Becoming the Caged Canary of a Forced Love - Chapter 28

The driver first dropped Xiao Yuan at his home before returning to Pei Jichuan’s manor.

Throughout the journey, Pei Jichuan did not ask Gu Nian for any specific details. It was only after returning to the estate that he headed to the study to make several phone calls.

In his haste, Pei Jichuan hadn’t even had the chance to change out of his formal wear. He held his phone in one hand, continuously issuing commands, while the other hand unbuttoned his dress shirt. He shed his jacket, tossing it aside, and loosened the top few buttons of his shirt.

The day’s events had truly caught him off guard. If the one who had fallen had been Lin Nuo…

Just the thought made Pei Jichuan feel numb.

After being kidnapped and returned as a child, he always felt that everyone was out to harm him. Consequently, Pei Jichuan didn’t dare get close to anyone, nor did he dare speak his mind. It was only after he reached a position of power that this insecurity gradually faded—but now, someone was targeting Lin Nuo.

The He family was a powerful clan with significant influence in the political sphere; a family of Wanjin’s status shouldn’t have been able to enter their banquet. Then there was the panicked Father He…

Father He had married into the family; usually, Mother He made the decisions. That was why his reaction had been so extreme when Pei Jichuan announced the cancellation of the partnership.

Pei Jichuan instructed a few of his most trusted subordinates to investigate.

I can’t let Lin Nuo go out for a while.

Having settled his affairs, Pei Jichuan prepared to return to the master bedroom to rest. He reached Gu Nian’s door and was about to open it, but his hand hesitated on the doorknob. Ultimately, he withdrew his hand and returned to his own room.

Pei Jichuan pushed open his door, his eyes betraying his exhaustion. He closed the door and headed straight for the bathroom, failing to notice anything unusual in the room.

After showering, he emerged with only a bath towel wrapped around his waist. The bathroom door faced the large bed; as soon as he looked up, he saw a prominent lump under the covers.

Pei Jichuan froze for a moment. He walked over and gently pulled the duvet back.

Gu Nian was curled up amidst the bedding, sleeping soundly. The sudden light woke him. He opened his bleary eyes to a sudden “visual assault” of masculine beauty.

Pei Jichuan’s hair was still damp, with water droplets sliding down his skin and disappearing into the towel. Without the hair gel used to fix his style, his hair fell in a messy, natural spray, with a few stray strands clinging to his face. His clearly defined abdominal muscles and solid arm strength made Gu Nian instinctively swallow.

From Pei Jichuan’s perspective, however, Gu Nian’s sleepy eyes were half-open, and his face bore a light flush. His pajamas hung loosely, exposing half of a shoulder.

Pei Jichuan was instantly reminded of the look Gu Nian had cast from the second floor of the He manor—haughty, noble, and filled with a faint, dismissive disdain.

The only word he could find to describe it was sexy.

“Why did you come here to sleep?” Pei Jichuan leaned down and spoke softly.

Gu Nian looked a bit unhappy upon hearing this. “What, am I not allowed to come? Do you not want to sleep with me anymore?”

“No.” Pei Jichuan’s eyes brightened. Although he only gave a one-word reply, it soothed the slightly irritable Gu Nian.

Looking into those pitch-black eyes, Gu Nian suddenly felt that the man resembled the German Shepherd he used to raise. He reached out to cup Pei Jichuan’s cheek; the other man’s jawline was incredibly sharp, and his damp hair shifted under the touch.

Pei Jichuan knelt on the bed, leaning his face into Gu Nian’s hand. Gu Nian threaded his fingers through the man’s hair and pulled him a bit closer. Pei Jichuan tilted his head, breathing in Gu Nian’s scent, his lips brushing against Gu Nian’s palm.

Gu Nian felt a tingling itch in his palm and pulled his hand away. Suddenly, he raised his hand high, but as his palm descended, he withdrew his strength.

Rather than a slap, it was more of a caress. It landed softly on Pei Jichuan’s cheek without even making a sound.

However, that single “slap” seemed to snap a nerve in Pei Jichuan. Like a prowling leopard, he lunged forward and pinned the other man down.

Outside the window, the night was like still water. Starlight and silver moonbeams intertwined, draping everything in a hazy, ethereal veil. In the depths of Gu Nian’s pupils, Pei Jichuan’s face was reflected. An inexplicable emotion quietly grew. He wrapped his arms around the man, the image of Pei Jichuan’s deep affection flashing through his mind.

Pei Jichuan lowered his head until their noses touched; the other man’s acceptance emboldened him. He turned his head and whispered a few words into Gu Nian’s ear, after which Gu Nian lost all ability to think.

Gu Nian was very unhappy. Pei Jichuan was refusing to let him go out again.

From the moment he woke up and heard the request, Gu Nian’s expression had been foul. He sat regally on the sofa in the study reading a book, while Pei Jichuan continued to work.

Pei Jichuan looked up at Gu Nian from time to time, hesitating as he glanced at the book in his hands.

After Butler Zhao noticed that the newly placed books showed signs of being read, he had tirelessly updated the shelves. The book in Gu Nian’s hand was his latest masterpiece.

Gu Nian kept a cold face, turning another page. Adhering to the philosophy of “never being too old to learn,” he refused nothing. However, the title of this book still left Pei Jichuan somewhat speechless:

The Free Romance Between Sows and Boars.

A sudden knock sounded at the door. Pei Jichuan remained calm, continuing to flip through his documents.

“Enter.”

Butler Zhao pushed the door open and stopped before Pei Jichuan’s desk.

“President Pei, Young Master Xiao’s father has sent word. He wishes to visit you tomorrow.”

Pei Jichuan’s hand paused on the documents. “Xiao Tingbai? Xiao Yuan’s father?”

They had never had any dealings. If it were purely because of Xiao Yuan, it was unlikely; the father and son had never been close.

“Did he say what it’s about?” Pei Jichuan asked after a long pause.

“No, he only said it was a social visit.”

Pei Jichuan frowned slightly, his finger tapping the desk. “Make the arrangements. We will receive the guest tomorrow.”

“Yes, President Pei.” Butler Zhao nodded and prepared to leave. His peripheral vision caught the book Gu Nian was holding, and a surge of pride instantly washed over him. He closed the study door and walked out.

As a qualified butler, one must always analyze the employer’s needs.

Butler Zhao clenched his fist. He isn’t nearly as difficult as the previous butlers said, he thought. President Pei and Young Master Lin are getting along quite harmoniously. President Pei even gave me a large bonus recently; it must be because of my outstanding ability!

At the thought, a smile crept onto Butler Zhao’s face. He raised his head high and went off to inspect the staff’s work.

Pei Jichuan glanced at Gu Nian again. Gu Nian remained cold-faced, his back perfectly straight. He let out a helpless sigh, put down his work, and walked toward him.

Gu Nian sensed the approach but showed no reaction. Internally, he gave a cold snort. He didn’t want to deal with him at all.

Soft and tender with kisses the night before, then turning his back the next day and forbidding me from going out… he really is no good!

Pei Jichuan stopped in front of Gu Nian. Seeing that the other was unwilling to acknowledge him, he could only gently pull the book from Gu Nian’s hands, set it aside, and sit down to take his hand.

“Are you angry?” Pei Jichuan asked softly.

You’re only realizing it now? Gu Nian’s face grew even darker. He even felt his hands itching to give the man a good whack with a hammer.