After that night, the dynamic between the two seemed to change overnight.
Every afternoon, Jiang Ruobai would greet Pei Sichen at the door when he returned home. In the courtyard bathed in golden sunlight, they would embrace and kiss like lovers deeply in love.
In their leisure time, Pei Sichen would shed his elite suit, change into the most casual loungewear, and cuddle with Jiang Ruobai for a late morning sleep. When bored, they would read books together or lounge on the sofa playing video games.
Regarding the video games, Jiang Ruobai’s attitude was initially quite calm. However, after repeated defeats, he became angry and embarrassed. Even though Pei Sichen smiled and reminded him that it was time for dinner, Jiang Ruobai stubbornly pulled at him, begging him to play just one last round.
“Mr. Pei, just one last round. Please, play one last round with me. If you do not, I definitely will not be able to sleep tonight.” Jiang Ruobai curled his body into the sofa, his face full of unwillingness. He had been so close to winning just a moment ago; only a tiny bit more and he would have succeeded.
Pei Sichen chuckled, wrapped his arms around Jiang Ruobai’s waist, and pulled him into his embrace. “Does that not work out perfectly? It will save you from constantly making excuses about being tired at night and begging me to let you off the hook.”
Jiang Ruobai’s face flushed red. Acting like a spoiled child, he collapsed into Pei Sichen’s arms and wailed, “That is different! Mr. Pei, just play one more round with me, the very last one!”
Seeing his prey about to take the bait, Pei Sichen threw out his lure. “I can agree, but you are not allowed to call for a stop tonight.”
“Fine!” After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ruobai promised with conviction, having no idea that he would regret this decision so deeply that he would wish he could turn back time.
Ten minutes later, Jiang Ruobai stared at the giant screen, watching his character turn grey, and stood there, stunned. It took him a while to realize he had been tricked, but it was already too late.
After finishing dinner in a daze, Jiang Ruobai fled to the bedroom and locked himself in the bathroom.
Pei Sichen was not in a rush. Seeing that Jiang Ruobai would not come out, he methodically found the room’s spare key. The moment he pushed the door open, he startled Jiang Ruobai.
“Washing together?” Pei Sichen asked with a teasing smile, unceremoniously beginning to strip off his clothes.
Jiang Ruobai had no words for his misery and was forced to endure a two-hour hot shower. By the end, the corners of his eyes were red and his body felt like jelly as Pei Sichen carried him back to bed.
Thinking it was finally over, he closed his eyes to rest, only to notice the meaningful look in Pei Sichen’s eyes. Jiang Ruobai shivered, an ominous feeling rising within him.
His intuition was always accurate.
That night, he was so thoroughly exhausted by Pei Sichen that he could not even speak. His pleas for mercy were shattered time and time again, leaving only intermittent moans and stifled whimpers trapped in his throat.
Su Jiachen met Jiang Ruobai again at the coming-of-age banquet for Lin Jianyou’s daughter. Dressed in a blue and white suit, Jiang Ruobai stood beside Pei Sichen, his manners refined, gentle, and approachable. His semi-long, light-brown curly hair looked meticulously styled, with a few delicate bangs hanging over his forehead, revealing his clear eyes. The collar of his shirt featured a black and gold bow tie, echoing Pei Sichen’s black and gold suit. On his chest sat a ruby brooch that matched Pei Sichen’s, and even his cufflinks were a couple’s set.
It was obvious whose handiwork this was; an outfit that declared ownership in every possible way.
Su Jiachen walked over to the two with a glass of red wine, not forgetting to tease them. “Young Master Pei, with an outfit like this, you might as well just write ‘Pei Sichen’s Exclusive’ on young Mr. Jiang’s forehead.”
Pei Sichen smiled and looked at Jiang Ruobai with gentle eyes. “I will try that next time.”
Jiang Ruobai lowered his head in shyness, a deep blush spreading across his face.
“Fine, I am just torturing myself standing here. I cannot bear to watch; tsk tsk, I really cannot bear to watch.”
Seeing that he had not gained the upper hand verbally and had instead been forced to watch a public display of affection due to Pei Sichen’s thick skin, Su Jiachen felt like he had swallowed a fly and could not help but roll his eyes. Upholding his mother Ms. Yang’s motto, “The lovesick die early,” Su Jiachen decided to stay far away from this battlefield radiating pink bubbles.
Of course, most people at the banquet recognized Pei Sichen, but due to the intense pressure he exuded, no one dared to approach him. Aside from the bored Su Jiachen, the only ones who dared to move closer were the hosts of the banquet.
Lin Jianyou personally brought his daughter to welcome Pei Sichen, and the scene became quite lively.
“It is a great honor that Young Master Pei could attend my daughter’s birthday banquet. Xiaoyou, hurry up and toast Young Master Pei!” Lin Jianyou wore a smile as he pushed his daughter toward Pei Sichen.
Jiang Ruobai looked at the young and beautiful Lin You. Her deer-like eyes were clear, naive, and ignorant. Wearing a pure white gown, she stood out among the crowd of heavy makeup like a clean white jasmine flower.
However, “Young Master Pei, thank you for coming to my birthday banquet. I toast to you.” Lin You raised her glass, but Jiang Ruobai noticed the panic and unease hidden beneath her youthful facade.
That look was one he was very familiar with.
In the dead of night, whenever he could not sleep, those were the same eyes he saw in the bathroom mirror.
Anxious and weary. He did not know when this hypocritical life would finally face its judgment, so he could only bite the bullet and keep moving forward. He felt like a leaf hanging on the tip of a branch in autumn; still attached, but already dying.
He felt a sense of sympathy for the girl, even though he did not know her hardships.
As for the glass the girl held out, Pei Sichen stood still without a sound, having no intention of touching it. If he had not wanted to take Jiang Ruobai out for a change of scenery while discussing some business, he would not have come at all. He had no patience for flattering Lin You, nor did he have any courtesy for the sycophantic Lin Jianyou.
“Where is the guest parlor?” he asked coldly.
“It is on the second floor. Let me lead you up,” Lin Jianyou quickly offered.
Pei Sichen strode forward with Jiang Ruobai following cautiously behind, while Lin Jianyou led the way. Lin You was left forgotten in the awkward courtyard. Amidst the gathering gazes of the crowd, she endured her tears and shame, forcing herself to walk back to the hall with a facade of composure.
Jiang Ruobai knew how to read the situation; there were some occasions he should not be involved in. So, the moment they entered the hall, he gently let go of Pei Sichen’s hand and said with a smile, “Mr. Pei, I would like to look around here.”
Pei Sichen did not object, a smile appearing on his face. “Alright, wait for me downstairs. I will be down soon.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Ruobai nodded. Once Pei Sichen left, he turned in the opposite direction. This time, Pei Sichen had intentionally arrived half an hour late to ensure everyone at the banquet saw that he was the one who brought Jiang Ruobai. Compared to the farce at the Su residence, no one dared to look down on this strange beta. After all, the fool who had offended Jiang Ruobai at the previous banquet had already completely vanished.
The smile vanished from his face as Pei Sichen walked into the second-floor study with Lin Jianyou. Inside, Su Jiachen was holding a glass of red wine, looking as if he had been waiting for them for a long time.
Pei Sichen sat down in the main seat without hesitation and went straight to the point: “How is the progress on the New District project?”
Lin Jianyou sat upright at the side, looking troubled. “It is not going very well. As you know, large economic investments require layers of approval from above, and it is highly likely there will be delays.”
Su Jiachen gently swirled the wine in his glass with a smile on his face, but his words were biting sarcasm. “I invested fifty billion. Is this the result the Vice Mayor gives me?”
Lin Jianyou wiped the cold sweat from his brow and forced an awkward smile. “You both know the economy is down recently. Everyone above is much more cautious. I am already working hard to resolve the approval issue.”
Su Jiachen retorted, “Is that so? But our investment is real money. Do you know how much I lose for every day of delay?”
“Do not worry, Young Master Su. I will definitely resolve these issues as soon as possible.”
“How long?” Pei Sichen looked up, his gaze fixing on Lin Jianyou, his voice cold and desolate.
“Half a month at most. I beg you to give me another half-month!”
Pei Sichen sneered, mocking the idea that such an incompetent person could actually sit in the position of Vice Mayor; he probably had nothing in his stomach but fat instead of useful intelligence.
A cold, icy atmosphere spread through the room. Just as the tension became suffocating, Lin You suddenly pushed the door open and walked in.
“Father, I have prepared tea for the guests. Please, have a taste.”
The gentle, beautiful young girl looked shy. She picked up the tea set, poured a cup for each of the three men, and served them personally. When pouring tea for Pei Sichen, she deliberately paused, her eyes rippling with hidden meaning, every movement exuding pure charm.
“Young Master Pei, please have some tea.”
Pei Sichen took the teacup. The surface was covered in a white froth, making it obvious that some kind of drug had been added. Looking at Lin You’s nervous eyes, how could Pei Sichen not understand what this father-daughter pair was planning?
He looked at the cup before him; then, he tilted his head back and drank the tea.
Lin Jianyou’s face immediately lit up with an excited smile. He stood up and suggested, “We have been talking for a long time. You must both be tired. I have prepared a lounge for you both, and I will have someone take you there.”
Su Jiachen watched the scene, a smile forming on his lips. He could probably guess what Lin Jianyou was thinking. Selling his daughter when he could not get what he wanted; what a fool. But what was Pei Sichen planning?
“Hmm.” Pei Sichen remained in his seat, signaling his agreement to Lin Jianyou’s suggestion.
Lin Jianyou was overjoyed and ordered Lin You, “Xiaoyou, go and show Young Master Pei the way.”
“Yes, Father.” Lin You nodded and reached out to support Pei Sichen, only to be brushed off instantly.
“You lead the way in front,” Pei Sichen commanded coldly.
“Yes, Young Master Pei.” Lin You retracted her hand in embarrassment and cautiously walked ahead to guide him.
Su Jiachen remained in the study, watching Pei Sichen’s back, as a fun idea came to mind. Without waiting for Lin Jianyou to speak, he cut him off. “I am not tired yet, so I will not trouble the Vice Mayor. I have matters to attend to, so I will be going.”
With that, he left with a smile. If anyone asked what Su Jiachen was up to, he was obviously going to find Jiang Ruobai. How could he miss out on something this interesting?
Su Jiachen found Jiang Ruobai, who was admiring the moon alone in the Lin family’s courtyard, and vividly recounted what had just happened.
“Young Mr. Jiang, if you go up now, it is the perfect time to catch them in bed. With a scene this explosive, do not say I did not warn you.”
Upon hearing that Pei Sichen and Lin You had gone to the lounge together, Jiang Ruobai’s first reaction was actually a sense of relief. He thought, if Pei Sichen truly liked Lin You, then maybe he could finally let him go?
“If you do not go up there, Pei Sichen is really going to sleep with another Omega. Are you sure you want to just wait here?” Su Jiachen stood by Jiang Ruobai’s side, his tone clearly gloating.
Jiang Ruobai looked up through the courtyard at the brightly lit room on the second floor of the Lin estate and fell into silence.
After Pei Sichen was brought into the room by Lin You, she locked the door. The Omega, her face flushed red, looked shyly at Pei Sichen, and the sweet scent of peaches began to emanate from her uncontrollably.
The fragrant scent quickly filled the room. Lin You trembled as she untied the straps of her gown and threw herself toward Pei Sichen with a bewitching look. “Young Master Pei.”
Pei Sichen watched Lin You in his arms with cold eyes, even as a raging fire surged in his lower abdomen. He let out a cold hum, instantly understanding what kind of drug they had used.
“Do you believe I could destroy you right now?” His ruthless tone cut through the amorous atmosphere like a sharp blade. Pei Sichen grabbed Lin You’s neck with one hand, his tone devoid of any pity. “Go to the room next door and wait. You are not allowed to come out without my command, or else, tell Lin Jianyou to prepare to collect your body!”
With that, he threw Lin You to the floor.
Lin You looked at the devil-like man in front of her in terror, scrambling out of the room.
Pei Sichen stood alone in the room, the scorching desire within him threatening to burn him alive. Amidst his dark, lust-filled eyes, a crazed smile curled his lips.
“Baby, do not you dare disappoint me.”