Chapter 15

Mo Yin seemed startled, he didn’t answer Pei Mingshu’s question, but quickly turned his face away, supporting the wheelchair with his hands, pushing it while nervously saying, “I’m going downstairs.”

Pei Mingshu didn’t stop him, not even when Mo Yin took away his folder in his panic. He didn’t say anything. After the elevator went down, he sent a message to Mo Yin, reminding him that he had taken his folder.

A few minutes later, the servant brought his folder up, looking very apprehensive.

Pei Mingshu’s study was off-limits without permission, and nobody dared to touch his things.

Pei Mingshu took the folder, placed it back on the desk, and sat in the chair behind it, his expression indifferent. He felt somewhat surprised by his sudden question.

He hadn’t planned on asking such a question. Such embarrassing questions shouldn’t even be brought up. It’s just that when he saw Mo Yin’s restrained and nervous profile, he couldn’t help but ask.

And after asking, although he felt surprised and inappropriate, he didn’t feel regretful.

Mo Yin’s flustered expression, his panicked demeanor, stirred something in him, making him feel an inexplicable touch, even making him unable to resist dwelling on it.

Pei Mingshu drew a cigarette from the drawer and lit it.

Life abroad was actually much duller than domestic life, but correspondingly, there were more temptations. He received an elite education, and although his classmates came from noble backgrounds, they were actually quite indulgent. Pei Mingshu had always been very restrained, even with cigarettes and alcohol.

It wasn’t that he lacked desires, but he felt it wasn’t worth wasting his desires on those low pleasures.

Pei Mingshu slowly smoked his cigarette, still finding it rather dull.

What was it that sparked his interest, making him unable to resist?

Pei Mingshu suppressed the self-questioning in his heart. Everything he had learned over the past twenty-plus years told him not to delve further. If he continued like this, he might truly make a mistake.

So he shouldn’t ask himself, and it would be better not to ask Mo Yin either.

*

Pei Mingshu still worked from home. He didn’t actively seek out Mo Yin again, and Mo Yin also avoided him for two days without showing up. It seemed like he couldn’t resist and then appeared in the garden. Pei Mingshu saw his figure from upstairs. He noticed that Mo Yin sometimes glanced up quietly because of the difference in perspective. He probably thought Pei Mingshu couldn’t see him looking up, so he looked up unabashedly.

Pei Mingshu saw his slender figure engulfed in the sea of flowers, his black hair falling from his forehead. Although he couldn’t see Mo Yin’s expression, he could imagine Mo Yin’s expectant, nervous, and fearful look when he tilted his face up.

He always looked at him like that.

Perhaps Mo Yin himself didn’t realize it. He might think he was restraining himself well, but in Pei Mingshu’s eyes, those emotions were plainly visible.

Pei Mingshu finished his cigarette on the terrace and went down to the garden.

Mo Yin’s expression was just as he had imagined.

Of course, there was some degree of disguise, but it was very forced, the kind of force that Pei Mingshu could see through at a glance. Mo Yin’s gaze involuntarily fell on him and then deliberately avoided him, as if he dared not look at Pei Mingshu. This demeanor made Pei Mingshu feel a familiar pity.

“The weather has been unusual these past two days, getting hot again,” Pei Mingshu said proactively.

“Yes, the Indian summer is quite fierce.”

Mo Yin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, hesitatingly continuing the conversation.

The two conversed as if nothing had happened in the study last time.

After chatting for a while, Pei Mingshu said, “Do you have time today? Can you help me with something?”

Mo Yin’s expression changed again, and Pei Mingshu could see his hesitation, reluctance, and struggle.

With Pei Mingshu’s usual personality, he wouldn’t want to trouble Mo Yin. But seeing Mo Yin’s behavior, he felt an indescribable feeling, unable to resist wanting to provoke and stimulate him.

Mo Yin remained silent for a long time.

His silence was also a kind of tea, giving Pei Mingshu a very peculiar feeling.

Then, Mo Yin nodded very slowly.

Pei Mingshu looked at his slightly tense face due to pursed lips and pushed Mo Yin’s wheelchair forward.

“I can manage on my own,” Mo Yin said.

“I’ll do it,” Pei Mingshu said, lowering his head to look at Mo Yin. The fair skin on Mo Yin’s face was gradually turning red. “After all, I asked you to help me.”

Mo Yin and Pei Mingshu’s interactions were completely unknown to Pei Qing.

The household servants wouldn’t pry into unnecessary matters, and Pei Qing didn’t think to inquire. His entire focus was on the cooperative case. Only when he returned home in the evening did he have moments of relaxation with Mo Yin.

After giving Mo Yin a massage, Pei Qing would help him take a bath. Mo Yin would sit amidst the mist, smiling at him.

Pei Qing couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the matter? Anything exciting today?”

Mo Yin shook his head, saying, “It’s a secret.”

Pei Qing touched Mo Yin’s wet face and kissed his lips.

“It’s been a while since you came to the company. Isn’t staying at home alone boring?”

“A little.”

Mo Yin’s voice was low.

Pei Qing’s arm rested on his back, and he rubbed his forehead against Mo Yin’s shoulder. “I’ve missed you a bit.”

Pei Qing didn’t say anything more; he kissed Mo Yin.

Their relationship had already become intimate to a certain degree, but because Mo Yin was disabled, Pei Qing always restrained himself. Besides kissing, he wouldn’t do anything else.

Actually, Mo Yin didn’t mind and was even a bit curious.

Naturals had very low physical desires, but after entering this world, it seemed that this body he acquired didn’t have the characteristics of naturals. He lost control of his legs in the accident, but his male functions remained intact.

The first time he kissed Pei Qing, Mo Yin found it quite enjoyable, much more interesting than he had imagined.

It was strange; touching each other’s tongues produced such a fresh and stimulating feeling.

Although he didn’t feel much emotionally, the sensations in his body were indeed strong.

Pei Qing noticed Mo Yin was distracted and pressed his palm against Mo Yin’s lower back, the most sensitive area on him. Mo Yin trembled and laughed, “Tickles.”

Pei Qing chuckled and lifted Mo Yin out to dry him.

“Is work going smoothly recently?”

“Smoothly.”

The towel brushed over Mo Yin’s damp ankles, wiping away the water droplets along with the faint scars on his skin.

“Still busy with that cooperation case?”

Pei Qing glanced at Mo Yin. “Yes.”

Mo Yin smiled. “Then you need to work hard.”

Pei Qing picked him up along with the bath towel. “Are you coming to the company to help me?”

“No,” Mo Yin said, his arm draped over Pei Qing’s shoulder. “I don’t want to go to the company.”

With Mo Yin’s words, Pei Qing didn’t say anything more.

During the day, Pei Qing went to the company while Mo Yin went to school. After finishing his classes, he returned to the Pei residence. After lunch, instead of lingering in the garden, he hid in his room to read. In the afternoon, around two o’clock, Pei Mingshu knocked on his door.

In fact, they didn’t do anything special. Pei Mingshu’s study was spacious enough, and they could be far apart from each other even in the same room.

And indeed, it was so.

Mo Yin stood by the bookshelf, looking up for books, while Pei Mingshu worked at the desk.

“What book are you looking for?”

“Nothing specific, just browsing.”

Their interaction was limited to this.

Occasionally, Pei Mingshu would ask Mo Yin to assist him. Mo Yin would push the wheelchair over and silently help him organize things.

Pei Mingshu seemed to have some unfinished business, with his subordinates coming and going. Mo Yin was by his side, asking him something. The subordinates showed varying degrees of surprise upon seeing Mo Yin, especially when they noticed Mo Yin looking at important documents. They were almost stunned.

Mo Yin quickly closed the file and handed it back to Pei Mingshu. “I’ll go downstairs first.”

Pei Mingshu grabbed his wheelchair and said, “It’s okay.”

Soon, the subordinates resumed their normal expressions.

They discussed the cooperation case with Heda in detail. Pei Mingshu had been busy with this for the past few days. After sitting for a while, Mo Yin turned to Pei Mingshu. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Pei Mingshu watched him, his gaze meaningful. Mo Yin blushed more and more and then wheeled his chair out of the study.

After the subordinates left, Mo Yin pushed the wheelchair back to the study.

Pei Mingshu stood behind the desk, holding two pieces of paper. When he heard the sound, he looked up and smiled faintly. “Done in the bathroom?”

Mo Yin mumbled a response.

Pei Mingshu’s smile was ambiguous, and Mo Yin’s face grew redder. He could only say, “I’ll go downstairs then.”

“Why are you saying it’s nothing? I haven’t answered your question yet,” Pei Mingshu walked out from behind the desk, holding the same documents Mo Yin had asked about earlier, which he had taken out separately.

The tall bookshelf cast shadows in the study. Pei Mingshu leaned slightly forward, his voice gentle, as he explained to Mo Yin. Mo Yin nodded along while occasionally shifting his gaze from the documents to Pei Mingshu. Pei Mingshu wore a navy blue shirt that had a few wrinkles due to his posture, accentuating the muscles on his waist with a sense of masculine strength.

Pei Mingshu also noticed Mo Yin’s gaze. He pinched the documents and said, “Focus.”

Mo Yin’s face reddened again. “You’re making it sound too serious. I’ll come over.”

Pei Mingshu pushed Mo Yin to his desk and sat down to explain. His feet were raised slightly under the desk, lazily blocking Mo Yin’s wheelchair.

After listening, Mo Yin said, “Thank you, I understand.”

Pei Mingshu smiled and said, “In a couple of years, you can be the deputy general manager at the company.”

“Really?” Mo Yin chuckled, “I thought I wasn’t even qualified to be a secretary.”

“Who said that?” Pei Mingshu casually replied.

The smile on Mo Yin’s face faded slightly. He seemed a bit uneasy and wanted to avoid the topic. Seeing Mo Yin’s reaction, Pei Mingshu’s smile also dimmed slightly.

After a moment of silence, Mo Yin hesitated, “I’ll go downstairs.”

Pei Mingshu sat quietly, holding the documents, without responding.

Mo Yin turned the wheelchair, and Pei Mingshu remained seated quietly. After Mo Yin pushed the wheelchair for a while and stopped, he didn’t turn back, just spoke, “Smoking is bad for your health. No matter how stressful work is, you should smoke less.”

***

Pei Qing returned home late. The lights were on in the garden, and the milky-white pebbles emitted a jade-like glow in the light. Pei Mingshu stood with his hands behind his back, his shadow casting over the ground, covering another shadow.

“Mo Yin?”

Mo Yin and Pei Mingshu both turned their heads.

There was a moment of panic in Mo Yin’s expression, but it quickly returned to normal. Pei Mingshu nodded casually at Pei Qing. “Busy until this late?”

The scene seemed to have reversed. Pei Qing ignored Pei Mingshu and only looked at Mo Yin. Mo Yin quickly pushed the wheelchair over.

As the wheelchair passed by, the sound of friction grazed their eardrums. The cuff of Pei Mingshu’s pants was lightly brushed, and he looked at Mo Yin, who hurriedly approached Pei Qing with a hint of urgency in his voice, “You’re back.”

Pei Qing’s expression remained cold and indifferent. He reached out and touched Mo Yin’s hair, then glanced at Pei Mingshu with a colder look before turning his gaze back to Mo Yin.

“Why are you with him?”

While giving him a massage, Pei Qing said it casually.

Mo Yin lowered his head, his thighs still slender but now looking more vibrant. “I just came out for a walk after dinner and bumped into him in the garden.”

Mo Yin tilted his head, trying to see Pei Qing’s face from below. “Are you jealous?”

Pei Qing looked up, and Mo Yin was smiling. Pei Qing pinched his cheek, and Mo Yin leaned his face against Pei Qing’s shoulder, his hands wrapped around Pei Qing’s back. Pei Qing turned his face to Mo Yin’s ear and kissed it lightly. “Come to the company to keep me company when you’re bored.”

The heat of the 829th anniversary had passed, the public opinion battle was over, and both sides had reconciled. Who remembers the person who was dragged out for public criticism?

“When will the cooperation case be announced this time?”

“This Friday.”

“How’s your progress?”

“Do you want to see?”

Mo Yin raised his face, his eyes transparent as he looked at Pei Qing. “Is it okay?”

Pei Qing asked back, “Why wouldn’t it be?”

Mo Yin stared at him intently, then suddenly leaned in and kissed his lips.

Pei Qing’s eyelashes flickered, and his expression softened slightly. He kissed Mo Yin back, feeling his lips cold at first, gradually warming up under his kiss.

Mo Yin hugged him tighter, his cheek resting on Pei Qing’s shoulder. “Pei Qing, you’re really good.”

Pei Qing wrapped his arms around his waist. “In the future, pay less attention to him.”

Mo Yin chuckled softly.

Pei Qing scratched his lower back, and Mo Yin giggled, dodging while looking at him with sparkling eyes. “Wait, I have something to show you.”

After taking a shower, Mo Yin said he didn’t want to go to bed. Pei Qing put him in the wheelchair, and Mo Yin took out his notebook from his bag. The silver-gray notebook was small and light. Mo Yin opened it and placed it on his lap. Pei Qing came over, leaning on Mo Yin’s wheelchair, teasing him, “Do you want me to help you with your homework?”

Computer booting up, Mo Yin tilted his head back, the azure light casting onto his cheeks. He smiled and said, “Maybe I’ll help you with your homework?”

Initially, Pei Qing didn’t understand what was written on the screen. As the cursor moved, the contents of the document kept flowing into his eyes. The indifferent expression on his face slowly changed. He looked at Mo Yin and asked, “What is this?”

Mo Yin’s expression remained calm. The faint light from the computer screen reflected on his face. With his naturally fair complexion, he almost had a metallic coldness to him. He turned to Pei Qing, smiling gently, and said in a light tone, “It’s a proposal I made.”

“A proposal you made?” Pei Qing was somewhat surprised.

Mo Yin looked at him cautiously, his expression timid. “Is it bad?”

It wasn’t bad; it was too professional.

Pei Qing only read a few lines but felt the orderly and smooth flow of the text, leaving him momentarily stunned.

“I’ve been learning from you for so long. I was bored at home and thought I might be able to help you with something.”

Mo Yin slid his notebook closer to Pei Qing. “Take a look and see if it’s helpful for you.”

Actually, Pei Qing’s proposal was already well-prepared and verified repeatedly by several consultant secretaries. They were just adjusting details now. However, Pei Qing still earnestly went through Mo Yin’s proposal.

“You’ve written it very well.”

Mo Yin smiled. “Finally, I hear you praising me. Is there anything useful in it?”

Pei Qing tilted his head slightly, seeming to ponder.

“If there is, can it be added to your proposal?” Mo Yin reached out, covering Pei Qing’s hand with his palm, and softly said, “This way, the first collaborative project you do will also have my involvement, our collaborative project.”

Mo Yin’s proposal was indeed well-written, but the approach was completely different from his. The collaborative project was about to be published, and it seemed inappropriate to adjust it now.

But Mo Yin had clearly prepared for a long time and was eager to help him. There were indeed some very good ideas in it that could be added at appropriate places… And, “our collaborative project,” sounded wonderful.

Pei Qing turned his face to Mo Yin with hopeful eyes. “Okay.”