Chapter 35: The Incompetent and Malicious Ex-Boyfriend
Shen Ci was the type of person who could be persuaded by reason but never cowed by force.
He took a deep breath, the gaze he leveled at Pei Ye turning cold, even carrying a trace of grim resolution.
āIf you want one of my hands, then come and take itā.
It was just a hand; it wouldn’t kill him. Once the mission was over and he returned to the real world, he would be a whole man again.
Pei Yeās expression darkened. He hadnāt expected Shen Ci to be so unyielding, preferring to lose a limb rather than compromise his chastity for his boyfriend.
He stood up. His tall frame loomed over Shen Ci with a crushing sense of oppression, the faint scent of tobacco mixed with a chilled, woody fragrance enveloping the younger man.
Shen Ci instinctively retreated, only for Pei Ye to seize him by the wrist. The manās hand was slightly cold, his thumb stroking the delicate skin of the wrist with an ambiguous, lingering touch.
Overcome with disgust, Shen Ci couldnāt help but throw a punch, but Pei Ye caught it effortlessly. The pressure Pei Ye applied to Shen Ciās fist was so great it felt as if his fingers were about to be crushed.
Shen Ciās punch was fueled by humiliated fury, but he was no match for Pei Yeās raw strength. Pei Ye released Shen Ciās wrist and wrapped his other arm around the boy’s waist, slamming him ruthlessly against the wall behind him.
With a muffled thud, the back of Shen Ciās head hit the wall so hard his vision blurred behind a veil of physiological tears. He had no doubt a massive lump was already forming.
Pei Yeās face was inches away, the dim light outlining his sharp jawline. His shirt collar remained buttoned to the very top, and his breathāa mix of tobacco and cold fragranceāhit Shen Ciās face with suffocating intensity.
He pinned Shen Ciās hands down firmly.
āStubborn, are we?ā Pei Yeās voice was pressed low, vibrating with an irritated, somber edge. āIād like to see exactly how unyielding you really areā.
Shen Ci struggled, twisting his waist, his back pressed against the freezing wall while the manās scorching body heat radiated from the front. This sense of being caged made him feel incredibly sick.
āLet me go! Pei Ye, donāt take this too far!ā His voice trembled, but he kept his chin up and shouted.
Looking at the boy’s reddened eyes, Pei Yeās provoked anger suddenly and strangely dissipated, replaced by an even deeper sense of intrigue.
He lowered his head until his nose nearly brushed Shen Ciās forehead, his tone abruptly softening into something taunting. āYouāre clearly terrified, so why bother acting so tough?ā
Shen Ci turned his head away, unwilling to meet those overly direct eyes, though his eyelashes trembled uncontrollably. He might be unyielding, but that didnāt mean he wasn’t afraid.
After all, when had a law-abiding citizen like him ever encountered such a lawless thug? A perverted, lawless thug at that. It was truly hard not to be scared.
āPleasing me isn’t difficult,ā Pei Ye murmured, his breath fanning across Shen Ciās ear with a scorching heat. āIt doesn’t have to be anything too outrageousā.
Pei Ye paused for a second before continuing, āIāve never kissed anyone before. I want to try it with you. Consider it your apologyāfor kicking my door and making me unhappyā.
Shen Ci snapped his head back around. A kiss? And he called that not outrageous?
He felt a surge of humiliation rush to his head. āWhat makes you think Iādāā
āThe fact that youāre in my hands, and that you can’t leave this room without my permission,ā Pei Ye interrupted, his fingers pinching Shen Ciās chin to force him to look up. āItās just a kiss, not like Iām taking you to bedā.
āImpossibleā.
The moment the words left Shen Ciās mouth, the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside.
Wu Mu froze for a moment upon entering the room. His pupils constricted slightly when he saw Shen Ci pinned against the wall by Pei Ye. Then, as if realizing something, his gaze darkened.
āWhat are you two doing?ā
A flash of displeasure crossed Pei Yeās eyes at being interrupted; he had no hobby for “performing” in public. He released Shen Ci and adjusted his collar. āYou certainly timed that wellā.
Wu Muās brow furrowed. Before he could speak, Shen Ci acted as if he had found his savior and scrambled to Wu Muās side, grabbing onto his arm with both hands.
āMr. Wu, save me…ā
Shen Ci wasn’t stupid. Seeing Pei Yeās attitude toward Wu Mu, he immediately guessed they were friends. He could only try to seek help from Wu Mu; after all, who would want to lose a hand for no reason?
Through the fabric of his clothes, Wu Mu could almost feel the heat of Shen Ciās body against his arm. His expression became somewhat unreadable.
He stared at the arm Shen Ci was clutching before his gaze slowly traveled up to Shen Ciās panicked, fearful face. āWhatās going on here?ā
Pei Yeās expression turned completely cold when he saw Shen Ci run to Wu Mu and take the initiative to grab his arm. He looked as if he had been personally offended, his gaze turning sinister.
āI accidentally went into the wrong room. Boss Pei said I have to leave a hand behind if I want to goā. Shen Ci didnāt mention the “pleasing” part; it was too embarrassing.
āYou two know each other?ā Pei Yeās voice was icy, his narrow eyes squinting. Those who knew him well knew he was in a foul mood.
Wu Mu hesitated for a heartbeat before reaching out and gently patting Shen Ciās hand in a comforting gesture. āWe do. Heās an employee at Hello. Why are you making things difficult for him?ā
Pei Ye pressed his tongue against his canine tooth and let out a low, derisive snort. āIām making things difficult?ā He raised an eyebrow at Wu Mu. āIāve taken a liking to himā.
Wu Muās brow twitched, but his face remained calm. āAs far as I know, he already has a boyfriendā.
āWhich is why I gave him two choices: either have an affair with me, or leave a hand behindā.
Pei Yeās lips curled into a mocking smile as he stared straight at Shen Ci. āI didnāt expect him to be such a tough nut to crackā.
Wu Mu couldn’t help but frown. He stepped forward, unobtrusively shielding Shen Ci. āYou can find whatever kind of person you want. Give me some face and stop troubling himā.
Pei Ye looked at him in surprise. āYouāre pleading for him?ā
His voice turned even colder. āYou haven’t taken a liking to him too, have you?ā
Pei Ye knew Wu Mu wellāa selfish, cold-blooded capitalist. Why would he ever plead for a mere “employee”? Besides, what kind of good person would be friends with someone like Pei Ye?
Wu Mu lowered his eyes, his hand hanging at his side curling slightly, but his voice remained steady. āNoā.
Pei Ye snorted, though it was unclear if he believed him. āSit down and talkā.
There was no point in all three of them just standing there.
Wu Mu glanced at Shen Ci. āItās fine. Go sit over thereā.
Shen Ci sat next to Wu Mu on a lounge chair opposite Pei Ye.
Pei Yeās gaze flickered between the two of them.
Wu Mu looked up and met his gaze calmly. āPei Ye, itās not convenient for him to be here while we talk business. Let him leave firstā.
Pei Ye let out a short, defiant laugh. āConvenient? Why wouldn’t it be? Itās dinner time anyway. We can all eat together, and then weāll have our private chat laterā.
āIāve already eaten, and I have things to do,ā Shen Ci interjected quickly.
Pei Yeās face darkened.
Wu Muās voice softened slightly. āSince youāve already eaten, I wonāt keep you. You can goā.
Shen Ciās heart finally settled back into his chest.
He was now overflowing with gratitude toward Wu Mu. He had previously disliked the man for subtly threatening him into becoming a host, but now he felt Wu Mu was a truly righteous person worth knowing.
Translatorās Note: In Chinese culture, “eating soft but not hard” (åč»äøåē”¬) is a common idiom meaning someone can be coaxed or reasoned with but will become stubborn and defiant if you try to force them. Shen Ci is the perfect example of this! Also, Wu Mu is stepping up here, showing that thereās more to him than just being a cold boss. Pei Ye, however, is a real wild card. Thanks for reading!
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