Forcefully Doting On You - v5c5

 

Chapter 111

Note: Early release, thanks to Sakuradahl's support on Ko-Fi! ʚ( ⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝)ɞ

When Mu Cai stepped out of his residence, the phone in his pocket buzzed twice, indicating new messages. These were likely additional messages from Lin Ling. After Mu Cai agreed to join Lin Ling at his alma mater's symphony orchestra yesterday, Lin Ling asked for his WeChat information, stating that it would be more convenient for communication. Since then, he'd been sending messages sporadically, most of which pertained to the symphony orchestra.

Especially when Lin Ling learned that Mu Cai was also a violinist, they began engaging in more extensive conversations. Though Mu Cai found the development of this plot to be somewhat strange, he did enjoy their discussion on account of their similar professions. Hence, he didn't pay too much attention to it. After all, he reckoned that based on his experiences in previous worlds, all he needed to do was to keep the energy field stable, and everything else would follow fate's lead.

Just as Mu Cai was about to step out of his bedroom, unlocking his phone to view WeChat messages before descending the stairs, a pair of hands lightly rested on his shoulders.

Instinctively turning around, he found himself confronted by a tall man approaching from behind. Their bodies are so close that Mu Cai could feel the heat radiating from the man.

Pei Jingyun locked Mu Cai's phone screen and his slender fingers brushed against the back of the hand in his embrace, an exquisite sensation. His eyes darkened as he released the hand but didn't let Mu Cai go. Instead, he wrapped one arm around Mu Cai's shoulders and gently gripped his other arm, speaking in a low voice, "Don't look at your phone while going downstairs."

Mu Cai understood Pei Jingyun's good intentions, so he obediently pocketed his blinking phone and smiled at Pei Jingyun, "Alright, Mr. Pei."

Pei Jingyun's grip on Mu Cai's shoulder slightly tightened.

He held Mu Cai as they walked down the stairs. When they reached the first-floor receiving area, he didn't let go, instead escorting him to the backyard's iron gate.

At the iron gate, Lin Ling was waiting, having dressed up for the occasion. Even his hair was styled with hairspray, making him resemble a courting peacock, eager to present himself in front of the one he admired. When Mu Cai appeared in his line of sight, Lin Ling's originally expressionless face revealed a hint of surprise and joy.

However, it quickly vanished, and his eyes contracted in an instant.

It was because Pei Jingyun was following close behind Mu Cai.

Pei Jingyun held onto Mu Cai's shoulder with one hand and gripped his arm with the other, making it look as if he was embracing the slender young man close to his chest.

The posture between the two was intimate and Mu Cai, who was being embraced, appeared completely natural. It seemed he didn't perceive any impropriety in this.

He didn't notice because this was how affectionate he was with his lover before. He got used to it easily but hadn't considered that in the eyes of others, his relationship with Pei Jingyun should be barely more than strangers.

Lin Ling's gaze solidified and he began walking toward the two.

Pei Jingyun continued to hold Mu Cai at an unhurried pace, letting go of him by the iron gate just before Lin Ling arrived. He lowered his voice and advised, "Have fun, but don't stay out too late. I'll come to pick you up."

Before Mu Cai could respond, Lin Ling had already approached and interjected, "Mu Cai is an adult and he can decide where he spends tonight. Besides, I'll be the one to bring him back."

Toward the end, Lin Ling's tone became pointed. He lightly laid a hand on Mu Cai's shoulder, as though to envelop him and his gaze was like a just-honed blade, challenging the man across from him.

In response, Pei Jingyun remained silent, did not move, only his eyes were dark. Having led a business empire for many years, with substantial influence and power, his aura wasn't something Lin Ling, a graduate from a foreign music academy, could suppress.

However, Lin Ling faced Pei Jingyun's gaze, unafraid.

If this had been in the past, upon meeting this admirable business pioneer, he would have respectfully lowered his head. However, now, in front of Mu Cai, he cannot concede defeat!

Just as tensions were escalating between the two men, Mu Cai spoke up to break the stalemate, "Thank you, Mr. Pei. If you need me to go home, just give me a call, there is no need to pick me up."

Even though it was a day off, Mu Cai felt that Pei Jingyun, as the head of such a large family, was undoubtedly quite busy. If Pei personally came to get him, it would likely be a waste of time. It would be better for Mu Cai to obediently go home.

Given his current state of being dependent, many aspects of his life were reliant on his host's desires. If he were to return late, he feared it would disturb others' rest.

Having said that, Mu Cai turned and lightly patted Lin Ling's shoulder, "Alright, let's go."

Pei Jingyun, with his quiet gaze, was shaken when Mu Cai spoke. His eyes swiftly shifted from Lin Ling to Mu Cai's face. After listening to Mu Cai's words, he didn't respond, his gaze falling on the hand Mu Cai had raised, resembling a sunflower following the sun.

The hand was slender with snow-white skin. His fingers appeared as though they were carved from premium mutton fat jade. The movements of his fingers changed the contours of his backhand, reminiscent of an exquisite art piece, each silhouette lingered in the mind.

Lin Ling was brought back to reality with the small pat, he quickly looked at Mu Cai and agreed, "Ok, let's go."

The man he was almost embracing nodded with a smile, "Alright."

Lin Ling, his mind clouded by the enchanting smile, shoved Pei Jingyun to the back of his mind immediately and led Mu Cai to the front door. His car was parked there, ready to take them both to their alma mater's symphony orchestra.

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A window on the villa’s wall silently cracked ajar.

Pei Congliang stood behind the window, keeping an eye on the movement at the iron gate in the backyard.

Having seen clearly what had just occurred, his emotion surged wildly, leaving him momentarily uncertain about what he was actually feeling.

From yesterday, Pei Congliang had sensed that something was off with Lin Ling.

Even though Lin Ling was around the same age as him, he was, after all, on an artistic path, less cunning than him who had fought his way out in the real world for several years. The first time Lin Ling saw Mu Cai, he was as if possessed, reacting almost identically, if not more intense, to the first time he himself had seen Mu Cai.

At that moment, Pei Congliang had a sense of foreboding, feeling as though some events, like runaway horses, were happening beyond his control. Growing up in Pei's family, he was proficient at reading people. Despite his reluctance to admit, Pei Congliang seemed to grasp a potential reality.

Lin Ling, it appeared, was very interested in Mu Cai, just as he (PC) was in him (LL).

Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous!

Upon contemplating this possibility, Pei Congliang felt immense regret.

Pei Congliang regretted concealing Lin Ling's existence from Mu Cai, and regretted not disclosing his relationship with Mu Cai to Lin Ling, thus landing him in the awkward predicament he found himself in now. After yesterday's incident, no matter how tender-hearted Mu Cai was, he was disappointed in him and unprecedentedly didn't respond to his messages. Lin Ling, on the other hand, replied to him more actively than usual. But Pei Congliang wasn't a fool; he could tell that Lin Ling was merely keeping him on the hook so he wouldn't back off and look for Mu Cai, giving him perfunctory responses.

Pei Congliang's mood was extremely mixed right now, but he couldn't help but pay attention to Mu Cai's movements.

When he saw Mu Cai being led towards him by Pei Jingyun, he sensed that something was off. However, the two people's demeanor was so natural that Pei Congliang doubted whether he was overthinking.

Considering the workaholic nature of his uncle, who hadn't married at thirty, never heard of any scandals, and never seen bringing any lovers home, he was almost like a sentient robot outside of his needs for food and drink. He didn't pay much extra attention to Mu Cai when he moved in, every behavior was reasonable and justified. Moreover, Mu Cai was naturally slow to pick up on others' closeness.

So, Pei Congliang reasonably surmised that Mu Cai might have tripped while walking and was aided by his uncle, leading to the current situation.

While this idea was still unspeakably bizarre, Pei Congliang no longer had the time to delve into it further.

Because Lin Ling was leading Mu Cai out, looking like they were about to get in the car parked in front of the small garden.

Even though Pei Congliang hadn't figured out his thoughts on this matter, it didn't prevent him from disallowing Lin Ling and Mu Cai to be together somewhere out of his sight.

Watching Lin Ling and Mu Cai's figures disappear through the small gate, Pei Congliang immediately left his spot by the window, preparing to fetch the most inconspicuous car from the garage to follow them.

After he left, Pei Jingyun, who was staring at Mu Cai's departing figure from the back yard iron gate, suddenly lifted his head.

A window on the villa's wall was left open, the curtains gently fluttering with the wind.

It was clear that someone had been standing there.

Pei Jingyun's face showed no surprise, as if he was well aware of everything.

At last, the old butler, who had been waiting around for ages, stepped out from the shadows of the leaves. The child he practically raised was decisive, hardworking and devoted, with nearly all his heart and soul thrown into his work for these many years, with nobody close to him most of the times. The old butler couldn't help feeling that Pei Jingyun was lonely, and he was concerned for him.

Fortunately, this time, Mr. Mu Cai appeared.

Even though Pei Jingyun was very subtle and restrained in his expression of feelings, perhaps for fear of scaring Mu Cai away, but how could the old butler, who watched him grow up, not understand his thoughts?

He had never allowed anyone into the backyard, let alone the loft room that even the Pei family could not access. And yet, he had given it to Mr. Mu Cai. Assistants who had never been called upon outside of work, were extraordinarily asked by Pei Jingyun to form a symphony orchestra to host a concert for Mr. Mu Cai.

Not to mention today, he personally assisted Mu Cai and engaged in such an intimate physical contact.

Relief shone in the old butler's eyes, mirroring the satisfaction of someone who sees the children of their household come of age. He respectfully said, "Sir, do you have any instructions?"

Before Mr. Mu Cai came to the Pei house, the Master's schedule for this week was packed. But hearing yesterday that Mr. Mu Cai planned to go out with the young master Lin, the Master rearranged all of today's activities overnight, completing or postponing them to tomorrow.

Pei Jingyun retracted his gaze, facing the back door of the villa that directly faced the iron gate. His look was stoic, as was his tone: "Prepare the car. Follow them."

________________________

Author's note:

Pei Jingyun: The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. As for me, I am the one who sees the whole picture. (Note: 螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后 - Those who are attracted by immediate interests without thinking about the possible dangerous results)

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