TPLTMOE – Chapter 53

Even in the darkness, Ling Ran immediately recognized who stood before him.

It was almost midnight. Had Mr. Jiang been waiting here for him since eight?

Guilt seeped into Ling Ran's heart. They had promised to help each other—every time his disorder flared up, Jiang Zhiyu was there to soothe him. Yet now, during Jiang Zhiyu's rut, Ling Ran had completely forgotten.

He really shouldn't have.

With that thought, his body pressed against the door softened further. A delicate hand rested weakly on the arm gripping his waist, giving it a gentle, appeasing shake.

"Mr. Jiang... have you been waiting long?"

His porcelain face tilted upward, peach-blossom eyes glimmering with a misty softness in the dark, blinking twice—innocent and pure, as if he weren't the one coming home at midnight.

The towering figure before him remained silent, but the fingers around his waist tightened slightly, restraint barely containing the urge to snap that slender waist in half.

Or perhaps tie him up, bind him close, so he wouldn't have to spend rut nights alone, clutching at the lingering sweetness on the velvet blanket, nearly driven mad.

Ling Ran let out a muffled whimper at the grip but leaned in closer, pressing his delicate hands against the enigma's sculpted chest, his own slender frame melting against him. His voice, sweet and coaxing:

"I'm sorry for coming back late... Don't be angry, okay?"

As he spoke, he nestled deeper into the enigma's embrace.

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at him, his dark vision sharp enough to catch every trace of that practiced, pleading charm.

Ling Ran knew this act could soften his anger—but this wasn't something a few coquettish gestures could smooth over.

Song Yi had mentioned Ling Ran left without eating today, walking stiffly—as if last night's tearful complaints about sore legs meant nothing now.

Ling Ran strained to see Jiang Zhiyu's expression in the dark, but before he could, he was suddenly lifted, carried bridal-style toward the study.

Inside, Jiang Zhiyu still didn't set him down, striding straight to the desk before finally placing him atop its broad surface.

The study was even darker—not a sliver of light to be found.

Ling Ran could no longer sense the enigma's presence and suddenly grew fearful, as if thrown into a pitch-black bottomless pit. The darkness around him seemed to conceal monsters lurking in wait, ready to pounce at any moment to strip him bare and devour him whole—skin, bones and all.

Curling into a ball, Ling Ran attempted to jump down from the desk. The height made him feel terribly unsafe, his legs dangling helplessly in midair without touching the ground.

But a hand in the darkness pushed him back, sending him tumbling onto the desk again.

Still unwilling to give up, he tried to jump down once more, only to be pushed back onto the desk each time.

"Mm..."

A faint whimper escaped Ling Ran's throat, like a kitten abandoned in a dark hole by its owner. He stretched out his arms, desperately reaching forward, but found no one to grasp.

He was afraid of the dark, and now he realized—the enigma was right in front of him, watching him, touching him, yet refusing to let Ling Ran touch him in return.

This wasn't fair at all.

Just as an overwhelming sense of grievance welled up in Ling Ran's chest, his eyes stinging with the threat of tears, a sudden burst of light pierced through the darkness, painfully blinding him.

Ling Ran shielded his eyes with his hands, waiting until they adjusted to the brightness before lifting his gaze, red-rimmed, to see the man seated before him.

Jiang Zhiyu leaned back in his leather chair, long legs spread apart, effortlessly enclosing the Omega on the desk within his exclusive territory.

His dark lashes didn't so much as flicker as he fixed his gaze on Ling Ran.

The light came from a single desk lamp. Jiang Zhiyu tilted the lampshade slightly, directing the full glare onto Ling Ran, leaving every inch of him exposed under the harsh illumination.

Tears pooled in those pitiful peach-blossom eyes, his long, thick lashes trembling like raven feathers. His flawless, porcelain skin, glowing almost translucent under the light, was tinged with faint pink around his eyes and the tip of his nose—damp with unshed tears.

Utterly endearing.

And yet, infuriating enough to make one's teeth itch.

Ling Ran sniffled, lowering his head as he sat silently on the desk.

Jiang Zhiyu stretched out a hand, resting it on the desk beside Ling Ran. His slender fingers tapped twice, slow and deliberate, his voice deep and unhurried. "Where did you go?"

Ling Ran turned his head away, as if sulking. "To the company."

He had been thinking only of the program—wasn't it all for Jiang Zhou's sake? In the end, wouldn't the entire Jiang Corporation benefit?

Why did he have to be so harsh...

So cruel.

Jiang Zhiyu, of course, knew he had gone to work overtime. "What are you planning to film?"

Ling Ran pressed his lips together. The shoot for "Precious Pearl" was still uncertain—if they couldn't capture anything useful, the entire project would be wasted. It was too early to say anything now. At the very least, they had to wait until tomorrow night, when they could successfully sneak into the club to film.

He stammered slightly, "It's...the topic we prepared earlier..."

The hand resting on the desk slithered like a venomous snake, its forked tongue already creeping elsewhere.

Ling Ran tightly pressed his thighs together as the tapped area gradually grew numb and began trembling.

Tap. Tap. The rhythmic intimidation continued.

Jiang Zhiyu pressed further, "What topic? Explain clearly."

The serpent crawled beneath his clothes, leaving deep and shallow marks on the delicate skin—traps and warnings.

Ling Ran's body shrank back violently. He wanted to escape, but another hand firmly held him in place.

"We...we wanted to film Palm Jewel—that private club on Binhai Road..."

After briefly explaining the group's discussion from earlier that evening, Ling Ran was finally released momentarily. Drawing his legs in, he scooted further into the desk, trying to distance himself from those hands.

Jiang Zhiyu immediately rejected their proposal: "Put that on hold. Film something else next issue."

Ling Ran's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting Jiang Zhiyu's disapproval.

"But the boss specifically told our group we could film..."

Jiang Zhiyu cut him off: "Ning Xinqiao misunderstood my intentions. Palm Jewel is backed by Dong Hui. With Jiang Corporation currently involved with him regarding the West Harbor dock approval procedures, we can monitor the situation but shouldn't attempt any undercover filming there."

His gaze darkened as he added, "Especially you. You're not going."

Ling Ran protested immediately, "Why can't I go? Our group has already made arrangements..."

Jiang Zhiyu explained, "The Dong family operates in deep waters. What you see as Palm Jewel is merely their tool for infiltrating political and business circles—just the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath is beyond your reach."

Moreover, that club was far from legitimate. Had Ning Xinqiao assigned this to another team—experienced veterans who knew how to handle such situations—it might have been different. But not with a greenhorn like Ling Ran, who'd dive in headfirst without thinking.

Ling Ran stared at the floor between his legs and muttered softly, "What if we can uncover something..."

Hearing this, Jiang Zhiyu lifted his chin with a firm grip, speaking with unprecedented seriousness: "You lack experience. There are many situations you don't know how to handle. Palm Jewel is too complex—you wouldn't know where to draw the line, and reckless filming would be too risky."

"But you're here," Ling Ran looked at him. "And Jiang Corporation supports us. I'm not afraid of anything."

That was precisely what Jiang Zhiyu feared most.

He feared not being able to appear in time every single occasion. The thought of anything happening to Ling Ran was unbearable.

His tone grew even firmer: "Ling Ran, I'll say this once—you're not following this story. Assign it to another team. Understood?"

Ling Ran's eyes brimmed with clear, watery grievance, speaking volumes without words.

But Jiang Zhiyu remained resolute—no amount of pleading would change his mind.

Besides, there were other matters yet to be settled between them.

His hand grasped the soft thigh resting obediently on the table, some of the plump flesh spilling tenderly through his fingers. Jiang Zhiyu murmured in a low voice, "You can run around now, so I guess your legs don't hurt anymore."

The spot he pinched happened to be the most chafed area. Ling Ran trembled slightly and let out a soft whimper, "They do..."

The grip loosened slightly, leaving only a light touch resting atop his skin.

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "Didn't apply the ointment?"

Ling Ran replied, "I did during the day."

It was just that too much time had passed, and the effects had long worn off.

"Stay here and don't move," Jiang Zhiyu said as he stood up.

The height that had once been level with his gaze now loomed over him imposingly. Before the enigma, he seemed to shrink smaller and smaller, as if he could be molded into a lifelike doll to be kneaded in the palm of his hand.

Jiang Zhiyu stepped close, tilting Ling Ran's chin up with his fingers.

From this angle, the little Omega's fluffy head barely reached his lower abdomen, the sharp, delicate chin brushing against it with a feather- light touch—so faint it was almost imperceptible.

Yet it left a searing imprint, as if branded deep.

A large hand covered his soft cheek, rubbing slowly.

Ling Ran's gaze flickered upward, his flushed lips parting unconsciously, the tender bud of his lower lip trembling like a blossom on a branch.

Jiang Zhiyu noticed the suppressants were losing their effectiveness again. He glanced down at Ling Ran, then released his hold.

"I'll get the ointment."

With that, he turned and left the study.

Only when the figure had completely disappeared did Ling Ran feel the overwhelming pressure ease slightly. He immediately shifted, about to slip off the table.

But the moment his toes touched the ground, he remembered the look in the enigma's eyes before leaving.

The burning sensation on his cheek still lingered. He hesitated, then drew his leg back and settled onto the table again.

Jiang Zhiyu returned with the ointment and a fresh dose of suppressants. When he stepped back into the study, the little Omega was still sitting obediently.

Approaching the table, he twisted open the cap.

Ling Ran stretched out his hand, his pale palm upturned. "I can apply it myself."

Jiang Zhiyu didn't hand it over. His voice was deep and unhurried as he looked down at him.

"Take off your pants."

***

Half an hour later, Ling Ran was carried out of the study, his face buried in the broad shoulders, the tips of his ears flushed red.

He had been pressed onto the desk, turned over and over as the ointment was applied—layer after thick layer—yet he still hadn't been released.

Jiang Zhiyu sat in the chair, leaning over him.

Ling Ran's hands tangled helplessly in the enigma's thick, dark hair, his fingers tightening slightly, but he couldn't budge the overwhelming strength even a fraction.

The enigma used methods similar to the night before, taking his fill of comfort before finally relenting. He helped Ling Ran back into his pants, then carried the weak-legged Omega to the dining table.

Ling Ran's stomach was truly empty, the last remnants of moisture wrung out of him earlier.

His scent was a mess now, but fortunately, Song Yi was a beta and couldn't detect the pheromones. After reheating the dishes and setting them on the table, Song Yi tactfully excused himself to rest. Jiang Zhiyu settled Ling Ran into the chair without letting him touch the seat or lift a finger himself.

"From now on, you're not allowed to skip meals when you're working," Jiang Zhiyu said, picking up a piece of spare rib and bringing it to Ling Ran's lips. "Open up."

The savory aroma instantly whetted Ling Ran's appetite. He obediently opened his mouth and took a big bite, catching both the rib and the chopsticks between his teeth.

Jiang Zhiyu tried to pull the chopsticks back but found them held hostage by the disobedient kitten. With a light yet firm swat on Ling Ran's bottom, he asked in a tone laced with reprimand, "Well? Did you hear me?"

The sudden smack made Ling Ran's eyes widen in surprise, his teeth releasing the innocent chopsticks immediately. As he chewed the juicy meat, a tingling pain spread from the punished area.

But more overwhelming was the sudden rush of embarrassment and shame flooding his heart. Being fed while cradled in someone's arms was one thing, but getting spanked like a child? He wasn't a kid anymore.

Ling Ran nodded while chewing, afraid of receiving another swat. Yet Jiang Zhiyu saw right through his reluctant compliance and delivered another light smack.

"Use your words."

This time Ling Ran's whole body trembled slightly. Raising his teary eyes to meet Jiang Zhiyu's gaze, he bit his lip before whispering, "H- heard you..."

"Repeat it," Jiang Zhiyu commanded.

In a tiny voice, Ling Ran recited, "From now on... I'll eat before working."

"Good," Jiang Zhiyu continued, "And no going to the office when you're unwell. Rest properly first."

Ling Ran mumbled around the bone in his mouth, "Heard that too..."

Satisfied with his compliance now, Jiang Zhiyu gently rubbed the punished area while holding his other palm to Ling Ran's lips. "Spit."

A clean bone obediently emerged from the omega's lips into the enigma's waiting hand. After disposing of it, Jiang Zhiyu resumed feeding him bite after bite with infinite patience, waiting each time until Ling Ran had completely swallowed before offering the next morsel.

Soon Ling Ran felt full, his stomach slightly distended. Yet Jiang Zhiyu persisted, blowing on a spoonful of seafood congee to cool it before bringing it to his lips.

After reluctantly taking one sip, Ling Ran buried his face against Jiang Zhiyu's chest in protest, rubbing his belly as he declared, "No more... I'm full."

"Finish the porridge."

Ling Ran shook his head. "I really can't eat anymore..."

His appetite was small. Even if he hadn't eaten all day, he couldn't consume three meals' worth in one sitting. Tonight, because he had been fed, he had already eaten more than usual. There was no way he could force down another bite.

Jiang Zhiyu had been keeping track of how much he ate, weighing the slight figure in his lap. He needed to stretch Ling Ran's stomach first—feeding him a little more each time, gradually increasing his intake so he could gain some weight.

"Be good, just one more bite, okay?"

Ling Ran shook his head firmly. To prove he was truly full, he even lifted the hem of his shirt slightly and took the enigma's hand.

"I really can't eat anymore, my stomach is so full," he said earnestly. "Feel it here—isn't it swollen?"

An omega's skin was delicate, smooth as the finest silk under his fingertips.

That thin belly was indeed pitifully rounded.

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes darkened instantly.

<<Chapter List