Chapter 6

The black Maybach sped out of the underground garage like a gust of wind, leaving Zhao Qin standing alone in a daze.

Jiang Zhiyu drove swiftly, stopping in front of the Ling family residence.

At that moment, his phone rang. As soon as he answered, a stern, reproachful voice came through.

“I heard Sheng Yi has already secured the Southeast Asian market? The project your team has been struggling over for so long without success was effortlessly signed by him. I really don’t understand what you’ve been so busy with all this time!”

The Jiang family’s main branch, where the patriarch resided, had few heirs. The old master had his hopes pinned on Jiang Zhiyu from a young age, grooming him to be the successor of the Jiang clan.

Jiang Zhiyu lived up to those expectations, ascending to the helm of the Jiang conglomerate at a young age. Under his leadership, the sprawling empire flourished rapidly, catapulting into a world-leading powerhouse.

Jiang Shengyi was from the second branch, the grandson of the second uncle. His father, Jiang Zisong, was Jiang Zhiyu’s elder brother by over fifty years, making Jiang Zhiyu Shengyi’s uncle-in-law.

“I’ve been busy resurrecting the Jiang Group, which was on the brink of bankruptcy under your watch,” Jiang Zhiyu glanced at the small Omega beside him, still strapped in the passenger seat, “There’s no major project in Southeast Asia anyway—it was just a plaything given to the second branch. Why take it so seriously?”

Upon hearing this, the old master was furious. “What do you mean the Jiang Group is nearly bankrupt under me? Without my decade-long support holding the family business afloat, do you think you’d have the capital for a comeback? And what do you mean by ‘plaything for the second branch’? Don’t you know the Ling family has been developing in Southeast Asia for years? With their backing, wouldn’t the second branch’s reach extend far inland across borders?”

Jiang Zhiyu’s gaze swept over the delicate, serene face beside him.

He was well aware of the many within the family, including the second and third branches, coveting his position—but he had never cared.

Yet this time, Shengyi claiming credit before the old master crossed a line Jiang Zhiyu could no longer tolerate.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Shengyi is four years younger than you and has been engaged for two years. In three months, your nephew is getting married, yet you don’t even have someone to bring home. Is that appropriate?” The old master’s voice brimmed with anger. “Either seize all the assets under the second branch, or find someone to marry immediately!”

Then the call was abruptly ended.

Silence fell inside the car, thick with lingering scents of tequila and rose-scented grapes, entwined in the stagnant air.

Jiang Zhiyu tossed the phone aside, leaning over to unbuckle the seatbelt.

This little Omega reeked of his own pheromones, cheeks flushed, unconscious and drenched as though soaked through by a merciless storm.

Jiang Zhiyu looked at the two ruby-red lips shimmering with a radiant glow—plump, small, and exquisitely shaped.

Though he had never touched them, Jiang Zhiyu knew they must be incredibly soft.

The whole little Omega was soft.

But he was Jiang Shengyi’s fiancé.

Jiang Zhiyu was stunned for two seconds before that fact finally registered.

And then, a new thought suddenly took root.

Enigma pheromones carried the power to shatter everything, and when an alpha and an Omega’s pheromones matched at 100%, they were called soulmates.

So at this moment, whose pheromone scent was stronger in this little Omega’s body—the tequila or the snow-scent?

The Maybach’s engine roared to life as it left the Ling residence behind.

*

The most extravagant villa district outside Haishi Beach overlooked an endless blue bay.

Property prices here broke all records, affordable not merely by wealth alone.

The entire villa district was under Jiang Zhiyu’s name.

Some houses had been given as favors, some held to cultivate connections, and a few less desirable ones were up for auction, already fetching eight-figure bids.

The car entered the underground garage, where a row of luxury vehicles gleamed under meticulous daily care.

Ling Ran had not yet regained consciousness, but his body temperature had returned to normal; the heat had evidently subsided.

Jiang Zhiyu still wrapped him in his suit jacket, carrying him from the garage to a guest room in the villa.

Aside from the Jiang family estate, this was Jiang Zhiyu’s most frequented residence, routinely cleaned by a housekeeper.

The housekeeper was a male beta named Song Yi, in his thirties, single and honest-looking.

“Call Xu Guanyi over,” Jiang Zhiyu instructed, then closed the guest room door.

Song Yi hurried downstairs to make the call. Xu Guanyi also lived in this villa district; the house was a gift from Jiang Zhiyu and conveniently close to his hospital.

Xu Guanyi arrived quickly, having heard from Song Yi that their boss might have made a fatal mistake.

Upon seeing the little Omega lying meekly on the bed, Xu Guanyi glanced between Jiang Zhiyu and the youthful Omega.

“There was a recent news report about a minor Omega being trafficked,” Xu Guanyi hesitated, “You didn’t happen to do that, did you?”

Jiang Zhiyu stood by the massive bed, his shirt rumpled and stained; if Xu Guanyi weren’t a beta immune to pheromones, he’d have been overwhelmed by the strong scent of alcohol and grapes.

“What do you think?” Jiang Zhiyu replied coolly.

Having dealt with him for years, Xu Guanyi knew better than to waste words.

“Definitely not you,” Xu Guanyi said with a flattering smile. “You’re the illustrious CEO of the Jiang Group, a rare enigma. You could have any alpha you wanted; why would you need to kidnap an Omega? Right, Boss Jiang?”

Jiang Zhiyu tugged at his collar, casually unbuttoning two buttons to reveal a chiseled, muscular chest.

Xu Guanyi inwardly thanked his protective spray before coming, knowing he might not have withstood the overwhelming pheromones otherwise.

He wished he were a beta who couldn’t smell pheromones at all.

Xu Guanyi moved to check the little Omega on the bed, then asked, “How did he pass out?”

Jiang Zhiyu’s voice was low and cold: “I did it.”

“??!!” Xu Guanyi stared in shock. “I thought you hated Omegas the most! Did you mark him?”

“No,” Jiang Zhiyu said. “I just let him inhale some pheromones.”

Some?

That was an understatement.

It was like drowning someone in a jar of liquor!

Xu Guanyi dared not question further and pulled out two syringes, about to inject the Omega’s arm.

But seeing the several puncture marks already present, he immediately stopped.

“He can’t have any more suppressants,” Xu Guanyi said gravely. “It seems he relied on them to get through his previous heats. Does he not have his own alpha?”

Jiang Zhiyu gave him a sidelong glance, voice cold: “He does.”

“Then why hasn’t his alpha marked him? Expecting such a fragile Omega to endure the agony of heat alone is cruel.” Xu Guanyi’s gaze sharpened on the sleeping Omega, as if recalling something. His finger trembled as he pointed. “No, no, no—I know him! Isn’t he Ling Ran, the young heir of the Ling family engaged to Sheng Yi?”

Xu Guanyi knew the details because he had prepared the pheromone compatibility report for Sheng Yi and Ling Ran, confirming they were soulmates.

“I remember his name is Ling Ran, right?” Xu Guanyi said. “What he needs most now isn’t suppressants but the pheromones of his destined alpha. Even if Sheng Yi hasn’t marked him, the irresistible attraction between soulmates is innate. When they’re together, the Omega increasingly craves the alpha’s scent and marking, or irreversible harm might befall his body.”

Jiang Zhiyu suddenly asked, “Soulmates have such a strong effect?”

Xu Guanyi looked at him incredulously. “Of course! Except for enigmas like you with extreme self-control, and betas who can’t smell pheromones, every alpha and Omega is driven by their scent. Even without love, a high match will instinctively bring them together.”

“How long until he wakes?” Jiang Zhiyu asked.

Xu Guanyi administered a nutrient injection and gave a sedative pill. “Could be tonight, tomorrow night, or even later.”

Meaningless to pin down.

After leaving the guest room, Xu Guanyi asked, “Respected Boss Jiang, your beloved second brother asked me to inquire when you’ll visit the old mansion—he has important matters to discuss face-to-face.”

The “second brother” was Jiang Zhichen, the only son of the third branch.

Though just two years older than Jiang Zhiyu, Jiang Zhichen held no position in the Jiang Group due to his disability, requiring a wheelchair for mobility.

Xu Guanyi was Jiang Zhichen’s family doctor, treating him at the old mansion.

“In a couple of days,” Jiang Zhiyu replied.

“All right, respected Boss Jiang, I’ll be waiting at the old mansion. Please don’t stand me up,” Xu Guanyi said before taking his leave.

Jiang Zhiyu then instructed Song Yi to take good care of the guest room’s occupant and to contact him if anything arose, before departing the villa himself.

*

Ling Ran’s sleep was unusually long and restless, filled with dreams of being savagely beaten over and over, his entire body aching as if about to fall apart.

When he finally opened his eyes, unfamiliar ceiling tiles greeted him.

This wasn’t his bedroom.

Suddenly awake, he sat up abruptly.

He still wore his school-style knitted vest and shirt, but besides his own pheromone scent, there was a strong odor of alcohol on his clothes.

Just a few sniffs nearly intoxicated him.

It was the scent of top-shelf liquor.

The room’s decor was simple and subdued, yet exuded restrained luxury. A large floor-to-ceiling window stood beside the bed, though outside it was dark, with only faint streetlights casting a yellow glow inside.

Where was he?

Struggling to get up, Ling Ran felt sticky and uncomfortable, especially the back of his pants, soaked with a large dried wet patch that clung to his legs painfully as he moved.

His head was still dizzy, haunted by memories of being trapped in a closed car, wrists gripped, waist squeezed tight, forced to inhale foreign pheromones.

This place was dangerous. He had to leave.

His legs weak and unsteady, each step wobbled. He barely made it to the door, only to be blocked by someone suddenly appearing outside.

A beta stood there, smiling gently. “Sorry, sir, you can’t leave yet.”

Ling Ran clenched his fists, eyes wary. “Why not?”

Song Yi entered holding a set of clean clothes. “Because Boss Jiang ordered it.”

“Boss Jiang?” Ling Ran’s eyes widened. “Jiang Zhiyu?”

Song Yi nodded with a smile. “Yes, there is only one Boss Jiang in the Jiang family; the others are just vice presidents. And if you marry Young Master Sheng Yi, you’ll call Boss Jiang ‘uncle.’”

Ling Ran felt anger swell within but dared not show it.

He couldn’t let anyone know the uncle had pinned him down in the car and overwhelmed him with his pheromones until he fainted.

“When can I leave here?” Ling Ran asked.

“At least wait until Boss Jiang returns,” Song Yi replied politely, handing over the clothes. “Would you like to change into something clean first?”

Ling Ran’s clothes were indeed messy and sticky; he wouldn’t dare go home like this.

Taking the clothes, he thanked him obediently.

“You’re welcome,” Song Yi said with a bright smile. “The water heater is ready to use; there are new pheromone blockers and sprays under the sink for your convenience. I won’t disturb you further.”

Song Yi left the room.

Ling Ran locked the door behind him, secured the window locks, drew the curtains, and finally felt a measure of relief as he carried the clothes into the bathroom.

He noticed, however, that the bathroom door could be partially seen from outside, though he was alone inside, so it was of little concern.

The mixed pheromone smell on his clothes was unbearable; he balled them up and tossed them into the trash bin.

The bathroom featured a large, comfortable double bathtub. Ling Ran filled it with water and switched on the massage function. The soothing warm water washed away his aches and pains.

He closed his eyes in comfort, releasing faint rose and grape scents from the glands at the back of his neck.

Unnoticed, the door he had so carefully locked was quietly unlocked from the outside and slowly pushed open.