Chapter 10

“Pei Qing said he is willing to go back with me.”

Mo Yin’s voice was as soft as ever, sounding somewhat relaxed, “Thank you.”

Pei Mingshu’s voice was gentle, “Alright, then you both go back together.”

After hanging up the phone, Pei Mingshu looked at his mobile phone in contemplation for a long time without saying a word.

After hearing that strange sentence from Mo Yin, Pei Mingshu’s steps retreated before his thoughts, his palm slipping from the door handle. Pei Mingshu quietly stepped back and instructed the two people in the office not to mention that he had been there to Pei Qing.

Back in the office, he forcibly drove away the sentence he had just heard, then remembered the strange moments he had seen between Pei Qing and Mo Yin before, couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, thinking to himself, so that’s how it is.

Pei Mingshu pursed his lips, then smiled and shook his head, feeling that such a combination didn’t seem quite appropriate.

Lost in thought for a long time while sitting at his desk, until Ding Mohai came in to remind him that it was time to board the plane, Pei Mingshu snapped out of his reverie as if awakening from a dream. He stood up and quickly put on the coat hanging on the rack beside him, while tidying his shoulders, he said, “Next month, don’t schedule the itinerary so tightly, I want to stay at home for a few more days.”

“Alright.”

Ding Mohai asked, “Are you too tired?”

Pei Mingshu shook his head.

Ding Mohai continued, “Are the Second Young Master and Xiao Yin still having conflicts?”

Pei Mingshu glanced at him, and Ding Mohai sensed a hint of helplessness in Pei Mingshu’s gaze. “Kind of,” Pei Mingshu said.

*

Mo Yin’s hands were covering Pei Qing’s hand, his face flushing red.

Pei Qing was being unreasonable, treating him like a child. This back-hugging posture was too insulting. Mo Yin dug his fingertips deep into Pei Qing’s hand back and lowered his voice, “Let me go.”

Pei Qing ignored him completely, turning his head to speak into Mo Yin’s ear. His breath was warm, making Mo Yin’s ear itch.

“You don’t need me anymore, do you want Pei Mingshu to help?” Pei Qing said.

Mo Yin turned his face away, avoiding his breath. “I’ve told you many times, please don’t say such strange things.”

“Strange?” Pei Qing’s hands firmly grasped Mo Yin’s thighs, which were completely numb. He turned his face, his lips still stubbornly trailing to Mo Yin’s ear, and said lightly, “Do you think I don’t know what you’re thinking?”

Mo Yin turned his face.

Pei Qing’s face was close, and his eyes sharp.

“What am I thinking?” Mo Yin’s voice trembled.

Pei Qing sneered and looked at Mo Yin as if he had seen through him completely. “You’re daydreaming.”

“…”

Mo Yin’s grip on Pei Qing’s hand slowly loosened, and his eyes seemed to flicker with fear.

Pei Qing’s smile was mocking, “Delusions can be fatal.”

Deluding oneself that a man with such disparate status would really fall in love with oneself, deluding oneself that one day one could transform from a despicable role into a respectable one, deluding oneself until death and being despised even in death, it was really naive, ridiculous, and pitiful.

Pei Qing respected their choices, but he couldn’t understand why such selfish and naive people had to bring another person into this world to suffer.

But fortunately, if Mo Yin wanted to play with death, it was probably just himself rushing into the flames like a moth.

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mo Yin turned his face away, breathing heavily for a few moments. “Let go of me, I’m leaving, and I won’t come again.”

“I can help you,” Pei Qing said softly.

Mo Yin looked back at him, his eyes wandering. “What?”

Pei Qing didn’t answer his question. “Call me next time you want to come over, and I’ll come pick you up.”

“…I won’t come again.”

Pei Qing’s eyes were determined. “Even if you don’t come, I’ll come pick you up.”

*

When Pei Mingshu returned from his business trip, he found that Pei Qing and Mo Yin had “made up” again.

And it seemed even better than before.

The two of them were inseparable, going in and out together.

Pei Mingshu became more convinced of his own conjecture.

He felt a headache coming on, not knowing how to handle this situation, or whether Pei Jingyou had noticed anything. If Pei Jingyou finds out, Mo Yin might be the one to suffer.

Maybe no one else had noticed, but Pei Mingshu knew that Pei Jingyou actually cherished Pei Qing very much in his heart. If he found out that Pei Qing and Mo Yin were having an affair, Mo Yin would probably be the first to be driven out of the Pei family. Of course, Pei Mingshu didn’t want to see that happen. He sincerely wanted to take care of Mo Yin for the rest of his life as compensation.

This kind of thing, talking to Mo Yin about it doesn’t seem quite right.

So, I can only talk to Pei Qing.

But with Pei Qing’s temperament, and their relationship as brothers being average, talking to him seems like it wouldn’t have any effect.

Pei Mingshu was at a loss, then thought, maybe Pei Qing and Mo Yin’s situation was just like children playing house, and it might all blow over soon. But then he thought again, with Pei Qing’s status, he could walk away unscathed from anything in his life, but with Mo Yin’s experiences and temperament, could he withstand such a blow?

It was even harder than dealing with official matters.

Pei Mingshu couldn’t concentrate on reading in his study either, so he closed the book altogether, thinking, “It’s hard for a just official to solve family matters.” He walked to the balcony overlooking the garden.

The lilies in the garden were in full bloom, a sea of swaying white flowers.

His mother, Yue Xiyun, came from a noble family and had a very free-spirited nature. She enjoyed poetry, painting, and tending to flowers and plants. According to his father, when they built the Pei residence, Yue Xiyun personally selected every single plant and tree, especially this large patch of lilies.

“Casablanca” was Yue Xiyun’s favorite movie. She loved the struggling love in it, never thinking that she would struggle in love herself. Just like when she planted this large patch of lilies, symbolizing pure and beautiful love, she never thought that these flowers also represented tragic death.

Yue Xiyun died of an incurable illness. Pei Mingshu was only six years old at the time, and he was very sad, so much so that he overlooked many things, such as his father’s rekindled relationship with his old lover.

Pei Mingshu was sure that Yue Xiyun knew about it. Before she passed away, she held Pei Mingshu’s little hand and asked him not to hate his father. Later, he found the divorce agreement drafted in Yue Xiyun’s handwriting among her belongings.

Pei Jingyou discovered the divorce agreement earlier than him, probably because of this, in the end, Pei Jingyou once again gave up his old lover.

The grudges of the previous generation, Pei Mingshu couldn’t see the whole picture, nor could he make too many judgments. Towards Pei Jingyou, he complied with his mother’s wishes and harbored no resentment.

All the past disputes had disappeared, leaving behind only this beautiful and pure garden.

*

“Pei Qing.”

Pei Mingshu stopped the person who was about to leave. “Do you have time?”

“What’s the matter?” Pei Qing was cold and indifferent, treating Pei Mingshu with his usual attitude.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about.” Pei Mingshu’s tone was very serious. Pei Qing’s expression seemed thoughtful. After a moment, he said, “After dinner.”

“Okay.”

Pei Qing left.

Pei Mingshu sighed lightly with his hands in his pockets, then turned and walked into the living room, glancing towards Mo Yin’s room.

He went back upstairs to continue flipping through the book he had closed. After about a few minutes, he heard the sound of a car starting downstairs again. He picked up the book and walked to the balcony, seeing the family car driving away.

Pei Mingshu stood on the balcony, lost in thought. He immersed himself in his thoughts, but little did he know that after a while, the car returned.

Pei Mingshu called the driver upstairs.

“It’s Xiao Yin, he said he wants to go home and take a look. He called a car himself, so it’s no trouble for us, we just dropped him off at the gate.”

Pei Mingshu nodded and said, the book lying on his lap. He ran his fingers over the smooth pages, saying, “Okay, I got it. Thanks for your hard work, you can go busy yourself now.”

The driver closed the door, and Pei Mingshu lowered his head to look at the book again. Unfortunately, the English letters on the pages seemed to have suddenly become jumbled, and although his eyes were reading, his mind didn’t comprehend the meaning. Pei Mingshu pressed his fingertips to his forehead, sighed lightly, then picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“Yeah, go take a look, but don’t get too close to attract attention.”

After more than an hour, Pei Mingshu received a reply.

“Yes, the Second Young Master’s car is parked downstairs. I followed your instructions and didn’t get too close.”

“Okay, you wait there and see how long they come out.”

Pei Mingshu sat on the sofa and waited for over half an hour. The man he sent reported that the Second Young Master and Mo Yin had come out.

“You go back too, be careful not to reveal your identity.”

“Okay.”

Pei Mingshu hung up the phone, his brows furrowed deeply.

He remembered that it was already a few months ago when Mo Yin first went home. Since then, he had been “going home” occasionally. He then asked the driver when Mo Yin started going back by himself and got the answer, in November of last year. Pei Mingshu was almost stunned.

It’s been almost half a year already.

Have those two been meeting at Mo Yin’s house all this time?

Pei Mingshu rubbed his nose gently with his fingers, his expression distant as he furrowed his brows.

During dinner, Pei Mingshu discreetly observed the situation, judging that Pei Jingyou probably hadn’t noticed anything yet. Pei Qing and Mo Yin concealed their relationship quite well, showing no signs of anything unusual.

“Mingshu, have you been less busy lately?” Pei Jingyou asked gently.

“I’m not too busy,” Pei Mingshu replied.

“In that case, do you have time tomorrow to have dinner with the daughter of the Zhang family?” Pei Jingyou inquired.

Pei Mingshu was taken aback. Before he could respond, Pei Qing stood up. “I’m done eating,” Pei Qing glanced at Mo Yin, “Have you finished?”

Mo Yin nodded silently, gently putting down his chopsticks.

Pei Qing pushed Mo Yin’s wheelchair away.

Pei Mingshu watched as the two of them left, and Pei Jingyou also gazed after them, saying, “Qing and Mo Yin seem to be getting along well now.”

Pei Mingshu replied, “Mo Yin has a good temperament.”

Pei Jingyou chuckled. “Indeed, it’s rare for someone to be able to tolerate Qing’s temper.”

Pei Jingyou continued, “What about you? Are you going to meet someone?”

Pei Mingshu shook his head. “I’m not ready to consider marriage yet. Let’s focus on sorting out the company’s affairs first. Dad, take your time eating. I’m done.”

“Eating so little?” Pei Jingyou remarked.

Pei Mingshu smiled, placing his hand on the table as he got up.

The elevator was still on the fifth floor. Pei Mingshu pressed the button to go up.

Pei Qing was still the same, leaning against the window and admiring the scenery, with a harmonica in his hand. Pei Mingshu had a good memory and immediately recognized the harmonica Pei Qing had in Mo Yin’s room that day.

Was it a birthday gift from Mo Yin?

Pei Mingshu couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Despite Mo Yin treating him and Pei Qing so differently, he hadn’t noticed at all. He just thought that the two of them got along better because of their similar ages and personalities.

“Pei Qing.”

Pei Qing didn’t even turn his head. “Speak.”

Pei Mingshu didn’t mind Pei Qing’s attitude. He stood at a distance from Pei Qing and said, “Have you reconciled with Mo Yin?”

In the morning, Pei Qing had already guessed what Pei Mingshu wanted to talk to him about.

It was a strange intuition, but he had guessed right.

Pei Qing turned his face, coldly saying, “What does it matter to you how we are?”

Pei Mingshu had gotten used to Pei Qing’s unfriendly attitude towards him.

Pei Qing wasn’t just targeting him; he treated everyone like this.

He had learned about Pei Qing’s experiences before he was thirteen years old – poverty, destitution, and the criticism he faced during his childhood would have had a significant impact on him. Pei Mingshu understood. Even though Pei Qing was his father’s illegitimate child and had never shown him the respect due to an elder brother, he didn’t mind.

But when it came to the innocent Mo Yin, Pei Mingshu felt that he couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

Mo Yin was brought back by him, and he had made promises to him. He didn’t want to see Mo Yin suffer any setbacks again.

“Pei Qing,” Pei Mingshu said, “I just want to make sure, do you know what you’re doing right now?”

Pei Mingshu’s expression remained gentle, but there was a subtle change in his eyes, revealing a sense of oppression and control.

Perhaps he hadn’t realized it himself, but his indifference stemmed from disdain. He arranged everything around him because he believed himself to be wiser and more correct than everyone else. The decisions and arrangements he made were like the truth itself, an innate arrogance that was hard to detect.

Pei Qing had felt this for many years and had gained a deep understanding of it. What started as dissatisfaction had now turned into indifference.

“What I’m doing doesn’t need your approval, does it?”

Pei Qing’s expression was somewhat provocative.

“Of course, you can do whatever you want, but the premise is—” Pei Mingshu paused, “Do you know what the consequences will be if Father finds out?”

Pei Qing looked at Pei Mingshu in silence.

Pei Mingshu’s expression grew slightly serious. “This isn’t a threat, it’s a reminder.”

“Thanks, I’ll be careful,” Pei Qing replied, still seeming unconcerned.

Pei Mingshu was somewhat annoyed, realizing that Pei Qing didn’t grasp the true nature of the problem.

“Are you serious about Xiao Yin?”

“Seems like that’s none of your business, either,” Pei Qing coldly smirked.

Pei Mingshu also calmed down, suppressing the inexplicable pressure and speaking calmly and objectively, “He’s a boy.”

“Of course, I know that,” Pei Qing replied indifferently.

“What about his health? He has a disability,” Pei Mingshu continued, “He and we are from completely different worlds. Have you considered that?”

Pei Mingshu’s expression clearly showed concern. He cared about Mo Yin a lot because Mo Yin couldn’t bear any more setbacks. So he intentionally came to advise Pei Qing, reminding him that he could freely do what he wanted but couldn’t harm Mo Yin. He judged that with Pei Qing’s abilities, he couldn’t bear the consequences of being with Mo Yin.

Though not explicitly stated, the meaning was conveyed through his expression and demeanor.

Pei Qing smiled somewhat cryptically. “Understood. I’ll consider it carefully.”

Pei Mingshu hadn’t expected Pei Qing to actually listen to him for once, and his facial expression relaxed slightly. “That’s good.”

The negotiation ended, and Pei Mingshu turned to go downstairs.

After the elevator went down, Pei Qing jumped off the window sill and opened the small door next to the window leading indoors.

Behind the door was Mo Yin, his eyes red as he quietly looked at him, his hands gripping the wheelchair tightly.

“It seems like he misunderstood something,” Pei Qing crouched down, recounting, “He said you’re a boy, and also disabled. That we’re not from the same world, and that I should consider it carefully.” There was a mocking tone in his eyes.

Mo Yin remained silent, thinking that Pei Qing was now more like a villain than he was, having worked so hard to guide him.

“Has your delusional disorder been cured?” Pei Qing’s voice dropped. Mo Yin raised his hand to slap him, but Pei Qing grabbed his wrist.

There were faint scars on the back of Pei Qing’s hand from the day Mo Yin had grabbed it tightly.

Turning his face away, Pei Qing said, “If he doesn’t like you, why take it out on me?”

Mo Yin clenched his teeth, holding back the tears in his eyes. “Why do you have to be like this? Do you hate me? Or did I do something to offend you?”

Pei Qing gripped his wrist tightly, staring into Mo Yin’s eyes. Mo Yin’s eyes were filled with suppressed tears, his pride seemed about to shatter but he struggled to hold on, his struggle both pitiful and heartbreaking.

Mo Yin tried to pull his hand away forcefully, but Pei Qing held on tightly. Mo Yin struggled a few times but couldn’t free his hand, and the wheelchair beneath him began to shake.

Suddenly, as if by accident, Mo Yin’s wrist brushed against the corner of Pei Qing’s lips.

In a flash of warmth and delicacy, Pei Qing’s hand tightened suddenly, and Mo Yin’s whole body trembled, his jerking wrist frozen in place.

Pei Qing lifted his eyes, his phoenix eyes slanted, his high nose pressed against the back of Mo Yin’s hand, staring at Mo Yin’s stiff face for a moment. Their gazes clashed, seemingly entangled with a thousand different interpretations, but when it came time to explain, it seemed as if there was no clear explanation.

Mo Yin suddenly lowered his head, and he pulled his wrist away again. This time, he quickly pulled it out.