Pei Siyue pulled tissues from the coffee table to wipe his tears, but they flowed back as soon as they were dried, leaving streaks across his face that couldn’t be fully erased.
Pei Siyue simply embraced him, letting him bury his face in his chest, smudging his shirt as he rubbed against it. He patted his back, his voice low and gentle: ” Don’t be afraid. I won’t force an answer now. You can take your time. Things between us will stay just as they were before.”
Ruan Shuyang leaned against Pei Siyue’s solid, broad chest, sinking into the other man’s pheromones as he slowly calmed down.
Without him noticing, Pei Siyue slowly removed the barrier patch from the back of his neck.
Pei Siyue’s pheromones seeped into his body through the glands, silently comforting him and binding him to the enigma behind him.
Ruan Shuyang gradually calmed down. Though he still couldn’t control the occasional tremble, he stopped crying.
Pei Siyue took out tissue again to wipe his tears.
He asked in confusion, “Brother, what did you mean by what you said just now?”
“That we’ll stay like this,” Pei Siyue replied, seemingly focused on wiping his tears as he explained casually, “You don’t have to agree with me, nor do you have to respond.”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head immediately. “But Brother, that’s not fair.”
Pei Siyue cupped his face, looking at him earnestly. “Fairness isn’t necessary between us.”
“But… but…”
Pei Siyue cut him off, suddenly turning his body and giving him a brief mark.
Ruan Shuyang’s mind went blank during the marking. After it ended and he came to his senses, the earlier feelings of sadness, guilt, panic, and helplessness slowly faded away.
He leaned into Pei Siyue’s embrace, feeling deeply reassured.
Marking could soothe an omega.
Though calmed, Ruan Shuyang still felt the matter wasn’t fully resolved. He tried to continue with Pei Siyue: “Brother, what about us now…”
Was this really sustainable? Could he truly keep receiving Pei Siyue’s devotion without giving anything in return?
But before he could finish, Pei Siyue pressed a finger to his lips.
Pei Siyue seemed determined to cut him off, shifting the topic instead: “Join me for a trip abroad during the National Day holiday.”
As he spoke, he used his mark to coax Ruan Shuyang, gradually redirecting his attention.
“Travel abroad during the National Day holiday?” Ruan Shuyang asked in confusion. “Where to?”
“To Country M,” Pei Siyue replied. “The place I visited on my last business trip. That elder I mentioned earlier has recovered and plans to return to settle down.”
Ruan Shuyang understood: “So you’re going to pick up that elder? Would it interfere with your work if I came along?”
“Not at all.” Pei Siyue shook his head, running his fingers through Ruan Shuyang’s soft hair to gently massage his scalp and ease his mind. “Picking up an elder isn’t work. You won’t be in the way.”
“Besides, would you want to be apart from me?”
Ruan Shuyang froze for a moment before shaking his head swiftly.
“I don’t want to be apart from Brother.”
The pain of being left alone during Pei Siyue’s frequent business trips had been excruciating. Living in that vast house had left him lonely, both physically and emotionally.
“Then we’ll go together.” Pei Siyue told Ruan Shuyang with certainty, “I don’t want to be apart from you either.”
“It’s not just omegas who miss their enigmas—enigmas miss their omegas too.”
Ruan Shuyang froze, then flushed crimson like dawn clouds. He never mentioned leaving again.
As he rose from beside Pei Siyue to return to his room, he touched the back of his neck and remembered the gland barrier patch had been removed.
He turned back, curiosity in his eyes. “Brother, why did you take off my barrier patch?”
Pei Siyue gazed at that face, radiant with trust and innocence, and murmured softly, “I like your scent too.”
Truthfully, it wasn’t just that—it was also to lure the little omega with his mark.
But the little omega seemed to believe his explanation. He gave him a shy smile before hurrying back to his room.
Pei Siyue wasn’t in a hurry about whether Ruan Shuyang would agree to his proposal. After all, there was nothing he could do about it now, and maintaining the status quo was a perfectly good option.
It wasn’t until Ruan Shuyang returned to his room, showered, and lay in bed that it dawned on him: if he and Pei Siyue continued like this, others would see them as a couple.
What difference did it make?
They’d already done nearly everything couples did.
But going to find Pei Siyue now to continue their earlier conversation seemed inappropriate—it was already late.
He buried himself under the covers, burying his head like an ostrich, thinking maybe things should just stay as they were.
Yet, before falling asleep, another thought crossed his mind.
People in relationships must like each other. Pei Siyue said he liked him, but did he like Pei Siyue?
He used to think he liked Pei Simin, seeing him as a ray of light in his life. But strangely, that liking didn’t make him want to spend more time with Pei Simin, nor did he think about him often.
Now, his feelings for Pei Siyue were completely different. He wanted to be with Pei Siyue and thought about him constantly.
These were emotions he never experienced when he liked Pei Siming.
He didn’t know what liking someone meant anymore, or whether he truly liked Pei Siyue.
**
He stayed up late last night thinking things over. When the alarm woke him at seven the next morning, Ruan Shuyang kept yawning and rubbing his eyes, tears welling up.
Seeing his state, Pei Siyue suggested, “Take the morning off.”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head immediately, his voice soft yet firm: “I can’t. Taking time off will dock credits and affect my final grades.”
Pei Siyue wanted to say he could handle the final grades—or even graduation—since nothing was unsolvable with a building donation to the university.
But seeing Ruan Shuyang so adamant, so determined to attend class, he swallowed his words.
The little omega had his own aspirations, and he was willing to respect that effort.
**
Time flew by until the end of the month, during which several minor yet significant events unfolded.
Ruan Jewelry replaced its spokesperson after the contract expired, choosing an Alpha movie star under Pei’s company.
Pei Siyue told Ruan Shuyang the three necklaces would be ready after National Day. Ruan Shuyang scheduled a meeting with Wen Yusheng for after the holiday.
Chi Ye led his team abroad for a competition exchange and wouldn’t return until after the holiday.
The jewelry company belonging to Ruan Shuyang had been registered. Pei Siyue asked him to name it, and he ultimately chose Yu’s Jewelry.
On the evening of September’s final day, after finishing his last class of the month, Ruan Shuyang was picked up by his driver. He and Pei Siyue headed to the airport together.
Ruan Shuyang had never flown before, never passed through customs, and had never seen the duty-free shops his classmates had talked about so often. He was fascinated.
Seeing this, Pei Siyue didn’t rush him onto the plane. Instead, he took him around the airport.
B City’s airport was spacious enough to house many brand boutiques. Pei Siyue guided Ruan Shuyang through the shops. Though Ruan mostly just walked past the windows without entering, he seemed genuinely delighted.
Despite years of life’s hardships, he retained a rare innocence and simplicity, finding joy in the simplest things. He hadn’t become cynical.
As they walked, however, they gradually made their way toward the departure area.
Though life had worn him down over the years, he still possessed a rare innocence and simplicity, finding joy in the simplest things, never becoming cynical.
As they wandered, they gradually approached the Ruan Jewelry boutique.
At that moment, the Ruan Jewelry boutique was completely empty. Not a single customer was inside. A salesperson sat idly in the corner, looking utterly bored and deeply troubled.
Ruan Shuyang didn’t go in. He just stood at the entrance for a moment, then suddenly asked Pei Siyue, “Brother, if Ruan Jewelry really goes under, will a lot of people lose their jobs?”
“Yes.”
Pei Siyue analyzed the situation objectively and calmly: “If Ruan Jewelry becomes insolvent and enters bankruptcy restructuring, many people could lose their jobs.”
“But if someone acquires it at a low price, they might restructure the company, which wouldn’t affect the rank-and-file employees much.”
Ruan Shuyang fell silent.
He understood Ruan Jewelry’s predicament well. Pei Siming’s investment and partnership could only prolong the company’s life temporarily, not sustain it indefinitely.
Founded by his grandfather, Ruan Jewelry was a quintessential family business, riddled with all the inherent problems of such enterprises.
Crucial positions were monopolized by members of the Ruan family. Talented individuals couldn’t rise through the ranks; skilled designers were either not recruited or, if hired, buried by internal strife for various reasons.
For a family business, the leader was paramount.
While his grandfather was alive, he served as a capable and decisive leader. Back then, his presence kept these family business flaws at bay.
Later, with Yu Xianbo’s design drafts and high net profits propping things up, these issues remained less apparent.
But now, without an outstanding leader or dazzling new designs, all the problems within the Ruan family enterprise have come to light.
To save the Ruan family, they either need a product so astonishingly unique it cannot be replaced, or they must implement thorough reforms within this family enterprise.
In truth, the necklace crafted from barrier material could be considered one such irreplaceable product.
Ruan Shuyang instinctively touched the necklace around his neck.
But he wouldn’t help the Ruan family.
Ruan Jianchuan lacked his grandfather’s boldness and capability. Unable to reform, the world held no second Yu Xianpo for him to exploit or deceive.
Bankruptcy was the inevitable fate of Ruan Jewelry.
Pei Siyue observed Ruan Shuyang’s despondent expression and asked in a low voice, “You don’t want Ruan Jewelry to go bankrupt?”
Ruan Shuyang shook his head immediately. “No, I just feel the rank-and-file employees are innocent victims.”
His mother, Yu Xianpo, had once been an employee at Ruan Jewelry. She’d told him stories about her time working there, saying she’d been truly happy at the company.
So he’d always held a favorable impression of Ruan Jewelry’s ordinary employees.
Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Shuyang. After a moment of silence, he said, “I understand.”
Ruan Shuyang wondered what Pei Siyue meant by that, but didn’t ask. He simply followed behind him.
They quickly passed through customs into the duty-free zone. However, after what had just happened at the Ruan Jewelry boutique, Ruan Shuyang had lost all interest in browsing. He didn’t look around; Pei Siyue led him straight to the boarding gate.
What stunned Ruan Shuyang was that Pei Siyue was actually using a private jet.
It was the first time in his life he’d seen a private jet up close. Back home, such aircraft seemed reserved for the wealthiest elite—true old money families. After all, even Ruan Jianchuan couldn’t afford to buy or maintain one.
After boarding, he gazed curiously around the cabin. Noticing his fascination, Pei Siyue invited him to explore.
The private jet’s interior was significantly smaller than commercial aircraft, yet its furnishings exuded opulent comfort.
Once the plane took off and reached cruising altitude, they could retire to the lounge’s bed for rest.
This particular jet featured only one lounge.
Upon seeing the lounge, Ruan Shuyang immediately realized this fact and flushed.
Pei Siyue had originally purchased the private jet for his own exclusive use, naturally opting for a model with a single lounge.
Back then, he never imagined he’d one day willingly bring another person aboard.
After the tour, they buckled into their seats. The plane soon took off and entered the stratosphere for smooth cruising.
Pei Siyue unbuckled Ruan Shuyang’s seatbelt. It was already 10 PM in City B. He guided him to the lounge, opened the door, and said, “You can freshen up and sleep here. Call me if you need anything.”
Ruan Shuyang paused at the doorway, “What about you, Brother?”
Ruan Shuyang glanced at the seat. Though it reclined, the fully laid-back position was still short. At 1.9 meters tall, the airplane seat was too small for Pei Siyue. Even if he could drape his legs over the seat, part of his body would remain suspended in the air—uncomfortable for sleeping.
He offered, “I’ll sleep out here instead.”
Pei Siyue shook his head, saying nothing, but his expression clearly conveyed refusal.
Just as he turned to leave, Ruan Shuyang suddenly grabbed Pei Siyue’s hand and gathered his courage. “Brother, we… we should lie down together in the lounge.”
The lounge contained a bed 1.8 meters wide—more than enough for two people.
Pei Siyue lifted Ruan Shuyang’s chin and gazed deeply into his eyes.
Though he’d long anticipated this decision, he still asked when he heard it: “Are you sure?”
Ruan Shuyang looked up at Pei Siyue. This time, his gaze felt unsettling, almost as if he might be devoured.
His heart pounded wildly, yet he answered, “Yes, brother.”
Pei Siyue followed him into the lounge and closed the door behind them.
The moment the door shut, the barrier patch over Ruan Shuyang’s neck gland was torn off, and Pei Siyue bit him.
This marking was swift, lasting barely a minute before he was released.
Pei Siyue guided him to sit on the bed, then opened a drawer in the lounge to retrieve a small medical kit.
Opening the kit, Pei Siyue took out a syringe of suppressant.
When Ruan Shuyang snapped back to awareness, he stared in surprise at Pei Siyue’s actions before rushing forward to grab him. “Why are you giving me an inhibitor, Brother?”
Ruan Shuyang didn’t understand: “What can’t you resist?”
Seeing Ruan Shuyang genuinely confused, Pei Siyue leaned closer to his ear. His cold, husky voice resonated against his skin, the sound seeming to reverberate deep within his soul.
“I can’t resist possessing you.”
Ruan Shuyang’s eyes widened in shock. Covering his mouth, he stumbled backward onto the bed, his expression filled with terror.
His self-control wasn’t particularly strong—at least not strong enough to share a room and a bed with a young omega without doing something.
This was also why he always restrained himself to leave quickly whenever he entered Ruan Shuyang’s room. If he stayed longer, he feared the lingering scent of lily of the valley would tempt him into doing something he shouldn’t.
Today was merely a test. Seeing Ruan Shuyang truly wasn’t ready, he genuinely intended to leave—only for his hand, reaching for the suppressant, to be caught by the young omega.
Ruan Shuyang had administered the suppressant himself before. He knew the injection hurt, and the aftermath was unpleasant. He didn’t want Pei Siyue to go through that.
Besides, whether or not he and Pei Siyue were romantically involved, he was the other’s omega. It was his duty to soothe his enigma. Pei Siyue had comforted him so many times; now it was his turn.
Though tension made his entire body tremble slightly, he still gripped the other’s hand with his slender white fingers. Looking down at his toes, he murmured softly, “I… I can do it.”
This time, it was Pei Siyue who was speechless. He hadn’t expected Ruan Shuyang to actually agree.
He closed his eyes briefly, injecting the suppressant into himself faster than Ruan Shuyang could react.
Immediately afterward, Ruan Shuyang felt himself pushed onto the bed as Pei Siyue marked him once more.
This marking was still brief, like someone unable to restrain themselves taking just a small taste of a delicious dish to satisfy their craving before moving on.
Pei Siyue lay on the bed, holding Ruan Shuyang tightly as he said with restraint, “No.”
Ruan Shuyang had been bitten twice in quick succession, his neck stinging. He couldn’t help but rub against Pei Siyue’s chest, absorbing his pheromones. “Why not?”
“You’re too young.”
“I’m not young,” Ruan Shuyang retorted immediately. “I’m an adult now. Eighteen.”
Pei Siyue closed his eyes briefly before emphasizing, “Too young.”
Seeing Ruan Shuyang about to protest, Pei Siyue snapped his eyes open. His gaze sharpened as he pulled Ruan Shuyang’s hand downward.
Ruan Shuyang yanked his hand back as if scalded, his face flushing crimson up to his neck. He dared not look at his fingers.
Good heavens, how… how could it be that size?
Pei Siyue’s breathing grew heavier. He forced himself to ask, “Last time you measured the diameter of the reproductive cavity, what was it?”
“Three… three fingers wide.”
Still only three of his fingers wide.
He gestured the width of his own three fingers, then recalled what he’d touched earlier—too horrifying to look at directly.
It really was too small.
He wriggled free from Pei Siyue’s embrace and buried his face in the bedding, feeling utterly ashamed.
How could anyone be that size?
But as Pei Siyue sat up, Ruan Shuyang suddenly found courage from somewhere. Grabbing Pei Siyue’s hand, his gaze shifting nervously, he stammered, “Okay… okay, we don’t have to… go inside… the reproductive cavity.”
After speaking, his head nearly buried itself in his chest. The lily-of-the-valley scent in the lounge grew soft and cloyingly sweet.
Pei Siyue felt he might need another shot of suppressant. Otherwise, with this little omega tempting him like this, he truly couldn’t hold back.
He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. “No.”
He knew himself too well. Once he went in, he’d want to enter the reproductive cavity—utterly beyond control.
It would tear him apart.
Better not to go in at all from the start.
Ruan Shuyang, repeatedly rejected, simply couldn’t muster the courage again. His fingers slowly dropped from holding Pei Siyue’s hand. Just as he was about to let go, Pei Siyue suddenly grasped his hand, lifted him off the bed, and sat him in his lap. He extended a finger to gently stroke the young man’s pale, soft cheek, watching Ruan Shuyang’s eyelids flutter with shy tremors. His voice was husky as he asked, “Are you being this kind to me? Do you agree to let me have you?”
Ruan Shuyang bit his lip, closed his eyes, and nodded obediently.
Pei Siyue could barely contain his overwhelming urge to possess him—to hide him away, tucked in a place only he could see and touch, ensuring this little omega belonged solely to him.
“Don’t be so kind to me,” he murmured, gently covering Ruan Shuyang’s eyes with his hand. “I’m not a good person.”
Ruan Shuyang nestled into Pei Siyue’s embrace and whispered softly, “It’s very, very good that Brother is kind to me.”
He had never hoped Pei Siyue was a selfless good person.
Never.
Pei Siyue held Ruan Shuyang quietly for a while before, seeing the time, had someone send him off to wash up.
Ruan Shuyang obediently went to wash, changed into pajamas, and lay down on the bed.
A little while later, Pei Siyue finished washing, slipped into black pajamas, and lay down beside him.
Though the bed was a full 1.8 meters wide, it still seemed a bit small when Pei Siyue lay on it. The space beside Ruan Shuyang caved in, and he slid down with gravity into Pei Siyue’s embrace.
Ruan Shuyang nestled completely into Pei Siyue’s arms, pressing tightly against his body.
This felt like the first time he’d shared a bed with Pei Siyue. Before, it was usually him lying down while Pei Siyue either sat beside him or left.
Instinctively, he buried his face in Pei Siyue’s chest, immersing himself in his pheromones. The comfort and security were overwhelming, and he couldn’t help but nuzzle against him. Pei Siyue gently cradled his head, stopping the movement.
Ruan Shuyang’s head rested against Pei Siyue’s broad, solid chest. Unable to see his expression, he could only hear Pei Siyue’s deep voice say, “Go to sleep.”
It was already his usual bedtime, and his body clock made him drowsy. Buried in Pei Siyue’s embrace, he lay still, yet for some reason, sleep wouldn’t come.
He felt a bit warm.
Pei Siyue ran a slightly higher temperature, and in the cool air-conditioned room, it should have been comfortable.
But now it felt almost too hot.
He didn’t want to leave, so he rubbed against him again and mumbled, “I’m a little hot.”
It wasn’t just Pei Siyue who felt hot; he felt warmer than usual too.
He couldn’t help shifting again, suddenly finding the spot pressed against the gland patch unbearably uncomfortable.
Originally, he’d thought Pei Siyue was enduring it with difficulty, so after showering, he’d reapplied the gland barrier patch. But now, the gland trapped beneath the patch felt stiflingly uncomfortable, oozing a clear liquid.
He extended his slender white arm in a small motion, touching the gland at the back of his neck. The moment he applied slight pressure, his entire body went limp with weakness, his head falling limply into Pei Siyue’s embrace.
The next second, his barrier patch was removed, and Pei Siyue bit him again.
These three bites were brief, collectively shorter than a single usual marking session, not unbearable.
Yet the already tender, pale glands were now covered in bite marks, looking pitifully raw.
But Ruan Shuyang still felt it wasn’t enough. He wanted to be bitten again, craved more pheromones.
He felt an intense heat wash over him, hotter than before for some reason. Burying his face in Pei Siyue’s chest, he unconsciously pressed himself closer.
It felt like thousands of ants crawling over him, an unbearable sensation only soothed by Pei Siyue’s pheromones.
All traces of his earlier drowsiness vanished. He reached out with fingers flushed red from desire, clutching Pei Siyue’s black pajamas. “Brother… I… I want your pheromones.”
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