Master Pei! Don't force yourself into a circle that doesn't want you to.

Pei Shuli stood in the center of the living room, his expensive custom-made suit perfectly tailored, the fabric gleaming delicately under the light. A faint smile played on his lips as he spoke calmly to Pei Lin, who was sitting on the sofa.

Shen Jicheng had just returned from outside when his smile froze on his face the moment he opened the door.

Pei Shuli turned around, his brown eyes falling on him, and said in a natural tone, "Long time no see."

The four words, spoken so casually, caused Pei Lin, who was sitting on the sofa, to furrow his brows slightly, and his dark eyes turned towards the doorway.

Shen Jicheng felt a chill run down his spine. He tried to maintain his smile, but the curve of his lips was clearly stiff.

"Have we...have we met before?"

OMG, God, how can there be such a bored person in this world? They actually came knocking on our door?!

At this moment, Shen Jicheng was so nervous that his palms were sweating, fearing that the other party would blurt out that they had met at the entrance of "Full Moon". Fortunately, Pei Shuli only gave him a meaningful look and did not say anything more, turning his head to look at Pei Lin, who was frowning.

Pei Shuli already understood that this person held a very important place in Pei Lin's heart. If that was the case, then things would be much easier.

Pei Shuli's lips still held a faint smile as he looked at Pei Lin again, "Second brother, would you like to consider the conditions I'm offering? I'll give you a secret in exchange for returning that undercover agent to me."

Before Pei Lin could even speak, Shen Jicheng couldn't sit still any longer and instinctively asked, "What secret?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Lin and Pei Shuli both looked at him. Pei Lin's gaze was calm, and he didn't speak. Pei Shuli's gaze, however, was meaningful, as if he had caught something interesting.

Shen Jicheng knew he had said the wrong thing. Facing Pei Lin's gaze, his mind raced, and he immediately lowered his eyes, his tone turning somber.

"So... this is your younger brother."

Pei Shuli: "?"

Pei Lin frowned.

Shen Jicheng's eyes dimmed, tinged with sadness.

"So my brother isn't just my brother."

Pei Shuli: "?"

Pei Lin waved to Shen Jicheng with a pained expression, and Shen Jicheng immediately took advantage of the situation, sitting down next to Pei Lin and looking at Pei Shuli with a 'well-behaved' expression.

Pei Shuli: "!"

Shen Jicheng completely ignored Pei Shuli, turning to look at Pei Lin beside him, his large, watery eyes filled with deep affection.

"Brother~ are you going to negotiate with this brother of yours in name only?" He emphasized the words "in name only".

This caused Pei Shuli's face to darken, which was uncharacteristic of him.

Pei Lin rested his chin on his hand, his gaze fixed on the distance, lost in thought. He could hear Shen Jicheng's innocent and pitiful voice in his ear.

"You know, I've had a lot of hardship since I was a child. I'm a nobody, so naturally no one will believe what I say, but..."

Before he could finish speaking, Pei Lin calmly ordered, "Zhang Xu, please escort this unfamiliar gentleman out."

Pei Shuli: "!!!"

Zhang Xu: "Yes." (Tsk tsk tsk)

Q: How difficult is it to sever blood ties?

Shen Jicheng: It's just a matter of a word.

"This way, sir." Zhang Xu gestured with his hand, his posture respectful, but his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Pei Shuli was furious; the smile on his face vanished completely, and his voice turned cold.

"Pei Lin, don't you want to know who the mole is in your group? I have a way for you to find out quickly. Are you sure you want to get rid of me?"

Pei Lin did not speak.

At this moment, Shen Jicheng turned around, blocking Pei Lin's view with his body. He reached out and covered Pei Lin's ears until Pei Shuli's voice completely disappeared. Only then did Shen Jicheng release his hands from Pei Lin's ears, turn around, and ask innocently,

Do you know why I covered your ears just now?

Pei Lin raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

"Because..." Shen Jicheng leaned forward slightly, his peach blossom eyes looking at him earnestly, his voice clear and bright.

"When everyone slanders you, saying you are ruthless, cold-blooded, vicious, cruel, heartless, ambitious, cunning, treacherous, and scheming, I will cover my eyes and ears and continue to love you."

He paused, his voice softening slightly, "And now I hope that you can love me the way I love you."

Zhang Xu stood silently to the side. Something about these words sounded really off. Was he sure he wasn't using the guise of confessing his feelings to insult their CEO, Pei?

Pei Lin gazed at the person before him, whose peach blossom eyes were filled with deep affection, their pupils reflecting his own face. So earnest, so pure and innocent, as if the whole world had shrunk to just him.

His throat bobbed slightly, and his voice was low and hoarse.

"You just said...you love me?"

Shen Jicheng didn't answer immediately. He lowered his eyes, seemingly deep in thought. After a moment, he raised his head again, meeting Pei Lin's gaze fearlessly, and said, word by word,

"At first sight, I was amazed and delighted; after spending time together, my heart still flutters."

At that moment, Pei Lin smiled.

That smile was one Shen Jicheng had never seen before; it wasn't the usual playful scrutiny, but a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart. The icy resolve in his eyes seemed to melt away completely in that instant, replaced by a gentle warmth.

Shen Jicheng was also very happy.

He couldn't tell if he was happy because he had successfully fooled the situation, or because he had seen Pei Lin's genuine smile. He could only feel his heart pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest, each beat hitting his eardrums, making him nervous and flustered.

Why was he panicking? Was he afraid his identity would be exposed in the end?

He didn't understand. He had never felt this way before.

Before Shen Jicheng could figure it out, Pei Lin pulled him into his arms.

The embrace came suddenly, arms encircling his shoulders and back, holding him tightly. Pei Lin's chin rested on the top of his head, his voice coming from his chest, muffled, with an indescribable softness.

"Honey, do you know why I hate being lied to so much?"

Shen Jicheng pursed his lips and remained silent.

He had a gut feeling that he should push Pei Lin away right now, that he should leave immediately, and that he shouldn't continue listening. But his legs seemed to be nailed to the spot, and his body was not under his control at all.

Pei Lin's thoughts seemed to drift back to a very, very distant place, and his voice became somewhat ethereal, "People outside say I'm the illegitimate son of the Pei family. They say I'm ruthless and cruel, even sending my own elder brother to prison. They say I'm cold-blooded and heartless."

His palm gently stroked Shen Jicheng's head, as if to soothe him, or perhaps to draw some warmth from the gesture.

"But my mother is the legal wife."

Shen Jicheng's breath hitched slightly.