Chapter 84

Chapter 84

"Shijiu, what are you doing?"

Hearing the sudden voice from behind, Meng Shijiu whirled around instantly, his hands quickly hiding something behind his back.

The balcony window was open, letting the morning light stream in. As the shadow of a white pigeon's wing passed by, the fine down it shook off scattered like a silent flurry of snow.

The silver-haired Alpha was standing by the balcony railing.

As Meng Shijiu turned, another tall figure swiftly leaped down from the railing.

Cui Suifu was startled too, tumbling twice before steadying himself.

Fortunately, the Second Prince had ample experience with assassinations and escapes. He landed as lightly as a swallow, touching down effortlessly from the second floor without making a sound.

Meng Shijiu looked at Meng Shiyan walking in from the doorway: How does he walk without making any sound?! TAT

Meng Shijiu was uncharacteristically tongue-tied: "Um... er..."

Cui Suifu held his breath, staying put. Using the surrounding bushes for cover, he saw Meng Shijiu's hands, hidden behind his back, gesturing frantically for him to get out of here.

Cute. Cui Suifu gritted his teeth but didn't move.

See felt like he was the one keeping watch for his own wife and her secret lover. Annoying, but he piped up with a suggestion: "Say anything, just say you're enjoying the view and sunbathing."

Meng Shijiu leaned his shoulder against the railing: "I'm... sunbathing."

Meng Shiyan walked over, frowning: "Don't stand in the wind."

"Come inside."

Meng Shijiu: "Okay."

Without looking back, he obediently walked back into the room under Meng Shiyan's gaze, practically writing the words "well-behaved" on his face.

—For the past three days at home, whenever Meng Shijiu faced his brother, he had been in this state—a kind of inexplicable guilt.

It mainly stemmed from the fact that when Meng Shiyan asked him what exactly had happened, he couldn't utter a single word and even told Meng Shiyan not to give Ye Lingxi a hard time, saying he would handle it himself.

Meng Shiyan's brows knitted into a tight knot, but then he "agreed" to Meng Shijiu's "persistent pleading."

Ever since, no matter what Meng Shijiu did these days, he always felt a pair of eyes boring into his back.

Meng Shijiu suspected Meng Shiyan was reading some weird parenting guides again.

—Probably with titles like *The Correct Way to Interact with a Rebellious Child at Home* or *What to Do When Your Child Hits Puberty*.

He was about to go downstairs for breakfast when he saw the Alpha waiting quietly nearby and casually greeted him.

Meng Shijiu: "Good morning, Special Assistant Zhao. Here to report work so early again?"

Although Special Assistant Zhao was an Alpha, his personality was outwardly warm but inwardly cool. He had a very "world peace" vibe about him, and he had white hair. Meng Shijiu privately referred to him as the "Dove of Peace" when chatting with See.

The "Dove of Peace's" originally professional smile became somewhat more sincere: "Good morning. The Second Young Master looks quite well today."

Butler Lin stood right beside Special Assistant Zhao, also smiling as he looked at Meng Shijiu.

Meng Shijiu reached out to put his hand on Butler Lin's shoulder. Butler Lin turned with the motion.

Meng Shijiu started pushing Butler Lin's back, trying to steer him away, turning his head to whisper to Special Assistant Zhao: "Thanks, but when are you going to tie my brother up and haul him back to work?"

Special Assistant Zhao didn't answer, giving a subtle glance behind Meng Shijiu.

Then, Meng Shijiu's fluffy head was pressed down.

Meng Shiyan, who had somehow appeared behind him again, looked down at him: "I'll go back to work when you've fully recovered."

Meng Shijiu: "But I'm already fine."

Meng Shiyan didn't respond to that, withdrawing his hand: "Go eat first. I need to talk to your Uncle Lin."

Meng Shijiu narrowed his eyes, feeling something was off, but he was too lazy to think much about it and withdrew his hand from Butler Lin's shoulder.

Only after Meng Shijiu's figure disappeared around the corner did Meng Shiyan look away.

He walked over to the balcony, stopping at the spot where Meng Shijiu had just been, and glanced down.

No movement. The person hiding in the bushes was already gone.

Meng Shiyan glanced at the opened window before looking away:

"Assign more people to patrol the west wall. Close the main gates, seal all exits—"

He paused.

"Leave the dog hole in the south."

Butler Lin: "..."

He said tactfully, "The Second Prince and the Second Young Master are probably just good friends."

Meng Shiyan's expression was indifferent: "What Second Prince? Did you see one?"

Butler Lin: "..."

Meng Shiyan said flatly, "Xiao Jiu needs to convalesce in peace recently. No one is allowed to disturb him. Any outsiders found are to have their clothes stripped off before being thrown out."

"Throw them in the city center," he added.

Butler Lin: I'll throw *you* in the city center.

Special Assistant Zhao: Hopeless brother complex.

*

Meng Shijiu had just gone downstairs when a dark shadow flickered amidst the bright flower shadows by the large hall window.

Then, Meng Shijiu saw the red-haired Alpha, who had somehow returned, feeling around the window frame.

*Click.* The window opened.

Meng Shijiu: ?

He could only hurry over.

See: "...Does he ever stop?"

Meng Shijiu rubbed his nose: "...He's just very professional in this area."

See: "And you're defending him!"

Meng Shijiu said flatly, "Oh, oh, oh, okay, okay, okay, my bad, he's such a pain ￣へ￣"

Meng Shijiu steadied the rattling window.

Seeing him, the red-haired Alpha immediately curled his lips, beaming a silent, brilliant smile, grinning from ear to ear.

"Why haven't you left yet?" Meng Shijiu whispered.

Cui Suifu gripped the railing with one hand.

"There's one more thing I forgot."

Meng Shijiu glanced around, as if his brother who walked without making a sound could suddenly materialize out of thin air, and casually replied, "What is it?"

Cui Suifu gazed intently at Meng Shijiu, then suddenly and without warning reached out his hand.

A warm palm passed through the long hair, cupping the nape of Meng Shijiu's neck, pulling the face he'd been dreaming of closer.

Then, with a forceful grip on the railing, he leaned in slightly, capturing Meng Shijiu's petal-soft lips in a brief kiss.

As he drew back, warm breath fanned across Meng Shijiu's eyelashes. His long, silky lashes trembled, and for a long time, he didn't open his eyes.

"Forgot to kiss you."

Cui Suifu jumped down. "See you tomorrow."

Before Meng Shijiu could close the window, that prince returned.

Cui Suifu leaned against the window frame, his cocky demeanor oddly deflated, his voice much softer: "...Can you give me something of yours?"

Meng Shijiu was taken aback: "What?"

"Something of yours," Cui Suifu insisted, repeating himself.

"Anything, preferably clothes..." Cui Suifu trailed off, unable to continue, "...please?"

Last time, when Meng Shijiu suddenly ran off, his withdrawal symptoms during his rut were severe, and he still hadn't fully recovered.

The few clothes Meng Shijiu had left behind in his hurried departure were already in a sorry state.

He needed to restock.

The sound of footsteps descending the stairs came from behind.

Before Meng Shijiu could react, Cui Suifu suddenly raised his hand again. His nimble fingers deftly wound around Meng Shijiu's hair, hooking and lifting in one fluid motion, smoothly removing the ribbon that bound his strands.

Under the sunlight, the beautiful, brand-new ribbon unfurled like a sparkling little stream, slipping into Cui Suifu's palm.

"This will do too." Cui Suifu lowered his head, quickly kissed the ends of Meng Shijiu's hair, and disappeared from the window.

He's done for.

Meng Shijiu and See thought simultaneously.

Meng Shiyan had just tied that ribbon for him.

*

As Meng Shiyan approached, his younger brother, who needed to "recuperate," was curled up in a dining chair, taking small sips of steaming milk.

He seemed lost in thought, his beautiful eyes slowly shifting, like a confused foal peering through morning mist.

Meng Shiyan's brow relaxed slightly as he approached quietly.

He paused just before sitting down, his gaze, sharp as a physical touch, settling on Meng Shijiu's long hair.

—The spot where the ribbon had been tied was now empty.

Meng Shiyan's expression was unreadable.

He had only taken his eyes off him for five minutes, and the ribbon was already gone.

Without a word, he took a new ribbon from his breast pocket and walked behind Meng Shijiu.

His shadow fell across Meng Shijiu's face.

The young head of the family gently lifted his younger brother's chin, pressing Meng Shijiu's face downward to expose the back of his head, making it easier to retie his hair.

He was accustomed to this pliant compliance, having forgotten that the amount of force wasn't really the issue.

Meng Shijiu lazily relaxed, and before Meng Shiyan withdrew his hand, like a contented cat, he rested his chin in his elder brother's palm.

The full, solid weight of his head settled into Meng Shiyan's hand, the soft, delicate skin fitting snugly against his palm like flowing silk.

Meng Shiyan's hands were calloused, his palms warm and broad, rubbing against the skin like coarse sandpaper.

Meng Shijiu nuzzled against it comfortably.

Meng Shiyan pinched both sides of his chin, lifting his face: "Sleepy?"

Meng Shijiu pressed the top of his head against his abdomen, glanced up at him, then lost interest and turned his face away.

Meng Shiyan had already clearly seen his expression and knew he wasn't sleepy, just lazy and fond of acting spoiled.

He lightly pinched the tip of Meng Shijiu's nose: "Eat a little more."

Meng Shiyan frowned: "There's no meat on your face."

Meng Shijiu ignored his nonsense and continued drinking his milk.

Cui Suifu is done for.

Meng Shijiu thought, heartlessly.

Shi Jiu is done for.

See thought, full of worry.

...

It had already been three days since Meng Shijiu returned to Frost.

Although Meng Shijiu felt he was fine, Meng Shiyan had still arranged a long-term leave of absence from St. Mary's for him, checking on him daily, even working from home and refusing all "visitors" who wanted to see Meng Shijiu.

Given Meng Shiyan's approach to this leave, Meng Shijiu estimated he wouldn't return to school until next semester.

...

This was Meng Shijiu's first time entering the Frost family ancestral hall.

The moment he stepped inside, the first thing he noticed was the scent of incense.

It was agarwood, blended with cloves and amber, its deep aroma gradually giving way to a light sweetness.

Like resin that occasionally drips from cedar branches, unexpectedly releasing a clean, refreshing fragrance after basking in the sun.

Meng Shijiu carried a food box, tiptoeing into an inner room.

The black-haired Alpha was kneeling on a floor cushion, eyes closed, his stern expression softening slightly only when he sensed someone's approach.

Meng Shijiu grabbed a nearby cushion and knelt down beside Yue Xuanli.

The black-haired Alpha remained with his eyes closed, as if he hadn't heard the disturbance Meng Shijiu made, though he couldn't help but stiffen his back a bit.

Meng Shijiu wasn't in a hurry either. After studying Yue Xuanli from all angles for a while, he suddenly straightened up and reached out to poke at the corner of Yue Xuanli's mouth.

Yue Xuanli was like a statue, showing no reaction.

Meng Shijiu poked near the corner of Yue Xuanli's eye next.

Still no reaction.

Meng Shijiu poked his cheek, no reaction; poked between his eyebrows, no reaction; poked his arm, no reaction...

Poke, poke, poke.

No reaction, no reaction, no reaction.

Meng Shijiu got tired, scooted closer on his cushion, leaned against Yue Xuanli, and rested his chin on the black-haired Alpha's shoulder.

Yue Xuanli stayed as still as a rock.

"Yue Xuanli—?" Meng Shijiu whispered in a drawn-out voice by his ear.

Yue Xuanli's lips couldn't help but twitch.

"Yue Bao?"

"A-Li?"

"Yue Yue?"

"Little brother?"

"Big brother?"

The names he called out grew more and more ridiculous, then he suddenly fell silent, raised his hand, and gently poked Yue Xuanli's Adam's apple.

Yue Xuanli grabbed his wrist as if shocked.

Yue Xuanli opened his eyes and sighed helplessly. "Be good."

Meng Shijiu echoed his sigh. "Time to eat."

It had been three days since Meng Shijiu had last seen Yue Xuanli at the dinner table.

He had only caught a glimpse of Yue Xuanli when he first returned.

It was a bit far; the black-haired Alpha stood upstairs, staring intently at Meng Shijiu.

His focused gaze pierced through the darkness, his fingers at his sides slowly curling into fists, as if he wished he could feel, knead, and squeeze every last bone in someone's body from head to toe.

Yue Xuanli said, "The ancestral hall is for fasting."

Meng Shijiu pushed a piece of pastry between his lips. "This one's delicious."

Yue Xuanli: "..."

He caught the slender, pale wrist that was offered to him and, holding Meng Shijiu's hand, slowly ate the pastry.

Just as Meng Shijiu was about to withdraw his hand, Yue Xuanli held it down without expression, bringing the crumb-dusted fingertips to his lips and cleaning them meticulously with his tongue.

Yue Xuanli said flatly, "Delicious."

Meng Shijiu silently pushed the food box toward him. "...Want another one?"

Yue Xuanli didn't even glance at the food box, turning his face away and closing his eyes.

After a while, with no sound around, he felt that clear, enticing scent gradually fade.

...Has he left?

Yue Xuanli sighed, glanced at the food box beside him, took another pastry, and placed it in his mouth. Only then did he finally taste what the pastry actually tasted like.

...

A little later, the unhurried footsteps of the silver-haired Alpha sounded again from the doorway.

Soon, a slender figure appeared at the entrance.

Meng Shijiu was holding a pillow. He took off his shoes outside the door, narrowed his eyes slightly, and walked in again.

This incense smells nice, Meng Shijiu thought.

He glanced at the black-haired Alpha still kneeling on the cushion with his eyes closed, walked a circle around Yue Xuanli, observing him as he went.

Then he stopped behind Yue Xuanli.

The pillow was soft, about half as long as he was tall.

Meng Shijiu gently placed the pillow against Yue Xuanli's back and leaned against him.

Curling his body into a ball, he pressed his face against Yue Xuanli's shoulder and back, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.

Yue Xuanli's back involuntarily tensed, but he didn't dare move.

After a while, perhaps finding this position uncomfortable, Meng Shijiu got up and picked up the pillow again.

He circled around to face Yue Xuanli, looked at the black-haired Alpha whose eyes were still closed, and blinked.

He stuffed the pillow into Yue Xuanli's arms, climbed onto the black-haired Alpha, found the most comfortable spot on Yue Xuanli's body, and, as if finally finding a suitable place to hibernate, settled in and fell asleep again.

This time, he slept soundly.

The agarwood on the table was slowly burning out.

Meng Shijiu's face was buried in the crook of Yue Xuanli's neck, his breathing gradually becoming soft and even.

Yue Xuanli opened his eyes.

He looked down at the sliver of Meng Shijiu's face that was visible.

Watching the silver-haired Alpha's chest rise and fall gently and rhythmically in his arms, feeling the always cool, real body temperature of Meng Shijiu.

Asleep?

He’s been asleep for quite a while.

Yue Xuanli held this posture, quietly watching Meng Shijiu.

He didn’t know how long he had been watching.

“Shi Jiu.” Yue Xuanli rubbed his chin against Meng Shijiu.

Meng Shijiu turned his face away.

Yue Xuanli seized the chance to gently kiss the top of Meng Shijiu’s head:

“Shi Jiu.”

“You’re going to drool.” He leaned close to Meng Shijiu’s ear. “It’s getting on my clothes.”

Meng Shijiu’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and with his eyes closed, he softly protested: “Liar. You’re a bad thing.”

Yue Xuanli raised his hand and lightly flicked his forehead, chuckling softly: “Weren’t you just calling me ‘gege’ earlier?”

Meng Shijiu grumbled: “Pah.”

Meng Shijiu narrowed his eyes, about to retaliate, when he realized his hands had somehow been restrained behind his back by Yue Xuanli.

Meng Shijiu: … Truly, only petty people and younger brothers are a handful!

Meng Shijiu turned his head away with a cold expression, glanced at his wrists, and suddenly noticed the hair ribbon that Meng Shiyan had tied so tightly.

— Yue Xuanli had taken the ribbon from his hair while he was asleep and used it to tie his hands.

Meng Shijiu: ?

Meng Shijiu: It’s no wonder Meng Shiyan made you kneel as punishment!

Meng Shijiu tried to struggle, but the angle made it difficult to exert force, and he couldn’t break free.

Not wanting to use real force, he soon gave up struggling and looked up at Yue Xuanli.

Yue Xuanli flicked his forehead again.

“Like calling me ‘gege’?” Yue Xuanli raised an eyebrow. “Go on, call me.”

Meng Shijiu had no hesitation whatsoever: “Gege, gege, gege, gege, gege…”

Yue Xuanli just watched, letting him go on for a while.

Meng Shijiu went quiet.

Yue Xuanli reached out and tickled the soft flesh on Meng Shijiu’s side: “Who are you calling?”

Meng Shijiu couldn’t take it, sighed, and squirmed to avoid it: “… I’m calling my… best, most caring Yue gege. Let me go, ge…”

Yue Xuanli: “Oh.”

Meng Shijiu: “Oh!”

The two of them fooled around for a while.

When Meng Shijiu raised his hand to tickle his waist again, Yue Xuanli didn’t avoid it. As Meng Shijiu threw himself into his arms, Yue Xuanli reached out and embraced him.

A young man’s body temperature always runs hot, and the hand loosely resting on Meng Shijiu’s waist transmitted that warmth.

The incense in front of the table had sputtered out and wasn’t replenished.

The fragrance grew faint.

“Shi Jiu.” Yue Xuanli slowly tightened his arms.

“Don’t go.”

Yue Xuanli wasn’t sure why he said that.

That kind of restless anxiety didn’t need a reason; it just needed an outlet.

Meng Shijiu leaned back slightly, quietly looking into Yue Xuanli’s eyes.

After a moment, he went limp again, allowing himself to slump forward.

Upper bodies pressed close, chest to chest, Yue Xuanli’s body temperature completely enveloped Meng Shijiu.

Like a butterfly’s antennae gently brushing against something.

“… Don’t move.” Meng Shijiu whispered into Yue Xuanli’s ear.

He murmured softly: “Hold me tighter.”

Yue Xuanli silently tightened his embrace forcefully, so tight it was almost painful.

Meng Shijiu rested his chin on Yue Xuanli’s shoulder and quietly closed his eyes.

In that moment when he suspected he might be about to leave this world, he suddenly realized that his reluctance was far more than just a little.