This Spring Festival, the atmosphere in the Qiao Family was unusually harmonious.
After the incident during the summer vacation sketching trip to Guibei where Qiao Nan almost got into trouble, Qiao Shi’an and his wife reflected on their behavior and became both more caring and more indulgent toward Qiao Nan.
Specifically, Qiao Shi’an no longer took every opportunity to nag Qiao Nan about how useless it was to study art and urged him to start interning at the company sooner to gain experience.
For Qiao Nan, this Spring Festival felt like being a fish in water.
The only inconvenience was his own guilt, which made him unwilling to be clingy with Pei Xu in front of his parents.
During this time, he stayed in the second-floor spare bedroom and repeatedly instructed Pei Xu not to “raid” him at night.
Even their usual affectionate little gestures were deliberately restrained, putting on the appearance that their relationship wasn’t that close.
Pei Xu was helpless and had no choice but to comply with his wishes.
Before they knew it, the New Year had passed and school had resumed.
On the second day of classes, Pei Xu was bringing his “girlfriend” home.
The night before, Qiao Nan tossed and turned until two in the morning, suffering severe insomnia.
After hesitating for a moment, he hugged his pillow and quietly crept into Pei Xu’s room.
Unexpectedly, Pei Xu wasn’t asleep either.
Seeing him come over, Pei Xu scooted over to make space and asked, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“You’re not asleep either?”
Qiao Nan arranged his pillow and instinctively curled into his embrace.
“Maybe I should take the day off tomorrow and go with you? I just can’t see how it’ll be easy dealing with my parents. Even with how capable my brother is, handling them alone is tough.”
“If you come, we’ll have to watch ourselves around you, and some things just can’t be said.”
Pei Xu stroked the back of his neck, the soft sound soothing.
“Isn’t there a quiz tomorrow? Get some rest early, I’ll take you to school. Don’t worry about things at home, just remember what I told you.”
“But I can’t sleep.”
Qiao Nan muttered softly.
“I’ll help you.”
Pei Xu bent down to kiss him, his palm resting on the back of Qiao Nan’s neck slowly tracing down his spine.
The unbearable sensation spread through his entire body.
Qiao Nan curled his toes, relaxed his muscles, and parted his lips to welcome him.
This time, Pei Xu’s touch was incredibly gentle, the kiss filled with a strong sense of comfort.
Qiao Nan’s body loosened, a low moan of pleasure escaping his throat, as if he were soaking in water at the perfect temperature.
The gentle waves enveloped him, ripples washing over his skin layer by layer, the comfort reaching deep into his soul.
Finally, Qiao Nan lazily lay on top of him, not wanting to move.
Pei Xu stroked his back and whispered softly, “Sleep now.”
“Sleepwear.”
Qiao Nan groggily opened his eyes, but before he could lift his soft arms, the man pulled him tightly into his embrace, kissed his ear, and in a softened voice tempted him, “I’ll put it on you, just sleep.”
Qiao Nan believed him and let himself drift into sleep.
Pei Xu lay on his side watching him, stroking the smooth, delicate skin beneath his palm with a greedy gaze.
He pressed Qiao Nan closer into his chest, holding him even tighter.
The next day, with a professional quiz, Qiao Nan got up early, ready to return to his room to wash up, only to find he wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing.
He wrapped himself in a thin blanket and went looking for his sleepwear, but saw Pei Xu coming out of the bathroom and couldn’t help but glare at him indignantly.
Pei Xu pulled him over and kissed him for a long while before resting his forehead against his and saying, “Go ahead, I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Qiao Nan finished putting on his sleepwear, hugged his pillow, and hopped back to his room like a little rabbit.
On the way downstairs, Zhou Ruo happened to see him coming out of Pei Xu’s room.
That uneasy feeling crept up again, and she frowned, asking her husband, “Don’t you think Pei Xu and Nan Nan are…?”
She hesitated a long moment before settling on a relatively polite phrase: “…a little too close?”
Qiao Shi’an didn’t react at first.
“Haven’t those two brothers been close since they were kids?”
But when he caught his wife’s worried look, he paused, finally realizing what she was concerned about.
“You’re overthinking it. How could that be? Besides, Pei Xu is bringing his girlfriend home today, don’t get the wrong idea.”
Zhou Ruo thought she was overthinking it too, shook her head to dispel the inappropriate thought, and smiled, “Right, Pei Xu is bringing his girlfriend home today. I need to style myself nicely and pick out an outfit.”
***
Pei Xu accompanied Qiao Nan to Mei Yuan but didn’t leave immediately.
Instead, he took out some documents for Qiao Nan to sign.
“The red envelopes you left with me earlier—I set up a foundation with that money. The paperwork has just been completed recently. Sign here.”
Class was about to start. Qiao Nan took the pen, glanced at the documents without much interest, signed in the spots he was supposed to, and hurried off the car.
Just before leaving, he turned around with a solemn expression and said to Pei Xu, “If you don’t let me come with you this time, I won’t go. But no matter what Mom and Dad say, I won’t give up on you.”
His serious and determined expression made Pei Xu’s heart ache.
If it weren’t for the car window between them, he would have pulled him back and marked him thoroughly.
Unfortunately, Qiao Nan was rushing to class.
After speaking, he waved at Pei Xu and jogged into the school gate.
Pei Xu stared at his retreating figure until he was out of sight, then drove to Xunan.
He handed the signed documents to Zhao Bo.
“Process the paperwork as soon as possible.”
Zhao Bo looked shocked after seeing the documents, about to say something, but Pei Xu raised his hand to stop him.
“Don’t spread this around.”
He could only nod blankly.
After giving instructions to Zhao Bo, Pei Xu drove off again.
He didn’t return to Binjiang Villa but instead drove to the riverbank and sat quietly for two hours.
At 10:40, he turned back toward Binjiang Villa.
The scheduled meeting was at eleven. When he arrived, there were only five minutes to spare.
He parked the car and strode in without hesitation.
Wang Shu, who came out upon hearing the noise, saw him alone and his smile faltered.
“Young Master, this… I thought you were bringing your girlfriend home? Why are you alone?”
Pei Xu nodded toward him and said, “Give the servants a half-day off today.”
Wang Shu was stunned by this.
***
Pei Xu entered the small reception room.
Zhou Ruo, her makeup exquisite, smiled but the expression tightened slightly when she saw him come in alone. Qiao Shi’an looked puzzled and glanced behind Pei Xu.
“Why are you the only one here?”
Pei Xu said nothing.
He walked up to them and knelt straight down.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.”
His voice was hoarse as he met Zhou Ruo’s gaze.
“I’m sorry.”
Zhou Ruo already understood what this meant, her lips trembling.
“You and Nan Nan…”
Pei Xu met her eyes and chose honesty.
“We’re together. Please don’t blame him. I’m the one who dragged him into this.”
There was guilt in his expression, but he had no intention of backing down.
Confused, Qiao Shi’an finally understood what they were talking about and instantly flew into a rage, grabbing a teacup nearby and smashing it at Pei Xu.
“Do you know what you’re saying? We raised you this whole time, not to let you ruin Nan Nan!”
Pei Xu didn’t dodge.
The teacup hit his forehead, causing him to tilt his head as blood immediately welled from a gash.
He indeed owed an apology to Qiao Shi’an and his wife—there was no denying that.
So he simply said again, “I’m sorry. But I can’t give up on Nan Nan.”
Qiao Shi’an was furious, breathing heavily, and his anger indiscriminately turned toward Zhou Ruo.
“Look at the son you brought back! This is how he repays us! Nan Nan is my only son!”
“Have you had enough?!”
Usually even-tempered, Zhou Ruo lost her temper as well.
“Now you know he’s your son, but did you ever care before?!”
Qiao Shi’an was speechless, his momentum deflating.
He could only turn to Pei Xu.
“We will never agree to this. Nan Nan is still young and doesn’t understand love or feelings. If you don’t want to ruin him, then stay away from him. We’ll still recognize you as our adopted son.”
Pei Xu looked up with a firm tone.
“I can’t do that.”
Qiao Shi’an’s anger deepened and his expression turned cold.
“Don’t force me to forget all the years of relationship!”
Pei Xu remained unmoved and turned to Zhou Ruo.
“I know it’s unrealistic to ask you to accept this immediately. Today, one reason is to apologize and be honest, the other is to ask you to seriously consider my relationship with Nan Nan.”
He spoke gently, “You know Qiao Nan’s personality. He seems obedient, but he’s actually very stubborn. Whether you can accept us being together or how angry you are, direct it all at me. That’s what I should bear, but don’t force him.”
“Although he doesn’t say it, he cares deeply about you all.”
The couple fell silent.
After a long pause, Zhou Ruo sighed and handed him a handkerchief.
“Get up, wipe the blood off your face.”
She then asked, “How long have you two been together?”
“Officially two months,” Pei Xu answered.
Zhou Ruo keenly caught the difference in wording, her gaze sharpening.
“How long have you had these feelings?”
Pei Xu answered truthfully, “Three years.”
Zhou Ruo stared him down.
“You’ve been scheming for three years?”
Pei Xu shook his head.
“At most, three months.”
Zhou Ruo’s expression faltered, seeming to realize something.
She was silent for a while before tiredly sitting back.
“You’re both still young with bright futures. Why take such a difficult path?”
She seemed unwilling to say more and waved her hand, “You should go back for now, and don’t see Nan Nan for a while.”
Pei Xu wasn’t surprised by her request.
“I’m going on a business trip to Yan Jing for half a month, flight this afternoon.”
Zhou Ruo fell silent again.
Pei Xu bowed deeply to them before turning to leave.
As soon as he left, Qiao Shi’an’s anger flared uncontrollably.
He paced anxiously in the reception room.
“They must be separated. Two brothers having a homosexual relationship—if this gets out, the Qiao Family would lose all face!”
“Wang Shu, go get Qiao Nan back!” he shouted.
“What do you want to do once he’s back?”
Zhou Ruo asked, holding back her temper.
Qiao Shi’an naturally replied, “Make Qiao Nan break up with him and never see him again! If he refuses, I’ll beat him until he agrees!”
“Qiao Shi’an, how dare you!”
Zhou Ruo’s suppressed anger exploded.
“Since Nan Nan was born, have you ever cared for him one day? Now you’re calling for violence just to save your face? If you don’t want your son, I do!”
“I haven’t cared, but have you?”
Qiao Shi’an was also stifled, starting to bring up old grievances.
“Who left the child to the nanny right after confinement? Didn’t come home even when he had a fever or was sick. Is that how a mother acts?”
“If anyone cared, it’s Pei Xu who cared the most. Why are you making a fuss now?”
Zhou Ruo sneered and reasoned with what little logic she had left.
“If you don’t want your son anymore and want to push him onto Pei Xu, then go ahead and call him back.”
“Does that mean we just let it go?”
“Of course you need to care, but it has to be strategic.”
Zhou Ruo’s expression was scornful.
“If you force Nan Nan to choose between you two, who do you think he’ll choose?”
“Of course… us…”
Qiao Shi’an’s voice trailed off under her mocking gaze.
In fact, deep down, even he wasn’t confident.
Before Qiao Nan was six, he was raised by the nanny.
After six, Pei Xu took care of him.
Even parent-teacher meetings were attended by Pei Xu on his behalf.
Having been together for over ten years, the bond between the brothers was likely much deeper than that of their parents.
Seeing him quiet down, Zhou Ruo said, “Young people rebel. The more you oppose, the stronger their bond becomes. It might be better to separate them and let them cool off for a while. Maybe over time, it’ll fade.”
Qiao Shi’an thought her words made sense and followed that line of thought.
“Then send Qiao Nan to Yan Jing?”
Zhou Ruo shook her head.
“That would be too obvious. Send Nan Nan abroad instead. His major’s best path is studying overseas anyway, and doing it a year early isn’t too conspicuous.”
Qiao Shi’an pondered for a long time, then said, “I know their principal. I’ll arrange it.”
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