TPLTMOE – Chapter 81

Hot water cascaded down from above, soaking the last thin layer of Ling Ran's undershirt.

The fabric gradually became nearly transparent, clinging to his fair, delicate skin as if faintly revealing the flesh beneath.

Ling Ran hadn't expected him to suddenly turn on the shower. His eyes held a trace of confusion as he frowned slightly, tilting his small face up to look at him.

Jiang Zhiyu said, "I was afraid you'd get cold if you were completely naked."

As he spoke, his gaze wandered over the slender, delicate waist of the person in his arms.

Two months in, and there was still no visible sign of pregnancy, so the little Omega's abdomen remained smooth and flat, pressed tightly by the drenched clothing. It seemed to tremble slightly under such brazen scrutiny.

He curled his fingers and lightly tapped the mysterious place where their treasure lay hidden.

The little Omega suddenly whimpered, his scattered awareness snapping back all at once.

His body felt as though it were weighed down by an invisible restraint—even the thin, waterlogged shirt had become heavy. Uncomfortable, he nuzzled against the Enigma's chest and murmured, "Take it off... take everything off..."

Only then did Jiang Zhiyu leisurely strip away the last barrier between them.

He washed the little Omega meticulously from head to toe, asking, "What were you thinking about earlier? You seemed so lost in thought." Ling Ran sat in the bathtub, cradled in his arms, his arms resting on the edge and his chin propped up lazily. He let the hands roam over his body without resistance, too relaxed to move.

"I was thinking about the story the shopkeeper told us today at the vintage store—the one about the Egyptian pharaoh and his wife. Do you think it was true?"

Jiang Zhiyu lathered some foam between his hands and slowly worked it into Ling Ran's hair, his long fingers threading through the soft, dark strands with gentle pressure.

The probability of the story being true was zero. Jiang Zhiyu had recognized the ring immediately—it was part of a pair with the Jiang family's ancestral signet ring, crafted at great expense by a supreme ruler to flaunt his power and status. Over time, one had been kept by the Jiang family, while the other had ended up in an unremarkable vintage shop in London.

The meaning of rings was always assigned by people—they could symbolize authority, but they could also represent beauty and love.

So instead of dousing his enthusiasm, Jiang Zhiyu asked, "Do you think it was?"

Ling Ran thought carefully before answering, "I think it probably was."

Jiang Zhiyu said, "Then it's true."

Ling Ran's eyes sparkled as he asked, "You think so too, don't you? You also found the story touching, right?"

They must have loved each other deeply—otherwise, why would they have used rings to make such profound vows?

Jiang Zhiyu picked up the showerhead to rinse the foam from Ling Ran's hair and said, "Close your eyes."

Ling Ran obediently shut them, only reopening them eagerly once the suds were washed away. His dark, bright eyes gleamed as he waited for Jiang Zhiyu's answer.

Jiang Zhiyu knew he couldn't stop thinking about that ring, so he humored him and continued, "Yes, very touching."

If only he had said it with a little more emotion, it might have sounded more convincing.

The little Omega had been washed clean from head to toe, now soft and fragrant like a snowy-white cake, so smooth in the arms that he might slip right through the fingers.

Jiang Zhiyu wrapped him up snugly, dried his hair, and placed him on the large bed.

Ling Ran instinctively burrowed under the covers, and once the enigma lay beside him, he obediently nestled into his embrace.

But who would have thought that the same enigma who had clung to him without restraint during the day would suddenly turn into a restrained and disciplined gentleman at night?

He still held the little Omega in his arms, but not as tightly as before. He still kissed the corner of his lips, but only briefly, never deepening the touch.

With his eyes still closed, Ling Ran felt a hand gently ruffle the back of his head before a low voice murmured, "Sleep, baby."

Ling Ran opened his eyes again, staring at the enigma so close to him. His damp, flushed lips parted slightly, as if still yearning for the comfort that had been abruptly denied.

Had there ever been a night when the two of them lay in bed together so quietly?

The pregnant little Omega was already prone to mood swings, and now, recalling how the enigma had seemed to brush off the romantic story behind the ring earlier—as if he were just humoring him, not truly believing in it—Ling Ran felt both hurt and wronged.

He turned away in the enigma's arms, presenting the back of his head, biting his lip in silent sorrow.

Jiang Zhiyu took a deep breath. Holding him like this was already testing his self-control. He hadn't been able to fully satisfy him last night, and following the doctor's orders, he couldn't tonight either. The sweet, soft little Omega in his arms was driving him mad—he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold back.

Gently, he turned the little body back to face him.

Now lying eye to eye, Jiang Zhiyu lifted his chin and kissed him.

This time, it wasn't just a fleeting touch. He kissed him thoroughly, deeply, until the little Omega was pliant and sweet with desire, only then pulling back slightly.

Ling Ran's breathing was ragged, his clothes disheveled.

As their lips parted, a silvery thread of intimacy lingered at the corner of the little Omega's flushed mouth. Jiang Zhiyu wiped it away with his thumb and asked in a low voice, "Still upset?"

Ling Ran, still catching his breath, pouted. "Y-you lied to me. You don't even believe in that story."

Jiang Zhiyu patiently explained, "I didn't lie. It's just that ancient legends often have multiple versions, and over time, people add their own interpretations. So what we hear now might already be embellished. But that doesn't mean the meaning behind it isn't beautiful—regardless of its truth."

His reasoning was sound, and the little Omega, who had been ready to stay angry, found himself with nothing left to resent. Still, he kept a stern face and pressed on, "Then... you didn't even hold me properly earlier."

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to exhale faintly before tightening his arms, pulling him flush against his chest.

"Is this better?"

The little Omega felt somewhat satisfied, nodding in his embrace before adding, "You didn't kiss me properly at first either..."

He was referring to that perfunctory kiss earlier.

Jiang Zhiyu gently cupped his chin, his thumb pressing irresistibly into the soft, damp corner of his lips. With a bit of pressure downward, the little Omega's mouth was forced open to the point where he couldn't close it, the tender little tongue hidden inside now fully exposed in a vulnerable position, as if trembling in fear—only making it all the more tantalizing.

Jiang Zhiyu cradled the back of his head with his other hand, pulling him closer before sealing their lips together again.

This time, it was a full-on, breath-stealing kiss, leaving no room for respite. The restrained, suppressed nature within him leaked out uncontrollably, clearly frightening the little Omega in his arms.

He had only been holding back out of consideration for his body, but since he wanted it, there was no reason to hold back when it came to kissing.

By the time the little Omega had melted into a pool of intoxicating grape juice, his translucent skin soaked through as if drenched in spring water, shimmering with a dewy glow, the Enigma finally took mercy and ended the kiss that had stretched on to the brink of suffocation.

The little Omega lay there like a stranded fish, its tail no longer able to flop, just limp against the sand, mouth agape, his face flushed an unnatural shade of pink—as if drunk or burning with fever.

Afraid he might catch a chill, Jiang Zhiyu tucked the blankets snugly around him before leaning down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. "I'm going to take a shower. If you're tired, go ahead and sleep."

A simple kiss had turned into a full-blown camping expedition—there was no way he could sleep like this. And since the Enigma was well aware of his own physical state, letting the little Omega rest first was the wisest choice.

But just as he finished speaking and made to rise, the hem of his shirt was suddenly caught by a delicate, weak hand.

Ling Ran had little strength left, his voice soft as he blushed and looked up at him shyly. "I... I can help you..."

Jiang Zhiyu paused for a moment before quirking his lips into a faint smile. Sitting back on the edge of the bed, he pinched the boy's cheek affectionately. "Does baby know how to help?"

Ling Ran's gaze flickered downward, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the sight. He measured it mentally and concluded that such a monstrous thing was probably beyond his capabilities.

But since he was the one who had reduced the Enigma to this state, he mustered his courage and gave a small nod.

"I-I know," Ling Ran said, lifting the covers in invitation. "I can try first."

Jiang Zhiyu studied the earnest determination on his little face, his gaze lingering on those swollen, cherry-red lips before climbing back into bed.

It didn't matter if he didn't know—he could teach him.

But teaching required a teaching aid, and between the two of them, the little Omega would have to serve as the demonstration material first.

He was soon reduced to a sobbing spring, muffling his cries into the blankets, terrified of being overheard.

The Enigma rescued the fabric from his teeth, giving his waist a light pat at the same time.

"Switch."

As if following an order, the little Omega was lifted up and down repeatedly until he ran out of strength, then was carried to the bathroom for a quick rinse.

The bedsheet was damp and sticky, mingling with sweat, grape juice, and a hint of tequila.

Fortunately, the bed was large enough. Jiang Zhiyu held him on the drier side, letting him nestle snugly in his arms.

The little Omega had already been exhausted from exploring so many places earlier that day. Now, with his eyes still red, he fell asleep almost instantly.

The next morning, they nearly overslept for work. Jiang Zhiyu wanted Ling Ran to rest longer and had already arranged leave for him, but Ling Ran, still preoccupied with his project, rushed to the office just in time.

After seeing Ling Ran into the building, Jiang Zhiyu, observing his enthusiasm and drive, decided not to bring up the idea of cutting his study visit short for rest. Instead, he chose to support him in pursuing what he loved—encouraging him from behind, lifting him when needed, and clearing obstacles from his path. That, after all, was what a proper partner should do.

Jiang Zhiyu returned to the café to continue working. Meanwhile, Song Yi sent him a few menu options for feedback. Skimming through, Jiang Zhiyu picked a few of Ling Ran's favorites and some balanced, nutritious dishes, leaving the rest for Song Yi to decide.

Back home, Jiang Zhichen was temporarily overseeing things, and the secretary provided daily summaries of all company projects, so Jiang Zhiyu could accompany Ling Ran while also recuperating.

He drove Ling Ran to work every morning and picked him up after.

Sometimes, they would stroll through London's streets together, visiting places Ling Ran hadn't had time to explore. On weekends, Ling Ran invited Qin Chengyue to join them, but after just one outing, Qin refused to tag along again—he had no interest in being a third wheel. Besides, Jiang Zhiyu would hand him a card to keep him occupied, which Qin happily used for shopping sprees.

On clear days, Jiang Zhiyu would hold Ling Ran's hand as they walked along the Thames, all the way to the London Eye.

The London Eye stood like a radiant jewel embedded along the riverbank. As the Ferris wheel slowly ascended, the entire city unfolded like a painting—grand clusters of architecture, some elegant and historic, others sleek and modern, while the winding Thames shimmered like a flowing jade ribbon under golden sunlight.

The river's sparkling surface reflected countless glimmers of light, and amidst this brilliance, the two shared a kiss inside the Ferris wheel. While browsing a small shop, Ling Ran noticed a thick stack of postcards on the wall, featuring photos of the recent aurora sightings over London.

Ling Ran's proposal had been approved. On Friday evening—Christmas Eve—he would appear on BTC News' global broadcast to deliver a one-minute explanation about the aurora phenomenon in London. Though brief, the segment would air across over 100 international platforms, a dreamlike achievement for Ling Ran.

Since his student days, he had watched and learned from international news channels, never imagining that one day he would appear on one—as a news anchor, no less.

Ling Ran wanted that stack of aurora postcards, so Jiang Zhiyu bought every single one in the store featuring aurora photos.

Ling Ran was overjoyed. When they got home, he spread them all out on the bed, carefully picking his favorites to give as farewell gifts to his colleagues and bosses at BTC before leaving.

He sat at the desk and wrote two, but his English handwriting looked childish and messy.

When he glanced up, he saw the enigma standing beside the desk, watching him.

A sudden idea struck Ling Ran. He handed the pen to Jiang Zhiyu and pulled him down onto the chair. "Write one for me, let me see."

Jiang Zhiyu wrote two words on the back of the postcard in elegant, flowing cursive—so precise it looked like printed text.

Ling Ran's eyes lit up. He immediately piled the remaining postcards beside Jiang Zhiyu, then, after a moment's thought, slid his arms around him and settled onto his lap, wrapping his arms around his neck in a sweet, pleading tone. "Your handwriting is so pretty. Can you write all of these for me? I'll just sign my name, okay?"

Jiang Zhiyu held him, tapping the pen lightly against his plump lower lip.

"You just learned how to ask properly."

Ling Ran pouted, then quickly leaned in to press a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. His hands swayed playfully behind Jiang Zhiyu's neck as he murmured in a honeyed voice, "Husband, husband, please? Help me, can you...?"

Jiang Zhiyu kissed him deeply, finally licking his lip before murmuring, "Fine."

Ling Ran beamed, pulling out a postcard and holding it steady for Jiang Zhiyu.

With one arm wrapped around Ling Ran, Jiang Zhiyu wrote a message on each postcard as instructed, while Lingran signed his name afterward.

The postcards Ling Ran had chosen all featured stunning aurora shots. He hadn't gotten to see the brief aurora in London that night—he'd been too exhausted, fast asleep in the enigma's arms.

"This one's so beautiful, I don't want to give it away. I'll keep it for myself," Ling Ran mused, hesitating over another. "But this one's gorgeous too... and that one... They're all so pretty, what should I do...?"

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "Baby, do you want to see the real aurora?"

Without looking up, Ling Ran sighed, "Of course, but we missed it. London doesn't get auroras often—it's rare. We probably won't get another chance."

In the end, he reluctantly picked a few more for Jiang Zhiyu to finish.

***

On Christmas Eve, the entire city was bathed in festive cheer. Trees lining the streets glittered with Christmas lights, and the air was rich with the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread.

At 8 PM sharp, Ling Ran's face appeared on BTC News' global broadcast.

"From 11 PM on December 20th to 3 AM on December 21st, a brief aurora phenomenon appeared in the northern suburbs of our city, caused by the intense geomagnetic storm from previous days. Given London's relatively southern location—where auroras typically occur in high-latitude regions—this visible aurora within the city is exceptionally rare. Those who witnessed it were incredibly fortunate. As for the geomagnetic storm mentioned earlier..."

The young Omega on screen spoke at a measured pace, his smile sweet. With naturally rosy lips and pearly teeth, pregnancy had cast an almost holy glow over him, his every glance brimming with tender affection that made it impossible to look away.

Jiang Zhiyu entered the BTC building directly and was guided to wait outside the studio until Ling Ran finished recording.

Ling Ran's segment was brief, allowing him to leave early once it aired.

The department head praised his performance, remarking how effortlessly he carried himself—unlike a newcomer—and even tentatively asked if he'd consider resigning to work full-time in London. BTC rarely hired fresh anchors, but Ling Ran's exceptional performance had won the department head's approval, connections aside.

Yet Ling Ran declined politely, almost without hesitation.

He couldn't bear to be apart from Jiang Zhiyu, nor could he leave Haishi, the city he'd called home for twenty years.

He would return eventually.

Just as the department head was about to say more, Ling Ran suddenly spotted a familiar figure outside the studio's glass wall. Stunned, he quickly bid farewell and dashed out the door.

Jiang Zhiyu caught him, tapping his forehead in warning.

"I told you not to run."

Ling Ran nodded eagerly, burrowing into his arms. "I promise I won't next time! But why are you here? How did you get in?"

Jiang Zhiyu shrugged. "Followed a delivery guy up."

Ling Ran blinked. "Security's tight here—no one stopped you?"

"They probably mistook me for VIP. No one dared."

Ling Ran laughed. "You're such a show-off."

The department head trailing behind recognized Jiang Zhiyu's face and nearly gasped aloud, but Jiang Zhiyu shook his head subtly, signaling silence.

Understanding, the department head bowed respectfully before leaving.

Jiang Zhiyu took Ling Ran's hand. "Clock out, Anchor Ling. It's Christmas Eve—care for a date?"

As they walked hand-in-hand, Ling Ran pretended to deliberate before declaring solemnly, "Fine, I'll give you the chance. But you'd better impress me."

Yet Ling Ran never expected Jiang Zhiyu's idea of a date would be more than just dinner at a high-end London restaurant and a festive stroll. Instead, their driver took them straight to the airport, where Jiang Zhiyu boarded the earliest flight to Tromsø, Norway.

This serene little city, nestled like a solitary pearl within the Arctic Circle, was known as the "Gateway to the Arctic." Countless visitors flocked here yearly, drawn by the allure of the northern lights.

By the time they landed, night had fallen. A private escort whisked them away to a mountain lodge hotel.

The night was clear, and with temperatures only around minus five or six degrees Celsius, it wasn't too cold—perfect for viewing the aurora from the mountaintop.

Before heading out, Jiang Zhiyu bundled Ling Ran up warmly, sticking several heat patches on his base layer, especially placing two on his abdomen. He then topped it off with a fluffy bear-eared hat and wrapped a scarf snugly around him. Only then did the two of them follow the hotel guide and climb into the jeep.

The mountain road was rough, and outside, it was pitch black with nothing visible. The windows were fogged with a hazy white mist, and the interior heating was cranked up a bit too high. Dressed in so many layers, Ling Ran soon started feeling uncomfortably warm.

He wanted to take off his hat, but Jiang Zhiyu, worried he might catch a cold, wouldn't allow it. Instead, he loosened the scarf slightly, revealing a face that had been tightly bundled up, now flushed a delicate pink from the warmth.

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