Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Ruan Shuyang found Pei Siyue's dark eyes exceptionally deep. After a brief gaze, his heart inexplicably quickened, and he quickly looked away, bringing up another thought.

"And also..." He swallowed, his throat tight with nerves, creasing the corner of the contract. "Can the necklace I'm wearing be sold publicly?"

Pei Siyue didn't immediately agree or refuse. Instead, he asked, "Why do you want to do this?"

"I..." Ruan Shuyang's voice wavered. He gathered his courage and looked at Pei Siyue again, noting his calm expression and gentle dark eyes. He rarely made requests, as almost no one around him was willing to help, so he initially feared rejection and failure. But seeing Pei Siyue, his fear vanished. He stated earnestly, "I hope more omegas can be protected, so they won't be induced by alpha pheromones and forced into heat."

Pei Siyue nodded slowly. "You can."

Ruan Shuyang's face instantly brightened.

"But selling these necklaces presents some challenges," Pei Siyue continued. "The craftsmanship is intricate, production takes a long time, and costs are high. If the key is lost, special tools are needed to remove it, and the necklace cannot be repaired. These would all be issues if sold publicly."

He had only recently developed this material, and due to these problems, it hadn't been released for public sale yet.

Originally, he intended to offer it as a custom item for high-end clients at Ruiji Medical, but if Ruan Shuyang wished to sell it, that was also an option.

Designing some beautiful styles would make them more appealing to wear.

"Then..." Ruan Shuyang found Pei Siyue's points very valid. His face scrunched up in distress as he asked, "What should we do?"

Pei Siyue ruffled his hair and simply said, "Figure it out yourself."

He then asked Jiang Wu to bring in their meal.

While eating, Ruan Shuyang was still preoccupied with Pei Siyue's concerns. Distracted, he nearly shoved a mouthful of rice up his nose.

Pei Siyue sighed, taking his chopsticks. "How can you be like a child, getting food in your nose while eating?"

Realizing what he had done, Ruan Shuyang blushed instantly, his cheeks turning as red as ripe, tempting apples.

"I, I..."

He stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

He wasn't a child who didn't know how to eat, yet somehow, he always seemed to act childish in front of Pei Siyue.

"It's alright," Pei Siyue reassured him. "You're still young—only eighteen, just a kid."

Ruan Shuyang bit his lip, feeling even more embarrassed.

He always felt he had grown up, that at eighteen, he was already an adult.

After Yu Xianpo passed away, no one had told him he was still a child—only Pei Siyue did.

He continued eating slowly.

Why couldn't Pei Siyue be his real father or brother?

If that were the case, he would surely be very happy.

After the meal, Pei Siyue had Jiang Wu prepare the contract and asked Ruan Shuyang, "Have you decided about interning at Ruiji this summer?"

Ruan Shuyang blinked. "Can I think about it a bit more?"

Choosing between Pei Siyue and Chi Ye was difficult—he liked both options and wanted to do both.

Pei Siyue didn't press for an answer, only explaining, "As my personal assistant, you only need to work when I'm at Ruiji. When I'm not around, you can do your own things—like drawing designs or going out. If you want to go out, just tell Ji Huai to drive you."

Ruan Shuyang's jaw dropped in surprise. The conditions were so good.

That meant he would have ample time to draw designs, oversee sample production, and manage his own affairs.

"Really?" Ruan Shuyang asked incredulously. "Wouldn't that be considered slacking off?"

"Not at all," Pei Siyue shook his head. "Your job is solely to assist me at Ruiji. You don't need to do anything else."

Ruan Shuyang didn't fully grasp it but understood the general idea.

It seemed that as Pei Siyue's personal assistant at Ruiji, he wouldn't have other responsibilities. If Pei Siyue wasn't around, he'd be free.

"And on average, I'm at Ruiji for no more than four hours a day."

It sounded incredibly easy. Ruan Shuyang's internal scale instantly tipped.

He tentatively asked, "When you're not here, can I really go out?"

He genuinely liked Chi Ye's club, its atmosphere, and T University.

Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Shuyang for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yes, but it's best to have Ji Huai drive you."

"Or you could learn to drive," Pei Siyue added casually. "As my personal assistant, it's better if you know how to drive."

Ruan Shuyang immediately replied, "Then I'll learn to drive."

"Good."

Pei Siyue then had Jiang Wu bring the personal assistant employment contract for them to sign together.

Ruan Shuyang signed numerous documents in a daze, feeling as though he had somehow sold himself off.

After signing, Pei Siyue left the office for a meeting. Ruan Shuyang messaged Chi Ye: "Sorry, senior. I found another part-time job and won't be able to join the club."

Chi Ye saw the message quickly and had a feeling it had to do with Pei Siyue, who had picked up Ruan Shuyang the day before.

He closed his eyes, unable to suppress his chaotic suspicions, and impulsively asked: "Is it a job with Pei Siyue?"

Ruan Shuyang: "Senior, you're amazing! How did you guess?"

Chi Ye: "..."

It wasn't hard to guess.

No one else could offer better conditions than Pei Siyue.

He recalled Pei Siyue's intensely aggressive demeanor as an Enigma—his cold gaze, sharp and predatory. He couldn't help but warn: "Being around Pei Siyue might be dangerous. Try to avoid getting close to an Enigma."

Ruan Shuyang didn't like others speaking poorly of Pei Siyue. In his eyes, Pei Siyue was kind, mature, rational, and gentle—the best person he had ever met. He felt a bit upset.

But considering how well Chi Ye had treated him and how he had stood up for him against Ruan Qi, Ruan Shuyang thought there might be a misunderstanding. He replied: "He's a good person, senior. Don't worry."

Ruan Shuyang: "I'll handle my own affairs."

Chi Ye closed his eyes, feeling that online communication was inefficient. He changed the subject: "Even if you're working for Pei Siyue, you're still welcome to visit the club anytime. After school starts, you'll have the chance to join clubs. You can join our club early."

Ruan Shuyang found this very appealing. He really liked the atmosphere of Chi Ye’s club, and thinking about how Pei Siyue said he could go out, he replied, "Okay, Senior, I’ll go."

Ruan Shuyang hadn’t been chatting with Chi Ye for long when Jiang Wu came to find him, showing him to his workspace and providing office supplies. To his surprise, his desk was actually inside Pei Siyue’s office.

...Is this appropriate?

Ruan Shuyang vaguely remembered that senior executives usually had their own private offices.

Watching Jiang Wu arrange things in Pei Siyue’s office, he asked quietly, "Secretary Jiang, is this really okay?"

Jiang Wu replied, "If Mr. Pei says it’s okay, then it’s okay."

Ruan Shuyang worriedly frowned. "Won’t I disturb his work?"

To be honest, Jiang Wu thought it absolutely would. No one could stay fully focused while facing their alluring little omega—distractions were inevitable.

The urge to tease, to play, to do things he didn’t dare imagine, things even tabloid dramas wouldn’t film.

But Jiang Wu didn’t dare speak the truth, afraid that Pei Siyue would ship him off to Africa for aid work.

"Mr. Pei is highly efficient at work," Jiang Wu reassured him. "Don’t worry. Besides, your workspace is actually separated."

Ruan Shuyang walked over to the nearly set-up workstation and saw that it was indeed partitioned.

His spot was cleverly designed—a corner of the office with a large floor-to-ceiling window and its own door. The area connecting to Pei Siyue’s space was separated by potted plants and a partition screen, making him invisible unless someone walked around them.

Ruan Shuyang breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed like it wouldn’t be too disruptive.

Jiang Wu then placed a computer, tablet, and other office supplies on his desk, teaching him how to use Ruiji’s internal office software.

By the time Pei Siyue returned from his meeting, Ruan Shuyang had already learned how to use the internal software and had put on his employee badge. Aside from his youthful appearance and demeanor, he already looked the part of a proper summer intern.

Ruan Shuyang was familiarizing himself with Ruiji’s office software when he noticed Pei Siyue standing at the door. He looked up from his computer, and upon realizing Pei Siyue was watching him, he shyly stuck his tongue out and smiled.

Seeing this, Pei Siyue didn’t interrupt him further, only saying, "I’m going to the lab. If you need anything, you can find me there."

Ruan Shuyang replied obediently, "Okay."

But inwardly, he resolved not to bother Pei Siyue unless absolutely necessary.

Little did he expect work to come so quickly.

At 6 p.m., Jiang Wu found him and said, "Mr. Pei might have gotten caught up in work in the lab. You should go remind him."

Ruan Shuyang remembered this was part of his duties as a life assistant and immediately agreed. "Sure."

After confirming the lab’s location, he headed there.

On the way, he slowly got to see other areas of the office building.

When he had arrived earlier, Jiang Wu had led him directly to the top floor, so he hadn’t seen much else. Now, walking to the lab, he passed through many parts of the company.

Ruiji’s interior design resembled the office buildings he had seen online—white industrial-style workstations, semi-transparent frosted glass partitions, and bright fluorescent lights.

Most employees wore business attire, and perhaps because it was a multinational company, he occasionally heard them addressing each other by their English names.

It felt like he was really interning at a well-known large corporation, Ruan Shuyang thought dreamily.

Even if he was what people might call a nepotism hire.

When he reached the lab, he found the door closed. He tried swiping his employee badge, and the door opened.

Inside, several people stood, all in full protective gear. He immediately spotted Pei Siyue.

Pei Siyue was wearing a lab coat, a surgical cap, mask, gloves, and goggles.

Even though he was dressed exactly like everyone else in the lab, Ruan Shuyang recognized him at a glance.

Pei Siyue was tall and straight-backed, his posture straight, his commanding presence impossible to ignore. Even in a crowd, he stood out like a spotlight was on him, drawing all attention.

He was a striking figure.

Ruan Shuyang stared for a moment, his heartbeat quickening unconsciously.

Pei Siyue in a lab coat was really handsome.

Ruan Shuyang stood frozen until someone passing by snapped him out of it.

He slowly approached Pei Siyue, waiting for a pause when he wasn’t handling any laboratory equipment, and timidly reminded him, "Mr. Pei, it’s dinnertime."

Pei Siyue didn’t take his eyes off the instrument’s screen, calmly replying, "Address me differently."

Address him differently? Did that mean he shouldn’t call him "Mr. Pei"?

What should he call him then?

He was puzzled, trying again, "Dr. Pei, it’s dinnertime."

He had heard someone else address Pei Siyue that way earlier.

Pei Siyue still didn’t look at him. "Address me differently."

Huh?

Ruan Shuyang was confused. Why did he have to call him again?

A moment later, Pei Siyue looked away from the instrument and saw Ruan Shuyang’s confused and slightly aggrieved expression. He kindly reminded him, "What did you used to call me?"

As expected, Ruan Shuyang’s face flushed.

"I, I..."

Could he really use that kind of address in the company? Would it be inappropriate?

But under Pei Siyue’s expectant gaze, he whispered, "Brother... Gege."

"Understood," Pei Siyue replied unhurriedly. "I’ll go in fifteen minutes."

"Oh."

After responding, Ruan Shuyang wasn’t sure if he should leave. He stood there uncertainly, his face full of the nervousness of a new employee.

Pei Siyue pulled out a chair beside him and gestured for him to sit. "You’re still growing up. If you’re hungry, you can eat first. No need to wait for me or listen to Jiang Wu."

Ruan Shuyang said, "I’m not hungry."

As for whether to listen to Jiang Wu, he felt he probably should.

According to the office survival tips he’d looked up, he should follow the instructions of those higher-ranking. Jiang Wu was a secretary, so his rank was likely higher than an assistant’s.

Pei Siyue turned from the instrument screen to look at Ruan Shuyang, his gloved hand resting on the back of the chair as he looked down at the well-behaved and timid Ruan Shuyang, speaking very directly, "You only need to listen to what I say."

"Ah, r-really...?" Ruan Shuyang stuttered, "Only listen to you, one person?"

It felt so strange.

"Yes." Pei Siyue was quite pleased that he repeated it. "You're my assistant, so of course you only need to listen to what I say."

Ruan Shuyang lowered his head, gripping his clothes, not understanding why he felt so nervous and shy even though he was just doing a summer part-time job at the company.

Fortunately, the fifteen minutes passed quickly. Pei Siyue turned off the instrument, took off his lab coat, goggles, mask, and gloves, washed his hands, and gestured for Ruan Shuyang to follow him.

When they reached the office, Jiang Wu had already prepared dinner—Japanese sashimi and sushi.

While eating, Pei Siyue told Ruan Shuyang, "There are several new research projects recently, so I’ll be spending more time in the lab and clinical trial sites. Sometimes I’ll eat there due to the experiment schedule, so you don’t need to wait for me."

For the umpteenth time, Ruan Shuyang thought Pei Siyue was truly amazing. "You’re still involved in new research projects now?"

"Only a very few," Pei Siyue said. "I want to speed up development."

Ruan Shuyang was curious, "What kind of projects are they?"

After speaking, he remembered the confidentiality agreement he’d signed and quickly added, "If it’s confidential, you don’t have to say."

"It's not confidential." Pei Siyue shook his head and explained one of them to Ruan Shuyang: "There’s a drug designed to help Omegas who have undergone mark-clearing surgery recover their glands and reproductive cavities. This would significantly reduce the physical damage from the surgery and prevent it from affecting their lifespan."

From the perspective of current medical technology, if an Omega who has been lifelong marked wants to remove the mark, it causes significant harm to the body. Many Omegas who undergo mark-clearing surgery die early due to post-surgery complications.

His mother, Jiang Ruowan, was one of them.

Jiang Ruowan was also a doctor during her lifetime. After her divorce, despite knowing the complications of mark-clearing surgery, she went through with it resolutely because she didn’t want to carry Pei Yan’s mark.

After the surgery, Jiang Ruowan’s body became very weak. She lived for about ten years before passing away. Before her death, she had been working on drug research related to the complications of mark-clearing surgery, but unfortunately, she never managed to develop it. After her death, the project was put on hold until Pei Siyue started it up again.

Mark-clearing surgery severely damages an Omega’s glands and reproductive cavity, leading to a weakened immune system and often dying from various infections.

If a drug could help repair the damaged glands and reproductive cavities of Omegas, it could effectively reduce post-surgery complications and give Omegas a chance to have another choice.

Currently, the development of this drug is nearing the phase III clinical trial stage, and volunteers are being recruited.

Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue in shock, his eyes turning red without him realizing.

If the complications of mark-clearing surgery weren’t so severe, Yu Xianpo could have undergone the surgery back then. Would he have been controlled by Ruan Jianchuan for so long?

If this drug had existed back then...

Pei Siyue, who is at the top of the pyramid as an Enigma, could easily ignore the struggles of vulnerable Omegas, yet he has been working hard to develop solutions to help them.

Tears slowly fell from Ruan Shuyang’s eyes, drop by drop, spreading across the table.

Pei Siyue put down his chopsticks, pulled him over to sit on his lap, and helplessly took out a tissue to wipe his tears. With a sigh, he asked, "I was just telling you about the research progress. Why are you crying?"

Ruan Shuyang sobbed, "With a drug like this, more Omegas can be helped. They won’t be trapped by permanent marks. You’re so good, developing this drug for Omegas."

"Don’t think of me too highly," Pei Siyue said calmly, looking at him. "I’m also a businessman. Business is business—some drugs are developed for profit."

Ruan Shuyang shook his head, sniffled, and said, "It’s better that someone is doing it than no one at all. The fact that the drug is being developed is hope in itself."

Better than waiting desperately for death after mark-clearing surgery.

"Perhaps..." Pei Siyue’s expression held a touch of gentle sorrow.

If this drug had been developed earlier, would Jiang Ruowan still be alive?

But there are no "ifs" in this world.

"Alright, stop crying." Pei Siyue took out another tissue to wipe Ruan Shuyang’s nose, speaking to him like a child. "You’ve even got snot everywhere."

Ruan Shuyang, lost in his sadness, only realized what Pei Siyue had just done when his face flushed bright red, all the way down to his neck. He couldn’t cry anymore.

Why did Pei Siyue wipe his nose for him?

So embarrassing.

He quickly slid off Pei Siyue’s lap and stood a little farther away, trying to distance himself.

"I... I didn’t mean to."

"I know." Pei Siyue looked amusedly at the child who wiped his snot and then turned ungrateful. "The eyes, ears, mouth, and nose are interconnected. When crying, the tear glands secrete a large amount of tears, some of which flow into the nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal duct, mixing with nasal mucus to form snot." [1]

Ruan Shuyang: "..."

Wuwu, why did he have to explain it again? To help him remember and make him deeply aware of how embarrassing he had just been.

After dinner, Pei Siyue took the car keys and prepared to take Ruan Shuyang home. When he was with Ruan Shuyang, he usually disliked being disturbed and didn’t even use a driver.

However, as they were about to leave, something unexpected happened.

Ruan Shuyang asked, "Brother... where are you taking me?"

Pei Siyue replied very naturally, "Coming home with me."

Ruan Shuyang blinked, slowly remembering what Pei Siyue had said about moving in together.

He wasn’t sure how to respond.

He wasn’t good at rejecting others, especially someone who had been so kind to him.

"I, I..."

Pei Siyue looked down at him, his tone calm. "If you have something to say, just say it directly."

Although Pei Siyue’s tone wasn’t stern at all, Ruan Shuyang still felt very nervous. Haltingly, he said, "Well, I wanted to go home today..."

"Mm, and then?"

"And then... I’ll be getting my summer job paycheck soon, so I can rent my own place. I don’t want to bother you."

Staying at Pei Siyue’s house would definitely bother him, especially since Ruan Shuyang felt that Pei Siyue didn’t seem to like living with others. Every time he visited, the huge house felt cold, quiet, and empty.

Hearing this, Pei Siyue almost laughed angrily. He had given Ruan Shuyang the summer job paycheck to help him live better and give him more freedom spending money. He never expected Ruan Shuyang would use it to rent a place and move out.

Maybe he should have paid him less, so he couldn’t afford rent and wouldn’t think about moving out.

"You can, of course," Pei Siyue said calmly, reminding him. "But don’t forget, as my personal assistant, you need to drive me and handle my commute. It would be very inconvenient if we didn’t live together."

That seemed true.

Ruan Shuyang recalled the job responsibilities of a life assistant, which included the need for commuting.

"But wouldn’t it be disruptive if we lived together? Because, brother, you seem to prefer living alone, and I’m worried I’d be too noisy and disrupt your routine."

"I do prefer living alone," Pei Siyue didn’t deny it, unsurprised to see Ruan Shuyang’s troubled expression. "But I wouldn’t see you moving in as disruptive to my life."

Ruan Shuyang’s large eyes were filled with confusion.

Pei Siyue placed his hand on the back of Ruan Shuyang’s neck, his fingers gently brushing over the gland patch, his voice deep and intoxicating.

"An Enigma also wants to live with their omega."

Ruan Shuyang’s eyes widened—An Enigma and his omega…

Was Pei Siyue talking about him when he said "his omega"?

There didn’t seem to be anyone else.

But could he really be considered Pei Siyue’s omega? Could such an intimate description apply to their relationship?

Their connection was supposed to be strictly for treatment—how did it get so intimate?