Chapter 73: Invitation Letter

Chapter 73 Invitation

"What am I doing?"

Yuan Shiyuan repeated the question, then let out a short laugh. He leaned back in his chair. "It was late at night; of course, I was in the dorm."

"What else could I have been doing?"

Bao Jin across from him raised an eyebrow: "?"

Yuan Shize didn’t believe him: "Your heart rate wouldn’t be that high just from being in the dorm, would it?"

"Oh. Brother Baojin and I had a sudden urge to rehearse a scene. We both got too deep into character, emotions ran high, so we got a little carried away."

After saying this, Yuan Shiyuan playfully nudged his younger brother’s shoulder with his fist. "Why are you always checking my heart rate? Don’t you have anything better to do?"

Yuan Shize said, sounding hurt, "I can’t see you, Ge. I feel insecure, so I can only rely on this data."

Yuan Shiyuan knew his younger brother suffered from severe separation anxiety.

Yuan Shiyuan’s guileless expression made it difficult for Pei Yanbing to continue doubting him: "Is that so...?"

Bao Jin couldn’t sit still. Was Yuan Shiyuan, right in front of him, pinning the blame on him? He had something to say, but suddenly a foot nudged him under the dining table, the tip of a foot gently hooking around his calf.

His entire body stiffened. Lifting his eyes, he met Yuan Shiyuan’s bright, pleading gaze. Yuan Shiyuan curved his lips at him, flashing a friendly smile.

"......"

After a long moment, Bao Jin finally said, "Yeah, that’s how it was."

"That night we were rehearsing, emotions ran a bit high and we got excited." He stared at Yuan Shiyuan’s face as he said, "We’ll watch it next time."

As the meal drew to a close, Bao Jin went to pay the bill, and Pei Yanbing followed him.

Although they were members of the same group, their relationship had never been close, especially since Pei Yanbing kept to himself.

At this moment, Pei Yanbing actually spoke up unexpectedly: "Last night... you were really together?"

This was the first time Bao Jin had seen Pei Yanbing like this.

He didn’t understand why Pei Yanbing was so hung up on this answer, but anything that bothered Pei Yanbing was a win for him.

"Of course," he said. "We’re roommates. If Yuan Shiyuan wasn’t with me, who else would he be with?"

Pei Yanbing was taken aback: "You’re right."

For the first time, Bao Jin actually caught a hint of disappointment on that typically expressionless, stoic face.

This made him even more alert. Pei Yanbing’s repeated questioning, and the timing was so specific, had to be more than just curiosity.

The person Pei Yanbing was looking for was most likely Yuan Shiyuan.

What exactly happened between them last night?

This question kept nagging at him in Bao Jin’s mind. If it were before, he would’ve definitely just come out and asked.

But Yuan Shiyuan had that annoying Alpha by his side, and that person was Yuan Shiyuan’s own younger brother. No matter how displeased he was, he could only put up with it, and he couldn’t even show his aversion.

After Bao Jin pulled the car around, just as he was about to open the car door for Yuan Shiyuan, another young Alpha in a school uniform moved faster.

Yuan Shize thoughtfully put a hand on the roof of the car, bending down to help Yuan Shiyuan into the car. His careful attitude was as if he were handling a fragile, exquisite porcelain doll.

Bao Jin could only grudgingly take the driver’s seat, suddenly feeling like a fool.

Running around paying the bill and driving, not only doing all the work but also spending money, yet he didn’t even get a chance to get close to Yuan Shiyuan.

Through the rearview mirror, Bao Jin saw Yuan Shiyuan tilting his head to chat and laugh with Yuan Shize. Their intimacy was hard to miss. Meanwhile, Pei Yanbing, sitting on the other side, was coldly gazing out the window, and stood out in the lively atmosphere.

Bao Jin looked away.

Well, at least he wasn’t the only one looking foolish.

Yuan Shize couldn’t leave the base for too long; he had used all his limited rest time for his older brother.

After Yuan Shiyuan took Yuan Shize around the company, his legs were tired, so he simply brought his younger brother back to the dorm.

Yuan Shize took a discreet look around the inside of the dorm, observing Yuan Shiyuan’s living environment.

They usually video chatted and exchanged photos, but seeing the space where Yuan Shiyuan lived in person was a different matter altogether.

Yuan Shiyuan’s bed was neatly made, piled with stuffed animals of various sizes above. On the floor, gift boxes from department stores were stacked against the wall. Clean, tidy, and fresh, much like him.

However, there were clearly traces of another Alpha living in the dorm.

Yuan Shize subtly glanced at the area on the opposite side. Fortunately, the two large beds were on opposite sides of the dorm, with some distance between them. This meant that Yuan Shiyuan and Bao Jin slept far apart every night.

He was just about to lie down on his brother’s bed to smell the bedding that carried his brother’s scent when he was abruptly pulled up.

The slender wrist possessed a strength not to be underestimated. Yuan Shiyuan yanked Yuan Shize away: "Don’t lie directly on my bed. It’s dirty."

Yuan Shize was currently wearing his outer clothes and pants and hadn’t showered. Sitting on his bed in this state would naturally make him annoyed.

"Sorry, Ge, I forgot," Yuan Shize immediately apologized.

Yuan Shiyuan accepted the apology and then asked, "You received the birthday gift delivery, right?"

"Received it," Yuan Shize said, giving Yuan Shiyuan a hug as they both sat on the armchair by the bed. "The headphones, mouse, keyboard... I got them all. But why was there also a belt?"

Yuan Shiyuan said lazily, "To whip you when you’re disobedient."

Yuan Shize’s expression stiffened, and he suddenly looked down at Yuan Shiyuan.

Yuan Shiyuan, however, smiled: "Just kidding. I looked it up online; lots of people choose a belt as a gift for an Alpha’s coming-of-age ceremony."

"I brought one for Mom and Dad too."

Bao Jin, who had been silent all this time, finally found an opportunity to interject: "The ones we bought last time when we went shopping?"

"Right."

"Those were really nice. You have good taste."

Bao Jin’s tone was casual, but the slight glance he cast carried a strongly provocative meaning in Yuan Shize’s eyes.

Were they this close? They could even go shopping together in private?

Unease surged in Yuan Shize’s heart. He glanced at Bao Jin’s bed and saw that there were actually a few stuffed animals on it too. He didn’t know if Bao Jin bought them himself or if Yuan Shiyuan had placed some of his own there.

"Ge, your bed isn’t shielded from light," Yuan Shize suddenly said. "Let me buy you a bed curtain, the kind for dorms."

Yuan Shiyuan was confused: "This isn't a dorm with bunk beds, why would I need a bed curtain?"

"What about your clothes? Have you washed them? Let me do it for you."

"They're all washed, don't worry about that stuff."

"But I want to do something for you, Brother."

Yuan Shize's face fell, like a big, dejected dog that couldn't be useful to its owner.

He just couldn't stay idle; whenever he had free time, he felt compelled to do something for Yuan Shiyuan. Whether it was laundry, cooking, or helping Yuan Shiyuan wash up.

His younger brother's entire sense of security came from doing things for his brother.

Yuan Shiyuan thought for a moment and said, "Then help me massage my legs. I didn't stretch after practicing dance today, and now my muscles are a bit sore."

Yuan Shize immediately knelt beside the armchair, grabbed Yuan Shiyuan's ankle, and placed it on his thigh. He skillfully worked on the calf: "Is it sore here?"

"Yes."

Bao Jin also pulled up a chair and sat nearby: "Why didn't you say so earlier? You've just been putting up with it?"

"I was planning to stretch, but weren't we going to eat?"

Yuan Shiyuan lazily leaned back, letting his brother take care of him while turning his head to chat with his roommate. "It's not that bad, just muscle soreness."

"Muscle soreness means I'm making progress."

Yuan Shiyuan had indeed practiced for quite a while today. Bao Jin reminded him: "Control the intensity, don't overdo it."

"There was a teacher supervising, don't worry." Yuan Shiyuan wouldn't practice recklessly. He naturally adjusted his training plan based on the professional teacher's guidance.

"Did Brother Zhuang tell you about tomorrow's schedule?"

"Tomorrow is Silence's anniversary event. I have a mall appearance in the afternoon, so I need to go early for styling and such."

Bao Jin: "As the spokesperson, you should go early."

After the leg massage, the soreness eased quite a bit. Yuan Shiyuan propped himself up and looked at Bao Jin: "Pierre mentioned there would be a lot of VICs there."

VICs are above VIPs: super VIPs of the brand with astonishing spending power; they have to spend over a million a year.

The threshold for this anniversary closed-door event is even stricter; only VICs with exclusive invitations can enter.

Yuan Shiyuan and Bao Jin naturally began chatting, completely unaware of Yuan Shize, who was diligently massaging his legs, his thin lips pressed tightly together.

He was unhappy that the attention that was supposed to be on him was being taken by another Alpha. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted.

"There will definitely be many VICs at the anniversary event. They need to spend a certain amount to take a photo with you. But don't worry, you don't have sales pressure." Bao Jin could tell what Yuan Shiyuan was thinking. "Scared?"

"Honestly?"

"Then lie."

"No way." Yuan Shiyuan admitted, "I'm a little scared."

Yuan Shiyuan felt like a newly planted sapling, uprooted before it could take root.

He hadn't even done many team schedules yet, and now he had to handle a solo appearance and face many VIC customers. It's no wonder he felt nervous.

"Since it's your solo gig, it wouldn't be right for me to tag along officially." Bao Jin mused, "Besides, I'm not a VIC of theirs, so I can't get an invitation."

The Silence brand style doesn't suit him; it's more fitting for youths with androgynous beauty like Yuan Shiyuan.

Yuan Shiyuan: "Oh..."

"Tomorrow, right?"

"Yes."

Bao Jin glanced at the time: "Get ready later, we're going out."

Yuan Shiyuan was still getting a massage. "Huh?"

"There are four hours until the mall closes." Bao Jin said casually, "Since it's your solo schedule, it's not convenient for me to be there officially, so I'll accompany you as a consumer. I'll just become a VIC and get an invitation later."

"Four hours, that's enough."

Yuan Shiyuan was shocked, then sighed: "Brother Bao Jin, I know you're capable, but this... Mmm!"

Before he could finish, a tingling sensation from his leg made him gasp. Unconsciously, Yuan Shize's massage had moved from his calf to his scent gland.

A large, warm hand rubbed the sensitive skin around the gland through the fabric, making Yuan Shiyuan tense up. He planted a foot on his brother's chest and shoved him away.

Yuan Shize fell to the floor, stunned. He instinctively crawled back, knowing he had done wrong, and pressed his face against his brother's calf.

"Brother, was I too rough? Did I hurt you?" He apologized immediately, "I'm sorry, Brother."

Bao Jin steadied Yuan Shiyuan by the shoulder, his expression growing increasingly strange as he did so.

Yuan Shiyuan's younger brother was acting really strange.

He didn't have biological brothers himself, but that didn't mean he hadn't seen how brothers interact. Do normal brothers act like this?

Yuan Shize's coaxing attitude—was that how you coax a brother? It was no different from coaxing a wife.

"Are you okay?" Bao Jin looked away and down at Yuan Shiyuan.

Yuan Shiyuan didn't speak. Instead, he turned sideways, bracing his hand on the armchair, breathing in small, shallow gasps. A peculiar blush spread across his face, damp tears welling at the corners of his eyes. He lifted his gaze, glistening with moisture, and shook his head lightly.

Bao Jin suddenly froze, inexplicably unable to look away.

With such an expression on his refined features, the soft sound of his parted lips gasping for breath sounded like temptation to Bao Jin's ears.

"It's fine, just a bit ticklish." Yuan Shiyuan laughed carelessly and reached out to hug his brother. "Did I scare you?"

"I'm okay, thanks, I appreciate it. My legs feel much better now, not as sore as before."

As Yuan Shiyuan spoke, his voice still breathy, the soft flesh near his gland trembled slightly. He rubbed his face, trying to stay clear-headed.

Perhaps because an Alpha had bitten him once, his scent gland seemed to have become more sensitive and couldn't withstand touch.

And just now, Yuan Shize's massage, his large hand rubbing and lingering through the thin fabric, had thoroughly attended to his entire gland, touching every part...

It was also time for Yuan Shize to return to the base; his ride had arrived. On the other hand, he watched helplessly as Yuan Shiyuan got into another Alpha's car.

Bao Jin reached out to open the car door for Yuan Shiyuan. As he helped him into the passenger seat, he suddenly glanced back.

Lightly, without much force. But his palm landed intimately on Yuan Shiyuan's shoulder, giving it a firm, affectionate squeeze.

The crowd surged around him, but Yuan Shize stood rooted to the spot, his gaze dark and icy.

As an Alpha himself, he could not mistake the underlying meaning behind that look.

It was the characteristic display of a victorious male, carrying a silent challenge.

Silence's invitations were only extended to VIC customers.

When the secretary brought the invitation into the office, the stern man in a sharp suit was reviewing documents, his well-defined wrist adorned with a precision mechanical watch.

"President Yu, here are the documents that just arrived, along with an invitation from Silence."

Yu Sijing didn’t even look up. "Get rid of the invitation."

Yu Sijing was a VIC customer of Silence solely because he frequently bought gifts for family and clients.

He had no personal interest in Silence.

"Understood." The secretary professionally moved to set it aside, but for some reason, she spoke up unexpectedly, "President Yu, are you sure you don’t want to keep it? I recall Young Master Gu is a big fan of Silence’s ambassador and has been insisting lately on meeting him…"

Behind his silver-rimmed glasses, his gaze suddenly stilled.

Yu Sijing slowly raised his eyes. "Silence’s ambassador?"

"Yes," the secretary replied. "Silence recently has a new ambassador—Yuan Shiyuan from the Scepter boy band. He’s very popular right now, and Young Master Gu really likes him…"

"If Young Master Gu could meet Yuan Shiyuan, he would be overjoyed."

Yu Sijing put down the documents and took off his glasses. "When?"

The secretary immediately understood that he was referring to the time listed on the invitation. She answered, "Tomorrow at 2 p.m. Unfortunately, you have a meeting with Mr. Chen at that time…"

Who was Mr. Chen again? Yu Sijing’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. If he couldn’t even remember the name, this partner was likely insignificant.

Without responding to the secretary’s reminder, Yu Sijing reached for the gilded invitation.

A beautifully crafted invitation slipped out. Not only did it bear the shimmering emblem of the Silence brand, but the most striking feature was the high-definition photo of the ambassador beside it.

Yu Sijing’s eyes lingered on the face of the pink-haired Alpha for a long time—so long that the secretary felt compelled to speak up.

"Reschedule it," Yu Sijing said, flexing his wrist. "Tomorrow is my personal time."