Time flew by after the New Year, and in the blink of an eye, the second semester of senior year was about to begin.
During this period, Pei Yan had started working at Pei Corporation, but to “create opportunities” for Shen Ju, the tutoring sessions continued as usual.
As they’d agreed before, they needed to back Shen Ju up, which meant it was easier to “put on the act” when they were all together.
And now that things were out in the open, even backhanded compliments wouldn’t be misunderstood.
So Pei Haochuan and the others noticed that Shen Ju and Guan Mulin often had conversations like this…
With the start of the second semester of senior year and the college entrance exams just months away, they chatted about the universities they wanted to apply to and their dream majors.
Guan Mulin mentioned he wanted to get into medical school—he aimed to become a doctor.
Pei Haochuan remarked, “Medical school scores are sky-high,” and sighed a bit that he’d never heard Guan Mulin mention wanting to be a doctor before.
Shen Ju propped his chin on his hands. “Med school is brutal. You’ve been a pampered young master raised in luxury at the Guan Family for over a decade—think you can handle it?”
The words hung in the air, and Han Chengfeng and Ke Sheng both fell silent.
Pei Haochuan shot Shen Ju a glance.
Before anyone could speak—
Guan Mulin tsked. “I’d handle it better than you, that’s for sure. Your fever’s gone, huh? And you’re already back for tutoring.”
He leaned over and felt Shen Ju’s forehead.
“Should get Uncle Xu to prescribe you some more bitter meds.”
Uncle Xu was their family doctor.
Han Chengfeng and Ke Sheng: “?…”
Pei Haochuan glanced at Guan Mulin.
Before he could speak—
Shen Ju scrunched up his face in a deep-seated grudge. “A doctor like you? Patients would die of annoyance.”
Guan Mulin nodded. “Yeah, that’s how dedicated I am.”
The three: “?…”
Sorry, they were utterly lost.
Was this praise, shade, or straight-up roasting?!
Can’t you two just talk normally?!”
Scenes like this… popped up all the time these days.
At first, they tried mediating between the two. Now? They were numb to it.
It felt like Shen Ju and Guan Mulin were indulging in some kind of “intimate banter” they couldn’t comprehend…
Like some barrier had suddenly shattered.
Their conversations were even more “out of line” than before.
But for some reason, their roast sessions carried this weird harmony.
Sharp-tongued yet affectionate…
Totally baffling.
A few days remained before school started, but Pei Yan was already at work, so their tutoring sessions were in the afternoons.
Afternoons worked perfectly.
They could review mistakes with Pei Yan after he got off work, and it’d wrap up right on time.
Pei Haochuan had moved back into Pei Yan’s place at Yujinfu—it was close to Qichen, making the school commute easy once term started. Even if Pei Yan wasn’t home yet, they could eat dinner here directly. The hired chefs were master-level; they could whip up anything, or order takeout if needed. With time to spare, they’d game together, turning the place into their happy hub.
Pei Haochuan was baffled.
They were getting bolder and more over-the-top, yet his uncle had zero complaints.
Hell, a few days ago, he’d even hired extra staff for afternoon tea and desserts.
They’d even turned the living room into a gaming den. When Pei Yan came home to find them sprawled on the floor gaming, he didn’t say a word. The next day, he had an even thicker carpet installed.
Just: …
They didn’t push too far, though. They had some sense.
Cough—they did.
At least Little Stone had company. They’d even take him for walks at night sometimes.
Now, after Shen Ju and Guan Mulin finished their roast fest and dinner time approached, they suggested heading to the living room for games.
And ordering food—they wanted to switch things up today.
No one objected.
But as Pei Haochuan stood, it hit him: they were getting out of hand, and Shen Ju was always the ringleader…
Shen Ju was the one obsessed with ordering food.
Shen Ju craved the afternoon tea and desserts.
Shen Ju was first to suggest gaming in the living room.
Sure, it was that beta game from before, and no one minded playing, but wasn’t Shen Ju getting way too bold at his uncle’s house?
He wouldn’t actually get beaten one day, right?
This wasn’t testing his uncle’s patience?
And the vibe between Shen Ju and Guan Mulin…
Pei Haochuan felt like he’d missed something big.
One minute to the next, these two seemed off.
But he couldn’t pinpoint why.
Plus, Guan Mulin toward him was…
Pei Haochuan’s mind spiraled deeper…
“AAARGH!!”
Shen Ju, Guan Mulin, and the others jumped.
Han Chengfeng leaped up. “Fuck! What the hell’s your problem?!”
Pei Haochuan ignored him and grabbed Guan Mulin’s arm.
Guan Mulin: “?”
“Let’s eat out, Mulin.”
Pei Haochuan furrowed his brow, enunciating each word: “Just you and me.”
Shen Ju’s head whipped around.
996: [Whoa~~ Heh heh.]
Guan Mulin: “…”
He couldn’t hear 996 and Shen Ju’s chat anymore, but he could guess the system had made some sound.
Problem was, he couldn’t refuse.
Han Chengfeng grumbled, “Why just you two?”
Ke Sheng: “Shouldn’t I be the pissed one?”
They used to roll as a trio.
Now they kept ditching him. Hmph.
Pei Haochuan: “I’ve got stuff to say to Mulin. You guys got stuff for me?”
Han Chengfeng: “Oh, nah.”
Ke Sheng: “But what needs to be said over a solo dinner?”
Han Chengfeng: “Yeah, can’t say it here?”
Pei Haochuan: “If it could be said here, why go out alone?”
Han Chengfeng and Ke Sheng: “…”
Damn, solid logic—they had no comeback.
They exchanged looks, then turned to Shen Ju: “Fine, us three’ll eat out too.”
“Yeah! We’ll ditch those two!”
Shen Ju: “No.”
996: [Right? No way! ]
[Perfect chance—these days we haven’t had alone time with Pei-ge. No assists lately. Stay back solo, host—heh heh~~]
Shen Ju: …No need for that same cheeky laugh you use for Guan Mulin and Pei Haochuan.
We’re just acting with Pei-ge. Nothing real.
“You guys won’t come back, and I’ve got wrong answers waiting for Pei-ge.”
Han Chengfeng: “But he said he’s working late tonight.”
Shen Ju: “My place is close.”
“I can wait here till Pei-ge gets off.”
Ke Sheng and Han Chengfeng shared a look.
“Fine, we’ll head out.”
Han Chengfeng shrugged. “Tasks are mostly done anyway. School starts soon—play now or never!”
Ke Sheng rolled his eyes. “Ugh, just you and me again…”
“Hey, be grateful! Pei Haochuan ditched you!”
“Puke. ‘Ditched’ my ass.”
“Heh heh, let’s go.”
Soon, Han Chengfeng and Ke Sheng left, along with Pei Haochuan and Guan Mulin.
They’d planned games then dinner, but now only Shen Ju remained.
Oh, right—Little Stone was with him.
Guan Mulin had hesitated before leaving—leaving Shen Ju alone till Pei Yan got back? That’d mean them solo.
Since opening up, this was a rare chance for those two alone.
And Pei Yan toward Shen Ju…
But Shen Ju had tasks, and they’d agreed to assist…
Guan Mulin agonized but ultimately got dragged off by a scowling Pei Haochuan.
Shen Ju scratched his cheek and plopped down cross-legged on the carpet.
No need for a thicker carpet, really—the whole villa had underfloor heating. Even bare tiles wouldn’t chill you.
But this plush one was comfy, all soft.
Shen Ju didn’t game. He flicked on the TV and tuned into a melodramatic soap opera.
He was this brazen at Pei Yan’s to fully embody the role—pushing his luck, acting entitled, convinced he was special here. Classic vicious true young master: arrogant, self-deluded, misreading tolerance as indulgence.
Then the brutal face-slap, the crash from grace.
Cue extreme revenge—like drugging Pei Yan.
Shen Ju’s face heated as he thought it. Damn, 996’s rubbing off—plot-twists flow too easy now.
He flopped sideways, cheek on the sofa, absorbing soap opera “wisdom” while roasting himself for getting so good at fanfic.
Mid-thought, the door clicked open.
Shen Ju glanced over, surprised. “Pei-ge? Thought you were working late?”
Back this quick?
Pei Yan strode in, coat on. “Saw the cameras.”
Shen Ju tilted his head. “Huh?”
Pei Yan arched a brow at him, then said abruptly: “You’re eating and drinking here, expecting me to tutor your mistakes tonight. Shouldn’t you show some tact?”
996 snapped to: [Right, host! Just you two now—seduce him!]
[Prime chance. Pei-ge’s hinting! Why’re you playing dense?]
Shen Ju: […]
Not dense, just… Pei Yan feels different from Guan Mulin and the rest.
Different role.
Even post-confession, seducing Pei Yan? mortifying.
So a bit of subconscious avoidance.
But now Pei Yan and 996 called it out…
Shen Ju licked his lips and stood.
He approached Pei Yan.
Pei Yan didn’t budge.
Coat still on.
Work meant a suit underneath, slippers swapped in, but nothing else off. Up close, cologne lingered.
Shen Ju paused.
Pei Yan at Pei Corporation wasn’t as casual as at Star River—more business-formal, sharper, maturer.
He carried outdoor chill; fabric felt icy.
Even in flats, he loomed half a head taller.
Towering vibe.
Shen Ju tensed inexplicably.
He looked up with a fawning smile. “Pei-ge, let me take your coat?”
Pei Yan said nothing.
Face blank, just watching.
Shen Ju met his eyes, then dropped his gaze and tugged at the coat.
Unbuttoned, it slipped off easy—nice drape.
As it fell, Pei Yan loosened his tie with a tug.
From buttoned-up exec to casually undone.
Then a finger hooked Shen Ju’s chin, knuckle lifting it.
“So obedient.”
Pei Yan’s face stayed neutral, but as he dropped his hand, he quirked a brow.
Shen Ju’s tension eased.
Pei-ge’s deep in character.
But alone with him, he felt oddly clumsy.
Barely noticeable before.
Now? Awkward as hell.
Not awkward, just… off?
Maybe those engagement words lingering—replaying in his head, making him overthink. Pei Yan sacrificing so much? What if he really “had to” get engaged? What if Pei Yan met someone later? Misunderstandings?
And…
Acting this opposite Pei-ge is mortifying!!
That vibe wasn’t as strong with Guan Mulin or Qin Soxi—but with Pei Yan? Intense!
If it weren’t for the Task Energy Bar actually filling up, Shen Ju really wouldn’t know if he had the motivation to keep going!
But thankfully, he didn’t have to stay in character every single moment.
No wonder 996 was riddled with bugs—the System’s judgments alone were full of flaws.
Still, it was a good thing they had flaws. It let them exploit the loopholes.
Anything else, he wouldn’t ask for more.
Pei Yan strode upstairs, and Shen Ju hugged the overcoat to his chest as he trotted eagerly after him.
“Pei-ge, is there anything else you want me to do?”
“Can I come into your room with you?”
“Where should I put this coat? Let me take care of it for you.”
Pei Yan pushed open the bedroom door and glanced back at Shen Ju. “Why don’t you just help me change all my clothes?”
With that, he held the door wide open, making it easy for Shen Ju to follow.
Pei Yan’s room was the master bedroom, naturally spacious.
It even had a walk-in closet, probably over 300 square feet.
Shen Ju had long known where Pei Yan’s bedroom was, but this was his first time stepping inside.
The place he spent the most time in at Pei Yan’s was the study.
He never imagined he’d get a chance to tour Pei Yan’s bedroom now.
First impression: Wow, so big.
Second impression: Wow, so sparse.
Such a massive bedroom, yet so few things in it.
Aside from the essentials, there were hardly any random odds and ends.
Once they entered the walk-in closet, he saw it was packed with clothes—but they all followed just a few styles, and the colors were pitifully limited.
This made Shen Ju think back to his first days here. Whether it was the study, the downstairs living room, or anywhere else, the style was much like Pei Yan’s bedroom.
It felt like without Little Stone’s presence, the whole place lacked any warmth or lived-in feel.
But now, the study, living room, and even the dining area were nothing like that anymore.
Shen Ju scratched his cheek sheepishly, wondering if Pei-ge blamed him for changing his home so much.
Lost in thought, he turned—and froze in place.
Because Pei Yan had started undressing right there in the walk-in closet.
Pei Yan is full on taking advantage of Shen Ju now 😭😭