ALCSRB Chapter 74

The wet robe clung tightly to his body, soaked with the warm spring water.

Jiang Mingyi tilted his head back, his slender neck forming a tempting curve, dotted with traces of kisses.

“N-no more games.”

His broken voice stammered as his legs were forced to circle Shen Xingyan’s waist — helpless and weak.

The stone wall behind caressed his tender spine, each kiss sending shivers through his body.

Jiang Mingyi couldn’t withstand the continuous kisses and finally surrendered.

“Weren’t you having fun?” Shen Xingyan lifted his head from Jiang Mingyi’s chest, his lips red and moist, licking them as if still wanting more. His dark eyes brimmed with a terrifying desire.

Jiang Mingyi just glanced once, then shrank back in fear — but there was nowhere to retreat.

Fearing that if it went on, they’d ruin the entire hot spring, he begged, “No matter how fun it is, I can’t take it anymore.”

His whole body went limp, his support completely controlled by Shen Xingyan. Like a fish on a chopping board, exposed and defenseless.

The corners of his eyes were flushed like rosy clouds, seductive and charming.

His clear eyes carried a hint of pleading as he looked at Shen Xingyan, his lashes wet and full of vulnerability.

“Ge, let’s go back. I’m already dizzy from soaking so long.”

He rested his head in the hollow of Shen Xingyan’s shoulder, his voice soft and gentle — fragile and pitiful.

One of Shen Xingyan’s hands slid along the open robe, tracing the flushed skin on his back, then lightly pinched his nicely shaped rear.

A teasing voice drifted from his thin lips into Jiang Mingyi’s ear: “Already dizzy after just a short while?”

“It’s been quite a while.”

They had been in this private hot spring for more than half an hour. “Look, my hands and feet are all wrinkled.”

The hand that reached out was nearly bitten by Shen Xingyan, and Jiang Mingyi quickly pulled it back in fright.

“Alright, we’ll save it for tonight.”

Shen Xingyan hugged him and walked straight toward the shore, splashing water as they went.

Jiang Mingyi looked a little terrified.

That afternoon had already left him utterly exhausted. If they soaked again at night, wouldn’t he just be wiped out completely?

Suddenly, he regretted coming to the hot spring altogether — it felt like he was practically delivering himself straight into Shen Xingyan’s mouth.

Lost in these wandering thoughts, he was placed on a wooden chair nearby, where Shen Xingyan half-kneeling, helped him put on his slippers.

Jiang Mingyi’s feet were quite beautiful. Perhaps from rarely seeing sunlight, the tops were pale and smooth, with faint pink hues at the toes.

Shen Xingyan’s gaze deepened, his somewhat rough fingertips gently pinching Jiang Mingyi’s toes. Jiang Mingyi reflexively tried to pull away but was held firmly.

“……”

Lowering his head, Jiang Mingyi looked at him. Droplets of water slid down the muscular lines of Shen Xingyan’s arm, splashing softly onto the other foot.

The grip on his foot tightened a bit.

He didn’t dare move, feeling as if Shen Xingyan’s gaze glued to his foot was like the sun in the sky — burning hot enough to scorch him.

A slight numbness tingled in his chest. A soft pink tongue licked his slightly dry lips, and his Adam’s apple bobbed once.

Jiang Mingyi felt an indescribable nervousness, but luckily, after holding his foot for a moment, Shen Xingyan released it.

“Go rinse off, then we’ll head back.”

Shen Xingyan stood up, said this, and was the first to enter the shower room.

After a quick wash, the two changed back into their clothes.

By now, Jiang Mingyi had returned to normal. It was still early, but they dared not disturb An Shi’s side.

As for Pei Shiqing…

Before the thought even fully formed, Shen Xingyan grabbed him and pulled him back to the room.

Not long after, a waiter brought some food, and Jiang Mingyi immediately forgot about looking for Pei Shiqing. Cheerfully holding the food, he lay on the nearby sofa, happily feasting.

---

Next door.

Pei Mingyue was handling some company matters on his laptop. When he looked back, he saw Pei Shiqing sleeping quietly.

The room was serene and silent, with only the steady sound of breathing filling the air.

Pei Mingyue remained motionless, head tilted to the side, then after a moment, relaxed his hand holding the mouse.

He stood up. His tall, slender figure combined with his cold, sharp features gave him the aura of a refined nobleman.

His long legs took light steps toward Pei Shiqing’s bedside.

Stopping there, his dark eyes lowered, gazing at the boy’s peaceful sleeping face.

Pei Shiqing’s lips parted slightly, forming a narrow gap that moved subtly with each breath — so adorable that Pei Mingyue couldn’t look away.

He didn’t know when this feeling had gone sour. By the time he realized it, he was already deeply entangled.

For the first time in over twenty years, his heart stirred—and the object of his affection was none other than the younger brother he had raised since childhood.

It was laughable, so absurd that it left him almost unable to compose himself.

Yet his usual composure kept Pei Mingyue from ever revealing the slightest trace of the forbidden feelings he harbored.

He thought, as time passed, one day he would be able to let go of this sinful affection.

He couldn’t—shouldn’t—drag Pei Shiqing into a love that society would never accept.

But as Pei Shiqing’s reliance and affection for him grew, Pei Mingyue’s resolve wavered again and again.

A heart that should never have stirred… had stirred.

There would always be moments beyond his control.

Just like now—staring at Pei Shiqing’s pure and peaceful sleeping face, his breath slowed.

His fingertips gently brushed over those rosy lips, and the sleeping boy unconsciously licked the intruding touch with his tongue.

Pei Mingyue’s pupils suddenly contracted.

His heartbeat pounded violently in his chest, and his body leaned down, inch by inch. At the brink of contact, however, he was yanked back by a surge of rationality.

His hand, hanging by the side of the bed, clenched suddenly, veins bulging beneath the taut skin.

“Pei Mingyue, what are you doing?”

He questioned himself in a deep voice. His normally calm eyes were tinged with a faint red, emotions nearly spiraling out of control. He squeezed his eyes shut, hard.

The room was deathly silent.

Only after a few long, deep breaths did he open his eyes again.

His gaze had returned to clarity, as if the moment of losing control had been no more than an illusion.

In his sleep, Pei Shiqing felt a familiar presence. His heart softened—that was his brother’s scent, his favorite scent in the world.

But the comfort lasted only a few seconds before that presence vanished abruptly.

Startled, he opened his eyes wide—and the first thing he saw was a familiar back.

“Ge!” Pei Shiqing called out urgently, caught between dream and reality, finally realizing Pei Mingyue was about to leave the room.

Pei Mingyue halted, but didn’t turn around. His voice was calm as he said, “Something came up. I have to head back to the company.”

Pei Shiqing glanced out the window. The sun was still bright—clearly, he hadn’t been asleep for long.

He scrambled out of bed, not even bothering to put on his slippers, rushing to grab Pei Mingyue’s hand—only to have it dodged.

His eyes dimmed in an instant, and even his voice dropped to a low murmur.

“Is it something really important?”

They had promised to spend the day together. Was work really more important than being with him?

He didn’t dare ask—afraid the answer would shatter his heart.

Still, the faint mist in his eyes betrayed the sorrow he couldn’t hide.

Pei Mingyue, with his back to him, didn’t notice.

He only said, “No one else can handle it. I need to go personally.”

“You can ride back with Shen Xingyan tomorrow.”

The door opened—then quietly closed.

A single door now separated the two of them, like a chasm that stretched vast and deep between them—impossible to cross.

Pei Shiqing wanted to run after him, but he was left behind in the cold, abandoned where he stood.

He curled into himself, heartbroken, crouching down to the floor, crying in silence.

Would the distance between them always be like this? He wanted to chase after him but had no rightful reason to do so. So he could only be the one who was left behind.

His father didn’t love him. His mother didn’t either.

And now, even the only person who had ever cherished him—his brother—seemed to have only work in his eyes. Was he truly just… an unnecessary existence?

All he wanted was to love his brother, to stay by his side forever. Was that so hard?

He knew this feeling was wrong—but he couldn’t control it.

In his short, fragile life, his brother was his only bond, the only anchor holding him together.

Just then, Shen Xingyan walked out of his room and saw Pei Mingyue standing silently at the end of the hallway.

“Why are you standing here smoking?”

He frowned as he noticed several cigarette butts on the ground.

Pei Mingyue was the most disciplined, self-restrained among their group of friends. Seeing him smoking for no apparent reason completely overturned Shen Xingyan’s impression of him.

“This isn’t like you.”

He walked up to Pei Mingyue and, with one glance, noticed the weary expression on his face. Surprise flickered across his own—he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing.

Pei Mingyue’s gaze drifted toward the distant mountains. The undulating peaks stretched endlessly, mirroring the mess of emotions surging within him.

After finishing the last cigarette, he stubbed it out. When he spoke again, his emotions had been reined in.

“I have something to take care of. I’m heading back first. Bring him back for me tomorrow.”

Shen Xingyan knew the “him” referred to Pei Shiqing. His brow furrowed. “Why don’t you bring him back?”

“I don’t want to ruin his mood. Let him enjoy himself here for a couple more days.”

“Hah. And you think leaving early won’t ruin his mood?” Shen Xingyan snorted coldly. “Or did you two have a fight?”

“No.” Pei Mingyue denied it instantly. “He’s my little brother. How could I possibly fight with him?”

He didn’t even have enough time to love him—how could he bear to quarrel?

But the truth was, his current emotional state was no longer suited for staying near Pei Shiqing. He was afraid—afraid that if he stayed, he wouldn’t be able to keep suppressing the emotions boiling inside him, and might end up doing something that would hurt Pei Shiqing.

He knew he was running away, but he needed time—and distance—to cool the ever-rising tide in his heart.

“Shen Xingyan, right now… I really envy you.”

That statement caught Shen Xingyan off guard.

He looked at Pei Mingyue, trying to read something—anything—from that cold, stoic face. But Pei Mingyue hid it too well.

“What do you mean by that?” he could only ask.

“Nothing,” Pei Mingyue shook his head. “I just suddenly envy that you have someone who loves you back. Mutual love is rare. You’re really lucky.”

He finished speaking, and under Shen Xingyan’s confused gaze, turned and walked away.

“Too bad I’m not you. That kind of luck… has nothing to do with me.”

His desolate tone and the solitary curve of his retreating back weighed heavily on Shen Xingyan’s heart.

Back in the room, Shen Xingyan passed on the news to Jiang Mingyi—that Pei Mingyue had left early.

“What?” Jiang Mingyi jumped up from the sofa in shock, knocking over the food tray in front of him, spilling everything all over the floor.

He didn’t care about the mess at all, immediately grabbing Shen Xingyan and asking, “Why did he suddenly leave?”

“Why are you so worked up about him leaving?” Shen Xingyan looked at the hands holding onto him, his gaze darkening slightly.

Jiang Mingyi froze for a second at the question, then quickly explained, “Weren’t we all supposed to hang out together? Leaving suddenly is basically standing us up.”

He clenched his fists, clearly indignant.

Shen Xingyan reluctantly accepted his explanation. “He said there was something urgent at the company he needed to take care of, and told us to bring Pei Shiqing back with us tomorrow.”

“What?!” Jiang Mingyi gasped. “He actually left Pei Shiqing behind and went off on his own?!”

What kind of scumbag behavior is that?!