Becoming the Caged Canary of a Forced Love - Chapter 7

The warm embrace and the restrained kiss at the corner of his mouth were entirely different from the sensation he felt now.

It was like a rising tide, surging with peaks and valleys.

In such close proximity, Gu Nian could clearly see the fire burning in Pei Jichuan’s eyes.

The setting sun flickered with its final sliver of light, only to be swallowed inch by inch by the creeping darkness.

Light finally vanished from the room completely.

In the dim environment, uneasy emotions surged forward like a tide. Even though he knew exactly who this man was, in this blurred atmosphere, Gu Nian seemed to hear the mocking laughter of many people from his past.

Fear gripped his heart. Gu Nian snapped his eyes open, and his palm swung out subconsciously.

SLAP.

The strike landed squarely on the side of Pei Jichuan’s face.

Gu Nian was jolted fully awake by the sound. His muscles tensed instinctively; the lingering sensation of suffocation on his neck forced him to remain on guard.

In the next second, however, the hand he had swung out was caught by the man. He felt a moist, soft heat between his fingers, followed by the imprint of a tooth-mark that didn’t quite hurt.

Gu Nian jerked back, trying to retract his restrained palm, but he was no match for the man’s strength.

His gauze-wrapped left hand was pressed gently against the side of the desk. The cool early autumn wind blew through the half-open window and hit his skin; the primary reaction to the cold was an involuntary shiver.

Gu Nian was sensitive to the cold. Under the breath of the chilly wind, he subconsciously shrunk back into Pei Jichuan’s embrace.

“Pei Jichuan?” Gu Nian finally managed to pull his right hand back. His fingers silently began to grope along the desktop.

He remembered there was a metal ornament in that spot. Its sharp-edged design was perfect for knocking someone unconscious instantly if struck at the temple.

Gu Nian’s hand successfully closed around the ornament.

But then, the moist heat shifted in the darkness and appeared by Gu Nian’s ear.

“I love you. Don’t leave me,” a deep voice whispered, carrying a surging, scorching passion.

Gu Nian’s eyelashes trembled. His mind felt as if it were being bewitched by a demon, and his fingers loosened instinctively.

The man before him lowered his eyes, his gaze under that deep affection appearing exceptionally soul-stirring.

Their noses brushed, and their ragged breaths mingled together once more.

Gu Nian reached out and lightly caressed Pei Jichuan’s cheek, looking at this face that shone brilliantly even in the dark.

Damn, he is handsome.

Consider it a vacation bonus. It’s not like I’m losing out, anyway.

Moist vapor spread throughout the study, and the air grew heavy and sticky.

Pei Jichuan propped himself up, reached out his arms to lift the other man, and returned to the bedroom.

Late in the night, the “evil capitalist” boss finally remembered the servants downstairs who had been running everywhere looking for someone. He mercifully sent a message to Butler Zhao before tossing his phone aside once more.

After a night of “strenuous labor,” the patient—who already required rest—unsurprisingly developed a high fever.

When Gu Nian woke up, he felt pain all over his body. He forced himself to lift his right hand to rub his eyes, but it was immediately pressed down.

“Don’t move around. You have a fever.” Pei Jichuan gently covered the hand that was receiving the IV drip, warming Gu Nian’s ice-cold fingers.

Pei Jichuan had always been a light sleeper. He had been startled awake in the early hours of the morning by the abnormal temperature beside him.

The family doctor had been forced out of his warm bed yet again. Ever since this young master arrived at the Pei residence, there were several emergency midnight summons every month.

Fevers, injuries, suicide attempts—the doctor had lost count. There were even times when the “little master” had used ornaments to bash President Pei’s head until he bled. The doctor would tremble as he treated the wounds.

Watching the two former butlers who had been sent to mine in Africa, the family doctor decided he must place the young master at the absolute top of his priority list.

After all, anyone who could bash President Pei like that and still be alive and kicking was definitely a “ruthless character.”

Gu Nian blinked, his head still feeling heavy and groggy. He turned his head to look at Pei Jichuan beside him.

The blood-red hue in the man’s eyes had vanished completely, but he clearly hadn’t slept well last night; there were still faint dark circles under his eyes.

“Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable?” Pei Jichuan stared at him, having lost his long-maintained composure for once.

The experience last night had indeed been wonderful. The rare cooperation from the other party had made it impossible for Pei Jichuan to restrain himself; he had fallen deep into it, unable to pull away.

Since reaching adulthood, he had almost never experienced such an uncontrollable state. By the time Pei Jichuan regained his senses in the latter half of the night, Gu Nian was already drifting in and out of consciousness.

Gu Nian lifted his other hand to rub his sore eyes, silently cursing himself. Pei Jichuan was practically a perfect match for his personal aesthetic.

Even in such dim light, the man was handsome enough to take one’s breath away. Gu Nian had no doubt: he had been shamefully seduced by beauty.

Truly, lust blinds the mind!

Gu Nian reached out and pulled the duvet up, covering half of his face. If he could, he wanted to briefly exit this world for a few seconds.

Pei Jichuan had long since grown used to the other’s occasional coldness and didn’t press him further. He simply sat there silently, warming Gu Nian’s cold hand during the infusion.

“Where is my phone?” Gu Nian’s voice suddenly rang out. Pei Jichuan froze, his brow gradually furrowing. Gu Nian continued, “I’m bored to death. I want a phone, or a computer is fine.”

Gu Nian pulled down the duvet covering his face. Their gazes collided, his expression carrying a rare sense of anticipation.

Pei Jichuan’s eyes darkened slightly, but seeing Gu Nian’s expression, he agreed as if possessed.

“I’ll have Butler Zhao bring it to you once the infusion is finished.” Pei Jichuan looked up at the IV bag, estimating the time, his heart in a slight state of disarray.

Perhaps there is still room for a turnaround. Perhaps he really has accepted me. Perhaps… we can be together forever.

Pei Jichuan lowered his head and rubbed Gu Nian’s fingers. His messy hair quietly hid the burning intensity of his gaze.

I have to contact Zhou Yi as soon as possible. This man’s possessiveness over ‘Lin Nuo’ is terrifyingly strong.

Smashing the surveillance camera yesterday had been an intentional test of Pei Jichuan’s mind. Gu Nian hadn’t forgotten the look in Pei Jichuan’s eyes when he opened the door—as if he were facing a man-eating demon, not a human being.

The remaining medicinal fluid finished dripping about half an hour later. After confirming Gu Nian was fine, Pei Jichuan headed to the company.

Not long after Pei Jichuan left, Butler Zhao brought the phone in as requested.

Gu Nian looked up casually at the sound of the knock and was startled by Butler Zhao’s “grieving widower” expression. Since their first meeting, Butler Zhao had always maintained a meticulous, professional appearance, with even his hair “welded” in place with hairspray.

Butler Zhao entered after receiving permission, his face masked in exhaustion. Last night, he had led a crowd of servants to scour the estate they had even lifted the sewer grates to check three times. In a state of growing despair, he had already finished drafting his resignation (and perhaps his will), only to finally receive a call from the boss.

In the call, Pei Jichuan was clearly breathing unevenly. After panting for a long while, he coldly ordered that the person had been found and they should clock off and rest. There were intermittent whimpers in the background that Butler Zhao didn’t dare listen to; he had barely acknowledged the order before the call was cut off.