I’m so sorry. I completely forgot it’s Tuesday.
Su Qiao’s expression froze as he turned cold. “What…what do you mean?”
“This is not the place to talk.”
Cheng Yu flicked his hand away and looked at him with a faint smile, but his eyes were icy cold. “Let’s go, Designer Su. I’ll take you home.”
—-
Pei Yan handed over the remaining work to his secretary and hurried to the parking lot. He caught sight of Qi Feng’s car pulling out and instinctively took a few steps after it before quickly realizing he should take his own car. He jumped in, stepped on the accelerator, and raced to catch up.
He was anxious, too worried even to call. Following Qi Feng’s car, he finally breathed a sigh of relief seeing they were headed home.
Angered but going home was good – at home, he could explain things, coax him.
Though…
Pei Yan suddenly thought, if Qi Feng was jealous, didn’t that mean he cared for him, liked him?
Qi Feng would be jealous and angry if he liked him!
Pei Yan suddenly became happy because of this idea, his eyes flashed and the corners of his lips raised.
He became even more anxious and wanted to rush home immediately to comfort his boy.
In Qi Feng’s car, Fang Cheng stole glances at Qi Feng through the rearview mirror as he drove.
The boy looked out the window with a calm face, silent the whole way. Though Qi Feng was often quiet like this, Fang Cheng could still sense his low mood.
He tried speaking: “Xiao Feng, Mr. Pei didn’t care about that Danna.Su at all. Don’t…don’t overthink it.”
Qi Feng: “I know.”
Calm and placid, without any emotion. But the atmosphere in the car seemed to turn even more oppressive.
Thinking Qi Feng was still feeling down, Fang Cheng wanted to console him. But as a straight man who has never been in love, he had no clue how to comfort someone.
After hesitating a long while, he said, “I think Mr. Pei had no idea that Danna.Su would show up today. He didn’t even recognize him at first. And when he did, he fired him right away. There’s definitely nothing between them, so don’t… ”
Fang Cheng hesitated: “Don’t doubt Mr. Pei just because he looks like you. It can be seen that Mr. Pei is really devoted to you.”
This finally provoked a reaction from Qi Feng as he asked, “You also think I look like him?”
Fang Cheng panicked, cursing himself for saying that.
When he first saw Danna.Su, his first thought was that the man’s temperament resembled Qi Feng’s, especially that beauty mark by the corner of his lips, which was in exactly the same position.
Then, hearing he was Pei Yan’s high school classmate, and how Pei Yan had become obsessed at first sight with Qi Feng in a way he never did with Danna.Su, Fang Cheng couldn’t help but think of unrequited first love and looking for a substitute.
But after seeing Pei Yan’s cold attitude towards Danna.Su, he felt relieved.
Perhaps Pei Yan simply had a thing for beauty marks by the lips…
Still, Qi Feng would never accept being someone’s stand-in, even if Pei Yan liked him now.
He quickly backtracked, “No, not alike at all! How could he compare to you? And Mr. Pei’s attitude said it all. Don’t be upset, okay? Mr. Pei’s car has been following us the whole time. He’s probably anxious to get back and explain to you.”
Qi Feng knew Pei Yan’s car was behind them. Their routes home were the same, yet he clung on as if afraid of losing sight. Stubborn and obstinate.
Qi Feng’s eyes darkened as he sighed softly, “How…troublesome.”
Thinking he meant Danna Su’s appearance was troublesome, Fang Cheng hastened to reassure, “We don’t have to think about it. Let’s pretend he doesn’t exist. You and Mr. Pei are doing great. That’s all that matters.”
Could they really be doing great?
Qi Feng’s brow furrowed with a hint of gloom.
Pei Yan’s home wasn’t far from the company. He had a private underground parking spot and elevator. Once the car entered the residential complex’s underground parking lot, he didn’t have to worry about anyone seeing him with Qi Feng.
His car followed Qi Feng’s in, pulling into the spot even before Qi Feng got out.
“Qi Feng.” Pei Yan jumped out and ran over, grabbing Qi Feng’s hand as soon as he stepped out of the car. His deep eyes gazed at the boy, “Don’t overthink. Let’s go home first.”
Fang Cheng tactfully bid them goodbye and left quickly.
Pei Yan held Qi Feng’s hand and led him into the elevator up to their home. As soon as they got in, he wrapped his arms tightly around the boy, seeking out his eyes and asking softly, “Are you…angry?”
Qi Feng wanted to hide, but couldn’t avoid Pei Yan’s strong arms.
Pei Yan lowered his head and kissed the boy on the cheek, then asked in a low voice, “Is it because of that Su Qiao?”
Qi Feng frowned, trying to twist away again.
Pei Yan held him even tighter. “Did Cheng Yu tell you?”
Qi Feng opened his mouth but didn’t speak.
As expected.
Pei Yan cursed silently.
He loosened his arms and cradled the boy’s face, fingertips gently caressing his beauty mark. “I didn’t know the designer Cheng Yu recommended was Su Qiao, and I didn’t know he was coming. At first, I didn’t even recognize who he was.”
“And between him and me…” Pei Yan was certain Qi Feng was upset because of Su Qiao and hurried to explain what happened in high school, “There was never anything between me and Su Qiao. I don’t even know how those rumors started. I never liked him, not one bit!”
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll call him over someday so you can ask him yourself.”
“I know…” Qi Feng still tried to pull away, grasping Pei Yan’s wrists. “Let me go.”
But Pei Yan didn’t let go. He leaned down to kiss him, kissing his beauty mark. “Don’t be angry anymore. I’m really wronged about this. I’ve never done anything. All these years, I’ve only ever liked you.”
Pei Yan suddenly froze. After all this time together, this was the first time he’d said he liked Qi Feng. It was his first confession, uttered so naturally yet so abruptly.
Qi Feng also froze, looking up at Pei Yan in surprise.
Pei Yan grew self-conscious, ears turning red. He stammered, “What I said…it’s true…you…”
Before he could finish confessing, Qi Feng cut him off.
“Pei Yan,” Qi Feng called urgently, forcefully pushing him away, “Don’t forget what you said that day. As long as I listen to you and obediently follow you, you will give me benefits. We’re only satisfying each other’s needs. It’s temporary, we’ll separate sooner or later.”
“I…” Pei Yan faltered.
Those were his words when they first started. He’d only told them to keep the boy then. Now that he truly liked the boy, liked him so very much…
“It’s different now.” Pei Yan’s ears were red as he pressed on, “How we started may not have been great, but now we…”
He wanted to confess, to tell Qi Feng more explicitly that he liked him. But before he could get the words out, Qi Feng cut him off again.
“Pei Yan, get a hold of yourself. We’re not together because we like each other. I don’t like you, and you only…” He raised a hand with effort to point at his own lips, “Because of your preferences, that’s all.”
“…That’s not it!” At Qi Feng’s words that he didn’t like him, Pei Yan’s heart abruptly started hurting again. He’d almost forgotten this pain, this torment, from his chronic heart condition flaring up.
“That’s not right.” He endured the pain, gripping Qi Feng’s hand tightly, voice dark as he asked, “If you don’t like me, why did you get jealous seeing Su Qiao? Why were you upset?”
“I wasn’t jealous.”
“You! …Tell the truth.”
“I am telling the truth.”
Qi Feng was as calm as a cold spring, chilling Pei Yan’s twisted, aching heart.
“Pei Yan, I’ve never liked you. From the start, it’s only been that kind of relationship.”
“I listen to you, give in to you. I’ve never refused you. In exchange, I got your hundreds of thousands in gifts, the car, and an endorsement from Donghai Investment. That’s the extent of our relationship.”
That was the relationship Pei Yan had wanted yet couldn’t have in his past life.
He’d only ever seen Pei Yan as a brother, a childhood playmate, his savior’s son. Only the long days at the music hall gave him unrealistic expectations, making him prefer being bought by Pei Yan over those disgusting noblemen before it was too late.
When he first arrived in this time, it was the same.
But he’d forgotten about Uncle Pei. Uncle Pei would never allow Pei Yan to be with another man like this. He didn’t even have a chance to repay Uncle Pei’s grace before disappointing him like this.
All he could do was end this sinful affair as quickly as possible.
“Pei Yan.” Qi Feng didn’t struggle anymore, letting Pei Yan clutch his hand tighter and tighter. He remained calm, eyes firm with resolve. “I can keep sleeping with you, but I don’t like you, and you don’t like me either. When you’re tired of me…we’ll separate.”
“…That’s not right.” Pei Yan pressed on his aching chest and said heavily, “Qi Feng, you’re wrong… ”
His anticipation and awkwardness at wanting to confess were wiped blank by the boy’s calm rejection.
Suddenly, the heavy front door sounded with beeping noises of someone punching in the passcode, which could be heard clearly in the entrance hall.
Pei Yan reacted very quickly, reached out and locked the door, and demanded: “Who is it?!”
There was only one other person with access to his private elevator. His father – Pei Junhai.
“Pei Yan, it’s me. Open the door,” Pei Junhai called from outside.
Uncle Pei?!
Qi Feng’s eyes contracted sharply, a never-before-seen panic crossing his previously calm face. He struggled out of Pei Yan’s grip and pleaded in a soft, almost begging voice, “Pei Yan, let me hide…Don’t let Uncle Pei see…”
The situation was too sudden. Pei Yan didn’t know how to handle it. Their home was a private space. If Pei Junhai saw Qi Feng here, he would definitely get the wrong idea.
His first reaction was the fear of Pei Junhai finding out about his relationship with Qi Feng and blocking Qi Feng in anger like he had in high school when he heard rumors about him and Su Qiao and found out he only liked men. He cut off all his high school contacts.
Pei Yan wasn’t the high schooler he once was. Pei Junhai wouldn’t do anything to him now, but he could easily pressure the powerless boy.
“Come here.” Pei Yan pulled Qi Feng towards the bedroom, whispering, “My father doesn’t know about us yet. Seeing you suddenly might anger him. But don’t worry…”
Pei Yan led Qi Feng into the bedroom, holding his hand reassuringly, “I’ll tell him about us. He can’t interfere with me.”
“No!” Panic filled Qi Feng’s eyes. “Don’t tell him. He can’t know.”
Seeing the usually composed boy so flustered made Pei Yan’s heart ache. He whispered comfortingly, “Don’t be scared. Leave it to me.”
“You can’t!” Qi Feng grew agitated. “You can’t say anything!”
Outside, Pei Junhai entered the password but still couldn’t get the door open. He pounded heavily on the thick door and shouted, “Pei Yan! What are you doing? Open the door!”
Qi Feng’s face paled. “Hurry open the door. Don’t let Uncle Pei suspect anything. Pei Yan…” His anxious eyes held a pleading warning. “If you care about me, don’t tell Uncle Pei about us.”
Pei Yan thought he was just afraid of Pei Junhai and pecked his cheek reassuringly, “I know. Don’t worry. I won’t say anything this time.”
Qi Feng: “You can never say anything!”
Pei Junhai knocked on the door again. “Pei Yan! What are you doing? I know you’re home.”
Now Pei Yan’s phone started ringing too, and it was also a call from Pei Junhai.
Pei Yan didn’t answer Qi Feng. He just ruffled his hair, gave him another peck, and went to open the door for Pei Junhai.
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter. You can also follow me on Ko-fi to get the latest updates on my translation progress and new projects. I appreciate your love and feedback.
