Around ten in the morning, the tall and handsome alpha, Chi Hang, entered Pei Siyue's office at Ruiji Technology. He leaned casually on the leather sofa, and after sending the surveillance footage, he asked, "What's going on? I heard that Ruan Shuyang is supposed to be your future brother-in-law. Why the sudden concern? Are you planning to steal him away?"
A glint of gossip sparkled in his eyes. "I specifically checked the surveillance—it looks like you saved him. If it weren't for you, he'd definitely have been dragged back by those people. Since when did you become so kind-hearted?"
It was no secret in their circles that Lu Zheng enjoyed abusing and maliciously permanent-marking omegas. However, he was powerful and well-connected, and he carefully selected his targets—either orphans or those offered as pawns by their families. So far, he had managed to avoid any major incidents.
Lu Zheng had a sharp eye and ruthless methods. With his vast wealth and influence, he was willing to exchange money and projects for his "prey." Ruan Shuyang was likely chosen as a sacrifice by the Ruan family and Pei Siming, traded for financial gain and business opportunities.
Somehow, Ruan Shuyang had managed to escape from the private room. The staff member stationed at the emergency exit on the same floor happened to be away at the time, and he was lucky enough to reach the emergency staircase and eventually make it to the fifth floor.
Pei Siyue looked coldly at Chi Hang, his gaze sharp. "As the owner, shouldn't you be reflecting on why someone in your club was openly abusing an omega without fear of consequences?"
Chi Hang shrugged. "Night Voyage was raided the day before yesterday, so they had nowhere else to go and chose my club yesterday. When they entered, everyone seemed respectable and consensual—how was I to know what they planned to do inside the private room?"
"But this morning, while reviewing the surveillance, I noticed Lu Zheng's security team searching the club for someone. I've already added him to the blacklist."
As he spoke, he sent a file to Pei Siyue.
Pei Siyue asked, "What's this?"
"The cost of the items bought for your little omega," Chi Hang replied with a sly grin. "Naturally, I expect you to reimburse me."
Pei Siyue denied expressionlessly, "He's not my little omega."
But he still paid.
Chi Hang was genuinely surprised to see the payment go through. Half-joking and half-serious, he asked, "What, are you really planning to steal Pei Siming's fiancée? Trying to make him suffer emotionally too?"
Pei Siyue responded calmly, "As you said, he's Pei Siming's fiancée, my future sister-in-law. I'm just showing reasonable concern for a future member of the Pei family."
Chi Hang would sooner believe he was the King of Jerusalem than buy that excuse. "You and Pei Siming are on the verge of tearing into each other, and you still have bad blood with Zhou Wei. Why would you care about Pei Siming's fiancée? I absolutely don't believe it."
Pei Siyue didn't explain further. He tapped the table with his middle finger and coldly reminded him, "I didn't call you here today to discuss the Pei family's gossip."
Seeing Pei Siyue's stern expression, Chi Hang wisely dropped the subject and switched to business.
"What's the plan for the banquet five days from now?" Chi Hang asked. "Your brother pulled strings to get an invitation—probably looking for collaboration opportunities."
Pei Siming still didn't know that the chairman of Ruiji Technology was his half-brother. The expression on his face when he found out would be quite a sight.
Pei Siyue's tone was indifferent. "Nothing for now. It takes a long line to catch a big fish."
**
When Su Yan asked Ruan Shuyang where he wanted to be dropped off, he truly didn't know how to answer. Instinctively, he didn't want to go back, but it seemed there was nowhere else for him to go.
That place couldn't even be called a "home," because there were no loved ones there.
He was too afraid to return and even considered impulsively asking if he could stay, but after seeing the faintly distant smile on her face, he swallowed the words and simply asked Su Yan to drop him off at a nearby mall.
Su Yan had the driver take him there and then left. The mall's glass walls reflected Ruan Shuyang's thin figure as he wandered aimlessly inside, afraid of the storm that awaited him upon his return.
But he couldn't stay outside forever.
The mall would eventually close, and he couldn't sleep on the streets—that would be even more dangerous than going back...
He had no money, couldn't find a job, and was even turned away from boba shops for being too frail and small, an omega incapable of hard labor.
He lingered outside until almost 10 p.m. before finally mustering the courage to return home.
The July night was humid and sticky, the air thick with moisture.
He walked through the sticky evening air, slowly making his way to the doorstep of the Ruan family villa.
As he entered the passcode, he prayed that everyone was already asleep and the living room would be empty.
But his prayers clearly went unanswered. The moment the door opened, he saw his father, Ruan Jianchuan, and stepmother, Pan Lan, sitting in the living room. His heart sank, and his lips turned pale with fear.
He was afraid they would question him about what had happened from last night until now, afraid they would scold and punish him for not cooperating.
Unexpectedly, Ruan Jianchuan didn't ask anything. Instead, he stared at him with a strange look for a long moment before saying, almost mercifully, "Go upstairs. Don't stand there being an eyesore."
Ruan Shuyang felt as if granted amnesty. He immediately hurried up to the attic room, where he had always lived.
Downstairs in the living room, Pan Lan looked at Ruan Jianchuan with dissatisfaction and complained, "Why did you just let him go up like that? Shouldn't we ask what happened?"
Most importantly, she hadn't gotten to vent her anger by scolding him. She had lost a lot of money playing cards today and was in a foul mood.
Ruan Jianchuan looked at Pan Lan and said, "There's been no word from Second Young Master Pei since last night, and he hasn't said how things went. I think that's good news—it probably went smoothly. Besides, he came back perfectly fine today. Maybe Mr. Lu has become infatuated with him."
Ruan Jianchuan, of course, knew that Pei Siming had taken Ruan Shuyang to give to Lu Zheng—he had agreed to it because he stood to benefit as well.
He had expected Ruan Shuyang not to return or, at the very least, to end up hospitalized for a few days. But surprisingly, Ruan Shuyang came back entirely unscathed.
If he could return unharmed after being with Lu Zheng, perhaps there was something about him that Lu Zheng liked. From a cautious standpoint, Ruan Jianchuan felt it was best not to provoke Ruan Shuyang for now.
But Pan Lan refused to believe it. Frowning in disgust, she said, "Impossible. With his revolting appearance, how could Mr. Lu possibly like him?"
Ruan Jianchuan retorted, "If he wasn't captivated, why would Ruan Shuyang return unharmed?"
Every omega who had been with Lu Zheng ended up in the hospital for days or missing body parts.
Pan Lan fell silent, then suggested, "Why don't you ask Second Young Master Pei what happened?"
Ruan Jianchuan didn't have the nerve to call but sent a message instead: "Second Young Master, Shuyang has returned. Any news on how things went on Mr. Lu's end?"
When Pei Siming received the message, he stared at the screen for a while before finally replying: "I'll see him tomorrow night."
**
Ruan Shuyang stayed holed up in the attic room until the following evening, when his half-brother, Ruan Qi, called him down for dinner.
Ruan Qi swung his door open and stood in the doorway, looking at him with disgust. "Dad wants you to come down for dinner."
Ruan Shuyang didn't dare delay. He immediately stood up and said, "Understood."
He followed Ruan Qi downstairs and, as usual, stood near the staircase on the first floor. He was rarely allowed to eat at the table.
His stepmother, Pan Lan, loved tormenting him the most. She enjoyed making him watch everyone else eat while he went hungry, and after the meal, he was often forced to do the servants' work, cleaning up the dishes.
Most of the time, only after all that was done could he scavenge for leftover cold food to eat. That was why he had always been so thin.
But this time, Ruan Jianchuan, seeing him standing near the staircase, unexpectedly said, "Come sit here."
Ruan Shuyang looked in surprise at the two empty seats beside Ruan Jianchuan and walked over to sit in the slightly farther one that had been pointed out to him.
On the dining table were luxury dishes like bluefin tuna and Alba white truffles—clearly prepared to welcome an important guest, one who required Ruan Shuyang to entertain.
Realizing what was happening, he tried to seek help from the only one in the family who occasionally helped him.
"Dad, I—I'm not feeling well... Can I go back to the attic..."
"Stay seated." Before Ruan Jianchuan could speak, Pan Lan snapped. "Pei Siyue will be here soon. If you dare say one wrong word, you'll spend the whole week playing golf with Ruan Qi."
Playing golf with Ruan Qi was an absolute nightmare he never wanted to recall.
Ruan Shuyang's face turned pale. He didn't dare say another word, lowering his head and biting his lip as he counted down the days until he could escape this place.
Just a little longer—just under two months until he could get out.
Pei Siming soon arrived, escorted in by a servant. As he entered, everyone in the Ruan family stood up to greet him.
Pei Siming gave Ruan Jianchuan a slight nod, addressing him only as "Mr. Ruan" before paying no attention to the others and walking straight over to stand in front of Ruan Shuyang.
Ruan Shuyang kept his head down, not daring to look at Pei Siming. He clenched his fists, knuckles turning white.
In front of the other Ruan family members, Pei Siming didn't speak further. He stood before him for a moment before saying, "Let's eat first."
During the meal, Pei Siming discussed matters related to Ruan's Jewelry with Ruan Jianchuan. Ruan Shuyang kept his head down and ate in silence, not saying a word.
Over a decade ago, Ruan's Jewelry had once been a major name. The renowned genius designer Yu Xianpo had created many stunning classic designs for the brand. During Yu Xianpo's lifetime, Ruan's Jewelry reached its peak.
But after Yu Xianpo passed away, the brand never managed to produce another showstopping design. Even the classics from over a decade ago, no matter how iconic, had been sold for more than ten years and had lost their appeal. Gradually, other jewelry brands began to chip away at their market share.
By the time Pei Siming approached Ruan Jianchuan, Ruan's Jewelry's cash flow was already hanging by a thread.
Around that time, news came that Pei Siyue, who had been abroad for over a decade, was returning. According to the will of the previous Patriarch of the Pei family, the next head would be Pei Siyue. Although Pei Siming had achieved some success during his years managing the Pei family's business, his position was stuck in a middling, awkward position. He wanted to bolster his influence and secure his status before Pei Siyue's return.
Coincidentally, the Pei family was interested in breaking into the jewelry business. Pei Siming sought out the faltering Ruan's Jewelry and proposed a collaboration.
Such collaborations often involved marriage arrangements to stabilize the confidence of outside investors.
The candidate for that marriage alliance fell on Ruan Shuyang, who had just graduated high school that summer and had just turned eighteen—because he was the only omega in the Ruan family.
But those who knew the inside story understood that Ruan Shuyang was merely a pawn sacrificed by the Ruan family. No one in the family cared about his feelings; some even wished he would disappear.
As long as the collaboration could be secured and the stock price surged, even if Ruan Shuyang were destroyed by Pei Siming, no one in the Ruan family would have his back.
So when Pei Siming approached Ruan Jianchuan and proposed using Ruan Shuyang to secure a project from Lu Zheng, Ruan Jianchuan agreed without a second thought.
Being able to get a project from Lu Zheng was undoubtedly cashing in big.
Ruan Jianchuan didn't know what had happened that night and truly believed he had sold Ruan Shuyang for a high price. That's why, for more than a day, he made sure no one bothered Ruan Shuyang, afraid that Lu Zheng might come looking for him again.
After dinner, Pei Siming said he wanted to go for a walk with Ruan Shuyang. Ruan Jianchuan immediately agreed.
No one cared about Ruan Shuyang's feelings, even though he clearly showed fear and dread.
Pei Siming tried to take Ruan Shuyang's hand, but Ruan Shuyang jerked away as if scalded.
Seeing this, Ruan Jianchuan barked, "Ruan Shuyang!"
Pei Siming dismissed it with a smile and said, "Mr. Ruan, this is between Ruan Shuyang and me. Let us handle it ourselves."
They walked together to the small garden in front of the Ruan family villa. The servants had considerately lit mosquito repellent to ensure mosquitoes wouldn't disturb the Pei family's Second Young Master.
Once they stopped in the garden, Ruan Shuyang kept his head down, not looking at Pei Siming.
Pei Siming looked at Ruan Shuyang, who remained with his head lowered, and asked bitterly, "Are you blaming me?"
Ruan Shuyang shook his head, not daring to speak.
Pei Siming could no longer see those clear, bright almond eyes, nor the admiring, devoted gaze he was used to.
It grated on him.
It was just taking him to meet an alpha—nothing had happened that night. Ruan Shuyang had run off by himself...
Right.
Pei Siming looked thoughtfully at Ruan Shuyang and asked, "How did you leave that night?"
He had forgotten to close the door, so it was normal for Ruan Shuyang to run out of the room. But how had he slipped past the secretaries and security and made it home unharmed?
Ruan Shuyang shook his head frantically when asked.
His memories of that night were foggy. When Lu Zheng caught him, he was terrified and ran desperately until he reached the top floor.
His memories after that were even fuzzier. An alpha had asked him something, and he resisted fiercely. Then someone sank teeth into his gland and marked him.
Looking back, the memory of that mark was even blurrier. He couldn't remember the person's face or voice, nor the scent of their pheromones.
He knew nothing and could only shake his head in fear and panic.
Dissatisfied with Ruan Shuyang's attitude, Pei Siming grabbed his chin with one hand, forcing him to look up. His voice turned stern. "Tell me the truth. What happened that night?"
Ruan Shuyang was forced to raise his head. Seeing Pei Siming's unusually stern and intimidating demeanor, his face grew even paler.
Before, Pei Siming had always been polite and cultivated in front of him. Though they hadn't spent much time together, Pei Siming had never spoken harshly to him or raised a hand to him. He'd even given him treats. Until the night before last, Ruan Shuyang had always liked him.
But the Pei Siming of the night before last was a monster.
Fear felt like an invisible hand clutching his throat. Ruan Shuyang answered in a trembling voice, "I... I really don't remember."
It wasn't that he remembered nothing—he knew a strange alpha had saved him—but he didn't want to tell Pei Siming.
Pei Siming narrowed his eyes slightly. Ruan Shuyang, trapped by his grip, couldn't move. His large almond eyes were filled with terror, and his cherry-blossom-pink lips were bitten until they turned white.
Ruan Shuyang was afraid of him.
This realization made Pei Siming even more irritable. He released his grip, and Ruan Shuyang's head was finally free.
Immediately, Ruan Shuyang took several steps back, wrapping his arms around himself like an injured little animal, watching Pei Siming with extreme wariness.
Pei Siming wanted to lose his temper.
How dare Ruan Shuyang resist him like this? Nothing had happened that night. To placate the furious Lu Zheng, he'd even promised considerable benefits.
But... whatever.
Perhaps the fragile omega was still shaken and needed comfort.
Seeing how terrified Ruan Shuyang was, unable to even speak, he probably didn't dare lie. Maybe he really had been lucky enough to escape.
Pei Siming decided to drop the matter.
He put back on his polite facade, speaking softly to Ruan Shuyang. "If you don't remember, forget it. I won't ask about it anymore, alright?"
He expected Ruan Shuyang to breathe a sigh of relief and show his usual shy, bright smile. But that didn't happen.
Ruan Shuyang's expression remained exactly as before—full of fear and vigilance. His long eyelashes fluttered nervously. He only whispered, "Okay," after hearing Pei Siming's words.
Pei Siming was struggling to control the violence inside him.
He had already said he wasn't going to press the issue, so why was Ruan Shuyang still acting like this? Who was he putting on this poor victim act for?
Hadn't he come home completely fine?
His expression darkened, but the next second, he saw Ruan Shuyang take another step back.
Pei Siming took a deep breath, just barely holding back those dark thoughts.
Perhaps he should give Ruan Shuyang a little reward—after all, as his fiancée for so long, aside from the incident the night before last, he had always been obedient and compliant.
If he gave a little reward, Ruan Shuyang would surely return to being as sweet, shy, and obedient as before.
His mother, Zhou Wei, her favorite thing was when Pei Yan took her to various banquets, publicly recognizing her position.
So Ruan Shuyang must want the same thing.
A small reward should do it. They were already engaged, and the public needed to see them together to confirm the stability of their alliance.
Pei Siming was making excuses.
Finally, he told Ruan Shuyang, "In five days, there will be a banquet at Ruiji Technology. You're coming with me."
Ruan Shuyang felt this was yet another trap. Pei Siming had tried to hand him off the night before last without success, and now, five days later, he was going to try again.
He went pale with fright. He held himself tightly, trying to resist. "I... don't want to go."
Pei Siming's face darkened, his expression grim.
Ruan Shuyang finally saw it—Pei Siming was not as gentle and polite as he had always believed. He, too, could wear a menacing expression that was frightening.
Possibly noticing Ruan Shuyang's fear, Pei Siming made an effort to hide his gloomy expression. He closed his eyes for a moment, then regained his usual polished manner. With a bitter smile, he said to Ruan Shuyang, "You should know that my elder brother returned to the country a few months ago."
"He is an extremely ruthless and cold-blooded man. As soon as he returned, he kicked me out of the group, leaving me no way out. I had no choice but to..."
Pei Siming paused for a moment before continuing, "I hope you can help me."
Ruan Shuyang didn't dare respond. He didn't know how to help—was it the same kind of "help" as being given to another alpha?
After saying this, Pei Siming took Ruan Shuyang's hand and led him inside.