Chapter 43

Chapter 43

"Do you want a hug?"

"Of course."

The moment Shen Ju opened his arms, Pei Yan leaned in.

He held Shen Ju tightly, burying his face in Shen Ju's shoulder and neck, and took a deep breath.

He felt the person in his arms tremble slightly.

Pei Yan smirked, then gently nudged Shen Ju with the tip of his nose.

He was, of course, feigning vulnerability to some extent.

But his bad mood was also genuine.

However, upon realizing the little eavesdropper was Shen Ju, his mood had already lightened.

This child possessed a unique magic that brought him peace.

But it turned out his recent unease stemmed from a dream.

Pei Yan was unsure of his current feelings.

He held Shen Ju close, wanting to speak, yet reluctant to break the silence.

Afraid it would disrupt the moment.

And it wasn't the right time yet.

A thought crossed his mind, and Pei Yan's gaze darkened for a fleeting second.

He reached out, squeezed the nape of Shen Ju's neck, then stood up. "Alright, I feel much better."

"Let's go in and watch the show. Isn't tonight's performance the one you've been looking forward to?"

Shen Ju nodded, murmuring his assent.

Pei Yan patted Shen Ju's back again, escorted him to his seat, then turned and returned to his own.

From Shen Ju's vantage point, he could only see Pei Yan's retreating back.

He recalled the hug—it had lasted less than half a minute.

Pei Yan had released him.

The embrace was fleeting.

Could such a brief moment truly be comforting?

Or was it because he had initiated the embrace, and Brother Pei, reluctant to refuse, had merely given him a symbolic hug?

Or perhaps, his recent "distance" had still caused Brother Pei some concern?

Shen Ju shook his head, feeling he was overthinking things.

Perhaps he should find a time to talk to Brother Pei more thoroughly.

—But he never found the right moment.

After the annual meeting, Chinese New Year was fast approaching, with only a few days left.

Their tutoring sessions had ceased, and both Pei Yan and Pei Haochuan had returned to the Pei family.

Shen Ju, staying at the Guan family, was also kept busy.

This was his first New Year with the Guans, and he found it remarkably different from his past experiences.

For one, in just the past few days, he had met more people than in the previous few months combined.

They were all early visitors, coming to offer New Year greetings to the Guan family.

There were business partners, acquaintances, and even some close subordinates.

And this was after a "screening" process.

Yet, still, many people came.

Moreover, Guan Lifeng and Qin Suxi, and even Guan Muyao, would introduce him to some of them. Even a brief meeting was enough to keep Shen Ju occupied.

Before he knew it, New Year's Eve had arrived.

Fortunately, no outsiders came on New Year's Eve.

They returned to He Yuan.

Prepared to observe the New Year's Eve vigil there.

Guan Jianshan, due to his age, had the reunion dinner, gave them all generous red envelopes, and then retired to his room.

The 120-inch TV in the living room was on, playing the Spring Festival Gala.

Except for Guan Jianshan, who had already gone to rest, the whole family was gathered on the sofa.

After sending New Year's greetings to Jian Yi and others on his phone, Shen Ju looked around and felt that the situation was similar to how he had spent New Year's in the past—the whole family watching the Spring Festival Gala together while staying up late.

The whole family...

Shen Ju couldn't help but swing his feet happily.

Perhaps because everyone was on holiday for the New Year, even his usually hectic routine had been unusually quiet these past few days, giving off a rare feeling of relaxation.

A chime sounded.

Both Shen Ju and Guan Mulin glanced down simultaneously.

When the tutoring sessions ended, Han Chengfeng had created a small group.

Probably thinking that since they had all been tutoring together, they had formed a kind of revolutionary camaraderie, and to deepen that camaraderie, he created a small group and even added Jian Yi.

Of course, Pei Yan was excluded.

Who would add a "teacher" to the group?

So now it was convenient for Pei Haochuan to complain in the group.

Pei Haochuan said he'd rather be in a tutoring session than eat the New Year’s Eve dinner—he’d prefer to be tutoring right now.

Since everyone was probably free at the moment, Han Chengfeng was the first to chime in after Pei Haochuan finished speaking: [What’s up? Is your family’s New Year’s Eve dinner that bad?]

Ke Cheng: [Wait, what time is it? Almost midnight, right? your family is still eating the New Year’s Eve dinner at this hour?]

Han Chengfeng: [There’s still *over* half an hour until midnight, okay?]

Ke Cheng: [That's not the point...]

Guan Mulin: [@Pei Haochuan, so what’s going on with you?]

Pei Haochuan immediately popped up, first sending a helpless-looking emoji, then continuing with his text: [My dad and my uncle are arguing—well, not exactly arguing, more like exchanging barbs. Anyway, the atmosphere isn’t great, my grandpa is also angry, I’m stuck in the middle and it’s an awkward position. I don’t dare speak up, didn’t eat much, and don’t even dare leave. I have to be sneaky just to send you guys a text.]

This long string of texts was enough to convey Pei Haochuan’s frustration and exasperation.

The group chat fell silent for a moment.

Shen Ju frowned, suddenly remembering that today was not only a day for family reunion but also the anniversary of Pei Yan’s mother’s death.

No matter what, Brother Pei probably wasn't doing well.

Thinking about how he had barely spoken to Pei Yan lately, Shen Ju pursed his lips, feeling a bit hesitant.

A few seconds later, he still clicked on Pei Yan’s profile.

First, he sent a "testing the waters" sticker of a foot poking out.

Buzz.

Pei Yan’s phone vibrated.

He had set vibrations only for one person—everyone else was on silent.

So without even looking, Pei Yan knew who it was.

But he still took out his phone.

Pei Kangnian glanced over from across the room.

Pei Tai had just gone upstairs, leaving only Pei Yan, Pei Kangnian, and Pei Haochuan—who was hunched over, secretly on his phone—in the living room.

Pei Haochuan bore a seventy percent resemblance to Pei Kangnian. Though in his forties, Pei Kangnian appeared youthful for his age. But his stern, unsmiling expression added a few years to his age. When he looked over at Pei Yan, it felt like a dean catching a student—the already tense atmosphere instantly tightened again. Even Pei Haochuan’s phone-typing movements became lighter.

But Pei Yan didn’t even lift his gaze: “Big Brother, are you going to regulate phone usage now too?”

Pei Kangnian: “I’m just curious who would text you at this time.”

“Friends, colleagues, subordinates—lots of people.”

“A friend, colleague, or subordinate important enough for you to reply to immediately?”

“What else?”

Pei Yan looked up: “Does Big Brother want to say it’s my sweetheart?”

Pei Haochuan nearly choked. Sweetheart?

“Big Brother, you should worry about yourself.”

Pei Yan stood up, phone in hand, and glanced at Pei Haochuan: “A family of four, with no lady of the house.”

Pei Kangnian—long since divorced—frowned: “Where are you going? Dad said we’re staying up for New Year's Eve.”

“You can stay up if you want.”

Pei Yan shrugged, locking eyes with Pei Kangnian: “*Isn’t it enough* that I came back at all?”

Pei Kangnian fell silent.

As Pei Yan turned to leave, he looked at Pei Haochuan and frowned again: “What’s that look on your face?”

“Huh?”

“What look?”

Pei Haochuan touched his face, managing a dry laugh: “I was just thinking about going to visit my mom for New Year's wishes tomorrow, haha.”

The next second, Pei Kangnian also stood up.

“Dad, where are you going?”

“You stay up by yourself.” Pei Kangnian turned and left.

Pei Haochuan: “............”

What did he say wrong?

Alright then, this house really needs a lady.

But it can't be helped.

Pei Yan didn’t go back to his room but went straight to the rooftop balcony.

His phone was still on the chat interface with Shen Ju.

Shen Ju asked if he was available now and if they could talk.

Pei Yan replied: [I could do a video call right now.]

A few seconds later, Shen Ju: [Brother Pei, gimme a sec!]

Pei Yan lifted an eyebrow and gave a soft chuckle.

He knew it.

With that response, Shen Ju was likely going to send a voice message or start a video call.

But the kid was probably with his family now, right?

Saying “wait a moment”—was he planning to sneak away?

Indeed.

Shen Ju temporarily put away his phone and glanced at the others.

Guan Mulin seemed to be DMing Pei Haochuan. Qin Suxi was wearing a face mask, not watching TV, leaning against Guan Lifeng while doing a hand mask. Guan Muyao was looking at his tablet, likely still working or something.

Cough.

Shen Ju felt weirdly guilty.

He stood up quietly, trying not to attract anyone's attention.

But as soon as he moved, everyone looked right at him.

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

Uh.

"Baby, where are you going?" Qin Suxi asked with a sheet mask on her face.

"Well, I..."

Shen Ju scratched his chin. "I'm going out for a walk."

"Out for a walk?"

Guan Muyao looked up too. "It's so cold outside."

"I'll just layer up."

Shen Ju puffed out his chest. "I'm going out."

After saying that, he kicked on his shoes and darted off.

Qin Suxi and the others looked at each other.

Something's off.

Something's up.

What is he up to?

"A-Lin, do you know?"

"Huh? Yeah?"

Guan Mulin looked up, confused.

"What's wrong?"

Hmm, he's acting strange too.

Qin Suxi took off her hand mask. "Who are you chatting with?"

Uh.

Guan Mulin felt weirdly guilty. "No one important, just sending New Year’s texts."

Actually, Pei Haochuan was bored on night watch alone and had been "pestering" him.

So Guan Mulin had to reply a few times.

"Mom, Dad, Bro, I'm going upstairs first."

Guan Mulin stood up with his phone and walked away.

That left three of them.

Qin Suxi leaned against Guan Lifeng and suddenly glanced at Guan Muyao.

Guan Muyao: "??"

She sighed. "Oldest."

What?

Guan Muyao was lost. What's wrong?

Shen Ju threw on his coat and ran outside.

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

The He Estate was pretty big, with outside lights still on, so it wasn't dark at all.

Shen Ju wasn't cold either.

While he walked, he called Pei Yan on video.

He picked up right away.

Like he’d been waiting.

Seeing Pei Yan's face appear on the other side of the screen, Shen Ju stopped walking, getting oddly shy, and whispered, "Brother Pei."

"Brother Pei, are you outside too?"

Pei Yan grunted in reply, then angled the camera. "On the rooftop balcony."

"Ah, isn't it cold there?"

"Waiting for the fireworks. You get a great view from here."

Pei Yan murmured, "That way, you'll have a clear view too."

"Then... I'll find a good lookout spot too."

Shen Ju buried his face in his down jacket collar, trying not to grin. "Heyuan should be able to see the fireworks too. Mom said something about it earlier."

"Then I wonder if we'll be watching the same fireworks."

Pei Yan chuckled. "We'll compare notes after."

"Mm, okay."

Without realizing, Shen Ju ended up on the walkway.

He thought of something and excitedly turned the camera for Pei Yan to see—

"Brother Pei! Look!"

Pei Yan recognized it.

Where they’d fallen in that time.

Shen Ju even made sure to tilt the camera down.

"Oh man..." Pei Yan couldn't help but chuckle, "I see it. The spot where you dragged me into the water."

"Um." Shen Ju turned the camera back to himself, rubbing his nose a little awkwardly, "Well, I saved you too."

"Yeah, in front of everyone, it was the first time I was carried by a guy." Pei Yan paused, and now thinking back, he felt weirdly relieved, "Good thing you didn't do a princess carry."

That would’ve been even more unforgettable.

He’d never forget Shen Ju.

Actually, he could've done a princess carry too.

Shen Ju thought to himself.

But he didn’t dare say it out loud.

He turned and sat down on the corridor, swinging his feet, "Brother Pei, are you alone right now?"

"No." Pei Yan raised an eyebrow, "You're here, aren't you?"

Shen Ju gave a soft laugh, thinking, that's right... there's me.

He had so many things he wanted to say to Pei Yan earlier.

He wanted to comfort Pei Yan, to tell him that if he was unhappy, he could talk to him.

But once the video call connected, he didn’t know how to bring it up.

Looking at Pei Yan, he got the sense he didn't need it.

He was afraid his comfort would be too abrupt, afraid Pei Yan would think he was being nosy or making a big deal out of things.

He also worried Pei Yan might think he lacked boundaries.

All in all, there seemed to be so many factors making him hesitate, so much that Shen Ju couldn’t easily bring himself to say anything just then.

The atmosphere fell quiet for a moment.

It felt a little awkward.

Shen Ju was scrambling for a topic, and also wanted to bring up the past again.

To say he didn’t mean to pull away from Pei Yan.

It was just that he felt embarrassed.

Because every time he saw Pei Yan, he’d remember that dream he had, and it would feel weird.

He respected and liked Pei Yan, so he needed some space.

But he absolutely didn’t want to keep his distance from Pei Yan forever.

Shen Ju gathered his thoughts and was just about to speak—

But Pei Yan spoke first, "Were you worried about me when you reached out to chat today?"

Shen Ju paused, "Then, Brother Pei, are you doing okay?"

Pei Yan: "Before talking to you, I wasn't feeling great."

Did that mean after talking to him, his mood improved?

Shen Ju tucked his face deeper into his down jacket collar, resisting the urge to pull the hood over his head.

His older brother said it was cold outside.

It wasn’t cold at all.

He was warm.

"Actually, it’s not just because of that." Shen Ju mustered his courage and said, "I also wanted to make a proper apology to you. I felt like I messed up at the annual party that day, and after the party ended, I didn’t get to talk to you properly either. I don’t want you to misunderstand me, Brother Pei, and I don’t want us to really grow distant. I really enjoy spending time with you, Brother Pei, and I like talking and chatting with you. I also hope... I hope you’re happy, hope you’re not sad..."

"Was that a bit of a mess?" Shen Ju laughed sheepishly.

But Pei Yan’s heart was pounding hard.

He stared at the person on the screen, thinking, so annoying, why does it have to be through a screen right now?

Then he thought, thankfully.

Thankfully it was through a screen.

Otherwise, whether the other was willing or not, he would’ve pulled him over and kissed those lips.

How can someone be this endearing?