ALCSRB Chapter 89

Smack.

The sudden sound pulled Meng Ling’s attention back.

Following the noise, she saw Jiang Mingyi sink a ball into a pocket.

The young man’s refined face carried a hint of excitement, and his beautiful, clear eyes sparkled so brightly that anyone looking could see the light in them.

Even the faint curve of his lips couldn’t hide the trace of joy there.

Shen Xingyan said something to him, and the young man’s expression grew even brighter, dazzling like a brilliant star in the night sky, drawing in everyone who looked his way.

The two bodies that had been pressed so closely together finally separated — one focused on instructing, the other listening intently. Such a harmonious scene of brotherly affection looked perfectly wholesome.

Those filthy thoughts that had flashed through Meng Ling’s mind just now were simply outrageous.

She gave her head a hard shake.

Good. It was all just an illusion caused by her own imagination.

A cue stick was handed in front of her, its owner looking a bit reluctant. “Sis, let’s just play a little.”

Meng Ling tore her gaze away from the other pair of “brothers” and looked at her own brother with disdain. “With you, it’s only ever ‘just playing a little.’”

“You’ve got such a clumsy mouth — no wonder Xiao Yi ignores you completely.” She snatched the cue from him with a flourish and walked past him. “Four people in the game room, we should be playing something together, but now everyone’s off doing their own thing.”

Meng Yan muttered, “I’ve got a clumsy mouth? You’re the one who’s so good at talking.”

“You’re the one who wanted to play with Xiao Yi. What’s that got to do with me?” Meng Ling didn’t even glance at him as she took her first shot. “Besides, the two brothers are having a great time right now — why should I be the one to ruin it?”

Jiang Mingyi had no idea the siblings over there were talking about him. The joy of sinking his last shot hadn’t lasted long before Shen Xingyan’s next move interrupted him.

“I’m getting the hang of it now. You don’t have to teach me hand-over-hand anymore,” Jiang Mingyi muttered when his hand was taken again.

Shen Xingyan’s gaze sharpened. “Oh? So the apprentice hasn’t even mastered the skill yet, and already he’s thinking of kicking his master to the curb?”

That teasing voice was still right in his ear. Jiang Mingyi’s round eyes widened, a faint flush coloring his pale skin, even the tip of his nose turning pink. He looked like a rabbit that had been teased one too many times — small, indignant, but baring its little teeth. “You’re obviously just using teaching as an excuse to take advantage of me.”

Don’t think he hadn’t noticed that hand lingering on his backside. No matter how lightly the touch was, it was still groping.

And to make it worse, Shen Xingyan had given a not-too-hard, not-too-soft squeeze that felt indecently suggestive.

If Jiang Mingyi hadn’t bitten down on his lip in time, he definitely would have made some very inappropriate sounds.

If it were just the two of them, fine — but there were two outsiders nearby.

Shen Xingyan didn’t care at all, but Jiang Mingyi didn’t have that kind of thick skin.

He shot a worried glance out of the corner of his eye toward the other billiard table. The siblings there didn’t seem to be paying them any attention, and he quietly let out a breath of relief.

Shen Xingyan’s other hand slowly slid downward, coming to rest on Jiang Mingyi’s slender waist.
“I know you’re shy, but I happen to like this ‘reluctant yet welcoming’ attitude of yours.”

Reluctant yet welcoming? What kind of ridiculous description was that?

“You didn’t even drink at lunch, so what nonsense are you spouting?” Jiang Mingyi turned his head away, casting Shen Xingyan a sidelong glance with an awkward posture. “Or did someone trigger some sort of perverted impulse in you?”

He looked at him with a hint of alarm, not even caring about the cue stick in his hand anymore.

Shen Xingyan had to take it from him, raising an eyebrow in mild exasperation. “Stop letting your imagination run wild. I’m a normal person.”

Jiang Mingyi’s expression screamed I don’t believe you. Lowering his voice, he said, “Pull that hand you just slipped under my shirt hem back out before you call yourself normal.”

“I was just touching your stomach to see if your food had digested,” Shen Xingyan replied with complete composure, withdrawing his hand. “Come on, keep playing.”

“I’ll do it myself. You go to the other side.”

Jiang Mingyi had absolutely no faith in this man who was getting bolder by the minute. “Don’t think you can just do whatever you want because no one notices. Hmph, I’m not giving you the chance.”

He snatched back his cue stick, chin tilted high. “I can play now. You’re officially laid off.”

Shen Xingyan didn’t respond. He simply crossed his arms and stood to the side, watching as Jiang Mingyi lowered his body into position, lined up his shot, and pushed the cue forward.

The two balls, in perfect coordination, passed each other without so much as a nudge.

Jiang Mingyi froze.

No way. He had copied the exact feel from just now—how could it end up this humiliating?

“Forget it. I’m done.”

Shoving the cue back at the man who was suppressing a smile, Jiang Mingyi turned and started walking away.

Shen Xingyan grabbed him. “I told you I haven’t finished teaching you, but you just had to show off. Still, your posture wasn’t terrible—keep at it and you’ll improve next shot.”

“If you want to laugh, just laugh. Saying all that without even feeling guilty…” Jiang Mingyi shot him a glare. “Anyway, I have no talent for this. Even if you teach me, I won’t learn.”

“Giving up already?”

“I just don’t feel like playing.”

“Alright, if you don’t want to play, we’ll do something else,” Shen Xingyan said, sensing he was a little unhappy and choosing to go along with him.

“No, I want to go back and rest.” His clear eyes swirled with mischief, and suddenly one pale, slender finger hooked Shen Xingyan’s collar. His voice dropped, slow and deliberate: “I want to go back to the room and rest.”

Shen Xingyan was briefly stunned. His gaze dropped to that long, fair finger. “Alright. Whatever you say.”

When Meng Ling heard they were going back to rest, she was completely stunned.

“So soon?”

Ignoring the Meng siblings entirely, Shen Xingyan led Jiang Mingyi back to the room.

The moment they walked in, Jiang Mingyi flopped straight onto the wide bed. “The bed’s way more comfortable. Why did I even bother playing billiards?”

“You were all excited before we left, and now you’ve lost interest after just a bit. You really are a little scoundrel—so fickle.”

Shen Xingyan walked over, stepping around the shoes Jiang Mingyi had kicked to the floor, and sat down at the edge of the bed.

“I’m very loyal—to my bed.”

With his eyes closed, Jiang Mingyi felt the mattress sink slightly under another weight but didn’t care. “Today I suddenly realized that all sports are unsuitable for me.”

Shen Xingyan was silent for a few seconds. “I’m not so sure about that.”

He paused, then said, “Since you’re so loyal to your bed, naturally there’s one sport that suits you perfectly.”

“What is it?” Jiang Mingyi, piqued by curiosity, opened one eye.

Shen Xingyan’s smile was faint but his gaze was thick with innuendo, and his thin lips slowly uttered, “Bed sports.”

Jiang Mingyi: “…”

“You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you?” Jiang Mingyi gave him a look full of disdain. “You’re getting more and more shameless lately.”

He had clearly seemed like a refined gentleman before—so why was he now so fond of saying such indecent things to him?

“If you want to do it, you do it yourself. I have zero athletic talent.” Bed sports, seriously? No way he was doing that.

“What are you thinking? I just said ‘bed sports,’ I never said it had to be done with two people.”

Shen Xingyan couldn’t hold back his laughter, the sound echoing through the spacious room, making Jiang Mingyi so annoyed he kicked at him.

A large hand immediately caught his ankle, the warmth of his palm seeping through the point of contact.

“But I think doing it with two people isn’t bad either—might even help your digestion.”

Seeing the man’s figure slowly lean closer, Jiang Mingyi rolled his eyes. “I knew you had ulterior motives.”

Shen Xingyan’s gaze softened as it lingered on the person he loved. “You’re the one who makes me have ulterior motives.”

—

During this rare bit of leisure time, Jiang Mingyi got tired from all the teasing and fell asleep in Shen Xingyan’s arms.

When he woke up, the sunlight outside was no longer scorching.

Stretching lazily, he slowly got up from the bed, went into the bathroom to splash water on his face, and came out looking refreshed.

While he slept, Shen Xingyan had dealt with some light work. When he saw Jiang Mingyi walking over, he set the mouse aside.

Jiang Mingyi plopped himself unceremoniously onto his lap, glancing at the computer screen. “Didn’t you already handle all the company stuff in advance?”

“Just a few minor things—just needed to look them over.”

Shen Xingyan closed a few documents. “Want to play on the computer for a bit?”

“Not in the mood.” Jiang Mingyi shook his head and glanced out the window. “Does the Meng family keep horses?”

“You want to go riding?”

“Mm.” Jiang Mingyi nodded.

“I’ll give Meng Ling a call,” Shen Xingyan said.

—

The stables were behind the estate, and the four of them rode over in a small cart.

Meng Ling’s gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment. “I thought you two went back to rest and wouldn’t come out until evening.”

“I took a nap, now I feel great.” Jiang Mingyi rubbed his nose. “Is the stable far from here?”

“Not too far,” Meng Ling replied. “It belongs to my uncle—he loves horseback riding, and whenever he has free time, he invites friends over to ride.”

“Then why didn’t I see your younger uncle?” Jiang Mingyi asked curiously.

Today, at the Meng family estate, they had only met the eldest uncle’s family. As far as he knew, this generation of the Meng family had four siblings.

“My younger uncle is hardly ever home. If you want to see him, you’ll probably have to wait until the birthday banquet.”

Meng Yan sat quietly to the side. He was a bit shy in front of strangers, though deep down, he really wanted to talk to Jiang Mingyi. But all he could do was watch Meng Ling chat with the others.

Jiang Mingyi could feel the boy’s gaze on him and swept him a cool glance.

In the middle of their conversation, they soon arrived at the riding grounds.

Meng Ling said, “Xiao Yan and I both have our own horses. I know Xingyan-ge’s riding skills—he’ll probably handle a horse just fine in no time. But I wonder how good Xiao Yi-di’s riding is?”

Shen Xingyan covered his mouth with a laugh. “He doesn’t know how to ride.”

Jiang Mingyi purely wanted to ride for fun—truth was, he couldn’t ride at all. Now that he’d been mercilessly exposed, his face flushed red.

“It shouldn’t be that hard, right?” His tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

Meng Ling clearly hadn’t expected that and looked a little troubled. “How about I ask the staff if they have ponies?”

“Why would you ask if they have ponies?” Jiang Mingyi was puzzled.

“Adult horses usually have a bit of a temper—ponies are more gentle,” Meng Ling explained. “If Xiao Yi-di’s a beginner, he might as well start on a pony to get the feel for it.”

Meng Ling called over a staff member to inquire.

The staff member, clearly used to such requests, said, “Yes, we have ponies. The master’s friends often bring their children here to play, so he keeps two very gentle ones.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mingyi frowned. “Ponies are for kids to ride?”

The staff member nodded. “Yes, ponies are generally gentler.”

Jiang Mingyi’s frown deepened.

Shen Xingyan could tell he was already put off by the idea. He patted his head and said to the staff, “No need. We’ll take an adult horse—I’ll ride with him.”

Meng Ling clearly hadn’t expected that and froze for a moment.

“Xingyan-ge, you’re really good to Xiao Yi-di. You teach him pool hand-in-hand, and now you even want to ride double with him.”

Anyone who knew them would say they were brothers. Anyone who didn’t might think they were a couple who couldn’t stand to be apart for a single moment, sticking together like glue.