TPLTMOE – Chapter 35

Ling Ran's ears rang, drowning out all sound—he could only see the other's lips moving.

His heart, already in chaos, was tugged, kneaded, then sealed away in a bubbling bottle of liquor, churning violently in the darkness.

Before he could react, those lips claimed his again—but this time, it wasn't just surface-level friction. Something slipped inside, setting his mouth ablaze as his tongue was caught in a relentless dance, every inch explored with possessive hunger.

The invader tasted sweetness in his mouth and pressed forward with a storm-like intensity, gripping the back of his head to prevent escape. With a slight tilt, he found the perfect angle to deepen the kiss, exploring and demanding more.

Their pheromones mingled through the gaps between their lips, filling the car with a gradually thickening, humid heat.

The concentration of pheromones in their bodily fluids was overwhelming—inhaled through his nose, lingering in his mouth, sliding down his throat, swallowed again and again.

From the inside out, he was saturated with the rich scent of tequila.

Ling Ran's tongue went numb from the relentless suction, his body trembling from his calves to the tips of his hair. The air in his lungs felt violently stolen, his eyes shut tight, long lashes fluttering uncontrollably.

It was as if his soul was being drawn out, shattered, and scattered into the depths of the sea.

Unable to breathe, he teetered on the verge of unconsciousness before his lips were finally released.

Jiang Zhiyu steadied the back of his head, staring at his parted lips, voice rough: "Breathe."

Ling Ran was dazed, his gaze unfocused, hands weakly clutching the front of the Enigma's expensive suit, delicate fingers occasionally twitching, leaving wrinkles in the fine fabric.

The Omega finally remembered to blush and gasp for air, his watery eyes filled with reproach, complaint, and sudden, overwhelming grievance.

Hadn't they agreed it was just a kiss? Why did it feel like he was being devoured...

Seeing his dazed expression, Jiang Zhiyu gently stroked his lips.

He had been the one to ask for this, yet after just a short while, he could only exhale, unable to inhale, his body melting into a puddle of grape-sweet weakness.

It wasn't just those pitiful red lips that tempted cruelty—there were other places too.

Ling Ran had no idea what was going through the other man's mind. After struggling to steady his breathing, he suddenly felt another lick against his lips.

Ling Ran: "Mmm..."

Jiang Zhiyu soothingly rubbed his back. "Better now?"

Ling Ran: "Mmm..."

Jiang Zhiyu leaned closer. "The reward isn't finished yet."

Ling Ran shook his head. "T-too much... mmm..."

No more. He didn't want any more rewards.

"This time, I'll be gentle," Jiang Zhiyu murmured, his movements softening. "Alright?"

Ling Ran didn't know if he could trust that promise. His misty eyes searched the other's face, silent.

Not refusing meant it was allowed.

A gentler force pressed against him once more. The already satiated beast began slowly licking and savoring the obedient, enticing prey in its grasp.

The enigma hadn't lied—this was completely different from the intense deep kiss earlier. Ling Ran felt like he had a soft, warm marshmallow in his mouth, sweet and incredibly comfortable.

He couldn't help letting out a few soft, muffled moans, his body now completely slumped against the enigma's chest, only lifting his face to endure the melting force.

When his neck grew tired, Jiang Zhiyu would adjust his position, letting him rest against his shoulder before tilting his chin up again for another kiss.

Back and forth they went, losing track of time until darkness completely enveloped the outside world.

The surroundings were utterly silent, save for the occasional wet sounds of kissing coming from inside the car.

When finally released, Ling Ran lay weakly against the enigma's shoulder, eyes closed as he fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

His body still radiated some heat—it would likely take more soothing before the fever completely subsided.

Jiang Zhiyu held him with one arm while fishing his phone from his pocket.

It was almost 10 PM, with over a dozen missed calls.

Just then, Qin Chengyue's call came through again.

With the sleeping figure in his arms, Jiang Zhiyu answered.

"Xiao Ran! Where are you? Are you okay?" Qin Chengyue's frantic voice burst through, "Why haven't you been answering? I was about to call the police!"

"He's fine," Jiang Zhiyu replied.

Qin Chengyue paused, clearly not expecting Jiang Zhiyu to answer.

He'd guessed the luxury car that picked up Ling Ran earlier belonged to Jiang Zhiyu, but didn't expect them to still be together this late.

"Ah, President Jiang, Qin Chengyue's voice instinctively became more respectful, "Could you let Xiao Ran take the call? There's something I need to tell him."

Jiang Zhiyu stroked the Omega's fluffy head: "He's asleep."

"Oh, asleep," Qin Chengyue echoed before suddenly exploding, "Wait—asleep?!"

Where? How?

Did you two sleep together?!

Countless questions swirled in his mind, but he didn't dare voice them to Jiang Zhiyu.

"Has he shown any other physical discomfort recently?" the man continued.

Qin Chengyue pondered the implication—why did it sound like Jiang Zhiyu knew more about Ling Ran's condition than he did?

Then again, he hadn't even known Ling Ran couldn't take suppressants, while Jiang Zhiyu did.

A sudden realization widened Qin Chengyue's eyes.

Could it be... the reason Ling Ran broke off the engagement with Jiang Shengyi was because he'd already been secretly involved with his uncle?!

Clearing his throat dramatically, Qin Chengyue said, "No fever, but plenty of other issues."

"Such as?"

"Well, certain unknown streamers at Jiangzhou keep envying Xiao Ran. Ever since he became the new program host, they've been sabotaging him openly and covertly. If not for his talent and resilience, he might have been bullied out of the company by now."

"I see," Jiang Zhiyu's voice remained calm. "I'll handle it."

Zhao Qin had reported the commotion caused by the news department to him. It was unexpected that the usually timid and withdrawn little Omega had mustered the courage to step forward and accept the challenge this time.

Ling Ran had always been eager to please others, prone to suppressing his own feelings, bottling things up, and rarely venting his emotions in front of others. He didn't even know how to properly release his negative emotions, often choosing to retreat and digest them alone.

Perhaps it was his reserved personality, shaped by his long-standing family environment, that made it impossible for Ling Ran to open up overnight.

Ning Xinqiao was the mentor he had arranged for Ling Ran—experienced and capable enough. "Focus View" was originally a program he had approved for Jiang Zhou precisely to elevate Ling Ran.

If headquarters valued it, it meant he valued it.

Hearing Jiang Zhiyu say this, Qin Chengyue had a rough idea of the situation.

Whatever relationship Jiang Zhiyu had with Xiao Ran, at the very least, it seemed far better than Jiang Shengyi.

But Qin Chengyue still had some selfish thoughts. He had initially believed that since Ling Ran had broken off his engagement with Jiang Shengyi, his older brother Qin Shixing might have a chance. If he played matchmaker, perhaps Ling Ran would eventually marry his brother and become his sister-in-law—wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone?

Now, out of nowhere, Jiang Zhiyu had appeared, and as the head of the Jiang family, no less. Qin Chengyue couldn't help but worry for his brother.

"President Jiang, why don't you give me an address now? I'll go pick up Xiao Ran and take him home," Qin Chengyue said.

Jiang Zhiyu rolled down the window slightly, letting the sea breeze drift in, dispersing some of the lingering scents of tequila and grape pheromones.

"I'll take him back tomorrow. Give him two more days off."

"But-—“

"Our matter," Jiang Zhiyu said in a low voice, please keep it confidential for now."

Though phrased as a request, it was an indisputable statement.

Qin Chengyue: "..."

The little Omega in his arms shifted slightly. Jiang Zhiyu reached down and gently massaged his calf to soothe him.

"He doesn't want it public."

Qin Chengyue: "...Alright."

Not only did he not want it public—Qin Chengyue himself had been kept completely in the dark.

When Ling Ran returned, he'd have to "interrogate" him thoroughly to get the truth out of him.

The call ended, and the pheromones in the car had thinned considerably under the breeze.

The hazy moonlight over the sea faintly illuminated the interior.

Jiang Zhiyu reclined the seat, though his long legs still felt cramped. The little Omega sprawled on top of him, however, seemed perfectly comfortable, curled up in his arms as if nesting, entirely enveloped in the Enigma's pheromones, sleeping soundly and sweetly.

The Enigma, on the other hand, had it harder. The soft, sweet scent of ripe grapes wafted up from below—close enough to devour in one bite, yet all he could do was lick at the juicy flesh, savoring the sweetness.

Enough to quench thirst, enough to stir desire.

Jiang Zhiyu adjusted his hold, lifting him slightly, then leaned down in the darkness to find his lips, kissing him slowly, deliberately.

Half-asleep, Ling Ran responded hazily to the kiss, too dazed to open his eyes, his mind foggy as if caught in a beautiful dream. His lips parted slightly, breath damp, yielding completely.

The phone abandoned on the passenger seat lit up again. Still kissing him, Jiang Zhiyu reached for it and glanced at the screen—Jiang Shengyi.

He declined the call. The next one came immediately.

Declined again. Called again.

After several rounds, a WeChat message from Jiang Shengyi popped up.

[Jiang Shengyi]: Ling Ran, answer the phone.

[Jiang Shengyi]: I know you hung up on me. Pick up the damn phone right now!!

[Jiang Shengyi]: I just saw you. Whose car did you get into?

[Jiang Shengyi]: You found a new alpha this quickly?!

[Jiang Shengyi]: Ling Ran, have you forgotten who your destined partner is? Do you really think you'll find an alpha with higher compatibility than me?

[Jiang Shengyi]: What the hell are you doing?!

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes showed no emotion.

What was he doing?

Pressed against him, kissing him.

The little Omega was being kissed so thoroughly that his eyes were shut, soft moans escaping him, completely unaware of what was happening.

Jiang Zhiyu tossed his phone under the passenger seat—out of sight, out of mind.

They had kissed countless times throughout the night, never stopping for long.

By the time the sky began to lighten, Jiang Zhiyu woke up, the man in his arms still asleep, his shoulders draped with his suit jacket.

He touched the Omega's cheek—no fever. He had planned to put him back in the passenger seat and drive him away.

But the thick fog over the sea was already dispersing, the sky awash with golden light.

The sunrise was coming.

He pulled out a small black velvet box from his pocket and opened it. Inside lay a dazzling, vivid purple diamond, radiant under the light.

He remembered Ling Ran's resume—his birthday was October 9th.

Taking the little Omega's hand, he interlaced their fingers, measuring the slender gaps between them.

When the fiery red sun finally rose above the horizon, he tucked the box away and gently patted the Omega's head.

"Ling Ran."

The man in his arms nuzzled restlessly against him, too exhausted to open his eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu opened the car door and carried him out, supporting him by the hips.

The cold, somber blue hues of night were chased away by the dawn, struggling free of the darkness as they climbed into the sky.

The deep blue sea was draped in a soft golden veil, casting a warm, lingering glow over the two figures on the shore.

They had watched the moonlight together by the sea, chased the sunset—how could they not share a sunrise?

"Baby," Jiang Zhiyu coaxed in a low voice, "just one look, okay?"

His long lashes fluttered, finally parting just a sliver as he drowsily turned his head in Jiang Zhiyu's arms to gaze at the distant sea. One glance, then another.

After watching, he nestled against his shoulder, eyes half-lidded, and drifted back to sleep.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't take him back to the car—the scent inside was too strong.

Before long, Zhao Qin arrived in his car, and the two got in.

Zhao Qin said, "I've arranged for someone to come drive later. Also, President Jiang, Sheng Yi has been asking around about the buyer of the Bugatti Divo from the gala. But don't worry—he won't find anything."

The back seat of the Rolls-Royce was spacious enough, but since the Omega was sleeping comfortably in his arms, Jiang Zhiyu didn't put him down.

He kept him on his lap, fingers idly stroking the slender back.

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