He sat up in bed, holding both necklaces in his hands.
Pei Siyue had entered unnoticed and now sat quietly at the bedside, watching him intently.
Ruan Shuyang looked at the necklaces and asked, “Brother, why did you give me the key?”
Pei Siyue placed the original necklace—the one without the locator—around Ruan Shuyang’s neck and murmured softly, “I gave it because I wanted to. There’s no reason.” “
When Ruan Shuyang opened the safety room during his most vulnerable period and walked into his arms of his own accord, though he didn’t show it, the emotional impact had long since overwhelmed him.
He felt that taking the initiative held greater meaning.
He no longer wished to monitor his movements; he wanted Ruan Shuyang to willingly walk into the cage.
Staying by his side willingly, never leaving.
This demand was greedy. He had grown increasingly greedy.
Hearing Ruan Shuyang laughingly say he liked him, coming to his aid of his own accord, he could no longer imagine the little omega disliking him.
He wanted him to like him forever, to stay by his side forever.
So he would grant Ruan Shuyang the freedom to love as he pleased.
Ruan Shuyang didn’t understand, looking at Pei Siyue with puzzled eyes. But Pei Siyue didn’t elaborate, only asking, “Does Softie dislike the tracker?”
“I dislike it,” Ruan Shuyang admitted. “While I can tolerate it, I don’t want to be constantly monitored.”
Pei Siyue gently stroked his hair. “Then don’t wear it.”
Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue, sensing the solemnity in his words. He smiled and nodded. “Okay.”
Pei Siyue retrieved two documents from the bedside table that had been prepared earlier. One was the transfer deed for 85% of Ruan Jewelry’s shares, while the other was the transfer deed for 50% of Ruiji Technology’s shares.
The Ruan Jewelry shares didn’t surprise him—Pei Siyue had mentioned them before. What shocked him was the Ruiji Technology shares. Why would they suddenly give him 50%?
Pointing to the Ruiji Technology transfer document, he asked Pei Siyue, “Brother, why are you giving me shares in Ruiji Technology?”
Pei Siyue leaned in to kiss his lips, gazing at Ruan Shuyang with eyes like a sea surface rippled by a gentle breeze, tender yet rippling with warmth.
“Softie, I’ve thought this through carefully. Equality is crucial in any relationship. Yet in ours, whether I want it or not, pheromones always grant me the dominant position.”
“Power breeds darkness. Sometimes I fear I might lose control, that I’ll want to dominate you.”
“But you’re smart, Ruanyan. You’d sense my intent to control you. If warning me or resisting proves ineffective, you can use these shares to threaten me—to destroy my career.” At this point, he cut straight to the chase, laying out a path for Ruan Shuyang. “For instance, you could sell these shares to Chi Heng. I’m sure he’d be eager to buy them. But Chi Heng has a dark heart. If you negotiate the price with him yourself, you might get screwed over. If necessary, seek help from Wen Yusheng or Yu Ling.”
“Giving you these shares is my warning—a warning never to attempt to mentally control you.”
Pei Siyue handed the pen to Ruan Shuyang. “Softie, sign it.”
Ruan Shuyang stared at the two share transfer agreements for a long time before slowly signing his name.
He was willing to trust Pei Siyue, but as Pei Siyue had said, the other party needed a warning, and he needed a guarantee.
The shares in his hands were the best guarantee.
He would not betray Pei Siyue, nor would he use the shares in his possession for anything improper.
As long as Pei Siyue didn’t betray him.
After signing the papers, it was past seven in the morning. He headed downstairs for breakfast before heading to class.
He figured sleeping for over ten hours should have restored his body, but reality proved him wrong.
His legs weren’t weak or numb. The tender inner thighs and glands, tormented for so long, were now coated with cool ointment. His hands felt slightly sore but hadn’t stiffened into one position. His body wasn’t uncomfortable, just utterly exhausted—a kind of fatigue that felt like every ounce of energy had been drained from him, as if he needed to lie in bed for three days and nights to recover.
Waaah, restraint. Next time, he absolutely had to tell Pei Siyue about restraint!
He refused Pei Siyue’s offer to help him up, steadying himself against the wall to wash up in the bathroom. Yet when he emerged, his legs gave out completely, sending him crashing to the floor by the bathroom door. He had no strength left to get back up.
Pei Siyue carried him downstairs for breakfast. He buried his face in the embrace saturated with enigma pheromones, pretending it hadn’t happened if no one saw.
After breakfast, Pei Siyue drove him to school.
Before getting out, he carefully sensed the fluctuations in Pei Siyue’s pheromones again. Satisfied they were nearly back to normal, he relaxed and prepared to exit.
But the moment he unbuckled his seatbelt, Pei Siyue grabbed his arm.
Time was running short. Ruan Shuyang was anxious to get to class and immediately protested, “Brother, I have to go to class.”
Pei Siyue’s fingers still gripped his wrist. He tapped his own lips with his other hand and said, “Forgot the goodbye kiss.”
Ruan Shuyang froze for a moment, then, eager to get to class, gave Pei Siyue a perfunctory peck on the lips.
In truth, Pei Siyue had administered suppressants both last night and this morning. Without them, his pheromone fluctuations wouldn’t have remained so stable.
He had considered the sensitive period, but if he continued like this, the little omega wouldn’t make it through exam week.
Ruan Shuyang hurried off to class. By the time he reached the classroom, inexplicably exhausted, he collapsed onto his desk, unwilling to move.
No part of his body ached noticeably, yet he felt inexplicably drained—as if all his vitality had been sucked dry.
Shen Bianyan, who’d saved him a seat, whispered upon seeing his state: “Do you know what you look like right now?”
Ruan Shuyang mumbled sleepily: “Like what?”
Shen Bianyan pointed at the dark circles under his eyes, stubbornly refusing to fade no matter how much he slept. “Like someone who parties every night, indulging in excess.”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”
While this was essentially true, having it pointed out to his face made him feel embarrassingly exposed.
He straightened up with effort, preparing for class. Reaching up to touch the gland at the back of his neck, he bit his lip, gently furrowing his brow as he swallowed a whimper.
These past few days, thanks to the bite guard, Pei Siyue hadn’t bitten him too many times. Still, his gland was left battered and bruised, covered in wounds.
He looked like a worn-out ragdoll, his body bearing countless marks of use. Beneath his clothes, his skin was dotted with lingering kiss marks and fresh pinch marks.
Though Pei Siyue had tried his best, Ruan Shuyang still bore the telltale signs of being overused.
He resembled an overused rag doll, his entire body bearing marks of use. Beneath his clothes, numerous lingering kiss marks and pinched handprints remained.
Though Pei Siyue had tried to hold back, he inevitably left many traces on him.
His hands and thighs were the worst-hit areas. Despite repeated applications of ointment, he could still feel the swelling with every step.
The rain hadn’t helped either, due to the prolonged friction.
Sometimes he considered suggesting Pei Siyue just go inside, but Pei Siyue insisted it hadn’t healed yet and that he couldn’t enter outside of his heat period.
Pei Siyue displayed unprecedented stubbornness on this matter—so stubborn he’d rather not enter at all.
Hmm, what was he even thinking?
It was good he hadn’t gone in. Having felt the size, actual penetration might have led to bleeding. He’d end up in the hospital.
Ruan Shuyang patted his burning cheeks, forcing himself to focus on the upcoming class.
With exams approaching, he’d spent long hours at the library. By the time he got home past nine, he arrived after Pei Siyue. Seeing the enigma with his face as cold as ice, he suddenly felt timid, like a wife who hadn’t returned home.
“Brother, I have final exams coming up,” Ruan Shuyang whispered, watching Pei Siyue’s expression. “I’ll be pretty busy.” “
Pei Siyue: “Mhm.”
Exams were the eternal rival he could never hope to defeat in this lifetime.
He responded with a nod, pulling the other into his embrace and lowering his head to kiss him.
Breaths tangled together, lips and tongues playing. Pei Siyue asked in a low voice, “Softie, did you forget about my vulnerable period?” “
“Huh?” Ruan Shuyang froze. “Brother, didn’t your vulnerable period end?”
Pei Siyue narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. “Who said that?”
“But… your pheromone fluctuations feel almost back to normal.”
“That’s because I took suppressants.”
Ruan Shuyang understood, feeling guilty. “Brother, I’m sorry. I’ll definitely come back earlier next time.”…
When Ruan Shuyang lay exhausted on the bed, unable to lift a finger, he watched in despair as the towering enigma pinning him down seemed far from satisfied. His voice trembled with tears. “Brother… when does your receptive period end?”
Peiyi Siyeo murmured between kisses, “I don’t know.”
Ruan Shuyang: …?
Peiyi Siyeo was bad. Really bad.
The next morning in class, Ruan Shuyang was so exhausted he nearly nodded off onto his desk. Only Shen Bianyan caught him in time, preventing the tragedy of his head smashing into the desk.
At lunch, Shen Bianyan asked, “Did you pull an all-nighter studying last night?”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”
He couldn’t bring himself to admit it, nor could he tell the truth. He could only vaguely change the subject: “Winter break is almost here.”
“Right! Time to go back home for the New Year.” This was what Shen Bianyan looked forward to most. “Haven’t been back in a semester. Finally getting to go home.”
That evening, Ruan Shuyang went back early and was forced to endure another sensitive period.
The next morning, he collapsed onto the floor, taking a long while to snap out of that exhaustion. Silently, he calculated the time.
It had been seven days now.
Seven days!
The susceptibility period should be over by now, no matter what.
If Pei Siyue dragged him through another susceptibility period tonight, he wouldn’t believe a word of it.
With exams looming, Ruan Shuyang told Pei Siyue, who was driving him to school, “Brother, it’s been seven days now. Your susceptibility period should be over.”
Pei Siyue asked lazily while driving, “What if I say it hasn’t?”
“Then it’s over.” Ruan Shuyang refused to be bullied by Pei Siyue under the pretext of the sensitive period anymore. He glared at Pei Siyue with wide eyes: “Brother, you can’t keep picking on me.”
Seeing the little one get angry had its own charm. His eyes, starkly defined in black and white, widened in fury, his small face flushed with indignation.
Seeing Ruan Shuyang—this gentle omega with a soft temperament—so thoroughly flustered, Pei Siyue realized he might have been a bit too much these past few days.
But he had no intention of changing.
After parking at the school entrance, he pulled Ruan Shuyang back for a farewell kiss before reminding him, “Softie, whether you’re in your sensitive period or not, I can still tease you.”
Walking toward the classroom, Ruan Shuyang reflected: Why hadn’t he noticed how wicked Pei Siyue could be before?
Probably because Pei Siyue used to be so gentlemanly and restrained, always helping him without ever needing anything in return.
Though it felt selfish to think this way, he missed the old Pei Siyue.
Not like now, leaving him with dark circles under his eyes every day, haunting the school like a ghost.
With the first exam coming up the day after tomorrow, Ruan Shuyang refused to believe Pei Siyue’s “vulnerable period” upon arriving home. Standing at his bedroom door, he declared sternly, “Brother, I have final exams coming up. You can’t make noise while I’m sleeping alone.”
Pei Siyue said nothing, only watching him.
Ruan Shuyang’s defiance instantly wilted. He shrugged his shoulders pitifully and pleaded, “I want to study hard and take the exam seriously.”
Pei Siyue sighed inwardly. He couldn’t bring himself to tease such a diligent little omega. Instead, he ruffled his hair and said, “After the exams, you have to spend time with me, understand?”
Ruan Shuyang, no longer concerned about the empty promise, just wanted Pei Siyue to let him study for the exams as soon as possible. He nodded vigorously and promised, “Okay.”
The next day, Pei Siyue left for a week-long business trip abroad, leaving Ruan Shuyang alone at home to study in peace.
The week of exams flew by. After finishing his last test, Ruan Shuyang collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep. Half-asleep, he sensed someone embracing him, a scorching body pressing against his back.
Before he could open his eyes, he was swept into a wave of passion.
When he awoke again, he wasn’t lying in the apartment near campus. He had returned to Lan’an Yuting at some point.
Pei Siyue, who was replying to emails beside him, noticed Ruan Shuyang had woken up. He looked down at the newly conscious figure.
When Ruan Shuyang first woke, his brain was still oxygen-deprived, leaving him a bit dazed and slow to react—adorable like a doll.
Pei Siyue leaned down and kissed him.
The kiss slowly roused Ruan Shuyang. He looked up at Pei Siyue sitting beside him and asked, “Brother, are we staying here for winter break?”
“Mhm.” Pei Siyue nodded, helping Ruan Shuyang sit up. “Now that you’re awake, let’s go downstairs for your checkup.”
Ruan Shuyang sat up, noticing he was wearing a brand-new set of pajamas. It was obvious who had helped him change.
Following Pei Siyue to the basement, he lay down on the hospital bed and watched as Pei Siyue squeezed coupling gel onto his lower abdomen before pressing the probe against it.
Pei Siyue studied the screen silently for several minutes. Ruan Shuyang grew anxious and asked, “Brother, how am I doing?”
“Not fully healed yet.”
Pei Siyue set down the mouse, wiping his belly as he spoke, “But it should be mostly healed by the end of the month.”
After finishing, he tossed the paper into the trash and helped Ruan Shuyang sit up. “When’s Ruanyan’s next heat cycle?”
Ruan Shuyang lowered his head, his face flushed as he murmured, “Towards the end of the month.”
That meant just over ten days.
After hearing this, Pei Siyue stood back at the computer for a moment before turning to help Ruan Shuyang pull up his pants.
Sitting on the hospital bed, Ruan Shuyang watched as Pei Siyue suddenly crouched down before him. Looking up at him, he said, ” By the end of the month, you’ll be healed. With the heat cycle overlapping, you should be able to handle it.”
“Ruan Shuyang, I want to mark you then.”
Pei Siyue’s low voice was mesmerizing, his eyes dark and intense. It was clear he wasn’t referring to an ordinary mark.
It was the lifelong mark.
Ruan Shuyang touched the spot on his lower abdomen. It was smooth and flat now, only a thin layer of skin, as if pressing hard enough could reach the reproductive cavity hidden beneath.
He felt bewildered by the idea of a lifelong mark, yet instinctively afraid.
A lifelong mark—bearing another person’s trace forever on his body.
It was also the beginning of Yu Xianbo’s tragedy.
“Brother, I’m so scared.” Ruan Shuyang lowered his head slightly, his expression filled with helplessness and confusion, like a traveler lost in the snow, unsure how to find his way. “I’m afraid of the lifelong mark.”
“And after the lifelong mark, will I have a baby?” he whispered, touching his stomach. “But I’m only eighteen, still a student.”
He felt he hadn’t even grown up yet; he didn’t want a child now.
“You won’t.” Pei Siyue crouched down in front of him, his tone unwavering. “I’ll take birth control pills. You won’t get pregnant.”
Ruan Shuyang was only eighteen, his body not yet fully developed. Of course, he wasn’t thinking about children now.
But he did want the lifelong mark.
The lifelong mark did carry a high probability of pregnancy on the first try. That was precisely why he had pushed to accelerate the development of the TMIQ blocker drug.
From their second meeting, he had decided not to let go. Naturally, he had to consider the future.
Ruan Shuyang’s attention drifted to recent news about Ruiji Group.
The Suimiqin tube-blocking drug had entered Phase III clinical trials.
“That drug is still in Phase III trials, right?” Ruan Shuyang asked Pei Siyue. “Is it really safe to take?”
Pei Siyue replied, ” It’ll be on the market after the New Year. Some executives at the group are already taking it.”
Ruan Shuyang was stunned. “It’s not on the market yet… but it’s okay to take it?”
“Of course it is,” Pei Siyue explained. “The Phase III clinical trial results were excellent. It’s already going through the approval process. Naturally, it’s safe to take.”
Ruan Shuyang had never heard of such a thing. The conversation suddenly took an academic turn.
After a moment’s thought, he pulled Pei Siyue to sit beside him.
Though birth control pills could prevent pregnancy from the lifelong mark, he still felt afraid.
“Brother, I’m so confused,” he murmured, nestling into Pei Siyue’s embrace. “Confused and scared about this lifelong mark.”
He was free now, but would he still be free after carrying another person’s mark for the rest of his life?
Pei Siyue held him close and asked softly, “Ruanruan, do you want to stay with me forever?”
Ruan Shuyang didn’t hesitate with his answer, “Of course I do.”
Pei Siyue countered, “Then why are you so afraid?”
Ruan Shuyang blinked, unable to process it.
There was no rush to discuss this now, so Pei Siyue didn’t press further.
“You can take your time thinking about it,” he said, picking up the tablet from the nearby table and opening an island map for Ruan Shuyang to see. “How about we go there for the New Year holiday?”
“Go there?”
Ruan Shuyang’s attention was instantly captured. Going on vacation during the New Year was something he’d never imagined or dared to hope for before.
Because the New Year was usually a time for family gatherings, and he was busy doing the servant’s work, constantly on the go.
“Brother, don’t you have to stay here for social engagements? Don’t you have to accompany your family?”
“No social obligations. And…” Pei Siyue lifted his chin, his eyes as deep and gentle as the ocean. “Softie, you’re my most important family.”
The most important family.
Suddenly, Ruan Shuyang wasn’t so afraid of the lifelong bond.
Leaning into Pei Siyue’s embrace, he obediently replied, “Okay.”
After settling the New Year plans, Pei Siyue carried him upstairs.
He’d finished his last exam around ten in the morning. After barely catching a few hours of sleep at home, he’d been kept busy until now—seven in the evening. His stomach was growling ravenously.
Pei Siyue placed him on the sofa to watch a movie projection while he went into the kitchen to cook dinner.
Ruan Shuyang rubbed his stomach. It had been nearly a week since he’d tasted Pei Siyue’s cooking, and he missed it dearly.
Watching the animation, he faintly heard sounds from the kitchen and saw the tall figure bustling about.
Pei Siyue was a gentlemanly, refined young master who had lived in luxury since childhood. Yet since they’d been together, he’d been the one taking care of him most of the time.
He loved Pei Siyue so much and wanted to stay with him forever.
Then why was he so afraid?
Perhaps it was the fear of someone else’s lingering traces, the dread of an unknown future.
And then he remembered what Yu Xianpo had said.
No marriage, no permanent bond.
Getting married properly might be Yu Xianpo’s greatest obsession in life—hoping his biological son could marry someone legitimately.
But how should he bring this up?
Ruan Shuyang rubbed his nose in confusion. Would saying it outright make him sound like he was pressuring him into marriage?
The thought made his cheeks flush, and he slapped his face.
Besides, he himself felt bewildered about marriage. He was only eighteen—thinking about marriage, finding a spouse, and lifelong bonds seemed far too early.
His classmates were preoccupied with gaming, hangouts, endless time for idol fandom and socializing, pursuing their passions.
But if he married…
It wouldn’t seem to interfere with his gaming, TV watching, or going out.
Ruan Shuyang realized that currently, aside from studying, he spent all his time doing what he loved. Would things really change that much?
He scratched his head, unable to figure it out, and decided to discuss it with Pei Siyue.
This kind of thing was useless to ponder alone; it took two minds to make sense of it.
Dinner was ready quickly. Pei Siyue carried him to the dining table again, as if he were a child incapable of walking on his own.
He ate with a flushed face, still lost in thought about what had just happened, when Pei Siyue grabbed his hand. He heard the other person’s exasperated reminder: “Softie, you’ve already eaten five mouthfuls. Aren’t you going to have any vegetables?”
His face flushed as he ate, still lost in thought about earlier when Pei Siyue caught his hand. He heard the other’s exasperated reminder: “Softie, you’ve only had five bites of rice. Aren’t you going to eat your vegetables?”
Only then did Ruan Shuyang realize he’d been shoveling rice without touching his veggies. He hurriedly scooped some into his bowl.
While eating, he kept dwelling on thoughts of the bond and marriage, constantly worrying it might not go well. After finishing his meal, he took the initiative to pull Pei Siyue close and ask, “Brother, if… we bond, will our lives be different from how they are now?”
“No,” Pei Siyue replied with absolute certainty. “It will be the same as now, at least for the next five years.”
Ruan Shuyang breathed a sigh of relief, but then his mind drifted to the five-year period Pei Siyue mentioned. “Why five years?”
“After five years, we might consider having children. We’ll see how things are then.”
Ruan Shuyang’s face flushed crimson like the morning dawn.
Children. Little babies.
He couldn’t help but touch his own stomach. Could he carry a little baby? Could he give birth?
But Pei Siyue had said they’d see in five years, which reassured him greatly.
Five years felt so far away from now. By then, he’d even graduated from university.
Perhaps sensing Ruan Shuyang’s fear, Pei Siyue held him close and promised, ” Softie, if you don’t want to have children, I won’t force you. Just the two of us forever is perfectly fine too.”
Ruan Shuyang couldn’t quite articulate whether he wanted children or not, only stammering, “We’ll see when the time comes.”
Pei Siyue: “Alright.”
After that, he brought up another matter: “Before the Marking, we’ll get engaged and married.”
Hearing Pei Siyue proactively mention what he’d wanted to say but didn’t know how, Ruan Shuyang’s eyes widened in surprise.
Pei Siyue calmly observed Ruan Shuyang’s apparent astonishment, feigning concern as he reminded him, “Softie, you’ve already accepted my betrothal gift.”
“You can’t run away.”
Leave a Reply