TPLTMOE – Chapter 94

Chapter 94: Extra 11 – Marry first, love later (3) 

Jiang Shengyi realized that things seemed more complicated than just a marriage alliance.

The two people before him appeared intimately close, genuinely like a loving couple in the first month of their honeymoon. If Jiang Zhiyu was unwilling, no one could force him to do anything he didn't want to do.

In other words, had Jiang Zhiyu agreed to this marriage from the very beginning?

Ling Ran was being held a little too tightly. He had been embraced the night before as well, but at the time, he had been barely conscious and unaware of any embarrassment.

Now, however, he could clearly feel the scorching heat radiating through the thin layers of fabric from a powerful, almost terrifying presence. It felt as though he was being burned alive. He shifted his legs restlessly, trying to slip off the enigma's lap.

Jiang Zhiyu pressed a hand against the small of his back, pulling him even closer into his embrace. He looked at Jiang Shengyi and said, "There's one more thing I forgot to mention earlier. The headquarters' project in Northern Europe has run into some trouble recently. I won't be able to leave for a while—you'll have to handle it for me."

Logically speaking, projects at the headquarters shouldn't involve someone from the second branch like Jiang Shengyi. Over the past two years, the main and secondary branches had been locked in a fierce, underhanded struggle. Jiang Shengyi couldn't help but quietly calculate the implications in his mind.

"Northern Europe, huh?" After some thought, he decided this was a good opportunity and smiled. “Of course, it's my honor to help my uncle with his troubles. When should I leave?"

Jiang Zhiyu's lips curved slightly. "Now."

He had never intended to keep Jiang Shengyi for a meal in the first place. From the moment Jiang Shengyi stepped into the study, Jiang Zhiyu had caught the unmistakable scent of snow pine clinging to him—disgusting enough to make him want to vomit. He had Zhao Qin promptly escort the man straight to the airport.

The little Omega remained obediently nestled in his arms, unmoving. Jiang Zhiyu gently stroked the slightly swollen gland on his neck before pinching the slender, snow-white nape between his fingers. He leaned down, burying his nose against it and inhaling deeply.

The sweet scent was exactly the same as the one he had smelled the night before—untainted by any filthy alpha pheromones.

Ling Ran's back trembled violently, his heart threatening to leap out of his throat. His fingers unconsciously clutched at the enigma's clothes, like a kitten being held tightly by its owner and thoroughly sniffed. Overwhelmed, he could only let out small, stifled gasps, his soft body pliant against Jiang Zhiyu's chest, utterly at his mercy.

Jiang Zhiyu loosened his grip, steadying Ling Ran on his feet.

With no third person left in the study, they weren't exactly familiar enough to embrace so casually while fully conscious.

Ling Ran stood to the side with his head lowered, fingers nervously twisting the hem of his clothes. The tips of his ears had long since flushed red, as if on fire.

He knew Jiang Zhiyu had only held him for show, but who had the scenting been for? There hadn't been anyone else here just now...

At the dining table, Ling Ran didn't have much of an appetite. His body temperature had been running high during his heat, leaving him unable to eat much. After a few sips of porridge, he set down his spoon and murmured that he was full.

Jiang Zhiyu watched his entire eating process—his intake barely surpassing that of a canary.

"“Eat a little more," Jiang Zhiyu said, placing some food on his plate. "You're too thin.”

Ling Ran obediently sat back down and took a few more bites. Before he could finish, Jiang Zhiyu added more to his plate.

"Try this."

"This one's good too."

Jiang Zhiyu kept serving him food, and Ling Ran obediently ate whatever was given. His upbringing wouldn't allow him to waste food, so he ended up being fed nearly double his usual portion before he truly couldn't eat another bite.

"Mr. Jiang, thank you, but I'm really full—no, actually, I'm stuffed," Ling Ran said, rubbing his rounded belly, his voice soft and gentle. "Can I stop eating now?"

Jiang Zhiyu met a pair of pitifully pleading eyes and finally took mercy. "Alright."

He had already eaten much more than usual.

Fattening up a little Omega was a gradual process, after all. He couldn't risk overfeeding him right from the start.

The little Omega, now granted permission, happily narrowed his eyes. "Okay! Then please take your time, Mr. Jiang. I'll head upstairs first."

During his special period, Ling Ran was prone to drowsiness. Full and content, he trotted back to bed like a little piglet and promptly fell asleep.

He slept until evening, when another wave of scorching heat surged through him.

His entire body felt like it was on fire, dry and parched. Half-conscious, he stumbled out of his room and downstairs to the fridge in search of ice water.

His slender, pale fingers wrapped around a frost-covered glass bottle. Ling Ran licked his lips impatiently and was about to take a sip when a hand suddenly reached from behind, brushing against his waist before firmly snatching the bottle away.

Ling Ran's lips parted slightly, his palm now only holding a faint trace of icy condensation.

He turned his head and saw the tall, handsome Enigma standing right behind him, pressed close.

In his haste, Ling Ran hadn't turned on the lights. The dim, cold glow from the fridge cast sharp shadows over the man's chiseled features, making him look like a masterfully carved statue.

Those deep, narrow eyes gazed down at him, penetrating.

Ling Ran's throat bobbed twice. He was unbearably thirsty, his mind foggy from the feverish heat. All he knew was that he was burning up, desperate for relief, craving someone to help him.

He tried to snatch the bottle back, but Jiang Zhiyu merely lifted his hand, effortlessly keeping it out of reach.

To his surprise, the little Omega practically draped himself over his chest, blinking up at him with misty eyes, looking so aggrieved he might cry.

Jiang Zhiyu popped the bottle open with a light tap against the fridge's edge. The cap came off with a soft pop. He took a sip first before murmuring in a low voice, "Too cold. You can't drink it straight."

Especially not when a little Omega in heat had such a dangerously high body temperature.

But Ling Ran's mind was too hazy to process that. He just tilted his head up, staring fixedly at the Enigma before him.

His gaze locked onto the stray droplets of water sliding down Jiang Zhiyu's chin, tracing the prominent curve of his Adam's apple.

Eyes brightening, Ling Ran rose onto his tiptoes, leaning in to press a soft, delicate lick against that throat, lapping up the lingering coolness of the water droplets.

Jiang Zhiyu felt a warm, damp sensation brush against his neck, his Adam's apple suddenly submerged in a pool of tender heat.

The sensation was indescribably exquisite—but fleeting.

Ling Ran, still unsatisfied, wanted more. But before he could lean in again, a strong hand gripped his waist, holding him firmly in place.

Trapped in his embrace, unable to move.

Jiang Zhiyu's voice was deep as he looked at him and slowly asked, "Do you still remember who I am?"

Ling Ran blinked, his long, thick lashes like butterflies capable of stirring up a tornado, and obediently replied, "I do... You're Mr. Jiang..."

How could I not know?"

Jiang Zhiyu lifted him slightly. "So, Ling Ran, are you sure you won't regret doing this to me?"

Ling Ran didn't understand, but he could feel the soothing energy emanating from the enigma. It seemed the closer he pressed against him, the more his discomfort eased. So Ling Ran wrapped both arms around the enigma's waist, burying his face deeper into his chest.

The fair, delicate nape of his neck was completely exposed, the thin barrier patch beneath revealing the untouched, youthful Omega gland.

Actions spoke louder than words.

Jiang Zhiyu cupped the little Omega's bottom, lifting him effortlessly with one arm while still holding the bottle of ice water in the other, striding toward the master bedroom on the second floor.

Pinning the dazed little Omega into the bedding wasn't something he was doing for the first time, but on their wedding night, Jiang Zhiyu had been heavily intoxicated. Now, his mind was crystal clear.

Tonight's temporary mark on the little Omega would no longer be an accident.

When Ling Ran woke up in the morning, he was alone in the master bedroom. His clothes were still neatly on him, though now wrinkled beyond recognition.

He still felt a bit dizzy as he slipped on his shoes and climbed out of bed, turning to see an empty glass bottle on the nightstand.

Memories flooded back like a switch had been flipped—Ling Ran suddenly recalled the chaos of the previous night.

He hurriedly reached to touch the back of his neck. Though the barrier patch had been carefully reapplied, the gland beneath still throbbed faintly, a mix of pain and pleasure that sent electric shivers down his spine at the slightest touch.

The stimulation made Ling Ran's eyes well up, and he collapsed back onto the bed.

It wasn't just the temporary mark—he vaguely remembered being given water... in that way...

Belatedly, Ling Ran touched his lips. Sure enough, they felt slightly swollen and tender.

After the water, it was as if someone had spent the whole night licking and sucking on them.

Ling Ran turned as red as a fully ripened shrimp. He didn't know how other Omegas experienced their heats or how their partners comforted them. Could it all be this... embarrassingly intimate?

Thankfully, Mr. Jiang had left for work today—otherwise, Ling Ran wouldn't have had the courage to face him.

After resting at home for another day, Song Yi prepared a lavish dinner for Ling Ran in the evening. Just as Ling Ran was about to dig in, Jiang Zhiyu unexpectedly returned to join the meal.

Sitting at the same table, Ling Ran was the only one visibly flustered.

Jiang Zhiyu remained composed as ever, setting Ling Ran's portion size and watching him finish before allowing him to retreat upstairs.

Ling Ran lay back on the large bed, rubbing his now-round belly, silently worrying that he'd surely gain weight over the next few days. If that happened, he wouldn't look good on camera for his group project—wahh.

Before bed, Ling Ran started feeling unwell again. His heat seemed to have its own schedule. But after last night's encounter with the enigma...

The temporary mark allowed him to maintain his composure for now, sparing him from excessive discomfort.

At that moment, the bedroom door was slowly pushed open from the outside. Hearing the sound, Ling Ran quickly shut his eyes, his hands gripping the blanket beneath the covers in nervous tension.

Steady footsteps approached the bedside, pausing as if carefully observing something. Then, Ling Ran heard a soft chuckle—so faint it might have been his imagination.

Yet the next second, he felt the bed dip slightly as someone settled beside him.

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