Something was off.
Pei Yan felt like there was something not quite right with Shen Ju.
Had he scared the guy that night?
But he hadn’t done anything.
Had Shen Ju noticed something?
That didn’t seem likely either.
Then why?
…He didn’t dare look at him, his gaze drifting, occasionally zoning out, as if wrestling with something.
Even when Han Chengfeng and the others discussed going together to his company’s annual gala, he didn’t join in.
It was like something else had captured his attention.
As for Han Chengfeng, Ke Sheng, Pei Haochuan, and Guan Mulin all going to their company’s gala like some team-building outing…Pei Yan had been mentally prepared for that.
He couldn’t shake them off anyway.
He hadn’t expected to take Shen Ju alone.
Pei Yan’s gaze fixed on Shen Ju.
There it was again.
Every time he looked at Shen Ju, the guy pretended to be super busy.
He seemed a bit… guilty?
But why guilty?
“So, can we join the lucky draw that day too?”
“But that might not be cool, dragging down the company’s employees’ winning odds. Kinda unethical.”
Han Chengfeng scratched his chin. “But I really wanna try. Second prize is beta access to that game! I want it so bad. What do you think, Shen Ju? Wanna draw for prizes…”
“Shen Chirp? Hey, you listening to me?”
Han Chengfeng snapped his fingers in front of Shen Ju. “What’re you spacing out about?”
Shen Ju snapped back. “Huh, nothing.”
“You mean the draw? Nah, pass. Not interested.”
“Tch, then what about you, Ke Sheng? You wanted that new game too, right?”
Han Chengfeng dragged Ke Sheng off to chatter again.
Shen Ju lowered his eyes, still feeling like Pei Yan was watching him.
Ahhh.
What do I do, what do I do.
He couldn’t face Pei-ge anymore.
Shen Ju mentally berated himself like crazy.
Because after going home that night, he’d had a dream.
…A dream where Pei Yan was sucking on him in the study.
He’d been scooped up onto the desk by Pei Yan again, but after Pei Yan pinched his cheek, he replaced his hand with his mouth.
At first, those lips sucked on his face.
Like savoring a little pastry, slow and deliberate.
Then…
They moved from his cheek to the tip of his nose, his brow bone, his eyes, and then…
Shen Ju sucked in a breath, fidgeting with his fingers.
Truth be told, he’d mostly forgotten the details from that night’s dream. Even in the dream, the scenes weren’t super clear—just hazy—but the sensations felt so real.
When he woke up, he remembered everything.
So, putting it all together…
He’d had a wet dream!
And the object of that wet dream was Pei Yan!
When he woke up that morning, Shen Ju felt like the sky had fallen.
He had no idea how to face Pei Yan…
Why would I dream something like that?!
Shen Ju felt like he’d wronged Pei Yan big time.
So he’d been avoiding him a little.
But the more he avoided, the more acutely he felt Pei Yan’s gaze on him.
It left him not knowing where to put his hands or feet.
He called this reaction “guilty.”
It’s fine, it’s fine.
As long as I don’t say anything, no one will know.
Shen Ju soothed himself carefully, thinking he’d put some distance between him and Pei-ge for a couple days to reset his mindset.
But he still had to go to the gala.
Star River Technology’s annual gala was huge this time, with tons of invitees. When Shen Ju and Guan Mulin arrived, he figured there wouldn’t be many “outsiders” like them.
“How could there not be?”
Han Chengfeng whispered, “You know how explosive Star River Technology’s growth has been these past few years? They’re basically the industry leader. Events like this gala? Half the competitors probably wanna crash it.”
“Plus, one of the bosses is from the Pei Family.”
Ke Sheng chimed in. “That alone draws a crowd.”
Pei Haochuan crossed his arms and tsked. “But the ones coming for my little uncle? Probably ends this year.”
Guan Mulin let out an “Ah?” sounding surprised. “Why’s that?”
Pei Haochuan shrugged. “Grandpa wants him back at Pei Corporation.”
“See that guy? Grandpa’s special assistant, Xu Yun, Secretary Xu. He’s here too.”
Ke Sheng asked curiously, “Your little uncle doesn’t wanna go back?”
“Well…”
Pei Haochuan pursed his lips, not keen on spilling.
Pei Corporation was still under his grandpa’s control for now, but his dad had been working there forever. Pei Haochuan figured his little uncle starting his own thing was probably to avoid clashing with his dad.
Sure, he got along great with Pei Yan, but the age gap was huge, they were half-brothers, and with Pei Yan’s mom in the mix… He couldn’t recall them ever getting along harmoniously, though it wasn’t outright hostility either. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so close to Pei Yan. Still, everyone knew Pei Corporation’s heir would come down to his dad or Pei Yan.
Outsiders always said Grandpa favored the youngest.
If Pei Yan really joined Pei Corporation, the rumors and gossip would explode behind the scenes.
Even if his dad and little uncle had no interest in fighting, they’d get pushed into it.
Pei Haochuan always felt like that was what Grandpa wanted.
Survival of the fittest—Grandpa’s “wolf culture” all the way.
Including with him.
Pei Tai talked harmony, but he wanted them to compete, to fight. Winner takes the throne as the favored heir.
It was… annoying.
So even though Pei Haochuan wasn’t thrilled about tutoring, he didn’t hate it either. He didn’t mind crashing at Pei Yan’s place—he wanted out of that home vibe.
Seeing Pei Haochuan go quiet, the others tactfully dropped it.
They knew a bit about the Pei Family mess. Pei Haochuan got along with Pei Yan now, but that was before Pei Yan joined Pei Corporation. Things would get awkward fast.
In families like theirs, sometimes you couldn’t avoid what you wanted to dodge.
Shen Ju listened, lips pressing together.
He instinctively scanned for Pei Yan.
For Star River Technology’s gala, Pei Yan naturally hadn’t come with them. He’d greeted them on arrival, then gone off to handle stuff.
Shen Ju remembered Pei Yan in a iron-gray suit, hair slicked back, looking even more mature.
He hadn’t spotted him yet when his eyes locked with someone else’s.
Secretary Xu Yun, the one Pei Haochuan had pointed out.
Shen Ju blinked.
Xu Yun had been looking at him too.
When their eyes met, Xu Yun nodded at him.
Shen Ju nodded back on reflex.
The secretary looked mid-forties, stern-faced, not much of a smiler. Why was he staring? Did he know him?
But after the eye contact, Xu Yun looked away.
Shen Ju didn’t dwell, resuming his search for Pei Yan.
The next second, he found him—and his face lit up.
But before he could wave, he saw a woman standing by Pei Yan, chatting with her.
Shen Ju’s raised hand paused, then slowly dropped.
Fine.
He hadn’t figured out what to say anyway.
Better not interrupt.
After looking away, Pei Yan glanced over.
The woman beside him smiled. “What’re you looking at?”
Pei Yan raised a brow. “Maybe a little hamster.”
“Hamster.”
“Yeah, the kind that loves burrowing into holes.”
The woman blinked, confused, and skipped the topic. “Too bad. I was hoping to talk collab for the new year, but you’re leaving?”
“You can talk to Gao Chuanbai.”
Pei Yan didn’t deny the rumors. “He’ll stick around.”
“He will, sure—this is his baby too. But you’re really ditching your own hard work?”
Pei Yan swirled his red wine, gaze dropping, lost in thought for a beat before replying. “Gotta give to get. And this path was inevitable anyway.”
The gala kicked off. Shen Ju and Guan Mulin didn’t sit with Pei Yan—they were even tables apart.
Normal, given Pei Yan’s status versus a bunch of students.
From entry till now, Shen Ju had only glimpsed him once, barely exchanged words.
Hmm, and if he thought about it, their chats had been sparse these past few days.
Part of that was him pulling back on purpose…
It was for Pei Yan’s own good. Having that dream was disrespectful; Shen Ju needed distance to fix his headspace.
But now he realized his mindset wasn’t fixed.
And for some reason, he felt… let down.
He couldn’t even focus on the shows he’d wanted to see.
Ke Sheng and Han Chengfeng were glued to it, saying they should form an act—street dance and sax.
Guan Mulin and Pei Haochuan watched too, but barely talked.
One hand dangling, one arms crossed, enough space between for five fists.
Shen Ju tilted his head.
If I remember right, Guan Mulin and Pei Haochuan used to be chatty. Now Han Chengfeng and Ke Sheng are the talkers.
Has Han Chengfeng infiltrated and split the trio?
Eh, wait—now it’s five.
But when did we start rolling as a group?
No—six with Pei-ge.
But Pei-ge’s not here.
Shen Ju suddenly felt kinda isolated.
So random.
But so lonely.
So he stood, mumbling he was hitting the bathroom.
Guan Mulin and Han Chengfeng both looked over.
Shen Ju: “Don’t follow!”
He wasn’t stealing their buddies.
Hmph.
Shen Ju pattered to the bathroom, washed up, then got turned around forgetting the way back—took a wrong turn, had to loop.
On the loop-back, right at the corner, he heard Pei Yan’s voice.
Pei Yan was talking to someone.
Shen Ju halted, peeking around the hall corner.
Pei Yan faced Secretary Xu, who was leaving—Pei Yan seeing him off.
But…
The vibe between them was tense.
“…Mr. Pei’s message delivered. He hopes you’ll return before year’s end, prepare to join Pei Corporation early.”
Pei Yan: “Does joining Pei Corporation need prep? Dad’s already set it all up.”
“That’s true.”
Xu Yun continued, “But Mr. Pei still wants you entering at your best.”
“Best how?”
Xu Yun paused, then said, “Some rumors about why you won’t join Pei Corporation… part of it displeases Mr. Pei greatly…”
Pei Yan seemed to scoff, not replying.
Xu Yun stopped there, nodded, and left.
After Xu Yun was gone, Pei Yan stood there, expression flickering.
After a moment, he said coldly, “Seen enough?”
Shen Ju’s heart jumped. He shuffled out.
“Sorry, Pei-ge…”
Shen Ju approached, whispering, “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
Pei Yan saw it was him and looked surprised.
He beckoned Shen Ju closer. “Scared you?”
Shen Ju shook his head.
Pei Yan exhaled. “Good. Wouldn’t want you avoiding me more.”
“What?”
Shen Ju blinked. “I haven’t…”
“Haven’t?”
Pei Yan’s gaze dropped. “Then why’s it feel like you haven’t wanted to talk to me these past few days?”
“Or did you just now realize something’s off with me…”
“No!”
Shen Ju burst out loudly. “I don’t think you’re off at all! Don’t talk about yourself like that!”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but take a step forward and grabbed Pei Yan’s sleeve.
“Pei-ge, I really didn’t—I just, just…”
“Just what?”
Pei Yan’s voice still sounded skeptical, as if he thought Shen Ju was just brushing him off to spare his feelings.
In his panic, Shen Ju blurted out:
“I just had a dream, and it was embarrassing, uh…”
Pei Yan instinctively raised an eyebrow.
Shen Ju’s gaze darted away.
“A dream?”
Pei Yan asked in a low voice, “What kind of dream?”
“Was it about me?”
“But what’s there to be embarrassed about dreaming of me?”
“Unless… in the dream, I did something?”
“I did something to you…”
Shen Ju let out a loud “Ah!” and hurriedly clapped a hand over Pei Yan’s mouth.
“Enough! Pei-ge! Stop talking!”
Shen Ju felt like he was about to explode.
Wasn’t it agreed that if he didn’t say anything, no one would know? How did he just blurt it out!
And to the person involved, no less!
So embarrassing.
He could never show his face again!
Shen Ju glanced around left and right, desperate to flee.
Pei Yan had been about to curl his lips and tease him a bit more, but seeing this, he lowered his gaze instead. “So that’s it. I thought you hated me.”
“No…”
“But I’m still in a bad mood.”
He said these last two sentences muffled against Shen Ju’s hand.
Only then did Shen Ju realize his palm was filled with the heat of Pei Yan’s breath and words. He yanked his hand back with a whoosh and hid it behind his back.
Too late to escape—he was drawn in by Pei Yan’s words again.
Shen Ju couldn’t help but follow up. “Why are you in a bad mood? Is it because of earlier…?”
Pei Yan hummed in affirmation.
“I’ve told you before—my mother killed herself on New Year’s.”
“I moved out to live on my own and refused to join Pei Corporation because I wanted to get away from the painful memories. But Pei Tai— I mean, my dad—he’s demanding I go back now, and that I join Pei Corporation.”
Pei Yan gave a self-mocking laugh. “I was only able to start my own business before because he gave me the chance. Now that the time’s up and he needs me, I have to go back.”
“He’s pushing me to return right now and even leaked the news that I’m joining Pei Corporation… all because people out there are saying I refused because of my mother’s death. He hates hearing that kind of rumor.”
“Of course, that’s just one of the reasons.”
Shen Ju couldn’t help but recall what Han Chengfeng, Ke Sheng, and the others had said earlier. He felt a pang of discomfort.
It was for Pei Yan’s sake.
These past few days, he and Pei Yan had grown distant, leading Pei Yan to misunderstand that he didn’t want to associate with him. And now Pei Yan couldn’t even do what he loved—he had to go back by force, just to quash those rumors…
How unfair.
Shen Ju thought for a moment, then opened his arms to Pei Yan. “So, Pei-ge, want a hug?”
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