TPLTMOE – Chapter 78

Oliver and Qin Chengyue still stood at the restaurant entrance, their gazes aligned as they looked across the street.

Qin Chengyue's eyes involuntarily moistened, and he turned away to discreetly wipe his tears.

It was enough that he was alive, that he wasn't missing any limbs. Forget Ling Ran—even he had been terrified out of his mind these past few days.

If Jiang Zhiyu hadn't shown up soon, he wouldn't have been able to come up with any more excuses to deceive Ling Ran.

Oliver, still processing the news of Ling Ran's pregnancy, was baffled. Any partner who would let a pregnant Omega work themselves to the bone to support the family couldn't possibly be a good one.

But now, the situation had shifted. The useless partner he had imagined beside Ling Ran had actually chased him all the way to London—and on a snowy day like this, no less.

Since that morning, the meteorological bureau had issued warnings for a cold wave and blizzard conditions, and all flights at the airport had been temporarily grounded.

How had this man gotten here?

Jiang Zhiyu lowered his gaze, his long, thick lashes dusted with delicate snowflakes.

He enveloped the petite, soft Omega before him entirely within the heavy embrace of his coat, feeling the slight tremors in his body. At the same time, threads of icy cold seeped through his clothes, invading without resistance.

When Ling Ran had suddenly appeared at the restaurant entrance moments ago, Jiang Zhiyu had frozen in disbelief.

He had thought the figure standing beneath the umbrella was merely an Omega who resembled him—coupled with the fact that he had been pushing himself too hard these past few days, the warm, golden glow spilling from the restaurant had seemed like another world compared to the bone-deep chill clinging to him.

But then, in the blink of an eye, the little Omega he had been longing for day and night was right there in front of him, unmistakably real, sprinting toward him like a falling snowflake—without hesitation, crashing straight into his arms.

Only now, with Ling Ran firmly held against him, could he truly feel it—this warm, pliant little body was undeniably his Omega.

Ling Ran buried his face deep into Jiang Zhiyu's chest, inhaling greedily. He caught the familiar trace of his cologne, the deeper layers of his pheromones, and even a faint hint of antiseptic.

This embrace was warm yet commanding, driving away the lingering cold with his scorching body heat. Ling Ran didn't hide his adoration, his greed, his reluctance to let go, his dependence—he wanted to burrow even deeper into his arms, and not just because his body craved it.

It was because he had missed him so much.

Jiang Zhiyu noticed him still trying to press closer, so he tightened his hold, nearly lifting Ling Ran clear off the ground.

The snow had grown heavier without them realizing. Jiang Zhiyu glanced toward the restaurant entrance across the street—the white Alpha who had been holding Ling Ran's umbrella was still standing there, watching them, while Qin Chengyue waved cheerfully beside him.

Jiang Zhiyu gave them a slight nod in acknowledgment before guiding Ling Ran, half-supporting, half-carrying him, straight into the car parked by the roadside. The vehicle drove off without delay.

Zhao Qin had also arrived by car, and Qin Chengyue didn't forget to bid Oliver goodbye.

"Sorry about that, Oliver. That was Xiao Ran's husband. They've been in a long-distance relationship for a while, so they must have a lot to catch up on now that they've just reunited. Xiao Ran was in such a hurry to leave that she didn't get a chance to say goodbye. I hope you don't mind?"

Oliver tightened his grip on the umbrella handle and smiled. "Of course not."

Qin Chengyue nodded. "Good. I'll be heading home too then. See you at the office tomorrow."

Even after the car drove away, Oliver remained standing in place, his mind filled with the image of the two people tightly embracing under the streetlight across the road.

They looked so deeply in love, as if nothing could ever tear them apart.

***

The mansion was only two kilometers from the headquarters building, so they arrived in the blink of an eye.

The ground was already covered in snow, but Jiang Zhiyu carried his little Omega in his arms the entire way, ensuring he never touched the cold ground.

The mansion's butler and servants had been informed in advance and had already prepared a steaming hot bath in the master bedroom's bathroom.

Jiang Zhiyu strode straight in, the thick mist instantly enveloping them, melting away the frost and snow clinging to their bodies.

Ling Ran still buried his face in Jiang Zhiyu's chest, refusing to let go, his arms wrapped tightly around him.

Jiang Zhiyu gently pried his hands apart, and the little Omega suddenly lifted his face to look at him. His eyes were misty with unshed tears, blinking uncertainly, the delicate skin around them flushed red.

This was the first time they had been apart for so long. It wasn't just Ling Ran who had suffered—Jiang Zhiyu's heart ached violently at the sight of his pitiful, aggrieved expression, as if it might shatter.

He lowered his head and softly captured those slightly parted lips. Before Ling Ran could react, Jiang Zhiyu tangled their tongues together in a deep, intoxicating kiss.

Ling Ran tilted his head back, surrendering to the embrace. At first, it was just a tender, lingering kiss, but soon it grew fiercer, hungrier—as if Jiang Zhiyu wanted to devour his very soul, to merge them into one.

Ling Ran's legs grew weak, forcing him to stumble backward a couple of steps before Jiang Zhiyu suddenly lifted him by the waist and sat him on the high edge of the bathroom counter.

Now at the same height, Jiang Zhiyu could easily grip the back of his neck, tilting his head to deepen the kiss, plundering his mouth with relentless intensity.

Their pheromones intertwined in a heady, intoxicating exchange, filling the air between them.

Ling Ran had been relying on suppressants all this time, and now, just one kiss was enough to leave him dizzy and weak.

Even though the scent-blocking patch on his neck hadn't been removed, he felt as if this kiss alone had marked him all over again.

The bathroom was silent except for their increasingly ragged breaths and the slick, wet sounds of their lips moving together.

Ling Ran's tongue was nearly numb from the relentless attention. His upper body had gone limp, held up only by the strong hand supporting his lower back to keep him from sliding off the counter. His lungs burned from lack of air, and he whimpered softly, squirming in protest.

But instead of releasing him, Jiang Zhiyu only kissed him harder, swallowing every sound he made.

He couldn't take it anymore, his cheeks flushed crimson—whether from the steam or the overwhelming scent of alcohol that engulfed him, he couldn't tell. Seizing a brief moment, he turned his face away, gasping for air.

But before he could catch his breath, a strong hand gripped his chin, pulling him back into another deep kiss that stole even the air he'd just inhaled.

….

It was just a kiss, yet by the end, Ling Ran's hands trembled weakly against the marble countertop, his entire body—from the roots of his hair to the tips of his toes—quivering uncontrollably.

Jiang Zhiyu finally released him, brushing away a stray silver thread from the corner of Ling Ran's lips with his thumb before starting to undress him.

Too weak to resist, Ling Ran leaned obediently against the mirror behind him, watching as those long, elegant fingers unbuttoned his shirt one by one.

Like peeling the shell from a perfectly smooth, soft-boiled egg, the skin beneath was flawless—pale, delicate, stretched over a slender frame with long legs and a narrow waist.

Jiang Zhiyu's eyes darkened as he finished undressing him, the depths unreadable.

He lifted the little Omega into his arms, carrying him to the bathtub before gently lowering him into the water.

Wrapped in warmth, the chill from the snow outside melted away completely. Soothed by the Enigma's pheromones, Ling Ran relaxed against the back of the tub, his eyes drifting shut in contentment.

Kneeling beside the bath, Jiang Zhiyu tested the water. "Should I make it hotter?"

Ling Ran opened his eyes, gaze shimmering with unshed moisture, and shook his head slightly.

Jiang Zhiyu caressed his cheek, the skin warm and silken beneath his touch.

"Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

He shouldn't have held him so long in the snow—today was freezing, and Ling Ran hadn't been dressed warmly enough.

Ling Ran shook his head again, then suddenly reached out from the water, his slender arm glistening wet as his small fingers grasped Jiang Zhiyu's coat.

His voice was soft, pleading. "Why aren't you coming in...?"

Jiang Zhiyu used to bathe with him all the time—why not today? Especially when he'd been covered in more snow outside.

Jiang Zhiyu squeezed his hand. "You go ahead. I'm still cold."

At that, Ling Ran's lips quivered, his eyes reddening as if on the verge of tears.

"You won't join me?" He sniffled. "I don't want to be alone..."

The words pierced Jiang Zhiyu's heart like a thousand needles.

How could he refuse?

Leaning down, he kissed Ling Ran's flushed lips and murmured, "Let me take off my clothes first, then I'll come in with you. Okay?"

But Ling Ran wouldn't even allow that concession—both hands now working to unbutton Jiang Zhiyu's shirt, hot water dripping from his arms and ruining the expensive coat.

Jiang Zhiyu didn't seem to care, only stopping him halfway with a hesitant grip on his wrist.

But the attempt to stop him came half a beat too late—Ling Ran had already spotted the anomaly with his sharp eyes. Kneeling in the bathtub, he leaned his upper body entirely into the enigma's embrace, tugging at the shirt in his hands to peer beneath at the concealed torso.

Just one glance was enough. The corners of his eyes quickly brimmed with hot tears, crystalline droplets rolling down his cheeks before plopping softly onto the still water's surface.

Jiang Zhiyu had known he would cry upon seeing it. None of his numerous wounds had pained him much, but watching the little Omega remain silent while shedding silent tears over his injuries felt like a knife twisting in his heart.

"Baby, don't cry."

Jiang Zhiyu removed his outer clothing and stepped directly into the bathtub wearing only his shirt, settling the little Omega onto his lap. Cupping a handful of warm water, he gently washed away the tears.

"You're breaking my heart," Jiang Zhiyu murmured, caressing his cheek and whispering soothing words into his ear. "The wounds don't hurt anymore, really. The doctors said they're fine—otherwise, how could I have flown here to see you?"

The shirt clung wetly to the contours of his muscular frame, faint ridges of scars visible beneath the fabric despite its coverage. Ling Ran rested against his shoulder, carefully shifting twice to avoid pressing on his injuries, hiccuping through his tears while still managing to remind him, "Y-your wounds... can't get wet..."

Jiang Zhiyu brushed away the dampness on his delicate face, finding him both endearing and pitiful, and couldn't resist kissing him again. "It's alright, they've healed already. Touch them."

Ling Ran's touch was featherlight, his fingertips tracing the most prominent ridge on the enigma's abdomen, but the sight still wrenched his heart painfully, sending fresh tears cascading down.

"It... it must have hurt so much... How did this happen...?"

Not wanting to frighten him, Jiang Zhiyu gave a brief account of recent events back home.

Dong Hui had never given up on revenge. Teaming up with Qian Lao, he set a trap to lure Jiang Zhiyu out. Ironically, Jiang Zhiyu had been casting a wide net searching for Dong Hui and hadn't expected him to be foolish enough to deliver himself directly.

That day on the yacht, it wasn't just Jiang Zhiyu and Dong Hui present—others had disembarked earlier. Dong Hui had pre-planted explosives on the vessel, the detonator clutched in his hand as he laid out his terms: Jiang Zhiyu must resign as chairman of the chamber of commerce, transfer all his Jiang Corporation shares, and ensure Dong Hui's safe passage abroad—or they would perish together in the sea.

It should have been an unbeatable bargaining chip, but he'd threatened the wrong man. Jiang Zhiyu slowly tore the share transfer agreement to shreds before his eyes, then watched calmly as Dong Hui pressed the countdown button.

With two minutes until detonation, Dong Hui—now utterly unhinged—stood on the deck amidst chaotic sea winds, his usually composed face twisted with madness. He screamed hoarsely, demanding to know what more Jiang Zhiyu wanted from him, what else he could possibly take—his reputation was already ruined, and he faced certain execution if caught. Was Jiang Zhiyu truly willing to die rather than accept his terms?

Jiang Zhiyu stepped closer and gave him his answer.

Dong Hui seemed utterly incredulous. Could it be that Jiang Zhiyu had opposed him so fiercely, pushing him to the brink with all these schemes, all because of that Omega?

Just because he had initially intended to treat that Omega as a plaything to be gifted away at the club?!

What kind of bullshit reason was that?!

Dong Hui was convinced Jiang Zhiyu must be lying—there had to be some hidden agenda or deal behind this that he wasn't aware of.

Just before the explosion, Dong Hui suddenly pulled out a pitch-black pistol and aimed it at Jiang Zhiyu. Even if he was going to die, he would drag Jiang Zhiyu down with him. He wanted Jiang Zhiyu to die before him.

But before the gunshot could ring out, Jiang Zhiyu casually picked up a steel fork from the table and flung it through the air with lightning speed. The fork spun several times mid-flight, its force and angle flawless, piercing straight through the back of Dong Hui's gun-holding hand and out the palm in one swift motion.

Dong Hui let out a howl of agony, his wrist going slack as the pistol clattered onto the deck. Struggling, he still tried to reach for the gun, but Jiang Zhiyu had been silently counting in his head—nearly two minutes had passed. Without a backward glance, he leaped into the deep sea.

Seeing Jiang Zhiyu jump into the water to escape, Dong Hui threw his head back and laughed wildly. The countdown button had been nothing but a bluff. The bomb he'd supposedly planted on the yacht was just a ruse to deceive Jiang Zhiyu—there was no bomb at all. He had gambled on Jiang Zhiyu's meticulous nature, betting he would jump ship to survive.

With one hand, Dong Hui pushed himself up from the deck and rushed into the cabin, desperate to steer the yacht away immediately. This was the deep sea—without the yacht, Jiang Zhiyu would never make it to shore by swimming alone in this lifetime!

The yacht's engine roared to life, but it had barely moved a few meters when—BOOM!—a deafening explosion erupted. A massive fireball turned the ocean surface crimson, sending towering waves of white foam surging dozens of meters into the air before crashing back down.

In the blink of an eye, the yacht was reduced to charred wreckage. The fake bomb had long been replaced with a real one, though no one would ever know how.

Though Jiang Zhiyu had jumped ship in advance, the shockwave still sent him flying several meters. By the time his men arrived, the impact had already plunged him into a deep coma.

His subordinates didn't dare act recklessly. After bringing Jiang Zhiyu ashore, they took him to a hidden location to recover. Following his earlier instructions, all news was sealed off—even Shang Ye was kept in the dark.

Many were searching for Jiang Zhiyu outside, some seeking revenge. If word got out that he was severely injured and unconscious for days, chaos would erupt—starting with the Jiang family itself.

Jiang Zhiyu had only just woken up yesterday. After settling the remaining matters—especially dealing with Qian Lao, Tang Bei, and others connected to Dong Hui—he had rushed to London despite the storm and blizzard.

Though Ling Ran had only heard a simplified version, his heart still clenched with fear. If Jiang Zhiyu had overlooked even the slightest detail in any of this, he might not have made it to London alive—let alone kept their promise.

Ling Ran suddenly straightened up and reached out to continue unbuttoning the enigma's shirt, murmuring, "I need to see your injuries..." Unless he saw with his own eyes that everything was alright, he couldn't truly set his mind at ease.

Jiang Zhiyu, not wanting to alarm him, only showed the thinnest and smallest wound on his chest—likely caused by some shrapnel from the yacht explosion. A stark scar stretched across his firm, well-defined pectoral muscles. Though not large in size, it appeared to have been deeply cut. Even now that it had healed, the surface still bore what looked like a layer of dried blood.

Ling Ran's eyelashes gradually grew damp. No wonder he'd caught the scent of antiseptic on him.

So during those two weeks when he'd lost contact, he'd been lying unconscious in a hospital, covered in wounds.

Ling Ran leaned in closer, his lips warm and moist like they held a sip of tepid water. Very gently, he pressed a kiss onto that scar.

His soft lips lingered there without hurry to pull away. Maintaining this position against Jiang Zhiyu's chest, he kept the wound warm until it matched his own temperature before slowly lifting his head.

The little Omega's eyes glistened with unconcealed concern and tenderness as he asked, "Does it feel better when I kiss it...?"

Better was an understatement—it felt overwhelmingly good.

An uncontrollable heat surged through Jiang Zhiyu's veins. The temperature in the bathroom skyrocketed as the scent of tequila rapidly diffused through the steam, turning the bathtub's overflowing warm water into a pool of heated liquor.

The little Omega, intoxicated by this heady atmosphere, grew flushed and weak-limbed, collapsing helplessly into the enigma's embrace. When water overflows, it spills…

….

Ling Ran felt like he'd forgotten something extremely important tonight.

Something crucial.

Only when he heard the enigma's forewarning murmur did a sliver of rationality return to him.

….

The little Omega placed both hands protectively over his belly, his voice trembling with emotion. "H-here... there's a baby..."

Jiang Zhiyu froze. Slowly, his large palm covered Ling Ran's hands, an indescribable wave of joy and excitement crashing through him. No wonder he'd sensed something different about the little Omega tonight—it hadn't been his imagination after all.

Forcing his racing thoughts to calm, he first carefully lifted Ling Ran from the bathtub, wrapping him in a large fleece blanket before carrying him to the bed and tucking him in securely.

The room's heating was set high. Jiang Zhiyu merely threw on a robe before opening the door to summon several people inside.

Song Yi and the butler rushed in, along with several maids who regularly attended to Ling Ran. Even Qin Chengyue, hearing the commotion, came running over.

Sitting by the bedside with one hand gently stroking the little Omega's cheek, Jiang Zhiyu addressed the gathered crowd: "Who wants to speak first?"

Butler: "Mr. Jiang, I've already sent for the doctor—the family physician who's been overseeing Mr. Ling's health. He can provide you with detailed information about the situation."

Song Yi: "Don't worry, President Jiang. Mr. Ling should be approximately two months pregnant. According to the doctor's previous reports, both of them are in excellent condition."

Maid: "Mr. Ling maintains very regular daily habits—asleep before eleven and up by seven. It's an extremely healthy routine."

Only Qin Chengyue scratched his head and asked, "What's going on in the middle of the night? Why is Xiao Ran's face so red? Is he feeling unwell—could he have a fever?"

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at him: "No fever."

Qin Chengyue said in surprise, "Don't tell me you just found out Xiao Ran is pregnant? You two didn't... do anything just now, did you?"

The moment the pair had returned, they'd headed straight for the bathroom, leaving no opportunity for anyone else to intervene. After being apart for so long, it had been like sparks meeting dry tinder—ready to ignite instantly.

If Ling Ran hadn't remembered to mention it himself, Jiang Zhiyu would likely have already knotted inside him by now.

It depends on how far things went to be considered "not doing anything."

The doctor arrived quickly and urgently examined Ling Ran again.

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "Doctor, is my partner two months pregnant?"

The initial surge of excitement and joy that had shot straight to his head had been suppressed by now. No matter what answer the doctor gave, he would accept it calmly.

Even if the doctor now said it was all a misdiagnosis and Ling Ran wasn't pregnant at all.

But the doctor put away his instruments and nodded solemnly. "Yes, it's two months. However, has he been experiencing severe morning sickness? He seems quite thin, possibly due to inadequate nutrition, which isn't good for a pregnant Omega."

Jiang Zhiyu's breathing grew faint. "Understood. I'll take good care of him."

The doctor had already sized Jiang Zhiyu up when he entered and couldn't help but remind him, "Sir, since you're an Enigma, your union with an Omega is a special case. Now that your Omega is pregnant, you should stay by his side at all times—not just to provide pheromonal comfort but also emotional support and stability. A pregnant Omega becomes even more delicate and fragile, especially in the early stages. If necessary, I recommend you avoid living apart."

Jiang Zhiyu replied in a low voice, "I'll stay with him."

Had he known his little Omega was pregnant, he would never have sent him alone to London, no matter what.

Seeing his cooperation, the doctor added a few more points. "Also, remember to take your Omega for regular prenatal checkups—or I can come to perform them. And avoid letting his emotions fluctuate too much."

The doctor glanced at the little Omega's flushed face. "During the first few months of pregnancy, strenuous activities must be avoided." Jiang Zhiyu asked, "How strenuous counts as strenuous?"

The doctor replied, "For an Enigma, you absolutely must not knot in the reproductive cavity during the first three months."

Jiang Zhiyu then asked if it was only the first three months that were off-limits—did that mean it would be permissible afterward?

The doctor said it depended on the specifics—if the position and method were appropriate, then yes.

Jiang Zhiyu asked several detailed questions, and the doctor patiently answered each one. Their serious tones made it sound as though they were discussing some academic topic.

Qin Chengyue couldn't bear to listen any longer and hurried everyone else out of the room.

Before leaving, the doctor added, "In the later stages of pregnancy, you may need to assist with massaging and preparing the Omega's reproductive cavity in advance—but that's something for the eighth or ninth month. For now, you just need to be aware of the process."

Jiang Zhiyu acknowledged everything before seeing the doctor out.

Ling Ran had been slightly drunk earlier, his head fuzzy as he lay in bed feeling like the ceiling and bed were spinning. So he kept his eyes closed, obediently letting the doctor examine him.

By the time Jiang Zhiyu and the doctor began their conversation, he was mostly sober—but hearing those rather explicit topics, especially when they revolved around him, made his face slowly heat up until he felt like he was burning beneath the covers.

He desperately wanted to cover Mr. Jiang's mouth and beg him to stop asking such detailed questions.

Only when he heard the door open and close again did Ling Ran finally let out a slight sigh of relief.

The blanket was lifted, and he was pulled into a firm, intimate embrace—though this time, careful attention was paid to avoid pressing against his lower abdomen.

Jiang Zhiyu adjusted the smaller body in his arms, noticing the way his long lashes trembled incessantly. Even his pretense of sleep was so unconvincing, it made one's heart melt helplessly.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he leaned down, pressing their mouths together in a slow, lingering kiss. He savored it for a while before reluctantly pulling back, though their lips still brushed together, sticky and unwilling to part.

A thousand emotions swirled in his heart, impossible to fully convey. In the end, he could only express them in the simplest words.

"You've worked hard, baby."

"I love you."

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