TPLTMOE - Chapter 19

Ling Ran had always been gentle and obedient, never this stubborn before. Enraged, Father Ling threw down an ultimatum: if Ling Ran couldn't see reason, he could stay kneeling—kneel until he stopped mentioning canceling the engagement.

Ling Ran knelt silently before the study, head bowed like an exquisitely cold statue, wordless and still.

This standoff might have dragged on indefinitely, but an invitation to the "Hai City Summit" forum banquet broke the Ling family's days-long atmosphere of rock-bottom tension.

The elder Lings had rushed back to the country precisely for this summit and wouldn't tolerate any disruptions to this important matter.

The triennial "Hai City Summit" gathered the elite from every industry. The accompanying banquet, where attendees could bring family in a relaxed atmosphere, was the perfect opportunity to network and discuss collaborations.

This year's banquet was set on Lania Bay's island, surrounded by the world's purest, most transparent jelly-like waters, earning it the renowned nickname—the Sapphire of the Sea.

As specially invited VIPS, the Jiang family would undoubtedly attend. It would seem odd if the entire Ling family appeared except for Ling Ran.

After punishing Ling Ran with kneeling failed to make him yield, Father Ling could only temporarily set aside his anger, bringing Ling Ran along with Ling Su and Ling Mo on the cruise to the island banquet.

"Keep your mouth shut around the Jiangs. If you dare mention canceling the engagement, see how I deal with you when we get back," Father Ling said coldly on the deck.

Ling Ran had barely eaten these past two days, only hastily taking a nutrient injection before leaving today. His knees were still swollen and painful, his whole body weak, his face pale.

He knew Jiang Shengyi would be at the banquet. The moment he saw him, he'd bring up ending the engagement.

Father Ling soon turned to enter the cruise ship's cabin, busily engaging in lofty discussions with industry leaders.

Ling Ran glanced back at the cabin too. Those people, all smooth-talking and hypocritical, might seem harmonious now but would turn coldly mercenary when interests were at stake.

Suddenly, a figure surrounded by admirers descended leisurely from the cruise ship's second deck. His innate icy aura and overwhelming presence instinctively compelled others to fawn and submit. Not to mention that flawlessly sculpted face—handsome enough to seem carved by divine hands—which appeared perfect from every angle.

When Ling Ran noticed that deep gaze piercing through the crowd and suddenly sweeping toward the deck, he immediately averted his eyes in flustered panic.

The salty sea breeze brushed against his face as his heart pounded erratically. Staring down at the emerald waves split by the ship's hull, he couldn't decide whether he hoped that man had seen him or not.

He hadn't spotted Jiang Zhiyu during boarding earlier and had assumed he wasn't coming.

The cruise ship soon entered the Bluearia Bay, where the waters shone brighter and clearer than anywhere else.

Guests transferred to yachts in groups to reach the island, first being led by attendants to check in at the row of ocean view suites lining the coastline.

The banquet would last three consecutive nights, with attendees staying in their respective rooms throughout.

The first evening's gala was spectacular—everyone in the glittering hall dressed to impress, vying to outshine each other.

Ling Ran obediently trailed behind his family, scanning the crowd for Jiang Shengyi. But after circling half the massive venue, he still couldn't locate him.

Noticing Ling Ran's pallor, Ling Mo whispered to their father, "Dad, maybe let Xiao Ran rest first. Brother and I can handle things here— we'll call him over when it's time to greet the Jiang family."

After their father nodded, Ling Mo ushered Ling Ran to find seating.

Exhausted from walking despite his lingering leg pain—which he'd been enduring silently—Ling Ran collapsed onto a corner sofa. He randomly selected a colorful fruit juice from the assortment nearby, sipping slowly while keeping vigilant watch.

He sat alone for quite some time, finishing three drinks, when instead of Jiang Shengyi, he spotted Tang Jun—someone he'd briefly met at the Jiang family estate.

Tang Jun had cleaned up well tonight in a suit, his hair slicked back with what seemed like two pounds of gel. Though moderately attractive, his eyes radiated an invasive creepiness, like sticky sludge that clung relentlessly.

Approaching with champagne, his gaze shamelessly roamed over the omega's delicate yet alluring features. "Looking for someone again?" he grinned. "Need big brother's help?"

Having no favorable impression of him, Ling Ran stood to leave.

Tang Jun blocked his path but refrained from physical contact given the crowd. "Your fiancé? Saw him with Yin Chu earlier. Don't they make a perfect pair?" he taunted. "Why not ditch him for me? What's he got that I don't? My father developed this entire Bluearia Bay. I'd treat you far more tenderly—couldn't care less if omegas can bear children or not."

Ling Ran's eyes widened slightly at this, brimming with shock and disbelief.

Tang Jun clinked glasses with him and lowered his voice teasingly, "Curious how I knew about your fertility issues? How about this—come to my room, and I'll tell you."

Ling Ran didn't actually need to ask. After a moment's thought, he could roughly guess—perhaps Jiang Ronglian or Aunt Jiang had casually complained during a mahjong game, and the matter had been exaggerated through gossip.

Not far away, Ling Su was waving in their direction. Ignoring the man before him, Ling Ran walked around him and headed over. Ling Su led Ling Ran around half the banquet hall before pushing open a door that led to a long corridor toward the residential area.

"Jiang Shengyi seemed a bit unwell earlier, so I sent him back to rest. I need to return to the banquet soon. Mom and Dad asked you to check on him and call a doctor."

Ling Ran had been looking for Jiang Shengyi everywhere and didn't notice the slightly guilty expression on Ling Su's face as he spoke.

The door before them opened to pitch darkness. As soon as Ling Ran stepped inside, Ling Su slammed it shut behind him with a loud bang. Startled, Ling Ran was immediately assaulted by an overwhelmingly intense and agitated scent of cedar.

This was the pheromone of an alpha with 100% compatibility with him—naturally possessing an almost fatal attraction. Fortunately, Ling Ran was wearing a pheromone suppressor today, and as an extra precaution, he had set his thigh band to its highest setting.

So now, instead of being driven into heat by the suffocating cedar scent in the darkness, it felt like countless tiny needles prickling his skin, making his entire body unbearably uncomfortable.

Belatedly realizing something was wrong, Ling Ran recognized that such a strong pheromone scent indicated an alpha's rut period.

He immediately turned to run toward the door, but a powerful arm suddenly wrapped around his neck from behind, violently dragging him back.

***

Ling Su waited outside for a while. He had been the one to give Jiang Shengyi the drink laced with rut-inducing drugs. Once these two consummated their relationship, the marriage would be unavoidable.

When he felt certain the young omega wouldn't escape, Ling Su straightened his collar with satisfaction and strode back to the banquet hall with a spring in his step.

Yet the moment his figure disappeared down the corridor, the tightly shut door was violently yanked open from inside.

Ling Ran emerged, his face deathly pale. One hand clutched the shattered remains of a wine bottle while the other desperately pressed against his bleeding nape. His eyes were unfocused as he stumbled out of the room.

He couldn't feel the pain in his knees or notice how the broken glass had sliced his tender palms. All he knew was agony—so overwhelming he wanted to cry, so intense he felt like dying.

The scent he had once longed for Jiang Shengyi to temporarily mark him with now filled him with utter revulsion.

His head swam violently as he ran blindly forward, unable to discern direction.

But as he turned a corner, he collided headlong with another figure.

Tang Jun was about to curse when he saw the young omega before him—eyes red-rimmed and on the verge of tears, hands covered in blood, his body carrying the mingled scents of cedar and rose-scented grapes.

Who would have thought this omega's natural pheromones would be such a intoxicating blend of floral and fruity notes? That irresistibly sweet, pure fragrance emanated from the wound he clutched at his nape.

Having handled numerous omegas, Tang Jun could tell at a glance what had just happened to him.

With a wicked grin, Tang Jun leaned in close to Ling Ran and took a deep, suggestive sniff. "You just got marked, didn't you?"

Ling Ran was enduring unbearable agony. Despite the supposed 100% compatibility, his body fiercely resisted the invasion of the cedar-like alpha pheromones.

His legs trembled weakly, barely able to support him.

Tang Jun quickly moved to wrap an arm around that slender waist, but the omega suddenly staggered back two steps, flailing his hands wildly—the broken liquor bottle in his grip slashing across the alpha's arm.

"Hiss—"

Frowning, Tang Jun's expression darkened instantly. "What's with the act? You're still reeking of an alpha's scent, yet you're running around outside—asking for it, aren't you? I was being nice offering to help, but you just don't know how to appreciate it, huh?"

Ling Ran's back hit the corridor wall. The event inside the hall had reached its climax, the distant laughter and clamor faintly audible from the far end of the hallway.

But the corridor was empty-just the two of them.

Ling Ran's head throbbed violently, his breathing growing heavier. He shook his head hard, struggling to cling to consciousness.

Tang Jun could see he was on the verge of collapsing. With no one around, this was the perfect opportunity. After all, Jiang Shengyi clearly didn't care about this omega—otherwise, he wouldn't have bitten him once and tossed him aside.

If that was the case, borrowing him for a few days shouldn't be a problem.

"Enough with the act, sweetheart."

The increasingly sweet omega pheromones were driving Tang Jun wild with desire. He yanked Ling Ran's hair, slamming the smaller man face-first against the wall, exposing the slightly bleeding scent gland without any barrier.

"Tell me, did the Jiang family already have their fun with you?"

Ling Ran's scalp burned from the painful grip. He tried to break free, but he was no match for the alpha's strength.

Tang Jun licked his lips, tightening his hold. "What about Jiang Zhiyu? Did he have you too? With a body like yours, could you even handle it?"

As he spoke, Tang Jun bared his fangs, aiming for the omega's pale nape—ready to sink his teeth in.

Ling Ran pressed his lips together tightly. Seizing the moment the alpha leaned in, he lifted his leg and kicked backward with all his might, aiming straight for the man's crotch.

But his foot met empty air. Instead, a heavy, dull thud echoed behind him.

Before Ling Ran could turn around, the leg he'd raised was forced back down by an even stronger, more dominant force.

Tears of helplessness spilled from his eyes. He didn't even realize when a firm arm wrapped around his waist, spinning him around.

Only when a deep, intoxicating voice—rich like aged liquor—spoke right above him, soothing and dangerously close, did he freeze. "Open your eyes."

Ling Ran seemed compelled to obey, obediently opening his teary eyes to see a strikingly handsome and noble face before him.

From behind, the enigma's close proximity completely obscured the view, enveloping the petite and delicate Omega entirely within his embrace.

Jiang Zhiyu wiped away the tears on his face, his gaze darkening.

The little Omega appeared stunned, frozen, unsure how to react. His tearful peach-blossom eyes continued to brim with moisture, as if endless grievances were struggling to spill forth—no words needed.

Jiang Zhiyu also caught the scent of rose and grape that had begun to permeate the hallway. He reached up, peeled off the scent-blocking patch from the back of his own neck, and pressed it firmly over the fragile, bleeding gland on the Omega's slender, pale neck.

The gland, freshly bitten by an alpha, was now swollen and hypersensitive. Yet even the faintest trace of the enigma's far more dominant pheromones seeping through the patch was enough to suppress the alpha's scent completely.

When pheromones were transmitted through direct contact, their concentration and impact became significantly stronger.

The fierce, unrestrained agave pheromones, unimpeded by any barrier, forcefully invaded the Omega's gland. Inside that delicate body, they clashed and tangled with the cedar scent, each vying to expel the other, eager to claim the soft, sweet vessel for itself.

Ling Ran's eyes flew open in an instant, his pupils contracting sharply from the overwhelming pain. He could no longer stand, his face flushed crimson as he collapsed into the enigma's arms.

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