Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Accompanied by Pei Siyue, Ruan Shuyang went to the police station, armed with past evidence, to file a report.

The evidence was irrefutable: Ruan Shuyang’s psychological and psychiatric consultation records, witness testimonies unearthed by Pei Siyue confirming Ruan Jianchuan had seized the newborn baby directly from the hospital, and Pan Lan’s video recording of the whipping. With such conclusive proof and Pei Siyue’s influence, the arrest of Ruan Jianchuan and Pan Lan was swiftly authorized.

Ruan Qi was also apprehended.

School bullying is a phenomenon that either never occurs or becomes a relentless cycle.

Ruan Qi, having grown accustomed to tormenting Ruan Shuyang, developed an insatiable appetite for bullying. He had also targeted other young omegas at school, and particularly after reaching adulthood in his senior year, he was implicated in further acts of school violence, leading to his arrest alongside the others.

Emerging from the police station, Ruan Shuyang gazed up at the sky.

The mid-October air carried a slight chill, yet the sky above was an exceptionally clear and vibrant blue, captivating in its beauty.

It perfectly mirrored his inner state.

He took out his phone, captured a photo of the sky, and, uncharacteristically, posted it on social media: *The sky is so beautiful.*

Pei Siyue stood silently beside him. After Ruan Shuyang put his phone away, Pei Siyue asked, "Do you want to go out somewhere?"

"I’d like that," Ruan Shuyang replied, "but I still have classes. I’m only free on weekends, and you’re very busy too."

"We can wait until winter break," Pei Siyue suggested. "After we get engaged, I’ll take you on a trip."

Ruan Shuyang pondered for a moment, then smiled, his eyes curving. "Okay."

As he spoke, he subtly touched his abdomen. By winter break, it should have healed completely—then it would be perfect.

Otherwise, every time…

He would feel too self-conscious.

The affairs of the Ruan family were gradually receding into his past. Reporting them to the police today was merely to resolve a lingering concern, ensuring that those who had wronged him received their just deserts.

This matter would not become an obsession, nor would it shackle him for life.

He would continue to move forward, never looking back.

It was only when they were seated in the car together that he asked, "Brother, what will happen to Ruan's Jewelry?"

The question hung in the air for a moment. Pei Siyue gently tapped the steering wheel, then, in a tone that sounded like a solemn promise, told Ruan Shuyang, "It will be yours."

Ruan Shuyang was genuinely taken aback, staring at Pei Siyue in surprise.

Pei Siyue didn’t elaborate on his actions, simply stating, "I will acquire a substantial number of shares when Ruan's Jewelry’s stock hits rock bottom, and I’ll also secure shares from other holders. You will become the largest shareholder of Ruan's Jewelry."

"After that, we’ll appoint professional managers to overhaul Ruan's Jewelry, removing Ruan family members from upper management. The fate of the remaining employees and the company’s future will be entirely up to you."

Those members of the Ruan family had watched Ruan Shuyang suffer for years without lifting a finger. Pei Siyue harbored no goodwill towards them.

Ruan Shuyang had never imagined that one day he could be the master of Ruan's Jewelry.

Ruan's Jewelry would become his?

"You can sell it," Pei Siyue suggested. "If you wish to sell, I’ll assist you. If you prefer to keep it, you could consider renaming it."

"For instance… merging it into your Yu's Jewelry."

Transforming Ruan's Jewelry into Yu's Jewelry.

"You can take your time to think about it," Pei Siyue said, gently patting his back in reassurance. "There’s no need to rush. Acquiring Ruan's and restructuring the leadership will take time. It likely won’t be finalized until after the New Year."

Ruan Shuyang’s heart rate steadied, and he nodded earnestly. "Brother, I understand."

Seeing that Ruan Shuyang did not object to his proposal, Pei Siyue understood. He drove the young omega to lunch and then dropped him off at class.

The fate of the Ruan family would not impact their lives.

**

Ruan Jianchuan was in a state of utter disarray.

The newly appointed spokesperson had, for unknown reasons, suffered a catastrophic scandal. He instinctively felt the Pei family was behind it, a conviction that solidified when he considered the relationship between Pei Siyue and Ruan Shuyang.

Consequently, he disregarded the public relations department head’s advice, insisting on targeting Pei’s Hanfeng Group. However, the PR campaign backfired spectacularly; netizens refused to believe him.

This was followed by a deluge of return orders from both online and physical stores. He also faced mounting pressure from banks demanding loan repayments, partners withdrawing investments, and project delays, among numerous other crises.

Convinced it was all part of Pei Siyue’s machinations, he was about to confront him when the police arrived at his door.

He assumed the police were there regarding Ruan's Jewelry’s recent troubles, but to his surprise, they brought up events from over a decade ago.

What he had done to Yu Xianpo.

Those matters were never meant to surface, never to see the light of day. He believed no one could ever find evidence, as psychological abuse was notoriously difficult to define—at its mildest, it could be dismissed as mere lovers' quarrels.

He had always held this firm conviction, but the police’s arrival shattered all his confidence.

He screamed and struggled relentlessly, but was handcuffed, blindfolded, and shoved into a police car.

As the hood was pulled over his head, he caught a fleeting glimpse of dazzling camera flashes.

That night, news of Ruan's Jewelry chairman Ruan Jianchuan’s arrest rocketed to the top of trending searches.

Every detail of Ruan Jianchuan’s past was unearthed: his extramarital affair was a calculated move to psychologically control the brilliant designer Yu Xianpo; he exploited the omega’s vulnerabilities to impregnate her, and after the child’s birth, he placed the innocent baby in the Ruan family’s care, using the son as leverage against the mother.

With the wall collapsing, everyone pushed. Numerous scandals within Ruan's Jewelry were exposed. Former employees revealed that the company was nothing more than a family-run operation—merit was useless there; what mattered was flattering the leadership, especially the Ruan family members.

After Yu Xianpo’s death, Ruan's Jewelry had failed to produce any noteworthy designs. Their current bestsellers were still styles from over a decade ago, which most jewelry enthusiasts had already purchased. For other products, consumers were largely indifferent—they could take them or leave them.

It was then that everyone realized the colossal Ruan's Jewelry had achieved its current standing by exploiting a talented female omega designer.

It was an outrage, utterly despicable.

More and more revelations surfaced: how the Ruan family abused Yu Xianpo’s son after her death; Ruan Jianchuan’s harassment of female employees; and how Pan Lan, initially a victim, had transformed into an abuser—mistreating an underage omega through physical beatings and emotional neglect.

With such a cascade of scandals, coupled with a lack of exceptional jewelry and dwindling sales, Ruan's Jewelry’s stock plummeted, continuously hitting its daily limit-down. Its market value evaporated by hundreds of millions in an instant.

People everywhere mourned the genius designer who had passed away over a decade ago and expressed deep sympathy for her son.

When Ruan Jianchuan learned of these developments in detention, a sudden realization struck him. He screamed, "It’s all Pei Siyue! It’s Pei Siyue’s scheme! He’s the one behind this!"

He remembered the valuation adjustment mechanism—he was certain to lose.

Given the current situation, the group’s fourth-quarter net profit would undoubtedly be negative. According to the agreement, he would have to surrender all his equity to Pei Siyue—a staggering 55%.

The agreement explicitly stated it would be given for free, not sold!

He cursed himself for impulsively signing that agreement back then, believing everything was under his control and thinking that even if he lost the bet, it wouldn’t matter—he could still use Ruan Shuyang to continue threatening Pei Siyue. But now, locked up, it had all come to naught.

And the tens of millions of yuan in funding provided by Pei Siyue had never reached his personal accounts; it had always been channeled into Ruan's Jewelry’s daily operations. He had hardly touched a single cent of it himself.

Now, stripped of even his remaining equity, he was utterly ruined.

Pei Siyue—it was all because of Pei Siyue.

Ruan Jianchuan gnashed his teeth, seething with intense hatred for Pei Siyue, yet confined in detention, there was nothing he could do.

As to why Pei Siyue was targeting him, Ruan Jianchuan now realized, upon reflection, that the initial investment had been a calculated trap from the very beginning.

But back then, he had been desperate. If he hadn’t agreed to the bet, he would have been immediately ousted from his position as chairman, and his equity would have been slowly eroded. Faced with Pei Siyue’s blend of pressure and inducement, he had no choice but to sign.

Yet, even after signing, there was still no escape for him now.

He inexplicably recalled a question Pei Siyue had once posed to him—

"And would you pay tens of millions for an omega?"

Now he felt that Pei Siyue might actually do it.

Could there truly be such a foolish alpha in the world?

**

Pei Siming also saw the news about Ruan's Jewelry and was not particularly surprised.

A month ago, he had already sensed that Ruan's Jewelry seemed beyond saving. He shouldn’t have partnered with them in the first place; it had been a mistake from the outset.

But it didn’t matter. He had done his best to withdraw his investment and managed to salvage some funds, even though he had lost more. He didn’t care now.

As long as the post-Mark Cleansing Technique drugs successfully passed Phase III clinical trials and entered the market, his financial freedom would be within reach.

By then, he would surely win Ruan Shuyang back.

Still, he hadn’t realized that Ruan Shuyang’s life in the Ruan family had been so utterly miserable.

He knew it wasn’t good, but he hadn’t grasped just how terrible it truly was.

He should have intervened sooner.

**

Chi Hang saw the news at dinner and asked Chi Ye, who had been in a perpetual state of gloom lately, "Now do you see where you fall short compared to Pei Siyue?"

Chi Ye said glumly, "In age."

If he were just a few years older, things might not have turned out this way.

"No," Chi Hang retorted without hesitation. "In initiative."

"You knew everything, but you lack initiative, and you’re indecisive and hesitant."

As an older brother, Chi Hang bluntly pointed out Chi Ye’s flaws.

Chi Ye’s face fell, but he bit his tongue, refraining from lashing out at his brother.

"You knew Ruan Shuyang might not be living well in the Ruan family, but all you did was hit Ruan Qi. What good was hitting Ruan Qi? He’s just a minor pawn. The real targets should have been Ruan Jianchuan and Pan Lan—the couple. Did that ever occur to you?"

Chi Ye fell silent, his face growing progressively darker.

He hadn’t considered that—he hadn’t thought about confronting his elders.

Pei Siyue, who was roughly his contemporary, had directly challenged the older generation.

That kind of courage and capability was something he truly lacked.

"Even you—you don’t even have the ability to get Ruan Shuyang to move out." Chi Hang sighed. "Don’t rush to object. I know you have money. You could find Ruan Shuyang a new place to live, but what if Ruan Jianchuan shows up?"

Chi Ye said, "Ignore him."

"Then what if Ruan Jianchuan goes to our parents demanding his return?"

Chi Ye’s expression turned utterly defeated. If his parents pressured him to release Ruan Shuyang, he genuinely didn’t know if he could withstand the family pressure.

"Look at Pei Siyue—he doesn’t care what the Pei family says," Chi Hang pointed out. "Now, even if you gave Zhou Wei all the courage in the world, she wouldn’t dare interfere in Pei Siyue’s affairs. He also completely disregards whatever Pei Yan says because Pei Yan has no control over him. Pei Yan has nothing to restrain him with. Even if Pei Yan tried everything to oust him from his position as chairman of Hanfeng Group, it wouldn’t significantly impact him. Whether Hanfeng Group exists or not is irrelevant to Pei Siyue—his own ventures are substantial enough."

In fact, Chi Hang often felt that Pei Siyue couldn't care less about Hanfeng Group and would be glad to wash his hands of it sooner rather than later.

Chi Ye frowned. "What ventures does Pei Siyue have? He’s just inheriting the family business."

Chi Hang retorted impatiently, "If you paid even a little attention, you’d know from the Chi family that Ruiji Technology was built from the ground up by Pei Siyue himself."

Chi Ye remained silent for a while, his face clouded, then suddenly said, "When I reach Pei Siyue’s age, I might not be any worse than he is now."

Chi Hang thought for a moment, deciding he should offer an objective assessment. Although Chi Ye was his younger brother, he couldn’t ignore the facts.

"When Pei Siyue was your age, Ruiji Technology was already thriving."

Chi Ye: "…"

This was truly his own brother—brutally honest.

Chi Ye felt utterly dejected.

He was still too young.

**

Pei Siyue had agreed to the investment primarily for two reasons.

First, as a delaying tactic, to buy time to gather evidence and ensure Ruan Jianchuan wouldn’t disturb Ruan Shuyang during that period.

Second, for the equity.

He wanted Ruan's Jewelry to rightfully belong to Ruan Shuyang.

If Ruan Shuyang didn’t want it, he could sell it later, but Pei Siyue would first help secure it for him.

That was simply his nature—he was a fighter.

He didn’t tell Ruan Shuyang about all these matters. Instead, on Friday evening, he simply asked, "Do you want to go out and have some fun tomorrow?"

Ruan Shuyang asked curiously, "Where are we going?"

"Shopping, watching a movie, eating, drinking, and having a good time."

Pei Siyue had specifically researched what couples of Ruan Shuyang’s age—university students—typically did on dates, to avoid making the young omega feel there was an age gap between them or that he seemed too much like an elder.

"Sounds good!" Ruan Shuyang replied with a smile. "Brother, what movie are we seeing tomorrow? I’ve never been to a cinema before—I don’t know what it’s like."

The Ruan family had certainly never been so benevolent as to take him to the movies, and he himself had never had the money to go before.

Now that he had money, going alone seemed unappealing, so he mostly stayed home watching classic films that had already been released.

He had heard from classmates that the theater experience was more immersive, with screens much larger than those at home. He had always been curious but felt that Pei Siyue was too busy to take him, so he never brought it up.

Now that Pei Siyue had taken the initiative to suggest it, he was so happy that his eyes crinkled into joyful crescents.

Seeing the little omega smiling so sweetly, his expression full of anticipation, Pei Siyue sat beside him to choose a movie together.

Pointing to a relatively safe comedy, he asked, "Do you want to watch this?"

Tragic films were out of the question—he didn’t want to see the little omega’s eyes turn into faucets.

Ruan Shuyang puckered his lips playfully, thinking that since Pei Siyue had finally found time to take him to the movies, he wanted to watch something different. Comedies were something he could watch alone—it felt like a waste to have Pei Siyue accompany him for one.

After some thought, he chose a recently released horror film that had received good reviews.

"I want to watch this."

Pei Siyue looked at the horror film Ruan Shuyang had chosen. He had no problem with it himself but was worried the little omega might get scared.

"Are you sure?"

Ruan Shuyang nodded, "Very sure, brother. I really want to watch this."

"Alright."

They bought tickets for the next morning’s showing and started discussing where to eat afterward.

Ruan Shuyang began making requests, "I want to have hot pot."

Pei Siyue replied, "Okay."

After making the choice, Ruan Shuyang asked worriedly, "Brother, would you be comfortable with that?"

Pei Siyue had grown up in an exceptionally privileged household, his every movement exuding elegance and refinement, indicative of a superior upbringing. He usually took Ruan Shuyang to exclusive private kitchens or five-star hotel restaurants. Would he be uncomfortable in a crowded hot pot place where they might have to wait in line? Though he secretly wanted to go.

Pei Siyue could easily discern Ruan Shuyang’s thoughts and said directly, "Don’t overthink it."

"When I was busy with experiments before, I wasn’t so particular."

Ruan Shuyang breathed a sigh of relief and gave an embarrassed smile.

Pei Siyue gently lifted his chin, leaned in slightly, and captured his lips. "You always misunderstand me."

Ruan Shuyang let out a muffled whimper, unable to speak.

"You deserve to be punished."

Pei Siyue’s lips moved to Ruan Shuyang’s neck. Ruan Shuyang, rarely touched there, shivered from sensitivity as a lingering tingling sensation spread all the way to behind his ears.

Pei Siyue gently sucked on the spot. It stung a little, but Pei Siyue’s pheromones made him feel incredibly comfortable.

At first, Ruan Shuyang didn’t realize what was happening until he looked in the mirror back in his room.

He had been left with a hickey.

Vividly red, it looked like a lasting mark on his shoulder.

A mark left by Pei Siyue.

The next morning, when Ruan Shuyang got dressed, he noticed the hickey was still there, its color just as bright, showing no signs of fading overnight.

He had no choice but to give up on wearing a T-shirt and opted for a beige shirt to cover the mark on his shoulder.

Pei Siyue had done it on purpose.

Ruan Shuyang pouted, convinced that the mischievous Enigma had intentionally left the hickey on his shoulder.

Since he couldn’t wear a T-shirt, he put on a beige billowy-sleeved shirt. The wide sleeves revealed his slender, jade-white wrists.

The slightly raised collar covered the mark on his neck, exposing only a small section of his elegant swan neck.

The shirt’s hem lightly rested against his skin over the waistline of his mid-rise jeans, accentuating the curve of his round, perky buttocks.

It wasn’t until he went downstairs that Ruan Shuyang noticed he and Pei Siyue were dressed similarly—both in white T-shirts and jeans, almost like matching outfits.

He blushed faintly, and when he saw Pei Siyue still making breakfast for him in the kitchen, his anger faded.

As someone who didn't cook breakfast and just waited to eat, he decided not to fuss over the hickey anymore—after all, it was already covered.

Pei Siyue brought out the breakfast and saw Ruan Shuyang looking clean and fresh, with rosy lips and pearly teeth.

He suddenly regretted it and didn’t want to take him out.

But seeing the eager look in Ruan Shuyang’s eyes as he ate, he placed the tray in the kitchen and prepared to go out together.

Just before leaving, he stood behind Ruan Shuyang and removed the little omega’s gland patch.

Ruan Shuyang asked curiously, "Brother, are you renewing the mark?"

Pei Siyue’s voice was cool and collected, but his actions were anything but gentle as he wrapped his strong arms around Ruan Shuyang’s waist, his muscles tense like a dragon guarding its one-of-a-kind treasure.

Ruan Shuyang was puzzled—hadn’t he just been marked the day before yesterday? It shouldn’t have faded so quickly.

But he didn’t say anything and obediently exposed his pale, smooth gland.

His gland had grown significantly over the past three months. The treatment had been more effective than expected, and it was now about two-thirds the size of a normal omega’s gland. By winter break, it should be full-sized.

Pei Siyue’s lips grazed lightly over the gland. The skin there was smooth and intact, with no trace of the previous mark from the day before yesterday.

He licked it gently, and Ruan Shuyang whimpered. His responsive body instinctively ached for more, and the gland secreted a clear fluid.

Ruan Shuyang trembled slightly, his voice breaking as he whispered breathlessly, "Brother, hurry, please."

As soon as he spoke, a sharp pain pierced him. His legs instantly went weak, and he would have collapsed if not for the Enigma holding his waist, pulling him completely into his embrace.

This marking lasted longer than usual. Pheromones repeatedly coursed through his body, as if Pei Siyue were caressing him with gentle currents.

By the end, his legs were too weak to stand, and he leaned against Pei Siyue’s chest, breathing shallowly, his eyes glassy and inviting.

Pei Siyue said with mixed sincerity, "Let’s not go out, okay?"

Ruan Shuyang pushed himself upright with Pei Siyue’s support and whispered pitifully, "Brother, you promised to take me. You can’t go back on your word."

It seemed he really wanted to go out with him.

Pei Siyue had no choice but to drive the alluring little omega to the theater. Even after getting out of the car, Ruan Shuyang’s eyes and the corners of his eyelids were still freshly red, a visible testament to their earlier passion.

Perhaps they should have gone to a secluded island resort for vacation instead—just the two of them.

Pei Siyue thought with a sigh, then walked around to the other side of the sports car, opened the door, and helped Ruan Shuyang out.

After entering the building, Ruan Shuyang happily led Pei Siyue to buy milk tea.

Sometimes, when he saw couples in his class walking intimately along the tree-lined paths of the campus, each holding a cup of milk tea and occasionally sharing sips, he felt envious.

He wanted to do the same with Pei Siyue, but the other was usually too busy to come to campus. Today, he finally got halfway there—drinking milk tea together.

Before ordering, he specifically asked Pei Siyue what flavor he wanted. Pei Siyue casually replied, "Same as you."

"No," Ruan Shuyang said with a serious expression. "Brother, we should get different flavors so we can swap and taste both."

Pei Siyue: "...Alright, then choose any two flavors you like."

Ruan Shuyang finally lit up with a happy smile, bought two cups of different flavored milk tea, inserted straws into both, took a few sips of each, and then handed the one he didn't like as much to Pei Siyue.

Pei Siyue casually drank the milk tea Ruan Shuyang didn't want, slightly turning his head to see the little omega intimately holding onto his arm.

The little omega blinked his large, sparkling eyes, curiously and happily exploring the unfamiliar mall. Whenever he spotted something interesting, he would laugh and share it with Pei Siyue, his smile as radiant as a flower.

The slowly blossoming little omega was like a blooming Lily of the Valley, its petals tender and vibrant, its demeanor elegant and captivating.

Pei Siyue actually didn't want to bring him out at all, but since going out would make the little omega happy, he agreed—on the condition that he carry his mark and his scent.

They drank milk tea together, played claw machines and arcade games, then went to a hotpot restaurant for a meal. Smelling like hotpot, they bought a new set of clothes at the mall and changed into matching couple outfits again.

Around two in the afternoon, they sat in the movie theater holding two cups of milk tea.

From the time they left in the morning until now, Pei Siyue felt like he was taking a child out to play—until they settled into the cinema.

Ruan Shuyang, who had never seen a horror movie, completely overestimated his courage. When the doll suddenly started giggling with an eerie and terrifying laugh, he shuddered, gasped, and immediately grabbed Pei Siyue’s hand beside him.

Pei Siyue held his hand in return, gently patting it to comfort him.

They had booked a double loveseat in the back row of the theater, sharing a sofa. During the later horror scenes, Ruan Shuyang was too scared to watch at all. After glimpsing a few moments, he buried his face in Pei Siyue’s chest, biting his lip in fear, his face full of terror.

Pei Siyue leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Should we leave early?"

Unexpectedly, the little omega in his arms replied in a soft, timid voice, "No, I... I want to see the ending."

So they stayed.

Pei Siyue held Ruan Shuyang, who watched intermittently until the end, finally calming down after the movie concluded.

They went grocery shopping together afterward, and in the evening, Pei Siyue cooked for Ruan Shuyang. Listening to the sounds of stir-frying in the kitchen, Ruan Shuyang gradually forgot the images and plot of the horror film, thinking everything was fine.

But after the lights were turned off at night, the scenes from the movie he watched during the day suddenly and unexpectedly resurfaced in Ruan Shuyang’s mind.

Now, whenever he closed his eyes, he saw that terrifying doll and heard its horrifying laugh. He curled up under the blankets, not daring to move, afraid that a scary doll would burst out from the door if he did.

He whimpered, wondering why he had chosen to watch a horror movie set in a villa. Now, at night, it felt too real—he couldn't sleep at all.

He tried closing his eyes to sleep but found it completely impossible. He didn't even dare to turn over.

When his fear escalated beyond control, conjuring all sorts of scary scenes in his mind, he mustered the courage to call Pei Siyue and ask him to come over and stay with him.

Because he was too scared to move, too scared to face the empty hallway and the guest room door that might suddenly unleash a terrifying doll.