Night fell.
Chi Anyu had just finished dinner and was about to go upstairs for a shower when a commotion sounded outside before he could even take a step.
System 07 reminded him, 『Here it comes, host. Judging by this setup, your dad’s white moonlight’s son is probably about to make his entrance.』
Chi Anyu paused.
Father Chi came back with a properly dressed boy behind him, and that boy’s gaze immediately landed on Chi Anyu.
Chi Anyu stood on the steps, looking down at him with a condescending gaze, a sneer of disdain in his eyes. He was only wearing simple casual clothes, yet he still carried the air of a young nobleman.
Father Chi said in a deep voice, “A-Yu, let Dad introduce him. This is my friend’s son, Bai Jin. He just came back to the country today and will be staying at our place for a few days.”
System 07 hurriedly warned him, 『Host, remember your character setting. Don’t let it collapse!』
After all, he was now inside the plot. Chi Anyu didn’t feel much toward Father Chi, but he was still very unhappy about this scene of bringing his dad’s white moonlight’s son home.
Since he was already immersed in this melodramatic plot, of course he had to push his arrogant and overbearing character setting to the limit.
“Dad, which friend is his son? Male or female? Why do I not know about this?” Chi Anyu said lazily, leaning against the stair railing with a snort.
Father Chi glared at Chi Anyu. “You’re never serious for even a moment!”
Chi Anyu shrugged without fear. “You know exactly what kind of son you have, don’t you?”
Bai Jin gave a polite smile and stepped forward, extending his hand toward Chi Anyu to smooth things over. “Hello, I’m Bai Jin.”
Chi Anyu looked at him leisurely and slowly held out his hand. “I have a pretty bad temper. You’ll have to put up with me while you’re at the Chi Family.”
Bai Jin’s eyes darkened and turned gloomy, and he released the handshake after only a brief grip.
Chi Anyu flashed an innocent smile and went upstairs.
System 07 urged him, “Host, don’t forget, the plot where you beat the villain still isn’t finished.”
Chi Anyu flopped onto the sofa, his whole body going limp against it. “I know, I know. I’ll get a belt and whip him later. He still hasn’t come back yet, has he?”
When Xie Junyi came back, he paused at the sight of a strange man in the Chi Family.
Bai Jin obviously noticed Xie Junyi as well. His eyes lit up all at once. He had never seen such a beautiful face… cool and noble, with long, deep-set eyes slightly upturned, revealing the arrogance of someone used to standing above others.
He quickly recovered and introduced himself with a smile. “Hello, I’m Bai Jin. I’ll be staying at the Chi Family for a few days.”
Xie Junyi didn’t even spare him a glance. Keeping people at a distance, he went upstairs with calm indifference.
Bai Jin followed after him.
“Xie Junyi! Who gave you permission to come back so late at night? Kneel!”
Seeing that he was back, Chi Anyu crossed his arms, propped one leg over the other, and quickly found an excuse to pick a fight so he could move on to the next step.
Xie Junyi, standing at the door, had his originally cold expression soften a little. His eyes lowered, and his long lashes concealed the turbulent emotions beneath.
The next second, he walked straight toward Chi Anyu, then obediently knelt down by his legs.
That scene left Bai Jin, who was upstairs, seeing it all in plain view, utterly stunned. He had long heard that the Chi Family’s young master, Chi Anyu, was used to being arrogant and overbearing, but he had not expected that the cold, untouched-looking young man would actually kneel so obediently.
Chi Anyu sat lazily on the sofa, a belt beside him. He lifted Xie Junyi’s chin with his fingertip, his gaze locking onto those eyes.
“Do you know what you did wrong today?”
Xie Junyi stared at the pink flush at Chi Anyu’s collarbone, his throat bobbing. “I don’t know.”
“Coming back this late at night? We couldn’t even find you! Isn’t that your fault?”
Xie Junyi answered softly, “Mm, my fault.”
Seeing Xie Junyi respond, Chi Anyu picked up the belt in his right hand and weighed it. He had specially chosen this belt, after all; at least it would hurt a little less when he hit someone with it.
“I just bought this belt not long ago. I haven’t even tried out how it feels yet! Perfect for practicing on you.” Chi Anyu lifted the belt and tapped Xie Junyi’s face with it, a teasing smile playing at his lips.
Xie Junyi’s breathing tightened. His lashes trembled slightly, darkness hidden in his eyes, as if he were anticipating something.
Chi Anyu hesitated for a moment, then still brought the belt down on Xie Junyi.
System 07’s mouth twitched slightly. 『Host, that swing is way too light. It’s like you haven’t eaten enough.』
Chi Anyu snorted and shrugged. “Just tell me whether I hit him or not.”
System 07 seemed to notice something and immediately narrowed its eyes. 『Why do I feel like the villain actually seems to be enjoying being hit by you?』
Chi Anyu: ???
“That’s your imagination!”
Xie Junyi kept his head lowered, feeling the sting of the belt across his back. His clear, translucent eyes seemed close to shattering, hot blood rushing upward quickly, and the veins in his neck twitched faintly from the congestion.
From the shadows, Bai Jin saw this and was dumbfounded.
How could Chi Anyu be this arrogant and overbearing?
“Chi Anyu! How can you just hit someone?” he shouted, raising his voice.
Chi Anyu’s movement stilled. His gaze followed the source of the voice, and he looked at Bai Jin coldly. “What does that have to do with you? Do you live by the sea? Why are you sticking your nose in everywhere?”
Then he gripped Xie Junyi’s throat, toying with the other man’s Adam’s apple, and looked down at him with that same high-handed air. “Xie Junyi, tell him. Were you doing this willingly?”
Xie Junyi’s deep gaze looked into Chi Anyu’s eyes. “Ignore those irrelevant people. Do whatever you want.”
“Did you hear that?” Chi Anyu shot Bai Jin a provocative look.
Bai Jin’s chest rose and fell sharply. He hated this kind of wanton, unrestrained person the most. “He’s completely being forced by you!”
With a crash, a cup hit the floor right by Bai Jin’s feet and shattered into pieces.
Chi Anyu casually withdrew his hand and lifted his eyelids slightly. “This is the Chi Family, not your Bai Family. My dad may have brought you back, but I’m his son, the Chi Family’s young master.”
Xie Junyi’s eyes turned icy, his brows sharp and fierce. He looked at Bai Jin as if he were looking at a corpse, chilling people to the bone.
Bai Jin’s pupils shrank. He was shaken by that stare.
When he looked more carefully, Xie Junyi had already withdrawn his gaze and let Chi Anyu play with his hair.
He shot Chi Anyu a glare, then went downstairs gnashing his teeth.
“Do you like that figurine?” With no irrelevant people around anymore, Xie Junyi’s tone was calm, making the emotions hidden within impossible to read.
Chi Anyu casually tossed the belt aside and leaned back. Since today’s plot was already finished, he could slack off again.
“It’s okay. All right, get out. I need to get ready for bed.”
Used and discarded to perfection.