TPLTMOE - Chapter 22

Ling Ran was set down on the edge of the bed, his large, misty eyes lifting to gaze at the man standing before him.

He struggled to recall the fragmented memories of last night's dream, but the more he remembered, the deeper the flush spread across his cheeks.

The overwhelming embrace, the searing bite, the pheromones flooding every inch of his body, the thick, humid scent of tequila saturating the air...

Had none of it been a dream? Had it all... really happened?

Then—then did that mean he'd been temporarily marked by the alpha in front of him?!

A sudden wave of grievance surged through him, prickling his heart like needles. Ling Ran pressed his lips together tightly, refusing to let out such a pathetic sob.

For an Omega, being marked was an incredibly significant matter—whether it was a temporary gland marking or a lifelong reproductive cavity marking.

A temporary mark might only last a few days in an Omega's body, but it would create an indelible dependence on the alpha. A lifelong mark, on the other hand, meant the Omega's body had been branded as belonging to someone—unless they underwent an extremely risky and agonizing mark-removal surgery, they could never leave their bonded partner.

But for alphas, marking multiple Omegas was no difficult feat. If they wished, they could irresponsibly play with one and discard them afterward.

When Jiang Shengyi had bitten into his gland, Ling Ran had felt nothing but resistance and revulsion. The more he had once longed for Jiang Shengyi's mark, the more he had despised it in that moment.

Jiang Shengyi had only ever seen him as a tool to ease his rut—never once had there been any genuine affection.

So when that wine bottle had smashed against Jiang Shengyi's skull, Ling Ran had resigned himself to a lifetime of relying on suppressants alone.

But who could have imagined things would turn out this way? Instead of being marked by his fiancé, he had been marked by his fiancé's uncle.

From his fragmented memories, last night he hadn't just been bitten once—he vaguely recalled even wrapping his arms around the alpha's neck, sobbing uncontrollably, and pressing his scent gland forward, begging to be bitten...

Ling Ran finally couldn't hold back any longer. Overwhelmed by panic, shame, and embarrassment, tears gushed out in an instant. What else had he done last night? He truly had no face left to show anyone... Ugh...

Jiang Zhiyu noticed him crying silently again and lifted his pale, delicate chin with one hand, gazing into those misty, tear-glazed peach- blossom eyes.

Having already cried nearly the entire night, the corners of his eyes were still tinged with red. Now, they were soaked anew—damp, flushed, and shimmering with a heartbreakingly beautiful hue.

He brushed his fingers over Ling Ran's tear-stained lashes, then traced them down to the back of his neck, pressing abruptly against the scent-blocking patch.

"Ah—!"

Ling Ran's eyes widened instantly, his body trembling violently as if struck by a spasm. If not for the grip on his chin, he would have collapsed back onto the bed.

The scent gland at the back of his neck ached with a dull, throbbing pain—an indescribable sensation. Amid the unbearable discomfort, a dark, unspeakable stimulation coiled beneath the surface.

The swollen, nearly inflamed gland was so sensitive it felt as though it had sprouted countless tiny tendrils, each tipped with a crimson, quivering mouth. Having already exchanged countless kisses with the one who bit him last night, the slightest touch now sent them clamoring for more.

Unable to endure it, Ling Ran clutched at the hand gripping his chin and whimpered, "It... hurts..."

Jiang Zhiyu withdrew his fingers, confirming that while the gland beneath the patch was severely swollen, it wasn't feverish—no signs of heat.

An enigma's temporary mark wouldn't fade so quickly.

Finally releasing his chin, Jiang Zhiyu watched as Ling Ran slumped over the bedside, gasping for breath with his mouth slightly parted. Once he had somewhat recovered, Ling Ran wiped his tears with his sleeve and shakily rose to his feet.

"U-Uncle..." He sniffled, voice hoarse and fragile, making him seem impossibly soft and docile. Not understanding the man's intent, he repeated softly, "Uncle..."

Jiang Zhiyu frowned slightly, looking down at him with an unreadable gaze. "What did you call me?"

Ling Ran blinked, confused, then whispered again, "Uncle…"

Jiang Zhiyu pulled out his phone and flipped to a news article, holding it in front of him.

Blinking through his tear-blurred vision, Ling Ran leaned closer, reading word by word.

The more he read, the harder it became to conceal the shock in his eyes.

Jiang Shengyi had announced their broken engagement at last night's summit banquet!

Just how many things had happened while he was unconscious yesterday evening?

Though ending the engagement had been Ling Ran's intention all along, he never imagined he'd be the last to know as the person involved.

Surprisingly, he didn't feel much regret or reluctance—instead, it was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.

It then dawned on Ling Ran that since his engagement with Jiang Shengyi was over, Jiang Zhiyu was no longer related to him. Calling Jiang Zhiyu "uncle" now seemed rather inappropriate.

But what should he call him instead?

Jiang Zhiyu took back his phone, carefully studying the little Omega's face.

Ling Ran lowered his head and suddenly whispered very softly, "Thank you... for last night."

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "What are you thanking me for?"

Ling Ran nervously twisted the hem of his clothes. "For helping me... for giving me the temporary mark."

Otherwise, he might not have made it through that heat wave.

"I don't accept verbal thanks."

Jiang Zhiyu suddenly took a step forward, causing the little Omega to nearly fall back onto the bed again.

Jiang Zhiyu promptly grabbed his wrist and gave a gentle tug, pulling the petite figure almost flush against his chest.

Ling Ran looked up at him with wide eyes. "Ah... then how should I thank you? I still haven't repaid you for the inhibitor... You've helped me time and again, but I really have nothing to give you..."

The little Omega seemed genuinely troubled about how to repay both the money and the kindness. Already penniless, and now without a job—what assets did he even have left?

Jiang Zhiyu didn't need to lean in to catch the lingering scent of grape and tequila pheromones on him.

"Growl, growl"—two untimely stomach growls interrupted the moment.

Ling Ran embarrassedly covered his stomach, pouting with a pitiful expression.

Not only was he broke, but he was also starving enough for his stomach to protest.

The enigma's usually impassive expression softened slightly, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.

"Go take a shower first," he said, patting the little Omega's fluffy head.

Ling Ran blinked blankly before sniffing at his collar—the overwhelming alcohol scent mixed with his own grape pheromones nearly made him dizzy.

His cheeks burning crimson, Ling Ran immediately bolted for the bathroom.

Halfway there, he sheepishly turned back and said pitifully to the enigma, "I... I don't have any clean clothes to change into..."

He'd only brought three outfits, all still in his room.

Jiang Zhiyu opened the wardrobe and casually tossed over two items. "Wear these for now."

It was a black tracksuit—long sleeves and pants—that looked obviously oversized and, without tags, clearly pre-worn.

Clutching the clothes, Ling Ran hurried into the bathroom.

He showered quickly, though washing with one hand proved inconvenient due to the bandages. By the time he emerged, faint traces of blood had seeped through the gauze, and his wounds ached slightly.

He stood in front of the bathroom mirror, struggling to blow-dry his hair with one hand. The damp strands clung stubbornly to his face, and he could only brush them away with the back of his gauze-wrapped hand. The more he tried, the messier it became—his hair remained wet while sticking all over his face, making him extremely uncomfortable.

Ling Ran's arm had already grown sore. Just as he was about to lower the hairdryer in exhaustion, a hand suddenly covered his from behind, gripping both the hairdryer handle and his own hand in one motion.

Startled, Ling Ran raised his eyes and glimpsed through the steam-fogged mirror the figure standing behind him—tall enough to nearly envelop him completely, with powerfully defined muscles evident even along his forearm. The heavy hairdryer looked like a mere toy in his grasp.

Jiang Zhiyu had entered unnoticed and now stood behind him, effortlessly taking over the task of drying his hair. His slender fingers combed slowly through the damp, soft strands, gently tugging and shaking them outward before smoothing down to the ends, then repeating the motion with practiced ease.

Unaccustomed to being cared for like this, Ling Ran felt both flustered and touched. He turned his head, intending to say he could manage on his own, but before he could complete the movement, a hand cupped his cheek and firmly turned him back around.

"Don't move," came the deep, slightly commanding voice behind him.

Ling Ran obediently stilled, standing quietly with his eyes hidden behind disheveled bangs, secretly watching the man's reflection in the mirror. Even those thick, lowered eyelashes appeared strikingly long, casting delicate shadows across the bridge of his handsome nose.

Mesmerized, Ling Ran stared blankly.

It suddenly struck him that Jiang Zhiyu looked nothing like Jiang Shengyi after all. The man before him had more striking, chiseled brows and far deeper, more penetrating eyes—undeniably more attractive.

The roar of the hairdryer ceased abruptly. When Jiang Zhiyu glanced up, he caught the little Omega red-handed in his mirror-gazing.

Flustered, Ling Ran averted his eyes—looking at the ceiling, the floor tiles, the sink—anywhere but at those sharp, obsidian-dark phoenix eyes behind him.

Jiang Zhiyu grasped his wrist and lifted the gauze-wrapped hand, noticing faint traces of blood seeping through. Unwrapping the bandage revealed the wound had reopened slightly, the edges whitened from accidental water exposure during his shower.

Taking out ointment, Jiang Zhiyu squeezed some onto his fingertips and reapplied it to the injury.

When unconscious, the pain hadn't registered as sharply. Now, watching Jiang Zhiyu tend to his wound, Ling Ran found it unbearably painful. By the time fresh gauze was wrapped around it, his eyes had reddened further.

After putting away the ointment, Jiang Zhiyu studied the younger man before him.

"Hurts?"

Ling Ran inhaled lightly and shook his head.

"Then we'll apply it again," Jiang Zhiyu stated matter-of-factly, already reaching for the ointment once more.

Panicked, Ling Ran quickly protested, "No need..."

One application should suffice—why repeat it?

Jiang Zhiyu met his gaze. "If it doesn't hurt, it isn't working."

"It is working! It hurts, it really hurts—so much!" Ling Ran insisted urgently.

With skin as delicate as any Omega's, how could a long gash from shattered glass not hurt? But Ling Ran had grown accustomed to enduring everything alone—even now, on the verge of tears, he maintained a facade of quiet compliance.

In a tone both firm and patient, as if instructing a junior, Jiang Zhiyu said, "From now on, if you're in pain, say so. Don't bottle it up. Understood?"

Ling Ran gazed at him, blinking his eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu had already walked over to the table laden with food and taken a seat. Seeing the little Omega still standing there in a daze, he called out, "Come here."

Ling Ran followed and approached. Jiang Zhiyu pulled out a chair, gesturing for him to sit beside him.

Ling Ran was utterly famished. Last night had been a battle of endurance for him, and his physical stamina paled in comparison to the man beside him. His eyes practically sparkled at the sight of the seafood on the table.

He glanced at Jiang Zhiyu as if seeking permission. Only after receiving a nod did he pick up his chopsticks and begin eating, taking small, focused bites.

Though his mouth was small, he ate quickly, resembling a little hamster diligently munching away. His cheeks puffed up adorably as he chewed.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't eat much and soon rose to work at the desk.

Ling Ran also sped up, finishing his meal quickly. After wiping his mouth, he stood up from his seat.

Only then did he discreetly survey the suite. It was much larger than the rooms assigned to the others, and the view of the blue sea from the window was breathtakingly beautiful.

But this room was reserved specifically for the CEO of the Jiang Corporation. He had already spent the entire night here, and now that he was fully conscious, lingering any longer might seem a bit too shameless.

Ling Ran slowly walked over to the desk. The man leaning back in the chair had his eyes closed, resting—after all, he was the one who had truly gone without sleep the entire night.

Ling Ran spoke softly, "I'm sorry for disturbing your rest last night. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. You should lie down on the bed to sleep; the chair is too hard and uncomfortable."

The man behind the desk opened his eyes, their depths dark and unfathomable. He studied Ling Ran for a moment before speaking calmly, "Haven't you learned Omega physiology?"

Ling Ran: ":<"

Ling Ran: "I have... they taught us in school..."

If he thought Ling Ran was stupid, he could just say it outright. There was no need to berate him indirectly.

How mean, wuwu.

Slender, pale fingers tapped lightly on the desk, as if delivering a lesson or a warning.

"Covering a mark isn't completed in one go," Jiang Zhiyu said, looking at him. "One night isn't enough."

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