Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Pei Siyue nodded.

The sadness and ache in Ruan Shuyang’s heart instantly vanished. He touched the necklace around his neck and asked, “Then should we give this one away too?”

“No, one is enough.” Pei Siyue shook his head and then asked, “Are you wearing the key?”

Ruan Shuyang nodded, took out the key, and unfastened the necklace from his neck.

Pei Siyue picked up the other newly made thorny rose necklace and fastened it on him.

The rose, entwined with thorns and set with a ruby, rested just below Ruan Shuyang’s collarbone, stunningly beautiful.

After leaving the Ruan family, Ruan Shuyang had undergone a significant change. His features had become more defined, his gaze was no longer always shifty and timid, and his skin was as smooth and fair as jade, like a polished pearl, gleaming brightly.

Sooner or later, more people would notice Ruan Shuyang's qualities.

As Pei Siyue clasped the necklace on Ruan Shuyang’s neck, this time he did not hand over the key. Instead, he simply asked, “Do you like it?”

Ruan Shuyang nodded, not noticing the key, and said while gazing at the pendant he had designed, “I like it very much.”

Pei Siyue said in an even tone, “If you like it, wear it always.”

Don’t take it off. And you won’t be able to.

After Ruan Shuyang finished admiring the necklace delightedly, Pei Siyue had already reviewed and annotated the documents he had brought.

When he handed the files back to Ruan Shuyang, he asked, “What do you feel like eating tonight? How about I take you out for a seafood buffet?”

Ruan Shuyang thought of the delicious seafood buffet Pei Siyue had taken him to before—the fresh, exquisite flavors were so good, it was to die for.

He quickly nodded, “Sure!”

After work that evening, he sat with Pei Siyue at the seafood buffet restaurant. As he enjoyed the sweet and fresh shellfish, he asked, “Is this the reward you mentioned, brother?”

“No.” Pei Siyue shook his head. “This is just taking you out for a meal. The reward is this weekend.”

Ruan Shuyang was pleasantly surprised. “There’s still a reward? What is it?”

Pei Siyue looked at Ruan Shuyang, who was as happy as a child upon hearing about the reward, and played along as if he were a child. “What do you say I take you to the amusement park?”

Ruan Shuyang was stunned. “Brother, how… how did you know I wanted to go to the amusement park?”

He had only been to an amusement park once or twice when Yu Xianpo was still alive and had never gone again after that.

Since leaving the Ruan family, he had occasionally thought about going. Whenever he passed by an amusement park and saw the giant Ferris wheel, he would gaze at it with longing, but he also felt that, at eighteen, it might not be appropriate for him to go anymore.

Pei Siyue gently ruffled Ruan Shuyang’s hair and simply said, “I just knew.”

He had noticed, of course, that every time the little omega passed by the Ferris wheel and saw its beautiful night view, his eyes were filled with desire.

He had been meaning to take him there when he had time, and this weekend was finally free.

Ruan Shuyang gazed at him admiringly. “Brother, you’re so smart. It’s like you know everything!”

Nothing could be hidden from him.

On the way home after dinner, Ruan Shuyang brought up selling the necklace—to an omega senior at his school. As he recalled the experience, his face lit up with excitement and joy. His eyes were particularly bright, making him look confident and radiant.

Pei Siyue watched without a word. After arriving home and closing the door, he removed the gland patch from the back of Ruan Shuyang's neck.

Ruan Shuyang was a bit surprised but then remembered that the Mark was originally supposed to be on Wednesday. However, Pei Siyue had to leave on a sudden business trip, so it seemed it had been pushed to today.

As soon as the blocking patch was removed, he was immediately immersed in the enigma pheromone. The extracted pheromone solution was vastly different from the pheromones released by Pei Siyue himself.

The pheromones released by Pei Siyue were domineering and pervasive, making Ruan Shuyang completely immersed in them.

His body was already very familiar with Pei Siyue's pheromones. As soon as he sensed them, his body would go weak and hot all over, his instincts screaming for more.

He let out a soft sound, unable to stand steadily, and leaned against Pei Siyue's chest, giving him a pitiful look while clutching his clothes.

For some reason, every time he came into contact with Pei Siyue's pheromones, his thoughts became muddled. He would instinctively desire it, feel a deep fondness for it, and it felt incredibly good when he got it—like a thirsty traveler in the desert finally drinking from a clear spring.

Pei Siyue's expression remained cool and collected. With one arm around his waist, he asked, "What's wrong?"

Ruan Shuyang's eyes reddened, but he couldn't speak.

He thought Pei Siyue was so mean—removing his blocking patch, letting him sense the pheromones, yet refusing to Mark him immediately.

He clearly knew what Ruan Shuyang wanted but wouldn't give it to him, just teasing him.

Pei Siyue held his waist with one hand while gently stroking his gland with the other. The touch was light, but the gland was extremely sensitive, so much so that it felt as if Pei Siyue's fingerprints were being imprinted on it.

Ruan Shuyang felt uncomfortable, tears welled up uncontrollably in the rims of his eyes. He looked at Pei Siyue with his tear-filled gaze and whispered, "Brother... gege..."

Pei Siyue responded softly, "Hmm?"

Ruan Shuyang clutched Pei Siyue's clothes, that wronged feeling washed over him again. Why? Why wasn't Pei Siyue giving it to him yet?

He sobbed quietly, but Pei Siyue lifted his chin, making him look into his deep, dark eyes.

All he heard was Pei Siyue's reminder, "Have you forgotten again?"

Forgotten? Forgotten what?

His muddled mind slowly recalled that the last time they were in the room, Pei Siyue had said, "If you want it, say it."

Say it, say it...

The edges of his cherry-red lips parted slightly, turning an enticing crimson from his increasingly feverish body.

He clutched Pei Siyue's clothes, silently pleading, but Pei Siyue remained silent, only looking down at him with one arm around his waist.

He was almost completely pressed against Pei Siyue, immersed in his pheromones, but it wasn't enough. He wanted more, so much more. Closing his eyes, all he could think of was the feeling of being fiercely Marked by Pei Siyue.

His gland unconsciously secreted a clear fluid. His slender, lotus-root-like arms wrapped around Pei Siyue's neck, trying desperately to draw it in, but it still wasn't enough.

The words he found too embarrassing to say when sober slowly escaped his lips.

"I want... I want the Mark."

He thought Pei Siyue would give it to him after he spoke, but this time, instead of complying immediately, Pei Siyue gently stroked his fever-flushed, tearful eyes and asked, "Whose Mark?"

The pheromones flowing around him like water grew hotter. He felt as if he were soaking in warm water—a comfort that was also an agony, craving more.

When Pei Siyue's hand touched his cheek, Ruan Shuyang instinctively rubbed against it, his eyes fluttering shut. But then he heard Pei Siyue say, "Look at me."

Ruan Shuyang obeyed without thinking, opening his large, misty eyes to see Pei Siyue's handsome face close to his, their breath mingling.

He heard Pei Siyue ask again, "Whose is it?"

Ruan Shuyang, burning up and muddled, still unsatisfied, was so wronged that tears threatened to fall. His voice trembling, he said, "Yours."

"Gege... brother's."

As soon as the words fell, he was swiftly turned around. A torrent of pheromones rushed into him, and his body went weak, trembling uncontrollably. It felt as if he were being caressed by currents of water, the force growing heavier and heavier.

His mind went blank for a long time. It wasn’t until well after the marking ended that he came back to himself, realizing they had shifted from standing by the door to sitting on the sofa, with Pei Siyue holding him.

Even after coming to, his body kept shuddering, still lost in the lingering sensations.

Pei Siyue gently stroked his back, his voice soft and gentle: "Just say if you want it."

"In the future, even before it's time, you can tell me if you want to be marked."

Ruan Shuyang gazed confusedly at Pei Siyue. Though his mind wasn’t entirely clear, he still felt that Pei Siyue was different today—more forceful and domineering, fully taking control.

It was as if he were clenching him firmly in the palm of his hand.

Yet, Ruan Shuyang couldn’t help but lean into Pei Siyue’s embrace, finding it comfortable, safe, and deeply pleasing.

Being marked was an overwhelming, near-paralyzing sensation, so pleasurable it left his mind almost blank.

But being held by Pei Siyue felt cozy, comfortable, and exceptionally secure.

Perhaps it was because it'd been a while since the last marking—last week’s mark had faded somewhat. Even after it ended, he didn’t want to move, only wishing to snuggle in Pei Siyue’s arms.

Pei Siyue didn’t push him, simply holding him quietly.

Though he had felt somewhat wronged during the marking, he couldn’t help but depend on Pei Siyue nonetheless.

He buried his head in Pei Siyue’s chest, drinking in his scent, and slowly began to feel a dull ache in his abdomen, while his neck gland still radiated heat.

As his body recovered, it told him he was still unsated.

He tried to endure it, but as soon as he closed his eyes, the pleasurable sensation of being marked returned—so intense it felt like swooping rapidly through the air or plunging swiftly into water.

The earlier sensation had been too intense, too short-lived. Now he wanted something more comfortable and longer-lasting.

He unconsciously squirmed, but was held firmly by Pei Siyue’s grip on his waist.

Pei Siyue’s gaze darkened as he asked in a low voice, "What’s wrong?"

They were so close that Pei Siyue’s handsome face filled his vision. He swallowed, his heartbeat quickening, feeling both pressured and dominated.

He didn’t understand why—even though he had just been marked, he still wanted more.

He tried to hold back, but it was impossible. Fisting Pei Siyue’s clothes, his gaze dazed and his voice thick and nasally, he said, "I still want... I still want..."

"Want what?"

"A mark."

Pei Siyue touched Ruan Shuyang’s forehead. It wasn’t overly hot; he likely hadn’t been sent into heat by the marking—he simply wanted to be marked again.

He didn’t rush to give it, instead asking calmly, "Why do you still want it?"

Ruan Shuyang sobbed softly, feeling too ashamed to say the words. He wanted to leave Pei Siyue’s embrace to cool off alone.

But Pei Siyue didn’t release him. His lips grazed lightly against Ruan Shuyang’s gland, and Ruan Shuyang let out a soft "Mmm..."—the sudden jolt making him go limp in Pei Siyue’s arms again.

Feeling wronged, he said with a tearful voice, "Brother, you’re so bad..."

So bad.

"You’re using... using your pheromones to bully me again."

Pei Siyue didn’t deny it. Instead, he gently licked Ruan Shuyang’s gland, licking away the freshly oozed blood bead.

Just as Ruan Shuyang was about to burst into tears from frustration, Pei Siyue asked, "You want my pheromones, is that it?"

Ruan Shuyang sniffled, plaintively replying, "Yes, but Brother... you won’t give them to me."

Pei Siyue gave a faint smile. "I never said I wouldn’t give them to you."

Ruan Shuyang didn’t know why he thought that way. He couldn’t help fidgeting again. "Then... then why..."

Still, he wasn’t giving it to him.

"Your gland and womb are too small," Pei Siyue explained patiently. "They can’t take too many pheromones at once."

"You can’t withstand a second marking right now. You need to wait."

Ruan Shuyang blinked, his mind seeming to malfunction. Though he heard Pei Siyue’s words, they tangled up, becoming incomprehensible.

Pei Siyue purred coaxingly, "Besides marking, there are other ways to get my pheromones."

As he spoke, his pheromones swirled around Ruan Shuyang, subtly and imperceptibly enticing him.

Ruan Shuyang’s train of thought was diverted. Hazily, he asked, "What way?"

Pei Siyue lifted his chin with one hand while the other gently stroked Ruan Shuyang’s lips. His voice was low and mesmerizing: "Is this okay?"

Ruan Shuyang seemed to understand, blush spreading across his cheeks until they were flushed deep red, starkly contrasting with his fair, delicate skin—a breathtaking beauty of white and red.

He didn’t say no.

Was it... a kiss?

When Pei Siyue took his lips, his mind went blank. An overwhelming flood of pheromones transmitted through the kiss, engulfing him in a pheromone storm. A meaningless buzzing filled his ears, and he couldn’t think of anything, only feeling guided and gently kissed by Pei Siyue.

His heartbeat raced as if he were fully immersed in water—gentle yet searing waves softly brushing against his body.

The concentration of pheromones in saliva was high. In their intertwined breaths and kisses, he was bathed in Pei Siyue’s pheromones, and his earlier dissatisfaction slowly faded.

When he came to, Pei Siyue was sucking on his lips. His scalp tingled, his breath seemingly stolen away. His eyes closed, long eyelashes trembling.

He felt completely enveloped and kneaded by water, soaked through from inside out.

He felt extraordinarily comfortable—different from the soul-shaking pleasure of being marked, this was a blissful, hazy euphoria.

Just before he blacked out, Pei Siyue released his lips and patted his cheek, reminding him, "Breathe."

Ruan Shuyang instinctively gasped for air, still dazed, lips slightly parted and gaze unfocused.

This time, Pei Siyue didn’t wake him further. Instead, he carried him upstairs to a room, laid him on the bed, removed his shoes and socks, fetched a warm towel from the bathroom, and wiped his face and feet.

After cleaning him, Pei Siyue stayed with him for a while, stroking his cheek and softly instructing, "I’ll be in the room next door. Call me if you need anything."

Then he left, exercising great restraint.

Ruan Shuyang lay on the bed for a long time before coming back to himself. His body was bonelessly weak and limp; he didn’t even want to lift a finger.

But as he slowly recalled what had just happened, he couldn’t help curling up, burying his face in the pillow, too mortified to face anyone.

Fortunately, Pei Siyue had already left; otherwise, he was afraid he would have been so ashamed he’d faint.

How could he have clung to Pei Siyue like that, begging for pheromones and still wanting more?

His expression flickered with a mix of regret, shame, anger, and grievance—his emotions were overwhelmingly complicated.

Pei Siyue was so mean too, deliberately withholding from him tonight, forcing him to say it out loud, to admit that he wanted it.

But every time he said it, Pei Siyue would give him such an abundance of pheromones that he was nearly overwhelmed.

Curled up and hugging the pillow, even though it was just marking and kissing, he felt as if he had been drained of energy, unusually exhausted, strangely tired, and just wanted to fall asleep like this.

But he couldn’t, because he needed to change his clothes.

He struggled to get up to wash, but as he got out of bed, his legs went weak and he nearly fell to the floor.

Should he call Pei Siyue to help him to the bathroom…?

The thought was tempting, but in the end, he was too ashamed to call. He barely managed to make it to the bathroom, shower, change into pajamas, and then collapsed onto the bed to sleep.

**

Pei Siyue was also showering, but with cold water. The icy water poured down from the showerhead, yet it couldn’t cool the fire in his veins.

Scorching. Blazing.

He closed his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

Ruan Shuyang was slowly growing dependent on his enigma pheromones, unable to live without him, wanting them not just for healing but also for physical pleasure and satisfaction.

Perhaps the trap he'd set could slowly be drawn closed.

He admitted that many of his methods were underhanded, but he had never been a good person in the traditional sense—he never gave without expecting something in return.

**

The next morning, while having breakfast downstairs, Ruan Shuyang kept avoiding his gaze, not daring to look at Pei Siyue.

But compared to last time, he had improved—he didn’t deliberately avoid him entirely and occasionally dared to glance at Pei Siyue, though he still couldn’t bring himself to recall what had happened the night before.

When he woke up that morning, Ruan Shuyang had really wanted to bury his head in the sand and stay in his room, not getting up, not going to work, and not facing Pei Siyue.

After a night’s sleep, his mind became fully alert, and he finally realized what had happened.

Pei Siyue had not only marked him but also kissed him, telling him there were other ways to get pheromones—

Kissing.

Kissing allowed for the exchange of bodily fluids, and the pheromones were indeed abundant, allowing him to take little sips without feeling overwhelmed all at once.

It seemed like he had truly been teased by Pei Siyue with pheromones again last night, yet he wasn’t particularly angry—instead, he felt deeply flustered.

Probably because he had been completely satiated afterward.

But was kissing also part of the therapy and aftercare?

Come to think of it, Pei Siyue hadn’t asked him about his feelings during the treatment in a long time, though he hadn’t noticed any notable changes recently.

He had gone to bed early the previous night and woke up early. By the time he finished breakfast, it wasn’t even 8 a.m., and work started at 9 a.m.

After breakfast, Pei Siyue stood up to take the empty plates to the kitchen. Ruan Shuyang quickly stood up and said, “I’ll do it.”

Pei Siyue didn’t move, only looking down at Ruan Shuyang with an intense gaze that was impossible to ignore.

Ruan Shuyang grew increasingly uneasy under his stare and couldn’t help looking up, softly calling out, “Brother.”

Pei Siyue said teasingly, “I thought you weren’t going to look at me anymore.”

“N-no, it’s not that.”

But even as he said “no,” his eyes remained evasive, unable to meet Pei Siyue’s gaze.

Pei Siyue placed the empty plates directly into the sink. When he came out, he took a car key from his pocket and set it on the table.

“A car for you, registered under your name. You can drive yourself to work or outings from now on.”

Ruan Shuyang snapped out of his embarrassment, staring at the car key in surprise. “For me?”

And registered under his name?

This gift was too lavish.

He quickly refused, “No, I can’t accept this. It’s too extravagant.”

Pei Siyue looked at the returned car key, his expression unchanged, and said calmly, “You call me brother, don’t you?”

Ruan Shuyang blinked his wide, guileless eyes, unsure why Pei Siyue was bringing this up.

“When a younger brother gets into university, his older brother should give him a gift.” He gently ruffled Ruan Shuyang’s hair, his expression calm but his gaze bottomless as the sea. “If you don’t want it, it can just sit unused in the garage.”

“If you don’t like this model, we can change it.”

Ruan Shuyang was taken aback and quickly said, “No need to change, no need.”

One car was already extravagant enough—why would he need to change it?

When Pei Siyue led him to the garage and he saw the brand-new, majestic Maybach S580—the road king—he froze for a long moment before stammering, “It’s… it’s too luxurious.”

In the Ruan family, only Ruan Jianchuan drove a car like this; Pan Lan and her son drove cars worth about a million yuan.

Pei Siyue simply asked, “Don’t you want to try it? It’s almost time to leave for work—drive me to the company.”

Ruan Shuyang was sidetracked and checked the time. It was already Pei Siyue’s usual time to leave for work, so he nodded and said, “Okay.”

He tried using the key to open the car door, then thought about it and opened the back door for Pei Siyue.

He assumed bosses usually sat in the back, right?

But when he opened the back door, Pei Siyue didn’t get in, just stood by the car watching him.

Ruan Shuyang suddenly understood and quickly closed the back door, opening the passenger door instead. This time, Pei Siyue got in, and Ruan Shuyang walked to the driver’s seat and settled in.

The Maybach S580 was relatively large, and Ruan Shuyang looked quite small in the spacious driver’s seat.

Pei Siyue asked, “Does the car feel too big for you?”

“No.” Ruan Shuyang shook his head, smiling shyly. “Actually, I feel safer driving a bigger car.”

Pei Siyue nodded and said, "Alright."

The Maybach S580's exceptionally high safety rating and superb driving experience were indeed the reasons he had chosen this model.

Safety was his top priority.

Sports cars might be stylish and eye-catching, but their safety standards are much lower compared to sedans.

Of course, if Ruan Shuyang wanted to switch to a sports car after getting more familiar with driving, that would be fine too.

After getting his driver's license, Ruan Shuyang had only test driven Ruiji's company cars a few times. Most of those cars were Audis or similar models. This was his first time driving such an expensive and large vehicle. He listened intently and seriously as Pei Siyue explained the locations of commonly used buttons and how to adjust the driver's seat. Once he understood everything, he placed his hands on the steering wheel. Thinking about the car's price, he asked timidly, "What if I scratch or bump it?"

Pei Siyue replied without a change in expression, "There's insurance to cover repairs, no need to worry."

Ruan Shuyang let out a sigh of relief. He started the car and drove with extreme care and seriousness, as if he were taking a test, his face tense with nervousness.

About twenty minutes later, after parking the car in Ruiji's underground parking lot, he finally relaxed.

Pei Siyue took a tissue from the glove compartment and gently wiped away the cold sweat on Ruan Shuyang's nose caused by his nervousness.

Ruan Shuyang turned his head to look at the tall Enigma sitting beside him in the passenger seat.

Pei Siyue had deep, sharply defined features, with a handsome and sculpted profile. His demeanor was aloof and dignified.

After staring blankly for a moment, Ruan Shuyang couldn't help but ask, "Brother, why are you so good to me?"

Pei Siyue tossed the tissue into the car's trash bin. Hearing the question, he remained silent, only gazing at Ruan Shuyang with unfathomable dark eyes.

"Why are you helping me? Why did you give me a car? And why..."

*Kiss me.*

The last two words were swallowed back, left unspoken.

All of this seemed unexplainable by the treatment alone. Moreover, Pei Siyue hadn’t mentioned any feedback about the treatment for a long time.

Though embarrassed after asking, Ruan Shuyang mustered the courage to look at Pei Siyue.

Pei Siyue looked at him for a moment and simply said, "Think about it yourself."

Ruan Shuyang, "...?"

He watched helplessly as Pei Siyue got out of the car, then hurriedly followed, pleading pitifully, "Brother, I can't figure it out."

Pei Siyue remained unmoved, "Then take your time to think."

Ruan Shuyang, "..."

He wanted to ask more, but unfortunately, as soon as Pei Siyue arrived at the company, he went straight to the lab. Ruan Shuyang didn't want to bother him during work, so he could only ponder on his own.

But he just couldn’t figure it out.

This frustration lingered until evening.

These days, thanks to the treatment and improved nutrition, he had grown a bit taller, reaching 175 cm. The originally delicate areas of his body had also developed slightly, though only a little.

After all, Omegas tend not to develop much and cannot get others pregnant.

Since Pei Siyue had assisted him last time, he hadn’t felt any desire these past few days. But perhaps because he had been exposed to a lot of pheromones yesterday and was occupied with thoughts about Pei Siyue today, he suffered from insomnia again that night, feeling physically uncomfortable.

This time, the discomfort was in a particularly embarrassing area—an itch deep inside him. He had no idea what was happening. After searching online, the symptoms seemed to indicate a life-threatening condition, terrifying Ruan Shuyang, who was already embarrassed about his situation. Without thinking twice, he rushed to Pei Siyue’s room and knocked on the door.

"Brother."