Chapter 31

Chapter 31

When Pei Siyue went upstairs to his study to handle business, Ruan Shuyang was engrossed in his new phone. By the time Pei Siyue finished his work and came downstairs, Ruan Shuyang was still clutching the device.

He inexplicably felt like a parent watching a child captivated by their phone.

Pei Siyue: "..."

He stood behind Ruan Shuyang for a moment, observing him still exploring the phone's various features, then asked unhurriedly, "Do you like it?"

Though his tone wasn't stern, Ruan Shuyang flinched like a child caught misbehaving by a teacher, quickly putting down the phone and standing up. "Pei... Pei... no, G-gege."

He was extremely nervous, his breathing shallow, not daring to meet Pei Siyue's gaze.

Pei Siyue walked over to Ruan Shuyang, gently tilted his chin up, and looked down at him. "What are you afraid of?"

Ruan Shuyang was forced to look up, meeting Pei Siyue’s unreadable expression. "I... I think I've been playing with my phone for too long."

Without realizing it, a significant amount of time had passed.

"And?"

"I think... I did something wrong."

"Remember this," Pei Siyue said in a commanding tone. "Here, you don't need to be nervous. Even if you genuinely feel you've done something wrong, it's okay. Just tell me directly, and I'll find a solution."

His chin still held by Pei Siyue, Ruan Shuyang looked at the enigmatic man so close to him. His heart instinctively raced, but he wasn’t as scared as before.

He ventured to ask, "If I do something wrong, what will you do?"

Pei Siyue told him, "If you do something that harms your body, I will punish you."

Ruan Shuyang, nervous and shy, asked, "How would you punish me? Would you use pheromone punishment?"

Pei Siyue’s voice was low, his gaze deep and dark. "Do you like pheromone punishment?"

Ruan Shuyang shook his head, his face red. "It feels a bit uncomfortable."

Wanting it but not being able to have it was truly uncomfortable—so much so that it made him want to cry. But when he did get it, it felt so good. So he couldn’t say he hated it, just that it was a little uncomfortable.

"We'll decide on the punishment when the time comes," Pei Siyue told Ruan Shuyang. "But you don’t need to feel nervous about things like playing with your phone, acting spoiled, being picky about food, or sleeping late."

"The scope of 'doing something wrong' is limited only to harming your own health. Understand?"

Ruan Shuyang didn't entirely grasp it, but he understood that things like playing with his phone, acting spoiled, or being picky about food—which weren’t allowed in the Ruan family—were not considered wrong in front of Pei Siyue.

He said softly, "I understand a little."

Pei Siyue released his chin and asked, "What do you want to eat tonight, or is there anything you’d like to do?"

Ruan Shuyang was actually very curious about the outside world. He had just finished his gaokao and should be in that period of his life with the least burdens and the most freedom to enjoy himself. If it weren’t for his situation with the Ruan family, he could be happily enjoying life.

He had heard his classmates talk about many kinds of food and fun things to do, and when Pei Siyue asked, he felt a flutter of excitement.

Could he really speak without hesitation in front of Pei Siyue? Could he ask for things without feeling like a burden?

Wouldn’t that be too troublesome or too willful?

His large, almond-shaped eyes were filled with confusion and anxiety, which Pei Siyue could read at a glance.

He told Ruan Shuyang, "Just say it."

"I don’t like it when you hide things from me."

Hearing that Pei Siyue didn't like things being hidden, Ruan Shuyang replied, "I’d like to try the handmade ice cream, bubble tea, and seafood buffet that my classmates talked about."

Pei Siyue took him to a five-star hotel that offered handmade ice cream, bubble tea, and a seafood buffet.

While driving, he felt like he was raising a child.

But what else could he do? Ruan Shuyang was too young and still naive.

Moreover, at this point, he was only about two fingers thick—he couldn't do anything about it.

If they truly established a relationship, he'd be the one left frustrated.

Ruan Shuyang drank freshly brewed milk tea, ate delicious handmade ice cream, and had a plate of fresh sashimi in front of him.

Pei Siyue thought all of it was too cold; eating too much might upset his stomach. Especially since the young omega’s reproductive cavity was still developing and his stomach was already uncomfortable. When Ruan Shuyang finished his first serving, Pei Siyue advised, "Eat less. Too much will make your stomach hurt."

Ruan Shuyang, enjoying the delicious ice cream, was so happy his eyes were practically closing and just wanted to keep eating. "It’s fine, it won’t hurt."

Pei Siyue didn’t argue, but when Ruan Shuyang finished one serving of handmade ice cream and went for a second, he stopped him. "Don’t eat any more. If you keep going, you’ll eat too much."

"Will I?"

Ruan Shuyang had never experienced eating ice cream so freely and didn’t know it could upset his stomach, but he found the ice cream so delicious he wanted more.

"Yes," Pei Siyue said firmly, seeing Ruan Shuyang’s eager expression. "You can’t have any more."

"Okay."

Although Ruan Shuyang still wanted more, he obediently stopped when Pei Siyue told him not to.

A moment later, Pei Siyue got him a glass of warm water, had him drink that first, then eat some warm food, and finally gave him a bowl of hot soup.

On the way back, Ruan Shuyang rubbed his stomach, feeling completely stuffed.

Pei Siyue had made him eat so much food that he was completely full, yet Pei Siyue still thought he could eat more, saying he was too thin and needed to eat more.

He's kind of strict, Ruan Shuyang thought quietly.

But even though Pei Siyue was a bit strict, he was still really wonderful.

When they arrived home, Pei Siyue led Ruan Shuyang to the guest room he had stayed in before. The room had been prepared by Ji Huai, set up with a desktop computer, laptop, gaming console, tablet, and other things young men would like. The closet was also filled with new clothes.

"This is your room," Pei Siyue said, standing at the door. "If there’s anything you don’t like or anything missing, let me know."

Ruan Shuyang looked at the guest room, which was larger than any room in the Ruan home, filled with many things he had once dreamed of. He felt it couldn’t be more perfect.

"I really like it. Thank you so much."

He looked at Pei Siyue, his eyes sparkling.

Pei Siyue ruffled Ruan Shuyang's hair and softly reminded him, "Get to bed early."

"If you need anything, you can call me. I'm right next door."

After saying this, Pei Siyue was about to leave when he noticed Ruan Shuyang blushing and looking at him as if he wanted to say something.

He simply waited patiently where he stood.

A few minutes later, Ruan Shuyang gathered his courage to tell Pei Siyue, "You’re a really great brother. It must be wonderful to be your brother."

A good brother?

Pei Siyue didn’t know how to react. His own younger brother, Pei Siming, certainly wouldn’t agree.

And he had no interest in being a "good brother" anyway.

He just wanted to be his enigma.

**

In stark contrast to Ruan Shuyang, Pei Siming, his mother, and the Ruan family were in turmoil.

During the day, Pei Yan immediately understood what had happened. Disgusted by Pei Siming and Zhou Wei, he ordered them to move out of the Pei family mansion and into a remote villa. He also warned Pei Siming that if he caused any more trouble, he would disown him and cut him off from the family trust.

Zhou Wei sobbed and protested, refusing to move, but Pei Siming stood there silently, like a ghost, for a moment and, for once, didn’t argue with Pei Yan. Instead, he led Zhou Wei away.

Pan Lan and Ruan Qi were finally discharged from Ruiji Hospital. Ruan Qi was now terrified of hospitals after this and refused to ever go back.

Upon receiving Ruan Shuyang’s message, Ruan Jianchuan was furious. After bribing one of the Peis' servants for information, he learned that Ruan Shuyang had left with Pei Siyue. He immediately wanted to go after Pei Siyue but couldn’t find his phone number. He could only reach Pei Siyue’s secretary, who informed him that he could set up a meeting at the Pei Corporation the next morning at 10 a.m.

This news cooled him down a lot, and he didn’t go looking for Ruan Shuyang.

Pan Lan, on the other hand, was far calmer about Ruan Shuyang’s departure. Although having one less person to boss around was inconvenient, she was glad that her husband’s affair child was finally gone. With that nuisance gone, she couldn’t be bothered to look for him—in fact, she hoped he’d just disappear.

As for Ruan Jianchuan’s idea of using Ruan Shuyang to gain benefits, she found it absurd.

With Ruan Shuyang’s timid, unattractive manner, what alpha would be blind enough to want him?

Ruan Qi, having been exhausted these past few days, also didn’t suggest looking for Ruan Shuyang.

For various reasons, no one from the Ruan family went looking for Ruan Shuyang.

**

Ruan Shuyang was happier than he’d ever been. That night, lying in a large bed nestled in cloud-soft blankets and pillows, he was too happy to sleep.

He tossed and turned for a while, and just as he was finally starting to feel drowsy, he suddenly felt a pain in his stomach.

This pain was different from the pulling sensation he felt during his reproductive cavity’s development—it was a sharp, cramping pain that made him want to curl up in bed.

He had a bad feeling. Could it be that he’d eaten too much ice cream and now his stomach hurt?

What should he do for a stomachache?

He looked it up online for solutions and saw someone suggest drinking hot water. After thinking it over, he decided to go find some hot water.

Afraid of disturbing Pei Siyue, he opened his door as quietly as possible. The motion-sensor night light in the hallway turned on, and he went downstairs to the kitchen.

He thought hot water was probably kept in the kitchen.

He turned on the kitchen light on the first floor and looked around at the clean, sleek, and empty counters, feeling frustrated about where to find hot water.

Pei Siyue’s kitchen was so high-tech he didn’t know how to use it. He frowned, looking troubled.

Just as he was considering giving up and just dealing with the pain, he suddenly heard Pei Siyue’s voice behind him.

"What are you looking for?"

Ruan Shuyang turned around in surprise and saw Pei Siyue standing behind him, in black pajamas. Clearly, he had been resting but came downstairs after hearing him open the door.

He said awkwardly, "Did I disturb you? I’m sorry."

Ruan Shuyang stood in the kitchen wearing white bear print pajamas, looking nervous and lost, like a child who had done something wrong—a kid who didn’t even look fully grown.

Pei Siyue asked calmly, "Don’t be nervous. What did you come to the kitchen for?"

"I wanted to find some hot water."

Pei Siyue took a mug and filled it with 45-degree warm water from the dispenser, handing it to Ruan Shuyang.

Ruan Shuyang took small, careful sips, his pale pink lips now glistening.

Pei Siyue averted his eyes and asked, "Why did you want hot water? Does your stomach hurt?"

Ruan Shuyang didn’t dare lie to Pei Siyue and admitted honestly, "My stomach hurts a little."

Pei Siyue didn’t say anything. After Ruan Shuyang finished drinking, he went upstairs with him and entered Ruan Shuyang’s room.

Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue with surprise and confusion. "What’s wrong?"

Pei Siyue said, "Lie down."

Ruan Shuyang obediently lay down.

Pei Siyue stood by the bed, leaning slightly forward, and gently placed his hand on Ruan Shuyang’s stomach. "Does it hurt badly? Is your reproductive cavity uncomfortable?"

Ruan Shuyang shook his head. "Not too bad. It’s not the same kind of pain as when my reproductive cavity hurts."

Pei Siyue pressed a few other areas and asked if it hurt especially when pressed. Ruan Shuyang said no each time.

"It’s probably from all that ice cream," Pei Siyue said, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking down at Ruan Shuyang. "Next time, you can’t eat that much ice cream."

Ruan Shuyang was clearly disappointed upon hearing this. His large, clear eyes wide open, he asked in a pitiful voice, "Can’t I have any at all?"

Pei Siyue thought for a moment and replied magnanimously, "You can have one bite per serving."

One bite? That’s so little…

Thinking of the delicious ice cream, Ruan Shuyang felt it was truly tragic to only be allowed one bite.

He mustered his courage and tried to bargain. "One bite is too little. Can I have a bit more?"

Pei Siyue’s hand rested on Ruan Shuyang’s stomach, gently massaging it as he asked, "What if I say no?"

Ruan Shuyang’s expression visibly wilted, but he sniffled and obediently replied, "Then… just one bite."

After saying this, he felt like life had lost its color—even handmade ice cream was limited to one bite.

Ugh, how depressing.

"Depending on how you behave," Pei Siyue said leisurely, "if you behave well, you can have a few more bites. But no more than three bites at most."

"Huh?" Ruan Shuyang was stunned, then immediately asked, "Then… did I behave well today?"

He felt he’d been good and obedient today.

However, Pei Siyue said, "No."

Ruan Shuyang felt as if the sky had fallen.

"N-not good?"

Pei Siyue’s expression turned stern. "I told you to inform me if anything happened. Why didn’t you tell me your stomach hurt?"

It seemed he was right. Ruan Shuyang remembered again.

"Sorry, I was afraid of disturbing you. I’ll tell you next time."

Most of the time, he found Pei Siyue gentle, but occasionally, he could be strict and intimidating—especially when Ruan Shuyang made mistakes.

Pei Siyue furrowed his brow, his tone stern. "You weren’t good today. You insisted on eating too much ice cream and didn’t tell me you were uncomfortable."

After thinking it over carefully, Ruan Shuyang realized it was true. He asked timidly, "Then… since I wasn’t good, are you going to punish me?"

Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Shuyang’s nervous, worried face, which was almost all scrunched up. After a moment, he said, "Since it’s your first time, I’ll overlook it this time. But if it happens again, I will punish you."

Ruan Shuyang let out a sigh of relief.

"You must tell me whenever you’re not feeling well."

Ruan Shuyang nodded obediently and answered in a soft voice, "Okay."

A few minutes later, Pei Siyue asked, "Does your stomach still hurt?"

Ruan Shuyang blinked, surprised to find that his stomach actually didn’t hurt much anymore. Pei Siyue’s hand had been resting on his stomach, gently rubbing it.

Every time Pei Siyue rubbed his stomach, he felt especially soothed.

Feeling better, he smiled sweetly, like a kid who got candy. "It doesn’t hurt anymore."

Hearing this, Pei Siyue didn’t leave immediately. He remained seated by the bed, one hand still keeping his stomach warm while the other gently covered his eyes. His voice was low and soothing, reassuring.

"Sleep early."

He released a bit of pheromones to comfort and lull Ruan Shuyang to sleep.

Ruan Shuyang had initially wanted to say that he was grown up and could sleep on his own, that Pei Siyue didn’t need to bother staying to coax him. But once his eyes were covered, he gradually grew drowsy and drifted off to sleep.

After falling asleep, he unconsciously did things he wouldn’t dare or be too embarrassed to do while awake.

His hand grasped Pei Siyue’s—slender, soft, holding on gently, as if to make sure the other was by his side to feel at ease.

Pei Siyue had heard that children often feel insecure when sick, and Ruan Shuyang himself seemed like a child who was insecure and needed companionship.

Once he was sure Ruan Shuyang was asleep, he slowly removed his hand from Ruan Shuyang’s eyes and dimmed the bedside lamp.

Ruan Shuyang, small and buried in the pillows and mattress, breathed softly with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling gently. He seemed to be dreaming, a faint smile on his lips.

He really is still a child, Pei Siyue thought.

But he wouldn’t let go. He could patiently wait for Ruan Shuyang to grow up.

He sat with him for a while longer, until he was sure Ruan Shuyang was fast asleep, before leaving.

**

The next morning, Ruan Shuyang woke up embarrassed to realize that Pei Siyue had coaxed him to sleep. He hesitated for a bit in bed before finally getting up and going downstairs.

Sure enough, he saw Pei Siyue in the living room.

Upon seeing him, Pei Siyue shut his laptop and asked, "Does your stomach still hurt?"

Ruan Shuyang shook his head. "No, it doesn’t."

"I’m going to the company later."

"Should I come along?" He remembered his position was Pei Siyue’s life assistant. "Do you need any help?"

Pei Siyue shook his head. "This time, I’m going to the Pei Corporation. I’ll have Ji Huai come over to keep you company. Tell him wherever you want to go."

"It’s alright, no need to trouble Ji Huai. I can just stay home."

Pei Siyue thought for a moment and said, "If you don’t like someone following you, you can learn to drive."

"Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?"

Pei Siyue reminded him, "Don’t forget you said you’d learn to drive and drive me."

Ruan Shuyang immediately said, "Then I’ll start learning next week."

He wasn’t the type to trouble others, and having Ji Huai follow him around and drive him would feel awkward.

It would be better to learn to drive himself—he could even drive Pei Siyue around.

After breakfast, Pei Siyue left. Ji Huai arrived at the villa and, upon learning that Ruan Shuyang had no plans to go out, started making desserts.

Of course, they were served warm.

Pei Siyue had specifically instructed not to give Ruan Shuyang anything cold these few days.

The "poor" Ruan Shuyang, on a hot day, received a bowl of warm red bean ginger milk sago and a freshly baked rose cheese black tea pastry.

**

Pei Siyue went to meet Ruan Jianchuan.

Over the past couple of days, he had investigated the size of the other’s debt and had the Hanfeng Group’s legal team draft a contract to discuss with Ruan Jianchuan today.

When he arrived at the office at ten, Cheng Yi, the secretary of Hanfeng Group, informed him that Ruan Jianchuan had been waiting in the reception room for quite some time.

Pei Siyue said, "Have him come in."

Cheng Yi soon brought Ruan Jianchuan into the office before closing the door and leaving.

This was Ruan Jianchuan’s second time in Pei Siyue’s office. Although this young man was more than twenty years his junior, he still felt nervous and breathless in his presence, as if he were being seen through.

But thinking of Ruan Shuyang, who had left with Pei Siyue, Ruan Jianchuan regained some confidence.

He tentatively called out, "President Pei..."

Pei Siyue replied coldly, "Read the contract."

Ruan Jianchuan hesitantly picked up the contract and read it, realizing it was indeed a funding agreement but it included a betting clause.

Immediately dissatisfied, he thought, *If you’re giving money, just give it. Why add conditions?*

His face darkened. "President Pei, why is there a betting clause in here?"

Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Jianchuan with a piercing cold stare, his tone cold: "Perhaps you haven't been facing reality."

Ruan Jianchuan had a bad feeling: "How so?"

"You're in no position to negotiate with me."

"But Ruan Shuyang—"

Pei Siyue cut him off: "He's an adult now. Where he goes shouldn't need you, his father, interfering."

"Besides, would you spend tens of millions on an omega?"

Ruan Jianchuan was speechless again.

"Business is business. Signing the betting agreement is a condition of my investment. If you don't want to sign, you can leave now and don't come back."

Ruan Jianchuan’s face turned particularly grim. Pei Siyue’s words mixed carrot and stick, with the threat being stronger—essentially saying, take it or leave it, and don’t try to use Ruan Shuyang to lean on him; it won’t work.

If there were any other way out, Ruan Jianchuan would never have chosen Pei Siyue.

But Pei Siming had been refusing his calls, clearly unwilling to negotiate. He had exhausted all options with banks and business partners—no one was willing to lend him the money. If he rejected Pei Siyue’s terms, he had no idea where else he could get such a large sum. Without it to cover the shortfall, everything he had would be lost.

He absolutely could not accept that outcome. Ruan's Jewelry was his—something he had fought tooth and nail for. He would never let it fall into someone else’s hands.

The betting agreement required that the net profit in the fourth quarter of this year match that of the third quarter. If it wasn’t met, he would have to hand over his shares to Pei Siyue.

If it was met, Pei Siyue’s investment would allow him to repay the money interest-free over three years.

Ruan Jianchuan thought maintaining the same net profit wouldn’t be difficult—at the very least, it wasn’t asking for an increase.

But he still wanted to try to negotiate more.

"Mr. Pei..."

Pei Siyue didn’t respond, only pressed a button on the intercom on his desk.

The tall, sturdy secretary Cheng Yi quickly entered. Seeing the situation going south, Ruan Jianchuan panicked and yelled desperately, "I’ll sign, I’ll sign right now! Don’t throw me out..."

Pei Siyue waved his hand, dismissing Cheng Yi.

Gritting his teeth, Ruan Jianchuan signed the contract.

**

After handling Ruan Jianchuan's matter, Pei Siyue was about to return home when he received an unexpected call.

He frowned.

When Ruan Shuyang was eating lunch, Pei Siyue returned. Ruan Shuyang immediately asked, "Would you like to have lunch?"

Pei Siyue shook his head: "I have to leave for abroad this afternoon. I’ll be gone for about a week or so."

"Ah?" Ruan Shuyang was stunned, his chopsticks dropping from his hand. A sudden reluctance washed over him: "Is it a business trip?"

"Not entirely." Pei Siyue explained: "An elder is ill, and I need to go see them. I’ll also handle some business at the overseas company."

Ruan Shuyang knew he shouldn’t interfere with important matters, so he held back his disappointment and nodded: "Alright, then you should go quickly. Travel safely."

"The flight takes off in three hours. There are some things to take care of before then."

Ruan Shuyang asked: "Do you need to pack? Can I help you?"

Pei Siyue shook his head. Seeing that Ruan Shuyang hadn’t picked up his chopsticks again, he first took a moist towelette and gently cleaned his mouth, then lifted him from the chair and placed him on his lap.

Ruan Shuyang looked at Pei Siyue with clear, almond-shaped eyes, unsure what he intended to do.

Pei Siyue’s fingers lightly traced Ruan Shuyang’s cheek.

Ruan Shuyang’s skin was flawless, smooth and delicate like fine porcelain, impossible to resist touching.

His hand moved from the cheek to the side, gently peeling off Ruan Shuyang’s gland patch. The fresh, elegant scent of Lily of the Valley wafted out, and Pei Siyue’s eyes darkened.

An ordinary omega’s pheromones wouldn’t affect an enigma at all—he could coldly watch an omega in heat without any reaction.

But the pheromones of a marked omega could affect their own enigma. The more times they were marked, the deeper the influence would become.

This would be the third mark; the effect would be profound.

It might also be time to try what older enigmas had spoken of.

Ruan Shuyang, feeling his gland patch being removed, blushed at the ears and asked: "Are you going to mark me?"

Considering he’d be gone for over a week, perhaps he wanted to mark him before leaving.

"Mm." Pei Siyue’s voice was slightly hoarse. "I’ll give you more pheromones before I go. We can’t interrupt the treatment."

Ruan Shuyang blushed and lowered his head, exposing his gland more clearly.

"Okay, alright."

The omega’s gland was still as small and tender as the first time he saw it. Weeks of treatment hadn’t produced any noticeable change—it remained tiny but looked exceptionally fresh and enticing.

Pei Siyue lowered his head, his lips brushing lightly over Ruan Shuyang’s gland. The gland was extremely sensitive, and Ruan Shuyang couldn’t suppress a soft "Mmm." He quickly covered his mouth, embarrassed by the sound he had just made.