ALCSRB Chapter 8

In the middle of the night, Shen Xingyan felt something persistently nudging against him.

At first, it was something soft and fuzzy, rubbing and pushing against his chest.

Something even brushed against his chin—it tickled.

Exhausted, he simply shifted backward to avoid it.

But before long, that thing crept back toward him.

This time, it wasn’t soft at all—it was a solid force that smacked heavily against his shoulder and neck.

Smack!

Shen Xingyan’s eyes snapped open.

The sky outside was still dark, with only a faint stream of moonlight slipping through the gap in the curtains. His pitch-black eyes adjusted for a few seconds before the scene in front of him came into focus.

The boy who had drawn the “no-crossing line” was now sprawled diagonally across the massive two-meter-wide bed, occupying most of it.

The two long pillows that had served as the dividing line—one had been kicked who-knows-where, while the other was crushed under the boy’s foot, bearing a duty it was never meant to have.

Unknowingly, Shen Xingyan had been squeezed to the edge of the bed.

He usually slept very well, always lying flat on his back, but at this moment, he had somehow turned sideways in his sleep.

Draped across his neck was Jiang Mingyi’s left arm, sprawled wide and almost pressing against his carotid artery.

The two patches of exposed skin touched, transferring a bit of warmth from one to the other.

Shen Xingyan wasn’t used to being so close to others while sleeping.

If it weren’t for the fact that the other person was his younger brother, he probably would’ve kicked him off the bed.

His brow twitched a few times in frustration, but eventually, he removed that arm.

However, not long after, the person beside him turned over, and the other arm swung over again.

Shen Xingyan reacted quickly, catching it with one hand.

The boy slept soundly with his eyes closed, but his arm hanging in the air was obviously uncomfortable, and he let out a soft groan.

Shen Xingyan gently laid his arm down. Seeing that the boy no longer stirred, he finally closed his eyes again to sleep.

An hour later, he was once again forced awake.

Jiang Mingyi suddenly flung his right leg over Shen Xingyan’s thigh. It wasn’t heavy, but it was impossible to ignore.

That slender body curled up halfway into his arms, head resting against his chest, cheek pressed tightly to him — as if treating him like a giant body pillow.

The sky was beginning to lighten. Shen Xingyan could now clearly see the boy’s delicate features and fair, soft skin.

His tall, rounded nose moved slightly with each breath through his nostrils. His light pink lips parted just a bit, and warm breath drifted out with each exhale, making Shen Xingyan feel a subtle warmth in his chest.

After all these years abroad, he had seen many good-looking men and women, but a boy as overly delicate as Jiang Mingyi was still rare.

He poked the boy’s smooth forehead with his finger and spoke in a low, husky voice tinged with softness:
“You’re awfully well-behaved when you sleep. If only you could rely on your big brother like this more during the day, I’d be much happier.”

Shen Xingyan got out of bed. The boy, now missing his “pillow,” reached out a couple of times into the air before settling down after a long bolster was placed in his arms.

The sky was fully bright now. Since he hadn’t slept well, Shen Xingyan didn’t plan to force himself to go back to sleep.

He changed clothes and went downstairs for his morning workout.

He hadn’t been back in the country for a while, and some new faces had appeared around the villa neighborhood.

When those people saw the unfamiliar yet handsome man, even though they didn’t recognize him, they nodded in greeting.

Shen Xingyan jogged around the artificial lake near the villa area for over half an hour, and the sun overhead gradually began to heat up.

On his way back, just as he reached the entrance of his villa, another figure walked out from inside.

“Why are you up so early?”

Shen Jili had always had the habit of morning exercise. He usually woke up at six, worked out for half an hour, then washed up and had breakfast.

At his age, maintaining a good figure and physique required consistency. Among his group of old friends, Shen Jili had always taken pride in his fitness.

Seeing his older son already returning from his morning run, he felt a bit annoyed at being outdone by a younger man.

Especially since his eldest son was clearly taller and had a more perfect physique than he did.

“It’s good for young people to love exercising, but don’t forget to take care of your health.”

Shen Jili said as he reluctantly tore his eyes away from Shen Xingyan, his gaze tinged with envy. He adjusted his knee and wrist supports, waved his hand, and headed out for his own morning workout.

Shen Xingyan looked at the old man’s high fighting spirit with a sense of confusion.

Su Wanxin, standing to the side, smiled.

“Your dad wasn’t the type to work out when he was your age. Now that he’s finally gotten into the habit, he’s quite proud of it. He probably feels a bit off seeing you wake up earlier than him.”

Hearing that, Shen Xingyan scoffed,
“He’s so petty for someone his age.”

The two entered the house, and Su Wanxin asked him,
“How did you sleep last night?”

Shen Xingyan paused in the middle of wiping his sweat. “Mom, I know you meant well, but that kid’s sleeping posture is really something else.”

Seeing the helplessness on his face, Su Wanxin chuckled and covered her mouth,
“You never used to mind before.”

Shen Xingyan shrugged and said,
“Let’s just say I was young and foolish.”

Just then, Aunt Wang came over to ask what he wanted for breakfast.

“Anything’s fine, I’m not picky.” Shen Xingyan said, heading upstairs,
“I’ll go check if Xiao yi is awake.”

Aunt Wang hesitated.
“Young Master usually doesn’t get up this early.”

“That’s why it’s perfect for Ah-Yan to wake him up,”
Su Wanxin explained.

When Shen Xingyan opened the door, he saw Jiang Mingyi lying on the floor with his round little butt sticking up, reaching under the bed with one hand.

His eyebrows raised as he admired the boy’s unique posture for a few seconds.

Curiously, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The moment he heard the voice, Jiang Mingyi’s body froze.

When he woke up and didn’t see Shen Xingyan, he’d searched the bed and underneath it in a daze, even using his phone as a flashlight to check under the bed.

Realizing how stupid that looked, he’d panicked and bumped his head with a thud.

His phone slipped from his hand and slid under the bed.

And now, after struggling for so long without being able to retrieve it, he was caught by Shen Xingyan in this embarrassing state.

Jiang Mingyi was filled with regret.

Getting no answer, Shen Xingyan wasn’t in a hurry. He leaned against the door frame, quietly enjoying the sight of the boy wriggling out from under the bed like a caterpillar.

That high, round little butt—he had to admit, from this angle, it looked particularly full and perky.

And his pajama top was annoyingly disobedient, riding up to reveal a large stretch of his back—fair and soft, quite eye-catching.

Jiang Mingyi could feel a very tangible gaze fixed on him.

It was scorching—more present than the sun in the sky.

Look, look, look—stare until your eyeballs fall out.

He grumbled silently in his heart, a faint expression of indignation appearing on his face.

Ever since Shen Xingyan showed up last night, he felt like nothing was going his way. Even his perfectly fine phone ended up getting broken.

This new phone had only lived a single day in his hands and almost met its untimely end too.

Could Shen Xingyan be some kind of reincarnated disaster star?

Jiang Mingyi’s thoughts were running wild, and he didn’t even realize he wasn’t fully out from under the bed yet. He lifted his head abruptly—

“Bang!”

A dull thud rang out.
That once beautiful face instantly twisted into an unrecognizable grimace.

Shen Xingyan had been watching him the whole time. By the time he realized something was off and wanted to warn him, it was already too late.

The sound of the impact instantly shattered his amused, teasing mood. He rushed over and helped him onto the bed, worried.

“Let me see where you hit your head.”

From the sound alone, it was clear it wasn’t a light bump—especially now, with Jiang Mingyi curled up in pain, hugging his head as tears started falling freely.

“My head… it hurts so bad!”

After taking multiple hits to the head, Jiang Mingyi simply couldn’t hold back his tears anymore—his voice even changed tone.

“Let me see where it hit.”
Shen Xingyan tried to part his hair to check, but Jiang Mingyi wouldn’t cooperate.

With no choice, Shen Xingyan shouted downstairs,
“Mom! Xiao Yi hit his head!”

His voice boomed. Su Wanruyo, who was in the kitchen making breakfast, nearly overturned the pan in panic.

After a wave of chaos, Jiang Mingyi ended up on the couch with an ice pack pressed to the bump.

He sat there quietly, gazing resentfully at Shen Xingyan, who was happily eating breakfast at the dining table.

Why did he, the injured one, have to suffer through an ice pack while the troublemaker got to enjoy a full breakfast?
So unfair.

He pouted. Aunt Wang noticed and asked,
“Young Master, are you hungry? How about a soft-boiled egg to start?”

The Shen family always had a simple and nutritious breakfast. Boiled eggs were a daily staple.

Normally, Jiang Mingyi didn’t like them—he was sick of eating them every day.

But now, watching Shen Xingyan finish one egg and move on to peel a second, he gave in.
“Alright, I’ll eat a boiled egg.”

He had a head injury, after all—eating an egg for “like to like” healing seemed reasonable.
Hmph! It’s not like he was tempted by how delicious Shen Xingyan made it look!

Aunt Wang quickly went to get one.

Shen Xingyan placed the egg he just peeled into a bowl and handed it over.
“If one’s not enough, I’ll peel another for you.”

The ice had started to melt, so Su Wanxin went to get a fresh piece.
“I’m your mother and I haven’t even gotten a hand-peeled egg from you.”

Jiang Mingyi looked at the smooth, perfect boiled egg in his bowl, then at the steaming ice pack in Su Wanxin’s hand. Trying to win her favor, he said with a smile,
“Mom, you have it. I’ll peel my own.”

Any more ice and his head would turn into an actual ice cube.

With that, he jumped up and ran to the dining table, grabbing a boiled egg and starting to peel it.

Su Wanxin wasn’t reassured.
“Keep the ice on a bit longer, or you’ll be going to school tomorrow with a giant bump on your head.”

“I’ll just eat two more eggs to make up for it.”
Jiang Mingyi finished one egg and began peeling a second.

Seeing how fast he was eating, Shen Xingyan warned,
“Slow down, or you’ll choke.”

Just as the words left his mouth, Jiang Mingyi froze, eyes wide in panic.

“Oh no, he actually choked.”

“Quick—water, water!”

His throat was blocked, and Jiang Mingyi couldn’t wait for Aunt Wang to bring water. He grabbed the nearest cup from the table and took a big gulp.

Once the egg finally went down, he looked miserable and asked, “What was in that cup?”

Shen Xingyan looked at the now-empty coffee cup with a helpless expression.
“That was my espresso.”

Jiang Mingyi rubbed his ear. “I’m patriotic, but can you say that again?”

Shen Xingyan: “In simple terms, that was a shot of very strong coffee I use to stay awake. People who aren’t used to it find it extremely bitter.”

Bitter didn’t even begin to describe it—Jiang Mingyi felt like his tongue no longer belonged to him.
It was so bitter, it was numbing.