Pei Sichen pinned Jiang Ruobai onto the dining table. The floor was a scene of chaos, accompanied only by the look of suppressed pain on Jiang Ruobai’s face and his stifled whimpers.
Pain, despair, darkness.
From sunrise to sunset, by the time Pei Sichen carried him upstairs, he was beyond exhausted. The moment he touched the bed, he hid beneath the covers, curling himself into a ball with his back to Pei Sichen, not wanting to look at him.
The skin exposed outside the duvet was covered in bite marks, and beads of blood clung to the purplish bruises on his neck.
Looking at the pathetic lump on the bed, Pei Sichen reached out to touch him, but his arm was interrupted by the sudden ringing of his phone. Pei Sichen answered the call. After a brief exchange, his expression shifted.
“Fine. I understand. I will return now.”
After hanging up, Pei Sichen put on his coat and hurried out the door. Before leaving, he simply instructed the butler to bring breakfast up for Jiang Ruobai later.
Pei Sichen drove back to the old family estate. His grandfather, Pei Songqing, sat upright on the sofa reading a newspaper. His father, Pei Zheng, was nowhere to be seen. Auntie Li, the nanny, had prepared a large table of food upon hearing Pei Sichen was coming, but with so many dishes, there were only two people eating.
Pei Songqing and his wife had been a resentful couple. Both had loved others, yet due to family interests, they were forced to remain bound for over fifty years, ending their days as strangers. By the end of her life, his grandmother refused to even live under the same roof as him. His father, Pei Zheng, might have once truly loved his mother, but he could not resist outside temptations and chose betrayal. His mother had chosen the most resolute form of revenge: death.
Regrettably, the poor woman’s life did not make her husband turn back. Less than half a year after she passed, Pei Zheng wanted to bring that woman and their child back into the Pei family. It was only because Pei Songqing vehemently opposed it that Pei Zheng’s plans were thwarted. After Pei Sichen came of age and took over the Pei family under Pei Songqing’s tutelage, he had the woman and their illegitimate child cleared away. Once that was done, the father-son bond between him and Pei Zheng dissolved, and they never met again.
Pei Sichen was raised under Pei Songqing’s guidance, but his grandfather only taught him how to be a qualified successor. Their conversations at the dinner table were mostly about business. However, perhaps due to his advancing age, Pei Songqing realized that once he passed away, his only grandson would be left entirely alone, and he had started to take an interest in Pei Sichen’s personal life over the past few years.
“Sichen, I heard you went to the Su family banquet a few days ago.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
Pei Songqing put down his chopsticks and asked meaningfully, “I remember that when you attended banquets in the past, you always felt partners were a nuisance and refused to bring one to public events.”
Pei Sichen did not feel there was anything to hide and replied truthfully, “He is very obedient. There will be no issues.”
“I know you are not lacking for people around you, but you must understand that some people are like the flowers on this dining table. You like them, so you can put them in a vase for a few days, but flowers without roots will eventually wither. You cannot keep them by your side forever.”
Realizing the implication behind Pei Songqing’s words, Pei Sichen lifted his face, his expression arrogant and disdainful. “He is just a pet I keep on a whim. Do not worry, Grandfather. I can handle it.”
“Your Uncle Wang’s family has an Omega of appropriate age. I have met that child; he is sensible and will not hinder you from keeping those pets.”
Pei Sichen refused, “Thank you for your concern, but I wish to make my own decisions regarding my personal affairs.”
Pei Songqing’s eyes dimmed for a moment. He understood the trauma the conflicts between the elders had inflicted upon Pei Sichen. Although he had tried his best to compensate Pei Sichen over the years, the environment in which the boy grew up had ultimately caused his coldness and paranoia toward relationships.
In the past, the Pei family had been forced to expand its influence through marriage. But now, the Pei family no longer needed to sacrifice Pei Sichen’s marriage to survive. However, this did not mean Pei Sichen could do whatever he pleased. Pei Songqing could tolerate Pei Sichen’s temporary waywardness in relationships, but he could not tolerate Pei Sichen choosing a Beta who could not reproduce as a partner.
“I have no objection to you making your own decisions, but the Pei family estate requires a successor. Do you understand?”
Pei Sichen’s expression was unreadable. After a few seconds of silence, he replied calmly, “I understand.”
Pei Songqing’s gaze was heavy. Leaning back in his chair, his years on the battlefield had honed an imposing aura. “Since you understand, inappropriate people should be dealt with cleanly and early.”
“Grandfather, I will handle his affairs myself.” Pei Sichen looked Pei Songqing straight in the eye, his gaze burning, showing no intention of compromise.
Pei Songqing looked at his grandson, who was rarely this serious, and calmly picked up his chopsticks to place a piece of vegetable into Pei Sichen’s bowl.
“Have you thoroughly investigated that Beta? People you keep around you should be clean.”
“Grandfather, rest assured, he will not have any problems,” Pei Sichen said confidently.
“Since he is a pet, keep the cage closed. Do not let him run out and cause trouble,” Pei Songqing admonished.
Pei Sichen nodded, “I understand.”
Pei Songqing put down his chopsticks, appearing finished with his meal. “One grows attached to a pet kept for a long time, but you must be clear on the difference between a pet and an owner. Do not let even you lose track of it in the end.”
“Yes.” Pei Sichen stood up and said to Pei Songqing, “I have matters to attend to at the company. I will leave now.”
“Go ahead,” Pei Songqing replied.
Only after watching Pei Sichen leave did Pei Songqing’s expression return to normal. Leaning on his golden dragon-headed cane, he watched silently as Pei Sichen’s car drove away from the main gate. Only when he was certain Pei Sichen had departed did he dial his assistant’s number.
…
Back at the old estate, Pei Sichen had not felt anything amiss, but on the road, he felt a strange panic and irritation. He drove so fast that the car felt as if it were about to take flight at any moment. He kept his foot on the accelerator, unable to wait to get home, eager to hold someone firmly in his arms. This had nothing to do with love; it was a sense of crisis because something belonging to him had been encroached upon.
That person belonged to him—entirely and completely to him—and no one had the right to touch his property without his permission.
Pei Sichen sped all the way home. The moment he stepped inside, he felt an unprecedented surge of joy and anticipation. However, that joy and anticipation vanished into thin air the moment he saw the darkened windows of the bedroom.
“Jiang Ruobai, you are doing very well.”
After his outburst of rage came extreme calmness. In the darkness, he silently lit a cigarette. The floor was a mess. He sat by the bed, a strangely excited smile on his face.
“Want to play a game of cat and mouse? Fine. Jiang Ruobai, you better hide well. Do not let me catch you, or else…” Pei Sichen exhaled a puff of smoke, lying back on the bed with dark eyes. “I will lock you to the bed until I kill you!”
At this moment, the rage of his prey escaping had been replaced by a strange sense of excitement. His body trembled as if he were already looking forward to the wild joy of biting his prey upon their reunion.
The butler stood outside the door, listening to the crashing sounds within until silence finally fell. Several times he wanted to knock, but he held back. Finally, he turned and headed downstairs with a sigh.