Chapter 38

Chapter 38

He truly was being seductive.

Pei Yan watched Shen Ju's pouting lips as he spoke, his eyes deepening for a fleeting moment.

He wanted to crush them fiercely.

Or thrust into that pouting mouth, watching Shen Ju's eyes well up with tears.

At this moment, Pei Yan couldn't help but feel a wave of relief.

Fortunately, it was him.

What if the system had chosen someone else...

"You... why aren't you calling me?"

Shen Ju was still a bit dissatisfied, reaching out to tug at Pei Yan's shirtfront and shaking it.

Pei Yan caught Shen Ju's hand, his gaze sweeping over the others.

Everyone was watching them.

Especially Guan Mulin, who finally realized that Shen Ju was genuinely drunk.

He instinctively reached out, wanting to take Shen Ju from him.

"Shen Ju is drunk, maybe I should—"

But just as his hand was about to touch Shen Ju, he saw Pei Yan supporting Shen Ju as he stood up.

"Yes, he's drunk."

Pei Yan spoke up: "I'll take him back to his room."

"Good thing we're staying together."

Crap, he almost forgot that Shen Ju was actually sharing a suite with Pei Yan.

Guan Mulin couldn't help but feel conflicted.

But if he didn't see him back...

Would Shen Jiujiu do something else?

But Pei Haochuan's uncle probably viewed them all as youngsters; surely he wouldn't truly misunderstand anything...

Pei Yan glanced at Guan Mulin and said calmly, "I'll make sure he sleeps as soon as we get back."

"You all continue enjoying yourselves."

Ah, sleeping is good, sleeping is good.

Guan Mulin was somewhat relieved. He had originally thought about going back with them, but now he'd lost the opportunity and could only nod, saying, "Then I'll leave it to you."

............

Inside the top-floor suite.

Pei Yan had brought Shen Ju back only because he didn’t want others to see Shen Ju in this drunken state.

He had been partly supporting, partly carrying Shen Ju the whole way, and the kid kept rubbing against his chest.

He also persistently demanded that Pei Yan call him by his nickname.

Finally, they reached the room.

Pei Yan only turned on the foyer light.

Then he led Shen Ju to the island counter in the living room, reached out, took hold of Shen Ju's waist, and lifted him onto the countertop.

"Hmm?"

Shen Ju blinked his bleary eyes, looking around in confusion.

He was almost as tall as Brother Pei now, he thought.

Shen Ju reached out to grab Pei Yan's collar.

But Pei Yan blocked Shen Ju's hand.

Shen Ju was displeased and couldn't help but pout again.

"Are you feeling hot?"

The temperature was low in winter. Although they could take the elevator directly from the bar to the top floor, Pei Yan had still put a coat on Shen Ju, bundling him up like a teddy bear, even pulling up the hood.

But Pei Yan himself was only wearing a black trench coat.

Now standing in front of Shen Ju, he slowly took off his trench coat, tossed it lightly aside, and it landed on a nearby dining chair.

The climate control had been turned on as soon as they entered.

The temperature rose quickly, and now Shen Ju was indeed starting to overheat. He reached out to tug at his down jacket.

Only then did he realize the hood was still on his head.

Shen Ju reached out again to grab the hood of his down jacket.

But his brain was too muddled at the moment—he instinctively tugged it forward, forgetting to push it back. As a result, the hood tightened around his head, and when he pulled harder, he ended up tugging himself forward.

With a thud, he bumped into Pei Yan's chest once more.

Pei Yan's chest vibrated with a low chuckle.

"Want me to help?"

Shen Ju pursed his lips, displeased.

He stayed silent.

A hand reached up from beneath, seemingly to comfort him, and gently brushed Shen Ju's cheek inside the down jacket hood.

"JiuJiu."

The pronunciation of these two words was precise yet very soft, as if carrying a sense of reverence, afraid to disturb anything.

Hearing Pei Yan call him by his nickname, Shen Ju finally brightened.

He lifted his head from where his chin had bumped against Pei Yan's chest, took Pei Yan's hand, and placed it on his own head.

Gesturing: Help me!

Pei Yan let out a low laugh and helped Shen Ju take off his down jacket.

The Guan family was helping Shen Ju, so Pei Yan naturally wouldn’t be a hindrance either.

But the current situation was indeed challenging for him, requiring him to exercise all his self-control.

He couldn’t truly respond; in fact, he even had to rein in the kid’s enthusiasm first.

For Pei Yan, this was indeed quite difficult.

Yet his inner stirring excitement was undoubtedly satisfied.

Just like at this moment—

Pei Yan didn’t do anything unnecessary while helping Shen Ju take off his down jacket.

It was just that after helping Shen Ju remove the down jacket, he took a step back, draped Shen Ju’s down jacket over the chair as well, picked up a cup, and went to the island counter to get some water.

As if he had completed a predetermined task and started going about his own business.

Leaving Shen Ju sitting there on the island counter, yet hovering near him all the while.

Shen Ju’s head turned back and forth, following Pei Yan’s movements.

He swung his legs slightly, his heels tapping rhythmically against the island counter.

He saw Pei Yan roll up his sleeves, revealing his sturdy forearms.

After taking off his trench coat, he was wearing a black turtleneck sweater underneath, paired with trousers of the same color. The sweater wasn’t very loose, quite form-fitting, and coupled with Pei Yan’s broad shoulders, narrow waist, and inverted triangle physique, it further accentuated his wide, solid shoulders and muscular outline, quite a feast for the eyes.

Shen Ju was unconsciously drawn in, his gaze following Pei Yan’s movements.

But Pei Yan ignored him.

After helping him take off his down jacket, he didn’t look at him again.

As if helping him remove the down jacket earlier was something he was obligated to do.

Once done, he made a quick exit.

If Shen Ju were sober, he probably wouldn’t have expressed any opinion.

But now, Shen Ju’s mind was muddled, and he was acting almost entirely on instinct.

He was really annoyed at being ignored by Pei Yan.

He had even told Pei Yan his nickname!

And Pei Yan had called him by his nickname!

Shen Ju had already considered Pei Yan part of his inner circle.

How could Pei Yan ignore him?

It didn’t make sense.

Seeing that Pei Yan had already finished filling the cup with water, Shen Ju tapped his heel heavily against the edge of the island counter, then reached out toward Pei Yan: “I... I want a drink too...”

He even stretched out both hands, as if asking for a hug.

Pei Yan held the water cup, silently watching Shen Ju.

If Shen Ju were sober, he would have noticed how intense and brooding Pei Yan’s gaze was, as if trying to pull him in, his eyes barely shifting at all.

“Want a drink...”

After getting drunk, Shen Ju became quite stubborn.

Earlier, he had insisted that Pei Yan call him by his nickname; now, he wanted to drink the water in Pei Yan’s hand.

Seeing that Pei Yan didn’t react, Shen Ju pitifully pleaded: “Ge...”

He rapped his heels twice against the island counter, not knowing how to get down.

It was hard to say Pei Yan wasn’t doing it on purpose.

He probably was up to no good from the start.

Finally, Pei Yan moved.

He walked back to Shen Ju with the water cup: “Who are you calling ‘Ge’?”

“You have so many brothers...”

Pei Yan said in a low voice, raising his other hand, his forearm tensing with veins, but the touch on Shen Ju’s face was gentle, his thumb pressing against Shen Ju’s lips—

He really wanted to press down firmly.

“Do they all call you JiuJiu too?”

Shen Ju was really thirsty. He licked his lips and ended up licking Pei Yan’s thumb. He didn’t notice, instinctively nodding, though he hadn’t fully processed the content and meaning of Pei Yan’s words. After all, only Jian Yi called him that, and mostly when he was angry, using his nickname as a warning.

The pressure on his lips suddenly increased—

Pei Yan let out a soft laugh.

“Is that so...”

So he was the last to know.

And if it weren’t for the mission, he might not have found out for who knows how long.

Pei Yan withdrew his hand, spinning the water cup in his grasp.

Shen Ju watched, suddenly struck by a moment of clarity.

He reached out and tugged at the hem of Pei Yan’s clothes: “I like it best when Brother Pei calls me that.”

Pei Yan coaxed gently: “Why?”

Shen Ju tilted his head, honest as could be.

His gaze glanced down: “I’m thirsty...”

Pei Yan: “............”

Never mind.

Pei Yan couldn't help but let out a laugh, finally stopping his teasing.

He brought the cup to Shen Ju's lips and whispered, "Drink."

Shen Ju raised both hands, holding the cup, and gulped it down thirstily. Having been "thirsty" for so long, he drank a bit too quickly, and some water spilled from the corner of his mouth, trickling down onto Pei Yan's fingers. Watching this, Pei Yan's eyes darkened even more.

Who was really being tormented by the teasing, he wondered.

Pei Yan took a deep breath. After Shen Ju finished drinking, he took the cup and set it down on the island counter nearby, wiping his wet fingers.

Shen Ju watched the cup, as if he wanted another.

"No."

Pei Yan pressed a hand against Shen Ju's stomach. "You can't drink any more."

"Drink too much and you'll need to go to the bathroom. I won't be able to look after you tonight."

"Why..."

Shen Ju was confused.

He continued clutching at Pei Yan. "Don't leave—"

He still remembered his mission.

"I still need to se—"

"Aaaaah, Host! Stop!!!"

996 was scared out of its wits, thinking it must never let the host touch alcohol again!

Who knew Shen Ju could actually get drunk?

But after observing all this, it felt like the mission was progressing quite smoothly?

Shen Ju was startled, also nearly scared to death...

His body jerked, and he didn't speak again.

Pei Yan sighed inwardly.

What other reason could there be?

Of course, it was because of this...

He was afraid that staying by Shen Ju's side for too long would eventually give himself away, especially since he couldn't actually do anything. Even teasing him earlier had almost gotten him in trouble...

"Alright, come down now."

Pei Yan gripped Shen Ju under the arms and set him down.

"Let's get you ready for bed. After that, be a good boy and sleep."

"No..."

Shen Ju scrunched up his face, feeling like the mission wasn't finished yet.

But the alcohol was working its way through his system, and his mind was getting foggier.

"Brother Pei............"

Shen Ju called out, drawling.

When Pei Yan turned to him in surprise, he suddenly burst out crying—

"Brother Pei, don't hate me! Wahhh!"

He cried loudly, very loudly.

He sounded so wronged and pitiful.

Even 996 went silent...

This was the first time 996 deeply realized that the host could truly be so upset.

It's just that such emotions were usually hidden behind his usual act...

Host...

996 didn't know what to say.

Its code was getting scrambled too.

Unable to bear watching any longer, 996 decided to go into standby mode for the night.

On the other side.

Pei Yan caught Shen Ju in his arms as he lunged forward.

After the initial surprise, he immediately took in all of Shen Ju's emotions—he had always known that one day, Shen Ju would let all those pent-up feelings out.

Teasing him after he drank was also a way to guide him.

Alcohol was a good excuse.

After being teased, it was only natural to let out his grievances.

Shen Ju's words came out in a jumble. After saying that first sentence and starting to cry, he couldn't say anything else. He hid in Pei Yan's arms like a comfort-seeking little animal.

Pei Yan picked him up, holding him like a child, and carried him to Shen Ju's room.

When they reached the room, he tried to put Shen Ju down, but Shen Ju clung to him tightly, burying himself deeper into his embrace.

Pei Yan simply sat down on the bed, holding Shen Ju in his arms.

He thought, cry all you want. You can cry it all out in front of me.

Everything will be alright.

Pei Yan patted Shen Ju gently while lost in thought.

He also wanted to tell Shen Ju that he would never, ever hate him.

Because...

Pei Yan lowered his head to look at the person burying his face in his embrace, silently uttering:

I like you.

He wasn’t sure exactly when it started.

Maybe it was when Shen Ju always insisted how good he was, or when Shen Ju constantly defended him in front of others, or when he watched this kid reluctantly carry out tasks, or when he realized Shen Ju felt concern for him...

Or maybe it was the first time someone picked him up like that, like plucking a weed from the pond to the shore, or the first time a pomegranate hit him on the head, making him land hard on his bottom in front of everyone...

Thinking of this, Pei Yan couldn’t help but smile silently.

There were so many moments.

Looking back, there were so many special, unforgettable experiences—how could he not pay attention to the one in his arms? Before he knew it, his gaze had already locked on him.

But Pei Yan wasn’t sure what Shen Ju truly felt about him.

He probably always saw him as an elder, as "Brother Pei."

He couldn’t be sure how much attention the kid, totally focused on tasks, could spare for him, nor could he expect Shen Ju to notice only him.

But tonight was undoubtedly a "pleasant surprise."

Even if it was under the guise of a task, Shen Ju was finally giving him more attention—and even better, it was the kind of attention Pei Yan wanted.

How lucky.

So tonight, Pei Yan was indeed a bit less "composed."

He was itching to confirm something.

To vent the restlessness in his heart.

Because even if he bullied him, Shen Ju couldn't get away.

Because he had to stay by his side to "complete the task"—

He couldn't get away.

What a delightful realization.

Just thinking about it made Pei Yan’s heart race, clamoring...

On one hand, he felt concern for him; on the other, he was overflowing with joy.

However, after Shen Ju hugged him and cried so bitterly, concern completely took over—

So pitiful, baby.

Pei Yan thought to himself, gently stroking Shen Ju’s hair.

By now, Shen Ju had cried until he was worn out and fallen asleep.

His eyelashes were damp, and his little face was flushed from drinking.

Pei Yan bent down to lay Shen Ju on the bed and gazed at him for a long time.

Really... so pitiful, baby.

If that system wasn’t solely focused on completing tasks, seeing you like this, it should feel as concerned for you as I do, eager to offer you everything.

Pei Yan chuckled to himself.

He felt he had fallen into a dilemma.

He wanted to maintain the current task, but he also didn’t want Shen Ju to continue struggling and suffering... It was both delightful and troubling. He needed to find a way to have the best of both worlds.