Ji Zhiyu let out a slight sigh of relief and began to adjust his view of this “scumbag.”
He had originally thought Shen Li would act like a green tea, tattling and stirring up trouble between the brothers.
But even though Shen Li explained, Ji Zhouye clearly didn’t believe him. Pointing at Ji Zhiyu, he asked sharply, “He’s the one at the bathroom door?”
Ji Zhiyu: “…”
“Brother…” Ji Zhiyu felt a shiver run through his scalp as he looked at Ji Zhouye.
Ji Zhouye’s cold, piercing gaze swept over him. “Shut up.”
One had the nerve to throw a punch, the other got hit yet still defended the attacker—neither paid him any mind.
Ji Zhiyu couldn’t accept it. “So what if I hit him? I was standing up for you! Brother, you’re actually scolding me for an outsider?”
“You think throwing punches makes you right?” Ji Zhouye frowned slightly, tone sharp.
“He’s just a scumbag, still a person,” Ji Zhiyu scoffed.
The atmosphere froze instantly, dropping to a near-freezing point.
Shen Li suddenly felt a bit accomplished—he had managed to make these two brothers clash because of him.
He stepped forward and tried to smooth things over. “I hit him too, just not in the face.”
But his attempt at mediation was unappreciated.
“Don’t bother pretending to be all nice here.”
Shen Li sighed. This younger brother had quite a temper. Ji Zhouye exuded authority without anger; Ji Zhiyu directly exploded, venting his dissatisfaction—straightforward temperament all around.
Ji Zhouye was angry. Though his face remained calm, his aura radiated chill.
“Ji Zhiyu, get out!”
“Fine! Get out! Brother, you’re just biased!” Ji Zhiyu muttered, storming off.
He had planned to stay the night, but seeing that man made him angry, and his brother’s favoritism only added to it. No need to torture himself; he didn’t have a masochistic streak to endure more “dog food.”
Ji Zhouye watched his back as he left. “If you talk nonsense in front of Mom, I’ll break your legs.”
Ji Zhiyu: “…”
In the end, he yielded to the threat of violence.
It wasn’t that he had no backbone—few in Jiangcheng would dare confront him. But with no one else to vent to, he could only complain to his childhood friend.
Ji Zhouye sat on the sofa, eyes falling on the person beside him who hadn’t moved.
“Come over here.”
Shen Li: “…”
He walked over, and Ji Zhouye gestured with his eyes for him to sit.
Shen Li settled beside him, leaning lazily against the sofa. “What’s wrong?”
Ji Zhouye’s cool fingers brushed the corner of his lips, and Shen Li froze, heartbeat quickening, body stiffening.
After a moment’s scrutiny, Ji Zhouye withdrew his hand. “Didn’t you know how to fight back? Can’t even reach?”
“He’s your brother,” Shen Li thought, starting to doubt if Ji Zhiyu was really his younger brother. Who lets outsiders hit their own sibling?
Ji Zhouye grabbed his neck, forcing him closer. “No matter whose brother he is, hitting people is wrong.”
Feeling the warmth of Ji Zhouye’s palm and meeting his dark eyes, Shen Li said softly, “He’s still young. Reasoning with him should be enough—no need to get physical. If you really wanted to fight, your brother couldn’t beat me anyway.”
“Besides, your brother only wanted to stand up for you—he wasn’t in the wrong.” Shen Li’s affectionate gaze met Ji Zhouye’s.
Ji Zhouye studied those eyes, seeing no arrogance or temper, and ran his finger lightly over the back of Shen Li’s neck before letting go. “You’ve got so little guts.”
Shen Li smirked.
Indeed, he only had so much courage—otherwise, he wouldn’t be in this estate, nor would he stay by Ji Zhouye’s side.
If he had the power to resurrect Jiang Qing or avoid Ji Zhouye’s threats, he’d never have intersected with him, let alone begged.
But now, staying by his side, he didn’t want to leave.
And he had no concerns—no one could threaten him.
Perhaps staying by Ji Zhouye’s side wasn’t entirely up to him.
Noticing him lost in thought, Ji Zhouye wrapped his arms around Shen Li’s waist, holding him close. “What are you thinking?”
Shen Li’s lashes trembled. “How long will you let me stay by your side?”
Ji Zhouye’s deep eyes darkened. He grabbed Shen Li’s chin, forcing him to look up. “When I’m bored of you, then you can leave.”
Shen Li’s question had struck a nerve. Ji Zhouye assumed he wanted to leave—that he didn’t want to stay in the estate, didn’t want to stay by him.
“When will you get bored?” Shen Li persisted, noticing the shift in Ji Zhouye’s mood.
“Not now, at least.”
Ji Zhouye released him and stood, ready to leave. “Shen Li, don’t harbor unrealistic thoughts. Your position right now doesn’t allow it. If you don’t want to stay by me, your whole life will be spent in darkness.”
Not wanting him to be in the dark, Shen Li, hurt once, still wanted to give him another chance.
Ji Zhouye walked away. Shen Li got up, chasing him from behind and wrapping his arms around his waist, voice trembling. “Ji Zhouye, I don’t want to leave. I want to stay by your side.”
Even the most sincere words here were just a purposeful act of flattery.
Ji Zhouye pulled his hands away, going upstairs without a glance back.
The warmth of last night had completely vanished.
Shen Li hated himself for speaking too much, asking pointless questions.
Now, a perfectly good day of rest had turned into this… his careless words bringing trouble.
All the way until dinner, Ji Zhouye stayed in the study. Shen Li wanted to talk to him but couldn’t find the opportunity.
Aunt Zhao had prepared dinner and went upstairs to call Ji Zhouye. Shen Li hurried to stop her. “I’ll go call him.”
“Good idea.”
Shen Li hesitated a long while before knocking on the study door. “President Ji, dinner’s ready.”
No response. He tried again, “President Ji?”
Shen Li only used “President Ji” in two situations:
This was clearly the first.
Just as he resigned himself to the idea that Ji Zhouye wouldn’t open the door, it swung open suddenly, catching him off guard. Shen Li’s eyes darted away, touching his nose nervously. “Uh… time to eat.”
Ji Zhouye bypassed him and went downstairs without a single glance.
Shen Li, thinking Ji Zhouye didn’t want to see him, went back to the bedroom to wait until after dinner—didn’t want to make him lose his appetite.
About ten minutes later, the bedroom door opened. Ji Zhouye came in, his cold gaze falling on the person lying on the bed. Slightly aloof, he asked, “Do I have to beg you to eat?”
Shen Li sat up. “President Ji, can you not twist someone’s good intentions? I’m just worried you’d see me eat and not be able to finish.”