Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Perhaps due to his phone call with Pei Siyue before bed, Ruan Shuyang slept soundly last night and woke up in high spirits. However, his mood soured again during breakfast.

Ruan Jianchuan grilled him early that morning about yesterday's dinner at the Pei family's house, insisting it was high time he tried to ask Pei Siming for money and investments to benefit the Ruan family.

Ruan Jianchuan's expression was particularly stern, and Ruan Shuyang sensed he couldn't easily deflect the questions this time, so he opted to tell a partial truth.

"Yesterday, Mr. Pei had a fierce argument with his two sons. It got so intense that he had the family driver send me back early. I didn’t have time to say or hear anything."

"An argument?" Ruan Jianchuan mused. "What was it about?"

Ruan Shuyang: "..."

It seemed the argument was actually about him, making him feel like an unwitting troublemaker.

But he absolutely couldn’t tell Ruan Jianchuan the full truth, or he didn’t know what the other might try to exploit or force him to do.

He whispered, "I don’t know. It seemed to be about the Pei family’s internal affairs."

"You didn’t hear anything?"

Ruan Shuyang shook his head. "Right when the argument started, Mr. Pei had the driver take me away."

Ruan Jianchuan scolded sharply, "Useless! Couldn’t you have found a way to stay there?"

Ruan Shuyang remained silent, meekly enduring the lecture. Based on past experience, it was best not to argue or defend himself when being scolded. No one wanted to hear his rebuttals or explanations, and speaking up would only make the scolding worse.

After berating Ruan Shuyang for a while, Ruan Jianchuan seemed to recall something and asked, "In your opinion, does Mr. Pei prefer his eldest son or his second son?"

Ruan Shuyang actually felt that Pei Yan leaned more towards Pei Siyue.

After all, Pei Siyue had openly criticized Zhou Wei at the dinner table, and Pei Yan hadn’t reacted, whereas Pei Siming was stopped by Pei Yan when he tried to defend Zhou Wei.

But again, he wouldn’t tell Ruan Jianchuan the truth.

"I don’t know," Ruan Shuyang said. "They’re both his sons; there doesn’t seem to be much difference."

"Although the Young Master is currently in charge of the Pei Group, the Second Young Master is Mr. Pei’s son with his current wife. The influence of pillow talk shouldn’t be underestimated..." Ruan Jianchuan frowned in thought before ordering Ruan Shuyang, "If you get another chance, try to get the lay of the land at the Pei family's."

"And..." Ruan Jianchuan looked meaningfully at Ruan Shuyang. "Try to find opportunities to get close to the Pei family's Young Master."

Ruan Shuyang stared at Ruan Jianchuan in disbelief.

What was he being treated as? A pawn to be shuffled between the two Pei brothers, with no regard for whether he could manage it or if it was dangerous.

Seeing Ruan Shuyang’s expression, Ruan Jianchuan’s face instantly turned stern. Just as he was about to reprimand Ruan Shuyang, a servant announced, "The Pei family has sent a driver to pick someone up."

It was obvious who was being picked up.

Ruan Shuyang was not highly regarded in the Ruan family. Pan Lan had forbidden the servants from calling him "young master," and they usually spoke vaguely when referring to him. Today was no different.

Hearing it was the Pei family’s driver, Ruan Jianchuan didn’t dare to delay but reminded Ruan Shuyang again to gather more information from the Pei family and secure investments for the Ruan family.

Ruan Shuyang mumbled, "Mm," before getting into the car.

The driver was indeed the same one from yesterday, but this time he took Ruan Shuyang to Lanyan Yuting, where Pei Siyue lived.

Throughout the drive, Ruan Shuyang felt low and unsure how to face Pei Siyue.

The Pei family was indeed powerful, with interests in real estate, finance, entertainment, and manufacturing. In the entire northern region, only the Chi family could truly rival them. The Pei family’s Hanfeng Group was a global powerhouse with numerous overseas ventures—a behemoth the Ruan family couldn’t compare to.

Even scraps from such a family would keep the Ruan family going for a long time. If Pei Siming hadn’t been expelled from Hanfeng Group and wasn’t eager to launch new ventures to solidify his position, looking to break into the jewelry industry, the role of fiancé wouldn’t have fallen to Ruan Shuyang.

But now, he didn’t want to be Pei Siming’s fiancé. If he weren’t, he wouldn’t have encountered Lu Zheng, nor would he have developed pheromone dependence.

The identity of Pei Siming’s fiancé had brought him nothing but trouble. Now, with Ruan Jianchuan ordering him to do these things, he could only evade for so long. If it continued, he didn’t know how Ruan Jianchuan would punish him.

Lost in these thoughts, he arrived at Pei Siyue’s home still feeling weighed down.

But when he saw Pei Siyue standing at the villa entrance, he put on a smile.

Under the high, clear summer sky, the grass and trees outside the villa gleamed in the sunlight. Pei Siyue stood at the door waiting for him, his features sharp and handsome, his demeanor carrying an air of authority—classy yet aloof.

The driver dropped him off at Lanyan Yuting and drove away. The spacious garden villa was quiet, so quiet it felt like only he and Pei Siyue were there.

Pei Siyue looked at him for a moment before asking, "Have you had breakfast?"

Ruan Shuyang smiled and nodded. "Yes, I have."

"Let’s go in."

Pei Siyue walked to the door and opened it for him.

"Okay."

Ruan Shuyang obediently followed Pei Siyue inside.

**

The next morning, around nine o’clock, Zhou Wei went to see Pei Siming while Pei Yan was out.

When she entered, the room reeked of alcohol. Pei Siming sat on the floor, leaning against the bed, his expression dark and cold.

Zhou Wei’s heart went out to him at the sight. She couldn’t help but advise, "Why don’t you apologize to your father and humble yourself? You’re his biological son, after all. He won’t disregard family ties."

"Son? Family ties?" Pei Siming sneered. "If he really considered me his son and cared about family, why hasn’t he given me any shares in the group? Why does he hit me whenever he wants, never taking me seriously?"

Zhou Wei was at a loss for words.

Pei Siming ruthlessly shot down her hopes. "Don’t kid yourself either. You’ve never meant anything to him. If he hadn’t been angry with that woman back then, he wouldn’t have cheated or married you. The only ones he cares about are that woman and her son."

Zhou Wei’s face went pale, then flushed. After a long moment, she said, "Since you know that, why did you say those things to anger him last night?"

"I just couldn't stand it." Pei Siming suddenly threw an empty wine bottle against the opposite wall. The sound of shattering glass echoed, and his voice was full of bitterness. "Pei Siyue interfered between me and Ruan Shuyang, and he looked the other way. He even sided with Pei Siyue and lectured me..."

Hearing this, Zhou Wei cursed Ruan Shuyang, "That no-good omega! Isn’t it enough that he’s your fiancé? When did he get involved with Pei Siyue?"

Pei Siming’s face darkened. After a long pause, he said, "We need to find a way to take Pei Siyue down from his position."

Zhou Wei also felt troubled by this. "Didn’t you say there are no faults to find in his work?"

Pei Siming’s tone was vicious, like a predator lurking and waiting for an opportunity. "If we can’t find faults in his work, then we’ll target his personal life."

"I see he’s not exactly immune to omegas. Find an opportunity when he returns to the Pei family mansion, and trap him with an omega in rut. I bet he won't be able to control himself."

Zhou Wei thought for a moment, then decided to go for it and said, "Why not use Ruan Shuyang? Let everyone see what kind of person Pei Siyue is—getting involved with his brother’s fiancé, a messy situation."

"From his actions today, it seems he really does have a soft spot for that Ruan Shuyang to some extent."

Otherwise, given Pei Siyue's cold personality, he wouldn't even help an omega who passed out right in front of him, let alone take the initiative to assist.

However, Pei Siming rejected this idea outright, dismissing it with an excuse: "This wouldn't affect others collaborating with him in the business world. Frankly, it's just a moral issue, not illegal. If there's profit to be made, who would care about that?"

"Look at Lu Zheng—he's still doing just fine, with plenty of people seeking to cooperate with him."

Zhou Wei: "..."

"What we should do is have him permanently mark an omega we can control, then force him to marry that omega. Everything would fall into place naturally."

Once it's witnessed that Pei Siyue has permanently marked an omega, they can take photos and videos as evidence, then spread it through the media. If Pei Siyue refuses to marry, his image would be severely damaged, dealing a heavy blow to the entire Hanfeng Group and potentially causing stock market fluctuations.

He believes Pei Siyue wouldn't want to pay such a price, so forcing him to permanently mark someone would compel him to marry.

This way, his new wife would be their pawn, making control much easier.

After hearing this, Zhou Wei's expression shifted repeatedly. Finally, gritting her teeth, she said, "It's doable, but when? He hardly ever comes here normally."

She had found it strange when she heard Pei Siyue was coming yesterday, surprised that he would show up.

But now it's clear—he came for that wretched Ruan Shuyang. These two likely knew each other long ago.

Pei Siming's eyes darkened with ruthlessness. "In just over a week, it'll be the old man's birthday banquet. Since it's not a milestone birthday, it won't be a grand celebration—only some extended family members and in-law families of the Pei family will be invited. Even if Pei Siyue doesn't usually come here, he'll show up that day. We can take advantage of that opportunity..."

Zhou Wei drew a sharp breath, nervous. "Won't that be too risky? What if plans change that day? What if the old man finds out..."

She thought of Pei Yan's cruel methods and shuddered. She knew she meant nothing in Pei Yan's heart. If she made a mistake and was caught, she believed Pei Yan would discard her as easily as throwing away an old piece of clothing.

She hesitated, but Pei Siming was determined to go through with it.

"If we fear wolves ahead and tigers behind, then there will never be a place for us mother and son in the Pei family." Pei Siming was far more ruthless and resolute than Zhou Wei. "If you want to live a cowardly life forever, living under Pei Siyue's thumb and trembling in fear of his retaliation, then forget I said anything."

Zhou Wei thought of that twelve-year-old boy who lost his mother, whom she could once bully at will before he presented. He resolutely went abroad right after his mother's death.

She also thought of Pei Siyue after his return, transformed into an Alpha with extremely high pheromone levels—an unshakable pillar, like a mountain pressing down on her.

She had noticed the occasional look Pei Siyue gave her—icy and detached, as if she were some lifeless object.

Jiang Ruowan had once looked at her the same way, emotionlessly saying, "Low-class tactics."

So what if the tactics are low-class?

As long as they work.

"Siming." Zhou Wei took a deep breath and lowered her voice. "Let's do as you just said, but we need to plan carefully to ensure success and make sure we don't leave any evidence."

Because if they slip up, they're dead.

**

Entering the villa, Ruan Shuyang suddenly felt it was eerily quiet inside, so quiet it seemed like only he and Pei Siyue were there. He asked softly, "Is Ji Huai not here?"

"No," Pei Siyue shook his head. "He's off today."

Enigmas have strong territorial instincts. Unless necessary, Jiang Wu and Ji Huai wouldn't appear at his residence.

It wasn't necessary today, so Ji Huai wouldn't be around.

Ah, is that so.

Ruan Shuyang blinked, acutely aware that he would be alone with Pei Siyue today.