Chapter 39

Chapter 39

A ray of morning sunlight streamed in, and Shen Ju stirred, blinking his tired, dry eyes.

His eyelids felt a little off—puffy and sore, as if he’d been crying…

Wait, crying?!

Shen Ju shot awake, his eyes snapping wide open.

Memories from his drunken state last night flooded his mind—

He’d tugged at Pei Yan’s collar, insisting he use his nickname.

Pei Yan had tilted his chin up, asking what his nickname was.

All the way from the bar to the hotel, even in the elevator, he’d stubbornly demanded that Pei Yan call him by his nickname.

Back in the room, he’d made Pei Yan help him out of his down jacket, snatched Pei Yan’s water, and finally, cried in Pei Yan’s arms, begging him not to hate him, before Pei Yan carried him back to his room like a child…

Ughhh!

Shen Ju flipped over, burying his head under the blanket like a little turtle.

He couldn’t face anyone!

Bro 996, emerging from its self-imposed silence, saw Shen Ju was awake. It nervously twirled its little topknot and, feeling a bit guilty, called out, "Host…"

"So, are you feeling better now?"

Shen Ju poked his head out from under the blanket, just enough for his hair to show, his hands clutching the edges of the covers: "I’m perfectly fine, Bro 996."

Bro 996 fell silent.

*The more you say that, the guiltier I feel!*

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Pei Yan was getting a glass of water. Hearing Shen Ju’s reply to the system, he couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

Even his attempts to reassure are so clumsy.

It’ll only make people feel even more sorry for him.

Judging the time, Pei Yan walked over and knocked on the door.

At the sound of the knock, Shen Ju jumped under the blanket.

"Are you awake?" Pei Yan’s voice came from outside the door.

Shen Ju’s entire face emerged from the covers, and he noticed a folded towel on the bedside table—it seemed to be the one used for his eyes yesterday.

No wonder his eyelids were only sore this morning, not swollen.

Shen Ju couldn’t help but zone out for a moment.

He reached out and touched his eyelids.

"Still not awake?" Pei Yan’s voice came from outside the door again.

Shen Ju finally snapped back to reality: "Awake—Brother Pei, I’m awake…"

"Then, may I come in?"

"Huh?"

Shen Ju hadn’t expected Pei Yan’s next words.

Before he could react, Pei Yan turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

But Pei Yan only stood at the doorway, maintaining a respectful distance without stepping further in.

"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?" Pei Yan asked, looking at Shen Ju, as if observing his current state.

In reality, he was watching Shen Ju sprawled on the bed like a little turtle, his hair a mess, eyes still hazy with sleep, cheeks flushed from just waking up, and looking quite out of it.

Pei Yan leaned against the doorframe, holding up the glass of water in his hand. "Thirsty?"

Shen Ju’s gaze dropped to the cup in Pei Yan’s hand… it was identical to the one he’d snatched and drunk from last night.

His face flushed even redder.

*I hope Brother Pei doesn’t mean anything by this…*

Bro 996 popped up, its voice a little tentative: "Host, are we still doing the mission?"

Shen Ju collected himself: "Yes, Bro 996."

The mission had come too far; he couldn't give up now.

Perhaps after the mission was over, maybe he’d have a chance to explain…

In any case, he had to complete the mission first and fill up the energy bar!

"Actually, last night’s mission went quite smoothly…"

Bro 996 let out a relieved sigh: "Good, then keep up the good work and try to build your character points with Pei Yan!"

"Alright."

After finishing with Bro 996, Shen Ju couldn’t help but clear his throat for effect.

He pushed himself up slightly from the bed: "I’d like some water, but, um, I’m feeling a bit unwell…"

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow and, sure enough, walked over with the water glass: "What’s wrong?"

"My eyes," Shen Ju said instinctively.

Then, realizing that sore eyes weren't a valid excuse to stay in bed, he quickly added: "My legs are a bit sore too."

"Probably from skiing yesterday."

Pei Yan walked over and sat down by Shen Ju’s bedside. Today, he was wearing a dark brown turtleneck sweater and beige straight-leg trousers, an outfit that made him appear much softer and more refined, looking both elegant and distinguished.

"I should have massaged you yesterday."

As he spoke, Pei Yan brought the water cup to Shen Ju’s lips.

Just as Shen Ju instinctively reached out to hold the cup and drink, Pei Yan added casually, "It’s a shame that if I massaged you after you fell asleep, it would’ve been taking advantage."

"Pfft! Cough, cough—"

Shen Ju nearly choked on his water.

*It was supposed to be me taking advantage of Brother Pei!*

*Brother Pei is so pitiful; he has no idea what my intentions are and still wants to take care of me.*

"Drink slowly."

Shen Ju chugged the water and immediately shook his head: "No, thanks. I’m done."

He sat up cross-legged and realized he was only wearing thermal underwear.

And it was red…

He couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed, instinctively pulling the blanket over himself.

But the next moment, his expression froze as he suddenly realized that Brother Pei must have been the one who took his clothes off yesterday—so he’d already seen everything…

His red thermal underwear!

Shen Ju’s face was now almost as red as his clothes.

Pei Yan turned his head and let out a quiet breath, unable to hold back a smile.

When he’d undressed the kid yesterday, he hadn't expected Shen Ju to be wearing these underneath.

"Such a good baby…"

"What?"

Shen Ju hadn’t heard what Pei Yan said; his voice was low and muffled.

But he saw the smile at the corner of Pei Yan’s mouth.

He couldn’t help but complain: "Brother Pei, are you making fun of me?!"

"This… my mom made me wear it…"

"Oh, so did Guan Mulin wear his?"

Shen Ju: "............"

No, Guan Mulin refused on the spot.

It was on his birthday.

When he found this set among his gifts, Qin Suxi had insisted he wear it when going out. He couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

"I was complimenting you," Pei Yan said.

Shen Ju wrinkled his nose, clearly not believing him.

"Then what did you say just now, Brother Pei?"

Pei Yan raised an eyebrow and suddenly reached out, pinching Shen Ju’s cheek: "I said, Shen Jiujiu is such a good baby."

"............"

Shen Ju’s face instantly turned bright red.

What was going on…

Wasn’t he supposed to be seducing Pei Yan?

Why did it feel like he was the one being seduced instead…

*Snap out of it!!*

"Alright, aren’t you getting up yet?"

Pei Yan suddenly took the cup back and stood up: "If you still want me to take care of you, you’ll have to pay up."

"Besides, if you keep lazing around in bed, they might not wait for you to go have fun."

Pei Yan added casually: "Even though Qichen has started winter break early, you can’t just spend all your time playing around. The college entrance exam is only a few months after next semester starts."

"Take advantage of these few days to enjoy yourself."

"Oh, right! Tutoring!"

996 chimed in again: "Host, how about continuing tutoring with Brother Pei during winter break? Let’s rope in Pei Haochuan and Guan Mulin too. I’ve realized this is killing multiple birds with one stone—you can stick close to the main couple while acting in character, keep working on your seduction mission in front of Brother Pei, lay the groundwork early for Brother Pei about the relationship between the main couple, and even improve your own grades through tutoring. It’s beneficial in multiple ways!"

"Find a chance to bring it up, host!"

"Don’t let Brother Pei get away!"

Pei Yan chuckled softly to himself.

"Tutoring?!"

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

Shen Ju found an opportunity.

Originally, Han Chengfeng and the others had planned to go somewhere else after finishing up here, but Shen Ju mentioned wanting to go back for tutoring and looked pleadingly at Pei Yan—his meaning was clear.

"Brother Pei, do you still have time…?"

Shen Ju felt that he’d previously gotten help because of Pei Haochuan. Now that he was asking himself, he wasn’t sure if Pei Yan would still be willing.

But given his "persona" of being oblivious to social cues, it made sense for him to shamelessly ask Pei Yan to keep tutoring him. Still, after asking, Shen Ju looked down somewhat evasively.

Sure enough, Pei Yan seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Shen Ju picked at his pants leg nervously.

"I do have time," Pei Yan said. "Pei Haochuan still needs tutoring too, as it turns out."

Huh?

Shen Ju lifted his head; he hadn't found a chance to bring up Pei Haochuan and Guan Mulin yet, and now here was the perfect opportunity handed to him on a silver platter.

Meanwhile.

Pei Haochuan’s eyes widened and he pointed at himself: "Me? I still have to keep getting tutored?!"

Wasn't it already over?!

Why continue?!

Pei Yan lifted his gaze and glanced at Pei Haochuan: "If you're unsure, you can call your grandpa and ask."

"............"

Better not.

He'd definitely get a firm yes…

Pei Haochuan instinctively looked toward Guan Mulin.

He almost blurted out a question—

Before, he would've just asked outright, no hesitation.

But now…

For some reason, the words stuck in his throat.

Damn!

Why couldn't he just say it?!

Wasn't it just about wanting Mu Lin to keep joining them?!

Pei Haochuan unconsciously felt his throat tighten, forcing himself to speak up.

But Guan Mulin had already turned to Pei Yan—

"So, can I keep joining too, Pei—Brother Pei?"

Guan Mulin hadn't forgotten the new plan Shen Ju and the system came up with yesterday; he needed to stick close to Shen Ju and keep an eye on things.

Seeing Guan Mulin take the initiative to ask, Pei Haochuan couldn't help but clutch his chest, his throat tightening even more.

So Mu Lin really was… just as he thought?

"Whoa! I told you the relationship between the protagonist shou and gong has progressed a lot! Haha!"

"Host, look at Pei Haochuan's expression now, he can't stop staring at Guan Mulin~~ Heh heh."

Guan Mulin: "............"

He instinctively turned to look.

The next second, he saw Pei Haochuan jolt as if startled, abruptly jerking his head away.

"............"

*Weirdo…*

*Hope he doesn't sprain his neck.*

But it was too late to take it back, because Pei Yan had already nodded.

Guan Mulin thought, *what a disaster.*

On the other side.

Ke Cheng and Han Chengfeng exchanged another look.

They'd both noticed it—since yesterday, the two of them had been feeling a bit left out!

What, are they being excluded?!

No way—

They can't let these guys win!!

So Ke Cheng and Han Chengfeng both raised their hands together.

Pei Yan suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Um…"

Han Chengfeng grinned shamelessly: "Brother Pei, tutoring one more is still tutoring."

Ke Cheng also grinned shamelessly: "Tutoring two more is still tutoring."

"Look, we're all out hanging out together anyway."

"My family happens to live in Yujin Fu—"

Ke Cheng glanced at Han Chengfeng and added: "Ahem, well, my family doesn't live in Yujin Fu, but I can stay at Han Chengfeng's place."

"What the hell, you—"

Ke Cheng secretly pinched Han Chengfeng hard: *Shut up if you don't want to be left out!*

Han Chengfeng: "............"

They both turned to Pei Yan: "So—"

"Brother Pei! God Pei! Take us in too!"

"We also want to study and improve!"

Pei Yan: "............"

996 even popped up: "Wow, might as well start a tutoring class~"

Shen Ju: "Then shouldn't we pay tutoring fees?"

Pei Yan almost laughed in frustration.

*Pay. I'll get it all back from you, baby.*

*Who’s he doing all this for?*

Pei Yan pinched the bridge of his nose, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Alright, then we'll leave this afternoon and start the tutoring sessions tomorrow. Sound good?"

*Wait, that soon?!*

But Shen Ju had already agreed first.

Guan Mulin and Pei Haochuan had no objections either.

Ke Cheng and Han Chengfeng… gritted their teeth and agreed, too proud to admit it.

*Fine, tutoring it is!*

*They just had to go along!!*

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

Many of their classmates were still there playing, and when they heard these few were leaving after just two days, it caused a bit of an uproar—

Especially when they learned they were going to Brother Pei’s tutoring sessions!

Everyone had noticed Shen Ju and Pei Haochuan's grades had improved—and not just by a little. Now, even Han Chengfeng and Ke Cheng were joining the tutoring sessions!

Seriously?!

It's winter break, and you’re still grinding this hard?!

Can you take one more person?!!

When they found out Pei Yan had also come to play, they had wanted to strike up a conversation with him, but never found the right opportunity.

Besides, Pei Yan seemed genuinely hard to get close to. He stood tall, and though his face didn't explicitly say "keep away," and he appeared gentle when speaking to others, whenever they thought about making a move, it felt as if his gaze shifted toward them, and they’d freeze up. So far, no one had managed to successfully talk to him, leaving them to only sigh in frustration.

Now, seeing that Brother Pei was opening a "tutoring class" again, the class chat blew up.

No one really knew why.

It can’t be because they’re paying him a lot, right?

*We could pay too, you know.*

That definitely wasn't the reason.

Then was it because of someone?

[I feel like it’s very possible… Think about it, last time Brother Pei even participated in the Ant Market.]

[Didn't you know? Brother Pei didn't even stay with his nephew this time.]

[Then who did he stay with?]

[The class monitor's younger brother… Suddenly remembered, last time Brother Pei was at the Ant Market, he spent a long time at his stall too…]

[Wow, did we stumble onto something big…]

[Ahem, just a reminder—the class prez and Brother Pei are both in here.]

The elite class group went quiet.

Some even tried to play it off by spamming a bunch of stickers.

Guan Mulin had been lurking and saw the whole conversation.

He couldn't help but feel pretty worried…

Pei Yan and Shen Ju?

Really?!

But when he thought about some of Pei Yan's actions, they did seem to go beyond the ordinary.

Could it really be because of Shen Ju?!

Guan Mulin couldn't help but take a sharp breath—*no way…*

Regardless, Guan Mulin was determined to keep a better eye on Shen Ju.

If it really was what he thought, and Shen Ju still had to complete tasks, wouldn't that be like sending a lamb to the slaughter?

That would be terrifying!

So after everyone returned, during the tutoring phase, Guan Mulin began secretly observing.

He noticed that Pei Yan had even hired a personal chef.

They could also request specific dishes.

Lunch and dinner could be handled right there, more thorough and thoughtful than the previous tutoring sessions.

As a result… they ended up staying longer and longer.

And—

"I’ve got to prep for the company annual meeting these next few days, so I might be a bit busy."

Pei Yan was mainly speaking to Shen Ju. "If you have any questions for me, could you hold off until later? I'll help you with them in the evening and personally walk you back to your place."

Guan Mulin didn't need tutoring; he was still "stuck with" Pei Haochuan as before.

As for Ke Cheng and Han Chengfeng, their foundations were pretty weak.

It was easier to come up with problems for them and solve their problems. Although Han Chengfeng also lived in Yujin Residence, it wasn't very close, so generally, they were handled first.

That left only Shen Ju.

A very legitimate and sufficient reason.

Besides, Shen Ju wasn’t about to say no to Pei Yan.

Which meant Shen Ju had to be the last one out every time.

—Just like today.

Ke Cheng and Han Chengfeng had already left. The two had truly got a taste of how tough tutoring could be—if they’d known, they wouldn’t have tried to fit in.

So they left the earliest every time, not wasting any time.

Pei Haochuan was still staying at Pei Yan's place, but once he was done with his own assignments, he usually never stuck around in the study. He either went back to his room or went to find Han Chengfeng and the others to hang out.

As for Guan Mulin…

Guan Mulin really wanted to stay at the moment, dragging his feet about leaving.

Pei Haochuan watched him and said uncertainly, "Mu Lin, do you have something you want to tell me?"

996: "Wow~~ Heh heh heh."

It felt pretty pleased just looking at the task energy bar.

It had been rising so smoothly lately~~

Guan Mulin: "…No."

"Really nothing?"

Pei Haochuan cleared his throat lightly. "If there's something you want to say to me, we can find another place to talk."

Guan Mulin: *…What could I possibly have to say to you?!*

He glanced at Shen Ju, who was still diligently doing his homework.

Then he looked at Pei Yan, who was also looking over documents.

Everything seemed normal.

Maybe he was reading too much into it?

Even if something were to happen, it would be Shen Jiujiu stirring up trouble, but he could never manage anything substantial anyway. So, well, probably, maybe, there shouldn’t be any issues, right?

Guan Mulin walked over and rapped on Shen Ju’s desk.

"Do you want me to wait for you?"

Shen Ju looked up: "Who said I needed waiting for?! Are you saying I’m too slow?!"

Guan Mulin nodded: "Yeah, if I weren’t worried about Mom asking why we didn’t come back together, I wouldn’t have even asked."

Shen Ju couldn’t help but purse his lips.

"But since you’re staying behind to help others, I’ll make sure to explain it clearly to Mom when we get back."

Guan Mulin changed tack and reached out to roughly ruffle Shen Ju’s hair.

"Hey!"

Shen Ju was so angry he wanted to scratch him, but Guan Mulin had already pulled his hand back first.

"Well, I’m taking off then."

"Go, go, go."

Guan Mulin took another look around. Everything seemed fine, so he nodded and left.

Otherwise, if he stayed any longer, he was afraid he might blow his cover.

After all, there was no good reason to stick around.

After Guan Mulin left, Pei Haochuan frowned as he glanced at Shen Ju.

Shen Ju: "?"

*What?*

Then he also left stone-faced.

As if he had encountered yet another tough problem.

Shen Ju didn’t think twice about it.

Anyway, the task energy bar kept rising smoothly, nearly halfway there. It made him happy to see it every day.

His efforts weren’t in vain.

That was some comfort at least.

He looked around and realized only he and Pei Yan were left in the study.

996 exclaimed excitedly: "Host, this is perfect!"

"Lately, there hasn’t been any time for you and Pei Yan to be alone, but today it finally came up! Don’t waste this chance!"

"Haha, the universe is finally cooperating~"