The word “Big Bro” hung in the air, and Guan Muya truly fell silent for a moment.
He could hardly believe his ears.
There was no joy in being called Big Bro.
Only fury at being called Big Bro!
This was clearly deliberate!
Guan Muya let out a cold laugh. “I can’t accept that title from you.”
Pei Yan replied, “How could you not? You are a few years older than me.”
“…”
Guan Muya had nothing to say to Pei Yan. Fortunately, he turned to Shen Ju. “It’s so late—why aren’t you heading inside? What are you two chatting about out here?”
Shen Ju answered honestly. “We’re talking about going to buy study guides this weekend, and then heading to the library to review and get some tutoring, Big Bro.”
“…”
It sounded perfectly legitimate.
Guan Muya was speechless again.
Plus, Shen Ju’s tutoring was tied to Pei Yan, who’d been helping him all along. His grades had improved dramatically—visibly so. Pei Yan clearly hadn’t half-assed it. Now hearing it was more tutoring, Guan Muya couldn’t really object. In the end, his gaze fell on their still-intertwined hands.?
“Do you need to hold hands for that kind of chat?”
He strode over as he spoke.
Guan Muya grabbed Shen Ju by the scruff of his neck and yanked him to his side—like scooping up a baby chick. “Go on, get inside and to bed.”
“…Okay.”
Shen Ju was obedient in the end. He didn’t want to defy his big bro, who was all puffed up with anger. He glanced at Pei Yan, who nodded for him to go in, so he waved and slipped through his own front door.
Now it was just Pei Yan and Guan Muya at the doorstep.
Guan Muya’s expression darkened again.
The emotions he’d let slip earlier were reined in, his brows furrowing with a newfound seriousness.
“I should’ve talked to you sooner.”
Pei Yan stood across from him.
Both men were tall and imposing, and facing off like this created an intangible pressure that made anyone feel the weight.
But Pei Yan clearly felt none of it.
He spoke first. “Talk about what?”
Guan Muya’s face was impassive. “You know exactly what.”
Pei Yan smiled faintly. “If it’s about Shen Ju, I don’t see any problem with us being together. I’ve never forced him into anything or disregarded his wishes. Like you, I love him, care for him, want him happy every day, want to help him achieve his dreams, want him to live burden-free in the future.”
Guan Muya eyed him for a long moment. “Just because you think that doesn’t mean you can make it happen.”
“Have you told him everything about your mother?”
The smile faded from Pei Yan’s lips as he met Guan Muya’s gaze with cool detachment.
Guan Muya didn’t flinch. “Leaving that aside—your current situation, what you’re doing right now—can you guarantee it won’t drag Shen Ju into it?”
“You’ve been preparing to enter Pei Corporation for a while now, haven’t you?”
Pei Yan’s brow arched. “What makes you say that?”
Guan Muya replied, “Gao Chuanbai hasn’t made a fuss at all.”
They ran in the same circles. Guan Muya knew Pei Yan, but he also knew Gao Chuanbai—probably better, from all the social events where they’d crossed paths more often. Over time, they’d become friends who could chat. He’d heard Gao Chuanbai praise Star River Technology’s rapid rise, crediting his partner.
That partner was undoubtedly Pei Yan.
Business was all about “interests” at its core.
Even close friends were bound by them.
Star River Technology had passed its most precarious growth phase and was thriving, but as the company’s driving force, Pei Yan’s sudden “departure” hadn’t caused a ripple. Gao Chuanbai hadn’t complained publicly, and they clearly hadn’t fallen out. That left one possibility: Gao Chuanbai had been prepared.
Meaning Pei Yan had long planned to join Pei Corporation—and had already looped in Gao Chuanbai. No surprise there.
Guan Muya couldn’t yet pinpoint why Pei Yan was taking this route, but he knew a man like him didn’t waste effort.
Pei Yan was exceptional, but that didn’t mean Pei Kangnian was incompetent.
?Pei Kangnian had entered Pei Corporation early, building his own networks and resources… Guan Muya didn’t buy that Pei Yan would waltz in with plans and do nothing.
Whatever Pei Yan’s goals, they wouldn’t be simple.
What worried Guan Muya was Shen Ju getting pulled in.
Better safe than sorry.
Especially since…
“And your mother’s death—do you really not care?”
Pei Yan said coolly, “My mother took her own life.”
Guan Muya stepped closer, lowering his voice. “She did commit suicide, but why…? There has to be a reason.”
Pei Yan stared at him for a beat, then tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Indeed…”
Just those two words made Guan Muya’s eyes darken sharply.
“So how can you guarantee your mess won’t touch Shen Ju?”
“I’ll handle it.”
“But you can’t guarantee that, can you?”
Pei Yan looked at Guan Muya. “Have you asked Shen Ju’s opinion? He’s soft-spoken and obedient, but he has his own mind.”
Guan Muya sneered. “You just called him a ‘kid.'”
Pei Yan: “…In any case, as long as Shen Ju doesn’t want to leave me, I won’t let go—and I won’t let him go.”
Guan Muya shot back, “Saying that makes you no different from your father.”
Pei Yan’s face darkened in an instant.
They parted on tense terms.
But in the end, Guan Muya didn’t forbid Shen Ju from going out with Pei Yan.
Shen Ju was thrilled and excited.
It was his first real date, after all.
Fortunately, Han Chengfeng and the others had the good sense to clear out, knowing he wanted alone time with Pei Yan.
Joking aside, finally free from tutoring—they were off to have some fun.
Only Shen Ju would consider a bookstore and library a fun outing…
He browsed the bookstore and saw they had a reading area. He wanted to linger a bit.
It was almost noon anyway. He could kill time here, grab lunch, then hit the library to study. Perfect plan.
Pei Yan had no objections, of course.
Whatever Shen Ju wanted, he was game.
But Pei Yan was still tied up with work, head down on his phone the whole time.
Shen Ju sidled up. “We could head back if you need to.”
“No need.”
Pei Yan murmured, pinching his cheek. “You browse here a bit. I need to step out for a call.”
“Okay!”
Once Pei Yan left, Shen Ju flipped through books on his own.
He’d already picked his study guides. Now he wandered, browsing other sections.
The selection was huge.
The place was spacious, stylishly designed.
Shen Ju glanced around when someone tapped his shoulder.
He turned to see Tang Yuexin.
“Class rep?”
She hummed, her expression oddly strained.
“What’s up, class rep?”
Shen Ju sensed she had something to say.
And it seemed like she’d spotted him earlier but waited till now.
Which meant…
He suddenly remembered Pei Yan had been there before.
Did the class rep wait till Pei-ge left to approach me?
The class rep and Pei-ge…
“I saw you with Mr. Pei.”
Tang Yuexin spoke up.
She studied his face, then bit her lip. “Shen Ju, are you… together with Mr. Pei?”
Shen Ju jolted. She saw right through it?
“Class rep, I—”
“You’re willing, right?” she pressed immediately.
“Huh?”
Shen Ju was baffled. Willing? What, like he was forced?
But she looked genuinely worried…
Puzzled, he nodded anyway.
“Class rep, Pei-ge and I… we like each other.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Tang Yuexin scrutinized his face, checking for coercion. Seeing none, she relaxed with a breath.
“That’s good, then.”
Shen Ju frowned, utterly confused. “But class rep, why ask like that?”
“You…”
He puzzled it over. “Do you think… Pei-ge forced me or something?”
Tang Yuexin opened her mouth. “Uh, I… just asking casually.”
Shen Ju tilted his head. Really?
He wasn’t that gullible.
“It’s nothing, really.”
Tang Yuexin smiled at him. “That time at Han Chengfeng’s birthday at the bar, uh, I approached Mr. Pei about job openings at the Pei Family place—you know, after that one day I worked there and got great pay. I wanted something permanent. But we barely talked before he saw you drinking and went straight to you.”
“I thought he treated you differently. But he’s not our age, so I figured I’d check with you.”
“I’m your class rep—normal to care, right?”
She tiptoed to pat his shoulder. “You can be a bit naive sometimes. Didn’t want you getting tricked.”
“Oh, got it.”
Shen Ju wrinkled his nose. “But skip the last part next time, class rep.”
She shrugged. “Anyway, just saying hi. Gotta buy some books—see ya.”
“Bye, class rep.”
She smiled. “Bye.”
Once Tang Yuexin left, Shen Ju felt a spark of delight.
So Pei-ge had been talking to her about a Pei Family job. Wonder if she got it—he could ask for her.
And thinking how Pei Yan ditched her to check on him drinking… he grinned.
He rubbed his cheeks. Weird, getting this happy over nothing.
Am I lovesick?
Big Bro would be pissed if he knew.
Still, he wanted to see Pei Yan soon.
He glanced toward the entrance—no sign. Getting antsy, he headed out to find him.
Just to see where he is. Won’t bother him.
Shen Ju set down his book and stepped outside.
The bookstore was at a corner; he rounded another to spot Pei Yan’s back.
No phone in sight, but as he approached, he saw a man facing him.
Mid-forties, ashen-faced.
Whatever they were saying, the man looked agitated—suddenly grabbing Pei Yan’s collar.
“Pei-ge…”
Shen Ju panicked.
He bolted over without thinking, reaching Pei Yan’s back and yanking him away—?
Whoosh—tugging him behind himself and planting him there firmly.
Then he whirled, glaring like a furious calf at the man. “What do you think you’re doing?!”
Pei Yan: “…”
The man gaped, stunned: “…”
