TPLTMOE – Chapter 96

 Chapter 96: Extra 13 – Marry first, love later (5)

Ling Ran's mouth was held open, unable to close, so he obediently stuck out his tongue, allowing Enigma to examine it thoroughly.

It wasn't until Ling Ran felt like he was about to drool that he turned his head, freeing his plump cheek from Enigma's grasp.

"I'm really fine. I just need to rest for a bit."

Jiang Zhiyu rubbed his fingers together, as if still savoring the smooth, pleasant texture.

One had to go to school, the other to work—neither had time to linger in bed any longer.

After eating breakfast downstairs, Ling Ran quickly slung his backpack over his shoulders and rushed to the entryway to put on his shoes. He was almost late for his first class and wasn't sure if it would be easy to hail a cab at this hour.

Just as he opened the door, ready to dash out, he felt a tug on his backpack strap.

He glanced back and saw Jiang Zhiyu following him out.

"Mr. Jiang, is there something else?"

Jiang Zhiyu gestured with his eyes. "Your shoelaces."

In his haste, Ling Ran hadn't tied them properly.

Ling Ran immediately bent down to fix them. Jiang Zhiyu, still holding his backpack strap, didn't let go. Once Ling Ran finished, Jiang Zhiyu pulled him up firmly from the ground.

Ling Ran checked the time, his young face full of anxiety as he tried to tug his backpack free. "I'm done. Is there anything else?"

Jiang Zhiyu released his grip. "You still have twenty minutes."

Ling Ran frowned. "Ah... There's no way I'll make it."

"You will," Jiang Zhiyu said, stepping into the elevator and looking at him. "I'll drive you."

A sleek, all-black Bugatti Divo was parked in the villa's garage, gleaming like a panther brimming with untamed power.

Ling Ran sat in the passenger seat, gripping the handle tightly, his back pressed firmly against the seat as adrenaline surged with the car's speed.

He had never known Mr. Jiang was such a skilled driver. A journey that usually took half an hour was completed in just fifteen minutes. Moreover, Jiang Zhiyu made a call to someone, recited a license plate number, and the car drove straight through the film academy's gates, parking not far from the bustling teaching building.

Many students turned to stare, but Ling Ran paid them no mind. He turned to Jiang Zhiyu and said quickly, "Thank you for driving me to school, Mr. Jiang. I have to get to class now. Please drive safely."

With that, Ling Ran got out of the car and dashed into the teaching building.

As soon as he stepped into the classroom, Qin Chengyue jumped up from behind and slung an arm around his neck.

"Xiao Ran, who drove you here? We all saw that sports car—it's ridiculously cool! We were just discussing how it's even flashier than the principal's, wondering who it belonged to, and then we saw you getting out. Was it Mr. Jiang's?"

Ling Ran pulled him to a seat at the back and whispered, "It was his."

Qin Chengyue's eyes sparkled with envy. "I wish I could get a ride in it someday. I asked my brother to buy me a car, but he said he'd only do it if I win a scholarship this semester. He's basically saying he doesn't want to buy me one—so stingy!"

Ling Ran comforted him, "Winning a scholarship isn't that hard. When finals week comes, just study with me at the library. If there's anything you don't understand, I can help you."

"We're in the same group for this group assignment again. The teacher said the grade will count toward the final score."

Qin Chengyue immediately felt a headache coming on. "Does that mean I'm doomed again?!"

Ling Ran chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll write the draft. You just need to help me gather some materials."

Qin Chengyue was so grateful he could have cried. He clung to Ling Ran's arm, shaking it back and forth. "Xiao Ran, you're the best."

Every time there was a group assignment, Qin Chengyue would team up with Ling Ran and rely on him. This time was no exception.

Ling Ran spent his class time working on the news article for the group assignment, but he wasn't satisfied with any of the drafts he wrote. He kept deleting and revising until he'd cut two thousand words back down to one thousand.

After dinner that evening, Ling Ran diligently continued revising at the coffee table in the living room, flipping through the news journals Qin Chengyue had sent him as he worked.

He felt his wording was lacking—like scratching an itch through a boot, never quite hitting the mark. He had already rewritten the introduction three times and still felt something was missing.

After staring at the computer for too long, Ling Ran's eyes grew dry. Sitting on the plush rug with head propped in his hands on the coffee table, he soon began nodding off, unable to stay awake any longer. Ye eventually slumped over and fell asleep.

Jiang Zhiyu had a business dinner that night and didn't return until after eleven.

A faint light was on in the living room, and a small figure was curled up in the gap between the sofa and the coffee table, seemingly fast asleep—so inconspicuous one might not notice at first glance.

Jiang Zhiyu frowned and walked over to the sofa. The computer screen on the table was still lit, displaying a document filled with dense revision notes.

Song Yi, hearing the door open, came out and quickly explained in a hushed voice upon seeing Jiang Zhiyu, "Mr. Jiang, Ling said he needed to stay up late to finish his homework and told me not to disturb him so I stayed in my room. I didn't know he had fallen asleep here..."

Jiang Zhiyu asked, "What time did she start?"

Song Yi thought for a moment. "Right after dinner, around eight o'clock."

Jiang Zhiyu inquired further, "How was his appetite tonight?"

Song Yi replied, "It seemed quite good. He ate a fair amount and had some fruit after dinner. Lately, Ling seems to have gained a little weight—he's even more beautiful now."

As soon as the words were out, Jiang Zhiyu gave him a cool, indifferent glance and said, "You may go back now."

Unsure what he had said wrong, Song Yi acknowledged and hurried back to his room.

Jiang Zhiyu bent down, scooped up the little Omega curled on the rug, and was about to carry him upstairs to the bedroom when the person in his arms stirred restlessly.

"Not... finished yet... have to finish... homework..."

Jiang Zhiyu paused, looking down at the little Omega's peaceful sleeping face, the corner of his lips lifting almost imperceptibly.

Even in his sleep, he was worried about homework—such a diligent student.

In the end, he turned back and sat down on the sofa with him in his arms.

He adjusted the little Omega's position, letting him lean against his chest with his cheek nestled in the crook of his neck, his warm, soft breaths mingling there.

The little Omega seemed to feel comfortable, rubbing his soft, chubby cheeks a couple of times and smacking his lips before sinking back into a deep sleep.

Jiang Zhiyu opened his laptop and glanced at it. It appeared to be a news article Ling Ran was drafting about the recent Omega trafficking case, but the language at the beginning was too gentle and soft, lacking the sharpness and critical edge that news should have.

He skimmed through Ling Ran's draft from start to finish and quickly began making edits, the sound of typing filling the room.

Twenty minutes later, he finished revising the article, saved it, and tucked the laptop back into Ling Ran's backpack.

Jiang Zhiyu picked up the little Omega in his arms and carried him upstairs to sleep.

The next morning, Jiang Zhiyu once again drove Ling Ran to school. This time, they had enough time, so Ling Ran didn't let him drive inside. He got out at the school gate, smiled sweetly at Jiang Zhiyu, his eyes curving into crescents, and said, "I hope your work goes smoothly today, Mr. Jiang."

With that, he hoisted his backpack and skipped away.

Jiang Zhiyu watched his retreating figure and called his secretary, instructing her to adjust his morning schedule according to Ling Ran's class timetable from now on.

Though the secretary didn't understand why, she obediently followed his instructions.

Ling Ran had planned to revise his article during the break, but when he opened the document, he let out a soft gasp of surprise.

Qin Chengyue, who was dozing off beside him, asked groggily, "What's wrong? Did the article disappear? Did you forget to save it?"

Ling Ran shook his head. "No, it's just... there's more content now..."

Qin Chengyue leaned over, puzzled. "What do you mean, more content? Didn't you write it yourself?"

After reading just the first two paragraphs, Qin Chengyue sensed something off. "This really isn't your style, Xiao Ran. Did a teacher guide you through this?"

"No, I didn't ask any teacher."

Ling Ran himself was still confused. He clearly remembered falling asleep before finishing the article last night and waking up this morning to find himself lying in the big bed.

"That's strange. Could it be the work of a fairy?" Qin Chengyue joked.

Suddenly, Ling Ran recalled the hazy memory from last night-someone lifting him from the carpet, and instead of going straight to bed, he had dozed off for a while in a warm, comfortable embrace.

"I know," Ling Ran's eyes lit up. "Mr. Jiang revised it for me."

The entire article was sharp in style, beginning with references to several related news reports before smoothly transitioning into the current event. It pointed out the flaws and shortcomings in the social security system with bold, unrestrained language—undeniably Jiang Zhiyu's touch.

Qin Chengyue exclaimed in surprise, "He revised it for you? Since when are you two so close that he even helps with your assignments?"

Ling Ran's ears tinged with warmth. He pinched his earlobe and replied awkwardly, "He probably just did it as a favor."

Qin Chengyue wasn't buying it. "Oh, so driving you to school this morning was also just a coincidence? If I recall correctly, Jiang Corporation is in the opposite direction of the school."

"Maybe he had other business nearby..." Ling Ran's voice trailed off, even he didn't sound convinced.

Qin Chengyue leaned in closer, studying his face seriously. "Xiao Ran, how does President Jiang really treat you? Everyone says..."

"Your marriage was a business alliance between your families. I'm worried he might not treat you well. You have to be honest with me, and don't hide anything if you need help."

Ling Ran blinked and replied just as seriously, "Mr. Jiang treats me very well."

Qin Chengyue said, "Then give me some examples."

Ling Ran said, "He has Song Yi cook delicious meals for me every day. I've already gained a little weight." As he spoke, he pinched the flesh on his cheek with some distress.

Qin Chengyue comforted him, "It's fine, you're still too thin even if you've gained weight. What else?"

"He's known about my hormone imbalance disorder for a long time, but he doesn't mind. He took me to see a doctor and now helps me with hormone therapy every day, very patiently."

"It seems like he knows I don't like eating alone, so he often comes home to have dinner with me, telling me I can tell him anything."

"And also, he drives me to school in the morning and helps me with homework. You've seen that yourself."

Qin Chengyue felt somewhat relieved. "So are you still sleeping in separate rooms?"

Ling Ran's cheeks suddenly flushed red, and he stammered, "Well, about that..."

Qin Chengyue immediately understood. "You're sharing a room now, aren't you!" Ling Ran nodded sheepishly.

Qin Chengyue wore an expression as if his prized cabbage had been eaten by a pig, slumping back onto the table without another word.

Ling Ran repeatedly swore to him that he would always be his best friend, that he would never abandon friendship for romance, and that he wouldn't neglect friends just because he had a husband.

Qin Chengyue asked, "What about when you have a baby?"

Ling Ran was stunned by the question. "Ah..."

Qin Chengyue said, "You and President Jiang will probably have children soon, I have a feeling."

Ling Ran shook his head. "That won't happen."

He was certain about this - his hormone imbalance hadn't been cured yet, making it difficult to conceive.

But what he didn't expect was that Qin Chengyue's words would soon come true.

Not only did Jiang Zhiyu drive Ling Ran to school every day, but sometimes when Ling Ran's classes ended late in the afternoon, he would wait in his car at the school gate to pick Ling Ran up and go home together.

Their relationship had grown much closer. Ling Ran went from sitting nervously in the passenger seat to gradually becoming soft and relaxed, even proactively sharing things that happened at school with Jiang Zhiyu.

But today was different. Ling Ran had classes all day, and by the time his last class ended, it was almost six o'clock. He looked around at the school gate for a long time but didn't see the familiar car.

He couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed, kicking a small stone by his feet. He thought Mr. Jiang probably had other matters tonight and couldn't pick him up, though he wondered what important thing it could be without even sending a message or calling in advance.

He prepared to take the bus home himself, but after just a couple steps, a black car suddenly stopped in front of him.

Ling Ran's eyes lit up instantly, and he happily called out through the lowered window, "Mr. Jiang..."

But the person inside was Zhao Qin.

"Mr. Ling, I'm here to take you home. President Jiang has some matters to attend to these few days and probably won't be able to come. Would you like to get in the car?"

The light in Ling Ran's eyes dimmed, and he nodded obediently. "Okay."

He opened the back door and got in, and the car slowly drove away.

Throughout the journey, Ling Ran didn't initiate any conversation, leaning his head against the window while pondering the meaning behind Zhao Qin's earlier words.

"Has Mr. Jiang been very busy lately? How many days will I not see him?"

Just thinking about it made Ling Ran feel an emptiness in his heart, a dull ache rising in his chest—painful and unbearable.

So Ling Ran clenched his fists, mustered his courage, and said, "Assistant Zhao."

Zhao Qin: "Mr. Ling, please go ahead."

"May I know where Mr. Jiang has gone?"

Zhao Qin hesitated visibly: "President Jiang has returned to the old residence."

"Oh," Ling Ran expressed understanding. "Is there some trouble at the old residence? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Zhao Qin fell silent for a moment before replying hesitantly, "There is, indeed."

Ling Ran quickly asked, "What can I do? Please tell me directly. Mr. Jiang and I are already married—his matters are my matters. As long as I can help him, I'll do everything in my power."

Mr. Jiang had already helped him so much with his treatment; this was the perfect opportunity to repay him.

Zhao Qin hemmed and hawed, as if too embarrassed to speak. Ling Ran grew suspicious and urged, "Assistant Zhao, there's no need to be polite with me. Just tell me directly—how can I help?"

After much hesitation, Zhao Qin finally told the truth: "Actually, President Jiang returned to the old residence due to a physical condition."

Ling Ran's expression tightened: "Is Mr. Jiang ill?"

"It's not an illness," Zhao Qin replied. "It's the enigma's sensitive period."

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