TPLTMOE - Chapter 12

Tang Jun stared dumbfounded at Jiang Zhiyu shielding the little Omega, his mind racing.

Had he actually guessed right? Was this Jiang Zhiyu’s secret lover?

Ling Ran only froze for a moment before noticing the crowd’s lingering stares. He quickly stepped out of Jiang Zhiyu’s hold, putting some distance between them while half-hiding behind the man’s tall frame.

Tang Jun forced a laugh, awkwardly shoving his hands into his pockets. "So President Jiang is back in person. I just saw Shengyi the other day—we even made plans for dinner. But your schedule seems harder to pin down. We never quite cross paths."

Jiang Zhiyu wasn’t wearing a tie today. The top button of his black shirt hung loosely open, yet his imposing presence alone—silent and towering—made others instinctively want to bow their heads.

Tang Jung felt an inexplicable pressure bearing down on him, his spine stiffening uncomfortably.

There wasn’t even a trace of pheromones in the air, yet he could tell—this man’s rank far surpassed his own.

Finally, Jiang Zhiyu spoke. "We’re crossing paths now."

Tang Jun chuckled dryly. "Hah, true enough! I just saw this little one looking lost and thought I’d show him around. But he’s not familiar—may I ask his name? Which family is he from?"

The figure hiding behind Jiang Zhiyu spoke softly. "I’m Ling Ran."

A faint smirk tugged at Jiang Zhiyu’s lips.

Tang Jun frowned, then suddenly widened his eyes. "Wait—you’re the Ling family’s youngest son, aren’t you? The one engaged to Shengyi? Ah, now I remember! Just never had the chance to meet before. What a coincidence!"

Ling Ran shrunk back slightly. Coincidence? Hardly.

"Zhiyu, you’re back too." Yin Chu’s voice cut through as he gracefully approached, smiling. "Shengyi mentioned you might not make it."

Jiang Zhiyu gave a noncommittal "Mn."

Noticing the delicate Omega standing obediently behind Jiang Zhiyu, Yin Chu’s beautiful face flickered with surprise.

"You must be Ling Ran," he said kindly, eyes curving. "This isn’t our first meeting—I remember you quite well. Shengyi was just asking about you. Seems he didn’t realize you’d arrived."

When Ling Ran failed to spot Jiang Shengyi in the crowd, Yin Chu took his arm warmly.

"He’s probably inside. Since you’re unfamiliar here, let me take you to him."

Elegant, gentle, and poised, Yin Chu spoke with the ease of a natural host.

Ling Ran let himself be led toward the main hall, though he resisted the urge to pull away—it would’ve been rude in front of so many people.

He glanced back hastily at Jiang Zhiyu, only to see the man already surrounded by other guests.

Only Tang Jun remained, staring after their retreating figures with newfound interest.

So that tender little Omega was Jiang Shengyi’s fiancé? Fine. But Jiang Zhiyu’s unusual protectiveness… Now that was intriguing.

Ling Ran followed silently as Yin Chu led him away. Once they were out of sight, Yin Chu abruptly released his arm and asked, "You’ve met Zhiyu before?"

Ling Ran was puzzled by the sudden shift in tone. Wasn’t Yin Chu close to Shengyi? Why was he asking about Jiang Zhiyu?

"Not that long ago," Ling Ran answered obediently.

Yin Chu’s smile tightened imperceptibly. "So you’ve met privately? What’s your relationship with him?"

Ling Ran frowned, unsure of Yin Chu’s intentions.

"President Jiang is Shengyi’s uncle, so of course he’s my uncle too," he said carefully.

"And nothing else?"

"No…"

Studying Ling Ran’s guileless expression, Yin Chu seemed to relax slightly before offering a conciliatory smile.

"Don’t misunderstand—I only mean that since you’re engaged to Shengyi, it’s best to maintain boundaries, even with family elders. I’m sure you know this already, but consider it a friendly reminder."

Ling Ran nodded silently.

***

The ancestral hall was vast and symmetrically designed, centered around an imposing golden nanmu table flanked by eight intricately carved chairs. Antique porcelain, jade, and scrolls adorned the room, while latticed windows framed a secluded courtyard beyond.

Ling Ran bit his lip, resisting the urge to gawk at the opulence.

The hall buzzed with Jiang family elders and distinguished guests. Yin Chu navigated the crowd effortlessly, greeting relatives like a natural host—but made no move to introduce Ling Ran.

"Shengyi was just here," Yin Chu murmured, steering Ling Ran toward the dining area. "Wait here while I check upstairs."

Left alone, Ling Ran sipped water nervously until his bladder protested. Venturing out, he soon found himself lost in the labyrinthine estate.

A sudden chill ran down his spine.

A gaunt man in a wheelchair materialized like a specter, his sunken eyes locking onto Ling Ran with eerie intensity.

"Ah—!" Ling Ran stumbled back, heart hammering.

The wheelchair creaked forward. "Who are you?" rasped the man.

"L-Ling Ran," he stammered, fingers twisting anxiously.

The man wheeled past him with a icy dismissal: "Leave."

Jiang Shengyi intercepted him moments later, grip bruising on his wrist. "Who told you to wander into the west hall? That’s my uncle’s sickroom—have you no manners?"

Ling Ran wrenched free. "Yin Chu left me waiting for ages! I just needed the restroom—"

"So now it’s Yin Chu’s fault?" Shengyi sneered. "Visit Grandma at the hospital later. She’s been ill, not that you’d know."

Ling Ran’s gaze turned uncharacteristically steady. "I’ll visit her—because she cares for me. Not for you."

As he turned to leave, he dropped a parting shot: "By the way, Yin Chu went looking for Little Uncle."

***

Lost again, Ling Ran stumbled upon a secluded corridor—where Jiang Zhiyu stood silhouetted against stone latticework, a cigarette dangling between elegant fingers. Smoke curled around his sharp features, obscuring all but the predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Come here."

The command slithered under Ling Ran’s skin. He approached on trembling legs.

Zhiyu extinguished the cigarette, gaze dropping to the omega’s slender ankles. "Wearing the suppressor?"

"Y-yes."

A hum of approval. "Any heats these past days?"

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