Chapter 110
Note: Early release, thanks to Sakuradahl's support on Ko-Fi! ʚ( ⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝)ɞ
For a moment, Pei Congliang doubted his own eyes and ears.
Why was Lin Ling, who was usually cold towards him, now showing admiration for Mu Cailu? Why was he enthusiastically asking for their name? Pei Congliang felt that something wasn't quite right witnessing this scene.
Unfortunately, before he could figure it out, he saw Lin Ling standing in front of him, frowning and rolling his eyes at him.
Pei Congliang: "......"
Lin Ling thought that the person who rushed over might have some hidden problems. He didn't react to his questions at all, he just stood there foolishly. Since Pei Congliang couldn't even answer a simple question, Lin Ling could only abandon this outdated human tool and seek the information on the beautiful person in front of the flower bed himself.
With that thought, Lin Ling did just that.
He stepped into the iron gate and walked step by step towards them.
The young man standing in front of the flower bed had already straightened up, revealing his nearly perfect body proportions. His eyes held a hint of panic and confusion when they met Lin's gaze, reminiscent of a scared, small animal with its soft fur slightly standing on end.
Lin Ling was a violinist and had just graduated from a foreign music academy. The affluent lifestyle and the influence of music from a young age had cultivated his excellent and keen aesthetic sense. The person before him was not only good-looking, but all his actions, his frowns, and smiles were incredibly captivating, adding to that was an inherent sense of delicacy that seemed likely to break.
It lured him in, stirred up an endless desire to protect... cherish. It was like a passionate poet meeting his own Venus.
Lin Ling walked over with a pilgrimage-like reverence, stopping three steps away from Mu Cailu, so as not to startle him. Lowering his voice, he nodded slightly and politely asked, "Hello, my name is Lin Ling. What's your name?"
Mu Cai was quite familiar with this approach.
It was reminiscent of how he greeted the audience before taking the stage for a performance. Realizing this, Mu Cai's fondness for Lin Ling increased a lot. Thus, he politely replied, "My name is Mu Cai."
As he spoke, his gaze moved to Pei Congliang, who was standing outside the iron gate, and he understood.
While according to the original plot, Lin Ling, as the white moonlight of the scumbag, didn't like the scumbag and only used him. Still, the latter would feel threatened when he saw that he was becoming the scumbag's new love interest. This was because if the scumbag fell in love with the original character, Lin Ling would lose control over Pei Congliang, which would hinder him from using Pei Congliang to seek benefits for his family business.
After his analysis, Mu Cai surmised that Lin Ling might have deliberately asked for his name in front of Pei Congliang to assert his unwavering status as the white moonlight. So, Mu Cai adjusted his facial expression to appear more self-deprecating.
The person in front of him lowered his eyelashes, producing a shadow under his eyes. Coupled with the corners of his lips downturned, he looked utterly wronged.
Baffled, Lin Ling didn't understand why Mu Cai suddenly looked unhappy. He hurriedly stepped forward and started to console him, "Why are you upset? Should I not have asked you questions? But I just wanted to get to know you, your name is beautiful. I like it very much."
He was in a fluster, and his words came out slightly incoherently.
Just as Lin Ling racked his brain trying to find a way to befriend Mu Cai, a glossy, robust black German Shepherd emerged like a phantom from behind Mu Cai. With its tail lowered and tongue withdrawn, a pair of black eyes guarded attentively against the man standing in front of it.
At first glance at the dog, Lin Ling got a little startled as he thought, 'How come this dog is so quiet and huge and came out without a single sound as if I am seeing a ghost in daylight?'
While he was still taken aback, a slender, thin-fingered hand appeared and stroked the thick fur on the hound's back. The hand moved from the dog's head, down the spine, all the way to the tail. Under the contrast of the hound's dark brown fur, the hand looked dazzlingly white.
The black dog seemed to enjoy the gentle strokes and quickly wagged its tail. At the same time, it opened its mouth and stuck out its tongue.
Mu Cailu has a fondness for his black hound, and seeing it stand up for its owner brought a delighted smile to his face. He couldn't help but laugh as he explained to Lin Ling, "It's a bit aggressive because it doesn't know you, but it's actually a good dog."
As he smiled, his fair complexion, curvaceous eyes, and two little canines just peeking gave Lin Ling an impression as if he had gulped down numerous candies — it was too sweet.
The smile shook Lin Ling to the core, making him instinctively wish to pet the black dog together. But the moment his hand extended, the just-so-pleased black dog transformed entirely – with furious eyes and threatening growls, it looked about ready to bite.
Taken aback, Lin Ling instinctively drew back his hand, stepping away. His response was reflexive, directed solely at the black dog.
However, seen through Pei Congliang's eyes, the situation had an entirely different flavour. From his viewpoint, Lin Ling was virtually obstructing Mu Cai — only revealing the hound and a mere hand. Pei Congliang couldn't see either Lin Ling's face or Mu Cai's expression. From his observation, he wrongly inferred that Mu Cai had specifically had the black dog scare Lin Ling.
A surge of resentment arose in Pei Congliang's heart. Worried about Lin Ling getting hurt, he also felt heartache for the seemingly gentle Mu Cai, who seemed to have changed his nature due to jealousy. Simultaneously, there was a sense of inexplicable complacency mixed in his heart.
The fact that Mu Cai went to great lengths for him suggested he was genuinely fond of him.
Pei Congliang quickly approached.
From up ahead, Mu Cai's apologies reached him, "Are you okay? You weren't bitten, were you? Sirius is quite vigilant, it's because he doesn't know you that he's not being polite. You shouldn't forcefully pet him, he…"
The person petting the black dog had a voice that was ethereal and pleasing to the ears. Moreover, because he listened to Mu Cai expressed his regret and talk more to him, Lin Ling soon forgot about his initial fright and had an unconscious smile on his face. But before he could indulge in it for long, an annoying voice came into his ear, "Mu Cai, how could you manage Sirius like this? You've disappointed me!"
Along with the voice came a pair of hands that made Lin Ling uncomfortable. Without uttering a word, he took a step to the side to dodge Pei Congliang's touch.
Strike one and Pei Congliang missed. Looking at Lin Ling's cold gaze upon him, unconsciously his face showed embarrassment. Pei Congliang tried to ease his awkward situation and his misaimed hand by turning towards Mu Cai.
But he was met with the latter's eyes that were as bright as the morning star.
The man he had seen many times before left Pei Congliang speechless every time. Perhaps disappointed by Pei Congliang's criticism, Mu Cai lowered his head, letting his eyelids cover his eyes that were full of life and not willing to show them. Even his bright red lips were stretched into a thin line.
He looked at Mu Cai who seemed to bear a great grievance.
Pei Congliang was at a loss for words.
He realized that he had made a mistake, but wasn't willing to swallow his pride. So, all he could do was vent his frustration on the shiny, sleek black canine, “How is this Sirius being raised? How dare it attack a guest!”
As he was ranting, Pei Congliang tried to reach and pat the dog's head as a form of reprimand. But the black dog wasn't courteous at all. It lowered its body and growled at him, revealing sharp teeth, nearly biting him.
Pei Congliang: "…"
Although he wasn't particularly close to the black creature, he never would have imagined it being so ferocious—that it would even snarl at him.
Letting out a chuckle, Mu Cai couldn't help but laugh.
He had just explained to Lin Ling that Sirius was wary of strangers, but he didn't expect it to snarl at Pei Congliang. Of course, Mu Cai knew that Sirius was protecting him. He was delighted and couldn't help but continue petting the creature’s thick fur while gently saying: “That’s alright, Sirius. They did not harm me, so don’t be so alert.”
With his mouth open and tongue out, the silhouette of the black dog's tail wagged furiously. The gurgling from its throat suggested it was really enjoying Mu Cai’s scratch on its neck.
Seeing the blissful expression on the black dog made Mu Cai feel great, his fair face immediately brightened up with a smile.
That smile was indeed dazzling. Lin Ling and Pei Congliang were momentarily stunned. For once, they were in sync, brewing a flicker of jealousy in their hearts.
A smile that Mu Cai never showed to them, was now given to a dog!
Begrudging this, Lin Ling earnestly wanted to draw Mu Cai's attention back. He stepped forward and said, “This black dog is indeed a little ferocious and disobedient…”
“Who says it's disobedient?”
A deep male voice interrupted Lin Ling's words. The three turned their heads to see Pei Jingyun walking down a path adorned with red flowers and green plants.
He was dressed in a white shirt and a gray thin sweater, followed by an old butler behind him. His cold face coming into view.
Pei Jingyun cast a cold glance toward the opposite side.
Having long been in a high position, this glance was profound and imposing, making it difficult for Lin Ling and Pei Congliang to breathe. Pei Jingyun didn't care about their reactions and continued calmly, “If it weren't for Sirius being well-trained, I'm afraid some people would be indiscriminately yelling at others.”
Upon hearing this, Pei Congliang knew that his uncle was referring to him. His face turned from green to white to red, and he stammered, “Uncle, I …”
However, Pei Jingyun didn't look at him but turned his gaze to Mu Cai, “Are you hurt?”
Mu Cai shook his head, smiling, “No, I'm not. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Pei.”
Pei Jingyun looked at the other's snowy cheeks and curved eyes. His Adam's apple moved slightly before he casually turned his gaze, “That's good.”
His gaze now fell on the slender hand stroking the black dog, then he spoke again, “Yesterday I told you that I was planning to form a symphony orchestra. The plan is already in place, it will take a few days before it is completely realized. Don't worry, stay here for now. When you have time, you can practice.”
Mu Cai laughed softly, "I'm not in a hurry. Thank you, sir."
His voice was melodious and ethereal. At this moment, as he spoke, his tail tone carried a nasal sound, giving it a soft and sticky vibe, as if he was coquettishly expressing gratitude.
Pei Jingyun remained silent, yet his ears quietly turned a little red.
Upon hearing this, Lin Ling, as if seizing something, swiftly asked courteously, ”Mu Cai, what instrument do you play?”
Mu Cai knew the key plot point had arrived. The white moonlight would soon realize that he was a substitute brought by the scum gong, not their lover.
He bowed his head and said, “The violin.”
Lin Ling's eyes lit up and immediately spoke warmly, "Coincidentally, I also play the violin. We can discuss and exchange ideas when we have time."
Mu Cai treated his words as mere polite conversation and nodded in response.
Who would have expected that Lin Ling would strike while the iron was hot, "Then, let's meet tomorrow. Tomorrow I plan to visit the symphony orchestra that I once studied in. Do you have time tomorrow? Would you like to come with me?"
His eyes were eager, attitude enthusiastic, and Mu Cai couldn't help but overthink.
Was the white moonlight in such a hurry to make him understand their true motives?
The script was running quite smoothly this time!
Contemplating this, Mu Cai nodded in response, "Sure."
Excitement filled Lin Ling's heart, but he made sure to keep a calm demeanor on his face. He cast a glance at Pei Jingyun who was standing next to him and noted the dangerous look in his eyes, a warning concealed in the gaze directed at him.
He knew it.
Although the head of the Pei family was elusive, Lin Ling still caught onto some of his intentions towards Mu Cai.
Perhaps this was the vigilance among romantic rivals.
Unfortunately, even if it's the head of the Pei family, how can he possibly prevent him from getting close to Mu Cai?
________________________
Author's Note:
Lin Ling: The radar is activated! Eliminate the target!
Pei Congyun: Hehe. (Note: Congyun = portmanteau of Congliang and Jingyun's names lol)
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