“Betrothal… gifts?”
Just as Ruan Shuyang was about to protest when he’d accepted any betrothal gifts, he recalled that he had indeed given him many things.
Were those all betrothal gifts?
…He hadn’t mentioned it when he received them. Only after accepting them did he suddenly declare they were betrothal gifts.
It felt like being tricked, like falling into a trap.
That darn enigma was so cunning, scheming against him from way back. Compared to him, he felt so foolish.
“But Brother, I’m not even 20 yet,” he reminded him. “I don’t think we can get married.”
“It’s possible,” Pei Siyue told him calmly. “M-country’s laws allow marriage at 18. I have plenty of enforceable assets there too. You needn’t worry about the marriage lacking security.”
Ruan Shuyang: …?
For some reason, even though he’d thought about marriage himself, hearing Pei Siyue actually propose it still filled him with fear and confusion.
Perhaps it was because he’d never witnessed how a normal family interacted growing up, so he didn’t truly understand what marriage entailed.
Marriage was a solemn commitment, ideally undertaken only once in a lifetime.
“I… I need more time to think,” he said, burying his head like an ostrich. “Brother, give me a few days to figure this out.”
“Alright.” Pei Siyue agreed with apparent tolerance, then added, “You have until the day before the engagement ceremony.”……?
But their engagement was set for five days later.
Was that all the time he had?
When Pei Siyue found Pei Siming, he merely glanced at him before ordering his bodyguards to pin him to the ground and douse him with two buckets of cold water to sober him up.
Pei Siming shivered violently from the two buckets of icy water. As he slowly came to his senses, he saw Pei Siyue standing beside him, looking down at him with a cold, icy expression.
Pei Siming had spent the past few days living in chaos, his appearance disheveled and his eyes bloodshot. Compared to the elegantly poised and aristocratic Pei Siyue, he felt utterly diminished.
His voice raspy, he asked, “You have everything now. You’ve taken everything from me. Why come looking for me?”
Pei Siyue studied him for a moment, his gaze lowering menacingly. Suddenly, he kicked out.
Pei Siming’s body slammed hard against the wall. The pain made his vision darken, and he gagged.
Pei Siyue watched him coldly. “What did Lu Zheng want you to do?”
It took Pei Siming a long time to recover. Hearing the question, he gave a wretched smile. “He wanted me to tell him about the group’s affairs.”
Pei Siyue showed no visible reaction. He merely watched Pei Siming and said slowly, “You should know the police are investigating Lu Zheng. They just lack evidence.”
Pei Siming froze for a moment, suddenly understanding why Pei Siyue had sought him out.
His laughter was maniacal and icy.
“Pei Siyue, you want to use me? You want me to risk my life to find evidence of Lu Zheng’s crimes?!”
“Your scheme is far too transparent!” Pei Siming stopped laughing, glaring at Pei Siyue with fury. “You want me to put myself in danger so you can reap the rewards?”
“Dream on!”
Pei Siyue remained unmoved, coldly reminding him, “You’re not doing this for me.”
“You’re doing this to atone for your own sins.”
With that, Pei Siyue turned and walked away, unconcerned whether Pei Siming followed or not.
He already possessed evidence of Lu Zheng’s crimes—it was just insufficient, requiring further investigation. Without Pei Siming’s involvement, it would merely take longer.
Pei Siming scoffed at Pei Siyue’s words. What crime had he committed?
But he quickly remembered his guilt.
He was the one who had brought Ruan Shuyang to Lu Zheng—arguably the greatest nightmare of his life.
Pei Siming closed his eyes, slowly clenching his fists. Suddenly, he curled his body, his posture becoming hunched.
It was all because of him.
He was guilty.
Pei Siyue had brought Ruan Shuyang to the cruise ship for their engagement ceremony a day early. The coldest days had passed; standing by the sea outside the ship, the salty, damp, and chilly sea breeze was noticeable but not bone-piercing.
At night, the cruise ship glowed with dazzling lights, quietly moored in the harbor like a magnificent palace floating on the sea.
Pei Siyue pulled Ruan Shuyang aboard. Final touches were still being made to the entertainment facilities, and Ruan Shuyang caught sight of the already decorated ceremony venue.
A vibrant red carpet wound its way from the ship’s entrance to the engagement chapel. The chapel’s soaring dome seemed to embrace the night sky, while crystal chandeliers hung from its ceiling, showering the space with brilliant light. White marble columns were adorned with golden scrollwork, intertwining with the surrounding lamplight to create a soft, warm glow.
This was the most opulent engagement chapel Ruan Shuyang had ever seen.
Pei Siyue noticed the delicate tip of Ruan Shuyang’s nose turning red, knowing the little omega was emotionally moved to tears. He pulled him out of the chapel and up to their room before asking, “Do you like it?”
Ruan Shuyang sniffed and nodded earnestly. “I love it.”
Seeing the engagement ceremony venue, he suddenly felt an overwhelmingly real sense of actually getting engaged to Pei Siyue.
Before, he only knew about engagements, but never truly grasped what one looked like—like distant clouds he could see but never touch.
Now he could touch it.
He recalled his past confusion.
He was gradually understanding what he had been lost about.
“Brother.” Standing in the highest room of the cruise ship, gazing out at the boundless sea stretching into the darkness, Ruan Shuyang murmured softly, ” I’ve thought about it seriously. Much of my confusion and fear stem from not knowing what a normal, happy family looks like. I’ve never seen one.”
Ruan Jianchuan was fundamentally a selfish alpha who loved no omega. He grew up amid indifference and scorn, never visiting classmates’ homes, unaware of others’ lives, and thus ignorant of what a normal, happy family might be.
Pei Siyue embraced Ruan Shuyang from behind, their reflections mirrored in the floor-to-ceiling glass.
The distant sea lay calm and still, its darkness deep and beautiful, punctuated only by the occasional flickering light from a navigation tower.
Pei Siyue spoke softly from behind Ruan Shuyang, his voice slow and measured: “Softie, I… I don’t know either.”
“Neither of us grew up in a conventional family. We don’t know what a normal family, a happy life, or loving parents look like. But there’s no standard answer for this. We can strive and search for it together.”
Ruan Shuyang gazed out the window, slowly tightening his grip on Pei Siyue’s hand resting on his waist.
Pei Siyue was right—there was no standard answer. They could spend their entire lives writing their own.
**
The following evening, guests began boarding the ship.
Fresh flowers flown in by air lined both sides of the red carpet, their fragrance fresh and delicate—somewhat like lily of the valley, yet not quite. Blended with the scent of champagne, it became sweet and intoxicating.
Many familiar faces attended the engagement ceremony: Pei Yan, sullen and reluctant, and Wei Yuan, smiling warmly as he helped greet guests.
Of course, their initial reunion had been nothing short of a disaster. Pei Yan had immediately turned cold, declaring to Pei Siyue that with Wei Yuan present, there was no place for him.
The identity of being Pei Yan’s son no longer held much significance for him; in others’ eyes, he was simply Pei Siyue.
Hearing this, Pei Yan actually felt unable to leave, fearing that if he did, others might assume Wei Yuan was Pei Siyue’s father.
Pei Yue gave Ruan Shuyang a cold stare before sitting alone in a corner, saying nothing more.
Later, dressed in a white suit, he went to greet familiar friends like Wen Yusheng and Yu Ling. Even Shen Bianyan had been invited by Pei Siyue.
After landing, Shen Bianyan was driven here by a special car. He exclaimed that he had arrived at a scene of extravagant luxury, witnessing the lives of celebrities and tycoons.
Seeing Ruan Shuyang in his white suit, wearing only light makeup—not the heavy, flamboyant look rumored—Wen Yusheng remarked he resembled a little prince stepped out of a comic book: clean, handsome, and radiating gentleness.
Wen Yusheng handed him a gift, then smiled and said, “Congratulations on your engagement.”
Yu Ling gave him two gifts, explaining that one was from Chi Ye, who was competing abroad for the country and couldn’t attend.
Ruan Shuyang looked at the gift box meant for Chi Ye and suddenly understood something, but said nothing. He only thanked Yu Ling on Chi Ye’s behalf.
When no one else was paying attention, Wen Yusheng slipped him a ring box.
The ring Ruan Shuyang had designed was too intricate for the factory to sample properly until today. Wen Yusheng had come to the ceremony to give it to him.
Ruan Shuyang slipped the ring into his suit pocket and smiled, “Thank you, senior.”
The engagement ceremony began shortly after.
Pei Siyue and Ruan Shuyang walked arm-in-arm onto the elevated platform.
On the platform, as the host announced the exchange of engagement rings, Pei Siyue took Ruan Shuyang’s hand and slowly knelt down on one knee.
Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue in surprise, murmuring in confusion, “Brother?”
Pei Siyue drew a ring box from his suit pocket. Inside lay a ruby ring. The large ruby sparkled brilliantly, its color saturation and clarity exceptionally high. Like the ruby in Ruan Shuyang’s necklace, it had been cut from the same rough stone.
Kneeling on one knee, Pei Siyue kept his back straight.
The tall enigma stood with elegant poise and noble bearing. Looking up at Ruan Shuyang, he spoke in a deep, measured voice: “Softie, marry me.”
Ruan Shuyang realized Pei Siyue wasn’t referring to this engagement—he was proposing marriage.
Memories of their time together since meeting flashed through his mind.
Half a year had passed since last July.
Six months wasn’t long—perhaps insufficient for many to truly know someone—yet Ruan Shuyang felt he could walk this path with Pei Siyue forever.
These six months had been the happiest, most joyful time of his life.
He was willing to trust Pei Siyue and walk alongside him.
He reached out to grasp Pei Siyue’s hand and whispered softly, “Brother, I do.”
The room had fallen silent at some point. Ruan Shuyang’s “I do” amplified through the speakers echoed throughout the hall, reigniting the engagement banquet’s boisterous celebration.
Pei Siyue stood up to place the ring on Ruan Shuyang’s finger, feeling he had finally secured this little omega.
He whispered softly into Ruan Shuyang’s ear, “We’ll fly to M Country tomorrow.”
He admitted he was being unscrupulous, resorting to manipulation again. Knowing Ruan Shuyang couldn’t possibly refuse him publicly, he chose to propose in front of everyone.
He understood that while Ruan Shuyang spoke of engagement and marriage, he was actually confused about both matters and hadn’t truly made up his mind. It was simply the ideas instilled in him since childhood that made him believe this was the way it should be.
He was helping his little omega make up his mind.
When the host announced the kiss, Pei Siyue lowered his head and kissed Ruan Shuyang. The kiss lasted a long time, lingering and passionate, until the audience began cheering.
After the engagement banquet, a dazzling fireworks display lit up the night sky over the harbor.
Colorful fireworks exploded in the sky, and mid-display, the pyrotechnician’s specially designed words appeared: Marry Me.
Simultaneously, the largest skyscraper across the harbor displayed three words on its giant screen: Marry Me.
The spectacle was grand and magnificent. The massive screen remained fixed on these five words until the fireworks show concluded.
Many residents near the harbor came out to witness this grand proposal celebration, snapping photos and uploading them online, wondering which wealthy individual was proposing.
Even romantic dramas couldn’t match this rich guy’s romance.
This proposal could easily be listed as one of the year’s most romantic events—the wealthy sure know how to play.
That evening’s engagement ceremony was unexpectedly romantic and perfect. So perfect that when Ruan Shuyang lay in bed that night, his mind kept replaying that kiss, the fireworks display, and the massive screen.
Who knew getting engaged could be such a blissful experience?
While Pei Siyue showered, Ruan Shuyang scrolled endlessly through posts online. Seeing the screen and fireworks captured from bystander angles, his heart felt as sweet as honey.
Pei Siyue had prepared all this without telling him. In comparison, his own preparations seemed so modest—just two rings, which he hadn’t even had the chance to give yet.
He stared at the large ruby ring on his finger, measuring it against his hand several times. Though usually reserved, he finally couldn’t resist subtly showing off his love.
He snapped a photo of the ruby ring and posted it to his social media.
When Pei Siyue finished showering and came out, he found Ruan Shuyang sprawled on the bed, smiling as he looked at his phone. He asked, “What are you looking at?”
He snapped a photo of the ruby ring and posted it to his circle.
After showering, Pei Siyue emerged to find Ruan Shuyang sprawled on the bed, smiling as he scrolled through his phone. “What are you looking at?” he asked.
“Photos from our engagement tonight,” Ruan Shuyang replied, pointing to the images on his screen. “Seems like everyone’s guessing which tycoon proposed.”
Pei Siyue looked at the photos and asked, “Should we just write Ruan Ruan’s name next time?”
“No way.” Ruan Shuyang had a social anxiety trait; seeing his real name written would make him feel utterly mortified and unable to bear the gaze.
Even without the name this time, Ruan Shuyang felt his face burning. He didn’t know how to face everyone’s attention, yet he felt incredibly happy.
He turned off the screen and tucked his phone away, wrapping his arms around Pei Siyue’s waist and nuzzling against him. His voice was soft and warm as he murmured, “Brother, you’re so romantic.”
Pei Siyue gently patted Ruan Shuyang’s back, as if soothing a child. “Do you think it’s romantic, Softie?”
“Mm.” Ruan Shuyang lowered his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, but still replied, “It really is romantic.”
Pei Siyue lifted his chin and leaned down to kiss him. “As long as you like it.”
After the kiss ended, he was turned over and pressed face-down onto the bed. The mark was quickly imprinted.
He was swept into the heat of passion. He wanted to say something, to mention the ring, but when he opened his mouth, only sobs escaped.
Pei Siyue was so bad, so very bad.
Not only did he indulge himself, but he had to indulge him too.
After it was finally over, he was utterly drained, as if he might fall asleep any second.
But he still remembered the ring. With effort, he opened his eyes, retrieved the ring box from under the pillow, opened it, and slipped the ring onto Pei Siyue’s finger with one hand.
“Brother, an engagement gift.”
Pei Siyue gazed at the intricately designed, high-temperature blue-fired ring on his finger. The blooming rose blossom held a different beauty from the ruby ring—more vintage, more Chinese.
Ruan Shuyang was already exhausted. By the time his finger was guided to slip on another ring, he had fallen asleep.
He kissed his finger gently and whispered, “Thank you, Softie.”
I’ve already received the best engagement gift.
That night, the cruise ship hosted an extravagant array of entertainment activities, lasting through the night until dawn, with revelry until the last drop was drunk.
When Ruan Shuyang woke up the next morning, he found himself at the airport.
Recalling the events of the previous day, he asked, “Are we going to Country M?”
“Yes,” Pei Siyue nodded. “To get married.”
Ruan Shuyang looked at the two rings on his finger and smiled. “Okay.”
If his future lay alongside Pei Siyue, then he would no longer fear or feel lost about marriage.
Happiness is something you create for yourself; there’s never a standard answer.
Pei Siyue had arranged the marriage formalities in advance. After arriving in Country M, they drove straight to the registry office. By the time they emerged, they were legally married.
Stepping outside, Ruan Shuyang gazed up at the azure sky, still unable to fully process it.
Today seemed no different from any other day. The sky was clear and bright, people bustled by, their voices and footsteps weaving into the familiar rhythm of daily life.
Marriage seemed no different from before.
Ruan Shuyang smiled at Pei Siyue beside him and called out, “Brother.”
Pei Siyue raised an eyebrow but didn’t dwell on the omission of “husband.” He simply pulled Ruan Shuyang along, saying, “Let me take you somewhere.”
They arrived at New York’s most famous commercial plaza. After parking, Pei Siyue pulled him to the center of the square. When the time came, he said, “Ruanruan, look at the big screen.”
In an instant, all the advertisements on every screen vanished, replaced by a single line of bold text—
Marryme Ruanruan
In this foreign land where few knew them, Pei Siyue had displayed his name for all to witness.
Ruan Shuyang covered his mouth, staring back and forth at the identical phrase across every screen.
He heard murmurs around him—some asking what the last two Chinese characters meant, others who recognized Chinese inquiring who “Softie” was.
All these sounds gradually faded from him. His eyes held only Pei Siyue.
Pei Siyue stood right beside him, his gaze fixed downward on him.
The enigma beside him remained as coolly handsome as the first time they met—tall and straight-backed, commanding attention instantly in any crowd.
He wrapped his arms around Pei Siyue’s waist, rose on tiptoe to kiss his lips, and whispered softly, “Brother, I love you so much.”
They kissed on the streets of New York, in front of countless screens displaying “Marryme软软.”
Countless people witnessed their romance.
The days following their wedding were no different from usual.
Pei Siyue was busy. Besides handling their marriage formalities in M Country, he also had to manage business affairs for Ruiji Group here. He left early and returned late every day. Ruan Shuyang drove out to explore on his own, occasionally chatting with friends back home when schedules aligned.
Wen Yusheng called to gossip, asking if the “Marryme Softie” display at NY Plaza was Pei Siyue’s idea. Ruan Shuyang confirmed it was.
Wen Yusheng: “Wow, I never would’ve guessed our CEO Pei could be so romantic.”
“Or maybe our Softie has a knack for handling his man, making Mr. Pei willingly do all this for you.”
Teased to the point of nearly burying his head in the pillow, Ruan Shuyang couldn’t resist returning the banter: “If you’re interested, Senior, I think Yu Ling would be willing to do all that for you too.”
Everything seemed unchanged from before, until late January, just before the New Year, when they boarded a private jet bound for the resort island Pei Siyue had mentioned earlier.
Before departure, Ruan Shuyang had assumed it was a small Mediterranean resort island. Only upon arrival did he discover it was an entire private island purchased by Pei Siyue. The island featured villas and every amenity imaginable, yet only the two of them were there.
As they stepped off the plane, fear suddenly gripped Ruan Shuyang, making him want to flee.
But the plane had already departed, and wouldn’t return for ten days.
Ruan Shuyang stared at Pei Siyue standing beside him, his heart racing faster and faster.
Pei Siyue, however, remained calm. He asked slowly, “What are you nervous about, Softie?”
Ruan Shuyang felt tears welling up. “Brother, I… I’m still young.”
Pei Siyue looked him up and down, replying with ambiguous meaning, “Hmm, you are small.”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”
He couldn’t shake the feeling that this remark carried hidden meaning.
He asked without much hope, “Are there any other people on the island?”
“No.” Pei Siyue’s words extinguished his hopes instantly. “The plane will come to pick us up in ten days. If you want to go out during that time, I can take you by boat.”
As he spoke, Pei Siyue slowly peeled off the glandular patches from both their necks.
The scent of lily of the valley began to drift through the air, like encountering a gentle summer rain, comfortably immersing oneself in its tender embrace.
Pei Siyue carried him into the villa’s bedroom.
The island’s climate was warm as spring. Ruan Shuyang was placed on the bed, a wave of aching softness spreading from his lower back.
A familiar heat surged through his body. He unconsciously clamped his legs together, his flushed fingertips gripping Pei Siyue’s clothes as he murmured, “Brother, I feel so bad.”
Pei Siyue seemed in no hurry, restraining himself as he gently stroked Ruan Shuyang’s flushed, pale cheeks. He murmured, “Do you want it, softie?”
Ruan Shuyang was deeply dependent on Pei Siyue’s pheromones, neither fully lucid nor capable of much restraint. Swallowing his shame, he replied, “I want it.”
“Then call me ‘husband’.”
Husband?
Ruan Shuyang was feverishly delirious, yet those two words still felt impossibly difficult to utter. He didn’t know how to say them.
“We’re already married,” Pei Siyue murmured seductively, his voice like a glass of rich red wine, intoxicatingly fragrant. “You have to call me husband.”
Ruan Shuyang realized with despair that even without pheromones, he couldn’t escape Pei Siyue’s seduction.
His eyes were red-rimmed from the heat, his body utterly drained of strength. Even the fingers clutching Pei Siyue’s shirt began to slip slowly.
Pei Siyue caught his tender, soft fingers and murmured against his cheek, “Softie, say it and I’ll let you go.”
Ruan Shuyang couldn’t help but curl up, his voice sounding like a kitten extending its soft paws to tickle someone.
“Hus… husband.”
The next second, Pei Siyue turned him around and marked him.
He closed his eyes, feeling embraced by the ocean, kissed by the sea.
When he came to his senses again, Pei Siyue was holding him and kissing him. He melted into a pool of water in the other’s arms, utterly powerless, every breath filled with scorching heat.
…
He was tossed by relentless waves, until the lily-of-the-valley petals were scattered by the sea. Layers of petals parted, revealing gaps that released a cloyingly sweet floral scent.
It felt like something was being permanently imprinted on him. Suddenly, he couldn’t control his sobs, trembling uncontrollably, his heart filled with terror.
Pei Siyue held him tightly, whispering in his ear, “Softie, I love you.”
“My Softie will always possess the freest soul.”
“I’ll also continue developing post-marking cleansing medication so this drug can be used after Enigma’s permanent marking removal surgery. Don’t be afraid.”
“But I won’t give you the chance to use it. I’ll always take good care of you.”…
Pei Siyue gently pressed his stomach, then picked him up to take him to the bathroom for a bath.
Ruan Shuyang vaguely sensed water sloshing inside his belly, unsure if it was hunger or something else.
Cleaning proved difficult. Pei Siyue used his fingers to gently separate and wash him, a process that took a long time.
He trembled, trying to pull away, but lacked any strength. He lost consciousness without knowing when, waking up over ten hours later.
Enigma was terrifying—it could make an omega in heat sleep for over ten hours without any physical urges, leaving them weak and limp upon waking.
He lay in bed for a moment to recover, then slowly sat up, instinctively touching his stomach.
It felt completely empty inside, as if thoroughly cleansed. His body showed no obvious changes, yet he could distinctly sense the traces of Pei Siyue lingering on him.
He didn’t feel particularly afraid or panicked either.
The door opened. Pei Siyue entered carrying a tray of food, showing no surprise at finding him awake.
“Softie, time to eat.”
The island was coastal, and the ingredients prepared in advance in the refrigerator were mostly seafood. Pei Siyue placed the pan-fried fish fillet and the prepared seafood congee on the table beside him. He walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and embraced Ruan Shuyang. While massaging his waist, he asked, “Is there anywhere else that still feels uncomfortable?”
Ruan Shuyang leaned into Pei Siyue’s embrace, took a deep breath, and rubbed against his chest. “I’m exhausted.”
It was that kind of exhaustion where you couldn’t pinpoint exactly what hurt, but you just felt utterly drained.
Pei Siyue lifted him up and placed him in a chair padded with soft cushions beforehand, pushing the fish fillet and seafood congee toward Ruan Shuyang.
Having gone without food for over ten hours, Ruan Shuyang was famished. The moment he caught the aroma of the meal, he picked up his utensils and began eating.
While eating, he gazed out the window at the sea. The waters near the private island were pristine, crystal clear to the bottom.
Noticing his gaze fixed on the water, Pei Siyue offered, “If you like it, Softie, I’ll take you out to sea in a few days.”
Ruan Shuyang asked curiously, “Why not now?”
Pei Siyue looked at him thoughtfully. “You like being on boats, Softie? It’s not impossible, but the weather might be a bit chilly right now.”
Ruan Shuyang nearly buried his head in his chest. “Brother, that’s not what I meant.”
He’d almost forgotten he was still in heat. Perhaps because he’d been thoroughly satisfied, his body hadn’t yet experienced that aching, weak, and craving sensation, causing him to forget his physical state.
“I don’t want to be on the boat,” he shook his head. “Brother, I don’t want it.”
But this time, Pei Siyue didn’t agree. He only said, “We’ll try everything eventually.”
Ruan Shuyang: “…”…
This heat cycle had shown him just how terrifying Pei Siyue could be. By the end, he wasn’t even sure who was in heat anymore.
He couldn’t take it anymore and tried to run, only to be swept back up by the waist. The enigma who usually pampered and coaxed him seemed completely deaf to his protests of “no” and “I can’t eat anymore”—his stomach was already bulging.
Pei Siyue whispered only in his ear, “Softie, you can do this.”
The restraint and refinement of before seemed like a fragile skin, easily torn away. Once torn, Pei Siyue consumed him completely, devouring him whole.
An omega’s skin was delicate; even a little too much pressure left marks. These days, there was scarcely a spot on Ruan Shuyang’s skin that remained clean, white, and unblemished.
Tears brought him no pity, only fiercer plundering.
Sometimes Pei Siyue liked to linger inside him a little longer—though never for long, usually just a moment, because he claimed it would be unhygienic otherwise.
His face flushed crimson as he listened, almost wanting to cover his ears, but his arms were too weak and numb to move.
Though Pei Siyue always cleaned him up quickly afterward, sparing him the task, the washing itself was an act of profound shame.
He’d once asked why they didn’t use protection and relied on him taking pills instead. Pei Siyue explained that enigma’s movements were usually so intense that condoms tended to slip off or break.
After experiencing it several times, Ruan Shuyang fully believed this explanation.
Because it really was intense—many times he felt like he’d been shattered, only to find himself intact again when he came to.
These days had been so absurd he’d lost track of time, until the day Pei Siyue took him to see the sea. He pulled out his phone and realized seven days had passed.
The New Year was nearly over.
He vaguely recalled Pei Siyue wishing him a Happy New Year on New Year’s Eve, but he’d been so exhausted he could barely keep his eyes open. He’d mumbled something back, but it seemed he’d fallen asleep before the words left his mouth.
Even going out to sea left him almost completely drained. Wrapped in thick layers, Pei Siyue carried him onto the boat and steered them out to see the ocean.
The water in the deep sea was so clear and pure it defied description.
As far as the eye could see, the bottom was crystal clear. The fine sand and reefs on the seabed were clearly visible, while schools of fish and shrimp played in the water. It was so beautiful it was impossible to look away.
The weather was perfect for their outing, allowing them to spot dolphins leaping through the waves in the distance.
Leaning against Pei Siyue’s chest, Ruan Shuyang asked curiously, “Brother, have you ever driven a boat before? Have you seen the sea?”
“I’ve seen the sea, but never driven a boat,” Pei Siyue replied. “I went out of my way to learn recently.”
“Then can you fly a plane?”
Pei Siyue promised him, “Alright, next time we go out, we’ll take you to learn flying and shooting.”
Ten days passed. After returning to City B, Ruan Shuyang felt they probably wouldn’t need to live as a married couple—after all, Pei Siyue himself had said he couldn’t enter during non-heat periods.
Pei Siyue countered that it was difficult at first but would become much easier once his body adjusted. Even during regular times, foreplay would simply be longer.
But Pei Siyue always helped him patiently each time. Often, when Ruan Shuyang felt he couldn’t hold back any longer, Pei Siyue would still continue with restraint, watching him intently—though those dark eyes seemed ready to devour him.
Once, when Pei Siyue had just started stimulating him, an urgent call came in from M Country requiring his attention. Pei Siyue simply made a “shh” gesture, kept fingering him, then sat neatly dressed at his computer to join the conference call.
The camera only captured his upper body. No one in the conference could see Pei Siyue sitting solemnly before the lens, his fingers teasing his omega on the bed beside him—a perfect image of a suit-wearing rogue.
Fearing his moans would be heard over the call, Ruan Shuyang bit down on Pei Siyue’s pillow instead. When the meeting finally ended, he was so furious he grabbed Pei Siyue’s shoulder and bit down hard, leaving two small teeth marks.
**
Before long, the new semester began. Before classes started, Ruan Shuyang solemnly emphasized to Pei Siyue: “Brother, I need to focus on my studies. You can only do it once a night. No more… no more like before…”
Multiple times a night.
After returning from the island, he’d typically sleep until nearly noon each day, only getting up in the afternoon to slack off at work.
It wasn’t that Pei Siyue went at it late every night, but the physical disparity between an alpha and an omega was too great. Even just twice a night left him unable to crawl out of bed the next morning.
That’s why he insisted on no more than once.
He hoped that one session would leave him with enough energy for class. If it didn’t, he’d have to refuse Pei Siyue.
Though refusing seemed difficult. He often thought about saying no, but Pei Siyue always made it impossible for him to refuse.
Still, he had classes to attend. He genuinely didn’t have the energy left to be with Pei Siyue.
After hearing this, Pei Siyue didn’t say yes or no. He just stared at Ruan Shuyang. Only when he saw the latter blush and lower his head did he ask, “Don’t you like it, Softie?”
Ruan Shuyang was too flustered to speak, his face as red as a ripe peach, tempting enough to take a bite.
“You must like it. You always moan with pleasure and get me all wet…”
He couldn’t help but cover Pei Siyue’s mouth.
This wasn’t about pleasure or discomfort. He had classes to attend, studies to focus on.
Even with his mouth covered, Pei Siyue offered no resistance. He only lowered his gaze to look at him, his eyes burning with intensity.
Ruan Shuyang pleaded pitifully, “Brother, I really want to study hard.”
Pei Siyue couldn’t bear seeing the little omega dragging himself through lessons listlessly all day. He only said, “Then you have to accompany me on weekends.”
Hearing Pei Siyue concede, Ruan Shuyang immediately nodded in agreement. “Okay.”
Pei Siyue was dissatisfied with this brief answer. He wrapped his arm around Ruan Shuyang’s shoulder and asked, “What should I call you? Do you remember?”
Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue sheepishly, stammering out, “Hus… husband.”
After school started, Ruan Shuyang suddenly felt like he had more time than during winter break. Back then, Pei Siyue had practically monopolized all his time, leaving him so exhausted he mostly lay in bed sleeping. Now, occasionally goofing off during class, he caught up on some news.
For instance, Lu Zheng had been arrested a few days prior. The current charges included abusing and maliciously branding multiple omegas for life, along with allegations of unfair business competition.
Shortly after seeing Lu Zheng’s news, Pei Siyue informed him that the Pei Corporation’s anniversary celebration would be held in mid-March and invited him to attend.
Ruan Shuyang agreed and resumed focusing on his studies.
After acquiring Ruan Jewelry, Pei Siyue hired professional managers to conduct a major purge within the company.
He purged all the Ruan family members who were dead weight. Pei Siyue had never harbored any affection for these people. They had watched Ruan Shuyang suffer for so many years without offering any help, so he certainly wouldn’t show them any mercy now.
Next, the professional manager consolidated underperforming stores, replaced brand logos, and updated both physical and online stores with Ruan Shuyang’s new designs.
When it came time to truly rename the jewelry brand, Ruan Shuyang did not name it Yu’s Jewelry. He did not want to create a traditional family business, as family enterprises were plagued by too many criticisms.
Instead, he named the new jewelry brand “Sihua Nian.”
Fifty strings on a zither, each string and pillar evoking memories of glorious years.
The barrier-material necklaces sold exceptionally well. His standard designs alone reached triple-digit sales figures, generating over a hundred million yuan in revenue.
Due to the high production costs of the necklaces, they were typically not shipped via courier. Instead, customers opted for in-store pickup or delivery.
Some customers chose to pick up their necklaces at physical stores. While out shopping, they would swing by to collect their order and, upon seeing the beautiful jewelry designs in the store, often made additional purchases.
Gradually, the Sihuanian jewelry brand began to replace people’s impression of Ruan’s Jewelry.
Sihuanian’s designs were novel and beautiful. While the prices of their high-end products were prohibitive, they also offered many affordable pieces. Sales and net profits steadily improved.
Occasionally, when Ruan Shuyang passed by Sihuanian’s counter and noticed the increased customer traffic, he couldn’t help but share with Pei Siyue: “Brother, there are so many people in Sihuanian’s store~”
Pei Siyue: “Softie is amazing.”
Ruan Shuyang sent a crossed-arms emoji, then said: “I just feel so happy seeing so many people love the jewelry we design.”
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the Pei Enterprises anniversary celebration.
Ruan Shuyang was brought by Pei Siyue to his office within the Hanfeng Group. Located on the top floor of the entire office building, the spacious suite featured massive floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the bustling nightscape of City B.
Neon lights flickered to life below, weaving into a dazzling tapestry of countless lights.
Ruan Shuyang pressed his hand against the glass, reaching for something he could never grasp.
Pei Siyue was marking him from behind.
Just as the other had said earlier, after the lifelong marking, he no longer felt that addictive craving for enigma pheromones. Yet he still deeply enjoyed Pei Siyue’s scent—desiring it, feeling profound comfort when he received it.
That was why he had never been able to refuse Pei Siyue’s marking.
But this time, the marking lasted too long. The pheromones seeped in bit by bit, leaving him feeling overwhelmed.
“Brother…” He struggled to endure it. “It’s too much. I can’t take it.”
Pei Siyue’s lips pressed against his gland. As he spoke, his lips brushed against it, causing Ruan Shuyang to flinch sensitively.
“It’ll be over soon.”
Ruan Shuyang closed his eyes, trembling softly.
Though he said “It’ll be over soon,” it wasn’t until a full quarter of an hour later that it finally ended.
Had Pei Siyue’s arms not supported him, he would have nearly collapsed from weakness.
His entire body was saturated with Pei Siyue’s pheromones, radiating the same oppressive aura.
Enigma’s nasty habit—refreshing the mark before gatherings.
Pei Siyue wrapped his arm around Ruan Shuyang’s waist, half-supporting, half-carrying him downstairs to attend the celebratory banquet.
After exiting the elevator, Ruan Shuyang clung to Pei Siyue’s arm as they walked down the red carpet into the elegantly decorated banquet hall. The matching vintage-style wedding rings on their fingers shimmered with a fluid beauty under the lights.
Inside the banquet hall, as media cameras focused on them, Pei Siyue suddenly planted a public kiss on Ruan Shuyang’s cheek.
Ruan Shuyang stared at Pei Siyue in surprise before feeling his hand squeeze briefly then release. Pei Siyue then walked to the stage to deliver his speech.
Only belatedly did he realize—was Pei Siyue publicly displaying affection for him before the media?
Pei Siming, watching from a distance, saw this scene and his eyes burned with fury.
He was clearly his fiancée. Not only had Pei Siyue stolen him away, but he was brazenly declaring his ownership before the media!
No matter how many times Pei Siming witnessed this scene, it tore at his heart with rage.
After enduring the wait for Pei Siyue’s speech, he hobbled through the crowd on crutches to reach Ruan Shuyang’s side.
While searching for incriminating evidence against Lu Zheng, he’d been spotted by the latter’s bodyguards. In his escape, he’d stumbled and broken his leg. A broken bone takes a hundred days to heal, and now he could barely walk, relying on a cast and crutches.
The doctor had advised against his attendance, but he refused to miss this chance to see Ruan Shuyang and insisted on coming.
Ruan Shuyang sat quietly in a corner, watching Pei Siyue deliver his speech on stage.
Pei Siming observed Ruan Shuyang up close and suddenly felt he looked vastly different from half a year ago.
Back then, Ruan Shuyang had appeared gaunt and haggard, his demeanor stiff and cautious, every movement betraying nervousness.
Now, Ruan Shuyang’s smile was pure and radiant, his apricot cheeks and snow-white skin so beautiful it was impossible to look away.
Pei Siming suddenly felt something catch in his throat, leaving him speechless.
He slowly approached Ruan Shuyang. Even before getting close, a familiar feeling washed over him—so familiar it felt like he was facing Pei Siyue.
Pei Siming: “…”
He was almost certain Pei Siyue had done this deliberately.
He had anticipated Pei Siyue’s possible arrival and made no effort to prevent it. Yet, he had deliberately left a deep mark on Ruan Shuyang—a mark that declared his ownership and revealed the matching wedding bands conspicuously adorning both their fingers.
Pei Siming halted a few paces before Ruan Shuyang, his voice strained as he spoke: “I avenged you.”
Ruan Shuyang’s expression remained cold upon seeing Pei Siming. Hearing his words elicited little reaction—only a slight nod.
After so long, he could scarcely recall the fear and dread he once felt facing Lu Zheng.
Seeing Ruan Shuyang’s unchanging, icy expression, the bitterness in Pei Siming’s heart swirled like a vortex, threatening to drown him.
“I… I’ll try to stay out of your sight from now on,” Pei Siming said with difficulty, as if bidding farewell to the most cherished thing in his heart. “I wish you… I wish you happiness.”
“Then we won’t see each other.”
Pei Siyue had finished his speech at some point. He walked over to Ruan Shuyang, wrapped his arms around his omega, and coldly stared at Pei Siming, putting an end to the conversation.
Pei Siming: “…”
He was furious at his older brother’s shameless, brazen attempt to steal someone away. Yet, seeing Ruan Shuyang nestled in Pei Siyue’s embrace, he swallowed his rage until it felt like internal bleeding, then limped away slowly, leaning on his crutch.
This whole affair was his own foolish mistake, playing the fool. He had no one else to blame.
He had made the wrong move from the start, but realized it too late—all was already beyond repair.
Pei Siming was merely a minor interlude. Ruan Shuyang paid him no mind, smiling as he asked Pei Siyue how his speech had gone.
Ruan Shuyang found that life’s improvements broadened his perspective. He no longer dwelled on trivial matters, focusing only on the present.
Pei Siyue studied Ruan Shuyang’s expression carefully. Seeing the other truly unconcerned about the earlier incident, he casually mentioned a few points about the speech.
Ruan Shuyang noticed Pei Siyue’s persistent gaze and stuck out his tongue playfully. “How long has it been? Big brother, you’re not still holding a grudge over Pei Siming, are you?”
“Call me ‘husband’.” Pei Siyue’s hand around his waist gave a light pat before nodding in acknowledgment. “You did like him once.”
“Hmm…” Ruan Shuyang pondered for a moment before speaking earnestly to Pei Siyue. “Brother, thinking back now, I don’t believe it was true affection. It was more like a form of escape—a way to cling to hope for getting away from my life and circumstances back then.”
That kind of escape was like summer clouds or summer breezes—it would vanish with the slightest gust.
Pei Siyue flashed a faint smile and leaned down to kiss Ruan Shuyang’s cheek.
Whether it was genuine affection or not, the person belonged to him now.
Moreover, Pei Siming had “volunteered” to go to Africa for aid projects, contributing to public welfare to atone for his sins. Ruan Shuyang would likely never see Pei Siming again.
Today was their final farewell.
**
In April of the following year, on Ruan Shuyang’s twentieth birthday, he and Pei Siyue obtained their marriage certificate domestically.
He examined the bright red booklet in his hands with curiosity, remarking, “I think it feels more ceremonial than the one from M Country.”
Pei Siyue asked, “Where do you want to hold the wedding?”
Ruan Shuyang recalled the exhaustion of their engagement ceremony and replied, “I don’t know. Let’s think about it.”
“Alright,” Pei Siyue answered calmly. “Let’s go on our honeymoon first.”
Ruan Shuyang: “……?”
He looked at Pei Siyue with a mournful expression. “Brother, if we go on a honeymoon, I want to go out and explore. I don’t want to just stay in hotels the whole time.”
In the past, when Pei Siyue took him out, he mostly ended up lying in the hotel room because he genuinely couldn’t get up.
Although he enjoyed those moments, a person couldn’t stay in bed forever. He wanted to see the sights too.
Pei Siyue looked at him with amusement: “Softie, I said I’d take you out to play. What did you think I meant?”
Ruan Shuyang eyed Pei Siyue warily and began laying down ground rules: “We agree—even if we do it all night when we go out, it’s only once at most.”
Pei Siyue listened quietly, nodding in agreement. Only after Ruan Shuyang finished did he ask, “But what if Softie wants to?”
His face flushed with embarrassment. Though most of the time it was Pei Siyue who initiated things, he occasionally desired it too…
He puffed out his cheeks and punched Pei Siyue’s shoulder, muttering softly, “We’ll see when the time comes.”
Pei Siyue shrugged indifferently, “Fine.”
Then they browsed honeymoon destinations together.
But before they could decide, the school announced that juniors could apply for a year-long study abroad program. Ruan Shuyang was intrigued and discussed it with Pei Siyue upon returning home.
Studying abroad was a valuable life experience, and Ruan Shuyang wanted to have that during college.
Pei Siyue didn’t object, only stating that if he went, it had to be to Country M. Since Ruiji’s headquarters were in Country M, he could accompany him as a dependent.
He also made it clear he wouldn’t tolerate a long-term long-distance relationship.
Ruan Shuyang wasn’t particularly attached to any specific country; he simply wanted to experience different cultures abroad. Ultimately, he chose to study abroad at a university in New York, M Country, flying there at the end of August for a year-long exchange.
As a family member, Pei Siyue accompanied him to study abroad.
As an exchange student, Ruan Shuyang led a vibrant life, frequently participating in various school activities, competing in university-level contests, taking short trips with friends, and pursuing his own career. Sometimes he wouldn’t be home for a week, busier even than Pei Siyue.
Whenever he returned home after a week away to find Pei Siyue waiting with a dark expression, he would cautiously approach and act cute, trying not to upset his enigma.
Though he inevitably ended up dragged to bed for a thorough scolding, Pei Siyue seemed to possess boundless patience and tolerance, always lifting him high before setting him down gently.
Truthfully, sometimes being scolded felt rather pleasant.
Ruan Shuyang patted his flushed cheeks. Every time he recalled the “scolding” process, he felt himself turning yellow.
His year abroad ended quickly, and he returned to China to prepare for his senior year.
Pei Siyue had asked if he wanted to pursue graduate studies, but he felt no desire for it now. He wanted to focus on his career and life first.
If he ever missed the feeling of studying later, he could always apply for grad school then.
And so, after graduating senior year, he left campus.
Pei Siyue set aside half a day specifically to accompany him to the university graduation ceremony, snapping photos with his camera. As he looked at himself in the lens, he later pulled out his high school graduation photo from his phone. Comparing the two images, he could barely recognize his former self.
Over these four years, he had grown significantly taller, like a green bamboo shoot silently stretching upward in the forest. His frame was slender and graceful, his smile pure and bright, his eyes as clear and deep as when they first met. Only the initial timidity and shyness had faded, replaced by a radiant confidence.
Pei Siyue gazed at the two starkly different versions of Ruan Shuyang in the photos, suddenly feeling a sense of a child he’d raised finally growing up.
He lowered his head to kiss Ruan Shuyang’s forehead, whispering softly, “My little softie has grown up.”
Ruan Shuyang nodded. “Yeah, I’ve even graduated from college.”
Suddenly overcome with emotion, he wrapped his arms around Pei Siyue.
“Brother, these past four years have been so happy. I love being with you.” He smiled shyly at this point. “There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you—why did you help me back then?”
He’d wanted to ask this for a long time, but never found the right moment. Later, he felt the answer wasn’t that important—as long as they were happy together.
Now, with the timing and atmosphere just right, he asked.
“Softie, I’ve told you before.” Pei Siyue leaned in slightly, gazing into Ruan Shuyang’s eyes. He saw his own reflection in his amber irises as he spoke in a deep, gentle voice: “Because my pheromones knew before I did—I love you.”
“It was love at first sight.”
Ruan Shuyang closed his eyes and embraced Pei Siyue in a kiss.
Often, he forgot he was an omega bearing a lifelong mark, for the bond never felt like restraint or control. Just as Pei Siyue had promised during the marking, he never confined or restricted him. Instead, he chose to tie an invisible rope around his ankle—no matter how high or far he flew, he would always return.
This tether was long enough to never hinder his actions, offering only the most comfortable harbor when he sought rest or longed for home.
Pei Siyue would always wait for him, always by his side.
He would forever possess the freest soul, and also the warmest, most comforting harbor.
Happiness never hinges on lifelong bonds, but on meeting the right person.
Pei Siyue is that right person.
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