TPLTMOE – Chapter 44

Ling Ran felt he simply didn't want to trouble Mr. Jiang. If his disorder could be treated with medication, then he'd rather obediently take the pills himself.

Mr. Jiang might help him once or twice, but could he really rely on the enigma's pheromones and markings for every future heat cycle? "I... I really do understand..." Ling Ran gently bit his lower lip, an indescribable sense of grievance welling up in his heart.

He'd been thinking of Mr. Jiang's convenience, so why was Mr. Jiang angry with him?

Jiang Zhiyu lowered his gaze, eyes resting on the soft crown of the little Omega's head.

He rolled down the window, and the agave pheromones were instantly scattered by the sea breeze rushing in.

Ling Ran sniffled, no longer detecting the enigma's scent.

As if deliberately punishing him for his mistake, the enigma became stingy, unwilling to spare even a trace of pheromones.

Ling Ran's sense of grievance deepened, making him increasingly restless.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out, pressing his fingertip against the thigh strap through the fabric. He was intimately familiar with that inhibitor now—he could deactivate it blindfolded with perfect precision.

Sure enough, the fragrance of muscat grapes began slowly emanating from the Omega's body.

After all that crying earlier, fine beads of sweat had formed at the back of the Omega's neck, making the scent patch less secure.

While medication could treat the disorder, its side effects might cause irreversible damage to an Omega's gland and reproductive cavity. This wasn't trivial, and Jiang Zhiyu wouldn't let it slide so easily.

His gaze darkened like the still depths of the midnight sea as he fixed on Ling Ran: "If you knew about the side effects, why take them?"

Ling Ran could feel the overwhelming pressure and scrutiny from the enigma. His body stiffened slightly, his breathing gradually slowing until he could barely draw in the sea breeze.

He wanted to escape this nearly suffocating atmosphere.

Shifting his legs, he tried to get off the enigma's lap first.

Jiang Zhiyu rested his elbow on the window frame, fingers at his temple as he watched, then suddenly lifted his knee slightly.

The person on his lap was abruptly jostled back, sliding even further down.

Ling Ran nearly lost his balance and collapsed against Jiang Zhiyu's chest, barely managing to brace his hands against the man's torso. He looked up with soft, aggrieved, reproachful eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu deliberately avoided that gaze—otherwise he might lose control and kiss those lips—focusing instead on the plump bow of Ling Ran's mouth as he demanded lowly: "Speak."

Tears began pooling at the corners of Ling Ran's eyes again as he whispered, "I just... didn't want to trouble you anymore..."

Jiang Zhiyu didn't wipe his tears this time, pressing further: "Did you ask for my opinion?"

Ling Ran looked at him in confusion.

That plump lip peak was perfectly rounded, just a tiny protrusion of tender flesh on those beautiful lips.

Only those who'd tasted it knew how soft, how sweet, how maddeningly addictive it was.

Jiang Zhiyu's Adam's apple bobbed: "Ling Ran, do you despise me?"

The delicate lip peak trembled as its owner parted his lips. Ling Ran immediately protested: "No..."

"That means you don't want to see me, nor accept my pheromone therapy. Perhaps my pheromones are unbearable to you, even repulsive," he stated matter-of-factly, though it sounded like a calm accusation. "You'd rather endure the physical damage from medication than ask if I'm willing to help you."

Ling Ran had never been falsely accused like this before. His eyes widened in urgency as he shook his head frantically: "No, that's not it... really not."

"Then what is it?" Jiang Zhiyu said. "You can explain slowly."

The surroundings were quiet, the night breeze carrying the sound of ocean waves.

Ling Ran's chest felt like it might burst from the violent pounding. Suddenly, he realized he was more nervous now than when standing on stage in front of thousands earlier that day.

Jiang Zhiyu was waiting for his answer.

Thankfully, the dim interior of the car hid his burning cheeks, flushed so red they seemed about to drip blood.

Ling Ran clenched his fists discreetly. Even deep breathing techniques failed him now—his heart simply raced uncontrollably, disregarding his dizziness and near-fainting state.

Summoning all his courage, he whispered: "I... I like it."

His glistening eyes shone clearly in the darkness: "Your pheromones... the scent of tequila... I really like it. Every time I smell it, I feel comfortable and happy. But Dr. Xu said my condition isn't easy to cure—it might require long-term treatment. During that time, I might still occasionally enter... heat...

His voice became almost inaudible at the last three words, as if too embarrassed to let them be heard.

"It'll be frequent at first, only gradually returning to a normal cycle later in treatment," Ling Ran found the words difficult to voice. "Helping me a few times might be fine, but over time, you'd surely find it troublesome. And you're so busy with work... I don't want to keep bothering..."

Jiang Zhiyu listened quietly, finally hearing the thoughts poured out from his heart—like a clam pried open just a crack, reluctantly revealing its tender flesh.

But a mere crack wasn't enough. It needed to be opened wider, exposed more fully, until that delicate softness could be treasured in one's mouth, licked and melted before being swallowed whole.

"Ling Ran, I'm glad you like my pheromones," Jiang Zhiyu coaxed gently. "But do you want to know what I think?"

His still-damp eyelashes trembled slightly as he gazed up with rapt attention.

Jiang Zhiyu chose words he could quickly understand: "In your upbringing, perhaps no one ever asked for your opinion—whether you're willing, whether you like it, whether you want it. Everything your family gave you was imposed by their own will. Until now, you've simply accepted the intentions they assigned you."

Ling Ran froze slightly. He'd never realized this before—his dysfunctional family had taught him from childhood to be obedient, to endure passively.

He'd believed that if he just behaved well, his parents wouldn't get angry, his siblings wouldn't bully him.

Wasn't that the right way?

Jiang Zhiyu said: "That's not right."

Ling Ran blinked in confusion: "Why...?"

Aren't good children supposed to be obedient, well-behaved, without complaints or tantrums?

"Having no thoughts, no emotions, no desires—this isn't a healthy mental state for a normal person," Jiang Zhiyu looked at him. "You're allowed to want things and work hard to achieve them. You do that perfectly well in your professional life."

Ling Ran needed time to process his words.

At work, he could indeed forget many of his worries because he was solely focused on making each episode the best it could be. He wanted to prove he was capable, that he wasn't inferior to anyone.

"The same applies to your personal life. You can reasonably express your needs and desires, as long as you do it appropriately," Jiang Zhiyu's voice was low, almost hypnotic. "For example, you could try making requests of me. I might not refuse."

Ling Ran stared at him, stunned, as if he couldn't quite believe it.

Make a request of Mr. Jiang? What kind of request?

Mr. Jiang had also said he could fight for what he wanted—but how?

Jiang Zhiyu knew he understood. Slowly, he rolled up the car window.

The briny sea breeze was cut off, and the interior of the car became a sealed space, isolating them from the outside world.

The enigma released a trace of pheromones, and Ling Ran felt it almost instantly.

The Omega's earlier tension and stiffness seemed to be cradled by an invisible hand in the air, soothed, gently caressed.

The scent of tequila wasn't overpowering—deliberately restrained, given only in the smallest dose. Just enough to let the young Omega sink into its comforting embrace before it was abruptly withdrawn.

Ling Ran's expression froze. His eyes widened, his fingers involuntarily clutching the enigma's shirtfront.

He had barely gotten a taste of relief, his body not yet fully relaxed, when it was cruelly snatched away.

It was like being thrown into the churning depths of the ocean, or suspended over a bottomless abyss—his heart left hanging, neither here nor there. His eyes reddened, a muffled whimper escaping him as the unbearable need threatened to bring him to tears.

Yet the enigma watched him impassively, observing his distress without lifting a finger.

Ling Ran couldn't hold back another whimper, his fingertips whitening from the strain. Tears welled, on the verge of falling.

Jiang Zhiyu brushed a thumb over the corner of his eye. "What did I just say?"

The Omega was clearly desperate, his glistening eyes betraying his struggle, but he bit his lip and endured in silence.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhiyu reached around to the slender, pale nape of his neck. With just two fingers, he lightly tapped the scent blocker.

Ling Ran's delicate frame shuddered violently.

Like a fragile butterfly's wings, trembling in someone's grasp, toyed with at their leisure.

"Ling Ran," Jiang Zhiyu narrowed his eyes. "Do I need to teach you again?"

The Omega whimpered, his lips trembling as he finally spoke. “N-no.. I understand”

Jiang Zhiyu commanded, "Speak."

The Omega's voice was soft and delicate, carrying a hint of a coquettish whimper. "Mr. Jiang... could you... give me a little more of your pheromones?"

He was practically melting into the enigma's embrace, his face tilted upward in a pleading gaze.

The enigma was generous. The scent of tequila pheromones began to seep out once more.

Jiang Zhiyu wrapped an arm around his slender waist, pulling him flush against his body until there was no space left between them. "Fine."

Soothed by the pheromones, the Omega gradually calmed, his sweet fragrance intertwining with the tequila until they merged seamlessly.

Ling Ran buried his face against Jiang Zhiyu's shoulder, two teardrops slipping free and landing on the fabric.

"Then... can you also help me with my condition?" Ling Ran sniffled, his voice small and tentative. "It might... be a lot of trouble..."

Jiang Zhiyu ruffled the back of his hair and chuckled lowly. "That's fine too."

With that confirmation, Ling Ran felt as though a boulder had been lifted from his chest.

His request wouldn't be rejected. His troubles were no longer troubles.

"But it's not for free," Jiang Zhiyu added. "I'll be taking some compensation in return. Can you accept that?"

Ling Ran lifted his head, rubbing his reddened eyes. "What kind of compensation?"

"Treating your disorder will require my pheromones," Jiang Zhiyu explained. "Do you know that enigmas also need pheromone comfort during their rut?"

Ling Ran nodded. "I know. I've read about it, and Dr. Xu mentioned it before."

Ruts and heats were both natural physiological needs, requiring a partner's pheromones or physical comfort—nothing unreasonable about that.

Jiang Zhiyu hummed in agreement before continuing, "Enigmas can't be soothed through temporary marks. Other methods may be necessary."

Ling Ran offered earnestly, "If you need my help during your rut, I'll do anything."

After all, Mr. Jiang had helped him so much. If he could return even a fraction of that kindness, it would ease his guilt.

Jiang Zhiyu studied the Omega's innocent face. "Anything?"

"Yes."

"Even a permanent mark?"

Ling Ran froze. "Ah..."

Jiang Zhiyu smirked. "No need."

Ling Ran fidgeted with the hem of his clothes. Truthfully... he didn't feel all that opposed to the idea.

"Releasing pheromones, embracing, touching, kissing," Jiang Zhiyu listed. "They provide varying degrees of relief."

"Then... which method works best?"

Moonlight spilled through the window, casting a pearly glow over the Omega's delicate cheeks, making him look like a fine porcelain doll—perfect for cradling and cherishing.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze lingered on the plump, cherry-like curve of his lips. "Kissing. The concentration of pheromones in bodily fluids is highest."

Ling Ran steeled himself. "O-okay."

The arm around his waist suddenly tightened, pressing him even deeper into the enigma's embrace.

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at him. "Do you know how?"

How to comfort an enigma.

How to part those rosy lips and let the enigma take what he wanted.

How to offer up that sweet little tongue, letting the enigma suck it into his mouth, nipping and teasing it with his canines.

Do you know how to kiss?

Ling Ran felt his face grow warm under that scorching gaze, his lips parched and unbearably dry. A spark seemed to leap onto them, threatening to ignite into fervent flames.

A crimson tongue slowly peeked out, lightly licking the plump center of his lips.

The tender flesh finally received its heavenly dew, glistening with a dewy sheen under the moonlight.

His breath trembling like the most devoted apprentice, Ling Ran whispered softly, "Will you... teach me..."

Teach him how to comfort an enigma.

He'd learned to make requests now—after all, the person before him would never refuse.

"Certainly."

Like being granted an exclusive privilege by one who held power over life and death.

This time fully conscious, Ling Ran moved with practiced ease, his body melting forward, lips parting slightly as the tip of his tongue peeked out obediently. His unblinking eyes remained fixed on Jiang Zhiyu.

Actively awaiting instruction.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out to tilt his chin upward, bringing their faces closer until his scorching breath licked at those delicate, plump lips.

Ling Ran abruptly shut his eyes, long lashes fluttering uncontrollably, yet he kept his mouth open—nervous, afraid, but refusing to close it.

Jiang Zhiyu kneaded the fragile nape of his slender neck twice, his voice deep and measured, laced with approval and encouragement: "So obedient."

The praised Omega softened further, his lips parting even more willingly.

Only then did Jiang Zhiyu lower his head, claiming that mouth completely. He took his time, first thoroughly moistening those delicate lips rather than devouring them immediately.

Ling Ran felt a hot, tingling sensation on his lips—this wasn't how he remembered their previous kisses. His tentative tongue remained untouched, ignored.

When he cautiously cracked open his eyes, he plunged straight into the abyssal gaze hovering mere inches away.

The enigma had kept his eyes open the entire time, his dark, viscous stare intently tracking every microexpression on Ling Ran's face. Beneath the surface churned a torrent of primal hunger and barely restrained, addictive madness like a ferocious beast finally pinning its long-awaited prey beneath its claws.

The perfect moment to shed all pretense and reveal its most savage nature.

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