TPLTMOE - Chapter 7

After soaking in the bathtub for a while, Ling Ran stepped out and changed into the clothes Song Yi had given him.

The price tag was still attached. Ling Ran glanced at it and was stunned by the exorbitant price. But the clothes were too loose and baggy on him, the pants so long they nearly dragged on the floor.

He found the scent blockers and applied one to the back of his neck.

The eerie emptiness of the room unsettled him. Ling Ran stood at the bathroom door for a long moment, feeling as though someone might have entered while he was inside.

There was a wine glass on the coffee table directly opposite the bathroom.

Had it been there earlier?

Ling Ran quickly walked to the door to check—it was still securely locked, with no signs of intrusion.

He picked up the wine glass and examined it. There was a little liquid left at the bottom. Bringing it to his nose, he inhaled lightly, and the strong, pungent aroma of alcohol assaulted his senses.

He wasn't much of a drinker and had a notoriously low tolerance. Wrinkling his nose in distaste, he set the glass back down.

Checking his phone, he saw it was already 10 p.m.

He sent a message to his sister Ling Mo, saying he would be staying at Qin Chengyue's place tonight and wouldn't be coming home. Then he opened his chat with Jiang Sheng Yi. The last message he'd sent—a cute cat sticker—still hung there alone, its bright eyes slowly dimming in his mind.

Sheng Yi must really be busy. It was only natural he hadn't had time to reply.

An omega should be obedient and sensible, not always clinging to their alpha.

Qin Chengyue's call suddenly came through, startling Ling Ran so much that his body jerked. He quickly answered.

"Xiao Ran, why did you go home alone today without waiting for me? I came out of the restroom and couldn't find you. And I even missed the interview, wuwu...

"I—I..." Ling Ran didn't know how to explain. "I suddenly felt a little unwell, so I went home first. Sorry, Chengyue."

Qin Chengyue didn't suspect anything, just said dejectedly, "I just got a notice from Jiangzhou Entertainment saying neither of us passed the first round of interviews. It's whatever for me, but you're the top of our major! How could you not pass?"

Ling Ran's heart sank even further. "Maybe... I didn't perform well. There was a minor issue at the scene..."

It was all Jiang Zhiyu's fault. If he hadn't insisted on asking those questions, Ling Ran would have walked out of that meeting room unscathed.

"It's okay, Xiao Ran. Jiangzhou Entertainment isn't that great anyway. If we can't go, we'll just apply to other media companies."

After hanging up, Ling Ran still felt exhausted. He collapsed onto the wide, soft bed.

Although his heat had temporarily subsided, his estrus cycle wasn't completely over yet.

His mind was hazy, and he quickly fell asleep face-down on the bed.

***

Jiang Zhiyu didn't have a habit of peeping at people showering.

But that little omega's guard was far too lax. Did he really think locking the door in an entirely unfamiliar villa was enough to keep him safe?

Through the steam-covered bathroom, glimpses of fair, delicate skin were faintly visible, like untouched snow atop the Swiss Alps.

Trembling, immaculate.

He didn't make a sound, leaving the room before the omega stepped out.

Back in his study, Jiang Shengyi suddenly called.

"Uncle, I hope I'm not disturbing your rest this late?"

The noise on the other end was lively and chaotic, accompanied by deafening music—clearly, he was at a rowdy drinking party.

"What is it?" Jiang Zhiyu leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples lightly at the noise.

Jiang Shengyi was young and impulsive. In the past, he had maintained a facade of humility and respect toward Jiang Zhiyu, but now, convinced that his abilities were no lesser, he believed Jiang Zhiyu only had a few more years of experience. His tone carried a hint of arrogance.

"It's nothing too important. I just signed a contract in Southeast Asia, and I was supposed to report to the board right after returning to the country. But these people insisted on dragging me out to celebrate, so I couldn't get away."

Jiang Zhiyu chuckled darkly.

Did this little bastard really think accomplishing such a trivial thing would earn him the right to strut around in front of him?

"You handled the cooperation deal well. I'll have someone arrange a celebration banquet for you tomorrow night when you return."

Jiang Shengyi's voice rose on the other end of the line. "The banquet isn't the main thing. What matters is that Jiang Corporation has now secured a foothold in Southeast Asia, making it much easier to expand into neighboring markets. I remember our late great-grandfather once said that whoever leads Jiang Corporation to greater heights should be the one to take the reins as its new leader."

Slender fingers suddenly tapped twice on the golden nanmu desk, the veins on the back of his pale, cold hands standing out starkly.

"Is that so?" Jiang Zhiyu's lips curled slightly. "Then who do you think should sit in that position?"

Jiang Shengyi laughed, his playful tone carrying through the receiver. "Well, of course, that's something the board will have to vote on." After hanging up, Jiang Zhiyu leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

The combined assets under the second branch of the family accounted for about 20% of Jiang Corporation's shares—no small amount. Moreover, Jiang Zhisong was still a member of the board, meaning that whenever Jiang Zhiyu wanted to make major moves within the company, he was inevitably constrained by those old men on the board.

The only solution was for his personal stake to exceed 50%.

A delicate, soft, and youthful face suddenly surfaced in his mind. Jiang Zhiyu opened his eyes, his gaze unfathomable.

The old man hadn't been entirely wrong about some things. What he wanted to seize now wasn't just the second branch's assets.

***

Ling Ran was jolted awake by the loud growling of his stomach.

Bleary-eyed, he blinked and saw that it was still dark outside. He thought he hadn't slept long—that dawn hadn't even broken yet.

A soft knock sounded at the door. He got up to open it and found Song Yi standing outside, holding a tray.

"Mr. Ling, you're finally awake. Would you like something to eat?"

Ling Ran rubbed his messy hair and nodded. He was already starving, his stomach practically glued to his spine.

Song Yi set the tray on the table and lifted the cover, releasing the rich aroma of meat.

"Enjoy."

Ling Ran's eyes widened as he stared at the large, glistening steak. Without hesitation, he sat down, stabbed it with a fork, and took a huge bite straight off the plate.

"Has your Mr. Jiang not come back yet?" he asked between mouthfuls, his words muffled.

Song Yi wore his usual professional smile. "Mr. Jiang returned a long time ago."

Ling Ran immediately stood up. "Then tell him I want to leave! I need to go home—“

Song Yi continued smoothly, "And then he left again."

Ling Ran: "..."

Couldn't he have said that in one sentence?

Deflated, Ling Ran plopped back down and resumed gnawing on his steak. "So... is he not coming back to sleep tonight?"

Song Yi smiled. "Last night, after Mr. Jiang brought you back, he slept here. And tonight, he'll be back to sleep as well."

"Last night?" Ling Ran blinked in confusion.

"Yes, you've been asleep for a full day and night."

Ling Ran suddenly jumped up from the chair and grabbed his phone.

Sure enough, it was already dead.

"Ahhh, what should I do? If I don't go home for two nights in a row, my brother is definitely going to scold me to death."

Ling Ran could already picture his brother's furious expression—he would surely berate him for fooling around before marriage and even daring to stay out overnight with another alpha.

He was doomed.

Song Yi looked at him in confusion and asked, "Is Mr. Ling's brother Ling Su, the CEO of Ling Corporation?"

Ling Ran raised his head and nodded. "Yes, do you know my brother?"

"Of course I do. Mr. Ling will be coming tonight as well."

Ling Ran was so shocked he looked like he was about to cry. "Is... is he here to drag me back?"

Song Yi quickly reassured him, "No, no! Mr. Ling is here to attend Young Master Sheng Yi's celebration banquet, which is being held tonight—right in this villa."

Ling Ran took a long moment to process this bolt from the blue.

Not only was his brother coming, but Sheng Yi was too.

On one hand, he was thrilled and overjoyed that Sheng Yi had returned and he could finally see him again. On the other hand, he was extremely worried—if they found out he had been at Jiang Zhiyu's place, how on earth was he supposed to explain himself?

While Song Yi was busy clearing the dishes and heading downstairs, Ling Ran quietly slipped down after him.

The spiral staircase on the first floor led directly to a spacious main hall, where a dazzling crystal chandelier hung overhead, its shimmering light almost dizzying. Outside the hall was a lush green lawn, beside which lay a massive swimming pool.

At the moment, both the main hall and the lawn outside were filled with all kinds of buffet dishes, with colorful desserts and drinks on display. Dozens of waitstaff bustled about, preparing for the upcoming banquet.

Soon, the elite and wealthy of Haishi would arrive—all influential figures who couldn't be slighted in the slightest.

Song Yi didn't seem to have much to do himself, merely standing to the side and directing the waitstaff.

Ling Ran tiptoed behind a pillar, his eyes scanning the row of delicate desserts on the table as he silently licked his lips. There were so many delicious treats downstairs, yet that stingy Song Yi had only brought him a single steak.

Even if he was going to run away, he was at least taking a little cake with him.

Seeing that the waitstaff were all occupied with their tasks and no one was paying him any attention, Ling Ran walked up to the table, casually grabbed a soft, chewy little cake, and stuffed it into his mouth. Then, following behind two waitstaff, he slipped out the main hall door.

Once on the lawn, Ling Ran broke into a sprint—he had to get out of there before any guests arrived.

But just as he reached the edge of the swimming pool, the grand gate in the distance slowly swung open, and a luxurious Rolls-Royce leisurely made its way inside.

Ling Ran froze in place, as if rooted to the spot, unable to move an inch.

The Rolls-Royce came to a stop right beside him. Zhao Qin stepped out and hurried to open the rear door, from which a tall, powerfully built man emerged. He took two steps forward and stood right in front of Ling Ran.

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to have just returned from the office, his black silk tie neatly fastened around his neck, exuding an air of noble elegance—handsome as a sculpted statue.

He was tall with long legs, his chin nearly brushing against Ling Ran's forehead.

Ling Ran's gaze involuntarily fell on the necktie, and for some reason, a sense of resistance and fear welled up in his chest. He subtly shrank his neck, as if recalling unpleasant memories associated with neckties.

This was the first time he had ever felt the stark difference between himself and Jiang Zhiyu so viscerally. The man before him seemed far taller and more robust than the average alpha.

One punch could probably knock his head clean off.

Ling Ran silently mused to himself.

A deep, mellow voice suddenly sounded above him: "Where are you going?"

Traces of cake crumbs still lingered at the corners of Ling Ran's lips. He answered in a tiny voice, "I... I want to go home..."

Jiang Zhiyu lowered his gaze, staring at him. "I'll have someone take you back after the banquet."

His tone carried an air of indisputable authority, but Ling Ran mustered his courage and insisted, "But... I want to go home now..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ling Ran saw the man suddenly reach out toward him.

The timid Omega stiffened, squeezing his eyes shut in terror.

He really is going to knock my head off, wuuu...

But the next moment, Ling Ran felt something cool and soft brush against the corner of his lips, as if something was gently wiping the skin beside his mouth.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Jiang Zhiyu withdrawing his hand, casually glancing at the smear of white cream now on his fingertip.

!

Ling Ran immediately scrubbed his lips hard with the back of his hand, his ears flushing pink with embarrassment.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't tease him for it. Instead, he strode toward the main hall, tossing a single command over his shoulder: "Follow me."

Just as Ling Ran was about to sneak away, Zhao Qin blocked his path.

With a well-meaning gesture, Zhao Qin pointed toward the entrance. Spotting the two rows of uniformed security guards standing at attention, Ling Ran obediently retracted his half-raised foot and turned to follow Jiang Zhiyu with resignation.

Song Yi, noticing the pair entering one after the other, hurried over to report to Jiang Zhiyu, "President Jiang, everything for the banquet is ready. It can begin promptly at eight."

"Keep an eye on him," Jiang Zhiyu said as he headed upstairs. "Don't let him wander off."

Song Yi stared at Ling Ran and nodded firmly. "Yes, President Jiang."

Ling Ran was on the verge of tears. The banquet was set to begin at eight o'clock—didn't that mean the guests would arrive soon?

Pitifully, he trailed behind Jiang Zhiyu as they ascended the stairs, lightly tugging at the hem of his suit jacket.

"Can I go upstairs and hide first?" His dark, clear peach-blossom eyes seemed to quickly gather a misty sheen of moisture. "I'll be good, I promise. Just don't let anyone find me, okay?"

Jiang Zhiyu turned to look down at him.

Under the bright overhead lights, that fair, delicate face appeared even more porcelain-like—smooth and flawless, like the finest jade.

And yet, the pair of plump, rosy lips below looked irresistibly lush, as if begging to be tasted.

Jiang Zhiyu suddenly felt his throat grow dry.

He had never paid much attention to an Omega's appearance before. Were all Omegas this tender and delicate, like freshly bloomed flowers?

Seeing the man on the stairs simply watching him without answering, Ling Ran grew anxious, afraid he'd be forced to stay downstairs and wait for the guests.

"Please?" Ling Ran asked again in a soft, pleading voice. "Uncle."

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