Chapter 11

Seeing the photo obediently sent over from the other side, Jiang Zhiyu’s lips curved slightly, but he did not reply. Instead, he flipped his phone face down on the table, then lazily raised the corners of his eyes and cast a stern, oppressive gaze at the person standing before the screen.

“This collaboration wasn’t easy to secure. The group ought to reward the branch office, but additional investment,” he shifted his tone with a light chuckle, “is inappropriate.”

Upon hearing this, the managers—B, C, D, and E—who had been carefully observing his expressions, seemed to receive an imperial decree and eagerly showed their loyalty.

“I just thought it was a bit rash. This is our first cooperation; asking for an additional two percent investment right off the bat seems excessive,” Manager B said.

“Indeed, the profit margins in Southeast Asia aren’t as high as in domestic or European and American markets. Plus, the manpower and material costs are substantial—it’s somewhat counterproductive,” Manager C agreed.

“I think both of you make good points. Regarding the additional investment, the branch office should provide more detailed data support. Otherwise, our department may not be able to approve it,” Manager D said solemnly.

Manager A, seeing the unanimous opposition, immediately fell silent.

Jiang Shengyi noticed this and knew Jiang Zhiyu was deliberately opposing him. He had only tried to request more investment to ensure the smooth progress of the cooperation, yet Jiang Zhiyu had so coldly rejected it.

He slapped the documents on the conference table and forced a smile. “Fine, as you say. I’ll have someone provide more detailed data. But even then, two percent might not be enough—I’ll need at least a five percent cost increase.”

Jiang Zhiyu tapped his fingers on the table and said in a low voice, “Agreed.”

After the meeting ended, Jiang Zhiyu was the first to leave the room. Jiang Shengyi called after him, “Little Uncle.”

Those around pretended not to hear, quickly lowering their heads and withdrawing.

Jiang Zhiyu stopped in his tracks and cast a cold glance back at him.

Jiang Shengyi approached with a smile, knowing Jiang Zhiyu disliked being addressed that way at work, so he teased him, “Got it, got it. Next time I’ll call you President Jiang. But Grandma insisted I ask you in person—it's Grandfather’s death anniversary in a few days. Will you be returning to the old mansion?”

Jiang Shengyi’s grandfather, who was also Jiang Zhiyu’s biological grandfather, had founded the Jiang family and passed away exactly thirty years ago this year.

Jiang Zhiyu gave no definite answer. “Depends on the situation.”

Jiang Shengyi watched his retreating figure and clenched his teeth in silence.

This little uncle seemed born to sit atop the pinnacle of power and desire, arrogant like a god who had forsaken all passions, deeming everyone unworthy of his gaze.

They were all Jiang family members, all bore the Jiang name. Why was he entitled to the highest seat, while Jiang Shengyi had to tread carefully, constantly watching his face and obeying his commands?

Resentment burned in Jiang Shengyi’s heart as he took out his phone and made a call.

* * *

While Ling Ran lay on his bed studying the ankle suppression device, he received a call from Jiangzhou Entertainment notifying him of a final interview at the group headquarters next week.

He thought he had misheard.

After confirming several times that it was indeed Jiangzhou Entertainment’s news division calling, Ling Ran was so excited he didn’t know what to do. He hung up and hugged his phone, grinning foolishly for a long while.

He had thought his chances were long gone, yet unexpectedly, Jiangzhou’s HR had personally called to warmly invite him to the final interview.

It felt like a huge windfall had suddenly landed from the sky, nearly knocking him out.

Still mindful of repaying Jiang Zhiyu, he searched online for the price of the suppression device.

The six-figure sum displayed on the screen terrified him. He grimaced and glanced at his WeChat balance.

He asked Qin Chengyue for money, but she was just a student about to graduate, living paycheck to paycheck, with no spare funds.

Ling Ran was troubled. Although his family was well-off, his parents only gave him just enough monthly allowance for daily expenses.

He didn’t want to trouble his family with his illness, fearing it would cause a fuss or lead to scolding over worries about his engagement to the Jiang family. Having learned his lesson, Ling Ran resolved to earn money himself to pay for treatment.

He transferred the little over two thousand yuan in his account to Jiang Zhiyu and sent a message:

“Sorry, this is all I have for now. I will find a way to repay the rest as soon as possible. Thank you very much.”

He stared at the phone screen for a long while. No payment was received, nor any reply.

* * *

Jiang Shengyi’s call suddenly came in.

Ling Ran hesitated, but as the call was about to disconnect, he answered.

“Why did you answer so slowly? Didn’t I tell you to set my ringtone separately? How could you not know to pick up quickly when it’s me?” Jiang Shengyi sounded angry, firing questions immediately.

Ling Ran clutched his phone, his voice soft and gentle. “I didn’t hear it.”

“What have you been busy with? You never seem to do anything useful. Did you visit Grandma while I was away? How come she keeps talking about you, and you don’t go be filial in front of her?”

Ling Ran felt wronged. He often visited Grandma, always bringing her gifts and supplements, probably showing more filial piety than Jiang Shengyi.

“I did go…”

Jiang Shengyi cut him off, unwilling to listen to his defense. “Don’t go anywhere tomorrow. I’ll send someone to pick you up.”

After all, Ling Ran was nominally his fiancé. For the grandfather’s death anniversary, Ling Ran had to appear in front of the Jiang family.

Whether Ling Ran had other plans or wanted to attend was irrelevant to Jiang Shengyi.

Anyway, this little Omega adored him deeply and would comply with any demand.

But this time, Ling Ran was silent for a long while, not agreeing outright.

Jiang Shengyi found it strange and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you suddenly have something to do tomorrow. Even if you do, you have to cancel it. You’re already half a Jiang family member; everything comes first.”

Ling Ran held the phone, biting his lip silently.

“Shengyi, have you known Yin Chu for a long time?”

Jiang Shengyi was stunned. He hadn’t expected that question.

Had Ling Ran discovered something?

“So what if I have?” Jiang Shengyi replied matter-of-factly. “The Yin family and Jiang family are old friends. Yin family members will also come to the grandfather’s death anniversary. Yin Chu and I are just friends. What’s the problem?”

Gradually, a haze clouded Ling Ran’s vision. “Just friends? Then your donation of the studio to the Film Academy was actually because of Yin Chu, wasn’t it?”

Ling Ran had only recently learned that Yin Chu was his schoolmate too, both graduates of the Film Academy’s Broadcasting and Hosting major.

Ling Ran had admired Jiang Shengyi from the start because, when he entered the Film Academy, he heard that Jiang Shengyi donated a broadcasting building that rivaled top media outlets.

At that time, broadcasting was a marginalized discipline at the academy. Thanks to the grand studio and hall, students became passionate, researching topics, going to shoots and interviews, writing scripts, and broadcasting live. Suddenly, the major became highly popular.

Applications increased, admission scores rose, and broadcasting became one of the academy’s flagship majors.

Ling Ran admired and respected Jiang Shengyi, believing him to be someone with unique insight. Influenced by his destined pheromone bond in recent years, he thought his feelings for Jiang Shengyi were deep-rooted.

But now, with the suppression device on his ankle, he felt detached from pheromone control, his mind clear.

Jiang Shengyi continued, “Ling Ran, don’t think so poorly of everyone. Are you accusing Yin Chu and me of having an affair? Do you have evidence? If not, don’t slander. Yin Chu isn’t someone you can defame.”

Ling Ran’s chest tightened painfully.

What kind of person was he?

Jiang Shengyi hung up in anger, leaving Ling Ran silently clutching his phone, his mood unsettled.

Whenever Yin Chu was mentioned, Jiang Shengyi’s emotions became abnormal.

Suddenly, Jiang Shengyi felt there were things he had to clarify.

* * *

Sure enough, early the next morning, Jiang Shengyi sent a driver to pick Ling Ran up.

* * *

Ling Su happily pushed Ling Ran out the door, repeatedly reminding him that since Jiang Shengyi was bringing him to such an important occasion, it meant he planned to introduce him to the entire Jiang family in advance.

“Jiang Zhiyu will probably return this time. He’s Shengyi’s little uncle. You must remember to get along well with him,” Ling Su advised. “Getting on his good side is even more important than pleasing Jiang Shengyi, understand?”

Ling Ran nodded perfunctorily. “Got it, brother.”

The Jiang family old mansion was built halfway up the mountain, occupying most of the hillside. The winding mountain road passed golf courses, stables, swimming pools, and pottery studios. Through a dense forest, a solemn white marble archway appeared.

Inside the gate, classical Chinese architecture reigned: lotus ponds with water curtains, winding corridors, and a central lake filled with colorful koi fish swimming in groups. The residences were symmetrically arranged on either side of the lake. The mansion looked old but had been carefully renovated.

Ling Ran’s eyes widened throughout. It was his first time at the Jiang estate, and its magnificence made him somewhat uneasy.

On the vast lawn before the lake, over a dozen luxury cars were parked. Small groups chatted beside them, all dressed in black and white to show respect for the memorial.

The driver parked the car and opened the door. Ling Ran took a deep breath and stepped out.

The conversations stopped immediately, and all eyes turned toward him.

Standing slightly apart from the crowd was a slender Omega with strikingly beautiful features. His slightly dazzling peach-blossom eyes were black and clear, shyly watching the crowd but not daring to step forward.

“Who’s that? I’ve never seen him before.”

“Probably someone here to pay respects to the late master. But why did he come alone? Looks like an Omega. Could he be an illegitimate child of the Jiang family?”

Tang Jun heard the murmurs and turned to glance but couldn’t look away.

Old Tang was away on business today, so his son, Tang Jun, was sent to represent him at the Jiang family.

Tang Jun spent his days partying with rich heirs, swapping Omegas one after another. Now he had his eye on this fresh, almost dripping-with-youth Omega.

“Illegitimate child? Where do you see any Jiang resemblance?” Tang Jun licked his lips and sneered. “Besides, look at the way he dresses—probably a kept lover from some branch of the Jiang family. Maybe he figured there’d be a crowd today, so he came looking for attention.”

“Hahaha, I think Master Tang’s right.”

The onlookers’ gazes were full of amusement. Most were from prominent old-money families. After years in this circle, they had seen it all.

Just one glance from Tang Jun was enough to judge the Omega’s status.

With that slim waist, he must be quite the catch.

Tang Jun stepped forward and stood before the little Omega. “Hello, beautiful. Came alone? No Alpha to protect you?”

Ling Ran looked around but saw no sign of Jiang Shengyi.

“I’m here to find someone.”

Tang Jun rudely reached to put his arm around Ling Ran’s shoulder. “Who are you looking for? Tell me. I know everyone here. I’ll take you to find them.”

Ling Ran dodged quickly, refusing to be touched. “Thanks, but no need.”

Tang Jun found his coy resistance enticing. He smiled and grabbed Ling Ran’s hand. “I love helpful people, especially Omegas like you. Don’t be shy with me.”

Ling Ran flinched as the Alpha’s hand brushed the back of his hand with obvious lecherous intent. A chill ran through him as he took a big step back.

Suddenly, he tripped on a small stone and nearly fell.

Tang Jun eagerly tried to seize the chance to grab that slender waist, but upon seeing the newcomer, his hands froze mid-air as if frozen.

Ling Ran didn’t fall. A strong, warm chest suddenly pressed against his back, enveloping his delicate, frail body completely.

His heart thumped twice, and he looked back in surprise. His thick, curled lashes trembled helplessly as he could only see the man’s extremely cold yet handsome profile.

“Little Uncle…”