Chapter 12

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Tang Jun was dumbfounded as he watched Jiang Zhiyu protectively shielding the young Omega. Doubts immediately stirred within him. Could it be that his guess was right—that this was Jiang Zhiyu’s secret little lover kept outside the family?

Ling Ran was only stunned for a moment before noticing the crowd nearby constantly staring in their direction. He quickly slipped out of Jiang Zhiyu’s embrace, stepping aside slightly and hiding half of his face behind Jiang Zhiyu’s tall figure.

Tang Jun was still smiling awkwardly as he withdrew his hands from his pockets. “So President Jiang has personally returned. I saw President Sheng Yi a few days ago and even arranged a meal with him, but it seems President Jiang’s schedule is hard to pin down; we just keep missing each other.”

Today, Jiang Zhiyu wore no tie; his black shirt’s collar was casually unbuttoned, and a commanding aura radiated faintly from his tall, strong frame. Standing silently, he exuded a presence that made one instinctively want to bow in submission.

Tang Jun felt an inexplicable pressure, his back stiffening involuntarily.

Although he did not smell any pheromones, he could sense that the man before him was of a much higher rank.

Finally, Jiang Zhiyu spoke: “We’ve met now.”

Tang Jun gave a forced chuckle. “Yes, haha. I saw this young one earlier, unfamiliar with life, and thought to show him the way. But he looked a bit unfamiliar—what’s his name? Whose family is he from?”

The one hiding behind softly said, “My name is Ling Ran.”

Jiang Zhiyu simply curled his lips slightly upon hearing this.

Tang Jun frowned thoughtfully, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “You’re the youngest son of the Ling family, right? The one engaged to President Sheng Yi? I remember now, just never had the chance to meet before. What a coincidence.”

Ling Ran shrank his neck; there was nothing coincidental about it.

“Zhiyu, you’re back too,” Yin Chu bypassed the crowd, smiling as he approached them. “Sheng Yi told me you might not make it back in time.”

Jiang Zhiyu answered with a faint “Mm.”

Upon seeing the obedient little Omega standing quietly behind Jiang Zhiyu, a fleeting surprise flashed across Yin Chu’s delicate face.

“I remember your name is Ling Ran,” Yin Chu curved his eyes kindly and addressed him warmly, “This isn’t our first meeting; you left a strong impression on me. Sheng Yi asked about you just now; he didn’t seem to know you had already arrived.”

Ling Ran did not see Jiang Sheng Yi in the crowd, so Yin Chu moved closer and affectionately took his arm.

“Sheng Yi might have gone inside. Since you’re not familiar here, I’ll take you to find him.”

Yin Chu exuded poised grace and warmth, speaking in a tone that made him sound like the master of the residence.

Being pulled toward the main hall, Ling Ran wanted to pull his arm back but felt it would be rude to do so in front of so many people.

He glanced hurriedly back at Jiang Zhiyu, only to see the outstanding figure already surrounded by several others.

Only Tang Jun remained lost in thought, staring at the backs of the departing pair.

That tender little Omega was actually the fiancée of Jiang Sheng Yi—no wonder. Sensing Jiang Zhiyu’s unusual attitude toward the little Omega, Tang Jun suddenly found the matter intriguingly complex.

*

Ling Ran was quietly led away by Yin Chu. Once out of sight of the others, Yin Chu released his arm and suddenly asked, “Have you met Zhiyu for a long time already?”

Ling Ran was puzzled by the change in attitude. Wasn’t Yin Chu close with Sheng Yi? Why suddenly ask about him and his uncle?

“Not very long,” Ling Ran answered obediently.

Yin Chu seemed unconvinced and pressed further, “So you’ve met him privately? What exactly is your relationship?”

Ling Ran frowned, unable to understand Yin Chu’s intentions.

“President Jiang is Sheng Yi’s uncle, so naturally, he’s my uncle too,” Ling Ran said, looking at him.

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“Other than that, there’s no other relationship between you two?”

“No…”

Seeing Ling Ran’s earnest and well-behaved demeanor, Yin Chu no longer suspected a lie. His expression softened slightly, and he gave a gentle smile.

“I mean no offense. It’s just that since you and Sheng Yi are getting married, even though Zhiyu is a senior in the family, you still have to avoid any misunderstandings. You don’t need me to teach you these things; consider this a friendly reminder.”

Ling Ran nodded.

Together, they stepped into the main hall. The space was vast, arranged with meticulous symmetry. In the center stood a large golden nanmu Eight Immortals table, its surface smooth as a mirror, surrounded by eight elaborately carved grand chairs with high backs. On either side were antique shelves and solid wood lacquered desks, adorned with priceless ancient porcelain, jade, calligraphy, and paintings.

The main hall’s design was exquisite, mostly wooden, with intricately carved patterns decorating the doors, windows, and ceiling. Through the lattice windows, one could glimpse a meticulously tended inner courtyard with rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and towers—like a hidden paradise.

Ling Ran tightly pressed his lips, fearful he might involuntarily utter a sound of admiration.

The hall was bustling with elders gathered—direct branches of the Jiang family’s first, second, and third houses, as well as various collateral branches and longtime family friends. The atmosphere was lively.

Yin Chu moved through the crowd like a fish in water, seemingly familiar with everyone in the Jiang family. He exchanged greetings and smiles with several elders but showed no intention of introducing Ling Ran to others.

Leading Ling Ran away from the crowd toward the dining room, Yin Chu finally spoke.

“Sheng Yi was just here, but now he’s nowhere to be found. You wait here for a bit, have some water and rest. I’ll go look for him upstairs.”

With that, Yin Chu left the dining room and ascended the solid wood staircase.

Ling Ran knew no one here. He poured himself a glass of water and sipped it politely. When someone spoke to him, he answered courteously; when no one did, he quietly continued drinking in small sips.

After a while, having finished two glasses, Yin Chu still hadn’t returned.

Ling Ran felt the urge to use the restroom but the main hall was like a labyrinth, confusing his sense of direction.

After leaving the dining room and turning a corner, he found himself in an empty hall, surrounded by no one.

Fear crept in, and he wanted to turn back. Suddenly, a shadow appeared behind him.

A pale, somewhat sickly-looking man sat in a wheelchair. His deep, sinister eyes, like a restless lost soul, coldly fixed on Ling Ran.

“Ah—” Ling Ran was so frightened his heart nearly stopped. Covering his mouth, he took two steps back, unable to suppress a startled cry.

The man pressed a button on the wheelchair; its large wheels turned a few times, moving closer to him.

His gaze swept Ling Ran thoroughly. Finally, in a hoarse voice, he asked, “Who are you?”

Ling Ran’s eyes widened, realizing the man was not a ghost since he could speak.

“I—I’m Ling Ran,” the Omega’s voice was soft and small, nervously picking at his fingers.

The man wheeled past him and coldly tossed over, “Get out.”

Then his figure disappeared behind the carved wooden door.

Shaken by the encounter, Ling Ran’s need for the restroom grew. Hastily, he left that hall and suddenly heard Jiang Sheng Yi’s voice.

“Ling Ran, I’ve been looking for you everywhere! Who told you to wander around on your own?!” Jiang Sheng Yi was angry, grabbing his wrist fiercely. “You went into the side hall?”

Ling Ran thought to himself that the side hall must have been where he met the man in the wheelchair.

“I didn’t mean to. I don’t know the way here…”

Before he could finish, Jiang Sheng Yi cut him off. “You don’t know the place and still dared to go in? That’s where my second uncle recuperates. No one can enter without permission. How can you be so inconsiderate and rude even in someone else’s home?”

Ling Ran felt wronged and forcefully wrenched his wrist free.

“You’re the one who arranged for someone to bring me here, but after arriving, I never saw you. Yin Chu told me to wait here, and I waited a long time. I just wanted to wash—”

Jiang Sheng Yi’s expression suddenly hardened. “Are you blaming Yin Chu? He meant well, but why does he always become the villain in your mouth? Also, grandma was hospitalized with illness a few days ago. You probably don’t know yet. After the memorial service, go to the hospital and take good care of her for me.”

Ling Ran did not reply but tightened his sleeve, eyes clear as he looked at Jiang Sheng Yi.

Jiang Sheng Yi had never seen such an expression in him before. This little Omega usually greeted him with adoring eyes and a friendly smile.

What was wrong with him today?

Ling Ran spoke softly, enunciating every word: “I will visit grandma, but not because of you. It’s because she has truly treated me well.”

“Also,” he added before turning away, “I saw Yin Chu seemed to be going to find Uncle.”

Without looking back, Ling Ran strode off, leaving Jiang Sheng Yi dumbfounded.

This little Omega must be out of sorts today.

And why was Jiang Zhiyu here today too?

Jiang Sheng Yi anxiously rushed out of the main hall to find Yin Chu.

Ling Ran got lost again, wandering into a winding corridor.

The corners of his eyes turned slightly red, whether from physiological reaction or from Jiang Sheng Yi’s harsh words, he couldn’t tell.

He took two steps forward and saw a corner ahead. As he turned his head down to walk around it, he suddenly stopped in place, stunned.

In front of him, the corridor was backlit, with only a few carved stone windows dimly casting cold white light.

A man in a black suit stood by one of the stone windows. In the deep gloom, his slender fingers gently pinched a small, alluring red flame. Thin cigarette smoke curled around his cold, handsome face, veiling it in mist.

Those narrow, sharp eyes glanced over at him, dark and unfathomable, revealing no emotion but radiating an intense, piercing pressure that struck without any barrier toward the suddenly intruding figure.

Ling Ran’s legs trembled, though he was clearly wearing foot-ring suppressors.

From afar, Jiang Zhiyu commanded him in a low, rich voice, “Come here.”

Ling Ran wanted to explain he was only passing by, but the magnetic quality of that deep voice drew him closer. Slowly, he walked forward.

Jiang Zhiyu crushed his cigarette between two fingers. He was not addicted; he only smoked occasionally.

His gaze flicked to the fragile ankle of the little Omega before him, the empty pant leg seeming as thin as a shadow.

The image of that pale photo flashed through his mind—he could easily encircle that ankle with one hand.

Sensing the gaze on his ankle, Ling Ran proactively reported, “I’m wearing a suppressor.”

“Mm.”

The man responded with apparent satisfaction, then asked, “Have you experienced any heat in the past two days?”

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