On Monday evening, Ruan Shuyang received another message from Chi Ye.
Since he’d declined his summer internship offer, Chi Ye seemed to hold no grudge. He’d messaged him several times, once inviting him to dinner. Later, due to project deadlines, they hadn’t met again.
Tonight, his message read: On T University’s opening day, upperclassmen will guide freshmen.
Chi Ye: I can be your guide.
Ruan Shuyang had previously researched university orientation essentials. He learned that key administrative offices were often tucked away in obscure corners, making them difficult to locate. Having someone guide him would save a lot of hassle.
He first asked: “Senior, aren’t you busy with your project lately?”
Last time at the club dinner, people mentioned you were swamped.
Chi Ye glanced at the others hammering away in the club room and told Ruan Shuyang: “Busy, yes. But I also need to help the student council with orientation—the school assigned me tasks.”
Ruan Shuyang: “Got it! I’ll bother you on opening day then~”
On the first day of school, Pei Siyue deliberately cleared half a day to accompany Ruan Shuyang to register at the university.
Ruan Shuyang knew how busy Pei Siyue was. Worried that accompanying him would delay work, he kept insisting he could go alone. But Pei Siyue said, “You can be a kid and have your parent accompany you.”
He couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
Having someone accompany him during registration, rather than being alone, made him feel incredibly happy.
Well, his brother could count as a parent.
That day, Chi Ye waited at the school gate. When he saw Ruan Shuyang and Pei Siyue park their car and walk down together, his smile froze on his face.
Why was Pei Siyue here too?
Though he’d vaguely sensed from Chi Heng’s words that Pei Siyue and Ruan Shuyang were together, he refused to believe it was true.
The gap between them was too vast. Pei Siyue was cunning and unfathomable—if they were really together, Ruan Shuyang would be devoured whole.
Spotting Chi Ye standing near the orientation area at the school gate, Ruan Shuyang immediately smiled and greeted him: “Senior.”
He hurried over, with Pei Siyue following close behind, whispering a warning: “Be careful.”
Chi Ye noticed Pei Siyue walking alongside Ruan Shuyang. Feeling the imposing pressure from the tall enigma, he fought back the urge to pale and retreat. He lowered his head slightly and smiled at Ruan Shuyang. “You’re here to register? That’s early.”
Ruan Shuyang nodded, his face brimming with excitement and anticipation. “Senior, are we going to handle the enrollment procedures now?”
“Yes.” Chi Ye replied, then lifted his head to meet Pei Siyue’s gaze. Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a polite yet distant tone: ” “Uncle Pei, you can drop him off here. There’s no need for you to come inside. I’ll take Ruan Shuyang to handle the paperwork.”
Pei Siyue lowered his gaze to Chi Ye, his expression inscrutable. The overwhelming pressure from enigma’s alpha pheromones weighed heavily on Chi Ye, cold sweat beading on his back. Yet he steadfastly met Pei Siyue’s stare, refusing to retreat even an inch.
Pei Siyue chuckled softly, replying unhurriedly, “I’m on equal footing with your brother Chi Heng. There’s no need for such formalities.”
“I’ll handle the paperwork with Ruan Shuyang, arrange his dorm, and then take him home.”
Chi Ye’s eyes widened slightly.
Did that mean Ruan Shuyang wouldn’t be staying in the dorm?
He furrowed his brow. What was Pei Siyue thinking, refusing to let him stay in the dorm?
He couldn’t help but glance down at Ruan Shuyang. Seeing the younger man offer no objection to Pei Siyue’s words, he whispered, “Junior, you won’t be staying in the dorm?”
“Yeah, I usually don’t.” Ruan Shuyang felt awkward admitting he didn’t plan to live on campus, as if it violated some unspoken school rule. The less attention drawn, the better. He whispered to Chi Ye, “Living in the dorm isn’t convenient. I might just take an afternoon nap there at most.”
Chi Ye’s smile was painfully strained.
Just then, Pei Siyue casually added, “I heard from Chi Heng that you, Senior Chi Ye, don’t live in the dorm either.”
“Really?” Ruan Shuyang felt a surge of kinship, breathing a sigh of relief. “So you don’t live in the dorm either, Senior?”
Chi Ye: “…”
His smile turned bitter. Could he admit that from this moment on, he actually wanted to live in the dorm?
Never before had Chi Ye felt so strongly that Pei Siyue was a scheming guy—and a bit of a manipulator at that.
In this clash of wills, Chi Ye suffered a crushing defeat. He could only compose himself, take Ruan Shuyang to complete the enrollment procedures, and console himself that there was plenty of time ahead.
Tuition had been paid before enrollment, so the current procedures only involved registering his student status, collecting his campus card, and picking up dorm supplies bundled with the accommodation fee. Over an hour later, Pei Siyue thoughtfully carried numerous dorm items as he walked into the dormitory with Ruan Shuyang.
Chi Ye led the way ahead, hearing Pei Siyue quietly remind her, “Watch your step, there’s a step.”
Chi Ye immediately chimed in, “Someone’s ahead—don’t bump into them.”
By the time they reached the elevator, the two were exchanging constant reminders. One would say something, and the other would inevitably add their own.
Caught between them, Ruan Shuyang: “…”
It felt suffocating.
Even with his thick skin, he sensed something was off.
The vibe between Pei Siyue and Chi Ye felt peculiar. Could it be that Pei Siyue and Chi Ye’s older brother, Chi Heng, were actually business rivals?
He tried to whisper, “I can manage on my own…”
But before he could finish, the elevator arrived.
It was the first day of school. Students and parents thronged the dormitory building, crowding the elevator lobby. As soon as they stepped inside, Ruan Shuyang was pushed into a corner. Pei Siyue stood beside him protectively, while Chi Ye positioned himself on the other side.
Ruan Shuyang felt like a weak, pitiful, helpless omega.
Fortunately, the elevator quickly reached the sixth floor, and they walked together to the dorm room.
Chi Ye introduced to Ruan Shuyang, “Junior, this building is the undergraduate male dormitory. Floors one through six house male omegas and male betas, while floors seven through fifteen house male alphas and male betas. The elevators are segregated, and they’re not mixed during this back-to-school season.”
A male beta roommate had already arrived and was sitting on the bed across from them, observing Ruan Shuyang and his group with curiosity, as if silently wondering: Why are there so many of them?
Ruan Shuyang felt awkward under the gaze. Seeing that the registration was complete and the dorm was settled, he added the counselor’s contact information before turning to Chi Ye: “Senior, I understand the basics now. Thanks for your help today.” “ He smiled as he spoke. ”I’ll treat you to a meal after classes start.”
Pei Siyue had stood quietly beside Ruan Shuyang the whole time. Hearing the last remark, he narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing. Instead, he casually draped an arm around Ruan Shuyang’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go.”
Before Chi Ye could respond, Pei Siyue led Ruan Shuyang away. Ruan Shuyang only had time to turn back and give Chi Ye an apologetic smile.
Once the two had walked far enough away, Chi Ye faintly heard Pei Siyue suggest in a low voice, “If you want to thank this senior, we can all treat him to a meal together. We can invite his brother too.”
Chi Ye: “…”
He was certain—Pei Siyue was seriously playing games!
But as the distance grew, he didn’t catch Ruan Shuyang’s reply.
As Pei Siyue wrapped an arm around Ruan Shuyang’s shoulder, half-hugging, half-carrying him away, Ruan felt no discomfort whatsoever. He was so familiar with Pei Siyue’s pheromones that he felt an unusual dependence on him. Being held like this only gave him a sense of security, leaving him completely unaware he was being led away.
By the time he realized it, he was already in the elevator leaving the dorm.
He thought about what Pei Siyue had said, then mustered his courage to whisper, “I’ll invite Senior Chi Ye myself. You don’t need to come, big brother, and you don’t need to call Chi Ye’s brother either.”
Pei Siyue’s eyes darkened as he studied Ruan Shuyang’s expression. “Why?”
“I just feel it’s inappropriate for you to get involved in matters between classmates,” Ruan Shuyang replied earnestly, his small face serious. “Besides, it seems you and Chi Heng don’t get along very well.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because you don’t seem to like Chi Ye,” Ruan Shuyang said uncertainly. “I just don’t know if it has anything to do with Chi Heng.”
After the elevator doors reopened and they left the dormitory building, Pei Siyue looked down at Ruan Shuyang without speaking.
Ruan Shuyang tugged at Pei Siyue’s hand, shaking it like a child tugging an adult’s arm. “When Brother sees Chi Ye, his pheromones turn into ice-cold water.”
He looked up at Pei Siyue, his large eyes brimming with caution. “Actually, Senior Chi Ye is really nice. He’s helped me a lot.”
Beneath the weeping willow beside the dormitory building, the trees glowed translucent in the bright sunlight. The deep blue sky dazzled the eyes. People came and went within the dormitory building, many noticing the tall enigma and delicate omega beneath the willow.
The tall enigma, though dressed in light brown casual wear, clearly wasn’t a student. His demeanor was cool and noble, radiating an aura of command characteristic of someone in a position of authority. Several years older than the omega beside him, he stood protectively at the other’s side.
The omega beside him appeared exceptionally petite in comparison. His skin was smooth and milky white, with faint blushes spreading across his cheeks. His large, luminous eyes resembled a tender sapling, carefully nurtured to blossom into the most exquisite flower.
Pei Siyue asked in a deep, measured tone, “What if I said I dislike Chi Ye?”
Ruan Shuyang’s expression visibly darkened. His shoulders slumped, and his voice was soft and full of hurt. “I… I’ll listen to you, Brother.”
Pei Siyue closed his eyes. Where Ruan Shuyang couldn’t see, he was struggling to contain the overwhelming urge to control everything.
He desperately wanted to say: Don’t see Chi Ye. Don’t see anyone else with their own thoughts. Stay home and be seen only by me.
Ruan Shuyang would listen.
The submission attributes in Enigma and omega markings were exceptionally high. Ruan Shuyang instinctively obeyed his commands, even if it caused him pain.
Yet he still remembered Ruan Shuyang explicitly stating during their second meeting that he deeply resented the dominance and submission embedded within the pheromone markings.
So he never once considered truly controlling him, turning the little omega into his puppet.
He reached out, lifting Ruan Shuyang’s chin with his thumb and index finger, his voice restrained and controlled.
“I won’t interfere with your normal friendships.”
Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue in confusion. What exactly did this mean? Did he dislike Chi Ye or not?
Only when Pei Siyue released his chin and pulled him away did it begin to click.
Pei Siyue was saying that regardless of whether he disliked Chi Ye or not, he wouldn’t interfere with Ruan Shuyang making friends with others.
…But he still hadn’t clarified whether he disliked Chi Ye.
Even after leaving campus, Ruan Shuyang remained utterly confused and at a loss.
Pei Siyue sighed, gently stroking Ruan Shuyang’s cheek as he explained: “Enigmas instinctively dislike other enigmas or alphas appearing near their own omegas.”
Ruan Shuyang halted, lifting his gaze to meet Pei Siyue standing beside her.
Pei Siyue possessed exceptionally striking features and physique—deeply carved, handsome lines, tall and straight-backed—an enigma who commanded attention in any crowd.
Was he truly Pei Siyue’s omega?
As the thought crossed his mind, he found himself voicing the question.
Pei Siyue lifted an edge of his lips in a counter-question: “What do you think?”
“We’ve been marked so many times. The pheromone bond between us runs deeper than with anyone else.”
It seemed undeniably true.
When he first asked Pei Siyue to treat his illness, Ruan Shuyang never imagined they’d become this kind of relationship. He’d assumed it was purely doctor and patient.
But as the bond deepened, the pheromones did indeed make them instinctively regard each other as their enigma or omega.
Still, had Pei Siyue never considered this either?
Ruan Shuyang hadn’t dwelled on this. He’d only considered what an omega should do for others.
Physiology class taught that after being marked, an omega instinctively depends on and trusts their marker. Alphas, meanwhile, develop controlling and possessive urges toward marked omegas.
Though enigmas weren’t covered, it seemed similar to alphas—or even more intense.
If that was the case, he understood.
Senior Chi Ye was also an alpha. Pei Siyue couldn’t say he disliked him, but he felt an instinctive rejection.
Thinking of this, he immediately stopped and promised Pei Siyue: “Brother, I’ll make sure you never see me interacting with other alphas or enigmas beyond social distance.”
That should satisfy his possessiveness, right?
“Wherever you can’t see, I absolutely won’t engage in any behavior beyond social distance with others.”
He had to shoulder the responsibility of being Pei Siyue’s omega. He had to be accountable.
Pei Siyue: “…”
He rubbed his temples, suddenly unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Did Ruan Shuyang think that if he couldn’t see it, he wouldn’t mind?
No. As long as it existed, he would mind.
But he still told Ruan Shuyang, “I understand.”
Ruan Shuyang felt his assurance was sincere enough, but Pei Siyue didn’t seem particularly happy. He didn’t know what was wrong.
Perhaps enigma cares more than alpha.
He pondered this.
Pei Siyue was swamped with work and left after lunch with Ruan Shuyang.
Ruan Shuyang went home for a nap. Upon waking, he saw classmates discussing a class meeting and dinner in the group chat.
Times had changed. Ruan Shuyang wouldn’t turn down such group activities due to financial constraints anymore.
Before the semester started, Pei Siyue had transferred him a sum of money, calling it his older brother’s contribution to his younger brother’s college expenses. He’d also given him the advance profit from the three necklaces they’d ordered.
Combined, these sums reached seven figures—not to mention the deposit Wen Yusheng had given him, still sitting in his account.
Staring at his bank balance, he couldn’t shake the illusion that he was actually a minor tycoon.
Yet just over a month ago, he’d been a penniless beggar with barely a few hundred yuan to his name.
It was all thanks to Pei Siyue.
Every time he thought about it, he felt he owed Pei Siyue a great deal.
How could he ever repay him?
Ruan Shuyang was deeply troubled.
His phone buzzed again. The counselor had tagged everyone in the university class group, summoning those who had already arrived on campus and completed registration to a meeting at 3:30 PM.
Seeing it was already 3 PM, Ruan Shuyang sent Pei Siyue a message saying he was heading to the meeting before leaving home on foot for campus.
The apartment Pei Siyue had bought for him was extremely close to the university. It took only five minutes to walk to the east gate—essentially rounding up to living in a slightly more remote dorm building. He never felt any transportation hassle from not living on campus.
He arrived at the classroom at 3:15 PM. A few scattered classmates were already seated inside, including Shen Bianyan, the male beta roommate he’d met that morning.
Shen Bianyan smiled upon seeing him and beckoned for him to sit down. After taking his seat, Ruan Shuyang heard Shen Bianyan whisper, “Who were those two alphas who walked you here this morning? They were both so tall, it felt like they’d blocked the entire dorm entrance, leaving no room for anyone else to get in.”
In truth, one was an enigma and the other an alpha.
Ruan Shuyang silently corrected this in his mind, but didn’t voice it aloud. After all, the very existence of enigmas seemed to be a mystery to most people.
Had he not encountered Pei Siyue, he himself wouldn’t have known enigmas existed in this world.
Let Pei Siyue remain an enigma.
“One is a senior responsible for guiding new students, and the other is my… brother.”
“Your real brother?” Shen Bianyan clearly knew the older one was the ‘brother’ Ruan Shuyang mentioned, but he couldn’t help feeling something was off. “You don’t look alike at all. Are you biological brothers?”
Ruan Shuyang: “…No.”
Shen Biayan concluded: “So he’s that kind of brother—not related by blood, yet close enough to send you to university.”
“By the way, do you two live together?”
Ruan Shuyang stared at him in surprise, unsure how Shen Biayan had reached that conclusion.
“Why do you say that?”
Shen Bianyan shrugged. “It’s pretty obvious whether you live together or not. If you don’t, there’s a sense of formality when you interact. If you do, your behavior becomes especially natural and intimate.”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”
Is it that obvious?
“Relax, relax.” Shen Bianyan wore a reassuring expression. “Don’t worry, I’m tight-lipped. Even if I noticed, I wouldn’t say much to the other classmates in class. You don’t need to fret.”
Ruan Shuyang didn’t know what expression to make.
Should he explain his relationship with Pei Siyue to others? But that seemed strange, and he didn’t know how to explain it.
Come to think of it, he didn’t even know what kind of brother Pei Siyue was to him.
Pei Siyue told him to figure it out himself, but he still hadn’t come up with an answer.
At half past three, the counselor arrived punctually to hold a class meeting, organizing the election for class president and committee members. Ruan Shuyang had never served as a class officer and had no desire to do so. He sat quietly at his desk and cast his vote.
Shen Bianyan beside him, however, was quite lively as he campaigned for a committee position. After voting concluded, the counselor left to preside over the next class meeting, where the president would organize a group dinner.
When Ruan Shuyang applied for university, he was still under surveillance by the Ruan family. Daring not to apply for design or business-related majors, he ultimately chose the relatively obscure History Department.
History was an unpopular liberal arts major, attracting mostly betas and omegas, with very few alphas. Yet the elected class president was a male alpha named Jin Lang.
Jin Lang mentioned he’d just reported for duty today and needed to scout out nearby restaurants before deciding where to gather for dinner, dismissing them for the time being.
Shen Bianyan asked Ruan Shuyang, “Heading back to the dorm?”
Ruan Shuyang wasn’t very good at refusing people. Hesitating, he replied, “No, I… I don’t live in the dorm. I’ve already informed my advisor.”
Shen Bianyan stared at him in surprise, then seemed to understand. “You live with that older brother of yours, right? He looks like a super wealthy upper-class elite. Renting or buying a place around here shouldn’t be a problem for him.”
After saying that, Shen Bianyan asked curiously, “I heard Alphas have super strong possessiveness. Is that true?”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”
How to put it… He did feel that Pei Siyue had possessive tendencies sometimes, but he also sensed that Pei Siyue wouldn’t impose too many restrictions on him.
As he and Shen Bianyan left the main building, he still offered an explanation: “He’s a good person. He doesn’t really manage or restrict me much.”
This time, it was Editor Shen Yan who was speechless.
To be honest, he thought neither of the two Alphas who had come to the dorm with Ruan Shuyang this morning were easy to deal with. The slightly older one was especially formidable.
When he wasn’t looking at Ruan Shuyang, his expression turned unusually cold. His entire demeanor became icy and sharp, radiating an overwhelming sense of pressure. Even Ruan Shuyang, a Beta
When not looking at Ruan Shuyang, his expression turned exceptionally cold, his entire aura icy and sharp, radiating intense pressure. Even Shen Bianyan, a Beta without pheromones, could feel the oppressive weight.
Under these circumstances, Shen Bianyan found it hard to agree with Ruan Shuyang’s description of him as “a really nice guy.”
To Shen Bianyan, the older alpha resembled a primordial beast cloaked in an elegant suit, dressed like an elite.
Such a person could never be considered “good.” On the contrary, he was exceptionally dangerous. Shen needed to keep his distance.
In the end, he focused on the key point: “So you two really are living together.”
Ruan Shuyang’s face flushed instantly, turning crimson all the way to his ears. He stammered, “Yes… yes.”
At first, he hadn’t thought there was anything wrong with living together, but now that his classmate had pointed it out, it seemed unusually suggestive.
“Alright, I get it.” “ Editor Shen patted Ruan Shuyang on the shoulder. ”A four-person dorm room? It’s nowhere near as comfortable as a big house off campus. If I could afford it, I’d move out too.”
Ruan Shuyang thought of something, but he didn’t make a decision on his own. He planned to ask Pei Siyue’s opinion first.
After saying goodbye to Editor Shen, he sent a message to Pei Siyue.
**
Pei Siyue was in his office instructing his secretary, Cheng Yi, to find several artists under Pei Entertainment whose contracts were nearing expiration. They needed to be individuals with questionable conduct that hadn’t yet been exposed publicly. He requested their files.
Cheng Yi didn’t ask questions. An hour later, the files were sent to Pei Siyue’s email.
When he received Ruan Shuyang’s message, Pei Siyue was reviewing the artists’ files.
Ruan Shuyang: Brother, can I hang out with my classmates for meals and outings from now on?
Ruan Shuyang: Cute smiley face.jpg
Pei Siyue replied: Sure.
After replying, he set his phone aside, feeling rather low.
Truthfully, as an enigma with intense possessiveness, he deeply disliked his designated partner socializing with others.
But Ruan Shuyang was still young, just starting university—an age for enjoying fun and making friends with classmates.
Only at school could one find the purest form of friendship.
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