TPLTMOE – Chapter 50

Responsibility?

Ling Ran racked his brain for memories of the previous night. The beginning was clear enough, but later, it seemed he'd been sent into heat by the enigma's pheromones—everything past midnight was a blur.

Shifting slightly, he confirmed through his sluggish movements that he was at least clothed beneath the blanket, easing some of his tension. The man across from him was still watching, clearly waiting for a response.

Ling Ran's lips felt dry and parched. He licked them lightly, then couldn't suppress a soft hiss at the sting.

The familiar tingling sensation told him they must have kissed for a long time last night.

"How... how should I take responsibility?"

His voice was soft, cheeks dusted with a faint blush. Overcome with shyness, he buried himself under the blankets, leaving only a pair of bright eyes peeking out.

This was his first time witnessing an enigma's rut. Weren't these periods supposed to last a long time? Yet Mr. Jiang seemed completely unaffected.

"These are just the early symptoms," Jiang Zhiyu said patiently, as if reading his thoughts. "I've been taking inhibitors for the past few days, but they haven't been very effective."

Ling Ran's eyes filled with worry. "Ah... then what should we do?"

"It's not a big problem," Jiang Zhiyu replied. "You can handle it."

Ling Ran blinked in confusion. Was that why he was being asked to take responsibility?

"But... I still don't really know how," Ling Ran admitted, a hint of self-reproach in his voice. "I'm not sure what I can do to comfort you."

If things were already this intense in the early stages, what would happen when the rut fully set in? An enigma's desires would likely become as uncontrollable as a beast unleashed from its cage.

Last night, he could barely protect himself—how would he manage then?

Jiang Zhiyu stroked his cheek gently, as if petting a soft-skinned kitten.

"You're already doing very well," Jiang Zhiyu said, looking at him. "Few Omegas can handle things the way you do."

Just daring to choose an enigma as a partner already set him apart from most delicate Omegas.

"Really?" Ling Ran's eyes sparkled with renewed hope. "I'm doing okay?"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. "You're amazing."

So obedient, so soft, so... delicious.

Ling Ran grinned, burying his face back into the blankets, so happy he felt like bubbles were popping above his head.

It was as if all the unpleasantness from yesterday had completely vanished.

Then, a thought occurred to him, and he slowly peeked out again. "Oh, Mr. Jiang, there's something else I wanted to ask you."

"Hm?"

"Zhao Qin said the house in Yutang Mansion and the car were company benefits for new employees," Ling Ran murmured. "But... they were actually from you, right?"

Though he was sometimes slow when it came to social cues, he wasn't so naive that he couldn't see through it.

Besides, Zhao Qin's excuse had been too flimsy—his clever little brain had figured it out immediately.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't deny it. "Is there something you don't like about them?"

Ling Ran quickly shook his head. "No, the house is huge and beautiful, and the car drives really well. But I feel like I can't keep accepting your help like this. These things are too expensive—it might take me forever to pay you back..."

His debt to Mr. Jiang seemed to be piling up. At this rate, he'd have to work for him well into the next life.

Seeing his serious expression, Jiang Zhiyu spoke calmly. "Those were just compensations for your help. If you want to return them, does that mean you regret it?"

"Regret?" Ling Ran's eyes widened, and he shook his head frantically. "No, no! That's not what I meant at all..."

"Then what did you mean?"

Jiang Zhiyu watched him with composed amusement, waiting for his answer.

Ling Ran dug his fingers tightly under the blanket, speaking clumsily yet sincerely, "I'm just worried... that you might think I'm not good enough later. If you ever want to find another alpha or Omega, that's... that's fine too..."

Rather than having to return the RV someday, it would be better not to receive so much generosity from the start—things so wonderful they made him greedy.

It wasn't just material possessions either. Even this feeling of being cherished, he wanted to selfishly keep it forever.

Jiang Zhiyu had expected some kind of explanation, but after hearing those hesitant words, the corner of his lips twitched upward in exasperated amusement.

"Ling Ran," he said, "what exactly do you think I meant by making you take responsibility?"

Ling Ran's lips parted innocently. "Ah... well, it's just... Surely it meant helping Mr. Jiang through his rut cycles.

Before he could finish, Jiang Zhiyu suddenly pressed forward, pinning him down as the thin blanket slid to the floor.

Ling Ran's eyes widened, and in the next instant, he felt his lower lip being bitten sharply.

"Mmmph..."

A fine mist instantly gathered in his eyes, followed by a sudden warmth blooming across his abdomen.

The air gradually filled with the scent of tequila.

Jiang Zhiyu narrowed his eyes. "I meant making you my Omega. Marking you permanently. Having you carry my children here." His sharp, cold features loomed dangerously close, radiating overwhelming dominance. "Understand now?"

Ling Ran's faint blush deepened visibly until even his peach-blossom eyes glistened with moisture, as if about to be thoroughly cooked by that scorching intensity.

For some reason, an inexplicable wave of overwhelming grievance surged from deep within, threatening to drown him. His eyes grew hot as he pressed his lips together. "But... I can't have babies..." His hormone disorder had affected his reproductive development—his womb was likely still underdeveloped, making pregnancy impossible.

Jiang Zhiyu paused briefly.

Rather than denying anything else about his domineering demand, the little Omega had first thought of this.

Seemingly in better spirits, Jiang Zhiyu pressed his palm firmly downward, as if through the thin abdominal wall he could touch the secret nest hidden within that warm chamber. There lay a tender, unripe sprout—nurtured by his pheromones, slowly growing. With a bit more effort, it wouldn't take long to mature.

He kissed Ling Ran gently. "If you want it, you can."

***

By the time they rose from bed, it was already late. Ling Ran glanced at the disastrously messy sheets, noticing even faint damp spots. Yet his clothes were clean and fresh, as if someone had stripped him bare before redressing him.

He hurriedly covered the sheets with the blanket.

While Jiang Zhiyu went to shower, Ling Ran sat on the bed rubbing his temples, suddenly remembering something. He quickly grabbed his phone to call Qin Chengyue.

After several rings, the call connected.

"Chengyue, you didn't come back last night?"

"N-no," Qin Chengyue sounded slightly guilty. "I got drunk and slept in Yang Jia's room. Why?"

Equally flustered, Ling Ran replied, "No reason! I just passed out after finishing my manuscript last night."

He added, "I slept alone."

Qin Chengyue also said, "Mhm, I slept alone too."

After hanging up, both secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The horse racing event had another session in the afternoon. Since everyone else had already left, Ling Ran followed Jiang Zhiyu to the

racecourse.

Having never watched horse racing before, Ling Ran hadn't planned to come, worried about being recognized if seen in public with Jiang Zhiyu. But fearing another displeased reaction from Mr. Jiang if he refused again, he reluctantly agreed.

Upon reaching the viewing area, Ling Ran discovered the VIP seats were actually on an upper level above the general stands—a completely enclosed private space with one-way glass offering the best panoramic views while ensuring absolute privacy.

The Cold Mountain Horse Racing Festival had been held annually for ten years. Race schedules along with horse and jockey details were published in advance on the official website, allowing spectators to place bets on their favored combinations. There were four betting options with no upper limit on wagers.

Some elite spectators enjoyed horse racing for the thrilling competitive atmosphere and the unpredictable nature of the sport, which tested one's judgment.

Unable to follow the race intricacies, Ling Ran settled into the plush sofa and texted Qin Chengyue, explaining he hadn't found him and had come ahead alone.

Qin Chengyue simply replied, ["Got it."]

Ling Ran frowned slightly, sensing something off about his friend's behavior today.

The coffee table before them was laden with fruits, snacks, and colorful petit fours.

Unfamiliar with racing rules, Ling Ran only noticed Jiang Zhiyu placing a "Quinella" bet—predicting the exact first and second place finishers, the most challenging of the four betting options.

Before he could count the zeros on the betting slip, Jiang Zhiyu asked beside him, "Help me pick two numbers?"

Ling Ran hesitated, "Just randomly?"

Jiang Zhiyu smiled, "That's fine."

Standing up, Ling Ran cupped his hands like binoculars to observe the jockeys and horses lining up at the starting gate.

Unable to discern potential winners, he glanced uncertainly at Jiang Zhiyu, who gave him an encouraging look, saying, "Just for fun, no pressure."

Ling Ran nodded and carefully selected two horses that appeared the most muscular and robust from the lineup.

"Then number 10," he thought for a moment, "and number 9."

October 9th was his birthday, and he hoped it would bring Mr. Jiang good luck.

After choosing the numbers, Ling Ran sat down and glanced at the small cakes on the table.

Jiang Zhiyu brought over a plate and placed it in front of him.

Ling Ran's eyes instantly sparkled with delight. As if granted permission, he picked up a small piece and popped it into his mouth. His cheeks puffed up with the sweet, creamy filling as he chewed contentedly.

So fragrant, so sweet, so delicious.

Suddenly, Jiang Zhiyu reached out, gripping his chin and turning his face. His rough, warm thumb gently wiped Ling Ran's lips.

At that moment, two people walked in one after another, just in time to witness the scene by the sofa.

Shang Ye wasn't the least bit surprised, his expression calm as he strode over with his long legs and took a seat at another table nearby. Hearing the newcomers, Ling Ran quickly pulled back, licking away the stray cream from his lips himself.

Jiang Zhiyu's fingers closed on empty air, and he turned to glance at the side.

Shang Ye: "..."

Qin Chengyue walked straight to Ling Ran's other side and plopped down in the seat farthest from Shang Ye.

Shang Ye: "......?"

For the first time, Qin Chengyue didn't greet Jiang Zhiyu with his usual eagerness. His neck seemed stiff, resolutely refusing to turn in that direction as he fixed his gaze firmly on the racetrack outside the glass.

Ling Ran pushed a small cake toward him, smiling. "Chengyue, try this. It's really good."

Qin Chengyue shared his taste for soft, sweet desserts.

Qin Chengyue stuffed the cake into his mouth hastily, mumbling between chews, "Mhm, tasty, tasty."

Ling Ran noticed his collar was buttoned all the way up, and his slightly long hair was tightly pressed against his neck, as if trying too hard to hide something.

Suspicious, Ling Ran asked, "Chengyue, aren't you hot like that?"

Qin Chengyue shook his head. "Not at all. I'm actually a bit cold."

"Did you catch a cold?" Ling Ran asked with concern. "Where did you sleep last night? Did you not have a blanket?"

Qin Chengyue nearly choked on his cake, coughing violently until his face turned red.

"I—I had one. Not sick. Don't worry. Let's watch the race, it's about to start."

Seeing his reluctance to elaborate, and with an enigma and an alpha sitting beside them, Ling Ran knew it wasn't the time for private talk.

Ling Ran turned his head and accidentally met Shang Ye's gaze.

He quickly greeted politely. Though he'd only heard of Shang Ye before, this was their first proper meeting.

"Hello."

Shang Ye's eyes seemed to flicker slightly before settling on Ling Ran.

The omega was indeed well-behaved and sensible, even more delicate and pretty than on television.

Shang Ye nodded and smiled back. "Hello."

Jiang Zhiyu pinched Ling Ran's cheek and turned his face forward again, his tone calm. "Watch the race."

Ling Ran obediently replied, "Oh," but his mind was far from the competition.

He was wondering why Chengyue and President Shang didn't even greet each other. It seemed so rude—completely unlike Qin Chengyue's usual behavior.

A sudden gunshot rang out on the racetrack, signaling the official start of the competition.

Dozens of magnificent horses bolted forward like lightning, kicking up clouds of dust several meters high behind them, instantly electrifying the entire venue.

Cheers erupted from the crowd below. Within just a few laps, some horses had already pulled ahead, leaving the others behind.

Ling Ran hadn't been particularly interested in horse racing at first, but as the competition grew more intense, his emotions were gradually swept up in the excitement. The horses he had chosen—No. 10 and No. 9—were both among the frontrunners, and he found himself unconsciously getting more and more exhilarated.

With only one lap left, the top three positions were held by No. 10, No. 9, and No. 21.

Ling Ran held his breath without realizing it, his eyes fixed on the graceful arcs of the horses' hooves as they rose and fell.

Beside him, Qin Chengyue had also placed a bet—on No. 9 to win.

But he hadn't chosen blindly. He had thoroughly researched each jockey and horse's past performances before making a carefully considered decision.

Qin Chengyue stood up and moved closer to the glass for a better view.

Ling Ran also rose from the sofa. When he saw No. 10 and No. 9 cross the finish line one after the other, his eyes sparkled with joy. He turned to look at Jiang Zhiyu, who was still seated on the couch, and found him smiling back at him.

Overwhelmed by excitement, Ling Ran spun around and threw himself into the enigma's arms, wrapping his arms around Jiang Zhiyu's neck and pressing his body snugly against him.

"We won, we won! We actually won!"

Jiang Zhiyu wrapped an arm around his waist and ruffled his hair. "Happy?"

"So happy! So, so happy!" Ling Ran swayed slightly in his delight. "I gave you a little bit of my luck, Mr. Jiang."

Jiang Zhiyu raised an eyebrow. "What luck?"

Ling Ran pressed his lips together, unwilling to explain. He didn't want to admit that he had chosen the numbers with a certain intention—especially since his birthday was coming up. It might seem too deliberate.

"Just luck," he said, tilting his head playfully.

"Alright," Jiang Zhiyu didn't press further. "The winnings are all yours."

The bet hadn't been large—just something to let Ling Ran have fun. All told, it amounted to about a million.

Jiang Zhiyu often wished Ling Ran would be less considerate and more demanding of him. It was always such a headache trying to find ways to give him money.

The two of them were completely absorbed in each other, oblivious to their surroundings. Qin Chengyue rolled his eyes so hard they nearly disappeared into his skull.

Every time he asked Ling Ran if he and Jiang Zhiyu were actually together, Ling Ran would swear up and down that they weren't.

Right. Sure. This was definitely "not together."

If he ever believed Ling Ran's nonsense again, he'd be an idiot.

Shang Ye had remained silent the whole time, his gaze fixed on the Omega standing by the glass window.

"Xiao Ran," Qin Chengyue knew it wasn't the best time to speak up, but he couldn't stand the uncomfortable weight of that stare any longer. He couldn't just punch that shameless Alpha, so he said instead, "I just remembered I have something to take care of. I should probably head out. Since Xiao Ran came with me, could President Jiang see him home?"

He turned to leave, but Ling Ran quickly disentangled himself from Jiang Zhiyu and rushed over to grab his hand.

"Chengyue, I'll go with you."

Qin Chengyue could feel the enigma's piercing gaze on him and hurriedly replied, "No, no, it's a private matter. It wouldn't be appropriate to bring you along. Listen to President Jiang and behave, alright?"

Without giving Ling Ran a chance to react, Qin Chengyue fled the VIP lounge as if making an escape.

The remaining three had no reason to stay either and left the racetrack together.

With some daylight still remaining, Jiang Zhiyu decided to teach Ling Ran how to ride. He hadn't joined the group activity yesterday—though the reason was unclear—but the Omega had shown some interest in horseback riding earlier.

Shang Ye seemed disinterested and, having some company matters to attend to, drove off first.

The manager of the equestrian center came personally to receive them, leading the pair to the VIP changing rooms.

A staff member assessed their figures and brought two sets of riding attire, guiding them to separate cubicles.

Holding the clothes, Ling Ran asked, "Do I need to change too?"

The attendant smiled. "Yes, sir. Your current outfit isn't suitable."

Ling Ran had thought he was merely accompanying Jiang Zhiyu, not expecting to participate. He didn't press further and obediently went to change.

The riding habit fit him perfectly, the waistcoat cinching his slender, supple waist into a delicate curve. However, the lacing was at the back, and after struggling with it for a while, he still couldn't tie it properly.

Hearing footsteps outside, he assumed it was the attendant and pulled aside the curtain. "Excuse me, could you help—"

To his surprise, Jiang Zhiyu stood there instead.

The enigma, already dressed in full riding gear, exuded an aristocratic aura. The leather jacket hugged his broad shoulders and upright posture flawlessly, while the white shirt paired with black jodhpurs clung to his long, powerful legs, every muscle line flowing with elegant precision. Below were knee-high riding boots that radiated an unassailable, commanding presence.

The refined uniform sculpted the handsome, aloof enigma into an image of restrained nobility, yet those deep, obsidian eyes concealed a restless hunger—raw dominance and undisguised conquest.

Ling Ran froze momentarily, his grip on the curtain slackening as he instinctively tried to retreat. But before he could, the towering figure stepped forward abruptly, invading his cramped cubicle with unreasonable force.

The narrow space was instantly dominated, forcing Ling Ran to shrink into the corner. His hands clutched the untied laces behind his back as he stared up at the mountainous figure now crowding him, eyes wide with startled disbelief.

"I... I'm not done changing yet..."

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze burned intensely, though his tone remained calm. "What's the problem?"

Ling Ran lowered his voice. "The ties on this outfit are in the back... I can't reach them myself."

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes trailed downward, lingering on the waist cinched tightly by the black vest—so slender it seemed barely a handful—and the delicate legs beneath.

The little Omega had been pampered well these days, his skin fair and smooth, lips a tempting red, like a well-fed kitten with a glossy coat. Yet he still looked so fragile. The slight weight Jiang Zhiyu had held in his hands last night could have slipped right through his fingers. A single palm could easily encircle that waist, with room to spare.

He needed to feed him more.

Jiang Zhiyu's voice deepened. "Turn around."

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