TPLTMOE – Chapter 60

These days of deep intimacy had undoubtedly made the Omega more dependent on Jiang Zhiyu.

The moment he approached, the soft, warm body in the blankets pressed tightly against him.

Boneless and pliant, like overripe fruit.

He opened his arms, and the delicate figure willingly nestled into his embrace, cheeks brushing against his chest through the sleep robe, radiating scorching heat.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out to touch the Omega's sleeping face—his smooth skin had grown even softer and silkier from the feverish warmth.

Burning up outside, and surely even hotter inside.

Jiang Zhiyu released more pheromones, and just as the little Omega's flushed cheeks deepened in color, he began peeling him out of the loose sleep robe.

Like unwrapping a crystal-clear grape, glistening with moisture, its tender flesh cradling the most fragile core.

Plump yet naturally petite, it could be crushed into the freshest, most refreshing juice with just a bit of pressure in his palm—a drink to quench all thirst.

Both robes were discarded onto the floor, his hands now dripping with sticky-sweet grape juice.

Rough fingertips brushed against his lips, licking away the intoxicating fragrancericher and headier than tequila.

Ling Ran had no conscious awareness left, relying purely on instinct to seek comfort and shelter.

The enigma carried the scent and warmth he craved, so even as his back trembled faintly, he buried his damp eyes deep into the collar of Jiang Zhiyu's robe, tears soaking the sharp, alluring hollow of his collarbone.

His body was still burning fiercely, but fever reducers were useless—those candy-like suppressants were vicious, refusing to fade without proper relief.

The enigma had started this; only he could end it.

And Jiang Zhiyu was more than happy to be his cure.

The most intense waves of his rut had passed, leaving him with two hundred percent patience now.

He could take his time, savor every bite, reclaim the delicacy he'd once swallowed whole without tasting.

With his fingers, his tongue, with the deadliest weapons in the world.

Slowly, inch by inch, devouring him inside and out.

When Zhao Qin's call came through, Jiang Zhiyu snatched the phone and hurled it against the wall.

A dull thud—it didn't break, so the ringing persisted, relentless.

The dazed Omega stirred at the disturbance, swollen eyes cracking open slightly.

He still hadn't come down, the overwhelming tides of pleasure clinging to him, binding him, threatening to drown him.

Dizzy and disoriented, one foot already hovering at death's door, he couldn't even see the spinning ceiling above.

The ringing was a relentless alarm. Sensing the Omega's furrowed brow amid his whimpers, Jiang Zhiyu smoothed it with his thumb before finally getting up to retrieve the phone.

Zhao Qin was on the line. This had better be an earth-shattering emergency.

The moment the call connected, a voice colder than murderous intent answered.

"Speak."

Zhao Qin had always been perceptive. If it weren't urgent, he'd never dare interrupt.

But Jiang Zhiyu had been gone too long—six whole days. He'd assumed things would've wrapped up by now.

Judging by the tone, though... it seemed far from over.

"Jiang, President Jiang," Zhao Qin spoke rapidly, "You haven't been to the company recently, but there are several important matters I feel I must report. First, the Ling family sent someone specifically to see you the day before yesterday, claiming they came with utmost sincerity to seek reconciliation. However, following your previous instructions, I directly refused. Based on our estimates, the Ling family's cash flow won't last more than a month before collapsing. At that point, their only option will be to declare bankruptcy. I'll continue monitoring this closely to expedite the process..."

Jiang Zhiyu listened while walking to the table to pour a glass of water. He took a sip, his gaze drifting toward the bedside.

The little Omega, finally released, had retreated shyly under the covers, only a few strands of hair visible on the pillow.

Holding the glass, he returned to the bed, continuing to listen to the report on the phone.

"Second, the chamber of commerce election is approaching. Elder Qian has sent people multiple times to arrange a meeting between you and key department heads as soon as possible. Dong Hui hasn't been idle either since that night—he's preparing to offload all his shares in Palm Jewel before the election, likely trying to clean up his profile for the vice-chairman position..."

Jiang Zhiyu took a sip of water, then pulled the figure under the covers onto his lap.

Prying open the soft mouth, he leaned in, transferring the water to him.

The feverish Omega found relief in the cool liquid, swallowing a small amount before actively seeking more.

Drinking too eagerly, some water escaped from the corners of his lips, leaving behind a silvery trail.

After several sips, Jiang Zhiyu touched the Omega's face—still burning hot.

A series of wet, intimate sounds transmitted through the phone left Zhao Qin momentarily stunned into silence.

Until Jiang Zhiyu's hoarse voice commanded, "Continue."

Steeling himself, Zhao Qin spoke even faster: "Third, regarding the old residence—the engagement between the second branch and the Chao family fell through. The Chao's disapproved of Jiang Ronglian's character and even criticized Jiang Shengyi by extension. The second branch had hoped this would be their chance to turn things around, but it seems unlikely now."

Jiang Zhiyu set the glass on the nightstand but didn't release the Omega's lips, instead deepening the kiss.

The plain water, after passing through their joined mouths, seemed infused with pheromones, transforming into something irresistibly sweet.

As if never satisfied, he wanted to reclaim every drop the Omega had swallowed.

"Lastly, the West Harbor project is progressing smoothly. I've arranged for multiple media outlets to report on the dock approval process violations. The entire West Harbor Island investment may become worthless, with substantial legal penalties. Tang Bei has grown desperate, constantly calling your office and work numbers. Should we respond or continue ignoring him?"

The little Omega suddenly winced as his tongue was nearly devoured.

Tearful peach blossom eyes fluttered open beneath damp lashes, soft whimpers escaping before being swallowed by deeper kisses. After a pause, Zhao Qin heard unexpectedly tender coaxing from the other end.

"Alright, no more, okay?"

"Don't cry, baby."

Zhao Qin: "......"

He never should have listened to his secretary's suggestion to make this call. Maybe he should just quietly hang up now.

He didn't have time to hang up when Jiang Zhiyu seemed to finally remember there was still someone on the other end of the line.

"If the Ling family starts selling off shares, have someone quietly buy up the long positions. Keep Dong Hui's people monitoring them. Have Ning Xinqiao bring the news team to rush out a feature report on 'Palm Jewel,' with anchor Ling Ran scheduled to air the day before the election. No need to respond to Tang Bei—just leak some rumors that the Jiang family is preparing to abandon West Harbor to force him into panic. At the same time, start preparing negotiations for the acquisition plan of Luanliya."

Concise and to the point. With just a distracted listen to a few reports, he had already mapped out the follow-up for everything—sharp and straight to the heart of the matter.

Zhao Qin marveled inwardly at the grand scheme Jiang had set in motion from the very beginning, feeling a surge of adrenaline-fueled excitement.

The line had been cast long enough—it was almost time to reel it in.

"Understood. I'll get on it right away."

After the call ended, Jiang Zhiyu looked down at the little Omega in his arms, whose entire body was flushed a delicate pink.

Aside from the mottled marks of passion he had left behind, the joints of his limbs also bore a decadent, ravished crimson, as if rubbed raw.

Right now, the Omega was sprawled on top of him, eyes already slipping shut again in dazed exhaustion, hands clamped tightly over his mouth as if afraid someone might steal it away.

Jiang Zhiyu tried to pull his hands away, startling him awake.

Ling Ran had actually regained some awareness earlier but hadn't dared to open his eyes, so he had pretended to still be asleep.

But now that was impossible—because fingers were pushing into his mouth.

"Don't move," Jiang Zhiyu pressed the back of his head against his chest. "Let me check if it's broken."

Ling Ran: "Mmm..."

Even if it wasn't ruined before, it would be now.

And not just his mouth.

Ling Ran trembled all over but had nowhere to hide.

His head might have taken one too many knocks these past few days—it kept getting bumped against things.

Sometimes the floor, sometimes the headboard, sometimes the cold, unyielding desk.

There were also scorching embraces that held him—but only to pin him down, refusing to let him escape even an inch.

The memories were too overwhelming. His mind seemed to retain nothing else. Just the slightest thought made his face burn and tears spill uncontrollably.

Too rough.

The Enigma was far too rough.

He really was broken.

Before Jiang Zhiyu "disciplined" him, Ling Ran had imagined punishment differently.

At the very least, it shouldn't have lasted this long.

Was he really such a bad, bad child? Had he truly committed some unforgivable sin?

Why did it feel like he was being beaten nonstop—beaten until his whole body convulsed, until he couldn't catch his breath, until he passed out over and over again?

And yet, even when he woke, he was still not spared.

Wasn't this... wasn't this punishment going a bit too far...?

Ling Ran had never felt so helpless and wronged before. He did love the little bay window in Jiang Zhiyu's office lounge.

But loving it didn't mean they needed to install one at home too—and certainly didn't mean he had to be pressed against it at night to "admire the view."

He couldn't even cry fast enough. His vision was too blurred to see anything.

The only thing he glimpsed was the reflection in the glass—the Enigma behind him, large enough to engulf him completely.

And the muzzle Ling Ran himself had fastened onto his face.

***

He didn't know what time it was when he hazily woke again. The room was pitch black, and no one lay beside him.

Every inch of his body ached as if he'd been disassembled and forcibly reassembled countless times from head to toe.

Ling Ran felt like he'd been crying nonstop these past few days. Even when he didn't consciously want to cry, his body would involuntarily produce physiological tears.

Staring at the pitch-black ceiling above, he didn't know how long he'd lain in silence before his rationality gradually returned.

Including everything that had happened earlier that day.

He felt like crying again.

Turning his head, he noticed a faint glow coming from the desk nearby.

A blurred figure sat in the chair, the dim light from the computer screen casting shadows on a strikingly handsome face with sharp, sculpted features. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, his thin lips slightly pursed. The corners of his mouth bore faint traces of injury, lending this otherwise noble and aloof enigma an air of fallen grace.

Yet his gaze remained cold and focused, seemingly engrossed in work—whether reviewing documents or attending a video conference—remaining perfectly still in his posture.

Ling Ran hid his face beneath the blankets, only his large, shimmering eyes peeking out.

He silently watched the enigma for a long while, his heart alternately swelling with effervescent emotion before being submerged in icy tides.

Jiang Zhiyu continued staring at the screen, yet seemed to sense movement from the bed.

Pressing a key, he lifted his gaze.

Caught in the act, Ling Ran immediately retreated into his blanket cocoon like a startled kitten.

The corners of Jiang Zhiyu's lips quirked upward as he stood and approached the bed.

"Awake."

He pulled down the covers, revealing a fair, delicate face that rapidly flushed crimson under his gaze.

Jiang Zhiyu's hand slipped beneath the blankets.

"No fever," he murmured, stroking the omega's cheek. "Still uncomfortable?"

Ling Ran shifted slightly, tears welling uncontrollably. His legs felt foreign to him—weak and boneless—and he dared not move his sore bottom against the sheets.

He nodded.

Jiang Zhiyu extracted him from the blankets, soft thigh flesh spilling through his fingers.

"Let me check," he said firmly, parting him, "for any injuries."

Tear-filled eyes widened in alarm as Ling Ran weakly pushed against him.

"N-no need..."

Jiang Zhiyu pressed a kiss to his temple. "Swollen, but no wounds."

Thankfully he'd administered five suppressants beforehand—without them, their drastic size difference would have made union impossible.

Only now did Jiang Zhiyu truly appreciate an omega's gifts: like plump, juicy grapes yielding endless nectar.

Yet the breeding cavity remained frustratingly shallow and small—perhaps sufficient for an alpha.

But here stood an omega with atrophied reproductive capacity and an enigma whose every attribute defied norms.

He would have to gradually mold this body to his needs, using unavoidable methods to force adaptation.

Ling Ran's face burned scarlet enough to drip blood—fortunately the darkness concealed his mortification.

Unbeknownst to him, the enigma could discern every microexpression: the evasion, the retreat. A strong hand tilted his chin up, forcing their eyes to meet in the darkness.

"What are you hiding from."

Every conceivable act between them had already been thoroughly performed. Even against his will, this little omega would be compelled to face reality.

Ling Ran's nose stung unbearably. Tipping his head back, he sniffled as tears pooled in the corners of his eyes like tiny oceans.

"We... we..." His voice was hoarse, soft and fragile, "shouldn't be like this..."

It was supposed to be just a mutually beneficial arrangement—his heat, Jiang Zhiyu's rut, easing each other with pheromones. Did they really have to take it this far?

Now that they'd crossed that line, what exactly were they?

Mr. Jiang would probably be engaged to someone else soon. If his fiancé found out, wouldn't Ling Ran become the morally corrupt homewrecker?

Having been hurt that way himself, Ling Ran refused to inflict that pain on someone innocent.

Mr. Jiang's fiancé was innocent. What they were doing defied societal norms.

And besides, Mr. Jiang was Jiang Shengyi's uncle. He'd broken off his engagement with Jiang Shengyi only to end up in bed with his uncle—what would people think of their relationship?

The thoughts swirling in Ling Ran's small head were overwhelming. He considered everyone's feelings, everyone's perspective—except his own.

And what he neglected was precisely what the enigma cared about most.

Jiang Zhiyu was determined to unearth the tangled pain buried deep in his heart and sever it at the root.

"Ling Ran," Jiang Zhiyu cupped his face, voice gentle, "don't cry yet. Look at me."

The deep timbre carried an irresistible command. Ling Ran stifled his tears, blinking wet lashes as he forced his eyes open, revealing the hurt and restraint simmering beneath.

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "Why do you think we can't be like this?"

Ling Ran's lips trembled. "We just... can't..."

Patient, Jiang Zhiyu pressed, "Give me a concrete reason. Otherwise, I won't accept your one-sided rejection."

Ling Ran licked the cut at the corner of his mouth, the tip of his tongue brushing over the plush swell of his lower lip.

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze darkened with heat, but he restrained himself, coaxing, "You said you liked my pheromones. Was it just the pheromones?"

Didn't he like him?

The question only deepened Ling Ran's anguish. If only it were that simple—if only he didn't like him.

But the truth was, he liked him too much. And knowing he could never have him made the loss unbearable.

"No," Ling Ran whispered, "it wasn't just that...

Jiang Zhiyu smiled. "Then you like me too."

As if his deepest secret had been exposed, Ling Ran wanted to duck his head, to hide his eyes—but his face was held firmly in place, leaving him no escape.

He could only stare back, laid bare, completely seen.

"We really can't..." The weight of his moral dilemma crushed Ling Ran's chest, making it hard to breathe. "It's not fair... to someone else..." Jiang Zhiyu kissed away his tears. "What 'someone else'?"

After turning the thought over in his mind countless times, voicing it now felt like a sudden release.

"You don't have to hide it. I... I already know..." Ling Ran hiccuped between sobs. "You attended a matchmaking banquet. Soon... you'll be engaged to someone else. You're someone else's fiancé—how can you do this with me?"

Jiang Zhiyu froze. His eyes darkened as he stared intently at Ling Ran. "Who told you I was getting engaged?"

Ling Ran muttered unhappily, "No one told me. I... I heard it myself."

"Jiang Shengyi?"

Ling Ran: ":<"

How did he guess it so quickly.

Looking at the little Omega's red-rimmed eyes and flushed nose, his pitiful damp appearance only made one want to pull him into an embrace and lavish him with affection—to kiss away the tears on his face, then make him shed even more tears, to kiss clean even more places.

Jiang Zhiyu felt rather helpless, not knowing how long these matters had been bottled up in his heart, how long he'd been suffering. If not for today's relentless questioning, he might never have spoken up, intending to silently endure it alone again.

What if in the end, he couldn't endure it alone?

A sudden wave of dread washed over Jiang Zhiyu.

Would he, like his decisive rejection of Jiang Shengyi, also push him away in the future?

Jiang Zhiyu lowered his head, lightly kissing and nibbling at the plump center of his lips.

"Baby, I'm very happy."

Ling Ran still couldn't resist his touch, his back trembling slightly.

Jiang Zhiyu released him, looking earnestly into his eyes: "How did you feel when you heard I was getting engaged?"

Ling Ran had already been on the verge of tears from sadness, and hearing this only made him want to cry even more. Seeing the immense grief and grievance in his eyes, Jiang Zhiyu's mood improved further.

"You like me so much, yet when were you planning to tell me?"

Ling Ran turned his face away: "I... I don't..."

His denial only made it more obvious.

Jiang Zhiyu could tolerate all his willfulness and little tantrums now. Gently stroking the corner of his eye, he said seriously, "The matchmaking banquet wasn't for me—it was for Shengyi and the Chao family from North City. I've never planned to get engaged to anyone else."

With tender movements, he turned the Omega's face back, making him look at him, then spoke word by word: "Ling Ran, will you formally date me?"

The weight of these words struck Ling Ran dizzy.

His damp, red lips parted helplessly, too astonished to respond.

Then he heard the Enigma add: "With marriage as the goal."

Ling Ran was completely dumbfounded now. His eyes, still misty with pitiful tears, stared unblinkingly at Jiang Zhiyu, utterly unresponsive.

His mind had turned to mush—what he'd assumed wasn't true after all. Mr. Jiang wasn't getting engaged to someone else.

Did this mean... he would only get engaged to him?

Did Mr. Jiang like him?

"I do," Jiang Zhiyu seemed to read the question in his eyes, kissing his lips again with a short, satisfied sigh that vibrated with laughter through his chest, "I like you desperately."

Ling Ran grew even more stunned, his head spinning from the tequila pheromones, his vision blurring in waves.

He felt like he must be dreaming—otherwise how could Mr. Jiang be confessing to him so tenderly?

"But... why?" Ling Ran couldn't understand.

Jiang Zhiyu held his waist: "Baby, I've been pursuing you all along."

Comforting him proactively, helping him through his heats, taking him to watch sunsets, accompanying him back to school for speeches, teaching him to ride horses, giving him houses, cars, and money...

It had been obvious enough, yet this little Omega was remarkably slow.

Ling Ran still seemed deeply worried—though about what exactly, he couldn't quite say. He just felt they still couldn't be together.

"But... but you're Jiang Shengyi's uncle..."

Jiang Zhiyu looked at him: "You two never married."

What difference would marriage make anyway?

He could still use every means possible to take the Omega for himself, even if by then the Omega would already be his nephew's wife.

So the one who should be grateful is Jiang Shengyi—lucky for him that Ling Ran discovered his infidelity before the wedding. Otherwise, his uncle would have torn his family apart.

Ling Ran wasn't wearing any clothes, with no hem to clutch at, so he could only grip Jiang Zhiyu's sleeping robe, his fingertips lightly kneading the fabric.

"There's no need to answer right now," Jiang Zhiyu noticed his hesitation. "You can take your time to think it over. After all, I'm the one pursuing you."

Even as he claimed there was no rush, he was fanning the flames.

The pursuer had become the one in control, while the pursued was left teary-eyed, thoroughly overwhelmed.

The little Omega was unbelievably docile, trembling faintly against his shoulder.

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "If you haven't agreed to me yet, do I still get to kiss you?"

The little Omega's body temperature was gradually rising. He didn't answer, only nestling closer into his embrace.

Actions spoke louder than words.

Jiang Zhiyu chuckled softly. "Do I still get to touch you too?"

Ling Ran bit his lip—even though, even though he was already being touched...

Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, Jiang Zhiyu tightened his grip on that slender waist.

"So generous," he murmured, exhaling hot breath against the pale earlobe, brushing over the faint red bite marks. "Were you this generous with your ex-fiancé too?"

"Did you let him touch you here as well?"

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