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

Pei Lin chuckled softly. The usual coldness was gone from his laughter; instead, it carried a rare tenderness. He lowered his head, burying his face in Shen Jicheng's neck, his nose gently brushing against the warm skin. His voice, muffled by the side of Shen's neck, was incredibly soft.

"Please, baby, call me brother."

A wicked smile played on Shen Jicheng's lips, his eyes gleaming. He raised his hand and casually placed it on Pei Lin's shoulder, beginning to negotiate.

"Then you have to let me touch your abs!"

Pei Lin paused for a moment, then chuckled. He propped himself up with his arm, looking down at the person lying beneath him, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.

"You really like touching abs that much?"

He had known for a long time that for several nights, this restless little puppy beside him would sneakily touch his abs while he was asleep. The hand would tiptoe over, first testing his waist to make sure he wasn't awake, before daring to boldly press against him, palm against the outline of his abs, carefully and contentedly kneading them.

He always pretended not to know and let him do as he pleased. After all, it wasn't a big deal; as long as he was happy, that was all that mattered.

Shen Jicheng nodded honestly, his hands already wandering, slipping under Pei Lin's shirt hem and placing his palm on that firm abdomen. He gave it a squeeze, his face beaming with undisguised smugness and satisfaction, his eyes and brows gleaming with a subtle light, like a cat that had just stolen a fish.

"Yes, I love it, I love it so much."

Pei Lin was amused by his expression, unable to suppress a smile. He let the restless hand roam over his abs, leaning closer, "Now that you can touch me, how should I call you?"

Without hesitation, Shen Jicheng's voice was sweet and soft, with a slight rise at the end, "Brother Pei Lin~"

The words had barely left his lips when a passionate kiss sealed his breath. Pei Lin's kiss was forceful and irresistible, until Shen Jicheng was breathless. Only then did he pull away slightly, forehead to forehead, his low, husky voice whispering in his ear, filled with absolute possessiveness, "Baby, you can only call me 'brother,' understand?"

Shen Jicheng blinked guiltily, but still nodded obediently.

"Mmm-hmm." He paused, then added, "Of course, I... I only have one brother, you."

Pei Lin kissed his brow, her warm lips brushing against his skin, and whispered, "You can only touch me. You can't even look at anyone else, understand?"

Shen Jicheng remained silent.

Pei Lin waited in vain for an answer, then frowned and looked down at him, trying to make out his expression. But before he could see clearly, Shen Jicheng had already wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed the corner of his lips, his voice murmured urging.

"Let's change positions!"

-

The bar was dimly lit, and the music was neither too loud nor too soft.

Shen Jicheng leaned back on the sofa in the booth, fiddling with the silver watch on his wrist. Song Yiyang sat opposite him, looking at him with a hesitant expression.

"My little darling, what are you thinking? Tell me so I can pass on a message to your brother."

Song Yiyang came here with a mission.

The Shen family was still worried about Shen Jicheng's safety, so they sent him to sound out when the young master planned to return home. After all, things hadn't been peaceful for either family lately, and with Shen Jicheng staying by Pei Lin's side, things could easily get complicated for the Shen family.

Shen Jicheng didn't look up, his fingers tracing the smooth dial of his watch. His tone was muffled. "What else can I think? Do I have a choice? Going back now would be suicide. Wouldn't that be blatantly telling Pei Lin that I've been lying to him all along?"

Besides, he's only been out for a short time, and his family is already pressuring him so much... He thought to himself, but then a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. If he counted the time carefully, it seemed like it had been several months already.

But he didn't think about it in detail; he simply turned the watch face around.

A waiter approached with a tray and gently placed two glasses of wine in front of them. Song Yiyang didn't drink immediately, but instead picked up his glass and rubbed the rim, looking at Shen Jicheng across from him with a probing gaze. "Dude, tell me the truth, do you have a crush on Pei Lin?"

Shen Jicheng's hand paused for a moment, then he immediately retorted, "...How could that be!" His voice was a little loud, and even he felt that he was trying to cover up his mistake, so he quickly lowered it.

"How could I possibly like Pei Lin? He's such a heartless person. I can still remember that day on the ship, being tied up and dragged into the sea... It was terrifying. I don't like him."

Song Yiyang didn't speak, but looked at him suspiciously. His eyes were full of the meaning, "Keep making this up, I'm listening."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and slowly said, "We've been brothers for so many years, don't lie to me. I don't believe you have absolutely no feelings for Pei Lin."

Shen Jicheng awkwardly uttered two words, "No."

He denies it.

Song Yiyang didn't press him, but simply put down his wine glass, his tone unusually serious.

"Alright, I won't ask anymore. Think things through yourself. I'm just reminding you that your current situation is sensitive. If you really like someone, you need to be prepared in advance. If you don't like someone, you need to back out in time."

He paused, leaned closer, and lowered his voice, "Your brother is also waiting for your decision."

Shen Jicheng remained silent for a long while. After a long pause, he suddenly spoke, "Please give my regards to my family. I... am not planning to go back right now. Tell them not to worry about me."

Song Yiyang paused for a moment, glanced at him, and his eyes showed understanding. He nodded.

"Okay. Then you'd better take it easy."

The two walked out of the bar one after the other. Night had fallen, and the streetlights cast long shadows. Song Yiyang glanced back repeatedly as he walked, his pace unconsciously slowing, and he muttered to himself...

"I don't know what's wrong with me these days, but I keep feeling like someone's following me..."

Shen Jicheng glanced back at him. The street was deserted, with only a few streetlights on, and he didn't see anyone suspicious. He looked away, not giving it a second thought.

Song Yiyang quickly caught up with him and nudged him with his elbow.

"Hey, have you changed your mind? It's been days since you went to 'Full Moon'?"

Shen Jicheng raised his hand, his tone nonchalant, "I'm not going. I haven't been in the mood these days, let's do it another day."

He himself couldn't figure out why he didn't want to go. Every time he thought about going, Pei Lin's voice would echo in his mind, those words, "You can only call me brother," and "No one else can see." Then he felt... going wouldn't seem to make any sense.

bother.

Why are you thinking of Pei Lin again?

Frustrated, Shen Jicheng scratched his hair and headed straight home.

For the next few days, Shen Jicheng stayed at the North Mountain Villa, not going anywhere. He didn't look for Song Yiyang, didn't go to Yuanyue, and didn't even bother to stroll around the fish pond in the yard. He was like a hibernating cat, curled up on the sofa, bed, and carpet, changing spots to continue daydreaming.

Pei Lin quickly noticed his unusual behavior.