Chapter 7

Ling Ran soaked in the bathtub for a while before stepping out and changing into the clothes Song Yi had given him. The tags were still attached, and Ling Ran glanced at them—astonishingly expensive. Yet, the clothes hung loosely on his frame, the pants dragging nearly to the floor.

He pulled out a barrier patch and stuck one onto the back of his neck.

The eerie emptiness of the room unsettled him. Ling Ran stood at the bathroom door for a long moment, feeling as if someone had been inside. On the sofa table directly opposite the bathroom was a wine glass.

Had it been there all along?

Ling Ran hurried to the door to check—it was securely locked from the inside, showing no sign of anyone entering.

He picked up the wine glass and looked inside; a little wine remained. Bringing it close, he inhaled deeply—the sharp, overwhelming aroma hit his nose. Not much of a drinker and with a poor tolerance, he wrinkled his nose in disgust and set the glass down.

Checking his phone, it was already ten at night.

He messaged his sister, Ling Mo, telling her he would stay at Qin Chengyue’s place and wouldn’t be coming back. Then he opened the chat with Jiang Shengyi. The last message he sent—a cat emoji—hung there alone, its soft brightness slowly dimming in his eyes.

Shengyi must really be busy; it was normal not to get a reply.

An omega should be obedient and sensible, not always clinging to an alpha.

Suddenly, Qin Chengyue’s call came through, and the ringtone startled Ling Ran so much he trembled, quickly answering.

“Xiao Ran, why did you leave without waiting for me today? I didn’t see you after I came out of the bathroom, and I even missed the interview, boohoo.”

“I, I…” Ling Ran hesitated, unsure how to explain. “I suddenly felt unwell, so I went home first. Sorry, Chengyue.”

Qin Chengyue didn’t doubt him but sounded disappointed. “I just got notice from Jiangzhou Entertainment—they said none of us passed the first round. I’m fine, but you’re top of our major. How could you fail?”

Ling Ran’s heart sank further. “Maybe I didn’t perform well… there was a small mishap during the interview…”

All because of Jiang Zhiyu. If he hadn’t insisted on asking those questions, Ling Ran would have made it through the meeting unscathed.

“It’s okay, Xiao Ran. Jiangzhou Entertainment isn’t that great anyway. We can apply to other media companies.”

After hanging up, Ling Ran felt utterly exhausted and collapsed onto the wide, soft bed.

Though the heat of his rut had subsided, his estrus period was not yet over.

His consciousness blurred, and he soon fell asleep, face down on the bed.

* * *

Jiang Zhiyu had no habit of peeping on anyone bathing.

But that little omega’s guard was far too lax—did he really think locking the door inside a completely unfamiliar villa was enough for safety?

The misty bathroom revealed a pale, tender expanse of skin, like fresh snow atop the Swiss Alps—fragile and immaculate.

Jiang Zhiyu made no sound and left the room before the omega emerged.

Back in the study, Jiang Shengyi suddenly called.

“Uncle, sorry to bother you so late. Are you resting?”

The noise on the other end was loud and lively, with deafening music—clearly a bustling party.

“Something urgent?”

Jiang Zhiyu leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples lightly from the commotion.

Jiang Shengyi, young and ambitious, had once shown polite respect to Jiang Zhiyu. Now, believing himself equally capable, his tone carried arrogance.

“No big deal. Just finished signing a contract in Southeast Asia. I was supposed to report to the board upon returning, but they insisted on celebrating, so I couldn’t leave.”

Jiang Zhiyu chuckled softly.

This brat thought he could swagger before him just for a minor achievement.

“Good job on the deal. When you’re back tomorrow, I’ll throw a banquet for you.”

Jiang Shengyi raised his voice, “The banquet isn’t the main thing. The key is Jiang Corporation has finally gained a foothold in Southeast Asia. Expanding to neighboring countries will be easier. I remember great-grandfather once said whoever leads Jiang Corporation to greater heights should become the next head.”

Jiang Zhiyu tapped his fingers on the golden nanmu desk, the veins on his pale, sensual hand standing out.

“Is that so,” he smiled faintly. “Who do you think should take that position?”

Jiang Shengyi laughed mischievously through the phone. “That’s for the board to decide by vote.”

The call ended, and Jiang Zhiyu closed his eyes to rest.

* * *

The combined assets under the second branch accounted for about twenty percent of Jiang Corporation’s shares—not insignificant. Moreover, Jiang Zhisong was still a board member. Often, when Jiang Zhiyu wanted to make big moves, he had to face restrictions imposed by the board’s elders.

The only solution was to hold more than fifty percent of the shares himself.

Suddenly, a soft, delicate, youthful face appeared in his mind. Jiang Zhiyu opened his eyes; his gaze darkened.

The old man’s words weren’t without reason. What he sought wasn’t just the second branch’s assets.

* * *

Ling Ran was awakened by the rumbling in his stomach.

He opened his bleary eyes and saw the sky outside still pitch black. Thinking he had slept only briefly, it was still before dawn.

A soft knock sounded at the door. He opened it to find Song Yi standing outside with a tray.

“Mr. Ling, you’re finally awake. Would you like something to eat?”

Rubbing his tousled hair, Ling Ran nodded; he was starving.

Song Yi placed the tray on the table and lifted the cover. The aroma of meat wafted out.

“Please enjoy.”

Ling Ran’s eyes widened as he stared at the large, juicy steak. Without formality, he sat and took a big bite.

“Has President Jiang not come back yet?” he mumbled while chewing.

Song Yi’s face held the same formal smile. “President Jiang has been back for a while.”

Ling Ran jumped up. “Then quickly tell him I want to leave. I want to go home…”

Song Yi continued, “But then President Jiang left again.”

Ling Ran was speechless.

Could those two sentences be connected?

Deflated, he sat back down and resumed devouring the steak. “Won’t he be back to sleep tonight?”

Song Yi smiled. “After President Jiang brought you back last night, he stayed here to sleep and will return again tonight.”

“Last night?” Ling Ran blinked in confusion.

“Yes, you’ve been asleep for a full day and night.”

Suddenly, Ling Ran jumped from his chair and grabbed his phone.

It was indeed powered off.

“Oh no! If I don’t go home for two nights in a row, my brother will be furious.”

He could already imagine his brother’s enraged face, scolding him for partying before marriage and daring to stay out all night with another alpha.

He was doomed.

Song Yi looked puzzled. “Is your brother Ling Su, President of Ling Corporation?”

Ling Ran looked up and nodded. “Yes. Do you know him?”

“Of course. President Ling will also be attending tonight’s celebration.”

Ling Ran was shocked and nearly in tears. “Is my brother here to bring me back?”

Song Yi hurried to clarify, “No, no. President Ling is here to attend Master Shengyi’s celebration, which is tonight, here at this villa.”

Ling Ran struggled to process this shock.

Not only would his brother be here, but Shengyi too.

On one hand, he was excited and happy to see Shengyi back in the country; on the other, he was deeply worried. If they found him at Jiang Zhiyu’s residence, how could he explain?

Taking advantage of Song Yi’s clearing of the tray and going downstairs, Ling Ran sneaked out.

The spiral staircase led directly to the spacious main hall, where a dazzling glass crystal chandelier dazzled overhead. Outside the hall was a green lawn beside a large swimming pool.

The hall and lawn were filled with all kinds of buffet foods—colorful desserts and drinks in abundance. Dozens of waiters bustled about preparing for the upcoming banquet.

The guests would be prominent figures of the city—luminaries and elites who must be treated with utmost respect.

Song Yi seemed unburdened, merely standing aside to direct the waiters.

Ling Ran tiptoed behind a pillar, eyeing the row of small desserts on the table, licking his lips silently.

With so many delicious foods downstairs, that stingy Song Yi had only brought him a steak.

Even if he escaped, he had to sneak out with a little cake.

Seeing the waiters occupied, no one noticed him.

He casually grabbed a soft, glutinous cake from the table and hurriedly stuffed it into his mouth, then followed two waiters out of the hall.

Once outside on the lawn, Ling Ran bolted. Before any guests arrived, he had to leave immediately.

But just as he reached the poolside, he saw the main gate slowly open. A luxurious Rolls-Royce drove in leisurely.

Ling Ran’s feet froze, rooted to the spot, unable to move.

The Rolls-Royce stopped beside him. Zhao Qin got out and opened the rear door. A tall, sturdy man stepped down and approached Ling Ran.

Jiang Zhiyu, seemingly just returned from the company, wore a neat black silk tie, noble and handsome like a statue.

He was tall and long-legged, his chin nearly touching Ling Ran’s forehead.

Ling Ran’s gaze involuntarily fell on the tie. For some reason, a flicker of resistance and fear stirred inside him; he subtly shrank his neck, recalling unpleasant memories tied to that tie.

This was the first time he had so viscerally felt the gap between himself and Jiang Zhiyu—the man before him seemed far stronger and taller than an average alpha.

A single punch could probably crush his head, he thought silently.

A deep, mellow voice sounded above him: “Where are you going?”

Ling Ran’s lips still bore traces of cake. He whispered, “I, I want to go home…”

Jiang Zhiyu lowered his gaze, staring intently. “After the banquet ends, I’ll send you home.”

His words carried an irresistible authority, but Ling Ran steeled himself and said, “But I want to go home now…”

No sooner had he spoken than the man suddenly reached out his hand toward him.

The timid omega’s back stiffened; terrified, he squeezed his eyes shut.

He thought Jiang Zhiyu was about to crush his head.

Yet, the next second, Ling Ran felt a cool, soft touch on his lips, like something brushing the skin beside his mouth.

He opened his eyes to see Jiang Zhiyu casually retracting his hand, glancing at the snow-white cream smeared on his fingertips.

Startled, Ling Ran hurriedly wiped his lips with the back of his hand, his ears flushing pink with embarrassment.

Jiang Zhiyu said nothing to mock him. Striding off toward the main hall, he only said over his shoulder, “Follow me.”

Ling Ran tried to sneak away but was blocked by Zhao Qin.

Zhao Qin kindly pointed toward the gate. Seeing the neatly lined uniformed guards, Ling Ran obediently withdrew his foot and resignedly followed Jiang Zhiyu.

Song Yi saw them enter one after another and hurried up to report, “President Jiang, the banquet is fully prepared and will start promptly at eight.”

“Watch him closely,” Jiang Zhiyu said as he stepped upstairs, “Don’t let him run around.”

Song Yi nodded firmly at Ling Ran. “Yes, President Jiang.”

Ling Ran was at his wit’s end. With the banquet starting at eight, that meant guests would arrive soon.

He pitifully followed Jiang Zhiyu up the stairs, lightly tugging at the hem of his suit.

“Can I go upstairs and hide first?” His dark, clear peach-blossom eyes seemed to quickly gather a misty layer of tears. “I’ll be good. Just don’t let anyone find me. Can I?”

Jiang Zhiyu turned around, looking down at him from above.

Under the bright overhead light, that pale, delicate face seemed even more flawless—like the finest jade and porcelain, perfect and translucent.

Yet those two red, moist lips below appeared ripe and inviting.

Jiang Zhiyu suddenly felt a dry thirst in his throat.

He had never paid attention to an omega’s appearance before. Did all omegas look so fragile and delicate?

Ling Ran kept staring at him, awaiting an answer. Afraid Jiang Zhiyu would make him wait downstairs for the guests, he softly asked again, “Can I? Uncle?”