
**
The next morning, when he came downstairs for breakfast, Ruan Shuyang kept darting his gaze away, unable to meet Pei Siyue’s eyes.
Still, he had made progress since last time—he wasn’t deliberately avoiding him. Occasionally, he dared to look at Pei Siyue, though he couldn’t bring himself to recall what had happened the night before.
When he woke up this morning, Ruan Shuyang had desperately wanted to bury his head in the sand, stay in bed, skip work, and avoid seeing Pei Siyue.
Only after a full night’s sleep and his mind completely clearing did he finally grasp what had happened last night.
Pei Siyue hadn’t just marked him—he’d kissed him, revealing there was another way to obtain pheromones—
kissing.
Kissing allowed the exchange of bodily fluids. Pheromones were indeed abundant, and they could be consumed slowly, bit by bit, without the sudden feeling of being overwhelmed.
It seemed he had indeed been teased by Pei Siyue’s pheromones again last night, yet he wasn’t particularly angry. He even felt a bit bashful.
Perhaps it was because he had been thoroughly satisfied afterward.
But was kissing also part of the treatment and feedback?
Come to think of it, Pei Siyue hadn’t asked him about his feelings during the treatment in quite a while. Though lately, he hadn’t felt any different from before.
He’d gone to bed early last night and woke up early today. After finishing breakfast, it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet, and the company’s work hours started at nine in the morning.
After breakfast, Pei Siyue stood up to take the empty plates to the kitchen. Ruan Shuyang hurriedly rose and said, “I’ll do it.”
Pei Siyue didn’t move, only lowering his gaze to watch Ruan Shuyang. The presence of his stare was impossible to ignore.
Ruan Shuyang grew increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze and couldn’t help but lift his head, softly calling out, “Brother.”
Pei Siyue replied leisurely, “I thought you didn’t plan on looking at me anymore.”
“No, no.”
Yet even as he denied it, his eyes darted nervously, unable to meet Pei Siyue’s gaze.
Pei Siyue placed the empty plate directly into the sink. When he emerged, he pulled a set of car keys from his pocket and laid them on the table.
“I had a car made for you. It’s registered in your name. You can drive yourself to work or go out for fun.”
Ruan Shuyang snapped out of his awkwardness, staring at the keys on the table with surprise. “For me?”
And it even has my name on it?
This gift is far too valuable.
He hurriedly protested, “No, I can’t accept this. It’s too expensive.”
Pei Siyue watched the keys being pushed back, his expression showing no surprise. He simply replied calmly, “You call me brother, don’t you?”
Ruan Shuyang stared with his clear, innocent eyes, unsure why Pei Siyue brought this up.
“When a younger brother gets into college, his older brother should give him a gift.” He ruffled Ruan Shuyang’s hair, his expression serene, his gaze deep as the sea. “If you don’t want it, just let it gather dust in the garage.”
“If you don’t like this model, we can exchange it for another.”
Ruan Shuyang was startled and quickly protested, “No need to exchange it! No need!”
One car was already extravagant enough—why would he need to swap it?
When Pei Siyue led him to the garage and showed him the brand-new, imposing Maybach S580—a true king of the road—he stood frozen for a long moment before stammering, “It’s… it’s too luxurious.”
Only Ruan Jianchuan in the Ruan family could afford such a car; Pan Lan and her son drove vehicles worth a few hundred thousand yuan.
Pei Siyue simply asked, “Don’t you want to try it? It’s almost time for work. Drive me to the office.”
Distracted, Ruan Shuyang glanced at the time—it was already Pei Siyue’s usual work hours. He nodded. “Sure.”
He tried unlocking the driver’s door with the key, then paused and opened the rear door for Pei Siyue instead.
Bosses always sit in the back, right?
But when he opened the rear door, Pei Siyue didn’t get in. He just stood beside the car watching him.
Ruan Shuyang suddenly understood. He quickly closed the rear door and opened the passenger seat. This time, Pei Siyue got in, and Ruan Shuyang walked around to the driver’s seat and sat down.
The Maybach S580 had a relatively large body, making Ruan Shuyang appear petite in the spacious driver’s seat.
Pei Siyue nodded. “Good.”
The Maybach S580’s exceptionally high safety rating and superb driving experience were precisely why he’d chosen this model.
Safety was his primary consideration.
Sports cars might be flashy and beautiful, but their safety was significantly lower than sedans.
Of course, once Ruan Shuyang became more familiar with driving, he could switch to a sports car if he wanted.
After getting his license, Ruan Shuyang had only test-driven a few company cars from Ruiji, mostly Audis. This was his first time behind the wheel of such an expensive, large vehicle. Nervous yet attentive, he listened as Pei Siyue explained the location of common controls and how to adjust the driver’s seat. Once he understood everything, he placed his hands on the steering wheel. Thinking about the car’s price tag, he timidly whispered, ” What if I scratch or bump it?”
After over twenty minutes, the car backed into a spot in Ruiji’s underground parking garage. He finally exhaled.
Pei Siyue pulled a tissue from the glove compartment and gently dabbed the cold sweat that had beaded on his nose from nervousness.
Ruan Shuyang turned his head to look at the tall enigma sitting beside him in the passenger seat.
Pei Siyue’s features were deep-set, his handsome contours sculpted with sharp definition, his demeanor cool and noble.
He stared blankly for a moment before the question slipped out involuntarily, “Brother, why are you so good to me?”
Pei Siyue tossed the tissue into the car’s trash bin. He didn’t respond, only fixed his gaze on Ruan Shuyang, his dark eyes unfathomable.
“Why did you help me? Why did you give me a car? And why…”
Kiss me.
The last two words caught in Ruan Shuyang’s throat, unsaid.
All of this seemed impossible to explain solely by treating his illness. Besides, Pei Siyue hadn’t mentioned any progress on his treatment in ages.
Though embarrassed, he mustered his courage to look at Pei Siyue after asking.
Pei Siyue regarded him for a moment before simply saying, “Figure it out yourself.”
Ruan Shuyang: “…?”
He watched helplessly as Pei Siyue got out of the car. He hurriedly followed, his voice pitiful. “Brother, I can’t figure it out.”
Pei Siyue remained unmoved. “Then take your time figuring it out.”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”
He wanted to ask more, but Pei Siyue went straight to the lab upon arriving at the company. He didn’t want to interrupt his work, so he could only ponder it himself.
But he couldn’t figure it out.
This frustration lingered into the evening.
Thanks to treatment and proper nutrition these past days, he’d grown a bit taller—now 175 cm—and his previously delicate features had matured slightly, though only a little.
After all, omegas don’t grow much larger, nor can they bear children for others.
This discomfort was particularly embarrassing to discuss. He felt an itch deep inside his rear, and when he looked up symptoms online, they seemed to start with terminal illnesses. Terrified and ashamed about his condition, Ruan Shuyang rushed to Pei Siyue’s door without a second thought.
“Brother.”
Leave a Reply