TPLTMOE – Chapter 73

"Lifelong... mark?" Qin Chengyue repeated, disbelief evident in his voice. "How... how do you know?"

Shang Ye didn't release his grip on Qin Chengyue's wrist, tightening his fingers slightly. "You didn't know?"

Omegas should be more familiar with such physiological knowledge.

Not wanting to expose his ignorance, Qin Chengyue puffed out his chest and declared, "Of course I know! I was just testing you."

Frowning, he pulled free from Shang Ye's grasp and dashed downstairs like a gust of wind.

Seeing Jiang Zhiyu chatting with Yan Xiwen, Qin Chengyue felt a surge of irritation. It was as if the plump, tender cabbage he had carefully nurtured at home had been thoroughly ravaged by a wild boar in just a few days.

The worst part was that this boar was tall and strong—Qin Chengyue couldn't even fight back. All he could do was plop onto the sofa and sulk.

Jiang Zhiyu noticed Qin Chengyue's sour expression the moment he came downstairs. He gestured for a servant to pour Qin Chengyue a glass of wine and even gifted him the most valuable bottle from the winery.

Jiang Zhiyu knew how attached Qin Chengyue was to Ling Ran. Now that Ling Ran had been abruptly taken away, it was natural for Qin Chengyue to feel unsettled.

But as Qin Chengyue stared at the bottle of white wine forced into his hands—its golden hue undeniably alluring—he felt nothing inside.

Yan Xiwen eyed the bottle covetously and asked in a coaxing tone, "Little Yueyue, you don't really like drinking, do you? How about you give me that bottle, and I'll get you another gift in return?"

Qin Chengyue shrugged. "Take it if you want."

Overjoyed, Yan Xiwen reached out eagerly. "So generous! I just asked Zhiyu for this bottle, but he turned around and gave it to you instead. You're much kinder, Little Yueyue."

Unfortunately, before his fingers could even graze the bottle, someone intercepted it.

Shang Ye picked up the wine and examined it, looking mildly surprised. He turned to Jiang Zhiyu and asked, "The cellar here has wine this old?"

Jiang Zhiyu replied, "Only this one."

Nearly forty years had passed since it was stored in the cellar, making it far more precious than the exorbitantly priced white wines auctioned in Napa Valley.

Yet the recipient had no appreciation for its worth and was about to give it away in an instant.

Shang Ye shoved the bottle back into Qin Chengyue's arms. "Keep it."

Qin Chengyue scowled. "I don't even drink. Are you mocking me?"

Shang Ye said slowly, "This bottle is worth at least seven figures."

Qin Chengyue: "?!"

His expression changed instantly. Clutching the bottle like a treasure, he tucked it securely against his chest—more carefully than if he were holding a bag of gold.

This wine was worth more than one of his cars. Boss Jiang was indeed far more generous than his brother.

Qin Chengyue hadn't yet seen the diamond ring on Ling Ran's finger, but this bottle alone was enough to win him over.

He decided that Ling Ran's relationship with Boss Jiang was an excellent choice—at least he wouldn't suffer in the future.

Yan Xiwen, still unwilling to give up, clung to a sliver of hope. "Wait, didn't you just agree to give it to me? Little Yueyue, how can you change your mind just because Shang Ye said one thing?"

Qin Chengyue rolled his eyes. "Don't think I'm stupid. I might not drink, but I can still do math."

The others were also eyeing the wine bottle in his arms covetously. Qin Chengyue couldn't shake off his unease no matter how he thought about it. He sidled up to Shang Ye and whispered, "Hey, lend me your car keys for a sec."

Without asking why, Shang Ye took out the keys and placed them in his palm.

Clutching the keys and the wine bottle, Qin Chengyue hurried out of the castle. Only after placing the white wine in Shang Ye's car did he feel somewhat relieved. For some reason, he trusted Shang Ye's character—though Shang Ye wasn't exactly a good person, at the very least, he wouldn't steal his wine.

Yan Xiwen and the others were practically drooling over Qin Chengyue's bottle of wine. They ganged up and each managed to wheedle several more bottles out of Jiang Zhiyu before finally calling it quits.

These wines had been brought up from the cellar specifically to gift them. Jiang Zhiyu was always generous with friends, never minding the vintage or value—if someone wanted it, he'd give it.

After drinking and chatting for a while, Jiang Zhiyu had the servants take the group to the grapevines for some fun—they could sketch, pick grapes, or simply sit under the vines and enjoy the wine with freshly harvested grapes, which would offer a unique experience.

Once everyone had been ushered away, Jiang Zhiyu turned and headed back to the second floor.

On the large bed in the bedroom, a small lump still lay curled up. The little Omega was sound asleep, undisturbed by the laughter and chatter from downstairs that had persisted all this while.

He had been sleeping for several more hours since finishing his cake. These past few days, he had spent almost all his time in bed, barely seeing any sunlight.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out and gently stroked the faintly pink cheek.

After this additional rest, the fever had subsided, and he was no longer burning up.

The skin under his palm seemed even softer now. Rubbing it between his slightly rough fingertips, he turned that small patch of fair skin a vivid, decadent shade.

Jiang Zhiyu gazed down at him, feeling as though the little one was constantly exuding an alluring fragrance, effortlessly stirring his tightly leashed restraint.

But not now. Over the past few days, that fragile, pitiful reproductive cavity had been knotted too many times and likely hadn't even fully closed yet.

Omegas were delicate, and that tiny reproductive cavity needed ample time to recover.

Jiang Zhiyu merely leaned down to kiss his cheek and murmured, "Baby, wake up."

Unfortunately, the little Omega was dead to the world, showing no reaction at all. His breathing remained soft and even, as if he were having a sweet dream—his lips moved slightly as though nibbling on cake, his expression utterly content.

The corner of Jiang Zhiyu's mouth quirked up. He didn't try to rouse him further, simply calling for a servant to bring a fresh set of clothes.

First, he carried the little Omega to the bathroom. Bathing him was second nature by now, but doing so without waking him required some finesse.

After the bath, he wrapped him in a towel and dried his hair on the quietest setting, first fluffing up the roots until they were about eighty percent dry before laying him back on the bed to dress him.

Though the little Omega didn't cooperate, at least he didn't resist.

Yet that fair and delicate body was now covered in all sorts of marks—bite marks, fingerprints, and most prominently, the love bites trailing down from the neck, even the toes bearing scattered rings of teeth imprints...

Jiang Zhiyu was slowly dressing him in a somewhat intricate beige British-style shirt, tied with a silk bow at the collar, paired with a camel- colored knitted shawl, its fine and soft texture making the little Omega appear even more rosy-lipped and fair-skinned, like a young noble lord who had been pampered in this European-style castle since childhood.

He wasn't given shorts to wear—Jiang Zhiyu didn't want even the slightest part of him to be seen by others—so he slipped him into slightly loose, draped dress pants.

Once fully dressed, the little Omega merely nuzzled his cheek against the bed, showing no signs of waking.

Jiang Zhiyu lifted him from the bed, letting him continue to sleep peacefully against his shoulder, and carried him out of the castle into the picturesque sunshine outside.

After the storm of the past few days, the weather had yet to turn cold, and the gentle sunlight bathed them in warmth, filling them with a cozy comfort.

A light breeze carried the fragrance of roses and grapes, almost identical to the scent of the person in his arms.

Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath and carried him to the grapevines nearby.

Qin Chengyue and Yan Xiwen were competing to see who could pick the largest and most grapes within ten minutes. After several rounds, Qin Chengyue lost miserably each time—not due to lack of skill, but because his height limited his reach for the best clusters growing higher up. Eventually, he resorted to cheating, stealing from Yan Xiwen's basket.

Yan Xiwen shrieked in protest, and the two of them ran from one grapevine to another, still roughhousing.

Jiang Zhiyu walked to a bench shaded by the dense canopy of vines and had a servant move it to a sunlit spot before sitting down with the little Omega in his arms.

The others were playing noisily on the other side, while Shang Ye sat quietly here, holding a glass of wine, his gaze fixed somewhere in the distance as he leisurely sipped.

Jiang Zhiyu adjusted the little Omega in his arms into a comfortable position, ensuring he could bask in the sunlight without risking a tan. Perhaps the daylight was still a bit too bright, as the little Omega buried his face deeper into Jiang Zhiyu's collar.

Jiang Zhiyu gathered the shirt collar slightly, shielding his eyes completely from the sun, then wrapped one arm possessively around the slender waist cinched by the waistcoat, while the other rested on the little Omega's thigh.

His fingers idly stroked the soft skin there.

At some point, Shang Ye's gaze had settled on the two of them, witnessing Jiang Zhiyu's entirely natural series of actions.

Then he suddenly noticed the dazzling purple diamond adorning the little Omega's ring finger.

Shang Ye: "He accepted it?"

Jiang Zhiyu: "Mhm."

Shang Ye: "Smooth moves."

Jiang Zhiyu: "No moves used."

Shang Ye: "..."

Shang Ye: "Do you even believe that yourself?"

Jiang Zhiyu gave the slender thigh a light squeeze: "He hasn't taken it off since putting it on. Quite obedient."

Shang Ye nodded: "That much is obvious."

Apart from discussing work, the two of them rarely spoke much, but their long-standing rapport allowed them to understand each other's meaning effortlessly.

After a brief silence, Shang Ye took a sip of wine and heard the person on the bench speak again: "Sometimes they don't listen either."

Shang Ye: "You mean that time they went to shoot at Palm Jewel? I don't think it's their fault. Plenty of media outlets want to cover the Dong family, but not everyone has the courage they do."

Jiang Zhiyu replied calmly, "No."

Shang Ye grew curious: "Then when?"

"In bed," Jiang Zhiyu said with a composed expression. "Always out of sync."

Shang Ye: "..."

On the other side, the group who had finished playing returned carrying large baskets of grapes. Qin Chengyue poured all of his into Yan Xiwen's basket, then turned and spotted Ling Ran's back. With his now-light basket, he dashed over at full speed.

"Xiao Ran!"

Just as he was about to crash into Ling Ran's back, unable to stop, Shang Ye reached out to steady him, frowning as he said, "Don't run so fast in the future."

Qin Chengyue paid no mind, tossing his basket onto Shang Ye before leaning in to peer at Ling Ran's face.

"Xiao Ran?" Qin Chengyue asked. "Why isn't he awake yet?"

Jiang Zhiyu lifted his gaze coolly, his expression unreadable. Whether it was because he felt indebted or because he'd grown accustomed to playing the sycophant at the company, Qin Chengyue shrank back and took the seat Shang Ye had just vacated.

"So scary. I'm Xiao Ran's real best friend—what's a side husband like you getting so cocky for?" But he didn't dare say it out loud, muttering it under his breath instead.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't catch his words, and the others soon gathered around the bench, finding seats at the table.

None of them were strangers to seeing this little Omega by Jiang Zhiyu's side, but they still exchanged silent, exaggerated glances of surprise.

Out of consideration for the still-sleeping Omega, everyone instinctively lowered their voices as they chatted about the winery, leisurely sipping wine under the vine-covered trellis.

A servant poured a glass for Jiang Zhiyu as well. He swirled the wine gently between his fingers when he suddenly felt a slight movement in his arms.

Looking down, he saw the thick, raven-feather-like lashes fluttering faintly, struggling to part before giving up and closing again, as if the effort to wake was too much.

After a moment, they trembled once more, eyelids lifting shakily.

This time, there was progress—they blinked slowly several times, as if stirring a tiny breeze that brushed against the enigma's collarbone, unimpeded by fabric.

Jiang Zhiyu set the glass aside and ran his large hand gently over the Omega's sun-warmed, tousled hair.

The little Omega's consciousness gradually returned, though his reactions remained sluggish. At least his eyes were fully open now, blinking softly against the enigma's collar like a newly emerged butterfly still adjusting to the unfamiliar world.

Jiang Zhiyu held him without moving, patient as he waited for him to wake fully.

Ling Ran felt as though he'd been plunged into a warm, steamy haze, his entire body relaxed and comfortable under the sunlight, the soreness and discomfort in his limbs seemingly eased by its warmth.

People really do need more sun—especially him, a little grape in need of photosynthesis.

Slowly, Ling Ran lifted his head, tilting his face up to look at the man holding him.

His consciousness was still hazy, allowing him to fully relax in this warm embrace. His chin rested lightly against the enigma's chest, his plump red lips pouting slightly as he shook his head in a coquettish manner.

Jiang Zhiyu couldn't resist and lowered his head to press a kiss to his lips.

"Still sleepy?"

Ling Ran did feel tired, but the weather was so nice that he didn't want to sleep anymore. He just wanted to lie on top of him a little longer and bask in the sunlight.

So he shook his head, burying his cheek deeper against Jiang Zhiyu's body, rubbing it softly from side to side until a small, tender patch of flushed skin appeared.

It made Jiang Zhiyu want to bite down on it—or simply devour him whole, chew him up, and swallow him down.

Ling Ran had never let Jiang Zhiyu bite his face, always blocking him with his arms. Otherwise, there would probably be several more red marks on his cheeks by now.

Sometimes, he didn't understand why the enigma was so obsessed with nibbling and biting him, as if he wanted to consume him entirely. He was a person, not some little grape that could be peeled and eaten.

Whimper.

Jiang Zhiyu reached out to touch his forehead, confirming he wasn't feverish again, then checked the gland at the back of his neck to make sure the scent patch was still properly in place.

Ling Ran's hormonal disorder had improved a lot, so he didn't need to wear the suppressor every day anymore.

Qin Chengyue, who had been sitting awkwardly to the side all this time, couldn't take it anymore. He didn't know how the others could stay so quiet, acting as if they saw nothing. Unable to hold back, he let out a couple of light coughs.

Ling Ran, who had been on the verge of closing his eyes again, instantly snapped them open. His movements froze, then turned stiffly slow as he glanced back—only for his eyes to widen slightly in shock as he shrank against the enigma, completely dumbfounded.

Turns out, they weren't the only two here. There had been so many people watching them this whole time.

His fair cheeks flushed crimson at an alarming speed, his ears turning a deep shade of pink as well.

Ling Ran whipped his head back around, burying his face beneath Jiang Zhiyu's collar, leaving only a faintly blushing nape exposed. Jiang Zhiyu knew he was easily embarrassed, so he patted his back soothingly while sweeping a cool glance around the room.

Everyone immediately took the hint, chiming in:

"Didn't see a thing, we didn't see anything!"

"No outsiders here, don't worry. We're all tight-lipped—we won't say a word until you two go public."

"Just treat us like air, carry on, carry on!"

As if they could continue now. Ling Ran muttered something under his breath, too muffled for Jiang Zhiyu to catch. He lifted Ling Ran's chin and asked, "What was that?"

Ling Ran was burning with humiliation. He had no memory of getting drunk in front of everyone last time and being carried away,

thinking he had still been maintaining his facade perfectly. But now, the truth was out—and in a big way.

"You... did that on purpose," he bit his lip, accusingly.

He knew there were others around, yet he hadn't reminded him—and had even held him so intimately like this.

Jiang Zhiyu said, "Baby, you didn't ask."

Ling Ran pursed his lips, trying to wriggle out of Jiang Zhiyu's arms, but the hand at his waist held him firmly in place. There was no escaping.

"You can't walk on your own," Jiang Zhiyu murmured, softening his voice to coax him. "Tell me where you want to go, and I'll carry you, okay?"

Ling Ran indeed felt that he couldn't walk, nor even sit properly.

Being carried like this was extremely comfortable, but also incredibly embarrassing.

Fortunately, the others seemed to have resumed their conversation, so no one was paying them much attention.

Except for Qin Chengyue.

Qin Chengyue dawdled over, staring at Ling Ran with eager eyes, as if he had a lot to say.

But no matter what he wanted to discuss, Jiang Zhiyu would undoubtedly hear every word, so he could only ask about trivial matters.

The two little Omegas whispered a few words to each other, and Ling Ran soon broke into a bright, eye-crinkling smile, which made Jiang

Zhiyu listen even more intently.

What on earth could make him so happy?

Qin Chengyue also grinned. "I always knew he'd crash and burn, but I never expected it to be this dramatic—it's absolutely wild!"

Ling Ran nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I thought so too."

They were discussing some gossip and rumors circulating from the entertainment department.

Suddenly, Ling Ran seemed to remember something and asked anxiously, "I haven't been to the company these past few days—has it affected the progress of our project?"

Their team had already planned to continue working on the Dong Hui feature. It wouldn't be good if his absence had delayed the entire group's schedule.

Qin Chengyue reassured him, "Don't worry, don't worry. We discussed it with the boss again later. Actually, we can afford to wait a bit

longer for the feature. It's best to hold off until Dong Hui's case is fully investigated and everything comes to light. Then we can do a comprehensive wrap-up. If we rush it now, there'll still be too many unresolved details, and we wouldn't be able to air it anyway."

That made sense, and Ling Ran felt much more at ease.

What they didn't know was that this decision had actually been made by Jiang Zhiyu.

Qin Chengyue added, "You don't have to push yourself so hard, Xiao Ran. Since you've taken leave, just relax and enjoy yourself. Don't keep worrying about work—we've got it covered. Work is just labor for someone else, but your health is your own capital. You can't exhaust yourself just to make money for others. Sometimes you've got to slack off when you can, and take it easy when you should."

Jiang Zhiyu, their direct superior, remained silent.

Realizing his slip, Qin Chengyue quickly amended, "Of course, such a situation would never exist at Jiang Zhou. Since I started working, I've been diligent and conscientious, never late or leaving early, never slacking or cutting corners. I work like my life depends on it."

Ling Ran also nodded emphatically, looking at Jiang Zhiyu. "Yes, I can vouch for him."

Jiang Zhiyu pinched Ling Ran's cheek and said in a low voice, "Helping others deceive your husband."

Ling Ran's eyes widened, his damp, rosy lips parting slightly. His cheeks flushed even redder than before, making him look utterly delicate and radiant, like a ripe fruit about to burst with juice.

H-how could he call himself his husband...?

Beside them, Qin Chengyue's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Only now did he notice the massive, blinding diamond ring on Ling Ran's left hand—the same hand that had been tucked against Jiang Zhiyu's chest this whole time.

No way???

Before he could ask, Shang Ye walked over, grabbed him by the collar, and unceremoniously hauled him away.

Ling Ran blushed, wanting to pretend he hadn't heard Jiang Zhiyu's earlier words. As he lowered his face to hide, a hand gently lifted his chin, and steady breaths drew near as Jiang Zhiyu leaned down.

Ling Ran panicked slightly, trying to turn his head to see if others were watching, but Jiang Zhiyu didn't let him look away.

"They've all gone far away."

The others weren't oblivious—they'd deliberately left the grapevines for the two of them, moving aside to play elsewhere.

Before Ling Ran's racing heart could settle, he heard the man before him speak again:

"Think I was wrong?"

Ling Ran thought, of course it was wrong—they weren't married yet, how could he use that term?

Jiang Zhiyu saw through his little hesitation and simply pinched his chin, parting those still-swollen lips further before kissing him again.

Ling Ran clutched the fabric of his shirt tightly, the rings on both hands still securely in place. He hadn't thought to take them off earlier—had everyone seen them too?

Suddenly, his lips were nipped—not too hard, not too soft—right on that delicate, petite lip pearl.

Ling Ran didn't understand why Jiang Zhiyu was so fond of that tiny little nub of flesh. Every time, it ended up kissed numb and swollen.

Jiang Zhiyu licked the spot he'd just bitten, his voice low and firm. "Focus."

If he could space out even while kissing, it seemed he'd gotten enough rest.

From behind, all that could be seen were their heads pressed close together—what exactly they were doing remained unclear.

Once Jiang Zhiyu had his fill, he released him, leaving the little Omega in his arms limp against his chest, breathing shakily.

Slender fingers reached over, gently wiping away the glistening trail at the corner of his lips.

"Baby," Jiang Zhiyu murmured, gazing down at him. "Say it first, okay?"

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