Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Jiang Wu, however, couldn't fathom any other reason. Since the boss had laid out the plan, he would simply follow through, coordinating with the R&D department in advance about the boss's personal involvement in the research.

After discussing the R&D progress, their conversation shifted to the guest list for the following day's banquet.

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of Ruiji Technology's domestic branch, the group was hosting a banquet at a suburban mountain villa. Jiang Wu presented the list of important attendees to Pei Siyue, then inquired, "Young Master, will you be attending that day?"

Pei Siyue scanned the list, his gaze lingering on the name "Pei Siming," followed by two small, parenthetical words: "plus one."

"I'll be there," Pei Siyue stated indifferently, "but I won't make a public appearance."

"Understood."

As they delved into work, night imperceptibly fell. The study lights flickered on, and Ji Huai knocked, announcing, "Mr. Pei, the guest has awakened."

Upon hearing this, Pei Siyue promptly turned to Jiang Wu, "You may leave now. Call me if anything arises."

Jiang Wu, who had been hoping for a bit of gossip, was left speechless.

He had no choice but to depart obediently.

Pei Siyue approached the guest room door, gave two perfunctory knocks, then pushed it open.

All the beds in the house were custom-sized to Pei Siyue's tall and well-built frame, so they were naturally quite large. Ruan Shuyang sat on one such exceptionally spacious bed, his shoulders slumped, making him appear remarkably petite.

Traces of the temporary mark still lingered on his body. His delicate, cherry-like lips possessed the dewy sheen of petals after a rain, and his clear, almond-shaped eyes held a hint of burgeoning allure, yet his expression was one of utter bewilderment.

Seeing Pei Siyue enter, Ruan Shuyang attempted to get off the bed, but was gently restrained by the other's hand on his shoulder.

He stammered awkwardly, "H-how did I get here? What happened?"

When he awoke, he was enveloped in thick darkness. Fumbling for the light switch and then his phone, he realized it was already past 7 p.m. He had been asleep in an unfamiliar room for over five hours.

Above him, a high, cool-toned white ceiling stretched, while the surrounding walls were adorned with dark-patterned embossed wallpaper of the same hue. He lay on a large black bed in a room that felt both strange and empty, with only himself present.

His body still ached and felt weak. He staggered out of bed, leaning against the wall as he made his way to the door and opened it.

The moment he opened the door, a male Beta in his forties approached, saying, "Please return to bed and rest. I'll fetch Mr. Pei."

Hearing the name "Mr. Pei," he let out a sigh of relief. Still feeling weak, he decided to go back to bed.

It was peculiar. Though he was Pei Siming's fiancé, the name "Mr. Pei" should have immediately brought Pei Siming to mind. Yet, this time, his thoughts had turned to Pei Siyue.

After he had been sitting on the bed for a while, Pei Siyue knocked and entered, informing him, "You fell asleep. It wasn't convenient to keep you at the hospital, so I brought you back here."

Ruan Shuyang's eyes widened in surprise. "Is this the Pei... the Pei family residence?"

He had been engaged to Pei Siming for so long, yet he had never been deemed worthy of visiting the Pei family home. Now, he had been brought here by Pei Siyue?

"No," Pei Siyue denied, shaking his head. "I don't live with the other members of the Pei family. This is my own residence."

Ruan Shuyang breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it wasn't the Pei family home; otherwise, he would have dreaded running into Pei Siming.

Pei Siyue subtly observed Ruan Shuyang's expression, then casually remarked, "If you're feeling better, get up, take a shower, change your clothes, and eat something. You need to regain your strength."

Ruan Shuyang actually had many questions, but after Pei Siyue's reminder, he noticed a set of brand-new clothes laid out beside the bed. His body felt sticky and uncomfortable, as if he had sweated profusely.

Unconsciously, he complied with Pei Siyue's words, obediently going to wash up and change.

After freshening up and changing into the new clothes, he followed Ji Huai's guidance to the dining room. The heated dining table was already laden with various dishes, both Chinese and Western. Pei Siyue gestured for him to sit down, explaining, "I wasn't sure of your preferences, so I had a variety of dishes prepared."

Ruan Shuyang had only managed a small breakfast that morning. The day's chaos and busyness had made him forget lunch entirely. Now, seeing the appetizing food, he couldn't help but swallow, his appetite instantly piqued.

"Anything is fine," he said sheepishly, feeling as though he was constantly inconveniencing Pei Siyue. "I'm not picky. You didn't need to prepare so much."

Pei Siyue gazed at Ruan Shuyang's peach-like, tender cheeks for a moment before lowering his voice and instructing, "Eat first."

Ruan Shuyang began to eat, his movements initially quick due to hunger. When he was about seventy percent full, he slowed down. Watching Pei Siyue, who was eating with elegant composure across from him, he felt a question forming, but remembering the other's instruction to "eat first," he obediently continued his meal without asking.

His appetite was small, so he soon finished and put down his chopsticks.

Pei Siyue asked, "Full?"

"Yes," Ruan Shuyang replied with an embarrassed smile. "The food Mr. Pei prepared was delicious, but my appetite is small. I don't eat much."

Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Shuyang, whose meal portion was akin to a kitten's: "..."

Do all Omegas eat so little?

He had never cared for another Omega and wasn't entirely sure. After Ruan Shuyang finished eating, he instructed Ji Huai to clear the table and bring post-meal drinks.

Ruan Shuyang received a delicious glass of freshly squeezed watermelon juice. As he chewed on the straw, he pondered how to broach the topic with Pei Siyue.

This time, however, before he could speak, Pei Siyue took the initiative, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Ruan Shuyang breathed a sigh of relief and immediately asked, "Mr. Pei, I... I'm very grateful for your help. But I don't understand why you're helping me, or what kind of repayment you require."

After asking, he mustered the courage to look directly at Pei Siyue, his heart pounding. He didn't know why Pei Siyue was helping him or what he would demand in return.

Pei Siyue sat opposite him, his demeanor aristocratic and aloof, his expression perfectly calm. His deep, dark eyes were unfathomable, revealing no emotion, which only heightened Ruan Shuyang's nervousness.

Fortunately, after a moment, he heard Pei Siyue say, "Ruiji Group is developing a drug that artificially synthesizes pheromones similar to those of Enigmas or Alphas, designed to stimulate the secondary development of an Omega's scent glands and reproductive tract. I helped you because I want to obtain relevant physical data from you during this secondary development of your Omega scent glands and reproductive tract."

Ruan Shuyang was astonished. He hadn't expected such an answer.

Admittedly, this answer was far more palatable than something like, "You're my brother's fiancé, so I'm helping a member of the Pei family."

Since it was about collecting physical data, he would certainly cooperate.

He immediately said, "Mr. Pei, please rest assured. I will definitely cooperate and provide all the data."

However, Pei Siyue pointedly reminded him, "Don't be so quick to agree. I will require comprehensive data reports and may also make some other requests."

Ruan Shuyang blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Including, but not limited to, your feelings during temporary marking, the frequency of your need for pheromones, the sensations after being marked, and any subtle changes in your body," Pei Siyue said slowly, observing Ruan Shuyang's reaction. "Can you provide feedback on these data?"

Ruan Shuyang's mouth fell open in surprise, then he stammered, "The... the feelings during marking also need to be described?"

"Of course," Pei Siyue nodded. "It relates to the Omega's experience when using the drug."

"W-well, alright then."

Ruan Shuyang couldn't help but recall the strange, almost pleasurable yet painful sensation he had experienced during the temporary mark earlier. Blushing, he nodded and said, "I... I can do it."

This was his obligation. Accepting help came with a price, and besides, it was for drug development—a legitimate reason.

Fortunately, he didn't have to pay money, because he truly couldn't afford it.

Pei Siyue raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Ruan Shuyang nodded vigorously. "I'm sure. Don't worry, Mr. Pei. I will do it."

"Also," Pei Siyue added casually, "during this period, to prevent interference from other factors, you cannot accept pheromones or temporary marks from anyone else, nor can you use inhibitors without my permission. Of course, in emergency situations, you can use inhibitors, but you must inform me afterward."

"Can you also agree to this?"