Chapter 47
Jing Ciying finally finished his game after months of work, interrupted by his recovery and Pei Songji’s constant attention, which prevented him from staying up late.
He chose a distribution platform and submitted his game for review.
It was approved quickly.
He had created the game to fulfill a personal wish, not expecting much attention.
Compared to other games on the market, it was simple, even mundane, focusing on everyday family life, with an equally unassuming title: Family Guardian.
But to his surprise, it became unexpectedly popular.
Downloads exceeded a million within days of its release, with a high user retention rate. He even received offers from companies interested in investing in a sequel.
He was stunned, suspecting Pei Songji’s involvement, and called him, demanding answers.
Pei Songji was surprisingly candid. “I just helped with a little… promotion. That’s all. The positive reviews and investment offers are because your game is good. Businessmen don’t invest in losing propositions.”
Jing Ciying believed him. Pei Songji had no reason to lie.
So, if people genuinely liked his game, perhaps he could pursue this as a career?
Creating this game had been the most fulfilling experience of his working life.
He shared his thoughts with Pei Songji, who agreed, suggesting he set up a studio. He couldn’t handle everything on his own if the game continued to grow in popularity.
Jing Ciying calculated his savings and the potential investment offers. “You’re right. But that means we can’t move yet.”
“Move? Why would we move?” Pei Songji asked.
“This apartment is too small. I feel bad for you, having to live here.”
Pei Songji chuckled. “I knew I chose the right person.”
“Of course,” Jing Ciying said, playing along. “Don’t worry, boyfriend, I’ll make sure you live a comfortable life.”
“Okay,” Pei Songji said with a smile. “I’ll be waiting.”
With the initial profits and investment funds, Jing Ciying set up a small studio, hiring a team of game designers, artists, and programmers.
He started working on Family Guardian 2 and other new game concepts.
Life was much the same as before, just busier.
The only constants were the catered meals delivered daily and Pei Songji’s nightly calls, reminding him to go to bed.
Pei Songji often visited the studio, and his colleagues, curious about their relationship, often teased them.
Jing Ciying hadn’t publicly acknowledged their relationship, not out of embarrassment, but because he considered it a private matter.
One day, after Pei Songji picked him up from work, he seemed unusually quiet and withdrawn, going straight to bed after dinner.
Jing Ciying, sensing his mood, deliberately snuggled up to him under the covers.
Pei Songji instinctively put his arm around him but didn’t open his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
“What’s wrong?” Jing Ciying asked. Although they hadn’t been together long, their relationship already felt comfortable, familiar, like an old married couple.
Pei Songji patted his back gently, urging him to sleep.
Jing Ciying knew him too well; he wouldn’t be able to sleep if something was bothering him. He kissed his chin.
Pei Songji opened his eyes. “Stop it,” he mumbled.
“Only if you tell me what’s wrong.”
Pei Songji stroked his hair, hesitating for a moment, then said, “Are you going to… break up with me eventually?”
“What?”
Jing Ciying was stunned. He had never considered such a thing.
“No, of course not,” he said quickly.
Pei Songji looked at him, searching his eyes, then relaxed slightly, as if relieved. “Then why won’t you… acknowledge our relationship?” he asked, his voice almost a whisper.
Jing Ciying remembered the incident at the studio earlier that day.
Pei Songji had come to pick him up as usual, and one of his colleagues had teased him. “Boss, is this your boyfriend? He’s here every day!”
It wasn’t the first time, so he had just laughed and ignored them. He hadn’t realized Pei Songji was so bothered by it.
“I just… I thought it was a private matter. There’s no need to announce it to everyone.”
“I thought you were… preparing for a breakup.”
“Of course not. I’m very committed.”
“How committed?”
Jing Ciying leaned in and kissed him. “Forever committed.”
Pei Songji tried to suppress his smile, but it broke through.
“Me too,” he whispered.
Knowing how much Pei Songji cared about their relationship being acknowledged, Jing Ciying decided to make it public.
He invited his colleagues for dinner on Friday, inviting Pei Songji as well.
Pei Songji visited the studio so often he was practically an honorary member of the team, so everyone was enthusiastic about his presence.
As the evening progressed, and everyone was relaxed and slightly tipsy, Jing Ciying finally made the announcement. “By the way, since you’re all so curious, this is my boyfriend.”
He had expected cheers and teasing, but they just smiled knowingly.
“We knew it.”
“Who else would pick someone up from work every day?”
“So it’s official!”
They all raised their glasses, toasting the happy couple.
The compliments and well wishes went straight to Pei Songji’s head, and he drank far too much, ending up drunk.
Fortunately, Jing Ciying was the designated driver.
He managed to get Pei Songji home and was about to fetch some warm water to wipe his face when he saw Pei Songji, already in his pajamas, struggling to get out of bed.
“Where are you going?” he asked, rushing over to support him.
“Bathroom…” Pei Songji mumbled, his eyes unfocused, then a smile spread across his face. “You’re so beautiful.”
Jing Ciying blushed, flustered by the unexpected compliment. “I’ll help you,” he said quickly, changing the subject.
“I don’t need help. I’m not drunk,” Pei Songji insisted, his words surprisingly clear, despite the slight slur and the hazy look in his eyes.
“Okay.” Jing Ciying didn’t argue, letting him go.
Pei Songji walked towards the bathroom, his steps unsteady.
Jing Ciying chuckled and followed him, going to the bathroom himself after making sure Pei Songji was alright.
He had developed a habit of getting sleepy after 10:00 pm, so he was ready for bed as soon as he finished his nightly routine.
Fortunately, Pei Songji was a quiet drunk and simply lay down and went to sleep.
But as soon as Jing Ciying turned off the lights and got into bed, Pei Songji snuggled up to him, pulling him into a tight embrace.
It wasn’t unusual; they slept like this every night.
But tonight, Pei Songji was unusually clingy, kissing and nuzzling him, his touch igniting a warmth that quickly spread through Jing Ciying’s body. Pei Songji seemed equally affected.
Jing Ciying was flustered. Although they slept together, Pei Songji, mindful of his health, had never gone beyond kissing and cuddling.
He didn’t know what to do.
Pei Songji took his hand, his eyes still hazy but with a flicker of awareness.
“I’ll help you,” he whispered, kissing his ear.
Jing Ciying froze, wanting to say something, but the words wouldn’t come.
Then a thought struck him.
Wasn’t Pei Songji drunk?
But before he could ask, he drifted off to sleep, exhausted.
He woke up to find Pei Songji still there, a rare occurrence.
He was already dressed in his suit, looking perfectly composed, his usual CEO self.
“You’re awake,” he said. “Breakfast just arrived.”
Jing Ciying went to the bathroom to wash his face, then returned to the dining table.
Breakfast was already served, and Pei Songji was waiting for him.
He took a sip of milk, then looked at Pei Songji.
“Why are you staring at me?” Pei Songji asked.
“Do you have a headache?”
“No,” Pei Songji replied.
He looked perfectly fine, which made Jing Ciying even more suspicious of last night’s events. “Were you… really drunk last night?”
Pei Songji finally understood his question, a smile playing on his lips, his answer ambiguous.
“I was drunk.”
“Really?” Jing Ciying didn’t believe him.
Pei Songji hesitated for a moment. “Half and half.”
“What does that mean?”
“I was drunk, then I sobered up a bit. So, half-drunk.”
Jing Ciying knew he hadn’t seemed completely drunk. “When did you… sober up?”
“Do you really want to know?” Pei Songji’s eyes darkened.
“Yes,” Jing Ciying said, taking another sip of milk.
“When I was… helping you,” Pei Songji said.
Jing Ciying choked on his milk.
“When you were…” Pei Songji continued.
Jing Ciying quickly stuffed a piece of toast into his mouth, stopping his words.
“Okay, okay, I get it.”
Pei Songji, seeing his embarrassment, didn’t continue, just smiled at him.
“I knew it…” Jing Ciying muttered, taking a bite of his sandwich, not wanting to discuss it any further.
Pei Songji didn’t have time to tease him; he had to go to work.
Jing Ciying walked him to the door.
“It’s cold outside. Stay inside,” Pei Songji said.
“Okay.”
“When are you going to the studio today?”
“This afternoon.”
“I’ll pick you up tonight.”
“Okay.”
Pei Songji turned to leave, then stopped. “Almost forgot something.”
“What?”
“My grandfather wants us to have dinner at the house this Saturday. Are you free?”
Jing Ciying panicked. “Elder Pei wants to see me?”
“Yes,” Pei Songji said, seeing his apprehension. “It’s just dinner. Don’t worry, he won’t bite.”
“I know, but why does he want to see me?” His ingrained fear of Elder Pei, his former boss’s grandfather, hadn’t diminished, despite his resignation. He wanted to refuse.
“Because you’re his future grandson-in-law,” Pei Songji said with a smirk.
“Don’t be absurd,” Jing Ciying retorted, but Pei Songji’s teasing had eased his anxiety somewhat.
He knew meeting Pei Songji’s family was inevitable. “Okay,” he agreed. “We’ll go together.”
Pei Songji’s eyes lit up. He hugged Jing Ciying tightly, swaying him gently like a giant teddy bear. “Don’t worry, I’ve taken care of everything. They’ve all agreed. No one will give you any trouble.”
Jing Ciying hugged him back. “I trust you.”
“Okay, I have to go to work now,” Jing Ciying said, trying to pull away.
But Pei Songji held on. “Just a little longer.”
“Just a little longer, then.”
“The housekeeper will be here later to clean. Don’t do anything. Just rest.”
“I know, I know.”
“Eat a proper lunch, take your medication, and get some rest before going to the studio.”
“I know. You’re so naggy, Mr. Pei.”
“Still calling me Mr. Pei?” Pei Songji said, feigning annoyance.
“Then what should I call you?”
Pei Songji nibbled on his neck. “Call me Songji.”
Jing Ciying still felt awkward using his given name, but he knew it was strange to keep using his formal title. “Songji,” he mumbled.
“Louder,” Pei Songji demanded.
“Go to work,” Jing Ciying said, pushing him away.
But Pei Songji just held him tighter.
“Stop it. We’re in the hallway. Someone might see us…”
“Let them see. We’re in a legitimate relationship.”
“We’re not married yet, so it’s not exactly legitimate. When are we getting married, by the way?”
Jing Ciying was getting flustered. “How can we even get married?”
“We can go to…”
A loud crash interrupted him. Something had fallen.
Jing Ciying panicked, pushing Pei Songji away, assuming they had been seen.
He turned to see his aunt standing there, her arms laden with grocery bags, one of which lay on the floor, its contents spilled.
She stared at them, speechless, her eyes wide with shock.
“Xiaoying?” she finally said, her voice filled with disbelief.
