The moment Liang Shaowen entered the room, the atmosphere shifted. Everyone in the box grew silent, their expressions varying from surprise to hesitation.

Meng Rongze, who had been laid-back and casual, immediately changed his demeanor. His usual relaxed attitude vanished as he quickly stood up and greeted Liang Shaowen with a serious tone. “Second Young Master Liang, what brings you here?”

Liang Shaowen smiled coolly, “Why, don’t you want to welcome me?”

“No, no, of course not…” Meng Rongze stammered, clearly flustered. “I just wish you’d informed me before you came. I could’ve made preparations.”

As Meng Rongze spoke, the second-generation rich kids, who were usually bold and reckless, began whispering among themselves.

“Why is the second son of the Liang family here again? Should we leave? I’m not sure about dealing with him. If his brother finds out, we could be in trouble.”

“Didn’t you hear? His brother just invested in land in the bay. It might be useful to get on good terms with him. If we get close, maybe we’ll have some influence in front of Liang Xianzhang.”

Shang Yichen, who had been unaware of the situation, furrowed his brows as he listened to their hushed conversation. He knew of Liang Shaowen, but their worlds were separate, and their circles didn’t intersect much. He had only heard of him but never had much interaction. His appearance here was unexpected.

Shang Yichen turned to the others and asked, “What’s going on?”

One of them whispered back, “You were away on a business trip, Shang Shao, so you probably missed a lot. Liang Shaowen has been hanging around here a lot lately. He seems like he wants to join us, but we’re hesitant. His past is… well, it’s known. And his brother? You know how ruthless he is. Now that he’s here, we want to talk to him, but we’re worried about what his brother might do if he finds out.”

Another person chimed in, “He used to outspend us all, but his brother beat him up so badly that he had to leave the country. I heard from someone who knew him back then that when he messed up, his brother didn’t just scold him—he made sure he couldn’t walk for a week. Some were even sent abroad immediately.”

Shang Yichen processed this information and understood why Liang Shaowen was here. Just as he was about to speak, he was interrupted by a voice from behind.

“What are you all talking about? It sounds lively. Take me with you, I want to join in.” Liang Shaowen, who had been sitting unnoticed, smiled as he leaned forward.

The people around him quickly greeted him, but fell silent just as fast. They looked as though they wanted to say something but were holding back.

Liang Shaowen pretended not to notice their discomfort and casually placed his hand on Shang Yichen’s shoulder. “What happened before is all in the past,” he said with a laugh. “I’ve been studying abroad for a few years. My brother’s not as controlling now. I work every day, and I don’t even have family or friends around me anymore. Honestly, I’m bored to death.”

Liang Shaowen’s words were met with knowing looks. Everyone realized that this was the perfect chance to get closer to him. After all, if they played their cards right, there might be benefits to being on his good side.

Those who had considered leaving quickly changed their minds. They smiled at him, agreeing with his sentiments. Shang Yichen, still with his arm around his shoulder, felt a slight discomfort but kept smiling.

Liang Shaowen glanced at him, a faint smile curling on his lips. He picked up a glass of wine and clinked it against Shang Yichen’s. “How about a drink together?”

Meanwhile, Zhou Yi woke up the next morning, naturally stirred from his sleep. He realized he was still in Liang Xianzhang’s arms, resting his head on his arm.

No wonder he hadn’t felt cold last night. Usually, when sleeping alone, Zhou Yi would always feel chilled, but curled up in Liang Xianzhang’s embrace, his warmth had transferred to him, making the quilt feel pleasantly warm.

Surrounded by the calming floral scent of Liang Xianzhang’s pheromones, Zhou Yi had slept soundly through the night, without any dreams. It was a peaceful sleep, but now that he was awake, he felt a little embarrassed.

He tried to lift himself up, noticing the numbness in his arm that had been supporting his head. As he tried to sit up, he felt a tightness at his waist.

“It’s still early. Sleep a little longer,” came Liang Xianzhang’s hoarse voice, his eyes still closed.

Zhou Yi’s heart fluttered at the sound of it. He lowered his eyes, replying softly, “I can’t sleep.”

Liang Xianzhang reached up, brushing his fingertips gently across Zhou Yi’s face, smoothing out the creases in his brow. “Then lie down and stay with me for a little longer.”

His gaze was so tender, and his touch so warm that Zhou Yi couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

Deep down, Zhou Yi was used to being alone, but no one had ever shown him such tenderness. He wasn’t sure why, but he felt a strange pull to stay close to Liang Xianzhang, and even though he was hesitant, he tightened his grip on the sheets, staying in his arms without moving.

Liang Xianzhang, content in holding him, settled back, and the room seemed to radiate warmth.

Zhou Yi lay with him for a while, but his mind began to wander. Though Liang Xianzhang had assured him that someone was watching over Shang Yichen, Zhou Yi still worried. What if Shang Yichen came back unexpectedly and discovered their relationship?

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Um… when can I leave?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Liang Xianzhang’s grip around his waist tightened, and Zhou Yi felt an overwhelming tension in the air. When he looked up at Liang Xianzhang, the calm expression on his face gave way to something far more intense—his eyes darkened, and the silence between them was palpable.

Zhou Yi’s heart raced as he nervously continued, “What if he comes back and finds out about us?”

Before he could finish, he felt Liang Xianzhang’s breath on his ear, and a sharp sting shot through him as Liang Xianzhang bit his earlobe. The touch was almost punishing, but in the same breath, it stirred something within him.

“What would happen if we were discovered?” Liang Xianzhang whispered, his voice dripping with intent.

The pheromones that flooded the air were almost overwhelming, and Zhou Yi’s body trembled in response. His throat tightened as he struggled to speak, “Don’t… don’t do this…”

But Liang Xianzhang continued, unrelenting, his hands roaming over his body. Zhou Yi’s resistance was slipping, and despite himself, he couldn’t ignore the strange pleasure that accompanied it.

In a moment of clarity, Zhou Yi managed to bite down on Liang Xianzhang’s arm, causing him to loosen his grip. His voice was shaky as he whispered, “Let go…”

Realizing he had lost control again, Liang Xianzhang immediately released him, his voice filled with remorse. “Sorry… I shouldn’t have done that.”

Zhou Yi’s breath came in shallow gasps, and he weakly covered his eyes, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He had only wanted to manage his estrus period, but now he found himself caught in a web of emotions he couldn’t escape.

Liang Xianzhang, understanding his loss of control, hugged him again, his voice gentle as he whispered, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have acted like that when you said you wanted to leave. I won’t do it again.”

Zhou Yi looked up at him, his voice barely a whisper, “What if I stay? What if Shang Yichen finds out about us?”

Liang Xianzhang’s gaze grew darker, and with a steadying breath, he tightened his hold. “If he finds out, just tell him I seduced you. Let him blame me.”

Zhou Yi, overwhelmed and speechless, could only watch as Liang Xianzhang’s determination settled into the very air between them.