Chapter 30

The suit fits snugly, from the width of the shirt’s shoulders to the fit around the hips in the tailored pants. The tie is done up to the top, and Mo Yin tilts his head slightly. Pei Qing looked at him. “Is it too tight?”

Mo Yin shook his head slightly. “No, I’m just not used to it.”

In this world, it was the first time Mo Yin had dressed so formally. Every piece of clothing, from the inside out, was brought by Pei Qing, all custom-made, and fitting perfectly. Sitting in the wheelchair in front of the mirror, Mo Yin looked dignified, not appearing sickly thin because the clothes fit so well. He looked tall, handsome, like a young nobleman who had never encountered any setbacks if you ignored the fact that he was sitting in a wheelchair.

Mo Yin’s gaze shifted to the right.

Pei Qing wore a suit of the same color, even though the tie was identical. They looked like brothers, their expressions almost identical, devoid of much emotion. The difference was that there was a melancholy air about Mo Yin, while Pei Qing was completely indifferent.

The weather had been unfavorable throughout the winter, but today was exceptionally sunny. Gradually, the temperature began to warm, as if spring was approaching. The scenery outside the car window became less monotonous.

On the morning he received the news that Youcheng was about to be acquired by Heda, Pei Qing was initially stunned. But as the urgent chatter on the phone continued, he hung up, suddenly smiling. At first, it was a cold smile, but gradually it turned into a hearty laugh.

After he finished laughing, he heard Mo Yin say, “Pei Qing, what’s wrong with you?”

Pei Qing lowered his eyes and saw himself in Mo Yin’s eyes, looking somewhat crazy.

What’s wrong with him?

He just found it amusing.

To prevent Pei Ming from getting Youcheng, he leaked the financial report to Heda. Pei Ming, to prevent him from getting Youcheng, would rather sell Youcheng to Heda.

Blood brothers, they truly were blood brothers.

Pei Qing rubbed Mo Yin’s cheek with the back of his hand and whispered, “You’ll have the chance to meet him soon. Are you happy?”

Mo Yin was silent for a moment. Pei Qing didn’t know how adorable Mo Yin found his current borderline-crazy appearance. Mo Yin rolled his throat and sincerely said, “Yes, I am.”

Pei Qing snorted and his eyes grew colder. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy too.”

The car stopped in the parking lot of the Youcheng Building.

Mo Yin was carried out of the car by Pei Qing. He looked up and saw the top of the building, no longer shining in the dim sunlight.

Today, Youcheng was bustling. In fact, Youcheng had been “bustling” for a long time, ever since the financial fraud was exposed. The hidden landmines detonated, and the entire financial beast began to convulse and tremble from its core, tearing apart the vines attached to it. Everyone for themselves, every man for his desires.

The elevator door opened. Today, the weather outside was gloomy, the light was poor, and the lights in the corridor ceiling were already on, reflecting on the milky white marble floor in specks.

The sound of the wheelchair wheels rolling on the ground was distinct, overpowering the dense footsteps of the two.

Turning the last corner, Pei Qing stopped, and Mo Yin’s wheelchair stopped too.

At the other end of the corridor, Pei Mingshu was standing at the end, with a group of people behind him.

The two groups simultaneously stopped at opposite ends of the corridor, facing each other.

Mo Yin lifted his chin slightly so that his gaze could meet Pei Mingshu’s.

It had been almost a month since they last saw each other.

Since that “kiss of death”, the comfort Pei Mingshu gave him downstairs was the last time they spoke.

Pei Mingshu had lost weight. He had a handsome face, and even though he had lost weight, he didn’t look fierce. His temperament remained noble and aloof.

The way Pei Mingshu looked at him was still gentle and warm.

Their separation had been too hurried last time, and Pei Mingshu hadn’t expected that after that separation, they would be apart for so long.

After they had just confessed their feelings to each other, the building collapsed, brothers turned against each other, and everything slid into the abyss of the unknown as if the heavens were punishing their erroneous emotions.

Mo Yin looked almost the same as he did in the surveillance footage, fair and handsome, looking good but with an indescribable feeling in his expression.

Their gazes intertwined. Ordinary people might not notice anything, but Pei Qing couldn’t possibly be unaware.

He had finally snatched away what should have belonged to Pei Mingshu.

But he couldn’t feel any joy.

Even with Mo Yin by his side, whenever Pei Mingshu appeared, Mo Yin’s gaze would involuntarily shift towards Pei Mingshu.

Pei Qing pushed the wheelchair forward, and their sides moved. Pei Mingshu also took steps forward. The two groups of people converged in front of the conference room door. Inside the conference room, there was a noisy atmosphere, but outside, it was unusually quiet.

The two brothers locked eyes at close range. At this moment, they both understood that even if Pei Qing were resurrected, they could never speak calmly as they did that day outside the operating room.

Pei Mingshu spoke first, “You’re back.”

Pei Qing remained expressionless and didn’t answer.

Pei Mingshu remained calm, lowering his gaze to Mo Yin. He reached out to touch Mo Yin’s hair but was directly blocked by Pei Qing. “What are you trying to do?”

Their arms locked in the air, the atmosphere tense.

Ding Mohai watched the two brothers, seeing their unwavering stance, couldn’t help but shake his head with a sigh.

He wanted to advise the two brothers, he had advised Pei Mingshu before, “Young master, is this necessary? Can’t two brothers sit down and have a good talk?”

“Do you think Pei Qing is willing to talk?” Pei Mingshu’s face was partially obscured in the dim light. “Or do you think I’m an unfeeling elder brother?”

Ding Mohai fell silent for a moment before whispering, “The deceased in heaven wouldn’t want to see you like this.”

Pei Mingshu’s face seemed frozen, saying faintly, “Please leave.”

No one wanted this, but they had no choice.

From a certain point onwards, perhaps a point they themselves were unaware of, it was destined that they would reach this deadlock today.

Mo Yin reached out, grabbing one person’s wrist. He looked up, saying, “Stop this.”

Pei Mingshu immediately let go, but Pei Qing’s muscles remained tense. The two groups watched this strange standoff of the “Three Brothers” from both sides, exchanging glances.

Mo Yin ignored the peculiar gazes around them. He pleaded, “Can you find a place to talk first, please?”

Pei Mingshu’s expression indicated agreement. Mo Yin could only turn to Pei Qing. “Can we?” Pei Qing seemed indifferent. Mo Yin tightened his grip on Pei Qing’s wrist, whispering, “Please.”

The location remained the rooftop garden.

Compared to the vibrant heat of summer, the winter rooftop garden was only adorned with unyielding green. This time, Mo Yin still sat beside Pei Qing, while Pei Mingshu sat opposite Mo Yin.

It seemed like a long time ago they sat like this. The events of that day were still vivid in Pei Mingshu’s mind. Perhaps if he hadn’t gone to find Mo Yin that day, hadn’t overheard that conversation at the door, maybe his emotions wouldn’t have been stirred, and perhaps the subsequent events wouldn’t have unfolded. Maybe fate enjoyed playing tricks on people, plunging them into irreparable situations.

“You want to sell Youcheng,” Pei Qing began.

Pei Mingshu lowered his head, offering no response.

Pei Qing’s lips curled into a faint smile, his tone tinged with sarcasm. “I thought you’d try to turn the tide.”

Pei Mingshu raised his gaze, pausing briefly on Mo Yin before meeting Pei Qing’s eyes, saying calmly, “I am human, not a god.”

Turning the tide? Easier said than done.

If Pei Qing were willing to let go of all grievances and cooperate with him to run Youcheng, rather than fighting against him, perhaps there might be a chance for Youcheng to revive. Perhaps Pei Jingyou hadn’t expected his two sons to reach the current deadlock.

Either let Youcheng become cannon fodder or accept the change of ownership.

At least it could be seen as a “saving” of Youcheng in a way.

The matter started with him, and he should be the one to make the decision to end this conflict.

Even though this decision was incredibly difficult.

During Pei Qing and Mo Yin’s disappearance, Pei Mingshu constantly questioned himself.

It was his mishandling of his relationship with his half-brother, his uncontrollable feelings for Mo Yin.

Now, with Youcheng’s turmoil, his father’s death, Mo Yin’s disappearance, everything was related to him.

Powerful people remain calm in success because they feel everything they have is rightfully theirs. When they face failure, they can only blame themselves for all their mistakes.

The self-inflicted pain of introspection is more tormenting than any external accusation.

Mo Yin looked up at Pei Mingshu.

There was no expression on Pei Mingshu’s face.

Mo Yin quietly admired and savored Pei Mingshu’s silence at this moment.

The person who always had control over everything was finally facing the bitter consequences of losing control, admitting his mistakes, and being unable to make amends. This self-destructive aspect of his personality was so charming and exquisite, that it was simply impossible to look away.

Mo Yin almost held his breath.

The last time at the Mo family mansion, when Pei Jingyou suddenly fell ill, everything happened so suddenly. Pei Mingshu was more shocked than anything in front of him. He had to comfort and protect him, so Pei Mingshu at that time was still very strong.

But now, Pei Mingshu had a shadow of injury.

His face remained calm, with barely any change in his eyes. Yet, it gave the impression that he had paid a great price. What he lost wasn’t things he didn’t care about anyway; it was something precious deep within him.

Like Pei Qing, a part of him was broken too.

Mo Yin’s breath slightly quickened as he picked up a glass of water.

Pei Mingshu immediately cast a concerned glance.

Since Mo Yin appeared, the exhaustion and pressure of the past few days seemed to surge all at once, shaking his defenses. He wanted to ask Mo Yin how he was, whether he had been okay during this time, and also apologize to him for getting him involved…

Mo Yin slowly raised his face, his gaze meeting Pei Mingshu’s for a fleeting moment before Pei Qing stood up, dragging his wheelchair away, instantly severing their eye contact.

“Pei Qing.”

Pei Mingshu stood up. “Let Xiao Yin go.”

Pei Qing turned his face, coldly saying, “Youcheng is neither mine nor yours, but he’s mine.”

After saying this, he directly pushed the wheelchair out. Mo Yin held onto the wheelchair, turning back to look at Pei Mingshu. Pei Mingshu remained in place, and it was then that Mo Yin noticed the overturned glass on the table in front of him, irregular water stains covering the surface. Pei Mingshu’s expression was dark and mysterious.

It wasn’t over yet.

A sudden thought burst into Mo Yin’s mind.

Pei Mingshu not only wanted to sell Youcheng.

He also wanted to continue dealing with Pei Qing.

Mo Yin’s palm trembled slightly, his chin being pulled back. Pei Qing was looking at him coldly. “He thinks that selling Youcheng means I won’t be able to do anything to him. I won’t let you go to him.”

Mo Yin’s eyes were clear. “Pei Qing, I’m neither his nor yours.”

Pei Qing’s expression momentarily twisted, then returned to its calm state. “Then you shouldn’t have said you loved me back then.”

Mo Yin thought to himself, he thought “love” was such a shallow emotion, easy come, easy go. How could he have known that Pei Qing would be so persistent?

He suppressed his excitement, sensing that Pei Mingshu was about to surprise him unexpectedly.

In the conference room, all the directors and shareholders had gathered. Some were represented by proxies. Pei Qing and Pei Mingshu entered the conference room one after the other, heading in different directions.

Facing each other like two armies, the invisible smoke of war filled the conference room. The directors and shareholders were all whispering to each other, discussing the ongoing struggle between the two brothers.

Youcheng was on the brink of collapse. This was almost a unanimous consensus among everyone present.

Today’s shareholders’ meeting was filled with people harboring their own thoughts and positions. The focal point of the whirlpool was undoubtedly the two brothers of the Pei family.

After Pei Jingyou’s death, Pei Mingshu had been acting as the interim chairman. Today’s shareholders’ meeting should have been presided over by him, but he didn’t step up. Instead, he let Ding Mohai take charge.

Ding Mohai’s tone was very heavy. “Today’s emergency shareholders’ meeting, the first agenda item is to vote on Heda’s acquisition of Youcheng.”

There was almost no objection from the shareholders.

They had long wanted to end Youcheng’s turmoil and were tired of the brothers’ infighting in the company. Heda’s momentum was currently strong, so the acquisition was beneficial to them.

Pei Qing, standing below, looked at the opposite side with a heavy gaze.

This was Pei Mingshu’s failure. Even if he tried to cover it up, it was he who had been pushed to the brink by Pei Qing, unable to survive without cutting off the tail.

Pei Mingshu’s face still showed no expression. He had already tortured himself over his failure during this time. There was no need for him to show any sadness or pain now.

The proposal passed. Ding Mohai glanced at Pei Mingshu on the podium. Pei Mingshu’s profile was gentle, but at the same time, it revealed a decisive coldness. Ding Mohai sighed deeply in his heart and then looked at Pei Qing. His brows were slightly furrowed, almost showing some reluctance, but he ultimately said slowly, “Next, we will proceed to the second agenda.”

Mo Yin noticed that Pei Mingshu suddenly closed his eyes lightly across the room.

“The agenda item concerns shareholders harming the company’s interests and infringing on trade secrets. We will explain the legal procedures for suing and claiming compensation against such shareholders.”

Ding Mohai looked at Pei Qing, unable to bear it. “Pei Qing, Mr. Pei, the investigators from the bureau have arrived.”