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

Pei Lin raised an eyebrow, glanced at the agreement, and then suddenly realized, "Oh, this. The people below were careless and missed a word. It should be 'protagonist'. I'll have someone add it later."

He paused, then said naturally, "We just met, and we don't know each other well. I'm worried that you might be a spy sent by my enemy, posing a threat to me. The reason I wrote this is to prevent you from harming me."

"Of course, you don't need to think I'll restrict you in every way. This is just a formality," Pei Lin said casually.

"After all, if I were to bring a stranger home, my elders would definitely not be happy. This is just an excuse for others."

Shen Jicheng hesitated for a moment, then remained silent. He was somewhat puzzled. Wasn't Pei Lin in charge of the Pei family now? He controlled the entire Huajin Group; did he really have to defer to his elders?

It seems the rumors aren't entirely true...

"Well... alright..." He didn't seem to have anywhere else to go. After thinking it over, following Pei Lin didn't seem like a bad idea.

Shen Jicheng lowered his head, intending to continue reviewing the agreement, when there was a sudden knock on the door.

Zhang Xu walked in, looking hurried, as if he had something urgent to attend to. He said to Pei Lin, "President Pei, it's almost time, we should go."

Pei Lin did not respond immediately, but instead looked at Shen Jicheng, his tone carrying a hint of apology.

"I'm so sorry, but I have some urgent business to attend to right now. Why don't you sign and stamp the document first, Mr. Shi, and I'll have someone take you home. Do whatever you want, don't feel constrained."

Shen Jicheng didn't agree immediately, hesitating for a moment, "How about... we talk about it when you get back?"

He hasn't finished reading the agreement yet.

Pei Lin smiled gently, "Of course."

"Then please wait another month, Mr. Shi. I'll sign after I return from my business trip?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jicheng frowned immediately. "So long?"

Wouldn't that mean he'd have to endure another month of hardship? That won't do!

"President Pei, we should go now," Zhang Xu's voice rang out at the opportune moment.

Although he was clearly urging Pei Lin, Shen Jicheng inexplicably sensed a sense of urging himself.

He gritted his teeth, made up his mind, flipped to the last page, and quickly signed his name.

Anyway, it was a fake name I signed.

Just as he put down his pen, a red stamp was handed to him. Pei Lin smiled and reminded him, "You also need to leave a fingerprint."

Shen Jicheng: "..."

In the end, he still reached out and pressed it down.

Pei Lin's smile deepened. He carefully put the contract away and calmly instructed, "Zhang Xu, arrange for someone to take Mr. Shi to Beishan Villa."

"yes!"

Shen Jicheng: "???"

He felt something was off and, still uneasy, asked, "If I live with you, I can achieve financial freedom, right?"

Pei Lin revealed a meaningful smile.

"certainly."

Beishan Villa.

Shen Jicheng originally thought he would have to wait a month to move in, but to his surprise, only two hours later, the sound of an engine came from the courtyard.

At this moment, he was following the servants around, choosing a room.

"This one's great! I'll stay here!" he declared confidently, without a hint of unease.

The maid hesitated, not daring to agree directly, and only said, "Mr. Shi's room... I'm afraid it will have to be decided by you, sir."

Shen Jicheng was taken aback: "?" Why should Pei Lin make the decision?

Just then, he heard footsteps outside. He turned his head and saw Pei Lin walking towards him. His eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly took a few steps to meet him.

"Pei Lin, you've come at the right time! Tell them I want this room!"

Pei Lin glanced around the room, not looking at Shen Jicheng, and asked casually, "Do you like this room?"

"right!"

Pei Lin withdrew his gaze and gave him a gentle smile. "Of course, no problem. You can sleep wherever you want. You are absolutely free here, and I won't interfere with you in the slightest."

As he spoke, he tentatively raised his hand and gently stroked Shen Jicheng's cheek. "If you're willing, this will be your home from now on. Just tell me if you need anything, and I won't mistreat you financially."

Shen Jicheng appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly he was overjoyed. He hadn't expected to sleep with such a wonderful man so easily. Although he had slept with the wrong person initially, he hadn't really lost out. Pei Lin was handsome, rich, and had a great physique; by any measure, he was the one who got the better deal. Although people outside said he was unpredictable, it seemed the rumors were completely unfounded!

So he didn't resist Pei Lin's touch and replied with a smile, "Okay."

Pei Lin smiled and nodded. "My room is right across from yours. Feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything. I still have some work to take care of. You can look around on your own first; I won't keep you company any longer."

Shen Jicheng readily agreed, "Okay, go ahead and get busy!"

Pei Lin nodded, and as he turned around, the smile on his face faded slightly.

Out of Shen Jicheng's sight, Pei Lin glanced at a corner. A man emerged from the shadows, his face expressionless, and called out in a low voice, "Master Pei."

"How's Xiao Hei?" Pei Lin asked casually.

Jiang Jin reported truthfully, "I'm in much better condition than before, and I'm much more energetic."

"Now that it has rested for so long, it's time to let it get some exercise."

Jiang Jin understood, "What Master Pei means is..."

Pei Lin casually raised his eyes, glanced at the second floor, and said in a nonchalant tone, "That little pup doesn't seem too keen on sleeping in the same room as me. I don't like to force people, so in that case, I might as well help him out and make him willingly beg to sleep with me."

Jiang Jin: "..."

"clear?"

"Yes, I understand."

Dusk fell.

Shen Jicheng was nestled comfortably in his soft blankets, sending messages to Song Yiyang to show off. He was extremely satisfied with this place, and even thought that it wouldn't be a bad idea to stay here forever.

Before going to sleep, I was still fantasizing about a happy, unregulated life in the future.

He didn't know how long he had slept, but he felt a slight itch on his neck and subconsciously reached out to scratch it.

After the initial relief, I could faintly hear rustling sounds.

Next came the subtle details.

"Hiss hiss hiss—"

Shen Jicheng, still half asleep, wondered, "Why are there mosquitoes in this room?" He reached out to scratch, but before his fingertips even touched his skin, they brushed against something cold and slippery. It wasn't a mosquito!

He jolted awake, becoming mostly conscious, and hurriedly sat up, turning on the bedside lamp.

When he realized what was hanging on his body, he was so frightened that he immediately performed a breakdance.

"ah--!!!"

A piercing, terrified scream shattered the tranquility of the entire villa. Shen Jicheng rushed out the door like a madman.

"Help—!"

"Help!!!"