Chapter 62: “He Even Told You About This?”

Although Shen Ju hadn’t said anything yet, how could Jian Yi fail to read his expression?

He wanted to grab him by the ears and chew him out!

What the hell was this?

Everyone in the Guan Family already knew about Shen Ju and Pei Yan’s relationship, but Pei Yan’s family still had no clue. Was that fair?

And Pei Yan was older than Shen Ju to boot. If they were coming clean, shouldn’t his side go first?!

Never mind that they “hadn’t gotten around to it” yet.

Jian Yi wasn’t having it.

He wasn’t in the mood to be reasonable.

What more could he even say to Shen Ju…

“They’ll find out eventually.”

Pei Yan’s voice rang out abruptly.

Jian Yi frowned. “Mr. Pei, eavesdropping on our conversation isn’t exactly polite.”

“You were just speaking too loudly.”

Pei Yan replied, then pivoted before Jian Yi could respond. “That said, I didn’t dare stray too far. You’re abnormally important to Shen Ju. If you’re unhappy about something, one word from you might make him waver. In that case, I’d have to be extra cautious—keep him firmly in my grasp.”

Shen Ju’s lips twitched. He wanted to say he wouldn’t waver, but then he caught Pei Yan shooting him a look.

Hm?

Those who want to know will find out?

Did that mean someone in the Pei Family—aside from Pei Haochuan—already knew about him and Shen Ju?

Jian Yi was baffled, but Shen Ju had a vague inkling.

Plus, Pei Yan had mentioned Pei Tai earlier…

“Bro.”

Shen Ju spoke up first, calling out to Jian Yi.

He didn’t need to say more—Jian Yi got the message.

He just wanted him to drop the topic.

There must be something he couldn’t say outright.

Jian Yi could only tsk lightly. “Fine, whatever.”

He patted the back of Shen Ju’s head and walked off.

Once Jian Yi was gone, Pei Yan pulled Shen Ju close and murmured, “Pei Tai probably already knows about us.”

Shen Ju wasn’t too surprised.

He’d picked up on that subtext in Pei Yan’s words earlier.

But… how did he know?

Pei Yan let out a cold snort. “You don’t know him. His control freak tendencies are off the charts—whether toward me or Big Bro. I’ve told you before: Pei Tai wants us fighting each other for the inheritance. That way, we have to curry his favor and obey him. Even when he steps back, he can rest easy, pulling strings from the shadows.”

“Big Bro joined Pei Corporation in his twenties. Now he’s over forty and still just a vice president. Pei Tai’s been holding him down from above. If he weren’t getting on in years…”

Shen Ju blinked, remembering what Pei Yan had said in the private room last time. “Pei Bro, are you—”

“Yeah.”

Pei Yan pinched Shen Ju’s cheek. “It’s time.”

“And conveniently, you’ve got that task of yours as cover. Outwardly, I can play this role even more convincingly.”

Guan Jianshan’s birthday banquet hadn’t ended long ago when Pei Yan received Pei Tai’s “summons.”

He’d been at Pei Corporation for a while now, same as Pei Kangnian—both vice presidents. No one batted an eye, given Star River Technology’s obvious success. Pei Kangnian was already deeply entrenched there, with his own team and connections. Company insiders were buzzing: if Old Pei stepped down as CEO, which son would take the throne?

The annual board meeting was coming up soon.

Word was already out: this year’s meeting would bring major changes.

Pei Tai wasn’t just Pei Corporation’s largest shareholder—he was still CEO. Even if his energy had waned these years, he clung to the position.

But clearly, he was at his limit.

So this board meeting would anoint a new CEO.

The top contenders: Pei Kangnian or Pei Yan.

Speculation ran rampant below, while Pei Tai stayed mum.

“What’s the deal with you and that Guan Family kid?”

Pei Yan: “What does Dad mean by ‘the deal’?”

Pei Tai’s face showed clear signs of maintenance—hair dyed, but gray strands peeked through. Age showed despite it all, and his long-held power gave him an unapproachable, iron-fisted air.

“Do I need to spell it out? Your big bro spotted it at Guan Jianshan’s birthday banquet.”

Pei Yan’s expression soured. “Big Bro told you?”

Pei Tai: “Doesn’t matter who told me. If you won’t answer, I won’t push. But you should know: between you and your brother, I have to pick the better heir. Blood is thicker than water, but I’m responsible for the company—for its future.”

Seeing Pei Yan go quiet, Pei Tai softened a touch. “Your brother’s got 28% shares and years at the company. He has a huge edge over you.”

“But you’ve been in not long yourself, and you’ve nailed several key projects. Pei Corporation’s original shares include your portion, of course. It’s just…”

Pei Tai sighed. “Dad hopes you’ll think about your future. Being with a boy… it can’t last forever, right?”

Pei Yan finally spoke. “But he is from the Guan Family.”

Pei Tai raised a brow.

“Dad, I get what you’re saying. I’ll take responsibility for my future.”

Pei Yan: “Every step I’ve taken has been deliberate. Don’t worry.”

Pei Tai nodded, pleased. “Good boy.”

“Of course.”

Pei Yan’s “lesson” wrapped up.

It started with Pei Haochuan stopping the tutoring sessions. Then Pei Yan got busier and ended them altogether.

To outsiders, it looked like Pei Kangnian and Pei Yan were at each other’s throats. No matter Pei Haochuan’s ties to Pei Yan, the two couldn’t stay close.

With less than two months until the college entrance exam, Shen Ju wanted to cram more. On free weekends, he’d sneak over to Jian Yi’s for review sessions.

He could study with Guan Mulin at home, sure.

But lately, after the Task Energy Bar broke past 95%, progress had slowed. 996 said the closer to the end—hitting the task’s core settings—the stricter the judgment got.

Which meant fewer loopholes to exploit.

He had to play his role more diligently.

Plus, Pei Yan was hitting a critical juncture—Shen Ju didn’t want to bother him too much.

Thanks to their telepathic link, Shen Ju knew what Pei Yan was up to, even if they hadn’t spent much time together lately.

“So…”

In their old little bedroom, Jian Yi frowned. “You’re saying Pei Yan’s going to hand his shares to Pei Kangnian at the board meeting—making him Pei Corporation’s largest shareholder—and strip Pei Tai of power?”

“Yeah.”

Shen Ju pouted, balancing his pen on his upper lip until Jian Yi glared at him. He sheepishly took it down. “Bro, why do you always call Pei Bro ‘Pei Yan’ or ‘Mr. Pei’…”

“Shen Chirp, we’re both high school seniors now, but I lost two years. I’m two years older than you—how much younger am I than Pei Yan?”

Jian Yi rolled his eyes. “I’ll call him by name.”

“Fine, fine.”

Shen Ju sighed, then leaned in like sharing a secret. “Actually, Pei Bro teamed up with Pei Haochuan’s dad ages ago. Pei Tai screwed over Pei Haochuan’s grandma—er, Pei Kangnian’s mom. Pei Kangnian’s been resentful for years, held down until Pei Bro proposed the alliance.”

Jian Yi’s look turned complicated. “He even told you about this?”

“Yeah.”

Shen Ju’s eyes sparkled with pride. “And Pei Bro said I could explain to you why he’s seemed ‘colder’ to me lately.”

“Heh.”

Jian Yi smirked but was still curious. “Can they pull it off?”

“Of course.”

Shen Ju scratched his chin. “I don’t get all the details, but Pei Bro said: transfer his current shares to Pei Kangnian under the table. That pushes Pei Kangnian over 50.1%. Then he’ll nominate Pei Bro as executive director and CEO. From shares to board to management—they’ll sideline Pei Tai completely.”

Pei Tai had been suppressing Pei Kangnian while soft-threatening Pei Yan—forcing the brothers to fight, so he could control them from behind the scenes.

But Pei Yan and Pei Kangnian had long since allied.

This board meeting would shake Pei Corporation to its core—just not pitting the brothers against each other, but toppling Pei Tai.

This time, they’d fully burn bridges with him.

Only…

Jian Yi: “Only what?”

Shen Ju whispered, “They haven’t found the evidence yet.”

They could seize power, but not pin crimes on Pei Tai.

He must have left traces. Even if he cleaned up, he’d kept proof—some things couldn’t be handled solo.

“Whatever, forget it.”

Jian Yi said, “Pei Corporation’s shareholder meeting is today, right? If Pei Yan told you all this, he must be confident.”

“Worry about yourself.”

Jian Yi frowned. “Hasn’t that Task Energy Bar stalled out for ages?”

“It’s not that long…”

“So it has stalled.”

Jian Yi eyed him. “You half-convinced me last time, but I still wanna know: has 996 been quietly digging into how to end the task?”

“Uh…”

“You haven’t asked?!”

Jian Yi pinched Shen Ju’s cheeks in frustration. “Ask it now!”

Shen Ju: “…Okay.”

Shen Ju called out to 996 in his mind.

But oddly, 996 didn’t respond right away.