TPLTMOE – Chapter 51

"Ah..."

Ling Ran froze, standing dumbly in place.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out, gripping his waist with just enough force to spin the little Omega around.

Before Ling Ran could react, the hands clutching the ties were suddenly seized and pinned above his head, rendering him immobile.

The four loose straps of the white shirt and black vest draped messily down his back, revealing a sliver of porcelain-pale skin. The small dimples at the base of his spine trembled pitifully, still faintly marked with red from last night's relentless attention—whether from kisses or bites, it was hard to tell.

That waist—so slender, so pliant—quivered under the pressure of a single hand before yielding completely.

Ling Ran sucked in a sharp breath, holding it until dizziness threatened to overtake him, his body trembling on the edge of suffocation.

The hand gripping him seemed to be gloved, the slightly rough fabric dragging against his delicate skin in a way that was far from pleasant, the friction too intense.

The exposed patch of skin burned under the weight of that gaze, as if countless invisible tendrils, slick with heat and something far more primal, slithered over every inch of his body.

Had this not been a changing room, who knew what might have happened next?

It took every ounce of Jiang Zhiyu's self-control not to slide his hand further in—not just inside, but to claim, to conquer, to fill every crevice of him until there was no space left untouched.

Just looking was enough to stir the restless hormones in his blood, a scorching heat rising through his veins.

The temperature in the cramped space soared. The Enigma's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed back desire.

Then, at the worst possible moment, a service attendant's voice cut through the tension from outside the curtain.

"Mr. Ling, the back of your outfit might have ties that are hard to reach. Do you need assistance?"

At the sound of an outsider's voice, Ling Ran stiffened. But with his arms pinned, he could only twist his head slightly, trying in vain to catch a glimpse of the man pressed against his back.

The Enigma was too tall—he couldn't see his eyes. Frustration bubbled up, and he let out a short, breathy whimper. Hearing movement but no response, the attendant assumed Ling Ran was struggling and reached to pull the curtain aside.

"My apologies, Mr. Ling, let me just check if you—"

The moment the curtain parted, the attendant's words died in his throat, his eyes widening in shock at the scene before him.

The cramped space of the changing room was mostly blocked by the broad-shouldered, long-legged enigma, making it impossible to see from behind that he had someone tucked against his chest.

Only two pairs of legs were visible below—the slender, delicate ones in front, clad in riding boots that seemed slightly too loose around the calves, trembling faintly from the intrusion.

The long legs behind remained steady as a mountain, slightly spread, completely enveloping the petite Omega in front, as if pinning them against the partition.

Disturbed, the enigma's expression darkened, his sharp profile turning cold and brooding.

"Get out."

The waiter had never felt such an oppressive aura before. Even as a beta who couldn't detect pheromones, he was so terrified he couldn't lift his head, hastily dropping the curtain and fleeing.

Ling Ran turned his head back, pouting. "We were seen..."

What if someone recognized them? Ling Ran worried. Had they done anything too intimate when they came in? Would people figure out they'd spent the night curled up together?

Jiang Zhiyu paused, then leisurely began tying the straps at his back, his tone unreadable. "Keep your hands up."

A single glance told him exactly what Ling Ran was thinking.

Always fretting over fleeting, meaningless judgments—suppressing his own desires just to fit others' expectations, living cautiously and miserably.

He'd realized that reasoning gently with Ling Ran took too long. Direct commands worked better—Ling Ran would obey without question, letting himself be guided.

Not the healthiest habit, but effective.

Sure enough, sensing displeasure, Ling Ran obediently kept his hands raised, head bowed, silent.

Jiang Zhiyu's fingers moved deftly, securing the straps into a neat bow at the small of the Omega's waist, accentuating its delicate curve.

The outfit suited him—fresh and clean, with slender legs and a waist that drew the eye.

Finally dressed, they left the changing room, following the trainer to the stables.

Ling Ran tensed at the sight of the horses, sticking close behind Jiang Zhiyu.

From the trainer's introduction, he learned Jiang Zhiyu kept a private horse here—a noble, purebred black stallion named Doggy.

Tall and powerful, Doggy's glossy coat shone under meticulous care, his temperament now well-tamed.

The trainer led the magnificent stallion out, handing the reins directly to Jiang Zhiyu before excusing himself.

Doggy, recognizing his master, grew visibly excited, pawing the ground before lowering his proud head.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out, running a hand along the horse's flank. Doggy whinnied softly in response.

Glancing back, Jiang Zhiyu saw the little Omega had retreated several steps, clutching his vest, face tight with nerves.

He chuckled and said in a deep voice to the little Omega, "Come here."

Ling Ran was terrified. He would never forget how much it had hurt when he fell off a horse before. Not to mention, his parents and siblings hadn't shown any concern—they'd only thought him weak and useless for not being able to ride properly.

But Mr. Jiang was calling him. Summoning his courage, he took a step forward.

When Ling Ran got close, Jiang Zhiyu grabbed his wrist and placed his hand directly on the horse's back.

Half of Ling Ran's body went numb in an instant. He froze, eyes wide with fear.

Jiang Zhiyu covered Ling Ran's hand with his own, guiding him to gently stroke the horse's mane.

After a few strokes, Doggy seemed to enjoy it and even nuzzled Ling Ran's hand lightly.

It didn't feel like some fierce, untamable beast—just a gentle, affectionate giant dog.

Ling Ran's fear eased slightly, and he turned to glance at Jiang Zhiyu in pleasant surprise.

"Put your other hand on it too," Jiang Zhiyu said.

Ling Ran hesitated but obeyed, placing both soft palms on the horse's back, stroking slowly and gently, trying to establish a friendly connection with the animal.

After spending a little time bonding with the horse this way, Ling Ran already felt less afraid.

Jiang Zhiyu swung himself onto the horse's back, giving a light squeeze with his legs. The horse responded immediately, taking small, measured steps as it trotted leisurely around the field.

Ling Ran watched him the whole time. His riding was smooth and graceful, as if he were born to hold the reins and command all things from above.

Before long, Doggy had fully adjusted to the environment. Jiang Zhiyu returned to Ling Ran and stopped in front of him.

"Want to try?" Jiang Zhiyu asked.

Ling Ran hesitated. Seeing how effortlessly and elegantly Jiang Zhiyu rode, it looked both easy and fun.

He did want to try—but the old injury on his calf seemed to ache faintly at the memory.

Jiang Zhiyu dismounted and placed Ling Ran's hands on the horse's back. "Step here with one foot," he instructed.

Ling Ran did as told and suddenly felt himself lifted—he was seated on the horse in an instant.

The view before him widened dramatically, stretching all the way to the distant green hills beyond the field.

But fear gripped him. His entire body tensed uncontrollably, making Doggy uncomfortable. The horse stamped its hooves impatiently, scraping circles into the ground.

Jiang Zhiyu held the reins and patted Ling Ran's thigh. "Don't squeeze so tight."

Ling Ran looked down at him and heard him say, "Relax."

Ling Ran tried his best to loosen up. With Jiang Zhiyu leading the horse by the reins, they walked slowly around the field twice.

At first, the little Omega on horseback was tense and uneasy, but he gradually realized that as long as the man beside him didn't let go, he was safe on Doggy's back. So his body slowly relaxed, and he began to enjoy the thrill of riding.

Jiang Zhiyu occasionally gave him pointers from the side.

"Straighten your back."

"Look ahead, adjust your breathing."

"Try controlling it with your body's center of gravity and leg pressure."

"Use the reins as little as possible."

After a couple more laps, Jiang Zhiyu slowly let go.

Ling Ran didn't notice. He was watching the sun slowly setting in the distance, nearly hidden behind the mountains, with fiery clouds stretching over the emerald waves of the forest.

Such a beautiful sunset, and he was seeing it with Mr. Jiang.

Suddenly, the horse picked up speed. Only then did Ling Ran snap out of his daze and realize Jiang Zhiyu was no longer by his side—the reins were now entirely in his own hands. He was alone, jostled by the rhythmic rise and fall of the horse's gallop.

A wave of inexplicable fear surged through him. Staring at the ground rushing past, he suddenly felt dizzy and unsteady, as if he were about to fall off the horse at any moment.

Horses are intelligent and sensitive creatures. Sensing the discomfort and panic of the rider on its back, it seemed to realize it was no longer under control and began speeding up as if set free.

Ling Ran was tossed left and right, unable to hold back a scream—only to further agitate the horse, making it ignore commands and run wild.

Ling Ran quickly lowered his body and clung tightly to the horse's back, squeezing his eyes shut in fear. Just as he felt his body was about to be shaken apart and he was on the verge of being thrown off again, Doggy's hooves suddenly came to a stop.

Then, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist and lifted him straight off the horse.

Enveloped in a warm, secure embrace, the little Omega slowly opened his eyes. His long lashes were damp with frightened tears, and his reddened eyes looked both adorable and pitiful.

He was still panting heavily from the shock, his body trembling uncontrollably, unable to calm down.

Hearing his rapid, panicked breathing, Jiang Zhiyu kept him cradled in his arms and covered his mouth and nose with one hand.

"Ling Ran," his voice was deep and soothing, "listen to me."

The little Omega, unable to draw fresh air, felt tears welling up rapidly in his eyes.

But the hand covering his face had shed its glove—its palm was dry and warm, capable of controlling him completely.

Jiang Zhiyu tightened his fingers slightly, soft flesh spilling slightly between them.

"Breathe slowly," he instructed. "Only inhale when I say so. Understood?"

Trapped in the man's hold, the little Omega had no power to refuse. His misty eyes blinked, and he nodded.

Jiang Zhiyu loosened his grip slightly. "Now, inhale."

The little Omega obeyed, opening his mouth wide to take in a deep, desperate breath.

"Five."

"Four."

"Three."

"Two."

"One."

After the five-second count, the large hand covered his mouth and nose again.

Ling Ran's eyes widened even further, his chest swelling like a balloon being forcefully inflated—if he wasn't allowed to exhale soon, it felt like his body might burst.

Yet Jiang Zhiyu didn't release him, letting the oxygen linger briefly inside before mercifully loosening his grip again.

"Haah..."

The little Omega's cheeks flushed nearly red before he could finally exhale.

Jiang Zhiyu controlled his breathing like this, forcing him through dozens of such cycles until the trembling in his arms finally subsided. Only then did he let go of Ling Ran's face.

His slender fingers idly rubbed together midair, the slickness lingering on his fingertips making him reluctant to pull away entirely.

His palm was warm and damp, as if drenched.

Ling Ran gradually recovered from that boundless terror, his soft cheek pressing into the other man's chest, arms wrapped tightly around his waist, unwilling to let go.

He didn't care if anyone was passing by or watching—he could only draw the hard-won sense of safety from this enigma.

Like a floating log that could firmly hold him up in the depths of the sea, it was his hope for survival.

Jiang Zhiyu stroked his back gently. The horse that had bolted earlier had returned to their side, as if aware of its wrongdoing, holding the reins in its mouth and trying to nudge them back into Ling Ran's hand.

But Ling Ran buried his face in Jiang Zhiyu's chest, refusing to turn around or acknowledge it.

The black horse let out a short, low whicker, lowering its head to nudge closer.

Jiang Zhiyu took the reins with one hand and called out in a stern, reprimanding tone, "Doggy."

The horse immediately shed its mischievous demeanor, reverting to a docile, obedient companion.

"Doggy likes you a lot," Jiang Zhiyu remarked.

Ling Ran rubbed his cheek against him but still refused to lift his head.

"He's sensitive—he can tell you're the type who compromises easily," Jiang Zhiyu ruffled his hair. "If your commands aren't firm enough, he'll hesitate just like you, even to the point of ignoring you completely. That's when he becomes uncontrollable, like earlier."

Ling Ran's voice, muffled against his chest, resonated with a hollow timbre. "I don't even know how to ride..."

Wealthy young heirs were usually trained in refined skills like equestrianism or sailing from a young age.

"Your family never had you learn?" Jiang Zhiyu asked.

Ling Ran fell silent for a moment before answering, "I did... but I fell once. I broke my leg and was hospitalized for a long time. After that, I never rode again."

Jiang Zhiyu lowered his head, pressing a featherlight kiss to his hair.

"Did it hurt?"

Ling Ran nodded.

It did. Of course it did.

He had stayed in the hospital alone—his family all had their own matters to attend to. They hired a caretaker, but she was just there for the paycheck, indifferent to his suffering. Sometimes, the pain had him crying silently under the covers at night, only to endure it wordlessly when the doctor changed his bandages the next day.

Nearby, Doggy, seeing the two still embracing, nudged them with its head.

The push nearly knocked Ling Ran off balance—if not for the arm securing his waist, he might have face-planted right there.

Jiang Zhiyu tugged the reins sharply, his voice icy. "Doggy. Stop."

The horse immediately recognized its master's displeasure and stilled at once.

Ling Ran turned his head to glance at the black horse standing beside him. Seeing it hang its head listlessly, all traces of its earlier liveliness gone, it resembled a child who'd done something wrong—only able to kick at the pebbles on the ground with its hooves.

A pang of sympathy rose in his heart. Horses were intelligent and loyal creatures, yet this one might spend an entire year in this stable seeing its owner only a handful of times.

Jiang Zhiyu said, "If you don't want to ride anymore, we can head back."

Ling Ran suddenly reached out and stroked Doggy's back. "I'd like to try one more time."

Jiang Zhiyu didn't seem surprised. He helped Ling Ran settle securely onto the horse before unexpectedly swinging up behind him.

Ling Ran's back pressed tightly against a broad, warm chest, his sides firmly enclosed by two strong arms.

Seated in front of the enigma, he was safely and securely enveloped.

Jiang Zhiyu spoke from behind him, the vibrations of his chest making Ling Ran's ears buzz.

"I'll guide you for a few more rounds."

With that, his long legs suddenly squeezed against the horse's sides, issuing a brief, firm command: "Doggy, gallop!"

Doggy, as if finally unleashed, surged forward at full speed.

Held firmly this time, Ling Ran wouldn't fall off. The wind whistled past his ears, his heart pounding wildly. His soft body jolted violently with each stride, and soon it felt as though his insides had been shaken to pieces—his thighs and backside aching so much he nearly teared up.

Jiang Zhiyu wrapped an arm around his waist, steadying him.

"Focus on the rhythm of my movements," Jiang Zhiyu murmured in a low voice by his ear. "Learn to match it."

Ling Ran concentrated. The horse's gait followed a predictable cadence—if he could synchronize his body's movements with each leap, he could align perfectly with it, easing the pain and exhaustion.

A quick learner, he soon matched Jiang Zhiyu's rhythm.

The two rode as one, their figures melding seamlessly together like the most flawless pair of shadows in the world.

After several rounds, Ling Ran gradually grasped the technique.

Jiang Zhiyu handed him the reins, letting him command Doggy as they circled the field for a long while.

Only when the sun had fully set, the surroundings dimming into dusk, did Ling Ran finally tug the reins to bring Doggy to a stop.

Truthfully, he wasn't ready to stop—but with the fading light and this being his first time riding, it wasn't wise to push too hard. Otherwise, he'd surely be unable to move the next day.

After returning Doggy to the stable, Ling Ran stepped forward, wrapping his arms around the horse's neck for a hug before reluctantly following Jiang Zhiyu away.

Once they changed clothes, Zhao Qin drove them away from the equestrian club.

During the car ride, Ling Ran began feeling slight discomfort—his bottom felt like it was being jostled into four separate pieces. His legs trembled weakly, seemingly beyond his control, especially the delicate inner thighs. That soft flesh had never endured much hardship and remained exceptionally tender.

After just one afternoon of friction against the saddle, he noticed large patches of redness when changing clothes. The contact with his pants stung slightly.

Too embarrassed to mention it, he endured the discomfort and pulled on his trousers.

By the time the Rolls-Royce pulled up beneath Yutang Residence, it was already late. Ling Ran politely invited Jiang Zhiyu upstairs for dinner before leaving.

Jiang Zhiyu politely accepted, accompanying him upstairs.

Observing their retreating figures, Zhao Qin tactfully drove away. Barring any surprises, he'd return tomorrow morning to pick them up. Song Yi had already prepared an elaborate dinner at home, as if anticipating Jiang Zhiyu's visit.

During the meal, they sat across from each other at a distance, exchanging sporadic work-related small talk—appearing as though they were simply sharing a casual dinner.

Yet by the end of the meal, Jiang Zhiyu's eyes were streaked with red veins, as if struggling to suppress something.

But he said nothing.

After a trip to the bathroom, Ling Ran assumed he'd soon be seeing Mr. Jiang off—it was late, and Monday work awaited them both.

Returning to the living room, however, he saw Song Yi approaching the sofa with a medical kit, rummaging through it until he produced a syringe.

"Found it, President Jiang," Song Yi said cheerfully. "Fortunately, we still have suppressants at home. But these were previously used by Mr. Ling—specifically formulated for Omegas. Their effectiveness for an enigma might be limited."

"It's fine," Jiang Zhiyu replied, his voice gravelly. "Give it to me."

Song Yi unpacked the suppressant, ejecting a glistening droplet from the sharp needle before handing it over. Jiang Zhiyu rolled up his sleeve, preparing to inject the serum directly into his forearm vein without flinching.

But before the needle could pierce the enigma's muscular arm, the Omega rushed forward and seized his wrist.

Ignoring the chafing pain in his thighs, Ling Ran acted on instinct—his body moving before his mind could process. Gazing at Jiang Zhiyu, he demanded, "What are you doing?"

Jiang Zhiyu frowned, his dark eyes unfathomable.

Song Yi explained, "President Jiang needs suppressants to control his rut cycle. Regular injections must begin early, or the later stages become... problematic."

"Let go," Jiang Zhiyu ordered.

Instead of releasing him, Ling Ran impulsively snatched the syringe away and flung it onto the nearby table.

"Frequent inhibitor injections aren't good for your health," Ling Ran said earnestly. "Have you forgotten how I got sick? And Dr. Xu mentioned before that if comfort can be provided through pheromones, it's best not to rely too heavily on inhibitors."

Jiang Zhiyu looked at him, his gaze lingering on those slightly parted lips—soft and sweet, beautiful and tempting.

Glistening with moisture, they looked utterly adorable.

The Omega, afraid he might go for another inhibitor injection, grabbed his arm with both hands as if mustering great determination and courage before whispering, "I... I can help you."

A faint smile curled at Jiang Zhiyu's lips, carrying the triumphant air of a hunter watching prey willingly step into a trap.

"How?" he asked.

Ling Ran thought back to how he had helped the night before, his cheeks suddenly warming as he lowered his head, his voice almost inaudible:

"Maybe... you could stay tonight..."

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