TPLTMOE - Chapter 23

Ling Ran's lips parted slightly, his cheeks flushing a deep red.

He knew about temporary marks and permanent marks, but covering marks—had that been covered in class? He didn't think so. But he assumed it was probably similar to a temporary mark, just biting the gland.

Not wanting to appear ignorant, he quickly waved his hands and said, "It's enough, really. Your pheromones are very strong and should last until I get off the island and return home. I'll see a doctor immediately after going back, so you don't need to worry."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhiyu didn't say anything more.

Seeing his silence, Ling Ran couldn't guess his thoughts—was he agreeing to let him leave directly? After all, he still owed him for the inhibitor, an amount in the millions. Was he worried he might sneak away?

Now that his engagement with Jiang Shengyi had been called off, there was no reason for Jiang Zhiyu to keep helping him.

Thinking this, Ling Ran considerately added, "Um, I'll still pay you back the money. I can write you an IOU first. Would that be alright?"

Jiang Zhiyu tapped the table again, his gaze lowered. "How do you plan to pay it back?"

If he remembered correctly, Ling Ran's assets totaled only 2,100 yuan.

Ling Ran mumbled, "I'll find a job as soon as possible. Then I can pay you back in monthly installments. It won't take too long."

He silently calculated in his heart: If he could land a job at an ordinary media company before graduation, he might earn five or six thousand during the internship. Rent would cost around two thousand, food another fifteen hundred, leaving him with just over two thousand to repay each month. For two million yuan, it would take...

Eighty-three years.

Ling Ran: "..."

Maybe he should just sell himself instead.

That cold, heavy gaze was still fixed on him. Lowering his head, Ling Ran held up five fingers.

Five years—he'd aim for that first.

"Five months?" Jiang Zhiyu asked.

Ling Ran: ":<"

Fortunately, Jiang Zhiyu's phone rang at that moment, and he casually answered it.

Ling Ran pouted. He was just a freshly minted graduate—his diploma wouldn't even be ready until next month. Not only was he jobless, but he was already saddled with massive debt.

His teacher had been right—society was truly this ruthless.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't step away to take the call. Whoever was on the other end seemed to be discussing work.

After an inaudible question, Jiang Zhiyu glanced at Ling Ran before standing and walking to the window.

Ling Ran's ears perked up, but he couldn't make out what was being said.

The caller was actually Yin Chu, whose voice carried restrained grievance. "Zhiyu, you promised Grandfather you'd let me handle the exclusive news broadcast. But now the department has hired two new people, and I, the person in charge, only just found out. HR said they skipped the final interview—Zhao Qin directly arranged their placement. Wasn't this your doing?"

Jiang Zhiyu gazed at the calm blue waves in the distance and replied, "Yes."

Yin Chu seemed taken aback by his blunt admission, and his indignation only grew stronger.

"Then shouldn't you have discussed this with me first? Do you really think I'd oppose Ling Ran's employment just because of personal grudges? There might indeed be some misunderstandings between us—things happened that night at the gathering that you don't know about. Not that I'm blaming him," Yin Chu's voice trembled as if on the verge of tears, "but why do you always defend him like this? Even if he broke off the engagement with Sheng Yi, it's not like he would—"

"Enough," Jiang Zhiyu's voice turned icy. "Take some time off at home. Someone else will handle company matters."

Yin Chu realized what he'd said and recognized the cold, firm tone signaling the other's growing anger. He quickly explained, "Zhiyu, that's not what I meant. I just thought since both Ling Ran and Qin Chengyue are joining the program, I could personally mentor Ling Ran. My injury will be fine in a couple of days. He's talented, and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him to others."

"No need," Jiang Zhiyu stated. "You can't mentor him."

"How could I not? I have the longest tenure in the exclusive broadcast program—"

"He's not going to the exclusive broadcast," Jiang Zhiyu interrupted. "Jiang Zhou is launching a new prime-time news program. He'll join the new team."

Yin Chu was stunned. He'd been proposing a new program to headquarters for ages, always met with issues or insufficient preparation. But now, with Ling Ran's arrival, Jiang Zhou's new program was approved.

Ling Ran could only hear the occasional sound of waves lapping against the island.

He didn't know who Jiang Zhiyu was speaking to, but the conversation seemed serious and composed. Probably something important, Ling Ran thought as he quietly retreated to the entrance.

He took a piece of paper, wrote an IOU, signed it, and carefully placed it in the most visible spot on the cabinet.

Before opening the door, he glanced back—the figure by the window was still on the phone.

His eyes dimmed with disappointment as he gently closed the door.

It took Ling Ran a while to find his way back to his room in the quiet hallway. The other guests were out enjoying the picturesque scenery of Lulia Bay—a perfect opportunity to unwind away from work.

Ling Ran figured his family members probably weren't around either, giving him a chance to slip in unnoticed.

Just as he was entering the room code, he saw Ling Su returning from down the hall.

The moment their eyes met, Ling Su's gaze turned glacial. He strode over in a few steps, grabbed Ling Ran's wrist with a vice-like grip, and demanded sharply, "You dare come back?! Where were you last night after causing such trouble?!"

Color drained from Ling Ran's face. He knew he'd gone too far—no matter what, he shouldn't have smashed a bottle over Jiang Sheng Yi's head. Had it caused serious injury, he could've been charged with attempted murder.

But he also couldn't forget that it was Ling Su who'd personally delivered him to Jiang Sheng Yi's room that night.

Ling Ran tried to pull free, but his wrist was clamped in an unyielding iron grip, leaving him powerless to move.

"Brother, I actually have something to ask you too," Ling Ran gave up struggling and looked directly at Ling Su with clear eyes. "Did you know from the beginning that Jiang Shengyi's rut cycle came early? You deliberately led me there, didn't you?"

Ling Su showed no trace of guilt, answering matter-of-factly: "So what if I did? You're Jiang Shengyi's fiancé, isn't it your duty to help him through his rut? But what's the point now? Your engagement has been canceled. Are you happy now? Are you satisfied?!"

Ling Ran nodded slightly. Happy? Satisfied? This was exactly what he wanted—to break off the engagement.

Ling Su's face turned livid with anger at his indifferent expression: "Forget about you hitting Jiang Shengyi, but what about Tang Jun? You disappeared the entire night yesterday—so many people searched for you without success. Where exactly did you go?"

Ling Ran's eyes widened slightly. Last night... indeed too many things had happened, but he couldn't possibly explain them to Ling Su.

He subtly raised his other hand, pretending to casually brush his nape where his scent gland remained painfully swollen and tender—why did it seem even more painful now?

A sharp inhale escaped Ling Ran's lips as he immediately withdrew his hand.

Ling Su's fury intensified at his silence: "Managing to offend two prominent families simultaneously—you've really outdone yourself. Tang Bei only has Tang Jun as his precious son. Even if you wanted to reject him, must you always resort to violence? Tang Jun still lies unconscious in the hospital—who exactly attacked him?"

While Jiang Shengyi's head injury might have been Ling Ran's doing (evident from the bandages on his hands), Tang Jun—a strong alpha—couldn't possibly have been overpowered by someone as delicate as Ling Ran, an omega.

Moreover, the injury reports showed Tang Jun had been slammed repeatedly against a wall until his head split open.

Ling Ran grew even more astonished. His only memory of encountering Tang Jun last night was the man suddenly transforming into Jiang Zhiyu before his eyes. What happened afterward remained a drug-induced haze in his mind.

Yet hearing Ling Su's account, he could piece together most of what transpired.

"I... I didn't see clearly either..." Ling Ran answered guiltily.

Ling Su scoffed: "Useless questioning you."

With relations with the Jiang family now ruined (Jiang Shengyi's arrogant attitude made reconciliation impossible), alternative solutions had to be found.

Suddenly, Ling Su dragged Ling Ran forcefully toward another direction. Wincing from the painful grip on his wrist, Ling Ran asked: "Brother, where are you taking me now?"

Walking briskly as if racing against time, Ling Su snapped: "Somewhere beneficial. Parents and Ling Mo took the morning ship out. Hurry—we might still catch them. Father said if we found you, you must apologize to the Tang family immediately."

Upon hearing this, Ling Ran immediately began struggling again.

He didn't want to see the Tang family members anymore, nor did he want to apologize to them.

"I don't want to go, brother, let me go..."

But how would Ling Su listen to his wishes? He had already dragged him through the corridor and the banquet hall, arriving at the island pier not far from the venue.

The yacht was picking up its last batch of guests, preparing to head to the luxurious cruise ship anchored in the deep-water bay area nearby, which would then take the guests out to sea for entertainment.

The two of them happened to catch the last two spots on the yacht, and Ling Su forcibly held Ling Ran down, boarding the cruise ship at the last moment.

Once aboard, the guests dispersed in all directions.

Ling Su seemed to have a clear goal in mind, taking Ling Ran straight to the elevator and ascending to the top deck of the cruise ship.

As the elevator doors opened, two towering bodyguards stood guard at the entrance, extending their arms to block their way. "Invitation."

The top deck was the most luxurious and exclusive area of the entire cruise ship, reserved only for specially invited VIPs. Anyone else wishing to enter needed a specific invitation.

Ling Su plastered on a smile: "Don't you recognize me? I'm the vice president of Ling Corporation, here specifically to see your Mr. Tang." The two bodyguards remained expressionless and repeated: "No matter who you're here to see, invitation."

The other bodyguard added: "Without an invitation, no one gets in."

"Could you send someone in to ask? Mr. Tang definitely knows me. We were drinking and chatting together just last night. I knew Mr. Tang and a few other executives were gathering here today, so I came to discuss some matters with them." As Ling Su spoke, he tried to pull Ling Ran past them by force.

But these bodyguards were highly trained. Tang Bei had originally been involved in the underworld before making his fortune and going legitimate. Blue Harbor often hosted high-end social gatherings and banquets, so security here was exceptionally tight.

Every guest present today was of distinguished status and high standing. If they let one person in without an invitation, there would be a second and a third trying to force their way in.

"Aside from those already inside, no one without an invitation is allowed entry. If you don't leave now, don't blame us for being impolite!" The two bodyguards began rolling up their sleeves, clearly preparing to take action.

Ling Ran quickly stopped Ling Su, whispering in his ear: "Brother, let's just go. If things escalate, it won't look good."

Ling Su still refused to give up, and the bodyguards actually stepped forward to grab his arms, about to throw both of them back into the elevator, when Ling Ran suddenly spotted Zhao Qin's figure.

Zhao Qin also looked over and, upon recognizing that the person nearly being thrown out was Ling Ran, seemed startled and hurried over. "Stop!" Zhao Qin said to the bodyguards. "This gentleman is here at General Jiang's invitation."

His gaze was fixed on Ling Ran, who stood behind Ling Su. The bodyguards were clearly surprised but quickly stepped aside to let them pass.

Zhao Qin respectfully guided Ling Ran: "Mr. Ling, this way."

At this point, there seemed to be no turning back. Under the watchful eyes of the bodyguards, Ling Ran steeled himself and followed Zhao Qin inside.

Ling Su was dumbfounded. Never had he imagined that one day he'd be benefiting from Ling Ran's influence. He quickly quickened his pace to follow.

"Assistant Zhao," Ling Ran approached Zhao Qin with small steps and explained, "Actually, it wasn't my idea to come. It was my brother..."

Zhao Qin nodded understandingly. "No problem, Mr. Ling. You and President Ling can go right in."

With that, Zhao Qin stopped at the conference hall doors and pushed them open for the two.

Ling Su strode in confidently while Ling Ran nodded his thanks to Zhao Qin before hurrying after.

The top-floor conference hall's design was identical to the island venue, just smaller with dimmer, more decadent lighting.

Several scantily clad men and women—alphas, betas, and omegas alike—stood on stage, swaying to soft, slow music.

Though called dancing, it was merely suggestive body movements, undignified displays meant to please the audience seated close by. Those spectators held wads of cash, laughing as they pulled their chosen performers close to stuff bills wherever they pleased.

Watching this, Ling Ran felt a quiet shock.

He'd never seen such dancing, nor such humiliating rewards.

Ling Su seemed unfazed, already making his way to the plush sofas near the stage where a group sat around a large central table.

His target was Tang Bei. After exchanging greetings, Ling Su stood making small talk while Tang Bei appeared indifferent. "Xiao Ran," Ling Su called urgently, "come greet President Tang."

At this, every eye at the table turned their way.

Ling Ran's gaze met a pair of phoenix eyes—deep as ancient pools yet sharp enough to pierce through clothing, seeing straight to his unguarded core.

Flustered by the intensity, Ling Ran looked away, his ears inexplicably burning.

Though they'd parted mere hours ago, here they were again before others, both silently avoiding mention of last night's chaos.

Yet Tang Bei's eyes lit up greedily at the sight of the obedient omega. "Well now, if it isn't the young master Ling! My apologies for not welcoming you properly!"

Ling Su was baffled by Tang Bei's uncharacteristic warmth toward his brother. Was this not the same Tang Bei who'd led a violent mob the previous night?

The others shared his confusion—all except Tang Bei, who knew exactly what he was doing. Guiding Ling Ran by the arm, he ushered him toward the table.

Yan Xiwen had been sitting comfortably close to Jiang Zhiyu when Tang Bei nudged his foot. "President Yan, would you mind moving over? Our young master Ling's first visit deserves special treatment."

Yan Xiwen glanced at the empty seats beside him: "?"

He turned to Jiang Zhiyu, noting how those lowered eyes burned holes through the young omega.

Yan Xiwen:""

He wordlessly shifted to make space.

Tang Bei cheerfully pulled Ling Ran over, pointing to the seat beside Jiang Zhiyu: "Come, come, young master should sit here."

He wanted Ling Ran to constantly hover in Jiang Zhiyu's line of sight, a perpetual reminder to this CEO Jiang—don't forget about your son lying in the hospital, nor the lucrative West Harbor land.

Ling Ran was utterly flustered. He never intended to join them, and Tang Bei's inexplicable enthusiasm toward him was downright unsettling.

Just as he was being forcibly pressed down to sit, Tang Bei suddenly gave him an inconspicuous yet forceful push on the back.

"Ah—"

Ling Ran lost balance and abruptly tumbled sideways.

The angle was perfect—he plunged directly into the lap of the person beside him.

His soft hands landed on either side of Jiang Zhiyu's thighs, his face burying itself squarely in the man's trousers.

A hand reached out just in time, gently cupping his chin. Ling Ran lifted his head along with the guiding motion to find Jiang Zhiyu already looking down at him through lowered lashes.

A surge of grievance welled up in Ling Ran's chest, his eyes glistening slightly at the corners.

Jiang Zhiyu leaned forward slightly and effortlessly lifted him onto his lap: "Did you hurt yourself?"

His knee had nearly struck the ground again, but thankfully the supporting hand had prevented any real harm.

Yet being cradled like this and asked so tenderly made Ling Ran feel as though his knee truly ached.

Earlier today, he'd been told something new—that he could openly voice his pain, that he shouldn't bottle it up alone.

So he gave a small nod: "A little."

No sooner had the words left his lips than a large, warm hand covered his knee, rubbing slow circles through the fabric of his trousers.

Ling Ran's ears burned crimson, mirroring the hidden gland beneath his scent patch. He could feel every eye in the room turning toward them, yet Jiang Zhiyu remained unperturbed, utterly indifferent.

The others showed momentary surprise before comprehension dawned.

No wonder Jiang Shengyi had been so desperate to break off the engagement with the Ling family—it seemed they were simply switching candidates.

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