TPLTMOE – Chapter 83

Ling Ran had only vague memories of what happened after the proposal. The only clear recollection was that red ribbon being tied somewhere else.

He and Jiang Zhiyu had agreed not to harm the little one in his belly, but by the end, Ling Ran was still clutching his stomach, crying pitifully.

This time, Jiang Zhiyu showed little mercy. Keeping the doctor's advice in mind, he avoided internal knotting but made sure everything else was thoroughly done.

Carrying the exhausted little Omega from the bed to the bathroom for a wash, they lingered there for a while before finally emerging.

Finally placed back on the bed, clean and dry, Ling Ran could barely keep his eyes open. His slender legs trembled uncontrollably—and this was with Jiang Zhiyu holding back for his sake. Had he not, Ling Ran would have long since passed out from the intensity.

Jiang Zhiyu reached under the blanket, lifting one of his legs.

The little Omega, who had already closed his eyes to sleep, was startled awake. Shivering, he kicked weakly a couple of times, letting out soft, indistinct whimpers from his delicate throat.

No... wasn't it over already...?

Jiang Zhiyu leaned down to kiss his slightly swollen lips, pressing close as he murmured, "No more. Just checking if you're hurt."

Once satisfied that the little Omega was unharmed, Jiang Zhiyu gently stroked his lower abdomen and asked in a low voice, "Baby, does it hurt inside?"

Ling Ran kept his eyes closed, taking a moment to assess before slowly shaking his head.

Relieved, Jiang Zhiyu lay down beside him, wrapping the soft little body back into his arms.

"Goodnight, baby."

***

Tromsø wasn't very large, with cultural attractions like the Northern Lights Museum within the city.

Originally, Jiang Zhiyu had planned to take Ling Ran around the next day, but after the previous night's excesses, Ling Ran slept until noon. By the time he lazily got up and finished lunch, it was already close to 3 p.m.

After a brief stroll through Tromsø, the group didn't linger and flew straight back to London.

They arrived before midnight, still on Christmas Day. Using some connections, Jiang Zhiyu whisked the freshly landed little Omega off to get a certain document.

A marriage certificate.

He couldn't wait to tie the little Omega to him completely—couldn't even wait for a wedding before making it official. Just the thought of Oliver was enough to drown him in jealousy. With only a month and a half left of the exchange program, if another alpha or beta appeared out of nowhere, he couldn't guarantee he'd remain as composed as before.

Now, with the marriage certificate, he was Ling Ran's lawful husband.

Qin Chengyue only found out about the marriage some time later. He was stunned, taking a long while to process the news. Though he'd always known Ling Ran would eventually marry Jiang Zhiyu, he hadn't expected them to move so swiftly—and so quietly.

By the end of January, the Lunar New Year was approaching.

Ling Ran's belly grew heavier by the day, and Jiang Zhiyu, unwilling to let him continue working, arranged for an early end to the exchange program. They planned to return home before the New Year, while Qin Chengyue stayed in London to wrap up the remaining tasks.

Since Jiang Zhiyu suddenly disappeared some time ago, there hasn't been any news about him for so long. Many tabloids have been speculating about what might have happened to the Jiang family—whether the young leader Jiang Zhiyu had actually met with an accident, leaving the Jiang family and Jiang Corporation leaderless.

Or perhaps, the Jiang family had already undergone a power shift.

Some even went as far as claiming that Jiang Zhiyu had died unexpectedly, with people spotting his critical condition notice at a hospital. The Jiang family was supposedly keeping it under wraps to prevent others from taking advantage of the situation to undermine Jiang Corporation.

Ling Ran came across many such articles online, some written so convincingly that they claimed Jiang Zhiyu wasn't even in the country—that he had several mistresses abroad and had been flying around to accompany them on vacations.

Ling Ran waved his phone screen in front of the enigma's eyes and asked, "Is any of this true? Am I not the only one? Hubby."

Jiang Zhiyu had insisted on being called "hubby." At first, Ling Ran would blush and refuse, but after being teased a few times, he started saying it obediently. Before long, it even began to feel natural.

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at his phone, locked the screen, and tucked the fleece blanket tighter around him.

"Stop reading such trashy news."

Ling Ran's eyes were misty, his large belly making him look pitiful—like a pampered mistress kept abroad by a powerful man.

"You haven't answered me yet, hubby."

Jiang Zhiyu couldn't help but laugh, leaning in to kiss the corner of his lips. "You're the only one, baby."

With Jiang Zhiyu sticking to him like a personal caretaker, Ling Ran obviously knew the rumors were nonsense. But the long flight was boring, so he kept pestering Jiang Zhiyu with questions.

"What about in the future? Could you fall for someone else, hubby?"

"Never. Only you."

Ling Ran pointed to his bulging belly under the blanket. "What about this baby, hubby? Don't you love this baby?"

Jiang Zhiyu took his hand and gently kneaded it in his palm. "I do. But I love you the most."

Every answer was flawless. After a few rounds of this, Ling Ran got bored again and pouted, scrolling through his phone on his own.

Jiang Zhiyu interlaced their fingers—both wearing rings—and took a photo with his phone before typing something.

As Ling Ran kept browsing, he suddenly came across a push notification from Jiang Zhiyu's Weibo.

He thought Jiang Zhiyu never used his personal account, but the first post turned out to be an official announcement.

The photo showed their clasped hands, taken just moments ago. The caption was simple: [Married.]

Ling Ran watched as the post turned from red to trending, then exploded into a purple "BLAST," directly topping the hot search list.

The long-missing CEO of Jiang Corporation had finally resurfaced—only to announce his marriage. The internet was abuzz with speculation about who the renowned Jiang Zhiyu's partner could be. Some guessed it was a former business associate, others thought it might be the female secretary who had been by his side for years, and a few even suspected one of the mistresses he had brought back from abroad.

But no matter how they guessed, hardly anyone could have imagined Ling Ran's true identity.

No one would ever associate the two of them together, Ling Ran thought silently as he scrolled through the comments under the trending topic.

Just as he was pondering this, a particular comment suddenly caught his eye:

[Am I the only one who thinks the other hand looks exactly like Anchor Ling's?]

Only two people had responded beneath it:

[I thought I was the only one who noticed! It really looks like my wife's delicate hands. Plus, my wife had previously announced a boyfriend on Weibo—damn it, I thought it was just a boyfriend at the time. Could it actually be a husband? Wuwu...]

[Looks like we share the same wife, lol. I can confidently tell you that hand is definitely Ling Ran's. His fingernails are very pink and pretty—I'd recognize them anywhere.]

After reading the comments, Ling Ran quickly glanced at his own fingernails—small, round, and indeed tinged with a soft pink hue.

This comment was buried among tens of thousands of others, barely noticed and clearly not widely agreed upon.

Ling Ran held up his phone to show Jiang Zhiyu, exclaiming in surprise, "Someone actually guessed it!"

Jiang Zhiyu's expression darkened slightly as he read the follow-up comments. He knew Ling Ran had many devoted fans who affectionately called him "wife," but this was a bit much.

"Are your eyes tired? Put the phone away and rest for a while."

Ling Ran shook his head. "I'm not tired. I can keep scrolling a bit longer."

He had slept too much during the day and wasn't the least bit sleepy now. It was almost 10 p.m., and with eight more hours until the plane landed, Jiang Zhiyu indulged him a little longer before finally confiscating his phone and pulling him into his arms to sleep.

By the time the plane landed, Ling Ran was still fast asleep. Jiang Zhiyu carried him off the plane and straight into the waiting car.

Instead of returning to Yutang Residence, the car headed to the beachfront villa.

The villa was far more spacious, easily accommodating the additional maids and staff. Given that Ling Ran was now carrying a child, Jiang Zhiyu wanted no fewer than seven or eight people attending to his every need.

Ling Ran had stopped going to the office to focus on his pregnancy at home. Though he didn't consider himself particularly delicate, Jiang Zhiyu wasn't taking any chances. To keep Ling Ran from getting bored, he had Ning Xinqiao assign him some remote work tasks.

During the New Year, Jiang Zhiyu didn't return to the family estate, choosing instead to celebrate with Ling Ran at the villa.

Jiang Zhiyu's father had only learned about his son's marriage through online rumors. Despite widespread speculation, no one had managed to uncover the true identity of Jiang Zhiyu's spouse.

Not long after, the old patriarch's birthday banquet was approaching. Initially, Jiang Zhiyu had no intention of attending, but after a call from the family estate, he changed his mind.

Jiang Zhiyu pulled his visibly pregnant Omega onto his lap, his large hand resting gently on the rounded swell of Ling Ran's belly.

"Sweetheart, let's talk about something."

Ling Ran was happily munching on a bowl of rose-scented grapes—freshly washed by Song Yi—that perfectly matched the fragrance of his own pheromones. He'd become somewhat addicted to them lately.

"Go ahead," he mumbled around a mouthful.

Jiang Zhiyu took the fruit bowl from him—he'd already eaten enough for one day, and any more might upset his stomach.

"The old man's birthday banquet is at the family estate. Will you come with me?"

Ling Ran nodded without hesitation. "Of course!"

Jiang Zhiyu's palm pressed warmly against the soft skin of Ling Ran's belly, tracing slow, soothing circles.

The little Omega loved it most when his belly was stroked like this, snuggling comfortably in the enigma's embrace as the baby inside seemed to sense their father's touch.

"Are you not afraid, with so many people attending?"

These days, it wasn't just his belly that had rounded out—soft, plush flesh had filled his entire body, making him delightfully pleasant to touch.

Jiang Zhiyu was thoroughly pleased with how he had nurtured his Omega into this fair, soft, and adorably beautiful state.

Omegas were born to be cherished in the palms of one's hands, nourished with love, so they could bloom into the most enchanting fruits. Ling Ran's dark, luminous eyes gleamed as he wrapped his arms around the enigma's neck. "Not afraid at all, not with you by my side."

With his beloved beside him, even the fiercest flames or sharpest blades wouldn't frighten him—because he knew those hands would always be there to catch him.

Jiang Zhiyu's heart trembled faintly. He lowered his head and captured Ling Ran's lips in a kiss that tasted of rose-scented grapes.

***

Though called a birthday banquet, the event was far too extravagant—more like an elite gathering of Haishi's upper crust, with every notable figure present to pay their respects to the old patriarch.

The vast lawn was already packed with cars by the time they arrived, the guests having long since moved into the main hall.

Jiang Zhiyu kept an arm securely around Ling Ran's waist, guiding him carefully toward the entrance.

The threshold was slightly high, and Jiang Zhiyu practically lifted him over it.

From outside, Ling Ran had heard the lively chatter within, but the moment the two of them stepped inside, the entire hall fell into abrupt silence.

He lifted his gaze and instantly met countless scrutinizing stares.

Every person in the room had gone quiet, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief, as though they had stumbled upon some earth- shattering secret.

The crystal chandelier cast an incomparable brilliance, its dreamlike radiance enveloping the pair by the doorway like figures stepping out of a painting.

The enigma stood tall and broad-shouldered, his imposing frame effortlessly shielding the delicate, fragile Omega in his arms. His cold, penetrating gaze swept indifferently across the room.

The onlookers' eyes faltered under that unassailable pressure, hastily averting their stares.

Yet some had already recognized Ling Ran—the youngest son of the Ling family, who had recently broken off his engagement with the Jiang family's second branch. After the dissolution of that betrothal, the two families were supposed to have severed all ties. So how had he ended up entangled with Jiang Zhiyu?

And with a baby on the way, no less!!

Gradually, the murmur of conversation and clinking glasses resumed, but beneath the surface of forced composure, the explosive news surged like a tempest beneath calm waters. Everyone maintained a facade of indifference while exchanging furtive glances over their wine.

Even with ample mental preparation, Ling Ran still felt unbearably exposed under the sudden scrutiny. His legs nearly forgot how to move, and his palm grew damp with sweat in Jiang Zhiyu's grasp.

Whispers swirled around them, but Jiang Zhiyu simply held his hand firmly, guiding him toward the seat of honor at the grand table.

As they passed a small group, one of the guests, facing away, muttered under his breath—just loud enough to be overheard.

"It's the old master's birthday banquet today, and Jiang Zhiyu actually brought that dubious Omega out in public. Didn't it come out recently that he's already married? Could it be to that Omega?"

"Most likely. That kid looks quite pretty. I bet President Jiang just wanted to have some fun at first, but things got out of hand—knocked the Omega up. Now that the situation can't be hidden anymore, he has no choice but to make it official."

"How can the Jiang family be so messy? An uncle getting together with his nephew's fiancée? Didn't the second branch demand the engagement be called off because that Omega was supposedly infertile? Now he's pregnant—who said he couldn't conceive? And judging by the size, he must be five or six months along. If you do the math, they must've been sneaking around behind Jiang Shengyi's back even before the engagement was broken off!"

"Keep your voice down. If anyone hears us, we're done for."

No sooner had the words left their mouths than Jiang Zhiyu happened to be standing right behind them. He let out a soft chuckle, his tone eerily calm. If not for the icy, murderous glint in his eyes, no one would have guessed the fury simmering beneath.

"You are done for."

The group nearly jumped out of their skins at the sound. Turning around, they found the terrifyingly imposing enigma looming behind them, his towering figure radiating nothing but disdain and irritation. The way he looked down at them was as if they were nothing more than dead dogs on the roadside.

Without another word, he took Ling Ran's hand and walked straight through the group, seating himself at the head of the table in full view of everyone. Ling Ran sat close beside him, while those who had spoken out of turn would be dealt with accordingly.

Before long, everyone who had participated in the discussion—whether they had directly insulted Ling Ran or not—was "politely" escorted out of the main hall. To speak disrespectfully at a Jiang family banquet and offend the all-powerful patriarch meant their futures would be anything but bright.

The events surrounding Jiang Zhiyu's disappearance had already sparked endless speculation. How the once-prominent Dong family had collapsed overnight. How the ruthless Dong Hui had been outmaneuvered to the point of dying without a whole corpse. How the second branch of the Jiang family, once on equal footing with the main branch, had been pushed to the brink of being erased from the family registry. How Jiang Zhiyu had turned the tables in a losing game and ascended to the seat of the Chamber of Commerce president. And before that, how the Tang family had been driven to financial ruin, how the Ling family had been forced into bankruptcy...

It seemed no one who crossed Jiang Zhiyu ever met a good end. But as for which of them had offended him directly and which had merely wronged those close to him—few knew the full truth.

Seated at the head of the room, Jiang Zhiyu was now instructing someone to replace the tea in Ling Ran's cup. The Junshan Silver Needle brewed in the purple clay teapot was swapped out for a steaming glass of milk, which looked oddly out of place on the dazzling golden nanmu table.

Jiang Zhiyu tested the temperature with the back of his hand before handing it to the little Omega, his voice gentle. "It's not too hot now. Drink slowly."

The obedient-looking Omega smiled sweetly, taking the cup in both hands and sipping carefully.

Even the most oblivious person could see it now—this was Jiang Zhiyu's treasured darling, guarded as preciously as his own eyes. No one was allowed to lay a finger on him.

The spotlight of today's banquet should have been on Old Master Jiang, yet everyone's attention was now fixed on Ling Ran.

When the old man descended the stairs and noticed someone sitting beside Jiang Zhiyu, he was immediately puzzled. The young omega looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen him before.

It wasn't until Second Wife Jiang, standing beside him, exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Ran?" that realization struck. The old man's slightly clouded eyes widened in shock—this pregnant omega was none other than the one once engaged to the second branch of the family!

Second Wife Jiang had already stepped forward, eyeing the pronounced swell beneath Ling Ran's loose clothing. Though aged and with dimming eyesight, her mind remained sharp.

"You... you two..." She struggled to regain her composure. "What is this...?"

Jiang Zhiyu had always been gentle and respectful toward her. "Didn't you say you liked Ling Ran and wanted him to be part of the family?"

Her lips trembled in disbelief. It was true she had said that—but she had meant for Ling Ran to marry her grandson, Jiang Shengyi, not him!

Jiang Zhiyu added, "Now, we are family."

Second Wife Jiang fell silent. Ling Ran shot Jiang Zhiyu a glance, displeased with his bluntness. The old woman's health wasn't the best, and he worried the shock might affect her.

Gently taking her hand, Ling Ran spoke in a soft, pleading voice, "Grandma, I'm sorry. We should have told you sooner, but I was afraid you wouldn't accept it... I was afraid you'd stop liking me, that you'd hate me..."

His voice grew smaller, sounding utterly pitiful. Knowing the hardships Ling Ran had endured, her heart softened instantly. She patted his hand and sighed, "Silly child, how could I ever hate you? I only ever wanted you to be happy."

"If... well, if Shengyi wasn't meant for you, then perhaps this is the best outcome."

The pair before her did look well-matched, and what was done was done. Besides, it was their own choice. Second Wife Jiang was open-minded—what was there to oppose?

"Xiao Ran, if Zhiyu ever dares to bully you, come straight to me. I'll still stand up for you."

Ling Ran smiled sweetly, his eyes curving. "Thank you, Grandma."

Beside him, Jiang Zhiyu, amused by his charm, wrapped an arm around his waist and playfully corrected, "Sweetheart, you should call her Auntie now. Otherwise, it'll mess up the family hierarchy."

As Second Wife Jiang was Old Master Jiang's sister-in-law, she was Jiang Zhiyu's aunt. Now married to him, Ling Ran would have to adjust accordingly.

But after years of calling her "Grandma," addressing a white-haired woman decades his senior as "Auntie" felt awkward. He hesitated, unable to force the word out.

Just as Jiang Zhiyu was about to patiently explain again, Old Master Jiang suddenly approached, his expression stormy, and ordered Jiang Zhiyu to follow him to the study.

Ling Ran clung to his arm worriedly, but Jiang Zhiyu reassured him with a pat. "Don't worry. Stay here and wait for me."

Once Ling Ran nodded, Jiang Zhiyu rose and followed the old man into the study.

The moment he stepped in, the old man bellowed angrily, "Have you no shame at all? How much younger is that child than you? He was even engaged to Shengyi before—he's practically your junior! When exactly did you start having these improper thoughts about him?!"

Jiang Zhiyu remained unperturbed: "The first time we met."

He had later tried to recall when exactly he'd fallen so deeply for Ling Ran that he couldn't let go, but couldn't pinpoint an exact moment.

Perhaps it all started from their very first meeting—when he saw that trembling little Omega pitifully building a nest on Jiang Shengyi's bed—that he began his irreversible descent into the abyss.

Hearing this, the old man's temples throbbed violently. He didn't know whether to call his son a pervert, mentally disturbed, or perhaps both.

"Have you ever thought about how you'll explain yourself to Shengyi if you see him at home again?"

"No," Jiang Zhiyu replied indifferently. "And there's no need for explanations."

He had exiled Jiang Shengyi to Northern Europe, where he could hardly return home even once a year. And even if he did, Jiang Zhiyu would never allow Ling Ran to see him again.

The old man was practically spitting blood from anger: "Is this how you solve problems?"

Jiang Zhiyu said, "It's the most efficient way."

He didn't need to consult anyone's opinion. He stood above everyone else, so his word was the only one that mattered.

The old man was advanced in years. Since the Jiang family had already been passed down to him, there was no need for further interference.

Jiang Zhiyu knew the old man had summoned him solely to discuss Ling Ran. Circling the issue was pointless, so he cut to the chase: "We've already registered our marriage. The wedding is being planned and will take place soon. Anything else you want to ask?"

The old man fixed him with a sharp gaze: "Did you two get a prenuptial asset assessment?"

"No," Jiang Zhiyu answered with unusual frankness. "We signed a prenup."

The old man instantly relaxed—what mattered most to him was the Jiang family's interests. "A prenup works too. If you divorce in the future, it'll save you the hassle of lawsuits and procedures."

"Exactly. Saves trouble."

Jiang Zhiyu smiled faintly before dropping a bombshell: "If we divorce, all assets go to him."

"I walk away with nothing."

The old man's vision darkened instantly. He stood up so abruptly he nearly fainted. "W-what did you say?!"

"Are you out of your mind, or am I hearing things? You're giving everything to him—an outsider?!"

Jiang Zhiyu's expression cooled. "The child in his belly is your own grandson. Does that make him an outsider?"

The old man was silenced. He had indeed noticed the Omega's prominently rounded belly. No elder would refuse the chance to hold a grandchild soon. Gritting his teeth, he conceded half a step: "The child is of course part of the Jiang family, but his mother is another matter. How can you guarantee he'll never change his heart and stay with you for life?"

Jiang Zhiyu seemed to sigh softly. "That's why I'm trying my best."

He added, "You should put in some effort too—treat him well. Do your part to keep him from leaving me."

***

Jiang Shengyi rushed all the way from the Swiss countryside for two full days, finally arriving just in time for the old man's birthday banquet.

After landing, he headed straight to the ancestral home, dusty from the journey and still in his travel clothes. Fortunately, the banquet had only just reached its midpoint.

Stepping out of the car, he straightened his attire before walking toward the main hall.

The lawn outside was packed with luxury cars of every make. He recognized a few familiar ones and was about to enter to greet their owners when a deep black Bugatti Divo suddenly caught his eye.

Jiang Shengyi thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. He stared intently for a moment before a surge of boiling blood suddenly shot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head. His fists clenched until they creaked, and his eyes burned nearly crimson.

He would never forget this car—its owner was that damned alpha who had snatched Ling Ran right before his eyes!

He never expected that bastard would deliver himself to his doorstep today. Now that he was on his turf, there would be no mercy!

Brimming with rage, Jiang Shengyi stormed into the main hall. Someone immediately noticed him and approached with a smile to greet him.

In no mood for pleasantries, he scanned the room for unfamiliar faces but found none. Then his gaze abruptly landed on the petite Omega sitting beside the host's seat at the Eight Immortals table, chatting and laughing with Granny Jiang.

His eyes widened in disbelief. Was he hallucinating from missing Ling Ran too much?

That fair-skinned, sweet-smelling little Omega—could it really be Ling Ran?!

Like a man possessed, Jiang Shengyi stepped closer, his eyes locked onto Ling Ran's face.

The two at the table soon noticed him. Granny Jiang brightened and beckoned him over.

"Shengyi's back! Come sit here. Have you lost weight, dear?" she fretted. "Have you been having a hard time over there?"

Jiang Shengyi's gaze might as well have been glued to Ling Ran. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he suddenly noticed something that froze him in place. The fiery rage in his chest was doused in an instant, leaving only numb shock.

"Xiao Ran, you... you..."

You're pregnant?!

The words stuck in his throat, too agonizing to voice.

It had been so long since he'd seen Ling Ran. He'd assumed the Omega had long since broken up with that alpha. Yet not only were they still together—they'd even had a child.

Granny Jiang took one look at his expression and immediately understood. While Ling Ran had moved on, her foolish grandson clearly hadn't.

"Shengyi, come help me find something in the west hall. These old eyes aren't what they used to be," she said, tugging at his sleeve.

But he stood rooted to the spot. Handing Granny Jiang off to a nearby guest, who eagerly whisked her away, Jiang Shengyi sank into her vacated seat.

His piercing stare raked over Ling Ran from head to toe before landing on the unmistakable swell of his abdomen. The sight stabbed through his chest like a hornet's sting, making his breath shudder.

Doctors had confirmed Ling Ran's atrophied reproductive system. With the daily suppressors he used to wear, pregnancy should have been impossible.

So how was this heavily pregnant Omega—who needed careful support just to walk—sitting before him now?!

Jiang Shengyi opened and closed his mouth several times, but no words came. Between them hung a silence more suffocating than any accusation.

Ling Ran had promised Jiang Zhiyu to obediently stay in his seat and wait for him to return. But sitting next to Jiang Shengyi made him feel extremely uncomfortable. This was the Jiang family residence, with so many pairs of eyes watching them like spectators at a show, and he couldn't just drive Jiang Shengyi away.

After struggling internally for a while, Ling Ran suddenly propped himself up on the table and slowly stood.

Jiang Shengyi immediately rose as well. "Are you leaving?"

Startled, Ling Ran instinctively pulled back, one hand protectively cradling his stomach as if afraid Jiang Shengyi might do something reckless to it.

"No," he said. "I just need to use the restroom."

Jiang Shengyi pointed in the direction. "It's over there. I'll take you."

Ling Ran waved him off. "No need. I can go by myself."

"Xiao Ran, are you afraid I'd hurt you or your child?" Jiang Shengyi couldn't ignore his defensive posture, his eyes betraying unmistakable hurt. "You don't have to worry. I'd rather die than do that."

Ling Ran still held his stomach, lowering his voice as if afraid others might overhear. "You're overthinking it. I didn't mean it that way." Well, maybe just a little.

But it was only human nature, after all.

Ling Ran walked towards the restroom, with Jiang Shengyi following closely behind.

It was clear that the little Omega was heavily pregnant, moving slowly. Fortunately, those nearby noticed him approaching and respectfully stepped aside to make way.

Jiang Shengyi mistakenly thought they were giving him face because they saw him following behind, and a smug sense of superiority flickered back to life in his heart.

Ling Ran had just reached the corner by the staircase when the guest who had escorted Grandma Jiang to the west hall earlier came rushing back. In his haste, he didn't see Ling Ran approaching until it was too late to stop, accidentally bumping into his arm.

Ling Ran staggered, taking two steps back and nearly falling, but luckily Jiang Shengyi rushed forward in time, catching him from behind and gripping his wrist tightly—almost as if holding him in a half-embrace.

Once steady, Ling Ran immediately pulled free from Jiang Shengyi's grasp.

The guest, realizing he had collided with Ling Ran, was so terrified that in that instant, he had already imagined his own funeral if anything happened to Ling Ran or the baby.

"I'm sorry, so sorry! I truly didn't mean to—I didn't see it was you! Are you hurt?" The guest bent at a 90-degree angle, bowing repeatedly. "Are you alright? Nothing's wrong, right? I'm so, so sorry—I was blind! Please, be merciful, don't hold it against me. And most of all, please don't let President Jiang hold a grudge against me..."

He looked on the verge of tears as he spoke.

Ling Ran wanted to help him up and stop the bowing—after all, he was still standing unharmed, and the baby was fine.

"I'm fine, really," Ling Ran reassured him. "I promise I'll talk to him."

The guest grasped at the lifeline. "Really? Please, put in a good word for me with President Jiang. Your words will definitely carry weight." The attention of everyone around had already gathered on them again, and Ling Ran really didn't want to remain the center of focus.

He nodded. "Really. Just stop bowing to me now."

The guest straightened up at once, profusely expressing his gratitude.

Beside them, Jiang Shengyi grew increasingly uneasy. The "President Jiang" they kept mentioning... surely couldn't be his Xiao Shu?!

Why would they need to plead with his Xiao Shu just because Ling Ran was bumped into?

Why did these people seem to respect Ling Ran so much—and clearly not because of him?

Whose Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse was that, really?!

The answer was practically screaming at him, but Jiang Shengyi seemed determined to blind himself to it. He didn't want to accept the truth, which was why he had willfully ignored every clue so far.

But now, he could no longer pretend. Because the Xiao Shu he spoke of—the source of everyone's reverence—Jiang Zhiyu, had already appeared silently at Ling Ran's side.

The Enigma ignored everyone else, first carefully inspecting the little Omega from head to toe. Aside from a faint red mark around his wrist, there didn't seem to be any other injuries.

Then he pulled Ling Ran into his arms and asked, "Where did he hit you?"

Seeing that the guest was genuinely on the verge of tears, Ling Ran tugged at Jiang Zhiyu's arm and shook it gently. "It was just a light bump. You already checked earlier—nothing's wrong."

Jiang Zhiyu's gaze lingered on the trembling guest's face. "From the Zhou family, right?"

The Zhou guest hadn't expected Jiang Zhiyu to remember him and hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes! CEO Jiang, you actually remember me."

"Mhm. Your family previously discussed cooperation with our subsidiary, though it didn't work out in the end."

Jiang Zhiyu had an excellent memory. He could recall every business partner who had interacted with the Jiang Corporation, regardless of their status or background.

This was both a skill and a courtesy.

Ling Ran, worried Jiang Zhiyu might make things difficult for the man, kept subtly pinching the back of his hand.

Jiang Zhiyu sensed his hint and indeed heeded his advice, refraining from further reprimand.

Still, whether there was truly no harm done required a more thorough examination.

After the crowd dispersed, Jiang Zhiyu prepared to take Ling Ran into the restroom when an incredulous voice suddenly rang out behind them: "Xiao Shu*, don't you have anything to say to me?!"

T/N: Little Uncle

Jiang Shengyi had deliberately lowered his voice, struggling to maintain his last shred of dignity. Yet seeing Jiang Zhiyu standing beside Ling Ran was something he couldn't accept from the depths of his heart.

Jiang Zhiyu glanced at him coolly. "What do you want to hear? How he became my Omega? How he got pregnant? Or how heartbroken he was by your infidelity, crying in my arms?"

"Pick where you'd like me to start, and I'll gladly explain in detail."

Jiang Shengyi was pushed to the brink of collapse by those casually uttered words. None of those answers were things he wanted to hear. Just the sight of Ling Ran's pregnant belly was enough for him to imagine scenarios he'd never actually experienced.

To think that his little Omega's atrophied reproductive cavity had been stimulated into redevelopment, even blossoming and bearing fruit through sheer, extraordinary prowess—the mere thought made his throat constrict with suffocating agony.

Had Ling Ran let Xiao Shu knot inside him? Had he been permanently marked?

He must have. Otherwise, where had the child come from?

How many times had they done it before the knot took? How many more times before his little Omega's reproductive cavity was forcibly matured?

How many internal knots had it taken for conception to succeed?

His little Omega looked so delicate, so small—could he even endure Xiao Shu's marking?

He cried so easily—had he wept pitifully every time?

But Xiao Shu was such a ruthless, dominant man. Even if he sobbed himself unconscious, he probably wouldn't stop...

Jiang Shengyi's eyes burned crimson, veins bulging violently along the backs of his hands.

No. Stop thinking about it!

Don't think about it anymore!

Yet he couldn't control the frenzied images flooding his mind—until his brazen, unrestrained stare finally provoked the enigma's displeasure.

Jiang Zhiyu shifted slightly, shielding the little Omega in his arms completely before casting a cold, final judgment.

"Those glances just now were the last time you'll ever lay eyes on him in this lifetime," Jiang Zhiyu said. "Unless there's something exceptional, don't bother returning."

Jiang Shengyi deflated like a punctured balloon, momentarily too stunned to react.

Jiang Zhiyu was determined to cut off all future troubles, ensuring he would stay in Northern Europe forever—never allowing him to return.

Ling Ran couldn't see the expression on Jiang Shengyi's face as Jiang Zhiyu wrapped an arm around him and led him into the restroom. The door closed behind them, then locked from the inside.

Ling Ran had needed to use the bathroom for a while now. Jiang Zhiyu had noticed him clenching his thighs tightly but hadn't let him go immediately. Instead, he hoisted him up by the hips and placed him on the high counter of the sink.

Ling Ran trembled slightly, his gaze soft and pleading.

He knew Jiang Zhiyu had dealt with the people outside—now it was his turn.

But he didn't think he had done anything wrong today. Surely, he wouldn't be punished?

Jiang Zhiyu looked down at him. Even though the little Omega was already carrying a baby, he still acted like a guilty child, nervously twisting the hem of his shirt. "I didn't disobey you..." he murmured.

Jiang Zhiyu parted his legs and stepped between them.

Then he withdrew his hands, silent.

Ling Ran added, "I just really need to pee... I drank too much milk earlier..."

Jiang Zhiyu continued watching him before gripping his wrist, his fingers tracing the faint red marks left by someone else's grip. His gaze was dark and possessive, like the thick venom of a serpent, as if trying to lick away even the slightest trace of another's scent.

Ling Ran didn't feel pain—just a ticklish sensation. He instinctively tried to pull back, but Jiang Zhiyu tightened his hold.

"I didn't mean to talk to him, but there were so many people outside... I thought it'd be rude to just walk away..."

Ling Ran explained in a small voice, "We're already married, so doesn't that make me his aunt now? He's your junior, so he's mine too..."

His reasoning was sound—enough to soothe the Enigma's possessiveness.

The damp heat lingering on his wrist finally eased. Jiang Zhiyu asked, "If I hadn't come, were you planning to let your 'junior' accompany you in here?"

Ling Ran's eyes widened. "Of course not! I'd come in alone. But... a lot of people saw you follow me in just now..."

The restroom was spacious, but there was only one toilet. What kind of excuse could they possibly have for going in together?

Obviously, they were up to something indecent.

The mere thought made Ling Ran's cheeks burn. How was he supposed to face everyone afterward?

"We came in for a serious matter," Jiang Zhiyu said, lifting the hem of his shirt. "Did you bump your stomach?"

The once-flat, pale abdomen now curved outward in a gentle swell. The thin, fair skin stretched taut, smooth and unblemished, like a plump, snow-white mochi filled with sweet cream.

Jiang Zhiyu's palm glided over it, feeling the warmth of the Omega's delicate skin.

No bruises, no marks.

After adjusting Ling Ran's clothes, Jiang Zhiyu noticed his flushed cheeks and glistening eyes—like a grape on a vine, dewdrops clinging to its skin.

Now, with so many seeds inside, the fruit's skin had thinned. His body was ripe, yet his gaze remained shy and uncertain.

Enigma felt an inexplicable surge of heat coursing through his body.

….

Ling Ran whimpered softly, still remembering to remind him, "Pee-pee..."

He had come to use the bathroom, not for anything else.

After Jiang Zhiyu helped him relieve himself, he carried him back to sit down again.

The faint scent of snow pine on the little Omega hadn't completely dissipated yet, and the more Jiang Zhiyu smelled it, the more restless and agitated he became.

He lightly tapped the spot on the back of Ling Ran's neck covered by the scent-blocking patch and asked, "Do you want some pheromones?"

It was both to soothe the little Omega and the baby in his belly—Enigma had to give out a portion of his pheromones every day.

Ling Ran took a moment to sense the little one in his belly, then glanced up at the Enigma standing before him, whose eyes were tinged with restrained redness at the corners.

He felt like he was doing okay, but the Enigma seemed to be struggling.

"Now?" he asked softly.

Jiang Zhiyu had already reached out, gently peeling back a small corner of the scent-blocking patch on the back of his neck. Threads of sweet, enticing fragrance began to seep out from beneath.

"Mhm."

Ling Ran cautiously glanced toward the door, one hand cradling his heavily rounded belly while the other reached back, trying to press the scent-blocking patch back into place.

"We can't..."

He could already detect the rapid spread of tequila pheromones in the air. His cheeks flushed deeper under the intoxicating influence, his body growing weak as he slumped against the Enigma's shoulder. "O-outside... there are people..."

The restroom was well-sealed. Jiang Zhiyu wrapped him tightly in his pheromones, and the faint traces of scent Ling Ran had accidentally picked up earlier were already completely dispersed.

A deep, intoxicating voice, like aged liquor, burned against his ear: "Then let everyone see how I mark you."

As he spoke, the Enigma gripped the little Omega's wrist, refusing to let him escape.

Ling Ran, terrified he might actually give him a temporary mark, was about to protest when he felt the scorching breath against his neck—greedily, obsessively inhaling his scent. After a moment of restraint, Jiang Zhiyu smoothed the scent-blocking patch back into place.

He turned on the ventilation system, and soon the mingled pheromones dissipated entirely.

Lifting Ling Ran off the sink, he pressed a kiss to those soft, sweet lips.

"Baby, how could I ever let anyone see you right after being marked?"

That utterly bewitching allure belonged to him alone.

By the time the two stepped out of the restroom, the birthday banquet had reached its final event.

An eight-tiered cake was wheeled out, and the old patriarch sliced it in half before the crowd. Everyone toasted to his health and longevity, then presented their carefully prepared gifts.

Ling Ran had brought one too—though it was something Jiang Zhiyu had arranged in advance. First, because he didn't know the old man's preferences, and second, because he couldn't afford anything extravagant.

Jiang Zhiyu had chosen a tea set for him. Ling Ran wasn't entirely sure about the material or its vintage, but he noticed the old man's eyes lighting up when he received it. After giving Ling Ran an appraising look, he even thanked him.

A few days after they returned from the banquet, the old patriarch called Jiang Zhiyu directly.

However, Jiang Zhiyu was in his study reviewing documents at the time, cradling a little Omega in his arms who was snacking on fruit. Seeing the incoming call, Jiang Zhiyu couldn't be bothered to answer and simply flipped his phone over to avoid it.

Ling Ran, however, felt that since the old master had just celebrated his birthday banquet, ignoring his call would be impolite. So, he picked up the phone for Jiang Zhiyu.

But after answering, Jiang Zhiyu remained silent, forcing Ling Ran to act as the spokesperson for Chairman Jiang.

"Hello?"

The old man on the other end, who had been ready to unleash his temper, was instantly disarmed by the soft, polite greeting and had to swallow his anger.

"Why are you the one answering? Where's Zhiyu?"

Ling Ran replied, "He... he's busy right now."

"Oh, it's nothing urgent. Just tell him to come back to the old house for dinner tomorrow. That brat disappears for days on end—if I didn't call him, would he have planned to go missing for another three months?"

"No, no, I'll definitely tell him to come back tomorrow."

"Make sure he comes early this time. No more keeping everyone waiting."

Ling Ran obediently responded, "Understood."

Just before hanging up, the old man quickly added, "Oh, and you should come with him. Don't be shy—it's just a family dinner."

Ling Ran was momentarily stunned. He glanced at Jiang Zhiyu, who was gazing at him with a tender smile, and immediately agreed, "O- okay."

Jiang Zhiyu understood the old man's intentions. After witnessing the visibly pregnant little Omega at the birthday banquet—carrying his own grandchild—the old man was now eager to hold his grandson. The dinner invitation was just an excuse; the real goal was to get Ling Ran to come along.

The two returned to the old house for dinner the following evening, and indeed, nothing else happened—it was just a simple meal.

After that, the old man frequently called Jiang Zhiyu back for meals, always insisting he bring Ling Ran along.

Eventually, even if Jiang Zhiyu was too busy to return, the old man would send a chauffeur specifically to fetch Ling Ran alone. After dinner, they'd send him back, only to then call Jiang Zhiyu and berate him for being so consumed by work that he couldn't even take care of his own wife and child. He even threatened that if Jiang Zhiyu didn't shape up, he'd move Ling Ran into the old house permanently—after all, they had plenty of servants there who could ensure the little Omega and the baby were well taken care of.

Jiang Zhiyu refused outright and told the old man to stop meddling in his family affairs, especially by calling Ling Ran separately.

The old man was furious, retorting that it was Jiang Zhiyu who had demanded he treat Ling Ran well, and now he was also the one forbidding interference.

"If you get to say everything, what's left for the rest of us?"

His own son was unfilial and rebellious, but thankfully, he had found such a sweet and beautiful little wife—one with a gentle temperament who didn't mind an old man's rambling, who could chat with him and was even carrying the Jiang family's next heir.

The old man concluded that he absolutely couldn't let Ling Ran divorce his son. After all, given that unfilial brat's rotten personality, no other obedient and well-mannered little spouse would ever want him.

***

Later, the two held their wedding on the island of Lania.

The grand, lavish ceremony shook the entire coastal city. Given Chairman Jiang's reputation, countless dignitaries and elites from across the country flew in to attend.

Since being acquired by the Jiang Corporation, Lanya Bay has ceased to be open to the public. This stretch of coastline has now become a private retreat, and the name listed as the holder on the acquisition documents was Ling Ran.

Ling Ran only learned that Lanya Island had become his personal asset after the wedding ceremony.

At that time, Jiang Zhiyu had taken him alone to the ancestral graves at the back of the mountain to pay respects.

This was a long-standing tradition in the Jiang family—all newlyweds were required to first offer prayers at their great-grandfather's tomb. It served both to announce the joyous news to the elder and to seek his blessings.

This wasn't Ling Ran's first visit to the Jiang family's back mountain. The dense fir forest remained as lush as ever, its evergreen leaves flourishing like endless emerald waves.

Yet his state of mind was entirely different from his last visit, and his relationship with the person beside him had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Each holding a pine branch symbolizing peace, health, happiness, and all other auspicious meanings, they reverently placed them before the blank stone tablet after the black-robed priest's murmured prayers.

The little Omega's belly had grown even larger than before. Worried he might tire, Jiang Zhiyu stood slightly behind him, allowing Ling Ran to lean his weight against him while discreetly supporting the heavy belly with a hand beneath his clothes.

After completing his prayer duties, the priest nodded to the couple and slowly descended the mountain.

Ling Ran and Jiang Zhiyu remained standing before the unmarked grave.

Sunlight pierced through layers of green foliage, bathing them in a sacred, gentle glow.

They stood illuminated, pressed close together as if they had always been this way.

Jiang Zhiyu gently took his hand, cradling him protectively in his arms, their matching rings forming a complete pattern when joined.

"Let's go."

Ling Ran nodded and walked shoulder-to-shoulder with him down the mountain.

The descent remained rugged and uneven, but unlike last time, today's sunlight was bright and clear, with Jiang Zhiyu walking hand-in- hand with Ling Ran, their fingers intertwined.

While carefully supporting his belly, Jiang Zhiyu accompanied him step by step forward.

Into the sunlight.

Ahead lay no storm clouds or tempests—only clear skies and the whispering green sea of pines.

Ling Ran was practically being carried along, expending little effort himself.

He turned to glance at the striking profile so close to him, the sunlight rendering it almost ethereal, so handsome it was dizzying.

He secretly smiled, eyes crinkling without making a sound, yet his companion still noticed.

"What has you so happy?"

Ling Ran's smile widened.

There wasn't any particular reason—just turning to see him standing there beside him felt comforting, joyful, so blissful it was almost overwhelming.

Searching his memories, Ling Ran said, "The books used to say enigmas and Omegas aren't ideal partners. I think they got that wrong."

They clearly were.

Jiang Zhiyu suddenly stopped walking, his gaze deepening as he looked into Ling Ran's eyes.

"An enigma's ideal partner was never an Omega-that's an instinct determined by innate pheromones."

The books weren't wrong in that summary. Enigmas were exceptionally rare, and successful enigma-Omega pairings were even more extraordinary.

But then he lowered his gaze, fragmented light dancing at the tips of his hair.

He leaned down to press a kiss against Ling Ran's lips, his voice soft and unhurried as he murmured:

"But baby,

Love transcends instinct,

That's why we fell in love."

Tears shimmered in Ling Ran's eyes as he nodded firmly.

Yes.

Love transcends instinct—that's why they fell for each other.

Pheromones were never the measure of all things.

Love is.

They were one of a kind.

(The End)

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