Chapter 33: Behave
“No need, Young Master Pei.” Gu Yulan maintained a decent smile on his face, while the strength of his hand holding Wen Yan increased.
There were sounds of gasping around them.
An illegitimate son clashing head-on with the only son of the Pei family—could this count as a fit of rage for a beauty?
“Did I ask you?” Pei Zhouye’s voice was chilling, sweeping a faint glance over.
“You…” Gu Yulan said half a sentence and didn’t continue; he saw the group of people around them.
Bodyguards were ready to rush over at any time, and guests looked at him with appraising and rubbernecking eyes.
A stalemated atmosphere.
Pei Zhouye stared at Wen Yan and repeated again, “Need help?”
Wen Yan lowered his eyes, not meeting those dark black eyes.
“No need. Thank you, Young Master Pei.”
Pei Zhouye’s smile completely collapsed, and the air pressure around became even lower. He stood there, seeming to have no intention of letting the two pass.
Everyone knew Pei Zhouye’s temper; there wasn’t even any whispering.
The atmosphere was cold and hard enough to solidify into substance. Lin Seran walked over quickly in a few steps.
He wore formal attire today, a slender figure in a white suit. The makeup on his face was lighter than usual on posters, matching well with Pei Zhouye’s burgundy suit today.
“Zhouye-ge.” Lin Seran dragged out the ending sound, with a tone of acting coquettishly. “It’s almost opening time. Today is my birthday; I won’t allow you guys to make a scene at my birthday!”
Pei Zhouye was silent for a while, then gave a deep “En” as a response, stepping towards the main hall.
That back figure walked away, and the silent occasion became noisy again.
“Young Master Lin and Young Master Pei have such a good relationship.” Someone joked with a smile, tone full of flattery.
“I heard this manor isn’t lent out even for eight-figure business collaborations usually, but an exception was made today.”
“Whatever Seran wants, as long as he opens his mouth, what has Young Master Pei not given?” Someone close to Lin Seran said proudly.
Lin Seran smiled and didn’t speak.
He glanced lightly at Gu Yulan and Wen Yan, that look carrying some warning.
“Gu Yulan, control your person.”
Gu Yulan didn’t respond, leading Wen Yan through the door.
As soon as the banquet started, Wen Yan felt countless gazes drifting toward him and Gu Yulan.
Before, they had heard that Pei Zhouye didn’t like the little lover beside Gu Yulan. The disturbance at the door just now quickly spread with added details.
The once universally praised “Flower on the High Mountain” was now just a canary collected by Gu Yulan. High character and cold appearance turned out to be just packaging.
Gu Yulan sensed his stiffness, fingers tightening around his waist, as if declaring sovereignty.
He whispered in Wen Yan’s ear, “Don’t mind them, follow me closely, don’t wander off.”
A posture of intimacy and protection. Wen Yan remained silent.
If it was just Gu Yulan forcing him to terminate the contract, perhaps there was room for discussion. But Gu Yulan threatened him with his parents.
This was Wen Yan’s bottom line, and also the reason why he had retreated again and again before Gu Yulan, tolerating him.
Lin Seran’s birthday banquet was attended not only by the younger generation but also by many prominent families in City A. It was heard that the Chairman of Pei Corp, Pei Zhouye’s father, would also come.
Sure enough, after the official opening, Father Pei appeared under the escort of his assistant.
“Thank you all for coming to Little Ran’s birthday banquet today. I watched Little Ran grow up. His character is mischievous and willful, so please tolerate him more in the future. Without further ado, I wish Little Ran a happy birthday and smooth sailing in the future.”
Not many words, but applause filled the room.
“Zhouye.”
Pei Zhouye looked up.
“Today is Little Ran’s birthday, take good care of Little Ran.” Father Pei’s words were simple, but everyone present could hear that this meant the Pei family stood behind Lin Seran.
“Naturally.” Pei Zhouye bit these two words lightly. His peripheral vision swept over Wen Yan, who was half-embraced by Gu Yulan not far away, his eyes darkening.
Lin Seran smiled in the center, thanking Father Pei coquettishly. “Thank you, Uncle Pei. Uncle Pei treats me the best. My birthday wish this year is… for Uncle Pei and Zhouye-ge to be healthy and happy!”
A few more smiles appeared on Father Pei’s serious face. “Make a wish again. Not even leaving a birthday wish for yourself.”
The people below understood in their hearts. It seemed that not only did Pei Zhouye spoil Lin Seran, but even Father Pei was charmed by him; they could already be counted as a family.
“I want to go to the washroom.” Wen Yan spoke coldly.
He didn’t like those sticky and malicious eyes looking at him, and he didn’t want to be forced to hold Gu Yulan’s hand.
The frustration and heartache of trust being betrayed felt like a dull knife grinding on his heart, causing continuous aching.
Lin Seran had finished a piano piece, and the socializing was about to begin.
Gu Yulan glanced at the center; he really couldn’t get away.
“Come back early, don’t wander off.”
Wen Yan: “I know.”
After Lin Seran finished playing a piano piece in the center, the banquet officially began.
Pei Zhouye led the applause. Everyone was very supportive, praising Lin Seran as if he were one of the top piano masters in Country C.
Shen Yao stifled a laugh below. “Brother, is he that godlike? Let Lin Seran switch professions from actor to pianist.”
“You watch Lin Seran well here, don’t joke about him in front of others.” Pei Zhouye looked at the person disappearing in the distance, explained two sentences to Shen Yao, and quickly followed.
“Tsk.” Shen Yao was anxious, but couldn’t leave because of Pei Zhouye’s arrangement, whispering complaints: “Didn’t Uncle Pei ask you to take good care of him?”
After the banquet officially started, there was drinking, chatting, and blessings everywhere.
Wen Yan came out of the washroom. As he was about to walk from the corridor into the side hall, he ran head-on into a tall figure.
Unknown how long he had waited in the corridor, Pei Zhouye was leaning against the wall. Those usually smiling peach blossom eyes were dark at this moment, like a gathering storm.
“Come with me.” He spoke.
“Move aside.” Wen Yan said irritably.
The person in front didn’t react at all. Wen Yan looked up; his eyelashes were already soaked.
His voice shook terribly, every word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth. “Young Master Pei, please make way.”
The person in front of him had red spreading at the tails of his eyes, wet eyelashes clumping together, and even the tip of his nose was red.
Pei Zhouye froze in place.
“You cried?”
Wen Yan finally couldn’t hold back, tears sliding down his cheeks. “No.”
“You did cry.” Pei Zhouye’s movements and tone were a bit flustered. He had seen Wen Yan gentle and smiling, seen him cold and distant, but had never seen him like this, tears falling silently.
“Was it because I made things difficult for you at the door just now?”
He raised his hand clumsily wanting to wipe Wen Yan’s tears. Wen Yan turned his head to dodge, but that hand still touched his cheek.
Wen Yan took two steps back, dodging the cold touch on his cheek.
Pei Zhouye’s fingertips unconsciously rubbed the tears stained just now; that bit of dampness scalded his heart numb.
Footsteps in the corridor were getting closer, accompanied by the rattling sound of a waiter pushing a dining cart.
Pei Zhouye’s eyes darkened. Suddenly he took off his suit jacket and covered Wen Yan’s head with it. Before Wen Yan could react, he had already lifted him by the waist onto his shoulder.
“Pei Zhouye! You…” Wen Yan’s voice was muffled in the fabric. His knees hit Pei Zhouye while struggling, but the other party didn’t react at all.
“Behave, don’t let others find out.”
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