Chapter 160: Stealing Fragrance (15)
Lin Shu’s words left Pei Yinnian in deep thought.
But soon, he dismissed Lin Shu’s speculation.
“He is a scholar. He has a natural loftiness in his bones. He wouldn’t be willing to be with me in a legitimate and honorable way; he is a teacher who educates others. That would ruin his reputation.”
There was another point. What he hadn’t told Xiao Ji explicitly was that in case he died one day, if everyone knew Xiao Ji had been with him, Xiao Ji would truly never be able to marry or live a normal life again.
Pei Yinnian was selfish, but he wasn’t insane. While he was alive, Xiao Ji could only be with him, but if he were truly to die…
Lin Shu didn’t let Pei Yinnian continue his spiraling thoughts. He said:
“Why don’t you test him? It doesn’t have to be too obvious. Just test his attitude first.”
“If you always brood over it yourself like this, you won’t necessarily be right, and you’ll just make yourself miserable for nothing.”
Lin Shu’s point made sense. Instead of getting stuck in a dead-end, it was better to test Xiao Ji’s attitude step by step. If Xiao Ji were willing… as for whether he was willing or not, that could be discussed then.
Thus, that evening after Xiao Ji’s classes, Pei Yinnian directly wore his military uniform, drove his jeep, and waited at the gate of Guoli Yizhong, attracting the attention of many people.
However, when Xiao Ji came out, he appeared very composed. He didn’t ask anything and directly got into the vehicle. Just like any other day, he didn’t show any special behavior.
Sitting beside him, Pei Yinnian tested the waters: “Many people saw you get into my car.”
Xiao Ji spared him a glance. “Do many people not usually see it?”
Pei Yinnian said, “Usually there aren’t this many people.”
Xiao Ji said indifferently, “As long as one person sees and spreads it, the effect is the same.”
“Aren’t you afraid of people gossiping?” Pei Yinnian asked.
Xiao Ji’s least concern was gossip. “Tongues belong to others; they can say whatever they like. Besides, it’s just getting into your car. Your concern, Young Master Pei, is a bit like a thief with a guilty conscience.”
Xiao Ji was right. After all, both Xiao Ji and Pei Yinnian were men. In this era, unless one acted too obviously or went out of their way to say it, normal people seeing Xiao Ji in Pei Yinnian’s car every day would at most think they were familiar or had some other professional connection. Not many people would conclude they were “together” based solely on that.
Pei Yinnian let out a huff. “You certainly are composed.”
Xiao Ji saw through Pei Yinnian’s deliberate act and intentional testing. He knew what was happening but bypassed the topic.
“Your complexion looks better than yesterday. Has the fever subsided?”
Pei Yinnian gave an “en.” “A small matter. It’s nothing.”
Xiao Ji didn’t speak, but he reached out and hooked his pinky finger with Pei Yinnian’s.
Pei Yinnian lowered his eyes, looking at Xiao Ji’s hand hooked with his own. He felt an indescribable feeling in his heart. At this moment, he even felt a bit ridiculous. Clearly, they had kissed, hugged, and done even more intimate things. Yet he was moved by such a sudden, small gesture from Xiao Ji.
He tightened his fingers, grasping Xiao Ji’s hand in his palm. His heart, which had been calm for over twenty years, was currently thumping in his chest like a drum.
In the evening, after Xiao Ji finished tutoring Pei Xinyun, Pei Yinnian was waiting at the study door as usual.
But when Xiao Ji came out, he said to Pei Yinnian:
“I haven’t been back for two days. I need to go home to report that I’m safe and check on Xiao Ran.”
Hearing this, Pei Yinnian frowned. Although he was clearly unwilling, he didn’t say anything to stop him. After a moment of silence, he nodded.
“I’ll send you back.”
Xiao Ji looked at the expression on his face. “Are you unhappy?”
Xiao Ji didn’t know that Pei Yinnian had already set out red wine in the room, lit incense, and prepared hot water in the enamel bathtub. After waiting for two hours, having Xiao Ji say he was going back made it impossible for Pei Yinnian to be happy.
But he didn’t want to seem too petulant, so he still denied it.
“It’s only human nature. There’s nothing to be unhappy about.”
Initially, Xiao Ji only thought Pei Yinnian was clingy—unwilling to let him go yet refusing to admit it. But all throughout the drive home, Pei Yinnian appeared dispirited and listless, which made Xiao Ji feel that something was slightly off.
He summoned 037: [What’s wrong with him?]
037 had been very busy lately. If Xiao Ji didn’t have a need, it rarely came out to show its presence. Hearing the summon, a burst of static electricity sounded before it replied to Xiao Ji:
[He made some small preparations that fell through. He also had several long gowns made for you.]
Xiao Ji was speechless. He suddenly remembered that a long time ago, Fang Yinnian also liked to arrange small surprises for no reason. But to Xiao Ji, those surprises were truly optional. The only thing that could pique Xiao Ji’s interest was Yinnian himself.
As for the rest—to an unromantic person like Xiao Ji—there was no difference between a luxury suite in a five-star hotel or a dilapidated old wooden hut in a mountain village. Back then, if Xiao Ji acted as usual, Fang Yinnian would secretly feel frustrated afterward, wondering if the things he prepared didn’t hit the mark for Xiao Ji.
Later, Xiao Ji discovered this and, not wanting Fang Yinnian to overthink, he would make an effort to be more “in the zone” during such times.
Although he himself didn’t feel much, he could understand that the feeling of meticulously preparing a small surprise only to have it fall through must be quite terrible.
Thus, when Pei Yinnian’s car stopped at the entrance of the alley, Xiao Ji changed his mind and asked:
“Do you have other plans later?”
Pei Yinnian said flatly, “No. I’m going back to the Pei Residence.”
Xiao Ji asked again, “What about tomorrow morning? Are you waking up early?”
Pei Yinnian raised his eyebrows at Xiao Ji. “Depends on my mood.”
Xiao Ji nodded. “Then do you mind waiting for me for a moment? I’ll go in and check, say a few words, and then go back with you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Pei Yinnian, who had been listless a second ago, instantly brighten up.
“You’re not staying overnight at home?”
Xiao Ji gave an “en.” “There isn’t a place for me to stay anyway.”
Hearing this, Pei Yinnian’s first reaction was to scold Mother Xiao—how could such a grown son return home and not even have a place to stay? But before the words could leave his mouth, he swallowed them back, thinking it was actually quite good that Xiao Ji had no place to stay. The Pei Residence had one; his bed was very large, more than enough to accommodate Xiao Ji.
It would be best if Xiao Ji just moved directly to the Pei Residence and never came back here.
He didn’t show these secret thoughts, only saying:
“Go on. I’ll wait for you for half an hour.”
Xiao Ji got out of the car. “No need for that long. I’ll be back soon.”
“Wait.” Pei Yinnian called him back and said to Lin Shu, who was driving: “Lin Shu.”
Lin Shu gave an “ai” and pulled out a wooden box from beneath the passenger seat, handing it to Pei Yinnian. It was the same wooden box he had brought along with the wallet to give to Xiao Ji before. Back then, Xiao Ji hadn’t accepted it.
He handed the box to Xiao Ji again. “Take it.”
Xiao Ji didn’t move. “Tutoring Pei Xinyun doesn’t require this much. You’ve helped me a lot.”
Pei Yinnian said, “One thing is one thing. You’re always not coming home; if you don’t take money back, your family will have complaints.”
Xiao Ji didn’t have any concept of “eating soft rice” (being a kept man). Besides, given their current relationship, if he refused again, Pei Yinnian would likely overthink again or even lose his temper.
Xiao Ji reached out and took the wooden box. Without thanking him, he turned and stepped into the dark alley.
After Xiao Ji left, Lin Shu turned around and said to Pei Yinnian:
“Master, seriously, I don’t think he has any sense of being forced. I think we can increase the intensity of this ‘test’ now.”
Translator’s Note: “A thief with a guilty conscience” (做賊心虛 – zuò zéi xīn xū) is a great idiom! It perfectly describes Pei Yinnian right now. And “Eating soft rice” (吃軟飯 – chī ruǎn fàn) is a common slang for a man being supported financially by his partner.
Recommended Reads
