TPLTMOE – Chapter 56

Ling Ran had barely managed to calm his emotions when that slightly reproachful remark sent them surging back up again.

The sense of grievance in his heart grew even stronger, yet he had no outlet for it.

All he could do was blink, allowing transparent, glistening tears to roll helplessly from his eyes.

Jiang Zhiyu noticed his unusual mood and frowned. "Are you feeling unwell?"

It had been a while since Ling Ran had experienced a heat due to hormonal imbalance. Recently, his condition had been relatively stable, largely thanks to the frequent pheromone soothing from the enigma.

Jiang Zhiyu had originally planned to take him to the hospital for another check-up in a few days. The last time, Ling Ran and Qin Chengyue had secretly gone to the hospital and returned with a pile of medication. Since then, he hadn't gone back for a follow-up.

Jiang Zhiyu had been privately communicating with Xu Guanyi, who was well aware of every minor symptom and reaction Ling Ran displayed. Still, it was safer to rely on the results from medical examinations.

But the little Omega on the other side of the screen just hugged his phone, no longer meeting his gaze. His eyes were downcast, his expression visibly dejected, and he remained silent, his cheeks still flushed.

He really was like a child, unable to hide any of his emotions, wearing them all openly on his face.

Seeing that he was genuinely uncomfortable, Jiang Zhiyu decided not to press him about skipping meals. It had only been a few days since they last met, yet the sight of the little Omega made him realize just how much he had missed him.

His gaze traced every inch of Ling Ran's face through the screen, wishing he could hold and kiss him right now. His Adam's apple bobbed twice, his voice slightly hoarse as he spoke.

"Ling Ran," Jiang Zhiyu said, "look up at me."

Even through the untouchable barrier of the screen, Ling Ran instinctively lifted his head, his eyes finally meeting the other's.

Jiang Zhiyu studied his tear-filled eyes and asked softly, "Tell me how you're feeling right now."

Ling Ran's mind was in turmoil. The gland at the nape of his neck pulsed with a dull, tingling pain, while a strange, overwhelming sense of emptiness and loneliness slowly welled up inside him. There was no doubt—he craved the enigma intensely, yet he had no choice but to suppress it deep within.

At the moment, he couldn't tell whether this pain and discomfort stemmed from his impending heat or the knowledge that the man on the other side was currently at a matchmaking banquet.

All he knew was that he felt awful—so awful he wanted to cry.

He wanted to see Jiang Zhiyu, yet he didn't.

He knew better than anyone that he shouldn't harbor these feelings for the enigma. Not only was there a vast gap in their statuses, but Jiang Zhiyu was also Jiang Shengyi's uncle. He had sworn never to have anything to do with the Jiang family again.

But Jiang Zhiyu was an exception.

Ling Ran sniffled, his vision too blurred to see the phone screen clearly. He forced his eyes open wider, trying desperately to hold back more tears.

He really, truly missed him.

He didn't want him to get engaged to someone else. He didn't want him to marry anyone else.

Jiang Zhiyu waited patiently, giving him time to speak.

After a long pause, the little Omega finally opened his mouth and answered in a small, nasal voice, "I just feel a little feverish, and the back of my neck hurts..."

These were indeed signs of an approaching heat, but Jiang Zhiyu seemed unsatisfied with the answer.

"And what else?"

Ling Ran thought for a moment, then shook his head and decided to keep it to himself.

"There's nothing else."

Since Mr. Jiang hadn't told him where he was or what he was busy with, he shouldn't reveal everything about himself either.

Especially this heart—he wouldn't give it to him.

Jiang Zhiyu gazed at him, his eyes shimmering with unspoken words, emotions swirling endlessly within them. Yet his lips remained stubbornly sealed, swallowing everything down until it nearly suffocated him.

He had finally managed to teach him a little openness before, but now, after just a few days apart, it seemed he had regressed.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on it. New and old grievances could be settled later.

Jiang Zhiyu said, "If you're not feeling well, rest early. Call Song Yi in."

Ling Ran nodded weakly, lacking the strength to get out of bed. He simply lifted the covers and called out softly toward the door, "Song Yi." Song Yi hurried in from the living room, about to take the phone when the person on the other end suddenly called out again, "Ling Ran." The phone was already in Song Yi's hands. He held it up, turning the screen toward the bed to face the little Omega.

Ling Ran had already retreated under the covers, lifting his eyes to look, waiting to hear what else there was to say.

Jiang Zhiyu simply watched him deeply through the screen. "Say goodnight to me."

Ling Ran paused, his eyelashes trembling faintly.

He hadn't expected Jiang Zhiyu to call him back just for this. Song Yi was still standing by the bed, holding the phone and watching him. His lips parted slightly, the words sticking in his throat.

But if he didn't say it, Jiang Zhiyu wouldn't hang up, and Song Yi would have to keep holding the phone.

Finally, Ling Ran murmured, "Goodnight."

The corner of Jiang Zhiyu's lips lifted ever so slightly. "Goodnight, baby."

The call ended.

Ling Ran's eyes remained slightly widened, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

This was the first time he had heard Jiang Zhiyu call him that while fully conscious—yet it didn't feel unfamiliar, as if he had been called that tenderly, affectionately, countless times in his unaware state.

Song Yi put the phone away and left the room.

Ling Ran, his face flushed, curled tighter under the blankets.

Waves of heat began to surge through him. With no arms to hold him and no pheromones to soothe him, the pain wracked his body with tremors.

Before long, the bedroom door opened again.

Song Yi tiptoed in, rummaged through the wardrobe for something, then walked to the bedside with a piece of clothing in hand and gently draped it over Ling Ran.

Almost instantly, a rich, intoxicating scent of tequila pheromones began to fill the room. Even through the covers, Ling Ran could feel it enveloping him like a warm, dense net, wrapping securely around his trembling body.

The pain eased; the emptiness filled. The deep, mellow aroma of aged tequila, rich and heady, seeped into his senses, soothing and intoxicating.

Ling Ran opened his eyes to see Song Yi smiling gently at him. "Mr. Ling, do you feel better now?"

A pale, slender hand silently slipped out from under the covers, discreetly pulling the garment into the depths of the blankets.

An Enigma's pheromones could enter his body without any barrier, warm currents merging and flowing through every vein, delicate and pervasive.

Ling Ran wrapped himself in the garment, burying his face into it and taking a deep breath. His back trembled slightly as the overwhelming sensation left him dazed.

He gave a faint nod.

Song Yi sighed in relief. "This was prepared in advance by President Jiang. The pheromone concentration should last for several days. If this one isn't enough, there are more in the wardrobe. Should I bring another?"

The little Omega under the covers had flushed cheeks, his entire body radiating warmth as if steaming.

After a moment of consideration, he murmured, "Bring one more."

Song Yi fetched another of Jiang Zhiyu's clothes—this time a black dress shirt with a silk tie still draped over it.

Like a hamster stockpiling supplies, Ling Ran eagerly pulled both the shirt and tie into his nest of blankets, wrapping himself in them until he had built a cozy den. Nestled inside, he seemed soothed and nourished by the lingering pheromones.

Seeing his brows relax and his eyes drift shut in contentment, Song Yi quietly withdrew, reassured that he would be fine.

Curled up in Jiang Zhiyu's clothes, Ling Ran felt as though he were being embraced by the Enigma himself. His exhaustion and discomfort soon faded, and he slipped into a hazy sleep.

Tonight, the Jiang family estate was indeed hosting a banquet—but Jiang Zhiyu was not the center of attention. Disinterested and detached, he stood by the mahogany railing on the second floor, coldly observing the farce unfolding below.

The Chao family held some influence in the northern city, and an alliance through marriage would undoubtedly benefit the Jiangs.

This was the prestigious match Jiang Lao had personally arranged for his son. Yet Jiang Zhiyu had refused outright, without even meeting the intended partner.

Furious, the old patriarch had nearly exploded. The Chao family had already made the trip to Haishi—it would be disgraceful to send them back empty-handed.

Jiang Zhiyu, however, couldn't care less about reputation. Moral standing mattered only to the older generation. His ruthless methods had already earned him plenty of enemies, including the Yin family not long ago. One more slight meant nothing.

His indifference nearly sent Jiang Lao into cardiac arrest, the old man declaring that the Jiang family would surely be ruined by this unfilial heir.

Jiang Zhiyu merely smirked. If the Chao family insisted on an alliance, there were other options.

Thus, the arranged banquet proceeded as planned—only now, the Chao family's Alpha was sizing up Jiang Shengyi instead.

Jiang Shengyi sat stiffly, his face dark with displeasure as Jiang Ronglian and Jiang Zhisong forced him into his seat.

He had been under the impression that this was his uncle's matchmaking event—so why had it suddenly become his?

The only silver lining was that Ling Ran had declined his invitation. If he had attended tonight, Jiang Shengyi wouldn't have known how to explain this mess.

Jiang Ronglian, however, was thoroughly pleased with the Chao family's status. Throughout the dinner, she fawned over them with exaggerated flattery, much to the embarrassment of the other Jiangs.

Even if the Chaos held sway in the north, they were still beneath the Jiangs. Yet Jiang Ronglian's behavior made it seem as though the Jiang family were desperate to cling to them.

The meal was filled with hidden daggers beneath the surface—while everyone at the table appeared cordial, who knew what schemes and calculations were brewing behind their smiles.

It was quite the spectacle, and Jiang Zhiyu found it rather entertaining.

Xu Guanyi came upstairs. He had recently been staying at the old residence to assist Jiang Zhichen with leg rehabilitation. Since Jiang Zhiyu was back tonight, he also took the opportunity to administer some suppressant treatment for his rut.

An enigma's rut wasn't as calm as it appeared on the surface. Jiang Zhiyu's self-control was something Xu Guanyi hadn't anticipated—he seemed barely affected by the pheromones. Yet beneath his rolled-up sleeves, a dozen needle marks glared starkly, like bloody punctures over his veins.

Suppressants only worked temporarily. To stay clear-headed and rational, he had to inject one after another—but this wasn't sustainable. Overuse could cause varying degrees of physical damage, so whether alpha or omega, frequent injections weren't advisable. The same went for enigmas.

Xu Guanyi cradled an unmarked black box and asked, "Just got this today. Need me to show you how to use it?"

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at it. "No need."

Xu Guanyi nodded. "Then let's go."

The two descended the side stairs, ignoring the clamor in the main hall, and walked down a corridor to a sealed, hidden room.

Inside stood a full set of large-scale medical equipment, specialized for enigma diagnostics and pheromone therapy.

Before the treatment began, Jiang Zhiyu called Ling Ran, but no one answered.

His agitation grew. Noticing this, Xu Guanyi quickly opened the black box.

While Jiang Zhiyu was video-calling his omega, Xu Guanyi prepared the equipment. Cold, mechanical restraints encircled the enigma's ankles, thighs, waist, and finally his arms.

Only after the call ended did Xu Guanyi hand over the contents of the black box—a custom-made, black metal muzzle.

***

When Ling Ran woke up, his fever had subsided considerably.

His mouth felt sore. It took him a moment to realize something was stuffed inside—bulky enough to make his jaw go numb.

Only after pulling out the silk tie did his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Last night, he must have dreamed something unconsciously, because he'd ended up with the tie in his mouth all night. Now it was damp and sticky with saliva.

Thankfully, he was alone. No one had witnessed his awkwardness.

He hurried to wash up, then stuffed the tie and his disheveled clothes under the blanket to hide them.

Before heading to work, he obediently ate breakfast at the table and specifically asked Song Yi not to tidy his bed or fold his blankets.

Once Song Yi agreed, he left for work with peace of mind.

Technically, he could have taken sick leave during his heat, but Ling Ran had too much work to do—especially with the "Pearl of the Palm" project to follow up on. So he went to the office anyway.

Fortunately, last night's saturation of enigma pheromones had soothed him. He didn't feel any discomfort all day, his cheeks flushed and radiant, glowing with vitality.

The CEO's secretary made a special trip down from upstairs today. On the surface, she came to convey the headquarters' regards to Jiangzhou's employees, but her real purpose was to find Ling Ran.

The secretary called Ling Ran alone into the meeting room, leaving the other employees watching curiously but not daring to ask questions. She slid a document across the table for Ling Ran to review: "Mr. Ling, this is the Jiangzhou shares that President Jiang promised you earlier. The transfer agreement has been drafted. If everything looks fine, you can sign right here."

Ling Ran's eyes widened in shock. "Transfer agreement?"

The secretary smiled. "Yes, these shares were originally under Jiang Ronglian's name—clean equity. You can rest assured. President Jiang used some means to acquire them back, guaranteeing no future disputes."

Ling Ran withdrew his hand. That night at the racetrack, Jiang Zhiyu had indeed announced this in front of all the employees, but he thought it was just a temporary measure under those circumstances words spoken in the heat of the moment might not hold.

"I can't accept this..."

The secretary looked troubled. "Do you feel it's too little, Mr. Ling? You're being offered 10%, and Mr. Qin is getting 1%. This proportion already exceeds what many senior executives at Jiangzhou hold. President Jiang himself only owns about 40% of Jiangzhou's shares. We could transfer more to you if needed—it wouldn't be too troublesome..."

Ling Ran waved his hands repeatedly. "That's not what I meant. It's not about the amount—it just doesn't feel appropriate for me to accept. I'm just an ordinary employee at Jiangzhou..."

The secretary chuckled. "Mr. Ling, you're anything but ordinary."

Seeing Ling Ran's reluctance, the secretary racked her brains before saying, "Actually, many senior executives at Jiangzhou hold certain shares. For example, Ning Xinqiao from your news department holds about 1%. With greater authority comes greater influence. Having these shares would make things much easier for you in the future."

The hint was clear enough. Noticing Ling Ran carefully considering, the secretary stepped out and brought Qin Chengyue in as well.

After explaining the situation to Qin Chengyue, as expected, his eyes gleamed like a hungry wolf's. Without hesitation, he grabbed his agreement and signed immediately.

Seeing Ling Ran still hesitating, Qin Chengyue urged impatiently: "What are you waiting for, Xiao Ran? A gift from heaven and you're not taking it? Sign quickly before President Jiang changes his mind!"

The secretary's mouth twitched. "President Jiang keeps his word. He won't change his mind."

Qin Chengyue didn't even look up as he shoved the pen into Ling Ran's hand, positioning it over the signature line, ready to guide his hand. "Never say never, but you shouldn't turn down money when it's offered."

Ling Ran held the pen, nearly laughing at his antics. "Alright, alright, I'll sign myself."

Qin Chengyue insisted: "Do it now—I want to see it with my own eyes."

Ling Ran carefully wrote his name stroke by stroke.

Qin Chengyue sighed in relief and casually flipped through Ling Ran's agreement. When he saw an extra zero compared to his own share, his eyes bulged in disbelief. He checked it several times carefully.

It was indeed 10%.

Damn capitalists.

***

After work that evening, Qin Chengyue took Ling Ran to his place for dinner.

"Since President Jiang has been quite busy lately, it's perfect timing to have you back," Qin Chengyue parked the car. "My brother will bring some delicious food later. It's been ages since we ate together."

Ling Ran replied innocently, "But we have lunch together every day."

"That's different. It's not the same as eating at home."

Ling Ran tugged at his hand. "Then I'll come over to have dinner with you whenever I'm free. You can visit me too."

Qin Chengyue declined politely, "No thanks, I don't dare go to your place. If President Jiang suddenly appears, it might scare me to death."

At the mention of Jiang Zhiyu, Ling Ran's expression dimmed. "Alright then, I'll come to you instead."

Noticing something was off, Qin Chengyue asked, "What's wrong? Did you have a fight with President Jiang?"

But immediately he thought it impossible. With Ling Ran's temperament—he wouldn't even get angry if someone literally ate him alive, probably even thanking them for the meal—and President Jiang, who wouldn't feel the slightest guilt after devouring someone, might even complain Ling Ran was too skinny... These two could never possibly argue.

"No," Ling Ran lowered his head. "We didn't fight..."

Qin Chengyue rubbed his chin. "Could President Jiang be seeing someone else? That seems unlikely too."

Ling Ran murmured, "Why would it be impossible?"

Seeing his despondent lack of confidence, Qin Chengyue grabbed his shoulders and shook him vigorously. "What are your eyes for? Can't you see how President Jiang looks at you? Like he wants to gobble you up whole—how could he even glance at anyone else?"

Ling Ran's ears turned red as he broke free and headed toward the building. "That's not true."

Just as they reached the entrance, a figure suddenly emerged from behind a tree, blocking Ling Ran's path.

Startled, Ling Ran looked closely—the disheveled, almost unrecognizable alpha before him was actually Ling Su.

Ling Su's suit was wrinkled and filthy, as if unwashed for days. His face was deathly pale with a grayish tint, dark circles under his eyes, lips cracked and bleeding. One arm was encased in a cast slung around his neck—the result of being twisted until the bone fractured by that enigma.

If not for his hoarse cry of "Xiao Ran," Ling Ran might not have recognized him.

Frowning, Ling Ran recalled how well-dressed Ling Su had been when he last confronted him at school and later in the restaurant, where Ling Ran had slapped him. How had he ended up like this?

Spotting Ling Ran, Ling Su lunged forward desperately, grabbing his arm. "Xiao Ran, Xiao Ran! I finally found you! Don't you live here? I've been waiting for days—why is this the first time I'm seeing you?"

A chill ran down Ling Ran's spine. He'd moved to Yutang Residence, while Qin Chengyue lived in Longtan View. If Ling Su could track him here, he might pursue him to his new address too.

Shaking off Ling Su's grip, Ling Ran said coldly, "I've cut ties with the family. Why are you looking for me?"

Ling Su refused to relent, reaching for him again. Ling Ran stepped back, his gaze icy.

With a grotesque expression of anguish, Ling Su suddenly dropped to his knees before Ling Ran. "Xiao Ran, so much has happened... I'm truly desperate. I'm begging you—save me! Save your brother! Please!"

Qin Chengyue moved to shield Ling Ran, but Ling Ran stopped him and pulled him behind instead. Turning his head with a smile, Ling Ran said, "Don't worry, Chengyue. I'm fine."

He couldn't always rely on others to protect him. There were some things he needed to face on his own.

Seeing Ling Su's actions, Ling Ran thought he had softened. Ling Ran knew his brother well—he was always uncompromising when it came to family demands. Even though the recent interference from Jiang Zhiyu had caused discord in their family, as long as Ling Suo swallowed his pride and begged, Ling Ran would surely help him.

Just like countless times before when he had yielded without resistance.

Still kneeling on the ground, Ling Su had long abandoned any concern for dignity, hoping only to stir Ling Ran's sympathy and reluctance. "Xiao Ran, you know I collaborated with President Jiang on a project, but I was framed! I never meant to breach the contract. Now Jiang Zhiyu and several other creditors are after me. Look at these injuries—I can't even tell which group beat me. I don't dare go home, I don't dare tell Mom and Dad. The family's in turmoil too—the Ling Group's Southeast Asian market is under pressure, and domestically, we've suffered consecutive blows. If you don't help now, the Ling family might really collapse, Xiao Ran..."

Ling Ran listened, his brow furrowing slightly. The family business had never involved him, nor was he ever meant to inherit a single cent. Even if it went bankrupt, what did it have to do with him?

He had always been the Ling family's excluded option. It was only when they needed him that they remembered he, too, bore the surname Ling.

"What do you want me to do?"

Standing tall, Ling Ran looked down at his kneeling relative, his expression calm.

Ling Suos eyes brightened with hope. "Just beg President Jiang to show mercy and spare the Ling family. And lend us some money—you seem to be doing well now. Jiang Zhiyu must have given you a lot, right? That Porsche you just drove is the latest model, isn't it? It must've cost at least three million. Since you're so well-off, you should help the family through this crisis."

Ling Ran's chest tightened, his breathing unconsciously heavier.

"How much do you need?"

Ling Su scrambled to his feet, gesturing. "At least this much."

Three billion? Thirty million? Or three hundred thousand?

No matter the amount, Ling Ran couldn't produce it—nor would he ever beg Mr. Jiang.

Mr. Jiang had told him that if no one loved him, he must first learn to love himself.

He had to learn to shake off the hands trying to drag him back into the abyss.

"Mom and Dad raised me for twenty years. I'll repay that debt," Ling Ran said. "But I don't have any other money to give you—and even if I did, I wouldn't. Because I never want to see you again."

With that, he took Qin Chengyue's hand and turned to enter the building.

Ling Su froze for a moment, as if stunned by Ling Ran's attitude. He had knelt before him, and yet Ling Ran was only willing to repay a mere hundred thousand or so.

What could a hundred thousand even do?!

"Ling Ran! Are you really this heartless? You'd leave us to die?!"

Ling Ran didn't stop walking.

Ling Su's eyes burned red with fury as he glared at his retreating back, his lips cracking with blood as he began to scream curses.

"Don't think you're so special! Do you really believe Jiang Zhiyu is deeply in love with you? Let me tell you—he's just toying with you! You're a fool if you don't milk him for all he's worth while he's still interested! Who knows? Tomorrow he might find a new plaything and kick you to the curb—just you wait and see!"

Ling Ran seemed deaf to his words, already nearing the stairwell entrance.

Ling Su completely lost it, suddenly bursting into hysterical laughter that made him double over in mirth. The excruciating pain from his cast-bound arm meant nothing to him now.

"Oh, Ling Ran, there's something else you probably don't know yet. Jiang Zhiyu spent hundreds of millions at the Bangkok auction to buy a purple diamond—one of a kind in the world. Funny, I don't see that diamond on you. Could it be... it wasn't meant for you after all?"

That slender figure froze abruptly, the delicate line of their spine stiffening slightly.

Ling Su, as if stumbling upon something delightfully cruel, roared with laughter. "Of course it wasn't for you! A gift that expensive is obviously reserved for a future spouse. Don't tell me you actually thought you'd marry him?"

"Ling Ran, you're nothing more than a plaything to warm his bed. Stop pretending you're anything special!"

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