Spoiled by a Paranoid Big Shot Since Childhood - Chapter 25

Because you are here, I want to be here too. Because where we sleep doesn’t matter; what matters is being able to be together.

“…”

“Actually, sleeping in the toy room isn’t bad at all. You don’t need to worry about me,” Xi Bei fell silent for a while, then revealed a smile that was even uglier than crying. “Really, An’an.”

“You should go back to sleep, otherwise Uncle Qin will find out.”

Because… under the condition that Qin Yueyuan would return at any moment to check if Qin Yian was sleeping properly on his own, it was safest for Qin Yian to sleep in his own room.

“Tuantuan.”

Qin Yian grabbed Xi Bei’s palm. It was scorching hot and warm, just like a sincere heart.

“I didn’t lie to you.”

Xi Bei stood up. He turned his back to pull Qin Yian up, carefully opened the bedroom door, and said:

“I’ll go find Uncle Gu and get a new quilt, and then I can sleep on the beanbags. It couldn’t be better!”

Qin Yian repeated, “Tuantuan.”

Xi Bei’s hand tried to pull back, but it was held tightly and earnestly. He whispered, continuing: “And we just can’t sleep together right now, but we’ll see each other again tomorrow during the day, right? Isn’t that great?”

“Tuantuan.”

Xi Bei’s shoulders trembled slightly. After a pause, he choked out:

“It’s okay, I actually like sleeping here the most, because I was originally…”

“Originally what?”

Qin Yian used his other hand to grab Xi Bei’s wrist. With a forceful tug of both hands, he actually pulled Xi Bei until he fell right onto him.

In a whirlwind of dizziness, the scene before him blurred. Xi Bei could only feel that through his tear-blurred vision, a Qin Yian was looking at him seriously and earnestly. The two of them fell onto the beanbags, pressing out a deep “pit,” so trapped they could barely get out. Xi Bei wanted to go to the left, Qin Yian leaned to the left; Xi Bei wanted to escape to the right, Qin Yian blocked to the right.

“You’re not allowed to leave,” Qin Yian said. “Look at me.”

“…”

Xi Bei wiped his tears, his red-rimmed eyes looking just like a little rabbit. He managed to squeeze out a smile: “I am… an adopted son.”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected Xi Bei to say this, but a clear, visible daze appeared on Qin Yian’s face. His dark, thick lashes drooped, blocking those glass-colored pupils. Xi Bei sniffled and continued:

“I know An’an is doing this to protect me, to keep Uncle from scolding me, and to keep us from being separated, which is why you’re willing to take responsibility.”

“But, I don’t want it to be like this,” Xi Bei whispered. “I don’t want to.”

“Do you want to be separated from me?”

“…”

Xi Bei shook his head. “No, An’an.”

“Because I am an adopted son, I know that. I should thank Uncle Qin for allowing me to have a home and an education,” Xi Bei added. “I don’t want An’an to have a rift with Dad because of me, I don’t want An’an to be punished, and I don’t want Uncle Qin to think I’m coveting anything…”

Qin Yian acted as if he had been scalded, closing his eyes tightly. He pulled Xi Bei tightly into his arms. Turning over, he buried his head in Xi Bei’s neck, inhaling the faint scent of peppermint and milk on his body—a fresh and sweet fragrance.

Xi Bei was pulled into a tight embrace. After a long pause, he whispered the last part of his sentence.

“Because I want to tell Uncle Qin that I don’t want to covet anything. I just want to be the best, best family and friends with An’an, that’s enough.”

“…”

Qin Yian’s voice was somewhat strained: “I thought you were angry.”

Just hearing this, Xi Bei already understood. What a clever and transparent child Xi Bei was. He smiled, wrapped his arms around Qin Yian’s neck, and whispered:

“That doll? That’s right. I’m very happy to be An’an’s doll. Aren’t I An’an’s treasure?”

“…”

“No.”

Xi Bei was stunned for a second.

Qin Yian continued: “A doll is dispensable and can be replaced at any time.”

“Xi Bei is not.” He said, “Xi Bei is one of a kind in this world, my only treasure. I can live without a doll, but I cannot live without Xi Bei.”

The two gazes met and collided in the air.

“I know.” Xi Bei reached out to touch Qin Yian’s face. “I know.”

However, just as he said this, Xi Bei suddenly heard movement from outside.

Knock, knock.

When Butler Gu came to call the children to get up every morning or to tuck them in at night, his steps were extremely light, almost imperceptible, like a nimble and agile dancer. How could it be like this now? His steps landed on the ground with power and strength, and one could hear him walking from quite a distance away. It seemed he was also carrying something, chatting with someone nearby, using the excuse of carrying too many things, occasionally letting out a laugh or two.

Xi Bei understood instantly. He widened his eyes, subconsciously covered his own mouth, and whispered to Qin Yian with a breathy voice: “An’an, hurry back…”

Presumably guessing who the visitor was, Qin Yian understood too. He paused for a moment and whispered “Wait for me” to Xi Bei.

Qin Yian quickly rolled over and went out of the bedroom; fortunately, the Qin house was very large, and he almost brushed past Butler Gu and Qin Yueyuan. Qin Yueyuan’s voice rang out at the doorway:

“Is someone cleaning this toy room every day? Does Yian still want the things inside? If not, pack them up early and give them to Xi Bei.”

“Someone cleans it every day, sir. Young Master Yian will definitely want the things inside,” Butler Gu raised his voice slightly, shaking his head in disapproval, “Sir, it’s hard to clear out a new room for Xi Bei.”

“How is it hard? Is it really that necessary for the two children to sleep in the same bed?”

“Unless Xi Bei sleeps in the servant’s room, sir. That would be inappropriate.”

“…”

Qin Yueyuan wanted the two children to have separate rooms, but definitely not to let Xi Bei sleep in the servant’s room; that certainly wouldn’t do. Qin Yueyuan rubbed his brow, and only at the doorway did he lower his voice a little. “Then, at least, there’s another bed in Yian’s room, isn’t there?”

Butler Gu’s hand, tightly gripping the quilt, loosened slightly:

“Yes.”

Click. The door opened. Xi Bei was curled up on the beanbag, looking as if he were asleep. He was so small, two beanbags were enough for him to lie down on, with a mark on his soft cheek, his long lashes drooping, occasionally trembling. He looked quite pitiful. Seeing this scene, Qin Yueyuan’s heart didn’t feel quite right either.

“Bei Bei,” he instructed Butler Gu to bring a quilt to him, “Sleep with a quilt spread out, so you don’t catch a cold.”

Xi Bei heard the voice, climbed up sleepily, and obediently said “Hm,” “Thank you, Uncle Qin.”

Butler Gu also quickly started working. He pushed several beanbags together, spread a quilt underneath, and covered it with another one. It was probably enough for two people to sleep.

“…”

Qin Yueyuan browsed the environment of the toy room. Letting Xi Bei live here truly made him feel a bit sorry. He had just quarreled with Qin Yian, and he was genuinely in the heat of anger. He knew this matter couldn’t be blamed on Xi Bei, and venting his anger on such an obedient child who never overstepped was truly not his intention. It was just that before, he subconsciously wanted to prevent this sense of insecurity that was vaguely surging from the bottom of his heart. Thinking about it now, he really didn’t need to use the method of interrogating one to make the other feel heartbroken. Moreover, Xi Bei’s attitude of not wanting anything actually made him feel a bit ashamed.

“Bei Bei,” Qin Yueyuan sat on the beanbag next to him and sighed softly, “I’m sorry, Uncle didn’t mean to drive you out; I was just really angry when I heard Yian hit someone today. I was even angrier when I heard he wasn’t telling the truth…”

“Uncle Qin, I know,” Xi Bei pursed his lips and smiled. “It’s okay, I sleep here very well.”

“…”

Qin Yueyuan was completely at a loss for what to say; he reached out to touch Xi Bei’s soft hair:

“You move to the bed next to Yian tomorrow, can you?”

Xi Bei’s heart stirred slightly; he whispered: “Okay.”

Qin Yueyuan was finally satisfied. What was wrong with the children having a good relationship? Two boys sleeping together wouldn’t have any issues. Looking at it this way, it was his own reaction that was somewhat excessive. Moreover, Xi Bei was so obedient and never overstepped, so it wasn’t a bad thing to let Qin Yian learn to take care of him a little.

Feeling light, Qin Yueyuan stood up, patted Butler Gu’s shoulder, containing a hint of blame that wasn’t accompanied by anger: “Next time just tell me the truth, if the two children have a good relationship, what is there that can’t be said, right? I’m going up first.”

As soon as he finished speaking, having sat on a plane for several hours, he was genuinely exhausted. He left the toy room and went upstairs, leaving behind only Butler Gu, who was organizing the bedding, and the obediently sitting Xi Bei.

“…Phew.”

Butler Gu’s tensed body finally relaxed a little. Xi Bei obediently turned his gaze to Butler Gu and said sincerely: “Thank you, Uncle Gu.”

“Good boy.”

Butler Gu also sat down and tousled his hair: “At least for these two years, Mr. Qin won’t let you two be separated.”

Xi Bei smiled foolishly.

These two children had been watched over by Butler Gu as they grew up; he saw their smiles and tears every day; he even had a better relationship with the two children than Qin Yueyuan. Butler Gu sighed: “Sleep early. Mr. Qin’s flight is also quite early tomorrow, he probably won’t have time to come down to check, you…”

Butler Gu stood up pretentiously and patted Xi Bei’s shoulder: “Be good, if you feel cold, then—”

“No need, Uncle Gu,” Xi Bei smiled. “I’m not going back to find An’an, I know Uncle Qin won’t be angry or flare up at me, but he will be angry at An’an.”

He said it very sincerely.

“…”

Butler Gu was helpless. Little fool.

Butler Gu turned off the light for Xi Bei and retreated from the toy room, not noticing that he had brushed past a figure.

The door made a “click” sound. Xi Bei had just crawled into his quilt when he immediately sensed someone entering the doorway. Qin Yian held two phones in his hand, the joined Tuan Tuan wood carvings unable to separate, making the sound of wood rubbing together, just like the movement made when the two were leaning together.

“…Tuantuan.”

Even though he was in his own home, he acted as if he were a thief. Xi Bei was stunned; he felt his heart was both soft and aching—he didn’t know what to do with Qin Yian—Qin Yian clearly knew he might get hurt, might be scolded, but he didn’t care. All he cared about was whether he could be with him.

“Why did you come over,” Xi Bei sat up, “Uncle Qin just came over, although he probably won’t come again…”

“I came to find my treasure.”

“Doesn’t my treasure like to live in the toy room?” Qin Yian said faintly, “Let me see how good the toy room is to live in.”

Xi Bei broke into a smile.

He whispered to Qin Yian that Qin Yueyuan had told him to sleep on the other bed in Qin Yian’s room tomorrow, though Qin Yian still made a dissatisfied “tisk” after hearing it, having strong opinions about his father.

“I don’t care about him,” Qin Yian said coldly.

Qin Yian’s only thought these days was that he wasn’t capable enough, not strong enough. He had never been this eager to grow up quickly, to grow up fast, hoping to make his own career as soon as possible, rather than relying on Qin Yueyuan to rebel against Qin Yueyuan. As long as he was capable enough, no one would ever stop him from pampering Xi Bei again.

“Tuantuan,” Qin Yian pulled back the quilt a little and pulled Xi Bei into his arms, “Come over a bit.”

He knew Xi Bei was afraid of the cold and liked to stay in bed; sleeping in this kind of place certainly wouldn’t be comfortable. So he had Xi Bei’s feet step on his own, stuffed Xi Bei’s hands into his own top, letting his cold hands rest against his chest, keeping him warm enough.

Xi Bei had originally been afraid of being too heavy and pressing on Qin Yian, but Qin Yian patted Xi Bei’s little bottom, forbidding him from moving around.

Alright then.

“Mmph…” Xi Bei curved his eyes, “So warm. Thank you, An’an.”

Qin Yian leaned in close to Xi Bei’s earlobe and gave it a light bite: “Idiot.”

Xi Bei admitted it happily.

“Jiang Wanjiao sent you some messages, do you want to see them?” Qin Yian whispered, “Xie Ye and Qin Siyu are also mixing in… tisk.”

“I want to see!”

Xi Bei’s slightly swollen eyes couldn’t see very clearly in the dark night, but Qin Yian could still sense his exhaustion through the faint light. His dark, bright eyes were sparkling. Unlike before, when Qin Yian saw his expectant and hopeful gaze today, it felt as if his heart had been scratched by a kitten’s paw. This unexpected, unbearable sour numbness and strange sense of comfort made Qin Yian turn his head involuntarily. His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

Qin Yian didn’t fulfill his request.

“Your eyes are already as red as a little rabbit’s,” Qin Yian said relentlessly, “And you still want to look, you’ll go blind.”

Xi Bei whispered “Oh” and smiled as he rubbed into Qin Yian’s embrace: “Alright then.”

He didn’t mind at all that it was Qin Yian who had asked him if he wanted to see in the first place.

“I’ll read them to you.”

Qin Yian whispered.

After he finished speaking, he immediately saw Xi Bei’s sparkling eyes become even brighter, saying “Hm” as if extremely satisfied. The feeling in his heart became even stronger and even stranger. Qin Yian inexplicably felt his heart beating at high speed; he couldn’t figure out the sequence of events, but subconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

After a good while, he felt his heart being scratched by a feather.

Probably because Xi Bei’s eyes were too bright.

Qin Yian told Xi Bei to close his eyes. Then, Qin Yian gently rubbed his lips against his eyelashes and kissed his scorching hot eyes.

“…”

Xi Bei opened his eyes dazed and gently “Hm?”

“…Seems like there was some lint,” Qin Yian said, his face unchanged, “Alright, Jiang Wanjiao’s messages have already drowned the entire phone.”

Xi Bei smiled.

“Jiang Wanjiao is asking how you are, if you’re better… Xie Ye is asking what happened, she probably explained a bit, then Qin Siyu said—” Qin Yian frowned as he looked at what he had sent, “He said whoever dares to hurt you, wait for him to rush over and beat that person up right now.”

“Heh.”

Qin Yian paused for a moment without speaking, but his fingers were typing on the screen, and he soon sent a paragraph out.

[Qingtuan: Is it your turn?]

Xi Bei guessed it even before he read it, unable to stop a “pfft” laugh from escaping.

[Idol is Brother Bei: …Sorry, cousin, I was wrong, ignore me.] [XY: See how cowardly you are. By the way, I remember that person was from the Wen family; although the Wen family certainly has no influence on your family, after such a fight, won’t you two be punished?] [Jiaojiao: ??? They were stepping on your faces, Brother Qin Yian hit them well! Why would you be punished?! Simply outrageous, if you’re punished, you two hurry over to my house, my parents are praising you!] [Idol is Brother Bei: Hehe, if you want to come, come to my house, my parents are out, we can skip class together.] [XY: What are you competing with me for? Come to my house. At least I can help Qin Yian beat that person up two more times.]

Qin Yian read it to Xi Bei in a low voice and saw his eyes curved like small crescent moons, excitedly and happily saying: “Reply to them quickly!”

Qin Yian temporarily dismissed the thought of replying to them with “watching for stars in the bright sun” and instead typed two words.

[Thanks.]

The three people on the other side of the phone screen couldn’t help but laugh.

[XY: Who are you? You’d actually say thanks! Give me back my brother!] [Idol is Brother Bei: Monster! You’re a monster! My Bei Bei is in danger!!] [Jiaojiao: Shouldn’t you be telling us to get lost at this time?] [Qingtuan: …] [Qingtuan: Look at the sky and look at the earth, look at who you think you are.] [XY: Comfortable now. That’s more like it.] [Idol is Brother Bei: Comfortable, I feel sick if I’m not scolded by my cousin every day.]

Qin Yian was speechless at these three; he just sneered and was about to turn off his phone when he saw Jiang Wanjiao send a private message. Xi Bei saw he stopped reading, finally stopped laughing, gave a small yawn, and curled up in his arms: “An’an… goodnight.”

Qin Yian patted Xi Bei’s back gently with one hand and whispered: “Okay.”

[Jiaojiao: Sorry, Brother Yian, sorry, Bei Bei. I’m really sorry. Actually, I’ve been wanting to say it all day today, but I didn’t find a chance. I remembered that I heard it once before; Wen Li and the others asked you what you were afraid of, and someone said sparklers… I clearly knew, but I didn’t bring it up. If I had remembered it earlier today, Bei Bei wouldn’t have been so sad.] [Jiaojiao: [Crying]]

Qin Yian looked down. If Jiang Wanjiao had remembered earlier, things indeed wouldn’t have developed to this point. But it wasn’t Jiang Wanjiao’s fault for not remembering. In the end, Qin Yian thought, it was still his own problem. If he was more capable in his conduct, if the power and status in his hands were sufficient, if his reputation could make others keep their distance…

Then…

[Qingtuan: It’s not your fault, sleep early.]

After saying that, Qin Yian turned off his phone and gently pulled Xi Bei into his arms. His gaze fell on Xi Bei’s slightly swollen, red eyes. His heart felt as if it were being torn apart, thread by thread.

—I will never let you cry again in the future.

Qin Yian whispered.

…

Outside the window, the shadows of trees were swaying slightly, but in the dim, warm toy room, the two children fell into a deep sleep together. Qin Yian had beanbags and a quilt under him, and Xi Bei had Qin Yian under him.

This was originally a posture that made one feel absolutely secure; the quiet air was comfortable and warm. The first half of the dream was normal, until in a certain instant, the dream suddenly changed… it was somewhat wrong. Qin Yian’s brow twitched slightly inadvertently.

In the first half of his dream, Xi Bei didn’t come to the toy room to sleep according to Qin Yueyuan’s idea; the two of them chased Qin Yueyuan out and locked the door, unable to stop laughing as if they had gone through a great battle. After that, Qin Yian carried Xi Bei to the sofa, wiped his feet for him after he sat down, let him step on his own legs, and while kneading his ankle, asked him if he was willing to sleep with him.

Xi Bei smiled and said of course he was willing. In the dream, his eyes were also very bright, falling heavily on Qin Yian, his soft, sweet voice saying softly:

“I only want to be with An’an, I’m not going anywhere else.”

Later, Xi Bei’s soft feet stepped on Qin Yian’s, his fair and slender fingers intertwined with his ten fingers, their beating chests leaning tightly against each other, like some kind of signal and horn. Like dancing in a dream, Qin Yian’s brow gradually changed from tightly knitted to relaxed; he wasn’t so uncomfortable anymore.

Until early morning, the point in time when Qin Yian would normally wake up.

He woke up with a start from his dream.

He didn’t realize anything was wrong at first, only that his body, which felt numbed and relaxed, still held the tactile sensations from the dream, feeling a bit weak. Later, his complexion changed. Xi Bei, who was sleeping heavily like a little piglet, lay on top of him with no defenses, his pink soft flesh looking very pinchable.

But that wasn’t the point.

The point was…

Qin Yian’s face was ashen; he carefully took Xi Bei’s hand off his chest, pulled it a little distance away from his soft feet, and let him lie to the side for a while. Then he lowered his head.

Confirmed, his feeling was right. His underwear was soaking wet and cold.

Dreaming about a brother… is this fcking reasonable! *